• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.11
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• pp.1202-1210
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• 2006

Purpose : A quantitative and easily measured Doppler index of combined systolic and diastolic ventricular myocardial performance (Tei index) was recently proposed as a potentially useful predictor of global myocardial performance. However, presence of heart rate fluctuation makes it unreliable. Therefore, the modified Tei index was introduced by using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) which enables measuring contraction and relaxation velocities from myocardium simultaneously. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the modified Tei index in the evaluation of global cardiac function. Methods : Forty eight patients in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease (KD) were studied. These patients were divided into two groups according to the modified Tei index. TDI and conventional echocardiography were performed. Systolic velocity, systolic displacement, E' velocity, E' displacement, A' velocity and A' displacement were measured at the base, mid-septum and the apex of the interventricular septum. Ejection fraction (EF), Tei index and modified Tei index were estimated. Results : Modified Tei index correlated negatively with systolic displacement, E' displacement and A' displacement at the base. Modified Tei index correlated positively with ESR and CRP. EF and Tei index were normal in KD patients. Conclusion : Modified Tei index is a safe, feasible and sensitive index for evaluating global ventricular functions in spite of normal EF and Tei index in KD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2003

Purpose : We intended to find out the role of transesophageal atrial pacing in evaluation of infants and children with palpitation of unknown origin. Methods : We tried transesophageal atrial pacing study in 69 infants and children with palpitation, in whom tachycardia wasn't documented in electrocardiogram and reviewed retrospectively the records of transesophageal pacing and medical records of theses patients to find out the induction rate of tachycardia by transesophageal atrial pacing and the possible mechanism of tachycardia if induced. Results : In 70.1% infants and children with palpitation, tachycardia was induced, so we could conclude that tachycaridia was the cause of palpitation in these cases. In most cases, tachycardia was induced by rapid atrial pacing, and in 21% by using isoproterenol. Tachycardia induction rate was higher in <6-year-old children than ${\geq}6$-year-old children(P<0.05). In cases of the induced, we reviewed the mechanism of tachycardia. Of these induced tachycardias, 53.2% is atrioventricular reentry tachycardia, 34.0% were atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia, and 12.8% were idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia. Invasive electrophysiologic study was done to 10 patients of those induced. The results of electrophysiologic study and transesophageal pacing and recording were the same except for one patient. Conclusion : Transesophageal atrial pacing and recording is a less invasive, safe and useful method to find out the cause of palpitation and the mechanism of tachycardia in infants and children.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.504-509
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• 1996

When a valve prosthesis is to be implanted in the aortic position, simple interrupted suture, figure-of- eight suture, or horizontal mattress suture technique is used as a suture method. However, the suture techniques may be unacceptable for aortic valve replacement in patients with friable annulus caused by some lesions, such as endocarditis and degenerative change. We used an alternative technique for the aortic vlave replacement in 4 patients with valve endocarditis, ) patients with degenerative valvular lesion, and 1 with rheumatic valvular disease. Mattress sutures through the annulus were placed with pledgets on the ventricular side of the annulus, whi h resulted in implantation of the prosthesis at a supra-annular level. Mechanical valves of 21 mm or larger were implanted in the supra-annular position in all patients and there was no impeded motion of leaflets during the follow-up period of mean 13.3 mouths. The transvalvular pressure gradient was less than 6 mm Hg in 3 patients and 20 to 40 mm Hg in 5 patients. The supra-annular implantation of mechanical aortic valve using a vertical mattress suture technique may be a useful alternative method of aortic valve replacement for the selected patients with friable or destroyed aortic annulus.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.7-12
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• 2004

MDCT is a useful, non-invasive, diagnostic tool in the evaluation of coronary artery disease. However, the image quality is affected by an irregular heart rhythm of the patients. Especially, premature ventricular contraction induced stair-step artifacts in the reconstruction of 2-D or 3-D images of the heart including coronary arteries. In recent, we experienced some improving of the image quality after correcting the PVC. Accordingly, the purpose of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the arrhythmia correction method, which was commercially available software, in improving the quality of the reconstruction images of the heart. Image analysis was performed, in consensus, by two radiologists. The scores for image quality were ranked as follows; excellent is 4 (image quality is markedly improved and is helpful in the image evaluation), good is 3 (image quality is mildly improved, but is somewhat helpful in the image evaluation), fair is 2 (image quality is improved and is not helpful in the image evaluation), and poor is 1 (image quality is not improved). We used ANOVA method to evaluate the statistical significant differences in the image qualities among the correction methods of the arrhythmia with below 0.05 of p-value. The method of moving the R-R interval showed statistically significant differences in improving of the image quality in patients with arrhythmia. We concluded that the regulation of R-R interval in patients with arrhythmia was an effective method to improve the image quality in the reconstructions of the MDCT coronary angiograms.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.345-350
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• 2001

배경: 항부정맥 술식으로서의 메이스 술식은 우수한 동율동 전환율을 보고 있으나, 술식의 복잡성과 상대적으로 긴 수술 시간 등으로 모든 환자들에게 적용할 수는 없기에, 일부 환자군에서 보다 간단한 항부정맥술인 폐정맥 분리술을 시행 받은 환자들을 대상으로 동율동 전환율 등의 수술 성적과 위험 인자 등에 대해 알아보고자한다. 대상 및 방법: 1995년 10월부터 1999년 2월까지, 폐정맥 분리술을 시행받은 96명의 환자들을 대상으로 후향적 연구를 시행하였다. 남자가 37명(38.5%), 여자가 59명(61.5%) 이었고, 평균 연령은 46.9$\pm$11.6세 이었다. 승모판 협착 환자가 50명(52.1%), 폐쇄 부전이 24명(25%), 협착과 폐쇄부전이 같이 있었던 경우가 22명(22.9%)이었다. 판막 술식과 폐정맥 분리술을 시행하고 좌심방이 제거술을 시행하였다. 모든 환자들은 술 후 6개월 내지 1년 이내에 외래에서 심전도와 심초음파를 시행받았다. 평균 추적 관찰 기간은 25.9$\pm$11.5개월 이었다. 술 후 최근 추적일까지 동율동으로 전환된 군과 안된 군으로 나누어 분석을 하였다. 결과: 조기 성적으로는 사망이 3명(3.1%), 술 후 6개월 이내의 추적관찰 유실이 2명(2.1%) 이었다. 조기 합병증으로 재수술이 필요 했던 출혈이 4례, 심폐바이패스 이탈 실패오 심실보조장치 등의 삽입이필요했던 경우가 1례, 뇌혈관질환 1례, 심근경색이 1례 등이 있었다. 만기 합병증으로는 동기능 부전 증후군으로 영구 심박동기를 삽입한 경우가 1례, 일시적인 뇌경색 1례 있었고 다른 판막과 연관된 합병증은 없었다. 동율동 전환 환자 수는 75명(82%)이었다. 동율동으로의 전환이 어려운 위험인자로 50세로 이상의 연령(p=0.03), 65mm 이상의 좌심방 크기(p=0.03), 동반 우심 술식 시행(p=0.02)등이 있었다 결론: 승모판 질환을 동반한 심방 세동 환자에서 폐정맥 분리술을 시행하여 만족할 만한 동율동 전환율을 얻을 수 있었다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.745-753
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• 2001

capillary leak syndrome and organ dysfunction in infants. Removing harmful cytokines and complement anaphylatoxins after cardiopulmonary bypass may attenuate this response. This study was conducted to see if the modified ultrafiltration and postoperative peritoneal dialysis can reduce plasma inflammatory mediators in pediatric cardiac surgery. Material and Method: 30 infants (age 1.1 to 12.6 months) who underwent closures of ventricular septal defect using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were enrolled in this study. These patients were divided into three groups; 10 patients selected randomly underwent modified ultrafiltration (Group U), 10 with small body weights ($\leq$5 kg) received postoperative peritoneal dialysis (Group P), and 10 patients did not undergo modified ultrafiltration nor receivcd peritoneal dialysis (Group C). Serum samples were obtained before and after CPB, and after peritoneal dialysis. Effluents sample were also obtained after modified ultrafiltration or peritoneal dialysis. C3a and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay respectively. Result: There was no differences in CPB time, aortic cross-clamping title, and lowest temperature during CPB. The effluents of peritoneal dialysis contained significant amount of C3a and IL-6, but there was no definitive decrease of serum concentration of C3a and IL-6. The effluents of modified ultrafiltration had some amount of C3a and negligible IL-6, and there was no decrease of serum concentration of these (actors. Conclusion: The effluents of peritoneal dialysis contained significant amount of proinflammatory cytokine, IL-6 and complement, C3a. However this study failed to elucidate the decrease in serum levels of these factors. The modified ultrafiltration also was not able to reduce the serum levels of C3a or IL-6 in our study as well.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.494-498
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• 2009

Purpose : Applicability of transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) has been expanded by accumulation of clinical experiences and evolutions of the device. This study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter closure of ASD with Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) in young children less than 3 years of age. Methods : From May 2003 to December 2005, 295 patients underwent transcatheter closure of ASD with ASO in the Severance Cardiovascular Hospital, Yonsei University Health System. Among them, 51 patients less than 3 years of age were enrolled in this study. We investigated procedural success rate, rate of residual shunt, frequency of complications, procedure/fluoroscopy time, and need of modified techniques for device implantation. Results : The median age was 2.1 years and median body weight was 12 kg. Implantation of device was successful in 50 patients (98%). Seven patients (15%) showed a small residual shunt 1 day after the procedure, but complete occlusion had been documented at 6 month follow-up in all patients (100%). The pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs), peak systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and peak systolic right ventricular pressure had decreased significantly after closure of ASD. There were 2 complications including device embolization (1, 2%) and temporary groin hematoma (1, 2%). Conclusion : Transcatheter closure of ASD with ASO can be performed with satisfactory results and acceptable risk even in young children less than 3 years of age. We could suggest that even in very young children with ASD, there is no need to wait until they grow to a sufficient size for the transcatheter closure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.693-698
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• 2005

Background: Sinus valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare disease, and it is frequently accompanied by ventricular septal defect and aortic valve regurgitaion. For treatment of SVA, several surgical mordalities were applied, but there was no report on the long-term result after surgical repair in Korea. We reviewed our 28 years of experiences and analyzed the long-term results after treatment of sinus valsalva aneurysm with or without rupture. Material and Method: Between March 1974 and February 2002, 81 patients were operated under the impression of sinus valvsalva aneurysm or sinus valsalva aneurym rupture. Retrospectively we reviewed the patients' record. Mean age of patients was $29.2\pm11.5$ and there were 49 males. Accompanyng diseases were as follows: VSD in 50, PDA in 2, Behcet's disease in 2, TOF in 1, RVOTO in 1, AAE in 1. Seventy-seven $(95\%)$ patients had sinus valsalva rupture and in 14 patients, subacute bacterial endocarditis was accompanied. Degree of aortic valve regurgitation was as follows: grade I: 8, II: 10, III: 9, IV: 4. Most common rupture site was right coronary sinus (66 patients, $81\%$) and most common communication site was right ventricle (53 patients). In repair of sinus valsalva rupture, patch was used in 37 patients, and direct suture was done in 38 patients. Result: There was one surgical death $(1.2\%)$. Follow up was done in 78 patients $(97.5\%)$, mean follow up period was $123.3\pm80.9(3\~330\;months)$. During the follow up period, 3 patients died $(3.8\%)$. One patient died of heart failure, another patient died of arrhythmia and the other one died of unknown cause. In two patients, complete atrio-ventricular block was developed during follow up period, and there was no operation related event or complication. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed $92.5\pm3.5\%$ survival at 15 and 27 years and it seems to be satisfactory. Conclusion: Long-term surgical results and survival is satisfactory after repair of sinus valsalva aneurysm with or without rupture.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1049-1055
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• 1998

Background: Coronary artery bypass surgery is an important treatment for ischemic heart disease. Recently operative mortality and morbidity has decreased, however further improvement is necessary. Materials and methods: This study was designed to evaluate the risk of operative mortality and morbidity by retrospective method. From 1992 to 1997, eighty six patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. There were 61 males and 25 females aged 36~74 years(mean, 58.6). Fourteen patients(16%) had previous PTCA or stent insertion, 41 patients(48%) had unstable angina, and 45 patients(52%) had three vessel disease. Patients with low LV ejection fraction(<35%) were 7 cases and urgent or emergent operation were 10 cases. There were 6 cases of combined surgery which were mitral valve replacement(2 cases), aortic valve replacement(2 cases), ASD repair(1 case), and VSD repair(1 case). Average number of distal anastomosis was 3.5 per patient and average aortic cross clamp time was 115±38.3min. Preoperative risk factors were defined as follows: female, old age(>70 years), low body surface area(<1.5M2), PTCA or stent insertion history, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, hypertension, DM, COPD, urgent or emergent operation, left main disease, low LV ejection fraction(<35%), and combined surgery. Results: Operative mortality was 7cases(8%). As a postoperative morbidity, perioperative myocardial infarction was 6 cases, cerebrovascular accident 6 cases, reoperation for bleeding 5 cases, acute renal failure 4 cases, gastrointestinal complication 3 cases, and mediastinitis 3 cases. In the evaluation of operative risk factors, low body surface area, DM and low LV ejection fraction were found to be predictive risk factors of postoperative morbidity(p<0.05), and low ejection fraction was especially a risk factor of hospital mortality(p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, low body surface area, DM and low LV ejection fraction were risk factors of postoperative morbidity and low ejection fraction was a risk factor of hospital mortality.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 1997

.Itrial fibrillation is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias requiring treatment. About 60% of patients with mitral valvular disease have atrial fibrillation and one third of patients with atrial fibrillation may have the past history of thromboembolic events. Between April 1994 and June 1995, 20 patients with organic heart diseases combined with atrial fibrillation underwent open heart surgery including Cox-maze 111 procedure. There were 6 men and 14 women with an average age of 48 years (range, 31 to 66 years). Nineteen patients had valvular heart diseases and 1 ventricular septal defEct (VSD). Mean duration of atrial fibrillation was 36 months (:42 months) (range, 1 to 132 months). T e past medical history of thromboembolic events was positive in 7 patients (35%) and left atrial thrombus was detected in 9 patients (45%). The concomitant procedures were mitral valve replacement (MVR) and aortic valve replacement (AVR) in 5 patients, MVR in 4, MVd and tricuspid annuloplasty(TAP) in 4, mitral valvuloplasty(Mln) in 3, Mln and Tln in 1, MIW and coronary artery bypass surgery in 1, AVR in 1, and patch closure of VSD in 1. Mean aortic cross-clamping time was 175 minutes (range, 116 to 270 minutes). Atrial fibrillation recurred in 16 patients (80%) during the early postoperative period, but, recurrent atrial fibrillation was converted to regular rhythm at postoperative forty-first day in average. There was no early or late death in this series of 20 patients and postoperative complications were inappropriate tachycardia in 5 patients (25%), low cardiac output syndrome in 3 (15%), aggravated hemiplegic in 1, and acute renal failure in 1. Mean follow-up interval of patient was 16.5 months (range, 10.5 to 24 months) and all patients are currently in regular rhythm. Seventeen patients (85%) are in sinus rhythm and 3 (15%) in junctional rhythm. Right atrial contraction was detected in 95% of patients and left atrial contraction in 63% on postoperative transthoracic echocardiogram. The surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation concomitant with open heart surgery is warranted in the recent clinical setting of improved myocardial protection technique, considering the untoward side-effects of atrial fibrillation.