• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.8
• /
• pp.722-725
• /
• 1999

Background: To secure a rapid and safe approach which is at the same time cosmetically appealing, we employed the right anterolateral thoracotomy incision for repair of atrial septal defects and valvular heart diseases in the adult. Material and method: Between October 1989 and June 1998, 44 adult patients underwent open heart surgery through right anterolateral thoracotomy at our institution. Operative time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, blood loss until chest tube removal, length of ICU stay, days to discharge, and survival were compared with those that received cardiac surgery via conventional sternotomy. Result: No significant differences were observed between the two groups. There was no death and no additional morbidity directly related to this approach. Cosmetically satisfying results were obtained with safety using the right anterolateral thoracotomy approach. Conclusion: Our data show that the right anterolateral thoracotomy approach is a safe alternative to conventional median sternotomy as it offers excellent exposure and aesthetically more acceptable wounds while not adding on to the operative risks.

• International Journal of Vascular Biomedical Engineering
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.11-16
• /
• 2004

Both flow visualizations and computational fluid dynamics were performed to determine hemodynamics in a total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) model for surgically correcting congenital heart defects. From magnetic resonance images, an anatomically correct glass model was fabricated to visualize steady flow. The total flow rates were 4, 6 and 8L/min and flow rates from SVC and IVC were 40:60. The flow split ratio between LPA and RPA was varied by 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50. A pressure-based finite-volume software was used to solve steady flow dynamics in TCPC models. Results showed that superior vena cava(SVC) and inferior vena cava(IVC) flow merged directly to the intra-atrial conduit, creating two large vortices. Significant swirl motions were observed in the intra-atrial conduit and pulmonary arteries. Flow collision or swirling flow resulted in energy loss in TCPC models. In addition, a large intra-atrial channel or a sharp bend in TCPC geometries could influence on energy losses. Energy conservation was efficient when flow rates in pulmonary branches were balanced. In order to increase energy efficiency in Fontan operations, it is necessary to remove a flow collision in the intra-atrial channel and a sharp bend in the pulmonary bifurcation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.98-103
• /
• 2013

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication in elderly patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the maze procedure in these patients. Materials and Methods: Between February 2000 and May 2011, 46 patients underwent the maze procedure as a concomitant operation with ASD closure. Three patients who underwent a right-sided maze were excluded, and one patient was lost to follow-up. The mean follow-up duration was $3.2{\pm}2.5$ years. Electrocardiography was performed 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery, and checked annually after that. Results: AF persisted in 4 patients after surgery. One year after surgery, among 38 patients, 55.3% remained in sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs. However, when including the patients who took antiarrhythmic drugs, 92.1% were in sinus rhythm. Freedom from AF recurrence at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years after surgery were $97.4{\pm}2.6$, $94.4{\pm}3.8$, $91.2{\pm}4.9$, $87.8{\pm}5.8$, $79.5{\pm}7.6$, and $68.2{\pm}12.4$, respectively. There was no early mortality after operation. Conclusion: Concomitant treatment with the maze procedure and ASD closure is safe and effective for restoring the sinus rhythm.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.747-750
• /
• 2008

Although surgical closure is the standard approach for a muscular ventricular septal defect, the procedure may be complicated by poor visualization and the need for incision on the ventricle. Another approach is, catheter-based intervention. However, it also has limitations. A hybrid procedure, the intraoperative combined use of an interventional device may reduce the procedure's invasiveness. We successfully managed two cases of muscular ventricular septal defect with a hybrid procedure. We report here on these 2 cases along with a review of the literature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.58-62
• /
• 2010

Rastelli repair has been considered the procedure of choice for surgically repairing transposition of the great arteries combined with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis. However, the long term results have been less than optimal and these patients who ungo this procedure can eventually display conduit obstruction, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and arrhythmias. Many new procedures are now available and they are technically challenging for making a more normal anatomic repair. In our hospital, two patients who had a TGA with VSD and PS have been repaired with a Half Turned Truncal Switch Operation and a Lecompte maneuver in 2003 and 2006, respectively. We report on our two experiences with performing a Half Turned Truncal Switch Operation, and we discuss the changes of the biventricular outflow tract.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.32-41
• /
• 1992

From August 1982 to December 1991, 58 consecutive infants with tetralogy of Fallot underwent primary repair. Age ranged from 22 days to twelve months [n=58, 8.7$\pm$2.7 months] and body weight from 3.1 to 13 kilograms [n=58, 7.8$\pm$1.7 kilograms]. Qne infant had absence of the pulmonary valve; one had Ebstein`s anomaly and one had supramitral ring. Thirty-two patients [56%] experienced anoxic spell. Preoperative pulmonary artery indices were measured in 38 cases, ranging 126-552mm2/M2BSA[n=38, 251$\pm$79mm2/M2BSA]. All infants required a right ventricular outflow tract patch; in 41, the patch extended across the pulmonary valve annulus, in 13 of them, monocusps were constructed. All had patch closure of ventricular septal defect. Two infants had REV operation for avoiding injury to the canal branch of the right coronary artery which cross the right ventricular out flow tract. Post repair PRV/LV were measured at operating room in 40 cases, which revealed mean value of 0.49$\pm$0.12 [range: 0.25-0.74]. The hospital mortality was 10.3% [6 patients], and causes of deaths were right heart failure due to sustained right ventricular hypertension[4] and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, intractablesuraventricular tachyarrhythmia[1], hypoxia[1] due to residual right to left shunt across the atrial septal defect in patient associated with Ebstein`s anomaly. All infants were doing well at follow-up from 1 to 101 months[20.6 months /patient, 1, 072 patient-month] Serial postoperative echocardiograms revealed no residual ventricular septal defects and estimated RVOT gradients between 0 and 40 mmHg except 3 cases [50, 50, 60 mmHg]. There were no late deaths and late ventricular arrhythmias or congestive heart failure. Redo operations were done in 2 cases because of residual right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. This experience with infants with tetralogy of Fallot suggests that, if mortality is tolerable, eletive repair of tetralogy of Fallot could be reasonably undertaken during the first year of life, and even better results could be anticipated along with improvement of methods of myocardial protection and postoperative care.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.43-47
• /
• 2017

Cat eye syndrome (CES) is a very rare chromosomal syndrome characterized by various malformations such as anal atresia, preauricular malformation, coloboma of the iris, and congenial heart and renal defects. This genetic disorder is caused by partial duplication of chromosome 22, mostly as a result of a supernumerary isodicentric marker chromosome idic(22)(q11.2). Various congenital abnormalities and extreme phenotypic variability in CES patients have been reported, which have made prenatal diagnosis of CES difficult. We report the first case diagnosed with CES prenatally by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification in a woman who was referred to our hospital, for a fetus presenting with heart anomaly.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.394-402
• /
• 2023

Background: The optimal choice of valve substitute for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in pediatric patients remains a matter of debate. This study investigated the outcomes following AVR using mechanical prostheses in children. Methods: Forty-four patients younger than 15 years who underwent mechanical AVR from March 1990 through March 2023 were included. The outcomes of interest were death or transplantation, hemorrhagic or thromboembolic events, and reoperation after mechanical AVR. Adverse events included any death, transplant, aortic valve reoperation, and major thromboembolic or hemorrhagic event. Results: The median age and weight at AVR were 139 months and 32 kg, respectively. The median follow-up duration was 56 months. The most commonly used valve size was 21 mm (14 [31.8%]). There were 2 in-hospital deaths, 1 in-hospital transplant, and 1 late death. The overall survival rates at 1 and 10 years post-AVR were 92.9% and 90.0%, respectively. Aortic valve reoperation was required in 4 patients at a median of 70 months post-AVR. No major hemorrhagic or thromboembolic events occurred. The 5- and 10-year adverse event-free survival rates were 81.8% and 72.2%, respectively. In univariable analysis, younger age, longer cardiopulmonary bypass time, and smaller valve size were associated with adverse events. The cut-off values for age and prosthetic valve size to minimize the risk of adverse events were 71 months and 20 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Mechanical AVR could be performed safely in children. Younger age, longer cardiopulmonary bypass time and smaller valve size were associated with adverse events. Thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications might rarely occur.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.82 no.3
• /
• pp.749-755
• /
• 2021

Congenital defects of the pericardium, which are generally asymptomatic, are rare disorders characterized by complete or partial absence of the pericardium. Here, we report a rare case of a 19-year-old male who was incidentally diagnosed with congenital absence of the left pericardium during examination for symptoms of pneumothorax. Chest radiography and CT revealed a collapsed left lung without any evidence of trauma, no unusual findings of free air spaces along the right side of the ascending aorta, heart shifted toward the left side of the thorax, and a shallow chest. Subsequent thoracoscopy confirmed the absence of the left pericardium and displacement of the heart toward the left thoracic cavity. We further discuss the correlation between radiologic images and surgical findings of a congenital pericardial defect associated with spontaneous pneumothorax.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.199-204
• /
• 2009

Purpose : Seizure associated with fever may indicate the presence of underlying inherited metabolic diseases. The present study was performed to investigate the presence of underlying metabolic diseases in patients with complex febrile seizures, using analyses of urine organic acids. Method : We retrospectively analyzed and compared the results of urine organic acid analysis with routine laboratory findings in 278 patients referred for complex febrile seizure. Results : Of 278 patients, 132 had no abnormal laboratory findings, and 146 patients had at least one of the following abnormal laboratory findings: acidosis (n=58), hyperammonemia (n=55), hypoglycemia (n=21), ketosis (n=12). Twenty-six (19.7 %) of the 132 patients with no abnormal findings and 104 (71.2%) of the 146 patients with statistically significant abnormalities showed abnormalities on the organic acid analysis (P<0.05). Mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders (n=23) were the most common diseases found in the normal routine laboratory group, followed by PDH deficiency (n=2) and ketolytic defect (n=1). In the abnormal routine laboratory group, mitochondrial respiratory chain disorder (n=29) was the most common disease, followed by ketolytic defects (n=27), PDH deficiency (n=9), glutaric aciduria type II (n=9), 3-methylglutaconic aciduria type III (n=6), biotinidase deficiency (n=5), propionic acidemia (n=4), methylmalonic acidemia (n=2), 3-hydroxyisobutyric aciduria (n=2), orotic aciduria (n=2), fatty acid oxidation disorders (n=2), 2-methylbranched chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (n=2), 3-methylglutaconic aciduria type I (n=1), maple syrup urine disease (n=1), isovaleric acidemia (n=1), HMG-CoA lyase deficiency (n=1), L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (n=1), and pyruvate carboxylase deficiency (n=1). Conclusion : These findings suggest that urine organic acid analysis should be performed in all patients with complex febrile seizure and other risk factors for early detection of inherited metabolic diseases.