Background: Current international guidelines recommend against deep sedation as it is associated with worse outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, in Korea the prevalence of deep sedation and its impact on patients in the ICU are not well known. Methods: From April 2020 to July 2021, a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, noninterventional cohort study was performed in 20 Korean ICUs. Sedation depth extent was divided into light and deep using a mean Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale value within the first 48 hours. Propensity score matching was used to balance covariables; the outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: Overall, 631 patients (418 [66.2%] and 213 [33.8%] in the deep and light sedation groups, respectively) were included. Mortality rates were 14.1% and 8.4% in the deep and light sedation groups (P = 0.039), respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that time to extubation (P < 0.001), ICU length of stay (P = 0.005), and death P = 0.041) differed between the groups. After adjusting for confounders, early deep sedation was only associated with delayed time to extubation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% confidence inter val [CI], 0.55– 0.80; P < 0.001). In the matched cohort, deep sedation remained significantly associated with delayed time to extubation (HR, 0.68; 95% 0.56–0.83; P < 0.001) but was not associated with ICU length of stay (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.79–1.13; P = 0.500) and in-hospital mortality (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.65–2.17; P = 0.582). Conclusion In many Korean ICUs, early deep sedation was highly prevalent in mechanically ventilated patients and was associated with delayed extubation, but not prolonged ICU stay or in-hospital death.

BACKGROUND: During 2009 pandemic period, many Koreans were infected and admitted with Influenza A/H1N1. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate whether the structures of an intensive care unit (ICU) were associated with the outcomes of critically ill patients. METHODS: This retrospective observational study examined critically ill adult patients with influenza A/H1N1, who were admitted to 24 hospitals in Korea, from September 2009 to February 2010. We collected data of ICU structure, patients and 90 days mortality. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, with backward elimination, were performed to determine the most significant risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 239 patients, mortality of 90 days was 43%. Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score (p < 0.001), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (p < 0.0001), nurse to beds ratio (p = 0.039) and presence of intensivist (p = 0.024) were significant risk factors of 90 days mortality. Age (p = 0.123), gender (p = 0.304), hospital size (p = 0.260), and ICU type (p = 0.409) were insignificantly associated with mortality. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, patients with less than 6 SOFA score had significantly lower mortality, compared with those with more than 10 SOFA score (odds ratio 0.156, p < 0.0001). The presence of intensivist had significantly lower mortality, compared with the absence (odds ratio 0.496, p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill patients with influenza A/H1N1, the severity of the illness and presence of intensivist might be associated with 90 days mortality.
Adult ; APACHE ; Critical Illness ; Health Facility Size ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Pandemics ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An increased platelet volume is associated with increased platelet reactivity, and may influence the outcome following a myocardial infarction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients with acute myocardial infarction, who visited Kyungpook National University Hospital between 2001 January and 2001 December, were included in this study. To determine the mean platelet volume (MPV), blood samples, taken at the time of arrival, were analyzed in an automated haematology analysis system (CELL-DYN3000, ABBOTT, USA). EDTA in the blood bottles was used as an anticoagulant. All samples were processed within 30 minutes of venipuncture, to avoid bias due to platelet swelling. The patients were followed for one year for readmission due to acute coronary syndrome, congestive heart failure or death. To stratify the prognostic value of the MPV, the patients were divided into 4 equal groups according to the percentiles of the platelet volume. RESULTS: Eight patients died, and 20 were readmitted due to acute coronary syndrome or congestive heart failure. The MPV is not a significant predictor of death. However, in the prediction of MACE, death and readmission, the MPV and age were significant factors (p<0.001 and p=0.046, respectively). The highest quartile group(MPV> 8.8fL) had a 7 times greater risk of MACE than the lowest quartile group (MPV<7.4 fL). CONCLUSION: The MPV measured in the emergency room is a significant predictor of MACE with an acute myocardial infarction. Therefore, patients with a large MPV might require more intensive, closely controlled treatment strategies for secondary prevention.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Blood Platelets ; Edetic Acid ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Mean Platelet Volume* ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Phlebotomy ; Prognosis ; Secondary Prevention

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite of increasing numbers of reports on intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT), there is still difficulty in its' diagnosis, treatment and prediction of prognosis. The purpose of this multicenter study was to evaluate the clinico-pathological features of IPMT in Korea and suggest the prediction criteria of malignancy in IPMT. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinico-pathological data of 208 patients who underwent operations with IPMT between 1993 and 2002 at 28 institutes in Korea. RESULTS: Of the 208 patients with a mean age of 60.5+/-9.7 years, 147 were men and 61 were women. 124 patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy, 42 distal pancreatectomy, 17 total pancreatectomy, 25 limited pancreas resection. Benign cases were 128 (adenoma (n=62), borderline (n=66)) and malignant cases were 80 (non-invasive (n=29), invasive (n=51)). A significant difference in 5-year survival was observed between benign and malignant group (92.6% vs. 65.3%; p=0.006). Of the 6 factors (age, location, duct dilatation, tumor appearance, main duct type, and tumor size) that showed the statistical difference in univariate analysis between benign and malignant group, we found three significant factors (tumor appearance (p=0.009), tumor size (p=0.023), and dilated duct size (p=0.010)) by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Although overall prognosis of IPMT is superior to ordinary pancreatic cancer, more curative surgery is recommended in malignant IPMT. Tumor appearance (papillary), tumor size (> or =30 mm) and dilated duct size (> or = 12 mm) can be used as preoperative indicators of malig-nancy in IPMT.
Academies and Institutes ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Mucins* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pancreas* ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Thoracic aortomyoplasty is one of the surgical treatment for heart failure and has advantages over artificial heart or intraaortic balloon pumps. It uses autogenous skeletal muscles and solves problems such as energy source. However its use in clinical settings has been limited. This preliminary study was designed to develop surgical technique and to determine the effect of acute descending thoracic aortomyoplsty. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirteen adult Mongrel dogs were used. The left latissimus dorsi muscle was wrapped around the descending aorta under general anesthesis. Swan-Ganz and microtipped Millar catheter were used for the hemodynamics and endocaridial viability ratio. Data were collected with myostimulator on and off in normal hearts and the ischemic hearts. RESULT: In normal hearts, the mean aortic diastolic pressure increased from 72+/-15mmHg at baseline to 78+/-13mmHg with stimulator on. Coronary perfusion pressure increased from 61+/-11mmHg to 65+/-9mmHg. Diastolic time increased from 0.288+/-0.003 msec to 0.290+/-0.003msec. Systolic time decreased from 0.164+/-0.002msec to 0.160+/-0.002 msec. Endocardial viability ratio increased from 1.21+/-0.22 to 1.40+/-0.18. In ischemic hearts, mean aortic diastolic pressure incrased from 56+/-21mmHg at baseline to 61+/-15mmHg with stimulator on. Coronary perfusion pressure increased from 48+/-17mmHg to 52+/-15mmHg. Diastolic time increased from 0.290+/-0.003 msec to 0.313+/-0.004msec. Systolic time decreased from 0.180+/-0.002 msec to 0.177+/-0.003 msec. Endovascular viability ratio increased from 0.9+/-0.31 to 1.1+/-0.31. The limited number of cases ruled out the statistic significance. CONCLUSIONS: Descending thoracic aortomyoplasty is a simple operation designed to use patient's own skeletal muscles. It trends to increase diastolic augmentation and coronary perfusion pressure. Modification of surgical technique and stimulator protocol would maximize the effect to assist the heart.
Adult ; Animals ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Blood Pressure ; Catheters ; Dogs ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart, Artificial ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Perfusion ; Superficial Back Muscles

This is to report a case of immediate reconstruction after hemimandibulectomy by using of bicorticocancellous block bone harvested from the iliac crest in the case of an ameloblastomaon the mandible. Because the lesion involved condylar area, it was reconstructed with titanium artificial condyle attached to A/O metal plate. Three weeks after the operation, infection developed with suppuration and was well treated with adequate antibiotic therapy and drainage. The patient has been followed up over a four-year period and taken an orthopantomogram every three or six month for the examination of mandibular movement, the potentiality of recurrence and the remodeling of the grafted bone. At present, the patient is satisfied with her appearence and has a normal occlusion with proper masticatory function, and there is no sign of recurrence.
Ameloblastoma* ; Drainage ; Humans ; Mandible ; Mandibular Osteotomy ; Recurrence ; Suppuration ; Titanium ; Transplants*

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor(PBR) has been identified in various peripheral tissues including kidney. The physiological and pharmacological functions of PBR are still uncertain, although it has been suggested that these are associated with the regulation of stress/anxiety response. Diazepam progeny, which were exposed to diazepam perinatally, was reported to be an animal model of chronic anxiety. However, PBR in the diazepam progenies are not known yet. In the present study, therefore, we examined the changes of PBR in the stress/anxiety response. Dams of rats were given injection of diazepam or vehicle during puerperium. Diazepam progenies showed increased level of anxiety on the performance of elevated plus maze, and increased Bmax of PBR. Saturation experiments followed by scatchard analysis of the results showed that the increase in the density of PBR and the affinity of the PBR remained unchanged. Forced swim stress increased anxiety on the plus maze in both groups of rats. In contrast to control, diazepam progenies did not show further upregulation of renal PBR immediately after swimming stress, but still higher than control. From the above results, it may be concluded that upregulation of renal PBR is associated with chronic anxiety as well as stress-induced response.
Animals ; Anxiety ; Benzodiazepines* ; Diazepam ; Kidney ; Models, Animal ; Postpartum Period ; Rats ; Receptors, GABA-A* ; Swimming ; Up-Regulation

Increase of AST and ALT is a common biochemical finding in patients with multiple trauma. So it is difficult to make a decision for appropriate operation timing and to predict prognosis with consideration of parenchymal liver disease. We studied patients with multiple trauma who admitted to orthopedic department with increased AST & ALT and patients who had hepatitis from Jan. 1993 to Dec. 1993. The patients were checked AST & ALT on admission day and followed by the 3rd, 5th, 9th day, second and third week. We checked the relation of changed level of these enzymes and severity of injury, combined abdominal trauma, head trauma and the presence of HBs Ag/Ab. We concluded as followed: 1) Traumatized patients had high AST than ALT during first 3 days but hepatitis patients had higher ALT than AST during throughout admission days. High ALT in hepatitis patients had statistically significance compare to traumatized patients. 2) Traumatized patients with high AST were decreased more rapidly than ALT and showed normalized enzymatic level by 3rd week. 3) The AST level was higher in severely injured patients and it was statistically significant within first 3 days. But ALT was not correlated with the severity of injury. 4) In patients with abdominal injury, AST was higher than ALT and AST had significance but ALT had none. 5) There is no specific correlation between these enzyme level in neurosurgical problem and the presence of HBsAg/Ab.
Abdominal Injuries ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Multiple Trauma ; Orthopedics ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: The relation between treadmill exercise testing and ambulatory ST segment monitoring in detection of ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease has not been well established, with pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the development of ischemia in the ambulatory setting not being well elucidated. This study was performed to determine the relation between myocardial ischemic indexes on exercise testing and on Holter monitoring. METHODS: We analized 25 patients with stable angina and angiographically documented coronary artery disease, who exhibited ischemia both on a Bruce protocol exercise test and on 24-hr Holter monitoring while receiving routine antianginal medications. RESULTS: Mean heart rate at the onset of 1mm ST segment depression during exercise testing(74.4 VS 114.1 beats/min, p<0.01). Overall the correlations between ischemic indexes on both test were weak. But heart rate at the onset of ischemic episodes during Holter monitoring had a good correlation with heart rate at 1mm ST depression during exercise test. And the number of ischemic episodes on Holter monitoring revealed a weak negative correlation with duration of exercise during treadmill test. CONCLUSION: Ischemic indexes on exercise testing cannot accurately predict ischemic indexes on Holter monitoring in patients with coronary artery disease. In that regard, Holter monitoring may provide other clinical information in addition to that obtained by exercise testing in selected patients.
Angina, Stable ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Depression ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory* ; Exercise Test* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Ischemia* ; Myocardial Ischemia

BACKGROUND: The atrial repolarization waves might contribute to ST segment depression during the exercise loading test. As atrial repolarization waves are opposite in direction to P waves, they could shift the ST segment in the absence of myocardial ischemia. METHODS: The exercise test in 20 patients was seemed false positive because of normal coronary angiogram. Twenty-six patients with at least one coronary stenosis > or =50% served as a true positive group. The P waves, PR segments and ST segment were studied in leads II, III, aVF and V4 to V6 in those 46 patients whose exercise ECG suggested ischemia. RESULTS: The finding of steeply downsloping PR segment, particularly in the inferior ECG leads, in patients with longer exercise time and higher exercise heart rate might predict a false positive exercise test in those with a normal rest ECG and no apparent reason for a false positive test. The combination of downsloping PR segments in two of three inferior leads plus either exercise duration > or =5 min or peak heart rate > or =130 bests/min idenified false positive tests with a sesitivity of 75% and a specificity of 81% to 89%. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial repolarization waves might play a role in exercise induced ST segment depression.
Coronary Stenosis ; Depression ; Electrocardiography ; Exercise Test ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Sensitivity and Specificity