No abstract available.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship of cold pressor, hyperventilation and exercise test responses to circadian patterns and types of angina in vasospastic angina have still not been known. The aim of this study was to identify subgoups of patients who have similar clinical features and provocation test response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive patients with pure vasospastic angina were studied. Six exercise tests were performed in the early morning, late morning, and late afternoon in consecutive days, and 2 hyperventilation tests and 2 cold pressor tests in the early morning. Circadian distribution and types of angina(at rest, on physical activity or both) were evaluated by clinical history, clinical records and ambulatory ECG recordings during admission and follow-up periods(mean 19+/-9 months). RESULTS: Three patterns of circadian distribution of anginal attacks were identified during all observation periods together(morning and night: MN n=, morning and afternoon or evening: M+/E n=, morning, night and afternoon and/or evening: MN+/E n=1). Exercise test was positive in 36%(40/111) without circadian variation, hyperventilation test in 66%(23/35) and cold pressor test in 6%(2/33). Neither hyperventilation test nor cold pressor test was related to circadian patterns, types or activity of angina, or numbers of spastic artery. But positive exercise test increased significantly in patients with angina on physical activity(43% vs 21%, p<0.05), high activity(57% vs 18%, p<0.01), multivessel spasm(50% vs 27%, p<0.05 ) and circadian patterns of M+/E and MN+/E(29%, 55% vs 4%, p<0.05, p<0.01). All patients with MN had rest angina and single vessel spasm. All 6 patients with M+/E had angina both at rest and on physical activity and 5 single vessel spasm. Eight of 11 patients with MN+/E had angina both at rest and on physical activity and 8 multivessel spasm. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that hyperventilation test is highly sensitive in vasospastic angina without any relationship to clinical features, but exercise test response is related well to circadian patterns of angina attacks which are associated with characteristic clinical features.
Arteries ; Electrocardiography ; Exercise Test ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperventilation ; Motor Activity ; Muscle Spasticity ; Spasm

Owing to the paucity of information on the clinical outcomes in female patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in relation to the comorbid disease burden, we explored the differences in their clinical outcomes and identified predictive indicators.A total of 3,419 female AMI patients were stratified into two groups: Group A (those with zero or one comorbid diseases) (n=1,983) and Group B (those with two to five comorbid diseases) (n=1,436). Five comorbid conditions were considered: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, prior coronary artery disease, and prior cerebrovascular accidents. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). The incidence of MACCEs was higher in Group B than in Group A in both the unadjusted and propensity score-matched data. Among the comorbid conditions, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and prior coronary artery disease were found to be independently associated with an increased incidence of MACCEs. Higher comorbid disease burden was positively associated with adverse outcomes in the female population with AMI. Since both hypertension and diabetes mellitus are modifiable and independent predictors of adverse outcomes after AMI, it may be necessary to focus on the optimal management of blood pressure and glucose levels to improve cardiovascular outcomes.

Radial artery cannulation is a well established clinical technique for continuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure and serial sampling of arterial blood in critically ill patients. This method is regarded generally as safe, but complications are reported uncommonly. We report a case of false aneurysm of the radial artery following repeated puncture and catheter indweling for 8 days, and discuss briefly about the complication of arterial cannulation. It should be remembered that in arterial cannulation, we must use aseptic techniques, and the catheter must not be indwelt at one point for a long time.
Aneurysm* ; Aneurysm, False ; Arterial Pressure ; Catheterization ; Catheters* ; Critical Illness ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Punctures ; Radial Artery*

OBJECTIVES: Thyroid cancer patients may experience emotional distress during cancer treatment including surgical operation and radioactive iodine treatment. The aims of this prospective study were to investigate changes of anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer(DTC) under preoperative, postoperative and short-term hypothyroidism state. METHODS: Using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale(HAD) and the Distress Thermometer, we sequentially assessed the levels of anxiety, depression and distress in 41 DTC patients at 3 time points such as preoperative state, postoperative state and short-term hypothyroidism state. RESULTS: The HAD-anxiety score was significantly higher in preoperative state(6.93+/-3.97) than postoperative state(4.22+/-2.92) and short-term hypothyroidism state(4.93+/-3.64). Any other significant change in depression or distress thermometer score was not observed. Especially, difference of HADS score between the distress and none-distress groups was significant in preoperative state and post-operative state, but the difference become not significant in the short-term hypothyroidism state. CONCLUSIONS: Induced thyroid hormone deficiency during cancer treatment does not significantly affect emotional distress in patient with DTC. Anxiety and depression in these patients may be associated with distress of the patient before active cancer treatment.
Anxiety ; Dapsone ; Depression ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Iodine ; Prospective Studies ; Thermometers ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms

A 33 year old woman with tuberous sclerosis and pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis was undertaken bilateral sequential lung transplantation. Due to the progressive dyspnea and recurrent pneumothorax, she could not handle her normal daily life without oxygen supplements. The natural history of a patient with tuberous sclerosis and symptomatic lung involvement says the mean expected survival is 4 years. Such guidelines as severe obstructive lung disease, unavailable medical therapy, substantial limitation in activities of daily living, and limited life expectancy made her be a recipient of lung transplantation expecting both prolongation of life and the better quality of life. In this transplantation case, we have experienced such delicate problems as gross ventilation-perfusion mismatch, reperfusion pulmonary edema, much decreased renal function, etc.
Activities of Daily Living ; Adult ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Humans ; Life Expectancy ; Life Support Care ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; Lung Transplantation* ; Lung* ; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis ; Natural History ; Oxygen ; Pneumothorax ; Pulmonary Edema ; Quality of Life ; Reperfusion ; Tuberous Sclerosis

PURPOSE: To compare postoperative clinical outcomes, optical quality, and patient satisfaction between two types of diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL, Acri Lisa 366D and Acrysof ReSTOR +3.00 D). METHODS: In a total of 68 eyes, one of two diffractive multifocal IOL (Acri Lisa 366D and Acrysof ReSTOR +3.00 D) was implanted after cataract extraction. Visual acuity was measured postoperatively at one week, 1 month, and 6 months. Contrast sensitivity, wavefront aberration, and visual function were determined via questionnaire at postoperative 1 month. RESULTS: Intermediate visual acuity of Acri Lisa 366D and Acrysof ReSTOR at 6 months were 0.31 +/- 0.14, and 0.24 +/- 0.11 (log MAR), respectively. At 6 months, near and distant visual acuity results showed no significant differences between the two groups. The photopic contrast sensitivity of Acri Lisa 366D at 6 cycles/degree was 55.36 +/- 7.40 and showed significant differences with Acrysof ReSTOR (47.25 +/- 9.67). The mesopic contrast sensitivity values of Acri Lisa 366D and Acrysof ReSTOR were 40.26 +/- 11.38 and 28.97 +/- 10.45, respectively, and the spherical aberration values were 0.037 +/- 0.039 microm and 0.105 +/- 0.066 microm. The spherical aberration of Acri Lisa 366D was significantly lower than that of Acrysof ReSTOR. Total and high order aberration, coma, and trefoil show no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The Acri Lisa 366D multifocal IOL showed better contrast sensitivity and spherical aberration compared to Acrysof ReSTOR multifocal IOL, which had an effective intermediate visual acuity.
Cataract Extraction ; Coma ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Lotus ; Patient Satisfaction ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND: We compared thiopental sodium with propofol as induction agents under propofol-N2O anesthesia for cesarean sections. METHODS: We selected 68 pregnant women with a single fetus undergoing an elective cesarean section under general anesthesia and randomly allocated them to the thiopental sodium group (group N) or the propofol group (group P). Without premedication, thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg and succinylcholine 1 mg/kg were injected for induction in group N, and propofol 2 mg/kg and succinylcholine 1 mg/kg in group P. Propofol 10 mg/kg/hr was infused continuously with 50% N2O in both groups. We checked the blood pressure and the heart rate before and after injection. We analysed blood gas of maternal artery, umbilical artery, and umbilical vein at delivery and checked Apgar scores at 1 minute and 5 minutes after delivery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in blood pressure, heart rate and Apgar scores between groups. Oxygen partial pressure (35.6 +/- 5.8 mmHg) and oxygen saturation (66.2 +/- 12.0%) of the umbilical vein in group P was higher than in group N (32.7 +/- 4.9 mmHg, 58.7 +/- 11.5%). Carbon dioxide partial pressure and pH did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no beneficial effect of thiopental sodium compared with propofol as an induction agent under propofol anesthesia. Propofol is a useful drug for cesarean sections.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, General ; Arteries ; Blood Pressure ; Carbon Dioxide ; Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Fetus ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Oxygen ; Partial Pressure ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Premedication ; Propofol* ; Succinylcholine ; Thiopental* ; Umbilical Arteries ; Umbilical Veins

BACKGREOUND: Cerebral damage caused by hemorrhagic shock presents an important challenge for critical care medicine. The type of fluid to resuscitate hemorrhagic shock is important for the outcome of such patients. Pentastarch is low-molecular-weight hydroxyethyl starch, which increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) by plasma volume expansion and compensatory vasodilation, and improves the microcirculation in the ischemic brain area by reducing the blood viscosity. METHODS: The authors continuously determined CBF and CMRO2 in 10 mongrel dogs weighing 20.1 +/- 0.8 kg with posterior sagittal sinus outflow method. Dogs were subjected to the 20 minute-period of hemorrhagic shock to a mean arterial pressure of 40 mmHg. The shock phase was followed by resuscitation with the same volume of 10% pentastarch as blood loss. The authors assessed the changes of CBF, CMRO2, and CBF/CMRO2 ratio immediately and 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes after pentastarch infusion. Brain water content was assessed by the wet-dry weight method. RESULTS: CBF was increased above the control level, immediately and 30 minutes after 10% pentastarch infusion (p<0.05), and approximated to the control level for the remaining time. CMRO2 was increased, immediately and 30, 60, 90 minutes after 10% pentastarch infusion (p<0.05), and approximated to the control level at 120 minutes. CBF/CMRO2 ratio was recovered to the control level after 10% pentastarch infusion. Brain water content was not significantly different from the normal value of dogs. CONCLUSION: 10% pentastarch may be used with safety to resuscitate hemorrhagic shock because it recovers the balance between the cerebral oxygen supply and demand, and does not cause cerebral edema.
Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Blood Viscosity ; Brain ; Brain Edema ; Critical Care ; Dogs ; Humans ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives* ; Microcirculation ; Oxygen* ; Plasma Volume ; Reference Values ; Resuscitation ; Shock ; Shock, Hemorrhagic* ; Starch ; Vasodilation

BACKGROUND: Direct laryngoscope may be less useful under conditions of limited visualization. Light wand is a lighted stylet to transilluminate neck tissues allowing intubation without visualization. Thus, difficult intubation due to anatomy can be overcome. For comparison of light wand and direct laryngoscope, we checked time to intubation (TTI), success rate, relation of TTI and thyromental distance (TMD), and change of blood pressure and heart rate after intubation. METHODS: We selected and randomly allocated sixty adults to direct layngoscope group (D) and light wand group (L). Without premedication, propofol and vecuronium were injected for intubation. Time to intubation was measured from the time of grasping direct laryngoscope or light wand until the time of inserting endotracheal tube into trachea. We checked the change of blood pressure and heart rate after intubation, and studied the correlation of TTI and TMD. RESULTS: TTI was 16.5 sec (6.53~115.3 sec) for group D and 11.8 sec (4.31~36.0 sec) for group L. There was no significant difference between the groups. The rise of blood pressure and heart rate was less with light wand. There was a correlation of [TTI]=1248- 388[TMD]-30[TMD]2 in group L patients whose TMD is less than 7 cm. CONCLUSION: Compared with direct laryngoscope, light wand is as easy to use and can be more effective especially for patients whose anatomy may make intubation difficult or whose cardiovascular system is unstable.
Adult ; Blood Pressure* ; Cardiovascular System ; Hand Strength ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Laryngoscopes* ; Neck ; Premedication ; Propofol ; Trachea ; Vecuronium Bromide