• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.7 s.252
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• pp.489-495
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• 2005

In the surgical treatment of aortic dissection, aortic arch replacement under total circulatory arrest is often performed after careful inspection to determine the severity of disease progression. Under circulatory arrest, antegrade or retrograde cerebral perfusion is required for brain protection. Recently, antegrade cerebral perfusion has been used more, because of the limitation of retrograde cerebral perfusion. This study is to compare these two methods especially in the respect to neurological complications. Material and Method: Forty patients with aortic dissection involving aortic arch from May 2000 to May 2004 were enrolled in this study, and the methods of operation, clinical recovery, and neurological complications were retrospectively reviewed. Result: In the ACP (antegrade cerebral perfusion) group, axillary artery cannulation was performed in 10 out of 15 cases. In the RCP (retrograde cerebral perfusion) group, femoral artery Cannulation was performed in 24 out of 25 cases. The average esophageal and rectal temperature under total circulatory arrest was $17.2^{\circ}C\;and\;22.8^{\circ}C$ in the group A, and $16.0^{\circ}C\;and\;19.7^{\circ}C$ in the group B, respectively. Higher temperature in the ACP group may have brought the shorter operation and cardiopulmonary bypass time. However, the length of period for postoperative clinical recovery and admission duration did not show any statistically significant differences. Eleven out of the total 15 cases in the ACP group and thirteen out of the total 25 cases in the RCP group showed neurological complication but did not show statistically significant difference. In each group, there were 5 cases with permanent neurological complications. All 5 cases in the ACP group showed some improvements that enabled routine exercise. However all 5 cases in RCP group did not show significant improvements. Conclusion: The Antegrade, cerebral perfusion, which maintains orthordromic circulation, brings moderate degree of hypothermia and, therefore, shortens the operation time and cardiopulmonary bypass time. We concluded that Antegrade cerebral perfusion is safe and can be used widely under total circulatory arrest.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.2 s.247
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• pp.116-122
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• 2005

Background: Adverse effects of cardiopulmonary bypass can be avoided by 'Off-pump' coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery. Recent studies have reported that OPCAB had the most beneficial impact on patients at highest risk by reducing bypass-related complications. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcome of OPCAB and conventional coronary artery bypass grafting (CCAB) in patients with poor left ventricular (LV) function. Material and Method: From March 1997 to February 2004, seventy five patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of $35\%$ or less underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting at our institute. Of these patients, 33 patients underwent OPCAB and 42 underwent CCAB. Preoperative risk factors, operative and postoperative outcomes, including LV functional change, were compared and analysed. Result: Patients undergoing CCAB were more likely to have unstable angina, three vessel disease and acute myocardial infarction among the preoperative factors. OPCAB group had significantly lower mean operation time, less numbers of total distal anastomoses per patient and less numbers of distal anastomoses per patient in the circumflex territory than the CCAB group. There was no difference between the groups in regard to in-hospital mortality $(OPCAB\; 9.1\%\;(n=3)\;Vs.\;CCAB\;9.5\%\;(n=4)),$ intubation time, the length of stay in intensive care unit and in hospital postoperatively. Postoperative complication occurred more in CCAB group but did not show statistical difference. On follow-up echocardiography, OPCAB group showed $9.1\%$ improvement in mean LVEF, 4.3 mm decrease in mean left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and 4.2 mm decrease in mean left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD). CCAB group showed $11.0\%$ improvement in mean LVEF, 5.1 mm decrease in mean LVEDD and 5.5 mm decrease in mean LVESD. But there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: This study showed that LV function improves postoperatively in patients with severe ischemic LV dysfunction, but failed to show any difference in the degree of improvement between OPCAB and CCAB. In terms of operative mortality rate and LV functional recovery, the results of OPCAB were as good as those of CCAB in patients with poor LV function. But, OPCAB procedure was advantageous in shortening of operative time and in decrease of complications. We recommend OPCAB as the first surgical option for patients with severe LV dysfunction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.422-434
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• 1980

Since 1968 up to the end of October 1980, 448 valves were replaced in 354 patients in Seoul National University Hospital. There were 238 mitral, 38 aortic, 7 tricuspid, 45 aortic with mitral, 23 tricuspid with mitral, and 3 triple valve replacement aortic mitral and tricuspid cases. Annual increase of mitral valve replacement cases and decrease of operative maortality were remarkable. Recently operative mortality of mitral valve replacement is about 5%. Sex ratio of mitral valve replacement is almost equal and there were 12 cases of pediatric patients (5%) among 238 cases, and patients under the age of 20 years were 34 (14.3%). Mitral valve replacement was done for 199 single mitral, 38 double valve and one triple valve lesions. Among 238 mitral valve replacement paients left atrial thrombus in 23(9.7%), atrial fibrillation in 132 (55.5%), and reoperation after blind mitral commissurotomy in 12(5%) cases were noted. In recent cases bioprosthetic valves, mainly lonescu-shiley valve were utilized to overcome the difficulties of postoperative late complications in anticoagnuation, especially for the rural patients and pediatric cases, in addition to the hemodynamic advantages of lonesocu valve. Among 354 patients 16 cases were congenital heart anomaly related, 5 ventricular septal defect related aortic and 4 Ebstein related tribuspid valve replacement cases. There were 2 congenital anomaly related mitral valve replacements, one for congenital mitral insufficiency of 7 years old boy and one for corrected transposition of the great vessels associated with mitral insufficiency. Among total 354 valve replacements 49 operative deaths (13.3%) were noted and in 238 mitral valve replacement 24 operative deaths occurred (10.1%). In 39 patients among 354 total valve replacements late complications were found. In 238 mitral valve replacement cases late complications were noted in 26 patients, among whom 16 cases expired. Main late complications were thrombe-embolism, subacute becteerial endocarditis, arrythmia cerebral hemorrhage due to unsatisfactory anticoagulation, and congestive heart failure in the incipient period of valve replacement were also noted. In mitral valve replacement cases long-term survival rate was 83.2% who showed marked clinical improvement. Ther were no evidences of calcification during the 2 years follow-up period for the lonescu-valve replacement cases among 19 pediatric patients. In conclusion 238 cases of mitral valve replacement were done with 24 operative deaths and 26 late complication cases among whom 16 expired. The long term survival was 83.2% of the cases. In pediatric cases in place of coumadin anticoagulation Persantin **** 75 and aspirin were administered after valve replacement. In adult cases who have difficulaties with coumadin anticoagulation and for those even with bioprosthetic heart valve replacement who needs long-term or permanent anticoagulation persantin 75 and aspirin combination regimen were administered with antisfactory results.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2017

Gorham-Stout disease is a rare disorder characterized by lymphovascular proliferation and destruction of osseous matrix. The etiology of this condition remains poorly understood. Chylothorax as a consequence of lymphatic leakage in thoracic cage may cause a severe life-threatening complication, accompanying respiratory difficulty. Currently, there is no standard management for this extremely rare condition. Here we describe a patient affected by Gorham-Stout disease successfully managed by the combined treatment of mTOR inhibitor and beta-blocker. A previously healthy 11-year-old female developed dyspnea and chest pain with a massive pleural effusion. The ligation of right thoracic duct and bilateral pleurodesis temporarily decreased her pleural effusion, which was aggravated repetitively and required frequent admission and tube thoracotomies. Along with bilateral pleural adhesiolysis with thoracotomy, the combined treatment of oral beta-blocker and mTOR inhibitor was commenced. After 1 month of oral medication, her pleural effusion was not increased and she was free of respiratory difficulty on room air without chest tubes. Over eleven months of treatment, no serious adverse reaction was noted and her condition has been stable with no further admission required.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.255-260
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• 2002

Paraplegia remains unresolved as the most dreaded operative complication with surgical treatment of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic diseases. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of trimetazidine that has been used clinically for ischemic heart disease was investigated in a rabbit spinal cord ischemia model. Material and Method: Thirty-three New Zealand white rabbits were randomized as follows: control group undergoing abdominal aortic occlusion but receiving no pharmacologic intervention(Group 1, n= 17); TMZ group(Group 2, n= 16) receiving 3 mg/kg trimetazidine intravenously before the occlusion of the aorta. Ischemia was induced by clamping the abdominal aorta just distal to the left renal artery for 30 minutes. Neurologic status was assessed at 2, 24, and 48 hours after the operation according to the modified Tarlov scale, then the lumbosacral spinal cord was processed for histopathologic examinations 48 hours after the final assessment. Result: The average motor function score was significantly higher in the TMZ group(3.20 $\pm$ 0.77 vs 1.13 $\pm$ 1.25 at 2 hours, 3.50 $\pm$ 0.76 vs 1.45 $\pm$ 1.57 at 24 hours, and 3.91 $\pm$ 0.30 vs 1.86 $\pm$ 1.86 at 48 hours after operation; p value$\leq$0.05). Histologic observations were correlated with the motor scores. Conclusion: The results suggested that trimetazidine reduced spinal cord injury during aortic clamping and that it may have clinical utility for the thoracoabdominal aortic surgery:

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1056-1062
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• 1998

Background: We prospectively investigated types, incidences, and risk factors for arrhythmias after open heart surgery in adults. Materials and methods: From June 1994 to May 1995, we performed 302 cases of adult cardiac surgery at our department. This study group consisted of 150 men and 152 women, with a mean age of 43.9±28.0(range 16 to 75)years. We included all the patients irrespective of their operative types or disease entities. Results: The overall incidence of arrhythmias after open heart surgery in adults was 58.3%. The incidence of postoperative arrhythmias for redo-valvular heart surgery was 77.8%, and those for simple valvular procedure, coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic surgery, and congenital heart disease were 70.8%, 45.3%, 40.0%, and 29.5%, respectively. Eight out of twelve risk factors showed statistical significance for the development of postoperative arrhythmias. They were preoperative history of arrhythmias, antiarrhythmic drug medication, previous cardiac surgery, larger left ventricular end-diastolic, end-systolic dimension, left atrial dimension on preoperative echocardiogram, longer cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross clamping time. Univariated analyses for age and types of cardioplegic solution did not show statistical significance. Conclusions: Prospective study on postoperative arrhythmias occurrence, treatment and prevention of is warrauted to draw more clear conclusion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.762-774
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• 1984

A clinical analysis was performed on 49 cases of the benign esophageal diseases experienced at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital during 7 year period from 1977 to 1983. Of 49 cases Of the benign esophageal diseases, there were 19 patients of esophageal stricture, 11 of achalasia, 6 of perforation, 3 of bronchoesophageal fistula, 3 of esophageal perforation, 3 of esophageal leiomyoma and one of esophageal foreign body. Twenty three patients were male and 26 were female. Ages ranged from 4 years to 74 years with the average age of 34.7 years. Of 19 patients of esophageal strictures, 7 patients were male and 12 were female and ages ranged from 6 years to 74 years with the average being 33.8 years. Causes of esophageal strictures were corrosive of esophageal strictures were dysphagia, vomiting, general weakness, weight loss and pain that order and developed on several different parts of esophagus. Operations were performed in 18 cases, of whom 7 patients were performed by esophagocologastrostomy, 4 gastrostomy, 4 esophagogastrostomy, 1 esophageal resection and esophagoesophagostomy, 1 esophagotomy and dilatation and 1 scar revision. Five patients had one or two complications; 2 anastomotic leakage, 1 wound infection, 1 localized empyema, 1 bilateral pneumothorax and 1 respiratory failure. One patient expired due to respiratory failure arising from aspiration pneumonia. The average age of achalasia patients was 33.1 years and symptom durations were from 2 months to 10 years with the average of 3.3 years. Main symptoms were dysphagia, vomiting, weight loss, pain and cough in that order. Modified Hellers myotomy was performed in 11 patients with one complication of restenosis. One patient was operated on by using longitudinal incision and transverse sutures with good result. Of 6 patient of esophageal diverticulum, 2 patients were traction diverticulum on the midesophagus, 2 were pulsion diverticulum on the midesophagus and 2 were pulsion diverticulum on the lower esophagus. Diverticulectomy was performed on 2 cases of traction diverticulum and esophagocardiomyotomy with or without diverticulectomy was erformed on 4 cases of pulsion diverticulum with good results. Of 5 patients of congenital bronchoesophageal fistula, the chief complaints were productive cough in 4 patients and hematemesis without respiratory symptoms in one patient. Two patients were operated on by using fistulectomy only and 3 by fistulectomy with pulmonary lobectomy. Of 3 patients of esophageal perforation, causes were foreign body ingestion, esophageal stricture after ECG and corrosive esophagitis. Two patient were operated on by using drainage and gastrostomy with symptomatic improvement but one patient died due to septic shock after thoracotomy. Three patients of esophageal leiomyoma were all male and 2 patients were operated on by using enucleation and one by distal esophagectomy with esophagogastrostomy. In one patient of esophageal foreign body, it was removed by esophagotomy through the right thoracotomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1180-1190
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• 1990

96 patients underwent cardiac valve replacement for valvular heart diseases consecutively between February 1986 to February 1990 in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Yeungnam University Hospital. The follow up period was between 6 months and 4.5 years postoperatively[mean 23.4$\pm$13.1 months]. 75 cases got mitral valve replacement, 6 cases, aortic valve replacement, 15 cases, double valve replacement. 30[31.2%] patients were male and 66[68.8%] were female and the age ranged from 14 to 66 years old. Early hospital death within 30 days postoperation were 5 patients[5.2%], consisting of by low cardiac output in 2, infective endocarditis in 1, multiple organ failure with sepsis in 1 patient. There was no late postoperative death. Most common early postoperative complication was wound disruption [8.7%] and then low cardiac output, pneumothorax, pleural effusion in order. Most common late postoperative complications were minor bleeding episodes[8.7%] related to anticoagulant therapy which were consisted of frequent epistaxis in 3, gum bleeding in 2, hemorrhagic gastritis in 1, hypermenorrhea in 1, hematoma in right arm in 1 patient. Valve-related complications included valve thrombosis [1.6%/ patient-year], valve failure due to pannus formation[1.1% /patient-year], prosthetic valve endocarditis[1, 1%o/patient-year] and minor anticoagulant hemorrhage[4.4% /patient-year]. 5 cases of reoperations were performed in 4 patients due to valve failure and all of them were in the mitral positions[2.7% /patient-year]. Cardiothoracic ratios in the chest X-ray decreased at the 6th month and 1st year postoperation in all patients. But in New York Heart Association[NYHA] functional class IV, no change in cardiothoracic ratio was found between 6 months and 1 year postoperation. In the echocardiogram, the size of the cardiac chambers decreased, but ejection fraction increased postoperatively in each functional class. In the electrocardiogram, decreases were found in the incidence of atrial fibrillation, left atrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy with right bundle branch block increasing postoperatively in each functional class. The actuarial survival rate was 98.4% for all patients, 98.7% for mitral valve replacement, 83.8% for aortic valve replacement, and 80% for double valve replacement at the end of a 4.5 year follow up period. Meanwhile the actuarial freedom rate was 91.5% for prosthetic valve endocarditis, 91.6% for thromboembolism, 89.0% for prosthetic valve failure and 83.7% for minor anticoagulant hemorrhage. Preoperative NYHA class III and IV were 75% of all patients, but 95% of all patients were up graded to NYHA class I and II postoperatively.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.181-190
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• 2011

Purpose: Thoracic radiotherapy is a major treatment modality of stage III non-small cell lung cancer. The normal lung tissue is sensitive to radiation and radiation pneumonitis is the most important dose-limiting complication of thoracic radiation therapy. This study was performed to identify the clinical and dosimetric parameters related to the risk of radiation pneumonitis after definitive radiotherapy in stage III non-small cell cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The medical records were reviewed for 49 patients who completed definitive radiation therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer from August 2000 to February 2010. Radiation therapy was delivered with the daily dose of 1.8 Gy to 2.0 Gy and the total radiation dose ranged from 50.0 Gy to 70.2 Gy (median, 61.2 Gy). Elective nodal irradiation was delivered at a dose of 45.0 Gy to 50.0 Gy. Seven patients (14.3%) were treated with radiation therapy alone and forty two patients (85.7%) were treated with chemotherapy either sequentially or concurrently. Results: Twenty-five cases (51.0%) out of 49 cases experienced radiation pneumonitis. According to the radiation pneumonitis grade, 10 (20.4%) were grade 1, 9 (18.4%) were grade 2, 4 (8.2%) were grade 3, and 2 (4.1%) were grade 4. In the univariate analyses, no clinical factors including age, sex, performance status, smoking history, underlying lung disease, tumor location, total radiation dose and chemotherapy were associated with grade ${\geq}2$ radiation pneumonitis. In the subgroup analysis of the chemotherapy group, concurrent rather than sequential chemotherapy was significantly related to grade ${\geq}2$ radiation pneumonitis comparing sequential chemotherapy. In the univariate analysis with dosimetric factors, mean lung dose (MLD), $V_{20}$, $V_{30}$, $V_{40}$, MLDipsi, $V_{20}$ipsi, $V_{30}$ipsi, and $V_{40}$ipsi were associated with grade ${\geq}2$ radiation pneumonitis. In addition, multivariate analysis showed that MLD and V30 were independent predicting factors for grade ${\geq}2$ radiation pneumonitis. Conclusion: Concurrent chemotherapy, MLD and $V_{30}$ were statistically significant predictors of grade ${\geq}2$ radiation pneumonitis in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer undergoing definitive radiotherapy. The cutoff values for MLD and $V_{30}$ were 16 Gy and 18%, respectively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.353-357
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• 1999

Background: Mitral valve replacement(MVR) with chordal preservation in patients with mitral vlavular disease has been proven to be beneficial for left ventricular function and for reduction of postoperative complication. Material and Method: From January 1995 to July 1996, the early postoperative results of mitral valve replacement were compared between 20 patients who underwent chordae resection(classic MVR group) and 10 patients who underwent chordae preservation(preservation MVR group) in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chunbuk National University Hospital. Result: There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, sex, NYHA functional class, cardiothoracic ratio, echocardiographic finding, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross clamping time. The difference between preoperative and postoperative cardiothoracic ratio after 3 months was not statistically significant. At echocardiographic left ventricular evaluation, ejection fraction and fractional shortening decreased slightly in the preservation group then preoperative value (p=0.47, p=0.12), however, decreased significantly in the classic MVR group(p=0.03, p=0.04), and were statistically significant between the two groups(p=0.03, p=0.02). Conclusion: We conclude that MVR with chorda preservation seems to have a beneficial effect on postoperative left ventricular performance in mitral valve disease than the classic MVR.