First Case of Nosocomial Fungemia Caused by Candida melibiosica

No abstract available.

Follow-up Provocation Test in Patients with Coronary Artery Spasm

BACKGROUND: Recurrent or persistent angina in patients with coronary artery spasm is relatively common, despite antianginal medication, however, its exact cause of chest pain remains elucidated. METHODS: In order to evaluate the role of persistent coronary artery spasm in such patients, 18 patients(M : F=14 : 4, age 38-71 yrs) with coronary arteriographically proven coronary arterial spasm received follow-up coronary arteiography and same provocational test using intravenous ergonovine, intracoronary acetylcholine or intracoronary ergonovine administration. RESULTS: Upon follow-up provocation test, coronary artery spasm was demonstrated only at the same site as before in 10 patients(56%), at the same site as well as another different site in 3 patients(17%), and only at different site site in 3 patients(17%). In one patient, coronary artery spasm couldn't be provoked upon follow-up provocation test. Progression of coronary artery disease were found in 5 patients(28%) ; at same site as that of spasm in 2 patients and at different site in 3 patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with angiographically proven vasospastic angina, recurrence of anginal pain seems to be attributed mostly to the recurrence of the coronary artery spasm at consistent location and partly to newly developed fixed coronary artery stenoses.

A case of anomalous left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (Bland-White-garland sysndrome)

An anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery(Bland-White-Garland syndrome) is a rare congenital malformation and sometimes fatal. It is caused by an abberant endothelial budding from or an anomalous division of the truncus arteriosus. Echocardiography (transthoracic and transesophageal) and angiographical imaging are essential for the diagnosis of this anomaly. Corrective Surgery is recommended due to its fatal natural course. A case was diagnosed in a 45-year-old man who presented with intermittent palpitation. This patient was successfully treated with closure of anomalous left coronary artery orifice combined with right saphenous vein graft anastomosis.

Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Sublingual Captopril in Regurgitant Valvular Heart Disease

BACKGROUND: Many Studies regarding hemodynamic changes by various vasodilators, such as nitroprusside, nifedipine, and hydralazine have been reported, however little data are available upon acute hemodynamic change due to captopril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor especially in chronic regurgitant valvular heart disease. Therefore the aim of this study is to evaluate the acute hemodynamic effects of sublingual captopril in patients with regurgitant valvular heart diseases. METHODS: Among the 9 patients enrolled in this study, 5 patients mitral regurgitation, 2 had aortic regurgitation, and 2 had both. Five had patients were male and 4 were female. Before, 15 minutes and 30 minutes after administration of 25mg of captopril via sublingual route, forward cardiac output was measured three times using Swan-Ganz catheter. Right and left cardiac catheterization were also done at each phase and measurement of pulmonary capillary wedge pressures, pulmonary artery pressures, right atrial pressures, aortic pressures, left ventricular pressures were done. RESULTS: 1) Heart rate, pulmonary capillary wedge pressures, cardiac output and cardiac indices left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, diastolic and mean aortic pressures, and diastolic pulmonary artery pressure showed no significant change after administration of sublingual captopril. 2) Systolic aortic pressure decreased significantly from basal value(130+/-35) to 15 minute value(126+/-39). 3) Systemic vascular resistance at 15 minute showed significant reduction as compared with basal value(from 1743+/-551 to 1642+/-491). Pulmonary vascular resistance at 30 minutes(254+/-193) was significantly lower than basal value(282+/-229). CONCLUSIONS: Reductions of systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance occurred relatively rapidly, however, acute effects on cardiac output and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures were not evident. Clinical implication of sublingual captopril in patients with regurgitant valvular heart diseases is worth evaluationg by more extensive hemodynamic studies.

A case of AV reentrant tachycardia utilizing a left lateral accessory pathway with long VA conduction time

A patient, 59 years old male, with paroxysmal AV reentrant tachycardia utilizing a concealed left lateral accessory pathway with long VA conduction time is presented. During tachycardia P waves were negative in leads I, aVL, and V6 and positive in leads aVR and V1. The R-P/P-R ratio was 1.6. Radiofrequency catheter ablation was successful to interrupt the VA conduction through the accessory pathway.

Antrioventricaular Blocks in Acute Inferior Myocardial Infarction

To evaluate the clinical significance of atrioventricular blocks in acute inferior myocardial infarction, we reviewed the clinical recordes of 75 patients who were diagnosed as acute inferior myocardial infarction with or without associated atrioventricular conduction blocks and compared the difference in clinical observation and laboratory data including coronary angiography between these two groups of patients. We also followed the clinical courses of atrioventrticualr block during admission among the patients with blocks. 1) 40% of 75 patients had atrioventricualr block associated with acute inferior myocardial infarction and there were 7 first-degree, 8 second-degree and 15 third-degree atrioventricular blocks. 2) There was no statistically significant differences between two groups in mean age ; Killip classification : incidence of previous prodromal angina ; incidende of associated initial symptoms such as dyspnea, nausea, and syncope ; risk factors such as smoking, hypertension and previous muocardial infarction and incidence of complication such as ventricular arrhythmias and heart faliure. 3) The peak serum CK(1,442.9+/-1,703.6 vs. 1,942.8+/-2,022.9IU/L, P<0.01)and LDH(1,014.7+/-429.7 vs. 1,579.2+/-1,544.9 IU/L, P<0.01) levels were significantly higher in the patients group with atrioventricualr blocks than in the patient grouop without blocks. 4) Left ventricualr resting ejection fraction obtained by radinuclide geted blood pool heart scan was significantly less in the patient group with atrioventricular blocks than in the patient group without blocks. 5) The prevalence of multivessel disease and that of associated left anterior descending artery lesion showe no differences between two patient groups. 6) Hospatal mortality of two patient groups were 9.8% and 16.6% respectively and had no statistical significance. 7) Among the patients who had associated atrioventricualr blocks, 70% of patients showed temporary course of block for mean 4.8days, and 6.7% developed permanent first degree block.

Cardiovascular Manifestations of Marfan Syndrome

From march, 1983 to May, 1987, we experienced 17 patients of Marfan syndrome. The clinical profile and course of 17 patients of Marfan syndrome were reviewed. 1) Their ages ranged from 13 to 50 years with a mean age of 30 years and 16 patients were male and 1 patient was female. 2) musculoskeletal features were present in 14(88%) of the 16 examined. Ocular features were found in 5(42%) of 12 examined. Familial features were present in 7(47%) of 15 examined. 3) Among cardiovascular manifestations dissecting aneurysm was present in 10(59%) patients, aortic annuloectasia in 15(94%), MR in 4(24%) and MVP in 1(6%). 4) Modified Bentall operation was performed to 8 patients. Two of them died. The other 8 patients took a conservative medical therapy. Four of them died.