This study is to clarify the results of atrial septal defect (ASD) repair and mitral valve surgery through right anterolateral thoracotomy since 1989, and those of more generalized application of minimal invasive cardiac surgery since August 1997. We retrospectively analyzed the results of open heart surgery (OHS) through other than full sternotomy carried out until October 1997. There were 28 cases of OHS done through right anterolateral thoracotomy (17 cases of ASD, 4 cases of mitral valve repair, 6 cases of mitral valve replacement, and 1 redo mitral and tricuspid valve repalcement) which has demonstrated no surgical mortality or morbidity except only 1 case of reoperation for bleeding. During the period between August and October 1997, we performed near routine application of upper sternotomy or transverse sternotomy in aortic valve cases and routine application of minimal incision in cases with ASD and there was no evidence of early and late complications associated with this approach. We conclude that OHS with the use of minimal incisions is very safe, cosmetically excellent, and superior in terms of the amount of bleeding. The indication for minimal incision, therefore, should be extended afterwards.
Adult* ; Aortic Valve ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Mortality ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sternotomy* ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Thoracotomy ; Tricuspid Valve

No abstract available.
Gangwon-do* ; Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Liver Diseases* ; Liver* ; Prevalence*

BACKGROUND: The regression of the left ventricular hypertrophy after prosthetic valve replacement in patients with aortic valvular stenosis is an important factor to determine the appropriateness of the replaced prosthetic valvular size. Methods: To assess the regression of myocardial hypertrophy, a retrospective analysis of Doppler echocardiographic and electrocardiographic data was undertaken before, soon after (7.5+/-2.1 day), and late after (10.7+/-1.8 months) surgery in 36 patients (22 males, 14 female, mean age 54+/-12.1 years, mean BSA 1.61+/-0.15m2) with predominant aortic valvular stenosis. The patients underwent St. Jude Medical aortic valve replacement. By the size of the valves used, the patients were divided into three groups (19, 21 and 23+). RESULTS: The mean body surface area (1.48+/-0.13) in the patients with the 19 mm valve was smaller than that in the other groups (1.63+/-0.12) (p<0.05). No significant changes of ejection fraction were detected in all groups over time. Left ventricular muscle mass index (gm/m2) was reduced significantly in the 21 and 23+ groups over time (p<0.05), but there were no significant changes in the 19 mm valve group. The electric voltage height on EKG at the period of late after surgery was reduced significantly in all groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite clinical improvement, the LVH was not reduced significantly in 19 mm valve group. Thus we suggest that more attention and additional procedures such as annular enlargement should be taken in patients who will undergo the replacement of 19 mm prosthetic valve.
Aortic Valve ; Body Surface Area ; Cardiomegaly ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

Postoperative autotransfusion is known as an effective method for blood conservation. We tried to examine whether the autotransfusion of shed mediastinal blood in patients with unstable angina would be valuable for reducing postoperative homologous transfusion by observing the hourly tendency of bleeding and transfusion. Between August and October, 1997, 26 patients with unstable angina underwent coronary arterial bypass surgery by a single surgeon at Asan Medical Center. In retrospective analysis, we found 90% of the patients received homologous transfusions and 85% of them were in the intensive care unit at the same day after operation. In many patients, the cause of transfusion was not anemia but volume replacement. Mean bleeding through the chest tubes was 340 cc for the first 5 hours and 69% (18 pts) showed more than 200 cc of bleeding, the amount generally considered as a initiating point for autotransfusion. Despite the adoption of multiple methods for blood conservation, 90% of the patients needed homologous transfusion. Moreover, many of them had received unnecessary transfusions. We conclude that some kind of blood for transfusion is needed during the immediate postoperative period, and the adoption of postoperative autotransfusion may help in reducing homologous transfusion.
Anemia ; Angina Pectoris ; Angina, Unstable ; Blood Transfusion ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Chest Tubes ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Patients with cardiac diseases who have structural defects in their heart bring about metabolic insult such as preoperative acid-base imbalance. Cardiac operation requires many nonphysiologic procedures such as extracorporeal circulation, hypothermia, and hemodilution. We studied the acid-base status of surgical heart diseases pre-operatively, during extracorporeal circulation, and post-operatively and researched the treatment indications of acid-base disturbances. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1997 to May 1999, fifty two cases of open heart surgery were carried out under extracorporeal circulation, which divided into a set of pediatric and adult groups, congenital and acquired groups, non-cyanotic and cyanotic groups, The alpha-stat arterial blood gas analysis was done in each group during the preoperative period, during the operation with extracorporeal circulation, and during the postoperative period. RESULT: Before surgery, all patients present metabolic acidosis, PaO2 was low in adult group and acquired group and compensatory respiratory alkalosis was noted in cyanotic group. During extracorporeal circulation, adult group revealed alkalosis and normal in acquired group. Pediatric group presents low PaCO2, metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. Congenital group and non-cyanotic group showed non-compensatory alkalosis trend and non-compensatory respiratory acidosis were observed in cyanotic group during extracorporeal circulation. Postoperative acid-base status of adult group was recovered to normal and the standard bicarbonate was increased in the acquired group. All of the pediatric, congenital non-cyanotic, and cyanotic groups revealed the lack of buffer base. CONCLUSION: In Preoperative period, correction of metabolic acidosis was required in pediatric, congenital and non-cyanotic groups, while treatment of metabolic acidosis and low PaCO2 were required in adult and acquired groups. In the cyanotic group, metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis needed to be corrected preoperatively. Using the extracorporeal circulation, minimal correction was required except acquired group which showed normal acid-base balance. In postoperative period, restriction of bicarbonate was required for acquired group while increase of buffer base was required for pediatric, congenital, non-cyanotic, and cyanotic groups.
Acid-Base Equilibrium ; Acid-Base Imbalance ; Acidosis ; Acidosis, Respiratory ; Adult ; Alkalosis ; Alkalosis, Respiratory ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Extracorporeal Circulation* ; Gases* ; Heart Diseases* ; Heart* ; Hemodilution ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Postoperative Period* ; Preoperative Period* ; Thoracic Surgery

The objectives of this study are to investigate the prevalence of occupation related carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) among workers in a condom industry; to analyse the sensitivity and specificity of clinical signs or symptoms such as hand diagram, Tinel's sign and Phalen's sign in carpal tunnel syndrome; and to test vibration threshold test using audiometry as a technically easy and noninvasive method in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in stead of nerve conduction velocity(NCV). The study group was divided into exposed group(39 cases)and non-exposed group(48 cases) based on whether or not excessive use of wrist movements exist. 1. There are statistically significant differences in symptoms and signs of carpal tunnel syndrome such as hand diagram, Tinel's sign and Phalen's sign between exposed and non-exposed group(p<0.05). 2. Six cases(9 hands) were confirmed as carpal tunnel syndrome by NCV. Five cases(7 hands) belonged to exposed group, 1 case(2 hands) to nonexposed group. As there are significant differences in prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome between two groups(p<0.05), excessive use of wrist in occupation is a risk factor of carpal tunnel syndrome. 3. When we use NCV as a gold standard in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, sensitivity and specificity of hand diagram, Tinel's sign and Phalen's sign is as followed; hand diagram; sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 84.2%. Tinel's sign; sensitivity 55.6%, specificity 72.8%. Phalen's sign; sensitivity 14.3%, specificity 88.4%. Among above clinical signs and symptoms, hand diagram is the best clinical screening test. 4. The differences of vibration threshold between median and ulnar nerve at the same time are useful in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome but the time change of vibration threshold of median nerve over time are not sensitive enough. It is concluded that vibration threshold between median and ulnar nerve at the same time can be used as a supplementary or alternative criterion to indicate that the nerve dysfunction is located in the carpal tunnel.
Audiometry ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Condoms* ; Diagnosis ; Hand ; Mass Screening ; Median Nerve ; Neural Conduction ; Occupations ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ulnar Nerve ; Vibration ; Wrist

We report a case of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm in 48-year-old male, presenting the symptom of congestive heart failure. Echocardiography showing a hairpin-like sac ex tended from the left coronary sinus to the left ventricle adjacent to the anterior mitral valve leaflet, suggested ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm or aorto-left ventricular tunnel. Operative findings revealed that left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm had multiple openings faced left ventricle, 7 mm in diameter, 20 mm in length. The proximal opening was closed with bovine pericardium and distal openings were closed with spaghetti pledgeted reinforced sutures. The patient was discharged on the 14th postoperative day, and follow up for 8 months uneventfully. This case was reported for its rarity and to describe the techniques of surgical repair.
Aneurysm* ; Coronary Sinus ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Heart Ventricles* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve ; Pericardium ; Sinus of Valsalva* ; Sutures

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of surgical repair as a method of treatment for rheumatic mitral regurgitation by comparing the results of mitral valvuloplasty(MVP) in rheumatic mitral regurgitation and degenerative mitral regurgitation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Among the 184 MVP patients between January 1995 to December 1998, 49 Rheumatic mirtal regurgiation patients(Group I) and 72 degenerative mirtal regurgitation(Group II) patients were studied. The mean age in group I was 36.3+/-14.6(16-74) and in group II, 52.5+/-13.4(14-77) years. The total follow up duration was 72.2patient years for group I and 77.2 patient years for group II. The Echocardiography was performed preoperatively, at 6months and 1 year postoperatively, and then yearly thereafter in both groups. RESULT: Preoperatively, there were no hemodynamic differences between the two groups. The preoperative mitral regurgitation was 3.9+/-0.4 in group I and 3.9+/-0.3 in group II, but on follow up, both groups showed decrease of grade of regurgitation to 0.9+/-0.9 in group I and 0.8+/-0.7 in group II. The mitral valve area or the mean transmitral pressure gradient was not significantly different between the two groups. There was neither early nor late mortality in either group and the reoperation rate in group I was 1.4% per patient year and 2.6% per patient year in group II. The rate of thromboembolism in group I was 2.8% per patient year and 1.3% per patient year in group II. There was one bacterial endocarditis in group I. Statistical analysis of the data between the two groups failed to reveal any significant differences. CONCLUSION: Although the results of a long term follow up will be required, the current intermedite term study showed that repair was a viable option in the treatment of rheumatic mitral regurgitation.
Echocardiography ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Mortality ; Reoperation ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; Thromboembolism

BACKGROUND: To secure a rapid and safe approach which is at the same time cosmetically appealing, we employed the right anterolateral thoracotomy incision for repair of atrial septal defects and valvular heart diseases in the adult. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between October 1989 and June 1998, 44 adult patients underwent open heart surgery through right anterolateral thoracotomy at our institution. Operative time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, blood loss until chest tube removal, length of ICU stay, days to discharge, and survival were compared with those that received cardiac surgery via conventional sternotomy. RESULT: No significant differences were observed between the two groups. There was no death and no additional morbidity directly related to this approach. Cosmetically satisfying results were obtained with safety using the right anterolateral thoracotomy approach. CONCLUSION: Our data show that the right anterolateral thoracotomy approach is a safe alternative to conventional median sternotomy as it offers excellent exposure and aesthetically more acceptable wounds while not adding on to the operative risks.
Adult* ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Chest Tubes ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Operative Time ; Sternotomy ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Thoracotomy* ; Wounds and Injuries

BACKGROUND: The current study was undertaken to investigate the results of a modification in the conventional Maze III Procedure devised by the authors. The aim of the technical modification was in improving the left atrial contractility. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between July 1997 and December 1998, 34 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation for more than 1 year duration underwent a modified Maze III procedure. The assessment of the left atrial function was made by various echocardiographic measurements and SA nodal recovery was evaluated by HRV Holter monitoring. RESULT: All 34 patients were in sinus rhythm. On echocardiography, right atrial contraction was detected in 32 patients(94.1%) and left atrial contraction in 33 patients(97.1%). The echocardiographic A wave at 1, 6, and 12 months or more were 50.5+/-31.5, 62.1+/-25.1, 66+/-20.6 cm/sec, respectively, and the E wave measurements at the same time points were 152+/-31.1, 134.4+/-35.2, 133+/-27.5 cm/sec. The corresponding A/E ratios were 0.32+/-0.13, 0.48+/-0.18, 0.5+/-0.15, showing a rising trend. Treadmill evaluation at 6 months showed a mean 82% increase in heart rate after excising, and the SDNN and SDANN upon HRV Holter at 1 and 3 months postoperatively were 65.3+/-28.1/87.8+/-27.2 ms, and 60.0+/-24.1/83.4+/-25.7 ms, respectively, showing a predoinant autonomic recovery in the parasympathetic system(PSDNN = 0.01, PSDANN =0.015). CONCLUSION: The results of our data suggest that the current modification in the conventional Maze III Procedure was efective in enhancing the postoperative left atrial contractility.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Atrial Function, Left* ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Heart Rate ; Humans