• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.73-76
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• 2010

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major factor that limits the long-term survival after cardiac transplantation. Because the main feature of CAV is a diffuse stenosis that predominantly develops in the distal arteries, reperfusion therapy has shown poor outcomes. The results of cardiac retransplantation for CAV are better than that for acute resection and the survival is identical to that of patients who undergo primary transplantation. We describe a case of performing cardiac retransplantation in a 28 year-old male patient with refractory CAV and who underwent primary transplantation due to dilated cardiomyopathy 8 years previously.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.275-284
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• 1990

A serious problem after cardiovascular surgery known as Multiple Organ Failure[MOF] whereby several vital organs successively demonstrate dysfunction in spite of intensive postoperative treatment has recently arisen. We have made a retrospective study of the clinical records of 137 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery during past two years [1987-1988]. Fourteen patients [10%] developed multi-organ failure postoperatively with the results of seven death [50%]. In fatal group, preoperative poor cardiac function [Cardiac Index<2.0L/min/m2] was considered important prognostic factor and infection 5 disseminated intravascular coagulation complicating gastrointestinal bleeding were the leading cause of death. In conclusion, evaluation of multiple factors concerning multi-organ failure demonstrates preoperative poor functional preservation of vital organs is the main factor. So early diagnosis k management for each of the failing organs & prevention of infection are mandatory of the treatment of these critically ill patients.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.431-436
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• 2007

Stem cell-based therapy is being considered as an alternative treatment for cardiomyopathy. Hence understanding the basic molecular mechanisms of cardiomyocyte differentiation is important. Besides BMP or Wnt family proteins, $TGF-{\beta}$ family members are thought to play a role in cardiac development and differentiation. Although $TGF-{\beta}$ has been reported to induce cardiac differentiation in embryonic stem cells, the differential role of $TGF-{\beta}$ isoforms has not been elucidated. In this study, employing the DMSO-induced cardiomyocyte differentiation system using P19CL6 mouse embryonic teratocarcinoma stem cells, we investigated the $TGF-{\beta}$-induced signaling pathway in cardiomyocyte differentiation. $TGF-{\beta}1$, but not the other two isoforms of $TGF-{\beta}$, was induced at the mRNA and protein level at an early stage of differentiation, and Smad2 phosphorylation increased in parallel with $TGF-{\beta}1$ induction. Inhibition of $TGF-{\beta}1$ activity with $TGF-{\beta}1$-specific neutralizing antibody reduced cell cycle arrest as well as expression of the CDK inhibitor $p21^{WAF1}$. The antibody also inhibited induction of the cardiac transcription factor Nkx2.5. Taken together, these results suggest that $TGF-{\beta}1$ is involved in cardiomyocyte differentiation by regulating cell cycle progression and cardiac gene expression in an autocrine or paracrine manner.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.164-170
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• 2020

The prognosis of patients who are comatose after resuscitation remains uncertain. The accurate prediction of neurological outcome is important for management decisions and counseling. A neurological examination is an important factor for prognostication, but widely used sedatives alter the neurological examination and delay the response recovery. Additional studies including electroencephalography, somatosensory-evoked potentials, brain imaging, and blood biomarkers are useful for evaluating the extent of brain injury. This review aimed to assess the usefulness of and provide practical prognostic strategy for pediatric postresuscitation patients. The principles of prognostication are that the assessment should be delayed until at least 72 hours after cardiac arrest and the assessment should be multimodal. Furthermore, multiple factors including unmeasured confounders in individual patients should be considered when applying the prognostication strategy.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.149-160
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• 2004

Background : To save out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases is a major concern for Korea. Cardiac arrest is a very common problem, with > 18,000 cases dying each year in Korea. Overall, survival to hospital discharge remains poor. Resuscitation has become an important multidisciplinary branch of medicine, demanding a spectrum of skills and attracting a plethora of specialities and organizations. Since the "Utstein Style" was advocated in 1991, many reports about out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have been published based on this guideline. These differences prevent valid inter-hospital and international comparisons. However, we do not know the true effectiveness of resuscitation. There are no guideline for reviewing, reporting, conducting research on resuscitation in Korea. This study evaluated the out-of-hospital factor associated with survival discharge of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, was especially to provide basic data for the unified reporting guideline of resuscitation in Korea. Methods : From January 1990 to July 2004, we collected data about out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at Wonju Christian Hospital(WCH-CAD), Ewha Women University Mokdong Hospital(Ewha-CAD), I used same record form based on the "Utstein Style". The "Utstein Style" is internationally recommended guidelines for reporting outcome data from resuscitation events. Results : Resuscitation was performed in 1443 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients at 2 hospitals. Five hundred eighty(40.25%) patients recovered the spontaneous circulation at least once and One hundred sixty eight(11.66%) patients discharged alive. Initial EKG showed Ventricular Tachycardia/Ventricular Fibrillation in One hundred thirty five(9.33%) patients, asystole in one thousand nine(69.73%) patients and other rhythms in one hundred thirty nine(20.94%) patients. Among one hundred two cardiogenic cardiac arrest patients, two(2.0%) patients was discharged alive. Conclusion : Overall survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients was 11.66% which was poorer than that of the western country. The proportion of the cardiogenic cause was 33.38% which was only half of the western country. VT/VF is relatively not common ac a initial EKG rhythm. These differences might be to due difference in the prevalence pattern of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest as well as prematurity of the EMSS. It is needed that the best survival can be achieved if all following links have been optimized : rapid access, early CPR, early defibrillation, early ACLS.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.157-169
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• 2023

Gracilaria Verrucosa (GV), a seaweed used in traditional Korean medicine, was studied for its effects on MI-induced heart failure in rats. MI is caused by a blocked coronary artery, leading to severe cardiac dysfunction. The study used a rat model to assess cardiac changes over time and evaluate the impact of GV on heart failure. Ischemia was induced through LAD ligation surgery, and the extent of ischemic area was measured as a prognostic factor. GV extract administration significantly improved cardiac morphology and reduced cardiac weight compared to the MI group. GV treatment also improved cardiac function, as evidenced by positive effects on chamber dilation during MI-induced heart failure. Parameters such as ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were measured. The MI group showed decreased EF and FS compared to the sham group, while these parameters improved in the GV group. GV treatment also reduced levels of LDH, CPK, and CK-MB in the serum, indicating reduced myocardial damage. Histological analysis revealed that GV treatment attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, with reduced collagen deposition in the myocardium. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed suppressed expression of TGF-β1 and collagen 1, involved in fibrosis. In conclusion, GV showed potential in improving cardiac function in a rat model of MI-induced heart failure. It alleviated myocardial damage, attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, and suppressed fibrotic markers. Further studies are needed to explore its clinical efficacy and underlying mechanisms in cardiac diseases beyond animal models.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.322-328
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an individualized cardiac health education on self-care behavior and serum cholesterol levels patients with coronary artery disease. Methods: Twenty-two patients in the intervention group and 22 in the control group were assigned randomly in this study. The intervention group received an individualized cardiac health education program which consisted of four different sessions for a total of four sessions. Specifically, two sessions occurred during the patients' hospitalization with a third session at the time of discharge with a fourth session scheduled via telephone one week post discharge. Data were collected through a questionnaire for self-care behavior and a blood test for total cholesterol at the time of admission and the two weeks after discharge. The questionnaire for self-care behavior was a standardized instrument and serum cholesterol was measured by Accutrend GC (Roche, Germany). Results: Self-care behavior scores included diet, medication, exercise, risk factor, blood pressure measurement, and visits to hospital were significantly more in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The above findings indicate that the individualized cardiac health education was effective in increasing of self-care behavior.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.667-672
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• 1985

Primary cardiac tumors are uncommon in all age group. In contrast, tumors metastatic to the heart are significantly more common. On rare occasions, tumor may extend into the heart chamber via inferior vena cava from other parts of the body, such as liver, kidney, and uterus cava. With recent advancement in diagnostic imaging modalities and surgical techniques, cardiac tumors are now potentially curably form of heart disease. The most important factor in diagnosing the tumor is a high index of clinical suspicion. Six patients underwent surgical removal of intracardiac tumor during a 5-year period. The mean age of the 4 women and two men was 40 years [range 23 to 60]. All patients were operated on in the last five years of the studied period. All patients had symptoms varying in duration from 1 month to 4 years [average 13 months]. 2-Dimensional echocardiography contributed most to preoperative diagnosis, confirming presence of an intracardiac tumor in all examined patients. Of the six intracardiac tumor, 5 were myxomas [4 left atrial and 1 right ventricular] and one right atrial metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver. In all cases, tumor masses were successfully excised. One patient expired after the operation on account of low cardiac out-put syndrome. Remained one patient among six, tumor mass extended into RA and RV with a stalk via IVC. On later follow-up study showed cold area on liver scan [hepatocellular ca.], so she was transferred to internal medicine, department for chemotherapy. Follow up results showed no signs of tumor recurrence in 4 myxoma cases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.386-394
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• 2019

Trypanosoma cruzi infection results in debilitating cardiomyopathy, which is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the endemic regions of Chagas disease (CD). The pathogenesis of Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCM) has been intensely studied as a chronic inflammatory disease until recent observations reporting the role of cardio-metabolic dysfunctions. In particular, we demonstrated accumulation of lipid droplets and impaired cardiac lipid metabolism in the hearts of cardiomyopathic mice and patients, and their association with impaired mitochondrial functions and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in CD mice. In the present study, we examined whether treating infected mice with an ER stress inhibitor can modify the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy during chronic stages of infection. T. cruzi infected mice were treated with an ER stress inhibitor 2-Aminopurine (2AP) during the indeterminate stage and evaluated for cardiac pathophysiology during the subsequent chronic stage. Our study demonstrates that inhibition of ER stress improves cardiac pathology caused by T. cruzi infection by reducing ER stress and downstream signaling of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor ($P-elF2{\alpha}$) in the hearts of chronically infected mice. Importantly, cardiac ultrasound imaging showed amelioration of ventricular enlargement, suggesting that inhibition of ER stress may be a valuable strategy to combat the progression of cardiomyopathy in Chagas patients.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.57-70
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to reveal some factors of ROSC & survival for cardiac arrests from sport & leisure activities(CASLs). Methods : A retrospective study of the 1,341 out of hospital cardiac arrests(OHCAs) treated by EMS in Gyeonggi Provincial Fire and Disaster Headquarters from January to December in 2008 was conducted. The primary end-point was admission to emergency room. To clarify the factors through comparison of CASLs(n=58) with ROSCs & survivals(n=58), Answer Tree analysis for data mining with the CHAID algorithm was performed and alpha was set at .05. Mean, median, and percentile of time intervals, distances, and age on the 58 CASLs, 75 ROSCs, and 27 survivals(patients admitted to emergency room) were analysed. Results : Fourteen CASLs(24.1%), 41 ROSCs(54.7%), 16 survivals(59.3%) were treated with CPR within 5 min., and only 2 CASLs(3.4%), 11 ROSCs(14.7%), 10 survivals(37.0%) were treated with defilbrillation within 10 min. from arrest. If time recording from arrest to defilbrillation, the patients were classified 81.0%($X^2=9.83$, p=.005) into ROSCs & survivals. And the patients with no history, 100.0%($X^2=5.44$, p=.020). The other patients with no intention, 87.5%($X^2=7.00$, p=.024). Whereas the other patients with intention, treated with CPR after 4 min. from arrest were classified 67.2%($X^2=3.99$, p=.046) into CASLs. Conclusion : CPR within 4 minutes was the most important factor that discriminates between CASLs and ROSCs & survivals to record cardiac arrests-defilbrillation time. CPR within 4 min. from arrest, no history, and no intention were factors for improved ROSC & survival.