• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.86-93
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• 2017

Background: The influence of lifestyle diseases on postoperative complications and long-term survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether lifestyle diseases were significant risk factors of perioperative and long-term surgical outcomes in elderly patients with stage I NSCLC. Methods: Between December 1995 and November 2013, 110 patients aged 65 years or older who underwent surgical resection of stage I NSCLC at Dong-A University Hospital were retrospectively studied. We assessed the presence of the following lifestyle diseases as risk factors for postoperative complications and long-term mortality: diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, and ischemic heart disease. Results: The mean age of the patients was 71 years (range, 65 to 82 years). Forty-six patients (41.8%) had hypertension, making it the most common lifestyle disease, followed by diabetes (n=23, 20.9%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 0.9% (n=1). The 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 78% and 64%, respectively. Postoperative complications developed in 32 patients (29.1%), including 7 (6.4%) with prolonged air leakage, 6 (5.5%) with atrial fibrillation, 5 (4.5%) with delirium and atelectasis, and 3 (2.7%) with acute kidney injury and pneumonia. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the presence of a lifestyle disease was the only independent risk factor for postoperative complications. In survival analysis, univariate analysis showed that age, smoking, body mass index, extent of resection, and pathologic stage were associated with impaired survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that resection type (hazard ratio [HR], 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 4.49; p=0.030) and pathologic stage (HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.02 to 3.49; p=0.043) had independent adverse impacts on survival. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the presence of a lifestyle disease was a significant prognostic factor for postoperative complications, but not of survival, in elderly patients with stage I NSCLC. Therefore, postoperative complications may be influenced by the presence of a lifestyle disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of our new video-assisted asthma education program on patients' knowledge regarding asthma and asthma control. Methods: Adult asthmatics who were diagnosed by primary care physicians and followed for at least 1 year were educated via smart devices and pamphlets. The education sessions were carried out three times at 2-week intervals. Each education period lasted at most 5 minutes. The effectiveness was then evaluated using questionnaires and an asthma control test (ACT). Results: The study enrolled 144 patients (mean age, $56.7{\pm}16.7years$). Half of the patients had not been taught how to use their inhalers. After participating in the education program, the participants' understanding of asthma improved significantly across all six items of a questionnaire assessing their general knowledge of asthma. The proportion of patients who made errors while manipulating their inhalers was reduced to less than 10%. The ACT score increased from $16.6{\pm}4.6$ to $20.0{\pm}3.9$ (p<0.001). The number of asthmatics whose ACT score was at least 20 increased from 45 (33.3%) to 93 (65.3%) (p<0.001). The magnitude of improvement in the ACT score did not differ between patients who received an education session at least three times within 1 year and those who had not. The majority of patients agreed to the need for an education program (95.8%) and showed a willingness to pay an additional cost for the education (81.9%). Conclusion: This study indicated that our newly developed education program would become an effective component of asthma management in primary care clinics.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2018

Background: The diffusing capacity of the lung is influenced by multiple factors such as age, sex, height, weight, ethnicity and smoking status. Although a prediction equation for the diffusing capacity of Korea was proposed in the mid-1980s, this equation is not used currently. The aim of this study was to develop a new prediction equation for the diffusing capacity for Koreans. Methods: Using the data of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 140 nonsmokers with normal chest X-rays were enrolled in this study. Results: Using linear regression analysis, a new predicting equation for diffusing capacity was developed. For men, the following new equations were developed: carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco)=-10.4433-0.1434${\times}$age (year)+0.2482${\times}$heights (cm); DLco/alveolar volume (VA)=6.01507-0.02374${\times}$age (year)-0.00233${\times}$heights (cm). For women the prediction equations were described as followed: DLco=-12.8895-0.0532${\times}$age (year)+0.2145${\times}$heights (cm) and DLco/VA=7.69516-0.02219${\times}$age (year)-0.01377${\times}$heights (cm). All equations were internally validated by k-fold cross validation method. Conclusion: In this study, we developed new prediction equations for the diffusing capacity of the lungs of Koreans. A further study is needed to validate the new predicting equation for diffusing capacity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.583-589
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• 2003

With the purpose of identifying significant risk factors in poststernotomy sternal wound infection and mediastinitis, we underwent a retrospective analysis of the whole patients operated on at the our department of cardiovascular surgery for the two years. Material and Method: From March 200f to March 2003 at the depart-ment of cardiovascular surgery, medical school of Soonchunhyang University, major sternal wound infections had been developed in 12 (9.76%) of 123 consecutive patients. These patients underwent open-heart procedure through a midline sternotomy and survived long enough for infection to appear. For this group of patients, we evaluated possible risk factors such as age, sex, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, interval between hospital admission and operation, type of surgical procedure, elective or emergency surgical procedure, reoperation, duration of surgical procedures, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, amount of blood transfused, post-operative blood loss, chest reexploration, rewiring of a sterile sternal dehiscence, duration of mechanical ventilation, and days of stay in the intensive care unit and analyzed these factors. Result: Analysis represented that age, sex, diabetes mellitus, type and mode of surgical procedure, reoperation, duration of operation, duration of cardio-pulmonary bypass, and interval between hospital admission and operation were not significantly associated with wound infection. For all other predisposing factors, p-values of less than .05 were demonstrated. Eight emerged as significant: early chest reexploration (p=0.001), sternal rewiring (p< 0.0001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p<0.0001), blood transfusions (p<0.05), postoperative bleeding (p=0.008), days of stay in the intensive care unit (p< 0.0001), duration of mechanical ventilation (p=0.001), and obesity (p=.003). Conclusion: Contamination of pa-tients may occur before, during, and after the operation, and any kind of reintervention may predispose the patient to wound infection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.337-343
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• 2002

A tracheal bronchus, an aberrant bronchus arising directly from the trachea, is an infrequent congenital anomaly. The incidence of this anomaly ranges from 0.5 to 5%. It usually originates from the right lateral wall of the trachea at the level <2 cm above the tracheal bifurcation. These patients usually are asymptomatic, but some patients may experience recurrent pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, or asthmatic episodes. A tracheal bronchus may be associated with other anomalies such as a tracheal stenosis, pulmonary agenesis, pulmonary sequestration, congenital heart disease, a pulmonary venous anomaly and Down's syndrome. This anomaly is usually diagnosed incidentally during bronchoscopy in patients with respiratory problems. Here we report a case of a 20-year-old man with a past history of bronchial asthma, which was incidentally diagnosed as a tracheal bronchus during a medical examination prior to military service, and was associated with a bilateral superior vena cava anomaly.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.367-370
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• 2014

The study was to observe hemodynamic alterations of cardiac function to design a model of canine mitral valve insufficiency (MVI) based on chordae tendinae rupture (CTR). Ten healthy beagles with normal heart function were used in this study. To measure hemodynamics, the patient monitor was equipped for invasive blood pressure and a Swan-Ganz catheter. Hemodynamic alterations were checked promptly during CTR procedures. MVI model was made by transection of the chordae tendinae with small arthroscopy hook knife through $5^{th}$ intercostal open chest. Color Doppler at the level of the mitral valve showed high-velocity regurgitant flow immediately after CTR at intraoperative echocardiography. In hemodynamic measurements, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) was significantly increased, while mean arterial pressure (MAP), venous pressure (VP), pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), cardiac output (CO) and cardiac index (CI) were significantly decreased after CTR. It was known that the left atrium was overloaded by regurgitant volume from the left ventricle. In conclusion, the MVI model induced by CTR technique in this study should be used as suitable one for the effective research of canine mitral valve disease. Further study should be needed to measure the chronic alternation of mitral valve in the model.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.602-613
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• 2010

Background: As life expectancy has been increased, the cardiac valve disease has been increased. In past, mechanical valve for valve replacement surgery was used widely, but it has many weaknesses, such as hemorrhage, teratogenic effect caused by warfarin, acute mechanical failure, taking warfarin during life, etc. So, the tissue valve is used widely and researches for durability of tissue valve are in progress. Tissue valves being used are all imported in Korea, and there is a lack of information on its geometry and design. So, we studied the geometry of porcine aortic and pulmonary valve, and tried to suggest theoretical basis for making the aortic and pulmonary valve. Material and Method: We harvested aortic and pulmonary valves of 25 pigs and measured the geometry of valve at fresh and glutaraldehyde (GA) fixed state. In each group, we measured the diameter of the base, diameter of commissure, valve height, commissural height, etc. Also, for making implantable porcine and bovine pericardial valve, we designed the valve stent form, thickness, height, and leaflet size, form, thickness by different size of valve. Result: The aortic and pulmonary valve geometry and ratio were measured in each group. The right coronary cusp of aortic valve and right facing cusp of pulmonary valve was bigger than other cusps and non coronary cusp was smaller than others (RCC: NCC : LCC=1 : 0.88 : 1). Valve height was correlated to the leaflet size. We designed the outer diameter of stented porcine aortic valve from 19 mm to 33 mm and designed stent height and width, using previous measured ratio of each structure, stent thickness, working thickness (for making valve). Also, we designed the size of stent and form for stented bovine pericardial valve, considering diameter of valve, leaflet length, height and leaflet minimum coaptation area. Conclusion: By measuring of 25 pig's aortic and pulmonary valve geometry and ratio, we can make theoretical basis for making implantable stented porcine valve and bovine pericardial valve in various size. After making implantable valve using these data, it is necessary to do in vivo and in vitro researches, furthermore.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2023

A 12-year-old Standard Poodle presented with intermittent weakness and occasional dyspnea at the Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital of Kangwon National University. A grade of 4 out of 6 systolic murmur with an irregular tachycardic rhythm was auscultated on both sides of the chest. Systolic blood pressure was 140 mmHg. Panting was noticed in the hospital, but there was no crackle sound. Blood analysis revealed mild increases in liver panel levels (alanine aminotransferase 149 [reference interval, 19-70] U/L; and alkaline phosphatase, 185 [reference interval, 15-127] U/L) and severe increases in cardiac biomarker levels (n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, 4169 [reference interval, 50-900] pmol/L; and cardiac troponin I, 0.22 [reference interval, 0.03-0.12] ng/mL). On electrocardiography, irregularly irregular supraventricular tachycardic rhythm with an f-wave and no distinct p-wave was observed. Generalized cardiomegaly with an enlarged right atrium and left ventricle was confirmed on thoracic radiography. Moreover, hepatomegaly and an enlarged caudal vena cava were observed. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed a fibromuscular diaphragm in the right ventricle. Because of the obstructive lesion in the right ventricle, the right atrium and ventricle were enlarged (right atrial area index, 38.82 cm²/m² [reference interval, 4.2-10.2 cm²/m²]; right ventricle end-diastolic area index, 14.152 cm²/m² [reference interval, 4.9-10.92 cm²/m²]). Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV). Pimobendan, furosemide, enalapril, diltiazem, and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) were prescribed, and all symptoms were relieved. DCRV is a right-sided congenital heart defect resembling pulmonic valve stenosis. If symptoms are not severe, medical therapy can be facilitated without surgery or the balloon dilation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 2009

Background: Despite the benefits of home oxygen therapy in patients suffering chronic respiratory failure, previous reports in Korea revealed lower compliance to oxygen therapy and a shorter time for oxygen use than expected. However, these papers were published before oxygen therapy was covered by the national insurance system. Therefore, this study examined whether there were some changes in compliance, using time and other clinical features of home oxygen therapy after insurance coverage. Methods: This study reviewed the medical records of patients prescribed home oxygen therapy in our hospital from November 1, 2006 to September 31, 2008. The patients were interviewed either in person or by telephone to obtain information related to oxygen therapy. Results: During study period, a total 105 patients started home oxygen therapy. The mean age was 69 and 60 (57%) were male. The mean oxygen partial pressure in the arterial blood was 54.5 mmHg and oxygen saturation was 86.3%. Primary diseases that caused hypoxemia were COPD (n=64), lung cancer (n=14), Tb destroyed lung (n=12) and others. After oxygen therapy, more than 50% of patients experienced relief of their subjective dyspnea. The mean daily use of oxygen was 9.8${\pm}$7.3 hours and oxygen was not used during activity outside of their home (mean time, 5.4${\pm}$3.7 hours). Twenty four patients (36%) stopped using oxygen voluntarily 7${\pm}$4.7 months after being prescribed oxygen and showed a less severe pulmonary and right heart function. The causes of stopping were subjective symptom relief (n=11), inconvenience (n=6) and others (7). Conclusion: The prescription of home oxygen has increased since national insurance started to cover home oxygen therapy. However, the mean time for using oxygen is still shorter than expected. During activity of outside their home, patients could not use oxygen due to the absence of portable oxygen. Overall, continuous education to change the misunderstandings about oxygen therapy, more economic support from national insurance and coverage for portable oxygen are needed to extend the oxygen use time and maintain oxygen usage.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.12 s.257
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• pp.815-820
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• 2005

Background: Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum is a rare congenital cardiac disease. There have been various surgical options, but there are still controversies. Material and Method: Fourteen neonates who were operated on between 1999 and 2000 were enrolled in this study. We measured Z-value of tricuspid valve by echocardiography. We performed right ventricular outflow tract transannular patch in 9 patients. Modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was placed according to the condition of patients. Mean follow up period was 46.0 months. Result: There were 2 operative mortality and 1 late mortality. Biventricular repair was possible in 7 patients. One and a half ventricular repair were done in 3 (tricuspid valve Z-value was -2, -2.5 and -3) and single ventricular repair in 2 patients (tricuspid z-value was -4.6, -4.5) The tricuspid valve Z-value for the patients who had biventricular repair and one and a half ventricular repair were -0.8$\pm$1.50 (-3.2$\∼$1.2) and -2.5$\∼$0.5 (-3$\∼$ -2) respectively. All patients who survived had fair to good right ventricular function, good left ventricular function and good clinical states. Conclusion: Neonatal surgical management of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum has a good surgical outcome, z-value of tricuspid may be helpful for the determination of surgical options.