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

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.152-161
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• 2006

Purpose : In Korea, the school urine screening program is a useful tool for screening urine abnormalities. It is particularly useful in early detection of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(MPGN) I, which frequently progresses to chronic renal failure. In this study, we studied the medical history, laboratory findings, and histologic findings of MPGN to gain helpful information on early detection and treatment. Methods : The subjects were 19 children, who were diagnosed with MPGN from kidney biopsies that were performed in ten nationwide university hospitals because of abnormal urine findings from school urine screening programs conducted from July 1999 to April 2004. We divided the patients into 2 groups, a nephrotic range proteinuria group(n=8) and a non-nephrotic proteinuria group(n=11), and retrospectively analyzed the clinical features, laboratory findings, histologic findings, treatment, and clinical course. Results : The mean age at the first abnormal urinalysis was $10.6{\pm}2.2$ years in the nephrotic proteinuria group and $9.6{\pm}3.2$ years in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group. The mean age at the time of kidney biopsy was $11.3{\pm}2.3$ years in the nephrotic range proteinuria group and $10.4{\pm}3.2$ years in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean age and sex between the two groups. In the nephrotic proteinuria group, 6 children had a low plasma C3 level and in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group, 8 children had a low plasma C3 level, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in the laboratory test results(including WBC count, RBC count, platelet count and other serologic tests) between the 2 groups except for 24 hour urine protein secretion. There was no difference between the 2 groups with regard to the acute and chronic changes in the glomerulus on light microscopic findings, IgG, IgA, Ig M, C1q, C3, C4, fibrogen deposition on immunofluoroscence findings, and mesangial deposits, subendothelial deposits, and subepithelial deposits on electron microscopic findings. The children were treated with corticosteroids, ACE(angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, dipyridamole and other immunosuppressive agents. During the course of treatment, there were no children whose clinical condition worsened. Among 19 children, 3 children went into remission(2 in the nephrotic proteinuria group, 1 in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group) and 9 children went into a partial remission(4 in the nephrotic proteinuria group, 5 in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group) on urinalysis. There was no significant difference in the treatment results between the two groups. Conclusion : The 73.7% of children who were incidentally diagnosed with MPGN by the school urine screening program had reduced C3. 42.1% of the children had nephrotic range proteinuria. There were no significant differences in clinical features, laboratory test results, light microscopic, immunofluorescence microscopic, and electron microscopic findings between the nephrotic proteinuria group and the non-nephrotic proteinuria group except for the 24 hour urine protein secretion. Therefore, for early detection of MPGN during the school urine screening program, we strongly recommend a kidney biopsy if children have abnormal urine findings such as persistent proteinuria and persistent hematuria, or if the serum C3 is reduced.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.255-263
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• 2007

Purpose : A single center cross sectional retrospective study was performed to compare the outcomes of different peritoneal dialysis(PD) modalities in Korean children. Methods : Among children dialyzed with PD between the year 2004 and 2007, 35 children had reliable data on PD adequacy after 3 to 15 months of dialysis. Subjects were grouped by their modalities; 17, 13 and 5 children were on continuous ambulatory PD(CAPD), continuous cyclic PD(CCPD) and nightly intermittent PD(NIPD), respectively. Body weight and height, number of patients taking anti-hypertensives and laboratory data including biochemical and hemoglobin levels were compared. Dialysis adequacy including weekly Kt/Vurea, creatinine clearance (Ccr) and daily water removal were also compared. Patients were sub-grouped by their peritoneal permeability characteristics. Results : The percentage of patients taking anti-hypertensives, monthly change in Z-scores of body weight and height and laboratory data did not differ among the groups. Patients on CAPD and CCPD showed similar dialysis adequacies. Weekly dialytic Ccr was significantly lower in the NIPD group compared to the others. But total Ccr was not different when residual renal function was added. Weekly dialytic Ccr by CAPD was significantly higher than that of CCPD in low and low-average transporters. Conclusion : We propose that modality can be selected flexibly according to the patients' preferences. And peritoneal permeability characteristics provide valuable information for adjusting PD prescriptions in ultrafiltration failure or in inadequate dialysis. Further study of other clinical performance measures should be performed to clarify the comparable outcomes in different PD modalities.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.643-652
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• 2002

As the prevalence of coronay artery disease is increasing, the surgical treatment has been universalized and operative outcome has been improved. We analyzed the short and mid-term results of 292 CABGs performed in Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital. Material and Method: From June 1994 to December 2001, 292 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. There were 173 men and 119 women and their ages ranged from 39 to 84 years with a mean of $61.8{\pm}9.1$ years. We analyzed the preoperative risk factors, operative procedures and operative outcome. In addition, we analyzed the recurrence of symptoms, long-term mortality and complications via out-patient follow-up for discharged patients. Result: Preoperative clinical diagnoses were unstable angina in 137(46.9%), stable angina in 34(11.6%), acute myocardial infarction in 40(13.7%), non-Q myocardial infarction in 25(8.6%), postinfarction angina in 22(7.5%), cardiogenic shock in 30(10.3%) and PTCA failure in 4(1.4%) patients. Preoperative angiographic diagnoses were three-vessel disease in 157(53.8%), two-vessel disease in 35 (12.0%), one-vessel disease in 11(3.8%) and left main disease in 89(30.5%) patients. We used saphenous veins in 630, internal thoracic arteries in 257, radial arteries in 50, and right gastoepiploic arteries in 2 distal anastomoses. The mean number of distal anastomoses per patient was $3.2{\pm}1.0$ There were 18 concomitant procedures ; valve replacement in 8(2.7%), left main coronary artery angioplasty in 6(2.1%), patch closure of postinfarction ventricular septal defect(PMI-VSD) in 2(0.7%), replacement of ascending aorta in 1(0.3%) and coronary endarterectomy in 1(0.3%) patient. The mean ACC time was $96.6{\pm}35.3 $ minutes and the mean CPB time was $179.2{\pm}94.6$ minutes. Total early mortality was 8.6%, but it was 3.1% in elective operations. The most common cause of early mortality was low cardiac output syndrome in 6(2.1%) patients. The stastistically significant risk factors for early mortality were hypertension, old age($\geq$ 70 years), poor LV function(EF＜40%), congestive heart failure, preoperative intraaortic balloon pump, emergency operation and chronic renal failure. The most common complication was arrhythmia in 52(17.8%) patients. The mean follow-up period was $39.0{\pm}27.0$ months. Most patients were free of symptoms during follow-up. Fourteen patients(5.8 %) had recurrent symptoms and 7 patients(2.9%) died during follow-up period. Follow-up coronary angiography was performed in 13 patients with recurrent symptoms and they were managed by surgical and medical treatment according to the coronary angiographic result. Conclusion: The operative and late results of CABG in our hospital, was acceptable. However, There should be more refinement in operative technique and postoperative management to improve the results.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2000

Purpose: MCNS is found in approximately $85\%$ of the idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children and shows good prognosis with initial steroid therapy. However in FSGS, there is poor prognosis with initial therapy and shows higher rate of progression to chronic renal failure and relapse after kindney transplantation. We have experienced 8 patients who were diagnosed as MCNS on initial renal biopsy and then progressed to FSGS on follow-up biopsy. So we have investigated their clinical course and risk factors for transition of MCNS to FSGS. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study with a review of histopathologic findings and clinical manifestations of 296 cases of MCNS and FSGS that were diagnosed from January 1988 to May 1999. We classified them into 3 groups according to the histopathologic finding; MCNS, FSGS, MCNS progressed to FSGS in follow-up biopsy. Results: The number of children was 296 cases comprising 241 cases($81.4\%$) showing MCNS, 8 cases($2.7\%$) transition group, 47 cases($15.9\%$) FSGS. The mean onset age was $6.0{\pm}2.6$years in MCNS, transition group $8.3{\pm}2.3$years, FSGS $7.2{\pm4.3$years, and the gender (M:F) ratio was 3.7:1 in MCNS, 3:1 in transition group, 1.8:1 in FSGS. Comparing the presence of initial hematuria, hypertension,24 hour urine protein, serum albumin, serum creatinine, there were significant difference between the transition group and the FSGS group in the following points; 24hour urine protein $684:342mg/m^2/hr$(P<0.05), serum albumin 1.92: 2.47g/dL(P<0.05), serum cholesterol 494:343mg/dL(P<0.05). Refractoriness to steroid therapy was 13.3$\%$ in MCNS. $12.5\%$ in transition group, $29.6\%$ in FSGS; significantly higher in FSGS(P<0.05). Immunosuppressant therapy was performed in $58.5\%$ of MCNS, $100\%$ in transition group, $80.8\%$ in FSGS; transition group showed significantly higher .ate(P<0.05) comparing with MCNS. Mean number of relapse and duration from onset to first relapse showed no significance difference between these groups. Conclusion: 249 patients with MCNS have been followed and $3.2\%$ (8 patients) of them has shown change in pathologic diagnosis from MCNS to FSCS. The risk factor for transition could not be found. Our results point to the need for a follow-up biopsy to certify the possibility of transition to FSCS in some MCNS cases with refractory cases to steroid therepy, frequent relapsing cases, or in case of no remission in spite of vigorous immunosuppressant therapy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.680-684
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• 2005

Background: With the increasing age of the population, coronary artery bypass grafting in the elderly patients is becoming common. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has been proven to be less morbidity and to facilitate early recovery. The elderly patients may have benefits by avoiding the adverse effects of the cardiopulmonary bypass. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our results of OPCAB in elderly patients. Material and Method: A retrospective chart review was carried out for 12 patients aged over 80 years who underwent isolated OPCAB from January 2001 and March 2004. Data were collected risk factors for disease, extent of coronary disease, and in-hospital outcomes. Postoperative graft patiency was evaluated in 9 patients by multi-slice computed tomography. Result: Eleven patients had triple vessel disease or left main disease. Four patients were suffered from preoperative CVA, and 4 patients had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Two patients had myocardial infarction (MI), among them 1 patient was suffered from pulmonary edema after preoperative MI. There was no perioperative death, perioperative MI, and no ventricular arrhythmia. Also there was no perioperative stroke and renal failure. But there was one deep sternal infection who recovered by treating of muscle flap. Atrial fibrillation was newly developed in 1 patient, but was well controlled by medication. Mean intubation time was $15.9\pm4.4(8\~20hrs)$ hrs and mean ICU stay was $2.9\pm0.8(2\~4 days)$ days. Mean hospital day was $21.6\pm14.3(13\~56 days)$ days. Postoperative mean CK-MS was $11.3\pm14.1\;ng/mL$. Early postoperative graft patency rate was $100\%(24/24)$. Follow-up was completed in all patients. In this time, there was no patients with angina or death. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that OPCAB reduces morbidity and favors hospital outcomes. Therefore, OPCAB is safe, reasonable and might be preferable operative strategy in elderly patients.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.333-341
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• 1999

Background and Methods: In order to evaluate characteristics and modulatory factors of blood pressure in peritoneal dialysis(PD), studies were conducted on the 69 patients who had underwent peritoneal equilibration test(PET). Results: The results were as follows; 1) All patients received an antihypertensive drug before PD, but, 15 of 69 patients successfully quit taking the antihypertensive drug after peritoneal dialysis. 2) During peritoneal dialysis, mean arterial pressure(MAP) was significantly decreased for the first 3 months, and this lasted for 1 year, and antihypertensive drug requirements were significantly decreased continuously up to 9 months(p<0.05). 3) After changing the modality from hemodialysis to peritoneal dialysis, MAP(mmHg, from $107.0{\pm}4.5$ to $98.6{\pm}8.8$, p<0.05), antihypertensive drug requirements(from $5.6{\pm}2.6$, to $2.0{\pm}2.5$, p<0.01) and erythropoietin dosages(Uint/week, from $4600{\pm}2660$ to $2000{\pm}1630$, p<0.05) were decreased. 4) Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that MAP(p<0.01) and daily ultrafiltration volume(p<0.05) can contribute to the determination of antihypertensive drug requirements. However the relationship between antihypertensive drug requirements and PET results or dialysis adequacy indices(weekly Kt/V, weekly creatinine clearance) was not revealed. Conclusion: In conclusion, the prescription of antihypertensive drugs should be considered according to daily ultrafiltration volume, especially during first year after initiating PD, and follow-ups for over a year may be needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.6 s.263
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• pp.449-455
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• 2006

Background: Female sex was known to be a risk factor for mortality after coronary bypass grafting (CABG), and women showed higher in-hospital mortality than men. Material and Method: Between 1992 and 1996, 147 consecutive patients (98 men and 49 women) undergoing CABG were included in the study. Most patients had undergone CABG with left internal thoracic artery and saphenous vein under cardiopulmonary bypass. We examined the influence of gender on survival after CABG and looked for risk factors for survival. Result: There was no in-hospital mortality in women, but 3 death (3.0%) in men. During the mean follow-up period of $138.5{\pm}23.0$ months, mortality was lower in women than in men (20.4% vs 44.9%, p=0.004), and the most common cause of death in women was chronic renal failure (40%). Survival in women at 1, 5, 10, and f4 years was 100%, $98.0{\pm}2.0%,\;81.2{\pm}5.6%,\;and\;78.4{\pm}6.1%$, respectively, which was better than in men (p=0.004). Although preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was higher in women than in men, this did not affect early and long-term survival difference between two sexes (p=0.15). Risk factor for long-term survival in women was diabetes (p=0.033) and in men number of diseased coronary artery (p=0.006). Conclusion: Long-term survival after CABG was better in women than men. Risk factor for long-term survival in women was morbid disease rather than cardiac disease.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 1997

Purpose : Chronic renal failure is often accompanied by severe dyslipidemia, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has recently been characterized as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in adult patients on dialysis. However, there are only limited data available concerning risk factors for atherosclerosis in uremic children. We have measured serum levels of lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins and Lp(a) in uremic children with maintenance dialysis. Methods : Ten uremic children with hemodialysis (HD) and 14 with peritoneal dialysis (PD) in our dialysis unit were included in this study. The mean age of HD patients was $162{\pm}59$ months and the male to female ratio was 7:3. The mean age and sex ratio of PD patients were $123{\pm}63$ months and 6:8, respectively. The levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins and Lp(a) were measured from serum sampled after 14 hours of fasting. The normal control levels were cited from 2 articles presenting the normal blood lipid and lipoprotein levels of primary school and middle school children in Korea. Results : There was no difference in age, sex ratio, body mass index and duration of dialysis between the HD and the PD group. The serum concentration of the cholesterol, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B were significantly elevated in dialysis patients compared with normal subjects. The serum level of Lp(a) was significantly elevated in only PD group. The serum Lp(a) level was below 30 mg/dl in 13 and above 30 mg/dl in 11 patients. The serum albumin level was significantly decreased in high Lp(a) group than in low Lp(a) group. Conclusion : The uremic children receiving dialysis reveal abnormal serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles. These results suggest that they have a higher risk for coronary heart disease, although there has been no clinical evidence of coronary heart disease at present. A long-term follow-up study of these children to clarify the suggestion should be started now.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.213-220
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aims to verify the effectiveness of initial empirical antibiotic choice recommended by the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis(ISPD) guide among Korean children. Methods : We have collected data on peritonitis from January 2001 to December 2007 in Samsung Medical Center. Results : Of the 42 patients, 48 episodes of peritonitis had occurred in 21 patients. The rate of peritonitis was one episode over 35.3 patient-months. Mean dialysis duration before peritonitis was 18.06$\pm$15.81 months. Gram-positive organisms accounted for 58.3% of all episodes. Of the gram-positive organisms, the most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus(29.2%), the next common pathogens were Coagulase negative staphylococcus(14.6%) and Streptococcus species(6.3%). 35.7% of gram-positive pathogens were resistant to 1st cephalosporin. However, in patients younger than 4 years old, 50% of gram-positive pathogens were resistant to 1st generation cephalosporin. 10 episodes of peritonitis were methicillin-resistant and were treated by vancomycin. Of the gram-negative organisms, E. coli was the most common (8.3%). 64.8% of all pathogens were sensitive to cephalothin or ceftazidime. Conclusion : The empirical therapy with 1st generation cephalosporin and ceftazidime can be also effective to peritoneal dialysis associated peritonitis in Korean children. However, in patients younger than 4 years old, glycopeptide should be considered as the first empirical therapy in Korean children.