• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.83-97
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• 2004

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effect acupuncture on cerebral blood flow by Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography(TCD). Methods : Monitoring of TCD was examined in stroke patients before and after acupuncture on seven points of CVA. Mean Velocity, pulsatility index, systolic velocity, diastolic velocity values are analyzed from TCD at middle cerebral artery. Results : The results showed a insignificant(p>0.05: Paired T-test) decrease in mean velocity, pulsatility index, systolic velocity, diastolic velocity, which was measured at normal middle cerebral artery. The results showed a significant($p{\leq}0.05$: Paired T-test) decrease in mean velocity, pulsatility index, systolic velocity, which was measured at injuried middle cerebral artery, except diastolic velocity. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupuncture could have a specific effect on injuried cerebral artery.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2013

This study aimed to evaluate the plasma concentration of NT-proBNP in dogs with different stages of heart failure by chronic mitral valve insufficiency (CMVI). Fifty small-breed dogs with CMVI and 7 healthy control dogs without cardiac disease and critical systemic diseases were included in the study population. As a preliminary study, we compared the plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and the echocardiographic parameters between dogs of the International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council (ISACHC) classes. Then, we evaluated the associations between NT-proBNP and echocardiographic parameters. Plasma NT-proBNP levels showed a significant difference among the ISACHC groups. In the comparison between echocardiographic parameters and NT-proBNP, NT-proBNP were found to be associated with left atrium/aorta (LA/AO), early diastolic transmitral flow (E) velocity, late diastolic transmitral flow (A) velocity, end diastolic volume index (EDVI). Our study found plasma NT-proBNP might be useful to predict the disease progression in dogs with CMVI.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: The function of left atrium (LA) is difficult to assess because of its ventricle-dependent, dynamic movement. The aim of this study was to assess LA function using velocity vector imaging (VVI) and compare LA function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCMP) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with normal controls. METHODS: Fourteen patients with HCMP (72% male, mean age of 52.6 ± 9.8), 15 hypertensive patients with LVH (88% male, mean age of 54.0 ± 15.3), and 10 age-matched controls (83% male, mean age of 50.0 ± 4.6) were prospectively studied. Echocardiographic images of the LA were analyzed with VVI, and strain rate (SR) was compared among the 3 groups. RESULTS: The e' velocity (7.7 ± 1.1; 5.1 ± 0.8; 4.5 ± 1.3 cm/sec, p = 0.013), E/e' (6.8 ± 1.6; 12.4 ± 3.3; 14.7 ± 4.2, p = 0.035), and late diastolic SR at mid LA (-1.65 ± 0.51; -0.97 ± 0.55; -0.82 ± 0.32, p = 0.002) were significantly different among the groups (normal; LVH; HCMP, respectively). The e' velocity, E/e', and late diastolic SR at mid LA were significantly different between normal and LVH (p = 0.001; 0.022; 0.018), whereas LA size was similar between normal and LVH (p = 0.592). The mean late diastolic peak SR of mid LA was significantly correlated with indices of diastolic function (E/e', e', and LA size). CONCLUSIONS: The SR is a useful tool for detailed evaluation of LA function, especially early dysfunction of LA in groups with normal LA size.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.105-113
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• 2001

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on cerebral blood flow by Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography(TCD) Method : Monitoring of TCD was examined in 11 healthy women volunteer(mean $age:\;24.5{\pm}2.9\;\;years$) before, during and after acupuncture on Paekoe(GV20). Mean velocity, pulsatility index, systolic velocity and diastolic velocity values are analyzed from DWL. MDX4 at different depths of both middle cerebral artery. Results : The results showed a significant(p<0.05; Friedman test & Wilcoxon signed ranks test) increase in mean velocity, systolic velocity and diastolic velocity decrease in pulsatility index, which was measured at different depths of both middle cerebral artery. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupuncture could have a specific effect on cerebral blood flow.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1954-1959
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• 2020

Background: Due to aging, blood flow rate decreases, also posture and chewing habit may be changed. Objective: To identify that changes in blood velocity in the common carotid arteries (CCAs) in old persons with unilateral chewing habit (UCH) and forward head posture (FHP) in the elderly. Design: An observational cross-sectional study. Methods: Chewing habits, FHP, and CCAs velocities were assessed in 85 elderly subjects. Chewing habits were measured by visual observation. CCAs measured the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), minimum diastolic velocity, and resistivity index. The subjects were divided into UCH and bilateral chewing habit groups depending on chewing habit. The subjects were also divided into >49 degrees and <49 degrees for comparison of blood flow between the left and right CCAs. Results: In the UCH, the chewing side had significantly higher EDV (P=.003), PSV (P=.023) than the non-chewing side. There was no significant difference in velocity between the CCAs in the FHP. Conclusion: This study shows that the blood flow velocity of the chewing side of UCH was higher, and unilateral chewing affects the CCAs velocity and thus highlight the importance of chewing habit in the elderly than head posture.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 1999

Background : Syncope was defined as transient loss of consciousness and postural tone. The mechanisms of changes in cerebral hemodynamics during syncope have not been fully evaluated. Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography can continuously monitor the changes in cerebral hemodynamics during head-up tilt (HUT). TCD could reveal the different patterns of changes in cerebral hemodynamics during syncope. Syncope without hypotension or bradycardia could be detected by TCD. We investigated the changes in cerebral blood flow velocity during HUT using TCD in 33 patients with a history of recurrent syncope or presyncope of unknown origin. Methods & Results : The positive responses were defined as presyncope or syncope with hypotension, bradycardia, or both. During HUT without isoproterenol infusion, there were a $86{\pm}23%$ drop in DV and a $41{\pm}34%$ drop in SV in 5 patients with positive reponses, and mean changes in those were less than 10% in patients with negative reponses (p=.00, p=.00). During HUT with isoproterenol infusion, TCD showed a $80{\pm}18%$ drop in diastolic velocity in 14 patients with positive reponses, and a $47{\pm}10%$ drop in that in patients with negative reponses (p=.00), however the change in systolic velocity did not differ. TCD showed three patterns during positive responses; loss of all flow, loss of end diastolic flow, and a decrease in diastolic velocity. Loss of consciousness occurred in the patients with loss of all flow or end-diastolic flow during positive reponses. Conclusions : TCD shows different patterns of changes in cerebral hemodynamics during HUT. TCD can be used to investigate the pathophysiology of neurocardiogenic syncope.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2015

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is used to non-invasively estimate the severity of arteriosclerosis by measuring arterial stiffness. Increased arterial stiffness measured by PWV stands for progressive arteriosclerosis and is caused by atherosclerotic risk factors. This study is focused on how brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is related to the leading risk factors for arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis. Subjects were 114, 69 males and 45 females who are in 60's and had baPWV test for acute stroke. The results are as follows: the group with increased arterial stiffness showed significant increase in HbA1c, total cholesterol, BSBP (brachial artery systolic blood pressure), BDBP (brachial artery diastolic blood pressure), CSBP (central artery systolic blood pressure), CDBP (central artery diastolic blood pressure), augmentation index (AIx) and diabetes mellitus. Correlation analysis between baPWV and atherosclerotic risk factor showed significant relationship in age, HbA1c, LDL cholesterol, BSBP, BDBP, CSBP, CDBP and augmentation index. baPWV was independently related to age and BSBP in multiple linear regression analysis. The group with increased arterial stiffness was independently related to BDBP in multiple logistic regression analysis. This study might be meaningful in evaluating the relationship between arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic risk factor in a new way, and be helped to make various studies for cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.309-317
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• 1999

Background: Left ventricular diastolic filling is an important determinant for maintenance of cardiac output during hemodialysis. Few investigators have studied the influence of hemodialysis on diastolic function. To evaluate the change of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. we performed M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic studies before and after hemodialysis. Methods: The study population consisted of 30 patients(15 patients were male, mean age $45{\pm}10$ years) with CRF on maintenance hemodialysis. They have normal left ventricular systolic function(Fractional shortening>30%) and no evidence of valvular heart disease or regional wall motion abnormalities. The ejection fraction (EF) was measured using M-mode echocardiography and Doppler indices such as peak E velocity, peak A velocity, isovolumetric relaxation time(IVRT), deceleration time(DT). and left ventricular ejection time(LVET) obtained from Doppler echocardiography. The index of myocardial performance (IMP) was calculated from each of the Doppler velocity indices. Results: The weight reduction after hemodialysis was $2.1{\pm}1.0kg$(p<0.0001), After hemodialysis, there was some decrease in blood pressure(p<0.05), but no significant change in heart rate, EF and fractional shortening, mean VCF, peak A velocity, and DT. And significant reduction in peak E velocity, E/A ratio(p<0.0001. p<0.001), and significant increase in IVRT and IMP(p<0.05, p<0.0001) were noted. Conclusion: In conclusion, preload reduction is the main mechanism that accounts for changes in Doppler diastolic indices after hemodialysis. And an increased IMP suggests that diastolic function may be aggravated after hemodialysis, and that implies impaired left ventricular filling and disturbed left ventricular compliance.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.311-322
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: Early diastolic mitral annular tissue (e') velocity is a commonly used marker of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic implications of e' velocity in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 1,536 consecutive patients aged <65 years with moderate or severe chronic primary MR diagnosed between 2009 and 2018. The primary and secondary outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. According to the current guidelines, the cut-off value of e' velocity was defined as 7 cm/s. Results: A total of 404 individuals were enrolled (median age, 51.0 years; 64.1% male; 47.8% severe MR). During a median 6.0-year follow-up, there were 40 all-cause mortality and 16 cardiovascular deaths. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between e' velocity and all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.770; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.634-0.935; p=0.008) and cardiovascular death (aHR, 0.690; 95% CI, 0.477-0.998; p=0.049). Abnormal e' velocity (≤7 cm/s) independently predicted all-cause death (aHR, 2.467; 95% CI, 1.170-5.200; p=0.018) and cardiovascular death (aHR, 5.021; 95% CI, 1.189-21.211; p=0.028), regardless of symptoms, LV dimension and ejection fraction. Subgroup analysis according to sex, MR severity, mitral valve replacement/repair, and symptoms, showed no significant interactions. Including e' velocity in the 10-year risk score improved reclassification for mortality (net reclassification improvement [NRI], 0.154; 95% CI, 0.308-0.910; p<0.001) and cardiovascular death (NRI, 1.018; 95% CI, 0.680-1.356; p<0.001). Conclusions: In patients aged <65 years with primary MR, e' velocity served as an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular deaths.

• Clinical and Molecular Hepatology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.409-416
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an early manifestation of cardiac dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). However, the effect of LVDD on survival has not been clarified, especially in decompensated LC. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 70 patients with decompensated LC, including ascites or variceal bleeding, at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from April 2013 to April 2015. The cardiac function of these patients was evaluated using 2D echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging. The diagnosis of LVDD was based on the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Results: Forty-four patients (62.9%) had LVDD. During follow-up (22.3 months), 18 patients died (16 with LVDD and 2 without LVDD). The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with LVDD than in those without LVDD (31.1 months vs. 42.6 months, P=0.01). In a multivariate analysis, the Child-Pugh score and LVDD were independent predictors of survival. Moreover, patients with a ratio of early filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e') ${\geq}10$ (LVDD grade 2) had lower survival than patients with E/e' ratio < 10. Conclusions: The presence of LVDD is associated with poor survival in patients with decompensated LC. Therefore, it may be important to monitor and closely follow LVDD patients.