Direct Comparison between Brachial Pressure Obtained by Oscillometric Method and Central Pressure Using Invasive Method

OBJECTIVE: The importance of central blood pressure evaluation for cardiovascular risk stratification has been emphasized. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether brachial blood pressure obtained by the oscillometric method accurately reflects central blood pressure. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 84 consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent cardiac catheterization. Central blood pressure was invasively measured in the origin of the left subclavian artery by using the fluid-filled system, and at the same time, brachial blood pressure in the left upper arm was measured by the oscillometric method. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between central systolic pressure and brachial systolic pressure (144.49+/-18.84 mmHg vs. 142.44+/-14.96 mmHg, P=0.063). Bland-Altman analysis accounted for only a small bias of +2.25 mmHg, and the limits of agreement were 24.15 mmHg and -19.65 mmHg. Central diastolic pressure was significantly lower than brachial diastolic pressure (75.80+/-8.74 mmHg vs. 86.70+/-10.48 mmHg, P<0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed a significant bias of -5.45 mmHg, and the limits of agreement were 2.83 mmHg and -13.73 mmHg. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that central systolic pressure can be directly estimated from brachial systolic pressure using the noninvasive oscillometric method and observed biases seem to remain within the practical range. However, use of the brachial diastolic pressure and pulse pressure measured by the noninvasive oscillometric method is doubtful in clinical practice because of their large biases.

A Case of Klinefelter's Syndrome Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Klinefelter's syndrome (KFS) is a gonosomal aberration disease that occurs in males, and is characterized by 47, XXY karyotype, hypogonadism and a lack of secondary sexual characteristics. A potential link between this hormonally deficient syndrome and autoimmune disease, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), has been reported. On the other hand, KFS is rarely reported to be accompanied by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and there are no Korean cases reported. We report the first Korean case of a KFS patient with sero-positive RA and discuss the role of the pathogenesis of RA with KFS.

A Case of Sweet's Syndrome with Pulmonary Infiltration and Pleural Effusion in Myelodysplastic Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Sweet's syndrome is characterized by a constellation of clinical symptoms, physical features, and pathologic findings, which include fever, leukocytosis, tender erythematous skin lesions, and a diffuse infiltrate consisting predominantly of mature neutrophils in the upper dermis. Pulmonary involvement in Sweet's syndrome is rare. In addition, a pleural effusion has been rarely reported in the pulmonary involvement of Sweet's syndrome. We report a case of Sweet's syndrome presenting with pulmonary involvement and a bilateral pleural effusion in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Lymphoid Interstitial Pneumonia Associated with Primary Sjogren's Syndrome: A Case Report / 결핵및호흡기질환

Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare benign lymphoproliferative interstitial lung disease. LIP has been associated with autoimmune disorders, HIV, viral infections, and so on. Once underlying systemic diseases have been excluded, a diagnosis of idiopathic LIP can be made. Although 6 cases of pathologically confirmed LIP have occurred in Korea, thus far none has been associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome. A 44-year-old man was admitted to hospital due to a dry cough and dypsnea on exertion that had been ongoing for 2 months. A chest radiography showed multiple and variable-sized cystic lesions, on both lungs and both interstitial infiltration and consolidation in both lower lung fields. Tests for autoantibody showed positive results of anti-nuclear antibody and anti-Ro/La antibody. The patient underwent a video assisted thoracoscopic surgery biopsy and pathologically confirmed LIP. We report the first known case of LIP-associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome in Korea.