BACKGROUND: The apnea test is an essential component in the clinical determination of brain death, however it may incur a significant risk of complications such as hypotension, hypoxia and even cardiac arrest. We analyzed the risk factors associated with a failed apnea test during brain death assessment in order to predict and avoid these adverse events. METHODS: Medical records on apnea tests performed for brain-dead donors at our institution between January 2009 and January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Age, gender, etiology of brain death, use of catecholamines and results of arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA), systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP), mean arterial pressure and central venous pressure prior to apnea test initiation were collected as variables. A-a gradient and P(aO2)/F(iO2) were calculated for more precise assessment of the respiratory system. In total, 267 cases were divided into two groups based on those who completed the apnea test and those who failed the test. RESULTS: 13 cases failed the apnea test. Among them, seven cases failed due to severe hypotension (SBP < 60 mmHg) and the others failed due to refractory hypoxia. In terms of hemodynamic state, SBP was significantly higher in the completed test group than the failed group (126.5 ± 23.9 vs. 103 ± 15.2, respectively; p = 0.001). In ABGA, the completed test group showed significantly higher P(aO2)/F(iO2) (313.6 ± 229.8 vs. 141.5 ± 131.0, respectively; p = 0.008) and a lower A-a gradient (278.2 ± 209.5 vs. 506.2 ± 173.1, respectively; p = 0.000). In multivariable analysis, low SBP (p = 0.003) and high A-a gradient (p = 0.044) were independent risk factors associated with a failed apnea test. CONCLUSIONS: Although the unexpected adverse events during the apnea test for brain death determination do not occur frequently, they can be fatal. If a brain-dead patient has low SBP and a high A-a gradient, clinicians should pay more attention and prepare for potential complications prior to the apnea test.
Anoxia ; Apnea* ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Brain Death* ; Brain* ; Catecholamines ; Causality ; Central Venous Pressure ; Heart Arrest ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Medical Records ; Respiratory System ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tissue Donors

The funding acknowledgment in this article was omitted.

No abstract available.
Calcinosis* ; Heel* ; Humans ; Infant*

No abstract available.
Dermoscopy* ; Diagnosis

PURPOSE: The incidence of clinical nephritis is much higher especially in younger ages and in about one half of the cases, it also shows nephrotic syndrome. Thus, we examine the clinical and pathologic consideration of children with lupus nephritis and their treatment modality to improve the prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Among 67 cases of children under eighteen who were diagnosed SLE, 50 patients with hematuria and proteinuria from Jan. 1980 to Dec. 1996 were selected for the review. RESULTS: The ratio of the male to female patient was 1:3.5 and the average age at the diagnosis was 11.85+/-3.2 years old. Most common clinical manifestations at the time of the diagnosis were fever and skin rashes and the common laboratory results were proteinuria, hematuria, Out of 50 cases, 33 cases had renal biopsy. The results were 17 cases of Class IV, 7 cases of Class lll, 5 cases of Class lll, 3 cases of Class V and 1 case of Class l. Different treatment modalities were carried out; Corticosteroid only 21 cases, Corticosteroid+Azathioprine 25 cases, Corticosteroid+Cyclophosphamide 3 cases, and Corticosteroid+Cyclosporine A 1 case. However, there were no significant difference in the recurrence and complete remission rate of lupus nephritis in between each treatment groups. Average follow-up period was 37+/-23 months. Of all the follow-ups, 7 patients were dead. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis should be carried out with renal biopsy, and should be considered for vigorous therapy, which currently includes high doses of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. Among these immunosuppressive agents, azathioprine has a lower incidence of long-term complications and low costs might be recommended. In addition, regular check-up for anti-DNA antibody, serum complement concentration and appropriate moniroting and management for the adverse effects of the treatment should enable to reach the continuous remission.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Azathioprine* ; Biopsy ; Child* ; Complement System Proteins ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Incidence ; Lupus Nephritis* ; Male ; Nephritis ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Prognosis ; Proteinuria ; Recurrence

Pathological laughing and crying(PLC) is a condition that is characterized by episodic, brief, contextually inappropriate, uncontrollable outbursts of laughing and/or crying. It can be observed in patients with various neurological disorders. PLC often causes distress in interpersonal functioning and activities for patients and their families. PLC can be recognized easily with proper understanding of the condition and its nature. Also it generally shows good response to various pharmacological treatments. This review aims to encourage the diagnosis and treatment of PLC by providing definition and clinical presentation of PLC, analysis of its pathophysiology and various current treatment options.
Crying* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Nervous System Diseases

No abstract available.
Hepatitis B Vaccines* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans

The fashion of vascular anastomosis, end-to-end or end-to-side (E-to-S), are depended upon surgeon's preference or surgical situations. In E-to-S anastomosis two different methods of arteriotomy are applicable but it has been suggested the type, either elliptical or slit arteriotomy, play a different role in the flow hemodynamics. We thought that the difference is more considerable in microvascular surgery. This study examines the effects of elliptical versus slit arteriotomy on morphologic vessel patency. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups of ten rats each. Both carotid arteries were selected as a experimental model. During the procedures the rat brain was tolerable to ischemia and all animals were survived after operations. The morphologic analysis of anastomosis site was through resin-casting method with scanning electromicroscopic examination. The results showed notable difference between two groups in three-dimensional morphology at two-month of operation. This difference may affect the flow hemodynamics and long-term vessel patency. In microvascular anastomosis, the mortpologic difference of the elliptical arteriotomy is worse than slit arteriotomy which compromises the vessel circumference.
Animals ; Brain ; Carotid Arteries ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Male ; Models, Theoretical ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Leiomyoma is a benign solitary tumor which is originated from a smooth muscle cell and grows slowly. It is most commonly found in the uterus and can develop anywhere that smooth muscle is present, including esophagus, lower extremity, stroma of GI tract, and pleura. However, the occurrence of leiomyoma in the hand is so uncommon. We present one case of solid type leiomyoma found in the right 4th finger of a young woman.
Esophagus ; Female ; Fingers ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hand ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Pleura ; Uterus