Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Gene Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism and E-selectin S128R Polymorphism in Peripheral Atherosclerotic Occlusive Disease

PURPOSE: Studies concerning the relationship between gene polymorphisms and potentially implicated cardiovascular disease have produced conflicting findings, in part due to differences in ethnic background between populations. These led us to evaluate the impact of polymorphisms in the ACE and E-selectin genes on peripheral artery atherosclerosis in a Korean population. METHODS: We studied 92 male patients (median age: 65.9, range: 48~82) with severe peripheral atherosclerosis documented by angiography and ABI (ankle brachial index). The control group comprised 290 healthy persons (male 216, female 64, median age 61.3, range 20~90) without symptoms for peripheral vascular disease. The blood samples were stored at -20oC until DNA was ready to be extracted. The inorganic procedure for DNA extraction was based on the method described by Miller et al. The ACE and E-selectin polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. RESULTS: The distribution of ACE genotypes of the patient group was as follows: II, 34 (37.0%); ID, 46 (50.0%); and DD, 12 (13.0%). It was not significantly different from that of the control subjects: II, 104 (37.1%); ID, 133 (47.6%); and DD, 43 (15.3%) (P=0.80). The allele frequencies of the patient group were as follows: I, 114 (62.0%); and D, 70 (38.0%). It was not significantly different from that of the control subjects: I, 341 (60.9%); and D, 219 (39.1%) (P= 0.80). The frequencies of E-selectin genotypes in the patient group were as follows: Ser/Ser 85 (93.4%); Ser/Arg, 6 (6.6); and Arg/Arg, 0 (0%). It was not significantly different from that of the control subjects: Ser/Ser, 262 (93.6%); Ser/Arg, 18 (6.4%); and Arg/Arg, 0 (0%) (P=0.95). In addition, the allele frequencies of the patient group were as follows: Ser, 176 (96.7%); and Arg, 6 (3.3%). It was not significantly different from that of the control subjects: Ser, 542 (96.8%); and Arg 18 (3.2%) (P=0.95). CONCLUSION: The I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and E-selectin S128R polymorphism were not significantly different between the atherosclerotic patient group and the normal control group in Koreans.

Clinical Features of the Male Breast Cancer-13 Cases / 한국유방암학회지

Purpose: Breast cancer is one of the most frequent malignant tumors in American and European countries, with incidences increasing every year. In Korea it was the second most frequent cancer in 2002, followed by stomach cancer. However, in 2001 the incidence of breast cancer was first, followed by colon cancer, with incidences increasing every year. Conversely, breast cancer in men is not frequent, with an incidence of less than 1%, according to studies from both Korea and abroad. Studies on the treatment methods and prognostic factors of breast cancer in men are limited, with little clinical experience. Although there was difficulty in collecting complete data, due to lack of awareness of male breast cancer, the clinical characteristics could be determined from the experience and treatment outcomes of male breast cancer patients. Methods: The medical records of 13 male patients with breast cancer, who could be followed up, were retrospectively evaluated from 4809 patients with breast cancer, evaluated between 1989 and 2003. Results: The average age of the subjects was 64.3 years, with the breast masses with no pain situated at the center of the breast in most cases. The affected period in most patients was 1 year, with most having stage II breast cancer. Conclusion: Although asymptomatic unilateral subareolar breast mass in old ages is the most frequent symptom, most missed the period for early treatment due to lack of awareness of male breast cancer, therefore, their breast cancer had been for more than a year. Despite the difficulty due to the lack of data, attention needs to paid, and continuous studies required, toward male breast cancer.

Patency Rates for Lower Extremity Arterial Bypass Grafts

PURPOSE: A graft patency is influenced by various factors; the degree of preoperative ischemia, type of procedure, kinds of the conduit and the stati of inflow and outflow vessels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patency rate according to the distal anastomosis level, kinds of conduit and the impact of runoff score. METHODS: Between August 1998 and August 2003, 141 lower extremity arterial bypass operations were performed. The runoff scores of the outflow arteries were graded according to the system proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Reporting Standards, SVS/ISCVS. The graft patency was determined by clinical examination, and ABI measurements, and with a Duplex scan if required, and assessed by a regular follow-up schedule. RESULTS: The primary patency rates according to the level of distal anastomosis at 1, 3 and 5 years were as follows; femoral artery (FA) 94.8, 87.1 and 87.1%, above-knee popliteal artery (AKPA) 83.7, 79.3 and 68.0%, below-knee popliteal artery (BKPA) 85.9, 64.4 and 42.9%, respectively, and the secondary patency rates; FA 95, 87.6 and 87.6%, AKPA 91.6, 68.3 and 38.6%, BKPA 83.8, 69.9 and 46.6%, respectively. The patency rates of below-knee popliteal bypass showed no statistical difference between each conduit, but showed a tendency to increase in the order: PTFE, vein patch and vein graft. No significant difference in the patency rate was shown except between a runoff score of 1 and above 1 at each level. CONCLUSION: The patency rates for the relatively proximal site of the distal anastomosis were superior to those of the distal site. The choice of conduit influenced the patency of infrapopliteal bypass grafts. The patent outflow vessels and the autogenous vein graft at infrapopliteal artery were more favorable for good graft patency. The recommended runoff score system seems to be revision in order to improve the predictability of a graft patency.

Acute Embolic Attack on Persistent Sciatic Artery: 1 case

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a continuation of the internal iliac artery into the popliteal-tibial vessels and this structure provides the major blood supply to the lower limb bud during early embyrologic development, Its remnants participate in the formation of the inferior gluteal, deep femoral, popliteal, peroneal and pedal vessels. When the femoral artery develops, the PSA then involutes. In rare circumstances it persists and so provides the only major blood supply to the lower limb. The PSA was first reported by Green in 1832 and until now, only about 100 cases have been reported in the world literatures. This rare vascular anomaly is associated with aneurysmal formation in 15% to 46% of cases and it has a bilateral location in 22% of PSA cases. In more than 40% of cases, PSA is asymptomatic. When present, such non-specific symptoms as gluteal pain and painful buttock mass are presented. However, the most frequent clinical finding is lower limb ischemia because in 25% of such cases, the presented symptoms are limb threatening. We describe here the case of a 54 year-old female affected with PSA occlusion, and she was treated with a combination of thrombolysis and thromboembolectomy.

The Role of External Drainage and Octreotide in Preventing Complications after Pancreaticoduodenectomy

PURPOSE: A pancreatic fistula is the most dreaded complication following a pancreaticoduodenenctomy, and various methods have been used to for its prevention. This study was designed to evaluate the role of external tube drainage of the pancreatic duct, and the use of octreotide in preventing complications following a pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: 137 patients (82 men, 55 women; mean age 63.3 years) diagnosed with either a periampullary cancer (115), chronic pancreatitis (13), or trauma (9) and who had undergone a pancreaticoduodenectomy (classic Whipples' operation (78), PPPD (59)) were evaluated. The patients were divided into 3 groups; Group A (n=31): with externally drained pancreatic juice, but with out the use of octreotide, Group B (n=56): with externally drained pancreatic juice, and the used of octreotide, and Group C (n=50): with the used of octreotide only with no external tube drainage. RESULTS: The morbidity and mortality were 38/137 (28%) and 2/137 (1.5%), respectively. A pancreatic fistula developed in 7 cases (5%), but no statistically significant differences were shown between the groups. The levels of serum amylase on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th postoperative days were lower in groups B and C, those using octreotide (P<0.01). The level of amylase in the drain fluid were also lower in groups B and C on the 7th day (P<0.01). Group C had the lowest amylase levels in both the serum and drain fluid. CONCLUSION: The external drainage of pancreatic juice is considered to be of little significance in preventing complications following a pancreaticoduodenectomy, but the postoperative use of octreotide is helpful in preventing complications due to the prevention of postoperative pancreatic sweating.

Blue Digit Syndrome: Treatment with Endarterectomy and Intra-Arterial Stent Placement: 2 Cases Report

Blue digit syndrome, peripheral atheroembolism, and atheromatous embolization, all refer to microembolization and occlusion of the smaller distal arteries. Despite the longstanding recognition that atheroemboli arise from severely degenerative atherosclerotic plaques in the proximal circulation, many questions remain about the pathophysiology and natural history of this disorder. The threat to the survival of a single digit may not appear to be of great consequence, but repeated episodes of atheroembolism with continued destruction of the collateral circulation may portend disaster for the digit. Diagnostic efforts should be promptly concentrated on the location, stabilization and preferably, eradication of the embolic source. We report 2 cases of blue digit syndrome were managed by endarterectomy and intra-arterial stenting. Case 1: A 61-year-old man was presented with the blue toe syndrome at the third, fourth, fifth toes. The bilateral pedal pulses were normally palpable and ankle-brachial pressure indices (ABI) were within normal range. At the findings of duplex ultrasonography and CT angiography, right common femoral artery showed a focal eccentric stenosis with mural thrombus. The right common femoral artery endarterectomy was performed for the athersclerotic ulcerating plaque. Case 2: A 64-year-old man was presented with 11-month history of his left leg pain and 1-week history of his left third, fourth fingers. He had a history of flap operation for his left fourth finger tip due to necrosis. At the findings of angiography, multiple stenosis of left common iliac and left subclavian arteries were found. The lesion of left subclavian artery lesion was presumed to be the source of blue finger syndrome and treated with intra-arterial stent placement after balloon angioplasty.

Comparison of Duplex Scan Parameters with ABI in Femorodistal Graft

PURPOSE: Early traditional methods of surveillance to detect failing graft relied on recurrence of symptoms, change of pedal pulses, or a decrease in the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI). More recently, graft surveillance with Duplex scan which has become an appropriate first-line alternative has been shown to be effective in identifying the patency of threatened femorodistal graft. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship and significance among ABI change, run-off resistance score, and Duplex scan parameters in femorodistal graft bypass. METHOD: Among 52 patients who received femorodistal bypass, thirty-one femorodistal grafts (19: above knee, 12: below knee) which had followed up for more than 2 years were followed up by ABI at regular interval and Duplex scan at 2 year. Those were grouped according to the grade of ABI decrease as follows; Group I: or= 0.2 ABI decrease. Peak systolic flow velocity (PSFV) ratio, luminal diameter at near proximal and distal anastomosis, mean body graft velocity (cm/sec) were evaluated. Runoff resistance score was calculated by the finding of the pre-operative angiogram. RESULT: In proportion to the severity of ABI decrease, proximal and distal peak systolic flow velocity (PSFV) ratio and stenosis (%) increased, mean body graft velocity decreased. Significant statistical difference between groups were shown as follows; Group II and IV: distal PSFV ratio (2.17 vs 2.95, P=0.02), proximal stenosis (32.8% vs 47.4%, P=0.026), distal stenosis (21.7% vs 62.0%, P=0.007), mean body graft velocity (81 cm/sec vs 46 cm/sec, P=0.02) Group III and IV: distal PSFV ratio (2.29 vs 2.95, P=0.02), distal stenosis (40.5% vs 62.0%; P=0.003), body flow velocity (70 cm/sec vs 46 cm/sec, P=0.02). The higher runoff resistance score was, the more distal PSFV ratio, distal stenosis increased, but proximal stenosis, PSFV ratio, and mean body graft velocity did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: This study shows that higher decrease in ABI (>0.2) is well correlated with critical Duplex parameters. Longer graft patency and economic benefit may be obtained by active evaluation of failing graft using by Duplex scan when the ABI decrease is more than 0.2 in femorodistal graft bypass at regular examination.

Diagnosis of Intestinal Ischemia

No abstract available.

The Influence on the Venous Function of Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Deep Vein Thrombosis in Lower Extremity

PURPOSE: Having been disappointed with standard anticoagulation therapy for acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in lower extremity, we started catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy. And the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on venous function of catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy by noninvasive venous tests such as Air plethysmography (APG) and duplex ultrasonography. METHOD: 36 patients with DVT of less than 3 weeks after development into two groups according to treatment modality:Group 1; catheter-directed thrombolysis with Urokinase followed by low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and coumadin therapy (n=19, men; 11, women; 8, mean age 47.6 years), Group 2; conventional anticoagulation with LMWH followed by coumadin therapy (n=17; men; 12, women; 5, mean age 47.1 years). The results of lytic therapy were examined by complete phlebography on time of removal of catheter. The location and extent of thrombotic changes were followed-up with duplex scan and venous function was examined with APG. RESULT: Complete clot resolution by lytic therapy was obtained in 12 cases out of 19 cases (63.2%) in Group 1. The residual thrombi at follow-up around 1 year were detected in 4 cases in Group 1, in 11 cases in Group 2. APG parameters that were significantly different (P<0.05) between the two groups were the venous filling index:(Group 1; 1.63+/-1.36 ml/sec, Group 2; 2.66+/-1.58 ml/sec), residual volume fraction (Group 1; 27.54+/-17.40%, Group 2; 49.19+/-20.45%) and outflow fraction (Group 1; 37.79+/-7.05%, Group 2; 32.36+/-6.31 %). The parameters of APG and ultrasonography in Group 1 revealed lesser degree of reflux and smaller amount of residual thrombi. CONCLUSION: Catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy shows better results in complete resolution rate of the acute DVT, reducing remnant thrombi, and preserving venous function such as venous filling index, residual volume fraction and outflow fraction. APG and duplex scanning seem to be useful methods for a complete follow-up evaluation of limbs with DVT.