• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.755-761
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• 2004

We evaluated the efficacy of Dor procedure in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. Material and Method: Between April 1998 and December 2002, 45 patients underwent the Dor procedure con-comitant with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic/end-systolic volumes (LVEDV/LVESV) were measured by echocardiography, myocardial SPECT, and cardiac catheterization and angiography performed at the sequence of preoperative, early postoperative, and one year postoperative stage. Result: Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamp times were mean 141$\pm$64, 69$\pm$24 minutes, respectively. Intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) therapy was required in 19 patients (42%; 7 preoperatively, 9 intraoperatively, 3 postoperatively). Operative mortality rate was 2.2% (1/45). Postoperative morbidities were low cardiac output syndrome (12), atrial fibrillation (5), acute renal failure (4), and postoperative bleeding (4). Functional class (NYHA) was improved from classes 2.8 to 1.1 (p < 0,01). When we compared between the preoperative and early postoperative values, LVEF was improved from 32$\pm$9% to 52$\pm$11% (p<0.01). The asynergy portion decreased from 57$\pm$12% to 22$\pm$9%, and LVEDV/LVESV indexes improved from 125$\pm$39 mL/$m^2$, 85$\pm$30 mL/$m^2$ to 66$\pm$23 mL/$m^2$, 32$\pm$16 mL/$m^2$ (p<0.01). Although these changes in volumes were relatively preserved at postoperative one year, the left ventricular volumes showed a tendency to increase. Conclusion: After the Dor procedure for ischemic left ventricular dysfunction, LVEF improvement and left ventricular volume reduction were maintained till postoperative one year. The tendency for left ventricular volume to increase at postoperative one year suggested the requirement of strict medical management.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.491-494
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• 1995

A fibroma arising in the right ventricle outflow tract of a 14 month-old infant was successfully removed. The patient was first seen because of shortness of breath and tachycardia. Pertinent clinical and laboratory findings included a grade II/VI systolic murmur, blood pressure of 120/60 mmHg, slight cardiomegaly on chest X-ray, a mass obstructing the outflow tract of the right ventricle on echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. On october 30,1992, under cardiopulmonary bypass, a 4cm x 3cm x 3cm tumor was resected from the right ventricular outflow tract, together with a portion of the ventricular wall. Histologically, it was diagnosis as a fibroma. The patient was sent home on the 6th postoperative day following an uneventful recovery form the operation. Although cardiac fibroma is the second most common cardiac tumor in infancy and childhood, it is usually found in the left ventricle and one arising in the right ventricle is considered rare. Although it is a benign tumor, it could produce a severe cardiac dysfunction and even sudden death, depending on its size and location. With the advance in diagnostic techniques and operative management, there is a renewed interest in the early detection and operative removal of these tumors. The case herein presented is the first such case successfully managed and reported in the Korean literature.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1200-1220
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• 2023

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common types of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. DCM is characterized by left ventricle (LV) dilatation and systolic dysfunction without coronary artery disease or abnormal loading conditions. DCM is not a single disease entity and has a complex historical background of revisions and updates to its definition because of its diverse etiology and clinical manifestations. In cases of LV dilatation and dysfunction, conditions with phenotypic overlap should be excluded before establishing a DCM diagnosis. The differential diagnoses of DCM include ischemic cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, burned-out hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, and non-compaction. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is helpful for evaluating DCM because it provides precise measurements of cardiac size, function, mass, and tissue characterization. Comprehensive analyses using various sequences, including cine imaging, late gadolinium enhancement imaging, and T1 and T2 mapping, may help establish differential diagnoses, etiological work-up, disease stratification, prognostic determination, and follow-up procedures in patients with DCM phenotypes. This article aimed to review the utilities and limitations of CMR in the diagnosis and assessment of DCM.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.190-195
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• 2016

Purpose: Severe aplastic anemia (SAA), a fatal disease, requires multiple transfusion, immunosuppressive therapy, and finally, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as the definitive treatment. We hypothesized that iron overloading associated with multiple transfusions and HSCT-related complications may adversely affect cardiac function. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed in children after HSCT for SAA. Methods: Forty-six consecutive patients with a median age of 9.8 years (range, 1.5-18 years), who received HSCT for SAA and who underwent comprehensive echocardiography before and after HSCT, were included in this study. The data of LV functional parameters obtained using conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) were collected from pre- and post-HSCT echocardiography. These data were compared to those of 40 age-matched normal controls. Results: In patients, the LV ejection fraction, shortening fraction, end-diastolic dimension, mitral early diastolic E velocity, TDI mitral septal E' velocity, and STE LV longitudinal systolic strain rate (SSR) decreased significantly after HSCT. Compared to normal controls, patients had significantly lower post-HSCT early diastolic E velocity and E/A ratio. On STE, patients had significantly decreased LV deformational parameters including LV longitudinal systolic strain (SS), SSR, and diastolic SR (DSR), and circumferential SS and DSR. Serum ferritin levels showed weak but significant correlations (P<0.05) with LV longitudinal SS and SSR and circumferential SS and DSR. Conclusion: Subclinical LV dysfunction is evident in patients after HSCT for SAA, and was associated with increased iron load. Serial monitoring of cardiac function is mandatory in this population.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.87-94
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• 2022

Myocardial infarction promotes cardiac remodeling and myocardial fibrosis, thus leading to cardiac dysfunction or heart failure. Peiminine has been regarded as a traditional anti-fibrotic Chinese medicine in pulmonary fibrosis. However, the role of peiminine in myocardial infarction-induced myocardial injury and fibrosis remained elusive. Firstly, rat model of myocardial infarction was established using ligation of the left coronary artery, which were then intraperitoneally injected with 2 or 5 mg/kg peiminine once a day for 4 weeks. Echocardiography and haemodynamic evaluation results showed that peiminine treatment reduced left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and enhanced maximum rate of increase/decrease of left ventricle pressure (± dP/dt max) and left ventricular systolic pressure, which ameliorate the cardiac function. Secondly, myocardial infarction-induced myocardial injury and infarct size were also attenuated by peiminine. Moreover, peiminine inhibited myocardial infarction-induced increase of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α production, as well as the myocardial cell apoptosis, in the rats. Thirdly, peiminine also decreased the myocardial fibrosis related protein expression including collagen I and collagen III. Lastly, peiminine reduced the expression of p38 and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in rat model of myocardial infarction. In conclusion, peiminine has a cardioprotective effect against myocardial infarction-induced myocardial injury and fibrosis, which can be attributed to the inactivation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.722-727
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• 2016

Cardiomyopathy is a major cause of death worldwide. Based on pathohistological abnormalities and clinical manifestation, cardiomyopathies are categorized into several groups: hypertrophic, dilated, restricted, arrhythmogenic right ventricular, and unclassified. Dilated cardiomyopathy, which is characterized by dilation of the left ventricle and systolic dysfunction, is the most severe and prevalent form of cardiomyopathy and usually requires heart transplantation. Its etiology remains unclear. Recent genetic studies of single gene mutations have provided significant insights into the complex processes of cardiac dysfunction. To date, over 40 genes have been demonstrated to contribute to dilated cardiomyopathy. With advances in genetic screening techniques, novel genes associated with this disease are continuously being identified. The respective gene products can be classified into several functional groups such as sarcomere proteins, structural proteins, ion channels, and nuclear envelope proteins. Nuclear envelope proteins are emerging as potential molecular targets in dilated cardiomyopathy. Because they are not directly associated with contractile force generation and transmission, the molecular pathways through which these proteins cause cardiac muscle disorder remain unclear. However, nuclear envelope proteins are involved in many essential cellular processes. Therefore, integrating apparently distinct cellular processes is of great interest in elucidating the etiology of dilated cardiomyopathy. In this mini review, we summarize the genetic factors associated with dilated cardiomyopathy and discuss their cellular functions.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.39-45
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• 1986

Resting gated blood pool scan was used to derive left ventricular functional changes in normals (N=13, mean age=43) and in patients with coronary artery disease (N=50, mean age=53). Peak filling rates, average filling rates, and ejection fractions were significantly depressed in coronary artery disease. (p<0.0005, each other). And in coronary artery disease with normal ejection fraction (N=21), peak filling rates and average filling rates were depressed also, and peak filling rates of coronary artery disease with normal ejection fraction were abnormal in 61.2% and average fillin rates were abnormal in 71.4%. It appears that (1) resting peak filling rates and average filling rates were sensitive and easily obtainable parameters of the diastolic dysfunction assosiated with coronary artery disease, (2) a significant proportion of coronary artery disease patients without any evidence of abnormal systolic function have depressed resting peak filling rates and average filling rates of the left ventricle.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.2 s.247
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• pp.116-122
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• 2005

Background: Adverse effects of cardiopulmonary bypass can be avoided by 'Off-pump' coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery. Recent studies have reported that OPCAB had the most beneficial impact on patients at highest risk by reducing bypass-related complications. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of OPCAB and conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CCAB) in patients with poor left ventricular (LV) function. Material and Method: From March 1997 to February 2004, seventy five patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of $35\%$ or less underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting at our institute. Of these patients, 33 patients underwent OPCAB and 42 underwent CCAB. Preoperative risk factors, operative and postoperative outcomes, including LV functional change, were compared and analysed. Result: Patients undergoing CCAB were more likely to have unstable angina, three vessel disease and acute myocardial infarction among the preoperative factors. OPCAB group had significantly lower mean operation time, less numbers of total distal anastomoses per patient and less numbers of distal anastomoses per patient in the circumflex territory than the CCAB group. There was no difference between the groups in regard to in-hospital mortality $(OPCAB\; 9.1\%\;(n=3)\;Vs.\;CCAB\;9.5\%\;(n=4)),$ intubation time, the length of stay in intensive care unit and in hospital postoperatively. Postoperative complication occurred more in CCAB group but did not show statistical difference. On follow-up echocardiography, OPCAB group showed $9.1\%$ improvement in mean LVEF, 4.3 mm decrease in mean left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and 4.2 mm decrease in mean left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD). CCAB group showed $11.0\%$ improvement in mean LVEF, 5.1 mm decrease in mean LVEDD and 5.5 mm decrease in mean LVESD. But there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: This study showed that LV function improves postoperatively in patients with severe ischemic LV dysfunction, but failed to show any difference in the degree of improvement between OPCAB and CCAB. In terms of operative mortality rate and LV functional recovery, the results of OPCAB were as good as those of CCAB in patients with poor LV function. But, OPCAB procedure was advantageous in shortening of operative time and in decrease of complications. We recommend OPCAB as the first surgical option for patients with severe LV dysfunction.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.381-391
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• 2002

Purpose: The presence of perfusion defect may influence the left ventricular mass (LVM) measurement by quantitative gated myocardial perfusion SPECT (QGS), and ischemic myocardium, usually showing perfusion defect may produce post-stress LV dysfunction. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of extent and reversibility of perfusion defect on the automatic measurement of LVM by QGS and to investigate the effect of reversibility of perfusion defect on post-stress LV dysfunction. Subjects and Methods: Forty-six patients (male/female=34:12, mean age=64years) with perfusion defect on myocardial perfusion SPECT underwent rest and post-stress QGS. Forty patients (87%) showed reversible defect. End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), LV ejection fraction (EF), and LV myocardial volume were obtained from QGS by AutoQUANT program, and LVM was calculated by multiplying the LV myocardial volume by the specific gravity of myocardium. Results: LVMs measured at rest and post-stress QGS showed good correlation, and higher correlation was founded in the subjects with fixed perfusion defect and with small defect (smaller than 20%). There were no significant differences in EDVs, ESVs and EFs between obtained by rest and post-stress QGS un patients with fixed myocardial defect. Whereas, EF obtained by post-stress QGS was lower than that by rest QGS in patients with reversible defect and 10 (25%) of them showed decreases in EF more than 5% in post-stress QGS, as compared to that of rest QGS. Excellent correlations of EDVs, ESVs, EFs between rest and post-stress QGS were noted. Patients with fixed defect had higher correlation between EDVs, ESVs, EFs than patients with reversible defect. Conclusion: These results suggest that perfusion defect can affect LVM measurement by QGS and patients with reversible defect shows post-stress LV dysfunction more frequently than patients with fixed perfusion defect.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.123-135
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• 2022

Oryeongsan (ORS), a formula composed of five herbal medicines, has long been used to treat impairments of the regulation of body fluid homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the antihypertensive and renal protective effects of ORS in rats with hypertension. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into two groups with similar mean baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP). Then, 1 mL/kg of vehicle (distilled water) or 1.5, 3 g/kg of ORS extract were administered orally once a day for 4 weeks. SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected, and heart were removed for histology. By the 2 weeks after initiation of treatment, the ORS treated group had significantly lower SBP than SHR rats. The ORS treatment significantly improved blood pressure and echocardiogram parameters compared to hypertensive rats. Additionally, the left ventricular (LV) remodeling and LV dysfunction were significantly improved in ORS treated group hypertensive rats. Furthermore, an increase in fibrotic area has been observed in SHR rats compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Furthermore, administration of ORS significantly attenuated cardiac fibrosis in hypertensive rats. Therefore, these findings suggest that ORS has a protective effect on heart failure by alleviating hypertensive heart disease and cardiovascular dysfunction in SHR.