• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.525-534
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• 2021

Objective: To assess the effect of left atrial appendage (LAA) isolation on LAA emptying and left atrial (LA) function using cardiac MRI in patients who underwent successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 84 patients (mean age, 59 ± 10 years; 67 males) who underwent cardiac MRI after successful catheter ablation of AF. According to the electrical activity of LAA after catheter ablation, patients showed either LAA isolation or LAA normal activity. The LAA emptying phase (LAA-EP, in the systolic phase [SP] or diastolic phase), LAA emptying flux (LAA-EF, mL/s), and LA ejection fraction (LAEF, %) were evaluated by cardiac MRI. Results: Of the 84 patients, 61 (73%) and 23 (27%) patients showed LAA normal activity and LAA isolation, respectively. Incidence of LAA emptying in SP was significantly higher in LAA isolation (91% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) than in LAA normal activation. LAA-EF was significantly lower in LAA isolation (40.1 ± 16.2 mL/s vs. 80.2 ± 25.1 mL/s, p < 0.001) than in LAA normal activity. Furthermore, LAEF was significantly lower in LAA isolation (23.7% ± 11.2% vs. 31.1% ± 16.6%, p = 0.04) than in LAA normal activity. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the LAA-EP was independent from LAEF (p = 0.01). Conclusion: LAA emptying in SP may be a critical characteristic of LAA isolation, and it may adversely affect the LAEF after catheter ablation of AF.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding right ventricular (RV) remodeling immediately after Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. We sought to describe myocardial deformation by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) after TOF repair and investigate associations between these parameters and early post-operative outcomes. METHODS: Fifteen infants underwent CMR without sedation as part of a prospective pilot study after undergoing complete TOF repair, prior to hospital discharge. RV deformation (strain) was measured using tissue tracking, in addition to RV ejection fraction (EF), volumes, and pulmonary regurgitant fraction. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to determine associations between both strain and CMR measures/clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Most patients were male (11/15, 73%), with median age at TOF repair 53 days (interquartile range, 13,131). Most patients had pulmonary stenosis (vs. atresia) (11/15, 73%) and 7 (47%) received a transannular patch as part of their repair. RV function was overall preserved with mean RV EF of 62% (standard deviation [SD], 9.8). Peak radial and longitudinal strain were overall diminished (mean ± SD, 33.80 ± 18.30% and -15.50 ± 6.40%, respectively). Longer hospital length of stay after TOF repair was associated with worse RV peak radial ventricular strain (correlation coefficient (r), -0.54; p = 0.04). Greater pulmonary regurgitant fraction was associated with shorter time to peak radial RV strain (r = -0.55, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In this small study, our findings suggest presence of early decrease in RV strain after TOF repair and its association with hospital stay when changes in EF and RV size are not yet apparent.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.646-650
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• 2003

Many surgical techniques for ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) have been used with their excellent results and advantages. Here, we report our simple posterior annuloplasty techniques using vascular graft strip with their early results. Material and Method: Twenty two patients (13 male) underwent the operations for IMR (excluding the papillary muscle rupture) from December 2001 to January 2003. Preoperative risk factors were low ejection fraction (<35％, n=9), hypertension (n=13), diabetes (n=9), and renal failure (Cr>2.5, n=4). The wide dissection beneath the both vena cavae and interatrial groove after bicaval cannulation enabled the easy exposure of mitral valve even in the small left atrium. After eight or nine interrupted sutures in posterior annulus for anchoring the 6 mm width vascular graft strip, symmetric (n=8) or asymmetric (n=14) annuloplasty were done. Combined surgeries were CABG (n=21), Dor procedures (n=3), tricuspid valve annuloplasty (n=1), Maze operation (n=1), and aorto-right subclavian artery bypass (n=1). Result: Except for one surgical mortality, all the patients were doing well and the mean grade of regurgitation was decreased from 2.95 to 0.88, however the ejection fraction had not changed significantly just before discharge. Post-operative valve function evaluated before discharge revealed no residual regurgitation in 8 (including 1 patient with mild stenosis due to over reduction), minimal in 11, mild in 2, and mild to moderate regurgitation in 1. One patient who had ischemic cardiomyopathy and renal failure died of the arrhythmia during the hemodialysis. Conclusion: These observations suggest that the annuloplasty with vascular graft strip could be a safe and cost effective techniques for ischemic mitral regurgitation. However, the long term evaluation for the mitral valve function should be defined for the final conclusion.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 2010

Purpose: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and impaired diastolic function may occur early in systemic hypertension. Diastolic dysfunction is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)-derived tissue velocity and strain rate are new parameters for assessing diastolic dysfunction. The aim of this study is to determine whether TDI and strain rate imaging (SRI) would improve the ability to recognize early impaired diastolic and systolic functions compared with conventional echocardiography in hypertensive adolescents. Methods: We included 38 hypertensive patients with systolic blood pressure above 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure above 90 mmHg. Ejection fraction and myocardial performance index (MPI) were estimated by conventional echocardiography. Peak systolic myocardial velocity, early diastolic myocardial velocity (Em), and peak late diastolic myocardial velocity (Am) were obtained by using TDI and SRI. Results: In the hypertensive group, interventricular septal thickness was significantly increased on M-mode echocardiography. Em/Am was significantly decreased at the mitral valve annulus. Among hypertensive subjects, the E strain rate at basal, mid, and apex was significantly decreased. Systolic strain was significantly decreased at the septum in the hypertensive group. Conclusion: Strain rate might be a useful new parameter for the quantification of both regional and global LV functions and could be used in long-term follow up in hypertensive patients. Early identification by SRI of subjects at risk for hypertensive and ventricular dysfunction may help to stratify risk and guide therapy. Further studies, including serial assessment of LV structure and function in a larger number of adolescents with hypertension, is necessary.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.510-517
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• 2016

Supersonic jet technology using high pressures has been popularly utilized in diverse industrial and engineering areas related to working fluids. In this study, to consider the effects of a shock wave caused by supersonic jet flow from a high pressure pipe, the SST turbulent flow model provided in the ANSYS FLUENT v.16 was applied and the flow characteristics of the pressure ratio and Mach number were analyzed in accordance with the working fluids (air, oxygen, and hydrogen). Before carrying out CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis, it was presumed that the inlet gas temperature was 300 K and pressure ratio was 5 : 1 as the boundary conditions. The density function was derived from the ideal gas law and the viscosity function was derived from Sutherland viscosity law. The pressure ratio along the ejection distance decreased more in the lower density working fluids. In the case of the higher density working fluids, however, the Mach number was lower. This shows that the density of the working fluids has a considerable effect on the shock wave. Therefore, the reliability of the analysis results were improved by experiments and CFD analysis showed that supersonic jet flow affects the shock wave by changing shape and diameter of the jet, pressure ratio, etc. according to working fluids.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.172-176
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• 1994

As the Tc-99m-MIBI myocardial SPECT demonstrated wide application in the diagnosis of myocardial function, the quantitative and severity-dependent information is currently re quired. In this study, we proposed a computerized method for scoring the fixed defects in terms of extent-weighted severity and for identifying the reversibility in ischemic regions. At the first stage of this method, the transverse slices were reconstructed with 0.4 Nyquist freq. and order 5 Butterworth filter. From the oblique/sagittal slices, maximal count per pixel circumferential profiles were extracted for each sector, and then stress/redist. polar maps were normalized and plotted. For reversibility, the stress polar map was subtracted from the de-layed image and positive-valued pixels were categorized into three grades. The extent-weight-ed severity scores were calculated using the assigned grades and their number of pixels. This procedure was done automatically and the reversibility and severity scores were produced for each of the coronary territories (LAD, RCA, LCX) or any combination of these. Clinical ap-plication has shown that the changes In reversibility scores after PTCA were correlated linearly with the pre PTCA scores(r>0.8) in postinfarct cases as well as in angina, and severity scores of persistent defects in stress/rest SPECT study matched to the regional ejection fraction and visual analysis of regional wall motion of gated blood pool scan(r>0.6). We conclude that the computerized severity scoring method for the analysis of myocardial SPECT could be useful in the assessment of the myocardial ischemia and fixed defect.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.6
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• pp.418-425
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• 2010

Background: Little is known about the long-term effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) treatment on post-tuberculosis emphysema. This study evaluated the effects of ACE inhibition on cardiac function and gas exchange in patients with post-tuberculosis emphysema. Methods: At baseline and at 6 months after initiation of ACE inhibition therapy, patients underwent pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas analysis, and echocardiography, both at rest and post exercise. Cardiac output (CO) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were measured at those time points as well. Results: After ACE inhibition; resting and post-exercise RVEF ($Mean{\pm}SEM,\;61.5{\pm}1.0,\;67.6{\pm}1.2%$, respectively) were higher than at baseline ($56.9{\pm}1.2,\;53.5{\pm}1.7%$). Resting and post-exercise CO ($6.37{\pm}0.24,\;8.27{\pm}0.34L/min$) were higher than at baseline ($5.42{\pm}0.22,\;6.72{\pm}0.24L/min$). Resting and post-exercise $PaO_2$ ($83.8{\pm}1.6,\;74.0{\pm}1.2mmHg$, respectively) were also higher than at baseline ($74.2{\pm}1.9,\;66.6{\pm}1.6mmHg$). Post-exercise $PaCO_2$($46.3{\pm}1.1mmHg$) was higher than at baseline ($44.9{\pm}1.1;\; Resting\;42.8{\pm}0.8\;vs.\;42.4{\pm}0.9mmHg$). Resting and post-exercise A-a $O_2$ gradient ($12.4{\pm}1.4,\;17.8{\pm}1.5 mmHg$) were lower than at baseline ($22.5{\pm}1.5,\;26.9{\pm}1.6mmHg$). Conclusion: In post-tuberculosis emphysema, RVEF and CO were augmented with a resultant increase in peripheral oxygen delivery after ACE inhibition. These findings suggest that an ACE inhibitor may have the potential to alleviate co-morbid cardiac conditions and benefit the patients with post-tuberculosis emphysema.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.7-19
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• 2016

Purpose: To investigate the effect of early hypothermia on post-resuscitation myocardial recovery and survival time after cardiac arrest and resuscitation in a rat model of myocardial infarction(MI). Methods: Thoracotomies were performed in 10 male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 450-455g. Myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Ninety minutes after arterial ligation, ventricular fibrillation was induced, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was subsequently performed before defibrillation was attempted. Animals were randomized to control group and experimental group(acute MI-normothermia)($32^{\circ}C$ for 4 hours). Duration of survival was recorded. Myocardial functions, including cardiac output, left ventricular ejection fraction, and myocardial performance index were measured using echocardiography. Results: Myocardial function was significantly better in hypothermia group than the control group during the first 4 hours post-resuscitation. The survival time of the experimental group was greater than that of the control group(p<.050). Conclusion: This study suggests that early hypothermia can attenuate post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction after acute myocardial function, and may be a useful strategy in post-resuscitation care.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.393-397
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• 1998

A 25-year-old man with viral cardiomyopathy and chronic active hepatitis successfully underwent dynamic cardiomyoplasty for the first time in Korea on July 30, 1996. The patient had been intermittently dyspneic for 5 years and was admitted to our center twice because of heart failure. For the past 2 years, he was NYHA functional class III status with a left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) of around 30%. The patient was born with scoliosis and showed a short stature. The liver function showed elevated liver enzymes, and hepatitis B antigen was positive. The liver biopsy revealed chronic active hepatitis. The preoperative echocardiogram showed decreased left ventricular function with grade II mitral and grade II tricuspid regurgitation with dilated left and right atrium. Recently his symptoms worsened and we decided to perform a dynamic cardiomyoplasty. The left latissmus dorsi muscle(LDM) was mobilized and tested with lead placement on his right lateral decubitus position. The patient was positioned into supine and, after median sternotomy, the heart was wrapped with the mobilized muscle. The Russian made cardiomyostimulator(EKS-445) and leads (Myocardial PEMB for heart and PEMP-1 for LDM) were used. The total operation time was 8 hours and there were no perioperative episodes. Postoperatively the LDM had been trained for a 10 week period and currently the stimulation ratio is maintained at 1:4. The postoperative LVEF did not increase with the value of 30-35%. However, the patient feels better postoperatively with slightly increased activity.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.647-659
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• 2020

Objective: The occurrence of intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) and microvascular obstruction (MVO) in myocardial infarction (MI), known as severe ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI), has been associated with adverse remodeling. APT102, a soluble human recombinant ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1, can hydrolyze extracellular nucleotides to attenuate their prothrombotic and proinflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to temporally evaluate the therapeutic effect of APT102 on IRI in rats and to elucidate the evolution of IRI in the acute stage using cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). Materials and Methods: Fifty-four rats with MI, induced by ligation of the origin of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 60 minutes, were randomly divided into the APT102 (n = 27) or control (n = 27) group. Intravenous infusion of APT102 (0.3 mg/kg) or placebo was administered 15 minutes before reperfusion, and then 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and on day 4 after reperfusion. CMRI was performed at 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and on day 5 post-reperfusion using a 7T system and the hearts were collected for histopathological examination. Cardiac function was quantified using cine imaging and IMH/edema using T2 mapping, and infarct/MVO using late gadolinium enhancement. Results: The extent of infarction (p < 0.001), edema (p < 0.001), IMH (p = 0.013), and MVO (p = 0.049) was less severe in the APT102 group than in the control group. IMH size at 48 hours was significantly greater than that at 24 hours, 72 hours, and 5 days after reperfusion (all p < 0.001). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly greater in the APT102 group than in the control group (p = 0.006). There was a negative correlation between LVEF and IMH (r = -0.294, p = 0.010) and a positive correlation between IMH and MVO (r = 0.392, p < 0.001). Conclusion: APT102 can significantly alleviate damage to the ischemic myocardium and microvasculature. IMH size peaked at 48 hours post reperfusion and IMH is a downstream consequence of MVO. IMH may be a potential therapeutic target to prevent adverse remodeling in MI.