BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neointimal ingrowth rather than stent recoil is thought to be important for coronary in-stent restenosis. However only limited pathologic data are available to adress the mechanisms of in-stent restenosis. With the specific aim of measuring cell replication and of assessing cellularity and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, we analyzed atherectomized coronary arterial in-stent restenotic specimens. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, we analyzed 29 atherectomized coronary arterial in-stent restenotic tissue samples (14 LAD, 10 RCA, and 5 LCX) retrieved from 25 patients (m/f:18/7: age 59+/-13 yr) at 0.5-23 (mean 5.7) months after deployment of Palmaz-Schatz stent. Histopathological analysis of cellular components and ECM was performed using H & E, modified Movat pentachrome, and immunocytochemical staining. Cellular proliferation rate, as estimated by use of antibodies to Ki-67 nuclear antigen showed low proliferation rate with the range of 0-4%, and no positive cells were found in 62% of cases. Myxoid tissue having ECM enriched with versican and hyaluronan was found in 69% of cases, and decreased over time after stenting. Foci of cell poor area were found in 57% of cases, and could be classified into as: (1) containing collagen-rich ECM and (2) containing a proteoglycan-rich ECM. Versican, biglycan, perlecan, and hyaluronan were identified with varying individual distributions in the proteoglycan rich area. Specimens with foci of cell poor area tended to increase over time after stenting (31% in & 4 mo vs. 81% in > or =4 mo after stenting, p<0.01). alpha-smooth muscle actin staining identified the majority of cells as smooth muscle cells (SMC) and occasional macrophages (< or =12 cells per section) were detected by CD68 antibody. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that enhanced ECM accumulation rather than cell proliferation may be important mechanisms for stent restenosis. Angioplasty of stent restenosis may therefore fail due to transient compression of this hygroscopic matrix.
Actins ; Angioplasty ; Antibodies ; Biglycan ; Cell Proliferation ; Extracellular Matrix ; Humans* ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Macrophages ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Proteoglycans ; Stents* ; Versicans

Uterine prolapse with pregnancy is rare condition. The overall incidence is 1/10000- 15000 deliveries. The complications from uterine prolapse range from minor cervical ulceration and infection to fetal death or uterine rupture. The fetal mortality was as high as 22% mainly due to prematurity, respiratory infection. The management of this condition is focused on preventing late occurrence of prolapse during pregnancy and continued reduction. We present a case of uterine prolapse in pregnancy with a brief review of the literature.
Fetal Death ; Fetal Mortality ; Incidence ; Pregnancy* ; Prolapse ; Ulcer ; Uterine Prolapse* ; Uterine Rupture

Twenty-one patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for pure aoritic regurgitation were studied retrospectively to evaluate the left ventricular function and internal dimension change before, 1-6 weeks(early postoperative) and 2-36 months after(late postoperative) aortic valve replacement by serial echocardiography. Postoperatively, NYHA function class improved remarkably (from 3.3+/-0.6 to 1.4+/-0.7). Early postoperatively, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (EDD), left ventricular end-systolic dimension(ESD), left ventricular fractional shortenting(FS) significantly decreased in all patients(7.6+/-1.2cm vs 5.8+/-1.5cm P<0.001, 5.5+/-1.3cm vs 4.7+/-1.3cm P<0.001, 39+/-12% vs20+/-8% P<0.001 respectively). Interventricular septum thickness(IVS) and posterior wall thickness (PW) were slightly thickened before(1.4+/-0.3cm, 1.3+/-0.3cm respectively) and in the early postoperative period (1.3+/-0.4cm, 1.3+/-0.3cm respectively) without significant interval change. Late postoperatively, EDD and ESD decreased significantly (7.8+/-1.2cm vs 5.1+/-0.8cm P<0.01, 5.1+/-1.1cm vs 3.4+/-0.8cm P<0.001. respectively), and FS increased significantly (25+/-9% vs 34+/-9%, P<0.05). Among 3 patients of so called high risk group mentioned by Henry(22,33), ESD and FS improved to normal range in 2 patients, and ESD decreased to 4.4cm and FS increased to 33% in the other one. EDD and ESD decreased significantly in both group I(preoperative ESD<5.5cm) and group II(preoperative ESD<5.5cm), without no decrement difference between two groups, and there was a significant difference of FS decrement between group I and group II at early postoperative period. Preoperative ESD correlated highly with the early postoperative EDD(r=0.89) and ESD(r=0.87) with statistical significance, and moderately high with late postoperative EDD(r=0.45), ESD(r=0.50) and FS(r=0.42) without statistical signiticance. We concluded that there was significant improvement in left ventricular function in pure aortic regurgitation patients postoperatively. Preoperative left ventricular and systolic dimension above 5.5cm and fractional shortenting below 25% are not so reliabel index of poor postoperative prognosis.
Aortic Valve Insufficiency* ; Aortic Valve* ; Echocardiography* ; Humans ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies ; Ventricular Function, Left

The exercise ECG gives a valuable indirect evidence of insufficient myocardial perfusion during stress, but it has been impossible with ECG data alone to localize the site or sites of partial or complete arterial occlusion. The coronary angiography has proved to be valvuable as a technique for identifying anatomical lesions. However, arteriography alone dose not provide evaluation of the underlying myocardium. The two tests are complementary, one supplying indirect physiologic data and the other providing anatomical licalization of obstruction. The author reviewd 58 patients out of 86 patients who performed treadmill test and coronary angiography at the cardiac laboratory of Yonsei University Severance Hospital from January, 1981 through December, 1983. The following results were obtained. 1) Among the 58 patients in this study, 33 had negative exercise test and 25 had positive test. 2) Among the 14 patients who ended exercise test due to chest pain,2patients had negative exercise test. Coronary angiography on all the 14 patients showed significalt coronary artery stenosis. 3) With this multigraded treadmill test, the sensitivity was 68.8% and spedccificity was 88.7%. 4) The appreance of ischemic change during the early stage of exercise, the deeper ST segment depression and the downsloping ST segment have the higest specificity as indicators of coronary artery disease. 5) Four patients showed ST segment elevation in the exercise ECG, and their coronary angiogram showed 1-vessel disease in 1 patientts, 2-vessel dosease in 2 and 3-vessel disease in 3. All of them had multiple stenosis or complete obstruction of the left anterior descending artery on coronary angiogram and ventricualar dyskinesia on the left ventriculogram.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels* ; Depression ; Dyskinesias ; Electrocardiography ; Exercise Test* ; Humans ; Myocardium ; Perfusion ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thorax

To determine the effect of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty on the left ventricular diastolic filling in patients with coronary artery disease, diastolic filling was serially examined before, early(within 2 days) and late(5~15 days) after PTCA using pulsed Doppler echocardiography in 14 patients(12 unstable angina; 2 stable angina). The Control group was consisted of 20 normal persons with similar age and sex distribution. The left anterior descending artery was dilated in 10 patients, the right coronary artery in 3 patients, and the circumflex artery in 1 patient. Peak velocity of early diastolic rapid inflow(E), peak velocity of late diastolic inflow (A), A/E ratio, and deceleration time of E wave were measured by pulsed Doppler echocar diography. 1) LVangiogram was performed in 10 patients, and showed normal wall motion in 7 cases and regional hypokinesia in 3 cases. Delta area decreasing rate was 59+/-10%, and LVEDP was 11+/-4 mmHg. 2) A/E ratio was greater in patient group(1.00+/-0.28) than in normal control (0.64+/-0.10) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in A and E values between two groups. 3) A/E ratio decreased significantly from 1.00+/-0.28(pre-PTCA) to 0.85+/-0.24 (late post-PTCA) (p<0.01), but there was no significant change at early post-PTCA(0.94+/-0.32). Deceleration time also decreased significantly from 213+/-56 msec(pre-PTCA) to 177+/-34 msec (late post-PTCA) (p<0.05), but there was no significant change at early post-PTCA (199+/-34 msec). In conclusion, there was impairment of left ventricular diastolic filling in patients with coronary artery disease which gradually improved after PTCA, and this result probably is related to post-ischemic "stunned" myocardium.
Angina, Unstable ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Arteries ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Deceleration ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed* ; Humans ; Hypokinesia ; Myocardium ; Sex Distribution

High output heart failure due to congenital arteriovenous fistula is a rare disease and is difficult to treat. A 27 year old man, suffering from dyspnea, palpitation, lower extremity edema, and abdominal distension admitted May, 1987. At admission there were continuous thrill and bruit at left supraclavicular and infraclavicular area. The heart sound was irregular and rapid, and grade IV/VI pansystolic murmur was audible at the apex. Chest PA showed marked cardiomegaly with pleural effusion and notching at superior aspect of left 2nd rib. Selective left subclavian artery angiogram showed extensive congenital arteriovenous fistula at the area of left subclavian artery and its branches. After setrial feeding artery embolization and palliative operation, the fistula size decreased much with clinical improvement.
Adult ; Arteries ; Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Cardiomegaly ; Dyspnea ; Edema ; Fistula ; Heart Failure ; Heart Sounds ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Pleural Effusion ; Rare Diseases ; Ribs* ; Subclavian Artery* ; Thorax

High venous pressure in leg from walking in erect position can lead the development of defective valves and reflux, and superficial veins may become elongated and tortuous. Women are more prone to varicose vein due to hormonal influences and pregnancy. Besides long standing occupation and female gender, there are other risk factors including age, family history, obesity, and prior deep vein thrombosis. Recently developed health related quality of life has contributed to concern more about varicose vein and develop the treatment modalities of varicose vein. Because of the chronicity of the development of varicose vein, most patients are usually accustomed to high venous pressure of their leg and feel minor or no discomfort. Among the reasons to seek for the treatment of varicose vein, cosmetic purpose is the most common. Most patients prefer non-surgical treatment including sclerotheraphy to surgical intervention. High ligation and stripping of varicose vein has remained as the standard treatment of varicose vein with excellent long term results. Minimal invasive non-surgical treatments including radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser treatment have shown less scars and earlier mobility. Newer treatment modalities have to prove comparable long term results, not merely better cosmetic and short term results. We reviewed about the development of varicose vein and the treatment modalities including preventive measures. Correct comprehension of the patient and proper application of the treatment modality are essential for the good result without recurrence after the treatment of varicose vein.
Cicatrix ; Comprehension ; Cosmetics ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; Ligation ; Obesity ; Occupations ; Pregnancy ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Sclerotherapy ; Varicose Veins ; Veins ; Venous Pressure ; Venous Thrombosis ; Walking

No abstract available.
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*

From May, 1978 through Oct., 1979 the effect of Coenzyme Q10 was evaluated on 10 patients with chronic heart failure. The subjects selected for this study consisted of 7 patients with cardiomyopathy and 3 patients with valvular heart disease admitted to Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, All these patients had symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure which was stable for at least one month before starting Coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 was administered 30mg daily for eight weeks, one hour before meal and in combination with digitalis and/or diuretics. The drug effects were determined by measuring the cardio-thoracic ratio by chest X-ray, the sum of 'S' wave in V1 and 'R' wave in V5 in electrocardiogram, and PEP/LVET (pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection time) by simultaneous tracings of carotid pulse and phonocardiogram every two weeks during medication. The cardio-thoracic ratio was improved in 4 of 10 cases, the sum of RV+SV5 was decreased in all 5 cases who showed voltages above 40mm before medication, and PEP/LVET ratio was decresed in 4 of 10 cases. The difference of average values before and after medication were not statistically significant(p<0.05) in all 3 parameters when examined by t-test. During treatment, there was improvement, if any, from two weeks after medication and no significant side effects were noted throughout the study period.
Cardiomyopathies ; Digitalis ; Diuretics ; Electrocardiography ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart Failure* ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Meals ; Thorax

From May, 1978 through Oct., 1979 the effect of Coenzyme Q10 was evaluated on 10 patients with chronic heart failure. The subjects selected for this study consisted of 7 patients with cardiomyopathy and 3 patients with valvular heart disease admitted to Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, All these patients had symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure which was stable for at least one month before starting Coenzyme Q10. Coenzyme Q10 was administered 30mg daily for eight weeks, one hour before meal and in combination with digitalis and/or diuretics. The drug effects were determined by measuring the cardio-thoracic ratio by chest X-ray, the sum of 'S' wave in V1 and 'R' wave in V5 in electrocardiogram, and PEP/LVET (pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection time) by simultaneous tracings of carotid pulse and phonocardiogram every two weeks during medication. The cardio-thoracic ratio was improved in 4 of 10 cases, the sum of RV+SV5 was decreased in all 5 cases who showed voltages above 40mm before medication, and PEP/LVET ratio was decresed in 4 of 10 cases. The difference of average values before and after medication were not statistically significant(p<0.05) in all 3 parameters when examined by t-test. During treatment, there was improvement, if any, from two weeks after medication and no significant side effects were noted throughout the study period.
Cardiomyopathies ; Digitalis ; Diuretics ; Electrocardiography ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart Failure* ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Meals ; Thorax