• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.275-280
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• 2006

Background: Aortopulmonary window (APW) is a very rare congenital heart anomaly, often associated with other cardiac anomalies. It causes a significant systemic to pulmonary artery shunt, which requires early surgical correction. Accurate diagnosis and surgical correction will bring good outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe our 20-year experience of aortopulmonary window. Material and Method: Between March 1985 and January 2005, 16 patients with APW underwent surgical repair. Mean age at operation was $157.8{\pm}245.3$ ($15.0{\sim}994.0$) days and mean weight was $4.8{\pm}2.5$ ($1.7{\sim}10.7$) kg. Patent ductus arteriosus (8), atrial septal defect (7), interruptedaortic arch (5), ventricular septal defect (4), patent foramen ovate (3), tricuspid valve regurgitation (3), mitral valve regurgitation (2), aortic valve regurgitation (1), coarctation of aorta (1), left superior vena cavae (1), and dextrocardia (1) were associated. Repair methods included 1) division of the APW with primary closure or patch closure of aorta and pulmonary artery primary closure or patch closure (11) and 2) intra-arterial patch closure (3). 3) Division of the window and descending aorta to APW anastomosis (2) in the patients with interrupted aortic arch or coarctation. Result: There was one death. The patient had 2.5 cm long severe tracheal stenosis from carina with tracheal bronchus supplying right upper lobe. The patient died at 5th post operative day due to massive tracheal bleeding. Patients with complex aortopulmonary window had longer intensive care unit and hospital stay and showed more morbidities and higher reoperation rates. 5 patients had reoperations due to left pulmonary artery stenosis (4), right pulmonary artery stenosis (2), and main pulmonary artery stenosis (1). The mean follow-up period was $6.8{\pm}5.6$ (57.0 days$\sim$16.7 years)years and all patients belonged to NYHA class 1. Conclusion: With early and prompt correction of APW, excellent surgical outcome can be expected. However, optimal surgical method needs to be established to decrease the rate of stenosis of pulmonary arteries.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1994

Background: Patients with mitral stenosis(MS) have been demonstrated to have a variable degree of pulmonary dysfunction and exercise impairment. The hemodynamic changes of MS can be reversed after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty(PMV), but the extent and time course of the imporvement in pulmonary function and exercise capacity are not defined. Methods: In order to investigate the early(3 weeks or less)and late(3 months or more) effects of PMV on pulmonary function and determine if the pulmonary dysfunction is reversible even in patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension, we performed the spirometry, measurements of diffusing capacity and lung volumes, and incremental exercise tests in patients with MS before and after PMV. Results: In 46 patients with MS(age: $40{\pm}12$years, male to female ratio: 1:2, mitral valve area: $0.8{\pm}0.2cm^2$) there was a significant increase in FVC(P<0.0025), $FEV_1$(P<0.001), $FEF_{25-75%}$(P<0.001, $FEF_{50%}$(P<0.001), PEF(P<0.0005), MVV(P<0.005), $\dot{V}O_2$max (P<0.0001), and AT(P<0.0001) after average 10 days of PMV. Also there was a significant decrease in DLco(P<0.0001) and DL/VA(P<0.0001). At later($5{\pm}2$months) follow-up in 11 patients, there was no further improvement in any parameters of pulmonary function and exercise test. Twenty nine patients with sinus rhythm were divided into 16 patients with pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) more than 35mmHg and/or tricuspid regurgitation grade n or more(group A) and 13 patients with PAP less than 35mmHg(group B). Group A Patients had significantly lower FVC(P<0.001), $FEV_1$(P<0.001), DLco(P<0.05), $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.025) and mitral valve area(P<0.025) than group B patients. Group A patients after PMV, showed significant increase in FVC(P<0.001), maximum $O_2$ pulse(P<0.00001) and $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.00025). Both group showed an increase in AT(P<0.0001, P<0.005), but group A showed greater decrease in $\dot{V}E/\dot{V}O_2$ and $\dot{V}E/\dot{V}CO_2$ both at AT(P<0.001, P<0.001) and $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.0001, P<0.0001) after PMV compared with group B. Conclusion: These data suggest that patients with MS can show increased pulmonary function and exercise performance within 1 month after PMV. Patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension had a significant increase in exercise performance compared with those with mild to no pulmonary hypertension and it is thought to be related to a significat decrease of ventilation for a given oxygen consumption at maximum exercise.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.271-277
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• 1996

In selected cases, early corrective surgery is indicated in the management of infants having large ventricular septal defects. The risk of any surgical procedure in infancy is acknowledged to be great and should be avoided whenever possible. However this greater surgical risk is justified when the patient presents with intractable congestive heart failure, severe pulmonary hypertension, marked growth retardation, and recurrent prolonged lower respiratory infections. We analyzed 31 patients with ventricular septal defect in infancy who underwent surgical correction from January 1991 through December 1994. Age ranged from 6 months to 12 months with mean age of 9.2 months. Of the thirty-one patients, 23 patients were male and 8 patients were female. Mean body weight was 7. 4kg. The most common type of ventricular septal defect was perimembraneo s (64.5%). Associated cardiac anomalies were found in 17 patients (55.8%). Mitral regurgitation was the most commonly associated cardiac anomaly (16.1 %) and followed by patent ductus arteriosus (12.9%). When cardiac catheterization data were analysed, the most common range of Qp/qs, RpiRs, Pp/ps were 2.1∼ 3.0, 1-0.25, above 0.70 respectively. Among the indications of surgical correction, there were pulmonary hypertension in 20 patients, congestive heart failure in 3 patients, intractable respiratory infection in 10 patients and growth retardation in 14 patients. The most common surgical approach and method for closure of ventricular septal defect .were right atriotomy (58%) and Dacron patch closure (94%). Postoperative complications occurred in 10 cases (32%) and overall mortality was 12.9% (4 cases). All operative deaths in this series occurred in infants under the age of 8 months and weight of 8 kilograms.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.680-685
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• 2001

Background: Tricuspid valve replacement is very rarely performed procedure and its long-term result is not yet satisfactory. Moreover, it is not well known whether bioprosthesis or mechanical prosthesis is the best selection for artificial valve. We reviewed 72 cases of tricuspid valve replacements in 71 patients between January 1989 and December 1998, trying to analyze the overall results and risk factors for mortality and morbidity. Material and Method: Average age of the patients at the time of operation was 42$\pm$13 years(range 16 to 65 years) and the sex ratio of male versus female was 32/39. Primary diagnosis consisted of 50 cases of aquired valvular heart disease and 18 cases of congenital heart disease, such as Ebstein’s anomaly. 4 cases had isolated tricuspid valve regurgitation. Implanted valves were 69 mechanical prosthesis and 3 bioprosthesis. Concomitant mitral or aortic valve replacements were performed in 50 cases. One patient received concomittant pulmonary valve replacement. Result: There were 7(9.72%) operative deaths and 7(13.0%) late deaths. Actuarial survival at 10 years was 59.2$\pm$7.2%. Prosthetic tricuspid valve thrombosis occurred 11 times in 5 patients. Reoperation for prosthetic tricuspid valve failure was performed in 1 patient. In this case, examination of the explanted prostheses showed that the tricuspid stenosis was the result of valve thrombosis. Among the 47 survivors, 46 patients(98%) were in functional class I or II. Conclusion: In our ten-year experience of tricuspid valve replacement, mortality and morbidity were satisfactory. Mechanical prosthesis in tricuspid position showed comparable clinical results as bioprosthesis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.393-397
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• 1998

A 25-year-old man with viral cardiomyopathy and chronic active hepatitis successfully underwent dynamic cardiomyoplasty for the first time in Korea on July 30, 1996. The patient had been intermittently dyspneic for 5 years and was admitted to our center twice because of heart failure. For the past 2 years, he was NYHA functional class III status with a left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) of around 30%. The patient was born with scoliosis and showed a short stature. The liver function showed elevated liver enzymes, and hepatitis B antigen was positive. The liver biopsy revealed chronic active hepatitis. The preoperative echocardiogram showed decreased left ventricular function with grade II mitral and grade II tricuspid regurgitation with dilated left and right atrium. Recently his symptoms worsened and we decided to perform a dynamic cardiomyoplasty. The left latissmus dorsi muscle(LDM) was mobilized and tested with lead placement on his right lateral decubitus position. The patient was positioned into supine and, after median sternotomy, the heart was wrapped with the mobilized muscle. The Russian made cardiomyostimulator(EKS-445) and leads (Myocardial PEMB for heart and PEMP-1 for LDM) were used. The total operation time was 8 hours and there were no perioperative episodes. Postoperatively the LDM had been trained for a 10 week period and currently the stimulation ratio is maintained at 1:4. The postoperative LVEF did not increase with the value of 30-35%. However, the patient feels better postoperatively with slightly increased activity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2013

This retrospective study reviewed the clinical and diagnostic features, therapeutic outcome and compilations of interventional ductal occlusion in 37 dogs with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Malteses and female dogs were over-presented. Bounding pulse and left basal continuous murmur were most common findings in physical examination, while the differential cyanosis was rarely observed. Left ventricular (LV) enlargement patterns and sinus tachycardia were common in the ECG. Typical radiographic findings included LV elongation and triple bumps indicating left atrial (LA), aortic and pulmonary dilation. Echocardiographic features were typical shunt flow at the ductus arteriosus and marked LV dilation with mild to moderate mitral regurgitation (MR). The 32 of 37 dogs were interventionally treated with either thromboemolic coils (TCE) or Amplatz canine ductal occluder (ACDO). Transient hemoglobinuria caused by incomplete closure was occurred in 2 dogs treated with TCE, although the hemoglobinuria was disappeared within a week of intervention. The dislodgement of occlusion device was occurred in 2 dogs with TCE and 1 dog with ACDO. However there were no significant complications associated with this dislodgement, since those were dislodged at the lower pulmonary vasculature. We also found that no serious complications and no further medical intervention in 29 dogs having long-term follow-ups.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2021

A 6-year-old, spayed female, Maltese dog with tachypnea and dry cough was presented to Gyeongsang National University Veterinary Medical Teaching hospital. On physical examination, its respiration rate was 132 per minute. Decreased partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and hyperlactatemia were found on arterial blood gas analysis. Its diastolic blood pressure was 80 mmHg. Auscultation revealed arrhythmia. Electrocardiogram revealed P pulmonale, P mitrale, and ventricular premature complexes. Thoracic radiographs revealed mild enlargement of both atrium and moderate enlargement of the left ventricular. There was also a moderate alveolar pattern in the right and caudal part of the left cranial lung lobe. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed enlargement of generalized four chambers without remarkable findings of valvular degeneration. M-mode echocardiography showed decreased left ventricular fractional shortening and enlarged left ventricular internal diameter at both end-systolic and end-diastolic. Color-flow Doppler imaging revealed eccentric turbulent flow starting below the left ventricular outflow tract and extending into the left atrium during systole. Spectral Doppler recordings revealed a high velocity flow through the mitral, tricuspid, aorta, and pulmonic regurgitation. Restrictive transmitral flow revealed high E-wave velocity, short E-wave deceleration time, and reduced A-wave velocity. There was also low ejection velocity thorough left ventricular out tract flow. Based on echocardiographic examination, dilated cardiomyopathy was the tentative diagnosis. The dog was medicated with inotropes, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, and diuretics. At the 10-day following-up, the dog died suddenly. This report describes echocardiographic diagnosis and prognosis of dilated cardiomyopathy rarely reported in small breed dogs.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.568-572
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• 2008

Background: Minimally invasive surgery is currently popular, but this has been applied very sparingly to cardiac surgery because of some limitations. Our study evaluated the safety and efficacy of atrial septal defect (ASD) closure through a video-assisted mini-thoracotomy. Material and Method: Fifteen patients were analyzed. Their mean age was $31{\pm}6$ years. The mean ASD size was $24{\pm}5mm$ and there were 3 cases of significant tricuspid regurgitation. The working window was made through the right 4th intercostal space via a $4{\sim}5cm$ inframammary skin incision, CPB was conducted with performing peripheral cannulation. After cardioplegic arrest, the ASDs were closed with a patch (n=11) or direct sutures (n=4), and the procedures were assisted by using a thoracoscope. There were 3 cases of tricuspid repair and 1 case of mitral valve repair. The mean CPB time and aortic occlusion time were $160{\pm}47\;and\;70{\pm}26 $minutes, respectively. Result: There was no mortality, but there were 3 minor complications (one pneumothorax, one wound dehiscence and one arrhythmia). The mean hospital stay was $5.9{\pm}1.8$ days. The mean follow-up duration was $10.7{\pm}6.4$ months. The follow-up echocardiogram noted no residual ASD or significant tricuspid regurgitation. Three patients suffered from pain or numbness. Conclusion: This study showed satisfactory clinical and cosmetic results. Although the operative time is still too long, more experience and specialized equipment would make this technique a good option for treating ASD.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.580-585
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• 2008

Background: Many types of tricuspid annuloplasty are used in surgical correction of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR). We evaluated the mid-term and long-term outcomes in patients treated with a posterior annular plication technique (a modified Davila technique) for FTR. Material and Method: Between January 1991 and August 2006, 58 adult patients (male, 22; female, 36) with FTR of grade 2/4 or more or with tricuspid annular dilatation of more than 5.0cm in diameter, even with an FTR of less than grade 2, had received a posterior annular placation. Preoperatively, 26 patients (44.8%) had a grade 3 or more FTR. All patients had received a mitral valve replacement, and 20 (34.5%) had concomitant aortic valve replacement. Result: During the mean follow-up period of $101.4{\pm}51.6$ months, FTR disappeared or remained trivial in 28 patients (49.1%), was grade $2{\sim}3$ (${\geq}$grade 2 and $2.66{\pm}0.73\;vs.\;0.82{\pm}0.89$; p<0.0001). Patients did not require a second surgery for FTR and did not show further FTR aggravation. Conclusion: The modified Davila posterior annular plication technique for FTR has reasonable mid-term and long-term results and is a useful surgical procedure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.4 s.249
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• pp.301-307
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• 2005

Primary cardiac tumors are known to be rare. We studied the surgical results for primary cardiac tumors. Material and Method: Between August 1980 and December 2003, we classified 86 patients who had operation for primary cardiac tumors in our center into 3 groups; myxoma, nonmyxoma benign tumors, and malignant tumors. The mean age was $44.3\pm20.8$ years and 59 patients $(66.3\%)$ were female. In postoperative pathologic diagnosis, there were 81 cases $(94.2\%)$ of benign tumors in which myxoma was the most common tumor $(70\;cases,\;78.7\%);$ 5 fibroma $(5.6\%)$, 3 rhabdomyoma $(3.4\%)$, and 5 malignant tumors $(5.8\%)$. Result: $86.4\%$ of benign tumor was myxoma and the mean age was $50.4\pm15.4\;(range\;7\~80)$ years. Tumor was more common in females (49 cases) and most common preoperative symptom was dyspnea $(62.9\%)$. 57 cases were located at left atrial septum and only one case, which was located at right ventricular septum, was resected incompletely. There were no hospital deaths and one patient had mitral valve replacement on the first operative day due to newly developed postoperative mitral regurgitation. The mean follow up period was $109.3\pm71.8$ months and there was no evidence of recurrence in this period. 11 cases $(12.8\%)$ were non myxoma benign tumors; 5 fibromas, 3 rhabdo-myomas, etc. There were two hospital deaths and the causes of death were fungal endocarditis and hypoxia. There were no reoperations in nonmyxoma benign tumors. Malignant tumors were in 5 cases $(5.8\%);$ undifferentiated sarcoma in 2, rhabdomyosarcoma in 1, etc. Although there were no hospital mortalities, 3 patients who were followed up died from complications of tumors. Conclusion: Myxomas showed very excellent prognosis after complete resection and nonmyxoma benign tumors showed relatively good results for relief of symptoms. Surgery helped to relieve symptoms for malignant tumors, but the prognosis was poor.