• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.665-671
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features and outcome in newborns undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods : Eighty two neonates underwent heart surgery for congenital heart defect at Kyungpook National University Hospital between March 2000 and February 2006. Patient characteristics (sex, age, diagnosis), pre-operative conditions, operation type, postoperative complications and mortality were reviewed retrospectively. Results : In 82 patients, 41 (50%) were male. The mean age and weight at operation were 12 days and 3.2 kg, respectively. The common cardiac anomalies were complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, and single ventricle variants. Fifty seven operations were performed with cardiopulmonary bypass and corrective surgery was done on 54 patients. Arterial switch operation and modified Blalock-Taussig shunt were most frequently performed as corrective and palliative operations, respectively. The early hospital mortality rate was 7%; the late mortality was 3.9%. Complications were acute renal insufficiency, delayed sternal closure, wound infection, arrhythmia, and brain hemorrhage. Conclusion : During the last 6 years, the outcomes of cardiac surgery for congenital heart defects in neonates improved by progress in perioperative, anaesthetic, surgical, and postoperative care.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.504-509
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• 2003

Although arterial grafts are widely used due to the advantage of long-term patency in coronary bypass surgery, greater saphenous vein is still an important additional conduit. It was reported that preservation of the adventitia of vein graft and the adjacent tissues may bring the improved long-term graft patency. The aim of this study is to look for a harvest technique that can reduce vein injury and wound complications. Material and Method: In thirty-four patients that vein grafts were used for coronary bypass surgery, 50 harvest sites were included for the study. In 25 harvest sites in calf below knee (group 1), vein was exposed through a long incision and then clearly dissected from the adjacent tissue. Ten endoscopic vein harvests were performed in the thighs (group 2). Fifteen other vein grafts that were bluntly dissected were harvested from the thighs through three separate incisions (group 3). Result: Vein harvest time was longest in endoscopic harvest group (44.7$\pm$9.8 minutes) and shortest in group 3 (24.2$\pm$5.9 minutes) (p＝0.000). Most avulsion injuries of vein branches happened in the endoscopic group. Sequential grafting numbers per vein were 1.72$\pm$0.98 with thigh vein graft and 1.16$\pm$0.37 with calf vein (p＝0.02). Swelling of foot and/or leg, which was the most common wound complication after vein harvest, was most commonly presented in group 1 (20/25 sites; p＝0.000). Tingling, the most common neurologic complication, was also most prevalent in group 1 (7/25 sites; p＝0.013). The risk factor of the wound complication was vein harvest from calf, and the vein harvest technique was not a risk for wound complication. Conclusion: Vein harvest technique through three separate incisions from thigh presented shorter harvest time and less vein injury and wound complication compared with the endoscopic harvest technique from thigh or the harvest through a long incision from calf.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.661-668
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• 2005

Background: We have hypothesized that, if a low resistant gravity-flow membrane oxygenator is used, then the twin blood sacs of TPLS can be located at downstream of the membrane oxyenator, which may double the pulse rate at a given pump rate and increase the pump output. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal configuration for the ECLS circuits by using the concept of pulse energy and pump output. Material and Method: Animals were randomly assigned to 2 groups in a total cardiopulmonary bypass model. In the serial group, a conventional membrane oxygenator was located between the twin blood sacs. In the parallel group, the twin blood sacs were placed downstream of the gravity-flow membrane oxygenator. Energy equivalent pressure (EEP) and pump output were collected at pump-setting rates of 30, 40, and 50 BPM. Result: At the given pump-setting rate, the pulse rate was doubled in the parallel group. Percent changes of mean arterial pressure to EEP were $13.0\pm1.7,\; 12.0\pm1.9\;and\;7.6\pm0.9\%$ in the parallel group, and $22.5\pm2.4,\; 23.2\pm1.9,\;and\;21.8\pm1.4\%$ in the serial group at 30, 40, and 50 BPM of pump-setting rates. Pump output was higher in the parallel circuit at 40 and 50 BPM of pump-setting rates $(3.1\pm0.2,\;3.7\pm0.2L/min\;vs.\;2.2\pm0.1\;and\;2.5\pm0.1L/min,\;respectively,\;p=0.01)$. Conclusion: Either parallel or serial circuit configuration of the ECLS generates effective pulsatility. As for the pump out, the parallel circuit configuration provides higher flow than the serial circuit configuration.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2002

Background: Due to the concern of flow competition or retrograde steal, it has been generally suggested that the right gastroepiploic artery(RGEA) pedicled graft should be used in critical coronary stenosis lesion. The study was designed to evaluate the potential of retrograde flow competition in the RGEA pedicled graft by measuring the native pressure differences(PD) between the normal coronary artery and celiac arterial pressure, which would be compared with trans-stenosis pressure gradients(TSPG) in coronary artery occlusive disease. Material and Method: Between July, 1998 and February, 1999, pressures of the right coronary artery and the right gastroepiploic artery(or the celiac artery) were measured in patients with the patent right coronary artery(n=12). The PD between the arteries was compared with the TSPG in the occlusive coronary arteries(n=32). Result: The pressures of the normal right coronary artery and celiac artery were 143$\pm$23 vs. 134$\pm$17mmHg in systole(p<0.005), 74$\pm$13 vs. 73$\pm$14mmHg in diastole(p=NS), and 100$\pm$16 vs. 97$\pm$15mmHg in mean (p<0.05). The PD between the arteries were -8~25mmHg in systole, -4~7mmHg in diastole, and -1~10mmHg in mean. The TSPG measured in the occlusive coronary arteries were -4~19(7$\pm$5.8)mmHg in the lesion less than 75% stenosis vs. 7~74(27$\pm$18.3)mmHg in the 75% or over stenosis lesion(p<0.005). The normally existing pressure difference between the coronary arteries and RGEA(15~20mmHg) was significantlyless than the TSPG in .the occlusive coronary artery with 75% or over stenosis(p<0.001). Conclusion: If the pressure gradient between the RGEA and the coronary artery distal to the stenosis is the main determinant of development of retrograde flow competiton in the RGEA pedicled graft, the above data suggests that there will be little chance of competition when It is used in the coronary lesion with 75% or over stenosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1043-1048
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• 1998

Background: As coronary arterial disease is increasing, we evaluated the patients who underwent CABG(Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) and thus report the early results and risk factors related to mortality and morbidity. Materials and methods: Between July 1996 and February 1998, 42 patients underwent CABG. We analyzed age, sex, preoperative ejection fraction, Canadian heart classification, prevalence factors of CAD(Coronary Artery Disease), angiographic findings, graft vessel numbers, IMA(Internal Mallary Artery) use, ECC* (extracorporeal circulation) time and morbidity. We also evaluated the mortality rate and the causes of death. Results: Complication was developed at 17cases. The average age of the complication group was 61±11.9 years and that of the noncomplication group was 51±10.5 years(p=0.004). ECC time was 198±42.5(min) in the complication group and 158±47.4(min) in the noncomplication group(p=0.008). The other factors had no correlation to the morbidity, statistically. The average follow up duration was 12.5 months and all the patients were alive except for the 2 expired cases. The mortality rate was 4.7%, among which one patient who underwent CABG with aortic valve replacement died due to multiorgan failure and the other died due to sepsis with pneumonia and wound infection. Conclusions: We conclude that the risk factors related to morbidity were age and ECC time, and that there were no correlations between other factors and morbidity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.1 s.246
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• pp.29-37
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• 2005

This study was prospectively designed to determine the physiologic effects of normothermic CPB and to compare its influences with hypothermic CPB. Material and Method: Thirty-six adult patients scheduled for el­ective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to moderate hypothermic (hypothermic group nasopharyngeal tem­perature $26\~28^{\circ}C,\;n=18)$ ornormothermic (normothermic group, nasopharyngeal temperature > $35.5^{\circ}C\;n=18)$ CPB. Arterial blood samples were taken before CPB (Pre-CPB), 10 minutes after the start of CPB (CPB-10), and imme­diately after CPB stop (CPB-off) for determining total leukocyte counts, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), interleukin-6 (IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1), cortisol, troponin I (TNI), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the pulmonary index $(Pi,\;PaO_{2}/FiO_{2}),$Other parameters such as urine output, mechanical ventilating period, ICU-staying period, postoperative complications and hospitalized days were also evaluated. Result: Total leukocyte counts, increased rate in NSE, in IL-6 and in cortisol at CPB-10 and CPB-off were significantly higher in normothermic group than in hyphothermic group. Urine output during CPB was lower in normothermic group than in hyphothermic group. The duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU-stay, and hospitalization were longer in normothermic group than in hyphothermic group. Conclusion: These findings sug­gested that normothermic CPB caused higher inflammatory and stress responses than hypothermic CPB during car­diac surgery using cold crystalloid cardioplegia. However, further studies with large number of cases should be carried out to validate this hypothesis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.5 s.262
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• pp.366-375
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• 2006

Background: Hypomagnesemia is a common complication after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical beneficial effect of administration of magnesium sulfate in cardiac surgery. Material and Method: Thirty five patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to magnesium group (n=20) which received magnesium sulfate in priming solution (1 g) and cardioplegic solution (1 g) or control group (n=15) which did not receive it. Arterial blood samples were drawn for measuring $Mg^{++}$ and electrolytes contents, blood gas analysis, CBC, total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ $(TNF-{\alpha})$, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), creatine phosphokinase (CpK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), troponin-1 (TNI), prothrombin time (PT) and activated pratial thromboplastin time level (aPTT). Venous blood samples were drawn before and after the operation for measuring activated clotting time level (ACT). Result: $Mg^{++}$ levels in magensium group were higher than those of control group at intraoperative and post-operative periods (p<0.05). dysrhythmias were lower in magnesium group (8 cases out of 17 patients, 46.4%) than in control group (10 cases out of 10, 100%, p=0.050). Conclusion: These results showed that administration of low dose magnesium sulfate during cardiac surgery prevented hypomagnesemia and lowered incidence of dysrhythmia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.10 s.267
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• pp.754-758
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• 2006

Background: Surgical role for acute coronary syndrome has been reduced in recent years due to development of drug eluting stent. We evaluated the surgical results of acute coronary syndrome in our hospital. Material and Method: Between January 2001 and August 2005, 416 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) under diagnosis of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE ACS). Mean age was $61.8{\pm}9.0$ years and 276 (66.3%) patients were male. 324 (77.9%) patients had triple vessel disease and 92 (22.1%) had left main disease at angiographic study. 236 (56.7%) patients had hypertension and 174 (41.8%) had diabetes mellitus. Conventional on-pump CABG was performed in 194 patients (46.6%) and off-pump CABG in 222 (53.4%). Total arterial revascularization with no touch technique was done in 97 patients (23.3%). The number of total distal anastomosis was 1,306 and the number per patient was $3.21{\pm}1.71$. Result: Surgical mortality rate was 1.0% (4 patients) and postoperative complication rate was 15.6% (65 patients). Graft patency was checked at mean $3.7{\pm}7.6$ months (from 1 to 37 months) postoperatively with multi-directional computed tomography in 152 patients. Left internal mammary artery was patent in 95.3%, right internal mammary artery in 98.1%, radial artery in 92.2% and saphenous vein in 89.0%. Conclusion: The surgical treatment of NSTE ACS showed relatively low mortality rate and good graft patency rate. Further study is needed to compare the long term results with drug eluting stent.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.456-465
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• 1998

Cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) in children is associated with the accumulation of body water after cardiac operation, as a consequence of an inflammatory capillary leak. Following work by Elliott in 1991, modified ultrafiltration(MUF) was introduced after bypass as a means of hemoconcentrating patients and a potential way of removing water from the tissues. We have carried out a prospective randomized study of 20 children undergoing open heart surgery, comparing MUF with nonfiltered controls. MUF was carried out for a mean of 18.9 minutes after completion of CPB to a hematocrit of 37.1%(mean). The mean water volulme removed by the ultrafiltration was 38.4 ml/kg and the mean blood volume retransfused from the oxygenator during the ultrafiltration was 32.1 ml/kg. Fluid balance, hemodynamics, hematocrit, osmolarity and dosage of drug treatment were recorded for 4∼12 hours postoperatively. The results were analyzed using Student t-test and ANOVA, comparing controls(n=10) to MUF(n=10). Blood loss(ml/kg/24hr) was 14.5(mean) in MUF versus 13.7 in controls; blood transfused(ml/kg/24hr) 6.6 in MUF versus 15.2 in controls; plasma transfused(ml/kg/24hr) 65.7 in MUF versus 59.6 in controls. There was rise in arterial blood pressure and hematocrit during MUF. Percent rise of systolic blood pressure was 28.8% in MUF versus 18.7% in controls(p=0.366); percent rise of diastolic blood pressure was 28.8% in MUF versus 8.5% in controls(p=0.135); and percent rise of mean blood pressure was 36.2% in MUF versus 8.2% in controls (p=0.086). Percent rise of hematocrit was 40.0% in MUF versus 23.5% in controls(p=0.002). There was no significant difference in the inotropic requirement and the postoperative serum osmolarity between two groups. The number of days on the ventilator, the duration of stay in the intensive care unit, and the postoperative hospital stay were not significantly different between the two groups.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.566-575
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• 2003

We reviewed our 18-year surgical experience of biventricular repair for double-outlet right ventricle. Material and Method: One hundred twelve consecutive patients (80 males and 32 females) who underwent biventricular repair for double-outlet right ventricle between May 1986 and September 2002 were included. We assessed risk factors for early mortality and reoperation. Reoperation-free survival rate and actual survival rate were analysed. Result: Most common type of ventricular septal defect was subaortic (n=58, 52%) and non-committed type was second most common (n=32, 29%). Four different surgical methods were used: intraventricular baffle repair (n=71 , 63%): right ventricle to pulmonary ariery conduit interposition or REV with left ventricle to aorta baffle repair (n=24, 21 .4%): arierial switch operation with left ventricle to pulmonary artery baffle (n=14, 12.5%): Senning atrial switch operation with left ventricle to pulmonary artery baffle (n=3, 2.7%). Thirty four patients(30%) underwent palliative procedures before definite repair. Twenty three patients (21%) required reoperations. There were 12 (10.7%) early deaths and 4 late deaths. Age younger than 3 months at repair (p=0.003), cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamp time (p=0.015, p=0.067), type of operation (arterial switch operation) (p <0.001) and type of ventricular septal defect (subpulmonic type) (p=0.002) were revealed as risk factors for early death in univariate analysis, while age under 3 months was the only significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. Patients younger than 1 year of age (p=0.02), pulmonary artery angioplasty at definitive repair (p=0.024), type of ventricular septal defect (non-committed) (p=0.001), type of operation (right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit interposition and REV operation) (p=0.028, p=0.017) were risk factors for reoperation in univariate analysis but there was no significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. Follow-up was available on 91 survivals with a mean duration of 110.8$\pm$56.4 (2~201) months. 5, 10 and 15 year survival rates were 86.5%, 85% and 85% and reoperation free survival were 85%, 71.5%, 70%. Conclusion: Age under 3 months at repair, subpulmonic ventricular septal defect and arterial switch operation were significant risk factors for early mortality. Patients with non-committed ventricular septal defect and who underwent conduit interposition or REV operation were risk factors for reoperation. With careful attention to chose best timing and surgical approach depending on morphologic characteristics, biventricular repair for double outlet right ventricle can be achieved with good long-term outcome.