• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.588-591
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• 2007

Left ventricular thrombus is mainly caused by anterior myocardial infarction or severe cardiac wall dysfunction of the apex, and is rarely caused by a complication of acute myocarditis. A 12-year-old female who developed symptoms of motor dysphasia and incomplete hemiparesis of the right side was admitted to the hospital. The brain MRI taken on the day of her admission showed acute cerebral infarction in the left basal ganglia and the frontoparietal lobe. The echocardiogram showed a movable thrombus, which was $19{\times}28mm$ sized and located in the apex of the left ventricle. So in order to prevent further thromboembolic event we performed open cardiac surgery via the atrium and removed the thrombus of the left ventricle. After the removal of the thrombus her symptoms improved and she was discharged from the hospital. Thrombus formation in acute viral myocarditis are considered to be related with endocardial injury and blood flow stasis. Treatment with anticoagulants in left ventricular thrombosis may not be effective and may even cause a major thromboembolism. When the thrombus is laminar and fixed, one should consider anticoagulant therapy. But if the thrombus is pedunculated and movable, which means that there are higher possibilities of major embolism or there may be already one, one should consider surgical removal. We report a 12-year-old girl who required surgical removal of a left ventricular thrombus caused by acute viral myocarditis.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2013

In atherosclerosis, blood vessels become sensitive to vessel-constricting agents leading to reduced control in the event of abrupt blood pressure changes. Mulberry trees (Morus alba L., MA) have been claimed to contain various bioactive principles that could possibly prevent atherosclerosis development caused by high cholesterol consumption. In order to examine whether MA feeding can prevent the sensitization of blood vessels, MA leaves were fed to rats for 8 weeks and pressor responses to vasoconstricting agents were assessed. Animals were pithed before blood pressure assessments to eliminate reflex compensation in vessel responses. Feeding diets containing high levels of cholesterol led to potentiated pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation, or to injection of norepinephrine, phenylephrine, angiotensin II and vasopressin in pithed rats. These potentiated pressor responses were prevented in rats fed MA leaf-containing diets at 2 or 10% levels. It was also examined in anesthetized non-pithed rats whether similar cholestrol-related sensitization and MA prevention could be observed. However, high cholesterol-induced sensitization in pressor responses were not observed, suggesting that destruction of central cardiovascular control by pithing must have revealed the sensitization responses. It was concluded that MA leaves seem to be active in preventing abnormal blood vessel reactivity caused by hypercholesterolemia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.118-124
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• 1984

Congenital Cystic Adenomatiod Malformation (C.C.A.M.) is rare, but one of the most common congenital pulmonary anomalies that cause acute respiratory distress in the newborn infants. It is characterized and differentiated from the diffuse pulmonary cystic disease pathologically, i.e. adenomatoid appearance due to marked proliferation of the terminal respiratory components. An 2/12 year old male patient was suffered from respiratory distress and cyanosis on crying since birth, but no specific therapy was given. With progression of symptoms, he came to Korea University Hospital for further evaluation and then transfered to Dept. of Chest Surgery for operative correction under the impression of Congenital Obstructive Emphysema suggested by a pediatrician. On gestational and family history, there was nothing to be concerned such as congenital anomaly. Physical examinations showed; moderate nourishment and development (Wt. 5.5kg), cyanosis on crying, both intercostal and lower sternal retraction on inspiration, Lt. chest building with tympany, Rt. shifting of cardiac dullness, decreased breathing sound with expiratory wheezing on entire Lt. lung field, decreased breathing sound on Rt. upper lung filed, and tachycardia. The remainders were nonspecific. Laboratory findings were normal except WBC $14000/mm^3$ (lymphocyte 70%), Hgb 9.8m%, Hct 28%, negative Mantaux test, and sinus tachycardia and counter-clockwise rotation on EKG. Preoperative simple Chest PA revealed marked hyperlucent entire Lt. lung, herniation of Lt. upper lobe to Rt., collapsed Rt. upper lobe, tracheal deviation and mediastinal shifting to Rt., and no pleural reaction. At operation, after Lt. posterolateral thoracotomy, 4th rib was resected. Operative findings were severe emphysematous changes limited to both lingular segmentectomy was done. The resected specimen showed slight solidity, measuring $8{\times}4.5{\times}2cm$ in size, and small multiple cystic spaces filled with air. Microscopically, entire tissue structures were glandular in appearance, cyst were lined by ciliated columnar epithelium, and occasional cartilages were noted around the cystic spaces. Bronchial elements were dilated but normal pattern on histologically. The patient had a good postoperative courses clinically and radiologically, and discharged on POD 10th without event. The authors report a case of Cogenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation (C.C.A.M.)

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.506-511
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• 1997

To understand the clinical results of aortic root replacement with either inclusion or open technique, we analysed 53 patients who underwent replacement of the aortic root with composite graft between October,1980, and May, 1995. Annuloaortic ectasia was the most common indication for operation(29 patients), follwed by aortic dissection(22 patients). Among 53 patients, 19(35%) had Marfan syndrome. Three patients died during hospitalization (Mortality: 5.5%). The follow up was possible in 48 patients(Follow-up rate; 94%,mean duration;37 months). The actuarial survival rate at 24 months was 95% in open technique group, and 87% in inclusion technique group. Late complications developed in 10 patients. Dissecting aneurysm in the remaining aorta was noted in 3 patients with inclu ion 1,schnique, and a pseudoaneurysm from coronary artery anastomosis site developed in a patient with inclusion technique. In conclusion, there was no statistical differences in survival for 24 months between inclusion technique and open technique group. But late problems in the remaining aorta or death from unknown cause occurred with moderate frequency : careful follow-up after aortic root replacement thought to be important for long term survival.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.269-278
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• 2011

This paper illustrates the inter-relationship between the theta/alpha ratio of the EEG signal and multiple HRV related parameters associated with the cardiovascular system response during event-related stimuli. Both EEG and PPG signals were simultaneously recorded in 21 healthy subjects. All subjects had their attention focused on the CNT program for nine minutes. Time-frequency analysis was applied to the EEG and PPG signals. The theta/alpha ratio was extracted from the EEG results, and the HRV features, including beat interval(1), SDNN(2), RMSSD(3), NN50(4), LF(5), HF(6), and LFIHF(7), were extracted from the PPG. Through multiple linear regression, the relationship ($R^2$) between the multiple combined features and the theta/alpha rhythm was identified. As a result, the combinations of $R^2$($R^2=0.253$; seven dimensions) and the theta/alpha ratio indicated a higher inter-relationship value than those of other combinations. The combinations of features that were greater than three dimensions, based on {SDNN(2), HF(6)}, generally showed higher $R^2$ value. We demonstrate that the high dimensional combinations had a higher correlation than did the low dimensional combinations.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.331-343
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to observe the trends of heart age of Koreans by using the predictor of heart age of the Framingham Heart Study. The subjects were 20,012 adults aged 30~74 years who were enrolled in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005~2013. They filled in the determinants data and they had no history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The heart age was calculated using a non-laboratory based model of prediction. The difference of heart age and chronological age, and the rate of excessive heart age over 10 years were calculated. The annual trend, the difference according to gender, the age bracket and geographic region, the heart age were all evaluated. Data analysis performed using the SAS program (version 9.3). Complex designed analysis was done. The heart age showed differences according to gender, age bracket and geographic region. The heart age is a useful comprehensive indicator for predicting the CVD events in the near future. So, it could be used for the purposes of exercising caution and guidance on CVD for administering medical care. It is strongly recommended to use heart age as an indicator for customized medical management to focus efforts on relatively vulnerable subjects and their factors for CVD. Further study on Koreans' customized heart age is needed.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 2006

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a critical disease with higher rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality due to myocardial ischemia and infarction. There is glowing interest in how to determine high-risk patients who are candidates for screening testing. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetic patients detected by Tc-99m MIBI myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) and to assess risk factors of CAD and cardiac hard events. Subjects and Methods: 203 diabetic patients (64 male, mean age $64.1{\pm}9.0$ years) who underwent MPS were included between Jan 2000 and July 2004. Cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) were considered as hard events, and coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery >60 days after testing were considered as soft events. The mean follow-up period was $36{\pm}18$ months. Patients underwent exercise (n=6) or adenosine stress (n=197) myocardial perfusion SPECT. Results: Perfusion defects on MPS were detected in 28.6% (58/203) of the patients. There was no cardiac death but 11 hard events were observed. The annual cardiac hard event rate was 1.1%. In univariate analysis of clinical factors, typical anginal pain, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral polyneuropathy, and resting ECG abnormality were significantly associated with the ocurrence of hard events. Anginal pain, peripheral vascular disease, and resting ECG abnormality remained independent predictors of nonfatal MIs with multivariate analysis. Abnormal SPECT results were significantly associated with high prevalence of hard events but not independent predictors on uni- and multivariate analyses. Conclusion: Patients who were male, had longer diabetes duration (especially over 20 years), peripheral vascular disease, peripheral polyneuropathy, or resting ECG abnormality had higher incidence of CAD. Among clinical factors in diabetic patients, typical angina, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral polyneuropathy, and resting ECG abnormality were strong predictors of hard events.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 1986

Prevention of thrombombolism after rosthetic cardiac valve replacement is essential for the patients. About 90% of patients are free of major and minor thromboembolic complications 5 year after replacement of cardiac valves with prosthetic devices when they are under control of anticoagulant therapy. Ticlopidine is a drug that alter platelet function to have an antithrombotic effect. It is an antiaggregating agent which inhibits primary platelet function to have an antithrombotic effect. It is an antiaggregating agent which inhibits primary platelet aggregation induced by ADP and increases the production of prostaglandin $D_{2}$. Aspirin in small doses inhibits platelet synthesis of prostaglandins by irreversibly blocking the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase. Platelet secretion and aggregation are impaired with Ticlopidine and Aspirin. the thromboembolic event sof 54 patient s who were treated with Ticlopidine and Aspirin after cardiac valve replacement were evaluated and compared with that of 79 patients who were treated with Wafarin and Aspirin after the same type of operation. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 110 months (mean of 48 months). there were 11 major thromboembolic episodes including three deaths in the warfarin goup during mean follow-up period of 56 months. two cases of CVA and one hemoarthrosis were noted due to overdose of Warfarin. Inticlopidine group, there was only one fatal thromboembolic epdisode three month after mitral valve replacement during mean follow-up period of 18 months. Two episodes of hypermenorrhea resulting anemia ere noted in the ticlopidine group. We measured the parameters of platelet function in aggreagation curve of platelet with platelet aggregometer (chrono-log Aggregometer, Model No. 430) Aggregation test was performed with three final concentrations of epinephrine in 10 uM/L, ADP in 5uM/L. 28 patients with prosthetic cardiac valves and 35 healthy volunteers were subgrouped as follows to analyze the effect of antithrombotic drugs used. Group I ; 11 patients treated with 250-500 mg of ticlopidine and 0.5gm of Aspirin as a daily single dose after cardiac valve replacement (14 St. Jude Medical and 1 Carpentier-Edwards, 9 patients with atrial fibrillation among them) Group II ; 10 patients treated with 3-5 mg of Warfarin and 0.75 gm of Aspirin daily to prolong prothrombin time around 20 seconds for more than 6 months and single Aspirin dose was maintained afterward as a life-long regimes(3 St. Jude Medical, 1 Hall-Kaster and 7 Carpentier-Edwards valve, 9 patients in atrial fibrilation). Group III ; 7 patients who quit anticoagulant treatment (Warfarin + Aspirin) 6-12 months after the regime as group II (3 St. Jude Medical. 1 bjork-Shiley, 1 Hall-Kaster, 3 Carpentier-Edwards valve, 2 of them are with atrial fibrillation). Group IV ; 35 healthy vounteers (28 males and 7 females). The following results were obtained. 1. The mean maximal platelet aggregability in Group I induced by 10uM/L epinephrine was 15.6%, and 17.5 and 18.7% in BM in proportion to the induction by 5 and 10 uM/L ADP. 2. The mean maximal platelet aggregability in Group II induced by 10uM/L epinephrine was 16.5%, and 27.4 and 44.7% in BM in proportion to the induction by 5 and 10uM/L ADP. 3. The mean maximal platelet aggregability in group III induced by 10uM/L epinephrine was 65%, and 56.5 and 51.8% in BM in proportion to the induction by 5 and 10 uM/L ADP. 4. The mean maximal platelet aggregability in the normal subjects induced by 10 uM/L epinephrine was 64%, and 65 and 69% in Bm inproportion to the induction by 5 and 10 uM/L ADP. 5. Reversible change of platelet aggregation curve induced by 5 and 10uM/L was noted all of the patients in Group I. conclusion : Ticlopidine is an antiaggregating agent which inhibits primary platelet aggregation induced by ADP, and increases the production of prostaglandin $D_{2}$. Ticlopidine and Aspirin produced a significant inhibition of platelet in the presence of ADP and epinephrine in our study. Acccording to our brief experience, 250 mg of ticlopidine and low dose of Aspirin resulted synergistic superior effect to each drug alone in prevention of thromboembolism after prosthetic cardiac valve replacement.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.153-168
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• 1998

Background: The existing data indicate that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome contributes to the development of cardiovascular dysfunction such as systemic hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias, and the cardiovascular dysfunction has a major effect on high long-term mortality rate in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients. To a large extent the various studies have helped to clarify the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea, but many basic questions still remain unanswered. Methods: In this study, the influence of obstructive sleep apnea on systemic blood pressure, cardiac rhythm and urinary catecholamines concentration was evaluated. Over-night polysomnography, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and ECG monitoring, and measurement of urinary catecholamines, norepinephrine (UNE) and epinephrine (UEP), during waking and sleep were undertaken in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients group (OSAS, n=29) and control group (Control, n=25). Results: 1) In OSAS and Control, UNE and UEP concentrations during sleep were significantly lower than during waking (P<0.01). In UNE concentrations during sleep, OSAS showed higher levels compare to Control (P<0.05). 2) In OSAS, there was a increasing tendency of the number of non-dipper of nocturnal blood pressure compare to Control (P=0.089). 3) In both group (n=54), mean systolic blood pressure during waking and sleep showed significant correlation with polysomnographic data including apnea index (AI), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), arterial oxygen saturation nadir ($SaO_2$ nadir) and degree of oxygen desaturation (DOD). And UNE concentrations during sleep were correlated with AI, AHI, $SaO_2$ nadir, DOD and mean diastolic blood pressure during sleep. 4) In OSAS with AI>20 (n==14), there was a significant difference of heart rates before, during and after apneic events (P<0.01), and these changes of heart rates were correlated with the duration of apnea (P<0.01). The difference of heart rates between apneic and postapneic period (${\Delta}HR$) was significantly correlated with the difference of arterial oxygen saturation between before and after apneic event (${\Delta}SaO_2$) (r=0.223, P<0.001). 5) There was no significant difference in the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias between OSAS and Control In Control, the incidence of ventricular ectopy during sleep was significantly lower than during waking. But in OSAS, there was no difference between during waking and sleep. Conclusion : These results suggested that recurrent hypoxia and arousals from sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome may increase sympathetic nervous system activity, and recurrent hypoxia and increased sympathetic nervous system activity could contribute to the development of cardiovascular dysfunction including the changes of systemic blood pressure and cardiac function.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.651-658
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• 2003

Since the first implanted in September 1997, the use of On-X prosthetic heart valve has been increasing around in the world. This study was designed to assess the feasibility, safety, and the postoperative hemodynamics with this new valve in clinical setting. Material and Method: The current study was carried out on 52 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with this prosthesis between April 1999 to August 2002 at Chonnam National University Hospital to evaluate the surgical results. 52％ of the patients were male and the average age at implant was 50$\pm$13 years. The study followed the guidelines of the AATS/STS. Preoperatively, 32(61.5％) patients were in NYHA functional class III or IV and 2 patients had previous aortic valve surgery. Concomitant cardiac surgery was performed in 71.1％. The implanted valve sizes were 19 mm in 13 patients, 21 mm in 26, 23 mm in 10 and 25 mm in 3, respectively. Mean follow-up was 16.6$\pm$10.5 months (1∼39 months). Echocardiographic assessment was performed pre- and immediate postoperatively, as well as 3, 6, 12 months after surgery, evaluating pressure loss and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. Result: Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 191$\pm$94.7 minutes with an aortic cross-clamp time of 142$\pm$51.7 minutes. There was no early and late mortality, Freedom from adverse events at 1 year in the study were as follows: thromboembolism, 95.6$\pm$6％; bleeding events, 90.2$\pm$4％; paravalvular leakage 92.3$\pm$4％; and overall valve-related morbidity at 1 year was 76.6$\pm$3％. There were no cases of valve thrombosis, prosthetic valve endocarditis and structural or non-structural failure. Left ventricular function at 12 months after surgery (EF=62.7$\pm$9.8％) revealed a statistically significant improvement compared to preoperative investigation (EF=55.8$\pm$15.9％, p=0.006). Left ventricular mass index was 247.3$\pm$122.3 g/$m^2$ on preoperative echocardiographic study, but regressed to 155.5$\pm$58.2 g/$m^2$ at postoperative 1 year (p=0.002). Over the follow-up period a further decrease of peak transvalvular gradients was observed in all patients: 62.5$\pm$38.0 mmHg on preoperative assessment, 18.2$\pm$6.8 mmHg at immediate postoperative period (p < 0.0001), 7.6$\pm$5.09 mmHg (p<0.0001) at 6 month, 18.0$\pm$10.8 mmHg (p<0.0001) at 1 year. Conclusion: The On-X prosthetic heart valve performs satisfactorily in the first 1 year period. Clinical outcome by examining NYHA functional classification revealed especially good results. Effective regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and statistically significant decrease of transvalvular gradient were observed over the first year, but longer-term follow-up of this patient group is needed to establish the expected rates for late valve-related events as well as the long-term clinical efficacy of this valve.