The need for a short-acting non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent to replace succinylcholine chloride(succinylcholine) is recognized widely and attempts to find such a drug have been numerous. Atracurium besylate(atracurium) is one of the new series of neuromuscular blocking agents with little cardiovascular effect and is not dependent on hepatic and renal function for terminating its action because of its self-destroying mechanism. Because succinylchline may occasionally be contraindieated for intubation in parturients we studied the use of atracurium in 23 patients having cesarean section. All patients received 0. 5 mg/kg atracurium for intubation and neuromuscular relaxation. Hemodynamic changes, the time from the injection of atracurium to maximal twitch suppression, the time between atracurium administration and the return to 10% of control twitch height were recorded and observed the degree of vocal cord relaxation and conditions of intubation and evaluated the Apgar scores. 1) Mean arterial pressure and heart rate increased significantly after intubation compared with that of control and just before intubation but there were no significant changes in 5 minutes after intubation. 2) The 90% twitch suppression following atracurium administration was 75.6+/-20.9 seconds. 3) The return of 10% of control twitch height was 2449.3+/-1114.0 seconds. 4) Intubation conditions were excellent for 19 patients. 5) The Apgar scores of 20 neonates were high. These data suggest that the use of atracurium may be a useful alternative for induction for Cesarean section when succinylcholine is contraindicated.
Arterial Pressure ; Atracurium* ; Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neuromuscular Blocking Agents ; Pregnancy ; Relaxation ; Succinylcholine ; Vocal Cords

Endovascular treatment of isolated bilateral common iliac artery aneurysm (CIAA) requires salvage of at least one internal iliac artery to prevent complications such as ischemic buttock claudication. We treated a case of bilateral CIAAs using an internal iliac branched stent graft. We report a case of a 58-year-old man who presented with bilateral CIAAs. The left internal iliac artery was occluded with coil embolization. The right internal iliac artery was saved by using a branched stent graft. The aneurysms were excluded with conventional endovascular aneurysm repair. Completion angiography showed technical success. Follow up computed tomography angiogram at three months showed complete exclusion of bilateral CIAAs, no endoleaks, and patent right internal iliac artery. There was no pelvic ischemic complication. We treated successfully a case of isolated bilateral CIAAs using an iliac branched stent graft.
Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis* ; Buttocks ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Endoleak ; Endovascular Procedures ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iliac Artery* ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: To compare chest radiographic findings of pulmonary tuberculosis in non-AIDS immunocom- promised adult patients with those in immunocompetent patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eighty six patients who had pulmonary tuberculosis were included in the study. Of these, 41 were non-AIDS immunocompromised adult patients and 45 were immunocompetent adult patients. Chest radiographs obtained from 86 patients were retrospectively evaluated with regard to the followings ;the anatomic distribution and extent of tuberculous lesions, typical or atypical patterns of radiographic findings. We then compared the results in non-AIDS immunocompromised adult patients with those in immunocompetent adult patients. RESULTS: The characteristic manifestation of pulmonary tuberculosis was a tendency of pulmonary lesions to localize in the apico-posterior segments of the upper lobe and the superior segment of the lower lobe in both groups but more wide distribution such as the anterior segment and the lingular segment of the upper lobe and the basal segments of the lower lobe was frequently identified in non-AIDS immunocompromised adult patients, and also bilateral, multisegmental and multilobular extents were common findings. in immunocompetent adult patients, more common findings were in local exudative and productive lesions and several cavities in preferential sites. Atypical plain radiographic findings were more common in non-AIDS immunocompromised adult patients, and which were multiple cavitary lesions, wide extent of bronchogenic spread and tuberculous pneumonia, and .miliary disseminations and mass like lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary tuberculosis in non-AIDS immunocompromised adult patients is characterized by frequent bilateral distribution, wide pulmonary extent, and atypical radiographic findings.
Adult* ; Humans ; Pneumonia ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

PURPOSE: This study was to identify behaviors preventing the recurrence of breast cancer and the level of quality of life. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire from November 1, 2006 to December 25, 2006 . One hundred and twenty two women breast cancer survivors were recruited by convenience sampling. RESULTS: The most frequent behavior for preventing recurrence of the breast cancer was dietary treatment (90.9%) and exercise (86.8%) was the second behavior. In addition, most of them perceived these behaviors as 'very effective' (82.8%). The degree of the quality of life of a breast cancer survivor was 5.34 point indicating a 'medium level'. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer survivors pursued various behaviors for preventing recurrence of breast cancer. Therefore, the nursing interventions should be focused on a systematic educational approach considering healthy behaviors to prevent breast cancer recurrence for breast cancer survivors.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control/*psychology/therapy ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Demography ; Dietary Supplements ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; *Health Behavior ; Humans ; Life Style ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/*prevention & control ; *Quality of Life ; Questionnaires ; Recurrence ; Survivors/*psychology

PURPOSE: Intussusception is one of the most common causes of an acute abdomen in infancy. The majority of pediatric cases of intussusception are of the ileocolic type and usually idiopathic. Small bowel intussusception is rarely diagnosed in children, and few cases have been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical features and causes of small bowel intussusception in children. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiologic findings of 21 children with small bowel intussusception who were admitted to Seoul National University Children's Hospital between March 2005 and January 2010. RESULTS: The clinical presentation of small bowel intussusception included abdominal pain or irritability (85%), vomiting (23%), fever (14%), bloody stools (14%), and abdominal masses (4%). Six patients required surgical management. Ultrasonography showed that the mean diameter of the lesions and mean thickness of the outer rims were 1.6+/-0.7 and 1.7+/-1.8 mm, respectively. Eleven lesions were located in the left abdominal or paraumbilical regions. Children who underwent surgical management were older than children with transient small bowel intussusception (mean age, 51 vs. 109 months). The mean diameter of the lesions and mean thickness of the outer rims were greater in the surgically-managed group. The location of intussusception was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Small bowel intussusception was spontaneously reduced in a large number of pediatric patients. However, sonographic demonstration of larger size, older age, and pathologic lead point warrant surgical intervention.
Abdomen, Acute ; Abdominal Pain ; Child ; Fever ; Humans ; Intussusception ; Retrospective Studies ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: Intussusception is one of the most common causes of an acute abdomen in infancy. The majority of pediatric cases of intussusception are of the ileocolic type and usually idiopathic. Small bowel intussusception is rarely diagnosed in children, and few cases have been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical features and causes of small bowel intussusception in children. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiologic findings of 21 children with small bowel intussusception who were admitted to Seoul National University Children's Hospital between March 2005 and January 2010. RESULTS: The clinical presentation of small bowel intussusception included abdominal pain or irritability (85%), vomiting (23%), fever (14%), bloody stools (14%), and abdominal masses (4%). Six patients required surgical management. Ultrasonography showed that the mean diameter of the lesions and mean thickness of the outer rims were 1.6+/-0.7 and 1.7+/-1.8 mm, respectively. Eleven lesions were located in the left abdominal or paraumbilical regions. Children who underwent surgical management were older than children with transient small bowel intussusception (mean age, 51 vs. 109 months). The mean diameter of the lesions and mean thickness of the outer rims were greater in the surgically-managed group. The location of intussusception was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Small bowel intussusception was spontaneously reduced in a large number of pediatric patients. However, sonographic demonstration of larger size, older age, and pathologic lead point warrant surgical intervention.
Abdomen, Acute ; Abdominal Pain ; Child ; Fever ; Humans ; Intussusception ; Retrospective Studies ; Vomiting

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac abnormality associated with ischemic stroke. Anticoagulant therapy plays an important role in the prevention of stroke associated with AF. Risk stratification and selection of oral anticoagulants in patients with AF are usually performed according to international guidelines from Europe or the United States of America. However, pivotal trials enrolled only a small number of Asian subjects, limiting the application of international guidelines to Korean patients with AF. The Korean Heart Rhythm Society organized a Korean AF Management Guideline Committee and analyzed all available studies regarding the management of AF, including studies on Korean patients. Expert consensus or guidelines for the optimal management of Korean patients with AF were achieved after a systematic review with intensive discussion. This article provides general principles for appropriate risk stratification and selection of anticoagulation therapy in Korean patients with AF.
Americas ; Anticoagulants ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Consensus ; Embolism and Thrombosis ; Europe ; Heart ; Humans ; Stroke* ; United States

This erratum is being published to correct the printing error on Table 5 of the article.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify effects of the BeHaS program on self esteem, fatigue and anxiety in postoperative care patients with breast cancer who had surgery with, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, with or without current hormone therapy. METHODS: This study was a 2-group quasi-experimental research study with a pre and post test design. Fifty-four patients with breast cancer were assigned to the experimental (n=29) or control group (n=25). The BeHaS program which strengthens self esteem through support over a 90-minute period, consists of theme activity (30 minutes), education (15 minutes), group support (15 minutes) and exercise (30 minutes). The experimental group participated in the program once a week for 10 weeks, but the control group was not involved. Data were gathered from October to December, 2008 using a questionnaire with measures of self esteem, fatigue and anxiety. Data were analyzed using t-test with SPSS Win 12.0 to identify differences between the groups. RESULTS: Self esteem was significantly increased (p= .001) and fatigue significantly decreased (p= .013) in the experimental group. But there was no significant difference in anxiety (p= .868). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the BeHaS program for patients with breast cancer had beneficial effects on self esteem and fatigue.
Anxiety ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Postoperative Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Self Concept

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The Seoul Metabolic Syndrome Management (SMESY) program is a 1-yr lifestyle modification program targeting metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Seoul residents. This study investigated the associations between adherence to dietary guidelines and MetS among the SMESY program participants. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data of 54,385 participants aged 20–64 yrs who completed the SMESY program in 2015, had information on adherence to dietary guidelines, and were not medicated for diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia were analyzed. Participants underwent MetS screening and completed a lifestyle questionnaire including adherence to 10 dietary guidelines before and after participation. Participants were classified according to the number of MetS risk factors at baseline (MetS group, ≥ 3; risk group, 1–2; healthy group, none). Adherence to dietary guidelines was determined from the number of “yes” responses regarding the fulfillment of each guideline on ≥ 5 days/week. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between newly diagnosed MetS and changes in adherence to dietary guidelines. RESULTS: In the MetS group, MetS prevalence decreased after the SMESY program (men, −41.9%p; women, −48.7%p), and all risk factors were significantly improved (P < 0.0001). All groups exhibited improved adherence to all dietary guidelines after participation (P < 0.0001). In the MetS group with positively changed adherence scores, the MetS prevalence decreased by −44.1%p for men and −49.5%p for women, whereas the prevalence in those with negative changes decreased by −38.1%p for men and −48.6%p for women. In the risk group, those with positively changed adherence scores had significantly decreased odds ratios (ORs) for newly diagnosed MetS compared with those with negative changes (OR, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61–0.80 for men; OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79–0.99 for women). CONCLUSIONS The SMESY program may effectively reduce the risk of MetS among adults with risk factors by improving adherence to dietary guidelines.