Successful Placement of a Left Ventricular Pacing Lead Despite Coronary Sinus Dissection During Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy / 대한내과학회지

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is effective in selected patients with symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. Coronary sinus dissection is a relatively uncommon, but much feared, complication that may occur during placement of the left ventricular pacing lead. A 68-year-old man was transferred to our hospital for treatment of severe heart failure. He developed coronary sinus dissection after balloon dilatation during the procedure for cardiac resynchronization therapy. Nevertheless, we successfully placed the left ventricular pacing lead in the coronary vein. We present the case with a review of the literature.

Complication of Transradial Coronary Catheterization in Aberrant Insertion of the Right Subclavian Artery / 대한내과학회지

Right transradial coronary catheterization is very popular and performed by many clinicians with few complications. An aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) arising from the descending thoracic aorta is an uncommon congenital variant. Here, we present the case of a patient with an aberrant right subclavian artery dissection after right transradial coronary catheterization, which is a rare complication. We diagnosed the complication by chest CT, which showed the dissection of the aberrant right subclavian artery. Dissection of an aberrant right subclavian artery is a rare complication of right transradial coronary angiograph.

Initial Experience of Retrograde Wire Approach in Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Retrograde wire approach has been emerged as a useful tool to enhance success rate in coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) intervention. Therefore, we tried to report the initial experience of retrograde approach and its clinical implication on CTO intervention. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From February 2007 to July 2008, retrograde approaches were performed in 28 patients with 31 CTO lesions out of 61patients. A hydrophilic coated guidewire was inserted by using microcatheter or over-the-wire (OTW) balloon through the collateral channel (septal or epicardial artery) via several strategies. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 63.4+/-11.6 years. Male and female were 20 and 8 patients, respectively. The target artery with CTO lesions included the right coronary artery (45.2%), the left anterior descending artery (51.6%), and the left circumflex artery (3.2%). The mean length of CTO lesion was 18.4+/-16.4 mm. Overall technical success rate was 64.5%. The success rate of primary attempt was 78.9%, while the success rate of immediate and secondary attempt was 41.7%. Collateral channel dissections were observed in 3 patients and no patients among these patients developed cardiac tamponade. One patient had a silent non-Q wave myocardial infarction (MI) after the procedure. One failed patient died suddenly 3 days after the procedure. After percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedure, no case was performed target vessel revascularization (TVR), urgent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), and urgent PCI. CONCLUSION: Retrograde approach is an evolving technique to improve the success rate of CTO intervention. After the learning curve period, this technique could be the useful tool to enhance success rate in CTO intervention.

The Feasibility of Bypass Graft Angiography by Right Radial Access

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Left transradial coronary angiography may result in damage of both radial arteries in patients who experienced right radial access. In some patients, the left radial artery has been used as a graft. We investigated whether graft angiography using right radial access is feasible in patients with bypass surgery to preserve the left radial artery as a future graft. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 109 consecutive patients with bypass surgery who had undergone right radial access underwent graft angiography via the same access. RESULTS: Sixteen (15%) patients were excluded because of the presence of a severely tortuous right subclavian artery. Bypass graft angiography via right radial or brachial access was completed successfully in 90 (97%) out of 93 patients. In 3 (3%) of patients, femoral access was needed to complete the angiography. Saphenous vein grafts were cannulated selectively in 150 (90%) of 167 grafts with satisfactory image quality and not found even on the aortogram in the other 17 (10%) grafts. Ninety-two (89%) out of 103 left mammary grafts were cannulated selectively or semi-selectively using a modified Simmons catheter, resulting in satisfactory image quality. The other 11 (11%) grafts were visualized non-selectively using a Judkins Left catheter, and resulting in acceptable image quality in 10 (91%) grafts. There were no procedure-related complications. CONCLUSION: Graft angiography via right radial access can be performed reliably in most patients that lack severe subclavian tortuosity.

Clinical Effects of Additional Cilostazol Administration After Drug-Eluting Stent Insertion

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cilostazol, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase III (PDE III), prevents inactivation of the intracellular second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation and vasodilation. Hence, we performed this prospective randomized study to evaluate the clinical effects of additional cilostazol administration in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent (DES) insertion. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between December 2003 and June 2006, we enrolled a total 603 consecutive patients who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with DES insertion at Dong-A University Hospital. Study patients received dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel, n=301) for at least six months or dual antiplatelet therapy (six months) combined with cilostazol medication for one month (triple therapy, n=302) after PCI. We investigated the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at one month and six months after the initiation of medical therapy. MACE was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis, and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Platelet function was evaluated in 66 patients (dual therapy group, n=40; triple therapy group, n=26) using a Chrono-Log platelet aggregometer and the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay system. RESULTS: The MACE rate was 0.66% in the triple therapy group (death only, 0.67%) and 1.67% in the dual therapy group (death, 0.67%; MI, 0.67%; stent thrombosis, 0.99%; TLR, 0.99%) at one month after PCI (p=0.087). At six months, there were no differences in the MACE rate between the two groups (triple group vs. dual group=2.65% vs. 3.99%, p=0.864). In laboratory tests, platelet aggregation induced by agonists of ADP (27.92+/-13.04% vs. 40.9+/-15.78%, p=0.0008), collagen (13.73+/-6.95% vs. 27.43+/-14.87%, p=0.03), and epinephrine (10.38+/-7.82% vs. 15.5+/-10.45%, p=0.0000) were lower in the triple therapy group versus the dual therapy group. However, platelet aggregation induced by agonists of arachidonic acid (3.23+/-1.07% vs. 3.78+/-2.12%, p=0.23) and ristocetin (29.19+/-35.55% vs. 44.78+/-32.65%, p=0.07) and aspirin reaction unit (412.96+/-96.25 vs. 427.93+/-76.24, p=0.48) measured by VerifyNow were not different in the triple group versus the dual group. CONCLUSION: Additional administration of cilostazol did not decrease the MACE rate when compared to dual therapy six months after PCI in patients with DES.

The Effect of a New Carbon Stent for Preventing Restenosis-Prospective, Randomized Study for Preventing Metal Allergy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Metal allergy has been reported to be related to stent restenosis. Therefore, we sought to investigate the incidence of metal allergy with new carbon stent with ion implantation technique and its relationship to restenosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between April 2002 and June 2004, 128 patients (100 male, mean age 60+/-10 years) were included in this study. The clinical diagnoses of the study patients included 64 acute myocardial infarction, 24 unstable angina and 40 stable angina patients. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either an Arthos Inert Stent (the study group) or an Arthos stent (the control group), with follow-up angiography scheduled 6 months later. Three months after stent implantation, skin patch tests, for the detection of metal allergies, were performed with manganese, molybdenum, nickel and chromium. RESULTS: There were no differences between the age, genders, risk factors and multi-vessel involvement between the two groups, as well as no differences in the angiographic parameters and restenosis (p>0.05). There were no differences in the positive rates of the skin tests between the Arthos stent and Arthos Inert stent groups or between the restenosis and no-restenosis groups (p>0.05). CONSLUSION: The new carbon stent, with ion implantation, did not reduce coronary restenosis. An allergic reaction was not related to the stent technology or stent restenosis.

The Effect of Peripheral Pulse Arrival Time(PPAT) Measurement in Evaluating Endothelial Function: a Comparison with Flow-Mediated Vasodilation(FMD)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endothelial dysfunction is an early change in the process of atherosclerosis. To evaluate endothelial function, expensive and specialized medical devices like high-resolution vascular ultrasound are necessary. Therefore, we sought to compare this atherosclerotic parameter of endothelial function using the inexpensive and simple method of peripheral pulse arrival time (PPAT) measurement. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Before and after meals, we measured PPAT and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). Resting PPAT in both arms was measured with a PPAT device that was designed by the authors. Hyperemic effect was tested in both arms after raising the blood pressure to 250 mmHg for 5 minutes by using a blood pressure cuff, after which the cuff was released to 0 mmHg. PPAT was measured within the first 1 minute to observe the hyperemic response. FMD was measured in the same process by 7 MHz high-resolution ultrasound in the left brachial artery. The percent change was calculated from the baseline value and that of the hyperemic response. RESULTS: In low-fat diet, PPAT change was not different (3.8% vs. 4.7%, p>0.05). In high-fat diet, PPAT tended to be shorter, but without statistical significance (4.8% vs. 2.7%, p>0.05). In low-fat diet, the change of FMD was not different (11.7% vs. 11.4%, p>0.05). In high-fat diet, there was a significant difference in FMD (11.4% vs. 6.5%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The PPAT measurement could be a method for evaluating endothelial function, but is less sensitive than flow-mediated vasodilation.

A case of idiopathic eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome / 대한내과학회지

We report the case of a 47-year-old female who developed idiopathic eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome following complete remission of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She had been diagnosed extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma of nasal cavity and treated with CHOP chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She complained fever, myalgia and the complete blood count showed markedly elevated eosinophil count. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was confirmed in complete remission state by PNS CT, nasal septum biopsy and bone marrow biopsy. The patient showed eosinophilia in peripheral blood, myositis in electromyography and muscle biopsy consistent with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. The symptoms were improved and the eosinophilia count was decreased after prednisolone medication. We report a case of idiopathic eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome with a review of the literature.

A comparative study on the efficacy between interferon alpha monotherapy and lamivudine-interferon combination therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: At present, lamivudine-interferon combination therapy is being tried on chronic hepatitis B patients who had no significant response to interferon-alpha mono-therapy. The therapeutic effect of lamivudine-interferon combination therapy is showing various outcomes depending on the period of therapy and the status of the patient. Thus we conducted this study to compare the therapeutic effect of lamivudine-interferon combination therapy versus interferon-alpha monotherapy in korean patients with chronic hepatitis B. METHOD: Among the chronic hepatitis B patients, 138 patients who showed positive to HBeAg, and serum HBV DNA levels are over 5 pg/mL and serum ALT levels are over 40 IU/L were allocated to IFN-alpha monotherapy group (70 patients) and lamivudine-interferon combination therapy group (66 patients). We compared two groups on ALT normalization rate, HBeAg seroconversion rate, HBV DNA loss rate and HBeAg loss rate in both group. IFN-alpha was percutaneously injected three times a week. Mean administered dose was 27125 (+/-11841) MU and mean administered duration was 6.4 (+/-1.6) months. Lamivudine was concomitantly and continuously administered with IFN-alpha for over 6 months (mean 13.2 +/- 16.5). The lamivudine therapy was terminated at the point when HBeAg turned positive into negative. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period was 28 months. HBeAg loss rate was 40.9% in lamivudine- interferon combination therapy group and 28.6% in IFN-alpha monotherapy group on the 12th month of the therapy, showing there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.13). HBeAg seroconversion rate was 40.9% in lamivudine-interferon combination therapy group and 21.4% in IFN-alpha monotherapy group on the 12th month of the therapy (p=0.014). HBV DNA loss rate was 90.9% in lamivudine-interferon combination therapy group and 88.6% in IFN-alpha monotherapy group within 12months of the therapy, showing there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.35). Serum ALT normalization rate was 92.4% in lamivudine-interferon combination therapy group and 85.7% in IFN-alpha monotherapy group within 12months of the therapy, showing there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.11). CONCLUSION: The lamivudine-interferon combination therapy compared to the Interferon-alpha monotherapy showed a statistically significant higher HBeAg seroconversion rate.

A case of desmoplastic small round cell tumor / 대한내과학회지

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare neoplasm that develops in the abdominal cavity in young people. Microscopically, nests of small undifferentiated cells within a desmoplastic stroma are observed and immunohistochemical studies show polyphenotypic differentiation with expression of epithelial, neural and muscle markers. A specific chromosomal translocation, t (11;22)(p13;q12) has been documented in DSRCT and is increasingly used to confirm the diagnosis. We had experienced a 59-year-old female with right upper quardrant pain for 1 month. On abdominal computerized tomography, multiple demarcated intrahepatic mass lesions were found, but other organs metastasis or abnormal lymph node enlargement and fluid collection were not found. Fine needle aspiration biopsy of hepatic mass was performed and DSRCT was diagnosed by H and E and immunohistochemical staining. She was treated with cyclophosphamide, etoposide, doxorubicin and cisplatin. After three cycles of chemotherapy, computerized tomography demonstrated distinct shrinkage of tumor. At present, she continues in the state of partial remission for 15months after chemotherapy was started.