Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty in patients with restenosis after surgical commissurotomy: a comparative study

We performed percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMV) in 367 patients to compare the effectiveness of PMV between patients with mitral restenosis after surgical commissurotomy (group 1) and patients with unoperated mitral stenosis (group 2). Twenty-two had undergone closed or open mitral commissurotomy 11.2 years before. There were no significant differences in clinical profiles between the two groups. The mitral valve area was increased from 1.0 +/- 0.8 to 1.8 +/- 0.6 cm2 in group 1 and 0.9 +/- 0.3 to 2.0 +/- 0.7 cm2 in group 2 (p> 0.05). The mitral gradient was decreased from 14 +/- 5.9 to 6 +/- 2.6 mmHg in group 1 and 18 +/- 7.0 to 7 +/- 5.3 mmHg in group 2 (p> 0.05). The increment of mitral regurgitation and significant left to right shunt after PMV were not significantly different (10% versus 14.7%, 5% versus 10.4% respectively). Optimal results were attained in 75% of the patients in group 1 and in 84.3% of the patients in group 2 (p> 0.05). These results suggest PMV in mitral restenosis after surgical commissurotomy may be safe in selected patients and may be equally effective as in unoperated mitral stenosis.

Functional Significance of Collateral Circulation in Patients with Total Coronary Occlusion

BACKGROUND: The role of coronary collateral circulation has been a subject of great interest and controversy. The functional significance of collateral circulation was evaluated in 125 patients with total coronary occlusion of left anterior descending artery(LAD) or right coronary artery(RCA). METHOD: Patients were classified into two groups. Group 1:patients with angina pectoris(AP), Group 2:patients with a first transmural myocardial infarction(MI) within 3 months of symptom onset, Clinical variables, resting and exercise electrocardiogram(EKG) were analyzed with angiographic findings. Collateral fillings were graded from 0 to 3 : 0=none ; 1=filling of side branches only ; 2=partial filling of the epicardial segment ; 3=complete filling of epicardial segment. The wall motion of each segment was scored from 1 to 5:1=normal ; 2=mild to moderate hypokinesia ; 3=severe hypokinesia ; 4=akinesia ; 5=dyskinesia. The score of the 5 segments were added to yield a total LV score. RESULT: There is a higher prevalence of good collaterals and multivessel disease in group 1 than in group 2(83% vs 53%, 54% vs 30%, respectively, p<0.05). The left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP) and segmental wall motion score were significantly better in group 1 than group 2(68.9+/-13.4% vs 50.5+/-12.6%, 15.0+/-7.3 vs 20.3+/-8.8mmHg, 6.5+/-2.2 vs 9.6+/-2.3, respectively, p<0.05). In spite of total coronary occlusion, 61% of AP patients had normal resting EKG but 96% of patients who underwent treadmill test proved to be positive. The proportions of well-developed collaterals in 3 groups divided according to the interval between onset of MI and angiography(within 1 day, 2 to 14 days, 15 days to 3 months)were 13%, 54% and 60%. There were no significant difference in LVEF, segmental wall motion score and LVEDP in MI patients with poorly-developed collaterals and well-developed collaterals(49.1+/-15.7 vs 46.4+/-10.1%, 11.1+/-2.2 vs 10.9+/-1.4 and 24.3+/-9.7 vs 20.3+/-7.0mmHg, p=NS). The degree of collateral development is higher in MI with RCA occlusion compared with that of LAD occlusion(1.1+/-1.0 vs 2.0+/-1.0, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Collateral circulation can prevent myocardial ischemia and preserve myocardial function in a significant number of patients with AP but do not provide protection against exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in a majority of patients with AP. Well-developed collaterals are uncommonly present within 1 day after MI, but subsequently develop and are generally demonstrable after 2 weeks. Collateral vessels in patients with MI have no beneficial effects on preserving myocardial function.

Exercise radionuclide ventriculography in patients with mitral stenosis / 대한핵의학회잡지

No abstract available.

Pathogenesis of Myocardial Infarction in Clinical Perspective

No abstract available.

Efficacy of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Detecting Aortic Dissection

Aortic dissection is a medical emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and maybe emergency surgery especially if the ascending aorta is involved. We have performed transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) in 22 consecutive patients with suspected aortic dissection. The diagnosis was subsequently proven in 14 patients(9 males, 2 females, mean age 51+/-11years) on the basis of TEE. The results and effectiveness were compared with computed tomography (CT) and aortography. Seven patients had type I aortic dissection, three had type II and four had type III. Twelve patients had hypertension. There was aortic regurgitation in five of seven patients with type I dissection and in all three patients with type II dissection. Type I dissection was found by TEE in seven patients who had intimal flap showing parallel movement to the aortic wall. CT was positive in only three of five of these patients. Type II dissection was seen in three patients by TEE. CT demonstrated dissection in one of three of these patients. In one patient the false lumen was filled with a thrombus, which was negative at angiography. Type III dissection was found by TEE in four patients. CT was positive in two of four patients. Aortography was performed and positive in one patient. The starting point of aortic dissection could be demonstrated in all four patients by TEE. TEE was well tolerated by patients with aortic dissection and associated with no major complications. In conclusion. TEE was very useful in detecting aortic dissection and in providing a dynamic information of the intimal flap and of the presence and extent of luminal thrombus with flow dynamics.

Patency rate of grafts after coronary artery bypass surgery / 대한흉부외과학회지

No abstract available.

Early Results of Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty in Multiple Lesions and Vessels

BACKGROUND: Indications and applications of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA) have been broaden recent years. We evaluated the initial success rate and safety of PTCA in mulitiple lesions and vessels. METHODS: To assess the success rate and safety of PTCA In mulitiple lesions and vessels, the data of 60 lesions from 28 patients(male 23, female 5, mean age 56+/-12 years), in whom PTCA for multiple lesions and vessels were performed, were examined. Initial results and complications were compared in 37 lesions undergoing multivessel and 23 lesions undergoing multilesion PTCA. RESULTS: Overall primary success rate of procedure was 82%(49 out of 60 lesions). Angioplasty was attempted in mean 2.1 stenotic lesions per patient. Primary success rate per lesion was 84%(31 of 37) among those who underwent multivessel and 78%(18 of 23) among those who underwent multilesion PTCA(p>0.05). Success rate according to the combination of dilated vessels was 85.7%(12 of 14) in left anterior descending(LAD) and left circumflex(LCX), 83.3%(10 of 12) in LAD and right coronary artery(RCA), 100.0%(4 of 4) in LAD and diagonal branch, RCA and LCX in 75.0%(3 of 4), and 66.7%(2 of 3) in LAD, LCX and diagonal branch. Eleven failures(18.3%) included inability to pass the guide wire cross the lesion or inability to locate the balloon catheter in 5(8,3%), abrupt closure in 2(3,3%), coronary spasm in 1(1.7%) and major branch occlusion in 3(5.0%), but there was no emergency coronary bypass surgery or cardiac death. CONCLUSION: Coronary angioplasty in selected patients with multivessel and multilesion coronary artery disease might be useful and have relatively good initial results, but the long-term efficacies with other forms of treatment must be evaluated prospectively.

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty in Total Coronary Artery Occlusion

BACKGROUND: Improvements in catheter equipments and increasing experience of the operators have brought about a broadening of the indications and applications of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA). In particular, coronary angioplasty has been employed in total occlusions.We evaluated the initial success rate and safety of PTCA total occulsive coronary artery disease. METHODS: To assess the success rate and safety of PTCA total coronary artery occlusion, the data of 24 patients(male 19, female 5, mean age 55+/-9 years), in whom PTCA for total occlusion were performed, were examined. RESULTS: Primary success rate of procedure was 66.7%(16 out of 24 lesions).The success rate according to the duration of total occlusions was 8 out of 11(72.7%) with occlusions4 weeks duration(p=0.07). There was no difference in success rate according to vassel dilate(left anterior descending 75.0%, right coronary 44.4%) and length of occluded lesion(0.93%+/-0.47%cm, p=0.35). Eight procedural failures included inability to cross the lesion with a guide wire in 6 and inability to dilate the lesion in 2, but there was no emergency coronary bypass surgery or cardiac death. CONCLUSION: Even though the recanalization of occluded coronary arteries has a lower initial success rate than angioplasty for stenotic arteries, PTCA in total occlusion can be performed as a safe and effective therapeutic modality in selective patients.

Exercise radionuclide ventriculographic study of mitral stenosis before and after percutanous mitral valvuloplasty

We performed radionuclide ventriculography before and within 1 week after percutaneous mirtal valvuloplasty(PMV) to evaluate left ventricular(LV) function in 20 patients(3 males and 17 females, mean age of 38±10 years) who were pure mitral stenosis before PMV and less than grade 1 mitral regurgitation developed after PMV. 9 out of 20 patients had atrial fibrillation and 3 patients developed a small left-to-right shunt(Qp/Qs<1.5)after PMV using double-balloon technique resulted in a increase in mitral valve area(0.9±0.3 to 2.1±0.8mm

Comparison of Outcome between Double and Inoue Balloon Techniques for Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty in Mitral Stenosis: A Randomized Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: Since the nonsurgical treatment of mitral stenosis using a single balloon has been introduced by Inoue et al. in 1984. percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty has became an accepted therapeutic modality for selected patients with mitral stenosis. Zeibag et al. demonstrated the double balloon technique showed a better outcome than the single balloon in obtainning the optimal mitral valve area. On the other hand, there are several reports that single balloon technique was comparable with the double balloon technique. Therefore, there are still controversies in efficacy, benefit and complications between balloon techniques. METHOD: To compare the efficacy and complications of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty with the double balloon or the Inoue balloon technique, 40 patients were studied consecutively by random method in selecting the balloon technique. RESULTS: In all cases, percutaneous mitral valvulopasty was performed successfully. Optimal outcome defined as mitral valve area larger than 1.5cm2 was obtained in 12 cases out of 16(75%) in double balloon group and 15 out of 24(63%) in Inoue balloon group(p=NS). Mitral valve area was significantly increased after valvulopasty in both technique but there was no different between both groups(Mean+/-SD ; 0.9+/-0.3 to 1.7+/-0.2 vs 0.9+/-0.2 to 1.9+/-0.2cm2). There were also hemodynamic improvement significantly in mean mitral gradient(MG). pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and left atrial pressure(LAP) after PMV but there were no difference between groups (18+/-8 to 7+/-2 vs 21+/-13 to 9+/-4 mmHg for MG. 29+/-12 to 22+/-9 vs 28+/-9 to 18+/-5mmHg for PAP and 22+/-8 to 11+/-5 vs 21+/-6 to 11+/-4 for LAP respectively). Mitral requrgitation greater than grade 2 occurred in 2 cases of the double balloon group and one case of the Inoue balloon group(p=NS). New development of atrial shunt was found in 3 cases in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The double and Inoue balloon techniques were quite comparable in immediate outcome and complications.

Chronic Total Obstruction of Left Main Coronary Artery: Report of Five Patients and Review of Published Reports

BACKGROUND: Total obstruction of the left main coronary artery is a common cause of sudden death but is rarely seen in patients who survive to undergo diagnostic evaluation or treatment. METHODS: During twenty six-year period, we encountered 5 patients with chronic total obstruction of the left main coronary artery out of about 4,000 patients who underwent coronary angiography. RESULTS: All patients have undergone coronary bypass surgery. These patients present with increasingly severe angina. A right dominat coronary anatomy is always found, usually with well-developed right-to-left collaterals. Left ventricular function was severely impaired in two patients out of five patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of surgical revascularization in our patients and others described in the literature can support the safety and efficacy of this approach.

Predictors of Left Atrial Thrombus in Mitral Stenosis A Transthoracic and Transesophageal Echocardiographic Study

BACKGROUND: Left atrial thrombus(LAT) has long been recognized as a complication of mitral stenosis(MS).The transesophageal echocardiographic approach readily visualize LAT. We evaluated the risk factors for left atrial thrombus in patients with MS using transthoracic(TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE). METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and forty-three(patients) who had moderate to severe MS were consecutively studied with TTE and TEE. They were 43 males(30%) and 100 females(70%).The mean age was 44+/-11 years(range 21-70). Twenty-five patients had at least one episode of embolic events. Ninety-six patients were in atrial fibrillation(AF). LAT was detected in 30 pts(21%) : 16 had thrombus confined to the LA appenge(LAA), 14 to true LA cavity and/or LAA. TTE variables were compared between LAT group and non-LAT group. Univariate predictors of LAT were mitral valve area(MVA)(0.78+/-0.22cm2 vs 1.05+/-0.32cm2, p=0.001), pressure half time(353+/-88ms vs 258+/-118ms, p=0.002). LV ejection fraction(EF)(55+/-11% vs 62+/-8%,p=0.008), LA size (58+/-11mm vs 52+/-7mm, p=0.033) and AF(p=0.001). Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed significant independent predictors of LAT to be AF(p=0.02), MVA(p=0.02) and EF(p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Left atrial thrombus was not uncommon in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. Small mitral valve area and reduced ejection fraction of left ventricle appear to be significant predictors of LAT in mitral stenosis with atrial fibrillation.

Coronary Stent Implantation for Restenosis after PTCA

We report the implantation of a balloon-expandable intravascular stent at proximal left anterior decending artery in a patients suffered from Canakian functional class III angina for 8 years. The patient received 3 times percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty at proximal left anterior descending and circumflex artery without benefits. Repeated angiography revealed restenosis at proximal left anterior descending artery. Atherectomy was tried with transluminal extraction catheter(TEC) with luminal dissection and coronary bypass graft followed. occluded vein grafts were defined by follow-up angiography and chest pain recurred. No residual stenosis or thrombosis was documented in 24 hour follow-up angiography and the patient was discharged without symptom at 10 days after stenting.

Antihypertensive Effects of Ketanserin in Patients Aging Over 55 with Essential Hypertension

To evaluate the antihypertensive effects of serotonin antagonist, ketanserin, a daily dosage of 10~40mg (18.9+/-6.8 mean+/-SE) was administered to 22 patients with essential hypertension and aged 55??1 years (64+/-7.7 mean+/-SE) for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of ketanserin treatment mean blood pressure decreased from 177.9+/-11.9 to 15.7+/-15.3mmHg in systole and from 104.2+/-7.4 to 88.4+/-7.9mmHg in diastole (P<0.001). There was no significant change in heart rates with ketanserin treatment. The antihypertensive treatment with ketanserin was effective in 18 patients(81.8%) and ineffective in 4 patients (18.2%). Adverse reactions such as drowsiness (8.7%), edama (4.3%) and weakness (4.3%) were noted, but all were mild and transient. This results suggest that ketanserin is an effective and safe antihypersive agent in the treatment of essential hyperension.

Effects of Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty(PTCA) on Left Ventricular Diastolic Filling in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease; Assessed by Pulsed Doppler Echocardiography

To determine the effect of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty on the left ventricular diastolic filling in patients with coronary artery disease, diastolic filling was serially examined before, early(within 2 days) and late(5~15 days) after PTCA using pulsed Doppler echocardiography in 14 patients(12 unstable angina; 2 stable angina). The Control group was consisted of 20 normal persons with similar age and sex distribution. The left anterior descending artery was dilated in 10 patients, the right coronary artery in 3 patients, and the circumflex artery in 1 patient. Peak velocity of early diastolic rapid inflow(E), peak velocity of late diastolic inflow (A), A/E ratio, and deceleration time of E wave were measured by pulsed Doppler echocar diography. 1) LVangiogram was performed in 10 patients, and showed normal wall motion in 7 cases and regional hypokinesia in 3 cases. Delta area decreasing rate was 59+/-10%, and LVEDP was 11+/-4 mmHg. 2) A/E ratio was greater in patient group(1.00+/-0.28) than in normal control (0.64+/-0.10) (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in A and E values between two groups. 3) A/E ratio decreased significantly from 1.00+/-0.28(pre-PTCA) to 0.85+/-0.24 (late post-PTCA) (p<0.01), but there was no significant change at early post-PTCA(0.94+/-0.32). Deceleration time also decreased significantly from 213+/-56 msec(pre-PTCA) to 177+/-34 msec (late post-PTCA) (p<0.05), but there was no significant change at early post-PTCA (199+/-34 msec). In conclusion, there was impairment of left ventricular diastolic filling in patients with coronary artery disease which gradually improved after PTCA, and this result probably is related to post-ischemic "stunned" myocardium.

Change of Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Peptide(ANP) before and after Percutaneous Ballon Mitral Valvuloplasty(PMV)

To evaluate the effect of alteration of left atrial pressure. volume and wall tension on the circulating plasma level of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP), 15 patients with left atrial hypertension due to mitral stenosis were studied at the time of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty(PMV). Hemodynamic measurements and plasma atrial natriuretic peptde levels were obtained before, immediately(5-10min) after and 24h after valvuloplasty, and echocardiographic left atrial size, wall tension and mitral valve area were measured bdfore and 24h after valvuloplasty. 1) Immediately after valvuloplasty, left atrial pressure, pulmonary atrial pressure and mean diastolic pressure gradient across the mitral valve decreased, and the mitral valve area by Gorlin's method increased, significantly. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level(atright and left atrium, pulmonary artery and aorta) rose significantly after balloon inflation. This rising may reflect a transient increase in left atrial pressure and volume expansion associated with mitral valve occlusion by balloon. 2) Twenty four after valvuloplasty, mitral valve area increased, and left atrial volume and wall tension decreased, significantly. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level(at right atrium, pulmonary artery and aorta) fell significantly, too. In conclusion, change of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide le.vel before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty reflect hemodynamic alteration of right and left atrium.

Change of Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Peptide(ANP) before and after Percutaneous Ballon Mitral Valvuloplasty(PMV)

To evaluate the effect of alteration of left atrial pressure. volume and wall tension on the circulating plasma level of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP), 15 patients with left atrial hypertension due to mitral stenosis were studied at the time of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty(PMV). Hemodynamic measurements and plasma atrial natriuretic peptde levels were obtained before, immediately(5-10min) after and 24h after valvuloplasty, and echocardiographic left atrial size, wall tension and mitral valve area were measured bdfore and 24h after valvuloplasty. 1) Immediately after valvuloplasty, left atrial pressure, pulmonary atrial pressure and mean diastolic pressure gradient across the mitral valve decreased, and the mitral valve area by Gorlin's method increased, significantly. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level(atright and left atrium, pulmonary artery and aorta) rose significantly after balloon inflation. This rising may reflect a transient increase in left atrial pressure and volume expansion associated with mitral valve occlusion by balloon. 2) Twenty four after valvuloplasty, mitral valve area increased, and left atrial volume and wall tension decreased, significantly. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level(at right atrium, pulmonary artery and aorta) fell significantly, too. In conclusion, change of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide le.vel before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty reflect hemodynamic alteration of right and left atrium.

The Significance of Reciprocal ST-Segment Depression in Acute Inferior Myocardial Infarction

To investigate the significance of precordial ST-segment depression in acute inferior myocardial infarction, electrocardiographic findings in 51 consecutive patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction were analysed with clinical findings and coronary artery angiography. Thirty patients(Group A) had no or or =1.0mm ST depression in two or more precordial(VI-6) leads were included in this study. Patients in Group B thd greater summed ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, AVF(6.3+/-6.1 vs 2.4+/-2.3mm, p<0.05), higher plasma peak CK levels(1776.8+/-1503.3 vs 5666.6+/-587.7 IU/L, p<0.05), higher plasmal peak CK-MB levels(141.2+/-1553.3 vs 34.1+/-35.7 IU/L, p<0.05), more prevalence of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery disease (46.6% vs 16.6%, p<0.05) than patients in Group A. There was no significant difference between Group A and Group B in the LV ejection fraction, delta area decreasing rate, infarction related asynergy, complications during hospitalization and cardiac events during follow up period. In conclusion, patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction who have associated with precordial ST depression had more extensive myocardial damage probably due to concomitant left anterior descending coronary artery disease.

The Effect of Lovastatin(Mevacor(R)) on Serum Lipids of Patients with Hypercholesterolemia

We evaluated the hypolipidemic effect and adverse reaction of Lovastatin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor 20 to 40mg once-daily in the evening, in 20 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia for 12 weeks and the following results were obtained. 1) Lovastatin significantly reduced the total cholesterol(from 264.8+/-12.9mg/dl to 195.3+/-31.3mg/dl) by 26.3%, TG(from 191.1+/-41.5mg/dl to 156.2+/-52.9mg/dl) by 18.3%, LDL-C(from 177.0+/-12.4mg/dl to 121.3+/-19.6mg/dl) by 31.5% and increased th HDL-C (from 39.8+/-4.2mg/dl to 41.6+/-5.0mg/dl) by 4.5% at the end of 12th week. 2) The adverse reaction during the period of study were limited to diarrhea and nausea in one patient, dryness of skin and itching in one patient, and no patients was withdrawn form therapy. In this study, Lovastatin was well toterated and effective agent for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia without serious side effects.

Prosthetic Mitral Valve Thrombosis; Diagnosis and Thrombolytic Therapy with Urokinase

Six cases of bileaflet mechanical mitral valve thrombosis were serially assessed by Doppler echocardiography and cinefluoroscopy during thrombolytic therapy with urokinase. Two patients had dual mechanical valve replacement in the aortic and mitral positions simultaneously. Bileaflet thrombosis was diagnosed by 2-dimensional echocardiography in three cases, Doppler echocardiography and cinefluoroscopy in six cases. Thrombolytic therapy using urokinase was successful in five patients (3 cases : UK 1,000,000 unit x 3 hours for 2 days, 2 cases ; UK 1,000,000 unit/24 hours for 5 and 7 days respecitively, 1 case ; UK 1,000,000 unit/hr x 3 hours for 1 day). The other one patients had massive cerebral thromboembolism and subsequently died. These study demonstrated the usefulness of Doppler echocardiography and cinefluoroscopy in diagnosis and serial assessment of thrombolytic therapy in the patients with mechanical mitral valve thrombosis.