• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 1989

Coarctation of aorta, a well known congenital cardiovascular defect, can be recognized in the most instances by simple finding of physical examination. This condition shortens life if untreated, but it can be corrected surgically to render the patient functionally normal. It seems relatively rare in Asian. During Six-Year period from January, 1982 through June, 1988, twenty four consecutive operations for the coarctation of the aorta were performed at Yonsei Medical Center. The patients included 14 males and 10 females in the range, 2 months and 34 years old. Associated Cardiac anomalies were patient ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, mitral valve regurgitation, aortic stenosis, double outlet right ventricle, corrected transposition of great vessel, etc. The preoperative main symptoms were frequent URI and dyspnea. Congestive heart failure was the most common symptom at the group younger than 2 year olds. Operative techniques for the coarctation of the aorta were prosthetic patch aortoplasty in 18 patients, resection & vascular graft interposition in 4, resection and end to-end anastomosis in 2. There was no operative death. Four patients had persistent or paradoxical hypertension, and one had postoperative paraplegia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.619-629
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• 1988

The increasing number of replacement of the substitute cardiac valves were seen in these 2 years. Out of a total 1,408 patients with cardiac valve replacement, 54 required replacement of the substitute valves. Fifty-nine substitute valves replaced were 43 in mitral, 14 in aortic and 2 in tricuspid positions; and they were 36 Ionescu-Shiley, 15 Hancock and 3 Angell-Shiley bioprosthetic valves and 3 St. Jude Medical and 2 Bjork-Shiley prosthetic valves. Primary tissue failure was the most frequent reason of replacement[38 patients] followed by paravalvular leak[9 patients], prosthetic valve endocarditis[6 patients] and valve thrombosis[1 patient] in order. The most pronounced pathology of the failed xenograft valves seen in the primary tissue failure group was calcification and fixation of the cusps with or without tear and defect of the cuspal tissue. The operative mortality rate was 7.4%. Fifty early survivors were followed up for a total of 82.6 patient-years and there was no late death. Actuarial survival rate was 92.3*3.8% at 6 years after surgery. Although the definite tendency toward early and accelerated degeneration of the xenograft valves has been seen in patients younger than 20 to 25 years of age, no strict age limit from where the tissue failure slows down could be determined. The requirement of the ideal substitute valves would be the durability of the recently developed mechanical prostheses armed with the low thrombogenicity of the bioprostheses. At the present time, the need of compromise in selection between less thrombogenic bioprosthetic and more durable mechanical valves should be stressed. The difficulty in choice is yet important in patients of middle age and children where the use of homograft valves may be one of the solution despite of certain limitations from sociomedical reasons.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.707-715
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• 2000

Background: Cold blood cardioplegic solution has been used to protect myocardium during open heart surgery with the hypothesis stating that it provides more oxygen supply to myocardium compared to crystalloid caridoplegic solution. We repeatedly infused cold blood cardioplegic solution to achieve myocardial protection. We biopsied a small portion of papillary muscle of patients with mitral valve replacement or double valve replacement during aortic cross-clamp time and evaluated the method of myocardial protection through the observation of changes in ultrastructure. We then analysed the relationship between changes in ultrasructure and peak postoperative CK-MB value and SGOT value. Material and method: We report observation on changes of myocardial ultrastructure, postoperative CK-MB and SGOT, and electrocardiogram in 31 patients who underwent cardiac operation. There were 11 males and 20 females, and they ranging in age from 28 to 69 years(mean score was 2.08$\pm$0.560, it was 2.37$\pm$0.558 at 40 minutes, and it was 2.36$\pm$0.523 at 70minutes. Mitochondrial score increased significant at 40 minutes. Mean value of postoperative peak CK-MB and SGOT were 37.3$\pm$17.061IU, 144.5$\pm$125.5IU respectively. We were not able to find any new Q were in EKG after the operation. There was no significant relationship between myocardium mitochondrial score and mean value of postoperative peak CK-MB and SGOT. Conclusion: In conclusion, with this study the cold blood cardioplegic solution was incomplete in preserving ultrastructure of myocardium even with satisfactory results in serum enzyme and EKG evaluation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.573-579
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• 2008

Background: Composite valve graft replacement is currently the treatment of choice for a wide variety of the lesions of aortic root disease. The purpose of this study was to explore the results of aortic root replacement after using the Cabrol technique over a 13-year period at our institution, and we analyzed the results to help surgeons make better decisions when repairing aortic root disease. Material and Method: Between January 1994 and December 2006, twenty-five patients underwent a Cabrol technique operation at our institution. The mean patient age was $43.7{\pm}14.1$ years old (range: $6{\sim}65$ years) and the male and female ratio was 21:4 (84% : 16%). The patients' follow-up was 100% complete, and the mean follow-up period was $60.7{\pm}50.4$ (range:$1{\sim}162$) months. Annuloaortic ectasia (n=18) was the most frequent cause of aortic disease in this series, followed by aortic dissection (n=7). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was $177.2{\pm}44.9$ minutes and the mean aortic cross clamping time was $123.4{\pm}34.1$ minutes. Nine patients were checked with MDCT (Multidetector computed tomography) for evaluating a well functioning secondary graft and the coronary anastomosis site. Result: The early mortality rate was 4% (1 of 25 patients). A significant stenosis, kinking or occlusion of the secondary graft was detected by MDCT in 4 patients. The overall survival rate was 88%. Conclusion: The Cabrol technique demonstrated a significant incidence of long-term complications such as secondary graft stenosis or obstruction. It could be used when the modified Bentall technique is not feasible.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.667-676
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• 1993

Boprosthetic cardiac valves fail from biological and metabolic as well as mechanical reasons, and the limited durability is the main factor of marked withdrawal in their clinical use. Starting the use of bioprosthetic valves in 1976, up to the end of 1992, the consecutive 178 patients have undergone re-replacement of glutaraldehyde-treated xenograft valves for primary tissue failure [PTF]among the patients who had initial valve replacement at Seoul national University Hospital. The explanted valves were 69 porcine aortic [51 Hancock, 12 Angell-Shiley and 6 Carentier-Edwards] and 141 bovine pericardial [129 standard-profile and 12 low-profile ionescu-Shiley] valwes, with an overall incidence of PTF of 15.2%. The operative mortality rate of re-replacement was 5.1%. Calcific degeneration and tissue damage in relation to calcification were the most frequent modes of PTF on gross examinatin of the explanted valves resulting hemodynamically in valvular regurgitation. The number of Hancocg porcine and the standard-profile Ionescu-Shiley valves in valves in mitral position failed more often from tissue damage [tears, holes, and loss or destruction of cuspal tissue] than calcification [68.3% vs. 39.0%, p<0.01] with resultant regurgitation in 61%, the Ionescu-Shiley valves in the same position in 53%. The tendency of more calcification than tissue damage[71.3% vs. 33.3%, p<0.001]with stenosis in 53%. The tendency of more calcification and immobility of cusps in the latter group was partly explainable by the inclusion of patients of pediatric age. Observation made in this study suggest : many of bioprosthetic valves would fail from calcification and tissue damage : some fail prematurely because of mechanical stress probably owing to the valve design in construction ; andeven those valves escaped early damage would be subject to calcify in the prolonged follow-up period. In conclusion, at the present time, the clinical use of bioprostheticxenograft valves seems to be quite limited until further improvement in biocompatibility and refinement in valve design in manufacture are achieved.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.59-64
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• 2016

Purpose: Infantile Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a rare congenital inheritable connective tissue disorder with poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular manifestations and overall prognosis of infantile MFS diagnosed in a tertiary referral center in Korea. Methods: Eight patients diagnosed with infantile MFS between 2004 and 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Their median age at the time of diagnosis was 2.5 months (range, 0-20 months). The median follow-up period was 25.5 months (range, 0-94 months). The median length at birth was 50.0 cm (range, 48-53 cm); however, height became more prominent over time, and the patients were taller than the 97th percentile at the time of the study. None of the patients had any relevant family history. Four of the 5 patients who underwent DNA sequencing had a fibrillin 1 gene mutation. All the patients with echocardiographic data of the aortic root had a z score of >2. All had mitral and tricuspid valve prolapse, and various degrees of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Five patients underwent open-heart surgery, including mitral valve replacement, of whom two required multiple operations. The median age at mitral valve replacement was 28.5 months (range, 5-69 months). Seven patients showed congestive heart failure before surgery or during follow-up, and required multiple anti-heart failure medications. Four patients died of heart failure at a median age of 12 months. Conclusion: The prognosis of infantile MFS is poor; thus, early diagnosis and timely cautious treatment are essential to prevent further morbidity and mortality.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.675-679
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• 2005

Background: Clinical reports on replacement of all three (AV + MV + TV) valves are rare. Material and Method: From January 1992 to December 2003, 38 patients received triple valve replacement (aortic, mitral, tricuspid) at Yonsei Cardiovascular Center. Mean age of patients was $49.5\pm10.7 (28\~69)$ years, and 24 patients $(63.1\%)$ were female. Rheumatic valve disease was the most common cause of operation (n=37). Preoperative New York Heart Association functional class were II in 4, III in 24 and IV in 10. Fifteen patients (group 1) received triple valve replacement at their first operation. Twenty three patients (group 2) received one or more operations before tricuspid valve replacement (TVR). Seven patients received tricuspid valve annuloplasty at first operation and received TVR later. Result: Six patients died at hospital after operation $(15.8\%)$ and all these patients were in group 2. All patients in group I survived and were discharged. Three patients $(9.4\%)$ died during follow up periods. Most of the survivors had improved functional class (I in 22, II in 8, III in 1, IV in 1). During follow up period, there were 4 valve related complications. The 10-year survival rate was $68.8\%$ and survival rate for free from valve related event at 10 years was $85.5\%$. Conclusion: After triple valve replacement, most patients showed improvement of symptoms. And during follow up period, valve related complications and survival were acceptable. Therefore, if indicated, triple valve replacement is recommended before the patients' conditions get worse.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.112-114
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• 2016

The half-turned truncal switch (HTTS) operation has been reported as an alternative to the Rastelli or $r{\acute{e}}paration$ $\grave{a}$ $l^{\prime}{\acute{e}}tage$ ventriculaire procedures. HTTS prevents left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in patients with complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA) with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and pulmonary stenosis (PS), or in those with a Taussig-Bing anomaly with PS. The advantages of the HTTS procedure are avoidance of late LVOT or right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction, and of overstretching of the pulmonary artery. We report the case of a patient who underwent HTTS for TGA with VSD and PS, in whom there was no LVOT obstruction and only mild aortic regurgitation and mild RVOT obstruction, including observations at 12-year follow-up. Our experience with long-term follow-up of HTTS supports a solution for late complications after the Rastelli procedure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.876-881
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• 2002

Acute aortic dissection associated with high mortality rate has an extremely poor prognosis if early diagnosis and treatment are not received. Recently, with advanced computed tomography and echocardiography, diagnostic rate is higher and early operation is possible. Therefore preoperative medical therapy at ER(emergency room) lowered the mortality rate. This study was done to analyze the results with preoperative management at ER and operations, retrospectively. Material and Method: A series of 42 patients treated surgically for acute aortic dissections from 1991 to 2001 were included in this study. There were 18 males and 24 females. Mean age was 51.1 years. The admission course through emergency and outpatient department(OPD) was 34 and 8 respectively. Result: 26 patients underwent ascending aorta replacement-7 combined aortic valve replacements, 7 patients underwent descending aorta replacements and 9 patients received Bentall's operation. At emergency department, 20 patients received antihypertensive drugs and $\beta$-receptor blockers and 6 patients died. 22 patients did not receive antihypertensive and $\beta$-receptor block drugs and 10 patients died. There were 16(38%) overall deaths. Conclusion: Early diagnosis at ER or OPD is essential for acute aortic dissection, and it is important to select the most appropriate noninvasive interventions as possible. Therefore, preoperative drug therapy at ER is suggested according the patient conditions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.620-629
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• 1989

A clinical analysis of 138 cases of ventricular septal defect operated on from 1983 to June 1988 at the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Chung-nam National University was done. The following results were obtained. 1. The VSD were 27.6 % and 41.0 % respectively of 500 open heart surgery cases and 334 congenital heart disease. 2. The range of age when the VSD was repaired was 3 months to 45 years, the mean age was 10.4 years and the 53.6 % of patients were under 7 years. The sex ratio was 6:4 in males favor. 3. The two common symptoms were frequent upper respiratory infection and dyspnea whose frequency was 62.5 % and 58.7% respectively. 4. 52% of the patients was below 25 percentile of the standard body weight. 5. The most common chest PA findings were cardiomegaly and increased pulmonary vascularity. 6. On anatomical classification, perimembranous type was most common [65.5%], subpulmonary arterial type was 27.6 %, perimembranous plus subpulmonary arterial type was 3.4 % multiple VSD was 0.8 % and LV-RA defect was 2.6 %. 7. Associated cardiac anomalies were founded in 39 cases [35.5 %] and PDA and aortic valve prolapse were most common associated anomalies and extracardiac anomalies were founded in 6.7 % of patients. 8. Mean extracorporeal circulation time was 68 min. and mean aortic cross-clamping time was 42 min. 9. The postoperative complications developed in 26 % of patients and the most common one was minor wound infection. 10. Right bundle branch block developed in 54.8% of the patients who had right ventriculotomy, 40.0% of the patients who had right atriotomy and 10.5% of the patients who had pulmonary arteriotomy. 11. The overall operative mortality was 5.1 % and the operative mortality of the patients who body weigh under 10 Kg was 23.8%.