• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.134-139
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• 2021

Background: Intrapleural urokinase is one of the most widely used fibrinolytic agents in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE). However, little research has been performed on the optimal urokinase dosage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment efficacy of half dose urokinase compared with conventional dose urokinase. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 92 patients with CPPE or empyema who underwent intrapleural urokinase treatment at two tertiary hospitals. Patients received antibiotics, chest tube drainage, and other treatments as part of routine care. The primary outcome was the treatment success rate in the half dose urokinase group (50,000 IU daily for maximal 6 days) and the conventional dose urokinase group (100,000 IU daily). Treatment success was defined as clinical and radiological improvements without surgical treatment or re-admission within one month. Results: Forty-four patients received half dose urokinase, whereas 48 patients were treated with conventional dose urokinase. Both groups were relatively well matched at baseline, excluding higher serum white blood cell count and higher empyema prevalence in the half dose urokinase group. The treatment success rate was not different between the two groups (p=0.048). There were no differences in the rate of in-hospital death and surgical treatment, hospitalization duration, and indwelling catheter duration. In the multivariate analysis, urokinase dose was not a predictor of treatment success. Conclusion: Half dose intrapleural urokinase is equally effective conventional dose urokinase in treating patients with CPPE or empyema.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.732-739
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• 2021

Objective : Early successful reperfusion is associated with favorable outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The purpose of this study was to achieve successful recanalization by a combined mechanical thrombectomy technique, the Aspiration-Retriever Technique for Stroke (ARTS), which is composed of a flexible large lumen distal access catheter and a retrievable stent as the first-line strategy of mechanical thrombectomy. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 62 patients with AIS who underwent mechanical thrombectomy from 2018 to 2019 at our institute by a senior neurointerventionalist. Among them, patients who were treated using the ARTS technique with the soft torqueable catheter optimized for intracranial access (SOFIA^®; MicroVention-Terumo, Tustin, CA, USA) as the first-line treatment were included. Patients who had tandem occlusions or underlying intracranial artery stenosis were excluded. The angiographic and clinical outcomes were evaluated. The angiographic outcome was analyzed by the rate of successful recanalization, defined as a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2b or 3 at the end of all procedures and the rate of successfully achieving the first pass effect (FPE), defined as complete recanalization with a single pass of the device. The clinical outcomes included the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and mortality. Results : A total of 27 patients (mean age, 59.3 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The successful recanalization rate was 96% (n=26) while the FPE rate was 41% (n=11). The mean post-procedural NIHSS change was -3.0. Thirteen patients (48%) showed good clinical outcomes after thrombectomy with the ARTS technique (mRS at 90 days ≤2). Postoperative complications occurred in seven of 25 patients : hemorrhagic transformation in six patients (22%) and distal embolization in one patient (4%). Mortality was 15% (n=4). Conclusion : Although the clinical outcomes using the ARTS technique with a flexible large lumen distal access catheter performed as the frontline thrombectomy in patients with AIS were not significantly superior than those of other studies, this study showed a high rate of successful endovascular recanalization which was comparable to that of other studies. Therefore, ARTS using the SOFIA^® catheter can be considered as the first choice of treatment for AIS due to large vessel occlusion.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.545-550
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• 2022

As a result of the rapid entry into an aging society and westernized eating habits, the number of heart disease patients caused by angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and high blood pressure has increased by more than 100,000 over five years. Heart disease has consistently ranked second in the cause of death in Korea over the past eight years, and medical expenses consumed annually reach 6 trillion won. While various treatments are being proposed for more patients, drug-coated balloon catheters have been developed and gradually commercialized to solve the disadvantages of stent implantation such as restenosis and increased risk of bleeding due to long-term double antiplatelet medication. In Korea, it began to use a drug-coated balloon catheter with the first release of it called "SeQuent Please^Ⓡ (Bibrown Korea)" in 2010. Its demand increased gradually as insurance benefits were applied in 2012. Drug-coated balloon angioplasty is increasing in use not only in Korea but also around the world, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan. Until now, the demand for domestic products is increasing, and if the efficiency in vivo and clinical trials is proven in the future, it is expected to be an effective procedure compared to high-risk stent implantation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2022

Background: A time course analysis was undertaken to evaluate how perioperative process-of-care and outcome measures evolved after implementation of an enhanced recovery after thoracic surgery (ERATS) program. Methods: Outcome and process-of-care measures were compared between patients undergoing major elective thoracic surgery during a 9-month pre-ERATS implementation period to those at 1-3, 4-6, and 7-9 months post-ERATS implementation. Outcome measures included length of stay, the 30-day readmission rate, 30-day emergency department visits, and minor and major adverse events. Process measures included first time to activity, out-of-bed, ambulation, fluid diet, diet as tolerated, as well as removal of the first and last chest tube, epidural, patient-controlled analgesia, and Foley and intravenous catheters. Results: In total, 704 patients (352 pre-ERATS, 352 post-ERATS) were included. Mobilization-related process measures, including time to first activity (16.5 vs. 6.8 hours, p<0.001), out-of-bed (17.6 vs. 8.9 hours, p<0.001), and ambulation (32.4 vs. 25.4 hours, p=0.04) saw statistically significant improvements by 1-3 months post-ERATS implementation compared to pre-ERATS. Time to Foley removal improved by 4-6 months post-ERATS (19.5 vs. 18.2 hours, p=0.003). Outcome measures, including the 30-day readmission rate and emergency department visits, steadily decreased post-ERATS. By 7-9 months post-ERATS, both minor (18.2% vs. 7.9%, p=0.009) and major (13.6% vs. 4.4%, p=0.007) adverse events demonstrated statistically significant improvements. Length of stay trended towards improvement from 6.2 days pre-ERATS to 4.8 days by 7-9 months post-ERATS (p=0.06). Conclusion: The adoption of ERATS led to improvements in multiple process-of-care measures, which may collectively and gradually achieve optimization of clinical outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.735-740
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• 2022

In order to reduce side effects such as rectal bleeding in the Brachytherapy, the rectal retractor and wet gauze have been used to increase the distance between the rectum and the tandem. However, there were disadvantages that it was difficult to insert through a narrow entrance into the vagina and poor reproducibility. Also, based on the CT image of the selected catheter, the distance from the tandem to the rectum with or without the balloon catheter was checked and the reduction of the dose to the rectum was confirmed. As a result of the experiment, catheter No. 7 was selected considering the maximum balloon size at a level that does not affect the distance between the start point of the balloon and the end of the catheter, and the ovoid applicator. Based on the CT image of the selected catheter, the degree of expansion according to the presence or absence of the balloon catheter was compared, and it was found that the distance difference was 0.3 - 1 cm. In addition, it was confirmed that a decrease of about 32% was observed due to this distance difference. Therefore, the actual clinical application of the selected catheter can be used as a substitute for the existing rectal retractor and wet gauze.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.6
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• pp.1389-1396
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• 2020

Purpose The aim of this study was to analyze several technical and clinical factors associated with the successful management of postoperative leakage by percutaneous Foley catheter placement. Materials and Methods Thirty-two patients were included in this retrospective study. Postoperative gastrointestinal leakage was diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) and the patients underwent percutaneous Foley catheter placement into the leakage site through Jackson-Pratt tubes or imaging-guided methods. Clinical success was defined as successful Foley catheter removal without symptom recurrence within 1 week and the risk factors for clinical failure were analyzed. Results In all patients, percutaneous Foley catheter placement was successfully achieved without complications. Foley catheter was placed at a median of 10 days (range, 1-68) after the confirmation of leakage on CT. Clinical success was achieved in 26 of the 32 patients (81%). Systemic comorbidity (p < 0.001) and failed oral intake (p = 0.015) were the statistically significant risk factors for clinical failure. Conclusion Percutaneous Foley catheter placement can be considered an effective approach for the management of postoperative bowel leakage. The presence of systemic comorbidity and successful oral diet after Foley catheter placement are significant factors for successful clinical recovery.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.477-482
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• 2023

The subclavian vein is an uncommon route for tunneled hemodialysis catheter (tHDC) placement because of its potency for future dialysis access. However, when favored access routes have been exhausted because of repeated catheterization or limited life expectancy, the subclavian vein can be used for urgent hemodialysis. A subclavian catheterization has a technical problem. The subclavian vein often forms a right angle with the vena cava, and advancing stiff peel-away sheath can cause a vascular injury. However, raising the patient's arm can alter the position of the guidewire and, therefore, change the angle of the vein favorable for tHDC placement. Herein, we report two patients who underwent subclavian catheterization; one experienced an injury to the superior vena cava after undergoing the conventional procedure, whereas the other patient with raised arm during the catheterization procedure had safe catheter placement.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.1085-1090
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• 2007

Purpose : Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has become an effective therapeutic modality for treating pediatric tachyarrhythmias. Using conventional RFCA catheters, ablation of parahisian accessory pathways may be difficult and have high risk for heart block. We reviewed the efficacy and complications of the RFCA in children and adolescent with arrhythmias including parahisian accessory pathways. Methods : We studied 48 patients (aged 2 years to 20 years) who had undergone RFCA from August 2003 to March 2007. We reviewed clinical findings, electrophysiologic studies, RFCA data, complications, and follow-up results of the patients. Results : Mean age of the patients was 13.1 years. Numbers and types of arrhythmias (age, acute success rate) were as follows: 19 WPW syndrome including 5 parahisian accessory pathways ($13.7{\pm}4.6yr$, 18/19), 11 atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia with concealed bypass tract ($12.3{\pm}5.0yr$, 10/11), 13 atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia ($12.6{\pm}4.4yr$, 13/13), 4 atrial flutter ($13.0{\pm}7.4yr$, 3/4), and 1 ventricular tachycardia (20 yr, 1/1). Associated cardiac structural lesion was not detected in 48 patients. The recurrence rate was 6.5%, and the final success rate was 93.8%. Conclusion : These results suggest that RFCA is a highly effective treatment method in children and adolescent with tachyarrhythmia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.253-261
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• 1989

Responses of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), aldosterone and renin release to acute volume expansion were compared in normotensive Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) fed low or high-sodium diet (2 or 25 mmol Na/100 g diet). Experimental diets were fed for 6 weeks from 7-week-old and the growth rate was similar in all groups. In the morning of the experiment, catheters were inserted under ether anesthesia in femoral artery for pressure recording and blood collection, femoral vein for saline infusion, and bladder for urine collection. Then, the rats were placed in restraining cages. When the rats were recovered from anesthesia and the arterial pressure became stabilized, control urine and blood samples were collected. Then, 0.9% saline was infused for 30 min for volume expansion (3% BW). Arterial pressure was significantly higher in the high-sodium SHR but there was no difference between the two groups of Wistar rats. Control plasma levels of Na, K, ANP, renin activity, and hematocrit were not different among the 4 groups. However, plasma aldosterone level was significantly higher in the low-sodium groups. Wistar low-sodium rats showed approximately two times higher plasma aldosterone level than the SHR counterpart. Volume expansion produced a marked increase in plasma ANP level, especially in the high-sodium groups. The low-sodium groups of both strains showed approximately two-fold increase in plasma ANP level. Following a volume expansion plasma aldosterone level and renin activity decreased in all groups. There was a significant logarithmic positive correlation between plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration. The low-sodium rats produced a greater increase in aldosterone release by small increase in plasma renin than did the high-sodium rats. The low- and high-sodium rats produced a similar degree of diuresis and natriuresis after volume expansion. However, SHR produced a greater natriuresis than did the Wistar rats. The above results indicate that regulatory mechanisms of ANP, aldosterone and renin release are different between the normotensive and hypertensive rats, and between the low- and high-sodium groups.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.847-854
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• 2002

Purpose : Long term hospitalized infants in neonatal intensive care units(NICUs) are prone to systemic infection. It is important to differentiate systemic candidiasis from systemic bacterial infection early in the course. Thus, in this study, we have compared clinical characteristics of systemic candidiasis and systemic bacterial infection, in premature low birth weight infants. Methods : Retrospective chart review of the medical records of 20 patients with systemic candidiasis and 23 patients with systemic bacterial infection was performed. Results : Among the risk factors of systemic candidiasis, total parenteral nutrition(TPN), the use of broad spectrum antibiotics, central catheter insertion, endotracheal intubation and the use of H2 blockers were more frequent in neonates with systemic candidiasis than neonates with systemic bacterial infection. Apnea with bradycardia developed more frequently in neonates with systemic candidiasis compared with systemic bacterial infection(75% vs 39%). In laboratory findings at symptom onset, seven cases(35%) of systemic candidal infections and two cases(9%) of systemic bacterial infections showed leukopenia and thrombocytopenia(P=0.03). Blood was the most frequent isolation site of candida and bacteria. Conclusion : In neonates with systemic candidiasis, apnea with bradycardia, pneumonia and thrombocytopenia were prone to develop more frequently. The use of TPN, antibiotics and central catheters was strongly associated with systemic candidiasis. Empirical treatment with antifungal agent should be considered in critically ill neonates with above findings.