Impact of Hospital Volume of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) on In-Hospital Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: Based on the 2014 Cohort of the Korean Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (K-PCI) Registry

Background and Objectives@#The relationship between the hospital percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) volumes and the in-hospital clinical outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains the subject of debate. This study aimed to determine whether the in-hospital clinical outcomes of patients with AMI in Korea are significantly associated with hospital PCI volumes. @*Methods@#We selected and analyzed 17,121 cases of AMI, that is, 8,839 cases of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and 8,282 cases of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, enrolled in the 2014 Korean percutaneous coronary intervention (K-PCI) registry. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to hospital annual PCI volume, that is, to a high-volume group (≥400/year) or a low-volume group (<400/year). Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) were defined as composites of death, cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis, stroke, and need for urgent PCI during index admission after PCI. @*Results@#Rates of MACCE and non-fatal MI were higher in the low-volume group than in the high-volume group (MACCE: 10.9% vs. 8.6%, p=0.001; non-fatal MI: 4.8% vs. 2.6%, p=0.001, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis showed PCI volume did not independently predict MACCE. @*Conclusions@#Hospital PCI volume was not found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients with AMI included in the 2014 K-PCI registry.

Role and Prognosis of Extracorporeal Life Support in Patients Who Develop Cardiac Arrest during or after Office-Based Cosmetic Surgery

Background@#Cardiac arrest during or after office-based cosmetic surgery is rare, and little is known about its prognosis. We assessed the clinical outcomes of patients who developed cardiac arrest during or after cosmetic surgery at office-based clinics. @*Methods@#Between May 2009 and May 2016, 32 patients who developed cardiac arrest during or after treatment at cosmetic surgery clinics were consecutively enrolled. We compared clinical outcomes, including complications, between survivors (n=19) and non-survivors (n=13) and attempted to determine the prognostic factors of mortality. @*Results@#All 32 of the patients were female, with a mean age of 30.40±11.87 years. Of the 32 patients, 13 (41%) died. Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) was applied in a greater percentage of non-survivors than survivors (92.3% vs. 47.4%, respectively; p=0.009). The mean duration of in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was longer for the non-survivors than the survivors (31.55±33 minutes vs. 7.59±9.07 minutes, respectively; p=0.01).The mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score was also higher among non-survivors than survivors (23.85±6.68 vs. 16.79±7.44, respectively; p=0.01). No predictor of death was identified in the patients for whom ECLS was applied. Of the 19 survivors, 10 (52.6%) had hypoxic brain damage, and 1 (5.3%) had permanent lower leg ischemia.Logistic regression analyses revealed that the estimated glomerular filtration rate was a predictor of mortality. @*Conclusion@#Patients who developed cardiac arrest during or after cosmetic surgery at office-based clinics experienced poor prognoses, even though ECLS was applied in most cases. The survivors suffered serious complications. Careful monitoring of subjects and active CPR (when necessary) in cosmetic surgery clinics may be essential.

Multiple Markers of Contrast Induced Nephropathy after the Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVE: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) frequently occurs after percutaneous intervention. Objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of serum cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalcin (NGAL), urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) as early predictors for CIN after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: In 53 patients who underwent PCI were enrolled. Serum creatinine and cystatin C level were measured immediately before, and 24 hours and 48 hours after catheterization. Serum NGAL, urinary KIM-1, and IL-18 were measured immediately before, and 4 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after catheterization. CIN was defined as a rise in creatinine 0.5 mg/dL or 25% above baseline. RESULTS: CIN occurred in four patients (7.5%). Serum cystatin C levels were higher at 24 hours and 48 hours in CIN patients than in those without CIN (P<0.05). Serum NGAL levels were higher at 48 hours in CIN patients than in those without CIN. Urinary KIM-1 levels were higher at 48 hours in CIN patients than in those without CIN. There were no significant markers of CIN on multi-variate analysis. CONCLUSION: In this study, the occurrence of CIN after PCI was 7.5%. Although there were some time-course changes in serum cystatin C and urinary KIM-1 after PCI, there was no significant predictor for CIN after PCI.

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Predicts Poststroke Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Patients without Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Heart Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#It is controversial that decreased left ventricular function could predict poststroke outcomes. The purpose of this study is to elucidate whether left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) can predict cardiovascular events and mortality in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) without atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary heart disease (CHD).@*METHODS@#Transthoracic echocardiography was conducted consecutively in patients with AIS or transient ischemic attack at Soonchunhyang University Hospital between January 2008 and July 2016. The clinical data and echocardiographic LVEF of 1,465 patients were reviewed after excluding AF and CHD. Poststroke disability, major adverse cardiac events (MACE; nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death) and all-cause mortality during 1 year after index stroke were prospectively captured. Cox proportional hazards regressions analysis were applied adjusting traditional risk factors and potential determinants.@*RESULTS@#The mean follow-up time was 259.9±148.8 days with a total of 29 non-fatal strokes, 3 myocardial infarctions, 33 cardiovascular deaths, and 53 all-cause mortality. The cumulative incidence of MACE and all-cause mortality were significantly higher in the lowest LVEF ( < 55) group compared with the others (p=0.022 and 0.009). In prediction models, LVEF (per 10%) had hazards ratios of 0.54 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36–0.80, p=0.002) for MACE and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.39–0.97, p=0.037) for all-cause mortality.@*CONCLUSIONS@#LVEF could be an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality after AIS in the absence of AF and CHD.

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Predicts Poststroke Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Patients without Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Heart Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is controversial that decreased left ventricular function could predict poststroke outcomes. The purpose of this study is to elucidate whether left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) can predict cardiovascular events and mortality in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) without atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: Transthoracic echocardiography was conducted consecutively in patients with AIS or transient ischemic attack at Soonchunhyang University Hospital between January 2008 and July 2016. The clinical data and echocardiographic LVEF of 1,465 patients were reviewed after excluding AF and CHD. Poststroke disability, major adverse cardiac events (MACE; nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death) and all-cause mortality during 1 year after index stroke were prospectively captured. Cox proportional hazards regressions analysis were applied adjusting traditional risk factors and potential determinants. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 259.9±148.8 days with a total of 29 non-fatal strokes, 3 myocardial infarctions, 33 cardiovascular deaths, and 53 all-cause mortality. The cumulative incidence of MACE and all-cause mortality were significantly higher in the lowest LVEF ( < 55) group compared with the others (p=0.022 and 0.009). In prediction models, LVEF (per 10%) had hazards ratios of 0.54 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36–0.80, p=0.002) for MACE and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.39–0.97, p=0.037) for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: LVEF could be an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality after AIS in the absence of AF and CHD.

Simple Management of Radial Artery Perforation during Transradial Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / 대한내과학회지

Radial artery perforation is one of the major complications of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Previous reports have suggested that sealing the perforation with a smaller guiding catheter may be possible. In one such study, the perforated segment was sealed with a 0.014- or 0.021-inch guidewire, and PCI was successfully completed. In this study, we describe a radial artery perforation that occurred after diagnostic coronary angiography and during insertion of a 6 French (FR) guiding catheter. PCI and the perforation were successfully managed through the use of a 5 Fr guiding catheter and a 0.035-inch guidewire.

Association between Left Atrial Enlargement on Echocardiography and In-hospital Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

OBJECTIVE: Longstanding hypertension lead to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with a development of a left atrial enlargement (LAE) which may result in vulnerability to atrial fibrillation (AF). Paroxysmal AF is usually unrevealed in the acute period of ischemic stroke, but is crucial for anticoagulation to prevent recurrent stroke. This study was aimed to investigate the frequency of LAE and the predictors of paroxysmal AF during the hospitalization of acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total 1,643 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke were registered in between January 2005 and December 2014. The subjects who had AF before index stroke or at admission were excluded. The clinical and echocardiographic findings of all patients were reviewed. Paroxysmal AF were detected on electrocardiography of Holter monitoring during hospitalization. LAE were defined as LA diameter larger than 44 mm in echocardiography. We compared the frequency of LAE between the patients with or without AF. Logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the echocardiographic parameters for prediction of paroxysmal AF. RESULTS: The mean age was 67.3 and the male was 55.6%. AF were detected in 123 (11.4%) of LAE(-) group but were detected in 102 (49.0%) in LAE(+) group. In logistic regression analysis, LAE significantly predicted for newly detected AF during hospitalization after adjusting covariates (odds ratio, 5.698; 95% confidence interval, 3.799-8.546; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: LAE was an independent predictor for AF during hospitalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Prolonged electrocardiography monitoring should be meticulously indicated for acute ischemic stroke with LAE to detect paroxysmal AF.

Extreme septal hypertrophy in an adolescent with congenital familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

No abstract available.

Consecutive Multivessel Myocardial Infarction during Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / 대한내과학회지

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) involving multivessel coronary arteries is extremely rare. Consecutive STEMI in a nonculprit vessel during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the culprit vessel has not been reported. A 53-year-old male presented to the emergency department with anterior wall STEMI. Just after successful primary PCI of the left anterior descending artery, inferior wall STEMI developed. PCI of the right coronary arteries was performed successfully. Five days later, the patient was discharged without symptoms of heart failure. This case underlines the high thrombogenicity along the coronary arteries in patients with STEMI.

Thebesian vein Combined with Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

A 52-year-old woman presented with atypical chest pain. Coronary angiography demonstrated multiple microfistulae between left coronary artery and left ventricle (LV) cavity, extensive enough to produce an LV angiogram. This LV angiogram revealed apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) which was confirmed by echocardiography. Coronary steal phenomenon by coronary artery microfistulae and HCM might have a role for developing of angina in patient with apical HCM.

Atypical Coronary Occlusion in a Patient with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Caused by a Masked Aortic Dissection / 대한내과학회지

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) caused by an acute aortic dissection is relatively rare. A diagnosis of dissection can be missed and the situation can become complicated. We report a patient who presented with acute aortic dissection responsible for STEMI related to a dissecting flap into the right coronary artery. This case emphasizes the need for careful assessment of the aorta in cases of atypical coronary occlusion in patients with STEMI without evidence of atherosclerosis in non-culprit coronary segments. The patient was discharged 7 days after primary percutaneous intervention for STEMI. However, she revisited the emergency department for recurrent chest pain and aortic dissection and was diagnosed and managed successfully with surgery.

Atypical Coronary Occlusion in a Patient with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Caused by a Masked Aortic Dissection / 대한내과학회지

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) caused by an acute aortic dissection is relatively rare. A diagnosis of dissection can be missed and the situation can become complicated. We report a patient who presented with acute aortic dissection responsible for STEMI related to a dissecting flap into the right coronary artery. This case emphasizes the need for careful assessment of the aorta in cases of atypical coronary occlusion in patients with STEMI without evidence of atherosclerosis in non-culprit coronary segments. The patient was discharged 7 days after primary percutaneous intervention for STEMI. However, she revisited the emergency department for recurrent chest pain and aortic dissection and was diagnosed and managed successfully with surgery.

Contact dermatitis caused by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

No abstract available.

Development of Brugada Syndrome Following Photodynamic Therapy in a Patient with Cholangiocarcinoma

Brugada syndrome can be unmasked by several conditions including a febrile state, marked leukocytosis, and electrolyte disturbances. Herein, we describe a 62-year-old man with cholangiocarcinoma in the first reported case of Brugada syndrome onset following photodynamic therapy.

Extracorporeal Life Support After Prolonged Resuscitation for In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest due to Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation: Two Cases Resulting in a Full Recovery

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has well demonstrated its efficacy in treating in-hospital cardiac arrest and is being used for broader indications. However, ECLS after prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been traditionally contraindicated and is now challenging. Here, we introduce two cases of successful ECLS after prolonged CPR, resulting in a immediate and full recovery. Both these acute ST elevation myocardial infarction patients waiting for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) suddenly collapsed due to ventricular fibrillation (VF), which was refractory to conventional treatment. After 2 hours of conventional CPR, the ECLS had been implemented and primary PCI could be performed. Subsequent to successful revascularization, the VF was stopped with a single electric shock. In our second case, normal sinus rhythm was spontaneously restored after ECLS implementation, which was completed after 45 minutes of conventional resuscitation. Both patients made a full neurological recovery on the day of the event and were discharged with only minor complications.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety between Transradial and Transfemoral Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (TRI) compared with transfemoral percutaneous coronary intervention (TFI) in patients with ischemic heart disease. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records including imaging data of the patients with ischemic heart disease who underwent TRI or TFI from January 2007 to December 2009 in Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital. We compared major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) including death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, stent thrombosis, and cerebrovascular accident during follow-up period. We also compared procedure related vascular complications including hematoma, arteriovenous fistula, pseudoaneurysm, and infection. RESULTS: Total number of patients was 347 (256 patients of TRI and 91 patients of TFI). There were no significant differences in the rate of MACCEs between two groups. There were significantly less procedure-related vascular complications in TRI group (3.1% vs. 11.0%, P=0.010). CONCLUSION: TRI is as effective as TFI with no difference in the rate of MACCEs in patients with ischemic heart disease. TRI is superior to TFI in safety with reduction of vascular complications.

Spontaneous Renal Hematoma Caused by Hypertension with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Spontaneous renal hematoma is rare. We report a 43-year-old man presented with sudden left flank pain and severe hypertension. Renal hematoma was confirmed on computed tomography. Renal angiography showed no active bleeding or vascular malformation. Echocardiography showed severe concentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Hypertension was the only cause for the condition. Symptoms and size of the hematoma decreased on antihypertensive medication and conservative treatment. Severe hypertension might have a role for developing renal hematoma.

Association of Carotid Atherosclerosis and Arterial Stiffness with Obesity

OBJECTIVE: Few studies related to carotid intima media thickness and arterial pulse wave velocity in obese people were reported in Korea. We evaluated carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV) according to existence of obesity. METHODS: From January 2009 to March 2010 at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, we enrolled 118 healthy adults (male: 67, female: 51) without past history of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, heart disease and renal failure. We devided the population into two groups according to body mass index (BMI, kg/m2); non-obese (n=68, 18.5 to 25 kg/m2) group, obese (n=50, > or =25 kg/m2) group. We measured carotid IMT and PWV of aorta as well as arteries of upper and lower extremities. RESULTS: Carotid IMT showed statistically significant increase in obese group (0.54+/-0.11 mm vs. 0.58+/-0.10 mm; P=0.041). IMT is independently and significantly related to age and systolic blood pressure. There is no statistical difference of the PWVs of aorta, upper extremity and lower extremity in obese group compared with non-obese group. BMI showed significant correlations with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and IMT. CONCLUSION: Carotid IMT that was mainly determined by age and systolic blood pressure significantly increased in obese group compared to non-obese group, while neither aortic PWV nor arterial PWVs of upper and lower extremities showed significant difference between the two groups.

A Case of Pandemic 2009 H1N1 Influenza A Manifestation as Apical Ballooning Syndrome

Critical ill patients with pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A are associated with mortality, including cardiovascular, respiratory and renal dysfunction. Understanding of risk factor and clinical manifestation that suggest a higher mortality can recognize high risk patients earlier. There are many reports for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure and renal failure with pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A. But cardiovascular disease with pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A remains unknown. This is the report of pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A association with apical balloning syndrome.

Effect of Lacidipine on Blood Pressure and Endothelial Function in Mild-to-Moderate Essential Hypertension Patients With Diabetes in Korea

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lacidipine in reducing blood pressure (BP) and to determine its effect on endothelial function in mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study, enrolling 290 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension and type 2 DM. Patients were initially treated with 2 mg lacidipine orally once daily for 4 weeks, which was then increased as necessary every 4 weeks to a maximal dose of 6 mg daily. The primary endpoint was the mean change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) from baseline after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints included mean changes in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD), and serum concentrations of biochemical markers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). RESULTS: Lacidipine treatment significantly reduced SBP by -13.4+/-13.0 mmHg (p<0.001) and DBP by -6.2+/-9.3 mmHg (p<0.001). Lacidipine treatment did not improve endothelial-dependent vasodilatation, despite significantly improved nitroglycerin-induced, endothelial-independent vasodilatation. MCP-1 levels significantly decreased from 283.66+/-110.08 pg/mL to 257.83+/-100.23 pg/mL (p<0.001); whereas there were no significant changes in the levels of hs-CRP, MMP-9, or PAI-1. CONCLUSION: Twelve weeks of treatment with lacidipine was effective and well tolerated in mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients with type 2 DM. In spite of inducing a significant reduction in MCP-1 levels, lacidipine did not improve endothelial function.