Complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot in infancy.

We reviewed our long-term results of complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) in infant. One hundred and sixty infants diagnosed as TOF underwent complete repair between January 1990 and April 2002. Mean age at the operation was 8.

Comparison of lateral tunnel and extracardiac conduit Fontan procedure.

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of lateral tunnel (LT) and extracardiac conduit (ECC) Fontan procedures at a single institution. From April 1995 to December 2006, 165 Fontan procedures were performed (67 LT, 98 ECC). Pre-, intra- and postoperative variable values were compared between two different techniques.

Aprotinin attenuates the elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is generally believed to be elevated after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) due to whole body inflammation. Aprotinin has an antiinflammatory action, and it was hypothesized that aprotinin would attenuate the PVR increase induced by CPB. Ten mongrel dogs were placed under moderately hypothermic CPB for 2 hr.

Mid-term follow-up of neoaortic regurgitation after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of the neoaortic valve after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.

Methods: A retrospective review of arterial switch operations that were performed during the period from 1991 to 2003 was conducted. We followed patients with echocardiography.

Fontan conversion with arrhythmia surgery.

Objective: Hemodynamic abnormalities and refractory atrial arrhythmias in patients late after the Fontan operation result in significant morbidity and mortality. We reviewed our experience with Fontan conversion and concomitant arrhythmia surgery.

Methods: Between January 1996 and February 2004, 16 patients underwent Fontan conversion and arrhythmia surgery.

Heart-lung transplantation in Korea.

Heart-lung transplantation is an effective treatment for patients with various forms of congenital heart disease or pulmonary hypertension. Since the first heart-lung transplantation in 1997, five transplants have been performed in Korea. Three cases were performed in 1997, one in 1998, and the latest one in 2002.

Repair of transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to compare the outcomes of the Lecompte procedure and Rastelli repair in the transposition of the great arteries (TGA) with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) and to determine the risk factors associated with unfavorable events.

Methods: Over a 12-year period (April 1990-October 2002), 35 patients underwent complete repair for TGA, VSD, and LVOTO. Twenty-five patients (71%) underwent the Lecompte modification, and mean age and weight were 23.

Surgical results of patients with a functional single ventricle.

Objective: Overall mortality of the patients with a functional single ventricle is still high, though excellent mid- and long-term results of the modified Fontan procedure have been reported. This study assessed the factors that affect the surgical outcomes mainly in the pre-Fontan stage and performed long-term survival analysis.

Methods: Between January 1988 and December 2000, 405 patients with a functional single ventricle underwent surgical interventions and were followed up until June 2001.

Chronic heart failure model in rabbits based on the concept of the bifurcation/trifurcation coronary artery branching pattern.

The aim of this study was to develop a reliable chronic heart failure model by coronary artery ligation in the rabbit on the basis of the new concept of the bifurcation/trifurcation classification system of the epicardial branching pattern of the left coronary artery (LCA). New Zealand White rabbits (n = 37) were divided into 3 experimental groups: a posterolateral division of the bifurcation pattern of the LCA was ligated at the 75% level from the apex along the course of the division (B75 group, n = 15); a lateral division of the trifurcation pattern at the 75% level (T75 group, n = 11); and a posterolateral division of the bifurcation pattern at the 50% level (B50 group, n = 11). The infarct size and the lung and liver water content were determined at 4 weeks following ligation.