Erythr odysesthesia syndrome is a. peculiar toxic reaction due to anti-cancer drug. lt is characterized by a painful, purple-colored patch on the palms and soles, and may form bullae. We report a case of erythrodysesthesia syndrome in a 46-year-old woman. 5-FU and leucovorin were administered for 5 days because of her colon cancer. Two weeks after anti-cancer therapy, purple-colored erosive patch appeared on the face, and 10 days later, purple-colored vesicular patches were seen on both palms and soles, accompanied with pain. Histopathologic examination reveals a severe epidermal necrosis. Individual keratinocyte shows cytologic atypia and apoptotic body.
Colonic Neoplasms ; Female ; Fluorouracil* ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; Leucovorin ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that within 2 weeks following acute myocardial infarction (AMI), exercise-induced ST-segment depression (STD) indicates subendocardial ischemia in the viable myocardium within infarcted or remote area from the infarction. Exercise-induced ST-segment elevation (STE) in leads with abnormal Q wave is associated with left ventricular dysfunction or aneurysm rather than transmural ischemia. We studied whether each pattern of ST-segment shift on exercise ECG during recovery phase following AMI is correlated with the perfusion status of infarcted myocardium evaluated by myocardial contrast echocardiog-raphy (MCE), regardless of findings of coronary angiography (CAG). METHOD: Study population was consisted of 25 patients with AMI (anteior wall: 11 patients, inferior wall: 14 patients, mean age=57.3+/-8.9years). Patients underwent exercise ECG and coronary angiography at 10 days post-AMI. After CAG, sonicated Hexabrix was injected into both coronory arteries alternatively and 2-D echocardiography was taken in parasternal short axis, apical 4, and 2 chamber views. To analyze the echocardiographic image semiquantitively, left ventricle was divided into 20 segments and perfusion status was graded as good, partial, and no opacification. RESULT: All patients with exercise-induced STE (n=8) in Q-leads had patent infarcted-related artery and poor collaterals on CAG, which was associated with poor or no opacification of infarcted myocardium on MCE. Patients with exercise-induced STD (n=9) frequently had closed infarct-related artery (67%), but good opacification of infarcted myocardium was shown by retrograde perfusion via collaterals, which was commonly seen in patients with multivessel disease. CONCLUSION: In early recovery phase of acute myocardial infarction, exercise-induced ST elevation in Q leads was associated with poor perfusional status in infarcted myocardium, even with patent infarct-related artery on CAG, while exercise-induced ST depression was frequently seen in the good perfusional status despite of closed infarted-related artery, which was commonly observed in patients with multivessel disease.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Coronary Angiography ; Depression ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Infarction ; Ioxaglic Acid ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Myocardium* ; Perfusion* ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that within 2 weeks following acute myocardial infarction (AMI), exercise-induced ST-segment depression (STD) indicates subendocardial ischemia in the viable myocardium within infarcted or remote area from the infarction. Exercise-induced ST-segment elevation (STE) in leads with abnormal Q wave is associated with left ventricular dysfunction or aneurysm rather than transmural ischemia. We studied whether each pattern of ST-segment shift on exercise ECG during recovery phase following AMI is correlated with the perfusion status of infarcted myocardium evaluated by myocardial contrast echocardiog-raphy (MCE), regardless of findings of coronary angiography (CAG). METHOD: Study population was consisted of 25 patients with AMI (anteior wall: 11 patients, inferior wall: 14 patients, mean age=57.3+/-8.9years). Patients underwent exercise ECG and coronary angiography at 10 days post-AMI. After CAG, sonicated Hexabrix was injected into both coronory arteries alternatively and 2-D echocardiography was taken in parasternal short axis, apical 4, and 2 chamber views. To analyze the echocardiographic image semiquantitively, left ventricle was divided into 20 segments and perfusion status was graded as good, partial, and no opacification. RESULT: All patients with exercise-induced STE (n=8) in Q-leads had patent infarcted-related artery and poor collaterals on CAG, which was associated with poor or no opacification of infarcted myocardium on MCE. Patients with exercise-induced STD (n=9) frequently had closed infarct-related artery (67%), but good opacification of infarcted myocardium was shown by retrograde perfusion via collaterals, which was commonly seen in patients with multivessel disease. CONCLUSION: In early recovery phase of acute myocardial infarction, exercise-induced ST elevation in Q leads was associated with poor perfusional status in infarcted myocardium, even with patent infarct-related artery on CAG, while exercise-induced ST depression was frequently seen in the good perfusional status despite of closed infarted-related artery, which was commonly observed in patients with multivessel disease.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Coronary Angiography ; Depression ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Infarction ; Ioxaglic Acid ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Myocardium* ; Perfusion* ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

BACKGROUND: In acute myocardial infarction, left ventricular remodeling, which was influenced by infarct size, location, and patency of infarct related artery(IRA), is a important prognostic factor for chronic heart failure and survival. Recently, several reports suggested that patent IRA does not always mean true myocardial reperfusion, and myocardial contrast echocardiography(MCE) may be a useful tool for assessing infarct size and viability of infarcted myocardium. So, we investigated the association between the degree of myocardial reperfusion assessed by MCE and long term change of left ventricular volume in acute anterior wall myocardial infarction patients who had patent IRA. METHODS: The study population was consisted of 17 patients with first acute anterior wall myocardial infarction patients who had patent left anterior descending artery by thrombolytic therapy or rescue PTCA. MCE was done immediately after coronary angiography within two weeks of myocardial infarction onset and analyzed by semiquantitative method to get opacification index. For analysis of left ventricular ejection fraction, wall motion abnormality and left ventricular volume, echocardiogram was taken within 2 weeks of myocardial infarction oneset and 9 months later in each case. Wall motion abnormality was quantified as wall motion index. According to serial changes of left ventricular volume, patients were divided into two groups ; group 1(less than 10% increase of LV volume at follow-up compared to intial echocardiographic exam) and group 2(more than 10% increase of left ventricular volume). We compared the opacification index of infarcted myocardium, wall motion abnormality, and ejection fraction between the two groups. RESULTS: Initial left ventricular volume and ejection fraction were not different between group 1 and group 2, but the opacification index was lower and initial wall motion index higher in group 2 than group 1. Opacification index, wall motion index, ejection fraction and left ventricular volume were closely correlated in the whole cases. By multivariate ananlysis, opacification index was the only significant factor predicting left ventricular volume increment. CONCLUSION: Myocardial reperfusion, which is closely correlated with ejection fraction and wall motion abnormality, acts as a independent predictor of left ventricular dilatation after acute anterior wall myocardial infarction. This result suggests that assessment of microvascular integrity with myocardial contrast echocardiography may be a valuable indicator to predict long-term change of left ventricular volume, although this is suggestive result in a limited number of patients.
Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction* ; Arteries ; Coronary Angiography ; Dilatation ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Reperfusion* ; Myocardium ; Stroke Volume ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Ventricular Remodeling

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The mechanism by which atrial fibrillation (AF) electrically converts to sinus rhythm remains undefined. The purpose of this study was to assess in detail the electrograms recorded during cardioversion using direct current (DC) shock. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 23 patients with AF (chronic n=20, paroxysmal n=3, M:F=15:8, 50 - 70 years old), electrograms were recorded simultaneously from a 20-pole electrode catheters (Duo-deca, DAIG) in the right atrial free wall and the coronary sinus immediately after DC shock given transthoracically. The activation patterns following 45 trials consisting of 23 successful and 22 unsuccessful cardioversion were analyzed. RESULTS: Two distinct patterns following successful cardioversion were observed; either immediate resumption of normal sinus rhythm (n=5, 21%), or one or two activations immediately after shock preceded normal sinus rhythm (n=18, 79%). The energy levels of the two patterns were not significantly different (260 J, 250 J, respectively). Four patterns following unsuccessful cardioversion were noted; unchanged (n=10, 45%), converted to atrial flutter (n=4, 18%), production of three or four beats of more coordinated complexes and reverted to AF (n=5, 22%), and converted to sinus rhythm transiently and reinitiated AF by one or two atrial premature beats (n=3, 13%). The magnitude of the DC shock applied at these 4 different patterns was 196 J, 240 J, 264 J, and 340 J, respectively in which low energy levels made a simultaneous depolarization of the entire atria unlikely. CONCLUSION: Distinct activation patterns were identified following successful and unsuccessful cardioversion using DC shock for AF. These observations suggest that total depolarization of the entire atria is not a prerequisite for the conversion of AF into sinus rhythm.
Atrial Fibrillation* ; Atrial Flutter ; Cardiac Complexes, Premature ; Catheters ; Coronary Sinus ; Electric Countershock* ; Electrodes ; Humans ; Shock

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Myocardial infarction in young age is an uncommon condition and has few risk factors than old aged group. Hyperhomocysteinemia, which is an independent risk factor for vascular disease, is associated with myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, we evaluate that hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with myocardial infaction in young age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 64 patients [normal control 23 (young:old 13:10 mean age 54.2+/-13.8), M.I 41 (young:old=13:28 mean age 53.9+/-14.1)] measured plasma levels of total homocysteine, folate, vitamine B6, and vitamine B12 and performed coronary angiography and echocardiography. Young aged group was defined male <45 years old and premenopausal wemen. RESULTS: 1) Homocysteine concentration was higher in MI patients than in controls (control 6.35+/-1.7 mmol/L, MI 11.3+/-4.9 mmol/L, p<0.001). 2) Levels of homocysteine were not significantly correlated with vitamine B6, B12, and folate, but were correlated with vitamine B12 in myocardial infarction (r=0.388, p<0.001). 3) Homocysteine levels were correlated with age, apoprotein B, BUN (r=0.374 0.52, p=0.05, 0.689 p=0.001) but correlated inversely with gobal function (r= - 0.672, p=0.001). 4) After adjusting for age factor in MI patients, homocysteine concentration was not significantly higher in young aged than in old aged group (young age 6.78+/-2.07, old age 10.2+/-4.17 mmol/L p=0.351 by ANCOVA). CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor of MI, but is not clear association with MI in young age.
Age Factors ; Apoproteins ; Coronary Angiography ; Echocardiography ; Folic Acid* ; Homocysteine* ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Plasma* ; Risk Factors ; Vascular Diseases ; Vitamins*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To reduce the subacute stent thrombosis, the use of high pressure final balloon dilatations and confirmation of adequate stent expansion by intravascular ultrasound has been recommended. The purpose of this study is to compare incidence of stent thrombosis and major cardiac events (MACE) between high and moderate pressure balloon technique without using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 147 patients (110 males & 37 females, mean;56.9+/-9.9 years, 154 lesions) who were deployed intracoronary stents with the use of conventional technique except IVUS guidance. According to inflation pressure, patients were divided into two groups; G1 (moderate pressure group, maximum inflation balloon pressure <14ATM, 77 lesion) & G2 (high pressure group, maximum inflation balloon pressure > or =14ATM, 77 lesions). We investigated the incidence of stent thrombosis and MACE between two groups during the 10 month follow up examination. RESULTS: 1) The mean inflation presure is different between two groups by definition (G1:G2 10.2+/-1.8; 15.2+/-1.3 ATM p<0.001). 2) The stenotic lesion lengths of the group of patients treated with the moderate pressure techique were longer than those treated under the high pressure technique (G1:G2 19.8+/-7.1 mm; 16.3+/-4.1 mm p=0.002). 3) There were no significant differences between the moderate pressure group and the high pressure group during the 10 month follow-up examination in terms of MACE[early event (0-14D)-subacute thrombosis G1:G2 0:0 death G1; G2 1:1/late events (15D - 10M)-repeat revascularization:G1; G2 8; 7, CABG G1; G2 1; 0, Q.M.I G1; G2 1; 0]. CONCLUSION: Onselectedpatients,itispossibletoconsidermoderatepressure technique as an other option for coronary stenting.
Dilatation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflation, Economic* ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Stents* ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: The 3 minutes increment of dobutamine dose protocol is most commonly used method in dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). But the precise hemodynamic response to dobutamine dosage and its difference by extending stage duration have not been well elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Nineteen healthy voluntary subjects with a mean age of 23.9+/-4.7 years were included. All subjects underwent 3-minutes incremental and 5-minnutes incremental protocol of DSE at random order in a same day. Heart rate, blood pressure, stroke volume, fractional shortening, rate-pressure product and cardiac output were measured every 3 minutes in 3-min protocol of DSE. In 5-min protocol, same variables were measured at 3 minutes of each stage as well as at 5 minutes. RESULTS: 1) Heart rate did not increase until 10 microgram/kg/min dose and increased thereafter by increment of dobutamine dose. 2) Fractional shortening and stroke volume increased markedly from the 5 microgram/kg/min until 20 microgram/kg/min dose and showed slow increase or plateau at a higher dobutamine dose. 3) Systolic blood pressure, cardiac output and rate-pressure product increased continuously from initial dose to maximal dose. 4) Although by extending stage duration to 5 minute in 5-min protocol produced greater hemodynamic effects than those measured at 3 minutes of each stage, there were no significant difference in the results of 3-min and 5-min protocol of DSE. CONCLUSION: The increase of cardiac contractility most contributed to increase of cardiac output until 20microgram/kg/min dose and the increase of herat rate contributed dominantly thereafter, thus the hemodynamic variables showed different responses to increment of dobutamine dose. There were no significant difference in hemodynamic effects between the two protocols. So it is considered that 3-min protocol of DSE gives similar hemodynamic information as 5-min protocol and is more time-saving method.
Blood Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Dobutamine* ; Echocardiography, Stress* ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Stroke Volume

BACKGROUND: The Korean Medical Association intends to determine the relative value of physician's work separately from the total relative value scale for each medical or surgical procedure. This study was designed by the Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine to determine the relative value of laboratory physician's work (LPW) in each diagnostic test. The LPW was clearly defined first and then its relative value was measured quantitatively on the basis of time and intensity of work. METHODS: LPW in the laboratory test was categorized into three parts, pre-service, intra-service, and post-service. The relative value of physician's work was measured using Rasch paired comparisons. RESULTS: Practice characteristics of LPW were clearly defined according to the pre-service, intraservice, and post-service. However, any laboratory physician's effort to improve the quality of laboratory work, which could not be measured in each test, had to be comprised in a pre-service designated separately as `comprehensive pre-service'. Rasch analysis based on the rating survey for LPW taken by a diverse group of laboratory medicine and other medical specialists revealed higher values than those assigned previously in many routine diagnostic tests (e.g., Gram stain, hemoglobin, anti-HBs, ABO cell type). The results obtained by applying Rasch regression analysis showed that the diagnostic tests that had been given a low relative value of LPW tended to be measured with more improved relative valuation. CONCLUSIONS: LPW for quality control and quality improvement was acknowledged with an improved relative valuation, even in the routine diagnostic test, as the results of Rasch analysis based on the rating survey. LPW might be further equated across the specialties, considering the practice characteristics of LPW.
Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Matched-Pair Analysis ; Quality Control ; Quality Improvement ; Relative Value Scales ; Specialization