Meong Gun Song

Konkuk University, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea

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Publications (32)93.29 Total impact

  • Article: Evaluation of the aortic and mitral valves with cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
    Sung Min Ko, Meong Gun Song, Hweung Kon Hwang
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    ABSTRACT: Cardiac computed tomography (CT) produces high-quality anatomical images of the cardiac valves and associated structures. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides images of valve morphology, and allows quantitative evaluation of valvular dysfunction and determination of the impact of valvular lesions on cardiovascular structures. Recent studies have demonstrated that cardiac CT and MRI are important adjuncts to echocardiography for the evaluation of aortic and mitral valvular heart diseases (VHDs). Radiologists should be aware of the technical aspects of cardiac CT and MRI that allow comprehensive assessment of aortic and mitral VHDs, as well as the typical imaging features of common and important aortic and mitral VHDs on cardiac CT and MRI.
    The international journal of cardiovascular imaging 11/2012; · 2.15 Impact Factor
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    Article: Comparative analysis of thoracotomy and sternotomy approaches in cardiac reoperation.
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    ABSTRACT: Reoperation of cardiac surgery via median sternotomy can be associated with significant complications. Thoracotomy is expected to reduce the risk of reoperation and to enhance the surgical outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed two operative approaches (thoracotomy vs. sternotomy) in cardiac reoperation. From September 2007 to December 2010, 35 patients who required reoperation of the mitral valvular disease following previous median sternotomy were included. Average age of patients was 45.8±15.4 years (range, 14 to 76 years) and male-to-female was 23:12. Interval period between primary operation and reoperation was 135.8±105.6 months (range, 3.3 to 384.9 months). Comparative analysis was done dividing the patient group into two groups that are thoracotomy group (22 patients) and sternotomy group (13 patients). Thoracotomy group was significantly lower in operative time (415.2±90.3 vs. 497.5±148.0, p<0.05), bleeding control time (108.0±29.5 vs. 146.4±66.8, p<0.05) and chest tube drainage (287.5±211.5 mL vs. 557.3±365.5 mL, p<0.05) compared to sternotomy group. The thoracotomy approach is superior to sternotomy in some variables, and it is considered as a valid alternative to repeat median sternotomy in patients who underwent a previous median sternotomy.
    The Korean journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. 08/2012; 45(4):225-9.
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    Article: Short-term Outcomes of Aortic Wrapping for Mild to Moderate Ascending Aorta Dilatation in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery.
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    ABSTRACT: The adequate management of mild to moderate dilatation of the ascending aorta during cardiac operations remains controversial. In this study, we present the short-term outcomes of 90 patients undergoing ascending aortic wrapping with a Dacron graft during other cardiac operations. From March 2008 to January 2011, 90 consecutive patients underwent treatment for ascending aortic aneurysm using the external wrapping technique during the concomitant procedure. The study group consisted of 49 male and 41 female patients with a mean age of 58.7±13 years. The primary cardiac surgical procedures were coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 3, aortic valve replacement in 2, and aortic valvuloplasty in 85 patients (isolated in 62 and combined with CABG or mitral valvuloplasty in 23). The ascending aorta diameter was measured using a computed tomography scan within 4 weeks after surgery, and was compared with the preoperative value. The diameters of the ascending aorta wrapped with the Dacron graft were significantly reduced within a month after surgery from 46.4±4.3 mm to 33.0±3.5 mm (p<0.05). There was no early mortality or major surgical complication. During the mean follow-up period of 15.4±5.2 months, there was only one late death caused by septic multiorgan failure. Dacron wrapping of the ascending aorta offers excellent results with very low mortality and morbidity, and it can be regarded as a safe and effective method for the treatment of moderately dilated ascending aorta in selected patients.
    The Korean journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. 06/2012; 45(3):148-54.
  • Article: Morphological assessment of the aortic valve using coronary computed tomography angiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance, and transthoracic echocardiography: comparison with intraoperative findings.
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    ABSTRACT: To compare the diagnostic accuracies of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in aortic valve (AV) morphological assessments with operative findings. We retrospectively enrolled 262 patients who underwent CCTA, CMR, and TTE before AV surgery. Two independent blinded observers assessed AV morphology as being tricuspid, bicuspid, or quadricuspid using three imaging modalities. Interobserver and intermodality agreements were obtained with kappa statistics. The diagnostic accuracies of CCTA, CMR, and TTE for identifying AV morphology (tricuspid vs. non-tricuspid) were compared with intraoperative findings as the reference standard. At surgery, tricuspid AV, bicuspid AV, and quadricuspid AV were present in 179, 80, and 3 patients, respectively. The CCTA and CMR image qualities were all diagnostic. Thirteen cases of TTE were not evaluable due to severe AV calcification. An excellent correlation between CMR and CCTA was seen for the identification of AV morphology (κ = 0.97). Good correlations existed between CCTA and TTE (κ = 0.72) and between CMR and TTE (κ = 0.74). CCTA, CMR, and TTE had an excellent or good interobserver agreement (κ = 0.90, 0.95, and 0.72, respectively). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for AV morphology assessment (tricuspid vs. non-tricuspid) were: 97, 95, 98, and 94 % with CCTA (n = 262); 98, 96, 98, and 95 % with CMR (n = 262); and 98, 88, 95, and 96 % with TTE (n = 249). CCTA and CMR are highly accurate for identifying AV morphology.
    The international journal of cardiovascular imaging 05/2012; 28 Suppl 1:33-44. · 2.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: Diagnostic performance of combined noninvasive anatomic and functional assessment with dual-source CT and adenosine-induced stress dual-energy CT for detection of significant coronary stenosis.
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    ABSTRACT: The purpose of our study was to prospectively evaluate the incremental diagnostic value of combined dual-source coronary CT angiography (CTA) and CT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for the detection of significant coronary stenoses. Forty-five patients with known coronary artery disease detected by dual-source coronary CTA were investigated by adenosine-induced stress dual-source CTA and conventional coronary angiography. Analysis was performed in three steps: classification of coronary stenosis severity using dual-source coronary CTA, identification of myocardial perfusion defects using rest and stress CT MPI, and reclassification of coronary stenosis severity according to combined dual-source coronary CTA and CT MPI. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of dual-source coronary CTA before and after CT MPI were calculated on a per-vessel basis compared with conventional coronary angiography as the standard of reference. Dual-source coronary CTA revealed 87 significantly stenotic vessels in 45 patients. Conventional coronary angiography revealed significant stenoses in 73 vessels in 42 patients. CT MPI showed myocardial perfusion defects in 81 vessel territories in 43 patients. After the CT MPI analysis, dual-source coronary CTA identified significant stenoses in 77 coronary vessels in 42 patients. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the dual-source coronary CTA on a per-vessel basis before CT MPI were 91.8%, 67.7%, 73.6%, and 87.5%, respectively, and after CT MPI were 93.2%, 85.5%, 88.3%, and 91.4%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased significantly from 0.798 to 0.893 (p = 0.004). Combined dual-source coronary CTA and CT MPI provides incremental diagnostic value compared with dual-source coronary CTA alone for the detection of significant coronary stenoses.
    American Journal of Roentgenology 03/2012; 198(3):512-20. · 2.78 Impact Factor
  • Article: Assessment of global left ventricular function with dual-source computed tomography in patients with valvular heart disease.
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    ABSTRACT: Left ventricular (LV) function is a vital parameter for prognosis, therapy guidance, and follow-up of cardiovascular disease. Dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) provides an accurate analysis of global LV function. To assess the performance of DSCT in the determination of global LV functional parameters in comparison with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) in patients with valvular heart disease (VHD). A total of 111 patients (58 men, mean age 49.9 years) with known VHD and who underwent DSCT, 2D-TTE, and CMR a period of 2 weeks before undergoing valve surgery were included in this study. LV end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume (EDV), stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF) were calculated by DSCT using the threshold-based technique, by 2D-TTE using a modified Simpson's method, and by CMR using Simpson's method. Agreement for parameters of LV global function was determined with the Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and Bland-Altman analysis. All the DSCT and CMR data-sets were assessed independently by two readers. Fifty of the total 111 patients had aortic VHD, 29 patients had mitral VHD, and 32 patients had mixed aortic and mitral VHD. An excellent inter-observer agreement was seen for the assessment of global LV function using DSCT (r = 0.910-0.983) and CMR (r = 0.854-0.965). An excellent or good correlation (r = 0.93, 0.95, 0.87, and 0.71, respectively, P < 0.001) was noted between the DSCT and 2D-TTE values for EDV, ESV, SV, and EF. EDV (33.7 mL, P < 0.001), ESV (12.1 mL, P < 0.001), SV (21.2 mL, P < 0.001), and EF (1.6%, P = 0.019) were significantly overestimated by DSCT when compared with 2D-TTE. An excellent correlation (r = 0.96, 0.97, 0.91, and 0.94, respectively, P < 0.001) between DSCT and CMR was seen in the evaluation of EDV, ESV, SV, and EF. EDV (15.9 mL, P < 0.001), ESV (7.3 mL, P < 0.001), and SV (8.5 mL, P < 0.001) were significantly underestimated, but EF (1.1%, P = 0.002) was significantly overestimated by DSCT when compared with CMR. Our study showed that DSCT measurements of global LV function using the threshold-based technique were highly reproducible and compared more favorably with CMR measurements using Simpson's method than those of 2D-TTE using the modified Simpson's method. DSCT enables accurate quantification of global LV function in patients with VHD.
    Acta Radiologica 02/2012; 53(3):270-7. · 1.37 Impact Factor
  • Article: Bicuspid aortic valve: spectrum of imaging findings at cardiac MDCT and cardiovascular MRI.
    Sung Min Ko, Meong Gun Song, Hweung Kon Hwang
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    ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: Cardiac MDCT and cardiovascular MRI have become widely used for the evaluation of cardiovascular disease, including aortic valve disease. The purpose of this article is to present the cardiac MDCT and cardiovascular MRI findings of bicuspid aortic valve, its various complications, and other congenital cardiovascular malformations. CONCLUSION: Radiologists should be aware of the clinical significance and the varied appearance of bicuspid aortic valve at cardiac MDCT and cardiovascular MRI.
    American Journal of Roentgenology 01/2012; 198(1):89-97. · 2.78 Impact Factor
  • Article: Measurement of the ascending aorta diameter in patients with severe bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve stenosis using dual-source computed tomography coronary angiography.
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    ABSTRACT: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of dual-source computed tomography coronary angiography (DSCT-CA) in the measurement of the ascending aorta (AA) diameter and compare the AA diameter in patients with severe bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) stenosis. Eighty-eight consecutive patients (50 men, mean age 60.3 ± 13 year) with severe aortic stenosis (AS) underwent DSCT-CA before aortic valve surgery. Seventy-four of the 88 patients underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). The internal diameter of AA was measured from early-systole with DSCT-CA and CMR by 2 radiologists independently at 4 levels (aortic annulus, sinuses of Valsalva, sinotubular junction, and tubular portion at the right pulmonary artery). The patients were divided in to 2 groups (BAV [n = 53]; TAV [n = 35]) according to operative findings. Patients with BAV were significantly younger than those with TAV (P = 0.0035). Inter-observer agreement of AA diameters at 4 levels with DSCT-CA and CMR was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.89-0.97). Also, the DSCT-CA and CMR measurements of the AA diameter strongly correlated (r = 0.871-0.976). Mean diameter of the AA by DSCT-CA was significantly larger in patients with BAV (34.4 ± 8.2 mm) as compared to those with TAV (30.6 ± 5.5 mm). The diameters at the sinuses of Valsalva, sinotubular junction, and tubular portion were significantly larger in BAV than in TAV. Twenty-two of 53 (41.5%) patients with BAV and 2 of 35 (5.7%) patients with TAV had AA dilatation > 45 mm. DSCT-CA allows accurate assessment of the AA diameters in patients with severe AS. Patients with severe BAV stenosis had larger AA diameters and higher prevalence of AA dilatation > 45 mm as compared to those with severe TAV stenosis.
    The international journal of cardiovascular imaging 12/2011; 27 Suppl 1:61-71. · 2.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: Systolic luminal narrowing and morphologic characteristics of myocardial bridging of the mid-left anterior descending coronary artery by dual-source computed tomography.
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    ABSTRACT: To identify factors that can affect systolic compression of myocardial bridging (MB) of the mid-left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery with dual-source computed tomography (DSCT). Patients with mid-LAD MB (n = 198) detected by DSCT were studied. MB was classified as incomplete superficial (IS), complete superficial (CS), and deep (D) type. The depth and length of the mid-LAD MB segment in diastole, luminal reduction of the tunneled LAD segment in systole, and degree of systolic left ventricular (LV) wall thickening were all analyzed. Correlation between the depth, length, degree of systolic LV wall thickening, and luminal narrowing in the systolic phase was evaluated. Eighty-one (40.9%) MB were IS, 37 (18.7%) were CS, and 80 (40.4%) were D type. Significant differences in the degree of luminal narrowing in the systolic phase were found among the three MB types (IS, 19.9 ± 10.1%; CS, 26.9 ± 12.1%; D, 36.6 ± 13.8%; P < 0.0001). The luminal narrowing in the systolic phase correlated with the depth (r = 0.56) and percentage of systolic LV wall thickening (r = 0.44), but was not related to length (r = 0.28). In addition to the degree of LV systolic wall thickening and depth of MB, the types of MB also affect luminal narrowing in the systolic phase.
    The international journal of cardiovascular imaging 12/2011; 27 Suppl 1:73-83. · 2.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: Surgical correction of cor triatriatum associated with pulmonary artery thrombosis in an adult.
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    ABSTRACT: We herein present a case of a successful correction of cor triatriatum associated with thrombotic pulmonary hypertension diagnosed in an adult female patient. We confirmed diagnosis using transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography in addition to cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical repair comprised excision of the fibromuscular membranous septum in the left atrium, patch closure of an atrial septal defect, and reconstruction of the pulmonary arteries with a vascular graft. Cor triatriatum complicated pulmonary thrombotic hypertension with atrial septal defect is amenable to surgical correction with satisfactory results.
    The Korean journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. 12/2011; 44(6):432-6.
  • Article: Patch valvuloplasty in patients with posterior chordae rupture.
    International journal of cardiology 11/2011; 154(2):206-7. · 7.08 Impact Factor
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    Article: Heart transplantation in pediatric patients: twelve-year experience of the Asan Medical Center.
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    ABSTRACT: Heart transplantation is a standard treatment for end-stage heart disease. Pediatric heart transplantation, however, is not frequently performed due to the shortage of pediatric heart donors. This is the first report of pediatric heart transplantation in Korea. Our retrospective study included 37 patients younger than 18 yr of age who underwent heart transplantation at Asan Medical Center between August 1997 and April 2009. Preoperative diagnosis was either cardiomyopathy (n = 29, 78.3%) or congenital heart disease (n = 8, 22.7%). Mean follow up period was 56.9 ± 44.6 months. There were no early death, but 7 late deaths (7/37, 18.9%) due to rejection after 11, 15, 41 months (n = 3), infection after 5, 8, 10 months (n = 3), suspicious ventricular arrhythmia after 50 months (n = 1). There was no significant risk factor for survival. There were 25 rejections (25/37, 67.6%); less than grade II occurred in 17 patients (17/25, 68%) and more than grade II occurred in 8 patients (8/25, 32%). Actuarial 1, 5, and 10 yr survival was 88.6%, 76.8%, and 76.8%. Our midterm survival of pediatric heart transplantation showed excellent results. We hope this result could be an encouraging message to do more pediatric heart transplantation in Korean society.
    Journal of Korean medical science 05/2011; 26(5):593-8. · 0.84 Impact Factor
  • Article: Fat streak in the middle layer of the left ventricular myocardium in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy: findings of multidetector CT and MR imaging.
    Song Soo Kim, Sung Min Ko, Meong Gun Song
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    ABSTRACT: We report a case of streaky fat deposition and late hyperenhancement in the middle layer of the left ventricular myocardium detected on computed tomography coronary angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy. CT revealed multiple curvilinear streaks of hypoattenuating foci involving the middle layer of the LV myocardium, with a mean attenuation value of -70 HU, comparable to that of fat. Late mid-wall hyperenhancement foci were noted in the fatty deposition sites of the left ventricle wall on delayed contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI. However, an area of late mid-wall hyperenhancement was smaller than that of fat deposition.
    The international journal of cardiovascular imaging 04/2011; 27(5):745-8. · 2.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: Short-term Mechanical Circulatory Support with a Centrifugal Pump - Results of Peripheral Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator According to Clinical Situation.
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    ABSTRACT: A peripheral extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (p-ECMO) has been developed to support patients who are dying due to a serious cardiopulmonary condition. This analysis was planned to define the clinical situation in which the patient benefits most from a p-ECMO. Between June 2007 and Aug 2009, a total of 41 adult patients used the p-ECMO. There were 23 males and 18 females (mean age 54.4±15.1 years). All patients had very unstable vital signs with hypoxia and complex cardiac problems. We divided the patients into 4 groups. In the first group, a p-ECMO was used as a bridge to cardiac operation. In the second group, patients did not have the opportunity to undergo any cardiac procedures; nevertheless, they were treated with a p-ECMO. In the third group, patients mostly had difficulty in weaning from CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) after cardiac operation. The fourth group suffered from many complications, such as pneumonia, bleeding, infections, and LV dysfunction with underlying cardiac problems. All cannulations were performed by the Seldinger technique or cutting down the femoral vessel. A long venous cannula of DLP® (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, MN) or RMI® (Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Irvine, CA) was used together with a 17~21 Fr arterial cannula and a 21 Fr venous cannula. As a bypass pump, a Capiox emergency bypass system (EBS®; Terumo, Tokyo, Japan) was used. We attempted to maintain a flow rate of 2.4~3.0 L/min/m(2) and an activated clotting time (ACT) of around 180 seconds. Nine patients survived by the use of the p-ECMO. Ten patients were weaned from a p-ECMO but they did not survive, and the remainder had no chance to be weaned from the p-ECMO. The best clinical situation to apply the p-ECMO was to use it as a bridge to cardiac operation and for weaning from CPB after cardiac operation. Various clinical results were derived by p-ECMO according to the clinical situation. For the best results, early adoption of the p-ECMO for anatomical correction appears important.
    The Korean journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. 02/2011; 44(1):9-17.
  • Article: Myocardial perfusion imaging using adenosine-induced stress dual-energy computed tomography of the heart: comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and conventional coronary angiography.
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    ABSTRACT: To evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of adenosine-stress dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) for detecting haemodynamically significant stenosis causing reversible myocardial perfusion defect (PD) compared with stress perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (SP-MRI) and conventional coronary angiography (CCA). Fifty patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) detected by dual-source CT (DSCT) were investigated by contrast-enhanced, stress DECT with high- and low-energy x-ray spectra settings during adenosine infusion. A colour-coded iodine map was used for evaluation of myocardial PDs compared with rest DSCT perfusion images. Reversible myocardial PDs according to the stress DECT/rest DSCT were compared with SP-MRI on a segmental basis and CCA on a vascular territorial basis. A total of 697 myocardial segments and 123 vascular territories of 41 patients were analysed. Three hundred one segments and 72 vascular territories in 38 patients showed reversible PDs on stress DECT. Stress DECT had 89% sensitivity, 78% specificity and 82% accuracy for detecting segments with reversible PDs seen on SP-MRI (n=28). Compared with CCA (n=41), stress DECT had 89% sensitivity, 76% specificity and 83% accuracy for the detection of vascular territories with reversible myocardial PDs that had haemodynamically relevant CAD. Adenosine stress DECT can identify stress-induced myocardial PD in patients with CAD.
    European Radiology 01/2011; 21(1):26-35. · 3.22 Impact Factor
  • Article: Assessment of global function of left ventricle with dual-source CT in patients with severe arrhythmia: a comparison with the use of two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography.
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    ABSTRACT: To evaluate the agreement between dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) and two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) with respect to the assessment of global left ventricular (LV) function in patients with severe arrhythmia. With 2D-TTE serving as the reference method, we performed both DSCT and 2D-TTE, at an interval of less than 2 days, in 54 patients with severe arrhythmia (average heart rate difference >30 beats per min) before open heart surgery for evaluation of valvular heart disease (VHD) and coronary artery disease. DSCT was performed using retrospective electrocardiography (ECG) without dose modulation. Ten phases of the cardiac cycle were analyzed for identification of end-diastolic and end-systolic phases with ECG-editing. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and Bland-Altman analysis were used to determine agreement for parameters of LV global function. Correlation between DSCT and 2D-TTE measurements was good or excellent in terms of the values of the LV ejection fraction (51.0 ± 11.4% vs. 55.8 ± 11.6%; r = 0.8), LV end-diastolic volume (179.5 ± 98.6 ml vs. 152.1 ± 73.8 ml; r = 0.95), LV end-systolic volume (90.7 ± 60.7 ml vs. 69.1 ± 46.8 ml; r = 0.90), and LV stroke volume (89.0 ± 48.1 ml vs. 82.9 ± 37.3 ml; r = 0.89). Left ventricular ejection fraction measured using DSCT was less than that measured using 2D-TTE by an average of -4.8 ± 7.3%. Dual-source CT with ECG editing can provide results comparable to those of 2D-TTE for assessment of LV global function in patients with severe arrhythmia.
    The international journal of cardiovascular imaging 12/2010; 26(Suppl 2):213-21. · 2.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: Anthropometric estimation of femoral venous cannula length for cardiovascular surgery.
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    ABSTRACT: Femoral vein cannulation is an alternative method for central cannulation. However, no clinical guidelines have been established for optimal insertion length of femoral venous cannula. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between the insertion length of femoral venous cannula (L), and the sum of the length from femoral artery (FA) puncture site to umbilicus (P-U) and the length from umbilicus to lower border of the sternum (U-S) as an anthropometric estimation for adult patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery using femoral vein cannulation. We also attempted to determine the insertion length of femoral venous cannula by the patient's height and weight. P-U and U-S were measured after anesthesia induction. L was measured after femoral venous cannula tip was positioned at the junction of inferior vena cava and right atrium using transesophageal echocardiography. The relationship between the sum of P-U and U-S (P-U-S), and L was analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis. Bland-Altman analysis was used to compare the agreement between P-U-S and L. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the height and weight factors capable of predicting L. One-hundred study patients were enrolled. P-U-S was highly correlated with L (r = 0.95). The bias and precision were -2.60 ± 8.57 mm. L was predicted from height and weight: L (mm) = 0.82 × height (cm) + 1.18 × weight (kg) + 188.46. P-U-S can be used as a reliable anthropometric estimation of L during adult cardiovascular surgery using femoral vein cannulation.
    Journal of Cardiac Surgery 11/2010; 26(1):16-21. · 0.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Assessment of image quality and radiation dose in prospective ECG-triggered coronary CT angiography compared with retrospective ECG-gated coronary CT angiography.
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    ABSTRACT: We sought to determine the cut-off point of the average heart rate (HR) and HR differences in obtaining diagnostic image quality using prospective electrocardiographically-triggered (PT) coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and to compare image quality and radiation dose for CCTA obtained with PT CCTA and retrospective electrocardiographically-gated (RG) CCTA. A total of 178 patients who were referred for CCTA were enrolled in the study. Two independent radiologists evaluated subjective image quality. The non-diagnostic coronary segments were 32 of 1,226 segments (2.6%) for PT CCTA and 12 of 1,346 segments (0.9%) for RG CCTA (P < 0.001). The mean image quality scores for PT CCTA and RG CCTA were 3.82 +/- 0.29 and 3.93 +/- 0.14, respectively. The mean radiation dose of patients that underwent PT CCTA was 3.83 +/- 0.84 mSv and RG CCTA 10.7 +/- 2.70 mSv. For patients who underwent PT CCTA, image quality was inversely related to HR (56.5 +/- 4.3 bpm; r = 0.38; P < 0.001) and HR differences (2.8 +/- 2.7 bpm; r = 0.49; P < 0.001). With the use of receiver operator characteristic analysis, a cut-off HR of 57 bpm (58% sensitivity, 67% specificity) and HR difference of 6 bpm (93% sensitivity, 46% specificity) were the best threshold for the prediction of diagnostic image quality. In patients with a regular, low HR, PT CCTA offers diagnostic image quality and substantially reduces effective radiation compared with the use of RG CCTA with dose modulation.
    The international journal of cardiovascular imaging 02/2010; 26 Suppl 1:93-101. · 2.15 Impact Factor
  • Article: Factors associated with development of late significant tricuspid regurgitation after successful left-sided valve surgery.
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    ABSTRACT: Persistent significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after successful left-sided valve surgery is frequently reported. To evaluate the incidence, risk factors and clinical impact of development of late significant TR after successful left-sided valve surgery. 638 patients (356 men, mean age 52 (SD 14) years) who had mild (<or=grade 2/4) TR and underwent successful surgery without any procedure for TR were analysed. Development of significant TR was defined as a TR increase by more than one grade and final TR grade >or=3/4 at follow-up echocardiography. Clinical events were defined as cardiovascular death, repeated open-heart surgery, and congestive heart failure requiring hospital admission. The overall incidence of late significant TR was 7.7% (49/638). Age (hazard ratio (HR), 1.0, 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.1; p = 0.005), female gender (HR, 5.0; 95% CI 2.0 to 12.7; p = 0.001), rheumatic aetiology (HR, 3.8; 95% CI 1.4 to 10.3; p = 0.011), atrial fibrillation (Af) (HR, 2.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 6.4; p = 0.035) and peak pressure gradient of TR at follow-up (HR, 1.1; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.1; p<0.001) were independent factors associated with development of late significant TR. During clinical follow-up of 101 (24) months, patients who developed late significant TR showed a significantly lower 8-year clinical event-free survival rate (76 (6) vs 91 (1)%, p<0.001). Several clinical variables were independent risk factors for development of late significant TR. Early surgical intervention for TR in selected patients with these risk factors may be justified, even though they have only mild TR.
    Heart (British Cardiac Society) 04/2009; 95(11):931-6. · 4.22 Impact Factor
  • Article: Long-term outcomes after mitral ring annuloplasty for degenerative mitral regurgitation: Duran ring versus Carpentier-Edwards ring.
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    ABSTRACT: The preferred choice of annuloplasty ring in mitral surgery has not yet been determined. The study aim was to compare the effects of using two ring types, the Duran and the Carpentier-Edwards, for degenerative mitral valve repair. The follow up data were reviewed from 294 patients who underwent mitral valvuloplasty for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) with either a Carpentier-Edwards ring (n = 153) or a Duran ring (n = 141), between 1994 and 2004. The long-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes were compared. There were no inter-group preoperative demographic differences. The preoperative left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and MR grade were similar in both groups, but the left atrial (LA) size, LV mass and LV dimension were significantly greater in the CE group. Rates of overall survival, reoperation-free survival and MR (> or = 3)-free survival were similar in the two groups (five-year MR-free survival 75.1 +/- 4.6% for CE and 82.4 +/- 4.5% for Duran; p = 0.83). The CE group showed an overall superior five-year mitral stenosis (MS)-free survival. Significantly more Duran patients had a mean transmitral pressure gradient (MPG) of > or = 10 mmHg (five-year MS (MPG > or = 10 mmHg)-free survival rate: 91.2 +/- 2.8% in for CE and 65.1 +/- 10.7% for Duran group; p = 0.011). The LV EF did not change over time in either group. In contrast, the LV mass and LV dimension decreased significantly after surgery in both groups, but no significant inter-group difference was seen for either index. Although the Duran and Carpentier-Edwards rings showed comparable long-term outcomes in terms of LV function, MR recurrence, survival and reoperation, a greater tendency towards MS development was observed with the Duran ring, this being most likely due to late pannus formation.
    The Journal of heart valve disease 10/2007; 16(5):536-44; discussion 544-5. · 0.81 Impact Factor