• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.368-370
• /
• 2009

As the average age of the general population increases, a growing number of elderly patients are presenting for cardiac operations. Although aortic valve replacement in patients aged 80 years and older has been shown to have excellent outcomes with good long-term survival rates, some physicians are still hesitant to refer elderly patients for surgical intervention. A 95-years old female was admitted to our hospital with cardiogenic shock and an emergency operation was required. She was successfully treated with emergency aortic valve replacement. We report here on a case of successful emergency surgical treatment for aortic stenosis in a 95 years old woman.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.11
• /
• pp.1009-1016
• /
• 1999

Background: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery(MIDCAB) has been increasing in interest along with the new techniques in myocardial immobilization for easier and safer procedures. Until the opening of the era of new techniques, adequate accuracy and good patency of grafts were debatable. Our experiences of MIDCAB were studied according to the stages of technical developments. Material and Methods: Since March 1996, 55 patients have undergone MIDCAB procedures. The patients of off-pump CABG(no cardiopulmonary bypass under full sternotomy) were excluded from the study. In the early experience(Stage I), a left anterior small thoracotomy through the left parasternal incision was performed(n=6); then an approach through the lower partial sternotomy was used(Stage II, n=33); and recently, a chest wall elevator for harvesting the internal thoracic artery and the foot plate for myocardial immobilization have been used(USSC, Norwalk, CT)(Stage III, n=16). Result: The surgical procedures of four patients in the Stage II group have been converted to conventional bypass because of the deeply seated left anterior descending coronary artery in two patients, fracture of the calcific lesion in the right coronary artery in one patient, and a cardiogenic shock during hypothermia in the other patient with ventricular dysfunction. Two patients in stage II experienced symptomatic recurrences after surgery and restenosis was verified on angiocardiography. They were managed by interventional procedures. All the other patients were doing well without symptoms, except one patients in Stage II who underwent PTCA procedure for a lesion in the circumflex artery during the follow up period. Conclusion: The new and specialized devices are essential to the development of MIDCAB surgery. MIDCAB and the hybrid procedures in multi-vessel disease are on the way to further development. So far, our experience is limited only to a single device among the many new devices for the purpose.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.304-307
• /
• 1998

Aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva on mostly congenital disease that develops more frequently in Orientals, is very low in incidence. In most cases, aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva extends to intracardiac and results in ruptures into the right ventricle or atrium. The likelihood of extracardiac aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is very low. Cases of extracardiac aneurysm are usually accompanied by aortic regurgitation and can cause right ventricle outflow tract obstruction, myocardial ischemia, and myocardial infarction due to compression by aneurysm. Since the aneurysm can rupture in the intrapericardium and cause cardiogenic shock or sudden death, definite diagnosis and management are important. If confirmed, it is preferable operform a surgical correction. We report here, with a literature review, a case where myocardial ischemia and aortic egurgitation caused by aneurysm developed in the left coronary and noncoronary sinus, and were surgically corrected with satisfactory esults.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.368-374
• /
• 2020

Background: The extracorporeal ventricular assist device (e-VAD) system is designed for left ventricular support using a permanent life support console. This study aimed to determine the impact of temporary e-VAD implantation bridging on posttransplant outcomes. Methods: We reviewed the clinical records of 6 patients with the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profile 1, awaiting heart transplantation, who were provided with temporary e-VAD from 2018 to 2019. The circuit comprised a single centrifugal pump without an oxygenator. The e-VAD inflow cannula was inserted into the apex of the left ventricle, and the outflow cannula was positioned in the ascending aorta. The median follow-up duration was 8.4±6.9 months. Results: After e-VAD implantation, lactate dehydrogenase levels significantly decreased, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores significantly improved. Bedside rehabilitation was possible in 5 patients. After a mean e-VAD support duration of 14.5±17.3 days, all patients were successfully bridged to transplantation. After transplantation, 5 patients survived for at least 6 months. Conclusion: e-VAD may reverse end-organ dysfunction and improve outcomes in INTERMACS I heart transplant patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.381-386
• /
• 2015

Background: Postinfarction ventricular septal defects (pVSDs) are a serious complication of acute myocardial infarctions. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes of the surgical treatment of pVSDs. Methods: The medical records of 23 patients who underwent operations (infarct exclusion in 21 patients and patch closure in two patients) to treat acute pVSDs from 2001 to 2011 were analyzed. Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation was performed in 19 patients (82.6%), one of whom required extracorporeal membrane support due to cardiogenic shock. The mean follow-up duration was $26.2{\pm}18.6months$. Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 4.3% (1/23). Residual shunts were found in seven patients and three patients required reoperation. One patient needed reoperation due to the transformation of an intracardiac hematoma into an abscess. No patients required reoperation due to recurrence of a ventricular septal defect during the follow-up period. The cumulative survival rate was 95.5% at one year, 82.0% at five years, and 65.6% at seven years. Conclusion: The use of a multiple-patch technique with sealants appears to be a reliable method of reducing early mortality and the risk of significant residual shunting in patients with pVSDs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.49-55
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Acetanilide has been in widespread use as an amide herbicide compound. However, available data regarding acute human poisoning is scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of acetanilide poisoning in order to identify the risk factors associated with severity. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study encompassing the period January 2005 to December 2010, including adult ED patients suffering from acetanilide intoxication. Toxicological history, symptoms observed, clinical signs of toxicity, and laboratory test results were collected for each patient. The patients were classified into two groups for analysis, according their poisoning severity score (PSS). Resulting clinical data and prognostic variables were compared between mild-to-moderate poisoning (PSS 1/2 grades), and severe poisonings and fatalities (PSS 3/4 grades). Results: There were a total of 37 patients, including 26 alachlor, 6 s-metolachlor, 4 mefenacet, and 1 butachlor cases. The majority of patients (81.1%) were assigned PSS 1/2 grades. Changes in mental status and observation of adverse neurologic symptoms were more common in the PSS 3/4 group. The median ingested volume of amide herbicide compound was 250 ml (IQR 200-300 ml) in the PSS 3/4 group, and 80 ml (IQR 50-138 ml) in the PSS 1/2 group. Also, the median GCS observed in the PSS 3/4 group was 13 (IQR 10-14), which was markedly low as compared to a median GCS of 15 in the PSS 1/2 group. Overall mortality rate was 5.4%, and profound cardiogenic shock was observed prior to death in all fatalities. Conclusion: When compared to previous reports, acute acetanilide poisoning resulted in relatively moderate severity. The presence of neurologic manifestations, hypotension, lower GCS score, and larger ingested volumes was associated with more serious effects and mortalities.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.178-182
• /
• 2006

Pulmonary edema is a well known phenomenon in medicine, physical findings indicative of this condition include frothy pink sputum, dispnea, and chest X-ray may present cephalization of vessels, perihilar edema, or diffused increase of density. It is one of the most serious, life threatening situation and should be diagnosed and managed instantly. Early diagnosis and intensive treatment are mandatory in order to effectively resolve the situation. The most common etiology for this pathology is cardiogenic, such as left ventricular failure and valvular disease. The one following is noncardiogenic, such as transfusion, infectious pneumonia, inhaled toxins, shock lung in association with trauma. Other forms of pulmonary edema which have not been clearly explained result from pulmonary embolism, drug overdose, after anesthesia, epinephrine overdose, exposure to high altitude, neurogenic, etc. We experienced two cases of pulmonary edema during two jaw surgeries(Le Fort I Osteotomy & BSSRO). These patients were young and physically healthy individuals on preoperative evaluation. Thus we report and discuss the etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment with journals review.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.85-88
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a relatively uncommon type of stress-induced cardiomyopathy characterized by transient left ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities. Emotional and physical stresses play a key role in this type of cardiomyopathy in postmenopausal women. The current hypothesis is that the syndrome represents a form of catecholamine surge due to stress or epinephrine-mediated acute myocardial stunning. Methods: A 44-year-old woman had suffered premature ventricular contraction following a cardiogenic shock during a breast augmentation surgery under enflurane anesthesia and tumescent solution infiltration. She was treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation at a local clinic. Then she was brought to the Emergency Department of the authors' hospital. Results: The woman's echocardiogram showed an ejection fraction of 20~25% with associated basal hyperkinesis and left ventricular apical ballooning. The patient was admitted to the ICU and required inotropic support for two weeks. The patient's condition dramatically improved, and her ejection fraction returned to 70%. Conclusion: It is believed that there were multiple triggering factors of the onset of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the woman's social and family history, including infiltration of a large volume of the tumescent solution and VPCs induced by enflurane anesthesia without premedication. The importance of careful history-taking, careful pre-operative consultation on psychological suffering especially for breast surgery, premedication before surgery, patient reassurance, and post-operative psychosocial and emotional assistance was again seen in this case.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.12
• /
• pp.989-994
• /
• 1994

Between January 1986 and August 1993, 11 patients underwent surgical repair of ventricular septal defect [VSD] complicated with myocardial infarction. The ages of patients were ranged from 22 years to 83 years with a mean of 64 years. There were 8 male and 3 female patients. The preoperative cineangiograms of all patients were reviewed to measure both ventricular function and to evaluate coronary artery disease. The mean time interval between occurance of VSD and operation was 13 days. The operations were performed as soon as possible if there were hemodynamic derangement. Postmyocardial infarction VSD were repaired simultaneuously with coronary artery bypass graft in 3 patients, repaired with left ventricular aneurysmectomy in 6 patients, with left ventricular thrombectomy in 1 patient and with mitral valve chordae repair in 1 patient. There was no early death [within 30 days]. There were 6 postoperative complications; one with perioperative myocardial infarction, two with recurred VSD on postoperative 1 and 6 days respectively, two with lower leg embolism associated with intraaortic balloon pump insertion, one with wound infection. Of the complicated patients, 1 patient with lower leg embolism performed left above ankle amputation. Among two patients with recurred ventricular septal defect, one patient is doing well without problem. On follow up echocardiogram, the residual VSD was occluded completely. However another patient was with recurred VSD died 3 months after the operation because of congestive heart failure. Of the long term survivors, all patients are in NEW YORK Heart Association functional Class I or II. Although number of patients were small, our results of surgical closure of postmyocardial infarction VSD were favored to the others. Moreover, seven patients with preoperative cardiogenic shock among 11 were performed early operation after diagnosis of ventricular septal rupture. All of the patients were survived and doing well during the follow up period. Therefore early diagnosis with aggressive preoperative care with intraaortic balloon pumping and early operation seems to be very important for prevention of deterioration of vital organ.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.62-65
• /
• 2017

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease and despite the efforts of the past few decades, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate remains disappointing and does not exceed 10% in Korea. Especially, only 15-20% of patients are candidates for surgical resection because most patients are diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease, and their only treatment approach is palliative chemotherapy. Since the first chemo-regimen of Gemcitabine and Nanoparticle albumin bound (nab) - paclitaxel was brought to clinical practice in 2013, the improvement in overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rate was achieved in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We report the case of a young patient with cardiogenic shock accompanied by multi-organ failure after 4^th cycle Gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy with partial response.