Left Ventricular Outflow Obstruction due to a Left Ventricular Myxoma / 대한흉부외과학회지

Once it is diagnosed, immediate surgical extirpation is desirable for treating left ventricle myxoma that's accompanied with stenosis of the left ventricle outflow tract. This is because this condition may potentially induce fatal complications such as cerebral infarction or myocardial infarction that's triggered by myxoma embolus, or even sudden death due to coronary malperfusion. An 18-year-old male with the chief complaint of NYHA class II exertional dyspnea was found to have a 4x3 cm(2) sized mass on transthoracic ultrasonography, which was shown to move down the left ventricle outflow tract on the systolic phase. The mass was immediately extirpated by incision of the left ventricle; the mass was finally diagnosed as a myxoma. The patient was discharged on at the 10th day postoperatively without any complications. On the 22-month follow-up observation made at the out-patient clinic after discharge, there have been no noticeable, significant changes seen on physical examination or the cardiac ultrasonography.

Enterococcus gallinarum native valve endocarditis in an immunocompetent patient / 대한내과학회지

Motile Enterococci, including Enterococcus gallinarum and Enterococcus casseliflavus/flavescens are rarely encountered in human clinical specimens. Enterococcus gallinarum is intrinsically resistant to low levels of vancomycin and causes bacteremia or infection among immunosuppressed or chronically ill patients, sometimes through nosocomial acquisition. We report a case of native valve endocarditis caused by Enterococcus gallinarum in an immunocompetent patient without any medical history.

Clinical Features and Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Adult Atrial Septal Defects

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES : The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features and long-term outcomes of atrial septal defect (ASD) that presents in adulthood, according to the treatment modalities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS : A total of 134 patients (mean age: 42.7+/-17.7 years, 79 females) with ASD were divided into two groups: group I (the surgical treatment group; 100 patients, mean age: 38.3+/-14.7 years, 65 females) and group II (the medical treatment group; 34 patients, mean age: 55.9+/-19.3 years, 14 females). The clinical characteristics at presentation and the long-term clinical outcomes were analyzed between the groups. RESULTS : The clinical symptoms at presentation were usually mild. Most of the patients had sinus rhythm except for 14 patients (10.4%) who had atrial fibrillation. The defect size, the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) and the pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) according to echocardiography were 1.8+/-0.8 cm, 41.1+/-14.2 mmHg and 2.7+/-1.4 respectively. The age at presentation showed a significant positive correlation with the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (r=0.44), the degree of tricuspid regurgitation (TR)(r=0.31), and the severity of pulmonary hypertension (r=0.45). Group I showed an improved NYHA class (from 1.9+/-0.7 to 1.4+/-0.6, respectively, p<0.001), a decreased SPAP (from 39.3+/-12.7 to 27.5+/-6.6 mmHg, respectively, p<0.001) and a decreased degree of TR (from 1.4+/-0.8 to 0.6+/-0.6, respectively, p<0.001) during the follow-up period. However, group II showed no significant changes. The incidence of hospitalization (10.1% in group I and 32.4% in group II, p=0.005) or arrhythmia (17.2% in group I and 35.3% in group II, p=0.011) was more frequent, and the NYHA functional class (1.4+/-0.6 in group I and 2.2+/-0.9 in group II, p<0.001) was more severe in group II than in group I. The mortality rate was higher in group II than in group I (3 patients: 8.8% in group II, 1 patient and 1.0% in group I, p=0.02) by uni-variate analysis. However, bon the multi-variate analysis, the mortality rate was not different between the groups (p=0.48). CONCLUSION : ASD presenting in adulthood showed mild clinical symptoms and a good prognosis. Surgical treatment showed symptomatic improvement, but there was no mortality benefit as compared with medical treatment.

Anomalous Systemic Arterial Supply to Normal Basal Segments of Left Lower Lobe without Sequestration / 대한흉부외과학회지

Anomalous systemic arterial supply to the normal basal segments with normal bronchial connection of the lung without sequestration is a rare anomaly. It was classified as a type of sequestration according to Pryce's terminology, but whether the term - one of the sequestration is appropriate or not, is controversial because of normal bronchial connection. We describe our experience with surgical treatments for anomalous arterial supply to the normal basal segments of the left lower lobe.

Endobronchial Closure of Postoperative Bronchopleural Fistula Using Vascular Occluding Coils / 대한흉부외과학회지

A bronchopleural fistula after pulmonary resection is still showing high mortality and morbidity despite of advancing of treatment. Several treatment options have been developed including surgical treatment. In 1990, endobronchial closure using vascular occluding coils was introduced. These coils can occlude a bronchial air-leakage by mechanical obstruction as well as inducing fibrosis. We report, herein, the experience using a vascular occluding coils in treating postoperative bronchopleural fistula.

Heart Failure by a Calcific Pericardial Ring: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Calcific constrictive pericarditis is considered to be a nonspecific response to chronic inflammation. This disease has become rare, because the cause of it is usually tuberculosis, which has the tendency to decrease. Other possible causes of it include radiation, rheumatoid disorders, sarcoidosis, and trauma. Whatever the etiology, it can lead to cardiac tamponade by reducing cardiac diastolic filling. We report, herein, the case of a patient with heart failure by a calcific pericardial ring.

Effect of Left Atrial Volume Reduction with Maze Operation on Sinus Conversion and Recovery of Left Atrial Transport Function / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The Maze procedure considered the most effective method of treatment for atrial fibrillation. However, the sinus conversion rates decreased due to several factors, especially enlarged left atrium. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Maze procedure with left atrial volume reduction plasty on rheumatic mitral valve disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From December of 2001 to July of 2004, 45 patients received mitral valve and Maze operation. The patients were placed in either group 1 or group 2, based on the left atrial volume reduction plasty. The presence and onset of sinus rhythm and the incidence of trans mitral A waves were monitored during the postoperative 7 days and throughout the follow up period of 3 and 6 months. Mean follow up periods were 15.8 10.1 months in group 1 and 6.1+/-2.7 months in group 2. RESULT: The sinus onset were 9.88+/-12.2 days in group 1, and 1+/-3.6 days in group 2 (p<0.01). The sinus conversion rates in the group 1 and 2 were 65%, 75% (p=0.07) in the postoperative 7 days, 70.5%, 100% (p<0.01) at postoperative 3 months, and 93%, 100% (p<0.01) at postoperative 6 months, respectively. The wave detection rates in the postoperative 7 days were 31.2% and 63.6%, and continued to improve over time to 83.3% and 100% by 6months, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Maze procedure with left atrial volume reduction plasty is effective for inducing sinus rhythm and for restoring left atrial contractile function after concomitant rheumatic mitral valve surgery. However further follow up of this patients for long time is necessary.

Visualization of Disc Degeneration: Comparison between Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Discography

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the muscle pain on the performance of motor coordination and muscular activities of upper limb according to the difficulty of activity and pain site. METHOD: Experimental muscle pain was induced by the injections of 5% hypertonic saline in the upper trapezius and extensor carpi radialis longus in 20 healthy volunteers respectively. Coordinative work of upper extremity was performed through the computer simulation games which were controlled by the motion of forearm pronation and supination using the steering handle. The performance scores were measured during the tasks requiring the relatively high level (driving mode) and low level (tracking mode) of coordination. Electromyographic activities were measured from the pronator teres and biceps rachii simultaneously. RESULTS: The performance scores were decreased after induction of muscle pain in the high coordinative task and their decreasing rate was higher in the distal muscle pain. There were no statistical differences of electromyographic activities according to the intensity and pain site and level of coordination. CONCLUSION: The upper limb coordination which required high speed and complex activities was decreased in the presence of the muscle pain.

Intractable Hiccup Induced by Multiple Cerebral Infarct: A case report

Hiccup can be regarded as a failure of the usual alternating excitation-inhibition between glottis closure and inspiration. The coordinating center is located in the brain-stem reticular formation. A wide variety of pathological conditions can cause intractable hiccup: myocardial infarction, brain tumor, renal failure, prostate cancer, abdominal surgery, etc. Stroke is an unusual cause of intractable hiccup. Intractable hiccup is rare but disabling condition which can induce depression, weight loss, sleep deprivation, and even death. Etiological treatment is not always available and intractable hiccup treatment has classically relied on metoclopramide and chlorpromazine. We experienced a case of intractable hiccup induced by multiple cerebral infarct, and we present this rare case with the review of literature.

Effect of Forearm Position on the Supination and Pronation Strengths and EMG Activities of Related Muscles

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the effect of forearm position on the maximal isometric voluntary supination and pronation strengths and EMG activities in the related muscles. METHOD: The maximal isometric supination and pronation strengths were measured in 14 normal male subjects using Work simulator at 4 different forearm rotation position. EMG activities were simultaneously measured in supinator and biceps brachii during supination and pronator quadratus and pronator teres during pronation. RESULTS: The maximal isometric supination strength and EMG activities of biceps brachii and supinator were significantly higher as the forearm was more pronated (p<0.05). The maximal isometric pronation strength and EMG activities of pronator teres were significantly higher as the forearm was more supinated (p<0.05). The maximal isometric supination and pronation strengths were higher in the dominant side than those of the nondominant side (p<0.05) and EMG activities of pronator teres and supinator were higher in the dominant side than in the nondominant side (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The supination and pronation strengths and EMG activities of related muscles were influenced by the forearm rotation position. Therefore the forearm position should be considered in evaluation of upper limb strength and function, and rehabilitation of upper extremity for improving strength and minimizing the overuse of supination and pronation.

The Effects of alpha-Adrenergic Drugs on the Myocardial Preconditioning in Rats / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Ischemic preconditioning(IP) is known to be effective in the protection of myocardial necrosis, arrhythmia, and the restoration of the myocardial function in the ischemia-reperfusion state of the heart. However the exact mechanism is not clearly understood. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the trigger mechanism of IP on the restoration of the myocardial function after ischemia-reperfusion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: By connecting a Langendorff perfusion apparatus with an isolated heart of a rat, the normal temperature of the heart was maintained. The experiment was conducted in seven groups, which were divided according to the preconditioning stimuli and blockage methods: Group I(n=10) was a group without IP, Group II(n=10) a group of three-minute IP, Group III(n=10) a group of PEIP, Group IV(n=10) a group of clonidine IP, Group V(n=10) a group of IP after reserpine, Group VI(n=10) a group of PE & prazosin IP, and Group VII(n=10) a group of clonidine & yohimbine IP. Hemodynamic parameters of DP, LVEDP, +/-dP/dT and the changes of perfusion in the coronary artery were evaluated. RESULT: Developed pressure and +dP/dT changed per unit time. After 20 minutes of reperfusion, those of Group II and III were 63.1+/-3.7%, 64.8+/-4.6% and 64.5+/-4.6%, 63.8+/-4.4%, which improved more significantly than those of Group I(P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the Groups V and VI, and Group I. CONCLUSION: The Brief ischemic preconditioning and pharmacological preconditioning using alpha-receptor sympathomimetics have protecting effects on the restoration of myocardial function after reperfusion. And the protecting effect of preconditioning seems to be related to sympathetic neurotransmitters and to the selective action of the alpha1-adrenergic receptor.

Influence of Ischemic-Simulation on the Action Potential Characteristics in Rat Atrial Fibers

BACKGROUND: To investigate the mechanisms of myocardial ischemia induced changes of electrophysiological properties, influences of various ischemic-simulated Tyrode's solutions on the changes of action potential characteristics were examined. METHOD: Action potential characteristics were measured during superfusion with various ischemic-simulated solutions (modified physiologic salt solution: MPSS) by the method of conventional microelectrode technique in rat atrial fibers. RESULTS: Hypoxic-, hyperkalemic-, and mixed-MPSS decreased 'maximum diastolic potential' (MDP) and 'action potential amplitude' (APA), however, no significant changes of MDP and APA were observed by acidic- and glucose-free-MPSS. 'Maximum velocity of phase 0 depolarization' (dV/dt(max)) and 'time for 90% repolarization' (APD90) significantly decreased during hypoxic- and mixed-MPSS superfusion, and hyperkalemic-MPSS also decreased the dV/dt(max) and APD90. However, no significant changes in dV/dt(max) and APD90 were observed by acidic- and glucose-free-MPSS. The decreasing effects of dV/dt(max) and APD90 by the MPSSes were attenuated when the MPSSes were replaced with normal Tyrode's solution. DPCPX (2x10(-6)M), a purinergic antagonist, inhibited the decreasing effects of APD90 at 5, 10, and 20 min superfusion of the mixed-MPSS, and glibenclamide (10(-6)M), a K(ATP) channel blocker, inhibited those at 10 and 20 min superfusion of the mixed-MPSS. Diclofenac (10(-6)M), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor inhibited only those at 20 min superfusion of the mixed-MPSS. CONCLUSION: The primary factors for changing the electrophysiological characteristics during ischemic insults could be hypoxia and high-extracellular K+, and the mechanisms of the electrophysiological changes are inferred that adenosine through purinoceptors is involved initially, and followed by K(ATP) channel and prostanoids.

Clinical Results of Aortic Valve Replacement / 대한흉부외과학회지

From August 1986 until June 1995, single aortic valve replacement was performed in 65 patients at the Chonnam National University Hospital. Forthy-eight were male and 17 were female patients, ranging from 19 to 68 years of age (median=43 years). The causes of the valve lesions were rheumatic in 29 patients (44.6%), bicuspid aortic valve in 6 patients (6.2%), endocarditis in 6 patients (6.2%), unknown in others. Concomitant surgical procedures were performed in 10 patients: repair of congenital defect in 5, pericardiectomy in 1, coronary artery bypass grafting in 1, noncoronary sinus plication in 1, Valsalva sinus aneurysmectomy in 1, subaortic membrane resection in 1. Used valves were St. Jude-Medical valve in 42, Duromedics valve in 22, Bjork-Shiley valve in 2, Carpentier-Edward valve in 1. There were 3 hospital deaths (4.6%), and 2 late deaths (3.2%). Follow-up was 95.2% complete. The 10-year acturial survival rate was 85.3%. Postoperative complications were low cardiac output in 8, arrythmia in 5, valve related hemolysis in 1, cerebral infarction in 1, and gastrointestinal bleeding in 2. Reoperation was performed in 4 for surgical bleeding, in 3 for paravalvular leak. The mean improvement in New York Heart Association functional class is from 2.79+-0.66 preoperatively to 1.25+-0.49 postoperatively (p<0.001) The change of cardiothoracic ratio from preoperative to postoperative is 0.57+-0.06 to 0.54+-0.05 (p<0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction change is not significant perioperatively. There are no mechanical failures. This early and intermediate-term follow-up suggests that in adults in whom valve repair is not possible, the mechanical valve is a reliable and durable prosthesis with good hemodynamic function and a low rate of thromboembolic event.