• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.205-217
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: The prognostic value of left atrial (LA) function in terms of long-term clinical outcomes after mitral regurgitation (MR) surgery remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the impact of preoperative LA global longitudinal strain (LAGLS) on the long-term postoperative clinical outcomes in chronic severe MR patients who underwent mitral valve (MV) repair surgery. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2017, we analyzed 338 patients (mean age, 51.9±12.5 years; 218 males [64.5%]) treated with MV repair surgery for severe MR. The primary outcome was cardiovascular events, defined as the composite of all-cause death, newly developed atrial fibrillation (AF), and re-hospitalization for cardiovascular causes. Results: During a median follow-up of 45 months (interquartile range, 26-65), 30 (8.9%) cardiovascular events, 5 (1.5%) all-cause death, 8 (2.4%) newly developed AF, and 26 (7.7%) re-hospitalizations occurred. On multivariable analysis, baseline LAGLS was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.91; 95% confidential interval [CI], 0.85-0.97; p=0.004) and re-hospitalization (adjusted HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.86-1.00; p=0.037). According to the optimal cutoff value of LAGLS, patients with low LAGLS (<23.6%) had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events (adjusted HR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.04-7.00; p=0.041) than those with high LAGLS (≥23.6%). In a subgroup analysis, patients with high LAGLS had better clinical outcomes regardless of whether the patient had a LA volume index <60 mL/m². Conclusions: In patients with chronic severe MR who received successful MV repair surgery, preoperative LAGLS is an independent predictor of long-term postoperative outcomes.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 1986

Prevention of thrombombolism after rosthetic cardiac valve replacement is essential for the patients. About 90% of patients are free of major and minor thromboembolic complications 5 year after replacement of cardiac valves with prosthetic devices when they are under control of anticoagulant therapy. Ticlopidine is a drug that alter platelet function to have an antithrombotic effect. It is an antiaggregating agent which inhibits primary platelet function to have an antithrombotic effect. It is an antiaggregating agent which inhibits primary platelet aggregation induced by ADP and increases the production of prostaglandin $D_{2}$. Aspirin in small doses inhibits platelet synthesis of prostaglandins by irreversibly blocking the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase. Platelet secretion and aggregation are impaired with Ticlopidine and Aspirin. the thromboembolic event sof 54 patient s who were treated with Ticlopidine and Aspirin after cardiac valve replacement were evaluated and compared with that of 79 patients who were treated with Wafarin and Aspirin after the same type of operation. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 110 months (mean of 48 months). there were 11 major thromboembolic episodes including three deaths in the warfarin goup during mean follow-up period of 56 months. two cases of CVA and one hemoarthrosis were noted due to overdose of Warfarin. Inticlopidine group, there was only one fatal thromboembolic epdisode three month after mitral valve replacement during mean follow-up period of 18 months. Two episodes of hypermenorrhea resulting anemia ere noted in the ticlopidine group. We measured the parameters of platelet function in aggreagation curve of platelet with platelet aggregometer (chrono-log Aggregometer, Model No. 430) Aggregation test was performed with three final concentrations of epinephrine in 10 uM/L, ADP in 5uM/L. 28 patients with prosthetic cardiac valves and 35 healthy volunteers were subgrouped as follows to analyze the effect of antithrombotic drugs used. Group I ; 11 patients treated with 250-500 mg of ticlopidine and 0.5gm of Aspirin as a daily single dose after cardiac valve replacement (14 St. Jude Medical and 1 Carpentier-Edwards, 9 patients with atrial fibrillation among them) Group II ; 10 patients treated with 3-5 mg of Warfarin and 0.75 gm of Aspirin daily to prolong prothrombin time around 20 seconds for more than 6 months and single Aspirin dose was maintained afterward as a life-long regimes(3 St. Jude Medical, 1 Hall-Kaster and 7 Carpentier-Edwards valve, 9 patients in atrial fibrilation). Group III ; 7 patients who quit anticoagulant treatment (Warfarin + Aspirin) 6-12 months after the regime as group II (3 St. Jude Medical. 1 bjork-Shiley, 1 Hall-Kaster, 3 Carpentier-Edwards valve, 2 of them are with atrial fibrillation). Group IV ; 35 healthy vounteers (28 males and 7 females). The following results were obtained. 1. The mean maximal platelet aggregability in Group I induced by 10uM/L epinephrine was 15.6%, and 17.5 and 18.7% in BM in proportion to the induction by 5 and 10 uM/L ADP. 2. The mean maximal platelet aggregability in Group II induced by 10uM/L epinephrine was 16.5%, and 27.4 and 44.7% in BM in proportion to the induction by 5 and 10uM/L ADP. 3. The mean maximal platelet aggregability in group III induced by 10uM/L epinephrine was 65%, and 56.5 and 51.8% in BM in proportion to the induction by 5 and 10 uM/L ADP. 4. The mean maximal platelet aggregability in the normal subjects induced by 10 uM/L epinephrine was 64%, and 65 and 69% in Bm inproportion to the induction by 5 and 10 uM/L ADP. 5. Reversible change of platelet aggregation curve induced by 5 and 10uM/L was noted all of the patients in Group I. conclusion : Ticlopidine is an antiaggregating agent which inhibits primary platelet aggregation induced by ADP, and increases the production of prostaglandin $D_{2}$. Ticlopidine and Aspirin produced a significant inhibition of platelet in the presence of ADP and epinephrine in our study. Acccording to our brief experience, 250 mg of ticlopidine and low dose of Aspirin resulted synergistic superior effect to each drug alone in prevention of thromboembolism after prosthetic cardiac valve replacement.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.199-207
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• 2002

Purpose : Since the successful application of total atrio-pulmonary connection(TAPC) to patients with various types of physiologic single ventricles in 1971, post-operative survival rates have reached more than 90%. However some patients have been shown to present with late complications such as right atrial thrombosis, atrial fibrillation and protein losing enteropathy eventually leading to re-operation to control the long-term complications. The aim of this study is to review the results of total cavo-pulmonary connection(TCPC) in cases with late complications after TAPC. Methods : Between Jan. 1995 and Dec. 2000, 6 patients(5 males and 1 female) underwent cardiac catheterization $11{\pm}3$ months after conversion of previous TAPC to TCPC. We compared the hemodynamic and morphologic parameters before and after TCPC and also assessed the clinical outcomes. The indications for TAPC were tricuspid atresia in 4 cases and complex double-outlet right ventricle with single ventricle physiology in 2 cases. Results : There was no peri-operative mortality and all patients were clinically and hemodynamically improved at a mean follow-up of 11 months(range : 4 to 13). However, protein losing enteropathy recurred in 2 patients; this was were successfully treated with subcutaneous administration of heparin. Right atrial pressure before TCPC was $18.0{\pm}3.6mmHg$, but baffle pressure, corresponding to right atrial pressure decreased to $14.8{\pm}3.6mmHg$ after TCPC. The size of the pulmonary arteries did not regress after TCPC. Conclusion : The conversion of TAPC to TCPC improves clinical and hemodynamic status by decreasing the right atrial pressure and by providing a laminar cavo-pulmonary flow which enhances the effective pulmonary circulation in the so-called Fontan circulation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.644-651
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• 2004

Background: Refractory atrial arrhythmias in patients late after the Fontan operation result in significant morbidity and mortality. We reviewed our experience with arrhythmia surgery in patients who had Fontan operation. Material and Method: Between July 1986 and December 2003, 275 early survivors after Fontan operation were reviewed. Fourteen patients underwent. arrhythmia surgery at reoperation after Fontan operation, and mean age at reoperation was 16.8$\pm$7.1 (range: 4.5 ∼ 30.6) years. Mechanisms of arrhythmia included atrial flutter in 8 patients, and atrial fibrillation in 2. Arrhythmia surgery has evolved from isthmus cryoablation in 12 patients to right-sided maze in 2 patients. Thirty-two patients. underwent prophylactic isthmus cryoablation concomitantly at initial Fontan operation. Result: Postoperative arrhythmias occurred in 68 patients (24.7%) among 275. There was no early and late mortality after the arrhythmia surgery. After redo Fontan operation, all patients maintained normal sinus rhythm. Atrial flutter recurred in 3 patients who had sinus conversion with medication and 7 required permanent pacemakers with a mean follow-up of 26.5$\pm$29.1 (range: 2 ∼ 73) months. All patients have improved to NYHA class I or II. After prophylactic cryoablation at initial Fontan operation, 29 patients (90.6%) had sinus rhythm, 1 patient had junctional tachycardia, 1 patient had sinus nodal dysfunction, and 1 patient had AV block with a mean follow-up of 51.3$\pm$19.8 (range: 4∼80) months. Conclusion: Redo Fontan operation, and concomitant arrhythmia surgery reduced atrial arrhythmias and improved NYHA functional classification.

• 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.13 no.4
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• pp.422-434
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• 1980

Since 1968 up to the end of October 1980, 448 valves were replaced in 354 patients in Seoul National University Hospital. There were 238 mitral, 38 aortic, 7 tricuspid, 45 aortic with mitral, 23 tricuspid with mitral, and 3 triple valve replacement aortic mitral and tricuspid cases. Annual increase of mitral valve replacement cases and decrease of operative maortality were remarkable. Recently operative mortality of mitral valve replacement is about 5%. Sex ratio of mitral valve replacement is almost equal and there were 12 cases of pediatric patients (5%) among 238 cases, and patients under the age of 20 years were 34 (14.3%). Mitral valve replacement was done for 199 single mitral, 38 double valve and one triple valve lesions. Among 238 mitral valve replacement paients left atrial thrombus in 23(9.7%), atrial fibrillation in 132 (55.5%), and reoperation after blind mitral commissurotomy in 12(5%) cases were noted. In recent cases bioprosthetic valves, mainly lonescu-shiley valve were utilized to overcome the difficulties of postoperative late complications in anticoagnuation, especially for the rural patients and pediatric cases, in addition to the hemodynamic advantages of lonesocu valve. Among 354 patients 16 cases were congenital heart anomaly related, 5 ventricular septal defect related aortic and 4 Ebstein related tribuspid valve replacement cases. There were 2 congenital anomaly related mitral valve replacements, one for congenital mitral insufficiency of 7 years old boy and one for corrected transposition of the great vessels associated with mitral insufficiency. Among total 354 valve replacements 49 operative deaths (13.3%) were noted and in 238 mitral valve replacement 24 operative deaths occurred (10.1%). In 39 patients among 354 total valve replacements late complications were found. In 238 mitral valve replacement cases late complications were noted in 26 patients, among whom 16 cases expired. Main late complications were thrombe-embolism, subacute becteerial endocarditis, arrythmia cerebral hemorrhage due to unsatisfactory anticoagulation, and congestive heart failure in the incipient period of valve replacement were also noted. In mitral valve replacement cases long-term survival rate was 83.2% who showed marked clinical improvement. Ther were no evidences of calcification during the 2 years follow-up period for the lonescu-valve replacement cases among 19 pediatric patients. In conclusion 238 cases of mitral valve replacement were done with 24 operative deaths and 26 late complication cases among whom 16 expired. The long term survival was 83.2% of the cases. In pediatric cases in place of coumadin anticoagulation Persantin **** 75 and aspirin were administered after valve replacement. In adult cases who have difficulaties with coumadin anticoagulation and for those even with bioprosthetic heart valve replacement who needs long-term or permanent anticoagulation persantin 75 and aspirin combination regimen were administered with antisfactory results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1180-1190
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• 1990

96 patients underwent cardiac valve replacement for valvular heart diseases consecutively between February 1986 to February 1990 in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Yeungnam University Hospital. The follow up period was between 6 months and 4.5 years postoperatively[mean 23.4$\pm$13.1 months]. 75 cases got mitral valve replacement, 6 cases, aortic valve replacement, 15 cases, double valve replacement. 30[31.2%] patients were male and 66[68.8%] were female and the age ranged from 14 to 66 years old. Early hospital death within 30 days postoperation were 5 patients[5.2%], consisting of by low cardiac output in 2, infective endocarditis in 1, multiple organ failure with sepsis in 1 patient. There was no late postoperative death. Most common early postoperative complication was wound disruption [8.7%] and then low cardiac output, pneumothorax, pleural effusion in order. Most common late postoperative complications were minor bleeding episodes[8.7%] related to anticoagulant therapy which were consisted of frequent epistaxis in 3, gum bleeding in 2, hemorrhagic gastritis in 1, hypermenorrhea in 1, hematoma in right arm in 1 patient. Valve-related complications included valve thrombosis [1.6%/ patient-year], valve failure due to pannus formation[1.1% /patient-year], prosthetic valve endocarditis[1, 1%o/patient-year] and minor anticoagulant hemorrhage[4.4% /patient-year]. 5 cases of reoperations were performed in 4 patients due to valve failure and all of them were in the mitral positions[2.7% /patient-year]. Cardiothoracic ratios in the chest X-ray decreased at the 6th month and 1st year postoperation in all patients. But in New York Heart Association[NYHA] functional class IV, no change in cardiothoracic ratio was found between 6 months and 1 year postoperation. In the echocardiogram, the size of the cardiac chambers decreased, but ejection fraction increased postoperatively in each functional class. In the electrocardiogram, decreases were found in the incidence of atrial fibrillation, left atrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy with right bundle branch block increasing postoperatively in each functional class. The actuarial survival rate was 98.4% for all patients, 98.7% for mitral valve replacement, 83.8% for aortic valve replacement, and 80% for double valve replacement at the end of a 4.5 year follow up period. Meanwhile the actuarial freedom rate was 91.5% for prosthetic valve endocarditis, 91.6% for thromboembolism, 89.0% for prosthetic valve failure and 83.7% for minor anticoagulant hemorrhage. Preoperative NYHA class III and IV were 75% of all patients, but 95% of all patients were up graded to NYHA class I and II postoperatively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.407-413
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• 2007

Background: The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level has been reported in some studies to be associated with the occurrence of atrial fbrillation (AF). The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential usefulness of the BNP level as a predictor of the occurrence of postoperative (postop) AF and to assess the relationship of the BNP level with the onset of AF and the restoration of sinus rhythm. Material and Method: From January 1, 2005 to February 28, 2006, 82 patients without a history of atrial arrhythmia that had undergone cardiac surgery were enrolled in the study. Blood samples for plasma BNP were drawn daily for all these patients from the preoperative (preop) day to the 7th postop day. The patient records were reviewed and postop EKGs were checked daily for AF until the time of discharge. Result: Patients were divided into two groups based on development of postop AF. Postoperative AF developed in 26 patients (31.7%). There was no significant statistical difference in age, sex distribution, preop left ventricle ejection fraction, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, or the use of beta blockers between the non-postop AF and postop AF group. More patients in the AF group had undergone valve surgery (39.3% versus 76.9%, p=0.002). The preop left atrium size was significantly larger in the AF patients ($43.8{\pm}10.3 mm$ versus $49.8{\pm}11.5 mm$, p=0.029). The preop plasma BNP levels were higher in the postop AF patients ($144.1{\pm}20.8 pg/mL$ versus $267.5{\pm}68 pg/mL$, p=0.034). In the postop AF group, the plasma BNP level was the highest on the 3rd postop day. Postop AF developed in most patients by the 3rd postop day; restored sinus rhythm developed by the 7th postop day. Conclusion: Elevated plasma BNP levels may lead to the occurrence of postop AF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients who have a high risk of postop AF should be considered for aggressive prophylactic antiarrhythmic therapy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 1981

In 1980, 416 cases of open heart surgery were done in this Department with over all operative mortality of 12.3%. 1. There were 288 congenital anomalies consisting of 174 acyanotic and 114 cyanotic varieties, which showed operative mortality of 6.9% and 25.4% respectively. 2. There were 128 cases of acquired lesions, 124 valvular disease and 3 myxoma being the main lesions. 3. There were 128 cases of valve replacement with operative mortality of 7.8%. 4. The most frequently operated anomaly was VSD, 90 pure VSD and 21 cases were associated with one or 2 cardiac anomalies. Over all operative mortality in 111 VSD cases was 8.1% but in 90 pure VSD cases it was 6.7%. 5. Tetralogy of Fallot showed the highest incidence in cyanotic group with 88 cases, consisting of 68 pure and 20 with other cardiac anomalies. Over all mortality in 88 cases was 19.3% but in pure form 16.2%. 6. In 128 valve replacement cases over all mortality was 9.4%. There were 85 mitral, 11 aortic, 2 tricuspid, 21 mitral with aortic, 6 mitral with tricuspid, 3 mitral, aortic, and tricuspid valve replacement cases. For mitral valve replacement operative mortality was 5.9%. 7. Twenty-one cases of babies under 10kg body weight were operated on with over all operative mortality of 28.6%. Sixteen cases of VSD were found with operative mortality of 25%. 8. Among 128 cases of valve replacement 7 were under the age of 15 years and 12 were between 15 and 20 years old. Five pediatric cases underwent mitral valve replacement without mortality, 9 year old boy was the youngest among them. In this Department open heart surgery for infancy and complex anomalies showed still hip operative risk which should be improved in the coming years. For open heart surgery Shiley oxygenators and 2 sets of A-O de-lux 5 head roller pump were utilized exclusively. For valve replacement Ionescu-Shiley bovine pericardial xenografts were mainly used. In pediatric and rural patients Persantin with aspirin regimen was satisfactorily administered for anticoagulation after valve replacement. Routinely Coumadin was administered for one year after valve replacement* In patients who had thrombus on valve sites, chronic atrial fibrillation, and giant left atrium Persantin-Aspirin regimen was used when one year coumadin administration was discontinued.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.49-59
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• 1981

This is one case report of surgically treated partial atrioventricular canal. The 22 year-old male patient had no definitive history of frequent respiratory infection and cyanosis in his early childhood. Since his age of 7 years, dyspnea was manifested on exertion. First appearance of congestive heart failure was at his age of 16 years old. The physical examination revealed that the neck veins were distended and heaving of precordium. A thrill was palpable on the left 3rd-4th intercostal space extending from the sternal border toward the apex and Grade IV/VI systolic ejection murmur was audible on it. Neither cyanosis nor clubbing was noted. Liver was palpable about 5 finger breadths. Chest X-ray revealed increased pulmonary vascularity and severe cardiomegaly (C-T ratio = 74%). EKG revealed LAD, clockwise rotation, LVH and trifascicular block. Echocardiogram showed paradoxical ventricular septal movement, narrowed left ventricular outflow tract and abnormal diastolic movement of the anterior leaflet of mitral valve. Right heart catheterization resulted in large left to right shunt (Qp : Qs = 5.7: 1), ASD and moderate pulfllonary hypertension. Finally, left ventriculogram revealed typical goose neck appearance of left ventrlcalar outflow tract. On Oct. 10, 1980, open heart surgery was performed. Operative findings were: 1. Large primum defect ($6{\times}5$ Cm in diameter) 2. Cleft on the anterior leaflet of mitral valve. 3. The upper portion of ventricular septum was descent but no interventricular communication. 4. Downward attachment of the atrioventricular valves on the ventricular muscular septum. 5. Medium sized secumdum defect ($2{\times}1$ Cm in diameter). The cleft was repaired with 4 interrupted sutures. The primum defect was closed with Teflon patch and the secundum defect was closed with direct suture closure. Postoperatively atrial flutter-fibrillation in EKG and Grade U/VI apical systolic murmur were found. The postoperative course was uneventful and discharged on 29th postoperative day in good general conditions.