Postcardiotomy Mechanical Circulatory Support in Congenital Heart Diseases / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: To review the experience that used both ventricular assist device(VAD) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO) for children with congential heart disease requiring postcardiotomy mechanical circulatory support. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between March 1993 and May 1995, we applied mechanical assist device using centrifugal pump to the 16 patients who failed to be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass(n=15) or had been in cardiogenic shock in intensive care unit(n=1). The diagnosis were all congenital heart diseases and the ages of patients ranged from 20 days to 10 years (mean age=2.5+/-3.5 years). RESULT: The methods of mechanical circulatory support were LVAD(n=13), BVAD (n=1), and ECMO(n=2). The mean assist times were 54.0+/-23.7 hours. Post-assist complications were in orders: bleeding, acute renal failure, ventricular failure, respiratory failure, infection, and neurologic complication. It was possible for 9 patients(56.3%) to be weaned from assist device and 5 patients(31.3%) were discharged from hospital. There was no statistical significant between hospital discharged group and undischarged group by age, body weight, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and assist time. CONCLUSIONS: The ventricular assist device is an effective modality in salvaging the patient who failed to be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass, but multiple factors must be considered for improving the results of mechanical circulatory support ; such as patient selection, optimal time of starting the assist device, and prevention and management of the complications.

Rapid Left ventricular Training after Arterial Switch Operation in Transposition of Great Arteries with Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction and ventricular Septal Defect: 1 case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

There have been few reports documenting the outcome of arterial swich operations(ASO) in selected patients with transposition of great arteries(TGA) and with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction(LVOTO). In the case of TGA with LVOTO, if the atrial septal defect(ASD) is large and the ventricular septal defect(VSD) is restricive, this deprives the left ventricle(LV) of approporiate preload and could lead to underdevelopment of the ventircular mass and lead poor LV performance after the arterial switch operation, dspite a high pressure in the LV preoperatively. Because an increase in the systolic ventricular pressure is not necessarily paralleled by an increase in ventricular mass, which is also essential for optimal ventricular performance after the operation. We report here a case of rapid LV training after ASO in TGA with unprepared LV (because of large ASD and restrictive VSD) despite a high pressure in the LV(due to LVOTO) preoperatively.

Transposition of great arteries with pulmonary stenosis and remote muscular inlet ventricular septal defect / 대한흉부외과학회지

We report a successful biventricular repair of D-transposition of great arteries, pulmonary stenosis and remote muscular inlet ventricular septal defect, after modifie Blalock-Taussing shunt early in infant. A long left ventricle-to-aorta intraventricular rerouting tunnel was created without stenosis by transferring the medial papillary muscle of the tricuspid valve to the tunnel, obliterating the trabeculation of right ventricle in the course of tunnel and excising the secondary chordae of the tricuspid valve.

Clinical Experiences of MIDCAB - Developmental Stage and Early Short-term Results / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery(MIDCAB) has been increasing in interest along with the new techniques in myocardial immobilization for easier and safer procedures. Until the opening of the era of new techniques, adequate accuracy and good patency of grafts were debatable. Our experiences of MIDCAB were studied according to the stages of technical developments. Material and Methods: Since March 1996, 55 patients have undergone MIDCAB procedures. The patients of off-pump CABG(no cardiopulmonary bypass under full sternotomy) were excluded from the study. In the early experience(Stage I), a left anterior small thoracotomy through the left parasternal incision was performed(n=6); then an approach through the lower partial sternotomy was used(Stage II, n=33); and recently, a chest wall elevator for harvesting the internal thoracic artery and the foot plate for myocardial immobilization have been used(USSC, Norwalk, CT)(Stage III, n=16). RESULT: The surgical procedures of four patients in the Stage II group have been converted to conventional bypass because of the deeply seated left anterior descending coronary artery in two patients, fracture of the calcific lesion in the right coronary artery in one patient, and a cardiogenic shock during hypothermia in the other patient with ventricular dysfunction. Two patients in stage II experienced symptomatic recurrences after surgery and restenosis was verified on angiocardiography. They were managed by interventional procedures. All the other patients were doing well without symptoms, except one patients in Stage II who underwent PTCA procedure for a lesion in the circumflex artery during the follow up period. CONCLUSION: The new and specialized devices are essential to the development of MIDCAB surgery. MIDCAB and the hybrid procedures in multi-vessel disease are on the way to further development. So far, our experience is limited only to a single device among the many new devices for the purpose.

Repair of Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect with Surgical Modification / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in understanding the anatomy of the complete atrioventricular septal defect(including right-dominant unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect) have led to alternative methods of repairing these defects. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From May 1997 to July 1998, 8 consecutive infants(age range, 2 to 28 months, mean body weight 6.0+/-2.2 kg) received a single-stage intracardiac repair of the complete atrioventricular septal defect with modified surgical methods. Depending on the specific anatomic structure, the procedure was simplified in 3 patients by a direct closure of the ventricular element of the defect(Group I). Two patients judged unsuitable for direct closure due to a potential left ventricular outflow tract obstruction had received a standard two-patch repair(Group II). The remaining 3 patients with right-dominant unbalanced complete atrioventricular septal defect underwent biventricular repair; to enlarge the orifice of the left atrioventricular valve, the ventricular septal patch was placed slightly more to the right of the ventricular crest, a left sided bridging leaflet was augmented with an autologous pericardial patch, and the leaflet was repaired with a double- orifice(Group III . RESULT: In all 8 patients, the postoperative echocardiography demonstrated good hemodynamics. Seven patients were weaned from the ventilators after a mean 3+/-1 days, and 1 patient was weaned after 24 days due to a reoperation and emphysematous lung problem. A reoperation was performed in 1 patient for progressive left atrioventricular valve regurgitation due to leaflet tearing. There were no early and late mortalities. At the time of the latest review, judging from the echocardiographic criteria, left atrioventricular valve stenosis was mild in 1 patient(mean pressure gradient 6.5 mmHg, 13.5%), left atrioventricular valve regurgitation was absent or grade I in 7 patients(87.5%). The right atrioventricular valve regurgitation was absent or grade I in all 8 patients(100%). CONCLUSION: Infants with complete atrioventricular septal defect were treated with either a simplified approach with direct closure of the ventricular element of the defect or a modified surgical technique for a right-dominant unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect, depending on the anatomic structure. The results were no operative mortalities and low morbidity.

Anatomical Repair of Congenitally Corrected Transposition with Apicocaval Juxtaposition: 1 case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Over the past several years, a number of centers have reported favorable results of anatomical repair for the congenitally corrected transpositions. However, there have been subsequent problems related mainly to the results of atrial switch procedures in patients who had small atriums because of venoatrial obstructions or supraventricular arrhythmias, especially in patients with apicocaval juxtaposition. Cavopulmonary shunt may be a useful addition to the double switch operation in certain circumstances as a means of avoiding potential atrial complications. Herein, we describe the successful anatomical repair of congenitally corrected transposition of the great artery with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, and cavo apical juxtaposition with this modification.

Early result of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using the Internal Thoracic and the Radial Arteries / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Increasing interest in the use of arterial conduites is based on the better patency of the internal thoracic artery(ITA) than the saphenous vein graft and the hope that other arterial conuits will perform similarly over the long term. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between May 1997 and July 1998, 43 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with ITA and the radial artery(RA). There were 28 men and 15 women with a mean age of 61.5 years(range, 35 to 78). In 43 patents, 30 bilateral ITA(including 7 diabetes mellitus, 5 more older 70 years), 8 bilateral ITA only, 2 left ITA and both RA, 11 left ITA and left RA and 22 both ITA and left RA were used. RESULT: There was 1 hospital mortality. Of the 42 patients alive, 39 patients are asymptomatic. Postoperative complications were postoperative bleeding in 1 patients, and low cardiac output syndrome in 3. Follow-up angiography was performed in 5 patients after the operation(mean 3 months), and all ITA & RA grafts showed excellent results. CONCLUSION: We conclude that complete arterial revascularization with internal thoracic artery and radial artery is technically feasiale with low mortality and morbidity, and but long term follow-up is needed.

Reconstruction of Injured or Inadquate Left Internal Thoracic Artery in Cornonary Artery bypass Graft / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Use of the left internal thoracic artery(ITA) to bypass the left anterior descending(LAD) coronary artery has become the standard of care based on its superior graft patency, reduced cardiac events, and enhanced survival. But rarely we encountered with injury to the artery during harvesting which leads to loss of the merits of surgery. We reconstructed inadequate ITAa with other arterial conduits so proximal stump to be a blood source if possible. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between January 1996 and March 1999, 12 patients received bypass with the reconstructed left internal thoracic artery grafts to left anterior descending artery because of an injury(n=8), short or small(n=4). Right or left ITA was used to LAD as a free graft(n=2). And the other 10 left ITAs were extended with radial artery(n=6), right ITA(n=3), saphenous vein(n=1). Composite "T" graft was made with other arterial conduits in these extended graft(n=5). RESULT: There was only one morbidity of minor would problem, and no mortality. The patency of extended graft to LAD was complete in 5 patients who received angiography during the period of 2wks to 2 years postoperative, but one of side branch of "T" graft occluded. All of these patients were well. CONCLUSION: Reconstructive extension with the use of other arterial conduit for the injured proximal ITA is warranted in any patients with acceptable results.

Study on the Short-Term Hemodynamic Effects of Experimental Cardiomyoplasty in Heart Failure Model / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the short-term effect of dynamic cardiomyoplasty on circulatory function and detect the related factors that can affect it, experimental cardiomyoplasties were performed under the state of normal cardiac function and heart failure. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 10 mongrel dogs weighing 20 to 30kg were divided arbitrarily into two groups. Five dogs of group A underwent cardiomyoplasty with latissimus dorsi(LD) muscle mobilization followed by a 2-week vascular delay and 6-week muscle training. Then, hemodynamic studies were conducted. In group B, doxorubicin was given to 5 dogs in an IV dose of 1 mg/kg once a week for 8 weeks to induce chronic heart failure, and simultaneous muscle training was given for preconditioning during this period. Then, cardiomyoplasties were performed and hemodynamic studies were conducted immediately after these cardiomyoplasties in group B. RESULT: In group A, under the state of normal cardiac function, only mean right atrial pressure significantly increased with the pacer-on(p0.05), the larger augmentation effect seen in group B is presumed to be mainly attributed to the viability and contractility of the LD muscle. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the positive circulatory augmentation effect of cardiomyoplasty is apparent only under the state of heart failure and the preservation of muscle contractility is important to maximize this effect.

Survival and Problems after Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The late results of repair of tetralogy of Fallot(TOF) are favorable in most patients. Some portion of the patients with tetralogy, however, require reoperation for residual lesions or result in late death. The outcome of patients after tetralogy repair performed during the past 13 years was studied, with an emphasis on postrepair survival and problems including reoperations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective review of clinical, echocardiographic and catheterization data was performed in 569 of 775 patients with TOF who underwent corrective repair between 1983 and 1995 at Sejong General Hospital, Buchon, Korea. RESULT: Of 28(4.9%) early deaths(defined as 30 days postrepair), 12 deaths(42.9%) were <1 year of age, with an operative mortality of 15.4%. The surviving 541 patients(age 2.8 months to 43.4 years, median 23 months) have been followed up from 1 month to 12.6 years(median 35 months) postoperatively. Most patients were in good functional class and had normal right ventricular(RV) function. Postrepair results were compared between the transatrial-transpulmonary approach and the conventional right ventriculotomy. The former technique provided a lesser incidence of significant pulmonary regurgitation(p<0.001) and alesser degree of RV dysfunction(p<0.05) compared with those in the latter. There were 10(1.8%) late deaths during the follow-up period and 6 of the deaths were directly related to reoperation or ventricular dysfunction. The 10-year actuarial survival rate was 96.7%. There were 44 reoperations(8.1%) in 39 patients(7.2%), with an operative mortality of 10.3%. The main indications or reoperation included residual ventricular septal defect(VSD) (n=6), pulmonary stenosis(PS) (n=11), VSD with PS(n=17), pulmonary regurgitation(n=7), and tricuspid regurgitation(n=2). The 5- and 10-year freedom from reoperation were 89.4% and 76.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although the majority of patients with repaired TOF are clinically well, with a high rate of survival, approximately 7% of patients have residual lesions that require surgical therapy. Therefore, the timely and meticulous corrective repair is mandatory to avoid reoperation, and continued close surveillance is also needed for the early detection of residual problems.

Pulmonary Autograft Replacement in Native Aortic Root Abscess / 대한흉부외과학회지

Bacterial endocarditis of the native aortic valve is associated with significant morbidity and mortality despite aggressive medical and surgical treatment, especially when perivalvular tissue was invaded and destructed. The pulmonary autograft is full viable and immune compatible tissue. This paper describes successful Ross operation as total root replacement in 38 years old native valve endocarditis patient with aortic root abscess.

Simplified Approach to Repair of Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect / 대한흉부외과학회지

Recent advances in understanding the anatomy of complete atrioventricular septal defect have led to alternative methods of repairing these defects. Here we report two cases of complete atrioventricular septal defect repair by direct closure of the ventricular element of the defect. Follow-up for average of 3 months suggests that, when direct closure can be performed, the results can be comparable with those of the standard technique. Our initial success with this approach is encouraging; however, longer follow-up and more experiences are required to establish whether it will be broadly applicable.

Management of Acute Mediastinitis Following Repair of Acute Aortic Dissection with Omental Flap Transfer / 대한흉부외과학회지

Acute mediastinitis and subsequent graft infection following aorta surgery poses a difficult problem, as infected synthetic material must be completely removed for resolution of infection. Here we report a case of successful management of acute mediastinitis following hemiarch replacement for acute aortic dissection with omental flap transfer leaving infected graft in situ.

Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting / 대한흉부외과학회지

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting without using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is a recently accepted modality of myocardial revascularization prcedures which is particularly suitable to the patients with lesions in the left anterior descending (LAD) and the right coronary arteries. Of the consecutive 35 patients of coronary artery bypass grafting performed at Sejong General Hospital from March to August 1996, six patients underwent minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting without CPB. All had stenotic lesions of the LAD more than 90%. Bypass grafting of the LAD was approached through midline sternotomy in one, through ministernotomy in two, and through limited left anterior thoracotomy in three patients, respectively. The internal mammary arteries were prepared without the use of thoracoscope. The mobilized mammary arteries were connected directly to the LAD in 5 patients, and the anastomosis required interposition of a segment of the radial artery in the remaining one. The diagonal branch was revascularized with the saphenous vein graft at the same time in one patient. No blood transfusion was necessary in 2 patients, and average blood required during surgery was 800ml in 4 patients. All patients were extubated from 4 to 14 hours (mean 9 hours) after operation. Early postoperative coronary angiography in 5 patients between 7 and 10 days after surgery has proved full patency of the grafts. With these limited clinical experiences, the clinical results demonstrated that minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting without CPB is an useful procedure especially in patients with isolated lesion in the proximal LAD.

Surgical Repair of Ebstein's anomaly by Modified Carpentier's Method: 2 cases report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Ebstein's anomaly is a complex malformation that can be treated by various surgical techniques, either repair or replacement of the abnormal tricuspid valve, with variable results. The essence of the malformation is the downward displacement of the septal and posterior leaflets into the ventricle, resulting in the formation of an atrialized portion of the right ventricle. The aim of surgical repair is to correct the tricuspid valve dysfunction and to plicate the atrialized portion of the right ventricle A 12-months old female was admitted with the diagnosis of Carpentier type A of Ebstein's anomaly with severe tricuspid regurgitation. She successfully underwent operation with vertical plication of right ventricle and reimplantation of tricuspid leaflets. Postoperatively cardiac size was significantly reduced and tricuspid regurgitation was trivial in echocardiography. She was diacharged the 14th postoperative day.

Use of the Native Aortic Valve as the Pulmonary Valve in the Ross Procedure / 대한흉부외과학회지

Aortic valve replacement in young patients has its problems. Biologic prosthetic valves degenerate and need replacement. Metalic prosthetic valves are more durable, however, anticoagulation which has its inherent problems is inevitable. The use of Ross procedure in young patients is gaining wider acceptance. The need of foreign pulmonary valve in right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) will require reoperation due to RVOT obstruction, later. To overcome this problem, we reimplanted the native aortic valve in the pulmonary position in 21 year old female patient operated on utilizing the Ross procedure for aortic insufficiency. We experienced that the diseased aortic valve worked well in the pulmoanry position because of low pulmonary artery pressure and resistance.

Early Results of Extracardiac Fontan Operation / 대한흉부외과학회지

Between August 1996 and August 1997, 22 patients underwent extracardiac Fontan operations. The basic diagnoses included univentricular heart of the right ventricular type (n=12); univentricular heart of the left ventricular type (n=4); tricuspid atresia (n=4); left isomerism, transposition of great arteries, ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis (n=1); and criss-cross heart with uneven ventricle (n=1). The median age of the 14 men and 8 women was 29 months (range from 21 months to 26 years). Previous procedures included bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (n=15, interval=15.6+/-3.4 months), Kawashima operation (n=4, interval=37.5+/-20 months), and classic Glenn shunt (n=1, interval=14 years). In 2 patients, extracardiac Fontan operations were done without any previous procedures. A 16-to 22-mm flexible Gore-Tex tube graft (n=18), Hemashield graft (n=3), or, alternatively, a nonvalved aortic allograft (n=1) was cut and anastomosed end-to-end between inferior vena cava and undersurface of pulmonary artery using Gore-Tex or Prolene suture in a running fashion. In risk Fontan patients (n=12), a communication between the extracardiac conduit and the right atrium was constructed. In the most 13 recent patients, the procedures were done without cross-clamping of the aorta and with a beating heart. Operative mortality was 9.1% (n=2). Complications included persistent chest tube drainage for more than 7 days (n=5), chorea (n=2), and low cardiac output (n=1). There were no late deaths. Follow-up echocardiogram (mean: 6 months) demonstrated satisfactory hemodynamic results in the surviving 20 patients. Potential advantages of this technique consist of minimization of surgical manipulation of atrial tissue, reduction or elimination of myocardial ischemia, creationof a uniform and stable inferior vena cava-to-pulmonary artery conduit, and increased flexibility and safety in certain high-risk patients such as those with increased pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary hypertension, and impaired ventricular function. Further investigations during a longer follow-up are needed to confirm the intermediate and long-term results, especially the reduction of late atrial arrhythmias.

Early Results of Coronary Bypass Surgery in Patients with Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction / 대한흉부외과학회지

From March, 1992 to March, 1996, a total of 279 patients underwent coronary bypass surgery at the Sejong General Hospital, Puchon. We selected 22 patients with severe left ventricular(LV) dysfunction from them. The criteria were the presence of global or segmental abnormalities of left ventricular contraction and LV ejection fraction(EF) less than 35% based on biplane LV angiography by planimetry method. The mean age of 17 male and 5 female patients was 60+/-5.6years(range:47~73 years). All had the anginas, which were Canadian class II in 6, class III in 12 and class IV in 4. All patients except one had the history of previous myocardial infarction more than once. Seven of them had the symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure, such as dyspnea on excertion and increased pulmonary vascular markings. Their mean LVEF was 29.4+/-4 5%(range : 18~35%) and mean LV end-diastolic pressure was 18.7 +/-8. 2mmHg(range:10~42mmHg). 21 patients had 3 vessel-disease and 1 had 2 vessel-disease. Complete revascularization was tried with the use of 16 internal mammary arteries and 60 sapheuous veins and 3 radial arteries grafts. The mean number of distal anastomosis was 3.5+/-1.1. Concomitantly, one mitral valvuloplasty and annuloplasty was performed in the patient with moderate mitral regurtigation. The hospital mortality was 4.5%. During the follow-up, there were 3 late deaths. Of 18 survivors, 2 patients were lost in follow-up 24 and 27 month respectively after operation and the remaining 16 patients have bcen followed up with an average of 30.4 +/-13.4 months.15 patients had improvement with respect to angina but 8 patients still have the continuing or progressing heart failure. The 1-year, 2-year and 3-year actuarial survival rate was 85.2, 69.1, 46.1%, respectively. This study indicates that coronary artery bypass sur ery can be performed in the patients with severe LV dysfunction at acceptable risk but does not greatly contribute to the improvement of congestive heart failure.

Aortoventriculoplasty with The Pulmonary Autograft: The "Ross-Konno" Procedure: 1 case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

In small children with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, a few methods of surgical treatment could be considrred. The pulmonary autogrart provides a promising options for aortic valve replacement as part of the aortoventriculoplasty procedure in children. We report a successfully treated congenital aortic stcnoinsufricicncy with severe left ventricular dysfunction in an early infant with the aortoventriculoplasty using thc pulmonary autograft (the Ross-Konno procedure).