Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio at Emergency Room Predicts Mechanical Complications of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background@#The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proven to be a reliable inflammatory marker. A recent study reported that elevated NLR is associated with adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We investigated whether NLR at emergency room (ER) is associated with mechanical complications of STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). @*Methods@#A total of 744 patients with STEMI who underwent successful primary PCI from 2009 to 2018 were enrolled in this study. Total and differential leukocyte counts were measured at ER. The NLR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophil count to lymphocyte count. Patients were divided into tertiles according to NLR. Mechanical complications of STEMI were defined by STEMI combined with sudden cardiac arrest, stent thrombosis, pericardial effusion, post myocardial infarction (MI) pericarditis, and post MI ventricular septal rupture, free-wall rupture, left ventricular thrombus, and acute mitral regurgitation during hospitalization. @*Results@#Patients in the high NLR group (> 4.90) had higher risk of mechanical complications of STEMI (P = 0.001) compared with those in the low and intermediate groups (13% vs. 13% vs. 23%). On multivariable analysis, NLR remained an independent predictor for mechanical complications of STEMI (RR = 1.947, 95% CI = 1.136–3.339, P= 0.015) along with symptom-to balloon time (P = 0.002) and left ventricular dysfunction (P < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#NLR at ER is an independent predictor of mechanical complications of STEMI undergoing primary PCI. STEMI patients with high NLR are at increased risk for complications during hospitalization, therefore, needs more intensive treatment after PCI.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio at Emergency Room Predicts Mechanical Complications of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background@#The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proven to be a reliable inflammatory marker. A recent study reported that elevated NLR is associated with adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We investigated whether NLR at emergency room (ER) is associated with mechanical complications of STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). @*Methods@#A total of 744 patients with STEMI who underwent successful primary PCI from 2009 to 2018 were enrolled in this study. Total and differential leukocyte counts were measured at ER. The NLR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophil count to lymphocyte count. Patients were divided into tertiles according to NLR. Mechanical complications of STEMI were defined by STEMI combined with sudden cardiac arrest, stent thrombosis, pericardial effusion, post myocardial infarction (MI) pericarditis, and post MI ventricular septal rupture, free-wall rupture, left ventricular thrombus, and acute mitral regurgitation during hospitalization. @*Results@#Patients in the high NLR group (> 4.90) had higher risk of mechanical complications of STEMI (P = 0.001) compared with those in the low and intermediate groups (13% vs. 13% vs. 23%). On multivariable analysis, NLR remained an independent predictor for mechanical complications of STEMI (RR = 1.947, 95% CI = 1.136–3.339, P= 0.015) along with symptom-to balloon time (P = 0.002) and left ventricular dysfunction (P < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#NLR at ER is an independent predictor of mechanical complications of STEMI undergoing primary PCI. STEMI patients with high NLR are at increased risk for complications during hospitalization, therefore, needs more intensive treatment after PCI.

Evaluating the Outcome of Multi-Morbid Patients Cared for by Hospitalists: a Report of Integrated Medical Model in Korea

BACKGROUND: The lack of medical personnel has led to the employment of hospitalists in Korean hospitals to provide high-quality medical care. However, whether hospitalists' care can improve patients' outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to analyze the outcome in patients cared for by hospitalists. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted in 1,015 patients diagnosed with pneumonia or urinary tract infection from March 2017 to July 2018. After excluding 306 patients, 709 in the general ward who were admitted via the emergency department were enrolled, including 169 and 540 who were cared for by hospitalists (HGs) and non-hospitalists (NHGs), respectively. We compared the length of hospital stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, readmission rate, comorbidity, and disease severity between the two groups. Comorbidities were analyzed using Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). RESULTS: HG LOS (median, interquartile range [IQR], 8 [5–12] days) was lower than NHG LOS (median [IQR], 10 [7–15] days), (P < 0.001). Of the 30 (4.2%) patients who died during their hospital stay, a lower percentage of HG patients (2.4%) than that of NHG patients (4.8%) died, but the difference between the two groups was not significant (P = 0.170). In a subgroup analysis, HG LOS was shorter than NHG LOS (median [IQR], 8 [5–12] vs. 10 [7–16] days, respectively, P < 0.001) with CCI of ≥ 5 points. CONCLUSION: Hospitalist care can improve the LOS of patients, especially those with multiple comorbidities. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the impact of hospitalist care in Korea.

Clinical and Angiographic Predictors of Microvascular Dysfunction in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

PURPOSE: We aimed to discover clinical and angiographic predictors of microvascular dysfunction using the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 113 patients with STEMI (age, 56+/-11 years; 95 men) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The IMR was measured with a pressure sensor/thermistor-tipped guidewire after primary PCI. The patients were divided into three groups based on IMR values: Low IMR [31 U (48.1+/-17.1 U), n=37]. RESULTS: The age of the Low IMR group was significantly lower than that of the Mid and High IMR groups. The door-to-balloon time was <90 minutes in all patients, and it was not significantly different between groups. Meanwhile, the symptom-onset-to-balloon time was significantly longer in the High IMR group, compared to the Mid and Low IMR groups (p<0.001). In the high IMR group, the culprit lesion was found in a proximal location significantly more often than in a non-proximal location (p=0.008). In multivariate regression analysis, age and symptom-onset-to-balloon time were independent determinants of a high IMR (p=0.013 and p=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that age and symptom-onset-to-balloon time might be the major predictors of microvascular dysfunction in STEMI patients with a door-to-balloon time of <90 minutes.

Clinical and Echocardiographic Factors Affecting Tricuspid Regurgitation Severity in the Patients with Lone Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be a risk factor for development of significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR). We investigated which clinical and echocardiographic parameters were related to severity of functional TR in patients with lone AF. METHODS: A total of 89 patients with lone AF were enrolled (75 +/- 11 years; 48% male): 13 patients with severe TR, 36 patients with moderate TR, and 40 consecutive patients with less than mild TR. Clinical parameters and echocardiographic measurements including right ventricular (RV) remodeling and function were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients with more severe TR were older and had more frequently persistent AF (each p < 0.001). TR severity was related to right atrial area and tricuspid annular systolic diameter (all p < 0.001). The patients with moderate or severe TR had larger left atrial (LA) volume and increased systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) than the patients with mild TR (p = 0.04 for LA volume; p < 0.001 for SPAP). RV remodeling represented by enlarged RV area and increased tenting height was more prominent in severe TR than mild or moderate TR (all p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed type of AF, LA volume, tricuspid annular diameter and tenting height remained as a significant determinants of severe TR. In addition, tenting height was independently associated with the presence of severe TR (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In patients with lone AF, TR was related to type of AF, LA volume, tricuspid annular diameter and RV remodeling. Especially, tricuspid valvular tethering seemed to be independently associated with development of severe functional TR.

A Case of Complete Stent Facture at Proximal and Distal Site in One Drug Eluting Stent / 대한내과학회지

A patient came to the hospital with chest pain and was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction. Coronary angioplasty was performed at the right coronary artery (RCA) and left anterior descending artery (LAD). A bare metal stent (BMS) was inserted in the RCA and a drug eluting stent (DES) was inserted in mid-LAD. The patient was discharged and was followed up as an outpatient without any symptoms. After 6 years, the patient complained of intermittent chest pain. A treadmill test was performed, and the results were positive. Follow-up coronary angiography was performed, and it showed that the DES inserted in mid-LAD had a complete stent fracture at the distal and proximal sites of the stent. Thus, we report a case of complete stent fracture at the proximal and distal sites in one drug eluting stent.

A Case of Malignant Pericardial Mesothelioma With Constrictive Pericarditis Physiology Misdiagnosed as Pericardial Metastatic Cancer

Malignant pericardial mesothelioma is a rare and progressive cardiac tumor. There is no established standard treatment and the prognosis is poor. Most patients were retrospectively diagnosed from surgery or autopsy due to absence of specific clinical manifestation. Most patients with pericardial mesothelioma have demonstrated constrictive physiology on echocardiography or cardiac catheterization. Therefore, pericardial mesothelioma was often misdiagnosed as other causes of constrictive pericarditis. We report a case of primary pericardial mesothelioma misdiagnosed as pericardial metastasis of unknown origin.

Case Report of a Double Common Bile Duct with Gallstone Cholecystitis / 대한내과학회지

Anatomical variation in the bile duct system is relatively common. Nevertheless, a double common bile duct is an extremely rare asymptomatic variant. Recognition of this anomaly is important clinically, because it can lead to complications, including choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, pancreatitis, and upper gastrointestinal malignancies. A correct diagnosis of this rare anomaly is also important because complications can occur in surgery if the anomaly is not recognized preoperatively. Recently, we encountered a very rare case of a double common bile duct associated with gallstone cholecystitis. A 33-year-old female was admitted to our hospital complaining of epigastric pain after meals. She had single biliary drainage from double common bile ducts with communicating channels. We report the case and review the literature on double common bile ducts.

A case of Sheehan's syndrome with central diabetes insipidus showing hemorrhagic pituitary apoplexy / 대한내과학회지

Ischemic necrosis of the pituitary gland, known as Sheehan's syndrome, can develop after massive postpartum bleeding. This condition is rarely accompanied by diabetes insipidus. An empty sella is a constant feature of Sheehan's syndrome in the later phase, but very few observations of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in the acute phase are available. We report a case of Sheehan's syndrome presenting with diabetes insipidus leading to severe hypernatremia, showing hemorrhagic postpartum pituitary apoplexy on acute MRI.

Plasmablastic Lymphoma in the Anal Canal / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) of the oral cavity is an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related lymphoma. The immunophenotype of this disease is associated with poor expression of B-cell markers but a positive reactivity for plasma cell markers. PBL is highly aggressive and responds poorly to treatment. Although originally described in the oral cavity, this disease can occur in other body niches. Here, we describe a very rare case of PBL in the anal canal of a 40-year-old woman with human immunodeficiency virus infection. The malignant cells were positive for Epstein-Barr virus and human herpes virus 8.

A case of bilateral polycystic kidney diagnosed prenatally by ultrasonography / 대한산부인과학회잡지

No abstract available.