Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Improves the Clinical Outcome in Patients Undergoing Multiple Overlapping Drug-Eluting Stents Implantation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stented segment length is a predictive factor for restenosis and stent thrombosis still in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era, and the benefit of routine intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether IVUS-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improved the vascular outcomes as compared with conventional PCI in the treatment of diffuse coronary artery disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From our registry database from January 2006 to May 2009, we identified 85 consecutive patients with de novo coronary lesions treated with at least 64 mm of multiple, overlapping DES. The 2-year rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization (TLR), or stent thrombosis, was compared according to the use of IVUS. RESULTS: The 2-year MACE rate was lower in the IVUS-guided group than that of the angiography-guided group (8% vs. 33.3%, p=0.005). The incidence of TLR was lower in patients with IVUS use than in those without IVUS use (0% vs. 27.8%, p<0.001). On Cox proportional hazard analysis, no IVUS use {hazard ratio (HR) 5.917, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.037-33.770, p=0.045} and age (HR 1.097, 95% CI 1.006-1.138, p=0.032) were unfavorable predictors for the 2-year MACE. CONCLUSION: The use of IVUS may improve the effectiveness and safety of multiple overlapping drug-eluting stenting for long, diffuse coronary lesions.

Feasibility of Transradial Coronary Intervention Using a Sheathless Guiding Catheter in Patients With Small Radial Artery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Transradial coronary angiography and intervention are increasing in frequency due to lower major vascular access site complications and the potential for early mobilization. However, the small size of the radial artery (RA) is a major limitation of this technique. A sheathless guiding catheter (GC) has recently been introduced that has a 1-2 French smaller diameter compared with the corresponding introducer sheath. This catheter also has a hydrophilic coating along its entire length. We evaluated the feasibility of using a sheathless GC in patients who have small radial arteries. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The procedural results were evaluated in patients with small radial arteries (diameter <2.3 mm) who underwent transradial coronary intervention using a sheathless GC. RESULTS: A total of 25 (male: 9) patients with 29 lesions were enrolled. The mean RA diameter was 1.81+/-0.26 mm. 44% of the patients had stable angina and 50.0% had acute coronary syndrome. The procedural success rate was 93.1%. Two patients (6.9%) had chronic total occlusive lesions that could not be crossed with a guide-wire despite good guiding support. An intravascular ultrasound could be used for all of the treated lesions. Multi-vessel intervention was performed in 29.2% of the patients. Two bifurcated lesions were treated with a kissing balloon technique, and one with a modified T-stenting technique. No catheter related complications were reported. CONCLUSION: The use of a sheathless GC is feasible in patients with small radial arteries without catheter related complications.

Normative Values and Correlates of Mean Common Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in the Korean Rural Middle-aged Population: The Atherosclerosis RIsk of Rural Areas iN Korea General Population (ARIRANG) Study

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is considered as a surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We determined the normative value of CIMT and correlates of CVD risk factors and Framingham risk score (FRS) in Korean rural middle-aged population. We measured CIMT with a B-mode ultrasonography in 1,759 subjects, aged 40 to 70 yr, in a population-based cohort in Korea. A healthy reference sample (n = 433) without CVD, normal weight and normal metabolic parameters was selected to establish normative CIMT values. Correlates between CIMT and conventional CVD risk factors were assessed in the entire population. Mean values of CIMT (in mm) for healthy reference sample aged 40-49, 50-59, and 60-70 yr were 0.55, 0.59, and 0.66 for men and 0.48, 0.55, and 0.63 for women, respectively. In multivariate regression analysis, CIMT was correlated with older age, higher BMI, male gender, higher LDL-cholesterol level and history of diabetes mellitus. The mean CIMT was also correlated with FRS in both gender (r2 = 0.043, P < 0.01 for men; r2 = 0.142, P < 0.01 for women). We identified normative value of CIMT for the healthy Korean rural middle-aged population. The CIMT is associated with age, obesity, gender, LDL-cholesterol, diabetes mellitus and FRS.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Factors of Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SCM) is characterized by a transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction due to emotional and physical stress. There are limited data about the clinical characteristics in Korean patients. We sought to clarify the clinical features and prognosis in patients with SCM. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 39 cases diagnosed with SCM in a tertiary hospital. The SCM was diagnosed as: 1) no previous history of cardiac disease, 2) acute onset, 3) regional wall motion abnormality, typically in the takotsubo or inverted takotsubo shape by echocardiography, and 4) no significant stenosis in the coronary angiogram. We evaluated clinical characteristics, biomarkers, and prognosis. RESULTS: Mean age was 61.3+/-16.1 years (female 69%). The triggering factors were physical stress in 32 patients (82%) and emotional stress in 5 patients (13%). The initial symptom was dyspnea (n=18, 46%) rather than chest pain (n=10, 26%). An initial electrocardiogram (EKG) presented T-wave inversion (n=18, 46%), ST-elevation (n=11, 28%), and ST-depression (n=2, 5%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that initial high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) {odds ratio (OR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.02-1.97} and initial left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR 0.89, 95% CI; 0.80-0.98) were significantly associated with death or cardiogenic shock, respectively. CONCLUSION: The major triggering factor of SCM is physical stress due to illness or surgical procedures, and the first manifestation is dyspnea rather than chest pain. Elevated hs-CRP and decreased LVEF at admission were independent risk factors for death or cardiogenic shock.

Urine Albumin Creatinine Ratio is Associated with Carotid Atherosclerosis in a Community Based Cohort: Atherosclerosis Risk of Rural Area in Korean General Population Study

BACKGROUND: Albuminuria is a surrogate marker of endothelial dysfunction and a predictor of cardiovascular events. Data are limited with regard to the relationship between albuminuria and subclinical atherosclerosis in a community-based cohort. We determined the association between albuminuria measured by the urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in a Korean rural population. METHODS: We enrolled 1,369 healthy subjects older than 40 years (857 males and 518 females) with normal renal function and measured the CIMT. We excluded subjects with overt proteinuria (> 300 mg/day) or with treatment of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and any cardiovascular disease. The subjects were stratified into the quartile value of the UACR (lowest quartile: UACR 17.7). And we evaluate the relationship between UACR and CIMT by linear regression and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Increasing quartile of the UACR had a stepwise increase in body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol profile [low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and triglyceride], glucose, homeostratic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and C-reactive protein (all p values < 0.001). Maximal CIMT from the 1st to the 4th quartile values of the UACR were 0.74 +/- 0.17, 0.77 +/- 0.18, 0.78 +/- 0.18, and 0.82 +/- 0.21 mm, respectively (p < 0.001). In a multivariate regression model adjusted for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, waist circumference, adiponectin, HOMA-IR, high sensitive C-reactive protein, smoking, UACR showed a significant association with maximal CIMT (B = 0.014, R2 = 0.145, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Albuminuria measured by the UACR was significantly associated with both CIMT and traditional risk factors of atherosclerosis except for smoking in healthy Koreans.

Aldose Reductase Inhibitor Ameliorates Renal Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

PURPOSE: The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of podocyte is one of the well-known major factors in development of diabetic nephropathy. In this study, we investigated the effects of aldose reductase inhibitor, fidarestat on diabetic nephropathy, and renal VEGF expression in a type 1 diabetic rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four Sprague-Dawley male rats which were performed intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and normal six rats were divided into four groups including a normal control group, untreated diabetic control group, aldose reductase (AR) inhibitor (fidarestat, 16 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) treated diabetic group, and angiotensin receptor blocker (losartan, 20 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)) treated diabetic group. We checked body weights and blood glucose levels monthly and measured urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) at 8 and 32 weeks. We extracted the kidney to examine the renal morphology and VEGF expressions. RESULTS: The ACR decreased in fidarestat and losartan treated diabetic rat groups than in untreated diabetic group (24.79 +/- 11.12, 16.11 +/- 9.95, and 84.85 +/- 91.19, p < 0.05). The renal VEGF messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression were significantly decreased in the fidarestat and losartan treated diabetic rat groups than in the diabetic control group. CONCLUSION: We suggested that aldose reductase inhibitor may have preventive effect on diabetic nephropathy by reducing renal VEGF overexpression.

Obesity and Preclinical Changes of Cardiac Geometry and Function

Overweight and obesity are rapidly increasing in prevalence due to adoption of the westernized life style in Korea. Obesity is strongly associated with the development of cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. In addition, accumulating evidence suggests that obesity per se has a direct effect on cardiac functional and structural changes that may not be the result of atherosclerosis. In this review, we focus on the view that obesity can influence on the structural and functional changes of the heart, drawing evidence from human and animal studies. We also review influencing factors such as physical, neurohormonal, and metabolic alterations that are associated with changes of the heart in obesity.

A Case of Hypocalcemia-Induced Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Hypocalcemia is a rare cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. Hypocalcemia induced cardiomyopathy is usually reversible when calcium level returns to normal range. We experienced a case of 57-year-old woman who had suffered from hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy and its consequence of dilated cardiomyopathy. After supplementation of calcium and vitamin D, symptoms of heart failure and LV function were recovered.

A TSH-secreting pituitary microadenoma diagnosed with inferior petrosal sinus sampling: Case report / 대한내과학회지

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting pituitary adenomas are rare tumors of the pituitary gland and represent 1~2% of all pituitary adenomas. A TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma shows as a normal or elevated thyrotropin level in a hyperthyroid patient. We present a 32-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a TSH-secreting pituitary microadenoma. She had a high free T4, with a normal TSH and alpha-subunit. Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) was done to confirm the alpha-subunit secreting adenoma, and the concentration of the alpha-subunit was high on the tumor side. The pituitary microadenoma was removed, and her TSH and free T4 levels decreased to normal. IPSS may help give an accurate diagnosis in the patient with a normal alpha-subunit.

A case of acromegaly with empty sella syndrome associated with colonic neoplasm / 대한내과학회지

Acromegaly is a disorder caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). The most common cause of acromegaly is a pituitary GH-producing adenoma. Complete or partial disappearance of the adenoma, probably as a result of hemorrhage or infarction, may lead to empty sella. A case of acromegaly with empty sella syndrome has rarely been reported in Korea. It has been suggested that acromegaly might be associated with the incidence of colon neoplasm. Here, we describe a case of acromegaly with empty sella syndrome in a patient who was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Two Cases of Benign and Malignant Lesion Caused Ileocolic Intussusception: Preoperative Colonoscopic Reduction was Attempted for These Patients / 대한소화기내시경학회지

In contrast to the idiopathic cause of intussusception in children, adult intussusception in most patients is associated with organic causes. The majority of these patients are brought to the operating room with the preoperative diagnosis of bowel obstruction, and the surgeon discovers an intussusception intraoperatively. But the increasing use of abdominal CT may improve the ability to diagnose intussusception. There is no universal agreement upon the correct treatment of adult intussusception, although most authors agree that surgical intervention is necessary. In the more recent reports, colonoscopic reduction of intussusception has been reported for selected patients. For patients in whom the involved ileum is extremely long, it is advisable to attempt an operative reduction or colonoscopic reduction selectively. Thus, we report here on two patients with benign and malignant lesion, respectively, that caused ileocolic intussusception; preoperative colonoscopic diagnosis and reduction were attempted for these patients, although the patients were not reduced by colonoscopic procedure.

Relationship between Menopausal Status and Metabolic Syndrome Components in Korean Women / 당뇨병

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal status is associated with a 60% increased risk for metabolic syndrome. It is thought to be associated with decreased estrogens and increased abdominal obesity in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome components and menopausal status. METHODS: A total of 1,926 women were studied and divided into three groups according to their menstrual stage (premenopausal, perimenopausal or postmenopausal). The presence of metabolic syndrome was assessed using the National Cholesterol Education Program's (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 7.1% in premenopause, 9.8% in perimenopause, and 24.2% in postmenopause. The strong correlation was noted between the metabolic syndrome score and waist circumference in postmenopause (r = 0.56, P < 0.01) and perimenopause (r = 0.60, P < 0.01). Along the menopausal transition, the risk of metabolic syndrome increased with high triglyceride after the age-adjusted (odds ratio (OR) 1.517 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.014~2.269] in perimenopausal women and OR 1.573 [95% CI 1.025~2.414] in postmenopausal women). In addition, the prevalence of metabolic syndromeincreased in accordance with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels. CONCLUSION: Triglyceride and waist circumference were important metabolic syndrome components, though ALT and GGT may also be related for predicting metabolic syndrome during the transition to menopause.

Short Insulin Tolerance Test Can Determine the Effects of Thiazolidinediones Treatment in Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE: The short insulin tolerance test is a simple and reliable method of estimating insulin sensitivity. This study was designed to compare the insulin sensitizing effects of thiazolidinediones (TZDs) on the degree of insulin resistance, determined by a short insulin tolerance test (Kitt) in type 2 diabetic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-three subjects (mean age = 57.87 +/- 10.78) with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled and received daily one dose of rosiglitazone (4mg) or pioglitazone (15mg). The mean follow-up duration was 25.39 +/- 9.66 months. We assessed insulin sensitivity using HOMA-IR and the short insulin tolerance test before and after TZDs treatment. RESULTS: When we compared patients' characteristics before and after TZDs treatment, the mean fasting glucose level was significantly decreased (183.27 +/- 55.04 to 137.35 +/- 36.42mg/dL, p or = 2.5%/min; 3.50 +/- 0.75%/min to 2.75 +/- 1.12%/min, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The glucose lowering effects of TZDs by improving insulin resistance could be determined by using Kitt. However, Kitt may be a beneficial tool to determine TZDs' effects only when patients' Kitt values are less than 2.5%/min.