• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.680-685
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• 2001

Background: Tricuspid valve replacement is very rarely performed procedure and its long-term result is not yet satisfactory. Moreover, it is not well known whether bioprosthesis or mechanical prosthesis is the best selection for artificial valve. We reviewed 72 cases of tricuspid valve replacements in 71 patients between January 1989 and December 1998, trying to analyze the overall results and risk factors for mortality and morbidity. Material and Method: Average age of the patients at the time of operation was 42$\pm$13 years(range 16 to 65 years) and the sex ratio of male versus female was 32/39. Primary diagnosis consisted of 50 cases of aquired valvular heart disease and 18 cases of congenital heart disease, such as Ebstein’s anomaly. 4 cases had isolated tricuspid valve regurgitation. Implanted valves were 69 mechanical prosthesis and 3 bioprosthesis. Concomitant mitral or aortic valve replacements were performed in 50 cases. One patient received concomittant pulmonary valve replacement. Result: There were 7(9.72%) operative deaths and 7(13.0%) late deaths. Actuarial survival at 10 years was 59.2$\pm$7.2%. Prosthetic tricuspid valve thrombosis occurred 11 times in 5 patients. Reoperation for prosthetic tricuspid valve failure was performed in 1 patient. In this case, examination of the explanted prostheses showed that the tricuspid stenosis was the result of valve thrombosis. Among the 47 survivors, 46 patients(98%) were in functional class I or II. Conclusion: In our ten-year experience of tricuspid valve replacement, mortality and morbidity were satisfactory. Mechanical prosthesis in tricuspid position showed comparable clinical results as bioprosthesis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2009

Background: Functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) greater than or equal to a mild grade requires tricuspid valvuloplasty, and tricuspid valvuloplasty with ring annuloplasty has shown good outcomes. We report here on our early experience with the Edwards $MC^3$ annuloplasty system (Edwards LifeSciences, Irvine, CA). Material and Method: From November 2004 to July 2006, 72 patients with tricuspid annular dilatation and TR underwent tricuspid valvuloplasty with using the Edwards $MC^3$ annuloplasty ring. Sixty-eight patients were operated on via median sternotomy and four patients were operated on using robotic assisted minimal invasive thoracotomy. The patient population included 21 males and 51 females and their mean age was $53.9{\pm}12.3$. The mean grade of TR, as assessed by the preoperative echocardiography, was $2.2{\pm}1.0$. The mean NYHA functional class was $3.1{\pm}0.8$. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was $57.0{\pm}9.9$%. Result: The TR and NYHA functional class, as assessed by postoperative echocardiography, was significantly reduced (mean=$0.4{\pm}0.6$ and $2.0{\pm}0.7$, respectively p<0.001). There was one case of hospital mortality. One patient required permanent pacemaker insertion for third degree atrioventricular block. Conclusion: Our study shows that the Edwards $MC^3$ remodeling ring is easy to implant and it effectively corrects functional TR with excellent clinical and echocardiographic outcomes. Further follow-up and a larger clinical series are required to establish the long-term stability of this repair technique.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.350-355
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• 2002

Background: Most of pulmonary regurgitation with or without stenosis appears to be well tolerated early after the repair of pulmonary outflow tract. However, it may result in symptomatic right ventricular dilatation, dysfunction and arrhythmias over a long period of time. We studied the early outcome of pulmonary valve replacement with tissue valves for patients with the above clinical features. Material and Method: Sixteen consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary valve replacement from September 1999 to February 2002 were reviewed(9 males and 7 females). The initial diagnoses included tetralogy of Fallot(n=11), and other congenital heart anomalies with pulmonary outflow obstruction(n=5). Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Pericardial Bioprostheses and Hancock porcine valves were used. The posterior two thirds of the bioprosthetic rim was placed on the native pulmonary valve annulus and the anterior one third was covered with a bovine pericardial patch. Preoperative pulmonary regurgitation was greater than moderate degree in 13 patients. Three patients had severe pulmonary stenosis. Tricuspid regurgitation was present in 12 patients. Result: Follow-up was complete with a mean duration of 15.8 $\pm$ 8.5months. There was no operative mortality. Cardiothoracic ratio was decreased from 66.0 $\pm$ 6.5% to 57.6 $\pm$ 4.5%(n=16, p=0.001). All patients remained in NYHA class I at the most recent follow-up (n=16, p=0.016). Pulmonary regurgitation was mild or absent in all patients. Tricuspid regurgitation was less than trivial in all patients. Conclusion: In this study we demonstrated that early pulmonary valve replacement for the residual pulmonary regurgitation with or without right ventricular dysfunction was a reasonal option. This technique led to reduce the heart size, decrease pulmonary regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation as well as to improve the patients'functional status. However, a long term outcome should be cautiously investigated.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.101-106
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• 2013

Despite developments in surgical techniques and other interventions, right ventricular (RV) failure remains an important clinical problem in several congenital heart diseases (CHD). RV function is one of the most important predictors of mortality and morbidity in patients with CHD. RV failure is a progressive disorder that begins with myocardial injury or stress, neurohormonal activation, cytokine activation, altered gene expression, and ventricular remodeling. Pressure-overload RV failure caused by RV outflow tract obstruction after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary stenosis, atrial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries, congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, and systemic RV failure after the Fontan operation. Volume-overload RV failure may be caused by atrial septal defect, pulmonary regurgitation, or tricuspid regurgitation. Although the measurement of RV function is difficult because of many reasons, the right ventricle can be evaluated using both imaging and functional modalities. In clinical practice, echocardiography is the primary mode for the evaluation of RV structure and function. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly used for evaluating RV structure and function. A comprehensive evaluation of RV function may lead to early and optimal management of RV failure in patients with CHD.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.580-585
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• 2008

Background: Many types of tricuspid annuloplasty are used in surgical correction of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR). We evaluated the mid-term and long-term outcomes in patients treated with a posterior annular plication technique (a modified Davila technique) for FTR. Material and Method: Between January 1991 and August 2006, 58 adult patients (male, 22; female, 36) with FTR of grade 2/4 or more or with tricuspid annular dilatation of more than 5.0cm in diameter, even with an FTR of less than grade 2, had received a posterior annular placation. Preoperatively, 26 patients (44.8%) had a grade 3 or more FTR. All patients had received a mitral valve replacement, and 20 (34.5%) had concomitant aortic valve replacement. Result: During the mean follow-up period of $101.4{\pm}51.6$ months, FTR disappeared or remained trivial in 28 patients (49.1%), was grade $2{\sim}3$ (${\geq}$grade 2 and $2.66{\pm}0.73\;vs.\;0.82{\pm}0.89$; p<0.0001). Patients did not require a second surgery for FTR and did not show further FTR aggravation. Conclusion: The modified Davila posterior annular plication technique for FTR has reasonable mid-term and long-term results and is a useful surgical procedure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2013

Background: We present our 12-year experience of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Materials and Methods: Between January 1999 and March 2011, 16 patients underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Eleven patients (69%) were classified as functional class III or IV based on the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. Seven patients had a history of inferior vena cava filter insertion, and 5 patients showed coagulation disorders. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy was performed during total circulatory arrest with deep hypothermia in 14 patients. Results: In-hospital mortality and late death occurred in 2 patients (12.5%) and 1 patient (6.3%), respectively. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was required in 4 patients who developed severe hypoxemia after surgery. Thirteen of the 14 survivors have been followed up for 54 months (range, 2 to 141 months). The pulmonary arterial systolic pressure and cardiothoracic ratio on chest radiography was significantly decreased after surgery ($76{\pm}26$ mmHg vs. $41{\pm}17$ mmHg, p=0.001; $55%{\pm}8%$ vs. $48%{\pm}3%$, p=0.003). Tricuspid regurgitation was reduced from $2.1{\pm}1.1$ to $0.7{\pm}0.6$ (p=0.007), and the NYHA functional class was also improved to I or II in 13 patients (81%). These symptomatic and hemodynamic improvements maintained during the late follow-up period. Conclusion: Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension shows good clinical outcomes with acceptable early and long term mortality.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 1992

Total 145 cases mitral vlave replacement were performed in Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Chungnam National University Hospital during the period from May 1983 to July 1991. Sixty-one patients were male and 84 patients were female and the range of age was from 12 to 66 years old with the mean of 37.9[$\pm$11.6] years. Valvular lesions were 49 cases of mitral stenosis, 18 cases of regurgitation and 78 cases of combined lesion. Used valve were Ionescu-Shiley[42 cases], Bjork-Shiley[49 cases], Inact[6 cases], St. Jude Medical[11 cases] and CarboMedics[37 cases]. Mean size of valve was 29.8$\pm$1.68mm. Early morality was 13.8%[20 cases] and low output syndrome was most common cause[9 cases]. Age, functional classification and biventricular hypertrophy were risk factors. All survived cases were followed up without missing. Mean follow up period were 3 years and 3 months. Total 14 cases of death[9.7%] were observed and heart failure, unexplained sudden death and bleeding were the causes in that order. Common late complications were heart failure and bleeding related with anticoagulation. Actuarial survival rate at 5 years was 83$\pm$5.4% in overall, 78$\pm$7.2% in tissue valve group, 87$\pm$6.8% in mechanical valve group. The actuarial freedom rate from thromboembolism at 7 years was 89$\pm$8.3% in overall, 86$\pm$9.9% in tissue valve group and 97$\pm$1.9% in mechanical valve group. Actuarial freedom rate from bleeding at 5 years with anticoagulation was 88.9$\pm$4.2% in overall, 96$\pm$3.9% in tissue valve group, 86$\pm$4.6% in mechanical valve group. Reoperation was done in 3 cases with heart failure with tricuspid regurgitation and thromboembolism in 2 cases. The functional status of survived cases was I or II.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.7 s.276
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• pp.473-479
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• 2007

Background: The Hetzer procedure for the correction of Ebstein's anomaly has the advantages of technical feasibility and incorporation of the atrialized right ventricle (RV) into the functional RV. Material and Method: We preformed a retrospective review of 11 patients with Ebstein's anomaly and they had undergone a Hetzer procedure between March 2002 and December 2006. Result: The median age at operation was 19.8 years (range: 6 months ${\sim}56$ years). There were 4 males and 7 females. All patients showed severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) preoperatively, and arterial desaturation (<95%) was present in 3 patients. The original Hetzer technique was employed in 6 patients with the Carpentier type A anomaly. In the remaining 5 patients with the Carpentier type B or C anomalies, valve competence was restored at the level of the displaced tricuspid valve mechanism. Adjunct bidirectional cavo-pulmonary shunt, or one and a half ventricle repair strategy was employed for all the patients. The median follow-up was 8.6 months (range: $0.8{\sim}51.9$ months). There was no early or late death, and the immediate postoperative TR was trivial to mild in 8 patients. The median cardio-thoracic ratios on chest X-ray at the preoperative period and at postoperative 0, 1 and 6 months were 65%, 62%, 55% and 55%, respectively. Conclusion: The original or modified Hetzer procedure for Ebstein's anomaly shows excellent intermediate-term outcomes.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2009

Background: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is uniformly fatal if this condition is not properly treated. We reviewed the surgical results of treating hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and we evaluated the hemodynamics and functional status of these patients after they underwent a Fontan operation. Material and Method: To assess the surgical results, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 6 (M/F=4/2) patients who underwent a staged operation, including a Norwood procedure, a bidirectional Glenn procedure and a Fontan procedure between October 1997 to May 2005. The mean age of the patients was $17.3{\pm}10.8$ days (range: 9~36 days) at the $1^{st}$ staged operation, $8.9{\pm}7.1$ months (4.6~23.3 months) at the $2^{nd}$ staged operation (the Bidirectional Glenn procedure) and $32.4{\pm}9.8$ months at the final staged operation (the Fontan procedure). During the $2^{nd}$ staged operation, one of the patients received tricuspid valve repair due to regurgitation. All the patients underwent an extracardiac Fontan procedure using Gore-Tex conduit (20 mm: 2 patients, 18 mm: 4 patients) and one of them required fenestration. Result: 21 patients underwented a Norwood procedure. There were 7 early deaths and 4 interstage deaths. Bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt was performed in 10 patients and the Fontan procedure was done in 6 (mortality: 1 patient, Flow up loss: 1 patient, Awaiting a Fontan procedure: 2 patients). After the Fontan procedure, there was no complication except for one case of post operative bleedings. All the patients had good ventricular function and 2 had grade I tricuspid regurgitation, as noted on their echocardiography. The average follow up period after the Fontan procedure was $19.6{\pm}14.9$ months (range: 1.5~39.1 month). All the patients had normal sinus rhythm and they were put on aspirin and cardiac medication. During follow up period, all the patients had a good functional status (NYHA functional class I). Conclusion: All the patients who suffered with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and who underwent a Fontan procedure achieved a good hemodynamic and functional status, even though there was a relatively high operative mortality rate after stage I Norwood palliation. Therefore, thise staged operation should be strongly recommended as an important surgical strategy for treating hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.591-597
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• 2008

Background: Pulmonary endarterectomy is widely accepted as a treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Based on our experiences, we sought to find ways to reduce perioperative complications and to improve surgical outcomes in patients undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy. Material and Method: This study was designed as a retrospective analysis of 20 patients with pulmonary hypertension who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy between January 1998 and March 2008. All patients presented with chronic dyspnea. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was the major cause of chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (55%). Seventeen patients (85%) underwent inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement. Thirteen patients underwent surgery under total circulatory arrest, while the others underwent surgery while on low flow cardiopulmonary bypass. Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty was done in 6 patients (66%) whose tricuspid regurgitation was as severe as grade IV/IV. The mean follow-up duration was $45{\pm}32$ months. Result: Using of University of California, San Diego (UCSD), thromboembolism classification, 4 patients (20%) were type 1, 8 patients (40%) were type II, and 8 patients (40%) were type III. Right ventricular systolic pressure was reduced significantly from $77{\pm}29$ mmHg to $37{\pm}19$ mmHg after pulmonary endarterectomy (p<0.001). The degree of tricuspid regurgitation and the NYHA functional class were all improved postoperatively. Reperfusion edema occurred in 7 cases (35%). The incidence of reperfusion edema was higher in the UCSD type III group than in the other group (25% vs 50%, p=0.25) and the length of postoperative intensive care unit stay was longer in type III group ($5{\pm}2$ days vs $9{\pm}7$ days, p=0.07). The early mortality rate was 10%, and the late mortality rate was 15% (n=3); one death was due to progression of underlying non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the other deaths were related to recurrent thromboembolism and persistent pulmonary hypertension, respectively. Conclusion: Pulmonary endarterectomy, as a curative surgical method for treating chronic thromboernbolic pulmonary hypertension, should be performed aggressively in patients diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and an effort should be made to reduce the frequency of perioperative complications and to improve surgical outcomes.