Normally the AC segment of mitral valve echogram consists of a rapid slope, from A peak to C point(complete closure). The initial portion is usually less steep than its final portion ; the latter represents abrupt mitral valve closure secondary to the rapid rise in left ventricular(LV) pressure at the onset of LV systole. The point on the mitral echogram at which closure aburptly accelerates in the B point. In order to see wither or not the echocardiographically recorded mitral valve could reflect alterations in left ventricular pressure, mitral valve echograms and left ventricular pressure were obtained on 30 patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. The results were as follow : 1) Of 23 patients with LV ejection fraction>55%(71.2%+/-7.9%), 2 had B-bump ; of 7 patients with LV ejection fraction<55%(47.0%+/-4.9%), 5 had B-bump. The difference in frequency of B-bump between the normal LV ejection fraction and the low LV ejection fraction groups was statistically significant(p<0.001). 2) Of 6 patients with LVEDP>5mmHg (17.7mmHg+/-3.6mmHg), 5 had B-bump ; of 24 patients with LVEDP<15mmHg (8.5mmHg+/-2.6mmHg), 2 had B-bump. The difference in frequency of B-bump between the normal LVEDP and the elevated LVEDP groups was statistically significant(p<0.001). 3) Of 22 patients with LV ejection fraction>55%(71.2%+/-7.9%), as well as LVDEP<15mmHg(8.5mmHg+/-2.6mmHg), 1 had B-bump ; Of 5 patients with LV ejection fraction<55%(47.0+/-4.9%), as well as LVEDP>15mmHg(17.8mmHg+/-3.6mmHg), 4 had B-bump. The difference in frequency of B-bump between in normal LV ejection fraction, as well as normal LVEDP and the low LV ejection fraction, as well as elevated LVEDP groups was statistically significant(p<0.001). Thus, the mitral B-bump correlated primarily with LV dysfunction. When properly recorded, the presence of a B-bump is a useful sign of significantl LV dysfunction.
Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Echocardiography* ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Systole ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left* ; Ventricular Pressure

BACKGROUND: It is now well established that hypercholesterolemia is an important cause of coronary heart disease, and clinical intervention studies have demonstrated the therapeutic value of correcting hypercholesterolemia. One of lipoprotein, lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)] contains one(or two) molecule of apo(a) linked to apo B100 by a disulphied bridge, is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. NIDDM patients have a two-to fourfold increased risk of coronary heart disease relative to nondiabetic subjects. This excess risk is explained only partially by increased levels of standard risk factors. This study was conducted to assess the relatioship between serum Lp(a) levels and coronary heart disease. Furthermore, whether the Lp(a) level was related with NIDDM or not. METHODS: Total 83 subjects undergoing coronary angiography were evaluated on clinical risk factors and lipid profies with Lp(a). Among them, 24 subjects had normal coronary artery, while the others revealed significant stenosis of coronary arteries more than 50%. RESULTS: The serum Lp(a) levels of the CHD group were significantly higher than control group(37.4 +/- 31.8mg/dl vs 22.6 +/- 12.9mg/dl). Other lipids profile were not significantly dfferent between two groups. Serum Lp(a) levels had no relations to fasting blood sugar level. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of lipid parameters revealed that cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and Lp(a) were best discriminator among risk factors for coronary heart disease. But in our study, the serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were within normal range. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that Lp(a) level was a significant independent risk factor for coronary heart disease whether there was fasting hyperglycemia or not.
Blood Glucose ; Cholesterol ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Disease* ; Coronary Vessels ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Fasting ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hyperglycemia ; Clinical Trial ; Lipoprotein(a)* ; Lipoproteins ; Logistic Models ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors*

No abstract available.
Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed* ; Humans

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As previously reported, unstable angina is usually related to characteristic coronary artery lesion's morphology analyzed by coronary angiogram. This takes the form of an eccentrically placed convex stenosis with a narrow neck due to one or more overhanging edges or irregular, scalloped borders, or both. Although most studies were done for lesions with high degree stenosis(>50%), recent studies emphasized the role of vulnerability of plaque in acute coronary syndrome and even mild degree stenotic lesions may progress rapidly to evoke acute coronary syndrome. Therefore in this study, we analyzed the morphological characteristics of coronary artery lesions with mild degree stenosis as well as severe stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 96 patients with angina pectoris (42 of stable patients and 54 of unstable patients) who underwent coronary angiography. Each lesions with 25% or greater diameter stenosis were categorized into simple and complex lesion(convex intraluminal obstruction with a narrow neck or irregular borders, diffuse irregularities, ulceration, thrombus). Calcification of coronary artery, extents of lesions were analyzed and stenosis grade and location were categorized by AHA classification. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the stable angina and unstable angina in risk factors and vessel involvement, numbers of lesions, calcification and total obstruction. In morphologic analysis, complex lesions were more frequent in unstable angina than stable angina (49% vs 33%, p<0.05). The mean of percent diameter stenosis was not signigicantly different between two groups, but severe stenotic lesions with 90% or more stenosis were more frequent in unstable angina (34% vs 22%, p<0.05). Locations of involved vessels were similar between the angina groups. Complex lesions were distributed more frequent in RCA and simple lesions were more in LAD and LCX (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The lesions with both complex morphology and severe degree stenosis are closely implicated in unstable angina.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Angina Pectoris ; Angina, Stable ; Angina, Unstable* ; Classification ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Neck ; Pectinidae ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: Doppler echocardiography is a non-invasive technique that has been used to evaluate LV diastolic dysfunction. Impaired left ventricular diastolic filling is known to occur in patients with coronary artery disease. Compared with those in normal subjects, Doppler-derived transmitral blood flow velocities have been reported to be reduced during early diastolic filling and to be compensatory elevated subsequent to atrial systole in patinets with coronary artery disease. But stiffness of myocardium normalize the E/A ratio, and normal E/A ratio may reveal increased ventricular filling pressure. We tried to investigate left ventricular filling parameters by Doppler echocardiography in patients with early myocardial infarction, and to compare left ventricular diastolic function regarding infarct location on EKG, one or multivessel disease on coronary angiography, and treatment modality. METHODS: From September 1993 to August 1995, Pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography was performed in patients with early acute myocardial infarction(N=95) and control group(N=20) within 5 days after admission, and parameters of diastolic function was evaluated. RESULTS: Echocardiographic data showed significant differences in mean ejection fraction, mean left ventricular mass, and mean left ventricular mass index between two groups. There was no significant difference in E/A ratio, deceleration time, and isovolumetric relaxation time between two groups. Neither, there was significant difference in each diastolic parameter for infarct related wall on EKG. And there was no significant difference in deceleration time for one or multi vessel disease on coronary angiography, treatment modality(conservative treatment, thrombolytic therapy, or primary PTCA). CONCLUSION: In patients with early acute myocardial infarction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was absent. And there was no significant correlation between the presence of diastolic dysfunction and the location of infarct related wall on EKG, or one or multi vessel disease, or treatment modality.
Blood Flow Velocity ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Deceleration ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Myocardium ; Relaxation ; Systole ; Thrombolytic Therapy

BACKGROUND: Recently the percutaneous transradial approach for coronary angiography, transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary stention were reported but there was no report in Korea. So we tested the safety and efficacy of the transradial appreach for coronary angiography in Korean. METHODS: Eleven patients(male 9, female 2, mean age 59.3 yeal old)with chest pain underwent percutaneous transradial coronary angiography with 5 french multipurpose catheter. We evaluated clinical efficacy and observed complication of percutaneous transradial coronary angiography by physical examination and DOpple ultrasonography of puncture site of radial artery. RESULTS: Right coronary angiography and left ventriculography were performed successfully in all cases, but left coronary angiogrphy was failed in three cases. In another three cases, the patient complained of arm pain which was aggravated during manipulation of the catheter. After the procedure, it took 10.3 minutes to stop the bleeding at the puncture site, Clinically significant complications were not observed after the procedure. The patients were not restricted to bed at all since the completion of the procedure. CONCLUSION: In our limited dexperience, percutaneous transradial coronary angiography could be performend on the outpatient basis without significant complications.
Angioplasty ; Arm ; Catheters ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography* ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Physical Examination ; Punctures ; Radial Artery ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy is one of the major cardiovascular risk factors. So it is generally thought to be a predictor of complication and prognosis of hypertension. The 24-hour noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABP) has been shown to be superior to office BP inpredicting target organ involvement in patients with hypertension and assessing antihypertensivve therapy. To determine the correlation between blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with newly diaggnosed systemic hypertension, we evaluate blood pressure by 24-hour ABP, office BP and echocardiiographic parameters of left ventricular hypertrophy. METHODS: From january 1995 to September 1995, in 22 patients with untreated essential hypertension who were diagnosed recently (within 1 month). They were studied by 24-hour noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and cross sectional, M-mode and pulsed Doppler echocardiography for examining the relation between ABP and echocardiographic parameters. In the present study, we divided the oatuebts by two groups; white-coat hypertensive group and sustained hypertensive group. RESULTS: 1) Among the 22 patients who were diagnosed by office blood pressure, the white-coat hypertension was in 7 cases (31.8%) and sustained hypertension was 15 cases (68.2%). 2) In sustained hypertensive group, LV mass, LV mass index and relative posterior septal wall thickness were significantly increased compared with white-cost hypertensive group. 3) 24-hour ABP and systolic BP and loading % were significantly correlated with relative posterior septal wall thickness (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients with newly diagnosed hypertension (especially with sustained hypertension), there was left ventricular hypertrophy expressed by increasing of LV mass, LV mass index, and relative posterior septal wall thickness. And, there were close correlation between 24-hour ABP monitoring-especially systolic BP and loading % of systolic BP and LVH.
Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory* ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors

In order to evaluate the effecacy of 2D-Doppler echocardiography for the measurement of pulmonary flow(Qp), systolic flow(Qs), the ratio of pulmonary flow and systemic flow and systemic flow(Qp/Qs), 19 membranous ventricular septal defect patients were examined in the period from July, 1986 to October, 1987 at Ewha Women's university hospital. The measurement of Qp, Qs, Qp/Qs by 2D-Doppler echocardiography were compared with the results by the Fick's method of cardiac catheterization.The following results were obtained. 1) The total of the 19 patients consisted of 15 males and 4 females. The mean age of the patients was 8.2 years. 2) It was found that the Fick's method and 2D-Doppler measurements of Qp (n=19, r=0.67), Qs (n=19, r=0.88), and Qp/Qs ratio(n=19, r=0.62) were highly correlated(p<0.01). 3) It is understood that the measurement of Qp, Qs, Qp/Qs ratio by 2D-Doppler echocardiography were quite useful to the noninvative diagnosis of ventricular septal defect.
Cardiac Catheterization* ; Cardiac Catheters* ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular* ; Humans ; Male

Dermatomyositis is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by inflammation and degeneration of skeletal muscles and cutaneous abnormalities. Cardiac involvement in dermatomyositis-polymyositis is thought to be rare. In recent year, however, there has been an increasing number of reports on cardiac abnormalities in adult dermatomyositis and polymyositis due to development of noninvasive diagnostic techniques. Categorically, these abnormalities have included electrocardiographic changes, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and pericarditis. A 56-year-old woman was admittied to the Ewha womans University Hospital with dyspnea and palpitation. She was diagnosed as having dermatomyositis and followed up our department of Dermatology. Electrocardiogram showed a paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia at as rate of 195/min. The patient was treated with 240mg/day verapamil p.o, 60mg/day prednisone p.o, there was marked improvement of symptoms. Systematic study of cardiac function utilizing echocardiography, Holter monitoring, thallium-201-scan, and gated blood pool studies were conducted in five newly diagnosed patients with dematomyositis-polymyositis. A significant elevation of serum CPK-MB is indicative of cardiac involvement. Cardiac involvement is a serious prognostic sign. We report a case with the review of the literature.
Adult ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Dermatology ; Dermatomyositis* ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Female ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Pericarditis ; Polymyositis ; Prednisone ; Prognosis ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular* ; Verapamil

BACKGROUND: Circadian rhythms have been described for acute myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, and ventricular arrhythmia. Most of studies reported that the frequency of ventricular permature contractions(VPC's) shows a peak in day time. We tried to see that the circadian rhythm of VPC's in hypertension and ischemic heart disease(IHD) patients. And we will also studied the relationship between heart rate and frequencey of VPC's. METHOD: Twenty four hour holter monitoring was performed in hypertensive patients (N=23), ischemic heart disease patients(N=25), and normal control group(N=30). We tested the circadian pattern of VPC's and heart rates and the relationships of the frequency of VPC's and heart rates. RESULT: In hypertension group, a peak incidence of heart rate is between 5 and 8 P.M., in ischemic heart disease group, between 3 and 6 P.M.. In control group, the heart rate shows a peak beteen 1 and 3 P.M.. The frequency of VPC's in hypertension group shows the first peak between 4 and 10 P.M., and the second peak beteen 7 and 10 A.M.. In ischemic heart disease group, they show a peak between 2 and 8 P.M..In control group, there was no circadian variation for the frequency of VPC;s. Both in hypertension and IHD patients group, there was significant correlation between the frequency of VPC's and the heart rates. CONCLUSION: It seemed that VPC' were more frequently occurred in relation to the increase of heart rate in the afternoon, in hypertensive and ischemic heart disease patients.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Circadian Rhythm ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Incidence ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia* ; Ventricular Premature Complexes*