• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.108-118
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• 1999

Background: To evaluate the risk factor and long-term result of arterial switch operation , a retrospective study was done. Material and Method: A retrospective analysis was done to evaluate the early and long-term results on 58 patients who underwent an arterial switch operation(ASO) for transposition of the great arteries(TGA) with intact ventricular septum, between January 1988 and December 1996. Beforesurgery, 36 patients(62.1%) underwent balloon atrial septostomy, 32 patients(51.7%) received PGE1 infusion, and preparatory banding of pulmonary artery was performed on 6 patients(mean LV/RV pressure ratio 0.53$\pm$0.11). Result: The age at operation ranged from 1 to 137 days(mean 24$\pm$26 days) and the weights ranged from 1.8 to 6.8 kg (mean 3.5$\pm$0.8 kg). There were 14 early deaths(24.1%), but of the last 24 patients operated on since 1994, there were only 2 early deaths(8.3%). In the risk factor analysis, the date of operation was the only risk factor for early death(p-value < 0.01). Eight of the 14 early deaths were due to acute myocardial failure(mainly inadequate coronary blood flow). The length of follow-up ranged from 2 months to 8 years, average of 36$\pm$27 months. The follow-up included sequential noninvasive evaluations and 21 catheterizations and angiographic studies performed 5 to 32 months postoperatively with particular attention to the great vessel and coronary anastomosis, ventricular function, valvular competence, and cardiac rhythm. There were 5 late deaths(11.4%), one of thesedeaths was related to the late coronary problems, two to aspiration, one to uncontrolled chronic mediastinitis, and one to progressive aortic insufficiency and heart failure. The most frequent postoperative hemodynamic abnormality was supravalvular stenosis and the degree of pulmonary or aortic obstruction had slowly progressed in some cases, however there were no children who had to undergo a reoperation for supravalvular pulmonary or aortic stenosis. Aortic regurgitation was identified in 9 patients, which was mild in 7 and moderate in 2 and had progressed in some cases. Two patients who had an unremarkable perioperative course were identified as having coronary artery obstructions. The other late survivors were in good condition, were in sinus rhythm, and had normal LV functions. Actuarial survival rate at 8 years was 68.8%. Conclusion: We concluded that anatomic correction will be established as the optimal approach to the TGA with intact ventricular septum, though further long-term evaluations are needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.5 s.274
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• pp.329-340
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• 2007

Background: Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy for the left ventricular dilatation that occurs after myocardial infarction. This study is designed to evaluate which treatment is better for attenuating the left ventricular remodeling via MMP inhibition 1) during the early, short highly MMP producing period of the initial phase or 2) during most of the period of the initial phase after myocardial infarction. Material and Method: Myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in rabbits. The experimental group was divided into 3 groups. The myocardial infarction only (MI only) group consisted of 7 cases. The MMP inhibitor administered for 5 days after MI (MMPI 50) group had 6 cases, and these rabbits were given MMP inhibitor for 5 days after myocardial infarction, beginning with the postoperative first day. MMP inhibitor administered for 9 days (MMPI 90) group consisted of 5 cases and these rabbits were given MMPI for 9 days the same manner as above. CG2300 was used as a selective MMPI; this is a potent MMP-2 and -9 inhibitor Two-D echocardiograms were performed on all the groups at the time of preoperative period, the post-operative 1st week, the postoperative 20 week and the postoperative 30 week, and we measured the end-diastolic dimension (EDD), the end-systolic dimension (ESD), and the ejection fraction (EF). Result: The echocardiograms generally showed postoperative left ventricular dilatation in the MI only group. The EDD was increased significantly higher in the postoperative 1 week compared to the preoperative value (p<0.05). The ESD was also increased significantly higher in the postoperative 1st week, the postoperative 20 week and the postoperative 30 week compared to the preoperative value (p<0.05). Left ventricular dilatation was noted to be less In the MMPI 9d group than in the MI only and MMPI 5d groups. In the MMPI 9d group, there was no significant change of EF postoperatively compared to the preoperative period. MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured from the infarcted myocardial tissue at post-MI 4 weeks by performing western blotting and zymography. The changes the of protein expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were not significant in the three MI groups and the normal heart group. Histopathologic examination revealed severe collagen deposition in the MI only group. Collagen accumulation was reduced in both the MMPI groups. The MMPI 9d group revealed an increased number of capillaries. Conclusion: Left ventricular dilatation developed rapidly after, MI from ligation of the coronary artery and MMPI attenuated the ventricular dilatation. The effect of MMPI seemed to have better a result from its usage during most of the period of the initial phase after myocardial infarction. This suggested that increased neovascularization by MMPI may also contribute to attenuation of the left ventricular remodeling.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.417-422
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• 2008

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the long term results of creating various right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduits for treating complex congenital heart disease. Material and Method: Between June 1986 and July 2006, we retrospectively reviewed 245 patients who underwent reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract with various kinds of conduits. 410 operations were done in 245 patients, the mean age at operation was $3.2{\pm}4.9$ years (range: 7 days$\sim$45 years) and the mean body weight was $12.5{\pm}8.7\;kg$ (range: $2.4\sim76.3\;kg$). Result: We used the following conduits: Polystan conduit, Shelhigh conduit, Carpenter-Edward conduit, Dacron graft with an artificial valve, valveless Gore Tex vascular graft, homograft and hand-made bovine or autologous pericardial conduit. The mean follow up duration was $6.3{\pm}5.2$ years. Redo operation for RV-PA conduit dysfunction was performed in 131 patients, a second redo was done in 31 and a third redo was done in 3. The reoperation free rates were 67.3%, 48.5% and 39.4% for 5 years, 10 years and 15 years, respectively. The homograft showed the best durability, followed by the Dacron graft with artificial valve and the Carpentier-Edward conduit. The larger sized conduit showed better durability. Conclusion: The homograft showed lowest reoperation rate and a smaller size of conduit showed the highest reoperation rate. The reoperation rate for the RV-PA conduit was about 35% at 5 years, so it is mandatory to develop the more durable conduit for RV outflow.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.2 s.259
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• pp.99-105
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• 2006

Background: Interrupted aortic arch is a rare congenital heart anomaly which still shows high surgical mortality. In this study, we investigated the causes of and the risk factors for mortality to improve the surgical outcomes for this difficult disease entity. Material and Method: From 1984 to 2004, 42 patients diagnosed as IAA were reviewed retrospectively. Age, body weight at operation, preoperative diagnosis, preoperative PGE1 requirement, type of interrupted aortic arch, degree of left ventricular outflow stenosis, CPB time, and ACC time were the possible risk factors for mortality. Result: There were .14 hospital deaths. Preoperative use of PGE1, need for circulartory assist and aortic cross clamp time proved to be positive risk factors for mortality on univariate analysis. Preoperative left ventricular outflow stenosis was considered a risk factor for mortality but it did not show statistical significance (p-value=0.61). Causes of death included hypoxia due to pulmonary banding, left ventricular outtract stenosis, infection, mitral valve regurgitation, long cardiopulmonary bypass time and failure of coronary transfer failure in TGA patients. Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that surgical mortality is still high due to the risk factors including preoperative status and long operative time. However preoperative subaortic dimension was not related statistically to operative death statistically. Adequate preoperative management and short operation time are mandatory for better survival outcome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.619-626
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• 2010

Background: The indications and the optimal time of surgery of infective endocarditis are controversial. We report the surgical results of our hospital during the last 10 years with literature review. Material and Method: Between January 2000 and December 2009, we enrolled 23 infective endocarditis patients who underwent surgery, and analyzed retrospectively. In the preoperative blood culture, 8 cases (34.8%) were positive. The average preoperative antibiotics treatment period was $20.78{\pm}16.00$ days. There were 12 (52.2%) urgent operations. The average follow up period was $49.26{\pm}33.21$ months. Result: 20 mechanical valve replacements were performed, 9 in aortic position, 8 in mitral position and 3 in the both positions. The other procedures were one mitral valvuloplasty, one infected myxoma extirpation, and one infected pacemaker lead removal with debridement. The average period of postoperative intravenous antibiotic treatment was $24.39{\pm}15.98$ days. There were 5 complications, including 2 cases of postoperative bleeding, one postcardiotomy syndrome, one cerebral ischemia, and a low cardiac output syndrome. There were statistically significant postoperative improvement in NYHA class, left ventricle end diastolic/end systolic volume, and left atrium size (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: We could obtain the satisfactory results without any moftalities by using sufficient preoperative antibiotics in hemodynamically stable patients, and by prompt surgery in unstable patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.921-926
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• 2008

Wild grapes contain lots of organic acids, vitamins and inorganic salts compared to other fruits. Also, it has known to have excellent effects on preventing cancer and heart disease. Wild grapes are supposed to be superior material for fermentation of wine. Tannin contents of wine, which is an important functional factor in flavor of wine, were enhanced to develop quality of Korean wild grape wine. In this study, we investigated tannin extraction conditions and analyzed quality properties of tannin-enhanced wild grape wine. The most suitable tannin extraction condition for enhancing tannin of wild grape wine was extraction of tannin from green tea using spirits at 4oC. For producing high quality wild grape wine, added concentration and time of tannin extract were 6.5 mg/mL before wild grape wine fermentation. Tannin contents of tannin-enhanced wild grape wine was $7.4{\pm}0.05\;mg/mL$. Quality properties of tannin-enhanced wild grape wine fermented under optimized fermentation conditions were analyzed. pH, acidity and alcohol contents were $3.69{\pm}0.01$, $0.95{\pm}0.01%$ and $12.2{\pm}0.03%$, respectively. Total sugar, tannin, polyphenol and resveratrol contents of tannin-enhanced wild grape wine were $60.00{\pm}1.15\;mg/mL$, $79.50{\pm}0.55\;mg/mL$, $7.40{\pm}0.05\;mg/mL$ and $5.00{\pm}0.11\;mg/mL$, respectively showing significantly higher value than that of commercial wine. Production of high quality wild grape wine is expected with the establishment of optimum fermentation condition and tannin-enhancing process of wild grape wine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.366-370
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• 2007

Wild grapes contain various organic acids, vitamins, and inorganic salts compared to other various fruits. Their anthocyanin compounds are also known to have excellent effects in preventing cancers and heart diseases. Wild grapes are supposed to be a superior material for wine fermentation. This study was performed for searching optimum conditions for producing wild grape wines to improve their quality and taste. Four wild strains were isolated from Muscat Bailey A, ‘Kyoho’ grapevine, and wild grapes. For wild grape wine production, an optimum initial sugar concentration was $24^{\circ}Brix$ and an optimum temperature was $24^{\circ}C$. Sensory characteristics of the wild grape wine were evaluated for incense, sour taste, astringency, and sweet taste. Quality properties of the wild grape wine produced under the optimized fermentation conditions were analyzed. Total sugar, polyphenol contents, and acidity of the wild grape wine were 50.00 mg/mL, 25.30 mg/mL, and 0.95%, showing higher value than those of commercial grape wines. Amino acids, tannins, alcohol contents, and pH were 1.80 mg/mL, 1.88 mg/mL, 12%, and 3.59, respectively. The optimum fermentation conditions can be used to improve quality of the wild grape wine.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.559-565
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• 2003

By improving the flow pattern in Fontan circuit, total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) could result in a better outcome than atriopulmonary connection Fontan operation. For the patients with impaired hemodynamics after atriopulmonary Fontan connection, conversion to TCPC can be expected to bring hemodynamic and functional improvement. We studied the results of the revision of the previous Fontan connection to TCPC in patients with failed Fontan circulation. Material and method: From October1979 to June 2002, eight patients who had failed Fontan circulation, underwent revision of previous Fontan operation to TCPC at Yonsei University Hospital. Intracardiac anomalies of the patients were tricuspid atresia (n=4) and other functional single ventricles (n=4). Mean age at TCPC conversion was 14.0$\pm$7.0 years (range, 4.6~26.2 years) and median interval between initial Fontan operation and TCPC was 7.5 years (range, 2.4~14.3 years). All patients had various degree of symptoms and signs of right heart failure. NYHA functional class was 111 or IV in six patients. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n:f), cyanosis (n=2), intraatrial thrombi (n=2), and protein losing enteropathy (PLE) (n=3) were also combined. The previous Fontan operation was revised to extracardiac conduit placement (n=7) and intraatrial lateral tunnel (n=1). Result: There was no operative death. Major morbidities included deep sternal infection (n=1), prolonged pleural effusion over two weeks (n=1), and temporary junctional lachyarrhythrnia (n=1). Postoperative central venous Pressure was lower than the preoperative value (17.9$\pm$3.5 vs. 14.9$\pm$1.0, p=0.049). Follow-up was complete in all patients and extended to 50,1 months (mean, 30.3$\pm$ 12.8 months). There was no late death. All patients were in NYHA class 1 or 11. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia developed in a patient who underwent conversion to intraatrial lateral tunnel procedure, PLE was recurred in two patients among three patients who had had PLE before the convertsion. There was no newly developed PLE. Conclusion: Hemodynamic and functional improvement could be expected for the patients with Fontan circulatory failure after atriopulmonary connection by revision of their previous circulation to TCPC. The conversion could be performed with low risk of morbidity and mortality.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.660-664
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• 2004

Background: Dilution of blood cardioplegia is not needed in IAWBC as it is in cold blood cardioplegia because it does not aggregate red blood cells on normal body temperature and does not compromise micro coronary circulation. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of undiluted potassium solution in IAWBC. Material and Method: Thirty patients who underwent CABG with IAWBC were grouped into dilutedplegia (n=14) and microplegia (n=16). Potassium was delivered conventionally with 4 : 1 delivery kit in the dilutedplegia group. The undiluted potassium was directly connected on the blood of oxygenator in the microplegia group. Result: There were no differences in sex, age, left ventricular ejection fraction, number of grafts, aortic cross clamping time, and the value of perioperative myocardial enzyme between the two groups. There were no perioperative myocardial infarction and hospital mortality. The amount of crystalloid cardioplegia was 1346$\pm$597 mL in dilutedplegia (mean$\pm$standard deviation, and 28$\pm$9 mL in microplegia (p<0.0001). The hematocrit during cardiopulmonary bypass was 21$\pm$4% in dilutedplegia and 24$\pm$3% in microplegia (p>0.05). 11 patients in dilultedplegia received blood transfusion, but 4 patients in microplegia received blood transfusion (p<0.05). The amount of urine and hemofiltration during the operation were more in dilutedplegia (1250$\pm$810 mL, 1689$\pm$548 mL) than in microplegia (959$\pm$410 mL, 1461$\pm$784 mL; p<0.05). Conclusion: The undiluted potassium of IAWBC in CABG operation is a safe, effective technique for myocardial protection to prevent fluid overload, and blood transfusion. There is no need to use the delivery kit.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2008

Background: Circulating levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) provide prognostic information for patients with heart failure. The aim of our study was to investigate whether preoperative and postoperative BNP levels could predict postoperative complications and outcomes in patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Material and Method: Data was collected prospectively on 30 patients (M/F=19/11, age $60.0{\pm}9.6$ years) undergoing conventional CABG during a 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2005. Patients underwent off-pump CABG, and combined surgery was excluded. The BNP assay was performed preoperatively, immediate postoperatively at the intensive care unit (ICU), and 1, 3, 5, and 7days postoperatively. Result: Preoperative BNP levels significantly correlated with preoperative echocardiographic ejection fraction and an ICU stay of 5 days or more (r=-0.4, p=0.028; r=0.39, p=0.031, respectively). A preoperative BNP cut-off value above 263 pg/mL demonstrated high specificity (90.5%) for predicting postoperative complications using the receiver operating characteristics curves. Preoperative and postoperative (7 days) BNP levels were different depending on the abscence (mean BNP=$99{\pm}23\;pg/mL$ vs. $296{\pm}74\;pg/mL$, p<0.05) and presence (mean BNP=$212{\pm}29\;pg/mL$ vs. $408{\pm}23\;pg/mL$, p<0.01). Conclusion: Preoperative BNP levels >263 pg/mL predict postoperative complications in patients receiving CABG.