• Title/Summary/Keyword: Cerebral

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The Influence of Iteration and Subset on True X Method in F-18-FPCIT Brain Imaging (F-18-FPCIP 뇌 영상에서 True-X 재구성 기법을 기반으로 했을 때의 Iteration과 Subset의 영향)

  • Choi, Jae-Min;Kim, Kyung-Sik;NamGung, Chang-Kyeong;Nam, Ki-Pyo;Im, Ki-Cheon
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.122-126
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: F-18-FPCIT that shows strong familiarity with DAT located at a neural terminal site offers diagnostic information about DAT density state in the region of the striatum especially Parkinson's disease. In this study, we altered the iteration and subset and measured SUV${\pm}$SD and Contrasts from phantom images which set up to specific iteration and subset. So, we are going to suggest the appropriate range of the iteration and subset. Materials and Methods: This study has been performed with 10 normal volunteers who don't have any history of Parkinson's disease or cerebral disease and Flangeless Esser PET Phantom from Data Spectrum Corporation. $5.3{\pm}0.2$ mCi of F-18-FPCIT was injected to the normal group and PET Phantom was assembled by ACR PET Phantom Instructions and it's actual ratio between hot spheres and background was 2.35 to 1. Brain and Phantom images were acquired after 3 hours from the time of the injection and images were acquired for ten minutes. Basically, SIEMENS Bio graph 40 True-point was used and True-X method was applied for image reconstruction method. The iteration and Subset were set to 2 iterations, 8 subsets, 3 iterations, 16 subsets, 6 iterations, 16 subsets, 8 iterations, 16 subsets and 8 iterations, 21 subsets respectively. To measure SUVs on the brain images, ROIs were drawn on the right Putamen. Also, Coefficient of variance (CV) was calculated to indicate the uniformity at each iteration and subset combinations. On the phantom study, we measured the actual ratio between hot spheres and back ground at each combinations. Same size's ROIs were drawn on the same slide and location. Results: Mean SUVs were 10.60, 12.83, 13.87, 13.98 and 13.5 at each combination. The range of fluctuation by sets were 22.36%, 10.34%, 1.1%, and 4.8% respectively. The range of fluctuation of mean SUV was lowest between 6 iterations 16 subsets and 8 iterations 16 subsets. CV showed 9.07%, 11.46%, 13.56%, 14.91% and 19.47% respectively. This means that the numerical value of the iteration and subset gets higher the image's uniformity gets worse. The range of fluctuation of CV by sets were 2.39, 2.1, 1.35, and 4.56. The range of fluctuation of uniformity was lowest between 6 iterations, 16 subsets and 8 iterations, 16 subsets. In the contrast test, it showed 1.92:1, 2.12:1, 2.10:1, 2.13:1 and 2.11:1 at each iteration and subset combinations. A Setting of 8 iterations and 16 subsets reappeared most close ratio between hot spheres and background. Conclusion: Findings on this study, SUVs and uniformity might be calculated differently caused by variable reconstruction parameters like filter or FWHM. Mean SUV and uniformity showed the lowest range of fluctuation at 6 iterations 16 subsets and 8 iterations 16 subsets. Also, 8 iterations 16 subsets showed the nearest hot sphere to background ratio compared with others. But it can not be concluded that only 6 iterations 16 subsets and 8 iterations 16 subsets can make right images for the clinical diagnosis. There might be more factors that can make better images. For more exact clinical diagnosis through the quantitative analysis of DAT density in the region of striatum we need to secure healthy people's quantitative values.

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An Epidemiological Study on the Accidental Mortality in Various Industries in Busan Area (부산지역 산업인구의 사고사에 관한 역학적인 조사연구)

  • Chung, Young-Sun
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.10 no.1
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    • pp.166-175
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    • 1977
  • The author have performed an epidemiological study on the accidental deaths at industry from 1970 to 1975, in order to seek for the preventive measures of industrial accident with the under-standing of its cause and characteristics of the accidental deaths. The obtained results were as follows; 1. Total number of deaths for 6 years were 361 (350 males, 11 females). and the mean death rate was 33.8 per 100,000 industrial workers during 6 years. By the highest as 52.9 was in 1974 and the lowest as 13.7 in 1970. By the industry group, the death rate of Electricity, Gas and Water was 149.3, Construction 83.9 and the lowest was Manufacturing as 18.3. 2. Standardized mortality rate of the cases by the age group showed that 20-29 years old group was 43.0, 40-49 years old group 38.1, 30-39 years old group 32.0, and the lowest as 17.9 was under 19 years old group. 3. The cumulative percentage of the cases by years of service showed that under 6 months was 60.4%, under 1 year 72.9%, under 2 years 83.1%. 4. By the month of occurrence, the highest was 15.8% which occurred in August and the lowest was 5.8% in February. The highest as 19.1% was on Friday and the lowest as 11.9% on Monday by the day of a week. 5. By the causes of accident, car accidents was 28.3%, fall accidents 19.1%, accidents by a crash 9.1% in that order. By the location of injury, head was 44.6%, multiple injuries 33.0%, chest 10.5%, and back was the lowest as 1.9%. The distribution of the cases by nature of injury shelved that cerebral contusion and hemorrhage was 39.4%, fracture and dislocation 33.2%, asphyxia 8.0% in that order. 6. The cumulative percentage of the cases by the duration from injury to death showed that the injuried day was 74.2%, within 3 days after injury 88.5%, within 7 days 96.1%. Therefore most of the cases were occurred within 7 days after injury. 7. Byythe daily mean wages, most of the cases as 91.7% were under 2,000 won, and more 4,000 won was 1.6% merely.

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One Stage Total Repair of the Aortic Arch Anomaly using the Regional Perfusion (대동맥궁 이상이 동반된 선천성 심장병에서 국소 순환을 이용한 일차 완전 교정)

  • Jang Woo-Sung;Lim Cheong;Lim Hong-Kook;Min Sun-Kyung;Kwak Jae-Kun;Chung Eui-Seuk;Kim Dong-Jin;Kim Woong-Han
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.39 no.6 s.263
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    • pp.434-439
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    • 2006
  • Background: Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest during repair of aortic arch anomalies may induce neurological complications or myocardial injury. So we surveyed if the regional cerebral and myocardial perfusion might eliminate those potential side effects. Material and Method: From March 2000 to December 2004, 62 neonates or infants with aortic arch anomaly underwent one stage biventricular repair using the regional perfusion technique by single surgeon. Preoperative diagnosis of the arch anomaly consisted of coarctation (n=46), interruption of the aorta (n=12), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (n=2) and truncus areteriosus (n=2). Combined anomalies were ventricular septal defect (n=51), TAPVR (n=1), PAPVR (n=1) and atrioventricular septal defect (n=2). Arterial cannula was inserted at the innominate artery. Result: The mean regional perfusion time of brain was $28{\pm}10min$. Operative mortality rates was 0 (0/62). Late death was 1 (1/62) during $11{\pm}7$ months of follow-up. Neurologic complications consisted of transient chorea in 1 case. There was no reoperation associated with arch anolamy. Pulmonary complication associated with arch repair occurred in f case which was managed by aortopexy. Conclusion: One-tage rch repair using the regional profusion is safe and effective in minimizing the neurologic and myocardial complications.

Composite Graft Aortic Root Replacement with Coronary Button Reimplantation: The Early and Mid-Term Results (Composite graft를 이용한 대동맥근부 치환술: Button 술식의 중단기 결과)

  • 나찬영;백만종;김웅한;오삼세;김수철
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.35 no.5
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    • pp.356-364
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    • 2002
  • Background: This study was undertaken to investigate the outcome of composite graft aortic root replacement using coronary button reimplantation technique for the treatment of aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving the aortic root. Material and Method: Between April 1995 and September 2001, 54 patients having aortic root replacement with a composite valve graft using direct coronary button reimplantation were reviewed retrospectively. Left ventricular dysfunction was present in 14 patients(25.9%), aortic regurgitation in 48(89%), and Marfan's syndrome in 17(31.5%). The indications for operation were annuloaortic ectasia in 29 patients(53.7%), aortic dissection in 11(20.4%), aneurysms of the ascending aorta involving aortic root in 12(22.2%), and aortitis in 2(3.7%). Six patients(11.1%) had previous cardiac or ascending aortic operations. Concomitant procedures were arch replacement in 21 patients(38.9%), coronary artery bypass graft in 7(13%), mitral valve repair or replacement in 4(7.4%), and others in 6. The mean time of circulatory arrest, total bypass, and aortic crossclamp were 18 $\pm$ 9 minutes, 177 $\pm$ 42 minutes, and 127 $\pm$ 31 minutes, respectively. Result: There was 1 early death(1.9%). Mean follow-up was 24.6$\pm$ 19.5 months. There were two late deaths(3.8%) including one death due to the traumatic cerebral hemorrhage. The Kaplan-Meier survival rate was 98.0 $\pm$ 2.0% and 93.1 $\pm$ 5.1% at 1 and 6 years, respectively. Two patients required reoperation owing to a false aneurysm at the root anastomosis site and a malfunction of prosthetic aortic valve(3.8%). Staged operation for dissection of the remaining thoracoabdominal aorta was performed in 1 patient. The freedom rate from reoperation was 97.8 $\pm$ 2.0% and 65.3 $\pm$ 26.7% at 1 and 6 years, respectively.

Early and Midterm Results of Cabrol Technique in the Aortic Root Replacement (대동맥 근부치환술에 있어 Cabrol술식의 중단기 성적)

  • 곽기오;최강주;류지윤;이양행;황윤호;조광현
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.33 no.7
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    • pp.547-551
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    • 2000
  • Background; The purpose of this study was to analyze the early and midterm results of Cabrol technique to assist in making future decisions on a more adequate technique for repairing aortic root diseases. Material and Method; From August 1993 to July 1999, we performed Cabrol technique in 18 patients ; 12 annuloaortic ectasia, 6 Stanford type A aortic dissection. Male and female ratio was 11;7, mean age was 46.9$\pm$12.3 years and mean follow up period was 22.5$\pm$21.5 months. We analysed the factors influencing postoperative complications and early mortality. The factors were old age(>60 years), high NYHA(>III), preoporative concomitant disease, urgency of operation, concomitant procedure, long pump preoperative concomitant disease, urgency of operation, concomitant procedure, long pump time(>200 minute), and hospital stay time (>30 days). Result; Operative mortality was 11.1%, late mortality was 11.1%, and overall mortality was 22.2%. The causes of operative death were a heart failure and an arrhythmia. The causes of late death were an acute myocardial infarction and an unknown etiology. Postoperative complications were bleeding, wound infection, toxic hepatitis, acute renal failure, and cerebral infarction. The factors influencing postoperative complications were hihg MYHA Fc(>III) (p=0.044), concomitant disease (p=0.044), long pump time(>200 minute)(p=0.015), and concomitant procedure(p=0.004). There were no significant factors influencing early mortality. Conclusion; The lower postoperative bleeding rate and no complication related to tension of anastomosis after Cabrol technique warrant its consideration in patients requiring aortic root replacement, especially without feasible mobilization of coronary arteries. However, to confirm the graft thrombosis, a more detailed study including periodic angiography will be required.

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Clinical Experiences of Cardiac Surgery Using Minimal Incision (소절개선을 이용한 심장수술의 임상고찰)

  • Kim, Kwang-Ho;Kim, Joung-Taek;Lee, Seo-Won;Kim, Hae-Sook;Lim, Hyun-Kung;Lee, Choon-Soo;Sun, Kyung
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.32 no.4
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    • pp.373-378
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    • 1999
  • Background: Minimally invasive technique for various cardiac surgeries has become widely accepted since it has been proven to have distinct advantages for the patients. We describe here the results of our experiences of minimal incision in cardiac surgery. Material and Method: From February 1997 to November 1998, we successfully performed 31 cases of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Male and female ratio was 17:14, and the patients age ranged from 1 to 75 years. A left parasternal incision was used in 9 patients with single vessel coronary heart disease. A direct coronary bypass grafting was done under the condition of the beating heart without cardiopulmonary bypass support(MIDCAB). Among these, one was a case of a reoperation 1 week after the first operation due to a kinked mammary artery graft. A right parasternal incision was used in one case of a redo mitral valve replacement. Mini-sternotomy was used in the remaining 21 patients. The procedures were mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty in 6 patients, mitral valve replacement 5, double valve replacement 2, aortic valve replacement 1, removal of left atrial myxoma 1, closure of atrial septal defect 2, repair of ventricular septal defect 2, and primary closure of r ght ventricular stab wound 1. The initial 5 cases underwent a T-shaped mini-sternotomy, however, we adopted an arrow-shaped ministernotomy in the remaining cases because it provided better exposure of the aortic root and stability of the sternum after a sternal wiring. Result: The operation time, the cardiopulmonary bypass time, the aorta cross-clamping time, the mechanical ventilation time, the amount of chest tube drainage until POD#1, the chest tube indwelling time, and the duration of intensive care unit staying were in an acceptable range. There were two surgical mortalities. One was due to a rupture of the aorta cannulation site after double valve replacement on POD#1 in the mini-sternotomy case, and the other was due to a sudden ventricular arrhythmia after MIDCAB on POD#2 in the parasternal incision case. Postoperative complications were observed in 2 cases in which a cerebral embolism developed on POD#2 after a mini-sternotomy in mitral valve replacement and wound hematoma developed after a right parasternal incision in a single coronary bypass grafting. Neither mortality nor complication was directly related to the incision technique itself. Conclusion: Minimally invasive surgery using parasternal or mini-sternotomy incision can be used in cardiac surgeries since it is as safe as the standard full sternotomy incisions.

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Neuroprotective Effect of Phenytoin and Hypothermia on a Spinal Cord Ischemic Injury Model in Rabbits (토끼의 척수 허혈 손상 모델에서 페니토인과 저체온의 신경 보호 효과의 비교)

  • Oh, Sam-Sae;Choe, Ghee-Young;Kim, Won-Gon
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.41 no.4
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    • pp.405-416
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    • 2008
  • Background: Spinal cord ischemic injury during thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic surgeries remains a potentially devastating outcome despite using various methods of protection. Neuronal voltage-dependent sodium channel antagonists are known to provide neuroprotection in cerebral ischemic models. This study was designed to compare the neuroprotective effects of phenytoin with those of hypothermia in a rabbit model of spinal cord ischemia. Material and Method: Spinal cord ischemia was induced in New Zealand white rabbits by means of infrarenal aortic cross clamping for 25 minutes. Four groups of 8 animals each were studied. The control group and the hypothermia group received retrograde infusion of saline only ($22^{\circ}C$, 2 mL/min); the normothermic phenytoin group and the hypothermicphenytoin group received retrograde infusion of 100 mg of phenytoin at different rectal temperatures ($39^{\circ}C$ and $37^{\circ}C$, respectively) during the ischemic period. The neurologic function was assessed at 24 and 72 hours after the operation with using the modified Tarlov criteria. The spinal cords were harvested after the final neurologic examination for histopathological examination to objectively quantify the amount of neuronal damage. Result: No major adverse effects were observed with the retrograde phenytoin infusion during the aortic ischemic period. All the control rabbits became severely paraplegic, Both the phenytoin group and the hypothermia group had a better neurological status than did the control group (p < 0.05). The typical morphological changes that are characteristic of neuronal necrosis in the gray matter of the control animals were demonstrated by means of the histopathological examination, whereas phenytoin or hypothermia prevented or attenuated these necrotic phenomena (p < 0.05). The number of motor neuron cells positive for TUNEL staining was significantly reduced, to a similar extent, in the rabbits treated with phenytoin or hypothermia. Phenytoin and hypothermia had some additive neuroprotective effect, but there was no statistical significance between the two on the neurological and histopathological analysis. Conclusion: The neurological and histopathological analysis consistently demonstrated that both phenytoin and hypothermia may afford significant spinal cord protection to a similar extent during spinal cord ischemia in rabbits, although no significant additive effects were noticed.

A Study on the Care Needs of Family-Caregivers and the Level of Self Care for Patients of Cerebral Vascular Accident(CVA) (뇌졸중환자의 자가간호 수준과 가족구성원의 간호요구)

  • Cho Young-Hee
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.239-255
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    • 2000
  • The purpose of this study was to explore the care needs of family-caregivers caring for patients with a CVA and the level of self care of the patients. The subjects for the study were 112 patients with a CVA and their caregivers. These patients were seen in a hospital or out-patient-department(OPD) at two oriental medical hospital in Jeonbuk province. The survey instruments used in this study were Kang's ADL checklist for self care of patients and Kim's Likert-style checklist for care needs of family-caregivers to patient with CVA. The survey was conducted from July 4 to August 30, 1999. Internal validity by calculation of Cronbach's alpha was 0.95, which was regarded as high. The survey results were analyzed using the SPSS program, with percentages, means, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficients. The results of this study are as follows : 1. The level of self care for patients with a CVA was : 1) complete dependence(M=14.9, 13.1%), 2) complete independence(M=23.6, 20.9%), 3) incomplete independence(M=23.9, 21.0%), 4) incomplete dependence(M=26.6, 25.0%), 5) dependence and independence(M=23.0, 20.0%). The items for which there was a high level of self care were : 1) drinking(M=3.62), 2) eating (M=3.25), 3) position returning(M=3.18) : and the items for which there was a low level of self care were : 1) ascending and descending stairs(M=2.08), 2) walking(M=2.47). 3) putting on and taking off trousers(M=2.55). 2. The mean score of the sum of the care needs of the family-caregivers was : 1) need for immediate care and help: 2) need of the way to communicate with patient: 3) need for education and assistance related to physical functional level: 4) need to be informed about the disease, treatment and care: 5) need for social support and consultation: 6) need for appreciation: 7) need for management of nursing problems related to immobility. The highest meed factor was the need for immediate care and help(M=3.47): and lowest need factor was the need for management of nursing problems related to immobility(M=2.80). 3. There were significant differences between the level of care need and general characteristic of the caregivers, there were family-caregivers age(P=0.001), marital status (P=0.276), occupation (P=0.006), monthly income(P=0.000), Patient's relationship to caregivers(P=0.004) and health(P=0.000). 4. There were significant differences between the level of self care and general characteristic of the patients, there were patient paralytic condition(P=0.01), blood pressure(P=0.01), and length of suffering(P=0.03). 5 There were significant differences between the level of care need and the general characteristic factors, which were CVA patient's blood pressure (P=0.05), problem of medical fee (P=0.05). 6. There was significantly correlation with the family-caregivers care need and the level of self care in the CVA patient(r=0.300, P=0.000). As a result, need to promote the level of self care in patients and to meet the care need of family-caregivers for more efficient nursing of CVA patients, is emphasized. Therefore more study is needed on an efficient way to provide rehabilitation and quality nursing interventions for family-caregivers and patients with CVA.

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Factors Affecting the Survivals of Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrests by 119 Fire Service (119구급대원의 심폐소생술 성적 분석 - 병원전 심정지를 중심으로 -)

  • Kang, Byung-Woo
    • The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.111-128
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    • 2005
  • Background: Cardiac arrest is one of the most critical diseases which can likely lead to severe cerebral disability or brain death when the cases can not recover their circulation within 10 minutes. Saving out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases is a recent concern in Korea. Resuscitation has become an important multidisciplinary branch of medicine, demanding a spectrum of skills and attracting a plethora of specialities and organizations. The best survival can be achieved if all the following links have been optimized : rapid access, and early CPR, defibrillation and ACLS, 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, it is not known how effective resuscitation has become to the patients. In other words, there are no guidelines for reviewing, reporting, and conducting research on resuscitation in Korea. This dissertation aims to provide the basic data for a unified reporting guideline of resuscitation in Korea and evaluating the out-of-hospital factors associated with survival discharge of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods: As for this study, uses the collected data about Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests at 4 area, from January, 2005 to April. 2005. With a retrospective study, 174 cases were analyzed. The data was recorded based on the Out-of-Hospital Utstein Style. Results: Resuscitation was performed on 174 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases at the 4 area 14 patients(8.1%) recovered their spontaneous circulation. Overall, the ROSC of the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients was 8.1%, which was poorer than that of western countries. Gender distribution was 50 females(28.7%) and 124 males(71.3%), approximately twice as many males as females. ROSC of witnessed arrests was found out to be 97.7%. The ratio of the witnessed arrest groups showed higher results than that of unwitnessed arrest groups in the above-examined cases. Cardiac etiology consisted of cardiac(33.5%), non-cardiac(45.7%), trauma(20.1%), and unknown(6.0%). Cardiac was the best performance. Initial rhythm showed Ventricular Tachycardia/pulseless Ventricular Fibrillation in 8 patients(6.0%), asystole in 100(75.2%) and unknown in 25(18.8%). The results of the Ventricular Tachycardia/pulseless Ventricular Fibrillation showed higher results than the others cases, The proportion of the cardiogenic cause was 33.5%, which was only half of western countries. Ventricular Tachycardia/pulseless Ventricular Fibrillation is relatively rare. These differences were due to the prevalent pattern of Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest as well as prematurity of the EMSS. Bystander CPR was practiced on 13 patients(7.52%). ROSC was shown in 46.2% cases. CPR by EMT was carried out on 167 cases(96.5%). ACLS by EMf was rare. From collapse, 4 cases(2.6%) arrived to ED within 6 minutes. 13 (8.6%) within 10 minutes, and 49(32.5%) over 31 minutes. The sooner the patients arrived, the greater the ratio of ROSC and discharged alive became, and the same with collapse time to ROSC. As the results of the logistic regression analysis, ROSC was found out to be highly influenced by the time of ED arrival from collapse and Ventricular Tachycardia/pulseless Ventricular Fibrillation. Therefore, the ratio of ROSC depends on not any single factor but various intervention factors. Conclusion: This dissertation presents the following suggestions and directions of the study hereafter. First, the first step for a chain of survival should be taken to activate EMSS early with a phone as soon as cardiac arrests are witnessed. Second, it is keenly needed that emergency medical technicians should be increased through emergency education for living. Third, it is necessary to establish the emergency transportation system. Fourth, most of the Koreans have little understanding of EMT and the present operation systems have many problems, which should be fundamentally changed. Fifth, it is required to have an active medical control over Out-of-hospital CPR, And proper psychological supports should be given not only to patients themselves and their family but also individuals who are engaged in emergency situation. Finally, through studies hereafter on nationwide, comprehensive, and standard forms, it is needed to examine into the biological figures of human body, causes and trends of cardiac arrests, and then, to enhance the survival rate of Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Korean guidelines for Cardiopulmonary resuscitation need to be made.

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A Study on the Clauses of the Work-Related Disease due to Overwork in the Workmen's Compensation Law (과로로 인한 업무상 질병의 산재보상 인정기준에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Eun Hee
    • Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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    • v.6 no.1
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    • pp.23-43
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    • 1997
  • The work-related diseases due to continuous overwork are mainly cerebro- and cardio-vascular ones, which is commonly called 'Karoshi', death from overwork. Many factors are capable for Karoshi : occupational stress in relation to technological renovation and industrial rationalization, competitive social structure, and accumulated fatigue accured to long time or irregular working. And its occurence is on the rise. The World Labor Report 1993 released by ILO, pointed out the diseases related to overwork and stress as one of the most important occupational health problem. In Korea, social awareness of Karoshi is at an infant stage, and reliable statistics for its occurence are not compiled in a convenient manner. Despite the rising Karoshi, there are no reliable clauses in workmen's compensation enough to settle down the disputes. Therefore, it is not uncommon that the Labour Ministry and Civil Court find difficulties in reaching an agreement. This study was intended to provide proper compensation and prevention program for workers by suggesting reasonable compensation clauses for the death from overwork. This study consists of two comparative reviews on the compensaton clauses for the death from overwork. One is to review legal standards of Karoshi among three countries, such as Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The other is to investigate the cases of Karoshi in Korea, 121 cases identified at the Labor Welfare Corperation and the Labour Ministrial process of examination and reexamination, and 73 leading cases at the High Court of Justice. The main findings of the study are as follows : 1. Comparisons of comperative review on compensation clauses for the death from overwork among three countries. 1) All of three countries have the same kinds of disease for compensation, which were cerebro-and cardiao-vascular diseases, while for cardiac disease group, Korea has the smaller number of diseases for compensation than Japan. 2) As for the definition of overwork, the three countries share equally that overload for one week prior to collapse is considered as an important factor, but accumulated chronic fatigue is disregarded. 3) As the basis of overwork, in Japan, there is a tendency to move from the conditions of an ordinary healthy adult to those of the individual concerned in Japan, whereas there is no such concern yet in Korea. 4) All the three countries use a common standard of medical judgement in demonstrating causal relationship between a job and a disease. However, Korea is progressive in the sense that in the case of CVA at worksite, the worker himself has no obligation to prove the cause. 2. The results of a comparative review on excutive decisions by Labor Ministry and judicial decisions by the Court in Korea : A judicial decision is based on the legalistic probability, but a excutive decision is not. Therefore, excutive decisions have such restrictions that : 1) TIA (transitory ischemic cerebral attack) and myocarditis are excluded from compensation, and there is little consistency of decision in the case of cause-unknown death. 2) There is a tendency not to compensate for the death from overwork since the work terms such as repeated long-time working, shift work or night-shift work are not considered as overloading. 3) There is a tendency to regard the conditions of a ordinary healthy adult rather than those of the individual concerned(age, existing diseases, health state, etc.) as the comparative basis of overload. 4) There remains a tendency not to compensate for the death from overwork in the case of collapse occuring out of workplace, on the ground of 'on the course of working' and 'in the cause of accident'. Through the study, the fact manifests itself that Korea's compensation clauses for work-related diseases due to overwork are very restrictive. So, it is necessary to extend the Labor Ministry's clauses of compensation for the death from overwork following to the recent changes of other countries and internal judicial decisions. This is very important in the perspective of occupational health that aims at health promotion of workers including prevention of the Karoshi.

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