• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.164-173
• /
• 2015

Background: Hypertrophied myocardium is especially vulnerable to ischemic injury. This study aimed to compare the early and late clinical outcomes of three different methods of myocardial protection in patients with aortic stenosis. Methods: This retrospective study included 225 consecutive patients (mean age, 65{\pm}10 years; 123 males) with severe aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement. Patients were excluded if they had coronary artery disease, an ejection fraction <50%, more than mild aortic regurgitation, or endocarditis. The patients were divided into three groups: group A, which was treated with antegrade and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia; group B, which was treated with antegrade crystalloid cardioplegia using histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution; and group C, treated with retrograde cold blood cardioplegia. Results: Group A contained 70 patients (31.1%), group B contained 74 patients (32.9%), and group C contained 81 patients (36%). The three groups showed significant differences with regard to the proportion of patients with a New York Heart Association functional classification ${\geq}III$ (p=0.035), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (p=0.042), ejection fraction (p=0.035), left ventricular dimensions (p<0.001), left ventricular mass index (p<0.001), and right ventricular systolic pressure (p <0.001). Differences in cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.532) and aortic cross-clamp time (p=0.48) among the three groups were not statistically significant. During postoperative recovery, no significant differences were found regarding the use of inotropes (p=0.328), mechanical support (n=0), arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, p=0.347; non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, p=0.1), and ventilator support time (p=0.162). No operative mortality occurred. Similarly, no significant differences were found in long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Although the three groups showed some significant differences with regard to patient characteristics, both antegrade crystalloid cardioplegia with HTK solution and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia led to early and late clinical results similar to those achieved with combined antegrade and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.631-638
• /
• 2009

GLEDITSIAE SPINA (GS) has been used as folk remedies traditionally for treatment of antiphlogistic and antifebrile agents. An ethanol extract and its fraction of GS were assessed to determine the mechanism of its antioxidant activity. Also, inhibitory effect of extract from GS and its fraction measuring the inhibitory effect on $Cu^{2+}$-induced human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. GS ethanol extract and its fraction exhibited a concentration-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) scavenging activities, including trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), OPPH radical, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radicals, peroxynitrite and nitric oxide, using different assay systems. Furthermore, the GS ethanol extract and its fraction showed dose-dependent protection of LDL oxidation induced by $CuSO_4$. In addition, the GS ethanol extract and its fraction were characterized as containing a high amount of total phenolics. These results suggest that GS ethanol extract and its fraction might be helpful for preventing oxidative stress and protecting LDL oxidation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.95-100
• /
• 2012

Background: The purpose of this report is to describe the perioperative outcomes of standard carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with general anesthesia, routine shunting, and tissue patching in symptomatic carotid stenoses. Materials and Methods: Between October 2007 and July 2011, 22 patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (male/female, 19/3; mean age, $67.2{\pm}9.4$ years) underwent a combined total of 23 CEAs using a standardized technique. The strict surgical protocol included general anesthesia and standard carotid bifurcation endarterectomy with routine shunting. The 8-French Pruitt-Inahara shunt was used in all the patients. Results: During the ischemic time, the shunts were inserted within 2.5 minutes, and 5 patients (22.7%) revealed ischemic cerebral signals (flat wave) in electroencephalographic monitoring but recovered soon after insertion of the shunt. The mean shunting time for CEA was $59.1{\pm}10.3$ minutes. There was no perioperative mortality or even minor stroke. All patients woke up in the operating room or the operative care room before being moved to the ward. One patient had difficulty swallowing due to hypoglossal nerve palsy, but had completely recovered by 1 month postsurgery. Conclusion: Routine shunting is suggested to be a safe and reliable method of brain perfusion and protection during CEA in symptomatic carotid stenoses.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.274-279
• /
• 1980

A 21 years old male student was admitted because of mediastinal mass that was noticed in routine physical examination. He complained progressive hoarseness, mild dysphagia, and anterior chest pain on deep respiration. This mediastinal mass was diagnosed as aortic aneurysm involving ascending, transverse, and descending thoracic aorta with aid of aortogram. Total prosthetic replacement of aneurysm was performed successfully using extracorporeal circulation and hypothermia. For myocardial protection during aortic cross clamping, cardioplegic solution was used and topical myocardial cooling was also adapted For simplicity of cardiopulmonary bypass, Y-shaped connectors took cerebral perfusion catheters to the main perfusion line beyond the arterial pump. Total bypass time was 219 minutes, and aortic cross clamp time was 104 minutes. Recovery was uneventful except respiratory insufficiency for first 4 days. Isotope aortogram checked on post operative 30th day showed normal aortic configuration. He was discharged on post operative 35th day. A follow-up chest X-ray study 5 months later showed nearly normal anatomy.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 2014

Ginseng is widely used for its promising healing and restorative properties as well as for its possible tonic effect in traditional medicine. Nowadays, many studies focus on purified individual ginsenoside, an important constituent in ginseng, and study its specific mechanism of action instead of whole-plant extracts on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Of the various ginsenosides, purified ginsenosides such as Rb1, Rg1, Rg3, Rh1, Re, and Rd are the most frequently studied. Although there are many reports on the molecular mechanisms and medical applications of ginsenosides in the treatment of CVDs, many concerns exist in their application. This review discusses current works on the countless pharmacological functions and the potential benefits of ginseng in the area of CVDs. Results: Both in vitro and in vivo results indicate that ginseng has potentially positive effects on heart disease through its various properties including antioxidation, reduced platelet adhesion, vasomotor regulation, improving lipid profiles, and influencing various ion channels. To date, approximately 40 ginsenosides have been identified, and each has a different mechanism of action owing to the differences in chemical structure. This review aims to present comprehensive information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of ginseng, especially in the control of hypertension and cardiovascular function. In addition, the review also provides an insight into the opportunities for future research and development on the biological activities of ginseng.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.321-330
• /
• 2022

Coronavirus has been spreading rapidly around the world since it broke out in China in 2019. Respiratory diseases caused by coronavirus infection cause various diseases ranging from asymptomatic subclinical infections to severe pneumonia and cardiovascular complications, leading to death. In this regard, natural products are being studied to prevent various diseases caused by COVID-19. In current review, we would like to present mechanisms related to the inhibition of heart disease in ginseng and ginsenoside against SARS-CoV-2. In many previous studies, ginseng and ginsenoside are known to have antioxidant, blood flow improvement, improvement of vascular and heart function, blood pressure control, suppression of myocardial infarction and heart failure, and antiarrhythmia. Therefore, ginseng and ginsenoside have a possibility to suppress cardiovascular complications caused by COVID-19. Many of research provide evidence for ginseng and ginsenoside as treatments for the risk of cardiovascular complications. However, in this review, more specific contents on the proposition of the efficacy of ginseng and ginsenoside for COVID-19 should be presented. Therefore, we hope that researches to reduce cardiovascular complications of ginseng and ginsenoside for COVID-19 should be presented to reduce mortality for COVID-19.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.229-238
• /
• 2008

Background: Protection of the brain is a major concern during thoracic aortic surgery using hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA). This study compares the surgical outcomes of two different cerebral protection methods in thoracic aortic surgery using HCA: retrograde cerebral protection (RCP) and antegrade cerebral protection (ACP). Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed data on 146 patients who underwent thoracic aortic surgery from May 1995 to February 2007 using either RCP (114 patients, Group 1) or ACP (32 patients, Group 2) during HCA. There were 104 dissections (94 acute and 10 chronic) and 42 aneurysms (41 true aneurysms and 1 pseudoaneurysm), and all patients underwent ascending aortic replacement. There were 33 cases of hemiarch replacement, 5 of partial arch replacement, and 21 of total arch replacement. Result: The two groups were similar in preoperative and operative characteristics, but Group 2 had more elderly (over 70 years old) patients (34.4% vs. 10.5%), more coronary artery diseases (18.8% vs. 4.4%), more total arch replacements (46.9% vs. 5.3%) and longer HCA time ($50{\pm}24$ minutes vs. $32{\pm}17$ minutes) than Group 1. The operative mortality was 4.4% (5/114) and 3.1% (1/32), the incidence of permanent neurologic deficits was 5.3% (6/114) and 3.1% (1/32), and the incidence of temporary neurologic deficits was 1.8% (2/114) and 9.4% (3/32) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in operative mortality, postoperative bleeding, or neurologic deficits (permanent and temporary). Conclusion: The early outcomes of aortic surgery using HCA were favorable and showed no statistical difference between RCP and ACP. However, the ACP patients endured longer HCA times and more extended arch surgeries. ACP is the preferred brain protection technique when longer HCA time is expected or extended arch replacement is needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 1988

This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacies for myocardial protective effect of retrograde right atrial perfusion [RRAP] of cardioplegia compared with antegrade aortic root perfusion [AARP]. Myocardial distribution of perfusate [using methylene blue] with RRAP was less poor to AARP. Myocardial protective effect was estimated with myocardial temperature and electron microscopy. Cooling protection of right ventricle with RRAP was similar to AARP. On the other hand, cooling protection of left ventricle with RRAP was slight poor to AARP. The electron microscopic ischemic change of right and left ventricle with RRAP was similar to AARP. RRAP was thought to be a good alternative method to perfuse cardioplegia and protect both ventricle.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.94-98
• /
• 2017

Background: Intraoperative monitoring during carotid endarterectomy is crucial for cerebral protection. We investigated the results of carotid endarterectomy under dual monitoring with stump pressure and electroencephalography. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 50 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy between March 2010 and February 2016. We inserted a temporary shunt if the stump pressure was lower than 35 mm Hg or if any intraoperative change was observed on electroencephalography. Results: Seventeen (34%) patients used a temporary shunt, and the mean stump pressure was 26.8 mm Hg in the shunt group and 46.5 mm Hg in the non-shunt group. No postoperative mortality or bleeding occurred. Postoperatively, there were 3 cases (6%) of minor stroke, all of which took place in the shunt group. A comparison of the preoperative and the intraoperative characteristics of the shunt group with those of the non-shunt group revealed no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: Dual monitoring with stump pressure and electroencephalography was found to be a safe and reliable monitoring method with results comparable to those obtained using single monitoring. Further study should be performed to investigate the precise role of each monitoring method.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.175-202
• /
• 2004

Nitric oxide(NO) play an important role in normal and pathophysiological cells including as a messenger molecule, neurotransmitter, microbiocidal agent, or dilator of blood vessels and artheriosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, respectively. To investigate that Ondamtang in the potential contribution of the levels of nitric oxide generated by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the mechanisms of protection against L-NAME, human ECV304 cells, which normally do not express eNOS, were expressed by L-NAME. L-NAME stimulated rat or cells were found to be resistant to injury and delayed death following the Ondam-tang. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis abolished the protective effect against L-NAME, thrombin and collagen exposure. Interestingly, such effects have bee observed during stimulation with agents such as KCl on L-NAME mediate rats, were damaged by the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Cardiovascular diseases is one of the blood vessels and renin-angiotensin system dynfunction. So we studied on herbal medicine that have a relation of vessels endothelium necrosis. In Oriental Medicine, Ondam-tang has been used for disease in relation to cardiovascular system. We studied on the protection and inhibitory effects of cardiovascular diseases in L-NAME induced rat or ECV304 cell lines through the Cell morphological pattern, Tunel assay, LDH activity, heart rate, blood pressure and immunohistochemistric analysis by Ondam-tang. As the result of this study, In group, the anti-apoptosis and necrosis in the cardiovascular system have a potential capacity for prevented, protected and treating the diseases of cardiovascular system, against the necrosis of rat and ECV304 cells with eNOS and calpain expression by L-NAME is promoted.