• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.177-183
• /
• 1984

From July 1975 to March 1984, 16 patients of complex congenital cardiovascular anomalies associated with left superior vena cava were seen at Han-Yang University Hospital. The age of patients was ranged from 2 to 15 years-old. The distribution of Sex was 7 patients in male, 9 patients in female. Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava [L.S.V.C.] was classified according to the proximal connection of L.S.V.C. into 3 groups. Group I which L.S.V.C. connected to coronary venous sinus was in 9 patients, Group II which L.S.V.C. connected to Left atrium was in 5 patients, Group III which L.S.V.C. hemodynamically connected to right atrium was in 2 patients. Pathoanatomical findings of complex congenital cardiovascular anomalies associated with L.S.V.C. in 16 cases were generally show unsystematic irregularity. In group I, A.S.D. were only in 3 cases, but in highest incidence and in group III, all two cases were supracardiac type of total anomalous drainage of pulmonary veins. Post-operatively, 3 patients among 14 patients of total correction, were died immediately, 1 patient of palliative shunt operation was died after 2 and half years, and Follow-up results of other remaining patients were excellent.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.173-178
• /
• 1977

A 51 year old man was admitted to the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Department of Kyungpook University Hospital on April 7, 1976, with chief complaints of orthopnea and the chest pain for about 3 months. Physical examination showed narrow pulse pressure, puffy face, engorged neck veins at sitting position, distant heart sound, enlarged liver and edematous upper extremities. The chest roentgenogram demonstrated markedly enlarged cardiac silhouette. Low voltage and the low to diphagic T`s were noted on the electrocardiogram. Paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia was developed intermittently and was subsided spontaneously. Repeated pericardiocentesis were performed each of which yielded from 100 to 300ml. but intractable cardiac failure was progressed. The bacteriology and cytology of the pericardial fluid were not revealed any specific findings. The pericardiectomy was performed to release the intractable cardiac tamponade. Pericardium was found to be thickened and cardiac constriction was noted. The thickened pericardium was easily removed. A large hen`s egg sized dark blue tumor mass occupied the anterior wall of the right atrium and two thumb tip sized pearl gray tumors were placed at the just below portion of the main pulmonary artery. The biopsy report revealed primary fibrosarcoma of the heart. The patient was improved from the symptoms of the cardiac failure during the postoperative course.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.277-280
• /
• 2015

We report the case of a 37-year-old man who suffered from biventricular failure due to left isomerism, inferior vena cava interruption with azygos vein continuation, bilateral superior vena cava, double outlet of right ventricle, complete atrioventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, and isolated dextrocardia. Heart transplantation in patients with systemic venous anomalies often requires the correction and reconstruction of the upper & lower venous drainage. We present a case of heart transplantation in a patient with left isomerism, highlighting technical modifications to the procedure, including the unifocalization of the caval veins and reconstruction with patch augmentation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.56 no.11
• /
• pp.500-504
• /
• 2013

Here we present the case of an 11-year-old female patient diagnosed with Caroli syndrome, who had refractory esophageal varices. The patient had a history of recurrent bleeding from esophageal varices, which was treated with endoscopic variceal ligation thrice over a period of 2 years. However, the bleeding was not controlled. When the patient finally visited the Emergency Department, the hemoglobin level was 4.4 g/dL. Transhepatic intrajugular portosystemic shunt was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the patient underwent percutaneous transhepatic variceal obliteration. Twenty hours after this procedure, the patient complained of aphasia, dizziness, headache, and general weakness. Six hours later, the patient became drowsy and unresponsive to painful stimuli. Lipiodol particles used to embolize the coronary and posterior gastric veins might have passed into the systemic arterial circulation, and they were found to be lodged in the brain, kidney, lung, and stomach. There was no abnormality of the portal vein on portal venography, and blood flow to the azygos vein through the paravertebral and hemiazygos systems was found to drain to the systemic circulation on coronary venography. Contrast echocardiography showed no pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. Symptoms improved with conservative management, and the esophageal varices were found to have improved on esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2014

Background: Recently, a hybrid surgical-electrophysiological (EP) approach for confirming ablation lines in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) was suggested. The aim of this approach was to overcome the limitations of current surgery- and catheter-based techniques to yield better outcomes. Methods: Ten consecutive patients with AF underwent total thoracoscopic ablation (TTA) following transvenous catheter EP ablation (residual gap and cavotricuspid isthmus [CTI] ablation). Holter monitoring was performed 6 months postoperatively. Results: Ten patients (90% with persistent AF) underwent successful hybrid procedures, and there was no in-hospital mortality. An EP study was performed in 8 patients and showed that successful antral ablation in all pulmonary veins was achieved in 7 of them. The median follow-up duration was 7.63 months (range, 6.7 to 11.6 months). Nine patients underwent Holter monitoring 6 months postoperatively, and the results indicated an underlying sinus rhythm without AF, atrial flutter, or atrial tachycardia lasting more than 30 seconds in all of the patients. There was no recurrence of AF during follow-up. Conclusion: A hybrid approach that consists of TTA followed by transvenous catheter EP ablation (residual gap and CTI ablation) yielded excellent outcomes in our patient population. A hybrid approach should be considered in patients with a high risk of AF recurrence.

• International Journal of Arrhythmia
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.235-284
• /
• 2018

In this part the writing group will cover strategies, techniques, and endpoints of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Prior to all, electrical isolation of the pulmonary veins is recommended during all AF ablation procedures. In addition, techniques to be used for ablation of persistent and long-standing persistent AF, adjunctive ablation strategies, nonablative strategies to improve outcomes of AF ablation, and endpoints for ablation of paroxysmal, persistent, and long-standing persistent AF will be reviewed. Currently many technologies and tools are employed for AF ablation procedures. Radiofrequency energy, cryoablation, and other energy sources and tools are in various stages of development and/or clinical investigation. Finally, anticoagulation strategies pre-, during, and postcatheter ablation of AF and technical aspects of ablation to maximize safety are discussed in this section.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.401-408
• /
• 1997

Background : Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital malformation, which is manifested by formation of nonfunctioning lung tissue lacking normal communication with the tracheobronchial tree. The preoperative diagnostic rate has been relatively low, and without consideration of pulmonary sequestration, unexpected bleeding from aberrant vessels may be a serious problem during the operation. The purpose of our study is to describe the clinical features of pulmonary sequestration based on a review of 15 cases treated by operation. Method : Fifteen patients with pulmonary sequestration who had undergone surgical treatment from 1991 through May 1996 at Yongdong Severance Hospital and Severance Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Results : The mean age of the patients was 22.5 years (range 5~57), and male to female ratio was 9 : 6. Clinical presentations varied from recurrent respiratory infections such as fever, cough, and sputum or chest pain to no symptom. The chest simple X-rays showed multicystic shadow(10/15) and solid mass-like shadow(5/15). The chest CT scans, done in twelve cases, showed multicystic lesion with or without lung infiltration(8/12), solid mass-like lesion(4/12), The chest MRIs, done in three cases, revealed the aberrant arteries originating from descending aorta(2/3). Aortograms, done in four cases, showed the aberrant arteries originating from descending thoracic aorta(2/4), abdominal aorta(I/4), and intercostal artery(1/4). and the venous returns were via the pulmonary veins. Pulmonary sequestration was considered preoperatively in six patients of fifteen. Other preliminary diagnosis were lung tumor(3/15), lung abscess(21/15), bronchiectasis(2/15), and mediastinal tumor(2/15). In the operative findings, twelve cases were of intralobar type and three cases of extralobar type. The left lower lobe was most often affected(9/15) and one extralobar sequestration was in the pericardium. The aberrant arteries originated from descending thoracic aorta(6/15), abdominal aorta(1/15), internal thoracic arteries (2/15), intercostal artery(1/15), pericardiophrenic artery(1/15), but in four cases, the origins could not be defined. There was no mortality or complication postoperatively. Conclusion : In our study, preoperative diagnostic rate was relatively low, and clinical features were similar to previous reports. Preoperative vigorous diagnostic approach including aortography is strongly advocated not only for its diagnostic value, but also for accurate localization of the aberrant vessels, which is major concern to surgical procedure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.30 no.7
• /
• pp.733-738
• /
• 1997

Sequential bilateral lung transplantation may result in a variety of perioperative and postoperative complications, showing high perioperative morbidity and mortality rates. This research was performed to investigate the hemodynamic changes in adult mongrel dogs after bilateral reimplantation, two methods preferred for avoiding or minimizing graft rejection. The anterior portion of the pulmonary artery and the left atrium proximal to the superior and the inferior pulmonary veins were resected out and then re-anastomosed one hour later to prevent torsion or stenosis of the anastomotic site and the formation of a thrombosis in the left atrium. An everted suture technique was employed for the left atrium; An hour after the division, however, the main bronchus was tightly anastomose by interrupted sutures of No. 4-0 prolene in a telescope method. A modified I-C solution mixed with PGEI was infused into the cut portion of the pulmonary artery at the rate of 15 mllkglmin and at a pressure of 40 cmH20 for a total dosage of 70 mlfkg in order to preserve the transected lung. Topical cooling using wet gauzes soaked with cold I-C solution was performed for one hour to prevent ischemic lung injury. The above procedures are considered to be beneficial for achieving a satisfactory outcome for bilateral lung reimplantation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.9
• /
• pp.672-679
• /
• 2001

Background: Surgical correction of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the superior vena cava has been associated with postoperative venous obstruction and sinus node dysfunction. In this paper we describe our current approach and its short-term results. Material and Method: Between April 1999 and January 2000, 5 consecutive patients, ranging from 2 months to 66 years old, underwent corrective operation for partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the superior vena cava at Sejong General Hospital and Daegu Catholic University Medical Center. Surgical correction involved diversion of the pulmonary venous drainage to the left atrium using a right atrial flap(2 patients) or prosthetic patch(3 patients) with division of the superior vena cava superior to the restore site of the pulmonary veins and reimplantation on the right atrial appendage to restore systemic venous drainage. Result: All patients were discharged between postoperative day 9 and 15 without complications. One Russian boy returned to his country, therefore, he was lost to follow-up after discharge. Remaining 4 patients were asymptomatic and in normal regular sinus rhythm at a mean follow-up of 17.75$\pm$4.27 months. Follow-up echocardiographic study (range, 12 to 24 months) revealed no incidence of narrowing of the venous pathways or of residual shunt. Conclusion: Our current approach is relatively simple and reproducible in achieving unobstructive pulmonay venous and SVC pathways. By avoiding incision across the cavoatrial junction, surgical injury to the sinus node and its artery may be minimized. The presented surgical technique can be safely and effectively applied to the selected patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.1 s.246
• /
• pp.67-71
• /
• 2005

The major etiology of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is malignancy. Radiologic endovascular intervention is the treatment of choice for patients with SVC syndrome due to malignant disease, which is unresponsive to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However, it is not clear whether endovascular intervention can replace open surgery as the primary method of management of benign SVC syndrome. We report two cases of benign SVC syndrome resulting from dialysis catheters placed in the central veins. One patient underwent bypass surgery between innominate vein and right atrium by expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Another patient had large thrombi in SVC and other central veins. We removed them under cardiopulmonary bypass to prevent pulmonary embolism, and SVC was repaired and augmented by autologous pericardium. Prompt symptomatic relief and angiographic improvements of collateral flow were achieved in both patients.