The Chiari network is an embryonic remnant of the sinus venosus valve, which is characterized by a fenestrated, netlike structure in the right atrium and has the potential to be misdiagnosed as another right atrial pathology. Additionally, the Chiari network has been frequently reported to entrap intracardiac devices during surgical procedures. In this case report, we present two patients with a Chiari network confirmed by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, which assisted in preventing device entrapment during intracardiac procedures.

The Chiari network is an embryonic remnant of the sinus venosus valve, which is characterized by a fenestrated, netlike structure in the right atrium and has the potential to be misdiagnosed as another right atrial pathology. Additionally, the Chiari network has been frequently reported to entrap intracardiac devices during surgical procedures. In this case report, we present two patients with a Chiari network confirmed by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, which assisted in preventing device entrapment during intracardiac procedures.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an important public health problem in South Korea. MDR-TB is difficult to control, and treatment is less effective than for drug-sensitive tuberculosis. The aim of this report is to determine the risk factors for poor outcomes for MDR-TB. METHODS: We retrospectively and consecutively analyzed the clinical outcomes of MDR-TB patients registered at a single tuberculosis-specialized hospital in South Korea from January 2005 to February 2011. We used standard treatment outcome definitions for MDR-TB and used the combination of “defaulted”, “treatment failed”, and “died” as a composite poor outcome variable. We analyzed the risk factors associated with poor outcome. RESULTS: Among the 258 patients sampled, 91 (35.3%) had MDR-TB on their first tuberculosis infection, while 167 patients (64.7%) who had previously been treated for tuberculosis had MDR-TB over the study period. Treatment outcomes revealed that 207 patients (80.2%) were cured of their infection, 15 (5.8%) completed their treatment, one (0.4%) defaulted treatment, 6 (2.3%) died, and treatment failed for 29 patients (11.3%). Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis found that poor outcome were associated with a body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-5.15, p = 0.008), being susceptible to four or fewer drugs at the start of treatment (HR: 3.89; 95% CI: 1.38-10.96, p = 0.01), and ofloxacin resistance (HR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.06-5.81, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Being underweight, susceptibility to four or fewer drugs, and ofloxacin resistance are independent prognostic factors of poor outcome for MDR-TB patients.
Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Korea* ; Ofloxacin ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Thinness ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an important public health problem in South Korea. MDR-TB is difficult to control, and treatment is less effective than for drug-sensitive tuberculosis. The aim of this report is to determine the risk factors for poor outcomes for MDR-TB. METHODS: We retrospectively and consecutively analyzed the clinical outcomes of MDR-TB patients registered at a single tuberculosis-specialized hospital in South Korea from January 2005 to February 2011. We used standard treatment outcome definitions for MDR-TB and used the combination of “defaulted”, “treatment failed”, and “died” as a composite poor outcome variable. We analyzed the risk factors associated with poor outcome. RESULTS: Among the 258 patients sampled, 91 (35.3%) had MDR-TB on their first tuberculosis infection, while 167 patients (64.7%) who had previously been treated for tuberculosis had MDR-TB over the study period. Treatment outcomes revealed that 207 patients (80.2%) were cured of their infection, 15 (5.8%) completed their treatment, one (0.4%) defaulted treatment, 6 (2.3%) died, and treatment failed for 29 patients (11.3%). Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis found that poor outcome were associated with a body mass index <18.5 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-5.15, p = 0.008), being susceptible to four or fewer drugs at the start of treatment (HR: 3.89; 95% CI: 1.38-10.96, p = 0.01), and ofloxacin resistance (HR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.06-5.81, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Being underweight, susceptibility to four or fewer drugs, and ofloxacin resistance are independent prognostic factors of poor outcome for MDR-TB patients.
Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Korea* ; Ofloxacin ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Thinness ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant*