Clinical Risk Factors for Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often performed therapeutically, and antithrombotic treatment is required for at least 12 months after stent implantation. However, the development of post-PCI upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) increases morbidity and mortality. We investigated the incidence and risk factors for UGIB in Korean patients within 1 year after PCI. METHODS: The medical records of 3,541 patients who had undergone PCI between January 2006 and June 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. We identified 40 cases of UGIB. We analyzed the incidence and clinical risk factors associated with UGIB occurring within 1 year after PCI by comparing the results for each case to matched controls. The propensity score matching method using age and sex was utilized. RESULTS: UGIB occurred in 40 patients (1.1%). Two independent risk factors for UGIB were a history of peptic ulcer disease (odds ratio [OR], 12.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.70 to 59.66; p=0.001) and the use of anticoagulants (OR, 7.76; 95% CI, 2.10 to 28.66; p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: UGIB after PCI occurred at a rate of 1.1% in the study population. Clinicians must remain vigilant for the possibility of UGIB after PCI and should consider performing timely endoscopy in patients who have undergone PCI and are suspected of having an UGIB.

Partial remission of a primary gastric choriocarcinoma after etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapy in a hemodialysis patient / 대한내과학회지

Primary gastric choriocarcinomas are rare and no treatment regimen for hemodialysis patients with a primary gastric choriocarcinoma has been established. We report a partial response to etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapy in a hemodialysis patient with a primary gastric choriocarcinoma. A 69-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease experienced hematemesis for 3 days. Gastroduodenoscopy revealed an ulcerative mass with recent bleeding. A subtotal Billroth II gastrectomy was performed and a gastric choriocarcinoma was identified histopathologically. One month postoperatively, recurrence was diagnosed by detecting an elevated serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) level and multiple liver and lymph node metastases. The patient was treated with chemotherapy consisting of etoposide and cisplatin (EP). After six cycles of EP chemotherapy, the tumor size decreased markedly and a partial response was seen on computed tomography. Post-therapy positron emission tomography showed a complete metabolic response and the serum beta-HCG level had normalized.

Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism: A rare cause of reversible heart failure / 대한내과학회지

A 65-year-old woman presented with acute pulmonary edema, generalized tetany, and paresthesia. She had severe hypocalcemia, a low intact parathyroid hormone level, and her echocardiogram revealed left ventricular dysfunction. She had no history of heart failure or thyroid surgery. The heart failure improved after calcium replacement and conventional heart failure management. She was diagnosed with hypocalcemia-induced heart failure caused by idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. Despite the crucial role of calcium in myocardial contractility, hypocalcemia is rarely reported as a cause of heart failure. In conclusion, plasma calcium should be measured in the initial workup of all patients with heart failure, and corrected if hypocalcemia is seen. Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism is a rare cause of reversible heart failure that should be considered in the etiologic assessment.

Air in the Left Brachiocephalic Vein Accompanied with Pulmonary Edema / 결핵및호흡기질환

A fifty-seven year old female patient visited the emergency department with tachypnea and a decreased mental status. The patient had been receiving fluid therapy at home and a bolus of air was injected into the fluid bottle in order to increase the infusion speed. Chest computed tomography revealed air in the left brachiocephalic vein that was accompanied with pulmonary edema the diagnosis of venous air embolism was made. Venous air embolism can result from various procedures that are performed in almost all clinical specialties and they can be fatal in cases of massive air embolism. Therefore, it is important for all clinicians to be aware of this problem.

Crohn's Disease in Association with IgA Nephropathy / 대한소화기학회지

Urological complications are not uncommon in Crohn's disease (CD). The most common manifestations are renal stones, enterovesical fistulas, and ureteral obstruction, but renal parenchymal disease has rarely been reported. IgA nephropathy, the most common form of primary glomerulonephritis, is usually isolated, but can be sometimes associated with chronic extrarenal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease. We describe a case of 36 year-old man with CD associated with IgA nephropathy. He was diagnosed as CD 6 years ago and at that time, isolated proteinuria was observed. He presented recurrent proteinuria and elevation of creatinine level while he had been managed well with mesalamine and azathioprine. The renal biopsy was performed and IgA nephropathy (type IV) was diagnosed. Strict blood pressure control with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and calcium channel blocker resulted in clinical improvement and normalization of serum creatinine level.

A Case of Rectus Sheath Hematoma and Intraperitoneal Hematoma Induced by Cough / 결핵및호흡기질환

Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is a rare condition that's caused by a sudden disruption of the deep epigastric vessels or direct damage to the rectus abdominis muscle. This condition is associated with old age, childbirth, abdominal surgery, severe cough, severe sneezing, anticoagulation therapy and/or coagulation disorders. RSH is characterized by abdominal pain and an abdominal mass, so that this is often misdiagnosed as a surgical condition such as appendicitis, intraabdominal abscess, torsion of the ovary and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm; this can lead to unnecessary surgery. Thus, we have to be cautious not to miss RSH when a patient with predisposing factors is suffered from abdominal pain and an abdominal mass. We report here on a case of rectus sheath hematoma that was induced by severe cough in a patient who was taking warfarin.

A Case of Radiolucent Foreign Body (Temporary Resin Bridge) Aspiration Accompanied by Inflammatory Polyps / 결핵및호흡기질환

This case demonstrates the rare occurrence of a radiolucent temporary resin bridge aspiration in adults while they are in a conscious and awaken state and the resultant formation of inflammatory polyps. Although no unique findings were noted in a chest x-ray, careful history taking accompanied by physical examinations can lead to clinical suspicion of foreign body aspiration in an earlier stage. Moreover, flexible bronchoscopy is a tool useful not only for the evaluation process but also for managing the aspirated foreign material.