Delayed Repair of Ventricular Septal Rupture Following Preoperative Awake Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support

Outcomes of ventricular septal rupture (VSR) as a complication of acute myocardial infarction are extremely poor, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 45% in surgically treated patients and 90% in patients managed with medication. Delaying surgery for VSR is a strategy for reducing mortality. However, hemodynamic instability is the main problem with this strategy. In the present case, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was used to provide stable hemodynamic support before the delayed surgery. Awake ECMO was also used to avoiding the complications of sedatives and mechanical ventilation. Here, we describe a successful operation using awake ECMO as a bridge to surgery.

Extravascular Migration of a Fractured Inferior Vena Cava Filter Strut

A 20-year-old man presented with a femur fracture and epidural hemorrhage (EDH) following a fall. One month after fracture surgery, swelling developed in both legs, and he was diagnosed as having a deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. A retrievable inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) was inserted, because EDH is a contraindication to anticoagulants. Four months later, he complained of abdominal pain, and a computed tomography scan showed a fractured IVCF strut. After percutaneous removal failed 3 times, the IVCF was surgically removed by orthopedists using a portable image intensifier without cardiopulmonary bypass.

Transatrial Repair of Post-infarction Posterior Ventricular Septal Rupture

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but lethal complication of myocardial infarction. The event occurs 2~8 days after an infarction and often precipitates cardiogenic shock. Post myocardial infarction VSR is known for difficult to repair. Especially, Transmural myocardial infarction involved in the posterior VSD area, exposure of the affected site is difficult and postoperative mortality rate is high. We have experienced a case of a 75-year-old female patient who suffered posterior VSD due to acute myocardial infarction, and attained good result by approaching the lesion through right atrial incision and repaired the defect by using patch closure technique.

Environmental Tobacco Smoking, Parental Allergy History and Pediatric Asthma and Wheezing / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate whether joint effects between family allergy history and environmental tobacco smoke(ETS) by parents were associated with pediatric asthma and wheezing. METHODS: The study objects of this study were 2301 element school students and their parents in an urban-rural areas of Gyeonggi-do. Pediatric asthma and wheezing were identified by measures of International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaires. We investigated history of parental allergy, ETS, and other socioeconomic status of both parent. Data were analyzed using logistic regression methods. RESULTS: After adjusting other variables, children with maternal asthma history were more likely to be reported life time wheezing (OR: 3.79 95%CI:2.43-5.90), recent wheezing (OR:4.09 95%CI:2.28-7.38), and diagnostic asthma (OR:2.61 95%CI: 1.44-4.75). Paternal asthma history increasing risk of life time wheezing (OR 2.01 95%CI:1.19-3.38) and recent wheezing (OR:2.38 95%CI:1.24-4.56). Joint effect between parental allergy history and ETS significantly effected on child's life time wheezing and recent wheezing. The risks of life time wheezing (OR:2.47 95%CI:1.64-3.717) and recent wheezing (OR: 2.51 95%CI:1.34-4.69) were significantly higher than others without both factors. The risk of recent wheezing of children with maternal recent smoking and parental allergy history (OR:4.83 95%CI:1.89-12.33) was higher than their counterpart. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study implies that children with family allergy history and passive smoking are more likely to be get asthma and wheezing than children with family allergy history and non-passive smoking. This study provide the object information to increase the efficiency of non-smoking campaign and education for decreasing pediatric asthma risk.

Open Heart Surgery without Transfusion / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Although complications from transfusion are known to happen, transfusion is performed during most open heart surgeries. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of performing cardiac surgery without allogenic blood transfusion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between January to August 2007, 44 consecutive patients who underwent open heart surgery with using various blood conservation methods were retrospectively enrolled. They were divided into group I (the onpump group, n=17) and group II (the offpump group, n=27). The blood conservation methods were intraoperative autologous donation, cell saver, retrograde autologous priming, conventional ultrafiltration and modified ultrafiltration. Antianemic agents were administered to all the patients postoperatively. We analyzed the possibility of bloodless operations, the causes of homologous transfusion, the serial change of the hematocrit and the postoperative chest tube drainage, and we compared the results between the two groups. If comparison between the two groups was not reasonable, then we compared two groups with the individual control groups I and II (49 patients) in 2006. RESULT: 40 (90.9%) of 44 patients were successfully operated on without transfusion and the success rate was 88.2% (15/17) for group I and 92.6% (25/27) for group II. There was no statistical difference between the two groups (p=NS). The causes of transfusion were 2 cases of postoperative bleedings, 1 case of intraoperative bleeding and 1 mistake of the indication for transfusion. There was no statistical difference of the total chest tube drainage (Group I: 417+/-359 mL, Group II: 451+/-237 mL) (p=NS), but the total chest tube drainages of the two groups were less than each of the control groups 1 and II (p<0.05). The lowest hematocrit level of Group I was 16.4+/-2%, and this occurred just after infusion of cardioplegics and the hematocrits of both groups were recovered to the preoperative level at 2 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: In this study, bloodless open heart surgery could be performed in 90.9% of the patients with intraoperative autologous donation, cell saver, retrograde autologous priming, conventional ultrafiltration and modified ultrafiltration. A combination of various blood conservation methods is the most important and bloodless cardiac surgery could be performed with meticulous bleeding control and strictly following the transfusion indications.

Thoracoscopic Repair of a Right-sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

A congenital diaphragmatic hernia, which mainly occurs in the left thorax, requires an emergency operative procedure during the neonatal periods. A right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia is rare, and often detected after the neonatal period due to the mild symptoms. Traditionally, the treatment repairs the diaphragmatic defect via a thoracotomy. However, good results of thoracoscopic repairs have been reported. Herein, the case of a 5-month-old girl, who received a thoracoscopic repair of a right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia, is reported.

Reoperation for the Missed Inferior Sinus Venous Atrial Septal Defect / 대한흉부외과학회지

Inferior sinus venosus ASD (atrial septal defect) is a rare congenital cardiac deformity, that occurs on between the inferior vena cava and right atrium. Diagnosis of inferior sinus venosus ASD is difficult because of its infero-posterior location of the fossa ovalis. Therefor, exact anatomical diagnosis by preoperative and intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography is necessary at preoperation and during the operation. We present a case of residual ASD, which was diagnosed secundum ASD and repaired when the patient was 10 years old. Residual ASD was diagnosed by cardiac echocardiography in preparation of otorhinolaryngology operation. Therefore, reoperation of residual ASD was done when the patient was 24 years old. The patient had secundum ASD and inferior sinus venosus ASD, but in the prior operation, inferior sinus venosus ASD wasn't found and only secundum ASD was repaired. In reoperation, inferior sinus venosus ASD was reveled and patch closure was done.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in Patients 70 Years of Age and Older / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: There has been an increase in the number of elderly patients considered for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Recently, there were many satisfactory reports of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in old age due to the development in operative technique and postoperative management. We evaluated operative and follow-up results of patients 70 years of age and older compared to 60 years old. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively studied the cases of 74 consecutive patients 70 years or older (group A) who underwent a elective CABG from January 2000 to December 2003 and compared that of relatively young age group (group B, 60-69 years old). We compared preoperative characteristics, operation technique, postoperative results that effect outcome, also we investigated late mortality and cardiac events at follow-up periods. RESULT: Preoperative demographic and clinical characteristics of two groups were not different, except preoperative renal dysfunction(serum creatinine: > or= 1.4 mg/dl) (group A 17, 23% vs group B 14, 9%) (p=0.024). There was no difference of the mean number of distal anastomosis and the left ventricular ejection fraction in group A decreased significantly from 53.7+/-13% preoperatively to 49.9+/-12% postoperatively (p=0.02), but not changed in group B. There was no difference at operative mortality rate and postoperative major morbidity rate, but wound problem of saphenous vein harvest site was significantly higher in group A than group B (6.8% vs 0.7%, p=0.02). The mean follow up duration was 24.3+/-13 months and the cumulative survival were 95.4% at 2 year and 79.9% at 4 year in group A and 95.4% at 2 year and 90.1% at 4 year in group B (p=ns). CONCLUSION: We conclude that age is not a factor of determination when we decide about operation because coronary artery bypass grafting in elderly more than 70 years old can be performed with a low mortality rate and acceptable morbidity rate.

Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery: a case report

Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery (CADPA) is a rare but a well-known cause of intermittent claudication, especially in young patients. The etiology of the disease is still controversial. Diagnosis starts with thorough history taking, physical examination, and radiography. A 44-year-old man presented with intermittent left calf claudication that had begun 9 months earlier (; the symptom-free interval was about 500 m). 3D-CT and CT-angiography revealed an oval cystic mass that compressed the popliteal artery, causing severe stenosis. Surgery was performed; the affected segment of the artery was successfully excised and replaced with an autogenous saphenous vein graft. Follow-up is on going. No cyst recurrence has so far been detected either clinically or by duplex-sonography during the 6-month postoperative period. The graft was patent and the patient was completely symptom free. Severe claudication in young patients, possibly without significant vascular risk factors, should prompt the clinical suspicion of CADPA.

A Case of Intrapulmonary Solitary Fibrous Tumor: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Solitary fibrous tumor is an uncommon submesothelial mesenchymal neoplasm that arises primarily from the pleura. Extrapleural solitary fibrous tumors are rare. Solitary Fibrous tumors are often asymptomatic and discovered incidentally but may become symptomatic when vital structures are involved or they grow large. In general, solitary fibrous tumor is diagnosed on the basis of radiologic findings and its histologic features, with immunohistochemistry serving to support the diagnosis. Most solitary fibrous tumors pursue a benign course, and the single most important predictor of clinical outcome is the ability to excise the entire lesion. We experienced a case of intrapulmonary solitary tumor arising from the right lower lobe which was treated with wedge resection. We report this case of the patient.

Conservative Management of Postoperative Chylothorax Using Octreotide: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Chylothorax is a rare but serious and well-recognized complication of thoracic and cardiac procedures. A postoperative chylothorax developed in a 3-month-old male patient after ligation of patent ductus arteriosus and repair of coarctation of aorta. He was treated successfully with conservative management using a combination of parenteral octreotide and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) -enriched fomula with pleural drainage. We report a case of successful conservative treatment using octreotide for postoperative chylothorax.

A Case of Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis associated with Central Diabetes Insipidus in Adult: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a pathologic proliferation and infiltration of various organs by Langerhans' cells of unknown cause. Incidence rate of one million parties 3~4 is seen in young child but the incidence is not sure in adult. Organ systems involved by LCH may include skin, ear, bone marrow, liver, spleen, lung, pituitary gland-hypothalamus and GI tracts. In case pituitary-hypothalamus axis are involved, diabetes insipidus happened. Primary Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis(PLCH) with uninvolvement of other organs is rare and accompanied diabetes insipidus is more rare. There are many cases of LCH with diabetes insipidus involve such as central nervous system except lung. PLCH accompany central diabetes insipidus is only 1 case. We report a case of PLCH that accompany central diabetes insipidus with literature investigation inDepartment of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hallym University.

Combined Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma with Component of Adenocarcinoma: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma is an uncommon lung cancer that include large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with components of adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, giant cell carcinoma and/or spindle cell carcinoma histologically. We report a case that pathologically diagnosed as combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with component of adenocarcinoma after right pneumonectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection. A 44-year-old man with intermittent chest pain was referred to our hospital for lung mass on the right mid lung field.

Biocompatibility of Tissue-Engineered Heart Valve Leaflets Based on Acellular Xenografts / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Current artificial heart valves have several disadvantages, such as thromboembolism, limited durability, infection, and inability to grow. The solution to these problems would be to develop a tissue-engineered heart valves containing autologous cells. The aim of this study was to optimize the protocol to obtain a porcine acellular matrix and seed goat autologous endothelial cells on it, and to evaluate the biological responses of xenograft and xeno-autograft heart valves in goats. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fresh porcine pulmonic valves were treated with one method among 3 representative decellularization protocols (Triton-X, freeze-thawing, and NaCl-SDS). Goat venous endothelial cells were isolated and seeded onto the acellularized xenograft leaflets. Microscopic examinations were done to select the most effective method of decellularizing xenogeneic cells and seeding autologous endothelial cells. Two pulmonic valve leaflets of 6 goats were replaced by acellularized porcine leaflets with or without seeding autologous endothelial cells while on cardiopulmonary bypass. Goats were sacrificed electively at 6 hours, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after operation. Morphologic examinations were done to see the biological responses of replaced valve leaflets. RESULT: The microscopic examinations showed that porcine cells were almost completely removed in the leaflets treated with NaCl-SDS. The seeded endothelial cells were more evenly preserved in NaCl-SDS treatment. All 6 goats survived the operation without complications. The xeno- autografts and xenografts showed the appearance, the remodeling process, and the cellular functions of myofibroblasts, 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months after operation, respectively. They were compatible with the native pulmonary leaflet (control group) except for the increased cellularity at 6 months. The xenografts revealed the new endothelial cell lining at that time. CONCLUSION: Treatment with NaCl-SDS was most effective in obtaining decellularized xenografts and facilitate seeding autologous endothelial cells. The xenografts and xeno-autografts were repopulated with myofibroblasts and endothelial cells in situ serially. Both of grafts served as a matrix for a tissue engineered heart valve and developed into autologous tissue for 6 months.

Middle and Long Term Results of 34 Cases of Emergency Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass graf t (CABG) has been settled as most safe surgery among the open heart surgeries. However, in patients with cardiogenic shock, the emergency CABG has higher mortality than elective CABG. We analyzed thirty four patients who underwent emergency CABG and report the middle and long-term results. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From June 1994 to December 2001, 34 patients who underwent emergency CABG at Kang-dong Sacred Heart Hospital were include in this study. On the basis of hospital databases and Out Patient Department (OPD) follow up data, preoperative diagnosis, risk factor, coronary artery anatomy, operation technique, postoperative mortality, complication, recurrence of symptom, and mid and long term mortality were analyzed retrospectively. RESULT: Indications for emergency CABG were 29 cardiogenic shocks (85.3%), 4 intractable chest pains (11.8%), and 1 polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (2.9%). Preoperative angiographic diagnoses were triple vessel disease in 16 (47.1%) and left main disease in 8 (23.5%) patients. We used saphenous vein grafts in 81 and left internal thoracic artery grafts in 14 anastomosis. The mean number of grafts per patients was 2.8+/-0.8. The mean aortic cross clamp time was 91.9+/-34.6 minutes and the mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 262.7+/-198.3 minutes. Early mortality was 50% and the most common cause of early mortality was low cardiac output in 7 (20.6%) patients. The mean follow-up period was 30.9+/-35.7 months. There were no recurrences of symptom and late mortality. CONCLUSION: In the case of emergency operation, aggressive and proper management with drugs and IABP should be done for preoperative hemodynamic stability and early surgical intervention is the most important factor for patient salvage.

Mid-Term Results of 292 cases of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: As the prevalence of coronay artery disease is increasing, the surgical treatment has been universalized and operative outcome has been improved. We analyzed the short and mid-term results of 292 CABGs performed in Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From June 1994 to December 2001, 292 patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. There were 173 men and 119 women and their ages ranged from 39 to 84 years with a mean of 61.8+/-9.1 years. We analyzed the preoperative risk factors, operative procedures and operative outcome. In addition, we analyzed the recurrence of symptoms, long-term mortality and complications via out-patient follow-up for discharged patients. RESULT: Preoperative clinical diagnoses were unstable angina in 137(46.9%), stable angina in 34(11.6%), acute myocardial infarction in 40(13.7%), non-Q myocardial infarction in 25(8.6%), postinfarction angina in 22(7.5%), cardiogenic shock in 30(10.3%) and PTCA failure in 4(1.4%) patients. Preoperative angiographic diagnoses were three-vessel disease in 157(53.8%), two-vessel disease in 35 (12.0%), one-vessel disease in 11(3.8%) and left main disease in 89(30.5%) patients. We used saphenous veins in 630, internal thoracic arteries in 257, radial arteries in 50, and right gastoepiploic arteries in 2 distal anastomoses. The mean number of distal anastomoses per patient was 3.2+/-1.0. There were 18 concomitant procedures ; valve replacement in 8(2.7%), left main coronary artery angioplasty in 6(2.1%), patch closure of postinfarction ventricular septal defect(PMI-VSD) in 2(0.7%), replacement of ascending aorta in 1(0.3%) and coronary endarterectomy in 1(0.3%) patient. The mean ACC time was 96.6+/-35.3 minutes and the mean CPB time was 179.2+/-94.6 minutes. Total early mortality was 8.6%, but it was 3.1% in elective operations. The most common cause of early mortality was low cardiac output syndrome in 6(2.1%) patients. The stastistically significant risk factors for early mortality were hypertension, old age(>or= 70 years), poor LV function(EF < 40%), congestive heart failure, preoperative intraaortic balloon pump, emergency operation and chronic renal failure. The most common complication was arrhythmia in 52(17.8%) patients. The mean follow-up period was 39.0+/-27.0 months. Most patients were free of symptoms during follow-up. Fourteen patients(5.8%) had recurrent symptoms and 7 patients(2.9%) died during follow-up period. Follow-up coronary angiography was performed in 13 patients with recurrent symptoms and they were managed by surgical and medical treatment according to the coronary angiographic result. CONCLUSION: The operative and late results of CABG in our hospital was acceptable. However, There should be more refinement in operative technique and postoperative management to improve the results.

Budd-Chiari Syndrome Due to Antithrombin,Protein C and Protein S Deficiency and the Complete Obstruction of SVC / 대한흉부외과학회지

In this case, a 39 year-old man was admitted with Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with complete superior vena cava(SVC)obstruction causing general edema and hepatic failure. Conservative medical therapy was failed. And after the radiologist failed to invasive procedure of balloon dilatation, we attempted the inferior vena cava to right atrium bypass graft. Operation was done through median sternotomy and extended vertical oblique abdominal incision. A 24 mm Dacron tube was placed from the inferior vena cava just below the left renal vein to the right atrium without using the cardiopulmonary bypass pump. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful without signs of bleeding or anyother complications. We used anticoagulants at the postoperative first day. At the postoperative 26th day, we performed abdominal Doppler sonography and we confirmed that the graft patency was good. The patient was discharged with SVC obstructive symptoms but we noticed relief of SVC obstructive symptoms in the course of follow-up.

Clinical Significance of Creatine Kinase MB mass and Cardiac Troponin I as a Marker of Perioperative Myocardial Infarction After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: A perioperative myocardial infarction(PMI) is one of the major complications after CABG. Among diagnostic methods of PMI, CK-MB activity assays have been increasingly replaced by CK-MB mass assays, which have more sensitive, simple measurement. Also, new cardiac-specific and -sensitive marker, cardiac troponin I(cTnI), has been shown to be a marker of myocardial infarction. We report our evaluation of clinical significance of CK-MB mass and cTnI as a marker of PMI after CABG. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We studied 32 patients who underwent CABG at Kangdong Sacred Hospital between April 2000 and April 2001. Postoperative serum CK-MB activity level, serum CK-MB mass, cTnI, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and clinical data were recorded prospectively. The diagnosis of PMI was defined as positive 2 among 3 or all of the following ; by a new Q wave on the electrocardiogram, by serum CK-MB activity higher than 200 IU/L within 72 hours after operation, and by new regional wall motion abnormality on the echocardiogram. RESULT: After CABG, 3 patients had sustained a PMI according to current diagnostic criteria. As serum CK-MB activity time course, a level of CK-MB activity 12 hours after CABG had very linear correlated significance with serum CK-MB mass 24 hours(R=0.946) and cTnI 48 hours(R=0.933) after CABG(p=0.000). As we used a receiver operating characteristics curve(ROC curve) for a diagnostic cutoff value in patients with PMI, serum CK-MB mass levels higher than 30.05 ug/L 24 hours after CABG detected the presence of PMI with an area under the ROC curve of 1.0, a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. Also serum cTnI levels higher than 17.15 ug/L 48 hours after CABG detected the presence of PMI with an area under the ROC curve of 0.98, a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 96.6%, a positive predictive value of 75%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSION: We concluded that both the measurement of CK-MB mass and cTnI are the easier, accurate methods as a diagnostic marker of PMI after CABG, also as a proposal of diagnostic cutoff value enables to an early detection of PMI. However, a larger number of patient will be needed because of statistic limitation that a small number of participating patients, a small number of PMI.

The Immediate and Long Term Result of Surgical Angioplasty of Left Main and Proximal Left Anterior Decending Coronary Artery / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The left main coronary artery surgical angioplasty has become the choice of surgical procedure in isolated LM disease. We have performed 22 cases of LMCA surgical angioplasy since 1996. We report the immediate and long term result of the surgical angioplasty with their postoperative angiography. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between July 1994 and October 2000, 22 patients(11 men and 11 women) were subjected to surgical patch angioplasty of the LMCA, 1 patient had an additional angioplasty performed on the proximal right coronary artery. The LMCA was approached anteriorly with or without transection of the main pulmonary artery(21 cases), and in a patient who had undergone an aortic valve replacement, LMCA was approached superiorly with transection of the ascending aorta. Additional grafting was required in 5 cases. The on-lay patch was used with autologous pericardium in 6 cases and bovine pericardium in 16 cases. RESULT: There was no operative mortality. There was 30~50% stenosis of the anastomosis site in 3 cases at the postop. coronary angiography. Coronary angiography was reperformed in 5 cases between 5th months and 15th months postoperatively. There was 40~60% stenosis of the anastomosis site in 2 cases. There was one death at 42nd months postoperatively but the cause was unknown. No patient complained of angina with a mean follow up of 48.+/-22.5 months. CONCLUSION: There were only several coronary angiographic results in long term follow-up but we had relatively good clinical results for LMCA surgical angioplasty in the immediate and long term. The excellence of LMCA surgical angioplasty needs the result of the long term follow-up.

Emergent Use of Intraaortic Balloon Pump in Patients with Ischemic Heart

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine clinical characteristics and outcome in patients with cardiogenic shock or ongoing cardiogenic shock by acute coronary syndrome who underwent intraaortic balloon pump(IABP) support, and to identify factors predictive of in-hospital mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients with IABP support from 1994 to 1997 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The causes for insertion of IABP are cardiogenic shock(31%), unstable hemodynamics during angiography or angioplasty(31%), ventricular tachycardia(15%), mechanical complications(15%), and ongoing chest pain(6%). The overall survival rate was 47%. Revascularization procedures were done in 23 cases(72%) in whom inhospital survival rate was 52%. The mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with cardiogenic shock(80%) and mechanical complications(100%) including ventricular septal defect and acute mitral regurgitation, but lower with intractable ventricular tachycardia. Differences between survivors and nonsurvivors were not significant in regard to clinical characteristics, extent of coronary artery disease, time to IABP, time to coronary artery bypass graft, and clamping time, but only duration of IABP is longer in nonsurvivors. CONCLUSIONS: Emergent uses of IABP in patients with intractable ventricular tachycardia may be effective in maintaining hemodynamics before revascularization procedures, but patients with pump failure by cardiogenic shock or mechanical complications have higher mortality rates.