Nosocomial Infection in Adult Patients Undergoing Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Data on the frequency of nosocomial infections during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adult populations remain scarce. We investigated the risk factors for nosocomial infections in adult patients undergoing venoarterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) support. From January 2011 to December 2015, a total of 259 patients underwent ECMO. Of these, patients aged 17 years or less and patients undergoing ECMO for less than 48 hours were excluded. Of these, 61 patients diagnosed with cardiogenic shock were evaluated. Mean patient age was 60.6 ± 14.3 years and 21 (34.4%) patients were female. The mean preoperative Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 8.6 ± 2.2. The mean duration of ECMO support was 6.8 ± 7.4 days. The rates of successful ECMO weaning and survival to discharge were 44.3% and 31.1%, respectively. There were 18 nosocomial infections in 14 (23.0%) patients. These included respiratory tract infections in 9 cases and bloodstream infections in a further 9. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors of infection during ECMO were the preoperative creatinine level (hazard ratio [HR], 2.176; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.065–4.447; P = 0.033) and the duration of ECMO support (HR, 1.400; 95% CI, 1.081–1.815; P = 0.011). A higher preoperative creatinine level and an extended duration of ECMO support are risk factors for infection. Therefore, to avoid the development of nosocomial infections, strategies to shorten the length of ECMO support should be applied whenever possible.

Cerebellar Embolization in Patients with Heart Murmur / 전남의대학술지

A 76-year-old female present to the emergency department with dysarthria, dizziness, dyspnea. The patient had hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Brain MRI revealed right cerebellar infarction. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a large round mass in the left atrium. Transesophageal echocardiography showed large complex echogenic round mass lesion attached on left atrial side of interatrial septum. Coronary angiogram revealed round movable mass lesion in left atrium with feeding arteries originated from right coronary artery. She underwent removal of mass and Maze operation, and pathologic finding was compatible with myxoma.

Mid- to Long-term Results of Surgical Treatment of ASD in Patients over 60 Years Old

BACKGROUND: There is controversy about the benefit of surgical correction of an atrial septal defect (ASD) in patients over 60 years old. The purpose of this study was to determine whether surgical treatment is beneficial in those 60 years of age or older. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical course of 57 patients (mean age: 63.54+/-5.59 years) diagnosed with an isolated secundum ASD after the age of 60. The 24 patients (group A) who underwent surgical repair were compared with the 33 patients (group B) who were treated non-surgically. The mean follow-up period was 6.8+/-4.5 years. RESULTS: One operative death, 5 late deaths (20.8%) in group A, and 9 deaths (27.3%) in group B occurred in the study period. Symptomatic improvement was noted in 18 patients (75%) of group A after surgery. However 13 patients (39.4%) of group B showed symptomatic improvement during the follow-up period (p=0.012). The incidence of new atrial arrhythmia of the two groups was significantly different (16.7% vs 36.7%, p=0.038). The actuarial 10 year survival rate was 79% in group A and 73% in group B. CONCLUSION: Although surgical correction of ASD did not increase survival in patients over 60 years old, the surgical outcomes of ASD showed low operative mortality and resulted in symptomatic improvement in the majority of these patients. This study has shown the benefits of surgical closure of ASD even in advanced age in comparison to medical treatment.

Cerebellar Embolization in Patients with Heart Murmur / 전남의대학술지

A 76-year-old female present to the emergency department with dysarthria, dizziness, dyspnea. The patient had hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Brain MRI revealed right cerebellar infarction. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a large round mass in the left atrium. Transesophageal echocardiography showed large complex echogenic round mass lesion attached on left atrial side of interatrial septum. Coronary angiogram revealed round movable mass lesion in left atrium with feeding arteries originated from right coronary artery. She underwent removal of mass and Maze operation, and pathologic finding was compatible with myxoma.

Aortic Thrombus with Myocardial Infarction: 2 case reports / 대한흉부외과학회지

A thrombus in the aorta is a rare condition that is generally detected after cerebral, visceral or peripheral emboli. We reported here on two cases of aortic thrombus with myocardial infarction.

Occult Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Presenting as a Huge Mediastinal Cystic Metastasis / 대한흉부외과학회지

The initial presentation of distant metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma is quite rare. Most distant metastases are solid nodular lesions. A 67-year-old man who complained of severe dyspnea underwent surgery due to a large mediastinal cystic mass compressing the trachea and great vessels. Pathologically, the cystic mass was a metastatic thyroid papillary carcinoma. The thyroid evaluations were compatible with a well differentiated thyroid carcinoma. An occult thyroid carcinoma presenting as a large mediastinal cystic lesion is extremely rare.

Papillary Fibroelastoma of Pulmonary Valve with Congestive Heart Failure: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are the second most common primary tumor of the heart and they most commonly affect the left cardiac valves. However, occurrence of this tumor on the right side of the heart has been rarely reported, with only a few cases having been documented on the pulmonary valve. We present here a rare case of a papillary fibroelastoma that occurred on the pulmonary valve and this was successfully managed by replacing the pulmonary valve in a patient with congestive heart failure.

Intracardiac Varix in the Right Atrium: 2 case reports / 대한흉부외과학회지

Intracardiac varix is an endocardial, unilocular, blood-filled cyst that's lined by endothelial cells and it is filled with organizing thrombi. It has been reported that intracardiac varix is an extremely rare entity. We report here on two cases of intracardiac varix in the right atrium and these cases had been preoperatively misdiagnosed as myxoma.

Tension Pneumothorax after Endoscopic Retrograde Pancreatocholangiogram

We report a case of tension pneumothorax after an endoscopic sphincterotomy. A 78-yr-old woman presented with progressing dyspnea. She had undergone an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram three days before due to acute cholecystitis. She underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy for stone extraction, but the procedure failed. On arrival to our hospital, she complained about severe dyspnea and she had subcutaneous emphysema. A computed tomogram scan revealed severe subcutaneous emphysema, right-side tension pneumothorax, and pneumoretroperitoneum. Contrast media injected through a transnasal biliary drainage catheter spilled from the second portion of the duodenum. A second abdominal computed tomogram showed multiple air densities in the retroperitoneum and peritoneal cavity, which were consistent with panperitonitis. We recommended an emergent laparotomic exploration, but the patient's guardians refused. She died eventually due to septic shock. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram is a popular procedure for biliary and pancreatic diseases, but it can cause severe complications such as intestinal perforation. Besides perforations, air can spread through the abdominal cavity, retroperitoneum, mediastinum, and the neck soft tissue, eventually causing pneumothorax. Early recognition and appropriate management is crucial to an optimal output of gastrointestinal perforation and pneumothorax.

Elastofibroma Dorsi in the Right Chest Wall / 대한흉부외과학회지

A 71-year-old woman visited our hospital with the chief complain of a mass in her infrascapular region. We performed tumor excision and we diagnosed it as elastofibroma dorsi. Elastofibromas are benign soft tissue tumors that mostly arise in the infrascapular lesion; it is a slowly growing lesion that's characterized by the proliferation of fibrous tissue with elastin. Its incidence is very low and its pathogenesis remains unclear. We report here on this case, and we include a review of the relevant literature.

Surgical Treatment for Isolated Aortic Endocarditis: a Comparison with Isolated Mitral Endocarditis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis shows high surgical mortality and morbidity rates, especially for aortic endocarditis. This study attempts to investigate the clinical characteristics and operative results of isolated aortic endocarditis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From July 1990 to May 2005, 25 patients with isolated aortic endocarditis (Group I, male : female=18 : 7, mean age 43.2+/-18.6 years) and 23 patients with isolated mitral endocarditis (Group II, male : female=10 : 13, mean age 43.2+/-17.1 years) underwent surgical treatment in our hospital. All the patients had native endocarditis and 7 patients showed a bicuspid aortic valve in Group I. Two patients had prosthetic valve endocarditis and one patientsdeveloped mitral endocarditis after a mitral valvuloplasty in Group II. Positive blood cultures were obtained from 11 (44.0%) patients in Group I, and 10 (43.3%) patients in Group II. The preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction for each group was 60.8+/-8.7% and 62.1+/-8.1% (p=0.945), respectively. There was moderate to severe aortic regurgitation in 18 patients and vegetations were detected in 17 patients in Group I. There was moderate to severe mitral regurgitation in 19 patients and vegetations were found in 18 patients in Group II. One patient had a ventricular septal defect and another patient underwent a Maze operation with microwaves due to atrial fibrillation. We performed echocardiography before discharge and each year during follow-up. The mean follow-up period was 37.2+/-23.5 (range 9~123) months. RESULT: Postoperative complications included three cases of low cardiac output in Group I and one case each of re-surgery because of bleeding and low cardiac output in Group II. One patient died from an intra-cranial hemorrhage on the first day after surgery in Group I, but there were no early deaths in Group II. The 1, 3-, and 5-year valve related event free rates were 92.0%, 88.0%, and 88.0% for Group I patients, and 91.3%, 76.0%, and 76.0% for Group II patients, respectively. The 1, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 96.0%, 96.0%, and 96.0% for Group I patients, and 100%, 84.9%, and 84.9% for Group II patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Acceptable surgical results and mid-term clinical results for aortic endocarditis were seen.

Multiple Pulmonary Benign Metastasizing Leiomyoma / 대한흉부외과학회지

We report here a case of pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma from the uterus in a 45 year old woman. The patient presented for investigation of multiple pulmonary nodules on a routine chest roentgenogram. The patient had undergone uterine myomectomy due to uterine leiomyoma 10 years earlier. We performed thoracoscopic wedge resection for definitive diagnosis. Histologically, spindle shaped smooth muscle cells appeared between collagen stroma, histology similar to that seen in uterine myoma. The tumor tissue tested positive for estrogen and progesterone receptors. The pathological findings were consistent with benign metastasizing leiomyoma. The patient was in pre-menopause. She received no specific treatment for lung tumors, and we did not found any changes in the lesions after one year follow up without any medication.

Long-term Predictive Factors of Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) develops in 5~10% of patients and it is associated with high mortality. The aim of this study is to assess the predictive factors of mortality for patients with AMI and CS. METHODS: Two hundred fifty five AMI patients with CS (the mean age was 66.0 +/- 11.0 years, M: F=156: 99) out of 1, 268 AMI patients who admitted at Chonnam National University Hospital between July 2000 and June 2002 were analyzed according to the clinical characteristics, coronary angiographic findings and MACE during admission and for the 1-year clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Among the enrolled patients, 129 patients survived without MACE (Group I, mean age 64.2 +/- 10.6 years, M: F=76: 53), and 126 patients had MACE (Group II, mean age 68.1 +/- 10.0 years, M: F=80: 46) during admission or during the 1-year follow-up period. There were significant differences in age between the Groups I and II (64.2 +/- 10.6 vs. 68.1 +/- 11.0 years, respectively, p=0.004) and the previous MI history (0 vs. 17.4%, respectively, p< 0.001). The left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was lower in Group II (Group I vs. II: 49.1 +/- 13.0 vs. 39.1 +/- 12.9%, p< 0.001). The levels of troponin (Tn) I and C-reactive protein (CRP) were higher in Group II (Group I vs. II: 29.2 +/- 7.72 vs. 50.8 +/- 5.17 ng/dL, p=0.017, 3.8 +/- 0.48 vs. 9.9 +/- 1.21 mg/dL, p< 0.001 respectively). Left main stem lesion (LMSL) was more common in Group II than in Group I (0.7% vs. 22.0%, respectively, p=0.004). In-hospital death was associated with low Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow after coronary revascularization. CONCLUSION: Old age, a previous MI history, high Tn and CRP, low EF and LMSL are associated with higher MACE for patients with AMI and CS. Coronary revascularization with TIMI 3 flow lowers the in-hospital mortality.

Predictive Factors for Heart Failure in Patients with Unstable Angina and Acute Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Besides the acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the left ventricular failure (LVF) is the next important determinant of morbidity and mortality after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The prediction of high risk groups for LVF may be in the initial management of patients with unstable angina (UA) or acute non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 179 patients (60.4+/-11.6 years, 121 male) who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography under the diagnosis of UA/NSTEMI between January and December, 2000, in the Chonnam National University Hospital Heart Center were enrolled for evaluation of relationship between the development LVF and various parameters, including clinical features, initial electrocardiogram, laboratory findings and coronary angiographic findings. RESULTS: Unstable angina was clinically diagnosed in 124 patients, and NSTEMI in 55 patients. During a 12-month follow-up period, less than 40% of the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), a low amount, was observed in 28 patients (15.7%). In diabetic patients, the incidence of LVF was significantly higher than in non-diabetics (p<0.05). Patients with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) or positive troponin I had LVF more frequently (p<0.05). On the initial electrocardiogram, the total summation of ST segment change inversely correlated with EF (p<0.05). Patients whose QT dispersion was longer than 80 ms had a higher incidence of LVF (p<0.05). Coronary angiographic findings of total occlusion correlated with the development of LVF (p<0.05), but not with other characteristics. On multiple logistic regression analysis, high CRP level (p=0.024), summation of ST change (p=0.021), total occlusion of the coronary artery (p=0.008) were independent prognostic factors of LVF. CONCLUSION: Elevated CRP, summation of ST change and total coronary artery occlusion are important predictive factors for LVF in UA/NSTEMI.

The Predictability of QT Dispersion for Myocardial Injury and Coronary Artery Lesion in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Increased QT dispersion (QTD) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may be related with such adverse events as sudden cardiac death and ischemic heart failure. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred eight patients (age : 62+/-10.4 years, 158 males), underwent diagnostic coronary angiography under the diagnosis of AMI between January and December 2001 at the Heart Center of Chonnam National University Hospital, and these patients were enrolled to evaluate the relationship between the QTD and myocardial injury and the complex coronary arterial lesion. RESULTS: A QTD of over 80 ms was observed in 89 patients (42.7%). There were in 61 patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, 68.5%) and 28 patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI, 31.5%). There was no correlation between the QTD and such risk factors as hypertension, diabetes, gender, smoking, hyperlipidemia and family history. The level of CK-MB on admission was correlated with the QTD (112.5+/-98.1 U/L in the group with a QTD over 80 ms and 72.6+/-73.4 U/L in the group with a QTD under 80 ms, p<0.05). The ejection fraction measured by two dimensional echocardiography on admission showed correlation with the QTD (50.9+/-11.4% in the group with a QTD over 80 ms and 54.7+/-11.2% U/L in the group with a QTD under 80 ms, p<0.05). For the coronary angiographic findings, the lesion type, according to American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association classification, correlated with the QT dispersion (type B2 or C : 64.1% in the group with a QTD over 80 ms, 49.6% in the group with a QTD under 80 ms, p<0.05) CONCLUSION: There was significant correlation between the prolonged QTD and the severity of myocardial injury at admission, and the complex coronary arterial lesion in patients with AMI.

The prognostic significance of statin therapy in acute myocardial infarction patients with left ventricular dysfunction / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Statins reduce mortality of patients with coronary artery disease. However, many trials have excluded patients with ischemic heart failure. Statins may have other beneficial effects besides cholesterol lowering, such as anti-inflammatory properties and improvement of endothelial function. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of statin therapy in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. METHODS: We studied 202 patients with AMI with LV dysfunction [ejection fraction (EF) below 40%] between January 2001 and June 2002. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n=106, 60.8 +/- 10.3 years, male 71.7%) who were treated with simvastatin and Group II (n=96, 60.9 +/- 10.4 years, male 78.1%) who were not treated with simvastatin. RESULTS: At six-month after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), LVEF was more improved in Group I than in Group II (30.8 +/- 10.0% to 42.4 +/- 10.7% vs 31.9% to 38.9%, p=0.042). The levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were more decreased and the level of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol was more increased in Group I than in Group II. The levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, white blood cell and monocyte count were more decreased in Group I than in Group II. During one-year clinical follow-up, statin therapy was associated with a significant reduction in mortality (1.9% vs 7.5%, p=0.048), restenosis rate (25.7% vs 43.1%, p=0.033) and repeat PCI rate (25.7% vs 43.1%, p=0.033). The event-free survival rate was higher in Group I than in Group II (79.8% vs 57.0%, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Statin therapy improves LV systolic function and decreases mortality, restenosis and repeat PCI in the AMI with LV dysfunction.

Aortic Dissection Presenting with Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension Caused by Compression of the Pulmonary Artery by Dissecting Hematoma: A Case Report

The rupture of an acute dissection of the ascending aorta into the space surrounding the pulmonary artery is an uncommon occurrence. No previous cases of transient pulmonary hypertension caused by a hematoma surrounding the pulmonary artery have been documented in the literature. Herein, we report a case of acute aortic dissection presenting as secondary pulmonary hypertension.

Long-term predictive factors of major adverse cardiac events in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is developed in 5~10% of patients and associated with high mortality. The aim of this study is to assess the predictive factors of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with AMI and CS. METHODS: Two hundred fifty five AMI patients with CS (66.0 +/- 11.0 years, M:F=156:99) out of 1,268 AMI patients, who admitted at Chonnam National University Hospital between July 2000 and June 2002, were analyzed according to clinical characteristics, coronary angiographic findings and MACE during admission and 1-year clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Among the enrolled patients, 129 patients survived without MACE (Group I, 64.2 +/- 10.6 years, M:F=76:53) and 126 patients had MACE (Group II, 68.1 +/- 10.0 years, M:F=80:46) during admission and 1-year follow-up period. There were significant differences in age (64.2 +/- 10.6 vs. 68.1 +/- 11.0 years, p=0.004) and previous MI history (0 vs. 17.4%, p<0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was lower in Group II (Group I vs. II: 49.1 +/- 13.0 vs. 39.1 +/- 12.9%, p<0.001). The levels of troponin (Tn) I and C-reactive protein (CRP) were higher in Group II (Group I vs. II: 29.2 +/- 7.72 vs. 50.8 +/- 5.17 ng/dL, p=0.017, 3.8 +/- 0.48 vs. 9.9 +/- 1.21 mg/dL, p<0.001 respectively). Left main stem lesion (LMSL) was more common in Group II than in Group I (0.7% vs. 22.0%, p=0.004). In-hospital death was associated with low Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow after coronary revascularization. CONCLUSION: Old age, previous MI history, high Tn and CRP, low EF and LMSL are associated with higher MACE in patients with AMI and CS. Coronary revascularization with TIMI 3 flow lowers in-hospital mortality.

Predictive factors of coronary lesion on preoperative diagnostic coronary angiography in korean patients with valvular heart disease / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: The preoperative coronary angiography is required in some patients underwent valvular surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate predictive factors for coronary lesion and to determine the indication for preoperative coronary angiography in Korean patients with valvular heart disease (VHD). METHODS: Two hundreds eight patients (55.5 +/- 12.8 years, 99 male) with VHD underwent preoperative coronary angiography between January 1996 and January 2003 were analyzed the variables of age, gender, previous or current angina, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, dyslipidemia, obesity and familial predisposition according to the presence of coronary lesion. RESULTS: The prevalence of significant coronary artery disease in VHD patients was 26.4% (55/208). The probability of coronary lesion was higher in male above 55 years and in female above 65 years than in younger patients. The predictive factors of coronary lesion were previous or current angina (p<0.05), dyslipidemia (p<0.01), hypertension (p<0.05), previous angina (p<0.05), diabetes (p<0.01) and smoking (p<0.01) by multiple logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Previous or current angina and at least one of the four risk factors (hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia and diabetes) are predictors of coronary lesion, especially in elderly Korean patients with VHD (older than 55 years in male and 65 years in female).

Clinical outcome in elderly patients older than 70 years with acute myocardial infarction after use of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocker during percutaneous coronary intervention : Comparison with those younger than 70 years / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the safety and clinical benefits of a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor, ReoPro(R) in the elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (>or=70 years of age) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: AMI patients who underwent PCI with use of ReoPro(R) at Chonnam National University Hospital from Jan 2000 to Jan 2002 were divided into two groups: Group I (>or=70 years of age: 74 +/- 2.4 years, n=28) and Group II (<70 years of age: 56 +/- 8.0 years, n=122). Early and long-term clinical outcomes after PCI were analyzed in a retrospective fashion. RESULTS: As for risk factors and angiographic profiles, there were no differences between the two groups. Stenting was performed in 18 patients (64%) in group I and in 78 patients (63%) in group II. The incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding was 3 patients in group I and no patient in group II (p=0.005). At one-month evaluation, three cardiac deaths developed in group I, but no cardiac death in group II (p=0.005). During a period of 25 +/- 10.4 months of clinical follow-up, three cardiac deaths (11%) occurred in group I and 3 (2%) in group II, four AMIs (3%) in group II, and one stroke (0.8%) in group II. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) was performed in two patients (7%) in group I and in 24 patients (19%) in group II. No differences were found in the incidences of these variables between the two groups. CONCLUSION: ReoPro(R) in elderly patients with AMI undergoing PCI entailed higher bleeding complications and early mortality. However, it has comparable clinical effect in elderly patients to younger patients during long-term clinical follow-up.