• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.125-129
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• 2016

Stress induced cardiomyopathy (SC) is characterized by transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in the absence of coronary artery disease. We report on a patient with panhypopituitarism who developed SC resulting from withdrawal of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). A 52-year-old male visited our hospital for progressively worsening dyspnea. The patient had discontinued HRT 7 days ago, which had been administered for 18 months after transsphenoidal adenomectomy for pituitary macroadenoma. Initial electrocardiogram showed marked sinus bradycardia. Transthoracic echocardiography showed apical ballooning with an LV ejection fraction of 25%. No significant obstructive lesions were observed on coronary angiography. With a clinical diagnosis of SC associated with panhypopituitarism, HRT was restarted, including glucocorticoid and thyroxine, along with standard heart failure management. His LV function had normalized at 2-month follow-up. He remains asymptomatic and administration of beta-blocker and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor were discontinued He currently only requires HRT.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.321-328
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• 2011

This study divided a group of healthy adults aged 20 or older who had a health examination at J General Hospital in Gyeonggi Province into three groups according to the degrees of metabolic syndrome risk factors. They include the normal group (n=58), the pre-metabolic syndrome group (n=112) and the metabolic syndrome group (n=32). They were compared in exercise capacity and cardiac structure and function and impacts of exercise capacity on the cardiac diastolic function. All the groups took echocardiography to have their cardiac structures and functions examined and an exercise stress test to have their exercise capacity measured. The research findings were as follows: There were differences in exercise capacity, cardiac structure, and diastolic heart function among three groups. Between exercise capacity and diastolic heart function was found to be related. It turned out exercise capacity affected the cardiac diastolic functions. In conclusion, there were significant differences in exercise capacity between the normal group and the metabolic syndrome group and in the cardiac structure and function among the normal, metabolic syndrome, and pre-metabolic syndrome group. In addition, METs (metabolic equivalents) and heart rate recovery of exercise capacity turned out to affect cardiac diastolic functions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.101-106
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• 2013

Despite developments in surgical techniques and other interventions, right ventricular (RV) failure remains an important clinical problem in several congenital heart diseases (CHD). RV function is one of the most important predictors of mortality and morbidity in patients with CHD. RV failure is a progressive disorder that begins with myocardial injury or stress, neurohormonal activation, cytokine activation, altered gene expression, and ventricular remodeling. Pressure-overload RV failure caused by RV outflow tract obstruction after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary stenosis, atrial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries, congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, and systemic RV failure after the Fontan operation. Volume-overload RV failure may be caused by atrial septal defect, pulmonary regurgitation, or tricuspid regurgitation. Although the measurement of RV function is difficult because of many reasons, the right ventricle can be evaluated using both imaging and functional modalities. In clinical practice, echocardiography is the primary mode for the evaluation of RV structure and function. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly used for evaluating RV structure and function. A comprehensive evaluation of RV function may lead to early and optimal management of RV failure in patients with CHD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.483-489
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• 2020

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been known to possess many ginsenosides. These ginsenosides are used for curing cardiovascular problems. The present study show the protective potential of KRG against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial dysfunction, by assessing electrocardiographic, hemodynamic, and biochemical parameters and histopathological findings. Methods: Animals were fed a standard chow and adjusted to their environment for 3 days before the experiments. Next, the rats were equally divided into five groups (n = 9, each group). The animals were administered with KRG (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 10 days and injected with DOX (20 mg/kg, subcutaneously, twice at a 24-h interval) on the 8th and 9th day. Electrocardiography and echocardiography were performed to study hemodynamics. Plasma levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were measured. In addition, the dose of troponin I and activity of myeloperoxidase in serum and cardiac tissue were analyzed, and the histopathological findings were evaluated using light microscopy. Results: Administration of KRG at a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg recovered electrocardiographic changes, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, left ventricular systolic pressure, the maximal rate of change in left ventricle contraction (-dP/dt_max), and left ventricle relaxation (-dP/dt_max). In addition, KRG treatment significantly normalized the oxidative stress markers in plasma, dose dependently. In addition, the values of troponin I and myeloperoxidase were ameliorated by KRG treatment, dose dependently. And, KRG treatment showed better histopathological findings when compared with the DOX control group. Conclusion: These mean that KRG mitigates myocardial damage by modulating the hemodynamics, histopathological abnormality, and oxidative stress related to DOX-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. The results of the present study show protective effects of KRG on cardiac toxicity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.214-222
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• 2002

Purpose : The aim of this study was to evaluate myocardial injury in children treated with adriamycin by echocardiography, which is non-invasive and safe measurement for children. Methods : Left ventricular dimensions, wall stress, and contractile function were determined by echocardiographic methods in 17 patient recepients with adriamycin chemotherapy at rest(group 1) and during stress(group 2). Twenty age-matched normal subjects were established as control group. Results : End-diastolic dimension was decreased in both groups(group 1; $92{\pm}7%$ of normal, group 2; $87{\pm}8%$ of normal, P<0.05). Left ventricular end diastolic volume and wall mass were also decreased in both groups(group 1; $96{\pm}12mL/m^2$ and $145{\pm}18g/m^2$, group 2; $87{\pm}8mL/m^2$ and $137{\pm}16g/m^2$, respectively, P<0.05 and P<0.05) and group 2 showed lower values than group 1. Meridional end systolic stress(ESSm) was increased in both groups but there was no significant difference between the two groups(group 1; $52.6{\pm}6.2g/cm^2$, group 2; $63.5{\pm}8.5g/cm^2$, P<0.05, normal value $45.7{\pm}3.5g/cm^2$). The load-independent relation of rate-corrected circumferential fiber shortening velocity(Vcfc) to ESSm has a significant abnormal change in 7 out of 17(41%) in group 1 and 12 out of 17(71%) in group 2. Conclusion : The load-dependent systolic index, such as fractional shortening, may fail to show abnormality because of the compensatory changes in preload and afterload which can mask the impaired contractility. Therefore, systolic performance also should be monitored by a load-indepedent contractility index such as slope value of the end-systolic pressure-dimension relation and the position of the left ventricular stress-fiber shortening velocity after exercise.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.333-343
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• 2014

Background: A preclinical study was conducted for evaluating a valved conduit manufactured with a glutaraldehyde (GA)-fixed bovine pericardium treated using an anticalcification protocol. Methods: Bovine pericardia were decellularized, fixed with GA in an organic solvent, and detoxified. We prepared a valved conduit using these bovine pericardia and a specially designed mold. The valved conduit was placed under in vitro circulation by using a mock circulation model, and the durability under mechanical stress was evaluated for 2 months. The valved conduit was implanted into the right ventricular outflow tract of a goat, and the hemodynamic, radiologic, histopathologic, and biochemical results were obtained for 6 months after the implantation. Results: The in vitro mock circulation demonstrated that valve motion was good and that the valved conduit had good gross and microscopic findings. The evaluation of echocardiography and cardiac catheterization demonstrated the good hemodynamic status and function of the pulmonary xenograft valve 6 months after the implantation. According to specimen radiography and a histopathologic examination, the durability of the xenografts was well preserved without calcification at 6 months after the implantation. The calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations of the explanted xenografts were low at 6 months after the implantation. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that our synergistic employment of multiple anticalcification therapies has promising safety and efficacy in the future clinical study.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.371-380
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• 2013

Doxorubicin is still main drug in chemotherapy with limitation of use due to adverse drug reaction. Increased oxidative stress and alteration of nitric oxide control have been involved in cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin (DOX). A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase (ADAMs) are transmembrane ectoproteases to regulate cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, but role in cardiac disease is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether DOX activates peroxynitrite and ADAM 10 and thus ADAM and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) induce cardiac remodeling in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to cardiomyopathy by DOX (6 times of 2.5 mg/kg DOX over 2-weeks), and were randomized as four groups. Then followed by 3, 5, 7, and 14 days after cessation of DOX injection. DOX-injected animals significantly decreased left ventricular fractional shortening compared with control by M-mode echocardiography. The expressions of cardiac nitrotyrosine by immunohistochemistry were significant increased, and persisted for 2 weeks following the last injection. The expression of eNOS was increased by 1.9 times (p<0.05), and iNOS was marked increased in DOX-heart compared with control (p<0.001). Compared to control rats, cardiac ADAM10- and MMP 9- protein expressions increased by 20 times, and active/total MMP 9 proteolytic activity showed increase tendency at day 14 after cessation of DOX injection (n=10, each group). DOX-treated $H_9C_2$ cell showed increased ADAM10 protein expression with dose-dependency (p<0.01) and morphometric changes showed the increase of ventricular interstitial, nonvascular collagen deposition. These data suggest that activation of cardiac peroxynitrite with increased iNOS expression and ADAM 10-dependent MMP 9 expression may be a molecular mechanism that contributes to left ventricular remodeling in DOXinduced cardiomyopathy.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.159-164
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• 2009

Coronary artery disease is on the rise over the world. Myocardial perfusion SPECT is a well established technique to detect coronary artery disease and to assess left ventricular function. In addition, it has the unique ability to predict the prognosis of the patients. Moreover, the application of ECC-gated images provided the quantitatve data and improved the accuracy. This approach has been proved to be cost-effective and suitable for the emerging economies as well as developed countries. However, the utilization of nuclear cardiology procedures vary widely considering the different countries and region of the world. Korea exits 2-3 times less utilization than Japan, and 20 times than the United States. Recently, with the emerging of new technology, namely cardiac CT, cardiac MR and stress echocardiography, the clinical usefulness of nuclear cardiology has been called in question and its role has been redefined. For the proper promotion of nuclear cardiology, special educations should be conducted since the nuclear cardiology has the contact points between nuclear medicine and cardiology. Several innovations are in horizon which will impact the diagnostic accuracy as well as imaging time and cost savings. Development of new tracers, gamma camera technology and hybrid systems will open the new avenue in cardiac imaging. The future of nuclear cardiology based on molecular imaging is very exciting. The newly defined biologic targets involving atherosclerosis and vascular vulnerability will allow the answers for the key clinical questions. Hybrid techniques including SPECT/CT indicate the direction in which clinical nuclear cardiology may be headed in the immediate future. To what extent nuclear cardiology will be passively absorbed by other modalities, or will actively incorporate other modalities, is up to the present and next generation of nuclear cardiologists.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.94-99
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• 2005

Electrocardiogram-gated single photon omission computed tomography (SPECT) provides valuable information in the assessment of both myocardial perfusion and ventricular function. Tl-201 is a suboptimal isotope for gating. Tl-201 images are more blurred compared with Tc-99m tracers due to the increased amount of scattered photons and use of a smooth filter. The average myocardial count densities are approximately one-half those of conventional technetium tracers. However, Tl-201 is still widely used because of its well-established utility for assessing myocardial perfusion, viability and risk stratification. Gated SPECT with Tl-201 enables us to assess both post-stress and rest left ventricular volume and function. Previous studies with gated Tl-201 SPECT measurements of ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) have shown high correlation with first-pass radionuclide angiography, gated blood pool scan, Tc-99m-MIBI gated SPECT, contrast ventriculography, echocardiography, and 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. However, problems related to these studies include few agreement data of EDV and ESV, use of a reference method that is likely to have the same systemic errors (gated Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT), and other technical factors related to the count density of gated SPECT. With optimization of gated imaging protocols and more validation studies, gated Tl-201 SPECT would be an accurate method to provide perfusion and function information in patients with coronary artery disease.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.71-82
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: Cardiac magnetic resonance fingerprinting (cMRF) enables simultaneous mapping of myocardial T1 and T2 with very short acquisition times. Breathing maneuvers have been utilized as a vasoactive stress test to dynamically characterize myocardial tissue in vivo. We tested the feasibility of sequential, rapid cMRF acquisitions during breathing maneuvers to quantify myocardial T1 and T2 changes. METHODS: We measured T1 and T2 values using conventional T1 and T2-mapping techniques (modified look locker inversion [MOLLI] and T2-prepared balanced-steady state free precession), and a 15 heartbeat (15-hb) and rapid 5-hb cMRF sequence in a phantom and in 9 healthy volunteers. The cMRF_5-hb sequence was also used to dynamically assess T1 and T2 changes over the course of a vasoactive combined breathing maneuver. RESULTS: In healthy volunteers, the mean myocardial T1 of the different mapping methodologies were: MOLLI 1,224 ± 81 ms, cMRF_15-hb 1,359 ± 97 ms, and cMRF_5-hb 1,357 ± 76 ms. The mean myocardial T2 measured with the conventional mapping technique was 41.7 ± 6.7 ms, while for cMRF_15-hb 29.6 ± 5.8 ms and cMRF_5-hb 30.5 ± 5.8 ms. T2 was reduced with vasoconstriction (post-hyperventilation compared to a baseline resting state) (30.15 ± 1.53 ms vs. 27.99 ± 2.07 ms, p = 0.02), while T1 did not change with hyperventilation. During the vasodilatory breath-hold, no significant change of myocardial T1 and T2 was observed. CONCLUSIONS: cMRF_5-hb enables simultaneous mapping of myocardial T1 and T2, and may be used to track dynamic changes of myocardial T1 and T2 during vasoactive combined breathing maneuvers.