• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.552-557
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• 2007

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone that is primarily synthesized by the ventricular cardiac myocytes. Increased plasma BNP levels have been observed in patients suffering with congestive heart failure, ventricular hypertrophy and myocaridits and also during heart transplantation rejection. We investigated the serum BNP level as a predictive marker for rejection after heart transplantation. Material and Method: To test the usefulness of measuring the BNP level in cardiac transplant patients, consecutive blood samplings for BNP, right ventricular endomyocardial biopsies, hemodynamic measurements and transthoracic echocardiogram were all done in 10 such patients between January 2004 and August 2005 at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Asan Medical Center. Two groups were identified with using the median value: the low BNP group (n=28, BNP: ${\le}290$ pg/mL) and the high BNP group (n=29, BNP: >290 pg/mL). We retrospectively analyzed rejection, the ejection fraction, tricuspid regurgitation, left ventricular hypertrophy, the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the right atrial pressure between the 2 groups. Result: There were no differences in age, gender, rejection, the ejection fraction, tricuspid regurgitation, left ventricular hypertrophy and the right atrial pressure between the 2 groups (p>0.05). However, a higher pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and a higher mean pulmonary atrial pressure were observed in the high BNP group (p<0.05). Further, BNP has linear correlation with the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r=0.590, p<0.001). Using the cut-off value of 620 pg/mL, the BNP predicted a high PCWP (>12 mmHg) with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 91.1% (AUC: $0.900{\pm}0.045$, p<0.001). Conclusion: The BNP level after heart transplantation does not show any significant correlation with rejection, yet it might be a predictive marker of ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

• 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.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.267-272
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• 2002

Typical hypoplastic left heart syndrome(HLHS) is a distinct pathologic entity with aortic atresia, mitral atresia, very hypoplastic or absent left ventricle and thread like ascending aorta. Occasionally, the lesser degree of hypoplasia is found and is called hypoplastic left heart complex(HLHC) by some authors. This HLHC is often associated with critical aortic stenosis. Fetal echocardiography has enabled us to observe human fetal heart in-utero and to diagnose congenital heart disease prenatally over the last 20 years. The diagnosis of HLHS in fetal echocardiography is based on 2-dimensional echocardio -graphic evidence of a diminutive ascending aorta, aortic atresia, mitral atresia or severe stenosis and a hypoplastic left ventricle. Abnormal flow direction through atrial septum or through isthmus greatly aids the diagnosis. This report shows a fetal case who showed hypoplastic left side chambers and retrograde isthmic flow and was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. After birth, although the baby had tachy-dyspnea for the first 3 weeks, she finally recovered without any intervention and showed catch up growth of left side chambers. This case illustrates the extreme difficulty of assessing left ventricle in a fetus.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1234-1237
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• 1998

Patients with aortic root disease, frequently seen in Marfan syndrome have progressive dilatation of the aortic sinuses and dilatation and distortion of the aortic annulus, leading to aortic incompetence. They are currently treated with composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve and reimplantation of the coronary arteries. Recently, we experienced an aortic root replacement with aortic valve preservation in a patient with annuloaortic ectasia. The ascending aorta and sinus was excised except the aortic annulus and aortic valve. The aortic valve was reimplanted inside of a collagen-impregnated tubular Dacron graft. The coronary arteries were also reimplanted. The patient was followed up for six months and reevaluated with the echocardiography. Postoperative Doppler echocardiography revealed normal aortic valve function. With this technique, it is possible to preserve the native aortic valve if the aortic leaflets are anatomically normal.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.720-723
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• 2001

A case of Marfan’s syndrome with atresia of right coronary artery is reported. A 45-year-old woman, who was diagnosed as Marfan’s syndrome 1 year ago, came to the hospital complaining of acute chest pain. The patient showed arachynodactyly, pectus carinatum, and long and slender extremities. In echocardiography there were severe aortic regurgitation measured grade IV and aortic dilatation of ascending aorta maximally 5.9 cm in diameter. Mitral regurgitation was mild, but there were also moderate left ventricular dilation and moderately decreased ejection fraction of left ventricle. At operation, atresia of right coronary artery was found. We performed Bentall type operation with SJM 27mm valved conduit for left coronary artery, and Piehler’s modification for right coronary artery bypass using 6mm PTFE graft. The atretic portion of right coronary artery from the suspected right coronary ostium to distal coronary flow was about 4 cm in length. The combination of right coronary artery atresia and Marfan’s syndrome is very rare. The author describes the rare case, which is treated with combined technique of Bentall and Piehler modification for reconstruction of coronary circulation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.322-328
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• 2001

배경: 우심실 유출로 재건술후에는 폐동맥판막부전이 우심실기능에 나쁜 영향을 미친다. 이를 막기 위해 여러 재료로 판막을 제조하여 사용하는데 가피 형성이 적은 막형 ePTEE(expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, Goretex) 단엽판막의 효과를 알아보고자 연구를 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법; 1996년 3월부터 1997년 2월까지 우심실유출로 재건술을 시행받고 수술 1일까지 우심실 압력을 측정할 수 있었던 47명중 막형 Goretex단엽판막을 사용한 환자(비교군) 19명, 사용하지 않은 환자(대조군) 28명에서 단엽판막의 유용성을 조사하였다. 두 군간에는 나이, 체중 그리고 McGoon ratio 등에는 통계학적 차이가 없었다.(p>0.05) 이전의 수술은 대조군에서 19번, 비교군에서 22번을 시행하였다. 우심실 유출로에 대한 수술은 대조군에서 REV수술 2예, 우심실폐동맥 연결수술 8예, 우심실 유출로 재개건술 2예, 우심실 유출로에 대한 수술은 대조군에서 16예였으며, 비교군에서는 REV 수술 5예, Rastelli 씨 수술 6예, 재우심실 유출로 재건술 5예, 그리고 우심실 재건술 3예였다. 결과: 대동맥 차단 시간이나 총심폐순환시간에는 두군간의 차이는 없었다. 또한 수술직후와 수술후 1일째 측정한 우심실 압력 및 좌심방압력의 차이도 두군간에는 차이가 없었으며 수술후 7일째 시행한 심에코도 결과 ejection fraction., 우심실/ 좌심실 압력비 , 그리고 우심실 유출로의 압력차, 강심제 투여일수, 호흡기 사용 기간 등에서도 두군간의 차이는 없었으나 흉관 삽입기간이 비교군에서 의미있게 짧았다. 추적 조사 기간 중 비교군 1예에서 사망을 하였으나. Goretex 단엽판막에 의한 것은 아니였으며 심초음파검사상 우심실 유출로 압력차이나 재수술은 두군간에 차이는 없었으나 폐동맥 폐쇄부전은 비교군에서 의미 있게 낮은 것을 보이고 있다. 결론; 막형 Goretex 단엽판막의 조기성적은 우수하였으며 폐동맥 폐쇄분전의 정도를 적게 하는 효과를 보이나 앞으로 이들이 성장함에 따라 우심실 유출로에 폐쇄를 일으키는지는 계속적인 추적관찰이 요구된다.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.233-237
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• 2007

A 10-month-old intact male Labrador Retriever dog was referred with the primary complaint of exercise intolerance, especially after vigorous exercise. Physical examination revealed split S1 and grade III/VI diastolic regurgitant murmur at the left apex and base, respectively. ECG finding was normal sinus rhythm at rest, but supraventricular tachycardia with bundle branch blocks after exercise. Thoracic radiography revealed dilated ascending aorta with normal range of cardiac silhouette (VHS 10.2). Echocardiography revealed abnormal valvular structures just above the aortic valvular cusps causing aortic regurgitation with a reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Based on those findings, the case was diagnosed as congenital aortic regurgitation caused by abnormal valvular structures. The dog was managed with diltiazem and exercise restriction. This is a rare case of aortic deformity in dogs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.8 s.265
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• pp.611-618
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• 2006

Background: There have been controversies whether mitral valvular surgery is necessary in the patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long term clinical results of patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation. Material and Method: Between January 1992 and February 2005, 44 patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Concomitant mitral valvular procedure was performed in 20 patients (group 1) and isolated coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 24 patients (group 2). There were no significant difference between groups except cardiopulmonary bypass time (p<0.01). Postoperative follow up duration was $30.1{\pm}29.6$ months and last follow up echocardiographic examination was performed at $21.2{\pm}28.0$ months. Result: There was no difference in operative mortality between groups (group 1 vs group 2, 15.0% vs 8.3%, p=0.493). Grade of mitral regurgitation ${(0.81{\pm}0.91\;vs\;1.50{\pm}0.05,\;p=0.046)}$ and reduction in regurgitation grade ${(1.75{\pm}0.93\;vs\;0.70{\pm}1.26,\;p=0.009)}$ were different between two groups. But there were no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction ${(34.1{\pm}11.4%\;vs\;41.6{\pm}12.9%)}$, left ventricular end systolic volume ${(118.2{\pm}63.9\;ml%\;vs\;85.6{\pm}281\;ml)}$, New York Heart Association functional class ${(2.1{\pm}0.2\;vs\;2.4{\pm}1.2)}$ and 5 year survival rate ${(85{\pm}8%\;vs\;82{\pm}8%)}$. There was no risk factor for operative mortality and the only risk factor for late death was preoperative atrial fibrillation (p=0.042). There was no significant correlation between mitral valvular surgery and late death. Conclusion: Concomitant mitral valvular procedure in patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting had no significant positive effect on survival and ventricular function compared with isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Prospective randomized study may be needed to evaluate the necessity of concomitant mitral procedure and to find more effective method for the improvement of ventricular function.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.656-662
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• 1997

Aortic valvuloplasty has recently gained attention as an attractive alternative procedure for aortic valvular disease. Between March 1995 to August 1996, 14 patients with pure aortic regurgitation(AR) underwent aortic alvuloplasty using leaflet extension with glutaraldehydepreserved autologous pericardium. There were 11 males and 3 females, and the mean age was 34.8 $\pm$ 15.3 years. Preoperative echocardiography and cardiac catheterization revealed that the degree of AR was mean 3.4$\pm$0.65, and more than moderate degree of mitral regurgitation(MR) were detected in 4 patients. In 12 patients, 3 leaflets were extended and in another 2 patients only one deformed leaflet was extended. Concomitant mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) was performed in 4 patients. The competency of the aortic valve after completion of repair was evaluated by the transesophageal echocardiography in operating theater, and there was no aortic and mitral stenosis or regurgitation. In an early postoperative echocardiography, trivial AR was detected in 3 patients and mild MR in 1 patient. The end-systolic and end-diastolic dimensions of the left ventricle were decreased significantly(p<0.05) as compared with those of preoperative values. T ere was no mortality and no significant postoperative complication encountered. Late complication developed in 2 patients during the follow-up period(mean 7.9$\pm$ 5.9 months). One patient underwent AVR on postoperative 7th month due to endocarditis, and the another patient with Behcet's disease underwent Ross operation at postoperative 4th month. In conclusion, AVP of leaflet extension technique offers an excellent early clinical result and represents a good alterna!ivy surgical treatment for the pure AR especially in young age group, although long-term follow-up is necessary to determine the durability of glutaraldehyde-preserved autologous pericardium as a valve leaflet.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 2003

Background: Lung-to-heart uptake ratio (LHR) in $^{201}Tl-chloride$ myocardial perfusion scan is believed to be a reliable marker for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, but the clinical value of LHR is controversial for $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ imaging. Furthermore, most of results suggesting lung uptake of $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ as a potential marker for LV dysfunction used immediate post-stress images, instead of routine images acquired 1 hour after tracer injection. The goal of our study was to investigate whether LHR evaluated with routine gated $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ imaging can reflect the degree of perfusion defect or left ventricular performance. Subjects and Methods: 241 patients underwent exercise $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ myocardial SPECT were classified into normal myocardial perfusion (NP, n=135) and abnormal myocardial perfusion (AP, n=106) group according to the presence of perfusion defect. LHR was calculated from anterior projection image taken at 1-hour after injection. Two legions of interest (ROIs) were placed on left lung above LV and on myocardium showing the highest radioactivity. Subjects were classified by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), as Gr-I: >50%, Gr-II: 36-50%, Gr-III: <36% and by summed stress score (SSS), as Gr-A: <4, Gr-B: 4-8, Gr-C: 9-13, Gr-D: >13, LHR was compared among these groups. Results: In NP group(n=135), LHR, were higher in men than women ($men:\;0.311{\pm}0.03,\;women:\;0.296{\pm}0.03,\;p<0.05$). Significant difference, in LHR were found between NP and AP groups both for men and women ($men:\;0.311{\pm}0.03\;vs\;.\;0.331{\pm}0.06,\;women:\;0.296{\pm}0.03\;vs.\;0.321{\pm}0.07.\;p<0.05$). There were weak negative correlation between LHR and LVEF (r=-0.342, p<0.05) and weak positive correlation between LHR and SSS (r=0.478, p<0.05) in men, but not in women (LVEF: r=-0.279, p=0.100, SSS: r=0.276, p=0.103). Increased LHR was defined when for more than mean + 2SD value ($men{\geq}0.38,\;women{\geq}0.37$) of the LHR of the subject with normal perfusion. Increased LHR were observed more frequently in subjects with lower LVEF (Gr-I: 11.1%, Gr-II: 27.0%, Gr-III: 35.4%, p<0.05) and higher SSS(Gr-A: 14.0%, Gr-B: 5.7%, Gr-C: 18.2%, Gr-D: 40.7%, p<0.05). Conclusions: LHRs obtained from routine $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ gated SPECT images were weakly correlated with LVEF and perfusion defect. Although significant overlaps were observed between normal and abnormal perfusion group, LHRs could be used as an indirect marker of severe perfusion defect or reduced left ventricular function.