Intramural hematoma of the aorta (IMH) is the precursor or a variant of a classic aortic dissection where hemorrhage occurs within the aorta wall in the absence of an initial intimal tear. IMH has a high rate of mortality and morbidity. The optimal therapy for IMH is uncertain, yet the involvement of the ascending aorta is usually considered as an indication for surgery due to the associated risk of rupture or cardiac tamponade. We report here on a case of a 71-year-old man who presented with syncope. Because of misdiagnosis, he underwent computed tomography (CT) after 5 hrs from arriving to the ER. Computed tomography of the aorta revealed intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta with cardiac tamponade. He also had vascular complications such as acute renal failure and visceral ischemia. We performed emergency graft replacement of the total arch and ascending aorta. He was discharged without complication on postoperative day 14.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Aged ; Aorta ; Cardiac Tamponade ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Emergencies ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Rupture ; Syncope ; Transplants

PURPOSE: We retrospectively analyzed open pulmonary thromboembolectomy in patients with acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1990 and May 2005, 12 consecutive patients with acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolism underwent open pulmonary thromboembolectomy at Yonsei Cardiovascular Center. Their mean age was 47.5 years, and 7 of the patients were female. Among 12 patients, 5 had acute onset, and 7 had chronic disease, and 9 patients were associated with deep venous thrombosis. Extent of pulmonary embolism was massive in 3 patients with hemodynamic instability, and submassive in 8 patients. Preoperative echocardiogram revealed elevated right ventricular pressure in all patients, and 7 patients were in NYHA functional class III or IV. Pulmonary thromboembolectomy was performed in all patients under total circulatory arrest. RESULTS: There were 2 hospital deaths (16.7%). Among the patients who survived, mean right ventricular pressure was decreased significantly from 64.3mmHg to 34.0mmHg with improvement of NYHA functional class. CONCLUSION: Open pulmonary thromboembolectomy is thought to be an immediate and definitive treatment for massive pulmonary embolism with optimal results. Even though operative mortality is still high, early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention in highly selective patients may improve the clinical outcome.
Adult ; Aged ; *Embolectomy/mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Embolism/mortality/physiopathology/*surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Vena Cava Filters

. We present herein a case of pseudofungi incidentally found in the mediastinal lymph nodes of a 31-year-old woman who had a left pneumonectomy for a pulmonary blastoma. The pseudofungi were located in the subcapsular sinuses of the lymph nodes with an associated granulomatous reaction. They revealed yellowish-brown hyphae-like structures with pseudosepta and irregular branching at various angles intermingled with round yeast-like forms. These structures stained positively with periodic acid-Schiff and Gomori methenamine silver, but also stained strongly positive for Prussian blue suggesting that they contain iron. The characteristic morphological features of pseudofungi are discussed with emphasis on the features that distinguish them from true fungal organisms.
Adult ; Female ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Iron ; Lymph Nodes* ; Methenamine ; Pneumonectomy ; Pulmonary Blastoma

BACKGROUND: To clarify the clinical significance of the aortic nodes in resected non-small cell lung cancer of the left upper lobe. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred fifty six patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer of the left upper lobe were studied. Patients who received preoperative induction therapy, non-curative operation or defined as operative mortality were excluded from this study. RESULT: In N2 left upper lobe tumors, aortic nodes comprised 52.7% of the metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes. In single station N2 disease, a frequently metastasized station was aortic node (64.3%). 5-year actuarial survival according to the N status was 65.0% in N0, 30.4% in N1, and 17.9% in N2. There was no statistically significant difference in survival between N1 and N2 diseases (p=0.06). The patients with metastasis to aortic node alone had a comparatively good prognosis (5-year survival: 35.6%) than other N2 diseases (5-year survival: 4.6%) (p=0.01) and had a similar survival outcome as N1 diseases (p=0.97). Considering the aortic node as N1 node, 5-year survival according to the N status was 65.0% in N0, 31.2% in N1, 4.6% in N2 and significant survival difference was observed between N1 and N2 disease (p=0.00). In multivariate analysis, the male sex (hazard ratio 6.892, p=0.011) and the involvement to the aortic node alone (hazards ratio 2.799, p=0.009) were the significant factors affecting postoperative survival. CONCLUSION: According to the our data, involvement to the aortic node alone in left upper lobe tumors should be grouped with N1 disease because this combined category reflects the surgical outcome more accurately.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a life-threatening disease and surgical revascularization plays a major role in selected cases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the left ventricular contractility improvement by examining the wall motion score index (WMSI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients who underwent surgical revascularization under diagnosis of acute MI. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January, 2001 to December, 2004, 149 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery within 2 weeks of acute MI were included. We evaluated pre- and postoperative left ventricular contractility by measuring WMSI and LVEF and examined the associating factors. RESULT: WMSI decreased from 1.54+/-4.30 to 1.43+/-0.40 (p<0.001) and LVEF increased from 48.1+/-12.2% to 49.7+/-12.3% after surgery (p=0.009). Off-pump technique, non-Q wave, anterior MI, and surgery within 7 days after MI were favorable factors for LVEF improvement (p=0.046, p=0.006, p=0.003, p= 0.005, respectively). Conversely, aforementioned factors were irrelevant with WMSI improvement. For triple vessel disease, complete revascularization was favorable factor for WMSI improvement (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Coronary artery bypass surgery can improve WMSI and LVEF in patients with acute MI. In case of anterior MI with non-Q wave, early surgical revascularization within 7 days may be most beneficial in LVEF improvement. Regarding WMSI, complete revascularization may be essential.
Coronary Artery Bypass ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Stroke Volume

BACKGROUND: By improving the flow pattern in Fontan circuit, total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) could result in a better outcome than atriopulmonary connection Fontan operation. For the patients with impaired hemodynamics after atriopulmonary Fontan connection, conversion to TCPC can be expected to bring hemodynamic and functional improvement. We studied the results of the revision of the previous Fontan connection to TCPC in patients with failed Fontan circulation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From October 1979 to June 2002, eight patients who had failed Fontan circulation, underwent revision of previous Fontan operation to TCPC at Yonsei University Hospital. Intracardiac anomalies of the patients were tricuspid atresia (n=4) and other functional single ventricles (n=4). Mean age at TCPC conversion was 14.0+/-7.0 years (range, 4.6~26.2 years) and median interval between initial Fontan operation and TCPC was 7.5 years (range, 2.4~14.3 years). All patients had various degree of symptoms and signs of right heart failure. NYHA functional class was III or IV in six patients. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n=1), cyanosis (n=2), intraatrial thrombi (n=2), and protein losing enteropathy (PLE) (n=3) were also combined. The previous Fontan operation was revised to extracardiac conduit placement (n=7) and intraatrial lateral tunnel (n=1). RESULT: There was no operative death. Major morbidities included deep sternal infection (n=1), prolonged pleural effusion over two weeks (n=1), and temporary junctional tachyarrhythmia (n=1). Postoperative central venous pressure was lower than the preoperative value (17.9+/-3.5 vs. 14.9+/-1.0, p=0.049). Follow-up was complete in all patients and extended to 50.1 months (mean, 30.3+/-12.8 months). There was no late death. All patients were in NYHA class I or II. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia developed in a patient who underwent conversion to intraatrial lateral tunnel procedure. PLE was recurred in two patients among three patients who had had PLE before the convertsion. There was no newly developed PLE. CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic and functional improvement could be expected for the patients with Fontan circulatory failure after atriopulmonary connection by revision of their previous circulation to TCPC. The conversion could be performed with low risk of morbidity and mortality.
Anastomosis, Surgical ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Central Venous Pressure ; Cyanosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fontan Procedure ; Heart Failure ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Mortality ; Pleural Effusion ; Protein-Losing Enteropathies ; Shock* ; Tachycardia ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular ; Tricuspid Atresia

There is no consensus as to which acute myocardial infarction subtype poses a greater risk after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We compared the early and the long term results of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) between patients with STEMI (group I, n = 83), and NSTEMI (group II, n = 237). Group I had higher EuroSCORE, prevalence of emergency surgery, preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump use, preoperative emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and preoperative thrombolytic use than group II. There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) between groups. Overall 8-yr survival was 93% and 87% in groups I and II, respectively. Freedom from MACCE after 8 yr was 92% and 93% in groups I and II, respectively. After propensity score matching analysis, there were no significant differences in preoperative parameters, postoperative in-hospital outcomes, and long-term clinical outcomes. Surgical results of OPCAB in patients with acute myocardial infarction show good results in terms of long-term survival and freedom from MACCE, with no significant differences in clinical outcomes between STEMI and NSTEMI groups.
Acute Disease ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; *Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Disease-Free Survival ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction/drug therapy/mortality/*surgery ; Odds Ratio ; Preoperative Period ; Propensity Score

BACKGROUND: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) has shown better outcome in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients by avoiding the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass. We evaluated renal function after OPCAB in CRF patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 656 patients underwent OPCAB between January, 2001 and December, 2004. Data were collected in 26 CRF patients (Cr>1.7 mg/dL). Preoperative/postoperative creatinine (Cr) levels, creatinine clearance and postoperative data were evaluated. We divided the patients into group 1 (Cr<3 mg/dL) and group 2 (Cr> or =3 mg/dL). RESULT: Three patients started dialysis after surgery. Preoperative mean creatinine level (4.19+/-3.4 mg/dL) was elevated to 4.36+/-2.7 mg/dL at the third postoperative day and decreased below preoperative level at the fifth postoperative day. In group 1 (mean Cr level=1.87+/-0.25 mg/dL), Cr level reached its peak level of 2.19+/-0.52 mg/dL at the fourth postoperative day (p=0.017), with subsequent decrease. Patients without pre- or postoperative dialysis (n=15) showed peak Cr elevation on postoperative day four (p=0.017) and subsequent decrease (p=0.01). Postoperative creatinine clearance showed reverse correlation with creatinine level. CONCLUSION: Creatinine level was elevated at third/fourth postoperative day, but decreased 5 days after surgery. Thus, if urgent dialysis is not indicated, postoperative renal replacement therapy in CRF patients may be better to be considered after four days observation.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump* ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Transplants*

This investigation evaluated the effect of continuous milrinone infusion on right ventriclular (RV) function during off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB) surgery in patients with reduced RV function. Fifty patients scheduled for OPCAB, with thermodilution RV ejection fraction (RVEF) <35% after anesthesia induction, were randomly allocated to either milrinone (0.5 microgram/kg/min) or control (saline) group. Hemodynamic variables and RV volumetric data measured by thermodilution method were collected as follows: after anesthesia induction (T1); 10 min after heart displacement for obtuse marginal artery anastomosis (T2); after pericardial closure (T3). Cardiac index and heart rate increased and systemic vascular resistance significantly decreased in milrinone group at T2. Initially lower RVEF of milrinone group was eventually comparable to control group after milrinone infusion. RVEF did not significantly change at T2 and T3 in both groups. RV end-diastolic volume in milrinone group consistently decreased from the baseline at T2 and T3. Continuous infusion of milrinone without a bolus demonstrated potentially beneficial effect on cardiac output and RV afterload in patients with reduced RV function during OPCAB. However, aggressive augmentation of intravascular volume seems to be necessary to maximize the effect of the milrinone in these patients.
Ventricular Function, Right/*drug effects ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors/*pharmacology ; Milrinone/*pharmacology ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Humans ; Heart Rate/drug effects ; Female ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; *Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Blood Pressure/drug effects ; Aged

PURPOSE: Homograft benefits include excellent hemodynamics, resistance to infection, decreased thromboembolic events, ease of handling, and lack of need for anticoagulation. We examined the short and mid-term results of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction using cryopreserved homografts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From May 1998 to May 2005, 20 patients (male:female=10:10) underwent RVOT reconstruction using cryopreserved homografts. The median age was 23.8 years (range, 0.9 to 43.3 years) and the median body weight was 57kg (range, 7.3 to 80kg). Eighteen patients underwent re-operation after shunt or corrective operations. Homograft failure was defined as either re-operation for homograft replacement or patient death. Homograft dysfunction was defined as grade 3 or more than 3 of graft regurgitation and more than 40mmHg of transvalvular pressure gradient under echocardiographic examination. RESULTS: No operative mortality occurred and there were three major complications. Graft failure was observed in one male patient with tetralogy of Fallot. The 8-year freedom from graft failure was 87.5+/-11.7% and the 7-year freedom from graft dysfunction was 62.3+/-17.9%. Multivariable analysis revealed that the independent factor for graft dysfunction was age less than 10 years. In the analysis according to age group, the 7-year freedom from graft dysfunction in the group of patients older than 10 years was 100% and 25.0+/-21.7% in patients age 10 or younger (p= 0.03). CONCLUSION: Right ventricular outflow reconstruction using cryopreserved homografts provided excellent short and mid-term results in most patients in this study. However, in patients younger than 10 years old, homografts for RVOT reconstruction showed a high dysfunction rate at mid-term.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cryopreservation ; Female ; Heart Diseases/*surgery ; Heart Ventricles/*transplantation ; Humans ; Infant ; Intraoperative Complications ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; Transplantation, Homologous/adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome