• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2008

Background: Circulating levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) provide prognostic information for patients with heart failure. The aim of our study was to investigate whether preoperative and postoperative BNP levels could predict postoperative complications and outcomes in patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Material and Method: Data was collected prospectively on 30 patients (M/F=19/11, age $60.0{\pm}9.6$ years) undergoing conventional CABG during a 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2005. Patients underwent off-pump CABG, and combined surgery was excluded. The BNP assay was performed preoperatively, immediate postoperatively at the intensive care unit (ICU), and 1, 3, 5, and 7days postoperatively. Result: Preoperative BNP levels significantly correlated with preoperative echocardiographic ejection fraction and an ICU stay of 5 days or more (r=-0.4, p=0.028; r=0.39, p=0.031, respectively). A preoperative BNP cut-off value above 263 pg/mL demonstrated high specificity (90.5%) for predicting postoperative complications using the receiver operating characteristics curves. Preoperative and postoperative (7 days) BNP levels were different depending on the abscence (mean BNP=$99{\pm}23\;pg/mL$ vs. $296{\pm}74\;pg/mL$, p<0.05) and presence (mean BNP=$212{\pm}29\;pg/mL$ vs. $408{\pm}23\;pg/mL$, p<0.01). Conclusion: Preoperative BNP levels >263 pg/mL predict postoperative complications in patients receiving CABG.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.812-819
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• 2003

Background: Left ventricular dysfunction is one of the important prognostic factors of early mortality and long-term survival after valve operation. We studied the intermediate term results of mitral valve reconstruction in patients with moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction. Material and Method: Forty four patients who underwent mitral valve reconstruction with a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) of <45% or less (20∼45%) from April 1995 through July 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. Ages ranged from 10 to 67 years (46∼14 years) and 32 patients were in NYHA class III-IV. The mitral valve diseases were regurgitation (MR) in 28 patients, stenosis(MS) in 10, and mixed lesion in 5. The etiologies of mitral valve disease were rheumatic in 20 patients, degenerative in 14, ischemic in 5, annular dilatation in 2, congenital in 2, and endocarditis in 1. Operatively, all patients had annuloplasty and/or various valvuloplasty techniques, and a total of 52 procedures were concomitantly performed. Total cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic crossclamp time were 160$\pm$57 minutes and 112$\pm$45 minutes respectively. Result: Two operative deaths occurred as a result of left ventricular failure (4.5%). After the mean follow-up of 39 months (range, 10∼83 months), there was no late death. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed no or grade I of MR in 29 patients (72.5%) and no or mild MS in 35 patients (87.5%). The actuarial survival at 5 years was 100%. Four patients required mitral valve replacement due to progressive mitral valvular disease. The actuarial freedom from valve-related reoperation at 5 years was 84$\pm$9%. Conclusion: This study suggests that mitral valve reconstruction in patients with moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction offers good early and intermediate survival and acceptable freedom from valve-related reoperation, and it is the strategy for effective management for these patients.

• 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.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.625-630
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• 2006

Background: Pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients is the result of a direct effect of tobacco smoke on the intrapulmonary vessels with the abnormal production of the mediators that control vasoconstriction, vasodilatation, and vascular cell proliferation, which ultimately lead to aberrant vascular remodeling and physiology. COPD patients are prone to the developmint of an acute and chronic thromboembolism with an elevation of the plasma procoagulant and fibrinolytic markers However, the roles of the coagulation and fibrinolysis system on the right ventricular dysfunction in COPD patients are not well defined. We examined the alteration of the coagulation and fibrinolysis system in COPD patients according to the right ventricular function measured using cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Methods: The right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was measured using cardiac MDCT in 26 patients who were diagnosed with COPD according to the definition of the GOLD guideline. The plasma level of thrombin antithrombin (TAT) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 were measured using an enzyme linked immunoassay. Results: The plasma TAT was markedly elevated in COPD patients ($10.5{\pm}19.8{\mu}g/L$) compared with those of the control ($3.4{\pm}2.5{\mu}g/L$) (p<0.01). However, the plasma PAI-1 in COPD patients ($29.6{\pm}20.7ng/mL$) was similar to that in the controls. The plasma TAT showed a significant inverse relationship with the RVEF measured by the cardiac MDCT in COPD patients (r=-0.645, p<0.01). However, the plasma PAI-1 did not show a relationship with the RVEF (r=0.022, p=0.92). Conclusion: These results suggest that the coagulation system in COPD patients is markedly activated, and that the plasma level of TAT might be a marker of a right ventricular dysfunction in COPD patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.2 s.247
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• pp.123-131
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• 2005

Background: The number of elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is increasing. Elderly patients are at increased risk for a variety of perioperative complications and mortality. We identified determinants of operative complications and mortality in elderly patients undergoing CABG. Material and Method: Between January 1995 and July 2003, 91 patients older than 75 years underwent isolated CABG at Asan Medical Center. There were 67 men and 24 women with mean age of $77.0\pm2.4$ years. Thirty clinical or hemodynamic variables hypothesized as predictors of operative mortality were evaluated. Result: CABG was performed under emergency conditions in 5 patients. The internal thoracic artery was used in 85 patients and 10 patients received both internal thoracic arteries. The mean number of distal anastomosis was 3.7 per patient. Operative mortality was $3.3\%$. Twenty-two patients had at least one major postoperative complication. Low cardiac output syndrome was the most common complication, followed by reoperation for bleeding, pulmonary dysfunction, perioperative myocardial infarction, stroke, acute renal failure, ventricular arrhythmia, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, infection, and delayed sternal closure. None were the predictors of mortality. Renal failure, peripheral vascular disease, emergency operation, recent myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, New York Heart Association (HYHA) class III or IV, Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina scale III or IV, and low left ventricle ejection fraction below $40\%$ were univariate predictors of overall complications. Actuarial probability of survival was $94.9\%,\;89.8\%,\;and\;83.5\%$ at postoperative 1, 3 and 5 years respectively. During the follow-up period $93.3\%$ of patients were in NYHA class I, or II and $91.1\%$ were free from angina. Conclusion: Although operative complication is increased, CABG can be performed with an acceptable operative mortality and excellent late results in patients older than 75 years.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1329-1336
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• 1996

From January, 1994 to January. 1996, mitral valve replacement was performed in 27 patients. Among these, 17 patients underwent mitral valve replacement(MVR) with preservation of the annulo-papillary continuity(PAPCMVR) (-Group I), and 10 patients underwent conventional methods of excision of all the chordae(Group II). The operative technique for PAPCM VR consists of the division of the anterior leaflet into anterior and posterior segments, shifting and reattachment of the divided segments to the mitral ring of the respective commissural areas. This retrospective study has been designed to evalute the postoperative left ventricular function in the two groups. In the group 1, LVEF(Left Vnetricular Ejection Fraction : %) was 52 $\pm$ 3 preoperatively And 50$\pm$3 postoperatively, LVESI Vent icular End Systolic Volume Index/mL/m2) wIns 59 :6 and 51 $\pm$ 7, LVEDI Ventricular End Diastolic Volume Index/mL/m2) was 124$\pm$ 11 and 91 :8. In the group II, LVEF was 56$\pm$1 and 47:), LVESVI 62$\pm$12 and 61$\pm$15, LVEDVI 133$\pm$27 and 104$\pm$17. : the variation of the LVEF in these two group was statistically different(p(0.05). A comparison of left ventricular function data between Group I(n: 17) and Group II(n: 10) revealed better results in echocardiographic LVEF(p<0.05), LVEDVI(p<0.01) in the former group. The mean functional class(UYHA) was 2.6 preoperative and improved to 1.0 postoperatively In group 1, and 2.8 and to 1.0 in group II. We conclude that maintenance of continuity between the mitral annulus and papillary muscles is expected to have a beneficial effect on postoperative left ventricular performance.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.895-900
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• 2001

Background : This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative placement of intraaortic balloon pump(IABP) in reducing operative risk and facilitating posterior vessel OPCAB in high risk patients with left main disease( 75％ stenosis), intractable resting angina, postinfarction angina, or left ventricular dysfunction(ejection fraction 35％). Material and Method : One hundred eighty- nine consecutive patients who underwent multi-vessel OPCAB including posterior vessel revascularization were studied. The patients were divided into group I(n=74) that received preoperative or intraoperative IABP and group II(n=115) that did not receive IABP. In group I, there were 39 patients with left main disease, 40 patients with intractable resting angina, 14 patients with left ventricular dysfunction and 7 patients with postinfarction angina. Ten patients received intraoperative IABP support due to hemodynamic instability during OPCAB. Result : There was one operative mortality in group I and two mortalities in group II. The average number of distal anastomoses was not different between group I and group II(3.5$\pm$0.9 vs 3.4$\pm$0.9, p=ns). There were no significant differences in the number of posterior vessel anastomosis per patient between the two groups. There were no differences in ventilator support time, length of hospital stay, and morbidity between the two groups. There was one case of IABP-related complication in group I. Conclusion : IABP facilitates posterior vessel OPCAB in high risk patients, with comparable surgical results to low risk patients

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.6 s.275
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• pp.407-413
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• 2007

Background: The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level has been reported in some studies to be associated with the occurrence of atrial fbrillation (AF). The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential usefulness of the BNP level as a predictor of the occurrence of postoperative (postop) AF and to assess the relationship of the BNP level with the onset of AF and the restoration of sinus rhythm. Material and Method: From January 1, 2005 to February 28, 2006, 82 patients without a history of atrial arrhythmia that had undergone cardiac surgery were enrolled in the study. Blood samples for plasma BNP were drawn daily for all these patients from the preoperative (preop) day to the 7th postop day. The patient records were reviewed and postop EKGs were checked daily for AF until the time of discharge. Result: Patients were divided into two groups based on development of postop AF. Postoperative AF developed in 26 patients (31.7%). There was no significant statistical difference in age, sex distribution, preop left ventricle ejection fraction, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, or the use of beta blockers between the non-postop AF and postop AF group. More patients in the AF group had undergone valve surgery (39.3% versus 76.9%, p=0.002). The preop left atrium size was significantly larger in the AF patients ($43.8{\pm}10.3 mm$ versus $49.8{\pm}11.5 mm$, p=0.029). The preop plasma BNP levels were higher in the postop AF patients ($144.1{\pm}20.8 pg/mL$ versus $267.5{\pm}68 pg/mL$, p=0.034). In the postop AF group, the plasma BNP level was the highest on the 3rd postop day. Postop AF developed in most patients by the 3rd postop day; restored sinus rhythm developed by the 7th postop day. Conclusion: Elevated plasma BNP levels may lead to the occurrence of postop AF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients who have a high risk of postop AF should be considered for aggressive prophylactic antiarrhythmic therapy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.763-769
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• 2009

Background: In the majority of cases, sternal instability and wound infection concomitantly present after a cardiac operation following conventional median sternotomy, and these complications have a major influence on the postoperative course. The aim of this study is to compare the results of the different sternal wiring techniques of sternal infection. Material and Method: Between April 2004 and December 2008, 157 adult patients underwent cardiac in group A, whereas 71 patients who had undergone modified Robicsek sternal wiring were included in group B. The incidences of sternal wound complications in the two groups were assessed. Result: The mean age of the group B patients was older than that of the group A patients ($61{\pm}10$ years vs $57{\pm}13$ years). The incidence of preoperative left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction <30%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure requiring dialysis and diabetes mellitus were significantly higher in Group B, whereas the other perioperative risk factors for infection were not significantly different between the two groups. Two patients in group A experienced superficial wound infection, whereas 4 patients in group B displayed superficial wound infection, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.255). Yet poststernotomy deep sternal wound infection appeared in 6 patients of group A, whereas none of the patients in group B displayed this malady. Conclusion: The modified Robicsek sternal wiring technique showed greater sternal stability even for the patient with a high risk for infection, and the technique caused a lower incidence of deep sternal wound infection.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.276-284
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• 2000

Purpose: We investigated the operative outcome after bypass surgery in patients selected using viability criteria on F-18 FDG PET. Materials and Methods: Rest-24hr delay redistribution imaging of Tl-201 SPECT and F-18 FDG PET were performed in 11 patients. Seven of these 11 patients (6 men, 1 woman) were evaluated to have viable myocardium by F-18 FDG PET. Changes in symptoms and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after operation were evaluated. Results: In seven of 11 patients, a significant amount of viable myocardium was found on F-18 FDG PET and Tl-201 SPECT. Severity of both chest pain and dyspnea improved markedly in all patients. Mean LVEF improved from 22% to 32%. Conclusion: F-18 FDG PET could be used to select the patients who will benefit from coronary artery bypass surgery.