Validation of the Friedewald formula for estimating low density lipoprotein cholesterol: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009 to 2011

Background/Aims@#The aim of this study is to compare Friedewald-estimated and directly measured low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values and assess the concordance in guideline risk classification between the two methods. @*Methods@#The data were derived from the 2009 to 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We included subjects with triglyceride (TG) levels < 400 mg/dL. Analysis was done for 6,454 subjects who had all lipid panels— total cholesterol, directly measured LDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and TG. @*Results@#The subjects ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old. The mean age was 41.5 ± 17.3 years. For subjects with TG < 400 mg/dL, overall concordance in guideline risk classification was 79.1%. The Friedewald formula tended to underestimate LDL-C more at higher TG or lower HDL-C levels. Especially, the percent of subjects who were misclassified into a lower risk category was 31% when TG were 200 to 299 mg/dL; and 45.6% when TG were 300 to 399 mg/dL. A greater underestimation of LDL-C occurred at higher TG and lower Friedewald-estimated LDL-C levels. Of subjects with a Friedewald-estimated LDL-C < 70 mg/dL, 55.4% had a directly measured LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dL when TG were 200 to 399 mg/dL. @*Conclusions@#The Friedewald equation tends to underestimate LDL-C in highrisk subjects such as hypertriglyceridemia and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia. For these individuals accurate assessment of LDL-C is crucial, and therefore additional evaluation is warranted.

Early Detection of Hidden Adenocarcinoma through the Prompt Pericardiocentesis in Patient with Small Pericardial Effusion / 이화의대지

Pericardial drainage is an important diagnostic and therapeutic option in the symptomatic patient with large amount of pericardial effusion (PE). However, when the amount of PE is relatively small, physicians are often reluctant to perform the invasive drainage of the fluid due to the increased risk of causing myocardial injury during the procedure. Even in some cases of suspected pericarditis with small amount PE, an initial empirical anti-inflammatory therapy is often recommended. A 65-year-old woman presented with mild dyspnea for two weeks. The echocardiography revealed small amount of PE. A careful fluoroscopy-guided pericardiocentesis, subsequent pericardial fluid cytology, and thorough whole body check-up demonstrated adenocarcinoma with no proven primary site. After the palliative chemotherapy, she had survived for 15 months until her death due to asphyxia. Although pericardiocentesis is considered dangerous in small amount of PE, a prompt and careful drainage may provide early detection of hidden malignancy and better survival outcome.

Septic Shock with Acute Kidney Injury due to Obstructive Uropathy by Uterine Prolapse, Documented in a Urodynamic Study / 대한내과학회지

A 76-year-old woman with high fever and low blood pressure was admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of septic shock of unknown cause. A meticulous physical examination revealed a uterine prolapse with marked lower abdominal distention, suggesting urinary retention. After manual reduction of the uterine prolapse and insertion of a urinary catheter, the patient was managed with antibiotics for a presumed urinary tract infection. Escherichia coli was cultured on urine and blood culture media. Several days later the patient underwent a gynecological operation (anterior-posterior colporrhaphy) to correct the underlying cause of the obstructive uropathy. A preoperative and postoperative urodynamic study demonstrated marked urinary retention due to uterine prolapse. Pelvic organ prolapse including the uterus is not rare in older women. However, this common gynecological problem can cause lethal obstructive uropathy, such as uroseptic shock and acute kidney injury, if complications are present.