PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the reproducibility of the quantitative assessment of segmental wall motion and systolic thickening provided by an automatic quantitation algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tc-99m-MIBI gated myocardial SPECT with dipyridamole stress was performed in 31 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (4 with single, 6 with two, 11 with triple vessel disease; ejection fraction 51+/-14%) twice consecutively in the same position. Myocardium was divided into 20 segments. Segmental wall motion and systolic thickening were calculated and expressed in mm and % increase respectively, using AutoQUANTTM software. The reproducibility of this quantitative measurement of wall motion and thickening was tested. RESULTS: Correlations between repeated measurements on consecutive gated SPECT were excellent for wall motion (r=0.95) and systolic thickening (r=0.88). On Bland-Altman analysis, two standard deviation was 2 mm for repeated measurement of segmental wall motion, and 20% for that of systolic thickening. The weighted kappa values of repeated measurements were 0.807 for wall motion and 0.708 for systolic thickening. Sex, perfusion, or segmental location had no influence on reproducibility. CONCLUSION: Segmental wall motion and systolic thickening quantified using AutoQUANTTM software on gated myocardial SPECT offers good reproducibility and is significantly different when the change is more than 2 mm for wall motion and more than 20% for systolic thickening.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Dipyridamole ; Humans ; Myocardium ; Perfusion ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of carotid endarterectomy is to prevent stroke regardless of past neurologic events. Major concern in the carotid endarterectomy is the inadequate blood flow of ipsilateral hemisphere during clamping of the carotid artery. It is well known that internal carotid artery back pressure means collateral cerebral blood flow. Our study is intended to determine the guideline of shunt placement according to the carotid back pressure and electroencephalographic finding. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study population comprised of 16 consecutive patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy for carotid stenosis in our institution between from February 1996 to March 1999. There were 14 men and 2 women between the ages of 56 and 78 years(mean age 66.25+/-6.53 years). The carotid stenosis in the operative site was ranged from 61% to 95%(mean 73.8+/-12.33%) and the mean carotid stenosis of the contralateral side was 60.99+/-25.03%. During the operation, electroencephalographic monitoring was taken in all cases. The internal carotid artery back pressure was measured to estimate the collateral cerebral blood flow, and in all patients with back pressure below 40 mmHg(11 patients) and patients with complete occulusion of contralateral carotid artery(2 patients), an internal shunt was installed. RESULT: One postoperative death occurred in a patient with large evolving cerebral infarction and severe ipsilateral carotid stenosis, who underwent emergent carotid endarterectomy. The cause of death was hemorrhagic infarction in the corresponding cerebral territory. We observed that immediate operation after a major stroke negatively influenced the postoperative outcome. No intraoperative ischemic neurologic complication developed. During the follow-up upto now(mean follow-up 21.5+/-11.85 months), there has been no early or late recurrence of stroke except one patient ,in whom cerebral infarction developed in the contralateral side on the first postoperative day. CONCLUSION: At least 4-6 weeks stabilization after a stroke is recommended for surgical management. The carotid endarterectomy is an effective surgical intervention for prevention of anticipated stroke and can be performed safely if an internal shunt is used in patients whose internal carotid arterial back pressure is below 40 mmHg.
Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Carotid Stenosis* ; Cause of Death ; Cerebral Infarction ; Constriction ; Endarterectomy ; Endarterectomy, Carotid* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction ; Male ; Recurrence ; Stroke

PURPOSE: Many of the enzymes handling environmental factors are polymorphic and may confer variable susceptibility to renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Among those, the author studied genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6 (B & T) and CYP1A1 in RCCs and controls in Korean. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using 132 RCCs and 94 controls, first PCR products were obtained in 104 RCCs and 94 controls with CYP2D6, and 74 RCCs and 56 controls with CYP1A1. Res triction enzyme - BstN I/EcoN I for CYP2D6 (B & T), and NCo I for CYP1A1-digestion was followed to analyze constitutive DNA. RESULTS: In both RCCs and controls, no mutant allele of CYP2D6 (B & T) was detected and the susceptibility for occurrence of RCC was unable to evaluate. With CYP1A1 RFLP, homozy gous wild type (WW) was seen in 68 (52.3%; 37 RCCs, 31 controls), heterozygous mutant type (WM) in 54 (41.5%; 32 RCCs, 22 controls) and homozygous mutant type (MM) in 8 (6.2%; 5 RCCs, 3 controls). The odds ratios (95% CI) of RCC susceptibility for CYP1A1 genotype were 1.15 for WM and 1.36 for MM. Even though not significant statistically, higher tendency in MM presented. CONCLUSION: There is no association between susceptibility for the occurrence of RCC and genetic polymorphism of CYP2D6 (B & T) and CYP1A1.
Alleles ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1* ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6* ; DNA ; Genotype ; Odds Ratio ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

A microscopic examination of 1,000 cases of gastroscopic biopsy specimens revealed that the prevalence and severity of chronic gastritis, neutrophilic infiltration, and Helicobacter pylori infection increased with advancing age until the age reached about 40, but they decreased thereafter in accordance with the increasing prevalence of intestinal metaplasia. The prevalence and severity of Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic gastritis, and neutrophilic infiltration were proportionately related to each other and to gastric peptic ulcer, but inversely related with intestinal metaplasia and gastric carcinoma. The results suggested that chronic gastritis and gastric peptic ulcer may be associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and that if these lesions persist, intestinal metaplasia may develop with decreased severity of chronic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection but, instead, increase of the risk of gastric carcinoma. And it is thought that the cause of the high incidence of gastric carcinoma in Korea may be related to the fact that chronic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection develop earlier in life and therefore the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia is higher in Korea than in other countries.
Incidence ; Biopsy

Although dysphagia in patients with acute leukemia is usually related to reflux esophagitis, infectious esophagitis, chemotherapy1) and leukemic infiltration2), acute esophageal stricture resulting from chemotherapy in the patient with leukemia is very rare. A 40-year-old man with acute myelogenous leukemia was admitted for operation of esophageal stricture which was developed within 1 month of chemotherapy. An esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy with pyloroplasty was carried out. Histology showed mucosal infiltration of mononuclear cells and transmural fibrosis involving submucosa and the muscle layer.
Adult ; Deglutition Disorders ; Drug Therapy ; Esophageal Stenosis* ; Esophagectomy ; Esophagitis ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Induction Chemotherapy* ; Leukemia ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive technique for various cardiac surgeries has become widely accepted since it has been proven to have distinct advantages for the patients. We describe here the results of our experiences of minimal incision in cardiac surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From February 1997 to November 1998, we successfully performed 31 cases of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Male and female ratio was 17:14, and the patients age ranged from 1 to 75 years. A left parasternal incision was used in 9 patients with single vessel coronary heart disease. A direct coronary bypass grafting was done under the condition of the beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass support(MIDCAB). Among these, one was a case of a reoperation 1 week after the first operation due to a kinked mammary artery graft. A right parasternal incision was used in one case of a redo mitral valve replacement. Mini-sternotomy was used in the remaining 21 patients. The procedures were mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty in 6 patients, mitral valve replacement 5, double valve replacement 2, aortic valve replacement 1, removal of left atrial myxoma 1, closure of atrial septal defect 2, repair of ventricular septal defect 2, and primary closure of r ght ventricular stab wound 1. The initial 5 cases underwent a T-shaped mini-sternotomy, however, we adopted an arrow-shaped ministernotomy in the remaining cases because it provided better exposure of the aortic root and stability of the sternum after a sternal wiring. RESULT: The operation time, the cardiopulmonary bypass time, the aorta cross-clamping time, the mechanical ventilation time, the amount of chest tube drainage until POD#1, the chest tube indwelling time, and the duration of intensive care unit staying were in an acceptable range. There were two surgical mortalities. One was due to a rupture of the aorta cannulation site after double valve replacement on POD#1 in the mini-sternotomy case, and the other was due to a sudden ventricular arrhythmia after MIDCAB on POD#2 in the parasternal incision case. Postoperative complications were observed in 2 cases in which a cerebral embolism developed on POD#2 after a mini-sternotomy in mitral valve replacement and wound hematoma developed after a right parasternal incision in a single coronary bypass grafting. Neither mortality nor complication was directly related to the incision technique itself. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgery using parasternal or mini-sternotomy incision can be used in cardiac surgeries since it is as safe as the standard full sternotomy incisions.
Aorta ; Aortic Valve ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Catheterization ; Chest Tubes ; Coronary Disease ; Drainage ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Intracranial Embolism ; Male ; Mammary Arteries ; Mitral Valve ; Mortality ; Myxoma ; Postoperative Complications ; Reoperation ; Respiration, Artificial ; Rupture ; Sternotomy ; Sternum ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Thoracic Surgery* ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries ; Wounds, Stab

During a eight-month period from june 1993, cataract surgery using a scleral pocket of 7 mm in length was performed on 30 eyes of 26 patients. In order to evaluate the effect of chamber entry length and closure technique on astigmatic changes and visual recovary, three different surgical procedures were carried out and compared retrospectively. The visual acuity, refraction and keratometry were assessed at every week. The H group(15 eyes) had a single horizontal suture after phacoemulsification followed by implantation of a one piece of PMMA lens through 7 mm chamber entry. The F group(6 eyes) had a single horizontal suture followed by implantation of a foldable lens through 4 mm chamber entry. The R group(9 eyes) had a single radial suture followed by implantation of one piece of PMMA lens through 7 mm chamber entry. Overall uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was 67% at 1 week, 93% at 8 weeks postoperatively and there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups(p>0.05). The overall change of mean refractive astigmatism from 1 to 8 weeks postoperatively was 0.69D and there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups(p>0.05). The overall change of mean keratometric astigmatism method from 1 to 8 weeks postoperatively was 0.12D and there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups(p>0.05). Early clinical observations indicate that cataract surgery using a scleral pocket of 7 mm in length shows early visual recovery and minimizes surgically induced astigmatism without serious complications.
Astigmatism ; Cataract* ; Humans ; Phacoemulsification ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Retrospective Studies ; Sutures ; Visual Acuity

This study is an analysis of types of patients and distribution of implant site and survival rate of Xive(R) implant. The following results on patient type, implant distribution and survival rate were compiled from 324 implant cases of 140 patients treated at the periodontal dept. of Yonsei University Hospital and G dental clinic between February 2003 and April 2006. 1. There are no dissimilarities between men and women, with patients in their 30, 40, 50s accounting for 80% of patients and accounted for 82% of implant treatments; the largest share of patients and implant treatments. 2. Mn. posterior area accounted for 57% of implant treatments followed by Mx. posterior area(29%), Mx. anterior area(8%) and Mn. anterior area(6%). 3. Partial edentulous patients treated by single crown and bridge-type prosthesis accounted for 96% and fully edentulous patient accounted for the remaining 4%. 4. The major cause of tooth loss is periodontal disease, followed by dental caries, trauma and congenital missing. 5. The distribution of bone quality for maxillae was 54.2% for typeIII, followed by 30.8% for type II, 15% for typeIV and 0% for typeI. As for mandible, the distribution was 63% for typeII, followed by 34% for typeIII, 2.5% for typeI and 0.5% for typeIV. 6. The distribution of bone quantity for maxillae was 55% for type C, followed by 35% for type B, 8% for type D and 2% for type A. As for mandible, the distribution was 60% for type B, followed by 32% for type C, 7% for type A and 0% for type D. 7. The majority of implants were those of 9.5-13 mm in length(95%) and regular diameter in width(82%). 8. The total survival rate was 98%. The survival rate was 97% in the maxillae region and 99% in the mandible region. 9. The survival rate in typeI was 83%, in typeII was 99%, in typeIII was 97% and in typeIV was 100%. As for the bone quantity, the survival rate in type A and D(100%) was most, followed by type B(99%) and type C(96%). The results showed that Xive(R) implant could be used satisfactorily compare for the other implant system. But we most to approach carefully in certain extreme condition especially with poor bone quality and quantity.
Crowns ; Dental Caries ; Dental Clinics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Periodontal Diseases ; Prostheses and Implants ; Retrospective Studies* ; Survival Rate* ; Tooth Loss

No abstract available.
Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy*

The prognostic value of the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been questioned even though it is an accurate marker of left ventricle (LV) systolic dysfunction. This study aimed to examine the prognostic impact of LVEF in patients with AMI with or without high-grade mitral regurgitation (MR). A total of 15,097 patients with AMI who received echocardiography were registered in the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (KAMIR) between January 2005 and July 2011. Patients with low-grade MR (grades 0-2) and high-grade MR (grades 3-4) were divided into the following two sub-groups according to LVEF: LVEF < or = 40% (n = 2,422 and 197, respectively) and LVEF > 40% (n = 12,252 and 226, respectively). The primary endpoints were major adverse cardiac events (MACE), cardiac death, and all-cause death during the first year after registration. Independent predictors of mortality in the multivariate analysis in AMI patients with low-grade MR were age > or = 75 yr, Killip class > or = III, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide > 4,000 pg/mL, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein > or = 2.59 mg/L, LVEF < or = 40%, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, PCI was an independent predictor in AMI patients with high-grade MR. No differences in primary endpoints between AMI patients with high-grade MR (grades 3-4) and EF < or = 40% or EF > 40% were noted. MR is a predictor of a poor outcome regardless of ejection fraction. LVEF is an inadequate method to evaluate contractile function of the ischemic heart in the face of significant MR.
Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease/mortality/*pathology/surgery ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart/radiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency/*pathology ; Myocardial Infarction/mortality/*pathology/surgery ; Myocardium/pathology ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke Volume/*physiology ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/*surgery ; Ventricular Function, Left/physiology