• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.941-947
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• 2000

Background: Central nervous system complication after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) is one of the major prognostic determinants and the use of the cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) may increase the incidence of this devastating complication. In this study, the outcomes after off-pump CABG were studied and compared with those following the conventional CABG using CPB. Material and Method: Among the consecutive isolated CABG's performed in SNUH during Feb. 1995 and Jun. 1999, 338 coronary artery bypass grafting were divided into two groups. 223 patients underwent CABG using the CPB(Group I), and 115 patients underwent CABG without CPB(OPCAB)(Group II). All patients enrolled in this study received extensive preoperative examinations including thorough neurologic examination before and after surgery, transcranial doppler study, carotid duplex ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance angiography if necessary. Central nervous system(CNS) complications were defined as stroke, seizure, metabolic or hypoxic encephalopathy and transient delirium after surgery. Result: There were 61 cases(27.3%) who developed postoperative CNS complication in Group I, whereas 8 cases(7.0%) of CNS complications developed postoperatively in group II(p<0.05). Statistically significant predictors of postoperative CNS complications in group I were age and the use of cardiac assist devices perioperatively. Conclusion: This study suggested that omitting the use of CPB in CABG resulted in significant decrease of the postoperative CNS complications. OPCAB should be more widely applied especially to the elderly who have preexisting cerebrovascular disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.583-590
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• 2001

The aim of this study was to compare one-year graft patency after coronary artery bypass grafting without cardiopulmonary bypass(OPCAB) with that of conventional CABG and that of on-pump beating CABG, and to demonstrate any differences in patency of various conduits among the three groups. Material and Method: We analyzed the results of OPCAB cases(group I; n=122) compared with those of conventional CABG cases(group II; n=65) and those of on-pump beating CABG cases(group III; n=19). In group I, coronary angiography(CAG) was performed immediately postoperatively and 1 year after surgery. In group II and III, CAG was performed 1 year after surgery. Graft patency was graded as grade A(excellent), grade B(fair), or grade O(occluded). Result: The average number of distal anastomoses in groups I, II, and II were 3.1$\pm$1.1, 3.7$\pm$0.9, and 3.6$\pm$0.9, respectively. In group I, postoperative CAG was performed in 92%(112/122) of patients before discharge. The patency rate(grade A+B) was 96.4$(162/168) for arterial grafts, and 85.6%(160/187) for saphenous vein grafts(SVG). One-year follow-up CAG was performed in 74%(90/122) of patients. The patency rate was 97.8%(132/135) for arterial grafts, and 67.9%(106/156) for SVG. In group II, one-year follow-up CAG was performed in 65%(42/65) of patients. The patency rate(grade A+B) was 93.5%(43/46) for arterial grafts, and 86.8%(33/38) for SVG. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that the patency rate of SVG after OPCAB was significantly lower than that of arterial grafts in the early postoperative CAG(p<0.001), and was also significantly lower than those of SVG of group II(p<0.001) and group III(p<0.01) in the postoperative one-year CAG, although there was no significant difference is one-year patency of arterial grafts among the three groups. Our data suggest that a specific perioperative anticoagulant therapy may be advisable in patients undergoing OPCAB with SVG.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2009

Background: Background: Computed tomography (CT) is the main tool for detecting abnormalities of the thoracic aorta, but conventional CT only shows the cross-sectional images. These CT images have some limitations fo accuratly measuring the thoracic aortic diameters at various levels. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) overcomes these limitations. We measured the thoracic aortic diameter perpendicular to the loop-shaped thoracic aortic course and this was studied in relation to age, gender, height, weight, the body surface area, the body mass index and the presence of hypertension. Material and Method: Thirty hundred thirty one patients (males: 141 patients and females: 190 patients) who had no abnormalities of the thoracic aorta were investigated using MDCT aortography. They were divided into three age categories: 20~39 years old, 40~59 years old and over age 60. The image was reformed with multiplanar reconstruction and the diameter of the aorta was measured perpendicular to the aortic course at 5 anatomic segments. Level A was the mid-ascending aorta, level B was the distal ascending aorta, level C was the aortic arch, level D was the aortic isthmus and level E was the mid-descending aorta. Result: The mean age was 49.5 years old for males and 54.9 years old for females (p<0.05). The mean diameter of the thoracic aorta at level A was 31.1 mm, that at level B was 30.2 mm, that at level C was 26.5 mm, that at level D was 24.0 mm and that at level E was 22.6 mm. The diameters at all the levels were gradually increased with age. Hypertensive patients had larger diameters than did the non-hypertensive population. There was a positive correlation between the ascending aortic diameter (levels A&B) and height and the body surface area, but there were no statistical differences at the aortic arch (level C) and the descending aorta (levels D&E). There were no statistical differences of the weight and body mass index at all levels. Conclusion: The diameters of the thoracic aortas were directly correlated with gender, age and hypertension. Height and the body surface area were only correlated with the ascending aorta. Weight and the body mass index have no statistical difference at all levels. We measured the age related thoracic aortic diameters and the upper normal limits and we provide this data as reference values for the thoracic aortic diameter in the Korean population.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study 띤as to determine the potential role of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in the treatment of primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. The preliminary results on the efficacy and the toxicity of 3D-CRT are reported. Materials and Methods : Seventeen patients were enrolled in this study, which was conducted prospectively from January 1995 to June 1997. The exclusion criteria included the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, liver cirrhosis of Child-Pugh classification C, tumors occupying more than two thirds of the entire liver, and a performance status of more than 3 on the ECOG scale. Two patients were treated with radiotherapy only while the remaining 15 were treated with combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Radiotherapy was given to the field including the tumor plus a 1.5 cm margin using a 3D-CRT technique. The radiation dose ranged from $36\~60\;Gy$ (median; 59.4 Gy). Tumor response was based on a radiological examination such as the CT scan, MR imaging, and hepatic artery angiography at $4\~8$ weeks following the completion of treatment. The acute and subacute toxicities were monitored. Results : An objective response was observed in 11 out of 17 patients, giving a response rate of $64.7\%$. The actuarial survival rate at 2 years was $21.2\%$ from the start of radiotherapy (median survival; 19 months). Six patients developed a distant metastasis consisting of a lung metastasis in 5 patients and bone metastasis in one. The complications related to 30-CRT were gastro-duodenitis $(\geq\;grade\;2)$ in 2 patients. There were no treatment related deaths and radiation induced hepatitis. Conclusion : The preliminary results show that 3D-CRT is a reliable and effective treatment modality for primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma compared to other conventional modalities. Further studies to evaluate the definitive role of the 3D-CRT technique in the treatment of primary unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma are needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.779-784
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• 2002

Recently, the number of coronary artery bypass surgery(CABG) is increasing according to the increasing incidence of coronary artery disease. However, CABG is not a definite corrective surgery; therefore, in some patients, redo-CABG may be required. We retrospectively reviewed our redo-CABG experiences to help future redo-CABG. Material and Method: From January 1991 to April 2001, 14 cases of redo-CABG were performed in Yonsei Cardiovascular Center(M:F＝12:2) and mean age was 61,7 $\pm$ 7.1(47-72) years. Mean time from 1st. CABG to redo-CABG was 121.9 $\pm$ 50.5(6.1-179.6) months. Thirteen cases were conventional on-pump CABG and one case was off-pump CABG. In two patients, mitral valve re-replacement and mitral valve repair were performed each. All redo-CABG were performed through mid-sternotomy. During redo-CABG, left internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts were used in 6 patients, left internal mammary artery and left radial artery grafts were used in 2 patients, left internal mammary artery and gastroepiploic artery were used in one patient and only greater saphenous veins were used in 5 cases(In one case, cephalic vein was also used). The number of mean distal anastomosis was 2.1 $\pm$ 0.9(1-4). Result: There were no operative death and no perioperative myocardial infarctions and cerebrovascular accidents or other heart related complications. Mean follow up duration was 40.1 $\pm$ 38.6(1.1-118.5) months. During follow up period, angina was re-developed in one patient 13 months after operation. Two patients died of end-stage renal failure 14.8 months and 116.3 months after redo-CABG, respectively. During follow up period, coronary angiography was performed in 3 patients, and all grafts were patent. At last follow up, mean Canadian class was 1.3. Kaplan-Meier survival at 9 years was 90.0 $\pm$ 9.5% and event free survival at 9 years was 71.4 $\pm$ 6.9%. Conclusion: After redo-CABG, all patients improved their angina symptom and daily activity. And long-term survival after redo-CABG was excellent. Therefore, if patients have indications for redo-CABG, thenredo-CABG must be strongly recommended and performed.