• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.11 s.256
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• pp.746-760
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• 2005

Background: Following the implantation of heart valve prostheses, it is important to maintain therapeutic INR to reduce the risk of thromboembolism. The objectives of this study were to determine the causes of nontherapeutic INRs, and to identify the factors associated with nonadherences to warfarin therapy in Korean outpatients with prosthetic heart valves managed by a pharmacist-run anticoagulation service (ACS). Material and Method: A retrospective chart review was completed for all patients enrolled in the ACS at Seoul National University Hospital from March, 1997b to September, 2000. The data on 868 patients (5,304 visits) who were at least 6 months post-valve replacement were included. All possible causes of nontherapeutic INRs were documented for each patient visit. The association of covariates to noncompliance was investigated by univariate analysis. Result: The reasons for nontherapeutic INRs were identified as follows: inadequate dosage adjustment $(21\%)$, nonadherences to dosing regimen $(13\%)$, drug/herbal interactions $(12\%)$, changes in diet $(7\%)$, and indeterminate cause $(42\%)$. Younger age, shorter duration of ACS and longer duration of warfarin therapy were associated with nonadherence. Conclusion: In this study, nonadherence and interactions between diet and medications were found to be important factors influencing nontherapeutic INRs. Longer duration of enrollment in the ACS affected the adherence to warfarin therapy Positively whereas younger age and longer duration of warfarin therapy affected negatively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.552-559
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• 2000

Background; The aim of this study is to evaluate our clinical experience with the Carbomedics heart valve prosthesis. Material and Method; Between Aug. 1988 and Dec. 1998, 294 Carbomidics valves were implanted in 235 patients(mitral; 143, mitral and aortic; 59, aortic; 33) The mean age at operation is 40.0$\pm$12.3 years(range 7 to 68 years); 63.8% (150patients) were woman. Follow up was 97.4% complete and mean follow up time was 5.7years with a total of 1209.2 patient-years. Result; The hospital mortality was 8.9%(mitral; was 95.2$\pm$1.6%(mitral ; 94.9$\pm$2.1%, mitral and aortic 95.0$\pm$3.7%, aortic 96.2$\pm$3.8%). Actual freedom rates from complications(linearized rates in parentheses) were fllowings; thromboembolism 96.2$\pm$1.5%(0.59%pt-yr), valve thrombosis 96.7$\pm$1.4%(0.5%/pt/yr), anticoagulant related hemorrhage 98.3$\pm$1.0%(0.25%/pt-yr), perivalvular leak 99.0$\pm$1.4%(0.5%/pt-yr), endocarditis 98.7$\pm$1.0%(0.25%/pt-yr), perivalvular leak 99.0$\pm$0.7%(0.17%pt-yr), endocarditis 98.7$\pm$1.0%(0.17%$\pm$pt-yr) and overall valve-related complications 88.9$\pm$2.5%(1.68%/pt-yr). Conclusion; The clinical performance of the Carbomedics valve was quite satisfactory with a low incidence of valve related mortality and morbidity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.258-264
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• 2015

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic results and safety of pectoralis major muscle turnover flaps in the treatment of mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures. Methods: Data regarding 33 patients with post-CABG deep sternal wound infections (DSWIs) who underwent pectoralis major muscle turnover flap procedures in the Emam Reza and Ghaem Hospitals of Mashhad, Iran were reviewed in this study. For each patient, age, sex, hospital stay duration, remission, recurrence, and associated morbidity and mortality were evaluated. Results: Of the 2,447 CABG procedures that were carried out during the time period encompassed by our study, DSWIs occurred in 61 patients (2.5%). Of these 61 patients, 33 patients (nine females [27.3%] and 24 males [72.7%]) with an average age of $63{\pm}4.54$ years underwent pectoralis major muscle turnover flap placement. Symptoms of infection mainly occurred within the first 10 days after surgery (mean, $10.24{\pm}13.62days$). The most common risk factor for DSWIs was obesity (n=16, 48.4%) followed by diabetes mellitus (n=13, 39.4%). Bilateral and unilateral pectoralis major muscle turnover flaps were performed in 20 patients (60.6%) and 13 patients (39.4%), respectively. Complete remission was achieved in 25 patients (75.7%), with no recurrence in the follow-up period. Four patients (12.1%) needed reoperation. The mean hospitalization time was $11.69{\pm}6.516days$. Four patients (12.1%) died during the course of the study: three due to the postoperative complication of respiratory failure and one due to pulmonary thromboembolism. Conclusion: Pectoralis major muscle turnover flaps are an optimal technique in the treatment of post-CABG mediastinitis. In addition to leading to favorable therapeutic results, this flap is associated with minimal morbidity and mortality, as well as a short hospitalization time.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.602-614
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• 1983

Six hundred fourteen consecutive cases of bioprosthetic cardiac valve replacement performed during the period from March 1976 through December 1982 were reviewed. A total of 748 tissue valves [534 Ionescu-Shiley valves, 144 Hancock valves, 46 Angell-Shiley, and 24 Carpentier-Edwards] were implanted in 610 patients. Of these, 477 had single valve replacements [403 mitral, 60 aortic, and 14 tricuspid] including three REDO MVR and one REDO AVR. The remaining 129 had double valve replacements [95 AVR and MVR and 34 MVR and TVR] and 8 had triple valve replacement.592 cases were evaluated. Overall early mortality rate [within 30 days of operation] was 7.1% [6.2% in single valve replacement, 10.2% in double valve replacement, and 16.7% in triple valve replacement]. Leading causes of mortality were low cardiac output or myocardial failure and ventricular arrhythmias. The follow-up period was from one month to 7 years with a cumulative follow-up of 906.6 patient-years [mean 1.53 years]. The late mortality was 1.6%, 3.9%, 0%, 2.6%, 6.6% and 2.0% per patient-year for MVR, AVR, TVR or triple valve replacement, AVR+MVR, MVR+TVR and total, respectively. Actuarial analysis of late results including early mortalities indicates an expected survival rate of 87.6+1.8% at 3 years and 85.92.4% at 7 years for all cases. We also analyzed actuarial survival rate between groups of each valve replacement [AVR, TVR, Double valve, and Triple valve] and the tissue valve groups in MVR. We experienced 7 cases [0.77% per patient-year] of confirmed endocarditis, two of which were fatal. Valve failure-free rates calculated according to the confirmed cases were 97.5% at 4 years, 87.5% at 7 years, and 88.3% at 6 years for Ionescu-Shiley, Hancock and Angell-Shiley valves, respectively. The occurrence rate of thromboembolism was 2.0% per patient-year in total cases, although almost all the patients were given anticoagulant therapy for one year. The occurring rate in MVR was 1.5% and 2.7% per patient-year for Ionescu-Shiley and Hancock valve groups, respectively. The difference in actuarial rate free from thromboemboli between Ionescu-Shiley and Hancock groups was statistically significant [P value less than 0.001]. Thromboembolic events beyond the period of anticoagulation therapy mainly occurred in patients with atrial fibrillation. The actuarial thromboemboli free survival was 95.71.4% at 3 years and 80.17.3% at 7 years. The incidence of hemorrhagic complications was 1.2% per patient-year [fatality 0.55% per patient-year] for anticoagulated patients. Although our clinical data favorably compares with results from other reports, our results suggest that anticoagulant therapy be given on a short-term basis or not at all to hemodynamically stable patients. Long-term therapy with antiplatelet drugs is probably inevitable with patients who have thromboembolic risk factors [such as atrial fibrillation].

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 1983

Between 1974 and 1982, 31 patients from 7 to 15 years of age have undergone valve replacement for their acuqired cardiac valvular diseases at Seoul National University Hospital. Furteen patients (45.2%) had a definite history of rheumatic fever and only 4 patients (12.9%) had atrial fibrillation on their preoperative electrocardiograms. Characteristically, the valvular lesions were ones of insufficiency with or without associated stenosis in all patients except only one whose mitral valve was tightly stenotic. Thrity-seven valves were replaced in 31 patietns including a case of successful replacement of his failed xenogragt mitral valve : 4 mechanical valves were used in 3 patients and 33 xenograft valves were used in the remaining 28 patients. The size of the valves were not the major problem at the time of opertion because most of the patients had a dilated heart from disease. There were 3 diaths within 30 days of surgery (9.7% operative mortality rate) and 3 late deaths (9.7% late mortality rate) with an overall mortality rate of 19.4%. Twenty-eight early survivors were followed up for a total of 488 patient-months. Thromboembolic complications occurred in 5 patients with 2 deaths: cmbolic rate of 17.9% or the actuarial embolic incidence of 12.29%/patients-year. four xenograft tissue valves in 4 patients had failed during the period from 19 to 41 months of surgery with an overall valve failure rate of xenograft of 14.3% or the actuarial incidence of 9.84% failure/patient-year. One of these 4 patients had required replacement of his failed mitral xenograft valve which had severe calcification and tissue disruption with primary tissue failure rate of 3.6% or the actuarial incidence of 3.13% failure/patient-year. The actuarial survial including the operative morality was 50.0% at 5 years of surgery. /the actuarial incidence free from thromboembolism in bioprosthetic group was 85.4% at 42 months, while it was 33.4% in mechanicial group at 60 months after operation. The actuarial incidence free from overall valve failur of 100.0% until 18 months after surgery was followed by a rapid decrease during the next 2-year period, and it was only 17.8% at the follow-up end of 42 months after surgery. It was suggested that the major advantage of low thrombogenecity with xenograft valve should be balanced against the high incidence of accelerated valve failure when it is used in children whose age is younger than 15 years old. The possible role of recurrent rheumatic attacks to the early failure of xenograft tissue valve was also discussed.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2020

Background: Infectious conditions may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factor for combined infectious disease and its influence on mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: Patients with PE diagnosed based on spiral computed tomography findings of the chest were retrospectively analyzed. They were classified into two groups: patients who developed PE in the setting of infectious disease or those with PE without infection based on review of their medical charts. Results: Of 258 patients with PE, 67 (25.9%) were considered as having PE combined with infectious disease. The sites of infections were the respiratory tract in 52 patients (77.6%), genitourinary tract in three patients (4.5%), and hepatobiliary tract in three patients (4.5%). Underlying lung disease (odds ratio [OR], 3.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.926-7.081; p<0.001), bed-ridden state (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.390-5.811; p=0.004), and malignant disease (OR, 1.867; 95% CI, 1.017-3.425; p=0.044) were associated with combined infectious disease in patients with PE. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with PE combined with infectious disease than in those with PE without infection (24.6% vs. 11.0%, p=0.006). In the multivariate analysis, combined infectious disease (OR, 4.189; 95% CI, 1.692-10.372; p=0.002) were associated with non-survivors in patients with PE. Conclusion: A substantial portion of patients with PE has concomitant infectious disease and it may contribute a mortality in patients with PE.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.548-555
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• 2017

Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been used for several decades to treat many diseases, enhancing both immunity and physical strength. Previous studies have documented the therapeutic effects of ginseng, including its anticancer, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory activities. These activities are mediated by ginsenosides present in the ginseng plant. Ginsenoside Rg3, an effective compound from red ginseng, has been shown to have antiplatelet activity in addition to its anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Platelets are important for both primary hemostasis and the repair of the vessels after injury; however, they also play a crucial role in the development of acute coronary diseases. We prepared ginsenoside Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) to examine its role in platelet physiology. Methods: To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vitro, platelet aggregation, granule secretion, intracellular calcium ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) mobilization, flow cytometry, and immunoblot analysis were carried out using rat platelets. To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vivo, a collagen plus epinephrine-induced acute pulmonary thromboembolism mouse model was used. Results: We found that Rg3-RGE significantly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization in a dose-dependent manner in addition to reducing ATP release from collagen-stimulated platelets. Furthermore, using immunoblot analysis, we found that Rg3-RGE markedly suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation (i.e., extracellular stimuli-responsive kinase, Jun N-terminal kinase, p38) as well as the PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase)/Akt pathway. Moreover, Rg3-RGE effectively reduced collagen plus epinephrine-induced mortality in mice. Conclusion: These data suggest that ginsenoside Rg3-RGE could be potentially be used as an antiplatelet therapeutic agent against platelet-mediated cardiovascular disorders.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.262-269
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• 1999

Background: To review the middle and long term results of aortic valve replacement(AVR) for 11 years, we surveyed and followed up the patients who underwent AVR. Material and Method: Between Feb. 1986 and May 1997, 134 patients underwent AVR. The patients consisted of 71 men and 63 women whose mean age was 38.9 years, ranging from 17 to 70. Result: The concomitant operations were 62 mitral valve replacement(MVR), 14 MVR + tricuspid valve annuloplasty, 10 Cabrol operation, 16 aortic annulus widening, and so forth. We used 119 mechanical(75 St. Jude Medical, 38 CarboMedics, 6 Sorin) and 15 tissue (Carpentier-Edwards) valves. Early postoperative complications occurred in 35 cases; 9 congestive heart failure, 6 low cardiac output, 5 postoperative bleeding, 5 pleural effusion, and so forth. There were 13 early postoperative deaths(9.7%) due to low cardiac output(5), CHF (2), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy(2), and so forth. The cumulative total follow-up period was 452.7 patient-years with a mean of 3.4${\pm}$3.1 years/patient. There were 9 cases of valve-related complications; anticoagulant-related bleeding(4), prosthetic valve endocarditis(2), thromboembolism(2) and prosthetic valve failure(1) occured at rate of 0.9, 0.4, 0.4, 0.2%/ pt-yr, respectively. Late valve-related death occurred in 3 cases(2.0%/pt-yr) associated with anticoagulant-related bleeding(2) and prosthetic valve endocarditis(1). Conclusion: Actuarial survival rate by Kaplan-Meier method was 91.0${\pm}$4.3 % at 11 years.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.494-503
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• 1992

The durability of the xenograft cardiac substitute valves is of a great concern on the clinical grounds. Four groups of tc tal and consecutive patients to the end of study operated on between 1976 and 1984 were Group ISM, 291 patients of MVR, ISA, 65 patients of AVR, and ISMA, 107 patients of MVR+AVR with the standard Ionescu-Shiley bovine pericardial valve, and H, 163 patients of valve replacement with the Hancock porcine aortic vlave. Operative mortality was 5.2%[ISM], 10.8%[ISA], 7.5%[ISMA] and 6.1%[H]. Early survivors were followed up for a total of 1148.3 patient-years[pt-yrs] [ISM], 271.2 pt-yrs [ISA], 488.1 pt-yrs[ISMA] and 822.9 pt-yrs[H]. Linearized late mortality was 2.1% /pt-yr [ISM], 1.l%/pt-yr[ISA], 1.8%/pt-yr[ISMA] and 1.8% /pt-yr[H]. Thromboembolic complication was experienced at the linearized rate of 1.045% /pt-yr [ISM], 1.475%/pt-yr[ISA], 0.615%/pt-yr[ISMA] and 1.822%/pt-yr[H], and bleeding complication at the rate of 0.871% /pt-yr[ISM], 0.63% /pt-yr[ISA], 0.205% /pt-yr [ISMA] and 0.729%a /pt-yr[H], respectively. Prosthetic valve endocarditis occurred at the rate of 0.610% /pt-yr[ISM], 1.475% /pt-yr[ISA], 1.639% /pt-yr[ISMA] and 0.972% /pt-yr[H]. The linearized annual incidence of primary tissue failure was 1.655%/pt-yr[ISM], l. 475%/pt-yr[ISA], 1.639% /pt-yr[ISMA], 2.187% /pt-yr[H] and 1.785% /pt-yr[Group HM : MVR with Hancock valve]. The incidence of tissue failure was significantly high in the patients younger than 30 years of age compared with the older patients. The actuarial survival was 87.7$\pm$2.5% at 10 years[ISM], 94.3$\pm$3.2% at 11 years[ISA], 89.6$\pm$3.4% at 10 years[ISMA] and 81.3$\pm$6.6% at 12 years[HM], The freedom from thromboembolism was 93.2$\pm$2.0% at 10 years[ISM], 90.6$\pm$4.6% at 11 years[ISA], 95.8$\pm$2.6% at 10 years[ISMA] and 80.9$\pm$11.1% at 12 years[HM], And, the freedom from primary tissue failure was 84.2$\pm$3.8% and 28.1$\pm$23.0% at 9 and 10 years[ISM], 60.4$\pm$16.9% at 11 years[ISA], 62.3$\pm$12.7 at 10 years[ISMA] and 65.6$\pm$9.8% at 12 years[HM]. In conclusion, the standard Ionescu-Shiley and the Hancock bioprosthetic valves are excellent in their antithrombogenicity and long-term survival. However, the features of the structural failure with the prolonged follow-up beyond 10 years appear to be guarding, and the clinical indications of these bioprostheses seem to be quite limited.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.6
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• pp.765-771
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• 2022

Objective : Stent-assisted coil embolization (SAC) has been increasingly used to treat various types of intracranial aneurysms. Delayed thromboembolic complications are major concerns regarding this procedure, so dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is needed. However, clinicians vary the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after SAC, and no randomized study has been performed. This study aims to compare the safety and efficacy of long-term (12 months) dual antiplatelet therapy and short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (6 months) after SAC for patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Methods : This is a prospective, randomized and multicenter trial to investigate the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after SAC in patients with UIAs. Subjects will receive dual antiplatelet therapy for 6 months (short-term group) or 12 months (long-term group) after SAC. The primary endpoint is the assessment of thromboembolic complications between 1 and 18 months after SAC. We will enroll 528 subjects (264 subjects in each group) and perform 1 : 1 randomization. This study will involve 14 top-performing, high-volume Korean institutions specializing in coil embolization. Results : The trial will begin enrollment in 2022, and clinical data will be available after enrollment and follow-up. Conclusion : This article describes that the aim of this prospective randomized multicenter trial is to compare the effect of short-term (6 months) and long-term (12 months) dual antiplatelet therapy on UIAs in patients undergoing SAC, and to find the optimal duration.