Assessment of Myocardial contractility is critically important task in the evaluation of patients with heart disease. In recent years many indices have been studied to evaluate myocardial inotropic state, applying the skeletal muscle mechanics to intact heart. Among such indices, Vmax(maximum velocity of shortening of the unloaded contractile elements) and Vpm(physiologic maximum observed velocity of myocardial shortening) provide a measure of myocardial contractility independent of preload or afterload. To obtain normal values in Korean adults, the left ventricular pressure data of 16 patients with normal physical activities were analyzed, using the digital computer. Seven patients had ventricular septal defect with Qp/Qs less than 2.0, one patient had mitral stenosis, another one patient had mitral stenosis and aortic regurgitation (grade I/IV and the remainder seven patients had no intrinsic cardiac disorder. But, the cardiac performances of all patients were apparently normal. The results were as follows: 1) Cardiac index was greater than 3.0 l/min/m2 in all patinets: 4.9+/-1.32(+/-S.D.)l.min/m2. 2) Ejection fraction was greater than 55% in all patients: 71.2+/-8.04(+/-S.D.)%. 3) Left ventricular end diastolic pressure(LVEDP) ranged from 3 mmHg to 12 mmHg. 4) Vmax: 48.1+/-9.41(+/-S.D.) sec(-1). 5) Vpm: 39.3+/-8.13(+/-S.D.) sec(-1).
Adult* ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Computers ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Mechanics ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Motor Activity* ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Reference Values ; Ventricular Pressure

PURPOSE: It is known that the prognosis of childhood cancer is relatively good, however actual representative nationwide data on childhood cancer, particularly of survival rate, are rare. In this study we attempted to establish the overall survival rate of major childhood cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary source of data of childhood cancer under 15 years of age were the registry files of the Central Cancer Registry Report (Ministry of Health & Welfare) from 1993 to 1997. The above data was compared to death case data files of the same period obtained from the Korea National Statistical Office using the personal identification code. We calculated the 1, 3, and 5 year survival rates using the life table of SPSS and Kaplan-Meier method and compared the survival rate of disease according to prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 6,720 cases of pediatric cancer from the Central Cancer Registry files were computerized and sorted by personal identification (ID) code to extract duplicated cases as well as cases with incomplete data. The final number of cases entered in this study was 4,983. 1) The number of confirmed death cases was 1,448 (29.1%). 2) The disease distribution showed that the most common pediatric cancer was leukemia (1,468/4,983, 29%), followed by brain tumors (503/4,983, 10%), lymphoma (315/4,983, 6%), Wilms tumor (165/4,983, 3%), etc. in order by number of patients. 3) The 5 year survival rate of disease was as follows: overall 62%, acute lymphocytic leukemia 61%, acute non-lymphocytic leukemia 32%, malignant lymphoma 72%, neuroblastoma 47%, medulloblastoma 51%, Astrocytoma 66%, Wilms tumor 83%, etc. CONCLUSION: We analyzed and report the 5 year survival rate of overall childhood cancer and of each of the twelve major childhood cancers from in Korea 1993 to 1997 to provide basic data on childhood cancer statistics.
Astrocytoma ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Brain Neoplasms ; Humans ; Korea* ; Leukemia ; Life Tables ; Lymphoma ; Medulloblastoma ; Neuroblastoma ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate* ; Wilms Tumor

In patients with chronic aortic regurgitation, irreversible left ventricular dysfunction, which is associated poor longterm prognosis, often develops before onset of severe symtoms. To determine whether evidence of left ventricular dysfunction could be detected before it appeared at rest, 48 patients with chronic aortic regurgition were studied using exercise echocardiography, and 25 patients were followed-up for 16.1 months in average by serial echocardiographical and clinical examination to evaluate the prognostic value of exercise-echocardiographic data. Among 41 patients with normal resting ejection fraction, left ventricular ejection fraction increased more than 5% with exercise(big up tri, DeltaEF> or =5%) in 14 patients (Group I), while in 27 patients ejection fraction change with exercise was less than normal (big up tri, DeltaEF <5%) (Group II). In the remaining 7 patients with subnormal resting ejection fraction, the exercise response was also subnormal (big up tri, DeltaEF<5%)(Group III). 1) There was no significant difference in radius-thickness ratio, ejection fraction at rest, work capacity, exercise duration and NYHA functional class between group I, II and III. But left ventricular internal dimension and wall stress were greater in group II than in group I. Group III had the largest left ventricualr internal dimension and stress. 2) Among the 15 patients with left vnetricular end-systolic dimension(LVESD) greater than 55mm, only one patient belong to group I. The other 14 patients belonged to group II(7 patients) and group III(7 patients). In contrast, in 22 patients with LVESD less than 50mm, 13 patients were group I, 9 patients were group II. In 26 patients with LVESD greater than 50 mm, only one patient showed normal exercise response, but the remaining 25 patients showed subnormal response. 3) Serial echocardiographic and clinical follow-up study for average 16.1 months showed group I the best, group II better than group III, group III the poorest clinical course and prognosis. Left ventricular functional status of group II patients seemed to be intermediate stage between group I and group III. 4) Total work duration and work capacity were more reduced in NYHA functional class II and III than in class I. But, using NYHA functional classification there were no differences in left ventricular internal dimension, ejection fraction at rest, exercise change in ejection fraction(big up tri, DeltaEF), wall stress and radius-thickness ratio between class I, II and III. According to the above results the classification based on the resting ejection fraction and big up tri, DeltaE.F., seemed to be useful for identification of patients with different clinical course and prognosis, especially in asymptomatic cases. The consideration of indices obtained by exercise-echocardiography, such as, LVESD, resting ejection fraction, big up tri, DeltaE.F. and wall stress, as well as the clinical status of patient, would be a useful guideline for follow-up and determining the optimal time for surgical intervention in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation.
Aortic Valve Insufficiency* ; Classification ; Echocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

An 8-year-old male was admitted because of dysphagia and substernal pain suffered while eating followed by postprandial vomiting for 2 years. He was always hungry due to postprandial vomiting and willing to eat again just after vomiting. After this meals, he used to jump up and down to shake off the substernal discomfort. A narrowing of the gastroesophageal junction was noted by esophagogram. Manometry revealed high Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure (51.6mmHg), incomplete LES relaxation during swallowing, loss of esophageal peristalsis and a positive pressure of the esophageal body compared to intragastric pressure. After the 1st balloon dilatation, symptoms were much improved even though LES pressure still remained high (37.2mmHg). About 2 months after the 1st balloon dilatation, symptoms relapsed and we managed him with a 2nd balloon dilatation. Symptoms were more improved than after the 1st dilatation and LES pressure normalized as well. Since the 2nd dilatation, symptoms have not recurred for 3 years. We present an 8-year-old boy with achalasia successfully managed by the use balloon dilatation.
Child ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dilatation* ; Eating ; Esophageal Achalasia* ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Meals ; Peristalsis ; Relaxation ; Vomiting

Coronary perforation is a rare, but potentially catastrophic complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. It rarely results in cardiac tamponade with the use of standard anticoagulant regimens. But spontaneous cardiac tamponade was reported recently during balloon angioplasty under the large dose of heparin infusion, and after stent implantation under powerful antiplatelet therapy including platelet IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor administration. We report a case of delayed cardiac tamponade complicated by guidewire manipulation under powerful anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy, which recurred early after the first pericardiocentesis.
Angioplasty, Balloon ; Blood Platelets ; Cardiac Tamponade* ; Heparin ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Pericardiocentesis ; Stents

Clinical features, laboratory and operative findings were reviewed in 17 cases adult Ebstein's anomaly admitted to Seoul National University Hospital from Feburary,1979 to October, 1987. 1) Mean age of first diagnosis was 28.6 tears old(range ; 14-57 years old). 2) Exertional duspnea(88.2%) and palpitation(64.7%) were the predominant symptoms, and PSVT was documented in 4 cases among 11 patoents with palpitation. 3) Echocardiogram showed displacement or delayed closure of the tricuspid valve in 13 cases. 4) On similtaneous recording of the intracardiac ECG and pressure, right ventricular electrogram with atrial pressure in atrialized right ventricle was observed in all cases. 5) Right ventriculogram revealed displacement of the tricuspid valve in 9 cases and tricuspid regurgitation in 10 cases. 6) Interatrial communication via ASD(8) and PFO(3) was present in 11 cases(64.7%). 7) Operative finding of 9 cases showed abnormalities of septal leaflet in 9(100%), posterior leaflet in 8(88.8%), and anterior leaflet in 2 cases(22.2%).
Adult* ; Atrial Pressure ; Diagnosis ; Ebstein Anomaly* ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Seoul ; Tricuspid Valve ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy and safety of perindopril, a new angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitor, perindopril was compaired to nifedipine LP. METHODS: Perindopril(4mg q.d.) was compaired to nifedipine LP(20mg b.i.d.) in the double blind, parallel-group study involving total of 41 hypertensive patients with diatolic blood pressure(DBP) of 95-125mmHg. A 4-week single-blind placebo period preceeded 12 weeks of active tratment. Dose titration was at weeks 4 and 8 if the DBP was >90mmHg. The dose was doubled and, if necessary, a diuretic(hydrochlorthiazide 25mg) was added. The analysis of efficacy was performed on the 36 patients who completed the trial after 12 weeks; active treatment. The analysis of tolerance involved all 41 patients who entered the study. RESULTS: 1) The two groups were homogeneous prior to treatment. 2) The fall in blood pressure(BP) with perindopril was 22/11mmHg(from 160+/-14/101+/-6mmHg to 139+/-15/90+/-6mmHg) and 32/19mmHg(from 164+/-18/104+/-7 to 132+/-17/85+/-10mmHg) for nifedipine. 3) 65% of the perindopril group and 84% of the nifedipine group achived the target BP(diastolic BP< or =90mmHg). 4) The respone rate(DBP< or =90mmHg or the fall in DBP> or =10mmHg) was similar between two groups(88% cersus 89%). 5) Heart rate was not changed in the perindopril group. but increased in the nifedipine group. 6) Five patients withdrew from the study ; two were attributed to adverse events. one in the perindopril group and one in the nifedipine group. 7) The incidence of side effects in the perindopil group was less than that in the nifedipine group. Cough was reported by 10% of patients of the perindopril group. 8) Both groups did not induce changes in blood glucose and lipid profiles. 9) We could not find any significant relationship between the amount of blood pressure decline and 24 hour urine sodium excretion. 10) There were no clinically significant changes in laboratory parameters. CONCLUSION: Perindopril reduced blood pressure to slightly less extent than nifedipine, but had as similar efficacy as nifedipine. Perindopril had less side effects than nifedipine.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cough ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nifedipine* ; Perindopril* ; Sodium

PURPOSE: Many authors have reported that obesity is a serious health problem in schoolage children and adolescents and recently obese children are increasing. Accurate diagnosis is needed to estimate the prevalence rate and trend of obesity. We studied body mass index(BMI) percentile for age and sex as a reliable and valid screening for adiposity. METHODS: We measured weight and height of 33,329 schoolage children to estimate obesity according to body mass index(weight in kilograms/height in meters2) and different standard weight. We also calculated BMI percentiles according to age and sex. We defined obesity for screening purposes as body mass index(BMI) equal to or in excess of the 95th percentile for age and sex. We also compared the prevalence of obesity according to a different standard weight. RESULTS: The mean value of body mass index(BMI) increases with age and tends to be slightly higher for male than female subjects. The 95th percentiles of body mass index(BMI) ranges from 18.9kg/m2 to 28.2kg/m2 for both males and females. No significant differences were apparent in the mean value of body mass index for each year. CONCLUSION: The percentile curves of body mass index(BMI) will help pediatricians to determine the relative ranking of patients compared with large sample of healthy schoolage children. Further studies are needed to define a useful criteria for defining obesity using body mass index(BMI) in childhood and adolescence. A longitudinal study and nationwide sampling will be required to overcome the limitation of this cross-sectional study.
Adiposity ; Adolescent ; Body Mass Index* ; Child* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Obesity* ; Prevalence ; Seoul*

In a 52-year-old man who presented with acute myocardial infarction, dual coronary arteriovenous fistulas from the right coronary artery and left circumflex artery both which drained into the coronary sinus were detected on coronary arteriography.This is the first case of dual coronary arteriovenous fistulas draining into the coronary sinus.
Arteries ; Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Coronary Sinus* ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction*

The properties of the normal and anomalous pathways were evaluated in 25 patients with accessory pathway to determine the factors influencing the development of orthodromic AV reentrant tachycardia, Nineteen patients had inducible PSVT and six patients had not. The results were as follows ; 1) Age, sex, and accessory pathway location of group A and group B were not different significanlty. 2) The presence of paroxysmal palpitation and the documentation of PSVT on surface ECG between group A and group B were signifcantly different. 3) The atrial effective refractory period(AERP), ventricular ERP, and antegrade ERP of accessory pathway of group A and group B were not different significantly. 4) Block cucle length and ERP of antegrade AV node(BCLa and ERPa) in groupA were shorter than those of antegrade accessory pathway. 5) There was no retrograde conduction through AV node in group A after block in retrograde accessory pathway. 6) Faliure to induce PSVT was accounted for by one of the following ; a) absence of antegrade conduction through AV node after a block of antegrade accessory pathway(4 patients) b) inadequate retrograde accessory pathway properties(3 patients) c) both inadequate antegrade AV nodal and retrograde accessory pathway(1 patient). Therefore, the occurrence of PSVT in patients with accessory pathway depends on the shorter BDLa and ERPa of AV node than those of accessory pathway and BCLr(299+/-51msec)and ERPr(310+/-41msec) of accessory pathway, but it dose not depend on the BCLa and ERPa of accessory pathway.
Atrioventricular Node* ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Tachycardia*