• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2003

Currently, atrial septal defect repair has been considered low risk operation duo to the development of open heart surgery Not only the operation itself, but also the cosmetic aspect is now focused. Though many methods exist as minimally invasive cardiac surgery in atrial septal defect repair, some surgeons advocate that right anterolateral thoracotomy is better than the others in the cosmetic aspect and we compared right anterolateral thoracotomy with median sternotomy. Material and Method: From January 1999 to August 2002, 43 patient underwent atrial septal defect repair by one operator, including 15 patients through right anterolateral thoracotomy(group A) and 15 patients through median sternotomy(group B) in Hanyang university Hospital. The data were randomized and operation outcomes were analyzed between these two groups. Result: The mean weight of group A was 38.77$\pm$15.57kg and 38.21$\pm$21.82kg in group B. In group A, mean operation (OP) time was 197.6$\pm$61.40min, mean cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) time was 48.66$\pm$13.02min and mean fibrillation time or aortic cross clamp(ACC) time was 30$\pm$11.64min. In group B, mean OP time was 212.33$\pm$31.95min, mean CPB time was 55$\pm$12.10min, and mean fibrillation or ACC time was 29.33$\pm$9.04min. There was no significant differences in these two groups. In group A, mean mechanical ventilation time was 3.78$\pm$0.78 hours, mean postoperative ICU stay was 1.2$\pm$0.47 days and mean postoperative hospital stay was 10.20 41.08 days. In group B, mean mechanical ventilation time was 5.95$\pm$3.73 hours, mean post operative ICU stay was 1.41$\pm$0.61 days, and mean postoperative hospital stay was 12.20$\pm$3.55 days. There was no any significant difference in two groups. Group A had significantly lower mean thoracic and pleuropericardial drainage than group B (175.33$\pm$90.54cc vs 352.33$\pm$239.43cc, p<0.05). Complication was seen in one case in group B, transient 2nd degree A-V block. Conclusion: Right anterolateral thoracotomy was better than median sternotomy not only in cosmetic aspect but also in postoperative thoracic and pleuropericardial drainage, using the same instrument(p.0.05). But, right anterolateral thoracotomy was more technically difficult due to narrow operative field and we should be careful of aortic cannulation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.741-747
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• 2003

Background: Coronary artery bypass graf t (CABG) has been settled as most safe surgery among the open heart surgeries. However, in patients with cardiogenic shock, the emergency CABG has higher mortality than elective CABG. We analyzed thirty four patients who underwent emergency CABG and report the middle and long-term results. Material and Method: From June 1994 to December 2001, 34 patients who underwent emergency CABG at Kang-dong Sacred Heart Hospital were include in this study. On the basis of hospital databases and Out Patient Department (OPD) follow up data, preoperative diagnosis, risk factor, coronary artery anatomy, operation technique, postoperative mortality, complication, recurrence of symptom, and mid and long term mortality were analyzed retrospectively. Result: Indications for emergency CABG were 29 cardiogenic shocks (85.3%), 4 intractable chest pains (11.8%), and 1 polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (2.9%). Preoperative angiographic diagnoses were triple vessel disease in 16 (47.1%) and left main disease in 8 (23.5%) patients. We used saphenous vein grafts in 81 and left internal thoracic artery grafts in 14 anastomosis. The mean number of grafts per patients was 2.8$\pm$0.8. The mean aortic cross clamp time was 91.9$\pm$34.6 minutes and the mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 262.7$\pm$198.3 minutes. Early mortality was 50% and the most common cause of early mortality was low cardiac output in 7 (20.6%) patients. The mean follow-up period was 30.9$\pm$35.7 months. There were no recurrences of symptom and late mortality. Conclusion: In the case of emergency operation, aggressive and proper management with drugs and IABP should be done for preoperative hemodynamic stability and early surgical intervention is the most important factor for patient salvage.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.638-645
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• 2003

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of myocardial protection with our cold blood cardioplegic solution and to observe the relationship between ultrastructural study and other evaluation methods and its effectiveness. Material and Method: We evaluated the changes of myocardial ultrastructure using semi-quantitative scoring system, CK-MB fraction, SGOT and LDH1/LDH2, and EKG in 18 patients undergoing valvular heart surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Right atrial auricular biopsies were taken before the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and shortly after the end of CPB. Myocardium-related serum enzymes ＆ EKG were checked for 3 days of postoperative period and their postoperative peak enzyme value and observed new Q wave ＆ ST segment elevation in EKG were choosen. Result: There were 8 males and 10 females, and their mean age was 55.6$\pm$13. Eight patients underwent valvular heart surgery and ten coronary artery bypass grafting, The mean CPB time was 119$\pm$29 minutes and the mean aortic cross-clamp (ACC) time was 75.4$\pm$24 minutes. Before the start of CPB, the mean mitochondrial score was 4.28$\pm$0.53 and after the end of CPB, it significantly increased to 2.35$\pm$0.79. There was no evidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in terms of myocardiumrelated serum enzyme value and Q wave and ST change in EKG. There was no significant relationship between pre-CPB and post-CPB mitochondrial score and the mean time of CPB and ACC, and the mean value of postoperative peak CK-MB, SGOT and LDH1/LDH2, but there was relatively positive correlation of CPB time with peak LDH1/LDH2. Conclusion: Despite the apparent satisfactory results in myocardium-related serum enzymes ＆ EKG, with this study using the cold blood cardioplegic solution, there were many changes in myocardial ultrastructures, and more studies are needed to obtain further information.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.825-830
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• 2007

Background: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery appears to offer certain advantages such as earlier postoperative recovery and a greater cosmetic effect than that achieved through conventional sternotomy. However, this approach has not yet been widely adopted in Korea to replace complex open heart surgery such as mitral valve reconstruction. This study compared the results of robot assisted minimally invasive mitral valve repair with those results of conventional sternotomy. Material and Method: From December 1993 to December 2005, 520 consecutive patients underwent mitral valve reconstruction for mitral regurgitation in our institution. These patients were subdivided according to those whose surgery used the conventional sternotomy approach (Group S, n=432) and those who underwent minimally invasive right anterior thoracotomy (Group M, n=88); we then compared the clinical results of both groups. When we performed minimally invasive right thoracotomy, we used a robot (AESOP 3000) and made an incision less than 5 cm. Result: Our study patients in both groups were similar for their age, gender and preoperative ejection fraction. There were two hospital mortalities in group S. but there was no mortality in the group M patients. Significant reductions in the ICU stay and the postoperative hospital stay were observed in the group M patients compared with the group S patients. However, both the bypass time and the aortic cross-clamp time were significantly longer in the group M patients. In spite of the confined incision in the group M patients, there were no limitations on the mitral valve repair techniques. There was a similar frequency of postoperative significant residual mitral regurgitation in both groups. Conclusion: In this study, the minimally invasive mitral valve repair showed comparable early results with the conventional sternotomy patients. We will now need long-term follow-up of these patients who underwent minimally invasive mitral valve repair, but we anticipate that based on the results of this study, we will begin to routinely perform minimally invasive cardiac surgery as out primary approach for mitral valve reconstruction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.130-137
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• 1999

Background: In cardiac surgery, hypothermia is associated with a number of major disadvantage, including its detrimental effects on enzymatic function, energy generation and cellular integrity. Warm cardioplegia with normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass cause three times more incidence of permanent neurologic deficits than the cold crystalloid cardioplegia with hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. Interruptions or inadequate distribution of warm cardioplegia may induce anaerobic metabolism and warm ischemic injury. To avoid these problems, tepid blood cardioplegia was recently introduced. Material and Method: To evaluate whether continuous tepid blood cardioplegia is beneficial in clinical practice during valvular surgery, we studied two groups of patients matched by numbers and clinical characteristics. Warm group(37$^{\circ}C$) consisted of 18 patients who underwent valvular surgery with continuous warm blood cardioplegia. Tepid group(32$^{\circ}C$) consisted of 17 patients who underwent valvular surgery with continuous tepid blood cardioplegia. Result: Heartbeat in 100% of the patients receiving continuous warm blood cardioplegia and 88.2% of the patients receiving continuous tepid blood cardioplegia converted to normal sinus rhythm spontaneously after removal of the aortic cross clamp. There were no differences between these two groups in CPB time, ACC time, the amount of crystalloid cardioplegia used and peak level of potassium. During the operation, the total amount of urine output was more in the warm group than the tepid group(2372${\pm}$243 ml versus 1535${\pm}$130 ml, p<0.01). There were no differences between the two groups in troponin T level measured 1hr and 12hrs after the operation. Conclusion: Continuous tepid blood cardioplegia is as safe and effective as continuous warm blood cardioplegia undergoing cardiac valve surgery in myocardial protection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.604-609
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• 2009

Background: Recently, percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) has been widely used to rescue patients in cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. However, patients with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) weaning failure during open heart surgery still have very poor outcomes after PCPS. We investigated clinical results and prognostic factors for patients who underwent PCPS during open heart surgery. Material and Method: From January 2005 to December 2008, 10 patients with CPB weaning failure during open heart surgery underwent PCPS using the CAPIOX emergency bypass system ($EBS^{(R)}$, Terumo Inc, Tokyo, Japan). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of those 10 patients. Result: The average age of the patients was $60.2{\pm}16.5$ years (range, $19{\sim}77$ years). The mean supporting time was $48.7{\pm}64.7$ hours (range, $4{\sim}210$ hours). Of the 10 patients, 6(60%) were successfully weaned from the PCPS While 5 (50%) were able to be discharged from the hospital. Complications were noted in 5 patients (50%). In univariate analysis, long aortic cross clamp time during surgery, mediastinal bleeding during PCPS and high level of Troponin-I before PCPS were significant risk factors. All of the discharged patients are still surviving $34{\pm}8.6$ months (range, $23{\sim}48$ months) post-operatively. Conclusion: The use of PCPS for CPB weaning failure during open heart surgery can improve the prognosis. More experience and additional clinical studies are necessary to improve survival and decrease complications.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.532-537
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• 2010

Purpose : Early postoperative arrhythmias are a major cause of mortality and morbidity after open heart surgery in the pediatric population. We evaluated the incidence and risk factors of early postoperative arrhythmias after surgery of congenital heart disease. Methods : From January 2002 to December 2008, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the 561 patients who underwent cardiac surgery in Kyungpook National University Hospital. We analyzed patients' age and weight, occurrence and type of arrhythmia, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic cross clamp (ACC) time, and postoperative electrolyte levels. Results : Arrhythmias occurred in 42 of 578 (7.3%) cases of the pediatric cardiac surgery. The most common types of arrhythmia were junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) and accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR), which occurred in 17 and 13 cases, respectively. The arterial switch operation (ASO) of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) had the highest incidence of arrhythmia (36.4%). Most cases of cardiac arrhythmia showed good response to management. Patients with early postoperative arrhythmias had significantly lower body weight, younger age, and prolonged CPB and ACC times ($P$<0.05) than patients without arrhythmia. Although the mean duration of ventilator care and intensive care unit stay were significantly longer ($P$<0.05), the mortality rate was not significantly different among the 2 groups. Conclusion : Early postoperative arrhythmias are a major complication after pediatric cardiac surgery; however, aggressive and immediate management can reduce mortality and morbidity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.566-575
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• 2003

We reviewed our 18-year surgical experience of biventricular repair for double-outlet right ventricle. Material and Method: One hundred twelve consecutive patients (80 males and 32 females) who underwent biventricular repair for double-outlet right ventricle between May 1986 and September 2002 were included. We assessed risk factors for early mortality and reoperation. Reoperation-free survival rate and actual survival rate were analysed. Result: Most common type of ventricular septal defect was subaortic (n=58, 52%) and non-committed type was second most common (n=32, 29%). Four different surgical methods were used: intraventricular baffle repair (n=71 , 63%): right ventricle to pulmonary ariery conduit interposition or REV with left ventricle to aorta baffle repair (n=24, 21 .4%): arierial switch operation with left ventricle to pulmonary artery baffle (n=14, 12.5%): Senning atrial switch operation with left ventricle to pulmonary artery baffle (n=3, 2.7%). Thirty four patients(30%) underwent palliative procedures before definite repair. Twenty three patients (21%) required reoperations. There were 12 (10.7%) early deaths and 4 late deaths. Age younger than 3 months at repair (p=0.003), cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamp time (p=0.015, p=0.067), type of operation (arterial switch operation) (p <0.001) and type of ventricular septal defect (subpulmonic type) (p=0.002) were revealed as risk factors for early death in univariate analysis, while age under 3 months was the only significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. Patients younger than 1 year of age (p=0.02), pulmonary artery angioplasty at definitive repair (p=0.024), type of ventricular septal defect (non-committed) (p=0.001), type of operation (right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit interposition and REV operation) (p=0.028, p=0.017) were risk factors for reoperation in univariate analysis but there was no significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. Follow-up was available on 91 survivals with a mean duration of 110.8$\pm$56.4 (2~201) months. 5, 10 and 15 year survival rates were 86.5%, 85% and 85% and reoperation free survival were 85%, 71.5%, 70%. Conclusion: Age under 3 months at repair, subpulmonic ventricular septal defect and arterial switch operation were significant risk factors for early mortality. Patients with non-committed ventricular septal defect and who underwent conduit interposition or REV operation were risk factors for reoperation. With careful attention to chose best timing and surgical approach depending on morphologic characteristics, biventricular repair for double outlet right ventricle can be achieved with good long-term outcome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.353-361
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• 1998

Hypothermia is widely acknowledged as fundamental component of myocardial protection during cardiac operations. Although it prolongs the period of ischemic arrest by reducing oxygen demands, hypothermia is associated with a number of major disadvantages, including its detrimental effects on enzymatic function, energy generation, and cellular integrity. The ideal way to rotect the heart is to electromechanically arrest it and perfus it with blood that is aerobic arrest. However alternative technique has been developed, based on the principles of electromechanical arrest and normothermic aerobic perfusion using continuous warm blood cardioplegia. To determine if continuous warm blood cardioplegia was beneficial in clinical practice during valvular surgery, we studied two groups of patients matched by numbers and clinical characteristics. Group included is 31 patients undergoing valvular surgery who received intermittent cold crystalloid cardioplegia. Group II included 30 patients undergoing valvular surgery who received continuous warm blood cardioplegia. Our results suggest that the heartbeat in 100% of patients treated with continuous warm blood cardioplegia converted to normal sinus rhythm spontaneously after the removal of the aortic cross-clamp, compared to only 31% of the cold cardioplegia group. After operation, pericardial closure rate was 90% area in the warm group, compared to 35% area in the cold group. 12 hours after the operation, the total amount of urine output in the warm group was greater than that in the cold group(2863${\pm}$127 ml versus 2257${\pm}$127 ml; p<0.05). After the operation, left diaphragmatic elevation developed in 55% of the cold group but in 0% of the warm group. CK-MB level in the warm group was significantly lower than cold group(2.28${\pm}$0.62 versus 9.96${\pm}$2.12; p<0.01) 1 hour after operation and CK-MB level in the warm group was significantly lower than cold group(1.80${\pm}$1.01 versus 6.00${\pm}$1.74; p<0.05) 12hours after operation. Continuous warm blood cardioplegia is at least as safe and effective as hypothermic technique in patients undergoing cardiac valvular surgery. Conceptually, this represents a new approach to the problem of maintaining myocardial preservation during cardiac operations.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.710-718
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• 2009

Background: The Cox maze procedure has been used as a standard surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation for about 20 years. Recently, the creators have used a bipolar radiofrequency electrode (Cox maze IV procedure) instead of the incision and suture (cut-sew) technique to make atrial ablation lesions for persistent atrial fibrillation. We investigated clinical outcomes for the Cox maze procedure with a bipolar radiofrequency electrode and cryoablator in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, and compared results with clinical outcomes of the cut-sew procedure. Material and Method: Between April 2005 and July 2007, 40 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation underwent Cox maze IV procedure with a bipolar radiofrequency electrode and cryoablator (bipolar radiofrequency group). Surgical outcomes were compared with those of 35 patients who had the cut-sew technique for the Cox maze III procedure. All patients had concomitant cardiac surgery. Postoperatively, the patients were followed up every 1 to 2 months. Result: At 6 months postoperatively, the conversion rate to regular sinus rhythm was not significantly different between the two groups: 95.0% for the bipolar radiofrequency ablation group; 97.1% for the cut-sew technique (p=1.0). At the end of the follow-up period, the conversion rate to regular sinus rhythm was also not significantly different (92.5% vs. 91.6%, p=1.0). In multivariate analysis using a Cox-regression model, the postoperative atrial dimension was an independent determinant of sinus conversion in the bipolar radiofrequency ablation group (hazard ratio 31, p=0.005). In the Cox-regression model for both groups, atrial fibrillation at 6 months postoperatively (hazard ratio 92.24, p=0.003) and the postoperative left atrial dimension (hazard ratio 16.05, p=0.019) were independent risk factors of continuance or recurrence of atrial fibrillation after Cox maze procedures. Aortic cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were significantly shorter in the radiofrequency group than in the cut-sew group. Conclusion: In the Cox maze procedure for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, the use of bipolar radiofrequency ablation and a cryoablator is as good as the cut-sew technique for conversion to sinus rhythm. The postoperative left atrial dimension is an independent determinant of postoperative continuance and recurrence of atrial fibrillation.