• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.101-106
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• 2013

Despite developments in surgical techniques and other interventions, right ventricular (RV) failure remains an important clinical problem in several congenital heart diseases (CHD). RV function is one of the most important predictors of mortality and morbidity in patients with CHD. RV failure is a progressive disorder that begins with myocardial injury or stress, neurohormonal activation, cytokine activation, altered gene expression, and ventricular remodeling. Pressure-overload RV failure caused by RV outflow tract obstruction after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary stenosis, atrial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries, congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, and systemic RV failure after the Fontan operation. Volume-overload RV failure may be caused by atrial septal defect, pulmonary regurgitation, or tricuspid regurgitation. Although the measurement of RV function is difficult because of many reasons, the right ventricle can be evaluated using both imaging and functional modalities. In clinical practice, echocardiography is the primary mode for the evaluation of RV structure and function. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly used for evaluating RV structure and function. A comprehensive evaluation of RV function may lead to early and optimal management of RV failure in patients with CHD.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.478-480
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• 2017

A Cocker spaniel (7-year-old, female) was presented with one week of anorexia, halitosis, oral ulcer, intermittent vomiting, acute weight loss and 3-day history of oliguria. The patient was diagnosed with acute on chronic kidney disease and pancreatitis. Hemodialysis was continued three times a week (total 7 sessions) with improved clinical signs and kidney panel, but presented with another episode of abdominal distention, respiratory distress, and large bowel diarrhea. Echocardiography revealed nearly totally occlusive thrombus in the cranial vena cava, as well as a right atrial mass of approximately $2cm{\times}1cm$. The patient was treated with catheter removal, thrombolysis and anticoagulation therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. During anticoagulation therapy, size of atrial thrombus was not changed and heart function was not improved after treatment. Since clinical signs were deteriorated, the patient was euthanized by owner's request. Catheter-related giant thrombus in right atrium is a rare complication and treatment guideline for atrial thrombus does not exist. This case is first report of hemodialysis catheter-induced thrombus in Korea.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.331-343
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: The prognostic implication of right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) size for an immediate success of direct current cardioversion (DCCV) in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. This study aimed to compare RA and LA size for the prediction of DCCV success. Methods: Between 2012 and 2018, 734 consecutive outpatients were screened for our prospective registry. Each eligible patient received a medical history, blood analysis, and transthoracic echocardiography with a focus on indexed RA (iRA) area and LA volume (iLAV) prior to DCCV with up to three biphasic shocks (200-300-360 J) or additional administration of amiodarone or flecainide to restore sinus rhythm. Results: We enrolled 589 patients, and DCCV was in 89% (n=523) successful. Mean age was 68 ± 10 years, and 40% (n=234) had New York heart association class >II. A prevalence of the male sex (64%, n=376) and of persistent AF (86%, n=505) was observed. Although DCCV success was associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-3.65), with absence of coronary heart disease and normal left ventricular function (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.26-4.25), with short AF duration (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.05-4.04) in univariable regression, only iRA area remained a stable and independent predictor of DCCV success (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.12-0.69; area under the curve 0.71), but not iLAV size (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.56) in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: iRA area is superior to iLAV for the prediction of immediate DCCV success in AF.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.112-122
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Few studies have utilized right atrial (RA) strain to evaluate right ventricular (RV) diastolic dysfunction in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We aimed to evaluate the associations of RA strain with BPD severity and respiratory outcomes in preterm infants with BPD. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 153 infants with BPD born before 32 weeks of gestational age at CHA Bundang Medical Center. Peak longitudinal right atrial strain (PLRAS) was obtained using velocity vector imaging and compared among infants across BPD severity. Conventional echocardiographic parameters and clinical characteristics were also evaluated. RESULTS: In infants with severe BPD, mean gestational age (27.4 ± 2.1 weeks) and mean birth weight (971.3 ± 305.8 g) were significantly smaller than in those with mild BPD (30.0 ± 0.9 weeks, 1,237.3 ± 132.2 g) and moderate BPD (29.6 ± 1.3 weeks, 1,203.2 ± 214.4 g). PLRAS was significantly lower in infants with severe BPD (26.3 ± 10.1%) than in those in the moderate BPD group (32.4 ± 10.9%) or mild BPD group (31.9 ± 8.3%). Tricuspid E/e' and maximum RA volume index were similar across BPD severity. A decrease in PLRAS was significantly correlated with increased duration of mechanical ventilation duration; however, tricuspid E/e' and maximum RA volume index were not. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluating PLRAS with other parameters in infants with BPD might detect RV diastolic dysfunction. Longer follow-up and larger study populations may elucidate the association between PLRAS and respiratory outcomes in infants with BPD.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.218-220
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• 2024

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 1998

Atrial fibrillation is the most common of all cardiac arrhythmias. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and is frequently resistant to medical therapy. On the experimental and clinical study, the presence of macroreentrant circuits and the absence of either microreentrant circuits or evidence of atrial automaticity suggests that atrial fibrillation should be amenable to surgical ablation. The results of the maze III procedure are associated with a higher incidence of postoperative sinus rhythm, improved long-term sinus node function, fewer pacemaker requirements, less arrhythmia recurrence, and improved long-term atrial transport function. We had experienced 4 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. For the first time, Hioki procedure had been performed in the first patient with ASD and atrial fibrillation, regular sinus rhythm showed on postoperative EKG, but junctional rhythm and bradycardia developed postoperative 3 years. The maze III procedure for the rest with mitral valvular disease and atrial fibrillation had been done, followed by regular sinus rhythm for 2 patients and atrial fibrillation for 1 patient, managed with amiodarone, on immediate postoperative state. Echocardiogram documented good contraction of right atrium and hardly contraction of left atrium for 2 patients with regular sinus rhythm postoperative 3 months.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.903-909
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• 1999

Background: The current study was undertaken to investigate the results of a modification in the conventional Maze III Procedure devised by the authors. The aim of the technical modification was in improving the left atrial contractility. Material and Method: Between July 1997 and December 1998, 34 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation for more than 1 year duration underwent a modified Maze III procedure. The assessment of the left atrial function was made by various echocardiographic measurements and SA nodal recovery was evaluated by HRV Holter monitoring. Result: All 34 patients were in sinus rhythm. On echocardiography, right atrial contraction was detected in 32 patients(94.1%) and left atrial contraction in 33 patients(97.1%). The echocardiographic A wave at 1, 6, and 12 months or more were 50.5$\pm$31.5, 62.1$\pm$25.1, 66$\pm$20.6 cm/sec, respectively, and the E wave measurements at the same time points were 152$\pm$31.1, 134.4$\pm$35.2, 133$\pm$27.5 cm/sec. The corresponding A/E ratios were 0.32$\pm$0.13, 0.48$\pm$0.18, 0.5$\pm$0.15, showing a rising trend. Treadmill evaluation at 6 months showed a mean 82% increase in heart rate after excising, and the SDNN and SDANN upon HRV Holter at 1 and 3 months postoperatively were 65.3$\pm$28.1/87.8$\pm$27.2 ms, and 60.0$\pm$24.1/83.4$\pm$25.7 ms, respectively, showing a predoinant autonomic recovery in the parasympathetic system(PSDNN = 0.01, PSDANN =0.015). Conclusion: The results of our data suggest that the current modification in the conventional Maze III Procedure was efective in enhancing the postoperative left atrial contractility.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.203-217
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• 2024

Background and Objective: The effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) on right ventricular (RV) function are not well known. Methods: Patients who underwent RFCA for AF and underwent pre- and post-procedural echocardiography were enrolled consecutively. Fractional area change (FAC), RV free-wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL), and RV 4-chamber strain including the ventricular septum (RV4CSL) were measured. Changes in FAC, RVFWSL, and RV4CSL before and after RFCA were compared among paroxysmal AF (PAF), persistent AF (PeAF), and long-standing persistent AF (LSPeAF) groups. Results: A total of 164 participants (74 PAF, 47 PeAF, and 43 LSPeAF; age, 60.8 ± 9.8 years; men, 74.4%) was enrolled. The patients with PeAF and LSPeAF had worse RV4CSL (p<0.001) and RVFWSL (p<0.001) than those with PAF and reference values. Improvements in RVFWSL and RV4CSL after RFCA were significant in the PeAF group compared with the PAF and LSPeAF groups (ΔRV4CSL, 8.4% [5.1, 11.6] in PeAF vs. 1.0% [-1.0, 4.1] in PAF, 1.9% [-0.2, 4.4] in LSPeAF, p<0.001; ΔRVFWSL, 9.0% [6.9, 11.5] in PeAF vs. 0.9% [-1.4, 4.9] in PAF, 1.0% [-1.0, 3.6] in LSPeAF, p<0.001). In patients without recurrence, improvements in RVFWSL and RV4CSL after RFCA were significant in the PeAF group compared to the LSPeAF group. Conclusions: RV systolic function is more impaired in patients with PeAF and LSPeAF than in those with PAF. RV systolic function is more improved after RFCA in patients with PeAF than in those with PAF or LSPeAF.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.569-573
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• 1985

A 18-year-old female underwent surgical correction of tricuspid atresia and complete transposition of great arteries combined with atrial 8 ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis. After the transection of main pulmonary artery just above the pulmonic valve, proximal portion of main pulmonary artery was closed with running suture and distal portion of main pulmonary artery anastomosed with right atrial appendage without valve insertion. Atrial septal defect was closed with running suture. Postoperative course was uneventful and she discharged on 18th postoperative day. Her condition is in very good until present. Modified Fontan`s operation without valve placement [in the condition of low pulmonary vascular resistance and good left ventricular function] may has a good result.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1096-1106
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• 1995

We experienced 7 cases of left single lung transplantation in 14 mongrel dogs and analyzed graft lung function by hemodynamics, blood gas analysis, chest X-ray, biopsy and perfusion lung scan. We performed right pulmonary artery cuff[PA cuff for analysis of graft lung function in 3 cases. The donor lungs were flushed with modified Euro-Collins solution[n=3 or low potassium dextran glucose solution[n=4 and preserved for 4 to 5 hours[n=4 or 24 hours[n=3 at 10o C and implanted to the dogs with similar weight . Assessment of left graft lung was done by occluding the right pulmonary artery for 10 minutes using PA cuff. Assessment for graft lung function was done immediately after an operation and after 3 days, 7days and 3 weeks postoperatively. Four dogs survived for 3days, 7days[2 cases and 3 weeks respectively. Other three dogs expired within 3 hours of reperfusion. Immediate perfusion scans of left lung in four survived dogs after reperfusion were 42.1%, 36% , 11% and 5.9% respectively, and another dog with 4.8% perfusion to left lung was dead due to left atrial thrombi after 3 hours reperfusion. In one case among three acute rejections follow-up perfusion scan was done on 3rd and 11th postoperative day and the result decreased from 36% perfusion immediate postoperatively to 21% and 15% respectively. Three expired dogs postoperatively couldn`t tolerate occlusion of right pulmonary artery with above 40 mmHg of mean pulmonary artery pressure. On the other hand, three survival dogs postoperatively tolerated occlusion of right pulmonay artery with less than 30 mmHg of mean pulmonary artery pressure. and one dog couldn`t tolerate same procedure immediate postopertively but in 2 hours reperfusion later tolerated with 29 mmHg of mean pulmonary artery pressure.In conclusion we couldn`t compare the effect of two flushing solutions but low potassium dextran glucose solution showed relatively safe preservation effect in cases with preservation of more than 20 hours. Also canine left single lung transplantation model with PA cuff indicated useful method for the assessment of graft lung function with effect of lung preservation.