• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.12
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• pp.1010-1014
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• 2004

Though acute pulmonary thromboembolism is usually managed medically with the use of thrombolytics or anticoagulants, an emergent life-saving surgery would be required. In a case of acute pulmonary thromboembolism with acute severe right heart failure and deferment of it could result in fatal outcomes in a short time. In addition, the mortality is raised considerably if it is combined with right heart thrombi. Despite paradoxical thromboembolism via patent foramen ovale was reported, few report might be presented, in which showed the thrombus in right atrium has traversed atrial septal defect into left atrium and left ventricle like this case as the evidence of paradoxical thromboembolism. We report a case of acute pulmonary thromboembolism with acute right heart failure arising from deep vein thrombosis, developed immediately after low anterior resection for colon cancer in a 63-year-old male, who was managed successfully by emergent thromboembolectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.413-425
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• 2013

Background: Graft vessel preservation solution in coronary artery bypass surgery is used to maintain the graft conduit in optimal condition during the perioperative period. Nafamostat mesilate (NM) has anticoagulation and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, we investigated NM as a conduit preservative agent and compared it to papaverine. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat thoracic aortas were examined for their contraction-relaxation ability using phenylephrine (PE) and acetylcholine (ACh) following preincubation with papaverine and NM in standard classical organ baths. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured to check for the endothelial cell viability. Histopathological examination and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay were performed on the thoracic aortas of SD rats. Results: The anti-contraction effects of papaverine were superior to those of NM at PE (p<0.05). The relaxation effect of NM on ACh-induced vasodilatation was not statistically different from that of papaverine. Viability assays using HUVECs showed endothelial cell survival rates of >90% in various concentrations of both NM and papaverine. A histopathological study showed a protective effect against necrosis and apoptosis (p<0.05) in the NM group. Conclusion: NM exhibited good vascular relaxation and a reasonable anti-vasocontraction effect with a better cell protecting effect than papaverine; therefore, we concluded that NM is a good potential conduit preserving agent.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2020

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) on the risk of dementia in the Korean elderly. Methods: A 10-year retrospective cohort study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Service-Senior Cohort database. We excluded those who were under 65 years of age as of January 2006 (n=46 113), those who were diagnosed with dementia between 2002 and 2005 (n=9086), and those with a history of stroke prior to AF diagnosis (n=8392). We used a Cox proportional hazards model with a time-varying covariate to determine whether AF is associated with the risk of dementia after adjusting for potential confounders. Results: In univariable Cox regression, the hazard ratio (HR) of dementia according to AF status was 1.28 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23 to 1.33). After adjusting for potential confounders, AF was found to increase the risk of dementia (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.17), Alzheimer dementia (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.17), and vascular dementia (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.18). In patients diagnosed with AF, the incidence of dementia was lower (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.52) in patients who were treated with oral anticoagulants. Conclusions: Investigating the potential risk factors of dementia in an aged society is important. We found a slightly higher risk of dementia in those with AF than in those without AF, and we therefore concluded that AF is a potential risk factor for dementia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.417-420
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• 2017

Hookworm infections are rare causes of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a middle aged man with primary nephrotic syndrome and pulmonary embolism. During the treatment with steroids and anticoagulants, the patient presented acute massive hemorrhage of the gastrointestinal tract. The results of gastroscopy showed red worms in the duodenum. Colonoscopy and CT angiogram of abdomen were unremarkable. Capsule endoscopy revealed fresh blood and multiple hookworms in the jejunum and ileum. Hookworms caused the acute intestinal bleeding. The patient responded well to albendazole. Hematochezia was markedly ameliorated after eliminating the parasites. Hence, hookworm infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Capsule endoscopy may offer a better means of diagnosis for intestinal hookworm infections.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 2018

Background: Unfractionated heparin is commonly used for anticoagulation in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Several studies have shown that nafamostat mesilate (NM) has comparable clinical outcomes to unfractionated heparin. This study compared anticoagulation with NM and heparin in a large-animal model. Methods: Beagle dogs (n=8; weight, 6.5-9 kg) were placed on venovenous ECMO. Blood samples were taken every hour and the following parameters were compared: hemoglobin level, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thromboelastography (TEG) data, platelet function, and inflammatory cytokine levels. Results: In both groups, the aPTT was longer than the baseline value. Although the aPTT in the NM group was shorter than in the heparin group, the TEG parameters were similar between the 2 groups. Hemoglobin levels decreased in both groups, but the decrease was less with NM than with heparin (p=0.049). Interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ levels significantly decreased in the NM group (p=0.01), but there was no difference in the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha or IL-10 between the 2 groups. Conclusion: NM showed a similar anticoagulant effect to that of unfractionated heparin, with fewer bleeding complications. NM also had anti-inflammatory properties during ECMO. Based on this preclinical study, NM may be a good alternative candidate for anticoagulation in ECMO.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.4
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• pp.351-355
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• 2009

The incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism increases with age. The risk factors of pulmonary thromboembolism include surgery, malignancy, obesity, lupus anticoagulants, and vascular conditions such as deep vein thrombosis. Thromboembolism in younger patients or in unusual locations, the possibility of primary thrombophilic conditions should be considered. Primary thrombophilic states include myeloproliferative disorders (MPD). JAK2 V617F mutation is found commonly in patients diagnosed with MPD, in 90~95% of polycythemia vera (PV) and in 50~60% of essential thrombocytosis (ET) patients. Sometimes the JAK2 V617F mutation is found in cases without MPD. The relationship between JAK2 V617F mutation and thrombosis has not been defined. Recently, clinical evidence suggests that this mutation may be variably associated with thrombosis. We present one case of pulmonary thromboembolism in a young patient, who was positive for the JAK2 V617F mutation and did not have MPD.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.133-136
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• 2013

Retrobulbar hemorrhage is a rare but serious complication after blepharoplasty, mid-face injury, and treatment of facial bone fractures. The incidence of postoperative retrobulbar hemorrhage is 0.055% with an incidence of associated permanent blindness of 0.005%. A 69-year-old male came to the emergency room with pain on both orbital areas and uncontrolled bleeding after cosmetic lower blepharoplasty performed at a private clinic. He had not been evaluated preoperatively by the private clinic, but we found that he had undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and taken anticoagulants for 10 years. We performed an emergency operation to evacuate the hematoma. However, after surgery, he persistently complained of orbital pain, pressure and diminished visual acuity. Intraocular pressure was increased, and computed tomography demonstrated a retrobulbar hemorrhage with globe displacement. Emergent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis were performed. Intraocular pressure was decreased to 48/30 mm Hg immediately after the operation, falling within the normal range the next day. We recommend three points to minimize loss of vision by retrobulbar hematoma. Firstly, careful preoperative evaluation must be conducted including current medications, underlying diseases and previous history of surgeries. Secondly, cautious postoperative observation is important for the early diagnosis of retrobulbar hematoma. Lastly, immediate treatment is crucial to prevent permanent blindness.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.421-427
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• 1992

The study was basically carried out to establish the appropriate condition for applying the Westergren method for erythrocyte sedimentation rate(W-ESR) in Throughbred racehorses at recess. To do this, we examined the correlationship among some factors including the kind of anticoagulants, optimal ambient temperature and reading time for W-ESR in healthy racehorses. The difference between the blood samples treated with only 3.8% solution of sodium citrate(SC) and both EDTA and SC as a coagulant, there was not recognized any significant difference(p<0.05) in the levels of W-ESR irrespective of the ambient temperature of $20^{\circ}C$ or $30^{\circ}C$. The best optimal ambient temperature for W-ESR in horses was proved at $30^{\circ}C$ resulting from the tendency of the most reduced dispersion in mean values analyaed from repeatly 4 times to the same blood samles compared with those of $10^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$. The optimal reading time was determined as 60 minutes(Y=237.2~4.1X, $r^2=0.998$) and 70 minutes(Y=247.8~4.2X, $r^2=0.999$) under the same temperature of $30^{\circ}C$; the latter showed the better result on the basis of the correlation of packed cell volume(PCV) and ESR values. About 13 healthy racehorses, we compared the real values of W-ESR respectively obtained at 60 minutes and 70 minutes at $30^{\circ}C$ with the anticipated values of PCV by means of the analysis of linear regression equitation. As the result of this, the strong correlation between both of them was confirmed. For practical use of W-ESR in Thoroughbred racehorese, we can recommend the condition of 60 or 70 minutes for the optimal reading time as well as $30^{\circ}C$ for the best ambient temperature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.371-374
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• 2009

A 36-year-old woman with a history of spontaneous abortion and photosensitivity was admitted to our hospital with periumbilical pain and lower extremity edema. The preoperative CT scan revealed massive inferior vena cava thrombus, which extended from the suprarenal portion of the vena cava to the hepatic vein. The laboratory data showed an elevated level of anticardiolipin antibody, which suggested the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome. After medical management, she underwent an operation for removal of an vena cava thrombus by performing cavectomy and thrombectomy. After the operation, she has been taking oral anticoagulation and she is doing quite well at 9 months after her operation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.446-455
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• 1985

A total and consecutive 156 patients have undergone cardiac valve surgery including 13 closed mitral commissurotomy, 13 open mitral commissurotomy, one mitral annuloplasty, 75 mitral valve replacement, one aortic annuloplasty, 24 aortic valve replacement, 3 tricuspid valve replacement, 25 double valve replacement and one triple valve replacement. 155 prosthetic valves were replaced in a period between September 1976 and August 1985. There were 68 males and 88 females with age range from 8 to 69 yrs [mean 36.5 yr]. Out of replaced valves, 61 was tissue valve including 54 Carpentier-Edwards, and 4 was mechanical valves including 74 St. Jude Medical, and the position replaced was 101 valves for mitral, 46 for aortic and 8 for tricuspid. Single valve replacement in 102 cases, double valve replacement in 25 cases [17 for AVR+MVR, and 8 for MVR+TVR], and only one case was noted in the triple valve replacement. Early mortality within 30 days after operation was noted in 11 cases [7%]; 7 after MVR, 2 after DVR, and each one after open mitral commissurotomy and mitral annuloplasty. Cause of death was valve thrombus, cerebral air embolism, low output syndrome, uncontrollable arrhythmia, parapneumonic sepsis, acute cardiac tamponade and left atrial rupture. 7 late deaths were noted during the follow-up period from 1 to 104 months [average 48 month]; three due to valve and left atrial thrombus formation, two due to CVA from overdose of warfarin, and each one due to congestive heart failure and chronic constrictive pericarditis, Anticoagulants after prosthetic valve replacement were maintained with warfarin, dipyridamole and aspirin to the level of around 50% of normal prothrombin time in 79 cases, and Ticlopidine with aspirin in 47 cases to compare the result of each group. There were 11 major thromboembolic episodes including 3 deaths in the warfarin group. Two cases of CVA due to overdose of warfarin was noted in the warfarin group. In the ticlopidine group, there was only one left atrial thrombus confirmed at the time of autopsy. Among the survived 138 cases, nearly all cases[136 cases] were included in NYHA functional class I and II during the follow-up period. In conclusion, surgical treatment of the cardiac valve disease in 156 clinical cases revealed excellent result with acceptable operative risk and late mortality. Prevention of thrombus formation with anti-platelet aggregator Ticlopidine has better result than warfarin group presently with no specific side effect such as bleeding or gastrointestinal trouble.