• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.108-118
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• 1999

Background: To evaluate the risk factor and long-term result of arterial switch operation , a retrospective study was done. Material and Method: A retrospective analysis was done to evaluate the early and long-term results on 58 patients who underwent an arterial switch operation(ASO) for transposition of the great arteries(TGA) with intact ventricular septum, between January 1988 and December 1996. Beforesurgery, 36 patients(62.1%) underwent balloon atrial septostomy, 32 patients(51.7%) received PGE1 infusion, and preparatory banding of pulmonary artery was performed on 6 patients(mean LV/RV pressure ratio 0.53$\pm$0.11). Result: The age at operation ranged from 1 to 137 days(mean 24$\pm$26 days) and the weights ranged from 1.8 to 6.8 kg (mean 3.5$\pm$0.8 kg). There were 14 early deaths(24.1%), but of the last 24 patients operated on since 1994, there were only 2 early deaths(8.3%). In the risk factor analysis, the date of operation was the only risk factor for early death(p-value < 0.01). Eight of the 14 early deaths were due to acute myocardial failure(mainly inadequate coronary blood flow). The length of follow-up ranged from 2 months to 8 years, average of 36$\pm$27 months. The follow-up included sequential noninvasive evaluations and 21 catheterizations and angiographic studies performed 5 to 32 months postoperatively with particular attention to the great vessel and coronary anastomosis, ventricular function, valvular competence, and cardiac rhythm. There were 5 late deaths(11.4%), one of thesedeaths was related to the late coronary problems, two to aspiration, one to uncontrolled chronic mediastinitis, and one to progressive aortic insufficiency and heart failure. The most frequent postoperative hemodynamic abnormality was supravalvular stenosis and the degree of pulmonary or aortic obstruction had slowly progressed in some cases, however there were no children who had to undergo a reoperation for supravalvular pulmonary or aortic stenosis. Aortic regurgitation was identified in 9 patients, which was mild in 7 and moderate in 2 and had progressed in some cases. Two patients who had an unremarkable perioperative course were identified as having coronary artery obstructions. The other late survivors were in good condition, were in sinus rhythm, and had normal LV functions. Actuarial survival rate at 8 years was 68.8%. Conclusion: We concluded that anatomic correction will be established as the optimal approach to the TGA with intact ventricular septum, though further long-term evaluations are needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.5 s.250
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• pp.349-356
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• 2005

Background: Arterial conduits using in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have been known a great long term patency rates, and improved short and long term clinical outcomes. It has been reported that Off pump CABG has better clinical results than CABG using cardiopulmonary bypass. To evaluate the advantage of arterial conduits over venous conduits and to avoid the adverse effects of cardiopulmonary bypass, we performed total arterial Off pump CABG. Material and Method: From January 2001 to October 2004, Off pump CABG using only arterial conduits was performed on 325 patients with a mean age of $59.3\pm11.9$ years ($36\~83$). Mean ejection fraction was $55.4\pm14.0\%\;(15\~86).$ Angiography showed left main disease or triple-vessel disease in $81.9\%$ of the patients. Indications of using arterial conduits was stenosis $\ge50\%$ of left anterior descending artery, stenosis $\ge80\%$ of branches of left circumflex artery, and stenosis $\ge90\%$ of right coronary artery and its branches. Multi-slice computed tomography was performed on 194 patients to evaluate the short term patency rates. Result: A total of 928 distal anastomoses were performed and the average anastomoses per a patient were $2.86\pm0.78$. There was 1 operative mortality. Postoperative complications were mediastinitis in 6 patients ($1.8\%$), renal failure in 4 patients ($1.2\%$), perioperative myocardial infarction in 3 patients ($0.9\%$), reoperation for bleeding in 3 patients ($0.9\%$). There was no postoperative stroke. Patency rate of arterial conduits was $99.3\%$ (581/585). There were 4 stenoses or competitive flows in 2 radial arteries and 2 right internal mammary arteries. Conclusion: Total arterial Off pump CABG appears to be safe, showing a low surgical mortality and morbidity and excellent short term patency rates of arterial conduits.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.164-173
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• 2015

Background: Hypertrophied myocardium is especially vulnerable to ischemic injury. This study aimed to compare the early and late clinical outcomes of three different methods of myocardial protection in patients with aortic stenosis. Methods: This retrospective study included 225 consecutive patients (mean age, 65{\pm}10 years; 123 males) with severe aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement. Patients were excluded if they had coronary artery disease, an ejection fraction <50%, more than mild aortic regurgitation, or endocarditis. The patients were divided into three groups: group A, which was treated with antegrade and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia; group B, which was treated with antegrade crystalloid cardioplegia using histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution; and group C, treated with retrograde cold blood cardioplegia. Results: Group A contained 70 patients (31.1%), group B contained 74 patients (32.9%), and group C contained 81 patients (36%). The three groups showed significant differences with regard to the proportion of patients with a New York Heart Association functional classification ${\geq}III$ (p=0.035), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (p=0.042), ejection fraction (p=0.035), left ventricular dimensions (p<0.001), left ventricular mass index (p<0.001), and right ventricular systolic pressure (p <0.001). Differences in cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.532) and aortic cross-clamp time (p=0.48) among the three groups were not statistically significant. During postoperative recovery, no significant differences were found regarding the use of inotropes (p=0.328), mechanical support (n=0), arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, p=0.347; non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, p=0.1), and ventilator support time (p=0.162). No operative mortality occurred. Similarly, no significant differences were found in long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Although the three groups showed some significant differences with regard to patient characteristics, both antegrade crystalloid cardioplegia with HTK solution and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia led to early and late clinical results similar to those achieved with combined antegrade and retrograde cold blood cardioplegia.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.292-304
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Calcium is a determinant of paravalvular leakage (PVL) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This is based on a fixed contrast attenuation value while X-ray attenuation is patient-dependent and without considering frame expansion and PVL location. We examined the role of calcium in (site-specific) PVL after TAVI using a patient-specific contrast attenuation coefficient combined with frame expansion. METHODS: 57 patients were included with baseline CT, post-TAVI transthoracic echocardiography and rotational angiography (R-angio). Calcium load was assessed using a patient-specific contrast attenuation coefficient. Baseline CT and post-TAVI R-angio were fused to assess frame expansion. PVL was assessed by a core lab. RESULTS: Overall, the highest calcium load was at the non-coronary-cusp-region (NCR, 436 mm³) vs. the right-coronary-cusp-region (RCR, 233 mm³) and the left-coronary-cusp-region (LCR, 244 mm³), p < 0.001. Calcium load was higher in patients with vs. without PVL (1,137 vs. 742 mm³, p = 0.012) and was an independent predictor of PVL (odds ratio, 4.83, p = 0.004). PVL was seen most often in the LCR (39% vs. 21% [RCR] and 19% [NCR]). The degree of frame expansion was 71% at the NCR, 70% at the RCR and 74% at the LCR without difference between patients with or without PVL. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium load was higher in patients with PVL and was an independent predictor of PVL. While calcium was predominantly seen at the NCR, PVL was most often at the LCR. These findings indicate that in addition to calcium, specific anatomic features play a role in PVL after TAVI.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1991

This report describes our 10-year experience with intracardiac repair in 42 patients older than 16 year with tetralogy of Fallot. The mean age was 22.0$\pm$5.18 years[range 16~41]. The preoperative clinical manifestations were cyanosis & clubbing[93%], frequent URI [55%], anoxic spell[40%], pulmonary tuberculosis[21%], tuberculous empyema[7%], chronic renal failure[7%], congestive heart failure[7%] and subacute bacterial endocarditis [2%], etc. The previous shunt procedure for palliation had been performed in 7 patients. The type of VSD were typical perimembranous type[67%], total canal defect[28%] and combined type[5%]. The right ventricular outflow tract obstruction were combined type[69%], infundibular type[21%] and valvular type[10%]. Transannular patch was used in 50% of patients. Associated cardiovascular anomalies were ASD[33%], PFO[31%], Rt. aortic arch[10%], Lt. SVC[10%], single Rt. pulmonary artery, single Lt. coronary artery, ASI, proximal stenosis of Rt. pulmonary artery and anomalous systemic venous return, etc. Hospital mortality was 7.1%[3 cases]in overall. The causes of hospital deaths were revealed low cardiac output & acute renal failure[2 cases], postoperative bleeding[1 case]. There were 2 late deaths 3 & 68 months after surgery. Residual intracardiac shunt was detected in 2 patients. one patient was successfully reoperated and another patient had Qp /Qs ratio less than 1.5.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.349-355
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• 1983

Twenty-seven patients with double-outlet right ventricle underwent complete intracardiac repair between 1978 and 1983, June, at Seoul National University Hospital . Although definite aorto-mitral discontinuity was discovered in 20 patients, both great arteries arose wholly or mostly from the right ventricle in all cases. There were 17 cases with subaortic VSD, 6 with subpulmonic, 2 with doubly-committed, and 2 with non-committed VSD. Pulmonary stenosis was present in 21 patients. Intraventricular baffle repair was applied in 23 patients. Three patients required extracardiac conduit to establish continuity between right ventricle and pulmonary artery, and modified Fontan operation was performed in one patient. Over-all mortality rate was 37.0%, but recently 4 of 15 died [26.7%]. One late death occurred from infective endocarditis. Incremental risk factors were small patient size, subpulmonic or non-committed VSD, presence of PS, coronary artery anomalies, associated valvular lesion and other complicated anomalies. However, great artery relationship, restrictive VSD and transannular patch were not risk factors. No instances of complete heart block occurred. Of the survivors, all showed complete or in complete right bundle branch block and in one patient intermittent ventricular tachycardia had developed. The important cause of death was low cardiac output syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 1998

Purpose: Myocardial SPECT is an effective test for detecting coronary artery disease in the general population. But the diagnostic accuracy between sexes is not defined. The purpose of this study is to compare the diagnostic accuracy between males and females. Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventy seven male and 98 female patients who underwent myocardial SPECT within 1 month of coronary angiography were studied. Myocardial SPECTS were considered abnormal if fixed or reversible perfusion defects were detected. Stenosis severity of ${\geq}$ 50% luminal diameter reduction of any artery defined coronary artery disease (CAD). Results: Overall sensitivity for detection of CAD was 98% in men and 97% in women (p=not significant). However, specificities, accuracies, and positive predictive values (PPV) in men and women were 49% vs 31% (p<0.05), 81% vs 57% (p<0.01), 78% vs 48% (p<0.01), respectively. Diagnostic accuracies for detection of right coronary artery disease were not different in both sexes, however, accuracies for detection of left anterior descending artery disease and left circumflex artery disease were significantly lower in female (p<0.05). Conclusion: A significant difference of diagnostic accuracy between sexes, especially in LAD and LCx disease, was noted. Artifacts from breast attenuation might be a cause for the lower diagnostic accuracy in female.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.790-798
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• 1999

Background: As the early outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) has been stabilized, neurologic complication has now become one of the most important morbidity. The aim of this study was to find out the risk factors associated with the neurologic complications after CABG. Material and Method: In 351 patients who underwent CABG, the incidence and features of neurologic complications, with associated perioperative risk factors, were retrospectively reviewed. Neurologic complication was defined as a new cerebral infarction confirmed by postoperative neurologic examination and radiologic studies, or delayed recovery of consciousness and orientation for more than 24 hours after the operation. Result: Neurologic complications occurred in 18 patients(5.1%), of these nine(2.6%) were diagnosed as having new cerebral infarctions(stroke). Stroke was manifested as motor paralysis in four patients, mental retardation or orientation abnormality in four, and brain death in one. Statistical analysis revealed the following variables as significant risk factors for neurologic complications by both univariate and multivariate analyses: cardiopulmonary bypass longer than 180 minutes, atheroma of the ascending aorta, carotid artery stenosis detected by Duplex sonography, and past history of cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack. Age over 65 years, aortic calcification detected by simple X-ray, and intraoperative myocardial infarction were significant risk factors by univariate analysis only. Neither the severity of carotid artery stenosis nor technical modifications such as cannulation of the aortic arch or single clamp technique, which were expected to affect the inciden e of neurologic complications, had significant relationship with the incidence. Conclusion: This study confirmed the strong association between neurologic complications after CABG and atherosclerosis of the arterial system. Therefore, to minimize the incidence of neurologic complications, systematic evaluation focused on atherosclerotic lesions of the arterial system followed by adequate alteration of operative strategy is needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.728-733
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• 2003

Background: The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of total arterial myocardial revascularization (TAMR) with bilateral internal mammary arteries. Material and Method: 139 consecutive patients who underwent off pump coronary artery bypass surgery from January 2000 to December 2001 were included in the current retrospective study. Patients were divided into those receiving bilateral internal mammary artery, BITA (n=85) and those receiving single internal mammary artery, SITA (n=54). Result: There was only one death in each group. No significant differences were noted in the total ICU and hospital stay; 2.4$\pm$1.7 and 11.2$\pm$17.7 days, in the BITA group, respectively and 2.8$\pm$2.7 and 9.7$\pm$7.1 days in the SITA group, respectively (P>0.05). The mean number of distal anastomosis of 3.9$\pm$0.7 was slightly higher in the SITA group compared to the SITA group, which was 3.1$\pm$0.8. Myocardial infarction occurred in 7 patients (BITA group: 2, SITA group: 5) and deep sternal infection necessitating reoperation occurred in 4 patients (BITA group: 3, SITA group: 1). Coronary angiogram was performed in the immediate postoperative period in 104 patients (BITA group: 64/85, SITA group: 40/54). Of these patients, stenosis in the LAD anastomosis site occurred in 4 patients (BITA group: 2, SITA group: 2). A total of 8 anastomotic sites were stenotic in the entire series of which percutaneous intervention was performed in 3 patients and none required reoperative coronary artery bypass. Conclusion: The results of the current data did not show a significant difference in patiency rate with bilateral internal mammary artery use for CABG supporting the feasibility of its use as a viable alternative method for TAMR.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.9 s.254
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• pp.601-608
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• 2005

Background: To maximize the histological advantage and minimize the physiological disadvantage, we have been using the skeletonized gastroepiploic artey (GEA) as a free graft for total arterial revascularization. The aims of the current study was to assess the efficacy of the skeletonized GEA as a composite or extended graft for total arterial revascularization. Material and Method: Between January 2000 and Feburary 2005, 133 patients (43 female, mean age=61.8 yrs) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with a skeletonized GEA as free graft (22 extended, 107 composite and 4 others) were enrolled in this study. Coronary angiograms were performed in the immediate (median 44 days, n=86), early (median 366 days, n=56) and midterm (median 984 days, n=29) postoperative periods. Result: There were 3 ($2.2\%$) early and 4 ($3.3\%$) late cardiac-related deaths. The mean number of distal anastomoses per patient was 3.34 for total graft and 1.92 for GEA graft. The immediate, early, and midterm GEA patency were 157/159 ($98.7\%$), 106/142 ($94.6\%$), and 53/56 ($94.6\%$), respectively. During follow-up, four patients required percutaneous intracoronary intervention because of GEA and target coronary artery stenosis or competitive flow. Conclusion: These data demonstrate satisfactory clinical and angiographic results in the skeletonized GEA as free graft for total arterial revascularizatioh. Although we need a careful longer follow-up, the skeletonized GEA as a free graft will be a valuable option 'to be' for CABG.