• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.285-289
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• 2000

Background: For AVR using conventional prosthetic valves in adult patients with a narrow aortic root, aortic root enlargement is necessary to reduce postoperative pressure gradient across the aortic valve (ΔP). An evaluation of early and mid-term results of aortic root enlargement with AVR and echocardiographic follow up of ΔP and left ventricular function was performed. Method: From Aug. 1991 to Feb. 1998, eighteen patients aged 17 to 59 years(mean, 38$\pm$12 years) underwent Manouguian procedure with AVR. Aortic annular circumstance was enlarged 10.0mm to 18.0mm(mean, 12.6$\pm$6.3mm). Eight patients(44.0%) had NYHA class III status before operation, and seven cases of them underwent concomitant MVR. Valve pathology was ASr in 6 cases, AS in 4 cases, nd ASr+MSr in 8 cases. Replaced valve size was 21mm in 8 cases and 23 mm in 10 cases, and St. Jude Medical mechanical valve was used in 10 cases and Carbomedics in 8 cases. Result: Follow-up duration was 6 to 57 months (mean, 26$\pm$18 months), and total follow-up was 287 patient-year. There were one hospital death and one late death, therefore, actuarial survival rate was 85.7% at 56 months. Peak ΔP wad decreased significantly at postoperative mid-term period as 13$\pm$5mmHg, compared with thepreoperative one (42$\pm$8mmHg) (p<0.01). LVM(gm/$m^2$) was also diminished as 35.8%(115$\pm$36gm/$m^2$)at postoperative mid-term period, compared with preoperative one (179$\pm$56gm/$m^2$)(p<0.05). Conclusion: There were no specific complications related to the procedure. And we could have adequate enlargement of aortic annulus to suitable prosthetic valve that have no effect of patient-prosthese mismatch.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.710-714
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• 1987

Over the past 6 years, from July, 1981. through June, 1987., 14 consecutive patient with congenital aortic stenosis underwent corrective surgery in our department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. The patient ranged in age from 1 to 20 years. There were 8 male and 6 female patients. According to the operative findings, stenotic site was valvular stenosis [5 cases], subvalvular stenosis [5 cases], supravalvular stenosis [2 cases], valvular and supra valvular stenosis [1 case]. We have performed valvotomy and commissurotomy [5 cases]. Resection of subvalvular membrane [3 cases], patch enlargement of Ascending aorta [2 cases], LV myotomy [2 cases], valvotomy and excision of membrane [1 case], patch enlargement of ascending aorta and valve ring [1 case]. There was one hospital mortality [7.1%]. He died of C-I bleeding and sepsis on the 25th postoperative day. All survivors showed improvement in NYHA functional class in the 160 patient/month follow up period.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.405-413
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• 1980

A total of 63 patients [42 males and 21 females] underwent multiple valve replacement with artificial valves between January 1975 and August 1980 at Seoul National University Hospital. There were 38 patients with aortic and mitral valve replacement, 22 with mitral and tricuspid, and 3 with aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve replacement. The valve lesions varied from trivial to severe and most aortic and mitral valves had mixed stenosis and insufficiency, while tricuspid valves had only insufficiency. The patients were severely symptomatic in majority of the cases, and belonged to the Classes III and IV [III:45, IV:16] of the NYHA functional criteria. Hemodynamic studies were performed on all the patients. The mean pulmonary wedge pressure was remarkably increased to 19.8 mmHg in aortic and mitral valve lesions and 18.0 mmHg in mitral and tricuspid valve lesions. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure was also increased, while the cardiac index was reduced. In 1977, the average perfusion time was 245.5 minutes for aortic and mitral valve replacement and 181.6 minutes for mitral and tricuspid valve replacement. It has progressively declined to 169.2 minutes for aortic and mitral valve replacement and 123 minutes for mitral and tricuspid valve replacement in 1980. The average period of aortic occlusion also declined after the use of cardioplegic solution. Twenty deaths occurred among the 63 patients operated upon, an overall mortality rate of 30.8%. The operative mortality has declined with successive year from a level of 66.7% before 1977 to 21.1% in 1980. Fourteen patients suffered from a list of postoperative complications, which eventually resolved with adequate treatment. All the survivors were enjoying the levels of daily life activities greater than those existing before the operation.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.11
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• pp.744-755
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is considered a class I indication for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, there is little evidence regarding the potential benefits of early AVR in symptomatic patients diagnosed with normal-flow, low-gradient (NFLG) severe AS. Methods: Two-hundred eighty-one patients diagnosed with symptomatic NFLG severe AS (stroke volume index ≥35 mL/m², mean transaortic pressure gradient <40 mmHg, peak transaortic velocity <4 m/s, and aortic valve area <1.0 cm²) between January 2010 and December 2020 were included in this retrospective study. After performing 1:1 propensity score matching, 121 patients aged 75.1±9.8 years (including 63 women) who underwent early AVR within 3 months after index echocardiography, were compared with 121 patients who received conservative care. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Results: During a median follow-up of 21.9 months, 48 primary outcomes (18 in the early AVR group and 30 in the conservative care group) occurred. The early AVR group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of primary outcomes (hazard ratio [HR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.93; p=0.028); specifically, there was no significant difference in all-cause death (HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.23-1.16; p=0.110), although the early AVR group showed a significantly lower incidence of hospitalization for HF (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19-0.95, p=0.037). Subgroup analyses supported the main findings. Conclusions: An early AVR strategy may be beneficial in reducing the risk of a composite outcome of death or hospitalization for HF in symptomatic patients with NFLG severe AS. Future randomized studies are required to validate and confirm our findings.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.395-398
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• 2018

Neo-aortic insufficiency associated with root enlargement following an arterial switch operation is a serious late complication. To achieve successful surgical correction of this condition, multiple factors should be considered, including the individual patient's anatomy, the challenging nature of the redo procedure, and the patient's young age. However, limited publications have described the use of valve-sparing techniques for the treatment of neo-aortic insufficiency associated with root enlargement following an arterial switch operation. Herein, we report our recent experience of a valve-sparing aortic root procedure with ascending aorta and hemiarch replacement despite the presence of a discrepancy in leaflet size and nearby severe adhesions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.409-411
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• 1995

One patient developing left main coronary stenosis following double valve replacement is reviewed. Angina pectoris developed 5 months postoperatively. Coronary perfusion with a balloon tip perfusion catheter was performed during previous operation and was considered technically satisfactory. Coronary angiography confirmed stenosis of the left main coronary artery. There was no further coronary arterial disease. An anterior approach between the aorta and pulmonary artery to expose the left main coronary artery was used and patch angioplasty was done. Repeat coronary angiography showed a widely patent left main coronary artery with excellent runoff. A careful search for coronary arterial injury should be made in all symptomatic patients following aortic valve replacement.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.1 s.270
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• pp.17-24
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• 2007

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the clinical results of various procedures in congenital aortic stenosis. Material and Method: From August 1987 to June 2004, 53 patients of congenital aortic stenosis underwent procedures such as percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty, aortic valvuloplasty, Ross procedure, and aortic valve replacement. The mean age of initial procedures was $8.2{\pm}6.0$ years. Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty was peformed in sixteen patients, aortic valvulopiasty in thirty two patients, Ross procedure in nineteen patients, and aortic valve replacement in fourteen patients. The mean follow duration was $80.6{\pm}60\;(0{\sim}207)$ months. Result: There was 15.1% (8/53) of early mortality and no late mortality. The six patients with critical aortic stenosis were died of left ventricular dysfunction in early series (before 1 year; 4 cases) and two patients died after the Ross procedure and aortic valve replacement respectively. After percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty, most patients needed reoperations (14/16). Thirteen patients needed reoperation, after aortic valvuloplasty. After Ross procedure, two patients needed reoperation due to aortic regurgitation caused by progressive aortic root dilatation. The actuarial survival rate after Ross procedure at 7 years was 90.5%. Conclusion: In young children before the age of one, percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty was considered as :he safe initial palliative procedure. But children over one year-old, aortic valvuloplasty were the effective procedure. Ross procedure can be preformed safely with good results.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.890-900
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• 2021

Objective: To identify the association between morphological and functional characteristics of the bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and bicuspid aortopathy and to identify the determinants of aortic dilatation using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac computed tomography (CCT). Materials and Methods: This study included 312 subjects (mean [SD] age, 52.7 [14.3] years; 227 males [72.8%]) who underwent TTE and CCT. The BAVs were classified by anterior-posterior (BAV-AP) or right-left (BAV-RL) orientation of the cusps and divided according to the presence (raphe+) or absence of a raphe (raphe-) based on the CCT and intraoperative findings. The dimensions of the sinus of Valsalva and the proximal ascending aorta were measured by CCT. We assessed the determinants of aortic root and proximal ascending aortic dilatation (size index > 2.1 cm/m²) by Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: Of the 312 patients, BAV-AP was present in 188 patients (60.3%), and 185 patients (59.3%) were raphe+. Moderate-to-severe aortic stenosis (AS) was the most common hemodynamic abnormality (54.8%). The most common type of aortopathy was the combined dilated root and mid-ascending aortic phenotype (62.5%). On multivariable analysis, age and AS severity were significantly associated with aortic root dilatation (p < 0.05), and age, sex, and AS severity were significantly associated with ascending aortic dilatation (p < 0.05). However, the orientation of the cusps, presence of a raphe, and severity of aortic regurgitation were not associated with aortic root and ascending aortic dilatation. Conclusion: BAV morphological characteristics were not determinants of aortic dilatation. Age, sex, and AS severity were predictors of bicuspid aortopathy. Therefore, age, sex, and AS severity, rather than valve morphology, need to be considered when planning treatment for BAV patients.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1266-1278
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• 2021

Objective: We aimed to compare the aortic valve area (AVA) calculated using fast high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) image acquisition with that of the conventional two-dimensional (2D) cine MR technique. Materials and Methods: We included 139 consecutive patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 68.5 ± 9.4 years) with aortic valvular stenosis (AS) and 21 asymptomatic controls (52.3 ± 14.2 years). High-resolution T2-prepared 3D steady-state free precession (SSFP) images (2.0 mm slice thickness, 10 contiguous slices) for 3D planimetry (3DP) were acquired with a single breath hold during mid-systole. 2D SSFP cine MR images (6.0 mm slice thickness) for 2D planimetry (2DP) were also obtained at three aortic valve levels. The calculations for the effective AVA based on the MR images were compared with the transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) measurements using the continuity equation. Results: The mean AVA ± SD derived by 3DP, 2DP, and TTE in the AS group were 0.81 ± 0.26 cm², 0.82 ± 0.34 cm², and 0.80 ± 0.26 cm², respectively (p = 0.366). The intra-observer agreement was higher for 3DP than 2DP in one observer: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-0.97) and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82-0.91), respectively, for observer 1 and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.96-0.98) and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97-0.99), respectively, for observer 2. Inter-observer agreement was similar between 3DP and 2DP, with the ICC of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.89-0.94) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88-0.93), respectively. 3DP-derived AVA showed a slightly higher agreement with AVA measured by TTE than the 2DP-derived AVA, with the ICC of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82-0.91) vs. 0.85 (95% CI, 0.79-0.89). Conclusion: High-resolution 3D MR image acquisition, with single-breath-hold SSFP sequences, gave AVA measurement with low observer variability that correlated highly with those obtained by TTE.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.515-525
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• 2023

The most common heart valve disorder is calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), which is characterized by a narrowing of the aortic valve. Treatment with the drug molecule, in addition to surgical and transcatheter valve replacement, is the primary focus of researchers in this field. The purpose of this study is to determine whether niclosamide can reduce calcification in aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs). To induce calcification, cells were treated with a pro-calcifying medium (PCM). Different concentrations of niclosamide were added to the PCM-treated cells, and the level of calcification, mRNA, and protein expression of calcification markers was measured. Niclosamide inhibited aortic valve calcification as observed from reduced alizarin red s staining in niclosamide treated VICs and also decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of calcification-specific markers: runt-related transcription factor 2 and osteopontin. Niclosamide also reduced the formation of reactive oxygen species, NADPH oxidase activity and the expression of Nox2 and p22^phox. Furthermore, in calcified VICs, niclosamide inhibited the expression of β-catenin and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3β), as well as the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK. Taken together, our findings suggest that niclosamide may alleviate PCM-induced calcification, at least in part, by targeting oxidative stress mediated GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway via inhibiting activation of AKT and ERK, and may be a potential treatment for CAVS.