• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.142-149
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to report the out-of-hospital resuscitation of cardiac arrest along with literature consideration. CPR is technology of resuscitating patient by maintaining oxygen supply to organ, by preventing progression from clinical death to biological death, and by recovering heart beat and circulation, through circulatory support of mechanical ventilation. It is not what every patient with cardiac standstill is revived even if being implemented CPR. Patient's survival rate is decided by how quickly and correctly CPR was executed. A patient, who wasn't witnessed the cardiac arrest on the field, was performed 5-cycle CPR for 2 minutes on the field before being transferred to hospital, and was allowed to be used AED. A person, who was observed, is recommended to be used AED immediately, and then is said to be needed ACLS (advanced cardiac life support). In the Out-of-Hospital stage, it is rare in a case that 119 Emergency Medical Service System transfers by being ROSC and in a case of executing ACLS. Cardiac arrest was witnessed on the field, but CPR wasn't executed. First-aid staff executed CPR after arriving, and led to ROSC on the field with ACLS, there by having experienced 1 case of a patient's surviving to leave hospital by being ROSC on the field.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2011

Background: A peripheral extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (p-ECMO) has been developed to support patients who are dying due to a serious cardiopulmonary condition. This analysis was planned to define the clinical situation in which the patient benefits most from a p-ECMO. Material and Methods: Between June 2007 and Aug 2009, a total of 41 adult patients used the p-ECMO. There were 23 males and 18 females (mean age $54.4{\pm}15.1$ years). All patients had very unstable vital signs with hypoxia and complex cardiac problems. We divided the patients into 4 groups. In the first group, a p-ECMO was used as a bridge to cardiac operation. In the second group, patients did not have the opportunity to undergo any cardiac procedures; nevertheless, they were treated with a p-ECMO. In the third group, patients mostly had difficulty in weaning from CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) after cardiac operation. The fourth group suffered from many complications, such as pneumonia, bleeding, infections, and LV dysfunction with underlying cardiac problems. All cannulations were performed by the Seldinger technique or cutting down the femoral vessel. A long venous cannula of $DLP^{(R)}$ (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, MN) or $RMI^{(R)}$ (Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Irvine, CA) was used together with a 17~21 Fr arterial cannula and a 21 Fr venous cannula. As a bypass pump, a Capiox emergency bypass system ($EBS^{(R)}$; Terumo, Tokyo, Japan) was used. We attempted to maintain a flow rate of $2.4{\sim}3.0\;L/min/m^2$ and an activated clotting time (ACT) of around 180 seconds. Results: Nine patients survived by the use of the p-ECMO. Ten patients were weaned from a p-ECMO but they did not survive, and the remainder had no chance to be weaned from the p-ECMO. The best clinical situation to apply the p-ECMO was to use it as a bridge to cardiac operation and for weaning from CPB after cardiac operation. Conclusion: Various clinical results were derived by p-ECMO according to the clinical situation. For the best results, early adoption of the p-ECMO for anatomical correction appears important.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.295-300
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• 2012

Background: With growing attention to the aortopathy associated with aortic valve diseases, the number of candidates for accompanying ascending aorta and/or root replacement is increasing among the patients who require aortic valve replacement (AVR). However, such procedures have been considered more risky than AVR alone. This study aimed to compare the surgical outcome of isolated AVR and AVR combined with aortic procedures. Materials and Methods: A total of 86 patients who underwent elective AVR between 2004 and June 2010 were divided into two groups: complex AVR (n=50, AVR with ascending aorta replacement in 24 and the Bentall procedure in 26) and simple AVR (n=36). Preoperative characteristics, surgical data, intra- and postoperative allogenic blood transfusion requirement, the postoperative clinical course, and major complications were retrospectively reviewed and compared. Results: The preoperative mean logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (%) did not differ between the groups: $11.0{\pm}7.8%$ in the complex AVR group and $12.3{\pm}8.0%$ in the simple AVR group. Although complex AVR required longer cardiopulmonary bypass ($152.4{\pm}52.6$ minutes vs. $109.7{\pm}22.7$ minutes, p=0.001), the quantity of allogenic blood products did not differ ($13.4{\pm}14.7$ units vs. $13.9{\pm}11.2$ units). There was no mortality, mechanical circulatory support, stroke, or renal failure requiring hemodialysis/filtration. No difference was found in the incidence of bleeding (40% vs. 33.3%) which was defined as red blood cell transfusion ${\geq}5$ units, reoperation, or intentional delayed closure. The incidence of mediastinitis (2.0% vs. 0%), ventilator ${\geq}24$ hours (4.0% vs. 2.8%), atrial fibrillation (18.0% vs. 25.0%), mean intensive care unit stay (34.5 hours vs. 38.8 hours), and median hospital stay (8 days vs. 7 days) did not differ, either. Conclusion: AVR combined with additional aortic or root replacement showed an excellent outcome and recovery course equivalent to that after isolated AVR.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.7
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• pp.425-451
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• 2023

Most patients with heart failure (HF) have multiple comorbidities, which impact their quality of life, aggravate HF, and increase mortality. Cardiovascular comorbidities include systemic and pulmonary hypertension, ischemic and valvular heart diseases, and atrial fibrillation. Non-cardiovascular comorbidities include diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney and pulmonary diseases, iron deficiency and anemia, and sleep apnea. In patients with HF with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors combined with calcium channel blockers and/or diuretics is an effective treatment regimen. Measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance via right heart catheterization is recommended for patients with HF considered suitable for implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices or as heart transplantation candidates. Coronary angiography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and reperfusion in patients with HF and angina pectoris refractory to antianginal medications. In patients with HF and atrial fibrillation, longterm anticoagulants are recommended according to the CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores. Valvular heart diseases should be treated medically and/or surgically. In patients with HF and DM, metformin is relatively safer; thiazolidinediones cause fluid retention and should be avoided in patients with HF and dyspnea. In renal insufficiency, both volume status and cardiac performance are important for therapy guidance. In patients with HF and pulmonary disease, beta-blockers are underused, which may be related to increased mortality. In patients with HF and anemia, iron supplementation can help improve symptoms. In obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure therapy helps avoid severe nocturnal hypoxia. Appropriate management of comorbidities is important for improving clinical outcomes in patients with HF.