• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.2 s.247
• /
• pp.101-109
• /
• 2005

Background: In sudden cardiac arrest, the effective maintenance of coronary artery blood flow is of paramount importance for myocardial preservation as well as cardiac recovery and patient survival. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the effects of pulsatile and non-pulsatile circulation to coronary artery flow and myocardial preservation in cardiac arrest condition. Material and Method: A cardiopulmonary bypass circuit was constructed in a ventricular fibrillation model using fourteen Yorkshire swine weighing $25\~35$ kg each. The animals were randomly assigned to group I (n=7, non-pulsatile centrifugal pump) or group II (n=7, pulsatile T-PLS pump). Extra-corporeal circulation was maintained for two hours at a pump flow of 2 L/min. The left anterior descending coronary artery flow was measured with an ultrasonic coronary artery flow measurement system at baseline (before bypass) and at every 20 minutes after bypass. Serologic parameters were collected simultaneously at baseline, 1 hour, and 2 hours after bypass in the coronary sinus venous blood. The Mann-Whitney U test of STATISTICA 6.0 was used to determine intergroup significances using a p value of < 0.05. Result: The resistance index of the coronary artery was lower in group II and the difference was significant at 40 min, 80 min, 100 min and 120 min (p < 0.05). The mean velocity of the coronary artery was higher in group II throughout the study, and the difference was significant from 20 min after starting the pump (p < 0.05). The coronary artery blood flow was higher in group II throughout the study, and the difference was significant from 40 min to 120 min (p < 0.05) except at 80 min. Serologic parameters showed no differences between the groups at 1 hour and 2 hours after bypass in the coronary sinus blood. Conclusion: In cardiac arrest condition, pulsatile extracorporeal circulation provides more blood flow, higher flow velocity and less resistance to coronary artery than non-pulsatile circulation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.2 s.247
• /
• pp.123-131
• /
• 2005

Background: The number of elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is increasing. Elderly patients are at increased risk for a variety of perioperative complications and mortality. We identified determinants of operative complications and mortality in elderly patients undergoing CABG. Material and Method: Between January 1995 and July 2003, 91 patients older than 75 years underwent isolated CABG at Asan Medical Center. There were 67 men and 24 women with mean age of $77.0\pm2.4$ years. Thirty clinical or hemodynamic variables hypothesized as predictors of operative mortality were evaluated. Result: CABG was performed under emergency conditions in 5 patients. The internal thoracic artery was used in 85 patients and 10 patients received both internal thoracic arteries. The mean number of distal anastomosis was 3.7 per patient. Operative mortality was $3.3\%$. Twenty-two patients had at least one major postoperative complication. Low cardiac output syndrome was the most common complication, followed by reoperation for bleeding, pulmonary dysfunction, perioperative myocardial infarction, stroke, acute renal failure, ventricular arrhythmia, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, infection, and delayed sternal closure. None were the predictors of mortality. Renal failure, peripheral vascular disease, emergency operation, recent myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, New York Heart Association (HYHA) class III or IV, Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina scale III or IV, and low left ventricle ejection fraction below $40\%$ were univariate predictors of overall complications. Actuarial probability of survival was $94.9\%,\;89.8\%,\;and\;83.5\%$ at postoperative 1, 3 and 5 years respectively. During the follow-up period $93.3\%$ of patients were in NYHA class I, or II and $91.1\%$ were free from angina. Conclusion: Although operative complication is increased, CABG can be performed with an acceptable operative mortality and excellent late results in patients older than 75 years.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.2 s.247
• /
• pp.132-138
• /
• 2005

Background: Mitral valve repair (MVP) is the optimal procedure for mitral regurgitation (MR), however, failure and subsequent reoperations are the limitations. The current study assessed the procedure in relation to the primary valve related causes of recurrent MR. Material and Method: MR was treated in 493 patients undergoing MVP from January of 1994 to January of 2002. The causes of MR were degenerative $(n=252,\;51.5\%),$ rheumatic $(n=156,\; 31.6\%),$ and others $(n=85,\; 16.9\%).$ Surgery comprised 446 ring annuloplasties $(90.5\%),$ 227 new chordae formations $(46\%),$ 125 quadriangular resections $(25.3\%),$ 28 chordae transfers $(5.7\%),$ and 8 Alfieri's stitches $(1.6\%).$ The mean follow up was $29.04\pm22.81$ months. Result: There were 5 early $(1.01\%)$, and 5 late deaths $(1.01\%).$ The reoperation rate was $1.42\%$. There were 45 $(9.1\%)$ recurrent MR (grade III or IV). Of these, 24 were procedure related including incomplete repair (n=14), discordant new chordae length (n=8) and others (n=2). In 21 patients, the cause was valve related including rheumatic disease progression (n=10), recurrent chordae elongation or prolapse (n=5) and others (n=6). Severe MR was higher after incomplete repair (p < 0.001), and valve related failure strongly correlated with rheumatic progression (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Since completeness of operation is the prime risk factor that determine the repair durability, intra-operative assessment of the initial repair with trans-esophageal echocardiography is essential.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.2 s.247
• /
• pp.152-156
• /
• 2005

Background: Occlusive complications after arterial revascularization are difficult to treat and have high recurrence rate. This study was performed to establish an effective treatment modality and to evaluate the factors affecting the occlusive complications by analysis of clinical data. Material and Method: During the period of 5 years. 33 patients (55 reoperations) were studied at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital following 173 arterial revascularization surgeries. The clinical characteristics, operating methods, the time intervals of reoperation, used graft, and the results of treatment were evaluated retrospectively. Result: All the patients were men except one and the mean age was 63.5 years old. The mean time internal from first operation to reoperation was 11.9 months. The cause of arterial occlusive diseases were 28 atherosclerosis and 5 Burger's diseases, Associated diseases were Hypertension $(57.6\%)$, Diabetes mellitus $(33.3\%)$, heart failure $(18.2\%)$, and so on. The mean rate of reoperation was 1.67 times and the most common type of first operation was femoro-popliteal bypass grafting $(57.6\%)$. The graft that used revascularization surgery were 25 cases of PTFE and 6 case were Dacron. There was no statistical difference between two groups. The kinds of reoperations were thrombectomy in 20 cases, angioplasty 18 cases, re-bypass surgery in 13 cases, and lumbar sympathectomy in 4 cases. The results of reoperation were 15 cases of functional recovery, 7 cases of limb salvage, 5 cases of above-knee amputation. 3 cases of below-knee amputation and 3 deaths. Conclusion: The main cause of occlusive complications are occlusion of inflow or outflow artery. Treatments were different according to the first operation methods and graft used. The most frequent time of reoperation was within one year after the first operation. We believe that graft surveillance especially during the first year is very important factor in observing the patient. We can look forward to improving limb salvage rate to perform additional treatment such as radiological interventions and lumbar sympathectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.3 s.260
• /
• pp.220-225
• /
• 2006

Background: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon, benign, self-limited disorders that usually occurs in young adults without any apparent precipitating factors or disease. The purpose of this study was to review our experience in dealing with this entity and describe a reasonable course of assessment and management. Material and Method: A retrospective case series was conducted to identify adults patients with SPM who were diagnosed and treated in a single institution between 2001 and 2005. Result: Fifteen patients were identified who included 14 men and 1 women with a mean age of 26 years. Presenting symptoms were chest pain in 12 patients ($80\%$), dyspnea in 5 patients ($33\%$), and throat discomfort in 4 patients ($26\%$). Two cases were associated with use of inhalational drugs and 3 cases were associated with exercise. The predisposing factors were asthma, excessive exercise, and vomiting in spontaneous pneumomediastinum. The physical findings were subcutaneous emphysema in 10 patients ($77\%$). Chest radiography and computerized tomography were the diagnostic methods in all cases with CT scan revealing six cases with associated pulmonary abnormalities. Esophagogram and flexible bronchoscopy were selectively used. Fifteen patients ($100\%$) were admitted to the hospital. Their mean hospital stay was 3 days. All patients were conservatively treated. In a follow-up of 3 years no complications or recurrences were observed. Conclusion: Most simple spontaneous pneumomediastinum cases were benign diseases and most of them ($77\%$) had shown typical chest pain, dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema. Inhalational drug use was not a major cause of SPM; however, increased use of bronchoinhalers was a suspicious cause of SPM.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.3 s.260
• /
• pp.201-207
• /
• 2006

Background: Percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) provides passive support of gas exchange and perfusion, allowing the use of other methods of care for organ recovery, and saves lives of patients with severe cardiopulmonary failure in a wide variety of clinical settings with a minimal risk of bleeding and need for chest re~ exploration. We summarized a single center's experiences with PCPS in patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest due to the ischemic heart disease. Material and Method: Among the 20 consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest from May 1999 to June 2005, Biopump (Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, MN) was used in 7 patients and the self-priming, heparin-coated circuit of EBS (Terumo, Japan) was applied to remaining 13 patients. Most of cannulations were performed percutaneously via femoral arteries and veins. The long venous cannulas of DLP (Medtronic inc. Minneapolis, MN) or the RMI (Edwards's lifescience LLC, Irvine, CA) were used with the arterial cannulae from 17 Fr to 21 Fr and the venous cannula from 21 Fr to 28 Fr. Result: The 20 consecutive patients who were severely compromised and received PCPS for the purpose of resuscitation were comprised of 13 cardiac arrests and 7 cardiogenic shocks in which by-pass surgery was performed in 11 patients and 9 ongoing PCls under the cardiopulmonary support. The mean support time on the PCPS was 38$\pm$42 hours. Of the 20 patients implanted with PCPS, 11 patients ($55\%$) have had the PCPS removed successfully; overall, 8 of these patients ($40\%$) were discharged from the hospital in an average surviving time for 27$\pm$17 days after removing the PCPS and survived well with 31$\pm$30 months of follow-up after the procedure. Conclusion: The use of PCPS appears to provide the hemodynamic restoration, allowing the survival of patients in cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock who would otherwise not survive, and patients receiving PCPS had a relatively long-term survival.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.3 s.260
• /
• pp.208-213
• /
• 2006

Background: The prevalence of anastomotic complication is related to anastomotic procedure or site in esophageal cancer operation. We studied the anastomotic leakage and stricture related to the anastomotic procedure & site in patients who received the esophageal resection and reconstruction for esophageal cancer. Material and Method: The anastomotic procedure, site and complication of 321 patients who received the esophageal reconstruction from August 1993 to May 2003 were investigated. Mean age was 64.5$\pm$4.9 (37${\~}$94) years, 300 patients ($93.5\%$) were male and 21 patients were female ($6.5\%$). Result: There were 7 anastomotic leakages ($2.2\%$) and no difference in anastomotic site (cervical anastomosis $4.1\%$, thoracic anastomosis $1.6\%$) and procedure (stapler technique $1.6\%$, semi-staple technique $9.1\%$, hand-sewn technique $0.0\%$). There were 52 anastomotic strictures ($16.2\%$), differences in sites (cervical anastomosis $2.7\%$, thoracic anastomosis $20.2\%$) (p < 0.001) and procedure (stapler technique $20.0\%$, semi-stapler technique $3.0\%$, hand-sewn technique $4.7\%$). And the stapler technique showed higher stricture rate (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Anastomotic technique was less related to anastomotic leakage in esophageal reconstruction for esophageal cancer. However, stapler technique had higher stricture rate than other techniques. Therefore, we suggest that the anastomotic technique be improved to reduce anastomotic stricture.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.3 s.260
• /
• pp.177-183
• /
• 2006

Background: The bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS) is one of the primary palliative procedures for complex congenital heart disease. It has many advantages, but it is known to have high risks in young infants. Material and Method: From 1995 to 2003, 48 infants under the age of one year underwent BCPS. All the patients were Fontan candidates due to functional univentricular heart physiology. There were no significant differences in preoperative variables, except in mean age (67.58$\pm$3.78 vs. 212.91$\pm$13.44 days), and mean body weight (4.51$\pm$0.29 vs. 6.62$\pm$0.27 kg), between group A (<3 months, n=12) and group B ($\ge$3 months, n=36). Result: In group A, the arterial oxygen saturations serially measured were significantly lower. Hospital mortality was $25\%$, and $19\%$, respectively. During follow up, there were 2 late mortalities in group A, and 5 in group B. Conclusion: This study showed that operative risk in young infants was comparable to that of older patients, and BCPS could be a good option as a primary palliative procedure, and may eliminate other repeated palliative procedures which could be the risk factors for Fontan candidates. However, in high-risk patients accompanying pulmonary hypertension, or heterotaxia syndrome, other palliative procedures should be considered.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.329-337
• /
• 2001

배경: 승포판 전엽이나 교련 또는 여러 판엽에 걸쳐 광범위한 병변으로 인한 승모판 역류의 경우 수술수기에 대한 뚜렷한 정립이 되어 있지 않은 실정이다. 최근 이러한 병변의 승모판 역류의 경우 PTEE(Polytetrafluro-ethylene)을 이용한 신건삭 형성술의 시행이 점차 늘고 있다. 이에 저자들은 PTEE를 이용한 신건삭 형성술이 승모판 성형술에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 1994년 1월부터 1999년 12월까지 승모판막 성형술을 시행 받은 322명의 환자 중에서 신건삭 형성술을 이용하여 승모판 성형술을 시행한 144례(I군)과 신건삭 형성술 이외의 방법으로 승모판 성형술을 시행한 178례(II군)를 대상으로 하였다. 두 군에서 수술 직후ㅘ 수술 후 6개월, 1년 및 1년 단위로 주기적인 심초음파를 시행하였고 이를 통계적 검정하였다. 결과: 같은 기간 승모판 성형술은 승모판막 폐쇄 부전증으로 내원한 환자의 95%(306)에서 추적 관찰이 가능하였다. 두 구난에 수술 전 혈류 역학적인 차이를 보이지 않았고, 수술 전 평균 승모판막 폐쇄 부전의 정도는 I군이 3.8$\pm$0.4, II군이 3.6$\pm$0.3였으나 수술 후 추적 관찰에서 각각 1.3$\pm$0.9와 1.1$\pm$0.7 정도의 양호한 판막 성형술의 결과를 보였고 승모판막 면적의변화나 승모판막에서의 평균 압력차이 등 혈류 역학적인 결과에도 차이를 보이고 있지 않았다. 술 후 3명(0.9%)의 조기 사망과 4명 (1.2%)의 후기 사망이 있었으나 두 군간의 차이는 보이지 않았다. 만기 생존율( 93.7$\pm$3.3 vs 88.0$\pm$1.95) 및 판막살패가 발생하기 않을 확률( 93.7$\pm$3.6 vs 93.3$\pm$3.4%) 과 재수술이 필요치 않을 활률(99.3$\pm$0.7 vs 96.0$\pm$1.9%), 색전증, 감염성 심내막염, 판막과 관련된 합병증 발생률 등에서 두 군간에 의미 있는 차이는 없었다. 전엽과 후엽에서 신건삭 형성술을 시행한 환자에서는 통계학적인 차이가 없었다(p=0.29) 결론: 신건삭 형성술을 이용한 승모판 성형술은 승모판 성형술의 증가(r=0.98, p<0.01)를 가져 왔을 뿐만 아니라 내구성과 안정성에 있어 기존의 안전화된 수술 수기와 견줄만하다. 특히 이러한 신건삭 형성술은 승모판 전엽에 병변이 있는 경우와 교련부 및 여러 엽에 광범위한 병변으로 인하여 재건술이 어려운 경우에도 승모판 재건을 가능하게 하는 우수한 수술 수리가 사료된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.9
• /
• pp.884-892
• /
• 1998

Background: The gastroepiploic artery is not only an alternative graft but also may be considered an important primary graft for coronary revascularization. However, the long-term patency of the gastroepiploic arterial graft is yet to be determined and the incidence of perioperative spasm and long-term patency of a coronary graft may be affected by the properties of the graft response to certain vasoactive substances. The reactivity of the gastroepiploic artery to vasoactive substances has not been studied extensively and the results of the studies are contradictory. Material and Method: This study was designed to test the reactivity of human gastroepiploic artery to four constrictors and four relaxants. The middle sections of the human gastroepiploic arteries were collected from the patients undergoing gastrectomy and the arterial rings with intact endothelium were suspended in organ baths for isometric tension recording. Result: Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and potassium chloride induced the maximum constriction to higher forces (7.0$\pm$1.1g, 6.6$\pm$0.9g, and 6.5$\pm$1.1g) than 5-hydroxytryptamine did (3.8$\pm$1.7g, p<0.05). Nitroprusside and histamine induced almost full relaxation in the gastroepiploic arteries preconstricted with norepinephrine. There was no significant difference between two relaxants regarding maximum relaxation force. Acetylcholine induced the maximum relaxation to weaker force when compared with nitroprusside and histamine (p<0.05), and isoproterenol was the weakest of the relaxants (p<0.05 compared with acetylcholine). Conclusion: The gastroepiploic artery has a strong capacity of endothelium-dependent relaxation which could have an important influence on long-term patency. The gastroepiploic artery exhibits a potent contractility to catecholamines and the enhanced contractility may facilitate vasospasm in the presence of high circulating levels of catecholamines. Nitroprusside, a potent relaxant in gastroepiploic artery, might be beneficial for the treatment of gastroepiploic arterial graft spasm. The gastroepiploic arterial graft with intact endothelium may respond weakly to beta-adrenoceptor agonist and 5-hydroxytryptamine.