• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.4 s.249
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• pp.301-307
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• 2005

Primary cardiac tumors are known to be rare. We studied the surgical results for primary cardiac tumors. Material and Method: Between August 1980 and December 2003, we classified 86 patients who had operation for primary cardiac tumors in our center into 3 groups; myxoma, nonmyxoma benign tumors, and malignant tumors. The mean age was $44.3\pm20.8$ years and 59 patients $(66.3\%)$ were female. In postoperative pathologic diagnosis, there were 81 cases $(94.2\%)$ of benign tumors in which myxoma was the most common tumor $(70\;cases,\;78.7\%);$ 5 fibroma $(5.6\%)$, 3 rhabdomyoma $(3.4\%)$, and 5 malignant tumors $(5.8\%)$. Result: $86.4\%$ of benign tumor was myxoma and the mean age was $50.4\pm15.4\;(range\;7\~80)$ years. Tumor was more common in females (49 cases) and most common preoperative symptom was dyspnea $(62.9\%)$. 57 cases were located at left atrial septum and only one case, which was located at right ventricular septum, was resected incompletely. There were no hospital deaths and one patient had mitral valve replacement on the first operative day due to newly developed postoperative mitral regurgitation. The mean follow up period was $109.3\pm71.8$ months and there was no evidence of recurrence in this period. 11 cases $(12.8\%)$ were non myxoma benign tumors; 5 fibromas, 3 rhabdo-myomas, etc. There were two hospital deaths and the causes of death were fungal endocarditis and hypoxia. There were no reoperations in nonmyxoma benign tumors. Malignant tumors were in 5 cases $(5.8\%);$ undifferentiated sarcoma in 2, rhabdomyosarcoma in 1, etc. Although there were no hospital mortalities, 3 patients who were followed up died from complications of tumors. Conclusion: Myxomas showed very excellent prognosis after complete resection and nonmyxoma benign tumors showed relatively good results for relief of symptoms. Surgery helped to relieve symptoms for malignant tumors, but the prognosis was poor.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.848-853
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• 2001

Background: Sternal infection or dehiscence after cardiac surgery through median sternotomy is rare. If suitable treatment is not performed for the complication, however, the mortality is high. For 12 patients with sternal dehiscence or infection, we performed wide excision of the infected and necrotic tissue and covered with muscle flap(s) to obliterate the mediastinal dead space. Material and method: Sternal infection or dehiscence occurred in 13 of patients who underwent cardiac surgery One patient, who died of cerebral infarction before the sternal complication was treated, was excluded in this study. The sternal wound complication occurred in 6 of patients with valve replacement and 6 of patients with coronary bypass surgery, respectively. Since 1991, 9 patients underwent definite surgical debridement and muscle transposition as soon as fever was controlled with closed irrigation and drainage. The necrotic tissue and bone was widely excised and the sternal dead space was eradicated with the single flap or the combined flaps of right pectoralis flap(turnover flap), left pectoralis flap(turnover flap or rotation-advancement flap), and right rectus muscle flap. Result : There was no mortality in 12 patients with coverage of muscle flap(s) for sternal infection or dehiscence The mean interval between the diagnosis of sternal complication and the myoplasty was 6.6$\pm$3.9 days. In 4 patients, one pectoralis muscle flap was used, and in 8 patients both pectoralis muscle flaps were used. For each 1 patient and 2 patients in each group, right rectus muscle flap was added. For the last 3 patients, a single pectoralis flap was used to eradicate the mediastinal dead space and the longer placement of the mediastinal drain catheter was needed. One patient, who had suffered from necrosis of left pectoralis flap(rotation-advancement flap) with subsequent chest wall abscess after coverage of both pectoralis flaps, was managed with reoperation using right rectum flap. Conclusion : Sternal dehiscence or infection after cardiac operation can be readily managed with wide excision of necrotic infected tissue(including bone) and muscle flap coverage after short-term irrigation of sternal wound. The sternal(mediastinal) dead space may be completely eradicated with right pectoralis major muscle flap alone.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.142-149
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• 2003

To know the feasibility of the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) for multivessel coronary artery disease with purely bilateral internal thoracic arteries (ITAs), we analyzed the short-term clinical results and the coronary angiography of the patients. Material and Method: From March 2001 to June 2002, four hundred and five patients underwent CABG. Purely bilateral ITAs were used in 159 patients (39.3%). We analyzed these patients retrospectively The mean age of these patients was $61.2{\pm}8.5$ (range: 30 ~80) years and there were 123 male patients. The preoperative risk factors were as follows: diabetes in 54 patients (34.0%), history of acute myocardiac infarction within 4 weeks in 29 (18.2%), and emergency operation in 6 (3.8%). Off-pump CABG was carried out in 128 patients (80.5%). Associated procedures were mitral valvuloplasty (5), aortic valve replacement (3), Dor procedure (1), and so on. Result: The mean number of distal anastomoses was $3.1{\pm}0.9$ (range: 2~6), the mean duration of hospital stay was $8.4{\pm}4.5$ days. There was one (0.6%) operative death. Except for one early death, no other patients suffered from low cardiac output. The other postoperative complications were occurred as follows: reoperation due to bleeding in 3 patients, perioperative myocardiac infarction in 1, transient cardiac arrest in 2, transient cognitive dysfunction in 7, and transient ischemic attack in 1, and deep sternal wound infection in 1 patient. Recently, early postoperative angiography was performed in 19 patients who had triple vessel disease. The total number of distal anastomosis was 78 (mean $4.1{\pm}0.8$/patient). All distal anastomosis sites were patent, but competition flow was observed at the bypass sites where the native coronary artery stenosis was not significant. Conclusion: The CABG with purely bilateral ITAs for triple vessel disease was performed safely. The early patency rate was relatively good in small number of patients. However the long-term patency rate and the functional study to evaluate the sites where competition flow was observed should be followed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.4 s.249
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• pp.271-276
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• 2005

We analysed differences in operative methods and postoperative outcome according to the severity of preoperative cyanosis in adult ToF (Tetralogy of Fallot) patients. Material and Method: From August 1989 to June 2001, thirty three adult patients, 18 females and 15 males, underwent total correction for ToF. Their age ranged from 15 years to 54 years (median: 34). Patients were divided into 2 groups by preoperative $SaO_2$ (arterial oxygen saturation): group I$(n=cyanotic,\;SaO_2\;\geq94\%)$ and group II $(acyanotic,\; SaO_2\geq95%)$. Preoperative median hemoglobin level was higher in group I compared to group II (17.5 g/dl vs 15 g/dl). Postoperative follow-up duration ranged from 1 to 94 months (670 patient-month, median: 14 months), and 63 two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations were done during this period. Result: There were no early or late mortality. With regard to RVOT (right ventricular outflow tract) reconstruction, trans-annular patch and RV-PA extracardiac conduit were used in 7 and 3 patients respectively, and all of them belonged to group I. In group I, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross-clamping time, ICU day, hospital day were significantly longer than in group II, and postoperative inotropic support was significantly greater than in group II. There was no ventricular arrhythmia in both groups, and one patient in group I suffered from atrial arrhythmia, which was resolved spontaneously after tricuspid and pulmonary valve replacement. During follow-up periods, functional class, residual RVOT stenosis and pulmonary regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, occurrence of ventricular and atrial arrhythmias were comparable between two groups. Conclusion: In adult ToF patients with severe preoperative cyanosis, more aggressive RVOT reconstruction and careful postoperative care are mandatory. However intermediate-term outcome of this group of patients is comparable to the patients with minimal or no preoperative cyanosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1043-1048
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• 1998

Background: As coronary arterial disease is increasing, we evaluated the patients who underwent CABG(Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) and thus report the early results and risk factors related to mortality and morbidity. Materials and methods: Between July 1996 and February 1998, 42 patients underwent CABG. We analyzed age, sex, preoperative ejection fraction, Canadian heart classification, prevalence factors of CAD(Coronary Artery Disease), angiographic findings, graft vessel numbers, IMA(Internal Mallary Artery) use, ECC* (extracorporeal circulation) time and morbidity. We also evaluated the mortality rate and the causes of death. Results: Complication was developed at 17cases. The average age of the complication group was 61±11.9 years and that of the noncomplication group was 51±10.5 years(p=0.004). ECC time was 198±42.5(min) in the complication group and 158±47.4(min) in the noncomplication group(p=0.008). The other factors had no correlation to the morbidity, statistically. The average follow up duration was 12.5 months and all the patients were alive except for the 2 expired cases. The mortality rate was 4.7%, among which one patient who underwent CABG with aortic valve replacement died due to multiorgan failure and the other died due to sepsis with pneumonia and wound infection. Conclusions: We conclude that the risk factors related to morbidity were age and ECC time, and that there were no correlations between other factors and morbidity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.525-531
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• 1999

Background: We analyzed five hundred patients who underwent either isolated or concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) between November 1981 and June 1997. Material and Method: There were 330 males and 170 females with a mean age of 57.4$\pm$8.9 years. To evaluate the preoperative status, we performed electrocardiograghy, echocardiography, MIBI scan, Duplex sonogram, common blood test including CK and LDH and coronary angiography. Result: Preoperative clinical diagnoses were unstable angina in 282 (56.4%), stable angina in 141 (28.2%), postinfarction angina in 58 (11.6%), acute myocardial infarction in 8 (1.6%), variant angina in 7 (1.4%) and failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in 4 (0.8%) patients. Preoperative angiographic diagnoses were three-vessel disease in 263 (52.6%), two-vessel disease in 93 (18.6%), one-vessel disease in 71 (14.2%), left main disease in 68 (13.6%), and others in 5 (1.0%) patients. Patients had various risk factors for coronary disease, and the frequency of the risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and smoking showed increasing tendency year by year. We used saphenous vein grafts in 1143, internal thoracic artery grafts in 442, radial artery graft in 17, and gastroepiploic artery graft in 1 anastomosis. The mean number of grafts was 3.2$\pm$1.2 per patient. Concomitant operations were prosthetic valve replacement or valvuloplasty in 31, coronary endarterectomy and angioplasty in 27, left main coronary angioplasty in 13, carotid endarterectomy in 5, and neurologic problems, bleeding, and perioperative myocardial infarction. The mean follow-up period was 25$\pm$23 months and there were 5 cases of reoperation. Conclusion: We hope that the surgical results would improve with the accumulation of experience, application of new myocardial protection technique, and timely intervention of mechanical assisted devices.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.287-291
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• 2006

Purpose : Aneurysms of sinus valsalva are rare anormalies thought to be primarily congenital in origin, progressing into death by acute heart failure in cases of rupture. Surgical correction is the only method of treatment. With these clinical implications, we reviewed the clinical characteristics and surgical results of patients with ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm. Methods : Between January 1991 and February 2004, 17 patients with ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm were retrospectively reviewed for their clinical symptoms, physical findings, past history, coexistent cardiac anormalies, surgical results, and mid-term prognosis. Results : The 17 patients included 13 men and four women, with a mean age of 30 years(10-59 years). Preoperatively accompanying cardiac anormalies were ventricular septal defect(VSD, eight cases of doubly committed juxta-arterial VSD) and aortic insufficiency(11 cases). During operations, patterns of fistulous tracts were found to be right colonary sinus-right ventricle in 13 patients, right coronary sinus-right atrium in one, noncoronary sinus - right ventricle in two, noncoronary sinus - right atrium in one, and VSD was noticed in 14 patients(all were doubly committed juxta-arterial in type). The defects were closed with a patch in 13 patients, without a patch in four, with concommitant aortic valve replacement in four and with aortic valvuloplasty in two. There were no mortalities during operations or the mid-term follow-up periods($40{\pm}49$ months). Conclusion : Because, at least in Orientals, VSD(especially doubly committed juxta-arterial) was accompanied in large numbers of patients with aneurysms of sinus valsalva, preoperative evaluations of this congenital heart disease should be made very careful. And we may need to revise the algorithm of treatment policy in small sized doubly committed juxta-arterial VSD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.10
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• pp.976-981
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• 2007

Purpose : Aortic valve or aortic root (AoRo) replacement is occasionally required because of AoRo dilatation and aortic regurgitation (AR) in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). We evaluated AoRo size and possible factors associated with its hemodynamic nature in patients with repaired TOF. Methods : We investigated 130 repaired TOF patients more than 15 years of age who followed-up by echocardiography from January 2002 to December 2003. Of 130 patients, we identified 17 patients with AoRo dilatation, which was defined as ratio of expected AoRo size by standard nomogram (AoRo ratio) >1.5 (dilator group), and 113 TOF controls, with AoRo ratio <1.5 (non-dilator group). Results : Mean indexed AoRo size ($mm/m^2$) in the first echo was $24{\pm}3.2$ in the dilator group and $18{\pm}3.4$ in the non-dilator group (P<0.0001). AoRo rate of change (mm/year) from the first to latest echo study was $1.6{\pm}3.8$ in dilator group and $0.05{\pm}1.6$ in the non dilator group (P=0.0021). Patients from the dilator group showed a higher prevalence of pulmonary atresia (P=0.031) and a history of aortopulmonary shunt before repair (P=0.048), moderate to severe AR (P=0.0065), and increased left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions (P=0.003). Conclusions : A subset of patients late after TOF repair may show progressive dilatation of AoRo. To identify and prevent long-term sequelae in this patient group, regular follow-up and speculation about AoRo after TOF repair is recommended.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.901-908
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• 2001

Background : Coronary artery bypass graft(CABG) in patients with advanced left ventricular dysfunction has often been regarded as having high mortality rate, despite the great improvement in operative result of CABG. With recent advances in surgical technique and myocardial protection, surgical revascularization improved the symptom and long-term survival of these high risk patients more than the medical conservative treatment. Material and Methold : Clinical data of 31(4.1％) patients with preoperative ejection fraction less than 30% among 864 CABGs performed between January 1995 and March 1999 were retrospectively analyzed and pre- and postoperative changes of the ejection fraction on echocardiography were analyzed. There were 26 men and 5 women. The mean age was 60.7 years(range 41 to 72 years). History of myocardial infarction(30 cases, 98％) was the most common preoperative risk factor. There were seven irreversible myocardial infarction on thallium scan. Most patients had triple vessel diseases(26 cases, 84％) and first degree of Rentrop classification(16 cases, 52％) on coronary angiography. The mean number of distal anastomosis during CABG was per patient was 4.9${\pm}$0.8 sites in each patient. In addition to long saphenous veins, the internal mammary artery was used in 20 patients. Total bypass time was 244.7${\pm}$3.7 minutes(range, 117 to 567 minutes), and mean aortic cross-clamp time was 77.9 ${\pm}$ 1.6 minutes(range, 30 to 178 minutes). There were five other reparative procedures such as two left ventricular aneurysrmectomy, two mitral repair, and one aortic valve replacement. There were twelve postoperative complications such as three cardiac arrhythmia, two bleeding(re-operation), one delayed sternal closure, eleven usage of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation for low cardiac output. Two patients died, postoperative mortality was 6.5% . Twenty-nine patients were relieved of chest pain and left ventricular ejection fraction after operation was significantly higher(38.5${\pm}$11.6%, p 0.001) as compared with preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction(25.3${\pm}$2.3%). The follow up period of out patient was 25. 3 months. Conclusion: In patients with coronary artery disease and advanced left ventricular dysfunction, coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed relatively safely with improvement in left ventricular function, but it will be necessary to study long term results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1218-1222
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• 1996

The reported incidence of postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock not responding to conventional therapy is still 0.1 to 0.8%. For this group of patients, more aggressive form of circulatory support must be employed. Centrifugal pumps are a ventricular assist device most commonly used on this purpose, due to low cost and easy availability. Currently, however, clinical experience of centrifugal pumps as a ventricular assist device is rarely reported in Korea. From January 1992 to January 1996, 2986 patients underwent cardiac operations on cardiopulmonary bypass at Seoul National University Hospital. Refractory postcardiotomy cardiac failure requring ventricular support with a Biomedicus centrifugal pump developed in ten of these patients. There were eight men and two women, ranged in age from nine years to 77 years with a mean of 50$\pm$20 years. The primary surgical procedures consisted of isolated coronary revascularization in four patients, combined coronary revascularization and aortic valve replacement in two, aortic dissection repair in two, pulmonary embolectomy in one, and heart transplantation in one. Of the ten patients, five had left ventricular assistance, one had right ventricular assistance, and four had biventricular assistance. Duration of ventricular assistance ranged from 24 to 175 hours, with a mean of 76$\pm$51 hours. Seven patients were weaned from ventricular assistance, and four of them discharged. The causes of death for nonsurvivors were progressive cardiac failure in two patients and multiorgan failure, intractable ventricular fibrillation, irreversible brain injury, and mechanical problem, respectively, in the other four. Survival was not predicted by time on cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamp time, or duration of ventricular support. Major complications included bleeding(7), renal failure(6), infection(3) and neurologic complication(2). These results indicate that a centrifugal pump can provide reasonably satisfactory short-term circulatory support.