Objective: Serum hemoglobin (Hb) level affects the viscosity of blood. Several studies have reported that Hb level is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcome. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the association between serum Hb level and the risk of subclinical atherosclerosis. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between Hb level and risk of carotid plaque in a health checkup cohort. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed a total of 3,805 individuals without history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) who underwent carotid ultrasonography (USG) between January 2016 and June 2018. Participants were divided into 4 groups based on Hb quartiles in each of male and female. Carotid plaque score was calculated based on USG reports.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed for each index of quartile groups regarding the risk of carotid plaque. Results: Of 3,805 individuals (mean age, 52.62±10.25 years; 2,674 [70.28%] males), mean Hb level was 15.11±0.75 g/dL in male and 13.35±0.74 g/dL in female. When the Q1 group was compared to the Q4, increasing quartile of Hb was associated with the presence of significant carotid plaque (plaque score ≥3) in male (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.538; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.182–2.001; p=0.001) and female (adjusted OR, 1.749; 95% CI, 1.058–2.676; p=0.01). Conclusion A high Hb level is associated with an increased risk of carotid plaques in individuals without history of CVD. This finding may support the need for early screening of CVD in individuals with high Hb levels.

Background: Open gastrectomy causes severe postoperative pain. Therefore, we investigated the opioid-sparing effect of the ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block (ESPB) after open gastrectomy. Methods: Adult patients undergoing open gastrectomy were randomly assigned to either the ESPB group (ESPB + fentanyl based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia [IV-PCA]) or a control group (fentanyl based IV-PCA only). The primary outcome was total fentanyl equivalent consumption during the first 24 hour postoperatively.Secondary outcomes were pain intensities using a numeric rating scale at the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 hour postoperatively, and the amount of fentanyl equivalent consumption during the PACU stay and at 3, 6, and 12 hour postoperatively, and the time to the first request for rescue analgesia. Results: Fifty-eight patients were included in the analysis. There was no significant difference in total fentanyl equivalent consumption during the first 24 hour postoperatively between the two groups (P = 0.471). Pain intensities were not significantly different between the groups except during the PACU stay and 3 hour postoperatively (P < 0.001, for both). Time to the first rescue analgesia in the ward was longer in the ESPB group than the control group (P = 0.045). Conclusions Ultrasound-guided ESPB did not decrease total fentanyl equivalent consumption during the first 24 hour after open gastrectomy. It only reduced postoperative pain intensity until 3 hour postoperatively compared with the control group. Ultrasound-guided single-shot ESPB cannot provide an efficient opioid-sparing effect after open gastrectomy.

Background: and Purpose We aimed to develop a model predicting early recanalization after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) treatment in large-vessel occlusion. Methods: Using data from two different multicenter prospective cohorts, we determined the factors associated with early recanalization immediately after t-PA in stroke patients with large-vessel occlusion, and developed and validated a prediction model for early recanalization. Clot volume was semiautomatically measured on thin-section computed tomography using software, and the degree of collaterals was determined using the Tan score. Follow-up angiographic studies were performed immediately after t-PA treatment to assess early recanalization. Results: Early recanalization, assessed 61.0±44.7 minutes after t-PA bolus, was achieved in 15.5% (15/97) in the derivation cohort and in 10.5% (8/76) in the validation cohort. Clot volume (odds ratio [OR], 0.979; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.961 to 0.997; P=0.020) and good collaterals (OR, 6.129; 95% CI, 1.592 to 23.594; P=0.008) were significant factors associated with early recanalization. The area under the curve (AUC) of the model including clot volume was 0.819 (95% CI, 0.720 to 0.917) and 0.842 (95% CI, 0.746 to 0.938) in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The AUC improved when good collaterals were added (derivation cohort: AUC, 0.876; 95% CI, 0.802 to 0.950; P=0.164; validation cohort: AUC, 0.949; 95% CI, 0.886 to 1.000; P=0.036). The integrated discrimination improvement also showed significantly improved prediction (0.097; 95% CI, 0.009 to 0.185; P=0.032). Conclusions The model using clot volume and collaterals predicted early recanalization after intravenous t-PA and had a high performance. This model may aid in determining the recanalization treatment strategy in stroke patients with large-vessel occlusion.

Background: and Purpose We aimed to develop a model predicting early recanalization after intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) treatment in large-vessel occlusion. Methods: Using data from two different multicenter prospective cohorts, we determined the factors associated with early recanalization immediately after t-PA in stroke patients with large-vessel occlusion, and developed and validated a prediction model for early recanalization. Clot volume was semiautomatically measured on thin-section computed tomography using software, and the degree of collaterals was determined using the Tan score. Follow-up angiographic studies were performed immediately after t-PA treatment to assess early recanalization. Results: Early recanalization, assessed 61.0±44.7 minutes after t-PA bolus, was achieved in 15.5% (15/97) in the derivation cohort and in 10.5% (8/76) in the validation cohort. Clot volume (odds ratio [OR], 0.979; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.961 to 0.997; P=0.020) and good collaterals (OR, 6.129; 95% CI, 1.592 to 23.594; P=0.008) were significant factors associated with early recanalization. The area under the curve (AUC) of the model including clot volume was 0.819 (95% CI, 0.720 to 0.917) and 0.842 (95% CI, 0.746 to 0.938) in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The AUC improved when good collaterals were added (derivation cohort: AUC, 0.876; 95% CI, 0.802 to 0.950; P=0.164; validation cohort: AUC, 0.949; 95% CI, 0.886 to 1.000; P=0.036). The integrated discrimination improvement also showed significantly improved prediction (0.097; 95% CI, 0.009 to 0.185; P=0.032). Conclusions The model using clot volume and collaterals predicted early recanalization after intravenous t-PA and had a high performance. This model may aid in determining the recanalization treatment strategy in stroke patients with large-vessel occlusion.

Background: Cardiac arrest during or after office-based cosmetic surgery is rare, and little is known about its prognosis. We assessed the clinical outcomes of patients who developed cardiac arrest during or after cosmetic surgery at office-based clinics. Methods: Between May 2009 and May 2016, 32 patients who developed cardiac arrest during or after treatment at cosmetic surgery clinics were consecutively enrolled. We compared clinical outcomes, including complications, between survivors (n=19) and non-survivors (n=13) and attempted to determine the prognostic factors of mortality. Results: All 32 of the patients were female, with a mean age of 30.40±11.87 years. Of the 32 patients, 13 (41%) died. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) was applied in a greater percentage of non-survivors than survivors (92.3% vs. 47.4%, respectively; p=0.009). The mean duration of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was longer for the non-survivors than the survivors (31.55±33 minutes vs. 7.59±9.07 minutes, respectively; p=0.01).The mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score was also higher among non-survivors than survivors (23.85±6.68 vs. 16.79±7.44, respectively; p=0.01). No predictor of death was identified in the patients for whom ECLS was applied. Of the 19 survivors, 10 (52.6%) had hypoxic brain damage, and 1 (5.3%) had permanent lower leg ischemia.Logistic regression analyses revealed that the estimated glomerular filtration rate was a predictor of mortality. Conclusion Patients who developed cardiac arrest during or after cosmetic surgery at office-based clinics experienced poor prognoses, even though ECLS was applied in most cases. The survivors suffered serious complications. Careful monitoring of subjects and active CPR (when necessary) in cosmetic surgery clinics may be essential.

OBJECTIVE: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) frequently occurs after percutaneous intervention. Objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of serum cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalcin (NGAL), urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) as early predictors for CIN after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: In 53 patients who underwent PCI were enrolled. Serum creatinine and cystatin C level were measured immediately before, and 24 hours and 48 hours after catheterization. Serum NGAL, urinary KIM-1, and IL-18 were measured immediately before, and 4 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after catheterization. CIN was defined as a rise in creatinine 0.5 mg/dL or 25% above baseline. RESULTS: CIN occurred in four patients (7.5%). Serum cystatin C levels were higher at 24 hours and 48 hours in CIN patients than in those without CIN (P<0.05). Serum NGAL levels were higher at 48 hours in CIN patients than in those without CIN. Urinary KIM-1 levels were higher at 48 hours in CIN patients than in those without CIN. There were no significant markers of CIN on multi-variate analysis. CONCLUSION: In this study, the occurrence of CIN after PCI was 7.5%. Although there were some time-course changes in serum cystatin C and urinary KIM-1 after PCI, there was no significant predictor for CIN after PCI.
Catheterization ; Catheters ; Contrast Media ; Creatinine ; Cystatin C ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; Kidney ; Neutrophils ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention*

Radial artery perforation is one of the major complications of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Previous reports have suggested that sealing the perforation with a smaller guiding catheter may be possible. In one such study, the perforated segment was sealed with a 0.014- or 0.021-inch guidewire, and PCI was successfully completed. In this study, we describe a radial artery perforation that occurred after diagnostic coronary angiography and during insertion of a 6 French (FR) guiding catheter. PCI and the perforation were successfully managed through the use of a 5 Fr guiding catheter and a 0.035-inch guidewire.
Catheters ; Coronary Angiography ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* ; Radial Artery*

Polycystic kidney disease (PCKD) is rarely associated with aortic dissection (AD), which is a life-threatening disease. Although endovascular stent-graft repair tends to show better outcomes than conventional therapies in complicated type B AD (TBAD), successful endovascular intervention of TBAD with malperfusion in a patient with PCKD has not been reported. This case shows a 37-year-old male who had sudden onset of sharply stabbing epigastric pain with severe hypertension, who was diagnosed with TBAD and PCKD by a computed tomography and initially underwent medical treatment. Four days after discharge, he was rehospitalized with left leg pain and paresthesia due to left lower leg malperfusion. Thoracic endovascular stent-graft repair covering the primary tear site of dissection was performed successfully, leading to a decrease in false lumen and improvement of symptoms. We report the case of complicated TBAD in a patient with PCKD treated with endovascular stent-graft repair.
Adult ; Aortic Diseases ; Endovascular Procedures ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Leg ; Male ; Paresthesia ; Polycystic Kidney Diseases*

The incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) in hemodialysis patients is higher than the general population. Hemodialysis patients with IE have a poorer prognosis than other patients with IE. The most common sites of IE in hemodialysis patients are the mitral valve and aortic valve. A 47-year-old woman had suffered from recurrent catheter-related blood stream infection and she was strongly suspected of IE. Despite repeated transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), IE was revealed several months later by TEE due to the unusual location of the vegetation. The vegetation was detected on the left ventricle outflow tract. She recovered well without any complication after mitral valve replacement surgery.
Aortic Valve ; Catheter-Related Infections ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Endocarditis* ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Mitral Valve ; Prognosis ; Renal Dialysis* ; Rivers*

No abstract available.
Adolescent ; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists/therapeutic use ; Calcium Channel Blockers/therapeutic use ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Familial/complications/genetics/*pathology/physiopathology/therapy ; Electric Countershock ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Heart Failure/etiology/therapy ; Heart Septum/drug effects/*pathology/physiopathology/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Tachycardia, Ventricular/etiology/therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Ventricular Outflow Obstruction/etiology