• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.45-51
• /
• 2006

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome disrupts normal sleep. However, there were few studies to evaluate the asymmetric distribution, the one of the important factors of normal sleep in OSA subjects. We hypothesized that asymmetry would be broken in OSA patients. 49 male subjects with the complaint of heavy snoring were studied with polysomnography. We divided them into two groups based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) fifteen: 13 simple snoring group (SSN, average AHI $5.9{\pm}4.4$) and 32 OSA group (average AHI $47.3{\pm}23.9$). We compared split sleep variables between the first half and the second half of sleep within each group with paired t-test for the evaluation of asymmetry. Changes of sleep architecture of OSA were higher stage 1 sleep% (S1), total arousal index (TAI), AHI, and mean heart rate (HR) and lower stage 2 sleep% (S2), REM sleep%, and mean arterial O2 saturation (SaO2) than SSN subjects. SWS and wake time after sleep onset (WASO) were not different between two groups. In split-night analysis, OSA subjects showed higher S2, slow wave sleep% (SWS), spontaneous arousal index (SAI), and mean HR in the first half, and higher REM sleep% and mean SaO2 in the second half. Those were same pattern as in SSN subjects. Mean apnea duration and longest apnea duration were higher in the second half only in the OSA. No differences of AHI, ODI, WASO, and S1 were found between the first and the second half of sleep in both groups. TAI was higher in the first half only in the SSN. SWS and WASO seemed to be influenced sensitively by simple snoring as well as OSA. Unlike our hypothesis, asymmetric distributions of major sleep architecture variables were preserved in OSA group. Losing asymmetry of TAI might be related to pathophysiology of OSA. We need more studies that include large number of subjects in the future.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.107-119
• /
• 1997

Objectives: The psychophysiologic response pattern between healthy subjects and patients with generalized anxiety disorder, and the relationship among anxiety rating scales and those patterns in patients were examined. Methods: Twenty-three patients with generalized anxiety disorder(AD) and 23 healthy subjects were evaluated by Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety(HRSA) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory before baseline stressful tasks. Subjective Units of Distress were evaluated just before baseline period, immediately after stressful tasks, at the end of the entire procedure, and psychophysiologic measures, i.e., skin temperature(ST), electromyographic activity(EMG), heart rate(HR), electrodermal response(EDR) during baseline & rest and during two psychologically stressful tasks (mental arithmetic, TM; talk about a stressful event, TT) were also evaluated. Results: 1) AD group showed significantly higher EMG level during rest after stressful tasks and higher HR level during all period except TM compared to control group. 2) AD group showed lower change in the startle response(SR) of ST, in the SR & the recovery response(RR) of EMG during TM, and in the RR of EDR immediately after TM than control group. AD group showed that the RR of EDR was significantly lower than the SR during stressful tasks. 3) We found that there was significantly negative correlation between state anxiety and the RR of EDR after TT in AD group. We also found that there were significantly positive correlations between HRSA score and the SRs of EDR during stressful tasks, and between state anxiety and the SR of EDR during TT. Conclusion: Our results suggest that patients with generalized anxiety disorder show higher autonomic arousal than healthy subjects and decreased physiologic flexibility or reduced autonomic flexibility.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.29-36
• /
• 2004

Objectives: Sound and light (SL) stimulation has been used as a method to induce some useful mental states in the fields of psychology and psychiatry. It is believed that sound and light entrainment device (SLED) has some specific effects through synchronization of EEG in patients who use it. Theta frequency is believed to stimulate deep relaxation and short term memory processing. This study was conducted to evaluate if 4-10 Hz SL stimulation can induce relaxation and improve short term memory function. Methods: Ten medical students with no medical or psychiatric problems participated in this study. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups. One group was applied with real SLED was applied to one group (R group) and pseudo SLED to the other group (P group). The two groups were exposed to SL stimulation with SLED 15 minutes a day for 5 days, and after two days rest the two groups were switched over. The Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (K-WAIS), Academic Motivation Tests (AMT), Test Anxiety Scale (TAS), Korean Auditory Verbal Learning Test (K-AVLT), and digit span were used to evaluate short term memory. Spielberger's State-Trait anxiety inventory and heart rate variability (HRV) test were used to evaluate degree of relaxation. Results: Compared with S group, R group showed a significant improvement in K-AVLT and digit span after a single application of SL stimulation. But 5-day long application did not reveal any differences between the two groups. A significant change in HRV was observed in 5-day long application of SL stimulation after being switched over to other SLED. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that 4-10 Hz SL stimulation has some positive influences on short term memory and relaxation.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.77-83
• /
• 2012

Objectives: Recent studies have reported a correlation between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) and depression. In attempt to verify the suggestion that eveningness is related to depression, we examined the effect of morningness-eveningness on their depressive mood in patinets with OSA. Methods: The examination was based on the medical records and polysomnography reports of 211 OSA patients. Information was gathered from the patients who filled out the H$\ddot{o}$rne and Ostberg questionnaire (HOQ), profile of mood states-Korean version (K-POMS), and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). We compared mean values of K-POMS total, subscales of K-POMS, ESS, and OSA severity variables among the 3 morningness-eveningness groups (morningness, eveningness, and neither groups). Partial correlation analysis was performed between variables and ANCOVA was performed among the 3 groups after adjustment with age and weight. Results: There were significant negative correlations between HOQ and the followings : K-POMS total, POMS-T (tension-anxiety), POMS-D (depression-dejection), POMS-A (anger-hostility), POMS-F (fatigue-inertia), POMS-C (confusion-bewilderment), spontaneous arousal index, average O2 saturation. There were significant positive correlations between HOQ and the followings : POMS-V (vigor-activity), apnea-hypopnea index, respiratory arousal index, snore time. There were significant negative correlations between POMS-D and the followings : HOQ, POMS-V, stage 1 sleep (%), AHI, TAI (total arousal index), oxygen desaturation index, respiratory arousal index, neck circumference, average O2 desaturation, snore time (%). There were significant positive correlations between POMS-D and K-POMS total, POMS-T, POMS-A, POMS-F, POMS-C, sleep latency, stage 2 sleep (%), heart rate, spontaneous arousal index. There were significant differences in K-POMS total, POMS-T, POMS-D, POMS-F, POMS-C, spontaneous arousal index among the three HOQ groups in ANCOVA. Conclusion: The depressive correlates of OSA patients might be affected, not by excessive daytime sleepiness or OSA severity indexes, but by eveningness circadian characteristics. It would be important to take into account the morningness-eveningness tendency when we manage the depressive mood of OSA patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.106-116
• /
• 2001

Background : Pulmonary thromboembolism is relatively frequent and potentially fatal. However, it is commonly misdiagnosed. The incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism is not decreasing despite advances in diagnosis and effective prophylatic measures. Its potential for significant sequela necessitates a prompt diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, there are many difficulties and problems regarding accurate diagnosis. There is a low prevalence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism in Korea and only few reports on this subject are available. Method : The clinical features of 36 patients, who were diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism at the Korea University medical center, were reviewed. Results : 1) There was no significant difference in prevalence between men an women, and the mean age was 50.9 years in men 59.2 years in women. 2) The frequent causes of pulmonary thromboembolism were malignancies (22.2%), surgery (22.2%), and heart disease(8.2%). Specific causes were not identified in 33.3%. 3) The most common symptom was dyspnea(72.2%), and the most common sign was tachypnea(61.1%). 4) The EKG findings were normal in 28.6%, an S1Q3T3 pulmonale pattern in 25.7%, ST or QRS changes in others. 5) The chest X-ray findings indicated pulmonary infiltration in 37.5%, cardiomegaly in 15.6%, pleural effusion in 12.5%, and normal in 27.8%. The perfusion lung scan showed a high probability in 66.7%, and intermediate or low probability in 33.3%. 6) The pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) in the high probability groups was 57.9mmHg with a higher mortality rate(35%). Conclusion : Pulmonary thromboembolism is not uncommon in Korea and its clinical features do not differ greatly from thase reported in the literature. When pulmonary thromboemblism of unknown causes are diagnosed, a search for an occult malignancy is recommended. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are achieved when thromboemblism is suspected.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.61 no.1
• /
• pp.13-19
• /
• 2006

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen worldwide. The incidence of these infections has recently begun to increase. The mortality rate associated with these infections is high (bacteremia; 52%, pneumonia: 23%~73%) and multidrug resistance has been reported. For the effective control of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(MDR-AB), the impact of these organisms in clinical practice should be determined. This study compared the clinical characteristics, mortality and morbidity of Acinetobacter nosocomial pneumonia between MDR strain and non-MDR strain. Methods: From Jan. 1, 2002 to Nov. 1. 2004, 47 adult patients with Acinetobacter nosocomial pneumonia in Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital were recruited and analyzed retrospectively. MDR-AB was defined as showing in vitro resistance to all commercially available antibiotics against A. baumannii. Results: There were 47 patients with Acinetobacter nosocomial pneumonia. MDR-AB and non MDR-AB was the cause of the pneumonia in 17 and 30 patients, respectively. Mean age of the former was $69{\pm}11$ years old and the latter was $70{\pm}13$ years old. The mean APCHE II score, ICU days and mortality were not different between the two groups ($16.1{\pm}5.4$ vs. $14.9{\pm}4.8$, P=0.43, $25.1{\pm}13.6$ vs. $39.1{\pm}31.0$, P=0.2, 58.8% vs. 40%, P=0.21). Conclusion: There are no significant differences in mortality and morbidity between MDR and non-MDR Acinetobacter baumannii. The mortality of the two groups is surprisingly high, therefore proper infection control practices are essential.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.254-259
• /
• 2003

$^{99m}Tc-galactosyl$ human serum albumin (Tc-GSA) is a radiopharmaceutical that binds to asialoglycoprotein receptors, which are specifically present in the hepatocyte membrane. Because these receptors are decreased in hepatic parenchymal damage, the degree of Tc-GSA accumulation in the liver correlates with findings of liver function test. Hepatic images were performed with Tc-GSA in patients with acute hepatic dysfunction by Amantia Subjunquillea poisoning, and compared with these of liver ultrasonography (USG). Tc-GSA (185 MBq, 3 mg of GSA) was injected intravenously, and dynamic images were recorded for 30 minutes. Time-activity curves for the heart and liver were generated from regions of interest for the whole liver and precordium. Degree of hepatic uptake and clearance rate of Tc-GSA were generated by visual interpretation and semiquantitative analysis parameters (receptor index : LHL15 and index of blood clearance : HH15). Visual assessment of GSA scintigraphy revealed mildly decreased liver uptake in all of subjects. The mean LHL15 and HH15 were 0.886 and 0.621, graded as mild dysfunction in 2, and mild to moderate dysfunction in 1 subject. In contrast, liver USG showed no remarkable changes of hepatic parenchyme. Tc-GSA scintigraphy was considered as a useful imaging modality in the assessment of the hepatic dysfunction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.34 no.12
• /
• pp.901-908
• /
• 2001

Background : Coronary artery bypass graft(CABG) in patients with advanced left ventricular dysfunction has often been regarded as having high mortality rate, despite the great improvement in operative result of CABG. With recent advances in surgical technique and myocardial protection, surgical revascularization improved the symptom and long-term survival of these high risk patients more than the medical conservative treatment. Material and Methold : Clinical data of 31(4.1％) patients with preoperative ejection fraction less than 30% among 864 CABGs performed between January 1995 and March 1999 were retrospectively analyzed and pre- and postoperative changes of the ejection fraction on echocardiography were analyzed. There were 26 men and 5 women. The mean age was 60.7 years(range 41 to 72 years). History of myocardial infarction(30 cases, 98％) was the most common preoperative risk factor. There were seven irreversible myocardial infarction on thallium scan. Most patients had triple vessel diseases(26 cases, 84％) and first degree of Rentrop classification(16 cases, 52％) on coronary angiography. The mean number of distal anastomosis during CABG was per patient was 4.9${\pm}$0.8 sites in each patient. In addition to long saphenous veins, the internal mammary artery was used in 20 patients. Total bypass time was 244.7${\pm}$3.7 minutes(range, 117 to 567 minutes), and mean aortic cross-clamp time was 77.9 ${\pm}$ 1.6 minutes(range, 30 to 178 minutes). There were five other reparative procedures such as two left ventricular aneurysrmectomy, two mitral repair, and one aortic valve replacement. There were twelve postoperative complications such as three cardiac arrhythmia, two bleeding(re-operation), one delayed sternal closure, eleven usage of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation for low cardiac output. Two patients died, postoperative mortality was 6.5% . Twenty-nine patients were relieved of chest pain and left ventricular ejection fraction after operation was significantly higher(38.5${\pm}$11.6%, p 0.001) as compared with preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction(25.3${\pm}$2.3%). The follow up period of out patient was 25. 3 months. Conclusion: In patients with coronary artery disease and advanced left ventricular dysfunction, coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed relatively safely with improvement in left ventricular function, but it will be necessary to study long term results.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.38 no.2 s.247
• /
• pp.110-115
• /
• 2005

Background: The aims of this paper were to review the mid term clinical results and to analyze the preoperative risk factors of isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR). Material and Method: Between January 1992 and February 2003, 80 patients underwent isolated AVR. 58 were male and 22 were female patients, raging from 12 to 75 years of age (mean :$46.8{\pm}13.0$ years). 74 patients except one early death and 5 follow-up loss were contacted by OPD or by telephone. The mean duration of follow-up was $44.2{\pm}29.7$ months and the total cumulative period was 272.8 patient-year. Result: The complications in hospital occurred in 35 cases : 12 wound problems (11 superficial, 1 deep), 11 arrhythmias (9 temporary, 2 persistent), 3 low cardiac output, and so forth. The late deaths were 4 cases : the heart-related deaths were 2 cases ($0.7\%$ patient-year). Conclusion: The risk factors that influenced the early mortality and morbidity were older age (> 60 years)(p=0.04), poor preoperative NYHA functional class (> 3) (p=0.048), high preoperative serum creatinin level (> 1.2 mg/100 ml)(p=0.031), long operation time (aortic clamping time>90 min)(p=0.042). The same factors influenced the late mortality and morbidity. Freedom from valve-related complication was $86.4{\pm}5.3\%,$ actuarial survival rate were $96.8{\pm}2.3\%$ at 3 years and $90.8{\pm}4.6\%$ at 10 years.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.199-247
• /
• 2012

According to the review and analysis of medical cases that are assigned to the Supreme Court and all local High Court in 2011 and that are presented in the media, it was found that the following categories were taken seriously, medical and pharmaceutical product liability, the third principle of trust between medical institutions, negligence and causation estimation, responsibility limit, the meaning of medical records and related judgment of disturbed substantiation, Oriental doctors' duties to explain the procedures, IMS events, whether one can claim for each medical care operated by non-physician health care institutions to the nonmedical domain in the National Health Insurance Corporation, and the basis of norms for each claim. In the cases related to medical pharmaceutical product liability, Supreme Court alleviated burden of proof for accidents with medical and pharmaceutical products prior to the practice of Product Liability Law and onset the point of negative prescription as the time of damage strikes to condition feasibility of the specific situation. In the cases related to the 3rd principle of trust between medical institutions, the Supreme Court refused to sentence the doctor who has trusted the judgment of the same third-party doctors the violations of the care duty. With respect to proof of a causal relationship and damages in a medical negligence case, the Supreme Court decided that it is unjust to deny negligence by the materials of causal relationship rejecting the original verdict and clarified that the causal relationship shall not deny the reasons to limit doctors' responsibilities. In order not put burden on patients with disadvantages in which medical records and the description of the practice or the most fundamental and important evidence to prove negligence and causation are being neglected, the Supreme Court admitted in the hospital's responsibility for the case of the neonate death of suffocation without properly listed fetal heart rate and uterine contraction monitor. On the other hand, the Seoul Western District Court has admitted alimony for altering and forging medical records. With respect to doctors' obligations to description, the Supreme Court decided that it is necessary to explain the foreseen risks by the combination of oriental and western medicines emphasizing the right of patient's self-determination. However, questions have arisen whether it is realistically feasible or not. In a case of an unlicensed doctor performing intramuscular stimulation treatment (IMS), the Supreme Court put off its decision if it was an unlicensed medical practice as to put limitation of eastern and western medical practices, but it declared that IMS practice was an acupuncture treatment therefore the plaintiff's conduct being an illegal act. In the future, clear judgment on this matter should be made. With respect to the claim of bills from non-physical health care institutions, the Supreme Court decided to void it for the implementation of the arrangement is contrary to the commitments made in the medical law and therefore, it is invalid to claim. In addition, contrast to the private healthcare professionals, who are subject to redemption according to the National Healthcare Insurance Law, the Seoul High Court explicitly confirmed that the non-professionals who receive the tort operating profit must return the unjust enrichment and have the liability for damages. As mentioned above, a relatively wide range of topics were discussed in medical field of 2011. In Korea's health care environment undergoing complex changes day by day, it is expected to see more diverse and in-depth discussions striding out to the development in the field of health care.