• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 1999

The goal of oral anticoagulation therapy with warfarin is to maintain INR values within the therapeutic range in order to prevent complications such as bleeding and thrombosis. The purposes of this study were to investigate the current level of anticoagulation control using INR values, to investigate the incidences of thromboembolism and bleeding complications, and to compare the effect of low intensity INR regimen with therapeutic range recommended by ACCP (American College of Chest Physician). Two hundred three patients with mechanical heart valve replacement done at Yonsei University Cardiovascular Center between January 1994 and December 1996 were selected and reviewed retrospectively. The target INR ranges of $2.5\sim3.5$ (ACCP standard) and low intensity INR of $2.0\sim3.5$ were used for evaluation. According to ACCP standard, $51.2\%$ of patients and $31.1\%$ of INR values were within the therapeutic range when average INR and cumulative INR were used, respectively. Applying low intensity INR values of $2.0\sim3.5$, the therapeutic control was achieved in $57.4\%\;and\;90.1\%$, using average INR and total INR, respectively. The incidences of major and minor bleedings were $0.5\%\;and\;26.6\%$, respectively. The incidence of thromboembolism was $0.5\%$. There was no significant difference in terms of complication incidences between INR $2.0\sim2.5\;and\;INR\;2.5\sim3.5$ groups. However, INR values at the time of bleeding were generally high. In conclusion, the evaluation of patients with mechanical heart valve replacement showed low level of therapeutic control with warfarin therapy. This is partially explained by the fact that the physicians at Yonsei University Cardiovascular Center were using lower intensity INR values as a goal than recommended INR. Also, in the near future, systematic anticoagulation service should be implemented at various hospitals in Korea so that patients on anticoagulant therapy can be more closely monitored to be within the recommended INR by ACCP.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.499-503
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• 2014

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia and has a large global burden. In general, treatment of AF is based on medication and consists of rate and rhythm control together with anticoagulation. However, surgical treatment may be required in patients with AF combined with organic valvular heart diseases or who experience recurrence despite medication. In addition, surgical treatment plays a role in the treatment of lone AF. This article reviews the various surgical treatment options for AF.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.227-230
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• 2017

Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is an uncommon but well-documented clinical condition. It is usually caused by direct trauma or anticoagulation, although there are many other causes. However, RSH after noncontact strenuous exercise is very rare. We present a rare case of RSH after playing volleyball without direct trauma that was successfully treated by angiographic embolization.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.312-315
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• 2013

Abdominal compartment syndrome is one cause of deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity. Although prophylactic dose of anticoagulation agent is safely started after 24~48 hours without the evidence of active bleeding, there may be bleeding complication related to invasive procedure which trauma victims undergo. Inferior vena cava filter should be considered in the treatment plan of this complex situation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.443-447
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• 2017

Background: The inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) is very effective for preventing pulmonary embolism in patients who cannot undergo anticoagulation therapy. However, if a filter is placed in the body permanently, it may lead to other complications. Methods: A retrospective study was performed of 159 patients who underwent retrievable Cook Celect IVCF implantation between January 2007 and April 2015 at a single center. Baseline characteristics, indications, and complications caused by the filter were investigated. Results: The most common underlying disease of patients receiving the filter was cancer (24.3%). Venous thrombolysis or thrombectomy was the most common indication for IVCF insertion in this study (47.2%). The most common complication was inferior vena cava penetration, the risk of which increased the longer the filter remained in the body (p=0.032, Exp(B)=1.004). Conclusion: If the patient is able to retry anticoagulation therapy and the filter is no longer needed, the filter should be removed, even if a long time has elapsed since implantation. If the filter cannot be removed, it is recommended that follow-up computed tomography be performed regularly to monitor the progress of venous thromboembolisms as well as any filter-related complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.512-519
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• 1987

In the department of chest surgery of Pusan National University hospital cardiac valve surgery was done in 118 cases from March, 1982, to June, 1986. Among these, 90 were mitral valve replacement, 9 mitral commissurotomy, 5 mitral valvuloplasty, 4 aortic valve replacement, 4 double valve replacement, 4 mitral annuloplasty, one mitral annuloplasty with commissurotomy and valvuloplasty. 48 were male and 70 were female and age distribution ranged from 6 to 57 years [mean 30.6 years]. Early death within 30 days after operation was 14 cases: 10 had mitral valve replacement, 2 double valve replacement and 2 mitral annuloplasty respectively. Confirmed causes of death were low cardiac output syndrome in 9 cases, congestive heart failure in one case, cardiac tamponade in one case, malfunction of valve in one case, cardiac rupture in one case and renal failure in one case. The 104 cases were followed up for a total 190 years and range was from 2 to 54 months [Mean*SD: 21.9*16.5 months]. During follow-up period, 2 late deaths were developed: one was due to subdural hematoma and the other was congestive heart failure combined with fulminant hepatitis. Anticoagulation therapy was done with warfarin to the level of 20 to 40% of normal prothrombin time in 53 cases, dipyridamole and aspirin in 18 cases, or ticlopidine hcl in 15 cases. The frequency of bleeding due to anticoagulation therapy was 1.0% episodes per patient-years: one was in warfarin group and another was in dipyridamole and aspirin group. Among the studied 102 cases, 93 cases [91.2%] of patients were in NYHA class I or II during follow up period.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.3
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• pp.289-292
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• 2015

Lemierre syndrome (LS) is a septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) following an oropharyngeal infection. LS is commonly caused by normal anaerobic flora and treated with appropriate antibiotics and anticoagulation therapy. Although the incidence of disease is very rare, 15% cases of LS are fatal even in the antibiotic era because of disseminated septic thromboemboli. We reported a case of extensive bilateral LS due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis in a 63-year-old female with lung adenocarcinoma. Initial examination revealed a retropharyngeal abscess; hence, intravenous ceftriaxone and steroid were initiated empirically. However, pulmonary thromboembolism developed and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis was identified in the bacterial culture. Despite intensive antibiotic and anticoagulation therapies, extensive septic thrombophlebitis involving the bilateral IJV and superior vena cava developed. Adjunctive catheter-directed thrombolysis and superior vena cava stenting were performed and the patient received antibiotic therapy for an additional 4 weeks, resulting in complete recovery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.518-520
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• 2016

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosisis an uncommon entity and its clinical presentations are highly variable. We present the case of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Although it was medical refractory, successfully treated with mechanical thrombectomy using the Solitaire FR device. A 27-year-old man who presented with venous infarction accompanied by petechial hemorrhage secondary to the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) thrombosis. Due to rapid deterioration despite of anticoagulation therapy, the patient was taken for endovascular treatment. We deployed the Solitaire FR device ($4{\times}20mm$) in the anterior portion of the thrombosed SSS, and it was left for ten minutes before the retraction. Thus, we removed a small amount of thrombus. But the sinus remained occluded. We therefore performed the thrombectomy using the same methods using the Solitaire FR ($6{\times}20mm$). Thus, we were successful in removing larger clots. Our case highlights not only that the mechanical thrombectomy using the Solitaire FR is effective in achieving revascularization both rapidly and efficiently available, but also that it might be another option in patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis who concurrently had rapid clinical deterioration with devastating consequences.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 1992

Total 145 cases mitral vlave replacement were performed in Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Chungnam National University Hospital during the period from May 1983 to July 1991. Sixty-one patients were male and 84 patients were female and the range of age was from 12 to 66 years old with the mean of 37.9[$\pm$11.6] years. Valvular lesions were 49 cases of mitral stenosis, 18 cases of regurgitation and 78 cases of combined lesion. Used valve were Ionescu-Shiley[42 cases], Bjork-Shiley[49 cases], Inact[6 cases], St. Jude Medical[11 cases] and CarboMedics[37 cases]. Mean size of valve was 29.8$\pm$1.68mm. Early morality was 13.8%[20 cases] and low output syndrome was most common cause[9 cases]. Age, functional classification and biventricular hypertrophy were risk factors. All survived cases were followed up without missing. Mean follow up period were 3 years and 3 months. Total 14 cases of death[9.7%] were observed and heart failure, unexplained sudden death and bleeding were the causes in that order. Common late complications were heart failure and bleeding related with anticoagulation. Actuarial survival rate at 5 years was 83$\pm$5.4% in overall, 78$\pm$7.2% in tissue valve group, 87$\pm$6.8% in mechanical valve group. The actuarial freedom rate from thromboembolism at 7 years was 89$\pm$8.3% in overall, 86$\pm$9.9% in tissue valve group and 97$\pm$1.9% in mechanical valve group. Actuarial freedom rate from bleeding at 5 years with anticoagulation was 88.9$\pm$4.2% in overall, 96$\pm$3.9% in tissue valve group, 86$\pm$4.6% in mechanical valve group. Reoperation was done in 3 cases with heart failure with tricuspid regurgitation and thromboembolism in 2 cases. The functional status of survived cases was I or II.

• Vascular Specialist International
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.103-108
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• 2018

Purpose: Surgery is the most common risk factor for pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with a recent venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study reviewed clinical outcomes of preoperative inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) use in patients with acute VTE during abdominal-pelvic cancer or lower extremity orthopedic surgeries. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 122 patients with a recent VTE who underwent IVCF replacement prior to abdominal-pelvic cancer or lower extremity orthopedic surgery conducted between January 2010 and December 2016. Demographics, clinical characteristics, postoperative IVCF status, risk factors for a captured thrombus, and clinical outcomes were collected for these subjects. Results: Among the 122 study patients who were diagnosed with acute VTE in the prior 3 months and underwent preoperative IVCF replacement, 70 patients (57.4%) received abdominal-pelvic cancer surgery and 52 (42.6%) underwent lower extremity orthopedic surgery. There were no perioperative complications associated with IVCF in the study population and no cases of symptomatic PE postoperatively. A captured thrombus in the filter was identified postoperatively in 16 patients (13.1%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that postoperative anticoagulation within 48 hours significantly reduced the risk of a captured thrombus (odds ratio [OR], 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.08-0.94; P=0.032). Conclusion: A captured thrombus in preoperative IVCF was identified postoperatively in 16 patients (13.1%). Postoperative anticoagulation within 48 hours reduces the risk of captured thrombus in these cases.