Ischemia and reperfusion of skeletal muscle occurs in acute vascular occlusion and revascularization, in elective vascular surgery, in upper and lower extremity surgery by means of a tourniquet, and in free transplantation of muscle containing cutaneous flaps. During revascularization of skeletal muscle after ischemia, lipid mediators, mainly eicosanoids are released that may have a role in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury. The exact role of eicosanoids in the imposed ischemia-reperfusion induced functional deficits in skeletal muscle is still unknown, we compared tissue edema and the changes of eicosanoids and the effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin in the rat right hindlimb by application of tourniquet ischemia-reperfusionn injury. After 4-hours of ischemia, reperfusion was established 4 hours by releasing tourniquet. Experimental groups comparised ischemia-reperfused animals pretreated with indomethacin 20 mg/kg. The control animals received normal saline, 4 hours of ischemia without reperfusion. To assess tissue edema, wet/dry weight ratios were determined and the concentrations of prostaglandins and thromboxane were measured by the high performance liquid chromatography with UV detector at 195 nm. Ischemia itself did not result in muscle edema and did not increase the release of cyclooxygenase metabolites, but muscle edema(52%, p<0.01), and the relase of 6-keto-PGFalpha(151%, p<0.01), thromboxane B2(98%, p<0.05), and PGE2(127%, p<0.01) were significantly increased by reperfusion. Indomethacin treatment ameliorated limb edema(35%, p<0.05 versus ischemis-reperfusion control) and decreased 6-keto-PGF1alpha(65%, p<0.05) releases. These results support view that cyclooxygenase products may play significant roles in the formation of ischemic muscle edema and suggest that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents and eicosanoids antagonists might be beneficial to the management of acute limb ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Edema* ; Eicosanoids* ; Extremities ; Hindlimb ; Indomethacin ; Ischemia* ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Prostaglandins ; Rats* ; Reperfusion Injury* ; Reperfusion* ; Tourniquets

No Abstract Available.
Female ; Mammaplasty*

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) often precede cerebral infarcts as a warning symptom. But the studies revealing the frequency and the correlation between preceding TIAs and following infarcts are rare. According to the western data, about one-quarter of the patients with cerebral infarct have been supposed to have the previous history of TIAs. We prospectively studied the exact frequency, clinical presentation, and presumed causes of TIAs preceding cerebral infarct. Ninety five patients diagnosed as acute cerebral infarction were interviewed whether they had had previous episodes of TIA. 4 check-list using ordinary language was used, and NINDS diagnostic criteria was applied on the consensus between several neurologists. Seventeen patients (18%) had history of preceding TIAs. Carotid territory was affected in 11 patients (65%), while vertebrobasilar in 4(24%) and undetermined in 2. Duration was less than an hour in 10 patients(59%), and attacks were multiple in about half. Time interval between the last attack and infarction was less than one week in 10 cases(59%). Incidence of recent TIA ((1 month) was 22% in large artery disease(LAD), 11% In cardioembolism(CE), 9% in small-artery disease(SAD), and 7% in mixed etiology. Conclusion, TIAs preceding cerebral infarcts are not rare, but seems to be less common in Koreans than in Caucasians. As expected, atherothrombosis of large artery is supposed to be the leading cause of TIAs.
Arteries ; Cerebral Infarction ; Consensus ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infarction ; Ischemic Attack, Transient* ; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ; Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Recent studies suggest that anticoagulation, or antiplatelet therapy is safe and effective for the prevention of cardiogenic embolic stroke. However it has not been studied in Korea how the patients with cardioembolic source were managed in practice for the prevention of stroke. This study was done to assess the current status of primary and secondary prevention of cardioembolic stroke. METHODS: Retrospective study was undertaken in 124 patients with cardiogenic embolic stroke, following items were examined, previous anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy, previous stroke, Insight of the heart disease, and International Normalize Ratio(INR) value on arrival at the hospital. RESULTS: In 124 patients cardioembolic sources were constituted of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) in 54, rheumatic heart disease In 40, prosthetic cardiac valve In 14, dilated cardiomyopathy(D-CMP) in 6, left ventricular akinetic segment in 7(including 3 cases of LV thrombi), recent myocardial infarction in 3. In 93 patients with no previous stroke, 44 patients had regular medical follow-up because of his/her cardiac problems and primary prevention of stroke was made only in 12 (27%) patients (8 on anticoagulation and 4 on antiplatelet therapy). The rate of primary prevention varied according to the type of cardioembolic source; 100% with mechanical prosthetic valve, 33.3% with valvular atrial fibrillation, 6.7% with NVAF, and none with D-CMP and bioprosthetic valve. Previous stroke was found in 31 patients, among whom 24 had been followed regularly. Twenty patients(83%) were under secondary prevention of cardioembolic stroke (anticoagulation in 11 and antiplatelet agents in 9). Among 19 patients who developed stroke in spite of anticoagulation, INR values were lower than 1.5 in 12(63%), between 1.5 and 2.0 in 5(26%), and above 2.0 in 2(11%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that cardioembolic strokes have not been prevented properly. Many physicians seem to be reluctant to anticoagulate their patients with cardioembolic source, and even with anticoaguation the dosage is frequently insufficient to prevent stroke.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Valves ; Humans ; International Normalized Ratio ; Korea ; Myocardial Infarction ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Primary Prevention ; Retrospective Studies ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; Secondary Prevention ; Stroke*

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic embolic infarction is the most preventable type of ischemic stroke. This study was under-taken to compare the infarct size, prognosis, and risk factors between cardiogenic embolic infarction (CE) and large artery atherosclerotic infarction (LAA). METHODS:We reviewed the medical records and brain computed tomography/magnetic resonance image (CT/MRI) scans of patients with CE or LAA during the period between January 1996 and May 1998. Patients with lacunar and posterior circulation infarctions were excluded. A slice of brain CT/MRI scan showing the largest lesion was selected in each patient and the area of infarction was then measured. Prognosis was determined by the Modified Rankin Disability Scale (MRDS) and was grouped as either good (MDRS 0, 1, 2) or poor (MDRS 3, 4, 5). RESULTS: The study included 103 patients : 50 with CE (NVAF in 23, VHD with or without AF in 13, prosthetic valve in 6, and others in 8) and 53 with LAA (large artery thrombosis in 29, and artery to artery embolism in 24). The infarct size of CE (23.2+/-14.7 cm2) was significantly larger than that of LAA (11.4+/-10.5 cm2) (p<0.001). The infarct size of NVAF (29.0+/-19.1 cm2) was significantly larger than that of VHD with or without AF (19.2+/-11.5 cm2) (p<0.05). Patients with CE had a worse prognosis (poor in 46%) than those with LAA (poor in 23%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that CE led to larger lesions and worse outcomes. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of primary and secondary preventions of stroke in patients with cardiogenic embolic sources.
Arteries* ; Brain ; Embolism ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Medical Records ; Prognosis* ; Risk Factors ; Secondary Prevention ; Stroke ; Thrombosis

A series of 135 cases of pterygium observed at the Eye Dept. in the National Medical Center from April 1963 to May 1966, were treated with thio-tepa after the surgical removal and were studied clinically in regard to the incidence of the recurrence. Among the total series, only one case showed no response to the thio-tepa instillation and the recurrence persisted. There was a case of allergic response to the thio-tepa, which has not been found in any reports known. No serious local or systemic toxcity or any sequelae such as corneal damages, defective vision or the interference with wound healing could be observed.
Incidence ; Korea* ; Pterygium ; Recurrence ; Thiotepa ; Wound Healing

During the microsurgery or during the postoperative period, the occurrence of the vascular spasm increases the failure rate of microvascular anastomosis,and in cases of trauma, the thrombogenic possibility is increased by the endothelial damage. The author thought that the vascular freezing of crushed vessels could improve the patency rate of microvascular anastomosis. Vascular freezing destroys most of the cells in the intima and media. There by causing degeneration of adrenergic fibers. Even though regeneration occurs after 2-3 weeks, regeneration in the smooth muscle layer is still incomplete. So vascular freezing has beneficial effects on relief of vasospasm. Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats weighing approximately 300 g each were inflicted with crushing injury on the femoral arteries of the right side and the crushing injury with vascular freezing on the femoral arteries of the left side. The gross and histologic findings, as well as the patency rates, were observed at the postoperative 2nd, 10th, and 30th day,and the results were compared between the crushed and crush-freezing groups. The left side (crush-freezing group) showed less vasospasm and less thrombogenesis than the right side (crushed group). There were no significant differences in the patency rate between the crushed group and crush-freezing group. Vascular freezing is suggested to be effective on a potentially thrombogenic, endothelial damaged vessel as a prophylactic treatment method against vasospasm. Clinical application of vascular freezing awaits further experimentation.
Adrenergic Fibers ; Endothelium* ; Femoral Artery ; Freezing* ; Microsurgery ; Muscle, Smooth ; Postoperative Period ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regeneration ; Spasm

A clinical evaluation was done on Il patients with postrenal acute renal failure who were admitted to the Busan National University Hospital during the period of 6 years and 8 months from Jan. 1976 to Aug. 1982. The results were as follow. 1. The patients were mean ages of 44.3 years, being thought somewhat older than other cause of renal failure. And the male was more frequently affected than the female. 2. The 2 most common causes of postrenal acute renal failure in 11 patients were malignant neoplasms (5 patients; 1 bladder Ca. 3 cervical Ca. and 1 retroperitoneal metastatic Ca.) and ureteral calculi (5 patients; 2 bilateral and 3 unilateral in solitary renal unit). 3. Ureteral obstructions were bilateral in 7 patients (14 ureters) and unilateral in 4 patients (4 ureters) in the solitary kidney. The involved site of ureteral obstructions were bilateral lower ureters in 5 patients (10 ureters), bilateral upper ureters in 1 patient (2 ureters), unilateral right upper ureter and left lower ureter in 1 patient 12 ureteral, and unilateral lower ureter in 4 patients (4 ureter). 4. Seven patients were treated with urinary diversion, 3 with ureteral catheterization and 1 with ureterolithotomy. Among 7 patients of urinary diversion, nephrotomy was done in 6 patients and double-barreled ureterocutaneostomy in 1 patient. 5. The prognosis was excellent in 10 patients and 1 patient was expired due to uremia and generalized marasmus following malignant neoplasm.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Busan ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; Male ; Prognosis ; Protein-Energy Malnutrition ; Renal Insufficiency ; Uremia ; Ureter ; Ureteral Calculi ; Ureteral Obstruction ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Catheterization ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Diversion

No abstract available.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome* ; Pregnancy*

A clinical observation was made on 5 cases of congenital posterior urethral valves admitted recently to the Department of Urology, Busan National University Hospital. The results were following: 1. Age distribution showed; 1 case (20%) under 6 months, 2 cases (40%) between 6 and 12 months, 2 cases (40%) over 6 years old. 2. The symptoms of urinary dribbling, weak stream, frequency and difficult urination were observed in all 5 cases. Abdominal mass, abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and failure to thrive were observed in 4 cases (80%) . Enuresis was observed in 2 cases (40%) . Hypertension and gross hematuria were observed in 1 case (20%) . 3. IVP revealed bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter in all cases. Vesicoureteral reflux was observed in 3 cases (60%) , in which 2 cases were unilateral and the other 1 case was bilateral and bladder diverticulum appeared in 3 cases (60%). Voiding cystourethrogram was performed on 4 cases, and in all of these 4 cases (100%) dilatation of posterior urethra and cut-off at the membranous level and a thin stream in the bulb and 2 cases (50%) bladder neck contracture due to congenital posterior urethral valves had developed. 4. Endoscopic examination was performed on 5 cases, in which 3 cases (60%) were young's type I, and remaining 2 cases 140%) were Young's type III. 5. All 5 cases were treated by transurethral electrofulguration of the valves and one case of them was performed bilateral ureteroneocystostomy 3 years after valve ablation but in the case with marked bilateral hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux a cystostomy was also performed. 6. The follow up study was performed in 4 cases with the follow-up period from five months to 36 months and mean duration of 2 years. All 4 cases had excellent results with much improved urinary stream and Renal condition after operation, but in 2 cases intermittent incontinence occurred for 3 years and 1 year respectively. In all 4 cases much diminished hydronephrosis and urethral dilation on IVP were observed. The posterior urethral dilatation became nearly normalized and abnormal findings of bladder improved on voiding cystourethrogram, but in 2 cases with bladder diverticulum 1 showed nonspecific interval changes during 3 years and the other 5 months. In 2 cases with vesicoureteral reflux, 1 showed loss of vesicoureteral reflux spontaneously 1 month after the operation and the other showed persistent vesicoureteral reflux for 1 year, which was observed to be improving.
Abdominal Pain ; Age Distribution ; Busan ; Child ; Contracture ; Cystostomy ; Dilatation ; Diverticulum ; Enuresis ; Failure to Thrive ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Hypertension ; Neck ; Rivers ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder ; Urination ; Urology ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux ; Vomiting