"Dual LAD" was defined as the early bifurcation of the proximal LAD into two vessels : a short LAD which remained in the anterior interventricular sulcus and does not reach the apex, and a long LAD which leaves the anterior interventricular sulcus only to return to the distal sulcus and continue to the apex. Recognition of "Dual LAD" is essential to prevent errors of interpretation of the coronary arteriogram and for planning of optimal surgical therapy. We report 2 cases of "Dual LAD" with the review of the literatures.
Coronary Vessels*

Patients with hypertrophic cardiography often complain of chest pain and have electrocardioagrams suggesting myocardial damage or ischemia. Some of three patients have associated coronary arterial atherosclerosis. Transmural myocardial infarction may occur in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the absence of significant atherosclerosis of the extramural coronary arteries, about which several pathophysiologic exlpanations were discussed. Presented here, a case of 49-year-old man with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy accompanied with myocardial infarction and angiographically normal coronary arteries is reported. Asymmetric septal hypertrophy, characteristic morphologic abnormality of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, was progressed to dilated cardiomyopathy after the occurrence myocardial infarction.
Atherosclerosis ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic* ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction*

We studied 70 cases of transmural myocardial infarction with first attack to look into the coronary anatomy of the infarct-related artery in the time course of infarction and evaluate the left ventricular wall motion according to patency of the infarct-related artery. The following result were obtained. 1) Among 70 cases with transmural myocardial infarction, 47(67.1%) had anterior infarction and 23 (32.9%) inferior infarction. Mean age of the total cases was 52.1+/-10.6 and M:F ratio was 7.8:1. 2) 28 cases were single vessel disease(40.0%), 19 cases were two vessel disease(27.1%), 18 cases werew three vessel disease(25.8%) and 5 cases had insignificant coronary stenosis (7.3%) with 4 cases of normal coronary artery. 3) The total occlusion rate of the infarct-related artery in 70 cases was 48.6%. The total occlusion rate of the 8 cases catheterized within 1 day was 87.5%, that of the 17 cases from 2nd to 15th day 52.9% that of the 23 cases from 16th day to 2nd month 39.1%, that of the 15 cases from 3rd to 12th month 40.0% and that 7 cases from 2nd and 6th year 42.8%. These results suggest that the natural resolution of the infarct-related artery has almost happened within 2 weeks. 4) The left ventricular ejection fraction was higher and the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was lower in the group with incomplete occulsion of infarct-related artery than in those with complete occulsion, and left ventricular wall motion was better in the group with incomplete occulsion of the infarct-related artery than in those with complete occulsion.
Arteries* ; Catheters ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Stroke Volume

We report a case of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) for a symptomatic left seminal vesicular cyst and ipsilateral renal agenesis. A 49-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of severe irritation upon voiding and intractable, recurrent hematospermia. A computed tomography scan showed a 68x41x38 mm sized left seminal vesicular cyst with ipsilateral renal agenesis. LESS was performed successfully to treat the seminal vesicle cyst. The total operative time was 125 minutes, and blood loss was minimal. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the second postoperative day.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Hemospermia ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; Laparoscopy ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Seminal Vesicles ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive

Previous studies showed that in patients with coronary artery disease(CAD), the ejection fraction(EF) response to exercise was often abnormal. Therefore, the fact that EF at rest might be infulence by extent of CAD was implied. So, we studied the relationship between the extent of CAD and the left ventricular function with LVEDP and LVEF measured by area-laength method in 168 patients with significant CAD without myocardial infarction and 111 cases with myocardial infarction. The results are as follows: 1) In 168 cases with significant CAD without myocardial infarction, LVEF in 87 cases with single vessel involvement is significantly higher than in 81 cases with multi-vessel involvement(76.4+/-10.0, 71.3+/-14.9), but LVEF in both group are within normal limits of ours(75.1+/-18.8). LVEDP has no difference between groups. 2) In 111 cases with myocardial infarction, there are no significant difference in LVEDP and LVEF between single vessel group and multi vessel group. But LVEF in both group are significantly lower than normal range of ours. In conclusion, LVEF in the group without myocardial infartion was infulenced by the extent of CAD. But LVEF in the group with myocardial infarction may be influenced by not only the extent of CAD but also infarction site, duration after infarction and collerteral vessels.
Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Reference Values ; Ventricular Function, Left*

Mitral stenosis is characterized by chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Although it is well recognized that right ventricle can be affected by pressure-overload in patients with mitral stenosis, the study for effects on right ventricular function after relief of pressure overload was difficult after open heart surgery due to paradoxical septal motion and scarring change of pericardium. Recently, percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty(PMV) has been used in patients with mitral stenosis as an alternative to surgical mitral commissurotomy. The present study was designed to demonstrate the difference of right ventricle between normal subjects and patients with mitral stenosis, as well as to investigate the changes of right ventricle before and after PMV with Doppler- echocardiography and isovolumic indices. The results were summarized as follows : 1) Right ventricular emptying fraction which was assumed to be proportional to right ventricular ejection fraction was depressed significantly in patients with mitral stenosis than those of normal subjects. However, there were no sighificant differences in Vpm between the two groups. 2) Right atrial and ventricular areas of patients with mitral stenosis were enlarged significantly than those of normal subjects. Right ventricular diastolic function measured by transtricuspid pulsed Doppler showed relaxation abnormality pattern in patients with mitral stenosis. 3) Enlarged right atrium and ventricular area were decreased significantly after PMV. Depressed right ventricular sytolic and diastolic function were recovered after relief of pressure-overload by PMV. However, there were no significant changes in Vpm after PMV. 4) Right ventricular emptying fraction was inversely correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular end-diastolic area. Discriminant factor between group with right ventricular diastolic dysfunction and group without diastolic dysfunction was pulmonary vascular resistance. In conclusion, there were right ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction without abnormal right ventricular contractility in patients with mitral stenosis, moderate pulmonary hypertension and normal sinus rhythm, and these functional abnormalities were largery reversible after relief of pressure-overload on the right ventricle by PMV.
Cicatrix ; Echocardiography ; Heart Atria ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Mitral Valve Stenosis* ; Pericardium ; Pulmonary Artery ; Relaxation ; Stroke Volume ; Thoracic Surgery ; Vascular Resistance ; Ventricular Function, Right*

To determine the long-term results after PMV, the incidence of restenosis and analysis the factors predicting restenosis, 108 patients were studied at pre-, post-PMV, after 3 months and 1 year (13+/-4 months) with echocardiography. 1) Restenosis was demonstrated in 25 of 108 patients(23%) at 1 year follow-up. 2) Descriminant analysis showed echocardiographic score and mitral valve area before PMV as predictors of restenosis. 3) There were significant decreament of mitral valve area from 1.8+/-0.4cm2 (after PMV) to 1.5+/-0.3 cm2 at 3 months follow-up and further stenosis (1.2+/-0.3 cm2) at long-term follow-up in group with restenosis. In contrast, in group without restenosis, mitral valve area after PMV was 1.8+/-0.3cm2, aat 3 months follow-up was 1.8+/-0.3cm2 and at long term follow-up was 1.8+/-0.4cm2. 4) There was higher restenosis rate in group with Inoue balloon (47%) than group with double balloon (18%) despite of large EBDA/BSA.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mitral Valve

PURPOSE: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is conventionally conducted in the prone position. However, the prone position increases anesthesia-related morbidity and position changes lengthen the operation time. We report perioperative outcomes and the learning curve for flank PCNL on the basis of a single surgeon's experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study investigated 53 cases of flank PCNL performed for renal stones at our institution from April 2008 to September 2010. We compared mean operative time, stone-free rate, drop in hemoglobin level, length of hospital stay, complications, and need for additional procedures after the surgery. The 53 cases were divided into three groups by case number to compare therapeutic effect, stability, and the learning curve for flank position PCNL. RESULTS: The mean operation time for the 53 patients was 97.3+/-43.1 minutes. The mean operation time gradually decreased as the surgeon accumulated experience. From the 36th case, the mean operation time showed a statistically significant decrease to 72.2+/-24.1 minutes (p=0.003). The overall stone-free rate was 64.2% for all procedures (range, 61.1-76.5%). There were no significant differences in the drop in hemoglobin level, stone-free rate, re-treatment, hospital stay, or complication rate. There was no injury to the bowel or renal vessels, and no other major complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Flank PCNL can be used to remove renal stones effectively while overcoming the disadvantages of the existing prone position PCNL. After 36 cases, the learning curve showed acquisition of surgical competence. The clinical experience reported here suggests that flank PCNL is a safe and feasible technique.
Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Calculi ; Learning ; Learning Curve ; Length of Stay ; Mental Competency ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Operative Time ; Prone Position

The effect of oral nicorandil were evaluated by a 9-day double-blind cross-over protocol on 16 subjects with angina pectoris referred to our cardiology clinic from June '84 through September '85. total daily doses were 15-45mg. The effects were measured by 3 seperate treadmill exercise EKG tests and symptom reviews on each patient. The following results were obtained. 1) The mean age of the patients was 57.4+/-7.2 years. These were 14 male and 2 female patients. 2) Resting heart rate on nicorandil was 73.6+/-14.0 beats/min and 70.5+/-14.0 beats/min in placebo(P<0.05). There were no significant effects of nicorandil on resting blood pressure and heart rate-blood pressure product. 3) Peak exercise heart rate was 126.4+/-22.5 beats/min on nicorandil and 121.8+/-21.4 beats/min on placebo(P<0.05). There were no significant effects of nicorandil on blood pressure after exercise and peak heart rate-blood pressure product(x10(-3)) after nocorandil was 20.2+/-5.0 and 18.9+/-4.6 on placebo(P>0.05). 4) Exercise duration was 485.8+/-107.7 sec on nicorandil and 423.3+/-101.9 sec on placebo(P<0.001). 5) The exercise duration was prolonged in 11 cases(68.7%), showed on change in 2 cases(12.5%), and shortened in 3(18.8%). 6) There were attacks of chest pain during placebo period in 2 cases, but none developed during nicorandil period. 7) Headache was noted in 2 patients, and in one of them, it was so severe as to discontinue nicorandil stydy. No other side effects were noted. In conclusion, additional therapeutic benefit can be obtained by nicorandil in patients with severe angina in spite of conventional antianginal agents already being administered.
Angina Pectoris* ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiology ; Chest Pain ; Cross-Over Studies* ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Headache ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Nicorandil*

BACKGROUND: The role of coronary collateral circulation has been a subject of great interest and controversy. The functional significance of collateral circulation was evaluated in 125 patients with total coronary occlusion of left anterior descending artery(LAD) or right coronary artery(RCA). METHOD: Patients were classified into two groups. Group 1:patients with angina pectoris(AP), Group 2:patients with a first transmural myocardial infarction(MI) within 3 months of symptom onset, Clinical variables, resting and exercise electrocardiogram(EKG) were analyzed with angiographic findings. Collateral fillings were graded from 0 to 3 : 0=none ; 1=filling of side branches only ; 2=partial filling of the epicardial segment ; 3=complete filling of epicardial segment. The wall motion of each segment was scored from 1 to 5:1=normal ; 2=mild to moderate hypokinesia ; 3=severe hypokinesia ; 4=akinesia ; 5=dyskinesia. The score of the 5 segments were added to yield a total LV score. RESULT: There is a higher prevalence of good collaterals and multivessel disease in group 1 than in group 2(83% vs 53%, 54% vs 30%, respectively, p<0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP) and segmental wall motion score were significantly better in group 1 than group 2(68.9+/-13.4% vs 50.5+/-12.6%, 15.0+/-7.3 vs 20.3+/-8.8mmHg, 6.5+/-2.2 vs 9.6+/-2.3, respectively, p<0.05). In spite of total coronary occlusion, 61% of AP patients had normal resting EKG but 96% of patients who underwent treadmill test proved to be positive. The proportions of well-developed collaterals in 3 groups divided according to the interval between onset of MI and angiography(within 1 day, 2 to 14 days, 15 days to 3 months)were 13%, 54% and 60%. There were no significant difference in LVEF, segmental wall motion score and LVEDP in MI patients with poorly-developed collaterals and well-developed collaterals(49.1+/-15.7 vs 46.4+/-10.1%, 11.1+/-2.2 vs 10.9+/-1.4 and 24.3+/-9.7 vs 20.3+/-7.0mmHg, p=NS). The degree of collateral development is higher in MI with RCA occlusion compared with that of LAD occlusion(1.1+/-1.0 vs 2.0+/-1.0, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Collateral circulation can prevent myocardial ischemia and preserve myocardial function in a significant number of patients with AP but do not provide protection against exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in a majority of patients with AP. Well-developed collaterals are uncommonly present within 1 day after MI, but subsequently develop and are generally demonstrable after 2 weeks. Collateral vessels in patients with MI have no beneficial effects on preserving myocardial function.
Collateral Circulation* ; Coronary Occlusion* ; Electrocardiography ; Exercise Test ; Humans ; Hypokinesia ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Prevalence