No abstract available.
Immunoglobulin G* ; Inflammation*

Over the physiologic range of heart rate, the duration of electrical systole(QT) is shorter than that of electromechanical systole(QS2), which reflects direct physiologic link between electrical repolarization and mechanical events of the cardiac cycle. The present study designed to test usefulness of systolic time intervals and QT-QS2(QT minus QS2) value as complication predictors, which may predict prognostic status of myocardial infarction. The studied subjects were consisted of 33 healthy adults as control(22 men, 11 women) and 35 patients with myocardial infarction. And studied patients were divided into 3 groups; group I of 14 patients with or without complication in acute stage, group II of 11 uncomplicated patients under recovery of chronic status, group III of 10 complicated patients under recovery or chronic status. The observation periods were 3 to 13 days in group I, 5 to 96 weeks in group II and III after their onset. The results were follows; 1) The normal ranges were defined as mean+/-2 standard deviations of the measured values of control, that of QTc were shorter than 431ms of man and 458ms of woman, that of QS2 I were longer than 503ms of man and 514ms of woman, that of PEP/LVET ratio was less than 0.40, that of QT-QS2 value was less than 0 ms respectively. 2) QTc of all patient groups were significantly prolonged compared with that of control, and that of group III was significantly longer than that of group II(481+/-25 vs 432+/-32, p<0.005). 3) The changes of QS2 I were not significant in all patient groups compared with QS2 I of control. 4) QT-QS2 value showed QT>QS2 in group I and III. and QTQS2 had positive predictive value of 82% for predicting probability of previous complicated status. We concluded that QT-QS2 value, including PEP/LVET ratio and QTc, could be used as complication predictors. But it is necessary to examine these indicators prospectively to confirm its clinical applicability.
Adult ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Reference Values ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Systole*

No abstract available.
Transplantation* ; Tuberculosis*

No abstract available.
Transplantation* ; Tuberculosis*

No abstract available.
Radionuclide Imaging*

No abstract available.
Technetium Tc 99m Medronate*

No abstract available.
Technetium Tc 99m Medronate*

No abstract available.
Printing, Three-Dimensional* ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement*

Epidermal cysts slowly growing, intradermal or subcutaneous tumors that usually cease growing after having reached 1 to 5 cm in diameter. We report a case of giant epidermal cyst on the scapular region with the appearance of well delineated huge mass measured 19×17×14cm in size. Its clinical and surgical management are illustrated.
Epidermal Cyst

Agenerally accepted consensus of end-of-life (EOL) care decision-making did not appear in Korean medical society until the year 2009. To enhance physician's ethical perception of EOL care, consensus guidelines to withdrawing life-sustaining therapies endorsed by Korean Medical Association, Korean Academy of Medical Science, and Korean Hospital Association, were published on October 13, 2009. In this article, the characteristics and issues with the guidelines are presented to improve understanding by physicians who interact with EOL patients. According to the guidelines, physicians should identify, document, respect, and act on hospitals inpatients' needs, priorities, and preferences for EOL care. The guidelines advocate that competent patients express their right of self-determination in EOL care decisions through advance directives. However, there are barriers to adopting advance directives as a legitimate tool of EOL decision-making in our current society. The guidelines stressed the importance of open communication between care-givers and patients or their surrogates. Through communication, physicians can create a plan regarding how to manage EOL until the patients' last day of life. Concerted actions among the general public, professionals, other stake-holders for EOL care, and governmental organizations to improve EOL care in our society are also stipulated. Physicians, who know the clinical meaning of the treatments available to EOL patients, should play a central role based on the consensus guidelines to help patients and their families make informed decisions about EOL care.
Advance Directives ; Consensus ; Humans ; Societies, Medical