• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.507-514
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• 2005

Background : Measurement of the $FEV_1$ and PEFR in COPD patients is a significant indicator of the disease severity, the response to treatment and the acute exacerbation. However, it is not known if PEFR can be used to determine the severity of COPD because the agreement between PEFR and $FEV_1$ in COPD patients is not well known. Methods : From September, 2003 to August, 2004, 125 out patients with COPD who were treated at the pulmonary clinic in KonKuk University Hospital were enrolled in this study. The $FEV_1$ and PEFR of each patient were measured and all the data was analyzed using SPSS. Results : The average predicted $FEV_1$ % and PEFR % was $56.98{\pm}18.21%$ and $70{\pm}27.60%$, respectively. There was linear correlation between the predicted $FEV_1$ % and predicted PEFR %. There was no correlation between age of the COPD patients and the predicted PEFR %. There was correlation between dyspnea, which is a subjective symptom of the patients, and the predicted PEFR %. Conclusion : In COPD patients, the classification of the severity by PEFR tends to underestimate the state of the disease compared with the classification of the severity by the $FEV_1$. Therefore, the classification of the severity by PEFR should be interpreted carefully in patients with severe symptoms. Once the classification of the severity has made, the follow-up examination may use the PEFR instead of the $FEV_1$.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.583-589
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• 2003

With the purpose of identifying significant risk factors in poststernotomy sternal wound infection and mediastinitis, we underwent a retrospective analysis of the whole patients operated on at the our department of cardiovascular surgery for the two years. Material and Method: From March 200f to March 2003 at the depart-ment of cardiovascular surgery, medical school of Soonchunhyang University, major sternal wound infections had been developed in 12 (9.76%) of 123 consecutive patients. These patients underwent open-heart procedure through a midline sternotomy and survived long enough for infection to appear. For this group of patients, we evaluated possible risk factors such as age, sex, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, interval between hospital admission and operation, type of surgical procedure, elective or emergency surgical procedure, reoperation, duration of surgical procedures, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, amount of blood transfused, post-operative blood loss, chest reexploration, rewiring of a sterile sternal dehiscence, duration of mechanical ventilation, and days of stay in the intensive care unit and analyzed these factors. Result: Analysis represented that age, sex, diabetes mellitus, type and mode of surgical procedure, reoperation, duration of operation, duration of cardio-pulmonary bypass, and interval between hospital admission and operation were not significantly associated with wound infection. For all other predisposing factors, p-values of less than .05 were demonstrated. Eight emerged as significant: early chest reexploration (p=0.001), sternal rewiring (p< 0.0001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p<0.0001), blood transfusions (p<0.05), postoperative bleeding (p=0.008), days of stay in the intensive care unit (p< 0.0001), duration of mechanical ventilation (p=0.001), and obesity (p=.003). Conclusion: Contamination of pa-tients may occur before, during, and after the operation, and any kind of reintervention may predispose the patient to wound infection.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.619-624
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• 2008

Background: Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is caused by various underlying lung diseases, and this is despite that primary spontaneous pneumotherax is caused by rupture of subpleural blebs. The treatment algorithm for secondary pneumothorax is different from that for primary pneumothorax. We studied the recurrence rate, the characteristics of recurrence and the treatment outcomes of the patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. Material and Method: Between March 2005 to March 2007, 85 patients were treated for their first episodes of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax. We analyzed the characteristics and factors for recurrence of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax by conducting a retrospective review of the medical records. Result: The most common underlying lung disease was pulmonary tuberculosis (49.4%), and the second was chronic obstructive lung disease (27.6%), The recurrence rate was 47.1% (40/85). The second and third recurrence rates were 10.9% and 3.5%, respectively. The mean follow up period was $21.1{\pm}6.7$ months (range: $0{\sim}36$ month). For the recurrence cases, 70.5% of them occurred within a year after the first episode. The success rates according to the treatment modalities were thoracostomy 47.6%, chemical pleurodesis 74.4%, blob resection 71% and Heimlich valve application 50%. Chemical pleurodesis through the chest tube was the most effective method of treatment. The factor that was most predictive of recurrence was 'an air-leak of 7 days or more' at the first episode. (p=0.002) Conclusion: The patients who have a prolonged air-leak at the first episode of pneumothorax tend to have a higher incidence of recurrence. Further studies with more patients are necessary to determine the standard treatment protocol for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.877-883
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• 1998

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB), a standard adjunct for open heart surgery, can also play an important role in treating patients with noncardiac diseases. Material and Method: We report a collective analysis of noncardiac applications of cardiopulmonary bypass experienced at Seoul National University Hospital from 1969 to 1996. Out of a total of 20 patients, 8 were treated for membranous obstruction of inferior vena cava(MOVC), 5 for malignant melanoma, 3 for pulmonary embolism, 1 for double lung transplantation, 1 for intracranial giant aneurysm(GA), 1 for renal cell carcinoma(RC), and 1 for liposarcoma. CPB was used to induce profound hypothermia with circulatory arrest in 6 patients(MOVC 4, GA 1, RC 1). Result: CPB time was 113 mins on average for MOVC, 161 mins for GA, and 156 mins for RC, while the lowest rectal temperature was 26$^{\circ}C$ on average in MOVC, and 19$^{\circ}C$ in GA and RC. Postoperative recovery was good in all MOVC patients. The patient with GA, who underwent reoperation for the removal of hematoma, died 14 days postoperatively. The patient with RC recovered from the operation in a good condition but died from metastatic spread 6 months later. CPB was instituted for pulmonary embolectomy in 3 patients, in whom postoperative courses were uneventful, except in 1 patient who showed transient neurologic symptoms. CPB was used in a patient with double-lung transplantation for hemodynamic and ventilatory support. The patient was weaned successfully from CPB but died from low output and septicemia 19 days postoperatively. CPB without circulatory arrest was used to treat in 4 patients with MOVC. These patients showed good postoperative courses. CPB was used to administer high concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents to the extremities in 6 patients(malignant melanoma 5, recurrent liposarcoma 1). CPB time was 153 mins on average. No complications such as edema and neurologic disability were found. Conclusion: Although CPB has a limited indication in noncardiac diseases, if properly applied, it can be a very useful adjunct in a variety of surgical cases.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2012

This study is analyzed the implementation of medical aid for patients over 65 years of age who are among the discharged from hospitals with the capacity of over 100 beds. I have analyzed it with the data from an in-depth study of injury surveillance of discharged patients from hospitals done in a national project in 2004. After analyzing the results of the data from the beginning of this national project to the data collected in 2008, I could get the results that the rate of discharged patients over 65 years of age increased every year. Among them, the rate of discharged women was higher than that of the men, and the rate of deaths while at the hospital for patients over 65 years of age was higher than that of patients less than 65 years of age. The rate of operations done on patients over 65 was lower than that of patients under 65 years of age. The results of a diagnosis of popular symptoms showed that the rate of the diagnosis of cerebral infraction and structure of the heart at the circulatory organ was higher. In addition, the rate of the diagnosis of lung cancer, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive lung disease was higher, as well as the rates of gastric cancer, diabetes, liver cancer, and colorectal cancer. The results showed that the operation of the nerve system or cardiovascular system were higher. Therefore, according to this result, we should prioritize and allocate resources to the elderly people when setting up a management policy. And also, we should promote healthcare for elderly people after considering the characteristics of the implementation of medical aid in preparation of a super-aged society.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.6
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• pp.498-503
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• 2011

Background: The causes of exertional desaturation in patients with COPD can be multifactorial. We aimed to investigate factors predict exertional desaturation in patients with moderate to severe COPD. Methods: We tested 51 consecutive patients with stable COPD (FEV1/FVC, $40{\pm}13%$ predicted). Patients performed a six minute walk test (6MWT). Pulse oxymetric saturation (SpO2) and pulse rate were recorded. Results: Oxygen desaturation was found in 15 subjects after 6MWT, while 36 subjects were not desaturated. Lung diffusing capacity was significantly lower in desaturation (DS) group ($62{\pm}18%$ predicted) compared with not desaturated (ND) group ($84{\pm}20$, p<0.01). However there was no statistical difference of FEV1/FVC ratio or residual volume between two groups. The pulse rate change was significantly higher in the desaturated compared with the not desaturated group. Six minute walking distance, subjective dyspnea scale, airflow obstruction, and residual volume did not predict exertional oxygen desaturation. Independent factors assessed by multiple logistic regression revealed that a pulse rate increment (odd ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01~1.40; p=0.02), a decrease in baseline PaO2 (OR, 1.105; 95% CI, 1.003~1.218; p=0.04) and a decrease in lung diffusing capacity (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01~1.19; p=0.01) were significantly associated with oxygen desaturation. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that an absolute increment in pulse rate of 16/min gave optimal discrimination between desaturated and not desaturated patients after 6MWT. Conclusion: Pulse rate increment and diffusion capacity can predict exertional oxygen desaturation in stable COPD patients with moderate to severe airflow obstruction.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2011

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide and one of the most prevalent diseases in Korea. We examined trends and risk factors of health care utilization for COPD in Korea. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the database of Patient Surveys from 1990 through 2008, which were nationwide surveys of health services utilization through outpatient department (OPD) visits and hospitalization. Physician-diagnosed COPD patients whose ages were 45 years and older were included. Results: OPD visits and hospitalization of COPD patients between 1990 and 2008 were estimated to be 68,552 and 17,774 persons, respectively. Trends in OPD visits and hospitalization for COPD significantly increased from 1990 through 2008 (p=0.019, p=0.001, respectively). The increment rate for OPD visits was 2.0 fold over those years; for hospitalization it was 3.3 fold. Risk factors for OPD visits for COPD were male gender (odd ration [OR], 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39~1.43), those aged 65 years and older (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.47~1.53), residential area other than a metropolis (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.07~1.010) and access to a physician's office (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.14~1.21). Risk factors for hospitalization were male gender (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 2.07~2.23), those aged 65 year and older (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 2.72~3.00), residential area other than a metropolis (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.90~2.07) and access to a hospital (OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 2.59~3.22) (p<0.001, both). Conclusion: Health care utilization for COPD subjects increased from 1990 to 2008. Risk factors for the utilization were male gender, older age, and residential area other than a metropolis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.307-316
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• 2008

The purpose of the study was to investigate nutritional status of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and to find out the differences according to the stages of disease. From March to October, 2006, 41 stable male patients of mild to severe COPD patients were recruited from Seoul National University hospital. The patients' of body weight and fat free mass were assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The nutritional status of the patients was also assessed by 3-day recall, index of nutritional quality (INQ), dietary diversity score (DDS), dietary variety score (DVS), food group index pattern and dietary quality index (DQI). The total of 41 patients were classified into three groups, stage I, stage II and stage III groups according to the classification of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) standard. The mean age of the patients in each stage were 67.2-66.9 years showing no significant difference. The ratio of $FEV_1$/FVC were $57.5{\pm}7.3$, $46.9{\pm}7.6$ and $38.2{\pm}6.8%$, respectively showing significant differences according to the stages of disease. The fat free mass of the stage II ($48.2{\pm}4.7kg$) and III ($47.3{\pm}4.5kg$) was significantly lower than that of stage I ($53.1{\pm}6.9kg$) patients. There were significant correlation of fat free mass with $FEV_{1}$, and BMI (body mass index) with $FEV_{1}$/FVC ratio (p < 0.05). COPD patients showed the diet-related clinical symptoms of anorexia, dyspnea, dyspepsia, and chewing difficulty. Daily intakes of calorie, K, vitamin $B_2$ and folate of the patients were very low ($83.8{\pm}20.7%$, $58.9{\pm}14.4%$, $70.7{\pm}19.6%$ and $74.4{\pm}10.2%$, respectively) however, they did not significantly different according to the stages of disease. Daily intake of calcium was significantly lower in the stage III patients (p < 0.05). The mean scores of dietary variety score was significantly lower in the stage III patients (p < 0.001). Dietary quality index of the patients were not different among the stages of disease and the scores indicated poor quality of diet. As a summary, we found that body fat free mass, regularity of exercise, frequency of having snacks and dietary variety score were significantly associated with the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.410-419
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• 1996

Background : Spontaneous pneumothorax have been managed with a variety of methods. The technique most frequently used is chest tube drainage. Small caliber catheters were first used in the management of pneumothorax complicating the percutaneous needle aspiration lung biopsy, and the try to treat spontaneous pneumothorax also has been reported. However, the value of small caliber catheters in spontaneous pneumothorax has not been fully evaluated. So, we tried to elucidate the efficacy of 8 French catheter in the management of spontaneous pneumothorax. Method : From January, 1990, to April, 1994, 44 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax treated at Chung-Ang university hospital were reviewed. The patients were sub-divide into 8 French catheter insertion group (n=21) and chest tube insertion group (n=23). We compared the presence of underlying lung disease, the extent of the collapse, the duration of indwelling catheter and complication between two groups. Results : 1) The duration of indwelling showed no significant difference between 8 French catheter group and chest tube. But, complication after insertion as subcutaneous emphysema was developed in only chest tube group. (p<0.05) 2) In the primary spontaneous pneumothorax, all case of the pneumothorax of which size was less than 50% showed complete healing with 8 French catheter insertion. Whereas the success rate in patients with large pneumothorax (more than 50%) was tended to be dependent on the age. 3) In the patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax who were managed with 8 French catheter, the success rate was trended to be high if the underlying disease of pneumothorax was not COPD and if the patient was young. Conclusion : These results show that 8 French catheter insertion probably was effective in the pneumothorax less than 50%, the primary spontaneous pneumothorax, young age or secondary pneumothorax not associated with COPD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.609-617
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• 1999

Background: The aims of this study were to assess the etiologies, survival and prognostic factors of patients with chronic cor pulmonale visited Pusan National University Hospital. Methods : This study included 103 patients with chronic cor pulmonale. There were 67 men and 36 women. The diagnosis of chronic cor pulmonale was primarily based on the presence of underlying lung disorder and echocardiographic finding of enlarged or hypertrophied right ventricle. Other clinical data including patients' symptoms and signs, findings of arterial blood gas analysis, hematologic and biochemical laboratory and pulmonary function test were assessed. Results: The most common underlying lung disorder was pulmonary tuberculosis(59.2%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was the next(28.2%). The survival rate was 57% in one year, 45% in two years, and 34% in three years. The prognostic factors were maximal voluntary ventilation(MVV), forced vital capaoity(FVC), $FEV_1$ serum Na, vital capacity(VC), serum albumin and peak expiratory flow(PEF) in univariate analysis. And in multivariate analysis, serum albumin(p=0.0144) and VC(p=0.0078) were statistically significant. Conclusion: Pulmonary tuberculosis was the most important underlying lung disorder in chronic cor pulmonale. The survival rate was 57% in one year, 45% in two years, and 34% in three years. Serum albumin (p=0.0144) and VC(p=0.0078) were statistically significant prognostic factors.