BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: When monotherapy is inadequate for blood pressure control, the next step is either to continue monotherapy in increased doses or to add another antihypertensive agent. However, direct comparison of double-dose monotherapy versus combination therapy has rarely been done. The objective of this study is to compare 10 mg of amlodipine with an amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg combination in patients whose blood pressure control is inadequate with amlodipine 5 mg. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted as a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Men and women aged 20-80 who were diagnosed as having hypertension, who had been on amlodipine 5 mg monotherapy for at least 4 weeks, and whose daytime mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥135 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥85 mmHg on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were randomized to amlodipine (A) 10 mg or amlodipine/valsartan (AV) 5/160 mg group. Follow-up 24-hour ABPM was done at 8 weeks after randomization. RESULTS: Baseline clinical characteristics did not differ between the 2 groups. Ambulatory blood pressure reduction was significantly greater in the AV group compared with the A group (daytime mean SBP change: -14±11 vs. -9±9 mmHg, p<0.001, 24-hour mean SBP change: -13±10 vs. -8±8 mmHg, p<0.0001). Drug-related adverse events also did not differ significantly (A:AV, 6.5 vs. 4.5%, p=0.56). CONCLUSION: Amlodipine/valsartan 5/160 mg combination was more efficacious than amlodipine 10 mg in hypertensive patients in whom monotherapy of amlodipine 5 mg had failed.
Amlodipine* ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Random Allocation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prognostic value of biochemical markers and the resolution of ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram are well established. However, how a combination of these two tools affects the evaluation of risk stratification has not yet been evaluated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and June 2008, 178 consecutive patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) were analyzed at two coronary care units. Patients were divided into the following three groups according to ST-segment resolution: complete (> or =70% depression of the elevated ST-segment, n=63), partial (30% to 70%, n=90), and incomplete (<30%, n=25). Demographic data, including history, electrocardiography, biochemical markers, initial ejection fraction, and angiographic findings were also evaluated. RESULTS: There were 7 deaths, 3 repeated myocardial infarctions, and 17 readmissions for worsening heart failure during six months of follow-up. In a multivariate analysis to predict clinical outcomes, ejection fraction {hazard ratio (HR): 0.83 (0.76-0.91), p<0.01}, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein {HR: 1.15 (1.05-1.26), p<0.05}, and the degree of ST-segment resolution {HR: 0.96 (0.93-0.09), p<0.05} were independently associated with clinical outcomes. According to the Cox-proportional hazards model, the addition of ST-segment resolution markedly improved the prognostic utility of the model containing biochemical markers and ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: Assessment of biomarkers upon admission and ST-segment resolution are strong predictors of clinical outcomes. The combination of these data provides additive information about prognosis at an early point in the disease progression and further improves risk stratification for STEMI.
Biomarkers ; C-Reactive Protein ; Coronary Care Units ; Depression ; Disease Progression ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models

OBJECTIVES: To develop effective ways of sharing patients' medical information, we developed a new medical information exchange system (MIES) based on a registry server, which enabled us to exchange different types of data generated by various systems. METHODS: To assure that patient's medical information can be effectively exchanged under different system environments, we adopted the standardized data transfer methods and terminologies suggested by the Center for Interoperable Electronic Healthcare Record (CIEHR) of Korea in order to guarantee interoperability. Regarding information security, MIES followed the security guidelines suggested by the CIEHR of Korea. This study aimed to develop essential security systems for the implementation of online services, such as encryption of communication, server security, database security, protection against hacking, contents, and network security. RESULTS: The registry server managed information exchange as well as the registration information of the clinical document architecture (CDA) documents, and the CDA Transfer Server was used to locate and transmit the proper CDA document from the relevant repository. The CDA viewer showed the CDA documents via connection with the information systems of related hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: This research chooses transfer items and defines document standards that follow CDA standards, such that exchange of CDA documents between different systems became possible through ebXML. The proposed MIES was designed as an independent central registry server model in order to guarantee the essential security of patients' medical information.
Delivery of Health Care ; Electronic Health Records ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Information Systems ; Korea

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) represents a broad spectrum of ischemic myocardial events, including unstable angina, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, and acute ST elevation myocardial infarction, which are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and risk stratification are essential for initiation of optimal medical and invasive management. Randomized clinical trials over the past decade have revolutionized the care of patients with ACS. Therapeutic measures consist of administration of aggressive antiplatelet, antithrombotic, and antiischemic agents. In addition, patients with high-risk features, notably positive troponin, ST segment changes, and diabetes, benefit from early invasive intervention as compared to conservative strategies. Lifestyle interventions, modification of risk factor profile, and long-term medical treatment are of pivotal importance in reducing the long-term risk of recurrence.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Angina, Unstable ; Anticoagulants ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Life Style ; Myocardial Infarction ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Secondary Prevention ; Troponin

Purulent pericarditis is a rare, life-threatening condition and usually involves the whole pericardium. However only few cases have been reported in which a loculated pericardial abscess occurred from purulent pericarditis. The prevalence of acute pericarditis due to bacteria was 6%. Purulent pericarditis due to anaerobic bacteria has been reported less frequently than aerobic bacteria. There was no report about purulent pericarditis due to Bacteroides fragilis in Korea until now. So we report the first case of pericardial abscess due to B. fragilis in 59 year old Korean male with history of chronic renal failure and hemodialysis, that was complicated with pericardial tamponade.
Abscess* ; Bacteria ; Bacteria, Aerobic ; Bacteria, Anaerobic ; Bacteroides fragilis* ; Bacteroides* ; Cardiac Tamponade* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pericarditis ; Pericardium ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis

Purulent pericarditis is a rare, life-threatening condition and usually involves the whole pericardium. However only few cases have been reported in which a loculated pericardial abscess occurred from purulent pericarditis. The prevalence of acute pericarditis due to bacteria was 6%. Purulent pericarditis due to anaerobic bacteria has been reported less frequently than aerobic bacteria. There was no report about purulent pericarditis due to Bacteroides fragilis in Korea until now. So we report the first case of pericardial abscess due to B. fragilis in 59 year old Korean male with history of chronic renal failure and hemodialysis, that was complicated with pericardial tamponade.
Abscess* ; Bacteria ; Bacteria, Aerobic ; Bacteria, Anaerobic ; Bacteroides fragilis* ; Bacteroides* ; Cardiac Tamponade* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pericarditis ; Pericardium ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether prehypertensives (PHs) exhibit more prevalent electrocardiographic and echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG LVH) and if they are are more associated with impaired left ventricular (LV) diastolic function than are normotensives (NTs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 608 subjects> or = 40 years of age with normal BP (SBP<120 mmHg and DBP<80 mmHg, n=335) and PH (n=273) and who were without a history of hypertension, diabetes and any other known cardiovascular diseases underwent blood sampling for obtaining the lipid profile, and they also underwent 12-lead electrocardiography and echocardiography. RESULTS: Compared with the NTs, the PHs had significantly higher Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell voltage for ECG LVH, and they ahd a higher prevalence of ECG LVH (men: 16.9% vs 5.9%, women: 2.0% vs 1.0%, respectively). The PHs had a more increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI, Men: 118.1+/-24.4 g/m2 vs 102.0+/-19.1 g/m2, p=0.02; Women: 117.5+/-26.4 g/m2 vs 101.9+/-30.7 g/m2, p=0.02) and a more decreased LV diastolic function (E/A, Men: 1.14+/-0.6 vs 1.30+/-0.4, p=0.03; Wemen: 1.11+/-0.6 vs 1.25+/-0.5, p=0.03) on echocardiography than the NTs. CONCLUSION: The PHs were associated with a higher prevalence of ECG LVH and a more increased LVMI on echocardiography than that of the NTs. Therefore, we should pay earlier attention to diagnose and screen the pre-hypertensive group.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular* ; Male ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: Aldosterone acts as a non-hemodynamic factors on the hypertensive heart regarding sodium retension or myocardial fibrosis. To elucidate whether aldosterone is associated with the specific left ventricular geometry or not, we investigated the relationship between the upright serum aldosterone levels and the echocardiographicleft ventricular structure in the essential hypertension patients never treated. METHODS: Echocardiographic indices included M-mode measured left ventricular mass index (LVMI), relative wall thickness (RWT). Aldosterone is measured by Radioimmunoassay for the serum withdrawn from the subjects at least 3 hours upright position. 63 patients and 20 normal control subjects were evaluated. RESULTS: 1) 84.1% (63/53) of cases showed left ventricular hypertrophy. 7 patients showed normal LVMI, 3 patients showed concentric remodeling geometry. 19 patients had concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). 34 patients had eccentric LVH. 2) The serum aldosterone level has negative correlation with the RWT (r=-0.27, p=0.03) but not with LVMI (r=0.08, p=NS). There was difference among groups (ANOVA, F=0.009). Serum aldosterone is higher in eccentric LVH group than in concentric LVH group (10.5+/-1.2 ng/dL vs 5.2+/-0.6 ng/dL, p=0.0001) and than in control group (10.5+/-1.2 ng/dL vs 6.6+/-0.8 ng/dL, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: In this study, we observed that the serum aldosterone level was not correlated with the LVMI but with RWT negatively so that eccentric LVH group showed higher serum aldosterone levels than control group and concentric LVH group.
Aldosterone* ; Echocardiography ; Fibrosis ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Radioimmunoassay ; Sodium

BACKGROUND: The several kinds of coronary stents have proven successful in their role to treat acute or subacute closures after balloon angioplasty as well as to reduce the restenosis rate in de novo lesions. However, investigations continue in order to develop an ideal stent with a strong, highly flexible, radial force, especially useful in cases of tortuous vessels, lesions at bends, and lesions distal to previously deployed stents. The NIR stent is a recently developed balloon-expandable, stainless-steel, slotted tube stent; it is designed for improved flexibility with a higher radial force when compared with the traditional Palmaz-Schatz stent. We report the immediate results of our experience with the NIR stent. The purpose of the present study was to assess the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the deployment of manually crimped NIR stents in patients with complex coronary anatomy as well as the clinical outcomes within the first month. METHODS: Between January and July 1997, 143 NIR stents were implanted in the coronary arteries of 124 patients (male 76%, mean age 56+/-10 years). Sixty-one patients had UAP, 43 had SA, and 20 patients had AMI. RESULTS: 1)Indications of stenting were de novo lesions in 123 (95%) and restenosis lesion in 6 (5%). 2)Frequency of used stent length was 16mm in 65 cases (46%), 32mm in 60 cases (42%), 25 mm in 12 cases (8%), and 9mm in 6 cases (4%). 3)Single stents were implanted in 115 (89%) lesions, and overlapping stenting with 2nd NIR stents in 14 (11%) lesions. 4)Procedural success rate (defined as the angiographically residual stenosis of <30% immediately after the procedure with no major clinical events within 4 weeks after the procedure) was 95.2% (118/124 pts). Angiographic success rate (defined as a residual stenosis of <30% without major dissection) was 96.1% (124/129 lesion). The procedural success rate and the angiographic success rate in calcified lesions and/or thrombi containing lesions were 100%. The procedural success rate and the angiographic success rate in cases of tortuous proximal vessels to the lesion were 91% and 91%, respectively. The procedural success rate and the angiographic success rate in more than 45 degrees angulated lesions were 98% and 94%, respectively. 5)The mean lumen diameter of target lesions was increased from 0.6+/-0.4mm to 3.1+/-0.5mm (p<0.001) after stent implantation. The percent of diameter stenosis was decreased from 82+/-12% to -1+/-13% (p<0.001) after stent implantation. The mean diameter of the reference artery was 3.1+/-0.6mm. 6)Incidence of peristent dissection after stenting was 6.2% (8/129 lesion). 7)The rate of stenting failure was 4.8% (6 pts). There were 2 cases of stent migration, 2 cases of failure to cross the lesion and 2 cases of procedure-related emergency CABG. CONCLUSION: There is a higher tendency for stent migration with manually crinped stents compared with that of premounted stents. However, coronary stenting with manually-crimped NIR stents can be safely performed and may be particularly useful in patients with unfavorable clinical and angiographic characteristics for percutaneous coronary intervention. Follow-up data is needed to assess long term patency of this stent.
Angioplasty, Balloon ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Decompression Sickness ; Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Pliability ; Stents*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: QT dispersion (QTd) represents the inhomogeneity of ventricular repolarization and has been suggested to predict ventricular arrhythmia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study investigates the short-term effect of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on QTd in patients with CAD and no history of previous myocardial infarct. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 84 angina patients (65 men and 19 women, mean age of 58.3+/-9.0 yeras) who underwent successful PTCA of single coronary artery, ECG was checked in baseline, immediate, 1day and 1 month after PTCA. QTd and corrected QTd (c-QTd) were measured in these ECGs by digitizer. RESULTS: PTCA was performed at left anterior descending artery (LAD) in 56, left circumflex artery (LCx) in 12 and right coronary artery (RCA) in 16 patients. Mean and standard error of QTd (c-QTd) at baseline, immediate, 1day and 1month after PTCA was 51.3+/-4.2 (50.7+/-4.1), 54.2+/-4.5 (52.8+/-4.5), 47.7+/-4.3 (48.5+/-4.8) and 36.3+/-4.5 (37.5+/-4.6)msec, respectively. QTd and c-QTd significantly decreased at 1 month following PTCA. The difference was more prominent in pateints with LAD lesion than LCx or RCA lesion and independent of gender, severity of stenosis and use of beta-blockers. CONCLUSION: QTd decreases in CAD patients with no history of myocardial infarct at 1 month following successful PTCA. This may facilitate a favorable recovery from inhomogenous repolarization. These findings call for long-term follow-up of QTd and the incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden death following successful PTCA.
Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Death, Sudden ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Tachycardia