• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.727-732
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• 2007

Background: The reciptents of aortic valve replacement or a Bentall operation usually display various degrees of mitral regurgitation. When deciding whether or not to correct the mitral regurgitation, one must consider its severity, underlying causes and operative risk. Recently, the operation method for correcting the concomitant mitral regurgitation has been done through aortic root to reduce the operation time and the cardiac trauma. We report our experiences that transaortic mitral valve commissuroplasty done with aortic valve replacement or a Bentall operation has been a simple, less invasive, effective method in the operative management of mitral valve regurgitation without significant organic changes. Material and Method: Between June 2002 and June 2005, twenty patients under-went mitral valve commissuroplasty via the aortic root with aortic valve replacement (n=14) or a Bentall operation (n=7). The mitral valve regurgitation of the patients didn't exceed a moderate (grade 2) degree and there was no significant organic disease. The preoperative diagnosis of MR was established by TTE and intraoperative TEE, and the patients were followed postoperatively by TTE. The operative technique was a simple anterolateral commissuroplasty of the mitral valve with a single mattress suture via the transaortic annular approach after excision of the aortic valve leaflets. Result: The mean patient age was 56.2 years and 65% (n=13) were male. The preoperative MR was mild (grade 1) in 9 (45%), mild to moderate in 8 (40%), and moderate (grade 2) in 3 (15%) patients. There were no operative mortalities. The MR improved in all patients (p=0.002) and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) improved in 14 (70%) patients (p=0.005). The mean cross-clamp time for the patients who under- went aortic valve replacement with transaortic mitral repair was $62.1{\pm}13.9 min$ and this was $137.5{\pm}7.2 min$ for the patients who underwent a Bentall operation with transaortic mitral repair. Conclusion: For selected patients without significant mitral organic disease, transaortic mitral valve commissuroplasty combined with aortic valve replacement or a Bentall operation may be a feasible, effective method without adding significant aortic cross clamping time and more cardiotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.232-235
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• 2007

We present 2 cases of patients who underwent surgical repair and replacement of an injured aortic valve that was secondary to nonpenetrating trauma. Primary repair was undertaken on an 18-year old boy, but he had persistent moderate aortic regurgitation for five years after surgery. Another 64-year old man was treated successfully with surgical replacement of the aortic valve via employing a prosthetic mechanical valve. Attempts at valvuloplasty for the treatment of traumatic aortic valve injury have not been uniformly successful, and prosthetic valve replacement is recommended for repair, except for highly selected cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.492-498
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• 2004

Background: In this study, we investigated the risk factors for the development or progression of aortic regurgitation(AR) in patients with type I ventricular septal defect (VSD) to determine the optimal surgical timing and strategy. Material and Method: Three-hundred and ten patients with type I VSD with or without AR were included. The mean of age was 73.7$\pm$114.7 (1-737) months. One hundred and eighty six patients (60%) had no AR, 83 (27%) had mild AR, 25 (8%) had moderate AR and 16 (5%) had severe AR. Aortic valve was repaired in 5 patients and replaced in 11 patients with closure of VSD in the first operation. Four patients required redo aortic valve repair and 11 patients required redo aortic valve replacement. Age at operation, association with aortic valve prolapse, Qp/Qs, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, VSD size and systolic pulmonary artery to aortic pressure ratio(s[PAP/AP］) were included as risk factors analysis for the development of AR. The long-term result of aortic valve repair and aortic valve replacement were compared. Result: Older age at operation, association with aortic valve prolapse, high Qp/Qs, and s[PAP/AP] were identified as risk factors for the development of AR (p<0.05, Table 2). The older the patient at the time of operation, the higher the severity of preoperative AR and the incidence of postoperative AR (p<0.05, Table 1, Fig. 1). For the older patients at operation, aortic valve repair had higher occurrence of AR compared to those who had aortic valve replacement (p<0.05, Fig. 2). Conclusion: From the result of this study, we can concluded that early primary repair is recommended to decrease the progression of AR. Aortic valve repair is not always a satisfactory option to correct the aortic valve pathology, which may suggest that aortic valve replacement should be considered when indicated.

• 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.40 no.10
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• pp.667-673
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• 2007

Background: Patients with severe aortic valve disease frequently display mitral valve regurgitation (MR). In such patients, the clinical course of MR after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) may be important for determining the treatment strategies. After isolated AVR, the change of the concomitant moderate degree or less of MR according to the type of aortic valve disease is not known well. The aim of this study was to analyze the post-operative changes of MR after performing AVR in those patients with severe AS (Group S) and those with severe AR (Group R). Material and Method: We retrospectively evaluated 43 patients with severe aortic disease and a moderate degree or less of mitral valve regurgitation, and these patients underwent isolated aortic valve replacement from January 1996 to June 2005. The patients were divided into two groups: the aortic valve stenosis group (n = 29) and the aortic valve regurgitation group (n = 14). The patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography preoperatively and at 7 days, $6{\sim}10$ months and more than 18 months (mean follow-up duration: 38 months) postoperatively. Result: The mean age was 60.9 years (Group S: 62 years, Group R: 52.5 years) and 60% (Group S=55%, Group R=71%) of the patients were male. The preoperative MR was mild in 29 (67.5%), mild to moderate in 11 (25.5%), and moderate in 3 (6.9%) patients. In the Group S patients, MR improved in 16 (55%) patients at the immediate postoperative days and in 17 (59%) patients at more than 18 months postoperatively. On the other hand, all the Group R patients exhibited earlier improvement. The decrease of LA size had a similar pattern to the MR change, but there were no significant differences in the change of the ejection fraction of the two groups. Conclusion: In the patients with severe aortic valve disease and concomitant low grade MR, the MR after AVR improved earlier and more effectively in the patients with AR than in those patients with AS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.652-659
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• 2004

Background: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of aortic valvuloplasty in pediatric age. Material and Method: Between January 1993 and March 2004, 35 patients underwent aortic valvuloplasty for aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic regurgitation (AR). The mean age was 81.1$\pm$61.5 (1∼223) months. The mean follow up was 50.8$\pm$30.2 (3∼121) months. Nine patients had AS, 21 had AR, and 6 had AS and AR. Valve morphology was tricuspid in 24 patients, bicuspid in 9, quadricuspid in 1, and unicuspid in 1. The mean peak pressure gradients of AS were 72.0$\pm$33.0 mmHg, and the mean grades of AR were 3.1$\pm$0.9. Result: There was one late mortality without early mortality. After operation, AS improved with mean peak pressure gradients of 23.5$\pm$21.0 mmHg (p < 0.05), and AR improved with mean grades of 1.9$\pm$0.8 (p < 0.05). At mean follow up of 35.0$\pm$23.0 months, AS maintained with mean peak pressure gradients of 31.5$\pm$24.0 mmHg, but AR progressed with mean grades of 2.8$\pm$1.3 (p < 0.05). Reoperation was required in 6 patients 38.3$\pm$21.8 months after the original operation. The actuarial figures for freedom from reoperation at 2, 5 and 8 years were 96.9$\pm$3.1%, 79.5$\pm$5.5%, and 56.8$\pm$11.4%, respectively. Age at operation, presence of AS, preoperative severity of AS or AR, and morphology of aortic valve were not significant risk factors for reoperation, and improvement of AS or AR. Conclusion: Aortic valvuloplasty showed good immediate postoperative valve function. Aortic valvuloplasty offers children many years with tolerable valve function and allows to postpone aortic valve replacement or Ross procedure in pediatric patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2001

배경: 대동맥판막협착증 환자는 판막질환으로 인한 만성적인 후부하의 증가에 대한 보상성 좌심실 심근비후가 일어나게 된다. 대동맥 판막 치환 후 좌심실 심근 비후의 감소가 이루어지는 것으로 알려져 있으나 21mm이하의 작은 인공판막으로 치환시 좌심실 심근 변화에 대해 논란이 있다. 대상 및 방법: 1994년 9월부터 1998년 7월까지 한림대학교 강동성심병원 흉부외과에서 대동맥판막협착증으로 진단받고 판막치환술을 시행한 20명을 대상으로 하였다. 환자는 남녀 각각 13명, 7명이며 평균나이 61$\pm$13.8세 체표면적은 평균 1.57$\pm$0.14m$m^2$이었다. 환자의 추적관찰은 수술 전, 수술 후 초기(평균 10.4일) 및 수술 후 만기(평균 29.9개월)에 심초음파로 시행하였다. 환자들은 사용된 판막에 따라 2개의 군(1군;21mm 이하, 2군;23mm이상)으로 나누었다. 결과: 모든 군에서 NYHA Functional class의 유의한 감소가 있었다. 좌심실 구추률은 수술 전후 1군은 유의한 차이가 없었으나 2군에서는 유의한 차이가 있었다. 그러나 수술 전 좌심실 구출률이 2군에서 1군에 비해 유의하게 감소되어 있었다(p=0.044). 좌심실근량지수는 1군은 수술후 초기에 유의한 감소가 없었으나 수술후 만기에는 유의한 감소를 보여주었다. 그러나 2군은 수술후 초기와 만기에 모두 유의한 감소를 보여주었다. 결론: 21 mm이하 군과 23 mm이상 군 모두 임상적 호전이 있었다. 그러나 19 mm판막군이 2례로 적어 19 mm 판막의 사용시 환자의 나이와 체표면적, 운동량을 고려하여 신중한 판막선택이 고려된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.365-367
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• 2001

매우 드물게 발생하지만 대동맥판막수술중에 우관상동맥의 급성폐색은 우심실부전을 일으켜 매우 치명적인 결과를 초래할 수 있다. 심한 대동맥 판막부전증을 가진 67세 여자 환자에서 19 mm Hancock II 조직판막을 이용하여 대동맥판막치환술을 시행한 후 심폐기에서 이탈하는 과정주에 우심실부전이 발견되었으며, 우관상 동맥의 폐색을 의심하여 우측 내흉동맥을 사용하여 관상동맥 우회수술을 시행하였고 이후에 심폐기에서 순조롭게 이탈할 수 있었다. 수술후 9일째 시행한 관상동맥 조영술에서 우관상동맥 근위부에 색전에 의한 폐색을 확인할 수 있었다. 이에 저자들은 우관상동맥의 폐색으로 인한 우심부전증이 우관상동맥우회수술후에 회복된 증례를 보고하고자 한다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.868-871
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• 2004

A 42 year old male was operated with aortic root abscess and pseudoaneurysm. Aortic valve vegetations which measured $8\times5$ cm and root abscess were removed and debrided. We reconstructed root and noncoronary sinus with autopericardium. Antibiotics were administered for 4 weeks. In general, Aortic root abscess recurs frequently and mortality is high. It is usually requires early surgical eradication with antibiotics medication.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.613-616
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• 2004

Systemic lupus erythemotosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder with dermal, renal, and cardiac manifestations. It frequently has cardiovascular complications such as pericarditis, myocarditis, and valvular heart diseases. Valvular heart diseases in SLE comes mainly in the form of mitral or aortic insufficiencies. Report of aortic stenosis is extremely rare. Surgical treatments of valvular heart disease in SLE are not done frequently because of complications in other organs. Aortic stenosis developed in a 59 year-old woman with SLE, and aortic valve replacement was done successfully.