• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.66-71
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• 2004

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare, progressive and incurable disease, which is characterized by an increase in the pulmonary artery pressure without a demonstrable cause. The most common presenting symptom is dyspnea on exertion, with other symptoms comprising of chest pain, syncope and hemoptysis. The diagnosis is one of exclusion of any of the known causes of pulmonary hypertension. When associated with pregnancy, the maternal mortality ranges from 30 to 50%. Because pregnancy and labor are very serious problems for patients with PPH, the available evidence suggests that pregnancy when afflicted with PPH should be avoided. In account the case of a 33-year old patient, reporting with massive hemoptysis, and diagnosed with PPH during her twenty seventh week of gestation, is presented. She was treated with conservative management, including oxygen and a vasodilator, and underwent a pregnancy termination. However, due to aggravation of right heart failure, she presented with severe systemic hypotension and hypoxemia, and eventually died. This case is reported, with brief review of the literature.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.889-898
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• 1997

Pulmonary Embolism can develop in variable conditions, and presents with nonspecific symptoms and signs. If diagnosis is delayed, it can be resulted in catastrophic results. Therefore, early diagnosis and adequate treatment is crucial in Pulmonary Embolism. Lung Perfusion Scan is useful screening test. Negative result can exclude pulmonary embolism. But, perfusion defects don't always mean pulmonary embolism. To find the better methods of interpretation of lung perfusion scan and To evaluate the clinical course and outcomes of the patients, in whom pulmonary embolism was suspected by lung perfusion scan, we reviewed the clinical records of 49 cases suspected by lung perfusion scan at Seoul National University Hospital during the period of January, 1995 to July, 1996. The results are as follows. First impression of cases in which PE was present at time of admission were pulmonary embolism (63%), heart diseases (26%), and pneumonia (11%) in orders. Underlying diseases of cases in which PE developed during admission were malignancy (36.5%), ICH (22.7%), sepsis (13.7%), and SLE (9.1%) in orders. The predisposing factors were operation (20%), cancer (16%), immobility (16%), connective tissue disease (16%), heart dis. (10%), old age (10%), and preg/pelvic dis. (8%) The results, of lung perfusion scan were HPPE 40 cases(26.8 %), IPPE 21 cases(14.1%), LPPE 88 cases (59.1%), and cases(%) of treatment in these cases were HPPE 34 cases(85%), IPPE 9 cases(42.9%), LPPE 0 case(0.0%). Treatments were heparin and warfarin (69.5%), heparin alone (8.2%), warfarin alone (2.0%), embolectomy (4.1%), thrombolytics (2.0%), IVC filter (2.0%), and no treatment (12.2%) In 34 cases (69.4%), follow up could be done, and 5 cases were recurred (10.2%). The causes of recurrence was incomplete anticoagulant therapy (3 cases) and recurrence of predisposing factor (2 cases). Expired case due to pulmonary embolism was one who was expired just before trial of thrombolytic therapy. Conclusion : Efforts should be made to shorten the interval from onset of Sx to Dx, ie, high index of suspision.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.826-830
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• 2002

Prosthetic valve thrombosis(PVT) may be a life-threatening complication requiring prompt intervention. This is a case report of thrombolytic therapy for thrombosis of prosthetic mitral valve. A 47 year-old male admitted to the emergency room for abrupt onset of dyspnea. He had undergone mitral valve replacement(On-Ⅹ valve, 29mm) for mitral stenosis 8 months ago. The patient's international normalized ratio(INR) on admission was 1.09. The mechanical clicks were muffled and rales were heard in both lung fields. A transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) revealed prosthetic valve thrombosis with increased transvalvular pressure gradient(34 mmHg). The patient's condition needed to intubation for mechanical ventilation due to hemodynamic compromise, however his wife and relatives refused the surgical intervention due to financial problems. The patient was transferred to the cardiac care unit and we decided to perform thrombolytic therapy. A bolus of 1,500,000 IU of urokinase was given, followed by a drip of 1,500,000 IU for 1 hour. The patient did not improved hemodynamically; therefore, we gave 100 mg of tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA) for over 2 hours. During that time mechanical clicks were audible and hemodynamics of the patient improved progressively. A TEE showed disappearance of thrombus and decreased pressure gradient(1.7 mmHg) after 6 hours of thrombolytic therapy. The patient was recovered without any neurologic sequale and was discharged with administration of warfarin.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2004

Hemostatic function is regarded to be preserved after an off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), compared to conventional CABG, and the preserved hemostatic function may increase thrombotic occlusion of the graft. We studied the changes of hemostatic variables in patients undergoing off-pump CABG, and compared to those of on-pump CABG. We studied the changes of coagulation function in 11 patients who underwent off-pump CABG (group I), and compared them with those of 11 patients who underwent on-pump CABG and Dor procedure (group II). Coagulation status was evaluated by thromboelastography and blood coagulation test preoperatively, postoperative 1$^{st}$ day, 2$^{nd}$ day, 3$^{rd}$ day, and 5$^{th}$ day, respectively. Among the variables measured by thromboelastography (such as r time, k time, $\alpha$ angle, and MA value) and blood coagulation test (such as factor Ⅶ, protein S, protein C, antithrombin III, activated protein C resistance test, plasminogen, D-dimer, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, hemoglobin, and fibrinogen), there were significant differences in the MA value, $\alpha$ angle, and platelet counts between the two groups. MA values were 140$\pm$72% and 153$\pm$98% in group I, and 87$\pm$27% and 78$\pm$28% in group II, at postoperative 3$^{rd}$ and 5$^{th}$ days, respectively (p<0.05). $\alpha$ angle was 122$\pm$92% in group I and 69$\pm$23% in group II at postoperative 3$^{rd}$ day (p=0.09). Platelet count was 63$\pm$55% in group I and 33$\pm$13% in group II at postoperative 3$^{rd}$ day (p<0.05). Patients who underwent off-pump CABG showed increased coagulability during postoperative periods, compared to those who underwent on-pump CABG. Our data suggest that aggressive perioperative anticoagulation therapy is warranted in patients undergoing off-pump CABG. CABG.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.430-438
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• 2008

Background: All the patients with mechanical valves require warfarin therapy in order to prevent them from developing thromboembolic complications. According to the ACC/AHA practice guidelines, after AVR with bileaflet mechanical prostheses in patients with no risk factors, warfarin is indicated to achieve an INR of 2.0 to 3.0. After MVR with any mechanical valve, warfarin is indicated to achieve an INR of 2.5 to 3.5. But in our clinical experience, bleeding complications (epistaxis, hematuria, uterine bleeding, intracerebral hemorrhage etc.) frequently developed in patients who maintained their INR within this value. So, we retrospectively reviewed the patients with bileaflet mechanical heart valve prosthesis and we determined the optimal anticoagulation value. Material and Method: From January 1984 to February 2007, 311 patients have been followed up at a national medical center. We classified the AVR patients (n=60) into three groups as follows: an INR from 1.5 to 2.0 in Group I, an INR from 2.0 to 2.5 in Group II and an INR from 2.5 to 3.0 in Group III. We classified the MVR (n=171) and DVR (n=80) patients into four groups as follows: an INR from 1.5 to 2.0 in Group I, an INR from 2.0 to 2.5 in Group II, an INR from 2.5 to 3.0 in Group III and an INR from 3.0 to 3.5 in Group III. We compared the groups for their thromboembolic and bleeding complications by means of the Kaplan Meier method. Result: In the AVR patients, 2 thromboembolic complications and 4 bleeding complications occurred and the log rank test failed to identify any statistical significance between the groups for thethromboembolic complication rate, but groups I and II had lower bleeding complication rates than did group III. Thirteen thromboembolic complication and 15 bleeding complication occurred in the MVR and DVR patients, and the log rank test also failed to identify statistical significance between the groups for the thromboembolic complication rate, but groups I and II had lower bleeding complication rates that did groups III and IV. Conclusion: The thromboembolic complication rate was not statistically different between groups I and II and groups III and IV, but the bleeding complication rates of groups I and II were lower than those of groups III and IV. So this outcome encouraged us to continue using our low intensive anticoagulation regime, that is, an INR of 1.5 to 2.5.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1156-1162
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• 2018

To investigate the anti-thrombotic activities of the lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner), various hot-water extracts were prepared from the leaf, pod of seed (PS), seed, embryo of seed (ES), root, and the node of root (NR) of the lotus. The highest extraction ratio was found in the NR (20.3%), followed by the seed, root, leaf, ES, and PS. These extracts had pH and acidity levels ranging from 5.6~6.5 and 0.06~0.20%, respectively. The seed extract showed 70% brix, whereas the leaf and PS extracts showed less than 0.1% brix. The highest contents of total polyphenol (179.7 mg/g), total flavonoids (161.4 mg/g), and reducing sugar (161.4 mg/g) were observed in the leaf extract, and the highest total sugar content (873.0 mg/g) in the seed extract. Anti-coagulation assay of the extracts of NR, leaf, and PS showed strong activities. In particular, at a concentration of 5 mg/ml, the PS extract had 15-fold extended thrombin, prothrombin, and activated partial thromboplastin times. However, only the ES extract showed activities inhibitory to platelet aggregation, with treatment with 0.25 mg/ml of ES extract decreasing platelet aggregation to 25.1%, a reduction comparable to that effected by aspirin. The extracts other than the seed extract showed no hemolysis activities against human RBC at treatments of up to 1 mg/ml. These results suggest that the NR, PS, seed, and ES, all byproducts of the lotus agriculture industry, have high potential as novel sources of anti-thrombotic agent.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.163-171
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• 2008

Purpose: We analyze the characteristics of soft tissue sarcomas presented with hematoma, which were misdiagnosed as simple hematoma initially and the proper management were delayed. Materials and Methods: The 7 patients with histologically proven soft tissue sarcoma with hematoma presented since February 1997 were evaluated retrospectively. Neither patient had a medical history of bleeding tendency nor anticoagulant therapy. Two of them had minor traumas. There were 2 men and 5 women. Average follow up period was 58 months. MRI findings, provided treatments and oncologic outcome were reviewed with the reference of related articles. Results: Retrospective review of initial MR images revealed deep seated intramuscular masses with focal solid enhanced nodules at the peripheral margin. The diagnoses were delayed at least 1 month in 3 of them which included 2 cases of simple hematoma evacuation without biopsy initially. After histologic diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma, wide resections were performed in 4 cases. one patient underwent above knee amputation and the remained 2 patients were managed with wide resection followed by amputation due to local recurrence. At last follow up there were CDF and NED in 2 cases, respectively and AWD in 3 cases. Conclusion: To avoid the delay of diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue sarcomas presented with hematoma, high degree of clinical suspicion, careful analysis of MR images and early biopsy were important.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 1999

A thromboembolic event in patients later given a diagnosis of cancer is the result rather than the cause of the cancer. The risk of hidden cancer is significantly higher for patients with recurrent idiopathic thromboembolism compared to those with secondary deep vein thrombosis. Microemboli from hepatic or adrenal metastases and large-sized emboli from the great veins invaded by the tumor are the sources of tumor embolization The intraarterial tumor emboli less likely invade the arterial wall. Thrombus formation and organization may be capable of destroying tumor cells within pulmorlary blood vessels. Therefore, all tumor emboli are not true metastases. The treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients with cancer consists of anticoagulation with heparin and warfarin, venacaval filters, appropriate anti-neoplastic agents, and surgical methods(embolectomy, thromboendarterectomy). However, considerable literatures suggest that oral anticoagulant such as warfarin is ineffective in the treatment of those. We report a case of primary unknown squamous cell carcinoma incidentally found in the thrombus after pulmonary embolectomy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.331-336
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• 1996

Four operative cases of aortic valvuloplasty with leaflet extension technique using glutaraldehyde preserved tautologous pericardium are described. All patients had severe aortic regurgitation on preoperative echocardiogram, and Grade W AR on oath-angiogram. The causes of aortic regurgitation were rheumatic fever in 2 cases, degenerative change in 1 case, and 1 case of unknown cause. The autologous pericardium was fixed In a 0.625% glutaraldehyde solution for 15 minutes and rinsed in saline for an additional 15 minutes. Leaflet extension technique varied in 4 patients depending on the site and the extent of the leaflet size and lesion. There was no hospital mortality and no thromboembolic episode without anticoagulation. Post-operative cardiac size was reduced on simple chest film in all cases, and LVESD and LVEDD were reduced on folio w- up echo cardi o gram . This experience permits us to conclude that leaflet extension technique is simple and safe in valve r construction, allowing repair of aortic valves that need to be replaced.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.230-235
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• 2003

A primary pulmonary artery sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor derived from the intimal layer of the pulmonary artery. Its clinical presentation can lead to a misdiagnosis of more common diseases such as thromboembolic disease. It is known to have a very poor prognosis. Therefore, the correct diagnosis of a primary pulmonary artery sarcoma is difficult and often delayed. We experienced a case of primary pulmonary artery sarcoma mimicking a pulmonary thromboembolism. The patient was admitted as a result of progressive dyspnea and coughing. The lung perfusion scan showed a large perfusion defect involving almost the entire right lung and suspicious small perfusion defects in the left upper lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging of the chest showed an enhancing nodule within the thrombus in the right pulmonary artery. The mass was removed completely by surgery, but the patient died as a result of shock.