• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.69-75
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• 2009

Objectives : To access the safety and efficacy of Black Ginseng (BG), a traditional herbal medicine on hypertension, we examined various parameters involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Methods : We made deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA;25 mg/kg/3times/weeks for 3 weeks)-induced hypertension Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. And experiment group was treated with extract of black ginseng (BG;200 mg/kg/day). Results : In results, the weight of experiment group treated with BG was increased compared with normal and control group. And the heart and lung weights of experiment group were decreased compared with control group. The blood pressure and pulse rate of group treated with BG were significantly decreased compared with control group. In addition, BG greatly reduced the levels of aldosterone. These results suggested that BG has suppressive effects on hypertension, and BG has potential as a safe and effective therapeutics for hypertension. Conclusions : The present data show evidences on anti-hypertension activity of BG in an experimental animal system, which can provide further insights into the development of anti-hypertension therapeutic agents.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.311-314
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• 1998

Of several techniques for closure of the patent ductus arteriosus, the less invasive surgical ranscatheter closure without thoracotomy(the Porstmann's procedure) may have a place between the Rashkind procedure and thoracotomy. We describe here a 68 year old woman with calcified patent ductus arteriosus which was successfully closed by the Porstmann's procedure.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.487-493
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• 1999

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on the anti-pulmonary hypertensive action of enalapril were evaluated in rats. Pulmonary hypertension was induced by monocrotaline treatment (60mg/kg, i.p.) in normotensive rats. In the systolic pulmonary artery pressure, the control group was 33$\pm$2 mmHg, comparing to the normal group of 19$\pm$1 mmHg. That of enalapril group(20mg/kg/day, p.o.) was 26$\pm$2 mmHg. In the isolated lung preparation, acetylcholine, which was endothelium dependent vasodilator, induced the decrease of pulmonary artery perfusion pressure(-2.0$\pm$0.7 mmHg) in normal group, but the increase of that of 3.4$\pm$0.6 and 3.0$\pm$0.9 mmHg in control and enalapril group, respectively. And that of the combined group was -0.5$\pm$0.2 mmHg. In the isolated pulmonary artery, acetylcholine(10-5M) induced the relaxation of 65$\pm$6% in normal group, but 15 and 8% in control and enalapril group, respectively. And that of the combined group was resulted 55$\pm$2%. These results suggested that co-administration of Ginkgo biloba extract(EGb 761) potentiated the anti-pulmonary hypertensive effects of enalapril through the increase of pulmonary vasodilation due to the protection of endothelial cell by antioxidant action of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.644-650
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• 2005

Background : Bilateral pulmonary thromboendarterectomy(PTE) is recognized as the definitive treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We investigated the symptomatic, hemodynamic and prognostic effects of PTE in comparison with medical treatment. Methods : Twenty-four patients diagnosed with CTEPH from 1995 to 2003 at the Asan Medical Center were divided into two groups: patients treated with PTE(PTE group, n=12) and those not treated with PTE(Med group, n=12). The serial changes in dyspnea, the tricuspid regurgitation maximal velocity (TRVmax) and survival of the PTE and Med groups were compared retrospectively. Results : In PTE group, during a follow-up period of 1 year, the New York Heart Association(NYHA) functional class significantly improved, while there was no significant improvement in the Med group. PTE significantly lowered the TRVmax from $4.23{\pm}0.54m/sec$ to $3.22{\pm}0.70m/sec$ over a follow up period of 2 years. (p=0.028) However, the TRVmax in the medically treated group did not show any significant improvement, changing from $3.98{\pm}0.68m/sec$ to $4.27{\pm}0.95m/sec$ during 1 year. The 5-year survival of the PTE group was 77.9% compared with 64.3% in the medically treated group. Conclusion : PTE provides substantial long-term improvement in dyspnea and the echocardiographic changes compared with medically treated patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 1999

Background: Treatment of adult patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) has many difficulty such as pulmonary hypertension, arterial wall calcification, aneurysmal chage of ductus. We tried to evaluate the effect of surgical interruption of PDA on postopeative change of heart size. Material and Method : From 1987 to 1997 we experienced 30 cases of the ligation of patent ductus arteriosus in adult at the department of cardiovacular surgery in Masan Samsung General Hospital. Result: There were 9 males and 21 females and their ages ranged from 16 to 44 years, with a mean age of 26.1 years. 15 patients had pulmonary hypertension and 9 patients complained of dyspnea with a degree of functional NYHA class III. Operation method was double or triple ligation using Teflon felt. Postoperative complications were wound dehiscence in 3 patients and transient hoarseness in 1 patient. The mean preoperative cardiothoracic ratio was 54.7%, and mean postoperative cardiothoracic ratio was 51.9%. The change of cardiothoracic ratio was more typical in the cases who had congestive heart failure. Their mean preoperative cardiothoracic ratio was 64.8% and the mean postoperative cardiothoracic ratio was 58.5% there was no postoperative deaths. Conclusion: We canclude that the improvement in cardiothoracic ratio may result from surgical intervention of PDA.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.862-865
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• 2003

Obstructive intracardiac lesions, like mitral stenosis or insufficiency (MR), by myxomas of the left atrium have been commonly reported, but the attenuation of MR by myxoma combined with coronary artery disease is very rare. We report a 70-year-old female patient whose left atrial myxoma had attenuated moderate MR to mild MR and required mitral valve surgery after removal of the myxoma. She also had coronary artery disease, severe pulmonary hypertension and moderate tricuspid regurgitation due to the mitral valve lesions obstructed by myxoma. The patient underwent removal of myxoma, mitral and tricuspid valve reconstructions, and coronary artery bypass grafting. She was discharged at the postoperative 14 day without any problems.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.11 s.268
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• pp.822-827
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• 2006

Background: Lung transplantation is a definitive therapy for a variety of end stage lung diseases. Since 1996, we have performed thirteen cases of lung transplantation including two retransplantations, and we analyzed the outcomes, complications, and survivals of these patients. Material and Method: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of thirteen cases from July, 1996 to July, 2005. Result: During the period, 11 patients had undergone 43 lung and heart-lung transplantations, and two patients had retransplantation due to allograft failure. Mean age of recipients were $45.2{\pm}10.7$ years(range, $25{\sim}59$). Early complications were bleeding, reperfusion injury, and infection and late complications were mainly infection and post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease. Excluding the operative mortality, the mean survival period was 16.5 months($2{\sim}60$ months). Two retransplantations had been performed 2 weeks and 13 months after single lung transplantations. Conclusion: In order to achieve long term survival, early detection of complications and proper treatment in addition to surgical skills are necessary, and these efforts can promote better lung transplantation programs in the near future.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.9 s.266
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• pp.659-667
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• 2006

Background: Experimental studies of vascular remodeling in the pulmonary arteries have been performed actively. These models required a persistent vascular insult for intimal injury induced by chronic hypoxia, monocrotaline intoxication or chronic air embolism and characterized medial hypertrophy and neointimal formation by active synthesis of the extracellular matrix protein. The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of pulmonary vascular remodeling after obstruction of the pulmonary vein. Material and Method: Obstruction of the right pulmonary vein with a metal clip was performed in Sprague-Dawley rats $(352{\pm}18g,\;n=10)$ to cause pulmonary vascular disease. Fifteen days later, experimental studies were done and finally the both lungs and hearts were extirpated for experimental measurement. Pulmonary arterial pressure, weight ratio of right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) and ventricular septum (S) (RV/LV +S weight ratio), and pulmonary artery morphology (percent wall thickness, %WT) were evaluated and compared with normal control groups. Result: Pulmonary hypertension $(38{\pm}12mmHg\;vs\;13{\pm}4mmHg;\;p<0.05)$ and right ventricular hypertrophy (right ventricular/left ventricular and septal weight ratio, $0.52{\pm}0.07\;vs\;0.35{\pm}0.04;\;p<0.05$) with hypertrophy of the muscular layer of the pulmonary arterial wall (percent wall thickness, $22.4{\pm}6.7%\;vs\;6.7{\pm}3.4%;\;p<0.05$) were developed by 15 days after obstruction of the pulmonary vein. Conclusion: Obstruction of the pulmonary vein developed elevation of pulmonary blood pressure and medial hypertrophy of the pulmonary artery. These results are a part of the characteristic vascular remodeling. Theses results demonstrate that obstruction of the pulmonary vein can develope not only high pulmoanry blood flow of contralateral lung but also intima injury inducing vascular remodeling.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2010

Purpose : In contrast with traditional time-cycled, pressure-limited ventilation, during volume-controlled ventilation, a nearly constant tidal volume is delivered with reducing volutrauma and the episodes of hypoxemia. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of pressure-regulated, volume controlled ventilation (PRVC) to Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) in VLBW infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).Methods : 34 very low birth weight (VLBW) infants who had RDS were randomized to receive either PRVC or SIMV with surfactant administration : PRVC group (n=14) and SIMV group (n=20). We compared peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), duration of mechanical ventilation, and complications associated with ventilation, respectively with medical records. Results : There were no statistical differences in clinical characteristics between the groups. After surfactant administration, PIP was significantly lower during PRVC ventilation for 48hrs and accumulatevive value of decreased PIP was higher during PRVC ventilation for 24hrs (P<0.05). Duration of ventilation and incidence of complications was no significant difference. Conclusion : PRVC is the mode in which the smallest level of PIP required to deliver the preset tidal volume in VLBW infants with RDS, adaptively responding to compliance change in lung after surfactant replacement.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 1994

Background: Patients with mitral stenosis(MS) have been demonstrated to have a variable degree of pulmonary dysfunction and exercise impairment. The hemodynamic changes of MS can be reversed after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty(PMV), but the extent and time course of the imporvement in pulmonary function and exercise capacity are not defined. Methods: In order to investigate the early(3 weeks or less)and late(3 months or more) effects of PMV on pulmonary function and determine if the pulmonary dysfunction is reversible even in patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension, we performed the spirometry, measurements of diffusing capacity and lung volumes, and incremental exercise tests in patients with MS before and after PMV. Results: In 46 patients with MS(age: $40{\pm}12$years, male to female ratio: 1:2, mitral valve area: $0.8{\pm}0.2cm^2$) there was a significant increase in FVC(P<0.0025), $FEV_1$(P<0.001), $FEF_{25-75%}$(P<0.001, $FEF_{50%}$(P<0.001), PEF(P<0.0005), MVV(P<0.005), $\dot{V}O_2$max (P<0.0001), and AT(P<0.0001) after average 10 days of PMV. Also there was a significant decrease in DLco(P<0.0001) and DL/VA(P<0.0001). At later($5{\pm}2$months) follow-up in 11 patients, there was no further improvement in any parameters of pulmonary function and exercise test. Twenty nine patients with sinus rhythm were divided into 16 patients with pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) more than 35mmHg and/or tricuspid regurgitation grade n or more(group A) and 13 patients with PAP less than 35mmHg(group B). Group A Patients had significantly lower FVC(P<0.001), $FEV_1$(P<0.001), DLco(P<0.05), $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.025) and mitral valve area(P<0.025) than group B patients. Group A patients after PMV, showed significant increase in FVC(P<0.001), maximum $O_2$ pulse(P<0.00001) and $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.00025). Both group showed an increase in AT(P<0.0001, P<0.005), but group A showed greater decrease in $\dot{V}E/\dot{V}O_2$ and $\dot{V}E/\dot{V}CO_2$ both at AT(P<0.001, P<0.001) and $\dot{V}O_2$ max(P<0.0001, P<0.0001) after PMV compared with group B. Conclusion: These data suggest that patients with MS can show increased pulmonary function and exercise performance within 1 month after PMV. Patients with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension had a significant increase in exercise performance compared with those with mild to no pulmonary hypertension and it is thought to be related to a significat decrease of ventilation for a given oxygen consumption at maximum exercise.