• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.261-265
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• 1992

Pleural effusion due to hepatic cirrhosis and ascites is well known. But rarely a pleural effusion may develop in a cirrhotic patient in the absence of detectable ascites. The differential diagnosis of a right-sided transudative pleural effusion in a patient with chronic liver disease with or without ascites includes congestive heart failure and nephrotic syndrome. These diseases are usually ruled out with standard clinical tests. Patients with hepatic hydrothorax should be treated with fluid restriction, diuretics and the correction of hypoalbuminemia. Patients with severe symptoms due to refractory hepatic hydrothorax might benefit from pleural sclerosis and surgical closure of diaphragmatic defect. We experienced a case of right-sided pleural effusion in liver cirrhosis without ascites.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 1991

Residual significant tricuspid regurgitation after mitral valve operation may significantly increase postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, routine techniques to detect tricuspid regurgitation preoperatively and postoperatively are not accurate. Doppler echocardiography was performed preoperatively and postoperatively to assess its ability to evaluate and quantify the severity of tricuspid regurgitation. In 34 patients with tricuspid regurgitation secondary to mitral valvular disease the tricuspid regurgitations were semiquantified on a scale of 1 to 3+. The 34 patients were divided into two groups on the basis of severity of tricuspid regurgitation as assessed by preoperative Doppler echocardiography. Group I [8 patients] had mild[1+] regurgitation, and group II [26 patients] had moderate to severe[2 ~ 3%] tricuspid regurgitation. In all studied patients, preoperative Doppler echocardiographic studies for the degree of tricuspid regurgitation were correlated with clinical symptoms[including NYHA class] and hemodynamics[JVP and right ventricular systolic pressure], and used as the indicator to determine whether tricuspid annuloplasty should be performed or not. Patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation[group II ] had greater preoperative right ventricular systolic pressures and NYHA classes, although there was no correlation between them. The 8 patients with mild[1+] tricuspid regurgitation[group I ] didn`t undergo any procedure for the tricuspid regurgitation and their postoperative Doppler echocardiographic studies showed the less than mild[0 ~ 1+] tricuspid regurgitation, and the 26 patients with significant[>2+] tricuspid regurgitation, and the 26 patients with significant[>2+] tricuspid regurgitation[group II ] underwent tricuspid annuloplasty for the tricuspid regurgitation and the postoperative Doppler echocardiographic studies showed the findings similar to group I except 1 patient who underwent Carpentier`s ring annuloplasty and had severe right ventricular failure. Therefore, preoperative Doppler echocardiography can accurately assess the relative severity of tricuspid regurgitation. Importantly, postoperative Doppler echocardiography could conveniently determine the effect of tricuspid annuloplasty for the patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation. Doppler echocardiography may be an important diagnostic method both for evaluating the degree of residual tricuspid regurgitation after left heart operation as well as for determining which patients should undergo tricuspid valve repair.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.552-557
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• 2007

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone that is primarily synthesized by the ventricular cardiac myocytes. Increased plasma BNP levels have been observed in patients suffering with congestive heart failure, ventricular hypertrophy and myocaridits and also during heart transplantation rejection. We investigated the serum BNP level as a predictive marker for rejection after heart transplantation. Material and Method: To test the usefulness of measuring the BNP level in cardiac transplant patients, consecutive blood samplings for BNP, right ventricular endomyocardial biopsies, hemodynamic measurements and transthoracic echocardiogram were all done in 10 such patients between January 2004 and August 2005 at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Asan Medical Center. Two groups were identified with using the median value: the low BNP group (n=28, BNP: ${\le}290$ pg/mL) and the high BNP group (n=29, BNP: >290 pg/mL). We retrospectively analyzed rejection, the ejection fraction, tricuspid regurgitation, left ventricular hypertrophy, the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the right atrial pressure between the 2 groups. Result: There were no differences in age, gender, rejection, the ejection fraction, tricuspid regurgitation, left ventricular hypertrophy and the right atrial pressure between the 2 groups (p>0.05). However, a higher pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and a higher mean pulmonary atrial pressure were observed in the high BNP group (p<0.05). Further, BNP has linear correlation with the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r=0.590, p<0.001). Using the cut-off value of 620 pg/mL, the BNP predicted a high PCWP (>12 mmHg) with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 91.1% (AUC: $0.900{\pm}0.045$, p<0.001). Conclusion: The BNP level after heart transplantation does not show any significant correlation with rejection, yet it might be a predictive marker of ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

• 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.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.828-835
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• 1996

From January 1993 to April 1995, 27 neonates (under age of 30 days underwent open heart surgery in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Dong-A Medical Center. Mean age and weight were 12.1 days(2days∼306ays) and 3.29 kg(2.6kg∼4.1 kg) respectively. Cardiac anomalies were simple complete transposition of great arteries(TGA) in 11 neonates, TGA with coarctation of aorta(COA) in 1 , total anomalous pulmonary venous connection(TAPVC) in 5, double inlet right ventricle with TAPVC in 1, interrupted aortic arch(IAA) with ventricular septal defect(VSD) in 3, pulmonary atresia(PA) with intact ventricular septum(IVS) in 3, pulmonary stenosis with IVS in 1, Taussig-Bing anomaly with IAA in 1, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome(HLHS) in 1 . Postoperative complications were myocardial and/or pulmonary edema which caused open sternum in 13 patients(54.2%), acute renal failure( RF) in 10(37.0%), Intractable low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) including weaning failure from cardiopulmonary bypass in 7(25.9%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia in 1, wound infection in 1, and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in 1. Nine of 13 patients with postoperative open sternum were recovered with delayed sternal closure, and seven of 10 patients survived postoperative ARF with peritoneal dialysis. There were 8 operative deaths(29.6%): 3 in the patients with simple complete TGA, 1 In TCA with COA, 1 in PA with IVS, 1 in Taussig-Bing anomaly with IAA, 1 in DIRV with TAPVC, and 1 in HLHS. One late death occurred after arterial switch operation in simple TGA. The mosts common cause of death was low cardiac output syndrome. Our initial experience of open heart surgery in neonates showed high operative mortality and morbidity, especially in complex anomalies.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.287-291
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• 2006

Purpose : Aneurysms of sinus valsalva are rare anormalies thought to be primarily congenital in origin, progressing into death by acute heart failure in cases of rupture. Surgical correction is the only method of treatment. With these clinical implications, we reviewed the clinical characteristics and surgical results of patients with ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm. Methods : Between January 1991 and February 2004, 17 patients with ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm were retrospectively reviewed for their clinical symptoms, physical findings, past history, coexistent cardiac anormalies, surgical results, and mid-term prognosis. Results : The 17 patients included 13 men and four women, with a mean age of 30 years(10-59 years). Preoperatively accompanying cardiac anormalies were ventricular septal defect(VSD, eight cases of doubly committed juxta-arterial VSD) and aortic insufficiency(11 cases). During operations, patterns of fistulous tracts were found to be right colonary sinus-right ventricle in 13 patients, right coronary sinus-right atrium in one, noncoronary sinus - right ventricle in two, noncoronary sinus - right atrium in one, and VSD was noticed in 14 patients(all were doubly committed juxta-arterial in type). The defects were closed with a patch in 13 patients, without a patch in four, with concommitant aortic valve replacement in four and with aortic valvuloplasty in two. There were no mortalities during operations or the mid-term follow-up periods($40{\pm}49$ months). Conclusion : Because, at least in Orientals, VSD(especially doubly committed juxta-arterial) was accompanied in large numbers of patients with aneurysms of sinus valsalva, preoperative evaluations of this congenital heart disease should be made very careful. And we may need to revise the algorithm of treatment policy in small sized doubly committed juxta-arterial VSD.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.468-479
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the use of the respiratory rate oxygenation (ROX) index, ROX-heart rate (ROX-HR) index, and saturation of percutaneous oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (SF ratio) to predict weaning from high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in patients with respiratory distress in a pediatric intensive care unit. Methods: A total of 107 children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit were enrolled in the study between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021. Data on clinical and personal information, ROX index, ROX-HR index, and SF ratio were collected from nursing records. The data were analyzed using an independent t-test, χ² test, Mann-Whitney U test, and area under the curve (AUC). Results: Seventy-five (70.1%) patients were successfully weaned from HFNC, while 32 (29.9%) failed. Considering specificity and sensitivity, the optimal cut off points for predicting treatment success and failure of HFNC oxygen therapy were 6.88 and 10.16 (ROX index), 5.23 and 8.61 (ROX-HR index), and 198.75 and 353.15 (SF ratio), respectively. The measurement of time showed that the most significant AUC was 1 hour before HFNC interruption. Conclusion: The ROX index, ROX-HR index, and SF ratio appear to be promising tools for the early prediction of treatment success or failure in patients initiated on HFNC for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Nurses caring for critically ill pediatric patients should closely observe and periodically check their breathing patterns. It is important to continuously monitor three indexes to ensure that ventilation assistance therapy is started at the right time.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.635-642
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• 1985

Double outlet left ventricle [DOLV] is a rare cardiac anomaly in which both great arteries arise entirely, or predominantly above the morphologically left ventricle. About 100 cases of DOLV have been reported in the literatures by 1984. We have experienced eight cases of DOLV at Seoul National University Hospital during the period from October 1981 to July 1905. Ages of the patients were ranged from 12 months to 24 years old, and chief complaints on admission were frequent URI and DOE in 5 cases and cyanosis in other 3 cases. In all eight patients, Cardiac catheterization and cineangiography were performed but pre-operative diagnoses were incorrect except one case [VSD in 2 cases, DORV in 2cases, c-TGA in 2 cases and TOF in one case] We have performed total corrective surgery in seven patients. In case I, patch closure of VSD aligning aorta and pulmonary artery with LV, ligation of proximal pulmonary artery and the use of external valved conduit from RV to PA have been employed. In other 6 cases, intraventricular repair using boomerang shaped Dacron patch with correction of associated anomalies were employed. In remaining one patient who had coexistent PDA and coarctation of aorta, we have performed coarctoplasty and PDA ligation initially and the patient is waiting for subsequent total corrective procedure. In seven patients whom we have performed total corrective surgery, there is one hospital mortality due to right heart failure and one complication of complete heart block necessitating permanent pacemaker implantation. All survivors are doing well in follow up period of 9 months to 4 years. To our knowledge, this is the first report of surgical experiences for DOLV in the Korean literature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.474-481
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• 1990

We have experienced 44 cases of coarctation of aorta in the age of infancy and children from April 1986 to September 1989 at Seoul National University Children`s hospital. Patients were thirty males and fourteen females, and their age ranged from one month to ten years[mean 23.84 $\pm$33.06 months] with thirty-two infant cases. In the infantile age, congestive heart failure was the most common chief complaint[18/32], and above that age, frequent upper respiratory infection was most common[8/12]. We experienced thirteen cases of isolated COA, twenty-two cases of COA with VSD, eight cases of COA with VSD, eight cases of COA with intracardiac complex anomalies and one case of COA with atrial septal defect. The associated intracardiac complex anomalies were three Taussig-Bing type double outlet right ventricle, one single ventricle, one transposition of great arteries, one atrioventricular septal defect, one hypoplastic aortic arch with left heart hypoplasia, and one Tetralogy of Fallot. Operative techniques of COA were twenty-three subclavian flap arterioplasty, 12 resection and end to end anastomosis, eight onlay patch angioplasty, and I direct angioplasty after resection of web. Among the cases with other cardiac anomalies, staged operation was done in twenty-nine patients, and single stage total correction was performed only in three patients. There were seven operative mortality[15.9%], all being in infantile age group, and among fourteen cases associated with large VSD[Qp/Qs>2.0, mean pulmonary arterial pressure>50mmHg], four patients were died, but there was no mortality in patients with small VSD. With above results, we are intended to discuss about the interval between staged operation, the fate of VSD after coarctoplasty in case of COA with VSD, causes of death, complications etc.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.86-89
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• 1996

This is a report of successful conversion arterial switch operation for failed Sunning procedure in transposition of the great arteries(TGA) with ventricular septal defect(VSD). A 15 month-male patient was admitted due to intractable congestive heart failure after Sunning operation was done at the age of 8 months. Angiography revealed marked dysfunction of the morphologic right ventricle with tricuspid regurgitation and residual VSD. The pulmonary ventricle 1 systemic ventricle pressure ratio' of 75/85 at catheter study enabled us to do the take down of denning repair, patch closure of VSD and arterial switch without pulmonary artery banding. After the operation, the baby showed good growth with normal ventricular function.