Echocardiographic examination was performed before, immediately after, 4-6 months after and 10-12 months after mitral valve replacement(MVR) surgery in 46 patients with mitral valve disease(8 patients with mitral regurgitation, 24 patients with mitral stenosis and 14 patients with mitral stenosufficiency) to evaluate the effects of mitral valve replacement on dimension of left atrium and left ventricle, volume of left ventricle, ejection fraction(EF) and fractional shortening(FS) of left ventricle. The results are as follows : 1) The endsystolic dimension(ESD), enddiastolic dimension(EDD), endsystolic volume(ESV) and enddiastolic volume(EDV) decreased significantly after operation in patients with mitral stenoinsufficiency(MSR), the ESD, EDD, ESV and EDV increased significantly after the operation, but returned to preoperative value 10-12 months after the operation. 2) The EF and FS of left ventrcle after MVR were significantly lower than preoperative value throughout the postoperative period in patients with MR. However in patients with MS or MSR, there were no significant postoperative changes in EF and FS, except transient depression in the patients with MS at the immediate postoperative period. 3) In all patients with mitral valve disease, the left atrial dimension and the ratio of domension of left atrium to the dimension of aorta decreased significantly after MVR. From above results, it is suggested that surgery should be considered seriously for the patients with MR before the ESD, EDD and ESV increase maekedly, even if the EF anf FS are in normal range and the symptoms are not severe, to prevent irreversible depression of myocardial function. It seems that serial echocardiographic examination is very helpful in this respect.
Aorta ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Depression ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Atria ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Mitral Valve* ; Postoperative Period ; Reference Values

A series of 250 patients with filariasis due to periodic type of Brugia malayi was selected for the mass treatment with diethylcarbamazine from two areas in Cheju-Do. Two types of dosage schedules have been employed: the one was the conventional dosage schedule (uninterrupted dose of 6 mg/kg once daily 6 times repeated with an interval of one or two month totaling 72 mg/kg), and the other was the low dosage schedule (uninterrupted dose of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 mg/kg body weight given once a day with an additional 6 mg/kg once daily totaling the maximum 37.5 mg/kg). The relative effectiveness of those two schedules was evaluated under the basis of the effects on microfilaria counts and the results of analysis of side-reactions observed. The results obtained in this experiment are summarized as it follows. In the conventional dosage treatment, 118 out of 141 microfilaria positives treated (83.7%) became negative and microfilaria reduction rate was about 99%. However, in the low dosage treatment, 35 out of 43 positives treated (85.4%) became negative and reduction rate of microfilaria, 99.5% in average. Total dose and duration of treatment were 72 mg/kg and about 60 days in the former schedule but it were maximum 37.5 mg/kg and 10 days in the latter. The recurrence of filariasis after treatment in both conventional and low dosage was negligible. Comparative analyses regarding the resulting side-reactions between the two schedules were made on their frequency, severity, onset and duration and relationship with microfilaria density. The febrile reaction was most frequently observed in 80.5% in the conventional, 43.9% in the low dosage schedule. The main side-reactions usually appeared within 6 to 10 hours and lasted 48 to 72 hours in the former threament, however they occurred in 7 to 8 hours and lasted 24 to 43 hours in the latter dosage schedule. It is assumed that the side-reactions are not directly related with the microfilaria count. However, the febrile reaction seems to be correlated with microfilaria density if it is above a certain limit. The presence of adult worm in a lymphnode involved with local reaction was ascertained from the biopsy specimens performed and local reactions such as lymphangitis and lymphadenitis after drug administrations were assessed from clinical and pathological point of view. It was conclusively indicated that the chemotherapeutic response to low dosage schedule within shorter length of treatment was equal to that of larger doses in long term medication from the point of the reduction in microfilaria, and particularly the resulting side-reactions were also reduced in the low dosage schedule.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda-Bruigia malayi ; chemotherapy-diethylcarbamazine ; microfilaria ; diethylcarbamazine

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin convertiong enzyme inhibitors have been shown to exert favorable effects on the left ventricular remodeling process associated with ventricular dilation after coronary occlusion. However, the effects of such therapy on global and regional left ventricular remodeling after coronart artery reperfusion have not been characterized, nor have such effects been assessed after exercise training. METHODS AND RESULTS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats(n=80) were randodmized into 4 groups at 5 days after 45 minutes of left coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. Animals completion the experiment included : Untreated Sedentary group(n=20), Untreated with Swimming Exercise group(n=21), Captopril Treated Sedentary group(n=18) and Captoril Treated with Exercise group(n=21). At 3 weeks after randomization, global and regional morphologic changes of the left ventricle(LV) were examined from mid-ventricular transverse slices which were perfusion-fixed at a constant aortic pressure of 60mmHg and a left ventricular cavity pressure of 10mmHG. At rest and during exercise, compared to untreated rats, the captopril treated animals showed significantly decreased LV weight/tibial length ratio(LV/TL)(p<0.01),increased LV cavity area and dimension(both p<0.01), decreased total myocardial area and noninfarcted area(both p<30.001) and reduced wall thicknesses in the noninfarcted and infarcted regions(both p<0.001). Compared to treated and untreated dsedentary rats, exercise significantly increased LV/TL(p<0.05) and epicardial and endocardial areas in the infarcted zone(both p<0.05) and decreased transmurality(p<0.01). Exercise decreased LV cavity area in the captopril treated groups(42.3+/-10.4 vs. 40.4+/-6.0mm2),whereas exercise increased LV cavity area in the untreated groups(33.5+/-8.9 vs. 39.1+/-6.2mm2)(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence in rats for evidence in rats for exaggerated left ventricular dilation and supperssion of compensatory myocardial hypertrophy globally and in the infarct zone with 3 weeks of captopril treatment following coronary artery reperfusion with acute nontransmural myocardial infarction. In addition, the effects of captopril on LV dilation and suppression of global and regional hypertrophic response were partially reversible by swimming exercise.
Angiotensins ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Arteries ; Captopril ; Coronary Occlusion ; Coronary Vessels* ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Random Allocation ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion* ; Swimming ; Ventricular Remodeling*

No abstract available.
Humans* ; Knee* ; Synovial Fluid*

Nine patients with ipsilateral tibial shaft fractures and knee ligament injuries were retrospectively reviewed to determine the methods of the diagnosis and the results of the treatment. The incidence of this combined injuries was 5% in one hundred and eighty two tibial shaft fractures. The injuries of posterior cruciate ligament were combined most freqently. Five of nine patients were open fractures. Bone union was obtained in all cases and the mean duration of bone union was 22.5 weeks. Athroscopy and stress X-ray for the cruciate ligament were helpful to diagnose this combined injures. The ligament injuries were surgically managed in eight and conservatively in one. Better results were obtained when this combined injuries were operated early, but four of nine patients were disabled. The results suggest that the examination of the knee is necessary to document ligamentous injuries that occur with tibial shaft fractures.
Diagnosis ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Incidence ; Knee ; Ligaments ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; Retrospective Studies

Parenteral reserpine was given intramuscularly to 32 hospitalized hypertensive patients: 10 hypertensive patients without renal insufficiency, 3 hypertensive patients with heart failure, 10 hypertensive patients of malignant phase or with uremia, and 9 hypertensive patients with cerebrovascular accident. Follwoings were the result. 1. In the majority of patients, the effective dose of reserpine was 2 to 3 mg. 2. Reserpine given intramuscularly lowered blood pressure in 2 to 4 hours, had its maximum effect in 3 to 6 hours and had a duration of 3 to more than 24 hours (average 9 hours). 3. When effective dose of reserpine was given, blood pressure was lowered significantly (more than 30mmHg in mean blood pressure) in 18 patients (81.7%) of 22 hypertensive patients without renal insufficiency, and in 4 patients (40%) of 10 hypertensive patients with renal insufficiency. 4. Major side effect was drowsiness which was more evident in the patients with renal insufficiency. 5. Reserpine administered parenterally is an effective and safe agent for the treatment of hypertensive emergencies on a short term basis especially in the patient without renal insufficiency.
Blood Pressure ; Emergencies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Renal Insufficiency ; Reserpine* ; Sleep Stages ; Stroke ; Uremia

The antihypertensive effects of diltiazem was observed in 30 cases of essential hypertension, and following results were obtained. 1) Mean decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure by oral diltiazem was 42.0+/-2.5mmHg and 17.8+/-1.7mmHg. The results of antihypertensive therapy revealed good control in 50% fair control in 30% poor in 17% and failure in 3% of the cases. In 80% of the cases, good or fair control of Hypertension which means drop of diastolic pressure to the level of less than 100mmhg was observed. 2) Mean drop in heart rate was 21+/-2 beats/min. 3) Daily dose was 90-180mg. 4) The side effect of oral Diltiazem was mild headache and dizziness, respectively one case.
Blood Pressure ; Diltiazem* ; Dizziness ; Headache ; Heart Rate ; Hypertension

Herpes simplex esophagitis can occur in those with normal immune function, but is more often seen in those who are immunocompromised. In one series, 5 percent of post-kidney transplant recipients had herpes esophagitis. We experienced a case of herpes simplex esophagitis, following renal transplantation in a 9 year old male. He complained of epigastric pain, nausea and blood-tinged vomiting. Endoscopic examination showed volcano ulcer, mucosal friability and multiple confluent ulcers covered by whitish exudates on elevated margin in the middle and lower esophagus. Microscopic findings revealed multinucleated giant cells, margination of chromatin, intense nonspecific inflammation and strong positive for herpes simplex virus immunohistochemical staining. Esophageal lesions and symptoms improved after acyclovir therapy.
Acyclovir ; Child* ; Chromatin ; Esophagitis ; Esophagus ; Exudates and Transudates ; Giant Cells ; Herpes Simplex* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Nausea ; Simplexvirus* ; Transplantation ; Ulcer ; Vomiting

Xanthoma is a relatively rare soft tissue lesion on the Achilles tendon and is usually associated with hyperlipidemia (lipid metabolism abnormality), mental retardation, cataract and atherosclerotic disease. We report on a case of normolipidemic bilateral Achilles tendon xanthoma without any notable cause. We herein describe the case where we achieved a satisfactory result by subtotal resection.
Achilles Tendon* ; Cataract ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Intellectual Disability ; Metabolism ; Xanthomatosis*

No abstract available.