• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2008

Background: The Damus-Kaye-Stansel (DKS) procedure is a proximal MPA-ascending aorta anastomosis used to relieve systemic ventricular outflow tract obstructions (SVOTO) and pulmonary hypertension. The purpose of this study was to review the indications and outcomes of the DKS procedure, including the DKS pathway and semilunar valve function. Material and Method: A retrospective review of 28 patients who underwent a DKS procedure between May 1994 and April 2006 was performed. The median age at operation was 5.3 months ($13\;days{\sim}38.1\;months$) and body weight was 5.0 kg ($2.9{\sim}13.5\;kg$). Preoperative pressure gradients were $25.3{\pm}15.7\;mmHg$ ($10{\sim}60\;mmHg$). Eighteen patients underwent a preliminary pulmonary artery banding as an initial palliation. Preoperative main diagnoses were double outlet right ventricle in 9 patients, double inlet left ventricle with ventriculoarterial discordance in 6,. another functional univentricular heart in 5, Criss-cross heart in 4, complete atrioventricular septal defect in 3, and hypoplastic left heart variant in 1. DKS techniques included end-to-side anastomosis with patch augmentation in 14 patients, classical end-to-side anastomosis in 6, Lamberti method (double-barrel) in 3, and others in 5. The bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt and Fontan procedure were concomitantly performed in 6 and 2 patients, respectively. Result: There were 4 hospital deaths (14.3%), and 3 late deaths (12.5%) with a follow-up duration of $62.7{\pm}38.9$ months ($3.3{\sim}128.1$ months). Kaplan-Meier estimated actuarial survival was $71.9%{\pm}9.3%$ at 10 years. Multivariate analysis showed right ventricle type single ventricle (hazard ratio=13.960, p=0.004) and the DKS procedure as initial operation (hazard ratio=6.767, p=0.042) as significant mortality risk factors. Four patients underwent staged biventricular repair and 13 received Fontan completion. No SVOTO was detected after the procedure by either cardiac catheterization or echocardiography except in one patient. There was no semiulnar valve regurgitation (>Gr II) or semilunar valve-related reoperation, but one patient (3.6%) who underwent classical end-to-side anastomosis needed reoperation for pulmonary artery stenosis caused by compression of the enlarged DKS pathway. The freedom from reoperation for the DKS pathway and semilunar valve was 87.5% at 10 years after operation. Conclusion: The DKS procedure can improve the management of SVOTO, and facilitate the selected patients who are high risk for biventricular repair just after birth to undergo successful staged biventricular repair. Preliminary pulmonary artery banding is a safe and effective procedure that improves the likelihood of successful DKS by decreasing pulmonary vascular resistance. The long-term outcome of the DKS procedure for semilunar valve function, DKS pathway, and relief of SVOTO is satisfactory.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.4 s.273
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• pp.264-272
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• 2007

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in angiogenesis, including stimulating the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). It has been known that diabetes is associated with accelerated cellular proliferation via VEGF, as compared to that under a normal glucose concentration. We investigated the effects of selective blockade of a VEGF receptor by using anti-Flt-1 peptide on the formation and hyperplasia of the neointima in balloon injured-carotid arteries of OLETF rats and also on the in vitro VSMCS' migration under high glucose conditions. Material and Method: The balloon-injury method was employed to induce neointima formation by VEGF. For f4 days beginning 2 days before the ballon injury, placebo or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) specific peptide (anti-Flt-1 peptide), was injected at a dose of 0.5mg/kg daily into the OLETF rats. At 14 days after balloon injury, the neointimal proliferation and vascular luminal stenosis were measured, and cellular proliferation was assessed by counting the proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) stained cells. To analyze the effect of VEGF and anti-Flt-1 peptide on the migration of VSMCs under a high glucose condition, transwell assay with a matrigel filter was performed. And finally, to determine the underlying mechanism of the effect of anti-Flt-1 peptide on the VEGF-induced VSMC migration in vitro, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) was observed by performing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Result: Both the neointimal area and luminal stenosis associated with neointimal proliferation were significantly decreased in the anti-Flt-1 peptide injected rats, ($0.15{\pm}0.04 mm^2$ and $ 36.03{\pm}3.78%$ compared to $0.24{\pm}0.03mm^2\;and\;61.85{\pm}5.11%$, respectively, in the placebo-injected rats (p<0.01, respectively). The ratio of PCNA(+) cells to the entire neointimal cells was also significantly decreased from $52.82{\pm}4.20%\;to\;38.11{\pm}6.89%$, by the injected anti-Flt-1 peptide (p<0.05). On the VSMC migration assay, anti-Flt-1 peptide significantly reduced the VEGF-induced VMSC migration by about 40% (p<0.01). Consistent with the effect of anti-Flt-1 peptide on VSMC migration, it also obviously attenuated the induction of the MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions via VEGF in the VSMCS. Conclusion: Anti-Flt-1 peptide inhibits the formation and hyperplasia of the neointima in a balloon-injured carotid artery model of OLETF rats. Anti-Flt-1 peptide also inhibits the VSMCs' migration and the expressions of MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA induced by VEGF under a high glucose condition. Therefore, these results suggest that specific blockade of VEGFR-1 by anti-Flt-1 peptide may have therapeutic potential against the arterial stenosis of diabetes mellitus patients or that occurring under a high glucose condition.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.749-755
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• 1998

Background: Twelve patients with acyanotic tetralogy of Fallot(TOF), characterized by the combination of a malaligned ventricular septal defect(VSD) and infundibular pulmonic stenosis with the clinical finding of acyanosis at rest, underwent surgical correction between January 1988 and July 1997. Materials and methods: 9.92% of patients with the diagnosis of TOF were acyanotic TOF in the same period. Ages ranged from 12 to 42 months(mean 25.2 months). 2D-echocardiographic studies, cardiac catheterization, and angiocardiograms were performed in all patients before operation. The preoperative mean systemic arterial oxygen saturation was 93.5%. According to the 2D-echocardiographic analysis, there was Lt-to-Rt shunt through VSD in 4 patients, bidirectional shunt in 2 patients, and no shunt in 6 patients. Results: The preoperative mean right ventricle to pulmonary artery(RV-PA) pressure gradients were 52.3 mmHg on 2D- echocardiogram and 48.4 mmHg on cardiac catheterization. The repair of ventricular septal defect was performed through a right atrial approach and the hypertrophic infundibular muscle bundles were resected by the transatrial and transpulmonary approach. Six patients(50%) received a transannular patch. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 135.0 minutes, and the aortic crossclamp time was 87.8 minutes. Postoperative complications included bleeding necessitating reentry in one and chylothorax in one. No patient died after operation and there were no late deaths. Postoperative 2D-echocardiograms revealed tiny patch dehiscence in 5 cases and a moderate RV-PA pressure gradients(mean 15.3 mmHg). All patients were in New York Heart Association functional class 1 after operation. Conclusions: acyanotic TOF is the uncommon form of TOF, and acyanotic TOF can be repaired with a good outcome.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.293-301
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• 2006

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the hemodynamic changes after successful bypass surgery in patients with atherosclerotic stenosis in ICA using $^{99m}Tc-ECD$ SPECT. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients (M:F=8:6, mean age; $60{\pm}9$ years) who underwent STA-MCA anastomosis for unilateral atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease were enrolled. $^{99m}Tc-ECD$ basal/acetazolamide perfusion SPECT studies were performed before, 10 days and 6 months after bypass surgery. Perfusion reserve was defined as the % changes after acetazolamide over rest image. Regional cerebral blood flow and perfusion reserve were compared preoperative, early-postoperative and late-postoperative scans. Results: The mean resting perfusion and decrease in perfusion reserve in affected ICA territory on preoperative scan was $52.4{\pm}3.5\;and\;-7.9{\pm}4.7%$, respectively. The resting perfusion was significantly improved after surgery on early-postoperative scan (mean $53.7{\pm}2.7$) and late-postoperative scan (mean $53.3{\pm}2.5$) compared with preoperative images (p<0.05, respectively). Resting perfusion did not showed further improvement on late-postoperative scan compared with early-postoperative scan. The perfusion reserve was $-3.7{\pm}2.6%$ on early-postoperative scan, and $-1.6{\pm}2.3%$ on late-postoperative scan, which was significantly improved after surgery. Additionally, further improvement of perfusion reserved as observed on late-postoperative scan (p<0.05). While, in the unaffected ICA territory, no significant changes in the resting perfusion and perfusion reserve was observed. Conclusion: The improvement of resting perfusion and perfusion reserve in early-postoperative scan reflects the immediate restoration of the cerebral blood flow by bypass surgery. In contrasts, further improvement of perfusion reserve showing on late-postoperative scan may indicate a good collateral development after surgery, which may indicate good surgical outcome after surgery.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.578-585
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• 2010

Objectives : Coldness of hands and feet has been regarded to be associated with blood circulation. This study was performed to assess the correlation between erythrocyte deformability and coldness of hands and feet. Methods : 145 patients who had taken an erythrocyte deformability test were selected for this study among hospitalized patients within 4 weeks after their cerebral infarction at the Internal Medical Department at Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center from August 2008 to August 2009. We divided the selected patients into two groups, with and without of coldness of hands and feet groups. The two groups were compared on risk factors for atherosclerosis and examined for variables including erythrocyte deformability. Results : 1. On demographic variables of the patients, only body mass index was significantly lower in the coldness of hands and feet group than the control group. There was no significant difference of the rate of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, smoking, drinking and carotid artery stenosis between the two groups. 2. According to blood test, the coldness of hands and feet group showed significantly lower erythrocyte deformability index than the control group. 3. Body mass index and erythrocyte deformability index showed a close relationship with coldness of hands and feet in multivariate analysis. Conclusions : The correlation between the erythrocyte deformability and coldness of hands and feet in cerebral infarction patients were decreased erythrocyte deformability participated in the mechanism of coldness of hands and feet.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2007

Objective : The objective of this study is to investigate the safety, surgical efficacy, and advantages of a polyaxial screw-rod system for posterior occipitocervicothoracic arthrodesis. Methods : Charts and radiographs of 32 patients who underwent posterior cervical fixation between October 2004 and February 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Posterior cervical polyaxial screw-rod fixation was applied on the cervical spine and/or upper thoracic spine. The surgical indication was fracture or dislocation in 18, C1-2 ligamentous injury with trauma in 5, atlantoaxial instability by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in 4, cervical spondylosis with myelopathy in 4, and spinal metastatic tumor in 1. The patients were followed up and evaluated based on their clinical status and radiographs at 1, 3, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Results : A total of 189 screws were implanted in 32 patients. Fixation was carried out over an average of 3.3 spinal segment (range, 2 to 7). The mean follow-up interval was 20.2 months. This system allowed for screw placement in the occiput, C1 lateral mass, C2 pars, C3-7 lateral masses, as well as the lower cervical and upper thoracic pedicles. Satisfactory bony fusion and reduction were achieved and confirmed in postoperative flexion-extension lateral radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans in all cases. Revision surgery was required in two cases due to deep wound infection. One case needed a skin graft due to necrotic change. There was one case of kyphotic change due to adjacent segmental degeneration. There were no other complications, such as cord or vertebral artery injury, cerebrospinal fluid leak, screw malposition or back-out, or implant failure, and there were no cases of postoperative radiculopathy due to foraminal stenosis. Conclusion : Posterior cervical stabilization with a polyaxial screw-rod system is a safe and reliable technique that appears to offer several advantages over existing methods. Further biomechanical testings and clinical experiences are needed in order to determine the true benefits of this procedure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.278-284
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• 1996

Nine infants with transposition of great arteries have undergone arterial switch operation from May 1989 to May 1994 in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital. Patients' age ranged from 3 days to 90 days, averaging 30$\pm$21 days. Diagnosis was made by two-dimensional echocardiography in all patients. Eight patients were diagnosed as transposition of great arteries with ventricular septal defect and one patient was a simple transposition of great arteries. Associated anomalies were patent ductus arteriosus (8), atrial septal defect (7) and coarctation of aorta(1). The anatomy of the coronary arteries were 7 (77 %) type A and 2 (23 %) type D according to the Yacoub classification. Pulmonary artery reconstruction was done according to Lecompte maneuver with tautologous pericardial patch in 8 patients. Overall operative mortality rate was 55% Left heart failure and pulmonary hypertensive crisis were the cause of death on postoperative 1~2 days in three patients, and two succumbed to death due to sepsis on postoperative 2~ 3 weeks. The mean follow-up period was mean 17 months. No patient had clinically significant postoperative aortic regurgitation and supravalvular pulmonary stenosis. The excessive use of inotropic support postoperatively was identified as a stastically significant risk factor following the arterial switch operation. But other variables such as low body weight, long cardiopulmonary bypass time, excessive hemodilution during cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia and volume loading were not significant risk factors.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.97-103
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• 2005

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is characterized by a sustained eosinophilia of $1,500/mm^3$ or more in the absence of any known causes or the signs and symptoms of organ involvement. We report a 64-year-old man with HES initially presenting with involvement of the liver and bone marrow. Despite controlling the eosinophilia by corticosteroid, he developed a cerebral infarction and later progressive interstitial pneumonia. Brain angiography revealed a severe stenosis of the proximal right internal carotid artery (ICA) and a complete obstruction of the intracranial ICA. An open lung biopsy revealed fibrosis and lymphoplasma cell infiltration without eosinophils, which were consistent with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.298-304
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the association of blood pressure levels with the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) and carotid plaques. Methods : Data were obtained from 2,635 subjects, aged 50 years and over, who participated in the Community Health Survey (a population-based, cross-sectional study) in Dong-gu, Gwangju city between 2007 and 2008. Participants were categorized into three groups according to blood pressure levels; normotensives (<120/80 mmHg), prehypertensives (120-139/80-89 mmHg), and hypertensives ($\geq$140/90 mmHg). Prehypertensives were further categorized as low prehypertensives (120-129/80-84 mmHg) and high prehypertensives (130-139/85-89 mmHg). Carotid intima-media thickness and plaques were evaluated with a high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test, ANOVA, and multiple logistic regression. Results : Prehypertensives had significantly greater maximal CCA-IMT values than normotensives, with a multivariate adjusted odds ratio of 1.78 (95% CI=1.36-2.32) for abnormal CCA-IMT (maximal CCA-IMT$\geq$1.0 mm), and 1.45 (95% CI=1.19-1.77) for carotid plaques. The multivariate adjusted odds ratio of low prehypertensives was 1.64 (95% CI=1.21-2.21) for abnormal CCA-IMT, and 1.30 (95% CI=1.04-1.63) for carotid plaques compared with normotensives. Subject with hypertension had higher frequency of abnormal CCA-IMT (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% CI=1.49-3.18), and carotid plaques (odds ratio, 1.98; 95% CI=1.46-2.67) compared with normotensives after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions : Our results indicate that there is a significant increase in the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with prehypertension (even in low prehypertensives) compared with normotensive subjects. Further studies are required to confirm the benefits and role of carotid ultrasonography in persons with prehypertension.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2017

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a highly prevalent comorbidity in patients with heart failure and may present in 25 to 40 percent of heart failure patients. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the primary therapeutic option and effective in treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In heart failure patients with CSA, several trials of CPAP showed a number of positive effects in heart failure treatment. A 58-year-old male visited the hospital because of dyspnea and he was diagnosed as heart failure with ischemic heart disease. He underwent coronary angiography and received percutaneous coronary intervention due to stenosis at the middle of left anterior descending coronary artery. However, dyspnea was not completely improved after treatment with percutaneous coronary intervention. The patient also experienced snoring and sleep apnea which worsened with symptom of dyspnea in the recent year. We suspected CSA and the patient underwent polysomnography to confirm whether sleep apnea was present. During the polysomnography, CSA with Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) was observed and apnea-hypopnea index was 45.9/hr. The patient was treated with CPAP. After CPAP treatment, hypoxemia and CSA were resolved and dyspnea was improved with reducing NYHA class. We report a case successfully treated with clinical improvement by presuming CSA in a patient with heart failure.