BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A correlation between the BNP reduction ratio and prognosis could be expected to be found by evaluating the BNP reduction depending on the volume status during the early period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between October 2002 and June 2004, 120 patients with acute heart failure (AHF)(<1 month) were included. The patients were divided into three groups according to their volume status, as follows. Group I: patients with clinical & radiological wet status, Group II: clinical dry & radiological wet status and Group III: clinical & radiological dry status. The blood BNP (Triage(r)) level and clinical parameters were analyzed. The bad prognostic parameters were defined as readmission due to heart failure, a major adverse cardiac event or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 68.0+/-12.7 years, and 50.0% of the subjects were male. The most frequent etiology of AHF was ischemic heart disease (35.8%). There were 61.7, 24.1 and 14.2% in Groups I, III and III, respectively. The baseline BNP level was higher in group I and II than in group III patients (I: 1540.4+/-1202.8, II: 1482.8+/-1281.6, III: 666.4+/-827.9 pg/mL, p=0.036) as was the early BNP reduction ratio (I: 69.8+/-27.1, II: 67.4+/-32.8, III: 1.3+/-144.9%, p=0.007). Sixteen (13.3%) patients had a poor prognosis. From a logistical analysis, the early BNP reduction ratio (p=0.004) and creatinine level (p=0.029) were significant predictors of the clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: The early change in the BNP level varied depending on the degree of congestive status, and was also correlated with the level of clinical outcomes. Therefore, in our opinion, the early monitoring of the BNP level will provide significant clinical information in AHF patients.
Creatinine ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Heart Failure* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Prognosis*

In schizophrenia, when treatment using antipsychotics fails, lithium, which is known as an antimanic drug, can also be administered. It is reported that 12~20% of patients taking lithium develop nephrogenic diabetes lactotrophs. Hyperprolactinemia is induced by typical antipsychotics, as they block the dopamine-2 receptors of latotrophs in the pituitary gland. Therefore, atypical antipsychotics for decreasing the side effect, such as hyperprolactinemia, can be used. However, hyperprolactinemia can be induced by risperidone, one of the atypical antipsychotics. Here, a case of drug induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and simultaneous hyperprolactinemia, which occurred in a patient with schizophrenia, is reported.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Diabetes Insipidus, Nephrogenic* ; Humans ; Hyperprolactinemia* ; Lactotrophs ; Lithium ; Pituitary Gland ; Risperidone ; Schizophrenia*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) can be increased in patients with renal insufficiency (RI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of BNP for systolic heart failure (HF) in patients with moderate to severe RI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between Aug 2002 and May 2004, 433 patients found to have systolic HF or moderate to severe RI were included. The patients were divided into 3 groups (group I; only HF, group II; only RI, group III; HF and RI). The severity of RI was graded according to the calculated creatinine clearance (Ccr); moderate 30< or =Ccr<60, severe 15< or =Ccr<30 or end stage renal disease (ESRD) Ccr<15 mL/min. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 67.6+/-12, and 49% were male. There were significant differences in the mean BNP levels between group III and the other two groups (p<0.001); group I (n=65, 837.3+/-884), group II (n=137, 1049.4+/-1332) and group III (n=231, 1738.3+/-1501 pg/mL). A weak negative correlation was note between BNP and Ccr (r=-0.335, p<0.001) in patients with RI. As the renal function deteriorated, the mean BNP of groups II and III was found to be elevated (moderate 625.5+/-574, 1183.0+/-1056; severe 760.5+/-1211, 2205.4+/-1470; ESRD 2157.6+/-1831, 3209.9+/-1900 pg/mL, p<0.05), with the mean BNP of group III being higher than that of group II for each grade (p<0.05). From the ROC curve, the optimal cut-off point of BNP for the diagnosis of systolic HF in patients with RI was 829 pg/mL (accuracy 68%, sensitivity 66% and specificity 70%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In the case of patients with moderate to severe RI, a higher BNP cut-off point for the diagnosis of systolic HF and a relatively lower diagnostic accuracy of BNP should be considered.
Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Heart Failure ; Heart Failure, Systolic* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Plasma ; Renal Insufficiency* ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Hyperthyroidism is seen in 3.5-26% of subjects with acromegaly. Hyperthyroidism can be developed by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) dependent mechanism in TSH-secreting adenomas with acromegaly or by TSH independent mechanism through the stimulation of thyroid cells by growth hormone (GH). So, confirming the cause of hyperthyroidism is important to treat that. We report a case of a 56-year-old man who had acromegaly with iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis. He took the sea tangle for 4 years because he had constipation. His face and hands indicated acromegaly. Thyroid function test showed that T3 and free T4 were increased and TSH was decreased. Ultrasonography of neck showed diffuse enlargement of thyroid gland and thyroid scan showed decreased uptake of thyroid gland. So we could confirm iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis due to excessive iodine intake. Serum GH and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 were markedly increased and brain MRI showed heterogenous 1 cm sized pituitary mass in right side. Acromegaly was confirmed by brain MRI, pituitary stimulation test and increased level of GH, IGF-1. He stopped iodine intake. After 6 months, T3, free T4 and TSH were normalized and he is waiting for the surgical removal of pituitary adenoma.
Acromegaly* ; Adenoma ; Brain ; Constipation ; Growth Hormone ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Iodine ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotoxicosis* ; Thyrotropin ; Ultrasonography

Subclinical Cushing's syndrome is defined as an autonomous cortisol hyperproduction without specific clinical signs of cortisol excess, but detectable biochemically as derangements of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function. We report a case of a 33-year-old woman with subclinical Cushing's syndrome caused by left adrenocortical adenoma, mistaken for Liddle's syndrome. The patient complained of fatigue. Laboratory findings showed metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, high TTKG (transtubular K concentration gradient), low plasma renin activity, and low serum aldosterone level, that findings implied as Liddle's syndrome. So we performed further study. Hormonal and radiologic studies revealed subclinical Cushing's syndrome with a left adrenal mass. The adrenal mass was resected and pathologically diagnosed as adrenocortical adenoma. After the resection of the left adrenal mass, patient's hormonal levels showed normal range.
Adrenocortical Adenoma* ; Adult ; Aldosterone ; Alkalosis ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cushing Syndrome* ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypokalemia ; Plasma ; Reference Values ; Renin

Bupivacaine is widely used as a local anesthetic. Central nervous system (CNS) and cardiovascular toxicity are well known side effects. However, there has been no report of bupivacaine-induced myocardial injury. We present a case of bupivacaine cardiac toxicity mimicking an acute non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, which was eventually diagnosed as bupivacaine-induced cardiac toxicity without CNS toxicity. As soon as a healthy young woman at a private clinic was given a spinal anesthesia of 6mg bupivacaine for hemorrhoidectomy, she developed arrhythmia and hypotension. She was transferred to our emergency room. There was an accelerated idioventricular rhythm with ST segment depression on electrocardiogram, coarse breathing sounds with rales on whole lung field and a butterfly sign on the chest radiograph. 2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed reduced left ventricle systolic ejection fraction (approximately 27%). There was regional wall motion abnormality of the left ventricle on 2D TTE and the cardiac marker was increased. We diagnosed the patient as having acute non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction but her impaired cardiac function improved gradually. On the seventh day from admission, there was a complete spontaneous recovery of cardiac function, and coronary angiography revealed a normal coronary artery. Therefore, we firmly believe that bupivacaine directly injures the cardiac cell.
Myocardium/*pathology ; Myocardial Infarction/chemically induced/*diagnosis/etiology ; Humans ; Heart/*drug effects ; Female ; Electrocardiography ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Bupivacaine/*adverse effects ; Adult

BACKGROUND: Although tetanus infections have diminished dramatically since the advent of tetanus vaccination, this disease has not disappeared. Those 60 years and older are still very much at risk for this infection. Thus, we investigated the tetanus antibody titers in people 60 years and older in Korea. METHODS: Our subjects included those visiting eight emergency departments from March 2009 to February 2010 after an injury with stable vital signs and without acute disease. Samples obtained were tested using the tetanus immunoglobulin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The resultant tetanus antibody titers were analyzed. RESULTS: The number of subjects enrolled was 462. The mean titer was 0.09+/-0.14 IU/mL. Twenty-two percent of the subjects had a safe titer level (>0.1 IU/mL). Males and urban subjects had higher tetanus antibody titers than did females and suburban subjects. Subjects living in Incheon, Gangwon-do, Chungcheong-do, and Jeju-do had lower titers. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that Koreans 60 years and older did not have a protective mean level of tetanus antibody titer and that 78% of the subjects did not have a seroprotective level after tetanus exposure. Therefore, a national effort to administer tetanus vaccination to elderly Koreans is needed.
Acute Disease ; Aged ; Emergencies ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea ; Male ; Tetanus ; Vaccination ; Vital Signs