The Clinical Effectiveness and Selectivity of Radiofrequency Trigeminal Rhizotomy Using a 2 mm Active Tip Electrode for the Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: To minimize the side effects of radiofrequency trigeminal rhizotomy by making a more selective minimal lesion for the target division of a trigeminal rootlet, we performed this study to evaluate the effectiveness and the selectivity of radiofrequency trigeminal rhizotomy using a 2 mm active tip electrode as compared to a 5 mm active tip electrode. METHODS: The authors evaluated 36 cases, in which radiofrequency thermocoagulation of a trigeminal rootlet was performed using a 2 mm active tip electrode or a 5 mm active tip electrode at 75oC for 60 seconds in patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia. One month after each operation, we assessed the clinical effects, selectivity, and the side effects of these operations. RESULTS: Of the 36 patients, 34 patients experienced loss of tic pain. In terms of effectiveness, no difference was found between the two groups. In terms of selectivity, some superiority was shown by the 2 mm active tip electrode, but this was not statistically significant. Masseter weakness or dysesthesia occurred in six patients who suffered from tic pain in the V3 region, and who were operated upon with a 5 mm active tip electrode. Major complications like anesthesia dolorosa, and corneal anesthesia were absent in any patients. CONCLUSIONS: For target specific lesion generation of trigeminal rootlets, single lesion generation using a 2 mm active tip electrode may be as clinically effective as a 5 mm tip and is more selective in use.

Relationship between T-wave normalization on exercise ECG and myocardial functional recovery in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Several studies suggested that T-wave normalization (TWN) in exercise ECG indicates the presence of viable myocardium. But the clinical implication of this phenomenon in patients with acute myocardial infarction who received proper revascularization therapy was not determined. Precisely the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between TWN in exercise ECG and myocardial functional recovery after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: We studied 30 acute myocardial infarction patients with negative T waves in infarct related electrocardiographic leads and who had received successful revascularization therapy. Exercise ECG was performed 10 ~14days after infarct onset using Naughton protocol. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to presence (group I; n=14) or not (group II; n=16) of TWN in exercise ECG. Exercise parameters and coronary angiographic findings were compared between groups. Baseline and follow-up (mean 11 months) regional and global left ventricular function was analyzed by echocardiography. RESULTS: Exercise parameters were similar between groups. There was no difference in baseline ejection fraction and wall motion score between group I and II (EF; 56 +/- 12% vs 52 +/- 11%, p=ns. WMS; 21 +/- 3 vs 23 +/- 4, p=ns) and it was improved at the tenth month by similar magnitude (group I/group II, EF % change = 12 +/- 12% vs 7 +/- 6%, p=ns, WMS % change=6 +/- 6% vs 7+/- 5%, p=ns). The finding of no relation between TWN and functional recovery was observed also when the patients were analysed according to infarct location and presence or absence of Q-waves. CONCLUSION: As the exercise-induced TWN in patients with acute myocardial infarction was not related with better functional recovery of dysfunctional regional wall motion and ejection fraction, TWN does not appear to be an indicator of myocardial viability.

Relationship between T-wave normalization on exercise ECG and myocardial functional recovery in patients with acute myocardial infarction / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Several studies has been reported that T-wave normalization(TWN) in exercise ECG indicates the presence of viable myocardium. But the clinical implication of this phenomenon in patients with acute myocardial infarction who received proper revascularization therapy was not determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between TWN in exercise ECG and myocardial functional recovery after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: We studied 30 acute myocardial infarction patients with negative T waves in infarct related electrocardiographic leads and who received successful revascularization therapy. All patients performed exercise ECG, 10-14days after infarct onset using Naughton protocol. Patients were divided into 2 groups, according to presence (group I; n=14) or not (group II; n=16) of TWN in exercise ECG. Exercise parameters, coronary angiographic findings were compared between groups. Baseline and follow up (mean 11 months) regional and global left ventricular function was analyzed by echocardiography. RESULTS: Exercise parameters was similar between groups. There were no difference in baseline ejection fraction and regional wall motion between group I and II (EF; 56+/-12% vs 52+/-11%, p=ns. WMS; 21+/-3 vs 23+/-4, p=ns) and it was improved at the tenth month by similar magnitude. (group I/group II, EF % change = 12+/-12% vs 7+/-6%, p=ns, WMS % change = 6+/-6% vs 7+/-5%, p=ns) The findings of no relation between TWN and functional recovery was observed also when the patients were analysed according to infarct location and presence of Q-waves. CONCLUSION: As the exercise induced TWN in patients with acute myocardial infarction was not related with better functional recovery of dysfunctional regional wall motion, TWN dose not appears to be a sign of myocardial viability.