BACKGROUND: We performed electrical cardioversion for the patients with chormic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation under the transesophageal echocardiographic guidance after anticoagulation to evaluate the safety of this procedure and the effects of electrical cardioversion on the atrial function. METHODS: After anticoagulation therapy with coumadine for three weeks, we tried chemical cardioversion with amiodarone first. Failed cases were included in this study. Pre-cardioversion transesophageal echocardiographic parameters were measured after exclusion of thrombi. After sedation with intravenous midazolam, direct-current cardioversion was done with the transesophageal echocardiographic probe in situ. Immediately after sinus conversion, we measured echocardiographic parameters again. Spontaneous echo contrast(SEC), left atrial appendage flow velocity, pulmonary vein flow velocity and time-velocity-integral(TVI), transmitral flow velocity, TVI and deceleration time were measured. All patients were anticoagulated for at least 4 weeks after cardiovesion. RESULTS: The total number of patients was forty one(24 males, 17 females) with the mean age of 58 years(range : 39-70). Mean duration of atrial fibrillation was 65 months(range : 1-360). Hypertension(12), dilated cardiomyopathy(10), cerebrovascular accidents(6), ischemic heart disease(2) and chronic lung disease(1) were associated. There were no complications. SEC increased or newly appeared in 18(43.9%) patients after sinus conversion. The left atrial appendage emptying velocity decreased(32.8+/-17.4 vs. 22.1+/-11.4cm/sec, p=0.020) and systolic TVI of both upper pulmonic vein increased significantly after sinus conversion. In two cases, early systolic forward flow(S1) of pulmonic vein appeared after sinus conversion. Transmitral E velocity decreased(86.9+/-28.8 vs. 76.3+/-30.6cm/sec, p=0.006) and the deceleration time increased(164+/-49 vs. 206+/-53msec, p=0.000) after sinus conversion. Transmitral A velocity was still low(34.9+/-19.5cm/sec) and E/A ratio was high(2.6+/-1.4) immediately after sinus conversion. CONCLUSION: After appropriate anticoagulation therapy and exclusion of left atrium and left atrial appindage thrombi with TEE we could perform electrical cardioversion safety without complications. The changes in transesophageal echocardiographic parameters after sinus conversion revealed the appearance of atrial mechanical activity in concordance with electrical activity. But these findings suggested atrial stunning or electromechanical dissociation which necessitates extended anticoagulation therapy until the full recovery of atrial mechanical function.
Amiodarone ; Atrial Appendage ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Atrial Function ; Deceleration ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Electric Countershock* ; Heart ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Midazolam ; Pulmonary Veins ; Veins ; Warfarin

No abstract available.
Fistula*

We have treated total 37 cases of femoral neck fracture in children who were under the 16 years old in age at the Catholic University Medical College since 1985, followed them for average 21 months to analyse their types of fracture and treatment, complications and prevention of complications, and obtained the following results. 1. According to the Delbet's classification, type I was 1 case, II were 18(49%), most common, III were 10 and IV were 8 cases. Their ages were average 8.2 years and boys were predominant in 27 cases. 2. Thirty-six cases were treated with open reduction and internal fixation within 1-13 days after fracture, but only one type IV was treated with closed reduction, followed by hip spica cast for 6 to 9 weeks in all. 3. The fixation devises were removed at average 8.7 months after operatio. 4. fifteen complications were observed in 11 cases(37%), that were AVN(3 cases), early physeal closure(8 cases), coxa vara(3 cases), coxa valga and limb shortening(each 1 case), and their causes were severe fracture displacement(2 cases), penetration of fixation devices to physis(8 cases), incomplete reduction and loss of initial reductio (1 case) etc, but were not correlated with their method of fracture treatment. Conclusively, the femur neck fracture in children could favorably be treated with open reduction and internal fixation to reduce their complications. Physeal early closures due to penetration of screws and pin were most common cause of complications, and their long-term follow-up should be necessary.
Child ; Classification ; Coxa Valga ; Extremities ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; Femur Neck ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Methods

No Abstract Available.
Arthroplasty* ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Humans ; Knee*

BACKGROUND: The effects of various concentration (20, 50, 100 micrometer) of meperidine were studied in isolated guinea pig and rat ventricular papillary muscles. METHODS: Isometric force of guinea pig ventricular papillary muscle was examined in normal and 26 mM K+ Tyrode's solution. Experiments using rat and guinea pig papillary muscle under normal and low Na+ (40 mM), respectively, were performed to evaluate the effect on Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Normal and slow action potentials (APs) were evaluated by using conventional microelectrode technique. Rapid cooling contractures were performed. RESULTS: Meperidine caused dose-dependent depression of peak force from rested-state (RS) to 3 Hz stimulation rates in guinea pig papillary muscles. Conduction block was frequently noted at high stimulation rates (2 and 3 Hz) at 150 micrometer meperidine. ~40% depression of peak force was shown at RS contraction under low Na+ Tyrode's solution, although contractile depression was not shown at RS and low stimulation rates in rat papillary muscles. 100 micrometer naloxone did not reverse the contractile depression caused by 100 micrometer meperidine. Either depression of dV/dt-max from 0.1 to 3 Hz stimulation rates or rate-dependent depression among 1, 2 and 3 Hz could be observed at 150 micrometer meperidine. In 26 mM K+ Tyrode's solution, 50 and 100 micrometer meperidine caused dose-dependent depression of early and late force development. In slow APs, changes of dV/dt-max were not shown at 100 micrometer meperidine. ~40% depression of contracture induced by rapid cooling following 2 Hz stimulation rates was shown at 100 micrometer meperidine. CONCLUSION: The direct myocardial depressant effect of meperidine seems likely to be caused by local anesthetic properties of meperidine, not by the opioid action. Inhibition of SR Ca2+ release, and decreased intracellular Ca2+ secondary to Na+ channel blocking action of meperidine may at least in part be related to direct myocardial depression.
Action Potentials ; Anesthetics* ; Animals ; Contracture ; Depression* ; Guinea Pigs ; Meperidine* ; Microelectrodes ; Myocardium* ; Naloxone ; Papillary Muscles ; Rats ; Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

No Abstract Available.
Arthroplasty* ; Knee*

To evaluate a relationship of lumbar lordosis between asymptomatic group and low back pain group, lumbar lordotic angle was measured from standing lateral lumbosacral roentogenogram of 360 men and women between 20 and 49 years of age. We excluded the patients with back deformity, moderate to severe degenerative change of lumbosacral spine, leg length discrepency, and degenerative change of lower leg in both groups. The lumber lordodsis angle was measured with two ways, lumbosacral angle and lumbolumbar angle respectively. Two angles have a line parallel to the top of second lumbar vertebra as the proximal boundary. The distal border of the lumbosacral angle is a line parallel to the top of sacrum. The distal border of the lumbolumbar angle is a line parallel to the bottom of fifth lumbar vertebra. With statistical analysis of the results, we came to followiing conclusion: 1. The mean lumbolumbar angle was 33.62° +0.62° (SEM: standard error of the mean) and the mean lumbosacral angle was 49.91° +0.59° in asymptomatic group. 2. The mean lumbolumbar angle was 34.79° +0.68° and the mean lumbosacral angle was 50.35° +0.76° in low back pain group. 3. No significant difference in lumbosacral and lumbolsacral angle between asymptomatic and low back pain group was identified using general linear models procedure(P>0.5). 4. Analyzing the data by sex, no significant difference in lumbosacral and lumbosacral angle was identified using general linear models procudure(P>0.05). 5. Analyzing the data by age group, no significant difference in lumbosacral angle was identified (P>0.05), but significant difference in lumbolsacral angle was identified using general linear models procedure(P=0.0045).
Animals ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; Linear Models ; Lordosis ; Low Back Pain ; Male ; Sacrum ; Spine

In 1971, Harris introduced a metal backed acetabular cup to allow replacement of worn polyethylene cups and it has been popularly used now. In metal backed acetabular cup, dissociation between metal shell and polyethylene liner usually occurs with hip dislocation. We report a case of dissociation of polyethylene liner in metal bacded cup not associated with hip dislocation.
Acetabulum ; Hip Dislocation ; Hip ; Polyethylene

Since the use of Charnley hip prosthesis, total hip arthroplasty has been used for the treatment of coxarthrosis. However, aseptic lossening of the acetabular cup component in total hip arthroplasty remains the most common cause of failure and most serious complication. Cementless acetabular cup fixation in total hip arthroplasty is increasingly popular because of the high failure rates of cemented components, particularly in younger and more active patients. We have experienced 62 cases of CLS expansion acetabular cup developed by L. Spontorno, from January 1992 to January 1994. We analysed 41 CLS expansion acetabular cup components in 38 patients performed at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kang Nam General Hospital with minimum follow up lyear(average 17.3 months). The object of this study is to evaluate the radiographic change of the cup inclination, horizontal and vertical migration of the CLS expansion acetabular cup by methods of Engh et al, and Callagham et al. The results were as follows: 1. The initial adequate contact fit were 39 hips and inadequate fit in 2 hips. 2. The initial acetabular inclination between 35 degrees and 55 degrees were 38 hips. 3. Vertical and/or horizontal migration was not occurred, except 2 hips which were complicated by deep infection. 4. Change of acetabular cup inclination than 5 degrees were not occurred. 5. Radiolucent line wider than 2mm was not found. 6. In final follow up of out 41 hips optimal stability was obtained in 39 hips, suboptimal stability was obtained in 2 hips, and definite instability was not found.
Acetabulum ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Hip Prosthesis ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Orthopedics ; Osteoarthritis, Hip

Intertrochanteric fractures are common in older age group. Recently better implant design and surgical technique have improved clinical results. But still many patients suffer from high morbidity and mortality, because of accompanying osteoporosis and various senile diseases. From January 1991 to June 1994, we treated 54 patients older than 70 years with intertrochanteric fractures of femur. Among them, 23 patients were followed up at our hospital and the other patients were informed from police station. Lost follow up was ten patients and final follow up were 44 patients. Mortality was analyzed for the detection of causative factors, such as age, sex, associated medical problems. type of fracture, degree of osteoporosis, type of operation, internal between injury and operation and duration of admission. The results were as follows; 1. 26 patients survived and 18 patients died(Mortality rate :40.9%) 2. 10 patients died within 1 year(Mortality rate :22.7%) 3. Mortality was related to associated medical problems, interval between in jury and operation and type of fracture, which were statistically significant(P < 0.05).
Aged ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Mortality ; Osteoporosis ; Police