• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.122-133
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• 1986

Thirteen patients with cyanotic cardiac malformations having more complex intracardiac defects, hemodynamics and operative procedures than ones in Tetralogy of Fallot undertaken total surgical corrections from July 1981 to August 1985. The cases of corrective surgery for complex cardiac malformations were 3.9% of all congenital cardiac malformations and 12.6% of cyanotic cardiac malformations. Six patients died within 30 days after surgery. So operative mortality was 46%; Transposition of the great arteries, two of 4 patients, due to low cardiac output syndrome and tracheal bleeding ; Univentricular heart, one of 3 patients, due to bleeding; Corrected transposition of the great arteries, one of 2 patients, due to acute heart failure; Tricuspid atresia, one of 2 patients, due to low cardiac output syndrome; Double outlet right ventricle, one of single patient, due to respiratory failure. The cases of surgical correction for complex cardiac malformations are progressively increasing in numbers. The more accurate evaluation of anatomical condition and hemodynamics in preoperative diagnosis, studies on applicable surgical procedure and perioperative care of patients are necessary in the improvement of clinical and surgical results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2018

Background: Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) after cardiac surgery usually requires inotropes. In this setting, critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) may develop. We aimed to investigate the clinical features of CIRCI in the presence of LCOS and to assess the efficacy of steroid treatment. Methods: We reviewed 28 patients who underwent a rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) test due to the suspicion of CIRCI between February 2010 and September 2014. CIRCI was diagnosed by a change in serum cortisol of <$9{\mu}g/dL$ after the ACTH test or a random cortisol level of <$10{\mu}g/dL$. Results: Twenty of the 28 patients met the diagnostic criteria. The patients with CIRCI showed higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores than those without CIRCI ($16.1{\pm}2.3$ vs. $11.4{\pm}3.5$, p=0.001). Six of the patients with CIRCI (30%) received glucocorticoids. With an average elevation of the mean blood pressure by $22.2{\pm}8.7mm\;Hg$ after steroid therapy, the duration of inotropic support was shorter in the steroid group than in the non-steroid group ($14.1{\pm}2.3days$ versus $30{\pm}22.8days$, p=0.001). Three infections (15%) developed in the non-steroid group, but this was not a significant between-group difference. Conclusion: CIRCI should be suspected in patients with LCOS after cardiac surgery, especially in patients with a high SOFA score. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy may be considered to reduce the use of inotropes without posing an additional risk of infection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.633-636
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• 2007

Coronary artery spasm immediately after the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is rare but it can cause sudden and severe hypotension or a ventricular arrhythmia. We report a case of low cardiac output syndrome caused by a right coronary artery spasm following CABG that did not show any significant stenotic lesions on preoperative coronary angiography.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.598-604
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• 1985

One hundred consecutive patients with the Tetralogy of Fallot underwent total correction at National Medical Center during the period 1977 to 1984, Oct. During this study period, we adopted more active policy towards reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract across pulmonary valve. The mortality was 48% for patients less than 15 kg and 19% in patients above 15kg. Initially Bretschneider`s solution was used as cardioplegia, which was replaced by St. Thomas` solution since 1983, Jan. After then overall mortality dropped to 9% compared to 45% of initial learning period. Heart block occurred In 11 patients, 10 of whom died of combined low cardiac output syndrome. Pure low cardiac output syndrome was noted in 18 patients, most of whom responded to medical measures well except 4 patients. Recently sepsis of Serratia marcescence, which occurred explosively during several months to open heart surgery patients, attacked 3 tetralogy patients resulting in 2 hospital deaths. Our experience has shown that body weight, choice of cardioplegia and accumulation of experience as well as advance of operative and postoperative techniques are still important factors affecting survival rate at initial learning period.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.706-709
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• 1987

From December 1981 to June 1987, thirty one patients suffering from low output syndrome after cardiac operation received cardiac assist with intraaortic balloon pump. Fifteen patients survived [survival rate 48.4%]. After receiving assist with IABP, urine output increased, heart rate and central venous pressure decreased, reflecting improved myocardial performance. Poor preoperative hemodynamic and functional status resulted in poor survival despite of assist with IABP. Poor pre-IABP hemodynamic status also resulted in high mortality after assist with IABP. Our experience suggests that IABP should be introduced early in the course of worsening to get good result.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2012

Background: Median sternotomy can weaken the upper abdominal wall and result in subxiphoid incisional hernia. We evaluated risk factors associated with the development of subxiphoid incisional hernias after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Materials and Methods: Of 1,656 isolated CABGs performed between January 2001 and July 2010, 1,599 patients who were completely followed up were analyzed. The mean follow-up duration was $49.5{\pm}34.3$ months. Subxiphoid incisional hernia requiring surgical repair developed in 13 patients (0.8%). The hernia was diagnosed $16.3{\pm}10.3$ months postoperatively, and hernia repair was performed $25.0{\pm}26.1$ months after the initial operation. Risk factors associated with the development of subxiphoid incisional hernia were analyzed with the Cox proportional hazard model. Results: Five-year freedom from the hernia was 99.0%. Univariate analysis revealed that female sex (p=0.019), height (p=0.019), body surface area (p=0.046), redo operation (p=0.012), off-pump CABG (p=0.049), a postoperative wound problem (p=0.041), postoperative bleeding (p=0.046), and low cardiac output syndrome (p<0.001) were risk factors for the development of the hernia. Multivariable analysis showed that female sex (p=0.01) and low cardiac output syndrome (p<0.001) were associated with subxiphoid hernia formation. Conclusion: Female sex and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome were risk factors of subxiphoid hernia. Therefore, special attention is needed for patients with high-risk factors.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.804-807
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• 1993

We experienced a case of cardiac rhabdomyoma,which is incidentally found at perinatally checked sonography.The cardiac rhabdomyoma is the most common cardiac tumor of infants & children, and second most common cardiac tumor of all age groups, which is usually multiple in the case of 90%, invariably involves the ventricles affecting the left & right side equally. In more than fifty percents, the size of cardiac rhabdomyoma is enough large to threatening the life of newborn within 24hrs of birth. Cardiac rabdomyoma is actually a myocardial harmatoma rather than a true neoplasm,because of the finding of complete lack of mitotic activities. Recently,more advanved instruments such as ultrasonography or echocardiography allows to us early detection & surgical intervention of this tumor. In our case, the tumor was found at both ventricles, which occupied nearly total chambers of both ventricles. The patient was operated on 3 day after birth. The operation was removal of the tumor through left ventriculotomy and right ventriculotomy respectively. He expired in the immediate postoperative period due to low cardiac output syndrome, despite of massive inotropic agents.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.250-256
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• 1984

Eisenmenger syndrome is a condition which systemic arterial blood oxygen unsaturation occurs if obstruction in the pulmonary capillaries raises the pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure to or beyond systemic levels and then a significant right to left shunt develops across a preexisting cardiac septal defect or an aortopulmonary communication-We have experienced 3 cases of similar condition. Case I is 24 year old man who has had cyanosis and dyspnea on exertion since childhood. His pulmonary arterial pressure was 110/80mmHg. He was operated under diagnosis of the mitral stenosis and tetralogy of Fallot, but it was finally discovered that he had patent ductus arteriosus and ventricular defect was closed with perforated prosthetic patch, but the patient expired due to right heart failure low cardiac output. Case II was 16 year old female who had pulmonary hypertension of 110/85mmHg. She was diagnosed as Eisenmenger syndrome combining with atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. Case III was 20 year old male. His pulmonary arterial pressure was 110/70mmHg and the underlying defect was patent ductus arteriosus.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.218-221
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• 1982

Delayed cardiac tamponade in an uncommon and frequently fatal complication after open-heart surgery. We had been experienced two cases of delayed cardiac tamponade as a complication of open-heart surgery and treated successfully by reinsertion of pericardial drain through subxiphoid route. First case was 60 years old female patient and underwent MVR under impression of MSi + Ti Second case was 19 years old male patient and underwent total correction of T.O.F.with Blalock shunt [Lt]. Both cases had Initial symptoms, which were epigastric pain, chest tightness, dropped blood pressure, and increased pulse rate and respiratory rate, mimic as low cardiac output syndrome after open-heart surgery. Roentgenogram of the chest showed a rapid increased cardiothoracic ratio. It is important to realize the presence of late cardiac tamponade for proper diagnosis of complication after open-heart surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.398-406
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• 1985

103 cases of open heart surgery were performed in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital in 1984. There were 90 congenital cardiac anomaly and 13 acquired heart diseases. Out of 90 congenital cardiac anomaly, 63 cases of acyanotic group and 27 cases of cyanotic group were noted. In 63 cases of acyanotic group, 11 ASD, 45 VSD and 7 other acyanotic anomaly were included. In 27 cases of cyanotic group, 4 Trilogy of Fallot, 15 TOF, 3 Pentalogy of Gasul and 5 other cyanotic anomaly were found. Among 13 cases of acquired heart diseases, 12 valvular lesions and 1 atrial myxoma were noted. Two open mitral commissurotomy and ten valve replacements were performed for 12 valve lesions. The frequent complications were acute respiratory insufficiency and low cardiac output syndrome occurred in 5 cases. The perioperative mortality was 4.8% in acyanotic congenital cardiac anomaly, 7.4% in cyanotic congenital cardiac anomaly, and 0% in acquired heart diseases. Overall mortality for 103 cases of open heart surgery was 4.9%.