• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2003

Single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT) and positron emission tomography(PET) are modern imaging techniques that allow for both qualitative and quantitative assessment of hemodynamic changes in cerebrovascular diseases. SPECT has been becoming an indispensable method to investigate regional cerebral blood flow because equipment and isotope are easily available in most general hospitals. Acetazolamide stress SPECT has also been proved to be useful to evaluate the cerebrovascular reserve of occlusive cerebrovascular diseases and to select surgical candidate. PET has gained wide spread clinical use in the evaluation of the hemodynamic and metabolic consequences of extracranial or intracranial arterial obstructive disease despite its complexity and limited availability. PET has been established as an invaluable tool in the pathophysilogy investigation of acute ischemic stroke. The potentials, limitations, and clinical applications of SPECT and PET in various cerebrovascular diseases will be discussed in this article with reviews of literatures.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.97-97
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• 2003

Contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) gradually occupies its position as a primary evaluation tool forsteno-occlusive disease of supra-aortic cervical arteries. It has several advantages over time-of-flight (TOF) technique such as shorter imaging time, less saturation effect, and less flow- and motion-related artifacts. Diverse methods of k-space sampling, imaging sequences, and strategies for image acquisitiontiming have been introduced since its early clinical application. Especially, methods of k-space sampling and image acquisition timing are very important to achieve maximal arterial enhancement and suppress venous signal while maintaining large scan coverage and high spatial resolution. In addition, regardless of several advantages over TOF technique, it still has a tendency to overestimate the degree of stenosis in patients with carotid or vertebralartery disease. In this exhibit, we will overview the current techniques of CE-MRA with special attention to methods of k-space sampling and image acquisition timing. We will also discuss diagnostic accuracy of CE-MRA in patients with supra-aortic cervical artery stenosis and artifacts frequently misinterpreted as steno-occlusive lesion on CE-MRA.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.678-683
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• 1995

Arterial bypass for the chronic ischemia of the lower extremities underlying atherosclerotic obliterans has been performed with a number of alternative conduits from 1941 by Kunlin. It is indicated for the limb salvage of patients with threatened limb loss despite of several controversies in surgical treatment of atherosclerotic obliterans. From March 1991 to January 1995, 26 arterial bypasses were performed in 23 patients with the chronic ischemia of the lower extremities in our hospital. Their mean follow up period is 18.9 months ranging from 4 months to 44 months. Mean age is 60.9 years ranging 47 years to 76 years and the most prevalent incidence is the 6th decade. 21 patients are male and 2 patients are female. 19 of 23 patients are smokers. Clinical classifications by Fontaine are class II[21.7% , class III[34.8% and class IV[43.5% .Diabetes mellitus[47.8% , hypertension[43.5% , hyperlipid-emia[26% , tuberculosis[21.7% , cerebrovascular accident[13.0% and cardiac diseases[8.7% are associated. Aorto-single femoral bypass in 4 cases, aorto-bifemoral bypass in 5 cases, aortofemoral & femoropopliteal bypass in 2 cases, femoropopliteal bypass in 10 cases, popliteotibial bypass in 3 cases, femoropedal bypass[composite graft bypass in 2 cases were surgically approached. There are complicated early thrombosis in 4 cases those are required immediately reoperation, wound infection in 3 cases, hematoma in 3 cases, and so on. Postoperative complication rate is 53.8%.Postoperative patency rates are 84.6% at 6 months, 75.0% at 1 year, 70.0% at 2 years and 66.7% at 3 years. We usually used 6 mm & 8 mm graft for bypass, and the rate of thrombosis formation is 28.6%[2/7 in 6 mm graft and 12.5%[2/16 in 8 mm separately. In according to the graft materials, the rate of thrombosis formation is higher in the group using artificial graft than in that using autologous saphenous vein[16.6% vs 12.5% . Limb salvage rate is 76.9%. Postoperative mortality rate is zero %.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.242-246
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• 2017

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) due to an embolism is associated with high mortality rate and poor prognosis, and early diagnosis with prompt revascularization is required to reduce the risk of limb amputation or even death. The etiologies of ALI are diverse, and it includes an embolism from the heart and thrombotic occlusion of the atherosclerotic native vessels, stents, or grafts. An uncommon cause of ALI is acute arterial thromboembolism, and atrial fibrillation (AF) is the single most important risk factors for systemic thromboembolism. It is important to correctly identify the source of ALI for secondary prevention, as it depends on the underlying cause. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for focal atherosclerotic and thrombotic occlusive diseases of the aorta and its major extremity branches. Herein, we report on a 77-year-old female patient with acute upper limb ischemia, treated by PTA using a catheter-guided thrombectomy. He was newly diagnosed with paroxysmal AF (PAF) while evaluation the cause of his acute arterial thromboembolism. We recommend that cardiologists always consider PAF as a possible diagnosis even in patients without any history of AF under ALI because it is possible to develop thromboembolism in clinical practice.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.283-289
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• 2002

Backgrouds: It is almost universally accepted that occlusive vascular diseases are best managed by anatomical reconstruction. However, the mortality and the morbidity have limited this operation for patients with high operation risks. In these patients, palliative operations such as extra-anatomic bypass and lumbar sympathectomy, are accepted as useful treatment. Material and Method: A retrospective study was conducted in 38 patients who underwent palliative operations for occlusive vascular disease at Korea University Guro Hospital between 1996 and 2000. Mean age of the patients was 60.37 $\pm$ 17.65 years, and preoperative diagnoses were atherosclerosis in 32 patients, Buerger's disease in 4 patients, Raynaud's syndrome in 1 patient and SVC syndrome in 1 patient. Result: Extra-anatomic bypass(40procedures), lumbar sympathectomy(17), thromboembolectomy(7) and femoral artery graft interposition(1) were performed. Six patients were required reoperation due to graft flow failure or fistula. Three year primary patency rate of entire operations was 78.29 $\pm$ 8.81%, and the correlation between type of operation and patency rate was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Palliative operations for occlusive vascular disease are useful treatment in limited patients with high operation risks or limited life expectancy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2011

Objective : To investigate the efficacy of extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery using a radial artery interposition graft (RAIG) for surgical management of cerebrovascular diseases. Methods : The study involved a retrospective analysis of 13 patients who underwent EC-IC bypass surgery using RAIG at a single neurosurgical institute between 2003 and 2009. The diseases comprised intracranial aneurysm (n=10), carotid artery occlusive disease (n=2), and delayed stenosis in the donor superficial temporal artery (STA) following previous STA-middle cerebral artery bypass surgery (n=1). Patients were followed clinically and radiographically. Results : Bypass surgery was successful in all patients. At a mean follow-up of 53.4 months, the short-term patency rate was 100%, and the long-term rate was 92.3%. Twelve patients had an excellent clinical outcome of Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 5, and one case had GOS 3. Procedure-related complications were a temporary dysthesia on the graft harvest hand (n=1) and a hematoma at the graft harvest site (n=1), and these were treated successfully with no permanent sequelae. In one case, spasm occurred which was relieved with the introduction of mechanical dilators. Conclusion : EC-IC bypass using a RAIG appears to be an effective treatment for a variety of cerebrovascular diseases requiring proximal occlusion or trapping of the parent artery.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.195-199
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• 1997

From Dec. 1992 to Dec. 1995, 20 patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease in the lower extremities underwent arter al bypass surgery. The age of the patients ranged between 46 and 77 years(mean .60.8 years) and the most prevalent incidence was in the 7th decades. The mean follow up period was 18.8 months ranging from 4 to 36 months. Associated diseases were diabetus mellitus(25%), hypertension (35%), cerebrovascular accident(25%), and acute myocardial infarction(5%). Disabling intermittent claudifcation(35%), resting pain(20%) or ischemic gangrene(or ulceration)(45%) were operative indications. Aorto-bifemoral bypass in 4 cases, aorto-single femoral bypass in 2 cases, Aorto-bifemoral bypass and femoropopliteal bypass in 3 cases, aorto-single femoral bypass and femoropopliteal bypass in 1 case, femoropopliteal bypass in 4 cases, femorotibial bypass in 1 case, popliteotibial bypass 4 cases and femorofemoral bypass in 1 case were the surgical approches. Early thrombosis(2 cases) and wound infection(2 case) were main complication. Postoperative complication rate was 20% . Postoperative patency rates re 92.6% at 6 months, 84.2% at 1 year, 75.4% at 2 years and 69.4% at 3 years.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.328-335
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• 2023

Background: Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) poses a higher risk of amputation than atherosclerosis obliterans. It is characterized by onset at a relatively young age. There are currently no clear treatment guidelines for TAO other than smoking cessation. In this study, we aimed to identify factors that could influence a favorable prognosis of TAO. Methods: From January 2009 to December 2019, we retrospectively reviewed the initial symptoms, characteristics, treatments, and disease course of 37 patients (45 limbs) with TAO. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate factors affecting the course of symptoms that persisted or worsened despite treatment. Results: Patients' mean age was 37.2±11.4 years, and all patients were men. The mortality rate was 0% during the follow-up period (76.9±51.1 months). All patients were smokers at the time of diagnosis, and 19 patients (51.4%) successfully quit smoking during treatment. When comparing the Rutherford categories before and after treatment, 23 limbs (51.1%) showed improvement, the category was maintained in 11 limbs (24.4%), and 11 limbs (24.4%) worsened. Symptom persistence or exacerbation despite treatment was associated with a higher initial Rutherford category (odds ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-2.42; p=0.03) and a higher score of the involved below-knee artery at the time of diagnosis (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.10-4.67; p=0.03). Conclusion: The degree of disease progression at the time of diagnosis significantly affected patients' prognosis. Therefore, early diagnosis and intervention are important to improve the course of TAO.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.1 s.17
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• pp.33-38
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• 1975

The clinical efficacy of Ethaverine, a peripheral vasodilator, was studied according to a double-blind, non-cross over method in 29 diabetic patients with peripheral arterial diseases. The clinical improvement was assessed from the history of patients including the incidence and frequency of intermitten claudication. Ethaverine, after 4 weeks of therapy, was not effective in improving clinical symptoms compared to placebo. Ethaverine, however, was an efective vasodilator than placebo. The quality of vasodilation induced by Ethaverine, was similar to that of alcohol. A new clinical method of studying peripheral vasodilator was presented. The clinical symptoms of peripheral vascular arterial disease in the lower extrimities include reduced intensity of palpable pulses, coldness, and discoloration of the skin. Intermittent claudication may be present. Pathologic changes in vessel architecture precede the symptoms, and recognition of impending vascular insufficiency is a determining factor in selecting vasodilating therapy or surgical management. Also, post-operative patients who have chronic peripheral vascular arterial disease may be candidates for subsequent vasodilating therapy. Peripheral vasodilators, according to the series of reports, may be indicated in vasospastic peripheral vascular condition rather than an occlusive vascular disease and the vessel responds best when a relatively large vascular beds are involved rather than a small, capillary beds. Recently, the clinical efficacy of peripheral vasodilators have been challanged by many clinical investigators and clinicians. In this study, we have re-evaluated the efficacy of Ethaverine HCl as peripheral vasodilator in patients with vasospastic peripheral arterial disease. Ethaverine is claimed to be two to four times as potent a spasmolytic agent as papaverine in a variety of laboratory and clinical work.