• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.442-449
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• 1979

Although anoxic cardiac arrest produces a dry, quiet field, the ability of the myocardium to withstand the anoxic insult is uncertain. The current growth of interest in the use of various cardioplegic solutions ` has resulted in the development of a number of different solutions. In this study, 51 consecutive cases of elective open heart surgery with the aid of extracorporeal circulation were reviewed retrospectively to compare two methods of myocardial preservation. All of these open heart operations had been performed, using hemodilution principle under the moderate hypothermia at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Kyungpook National University from December, 1975 to July, 1979. In the 31 consecutive cases that form the anoxic arrest group, the operations were done with intermittent aortic cross-clamping and topical cardiac hypothermia. The heart was cooled topically by cold normal saline, which was converted to ice slush before application to the pericardial sac. Twenty of 51 consecutive cases were assigned to the cold cardioplegic method [the cardioplegic group], in which two kinds of cold cardioplegic solutions [Young solution and G IK solution] were infused into the aortic root proximal to the aortic cross clamp for myocardial preservation. Mean total aortic cross clamp times were 43 minutes in the anoxic arrest group and 67 minutes in the cardioplegic group. In the post-operative period, spontaneous regular heart beatings were recovered in 80 percent of the cardioplegic group as opposed to 25.7 percent of the anoxic arrest group. Ventricular fibrillation requiring DC shock was seen in 32.3 percent of the anoxic arrest group and 10 percent of the cardioplegic group. In the cardioplegic group, mean CPK-MB was one positive value on the first post-operative day, and mean LDH 1 was elevated to 51 0 units/ml on the 2nd post-operative day. These results indicate that protecting the myocardium with cold cardioplegia is superior to use of the anoxic cardiac arrest.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.643-654
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• 1987

The effect of prostacyclin[PGI, ] on myocardial preservation during global ischemia was studied in the isolating working rabbit heart model. Forty hearts underwent a 15 minute period of retrograde nonworking perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit buffer solution [37*C] and were switched over to the working mode for 15 minutes. After baseline measurement of heart rate, peak aortic pressure, aortic flow, and coronary flow, all hearts were subjected to 60 minutes of ischemic arrest at 10*C induced with St. Thomas Hospital cardioplegic solution: Group I had single dose cardioplegia, Croup II double dose, Croup III oxygenated double dose, and Group IV single dose with PCI, infusion [10ng/min./gm heart weight]. Hearts were then revived with 15 minute period of nonworking reperfusion at normothermia, followed by 30 minutes of working perfusion. Repeat measurements of cardiac function were obtained and expressed as a percent of the preischemic baseline values. Oxygen content of arterial perfusate and coronary effluent was measured by designed time interval. Leakage of creatine kinase was determined during post-ischemic reperfusion period. Finally wet hearts were weighed and placed in 120*C oven for 36 hours for measurement of dry weight. In the PGI, treated group [IV], heart rate increased consistently throughout the period of reperfusion from 100*5.0% [p<0.001] to 107*6.2% [p<0.001]. The percent recovery of aortic flow showed 95*5.7% [p<0.001] at the first 3 minute and full recovery through the subsequent time. Coronary flow was augmented significantly in the 3 minute [96*6.2%, p<0.001] and then sustained above baseline values. Among the Croup I, II, and III, all hemodynamic values were significantly below preischemic levels. PGI2 relatively increased oxygen delivery [1.22*0.19ml/min, p<0.001] and myocardial oxygen consumption [0.90*0.13ml/min, p<0.001] during reperfusion period. Leakage of creatine kinase in the PGI2 group was 9.3*1.58IU/15min [p<0.001]. This was significantly lower than Group I [33.0*2.68 IU/15min]. The water content of PCI2 treated hearts [81*0.9%, p<0.001] was also lower than the other groups.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.5
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• pp.537-546
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• 1997

It has been postulated that the intracellular taurine is co-transported with $Na^+$down a concentration gradient and prevents the intracellular accumulation of sodium. It is therefore, expected that an elevated level of intracellular taurine prevents the sodium-promoted calcium influx to protect the cellular damages associated with sodium and calcium overload. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of intra- and extracellular taurine on the myocardial $Na^+$and$Ca^{++}$ contents and the cardiac functions in isolated rat hearts which were loaded with sodium by monensin, a $Na^+-ionophore$. Monensin caused a dose-dependent increase in intracellular $Na^+$ accompanied with a subsequent increase in intracellular $Ca^{++}$ and a mechanical dysfunction. In this monensin-treated heart, myocardial taurine content was decreased with a concomittent increase in the release of taurine. The monensin-induced increases in intracellular $Na^+$, $Ca^{++}$ and depression of cardiac function were prevented in the hearts of which taurine content had been increased by high-taurine diet. Conversely, in the hearts of which taurine concentration gradient had been decreased by addition of taurine in the perfusate, the monensin-induced increases in $Na^+$, $Ca^{++}$ and functional depression were accelerated. These results suggest that taurine, depending on the intra-extracellular concentration gradient, can affect intracellular sodium and calcium concentrations, and that an increased intracellular taurine may play a role in protection of myocardial dysfunction associated with the sodium and calcium overload.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.32-35
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• 1993

During the period from September 1989 through December 1992, 118 cases of coronary arterial bypass graft were performed at Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Asan Medical Center. Twenty-one of these had history of recent or remote percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. They consisted of 13 males[age,58.7 + 5.4 years] and 8 females[age, 63.6 + 2.8years] with the mean age of 60.6. History of old myocardial infarction was noted in 24%[5/21] of the patients and congestive heart failure in 2 cases. The angina by type of presentation is unstable in all of the patients. The patterns of involvement of coronary arterial disease were left main disease[1], single vessel disease[5], double vessel involvement[10], and triple vessel involvement[5]. We performed 4 cases of single bypasses, 7 cases of double, 8 cases of triple, and 2 cases of quadruple bypasses. Total of 51 grafts[LIMA:12, RSVG:39] were inserted in 21 cases with average of 2.4 grafts per patient. The methods of myocardial protection were cold blood cardioplegia[8 cases], intermittent aortic occlusion[11], and continuous coronary perfusion with local coronary sharing[2]. There were no operative or late death. The only cardiac complication was 1 case of low cardiac output required IABP. The other complications were 1 case of sternal wound infection and 1 case of postoperative bleeding required reoperation. And there was no case of perioperative myocardial infarction. Postoperatively, 3 cases of recurrent angina were detected at 5, 7, and 18months after surgery. One of them was managed successfully with repeat PTCA[who was recurred 18 months postoperatively], and the other two with medication. I conclude that we can approach the patients more aggressively with PTCA, because of our acceptable operative risks.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.274-279
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• 1980

A 21 years old male student was admitted because of mediastinal mass that was noticed in routine physical examination. He complained progressive hoarseness, mild dysphagia, and anterior chest pain on deep respiration. This mediastinal mass was diagnosed as aortic aneurysm involving ascending, transverse, and descending thoracic aorta with aid of aortogram. Total prosthetic replacement of aneurysm was performed successfully using extracorporeal circulation and hypothermia. For myocardial protection during aortic cross clamping, cardioplegic solution was used and topical myocardial cooling was also adapted For simplicity of cardiopulmonary bypass, Y-shaped connectors took cerebral perfusion catheters to the main perfusion line beyond the arterial pump. Total bypass time was 219 minutes, and aortic cross clamp time was 104 minutes. Recovery was uneventful except respiratory insufficiency for first 4 days. Isotope aortogram checked on post operative 30th day showed normal aortic configuration. He was discharged on post operative 35th day. A follow-up chest X-ray study 5 months later showed nearly normal anatomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.669-673
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• 1991

Fructose-l, 6-diphosphate as an additive to cold crystalloid cardioplegia [St. Thomas sol.] was studied prospectively in 60 patients undergoing open heart surgery from January 1, 1991, to June 30, 1991. Thirty patients received cardioplegia with FDP[group I ] and 30 patients received cardioplegia without FDP [group II ]. There were no differences between two groups pre-operatively with regard to age, heart disease, cross-clamp time, cardiac enzymes, or hemodynamic measurements [p>0.05]. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established using ascending aorta and vena cava cannulation employing moderate systemic hypothermia [30oC nasopharyngeal temperature] and hemodilution All patients received cardioplegia through the aortic root at aortic root pressure of 80mm Hg. The composition of the cardioplegic solution and its delivery were identical in both groups except for the addition of FDP[1.5 mg/mL] in group I. The cardioplegic infusate consisted of St. Thomas Hospital solution. The initial dose was infused through the aortic root. Topical myocardial cooling with saline slush was employed in all patients. Recorded operative data were cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times, amount of cardioplegic infusate. Blood samples for assessment of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], creatine kinase [CK] and transaminases [GOT, GPT] were obtained before and at 1,2,3,7th postoperative period. Better myocardial protection effect was noted in group I than group II with respect to the % change of cardiac enzymes, although the differences were not significant. We conclude that FDP is a safe additive to crystalloid cardioplegia and may be beneficial in open heart surgery patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.837-844
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• 1998

Background: Adenosine is secreted by myocardial cells during myocardial ischemia or hypoxia. It has many beneficial effects on arrhythmias, myocardial ischemia, and reperfusion ischemia. Although many investigators have demonstrated that cardioplegia that includes adenosine shows protective effects in myocardial ischemia or reperfusion injury, reports of the optimal dose of adenosine in cardioplegic solutions vary. We reported the results of beneficial effects of single dosage(0.75 mg/Kg/min) adenosine by use of self-made Langendorff system. But it is uncertain that dosage was optimal. The objective of this study is to determine the optimal dose of adenosine in cardioplegic solutions. Material and Method: We used a self-made Langendorff system to evaluate the myocardial protective effect. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 90 minutes of deep hypothermic arrest(15$^{\circ}C$) with modified St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegia including adenosine. Myocardial adenosine levels were augmented during ischemia by providing exogenous adenosine in the cardioplegia. Three groups of hearts were studied: (1) group 1 (n=10) : adenosine - 0.5 mg/Kg/min, (2) group 2(n=10): adenosine -0.75 mg/Kg/min, (3) group 3 (n=10) : adenosine -1 mg/Kg/min. Result: Group 3 resulted in a significantly rapid arrest time of the heart beat(p<0.05) but significantly slow recovery time of the heart beat after reperfusion(p<0.05) compared to groups 1 and 2. Group 2 showed a better percentage of recovery(p<0.05) in systolic aortic pressure, aortic overflow volume, coronary flow volume, and cardiac output compared to groups 1 and 3. Group 1 showed a a better percentage of recovery(p<0.05) in the heart rate compared to the others. In biochemical study of drained reperfusates, CPK and lactic acid levels did not show significant differences in all of the groups. Conclusion: We concluded that group 2 [adenosine(0.75 mg/Kg/min) added to cardioplegia] has better recovery effects after reperfusion in myocardial ischemia and is the most appropriate dosage compared to group 1 and 3.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.638-645
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• 2003

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of myocardial protection with our cold blood cardioplegic solution and to observe the relationship between ultrastructural study and other evaluation methods and its effectiveness. Material and Method: We evaluated the changes of myocardial ultrastructure using semi-quantitative scoring system, CK-MB fraction, SGOT and LDH1/LDH2, and EKG in 18 patients undergoing valvular heart surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Right atrial auricular biopsies were taken before the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and shortly after the end of CPB. Myocardium-related serum enzymes ＆ EKG were checked for 3 days of postoperative period and their postoperative peak enzyme value and observed new Q wave ＆ ST segment elevation in EKG were choosen. Result: There were 8 males and 10 females, and their mean age was 55.6$\pm$13. Eight patients underwent valvular heart surgery and ten coronary artery bypass grafting, The mean CPB time was 119$\pm$29 minutes and the mean aortic cross-clamp (ACC) time was 75.4$\pm$24 minutes. Before the start of CPB, the mean mitochondrial score was 4.28$\pm$0.53 and after the end of CPB, it significantly increased to 2.35$\pm$0.79. There was no evidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in terms of myocardiumrelated serum enzyme value and Q wave and ST change in EKG. There was no significant relationship between pre-CPB and post-CPB mitochondrial score and the mean time of CPB and ACC, and the mean value of postoperative peak CK-MB, SGOT and LDH1/LDH2, but there was relatively positive correlation of CPB time with peak LDH1/LDH2. Conclusion: Despite the apparent satisfactory results in myocardium-related serum enzymes ＆ EKG, with this study using the cold blood cardioplegic solution, there were many changes in myocardial ultrastructures, and more studies are needed to obtain further information.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.164-173
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• 2015

Background: Hypertrophied myocardium is especially vulnerable to ischemic injury. This study aimed to compare the early and late clinical outcomes of three different methods of myocardial protection in patients with aortic stenosis. Methods: This retrospective study included 225 consecutive patients (mean age, 65{\pm}10 years; 123 males) with severe aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement. Patients were excluded if they had coronary artery disease, an ejection fraction <50%, more than mild aortic regurgitation, or endocarditis. The patients were divided into three groups: group A, which was treated with antegrade and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia; group B, which was treated with antegrade crystalloid cardioplegia using histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution; and group C, treated with retrograde cold blood cardioplegia. Results: Group A contained 70 patients (31.1%), group B contained 74 patients (32.9%), and group C contained 81 patients (36%). The three groups showed significant differences with regard to the proportion of patients with a New York Heart Association functional classification ${\geq}III$ (p=0.035), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (p=0.042), ejection fraction (p=0.035), left ventricular dimensions (p<0.001), left ventricular mass index (p<0.001), and right ventricular systolic pressure (p <0.001). Differences in cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.532) and aortic cross-clamp time (p=0.48) among the three groups were not statistically significant. During postoperative recovery, no significant differences were found regarding the use of inotropes (p=0.328), mechanical support (n=0), arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, p=0.347; non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, p=0.1), and ventilator support time (p=0.162). No operative mortality occurred. Similarly, no significant differences were found in long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Although the three groups showed some significant differences with regard to patient characteristics, both antegrade crystalloid cardioplegia with HTK solution and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia led to early and late clinical results similar to those achieved with combined antegrade and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.850-860
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• 1996

Oxygen free radicals and their metabolites have been implicated as possible causes of reperrusion injury In animal models. Their role in the clinical setting is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of tissue damage, oxidative stress. and changes in the antioxidant enzyme system in patients undergoing cor nary artery bypass graft operations(CABG) with myocardial protection by cold blood cardioplegia. In patients undergoing CABG(n:10). the levels of lactate dehydrogenate(LDH), creatine phosphokinase MB fraction(CK-MB), and malondialdehyde(M DA) were measured In the coronary sinus effluent before aortic cross clamping and 20 minutes after reperfusion. At the same time, the myocardial tissue activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD). catalase(CAT), glutathione peroxiddse(GSHPX), glutathione reductase (GSSGRd), and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenate(GfPDH ) were determined in the right atrial auricle excised before aortic cross clamping and in the left atrial auricle excised 20 minutes after reperfuslon. The levels of increased significantly after reperrusion(p< U.05). There were no significant changes in CAT and CfPDH levels. Western blot analysis was performed to study the induction of antioxidant enzyme and demonstrated increased amount of Cu,Zn-SOD.