• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.323-327
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• 2008

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disorder where the etiology is not clearly known. Symptomatic chronic interstitial pneumonitis is an uncommon manifestation, with a reported prevalence of 3~13%. Achalasia is rare disease that presents with failure in the relaxation of the esophagus sphincter. A 22-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of fever, cough and dyspnea. The patient had a history of pericardial effusion and Raynaud's phenomenon. The results of laboratory tests indicated the presence of lymphopenia and included positive antibody tests for antinuclear antibody and anti Sm antibody. A chest X-ray demonstrated the presence of peribronchial infiltration on both lung fields. A Chest CT image showed interlobar septal thickening, ground-glass opacity and a honeycomb appearance in both lung fields and esophageal dilatation with air fluid level. An esophagogram showed the presence of dilated esophagus ends that represented the non-relaxed lower esophageal sphincter. Manometry demonstrated incomplete sphincter relaxation. The case was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus associated with interstitial pneumonia and achalasia.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.794-802
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• 2022

This retrospective study was to investigate the characteristics of unplanned readmission and factors affecting readmission within 30 days of discharge in patients who underwent heart valve surgery through electronic medical records. The participants were 423 unplanned re-hospitalization within 30 days after heart valve surgery at a tertiary hospital in Seoul from January 2018 to August 2019. A total of 48 patients (11.3%) were unplanned readmissions, and the most common causes were atrial fibrillation in 13 cases (27.1%) and pain at the surgical site in 13 cases (27.1%). Other causes were: 10 cases (20.8%) of warfarin inappropriate treatment concentration, 7 cases of general weakness (14.6%), 5 cases of hypotension (10.4%), 4 cases of pericardial effusion (8.3%), 3 cases of surgical wound infection (6.3%), 3 cases of hemorrhage (6.3%), 3 cases of high fever (6.3%), and 1 case of cerebral infarction (2.1%). Variables influencing readmission were history of cancer (OR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.13-6.03, p = .025) and the patients who went to a home rather than a hospital after discharge (OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.33-6.36, p = .008), as a type of valve surgery, mitral valve valvuloplasty had a higher readmission rate than aortic valve replacement (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.21-4.98, p = .012). In order to reduce unplanned readmissions, an tailored education program is needed to enable patients and caregivers to manage their comorbid chronic diseases before discharge and assess risk factors for readmission in advance.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.768-773
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• 2004

Failure of mitral valve repair sometimes may be ascribed to severe or progressive alteration of the subvalvar apparatus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of new chordae formation on mitral repair. Material and Method: From March 1997 to february 1999, 26 patients underwent mitral valve repairs with new chordae formation, we compared the symptoms and echocardiographic findings checked at preoperative state, and intraoperative period, discharge, and their last OPD visit. There were 45 male, and 11 female patients, and their mean age was 51.2$\pm$43.4 years. Etiology of the lesions was degenerative (18), rheumatic (6), infective (1) and ischemic (1). Chordal lesions were caused by rupture (18), elongation (6), and a combination of two causes (2). Associated lesions included atrial septal defect (2), tricuspid insufficiency (7), aortic insufficiency(4), and a combination of previous two factors (2). The number of mean artificial chordae was 3.6$\pm$1.6. Annuloplasty was per-formed in all cases. The CPB time was 182,1$\pm$63.7 minutes and the ACC time was 133.1$\pm$45.6 minutes. Aver-age follow up period was 49.2$\pm$7.1 months. Result: There was no early death. Early reoperation was performed in bud patients, one patient received mitral valve replacement because of an abnormality of annuloplasty and ano-ther received pericardiostomy due to postoperative pericardial effusion. During the follow up of 49.2$\pm$7.1 moths, there was no late mortality. Postoperative NYHA functional class checked at last OPD visit was class I in 22 patients (88%), class II in 2 (8%), and class III in 1 (4%). Regarding the late echocardiogram MR was absent in 20 patients (78%), 1 in 4 (15%), and II in 1 (4%). The postrepair mitral valve area was 2.2$\pm$0.35 $\textrm{cm}^2$ Conclusion: This study suggests that mitral valve repair using new chordae formation provides good early and mid term survivals and functional improvement. We think that the artificial chorda formation with polytetrafluoroethylene suture might be safe and effective technique for mitral valve repair.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.573-579
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• 2002

Background: In this study, the role and the surgical outcome of the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in the treatment of the infants with cyanotic complex congenital heart diseases were investigated. Material and Method: Over the last 12 years, 105 modified BT shunts were performed in 100 infants. Postoperative course, shunt patency rate, complications, mortality and its risk factors were reviewed restrospectively. Result: The mean age at operation was 43.0$\pm$36.6 days. Sex ratio was 60:40(M:F). The postoperative oxygen saturations were lowest after mean duration of 11 hours after the shunt procedure. The operative mortality was 8%(8) with 3 late deaths. Causes of operative death included failure of maintenance of minimum oxygenation during the procedure(2), immediate postoperative shunt occlusion(2), respiratory failure(2), low cardiac output due to heart failure and pericardial effusion(2) and sepsis(2). Late deaths resulted from acute cardiac arrest during the follow up cardiac catheterization, hypoxic myocardial failure, and arrhythmia. Year of surgery, shunt size, age at operation, and complexity of the anomalies were not the risk factors for mortality. Six month shunt patency rate was 97% and overall patency rate was 96%. Postoperative complications comprised of shunt occlusion(6), phrenic nerve palsy(3), and wound infection(2). Conclusion: We demonstrated that modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was a useful tool to palliate the infants with complex cyanotic heart disease in whom early complete repair was not feasible with acceptable mortality and patency rate. An adequate postoperative management and a meticulous surgical technique may be key factors for the better results.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.539-544
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine whether N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) may be used to differentiate acute Kawasaki disease(KD) from other clinically similar diseases. Methods : Using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, NT-proBNP concentrations were measured in the acute phase within 10 days after the onset of KD(n=58) and in the convalescent phase, 60 to 81 days after the onset(n=51), and also in patients with acute febrile disease as a control(n=34). Echocardiography was performed to detect pericardial effusion(PE) and coronary artery lesions(CAL), and to measure the left ventricular dimension at diastole(LVIDd) and ejection fraction(LVEF). The cutoff value of NT-proBNP for separating KD from other diseases was determined. Results : NT-proBNP concentration in the acute phases of KD was significantly higher than that in the control group($1,501.6{\pm}2,132.6$ vs. $139.0{\pm}88.8pg/mL$, P<0.0001). In KD patients, NT-proBNP was elevated in the acute phase and was lowered in the convalescent phase($1,466.0{\pm}2,173.2$ vs. $117.5{\pm}95.5pg/mL$, P<0.0001). The cutoff value of 260 pg/mL discriminated KD patients from other patients, with a sensitivity of 93 percent and a specificity of 88 percent. The NT-proBNP was higher in patients with PE(n=17) compared with those without PE(n=41)($1,784.2{\pm}1,903.1$ vs. $1,384.4{\pm}2,232.6pg/mL$, P=0.52). Comparison of NT-proBNP could not be done between patients with CAL and those without, owing to a small number of patients with CAL(n=3). There was no correlation between NT-proBNP and LVEF index(r=0.104, P=0.46) or LVIDd index(r=0.171, P=0.22). Conclusion : NT-proBNP increases in the acute phase of KD and decreases to within normal range in the convalescent phase. NT-proBNP >260 pg/mL may be highly suggestive of acute KD. NT-proBNP may be used as a diagnostic tool for KD.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.524-529
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• 2004

Background: Since the Nuss procedure for the correction of pectus excavatum is in its early stage, there have been problems that need to be solved. We examined complications in a single-institute experience of the Nuss technique in order to develop possible solutions to prevent them. Material and Method: 335 consecutive patients, who underwent the modified Nuss procedure between August 1999 and October 2002, were studied retrospectively. Median age was 8 years (range 1 to 46). 264 patients (78.8%) were in pediatric group (age$\leq$15) and 71 patients (21.2%) were in adult group (age> 15). 193 patients (57.6%) had symmetric and 142 patients (42.4%) had asymmetric pectus configurations. Risk factors predicting postoperative complications were analyzed using multi-variate logistic regression. Result: Postoperative complication rates were 18.9% (61/335) in total patients. Frequent complications were pneumothorax 24 (7.5%), bar displacement 11 (3.4%), and wound seroma 10 (3.1%) in order. Early complications (within a month, 49 cases, 15.2%) were pneumothorax (n=23, 6.9%), wound seroma (n=12, 3.6%), and bar displacement (n=8, 2.4%). Late complications (after a month, 12 cases, 3.7%) were pericarditis and pericardial effusion (n=5, 1.5%), bar displacement (n=4, 1.2%), and hemothorax (n=3, 0.9%). Techniques were modified to prevent complications especially in bar shaping and fixation, which led to decrease complication rate in later experience (Operation Date 1: 15/51 (29.4%) vs Operation Date 2: 34/284 (12.0%), p=0.004). Grand Canyon type (eccentric long canal type) showed higher complication rate than other types (GC type: 12/30(40%) vs Others: 37/305 (12.1%), p<0.001). Major risk factors are severity of pectus (OR=2.88, p=0.038), Grand Canyon type (OR=2.82, p=0.044), and Op. Date 1 (OR=4.05, p=0.001). Conclusion: Major complications were related to severe eccentric type of pectus configuration (Grand Canyon type) and lack of surgeon's experience (Op. Date 1). Com-plication rate was reduced with accumulation of experience and advancement of surgical techniques. The Nuss procedure can be performed at a low risk of complications with our current technique.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.364-369
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• 2009

Purpose : Clinical and laboratory findings predict a severe outcome for mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. This study aimed to define the clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease (KD) patients with hyponatremia and to determine the factors associated with its development. Methods : Retrospective studies were performed on 114 KD patients who received an initial high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG, single 2 g/kg/dose) within 10 days of fever onset from January 2006 to February 2008. These patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 30 (26.3%) patients with hyponatremia, and group 2 consisted of 84 (73.6%) patients without hyponatremia. Clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and echocardiographic findings were compared between the groups. Results : Group 1 patients were more likely to have a coronary artery lesion (53.3% versus 20.2%, P=0.005) and suffered from diarrhea (41.3% versus 14.1%, P=0.007). There was a higher incidence of cardiovascular involvement in group 1 patients, including coronary dilatation (46.6%), valvular regurgitation (13.3%), pericardial effusion (6.7%) and medium-sized aneurysm (6.7%). There were no coronary aneurysms in group 2 patients. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly higher in patients with hyponatremia ($12.2{\pm}7.79$ mg/dL versus $7.3{\pm}4.7$ mg/dL, P=0.003) and IVIG-resistant patients were more common in group 1 (13.3% versus 3.6%). Conclusion : These results indicate that hyponatremia in KD occurs in patients exhibiting severe inflammation and was significantly associated with the development of coronary disease. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the pathogenic mechanisms of hyponatremia in KD patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.268-271
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• 2007

Purpose : Premature narrowing of the foramen ovale is rare but serious clinical entity. Prenatal narrowing or obstruction of the foramen ovale shows symptoms such as right heart failure, fetal hydrops, triscupid regurgitation, left heart obstructive disease, and supraventricular tachycardia. This study aimed to assess the prenatal diagnosis and postnatal clinical course of restrictive foramen ovale in utero in otherwise normal heart. Methods : The subjects were five patients diagnosed with restrictive foramen ovale in utero from January 2001 to June 2005 at Chungnam National University Hospital. The diagnostic criteria was defined when the maximum diameter in a 4-chamber view is less than 2.5 mm and there is a continuous doppler velocity at the foramen ovale of more than 0.6m/s. Results : At the time of diagnosis of restrictive foramen ovale, gestation age was 34~37 wks, and chief complaints were fetal arrhythmia(2 cases), pericardial effusion, Ebstein anomaly and subaortic stenosis. Two cases which were diagnosed fetal hydrops and supraventricular tachycardia delivered by emergent cesarian section. Five cases were found to have right heart dilatation on echocardiogram after birth, but right heart dilatation became normalized at day 7 after birth and the clinical courses were not eventful. Conclusion : Identifying an obstructed foramen ovale in the fetus warrants the further search for additional cardiac and extracardiac anomalies, which may alter the prognosis. Delivery should be induced if possible in cases of foramen ovale obstruction with signs of cardiac decompensation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2002

This study was undertaken to analyze the outcome of composite valve graftreplacement(CVGR) for the treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving the aortic root. Material and Method: Between April 1995 and June 2001, 56 patients had replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic root with a composite graft valve and were reviewed retrospectively. Aortic regurgitation was present in 50 patients(89%), Marfan's syndrome in 18 patients(32%), and bicuspid aortic valve in 7(12.5%). The indications for operation were annuloaortic ectasia(AAE) in 30 patients(53.6%), aortic dissection in 13(23.2%), aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving aortic root in 11(19.6%), and aortitis in 2(3.6%). Cardiogenic shock due to the aortic rupture was present in 2 patients. Nine patients(16%) had previous operations on the ascending aorta or open heart surgery. The operative techniques used for CVGR were the aortic button technique in 51 patients(91%), the modified Cabrol technique in 4, and the classic Bentall technique in 1. The concomitant procedures were aortic arch replacement in 24 patients(43%), coronary artery bypass graft in 8(14.3%), mitral valve repair in 2, redo mitral valve replacement in 1, and the others in 7 The mean time of circulatory arrest, total bypass, and aortic crossclamp were 21$\pm$14 minutes, 186$\pm$68 minutes, and 132$\pm$42 minutes, respectively. Result: Early mortality was 1.8%(1/56). The postoperative complications were left ventricular dysfunction in 16 patients(28.6%), reoperation for bleeding in 7(12.5%), pericardial effusion in 2, and the others in 7. Fifty-three patients out of 55 hospital survivors were followed up for a mean of 23.2 $\pm$ 18.7 months(1-75 months). There were two late deaths(3.8%) including one death due to the traumatic cerebral hemorrhage, and CVGR-related late mortality was 1.9%. The 1- and 6-year actuarial survival was 98.1$\pm$1.9% and 93.2$\pm$5.1%, respectively. Two patients required reoperation for complication of CYGR(3.8%) and two other patients required subsequent operations for dissection of the remaining thoracoabdominal aorta. The 1- and 6-year actuarial freedom from reoperation was 97.8$\pm$2.0% and 65.3$\pm$26.7%, respectively.