• 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.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.198-206
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• 1976

A Total of Forty eight patients underwent open-heart surgery for correction of tetralogy of Fallot at the Seoul National University Hospital from January 1974 to October 1976, with an overall survival rate of 77 per cent. Operative mortality varied according to severity of the lesion, age of the patient, nature of previous surgical treatment and presence or absence of an outflow tract patch across the pulmonary valve ring. Eleven patients died in the early postoperative period and thirty seven patients were discharged from the hospital alive. A patch of the right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary annulus was required to relieve pulmonic stenosis in 24 patients. There were 10 deaths in this group (42%) as compared to 1 death in the group of 24 patients who were corrected without a patch. Operative mortality was especially higher when an inlay patch was placed across the pulmonary valve ring. This may be related to the possibly greater anatomic severity of these cases and to the longer operating time when a patch was used. The electrocardiogram showed right ventricular hypertrophy in 35 cyanotic patients. Intraventricular conduction was normal in 34 patients before operation. It was normal postoperatively in only 5 of 34 patients in this group who survived surgery. Complete right bundle branch block appeared at operation in 21 patients, and 8 patients developed incomplete right bundle branch block. Major causes of death were progressive cardiac failure (4), Complete atrioventricular dissociation (3), bleeding (2), cardiac tamponade (1), and sudden cardiac arrest (1)

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.649-655
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• 1988

One hundred and one patients with tetralogy of Fallot who were older than 16 years of age underwent a total correction of the anomaly between May, 1964 and July, 1987. This group comprised 14.9% of the 679 consecutive patients who had repair of the tetralogy at our institution during the same period. Of the 101 patients, 8 had a previous shunt procedure for palliation. The preoperative mean hemoglobin value was 16.9*1.0% and the mean systemic oxygen saturation, 84.4*0.9%. In 76 patients[75.2%], a type II ventricular septal defect was seen whereas in 14 patients[13.9%], the defect was type I. In 72 patients[71.3%], other cardiac anomalies were present which included patent foramen ovale in 37.6%, atrial septal defect in 8.99b, vegetations in 6.9%, right sided aortic arch in 5.9% and coronary artery anomaly in 5.0%. The right ventricular outflow obstruction was caused most commonly by combination of infundibular and valvular stenosis[74.3%], followed by isolated infundibular stenosis[19.8%] and valvular stenosis [5.9%] alone in order. The preoperative mean diameter of the pulmonary valve ring size was 10.2*0.5 mm in diameter. A transannular patch enlargement of the right ventricular outflow tract was performed in 28 patients and, in 12 a pericardial monocusp was utilized. Major anomalous aorto-pulmonary vessels were encountered in 5 patients which were detected before or during the operation. In 3 patients, they were ligated beforehand to control the flooding of the operative field. Postoperatively, the mean systolic pressure gradient between the right ventricle and the main pulmonary artery was 16.2*2.3 mmHg and the mean systolic pressure- ratio between the right and the left ventricle was 45.3*2.0%. Perioperative complications including bleeding in 8.9%, pleural effusion in 7.9%, dysrrhythmia in 4.9%, and residual VSD in 4.0%. Operative mortality was 8.9%. There has been no operative death in the recent 65 cases since 1981. There were 2 late deaths, 68 and 113 months after surgery. There were 2 late detachment of the VSD patch during the follow-up period. Of the 6 patients with patch detachment found during the postoperative period, 3 had subacute bacterial endocarditis before or after the operation indicating The serious nature of this complication. Two of these patients subsequently underwent a successful reoperation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.250-258
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• 1986

From Aug. 1984 to May 1986, 116 cases of cardiovascular surgery including 85 cases of open heart surgery were performed at Korea Veterans Hospital. There were 108 congenital anomalies and 8 acquired valvular heart diseases. Among 108 congenital malformations 92 operations were done for acyanotic group, and 16 operations for cyanotic group. Thirteen cases of open heart surgery for infants or small children under 10kg of body weight were performed, which occupied 15.3 percent of total open heart surgery done in the same period. Common congenital cardiovascular anomalies were ventricular septal defect [40.7%], patent ductus arteriosus [29.6%], tetralogy of Fallot [12.[%], atrial septal defect [11.1%], and pulmonary stenosis [1.9%] in order of frequency. Valve replacement using lonescu-Shiley or Carpentier-Edwards valve was performed for 8 cases of acquired mitral valve disease, and valve replacement using St. Jude valve was done for a case of patent ductus arteriosus with severe mitral insufficiency. There was no mortality in acyanotic congenital malformations and acquired valve lesions, and 5 cases of mortality in cyanotic congenital malformations. Overall mortality was 4.3 percent for total cases and 5.9 percent for 85 cases of open heart surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.523-526
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• 2003

A 44-year-old man had been admitted for dyspnea on exertion and abdominal distension. The echocardiography revealed abnormal mass in right atrium and tricuspid valve stenosis with right ventricular obliteration. The operation was performed with mass removal, enlargement of tricuspid valve opening, and right ventricular endocardiectormy. And then, atrial septal defect was made due to inadequate right ventricular volume. The patient's symptom was improved and he discharged without events. The endomyocardial fibrosis was diagnosed with microscopic examination. Eighteen months later, the patient was readmitted due to aggravated dyspnea and cyanosis. The right ventricular obliteration was progressed and pulmonary blood flow was severely decreased in follow up echocardiography. Palliative bidirectional cave-pulmonary shunt was performed due to functional single ventricle. The dyspnea and cyanosis was markedly improved. Bidirectional cavo-pulmonary shunt for advanced and isolated right ventricular endomyocardial fibrosis provided effective palliation at early postoperative period, However, long-term follow up is mandatory.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.727-734
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• 2004

The Lecompte procedure for transposition of the great arteries has an advantage because it obviates the need for an extracardiac conduit for the reconstruction of the pulmonary outflow tract. We evaluated the effectiveness and the application of the Lecompte procedure. Material and Method: A retrospective review was conducted of the records of 46 patients who underwent the Lecompte procedure during the past 15 years. Mean age at operation was 29.2$\pm$20.3 (range: 3∼83) months. The diagnoses involved anomalies of the ventriculoarterial connection with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary outflow tract obstruction, such as transposition of the great arteries, double-outlet right ventricle, and double-outlet left ventricle. Result: Early mortality was 4.4% (2 of 46 patients) and late mortality was 6.8% (3 of 44). The mean follow-up was 11.2$\pm$6.9 years. Eighteen patients (43.9% of survivors, n=41) had pulmonary stenosis (pressure gradient above 30 mmHg), the main reason for which was a calcified monocusp valve (n=15, 83.3%). Seventeen of 46 patients (37.0%) underwent reoperation: 15 for pulmonary stenosis, 5 for residual ventricular septal defect, 4 for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, 3 for pulmonary insufficiency, and 4 for other causes. The cumulative survival rates were 91.3$\pm$4.2%, and 87.0$\pm$5.8% at 10 and 15 years, respectively. The actuarial probabilities of freedom from reoperation for pulmonary stenosis were 90.6$\pm$4.5%, 73.9$\pm$7.3%, and 54.0$\pm$10.4% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Conclusion: The Lecompte procedure is an effective treatment modality. Repair in early age is possible with acceptable morbidity and mortality, but recurrent right ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by degeneration of the monocusp valve is a problem that needs resolution.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.406-417
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Pathophysiological changes of right ventricle (RV) after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are coupled with a highly compliant low-pressure pulmonary artery (PA) system. This study aimed to determine whether pulmonary vascular function was associated with RV parameters and exercise capacity, and its impact on RV remodeling after pulmonary valve replacement. Methods: In a total of 48 patients over 18 years of age with repaired TOF, pulmonary arterial elastance (Ea), RV volume data, and RV-PA coupling ratio were calculated and analyzed in relation to exercise capacity. Results: Patients with a low Ea showed a more severe pulmonary regurgitation volume index, greater RV end-diastolic volume index, and greater effective RV stroke volume (p=0.039, p=0.013, and p=0.011, respectively). Patients with a high Ea had lower exercise capacity than those with a low Ea (peak oxygen consumption [peak VO₂] rate: 25.8±7.7 vs. 34.3±5.5 mL/kg/min, respectively, p=0.003), while peak VO₂ was inversely correlated with Ea and mean PA pressure (p=0.004 and p=0.004, respectively). In the univariate analysis, a higher preoperative RV end-diastolic volume index and RV end-systolic volume index, left ventricular end-systolic volume index, and higher RV-PA coupling ratio were risk factors for suboptimal outcomes. Preoperative RV volume and RV-PA coupling ratio reflecting the adaptive PA system response are important factors in optimal postoperative results. Conclusions: We found that PA vascular dysfunction, presenting as elevated Ea in TOF, may contribute to exercise intolerance. However, Ea was inversely correlated with pulmonary regurgitation (PR) severity, which may prevent PR, RV dilatation, and left ventricular dilatation in the absence of significant pulmonary stenosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.921-927
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• 2003

Arterial switch operation (ASO) has been the most effective surgical option for transposition of the great arteries. But, the inappropriate dilation of the neoaortic root has been reported and its effect on neoaortic valve function and growth of aorta has not been well documented. Material and Method: Forty-eight patients who underwent cardiac catheterization during follow up after arterial switch operation were included in this study. Arterial switch operation was performed at a median age of 18 days (range 1∼211 days). Preoperative cardiac catheterization was performed in 26 patients and postoperative catheterization was performed in all patients at 15.8$\pm$9.6 months after ASO. Postoperative ratios of the diameters of neoaortic annulus, root and aortic anastomosis against the descending aorta were compared to the size of preoperative pulmonary annular, root and sinotubular junction. Preoperative and operative parameters were analyzed for the risk factors of neoaortic insufficiency. Result: There were two clinically significant neoaortic insufficiencies (grade$\geq$II/IV) during follow up, one of which required aortic valve replacement. Another patient required reoperation due to aortic stenosis on the anastomosis site. Post-operatively, neoaortic annulus/DA ratio increased from 1.33$\pm$0.28 to 1.52$\pm$.033 (p=0.01) and neoaortic root/DA ratio increased form 2.02$\pm$0.40 to 2.56$\pm$0.38 (p<0.0001). However, the aortic anastomosis/DA ratio showed no statistically significant difference (p=0.06). There was no statistically significant correlation between the occurrence of neoaortic insufficiency and neoaortic annulus/DA ratio and neoaortic root/DA ratio. Non-neonatal repair (age>30days) (p=0.02), preopeative native pulmonaic valve stenosis (p=0.01), and bisuspid pulmonic valve (p=0.03) were the risk factors for neoaortic insufficiency in univariate risk factor analysis. Conclusion: After ASO, aortic anastomosis site showed normal growth pattern proportional to the descending aorta, but neoaortic valve annulus and root were disproportionally dilated. Significant neoaortic valve insufficiency rarely developed after ASO and neoaortic annulus and root size do not correlate with the presence of postoperative neoarotic insufficiency. ASO after neonatal period, preoperative native pulmonary valve stenosis, and bicuspid native pulmonic valve are risk factors for the development of neoaortic insufficiency.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2000

Background: Reconstruction surgery of mitral valve regurgitation is now considered as an effective operative technique and has shown good long-term results. Although reconstructive surgery of mitral valve has been performed since 1970s, we have started only in early 1990s in full scale because of small number of the mitral regurgitation compared to mitral stenosis and lack of knowledge from the viewpoint of patients and physicians. Material and Method: From January 1992 to December 1996, 100 patients underwent repair of the mitral valve for mitral regurgitation with or without mitral stenosis in Seoul National University Hospital. 45(45%) of the patients were men and 55(55%) were women. The mean age was 39.9$\pm$14.4 years. The causes of the mitral regurgitation were rheumatic in 61, degenerative in 28 and others in 11. According to the Carpentier's pathological classification of mitral regurgitation 5 patients were type I. 55 patients were type II and 40 patients were type III. 7 patients underwent concomitant aortic valvuloplasty and 8 patients underwent aortic valve replacement. 7 patients underwent Maze operation or pulmonary vein isolation. Result: There were no operative death but 3 major operative complications: 2patients were postoperative low cardiac output syndrome(needed intra-aortic ballon pump support) and 1 patient was postoperative bleeding. There was one late death(1.0%) The cause of death was sepsis secondary to acute bacterial endocarditis. 3 patients required reoperation for recurred mitral regurgitation. There were no statistically significant risk factors for reoperation. The other 96 patients showed no or mild degree of mitral regurgitation 99 survivors were in NYHA functional class I or II. There were two throumboembolisms but no anticoagulation-related complications. Conclusion: We concluded that mitral valve repair could be performed successfully in most cases of mitral regurgitation even in the rheumatic and combined lesions with very low operative mortality and morbidity. The early results are very promising.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.12 s.269
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• pp.900-905
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• 2006

Background: Homografts and bioprostheses are most commonly used for Rastelli operation in congenital heart disease, but the limited durability is responsible for multiple reoperations associated with increased morbidity This study evaluated long-term results after Rastelli operation with a mechanical valved conduit. Material and Method: A total of 20 patients underwent Rastelli operation with mechanical valved conduit from January 1990 to July 1992. Operative mortality was 1 of 20 patients, and a retrospective review of 19 patients(10 males, 9 females) was done. Initial diagnosis was congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries(cc-TGA, n=4), complete TGA (n=2), ventricular septal defect with pulmonary atresia(VSD with PA, n=9), truncus arteriosus(n=2), double outlet right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis(DORV with PS, n=2). The mean age at Rastelli operation was $4.6{\pm}3.4$ years, and mean follow-up period was $12.8{\pm}2.7$ years. Patients underwent Rastelli opearation using 16 CarboMedics mechanical valve, and 3 Bjork-Shiley mechanical valve($17{\pm}2$ mm). Result: There were 15 reoperations for failed mechanical valved conduit. The freedom from reoperation at 5 and 10 years was 53% and 37%. Most patients were received oral anticoagulation with warfarin, and maintained the international normalized ratio(INR) of 1.5 to 2.0. There was no anticoagulation or thromboembolism related complication. There was a significant difference in the causes of a conduit failure between early(within 3 years) and late(after 3 years) failure groups. The six patients reported early prosthetic valve failure, mainly due to valvular dysfunction by thrombosis or pannus formation. The other nine patients reported late prosthetic valve failure, mainly due to dacron conduit stenosis at anastomosis sites, whereas their valvar motion was normal except 1 patient. Conclusion: To avoid early prosthetic valve failure, strict anticoagulation therapy would be helpful. About the late development of obstructive intimal fibrocalcific peels within the Dacron conduit, an improvement of conduit material is necessary to reduce late prosthetic valve failure. In selected patients, the long term results were satisfactory.