No abstract available.
Humans

BACKGROUND: In an effort t enhance long term patency of coronary bypass grafts, utilization of arterial conduits have been on an icrease. With the same objective, we have been using the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) in coronary artery bypass procedures since 1998. The current paper has been undertaken with the aim of assessing the apropriateness, problems, and short term results of using the RGEA as an arterial graft conduit by studying the postoperative clinical results of 100 patients than received coronary artery bypass grafting (CARG) with this artery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between May of 1998 and May of 1999, an analysis of the mortality, postoperative myocardial infarction, and the need for IABP insertion as a result of low cardiac output were made between 100 consecutive patients undergoing CABG with the RGEA. There was one postoperative death due to cerebral infarction. Postoperative complications/morbidity comprised myocardial infarction in 2, cerebral infarct in 3, reoperation due to bleeding in 1, mediastinitis in 1, and low cardiac output syndrome necessitating IABP in 3 patients. Complicatons related to harvesting of the arterial grafts were not experienced in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: The results of the current data show that utilization of the RGEA in CABG is not associated with increased mortality/morbidity and demonstrates satisfactory short term results suggesting the usefulnessof this conduit as an arterial graft.
Arteries ; Cardiac Output, Low ; Cerebral Infarction ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Gastroepiploic Artery* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mediastinitis ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Reoperation ; Transplants

Sex cord stromal tumors (GCT) of the ovary compose just 5% of ovarian tumors. Most of them are granulosa cell tumors (GCT). There are two types of tumors, juvenile (JGCT) and adult type (AGCT), which have different clinical and histopathological features. JGCT represents only 5% of GCT. GCT is characterized by secretion of estrogen. Patients may present with vaginal bleeding in adult type, and sexual pseudoprecocity in juvenile type, as results of prolonged exposure to tumor-derived estrogen. Surgery is a principle of treatment and required for definite tissue diagnosis, staging, and tumor debulking. Survival of patients with GCT is generally excellent because most patients present with early stage disease. Because of the propensity of GCT to recur years after initial diagnosis, prolonged surveillance such as physical examination and serum tumor markers such as estradiol and inhibin is reasonable. We present 5 cases GCT, 4 AGCT and 1 JGCT, with brief review of literature.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Female ; Granulosa Cell Tumor* ; Granulosa Cells* ; Humans ; Inhibins ; Ovary* ; Physical Examination ; Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Uterine Hemorrhage

Phonocardiography is the graphic registration of various bands of the vibratory spectrum. We used the phonocardiogram as a monitoring apparatus. A 62-year-old man was scheduled for mitral valve replacement. After induction of general anesthesia and tracheal intubation, we inserted an esophageal stethoscope attached with a wireless microphone, amplifier, galvanometer and transcription system. The resulting phonocardiogram revealed a pan-systolic murmur. After successful replacement of the mitral valve, the phonocardiogram showed no sign of heart murmur. So we are convinced that the application of the phonocardiogram can be a useful monitoring device for valvular surgery.
Anesthesia, General ; Heart Murmurs ; Humans ; Intubation ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve* ; Phonocardiography ; Stethoscopes

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the stroke mechanism and the factors associated with ischemic stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who were on optimal oral anticoagulation with warfarin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter case-control study. The cases were consecutive patients with NVAF who developed cerebral infarction or transient ischemic attack (TIA) while on warfarin therapy with an international normalized ratio (INR) > or =2 between January 2007 and December 2011. The controls were patients with NVAF without ischemic stroke who were on warfarin therapy for more than 1 year with a mean INR > or =2 during the same time period. We also determined etiologic mechanisms of stroke in cases. RESULTS: Among 3569 consecutive patients with cerebral infarction or TIA who had NVAF, 55 (1.5%) patients had INR > or =2 at admission. The most common stroke mechanism was cardioembolism (76.0%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that smoking and history of previous ischemic stroke were independently associated with cases. High CHADS2 score (> or =3) or CHA2DS2-VASc score (> or =5), in particular, with previous ischemic stroke along with > or =1 point of other components of CHADS2 score or > or =3 points of other components of CHA2DS2-VASc score was a significant predictor for development of ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: NVAF patients with high CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc scores and a previous ischemic stroke or smoking history are at high risk of stroke despite optimal warfarin treatment. Some other measures to reduce the risk of stroke would be necessary in those specific groups of patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation/*complications ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebral Infarction/complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Stroke/etiology/*prevention & control ; Warfarin/adverse effects/*therapeutic use

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the stroke mechanism and the factors associated with ischemic stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who were on optimal oral anticoagulation with warfarin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter case-control study. The cases were consecutive patients with NVAF who developed cerebral infarction or transient ischemic attack (TIA) while on warfarin therapy with an international normalized ratio (INR) > or =2 between January 2007 and December 2011. The controls were patients with NVAF without ischemic stroke who were on warfarin therapy for more than 1 year with a mean INR > or =2 during the same time period. We also determined etiologic mechanisms of stroke in cases. RESULTS: Among 3569 consecutive patients with cerebral infarction or TIA who had NVAF, 55 (1.5%) patients had INR > or =2 at admission. The most common stroke mechanism was cardioembolism (76.0%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that smoking and history of previous ischemic stroke were independently associated with cases. High CHADS2 score (> or =3) or CHA2DS2-VASc score (> or =5), in particular, with previous ischemic stroke along with > or =1 point of other components of CHADS2 score or > or =3 points of other components of CHA2DS2-VASc score was a significant predictor for development of ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: NVAF patients with high CHADS2/CHA2DS2-VASc scores and a previous ischemic stroke or smoking history are at high risk of stroke despite optimal warfarin treatment. Some other measures to reduce the risk of stroke would be necessary in those specific groups of patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation/*complications ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Case-Control Studies ; Cerebral Infarction/complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Stroke/etiology/*prevention & control ; Warfarin/adverse effects/*therapeutic use

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pelviscopic surgery. METHODS: Between May 1996 and April 2000, we evaluated indication of operation, mean age, parity, previous operation history, type of operation, duration of hospitalization and complications. RESULTS: The results are summarized as follows ; 1) The mean age of patients was 34.8 years with ranges between 20 and 55 years old. 2) The majority of patients were between 36 years and 40 years old(23.6%). 3) The major clinical indications included 174 cases of adnexal mass(33.4%), 125 cases of ectopic pregnancy(24.0%), 59 cases of endometriosis(11.3%). 4) The types of operation composed of 168 cases diagnostic laparoscopy(30.7%), salpingectomy(17.2%), cystectomy(11.4%), LAVH(11.2%). 5) Previous laparotomy history was found in 146 cases(28.0%). 6) The mean duration of hospitalization was 4.4 days. CONCLUSIONS: The pelviscopy can be safely performed, resulting in reduced surgical morbidity, less blood loss, less postoperative discomfort and pain, shortened hospital stays and shorter recovery days. With the increased use of markers and ultrasonography to decrease the possibility of inappropriate surgery, combined with more defined exterpation techniques, the interest in laparoscopic ovarian surgery is burgeoning. And technologic advances afford us the opportunity to offer patients a number of alternatives to open surgery. The choice of anesthetic technique varies with requirements of the surgeon, the health status and preference of the patient, the type of facility and the availability of well trained professionals, support personnel and equipment. In conclusion, the pelviscopic surgery is alternative to laparotomy.
Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Length of Stay ; Middle Aged ; Parity ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major catechin in green tea, and has shown antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic and cell cycle pertubation activity in various tumor models. Hypoxia can be induced because angiogenesis is insufficient for highly proliferating cancer. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and its downstream target, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are important for angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. The aim of this study was to determine how hypoxia could cause changes in the cellular phenomena and microenvironment in a non-small cell culture system and to examine the effects of EGCG on a HIF-1alpha and VEGF in A549 cell line. METHODS: A549 cells, a non-small cell lung cancer cell line, were cultured with DMEM and 10% fetal bovine serum. A decrease in oxygen tension was induced using a hypoxia microchamber and a CO2-N2 gas mixture. Gas analysis and a MTT assay were performed. The A549 cells were treated with EGCG (0, 12.5, 25, 50 micromol/L), and then examined by real-time-PCR analysis of HIF-1alpha, VEGF, and beta-actin mRNA. RESULTS: Hypoxia reduced the proliferation of A549 cells from normoxic conditions. EGCG inhibited HIF-1alpha transcription in A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Compared to HIF-1alpha, VEGF was not inhibited by EGCG. CONCLUSION: HIF-1alpha can be inhibited by EGCG. This suggests that targeting HIF-1alpha with a EGCG treatment may have therapeutic potential in non-small cell lung cancers.
Actins ; Anoxia ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Catechin ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Oxygen ; RNA, Messenger ; Tea ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

These guidelines aim to establish the standard practice for diagnosing and treating patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Based on the Korean Thyroid Association (KTA) Guidelines on DTC management, the “Treatment of Advanced DTC” section was revised in 2024 and has been provided through this chapter. Especially, this chapter covers surgical and nonsurgical treatments for the local (previous surgery site) or regional (cervical lymph node metastasis) recurrences. After drafting the guidelines, it was finalized by collecting opinions from KTA members and related societies. Surgical resection is the preferred treatment for local or regional recurrence of advanced DTC. If surgical resection is not possible, nonsurgical resection treatment under ultrasonography guidance may be considered as an alternative treatment for local or regional recurrence of DTC. Furthermore, if residual lesions are suspected even after surgical resection or respiratory-digestive organ invasion, additional radioactive iodine and external radiation treatments are considered.

Pediatric differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs), mostly papillary thyroid cancer (PTC, 80-90%), are diagnosed at more advanced stages with larger tumor sizes and higher rates of locoregional and/or lung metastasis. Despite the higher recurrence rates of pediatric cancers than of adult thyroid cancers, pediatric patients demonstrate a lower mortality rate and more favorable prognosis. Considering the more advanced stage at diagnosis in pediatric patients, preoperative evaluation is crucial to determine the extent of surgery required. Furthermore, if hereditary tumor syndrome is suspected, genetic testing is required. Recommendations for pediatric DTCs focus on the surgical principles, radioiodine therapy according to the postoperative risk level, treatment and follow-up of recurrent or persistent diseases, and treatment of patients with radioiodine-refractory PTCs on the basis of genetic drivers that are unique to pediatric patients.