Clinical Experiences of Cardiac Myxoma

Although cardiac myxoma is rare, it is the most common primary cardiac tumor. Seventy-four cases of cardiac myxoma that were surgically treated in our center between August 1980 and February 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean patient age was 50.4+/-15.0 (range 7-80) years, and 53 patients (71.6%) were female. The most common preoperative symptom, occurring in 44 patients, was dyspnea. The interval from onset of symptoms to surgery was 9 months. Seventy cases were located in the left atrium, 3 in the right atrium and 1 in the right ventricle. The myxoma in the right ventricle could not be resected completely, due to severe infiltration. Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamp times were 100.4+/-37.1 and 64.8+/-29.8 minutes, respectively. There were no hospital deaths, and 7 patients suffered from postoperative complications including atrial fibrillation in 2 cases. During the follow up period (mean 105.7+/-73.6 months), there was no tumor recurrence and 6 late deaths that were not related to the underlying tumor. There was no evidence of tumor growth in the cases with incomplete resection during the 14-month follow-up. In conclusion, in this study there was no recurrence of tumors after complete resection and surgical resection is considered to be the curative method of treatment for cardiac myxoma.

Clinical Experiences of Cardiac Myxoma

Although cardiac myxoma is rare, it is the most common primary cardiac tumor. Seventy-four cases of cardiac myxoma that were surgically treated in our center between August 1980 and February 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean patient age was 50.4+/-15.0 (range 7-80) years, and 53 patients (71.6%) were female. The most common preoperative symptom, occurring in 44 patients, was dyspnea. The interval from onset of symptoms to surgery was 9 months. Seventy cases were located in the left atrium, 3 in the right atrium and 1 in the right ventricle. The myxoma in the right ventricle could not be resected completely, due to severe infiltration. Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamp times were 100.4+/-37.1 and 64.8+/-29.8 minutes, respectively. There were no hospital deaths, and 7 patients suffered from postoperative complications including atrial fibrillation in 2 cases. During the follow up period (mean 105.7+/-73.6 months), there was no tumor recurrence and 6 late deaths that were not related to the underlying tumor. There was no evidence of tumor growth in the cases with incomplete resection during the 14-month follow-up. In conclusion, in this study there was no recurrence of tumors after complete resection and surgical resection is considered to be the curative method of treatment for cardiac myxoma.

Clinical Results of Mitral Valvular Surgery in Patients with Moderate Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: There have been controversies whether mitral valvular surgery is necessary in the patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long term clinical results of patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between January 1992 and February 2005, 44 patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Concomitant mitral valvular procedure was performed in 20 patients (group 1) and isolated coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 24 patients (group 2). There were no significant difference between groups except cardiopulmonary bypass time (p<0.01). Postoperative follow up duration was 30.1+/-29.6 months and last follow up echocardiographic examination was performed at 21.2+/-28.0 months. RESULT: There was no difference in operative mortality between groups (group 1 vs group 2, 15.0% vs 8.3%, p=0.493). Grade of mitral regurgitation (0.81+/- 0.91 vs 1.50+/- 0.05, p=0.046) and reduction in regurgitation grade (1.75 +/-0.93 vs 0.70 +/-1.26, p=0.009) were different between two groups. But there were no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (34.1+/-11.4% vs 41.6+/-12.9%), left ventricular end systolic volume (118.2+/-63.9 mL vs 85.6+/-28.1 mL), New York Heart Association functional class (2.1+/-0.2 vs 2.4+/-1.2) and 5 year survival rate (85+/-8% vs 82+/-8%). There was no risk factor for operative mortality and the only risk factor for late death was preoperative atrial fibrillation (p=0.042). There was no significant correlation between mitral valvular surgery and late death. CONCLUSION: Concomitant mitral valvular procedure in patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting had no significant positive effect on survival and ventricular function compared with isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Prospective randomized study may be needed to evaluate the necessity of concomitant mitral procedure and to find more effective method for the improvement of ventricular function.

Clinical Results of Mitral Valvular Surgery in Patients with Moderate Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: There have been controversies whether mitral valvular surgery is necessary in the patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long term clinical results of patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between January 1992 and February 2005, 44 patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. Concomitant mitral valvular procedure was performed in 20 patients (group 1) and isolated coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 24 patients (group 2). There were no significant difference between groups except cardiopulmonary bypass time (p<0.01). Postoperative follow up duration was 30.1+/-29.6 months and last follow up echocardiographic examination was performed at 21.2+/-28.0 months. RESULT: There was no difference in operative mortality between groups (group 1 vs group 2, 15.0% vs 8.3%, p=0.493). Grade of mitral regurgitation (0.81+/- 0.91 vs 1.50+/- 0.05, p=0.046) and reduction in regurgitation grade (1.75 +/-0.93 vs 0.70 +/-1.26, p=0.009) were different between two groups. But there were no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (34.1+/-11.4% vs 41.6+/-12.9%), left ventricular end systolic volume (118.2+/-63.9 mL vs 85.6+/-28.1 mL), New York Heart Association functional class (2.1+/-0.2 vs 2.4+/-1.2) and 5 year survival rate (85+/-8% vs 82+/-8%). There was no risk factor for operative mortality and the only risk factor for late death was preoperative atrial fibrillation (p=0.042). There was no significant correlation between mitral valvular surgery and late death. CONCLUSION: Concomitant mitral valvular procedure in patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting had no significant positive effect on survival and ventricular function compared with isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Prospective randomized study may be needed to evaluate the necessity of concomitant mitral procedure and to find more effective method for the improvement of ventricular function.

Surgical Experiences for Non-ST-segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Surgical role for acute coronary syndrome has been reduced in recent years due to development of drug eluting stent. We evaluated the surgical results of acute coronary syndrome in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between January 2001 and August 2005, 416 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) under diagnosis of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE ACS). Mean age was 61.8+/-9.0 years and 276 (66.3%) patients were male. 324 (77.9%) patients had triple vessel disease and 92 (22.1%) had left main disease at angiographic study. 236 (56.7%) patients had hypertension and 174 (41.8%) had diabetes mellitus. Conventional on-pump CABG was performed in 194 patients (46.6%) and off-pump CABG in 222 (53.4%). Total arterial revascularization with no touch technique was done in 97 patients (23.3%). The number of total distal anastomosis was 1,306 and the number per patient was 3.21+/-1.71. RESULT: Surgical mortality rate was 1.0% (4 patients) and postoperative complication rate was 15.6% (65 patients). Graft patency was checked at mean 3.7+/-7.6 months (from 1 to 37 months) postoperatively with multi-directional computed tomography in 152 patients. Left internal mammary artery was patent in 95.3%, right internal mammary artery in 98.1%, radial artery in 92.2% and saphenous vein in 89.0%. CONCLUSION: The surgical treatment of NSTE ACS showed relatively low mortality rate and good graft patency rate. Further study is needed to compare the long term results with drug eluting stent.

Surgical Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm under Epidural Anesthesia in Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease : A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease is known to be a significant risk factor for mortality in patients who underwent operation for abdominal aortic aneurysm. To decrease perioperative respiratory complication in these patients, maintenance of self respiration as possible is one of the better method. A seventy-seven year old male patient complained of abdominal pain and he was diagnosed for 9 cm sized abdominal aortic aneurysm. But he had severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which was expected to increase surgical mortality. So we introduced epidural anesthesia with maintenance of self respiration and performed surgical resection and graft replacement of abdominal aorta, and he recovered without any complication.

Clinical Analysis of Surgical Results for Discrete Subaortic Stenosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Discrete subaortic stenosis is known to recur frequently even after surgical resection. We retrospectively reviewed the preoperative and postoperative changes in pressure gradient through left ventricular outflow tract, and the recurrence rate. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between September 1984 and December 2004, 34 patients underwent surgical treatment. Mean age of patients was 17.1+/-15.2 years and 19 patients (55.9%) were male. 16 patients (47.1%) had previous operations and associated diseases were aortic regurgitation (11), coarctation of aorta (3), and others. RESULT: Immediate postoperative peak pressure gradient was significantly lower than preoperative peak pressure gradient (21.8 mmHg vs 75.8 mmHg, p<0.01). Peak pressure gradient measured after 50.3 months of follow up was 20.2 mmHg, which was also significantly lower than that of preoperative value but not significantly different from that of immediate postoperative value. There was no surgical mortality but one patient developed cerebral infarction. Mean follow up duration was 69.8+/-54.6 months. During this period, 5 patients (14.7%) had reoperation, 3 (8.8%) of whom were due to recurred subaortic stenosis. We found no risk factors for recurrence and survival for free from reoperation was 76.4%. CONCLUSION: Excision of subaortic membrane combined with or without myectomy in discrete subaortic stenosis showed sufficient relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with low mortality and morbidity, but careful long term follow up is necessary for recurrence, since it is not predictable.

Clinical Experiences for Primary Cardiac Tumors / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Primary cardiac tumors are known to be rare. We studied the surgical results for primary cardiac tumors. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between August 1980 and December 2003, we classified 86 patients who had operation for primary cardiac tumors in our center into 3 groups; myxoma, nonmyxoma benign tumors, and malignant tumors. The mean age was 44.3+/-20.8 years and 59 patients (66.3%) were female. In postoperative pathologic diagnosis, there were 81 cases (94.2%) of benign tumors in which myxoma was the most common tumor (70 cases, 78.7%); 5 fibroma (5.6%), 3 rhabdomyoma (3.4%), and 5 malignant tumors (5.8%). RESULT: 86.4% of benign tumor was myxoma and the mean age was 50.4+/-15.4 (range 7~80) years. Tumor was more common in females (49 cases) and most common preoperative symptom was dyspnea (62.9%). 57 cases were located at left atrial septum and only one case, which was located at right ventricular septum, was resected incompletely. There were no hospital deaths and one patient had mitral valve replacement on the first operative day due to newly developed postoperative mitral regurgitation. The mean follow up period was 109.3+/-71.8 months and there was no evidence of recurrence in this period. 11 cases (12.8%) were nonmyxoma benign tumors; 5 fibromas, 3 rhabdomyomas, etc. There were two hospital deaths and the causes of death were fungal endocarditis and hypoxia. There were no reoperations in nonmyxoma benign tumors. Malignant tumors were in 5 cases (5.8%); undifferentiated sarcoma in 2, rhabdomyosarcoma in 1, etc. Although there were no hospital mortalities, 3 patients who were followed up died from complications of tumors. CONCLUSION: Myxomas showed very excellent prognosis after complete resection and nonmyxoma benign tumors showed relatively good results for relief of symptoms. Surgery helped to relieve symptoms for malignant tumors, but the prognosis was poor.

Surgical and Long Term Results for Double Outlet Right Ventricle by the Type of Ventricular Septal Defect / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The results of biventricular repair for double outlet right ventricle have been improved in recent series. We studied the surgical and long term results for total correction of double outlet right ventricle by the type of ventricular septal defect. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between November 1979 and December 2003, 126 patients had biventricular repair for double outlet right ventricle. The mean age was 1.8 years (range 1~44) and 86 patients (68.3%) were male. We classified and studied this disease by the type of VSD. RESULT: The locations of VSD were subaortic in 79 (62.7%), subpulmonary in 17 (13.5%), doubly committed in 16 (12.7%) and noncommitted in 14 (11.1%). 28 patients had palliative operation before total correction and the mean interval to total correction was 41.0+/-45.1 months. The methods of total correction were intraventricular baffling in 37 (29.4%), intraventricular baffling with patch enlargement of right ventricular outflow tract in 49 (38.9%), intraventricular baffling with Rastelli procedure in 15 (11.9%), arterial switch operation in 8 (6.3%) and REV procedure in 4 (3.2%), etc. Hospital mortality rate was 10.3% (13 patients) and 25 reoperations were performed in 24 patients (19.0%). The risk factors for hospital mortality and reoperation were cardiopulmonary bypass time (p=0.020) and previous palliative operation (p=0.013), respectively. Follow up was possible in 98 patients and mean follow up period was 118.9+/-70.7 months. The percent survival and survival for freedom from reoperation at 15 years were 82.5% and 66.7%, respectively. The survival rate was significantly lower (p=0.003) in transposition of great artery type and remote type than in simple ventricular septal defect type and tetralogy of Fallot type, but there was no statistical differences in survival rate for freedom from reoperation. CONCLUSION: It is thought to be that acceptible surgical and long term results can be obtained with application of appropriate methods of repair for double outlet right ventricle.

Long Term Clinical Results of Triple Valve Replacement / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Clinical reports on replacement of all three (AV+MV+TV) valves are rare. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1992 to December 2003, 38 patients received triple valve replacement (aortic, mitral, tricuspid) at Yonsei Cardiovascular Center. Mean age of patients was 49.5+/-10.7 (28~69) years, and 24 patients (63.1%) were female. Rheumatic valve disease was the most common cause of operation (n=37). Preoperative New York Heart Association functional class were II in 4, III in 24 and IV in 10. Fifteen patients (group 1) received triple valve replacement at their first operation. Twenty three patients (group 2) received one or more operations before tricuspid valve replacement (TVR). Seven patients received tricuspid valve annuloplasty at first operation and received TVR later. RESULT: Six patients died at hospital after operation (15.8%) and all these patients were in group 2. All patients in group I survived and were discharged. Three patients (9.4%) died during follow up periods. Most of the survivors had improved functional class (I in 22, II in 8, III in 1, IV in 1). During follow up period, there were 4 valve related complications. The 10-year survival rate was 68.8% and survival rate for free from valve related event at 10 years was 85.5%. CONCLUSION: After triple valve replacement, most patients showed improvement of symptoms. And during follow up period, valve related complications and survival were acceptable. Therefore, if indicated, triple valve replacement is recommended before the patients' conditions get worse.

Lung Transplantation in ABO Compatible but Nonidentical Patients / 대한흉부외과학회지

Lung transplantation in the treatment of end-stage emphysema has been increasing in number since the recent rise in the 5 year survival rate. For the shortage of donor lungs, the single lung transplantation or transplantation in ABO compatible, nonidentical recipients has also been increasing. The lung transplantation in compatible, nonidentical recipients show good results as with identical recipients with the proper application of immunosuppressive agents. We transplanted the left lung of a 41 year-old male donor to a 35 year-old female recipient who had been suffering from severe dyspnea due to end-stage emphysema. For postoperative immunosuppression, we applied conventional triple immunotherapy(cyclosporine, azathioprine, prednisolone) and we could suppress the rejection response of transplanted lung by adding the anti-CD3 antibody(OKT3) during the operation. The patient could be discharged without any specific problem at 18th postoperative day.