BACKGROUND: Studies of human coronary plaque specimens have shown that T lymphocytes and macrophages are present in all types of lesions, from fatty streaks to advanced plaques. There is growing evidence for a pathogenic role for immune response in progression of atherosclerosis. This study was designed to investigate cytokine production by mononuclear leukocytes from patients with myocardial infarction. METHOD: We measured the kinetics of secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-r (IFN-r) by mononuclear leukocytes from 8 control subjects and 12 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Mononuclear leukocytes were isolated and incubated with plant lectin mitogen concanavalin-A for 24 and 48 hours. TNF-alpha and IFN-r secretions were measured by ELISA. RESULTS:There were no significant differences between TNF-alpha and IFN-r secretions by mononuclear leukocytes at and before 24 hours of incubation from both patients and control subjects, but TNF-alpha and IFN-r secretions at 48 hours of incubation were higher (p<0.005, p<0.05) in patients when compared with control subjects. TNF-alpha and IFN-r secretions by mononuclear leukocytes after incubation correlated with the peak level of creatine phosphokinase (CK) and CK-MB. CONCLUSION: Increased cytokine secretory capacity of mononuclear leukocytes may be due to the acute inflammatory response of myocardial infarction. Further trials may be needed to determined the effects of increase in secretory capacity of mononuclear leukocytes before myocardial infarction.
Atherosclerosis ; Creatine Kinase ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear* ; Macrophages ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Plants ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic derangements of cardiac tamponade are generally believed to result from compression of the cardiac chambers, which limits diastolic filling. The character and magnitude of the alternation are determined by the compliance characteristics of the pericardium and the total pericardial fluid volume. During serial pericardial fluid withdrawal, improvement of hemodynamic alternations is expected in patients with pericardial effusion. Method : Hemodynamic study was performed before and during serial fluid drainage in 11 patients with chronic moderate to severe pericardial effusion. RESULTS: 1) Intrapericardial pressure was elevated and equal to mean right atrial ventricular diastolic, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Pulmonary arterial and right ventricular systolic pressure were also midly elevated equal to one another. 2) Pericardial fluid was gradually removed in 50ml aliquots in all patients. The most significant hemodynamic improvement occured during intial 50mL withdrawal. Futher drainage of intrapericardial fluid was accompanied by slight hemodynamic improvement. 3) There were significant correlations between total pericardial fluid volume and intrapericardial and right atrial pressure (r=0.75 (p<0.005), r=0.71(p<0.01)). Correlations between intrapericardial pressure and right atrial, right ventricular diastolic and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were also significant. 4) Two groups of patient could be distinguished based upon intrapericardial pressure as 7mmHg. More significant hemodynamic changes were in 6 patients with higher intrapericardial pressure after withdrawal of 200mL fluid. CONCLUSION: In chronic moderate to severe pericardial effusion, the most significant hemodynamic improvement occurred during initial fluid drainage. Early pericardiocentesis is important in management of pericardial effusion with high intrapericardial pressure.
Atrial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiac Tamponade ; Compliance ; Drainage* ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Pericardial Effusion* ; Pericardiocentesis ; Pericardium ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

No abstract available.
Congenital Abnormalities* ; Humerus*

Eighty long bone open fractures were treated with immediate internal fixation within an average of 7.4 hours after trauma from June, 1984 to September, 1989. Mean follow-up was 17 months ranging from 1 year to 3 years and 4 months. Fifty-four tibia, 11 femur, 9 forearm, and 6 humerus open fractures were encountered. According to Gustilo and Anderson's wound classification, there were 19 Type I, 26 Type II, and 35 Type III open fractures. Internal fixation was facilitated with plate and screws in 58 cases, Ender nails in 13 cases, Kuntscher nails in 3 cases, and screws only in 5cases. Bone grafting was performed in 47 cases. Uncomplicated union was achieved in 16cases (84 %) in type I, 23 cases (88%) in Type II, and 18 cases (51%) in Type III. Transient soft tissue infection was noted in 3 cases(16%) in Type I, 3 cases(8%) in Type II, and 5 cases(14%) in Type III. Transient osteomyelitis was present in 1 caes(4%) in Type II, and 4 cases(11%) in Type III, and all were resolved within 1 month. Three cases of Type III open fractures where mutilated injury was associated with severe vascular injuries were ended up with amputation. Five unions (14%) in Type III were complicated with chronic osteomyelitis. Overall uncomplicated union was achieved in 38 cases (87%) in Type I & II, and 18 cases (51%) in Type III. Soft tissue coverage especially with viable muscle and stable fixation with good cortical contact seemed to be important prognostic factors. While there exists potential disadvantages of higher minor and major complication rates and more sophisticated management of the patient, this one-stage open reduction and internal fixation with bone graft which converts open fracture into stable closed fracture might be of some value especially in Type I & II open fractures in terms of simultaneous management of fracture and open wound, prevention of secondary infection, anatomical reduction including joint congruity, stable maintenance of reduction, elimination of deformity, and early joint motion.
Amputation ; Bone Transplantation ; Classification ; Coinfection ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forearm ; Fractures, Closed ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Humerus ; Joints ; Osteomyelitis ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Tibia ; Transplants ; Vascular System Injuries ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires*

From July 1989 to August 1991, we performed 146 cases of endoscopic sphincterotomy(EST). In our series, 9 early complications occurred in 146 cases(morbidity rate: 6.2%), and no fatalities were recognized(mortality rate:0). Four cases with late complications consisted of 2 cases of acute cholecystitis, one case of chalaagitis and restenosis. There were 36 with the gallbladder with stone(11 cases) or without stone(25 cases). Two cases with chalecystitis after EST occurred in the patients with gallbladder stones. EST gives the sufficient result in diagnosis and treatment for various disease of biliary tract. Furthermore, EST was found to be a safe procedure from low rates of complications and fatalities.
Biliary Tract ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Diagnosis ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic*

We performed ERCP manometry of Sphincter of Oddi(SO) before and after endoscopic sphincterotomy(EST) for evaluation of the effect af EST on the SO. The subjects were postcholecystectomized common bile duct stone patients(n=l2) and EST was performed by major incision. The pressure gradient between common bile duct and duodenum before EST (8.6 + 3.9 mmHg) decreased significantly after EST(2.4 +1.7 mmHg). The length of SO before EST(8.8 + 0.8mmHg) decreased significantly after EST(2.5 + 0.8mm). But in each patient, the pressure gradient between common bile duct and duodenum remained in spite of the major incision. In conclusion, EST alters the function of the sphincter of the Oddi, but does not destroy its all protective function. The positive pressure in the bile duct is preserved in contrast to the absolute loss of pressure following surgical transduodenal sphincteroplasty.
Bile Ducts ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Common Bile Duct ; Duodenum ; Humans ; Manometry* ; Sphincter of Oddi* ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic* ; Sphincterotomy, Transhepatic

A choledochocele is a benign cyst-like herniation of the intramural segment of the distal common bile duct protruding into the duodenal lumen. Cholangiography is essential to demonstrate a choledochocele. Because choledochoceles are often associated with characteristic structual alterations of the papilla of Vater and the peripapillary area, ERCP is helpful in demonstrating a choledochocele. We present the clinical, endoscopic and radiographic (ERCP) findings in a patient with choledochocele.
Cholangiography ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledochal Cyst* ; Common Bile Duct ; Humans

A choledochocele is a benign cyst-like herniation of the intramural segment of the distal common bile duct protruding into the duodenal lumen. Cholangiography is essential to demonstrate a choledochocele. Because choledochoceles are often associated with characteristic structual alterations of the papilla of Vater and the peripapillary area, ERCP is helpful in demonstrating a choledochocele. We present the clinical, endoscopic and radiographic (ERCP) findings in a patient with choledochocele.
Cholangiography ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledochal Cyst* ; Common Bile Duct ; Humans