Non-surgical Treatment of Boerhaave's Syndrome with Esophageal Stent Insertion: 1 case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Spontaneous esophageal perforation(Boerhaave's syndrome) is rare but associated mortality and morbidity are high and causes death in the absence of therapy. The diagnosis of Boerhaave's syndrome is very difficult, as a result, the delay significantly increases the complication rates. We experienced that a 54 year old man was treated by using successfully the flexible covered esophageal stent because of a very long delay diagnosis of esophageal perforation. He was discharged 3 days after the esophageal stent insertion. The post-stent insertion was an uncomplicated course and remained well on opd follow up.

Effect of low-dose Aprotinin on Postoperative Bleeding and Renal Function after Cardiopulmonary Bypass / 대한흉부외과학회지

High-dose aprotinin (Hammersmith regimen) has been widely used for years to control postoperative bleeding and reduce blood consumption in cardiac surgery but had known to cause some side-effects and had disadvantage in cost-effectiveness. The prospective controlled study of 33 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass was performed to evaluate the efficacy for reducing postoperative bleeding and unfavorable effects of low-dose aprotinin. The level of hemoglobin and platelet in the blood and the amount of postoperative bleeding were assessed preoperatively, and postoperatively for the study of hemostatic function. The level of BUN and serum creatinine in the blood, levels of urine creatinine, total protein, albumin, alpha-1-microglobulin and creatinine clearance were assessed before and after the operation for the study of renal function. The aprotinin group had a significant reduction in chest tube drainage; 243+/- 123 ml versus 406+/-303 ml (P=0.037) during 6 hours immediate-postoperatively, 494+/-358 ml versus 869+/-570 ml (P=0.045) during 24 hours postoperatively. The ratio of alpha-1-microglobulin/creatinine and microalbumin/creatinine in the urine were slightly increased in the aprotinin group postoperatively in comparison with the control group but there were no statistically significant difference (55+/-23 versus 24+/-10 in the alpha-1-microglobulin/creatinine, 56+/-19 versus 38+/-25 in the microalbumin/creatinine at post- operative 3rd day). There were no significant difference between two groups in other parameters of renal function, too. This study showed that low-dose aprotinin is an effective means of reducing postoperative bleeding without inducing significant renal dysfunction.

The First Successful Heart-Lung Transplantation in Korea / 대한흉부외과학회지

The first heart-lung transplantation in Korea was successfully performed. The recipient was a 11 year old girl with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. She had been catheterized at the ages of 4 months, 3 years, 7 years and 10 years, which revealed that neither Fontan nor biventricular repair was feasible. The donor was a traffic accident victim, a 9 year-old boy with the same blood type. The donor was pronounced dead according to the guidelines of the Korean Medical Association's Brain Death Committee. The operation was performed on April 20, 1997. The native heart-lung block was explanted segmentally and donor one was placed above the phrenic nerve using the Arizona technique. After the tracheal anastomosis with single continuous 4-0 prolene, both vena cavae were anastomosed, followed by aortic anastomosis. The graft ischemic time was 145 minutes. The postoperative course was complicated by fever and tracheal stenosis at the anastomosis site. The fever was controlled by anti-tuberculous medications and the tracheal stenosis was relieved by stent (Palmaz 8 mm, 30 mm in length) placement on POD #71. The patient is doing well and is very active in her 7th postoperative month.

First Successful Dynamic Cardiomyoplasty in Korea / 대한흉부외과학회지

A 25-year-old man with viral cardiomyopathy and chronic active hepatitis successfully underwent dynamic cardiomyoplasty for the first time in Korea on July 30, 1996. The patient had been intermittently dyspneic for 5 years and was admitted to our center twice because of heart failure. For the past 2 years, he was NYHA functional class III status with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of around 30%. The patient was born with scoliosis and showed a short stature. The liver function showed elevated liver enzymes, and hepatitis B antigen was positive. The liver biopsy revealed chronic active hepatitis. The preoperative echocardiogram showed decreased left ventricular function with grade II mitral and grade II tricuspid regurgitation with dilated left and right atrium. Recently his symptoms worsened and we decided to perform a dynamic cardiomyoplasty. The left latissmus dorsi muscle (LDM) was mobilized and tested with lead placement on his right lateral decubitus position. The patient was positioned into supine and, after median sternotomy, the heart was wrapped with the mobilized muscle. The Russian made cardiomyostimulator (EKS-445) and leads (Myocardial PEMB for heart and PEMP-1 for LDM) were used. The total operation time was 8 hours and there were no perioperative episodes. Postoperatively the LDM had been trained for a 10 week period and currently the stimulation ratio is maintained at 1:4. The postoperative LVEF did not increase with the value of 30-35%. However, the patient feels better postoperatively with slightly increased activity.

Cardiac Transplantation in a Jehovah's Wittness: A Case Report / 대한흉부외과학회지

An orthotopic cardiac transplantation was successfully performed in a 40 year-old Jehovah's witness without use of any blood product. Preoperatively, the patient had been on coumadin to prevent left atrial thrombi and the INR(Internation Normalized Ratio)of prothrombin time was 2.4. During the operation, cell saver was used for shed blood and aprotinin was administered intravenously for platelet function. Total postoperative drainage was 860cc and the lowest hemoglobin was 12.2 gm/dl. Postoperative course was complicated by central nervous system infection by Listeria monocytogenes and two episodes of rejection, both of which were effectively treated. The patient is on his 5th postoperative month and doing well.

Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting According to Ventricular Function / 대한흉부외과학회지

Patients with coronary artery disease and depressed ventricular function have better long- term benefits after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with medical therapy. But operative mortality remains high. This study was designed to identify the risk factors for coronary artery bypass grafting according to ventricular function. The records of 103 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting from July 1994 to June 1996 were analysed. The patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative ejection fraction: Low EF group(Ejection fraction or= 40%, n=79). The indication of operation was significantly different between the two groups (p=0.00003). Postinfarction angina was frequent in Low EF group but unstable angina was frequent in Normal EF group. The frequency of cardiomegaly(p=0.0012), serum creatinine abnormality(p=0.0473) and preoperative use of IABP(Intra Aortic Balloon Pump, p=0.0095) were higher in Low EF group. The left internal thoracic artery was used less frequently in Low EF group(p=0.00416). The operative mortality was 8.3% in Low EF group and 5.1% in Normal EF group, but without statistical difference(p=0.5492). In Normal EF group, age (p=0.041) was identified as a significant risk factor for operative mortality. In Low EF group, age(p=0.018), preopertive use of IABP(p=0.0036), hypercholesterolemia(p=0.0007), and emergency of operation(p=0.0037) were identified as significant risk factors. Postoperative morbidity was 50% in Low EF group and 33% in Normal EF group, but without statistical significance(p=0.1007). These results suggest that in patients with coronary artery disease and depressed ventricular function, more aggresive coronary artery bypass grafting is needed to improve the symptom and long-term benefit. Risk factor

Intraaortic Balloon Counterpulsation Support in Cardiogenic Shock due to Ventricular Septal Perforation and Huge Inferior Myocardial Infarction

A 63 year old male suffered from a acute huge inferolateral and posterior myocardial infarction with vertricular septal perforation(1x1.5cm). Cardiogenic shock and ventricular tachycardia occured on the 3rd day in hospital. After cardiopulmonary resuscitation the deteriorated condition of the patient was improved by intraaortic balloon counterpulsation(IABP). The invasive diagnostic procedure(LV angiography and coronary angiogram) was carried out under the employment of IABP and artificial ventrilation. The patients has recovered from the operation(coronary artery bypass graft and VSD patch op) and myocardial infarction. Because of recurrent aspiration pneumonia the patient was nourished per gastrostomy. He died 3 month later due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Usefulness of a Transesophageal Echocardiography in Patients with Isolated Coronary Ostial Stenosis during a Surgical Angioplasty

No abstract available.

Coronary Neovascularity and Fistula Formation in Left Atrial Thrombosis

In mitral valve disease, mural thrombus in the left atrium is common, particulary in the atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation. Occasionally, the angiographic sign of "neovascularity" and "fistula" in the region of the left atrial appendage during coronary arteriography has been reported to indicate the presence of thrombus in the left atrium, which might not even be revealed by transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography. We observed coronary neovascularity and fistula formation in two pateints with mitral stenosis and these findings were due to organized mural thrombus that was adherent to the wall of the left atrial appendage. So we report 2 cases with brief review of literature.