Complications of Central Venous Totally Implantable Access Port: Internal Jugular Versus Subclavian Access / 대한중환자의학회지

BACKGROUND: Totally implantable access port (TIAP) provides reliable, long term vascular access with minimal risk of infection and allows patients normal physical activity. With wide use of ports, new complications have been encountered. We analyzed TIAP related complications and evaluated the outcomes of two different percutaneous routes of access to superior vena cava. METHODS: All 172 patients who underwent port insertion with internal jugular approach (Group 1, n = 92) and subclavian approach (Group 2, n = 79) between August 2011 and May 2013 in a single center were analyzed, retrospectively. Medical records were analyzed to compare the outcomes and the occurrence of port related complications between two different percutaneous routes of access to superior vena cava. RESULTS: Median follow-up for TIAP was 278 days (range, 1-1868). Twenty four complications were occurred (14.0%), including pneumothorax (n = 1, 0.6%), migration/malposition (n = 4, 2.3%), pinch-off syndrome (n = 4, 2.3%), malfunction (n = 2, 1.1%), infection (n = 8, 4.7%), and venous thrombosis (n = 5, 2.9%). The overall incidence was 8.7% and 20.3% in each group (p = 0.030). Mechanical complications except infectious and thrombotic complications were more often occurred in group 2 (p = 0.033). The mechanical complication free probability is significantly higher in group 1 (p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the jugular access should be chosen in patients who need long term catheterization because of high incidence of mechanical complication, such as pinch-off syndrome.

Cardiac Rupture of the Junction of the Right Atrium and Superior Vena Cava in Blunt Thoracic Trauma / 대한중환자의학회지

Cardiac rupture following blunt thoracic trauma is rarely encountered, since it commonly causes death at the scene. With advances in critical care, blunt cardiac rupture has been successfully treated with well-organized team approach including an emergency physician, anesthesiologist, and cardiac surgeon. We encountered a patient with blunt cardiac rupture of the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium that extended 7 cm to the right ventricular junction. The patient was successfully resuscitated after a closed thoracostomy and pericardiocentesis with fluid loading. Cardiac injury was repaired via mid-sternotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient recovered without complications and was discharged on the 7th day after surgery.

Erratum: Complications of Central Venous Totally Implantable Access Port: Internal Jugular Versus Subclavian Access / 대한중환자의학회지

We found an error in this article. The author's affiliation.

Epidemiology of Trauma Patients and Analysis of 268 Mortality Cases: Trends of a Single Center in Korea

PURPOSE: There is an increasing incidence of mortality among trauma patients; therefore, it is important to analyze the trauma epidemiology in order to prevent trauma death. The authors reviewed the trauma epidemiology retrospectively at a regional emergency center of Korea and evaluated the main factors that led to trauma-related deaths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 17007 trauma patients were registered to the trauma registry of the regional emergency center at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital in Korea from January 2010 to December 2012. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 35.2 years old. The most frequent trauma mechanism was blunt injury (90.8%), as well as slip-and-fall down injury, motor vehicle accidents, and others. Aside from 142 early trauma deaths, a total of 4673 patients were admitted for further treatment. The most common major trauma sites of admitted patients were on the extremities (38.4%), followed by craniocerebral, abdominopelvis, and thorax. With deaths of 126 patients during in-hospital treatment, the overall mortality (142 early and 126 late deaths) was 5.6% for admitted patients. Ages > or =55, injury severity score > or =16, major craniocerebral injury, cardiopulmonary resuscitation at arrival, probability of survival <25% calculated from the trauma and injury severity score were independent predictors of trauma mortality in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The epidemiology of the trauma patients studied was found to be mainly blunt trauma. This finding is similar to previous papers in terms of demographics and mechanism. Trauma patients who have risk factors of mortality require careful management in order to prevent trauma-related deaths.

Left External Iliac and Common Femoral Artery Occlusion Following Blunt Abdominal Trauma without Associated Bone Injury

Blunt abdominal trauma may cause peripheral vascular injuries. However, blunt abdominal trauma rarely results in injuries to the external iliac and common femoral arteries, which often stem from regional bone fractures. Here, we present the case of a patient who had experienced trauma in the lower abdominal and groin area three months before presenting to the hospital, but these injuries did not involve bone fractures and had been managed conservatively. The patient came to the hospital because of left lower leg claudication that gradually became severe. Computed tomography angiography confirmed total occlusion of the external iliac and common femoral arteries. The patient underwent femorofemoral bypass grafting and was discharged uneventfully.

Erratum: Complications of Central Venous Totally Implantable Access Port: Internal Jugular Versus Subclavian Access / 대한구급학회지

We found an error in this article. The author's affiliation.

Complications of Central Venous Totally Implantable Access Port: Internal Jugular Versus Subclavian Access / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: Totally implantable access port (TIAP) provides reliable, long term vascular access with minimal risk of infection and allows patients normal physical activity. With wide use of ports, new complications have been encountered. We analyzed TIAP related complications and evaluated the outcomes of two different percutaneous routes of access to superior vena cava. METHODS: All 172 patients who underwent port insertion with internal jugular approach (Group 1, n = 92) and subclavian approach (Group 2, n = 79) between August 2011 and May 2013 in a single center were analyzed, retrospectively. Medical records were analyzed to compare the outcomes and the occurrence of port related complications between two different percutaneous routes of access to superior vena cava. RESULTS: Median follow-up for TIAP was 278 days (range, 1-1868). Twenty four complications were occurred (14.0%), including pneumothorax (n = 1, 0.6%), migration/malposition (n = 4, 2.3%), pinch-off syndrome (n = 4, 2.3%), malfunction (n = 2, 1.1%), infection (n = 8, 4.7%), and venous thrombosis (n = 5, 2.9%). The overall incidence was 8.7% and 20.3% in each group (p = 0.030). Mechanical complications except infectious and thrombotic complications were more often occurred in group 2 (p = 0.033). The mechanical complication free probability is significantly higher in group 1 (p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the jugular access should be chosen in patients who need long term catheterization because of high incidence of mechanical complication, such as pinch-off syndrome.

Cardiac Rupture of the Junction of the Right Atrium and Superior Vena Cava in Blunt Thoracic Trauma / 대한구급학회지

Cardiac rupture following blunt thoracic trauma is rarely encountered, since it commonly causes death at the scene. With advances in critical care, blunt cardiac rupture has been successfully treated with well-organized team approach including an emergency physician, anesthesiologist, and cardiac surgeon. We encountered a patient with blunt cardiac rupture of the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium that extended 7 cm to the right ventricular junction. The patient was successfully resuscitated after a closed thoracostomy and pericardiocentesis with fluid loading. Cardiac injury was repaired via mid-sternotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient recovered without complications and was discharged on the 7th day after surgery.

Placental Transmogrification of the Lung

Placental transmogrification is a very rare lung disease, where the alveoli resemble the chorionic villi of placenta, and this change is a characteristic finding. A 31-year-old female patient presented with cough and dyspnea that had begun 2 weeks prior to admission. Along with giant bulla found in the left upper lung field, subsegmental consolidation was also identified in the lingular segment on plain chest radiograph and CT scan. Wedge resection was performed to remove the bulla. Pathologic examination of the resected bulla revealed destruction of the normal structures and characteristic villous and papillary changes. These changes led to a diagnosis of placental transmogrification. We made an encounter of an unusual placental transmogrification which had different image findings from other reported transmogrification cases. Thus, we report an atypical placental transmogrification case where both consolidation and giant bulla coexist.

The Effect of the Simple Fogarty Thromboembolectomy / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The Fogarty thromboembolectomy catheter technique was devised to extract distal arterial emboli and it represents a milestone for the treatment of patients with acute arterial occlusion since the 1960s. The major causes of arterial occlusion have changed from emboli of a heart origin to atherosclerosis over the past 30 years. Accordingly, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of simple Fogarty thromboembolectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: During the period from March 1990 through August 2008, 156 patients who requiring Fogarty thromboembolectomy were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: those with simple Fogarty thromboembolectomy (Group 1, 79 patients) and those with additional vascular bypass graft surgery (Group 2, 77 patients). The duration of symptoms, the cause of thrombi, admission via the emergency room, a history of acupuncture or misdiagnosis, combined diseases, the anatomic occlusion site and the cause of death were analyzed using T-tests, cross tab tests, Chi square tests and Kaplan-Meier tests, respectively. RESULT: The mean age was 64+/-10 years in the 2 groups. The duration of symptoms (pain) in Group 1 vs Group 2 was 12+/-4 days vs 71+/-14 days (p=0.001). 50 (63%) patients in Group 1 were admitted via the emergency room vs 18 (23%) patients in Group 2 (p=0.005). Misdiagnosis and the treatment for herniated intervertebral disc or acupuncture were given to 20 (25%) patients in Group 1 vs 30 (39%) patients in Group 2. Anticoagulation treatment before admission was performed in 22 (28%) patients in Group 1 vs 11 (14%) patients in Group 2. The causes of thrombi were heart disease in 24 (30%) patients in Group 1 vs 6 (8%) patients in Group 2 (p=0.001), atherosclerosis in 46 (58%) patients in Group 1 vs 67 (87%) patients in Group 2 (p=0.001) and trauma in 9 (11%) patients in Group 1 vs 6 (8%) patients in Group 2. The combined diseases were cerebrovascular accident, hypertension and diabetes mellitus in 22~37% of the total patients. The occlusion sites were mainly in the iliac and femoral arteries. Endarterectomy was performed in 7 (9%) patients in Group 1 vs 18 (23%) patients in Group 2 (p=0.012). Treatment was successful in 27 (34%) patients in Group 1 and in 40 (52%) patients in Group 2 (p=0.019). Reocclusion occurred in 37 (47%) patients in Group 1 vs 20 (26%) patients in Group 2 (p=0.000). Amputation was done in 4 (5%) patients in Group 1 vs 12 (16%) patients in Group 2 (p=0.012) and death occurred in 10 (13%) patients (Group 1) vs 3 (4%) patients (Group 2) (p=0.044). CONCLUSION: The recent past has shown a decline in the effectiveness of simple Fogarty thromboembolectomy with a changing pattern of acute arterial occlusion from a rheumatic heart origin to atherosclerosis. Additional bypass procedures play a role for the treatment of arterial occlusion instead of always performing simple Fogarty thromboembolectomy.

Traumatic Pericardial Rupture: A Case Report

Pericardial rupture due to blunt trauma is very rare, but can lead to serious complications. It occurs mainly on the left, is found incidentally during surgery, and is seldom discovered radiologically unless accompanied by cardiac herniation. The following case describes a 53-year-old traffic-accident victim who received emergency pericardial repair and bleeding control via an exploratory thoracotomy and an exploratory laparatomy. The patient was discharged without any complication and remained healthy at six month after injury.

The Effect of a Chest CT Scan on the Treatment and Diagnosis of Major Blunt Chest Trauma / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Blunt chest trauma accounts for 90% of all chest traumas in Europe and the United States and this causes 20% of all trauma-related deaths. The major cause of morbidity and mortality after blunt chest trauma is undetected injuries. For this reason, chest computerized tomography has gained popularity for the evaluation of trauma, but it is expensive and it exposes patients to radiation. This study identified the clinical features associated with the diagnosic information obtained on a CT chest scan, as compared with a standard chest X-ray, for patients who sustained blunt trauma to the chest. This study also evaluated the role of a routine computed tomographic (CT) scan for these patients. The patients who had chest computed tomography done after the initial chest x-ray were analyzed separately for the presence of occult injuries. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We studied 100 consecutive patients from November 2006 to July 2007: 74 patients after motor vehicle crashes and 26 patients after a fall from a height >2 m. Simultaneous with the initial clinical evaluation, an anteroposterior chest radiograph and a helical chest CT scan were obtained for all the patients. The data extracted from the medical record included the vital signs, the interventions and the type and severity of injury (RTS). RESULT: Among the 100 cases, 79 patients showed at least more than one pathologic sign on their chest radiograph, and 21 patients had a normal chest radiograph. For 17 of the patients who had a normal chest X ray, the CT scan showed multiple injuries, which were pneumothorax, hemothorax, lung contusion, sternal fracture etc. This represents that a CT scan is statistically superior to a chest radiograph to diagnose the pathologic signs. But on the other hand, as for treatment, only 31 patients were diagnosed by CT scan and they were treated with chest tube insertion ect. 42 patients needed ony conservative management without invasive thoracosurgical treatment such as chest tube insertion or open thoracotomy. 27 patients were treated based on the diagnosis made by the chest radiograph and physical examination. CONCLUSION: Chest computerized tomography was significantly more effective than routine chest X-ray for detecting lung contusion, pneumothorax and mediastinal hematoma, as well as fractured ribs, scapula and, sternum. Although the occult findings increased, the number of patients who needed treatment was small. Therefore, we suggest making selective use of a CT scan to avoid its overuse in ERs.

Acute Myocardial Infarction caused by Left Coronary Artery Aneurysm following Blunt Chest Trauma: A case report / 대한흉부외과학회지

Chest trauma can lead to various cardiac complications ranging from arrythmia to myocardial rupture. Coronary artery injury in patients with blunt chest trauma is rare, and traumatic aneurysm of the left coronary artery is even more unusual than right coronary artery. Injury to the coronary arteries, including intimal aneurysm, dissection, laceration, arteriovenous fistula and thrombosis, are sequelae that rarely occur after a blunt trauma. Occlusion of the coronary artery results is a serious complication for the patient via acute myocardial infarction. We report here on a case of acute myocardial infarction with coronary artery aneurysm that arose from blunt chest trauma in a 33-year-old male, and he was successfully managed by a coronary bypass graft without performing cardiopulmonary bypass.

Development and Experimental Evaluation of Respiratory Assist Device by Use of Right Thoracic Negative Pressure Ventilation / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: A diaphragm pacing with electrical stimulation is a new respiratory assist device which has advantages over mechanical ventilation. Unilateral phrenic nerve stimulation makes uneven distribution of intrathoracic negative pressure and most likely relates to paradoxical motion of the diaphragm. Our purpose is to investigate a respiratory effect of right phrenic nerve pacing after thoracotomy compared with bilateral pacing. METHODS: Five dogs were examined under the general anesthesia. Right 5th intercostal space was opened. Two pacing leads were placed around the phrenic nerve and connected to the stimulator. Chest wall was closed after chest tube insertion. Ventilator was off without self respiration. Swan-Ganz catheter was introduced to the pulmonary artery, cardiac output, central venous pressure (CVP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). Arterial blood gases (PO2 & PCO2), end-tidal PCO2 (PETCO2) and tidal volume were measured with nerve stimulation. Left phrenic nerve was managed as the same manner. RESULTS: Right phrenic nerve pacing resulted in a tidal volume of 186+/-5 ml, PETCO2 of 55.0+/-2.3 mmHg, Arterial PO2 of 115+/-12 mmHg, PCO2 of 59+/-4 mmHg, Cardiac output of 2.3+/-0.5 L/min, CVP of 12.0+/-2.3 mmHg, PCWP of 14.2+/-2.5 mmHg. Bilateral phrenic nerve pacing resulted in a tidal volume of 418+/-3 ml, PETCO2 of 47.0+/-2.7 mmHg, PO2 of 289+/-10 mmHg, PCO2 of 42+/-3 mmHg, Cardiac output of 3.1+/-0.4 L/min, CVP of 10.2+/-2.5 mmHg, PCWP of 14.5+/-2.7 mmHg. Right phrenic nerve pacing showed significantly lower tidal volume, PO2 and higher PETCO2 and arterial blood PCO2 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Right phrenic nerve pacing plays a role to develop respiratory assist. However the effect is less than the bilateral pacing.

Respiratory Assist by Use of Electrical Diaphragmatic Pacing / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: Electrical breathing pacing has many advantages over mechanical ventilation. However, clinically permanent diaphragmatic pacing has been applied to limited patients and few temporary pacing has been reported. Our purpose is to investigate the feasibility of temporary electrical diaphragm pacing in explothoracotomy canine cases. METHODS: Five dogs were studied under the general anesthesia. Left 5th intercostal space was opened. Self designed temporary pacing leads were placed around the left phrenic nerve and connected to the myostimulator. Chest wall was closed after tube insertion with underwater drainage. Millar catheter was introduced to the aorta and right atrium. Swan-Ganz catheter was introduced to the pulmonary artery. When the self respiration was shallow with deep anesthesia, hemodynamic and tidal volume were measured with the stimulator on. RESULTS: Tidal volume increased from 143.3 +/- 51.3 ml to 272.3 +/- 87.4 ml(p=0.004). Right atrial diastolic pressure decreased from 0.7 +/- 4.0 mmHg to -10.5 +/- 4.7 mmHg(p=0.005). Pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure decreased from 6.1 +/- 2.5 mmHg to 1.2 +/- 4.8 mmHg(p<0.001). The height of water level in chest tube to show intrathoracic pressure change was from 10.3 +/- 6.7cmH2O to 20.0 +/- 5.3 cmH2O. CONCLUSION: Temporary electrical diaphragmatic pacing is a simple method to assist respiration in explothoracotomy canine cases. Self designed pacing lead is implantable and removable. Negative pressure ventilation has favorable effects on the circulatory system. Therefore, clinical application of temporary breathing pacing is feasible in thoracotomy patients to assist cardiorespiratory function.

The cyclic burst effect of myostimulator on the thoracic aortomyoplasty

BACKGROUND: Descending thoracic aortomyoplasty (DTA) is a simple surgical procedure designed to use patient's own skeletal muscle based on the principle of aortic counterpulsation. Clinical application is limited. We have investigated the acute effect of DTA depending on the surgical configurations and cyclic bursts of stimulator parameter. METHODS: In 14 Mongrel dogs, the left latissimus dorsi muscle (LD) was wrapped around the descending aorta. Pacing leads were placed around the thoracodorsal nerve and sensing lead on the left ventricular apex. Cyclic burst 5-6 pulses were applied. Different surgical configurations are clockwise or counter-clockwise wrapping method of LD and whole type or band type of LD. Millar catheter and Swan-Ganz catheter were introduced to measure hemodynamics. Aorta pressure, right atrial pressure, mean aortic systolic and diastolic pressure, systolic and diastolic time, pulmonary wedge pressure, coronary perfusion pressure, endocardial viability ratio were measured in normal heart and pump failure heart. RESULTS: In normal heart, mean aortic diastolic pressure changed from 49.6+/-15.0mmHg to 55.5+/-17.1mmHg(p=0.012), endocardial viability ratio changed from 1.13+/-0.31 to 1.59+/-0.23 (p<0.001). In pump failure heart, mean aortic diastolic pressure changed from 40.0+/-12.8mmHg to 43.2+/-11.2mmHg(p=0.018), endocardial viability ratio changed from 0.69+/-0.22 to 1.01+/-0.40 (p=0.018). In clockwise configuration, mean aortic diastolic pressure changed from 50.3+/-14.0mmHg to 56.9+/-14.8mmHg(p=0.004). In whole type configuration, mean aortic diastolic pressure changed from 49.814.6mmHg to 57.1+/-15.6mmHg(p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Train stimulation of 5-6 pulses and surgical configurations of clockwise rotation with whole LD type play a role to maximize acute effect of DTA.

A Case of Behcet's Disease Presenting with Aneurysm of Abdominal Aorta and Hemorrhagic Ulcerative Lesion of Terminal Ileum

Behcet's disease is a disorder of a multisystemic involvement with unknown etiology. Involvement of the cardiovascular system and intestinal tract are rare, but serious complications. We present a case with Behcet's disease demonstrating aneurysm of the abdominal aorta as well as hemorrhagic ileal ulcerative lesions and requiring surgical treatment.

A Case of Cardiac Tamponade due to Penetration of the Right Ventricule by an Acupunture Needle

The heart may be critically damaged by objects of unimpressive size or appearance. We report a case of cardiac tamponade due to penetration of the right ventricle by an acupunture needle. A 59-year-old man was admitted due to dyspnea and chest pain. He had recieved acupuncture therapy during 10 years for chronic right upper abdominal pain. He was diagnosed as cardiac tamponade due to hemopericardium caused by an broken a cupuncture needle detected on fluoroscopy, computerized tomography and trans-esophageal echocardiography, and the needle was successfully removed by cardiac surgery. The patient was discharged uneventfully and followed at the outpatient department.

Change of Body Impedance according to Loss of Total Body Water during Hemodialysis in Chronic Renal Failure Patients / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: In biological structures, application of a constant alternating low current results in an impedance to the spread of the current that is frequency dependent. The living organism consists of intra- and extracellular fluids that behave as electrical conductors, and cell membranes that act as electrical condensers. Body fluids and electrolytes are responsible for electrical conduction. METHODS: We studied body impedance and fluid loss during hemodialysis in 20 patients with chronic renal failure. Two pairs of electrodes with a thin layer of electrolyte gel were placed on the dorsal surfaces of the hands and feet. 50KHz 800uA current was applied via the distal electrodes of each pair and the voltage drop was measured by proximal electrodes and impedance was derived from Ohms law. We measured body impedance and fluid loss at every one hour during hemodialysis. RESULTS: Body impedance value according to weight before hemodialysis changed in inveise ratio. During hemodialysis the rate of increase of body impedance according to body fluid loss revealed individual variance, but it was nearly constant in each individual patient. CONCLUSIONS: The method assessing total body water by body impedance is very simple, safe, rapid and noninvasive. The change of total body water can be predicted with body impedance method in individual patient by continuous monitoring, and this method may be useful particularly in critically ill patient. Further validation of this method is required for clinical application.

A Case of Patent Ductus Arteriosus with Eisenmenger Syndrome Treated by Ligation of PDA

We experienced a case of eisenmenger syndrome treated by simple surgical intervention. Eisenmenger syndrome refers to patients with congenital heart defects who have a systemic level of pulmonary arterial pressure and high pulmonary vascular resistance, with right-to-left or bidirectional shunting. Because a progressive rise in pulmonary vascular resistance may be better tolerated with an intracardiac communication, surgical repair in such patients may shorthen their life. But, urgent surgical intervention should be undertaken to reverse process if the pulmonary vascular disease is of recent origin. Patients who respond to vasoilator therapy, such as oxygen, are subjected to surgery. We reported a case of PDA with eisenmenger syndrome whose pulmonary vascular resistance fall following vasodilator, 100% oxygen, and closure of defect during cardiac catheterization, preoperatively, and who may faborable after simple surgical repair.