• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.430-438
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• 2002

It is known that low birth weight is a risk factor for poor outcome in cardiac surgery for many cardiac defects. We reviewed our recent surgical experiences on congenital heart defect (other than patent ductus arteriosus) in low birth weight babies. Material and Method: From September 1994 to February 2001, 31 consecutive infants weighing 2500 g or less underwent cardiac surgery with (OHS group n=12) or without cardiopulmonary bypass (CHS group n=19). A retrospective study was carried out to evaluate short-and intermediate-term outcome. Mean gestational age and age at operation were 36.9 weeks(range, 32.3-42weeks) and 32.1days (range, 0-87days) respectively. Mean body weight at birth and operation were 1972g (range, 1100-2500g) and 2105g (range, 1450-2500 g) respectively. There was no difference between the two groups in age and body weight. Defects included ventricular septal defect (VSD) (n=3), VSD with arch anomaly (n=2), total anomalous pulmonary venous return (n=2), transposition of the great arteries (TGA) (n=2), truncus arteriosus (n=2), and univentricular heart with cor triatriatum (n=1) in OHS group, and coarctation of aorta (n=7), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) (n=3), TOF with pulmonary atresia (n=3), multiple muscular VSDs (n=1), double outlet right ventricle (n=1), pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (n=2), tricuspid atresia (n=1), and TGA with multiple VSD (n=1) in CHS group. 13 patients (41.9%) were intubated pre-operatively. Result: There were 4 early deaths(＜30 days); 1 (8.3%) in OHS group and 3 (15.8%) in non-OHS group. All these early deaths were related to the pulmonary artery banding(PAB). There was no operative mortality in infants undergoing complete repair and palliative operations other than PAB. Delayed sternal closure was required in 3 patients. Prolonged postoperative mechanical ventilation (>7 days) was required in 7 patients(58.3%) in OHS and 7(38.8%) in CHS group. Late mortality occurred in 3 patients, two of which were non-cardiac. A patient in OHS group was documented to have neurologic sequelae. All the survivors except two are in NYHA class 1. Conclusion: Complete repair and palliative operations other than PAB can be performed in low birth weight infants with low operative mortality and an acceptable intermediate-term result. However, about a half of the patients required long-term postoperative mechanical ventilation.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1992 no.05
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• pp.27-47
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• 1992

Engineers have developed new instruments that aid in diagnosis and therapy Ultrasonic imaging has provided a nondamaging method of imaging internal organs. A complex transducer emits ultrasonic waves at many angles and reconstructs a map of internal anatomy and also velocities of blood in vessels. Fast computed tomography permits reconstruction of the 3-dimensional anatomy and perfusion of the heart at 20-Hz rates. Positron emission tomography uses certain isotopes that produce positrons that react with electrons to simultaneously emit two gamma rays in opposite directions. It locates the region of origin by using a ring of discrete scintillation detectors, each in electronic coincidence with an opposing detector. In magnetic resonance imaging, the patient is placed in a very strong magnetic field. The precessing of the hydrogen atoms is perturbed by an interrogating field to yield two-dimensional images of soft tissue having exceptional clarity. As an alternative to radiology image processing, film archiving, and retrieval, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are being implemented. Images from computed radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasound are digitized, transmitted, and stored in computers for retrieval at distributed work stations. In electrical impedance tomography, electrodes are placed around the thorax. 50-kHz current is injected between two electrodes and voltages are measured on all other electrodes. A computer processes the data to yield an image of the resistivity of a 2-dimensional slice of the thorax. During fetal monitoring, a corkscrew electrode is screwed into the fetal scalp to measure the fetal electrocardiogram. Correlations with uterine contractions yield information on the status of the fetus during delivery To measure cardiac output by thermodilution, cold saline is injected into the right atrium. A thermistor in the right pulmonary artery yields temperature measurements, from which we can calculate cardiac output. In impedance cardiography, we measure the changes in electrical impedance as the heart ejects blood into the arteries. Motion artifacts are large, so signal averaging is useful during monitoring. An intraarterial blood gas monitoring system permits monitoring in real time. Light is sent down optical fibers inserted into the radial artery, where it is absorbed by dyes, which reemit the light at a different wavelength. The emitted light travels up optical fibers where an external instrument determines O2, CO2, and pH. Therapeutic devices include the electrosurgical unit. A high-frequency electric arc is drawn between the knife and the tissue. The arc cuts and the heat coagulates, thus preventing blood loss. Hyperthermia has demonstrated antitumor effects in patients in whom all conventional modes of therapy have failed. Methods of raising tumor temperature include focused ultrasound, radio-frequency power through needles, or microwaves. When the heart stops pumping, we use the defibrillator to restore normal pumping. A brief, high-current pulse through the heart synchronizes all cardiac fibers to restore normal rhythm. When the cardiac rhythm is too slow, we implant the cardiac pacemaker. An electrode within the heart stimulates the cardiac muscle to contract at the normal rate. When the cardiac valves are narrowed or leak, we implant an artificial valve. Silicone rubber and Teflon are used for biocompatibility. Artificial hearts powered by pneumatic hoses have been implanted in humans. However, the quality of life gradually degrades, and death ensues. When kidney stones develop, lithotripsy is used. A spark creates a pressure wave, which is focused on the stone and fragments it. The pieces pass out normally. When kidneys fail, the blood is cleansed during hemodialysis. Urea passes through a porous membrane to a dialysate bath to lower its concentration in the blood. The blind are able to read by scanning the Optacon with their fingertips. A camera scans letters and converts them to an array of vibrating pins. The deaf are able to hear using a cochlear implant. A microphone detects sound and divides it into frequency bands. 22 electrodes within the cochlea stimulate the acoustic the acoustic nerve to provide sound patterns. For those who have lost muscle function in the limbs, researchers are implanting electrodes to stimulate the muscle. Sensors in the legs and arms feed back signals to a computer that coordinates the stimulators to provide limb motion. For those with high spinal cord injury, a puff and sip switch can control a computer and permit the disabled person operate the computer and communicate with the outside world.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.869-875
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• 1997

Perimembranous ventri ular septal defects(PMVSDS) are the most common type of ventricular septal defects(VSDs) and consist morphologically of deficiency of the membranous septum and variable portions of the adjacent muscular septum. Repair of VSD has begun via a right ventriculotomy. Even with this exposure, however, it mght lead to ventricular dysfunction. Transatrial exposure of VSDs is luiown to a versatile approach to PMVSDS and even malaligunent defects can be repaired by this method. Although transatrial exposure can be improved by taking down'the atrioventricular valve at the annulus, surgeons have been hesitant to do so because of concern for valvular competence. Therefore, this study was undertaken to clarity the effects of transamlular approach of tricuspid valve (TATV) at operation of PMVSD. During last 5 years, twenty eight cases from 96 patients of PMVSD were closed by TATV and follow up study was done from 3 months to 33 months and results were obtained as follows. 1. Age at operation was fr m 4 months to 38 years and most patients(17, 62%) were above 5 years. 2. Preoperative pulmonary-systemic flow ratio(QPIQS) was ranged from 1 to 2.8 and 22 patients(79%) were less than 2. 3. Peak systolic pulmonary artery pressure was below 30mmHg in 8, 30-50mmHg in 17, above 50mmHg in 3 patients and 25 patients(89%) were less than 50mmHg. 4. Preoperative tricuspid regurgitation(TR) is none in 12, trivial in 6, mild in 3, moderate in 5, severe in 2 patients but postoperative TR was none in 18, trivial in 6, mild in 4 patients, so TR in most patients had decreased or not. 5. Indications for operation were based on the presence of a significant shunt. However, in patients with small shunts, indications for operation were included additional factors, tricuspid valve pouch, RVOT obstruction(right ventricular outflow tract obstruction), subacute bacterial endocarditis and associated anomalies. 6. There were no hospital deaths and residual shunts in postoperative echocardiography. Therefore TATV is especially a good method in PMVSn where patients have trcuspid valve pouch. And it is a safe and effective technique that improves exposure for PMVSD repair and does not adversely affect tricuspid valvular competence.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.135-141
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• 2010

Purpose : The patients who visited this department for pulmonary disease and need CT scans for Follow-up to observe change of CT value, evaluation of image quality and decrease of radiation dose as change of kVp. Subjects and Methods : Subjects were the patients of 20 persons visited this department for pulmonary disease and Somatom Sensation 16(Semens, Enlarge, Germany) was used. Measurement of CT value as change of kVp was done by setting up ROI diameter of 1cm at the height of thyroid, aortic arch, right pulmonary artery in arterial phase image using 100 kVp, measuring 3 times, and recorded the average. CT value of phantom was measured by scanning phantoms which means contrast media diluted by normal saline by various ratio with tube voltage of 80 kVp, 100 kVp, 120 kVp, 140 kVp and recorded the average of 3 CT values of center of phantom image. In analysing radiation dose, CTDIVOL values of the latest arterial phase image of 120 kVp and as this research set that of 100 kVp were analyzed comparatively. 2 observers graded quality of chest images by 5 degrees (Unacceptable, Suboptimal, Adequate, Good, Excellent). Results : CT value of chest image increased at 100 kVp by 14.06%~27.26% in each ROI than 120 kVp. CT value of phantom increased as tube voltage lowered at various concentration of contrast media. CTDIVOL decreased at 100 kVp(5.00 mGy) by 36% than 120 kVp(7.80 mGy) in radiation dose analysis. here were 0 Unacceptable, 1 Suboptimal, 3 Adequate, 10 Good, 6 Excellent in totally 20 persons. Conclusion : Chest CT scanning with low kilo-voltage for patients who need CT scan repeatedly can bring images valuable for diagnose, and decrease radiation dose against patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.1362-1369
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• 2005

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the plasma level of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(pro-BNP) and several known risk factors influencing outcomes after Fontan operations, and to assess whether pro-BNP levels can be used as predictive risk factors in Fontan operations. Methods : Plasma pro-BNP concentrations were measured in 35 patients with complex cardiac anomalies before catheterization. Cardiac catheterization was performed in all subjects. Mean right atrium pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure(PAP), and ventricular end-diastolic pressure(EDP) were obtained. Cardiac output and pulmonary vascular resistance were calculated by Fick method. Results : Plasma pro-BNP levels exhibited statistically significant positive correlations with mean PAP(r=0.70, P<0.001), pulmonary vascular resistance(r=0.57, P<0.001), RVEDP(r=0.63, P<0.001), LVEDP(r=0.74, P<0.001), and cardiothoracic ratio(r=0.71, P<0.001). The area under the ROC curve using pro-BNP level to differentiate risk groups in Fontan operations was high : 0.868(95 percent CI, 0.712-1.023, P<0.01). The cutoff value of pro-BNP concentrations for the detection of risk groups in Fontan operations was determined to be 332.4 pg/mL(sensitivity 83.3 percent, specificity 82.7 percent). Conclusion : These data suggest that plasma pro-BNP levels may be used as a predictive risk factor in Fontan operations, and as a guide to determine the mode of therapy during follow-up after Fontan operations.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.451-474
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• 1993

Lidocaline if frequently administered as a component of an anesthetic : for local or regional nerve blocks, to mitigate the autonomic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation, to suppress the cough reflex, and for antiarrythmic therapy. Diazepam dectease the potential central nervous system (CNS) toxicity of local anesthetic agents but may modify the sitmulant action of lidocaine in addition to their own cardiovascular depressant. The potential cardiovascular toxicity of local anesthetics may be enhanced by the concomitant administration of diazepam. This study was designed to investigate the effects of lidocaine dose and pretreated diazepam to cardiovascular system and plasma concentration of lidocaine. Lidocaine in 100 mcg/kg/min, 200 mcg/kg/min, and 300 mcg/kg/min was given by sequential infusion to dogs anesthetized with halothane-nitrous oxide (Group I). And in group II, after diazepam pretreatment, lidocaine was infused by same way when lidocaine was administered in 100 mcg/kg/min, the low plasma levels ($3.97{\pm}0.22-4.48{\pm}0.36$ mcg/ml) caused a little reduction in cardiovascular hemodynamics. As administered in 200 mcg/kg/min, 300 mcg/kg/min, the higher plasma levels ($7.50{\pm}0.66-11.83{\pm}0.59$ mcg/ml) reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), stroke index (SI), left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI), and right ventricular stroke work index (PVSWI) and increased pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), central venous pressure (CVP), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), but was associated with little changes of heart rate (HR), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), and pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI). When lidocaine with pretreated diazepam was administered in 100 mcg/kg/min, the low plasma level, the lower level than when only lidocaine administered, reduced MAP, but was not changed other cardiovascular hemodynamics. While lidocaine was infused in 200 mcg/kg/min, 300 mcg/kg/min in dogs pretreated diazepam, the higher plasma level ($7.64{\pm}0.79-13.79{\pm}0.82$ mcg/ml) was maintained and was associated with reduced CI, SI, LVSWI and incresed PAWP, CVP, SVRI but was a little changes of HR, MPAP, PVRI. After $CaCl_2$ administeration, CI, SI, SVRI, LVSWI was recovered but PAWP, CVP was rather increased than recovered. The foregoing results demonstrate that pretreated diazepam imposes no additional burden on cardiovascular system when a infusion of large dose of lidocaine is given to dogs anesthetized with halothanenitrous oxide. But caution may be advised if the addition of lidocaine is indicated in subjects who have impared autonomic nervous system and who are in hypercarbic, hypoxic, or acidotic states.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.187-193
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• 2018

Purpose: The efficacy of percutaneous stent implantation for congenital heart disease (CHD) in Korea, where stent availability is limited, has not been determined. This study evaluated the acute and midterm results of stent implantation in different CHD subgroups. Methods: Stents were implanted in 75 patients with 81 lesions: (1) pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) group, 56 lesions in 51 patients; (2) coarctation of the aorta (CoA) group, 5 lesions in 5 patients; (3) Fontan group, 13 lesions in 12 patients; (4) ductal stent group, 3 lesions in 3 patients; and (5) other CHD group, 4 lesions in 4 patients. Mean follow-up duration was 2.1 years (0.1-4 years). Medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The minimum lumen diameter (MLD) in PAS and CoA increased from $5.0{\pm}1.9mm$ and $8.4{\pm}1.6mm$ to $10.1{\pm}3.6mm$ and $12.3{\pm}2.5mm$, respectively (P<0.01). In the PAS group, pressure gradient decreased from $25.7{\pm}15.6mmHg$ to $10.4{\pm}10.1mmHg$, and right ventricular to aortic pressure ratio from $0.56{\pm}0.21$ to $0.46{\pm}0.19$. In the CoA group, the pressure gradient decreased from $50{\pm}33mmHg$ to $17{\pm}8mmHg$. In the ductal stent group, the MLD of the ductus increased from 2.3 mm to 4.3 mm and arterial oxygen saturation from 40%-70% to 90%. No deaths were associated with stent implantation. Stent migration occurred in 3 patients, but repositioning was successful in all. Stent redilation was performed successfully in 26 cases after $29{\pm}12months$. Conclusion: Percutaneous stent implantation was safe and effective, with acceptable short and mid-term outcomes in Korean CHD patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.449-453
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• 2007

Totally implanted central venous access devices for chemotherapy (chemoport) are being used increasingly in lung cancer patients. Vascular catheters are associated with various complications including infection, thrombosis as well as spontaneous fractures and embolization of the catheter, which is known as 'pinch-off syndrome'. 'Pinch-off syndrome' refers to the compression of a subclavian central venous catheter between the clavicle and first rib resulting in an intermittent or permanent obstruction, which can lead to tears, transection, or embolization. We report two cases of fractured and embolized implanted subclavian venous catheters in which the fragments were removed percutaneously. A 62-year-old man presented with back pain with a duration of a few weeks. The chest radiograph revealed complete transsection and embolization of the catheter into the right atrium. In addition, a 47-year-old woman with a chemoport had a grade 3 pinch-off sign in a chest radiograph demonstrating complete transsection and embolization of the catheter into the pulmonary artery. Both cases were managed by retrieving the embolized distal fragment percutaneously and removing the proximal section of the catheter.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.122-126
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• 2001

A non-traumatic, spontaneous hemothorax is rare. The most common causes are coagulopathy, due to anticoagulation treatment, and cancers with a metastasis to the pleural surface. Other unusual causes include thoracic endometriosis, ruptured aortic aneurysm, pulmonary arterio-venous malformation, coagulopathy, Osler-Rendeu-Weber syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome et cetera. A type 1 neurofibromatosis(Von Recklinghausen's disease) is an autosomal dominant disease that is characterized by multiple skin tumors(neurofibroma) and abnormal skin pigmentation(caf$\acute{e}$-au-lait spots). Some are accompanied by vasculopathy, and are present with a spontaneous hemothorax. Such cases are unusual but fatal. We have recently experienced a case where a young male patient with neurofibromatosis initially presented with hypovolemic shock due to a spontaneous hemothorax. Later, aortography revealed that the cause of the hemothorax was a rupture of a pseudoaneurysm of the right internal mammary artery and as a result, an embolization was performed. Here we report this case with a review of the appropriate literature.

• 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.