OBJECTIVES: Radiofrequency(RF) ablation is an effective and low risk curative treatment for supraventricular arrhythmias. Catheter ablation produced cardiac lesions primarily through formation of coagulation necrosis. We evaluated the degree of myocardial injury after RF catheter ablation by means of serial measurement of myocardial enzyme. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia were included. There were 32 men and 19 women(mean age. 39.5+/-15.4 years)All patients underwent electrophysiologic study to detect accessary pathway and ablation with radiofreguency current. A mean of 18.3+/-14.2 radiofrequency pulses were delivered. The pulses were at a power of 50 to 60 Volts for a duration of 20 to 30 seconds. Unipolar method and a 6F or 7F catheter with a 4 mm tip electrode was used. LDH, CPK and Ck-MB as a kind of cardiac enzyme were measured before and after ablation. RESULTS: 1) The concentration of LDH and CPK were elecated at 8 hours and 16 hours after ablation (p<0.05). 2) The concentration of CK-MB was elevated at 8 hours, 16 hours, 24 hours and 72 hours after ablation(p<0.05). 3) There was no correlation between the number of applications and amounts of radiofrequency current and rise in LDH, CPK, CK-MB concentration. CONCLUSION: The concentration of LDH, CPK and CK-MB were elevated after ablation but they were within normal limits. RF catheter ablation produced myocardial damage inevitably but were within normal limits. RF catheter ablation produced myocardial damage inevitably but minimally, then RF ablation is an effective and safe therapeutic modality for patients with symptomatic tachyarrhythmias.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Catheter Ablation* ; Catheters ; Electrodes ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Tachycardia ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular*

PURPOSE: Spiculation pathologically correlated with irregular fibrosis, localized lymphatic spread of tumor, or an infiltrative growth pattern of tumor, and the spiculation was Observed in malignant mass. But the spiculation was also observed in benign mass, particularly in tuberculoma. We retrospectively reviewed the length of spiculation under the hypothesis that the length of spiculation could be one of differential diagnostic points between lung cancer and tuberculoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied thirty seven patients (27 men and 10 women) ranging in age from 35 to 80 years (mean, 60 years). Analysis of spiculation included (a) the number of spicules (b) the mean length of spicules (c) the mean length of the longest spicule (d) the percentage of the mean length of spicules to the longest diameter of mass (e) the percentage of the mean length of spicules to the shortest dia, meter of mass. RESULTS: The mean length of spicules of tuberculoma was 13.8 mm (S. D. 6.7) and that of lung cancer was 5.7 mm (S. D. 3.5). The percentage of the mean length of spicules to the longest diameter of tuberculoma was 63.6% and that of lung cancer was 13.7%. The percentage of the mean length of spicules to the shortest diameter of tuberculoma was 90.4% and that of lung cancer w~s 18.3%. CONCLUSION: It is hard to differentiate lung cancer from tuberculoma on the basis of the spiculation being present or not, but we suggest that the longer spiculation be more highly suggestive of tuberculoma rather than lung cancer. The length of spiculation may help us differentiate lung cancer from tuberculoma.
Fibrosis ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculoma*

No abstract available.
Neurons* ; Reflex*

No abstract available.
Female ; Ovary*

In order to evaluate the clinical application of the Nd:YAG laser(Coherent model 9900(R)) to correct the astigmatism, we observed the change in corneal curvature, thickness and endothelium after laser radiation to the rabbit cornea. The experiment composed of 14 rabbit eyes divided into two groups according to the power setting; 7 eyes of 2.5mJ group, and 7 eyes of 5mJ group. Lader pulse was focused at corneal epithelium and an average of 25-30 applications were required to make the single pair of transverse line like conventional lineal corneal transverse incision for one eye. Changes ir keratometry and pachymetry were measured postlaser application for 3 months. Seven days after radiation, two rabbit eyes(2.5mJ and 5mJ) were enucleated for scanning electron microscopy. The results were as follows: 1. The mean flattening induced at 900 meridian was 1.91 diopter in 2.5mJ group and 1.98 diopter in 5mJ group 3 months after laser radiation, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(p>0.5). 2. The steepening at 1800 meridian induced only one week after laser radiation in both groups, thereafter the flattening was shown. 3. The significant mean corneal thickness increase of 30.72pm in 2.5mJ group and 33.47 micrometer in 5mJ group was noted at postlaser 7 days and returned to normal range at postlaser 2 months, but the corneal thickness showed no significant statistical difference between two group(p>0.5). 4. Scanning electron microscopy findings showed changes of the ultrastructure of the endothelial cell: edematous changes of the endothelial cell and cell membrane destruction were much less in 2.5mJ group than 5mJ group.
Astigmatism ; Cell Membrane ; Cornea ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium* ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Rabbits* ; Reference Values

In order to evaluate the clinical application of the Nd:YAG laser(Coherent model 9900(R)) to correct the astigmatism, we observed the change in corneal curvature, thickness and endothelium after laser radiation to the rabbit cornea. The experiment composed of 14 rabbit eyes divided into two groups according to the power setting; 7 eyes of 2.5mJ group, and 7 eyes of 5mJ group. Lader pulse was focused at corneal epithelium and an average of 25-30 applications were required to make the single pair of transverse line like conventional lineal corneal transverse incision for one eye. Changes ir keratometry and pachymetry were measured postlaser application for 3 months. Seven days after radiation, two rabbit eyes(2.5mJ and 5mJ) were enucleated for scanning electron microscopy. The results were as follows: 1. The mean flattening induced at 900 meridian was 1.91 diopter in 2.5mJ group and 1.98 diopter in 5mJ group 3 months after laser radiation, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(p>0.5). 2. The steepening at 1800 meridian induced only one week after laser radiation in both groups, thereafter the flattening was shown. 3. The significant mean corneal thickness increase of 30.72pm in 2.5mJ group and 33.47 micrometer in 5mJ group was noted at postlaser 7 days and returned to normal range at postlaser 2 months, but the corneal thickness showed no significant statistical difference between two group(p>0.5). 4. Scanning electron microscopy findings showed changes of the ultrastructure of the endothelial cell: edematous changes of the endothelial cell and cell membrane destruction were much less in 2.5mJ group than 5mJ group.
Astigmatism ; Cell Membrane ; Cornea ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium* ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Rabbits* ; Reference Values

No abstract available.
Pneumonia* ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Thorax*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Cats* ; Reflex*

No abstract available.
Cordocentesis*

The posterior cruciate ligament is an anatomically and biomechanically complex structure. PCL injuries are reported to occur in 1-40% of acute knee injuries, with isolated PCL tear, less common than PCL tears combined with other Iigament injuries. Controversy exists concerning the geatment of the PCL injures. Recently, arthroscopic techniques of PCL reconstruction are becoming nore refined and reproducible. Between July 1993 and May 1995, 25 operations for PCL rupture were performed in our hospital. At the follow-up examinations we noted mild to moderate posterior instablilty which was not noted at the time of operation and during the immediate postoperative period. We reviewed type (if injuries, amplitude of initial posterior tibia1 translation, surgical techniques, which seemcd to be in relation ivith the postoperative instabilities. At final follow-up, the mean Lysholm knee score was 86 points, and the posterior tibial translation 6.5mm on posterior stress radiographs. The ligament augmentation device provided no benefit. The ideal positioning and fixation of the graft and protection of the graft from abrasion seemed to be important to get a good results.
Follow-Up Studies ; Knee ; Knee Injuries ; Ligaments ; Patellar Ligament* ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; Postoperative Period ; Rupture ; Transplants*