The incidence of primary malignant cardiac tumor, especially a primary cardiac sarcoma is extremely rare and seldom causes symptoms until late in its course. Early recognition of tumor is vital because it allows prompt and proper management. We report a rare case of cardiac sarcoma who presented as a hemopericardium after straining. Right atrial mass was diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) that was performed to investigate the cause of hemopericardium.
Cardiac Tamponade* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Heart Neoplasms ; Incidence ; Pericardial Effusion* ; Sarcoma*

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although thrombolytic strategies with streptokinase(STK) and tissue-type plasminogen activator(t-PA) in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction(AMI) have been studied in large-scale clinical trials in the western countries, such large-scale studies with urokinase(UK) are scanty. Even though UK is most commonly used thrombolytic agent for the treatment of AMI in Korea, there is no consensus on the dosage and the way of administration of UK in patients with AMI. Accordingly, a prospective clinical study was performed to evaluate the effects of thrombolytic strategies of intravenous double bolus method and standard double-infusion method with different dosage of UK in the treatment of AMI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety there patients with AMI(male 75, female 18, age 57.5+/-10.8 years) were studied. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to dosage of UK and method of administration. Group I : 19 patients who received 1.5 million U of UK IV bolus, followed by 1.5 million U IV infusion for an hour(High Dose Group). Group II : 34 patients received 20,000U/kg body weight of UK IV bolus, followed by 20,000U/kg IV infusion for an hour(Double Dose Group). Group III : 40 patients received 1.5 million U of UK IV bolus and followed by 20,000U/kg IV bolus in 30 minutes with total dose of no more than 3 million U(Double Bolus Group). Coronary angiography(CAG) and left ventriculography(LVG) were performed 90 minutes after the administration of UK and post-AMI 7-10 days to investigate the patency of infarct-related artery(IRA) and LV function. Patency of IRA was graded according to the extent of flow of IRA. TIMI grade 0-1 was regarded as occluded, and grade 2-3 flow as patent. LV ejection fraction(EF) by echocardiography was measured on day 1, day 7-10 and 1 month after AMI. Indirect clinical parameters of thrombolysis were evaluated and were compared with CAG findings. RESULTS: 1) The 90 minutes IRA patency in Group III(Double bolus ; 79.0%) was higher than that in Group 1, but showed no statistically significant difference(High dose ; 61.5%, p=0.790). The 90 minutes IRA patency in Group III showed borderline significance with Group II(Double dose ; 57.1%, p=0.057). TIMI flow III in Group III(60.6%) was significantly higher than that in Group II(53.6%, p=0.0468) but showed no statistically significant difference with Group I(61.5%, p=0.158). 2) The EF by LVG were 49.1% in Group I, 41.7% in Group II and 49.2% in Group III. The difference in EF between Group I and Group III vs Group II was significant(p=0.008 in Group I, p=0.014 in Group III vs Group II). 3) Fatal bleeding complications(1 intracranial hemorrhage and 1 gastric ulcer bleeding) developed in Group II (Double dose). 4) Pain to door time, pain to needle time and door to needle time tended to be shorter in open(TIMI flow II-III) IRA group than in closed IRA group. 5) Initial EF were similar between open IRA group and closed IRA group(46.1% and 42.1% ; p=NS). The EF of open IRA group measured by LVG on initail coronary angiography(41.8% in closed IRA vs 48.0%, in open IRA, p=0.03) and by 2D-Echo on 7-10 day(41.7% in closed IRA vs 51.0% in open IRA, p=0.004) were better than those of closed IRA group. 6) Indirect clinical indices of reperfusion such as mean CPK peak, time to CPK peak significantly lower in open IRA group than in closed IRA group. 7) Fatal bleeding complications(1 intacranial hemorrhage and 1 gastric ulcer bleeding) developed in closed IRA group. CONCLUSION: The findings we observed in this trial showed that earlier initiation and more rapid infusion of UK were associated with more increased 90min patency of infarct-related artery and more improved LV function without any obviously increased bleeding complications or other serious life-threatening complications than conventional UK therapy. Specifically, double bolus IV injection of UK(1.5 million U bolus followed by 20,000 U/Kg bolus in 30min)was more effective method of thrombolysis than conventional method for achieving optimal reperfusion in AMI patients. Also, IRA patency at 90 minutes after the initiation of thrombolysis was important in preserving global LV function in early recovery phase of AMI. Further trials may be needed to determine more effective thrombolysis with UK in AMI.
Arteries ; Body Weight ; Consensus ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Korea ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Needles ; Plasminogen ; Prospective Studies ; Reperfusion ; Stomach Ulcer ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Common anatomical variations exist within the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries are equally exposed to systemic risk factors; however, coronary angiography has shown a focal and uneven distribution of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that the nature of coronary arteries, such as the coronary dominance, is one of the local factors able to determine the morphology and progression of atherosclerotic plaques. The relationship between the coronary dominance and the distribution of coronary artery atherosclerosis; however, remains to be investigated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total 264 patients were enrolled for analysis. Using the ACC/AHA definition, the coronary dominance was assessed as either a right dominant, left dominant or balanced dominant artery. The degree of the coronary artery stenosis was obtained using a scoring system. By means of the sum of the numerical values in the three vessels, the total left anterior descending artery (LAD), total left circumflex artery (LCX) and total right coronary artery (RCA) scores were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 264 patients, right, left and balanced dominance was found in 73.5, 16.3 and 10.2%, respectively. The total LAD, LCX and RCA scores were similar in the patients from all three dominance groups (p>0.05). The score for coronary artery disease were shown to be higher in the proximal and mid segments (LAD, p=0.000; LCX, p=0.002; RCA, p=0.041). CONCLUSION: The coronary dominance was not found to relate to the angiographic severity of coronary artery disease. The distribution of coronary disease in the three coronary arteries tended to cluster within the proximal and mid segments of the vessels.
Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Circulation ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although increased serum uric acid (SUA) concentrations are commonly encountered in patients with risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD), the clinical value of SUA has not been established. METHODS: The study group comprised 687 consecutive patients with suspected CAD who had undergone coronary angiography. CAD was defined as stenosis > or = 50% of the luminal diameter. CAD severity was expressed as 1-, 2-, or 3-vessel disease. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria, and aortofemoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was obtained by arterial catheterization invasively. RESULTS: In total, 395 patients had CAD. SUA was higher in patients with CAD as compared to those without CAD (5.5 +/- 1.0 vs. 5.2 +/- 1.0 mg/dL, p = 0.004). In addition, SUA was significantly associated with the severity of CAD (p = 0.002). However, after adjusting for significant confounding factors including age, diabetes, smoking, cholesterol, MS, and PWV, SUA was not an independent risk factor for CAD (p = 0.151). Based on a subgroup analysis, SUA was more closely associated with CAD in women than in men, and in the highest quartile (> or = 6.4 mg/dL) than in the first quartile (< 4.8 mg/dL); however, these results were not significant (p = 0.062, p = 0.075, respectively). In a multivariate regression analysis, the most important determinant of SUA was MS (i.e., insulin resistance syndrome), which is strongly associated with CAD. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with suspected CAD, SUA was not an independent risk factor for CAD and may be merely a marker of insulin resistance.
Aged ; Biological Markers/blood ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease/*blood/*epidemiology/radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; *Severity of Illness Index ; Uric Acid/*blood

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) in placenta from pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancies. METHODS: Placental tissues were obtained from 10 normotensive pregnancies (control group) and 20 severe preeclamptic pregnancies (preeclamptic group). Immunohistochemical staining of placental tissue was used to determine tissue expression of VEGF, PDGF and ICAM-1. The intensity of staining was evaluated by scoring as 0, 1, 2 and 3. RESULTS: Immunolocalization of VEGF and PDGF was significantly observed in the syncytotrophoblast with less intense staining in intravillous stromal cells and intravillous endothelial cells of fetal vessels in preeclamptic group. There were no differences in immunolocalization of staining in control group. Intensity of VEGF and PDGF immunostaining in syncytotrophoblast was significantly increased in preeclamptic group. However, immunolocalization and the intensity of ICAM-1 staining were not significantly different in both groups. CONCLUSION: The expression of VEGF and PDGF in the syncytotrophoblast was significantly up-regulated in severe preeclamptic placenta. These up-regulation of VEGF and PDGF might reflect that placental ischemia and hypoxic state in severe preeclampsia induce VEGF and PDGF in the syncytotrophoblasts of placenta. However the unchanged pattern of ICAM-1 expression in severe preeclampsia suggests that ICAM-1 is unlikely to be a factor by which the adverse pregnancy outcome arises in severe preeclampsia.
Endothelial Cells ; Female ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Ischemia ; Placenta* ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor* ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Stromal Cells ; Up-Regulation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

The popliteal artery is a relatively short vascular structure, but acute occlusion can decrease blood flow into the lower extremities and cause subsequent critical limb ischemia, amputation, and even mortality. Further, peripheral artery disease patients frequently have combined cardio-cerebrovascular disease. Here, we report a rare case of sudden bilateral thrombotic total occlusion in the popliteal arteries of a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular thrombi. This patient has been successfully managed by endovascular therapy and subsequent intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy.
Amputation ; Angioplasty ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Extremities ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Lower Extremity ; Mortality ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Popliteal Artery ; Thromboembolism ; Thrombolytic Therapy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There have been reports that interatrial septal (IAS) thickness is increased in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was performed to investigate whether IAS thickness determined by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) represents the amount of left atrium (LA) structural and functional remodeling. METHODS: The study population consisted of 104 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation (CA) for AF (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation [PAF], 82; persistent atrial fibrillation [PeAF], 22). IAS thickness and left atrium volume (LAV) using TTE, and LA voltage (LAVOL) using 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping system were assessed during sinus rhythm. RESULTS: IAS thickness was significantly correlated with maximal LAV (LAVmax) (r = 0.288, p = 0.003), mean LAVOL (r = -0.537, p < 0.001), total left atrium emptying fraction (LAEFtotal; r = -0.213, p = 0.030), and active LAEF (LAEFactive; r = -0.249, p = 0.014). IAS thickness was greater in the high-risk group (> or = 2) compared to other groups according to CHA2DS2-VASc score (p = 0.019). During a follow-up of 19.6 months, 23 subjects (22.1%; PAF, 17; PeAF, 6) had recurrence of arrhythmia. Univariate analysis showed that LAVmax, minimal LAV, mean LAVOL, LVEFtotal, LVEFactive, and IAS thickness were associated with recurrence of arrhythmia. However, on multivariate analysis, only mean LAVOL and LAEFactive were independent risk factors for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Although IAS thickness showed significant correlations with parameters for LA structural and functional remodeling, this parameter alone could not independently predict recurrence of arrhythmia after CA for AF.
Action Potentials ; Adult ; Aged ; Area Under Curve ; Atrial Fibrillation/physiopathology/*radiography/surgery/*ultrasonography ; *Atrial Function, Left ; *Atrial Remodeling ; Atrial Septum/physiopathology/*radiography/*ultrasonography ; Catheter Ablation ; Chi-Square Distribution ; *Echocardiography, Doppler ; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Multivariate Analysis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Various intravenous (IV) antiarrhythmic drugs in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) refractory to electrical cardiooversion have been attempted. We assessed the efficacy of IV propafenone in patients with AF who failed to achieve normal sinus rhythm using standard external direct current (DC) cardioversion. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Of the 77 AF patients who underwent a DC cardioversion, 18, who were refractory for up to a maximal 360 joules of external DC cardioversion, were included in this study. Propafenone was infused for 10 minutes at doses of 2 mg/kg (n=3), 2.5 mg/kg (n=8), and 3 mg/kg (n=7) followed by repeated DC cardioversion. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients receiving propafenone was 55+/-14 years and 21% were women. The mean ejection fraction and the average diameter of the left atrium were 56+/-5% and 42+/-7 mm, respectively. The AF cycle length increased following propafenone infusion form 160+/-23 ms to 278+/-62 ms (p<0.05). The AF converted to a normal sinus rhythm following propafenone infusion in three patients. Thirteen patients were successfully cardioverted following IV propafenone infusion, with a mean accumulated energy of 410+/-216 joules (689+/-373 joules prior to propafenone infusion, p<0.05). Cardioversion failed in 2 patients;therefore, the success rate of the cardioversion in patients who received IV propafenone was 88.9% (16/18). No significant adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSION: IV propafenone can be safely used to enhance the efficacy of cardioversion in patients with AF refractory to transthoracic DC cardioversion.
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Electric Countershock* ; Female ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Propafenone*

The incidence of ischemic heart disease has been increased rapidly in Korea. However, the clinical effects of antecedent hypertension on acute myocardial infarction have not been identified. We assessed the relationship between antecedent hypertension and clinical outcomes in 7,784 patients with acute myocardial infarction in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry during one-year follow-up. Diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease were more prevalent in hypertensives (n=3,775) than nonhypertensives (n=4,009). During hospitalization, hypertensive patients suffered from acute renal failure, shock, and cerebrovascular event more frequently than in nonhypertensives. During follow-up of one-year, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events was higher in hypertensives. In multi-variate adjustment, old age, Killip class > or =III, left ventricular ejection fraction <45%, systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg on admission, post procedural TIMI flow grade < or =2, female sex, and history of hypertension were independent predictors for in-hospital mortality. However antecedent hypertension was not significantly associated with one-year mortality. Hypertension at the time of acute myocardial infarction is associated with an increased rate of in-hospital mortality.
Acute Disease ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Cerebrovascular Disorders/etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus/etiology ; Female ; Heart Failure/etiology ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias/etiology ; Hypertension/*complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction/complications/*mortality/therapy ; Peripheral Vascular Diseases/etiology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Registries ; Sex Factors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on in-hospital and 1-year mortality in patients who suffered acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Among 5,074 consecutive patients from the Korea AMI Registry with successful revascularization between November 2005 and June 2007, 1,412 patients had a history of DM. RESULTS: The DM group had a higher mean age prevalence of history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease, high Killip class, and diagnoses as non-ST elevation MI than the non-DM group. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and creatinine clearance were lower in the DM group, which also had a significantly higher incidence of in-hospital and 1-year mortality of hospital survivors (4.6% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.002; 5.0% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.001). A multivariate analysis revealed that independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were Killip class IV or III at admission, use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor blockers, LVEF, creatinine clearance, and a diagnosis of ST-elevated MI but not DM. However, a multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that DM was an independent predictor of 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 1.504; 95% confidence interval, 1.032 to 2.191). CONCLUSIONS: DM has a higher association with 1-year mortality than in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI who underwent successful PCI. Therefore, even when patients with AMI and DM undergo successful PCI, they may require further intensive treatment and continuous attention.
Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary/adverse effects/*mortality ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Diabetes Mellitus/*mortality ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Infarction/mortality/*therapy ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Registries ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome