Abdominal Aortic Calcification is Associated with Diastolic Dysfunction, Mortality, and Nonfatal Cardiovascular Events in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

This study evaluated the significance of aortic calcification index (ACI), an estimate of abdominal aortic calcification by plain abdominal computed tomography (CT), in terms of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, mortality, and nonfatal cardiovascular (CV) events in chronic hemodialysis patients. Hemodialysis patients who took both an abdominal CT and echocardiography were divided into a low-ACI group (n = 64) and a high-ACI group (n = 64). The high-ACI group was significantly older, had a longer dialysis vintage and higher comorbidity indices, and more patients had a previous history of CV disease than the low-ACI group. The ACI was negatively correlated with LV end-diastolic volume or LV stroke volume, and was positively correlated with the ratio of peak early transmitral flow velocity to peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/E' ratio), a marker of LV diastolic function. The E/E' ratio was independently associated with the ACI. The event-free survival rates for mortality and nonfatal CV events were significantly lower in the high-ACI group compared with those in the low-ACI group, and the ACI was an independent predictor for all-cause deaths and nonfatal CV events. In conclusion, ACI is significantly associated with diastolic dysfunction and predicts all-cause mortality and nonfatal CV events in hemodialysis patients.

Status of Initiating Pattern of Hemodialysis: A Multi-center Study

This study was to evaluate the status of initiating pattern of hemodialysis (HD). Five hundred-three patients in 8 University Hospitals were included. Presentation mode (planned vs. unplanned), and access type (central venous catheters [CVC] vs. permanent access) at initiation of HD were evaluated, and the influence of predialysis care on determining the mode of HD and access type was also assessed. Most patients started unplanned HD (81.9%) and the most common initial access type was CVC (86.3%). The main reason for unplanned HD and high rate of CVC use was patient-related factors such as refusal of permanent access creation and failure to attend scheduled clinic appointments. Predialysis care was performed in 57.9% of patients and only 24.1% of these patients started planned HD and 18.9% used permanent accesses initially. Only a minority of patients initiated planned HD with permanent accesses in spite of predialysis care. To overcome this, efforts to improve the quality of predialysis care are needed.

The Impact of the Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity on the Cardiovascular Outcomes of Hemodialysis Patients

The aims of our study were to identify the risk factors for an increased aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) and to assess the impact of the AoPWV on the cerebro-cardiovascular (CV) outcomes of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Seventy two HD patients were included, and the AoPWV, the echocardiography and the biochemical parameters were measured. After dividing the patients into tertiles according to the AoPWV values, we defined the low, the middle and the high AoPWV groups. The patients in the high AoPWV group showed a significantly higher age and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, a greater prevalence of diabetes and statin use, left ventricular hypertrophy, average pulse pressure (PP), AoPWV and left ventricular mass index and a lower serum albumin level than those in the low AoPWV group (p<0.05). On multivariate regression analysis of the AoPWV, age and the average PP were independently related to the AoPWV (p<0.05). On the multivariate Cox analysis for CV outcomes, the AoPWV and the average PP remained significant independent predictors of CV events. Our data suggest that an increased AoPWV is an independent predictor for the CV outcomes of HD patients.

A Case of Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis Representing Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis in an Elderly Patient / 대한신장학회잡지

Postinfectious streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) presenting as a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) and nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a rare disease in elderly patients. Here we report a case of PSGN with RPGN and NS in an elderly male patient with a complete recovery from his illness. A 73-year-old man was admitted for dyspnea, oliguria and generalized edema appearing after acute upper respiratory infection. On admission, he presented nephrotic range of proteinuria, decreased renal function with elevated ASO, and decreased C3 and CH50 concentrations. The renal biopsy showed marked cellular crescents in the glomeruli with collapsed glomerular tufts and inflammatory cell infiltration. There were prominent and various sizes of "humps" in subepithelial areas in electron microscopy. Under the diagnosis of PSGN with RPGN, we successfully treated the patient with steroid pulse therapy and hemodialysis. We would suggest that early diagnosis and aggressive steroid therapy should be indicated in the treatment of PSGN with RPGN.

A case of primary lymphoma of the prostate presented with symptoms of lower urinary tract obstruction / 대한내과학회지

Malignant lymphomas involving the prostate, whether presenting as primary extranodal lymphoma or as secondary spread to the prostate from other site, are rare. Most are secondary, so primary lymphoma of the prostate is extremely rare. We report a case of primary prostatic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who presented with symptoms of lower urinary tract obstruction and constipation. The patient underwent cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone combination chemotheraphy for 3 cycles and then now under involved-field radiotheraphy.

A Case of Spontaneous Regression of Advanced Gastric Cancer / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Spontaneous regression may occur in malignancies such as hypernephroma, neuroblastoma, malignant melanoma, choriocarcinoma, and bladder tumor, but yet it is extremely rare in carcinoma of the stomach. So far, 19 cases have been reported in the English literature and the mechanisms underlying this intriguing phenomenon remain unknown. A 48-year-old man with histologically-verified advanced gastric carcinoma had received no treatment since its diagnosis. However, gastric carcinoma was no longer detectable by endoscopy and histology after 4 years. Thus, we report a case of spontaneous regression of carcinoma of the stomach with a brief review of relevant literatures.

A Case of Spontaneous Regression of Advanced Gastric Cancer / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Spontaneous regression may occur in malignancies such as hypernephroma, neuroblastoma, malignant melanoma, choriocarcinoma, and bladder tumor, but yet it is extremely rare in carcinoma of the stomach. So far, 19 cases have been reported in the English literature and the mechanisms underlying this intriguing phenomenon remain unknown. A 48-year-old man with histologically-verified advanced gastric carcinoma had received no treatment since its diagnosis. However, gastric carcinoma was no longer detectable by endoscopy and histology after 4 years. Thus, we report a case of spontaneous regression of carcinoma of the stomach with a brief review of relevant literatures.

A Case of Vancomycin-Induced Agranulocytosis in a Hemodialysis Patient: Successful Treatment with G-CSF / 대한신장학회잡지

Vancomycin induced agranulocytosis is a rare but life-threatening complication. We here report a case of vancomycin induced agranulocytosis in a patient with chronic renal failure. A 36-year-old woman receiving hemodialysis via jugular cannulation developed staphylococcus sepsis. The catheter was removed and she was started on vancomycin therapy (1.0 g/week). New catheter was inserted for next hemodialysis. Second sepsis of same organism developed 12 days after initial sepsis inspite of vancomycin therapy. We removed this catheter and continued vancomycin therapy. After 19 days of vancomycin treatment, the patient developed a severe agranulocytosis with white blood cell count of 1, 600/ mm3 and the complete absence of neutrophil. Vancomycin was discontinued and teicoplanin was substituted for vancomycin therapy and G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) therapy was begun. White blood cell count including neutropil was completely recovered after 13 days of discontinuation of vancomycin.

A Case of Stricture of Second Portion of Duodemum Induced by Chronic Use of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug in Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Rheumathoid Arthritis: A case report / 대한소화기내시경학회지

In endoscopic clinical research studies of patients who take NSAIDs, 10% to 20% of patients develop gastric ulcers and 4% to 10% develop duodenal ulcers. Ulcers associated with chronic NSAIDs use are typically painless and are located in the prepyloric region of the stomach. These characteristics make NSAIDs potential causes of gastric outlet obstruction. There were multiple cases of single or multiple strictures that were found in the esophagus, small bowel and colon. Most of duodenal strictures were confined to bulbar area. Only one case of duodenal second portion diaphragmlike stricture was reported in association with acetylsalicylic acid. We experienced one case of chronic NSAIDs induced duodenal 2nd portion stricture in ankylosing spondylitis and rhemathoid arthritis patient and reported with a review of literature.