Usefulness of the Doppler Flow of the Ophthalmic Artery in the Evaluation of Carotid and Coronary Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is little information about the relationship between the Doppler flow of the ophthalmic artery (OA) and carotid and coronary atherosclerosis. The aim of the investigation was to assess the clinical usefulness of the Doppler flow of the OA to estimate the severity of carotid and coronary atherosclerosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was a retrospective analysis of the findings in 140 patients (mean age: 60 years, male: 64%) who underwent coronary angiography (CA) for the evaluation of typical angina between July 2010 and October 2011 in our single center. The severity of coronary artery stenosis was based on the Gensini score (GS). Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as the obstruction of over 75% of the major coronary arteries confirmed with CA. The pulsed Doppler flow of the OA and carotid ultrasound were performed before CA. RESULTS: The mean systolic velocity/mean diastolic velocity (MSV/MDV), pulsatile index and resistance index in the Doppler flow of the OA were identified as significant and independent correlations with carotid intima-media thickness, and MSV/MDV was identified to have a significant and independent correlation with the GS. MSV/MDV >2.1 was the independent predictor for significant CAD {odds ratio (OR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-9.7, p=0.005} and carotid plaque (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.1-7.0, p=0.028), after adjustment for CAD-associated factors. CONCLUSION: The Doppler flow of the OA might be a useful predictor of the severity of carotid and coronary atherosclerosis.

Treatment of Endobronchial Hemorrhage Using Balloon Tamponade and Bronchial Artery Embolization / 계명의대학술지

Endobronchial hemorrhage is common complication of bronchoscopic biopsy. There are several hemostatic methods including cold saline irrigation, topical vasoactive substance instillation, tranexamic acid treatment, and balloon tamponade. Insertion of balloon catheter into bronchoscopic working channel is relatively simple and useful method for the selective hemostasis. Here, we report a case of 75-year-old female patient who had hemorrhage during endobronchial biopsy with flexible bronchoscopy. Since primary treatments such as cold saline irrigation and epinephrine instillation had been failed to stop hemorrhage, balloon catheter was immediately inserted into the bleeding site for temporal hemostasis. And then, bronchial artery embolization was followed for the additional treatment of hemorrhage. We suggest to use balloon catheter as a bridge therapy before bronchial artery embolization.

Embolization of Inferior Epigastric Artery for Treatment of Rectus Sheath Hematoma Caused by Insulin Injection During Anticoagulation and Antiplatelet Therapy

Rectus sheath hematoma, caused by rupture of epigastric vessel or muscle tear, is most frequently encountered in association with anticoagulation therapy, trauma, operation, and hematologic disorder. It rarely occurs spontaneously. Rectus sheath hematoma related to subcutaneous injection of insulin is very rare. We report a case of percutaneous catheterbased coil embolization for treatment of rectus sheath hematoma caused by subcutaneous injection of insulin on abdomen during anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy in an 83-year-old thin woman with diabetes.

Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery Initially Visualized by Echocardiography and Multidetector Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital anomaly associated with very high mortality during infancy. We report a 35-year-old female patient with ALCAPA initially visualized by echocardiography. She visited outpatient department presenting with intermittent chest discomfort for 3 weeks. Transthoracic echocardiography showed left coronary artery arising from main pulmonary artery and abundant septal color flow Doppler signals. Transesophageal echocardiography clearly revealed markedly dilated and tortuous right coronary artery showing windsock appearance. Multidetector computed tomography and coronary angiography enabled visualization of anomalous left coronary artery originating from left side of main pulmonary trunk. After treadmill exercise test which showed ST-segment depression presenting inducible myocardial ischemia, patient underwent direct re-implantation of the anomalous coronary artery into the aorta without any complication.