• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.5 s.274
• /
• pp.351-355
• /
• 2007

Background: Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture is associated with mortality as high as $85\sim90%$, if it is treated medically. This report documents our experience with postinfarction ventricular septal rupture that was treated surgically, Material and Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 11 patients who were operated on due to postinfarction ventricular septal rupture between August 1996 and August 2006. There were 4 men and 7 women, with a mean age of $70{\pm}11$ years (age range: $50\sim84$ years). The location of the rupture was anterior in 7 cases and posterior in 4 cases. The interval between the onset of acute myocardial infarction and the occurrence of the ventricular septal rupture was $2.0{\pm}1.3$ days (range: $1\sim5$ days). Operation was performed at an average of $2.4{\pm}2.7$ days (range: $0\sim8$ days) after the diagnosis of septal rupture. Preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy was performed in 10 patients. Result: The infarct exclusion technique was used in all cases. Coronary artery bypass grafting was done in 8 cases, with the mean number of distal anastomosis being $1.0{\pm}0.8$. There was one operative death. In 2 patients, reoperation was performed due to a residual septal defect. The postoperative morbidities were transient atrial fibrillation (n=7), paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (n=1), low cardiac output syndrome (n=3), bleeding reoperation (n=2), delayed sternal closure (n=2), acute renal failure (n=2), pneumonia (n=1), intraaortic balloon pump-related thromboembolism (n=1), and transient delirium (n=2). Nine patients have been followed up for a mean of $38{\pm}40$ months except for one follow-up loss. There have been 3 late deaths. At the latest follow-up, all 6 survivors were in a good functional class. Conclusion: We demonstrated satisfactory operative and midterm results with our strategy of preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy, early repair of septal rupture by infarct exclusion and combined coronary revascularization.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.8
• /
• pp.559-565
• /
• 2003

By improving the flow pattern in Fontan circuit, total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) could result in a better outcome than atriopulmonary connection Fontan operation. For the patients with impaired hemodynamics after atriopulmonary Fontan connection, conversion to TCPC can be expected to bring hemodynamic and functional improvement. We studied the results of the revision of the previous Fontan connection to TCPC in patients with failed Fontan circulation. Material and method: From October1979 to June 2002, eight patients who had failed Fontan circulation, underwent revision of previous Fontan operation to TCPC at Yonsei University Hospital. Intracardiac anomalies of the patients were tricuspid atresia (n=4) and other functional single ventricles (n=4). Mean age at TCPC conversion was 14.0$\pm$7.0 years (range, 4.6~26.2 years) and median interval between initial Fontan operation and TCPC was 7.5 years (range, 2.4~14.3 years). All patients had various degree of symptoms and signs of right heart failure. NYHA functional class was 111 or IV in six patients. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n:f), cyanosis (n=2), intraatrial thrombi (n=2), and protein losing enteropathy (PLE) (n=3) were also combined. The previous Fontan operation was revised to extracardiac conduit placement (n=7) and intraatrial lateral tunnel (n=1). Result: There was no operative death. Major morbidities included deep sternal infection (n=1), prolonged pleural effusion over two weeks (n=1), and temporary junctional lachyarrhythrnia (n=1). Postoperative central venous Pressure was lower than the preoperative value (17.9$\pm$3.5 vs. 14.9$\pm$1.0, p=0.049). Follow-up was complete in all patients and extended to 50,1 months (mean, 30.3$\pm$ 12.8 months). There was no late death. All patients were in NYHA class 1 or 11. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia developed in a patient who underwent conversion to intraatrial lateral tunnel procedure, PLE was recurred in two patients among three patients who had had PLE before the convertsion. There was no newly developed PLE. Conclusion: Hemodynamic and functional improvement could be expected for the patients with Fontan circulatory failure after atriopulmonary connection by revision of their previous circulation to TCPC. The conversion could be performed with low risk of morbidity and mortality.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.4 s.261
• /
• pp.275-280
• /
• 2006

Background: Aortopulmonary window (APW) is a very rare congenital heart anomaly, often associated with other cardiac anomalies. It causes a significant systemic to pulmonary artery shunt, which requires early surgical correction. Accurate diagnosis and surgical correction will bring good outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe our 20-year experience of aortopulmonary window. Material and Method: Between March 1985 and January 2005, 16 patients with APW underwent surgical repair. Mean age at operation was $157.8{\pm}245.3$ ($15.0{\sim}994.0$) days and mean weight was $4.8{\pm}2.5$ ($1.7{\sim}10.7$) kg. Patent ductus arteriosus (8), atrial septal defect (7), interruptedaortic arch (5), ventricular septal defect (4), patent foramen ovate (3), tricuspid valve regurgitation (3), mitral valve regurgitation (2), aortic valve regurgitation (1), coarctation of aorta (1), left superior vena cavae (1), and dextrocardia (1) were associated. Repair methods included 1) division of the APW with primary closure or patch closure of aorta and pulmonary artery primary closure or patch closure (11) and 2) intra-arterial patch closure (3). 3) Division of the window and descending aorta to APW anastomosis (2) in the patients with interrupted aortic arch or coarctation. Result: There was one death. The patient had 2.5 cm long severe tracheal stenosis from carina with tracheal bronchus supplying right upper lobe. The patient died at 5th post operative day due to massive tracheal bleeding. Patients with complex aortopulmonary window had longer intensive care unit and hospital stay and showed more morbidities and higher reoperation rates. 5 patients had reoperations due to left pulmonary artery stenosis (4), right pulmonary artery stenosis (2), and main pulmonary artery stenosis (1). The mean follow-up period was $6.8{\pm}5.6$ (57.0 days$\sim$16.7 years)years and all patients belonged to NYHA class 1. Conclusion: With early and prompt correction of APW, excellent surgical outcome can be expected. However, optimal surgical method needs to be established to decrease the rate of stenosis of pulmonary arteries.