• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.250-253
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• 1982

A persistent left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium associated with atresia of the coronary sinus-ostium, ASD, and PDA is a rare congenital anomaly. The patient was a 4 year-old female whose complaints were frequent URI and exertional dyspnea. The congenital heart anomaly was suspected at 2 months of her age. Chest films showed cardiomegaly [C-T ratio, 75%]. EKG, Echocardiography, cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography were performed. Open heart surgery was done under impression of LV-RA shunt, bilateral superior vena cavae, and ASD. At the time of operation, huge LA and RA, inferior vena caval defect of a secundum type ASD [1.5 x 3cm in diameter], absence of innominate vein, atresia of the coronary sinus-ostium, and persistent LSVC draining into LA were noted. Direct suture closure of ASD and ligation of LSVC were done. The patient`s postoperative course was somewhat eventful: systolic murmur at apex remained. Four months after the operation, congestive heart failure attacked a few times. PDA that was overlooked at the time of open heart surgery was detected through postoperative cardiac catheterization in.4 months later. Emergent operation for closure of PDA was performed on the day of recatheterization. After that, patient`s heart failure was easily controlled without any notable problem.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.861-864
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• 2001

tumors. We report a primary cardiac myxosarcoma in a 40-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital because of exertional dyspnea and palpitation. The patient underwent emergency operation immediately after the intracardiac (left atrium) tumor was discovered by an echocardiography. Palliative tumor removal was done and final Pathologic diagnosis was primary cardiac myxosarcoma. She was discharged without complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.536-543
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• 1987

The Fontan procedure was physiological correction which was initially applied to tricuspid atresia. We had used the modified Fontan operation in 8 cases at National Medical Center, Seoul, from Aug. 1984 to Oct. 1986. Age range was 20 months to 15 years [mean: 9 years] and male: female ratio was 5:3. 5 patients had tricuspid atresia [lb: 2 cases, Ic: 1 case, lib: 1 case, & llc: 1 case], 2 Patients had univentricular heart of left ventricular type, and one patient had transposition of great arteries with complete endocardial cushion defect. The operative principle was direct anastomosis between right atrium and pulmonary artery, whether main pulmonary artery or right pulmonary artery without any conduits. Postoperatively all patients needed high central venous pressure for adequate hemodynamic status in both survival [20-24 CmH2O] and mortality groups [20-24 CmH2O]. The fatal complications were as follows: empyema with bronchopleural fistula [1 case], bleeding tendency & brain damage [1 case], low cardiac output syndrome & acute renal failure [2 cases], and right to left shunt of unknown origin [1 case]. There were 5 hospital deaths; 3 of 5 tricuspid atresia patients, 1 of 2 univentricular heart patients, and 1 of 1 transposition of great arteries with complete endocar4ial cushion defect patient. The overall mortality was 62.5%. 3 survivors were nearly compatible with Choussat & Fontan criteria. Thus appropriate patient selection and experienced surgical technique were required for good results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.804-810
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• 1984

Two hundred twenty one cases of open heart surgery were done in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Pusan National University Hospital from July, 1981 to October, 1984. 1.There were 154 cases [73%] of congenital anomalies and 57 cases [27%] of acquired valvular heart diseases. Among the congenital cases, 128 cases were acyanotic and 26 cases were cyanotic. Among the 57 cases of acquired valvular replacement surgery, 3 cases had open heart commissurotomy, one had Kay annuloplasty. 2.The age distribution of the congenital acyanotic anomalies ranged from 5 to 32 years with mean age of 12.8 years, the congenital cyanotic anomalies from 3 to 29 years with mean age of 14.2 years and the acquired valvular diseases from 9 to 51 years with mean age of 30 years. The difference of sex distribution was no significance. 3.Three methods for debubbling process were used in our institute, in 133 cases, the vent was inserted into the left ventricular apex, in 61 cases inserted into the left atrium through right superior pulmonary vein and in 17 cases used needle aspiration only. 4.For cardioplegia, the GIK solution was infused repeatedly from 30 to 40 minutes interval and brought excellent results for myocardial protection during open heart surgery. 5.Overall mortality was 7.6%. The mortality along with each disease is 1.56% in congenital acyanotic cases, 26.9% in congenital cyanotic cases and 12.3% in acquired valvular disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.643-646
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• 2008

Congenital intrapericardial left atrial appendage aneurysms (LAAA) are very rare. Most cases are asymptomatic and this malady is generally incidentally diagnosed in older patients. LAAAs are usually accompanied with supraventricular arrhythmias and life-threatening systemic embolism. Complete surgical correction is recommended immediately after the diagnosis to prevent significant complications, and even for the asymptomatic patients. We report here on the case of a 45-year-old man who presented with cerebral embolism due to LAAA. The patient was successfully treated with a resection of the aneurysm.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.421-427
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• 1991

Atrial fibrillation[Af] is closely related to thrombus in left atrium, systemic embolism, and loss of the contribution of atrial contraction to cardiac output. Therefore maintenance of sinus rhythm[SR] is undoubtedly hemodynamically superior to Af in the clinical course of mitral valvular disease especially in the unstable period immediately after surgery. In this article, the conversion rate and the factors influencing the conversion of Af to SR after surgery were studied. Ninety-three patients with mitral valvular replacement at Chungnam National University Hospital were analysed with electrocardiography before and after surgery during the period from June 1985 to June 1990. Eighty patients presented Af before surgery. Twenty-four[30Yo] of the patients were converted to SR[A group] and fifty six presented continuous Af after surgery[B group]. The duration of preoperative Af, preoperative left atrial dimension[LAD], preoperative functional status[NYHA classification] and cardiothoracic[CT] ratio were factors influencing the conversion of Af to SR after surgery. The mean preoperative duration of Af was 3.5$\pm$2.6yr in group A and 7.6$\pm$4.9yr in group B. The mean preoperative LAD was 53. 7$\pm$9.4mm in group A and 62.5$\pm$11.2mm in group B. Before surgery, eleven patients[46%] were belong to NYHA class I, II in group A and eight[14%] in group B. The preoperative CT ratio was 62$\pm$6% in group A and 69$\pm$8% in group B.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.317-323
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• 2009

Background: Although high efficiency of conversion into sinus rhythm has been demonstrated after performing the Cox-Maze procedure in patients with atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valve disease, the changes in the mechanical function and size of the left atrium have not been determined. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the Maze procedure on the left atrial size and contractile transport function. Material and Method: From July 1997 to July 2008, 647 consecutive patients were operated on for chronic atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valve disease. Among these, 211 patients that (1) were able to be followed up for 2 years after surgery, (2) had sustained normal sinus rhythm, regardless of whether they were taking anti-arrhythmic medications and (3) did not have valvular regurgitation greater than grade III or they did not have moderate grade valvular stenosis were selected for evaluation. The left atrial size and contractile transport function were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography at the postoperative base line (1 year) and at regular follow-up periods (2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 6 year). Result: The left atrial dimension was increased and the contractile transport function was decreased during the follow-up period. The longer the follow-up period, the greater was the statistical significance of the left atrial size increase and contractile transport function decrease. Conclusion: In patients who sustain normal sinus rhythm conversion after a Maze III procedure with a mitral valve operation, there is a gradual increase of the left atrial dimensions and a decrease of contractile transport function during the follow-up period. Therefore, scrupulous follow-up is needed for these patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.211-222
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• 1988

Tetralogy of Fallot is a cyanotic congenital heart disease characterized by large ventricular septal defect[VSD] and stenosis of right ventricular outflow tract[RVOT] and the degree of RVOT stenosis and the state of pulmonary arteries are the major determinant of prognosis of this anomaly after operation. The sum of blood flow through RVOT and collateral flow from systemic arteries determine the total pulmonary blood flow and it is drained to left atrium and left ventricle. Therefore the degree of development of left ventricle not only reflects pulmonary blood flow and the status of peripheral pulmonary arteries but also affects postoperative prognosis as a systemic ventricle. In this article, left ventricular volume and its influence on postoperative cardiac function in tetralogy of Fallot were studied in 34 patients operated on at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital in 1985. Mean age of the patients was 5 1/12*3 9/12 years[range 9/12 - 14 8/12 years], mean body surface area[BSA] 0.65*0.20m2[range 0.38 - 1.22m2], mean body weight 15.6k6.48kg[range 7.0 - 36kg]and mean hematocrit 50.6*9.77%[range 32.0 - 73.5%]. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume[LVEDV] of them were from 11.2 to 113cc and there was a good linear correlation between BSA[m2, X]and LVEDV[cc, Y][Y= - 20.0+923x, r= 0.84, p < 0.005]. Mean LVEDV/m2 was [57.6 * 18.3 cc / m2[range 28.7 - 95.8 cc / m2] and there was a significant reduction of volume compared with normal value. As body surface increases, there was a increasing tendency in LVEDV/m2 but there was no statistical significance. Mean total amount of postoperatively infused dopamine in these 33 patients[except one who expired postoperatively] was 65.6*74.5mg / kg and it was 40.6*44.0mg / kg in routine RVOT widening group [Group I] and 205*49.3mg / kg in transannular RVOT widening group[Group II]. There was a statistically significant difference between two groups. In group I patients there was a good linear inverse correlation between dopamine total amount[mg / kg, Y] and LV volume[cc / m2, X] [Y = 150 - 1.89 X, r = - 0. 77, p < 0.005]. But there were no correlations between dopamine total amount and Hct, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aorta cross clamp time. In conclusion, the patient with small preoperative left ventricular volume required more amount of dopamine as an inotropic agent for the maintenance of a cardiac function in postoperative period. But this is a result of immediate postoperative period and does not reflect the long term effect of left ventricular volume in tetralogy of Fallot. There must be more study for the evaluation of its long term effect.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.124-128
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• 1982

Here, we present a case of ruptured sinus Valsalva aneurysm with fistulous communication between the right coronary aortic sinus and the right ventricle in 8 year old boy. Ruptured sinus Valsalva aneurysm is rare. And several reports are describing its pathophysiologic features, clinical findings and management. This patient was asymptomatic and the physical examination revealed palpable thrill and Grade III pansystolic murmur at the 3rd and 4th intercostal space along the left sternal border. There was an oxygen step up from right atrium into right ventricle on the cardiac catheterization reports. On 15th July 1981, an open heart surgery was performed and we found ruptured right coronary sinus Valsalva aneurysm into the right ventricle, which was managed successfully by doing direct pledget sutures. The postoperative course was uneventful.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.715-722
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• 1984

From 1978 to April 30 84 thirteen cases of cardiac injured patients were operated under general anesthesia at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Chonnam National University. These patients were divided Into two groups according to their cause of trauma: Group 1, penetrating cardiac injury and Group II, blunt cardiac injury. 1.In 7 cases of Group 1, 6 cases were stab wound and one case was gunshot wound, and among 6 cases of Group II, 3 cases traffic accident, 2 cases pedestrian, 1 case agrimotor accident. 2.The sites of cardiac injury in penetrating trauma were right ventricle mainly and the next left ventricle and in blunt trauma right ventricle, myocardial contusion, right atrium, and inferior vena cava in order. 3.In most of cases central venous pressure was elevated above 15 cmH2O and in 5 of 13 cases revealed cardiomegaly in simple chest X-ray. 4.The relationship between the condition on arrival and the time to operation is not significant. 5.Associated injuries in penetrating cardiac trauma were hemothorax, pneumothorax, laceration of lung and in blunt trauma hemothorax, sternal fracture, rib fracture and pneumothorax in order. 6.One case of gunshot injury died after operation.