• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.231-237
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• 2017

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are conditions with significant morbidity and mortality. Proximal DVT has a significant association with PE and possible fatal outcomes. Traditionally, PE is subdivided into symptomatic PE and asymptomatic PE, which have different treatments, preventions and prognoses. The growing utilization of computed tomography pulmonary angiography has led to increased detection of PE in DVT patients. This study examined the clinical characteristics and compared symptomatic PE and asymptomatic PE following proximal DVT. Methods: The medical records of 258 DVT inpatients from July, 2012 to June, 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. After excluding the patients who did not performed PE evaluation and were not diagnosed with PE, 95 patients diagnosed with PE following proximal DVT were enrolled in this study. They were divided into the symptomatic PE group and asymptomatic PE group. Results: The body weight, body mass index, thrombus size, thrombus length and location were similar in the two groups. The symptomatic PE following proximal DVT group showed an older age, higher incidence of emergency department access (85.0% vs. 38.7%, p<0.001) and preceding infection (25.0% vs. 1.3%, p<0.001) as well as a higher incidence of immobilization (45.0% vs 13.3%, p=0.016). In the multivariate logistic regression study, preceding infection and emergency department access showed significant association with symptomatic PE. Conclusion: In proximal DVT inpatients, symptomatic PE was associated with emergency department access and preceding infection. The possibility of a symptomatic PE event should be considered in proximal DVT patients, especially those who were admitted through the emergency department and had preceding infection.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.1212-1218
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• 2005

Purpose : Forward pulmonary blood flow may be absent in some neonates with Ebstein's anomaly by anatomical or functional pulmonary atresia in association with the elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, patent ductus arteriosus and tricuspid regurgitation. We reviewed the presentation and outcomes of symptomatic neonates with Ebstein's anomaly focusing on the pulmonary atresia. Methods : Clinical presentation and outcome of 15 symptomatic neonates with Ebstein's anomaly seen at Asan medical center from 1998 to 2004 were reviewed. Results : Ten(67%) of 15 patients showed no forward pulmonary blood flow and 6 of them had functional pulmonary atresia. $O_2$ saturation and pH were lower and cardiothoracic(CT) ratio in chest radiography was more increased in the patients with pulmonary atresia than in the patients without pulmonary atresia(P<0.05). pH and CT ratio were not different between the anatomical and functional pulmonary atresia group, but $O_2$ saturation was lower in functional atresia group(P<0.05). 13 patients(87%) were managed with $PGE_1$. 4 of 6 patients with functional pulmonary atresia were treated with inhaled nitric oxide. Surgery was performed in 1 of 5 patients without pulmonary atresia and in 8 of 10 patients with pulmonary atresia during follow-up period(mean 37 months). 3 patients(20%) died and none of patients without pulmonary atresia died. Conclusion : We found that most symptomatic neonates with Ebstein's anomaly had functional or anatomical pulmonary atresia. The neonates with Ebstein's anomaly who had no forward pulmonary blood flow were more symptomatic and needed surgery earlier. Further studies will be needed to distinguish effectively functional and anatomical pulmonary atresia and to manage appropriately neonates with functional atresia.