Clinical features and predictors of masked uncontrolled hypertension from the Korean Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Registry

Background/Aims@#The clinical characteristics of patients with masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) have been poorly defined, and few studies have investigated the clinical predictors of MUCH. We investigated the demographic, clinical, and blood pressure (BP) characteristics of patients with MUCH and proposed a prediction model for MUCH in patients with hypertension. @*Methods@#We analyzed 1,986 subjects who were enrolled in the Korean Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (Kor-ABP) Registry and taking antihypertensive drugs, and classified them into the controlled hypertension (n = 465) and MUCH (n = 389) groups. MUCH was defined as the presence of a 24-hour ambulatory mean systolic BP ≥ 130 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 80 mmHg in patients treated with antihypertensive drugs, having normal office BP. @*Results@#Patients in the MUCH group had significantly worse metabolic profiles and higher office BP, and took significantly fewer antihypertensive drugs compared to those in the controlled hypertension group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified high office systolic BP and diastolic BP, prior stroke, dyslipidemia, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH, ≥ 116 g/m2 for men, and ≥ 96 g/m2 for women), high heart rate (≥ 75 beats/min), and single antihypertensive drug use as independent predictors of MUCH. A prediction model using these predictors showed a high diagnostic accuracy (C-index of 0.839) and goodness-of-fit for the presence of MUCH. @*Conclusions@#MUCH is associated with a high-normal increase in office BP and underuse of antihypertensive drugs, as well as dyslipidemia, prior stroke, and LVH, which could underscore achieving optimal BP control. The proposed model accurately predicts MUCH in patients with controlled office BP.

Clinical features and predictors of masked uncontrolled hypertension from the Korean Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Registry

Background/Aims@#The clinical characteristics of patients with masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) have been poorly defined, and few studies have investigated the clinical predictors of MUCH. We investigated the demographic, clinical, and blood pressure (BP) characteristics of patients with MUCH and proposed a prediction model for MUCH in patients with hypertension. @*Methods@#We analyzed 1,986 subjects who were enrolled in the Korean Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (Kor-ABP) Registry and taking antihypertensive drugs, and classified them into the controlled hypertension (n = 465) and MUCH (n = 389) groups. MUCH was defined as the presence of a 24-hour ambulatory mean systolic BP ≥ 130 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 80 mmHg in patients treated with antihypertensive drugs, having normal office BP. @*Results@#Patients in the MUCH group had significantly worse metabolic profiles and higher office BP, and took significantly fewer antihypertensive drugs compared to those in the controlled hypertension group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified high office systolic BP and diastolic BP, prior stroke, dyslipidemia, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH, ≥ 116 g/m2 for men, and ≥ 96 g/m2 for women), high heart rate (≥ 75 beats/min), and single antihypertensive drug use as independent predictors of MUCH. A prediction model using these predictors showed a high diagnostic accuracy (C-index of 0.839) and goodness-of-fit for the presence of MUCH. @*Conclusions@#MUCH is associated with a high-normal increase in office BP and underuse of antihypertensive drugs, as well as dyslipidemia, prior stroke, and LVH, which could underscore achieving optimal BP control. The proposed model accurately predicts MUCH in patients with controlled office BP.

Effectiveness and Safety of Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent (Resoluteâ„¢ Integrity) in Patients with Diffuse Long Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Diffuse long coronary artery disease (DLCAD) still has unfavorable clinical outcomes after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Resolute™ zotarolimus-eluting stent (R-ZES; Resolute™ Integrity) for patients with DLCAD.@*METHODS@#From December 2011 to December 2014, 1,011 patients who underwent PCI using R-ZES for CAD with longer than 25 mm lesion were prospectively enrolled from 21 hospitals in Korea. We assessed the clinical outcome of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as the composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and clinically-driven target vessel revascularization at 12 months.@*RESULTS@#Mean age was 63.8±10.8 years, 701 (69.3%) patients were male, 572 (87.0%) patients had hypertension, 339 (33.8%) patients had diabetes, 549 (54.3%) patients diagnosed with acute MI and 545 (53.9%) patients had multi-vessel disease (MVD). A total of 1,697 stents were implanted into a total of 1,472 lesions. The mean diameter was 3.07±0.38 mm and the length was 28.27±6.97 mm. Multiple overlapping stents were performed in 205 (13.8%) lesions. A 12-month clinical follow-up was available in 1,004 patients (99.3%). The incidences of MACE and definite stent thrombosis at 12-month were 3.0% and 0.3% respectively. On multivariate Cox-regression analysis, multiple overlapping stents implantation, previous congestive heart failure, MVD, and age ≥75 years were independent predictors of one-year MACE.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our study shows that R-ZES has an excellent 1-year clinical outcome in Korean patients with DLCAD.

Effectiveness and Safety of Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent (Resolute™ Integrity) in Patients with Diffuse Long Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Diffuse long coronary artery disease (DLCAD) still has unfavorable clinical outcomes after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Resolute™ zotarolimus-eluting stent (R-ZES; Resolute™ Integrity) for patients with DLCAD. METHODS: From December 2011 to December 2014, 1,011 patients who underwent PCI using R-ZES for CAD with longer than 25 mm lesion were prospectively enrolled from 21 hospitals in Korea. We assessed the clinical outcome of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as the composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and clinically-driven target vessel revascularization at 12 months. RESULTS: Mean age was 63.8±10.8 years, 701 (69.3%) patients were male, 572 (87.0%) patients had hypertension, 339 (33.8%) patients had diabetes, 549 (54.3%) patients diagnosed with acute MI and 545 (53.9%) patients had multi-vessel disease (MVD). A total of 1,697 stents were implanted into a total of 1,472 lesions. The mean diameter was 3.07±0.38 mm and the length was 28.27±6.97 mm. Multiple overlapping stents were performed in 205 (13.8%) lesions. A 12-month clinical follow-up was available in 1,004 patients (99.3%). The incidences of MACE and definite stent thrombosis at 12-month were 3.0% and 0.3% respectively. On multivariate Cox-regression analysis, multiple overlapping stents implantation, previous congestive heart failure, MVD, and age ≥75 years were independent predictors of one-year MACE. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that R-ZES has an excellent 1-year clinical outcome in Korean patients with DLCAD.

Safety and Efficacy of the Endeavor Resolute® Stent in Patients with Multivessel Disease: The HEART (Honam EndeAvor ResoluTe) Prospective, Multicenter Trial / 전남의대학술지

The Endeavor Resolute® (ER) is a zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) with a biocompatible BioLinx polymer. This study prospectively compared the clinical outcomes of 2 versions of ZES, ER and Endeavor Sprint® (ES), in patients with multivessel disease. A total of 488 patients who underwent multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were divided into 2 groups the ER group (n=288) and the ES group (n=200). The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) consisting of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization after 12 months. In all patients, the prevalence of diabetes was higher in the ER group (42.7% vs. 31.0%, p=0.009). The rate of post-PCI Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow grade 3 was higher in the ER group (100.0% vs. 98.0%, p=0.028). There were no between-group differences in the in-hospital, 1-month and 12-month clinical outcomes. In the propensity score matched cohort (n=200 in each group), no differences were observed in the baseline and procedural characteristics. There were no statistical differences in the rates of in-hospital, 1-month and 12-month events (12-month MACE in the ER and ES groups: 6.0% vs. 3.5%, p=0.240, respectively). The safety and efficacy of both versions of ZES were comparable in patients with multivessel disease during a 12-month clinical follow-up.

Effectiveness and Safety of Biolimus A9™-Eluting stEnt in Patients with AcUTe Coronary sYndrome; A Multicenter, Observational Study (BEAUTY Study)

PURPOSE: This study sought to determine the 1-year clinical effectiveness and safety of a biodegradable, polymer-containing Biolimus A9™-eluting stent (BES) in Korean patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1000 ACS patients with 1251 lesions who underwent implantation of BESs at 22 centers in Korea were enrolled between May 2011 and July 2013. We assessed major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as the composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and clinical-driven target vessel revascularization at 12 months. RESULTS: Patient mean age was 62.6±11.4 years. 72.8% of the patients were male, 28.5% had diabetes, 32.8% had multi-vessel disease (MVD), and 47.9% presented with acute MI (AMI). The mean global registry of acute coronary events risk score of all patients was 103.0±27.6. The number of stents per patient was 1.3±0.6. The incidences of MACE and definite stent thrombosis at 12 months were 3.9% and 0.2%, respectively. On multivariate Cox-regression analysis, age ≥65 years was identified as an independent predictors of 1-year MACE (hazard ratio=2.474; 95% confidence interval=1.202−5.091). Subgroup analyses revealed no significant differences in the incidence of MACE between patients with and without diabetes (4.3% vs. 3.7%, p=0.667), between those who presented with and without AMI (4.4% vs. 3.4%, p=0.403), and between those with and without MVD (4.6% vs. 3.5%, p=0.387). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated excellent 1-year clinical outcomes of BES implantation in patients at low-risk for ACS.

A Case of Near Total Occlusion of the Renal Artery after Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is a safe, durable, and effective procedure. However, complications could occur with stent graft devices. When the renal ostia become obstructed by this device, renovascular hypertension may result. In general, renal artery occlusion secondary to stent graft impingement remains uncommon. We herein describe a patient with renal atrophy, new-onset hypertension, and elevated serum renin and aldosterone levels following endovascular aneurysm repair. Blood pressure and the levels of renin and aldosterone were normalized by renal artery stenting.

Postimplantation Syndrome After Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair in an Elderly Patient

Endovascular procedures have been proposed as minimally invasive alternative treatments, allowing safe and effective aortic aneurysm repair. Despite the potential benefits, endovascular stent grafting may elicit an unexpected systemic inflammatory response, called postimplantation syndrome (PIS). The main features of PIS include fever, elevated C-reactive protein levels, leukocytosis and/or coagulation disturbances, perigraft air on abdominal computed tomography, and no evidence of infection. The main management of PIS is supportive care. Antibiotics have no clinical benefit. We report a case of PIS after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in an elderly patient.

Obesity Increases Blood Pressure Variability during the Night

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that obesity increases heart rate variability. Body mass index (BMI) has been reported to affect blood pressure variability (BPV) over 24 hours. However, the diurnal variation in the effect of BMI on BPV has not been evaluated. This study aimed to clarify the diurnal variation in the effect of BMI on BPV. METHODS: A total of 2,044 patients were consecutively enrolled in this study, and the data were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. We divided patients into two groups according to BMI (non-obese group: n = 1,145, BMI or = 25). We compared BPV during daytime and nighttime between the non-obese and obese groups. We also evaluated the impact of BMI on BPV by multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: On univariate regression analysis, there was no significant difference in BPV during daytime (systolic BP [SBP] variability: 20.7 vs. 21.7, p = 0.511; diastolic BP [DBP] variability: 16.8 vs. 17.5, p = 0.539). However, both SBP variability (13.8 vs. 17.6, p = 0.009) and DBP variability (11.7 vs. 14.3, p = 0.042) during nighttime were affected significantly by BMI. After adjusting other compounding variables (age > 60 years, current smoking habit, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and use of calcium channel blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers), multivariate analysis showed that BMI was an independent factor associated with increase in BPV during the night (SBP variability: p = 0.039; DBP variability: p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity increased BPV during nighttime.

Rosuvastatin Does Not Affect Fasting Glucose, Insulin Resistance, or Adiponectin in Patients with Mild to Moderate Hypertension / 전남의대학술지

The effects of statins on insulin resistance and new-onset diabetes are unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of rosuvastatin on insulin resistance and adiponectin in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. In a randomized, prospective, single-blind study, 53 hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to the control group (n=26) or the rosuvastatin (20 mg once daily) group (n=27) during an 8-week treatment period. Both groups showed significant improvements in systolic blood pressure and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) after 8 weeks of treatment. Rosuvastatin treatment improved total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. The control and rosuvastatin treatment groups did not differ significantly in the change in HbA1c (3.0+/-10.1% vs. -1.3+/-12.7%; p=0.33), fasting glucose (-1.3+/-18.0% vs. 2.5+/-24.1%; p=0.69), or fasting insulin levels (5.2+/-70.5% vs. 22.6+/-133.2%; p=0.27) from baseline. Furthermore, the control and rosuvastatin treatment groups did not differ significantly in the change in the QUICKI insulin sensitivity index (mean change, 2.2+/-11.6% vs. 3.6+/-11.9%; p=0.64) or the HOMA index (11.6+/-94.9% vs. 32.4+/-176.7%; p=0.44). The plasma adiponectin level increased significantly in the rosuvastatin treatment group (p=0.046), but did not differ significantly from that in the control group (mean change, 23.2+/-28.4% vs. 23.1+/-27.6%; p=0.36). Eight weeks of rosuvastatin (20 mg) therapy resulted in no significant improvement or deterioration in fasting glucose levels, insulin resistance, or adiponectin levels in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

The Inflammation Markers According to the Presence of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease

OBJECTIVE: Prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) has been reported to be high in patients with atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (PAD) in lower extremities. Various inflammatory markers have been known to be associated with CAD. The aim of study was to explore the role of inflammatory makers for CAD in patients with PAD. METHODS: A total of 346 PAD patients (71.51+/-9.41 years, 337 males) who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty from June 2006 to April 2012 were included in this study. Patients were divided into the Group I (PAD with CAD: n=151, 149 males) and the Group II (PAD without CAD: n=195, 188 males). RESULTS: Among 346 patients, 149 patients had CAD (43.6%). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (p=0.023) and smoking (p=0.010) were significantly higher in the group I when compared withthe group II. The level of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) increased (p or =3.0 mg/dL) (OR=2.595, 95% CI: 1.548-4.350, p<0.001), and age (OR=0.645; 95% CI, 0.454-0.915; p=0.014) were independent predictors for the development of CAD in PAD patients. CONCLUSION: 43.6% of patients with PAD also had CAD, and the predictors of CAD were smoking, DM, and high level of hs-CRP.

Rosuvastatin Does Not Affect Fasting Glucose, Insulin Resistance, or Adiponectin in Patients with Mild to Moderate Hypertension / 전남의대학술지

The effects of statins on insulin resistance and new-onset diabetes are unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of rosuvastatin on insulin resistance and adiponectin in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. In a randomized, prospective, single-blind study, 53 hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to the control group (n=26) or the rosuvastatin (20 mg once daily) group (n=27) during an 8-week treatment period. Both groups showed significant improvements in systolic blood pressure and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) after 8 weeks of treatment. Rosuvastatin treatment improved total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. The control and rosuvastatin treatment groups did not differ significantly in the change in HbA1c (3.0+/-10.1% vs. -1.3+/-12.7%; p=0.33), fasting glucose (-1.3+/-18.0% vs. 2.5+/-24.1%; p=0.69), or fasting insulin levels (5.2+/-70.5% vs. 22.6+/-133.2%; p=0.27) from baseline. Furthermore, the control and rosuvastatin treatment groups did not differ significantly in the change in the QUICKI insulin sensitivity index (mean change, 2.2+/-11.6% vs. 3.6+/-11.9%; p=0.64) or the HOMA index (11.6+/-94.9% vs. 32.4+/-176.7%; p=0.44). The plasma adiponectin level increased significantly in the rosuvastatin treatment group (p=0.046), but did not differ significantly from that in the control group (mean change, 23.2+/-28.4% vs. 23.1+/-27.6%; p=0.36). Eight weeks of rosuvastatin (20 mg) therapy resulted in no significant improvement or deterioration in fasting glucose levels, insulin resistance, or adiponectin levels in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

A Case of Periaortitis Diagnosed with Abdomen CT in a Patient with Malignant Fibrous Histiocytosis

Periaortitis is a very rare disease, characterized by a fibro-inflammatory tissue which develops around abdominal aorta and iliac arteries, and spreads into the structures of retroperitoneum. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for the diagnosis. Here, we report a case of periaortitis diagnosed with abdomen CT in patient with malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

The Impact of Ischemic Time on the Predictive Value of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated by Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a marker of inflammation, has been known to be elevated in patients with coronary artery disease. However, there is controversy about the predictive value of hs-CRP after acute myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, we evaluated the impact of ischemic time on the predictive value of hs-CRP in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who were treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 5123 STEMI patients treated by primary PCI from the Korean Working Group in Myocardial Infarction and divided enrolled patients into four groups by symptom-to-balloon time (SBT) and level of hs-CRP (Group I: SBT or =3 mg/L, Group III: SBT > or =6 hours and hs-CRP or =6 hours and hs-CRP > or =3 mg/L). To evaluate the impact of ischemic time on the predictive value of hs-CRP in STEMI patients, we compared the cumulative cardiac event-free survival rate between these four groups. RESULTS: The sum of the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality and recurrence of MI was higher in Group IV than in the other groups. However, there was no significant difference among Group I, Group II, and Group III. The Cox-regression analyses showed that an elevated level of hs-CRP (> or =3 mg/L) was an independent predictor of long-term cardiovascular outcomes only among late-presenting STEMI patients (p=0.017, hazard ratio=2.462). CONCLUSION: For STEMI patients with a long ischemic time (> or =6 hours), an elevated level of hs-CRP is a poor prognostic factor of long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Effects of Weight Change on Clinical Outcomes in Overweight and Obese Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Who Underwent Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / 전남의대학술지

Obesity is a well-established risk factor for many chronic disorders. However, the effect of weight change after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is not well known. Among consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention between November 2005 and November 2007 due to AMI, patients who were overweight (23.0< or =body mass index [BMI]<27.5 kg/m2, n=341) and obese (BMI> or =27.5 kg/m2, n=80) were selected for analysis. According to weight change, the patients were divided into 4 groups: Group I (weight loss>5%, n=61), Group II (0%<weight loss< or =5%, n=133), Group III (0%< or =weight gain<5%, n=181), and Group IV (weight gain> or =5%, n=46). We assessed the association between weight change and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Greater weight loss was more frequent among older individuals (Group I: 64.1+/-12.4 years, II: 60.6+/-12.1 years, III: 59.0+/-11.9 years, IV: 61.4+/-10.6 years; p=0.028) and patients with diabetes (Group I: 34.4%, II: 27.1%, III: 21.2%, IV: 15.2%; p=0.009). However, there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics or in angiographic or procedural factors except for the proportions of patients with three-vessel disease, which were higher in patients with weight loss (Group I: 20.8%, II: 23.0%, III: 12.5%, IV: 11.6%; p=0.005). The group with greater weight loss had the highest MACE rate at the 12-month clinical follow-up (Group I: 36.9%, II: 25.0%, III: 25.9%, IV: 17.3%; p=0.020). Although weight loss after AMI appears to be associated with worse outcomes, it remains unclear whether the effect is of cardiac origin.

Clinical Outcome of Veterans with Acute Coronary Syndrome Who Had Been Exposed to Agent Orange / 전남의대학술지

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of the components of Agent Orange, has been reported to be a deadly poison despite its presence at extremely small doses. TCDD is reported to cause various kinds of cancers and other harmful effects on humans. However, a correlation between exposure to TCDD and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not yet proven. Thus, we examined the correlation between exposure to TCDD and ACS through an analysis of coronary angiograms from veterans of the Vietnam War. Two hundred fifty-one consecutive men undergoing coronary angiograms owing to ACS between April 2004 and May 2009 at Gwangju Veterans Hospital were analyzed. Included subjects were between 50 and 70 years of age. The patients were divided into two groups: 121 patients who had been exposed to TCDD (Group I) and 130 patients who had not been exposed to TCDD (Group II). Clinical and coronary angiographic findings were evaluated. Baseline clinical characteristics, inflammatory markers, and echocardiographic parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. The incidence of hypertension (71.1% vs. 60.0%, p=0.039) and hyperlipidemia (27.3% vs. 16.9%, p=0.038) was higher in Group I than in Group II. Total occlusion, stent length, stent use, and coronary lesion characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. The rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) had no relationship with exposure to TCDD. Exposure to TCDD might not affect severity or the rate of MACE in persons with ACS.

Effects of Weight Change on Clinical Outcomes in Overweight and Obese Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Who Underwent Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / 전남의대학술지

Obesity is a well-established risk factor for many chronic disorders. However, the effect of weight change after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is not well known. Among consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention between November 2005 and November 2007 due to AMI, patients who were overweight (23.0 or =27.5 kg/m2, n=80) were selected for analysis. According to weight change, the patients were divided into 4 groups: Group I (weight loss>5%, n=61), Group II (0% or =5%, n=46). We assessed the association between weight change and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Greater weight loss was more frequent among older individuals (Group I: 64.1+/-12.4 years, II: 60.6+/-12.1 years, III: 59.0+/-11.9 years, IV: 61.4+/-10.6 years; p=0.028) and patients with diabetes (Group I: 34.4%, II: 27.1%, III: 21.2%, IV: 15.2%; p=0.009). However, there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics or in angiographic or procedural factors except for the proportions of patients with three-vessel disease, which were higher in patients with weight loss (Group I: 20.8%, II: 23.0%, III: 12.5%, IV: 11.6%; p=0.005). The group with greater weight loss had the highest MACE rate at the 12-month clinical follow-up (Group I: 36.9%, II: 25.0%, III: 25.9%, IV: 17.3%; p=0.020). Although weight loss after AMI appears to be associated with worse outcomes, it remains unclear whether the effect is of cardiac origin.

Clinical Outcome of Veterans with Acute Coronary Syndrome Who Had Been Exposed to Agent Orange / 전남의대학술지

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of the components of Agent Orange, has been reported to be a deadly poison despite its presence at extremely small doses. TCDD is reported to cause various kinds of cancers and other harmful effects on humans. However, a correlation between exposure to TCDD and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not yet proven. Thus, we examined the correlation between exposure to TCDD and ACS through an analysis of coronary angiograms from veterans of the Vietnam War. Two hundred fifty-one consecutive men undergoing coronary angiograms owing to ACS between April 2004 and May 2009 at Gwangju Veterans Hospital were analyzed. Included subjects were between 50 and 70 years of age. The patients were divided into two groups: 121 patients who had been exposed to TCDD (Group I) and 130 patients who had not been exposed to TCDD (Group II). Clinical and coronary angiographic findings were evaluated. Baseline clinical characteristics, inflammatory markers, and echocardiographic parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. The incidence of hypertension (71.1% vs. 60.0%, p=0.039) and hyperlipidemia (27.3% vs. 16.9%, p=0.038) was higher in Group I than in Group II. Total occlusion, stent length, stent use, and coronary lesion characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. The rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) had no relationship with exposure to TCDD. Exposure to TCDD might not affect severity or the rate of MACE in persons with ACS.

Elevated hs-CRP in Patients with Stable Angina Pectoris / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The association between inflammatory markers and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable angina pectoris remains controversial. This study explored the relationships between the serum high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) level and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with stable angina. METHODS: The study enrolled 377 stable angina patients (298 males, 79 females) undergoing coronary angiography from June 2006 to August 2010. Based on the coronary angiography results, they were divided into two groups according to the diameter of stenosis (DS): Group I (DS > or = 50%) and Group II (DS or = 3.0 mg/L versus low hs-CRP or = 50% coronary stenosis have higher hs-CRP levels than patients with < 50% coronary stenosis and stable angina. Further study is needed to define the role of hs-CRP in the progression of angina pectoris.

Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy Presenting as Ventricular Tachycardia

No abstract available.