Midterm Results of Mitral Valve Repair by the New Chordae Formation Technique / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for mitral regurgitation from leaflet prolapse or multiple leaflet pathology is not yet established. Recently, new chordae formation(NC) with olytetra-fluoroethylene(PTFE) has become increasingly popular. The aims of the current study was to see the effects of new chordae formation on mitral alvuloplasty. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1994 to december 1999 322 patients receiving itral valvuloplasty were divided into two groups in which 144 patients(Group I) received NC and 178 patients(group II) received mitral valvuloplasty without NC. Echocardiograms were performed in the immediate postoperative period, at 6 months and 1 year after surgery and annually thereafter. RESULT: Mitral valvuloplasty was performed for mitral regurgitation in 95%(322/ 337) of the patients and the mean followup period was 27+/-20.6 months of which follow-up was complete for 95.4%(306/ 322). The degree of mitral regurgitation in both groups I and II improved from 3.8+/-0.4 to 1.3+/-0.9 and 3.6+/-0.3 to 1.1+/-0.7, respectively. There was also no significant difference in the mean mitral area or transvavular pressure gradient across the mitral valve. The overall early and late mortality rates were 0.9%(3) and 1.2%(4), also showing no significant difference between the two groups. The late survival rate(97.8+/-1.6 vs 97.7+/-1.6%), freedom from structural degeneration 93.7+/-3.6 vs 90.7+/-3.4%) freedom from reoperation(99.3+/-0.7 vs 96.6+/-1.8%), freedom from thromboembolism, freedom infective endocarditis, and valve related complications showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Mitral valvuloplasty with NC not only resulted in an increase in the volume of mitral reconstruction(r=0.98, p<0.01) but enhanced urability and stability comparable to currently established methods. Mitral valvuloplasty with NC was especially effective in the treatment of pan valvular pathology, commissural lesions and multiple leaflet pathology which would otherwise have been difficult to treat with current methods.

The Clinical Analysis of the Intermittent Warm Blood Cardioplegia by Admixing Potassium Only / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of warm blood cardioplegic myocardial protection, the results of numerous clinical trials have been reported. However , the increased reliance oncrystalloid cardioplegia with longer cross clamp time, the controversies surrounding the issue of right ventricular protection with retrograde cardioplegia, and problems of securing a good operative field of vision have all been pointed out as unresolved. To overcome these shortcomings, Antonio et al, in 1995 published the use of intermittent warm blood cardioplegia by admixing potassium only with good clinical results. The obj ectives of the current investigation were to assess the effects and applicability of warm blood cardioplegia with potassium only. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From May of 1998 to January of 1999, the results of coronary surgery or open heart surgery in 70 patients under intermittent warm blood potassium only cardioplegia were compared with the results of 70 case matched patients undergoing similar operations with intermittent cold blood cardioplegia. RESULT: The amount of cardioplegic solution required during cardiopulmonary bypass(1463+/-68.0 min, 3584+/-179 min, p<0.001), the time to recovery of consciousness postoperatively(3.5+/-0.4 min, 4.9+/-0.8 min, p=0.044), intubation duration(10.8+/-0.8 hr , 13.2+/-0.6 hr , p=0.017), and the inci-dence of rrhythmia requiring the use of lidocaine(75.2+/-6.8 mg, 114.5+/-7.2 mg, p=0.006), which were found to be less in the warm potassium only group were statistically significant. However, the differences in postoperative cardiac enzymne elevation and postoperative mortality and morbidity were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: The current study showed warm intermittent potassium only blood cardioplegia to be at least equally effective as cold intermittent blood cardioplegia in providing myocardial protection. Furthermore, the reduction in cardiopulmonary bypass, mental recovery and intubation times strongly support the use of this method for intraopertaive myocardial protection.

The Clinical Analysis of Modified B-T Shunt Using 3 mm and 3.5 mm PTFE graft / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Modified Blalock-Taussig shunt using 3mm or 3.5mm PTFE graft has been performed in patients with small body weight or in candidates for single ventricle palliation. However, there are few reports concerning clinical outcomes in terms of pulmonary artery growth and shunt patency rate after shunt operations using such a small graft. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty-five patients rate after shunt operations using 3 or 3.5 mm sized grafts from September 1996 to August 1999. We retrospectively assessed the pulmonary artery growth and the shunt patency rate by reviewing the pre-and post-operative pulmonary angiograms. The risk factors for late death and second shunt operations were also analyzed. To assess the presence of any correlation between body weight and selection of the graft size, regression analysis was done in 81 cases of shunt operations performed during the same period. RESULT: There were 1 (4%) early death and 5 (20%) late deaths. The survivors were followed up for an average of 7.34 months. The pulmonary artery index increased significantly from 129+/-66 mm2/m2 to 213+/-114 mm2/m2 (p=0.002). The shunt patency rate assessed at postoperative 2, 4, 6 and 8 months were 82.5%, 77%, 73% and 42% respectively with a marked decline between 6 and 8 months. Asplenia was a frequent finding for the patients with late death although the incidence failed to reach statistical significance (p=0.078). Pre-operative diagnosis of PA with VSD was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for a second shunt operation (p=0.01). Body weight(a) at operation and graft size (b) used in the shunt operations revealed strong correlation and could be expressed by the following formula; b=0.128a + 3.233. CONCLUSION: Adequate growth of pulmonary artery and satisfactory early patency rate could be obtained by modified Blalock-Taussing shunt using 3mm or 3.5mm graft. However, during 6 to 8 months after shunt operations, the patency rate fell sharply, which implicates that close observation and early intervention are mandatory in this period.

Right Gastroepiploic Artery Spasm during Pst-CABG Coronary Angiography / 대한흉부외과학회지

In the mid 1980's, the ITA(internal thoracic artery) graft was clearly recognized to be superior to the sapheonous vein graft in respect to long term patency. Therefore, there has been growing interest in the arterial conduit with the possibility of improving the long term result. We have been performing CABG with GEA since 1998 with the same purpose. For mid-term and long-term follow up, we have been performing postoperative coronary angiography. In this paper, a case of GEA spasm, a purported drawback of this conduit, during postoperative coronary anigiography and relieved by direct infusion of 200 microgram isoket into the GEA is reported. The current case which exemplifies the spastic nature of RGEA is accompanied with coronary angiography.

The Clinical Analysis of 100 cases of Coronary artery Bypass Grafting with the Right Gastroepiploic artery / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: In an effort t enhance long term patency of coronary bypass grafts, utilization of arterial conduits have been on an icrease. With the same objective, we have been using the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) in coronary artery bypass procedures since 1998. The current paper has been undertaken with the aim of assessing the apropriateness, problems, and short term results of using the RGEA as an arterial graft conduit by studying the postoperative clinical results of 100 patients than received coronary artery bypass grafting (CARG) with this artery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between May of 1998 and May of 1999, an analysis of the mortality, postoperative myocardial infarction, and the need for IABP insertion as a result of low cardiac output were made between 100 consecutive patients undergoing CABG with the RGEA. There was one postoperative death due to cerebral infarction. Postoperative complications/morbidity comprised myocardial infarction in 2, cerebral infarct in 3, reoperation due to bleeding in 1, mediastinitis in 1, and low cardiac output syndrome necessitating IABP in 3 patients. Complicatons related to harvesting of the arterial grafts were not experienced in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: The results of the current data show that utilization of the RGEA in CABG is not associated with increased mortality/morbidity and demonstrates satisfactory short term results suggesting the usefulnessof this conduit as an arterial graft.

Ruptured Left Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm into the Left Ventricle / 대한흉부외과학회지

We report a case of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in 48-year-old male, presenting the symptom of congestive heart failure. Echocardiography showing a hairpin-like sac ex tended from the left coronary sinus to the left ventricle adjacent to the anterior mitral valve leaflet, suggested ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm or aorto-left ventricular tunnel. Operative findings revealed that left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm had multiple openings faced left ventricle, 7 mm in diameter, 20 mm in length. The proximal opening was closed with bovine pericardium and distal openings were closed with spaghetti pledgeted reinforced sutures. The patient was discharged on the 14th postoperative day, and follow up for 8 months uneventfully. This case was reported for its rarity and to describe the techniques of surgical repair.

Histological Characteristics of Right Gastroepiploic Artery for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Long term patency of arterial graft has been better than venous graft and redo coronary artery bypass grafting has been increasing, therefore, there has been an increasing need for alternative arterial grafts except internal thoracic artery(ITA). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Right gastroepiploic arteries(RGEA) were harvested from 100 patients who had received gastrectomy for gastric cancer or ulcer. ITAs were obtained from 10 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The length of RGEA was measured from the pyloric ring. Items of the morphometric and histologic study at the pyloric ring and sites of the 10cm and 20cm RGEA from the pyloric ring were luminal diameter, intimal thickness, medial thickness, wall thickness, degree of intimal hyperplasia, intimal thickness, medial thickness, wall thickness, degree of intimal hyperplasia, intimal thickness index, medial thickness index, and the number of discontinuities of the internal elastic lamina. Similar items were applied to the proximal site of ITAs. RESULT: The length of RGEA was 23+/-2.7cm(range 17~31cm). Comparing the 20cm RGEA with ITA, intimal thickness, medial thickness, wall thickness, and degree of intimal hyperplasia did not show any difference(p>0.05). However, 20cm RGEA was greater than ITA at the luminal diameter, intimal thickness index, and the number thickness and wall thickness in each site of the RGEA(pyloric ring, 10cm, 20cm) decreased from the pyloric ring to the distal sites(p<0.05). The degree of intimal hyperplasia and the number of discontinuities of the internal elastic lamina did not show any difference between the pyloric ring and 10cm, however, those of 20cm were smaller than these sites(p<0.05). RGEA had more number of discontinuities of the internal elastic lamina and rich smooth muscle cells in the media than ITA. CONCLUSION: The length and diameter of RGEA is good enough to reach most of the coronary arteries. Moreover, long term patency of RGEA may be improved, if anastomosed in the distal site.

Simultaneous Repair of Secondary Anterior Chest Wall Deformity and Secundum Atrial Septal Defect: 1 Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

A 13-year-old boy presented with anterior chest wall depression and dyspnea on exertion(NYHA II). He underwent Ravitch operation for pectus excavatum 7 years ago. A preoperative echocardiographic study revealed secundum atrial septal defect. He had no other abnormality of laboratory test, except FVC and FEV1 were decreased into 2.03 L(72%) and 1.82 L(71%). He underwent repair of secondary anterior chest wall deformity and secundum atrial septal defect. We used unique method, raising sternum at right angle to secure good operative field for open heart surgery. Acute respiratory insufficiency was developed on postoperative day 1. Mechanical ventilation was applied which could be weaned on postoperative day 6 and thereafter hospital course was uneventful without any other sequale. He was discharged on postoperative day 19.