• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.426-432
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• 2013

Background: Heart transplantation has become a widely accepted surgical option for end-stage heart failure in Korea since its first success in 1992. We reviewed early postoperative complications and mortality in 239 patients who underwent heart transplantation using bicaval technique in Asan Medical Center. Methods: Between January 1999 and December 2011, a total of 247 patients aged over 17 received heart transplantation using bicaval technique in Asan Medical Center. After excluding four patients with concomitant kidney transplantation and four with heart-lung transplantation, 239 patients were enrolled in this study. We evaluated their early postoperative complications and mortality. Postoperative complications included primary graft failure, cerebrovascular accident, mediastinal bleeding, renal failure, low cardiac output syndrome requiring intra-aortic balloon pump or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation insertion, pericardial effusion, and inguinal lymphocele. Follow-up was 100% complete with a mean follow-up duration of $58.4{\pm}43.6$ months. Results: Early death occurred in three patients (1.3%). The most common complications were pericardial effusion (61.5%) followed by arrhythmia (41.8%) and mediastinal bleeding (8.4%). Among the patients complicated with pericardial effusion, only 13 (5.4%) required window operation. The incidence of other significant complications was less than 5%: stroke (1.3%), low cardiac output syndrome (2.5%), renal failure requiring renal replacement (3.8%), sternal wound infection (2.0%), and inguinal lymphocele (4.6%). Most of complications did not result in the extended length of hospital stay except mediastinal bleeding (p=0.034). Conclusion: Heart transplantation is a widely accepted option of surgical treatment for end-stage heart failure with good early outcomes and relatively low catastrophic complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.885-890
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• 1997

Patients with coronary artery disease and depressed ventricular function have better longterm benefits after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with medical therapy. But operative mortality remains high. This study was designed to identify the risk factors for coronary artery bypass grafting according to ventricular function. The records of 103 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting from truly 1994 to June 1996 were analysed. The patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative ejection fraction: Low EF group(Ejection fraction < 40%, n=24) and Normal EF group(Ejection fraction $\geq$ 40%, n=79). The indication of operation was significantly different between the two groups (p=0.00003). Postinfarction angina was frequent in Low EF group but unstable angina was frequent in Normal EF group. The frequency of cardiomegaly(p=0.0012), serum creatinine abnormality(p=0.0473) and preoperative use of IABP(Intra Aortic Balloon Pump, p=0.0095) were higher in Low EP group. The left internal thoracic artery was used less frequently in Low EP group(p=0.00416). The operative mortality was 8.3% in Low EF group and 5.1% in Normal EF group, but without statistical difference(p=0.5492). In Normal EF group, age (p=0.041) was identified as a significant risk factor for operative mortality. In Low EF group, age(p=0.018), preopertive use of IABP(p=0.0036), hypercholesterolemia(p=0.0007), and emergency of operation(p=0.0037) were identified as significant risk factors. Postoperative morbidity was 50% in Low EF group and 33olo in Normal EP group, but without s atistical significance(p=0.1007). These results suggest that in patients with coronary artery disease and depressed ventricular function, more aggresive coronary artery bypass grafting is needed to improve the symptom and long-term benefit.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.456-463
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• 2009

Background: Although the reports on re-operative coronary revascularization (redo-CABG) have increased, there are only limited reports on redo-CABG using arterial grafts. The aim of this study was to analyze the safety and feasibility of using various arterial grafts for redo-CABG. Material and Method: A consecutive series of patients who underwent 33 redo-CABGs from March 2001 to July 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. We performed conventional CABG in 17 patients, on-pump beating CABG in 7, off-pump CABG in 7 and minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass in 2. The grafted that were used included 34 internal thoracic arteries (ITA), 14 radial arteries, 14 right gastroepiploic arteries and others. Arterial composite grafts were constructed in 26 patients. Of these, a previously patent in-situ left ITA was re-used as the in-flow of a composite graft in 10 patients. Result: No hospital deaths or major wound problems occurred. The post-operative complications included 2 myocardial infarctions (6%), 1 intra-aortic balloon pump insertion (3%), 5 cases of atrial fibrillation (15.1 %) and 3 neurologic complications (9.1%). The meanfollow-up duration was 31.1$\pm$22.7 months and the 3 year survival rate was 86.4%. There were 4 late deaths (2 cardiac deaths) and no recurrent angina during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Redo-CABG with using various arterial grafts is currently a safe, feasible procedure, but further investigation and long term follow-up are needed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.209-214
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• 2007

Background: Failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is occasionally required for emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients receiving emergency CABG after failed PTCA. Material and Method: Between May 1988 and May 2005, 5712 patients underwent PTCA, where 84 (1.4%) failed. 27 patients underwent emergency CABG after failed PTCA. The mean age was $63.7{\pm}8.9\;(46{\sim}80)$ years, with 14 male patients (51.9%). Result: All patients underwent emergent surgical revascularization within 6 hours. 22 patients underwent conventional CABG and 5 underwent off-pump CABG. The causes of PTCA failure were coronary obstruction due to new thrombi formation during the procedure (n=4), coronary dissection (n=17), coronary artery rupture (n=3) and 3 due to other causes. The rate of in-hospital operative mortality after emergent operation was 18.5% (5/27). A univariate analysis revealed that patients who died more often had left anterior descending artery disease, a preprocedural shock status, postoperative use of multiple isotropics and postoperative use of intra-aortic balloon pump. The mean follow up duration was $53.6{\pm}63.4$ months. Conclusion: Although PTCA is known to be life saving, there is still a high risk for morbidity and mortality following emergency CABG after failed PTCA, despite the advancement in PTCA techniques. This result will help identify and more effectively treat patients selected for PTCA when emergency CABG is required.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.523-529
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• 2002

Background: Previous reports present that the early results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been improving with the accumulation of surgical experience. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the patients who received CABG to evaluate the recent results of CABG. Material and Method: Between January 1996 and August 2001, 154 patients underwent CABG at Hanyang University Hospital. There were 47 patients(group I) who were operated between 1996 and 1998, and 107 patients(group II) who were operated thereafter. The preoperative diagnosis, operative procedure, mortality, and complications were analyzed retrospectively. Result: There were 35 males and 12 females in group I, and 78 males and 29 females in group II, which shows similar ratio of sexes between the two groups. The average age of patients for group I and group II was $55.9{\pm}6.2$ years and $61.0{\pm}8.0$ years, respectively, showing a significant increase in group II(p<0.05). The average left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) for group I and group II was $54.6{\pm}11.8$% and $56.9{\pm}13.0$%, respectively. The number of patients who had previous MI in group I and group II were 13 patients(27.7%) and 14 patients(13.1%), respectively, which shows a significant difference (p<0.05). All procedures were performed using the cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) and moderate systemic hypothermia. Myocardial protection was achieved using intermittent hypothermic ischemia under ventricular fibrillation state or cold crystalloid cardioplegic solution for most of group I patients, whereas cold blood cardioplegic solution was used for group II patients. The mean CPB times for group I and group II were $149.2{\pm}48.7$ minutes and $113.1{\pm}30.6$ minutes, respectively. The mean aortic cross clamp times for group I and group II were $81.3{\pm}26.5$ minutes $72.2{\pm}23.9$ minutes, respectively. These figures show that CPB and aortic cross clamp times were significantly reduced in group II(p<0.05). The use of the left internal thoracic artery(LITA) was increased from 42%(20/47) for group I to 81% (87/107) for group II. The mean number of grafts also significantly increased from $2.5{\pm}0.6$ for group I to $3.0{\pm}1.1$ for group II(p<0.05). Intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP) was applied in 7 cases in group I and 17 cases in group II. Of these, 28.6%(2/7) and 52.9%(9/17) were broadly applied preoperatively in patients with LVEF<40% or congestive heart failure. The operative mortalities for group I and II were 10.6%(5/47) and 0.9%(1/107), respectively, which shows significant decrease for group II(p.0.05). Conclusion: This report suggest that CABG using CPB can recently be performed more safely in virtue of the accumulation of surgical experience with reduction in CPB and aortic cross clamp times and improved surgical techniques and myocardial protection. And we think that the optimal treatment of patients with left ventricular dysfunction associated with congestive heart failure and the extended application of IABP, especially have contributed to the reduction of operative mortality and morbidity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.7 s.264
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• pp.534-543
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• 2006

Background: There are a lot of debates regarding the optimal timing of operation of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Off pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has benefits by avoiding the adverse effects of the cardio-pulmonary bypass, but its efficacy in AMI has not been confirmed yet. The purpose of this study is to evaluate retrospectively early and mid-term results of OPCAB in patients with AMI according to transmurality and timing of operation. Material and Method: Data were collected in 126 AMI patients who underwent OPCAB between January 2002 and July 2005, Mean age of patients were 61.2 years. Male was 92 (73.0%) and female was 34 (27.2%). 106 patients (85.7%) had 3 vessel coronary artery disease or left main disease. Urgent or emergent operations were performed in 25 patients (19.8%). 72 patients (57.1%) had non-transmural myocardial infarction (group 1) and 52 patients (42.9%) had transmural myocardial infarction (group 2). The incidence of cardiogenic shock and insertion of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was higher in group 2. The time between occurrence of AMI and operation was divided in 4 subgroups (<1 day, $1{\sim}3\;days,\;4{\sim}7\;days$, >8 days). OPCAB was performed a mean of $5.3{\pm}7.1$ days after AMI in total, which was $4.2{\pm}5.9$ days in group 1, and $6,6{\pm}8.3$ days in group 2. Result: Mean distal an-astomoses were 3.21 and postoperative IABP was inserted in 3 patients. There was 1 perioperative death in group 1 due to low cardiac output syndrome, but no perioperative new MI occurred in this study. There was no difference in postoperative major complication between two groups and according to the timing of operation. Mean follow-up time was 21.3 months ($4{\sim}42$ months). The 42 months actuarial survival rate was $94.9{\pm}2.4%$, which was $91.4{\pm}4.7%$ in group 1 and $98.0{\pm}2.0%$ in group 2 (p=0.26). The 42 months freedom rate from cardiac death was $97.6{\pm}1.4%$ which was $97.0{\pm}2.0%$ in group 1 and $98.0{\pm}2.0%$ in group 2 (p=0.74). The 42 months freedom rate from cardiac event was $95.4{\pm}2.0%$ which was $94.8{\pm}2.9%$ in group 1 and $95.9{\pm}2.9%$ in group 2 (p=0.89). Conclusion: OPCAB in AMI not only reduces morbidity but also favors hospital outcomes irrespective of timing of operation. The transmurality of myocardial infarction did not affect the surgical and midterm outcomes of OPCAB. Therefore, there may be no need to delay the surgical off-pump revascularization of the patients with AMI if surgical revascularization is indicated.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.817-824
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• 2007

Background: There are two choices for heart valve replacement-the use of a tissue valve and the use of a mechanical valve. Using a tissue valve, additional surgery will be problematic due to valve degeneration. If the risk of additional surgery could be reduced, the tissue valve could be more widely used. Therefore, we analyzed the risk factors and mortality of patients undergoing repeated heart valve replacement and primary replacement. Material and Method: We analyzed 25 consecutive patients who underwent repeated heart valve replacement and 158 patients who underwent primary heart valve replacement among 239 patients that underwent heart vale replacement in out hospital from January 1995 to December 2004. Result: There were no differences in age, sex, and preoperative ejection fraction between the repeated valve replacement group of patients and the primary valve replacement group of patients. In the repeated valve replacement group, the previously used artificial valves were 3 mechanical valves and 23 tissue valves. One of these cases had simultaneous replacement of the tricuspid and aortic valve with tissue valves. The mean duration after a previous operation was 92 months for the use of a mechanical valve and 160 months for the use of a tissue valve. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross clamp time were 152 minutes and 108 minutes, respectively, for the repeated valve replacement group of patients and 130 minutes and 89 minutes, respectively, for the primary valve replacement group of patients. These results were statistically significant. The use of an intra aortic balloon pump (IABP) was required for 2 cases (8%) in the repeated valve replacement group of patients and 6 cases (3.8%) in the primary valve replacement group of patients. An operative death occurred in one case (4%) in the repeated valve replacement group of patients and occurred in nine cases (5.1%) in the primary valve replacement group of patients. Among postoperative complications, the need for mechanical ventilation over 48 hours was different between the two groups. The mean follow up period after surgery was $6.5{\pm}3.2$ years. The 5-year survival of patients in the repeated valve replacement group was 74% and the 5-year survival of patients in the primary valve replacement group was 95%. Conclusion: The risk was slightly increased, but there was little difference in mortality between the repeated and primary heart valve replacement group of patients. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider the issue of avoiding the use of a tissue valve due to the risk of additional surgery, and it is encouraged to use the tissue valve selectively, which has several advantages over the use of a mechanical valve. In the case of a repeated replacement, however, the mortality rate was high for a patient whose preoperative status was not poor. A proper as sessment of cardiac function and patient status is required after the primary valve replacement. Subsequently, a secondary replacement could then be considered.