• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.246-253
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• 2010

Background: Our objective was to review the long-term prognosis of patients with preoperative mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Material and Method: We prospectively followed 1,000 consecutive and systematic off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting patients who were operated on between September 1996 and March 2004; follow-up was achieved for 97%. Sixty-seven patients (6.7%) had mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation at the time of surgery. Operative mortality, actuarial survival and major adverse cardiac event free survival were compared to assess the effect of ischemic mitral regurgitation. Result: Average follow-up was $66{\pm}22$ months. Patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation were older (p<0.001), had lower ejection fractions (p<0.001) and more comorbidities. Significantly more female patients presented with ischemic mitral regurgitation (p=0.002). There was no significant difference in operative mortality and perioperative myocardial infarction in ischemic mitral regurgitation patients (p=0.25). Eight-year survival was decreased in ischemic mitral regurgitation patients ($39.6{\pm}11.8%$ vs $76.7{\pm}2.2$, p<0.001). However, after correcting for risk factors, mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation was not found to be a significant independent risk factor for long-term mortality (p=0.42). Major adverse cardiac event free survival at 8 years was significantly lower in ischemic mitral regurgitation patients ($53.12{\pm}12%$ vs $77{\pm}2%$, p<0.001). After correction for risk factors, ischemic mitral regurgitation remained a significant independent cause of major adverse cardiac events (HR: 2.31), especially congestive heart failure and recurrent myocardial infarction. Conclusion: In our series, patients with preoperative mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation had a higher prevalence of preoperative risk factors than patients without ischemic mitral regurgitation. They had comparable perioperative mortality and morbidity, but, in the long term, were found to be at elevated risk for recurrent cardiac events.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.210-215
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• 2008

Background: Drug-eluting stents are contributing to the exponential growth of percutaneous coronary intervention, and even in the patients with left main coronary artery disease, owing to the decreased restenosis rate. Our study aimed at comparing the one-year results after coronary artery bypass grafting versus percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents in patients with left main coronary artery disease. Material and Method: Those patients who underwent coronary bypass surgery or stenting at our hospital under the diagnosis of left main coronary artery disease were divided in two groups. The variables for comparison were the preoperative disease severity, the length of the hospital stay, the early mortality and the cumulative incidence of mortality, myocardial infarction and repeated revascularization. Result: There were 101 cases in the surgery group and 78 cases in the stent group. Age, gender, the risk factors, the left ventricular ejection fraction and the proportion of acute coronary syndrome showed no significant differences between the two groups. The surgery group showed a more severe condition according to the Euroscore, a greater incidence of urgency, a longer hospital stay and a greater incidence of multi-vessel disease. The early mortality and one-year cumulative mortality were not different between the groups. The Euroscore-matched comparison for the surgery group (41 patients) and the stent group (78 patients) showed no significant differences in the Euroscore, age, gender, risk factors and the proportion of acute coronary syndrome. The surgery group in the Euroscore-matched comparison showed more multi-vessel disease and a longer hospital stay. The surgery group showed lower early mortality and lower one-year cumulative mortality, but this was statistically insignificant (0% vs 2.6%, respectively, p=0.55; 0% vs 6.6%, respectively, p=0.30). The rates of repeated revascularization and major adverse events (death or myocardial infarct) were lower in the CABG group, but this was not statistically significant (13.3% vs 6.3%, respectively, p=0.48; 10.0% vs 0%, respectively, p=0.09). Conclusion: Percutaneous coronary intervention using drug-eluting stents in low-risk patients with left main coronary artery disease resulted in a shortened length of the hospital stay, as compared with that of the CABG group of patients. However, the patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention using drug-eluting stents showed a tendency for an increased rate of repeated revascularization and higher one-year cumulative mortality. Further studies with large populations and longer follow-up will be necessary to reaffirm our findings.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.2 s.271
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• pp.122-127
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• 2007

Background: Spontaneous pneumothorax is a common respiratory condition and has been postulated that it develops because of rupture of subpleural blebs. Although the morphology and ultrastructure of causative lesions are well known, the reason for rupture of sbupleural blebs is not absolutely clear. Broad consensus concerning the role of meteorological factors in spontaneous pneumothorax dose not exist. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of change of atmospheric pressure and temperature on the occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: One hundred twenty eight consecutive spontaneous pnemothorax events that occurred between January 2003 and December 2004 were selected. Changes of meteorological factors of particular days from the day before for 5 consecutive days were calculated and compared between the days with pneumothorax occurrence (SP days) and the days without pneumothorax occurrence (Non SP days). The correation between change of pressure and temperature and the occurrence of SP was evaluated. Result: SP occurred on 117 days (16.0%) in the 2-year period. Although there was no significant differences in change of pressure factors prior 4 days of SP occurrence compare to the 4 days prior Non SP day, change of mean pressure was higher (+0.934 vs. -0.191hPa, RR 1.042, Cl $1.003{\sim}1.082$, p=0.033), and change of maximum pressure fall was lower (3.280 vs. 4.791 hPa, RR 1.051, Cl $1.013{\sim}l.090$, p=0.009) on the 4 days prior SP day. There were significant differences in change of temperature factors prior 2 days and the day of SP, Changes of mean temperature (-0.576 vs.+$0.099^{\circ}C$, RR 0.886, 95% Cl $0.817{\sim}0.962$, p=0.004) and maximum temperature rise (7.231 vs. $8.079^{\circ}C$, RR 0.943 Cl $0.896{\sim}0.993$, p=0.027) were lower on the 2 days prior SP. But changes of mean temperature (0.533 vs. $-0.103^{\circ}C$, RR 1.141, Cl $1.038{\sim}l.255$, p=0.006) and maximum temperature rise (9.209 vs. $7.754^{\circ}C$, RR 1.123, Cl $1.061{\sim}1.190$, p=0.006) and maximum temperature rise (9.209 vs. $7.754^{\circ}C$ RR 1.123, Cl $1.061{\sim}l.190$, p=0.000) were higher on the SP days. Conclusion: Charge of atmospheric pressure and temperature seems to influence the chance of occurrence of SP. Meteorological phenomena that pressure rise 4 day prior to SP and following temperature fall and rise might explain the occurrence of SP. Further studies should be continued in the future.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.235-244
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• 2004

Anatomic correction of the transposition of the great arteries (TGA) or Taussig-Bing anomaly by means of the arterial switch operation is now accepted as the therapeutic method of choice. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors for operative deaths and the efficacy of technical modification of the coronary transfer. 85 arterial switch operations for TGA or Taussig-Bing anomaly which were performed by one surgeon from 1994 to July 2002 at Dong-A university hospital were included in this retrospective study Multivariate analysis of perioperative variables for operative mortality including technical modification of the coronary transfer was peformed. Overall postoperative hospital mortality was 20.0% (17/85). The mortality before 1998 was 31.0% (13/42), but reduced to 9.3% (4/43) from 1998. The mortality in the patients with arch anomaly was 61.5% (8/13), but 12.5% (9/72) in those without arch anomaly. In patients who underwent an open coronary reimplantation technique, the operative mortality was 28.1% (18/64), but 4.8% (1/21) in patients undergoing a technique of reimplantation coronary buttons after neoarotic reconstruction. Risk factors for operative death from multivariated analysis were cardiopulmonary bypass time ($\geq$ 250 minutes), aortic cross-clamping time ($\geq$ 150 minutes), aortic arch anomaly, preoperative event, and open coronary reimplantation technique. Operative mortality has been reduced with time. Aortic arch anomaly and preoperative events were important risk factors for postoperative mortality. However atypical coronary artery patterns did not work as risk factors. We think that the technical modification of coronary artery transfer played an important role in reducing the postoperative mortality of arterial switch operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.964-970
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• 1996

One hundred eight patients (Feb.'86, through Jan.'96) underwent 53 mitral(MVR), 20 aortic(AVR), )5 double(DVR) valve replacement with SJM prosthesis. There were 55 males and 53 females whose mean age was 36.3 $\pm$ 10.4 years. We used 143 valves in mitral(88), aortic(54), and tricuspid(1) sites. The size and number of valves were 31 mm(32). 33inm(23), 29mm(20), 27mm(10), 25mm(2), and 35mm(1) in mitral site; 2)mm(21), 21mm(1 S), 19mm(7), 25mm(5), 27mm(2), and 33mm(1) in aortic site; and Blmm(1) in tricuspid site. Preoperative NYHA functional classes were II(14), III(73) and IV(21), and which were improved into I(89) and II(16) postoperatively. Early postoperative complications occurred in 15 cases(13.9%) in which LOS was the most common one(5 cases; 4.6%). fatly hospital death occurred in 3 cases(2.8%) due to LOS(1) and sudden cardiac arrest(2) he cummulative total follow-up period was 437.6 pl-yr with a mean of 4.1$\pm$2.9 years. There were 5 events of valve related'complications (2 TE, 1 paravalvular leak, 1 TE+paravalvular leak, 1 PVE) with the occurrence rate as 1.14%/pt-yr. Reoperation was performed in 2 cases and there were 2 cases of valve related death due to one PVE and one paravalvlllar leak. The complication free rate was 91.4$\pm$ ).4% at 10 years. Actuarial survival rate was 93.6 $\pm$ 3.1 % at 10 years.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2017

Objective: The perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy is often challenging and it requires a fine balance between the risk of hemorrhage and thrombosis. We aimed to evaluate the antithrombotic management for moderate to high risk patients in real world setting. Methods: Among the patients who were consulted to the neurologist for the evaluation of perioperative risk from 2010 to 2012, patients undergoing moderate to high risk surgery and taking antithrombotics within 30 days were identified. We analyzed the timing of discontinuation and reinitiation of antithrombotic drugs before or after surgery as well as the status of bridging therapy. In addition, the conformity with the guideline suggested by American College of Chest Physicians was assessed. The rate of thromboembolic event and major hemorrhage were also investigated. Results: A total of 329 patients were included. The concordance rate of warfarin stop and restart time with guideline was 23.4% and 10.3%, respectively. Continuing aspirin in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery or non-cardiac surgery in patients with high risk for cardiovascular events were 59.2% and 2.6%, respectively. Bridging therapy was adopted in 92.9% and 81.2% in patients who had received anticoagulant before surgery and who were at high and low risk thromboembolism, respectively. In entire cohorts, 30-day incidence of major bleeding and thromboembolic event were 31.9% and 3.0%. Co-morbid renal disease were shown as independent predictor for major bleeding (adjusted OR 2.65. 95% CI 1.33-5.28). Conclusion: The concordance rate with guideline regarding perioperative antithrombotic use was low and bridging therapy was prevalent in patients undergoing moderate to high risk surgery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1020-1029
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• 1988

The authors evaluated 153 patients who had undergone cardiac valve replacement between October 1979 and July 1988. The results are as follows: l. Out of 153 patients, there were 56 males and 97 females ranging from 15 to 62 years of age with a mean of 37 years. 2. Isolated mitral valve replacement took place in 82 patients, aortic valve replacement[AVR] in 16, double valve replacement[DVR] in 34, AVR combined with open mitral commissurotomy in 19, and tricuspid valve replacement[TVR] was done in 2 patients. 3. 153 patients had 187 prosthetic valves replaced with Ionescu-Shiley valves[16], Carpentier-Edwards[36], Bjork-Shiley[19], St. Jude Medical[108], and Duromedics[8]. 4. Our of 98 patients with atrial fibrillation[ 64% of a total 153 patients ] during the preoperative period, 22 patients recovered NSR[ 22/98, NSR recovery rate 22.4%] after valvular surgery and remaining 76 patients revealed persisting atrial fibrillation[76/153, 49.7% ]. 5. Preoperative episodes of systemic arterial embolization were attained in 9 patients[9/153, 6% ], and left atrial thrombi were confirmed in 22 patients intraoperatively[ 22/153, 14% ]. Of these, only one patient, however, demonstrated the correspondence of preoperative embolization and intraoperative existence of LA thrombi. 6. With mechanical prostheses, anticoagulant therapy was begun 48 hours after operation with sodium warfarin[2.5-5.0mg/day], maintaining the prothrombin time between 16 and 18 seconds or 30 to 50% of control values and continued for life. With tissue prostheses, sodium warfarin was continued for 3 to 6 months and converted into buffered ASA[ 325 mg/day ] for one year. 7. The mean follow-up for the survivors was 30.1 months, with a range from 3 months to 9 years. All suspected or confirmed thromboembolic episodes counted as events and occurred in 4 patients[ 1.04%/patient-year] with mechanical valve replacement. No persistent paralysis or death was noted. Late complications have not yet occurred in the patients with isolated MVR and AVR. 8. There were remarkable structural failures of tissue valves in 3 patients[ 1.9%/patient-year ], while no instance of failure of a mechanical valve. 9. There were 10 operative early deaths[10/153, 6.5%] and 5 late deaths[5/153, 3.3%]. Consequently, overall mortality was 9.8%[ 15/153] during follow-up period. 10. We currently favor using the St. Jude Medical valve in all patients requiring valve replacement except in those who can not take warfarin anticoagulation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.931-938
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• 1998

Background: Anatomic correction of transposition of the great arteries by means of the arterial switch operation is now accepted as the therapeutic method of choice. This retrospective study attempts to assess the results of the neonatal arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries performed by our newly established institution. Materials and methods: 33 consecutive neonates underwent the arterial switch operation between October 1991 to November 1997. There were 27 neonates with transposition and intact ventricular septum, 3 with ventricular septal defect, and 3 with Taussig-Bing anomaly. The mean age was 10.9$\pm$7.9 days and mean body weight was 3.29$\pm$0.44kg. Results: Overall postoperative hospital mortality was 30.3% (10 patients). The mortality has improved with time; 75% (6 patients) among first 8 consecutive patients before 1994, 20% (2 patients) among 10 patients in 1994 and 1995, and 13.3% (2 patients) among 15 patients since 1996. Univariated analysis of risk factors revealed that earlier date of the operations and one of preoperative events were determinants for operative death. There were two late deaths. A mean follow-up of 17.4$\pm$16.5 months was achieved in all 21 survivors. All were in New York Heart Association functional class I. One patient had mild pulmonary stenosis and two had mild aortic valve regurgitation on their echocardiography. Conclusions: We concluded that we should continue to perform arterial switch operation for neonates with transposition of the great arteries because the mortality of the operation has been improved and the operative survivors have good functional results with low incidence of late complications.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartA
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• v.14A no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2007

The intima media thickness(IMT) of the carotid artery from B mode ultrasound images has recently been proposed as the most useful index of individual atherosclerosis and can be used to predict major cardiovascular events. Ultrasonic measurements of the IMT are conventionally obtained by manually tracing interfaces between tissue layers. The drawbacks of this method are the inter and intra observer variability and its inefficiency. In this paper, we present a multiresolution snake method combined with the dynamic programming, which overcomes the various noises and sensitivity to initialization of conventional snake. First, an image pyramid is constructed using the Gaussian pyramid that maintains global edge information with smoothing in the images, and then the boundaries are automatically detected in the lowest resolution level by minimizing a cost function based on dynamic programming. The cost function includes cost terms which are representing image features and geometrical continuity of the vessel interfaces. Since the detected boundaries are selected as initial contour of the snake for the next level, this automated approach solves the problem of the initialization. Moreover, the proposed snake improves the problem of converging th the local minima by defining the external energy based on multiple image features. In this paper, our method has been validated by computing the correlation between manual and automatic measurements. This automated detection method has obtained more accurate and reproducible results than conventional edge detection by considering multiple image features.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2017

Background: This study was conducted to provide a comparison between the clinical outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and that of fibrinolysis followed by routine invasive treatment in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: A total of 184 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI or fibrinolysis followed by a routine invasive therapy were enrolled from 2004 to 2011, and their major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were compared. Results: Among the 184 patients, 146 patients received primary PCI and 38 patients received fibrinolysis. The baseline clinical characteristics were similar between both groups, except for triglyceride level ($68.1{\pm}66.62$ vs. $141.6{\pm}154.3mg/dL$, p=0.007) and high density lipoprotein level ($44.6{\pm}10.3$ vs. $39.5{\pm}8.1mg/dL$, p=0.005). The initial creatine kinase-MB level was higher in the primary PCI group ($71.5{\pm}114.2$ vs. $35.9{\pm}59.9ng/mL$, p=0.010). The proportion of pre-thrombolysis in MI 0 to 2 flow lesions (92.9% vs. 73.0%, p<0.001) was higher and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were administered more frequently in the primary PCI group. There was no difference in the 12-month clinical outcomes, including all-cause mortality (9.9% vs. 8.8%, p=0.896), cardiac death (7.8% vs. 5.9%, p=0.845), non-fatal MI (1.4% vs. 2.9%, p=0.539), target lesion revascularization (5.7% vs. 2.9%, p=0.517), and stroke (0% vs. 0%). The MACEs free survival rate was similar for both groups (odds ratio, 0.792; 95% confidence interval, 0.317-1.980; p=0.618). The clinical outcome of thrombolysis was not inferior, even when compared with primary PCI performed within 90 minutes. Conclusion: Early fibrinolysis with optimal antiplatelet and antithrombotic therapy followed by appropriate invasive procedure would be a comparable alternative to treatment of MI, especially in cases of shorter-symptom-to-door time.