BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the residual diameter stenosis after PTCA with fractional flow reserve (FFR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR), and investigate the correlation between FFR and CFR in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study population consisted of twenty seven patients with myocardial infarction. Baseline and hyperemic average peak velocity (APV) were measured using Doppler wire 15 minutes after restoration of infarct-related artery (IRA). CFR was obtained by the ratio of distal hyperemic APV to baseline APV. Distal coronary arterial pressure (Pd) was measured with advancing the wire distal to the lesion of IRA. Simultaneous proximal aortic pressure (Pa) was measured using guiding catheter. Myocardial FFR was obtained by the ratio of hyperemic Pd to hyperemic Pa. RESULTS: Post-interventional CFR and FFR were 0.85+/-0.44, 0.91+/-0.09. CFR did not show significant correlation with luminal diameter stenosis (%ST). There was no significant correlation between FFR and CFR with a correlation coefficient of 0.29 (p=.25). But, significant correlation was found between %ST and FFR, %ST and hyperemic PG (hPG) with correlation coefficient of -0.70 (p=.0012) and 0.68 (p=.0018). CONCLUSION: In AMI patients, %ST has a significant correlation with FFR and hPG after PTCA. But, there was no significant correlation between FFR and CFR.
Arterial Pressure ; Arteries ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Phenobarbital

PURPOSE: We compared estimates of ejection fraction (EF) determined by gated Tl-201 perfusion SPECT (g-TI-SPECT) with those by gated blood pool (GBP) scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen subjects underwent g-TI-SPECT and GBP scan. After reconstruction of g-TI-SPECT, we measured EF with Cedars software. The comparison of the EF with g-TI-SPECT and GHP scan was assessed by correlation analysis and Bland Altman plot. RESULTS: The estimates of EF were significantly different (p<0.05) with g-TI-SPECT (40%+/-14%) and GBP scan (43%+/-14%). There was an excellent correlation of EF between e-TI-SPECT and GBP scan (r=0.94, p<0.001). The mean difference of EF between GRP scan and g-TI- SPECT was +3.2%, Ninety-five percent limits of agreement were +9,8%. EF between g-TI-SPECT and GBP scan were in poor agreement. CONCLUSION: The estimates of EF by g-TI-SPECT was well correlated with those by GBP scan. However, EF of g-TI-SPECT doesn't agree with EF of GBP scan. EF of g-TI-SPECT cant be used interchangeably with EF of GBP scan.
Perfusion* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

PURPOSE: To compare of quantitative measurement of the total cerebral blood flow using two-dimensional phase-contrast MR imaging and Doppler ultrasound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 16 volunteers (mean age, 26 years; mean body weight, 66 kg) without abnormal medical histories, two-dimensional phase-contrast MR imaging was performed at the level of the C2-3 intervertebral disc for flow measurement of the internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries. Volume flow measurements using Doppler ultrasound were also performed at the internal carotid arteries 2 cm above the carotid bifurcation, and at the vertebral arteries at the level of the upper pole of the thyroid gland. Flows in the four vessels measured by the two methods were compared using Wilcoxon's correlation analysis and the median score. Total cerebral blood flows were calculated by summing these four vessel flows, and mean values for the 16 volunteers were calculated. RESULTS: Cerebral blood flows measured by 2-D phase-contrast MR imaging and Doppler ultrasounds were 233 and 239 ml/min in the right internal carotid artery, 250 and 248 ml/min in the left internal carotid artery, 62 and 56 ml/min in the right vertebral artery, and 83 and 68 ml/min in the left vertebral artery. Correlation coefficients of the blood flows determined by the two methods were 0.48, 0.54, 0.49, and 0.62 in each vessel, while total cerebral blood flows were 628+/-68 (range, 517 to 779) ml/min and 612+/-79 (range, 482 to 804)ml/min, respectively. CONCLUSION: Total cerebral blood flow was easily measured using 2-D phase-contrast MR imaging and Doppler ultrasound, and the two noninvasive methods can therefore be used clinically for the measurement of total cerebral blood flow.
Body Weight ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Intervertebral Disc ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Thyroid Gland ; Ultrasonography* ; Vertebral Artery ; Volunteers

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rarely identified entity whose exact incidence, etiology, pathogenesis, medium-term evolution and optimal treatment have not yet been firmly estabilished. The cause of spontaneous disection remains unclear but theories of etiology include a medial eosinophilic angiitis, pregnancy induced degeneration of collagen and rupture of the vasovasoum. Most paients die suddenly, but a clinical spectrum is seen including and unstable angina, myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. We experienced 4 cases with spontaneous coronary artery dissection found angiographically which caused myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Our patients were treated medically.
Angina, Unstable ; Collagen ; Coronary Vessels ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Incidence ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Ischemia* ; Pregnancy ; Rupture ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; Vasculitis

BACKGROUND: Irbersatan, an orally active antihypertensive agent, effectively reduce blood pressure by directly blocking angiotensin II receptors without any significant adverse effects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of irbesartan in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. METHODS: This study enrolled 83 patients who had diastolic pressure above 95 mmHg and below 110 mmHg on two measurements. Sixty eight patients were administered 150mg of irbesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, daily for four weeks as an initial dosage. If the sitting diastolic pressure was equal to or greater than 90 mmHg after a 4 week treatment period, the dosage was doubled until the end of 8 weeks. Baseline pressures, antihypertensive effect, side effects, laboratory findings were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: Fourty two patients out of 53 patients having completed this study showed decreased blood pressure equal to or more than 5 mmHg of the sitting diastolic pressure (response rate=79%). Twenty one patients out of 53 patients showed normalized blood pressure below 90 mmHg of the sitting diastolic pressure (normalization rate=40%). The extent of decrease in diastolic and systolic blood pressure after eight week treatment was an average 11.7+/-10.1 mmHg and 16.3+/-18.9 mmHg, respectively (p<0.05). Nineteen ontoward side effects was observed in 17 patients out of 68 patients with medication (frequency of ontoward effects=25%). Only one case with headache was considered to be related to the medication. Abnormal laboratory findings were observed in eight patients, and only one case with elevation of bilirubin and ALT levels was considered to be related to the medication. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, irbesartan is a safe and effective antihypertensive drug in patients with mild to moderate hypertension with tolerable side effects.
Bilirubin ; Blood Pressure ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Receptors, Angiotensin

OBJECTIVES: Severity of coronary artery stenosis has been defined in terms of geometric dimensions, pressure gradient-flow relations, resistance to flow and coronary flow reserve(CFR) after maximum arteriolar vasodilation. Myocardial fractional flow reserve(FFR) is a new index of the functional severity of coronary stenosis that is calculated from pressure measurements during coronary angiography. We compared the relationship between FFR and CFR after PTCA and the residual stenosis with FFR and CFR in the patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and angina. METHODS: The study population consisted of 25 patients with AMI and 18 patients with angina. All AMI patients had successful restoration of infarc-related artery by thrombolysis or direct PTCA. Doppler index was measured using 0.014 inch Doppler wire 15 minutes after successful restoration of infarc- related artery. Hyperemic index was measured after intracoronary injection of adenosine(16-18ug). Baseline and hyperemic distal coronary artery pressure was measured using 0.014 inch pressure wire with advancing the wire distal to the lesion and simultaneous proximal aortic pressure was measured using guiding catheter. RESULTS: 1) Post-interventional FFR and CFR were 0.91+/-0.09 and 1.87+/-0.45 in AMI and 0.93+/-0.06 and 2.73+/-0.67 in angina. There was no significant correlation between FFR and CFR in AMI and angina(p=NS). CFR showed the weak correlation with hyperemic distal pressure(hPd) in AMI(p=0.04) and FFR with hDSVR in angina(p=0.04). FFR and CFR were not correlated with mean blood pressure and heart rate(p=NS). 2) FFR and hyperemic pressure gradient had the close correlation with residual stenosis after successful PTCA in AMI and angina(p<0.001). Baseline pressure gradient also showed weak correlation with FFR(p<0.05). 3) CFR was 1.87+/-0.45 in AMI and 2.73+/-0.67 in angina with significant difference between two groups (p<0.001) and FFR was 0.91+/-0.09 in AMI and 0.93+/-0.06 in angina without difference(p=NS). hPa and hPd showed the significant difference between the two groups(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: FFR seems to be a new index of the functional severity of coronary stenosis that is calculated from pressure measurements during coronary angiography.
Arterial Pressure ; Arteries ; Blood Pressure ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels* ; Heart ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Vasodilation

No abstract available.
Angioplasty* ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome* ; Heart Ventricles* ; Stents*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pathological findings of Non-Q wave myocardial infarction(NQMI) on ECG did not always correspond to subendocardial infarction(SEMI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of ECG for SEMI by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in the patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was 84 patients who underwent MCE under the diagnosis of AMI. MCE was performed by intracoronary injection of sonicated Hexabrix into the infarct related artery and SEMI was diagnosed by inspecting endocardial defect with epicardial enhancement on MCE. RESULTS: (1) Among 19 NQMI cases, 7 cases showed SEMI with MCE score 0.5, 11 cases with score 1, and 1 case with score 0. Among 65 Q-wave MI(QMI) cases, only 5 cases showed SEMI. (2) 7 cases who had NQMI with SEMI showed LV wall motion recovery at follow-up echocardiography except 1 case. Whereas, of 5 QMI cases who had SEMI, only 1 case improve LV wall motion. CONCLUSION: NQMI on ECG does not always imply SEMI on MCE, but the absence of pathologic Q wave in the patients with SEMI is thought to be a predictive factor of the recovery of LV wall motion.
Arteries ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Electrocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Ioxaglic Acid

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pathological findings of Non-Q wave myocardial infarction(NQMI) on ECG did not always correspond to subendocardial infarction(SEMI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of ECG for SEMI by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in the patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was 84 patients who underwent MCE under the diagnosis of AMI. MCE was performed by intracoronary injection of sonicated Hexabrix into the infarct related artery and SEMI was diagnosed by inspecting endocardial defect with epicardial enhancement on MCE. RESULTS: (1) Among 19 NQMI cases, 7 cases showed SEMI with MCE score 0.5, 11 cases with score 1, and 1 case with score 0. Among 65 Q-wave MI(QMI) cases, only 5 cases showed SEMI. (2) 7 cases who had NQMI with SEMI showed LV wall motion recovery at follow-up echocardiography except 1 case. Whereas, of 5 QMI cases who had SEMI, only 1 case improve LV wall motion. CONCLUSION: NQMI on ECG does not always imply SEMI on MCE, but the absence of pathologic Q wave in the patients with SEMI is thought to be a predictive factor of the recovery of LV wall motion.
Arteries ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Electrocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Ioxaglic Acid

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dilated cardiomyopathy(DCMP) is a primary myocardial disease of unknown cause characterized by left ventricular or biventricular dilatation and impaired myocardial contractility. In 1973, Kreulen et al. classified DCMP into two groups-one with generalized hypokinesia and the other with regional asynergy in addition to generalized hypokinesia. Diminished coronary flow reserve has been reported in DCMP with generalized hypokinesia but its mechanism remains obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the degree of microvascular dysfunction and the difference of regional wall motion abnormality in DCMP with regional asynergy. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 11 patients (M:F=:5, mean age:60 15yrs) a diagnosis of DCMP with regional asynergy, normal sinus rhythm without left bundle branch block and normal coronary angiogram who underwent Doppler wire from September 1997 to December 1999. Left ventricle was divided into three territories according to the coronary arterial distribution by echocardiography(A: coronary artery territory showing regional asynergy, I: coronary artery territory showing intermediate wall motion, P: coronary artery territory showing relatively preserved wall motion). Coronary flow reserve(CFR) was measured at the mid portion of left anterior descending artery(LAD), left circumflex artery(LCX) and right coronary artery(RCA) with 0.014 inch Doppler guide wire before and during intracoronary injection of 12-18 of adenosine. Relative coronary flow reserve(rCFR) was obtained by the ratio of the CFR in coronary artery of the territory showing regional asynergy and relatively preserved wall motion to the CFR in coronary artery of the territory showing intermediate wall motion (CFRA/CFRI, CFRP/CFRI). RESULTS: Regional asynergy was observed in LAD territory in 4(36%) patients, LCX territory in 4(36%) patients, RCA territory in 3(28%) patients (p=s). The mean CFR was 2.5 0.6 in LAD, 2.4 0.5 in LCX, 2.4 0.6 in RCA(p=s). The mean CFR and rCFR in coronary arteries showing regional asynergy were significantly lower than those in coronary arteries showing relatively preserved wall motion(2.1 0.5 vs 2.7 0.6, p<0.05, 0.84 0.12 vs 1.11 0.11, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Degree of regional hypokinesia in DCMP with regional asynergy seems to be associated with that of microvascular dysfunction.
Adenosine ; Bundle-Branch Block ; Cardiomyopathies ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated* ; Coronary Vessels ; Deoxycytidine Monophosphate ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypokinesia*