• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.300-305
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• 1986

We have experienced two cases of ascending aorta aneurysm with aortic regurgitation in Marfan`s syndrome. There were abnormal findings in cardiovascular system associated with abnormalities of skeletal systems. They had total replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve with Bjork-Shiley`s aortic valve composite graft and reimplantation of coronary ostia on the graft. Their postoperative courses were uneventful and discharged with good clinical results for follow up.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.399-402
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• 2018

A 61-year-old woman who presented with claudication and dyspnea on exertion was found to have severe calcified narrowing of the descending aorta and severe insufficiency of the aortic valve. These findings were compatible with Takayasu arteritis. To treat these hemodynamic abnormalities, extra-aortic bypass surgery combined with replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta-to-hemiarch replacement was performed through a separated upper hemi-sternotomy and limited median laparotomy. We present our successful surgical experience with this case.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2009

Background: Background: Computed tomography (CT) is the main tool for detecting abnormalities of the thoracic aorta, but conventional CT only shows the cross-sectional images. These CT images have some limitations fo accuratly measuring the thoracic aortic diameters at various levels. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) overcomes these limitations. We measured the thoracic aortic diameter perpendicular to the loop-shaped thoracic aortic course and this was studied in relation to age, gender, height, weight, the body surface area, the body mass index and the presence of hypertension. Material and Method: Thirty hundred thirty one patients (males: 141 patients and females: 190 patients) who had no abnormalities of the thoracic aorta were investigated using MDCT aortography. They were divided into three age categories: 20~39 years old, 40~59 years old and over age 60. The image was reformed with multiplanar reconstruction and the diameter of the aorta was measured perpendicular to the aortic course at 5 anatomic segments. Level A was the mid-ascending aorta, level B was the distal ascending aorta, level C was the aortic arch, level D was the aortic isthmus and level E was the mid-descending aorta. Result: The mean age was 49.5 years old for males and 54.9 years old for females (p<0.05). The mean diameter of the thoracic aorta at level A was 31.1 mm, that at level B was 30.2 mm, that at level C was 26.5 mm, that at level D was 24.0 mm and that at level E was 22.6 mm. The diameters at all the levels were gradually increased with age. Hypertensive patients had larger diameters than did the non-hypertensive population. There was a positive correlation between the ascending aortic diameter (levels A&B) and height and the body surface area, but there were no statistical differences at the aortic arch (level C) and the descending aorta (levels D&E). There were no statistical differences of the weight and body mass index at all levels. Conclusion: The diameters of the thoracic aortas were directly correlated with gender, age and hypertension. Height and the body surface area were only correlated with the ascending aorta. Weight and the body mass index have no statistical difference at all levels. We measured the age related thoracic aortic diameters and the upper normal limits and we provide this data as reference values for the thoracic aortic diameter in the Korean population.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2006

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) catalyzes the lysine-derived cross-links of fibrillar collagens and elastin in the extracellular matrix. Recent molecular cloning has revealed existence of a LOX family consisting of LOX and four lysyl oxidase-like proteins (LOXL, LOXL2, LOXL3 and LOXL4). Pathological conditions associated with impaired LOX activity in several heritable and acquired disorders lead to severe structural and functional abnormalities of cardiovascular tissues, such as occlusion of coronary arteries and aneurysms, suggesting an essential role for the LOX family proteins in the maintenance of the cardiovascular system. However, the specific roles of the lysyl oxidase-like proteins in normal and pathological conditions of the cardiovascular tissues have not been established yet. Here, I report that LOXL3, a novel member of the LOX family, is predominantly expressed in the aorta, with an amine oxidase activity toward collagen and elastin, suggesting an essential role of LOXL3 in the development and maintenance of the aorta.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.115-118
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• 2016

Williams syndrome (WS) is a developmental disorder characterized by vascular abnormalities such as thickening of the vascular media layer in medium- and large-sized arteries. Supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) and peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis (PPAS) are common vascular abnormalities in WS. The natural course of SVAS and PPAS is variable, and the timing of surgery or intervention is determined according to the progression of vascular stenosis. In our patient, SVAS and PPAS showed rapid concurrent progression within two weeks after birth. We report the early manifestation of SVAS and PPAS in the neonatal period and describe the surgical treatment for stenosis relief.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.960-973
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• 2023

The bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital cardiovascular malformation. Patients with BAV are at higher risk of other congenital cardiovascular malformations and valvular dysfunction, including aortic stenosis/regurgitation and infective endocarditis. BAV may also be related to aortic wall abnormalities such as aortic dilatation, aneurysm, and dissection. The morphology of the BAV varies with the presence and position of the raphe and is associated with the type of valvular dysfunction and aortopathy. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment at an early stage are essential to prevent complications in patients with BAV. This pictorial essay highlights the characteristics of BAV and its related congenital cardiovascular malformations, valvular dysfunction, aortopathy, and other rare cardiac complications using multimodal imaging.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 1972

In 1835,Schlesinger first described a case of subisthmlc lower thoracic aortic coarctation. Since Olim`s unsuccessful reconstructive surgery in 1949 and Beattie`s first successful resection with homograft replacement on such a lesion in 1951 were reported,about 20 cases of atypical aortic coarctation had been treated by definitive surgery until 1964. In Korea, only 2 cases of atypical aortic coarctation treated by bypass graft were reported until now. This is the third case-report treated by reconstructive surgery. The patient,11 year old girl who had 2 year history of headache, visual weakness, intermittent claudlcation, and general weakness, was first diagnosed of having the hypertension due to atypical coarctation by the findings of high blood pressure[170/110mmHg] at the upper extremity and weak pulsation on both femoral artery,murmur on the epigastrium, absence of aortic knob, and aorto graphy. Aortography demonstrated the isolated segmental narrowing[length 5cm, diameter 0.4cm] at the level of aortic hiatus 2cm above celiac arterial origin, the dilated right 9th, 10th, 11th intercostal arteries with multiple dimunitive collaterals and no associated abnormalities in the other arteries. Preoperatlve positive findings were strong positive mantoux test, high AST[720 units]. transient mild cardiomegaly with right lung infiltration on chest X-ray and suggestive left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG. On December 1970, through separate left thoracotomy and abdominal approach, bypass graft between descending thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta below renal artery was performed. The operation was first successful with satisfactory reduction of hypertension on the upper trunk[postoperatlve 130/80mmHg] and strong pulsation on the lower extremities[postop. O, postop. 140/100mmHg]. However,6 weeks after surgery, she expired of sudden hemoptysis and shock due to anastomotic leak within the thorax. Operative finding disclosed that the affected aorta was firm, with rich periaortic fibrosis and the outer diameter of stenotic site was not attenuated. Histopathology of the resected specimen was also compatible with primary arteritis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.536-540
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• 2014

Due to its low prevalence and because there is lack of awareness about it, Loeys-Dietz syndrome is often misdiagnosed as Marfan syndrome, which has similar skeletal abnormalities and aortic pathology. However, the differential diagnosis between these two connective tissue diseases is critical because they correspond to different surgical indications and surgical decision-making. We report two cases of successful thoracoabdominal aortic replacement in patients with previously undiagnosed Loeys-Dietz syndrome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.702-706
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• 1992

Abnormalities of ventral foregut budding have been classified as "Bronchopulmonary Foregut Malformation[BPFM]". Two cases of this unusual malformation are presented. The first case was that of a 48-year-old male with a history of hemoptysis and fever. He had intralobar sequestration, located in the right lower lobe and the posterior segment of the right upper lobe, communicated with the lower esophageal fistula. The sequestrated lobe received its blood supply from anormalous feeding artery from the descending thoracic aorta. The second case was that of a 42-year-old woman with intralobar sequestration that communicated with the lower esophagus. The intralobar sequestration was located in the superior segment of the right lower lobe, and in this case, the abnormal feeding artery could not be found. In both cases, there were no other combined congenital anomalies. They were managed with surgical resection successfully and followed up without any significant complications.lications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.78-81
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• 2015

This study reports our early experience with thoracoscopic division of vascular rings. Three patients were reviewed; their ages at surgery were 25 months, 4 years, and 57 years. All patients were suffering from complete vascular rings involving combinations of the right aortic arch, left ligamentum arteriosum, Kommerell's diverticulum, and retroesophageal left subclavian artery. The median surgical time was 180.5 minutes, and the patients showed immediate recovery. Three complications, namely chylothorax, transient supraventricular tachycardia, and left vocal cord palsy, were observed. Our early experience indicates that thoracoscopic division of a vascular ring may provide early recovery and could be a promising operative choice.