The Correlation of Carotid Artery Stiffness with Heart Function in Hypertensive Patients

BACKGROUND: The strength of each heart beat and the stiffness of large arteries contribute to blood pressure (BP). When the large arteries are stiff and their resistance greater, the afterload increases and this may change the function of the heart. However, the relation between common carotid artery stiffness and heart function in hypertensive patients has not been clarified. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty hypertensive patients underwent transthoracic and carotid echocardiography. Measurements of local arterial stiffness were taken at the right common carotid artery level and stiffness parameter (beta), pressure-strain elasticity modulus and intima-media thickness were calculated. Brachial cuff BP was measured just before starting the carotid study. The patients with any cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or carotid stenosis were excluded. RESULTS: Carotid artery stiffness parameter (beta) was correlated with age and left ventricular mass index (p < 0.005). Even though beta was not correlated with LV systolic function, it was inversely correlated with diastolic function as measured by early mitral annular velocity. When the artery was stiffer, early mitral annular velocity (e') decreased (p < 0.001) and the index of left atrial (LA) pressure (early diastolic mitral inflow E velocity/e') increased (p = 0.001). In logistic regression, diastolic dysfunction was affected by age (beta -0.385, p = 0.001), LA volume index (beta 0.175, p = 0.013) and beta (beta -0.273, p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: In hypertensive patients, changes in carotid artery stiffness can affect the diastolic function, independent of age and LA volume index. Therefore, measurements and control of carotid stiffness can play an important role in the prevention of diastolic heart failure.

The Association of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy with Intraventricular Dyssynchrony at Rest and during Exercise in Hypertensive Patients

BACKGROUND: Impaired exercise tolerance with dyspnea is common in hypertensive patients and this may be due to the exaggeration of nonuniform ventricular activation during exercise. So we want to evaluate the effect of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on systolic intraventricular dyssynchrony during exercise. METHODS: A total of 85 patients with hypertension who having exertional dyspnea and 30 control individuals were enrolled. Exercise stress echocardiography was performed using a symptom limited, multistage supine bicycle test. To evaluate the dyssynchrony of left ventricular (LV), we calculated the standard deviation (SD) of the averaged time-to-peak systolic velocity (TPs-SD, ms) of 12 middle and basal LV segments obtained from the three standard apical views at rest and peak exercise. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate between the two groups. TPs-SD was significantly higher in patients with LVH at rest (31.5 +/- 12.1 vs. 22.0 +/- 12.6 ms, p = 0.002) with exaggeration of the degree at peak exercise (39.0 +/- 11.9 vs. 24.6 +/- 13.3 ms, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed LV mass index was independently associated with LV dyssynchrony at peak exercise (beta = 0.515, p = 0.001) when controlled for age, sex, and systolic BP at peak exercise. CONCLUSION: Intraventricular systolic dyssynchrony during exercise is significantly associated with the degree of LVH in hypertensive patients.

Recanalization of a Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion by a Retrograde Approach Using Ipsilateral Double Guiding Catheters

The retrograde approach through a collateral artery is now thought to improve the success rate of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO), and different kinds of strategies for this technique have been developed. However, the basic principles of PCI for CTO, such as firm back-up support with a guiding catheter and fine control of the guide wire, should be adhered to more strictly to succeed with this complex procedure. We present a case in which a CTO of the proximal left anterior descending artery was successfully opened by the retrograde approach through a collateral from the left circumflex artery, during which two guiding catheters were simultaneously used in the same coronary artery for the purpose of strong back up support for the retrograde device and fine control for the antegrade device.

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, especially Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is a common opportunistic infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In patients with AIDS, MAC infection more frequently presents as disseminated form rather than localized infection. Disseminated MAC infection is associated with a high mortality rate in patient with AIDS. We report a case of disseminated MAC infection in an AIDS patient involving bone marrow, mediastinal lymph node and lung.

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, especially Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is a common opportunistic infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In patients with AIDS, MAC infection more frequently presents as disseminated form rather than localized infection. Disseminated MAC infection is associated with a high mortality rate in patient with AIDS. We report a case of disseminated MAC infection in an AIDS patient involving bone marrow, mediastinal lymph node and lung.

Successful Recanalization of a Long Superficial Femoral Artery Occlusion by Retrograde Subintimal Angioplasty After a Failed Antegrade Subintimal Approach

The primary success rate of intraluminal angioplasty for long superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusions is low due to the long occlusion length and the hard component of the occlusion. To overcome this problem, subintimal angioplasty has been previously proposed and this technique is now considered as an effective method for the treatment of SFA occlusions. Subsequently, various devices and strategies have been developed to increase the success rate of subintimal angioplasty for SFA occlusions. Here, we present a case in which a long chronic total occlusion of SFA was successfully recanalized by the retrograde subintimal angioplasty through the popliteal artery after the failed antegrade subintimal approach.

A Case of Adenocarcinoma Presenting a Solitary Pulmonary Nodule that Grows Slowly Over 10 Years / 결핵및호흡기질환

It is difficult to distinguish a lung cancer from a pulmonary tuberculoma or other benign nodule. It is even more difficult to identify the type of lesion if the mass shows no change in size or demonstrates slow growth. Only a pathological confirmation can possibly reveal the nature of the lesion. A 61-year-old-woman was referred for a solitary pulmonary nodule. The nodule showed no change in size for the first two years and continued to grow slowly. Pathological and immunological analyses were conducted for confirmation of the nodule. The nodule was identified as a well-differentiated primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma. An LULobectomy was performed, and the post surgical stage of the nodule was IIIA (T2N2M0). Even though there are few risk factors, there is still the possibility of a malignancy in cases of non-growing or slow growing solitary pulmonary nodules. Therefore, pathological confirmation is encouraged to obtain a firm diagnosis.