• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2020

Background: We aimed to investigate the associations of critical care provided in a cardiac surgical intensive care unit (CSICU) staffed by an attending intensivist with improvements in intensive care unit (ICU) quality and reductions in postoperative complications. Methods: Patients who underwent elective isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between January 2007 and December 2012 (the control group) were propensity-matched (1:1) to CABG patients between January 2013 and June 2018 (the intensivist group). Results: Using propensity score matching, 302 patients were extracted from each group. The proportion of patients with at least 1 postoperative complication was significantly lower in the intensivist group than in the control group (17.2% vs. 28.5%, p=0.001). In the intensivist group, the duration of mechanical ventilation (6.4±13.7 hours vs. 13.7±49.3 hours, p=0.013) and length of ICU stay (28.7±33.9 hours vs. 41.7±90.4 hours, p=0.018) were significantly shorter than in the control group. The proportions of patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation (2.3% vs. 7.6%, p=0.006), delirium (1.3% vs. 6.3%, p=0.003) and acute kidney injury (1.3% vs. 5.3%, p=0.012) were significantly lower in the intensivist group than in the control group. Conclusion: A transition from an open ICU model with trainee coverage to a closed ICU model with attending intensivist coverage can be expected to yield improvements in CSICU quality and reductions in postoperative complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.10 s.267
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• pp.765-769
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• 2006

Background: Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive technique for correcting the pectus excavatum. But there are some limitations of correcting the complex anomaly or grown-up patients. Material and Method: we retrospectively reviewed 135 consecutive patients who underwent repair of pectus excavatum by the Nuss procedure and its modifications between November 1999 and December 2004. We analyzed the computed tomography, age on operation, operative technique, and complications. Result: We operated 135 patients of pectus excavatum during 62 months. Total number of operations about Nuss procedure is 216, including bar removal procedure of 64 cases, redo Nuss procedures of 47 cases. We modified the point of bar insertion to the hinge point, made a shoulder in the bar to prevent a displacement. And then we changed the fixation material from Vicryl to steel wire. If the patients are old, we retract the sternum during bar rotation and fixation. Until 2002, the number of redo Nuss operations were 17, complications were 23. but, after modifications, the number of redo Nuss operation were 0, complications were 2. Conclusion: This result indicates that our modifications of Nuss operation is effective, and could decrease the number of redo Nuss operation and complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.11 s.268
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• pp.822-827
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• 2006

Background: Lung transplantation is a definitive therapy for a variety of end stage lung diseases. Since 1996, we have performed thirteen cases of lung transplantation including two retransplantations, and we analyzed the outcomes, complications, and survivals of these patients. Material and Method: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of thirteen cases from July, 1996 to July, 2005. Result: During the period, 11 patients had undergone 43 lung and heart-lung transplantations, and two patients had retransplantation due to allograft failure. Mean age of recipients were $45.2{\pm}10.7$ years(range, $25{\sim}59$). Early complications were bleeding, reperfusion injury, and infection and late complications were mainly infection and post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease. Excluding the operative mortality, the mean survival period was 16.5 months($2{\sim}60$ months). Two retransplantations had been performed 2 weeks and 13 months after single lung transplantations. Conclusion: In order to achieve long term survival, early detection of complications and proper treatment in addition to surgical skills are necessary, and these efforts can promote better lung transplantation programs in the near future.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.139-148
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• 2016

In the past decade, the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has rapidly increased, along with the associated cardiovascular complications. Therefore, understanding the pathophysiology underlying T2D, the associated complications and the impact of therapeutics on the T2D development has critical importance for current and future therapeutics. The prevailing feature of T2D is hyperglycemia due to excessive hepatic glucose production, insulin resistance, and insufficient secretion of insulin by the pancreas. These contribute to increased fatty acid influx into the liver and muscle causing accumulation of lipid metabolites. These lipid metabolites cause dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which ultimately contributes to the increased cardiovascular risk in T2D. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of hepatic insulin resistance and the specific role of liver lipids is critical in selecting and designing the most effective therapeutics for T2D and the associated co-morbidities, including dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. Herein, we review the effects and molecular mechanisms of conventional anti-hyperglycemic and lipid-lowering drugs on glucose and lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.787-797
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of problem solving nursing counseling and walking exerciseon weight loss, cardiovascular risk factors, and self-efficacy of diabetic control among obese diabetic patients. The Polar heart rate monitor was used for walking exercise to utilize the Biofeedback mechanism. Method: Fifty nine diabetic patients were conveniently placed into experimental (n=35) and control groups (n=24). The experimental group participated inweekly nursing counseling for 12 weeks and was encouraged to do walking exercise using a Polar monitor. The control group remained in the same treatment as before. The data wascollected from November 2003 to August 2004 and analyzed using t-tests and ANCOVAs. Results: After 12 weeks, the participants in the experimental group reported significantly decreased body weight (p=.004) and total scores on the Parma scale (p=.00l). While the participants in the control group reported significantly increased levels of blood triglyceride (p=.046) and HDL (p=.018). Conclusion: Based on the findings, we concluded that problem focused nursing counseling with intensified walking exercise could reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications and body weight among obese diabetic patients. Future research to explore the long-term effects of nursing counseling on diabetic complications is warranted.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2017

Background: Tapered grafts, which have a smaller diameter on the arterial side, have been increasingly used for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) formation. We compared the outcomes of 4-6-mm tapered and 6-mm straight forearm loop arteriovenous grafts. Methods: A total of 103 patients receiving forearm loop arteriovenous grafts between March 2005 and March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed and separated into 2 groups (group A, 4- to 6-mm tapered grafts, n=78; group B, 6-mm straight grafts, n=25). In each group, complications and patency rates after surgery were assessed. Results: Clinical characteristics and laboratory results, except for cerebrovascular disease history (group A, 7.7%; group B, 28.0%; p=0.014), were similar between the groups. No significant differences were found for individual complications. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed no significant differences in 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year patency rates between groups (61.8%, 44.9%, and 38.5% vs. 62.7%, 41.1%, and 35.3%, respectively). Conclusion: We found no significant differences in complication and patency rates between the tapered and straight graft groups. If there are no differences in complication and patency between the two graft types, tapered grafts may be a valuable option for AVF formation in light of their other advantages.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.413-416
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• 2022

A 32-year-old woman diagnosed with Turner syndrome presented to the hospital for an evaluation of cardiovascular complications. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) and echocardiography showed progression of aortic root and ascending aorta dilatation, as well as a bicuspid aortic valve. There was no evidence of aortic regurgitation. We planned valve-sparing aortic root replacement and ascending aorta replacement with a high risk of aortic rupture. Intraoperatively, we incidentally found a juxtacommissural origin of the right coronary artery (RCA). We performed aortic valve reimplantation using a graft designed with a key-shaped hole to wrap the juxtacommissural-origin RCA by modifying the Florida sleeve technique. Coronary blood flow was patent on postoperative CT angiography, and there was no evidence of aortic regurgitation on postoperative echocardiography. The patient was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 7 without any complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.338-356
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• 2022

Lung transplantation (LT) is now considered as an effective treatment option for end-stage lung diseases that improves the short and long-term survival rates and quality of life. As increasingly many LT procedures are being performed, the medical complications of LT are also increasing in frequency and emerging as a very important issue for transplant clinicians. Although chronic lung allograft dysfunction and infection are major causes of death after LT, many medical complications, several of which result from immunosuppressive treatment, contribute to increased mortality and morbidity. This article reviews the most frequent and important medical complications of LT, accompanied by a review of the literature and studies from South Korea, including lung allograft rejection, infection, and non-allograft organ systemic complications.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.322-328
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• 2011

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is one of the most common glomerular diseases that affect children. Renal histology reveals the presence of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) in more than 80% of these patients. Most patients with MCNS have favorable outcomes without complications. However, a few of these children have lesions of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, suffer from severe and prolonged proteinuria, and are at high risk for complications. Complications of NS are divided into two categories: disease-associated and drug-related complications. Disease-associated complications include infections (e.g., peritonitis, sepsis, cellulitis, and chicken pox), thromboembolism (e.g., venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism), hypovolemic crisis (e.g., abdominal pain, tachycardia, and hypotension), cardiovascular problems (e.g., hyperlipidemia), acute renal failure, anemia, and others (e.g., hypothyroidism, hypocalcemia, bone disease, and intussusception). The main pathomechanism of disease-associated complications originates from the large loss of plasma proteins in the urine of nephrotic children. The majority of children with MCNS who respond to treatment with corticosteroids or cytotoxic agents have smaller and milder complications than those with steroid-resistant NS. Corticosteroids, alkylating agents, cyclosporin A, and mycophenolate mofetil have often been used to treat NS, and these drugs have treatment-related complications. Early detection and appropriate treatment of these complications will improve outcomes for patients with NS.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2016

Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with selective shunting is the surgical method currently used to treat patients with carotid artery disease. We evaluated the incidence of major postoperative complications in patients who underwent CEA with selective shunting under transcranial Doppler (TCD) at our institution. Methods: The records of 45 patients who underwent CEA with TCD-based selective shunting under general anesthesia from November 2009 to June 2015 were reviewed. The risk factors for postoperative complications were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Preoperative atrial fibrillation was observed in three patients. Plaque ulceration was detected in 10 patients (22.2%) by preoperative computed tomography imaging. High-level stenosis was observed in 16 patients (35.5%), and 18 patients had contralateral stenosis. Twenty patients (44.4%) required shunt placement due to reduced TCD flow or a poor temporal window. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.2%. No cases of major stroke were observed in the 30 days after surgery, but four cases of minor stroke were noted. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative atrial fibrillation (odds ratio [OR], 40; p=0.018) and ex-smoker status (OR, 17.5; p=0.021) were statistically significant risk factors for a minor stroke in the 30-day postoperative period. Analogously, multivariate analysis also found that atrial fibrillation (p<0.001) and ex-smoker status (p=0.002) were significant risk factors for a minor stroke in the 30-day postoperative period. No variables were identified as risk factors for 30-day major stroke or death. No wound complications were found, although one (2.2%) of the patients suffered from a hypoglossal nerve injury. Conclusion: TCD-based CEA is a safe and reliable method to treat patients with carotid artery disease. Preoperative atrial fibrillation and ex-smoker status were found to increase the postoperative risk of a small embolism leading to a minor neurologic deficit.