• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.3
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• pp.140-145
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• 2010

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common clinical problem in the West that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The diagnostic modality has been changed since 2001. This study retrospectively reviewed the PE mortality with the aim of identifying the risk factors associated with mortality since the multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) was introduced. Methods: We analyzed 105 patients with acute PE proven by multidetector CT or ventilation perfusion scan. The primary outcome measure was the all-cause mortality at 3 months. The prognostic effect of the baseline factors on survival was assessed by multivariate analysis. Results: The main risk factors were prolonged immobilization, stroke, cancer and obesity. Forty nine percent of patients had 3 or more risk factors. The overall mortality at 3 months was 18.1%. Multivariate analysis revealed low diastolic blood pressure and the existence of cancer to be independent factors significantly associated with mortality. Forty two PE patients were examined for the coagulation inhibitors. Four of these patients had a protein C deficiency (9.5%), and 11 had a protein S deficiency (26%). Conclusion: PE is an important clinical problem with a high mortality rate. Close monitoring may be necessary in patients with the risk factors.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.4
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• pp.231-233
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• 2012

Tadalafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5I), which is widely used to treat erectile dysfunction. Although PDE5Is have excellent safety profiles, and most of the side effects are mild, rare serious adverse events have been reported in association with PDE5Is. Thrombosis is one of those events, and a few previous reports have suggested the association of PDE5Is with thrombosis. We report the case of a 61-year-old male who developed pulmonary embolism combined with pulmonary infarction directly after taking tadalafil. Both the patient and the physician suspected tadalafil as the culprit drug, as the patient was in an otherwise healthy condition. However, after extensive evaluation, we noticed that factor VIII levels were elevated. Prior reports suggesting the association between thrombosis and PDEIs either lack complete information on coagulation factors, or show inconsistencies in their results. Physicians should operate caution prior to accepting the diagnosis of adverse drug reaction.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.417-420
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• 2017

Hookworm infections are rare causes of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a middle aged man with primary nephrotic syndrome and pulmonary embolism. During the treatment with steroids and anticoagulants, the patient presented acute massive hemorrhage of the gastrointestinal tract. The results of gastroscopy showed red worms in the duodenum. Colonoscopy and CT angiogram of abdomen were unremarkable. Capsule endoscopy revealed fresh blood and multiple hookworms in the jejunum and ileum. Hookworms caused the acute intestinal bleeding. The patient responded well to albendazole. Hematochezia was markedly ameliorated after eliminating the parasites. Hence, hookworm infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Capsule endoscopy may offer a better means of diagnosis for intestinal hookworm infections.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.4
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• pp.352-359
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• 2012

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether measuring the ratio of descending aortic enhancement (DAE) to main pulmonary artery enhancement (MPAE) on pulmonary computed tomography angiography (PCTA) can predict poor outcome in patients with acute massive or submassive pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: We retrospectively, reviewed computed tomgraphy findings and charts of 37 patients with acute PE and right ventricular dysfunction. We divided the enrolled patients into 3 groups; group Ia (n=8), comprised of patients with major adverse event (MAE); group Ib (n=5), consisted of those with PE-related MAE; and group II (n=29), those without MAE. We analyzed the right ventricular diameter (RVD)/left ventricular diameter (LVD) and DAE/MPAE on PCTA. Results: For observer 1, RVD/LVD in group Ia ($1.9{\pm}0.36$ vs. $1.44{\pm}0.38$, p=0.009) and group Ib ($1.87{\pm}0.37$ vs. $1.44{\pm}0.38$, p=0.044) were significantly higher than that of group II. For observer 2, RVD/LVD in group Ia ($1.71{\pm}0.18$ vs. $1.41{\pm}0.47$, p=0.027) was significantly greater than that of group II, but RVD/LVD of group Ib was not ($1.68{\pm}0.2$ vs. $1.41{\pm}0.47$, p=0.093). For both observers, there was a significant difference of DAE/MPAE between group Ib and group II ($0.32{\pm}0.15$ vs. $0.64{\pm}0.24$, p=0.005; $0.34{\pm}0.16$ vs. $0.64{\pm}0.22$, p=0.004), but no significant difference of DAE/MPAE between group Ia and group II ($0.51{\pm}0.3$ vs. $0.64{\pm}0.24$, p=0.268; $0.53{\pm}0.29$ vs. $0.64{\pm}0.22$, p=0.302). Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for the measurement of DAE/MPAE (ICC=0.97) was higher than that of RVD/LVD (ICC=0.74). Conclusion: DAE/MPAE measured on PCTA may predict PE-related poor outcomes in patients with massive or submassive PE with an excellent inter-observer agreement.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.3
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• pp.184-190
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• 2010

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of chest computed tomographic (CT) parameters in acute submassive pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2009, 268 consecutive patients with acute submassive PE that was confirmed by chest CT with pulmonary angiography in emergency room were studied. One experienced radiologist measured CT parameters and judged the presence of right ventricular dysfunction. CT parameters were analyzed to determine their ability to predict a major adverse event (MAE). Results: There were 220 patients included and 61 (27.7%) had MAE. Left ventricular and right ventricular maximum minor axis ($36.4{\pm}8.0$ vs. $41.7{\pm}7.4$, p<0.01; $45.7{\pm}9.4$ vs. $41.5{\pm}7.6$, p<0.01), superior vena cava diameter ($19.2{\pm}3.4$ vs. $18.0{\pm}3.4$, p=0.02), azygos vein diameter ($10.0{\pm}2.2$ vs. $9.2{\pm}2.3$, p=0.02), septal displacement (19 vs. 18, p<0.01) were significantly higher in MAE group than in no MAE group. Patients with MAE had high right ventricular/left ventricular dimension ratio (RV/LV ratio) compared to patients without MAE ($1.34{\pm}0.48$ vs. $1.03{\pm}0.28$, p<0.01). The most useful cut-off value of RV/LV ratio for MAE was 1.3 and the area under the curve was 0.71 (0.62~0.79). Conclusion: RV/LV ratio on chest CT was a significant predictor of submassive PE related shock, intubation, in-hospital mortality, thrombolysis, thrombectomy within 30 days.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.225-229
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• 2008

Inferior vena cava filters are increasingly being used as an alternative to anticoagulation therapy for the prevention of pulmonary embolism. However, using an Inferior vena cava filter may result in clinically significant complications. Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a rare disease that presents with acute complete venous occlusion due to extensive thrombosis in the lower extremity. It is characterized by intense pain, edema, decreased pulses and a cyanotic extremity. We report here on a case of phlegmasia cerulea dolens that was accompanied with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) as a complication of the placement of an inferior vena cava filter in a patient who had been previously diagnosed with pulmonary embolism, and the patient had recently developed a cerebral hemorrhage due to a traffic accident.

• Vascular Specialist International
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.103-108
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• 2018

Purpose: Surgery is the most common risk factor for pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with a recent venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study reviewed clinical outcomes of preoperative inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) use in patients with acute VTE during abdominal-pelvic cancer or lower extremity orthopedic surgeries. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 122 patients with a recent VTE who underwent IVCF replacement prior to abdominal-pelvic cancer or lower extremity orthopedic surgery conducted between January 2010 and December 2016. Demographics, clinical characteristics, postoperative IVCF status, risk factors for a captured thrombus, and clinical outcomes were collected for these subjects. Results: Among the 122 study patients who were diagnosed with acute VTE in the prior 3 months and underwent preoperative IVCF replacement, 70 patients (57.4%) received abdominal-pelvic cancer surgery and 52 (42.6%) underwent lower extremity orthopedic surgery. There were no perioperative complications associated with IVCF in the study population and no cases of symptomatic PE postoperatively. A captured thrombus in the filter was identified postoperatively in 16 patients (13.1%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that postoperative anticoagulation within 48 hours significantly reduced the risk of a captured thrombus (odds ratio [OR], 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-0.94; P=0.032). Conclusion: A captured thrombus in preoperative IVCF was identified postoperatively in 16 patients (13.1%). Postoperative anticoagulation within 48 hours reduces the risk of captured thrombus in these cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 1976

Acute respiratory failure has become an increasingly frequent cause of death following shock or trauma. Interstitial or diffuse alveolar edema, as chief pathophysiologic change of acute respiratory insufficiency, can be the result of sepsis, fat embolism, cardiac failure, lung congestion, and oxygen toxicity. These pulmonary problems are extremely difficult to treat without early recognition of their development and aggressive management. If the treatment is delayed, the progressive respiratory failure is almost uniformly fatal. Authors have experienced two cases of acute respiratory insufficiency following the blunt chest trauma, which were healed uneventfully. Literatures were briefly reviewed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.78-84
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• 2019

Background: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a life-threatening disease with high mortality. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of surgical embolectomy and to clarify the sustained long-term effects of surgery by comparing preoperative, postoperative, and long-term follow-up echocardiography outcomes. Of 22 survivors, 21 were followed up for a mean (median) period of $6.8{\pm}5.4years$ (4.2 years). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 27 surgical embolectomy cases for massive or submassive acute PTE from 2003 to 2016. Immediate and long-term follow-up outcomes of surgical embolectomy were assessed on the basis of 30-day mortality, long-term mortality, postoperative complications, right ventricular systolic pressure, and tricuspid regurgitation grade. Results: The 30-day and long-term mortality rates were 14.8% (4 of 27) and 4.3% (1 of 23), respectively. Three patients had major postoperative complications, including hypoxic brain damage, acute kidney injury, and endobronchial b leeding, respectively (3.7% each). Right ventricular systolic pressure (median [range], mm Hg) decreased from 62.0 (45.5-78.5) to 31.0 (25.7-37.0, p<0.001). The tricuspid valve regurgitation grade (median [range]) decreased from 1.5 (0.63-2.00) to 0.50 (0.50-1.00, p<0.05). The improvement lasted until the last echocardiographic follow-up. Conclusion: Surgical embolectomy revealed favorable mortality and morbidity rates in patients with acute massive or submassive PTE, with sustained long-term improvements in cardiac function.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.669-680
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• 1999

Background: Pulmonary thromboembolism(PTE) is a life threatening disease that needs early diagnosis. Spiral CT angiography depict thromboemboli in the central pulmonary vessels with greater than 90% sensitivity and specificity, which approaches the results of pulmonary angiography in the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis(PIOPED) study. This study was performed to evaluate the findings and the diagnostic value(clinical utility) of the spiral CT angiography with 2D image(multiplanar reformation) and 3D images(Shaded surface display, Minimal intensity projection) in the pulmonary thromboembolism. Methods: We retrospectively analysed spiral CT angiography and pulmonary angiography, lung scan and clinical recordings of 20 patients who had PTE diagnosed by spiral CT angiography(n=19 cases) or pulmonary angiography(n=l case) from September 1997 to August 1998. Among 20 patients who had underwent spiral CT angiography, 14 patients could be performed lung perfusion scan at the same time. We analyzed the vascular and parenchymal change in spiral CT angiogram. Results: Anatomical distribution of PTE was as follows: 1) left lung(n= 103)