Single coronary artery is a rare congenital anomaly occurring in approximately 0.04% of the population. This entity can be diagnosed during life only by coronary angiography. Typical angina does not occur with single coronary artery in the absence of coexisting coronary artery disease or aortic stenosis. Among 874 patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography at Asan Medical Center. we have experienced a case of single coronary artery with significant atherosclerotic coronary artery disease which has been managed succesfully coronary angioplasty. We report this case of single coronary artery with a review of literature.
Angioplasty ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Although blood is very important therapeutic agent in bleeding patients, it may transmit disease, cause an adverse reaction in the recipients, raise the cost of patient care. Since the misuse and inappropriate use of blood is common, we are to review the transfusion practice in our hospital and to reduce unnecessary blood transfusion. METHODS: During a 10-month period from June 1994 through March 1995, 347 patients received blood transfusion during the operation. Among them, we reviewed retrospectively the charts of 211 patients available. We analyzed the transfusion pattern of 47 patients whose postoperative hematocrit exceeded 32 percent to determine the magnitude and cause of unnecessary blood transfusion. RESULTS: The patients of postoperative hematocrit over 32 percent were 119 patients out of 211 patients(56.4%). The main cause of overtransfusion was no reevaluation of the patients hematocrit after the prior unit was given. CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines for transfusing patients must be constructed based on acceptable intraoperative hematocrits. Unnecessary transfusion can be decreased when the transfusion done according to the guidelines, insisting on each reevaluation of the hematocrit prior to the administration of unit of blood.
Blood Transfusion ; Hematocrit ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Patient Care ; Retrospective Studies

The majority of the cysts developed in pancreas are inflammatory pseudocyst but neoplastic cysts are rarely encountered Especially, mucinous cystadenoma which was begun and originated from epithelial cell of pancreatic duct is difficult to differentiate from pseudocysts by preoperative clinical, laboratory and radiologic findings. Mucinous cystadenoma has a malignant potentiality, so complete excision of cystadenoma is the treatment of choice. Recently, we experienced one case of mucionus cystadenoma in 37 year-old female, we report it with a review of the literature.
Adult ; Cystadenoma ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous* ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Humans ; Mucins* ; Pancreas* ; Pancreatic Ducts

BACKGROUND: Measurement of coronary flow velocity in clinical caes contributes to understanding the pathophysiology of coronary circulation. To evaluate the coronary hemodynamics, we analyzed the pattern of coronary flow velocity with a new device consisting of 15Mhz piezoelectric transducer integrated into the tipped 0.018 inch or 0.014 inch flexible, steerable angioplasty guidewire. METHOD: A low profile(0.018 in. or 0.014 in.) Doppler angioplasty guidewire was used to measure the basal blood flow velocity in proximal coronary artery after intracoronary infusion of 200µg nitroglycerine, hyperemic blood flow velocity after intracoronary infusion of adenosine(12µg for LCA, 6µg for RCA). We measured several parameters such as APV (average peak velocity, cm/sec), DSVR(diastolic systolic velocity ratio), MPV(maximal peak velosity, cm/sec), PVI(peak velocity integral, cm), SPVI(systolic peak velocity integral, cm), DSIR(diastolic systolic integral ratio), ASPV(average systolic peak velocity, cm/sec) in basal and hyperemic states. This measurements were made in 17 patients undergoing coronary angiography. RESULTS: 1) APV, ADPV, MPV, in the basal state were higher in LCA than in RCA(32.1±16.6, 40.0±23.6, 57.1±29.0/15.8±9.1, 17.1±10.2, 24.5±20.9cm/sec) and DSVR was also higher in LCA(2.7±2.1/1.4±0.6). But ASPV and SPVI was not different(p>0.05). Significant increases in APV were noted in LCA(32.1±16.6→60.6±17.6cm/sec) and in RCA (15.8±9.1→42.1±15.5cm/sec) after adenosine infusion compared with basal state. DSVR measured in basal state were not statistically different from values in hyperemic state in LCA and RCA(2.7±2.1→2.3±1.7, 1.4±0.6→1.4±0.5, p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The blood flow patterns in both coronary arteries showed different biphasic flow patterns and this finding might be due to the pressure gradient during diastolic phase of both ventricles.
Adenosine ; Angioplasty ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Circulation ; Coronary Vessels ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Methods ; Nitroglycerin ; Transducers

BACKGROUND: Core hypothermia during the first hour after induction of anesthesia results primarily from a redistribution of body heat. Propofol in low doses provides reliable sedation and is associated with fast recovery. However, propofol-induced peripheral vasodilation is likely to facilitate core-to-peripheral heat redistribution. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of low dose propofol on core and peripheral temperatures during spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Fifty patients of ASA status I or II, aged 20 to 60, undergoing lower extremity surgery under spinal anesthesia were studied. Spinal anesthesia was administered to all patients, who were assigned sedation as follows: 1) control (n = 25), 2) propofol (n = 25); propofol infusion rates were, 8 mg/kg/h for the first 3 min, 4 mg/kg/h for the next 10 min, and 2 mg/kg/h for the next 15 min. Temperatures were recorded after beginning surgery at 5-min intervals for 30 min. RESULTS: Core temperature was significantly decreased after 15, 20, 30 min of surgery in the propofol group, and this result was statistically different between the two groups. Forearm skin temperature decreased in the control group and increased in the propofol group, without significance. Fingertip skin temperature did not changed significantly in the control group, but increased significantly after 15 min in the propofol group and continued to increasing to 30 min. Forearm minus finger skin temperature gradients were not changed significantly in control group, but decreased between 5 and 30 min in the propofol group, which was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Low dose propofol may induce a degree of hypothermia during spinal anesthesia. Close monitoring is needed to prevent core hypothermia, if sedation is induced using propofol during spinal anesthesia.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Spinal* ; Fingers ; Forearm ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Lower Extremity ; Propofol* ; Skin Temperature ; Vasodilation

BACKGROUND: Coronary arterigraphy has been used as a tool to assess the degree of coronary artery narrowing and the result of balloon angioplasty, which frequently underestimates the degree of atherosclerosis. Intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) can give more delicate information about plaque morphology and the result of coronary intervention. We compared qualitaive and quantitative measurement between IVUS and coronary angiography after coronary intervention. METHODS: We used 30 or 20 MHz intravascular ultrasound catheter which was connected to Hewlett Packard Sonos 1500 Intravasscular equiment in 5 coronary balloon angiopasty and 3 Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation cases. Sites of intervention were at the left anterior descending coronary artery in 7 patients and at the left circumflex artery in one patient. Quantitative coronary angiography(QCA) was done by CAAS II system. We measured referenc diameter(RD), minimal lumen diamter(MLD), Lumen and vessel cross sectional areas(LCSA,VCSA) obstraction area(OA) and plaque area(PA) and also analysed plaque morphology. RESULTS: 1) IVUS is more sensitive in the detection of eccentricity, Calcification and dissection. 2) Before intervention, the mean reference diameter was 2.87+/-0.42mm,3.07+/-0.39mm,% diameter stenosis was 52.4+/-11.6%,65.3+/-9.22% and MLD was 1.32+/-0.24mm, 1.07+/-0.23mm in IVUS and QCA, respectively, which were no statistical significance between these parameters(p>0.05). After intervention, MLD and OA increased significantly(p<0.01) com pared with basal values but there were no significant difference between MLD and OA between 2 measurements(p>0.05). Plaque area measured by IVUS decreased from 9.84 to 7.26mm2 without statistical significance(p>0.05). 3) There was a good correlation in the measurement of the reference segments before intervention but this correlation was much lower after intervention in the reference and stenosis segments between 2 methods(r=0.8723 vs 0.6538, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: IVUS is considered as a sensitive tool in the detection of calcification, eccentricity and dissection and in evaluationg the results of the coronary intervention.
Angioplasty, Balloon ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Stents ; Ultrasonography*

ACE inhibitiors have been recently used to treat the chronic congestive heart failure after the use of the antihypertensive agents.The enalapril was added to the chronic congestive heart failure patients unresponded to diuretics and digoxin. The echocardiography, serum chemical examinations, ECG, chest X-ray and clinical manifestations were done to the 47 patients with chronic severe congestive heart failure unresponded to diuretics and digoxin before and 2 months after the addition of enalapril between Feb. 1991 and Nov. 1991 in Dong-A Univerity Hospital. The results were followed : 1) The dyspnea, the hepatomegaly, the engorged jugular vein, cough, edema, palpitation, chest discomfort, and the tachycardia were improved 2 months after the treatment of enalapril. 2) The cardiomegaly and lung edema on the chest PA, and the elevated GOT, GPT and serum creatinine were improved 2 months after the treatment of enalapril. 3) Left ventricular end systolic dimension, fractional shortening, left ventricular end diastolic volume, and ejection time on the ECHO were significantly increased after 2 months of the treatment of enalapril. ACE inhibitor, enalapril revealed the effectiveness of the treatment to the patients with the severe congestive heart failure, and we should try to study the mortality rates to decrease compared with the control groups without the treatment of enalapril.
Cardiomegaly ; Cough ; Creatinine ; Digoxin ; Diuretics ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Edema ; Electrocardiography ; Enalapril* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart Failure* ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Lung ; Mortality ; Stroke Volume ; Tachycardia ; Thorax

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Radial approach was introduced as a route for coronary angiography or interventions. We assessed clinical applicability at a high-volume laboratory and safety. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Procedure-related results were compared between phase I period including learning curve and phase II period in 326 patients, in whom coronary angiography or interventions were performed by radial approach. RESULTS: 1) Success rate was 90% (292/326) in all patients, which significantly increased to 95% (246/259) during phase II compared to 69% (46/67) during phase I. 2) Time from local anesthesia to sheath placement and time for first coronary cannulation were 4.3+/-2.7min, 3.1+/-1.9min, respectively, in all patients, which significantly decreased to 3.8+/-3.6min, 2.7+/-2.4min during phase II compared to 7.0+/-3.2min, 5.7+/-4.7min during phase I. Total examination time was 21.7+/-5.5min in all patients, which significantly decreased to 20.4+/-6.2min during phase II compared to 28.3+/-8.0min during phase I. 3) Overall procedural success rate of coronary interventions was 94% (98/104). Guidewire didn't pass in 5 (5%) patients with chronic total occlusion and stent wasn't delivered in 1 (1%) due to poor guiding backup. 4) During follow-up of 61+/-25 days, weak or absent radial pulse, abnormal reverse Allen test were observed in 13 (5%), 3 (1%), 15 (6%) patients, respectively, but no claudication observed. CONCLUSION: Coronary angiography and interventions by radial approach was safe and performed without more time delay after learning curve.
Anesthesia, Local ; Catheterization ; Coronary Angiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Learning Curve ; Stents

BACKGOUND: Prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc) has a potential risk of inducing life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmia. Although 5-HT3 antagonists are useful antiemetics, several cases of cardiac dysrhythmia after administration of 5-HT3 antagonists have been reported. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the changes in QTc interval that occur after administration of a clinical dose of ondansetron during general anesthesia. METHODS: Seventy-five patients, who underwent elective surgery under standardized general anesthesia were evaluated. After anesthetic induction, the patients were given either normal saline, 2 mg or 4 mg of iv ondansetron. The QTc on the electrocardiogram was measured immediately prior to administration of the treatment drug and then every minute after injection of the study drug for 10 minutes, 12 and 15 minutes. RESULTS: There were no differences observed in the baseline QTc of the different treatment groups. In addition, there were no significant changes in the QTc interval of the control group, however, the QTc interval was prolonged significantly in both the ondansetron 2 mg and 4 mg groups. Further, DeltaQTc (the difference in QTc interval from the baseline value) was significantly prolonged in the ondansetron 2 mg and 4 mg groups when compared with the control group. There were no differences in the number of patients who showed abnormal QTc and there were no incidences of dysrhythmia in any of the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ondansetron administration for emesis prophylaxis during general anesthesia was associated with statistically significant prolongation of the QTc interval. The authors recommend that caution be used when ondansetron is administered to prevent and/or treat postoperative nausea and vomiting, particularly in patients who have a prolonged QTc interval.
Anesthesia, General* ; Antiemetics ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Electrocardiography* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ondansetron* ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists ; Vomiting

We report a case of pure spinal epidural cavernous hemangioma and discuss the relationships among its clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment. A 35-year-old woman was admitted to our department with a six-month history of severe headache, nausea and back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine showed a spindle-shaped epidural lesion extending into the neural foramen, with compression of the spinal cord at the T8-12 levels and multifocal mass lesions on the paravertebral muscles. The patient underwent microsurgery, the lesion was completely removed, and the patient recovered fully. The lesion in the spinal canal was dark-reddish and was located in the posterolateral epidural space. Histopathologic examination revealed a cavernous hemangioma. Pure spinal epidural cavernous hemangiomas have characteristic MRI findings; however, their differential diagnoses requires careful initial examination and a corresponding clinical correlation.
Adult ; Back Pain ; Caves ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epidural Space ; Female ; Headache ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Microsurgery ; Muscles ; Nausea ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spine