• Title/Summary/Keyword: Renal

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Mitral Valve Reconstruction in Mitral Insufficiency : Intermediate-Term Results (승모판 폐쇄부전증에서 승모판 재건술의 중기평가)

  • 김석기;김경화;김공수;조중구;신동근
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.35 no.10
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    • pp.705-711
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    • 2002
  • The advantages of mitral valve reconstruction have been well established and so mitral valve reconstruction is now considered as the procedure of choice to correct mitral valve disease. This is the report of intermediate-term results of 38 cases that performed mitral valve reconstruction for valve insufficiency(the total number of mitral valve reconstruction were 49 cases, but 11 cases that performed mitral valve replacement due to incomplete reconstruction were excluded). Material and Method : From March 1991 to March 2001, 38 patients underwent mitral valve repair due to mitral valve regurgitation with or without stenosis. Mean age was 47.6$\pm$14.7 years(range 15 to 70 years) : 11 were men and 27 were women. The causes of mitral valve regurgitation were degenerative in 14, rheumatic in 21, infective in 2 and the other was congenital. Result : According to the Carpentier's pathologic classification of mitral valve regurgitation, 3 were type 1 , 16 were type II and 19 were type III. Surgical procedures were annuloplasty 15, commissurotomy 19, leaflet resection and annular plication 9, chordae shortening 11, chordae transfer 5, new chordae formation 2, papillary muscle splitting 2 and vegetectomy 2. These procedures were combined in most patients. There were 2 early death and the causes of death were respiratory failure, renal failure and sepsis. There was no late death. Valve replacement was done in 6 patients after repair due to valve insufficiency or stenosis 3 weeks, 1, 3, 51, 69, 84months later respectively. These patients have been followed up from 1 to 116 months(mean 43.0 months). The mean functional class(NYHA) was 2.36 pre-operatively and improved to 1.70. Conclusion : In most cases of mitral valve regurgitation, mitral valve reconstruction when technically feasible is effective operation that can achieve stable functional results and low surgical and late mortality.

Therapeutic response of cyclosporine and outcome in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (스테로이드 저항성 신증후군에서 cyclosporine 치료 반응 및 결과)

  • Choi, Hyung Soon;Lee, Joo Hoon;Park, Young Seo
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.51 no.3
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    • pp.293-298
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    • 2008
  • Purpose : The aim of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic response to cyclosporine, time to remission and side effects in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Methods : This study included 22 children with idiopathic SRNS who were treated with cyclosporine between June 1989 and August 2006. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Results : The mean age of patients at diagnosis was $5.2{\pm}3.3\;years$. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Pre-treatment renal biopsies showed minimal change (MCD) in 12 (54.5%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 8 (36.4%), membranous nephropathy (MGN) in one (4.5%) and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis in one (4.5%). 15 (68.2%) patients responded to cyclosporine, of whom 11 (91.6%) patients were MCD, 3 (37.5%) patients FSGS, and 1 patient MGN (MCD vs FSGS, P<0.05). The time to remission in patients who responded to cyclosporine was $31.5{\pm}15.2\;days$. Four of the 15 cyclosporine responders maintained complete remission even after cessation of the medication Seven still received cyclosporine, 2 were intermittently treated with steroids after discontinuation of cyclosporine, and two were treated with cyclosporine and steroids. The mean duration of cyclosporine therapy was $546.5{\pm}346.2$, $1,392.9{\pm}439.7$, $439.5{\pm}84.1$, and $433.5{\pm}74.2$ days, respectively. We performed post-treatment biopsies in 8 patients and partial interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy were found in two. Conclusion : The thrapeutic response of cyclosporine is good in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome, especially in minimal change. But, there is a problem of long term cyclosporine dependency.

Comparative Study of Perinatal Outcome and the Incidene of Congenital Anomalies of Babies Born after Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and Conventional In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) (고식적 체외수정시술과 난자 세포질내 정자주입술에 의해 태어난 아이의 주산기 결과 및 선천성 기형 발생빈도의 비교 연구)

  • Lim, Jeong-Eun;Yoo, Keun-Jai;Lee, Jong-Pyo;Lee, Moon-Seob;Hyun, Woo-Young;Jun, Jin-Hyun;Hong, Soo-Jeong;Song, Ji-Hong;Song, In-Ok;Paik, Eun-Chan;Choi, Bum-Chae;Son, Il-Pyo;Koong, Mi-Kyoung;Kang, In-Soo;Jun, Jong-Young;Park, In-Sou
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.25 no.3
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    • pp.323-329
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    • 1998
  • The safety of ICSI as a novel procedure of assisted fertilization may be assessed by the health of the baby born. In order to evaluate the safety of ICSI, perinatal outcome and congenital anomaly of the babies born after ICSI were compared with those of babies born after IVF (control group). We analysed the clinical data from the obstetric and pediatric records, including the information obtained through telephone. The results are as follows; Mean gestational age $({\pm}SEM)$ and birth weight in singleton pregnancy were $38.8{\pm}1.9$ weeks and $3209.7{\pm}501.9gm$ in IVF group, $39.0{\pm}2.2$ weeks and $3289.9{\pm}479.5gm$ in ICSI group, respectively. Mean gestational age and birth weight in twins were $36.8{\pm}2.1$ weeks and $2512.8{\pm}468.0gm$ in IVF group, $36.5{\pm}2.8$ weeks and $2492.7{\pm}537.1gm$ in ICSI group. In IVF group, perinatal mortality rates were 8.5 in singletons and 56.6 in twins; for the ICSI singletons and ICSI twins, the perinatal mortality rates were 11.6 and 49.0, respectively. The incidence of congenital malformations was 3.6% (8/224) in IVF group and 2.1% (4/188) in ICSI group, there was no statistical difference (p>0.05, Fisher's exact test). The incidence of major congenital anomalies was 0.9% (2/224; pulmonary artery hypoplasia, renal cystic dysplasia) in IVF group and 1.1% (2/188; holoprosencephaly, Cri du chat syndrome) in ICSI groups (p>0.05, Fisher's exact test). Similarly, there was no significant difference in incidence of minor congenital anormalies 2.7% (6/224) in IVF group and 1.1% (2/188) in ICSI group respectively (p>0.05, Fisher's exact test). In conclusion, there was no difference in the perinatal outcome and the incidence of congenital anomalies between the babies born after ICSI and those after conventional IVF.

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Comparison of Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX Lithotriptors: Treatment Results with 2,000 Renal and Ureteral Stones (Northgate SD-3와 Modulith SLX 쇄석기를 이용한 체외충격파쇄석술의 비교분석: 단일 신결석 및 요로결석 2,000례의 치료결과 분석)

  • Lee, Jun-Young;Jung, Hee-Chang;Moon, Ki-Hak;Cho, Chul-Kyu;Park, Tong-Choon
    • Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.85-93
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    • 1999
  • Some reports have shown a decreased effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL) with newer lithotriptors. We compared the treatment results of ESWL with a second generation Northgate SD-3 and a third generation Modulith SLX device. A total of 2,000 patients underwent ESWL treatments for single urinary calculus between September, 1988 and July, 1998. 1,241 patients were treated with Northgate SD-3 between September, 1988 and December, 1995. And 759 patients were treated with Modulith SLX between January, 1996 and July 1998. The treatment results were compared using chi-square test to determine statistical significance. The overall success rate, success rate according to the location and size, the mean number of sessions, complication rate and retreatment rate were calculated, according to lithotriptor. The overall success rate was 90.6% with Northgate SD-3 and 89.1% with Modulith SLX. With Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX, the success rate according to the location was 91.0%(579/636) and 88.1%(236/268) in kidney: 93.2%(517/555) and 89.9%(258/287) in upper ureter: 83.3%10/12) and 94.4%167/177) in middle and lower ureter: 47.4%(18/38) and 55. 6%(15/27) in staghorn stone, respectively. The success rate according to the size of stone with Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX for stones with the size under 10mm was 96.1%(612/637) and 93.1%(470/505); from 11mm to 20mm was 87.3%(421/482) and 86.4%(165/191); from 21mm to 30mm, 77.5%(62/80) and 67.5%(23/34): and for stones larger than 31mm was 69%(29/42) and 62.1%(18/29), respectively. Mean number of sessions for successful fragmentation was 1.21 and 1.69, respectively with Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX. Retreatment rate was 16.7% and 17.5%, respectively. The complications after treatment were severe pain(6.2% with Northgate SD-3 vs. 2.0% with Modulith SLX), steinstrasse(3.4% vs. 1.9%), fever(1.2% vs. 0.5%) and perirenal hematoma(0.2% vs. 0%) in order of frequency. There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of Northgate SD-3 and Modulith SLX. However, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two lithotriptors. We concluded that ESWL with Modulith SLX is more safe compared to Northgate SD-3.

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Comparison of the Neurologic Outcome according to the Method of Proximal Graft Anastomosis at the Aortic Side during Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: The Heartstring Sealing System versus Conventional Manual Anastomosis (무심폐기 관상동맥 우회술에 있어서 이식편의 대동맥부 근위부 문합 방법에 따른 수술 후 신경학적 합병증 발생의 비교: 하트스트링을 이용한 방법 대 고식적인 수기 문합술)

  • Cho, Won-Chul;Kim, Joon-Bum;Kim, Hee-Jung;Kim, Hwan-Wook;Kim, Yun-Seok;Jung, Jae-Seung;Choo, Suk-Jung
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.42 no.4
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    • pp.441-446
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    • 2009
  • Background: Side clamping of ascending aorta during proximal graft anastomosis in coronary bypassing surgery in-creases the risk of direct aortic injury as well as embolization of intimal atheroma. Heartstring proximal sealing system (Guidant Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif), developed to avoid aortic side clamping, may minimize risks of such complications. The aim of the current study is to compare the surgical outcomes of the two proximal anastomosis techniquesi.e., Heartstring system versus aortic side clamping in off pump coronary bypassing' surgery (OPCAB). Material and Method: From January 2003 to August 2008, 499 patients underwent OPCAB. Of them, proximal graft anastomosis was performed using Heartstring system in 182 patients (Group I) and conventional manual anastomosis in 317 patients (Group II). The two groups were compared for postoperative major complications and mortality. Result: Two groups showed similar characteristics in terms of preoperative demographic data, left ventricular ejection fraction, renal function and history of diabetes, hypertension and smoking. Although there was no inter-group difference in the history of cerebral ischemia (p=0.48), preoperative brain magnetic resonance angiography revealed greater incidence of severe carotid artery stenosis (>75% of lumen) in the Group I than in the. Group II (44.5% in the Group I and 30.0% in the Group II, p=0.003). There were no inter-group differences in postoperative mortality (p=0.40) and complications (p=0.47) including neurologic events (3 in the Group land 2 in the Group II, p=0.258). Whereas neurologic events all comprised transient ischemic attacks in the Group I, they comprised multiple embolic strokes in the Group II. One patient in the Group II experienced aortic dissection during proximal anastomosis which resulted in ascending aortic replacement. Conclusion: Although proximal anastomosis using Heartstring system did not show statistically significant benefit over aortic side clamping, the. absence of embolic stroke maybe a definite benefit which may be better defined through further studies over a larger cohort.

THE ANTICANCER EFFECT OF PACLITAXEL($Taxol^{(R)}$) IN ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA XENOGRAFT (이종 이식된 구강편평세포 암종에서 Paclitaxel ($Taxol^{(R)}$)의 항암 효과)

  • Kim, Ki-Hwan;Kim, Chul-Hwan;Han, Se-Jin;Lee, Jae-Hoon
    • Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.95-110
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    • 2006
  • The treatment for oral and maxillofacial carcinoma with chemotherapeutic agents is evaluated by many effective methods to reduce the tumor mass and cancer cell proliferation. However these chemotherapy have many serious side effects, such as bone marrow suppression, renal toxicity, G-I troubles. Therefore a possible approach to develop a clinically applicable chemotherapeutic agent is to screen anticancer activity of Taxol which is known to have very little side effect and have been used to breast cancer and ovarian carcinoma. Taxol is a new anti-microtubular anti-cancer agent extracted from the bark of the Pacific yew, Taxus brevifolia. Paclitaxel(Taxol) acts by promoting tubulin polymerization and over stabilizing microtubules agianst depolymerization. Despite the constant improvements of methods of the cancer treatment especially chemotherapy, the rate of cancer metastasis and recurrent are not decreased. Thus the investigation of new drug which have very little side effect and a possible clinically application continues to be a high priority. Considering that the Taxol have shown very effective chemotherapeutic agent with relatively low toxicity in many solid tumors, it deserves to evaluate its efficacy in oral squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, to investigate the in-vivo and in-vitro anti-cancer efficacy of Taxol in oral squamous cell carcinoma and lastly, the potency of Paclitaxel in the clinical application for oral cancer was evaluated. In vivo study, after HN22 cell line were xenografted in nude mice, the growth of tumor mass was observed, 3 mg/Kg taxol was injected intraperitoneally into nude mice containing tumor mass. The methods of these study were measurement of total volume of tumor mass, histopathologic study, immunohistochemical study, drug resistance assay, growth curve, MTT assay, flow cytometry, cDNA microarray in vivo and in vitro. The results were obtained as following. 1. The visual inspection of the experimental group showed that the volume of the tumor mass was slightly decreased but no significant difference with control group. 2. Ki-67 index was decreased at weeks 4 in experimental group. 3. Microscopic view of the xenografted tumor mass showed well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and after Taxol injection, some necrotic tissue was seen weeks 4. 4. The growth curve of the tumor cells were decreased after 1day Taxol treatment. 5. According to the MTT assay, HN22 cell line showed relative drug resistancy above $5\;{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations of Taxol. 6. In drug resistance assay, the decrease of cell counts was seen relatively according to concentration. 7. In Flow cytometry, G2M phase cell arrests were seen in low concentration of the Taxol, while S phase cell arrests were seen in high concentration of the Taxol. 8. Using cDNA microarray technique, variable gene expression of ANGPTL4, TXNRD1, FAS, RRAGA, CTGF, CYCLINEA, P19, DUSP5, CEBPG, BTG1 were detacted in the oral squamous cell carcinoma cell after taxol treatment. In this study paclitaxel is effective against oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines in vitro, but week effect was observed in vivo. So we need continuous study about anticancer effect of taxol in vivo in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

A Study of the Effect, Safety and Saving Expense by Reusing Hemodialyzer (재사용(再使用) 투석기(透析器)의 효과(效果) ${\cdot}$ 안정성(安定性) 및 비용절감(費用節減)에 관한 연구(硏究))

  • Jung, Ha-Chung
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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    • v.3 no.1
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    • pp.93-106
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    • 1997
  • By the increase of the rate of existence of the hemodialyzing patients, they were required the long run treatment. Regardless of medical insurance expansion, hemodialyzing cost much expenses so that hospital has been considering the reuse of hemodialyzer and flowing euqipments along with the diverse study and progress of the ways of hemodialyzing and medical instruments. This study was aimed to provide the basic materials regarding the reuse of hemodialyzer which is used for the patients of chronic renal disease. The reusing program in the artificial kidney center of K hospital has been used for this study from 50 patients aften one year result from Sep. 1995 through Aug. 1996. Automatic equipment of DRS-4 made by Seratronic Co., was used as the equipment and it was retreated with the function test simultaneously. Compliaction and confirmation of the infection were by the records of the hemodialysis of the patients. SPSS was used for the analysis of the materials by computerization. The character of the patients and the rate of removal was by mistake and percentage, function test and rate of complication by Ftest(ANOVA) and the rate of complication per items by ${\chi}^2$ and Ftest. As the post test the Duncan's test was used for the statistically significant different variables in the standard of p<.05 after Ftest. The followings are the summary of the result : 1) In the function test of the new hemodialyzer and the reused one, and in all of CA110 and CF15.11, the dialyzer ultrafiltration coeffient(KUf) was appeared to have been higher in the reusing groups than the first use ones. This has been the normal limit showing no troubles with them. 2) In the function test of the new and reused hemodialyzer, in all of CA110 and CF15.11, the total blood volume was appeared to have been the less value in the reuse groups than the new ones. This was the price within 80% of the first price that both showed possible for use. 3) The result of reuse hemodialyzer of CA110 was $29.48{\pm}7.83$ in average in the test of leak test while $17.3{\pm}7.96$ in reuse of CF15.11. The normal limit of <60 was the leak test result. So both of the hemodialyzer was normal for reuse. 4) The rate of removal of Blood Urea Nitrogen(BUN) was 72.25% in CA110 hemodialyzer by reusing 16-20 times as the highest rate showing the better result in the reuse hemodialyzer, while in CF15.11 hemodialyzer showed 71.16% by highest rate in the first use by the highest rate with no difference from the reuse. 5) The rate of removal of serum creatinine of CA110 was 64.08% by highest rate in reuse of 1-5 times by showing better result in reuse hemodialyzer. While in CF15.11 66.47% the highest by reuse of 16-20 times showing no difference from each other. 6) No patients were admitted or precribed by antibiotics in relation with reuse dialyzer and no reports were shown about hepatitis $B{\cdot}C$. AIDS in fection. 7) Of the total 248 episods of complication due to the hemodialyzing, 86 by first use, 73 by 1-5 times, 35 by 6-10 times, 35 by 11-15 times and 19 by 16-20 times have been shown which have had no significant difference between the groups. 8) In the comparison of the expense for the hemodialyzer, there was the effect of saving 11,597.6 Won between the first and reuse hemodialyzer. And by decreasing the extracted materials, they did the great role of disposing the waste matters.

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Surgical Treatment of the Congenital Esophageal Atresia (선천성 식도 폐쇄증의 외과적 치료)

  • 최필조;전희재;이용훈;조광조;성시찬;우종수
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.32 no.6
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    • pp.567-572
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    • 1999
  • Background: Surgical correction of the full spectrum of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula has improved over the years, but the mortality and morbidity assoiated with repair of these anomalies still remains high. Material and Method: We retrospectively analyzes 27 surgically treated patients with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula at Dong-A University Hospital between January 1992 and March 1997. Result: There were 21 male and 6 female patients. Mean birth weight was 2.62$\pm$.385 kg(2.0~3.4 kg). Twenty- four(88.9%) had esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula, and 3(11.1%) had pure esophageal atresia. Four(14.8%) infants were allocated to Waterston risk group A, 18(66.7%) to group B, and 5(18.5%) to group C. In eighteen(66.7%) infants with associated anomalies, cardiovascular anomalies were the most common. Three had a gap length of 3.5 cm or greater(ultra-long gap) between esophageal segments, 7 had 2.0 to 3.5 cm(long gap), 8 had 1.0 to 2.0 cm(medium gap), and 9 had 1 cm or less(short gap) gap length. Among 27 neonates, 3 cases underwent staged operation, late colon interposition was done in 2, and all other 24 cases underwent primary esophageal anastomosis. Oerative mortality was 2/27(7.4%). Causes of death included acute renal failure(n=1), empyema from anastomotic leak(n=1), necrotizing enterocolitis(n=1), sepsis(n=1), insulin-dependent diabetus mellitus(n=1 . There were 4 anastomosis- related complications including stricture in 3, leakage in 1. Mortality was related to the gap length(p<.05). Conclusion: Although the complication rate associated with surgical repair of these anomalies is high, this does not always implicate the operative mortality. The overall survival can be improved by effective treatment for combined anomalies and intensive postoperatve care.

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Clinical Results of 100 Cases of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting without Cardiopulmonary Bypass (심폐바이패스 없이 시행한 관상동맥 우회술 100예의 임상적 고찰)

  • 방정희;우종수
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.37 no.4
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    • pp.322-327
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    • 2004
  • Coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart is no longer a new methods for any cardiac surgeon. We evaluated the application of the off-pump coronary artery bypass procedure relative to safety and efficiency as measured by postoperative complication and operative mortality. Material and Method: We used our retrospective database to compare the patients having off-pump coronary surgery (n=100) with those having on-pump coronary surgery (n=100) between June, 1999 and August, 2002. Patients whom underwent associated valvular or aortic aneurysmal operation were excluded. Result: Neither groups showed any differences in the patient's risk factors and extent of coronary disease. Off-pump CABG group did not have significantly less mean operation time (295$\pm$73 min vs 323$\pm$83 min, p=ns) and mean hospital day (15.34$\pm$6.02 day vs 13.80$\pm$4.95 day, p=ns). However, off-pump CABG group had significantly shorter mean ventilation time (17.3$\pm$11.27 hour vs 24.98$\pm$16.1 hour, p<0.05). No patients were converted to on-pump CABG in off-pump CABG. Intraoperative hemodynamic instability in off-pump CABG were 6 cases, of whom 2 cases were in lateral wall approach and 4 cases in right coronary anastomosis. Postoperative mortality was 1 case in off-pump CABG and 2 cases in on-pump CABG. Intra-aortic ballon pump (IABP) was applied in 1 case with off-pump CABG and in 2 cases with on-pump CABG. No patients presented postoperative cerebral infarction & stroke in off-pump CABG but 2 patients in on-pump CABG. Postoperative arrhythmia presented in 4 cases with off-pump CABG and in 6 cases with on-pump CABG. Acute renal failure (ARF) was complicated in 3 cases with off-pump CABG and in 2 cases with on-pump CABG. Conclusion: This study documented the immediate safety and efficiency of the off-pump CABG procedure.

Clinical Characteristics of Pneumococcal Bacteremia in Adults : The Effect of Penicillin Resistance on the Mortality of Patients with Pneumococcal Bacteremia (폐렴구균 균혈증에서 폐렴구균의 페니실린 내성 여부가 사망률에 미치는 영향)

  • HwangBo, Bin;Yoon, Ho-Il;Lee, Sang-Min;Choi, Seung-Ho;Park, Gye-Young;Yoo, Chul-Gyu;Lee, Choon-Taek;Kim, Young-Whan;Han, Sung-Koo;Min, Kyung-Up;Kim, You-Young;Shim, Young-Soo
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.47 no.2
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    • pp.184-194
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    • 1999
  • Backgrounds : The advent of penicillin has led to the marked reduction in the mortality from pneumococcal bacteremia, however, the mortality is still relatively high in this post-antibiotic era. Actually the prevalence of infection due to penicillin-resistant penumococci is increasing worldwide, and it is especially high in Korea due to irrelevant use of antibiotics. So, the high mortality of pneumococcal sepsis might be related to the emergence of penicillin-resistant strains, however, many other antibiotics, which eradicate pneumococci effectively, are available in these days. This has led us to suspect the role of penicillin-resistance in the high mortality rate. In this study, we evaluated the effect of penicillin resistance on the mortality of patients with penumococcal bacte remia. Methods: The study population consisted of 50 adult patients with penumococcal bacteremia who were admitted between Jan, 1990 and July, 1997. Medical records were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Most of the patients (96%) had underlying diseases. The most common local disease associated with pneumococcal bacteremia was pneumonia (42%), which was followed by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (14%), cholangitis (10%), meningitis (8%), liver abscess (4%), pharyngotonsillitis (4%), sinusitis (2%) and cellulitis (2%). While the overall case-fatality rate in this study was 24%, it was higher when peumococcal bacteremia was associated with pneumonia (42%) or meningitis (50%). The rate of penicillin resistance was 40%, which was increased rapidly from 1991. The rate of penicillin resistance was significantly higher in patients with the history of recent antibiotics use and hospitalization within 3 months respectively. The clinical manifestations, that is, age, severity of underlying diseases, nosocomial infection, associated local diseases, and the presence of shock or acute renal failure were not statistically different between the patients with penicillin-resistant and -sensitive pneumococcal bacteremia. The mortality of patients infected with penicillin-resistant pneumococci was not statistically different from those with penicillin-sensitive pneumococcal bacteremia. Conclusion: Penicillin resistance is not associated with high mortality in adult patients with pneumococcal bacteremia. As the overall mortality is high, active penumococcal vaccination is recommended in patients with high risk of infection.

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