A single coronary artery is a rare congenital anomaly. The right coronary artery, originating from distal left circumflex, is an extremely rare variety of a single coronary artery. Our report is accompanied by a brief review of the literature.
Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; Coronary Vessels*

BACKGROUND: It was recently shown that human atherosclerotic plaque contains large numbers of T lymphocytes : this indicates that immune and inflammatory mechanism may be important factors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. By measuring the soluble interleukin 2 receptor(sIL-2R) level we can evaluate the activation of T lymphocyte. The purpose of this study is to evaluate relationship between T cell activation and ischemic heart disease by measuring the soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level in patient with ischemic heart disease. METHOD: Seventy-two patients(40 males and 32 female, mean age : 56.5+/-9.9 years) who were taken coronary angiography were included in this study. Among them, 49 patients showed abnormal coronary angiographic findings and 23 patients showed normal coronary angiographic findings. Ten mililiters of arterial blood was drawn at the time of coronary angiography. The blood was allowed to coagulate and then the serum was removed and tested in duplicate for soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level by ELISA. RESULTS: 1) The soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level was significantly different between abnormal coronary angiographic findings and normal coronary angiographic findings (P < 0.001). 2) According to clinical severity of ischemic heart disease (i.e. stable angina, unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction.), soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level was not significantly different between single vessel disease group and multivessels disease groups (p > 0.05), but showed increasing tendency with clinical severity. 3) According to numbers of involved coronary vessels, soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level was not significantly different between single vessel disease group and multivessels disease groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: T lymphocyte activation, as reflected in elevated soluble interlekin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) level, is frequent in patient with ischemic heart disease. In the further we will investigate relationship between clinical diagnosis of ischemic heart disease of the numbers of involved coronary vessels and T cell activation.
Angina, Stable ; Angina, Unstable ; Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; T-Lymphocytes

A coronary pseudostenosis is a characteristic angiographic image, which may appear as coronary winkles, or intussusceptions, due to a stiff guidewire during coronary interventions. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) plays a role in ruling out severe coronary stenosis, coronary dissections, thrombus or coronary spasm. We report a case of coronary pseudostenosis, which occurred during coronary interventions, diagnosed by intravascular ultrasound.
Coronary Stenosis ; Intussusception ; Spasm ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography*

No abstract available.

A clinical analysis was carrried out on 306 pts c Gastric ulcer who have visited the Depart on Internal Medicine. Daegue Catholic Hospital during the period from August 1980 to June l982. The result were as follows: of the total 306 cases, 249(81%) cases were male and 57(19%) cases were female, Male to female ratio was 4. 3: 1. Thirsty two percent of the cases blonged to the 6 tb decade, 25.5% to 5 th and 19% to 7 th decade. (continue...)
Daegu ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Male ; Stomach Ulcer*

BACKGROUND: Coronary sinus catheterization is important in electrophysiological studies. However the mor-phologic feature of the coronary sinus and its significance in patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) have not been determined. During diagnostic electrophysiological studies, coronary sinus catheterization was easier in patients with atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) than in patients with atrioventricular reentry tachycardia (AVRT). Therefore, we studied coronary sinus morphology in patients with SVT and compared AVNRT and AVRT patients. METHODS: The size and shape of the coronary sinus were measured in 13 patients who underwent retrograde coronary sinus venogram during electrophysiologic study between May and June 1996. The diagnosis was 7 cases of AVNRT, 2 of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and 4 of concealed bypass tracts (mean age, 40 years : male vs female, 1 : 1.2). RESULTS: The mean coronary sinus ostial diameter was 10.4+/-2.0 mm:for AVNRT, it was 11.4+/-2.2 mm, and for AVRT it was 9.3+/-1.0 mm in left anterior oblique projection (p=0.031). The mean coronary sinus-to-spine angle was 82.6+/-17.4degrees : AVNRT 95.4+/-24.4degrees and AVRT 67.7+/-15.2degrees in anterior posterior projection (p=0.035). CONCLUSION: The coronary sinus ostial diameter of AVNRT patients was significantly larger than that of AVRT patients. This finding may have important implications for arrythmia pathogenesis in such patients.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Coronary Sinus* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Tachycardia ; Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular* ; Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Measurement of echocardiographic mitral valve area (MVA) is an useful noninvasive method of estimating the stenotic mitral valve area. This study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of echocardiographic MVA measurement by comparing MVAs measured by the planimetric and pressure half-time method versus direct MVA measurement by using a cone shaped device specifically made for direct measurement of MVA. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population consisted of 22 consecutive patients from August 1993 to February 1996. All the patients underwent 2D planimetry and Doppler echocardiographic MVA measurement before and after valve replacement surgery ; direct measurement also was performed after surgery. Five patients (22.7%) had normal sinus rhythm, and the rest of the patients had atrial fibrillation. Two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations were attempted in 22 patients, and adequate measurements were obtained in 21 of the patients studied. Mean mitral valve area were 0.99+/-0.32cm (2) ranged from 0.42 to 1.68cm (2) on 2D planimetry method, 0.93+/-0.32cm (2) ranged from 0.42 to 1.68cm (2) on Doppler pressure half-time method, 1.17+/-0.20cm (2) ranged from 0.93 to1.68cm (2) on direct measurement of mitral valve area after surgery. 2D planimetry method (r=0.621, p=0.003, SE=0.165), pressure half-time method (r=0.454, p=0.003, SE=0.187), and transmitral peak velocity (r=-0.480, p=0.026, SE=0.189) was relatively well correlate with operative mitral valve area. There was relatively good agreement between direct and 2D planimetric measurement and between direct and Dopler pressure-half time method. CONCLUSION: 2D planimetry and Doppler pressure half-time method on echocardiography are useful, noninvasive measurement method in patients with mitral stenosis.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Echocardiography* ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Stenosis* ; Mitral Valve*

We report two cases with delayed cerebellar hemorrhage developed after supratentorial burr-hole drainage, and review the literature. Burr-hole drainage was performed at both sides of bilateral chronic subdural hematomas. The total amount of drainage per day was more than 300ml of hematoma mixed with cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) and the differences in doses between the two sides were significant in both cases. The symptoms improved after drainage but abrupt deterioration of neurological status occurred with the development of cerebellar hemorrhage on postoperative day 4 and 5, in each case. Although both patients were elderly, 75 and 86 years old, they did not have any coagulation defect or episode of severe increase in their blood pressures during drainage. We believe that suprate-ntorial CSF overdrainage can cause cerebellar upward shift, with resultant injury of weakened cerebellar vessels in old age.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drainage* ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of accessory pathways is generally accepted as the procedure of choice for symptomatic patients with tachycardia. The success rate of RF catheter ablation has been reported to be greater then 90%. Previous several studies have shown that the recurrence rate of accessory pathway function after initially successful ablation is about 10%. However, accessory pathway conduction may recur after apparently successful ablation, possibly due to transient modification of the pathway rather than permanent destruction of accessory pathway. During RF catheter ablation, prediction of permanent destruction of pathway , which means long-term success of catheter ablation, is very important. METHODS: All ablation procedures were performed using a 4 mm tipped deflectable catheter (Diag, Webster or EPT). RF energy was delivered using the RF generater (Radionics RFG-3C). After positioning the ablation catheter at the target site RF energy of 40-60V was applied for 30-60sec. After successful elimination of accessory pathway conduction, all patients underwent routine history taking, physical examination, and a 12 lead electrocardiogram recording at 1 week, 1, 2, 3, and 12 month after ablation. AV interval, AV ratio, presence of AP potential, and time from RF delivery to loss of delta were measured at the last local electrograms at the successful sites. Statistics: The continuous variables was evaluated by using an unpaired Student? T test and discrete variables, using chi-square test and fischer? exact test between groups with recurrence and without recurrence during follow-up. RESULT: RF catheter ablation was initially successful in 35 patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. After initially successful RF ablation, follow-up examinations were done during 55 40 weeks. Time from RF delivery to loss of delta was shorter in the group without recurrence during follow-up. Times from RF energy to loss of delta less than 5 sec was for long- term success without recurrence. CONCLUSION: Time required to eliminate an accessory pathway conduction is a predictor for long term success. However, local electrogram characteristics during successful RF catheter ablation may not be useful to predict long term success of RF catheter ablation in patients with manifest accessory atrioventricular connections.
Angina, Unstable ; Catheter Ablation* ; Catheters ; Coronary Sinus ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Physical Examination ; Recurrence ; Tachycardia ; Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The optimal AV delay should allow for the completion of the atrial contraction prior to the ventricular contraction, and provide for the longest diastolic filling and maximal stroke volume. This study evaluated the effects of the AV delay on the changes in heart functions, in patients with a DDD pacemaker and normal systolic function. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients were enrolled. The pacing rate was set at 70 beats/min. The AV delay was lengthened in 20-25 msec step, from 100 to 250 msec. The stroke volume and diastolic parameters were measured by echocardiography for each AV delay. RESULTS: The changes in the stroke volume associated with the changes in the AV delay were not statistically significant. However, when viewing each individual patient, the optimal AV delay for each patient could be found. When comparing the stoke volumes obtained just before, just after, and during the maximal AV delay, a statistically significant difference was found (p< 0.05). The absolute value of the E/A ratio was less than 1. The pulmonic vein flow pattern was dominated by the systolic flow, but the changes were not statistically significant. There was a tendency for the E wave propagation slope to decrease. However, the absolute value was less than 40 cm/s, and the E/E' absolute ratio was more than 8, but neither showed any significant differences. CONCLUSION: In patients with a DDD pacemaker and normal systolic function, the diastolic parameters were abnormal, and the stroke volume affected by the change in the AV delay.
Diastole ; Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane* ; Echocardiography ; Heart ; Humans ; Stroke Volume ; Veins