• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1112-1117
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• 2003

Purpose : Recent advances in the methods of treating cancer in young patients have led to both an increased frequency of CNS complications as well as prolonged life expectancy. We intend to analyze the clinical aspects and laboratory findings of patients with CNS complications during and after treatment. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 174 childhood cancer patients treated with chemotherapy admitted to the Dept. of Pediatrics, Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, from January 1995 to November 2002. Among them, 15 cases with CNS complications were investigated in this study. Results : CNS abnormalities were found in 13 patients by CT or MRI during treatment such as leukoencephalopathy(n=7), mineralizing microangiopathy(n=4), brain infarction(n=3), intracranial hemorrhage(n=1), and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy(n=1). It was found that two patients had two or more CNS abnormalities. Two patients who had no imaging abnormalities had convulsions, possibly after the addition of intrathecal methotrexate. The patients with intracranial hemorrhage and brain infarction had rapid and fatal clinical courses. The hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy following electrolyte imbalance completely recovered after correction of electrolyte. Conclusion : The CNS complications that occur during and after chemotherapy influence prognoses significantly, and remain neurologic sequelae. Therefore early diagnosis and prophylaxis for CNS complications and regular physical examination of patients who have recieved cancer therapy are strongly recommended.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.225-233
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• 1996

From August 1992 to July 1996, 63 consecutive patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. The mean age of these patient was 57 years(range form 30 to 71years). There were 44 men and 19 women. Preoperative 12 patients had stable angina pectoris and 23 patients were unstable angina pectoris. 8 patients had previous myocardial infarctation history and emergency or urgent myocardial revascularization were performed in 9 cases. In the risk factors of coronary atherosclerosis, 25 patients(40%) were hypercholesterolemia, 38 patients(60%) have smoking history and 19 patients(30%) have hypertension history. In the patterns of disease, 9 patients were single vessel disease, 18 patients were two vessele disease and 33 patients were three vessel disease. We performed total 284 distal anastomosis(mean 3.5 anastomosis per patient) and performed one case of ascending aorta graft interposition, two cases of mitral valve replacement, one case of aortic valve replacement, one case of ventricular septal defect repair and one case of atrial septal defect repair and the mean aortic cross clamp time was 115.3 minutes. The common complications were arrhythmia(7cases), wound infection(5cases), perioperative myocardial infarction(4cases), reoperation for bleeding control(4cases) and stroke(4cases). There were six hospital deaths due to low cardiac output syndrome, ventricular arrhythmia and respiratory failure. In the evaluation of operative risk factors, preoperative intravenous nitroglycerin requirement and prolonged aortic cross clamp tirne(>2hours) were found to be predective factor of morbidity and old age(>65years) was found to be predective factor of mortality.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.823-830
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• 2001

Background: Paraplegia is a serious complication of thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic operations, which is related to ischemic injury of the spinal cord induced by low perfusion pressure during cross clamping of the aorta. Ischemic preconditioning of heart or brain with reversible sublethal ischemic injury induces resistance to subsequent lethal ischemia. The aim of this study is to investigate whether ischemic tolerance could be induced by the preconditioning of the spinal cord using swine model. Material and Method: The animals were randomly assigned to three groups: sham group(n=3), control group(n=6) and pre-conditioning group(n=8). In the sham group, we performed the left thoracotomy only without any ischemic injury. In the preconditioning group, the swine received reversible spinal cord ischemic injury by aortic clamping for 20 minutes, whereas control group had no previous aortic cross- clamping. Forty-eight hours later, the aorta was clamped for 30 minutes in both groups. Neurological examination was done 24 hours later, then the animals were euthanized for histopathology and malonedialdehyde(MDA) spectrophotometry assay of the spinal cord. Result: Statistically significant difference in neurological outcome was observed between the control and preconditioning groups at 24 hours after ischemic injury. The incidence of paraplegia and severe paresis was 100% in the control group, and 62.5% in the preconditing group(p=0.028). There was no statistically significant difference in histopathology and MDA assay of the ischemic spinal cord between these two groups with borderline statistical difference in MDA assay(p=0.0745). Conclusion: In the present swine study, ischemic preconditioning could induce tolerance against 30 minute ischemic insult of the spinal cord, although the animals did not completely recover(stand-up or walk). We expect that combining this preconditioning with other currently existing protection methods might lead to a synergistic effect, which warrants further investigation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.449-453
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• 2002

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is well known for its hemodynamic benefit but still has its own complications. Proper use of IABP is the best way to obtain maximum benefit with low complication rate. Material and Method： Twenty one(men 10, female 11) patients were included in this study among the 100 consecutive adult cardiac surgery patients in our hospital. Eighteen(85.7%) were ischemic heart disease patients. They all received IABP therapy due to postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock according to the well-known indications. Their preoperative conditions, intraoperative factors including hemodynamics, postoperative conditions and IABP-related complications were analyzed. Result： Nineteen patients(90.5%) were successfully weaned from IABP. There were 2 patients of operative death and the mortality rate was 9.5%. Duration of IABP use was 40.7$\pm$24.3 hours. There were 2 cases(9.5 %) of IABP-related vascular complications that required surgical intervention. Conclusion： We concluded that IABP could be used effectively and safely for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock patients with low complication rate.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2011

Although left Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is not only an adaptive response of the heart to increased cardiac workload in hypertension, it surelybut also is the most potent risk factor of overt cardiovascular complications such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmia and stroke in the hypertensive population. Also it has become generally accepted that subclinical cardiovascular disease begins in childhood and LVH is the most readily assessed marker for that. As LVH can be seen in children and adolescents with even mild blood pressure elevation with the reported prevalence of 10 to 47%, aggressive antihypertensive treatment is critical in preventing the development of hypertensive heart disease in that those cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.11 s.268
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• pp.815-821
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• 2006

Background: Carotid endarterectomy is an effective treatment modality in patients with severe carotid artery stenosis, but it may result in serious postoperative complications, We analyzed the results of the carotid endarterectomy performed in our institution to reduce the complications related to the card endarterectomy. Material and Method: We analyzed retrospectively the medical records of 74 patients(76 cases) who underwent carotid endarterectomy for carotid artery stenosis by a single surgeon from February 1996 to July 2004. Result: There were 64 men and 10 women. The mean age of the patients was 63.6 years old. Carotid endarterectomy only was performed in 63 cases, carotid endarterectomy with patch angioplasty in 8 cases, and carotid endarterectomy with segmental resection of internal carotid artery and end to end anastomosis in 5 cases. Intra-arterial shunt was used in 29 cases. The mean back pressures of internal carotid arteries checked after clamping common carotid arteries and external carotid arteries were $23.48{\pm}10.04$ mmHg in 25 cases with changes in electroencephalography(group A) and $47.16{\pm}16.04$ mmHg in 51 cases without changes in electroencephalography(group B). There was no statistical difference in the mean back pressure of internal carotid arteries between two groups(p=0.095), but the back pressures of internal carotid arteries of all patients with changes in electroencephalography were under 40 mmHg. When there was no ischemic change of electroencephalography after clamping common carotid artery and external carotid artery, we did not make use of intra-arterial shunt regardless of the back pressure of internal carotid artery. Operative complications were transient hypoglossal nerve palsy in four cases, cerebral hemorrhage occurred at previous cerebral infarction site in two cases, mild cerebral infarction in one case, hematoma due to anastomosis site bleeding in one case, and upper airway obstruction due to laryngeal edema probably caused by excessive retraction during operation in two cases. One patient expired due to cerebral hemorrhage occurring at previous cerebral infarction site. Conclusion: Carotid endarterectomy is a safe operative procedure showing low operative mortality. We suggest that intra-arterial shunt usage should be decided according to the ischemic change of electroercephalography regardless of the back pressure of internal carotid artery. Excessive retraction during operation should be avoided to prevent upper alway obstruction due to laryngeal edema and if upper airway obstruction is suspected, prompt management is essential.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.197-205
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• 2003

서론: 급성 관동맥 증후군과 심근경색증의 진단과 예후 예측에 도움을 주는 새로운 심효소인자가 여러 가지 발견이 되어 현재 응급의료센터에서도 기본적으로 허혈성 흉통이 있는 환자에게 많이 사용하고 있다. 특히 최근에는 troponin과 CK-MB의 유용성에 대해서 많이 언급을 하고 있다. CRP도 역시 급성 관상동맥증후군에서 중요성이 인식되고 있다. 저자들은 세 가지 인자를 동시에 평가하여 상승되는 인자 수에 따라 그 중요성이 다를 수 있다는 가정 하에 총체적인 환자에 대한 정보를 제공할 수 있고, 응급실 근무 의사에게 급성 심근 경색증 환자를 좀 더 효율적으로 평가 할 수 있도록 하기 위하여 다표지 인자에 관한 연구를 시작하였다. 방법: 저자들은 응급의료센터에 내원한 급성 허혈성 흉통이 있는 환자 중 심효소 검사와 심전도에서 급성 심근 경색증에 합당한 소견을 보이고 이후 검사한 심혈관 조영술에서 심근경색증으로 확진된 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 내원 초기에 troponin T와 CK-MB, CRP를 동시에 측정하였고 또한 후향적으로 환자에 대한 기본적인 특징과 정보, 심전도 소견, 합병증 발생, 심혈관 조영술 소견과 경색관련 혈관 수, 치료 및 치료결과 등에 대한 자료를 정리하여 분석하여 보았다. 이때 환자는 두 군으로 나누어 분석하였는데, 1군은 증가된 효소수가 1개 이하인 경우이고, 2군은 2개 또는 3개 및 좌주관상동맥을 포함한 경우로 하였다. 결과: 전체 130명의 환자가 대상이 되었고, 1군 40례, 2군 90례로 2군이 훨씬 많았다. 과거력에서 이전에 관동맥 성형술을 시술받은 경우가 2군에서 유의 있게 많았다(p<0.05). 이전의 약물 복용은 전체적으로 1군에서 많았으나 질산제 복용(p<0.05)을 제외하고는 의의가 없었다. 치료는 혈전용해제 사용이 오히려 1군에서 의의있게 많았으나(p<0.05), 합병증으로 쇽이나 폐부종을 동반한 경우가 2군에서 많았다. 하지만 본 연구에서는 6개월 추적 기간중의 사건 발생이나 합병증, 예후 결과에 대한 양군간의 차이를 발견하지 못했다. 결론: 급성 심근경색증 환자에게 다표지 인자를 이용한 접근법을 적용한 결과, 기본적으로 환자에 대한 몇 가지 정보, 즉 과거에 약물 투여 여부와 혈전용해제 사용, 혈관성형술을 시술 받은 경력과 같은 기초자료에 대한 제한적인 차이를 발견할 수 있었으나, 본 연구에서는 다표지 인자를 이용하여 추적기간중 환자의 상태와 예후를 평가하고 합병증을 조기에 예측한다든지 하는 중요한 역할을 발견하지 못하였다. 그래서 향후 이에 대한 제한점을 해결한 더 보완된 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.255-260
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• 2002

Paraplegia remains unresolved as the most dreaded operative complication with surgical treatment of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic diseases. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of trimetazidine that has been used clinically for ischemic heart disease was investigated in a rabbit spinal cord ischemia model. Material and Method: Thirty-three New Zealand white rabbits were randomized as follows: control group undergoing abdominal aortic occlusion but receiving no pharmacologic intervention(Group 1, n= 17); TMZ group(Group 2, n= 16) receiving 3 mg/kg trimetazidine intravenously before the occlusion of the aorta. Ischemia was induced by clamping the abdominal aorta just distal to the left renal artery for 30 minutes. Neurologic status was assessed at 2, 24, and 48 hours after the operation according to the modified Tarlov scale, then the lumbosacral spinal cord was processed for histopathologic examinations 48 hours after the final assessment. Result: The average motor function score was significantly higher in the TMZ group(3.20 $\pm$ 0.77 vs 1.13 $\pm$ 1.25 at 2 hours, 3.50 $\pm$ 0.76 vs 1.45 $\pm$ 1.57 at 24 hours, and 3.91 $\pm$ 0.30 vs 1.86 $\pm$ 1.86 at 48 hours after operation; p value$\leq$0.05). Histologic observations were correlated with the motor scores. Conclusion: The results suggested that trimetazidine reduced spinal cord injury during aortic clamping and that it may have clinical utility for the thoracoabdominal aortic surgery:

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.480-483
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• 1999

The widely accepted method for coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) is performing the distal coronary artery anastomoses on the flaccid and nonbeating heart with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) and cardioplegic arrest. However, current cardioplegic techniques are not consistent in avoiding myocardial ischemic damages especially in high risk patients undergoing CABG. In this regard, "Off-Pump" seems to be an ideal method for preventing myocardial ischemic damage and adverse effects during CPB. However, "Off-pump" CABG is not always technically feasible. We report 2 cases of "On-pump" CABG performed on the beating heart in high risk patients; The first patient had left ventricular dysfunction(Ejection Fraction=25%), and the second patient had cardiogenic shock after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.246-253
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• 2010

Background: Our objective was to review the long-term prognosis of patients with preoperative mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Material and Method: We prospectively followed 1,000 consecutive and systematic off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting patients who were operated on between September 1996 and March 2004; follow-up was achieved for 97%. Sixty-seven patients (6.7%) had mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation at the time of surgery. Operative mortality, actuarial survival and major adverse cardiac event free survival were compared to assess the effect of ischemic mitral regurgitation. Result: Average follow-up was $66{\pm}22$ months. Patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation were older (p<0.001), had lower ejection fractions (p<0.001) and more comorbidities. Significantly more female patients presented with ischemic mitral regurgitation (p=0.002). There was no significant difference in operative mortality and perioperative myocardial infarction in ischemic mitral regurgitation patients (p=0.25). Eight-year survival was decreased in ischemic mitral regurgitation patients ($39.6{\pm}11.8%$ vs $76.7{\pm}2.2$, p<0.001). However, after correcting for risk factors, mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation was not found to be a significant independent risk factor for long-term mortality (p=0.42). Major adverse cardiac event free survival at 8 years was significantly lower in ischemic mitral regurgitation patients ($53.12{\pm}12%$ vs $77{\pm}2%$, p<0.001). After correction for risk factors, ischemic mitral regurgitation remained a significant independent cause of major adverse cardiac events (HR: 2.31), especially congestive heart failure and recurrent myocardial infarction. Conclusion: In our series, patients with preoperative mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation had a higher prevalence of preoperative risk factors than patients without ischemic mitral regurgitation. They had comparable perioperative mortality and morbidity, but, in the long term, were found to be at elevated risk for recurrent cardiac events.