• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2013

Objective : The introduction and development of the embolic protecting device (EPD) has resulted in a decreased rate of stroke after carotid artery stenting (CAS). The authors performed a retrospective study to investigate the risk factors for developing large emboli after CAS which can lead to ischemic events. Methods : A total of 35 consecutive patients who underwent CAS between January 2009 and March 2012 were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups including those with small emboli (group A; grade 1, 2) and those with large emboli (group B; grade 3, 4). The size and number of emboli were assigned one of four grades (1=no clots, 2=1 or 2 small clots, 3=more than 3 small clots, 4=large clots) by microscopic observation of the EPD after CAS. We compared demographic characteristics, medical history, and angiographic findings of each group. Results : Thirty-five patients underwent CAS, and technical success was achieved in all cases. Twenty-three patients were included in group A and 12 patients in group B. Our results demonstrated that advanced age [odds ratio (OR) 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.52; p=0.044] and smoking (OR 42.06; CI 2.828-625.65, p=0.006) were independent risk factors for developing large emboli after CAS. Conclusion : In patients with carotid artery stenosis treated with CAS, advanced age and smoking increased the number and size of emboli. Although use of an EPD is controversial, it may be useful in CAS in patients with risk factors for large emboli in order to reduce the risk of ischemic events.

• Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2024

Objective: Flow diverting stents (FDS) are increasingly used for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. While FDS can provide flow diversion of parent vessels, their high metal surface coverage can cause thromboembolism. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) emboli monitoring can be used to identify subclinical embolic phenomena after neurovascular procedures. Limited data exists regarding the use of TCDs for emboli monitoring in the periprocedural period after FDS placement. We evaluated the rate of positive TCDs microembolic signals and stroke after FDS deployment at our institution. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 105 patients who underwent FDS treatment between 2012 and 2016 using the Pipeline stent (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Patients were pretreated with aspirin and clopidogrel. All patients were therapeutic on clopidogrel pre-operatively. TCD emboli monitoring was performed immediately after the procedure. Microembolic signals (mES) were classified as "positive" (<15 mES/hour) and "strongly positive" (>15 mES/hour). Clinical stroke rates were determined at 2-week and 6-month post-operatively. Results: A total of 132 intracranial aneurysms were treated in 105 patients. TCD emboli monitoring was "positive" in 11.4% (n=12) post-operatively and "strongly positive" in 4.8% (n=5). These positive cases were treated with heparin drips or modification of the antiplatelet regimen, and TCDs were repeated. Following medical management modifications, normalization of mES was achieved in 92% of cases. The overall stroke rates at 2-week and 6-months were 3.8% and 4.8%, respectively. Conclusions: TCD emboli monitoring may help early in the identification of thromboembolic events after flow diversion stenting. This allows for modification of medical therapy and, potentially, preventionf of escalation into post-operative strokes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 2017

Objective : To evaluate the efficacy of balloon guiding catheter (BGC) during thrombectomy in anterior circulation ischemic stroke. Methods : Sixty-two patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke were treated with thrombectomy using a Solitaire stent from 2011 to 2016. Patients were divided into the BGC group (n=24, 39%) and the non-BGC group (n=38, 61%). The number of retrievals, procedure time, thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) grade, presence of distal emboli, and clinical outcomes at 3 months were evaluated. Results : Successful recanalization was more frequent in BGC than in non-BGC (83% vs. 66%, p=0.13). Distal emboli occurred less in BGC than in non-BGC (23.1% vs. 57.1%, p=0.02). Good clinical outcome was more frequent in BGC than in non-BGC (50% vs. 16%, p=0.03). The multivariate analysis showed that use of BGC was the only independent predictor of good clinical outcome (odds ratio, 5.19 : 95% confidence interval, 1.07-25.11). More patients in BGC were successfully recanalized in internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion with small retrieval numbers (<3) than those in non-BGC (70% vs. 24%, p=0.005). In successfully recanalized ICA occlusion, distal emboli did not occur in BGC, whereas nine patients had distal emboli in non-BGC (0% vs. 75%, p=0.001) and good clinical outcome was superior in BGC than in non-BGC (55.6% vs. 8.3%, p=0.01). Conclusion : A BGC significantly reduces the number of retrievals and the occurrence of distal emboli, thereby resulting in better clinical outcomes in patients with anterior circulation ischemic stroke, particularly with ICA occlusion.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.139-147
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• 1987

in general rapid and complete resolution of pulmonary emboli, even massive, is the natural history. However, rarely, the emboli do not resolve but rather became fibrotic organization and densely adherent to the arterial wall, therefore, may lead to significant clinical disability. In patients with chronic pulmonary embolism, medical management usually has little effect and only surgical treatment can offer improvement. The case was 30-year-old man who had admission to the Hanyang University Hospital due to fall-down from 11th floor 407 days before operation and then transferred to our department for surgical management under the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary embolism, Pulmonary angiogram demonstrated multifocal thromboembolism with infarction and lung scans showed no improvement in spite of anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy. At median sternotomy for pulmonary artery thromboembolectomy, the well organized and multiple septic emboli could be removed by gallstone forceps. But reoperation of left upper lobectomy was performed because of the repeated hemoptysis and suspicious pulmonary arterio-bronchial fistula 19 days postoperatively. Despite of ventilatory support and drug treatment, the patient died due to right heart failure associated with cor pulmonale 27 days after first operation. Discussion of the operative and perioperative problems are offered.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.202-205
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• 2015

Purpose: Pulmonary cement embolization after vertebroplasty is a well-known complication. The reported incidence of pulmonary cement emboli after vertebroplasty ranges frome 2.1% to 26% with much of this variation resulting from which radiographic technique is used to detect embolization. Onset and severity of symptoms are variable. Case description: We present the case of a 83-year-old women who underwent fourth lumbar vertebroplasty and subsequently had dyspnea several days later. Posteroanterior chest radiography showed multiple linear densities. Computed tomography of thorax revealed also multiple bilateral, linear hyperdensities within the lobar pulmonary artery branches are detected in axial and coronal views. Literature Reviews: Operative management of vertebral compression fractures has included percutaneous vetebroplasty for the past 25 years. Symptoms of pulmonary cement embolism can occur during procedure, but more commonly begin days to weeks, even months, after vertebroplsty. Most cases of pulmonary cement emboli with cardiovascular and pulmonary complications are treated nonoperatively with anticoagulation. Endovascular removal of large cement emboli from the pulmonary arteries is not without risk and sometimes requires open surgery for complete removal of cement pieces. Conclusion: Pulmonary cement embolism is a potentially serious complication of vertebroplasty. If a patient has chest pain or respiratory difficulty after the procedure, chest radiography and possibly advanced chest imaging studies should be performed immediately.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2005

Lemierre syndrome is characterized by an acute oropharyngeal infection with secondary septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and frequent metastatic infections such as septic pulmonary emboli and suppurative arthritis. In the preantibiotic era, this condition generally had a fatal outcome. The presentation is so distinctive that a clinical diagnosis is possible in most cases, and a cure is expected with the appropriate therapy in the majority of patients. We present a case report of Lemierre syndrome with a review of the relevant literature.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.931-933
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• 2020

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.811-815
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• 1990

Successful emergency pulmonary embolectomy with the cardiopulmonary bypass was performed in a 41 \ulcorneryear old male who suffered massive pulmonary embolism after longterm bed rest due to the injury of left knee. Temporary cardiopulmonary bypass provided 120 minutes of circulatory support while complete removal of bilateral pulmonary emboli accomplished using Forgarty catheter and Gall stone forceps. Also, manual compression of the lungs was necessary to remove distal branching emboli. The patient had smooth and uneventful hospital course without complications and discharged from hospital taking coumadine on the 13th day after the operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.543-548
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• 1986

Massive air embolism during cardiopulmonary bypass is uncommon but serious and often lethal complication. Following this catastrophic event, the immediate institution of retrograde arterial blood perfusion via superior vena cava was made to remove air emboli from cerebral circulation. This method was performed by removing the arterial perfusion line from aortic cannula and connecting it to superior vena caval cannula. Then, retrograde perfusion at a flow rate of 2Umin via superior vena cava was carried out for 3 minutes. After air returning from the aortic cannula was identified, each line was connected to the cannulae primarily. In 2 cases who had massive air emboli due to air pumping into arterial line, the postoperative complete recovery resulted from this technique, which was used in conjunction with other therapy postoperatively.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 1980

We present one case of 26-year-old male having saddle block combined with mitral valvular disease [NYHA Class IV] with auricular fibrillation. The most common cause of emboli is atrial fibrillation. The clinical manifestations of saddle emboli are relatively slow due to development of collateral circulation and large size of lumen of the aorta. The 5month duration of saddle emboli in this case led to severe atrophic changes, coldness, peripheral cyanosis on the both lower extremities, and flexion deformity on the knee and ankle joint of the left lower extremity. We planned staged operation for the saddle block and for mitral stenoinsufficiency and tricuspid insufficiency, because of poor general condition of the patient. The thromboembolectomy of aortic bifurcation was performed through the transabdominal approach without trial of Fogarthy catheter embolectomy, because of expectation of the secondary inflammatory changes of the vessel wall and thrombi which was 3 cm X 1 cm X 0.5 cm in size with irregular surfaced solid in consistency. 1 month later, after thromboembolectomy, mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty were performed, with successful early operative result. During operation organized thrombi [1 cm X 0.5 cm] in the left auricle was removed. We wonder if simple management using Fogarthy catheter might be possible to remove the thromboemboli instead of thromboembolectomy by aortotomy in this case.