• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.293-297
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• 2022

In 2022, Korea reported a total of 224 perfusionists, employing nurses or clinical laboratory technologists (also known as medical technologists) to provide hospital self-education or reliable education. In 2021, the total number of perfusionists in Japan was 2,100, mainly supported by clinical engineering technologists. During the same period, the number of perfusionists reported in the United States was 4,212, who had received training in the master's program, post-bachelor certificate program, and bachelor's program. Most personnel in the USA were graduates of healthcare sciences or life sciences. Perfusionists must be knowledgeable in heart anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, hemodynamics, laboratory analysis, and quality assurance, as well as techniques to operate the cardiopulmonary bypass machine (heart-lung bypass machine). These are jobs similarly handled by clinical laboratory technologists. The importance of perfusionists became more prominent during two major crises: the MERS-CoV and COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, perfusionists play a significant role in the rapidly expanding field of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and extracorporeal circulation during cardiac surgery. Results of the current study indicate that hospitals offering cardiac surgery and infectious disease hospitalization need to be institutionalized to secure a certain number of qualified perfusionists. In the future, we look forward to establishing a perfusion technology association under the Korean Society for Clinical Laboratory Physiology to provide academic exchanges.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.389-399
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• 2008

Corrections of attenuation, scatter and resolution are important in order to improve the accuracy of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image reconstruction. Especially, the heart movement by respiration and beating cause the errors in the corrections. Myocardial phantom is used to verify the correction methods, but there are many different parts in the current phantoms in actual human body. Therefore the results using a phantom are often considered apart from the clinical data. We developed a new phantom that implements the human body structure around the thorax more faithfully. The new phantom has the small mediastinum which can simulate the structure in which the lung adjoins anterior, lateral and apex of myocardium. The container was made of acrylic and water-equivalent material was used for mediastinum. In addition, solidified polyurethane foam in epoxy resin was used for lung. Five different sizes of myocardium were developed for the quantitative gated SPECT (QGS). The septa of all different cardiac phantoms were designed so that they can be located at the same position. The proposed phantom was attached with liver and gallbladder, the adjustment was respectively possible for the height of them. The volumes of five cardiac ventricles were 150.0, 137.3, 83.1, 42.7 and 38.6ml respectively. The SPECT were performed for the new phantom, and the differences between the images were examined after the correction methods were applied. The three-dimensional tomography of myocardium was well reconstructed, and the subjective evaluations were done to show the difference among the various corrections. We developed the new cardiac and torso phantom, and the difference of various corrections was shown on SPECT images and QGS results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1976

The present. study reports four cases of congenital heart diseases, who received open heart surgery by the Sarn's Heart-Lung-Machine in the department of Thoracic Surgery, Hanyang University Hospital during the period between July 1975 and May 1976. The Heart-Lung-Machine consisted of the Sarn's five head roller pump motor system (model 5000), heat exchanger, bubble trap, the Rygg-Kyvsgaard oxygenator, and monitors. The priming of pump oxygenator was carried out by the hemodilution method using Hartman's solution and whole blood. Of the four cases of the heart diseases, three whose body weight were below 30kg, received the partial hemodilution priming and the remaining one whose body weight was 52kg received the total hemodilution priming with Hartman's solution alone. The rate of hemodilution was in the average of 60.5ml/kg. Extracorporeal circulation was performed at the perfusion flow rate of the average 94.0ml/kg/min, and at the moderate hypothermia between 35'5"C and 30'5"C of the rectal temperature. In the total cardiopulmonary bypass, arterial blood pressure was anged between 30 mmHg and 85 mmHg, generally maintaining over 60 mmHg and venous pressure was measured between 4 and $23cmH_2O$, generally maintaining below $10cmH_2O$. The first case: The patient, a nine year old girl having the symptoms and physical signs typical to cardiac anomaly was definitely diagnosed as isolated pulmonary stenosis through the cardiac catheterization. There was, however, no cyanosis, no pathological finding by X-ray and E.C.G. tracings. The valvulotomy was performed through the arteriotomy of pulmouary artery under the total cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and murmur and the clinical symptoms disappeared. The second case: A 12 year old boy with congenital heart anomaly was positively identified as having ventricular septal defect through the cardiac catheterization. As in the case with the first case, the patient exhibited the symptoms and physical signs typical to cardiac anomaly, but no pathological abnormality by X-ray and E.C.G. tracings. The septal defect was localized on atrioventricular canal and was 2 by 10 mm in size. The septal defect was closed by direct simple sutures under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative hemodynamic study revealed that the pressure of the right ventricle and pulmonary artery were decreased satisfactory. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and murmur and the clinical symptoms disappeared. The third case: The patient, a 19 year old girl had been experienced the clinical symptoms typical to cardiac anomaly for 16 years. The pink tetralogy of Fallot was definitey diagnosed through the cardiac catheterization. The patient was placed on an ablolute bed rest prior to the operation because of severe exertional dyspnea, fatigability, and frequent syncopal attacks. However, she exhibited very slight cyanosis. Positive findings were noted on E.C.G. tracings and blood picture, but no evidence of pathological abnormality on X-ray was observed. All of the four surgical approaches such as Teflon patch closure (3 by 4cm in size) of ventricular septal defect, myocardial resection of right ventricular outflow tract, valvulotomy of pulmonary valvular stenosis, and pericardial patch closing of ventriculotomy wound were performed in 95 minutes under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative hemodynamic study revealed that the pressure of the right ventricle was decreased and pulmonary artery was increased satisfactorily. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and murmur and the clinical symptoms disappeared. The fourth case: The patient, a 7 1/4 year old girl had the symptoms of cardiac anomaly for only three years prior to the operation. She was positively identified as having acyanotic tetralogy of Fallot by open heart surgery. The patient showed positive findings by X-ray and E.C.G. tracings, but exhibited no cyanosis and normal blood picture. All of the three surgical approaches, such a myocardial resection of hypertrophic sight ventricular outflow tract, direct suture closing of ventricular septal defect and pericardial patch closing of ventriculotomy wound were carried out in 110 minutes under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative hemodynamic study revealed that the pressure of the right ventricle was decreased and pulmonary artery was increased satisfactorily. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and the symptoms disappeared.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2002

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging modality that consists of systemic administration to a subject of a radiopharmaceutical labeled with a positron-emitting radionuclide. Following administration, its distribution in the organ or structure under study can be assessed as a function of time and space by (1) defecting the annihilation radiation resulting from the interaction of the positrons with matter, and (2) reconstructing the distribution of the radioactivity from a series of that used in computed tomography (CT). The nuclides most generally exhibit chemical properties that render them particularly desirable in physiological studies. The radionuclides most widely used in PET are F-18, C-11, O-15 and N-13. Regarding to the number of the current PET Centers worldwide (based on ICP data), more than 300 PET Centers were in operation in 2000. The use of PET technology grew rapidly compared to that in 1992 and 1996, particularly in the USA, which demonstrates a three-fold rise in PET installations. In 2001, 194 PET Centers were operating in the USA. In 1994, two clinical and research-oriented PET Centers at Seoul National University Hospital and Samsung Medical Center, was established as the first dedicated PET and Cyclotron machines in Korea, followed by two more PET facilities at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Ajou Medical Center, Yonsei University Medical Center, National Cancer Center and established their PET Center. Catholic Medical School and Pusan National University Hospital have finalized a plan to install PET machine in 2002, which results in total of nine PET Centers in Korea. Considering annual trends of PET application in four major PET centers in Korea in Asan Medical Center recent six years (from 1995 to 2000), a total of 11,564 patients have been studied every year and the number of PET studies has shown steep growth year upon year. We had 1,020 PET patients in 1995. This number increased to 1,196, 1,756, 2,379, 3,015 and 4,414 in 1996,1997,1998,1999 and 2000, respectively. The application in cardiac disorders is minimal, and among various neuropsychiatric diseases, patients with epilepsy or dementia can benefit from PET studios. Recently, we investigated brain mapping and neuroreceptor works. PET is not a key application for evaluation of the cardiac patients in Korea because of the relatively low incidence of cardiac disease and less costly procedures such as SPECT can now be performed. The changes in the application of PET studios indicate that, initially, brain PET occupied almost 60% in 1995, followed by a gradual decrease in brain application. However, overall PET use in the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer was up to 63% in 2000. The current medicare coverage policy in the USA is very important because reimbursement policy is critical for the promotion of PET. In May 1995, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) began covering the PET perfusion study using Rubidium-82, evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule and pathologically proven non-small cell lung cancer. As of July 1999, Medicare's coverage policy expanded to include additional indications: evaluation of recurrent colorectal cancer with a rising CEA level, staging of lymphoma and detection of recurrent or metastatic melanoma. In December of 2001, National Coverage decided to expand Medicare reimbursement for broad use in 6 cancers: lung, colorecctal, lymphoma, melanoma, head and neck, and esophageal cancers; for determining revascularization in heart diseases; and for identifying epilepsy patients. In addition, PET coverage is expected to further expand to diseases affecting women, such as breast, ovarian, uterine and vaginal cancers as well as diseases like prostate cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.8 s.265
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• pp.626-632
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• 2006

Background: Pulmonary hypertension caused by chronic pulmonary embolism is underrecognized and carries a poor prognosis. Medical therapy is generally unsatisfactory and palliative. With the improvement of operative technique and postoperative management, pulmonary endarterectomy has been the treatment of choice for this condition. Material and Method: Between January 2001 and December 2005, eleven patients were received pulmonary endarterectomy. All patients had chronic dyspnea and exercise intolerance. Diagnosis was made with cardiac echocardiography, lung perfusion scan and computed tomography. Before the operation, Greenfield vena cava filter were placed in all patient except one. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was used for the distal-most portion of the endarterectomy procedure. More than moderate degree of tricuspid reguirgitation was repaired during operation. Result: There was no early and late death. Right ventricular systolic pressure was reduced significantly after operation from $91{\pm}21$ mmHg to $40{\pm}17$ mmHg on echocardiography (p=0.001). NYHA class and tricuspid reguirgitaion were improved postoperatively. Although mild reperfusion injury in three case and postoperative delirium in one case were observed, all of them recovered without complication. Conclusion: Pulmonary thromboendarterctomy offers to patient an acceptable morbidity rate and anticipation of clinical improvement. This method is safe and effective operation for pulmonary hypertension caused by chronic pulmonary thromboembolism.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.250-258
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• 1993

Background: After general anesthesia, decrease of functional residual capacity and lung compliance, ventilation/perfusion imbalance, and transpulmonary shunting can provoke hypoxemia during postoperative periods. Diaphragmatic dysfunction may be the main cause of these physiological abnormalities. Thus, we evaluated the change of pulmonary function after general anesthesia according to the operative sites, which could suggest clinical course and critical period of respiratory care of postoperative patients. Method: Preoperative portable spirometric evaluation and arterial blood gas analysis were performed at sitting or most-sitting position just previous day of surgery. Pulmonary function tests were also as same condition from postoperative day 1 to day 5. Results: 1) For thoracic surgery, FEV1 and FVC were not recovered at day 5, but FEV1/FVC was not decreased. $PaCO_2$ was slightly elevated at postoperative one day. 2) After upper abdominal surgery, postoperative day 5 did not show the recovery of FEV1 and FVC, but mild hypoxemia was developed at postoperative day 1. 3) Pulmonary function was recovered as preoperative value at postoperative day 5 in lower abdominal operation, but mild hypoxemia was also noted at postoperative day 1. 4) Surgery of peripheral areas did not show significant pulmonary function change and hypoxemia and hypercapnia from postoperative day 1. Conclusion: Surgery involving diaphragm provoke significant postoperative pulmonary function change after day 5. For the operation of peripheral sites adequate respiratory care during operation and postoperative period within 24 hours could prevent patients from respiratory complication.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2003

Purpose : Intravascular stent implantation for the treatment of postoperative branch pulmonary artery(PA) stenosis has been used successfully. However, the cross sectional area of contralateral branch PA does not regress in spite of the successful dilation of the stenotic branch PA after stent implantation. We analyzed the morphologic and hemodynamic factors on the size of branch PA after successful stent implantation. Methods : The subjects in our study were 23 children who had undergone stent implantaion from Jan. 1995 to Jul. 2002 in the Division of Yonsei Pediatric Cardiology. We evaluated the cross sectional area index(CSAI) of branch PA before and after stent implantation at follow-up catheterization. We also investigated factors such as residual pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary regurgitation(PR), systolic pressure of right ventricle, and lung perfusion scan. Results : The CSAI of the RPA without stenosis changed from mean $238{\pm}17mm^2/BSA$ to mean $249{\pm}20mm^2/BSA$(P=0.47), but didn't regress. The CSAI of the LPA with stenosis was increased effectively by stent implantation from the mean $102{\pm}12mm^2/BSA$ to mean $125{\pm}11mm^2/BSA$(P< 0.05). At follow up after stent implantation, the CSAI of PA is correlated with the residual PR fraction after stent implantation. Conclusion : In a group with increased residual PR, CSAI of RPA was found to be significantly increased between the pre- and post-stages of stent implantation. So, we suspect that the pulmonary regurgitation remaining after right ventricle outlet tract(RVOT) dilatation surgery is correlated with the increase in CSAI of RPA.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.106-116
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• 2001

Background : Pulmonary thromboembolism is relatively frequent and potentially fatal. However, it is commonly misdiagnosed. The incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism is not decreasing despite advances in diagnosis and effective prophylatic measures. Its potential for significant sequela necessitates a prompt diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, there are many difficulties and problems regarding accurate diagnosis. There is a low prevalence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism in Korea and only few reports on this subject are available. Method : The clinical features of 36 patients, who were diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism at the Korea University medical center, were reviewed. Results : 1) There was no significant difference in prevalence between men an women, and the mean age was 50.9 years in men 59.2 years in women. 2) The frequent causes of pulmonary thromboembolism were malignancies (22.2%), surgery (22.2%), and heart disease(8.2%). Specific causes were not identified in 33.3%. 3) The most common symptom was dyspnea(72.2%), and the most common sign was tachypnea(61.1%). 4) The EKG findings were normal in 28.6%, an S1Q3T3 pulmonale pattern in 25.7%, ST or QRS changes in others. 5) The chest X-ray findings indicated pulmonary infiltration in 37.5%, cardiomegaly in 15.6%, pleural effusion in 12.5%, and normal in 27.8%. The perfusion lung scan showed a high probability in 66.7%, and intermediate or low probability in 33.3%. 6) The pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) in the high probability groups was 57.9mmHg with a higher mortality rate(35%). Conclusion : Pulmonary thromboembolism is not uncommon in Korea and its clinical features do not differ greatly from thase reported in the literature. When pulmonary thromboemblism of unknown causes are diagnosed, a search for an occult malignancy is recommended. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are achieved when thromboemblism is suspected.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.447-453
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• 2001

Background: Although pulmonary resection is the standard approach for the management of pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcoma, most of them are unresectable and chemotherapy remains the only option. The effectiveness of the cytotoxic drugs may be limited by the toxicities that occur before the therapeutic dose is reached. The regional administration of doxorubicin using pulmonary arterial perfusion in a rodent model can produce 10 to 25 times higher concentrations in the lung than systemic administration with minimal systemic toxicities. However, it is unclear whether a high concentration of doxorubicin has beneficial effects for killing cancer cells. Material and Method: We studied this to evaluate the dose-dependent cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of doxorubicin on methylcholanthrene-induced rat fibrosarcoma(MCA) cells. This study examined the cytotoxicity and apoptosis-related gene expressions(Fas, FasL, Bax, caspase 1, caspase 2, caspase 8, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Bcl-xS) in MCA cells after 24 hours exposure to various concentrations of doxorubicin such as 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 $\mu$M. Result: Dose-dependent cytotoxicity was observed after 24 hours exposure to doxorubicin. However, peak apoptosis after 24 hours exposure was observed at 5 $\mu$M of doxorubicin. Above 5 $\mu$M, apoptotic activity was decreased with dose-increment. All mRNA levels of apoptosis-related genes after 24 hours exposure were up-regulated above the control level at 1 $\mu$M of doxorubicin and then decreased by doxorubicin dose-increment except caspase 8, which showed higher levels than the control level at 5 $\mu$M. Apoptosis-related protein levels were highest at 1 $\mu$M of doxorubicin and then decreased by doxorubicin dose-increment. However, Bax and Bcl-xL proteins steadily showed higher levels than the control throughout the different concentrations of doxorubicin. Conclusion: These results suggest that apoptosis is the main cytotoxic mechanism in low concentrations of doxorubicin in MCA cells and apoptosis-related genes, such as Bax, caspase 8, and Bcl-xL, are involved. At high concentrations, doxorubicin still can kill MCA cells, even when apoptosis is inhibited, and have its propriety for achieving much cytotoxicity against MCA cells.