no abstract available.

No abstract available.
Pulmonary Artery ; Sarcoma ; Thromboembolism

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) with 2D echocardiography (2DE) is one of the time-consuming procedures in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Moreover, the accuracy of DSE with 2DE depends on the operator's skill or bias during the image acquisition. This study was conducted to determine the feasibility and accuracy of DSE with real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) for the diagnosis of CAD. SUBJECT AND METHODS: 62 patients (RT3DE: 36, 2DE: 26), suspected of angina pectoris and post-revascularization ischemia, underwent DSE and coronary angiography (CAG). Image acquisition was performed at the baseline, and at 4 times during the dobutamine infusion and recovery stages. The procedure time (from the baseline to the end of the peak dose stage) was recorded. Off-line analyses of the volumetric images acquired with RT3DE were performed using 3D computer software (TomTec, Co.). Digitized quad-screen images acquired with 2DE were analyzed using the 2DE review system (ProSolv 4.0). >50% luminal diameter stenosis of any coronary artery on CAG was defined as significant coronary artery stenosis. RESULTS: The procedure time of DSE with RT3DE was significantly shorter than that of DSE with 2DE (25+/-4 vs. 37+/-4 mins, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the sensitivity (p>0.05) or specificity (p>0.05) between the two procedures. CONCLUSION: DSE with RT3DE seems to be a feasible and less time consuming diagnostic procedure, probably providing comparable sensitivity and specificity for the detection of coronary artery stenosis, than DSE with 2DE.
Angina Pectoris ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diagnosis* ; Dobutamine* ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Stress* ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional* ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Phenobarbital ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Stroke is a rare but serious complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Currently, glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor is used in clinical practice for acute coronary syndromes and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). The incidence of stroke in patients receiving GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor during PCIs is very low. We report the case of a 47-year-old man who presented with AMI and suffered an acute cerebral infarction after infusion of a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor following primary PCI.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Cerebral Infarction ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Stroke

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a well-known chemical asphyxiant, which causes tissue hypoxia with prominent neurological and cardiovascular injury. After exposure to CO, several cardiac manifestations have been reported, including arrhythmias, acute myocardial infarction, and pulmonary edema. However, an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to CO poisoning is a very rare presentation, and the treatment for STEMI due to CO poisoning is not well established. Here, we report a rare case of STEMI complicated by increased thrombogenicity secondary to acute CO poisoning and complete revascularization after antithrombotic treatment.
Anoxia ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Carbon ; Carbon Monoxide ; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ; Myocardial Infarction ; Pulmonary Edema

PURPOSE: Nasal packing materials are almost inserted at the end stage of closed reduction of nasal bone for postoperative bleeding control and stabilization of nasal bone. Conventionally, vaseline gauze was used for packing of nasal cavity. These days, Surgeons have tried to apply Merocel(R) into the nasal cavity more easily. It is difficult for patients to continue keeping the nasal packs for more than a week due to breathing difficulty. Moreover, nasal packing itself can also cause headache, dry mouth, stuffiness, etc. METHODS: We performed a prospective study from March 1, 2008 to July 31, 2008. One hundred patients were divided into "Merocel(R) packing group" and "Merocel(R) and Airway Tube Merocel(R) packing group". Using two kinds of materials to each group after closed reduction, we observed and compared the amount of bleeding between two groups. We recorded patient's uncomfortable symptoms which were divided into four groups each 6, 24, 48 hours after nasal packing. RESULTS: The result of the bleeding amount of Air Tube Merocel(R) group after 6 hours of nasal packing is that 3 people belong to mild group, 38 people moderate group, and 9 people severe group. After 6 hours of nasal packing, 11 patients have no complains. 16 patients were mild, 21 patients were moderate, 2 patients were severe. After 24 hours of nasal packing, no complain(18 patients), mild(24 patients), moderate(6 patients), severe(0 patient). After 48 hours of nasal packing, no complain(25 patients), mild(20 patients), moderate(5 patients), severe(0 patient). CONCLUSION: Regarding the amount of bleeding, there are no difference between two groups. In case of Air Tube Merocel(R) group, patient's discomfort is gradually improved after 24 hours of nasal packing, After 48 hours of nasal packing, most of the patients do not experience headache, dry mouth, stuffiness, etc. Therefore, Air Tube Merocel(R) can be useful for bleeding control. Moreover, it helps patients to breathe through nose more easily and reduce discomfort.
Headache ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mouth ; Nasal Bone ; Nasal Cavity ; Nose ; Petrolatum ; Prospective Studies ; Respiration

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a combination of niacin and simvastatin to simvastatin alone, on plaque regression and inflammatory makers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study had a prospective, randomized design. Subjects were patients with intermediate coronary artery stenosis. A total of 28 patients received a combination of niacin 1,000 mg plus simvastatin 40 mg (N+S group, n=14); the other group received simvastatin 40 mg alone (S group, n=14). All patients had a baseline and a 9-month follow-up coronary angiogram and an intravascular ultrasound procedure. Parameters such as normalized total atheroma volume (nTAV) and percent atheroma volume (PAV) were analyzed before and after treatment as were inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Matrix me-talloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L). RESULTS: There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups. The nTAV and PAV in the N+S group before and after treatment were not different than those in the S group. But the degree of changes (delta) in nTAV in the N+S group was greater than that in the S group (-21.6+/-10.68 vs. 5.25+/-42.19, respectively, p=0.024). Also, the change in PAV in the NS group was higher than that in the S group (-1.2+/-2.5 vs. -0.6+/-5, respectively, p=0.047. Changes in hs-CRP, MMP-9, and sCD40L in the NS group were significantly greater than those of the S group (-0.71+/-1.25, 73.5+/-64.9, -1,970+/-1,925 vs. -0.32+/-0.96, 62.5+/-30.6, -1,673+/-2,628, respectively). CONCLUSION: The combination of niacin plus simvastatin decreases coronary plaque volume and attenuates the inflammatory response in patients with intermediate coronary artery stenosis.
C-Reactive Protein ; CD40 Ligand ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Inflammation ; Niacin ; Oxidative Stress ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Prospective Studies ; Simvastatin ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although drug-eluting stents (DESs) effectively reduce restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), they also delay re-endothelialization and impair microvascular function, resulting in adverse clinical outcomes. Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) capturing stents, by providing a functional endothelial layer on the stent, have beneficial effects on microvascular function. However, data on coronary microvascular function in patients with EPC stents versus DESs are lacking. METHODS: Seventy-four patients who previously underwent PCI were enrolled in this study. Microvascular function was evaluated 6 months after PCI based on the index of microvascular resistance (IMR) and the coronary flow reserve (CFR). IMR was calculated as the ratio of the mean distal coronary pressure at maximal hyperemia to the inverse of the hyperemic mean transit time (hTmn). The CFR was calculated by dividing the hTmn by the baseline mean transit time. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (age, 67.2 +/- 9.6 years; male:female, 15:6) with an EPC stent and 53 patients (age, 61.5 +/- 14.7 years; male:female, 40:13) with second-generation DESs were included in the study. There were no significant differences in the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics of the two groups. Angiography performed 6 months postoperatively did not show significant differences in their CFR values. However, patients with the EPC stent had a significantly lower IMR than patients with second-generation DESs (median, 25.5 [interquartile range, 12.85 to 28.18] vs. 29.0 [interquartile range, 15.42 to 39.23]; p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Microvascular dysfunction was significantly improved after 6 months in patients with EPC stents compared to those with DESs. The complete re-endothelialization achieved with the EPC stent may provide clinical benefits over DESs, especially in patients with microvascular dysfunction.
Aged ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease/diagnosis/physiopathology/*therapy ; *Coronary Circulation ; Coronary Vessels/*physiopathology/radiography ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; *Endothelial Progenitor Cells/radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microvessels/*physiopathology/radiography ; Middle Aged ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/*instrumentation ; Prosthesis Design ; *Re-Epithelialization ; *Stents ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Vascular Resistance

A 41-year-old woman was admitted because of dyspnea on exertion for one month. She was diagnosed to have systemic lupus erythematosus 4 years ago and has taken prednisolone and azathioprine. One month prior to admission she visited dental clinic for painful gingival swelling and gingival biopsy was performed. Physical examination showed multiple round elevated purpuric rashes in thoracic wall. Gingiva and skin biopsy showed Kaposi's sarcoma. Computed tomography of abdomen and chest revealed ill-defined nodules in both lung fields and multiple small para-aortic lymphadenopathies. Chemotherapy with paclitaxel was given for Kaposi's sarcoma. Prednisolone was tapered. After the 7th course of chemotherapy, the lesions show marked improvement in size and number.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Azathioprine ; Biopsy ; Dental Clinics ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Exanthema ; Female ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Lung ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Paclitaxel ; Physical Examination ; Prednisolone ; Sarcoma, Kaposi* ; Skin ; Thoracic Wall ; Thorax

PURPOSE: To evaluate appropriate rehabilitation program after ACL reconstruction using double- looped semitendonosus and gracilis graft. MATERIAL AND METHOD: ACL reconstruction using double-looped semitendinosus and gracilis tendon was performed in thirty patients from March 1997 to February 1999, and the patients were evaluated with K-T 2000 arthrometer, Lachman test, pivot shift test, mid-thigh circumference and Lysholm score. We divided the patients into three group; in group A, conservative rehabilitation after bio-absorbable screw fixation was done, in group B, aggressive rehabilitation after bioabsorbable screw fixation was done, in group C, aggressive rehabilitation after Semi-Fix fixation was done. RESULTS: Average K-T 2000 maximum manual side-to-side difference was 0.73mm in group A, 3.66mm in group B, 0.91mm in group C at 6 weeks after the operation. The difference was greater in group B than group A and C. There was no difference in mid thigh circumference and Lysholm score at one year post- operatively. Positive signs in Lachman test and pivot shift test were increased in group B than group A and group C. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation after bioabsorbable screw fixation of double-looped hamstring tendon should be performed conservatively, because aggressive rehabilitation might increase joint laxity.
Humans ; Joint Instability ; Rehabilitation* ; Tendons* ; Thigh ; Transplants