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*

In order to observe the change of epicardial ECG(Eep), left ventricular pressure, left ventricular dp/dt and the development of arrhythmia during regional myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, proximal LAD was ligated for 30 minutes and reperfused suddenly for 30 minytes in eleven mongrel dogs which were grouped into control(n=6) and diltiazem(n=5) group. In diltiazem group, diltiazem infusion was started 10 minutes prior to reperfusion with the speed of 0.02mg/kg/min for 25 minutes. The amount of injury current was measured from TQ segment and ST segment changes of Eep, and its effect on the incidence of reperfusion arrhythmia was evaluated. Eep, LV pressure, LV dp/dt and ECG were simultaneously recoreded with the paper speed of 100mm/sec at predetermined time intervals, and 6 channel ECG(standard lead I, II, III, AVR, AVL, AVF) was recorded continuously with paper speed of 10mm/sec throughout the experiment. The results were as follows ; 1) After ligation of LAD, the polarity QRS of Eep changed to show monophasic shape from 3-4 minutes, TQ segment depressed to reach minumum level at 4-7 minutes and ST segment elevated to reach maximum level at 4-5 minutes. These changes recovered rapidly to pre-ligation state after reperfusion, and this tendency was not affected by diltiazem. 2) The absolute value of LV dp/dt max and LV dp/dt min decreased 10% at 2-4 minutes after LAD ligation, and began to recover from 7 minutes after reperfusion to reach peak recovery value at 20 minutes after reperfusion in control group. In diltiazem group, it decreased 15% after diltiazem infusion and began to recover from 1 minutes after reperfusion to reach peak recovery value at 7 minutes after reperefusion. 3) Ischemic ventricular fibrillation was observed at the time of maximum TQ depression and ST segment elevation and 4 out of 6 events were developed within 5 minutes after LAD ligation. The cases with Isch-Vf developed Rep-Vf without exception, which was observed in 8 out of 11 cases and was noted within 1 minutes after reperfusion except one. 4) Maximum ST elevation was significantly higher in group with Rep-Vf then in group without Rep-Vf(Rep-Vf(+);18.5+/-11.1, Rep-Vf(-);10.3e+/-6.9, p<0.05), and also maximum ST elevation was significantly higher in group with both Isch-Vf and Rep-Vf then in group with only Rep-Vf(Isch-Vf+Rep-Vf;28.5+/-7.8, Rep-Vf only;10,5+/-4.7, P<0.01). 5) The incidende of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation was 83% in control group(5 out of 6) and 60% in diltiazem group(3 out of 5), but the inhibitory effect of diltiazem on the reperfusion Vf could not be confirmed due to the difference of the incidence of ischemic Vf between the two groups(control group;67%(4 out of 6), ditiazem group;20%(1out of 5)). In conclusion, maximum injury current developed 4-7 minutes after coronary artery ligation, and maximum ST elevation value was significantly related with the development of ischemic Vf and reperfusion Vf, and the inhibitory effect of diltiazem on the reperfusion ventricular fibrillation could not be confirmed in this study.
Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Depression ; Diltiazem* ; Dogs ; Electrocardiography* ; Incidence ; Ligation* ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Reperfusion* ; Ventricular Fibrillation ; Ventricular Pressure

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

OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to define the usefulness of the computerized neuropsychological test (CNT) for evaluation of cognitive deficit in the patients with brain injury. METHOD: Twenty five subjects with brain injury (16 males, 9 females) were enrolled. Their mean age was 39.2 years. All patient were assessed their cognitive function using CNT. The CNT consisted of digit span, verbal learning test, visual span test, visual learning test, auditory continuous performance test, auditory controlled continuous performance test, visual continuous performance test, visual controlled continuous performance test, word-color test, hypothesis formation test and trail making test. Scores of each subtest on CNT analysed according to the brain lesion and involved hemisphere of the patients. RESULTS: In patients with left hemisphere lesion, scores in digit span and verbal-learning test were lower than that of right side lesion (p<0.05). In contrast, patients with right hemisphere lesion showed significantly lower scores in visual span and visual-learning test (p<0.05). The patients with frontal lobe lesion marked lower scores in verbal-learning and word-color test than the patients without frontal lesion (p<0.01). Whereas the patients with parietal lobe lesion showed significantly lower scores in visual learning test (p<0.05) than the patients without parietal lesion. CONCLUSION: The cognitive deficit following the brain lesion could be characterized using CNT. CNT is considered to be used as a useful tool in the patients with brain injury for the assessment of their cognitive function.
Brain Injuries* ; Brain* ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Learning ; Male ; Neuropsychological Tests* ; Parietal Lobe ; Rabeprazole ; Trail Making Test ; Verbal Learning

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

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to review the clinical and hematologic findings of the preterm infants delivered from pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH) mothers. METHODS: The data were collected by reviewing the medical records on the current prognosis of preterm birth and sending questionnaires on the status of NICU. We reviewed the medical records from two university hospitals and two resident training hospitals in Gwangju-Chonnam to evaluate the neonatal prognosis of preterm birth from Jan. 1, 1995 to Dec. 31, 1997. RESULTS: The average survival rate of total preterm babies was 79.6%. According to birth weights, survival rate from less than 1,000 gm was 10%, 1,000-1,499 gm was 55.3%, 1,500-1,999 gm was 82.2%. Maternal risk factors were pretmature rupture of membrane(42.2%), preterm labor (21.3%), PIH(10.7%), multiple pregnancy(8.2%) and incompetent internal os of cervix(4.2%). The average gestational age and birth weight were 34.2+/-2.3 weeks and 1,940+/-620 gm in the preterm infants born to mothers with PIH. The death rate was 12.9% in the preterm infants born to mothers with PIH. There were no significant differences in the incidence of RDS, use of assisted ventilation and surfactant, and frequency of the blood transfusion between the preterm infants born to normotensive mothers and those to mothers with PIH. There were significant differences in the total WBC count, platelet count and the concentration of the Mg, Ca and P between the preterm infants born to normotensive mothers and those to mothers with PIH. CONCLUSION: Our results may be helpful to predict the perinatal complications and manage the preterm infants by considering the clinical and hematologic findings of preterm infants born to mothers with PIH.
Birth Weight ; Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced* ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Mothers* ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Platelet Count ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; Prognosis ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Rupture ; Survival Rate ; Ventilation

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cognitive impairment in the elderly has been increasing in recent years with the growing of the aged population. Clinical assessment of cognitive function and mood is very important because cognitive impairment and depression commonly coexist in the elderly. The elderly interacts with the other family members, so cognitive impairment of the elderly influence family function. The objectives of this study were to delineate the factors correlated with cognitive function and to explore the relationship of depression and family function with cognitive function. METHODS: This study was done during 20 day period from July to August, 1996. The subjects were home residents aged 60 years or more living in a subcounty of Kyungpook Province, Korea. The final analysis included 195 subjects(male 95, female 100). The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, MMSE-K(Korean version of Mini Mental State Examination) for evaluation of cognitive function, BDI for evaluation of depression and family APGAR score for evaluation of family function. The results were analyzed by descriptive, comparative and correlative analysis. RESULTS: Mean MMSE-K score was 25.3+/-4.3 with female subjects(23.9+/-4.8) having significantly higher cognitive impairment when compaired to male subjects(26.6+/-3.2)(P<0.001). MMSE-K score was associated with gender, age, year of education(P<0.001), BDI and APGAR score(P<0.05). Religion, smoking and alcohol use were not associated with MMSE-K score. The prevalence of dementia by MMSE-K was 9.7% in definite dementia (MMSE-K<_19) and 23.1% with questionable dementia(20<_MMSE-K<_23). In male, the prevalence was 1.1% and 20.0% respectively. In female, the prevalence was 18.0% and 26% respectively, indicating difference between male and female subjects(P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the elderly, female gender, older age and lower educational level were associated with cognitive function impairment. There was a positive correlation between cognitive function and family function. The group with impaired cognitive function had more depression than the normal group.
Aged* ; Apgar Score ; Dementia ; Depression* ; Female ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: The aneurysms developed at internal carotid artery(ICA) bifurcation can be different from other aneurysms because there are many perforating arteries and the hemodynamic changes are characteristic. In this report, we present our cases of ICA bifurcation aneurysms and discuss the clinical features and surgical outcomes of these aneurysms. METHODS: From January 1989 to May 2001, total 808 patients(982 aneurysms) were operated for intracranial aneurysms at our hospital. Among them, twenty two patients(2.7%) had aneurysms at ICA bifurcation. We discussed clinical features according to mental status at admission, size, direction and multiplicity of aneurysms, presence of intracranial hemorrhage and rupture of ICA bifurcation aneurysms. And we also discussed the surgical results of operations depending on pre-operative Hunt-Hess grade and size of aneurysms. RESULTS: Mean age was 43.4 years old and 10 cases(45.5%) were below 40 years old. Six patients(27.2%) had large or giant aneurysms. Fifteen(68.2%) out of 22 patients had good results, 1 fair, 1 poor and 5 dead. CONCLUSION: In our ICA bifurcation aneurysm cases, we conclude that their onset is relative in younger age, and they has a higher incidence of multiple(34.6%) and larger aneurysm(27.2%) than other anterior circulatory aneurysm. And the surgical results of ICA bifurcation aneurysm are relatively poor.
Adult ; Aneurysm* ; Arteries ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Rupture ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

No abstract available.
Catheters* ; Drainage* ; Lung Abscess* ; Lung*