• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.689-699
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• 1996

An animal experiment was designed for the evaluation of in vivo performance of the newly developed electrohydraulic type ventricular assist device and its influence on the left ventricular function during pal- satile left ventricular assist. Eight adult sheep were incorporated into the study and data were collected from seven sheep. Total as- sist time ranged from 69 minutes to 7 days. The performance of the device was satisfactory both in asyn- chr nous and synchronous mode within the range of given native heart rate. More than 4 liters of device output could be reached within the range of normal left atral pressure without development of negative pressure in the left atrium. Moderate to severe degree of hemolysis was noted as evidenced by significant increase of plasma free hemoglobin level after 3 days of left ventricular support along with the presence of the small amount of thrombi around the floating disc type polymer valve apparatus reflecting that further study and refinement of the device need to be done in regard of biocompatibility and thromboresistance. The hemodynamics showed increase in heart rate (p < 0.05), cardiac output and left ventricular minute work (p < 0.05) after placement of the device at the flow rate of 2.0∼2.5 Llmin. The left atrial pressure, left ventricular pressure and LV dpldt were decreased after the device placement(p < 0.05). The endocardial viability ratio and oxygen contents of the mixed ven us blood and coronary venous blood were all increased (p < 0.05) after the device placement suggesting effective unloading of the left ventricle was accomplished. The myocardial perfusion was thought improved in synchronous counterpulsation as suggested by sig- nificant increase in endocardial viability ratio and coronary venous blood oxygen content in synchronous assist mode comparing with asynchronous mode.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.407-413
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• 2007

Background: The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level has been reported in some studies to be associated with the occurrence of atrial fbrillation (AF). The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential usefulness of the BNP level as a predictor of the occurrence of postoperative (postop) AF and to assess the relationship of the BNP level with the onset of AF and the restoration of sinus rhythm. Material and Method: From January 1, 2005 to February 28, 2006, 82 patients without a history of atrial arrhythmia that had undergone cardiac surgery were enrolled in the study. Blood samples for plasma BNP were drawn daily for all these patients from the preoperative (preop) day to the 7th postop day. The patient records were reviewed and postop EKGs were checked daily for AF until the time of discharge. Result: Patients were divided into two groups based on development of postop AF. Postoperative AF developed in 26 patients (31.7%). There was no significant statistical difference in age, sex distribution, preop left ventricle ejection fraction, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, or the use of beta blockers between the non-postop AF and postop AF group. More patients in the AF group had undergone valve surgery (39.3% versus 76.9%, p=0.002). The preop left atrium size was significantly larger in the AF patients ($43.8{\pm}10.3 mm$ versus $49.8{\pm}11.5 mm$, p=0.029). The preop plasma BNP levels were higher in the postop AF patients ($144.1{\pm}20.8 pg/mL$ versus $267.5{\pm}68 pg/mL$, p=0.034). In the postop AF group, the plasma BNP level was the highest on the 3rd postop day. Postop AF developed in most patients by the 3rd postop day; restored sinus rhythm developed by the 7th postop day. Conclusion: Elevated plasma BNP levels may lead to the occurrence of postop AF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients who have a high risk of postop AF should be considered for aggressive prophylactic antiarrhythmic therapy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.4 s.273
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• pp.280-287
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• 2007

Background: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical results of surgically managing patients with Ebstein's anomaly. Material and Method: Between Feb. f 984 and June 2006, 50 patients who underwent surgical treatment for Ebstein's anomaly at Yonsei Cardiovascular Center were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 26.9 years and 19 patients were male, Associated anomalies included atrial septal defect (33), patent ductus arteriosus (2), ventricular septal defect (1), and pulmonary stenosis (4), and 90%, (45/50) of the patients had more than a moderate degree of tricuspid regurgitation. Carpentier type A was present in 6 patients, type B in 26, type C in 14 and type D in 4. Ten patients were associated with WPW syndrome. Conservative surgery was possible in 31 patients (tricuspid annuloplasty, plication of the atrialized RV), Fontan's operation was peformed in 4 patients, tricuspid valve replacement was done in 12 and palliative surgery was done in 2 patients. Thirteen patients were associated with hi-directional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS: one and a half ventricular repairs): 10 patients with WPW syndrome and 4 patients with atrial fibrillation underwent concomitant ablation. Result: The postoperative median NYHA functional class $(3{\rightarrow}1)$ and the mean cardio-thoracic ratio $(0.65{\rightarrow}0.59)$ were decreased significantly (p<0.001, p=0.014). The mean oxygen saturation $(86.6{\rightarrow}94.1%)$, and median TR grade $(4{\rightarrow}1)$ were also significantly improved (p=0.004, p<0.001). For comparison of BCPS and conservative surgery, the preoperative right ventricular pressure (33.0 vs. 41.3 mmHg), the ICU stay (2.80 vs. 1.89 days), the hospital say (10.6 vs. 16.8 days), and the left ventricular ejection fraction (64.3 vs. 72.8%) were statistically different. Postoperative mortality occurred in 3 patients (6%) due to biventricular failure in 2 patients and sepsis in the other patient. The mean follow up duration was 101.5 months, and one patient died of Fontan failure and 6 patients required reoperation (bioprosthetic degenerative change (2) and Fontan conversion (4)). The overall survival rate at 10 years was 90.2%, the freedom from reoperation rate and rate of cardiac related events were 78.9% and 49.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Surgical management of Ebstein's anomaly can be performed safely, and the associated BCPS may be helpful for high-risk patients. Adequate application of surgical management may increase the long-term survival with a reduced rate of reoperation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2009

Background: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is uniformly fatal if this condition is not properly treated. We reviewed the surgical results of treating hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and we evaluated the hemodynamics and functional status of these patients after they underwent a Fontan operation. Material and Method: To assess the surgical results, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 6 (M/F=4/2) patients who underwent a staged operation, including a Norwood procedure, a bidirectional Glenn procedure and a Fontan procedure between October 1997 to May 2005. The mean age of the patients was $17.3{\pm}10.8$ days (range: 9~36 days) at the $1^{st}$ staged operation, $8.9{\pm}7.1$ months (4.6~23.3 months) at the $2^{nd}$ staged operation (the Bidirectional Glenn procedure) and $32.4{\pm}9.8$ months at the final staged operation (the Fontan procedure). During the $2^{nd}$ staged operation, one of the patients received tricuspid valve repair due to regurgitation. All the patients underwent an extracardiac Fontan procedure using Gore-Tex conduit (20 mm: 2 patients, 18 mm: 4 patients) and one of them required fenestration. Result: 21 patients underwented a Norwood procedure. There were 7 early deaths and 4 interstage deaths. Bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt was performed in 10 patients and the Fontan procedure was done in 6 (mortality: 1 patient, Flow up loss: 1 patient, Awaiting a Fontan procedure: 2 patients). After the Fontan procedure, there was no complication except for one case of post operative bleedings. All the patients had good ventricular function and 2 had grade I tricuspid regurgitation, as noted on their echocardiography. The average follow up period after the Fontan procedure was $19.6{\pm}14.9$ months (range: 1.5~39.1 month). All the patients had normal sinus rhythm and they were put on aspirin and cardiac medication. During follow up period, all the patients had a good functional status (NYHA functional class I). Conclusion: All the patients who suffered with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and who underwent a Fontan procedure achieved a good hemodynamic and functional status, even though there was a relatively high operative mortality rate after stage I Norwood palliation. Therefore, thise staged operation should be strongly recommended as an important surgical strategy for treating hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.387-391
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• 2002

Background: Postoperative morbidity and mortality in destroyed lung are relatively high. We tried to identify the prognostic factors affecting postoperative morbidity and mortality in destroyed lung through a retrospective study. Material and method: The retrospective study was undertaken in 112 patients who had undergone pneumonectomy or pleuropneumonectomy for destroyed lung at Severance Hospital from 1970 to 2000. We analyzed the correlation between postoperative morbidity and mortality and etiology, duration of disease, preoperative FEV1, presence or absence of peroperative empyema, operation timing, the side of operation, duration of operation, and operation type. Result: There were 55 men and 57 women, aged 20 to 81 years (mean 44 years). Etiologic diseases were tuberculosis in 86 patients(76.8%) including tuberculos empyema in 20 and tuberculous bronchiectasis in 4, pyogenic empyema in 12(10,7%), bronchiectasis in 12(10.7%), and lung abscess in 2(1.8%). Postoperative morbidity were 25%(n=28) and postoperative mortality was 6%(n=7). The presence of preoperative empyema(p=0.016), pleuropneumonectomy(p=0.037) and preoperative FEV1 of less than 1.75 L(P=0.048) significantly increased the postoperative morbidity, If operation time was less than 300min, postoperative morbidity(p=0.002) and mortality(p=0.03) were significantly low. Conclusion: Postoperative morbidity and mortality in destroyed lung were acceptable. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were significantly low when operation time was less than 300 min. Preoperative existence of empyema, pleuropneumonectomy and preoperative FEV1 of less than 1.75 L significantly increased postoperative morbidity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.7 s.264
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• pp.544-548
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• 2006

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity of a combined high saphenous vein division and sclerotherapy without sacrificing saphenous vein for varicose vein. Material and Method: Between August 2004 and October 2005, 70 limbs in 50 patients were treated by a combined high saphenous vein division and sclero-therapy. The operative indication is valvular incompetence of femoral-saphenous or popliteal-saphenous junction. Patients received local anesthesia and were treated by a combined high saphenous vein division, ligation of incompetent perforating vein and $1{\sim}3%$ sclerosant. Patients received 1 day hospitalization and applied in com-pression stocking for 6 weeks. Patients followed after 1 week, 1 and 3 months. Result: Mean age of patients was $50{\pm}11$. The female was more common. 8 patients was no symptom, another 42 patients complained of pain, heaviness and fatigue of limbs. The symptoms of varicose vein disappeared 1 month after the procedure in all symptomatic patients. 8 patients needed a adjuvant sclerotherapy for residual varicose vein on 1 week after the procedure. There were only minor complications such as hematoma (1), wound infection (1), thrombophlebitis (20), skin blister (10), hyper-pigmentation (1), and skin ulcer (1). Conclusion: We concluded that a combined high saphenous vein division and sclerotherapy without sacrificing saphenous vein for varicose vein is simple, less invasive, economical, and effective treatment for primary varicose vein, and it has a special advantage that saphenous vein can be used as a bypass conduit later. The method was selective in old aged patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.268-271
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• 2007

Purpose : Premature narrowing of the foramen ovale is rare but serious clinical entity. Prenatal narrowing or obstruction of the foramen ovale shows symptoms such as right heart failure, fetal hydrops, triscupid regurgitation, left heart obstructive disease, and supraventricular tachycardia. This study aimed to assess the prenatal diagnosis and postnatal clinical course of restrictive foramen ovale in utero in otherwise normal heart. Methods : The subjects were five patients diagnosed with restrictive foramen ovale in utero from January 2001 to June 2005 at Chungnam National University Hospital. The diagnostic criteria was defined when the maximum diameter in a 4-chamber view is less than 2.5 mm and there is a continuous doppler velocity at the foramen ovale of more than 0.6m/s. Results : At the time of diagnosis of restrictive foramen ovale, gestation age was 34~37 wks, and chief complaints were fetal arrhythmia(2 cases), pericardial effusion, Ebstein anomaly and subaortic stenosis. Two cases which were diagnosed fetal hydrops and supraventricular tachycardia delivered by emergent cesarian section. Five cases were found to have right heart dilatation on echocardiogram after birth, but right heart dilatation became normalized at day 7 after birth and the clinical courses were not eventful. Conclusion : Identifying an obstructed foramen ovale in the fetus warrants the further search for additional cardiac and extracardiac anomalies, which may alter the prognosis. Delivery should be induced if possible in cases of foramen ovale obstruction with signs of cardiac decompensation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.11
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• pp.1062-1068
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• 1997

From August 1989 to January 1996, a total of 105 cases of bidirectional Glean operations have been done as the interim stage for the patien s with some risk of univentricular correction at Sejong General Hospital. From December 1992, we started the conversion to Fontal operations for them, and 42 cases underwent Fontal-stage operation till February 1996. Their diagnoses were univentricular heart in 19(right ventricular type : 14), tricuspid atresia 11, double outlet of right ventricle 9, and others in 3 cases. The median age of bidirectional Glerln-stage operation was 12.5 months(range 2 months to 8 years) and Fontan-stage operation was at 59.6 months of median age(range 1 year 5 months to ,9 year 7 months). The mean waiting interval between the two operations was 33.88 $\pm$ 17.85 months with a range of 10 months to 6 years 3 months. During the waiting periods, 18 patients developed significant systemic-pulmonary collaterals andfor systemic verso-veno collateral channels. There were 5 hospital deaths after operations due to low cardiac output in 4 and sepsis in one. Most of the Fontal-stage operations were done by the late al tunneling with Core-Tex tube graft patch and fenestrated with the size of 2.5 ~6 mm. All the patients were followed-up(7 months to 4 years 2 months, mean 21.97$\pm$10.82 months) and there were 5 late deaths(postoperatively 6 months to 2 years) due to thromboembolism in 1, after heart transplantation 1, plastic bronchitis 1, protein loosing enteropathy 1, and pneumonia in 1. Dividing the patients by the waiting interval of 2 years, the early correction to Fontal group (N=16) showed the better results(hospital mortality 1116, late mortality 1116, significant collateral development 2/16) compared to the other group(N=26) (4/26, 4/26, 16/26). In conclusion, after the bidirectional Glean-stage operation successfully got rid of the previous risk factors, we recommand to do the Fontan-stage operation no later than 2 years of interval.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.399-406
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• 2007

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury related to unsuccessful myocardial protection affects postoperative ventricular function and mortality during open-heart surgery. We prospectively compared the effects of administration of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution and cold blood cardioplegia (CBC) on myocardial protection and clinical outcome in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. Material and Method: Seventy patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) undergoing mitral valve surgery were randomly divided into the HTK group (n=31) and the CBC group (n=31 ): eight patients were excluded. Perioperative hemodynamics, cardiac medications, pacing, postoperative outcomes and complications were recorded during the hospital stay. All patients received follow-up for at least 6 months postoperatively for morbidity and mortality. Resuか: There were no significant differences in the hemodynamics between the groups during the study period, except for the mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), PCWP and CVP that were lower in the HTK group at 15 min after weaning of CBP. There were no differences for inotropic support and pacing during the 12 hrs postoperatively between the groups. CK-MB values on day 1 and day 2 were $77{\pm}54$ and $41{\pm}23$ for the HTK group and $70{\pm}69$ and $44{\pm}34$ for the CBC group, respectively (p=NS). Postoperative clinical outcomes were similar in both groups for at least 6 months during the follow-up period. Conclusion: These results suggest that the use of HTK solution is as safe as cold blood cardioplegia in terms of myocardial protection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.621-627
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• 1999

Background: Sixty five cases with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) indicated for biventricular repair were operated on between 1984 and september 1998. Comparison between the results of the conventional(classic) connection(LV-PA) and the anatomic repair was done. Material and Method: Retrospective review was carried out based on the medical records of the patients. Operative procedures, complications and the long-term results accoding to the combining anomalies were analysed. Result: Mean age was 5.5$\pm$4.8 years(range, 2 months to 18years). Thirty nine were male and 26 were female. Situs solitus {S,L,L} was in 53 and situs inversus{I,D,D} in 12. There was no left ventricular outflow tract obstruction(LVOTO) in 13(20%) cases. The LVOTO was resulted from pulmonary stenosis(PS) in 26(40%)patients and from pulmonary atresia(PA) in 26(40%) patients. Twenty-five(38.5%) patients had tricuspid valve regurgitation(TR) greater than the mild degree that was present preoperatively. Twenty two patients previously underwent 24 systemic- pulmonary shunts previously. In the 13 patients without LVOTO, 7 simple closure of VSD or ASD, 3 tricuspid valve replacements(TVR), and 3 anatomic corrections(3 double switch operations: 1 Senning+ Rastelli, 1 Senning+REV-type, and 1 Senning+Arterial switch opera tion) were performed. As to the 26 patients with CCTGA+VSD or ASD+LVOTO(PS), 24 classic repairs and 2 double switch operations(1 Senning+Rastelli, 1 Mustard+REV-type) were done. In the 26 cases with CCTGA+VSD+LVOTO(PA), 19 classic repairs(18 Rastelli, 1 REV-type), and 7 double switch operations(7 Senning+Rastelli) were done. The degree of tricuspid regurgitation increased during the follow-up periods from 1.3$\pm$1.4 to 2.2$\pm$1.0 in the classic repair group(p<0.05), but not in the double switch group. Two patients had complete AV block preoperatively, and additional 7(10.8%) had newly developed complete AV block after the operation. Other complications were recurrent LVOTO(10), thromboembolism(4), persistent chest tube drainage over 2 weeks(4), chylothorax(3), bleeding(3), acute renal failure(2), and mediastinitis(2). Mean follow-up was 54$\pm$49 months(0-177 months). Thirteen patients died after the operation(operative mortality rate: 20.0%(13/65)), and there were 3 additional deaths during the follow up period(overall mortality: 24.6%(16/65)). The operative mortality in patients underwent anatomic repair was 33.3%(4/12). The actuarial survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 75.0$\pm$5.6%, 75.0$\pm$5.6%, and 69.2$\pm$7.6%. Common causes of death were low cardiac output syndrome(8) and heart failure from TR(5). Conclusion: Although our study could not demonstrate the superiority of each classic or anatomic repair, we found that the anatomic repair has a merit of preventing the deterioration of tricuspid valve regurgitations. Meticulous selection of the patients and longer follow-up terms are mandatory to establish the selective advantages of both strategies.