• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2002

This study was undertaken to analyze the outcome of composite valve graftreplacement(CVGR) for the treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving the aortic root. Material and Method: Between April 1995 and June 2001, 56 patients had replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic root with a composite graft valve and were reviewed retrospectively. Aortic regurgitation was present in 50 patients(89%), Marfan's syndrome in 18 patients(32%), and bicuspid aortic valve in 7(12.5%). The indications for operation were annuloaortic ectasia(AAE) in 30 patients(53.6%), aortic dissection in 13(23.2%), aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving aortic root in 11(19.6%), and aortitis in 2(3.6%). Cardiogenic shock due to the aortic rupture was present in 2 patients. Nine patients(16%) had previous operations on the ascending aorta or open heart surgery. The operative techniques used for CVGR were the aortic button technique in 51 patients(91%), the modified Cabrol technique in 4, and the classic Bentall technique in 1. The concomitant procedures were aortic arch replacement in 24 patients(43%), coronary artery bypass graft in 8(14.3%), mitral valve repair in 2, redo mitral valve replacement in 1, and the others in 7 The mean time of circulatory arrest, total bypass, and aortic crossclamp were 21$\pm$14 minutes, 186$\pm$68 minutes, and 132$\pm$42 minutes, respectively. Result: Early mortality was 1.8%(1/56). The postoperative complications were left ventricular dysfunction in 16 patients(28.6%), reoperation for bleeding in 7(12.5%), pericardial effusion in 2, and the others in 7. Fifty-three patients out of 55 hospital survivors were followed up for a mean of 23.2 $\pm$ 18.7 months(1-75 months). There were two late deaths(3.8%) including one death due to the traumatic cerebral hemorrhage, and CVGR-related late mortality was 1.9%. The 1- and 6-year actuarial survival was 98.1$\pm$1.9% and 93.2$\pm$5.1%, respectively. Two patients required reoperation for complication of CYGR(3.8%) and two other patients required subsequent operations for dissection of the remaining thoracoabdominal aorta. The 1- and 6-year actuarial freedom from reoperation was 97.8$\pm$2.0% and 65.3$\pm$26.7%, respectively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.652-659
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• 2004

Background: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of aortic valvuloplasty in pediatric age. Material and Method: Between January 1993 and March 2004, 35 patients underwent aortic valvuloplasty for aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic regurgitation (AR). The mean age was 81.1$\pm$61.5 (1∼223) months. The mean follow up was 50.8$\pm$30.2 (3∼121) months. Nine patients had AS, 21 had AR, and 6 had AS and AR. Valve morphology was tricuspid in 24 patients, bicuspid in 9, quadricuspid in 1, and unicuspid in 1. The mean peak pressure gradients of AS were 72.0$\pm$33.0 mmHg, and the mean grades of AR were 3.1$\pm$0.9. Result: There was one late mortality without early mortality. After operation, AS improved with mean peak pressure gradients of 23.5$\pm$21.0 mmHg (p < 0.05), and AR improved with mean grades of 1.9$\pm$0.8 (p < 0.05). At mean follow up of 35.0$\pm$23.0 months, AS maintained with mean peak pressure gradients of 31.5$\pm$24.0 mmHg, but AR progressed with mean grades of 2.8$\pm$1.3 (p < 0.05). Reoperation was required in 6 patients 38.3$\pm$21.8 months after the original operation. The actuarial figures for freedom from reoperation at 2, 5 and 8 years were 96.9$\pm$3.1%, 79.5$\pm$5.5%, and 56.8$\pm$11.4%, respectively. Age at operation, presence of AS, preoperative severity of AS or AR, and morphology of aortic valve were not significant risk factors for reoperation, and improvement of AS or AR. Conclusion: Aortic valvuloplasty showed good immediate postoperative valve function. Aortic valvuloplasty offers children many years with tolerable valve function and allows to postpone aortic valve replacement or Ross procedure in pediatric patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 1979

This is one case report of the extremely rare congenital cardiac malformation, Double-outlet of left ventricle in corrected transposition of great arteries. 11-year-old boy complained acrocyanosis and exertional dyspnea, the parents noticed cyanosis since birth. Physical examination revealed acrocyanosis, clubbed fingers and toes, G-III pansystolic murmur on 2nd and 3rd ICS, LSB. Right heart catheterization revealed significant $O_2$ jump in ventricular level. Right and left ventriculography showed the both catheters arriving in the same ventricle i.e. anterior chamber, morphological left ventricle was in right and anterior position, simultaneous visualization of aorta and pulmonary artery and aorta locating anterior and right side of pulmonary artery. Echo cardiogram surely disclosed interventricular septum. Conclusively it was clarified that the patient has Double-outlet of left ventricle and corrected transposition of great arteries [S.L.D.]. Operation was performed to correct the anomalies under extracorporeal circulation with intermittent moderate hypothermia. Right-sided ventriculotomy disclosed the following findings. 1. Right-sided ventricle was morphological left ventricle. 2. Left-sided ventricle was morphological right ventricle. 3. Right side atrioventricular valve was bicuspid. 4. Left side atrioventricular valve was tricuspid. 5. Aortic valve was superior, anterior and right side of pulmonary valve. 6. Subpulmonary membranous stenosis. 7. Non-committed ventricular septal defect. We made a tunnel between VSD and aorta with Teflon patch so that arterial blood comes through VSD and the tunnel into aorta. After correction the patient needed assisted circulation for 135 min. to have adequate blood pressure. Postoperatively by any means, adequate blood pressure could not be maintained and expired in the evening of operation day.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.604-608
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• 1993

Coarctation of aorta is rather common congenital cardiovascular disease in the western contries, but it is known to be less than 2 % in Korea. From June 1986 to December 1992, seven patients of surgically treated coarctation of aorta who were less than 2 years old, were experienced at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital. The patients included six male and one female, with ages in the range of one month and 24 months. Four patients were preductal type and three juxtaductal. Associated cardiac anomalies were present in all patients and they were PDA[6 cases], ASD[3], VSD[2], bicuspid aortic valve[2], aortic stenosis[1], mitral regurgitation[1], and tricuspid regurgitation[1]. The operative procedures were four end to end anastomosis and three subclavian flap aortoplasty. Mean aortic cross clamping times were 37.3 minutes in patients with end to end anastomosis and 30.3 minutes in patients with subclavian flap aortoplasty. There were two operative deaths in patients who were treated with subclavian flap aortoplasty and pulmonary artery banding. One patient who had been treated with subclavian flap aortoplasty was complicated with postoperative mild paraplegia in lower limb. Pulmonary artery banding has been disappointing in our patients, and the data was suggestive that earlier total repair of complicated coarctation might improve survival.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.7 s.276
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• pp.508-511
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• 2007

The causes of aortic dissection are usually hypertension, connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, congenital valvular abnormality such as bicuspid aortic valve, iatrogenic injury, pregnancy and drugs. Previous studies have shown that 50% of all dissections in women less than 40 years age were associated with pregnancy. Almost all aortic dissections during pregnancy occur during the third trimester or during labor and delivery. Marfan's syndrome is a particularly important predisposing factor for aortic dissection during pregnancy. We report here on a case of surgical treatment for acute type II aortic dissection in a Marfan syndrome patient who was 24 weeks pregnant, and we include a review of literature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.921-927
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• 2003

Arterial switch operation (ASO) has been the most effective surgical option for transposition of the great arteries. But, the inappropriate dilation of the neoaortic root has been reported and its effect on neoaortic valve function and growth of aorta has not been well documented. Material and Method: Forty-eight patients who underwent cardiac catheterization during follow up after arterial switch operation were included in this study. Arterial switch operation was performed at a median age of 18 days (range 1∼211 days). Preoperative cardiac catheterization was performed in 26 patients and postoperative catheterization was performed in all patients at 15.8$\pm$9.6 months after ASO. Postoperative ratios of the diameters of neoaortic annulus, root and aortic anastomosis against the descending aorta were compared to the size of preoperative pulmonary annular, root and sinotubular junction. Preoperative and operative parameters were analyzed for the risk factors of neoaortic insufficiency. Result: There were two clinically significant neoaortic insufficiencies (grade$\geq$II/IV) during follow up, one of which required aortic valve replacement. Another patient required reoperation due to aortic stenosis on the anastomosis site. Post-operatively, neoaortic annulus/DA ratio increased from 1.33$\pm$0.28 to 1.52$\pm$.033 (p=0.01) and neoaortic root/DA ratio increased form 2.02$\pm$0.40 to 2.56$\pm$0.38 (p<0.0001). However, the aortic anastomosis/DA ratio showed no statistically significant difference (p=0.06). There was no statistically significant correlation between the occurrence of neoaortic insufficiency and neoaortic annulus/DA ratio and neoaortic root/DA ratio. Non-neonatal repair (age>30days) (p=0.02), preopeative native pulmonaic valve stenosis (p=0.01), and bisuspid pulmonic valve (p=0.03) were the risk factors for neoaortic insufficiency in univariate risk factor analysis. Conclusion: After ASO, aortic anastomosis site showed normal growth pattern proportional to the descending aorta, but neoaortic valve annulus and root were disproportionally dilated. Significant neoaortic valve insufficiency rarely developed after ASO and neoaortic annulus and root size do not correlate with the presence of postoperative neoarotic insufficiency. ASO after neonatal period, preoperative native pulmonary valve stenosis, and bicuspid native pulmonic valve are risk factors for the development of neoaortic insufficiency.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1031-1036
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• 1998

Background: Medtronic-Hall mechanical valve is a world widely using prosthesis. But, in Korea, the clinical result from Medtronic-Hall valve replacement is not frequenthy available. Materials and methods: From March 1986 to May 1990, 50 patients underwent valve replacement surgery with Medtronic-Hall valve at Pusan National University Hospital. Seventeen were male and thirty three were female and ra nging in age from 16 to 70 years of age(mean=35 years). Results: The causes of valvular lesion were rheumatic in 43 patients, bicuspid aortic valve in 3 patients, degenerative lesion in three patients and bacterial endocarditis in one patient. The operative procedures were mitral valve replacement(MVR) in 38, aortic valve replacement(AVR) in 5 and double valve replacement(DVR) in 7. The most commonly used valve size was 21mm in AVR, 29mm in MVR. Concomitant surgical procedures were performed in 15 patients; left atrial thrombectomy in 9, left atrial auricle obliteration in 6 and tricuspid annuloplasty in 5(Kay: 2, DeVega: 3). New York Heart Association functional class was mostly Class Ⅲ or Ⅳ(91.5%) preoperatively and ClassⅠor Ⅱ(87.2%) after operation. The findings of postoperative echocardiogram of LAD, LVESD, LVEDD were reduced compared with preoperative period and ejection fraction was increased compared with preoperative period. Postoperative complications were massive bleeding in three, low cardiac output syndrome in two, thromboembolism in one and fulminant hepatitis in one patient. There were three hospital deaths and their causes were low cardiac output syndrome in two and rupture of left ventricle in one patient. The 5 year survival rate was 93.65±0.71% and 10 year actuarial survival rate was 88.27±6.42%. Conclusions: Medtronic-Hall mechanical valve has low valve related complication rate. It's durability and hemodynamic performance is comparable to other mechanical valves.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.3 s.248
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• pp.221-228
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• 2005

Reduction aortoplasty has been advocated for dilatation of the ascending aorta associated with aortic valve disease in older, high-risk patients. We report our results with modification of reduction aortoplasty and aortic valve replacement. Material and Method: Between July 2001 and December 2002, 14 consecutive patients who underwent modification of reduction aortoplasty, suture plication technique without excision of the dilated aortic wall, were reviewed. The mean age was 63.7$\pm$6.7 (50 to 75) years. Ten patients had congenital bicuspid aortic valve, Twelve patients had severe aortic valve stenosis and 6 had regurgitation of grade III$\~$IV. The diameter of the ascending aorta was measured before and immediately after surgery and 6 and 12 months postoperatively using echocardiography or computed tomography. Follow-up was complete in an average of 14.7$\~$5.4 (7 to 24) months. Result: There were no early postoperative deaths and no bleeding complications. Reduction aortoplasty with suture plication technique decreased the diameter of ascending aorta from 49.4$\pm$3.5 mm preoperatively to 33.2$\pm$3.4 mm postoperatively (p <0.001). During follow-up, there were no late deaths and no aneurysm recurrence on the ascending aorta. Conclusion: Suture plication technique of reduction aortoplasty without excision of the dilated aortic wall offers good early and short-term results in older, high-risk patients with dilatation of the ascending aorta associated with aortic valve disease. Surgical long-term results of our technique should be evaluated in further studies.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.305-310
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• 2009

Background: The Ross procedure is known as a good surgical option for a young age group with aortic valve problems, but few reports on the Ross procedure are available in the Korean literature. This study is a review of our midterm results of 10 year experience with the pediatric Ross operation in Asan Medical Center. Material and Method: From March 1997 to October 2008, eighteen patients who were aged less than 16 years underwent the Ross procedure. There were 11 males and 7 females. The patients median age was 8.5 years (range: $0.5\sim14.0$). The aortic valve pathophysiology was 6 patients with aortic insufficiency, 4 patients with aortic stenosis, 7 patients with mixed aortic stenoinsufficiencey and 1 patient with infective endocarditis. The valve morphology was bicuspid in 11 and tricuspid in 7. All the patients were operated on with the root replacement technique. All the pumonic valves were replaced with an allograft except for one pericardial monocusp valve. The mean follow up duration was 52.8 months (range: 5.8$\sim$138.2 months). We reviewed the echocardiographic data with focusing on the, auto-graft dysfunction and reoperation. Result: There was no hospital mortality and late mortality. According to the last echocardiographic data, 2 autografts showed aortic regurgitation grade 2, 4 autografts showed aortic regurgitation grade 1 and the others were less than trivial. Reoperation of the pulmonic position conduit was performed 4 times in three patients. The rate of freedom from reoperation at 5 years was 72.2%. On the serial follow up, the Z-values of the aortic annulus/aortic sinus were changed from $1.6{\pm}1.7/0.9{\pm}1.7$ at preoperation to $1.8{\pm}1.6$(p=0.64)/$2.2{\pm}0.9$ (p=0.01) at the last follow-up. There was no significant relation between the growth of the neoaortic root and neoaortic insufficiency. Conclusion: Our midterm results of the Ross procedure in pediatric patients showed good autograft function and growth potential. Vet reoperation due to allograft dysfunction was a major concern.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 1997

From August 1986 until June 1995, single aortic valve replacement was performed in 65 patients at the Chonnam National University Hospital. worthy-eight were male and 17 were female patients, ranging from 19 to 68 years of age(median : 43 years). The causes of the valve lesions were rheumatic in 29 patients (44.6%), bicuspid aortic valve in 6 patients (6.2%), endocarditis in 6 patients(6.2%), unknown in others. Concomitant surgical procedures were performed in 10 patients : repair of congenital defect in 5, pericardiectomy in 1, coronary artery bypass grafting in 1, noncoronary sinus plication in 1, Valsalva sinus aneurysmectomy in 1, subaortic membrane resection in 1 Used valves were 51. Jude-Medical valve in 42, Duromedics valve in 22, Bjork-Shiley valve in 2, Carpentier-Edward valve in 1. There were 3 hospital deaths (4.6%), and 2 late deaths (3.2%). Follow-up was 95.2% complete. The 10-year acturlal survival rate was 85.3%. Postoperative complications were low cardiac utput in 8, arrythmia in 5, valve related hemolysis in 1, cerebral infarction in 1, and gastrointestinal bleeding in 2. Reoperation was performed in 4 for surgical bleeding, in 3 for paravalvular leak. The mean improvement in New York Heart Association functional class is from 2.79 $\pm$ 0.66 preoperatively to 1.25 $\pm$ 0.49 postoperatively(p < 0.001) The change of cardiothoracic ratio from preoperative to postoperative is 0.57 $\pm$ 0.06 to 0.54 $\pm$ 0.05 (p < 0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction change is not significant perioperatively. There are no mechanical failures. This early and intermediate-term follow-up suggests that in adults in whom valve repair is not possible, the mechanical valve is a reliable and durable prosthesis with good hemodynamic function and a low rate of thromboembolic event.