No abstract available.
Animals ; DNA* ; Mice* ; Vaccination*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: During coronary angioplasty, a distal embolization of the intracoronary thrombus is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction and mortality. Recently, distal protection devices have been tested for distal embolization with varying success. Here we report the experiences with one of the distal protection devices, Percusurge(r). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to August 2001, 5 cases of a Percusurge(r) being used in patients with intracoronary thrombus were experienced during the angioplasty (male:4, female:1). Both the pre- and post-procedural clinical findings of the patients, the angiographic findings, the number of acute complications, the presence of biochemical marker such as CK-MB, and any in-hospital cardiac events were reviewed. RESULTS: Percusurge(r) was used in the right coronary artery (RCA) in 4 cases and in the saphenous vein graft in 1. The clinical diagnosis included stable angina (2 patients), non-Q wave myocardial infarction (1 patient), and Q-wave myocardial infarction (2 patients). The patients showed a TIMI 0 or 1 flow in 4 patients with a RCA lesion and TIMI 3 flow in 1 patient with a saphenous vein graft lesion. However, the TIMI 3 flow was recovered in all cases after the intervention. The CK-MB level did not show any significant changes between the pre- and post-procedure in 4 cases (11.2 +/- 3.2 U/L vs 10.2 +/- 2.1 U/L). However, one of the distal branchs was totally occluded by the distal embolization of the thrombus, and the CK-MB level increased from 2.1 U/L to 22.7 U/L. Otherwise, no procedure-related complications or major in-hospital cardiac events were observed. CONCLUSION: The use of the distal protection device, Percusurge(r), may reduce both the procedural and clinical complications during a coronary intervention in the thrombus-containing lesion. However, a large prospective study is needed to define the role of the distal protection device.
Angina, Stable ; Angioplasty ; Biomarkers ; Coronary Thrombosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Saphenous Vein ; Thrombosis* ; Transplants

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) occurs rarely in adults and its clinical manifestations are not well studied in Korea. We analyzed data from 14 adult patients admitted from 1987 to 1996 who fulfilled three criteria (Coombs negative microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, no artificial heart valve, and creatinine level>1.4mg/dL). No patient died, 3 patients needed dialysis for ESRD at first episode, 2 patients developed CRF, 1 patient had recurrence and progressed to ESRD at the second episode. 7 patients completely recovered their renal function without proteinuria nor hypertension. HUS secondary to other disease had the worst renal survival and patients with colitis had better renal survival. Patient age, sex, platelet counts, white blood cell counts, hemoglobin level, treatment modalities were not significantly associated with renal survival.
Adult* ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Colitis ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Heart, Artificial ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Korea ; Leukocyte Count ; Platelet Count ; Proteinuria ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: In this study, we performed one-lung ventilation (OLV) in rabbits to assess the effects of OLV on the VA/Q ratio and the respiratory physiological changes using MIGET. METHODS: Ten male New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 3-4 kg were selected. To perform MIGET, six inactive gases (SF6, krypton, desflurane, enflurane, diethyl ether, acetone) in 500 ml normal saline were injected intravenously. During two-lung ventilation (TLV), and after OLV for 30 minutes, blood was sampled for blood gas analysis and MIGET, hemodynamic variables were measured. For MIGET, the concentrations of the injected inert gases were measured and converted to retention/excretion data; the VA/Q distribution curve was obtained using a computer. RESULTS: Systolic, mean, and diastolic pulmonary pressures were elevated significantly and pulmonary resistance was doubled (P<0.05) in OLV compared to TLV. Blood pH decreased in OLV. The calculated intrapulmonary shunt was 19% and 52%, TLV and OLV, respectively. The analysis of VA/Q using MIGET showed that the VA/Q distribution curve was wider and that the VA/Q area was larger in normal rabbits. And, that intrapulmonary shunt approximated to 11%. In the case of OLV, a significant increase in shunt was observed but no change in the amount of dead space at distribution area, (log SDQ, log SDV) remained the same, whereas the VA/Q distribution curve shifted toward the right. CONCLUSIONS: OLV in rabbits showed severe hypercapnia and hypoxemia leading to a considerable increase in shunt. Because of the wide range of VA/Q distribution in TLV, no significant changes in respiratory variables were observed during OLV.
Anoxia ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Enflurane ; Ether ; Gases ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypercapnia ; Krypton ; Lung* ; Male ; Noble Gases ; One-Lung Ventilation ; Rabbits ; Ventilation ; Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio*

Mineralocorticoids influences on acid-base homeostasis by the regulation of urine acidification. But its mechanism of acion is not well known in human. This study compared the acid-base status and the indices of urine acidification before and after mineralocorticoid administration in human, and analyzed the effect of mineralocorticoids on human acid-base homeostasis. We administered 9a-fludrocortisone in 6 chronic renal failure patients and 6 normal controls 0.5mg daily for 7 days. The results were as following: 1) After administration of 9a-fludrocortisone in patients group, serum aldosterone level changed from 120.2+/-71.0pg/mL to 44.8+/-32.2pg/mL(mean+/-SD, p< 0.05). Serum HCO- level was not changed. Urine ammonium excretion was incresed from 24.6+/-12.3 mmol/day to 43.7+/-19.0 (p<0.05), but there were no change in urine pH and urine anion gap, Serum potassium level decreased from 5.5+/-0.7mBq/L to 4.1+/-0.5mEq/L (p<0.05), and TTKG increased from 3.9 to 8.9(p<0.05). 2) After administration of 9a-fludrocortisone in control group, serum aldosterone level changed from 99.7+/-44.5pg/mL to 25.1+/-3 mL(p<0.05). Serum HCO- level was not changed. Urine ammonium excretion was incresed from 44.3+/-21.6mmoVday to 76.3+/-19.6(p<0.05), but there were no change in urine pH and urine anion gap. Serum potassium level decreased from 4.8+/-0.5mEq/L to 3.9+/-0.2mHq/L(p< 0.05), but there was no change in TTKG. 3) No patient or control showed any discomfort after 9-fludrocortisone administration, and there was no elevation in diastolic blood pressure, increase in body weight, electrolyte abnormality. In summary, after 9alpha-fludrocortisane administration, urinary ammonium excretion increased in both patients and control group, and this phenomenon occured with correction of hyperkalemia without urine pH change. This result implies urinary ammonium excretion increase by mineralocorticoid. In human increase in renal distal acidification by mineralocorticoid is due to increase in renal ammoniagenesis rather than stimulation on proton excretion.
Acid-Base Equilibrium ; Aldosterone ; Ammonium Compounds* ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hyperkalemia ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mineralocorticoids ; Potassium* ; Protons

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the antiproliferative effect of lovastatin on vascular smooth muscle cell, especially to determine whether lovastatin induces apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cell and the products of mevalonate pathway can reverse the antiproliferative effect of lovastatin. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Lovastatin only and lovastatin with one of the products of mevalonate pathway such as isopentenyl adenine, farnesol, mevalonate, cholesterol were added respectively in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells stimulated with 10% fetal calf serum. DNA synthesis was measured by tritiated-thymidine incorporation. Cell number was determined by hemocytometric counting. Cells were Giemsa-stained to evaluate morphological changes of apoptosis. Extracted DNA from the cells treated with lovastatin was assessed by gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: 1)Lovastatin inhibited DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. 2)The inhibitory effects of lovastatin could be reversed almost completely by mevalonate, partially by farnesol. 3)Lovastatin-treated vascular smooth muscle cells showed typical morphological changes of apoptosis. 4)A distinct ladder of DNA bands was visualized by gel electrophoresis of the DNA from the cells treated with lovastatin. CONCLUSION: Mevalonate metabolism is essential for vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. The antiproliferative effect of lovastatin may result from the induction of apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Adenine ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Count ; Cell Proliferation ; Cholesterol ; DNA ; Electrophoresis ; Farnesol ; Lovastatin* ; Metabolism ; Mevalonic Acid ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* ; Rats

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular contrast echocardiography has been used to evaluate congenital cardiac anomaly, valvular regurgitation, left ventricular wall motion and myocardial perfusion. The contrast agent capable of crossing the pulmonary capillary must be small, stable and echoreflective. METHODS: To make a transpulmonary contrast agent, a mixture of 8 mL of fluorocarbon (C3F8) gas, 5% human serum albumin and 5% dextrose solution was sonicated for 80 seconds. We measured the microbubble size and number of the contrast agent by Coulter counter and hemocytometer. We injected the contrast agent intravenously into the 8 mongrel dogs with systemic arterial blood pressure and heart rate monitoring. The dosage of the contrast agent was various from 0.01 mL/Kg to 0.1 mL/Kg. Echocardiographic examination was done while the contrast agent was injected. Arterial blood gas analysis was done repeatedly before and after contrast agent injection. RESULTS: The microbubble size of the contrast agent was 60.8+/-9.3 fL, and its number was 1.0 x 10 8 /mL. Left ventricular opacification was observed in all cases by intravenous injection of the contrast agent. The minimal dose for the complete opacification of the left ventricle by visual estimation was 0.05 mL/Kg. Hemodynamic variables did not change between pre and post injection of the contrast agent. CONCLUSION: Fluorocarbon based contrast agent could be used intravenously to opacify the left ventricle and it causes no hemodynamic chage in mongrel dogs.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Capillaries ; Dogs ; Echocardiography* ; Glucose ; Heart Rate ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous* ; Microbubbles ; Perfusion ; Serum Albumin

PURPOSE: To Investigate the patterns and to document the clinical and technical significances of the leg injuries of drivers of short-fronted vehicles in frontal collision accidents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve cases of jammed leg injury were chosen from hospitals in the Chungcheong Province area and investigated in terms of nature of the accident, distribution of injuries, methods and duration of treatment and final sequelae. RESULTS: The patients had multiple injuries on the lower extremities, such as, fractures of the femoral shaft, tibial shaft, foot and ankle and soft tissue injuries, requiring an average 8.3 surgical procedures and 7 months admission, and from which permanent sequlae resulted, though associated injuries of the head, chest, abdomen were not significant. CONCLUSION: "Jammed leg injury" seemed to be related with the design of short-fronted vehicles. As these injuries can cause considerable functional and socioeconomic loss with long treatment periods and permanent residual sequelae. Preventive measures appear to be necessary, possibly involving vehicle design modification.
Abdomen ; Ankle ; Foot ; Head ; Humans ; Leg ; Leg Injuries ; Lower Extremity ; Multiple Trauma ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Thorax

Background: Few studies have investigated the association between Behçet disease (BD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of various CVDs in patients with BD. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of various CVD in patients with BD. Methods: Between 2003 and 2015, we performed a retrospective cohort study involving patients with BD selected from Korea’s National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort database and age- and sex-matched controls. Age- and sex-matched controls were selected randomly from the NHIS-NSC database at a frequency of 1:5. Results: Among the 998 patients with BD and the 4,990 controls studied, patients with BD showed significantly higher risk for angina pectoris (adjusted Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.522, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.020∼2.273;p=0.04) and peripheral arterial disease (adjusted HR 2.939, 95% CI 1.296∼6.664; p=0.01) than the controls. The cumulative incidence rates of these diseases in patients with BD were also significantly higher than those in the controls. Conclusion Patients with BD showed independent risk for angina pectoris and peripheral arterial disease.

This study compared two-stent strategies for treatment of bifurcation lesions by stenting order, 'main across side first (A-family)' vs 'side branch first (S-family). The study population was patients from 16 centers in Korea who underwent drug eluting stent implantation with two-stent strategy (A-family:109, S-family:140 patients). The endpoints were cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis (ST), and target lesion revascularization (TLR) during 3 years. During 440.8 person-years (median 20.2 months), there was 1 cardiac death, 4 MIs (including 2 STs), and 12 TLRs. Cumulative incidence of cardiac death, MI and ST was lower in A-family (0% in A-family vs 4.9% in S-family, P = 0.045). However, TLR rates were not different between the two groups (7.1% vs 6.2%, P = 0.682). Final kissing inflation (FKI) was a predictor of the hard-endpoint (hazard ratio 0.061; 95% CI 0.007-0.547, P = 0.013), but was not a predictor of TLR. The incidence of hard-endpoint of S-family with FKI was comparable to A-family, whereas S-family without FKI showed the poorest prognosis (1.1% vs 15.9%, retrospectively; P = 0.011). In conclusion, 'A-family' seems preferable to 'S-family' if both approaches are feasible. When two-stent strategy is used, every effort should be made to perform FKI, especially in 'S-family'.
Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary/*methods ; Coronary Stenosis/surgery/*therapy ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac/etiology ; *Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction/etiology ; Myocardial Revascularization ; Thrombosis/etiology