Background and Objectives: The EPIC™ stent is a self-expanding, nitinol stent that has been designed to enhance flexibility and provide expansion within vessels. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the EPIC™ stent when used to treat iliac artery diseases in a prospective Korean multicenter registry. Methods: A total of 138 patients with iliac artery diseases who received endovascular treatment with EPIC™ stents at 9 Korean sites were enrolled in a prospective cohort and followed for 1 year. The primary endpoint was the 1-year freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR). The secondary endpoints were 1-year clinical patency and freedom from major adverse events (MAEs). Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 66.8±8.5 years and most subjects were male (86.2%). The most frequent lesion type was Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus B (43.5%) and the majority (56.5%) of the target lesions were located in the common iliac artery. Procedural success was obtained in 99.3% of patients. The freedom from TLR and the clinical patency at 1-year follow-up were 94.9% and 92.3%, respectively. The 1-year rate of MAEs was 5.1%. Combined coronary artery disease (hazard ratio [HR], 5.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–30.89; p=0.035) and smaller stent diameter (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17–0.88;p=0.023) were identified as independent risk factors of TLR after EPIC™ stent implantation. Conclusions The EPIC™ stents demonstrated excellent immediate and 1-year efficacy and safety outcomes in iliac artery lesions in this multicenter, prospective, registry-based study.

Background and Objectives: The EPIC™ stent is a self-expanding, nitinol stent that has been designed to enhance flexibility and provide expansion within vessels. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the EPIC™ stent when used to treat iliac artery diseases in a prospective Korean multicenter registry. Methods: A total of 138 patients with iliac artery diseases who received endovascular treatment with EPIC™ stents at 9 Korean sites were enrolled in a prospective cohort and followed for 1 year. The primary endpoint was the 1-year freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR). The secondary endpoints were 1-year clinical patency and freedom from major adverse events (MAEs). Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 66.8±8.5 years and most subjects were male (86.2%). The most frequent lesion type was Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus B (43.5%) and the majority (56.5%) of the target lesions were located in the common iliac artery. Procedural success was obtained in 99.3% of patients. The freedom from TLR and the clinical patency at 1-year follow-up were 94.9% and 92.3%, respectively. The 1-year rate of MAEs was 5.1%. Combined coronary artery disease (hazard ratio [HR], 5.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–30.89; p=0.035) and smaller stent diameter (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17–0.88;p=0.023) were identified as independent risk factors of TLR after EPIC™ stent implantation. Conclusions The EPIC™ stents demonstrated excellent immediate and 1-year efficacy and safety outcomes in iliac artery lesions in this multicenter, prospective, registry-based study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship between operator volume and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been fully investigated. We aimed to investigate the relationship between operator PCI volume and in-hospital outcomes after primary PCI for STEMI. METHODS: Among the total of 44,967 consecutive cases of PCI enrolled in the Korean nationwide, retrospective registry (K-PCI registry), 8,282 patients treated with PCI for STEMI by 373 operators were analyzed. PCI volumes above the 75th percentile (>30 cases/year), between the 75th and 25th percentile (10–30 cases/year), and below the 25th percentile (<10 cases/year) were defined as high, moderate, and low-volume operators, respectively. In-hospital outcomes including mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis, stroke, and urgent repeat PCI were analyzed. RESULTS: The average number of primary PCI cases performed by 373 operators was 22.2 in a year. In-hospital mortality after PCI for STEMI was 571 cases (6.9%). In-hospital outcomes by operator volume showed no significant differences in the death rate, cardiac death, non-fatal MI, and stent thrombosis. However, the rate of urgent repeat PCI tended to be lower in the high-volume operator (0.6%) than in the moderate-(0.7%)/low-(1.5%) volume operator groups (p=0.095). The adjusted odds ratios for adverse in-hospital outcomes were similar in the 3 groups. Multivariate analysis also showed that operator volume was not a predictor for adverse in-hospital outcomes. CONCLUSIONS In-hospital outcomes after primary PCI for STEMI were not associated with operator volume in the K-PCI registry.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship between operator volume and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been fully investigated. We aimed to investigate the relationship between operator PCI volume and in-hospital outcomes after primary PCI for STEMI.METHODS: Among the total of 44,967 consecutive cases of PCI enrolled in the Korean nationwide, retrospective registry (K-PCI registry), 8,282 patients treated with PCI for STEMI by 373 operators were analyzed. PCI volumes above the 75th percentile (>30 cases/year), between the 75th and 25th percentile (10–30 cases/year), and below the 25th percentile (<10 cases/year) were defined as high, moderate, and low-volume operators, respectively. In-hospital outcomes including mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis, stroke, and urgent repeat PCI were analyzed.RESULTS: The average number of primary PCI cases performed by 373 operators was 22.2 in a year. In-hospital mortality after PCI for STEMI was 571 cases (6.9%). In-hospital outcomes by operator volume showed no significant differences in the death rate, cardiac death, non-fatal MI, and stent thrombosis. However, the rate of urgent repeat PCI tended to be lower in the high-volume operator (0.6%) than in the moderate-(0.7%)/low-(1.5%) volume operator groups (p=0.095). The adjusted odds ratios for adverse in-hospital outcomes were similar in the 3 groups. Multivariate analysis also showed that operator volume was not a predictor for adverse in-hospital outcomes.CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital outcomes after primary PCI for STEMI were not associated with operator volume in the K-PCI registry.
Cohort Studies ; Death ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Infarction ; Odds Ratio ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Stroke ; Thrombosis ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical and angiographic features with outcome of transcatheter arterial embolization in patients with secondary postpartum hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical details and angiographic features with assessment of arterial embolization were reviewed in total 38 patients underwent arterial embolization at single tertiary referral center. RESULTS: Twenty patients (53%) had Cesarean section. The major causes of bleeding were iatrogenic vascular injury, and retained placenta (55%). The patterns of vaginal bleeding were recorded as intermittent (50%), or as persistent (50%). Seven patients (18%) were hemodynamically unstable at presentation. Positive angiographic findings appeared in eighteen patients (47.3%). The frequency of pseudoaneurysm was statistically high in the Cesarean section (p < 0.001). The used embolic agents except gelfoam were N-butyl cyanoacrylate (n = 7), and microcoil (n = 7). Unilateral selective embolization (26.3%) was shown effective in superselective embolization of bleeding focus. Technical and clinical success rate were 100% and 97.4%, respectively with no complication. Sixteen resumed regular menstruation, and one pregnancy were observed in patients with available follow-up of over 6 months. CONCLUSION Considerable rate of hemodynamically unstable patients was observed with high rate of positive angiography findings. Given high successful rate and few complications, early angiographic assessment with embolization should be considered.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of endoscopic nerve decompression in patients with deep gluteal syndromes (DGS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2013 and March 2015, 24 patients who underwent surgical treatment of DGS were retrospectively included in this study. The mean age was 47 years (range, 35 to 76 years), and there were 11 males and 13 females. The mean duration of pain was 12 months (range, 5 to 35 months) and the mean follow-up period was 32 months (range, 26 to 45 months). Clinical evaluations included the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, modified Harris hip score (mHHS), and the symptom-rating scale. RESULTS: Significant improvement in symptoms following endoscopic decompression were achieved as measured using the VAS score (decrease in the mean from 7.1±0.9 to 2.5±1.5; P < 0.001) and mHHS (increase from 59.4±6.5 to 85.0±8.3; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic sciatic nerve decompression was satisfactory for treating recalcitrant DGS, making it an effective treatment option to improve symptoms of DGS.
Decompression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sciatic Nerve ; Visual Analog Scale

BACKGROUND: Because conventional echocardiographic parameters have several limitations, strain echocardiography has often been introduced in clinical practice. However, there are also obstacles in using it in clinical practice. Therefore, we wanted to find the current status of awareness on using strain echocardiography in Korea. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide survey to evaluate current use and awareness of strain echocardiography from the members of the Korean Society of Echocardiography. RESULTS: We gathered total 321 questionnaires from 25 cardiology centers in Korea. All participants were able to perform or interpret echocardiographic examinations. All participating institutions performed strain echocardiography. Most of our study participants (97%) were aware of speckle tracking echocardiography and 185 (58%) performed it for clinical and research purposes. Two-dimensional strain echocardiography was the most commonly used modality and left ventricle (LV) was the most commonly used cardiac chamber (99%) for clinical purposes. Most of the participants (89%) did not think LV strain can replace LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in their clinical practice. The common reasons for not performing routine use of strain echocardiography was diversity of strain measurements and lack of normal reference value. Many participants had a favorable view of the future of strain echocardiography. CONCLUSION: Most of our study participants were aware of strain echocardiography, and all institutions performed strain echocardiography for clinical and research purposes. However, they did not think the LV strain values could replace LVEF. The diversity of strain measurements and lack of normal reference values were common reasons for not using strain echocardiography in clinical practice.
Cardiology ; Echocardiography* ; Heart Ventricles ; Korea* ; Reference Values

PURPOSE: The outcome of hip arthroscopy as a treatment of patients with hip dysplasia is variable. In patients with severe hip dysplasia, arthroscopy has the potential to exacerbate instability and unfavorable outcome. To the best of out knowledge, there has not been a report regarding arthroscopic treatment in patients with borderline hip dysplasia in Korea. We favorable outcome with using arthroscopy to treat symptomatic borderline hip dysplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2010 and February 2015, 143 patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for intra-articular hip disorder were retrospectively enrolled. From this cohort, a borderline dysplasia group compromising 29 patient with lateral center edge angle (LCEA) >18° and <25° and a minimum of 1 years follow-up, was identified. Patient-reported outcome scores, including modified Harris hip score, the hip outcome score-activity of daily living, the sport-specific subscale, visual analogue scale (VAS) and satisfaction survey were obtained preoperatively and at postoperative 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years. Revision surgery and complications were recorded for each group. RESULTS: The mean age was 35.7 years (range, 16–63 years) years respectively. There were 16 females (55.2%) and 13 males (44.8%). The mean LCEA was 22.0° (range, 18°–25°) and the mean Tönnis angle was 6.1° (range, 0°–18°). The mean follow-up was 20.2 months (range, 12–39 months), and at the 1 year follow-up, there was significant improvement (p<0.001) in all patient reported outcome scores and VAS. Satisfaction survey showed an average score of 7.7. CONCLUSION: In patients with borderline hip dysplasia, if there is an occurrence of symptomatic labral tear, arthroscopic labral refixation has a good short-term result. Therefore, if patients have no response to conservative treatment or have severe pain, arthroscopic labral refixation is a useful treatment options to relieve symptom.
Arthroscopy* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Dislocation* ; Hip* ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Tears

Eagle's syndrome is a disease caused by an elongated styloid process or calcified stylohyoid ligament. Eagle defined the disorder in 1937 by describing clinical findings related to an elongated styloid process, which is one of the numerous causes of pain in the craniofacial and cervical region. The prevalence of individuals with this anatomic abnormality in the adult population is estimated to be 4% with 0.16% of these individuals reported to be symptomatic. Eagle's syndrome is usually characterized by neck, throat, or ear pain; pharyngeal foreign body sensation; dysphagia; pain upon head movement; and headache. The diagnosis of Eagle's syndrome must be made in association with data from the clinical history, physical examination, and imaging studies. Patients with increased symptom severity require surgical excision of the styloid process, which can be performed through an intraoral or an extraoral approach. Here, we report a rare case of stylohyoid ligament bilaterally elongated to more than 60 mm in a 51-year-old female. We did a surgery by extraoral approach and patient's symptom was improved.
Adult ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Eagles ; Ear ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; Head Movements ; Headache ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Pharynx ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Sensation

A family of calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) is a unique enzyme which plays crucial roles in intracellular calcium signaling in plants, algae, and protozoa. CDPKs of malaria parasites are known to be key regulators for stage-specific cellular responses to calcium, a widespread secondary messenger that controls the progression of the parasite. In our study, we identified a gene encoding Plasmodium vivax CDPK4 (PvCDPK4) and characterized its molecular property and cellular localization. PvCDPK4 was a typical CDPK which had well-conserved N-terminal kinase domain and C-terminal calmodulin-like structure with 4 EF hand motifs for calcium-binding. The recombinant protein of EF hand domain of PvCDPK4 was expressed in E. coli and a 34 kDa product was obtained. Immunofluorescence assay by confocal laser microscopy revealed that the protein was expressed at the mature schizont of P. vivax. The expression of PvCDPK4-EF in schizont suggests that it may participate in the proliferation or egress process in the life cycle of this parasite.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Conserved Sequence ; Escherichia coli/genetics ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; Plasmodium vivax/chemistry/*genetics ; Protein Kinases/analysis/chemistry/*genetics ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Protozoan Proteins/analysis/chemistry/*genetics ; Sequence Alignment