• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.901-906
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• 2005

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Yet the etiology of KD is still unknown and diagnosis depends on the exclusion of other diseases and the clinical manifestations meeting the defined criteria. Young infants frequently show atypical clinical courses and are frequently complicated with coronary aneurysms. Some cases show thrombocytopenia, which is known as one of the risk factors for complications with coronary aneurysms. So, a high index of suspicion is the most important factor for the diagnosis of KD in very young infants or adolescents whose clinical courses are equivocal. We report herein on a case of KD in an 80-day-old female infant with fever and seizure with bloody stool; laboratory findings were those of sepsis with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. In spite of aggressive treatments, fever and thrombocytopenia persisted for two weeks and huge coronary aneurysms developed at the third week in all three major coronary arteries; the diameter of the right one was as large as the aortic annulus. Three months later, huge pulsatile masses developed in both axillas; these were found to be huge axillary aneurysms defined very clearly on multi-detector CT scan. She has been under follow up with antiplatelets and anticoagulation therapy with poor regression of the aneurysms.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.362-368
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• 2008

Purpose: It is well known that lung to heart ratio (LHR) is one of the high risk findings in TI- 201 myocardial perfusion SPECT. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of LHR to identify severe coronary artery disease in adenosine stress Tc-99m tetrofosmin gated myocardial perfusion SPECT (gSPECT). Materials and Methods: The study population was 157 patients who underwent both adenosine stress Tc-99m gSPECT and coronary angiography (CAG) within one month. According to the results of CAG and gSPECT LHR and the incidence of increased LHR were compared. Results: Among 53 patients with normal coronary arteries increased LHR was found in 2 patients (3.8%) and 0 in 44 patients (0%) with one vessel disease, 2 in 27 with two vessel disease (7.4%) and 8 in 33 with triple vessel disease (24.2%). Significant differences were found in LHR between subgroups of summed stress score, summed rest score and LV ejection fraction (LVEF). There were weak negative correlation between LHR and LVEF and weak positive correlation between LHR and SSS and SRS. Conclusion: Increased LHR had higher incidence in patients with triple vessel disease, severe LV dysfunction and/or extensive perfusion defect than those of normal group. Although its sensitivity might be low to identify severe coronary artery disease, LHR could be helpful in abnormal myocardial perfusion SPECT to stratify risk and prognosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.278-284
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• 1996

Nine infants with transposition of great arteries have undergone arterial switch operation from May 1989 to May 1994 in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital. Patients' age ranged from 3 days to 90 days, averaging 30$\pm$21 days. Diagnosis was made by two-dimensional echocardiography in all patients. Eight patients were diagnosed as transposition of great arteries with ventricular septal defect and one patient was a simple transposition of great arteries. Associated anomalies were patent ductus arteriosus (8), atrial septal defect (7) and coarctation of aorta(1). The anatomy of the coronary arteries were 7 (77 %) type A and 2 (23 %) type D according to the Yacoub classification. Pulmonary artery reconstruction was done according to Lecompte maneuver with tautologous pericardial patch in 8 patients. Overall operative mortality rate was 55% Left heart failure and pulmonary hypertensive crisis were the cause of death on postoperative 1~2 days in three patients, and two succumbed to death due to sepsis on postoperative 2~ 3 weeks. The mean follow-up period was mean 17 months. No patient had clinically significant postoperative aortic regurgitation and supravalvular pulmonary stenosis. The excessive use of inotropic support postoperatively was identified as a stastically significant risk factor following the arterial switch operation. But other variables such as low body weight, long cardiopulmonary bypass time, excessive hemodilution during cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia and volume loading were not significant risk factors.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 1979

This 3-year-old girl was observed frequent exertional dyspnea and cyanosis at crying since birth. She was not premature baby and delivered at full term normally. On physical examination, she was underdeveloped-body weight 13.5 kg, height 99 cm.- and cyanotic. There was severe clubbing on fingers. There was grade II/VI ejection systolic murmur on left lateral border of the sternum. The preoperative examinations [EKG, echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization and biventriculogram] showed that complicated T.G.A. combined vena cava[S.D.D.]. Preoperatively, we decided the corrective surgery of Rastelli operation using a. pulmonary valved conduit. The operation was performed under total circulatory arrest using deep profound hypothermia combining with extracorporeal circulation. On operation, the anatomy of the heart showed that, 1. The subaortic conus was seen and subaortic muscles were hypertrophied. 2. The VSD[type II], behind the subaortic conus-about 1 cm. in diameter, was visible only through LV cavity and, 3. The pulmonary valve ring was hypoplastic and pulmonary valvular stenosis was seen also. The subpulmonic area [LV outflow tract] was obstructed with hypertrophied muscle and mitral valve. 4. Left superior vena cava was drained to RA via coronary sinus. 5. LAD coronary artery was originated from right coronary artery and ran anterior to the pulmonary artery. According to above anatomy, we performed the VSD closure with Teflon patch, and Mustard operation combined with LV-to-pulmonary artery bypass graft using the valve contained [Hancock 16 mm] conduit. Postoperatively, adequate blood pressure could be maintained under the state of using inotropic agent [epinephrine]. On the second postoperative day, the patient died of cardiac arrest due to low cardiac output syndrome, acute renal failure and pulmonary edema.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.149-154
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• 2011

Objectives : Myocardial infarction is caused by heart cell death in a region where coronary arteries supplying blood to the region are occluded. In the present study, we determined whether ethanol extract of Cortex fraxini (HY5053) could attenuate heart injury by inhibiting apoptosis. Methods : Improvement of survival of HepG2 cells, a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, and reduction of apoptosis under hypoxic conditions (3% $O_2$) were assessed by trypan blue staining and DNA fragmentation assay, respectively. To assess the impact of HY5053 on the heart injury, Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 1 day of the left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion. HY5053 was given by intraperitoneal injection (200 mg/kg) 1 hr prior to the occlusion. Subsequently, the heart were harvested, excised into 4 slices, and the slices were stained with 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride. Finally, the extent of heart injury represented as ischemic index (%) was assessed. Results : Addition of HY5053 (400 ${\mu}g$/mL) into the culture medium for 1 day under ischemic conditions improved the cell survival by 50%, compared with control (0 ${\mu}g$/mL), consequently delayed apoptosis in 6 hr difference. Also, HY5053 (200 mg/kg) reduced the ischemic index by 44%, compared with control (0 mg/kg). Conclusions : These findings suggested that HY5053 attenuated myocardial infarction by inhibiting apoptosis. Thus, Cortex fraxini could be developed as a novel cardioprotectant to complement a currently available treatment, coronary angioplasty.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.381-387
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• 1981

Fourteen Infants with congenital cardiac anomalies underwent primary surgical Intervention within the first 12 months of life. There were eight patients with ventricular septal defect, two with total anomalous pulmonary venous return [TAPVR], and the remainders with tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of great arteries [d-TGA], Taussing-Bing malformation, and coronary A-V fistula. The age of the patients ranged from 5 to 12 months, with a mean age of 9.9 months. The mean weight was 6.7 Kg [3.8 to 9.5 KS]. Congestive heart failure persisting despite intensive medical treatment was present In 8 patients [56%], and was the most common indication for operation. Early operation was necessary in 5 of these patients [35%], because of failure to thrive and recurrent pulmonary infection. In one patient with TOF, frequent hypoxic spell prompted the necessity for early operation. In cases of VSD, TAP. VR, TOF, and coronary A-V fistula, Intracardiac repair was done with conventional cardiopulmonary bypass, chemical cold cardioplegia, and topical myocardial cooling. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with surface induced cooling, followed by core cooling and core rewarming, was employed .for better exposure in the cases of d-TGA and Taussing-Bing malformation. The results were however, not satisfactory. The overall mortality was 28 per cent. There were no deaths in the eight patients with VSD. The one with coronary A-V fistula survived. The other 5 cases all expired either on the table or immediately after operation. The non-fatal post-operative complications included low cardiac output, respiratory insufficiency, bleeding, and temporary A-V block. The causes of death were prolonged circulatory arrest time in d-TGA, complete A-V block and low cardiac output in TOF and Taussing-Bing malformation and prolonged bypass time and Inadequate correction in TAPVR.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.388-398
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• 1981

Fourteen Infants with congenital cardiac anomalies underwent primary surgical Intervention within the first 12 months of life. There were eight patients with ventricular septal defect, two with total anomalous pulmonary venous return [TAPVR], and the remainders with tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of great arteries [d-TGA], Taussing-Bing malformation, and coronary A-V fistula. The age of the patients ranged from 5 to 12 months, with a mean age of 9.9 months. The mean weight was 6.7 Kg [3.8 to 9.5 KS]. Congestive heart failure persisting despite intensive medical treatment was present In 8 patients [56%], and was the most common indication for operation. Early operation was necessary in 5 of these patients [35%], because of failure to thrive and recurrent pulmonary infection. In one patient with TOF, frequent hypoxic spell prompted the necessity for early operation. In cases of VSD, TAP. VR, TOF, and coronary A-V fistula, Intracardiac repair was done with conventional cardiopulmonary bypass, chemical cold cardioplegia, and topical myocardial cooling. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with surface induced cooling, followed by core cooling and core rewarming, was employed .for better exposure in the cases of d-TGA and Taussing-Bing malformation. The results were however, not satisfactory. The overall mortality was 28 per cent. There were no deaths in the eight patients with VSD. The one with coronary A-V fistula survived. The other 5 cases all expired either on the table or immediately after operation. The non-fatal post-operative complications included low cardiac output, respiratory insufficiency, bleeding, and temporary A-V block. The causes of death were prolonged circulatory arrest time in d-TGA, complete A-V block and low cardiac output in TOF and Taussing-Bing malformation and prolonged bypass time and Inadequate correction in TAPVR.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.301-307
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• 2012

Background: Perioperative transfusion of red blood cell (RBC) may cause adverse effects. Bloodless-cardiac surgery has been spotlighted to avoid those problems. Off pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery can decrease the transfusion. However, the risk factors of transfusions in OPCAB have not been investigated properly. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirteen patients (male:female=35:78, mean age=$66.7{\pm}9.9$ years) who received isolated OPCAB were retrospectively analyzed from March 2006 to September 2007. The threshold of RBC transfusion was 28.0% of hematocrit. Bilateral internal thoracic arteries graft were used for 99 patients (87.6%). One hundred and three (91.1%) and 35 patients (31.5%) took aspirin and clopidogrel just before surgery. Results: Sixty-five patients (47.5%) received the RBC transfusion (mean $2.2{\pm}3.2$ units). Mortality and major complications were not different between transfusion and no-transfusion group. But, ventilator support time, intensive care unit stay and hospitalization period had been reduced in no-transfusion group (p<0.05). In multivariate analysis, patients risk factors for RBC transfusion were preoperative low hematocrit (<37.5%) and clopidogrel medication. Surgical risk factors were longer graft harvesting time (<75 minutes) and total operation time (<5.5 hours, p <0.05). Conclusion: We performed the transfusion according to transfusion guideline; over 40% cases could conduct the OPCAB without transfusion. There were no differences in major clinical results between transfusion and non-transfusion group. In addition, when used together with accurate understanding of transfusion risk factors, it is expected to increase the proportion of patients that do not undergo transfusions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2019

Background: Optimal graft selection for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction remains debatable. We report an analysis of our experiences of isolated CABG in patients with severe LV dysfunction and the impact of graft strategy on long-term outcomes. Methods: We analyzed 209 patients with severe LV dysfunction (ejection fraction [EF] <30%) who underwent primary isolated CABG. Of these, 169 were revascularized with a bilateral internal thoracic arterial (ITA) graft (BITA group) and 40 were revascularized with a single ITA graft (SITA group). The mean follow-up duration was $22{\pm}32$ months. Results: There were 18 early deaths (8.6%). Overall survival at 5 years was 66.7%. The rate of freedom from cardiac-related death at 5 years was 74.1%, and was significantly higher in patients who underwent off-pump CABG (p=0.005) and in the BITA group (p=0.023). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that old age (hazard ratio [HR], 2.548; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.134-5.762; p=0.024), off-pump CABG (HR, 0.245; 95% CI, 0.090-0.661; p=0.006), and BITA grafts (HR, 0.333; 95% CI, 0.146-0.757; p=0.009) were correlated with cardiac mortality. Conclusion: CABG in patients with severe LV dysfunction (EF <30%) showed reasonable long-term outcomes. The rate of freedom from cardiac-related death was significantly higher in patients who underwent off-pump CABG and in the BITA group. Off-pump BITA grafting strategies can be accepted as a viable primary option in patients with severe LV dysfunction if performed by an experienced surgeon.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.399-406
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• 2023

Voltage-dependent K⁺ (Kv) channels are widely expressed on vascular smooth muscle cells and regulate vascular tone. Here, we explored the inhibitory effect of encainide, a class Ic anti-arrhythmic agent, on Kv channels of vascular smooth muscle from rabbit coronary arteries. Encainide inhibited Kv channels in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC₅₀ value of 8.91 ± 1.75 μM and Hill coefficient of 0.72 ± 0.06. The application of encainide shifted the activation curve toward a more positive potential without modifying the inactivation curve, suggesting that encainide inhibited Kv channels by altering the gating property of channel activation. The inhibition by encainide was not significantly affected by train pulses (1 and 2 Hz), indicating that the inhibition is not use (state)-dependent. The inhibitory effect of encainide was reduced by pretreatment with the Kv1.5 subtype inhibitor. However, pretreatment with the Kv2.1 subtype inhibitor did not alter the inhibitory effects of encainide on Kv currents. Based on these results, encainide inhibits vascular Kv channels in a concentration-dependent and use (state)-independent manner by altering the voltage sensor of the channels. Furthermore, Kv1.5 is the main Kv subtype involved in the effect of encainide.