• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.447-454
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• 1994

A method has been proposed for the fully automatic detection of left ventricular endocardial boundary in 2D short axis echocardlogram using geometric model. The procedure has the following three distinct stages. First, the initial center is estimated by the initial center estimation algorithm which is applied to decimated image. Second, the center estimation algorithm is applied to original image and then best-fit elliptic model estimation is processed. Third, best-fit boundary is detected by the cost function which is based on the best-fit elliptic model. The proposed method shows effective result without manual intervention by a human operator.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of degenerative mitral regurgitation (dMR) and preoperative planning for transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr). TEE is an invasive modality requiring anesthesia and esophageal intubation. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has limited the number of elective invasive procedures. Multi-detector computed tomographic angiography (MDCT) provides high-resolution images and 3D reconstructions to assess complex mitral anatomy. We hypothesized that MDCT would reveal similar information to TEE relevant to TMVr, thus deferring the need for a preoperative TEE in certain situations like during a pandemic. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data on patients who underwent or were evaluated for TMVr for dMR with preoperative MDCT and TEE between 2017 and 2019. Two TEE and 2 MDCT readers, blinded to patient outcome, analyzed: leaflet pathology (flail, degenerative, mixed), leaflet location, mitral valve area (MVA), flail width/gap, anterior-posterior (AP) and commissural diameters, posterior leaflet length, leaflet thickness, presence of mitral valve cleft and degree of mitral annular calcification (MAC). RESULTS: A total of 22 (out of 87) patients had preoperative MDCT. MDCT correctly identified the leaflet pathology in 77% (17/22), flail leaflet in 91% (10/11), MAC degree in 91% (10/11) and the dysfunctional leaflet location in 95% (21/22) of patients. There were no differences in the measurements for MVA, flail width, commissural or AP diameter, posterior leaflet length, and leaflet thickness. MDCT overestimated the measurements of flail gap. CONCLUSIONS: For preoperative TMVr planning, MDCT provided similar measurements to TEE in our study.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.217-224
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• 1994

In order to study the shape and dimensions of heart, a procedure to reconstruct a three dimensional left ventricular geometry from two dimensional echocardiographic images was studied including the coordinate transformation, curve fitting and interpolation utilizing three dimensional position registration arm. Nonlinear material property of the left ventricular myocardium was obtained by finite element method performed on the reconstructed geometry and by optimization techniques which compared the computer predicted 3D deformation with the experimentally determined deformation. Elastic modulus ranged from 3.5g/$cm^2$ at early diastole to l53g/$cm^2$ at around end diastole showing slightly nonlinear relationship between the modulus and the pressure. Afterwards using the obtained nonlinear material propertry the stress distribution related with oxyzen consumption rate was analyzed. The maximum and minimum of ${\sigma}_1$ (max. principal stress) occurred at nodes on the second level intersection points of x-axis with endocardium and with epicardium, respectively. And the tendency of the interventricular septum to be flattened was observed from the compressive ${\sigma}_1$ on the anterior, posterior nodes of left ventricle and from the most significant change of dimension in $D_{RL}$ (septal-lateral dimension of right ventricle).

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.215-220
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) and NT-proBNP levels. Sixty-three dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) were recruited for this study. The MMVD group was classified according to the ACVIM stage based on medical history, clinical signs, and thoracic radiography and echocardiography findings. The N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were measured using fluorescent immunoassay. VLAS and VHS values were measured using a digital caliper in the right lateral view. There were significant differences in VLAS for each American college of veterinary internal medicine (ACVIM) stage (p < 0.01). As the ACVIM stage increased, it tended to increase. Vertebral heart score (VHS) also showed a tendency to increase with the ACVIM stage (p < 0.01). VLAS was divided into three groups: VLAS <2.6, 2.6≤ VLAS <3.1, and VLAS ≥3.1. NT-proBNP values were significantly different between the three groups (p < 0.01), and VLAS and NT-proBNP values showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.756, p < 0.01). In conclusion, there were significant differences among ACVIM stages B1 and B2, B1 and C-D, and B2 and C-D groups regarding VLAS. Furthermore, NT-proBNP increased proportionally as VLAS increased. Measurements of VLAS may be helpful in the diagnosis of MMVD in addition to the existing radiological and echocardiographic methods.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.669-685
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• 1997

The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of xylazine and tiletamine + zolazepam on echocardiograms before and after experimental myocardial infarctions in clinically normal dogs taken preliminary examinations related to cardiac function. The results are as follows. With xylazine administration, left ventricle end-diastolic dimension, left ventricle end-systolic dimension, left atrium/aorta, ejection time and velocity of circumferential fiber shortening increased and mitral valve CD slope, % delta D decreased(p<0.01). In tiletamine+zolazepam administered group, interventricular septum amplitude(p<0.01), mitral valve DE slope(p<0.05) and ejection time(p<0.01) decreased and left atrium/aorta, ejection time also decreased compared with xylazine group(p<0.01). In 48 hours after experimental myocardial infarction group, anterior aortic wall amplitude decreased compared with control, xylazine, tiletamine + zolazepam group, respectively(p<0.01). Posterior aortic wall amplitude decreased compared with control(p<0.01). Left ventricle end systolic dimension increased compared with control and tiletamine + zolazepam group, respectively(p<0.01). Left ventricular posterior wall end systolic dimension decreased compared with control(p<0.01). Left ventricular posterior wall amplitude decreased compared with control and tiletamine+zolazepam group(p<0.01). Left atrium/aorta decreased compared with xylazine group(p<0.01). % thickening left ventricular posterior wall decreased compared with control(p<0.05). % delta D decreased compared with control and tiletamine+zolazepam group(p<0.01). Ejection time decreased compared with xylazine(p<0.01). Velocity of circumferential fiber shortening increased compared with control and tiletamine + zolazepam group(p<0.01). With xylazine administration 48 hours after experimental myocardial infarction, anterior aortic wall amplitude, posterior aortic wall amplitude decreased compared with control(p<0.01). Left ventricle end-diastolic dimension increased compared with control(p<0.01). Left ventricle end-systolic dimension increased compared with control and tiletamine + zolazepam group, respectively(p<0.01). Left ventricular posterior wall end-systolic dimension and left ventricular posterior wall end-diastolic dimension decreased compared with control(p<0.01). Left atrium/aorta decreased compared with xylazine group(p<0.01). % thickening left ventricular posterior. wall(p<0.05) and % delta D(p<0.01) decreased compared with control. Velocity of circumferential fiber shortening increased compared with tiletamine + zolazepam group(p<0.01). With tiletamine + zolazepam administration 48 hours after experimental myocardial infarction, anterior aortic wall amplitude decreased compared with control, xylazine and tiletamine+zolazepam group, respectively(p<0.01). Posterior aortic wall amplitude decreased compared with control(p<0.01). Left ventricle end-systolic dimension increased compared with control and tiletamine+zolazepam group(p<0.01). Left ventricular posterior wall end-systolic dimension, left ventricular posterior wall end-diastolic dimension and interventricular septum amplitude decreased compared with control(p<0.01). Left atrium/aorta decreased compared with xylazine group(p<0.01). % delta D decreased compared with control and tiletamine + zolazepam group(p<0.01). Ejection time decreased compared with xylazine group and velocity of circumferential fiber shortening increased compared withtiletamine+zolazepam group(p<0.01). Conclusively, echocardiography was proved to be a useful, diagnostic, non-invasive and simple method for establishing the diagnosis of myocardial infarction and evaluating the effects of drug on cardiac function before and after myocardial infarction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.356-360
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• 2018

The fermentation of medicinal herbs facilitated by microbes is assumed to exert promising therapeutic efficacy on the absorption, bioavailability, and pharmacological effects by speeding up the making or conversion of active constituents into their metabolites. We examined the cardioprotective potential of fermented ginseng, GBCK25, against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic and functional illnesses as following the essential analysis such as electrocardiographic parameters, alterations of body and organ weights, and echocardiographic studies. The results exhibited that body weights were significantly reduced and the gain of different organ weights were partly eased by GBCK25 treatment. Echocardiography results proposed the amelioration of heart function through normalized levels of left ventricle systolic pressure, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening. These outcomes deliver straight confirmation that GBCK25 could be a potential nutraceutical source for the relief of HFD-induced obesity mediated cardiac dysfunctions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.202-208
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• 1994

We reviewed 30 patients with tetralogy of Fallot who had underwent transannular patch reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract from January 1990 to May 1993. The patients were divided into two groups according to the approaching pattern for the corrective surgery: 12 patients[aged 11 months to 4 years; mean age, 2.3 years] in transatrial group who were repaired by transatrial-transpulmonary approach; 18 patients[aged 13 months to 6 years; mean age, 3.2 years] in transventricular group who were repaired by transventricular approach. The incidence of postoperative right bundle branch block was not statistically different between two groups. With follow up from 3 months to 32 months after operation, none in transatrial group revealed a remnant RVOT stenosis over 50mmHg or tricuspid regurgitation more than grade II with 2D-echocardiography, but two cases[7.7%] in transventricular group revealed these complications. Early postoperative death was 4 cases[13.3%] which all belonged to transventricular group. In conclusion successful repair of tetralogy of Fallot can be accomplished in most patients by transatrial-transpulmonary approach and we can anticipate better results by this approach in terms of postoperative right ventricular function and arrhythmia than conventional transventricular approach.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.28-42
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• 2023

Background and Purpose: We investigated the correlation between the deep distribution of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) (dWMH: WMH in deep and corticomedullary areas, with minimal periventricular WMH) and a positive agitated saline contrast echocardiography result. Methods: We retrospectively recruited participants with comprehensive dementia evaluations, an agitated saline study, and brain imaging. The participants were classified into two groups according to WMH-distributions: dWMH and dpWMH (mainly periventricular WMH with or without deep WMH.) We hypothesized that dWMH is more likely associated with embolism, whereas dpWMH is associated with small-vessel diseases. We compared the clinical characteristics, WMH-distributions, and positive rate of agitated saline studies between the two groups. Results: Among 90 participants, 27 and 12 met the dWMH and dpWMH criteria, respectively. The dWMH-group was younger (62.2±7.5 vs. 78.9±7.3, p<0.001) and had a lower prevalence of hypertension (29.6% vs. 75%, p=0.008), diabetes mellitus (3.7% vs. 25%, p=0.043), and hyperlipidemia (33.3% vs. 83.3%, p=0.043) than the dpWMH-group. Regarding deep white matter lesions, the number of small lesions (<3 mm) was higher in the dWMH-group(10.9±9.7) than in the dpWMH-group (3.1±6.4) (p=0.008), and WMH was predominantly distributed in the border-zones and corticomedullary areas. Most importantly, the positive agitated saline study rate was higher in the dWMH-group than in the dpWMH-group (81.5% vs. 33.3%, p=0.003). Conclusions: The dWMH-group with younger participants had fewer cardiovascular risk factors, showed more border-zone-distributions, and had a higher agitated saline test positivity rate than the dpWMH-group, indicating that corticomedullary or deep WMH-distribution with minimal periventricular WMH suggests embolic etiologies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.6
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• pp.1523-1528
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• 2020

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly that can be difficult to detect and often remains undiagnosed. PAPVR is diagnosed using non-invasive imaging techniques such as echocardiography, CT, and MRI. Image data are reviewed on a 2-dimensional (D) monitor, which may not facilitate a good understanding of the complex 3D heart structure. In recent years, 3D printing technology, which allows the creation of physical cardiac models using source image datasets obtained from cardiac CT or MRI, has been increasingly used in the medical field. We report a case involving a 3D-printed model of PAPVR with a biatrial connection. This model demonstrated separate drainages of the right upper and middle pulmonary veins into the lower superior vena cava (SVC) and the junction between the SVC and the right atrium, respectively, with biatrial communication through the right middle pulmonary vein.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.613-616
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• 1997

We present a case of 58-year-old (tamale with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCMP) in whom we performed left ventricular(LV) remodeling surgery(Batista operation) to reduce the left ventricle diameter and improve left ventricular unction. The patient was admitted September 1996 with heart failure NYHA class IV. There was severe orthopnea and peripheral edema. 2-D echocardiography(Echo) showed DCMP with the ejection fraction(EF) I5%, LV end diastolic dimension(LVEDD) 80mm, mitral regurgitation(MR) grade IV, tricuspid regurgitation ('m) grade ll. Preoperative cardiac output(CO) was 1.5/L/min and cardiac index(Cl) was 1.0 L/min/m2. We proceeded with LV remodeling surgery by resection a part of LV lateral wall between both papillary muscle, from the mitral annulus to the LV apex. Size of resected LV wall was 90 $\times$ 100 $\times$ 15 mm. At the mean time, mitral valve and tricuspid valve were repaired. Postoperative 2-D Echo showed the EF 37%, LVEDD 50 mna, trivial MR, no TR. CO was 3.SL/min and Cl was 2.3 L/min/m2. Her fuctional NYHA class was 1.