• Title/Summary/Keyword: Mean Time to Failure

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Screening test of commercial catalysts for direct synthesis of Dimethyl ether from syngas produced using coal and waste (석탄 및 폐기물로부터 생산된 합성가스로부터 Dimethyl ether의 직접합성을 위한 상용촉매 스크린테스트)

  • Kim, Eun-Jin;Han, Gi-Bo;Park, No-Kuk;Ryu, Si-Ok;Lee, Tae-Jin
    • 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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    • 2005.11a
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    • pp.689-692
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    • 2005
  • 2020년까지 전 세계 수송에너지의 수요가 현재의 2배까지 증가할 것으로 예상되면서 석유 자원의 안정적 공급이 어려워지기 이전에 이를 대체할 수 있는 에너지원 개발이 시급하다. 이러한 노력의 일환으로 최근 들어 대두되고 있는 가스화용융 기술은 석탄 폐기물 등으로부터 합성가스를 생산하는 고청정 고효율 기술이다. 여기에서 생산되는 합성가스는 천연가스를 대체하여 전기 및 화학원료를 생산하기 위한 원료로 이용 가능하다. 폐기물로부터 가스화용융기술을 통하여 생산되는 합성가스로부터 DME(dimethyl ether)를 생산할 수 있다. 가스화용융기술로부터 생산되는 합성가스는 자체의 일산화탄소와 수소의 조성비가 DME를 합성하는데 적당하다고 알려져 있다. DME는 에너지원의 다원화와 대기오염 물질의 저감, 지구온난화 대응 등과 아울러 제 4세대 수송 연료로 부각되고 있다. DME를 합성하는 방법은 합성가스로부터 메탄올의 합성 단계를 거친 후 DME를 합성하는 간접법과 단일단계의 반응에서 합성가스로부터 직접적으로 DME를 합성하는 직접법이 있다. 현재는 화학 평형적 측면 경제적 측면에서 이점을 가지고 있는 직접법에 관한 연구가 활발히 이루어지고 있다. DME 직접합성법에서는 메탄올 합성 촉매와 메탄올 탈수촉매의 물리적 혼합에 의한 혼성촉매가 주로 이용되고 있는 것으로 알려져 있다 본 연구에서는 일산화탄소와 수소로 이루어진 합성 가스로부터 직접 DME를 생산할 수 있는 직접 합성 공정에 적용 가능한 고효율 촉매 기술을 개발하기 위해 상용촉매의 스크린 테스트를 수행하였다. 상용촉매로는 sud-chemi사에서 메탄을 합성 촉매와 탈수촉매를 각각 구입하였으며, 이들 촉매를 원하는 조성비로 물리적으로 혼합한 다음 반응온도 ($250-290^{\circ}C$) 압력 (30-50 atm), $H_2$/CO 몰비 (0.5-2.0) 등의 다양한 반응조건 하에서 스크린 테스트를 수행하였다.대장조영영상을 얻을 수 있어 대장암의 위치에 관한 정보를 삼차원적으로 제공하므로 대장암의 성상을 정확히 알 수 있는데 도움을 주었다.요인은 없는 것으로 사료된다. 이 중 2예의 CT에서 선상 혹은망상형의 음영을 보였다. 결론: 유방암 환자의 방사선 치료 후 CT 소견은 방사선 치료의 방법에 따라 폐첨부 혹은 폐의전면 흉막하 부위에 선상 혹은 망상형의 음영으로서 방사선 폐렴 혹은 섬유화 소견이다. CT는 단순 흉부 촬영보다 이상 소견의 발견이 쉽다.이러한 소견은 후에 합병될 수 있는 다른 폐질환의 감별 진단에 도움이 될 것으로 보인다.moembolization via the radial artery approach were involved in this study. All underwent Allen’s test to check ulnar arterial patency. In all cases, we used the radial approach hepatic artery (RHA) catheter designed by ourselves, evaluating t\ulcorner selec\ulcorneron ability of the hepatic artery using an RHA cathter, the number of punctures, the procedure time, and compression time at the puncture site as well as complications occurring during and after the procedure. Results: Except for three in which puncture failure, brachial artery variation or hepatic artery variation occurred, all procedures were successful. The mean number of punctures was 3.5, and the

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Clinical Outcomes of Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (심폐바이패스 없는 관상동맥우회술의 임상성적)

  • Shin, Je-Kyoun;Kim, Jeong-Won;Jung, Jong-Pil;Park, Chang-Ryul;Park, Soon-Eun
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.41 no.1
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    • pp.34-40
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    • 2008
  • Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) shows fewer side effects than cardiopulmonary by. pass, and other benefits include myocardial protection, pulmonary and renal protection, coagulation, inflammation, and cognitive function. We analyzed the clinical results of our cases of OPCAB. Material and Method: From May 1999 to August 2007, OPCAB was performed in 100 patients out of a total of 310 coronary artery bypass surgeries. There were 63 males and 37 females, from 29 to 82 years old, with a mean age of $62{\pm}10$ years. The preoperative diagnoses were unstable angina in 77 cases, stable angina in 16, and acute myocardial infarction in 7. The associated diseases were hypertension in 48 cases, diabetes in 42, chronic renal failure in 10, carotid artery disease in 6, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 5. The preoperative cardiac ejection fraction ranged from 26% to 74% (mean $56.7{\pm}11.6%$). Preoperative angiograms showed three-vessel disease in 47 cases, two-vessel disease in 25, one-vessel disease in 24, and left main disease in 23. The internal thoracic artery was harvested by the pedicled technique through a median sternotomy in 97 cases. The radial artery and greater saphenous vein were harvested in 70 and 45 cases, respectively (endoscopic harvest in 53 and 41 cases, respectively). Result: The mean number of grafts was $2.7{\pm}1.2$ per patient, with grafts sourced from the unilateral internal thoracic artery in 95 (95%) cases, the radial artery in 62, the greater saphenous vein in 39, and the bilateral internal thoracic artery in 2. Sequential anastomoses were performed in 46 cases. The anastomosed vessels were the left anterior descending artery in 97 cases, the obtuse marginal branch in 63, the diagonal branch in 53, the right coronary artery in 30, the intermediate branch in 11, the posterior descending artery in 9 and the posterior lateral branch in 3. The conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass occurred in 4 cases. Graft patency was checked before discharge by coronary angiography or multi-slice coronary CT angiography in 72 cases, with a patency rate of 92.9% (184/198). There was one case of mortality due to sepsis. Postoperative arrhythmias or myocardial in-farctions were not observed. Postoperative complications were a cerebral stroke in 1 case and wound infection in 1. The mean time of respirator care was $20{\pm}35$ hours and the mean duration of stay in the intensive care unit was $68{\pm}47$ hours. The mean amounts of blood transfusion were $4.0{\pm}2.6$ packs/patient. Conclusion: We found good clinical outcomes after OPCAB, and suggest that OPCAB could be used to expand the use of coronary artery bypass grafting.

The Cox-Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation Concomitant with Mitral Valve Disease (승모판막질환에 동반된 심방세동에서 Cox-Maze 술식)

  • Kim, Ki-Bong;Cho, Kwang-Ree;Ahn, Hyuk
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.31 no.10
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    • pp.939-944
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    • 1998
  • Background: The sugical results of the Cox-Maze procedure (CMP) for lone atrial fibrillation(AF) have proven to be exellent. However, those for AF associated with mitral valve(MV) disease have been reported to be a little inferior. Materials and methods: To assess the efficacy and safety of the CMP as a combined procedure with MV operation, we studied retrospectively our experiences. Between April 1994 and October 1997, we experienced 70 (23 males, 47 females) cases of CMP concomitantly with MV operation. Results: The etiologies of MV disease were rheumatic in 67 and degenerative in 3 cases. The mean duration of AF before sugery was 66$\pm$70 months. Fifteen patients had the past medical history of thromboembolic complications, and left atrial thrombi were identified at operation in 24 patients. Twelve cases were reoperations. Aortic cross clamp (ACC) time was mean 151$\pm$44 minutes, and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was mean 246$\pm$65 minutes. Concomitant procedures were mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 19, MVR and aortic valve replacement (AVR) in 14, MVR and tricupid annuloplasty (TAP) in 8, MVR with AV repair in 3, MV repair in 11, MVR and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 2, MVR and AVR and CABG in 1, redo-MVR in 10, redo-MVR and redo-AVR in 2 patients. The rate of hospital mortality was 1.4%(1/70). Perioperative recurrence of AF was seen in 44(62.9%), and atrial tachyarrhythmias in 10(14.3%), low cardiac output syndrome in 4(5.7%), postoperative bleeding that required mediastinal exploration in 4(5.7%) patients. Other complications were acute renal failure in 2, aggravation of preoperative hemiplegia in 1, and transient delirium in 1 patient. We followed up all the survivors for 16.4 months(3-44months) on an average. Sinus rhythm has been restored in 65(94.2%) patients. AF has been controlled by operation alone in 73.9% and operation plus medication in 20.3%. Two patients needed permanent pacemaker implantation; one with sick sinus syndrome, and the other with tachycardia- bradycardia syndrome. Only two patients remained in AF. We followed up our patients with transthoracic echocardiography to assess the atrial contractilities and other cardiac functions. Right atrial contractility could be demonstrated in 92% and left atrial contractility in 53%.We compared our non-redo cases with redo cases. Although the duration of AF was significantly longer in redo cases, there was no differences in ACC time, CPB time, postoperative bleeding amount and sinus conversion rate. Conclusions: In conclusion, the CMP concomitant with MV operation demonstrated a high sinus conversion rate under the acceptable operative risk even in case of reoperation.

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A Study on the Design of Rotary Mower and Its Utilization. (Rotary Mower의 제작과 그 이용에 관한 연구)

  • 최규홍
    • Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.3897-3920
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    • 1975
  • Since the most of Korean dairy and cattle raising farms are too small to introduce western mechanized farming, it is necessary to develope small size equipments. This study has been carried to develop a rotary mower as on attachment of 8 to 10 horse powertiller which is widely spread in rural area. It will not ony be helpfull for the farmers to harvesting hay grass but also desirable to increase the power tiller utility. The protto type rotary mower designed through the fundamental investigations, has been modified and improved through the field trials, and a series of field tests has been carried to investigate its performance and economic feasibility comparing with existing vailable harvesting equipments. The results are as follows; 1. To increase the stability, two guide wheels are attached to both side of the protto type rotary mower. 2. To prevent the clinging of tall grasses, the vertical driving shafts are covered with cylindrical protectors. 3. The cutting height is adjustable in 8 steps from 2.5 to 20 centimeters by changing the length of guide wheel legs. 4. The practical Critical cutting speed were always higher than theoretical value in both case of single cutting blade and three when the cutting depth was 25 millimeter. 5. The peripheral speed of cutting blade was varied in response to the change of engine speed, mean while the peripheral speed was adequate as it was changhed from 25 to 35 meter per second when the power tiller is operated in proper working ground speed. 6. The time requirement to harvest 10 a were 88.7, 54.6 and 41.4 minutes for the first, second and third stage of ground speed respectively, and because of the difficulty of delivery, it was observed that operating with fourth stage of ground speed was not recomanendable when the grass height is taller than 90 centimeters. 7. The performance of rotary mower were 1.1-1.7, 1.4-4.0, 3.8-11.8 and 7.4-22.0 times of reciprocating mower, portable disc type cutter, hay scythe and ordinary sickle respectively. 8. When the slope exceeds, 20 degree the downward harvesting operation was impossible because of the excessive front end weight, while less than 5 degree of land slope did not effect in field operation. 9. Increased traveling spee caused higher cutting height and slight cutting failure, but seems not to effect to the gross yield, and the efficiency of cutting width were from 83 to 94 precent. 10. Tn rank of economy were rotary mower (3,2 stage operation), reciprocating mower, hay scythe, portable disc type cutter and sickle in order when the annul operation exdeeds 100 hours. From the above results, it is convinced that the protto type rotary mower is good enough to the livestock farmers as a hay harvesting equipment because of its economy, hardiness in operating and its out standing performance and hopefully it will contribute to the extension of Korean livestock farming.

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The Changes of Physiologic Parameters with Time in Steroid treated-Late Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients (스테로이드를 투여한 후기 급성호흡곤란증후군 환자에서 시간경과에 따른 생리학적 지표의 변화)

  • Jeon, Ik Soo;Suh, Gee Young;Koh, Won-Jung;Pyun, Yu Jang;Kang, Eun Hae;Ham, Hyoung Suk;Oui, Misook;Chung, Man Pyo;Kim, Hojoong;Kwon, O Jung
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.54 no.4
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    • pp.429-438
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    • 2003
  • Background : The mortality from acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is >40-50%. Although some prospective trials have failed to demonstrate a survival benefit of steroids in the early stages of ARDS, there are some reports showing some success with steroids in the later stages. This study observed the changes in the physiologic parameters with time in late ARDS patients who were treated with steroids. Methods : The medical charts of 28 intensive care unit patients(male:female=24:4; mean age 64 years), who had been diagnosed with refractory late ARDS ($PaO_2/FIO_2$ <200) and were treated with corticosteroids from December 1999 to July 2002, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: the weaned group(n=14), which included the patients who had been successfully weaned from a ventilator after corticosteroid therapy, and the failed group(n=14), which included the patients who had failed weaning. The physiologic parameters included the $PaO_2/FIO_2$ ratio, the positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP) level, the $PaCO_2$, compliance, the sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA) score, the acute physiologic and the chronic health evaluation(APACHE) II score, and the Murray Lung Injury Score(LIS) in the two groups were compared from the day of mechanical ventilation(Dmv) to 7 days after the corticosteroid therapy. Results : There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics and the physiologic parameters between the two groups prior to the corticosteroid therapy except for the SOFA score at Dmv(weaned group : $6.6{\pm}2.5$ vs failed group : $8.8{\pm}2.9$, p=0.047). However, within 7 days after corticosteroid therapy, there was significant improvement in the $PaO_2/FIO_2$ ratio, the PEEP level, the $PaCO_2$, the SOFA score, the APACHE II score, and the LIS of the weaned group compared to the failed group. Conclusions : During corticosteroid therapy in late ARDS, the continuation of corticosteroid therapy should be determined carefully in patients who do not show improvement in their physiologic parameters by day 7.

Comparison of Respiratory Mechanics and Gas Exchange Between Pressure-controlled and Volume-controlled Ventilation (압력조절환기법과 용적조절환기법의 호흡역학 몇 가스교환의 비교)

  • Jeong, Seong-Han;Choi, Won-Jun;Lee, Jung-A;Kim, Jin-A;Lee, Mun-Woo;Shin, Hyoung-Shik;Kim, Mi-Kyeong;Choe, Kang-Hyeon
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.46 no.5
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    • pp.662-673
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    • 1999
  • Background : Pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) is frequently used recently as the initial mode of mechanical ventilation in the patients with respiratory failure. Theoretically, because of its high initial inspiratory flow, pressure-controlled ventilation has lower peak inspiratory pressure and improved gas exchange than volume-controlled ventilation (VCV). But the data from previous studies showed controversial results about the gas exchange. Moreover, the comparison study between PCV and VCV with various inspiration : expiration time ratios (I : E ratios) is rare. So this study was performed to compare the respiratory mechanics and gas exchange between PCV and VCV with various I : E raitos. Methods : Nine patients receiving mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure were enrolled. They were ventilated by both PCV and VCV with various I : E ratios (1 : 2, 1 : 1.3 and 1.7 : 1). $FiO_2$, tidal volume, respiratory rate and external positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were kept constant throughout the study. After 20 minutes of each ventilation mode, arterial blood gas, airway pressures, expired $CO_2$ were measured. Results : In both PCV and VCV, as the I : E ratio increased, the mean airway pressure was increased, and $PaCO_2$ and physiologic dead space fraction were decreased. But P(A-a)$O_2$ was not changed. In all three different I : E ratios, peak inspiratory pressure was lower during PCV, and mean airway pressure was higher during PCV. But $PaCO_2$ level, physiologic dead space fraction and P(A-a)$O_2$ were not different between PCV and VCV with three different I : E ratios. Conclusion : There was no difference in gas exchange between PCV and VCV under the same tidal volume, frequency and I : E ratio.

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Radiation Therapy in Elderly Skin Cancer (노령의 피부암에서 방사선치료)

  • Kim, Jin-Hee
    • Radiation Oncology Journal
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.113-117
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    • 2008
  • Purpose: To evaluate the long term results(local control, survival, failure, and complications) after radiation therapy for skin cancer in elderly patients. Material and Methods: The study spanned from January 1990 to October 2002. Fifteen elderly patients with skin cancer were treated by radiotherapy at the Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. The age distribution of the patients surveyed was 72 to 95 years, with a median age of 78.8 years. The pathologic classification of the 15 patients included squamous cell carcinoma(10 patients), basal cell carcinoma(3 patients), verrucous carcinoma(1 patient) and skin adnexal origin carcinoma(1 patient). The most common tumor location was the head(13 patients). The mean tumor diameter was 4.9 cm(range 2 to 9 cm). The radiation dose was delivered via an electron beam of 6 to 15 MeV. The dose range was adjusted to the tumor diameter and depth of tumor invasion. The total radiation dose ranged from $50{\sim}80$ Gy(mean: 66 Gy) with a 2 Gy fractional dose prescribed to the 80% isodose line once a day and 5 times a week. One patient with lymph node metastasis was treated with six MV photon beams boosted with electron beams. The length of the follow-up periods ranged from 10 to 120 months with a median follow-up period of 48 months. Results: The local control rates were 100%(15/15). In addition, the five year disease free survival rate(5YDFS) was 80% and twelve patients(80%) had no recurrence and skin cancer recurrence occurred in 3 patients(20%). Three patients have lived an average of 90 months($68{\sim}120$ months) without recurrence or metastasis. A total of 9 patients who died as a result of other causes had a mean survival time of 55.8 months after radiation therapy. No severe acute or chronic complications were observed after radiation therapy. Only minor complications including radiation dermatitis was treated with supportive care. Conclusion: The results suggest that radiation therapy is an effective and safe treatment method for the treatment of skin cancer in elderly patients who achieved a good survival rate and few minor complications.

Effect of Additional 1 hour T-piece Trial on Weaning Outcome to the Patients at Minimum Pressure Support (최소압력보조 수준에서 추가적 1시간 T-piece 시도가 이탈에 미치는 영향)

  • Hong, Sang-Bum;Koh, Youn-Suck;Lim, Chae-Man;Ann, Jong-Jun;Park, Wann;Shim, Tae-Son;Lee, Sang-Do;Kim, Woo-Sung;Kim, Dong-Soon;Kim, Won-Dong
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.45 no.4
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    • pp.813-822
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    • 1998
  • Background: Extubation is recommended to be performed at minimum pressure support (PSmin) during the pressure support ventilation (PSV). In field, physicians sometimes perform additional 1 hr T-piece trial to the patient at PSmin to reduce re-intubation risk. Although it provides confirmation of patient's breathing reserve, weaning could be delayed due to increased airway resistance by endotracheal tube. Methods: To investigate the effect of additional 1 hr T-piece trial on weaning outcome, a prospective study was done in consecutive 44 patients who had received mechanical ventilation more than 3 days. Respiratory mechanics, hemodymic, and gas exchange measurements were done and the level of PSmin was calculated using the equation (PSmin=peak inspiratory flow rate $\times$ total ventilatory system resistance) at the 15cm $H_2O$ of pressure support. At PSmin, the patients were randomized into intervention (additional 1 hr T-piece trial) and control (extubation at PSmin). The measurements were repeated at PSmm, during weaning process (in cases of intervention), and after extubation. The weaning success was defined as spontaneous breathing more than 48hr after extubation. In intervention group, failure to continue weaning process was also considered as weaning failure. Results: Thirty-six patients with 42 times weaning trial were satisfied to the protocol. Mean PSmin level was 7.6 (${\pm}1.9$)cm $H_2O$. There were no differences in total ventilation times (TVT), APACHE III score, nutritional indices, and respiratory mechanics at PSmin between 2 groups. The weaning success rate and re-intubation rate were not different between intervention group (55% and 18% in each) and control group (70% and 20% in each) at first weaning trial. Work of breathing, pressure time product, and tidal volume were aggravated during 1 hr T-piece trial compared to those of PSmin in intervention group ($10.4{\pm}1.25$ and $1.66{\pm}1.08$ J/L in work of breathing) ($191{\pm}232$ and $287{\pm}217$cm $H_2O$ s/m in pressure time product) ($0.33{\pm}0.09$ and $0.29{\pm}0.09$ L in tidal volume) (P<0.05 in each). As in whole, TVT, and tidal volume at PSmin were significantly different between the patients with weaning success ($246{\pm}195$ hr, $0.43{\pm}0.11$ L) and the those with weaning failure ($407{\pm}248$ hr, $0.35{\pm}0.10$L) (P<0.05 in each). Conclusion : There were no advantage to weaning outcome by addition of 1 hr T-piece trial compared to prompt extubation to the patient at PS min.

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Arthroscopic Management for Pyogenic Arthritis with Positive Culture in the Knee Joint (배양 검사로 증명된 화농성 슬관절염의 관절경적 치료)

  • Baek, Seung-Hoon;Kim, Se Sik
    • Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.167-174
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    • 2012
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study is investigation of clinical and functional outcomes in homogeneous group with positive culture after arthroscopic management for pyogenic knee arthritis and analysis of factors affecting those outcomes. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two patients with positive culture after arthroscopic management were included. Mean follow-up period was 41.6 months. Clinical evaluation included death related to infection, recurrence, time to normalize erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), duration of administration of intravenous antibiotics and readmission. Radiographic evaluation was performed according to Kellgren and Lawrence. The prevalence of total knee arthroplasty was investigated and functional evaluation included modified Lysholm, Tegner activity and Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (K-WOMAC) score. Results: Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 21 patients. Time to normalize ESR and CRP was 78.0 and 67.6 days, respectively. Two patients died while there were six recurrences and five readmissions. Rate of recurrence was significantly high in patients with chronic renal failure (P=0.034) and incidence of readmission was associated with higher radiographic grade of osteoarthritis and rate of reoperation (P=0.032 and P=0.006, respectively). At the final follow-up, radiographic grade worsened in 21 patients and was associated with those at first visit. Five arthroplasties were performed. Average modified Lysholm score, Tegner activity score and K-WOMAC score were 53.5, 2.7, 44.2 points, respectively. Conclusion: The severity of osteoarthritis on final radiographs was associated with those at first visit. Patients with higher grade of osteoarthritis at first visit showed higher incidence of readmission and those with chronic renal failure demonstrated higher chances of recurrence.

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The Effect of External PEEP on Work of Breathing in Patients with Auto-PEEP (Auto-PEEP이 존재하는 환자에서 호흡 일에 대한 External PEEP의 효과)

  • Chin, Jae-Yong;Lim, Chae-Man;Koh, Youn-Suck;Park, Pyung-Whan;Choi, Jong-Moo;Lee, Sang-Do;Kim, Woo-Sung;Kim, Dong-Soon;Kim, Won-Dong
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.43 no.2
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    • pp.201-209
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    • 1996
  • Background : Auto-PEEP which develops when expiratory lung emptying is not finished until the beginning of next inspiration is frequently found in patients on mechanical ventilation. Its presence imposes increased risk of barotrauma and hypotension, as well as increased work of breathing (WOB) by adding inspiratory threshold load and/or adversely affecting to inspiratory trigger sensitivity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship of auto-PEEP with WOB and to evaluate the effect of PEEP applied by ventilator (external PEEP) on WOB in patients with auto-PEEP. Method : 15 patients, who required mechanical ventilation for management of acute respiratory failure, were studied. First, the differences in WOB and other indices of respiratory mechanics were examined between 7 patients with auto-PEEP and 8 patients without auto-PEEP. Then, we applied the 3 cm $H_2O$ of external PEEP to patients with auto-PEEP and evaluated its effects on lung mechanics as well as WOB. Indices of respiratory mechanics including tidal volume ($V_T$), repiratory rate, minute ventilation ($V_E$), peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), $T_I/T_{TOT}$, auto-PEEP, dynamic compliance of lung (Cdyn), expiratory airway resistance (RAWe), mean airway resistance (RAWm), $p_{0.1}$, work of breathing performed by patient (WOB), and pressure-time product (PTP) were obtained by CP-100 Pulmonary Monitor (Bicore, USA). The values were expressed as mean $\pm$ SEM (standard error of mean). Results : 1) Comparison of WOB and other indices of respiratory mechanics in patients with and without auto-PEEP : There was significant increase in WOB ($l.71{\pm}0.24$ vs $0.50{\pm}0.19\;J/L$, p=0.007), PTP ($317{\pm}70$ vs $98{\pm}36\;cm$ $H_2O{\cdot}sec/min$, p=0.023), RAWe ($35.6{\pm}5.7$ vs $18.2{\pm}2.3\;cm$ H2O/L/sec, p=0.023), RAWm ($28.8{\pm}2.5$ vs $11.9{\pm}2.0cm$ H2O/L/sec, p=0.001) and $P_{0.1}$ ($6.2{\pm}1.0$ vs 2.9+0.6 cm H2O, p=0.021) in patients with auto-PEEP compared to patients without auto-PEEP. The differences of other indices including $V_T$, PEFR, $V_E$ and $T_I/T_{TOT}$ showed no significance. 2) Effect of 3 cm $H_2O$ external PEEP on respiratory mechanics in patients with auto-PEEP : When 3 cm $H_2O$ of external PEEP was applied, there were significant decrease in WOB ($1.71{\pm}0.24$ vs $1.20{\pm}0.21\;J/L$, p=0.021) and PTP ($317{\pm}70$ vs $231{\pm}55\;cm$ $H_2O{\cdot}sec/min$, p=0.038). RAWm showed a tendency to decrease ($28.8{\pm}2.5$ vs $23.9{\pm}2.1\;cm$ $H_2O$, p=0.051). But PIP was increased with application of 3 cm $H_2O$ of external PEEP ($16{\pm}2$ vs $22{\pm}3\;cm$ $H_2O$, p=0.008). $V_T$, $V_E$, PEFR, $T_I/T_{TOT}$ and Cdyn did not change significantly. Conclusion : The presence of auto-PEEP in mechanically ventilated patients was accompanied with increased WOB performed by patient, and this WOB was decreased by 3 cm $H_2O$ of externally applied PEEP. But, with 3 cm $H_2O$ of external PEEP, increased PIP was noted, implying the importance of close monitoring of the airway pressure during application of external PEEP.

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