Background and Objectives: The recent developments in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are emphasizing the multidisciplinary team. We report on the changes in clinical practice following the development of a multidisciplinary team, based on our 7 years of experience. Methods: Multidisciplinary team was established in 2015 offering both balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) with technical upgrades by internal and external expertise. For operable cases, PEA was recommended as the primary treatment modality, followed by pulmonary angiography and right heart catheterization after 6 months to evaluate treatment effect and identify patients requiring further BPA. For patients with inoperable anatomy or high surgical risk, BPA was recommended as the initial treatment modality. Patient data and clinical outcomes were closely monitored. Results: The number of CTEPH treatments rapidly increased and postoperative survival improved after team development. Before the team, 38 patients were treated by PEA for 18 years; however, 125 patients were treated by PEA or BPA after the team for 7 years. The number of PEA performed was 64 and that of BPA 342 sessions. World Health Organization functional class I or II was achieved in 93% of patients. The patients treated with PEA was younger, male dominant, higher pulmonary artery pressure, and smaller cardiac index, than BPA-only patients. In-hospital death after PEA was only 1 case and none after BPA. Conclusions The balanced development of BPA and PEA through a multidisciplinary team approach proved synergistic in increasing the number of actively treated CTEPH patients and improving clinical outcomes.

Post-vaccination myocarditis after administration of the NVX-CoV2373 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine has been reported in a limited population. We report the first biopsy-proven case of myopericarditis after administration of second dose of NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine (Novavax®) in Korea. A 30-year-old man was referred to emergency department with complaints of chest pain and mild febrile sense for two days. He received the second dose vaccine 17 days ago. Acute myopericarditis by the vaccination was diagnosed by cardiac endomyocardial biopsy. He was treated with corticosteroid 1 mg/kg/day for 5 days and tapered for one week. He successfully recovered and was discharged on the 12th day of hospitalization. The present case suggests acute myopericarditis as a vaccination complication by Novavax® in Korea.

Background: and PurposeMild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition with diverse clinical outcomes and subgroups. Here we investigated the topographic distribution of tau in vivo using the positron emission tomography (PET) tracer [18F]THK5351 in MCI subgroups. Methods: This study included 96 participants comprising 38 with amnestic MCI (aMCI), 21 with nonamnestic MCI (naMCI), and 37 with normal cognition (NC) who underwent 3.0-T MRI, [18F]THK5351 PET, and detailed neuropsychological tests. [18F]flutemetamol PET was also performed in 62 participants. The aMCI patients were further divided into three groups: 1) verbal-aMCI, only verbal memory impairment; 2) visual-aMCI, only visual memory impairment; and 3) both-aMCI, both visual and verbal memory impairment. Voxel-wise statistical analysis and region-of-interest -based analyses were performed to evaluate the retention of [18F]THK5351 in the MCI subgroups. Subgroup analysis of amyloid-positive and -negative MCI patients was also performed. Correlations between [18F]THK5351 retention and different neuropsychological tests were evaluated using statistical parametric mapping analyses. Results: [18F]THK5351 retention in the lateral temporal, mesial temporal, parietal, frontal, posterior cingulate cortices and precuneus was significantly greater in aMCI patients than in NC subjects, whereas it did not differ significantly between naMCI and NC participants. [18F] THK5351 retention was greater in the both-aMCI group than in the verbal-aMCI and visualaMCI groups, and greater in amyloid-positive than amyloid-negative MCI patients. The cognitive function scores were significantly correlated with cortical [18F]THK5351 retention. Conclusions [18F]THK5351 PET might be useful for identifying distinct topographic patterns of [18F]THK5351 retention in subgroups of MCI patients who are at greater risk of the progression to Alzheimer's dementia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical data for Korean patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) that underwent aortic valve (AV) surgery are currently limited. METHODS: Data for 1,160 consecutive adult BAV patients who underwent AV surgery from 2000 to 2014 in 4 tertiary referral centers were retrospectively analyzed. A standard case report form was used for clinical and echocardiographic parameters. RESULTS: Mean age at the time of AV surgery was 59±13 years. The most common cause of AV surgery was aortic stenosis (AS, 892 [77%]), followed by aortic regurgitation (AR, 199 [17%]), and infective endocarditis (69 [6%]). AS showed a skewed peak in the aged population and was the predominant cause of AV surgery (87%) in patients ≥50 years of age, whereas AR (46%) and active infective endocarditis (19%) were more common in younger patients (p < 0.001). Echocardiographic determination of the BAV phenotype revealed that fusion of the right coronary cusp (RCC) and left coronary cusp (LCC) was most common (622 [53%]), followed by fusion of RCC and non-coronary cusp (NCC) (313 [27%]), and fusion of LCC and NCC (42 [4%]); the BAV phenotype could not be determined in the remaining 183 patients (16%). Fusion of RCC and LCC was more commonly observed in patients with AR than in those with AS (74% vs. 49%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION BAV patients were characterized by distinct surgical indications according to their age. Possible associations between BAV phenotypes and surgical indications with potential impacts of ethnicity need to be tested in further studies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical data for Korean patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) that underwent aortic valve (AV) surgery are currently limited. METHODS: Data for 1,160 consecutive adult BAV patients who underwent AV surgery from 2000 to 2014 in 4 tertiary referral centers were retrospectively analyzed. A standard case report form was used for clinical and echocardiographic parameters. RESULTS: Mean age at the time of AV surgery was 59±13 years. The most common cause of AV surgery was aortic stenosis (AS, 892 [77%]), followed by aortic regurgitation (AR, 199 [17%]), and infective endocarditis (69 [6%]). AS showed a skewed peak in the aged population and was the predominant cause of AV surgery (87%) in patients ≥50 years of age, whereas AR (46%) and active infective endocarditis (19%) were more common in younger patients (p < 0.001). Echocardiographic determination of the BAV phenotype revealed that fusion of the right coronary cusp (RCC) and left coronary cusp (LCC) was most common (622 [53%]), followed by fusion of RCC and non-coronary cusp (NCC) (313 [27%]), and fusion of LCC and NCC (42 [4%]); the BAV phenotype could not be determined in the remaining 183 patients (16%). Fusion of RCC and LCC was more commonly observed in patients with AR than in those with AS (74% vs. 49%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: BAV patients were characterized by distinct surgical indications according to their age. Possible associations between BAV phenotypes and surgical indications with potential impacts of ethnicity need to be tested in further studies.
Adult ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Aortic Valve ; Bicuspid ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Echocardiography ; Endocarditis ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Delayed post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) bleeding (DPEB) is difficult to predict and there is controversy regarding the usefulness of prophylactic hemostasis during second-look endoscopy. This study evaluated the risk factors related to DPEB, the relationship between clinical outcomes and the Forrest classification, and the results of prophylactic hemostasis during second-look endoscopy. METHODS: Second-look endoscopy was performed on the day after ESD to check for recent hemorrhage or potential bleeding and the presence of artificial ulcers in all patients. RESULTS: DPEB occurred in 42 of 581 patients (7.2%). Multivariate analysis determined that a specimen size ≥40 mm (odds ratio [OR], 3.03; p=0.003), and a high-risk Forrest classification (Forrest Ib+IIa+IIb; OR, 6.88; p<0.001) were risk factors for DPEB. DPEB was significantly more likely in patients classified with Forrest Ib (OR, 24.35; p<0.001), IIa (OR, 12.91; p<0.001), or IIb (OR, 8.31; p<0.001) ulcers compared with Forrest III ulcers. There was no statistically significant difference between the prophylactic hemostasis and non-hemostasis groups (Forrest Ib, p=0.938; IIa, p=0.438; IIb, p=0.397; IIc, p=0.773) during second-look endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The Forrest classification of artificial gastric ulcers during second-look endoscopy seems to be a useful tool for predicting delayed bleeding. However, routine prophylactic hemostasis during second-look endoscopy seemed to not be useful for preventing DPEB.
Classification* ; Endoscopy* ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis ; Hemostasis, Endoscopic ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach Ulcer ; Ulcer*

Spontaneous neonatal esophageal perforation (EP) is a rare condition. However, iatrogenic EP due to a feeding tube is not uncommon, particularly in premature infants. Iatrogenic EP can result in serious complications, such as a pneumothorax, and can be fatal. Usually a pneumothorax develops as a result of EP. However, we experienced an EP in a patient with a pneumothorax. The EP occurred after inserting a feeding tube while the patient was suffering from a pneumothorax. Thus care is needed when inserting the feeding tube in a patient with a pneumothorax.
Complex Mixtures ; Esophageal Perforation ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Pneumothorax ; Stress, Psychological

PURPOSE: The survival benefit to patients of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is well-documented. In the 2005 resuscitation guidelines, the quality of CPR was emphasized and the monitoring of CPR quality variables broadly recommended. However, little objective data exist regarding the effect of a monitoring and feedback system on CPR quality variables during resuscitation. METHODS: Forty-nine volunteers among hospital nurses and doctors were randomly assigned to two groups and asked to perform five minutes of continuous chest compression on a manikin either with or without a real time audiovisual feedback system. The quality variables of chest compression including compression rate, compression depth, the proportion of adequate compression depth, and the proportion of complete recoil were recorded. RESULTS: Data from 25 chest compression episodes in the control group were compared to 24 episodes in the feedback group. There was a improvement in the mean compression rate in the feedback group with a statistically significant narrowing of distribution (107.4+/-19.3 to 102.9+/-5.7 /min; test of means, p=0.071; test of variance, p<0.001). There were statistically significant improvements in the mean values of other quality variables in the feedback group including compression depth (from 39.7+/-5.9 to 42.3+/-2.8 mm; test of means, p=0.039; test of variance, p=0.026), the proportion of adequate compression depth (from 65.8+/-33.5% to 86.9+/-16.2%; test of means, p=0.011; test of variance, p<0.001), and the proportion of incomplete recoil (44.6+/-34.9% to 16.3+/-19.2%; test of means, p=0.014; test of variance, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: In this study, we confirmed that a real time audiovisual feedback system significantly improve the quality of chest compression during resuscitation.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Humans ; Manikins ; Quality Control ; Resuscitation ; Thorax

PURPOSE: A eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA(R)) cream has been used as a topical anesthetic to reduce the pain of procedures penetrating the skin. It is generally applied for 40 to 60 minutes before the painful procedure. Because of the long application period, EMLA(R) is not useful in the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this study was to determine whether a 20-minute application of 9.6% lidocaine would be useful in reducing the pain of routine peripheral intravenous cannulation in the ED. METHODS: We examined 27 male and 19 female patients ages over 18 years of age who required intravenous cannula insertion. Intravenous insertion was performed on 46 patients: 24 patients in the placebo group (mean age: 40.0 years) and 22 in the 9.6% lidocaine group (mean age: 37.6 years). The 9.6% lidocaine or placebo gel was applied and covered with an occlusive dressing for 20 minutes. Pain was scored by the patients using a 0- to 10-cm visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The patients in the 9.6% lidocaine group (mean pain score: 3.4) experienced less pain than those in the placebo group (mean: 5.3), and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.029). CONCLUSION: We concluded that a 20-minute application of 9.6% lidocaine is safe and effective for reducing pain associated with venipuncture.
Anesthesia, Local* ; Anesthetics, Local ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Lidocaine* ; Male ; Occlusive Dressings ; Phlebotomy* ; Skin

PURPOSE: To determine whether initial corrected anion gap (C(o)AG), base excess caused by unmeasured anions (BEua), and strong ion gap (SIG) can predict the morbidity of critically ill patients admitted to emergency department (ED). METHODS: 138 patients who visited the critical section of the ED and were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) were enrolled. We calculated the C(o)AG, BEua, and SIG from the initial blood samples of the patients and initial logistic organ dysfunction score (LODS) also. Then we measured the LODS at the last day of ICU stay again. Comparing with the initial LODS, we divided the patients into two groups based on the changes of the values: favorable group and poor group. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the mean AGcorr (p=0.007), BEua (p=0.008), SIG (p=0.037) between favorable and poor group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves for morbidity prediction were relatively small: 0.66 (95% CI, 0.56-0.77) for C(o)AG, 0.65 (95% CI, 0.54-0.76) for BEua, and 0.59 (95% CI, 0.49-0.70) for SIG. CONCLUSION: We found the initial unmeasured anions at the ED of the patients who eventually showed improved LODS during ICU period are significantly different to those of the other patients. But they failed to show enough capability of discriminating the morbidities between two groups.
Acid-Base Equilibrium ; Anions* ; Critical Illness* ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Organ Dysfunction Scores ; Organization and Administration ; ROC Curve