• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.271-274
• /
• 2006

Unstable angina is a critical phase of coronary heart disease, with widely variable symptoms and prognoses. Recently, despite the advances in surgical revascularization, catheter-based revascularization and medical treatment, an increasing number of patients with angina pectoris are refractory to medical therapy and; therefore, can not be considered as candidates for coronary artery bypass grafting or interventional angioplasty. These patients are often treated with narcotics for pain relief, and forced to severely reduce their levels of activity and productivity. It has become clear that alleviating the pain caused by myocardial ischemia may be possible by altering the sympathetic afferent nerve fibers. Sympathetic blockade can be produced using high thoracic epidural analgesia. Herein, the case of a patient with intractable angina and poor ventricular function, who received high thoracic epidural analgesia to relieve ischemic chest pain, is reported.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.97-107
• /
• 1999

Background: This study was designed to develop a Korean version of the heparin-coated vascular bypass shunt by using a physical dispersing technique. The safety and effectiveness of the thrombo-resistant shunt were tested in experimental animals. Material and Method: A bypass shunt model was constructed on the descending thoracic aorta of 21 adult mongrel dogs(17.5-25 kg). The animals were divided into groups of no-treatment(CONTROL group; n=3), no-treatment with systemic heparinization(HEPARIN group; n=6), Gott heparin shunt (GOTT group; n=6), or Korean heparin shunt(KIST group; n=6). Parameters observed were complete blood cell counts, coagulation profiles, kidney and liver function(BUN/Cr and AST/ ALT), and surface scanning electron microscope(SSEM) findings. Blood was sampled from the aortic blood distal to the shunt and was compared before the bypass and at 2 hours after the bypass. Result: There were no differences between the groups before the bypass. At bypass 2 hours, platelet level increased in the HEPARIN and GOTT groups(p<0.05), but there were no differences between the groups. Changes in other blood cell counts were insignificant between the groups. Activated clotting time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and thrombin time were prolonged in the HEPARIN group(p<0.05) and differences between the groups were significant(p<0.005). Prothrombin time increased in the GOTT group(p<0.05) without having any differences between the groups. Changes in fibrinogen level were insignificant between the groups. Antithrombin III levels were increased in the HEPARIN and KIST groups(p<0.05), and the inter-group differences were also significant(p<0.05). Protein C level decreased in the HEPARIN group(p<0.05) without having any differences between the groups. BUN levels increased in all groups, especially in the HEPARIN and KIST groups(p<0.05), but there were no differences between the groups. Changes of Cr, AST, and ALT levels were insignificant between the groups. SSEM findings revealed severe aggregation of platelets and other cellular elements in the CONTROL group, and the HEPARIN group showed more adherence of the cellular elements than the GOTT or KIST group. Conclusion: Above results show that the heparin-coated bypass shunts(either GOTT or KIST) can suppress thrombus formation on the surface without inducing bleeding tendencies, while systemic heparinization(HEPARIN) may not be able to block activation of the coagulation system on the surface in contact with foreign materials but increases the bleeding tendencies. We also conclude that the thrombo-resistant effects of the Korean version of heparin shunt(KIST) are similar to those of the commercialized heparin shunt(GOTT).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.3 s.260
• /
• pp.184-193
• /
• 2006

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has been proven to result in less morbidity. The patients who have left ventricular dysfunction may have benefits by avoiding the adverse effects of the cardiopulmonary bypass. The present study compared early and midterm outcomes of off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (On pump CABG) in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. Material and Method: Ninety hundred forth six patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting by one surgeon between January 2001 and Febrary 2005.. Data were collected in 100 patients who had left ventricular ejection fraction (L VEF) less than $35\%$ (68 OPCAB; 32 On pump CABG). Mean age of patients were 62.9$\pm$9.0 years in OPCAS group and 63.8$\pm$8.0 years in On pump CABG group. We compared the preoperative risk factors and evaluated early and midterm outcomes. Result: In OPCAB and On pump CABG group, mean number of used grafts per patient were 2.75$\pm$0.72, 2.78$\pm$0.55 and mean number of distal anastomoses were 3.00$\pm$0.79, 3.16$\pm$0.72 respectively. There was one perioperative death in OPCAB group ($1.5\%$). The operation time, ventilation time, ICU stay time, CK-MB on the first postoperative day, and occurrence rate of complications were significantly low in OPCAB group. Mean follow-up time was 26.6$\pm$12.8 months (4${\~}$54 months). Mean LVEF of OPCAB and On pump CABG group improved significantly from $27.1\pm4.5\%$ to $40.7\pm13.0\%$ and $26.9\pm5.4\%$ to $33.3\pm13.7\%$. The 4-year actuarial survival rate of OPCAB and On pump CABG group were $92.2\%,\;88.3\%$ and the 4-year freedom rates from cardiac death were $97.7\%,\;96.4\%$ respectively. There were no significant differences between two groups in 4 year freedom rate from cardiac event and angina. Conclusion: OPCAS improves myocardial function and favors early and mid-term outcomes in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction compared to On pump CABG group. Therefore, OPCAB is a preferable operative strategy even in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.12
• /
• pp.901-908
• /
• 2001

Background : Coronary artery bypass graft(CABG) in patients with advanced left ventricular dysfunction has often been regarded as having high mortality rate, despite the great improvement in operative result of CABG. With recent advances in surgical technique and myocardial protection, surgical revascularization improved the symptom and long-term survival of these high risk patients more than the medical conservative treatment. Material and Methold : Clinical data of 31(4.1％) patients with preoperative ejection fraction less than 30% among 864 CABGs performed between January 1995 and March 1999 were retrospectively analyzed and pre- and postoperative changes of the ejection fraction on echocardiography were analyzed. There were 26 men and 5 women. The mean age was 60.7 years(range 41 to 72 years). History of myocardial infarction(30 cases, 98％) was the most common preoperative risk factor. There were seven irreversible myocardial infarction on thallium scan. Most patients had triple vessel diseases(26 cases, 84％) and first degree of Rentrop classification(16 cases, 52％) on coronary angiography. The mean number of distal anastomosis during CABG was per patient was 4.9${\pm}$0.8 sites in each patient. In addition to long saphenous veins, the internal mammary artery was used in 20 patients. Total bypass time was 244.7${\pm}$3.7 minutes(range, 117 to 567 minutes), and mean aortic cross-clamp time was 77.9 ${\pm}$ 1.6 minutes(range, 30 to 178 minutes). There were five other reparative procedures such as two left ventricular aneurysrmectomy, two mitral repair, and one aortic valve replacement. There were twelve postoperative complications such as three cardiac arrhythmia, two bleeding(re-operation), one delayed sternal closure, eleven usage of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation for low cardiac output. Two patients died, postoperative mortality was 6.5% . Twenty-nine patients were relieved of chest pain and left ventricular ejection fraction after operation was significantly higher(38.5${\pm}$11.6%, p 0.001) as compared with preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction(25.3${\pm}$2.3%). The follow up period of out patient was 25. 3 months. Conclusion: In patients with coronary artery disease and advanced left ventricular dysfunction, coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed relatively safely with improvement in left ventricular function, but it will be necessary to study long term results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.177-186
• /
• 1994

Pentastarch is a hydroxyethyl starch similar to hetastarch, but lower average molecular weight and fewer hydroxyethyl groups which result in enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis and faster renal elimination.This report was performed to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of 10 % pentastarch[Pentaspan , group I] for plasma volume expansion after open heart surgery with that of 5% albumin[Plasmanate, group II]. There were no statistically significant differences between the group I [n=18] and group II [n:19] in the preoperative parameters [age, sex, body weight] and operative parameters[bypass time, aorta cross clamping time]. During the first 24 hours after arrival of the patient in the surgical intensive care unit, colloid solution [500--1000 ml] was infused to maintain left atrial pressure of more than 8 mmHg, or cardiac index of 2.0 L/min/M2 of more. In results, there were 3 complications of hypotension immediately after infusion of 5 % albumin solution and 2 among the 3 patients were excluded for the study. However there was no complication after infusion of 10 % pentastarch solution. Hemodynamic responses to infusion was similar for both groups, although in group I a greater increase in both left atrial pressure[mean 1.8 versus 0.7 mmHg, p< 0.05] and right atrial pressure [mean 2.2 versus 1.7 mmHg, p < 0.05] was observed during infusion of the first 500 ml. There were no significant differences in any of the measured respiratory parameters[PaO2, intrapulmonary shunt, and effective lung compliance]. Homodilution with colloid significantly reduced hemoglobin [mean 1.2 versus 0.8 gm/dl], and serum protein and albumin level[total protein;4.8$\pm$ 0.5 versus 5.2 $\pm$0.5 gm/dl, p < 0.05: albumin: 3.2 $\pm$0.4 versus 3.6 $\pm$0.6 gm/dl, p < 0.05] by 6:00 AM on 1 day postoperatively, however there were no significant differences on 7 day postoperatively. The mean serum colloid osmotic pressure and osmolarity was similar in both group.There were no abnormal findings of liver function and kidney function in all the patients. There were no significant between-group differences in bleeding time, platelets, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and amount of chest tube output measured on 1st and 7th postoperative day. These findings demonstrated that 10% pentastarch is more effective and safe for plasma volume expension than 5 % albumin solution with no adverse effects on coagulation. Also 10 % pentastarch is less expensive than 5 % albumin and it would appeare to be a reasonable first choice for plasma volume expansion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.255-261
• /
• 2014

Background: To determine the predictors of clinical outcomes following surgical descending thoracic aortic (DTA) repair. Methods: We identified 103 patients (23 females; mean age, $64.1{\pm}12.3$ years) who underwent DTA replacement from 1999 to 2011 using either deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (44%) or partial cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB, 56%). Results: The early mortality rate was 4.9% (n=5). Early major complications occurred in 21 patients (20.3%), which included newly required hemodialysis (9.7%), low cardiac output syndrome (6.8%), pneumonia (7.8%), stroke (6.8%), and multi-organ failure (3.9%). None experienced paraplegia. During a median follow-up of 56.3 months (inter-quartile range, 23.1 to 85.1 months), there were 17 late deaths and one aortic reoperation. Overall survival at 5 and 10 years was $80.9%{\pm}4.3%$ and $71.7%{\pm}5.9%$, respectively. Reoperation-free survival at 5 and 10 years was $77.3%{\pm}4.8%$ and $70.2%{\pm}5.8%$. Multivariable analysis revealed that age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 1.15; p<0.001) and left ventricle (LV) function (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.96; p<0.003) were significant and independent predictors of long-term mortality. CPB strategy, however, was not significantly related to mortality (p=0.49). Conclusion: Surgical DTA repair was practicable in terms of acceptable perioperative mortality/morbidity as well as favorable long-term survival. Age and LV function were risk factors for long-term mortality, irrespective of the CPB strategy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.399-405
• /
• 2011

Background: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy caused by aortic valve stenosis (AS) leads to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We sought to determine whether aortic valve replacement (AVR) decreases LV mass and improves LV function. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review for 358 consecutive patients, who underwent aortic valve replacement for degenerative AS between January 1995 and December 2008, was performed. There were 230 men and 128 women, and their age at operation was $63.2{\pm}10$ years (30~85 years). Results: There was no in-hospital mortality, and mean follow-up duration after discharge was 48.9 months (2~167 months). Immediate postoperative echocardiography revealed that LV mass index and mean gradient across the aortic valve decreased significantly (p<0.001), and LV mass continued to decrease during the follow-up period (p<0.001). LV ejection fraction (EF) temporarily decreased postoperatively (p<0.001), but LV function recovered immediately and continued to improve with a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative EF (p<0.001). There were 15 late deaths during the follow-up period, and overall survival at 5 and 10 years were 94% and 90%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, age at operation (p=0.008), concomitant coronary bypass surgery (p<0.003), lower preoperative LVEF (<40%) (p=0.0018), and higher EUROScore (>7) (p=0.045) were risk factors for late death. Conclusion: After AVR for degenerative AS, reduction of left ventricular mass and improvement of left ventricular function continue late after operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.34-40
• /
• 2008

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) shows fewer side effects than cardiopulmonary by. pass, and other benefits include myocardial protection, pulmonary and renal protection, coagulation, inflammation, and cognitive function. We analyzed the clinical results of our cases of OPCAB. Material and Method: From May 1999 to August 2007, OPCAB was performed in 100 patients out of a total of 310 coronary artery bypass surgeries. There were 63 males and 37 females, from 29 to 82 years old, with a mean age of $62{\pm}10$ years. The preoperative diagnoses were unstable angina in 77 cases, stable angina in 16, and acute myocardial infarction in 7. The associated diseases were hypertension in 48 cases, diabetes in 42, chronic renal failure in 10, carotid artery disease in 6, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 5. The preoperative cardiac ejection fraction ranged from 26% to 74% (mean $56.7{\pm}11.6%$). Preoperative angiograms showed three-vessel disease in 47 cases, two-vessel disease in 25, one-vessel disease in 24, and left main disease in 23. The internal thoracic artery was harvested by the pedicled technique through a median sternotomy in 97 cases. The radial artery and greater saphenous vein were harvested in 70 and 45 cases, respectively (endoscopic harvest in 53 and 41 cases, respectively). Result: The mean number of grafts was $2.7{\pm}1.2$ per patient, with grafts sourced from the unilateral internal thoracic artery in 95 (95%) cases, the radial artery in 62, the greater saphenous vein in 39, and the bilateral internal thoracic artery in 2. Sequential anastomoses were performed in 46 cases. The anastomosed vessels were the left anterior descending artery in 97 cases, the obtuse marginal branch in 63, the diagonal branch in 53, the right coronary artery in 30, the intermediate branch in 11, the posterior descending artery in 9 and the posterior lateral branch in 3. The conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass occurred in 4 cases. Graft patency was checked before discharge by coronary angiography or multi-slice coronary CT angiography in 72 cases, with a patency rate of 92.9% (184/198). There was one case of mortality due to sepsis. Postoperative arrhythmias or myocardial in-farctions were not observed. Postoperative complications were a cerebral stroke in 1 case and wound infection in 1. The mean time of respirator care was $20{\pm}35$ hours and the mean duration of stay in the intensive care unit was $68{\pm}47$ hours. The mean amounts of blood transfusion were $4.0{\pm}2.6$ packs/patient. Conclusion: We found good clinical outcomes after OPCAB, and suggest that OPCAB could be used to expand the use of coronary artery bypass grafting.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.25 no.11
• /
• pp.1169-1179
• /
• 1992

To determine the period and degree of full recovery of postoperative pulmonary function, the author performed seiral pulmonry function test with spirometry at preoperative period and 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 8th postoperative week in 64 patients who underwent chest surgery form 1990. 1. to 1990. 8. at Dep. of Thoracic & Cardiovascular surgery, Pusan National University Hospitcal, Pusan, Korea 28 patients underwent lung resection[Group A], 14 patients mediastinal and other thoracic surgery[Group B], and 22 patients heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass[Group C]. Al of them recovered normally and discharged without any complications. Their serial changes of pulmonary function test were compaired and its results was as follows; l. Over all mean recovery time of restrictive ventilatory function tests[ie, VC, ERV, IC, FEF1, FVC, FEF200-1200, MVV] were 4th & 6th postoperative week, and that of obstructive ventilatory function tests[ie., EFE25-75%, Vmax50] were 2nd postoperative week. 2. In patient who underwent lung resection surgery[Group A], FEF1 recovered in 4th~6th postoperative week and its ratio to preoperative value was 70% in pneumonectomy, and 75% in lobectomy. FVC recovered in 4th~6th postoperative week and its ratio to preoperative value was 65% in pneumonectomy, and 80% in lobectomy. MVV was recovered in 4th~8th postoperative week and recovery ratio was 80%, FEF200-1200 was recovered at 4th~6th postoperative week and its recovery ratio was 70%, FEF25-75% and Vmax50 was recovered in 2nd~4th postoperative week and recovered nearly to preoperative level. 3. In patient who underwent mediastinal and other thoracic surgery[Group B], FEV1 and FVC and recovered in 4th~6th postoperative week and the recovery ratio of FVC in blebectomy was 90%. MVV reached preoperative level in 4th~8th postoperative week. FEF200-1200, FEF25-75% and Vmax50 were recovered in 2nd~4th postoperative week and the recovery of FEF25-75% and Vmax50 in blebectomy was prominant. 4. In patient who underwent heart surgery[Group C], FEV1 and FVC were recovered in 4th~6th postoperative week. The recover ratio of FEF25-75% and Vmax50 was delaied to 6th~8th postoperative week From the above results we concluded that the recovery time of posoperative restrictive ventilatory disorder was 4th postoperative week and pulmonary complication would possibly occure during that period. So more intensive observations will be needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.10
• /
• pp.952-963
• /
• 1998

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)-induced hemostatic defects may result increased possibility of excessive hemorrhage and additional multiple transfusion reactions or reoperation. Particularly, fibrinolytic activation and decreased platelet count and function by CPB were proposed as a predictor of hemorrhage during postoperative periods in several reports. Materials and methods: Present study, which was conducted in 20 adult patients undergoing CPB, was prospectively designed to examine the hematologic changes, including fibrinolytic activation during and after CPB and to clarify the relationships between these changes and the magnitude of the postoperative nonsurgical blood loss. The serial blood samples for measurment of hematologic parameters were taken during operation and postoperative periods. Blood loss was respectively counted via thoracic catheter drainage at postoperative 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours and total period. Results: The results were obtained as follows:Platelet count rapidly declined following CPB(p<0.01), which its decreasing rate was an inverse proportion to total bypass time(TBT, r=0.55, p=0.01), And platelet count in postoperative 7th day was barely near to its control value. Fibrinogen degradating product(FDP) and D-dimer level significantly increased during CPB(p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively), and both of fibrinogen and plasminogen concentration correlatively decreased during CPB(r=0.57, p<0.01), implying activation of fibrinolytic system. Postoperative bleeding time (BT), postoperative activated partial thromboplastin time(aPTT) and postoperative prothrombin time (PT) were significantly prolonged as compare with each control value (p=0.05, p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively). Total blood loss was positively correlated with patient's age, aortic clamping time (ACT) and TBT, while there was negative correlation between platelet count and blood loss at pre-CPB, CPB-off and the 1st postoperative day, and in some periods. Postoperative aPTT and postoperative PTwere positively related to postoperative 6 hr and 48 hr blood loss(r=0.53, p=0.02; r=0.43, p=0.05) but not to total blood loss, whereas there was no relationship between postoperative BT and blood loss at any period. Conclusions: These observations suggest that CPB results various hematologic changes, including fibrinolytic activation and severe reduction in platelet count. Diverse factors such as age, platelet count, ACT, TBT and postoperative aPTT and PT may magnify the postoperative bleeding. This study will be a basic reference in understanding CPB-induced hemostatic injuries and in decreasing the postoperative hemorrhage