BACKGROUND: Coronary arterigraphy has been used as a tool to assess the degree of coronary artery narrowing and the result of balloon angioplasty, which frequently underestimates the degree of atherosclerosis. Intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) can give more delicate information about plaque morphology and the result of coronary intervention. We compared qualitaive and quantitative measurement between IVUS and coronary angiography after coronary intervention. METHODS: We used 30 or 20 MHz intravascular ultrasound catheter which was connected to Hewlett Packard Sonos 1500 Intravasscular equiment in 5 coronary balloon angiopasty and 3 Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation cases. Sites of intervention were at the left anterior descending coronary artery in 7 patients and at the left circumflex artery in one patient. Quantitative coronary angiography(QCA) was done by CAAS II system. We measured referenc diameter(RD), minimal lumen diamter(MLD), Lumen and vessel cross sectional areas(LCSA,VCSA) obstraction area(OA) and plaque area(PA) and also analysed plaque morphology. RESULTS: 1) IVUS is more sensitive in the detection of eccentricity, Calcification and dissection. 2) Before intervention, the mean reference diameter was 2.87+/-0.42mm,3.07+/-0.39mm,% diameter stenosis was 52.4+/-11.6%,65.3+/-9.22% and MLD was 1.32+/-0.24mm, 1.07+/-0.23mm in IVUS and QCA, respectively, which were no statistical significance between these parameters(p>0.05). After intervention, MLD and OA increased significantly(p<0.01) com pared with basal values but there were no significant difference between MLD and OA between 2 measurements(p>0.05). Plaque area measured by IVUS decreased from 9.84 to 7.26mm2 without statistical significance(p>0.05). 3) There was a good correlation in the measurement of the reference segments before intervention but this correlation was much lower after intervention in the reference and stenosis segments between 2 methods(r=0.8723 vs 0.6538, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: IVUS is considered as a sensitive tool in the detection of calcification, eccentricity and dissection and in evaluationg the results of the coronary intervention.
Angioplasty, Balloon ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Stents ; Ultrasonography*

Microparticle induced inflammatory reaction has been extensively studied as a potential cause of implant loosening. However, there has been little in vivo study on the effect of the particles on the preserved cartilage in partial joint replacements. The purpose of this study was to determine in vivo effects of microparticles on the articular cartilage. Ninety rabbit knee joints were challenged repeatedly with 1-3 micron commercial pure titanium (Ti) and 1-45 micron ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (PE). After 12 weeks, patella and distal femur were harvested for determination of degenerative change by light and scanning electron microscope. The results are as follows: 1, In the joints without exposure of the subchondral bone, neither Ti nor PE elicited significant change. However, simultaneous introduction of both particles resulted in significant degeneration of the articular cartilage. 2. With the subchondral bones exposed, Ti and PE both induced significant cartilage degeneration. In this condition the PE particles were more detrimental than the Ti particles in causing degeneration of the articular cartilage. Although there exists a species difference, these results imply that the longevity of partial joint replacements may be shortened not only by mechanical problems, but also by the microparticles causing secondary degenerative change.
Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular* ; Femur ; Joints ; Knee Joint* ; Knee* ; Longevity ; Molecular Weight ; Patella ; Polyethylene ; Titanium

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a main cause of heart blood vessel disease. To diagnose and treat hypertension, it is necessary to measure blood pressure accurately. There are various factors that influence blood pressure. According to real clinical demonstrators and some recent studies, blood pressure differences between right and left arms are often observed. This study was intended to know whether the differences are really found and wheather the correlation exists between mid-arm circumferences and the blood pressure differences according to right-handed or left-handed which were considered as an important factor in affecting blood pressures. METHODS: One hundred sixty nine college freshmen of year 2001 were chosen. Among them, 103 were right- handed and 66 left-handed. Which arms to be checked first were determined randomly. This sequence was repeated two times on each person. Their mid-arm circumferences were measured, also. RESULTS: For right-handed persons, systolic blood pressure in right arm (119.2+/-12.3 mmHg) was significantly higher than in left arm (118.0+/-12.0 mmHg) (P<0.005). But diastolic blood pressure differences between right arm (75.3+/-10.0 mmHg) and left arm (75.0+/-9.5 mmHg) was not significant statistically. For left-handed persons, systolic blood pressure was 120.3+/-9.9 mmHg in right arm and 120.0+/-10.3 mmHg in left arm. However, diastolic blood pressure in right arm (76.7 9.4 mmHg) was significantly higher than in left arm (75.0+/-8.6 mmHg) (P<0.005). For right handed persons, their arm circumferences (26.2+/-2.8 cm) were significantly thicker than left ones (25.9+/-2.9 cm). For left-handed, left arm circumference (25.9+/-2.7 cm) was significantly thicker than right one (25.5+/-2.6 cm). As for the blood pressure difference in arm tested order, the first measured systolic blood pressure (right arm; 120.9+/-11.7 mmHg, left arm; 120.0+/-11.9 mmHg) was significantly higher than the second measured one (right arm; 118.3+/-11.8 mmHg, left arm; 117.8+/-11.6 mmHg) (P<0.005). However, the first measured diastolic blood pressure (right arm; 76.3+/-10.5 mmHg, left arm; 75.5+/-9.4 mmHg) did not have more significance than the second measured one (right arm; 75.4+/-9.9 mmHg, left arm; 74.6+/-10.8 mmHg). CONCLUSION: The right-handed person's blood pressure was higher in the right arm, but for the left-handed persons it was not significantly different in both arms. The second measurement of blood pressure was lower than the first measurement in both arms. The arm circumference depending on the right/left-handedness influenced the blood pressure, but clear correlation between them was not observed. Therefore, if possible, when the blood pressure is measured, it is advised to check blood pressure in both arms before diagnosing hypertension.
Arm* ; Blood Pressure* ; Blood Vessels ; Hand ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Niacin supplementation improves dyslipidemia and lowers serum phosphorus levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We evaluated whether low-dose niacin supplementation can improve dyslipidemia, lower serum phosphorus levels, and be administered with a low frequency of adverse effects in patients with CKD. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of patients with CKD who had taken niacin from January 2009 to June 2011. We excluded patients with CKD stage 1 and 5. We then enrolled 31 patients with CKD who had taken niacin at a fixed dose of 500mg/day for 6 months. We also randomly selected 30 patients with CKD who had been taking statin for 9 months as a control group. RESULTS: Among the 34 patients with CKD who were prescribed niacin, five (14%) complained of adverse effects, and three (8%) discontinued niacin. The proportion of patients in the niacin group who had been taking a statin or omega-3 fatty acids was 67.7% and 48.8%, respectively. In the niacin group, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was significantly increased and triglyceride level was significantly decreased at 12 and 24 weeks compared with baseline levels (P < 0.05). In the niacin group, phosphorous level (P < 0.05) was significantly decreased, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was significantly increased (P < 0.05) at 24 weeks compared with baseline values. CONCLUSION: Low-dose niacin had a low frequency of adverse effects and also improved dyslipidemia, lowered serum phosphorus level, and increased GFR in patients with CKD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of low-dose niacin for renal progression of CKD.
Cholesterol ; Dyslipidemias ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Lipoproteins ; Niacin ; Phosphorus ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Niacin supplementation improves dyslipidemia and lowers serum phosphorus levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We evaluated whether low-dose niacin supplementation can improve dyslipidemia, lower serum phosphorus levels, and be administered with a low frequency of adverse effects in patients with CKD. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of patients with CKD who had taken niacin from January 2009 to June 2011. We excluded patients with CKD stage 1 and 5. We then enrolled 31 patients with CKD who had taken niacin at a fixed dose of 500mg/day for 6 months. We also randomly selected 30 patients with CKD who had been taking statin for 9 months as a control group. RESULTS: Among the 34 patients with CKD who were prescribed niacin, five (14%) complained of adverse effects, and three (8%) discontinued niacin. The proportion of patients in the niacin group who had been taking a statin or omega-3 fatty acids was 67.7% and 48.8%, respectively. In the niacin group, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was significantly increased and triglyceride level was significantly decreased at 12 and 24 weeks compared with baseline levels (P < 0.05). In the niacin group, phosphorous level (P < 0.05) was significantly decreased, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was significantly increased (P < 0.05) at 24 weeks compared with baseline values. CONCLUSION: Low-dose niacin had a low frequency of adverse effects and also improved dyslipidemia, lowered serum phosphorus level, and increased GFR in patients with CKD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of low-dose niacin for renal progression of CKD.
Cholesterol ; Dyslipidemias ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Lipoproteins ; Niacin ; Phosphorus ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Catheter-related exit site infection is a major risk factor for the development of peritonitis and can contribute to failure of treatment maintenance in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Although povidone-iodine can be used for exit site care, the irritation induced by the local application of povidone-iodine could lead to secondary infection. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical effectiveness of normal saline compared with povidone-iodine as a method of exit site care in chronic PD patients. METHODS: In all, 126 patients undergoing PD treatment for>46 months between January 2006 and December 2009 were enrolled. Data were retrospectively analyzed for the incidence of exit site infection and peritonitis for 2 years prior to and after December 2007. In addition, we identified the incidences of catheter- related infections during follow-ups from January 2010 to December 2013. RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 58.87+/-12.9 years. The incidences of exit site infection and peritonitis were one episode per 64.6 patients-months and one episode per 40.4 patients-months in the povidone-iodine group, respectively, whereas these were one episode per 57.5 patients-months and one episode per 45.6 patients-months in the normal saline group, respectively. Whereas Gram-positive bacteria most frequently caused catheter-related infections in both groups, culture-negative infections were dominant in the normal saline group. CONCLUSION: Exit site care using normal saline did not increase the incidence of exit site infection and peritonitis. Therefore, normal saline may be an alternative treatment for exit site care in patients receiving PD.
Catheter-Related Infections ; Coinfection ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gram-Positive Bacteria ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Peritoneal Dialysis* ; Peritonitis* ; Povidone-Iodine* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Lamivudine and abacavir sulfate are widely used nucleoside/tide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) backbone agents, which are recommended in major international treatment guidelines. The fixed-dose combination of lamivudine and abacavir sulfate has been developed to contribute to low pill burden of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen and patient adherence. A mandatory post-marketing surveillance was conducted in Korea to monitor the safety of Kivexa (lamivudine 300 mg/abacavir 600 mg). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An open label, multi-center, non-interventional post-marketing surveillance was conducted to monitor the safety of Kivexa from July 2011 to July 2017 in 23 hospitals in Korea. Subjects over 12 years old taking Kivexa per prescribing information were enrolled. The primary outcome was defined as the occurrence of any adverse events during the study period. Secondary outcomes included the occurrence of adverse drug reaction, the occurrence of serious adverse events and the effectiveness of Kivexa. RESULTS: A total of 600 patients from 23 hospitals were enrolled within the 6 years of study. The total observation period was 1,004 person-years. Three hundred and ten patients reported 674 adverse events. The incidence of upper respiratory infection (65 cases, 10.9%) was the highest, followed by diarrhea (20 cases, 3.3%), and nausea (18 cases, 3.0%). 109 subjects reported 71 events of adverse drug reactions, and the most common reaction was nausea in 2.33% of the subjects. Thirty-one subjects reported serious adverse events, none of them were considered drug related. From the total of 600 subjects, excluding 48 subjects who were ‘effectiveness unassessable’ by investigators, 552 patients were eligible for the subjective effectiveness analysis. 459 (83.2%) were evaluated as ‘improved’. Proportion of subjects whose human immunodeficiency virus-RNA is <50 copies/ml was 61.2% (309/505) at the beginning of observation and increased to 91.9% (464/505) at the end of study period. CONCLUSIONS The post-marketing surveillance showed the safety of Kivexa in HIV-1 patients in Korea. Ischemic cardiovascular events and hypersensitivity associated with Kivexa were few. There was no significant new safety information. This data may be helpful in implementing Kivexa and lamivudine/abacavir sulfate containing drugs in Korea.