• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.108-112
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• 1998

Experimental trials of unilateral lung transplantation in dogs have been attempted and satisfactory results were obtained without any noticeable difficulty in surgical techniques. Fourteen dogs with the body weight of around 25 kg were anesthesized by 20~30 mg/kg of intravenous Entobar,; one was sacrificed to make available blood for use during transplantation for the recipient dog. A mid-sternotomy incision was performed and 20 mg/kg of Prostaglandin E1 was infused through the pulmonary artery and Euro-Collin's(E-C) preservation solution, cooled down to 4$^{\circ}C$, was perfused at the rate of 70cc/kg by a pressure of 30 cmH2O. The heart-lung block was then resected out and promptly immersed in the prepared preservation solution at 4$^{\circ}C$. One lung preserved in the EC solution at 4$^{\circ}C$ was anastomosed to the recipient dog in the order of the pulmonary vein, bronchus then pulmomary artery and the thoracotomy incision was closed after the bleeding control and tube thoracostomy. Then the pneumonectomy in the opposite side was perfomed in the same manner and the tailored lung was transplanted in the order of the pulmonary vein, bronchus, then pulmonary artery. We conclude that in the bilateral sequential lung transplantation, the right lung transplantation should precede to better expose the operative field and to prevent reperfusion injury; also, the cardiopulmonary bypass should be consider for certain appropriate cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2004

High-flow gas insufflation to get a bloodless field during off-pump coronary artery bypass may have adverse effects on the coronary endothelium. This study was designed (1) to elucidate the effect of carbon dioxide gas insufflations on the coronary endothelium at different flow rates and (2) to assess the protective effect of humidifcation against the coronary endothelial damage. Material and Method: In nine pigs, the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was exposed after a median sternotomy. The LAD was divided into 4 segments and a coronary arteriotomy was made in each LAD segment in the beating heart. The far distal arteriotomy was exposed to room air for 10 minutes and was harvested as a control. Non-humidified carbon dioxide gas at a continuous flow rate of 5 L/min (Group I), humidified carbon dioxide gas at a continuous flow rate of 5 L/min (Group II), and humidified carbon dioxide gas at a continuous flow rate of 10 L/min (Group III) were insufflated for 10 minutes on each coronary arteriotomy site, respectively. After harvesting the coronary segments, hematoxylin-eosin staining, elastic fiber staining, and immunostaining with a CD34 monoclonal antibody were performed to evaluate the depth of endothelial damage and to count the residual endothelial cells, Result: In all three groups (Group I, II, and III), internal elastic laminae were preserved, however, the endothelial layers were significantly damaged by carbon dioxide gas insufflation. The mean percentages of remaining endothelial cells were 20,9$\pm$16.7%, 39.3$\pm$19.6%, and 6.8$\pm$5.3%, in groups I, II, and III, respectively. The percentages of remaining cells were significantly higher in group II than in groups I and III (p=0.008). The percentages of remaining cells were significantly higher in group I than in group III (p=0.008). Conclusions: The harmful effect of carbon dioxide gas insufflation on the coronary endothelium was dependent on the flow rate. The addition of humidification did not protect the coronary endothelium from denudation injury caused by high flow carbon dioxide gas insufflations.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.697-706
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• 2000

Background: Isolated lung perfusion(ILP) was developed as a new treatment approach to non-resectable primary or metastatic lung cancer, because of its ability to reduce systemic toxicity while delivering high-dose chemotherapeutic agents to the target organs. This research was planned to evaluate the direct toxic effect of high-dose cisplatin to the lung tissue during isolated lung perfusion. Material and Method: Fifteen mongrel dogs were divided in the perfusate for 40 minutes. The second group was composed of 5 mongrel dogs which underwent ILP with cisplatin 2.5 mg/Kg added to the perfusate for 30 minutes and 10 minutes with washing solution without cisplatin. The third group underwent the same procedure as the second group except cisplatin 5.0 mg/Kg in the perfusate. Activities of serum angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$), and concentration of serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr) were analyzed in each groups at the time of pre-perfusion, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, and 2 weeks after ILP. Result: Serum ACE activities before and 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, and 2 weeks after ILP in control group were 45.1$\pm$6.3, 44.6$\pm$9.3, 46.7$\pm$9.5, 50.8$\pm$9.1, 46.1$\pm$4.3 U/L. Those in cisplatin 2.5 and 5.0 mg/Kg groups were 49.4$\pm$12.6, 39.0$\pm$8.6, 42.3$\pm$15.9, 50.0$\pm$2.6, 53.8$\pm$8.3 and 55.5$\pm$12.3, 47.0$\pm$6.3, 45.1$\pm$6.9, 74.8$\pm$19.5, 60.2$\pm$12.0 U/L, respectively. Serum TNF-$\alpha$ activities in each group before and after ILP were 5.0$\pm$1.5 / 7.7$\pm$2.2 / 6.6$\pm$2.5 / 4.3$\pm$1.3 / 5.2$\pm$1.1(control), 8.7$\pm$1.6 / 9.9$\pm$2.2 / 7.9$\pm$1.5 / 6.3$\pm$2.2 / 7.4$\pm$2.4 (cisplatin 2.5 mg/Kg), and 6.9$\pm$0.7 / 8.9$\pm$3.4 / 7.9$\pm$4.0 / 3.3$\pm$0.9 / 5.8$\pm$1.3 pg/ml(cisplatin 5.0 mg/Kg). Mean LDH levels of each group were 225.7 / 271.3 / 328.9 / 350.8 / 255.7(control), 235.7 / 265.7 / 336.0 / 379.5 / 299.2 (cisplatin 2.5 mg/Kg), and 259.6 / 285.2 / 340.6 / 433.4 / 292.4 IU/L(cisplatin 5.0 mg/Kg). So there was no significant difference in serum ACE, TNF-$\alpha$, and LDH activity changes after ILP between the 3 groups. And, there was no significant changes in BUN/Cr in each groups, which was independent of ILP and perfused concentration of cisplatin. In addition, all dogs survived the ILP and there was no significant evidence of pulmonary vascular injury after 2 weeks of ILP with cisplatin. Conclusion: There was no harmful effect of cisplatin to the lund tissue of the mongrel dog up to 5.0 mg/Kg in perfusate. Therefore, it is perceived to be safe and effective to deliver high-dose cisplatin to the lung without pulmonary toxicity and renal damage with ILP.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.576-582
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• 2003

During the Off-Pump Coronary Arterial Bypass surgery (OPCAB), the manipulation of the heart can depress cardiac contractility and cause hemodynamic instability. In this study, hemodynamic parameters were measured during operation and the laboratory and clinical data were investigated to evaluate their effects on postoperative outcome. Material and Method: From March 2001 to August 2002, 50 consecutive patients who underwent OPCAB were included in this study. During the same period, total number of CABG was 71 The blood pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, mixed venous oxygen saturation, and cardiac index were measured before manipulation, after application of stabilizer, and at the end of anastomosis. Postoperatively, we measured the cardiac enzymes such as CK-MB, troponin 1 and checked the amount of inotropes required, chest tube drainage, the amount of transfusion, duration of ventilator support, and duration of ICU stay. Result: The number of mean distal anastomoses was 2.8$\pm$0.9 per patient. On elevation and stabilization of the heart, systolic blood pressure was depressed and pulmonary artery pressure was elevated significantly, but during each anastomosis no significant changes were detected. The peak level of cardiac markers was 29.2$\pm$46.7 for CK-MB, 0.69$\pm$0.86 for troponin 1 on postoperative day f. Among the intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, the ischemic change of EKG and bolus injection of inotropes significantly affected the posteroperative cardiac enzymes. But, no difference other than the level of cardiac enzymes between the two groups with or without the ischemic change of EKG and bolus injection of inotropes was noticed. Conclusion: The significant hemodynamic changes occurred when the heart was elevated and stabilized, however during anastomoses there were no significant changes. Serum cardiac enzymes rose significantly in the group that showed the ischemic charge of EKG or needed the bolus injection of inotropes for maintaining hemodynamic stability intraoperatively, but it did not affect the postoperative outcome. In conclusion, the ischemic change of EKG and the need for bolus injection of intropes during operation may be very indicative for probable ischemia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 1998

It is well known that troponin T(below TnT) is present in the myocardial cells and released during myocardial damage, so it`s very specific enzyme to myocardium. Availability of cardiac specific TnT in assessing perioperatively myocardial damage was evaluated from 34 open heart surgery patients. They consisted of 11 ischemic heart, 13 acquired valvular heart and 10 congenital heart cases. Patients were divided into two groups, group A(patients with myocardial damage) and group B(patients without myocardial damage), according to the symptom of chest pain suspecting angina and the ECG findings of ST segment and T wave changes which show myocardial ischemia and injury. Serum TnT levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay method preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, postoperative day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 7. We observed and analyzed the changes of serum TnT levels in two groups and compared the serum TnT levels with CK-MB levels measured at the same time. In group A, serum TnT levels showed 1.37$\pm$0.26$\mu$g/L, 3.16$\pm$0.66$\mu$g/L, 2.39$\pm$0.74$\mu$g/L, 2.49$\pm$0.76$\mu$g/L, and 1.23$\pm$0.60$\mu$g/L, immediate postoperatively, postoperatively day1, day2, day3, and day7, respectively. It was observed there were significant differences compared with those of group B(0.38$\pm$0.04$\mu$g/L, 0.34$\pm$0.05$\mu$g/L, 0.25$\pm$0.03$\mu$g/L, 0.24$\pm$0.04$\mu$g/L, and 0.11$\pm$0.03$\mu$g/L) during identical periods(P<0.01). Serum CK-MB level in group A significantly elevated to 145.04$\pm$35.08 IU/L on the postoperative day 1 compared to group B(31.28$\pm$5.87 IU/L, P<0.05), However, it stiffly decreased from day 2 and returned to preoperative level at day 3. When serum TnT level more than 1.0$\mu$g/L is thought to reflect myocardial damage, serum TnT had 100% of sensitivity and 87% of specificity in diagnosing the postoperative myocardial damage(p<0.01). I conclusion, serum TnT levels increased significantly at very early stage of myocardial damage and persisted much longer period than CK-MB. This suggests that serum TnT has more advantage and availability in assessing the perioperatively myocardial damage than any other tests.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.343-347
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• 2003

Background: The femoral artery is the most common site of canuulation for cardiopulmonary bypass in surgery for type A aortic dissection. Recently, many surgeons prefer the axillary artery to the femoral artery as the arterial cannulation site for several benefits. We evaluated the safety and usefulness of axillary artery cannulation in surgery for acute type A aortic dissection. Material and Method: Between Oct. 1995 and Sep. 2001, 71 patients underwent operations for acute type A aortic dissection. The arterial cannula was inserted into the axillary artery in 31 patients (AXILLARY group, mean age=56), and into the femoral artery in 40 patients (FEMORAL group, mean age=57). We retrospectively compared the incidence of mortality, morbidities, and hospital course. Result: The mean duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest were significantly shorier in the AXILLARY group (207 min and 39min, respectively) than in the FEMORAL group (263min and 49 min, respectively; P<0.05). Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the AXILLARY group than in the FEMORAL group (mean 15 days vs. 35 days, p<0.05). Although there was no difference in the incidence of new-onset permanent neurological dysfunction (3.2%, in the AXILLARY group, 2.5% in the FEMORAL group), the incidence of transient neurological dysfunction was significantly lower in the AXILLARY group (12.9% vs. 25%, p<0.05). In the FEMORAL group, two patients needed urgent conversion to cannulation site due to arch vessel malperfusion. In the AXILLARY group, there was only one patient who had a complication related to the cannulation, i.e., median nerve injury. Conclusion: Axillary artery cannulation was safe and helpful in decreasing the cerebral ischemic time and incidence of transient neuroligcal dysfunction in surgery for acute type A aortic dissection, It enabled us to approach the patients with aortic arch pathology more aggressively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.199-208
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• 2002

Background: The washing of packed red blood cells could remove pro-inflammatory mediators, cell debris, and micro-particles contained in packed red blood cells, and the preci-rculation-ultrafiltration (recirculation and ultrafiltration of circuit itself before cardiopulmonary bypass) could attenuate the initial inflammatory reaction and remove the initial proinflam-matory mediators. This study was performed to evaluate whether the washing of packed red blood cells and precirculation-ultrafiltration can reduce the production of cytokines that have an important role in myocardial reperfusion injury. This study investigated the effects of washing the packed red blood cells and precirculation-ultrafiltration on the production of cytokines during and after cardiopulmonary bypass and open heart surgery. Material and Method: Forty eight infants with VSD undergoing open heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass were randomized into control group (group C, n=12), washing group (group W, n= 12), precirculation-ultrafiltration group (group F, n: 12), and combined group(washing and precirculation-ultrafiltration, group WF, n=12). Blood samples were obtained before, during, and after the bypass to assess plasma level of tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-6(IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Results: Expressions of TNF-$\alpha$ were significantly reduced in combined group (group WF) compared with group C, group W, and group F (p<0.05). Expression of IL-6 were significantly reduced in group W, group F, and group WF compared with group C (p<0.05), but similar among group W, group F, and group WF (p=0.053). Expression of IL-8 were reduced in group W and group WF compared with group C (p<0.05), but similar among group W, group F, and group WF (p=0.067). Conclusion: In conclusion, the washing of packed red blood cells and precirculation-ultrafiltration blunted the increase of TNF-$\alpha$ , IL-6, and IL-8 during and after open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. However, the clinical benefits of these treatments remains unproven.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.199-207
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• 1996

Ischemic myocardial damage is inevitable to cardiac surgery. Myocardial damage after initiation of reperfusion through the coronary arteries is one of the most important determinants of a successful surgery. Adenosine is a potent vasodilator, and is also known to induce rapid cardioplegic arrest by its property of antagonizing cardiac calcium channels and activating the potassium channel. Thus, we initiated this study with adenosine to improve postischemic recovery in the isolated rat heart. We tested the hypothesis that adenosine could be more effective than potassium in inducing rapid cardiac arrest and enhancing postischemlc hemodynamic recovery. Isolated rat hearts, connected to the Langendorff appratus, were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer and all hearts were subjected to arrest for 60 minutes. Three groups of hearts were studied according to the composition of cardioplegic solutions : Group A (n=10), adenosine 10mmo1/L+potassium free modified St. Thomas cardioplegia : Group B (n=10), adenosine 400mo1/L+S1. Thomas cardioplegia:Group C(control, n=10), St. Thomas cardioplegia. Adenosine-treated groups (group A & B) resulted in more rapid cardiac arrest than control group (C) (p< 0.01). There was greater improvement in recovery of coronary blood flow at 20 and 30 minutes of reperfusion in group A and at 20 minutes in group B when compared with control group(p<0.01). Recovery of systolic blood pressure at 10 minutes after reperfusion in group A and B was significantly superior to that in group C (p<0.01). Recovery of dp/dt at 10 minute after reperfusion in group A was also significantly superior to group C (p<0.05). Group A and B showed better recovery rates than control group in aortic blood flow, cardiac output, and heart rate, but there were no statistical differences. CPK levels of coronary flow in group A were significantly low (p< 0.01). We concluded that adenosine-enriched cardioplegic solutions have better effects on rapid cardiac arrest and postischemic recovery when compared with potassium cardioplegia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.828-833
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• 2003

Background: It has been reported that the recently developed intermittent antegrade warm blood cardioplegia (IAWBC) has better myocardial protective effects during coronary artery bypass surgery than cold blood cardioplegia or continuos retrograde cold blood cardioplegia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and usefulness of IAWBC by comparing it retrospectively with intermittent retrograde cold blood cardioplegia (lRCBC). Material and Method: From April 2001 to Feb. 2003, fifty seven patients who underwent isolated coronary surgery were divided into two groups (IAWBC vs. IRCBC). The two group had similar demographic and angiographic characteristics. There were no statistical differences in age, sex, Canadian Cardiovascular Society Functional Classification for angina, ejection fraction, and number of grafts. Result: Aortic cross clamping time and total pump time in IAWBC (99$\pm$23 and vs. 126$\pm$32 min) were shorter than those of IRCBC (118$\pm$32 min. and 185$\pm$48 min.)(p<0.05). The reperfusion time (13$\pm$7 min) in IAWBC was shorter than that of IRCBC (62$\pm$109 min.)(p<0.05). CKMB at 12 hours and 24 hours (16$\pm$15 and 9$\pm$13) in IAWBC was lower than that of IRCBC (33$\pm$47 and 17$\pm$26)(p<0.05). The awakening time in IAWBC (2$\pm$1 hour) was shorter than that of IRCBC (4$\pm$3)(p<0.05). The number of spontaneous heart beat recovery in IAWBC (85%) was more than that of IRCBC (35%)(p<0.05). The cardiac index after discontinuing cardio-pulmonary bypass was significantly elevated in the IAWBC group. The prevalence of perioperative myocardial infarction in IAWBC (4%) was lower than that of IRCBC group (20%)(p<0.05). Conclusion: Intermittent antegrade warm blood cardioplegia is a safe, reliable, and effective technique for myocardial protection. It can also provide simpler and economic way than the retrograde cold cardioplegia by shortening of cardiopulmonary bypass time and avoiding retrograde cannulation for coronary sinus.

• 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.