Echocardiographic examination was performed before, immediately after, 4-6 months after and 10-12 months after mitral valve replacement(MVR) surgery in 46 patients with mitral valve disease(8 patients with mitral regurgitation, 24 patients with mitral stenosis and 14 patients with mitral stenosufficiency) to evaluate the effects of mitral valve replacement on dimension of left atrium and left ventricle, volume of left ventricle, ejection fraction(EF) and fractional shortening(FS) of left ventricle. The results are as follows : 1) The endsystolic dimension(ESD), enddiastolic dimension(EDD), endsystolic volume(ESV) and enddiastolic volume(EDV) decreased significantly after operation in patients with mitral stenoinsufficiency(MSR), the ESD, EDD, ESV and EDV increased significantly after the operation, but returned to preoperative value 10-12 months after the operation. 2) The EF and FS of left ventrcle after MVR were significantly lower than preoperative value throughout the postoperative period in patients with MR. However in patients with MS or MSR, there were no significant postoperative changes in EF and FS, except transient depression in the patients with MS at the immediate postoperative period. 3) In all patients with mitral valve disease, the left atrial dimension and the ratio of domension of left atrium to the dimension of aorta decreased significantly after MVR. From above results, it is suggested that surgery should be considered seriously for the patients with MR before the ESD, EDD and ESV increase maekedly, even if the EF anf FS are in normal range and the symptoms are not severe, to prevent irreversible depression of myocardial function. It seems that serial echocardiographic examination is very helpful in this respect.
Aorta ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Depression ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Atria ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Mitral Valve* ; Postoperative Period ; Reference Values

The antiarrhythmic effect of Mexiletine was evaluated in five patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia and in twelve patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions. Electrophysiologic study was performed on the the patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia before and after the administration of Mexiletin(600-800mg/day). The antiarrhythmic effects of Mexiletine in the patients with frequent premature ventricular contraction was assessed by ambulatory electrocardiography. The results were as follows: 1) In all of the five patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia, sustained ventricular tachycardia was induced by programmed ventricular stimulation. However, on repeated electrophysiologic study performed while receiving Mexiletine, ventricular tachycardia was not induced in four patients and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia was induced in one patients. 2) The number of premature ventricular contraction was decreased markedly in seven patients(58.3%) with frequent premature ventricular contractions. 3) Minimal side effects, mild indigestion and tremor, were recorded in 3 cases(23%) while receiving Mexiletine 600 mg/day. The higher dose was associated with more frequent and severe side effects.
Dyspepsia ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Humans ; Mexiletine* ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Tremor ; Ventricular Premature Complexes

A clincal study was made on 383 adult patients with congenital heart disease who visited the Seoul National university Hospital during the period of March, 1961-July, 1979. 1. The incidence of congenital heart disease for the consecutive years was increasing in 1970s, especially in recent two years. 2. The sex incidence of congental heart disease was female 47.0%, male 53.0%, with male preponderance in tetralogy of Fallot, ventricular septal defect, coarctation of aorta, aortopulmonary window and female preponderance in atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus. 3. Age distribution of congenital heart disease showed that 79.1% of all were below 30 years of age but atrial septal defect showed wide distribution below and above 30 years of age. 4. The incidences of each congenital heart disease were atrial septal defect 20.9%, tetralogy of Fallot 20.6%, ventricular septal defect 19.%, patent ductus arteriosus 12.0%, pulmonary stenosis 7.6%, trilogy of Fallot 1.8%, Ebstein's anomaly 1.8%, ventricular septal defect with pulmonary stenosis 1.3%, coarctation of aorta 1.3%, ventricular septal defect with aortic insufficiency 1.0%, transposition of great vessels 1.0%, in order and rare and various combined anomalies. 5. Average duration of illness in congenital heart disease was less than 15 years in majority, but duration from 11 years to 20 years was most common in tetralogy of Fallot. 6. Functional class of congenital heart disease is class II and I in majority, but class III was most common in tetralogy of Fallot. 7. Comparision of precatheterization diagnosis with postcatheterization diagnosis showed concordence in 92.2% and comparison of postcatheterization diagnosis with postoperative diagnosis showed concordence in 95.5% of cases. 8. Electrocardiographic findings in 5 major congenital heart disease were observed as follows; right ventricular hypertrophy 86.3%, right atrial enlargement 16.4% in tetralogy of Fallot, right ventricular hypertrophy 30.9%, incomplete right bundle branch block 27.9% in atrial septal defect, left ventricular hypertrophy 28.8%, right ventricular hypertrophy 10.6%, biventricular hypertrophy 10.6% in ventricular septal defect, left ventricular hypertrophy 63.2% in patent ductus arteriosus and right ventricular hypertrophy 70% in pulmonary stenosis. 9. Postoperative changes in electrocardiographic findings were observed in 36.1% of operated patients, of whom teteralogy of Fallot 61.7%, ventricular septal defect 48.0% were most common. Pstoperative electrocardiographic changes were complete right bundle branch block 58.3%, incomplete right bundle branch block 11.7%, myocardial ischemia 10%, nonspecific ST-T changes 10%, etc. in order.
Adult* ; Age Distribution ; Aortic Coarctation ; Bundle-Branch Block ; Diagnosis ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Ebstein Anomaly ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Diseases* ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Heart* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular ; Incidence ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; Seoul ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Transposition of Great Vessels ; Trilogy of Fallot

A clincal study was made on 383 adult patients with congenital heart disease who visited the Seoul National university Hospital during the period of March, 1961-July, 1979. 1. The incidence of congenital heart disease for the consecutive years was increasing in 1970s, especially in recent two years. 2. The sex incidence of congental heart disease was female 47.0%, male 53.0%, with male preponderance in tetralogy of Fallot, ventricular septal defect, coarctation of aorta, aortopulmonary window and female preponderance in atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus. 3. Age distribution of congenital heart disease showed that 79.1% of all were below 30 years of age but atrial septal defect showed wide distribution below and above 30 years of age. 4. The incidences of each congenital heart disease were atrial septal defect 20.9%, tetralogy of Fallot 20.6%, ventricular septal defect 19.%, patent ductus arteriosus 12.0%, pulmonary stenosis 7.6%, trilogy of Fallot 1.8%, Ebstein's anomaly 1.8%, ventricular septal defect with pulmonary stenosis 1.3%, coarctation of aorta 1.3%, ventricular septal defect with aortic insufficiency 1.0%, transposition of great vessels 1.0%, in order and rare and various combined anomalies. 5. Average duration of illness in congenital heart disease was less than 15 years in majority, but duration from 11 years to 20 years was most common in tetralogy of Fallot. 6. Functional class of congenital heart disease is class II and I in majority, but class III was most common in tetralogy of Fallot. 7. Comparision of precatheterization diagnosis with postcatheterization diagnosis showed concordence in 92.2% and comparison of postcatheterization diagnosis with postoperative diagnosis showed concordence in 95.5% of cases. 8. Electrocardiographic findings in 5 major congenital heart disease were observed as follows; right ventricular hypertrophy 86.3%, right atrial enlargement 16.4% in tetralogy of Fallot, right ventricular hypertrophy 30.9%, incomplete right bundle branch block 27.9% in atrial septal defect, left ventricular hypertrophy 28.8%, right ventricular hypertrophy 10.6%, biventricular hypertrophy 10.6% in ventricular septal defect, left ventricular hypertrophy 63.2% in patent ductus arteriosus and right ventricular hypertrophy 70% in pulmonary stenosis. 9. Postoperative changes in electrocardiographic findings were observed in 36.1% of operated patients, of whom teteralogy of Fallot 61.7%, ventricular septal defect 48.0% were most common. Pstoperative electrocardiographic changes were complete right bundle branch block 58.3%, incomplete right bundle branch block 11.7%, myocardial ischemia 10%, nonspecific ST-T changes 10%, etc. in order.
Adult* ; Age Distribution ; Aortic Coarctation ; Bundle-Branch Block ; Diagnosis ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Ebstein Anomaly ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Diseases* ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Heart* ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular ; Incidence ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; Seoul ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Transposition of Great Vessels ; Trilogy of Fallot

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin convertiong enzyme inhibitors have been shown to exert favorable effects on the left ventricular remodeling process associated with ventricular dilation after coronary occlusion. However, the effects of such therapy on global and regional left ventricular remodeling after coronart artery reperfusion have not been characterized, nor have such effects been assessed after exercise training. METHODS AND RESULTS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats(n=80) were randodmized into 4 groups at 5 days after 45 minutes of left coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. Animals completion the experiment included : Untreated Sedentary group(n=20), Untreated with Swimming Exercise group(n=21), Captopril Treated Sedentary group(n=18) and Captoril Treated with Exercise group(n=21). At 3 weeks after randomization, global and regional morphologic changes of the left ventricle(LV) were examined from mid-ventricular transverse slices which were perfusion-fixed at a constant aortic pressure of 60mmHg and a left ventricular cavity pressure of 10mmHG. At rest and during exercise, compared to untreated rats, the captopril treated animals showed significantly decreased LV weight/tibial length ratio(LV/TL)(p<0.01),increased LV cavity area and dimension(both p<0.01), decreased total myocardial area and noninfarcted area(both p<30.001) and reduced wall thicknesses in the noninfarcted and infarcted regions(both p<0.001). Compared to treated and untreated dsedentary rats, exercise significantly increased LV/TL(p<0.05) and epicardial and endocardial areas in the infarcted zone(both p<0.05) and decreased transmurality(p<0.01). Exercise decreased LV cavity area in the captopril treated groups(42.3+/-10.4 vs. 40.4+/-6.0mm2),whereas exercise increased LV cavity area in the untreated groups(33.5+/-8.9 vs. 39.1+/-6.2mm2)(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings provide evidence in rats for evidence in rats for exaggerated left ventricular dilation and supperssion of compensatory myocardial hypertrophy globally and in the infarct zone with 3 weeks of captopril treatment following coronary artery reperfusion with acute nontransmural myocardial infarction. In addition, the effects of captopril on LV dilation and suppression of global and regional hypertrophic response were partially reversible by swimming exercise.
Angiotensins ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Arteries ; Captopril ; Coronary Occlusion ; Coronary Vessels* ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardial Reperfusion ; Random Allocation ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion* ; Swimming ; Ventricular Remodeling*

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is associated with a characteristic neuropathology. The major hallmarks of AD are senile plaques(SPs) and neurofibrillary tangles(NFTs). beta-amyloid protein(Abeta) is derived from the proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein(APP) and then converted to SPs. Mature SPs produce cytotoxicity through direct toxic effects and activation of microglia and complement. NFTs are composed of paired helical filaments(PHFs) including abnormally phosphorylated form of the microtubule-associated protein(MAP) tau and increased tau level in cerebrospinal fluid may be observed in most AD. The aggregation of Abeta and tau formation are thought to be a final common pathway of AD. Acetycholine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA and their receptors are associated with AD. Especially, decreased nicotinic acetylcholine receptors(nAChRs) in AD are reported. Genetic lesions associated with AD are mutations in the structural genes for the APP located on chromosome 21, presenilin(PSN)1 located on chromosome 14 and PSN2 located on chromosome 1. Also, trisomy 21, Apo-E gene located on chromosome 19, PMF locus, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein and alpha-macroglobulin increase risk of AD. In this article, we will review about the neurobioloby of AD and some newly developed research areas.
Acetylcholine ; Alzheimer Disease* ; Amyloid ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Apolipoproteins E ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 ; Complement System Proteins ; Dopamine ; Down Syndrome ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Genetics ; Lipoproteins ; Microglia ; Neurobiology* ; Proteolysis ; Serotonin

The results of alpha-acetyldigoxin(Dioxanin(R)) administration in 21 patients with congestive heart failure were as follows. Alpha-acetyldigoxin is a new oral preparation of cardiac glycoside derived from lanatosid C. 1. For rapid digitalization in 2-3 days, the initial dose was 1.2 to 2.6mg (average 1.96mg). For medium-fast digitalization in 4 days, the loading dose was 2.0 to 3.2mg (average 2.7mg). For slow digitalization 0.1 to 0.4mg was required for 5 to 6 days without loading dose. The maintenance dose was 0.1 to 0.4mg (average 0.33mg) daily. 2. The therapeutic effect of acetyldigoxin was excellent in 15 cases (71%), good in 4 cases (20%) and stationary in 2 cases (9%). 3. Side effects were observed in 2 cases with usual dosage regimen. One accidental case who took single dose of 4mg(20 tablests) developed supraventricular tachycardia with varying degree of atrioventricular block, ventricular bigeminy and premature beat but recovered completely after 6 days.
Acetyldigoxins* ; Atrioventricular Block ; Cardiac Complexes, Premature ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart Failure* ; Humans ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular

To determine the possible participation of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of Takayasu's arteritis and to investigate an association between HLA antigens and the disease, we performed HLA typing in twenty two patients confirmed by clinical findings and aortography, and in fifty normal Koreans as controls. HLA-A, B,C and DR antigens were tested by standard microlymphocytotoxicity method with HLA antisera, which were supplied by UCLA Tissue Typing Laboratory. The results were as follows: 1) Frequent antigens of HLA-A locus in patients were A 2(54.5%), Aw 33(31.8%), Aw 24(27.2%) and A26(13.6%) in decreasing order, and Aw 33 was more frequent in patients than in normal controls(18.0%)(relative risk: 2.1). 2) Frequent antigens of HLA-B locus in patients were Bw61(31.8%), Bw44(31.8%), Bw62(22.7%) and Bw52(13.6%) in decreasing order, and Bw61 was more frequent in patients than in normal controls(10%)(relative risk : 4.2). 3) Frequent antigens of HLA-C locus in patients were Cw3(54.5%), Cw6(50.0%) and Cw1(22.7%) in decreasing order. 4) Frequent antigens of HLA-DR locus in patients were DR6Y(36.4%), DR2(31.8%), DRw9(27.2%), DR4(27.2%) and DR28(22.7%) in decreasinng order. In MT system MT 3 was more frequent in patients(54.5%) than in normal controls(31.6%)(relative risk : 2. 6). However, the difference of HLA antigen frequencies between patients and normal controls was not statistically significant, and the association of specific HLA antigens with Takayasu's arteritis requires further studies to be confirmed.
Aortography ; Histocompatibility Testing ; HLA Antigens* ; HLA-A Antigens ; HLA-B Antigens ; HLA-C Antigens ; HLA-DR Antigens ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; Takayasu Arteritis*

Tibric acid is a new oral hypolipidemic agent with the chemical name of 2-chloro-5(3,5-dimethyl piperidinosulfonyl) benzoic acid. The results of tibric acid administration in 22 patients with primary hyperlipidemia were as follows. 1) Serum triglyceride level was significantly decreased in 84.6% of 22 cases with an average 43.9% decrease in serum triglyceride. 2) Serum cholesterol level was decreased in 59.1% of 22 cases with an average 15.8% decrease in serum cholesterol. The decrease in serum cholesterol level was not significant. 3) It seemed that there were significant falls in the serum triglyceride of the hyperlipoproteinemia type IV and IIb patietns and in the serum cholesterol of type IIa patients 4) The side effects of tibric acid were indigestion, loose stool and anorexia. There was no side effects in 63.6% of cases.
Anorexia ; Benzoic Acid ; Cholesterol ; Dyspepsia ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias* ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type IV ; Triglycerides

Human rotavirus has now been established as the leading cause of gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. At least fourteen serotypes of group A rotavirus have been identified on the basis of antibody responses to major neutralizing glycoprotein, VP7 (G type for glycoprotein), present in the outer capsid of the virus. Serotype 1, 2, 3 and 4 are the most highly prevalent in human. In Korea, rotavirus is also the principal cause of severe nonbacterial diarrhea requiring hospitalization in infants and young children, which is commonly detected by EIA method. The epidemiology of rotavirus infection has been monitored by only serologic methods without electropherotyping in Korea. This study shows seasonal and age related variations .of rotavirus infection in Korea according to the genotype using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Fecal specimens were obtained from 39 children hospitalized with acute watery diarrhea and gastroenteritis in Ewha Womans University MokDong Hospital in Seoul from Jan. to Dec. of 1996. All four (1, 2, 3, 4) major G serotypes were identified by amplification of segment of the gene for VP7 using RT-PCR. Rotavirus Gl 749 bp, G2 653 bp, G3 374 bp and G4 583bp were shown on 2.9 or 3.3% NuSieve agar gel. Results were as follows: 1) Rotavirus was detected at 53.8% (21/39) by EIA and 89.7% (35/39) by RT-PCR. 2) Serotype Gl, G2, G3, G4 when detected by RT-PCR accounted for 80.0% (28/35), 14.3% (5/35), 2.9% (1/35) and 2.9% (1/35), respectively. 3) Thirty five strains of rotavirus were detected at the frequency of 17.1% (6/35) in Oct., 20.0% (7/35) in Nov. and 20.0% (7/35) in Dec. 4) As for the age range, children affected by rotavirus were mostly under 1 years.
Agar ; Antibody Formation ; Capsid ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized* ; Diarrhea* ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Gastroenteritis ; Genotype* ; Glycoproteins ; Hospitalization ; Humans* ; Infant ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Reverse Transcription* ; Rotavirus Infections ; Rotavirus* ; Seasons ; Seoul