• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.424-427
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• 2010

Recently, stent-graft insertion has been widely used along with surgery for treatment of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, use of stent-graft insertion is controversial in descending aortic dissection. We report here on our experience of a patient who received a stent-graft for descending aortic dissection that nearly ruptured. Based on CT findings at three months follow up, results were satisfactory.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.285-290
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• 1981

Bacterial endocarditis is a well-recognized complication of prosthetic valve replacement. Postoperative fungal endocarditis of aortitis has been reported with increasing frequency. Aspergillus endocarditis or aortitis following open heart surgery has been reported in several patients. The difficulty in the diagnosis of this type of infection, the problems of therapy of prosthetic valve endocarditis0 and the relative ineffectiveness of antifungal agents account for the high mortality. Recently, we have experienced a patient with aspergillus aortitis after replacement of mitral valve. The diagnosis was finally established by histotogical examination of emboli removed from the femoral artery. The patient died after second open heart surgery for replacement of ascending aorta.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.172-178
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• 2021

Background: Complicated acute type B aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to report a single-center experience with endovascular stent-graft repair of acute type B dissection of the thoracic aorta and to evaluate the mid-term outcomes. Methods: We reviewed 18 patients treated for complicated acute type B aortic dissection by thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) from September 2011 to July 2017. The indications for surgery included rupture, impending rupture, limb ischemia, visceral malperfusion, and paraplegia. The median follow-up was 34.50 months (range, 12-80 months). Results: The median interval from aortic dissection to TEVAR was 5.50 days (range, 0-32 days). There was no in-hospital mortality. All cases of malperfusion improved except for 1 patient. The morbidities included endoleak in 2 patients (11.1%), stroke in 3 patients (16.7%), pneumonia in 2 patients (11.1%), transient ischemia of the left arm in 1 patient (5.6%), and temporary visceral ischemia in 1 patient (5.6%). Postoperative computed tomography angiography at 1 year showed complete thrombosis of the false lumen in 15 patients (83.3%). Conclusion: TEVAR of complicated type B aortic dissection with a stent-graft was effective, with a low morbidity and mortality rate.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.828-841
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• 1988

To predict the postoperative hemodynamic status of right ventricle preoperatively, a retrospective analysis was undertaken to determine the influence of pulmonary artery size on postoperative right ventricular pressure in 32 consecutive patients with tetralogy of Fallot who underwent total correction between July, 1987 to June, 1988 at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital. We have related the ratio of the postrepair peak systolic pressure in the right ventricle and the systemic systolic arterial pressure[PRV/Ao] to the preoperative cineangiographic measurement of pulmonary arterial tree, expressed as pulmonary artery index[PAI], the ratio of diameter of the right pulmonary artery to diameter of ascending aorta[r.PA/A.Ao], the ratio of right and left pulmonary artery to diameter of descending aorta[r.I.PA/D.Ao] There was tendency that the postrepair PRV/Ao seems to be related to the preoperative diameter of right and left pulmonary artery, but there were no statistically significant correlation with PAI, r.PA/A.Ao, r.l.PA/D. Ao to the ratio of the postoperative peak systolic right ventricular pressure and systemic systolic arterial pressure[PRV/Ao]. There was tendency to decrease the postoperative right ventricular pressure[PRV/Ao] about 11.2%[P < 0.025] within several hours than immediately after repair, but after then, there was no change of right ventricular pressure[PRV/Ao] significantly. There was good correlation of pressure change between the immediate and late postrepair right ventricular pressure[48 hour], and the derived linear regression line was; y=0.68534 0.1994[r=0.57294, P < 0.001]. There was no operative death due to residual high right ventricular pressure[PRV/Ao >0.75] related to hypoplastic pulmonary arterial development, thus we expect, for symptomatic patients even infants, that complete repair can be attempted when the pulmonary artery index[PAI] is over 108mm2/BSA, RPA/AAo is over 0.35, RPA LPA/D. Ao is over 1.36.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.740-744
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• 2002

Retrograde cerebral perfusion under hypothermic circulatory arrest is a simple and useful adjunct to avoid cerebral ischemic injury in the treatment of aortic arch pathology. In the surgery of distal aortic arch and proximal descending aortic lesions through the left thoracotomy incision, right atrium-retrograde cerebral perfusion (RA-RCP) through a venous cannula positioned into the right atrium is simpler than retrograde cerebral perfusion through superior vena cava. The time limits for RA-RCP during aortic arch reconstruction have yet to be clarified. We, herein, present a case with uneventful recovery after RA-RCP of 94 minutes during reconstruction of aortic arch and descending aorta. These data suggest that RA-RCP, as an adjunct to hypothermic circulatory arrest, may prolong the circulatory arrest time and thus prevent ischemic injury of the brain, even when RA-RCP exceeds 90 minutes.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.148-155
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• 1977

The clinical findings with cardioangiography and successful surgical treatment of a 10 year old girl with double-outlet right ventricle is reported at The Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Korea University Hospital, College of Medicine. The patient has been suffered from intermittent cyanosis, palpitation, and exertional dyspnea since 1 year after NFSD, and a holosystolic ejection murmur of grade 4 at the left 3rd intercostal space with mild cyanosis of the lips was the only physical findings at the time of this admission. Cardiac catheterization revealed ventricular septal defect with left to right shunt of 43% and right to left shunt of 10.2%. On cardioangiography from the left ventricle revealed all of the left ventricular outflow shunted into the right ventricle through the large ventricular septal defect, and the aorta originated from the infundibular chamber of the right ventricle with left, anterior sided pulmonary artery. The atria, viscera, and ventricles were normally located, and right ventricular out-flow was narrowed with infundibular hypertrophy and pulmonary valvular stenosis. Surgical correction was accomplished by closure of the ventricular septal defect in such a way that left ventricular outflow was routed via a Teflon felt prosthetic tunnel to the aorta, and pulmonary valvulotomy with infundibulectomy Was done to pass Hegar`s dilator No. 15 for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract. The patient tolerated complete repair and has continued to improve over a period of three months after operation with normal school life. Details of the disease and method of repair are presented with related references.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.698-706
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• 1990

Congenital Cystic Lung Disease is a spectrum of closed related anomalies that arise during an early stage of embryonic lung bud maturation-namely bronchogenic cyst, congenital lobar emphysema, pulmonary sequestration and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation. And they show similar surgical strategies. So they are called as the term bronchopulmonary-foregut malformations, firstly proposed by Gerle[1968]. From Aug. 1979 to Aug 1989, 47 patients were operated upon on Dept. of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at the CUMC. There were 21 females and 26 males ranging in age from age of 21 day to age of 56 year [15 cases under 15 years old]. 30 patients had bronchogenic cysts - 23 of intrapulmonary type, 7 of mediastinal type in location. Affected lobes and locations were as follows: 11 in upper lobe, 3 in middle lobe, 11 in lower lobe and anterosuperior, middle, and posterior mediastinal type were 3, 2, 2 respectively. There were 9 pulmonary sequestrations[all intralobar type] with the distribution of 5 in right lower lobe and 4 in left lower lobe. And associated anomalies were presented with arterial supply originating from thoracic aorta[8 cases], abdominal aorta[1 case] and with venous drainage into azygos vein[1 case]. They all were operated upon lower lobectomy [8 case], pneumonectomy[1 case] in case of pulmonary hypoplasia Congenital lobar emphysema and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation had 4 cases respectively. Their affected lobes were as follows: the former were 3 in upper lobes, 1 in middle lobe and the latter were 3 in upper lobe, 1 in lower lobe. They were treated with lobectomy and segmentectomy. Diagnosis was aided by chest X - ray, bronchography, aortography, DSA and CT scan, They all were confirmed by pathologic exams. There were no hospital death but few minor morbidities such as, atelectasis-pneumonia[2], wound infection[2], prolonged chest tube placement[2]. We experienced surgical treatments of 47 cases for 10 years and reported them with literature review.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.256-264
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• 1989

Modified Blalock-Taussig operation remains the standard technique of systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt in patients of congenital heart disease with decreased pulmonary blood flow. We reviewed the 41 patients who had been performed modified Blalock-Taussig operation from March 1985 to Feb. 1988, and angiographically measured pulmonary artery size before and after shunt, and calculated pulmonary artery index [PAI] and ratio of left and right pulmonary artery to descending aorta[[LPA+RPA]/dAo]. The mean duration of palliation after shunt operation was 624 days and mean age of the patient at shunt operation was 3.59 years. Mean PAI increased significantly from 131.15*67.11 mm2/M2 preoperatively to 232.70*84.46 mm2/M2 postoperatively. Mean ratio of right and left pulmonary artery to descending aorta also increased significantly from 1.48*0.40 preoperatively to 1.92*0.50 postoperatively. All patients manifested clinical improvement; there was mean decrease in hematocrit of 8.95%, mean increase in arterial oxygen saturation of 11.08%. Pulmonary arterial growth was not influenced by age at operation, initial pulmonary artery size, or graft size, but significantly influenced by antegrade flow. The patients who have some antegrade flow were in more increase of PAI. There were no linear correlation between change of PAI, change of [[LPA+RPA]/dAo], SaO2, and duration. But, according to Scatterplot between change of PAI and duration, some complex correlation was suggested and mean PAI was decreased after 2-year palliation. We concluded that modified Blalock-Taussig operation is excellent palliative surgery for pulmonary artery growth especially on the patient who have some antegrade flow, and the proper duration of palliation was about 2 years.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.727-733
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• 1988

Two cases of the discrete membranous subaortic stenosis were experienced at the Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Case I was 31 years old male with a history of aortic valve replacement[Ionescu-Shiley, 19mm] at the other hospital in 1980. Heart failure was noticed 6 years later. On cardiac catheterization, pressure gradient between left ventricle 4 aorta was 104 mmHg, but subvalvular aortic stenosis was not detected by preoperative 2-D echo <% left ventriculogram. Above case revealed stenoinsufficiency of the prosthetic valve. Under the diagnosis of the prosthetic valve failure, re-do aortic valve replacement[Bjork-Shiley, 23 mm] was done. During operation, the discrete membranous subaortic stenosis was incidentally found, and it was completely resected. So we thought that above discrete membranous subaortic stenosis was not detected at first operation, and it was progressed during 6 years, and accelerated the degeneration of the prosthetic valve. Case II was 20 years old female. Her complaints were exertional dyspnea, angina, syncope, which were aggravated since 5 years ago. 2-D echo <% left ventriculogram revealed the discrete membranous subaortic stenosis. Pressure gradient was 20 mmHg, but her symptoms were serious. Associated cardiac anomaly was the persistent left superior vena cava without connection with right superior vena cava. Complete excision of the membranous tissue was done. Post-operative pressure gradient between left ventricle & aorta was absent, and her complaints were nearly subsided. Both cases were type I according to the Newfeld classification of the discrete subvalvular aortic stenosis, and complete excision of the membranous tissue was done without myotomy or mymectomy. And short-term follow-up results[Case I:2 years, Case II: 1 ~ years] were good except soft systolic murmur[grade II/VI] at the aortic area in both cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.580-584
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• 1997

To overcome the problems of classical pulmonary banding procedure, we developed a percutaneously adjustable pulmonary artery ba ding device. The banding device consists of banding portion of zig-zag shaped self-expandable stainless steel wire, shaft portion made by a polyvinyl catheter and a screw adjuster which includes a bolt and a nut. As the screw moves, the diameter of banding portion changes. Four Mongrel dogs ranging from 15 kg to 20 kg in weight underwent the banding of the mid portion of descending aorta with this devices through the left thoracotomy. One month after operation, we evaluated the pressure changes by controling the banding with the devices and then the dogs were sacrificed to study the microscopic changes in the aorta. The diameter and circumference of the band could be easily and finely adjustable by the screw control. The pressure recordings . revealed a linear increase and decrease in pressure gradient according to percutaneous ad;ustment of the banding device. Since the banding device can be easily placed and simply adjusted percutaneously, we hope the banding device may be applicab e clinically to improving the safety of pulmonary artery banding and debanding procedures in the future.