The aim of our study was to evaluate intermediate-term oncologic outcomes, predictive factors for recurrence, and recurrence patterns in a multicenter series of patients treated with robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder. Between 2007 and 2015, 346 patients underwent RARC at multiple tertiary referral centers in Korea. Descriptive statistics were used for demographics and perioperative variables. Survival and recurrence were estimated with Kaplan-Meier analysis. Logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of recurrence. Median follow-up was 33 months (interquartile range [IQR], 7–50). The numbers of patients with organ-confined and lymph node (LN)-positive disease were 237 (68.4%) and 68 (19.7%), respectively. LN density (1–20 vs. > 20) was 13.6% and 6.1%, with a median of 17 nodes removed (IQR, 9–23). In logistic regression analysis, type of LN dissection, and pathologic tumor stage were significant predictors of cancer recurrence and death from cancer. Local, distal recurrence and secondary UC occurred in 7 (2.0%), 53 (15.3%), and 4 (1.2%) patients, respectively. The 5-year overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were 78%, 84%, and 73%, respectively. At last follow-up, RFS for extended pelvic LN dissection vs. standard pelvic LN dissection was 70% and 47% (P = 0.038). In addition, at last follow-up, LN density (0 vs. 1–20 vs. over 20) was 67%, 41%, and 29%, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients undergoing RARC in this multi-institutional cohort demonstrated intermediate-term oncologic outcomes, predictive factors for recurrence, and recurrence patterns that were not unusual.
Cohort Studies ; Cystectomy* ; Demography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Lymph Nodes ; Recurrence* ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease, complete revascularization (CR) for non-culprit lesions is not routinely recommended. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of multivessel compared with infarct-related artery (IRA)-only revascularization in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry (KAMIR) database, 1,094 STEMI patients with multivessel disease who underwent primary PCI with drug-eluting stents were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: culprit-vessel-only revascularization (COR, n=827) group; multivessel revascularization, including non-IRA (MVR, n=267) group. The primary endpoint of this study included major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), such as death, myocardial infarction, or target or nontarget lesion revascularization at one year. RESULTS: There was no difference in clinical characteristics between the two groups. During the one-year follow-up, 102 (15.2%) patients in the COR group and 32 (14.2%) in the MVR group experienced at least one MACE (p=0.330). There were no differences between the two groups in terms of rates of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization (2.1% vs. 2.0%, 0.7% vs. 0.8%, and 11.7% vs. 10.1%, respectively; p=0.822, 0.910, and 0.301, respectively). The MACE rate was higher in the incompletely revascularized patients than in the completely revascularized patients (15% vs. 9.5%, p=0.039), and the difference was attributable to a higher rate of nontarget vessel revascularization (8.6% vs. 1.8%, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Although multivessel angioplasty during primary PCI for STEMI did not reduce the MACE rate compared with culprit-vessel-only PCI, CR was associated with a lower rate of repeat revascularization after multivessel PCI.
Angioplasty ; Arteries ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVE: Gestational thrombocytopenia has a mild course as a common problem during pregnancy, whereas idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) presents with a chronic or moderate to severe course. Very few studies have been conducted so far to discriminate between the two diseases. This study was aimed to identify factors predictive of the subsequent development of ITP among pregnant women presenting with thrombocytopenia. METHODS: From January 1999 to June 2005, a total of 58 pregnant women newly diagnosed with thrombocytopenia were recruited for the study. Among them, 33 were finally diagnosed with gestational thrombocytopenia and the other 25 with ITP. The clinical factors for each of ITP and neonatal thrombocytopenia were evaluated, and final outcomes were also described. RESULTS: On multivariate analysis, thrombocytopenia diagnosed before 28 completed weeks and platelet count of less then 50 x 10(9)/L at the time of its presentation were found to be independently predictive of ITP (p<0.001 and p=0.004 respectively). In addition, platelet count of less then 20 x 10(9)/L at nadir during pregnancy was a significant risk factor for neonatal thrombocytopenia (p=0.013). CONCLUSION: The onset time of thrombocytopenia and platelet count at its presentation remain useful parameters to discriminate ITP from gestational thrombocytopenia. These findings may help in allowing an appropriate antenatal care and postpartum follow up.
Diagnosis, Differential* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Platelet Count ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; Risk Factors ; Thrombocytopenia* ; Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is greatest in female during their childbearing years, so the concurrence of pregnancy and ITP is not unusual. Numerous studies have examined the outcomes of newborns, whereas fewer studies have been conducted with regard to the morbidity of obstetric patients with ITP. This study was aimed to find the outcome of pregnancy combined with ITP and the influence of the pregnancy on the severity of this disease. METHODS: From January 1996 to December 2005, a total of 62 pregnant women with ITP and their 73 deliveries were recruited for the study. Among them, 38 were diagnosed with ITP during pregnancy and the other 24 had pre-existing ITP before pregnancy. RESULTS: The severity of thrombocytopenia was exacerbated during pregnancy, but recovered to a level of non-pregnant period after delivery in most cases. The outcome of pregnancy of all the patients was uneventful except each one case of fetal demise at 35 gestational weeks and preterm delivery at 30 gestational weeks. One patient suffered from multiple subdural hemorrhage during pregnancy, which was spontaneouly recovered. Twenty newborns (27.8%) had transient congenital thrombocytopenia and 18 of them required treatment for hemostatic impairment. CONCLUSION: For women with ITP, Pregnancy can affect the severity of ITP, but life-threatening complication was almost lacking. Although, in not a few cases, there may need to treat both mothers and infants to raise their platelet counts, most mothers with ITP can proceed with their pregnancies and delivery healthy infant without complication.
Female ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers ; Platelet Count ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Purpura* ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; Thrombocytopenia* ; Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia remains a rare occurrence. The aim of this study was to examine the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia treated with supportive care. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2004, a total of 14 women newly diagnosed with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia were recruited for the study. RESULTS: Eleven (78%) of the 14 women were diagnosed with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia during the second or third trimester. There were eight severe cases; three of which were diagnosed at the initial presentation. All 14 women had conservative management with transfusions but not specific immunological or hormonal therapies during pregnancy. Blood transfusions were performed prenatally in seven mothers and perinatally in 13. Of the 12 patients eligible for follow-up, one achieved complete remission and another eight showed partial remission after delivery. During the follow up period, there was no case of maternal-fetal death in our series. The pregnancies were continued uneventfully in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes with transfusion support alone for pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia. Therefore, pregnancy continuation with meticulous blood support should be considered, rather than therapeutic termination, for women with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia.
Anemia, Aplastic* ; Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Prognosis

OBJECT: To analyze the frequency and the types of chromosomal abnormalities in conceptus of spontaneous abortion method: 81 cases of products of conception aborted spontaneously were collected From Nov. 1999 to May, 2004 in the cytogenetic laboratory at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College. The cytogenetic results,along with clinical information including gestational age at the time of the miscarriage and maternal age, were compiled in a database. RESULTS: Cytogenetic results were obtained from 76 cases (93.8%), of which 33 cases (43.4%) showed chromosome abnormalities. Of 33 chromosomal abnormalities, 12 cases (36.4%) showed monosomy X, including one case of 46,X,+7 and the other case of 44,X, t(13q14q). Autosomal trisomy was also detected in 12 cases (36.4%). The most frequent autosomal trisomy was that of chromosome 18 (4 cases), which occurred exclusively in old maternal age (37.8+/-7.5 years old). Mosaicism was found in 2 cases. Triploidy was identified in 4 cases. Structural abnormalities were identified in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: This study showed that monosomy X and trisomy were the most common chromosomal abnormalities in spontaneous abortion, and autosomal trisomy was dependant on maternal age.
Abortion, Spontaneous* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; Cytogenetic Analysis* ; Cytogenetics* ; Female ; Fertilization ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Maternal Age ; Mosaicism ; Pregnancy ; Triploidy ; Trisomy ; Turner Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Despite the general information of vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC), little is known about the duration of active labor in women attempting VBAC. The aim of this study was to compare the time length of active labor in women attempting VBAC compared with nulliparas or multiparas, and then, provide further insight for better management of labor. METHODS: From January 1999 to December 2003, a total of 444 patients with VBAC were entered into the study. Women with two or more history of caesarean section or previous vaginal delivery were all excluded from the study. Time length of active labor in these patients was compared with 335 nulliparas and 218 multiparas consecutively visiting our unit for delivery in 2003. RESULTS: For patients with VBAC, the duration of active and second phase were 184.8+/-115.7, and 25.1+/-15.2 minutes, which was significantly shorter than nulliparas (p<0.05), but longer than multiparas (p<0.05). To eliminate confounding factors affecting the duration, 374 women without use of vacuum, oxytocin, or epidural anesthesia were selected for analysis. Consistently, the time length of active and second phase in women with VBAC was significantly shorter than in nulliparas, but longer than in multiparas (p<0.001) except for active phase compared with nulliparas (p=0.295). CONCLUSION: With regard to the time length of active labor, women attempting VBAC were in the intermediate group when compared with nulliparas or multiparas. Understanding of this unique time interval in women attempting VBAC may help in allowing an appropriate management for labor process.
Anesthesia, Epidural ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Humans ; Oxytocin ; Pregnancy ; Vacuum ; Vaginal Birth after Cesarean*

Among chemotherapeutic regimens used for advanced ovarian cancer, platinum-based combination chemotherapy remains a mainstay of the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, providing significant response rates and survival benefits. However, with widespread use of long-term chemotherapy in treating ovarian cancer, emergence of secondary leukemia has become medical concern as one of the most unfavorable late complications. Depending upon the type, duration, and dosage of previous chemotherapy, the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia has been estimated to be between 2% and 10%. Moreover, the frequency of this complication might increase as the survival in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy continues to increase with developing therapeutic options. Recently, we experienced a case of secondary acute myeloid leukemia developing 3.5 years after platinum-based chemotherapy. In this report, clinical course of the patient and contributing factors for the secondary leukemia were presented.
Drug Therapy* ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Platinum*

Virtually all monochorionic twin placentas contain vascular connections between the circulatory domains of each twin. In contrast, vascular anastomoses are generally thought not to occur in fused, dichorionic placentation. In the twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) one twin is preferentially perfused by blood from the cotwin via unbalanced placental vascular anastomoses. This vascular shunting results in twins born with discrepant weights, colors and hemoglobins. When one of the TTTS criteria was not present, the pregnancy was defined as "pseudo" TTTS. In pregnancies complicated by "pseudo" TTTS indicate that small twins have abnormal cord insertion more frequently than large twins. We present a case of vascular anastomoses in dichorionic diamniotic-fused placentas resulting in "pseudo" TTTS with a brief review of the literatures concerned.
Female ; Fetofetal Transfusion* ; Humans ; Placenta* ; Placentation ; Pregnancy ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether severity of proteinuria or urinary protein fractional analysis correlates with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in women with severe preeclampsia. METHODS: Thirty-six women diagnosed of severe preeclampsia from January, 2002 to April, 2003 were studied. The correlation between proteinuria or urinary albumin fraction, and maternal mean arterial pressure, neonatal birth weight, 1 minute apgar score were analyzed statistically. Thirty-six patients were divided into two groups according to the pattern of urinary protein fraction. One group was a selective proteinuria group if the albumin fraction was over 70%, and another was a non-selective proteinuria group if the fraction was below 70%. The maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Significant positive correlation was observed between proteinuria and mean arterial pressure, between urinary albumin fraction and neonatal birth weight. Negative correlation was significantly present between proteinuria and neonatal birth weight, 1 minunte apgar score, between proteinuria and albunin fraction. Increased proteinuria, higher mean arterial pressure, higher serum uric acid level, lower creatinine clearance, lower neonatal birth weight, and lower 1 minunte Apgar score were observed in the non-selective proteinuria group than those in the selective proteinuria, although there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: With increasing proteinuria and decreasing albumin fraction, there is increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcome. Proteinuria fractional analysis by electrophresis might provide useful information regarding the prediction of pregnancy outcomes.
Apgar Score ; Arterial Pressure ; Birth Weight ; Creatinine ; Female ; Humans ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Proteinuria ; Uric Acid