• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제28권12호
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• pp.1096-1106
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• 1995

We experienced 7 cases of left single lung transplantation in 14 mongrel dogs and analyzed graft lung function by hemodynamics, blood gas analysis, chest X-ray, biopsy and perfusion lung scan. We performed right pulmonary artery cuff[PA cuff for analysis of graft lung function in 3 cases. The donor lungs were flushed with modified Euro-Collins solution[n=3 or low potassium dextran glucose solution[n=4 and preserved for 4 to 5 hours[n=4 or 24 hours[n=3 at 10o C and implanted to the dogs with similar weight . Assessment of left graft lung was done by occluding the right pulmonary artery for 10 minutes using PA cuff. Assessment for graft lung function was done immediately after an operation and after 3 days, 7days and 3 weeks postoperatively. Four dogs survived for 3days, 7days[2 cases and 3 weeks respectively. Other three dogs expired within 3 hours of reperfusion. Immediate perfusion scans of left lung in four survived dogs after reperfusion were 42.1%, 36% , 11% and 5.9% respectively, and another dog with 4.8% perfusion to left lung was dead due to left atrial thrombi after 3 hours reperfusion. In one case among three acute rejections follow-up perfusion scan was done on 3rd and 11th postoperative day and the result decreased from 36% perfusion immediate postoperatively to 21% and 15% respectively. Three expired dogs postoperatively couldn`t tolerate occlusion of right pulmonary artery with above 40 mmHg of mean pulmonary artery pressure. On the other hand, three survival dogs postoperatively tolerated occlusion of right pulmonay artery with less than 30 mmHg of mean pulmonary artery pressure. and one dog couldn`t tolerate same procedure immediate postopertively but in 2 hours reperfusion later tolerated with 29 mmHg of mean pulmonary artery pressure.In conclusion we couldn`t compare the effect of two flushing solutions but low potassium dextran glucose solution showed relatively safe preservation effect in cases with preservation of more than 20 hours. Also canine left single lung transplantation model with PA cuff indicated useful method for the assessment of graft lung function with effect of lung preservation.

• 약학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.487-493
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• 1999

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on the anti-pulmonary hypertensive action of enalapril were evaluated in rats. Pulmonary hypertension was induced by monocrotaline treatment (60mg/kg, i.p.) in normotensive rats. In the systolic pulmonary artery pressure, the control group was 33$\pm$2 mmHg, comparing to the normal group of 19$\pm$1 mmHg. That of enalapril group(20mg/kg/day, p.o.) was 26$\pm$2 mmHg. In the isolated lung preparation, acetylcholine, which was endothelium dependent vasodilator, induced the decrease of pulmonary artery perfusion pressure(-2.0$\pm$0.7 mmHg) in normal group, but the increase of that of 3.4$\pm$0.6 and 3.0$\pm$0.9 mmHg in control and enalapril group, respectively. And that of the combined group was -0.5$\pm$0.2 mmHg. In the isolated pulmonary artery, acetylcholine(10-5M) induced the relaxation of 65$\pm$6% in normal group, but 15 and 8% in control and enalapril group, respectively. And that of the combined group was resulted 55$\pm$2%. These results suggested that co-administration of Ginkgo biloba extract(EGb 761) potentiated the anti-pulmonary hypertensive effects of enalapril through the increase of pulmonary vasodilation due to the protection of endothelial cell by antioxidant action of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제30권10호
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• pp.949-960
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• 1997

연구배경. 폐이식 분야에서 이식받아야 할 공여폐의 부족은 많은 문제점으로 되어 있다. 따라서 이상적인 폐관류-보존액인 세포내액성 용액이나 세포외액성 용액의 개발을 위하여 안전하고 장기간의 폐보존이 가능 한 많은 동물실험 연구가 시행되어 지고 있다. 연구자들은 세포외액성 용액인 LPDG용액을 이용하여 20시간 이상 폐보존의 효과를 연구하기 위하여 대조군으로 세포내액성 용액인 modified Euro-Collins(MEQ용액을 사 용하였다. 방법. 실험은 평균 20 Kg 이상의 한국산 잡종견 34마리를 구하여 17마리씩 공여견과 수용 견으로 암수 구 분없이 나누어 LPDG-꽁액군이 9례 MEC용액군이 8례로써 좌측 일측폐이식술을 시행하였다. 공여폐의 보존은 1$0^{\circ}C$에서 20시간 이상 저장하였으며 각 폐관류-보존용액에 prostaglandinEl(PGEI)을 공여폐획득시에 례동맥을 통해 주입하였다. 이식폐기능의 평가는 이식폐의 재관류후에 30분, 1시간, 2시간후 그리고 술후 3일째와 7일 째 폐동맥 clef를 이용하여 혈역동학적 검사와 동맥혈액가스분석을 시행하였다. 또한 재관류 3시간후와 술후 3일, 7일째에 단순흉부 X-선 촬영, 전산화 흉부 단층촬영 및 99mTc폐관류 스캔\ulcorner 실시하였다. 전 례에서 부검 을 실시하여 병리조직학적 소견을 얻었으며 20시간 이상 폐보존후에 각 용액별 전자현미경적 폐포구조와 폐 동맥내피세포의 소견을 비교하여 보았다. 결과 이식폐의 동맥혈가스분석에서 동맥혈산소분압은 두 용액 모두에서 재관류직후 현저히 감소되었으나 재관류 2시간까지 서서히 회복이 되었으며 이는 LPDG군에서 더 증가되었으나 통계학적 의의는 없었다. 재 관류 1시간후 MEC군이 LPDG군보다 평균폐동맥압이 상승하였고(p<0.05) 재관류 1시간과 2시간에서 LPDG군 이 심박출량이 더 높았다똘<0.05). 그리고 케혈관저항도는 양군 모두 재관류 2시간까지는 감소되거나 큰 변 화가 없다가 3일과 7일까지 점차 상승되었다. 전산화 흉부단층촬영에서 LPDG군이 MEC군보다 폐음영이 재 관류직후와 술후 3일, 7일째에 비교적 나쁘게 나왔으며 폐관류 스캔에서는 재관류직후, 3일후 및 7일후에서 LPDG군이 상대적으로 높게 나왔으나 전반적으로 감소되었으며 통계적 유의성은 얼었다. 병리조직검사에서 양 군모두 82%에서 이식폐의 폐렴소견이 있었고 MEC에서 8례에서 염증소견과 그중 5례는 이식폐치 부전소 견을 보였으며 20시간 이상 폐보존후 \ulcorner자현미경검사에서 양군에서 경증의 폐동맥내피세포의 부종과 불규칙 한 돌출이 관찰되었다. 내피세포의 불규칙한 돌출은 MEC군에서 더 심하게 관찰되었다. 결론: 두 용액 모두에서 재관류직후 폐기능은 급격히 감소하였으나 2시간까지 LPDG용액은 MEC용액보다 비교적 나은 회복을 보였고 재관류 3일과 7일의 폐기능 평가에서 두 용액 모두에서 폐기능의 점차적 소실을 보였으며 이는 병리조직검사에서 보듯이 폐혐에 의한 외적인 요소라고 생각되며 따라서 LPDG용액은 허혈재관류손상 방지 및 급성폐렴 등 염증을 잘 관리한다면 20시간 이상 LPDG용액의 안전한 폐보존의 가능성 을 얻을 수 있었다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제32권12호
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• pp.1065-1077
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• 1999

Background : Ventricular assist devices(VADs) are being used for patients in postcvardiotomy cardiogenic shock status bridge to cardiac transplant settings and in post-myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock. The VAD which was developed at the Deparment of medical engineering in Dankook University College of Medicine was a pneumatically driven device and can maintain pulsatile flow. The goal of this study is to develop animal experimental models using the VAD and to clarify the reliability and hemodynamic property adequacy of end organ perfusion durability and severity of thrombotic-hemolytic tendency of the device. Material and Method : The pneumatic VAD was applied to 8 adult female lambs, We examined some hemodynamic parameters such as arterial blood pressure pulmonary capillary wedge pressure(pcwp) pulmonary artery pressure(PAP) left atrial pressure hour urine output cardiac index VAD flow EKG to determine the reliability of the VAD and hemodynamic compatibility of the experimental animals within 24 hours of experiment. We also observed the end organ perfusion durability of the VAD and thrombotic-hemolytic property of the VAD after 24 hours of VAD insertion. Result: We could monitor all hemodynamic parameters including pcwp PAP cardiac index EKG, adn hour urine as true clinical settings. We observed that the reliability of the VAD was excellent and the hemodynamic property of the experimental animal and end organ perfusion were adequate within 24 hours of experiment. In four lambs surviving 24 hours after insertion the reliability of the VAD and end organ perfusion were excellent and no thrombotic-hemolytic tendency was noted. However after 15 days of experiment the diaphragm of the VAD was torn and it was recommende that the durability of the VAD should be extended. Conclusion : e conclude that the pneumatic VAD developed at Dankook University Biomedical Engineering has good hemodynamic property and low thromboembolic tendency and presents adequate end organ perfusion but we noted that the durability of the device should be expanded further. It will be possible to do more reliable experiment in the future according to the animal experimental method developed in this study especially with the heart failure models.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 1976

The present. study reports four cases of congenital heart diseases, who received open heart surgery by the Sarn's Heart-Lung-Machine in the department of Thoracic Surgery, Hanyang University Hospital during the period between July 1975 and May 1976. The Heart-Lung-Machine consisted of the Sarn's five head roller pump motor system (model 5000), heat exchanger, bubble trap, the Rygg-Kyvsgaard oxygenator, and monitors. The priming of pump oxygenator was carried out by the hemodilution method using Hartman's solution and whole blood. Of the four cases of the heart diseases, three whose body weight were below 30kg, received the partial hemodilution priming and the remaining one whose body weight was 52kg received the total hemodilution priming with Hartman's solution alone. The rate of hemodilution was in the average of 60.5ml/kg. Extracorporeal circulation was performed at the perfusion flow rate of the average 94.0ml/kg/min, and at the moderate hypothermia between 35'5"C and 30'5"C of the rectal temperature. In the total cardiopulmonary bypass, arterial blood pressure was anged between 30 mmHg and 85 mmHg, generally maintaining over 60 mmHg and venous pressure was measured between 4 and $23cmH_2O$, generally maintaining below $10cmH_2O$. The first case: The patient, a nine year old girl having the symptoms and physical signs typical to cardiac anomaly was definitely diagnosed as isolated pulmonary stenosis through the cardiac catheterization. There was, however, no cyanosis, no pathological finding by X-ray and E.C.G. tracings. The valvulotomy was performed through the arteriotomy of pulmouary artery under the total cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and murmur and the clinical symptoms disappeared. The second case: A 12 year old boy with congenital heart anomaly was positively identified as having ventricular septal defect through the cardiac catheterization. As in the case with the first case, the patient exhibited the symptoms and physical signs typical to cardiac anomaly, but no pathological abnormality by X-ray and E.C.G. tracings. The septal defect was localized on atrioventricular canal and was 2 by 10 mm in size. The septal defect was closed by direct simple sutures under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative hemodynamic study revealed that the pressure of the right ventricle and pulmonary artery were decreased satisfactory. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and murmur and the clinical symptoms disappeared. The third case: The patient, a 19 year old girl had been experienced the clinical symptoms typical to cardiac anomaly for 16 years. The pink tetralogy of Fallot was definitey diagnosed through the cardiac catheterization. The patient was placed on an ablolute bed rest prior to the operation because of severe exertional dyspnea, fatigability, and frequent syncopal attacks. However, she exhibited very slight cyanosis. Positive findings were noted on E.C.G. tracings and blood picture, but no evidence of pathological abnormality on X-ray was observed. All of the four surgical approaches such as Teflon patch closure (3 by 4cm in size) of ventricular septal defect, myocardial resection of right ventricular outflow tract, valvulotomy of pulmonary valvular stenosis, and pericardial patch closing of ventriculotomy wound were performed in 95 minutes under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative hemodynamic study revealed that the pressure of the right ventricle was decreased and pulmonary artery was increased satisfactorily. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and murmur and the clinical symptoms disappeared. The fourth case: The patient, a 7 1/4 year old girl had the symptoms of cardiac anomaly for only three years prior to the operation. She was positively identified as having acyanotic tetralogy of Fallot by open heart surgery. The patient showed positive findings by X-ray and E.C.G. tracings, but exhibited no cyanosis and normal blood picture. All of the three surgical approaches, such a myocardial resection of hypertrophic sight ventricular outflow tract, direct suture closing of ventricular septal defect and pericardial patch closing of ventriculotomy wound were carried out in 110 minutes under the cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative hemodynamic study revealed that the pressure of the right ventricle was decreased and pulmonary artery was increased satisfactorily. Postoperative course of the patient was uneventful, and the symptoms disappeared.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.349-361
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• 2023

Objective: To quantitatively assess the pulmonary vasculature using non-contrast computed tomography (CT) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) pre- and post-treatment and correlate CT-based parameters with right heart catheterization (RHC) hemodynamic and clinical parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients with CTEPH (mean age, 57.9 years; 53% female) who received multimodal treatment, including riociguat for ≥ 16 weeks with or without balloon pulmonary angioplasty and underwent both non-contrast CT for pulmonary vasculature analysis and RHC pre- and post-treatment were included. The radiographic analysis included subpleural perfusion parameters, including blood volume in small vessels with a cross-sectional area ≤ 5 mm² (BV5) and total blood vessel volume (TBV) in the lungs. The RHC parameters included mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and cardiac index (CI). Clinical parameters included the World Health Organization (WHO) functional class and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD). Results: The number, area, and density of the subpleural small vessels increased after treatment by 35.7% (P < 0.001), 13.3% (P = 0.028), and 39.3% (P < 0.001), respectively. The blood volume shifted from larger to smaller vessels, as indicated by an 11.3% increase in the BV5/TBV ratio (P = 0.042). The BV5/TBV ratio was negatively correlated with PVR (r = -0.26; P = 0.035) and positively correlated with CI (r = 0.33; P = 0.009). The percent change across treatment in the BV5/TBV ratio correlated with the percent change in mPAP (r = -0.56; P = 0.001), PVR (r = -0.64; P < 0.001), and CI (r = 0.28; P = 0.049). Furthermore, the BV5/TBV ratio was inversely associated with the WHO functional classes I-IV (P = 0.004) and positively associated with 6MWD (P = 0.013). Conclusion: Non-contrast CT measures could quantitatively assess changes in the pulmonary vasculature in response to treatment and were correlated with hemodynamic and clinical parameters.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.67-75
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• 2003

목 적 : 분지 폐동맥 협착 부위에 스텐트를 삽입하여 효과적으로 교정한 후, 이후 추적 관찰시에 협착이 없었던 반대편 분지 폐동맥 단면적이 감소하지 않고 증가하는 양상을 관찰하였다. 이에 분지 폐동맥 단면적의 변화에 영향을 끼치는 형태학적 혈역학적 요인들을 분석해 보았다. 방 법 : 1995년 1월부터 2002년 7월까지 연세대학교 심장혈관병원 소아심장과에서 좌폐동맥 분지 협착을 진단받고 스텐트 삽입을 시행받은 23명의 환아를 대상으로 하였다. 이들 환아에서 스텐트 삽입 전후로 심혈관 조영술을 통해 좌우 폐동맥 단면적의 변화, 도플러 심초음파 검사를 시행하여 폐동맥 부전을 측정하여 역류 분율의 변화를 관찰하였고, 폐관류 검사를 함께 시행하였다. 결 과 : 1) 좌폐동맥 협착으로 스텐트를 삽입한 후 좌폐동맥 지수는 $102{\pm}12mm^2/BSA$에서 $125{\pm}11mm^2/BSA$로 유의하게 증가하였다(P=0.001). 2) 협착이 없었던 우폐동맥 지수의 변화를 보면, 좌폐동맥에 스텐트를 삽입하기 전에 평균 $238{\pm}17mm^2/BSA$에서 추적 검사시 $249{\pm}20mm^2/BSA$로 유의한 증가는 없었다(P=0.474). 3) 스텐트 삽입 전후로 양측 폐동맥 지수의 합을 보면, 삽입전 $340{\pm}21mm^2/BSA$에서 추적 검사시 $374{\pm}26mm^2/BSA$로 증가하는 경향이 있었지만 유의한 차이는 없었다(P=0.09). 4) 폐동맥 폐쇄부전 역류 분율의 변화는 스텐트 삽입전 $50{\pm}5%$에서 $46{\pm}5%$로 감소하였으나, 유의한 감소량은 아니었다. 그러나, 폐동맥 폐쇄부전 역류 분율 증감 정도에 따라 세 군으로 나누어 비교해 보면, 3 군에서 우폐동맥지수는 삽입 전 $260{\pm}23mm^2/BSA$에서 추적 검사시 $325{\pm}33mm^2/BSA$으로 유의하게 증가하였다(P=0.041). 좌폐동맥 지수는 각 군에서 스텐트 삽입 전후로 증가하는 양상은 관찰되었으나, 1군에서만 유의하였고, 이는 폐동맥 폐쇄부전의 역류 분율 증감이 좌폐동맥의 단면적에 변화를 미치는 일차적 요인은 아닌 것으로 분석된다. 5) 스텐트 삽입 후 좌 우폐동맥 모두 폐동맥 폐쇄부전이 심할수록 폐동맥지수가 증가하여 유의한 양의 상관 관계를 가지고 (좌폐동맥; r=0.69, P<0.01 및 우폐동맥; r=0.53, P<0.01), 회귀분석상으로도 유의한 관계를 보였다. 또한 양측폐동맥 지수의 합도 유의한 양의 상관 관계(r=0.71, P<0.01)를 보였다. 결 론 : 협착이 있던 좌폐동맥은 스텐트의 삽입으로 교정되어 그 단면적 지수가 증가하였다. 그리고, 반대편 우폐동맥의 경우에는 잔존하는 폐동맥 폐쇄부전의 영향으로 단면적 지수가 감소하지 않고, 오히려 증가한 것을 관찰하였다. 그러나, 잔존하는 폐동맥 폐쇄부전의 장기적 예후를 고려해 볼 때, 이를 예방할 수 있는 것이 중요하다. 또한 역류 분율을 정확히 산출하기 위해 자기공명영상을 이용하는 것도 적극 검토해야 할 것이다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.254-259
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• 2010

배경: 만성 폐색전증은 초기에 비특이적인 증상으로 인해 진단이 쉽지 않을 뿐만 아니라 국내에서도 흔한 질환이 아니므로 보고된 예도 적다. 본 연구에서는 만성 폐색전증 환자에서 폐동맥 내막절제술의 수술결과를 후향적인 방법으로 분석해보았다. 대상 및 방법: 1996년부터 2008년까지 만성 폐색전증으로 본원에서 수술받았던 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 만성적인 호흡곤란을 주소로 내원한 환자들은 심초음파, 흉부 전산화 촬영, 폐 관류스캔을 이용하여 진단하였다. 결과: 7예의 환자에서는 정중흉골 절개술로, 1예는 좌측 후측방 절개술을 통해 접근하였다. 4예에서는 극저체온 순환 정지하에, 3예는 심실 세동하에, 1예는 심정지하에 폐동맥 내막절제술을 시행하였다. 술후 평균 폐동맥 수축기 혈압은 술 전 $78.9{\pm}14.5\;mmHg$에서 $45.6{\pm}17.6\;mmHg$로 의미 있게 감소하였고(p=0.000) 삼첨판 부전증 정도는 Grade II 이하였다. 조기사망은 2예가 있었으며 그 중 1예는 폐동맥 고혈압이 지속되면서 우 심부전이 호전되지 않아 결국 사망한 경우였다. 결론: 만성 폐색전증의 예후는 아주 불량한 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 조기에 적절한 진단과 우 심부전이 심해지기 전에 적절한 수술적인 치료를 한다면 향후 환자의 삶의 질을 향상시킬 수 있을 것으로 보인다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.354-358
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• 2006

배경: 체외순환에 사용되는 박동성 펌프는 비박동성 펌프에 비해 조직관류가 좋지만 혈구손상이 많다고 알려져 왔다. 관상동맥우회술 시 박동성 펌프인 $T-PLS^{TM}$(이중 박동성 인공심폐기)와 비박동성 펌프인 $Bio-pump^{TM}$의 임상결과를 비교하여 $T-PLS^{TM}$의 안전성 및 장단점을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 2003년 4월부터 2005년 6월까지 관상동맥우회술을 시행 받은 40명을 대상으로 하였다. $T-PLS^{TM}$을 이용하여 관상동맥 우회술을 시행 받은 환자는 20명이었고 $Bio-pump^{TM}$을 이용하여 관상동맥우회술을 시행 받은 환자는 20명이었다. 수술은 모든 환자에서 심폐체외순환하에서 박동하여 시행하였다. 수술 전 위험인자와 수술 중 상태, 술 후 결과를 비교하였다. 결과: 두 군 간 연령, 남녀비, 당뇨, 고혈압, 흡연력 및 폐쇄성 폐질환, 심근경색, 신부전 등 술 전 위험요소는 차이가 없었다. 수술시간, 심폐기 사용시간, 사용한 우회도관 및 문합한 관상동맥분지는 두 군에서 차이가 없었다. 수술 중 수축기 동맥압, 이완기 동맥압, 평균동맥압은 두 군 간 차이는 없었지만 맥박압은 $T-PLS^{TM}$군에서 높게 측정되었다$(46{\pm}15\;mmHg\;in\;T-PLS^{TM}\;vs\;35{\pm}13\;mmHg\;in\;Bio-pump^{TM},\;p<0.05)$. 수술 중 소변량은 $T-PLS^{TM}$군에서 높은 경향이 있었지만 통계적 의미는 없었다$(9.7{\pm}3.9\;in\;T-PLS^{TM}\;versus\;8.9{\pm}3.6\;in\;Bio-pump^{TM},\;p=0.20)$. 수술 후 평균 호흡기 사용시간, 24시간 실혈량은 두 군간 차이는 없었다. 수술 후 유리혈장색소는 $T-PLS^{TM}$군에서 유의하게 낮게 측정되었다$(24.5{\pm}21.7\;mg/dL\;in\;T-PLS^{TM}\;vs\;46.8{\pm}23.0\;in\;Bio-pump^{TM},\;p<0.05)$. 수술 후 심근경색, 부정맥, 신부전, 뇌혈관질환 이환율은 두 군에서 차이가 없었다. 수술 후 사망은 $T-PLS^{TM}$군에서 1예(5%) 발생하였으나 통계적 유의성은 없었다. 결론: 박동성 혈류펌프인 $T-PLS^{TM}$를 이용하여 심폐기하 관상동맥 우회술을 시행하였다. 수술 중 기계오류에 의한 사고는 없었고 수술 후 임상경과가 $Bio-pump^{TM}$를 이용하여 수술한 경우와 차이가 없었다. 또한 박동성 혈류의 문제점이었던 혈구손상은 감소하였다. 저자들은 본 연구를 통해 $T-PLS^{TM}$의 안정성을 확인하였다.

• 대한의용생체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한의용생체공학회 1992년도 춘계학술대회
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• pp.27-47
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• 1992

Engineers have developed new instruments that aid in diagnosis and therapy Ultrasonic imaging has provided a nondamaging method of imaging internal organs. A complex transducer emits ultrasonic waves at many angles and reconstructs a map of internal anatomy and also velocities of blood in vessels. Fast computed tomography permits reconstruction of the 3-dimensional anatomy and perfusion of the heart at 20-Hz rates. Positron emission tomography uses certain isotopes that produce positrons that react with electrons to simultaneously emit two gamma rays in opposite directions. It locates the region of origin by using a ring of discrete scintillation detectors, each in electronic coincidence with an opposing detector. In magnetic resonance imaging, the patient is placed in a very strong magnetic field. The precessing of the hydrogen atoms is perturbed by an interrogating field to yield two-dimensional images of soft tissue having exceptional clarity. As an alternative to radiology image processing, film archiving, and retrieval, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are being implemented. Images from computed radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasound are digitized, transmitted, and stored in computers for retrieval at distributed work stations. In electrical impedance tomography, electrodes are placed around the thorax. 50-kHz current is injected between two electrodes and voltages are measured on all other electrodes. A computer processes the data to yield an image of the resistivity of a 2-dimensional slice of the thorax. During fetal monitoring, a corkscrew electrode is screwed into the fetal scalp to measure the fetal electrocardiogram. Correlations with uterine contractions yield information on the status of the fetus during delivery To measure cardiac output by thermodilution, cold saline is injected into the right atrium. A thermistor in the right pulmonary artery yields temperature measurements, from which we can calculate cardiac output. In impedance cardiography, we measure the changes in electrical impedance as the heart ejects blood into the arteries. Motion artifacts are large, so signal averaging is useful during monitoring. An intraarterial blood gas monitoring system permits monitoring in real time. Light is sent down optical fibers inserted into the radial artery, where it is absorbed by dyes, which reemit the light at a different wavelength. The emitted light travels up optical fibers where an external instrument determines O2, CO2, and pH. Therapeutic devices include the electrosurgical unit. A high-frequency electric arc is drawn between the knife and the tissue. The arc cuts and the heat coagulates, thus preventing blood loss. Hyperthermia has demonstrated antitumor effects in patients in whom all conventional modes of therapy have failed. Methods of raising tumor temperature include focused ultrasound, radio-frequency power through needles, or microwaves. When the heart stops pumping, we use the defibrillator to restore normal pumping. A brief, high-current pulse through the heart synchronizes all cardiac fibers to restore normal rhythm. When the cardiac rhythm is too slow, we implant the cardiac pacemaker. An electrode within the heart stimulates the cardiac muscle to contract at the normal rate. When the cardiac valves are narrowed or leak, we implant an artificial valve. Silicone rubber and Teflon are used for biocompatibility. Artificial hearts powered by pneumatic hoses have been implanted in humans. However, the quality of life gradually degrades, and death ensues. When kidney stones develop, lithotripsy is used. A spark creates a pressure wave, which is focused on the stone and fragments it. The pieces pass out normally. When kidneys fail, the blood is cleansed during hemodialysis. Urea passes through a porous membrane to a dialysate bath to lower its concentration in the blood. The blind are able to read by scanning the Optacon with their fingertips. A camera scans letters and converts them to an array of vibrating pins. The deaf are able to hear using a cochlear implant. A microphone detects sound and divides it into frequency bands. 22 electrodes within the cochlea stimulate the acoustic the acoustic nerve to provide sound patterns. For those who have lost muscle function in the limbs, researchers are implanting electrodes to stimulate the muscle. Sensors in the legs and arms feed back signals to a computer that coordinates the stimulators to provide limb motion. For those with high spinal cord injury, a puff and sip switch can control a computer and permit the disabled person operate the computer and communicate with the outside world.