Surgical treatment for mediastinitis after endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration: 2 case reports.

We report two cases of severe mediastinitis accompanied by abscess due to endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), that were successfully treated by effective surgical drainage. A 68-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to chest discomfort and high fever after EBUS-TBNA, and a 54-year-old man was referred due to general weakness, chills, and high fever after the same procedure. Both were diagnosed with EBUS-related mediastinitis and discharged after surgical treatment. Similar to previous reports, the importance of surgical procedures for mediastinitis caused by EBUS-TBNA was suggested. Further research and establishment of guidelines on this matter is necessary.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Cardiac Rehabilitation in Korea: Recommendations for Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention after Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Though clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are an effective and widely used treatment method worldwide, they are as yet not widely accepted in Korea. Given that cardiovascular (CV) disease is the second leading cause of death in Korea, it is urgent that CR programs be developed. In 2008, the Government of Korea implemented CR programs at 11 university hospitals as part of its Regional Cardio-Cerebrovascular Center Project, and 3 additional medical facilities will be added in 2019. In addition, owing to the promotion of CR nationwide and the introduction of CR insurance benefits, 40 medical institutions nationwide have begun CR programs even as a growing number of medical institutions are preparing to offer CR. The purpose of this research was to develop evidence-based CPGs to support CR implementation in Korea. This study is based on an analysis of CPGs elsewhere in the world, an extensive literature search, a systematic analysis of multiple randomized control trials, and a CPG management, development, and assessment committee comprised of thirty-three authors-primarily rehabilitation specialists, cardiologists, and thoracic surgeons in 21 university hospitals and 2 general hospitals. Twelve consultants, primarily rehabilitation, sports medicine, and preventive medicine specialists, CPG experts, nurses, physical therapists, clinical nutritionists, and library and information experts participated in the research and development of these CPGs. After the draft guidelines were developed, 3 rounds of public hearings were held with staff members from relevant academic societies and stakeholders, after which the guidelines were further reviewed and modified. CR involves a more cost-effective use of healthcare resources relative to that of general treatments, and the exercise component of CR lowers CV mortality and readmission rates, regardless of the type of coronary heart disease and type and setting of CR. Individualized CR programs should be considered together with various factors, including differences in heart function and lifestyle, and doing so will boost participation and adherence with the CR program, ultimately meeting the final goals of the program, namely reducing the recurrence of myocardial infarction and mortality rates.

Single-center experience of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation mainly anticoagulated with nafamostat mesilate.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding remains the chief concern during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Recently, several studies proposed nafamostat mesilate (NM) as an alternative anticoagulant to heparin due to reduced bleeding complications and comparable thromboembolic episodes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of ECMO anticoagulated mainly with NM. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational case series of patients who were placed on ECMO between January 2011 and December 2017 at Chungnam National University Hospital. The main outcomes were bleeding and thromboembolic episodes. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 91 ECMO runs on 87 patients were identified. There were 54 veno-venous runs and 37 veno-arterial runs. Among the 87 patients, 47 (54.0%) patients were successfully weaned and 29 (33.3%) survived to discharge. Most of the runs were anticoagulated with NM (n=68, 74.7%), followed by heparin (n=22, 24.2%) and argatroban (n=1, 1.1%). The mean duration of ECMO support was 11.3±11.1 days. The overall incidence of bleeding was 46.2% (n=42); 26 runs were anticoagulated with NM (26/68, 38.2%) and 16 with heparin (16/22, 72.7%) (P=0.005). The overall incidence of thromboembolic episodes was 12.1% (n=11). In the NM group, the incidence of hyperkalemia requiring any type of intervention was 17.6% (n=12). CONCLUSIONS: In this single center study, NM appears to be associated with fewer bleeding complications during ECMO without increasing the incidence of thromboembolic episodes.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Cardiac Rehabilitation in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Though clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are an effective and widely used treatment method worldwide, they are as yet not widely accepted in Korea. Given that cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in Korea, it is urgent that CR programs be developed. In 2008, the Government of Korea implemented CR programs at 11 university hospitals as part of its Regional Cardio-Cerebrovascular Center Project, and 3 additional medical facilities will be added in 2019. In addition, owing to the promotion of CR nationwide and the introduction of CR insurance benefits, 40 medical institutions nationwide have begun CR programs even as a growing number of medical institutions are preparing to offer CR. The purpose of this research was to develop evidence-based CPGs to support CR implementation in Korea. METHODS: This study is based on an analysis of CPGs elsewhere in the world, an extensive literature search, a systematic analysis of multiple randomized control trials, and a CPG management, development, and assessment committee comprised of 33 authors-primarily rehabilitation specialists, cardiologists, and thoracic surgeons in 21 university hospitals and 2 general hospitals. Twelve consultants, primarily rehabilitation, sports medicine, and preventive medicine specialists, CPG experts, nurses, physical therapists, clinical nutritionists, and library and information experts participated in the research and development of these CPGs. After the draft guidelines were developed, 3 rounds of public hearings were held with staff members from relevant academic societies and stakeholders, after which the guidelines were further reviewed and modified. RESULTS: CR involves a more cost-effective use of healthcare resources relative to that of general treatments, and the exercise component of CR lowers cardiovascular mortality and readmission rates, regardless of the type of coronary heart disease and type and setting of CR. CONCLUSION: Individualized CR programs should be considered together with various factors, including differences in heart function and lifestyle, and doing so will boost participation and adherence with the CR program, ultimately meeting the final goals of the program, namely reducing the recurrence of myocardial infarction and mortality rates.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Cardiac Rehabilitation in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Though clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are an effective and widely used treatment method worldwide, they are as yet not widely accepted in Korea. Given that cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in Korea, it is urgent that CR programs be developed. In 2008, the Government of Korea implemented CR programs at 11 university hospitals as part of its Regional Cardio-Cerebrovascular Center Project, and three additional medical facilities will be added in 2019. In addition, owing to the promotion of CR nationwide and the introduction of CR insurance benefits, 40 medical institutions nationwide have begun CR programs even as a growing number of medical institutions are preparing to offer CR. The purpose of this research was to develop evidence-based CPGs to support CR implementation in Korea. METHODS: This study is based on an analysis of CPGs elsewhere in the world, an extensive literature search, a systematic analysis of multiple randomized control trials, and a CPG management, development, and assessment committee comprised of 33 authors-primarily rehabilitation specialists, cardiologists, and thoracic surgeons in 21 university hospitals and two general hospitals. Twelve consultants, primarily rehabilitation, sports medicine, and preventive medicine specialists, CPG experts, nurses, physical therapists, clinical nutritionists, and library and information experts participated in the research and development of these CPGs. After the draft guidelines were developed, three rounds of public hearings were held with staff members from relevant academic societies and stakeholders, after which the guidelines were further reviewed and modified. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: CR involves a more cost-effective use of healthcare resources relative to that of general treatments, and the exercise component of CR lowers cardiovascular mortality and readmission rates, regardless of the type of coronary heart disease and type and setting of CR. Individualized CR programs should be considered together with various factors, including differences in heart function and lifestyle, and doing so will boost participation and adherence with the CR program, ultimately meeting the final goals of the program, namely reducing the recurrence of myocardial infarction and mortality rates.

Thoracic Paravertebral Block with Adjuvant Dexmedetomidine in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

BACKGROUND: The addition of the adjuvant dexmedetomidine to a nerve block improves the quality of the block and reduces perioperative opioid consumption. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant for the thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) in postoperative pain control after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: Sixty-six males, aged 15⁻40 years, with spontaneous pneumothorax scheduled for VATS wedge resection were enrolled. Following surgery, ultrasound-guided TPVB was performed on the T3 and T5 levels with 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine, plus adjuvant dexmedetomidine 50 µg or normal saline. The primary outcome was cumulative fentanyl consumption at 24 h. Pain severity, the requirement for additional rescue analgesics, hemodynamic variations, and side effects were also evaluated. RESULTS: Median postoperative cumulative fentanyl consumption at 24 h was significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group (122.6 (interquartile range (IQR) 94.5⁻268.0) µg vs. 348.1 (IQR, 192.8⁻459.2) µg, p-value = 0.001) with a Hodges⁻Lehman median difference between groups of 86.2 (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.2⁻156.4) mg. Coughing numeric rating scale (NRS) was lower in the dexmedetomidine group at postoperative 2, 4, 8, and 24 h. However, resting NRS differed significantly only after 4 h postoperative. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine as an adjunct in TPVB provided effective pain relief and significantly reduced opioid requirement in VATS.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting with Arterial Grafts in Patients with Kawasaki Disease Affecting the Coronary Artery: a Korean Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to review the long-term clinical outcomes and graft patency of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using arterial grafts in patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) affecting the coronary artery. METHODS: Twenty patients with KD who underwent CABG from January 2002 to June 2014 were enrolled. There were 4 male (20%) and 16 female (80%) patients with ages at operation ranging from 2 to 42 years (median, 17.5 years). Our routine operative strategy was off-pump CABG with arterial grafts. The mean follow-up duration was 59.5 ± 48.5 months (range, 1-159 months). Coronary angiogram or computed tomography angiogram was used to evaluate graft patency in 16 patients (80%). RESULTS: All patients survived CABG without late mortality. Left internal thoracic arteries were used in 19 patients, while right internal thoracic arteries were used in 10 patients. Right gastroepiploic arteries were used in 3 patients, and a saphenous vein graft (SVG) was used in 1 patient. Among the 20 patients, 2 patients underwent coronary reintervention with balloon angioplasty because of graft failure. Two patients underwent coronary reintervention because of new obstructive lesions that were not significant at the time of the initial operation. Patency rates at 5 and 10 years were 94% and 87%, respectively. The rate of freedom from coronary reintervention at 10 years was 82%. CONCLUSION: Off-pump CABG with mainly arterial graft revascularization may be considered a good surgical option for coronary lesions caused by KD.

Validation of Nafamostat Mesilate as an Anticoagulant in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Large-Animal Experiment.

BACKGROUND: Unfractionated heparin is commonly used for anticoagulation in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Several studies have shown that nafamostat mesilate (NM) has comparable clinical outcomes to unfractionated heparin. This study compared anticoagulation with NM and heparin in a large-animal model. METHODS: Beagle dogs (n=8; weight, 6.5-9 kg) were placed on venovenous ECMO. Blood samples were taken every hour and the following parameters were compared: hemoglobin level, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thromboelastography (TEG) data, platelet function, and inflammatory cytokine levels. RESULTS: In both groups, the aPTT was longer than the baseline value. Although the aPTT in the NM group was shorter than in the heparin group, the TEG parameters were similar between the 2 groups. Hemoglobin levels decreased in both groups, but the decrease was less with NM than with heparin (p=0.049). Interleukin (IL)-1ß levels significantly decreased in the NM group (p=0.01), but there was no difference in the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha or IL-10 between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: NM showed a similar anticoagulant effect to that of unfractionated heparin, with fewer bleeding complications. NM also had anti-inflammatory properties during ECMO. Based on this preclinical study, NM may be a good alternative candidate for anticoagulation in ECMO.

Carney Complex: Eleven Open Heart Operations in a Single Family.

Herein, we report on a family with Carney complex. Four members of the family underwent a total of 11 open heart operations as well as 9 other operations to treat extrathoracic masses. All the family members met at least 2 major clinical criteria and 1 supplemental criterion. We analyzed their genomic loci, including the protein kinase A regulatory subunit 1 gene. The results revealed no specific mutations, except for a common single nucleotide polymorphism. This case series of Carney complex emphasizes the importance of close longitudinal follow-up because of the high rate of tumor recurrence irrespective of the site. Clinicians should not overlook the specific features of familial myxoma.

Outcomes of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Children: An 11-Year Single-Center Experience in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has become an important treatment modality in pediatric patients with cardiopulmonary failure, but few studies have been conducted in Korea. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of pediatric patients younger than 18 years who were placed on ECMO between January 2004 and December 2014 at Samsung Medical Center. RESULTS: We identified 116 children on ECMO support. The overall rate of successful weaning was 51.7%, and the survival to discharge rate was 37.1%. There were 39, 61, and 16 patients on ECMO for respiratory, cardiac, and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, respectively. The weaning rate in each group was 48.7%, 55.7%, and 43.8%, respectively. The survival rate was 43.6%, 36.1%, and 25.0%, respectively. Sixteen patients on ECMO had functional single ventricle physiology; in this group, the weaning rate was 43.8% and the survival rate was 31.3%. Ten patients were on ECMO as a bridge to transplantation (8 for heart and 2 for lung). In patients with heart transplantation, the rate of survival to transplantation was 50.0%, and the overall rate of survival to discharge was 37.5%. CONCLUSION: An increasing trend in pediatric ECMO utilization was observed. The outcomes were favorable considering the early experiences that were included in this study and the limited supply of specialized equipment for pediatric patients.

2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection and necrotizing pneumonia treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

A 3-year-old girl with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to a H1N1 2009 influenza virus infection was complicated by necrotizing pneumonia was successfully treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This is the first reported case in which a pediatric patient was rescued with ECMO during the H1N1 influenza epidemic in Korea in 2009.

Mass reduction and functional improvement of the left ventricle after aortic valve replacement for degenerative aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy caused by aortic valve stenosis (AS) leads to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We sought to determine whether aortic valve replacement (AVR) decreases LV mass and improves LV function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review for 358 consecutive patients, who underwent aortic valve replacement for degenerative AS between January 1995 and December 2008, was performed. There were 230 men and 128 women, and their age at operation was 63.2±10 years (30~85 years). RESULTS: There was no in-hospital mortality, and mean follow-up duration after discharge was 48.9 months (2~167 months). Immediate postoperative echocardiography revealed that LV mass index and mean gradient across the aortic valve decreased significantly (p<0.001), and LV mass continued to decrease during the follow-up period (p<0.001). LV ejection fraction (EF) temporarily decreased postoperatively (p<0.001), but LV function recovered immediately and continued to improve with a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative EF (p<0.001). There were 15 late deaths during the follow-up period, and overall survival at 5 and 10 years were 94% and 90%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, age at operation (p=0.008), concomitant coronary bypass surgery (p<0.003), lower preoperative LVEF (<40%) (p=0.0018), and higher EUROScore (>7) (p=0.045) were risk factors for late death. CONCLUSION: After AVR for degenerative AS, reduction of left ventricular mass and improvement of left ventricular function continue late after operation.

Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) Lobectomy for Pathologic Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Comparative Study with Thoracotomy Lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be performed either by thoracotomy or by employing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of VATS lobectomy for pathologic stage I NSCLC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between December 2003 and December 2007, 529 patients with pathologic stage I NSCLC underwent lobectomies (373 thoracotomy, 156 VATS). Patients in both groups were selected after being matched by age, gender and pathologic stage using propensity score method, to create two comparable groups: thoracotomy and VATS groups, and the overall survival, recurrence-free survival, complication and length of hospitalization were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: After the patients were matched by age, gender and pathologic stage, 272 patients remained eligible for analysis, 136 in each group (mean age of 59.5 years; 70 men, 66 women; 80 stage IA, 56 stage IB). There was no statistical difference in other preoperative clinical characteristics between the two groups. No hospital mortality was observed in both groups. Overall 3-year survival rate was 97.4% in thoracotomy group and 96.6% in VATS groups (p=0.76). During the follow-up, 20 patients (14.7%) developed recurrence in thoracotomy group, including loco- regional recurrence in 7, distant metastasis in 13. In VATS group, 13 patients (9.6%) developed recurrence, including loco-regional recurrence in 4, distant metastasis in 9. Three-year recurrence-free survival rate was 81.8% in thoracotomy group and 85.3% in VATS groups (p=0.43). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between thoracotomy and VATS groups (30 cases in 22 patients vs. 19 cases in 17 patients, p=0.65, odds ratio=1.19). The mean hospital stay of VATS group was 2 days shorter than that of thoracotomy group (8.8±6.5 days vs. 6.3±3.3 days, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: VATS lobectomy for pathologic stage I lung cancer is a feasible operation with shorter hospitalization, while surgical outcome is comparable to thoracotomy lobectomy.

Neo-ostium Formation in Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery.

Anomalous origin of a coronary aortic artery is a rare cardiac anomaly. Although it can cause angina, syncope, and palpitations, most patients are asymptomatic. This anomaly requires surgical treatment or intervention because it is associated with sudden death. Several surgical techniques, such as coronary reimplantation, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), unroofing, and neo-ostium formation, have been proposed as treatments. We report a case surgically treated with neo-ostium formation in anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right coronary sinus.