• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.483-489
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• 2020

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been known to possess many ginsenosides. These ginsenosides are used for curing cardiovascular problems. The present study show the protective potential of KRG against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial dysfunction, by assessing electrocardiographic, hemodynamic, and biochemical parameters and histopathological findings. Methods: Animals were fed a standard chow and adjusted to their environment for 3 days before the experiments. Next, the rats were equally divided into five groups (n = 9, each group). The animals were administered with KRG (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 10 days and injected with DOX (20 mg/kg, subcutaneously, twice at a 24-h interval) on the 8th and 9th day. Electrocardiography and echocardiography were performed to study hemodynamics. Plasma levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were measured. In addition, the dose of troponin I and activity of myeloperoxidase in serum and cardiac tissue were analyzed, and the histopathological findings were evaluated using light microscopy. Results: Administration of KRG at a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg recovered electrocardiographic changes, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, left ventricular systolic pressure, the maximal rate of change in left ventricle contraction (-dP/dt_max), and left ventricle relaxation (-dP/dt_max). In addition, KRG treatment significantly normalized the oxidative stress markers in plasma, dose dependently. In addition, the values of troponin I and myeloperoxidase were ameliorated by KRG treatment, dose dependently. And, KRG treatment showed better histopathological findings when compared with the DOX control group. Conclusion: These mean that KRG mitigates myocardial damage by modulating the hemodynamics, histopathological abnormality, and oxidative stress related to DOX-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. The results of the present study show protective effects of KRG on cardiac toxicity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.355-362
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• 2017

Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) procedures can avoid the complications of an on-pump bypass. However, some cases unexpectedly require conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass during OPCABG. The risk factors associated with a sudden need for cardiopulmonary bypass were analyzed. Methods: This retrospective study included 283 subjects scheduled for OPCABG from 2001 to 2010. These were divided into an OPCABG group and an on-pump conversion group. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Of the 283 patients scheduled for OPCABG, 47 (16%) were switched to on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The mortality of the both the OPCABG and on-pump conversion groups was not significantly different. The major risk factors for conversion to on-pump CABG were congestive heart failure (CHF) (odds ratio [OR], 3.5; p=0.029), ejection fraction (EF) <35% (OR, 4.4; p=0.012), and preoperative beta-blocker (BB) administration (OR, 0.3; p=0.007). The use of intraoperative (p=0.007) and postoperative (p=0.021) inotropics was significantly higher in the conversion group. The amount of postoperative drainage (p<0.001) and transfusion (p<0.001) also was significantly higher in the conversion group. There were no significant differences in stroke or cardiovascular complications between the groups over the course of short-term and long-term follow-up. Conclusion: Patients who undergo OPCABG and have CHF or a lower EF (<35%) are more likely to undergo on-pump conversion, while preoperative BB administration could help prevent conversions from OPCABG to on-pump CABG.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.125-129
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• 2016

Stress induced cardiomyopathy (SC) is characterized by transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in the absence of coronary artery disease. We report on a patient with panhypopituitarism who developed SC resulting from withdrawal of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). A 52-year-old male visited our hospital for progressively worsening dyspnea. The patient had discontinued HRT 7 days ago, which had been administered for 18 months after transsphenoidal adenomectomy for pituitary macroadenoma. Initial electrocardiogram showed marked sinus bradycardia. Transthoracic echocardiography showed apical ballooning with an LV ejection fraction of 25%. No significant obstructive lesions were observed on coronary angiography. With a clinical diagnosis of SC associated with panhypopituitarism, HRT was restarted, including glucocorticoid and thyroxine, along with standard heart failure management. His LV function had normalized at 2-month follow-up. He remains asymptomatic and administration of beta-blocker and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor were discontinued He currently only requires HRT.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.715-720
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• 2014

In order to maximize the effect of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) on ventricular unloading, the therapy should be begun at appropriate level of heart failure severity. We predicted pumping efficacy of LVAD according to the severity of heart failure theoretically. We used 3 dimensional finite element model of ventricle coupled with 6 Wind-kessel compartmental model of vascular system. Using the computational model, we predicted cardiac responses such as contractile ATP consumption of ventricle, left ventricular pressure, cardiac output, ejection fraction, and stroke work according to the severity of ventricular systolic dysfunction under the treatments of continuous LVAD. Contractile ATP consumption, which indicates the ventricular energetic loading condition decreased maximally at the $5^{th}$ level heart-failure under LVAD therapy. We conclude that optimal timing for LVAD treatment is $5^{th}$ level heart-failure when considering LVAD treatment as "bridge to recovery".

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2011

The female has previously been shown to be an independent risk factor for mortality and morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate gender differences of the perioperative outcomes in elderly patients underwent CABG. Data for seventy elderly patients (>70 years) that underwent CABG (between January 2005 and July 2011) were divided into two groups: male patients (n=33, male group) and female patients group (n=37, female group). Heights, body weights, body surface area and coronary artery obstruction rate (right coronary artery territory) in the female group were lower than those of the male group ($P$ <0.05). History of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, congestive heart failure and percutaneous coronary artery intervention in the female group was higher than that of the male group ($P$ <0.05). Total cholesterol and brain natriuretic peptide levels in the female group were higher than those of the male group ($P$ <0.05). Platelet count in the female group was higher than the male group at preoperative (Pre-OP) period ($P$ <0.05). Erythrocyte count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in the female group were lower than those of the male group at Pre-OP period ($P$ <0.05). But, erythrocyte count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in the female group were higher than those of the Male group at postoperative (Post-OP) period ($P$ <0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction in the female group was higher than the male group at Post-OP period ($P$ <0.05). Hospital stay length in the female group was higher than the male group ($P$ <0.05). Post-OP bleeding volume and incidence of ventricular premature contraction in the female group were lower than those of the male group ($P$ <0.05). These results suggest that despite female gender have a greater risk factors and require a longer hospitalization than male, there was no significant difference incidence of mortality and complication.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.204-212
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• 1982

The presence of left atrial thrombus in mitral stenosis has been reported to be associated with several factors. These are age, sex, presence of atrial fibrillation, episodes of congestave heart failure, calcification of mitral valve, embolic episode, etc. Since none of these single factor has been always related to the presence of left atrial thrombus, related risk factors to left atrial thrombosis were studied in patients with mitral stenosis using chi square test. We had operated on 191 cases of mitral valvular heart disease from Jan. 1978 to June 1981 at Severance Hospital, Yunsei University College of Medicine. The left atrial thrombi were present in 41 cases among 191 cases of mitral valvular heart disease and it was present in 31 cases among 89 cases of pure mitral stenosis. Only 10 cases among 74 cases of mitral stenoregurgitation had left atrlal thrombi, whereas no left atrlal thrombus was found in patients with pure mitral regurgitation. Related risk factors studied herein were sex, episodes of congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, mitral valve area calculated by Gorlin and Gorlin`s formula cardiac output and left atrial dimension by echocardiogram. In this study presence of atrial fibrillation was deemed to be one of the most potential risk factors and other factors of age, duration of symptoms, episode of embolization, calclfication of mitral valve, associated aortic and tricuspid valve disease, ejection fraction of left ventricle by cineangiocardiogram and echocardiogram were not significantly related to the presence of left atrlal thrombi in a statistical viewpoint.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.405-409
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• 2014

Objective : To determine the efficacy of endoscopic surgery in combination with long-acting somatostatin analogues (SSAs) in treating patients with growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary tumor. Methods : We performed retrospective analysis of 133 patients with GH producing pituitary adenoma who underwent pure endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery in our center from January 2007 to July 2012. Patients were followed up for a range of 3-48 months. The radiological remission, biochemical remission and complication were evaluated. Results : A total of 110 (82.7%) patients achieved radiological complete resection, 11 (8.2%) subtotal resection, and 12 (9.0%) partial resection. Eighty-eight (66.2%) patients showed nadir GH level less than 1 ng/mL after oral glucose administration. No mortality or severe disability was observed during follow up. Preoperative long-acting SSA successfully improved left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and blood glucose in three patients who subsequently underwent success operation. Long-acting SSA (20 mg every 30 days) achieved biochemical remission in 19 out 23 (82.6%) patients who showed persistent high GH level after surgery. Conclusion : Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery can biochemically cure the majority of GH producing pituitary adenoma. Post-operative use of SSA can improve biochemical remission.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.273-278
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• 2011

Despite aggressive treatment, the mortality rate of cardiogenic shock with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is high. We performed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) prior to coronary reperfusion, and evaluated the early clinical results and risk factors. Materials and Methods: From May 2006 to November 2009, we reviewed the medical records of 20 patients in cardiogenic shock with AMI (mean age $67.7{\pm}11.7$ yrs, M : F 14 : 6). After initially performing ECMO using the CAPIOX emergency bypass system ($EBS^{(R)}$Terumo, Tokyo, Japan), patients underwent coronary reperfusion (coronary artery bypass grafting, 13; percutaneous coronary intervention, 7). Results: All patients were in a cardiogenic shock state, cardiopulmonary resuscitations (CPR) were performed for fourteen patients (mean CPR time $20.8{\pm}26.0$ min). The mean time from vascular access to the initiation of ECMO was $17.2{\pm}9.4$ min and mean support time was $3.8{\pm}4.0$ days. Fourteen patients were able to be weaned from ECMO and ten patients were discharged (mean admission duration $50.1{\pm}31.6$ days). Patients survived on average $476.6{\pm}374.6$ days of follow-up. Longer CPR and support time, increased cardiac enzyme, lower ejection fraction, lower albumin, and major complications were the risk factors of mortality (p<0.05). Conclusion: The early application of ECMO prior to coronary reperfusion and control of risk factors allowed for good clinical results in cardiogenic shock with AMI.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 1982

M-mode echocardiographic studies of left ventricular function in mitral valve disease were evaluated in 19 surgically treated patients before and one year after operation (mean 12.7 months). Twelve patients had mitral stenosis (MS) and seven patients had mitral regurgitation (MR). Before surgery, average end-diastolic and end systolic dimensions (EDD, and ESD) and left atrial dimension were significantly greater than normal in subject with MR. After surgery, EDD fell significantly from $66.5{\pm}8.4$ (SD)mm to $52.7{\pm}6.3$mm (P 0.01) at the time of late follow up study; ESD fell significantly from $46.5{\pm}9.7$mm to $36.4{\pm}8.6$ (P 0.05) on early follow up study; left atrial dimension fell significantly from $60.5{\pm}6.8$mm to $48.1{\pm}7.2$mm (P 0.01) at the time of the late follow up study. In patients with MS, EDD and ESD were normal and did not change significantly at any time after surgery. The left ventricular ejection fraction (E.F.) was normal in both groups. preoperatively([MR: $64.2{\pm}15.1$, MS: $65.7{\pm}12.3$). After surgery, E.F. did not change significantly at any time after surgery in both groups, but de-creased from $64.2{\pm}15.1$% to $59.5{\pm}11.2$% in MR patients at the time of early follow up study.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 1997

With the introduction of new cardiac prosthesis, it behooves surgeons and cardiologists to monitor its performance carefully. ATS (Advancing The Standard) prosthetic valve has been used first in Guro hospital in Korea, since August 1994. Between August 1994 and July 1995, 21 patients received 28 ATS prosthesis(9 aortic, 19 mitral).19mi1ra1 valves were implanted through the "Extended Transseptal Approach" 10 were ma e and 11 were female, ranging from 20 to 54 years of age(Mean age : 37 years). The follow up period 126 patient-months(mean 6.1 months), varied from 1 month to 12 months. NYHA functional class was improved significantly, from $2.9\pm0.7$ preoperatively to $1.4\pm0.5$ postoperatively. Ejection fraction was also improved from $55.5\pm6.1%$ preoperatively to 59.8 $\pm7.4%$ postoperatively. Lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) was used as an indicator of hemolysis. The value of LDH changed from 483.3 $\pm$ 162 lUlL preoperatively to $527\pm274$ lUff postoperatively with no clinical significailce. Valve related complications, such as thromboembolism, valve thrombosis, anticoagulant related hemorrhage and prosthetic valve endocarditis did not develop except one anticoagulant related intracranial hemorrhage. There were no mortalities. This experience encourages us to continue using the ATS prosthetic valve, and this study will help those patients who need to have their heart valves replaced. replaced.