The electrocardiograms of a total of 12,796 patients taken in the past three years at Severance Hospital were reviewed for conduction disturbances which were found in 314 cases(2.46%). Th first degree atrioventricular block occurred in 65 cases, and second degree atrioventricular block with Wenckebach periodicity in 13. There were 9 cases of third degree atrioventricular block with nomal QRS complexes causing Adams-Stokes attacks which represented 2.9% of all conduction disturbances. It occurred equally in both sexes and predominantly after 6th decade of life. There were 99 cases of complete right bundle branch block(RBBB) and 12 cases of complete left bundle branch block(LBBB). The latter were mainly associated with significant heart diseases. As for the intraventricular conduction defects other than the simple bundle branch blocks, the findings were as follows; 1. Simple hemiblocks were found in 92 cases or 0.73% of total series and 29.3% of all conduction disturbances. Left anterior hemiblock(LAH) occurred 3 times more frequently than left posterior hemiblock(LPH). 2. Partial bilateral bundle branch block(BBBB) were found in 25 cases representing 0.2% of the total series and 8.0% of all conduction disturbances. Among the 25 cases of BBB, 11 had RBBB plus LAH, 10 RBBB plus LPH, 1 LBBB plus first degree A-V block, and 3 LBBB of diphtheritic cardic involvement. Trifascicular heart block causing Adams-Stokes attacks occurred in 9 of the 25 cases resulting in death in 7 cases. The underlying diseases were ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, congenital heart disease and diphtheritic carditis. This report represents the first electrocardiographical documentation of occurrence of trifascicular heart block progressing from BBBB in Korea.
Atrioventricular Block ; Bundle-Branch Block ; Electrocardiography* ; Heart Block ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Korea ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Myocarditis ; Periodicity

No abstract available.
Borrelia burgdorferi* ; Borrelia* ; Ixodes* ; Korea* ; Lyme Disease* ; Ticks*

PURPOSE: Because cryptorchid testes are known to undergo histopathologic changes affecting development, maturation, and tertility, early surgical correction is usually recommended. However there are differing opinions concerning whether retractile testes are affected by similar changes and also whether there is a need for surgical treatment. We aimed to assess the histopathologic changes in retractile testis by studying the changes in testes artificially placed back in the abdomen after they have descended to scrotum in experimental rat models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups; a control group(controls), prepubertal ascent group (P) in which testis were placed back intraabdominally by bilateral inguinal canal obstruction at 6 weeks, a neonatal group(N) in which intraabdminal testis was induced by bilateral inguinal canal obstruction at birth. The relative weight of the testis, morphology of the seminiferous tubules including Leydig cells, tubular degeneration phase(TDP), spermatogonia per tubules(S/T), and Sertoli cell index (SCI) of these three groups were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: The relative weight of testis was significantly decreased in the group of N(0.0016+/-0.001) and P(0.0015+/-0.0002) compared to controls(0.0037+/-0.0002) (p<0.05). The S/T value was also decreased in P(2.05+/-18.2) and N(73.2+/-32.4) when compared to controls (360.2+/-21.3). Similar changes were observed in SCI of both P(64.5+/-6.4) and N (91.2+/-14.2) when compared to controls (227.9+/-31.1). Only minority of N and P showed higher TDP values. However, although statistically insignificant, TDP was increased in both P and N when compared to controls. The Leydig cells in N and P showed cellular distortion and hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrate that prepubertal ascent, similar to that of innate cryptorchid testis, also can induce histopathologic changes such as changes in testicular seminiferous tubule, decrease in the S/T value and decrease in SCI value. Our findings supports that hypothesis that retractile testis may cause histological damage thus surgical correction may also be warranted similar to in case of genuine cryptorchism.
Abdomen* ; Animals ; Cryptorchidism ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Inguinal Canal ; Leydig Cells ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Models, Theoretical ; Parturition ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Scrotum ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Spermatogonia ; Testis*

The blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome(CRBNS) is a rare disorder characterized by distinctive vascular malformations of the skin and gastrointestinal tract. The syndrome is associated commonly with iron deficiency anemia due to gastrointestinal bleeding. Most cases are sporadic, although a few have been reported with autosomal dominant inheritance. We report a case with clinical characteristics of the blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome. The patient had typical skin manifestations of the BRBNS and chronic iron deficiency anemia. However, we could not find any gastrointestinal vascular malformations radiologically.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Blister* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Nevus* ; Rubber* ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations ; Vascular Malformations ; Wills

Endometrial papillary serous carcinoma (EPSC) is a distinct variant of endometrial adenocarcinoma that histologically resembles ovarian serous papillary adenocarcinoma and has an aggressive clinical course. Usually, the tumor is diagnosed at the advanced stage. The tumor has well confused with metastatic ovarian tumor of identical histology. Dignosis of EPSC should be considered when the cervico-vaginal smear reveals numerous papillary clusters of tumor cells with macronucleoli and psammoma bodies. Recently, we have experienced two cases of EPSC diagnosed on cervico-vaginal smears, which revealed characteristic cytologic features including numerous papillary clusters of tumor cells with macronucleoli. The cytologic diagnoses were confirmed on histologic sections.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenocarcinoma, Papillary ; Diagnosis ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Recessive*

Cerbral embolism in the patient with rheumatic heart disease is a serious complication and has poor prognosis. In view of the abundance of rheumatic heart disease in Korea, a retrospective clinical study was done on 49 cases of cerebral embolism with rheumatic heart disease admitted to Severance Hospital from 1970 through 1977. The resultls were as follows; 1. The age distribution of the 49 patients ranged from 20 to 70 years and the mean age was 48.7 years. Twenty-five patients, more than half of the total number, were in their 5th and 6th decades, and the peak of the incidence was in the 6th decade. Male to female ratio was 1:1.3. 2. Mitral stenosis was by far the most predominant valvular lesion representing 33 of the 49 cases, and 25 of the 33 patients had "pure" mitral stenosis. Mitral valve involvement represented 43 of the 49 cases. 3. Seventeen of the total 49 cases were in regular sinus rhythm whereas 32 of the 49 were in atrial fibrillation at the time of admission. 4. Twenty-two of the 49 patients expired during the hospitalization whereas only six made complete recovery and the other 21 made variable degrees of recovery. The anticoagulant treatment did not appear to make any significant difference in the mortality probably due to inadequacy of timing, completeness and followup.
Age Distribution ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Embolism ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Embolism* ; Korea ; Male ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rheumatic Heart Disease*

Verapamil is highly effective in terminating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia(PSVT) by its depressive action on the AV node. In other countries it is already the drug of choice if vagal manevers fail for conversion of PSVT. We evaluated therapeutic efficacy of intravenous verapamil in 30 patients with PSVT who visited Severance Hospital from november 1978 to November 1984. Twenty six of 30 patients(86.7%) had a restoration of normal sinus rhythm by intravenous verapamil without significant side effects. Thus intravenous verapamil is safe and extremely effective in terminating most PSVT.
Atrioventricular Node ; Humans ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular* ; Verapamil*

To delineate the coronary anatomy and the left ventricular function during early myocardial infarction, coronary arteriography and left ventriculography were performed prospectively in 28(34%) of 83 patients who were admitted to the coronary care unit at Severance Hospital from November 1983 to August 1984 within 30 days(median : 14 days;range : 4 hours to 30 days) after the onset of symptoms. The frequency of total occlusion of the infarct related artery was evaluated in the time course of infarction. To prove spontaneous recanalization, 3 patients who had total coronary occlusion underwent serial study within 11-20 days after the first study. We categorized the patients into two comparable groups according to the infarction site, coronary angiographic findings, and age. Comparison of clinical and angiographic findings between each group was made. The following results were obained. 1) There were 23 patients with transmural myocardial infarction(82.1%) and 5 with nontransmural infarction(17.9%). Among 23 patients with transmural infarction, 14 had anterior infarction(60.9%) and 9(39.1%) inferior infarction. 2) The mean age was 51.3 years(range : 31-79 years). The ratio of male to female was 3.7:1. 3) Fifteen patients(53.6%) had one-vessel disease, 10(35.7%) two-vessel disease and 2(7.1%) three-vessel disease, One patient(3.6%) had insignificant disease(less than 50% reduction in luminal diameter). Nontransmural infarction had a tendency to be associated with higher prevalence of multivessel disease than transmural infarction(80% vs 34.8%). 4) In 23 patients with transmural infarction, 12(52.2%) had complete occlusion and 11(47.8%) incomplete occlusion of the infarct related artery. Three patients(13.0%) had subtotal occlusion(90-99%) and 4(17.4%) had lesions of 70-89% luminal diameter narrowing. Three patients(13.0%) had 50-69% lesions and the remaining 1(4.4%) had insignificant obstructive lesions. 5) Of the 23 patients with transmural infarction, 12 were studied within 14 days and 11 in 15-30 days after the onset of symptoms. The frequency of total coronary occlusion was significantly higher in the patients studied within 14 days of symptom onset vs those studied in the 15-30 days period(83.3% vs 18.2%;p<0.001). Serial studies of 3 patients with total coronary occlusion at the initial study demonstrated occurrance of spontaneous recanalization in 2 patients. 6) The left ventricular-ejection fraction was higher in the patients with nontransmural infarction, inferior infarction, and incomplete coronary occlusion(65+/-14%, 58+/-16% and 57+/-17%) than that of the patients with transmural infarction, anterior infarction, and complete coronary occlusion(51+/-15%, 47+/-14% and 46+/-13, p<0.05). But there was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction between the young(<45 year) and the old(> or =45 year) age groups. And also 0-1 vessel disease and 2-3 vessel disease groups did not show significant difference in ejection fraction. The degree of congestive heart failure was more severe in the patients with anterior infarction than in those with inferior infaction. multi-vessel disease group was significantly older than 0-1 vessel disease group(55+/-8 yrs vs 46+/-12 yrs, p<0.05), and the young age group had a tendency to be associated with higher prevalence of single vessel disease. 7) As for the complications of angiocardiography in this study, there was ventricular finbrillation in 2 patients(7.1%) without mortality. It is concluded that coronary arteriography can be safely performed within one month after acute myocardial infarction;high prevalence of one-vessel disease in acute myocardial infarction in the Korean adult patients admitted to a general hospital;lower incidence of total coronary occlusion in the late time course of infarction due to spontaneous recanalization;better left ventricular function in the patient groups with nontransmural infarction, inferior infarction and incomplete coronary occlusion.
Adult* ; Angiocardiography ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Coronary Care Units ; Coronary Occlusion ; Female ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infarction ; Male ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Phenobarbital ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left

We report a case of coronary artery-pulmonary artery fistula in 53-year-old man with review of literature. He complained of anterior chest pain with tightness, but all physical findings were normal. Routine laboratory findings in cluding EKG and chest PA were normal. For evaluation of angina, we performed the coronary arteriogram and established the diagnosis of coronary artery-pulmonary artery fistual incidentally. There was no hemodynamic significance.
Angina Pectoris* ; Arteries* ; Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Fistula* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Thorax

A patient had total occlusion of the left main coronary artery that was proved by coronary arteriography. Patients with total occlusion of the left main coronary artery have a varying clinical presentation and may have prolonged survival. In patients with good collaterals, left ventricular function may be preserved. This report reveiws the clinical and angiographic findings of a patient with occlusion of the left main coronary artery with symptoms of unstable angina pectoris but without congestive heart failure or EKG evidence of myocardial infarction.
Angina, Unstable ; Angiography ; Coronary Vessels* ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Ventricular Function, Left