• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.150-153
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• 2021

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is characterized by progressive steno-occlusive lesions of the distal or proximal branch of the internal carotid arteries, and cerebrovascular symptoms are its major complications. Extracranial vascular involvement including the coronary artery has been reported, and some case reports have described variant angina or myocardial infarction. However, no report has yet described a case of myocardial infarction after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Here, we present a patient with MMD who suffered cardiac arrest caused by myocardial infarction due to a coronary spasm after offpump CABG and who was discharged successfully after treatment with a veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenator and percutaneous coronary intervention.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to report the effectiveness of oriental medical treatment including Hubaksenggangbanhagamchoinsam-tang(厚朴生薑半夏甘草人蔘湯) and moxibustion (and acupuncture) on abdominal distension. Two patients complainted of abdominal distension, vomiting, dyschezia and so on. According to the pattern identification (辯證論治), the distension of both patients were diagnosed as deficiency distension(虛脹). So we decided to treat the patients by means of tonification the deficiency(補虛) including Hubaksengganggamchoinsam-tang and moxibustion. And the symptoms improved after treatment. So we report these cases.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2023

Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is a sleep-related movement disorder characterized by involuntary, rhythmic limb movements during sleep. While PLMD itself is not considered life-threatening, its association with certain underlying health conditions raises concerns about mortality risks. PLMD has been found to be associated with cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The fragmented sleep caused by the repetitive limb movements and associated arousals may contribute to sympathetic activation, chronic sleep disruption, sleep deprivation, and subsequent cardiovascular problems, which can increase mortality risks. The comorbidities and health factors commonly associated with PLMD, such as obesity, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, may also contribute to increased mortality risks. PLMD is often observed alongside other neurological disorders, including restless legs syndrome (RLS) and Parkinson's disease. The presence of PLMD in these conditions may exacerbate the underlying health issues and potentially contribute to higher mortality rates. Further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms linking PLMD to mortality risks and to develop targeted interventions that address these risks.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2008

Meniere's disease is characterized by intermittent episodes of vertigo lasting from minutes to hours, with fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural pressure. The primary histopathological correlate is endolymphatic hydrops, but its etiology is still disputed. Several medical therapies have been offered to patients with this disease since 1961 that the first report had been given by Prosper Meniere. Some will be helpful for relieving the symptoms but there is still no absolutely effective treatment to cure the disease. One male patient with Meniere's disease was hospitalized in Kyung-Hee medical center, and we treated him with oriental medical therapies. The treatment was effective to relieve his symptoms, and they had been successfully controlled until he was discharged from hospital. The result suggests that the oriental medical therapy is safe and helpful to patients with Meniere's disease, so we reported this case.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors which differentiate ex-smokers from smokers among patients with cardiovascular disease. Ex-smokers were patients who abstained from smoking for at least 6 months. Method: The subjects were 92 male cardiovascular patients who try to quit. The stepwise discriminant analysis was used to identify predictors of smoking cessation. Result: 1. The ex-smokers(n=47) and smokers(n=45) were significantly different regarding the age, duration after diagnosis, nicotine dependence, family support for smoking cessation, and intention-to-quit. 2. The family support for smoking cessation, intention-to-quit, nicotine dependence, and age were the predictors which differentiate ex-smokers from smokers among cardiovascular patients. The percentage of grouped cases correctly classified was 92.4%. Conclusion: The higher the family support for smoking cessation, intention-to-quit, age and the lower the nicotine dependence, the more likely these smokers were to success smoking cessation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.578-585
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• 2010

Objectives : Coldness of hands and feet has been regarded to be associated with blood circulation. This study was performed to assess the correlation between erythrocyte deformability and coldness of hands and feet. Methods : 145 patients who had taken an erythrocyte deformability test were selected for this study among hospitalized patients within 4 weeks after their cerebral infarction at the Internal Medical Department at Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center from August 2008 to August 2009. We divided the selected patients into two groups, with and without of coldness of hands and feet groups. The two groups were compared on risk factors for atherosclerosis and examined for variables including erythrocyte deformability. Results : 1. On demographic variables of the patients, only body mass index was significantly lower in the coldness of hands and feet group than the control group. There was no significant difference of the rate of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, smoking, drinking and carotid artery stenosis between the two groups. 2. According to blood test, the coldness of hands and feet group showed significantly lower erythrocyte deformability index than the control group. 3. Body mass index and erythrocyte deformability index showed a close relationship with coldness of hands and feet in multivariate analysis. Conclusions : The correlation between the erythrocyte deformability and coldness of hands and feet in cerebral infarction patients were decreased erythrocyte deformability participated in the mechanism of coldness of hands and feet.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.311-317
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• 2015

Background: Robotic surgery is an alternative to minimally invasive surgery. The aim of this study was to report on current trends in robotic thoracic and cardiovascular surgical techniques in Korea. Methods: Data from the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) between January 2006 and June 2012 were used in this study, including a total of 932 cases of robotic surgeries reported to NECA. The annual trends in the case volume, indications for robotic surgery, and distribution by hospitals and surgeons were analyzed in this study. Results: Of the 932 cases, 591 (63%) were thoracic operations and 340 (37%) were cardiac operations. The case number increased explosively in 2007 and 2008. However, the rate of increase regained a steady state after 2011. The main indications for robotic thoracic surgery were pulmonary disease (n=271, 46%), esophageal disease (n=199, 34%), and mediastinal disease (n=117, 20%). The main indications for robotic cardiac surgery were valvular heart disease (n=228, 67%), atrial septal defect (n=79, 23%), and cardiac myxoma (n=27, 8%). Robotic thoracic and cardiovascular surgeries were performed in 19 hospitals. Three large volume hospitals performed 94% of the case volume of robotic cardiac surgery and 74% of robotic thoracic surgery. Centralization of robotic operation was significantly (p<0.0001) more common in cardiac surgery than in thoracic surgery. A total of 39 surgeons performed robotic surgeries. However, only 27% of cardiac surgeons and 23% of thoracic surgeons performed more than 10 cases of robotic surgery. Conclusion: Trend analysis of robotic and cardiovascular operations demonstrated a gradual increase in the surgical volume in Korea. Meanwhile, centralization of surgical cases toward specific surgeons in specific hospitals was observed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2016

Background: Sevelamer is associated with reduced complications of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) resulted from hyperphosphatemia, which may contribute mortality, in CKD patients with dialysis. So far clinical outcomes of sevelamer on mortality and risk of cardiovascular mortality related to CKD-MBD are debating. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sevelamer HCl on mortality of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), risk of cardiovascular mortality and, frequency of osteopathy in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with dialysis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 536 patients with ESRD, who were admitted for moderate to severe SHPT, for 36 months. 75 patients who met inclusion criteria were evaluated for the efficacy of sevelamer (mean serum iPTH = 487.5 pg/mL). Results: Sevelamer intervention was not associated with increased three-year survival time compared with non-sevelamers group [average survival month: 30.4 months in sevelamer group, 26.8 months in non-sevelamer group, p = 0.463]. Sevelamer intervention was not associated with significant mortality benefit and cardiovascular mortality benefit as compared to non-sevelamer group [sevelamer group: non-sevelamer group, all-cause mortality (iPTH > 600 pg/mL): 14.3% (1/34): 20% (1/41) p = 0.962, OR = 0.935, 95% CI, 0.058-14.98, heart disease mortality: 6.67% (2/30): 0% (0/32) p = 0.138]. Sevelamer was not associated with significantly lower cumulative incidence of osteopathy compared to non-sevelamer group (sevelamer group: non-sevelamer group, 5.9% (2/34):9.8% (4/41); p = 0.538; OR = 0.578; 95% CI, 0.099-3.367). Conclusion: Sevelamer was not associated with decreased all-cause mortality and risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to non-sevelamer group in ESRD patients with SHPT.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.35-45
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• 2021

Globally, cardiovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are the leading causes of the non-communicable disease burden. Overlapping symptoms such as breathing difficulty and fatigue, with a lack of awareness about COPD among physicians, are key reasons for under-diagnosis and resulting sub-optimal care relative to COPD. Much has been published in the past on the pathogenesis and implications of cardiovascular comorbidities in COPD. However, a comprehensive review of the prevalence and impact of COPD management in commonly encountered cardiac diseases is lacking. The purpose of this study was to summarize the current knowledge regarding the prevalence of COPD in heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and atrial fibrillation. We also discuss the real-life clinical presentation and practical implications of managing COPD in cardiac diseases. We searched PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar for studies published 1981-May 2020 reporting the prevalence of COPD in the three specified cardiac diseases. COPD has high prevalence in heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and ischemic heart disease. Despite this, COPD remains under-diagnosed and under-managed in the majority of patients with cardiac diseases. The clinical implications of the diagnosis of COPD in cardiac disease includes the recognition of hyperinflation (a treatable trait), implementation of acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) prevention strategies, and reducing the risk of overuse of diuretics. The pharmacological agents for the management of COPD have shown a beneficial effect on cardiac functions and mortality. The appropriate management of COPD improves the cardiovascular outcomes by reducing hyperinflation and preventing AECOPD, thus reducing the risk of mortality, improving exercise tolerance, and quality of life.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.187-193
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• 2005

Several signal transduction pathways have been implicated in ischemic preconditioning induced by the activation of ATP-sensitive $K^+$ $(K_{ATP})$ channels. We examined whether protein kinase C (PKC) modulated the activity of $K_{ATP}$ channels by recording $K_{ATP}$ channel currents in rabbit ventricular myocytes using patch-clamp technique and found that phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (PDD) enhanced pinacidil-induced $K_{ATP}$ channel activity in the cell-attached configuration; and this effect was prevented by bisindolylmaleimide (BIM). $K_{ATP}$ channel activity was not increased by $4{\alpha}-PDD$. In excised insideout patches, PKC stimulated $K_{ATP}$ channels in the presence of 1 mM ATP, and this effect was abolished in the presence of BIM. Heat-inactivated PKC had no effect on channel activity. PKC-induced activation of $K_{ATP}$ channels was reversed by PP2A, and this effect was not detected in the presence of okadaic acid. These results suggest that PKC activates $K_{ATP}$ channels in rabbit ventricular myocytes.