Parasitemia Characteristics of Plasmodium vivax Malaria Patients in the Republic of Korea

Parasitemia characteristics of Plasmodium vivax malaria in temperate regions may differ from those in tropical zones. However, most parasitological and clinical features of P. vivax malaria have been investigated in the latter. In this study, we investigated 383 malaria patients to clarify the parasitemia characteristics of a P. vivax strain in the Republic of Korea (ROK). The mean parasitemia (8,396/microL) was less than half of tropical P. vivax malaria, and multiple invasions of erythrocytes were not rare (53.5% of the patients, 2.4% of the total investigated RBCs), but less than the observations in tropical zones. The intervals between the first symptom onset and diagnosis were significantly longer in gametocyte (+) patients than in gametocyte (-) patients. Only half of the total patients had both genders of gametocytes (191 of 353), and the male gametocyte density (169/microL) was lower than that of P. vivax strains of a previous study. Multiple invasions of erythrocytes and gametocytemia were coincident factors of the degree of anemia in P. vivax malaria. The present findings demonstrate the P. vivax strain in ROK reveals relatively low parasitemia and low male to female gametocyte ratio. The low ratio may be related with low transmission efficacy.

Parasitemia Characteristics of Plasmodium vivax Malaria Patients in the Republic of Korea

Parasitemia characteristics of Plasmodium vivax malaria in temperate regions may differ from those in tropical zones. However, most parasitological and clinical features of P. vivax malaria have been investigated in the latter. In this study, we investigated 383 malaria patients to clarify the parasitemia characteristics of a P. vivax strain in the Republic of Korea (ROK). The mean parasitemia (8,396/microL) was less than half of tropical P. vivax malaria, and multiple invasions of erythrocytes were not rare (53.5% of the patients, 2.4% of the total investigated RBCs), but less than the observations in tropical zones. The intervals between the first symptom onset and diagnosis were significantly longer in gametocyte (+) patients than in gametocyte (-) patients. Only half of the total patients had both genders of gametocytes (191 of 353), and the male gametocyte density (169/microL) was lower than that of P. vivax strains of a previous study. Multiple invasions of erythrocytes and gametocytemia were coincident factors of the degree of anemia in P. vivax malaria. The present findings demonstrate the P. vivax strain in ROK reveals relatively low parasitemia and low male to female gametocyte ratio. The low ratio may be related with low transmission efficacy.

Venous Air Embolism during Surgery, Especially Cesarean Delivery

Venous air embolism (VAE) is the entrapment of air or medical gases into the venous system causing symptoms and signs of pulmonary vessel obstruction. The incidence of VAE during cesarean delivery ranges from 10 to 97% depending on surgical position or diagnostic tools, with a potential for life-threatening events. We reviewed extensive literatures regarding VAE in detail and herein described VAE during surgery including cesarean delivery from background and history to treatment and prevention. It is intended that present work will improve the understanding of VAE during surgery.

The Effects of 6% Hydroxyethyl Starch (HES) 130/0.4 and 6% HES 200/0.5 on Tissue Oxygenation and Postoperative Bleeding in Patients undergoing Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) effectively restores plasma volume and thereby enhances microcirculation and tissue oxygenation at the expense of coagulation impairment. These effects are related to molecular weight, substitution and C2:C6 ratio. But, most of the studies regarding coagulation impairment in cardiac surgeries were performed in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass which significantly causes coagulation derangements. Therefore, we have evaluated the effects of 2 different HES solutions on tissue oxygenation and postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). METHODS: Forty four patients were prospectively enrolled. After the induction of anesthesia, either HES 130/0.4 (V group) or 200/0.5 (H group) were infused for fluid therapy to maintain predetermined urine output, cardiac index and filling pressure up to 16 h after the surgery. Tissue oxygenation profiles and respiratory parameters were recorded after induction of anesthesia, completion of distal anastomosis and sternum closure, upon admission at intensive care unit, and 4 h thereafter. The amounts of chest tube drainage, transfusion and fluid balance were measured up to 16 h after the surgery. RESULTS: Patients' demographic data were similar between the groups. Tissue oxygenation profiles, respiratory parameters, hemodynamics, and time to extubate were not different between the groups. However, chest tube drainage and transfusion requirements were significantly less in the V group. CONCLUSIONS: In OPCAB, 6% HES 130/0.4 causes less postoperative bleeding and transfusion requirement and has a comparable efficacy on hemodynamic stability, pulmonary function and tissue oxygenation when compared to 6% HES 200/0.5.

Effect of Gender on Outcomes of Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Although female gender is associated with higher prevalence of perioperative morbidity and mortality than male gender in conventional coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) using cardiopulmonary bypass, the impact of gender as an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality following off-pump CABG (OPCAB) is controversial. Therefore, we prospectively investigated the impact of gender on intraoperative variables and postoperative outcome and complications in OPCAB. METHODS: One hundred patients (69 males and 31 females) undergoing OPCAB by a single cardiac surgeon during 5 months period were prospectively enrolled. Preoperative patient's characteristics, intraoperative hemodynamics and medications and postoperative outcome and complications were recorded during hospital stay. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in preoperative characteristics including age, NYHA class and incidence of concomitant diseases between the male and female groups, except body surface area which was less in the female group. There were no significant differences in intraoperative hemodynamics and use of cardiotonic drugs between the groups. Frequency and amount of blood transfusion were greater, and length of ventilatory care and stay in intensive care unit were longer in female group. Other postoperative outcomes were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gender did not significantly affect postoperative outcome, except use of blood products, length of ventilatory care and stay in intensive care unit in OPCAB. These results may be attributable to comparable preoperative patient's characteristics between the groups.

The Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Vasoconstrictor Requirement and Hemodynamic Parameters in Patients Undergoing Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

BACKGROUND: Autonomic neuropathy is frequently developed in patients with diabetets mellitus (DM) and is associated with increased perioperative hemodynamic instability. This study investigated the effect of DM on vasoconstrictor requirement and hemodynamic parameters in patients undergoing off pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCAB). METHODS: Seventy four patients undergoing OPCAB were divided into two groups; patients without DM (control, n = 51) and patients with DM (n = 23). Hemodynamic parameters were recorded at 10 min after induction of anesthesia (T1), at 10 min after stabilizer application for anastomosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery (T2), the obtuse marginalis branch (T3) and the right coronary artery (T4) and at 10 min after sternum closure (T5). The amount of norepinephrine requirement during the period of induction of anesthesia and grafting was also recorded. RESULTS: Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure at T3, PCWP and central venous pressure at T4 were significantly higher in the DH group. Mixed venous oxygen saturation at T2 and T4 and cardiac output at T3 were also significantly lower in the DH group. Significantly greater amount of norepinephrine was infused during the induction of anesthesia in the DH group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with coronary artery occlusive disease and concomitant DM required significantly greater amount of vasoconstrictor during the induction of anesthesia to maintain stable mean arterial pressure. In addition, more pronounced hemodynamic instability was observed during the period of grafing in these patients undergoing OPCAB.

Admission Hyperglycemia Aggravates the Prognosis of Critically Ill Patients / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia is a common disease in critically ill patients, even those without diabetes. It has been recognized acute increase of blood glucose level would increase mortality in patients with and without diabetes in vascular disease such as acute myocardial infarct or acute stroke. However, there is not much data about hyperglycemic effects on the prognosis of patients with heterogenous disease in general intensive care unit (ICU). Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of admission hyperglycemia on prognosis of critically ill patients with heterogenous disease. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 712 patients admitted general ICU from July, 2000 to March, 2002 in teaching hospital. The patients who were not checked blood glucose level at ICU admission were excluded. We regarded diabetes patients who have been diagnosed diabetes before ICU admission. Hyperglycemia was defined as a fasting glucose level above 140 mg/dl or random glucose level above 200 mg/dl on 2 or more determinations. We measured hospital mortality, ICU stay, and hospital stay as well as blood glucose level. RESULT: Patients mortalities of diabetic hypergylcemia, nondiabetic hyperglycemia, diabetic normoglycemia, and nondiabetic normoglycemia were 17%, 19%, 26% and 10% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality of diabetic patients regardless of hyperglycemia at admission time and nondiabetic hyperglycemia patients were higher than nondiabetic normoglycemia patients in ICU.

Clinical Outcomes of Patients Readmitted to Intensive Care Unit / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The government has attempted to control the cost of health care. However, this policy can increase the number of premature discharges from the intensive care unit (ICU), which will then increase readmission rate to the ICU. Readmission to the ICU during the same hospital stay has been identified as a quality indicator. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical features and outcome of patients readmitted to the ICU during the same hospital stay. METHODS: For this study, reviewed the data from all patients admitted to the ICU between July 1, 2000 and Jun 30, 2001 were retrospectively analyzed. The data in this study included the patient demographics, hospital and ICU admission date, the diagnosis on ICU admission, co-morbid disease of the patients, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores on the ICU admission, the lengths of the ICU stay, the hospital days, and the patients' outcomes on hospital discharge. The reason for readmission was classified as either a recurrence of the initial disease or an occurrence of new complications, and the non-survivors and survivors after readmission to the ICU were compared. RESULTS: The readmission rate was 7.5% and the mortality rate of the readmitted patients was 66%. The age, gender, the severity score at admission, and disease distributions were not significantly different between the readmitted patients and the non-readmitted patients. However, the lengths of the ICU stay and hospital days of the readmitted patients were significantly longer than those of the non-readmitted patients. CONCLUSION: Patients requiring ICU readmission during the same hospital stay had higher hospital mortality rates than the patients discharged from the ICU who did not require a subsequent readmission.

Production, Characterization, and Variable Region Analysis of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Hepatitis B Virus S Antigen

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the worldwide public health problem affecting about 300 million people. The envelope protein of HBV consists of three components known as preS1, preS2, and S antigen. According to the recent study, anti-HBs Ab showed effective neutralization ability against HBV from chronic hepatitis B and liver transplant patients, suggesting the possible development of therapeutic antibody. METHODS: Spleen cells immunized with S antigen of HBV were fused with myeloma cell line to obtain HBsAg specific monoclonal antibodies. High affinity antibodies against HBsAg (adr, ad and ay type) were selected by competitive ELISA method. Nucleotide sequence of the variable regions of monoclonal antibodies was analyzed by RT-PCR followed by conventional sequencing method. RESULTS: We produced 14 murine monoclonal antibodies which recognize S antigen of HBV. Two of them, A9-11 and C6-9 showed the highest affinity. The sequence analysis of A9-11 revealed that variable regions of the heavy chain and light chains are members of mouse heavy chain I (B) and light chain lambda 1, respectively. Likewise, the sequence analysis of C6-9 revealed that variable regions of the heavy chain and light chains are members of mouse heavy chain II (B) and light chain kappa 1, respectively. Neutralization assay showed that A9-11 and C6-9 effectively neutralize the HBV infection. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that A9-11 and C6-9 mouse monoclonal antibodies can be used for the development of therapeutic antibody for HBV infection.