• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.289-297
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• 2006

Background: Surgery for Stanford type A aortic dissection shows a high operative mortality rate and frequent postoperative brain injury. This study was designed to find out the risk factors leading to operative mortality and brain injury after surgical repair in patients with type A aortic dissection. Material and Method: One hundred and eleven patients with type A aortic dissection who underwent surgical repair between February, 1995 and January 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 99 acute dissections and 12 chronic dissections. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify risk factors of operative mortality and brain injury. Resuit: Hospital mortality occurred in 6 patients (5.4%). Permanent neurologic deficit occurred in 8 patients (7.2%) and transient neurologic deficit in 4 (3.6%). Overall 1, 5, 7 year survival rate was 94.4, 86.3, and 81.5%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed 4 risk factors to be statistically significant as predictors of mortality: previous chronic type III dissection, emergency operation, intimal tear in aortic arch, and deep hypothemic circulatory arrest (DHCA) for more than 45 minutes. Multivariate analysis revealed previous chronic type III aortic dissection (odds ratio (OR) 52.2), and DHCA for more than 45 minutes (OR 12.0) as risk factors of operative mortality. Pathological obesity (OR 12.9) and total arch replacement (OR 8.5) were statistically significant risk factors of brain injury in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The result of surgical repair for Stanford type A aortic dissection was good when we took into account the mortality rate, the incidence of neurologic injury, and the long-term survival rate. Surgery of type A aortic dissection in patients with a history of chronic type III dissection may increase the risk of operative mortality. Special care should be taken and efforts to reduce the hypothermic circulatory arrest time should alway: be kept in mind. Surgeons who are planning to operate on patients with pathological obesity, or total arch replacement should be seriously consider for there is a higher risk of brain injury.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1360-1365
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• 1996

From September 1992 to May 1996, 38 patients ranging in age from 23 to 78, were operated for aortic dissection at Asan medical center There were 21 men and 17 women. The underlying aortic pathology were acute aortic dissection in 23, chronic aortic dissection in 15. Eight patients had Martian syndrome. In 34 cases of DeBakey type I, II patients, femoral artery and vein and/or right atrial auricle were used as cannulation site. With deep hypothermic c rculatory arrest (esophageal temperature 12 $\pm$ 2.5$^{\circ}C$) and retrograde cerebral perfusion of cold oxygenated blood through SVC, we replaced the ascending aorta and the part of arch if necessary. The mean duration of the total circulatory arrest time was 25 $\pm$ 1.7 mintstuts. In 4 cases of DeBakey type III patients, we replaced descending thoracic aorta or thoracoabdomlnal aorta without shunt or bypass under normothermia with an average 30: 1.5 minutesaortic cross clamp time. One death(2.6%) occurred on the twenty-second postoperative day owing to asphyxia related to ulcer bleeding. Postoperative complications were myocardial infarction with transient left peroneal palsy in 1 case, transient lower extremity weakness in 1 case and prolonged ventilatory support in 1 case. Two patients required reoperation due to retrograde extended dissection and aortic insufuciency. There was no late death with an average 25 months follow-up period.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.646-650
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• 1996

The usual methods for the re-attachment of coronary ostia to the ascending aortic conduit have several disadvantages and potential complications. A novel, straight forward technique is described that allows for tension free anastomoses to be co structed with minimal risk of blood loss and a reduced risk of reoperation for false aneurysms at the anastomoses. We performed this technique for the treatment of a 40-yrs-old male patient of acute aortic dissection (Stanford Type A, DeBakey Type I) with severe aortic re- gurgitation. The techinque comprised anastomosis of a beveled interposition tube graft to the left main coronary artery ostium, and its proximal anastomosis to the ascending aortic graft after seating the com- posite valve graft in the prepared aortic annulus. With this technique, the low-Iying or distant left main coronary ostium can be easily reattached to the ascending conduit without undue tension.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.215-219
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• 2011

Background: Selective antegrade perfusion via axillary artery cannulation along with circulatory arrest under deep hypothermia has became a recent trend for performing surgery on the ascending aorta and aortic arch and when direct aortic cannulation is not feasible. The authors of this study tried using moderate hypothermia with right brachial and femoral artery perfusion to complement the pitfalls of single axillary artery cannulation and deep hypothermia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 36 patients who received ascending aorta or aortic arch replacement between July 2005 and May 2010. The adverse outcomes included operative mortality, permanent neurologic dysfunction and temporary neurologic dysfunction. Results: Of these 36 patients, 32 (88%) were treated as emergencies. The mean age of the patients was 61.9 years (ranging from 29 to 79 years) and there were 19 males and 17 females. The principal diagnoses for the operation were acute type A aortic dissection (31, 86%) and aneurysmal disease without aortic dissection (5, 14%). The performed operations were ascending aorta replacement (9, 25%), ascending aorta and hemiarch replacement (13, 36%), ascending aorta and total arch replacement (13, 36%) and total arch replacement only (1, 3%). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was $209.4{\pm}85.1$ minutes, and the circulatory arrest with selective antegrade perfusion time was $36.1{\pm}24.2$ minutes. The lowest core temperature was $24{\pm}2.1^{\circ}C$. There were five deaths within 30 post-op days (mortality: 13.8%). Two patients (5.5%) had minor neurologic dysfunction and six patients, including three patients who had preoperative cerebral infarction or unconsciousness, had major neurologic dysfunction (16.6%). Conclusion: When direct aortic cannulation is not feasible for ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement, the right brachial and femoral artery can be used as arterial perfusion routes with the patient under moderate hypothermia. This technique resulted in acceptable outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.422-429
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• 2022

Objective : Extracranial supra-aortic dissections (ESADs) with severe stenosis, occlusion and/or pseudoaneurysm presents potential risk of stroke. Endovascular stenting to reconstruct non acute phase ESADs (NAP-ESADs) is an alternative to anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. However, its feasibility, safety and efficacy of stenting in NAP-ESADs is unclear. This study aims to investigate the long-term outcomes of the feasibility, safety and efficacy of stenting in NAP-ESADs. Methods : Seventy-four patients with 91 NAP-ESAD vessels with severe stenosis, occlusion and/or pseudoaneurysm presents potential risk of stroke who underwent stent remodeling were enrolled into this respective study from December 2008 to March 2020. Technical success rate, complications, clinical and angiographic results were harvested and analyzed. Results : Success rate of stent deployment was 99% (90/91) with no procedural mortality or morbidity. Transient ischemic attack occurred in three patients during operation (4.1%, 3/74). Asymptomatic embolisms of distal intracranial vessels were found in two patients (2.7%, 2/74). One hundred and forty-two stents deployed at 85 carotid (135 stents) and six vertebral (seven stents) vessels. Six stent types (Wingspan, 28/135, 20.7%; Solitaire, 10/135, 7.4%; Neuroform, 8/135, 5.9%; LVIS, 2/135, 1.5%; Precise, 75/135, 55.6%; Acculink, 12/135, 8.9%) were deployed at carotid arterial dissection while two types (Wingspan, 5/7, 71.4%; Solitaire 2/7, 28.6%) at vertebral arterial dissection. Digital subtracted angiography (56%, 51/91), computational tomography angiography (41.8%, 38/91) and high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (2.2%, 2/91) were adopted for follow up, with a mean time of 17.2±15.4 months (5-77). All patient modified Rankin Scale scores showed no increase at discharge or follow-up. Angiographically, dissections in 86 vessels in 69 patients (94.5%, 86/91) were completely reconstructed with only minor remnant dissections in four vessels in four patients (4.4%, 4/91). Severe re-stenosis in the stented segment required re-stenting in one patient (1.1%, 1/91). Conclusion : Stent remodeling technique provides feasible, safe and efficacious treatment of ESADs patients with severe stenosis, occlusion and/or pseudoaneurysm.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2013

Background: Minimal infusion of cardioplegic solution (CPS) during aortic surgery using total circulatory arrest (TCA) may reduce several potential side effects: clamping on a diseased aorta, insult of coronary ostia, and edema. Materials and Methods: From 2006 to 2009, 72 patients underwent aortic surgery without infusion of cardioplegic solution at the initiation of circulatory arrest. The diagnoses were acute aortic dissection (44), aneurysm (22), and intramural hematoma (6). Results: The duration of TCA, the lowest nasopharyngeal temperature, bypass time, and aortic clamp time was 45 minutes, $16.4^{\circ}C$, 162 minutes, and 100 minutes, respectively. The amount of CPS was 1,050 mL, and 15 patients underwent surgery without CPS. The average inotrope score was 113 points (range, 6.25 to 5,048.5 points) corresponding to the dopamine infusion of 5 mcg/kg/min for 1 day. Seven patients showed a level of creatine kinase-MB above 50 ng/mL, postoperatively, compared with the average of 12.75 ng/mL. The ischemic change was found on electrocardiogram in 5 patients, postoperatively. There was no cardiac morbidity requiring mechanical assist. The average of intensive care unit stay and postoperative hospital stay was 40 hours (range, 15 to 482 hours) and 11 days, respectively. Conclusion: Minimal infusion of only retrograde CPS during rewarming without initial infusion at TCA in aortic surgery is feasible and can be used with acceptable results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.609-619
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• 1989

During aortic valve surgery, cardioplegic solution is delivered through direct cannulation of both coronary ostia. Since this approach may cause an intimal injury leading to acute dissection or late ostial stenosis, this study was undertaken to evaluate myocardial protective effect of retrograde perfusion of cardioplegia [RCSP <% RRAP] in 18 clinical cases, which were compared with antegrade perfusion of cardioplegia in 27 clinical cases. This study were investigated 1] cease and return of electromechanical activity after cardioplegia infusion 2] the myocardial temperature during operation 3] the aortic cross clamping time and total bypass time 4] frequency of DC shock for defibrillation 5] need for inotropic drugs after operation 6] electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial infarction or ventricular arrhythmia after operation 7] the enzymes activity during preoperative and postoperative period as an evaluation of myocardial ischemic injury and 8] operative mortality rate The combination of retrograde cardioplegia and topical cooling with ice slush yielded promptly hypothermia of myocardium and shorter aortic cross-clamping time compared with antegrade cardioplegia [P < 0.05]. The temperature of the interventricular septum was maintained below 20oC by continuous perfusion or intermittent perfusion of cold blood cardioplegia and other results were no statistically significant difference between the two methods [P >0.05]. This technique provides clear operative field and avoids some serious complications which are caused by coronary ostial cannulation. These results suggested that the retrograde perfusion of cardioplegia is a simple, safe, and effective means of myocardial protection during open heart surgery.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.12-23
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of direct interhospital transfers (IHTs) of patients with acute aortic syndrome (AAS) led by advanced practice nurses (APNs). Methods : From September 2014 to June 2017, the study retrospectively investigated 183 patients with AAS who were transferred to a high-volume tertiary hospital. Results : One hundred forty-eight (81%) patients were admitted through direct IHTs, and 35 (19%) patients were admitted through non-direct IHTs. The direct IHT group had a significantly shorter time from symptom onset to hospital arrival than the non-direct IHT group (11.4 vs. 32.1 h, p=.043). There were no significant differences in other clinical outcomes, such as peri-transfer status, mortality, hospital length of stay, and readmission, between the two groups. In the direct IHT group, 55% of transfers were led by APNs. There was no significant difference in outcomes between APN- and physician-led transfers. Conclusions : Implementation of direct IHTs markedly shortened the time from symptom onset to hospital arrival in patients with AAS. Finally, direct IHTs can potentially improve the outcomes of patients with AAS, a condition with time-dependent mortality and morbidity. In addition, APNs can effectively lead the direct IHT of patients with AAS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.56-58
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• 2023

Untreated severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with poor outcomes. Functional TR occurs secondary to dilatation of the annulus and tethering of the leaflets. Ring annuloplasty alone can correct most cases, but is insufficient in cases of severe annular dilatation due to severe leaflet tethering. In such cases, a tricuspid edge-to-edge technique may be an option. However, stitching of the leaflet tips alone is likely to result in tearing of the leaflets. Approximation of the durable chordae tendineae is considered helpful for this problem. Herein, we present the case of a 39-year-old man who had undergone open-heart surgery for acute type A aortic dissection 13 months earlier. A right mini-thoracotomy approach with a beating-heart strategy was used, which did not require unnecessary pericardial adhesiolysis and dissection. This technique had the advantage of reducing the operation time and the risk of bleeding. To summarize, we present a case of tricuspid valve repair in a high-risk patient with severe leaflet tethering that was successfully managed using these methods.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.733-744
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• 2007

Background: There is a controversy regarding the pathogenesis and management principle of an acute intramural hematoma (IMH) of the aorta, Recent studies have reported intimal defects in many patients diagnosed with IMH, and suggested that intimal defects play important roles in the pathogenesis, progression of the pathology, and prognosis. Material and Method: This study reviewed the preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan images of 36 patients who underwent surgical treatment for Stanford type A acute IMH of the aorta. The surgical findings were also reviewed retrospectively from the medical records. Result: In 15 patients (41.7%), the findings suggestive of the intimal defects were found in the preoperative CT. During the operation, 20 patients (72.2%) were found to have small intimal defects in the ascending aorta or the arch, of which 13 patients (50.5%) did not have the CT findings suggestive of intimal defects. In 17 patients, the intimal defects were located in the aortic arch or distal ascending aorta, where a gross examination would have been impossible without total circulatory arrest. In all patients, the intimal defects identified were included in the resected aortic segment, or locally closed. Follow-up CT at 4 months or longer after surgery showed that the IMH in the descending aorta had disappeared or was markedly improved. Conclusion: Most patients undergoing surgical treatment for acute type A IMH had intimal defects. This suggests that a large proportion of IMH might have a similar pathogenic mechanism as classic dissection. Consequently, it is believed that those two entities of acute aortic syndrome should be treat-ed using the same principles.