Age and Gender Distribution of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Admitted to University Hospitals during the Period of 1990-1999

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of coronary disease in Korea, with the consequent morbidity and mortality, has rapidly risen during the last two decades. This study aimed to describe the changing pattern in the demographic composition during the 1990s of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Korean metropolitan cities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data from the medical record of patients with AMI, admitted to five University Hospitals in Busan and Daegu between January 1990 and December 1999, were sorted according to their age (75 years) and gender. RESULTS: During the last decade, the number of cases of AMI increased from 283 in 1990, to 988 by 1999 (ratio of AMI/medical patients admitted; 1.68% in 1990 to 2.52% in 1999). The most prevalent age group was 6074 yrs (46.1%), followed by 4559 yrs (34.2%). Generally, the male cases were twice as prevalent as female (68.2% : 31.8%), but the gender ratio was reversed in the highest age group (>75 yrs) (44.6% : 55.4%). During the period in question, the gender ratio and age distribution remained reasonably constant throughout. The proportion of younger AMI patients (<45 yrs) did not increase. CONCLUSION: Admissions due to AMI increased substantially during the 1990s. Almost half the cases were from the 6074 yrs age group, and two third were male. There were little changes in the compositions of age and gender of the AMI cases during this period.

Four cases of ticlopidine-induced cholestatic hepatitis / 대한내과학회지

Ticlopidine, a potent antiplatelet agent, is widely used for treatment of coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease. Adverse effects has been reported in 10% to 20% of patients receiving ticlopidine. The most commom adverse effects were gastrointestinal disturbance, skin rash, but cholestatic hepatitis with jaundice was rare (0.1% incidence). We have recently experienced four cases of ticlopidine-induced cholestatic hepatitis after coronary artery stent insertion. Jaundice developed within 1 month of starting ticlopidine at recommended daily doses. In all cases, jaundice resolved and serum liver enzymes improved over a period of months after drug withdrawal. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the reversible condition of ticlopidine-induced cholestatic jaundice that slowly resolves after drug withdrawal.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Endocarditis Involving Tricuspid Valve in Ventricular Septal Defect with Multiple Pulmonary Embolism / 감염

We report a case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endocarditis involving tricuspid valve in small ventricular septal defect with multiple pulmonary embolism. A 36-years-old woman presented with 7 days course of fever and mental abnormality. She had small-sized ventricular septal defect (VSD) and no risk factors for the infection such as history of intravenous drug abuse and hospitalization. Methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from all three sets of blood culture drawn on admission and from the huge pulmonary embolus retrieved during operation. Resection of pulmonary emboli and patch repair of ventricular septal defect were done. Teicoplanin was administered for a total of 28 days due to febrile rash associated with vancomycin treatment after operation. She was discharged without complication.

A Case of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한류마티스학회지

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is though to be a collagen disease induced by auto-immune mechanism of unknown etiology. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a disease characterized by overproduction of cells of the granulocytic, especially the neutrophilic series and occasionally the monocytic series, leading to marked splenomegaly and very high white blood cell counts. There's no consensus on the risk of leukemia in RA. There are some reports ragarding the relationship between low dose of methotrexate (<20 mg weekly) and the development of leukemia in RA. Although RA is a complex process, it can be considered initially as a stem cell disorder requiring treatment similar to that administered to transplant patient. We experienced a case of CML associated with RA. A 60-year-old woman with RA was treated with low dose methotrexate (7.5 mg weekly), hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drug (NSAID) and low dose steroid. This therapy was continued for 3 years. She was diagnosed CML after 3 years of therapy. CML was confirmed by bone marrow biopsy and the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome.