• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.4 s.249
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• pp.291-300
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• 2005

One-stage repair of aortic arch anomalies and intracardiac defects through median sternotomy has been recently adopted by many institutions since it is known to be safer than the staged repair. The early and midterm results of the one-stage repair of aortic arch anomalies and intracardiac defects were retrospectively evaluated. Material and Method: 45 patients who underwent one-stage repair of aortic arch anomalies and intracardiac defects performed by one surgeon from January 1996 to July 2003 were included in this retrospective study. The median age of repair was 16 days (range, 3 days$\~$23.7 months) and the mean weight was $3.62\;\pm\;1.30 kg$. Thirty one $(68.9\%)$ had coarctation and 14 $(31.1\%)$ had interrupted aortic arch. Associated intracardiac anomalies were VSD in 31 patients (VSD group), TGA or Taussig-Bing anomaly in 10 (TGA group), and others in 4 (ASD in 1, aortopulmonary window 1, truncus arteriosus 1, aortic and mitral stenoses 1, miscellaneous group). The arch obstruction was repaired with end-to-side anastomosis in 23 patients and end-to-end anastomosis in 22. Result: Overall postoperative hospital mortality was $22.2\%\;(10/45);\;16.1\%$ (5/31) in VSD group, $40\%$ (4/10) in TGA group, and$25\%$ (1/4) in miscellaneous group. There was no mortality in VSD group since 1998, and the mortality in TGA group has remarkably reduced since technical modification for coronary transfer was adopted $(75\%\;vs\;16.7\%)$. There was no postoperative seizure or other neurological complications. Postoperative aortic restenosis occurred in 5 patients $(5/35,\;14.3\%)$. Two patients underwent balloon aortoplasty with successful results. There was no reoperation. There was one late death caused by pneumonia 5 months after the operation. Two-year actuarial survival rate including operative death was $72.9\%$. Conclusion: The operative mortality of one-stage repair has been reduced with time and aortic restenosis rate was also acceptable. We concluded that this procedure is a reproducible procedure for aortic arch anomalies associated with intracardiac defects.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.5 s.250
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• pp.382-384
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• 2005

Background: It is very difficult to choose the ideal valved conduit used in right ventricle outflow reconstruction in child. We can use the cryopreserved homograft but there is a limit of application because of its difficulties in the size matching and supply capacity. The $Shelhigh^{(R)}$porcine-valved conduit is commercially available and used as an alternative choice in these days. We report two cases of early Shelhigh conduit failure in right ventricular outflow tract after Ross operation in congenital aortic stenosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.921-927
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• 2003

Arterial switch operation (ASO) has been the most effective surgical option for transposition of the great arteries. But, the inappropriate dilation of the neoaortic root has been reported and its effect on neoaortic valve function and growth of aorta has not been well documented. Material and Method: Forty-eight patients who underwent cardiac catheterization during follow up after arterial switch operation were included in this study. Arterial switch operation was performed at a median age of 18 days (range 1∼211 days). Preoperative cardiac catheterization was performed in 26 patients and postoperative catheterization was performed in all patients at 15.8$\pm$9.6 months after ASO. Postoperative ratios of the diameters of neoaortic annulus, root and aortic anastomosis against the descending aorta were compared to the size of preoperative pulmonary annular, root and sinotubular junction. Preoperative and operative parameters were analyzed for the risk factors of neoaortic insufficiency. Result: There were two clinically significant neoaortic insufficiencies (grade$\geq$II/IV) during follow up, one of which required aortic valve replacement. Another patient required reoperation due to aortic stenosis on the anastomosis site. Post-operatively, neoaortic annulus/DA ratio increased from 1.33$\pm$0.28 to 1.52$\pm$.033 (p=0.01) and neoaortic root/DA ratio increased form 2.02$\pm$0.40 to 2.56$\pm$0.38 (p<0.0001). However, the aortic anastomosis/DA ratio showed no statistically significant difference (p=0.06). There was no statistically significant correlation between the occurrence of neoaortic insufficiency and neoaortic annulus/DA ratio and neoaortic root/DA ratio. Non-neonatal repair (age>30days) (p=0.02), preopeative native pulmonaic valve stenosis (p=0.01), and bisuspid pulmonic valve (p=0.03) were the risk factors for neoaortic insufficiency in univariate risk factor analysis. Conclusion: After ASO, aortic anastomosis site showed normal growth pattern proportional to the descending aorta, but neoaortic valve annulus and root were disproportionally dilated. Significant neoaortic valve insufficiency rarely developed after ASO and neoaortic annulus and root size do not correlate with the presence of postoperative neoarotic insufficiency. ASO after neonatal period, preoperative native pulmonary valve stenosis, and bicuspid native pulmonic valve are risk factors for the development of neoaortic insufficiency.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2004

Background: Patch angioplasty is an alternative surgical procedure to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for left main coronary ostial stenosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcome of patch angioplasty by analyzing the short-term and long-term results. Material and Method: Twenty nine patients who had undergone patch angioplasty due to left main coronary ostial stenosis between July 1991 and May 2003 were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients was 53.1 $\pm$12.5 years. There were 8 males and 21 females, and there were 12 female patients who had no risk factor for atherosclerosis. Twenty six (89.7%) patients showed isolated coronary ostial stenosis without any distal coronary lesion. Result: Anterior approach was used in 28 patients and superior approach was used in one patient. Transsection of the main pulmonary artery was used in one patient. Concomitant CABG was performed in 4 patients because of left anterior descending artery lesions in 3 patients and unstable postoperative hemodynamic status in one patient. Hospital mortality had occurred in one patient (3.4%) and late mortality also in one patient, therefore the overall 5 year survival rate was 91.2$\pm$6.1%. Seventeen coronary angiographies were done in 13 patients (44.8%) postoperatively. Two distal patch stenoses, 1 proximal patch stenosis, and 1 new right coronary ostial lesion were identified and 3 percutaneous interventions and 1 CABG were performed during the follow-up period. The overall 5 year freedom from reintervention rate was 82.4 $\pm$ 8.5%. Aortic regurgitation less than grade 1 had developed postoperatively in 4 patients and one patient showed progression of preexisting aortic regurgitation from grade II to III. Conclusion: Patch angioplasty in left main coronary ostial lesion showed acceptable short-term and long-term results in this study. However, restenosis at the patch anastomosis site and aortic regurgitation should be carefully investigated during the follow-up period.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.254-259
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• 1981

This is a case of successfully surgically treated RVOT obstruction caused by projection of the herniated aortic cusp through subpulmonic supracristal VSD at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Sugery, Hanyang University Hospital. The patient was a 17 year old boy. Congenital heart anomaly was suspected at 2 years of his age. He had palpitation, dyspnea on exertion and epistaxis for 2 years prior to admission to our hospital. On examination, the blood pressure was 170/0mmHg. And the pulse rate was 100/rain. Widening of pulse pressure, water hammer pulse [bounding pulse]. To and fro murmur and head nodding were noted. Cardiomegaly was seen in chest x-ray. EKG, Echocardiography, Cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography were performed. On April 27, 81. Open heart surgery was performed under the impression of VSD combined with AI. On Rt. ventriculotomy, we noticed RVOT obstruction caused by prolapsed rt coronary cusp through a VSD. The subpulmonic supracristal VSD measuring 2.5 x 3 Cm in diameter was closed with Teflon patch graft and then the prolapsed aortic leaflet was plicated by placing three 8-figure suture between the free edge and the base of the leaflet through transverse aortotomy. After operation, excellent result was obtained: B.P, was 110/50mmHg and any sign of AI or residual shunt was not found at discharge.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.346-352
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• 1998

Rheumatic valvulitis produces at least three distinct pathologic changes, the degree varying widely among the patients: fusion of the valve leaflets at the commissures; fusion and shortening of chordae tendinae: and fibrosis of the leaflets with subsequent stiffening, contraction and calcification. The most extensive changes usually are seen in patients with recurrent attacks of rheumatic fever. We studied on outcome of the surgical treatments of rheumatic valvular diseases that have been experienced for 12 years since 1982 at Pusan National University Hospital. The diagnoses were made by rheumatic fever history, echocardiographic findings, gross operative findings and microscopic findings. Total 502 patients were performed surgery for valvular heart diseases and 440 patients of rheumatic origin have bene analysed. There were more female than male patients as 1.3:1, and the mean age was 37.8 years old. 96.3% of them affected to the mitral valve, 19.8% to aortic valve, 16.3% affected to the tricuspid valve. Most of them underwent valve replacement, and valve repair was done in 3.9% of patients. There were 36 hospital deaths(8.2%) mainly from low cardiac output syndrome, and 15 late deaths equally due to embolism and hemorrhage. Follow up was 90.1% completed(2890 patient- year). Linealized rates of late complication events are follows : thromboembolism 1.3% per patient year; anticoagulant related hemorrhage 0.8% per patient year. Overall actuarial survival including hospital mortality was 92.7＋/-2.9% in 1 year, 88.0＋/-4.5% in 5 year, 82.3＋/-7.7% in 10 year. We conclude that the rheumatic disease is still the most frequent and the most important cause of heart valve disease. So more intensive study is needed in spite of the abrupt decreasing rate of rheumatic fever in U.S.A. and other industrial country.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.52-55
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• 2002

We report one case of an 18-day-old female patient, weighing 3.4 kg, with severe cyanosis. The diagnosis was made with only transthoracic echocardiography, which revealed cor triatriatum with an atretic small opening of fibromuscular membrane, obstructive infracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage(TAPVD), severely restrictive interatrial communication, and scanty mitral inflow and aortic forward flow. The preoperative decision-making for biventricular repair was not easy due to collapsed left heart system caused by remarkably reduced blood flow An emergent operation was performed due to severe cyanosis. All left heart structures were somewhat hypoplastic but thought to be adequate for systemic circulation. Biventricular repair was done without specific intraoperative problems. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient has been doing well with no evidence of pulmonary vein stenosis or mitral regurgitation for 4 months after operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.1 s.246
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• pp.23-28
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• 2005

Ross procedure is ideal aortic valve replacement method with several merits of hemodynamic superiority and durability without the need of anticoagulation. Based upon this presumption, we studied its procedure performed in our hospital and tried to get the mid-term results Material and Method: From Jan 1999 to Oct 2001, 22 patients underwent the Ross procedure. The mean age of experimented (including 17 men and 5 women) was $30.9{\pm}8.1(17\~44)$. The diagnosis before the surgery had shown 20 as accompanied with AR and the rest 2 as with ASR. The follow-up period ranged from 0.6 to 40.6 months, mean of $38.9{\pm}1.6\;months,\;and\;follow-up\;rate\;was\;100{\%}$. Result. There was no operative death and two late deaths, one of whom was cardiac originated and the other, non-cardiac relate The survival rate was $94.1{\pm}5.7{\%}$(40.6 months). Postoperatively there were 2 exploration for bleeding, 3 low cardiac output patients. The pulmonary autograft technique was root replacement in 14 and inclusion technique in 8. Pulmonary homografts were used at the pulmonary position in all cases. There was no patient with significant aortic regurgitation. Conclusion: These showed that the mortality and morbidity of the Ross procedure were acceptable and postoperative AR was not significant. However, further long-term follow-up will be necessary for the improvement of the function of pulmonary autograft and homograft.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.373-378
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• 1999

Background: Minimally invasive technique for various cardiac surgeries has become widely accepted since it has been proven to have distinct advantages for the patients. We describe here the results of our experiences of minimal incision in cardiac surgery. Material and Method: From February 1997 to November 1998, we successfully performed 31 cases of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Male and female ratio was 17:14, and the patients age ranged from 1 to 75 years. A left parasternal incision was used in 9 patients with single vessel coronary heart disease. A direct coronary bypass grafting was done under the condition of the beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass support(MIDCAB). Among these, one was a case of a reoperation 1 week after the first operation due to a kinked mammary artery graft. A right parasternal incision was used in one case of a redo mitral valve replacement. Mini-sternotomy was used in the remaining 21 patients. The procedures were mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty in 6 patients, mitral valve replacement 5, double valve replacement 2, aortic valve replacement 1, removal of left atrial myxoma 1, closure of atrial septal defect 2, repair of ventricular septal defect 2, and primary closure of r ght ventricular stab wound 1. The initial 5 cases underwent a T-shaped mini-sternotomy, however, we adopted an arrow-shaped ministernotomy in the remaining cases because it provided better exposure of the aortic root and stability of the sternum after a sternal wiring. Result: The operation time, the cardiopulmonary bypass time, the aorta cross-clamping time, the mechanical ventilation time, the amount of chest tube drainage until POD#1, the chest tube indwelling time, and the duration of intensive care unit staying were in an acceptable range. There were two surgical mortalities. One was due to a rupture of the aorta cannulation site after double valve replacement on POD#1 in the mini-sternotomy case, and the other was due to a sudden ventricular arrhythmia after MIDCAB on POD#2 in the parasternal incision case. Postoperative complications were observed in 2 cases in which a cerebral embolism developed on POD#2 after a mini-sternotomy in mitral valve replacement and wound hematoma developed after a right parasternal incision in a single coronary bypass grafting. Neither mortality nor complication was directly related to the incision technique itself. Conclusion: Minimally invasive surgery using parasternal or mini-sternotomy incision can be used in cardiac surgeries since it is as safe as the standard full sternotomy incisions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.313-321
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• 2004

Excellent clinical results of the arterial switch operation and the limited availablity of the intraventricular rerouting has recently made an arterial switch operation to become the therapeutic method of choice for the repair of double-outlet right ventricle (DORV) with subpulmonary ventricular septal defect (VSD). The early and midterm outcomes of arterial switch operation for this anomaly were evaluated. Material and Method: Between August 1994 and July 2002, 13 patients underwent an arterial switch operation for the correction of double-outlet right ventricle with subpulmonary VSD at Dong-A university hospital.. The 50% rule was used to define DORV. Median age and mean body weight were 27 days (range, 3-120 days) and 3.8$\pm$0.7kg (range, 2.92-5.3kg) respectively. Aortic arch anomalies were associated in 6 cases (46.2%), which were all repaired through one-stage operation. The relationship of the great arteries were side-by-side in 8 cases (61.5%) and anteroposterior in 5 (38.5%). Coronary artery patterns were 1 LCx-2R in 6 cases, retropulmonary left coronary artery (LCA) in 6, and intramural LCA in 1 respectively. The enlargement of VSD was required in 1 patient and the patch enlargement of right ventricular outflow tract was performed in another one patient. The Lecompte maneuver was used in all but 3 patients with a side by side relationship of the great arteries. Result: Overall postoperative hospital mortality was 23.1 % (3/13). All operative deaths were occurred in the patients with aortic arch anomalies. There was one late death related to the postoperative complication of the central nerve system during the mean follow-up of 41.3$\pm$30.7 months. Pulmonary valvar stenosis (＞30mmHg of pressure gradient) developed in 1 patient (10%) and left pulmonary artery stenosis in 2 (20%), among them, one required reoperation 52 months after repair. There was an asymptomatic patient with moderate aortic regurgitation. 5-year survival rate including operative deaths was 68.3%. Conclusion: Although the operative mortality is high in the patients with aortic arch anomaly, the arterial switch operation for DORV with supbpulmonary VSD can be performed with low operative mortality and low reoperation rate in the patients Without arch anomaly. The arterial switch operation can be considered a good option for this complex anomaly.