• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.123-135
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• 2022

Oryeongsan (ORS), a formula composed of five herbal medicines, has long been used to treat impairments of the regulation of body fluid homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the antihypertensive and renal protective effects of ORS in rats with hypertension. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into two groups with similar mean baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP). Then, 1 mL/kg of vehicle (distilled water) or 1.5, 3 g/kg of ORS extract were administered orally once a day for 4 weeks. SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected, and heart were removed for histology. By the 2 weeks after initiation of treatment, the ORS treated group had significantly lower SBP than SHR rats. The ORS treatment significantly improved blood pressure and echocardiogram parameters compared to hypertensive rats. Additionally, the left ventricular (LV) remodeling and LV dysfunction were significantly improved in ORS treated group hypertensive rats. Furthermore, an increase in fibrotic area has been observed in SHR rats compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Furthermore, administration of ORS significantly attenuated cardiac fibrosis in hypertensive rats. Therefore, these findings suggest that ORS has a protective effect on heart failure by alleviating hypertensive heart disease and cardiovascular dysfunction in SHR.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.169-177
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: Acute worsening of cardiac function frequently leads to kidney dysfunction. This study aimed to identify clinical and imaging parameters associated with impaired kidney function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS: Data from 131 patients hospitalized with acute decompensated HFrEF (left ventricular ejection fraction, < 40%) were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at admission (those with preserved kidney function [GFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m²] and those with reduced kidney function [GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²]). Various echocardiographic parameters and perirenal fat thicknesses were assessed by computed tomography. RESULTS: There were 71 patients with preserved kidney function and 60 patients with reduced kidney function. Increased age (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.12; p = 0.005), increased log N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.14-2.66; p = 0.010), and increased perirenal fat thickness (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.10-1.29; p < 0.001) were independently associated with reduced kidney function, even after adjusting for variable clinical and echocardiographic parameters. The optimal average perirenal fat thickness cut-off value of > 12 mm had a sensitivity of 55% and specificity of 83% for kidney dysfunction prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Thick perirenal fat was independently associated with impaired kidney function in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HFrEF. Measurement of perirenal fat thickness may be a promising imaging marker for the detection of HFrEF patients who are more susceptible to kidney dysfunction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.606-617
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• 1986

During the period from November 1981 through June 1986, 18 cases of coronary arterial bypass graft were performed at Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital. They consisted of 13 males and 5 females with the mean age of 49 [range: 28-69 years]. History of myocardial infarction was noted in 50% of the patients and cardiomegaly on chest PA in 2 patients with preserved LV function. On resting EKG, except the evidences of old myocardial infarction, the findings of LVH were noted in 7 cases, acute myocardial infarction in 2, diffuse myocardial ischemia in 1, and significant ventricular arrhythmia in 2 cases. The angina by type of presentation is stable in 3 patients, unstable in 15 patients with resting, postinfarction and progressive angina as the criteria of unstability. The patterns of involvement of significant disease were single vessel involvement [5 cases] double vessel involvement [8 cases], and triple vessel involvement [5 cases] including 5 cases of left main coronary arterial diseases. The pattern of coronary arterial disease in individual patient was one or more stenosis of the proximal left coronary arterial system with or without right coronary involvement, in every case. We performed 9 cases of double bypass and 9 cases of triple bypass with great saphenous vein using single anastomosis technique except in 4 cases, One of the 4 cases is our first case, sequential anastomosis between LAD and diagonal was performed due to shortage of the prepared vein graft. In the other 3 cases, our latest experience, we adopted the left internal mammary artery for the left anterior descending coronary revascularization. The distribution of sites of distal anastomosis revealed more striking predilection to LAD, showing our attention on the significance of the revascularization of LAD system. The ischemic time was 35 minutes per graft and mean number of grafts per patient was 2.5. Of the 18 patients, 13 [77.2%] had complete revascularization, and incomplete in 5 cases with the causes of incompleteness as presented. The early results of operation were as followed: surgical death in 2 [11%], perioperative infarction 2 [11%], need of inotropic support 5 [28%], arrhythmia 2 [11%], wound problem, bleeding, and emotional dysfunction. The actuarial anginal free survival during the period of 6 months through 2 years was 85.2% with excellent symptomatic control according to the angina classification of Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.320-329
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• 2003

Background : The serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is released from the ventricles as a response to volume or pressure overload of the ventricles. A few studies have reported that the BNP measurements are useful in differentiating between heart failure and pulmonary causes in patients who visited the emergency department with dyspnea as the chief complaint. It is difficult to differentiate a right heart failure from a left heart failure in the emergency room. However, there is no report on the application of a BNP assay to differentiate in right heart failure from left heart failure. In this study, the BNP levels were measured from dyspneic patients in the emergency department to determine whether or not the BNP level would be useful in differentiating the cause of the dyspnea from right ventricular failure and left ventricular failure. Method : 89 patients who visited emergency department of the Bundang Cha Hospital with dyspnea from June 2002 to March 2003 were selected. The 29 patients from the outpatient clinics and inpatients were randomly selected as the control. Results : The BNP levels of patients in the left heart failure group were significantly different from that of the patients in the right heart failure group ($682{\pm}314$ pg/mL vs. $149{\pm}94$ pg/mL, p=0.000). When the BNP cut-off level was designated as 219 pg/mL using the receiver operating characteristic curve, the sensitivity was 94.3%, and specificity was 92.9%. In addition, the positive predictive value was 97% and the negative predictive value was 86.7% in differentiating right heart failure from left heart failure. Conclusion : Measurements of the serum BNP levels is an accurate and rapid method that can aid in distinguishing between right heart failure and left heart failure.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.483-489
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• 2020

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been known to possess many ginsenosides. These ginsenosides are used for curing cardiovascular problems. The present study show the protective potential of KRG against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial dysfunction, by assessing electrocardiographic, hemodynamic, and biochemical parameters and histopathological findings. Methods: Animals were fed a standard chow and adjusted to their environment for 3 days before the experiments. Next, the rats were equally divided into five groups (n = 9, each group). The animals were administered with KRG (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 10 days and injected with DOX (20 mg/kg, subcutaneously, twice at a 24-h interval) on the 8th and 9th day. Electrocardiography and echocardiography were performed to study hemodynamics. Plasma levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were measured. In addition, the dose of troponin I and activity of myeloperoxidase in serum and cardiac tissue were analyzed, and the histopathological findings were evaluated using light microscopy. Results: Administration of KRG at a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg recovered electrocardiographic changes, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, left ventricular systolic pressure, the maximal rate of change in left ventricle contraction (-dP/dt_max), and left ventricle relaxation (-dP/dt_max). In addition, KRG treatment significantly normalized the oxidative stress markers in plasma, dose dependently. In addition, the values of troponin I and myeloperoxidase were ameliorated by KRG treatment, dose dependently. And, KRG treatment showed better histopathological findings when compared with the DOX control group. Conclusion: These mean that KRG mitigates myocardial damage by modulating the hemodynamics, histopathological abnormality, and oxidative stress related to DOX-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. The results of the present study show protective effects of KRG on cardiac toxicity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1009-1016
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• 1999

Background: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery(MIDCAB) has been increasing in interest along with the new techniques in myocardial immobilization for easier and safer procedures. Until the opening of the era of new techniques, adequate accuracy and good patency of grafts were debatable. Our experiences of MIDCAB were studied according to the stages of technical developments. Material and Methods: Since March 1996, 55 patients have undergone MIDCAB procedures. The patients of off-pump CABG(no cardiopulmonary bypass under full sternotomy) were excluded from the study. In the early experience(Stage I), a left anterior small thoracotomy through the left parasternal incision was performed(n=6); then an approach through the lower partial sternotomy was used(Stage II, n=33); and recently, a chest wall elevator for harvesting the internal thoracic artery and the foot plate for myocardial immobilization have been used(USSC, Norwalk, CT)(Stage III, n=16). Result: The surgical procedures of four patients in the Stage II group have been converted to conventional bypass because of the deeply seated left anterior descending coronary artery in two patients, fracture of the calcific lesion in the right coronary artery in one patient, and a cardiogenic shock during hypothermia in the other patient with ventricular dysfunction. Two patients in stage II experienced symptomatic recurrences after surgery and restenosis was verified on angiocardiography. They were managed by interventional procedures. All the other patients were doing well without symptoms, except one patients in Stage II who underwent PTCA procedure for a lesion in the circumflex artery during the follow up period. Conclusion: The new and specialized devices are essential to the development of MIDCAB surgery. MIDCAB and the hybrid procedures in multi-vessel disease are on the way to further development. So far, our experience is limited only to a single device among the many new devices for the purpose.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.583-590
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• 1995

The three hundred and sixty nine patients who underwent either isolated or concomitant coronary artery bypass graft surgery since May, 1977 till December, 1993 at the Yonsei University Cardiovascular center were studied with respects to the incidence of operative risk factors, surgical methodology and consequent results. The patients were classified into two periods, according to the time of the surgery in relation to the date of the opening of the Yonsei cardiovascular center. Period I[1977 to 1990 , consisting of the patients who underwent surgery prior to the opening date, harboured a total of 189 patients with the mean age of 55 years, and the second, Period II[1991 to 1993 , those who underwent after the opening, of 180 patients with the mean age of 60 years. The Period II patients were involved in more operative risk factors, compared to the ones in Period I. The anatomy of the coronary arteries of the patients of Period II were more likely to have multilesional and left main disease. The patients in Period I were older, had more prominent left ventricular dysfunction and were more likely to be exposed to the risk factors. The number of implanted grafts were greater period II[average of 2.5 grafts per patient in Period I VS 3.2 in Period II and the frequency which the used left internal mammary artery was also significantly higher in Period II[49 and 104 cases in Period I and Period II . The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction was 20 patients[10.6% in Period I, 14 patients[7.8% in period II. And the operative mortality was 20 patients[10.6% in period I, 8 patients[4.4% in period II. In conclusion we think that the operative results have improved in Period II, compared to that of Period I, in spite of the higher risks, due to accumulation of surgical experiences, improved surgical techniques and myocardial protection, specialized teamwork, application of the intraoperative TEE and appropriate pharmacological interventions by anesthesiologist.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.480-483
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• 1999

The widely accepted method for coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) is performing the distal coronary artery anastomoses on the flaccid and nonbeating heart with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) and cardioplegic arrest. However, current cardioplegic techniques are not consistent in avoiding myocardial ischemic damages especially in high risk patients undergoing CABG. In this regard, "Off-Pump" seems to be an ideal method for preventing myocardial ischemic damage and adverse effects during CPB. However, "Off-pump" CABG is not always technically feasible. We report 2 cases of "On-pump" CABG performed on the beating heart in high risk patients; The first patient had left ventricular dysfunction(Ejection Fraction=25%), and the second patient had cardiogenic shock after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 1992

Myocardial perfusion imaging with $^{201}Tl-chloride$ following exercise or vasodilator-induced hyperemia has been effective in detecting the presence of coronary artery disease. An increased lung uptake of thallium has been reported as a sensitive marker of severe and extensive coronary artery disease and associated with poor prognosis. Thallium has also been noted to concentrate in a variety of malignant lesions. We report 5 cases of extracardiac uptake of thallium during myocardial perfusion scan with pharmacologic vasodilation. Accumulation of thallium was found in the lesions of a breast cancer, a lung cancer, a Castleman's disease and 2 cases of thymoma. We believe that the presence of focal extracardiac uptake of thallium during myocardial perfusion scan should suggest the need for further clinical evaluation to detect the tumor and must differentiate the increased lung uptake of thallium due to left ventricular dysfunction in coronary artery disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2000

Background: TNF-$\alpha$ plays a major role in producing left ventricular dysfunction cardio-myopathy pulmonary edema and inhibits the compensatory mechanism of congestive heart failure. IL-6 is an acute reactant of immune reaction and also known to control immune reaction but its function in the myocyte was not clearly investigated. Author's performed this experiment to investigate the contents of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 on the assumption that TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 may reside in nonfailing heart that has gone cardiac surgery and play some role in cardiac function. Material and Method : Right auricular tissues were sampled from 12 patients who had undergone total corrective surgery for both congenital and acquired heart diseases from January 1998 to June 1998 in Kosin Universcfy Gospel hospital. The quantitive analysis of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 were assessed by ELISA method in right auricular tissue. Hemodynamic values about the pressure of ventricle atrium aorta pulmonary artery and cardiac index pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output were measured by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization and biochemical analyses of LDH & AST were done before operation. statistical analysis was by Paired Student t-test. Patients were divided into children(under 15 years olds) and adults groups and the data was compared beween two groups. Conclusion: Mild pulmonary hypertension and increased pulmonary vascular resistance were existed in both group. The contents of tissue TNF-$\alpha$ IL-6 in each group were independent of each data.