BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although increasing evidence has indicated that radial access is a beneficial technique, few studies have focused on Korean subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate current practice of coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using radial access in South Korea. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 6338 subjects were analyzed from Korean Transradial Intervention prospective registry that was conducted at 20 centers in Korea. After evaluating the initial access, subjects intended for radial access were assessed for their baseline, procedure-related, and complication data. Subjects were categorized into three groups: group of overall subjects (n=5554); group of subjects who underwent PCI (n=1780); and group of subjects who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) (n=167). RESULTS: The rate of radial artery as an initial access and the rate of access site crossover was 87.6% and 4.4%, respectively, in overall subjects. Those rates were 82.4% and 8.1%, respectively, in subjects who underwent PCI, and 60.1% and 4.8%, respectively, in subjects who underwent PPCI. For subjects who underwent CAG, a 6-F introducer sheath and a 5-F angiographic catheter was the most commonly used. During PCI, a 6-F introducer sheath (90.6%) and a 6-F guiding catheter were standardly used. CONCLUSION: The large prospective registry allowed us to present the current practice of CAG and PCI using radial access. These data provides evidence to achieve consensus on radial access in CAG and PCI in the Korean population.
Catheters ; Consensus ; Coronary Angiography* ; Korea ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prospective Studies* ; Radial Artery ; Registries

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The D-dimer value is a simple blood test used to evaluate venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, due to its low specificity, another test is needed for a definite diagnosis, such as a radiographic test. We evaluate the factors associated with a false positive D-dimer test and propose a new cut-off value for detecting VTE more effectively in Koreans. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study. From January 2009 to December 2009, 2,047 patients (988 men, 63 +/- 15 years) had the D-dimer value checked to evaluate VTE. The main outcome of interest was a positive D-dimer test. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were determined using logistic regression analysis. The new D-dimer cut-off was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The result was positive in 1,093 patients (53%), for a false positive percentage for VTE of 95% and a false negative percentage for VTE of 1%. Significant false positive predictors for a positive D-dimer were increasing age, trauma, postoperative, acute infection, tuberculosis, stroke, malignancy, chronic renal failure, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and lung disease. The discriminative value of the D-dimer test was assessed using ROC curve analysis. A D-dimer value of 0.68 mg/L on admission was the best cut-off value for predicting the development of VTE with a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 57%. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors affect the D-dimer value and we must consider these factors before using the D-dimer value to evaluate VTE. A D-dimer value of 0.68 mg/L appears to be a good cut-off value for evaluating VTE more effectively in Koreans.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; False Positive Reactions ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; Heart Failure ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stroke ; Tuberculosis ; Venous Thromboembolism

A 29-year-old man was referred to the emergency department with a complaint of abdominal pain and dizziness. He had experienced two previous syncopal episodes. His family history revealed that his mother and his two uncles had received permanent pacemaker implantation. His initial heart rate was 49 beats per minute. The electrocardiography (ECG) showed atrial flutter and right bundle branch block (RBBB) with left anterior fascicular block (LAFB). On admission, 24-hour Holter showed ventricular pause up to 16 seconds during syncope. Radio frequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial flutter was performed. The ECG revealed bifascicular block (RBBB and LAFB) and first-degree atrioventricular block. He received a permanent pacemaker implantation. His brother's and his sister's ECGs also showed trifascicular block and the pedigree showed autosomal dominant inheritance. This patient was diagnosed with a progressive familial heart block (PFHB) type I. This would be the first report of a PFHB type I case documented in Korea.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Atrial Flutter ; Atrioventricular Block ; Bundle-Branch Block ; Catheter Ablation ; Dizziness ; Electrocardiography ; Emergencies ; Heart ; Heart Block ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Korea ; Mothers ; Pedigree ; Syncope ; Wills

An ischemic foot can be developed by acute arterial occlusion. Given proper treatment within critical time, the patient can avoid foot amputation and death. Early proper diagnosis and treatment by family physician at the initial clinical interviewing is important in saving the affected leg and the life. Thrombosis and embolism are the common causes of acute arterial occlusion. Thrombosis mostly arises from underlying cardiac disease such as arrhythmia, coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease while arterial occlusion by embolism can be shown on a narrowed artery related with systemic atherosclerosis. Because the treatment options depend on the underlying cause of the acute ischemic foot, it is important to identify the cause of acute ischemic foot. At this paper, we reported a case that the cause of acute ischemic foot of the patient proved paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after some diagnostic tests.
Amputation ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arteries ; Atherosclerosis ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Embolism ; Embolism and Thrombosis ; Foot ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Physicians, Family ; Thrombosis

A case of successful correction of subclavian steal syndrome by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting in a male patient who found incidentally significant interarm blood pressure difference. Small difference in blood pressure (BP) between two arms is a relatively common. Significant interarm BP difference is a potential marker of peripheral vascular disease such as subclavian artery stenosis and a predictor of cardiovascular disease. The subclavian steal syndrome is a condition that results from stenosis of subclavian artery proximal to the vertebral artery. The resulting symptoms are vertebrobasilar insufficiency symptoms due to reversal of blood flow from the contralateral vertebral and basilar artery into the ipsilateral upper extremity vessels and arm ischemic symptoms. Stenotic lesion of subclavian artery has traditionally been treated surgically. However recent trends are undergoing a paradigm shift from open surgery to endovascular approach. We report a patient with subclavian steal syndrome who found incidentally 35 mmHg interarm systolic BP difference. It was successfully treated by percutaneus transradial angioplasty with stenting on stenotic lesion of the subclavian artery.
Angioplasty ; Arm ; Basilar Artery ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Male ; Peripheral Vascular Diseases ; Stents ; Subclavian Artery ; Subclavian Steal Syndrome ; Upper Extremity ; Vertebral Artery ; Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The overall prognosis of patients with vasospastic angina (VA) is relatively good. However, the long-term prognosis and its influencing factors are not well understood in Korean patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between August 1996 and January 2007, 256 consecutive patients with VA were reviewed (215 men, 53+/-9 years). Coronary spasm was confirmed via intravenous ergonovine provocation in all study patients during coronary angiography. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were defined as myocardial infarction (MI), resuscitation from cardiac arrest, or repeat hospitalization due to recurrent angina. RESULTS: The 256 patients were followed for an average of 59 months (range, 5 months to 11 years). Thirty-one patients (12.1%) were lost to follow-up. Cardiac deaths occurred in 6 patients (2.3%), non-fatal MIs occurred in 3 patients (1.2%), and MACEs occurred in 52 patients (20.3%). The rates of survival at 1, 3, and 5 years were 99%, 97%, and 97%, respectively, and the rates of MI-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years were 99%, 96%, and 95%, respectively. Rates of MACE-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years were 91%, 81%, and 62%, respectively. MI at initial presentation and current smoking were factors significantly associated with MACEs; these factors were also independent predictors of MACE-free survival. CONCLUSION: Despite treatment with calcium channel blockers, recurrent episodes of angina were frequently observed, whereas sudden cardiac death and non-fatal MI were rare. Smoking and myocardial infarction at admission were independent risk factors for cardiac death, non-fatal MI, and repeat hospitalization due to recurrent angina in patients with variant angina.
Angina Pectoris, Variant ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; Coronary Angiography ; Death ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Ergonovine ; Heart Arrest ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Prognosis ; Resuscitation ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spasm

It is rare to observe ST-segment elevations in the precordial leads that are caused by an occlusion of the right coronary artery and/or its branches. We report here on two cases of acute occlusion of the right coronary artery or its branches that caused acute right ventricular myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevations in the anterior precordial leads. These cases should remind us that the presence of diffuse ST-segment elevations in the precordial leads could be due to acute occlusion of the right coronary artery.
Coronary Vessels ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: Despite the use of antibiotics and cardiac surgery, infective endocarditis, remains a life-threatening disease. Unfortunately, diagnosis and treatment may be delayed. This is due, in part, to the vague and, at times, baffling clinical picture of this disease and to the frequency with which antibiotics were administered prior to obtaining a microbiological diagnosis. We conducted this study to improve the suspicion index from difficult diagnostic process of this serious disease. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 39 patients admitted to the Gangneung Asan Hospital in Gangwon-do with infective endocarditis from December 1996 to July 2004. We evaluated initial chief complaints and presumed diagnosis on first visit to medical care facilities, duration of referral from primary care to our hospital, the time period to confirm the diagnosis, treatment modality, and survival rate. RESULTS: Among the total, 23 out of 39 patients fulfilled the criteria for definite infective endocarditis, whereas the others (16 patients) were for possible group in Duke criteria. In 79.5%, infective endocarditis was the first clinical presentation without medical history of any cardiac disease. Most frequent initial presenting symptoms and signs were fever and chills (56.4%), abnormal neurologic deficit (12.8%), and myalgia (7.6%). The most common initial diagnosis at first medical facilities was common cold. The mean duration of referral from primary care to our hospital was 9.5 days. The mean duration of symptoms before the definite diagnosis was 20.3 days. The most frequent etiologic microorganisms were streptococcus and staphylococcus. Blood culture negative infective endocarditis was found in 35.9% of cases. Almost all patients were treated with 3rd generation cephalosporins. Among the total, 71.6% patients were treated with medical treatment only, and 28.2% patients required surgical intervention. The mortality rate was 20.5% with the major cause of death being sepsis. CONCLUSION: Since the symptoms and signs of infective endocarditis are nonspecific, it is difficult to suspect and reach to correct diagnosis of infective endocarditis in primary care, requiring prolonged duration of 3 weeks to reach diagnosis. The consequences can result in higher rate of systemic complications and mortality.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cause of Death ; Cephalosporins ; Chills ; Common Cold ; Endocarditis ; Fever ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Primary Health Care ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies ; Staphylococcus ; Streptococcus ; Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is closely related with a high death rate, rhythmia, ischemic heart disease, stroke and sudden death. It is known that the prognosis becomes better as LVH regresses. Therefore, it is important to diagnose it correctly with ease in primary care. The authors evaluated the most standard cardio-thoracic ratio (CTR) with respect to LVH oriented towards elderly people whose body habitus changed over time as they had become older, and evaluated the factors which affect the rate of diagnosis including sensitivity and specificity. METHODS: A total of 231 subjects over 60 years of age who visited a general hospital health promotion center from March 1997 to August 2003, underwent echocardiography and identified not to have heart disease were selected. LV (left vetricular) mass was measured through echocardiography. LV mass was divided by 2.7 times of height (m) by Deveruex's method, and 49.1 g/m2.7 for men and 46.7 g/m2.7 for women were set to be standards of LVH. CTR was obtained by dividing the maximum transverse diameter of the heart by maximum transverse diameter of thorax on chest PA. RESULTS: CTR was observed on the basis of 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, and the agreement was highest of 0.5 for men and 0.45 for women. However, considering the sensitivity, the specificity, and the positive predictive value, it was thought to be most proper to be set at 0.5 was be standard for both men and women. When diagnosing LVH through chest PA, if 0.5 was set to be standard, false positive become high in women, false negative became high as height increased, and false negative became high as body mass index (BMI) increased. The smoking group showed higher false negative compared to the non- smoking group, and the false negative was higher as the level of hemoglobin increased. CONCLUSION: When diagnosing LVH through CTR in elderly people, it was appropriate to set 0.5 as a standard, but it is necessary to consider sex, body habitus, BMI, smoking and the level of hemoglobin.
Aged* ; Body Mass Index ; Death, Sudden ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular* ; Male ; Mortality ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Primary Health Care ; Prognosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stroke ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been shown to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The combination of hypertension and obesity are well known to act as risk factors of left ventricular hypertrophy in a number of studies, but it is unclear whether obesity itself stimulates LVH independently. Therefore, we investigated the relationship of left ventricular mass to body size in normotensive adults. METHODS: A population sample of 240 normotensive (systolic BP < 140 mmHg and diastolic BP < 90 mmHg) adults (139 men and 101 women) was examined by echocardiography. We excluded adults with history of hypertension, thyroid diseases, diabetes mellitus and other cardiac diseases. Left ventricular mass normalized for height(2.7) was used in the analyses and left ventricular hypertrophy was defined as a value of 50 g/m(2.7) men or 47 g/m(2.7) in women. RESULTS: Left ventricular mass significantly and positively correlated with body mass index. On univariate correlation analysis after adjusting for age, the body mass index was associated with LV mass/height(2.7) (LVMI: Left Ventricular Mass Index) in males and body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip circumference ratio were associated with LVMI in females. Left ventricular hypertrophy was more frequent in overweight (33.3%) and obese (39.4%) groups than in lean group (15.9%). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular mass was strongly related to obesity in normotensive adults, especially in females. Obesity may be an independent risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy.
Adult* ; Body Mass Index ; Body Size ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; Hip ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Male ; Mortality ; Obesity* ; Overweight ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Diseases ; Waist Circumference