• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.696-703
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• 2009

Background: A Comprehensive Aortic Root and Valve Reconstruction (CARVAR) procedure is comprised of aortic root wall reconstruction and corrections of the leaflets for treating various aortic valve diseases. We evaluated our recent early clinical experience with the CARVAR procedure. Material and Method: From October 2007 to September 2008, 114 cases (66 males) of CARVAR procedures were performed, The mean patient age was 53 years (range: 14~84) The patients were divided into 4 groups: 1) the AAR group: aortic regurgitation with aortic root wall deformity such as annulo-aortic ectasia or ascending aortic aneurysm (n=18), 2) the IAR group: isolated AR with leaflet abnormality (n=42), 3) the IAS group: isolated aortic stenosis (n=51) and 4) the PAVR group: previous aortic valve replacement (n=3). Sinotubular junction (STJ) reduction was done in all the patients, leaflet correction was done in 10 of the AAR group patients and in all the patients of the other groups, annulus reduction was done in 14 of the MR group patients and in 6 of the IAR group patients. Aortic dissection was excluded from this analysis. Result: There was no mortality or follow-up death. The diameter of the aortic sinus decreased from $54.6{\pm}8.4$ mm to $38.3{\pm}3.8$ mm in the AAR group, the mean AR grade decreased from 3.2 to 0.2 in the IAR group, the mean aortic valve pressure gradient decreased from $47.1{\pm}24.4$ mmHg to $15.1{\pm}11.7$ mmHg in the IAS group and the mean AR grade decreased to 0 in the PAVR group. Balloon type coronary perfusion cannula-related coronary ostial stenosis developed in 4 patients and this was treated with OPCAB in three patients and with PTCA in one patient. Two patients developed postoperative infectious endocarditis. All the patients were discharged and followed up in a stable condition. Conclusion: The CARVAR procedure showed excellent short term results, but a good further follow up result is required to apply this procedure to most kinds of aortic valve diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.604-610
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• 2001

Stanford type A aortic dissection after graft replacement of ascending aorta and/or aortic arch required careful follow-up due to progression of the enlarged false lumen or the recurrence of dissection. From June 1984 to June 200, 124 patients underwent operations for type A aortic dissection. Among them, 6 patients underwent reoperation due to recurred aneurysm or dissection. We evaluated that the causes of reoperation, including Marfan syndrome, the approach and result of reoperation, and strategy to reduce the risk of reoperation. Material and method: The first operation was done on acute stage in 4 cases, and chronic stage in 2 cases. There were Marfan syndromes in 3 cases. The entry site was the ascending aorta for all cases except one who underwent Bentall operation(n=3) or ascending aorta graft replacement(n=2). In one case, Bentall operation and total arch replacement was performed due to chronic type A dissection with multiple fenestrations. Mean interval of reoperation was 67.6months(range 5 months to 14 year 4months) after the first operation. Reoperations were performed with recurrence of dissection(n=4), threatening aneurysmal evolution of persisting dissection(n=1), and false aneurysm with infection(n=1). The redo operation involved the hemiarch in 1 case, distal ascending to total arch and descending thoracic aorta in 4 cases, and only descending thoracic aorta in 1 case. Result: There were Marfan syndromes in 18 patients. The mean age in type A dissection was 56.7 years and that in the first operation of reoperationc ases was 32.2 years. Especially in 3 patients with Marfan syndrome, the mean age was 29 years.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.46-57
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• 1978

Ventricular septal defect was the most common congenital Heart disease admitted to the Severance Hospital from December, 1963 to June 30. 1977. A total of 1,811 cardiac patients received cardiac catheterization in the CardiacCenter of Yonsei University Medical College. Out of the 1,811 cardiac patients, 791 cases had congenital heart disease and of these 172 cases had ventricular septal defect. This amounted to 21.7% of all those with congenital heart disease. Seventy cases of ventricular septal defect operated on in the chest surgery department are presented. Of these 70 cases of ventricular septal defect, 54 cases were male and 16 cases were female. Their ages ranged from 4/12 months to 32 years. The ratio of systolic pressure of the main pulmonary to systemic artery [Pp/Ps] for 29 of the 59 isolated ventricular septal defects was below 45 percent. Pp/Ps ratio for 19 of the 59 isolated ventricular septal defects was 75 percent. The patients were mostly below fifteen years of age. Out of 64 cases, there were 36 cases of type II defects, 20 cases of type I, 4 cases of type III , 2 cases of type IV, one case of both type II and one case of left ventricular right atrial communication. The anomalies associated with ventricular septal defect were 13 in all; 4 cases of aortic insufficiency, 3 cases of ruptured aneurysm of the sortie sinus of valsalva, 2 cases of ruptured aneurysm of the sortie sinus of valsalva with aortic insufficiency, 2 cases of patent ductus arteriosus, one case of ruptured aneurysm of the aortic sinus of valsalva with atrial septal defect [secundum type] and one case of atrial septal defect [secundum type]. Overall mortality was 8.6 percent. The mortality in pulmonary artery banding was 37.5 percent. The causes of mortality were in one case congestive heart failure, in one case asphyxia and in one case respiratory insufficiency. Tile mortality in ventricular septal defect associated with pulmonary hypertension was 7.1 percent. The cause of mortality was in one case low cardiac output syndrome. There was no mortality in the ventricular septal defects without pulmonary hypertension and mortality in the ventricular septal defect. In ventricular septal defect associated with combined anomalies, the causes mortality were in one case respiratory insufficiency and in one case congestive heart failure.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.98-103
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• 2020

Marfan syndrome (MFS), a connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in the fibrillin-1 (Fbn1) gene, has vascular manifestations including aortic aneurysm, dissection, and rupture. Its vascular pathogenesis is assumed to be attributed to increased transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling and blockade of excessive TGFβ signaling has been thought to prevent dissection and aneurysm formation. Here, we investigated whether galunisertib, a potent small-molecule inhibitor of TGFβ receptor I (TβRI), attenuates aneurysmal disease in a murine model of MFS (Fbn1^C1039G/+) and compared the impact of galuninsertib on the MFS-related vascular pathogenesis with that of losartan, a prophylactic agent routinely used for patients with MFS. Fbn1^C1039G/+ mice were administered galunisertib or losartan for 8 weeks, and their ascending aortas were assessed for histopathological changes and phosphorylation of Smad2 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2). Mice treated with galunisertib or losartan barely exhibited phosphorylated Smad2, suggesting that both drugs effectively blocked overactivated canonical TGFβ signaling in Fbn1^C1039G/+ mice. However, galunisertib treatment did not attenuate disrupted medial wall architecture and only partially decreased Erk1/2 phosphorylation, whereas losartan significantly inhibited MFS-associated aortopathy and markedly decreased Erk1/2 phosphorylation in Fbn1^C1039G/+ mice. These data unexpectedly revealed that galunisertib, a TβRI inhibitor, showed no benefits in aneurysmal disease in MFS mice although it completely blocked Smad2 phosphorylation. The significant losartan-induced inhibition of both aortic vascular pathogenesis and Smad2 phosphorylation implied that canonical TGFβ signaling might not prominently drive aneurysmal diseases in MFS mice.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1550-1555
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• 1992

From June 1989 to July 1992, we used centrifugal Biomedicus pump[CBP] in 20 patients In 9 cases, CBP was used as ventricular assistance after heart surgery for those who could not be weaned off bypass even with intra-aortic balloon counter-pulsation and with maximal inotropic support In 8 patients, CBP was used as partial left heart bypass during repair of aortic aneurysms or congenital aortic anomalies. And in 3 patients, CBP was used as vena caval bypass during resection of renal cell carcinoma with tumor extension into the inferior vena cava. In 2 of 9 patients with ventricular assistance, they were weaned off the device successfully after 16 hours and 7 days respectively. But the patients died of intracranial hemorrhage and sepsis, 7 and 29 days after weaning from cardiac support, respectively. In all the patients who underwent aortic of vena caval surgery using CBP as shunt, there were no complications such as postoperative bleeding necessitating reoperation, renal failure or neurologic sequelae. In conclusion, the centrifugal type of ventricular assistance may be potentially life saving treatment modality in patients with severe postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. The CBP can be safely employed for resection of renal cell carcinoma with vena caval tumor extension and for repair of aortic aneurysms.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.781-784
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• 2010

A 74-year-old woman presented at our hospital with hemoptysis. Three months ago, she had endovascular stent-grafting done by a general surgeon for a saccular thoracic aneurysm that was found accidentally following an episode of fever and chills. Despite a lasting fever after the procedure, she was discharged without further treatment and follow-up. She was subsequently admitted to the hospital for evaluation and several exams were performed. Chest CT scans and an esophagoscopy identified an aorto-esophageal fistula at the level of the aorta that was covered by a previous stent-graft. After extensive administration of antibiotics, surgery was done - esophagectomy, cervical esophago-gastrostomy and replacement of the thoracic aorta. She was later discharged uneventfully.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.443-446
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• 2015

A 36-year-old man, who had undergone thoracoscopic anterior spinal fusion using the plate system and posterior screw fusion three months previously, presented to our hospital with left flank pain and fever. Computed tomography indicated the presence of a psoas muscle abscess. However, after two days of percutaneous catheter drainage, a mycotic abdominal aortic pseudoaneurysm was detected via computed tomography. We performed in situ revascularization using a prosthetic graft with omental wrapping. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was identified on blood and pus culture, and systemic vancomycin was administered for one month. Although the abscess recurred, it was successfully treated with percutaneous catheter drainage and systemic vancomycin administration for three months, without the need for instrumentation removal. The patient remained asymptomatic throughout two years of follow-up.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.30-34
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• 2003

As classical acute aortic dissection, atherosclerotic penetrating ulcers and intramural hematoma have different pathophysiology and natural history, treatment strategy should be different and, therefore, accurate differential diagnosis is necessary. However, these three aortic diseases may be indistinguishable by clinical observation and even by various diagnostic modalities such as cardiac echocardiography, CT and MRI. The patients was a 71-year-old female with chief complaints of anterior chest pain, nausea and vomiting which occurred suddenly 3 days before admission. CT angiographic with 3 dimensional reconstruction shows intramural hematoma in ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta and right brachiocephalic trunk, heompericardium, and blood in mediastinum and both pleural cavities. The CT angiographic finding of focal out-bulging in the ascending thoracic aorta was diagnosed as penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer. The patient underwent emergency operation under a preoperative diagnosis of penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer with a sign of aortic rupture. In the intraoperative findings, however, intimal tear was seen in the anterior portion of the ascending aorta about 1cm below the brachiocephalic trunk and falselumen appeared after hematoma was removed from the layer of tunica media. We report a case of type A aortic dissection which mimicked clinical and diagnostic features of penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 1996

Between 1987 and 1994, 21 patients were treated surgically for aortic aneurysm involving the thoracoabdominal aorta. There were 11 males and 10 females, and their age ranged from 20 to 67 years old and mean age was 41.5 years. Many complained of back pain, chest pain or discomfort, and flank pain, but three patients were asymptomatic. 15 patients had chronic dissection (71.4%) and 6 had nondissecting fusiform or saccular aneurysm(28.5%), and of those 15 patients with chronic dissection, 6(28.5%) had atherosclerosis assniated with hypertension, 5 (23.8%) were Martian syndrome, and 2 (9.5%) were associated with pregnancy. The diameter of an aneurysm ranged from 6cm to 12cm, and their extent was classified as type I in 7(33.3%), type II in 8(38.1%), type III in 3(14.3%), and type IV in 3(14.3%) patients based on Crawford classification for TAA . Diseased aorta was replaced with artificial vascular graft in all but one patient. In whom the aortic tear site due to pseudoaneurysm was closed by primary suture. For the spinal cord protection during the operation, we used partial cardiopulmonary bypass (FV-FA or PA-FA bypass) in 12 patients (57.1%), Biopump (LA-FA bypass) in 4(19.0%), total circulartory arrest and CPB in 2 (9.5%), Gott's heparinized shunt in 1(4.7%), and simple aortic cross clamping in 2 (9.5%). The most common complication after the operation was hoarseness due to unilateral vocal cord palsy which onured in 5 patients (23.8%), and the next common complication was wound infection in 4 patients(19.0%), paraplegia in 2 patients (9.5%), chylothorax in 1 patient(4.7%). The hospital mortality rate was 9.5% (2deaths), and there was no late death. Our experience shows that the graft replacement of TAAA had reasonable rate of mortality, low rate of serious complication, and provided good post operative state of the pati nts, and since the thoracoabdominal aortic operation is not a high risky procedure anymore, we recommend a radical operation for the indicated patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.407-413
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• 1985

Ruptured aneurysms of the sinus Valsalva are relatively rare, and the incidence seems to be higher in oriental than in western countries. Five patients underwent operative treatment in Catholic Medical Center in recent 2.5 year period. Three patients were male and two patients were female, ages ranged from 20 to 54 years. Bacterial endocarditis was suspected or proved in 3 patients. In 3 patients in our series had a ruptured congenital aneurysms and in 2 patients acquired aneurysms by bacterial endocarditis. Associated cardiac lesions were common; such as aortic insufficiency in 3 patients, atrial septal defect in 2 patients, mitral stenoinsufficiency in 1 patient and tricuspid insufficiency in 1 patient. All aneurysmal ruptures of the sinus Valsalva arose from right coronary sinus and in 4 patients ruptured into right ventricle and in 1 patient into right atrium. Surgical techniques consisted of direct closure 4 in patients and closure with Dacron patch in 1 patient. And we preferred double approach, that is, through both the aorta and the involved cardiac chamber in cases in whom aortic insufficiency was present. So additional aortic valve replacement performed in 2 patients due to severe aortic insufficiency and aortic valvuloplasty performed in 1 patient. One patient who underwent direct closure of ruptured sinus Valsalva and double valve replacement died due to low cardiac output syndrome just after the operation. Operative results were relatively good in remainders.