• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2022

Purpose: This study presents the results of the analysis on space utilization of kidney dialysis units in regional public hospitals, which plays a key role in local public medical services. The result aims to achieve safety from infection, allow comfort for the dialysis environment, and stability for medical support. The purpose of this study is to present fundamental data for architectural plans for the kidney dialysis unit, as well as to alleviate potential infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Methods: For research purposes, the investigation and analysis of space utilization were based on architectural floor plans, research papers and literature, related legal systems, and public statistics. Of the main 35 regional public hospitals, in regards to data accessibility, 15 facilities were selected to conduct the survey and analysis for the objective. Results: The space composition by area research results of kidney dialysis units in public hospitals are as follows: Firstly, most targets do not have required rooms in the access and support area, except for the hemodialysis beds in the treatment section. Secondly, the access area requires necessary room and space design that took into consideration of convenience and accessibility for patients. Thirdly, in regards to infection prevention and control, proper circulation and room plan is essential for storage and disposal of contaminated products and linen after use. For the treatment area, the arrangement plan needs to establish a visual connection between the isolation room, the nursing station, and the bed area. Additionally, consideration of circulation in the preparation, treatment, observation, examination, and all other rooms in the facility is required. Lastly, for the support area, the room is designed to consider adequate working and meeting spaces for the medical staff, consultation space for patients or guardians, separate storage and disposal of clean and contaminated items, and the storage of various equipment for dialysis. Implications: In preparation for the increase in chronic kidney failure patients and the spread of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, the researched data demonstrates the basic guidelines for space composition of kidney dialysis units and the significant role of regional public hospitals.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 2022

Intractable hiccups are those which persist for more than one month and can often occur in patients with disorders of the central nervous system, such as stroke, epilepsy, or brain tumor. An 80-year-old male patient undergoing conservative hemodialysis for diabetic nephropathy, recently developed paralysis and dysphagia due to central nervous system complications including stroke and epilepsy. He was admitted to the ◯◯ Oriental Medicine Hospital, and treated with herbal medicine (Gyulpijugyeo-tang, Jeonssiigong-san, and Ijin-tang) and electrical acupuncture for 30 days. No side effects were observed during hospitalization. The frequency and duration of hiccups were measured daily and found to reduce, and the effect persisted during his admission. The patient took no other nervous system drugs. In conclusion, Korean medicine like gyulpijugyeo-tang and acupuncture can be effective for patients with intractable hiccups who cannot use alternative drugs or treatment, because of other complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2022

Background: The integrated design of the HeartMate 3 (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, IL, USA) affords flexibility to place the pump within the pericardium or thoracic cavity. We sought to determine whether the presence of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in either location has a meaningful impact on overall patient outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all 165 patients who received a HeartMate 3 LVAD via a median sternotomy from November 2014 to August 2019 at our center. Based on operative reports and imaging, patients were divided into intrapleural (n=81) and intrapericardial (n=84) cohorts. The primary outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality, while secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, cumulative readmission incidence, and 3-year survival. Results: There were no significant between-group differences in baseline demographics, risk factors, or preoperative hemodynamics. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 6%, with no significant difference between the cohorts (9% vs. 4%, p=0.20). There were no significant differences in the postoperative rates of right ventricular failure, kidney failure requiring hemodialysis, stroke, tracheostomy, or arrhythmias. Over 3 years, despite similar mortality rates, intrapleural patients had significantly more readmissions (n=180 vs. n=117, p<0.01) with the most common reason being infection (n=68/165), predominantly unrelated to the device. Intrapleural patients had significantly more infection-related readmissions, predominantly driven by non-ventricular assist device-related infections (p=0.02), with 41% of these due to respiratory infections compared with 28% of intrapericardial patients. Conclusion: Compared with intrapericardial placement, insertion of an intrapleural HM3 may be associated with a higher incidence of readmission, especially due to respiratory infection.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.146-157
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• 2023

Restless leg syndrome is a nervous system disorder that causes an overpowering urge to move one's legs. Symptoms of restless leg syndrome usually worsen when one tries to fall asleep and can prevent sufficient sleep. Restless leg syndrome is common in patients with chronic kidney failure and can be caused or worsened by chronic kidney failure and hemodialysis. Various medications can treat restless leg syndrome, though the long-term use of medications can cause augmentation and adverse effects. In addition, the use of dopamine agonists is limited in patients with chronic kidney failure. This is because the dose of administration should be controlled for patients with chronic kidney failure, and the treatment effect has not been clearly proven. This study reports the case of a 56-year-old male diagnosed with chronic kidney failure complaining of uncomfortable leg sensations. The patient underwent Korean medicine treatment using Jakyakgamcho-tang. The IRLS, NRS, and AIS scores were evaluation tools during treatment. This study suggested significantly improved symptoms through the individual interventions of Jakyakgamcho-tang in a restless leg syndrome patient with chronic kidney failure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.178-183
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• 2024

Background: The superficial veins are commonly used in conventional autogenous arteriovenous fistulas and the placement of prosthetic grafts. When they are unsuitable, however, the use of the deep veins (venae comitantes) is generally considered to be a reasonable alternative. This study conducted a comparative analysis of clinical outcomes for arteriovenous grafts between 2 groups based on the type of venous outflow: superficial veins or venae comitantes. Methods: In total, 151 patients who underwent arteriovenous grafts from November 2005 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (superficial veins, n=89) and group B (venae comitantes, n=62). The primary, secondary patency, and complication rates were analyzed in each group. A propensity score-matched analysis was performed. Results: In total, 55 well-balanced pairs were matched. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant differences in the primary patency rate between the 2 groups at 1-year, 3-year and 5-year intervals (group A, 54.7%, 35.9%, 25.4% vs. group B, 47.9%, 16.8%, 12.6%; p=0.14), but there was a difference in the secondary patency rate (group A, 98.2%, 95.3%, 86.5% vs. group B, 87.3%, 76.8%, 67.6%; p=0.0095). The rates of complications, simple percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, and stent insertion were comparable between the groups. Conclusion: Although this study demonstrated not particularly favorable secondary patency rates in the venae comitantes group, the venae comitantes may still be a viable option for patients with unsuitable superficial veins because there were no significant differences in the primary patency and complication rates between the 2 groups.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.15-22
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• 2024

Purpose: In general, cross-infection caused by bacteria occurs more in hospitals than in local communities. In most cases, infectious diseases spread through contact transmission (direct contact, indirect contact). This study tries to examine which places are most likely to detect infections bacteria and what materials should be used to effectively suppress the spread of infectious bacteria. Methods: Domestic and international literature have been reviewed to determine which bacteria are common and spread in which places. At the same time, antibacterial experiments for several finishing materials are performed to determine the survival period of bacteria for each material. The experiment is conducted mainly on antibiotic-resistant bacteria (MRSA, CRE, etc.) that have a high mortality rate and are very contagious. Results: MRSA has a high incidence in many hospital departments with surgery or immunocompromised patients, such as the elderly, organ transplant patients, and hemodialysis patients. There are experimental results that MRSA dies early in ceramics or silk wallpaper. CRE has a high incidence in hospital departments where there are many patients who are prone to bacteria entering the body directly, such as ventilator patients or critically ill patients with surgical wounds. There are experimental results that CRE dies early in silk wallpaper. In addition, bacteria die on the surface for a variety of reasons. Most MRSA and CRE develop in patients with impaired immunity or surgery, and rapidly die in copper or materials with antibacterial properties. Implications: If finishing materials surface with the ability to kill specific bacteria is used in the place where a large number of specific bacteria are detected, the spread of infectious diseases can be effectively controlled.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1239-1247
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• 2020

Objective: To report the mid-term results of a single-center randomized controlled trial comparing drug-coated balloon angioplasty (DBA) and plain balloon angioplasty (PBA) for the treatment of dysfunctional radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas (RCAVFs). Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 39 patients (mean age, 62.2 years; 21 males, 18 females) with RCAVFs failing due to juxta-anastomotic stenosis were randomly assigned to undergo either both DBA and PBA (n = 20, DBA group) or PBA alone (n = 19, PBA group) between June 2016 and June 2018. Primary endpoints were technical and clinical success and target lesion primary patency (TLPP); secondary outcomes were target lesion secondary patency (TLSP) and complication rates. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier product limit estimator. Results: Demographic data and baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups. Technical and clinical success rates were 100% in both groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in the mean duration of TLPP (DBA group: 26.7 ± 3.6 months; PBA group: 27.0 ± 3.8 months; p = 0.902) and TLSP (DBA group: 37.3 ± 2.6 months; PBA group: 40.4 ± 1.5 months; p = 0.585). No procedural or post-procedural complications were identified. Conclusion: Paclitaxel-coated balloon use did not significantly improve TLPP or TLSP in the treatment of juxta-anastomotic stenosis of dysfunctional RCAVFs.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 1997

Purpose : To clarify the clinical findings, laboratory findings and disease course of EP complicated with CAPD and to find out possible predisposing factors to EP. Methods : The medical records of 34 children who underwent CAPD at our hospital between Jan. '94 and Dec. '96 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical features and laboratory findings of EP were analyzed, and several parameters were evaluated as predisposing factors of EP. Results : EP developed in 7(21%) out of 34 patients. The major symptom of EP was turbid peritoneal fluid without fever, abdominal pain or disturbance of drainage in all cases. The microbiologic culture studies of the peritoneal fluid resulted negative in all cases. Patients with peripheral blood eosinophilia before insertion of CAPD catheter had higher risk of EP than those without eosinophilia (P=0.002). And peripheral blood eosinophilia, noted after insertion of hemodialysis catheter in cases with previous hemodialysis before CAPD, showed significant correlation with the occurrence of EP (P=0.016), too. However, there was no significant correlation between peripheral blood eosinophilia noted after insertion of CAPD cathter and the occurrence of EP. Identification of eosinophils in peritoneal fluids was more accurate with cytospin analysis. Conclusions : An early and accurate diagnosis of EP in patients with CAPD can prevent unnecessary treatment of antibiotics. Peripheral blood eosinophilia before insertion of CAPD catheter is one of the predisposing factors of EP. And, cytospin analysis of peritoneal fluid is an accurate method for diagnosis of EP.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 1997

Purpose : Chronic renal failure is often accompanied by severe dyslipidemia, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has recently been characterized as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in adult patients on dialysis. However, there are only limited data available concerning risk factors for atherosclerosis in uremic children. We have measured serum levels of lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins and Lp(a) in uremic children with maintenance dialysis. Methods : Ten uremic children with hemodialysis (HD) and 14 with peritoneal dialysis (PD) in our dialysis unit were included in this study. The mean age of HD patients was $162{\pm}59$ months and the male to female ratio was 7:3. The mean age and sex ratio of PD patients were $123{\pm}63$ months and 6:8, respectively. The levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins and Lp(a) were measured from serum sampled after 14 hours of fasting. The normal control levels were cited from 2 articles presenting the normal blood lipid and lipoprotein levels of primary school and middle school children in Korea. Results : There was no difference in age, sex ratio, body mass index and duration of dialysis between the HD and the PD group. The serum concentration of the cholesterol, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B were significantly elevated in dialysis patients compared with normal subjects. The serum level of Lp(a) was significantly elevated in only PD group. The serum Lp(a) level was below 30 mg/dl in 13 and above 30 mg/dl in 11 patients. The serum albumin level was significantly decreased in high Lp(a) group than in low Lp(a) group. Conclusion : The uremic children receiving dialysis reveal abnormal serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles. These results suggest that they have a higher risk for coronary heart disease, although there has been no clinical evidence of coronary heart disease at present. A long-term follow-up study of these children to clarify the suggestion should be started now.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.9 s.266
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• pp.692-698
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• 2006

Background: Owing to the fact that the average life span has increased and the progress in medical science has been made, the number of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) who have to take hemodialysis (HD) has been going up gradually. Accordingly, it is considered to be as a significant issue to obtain blood vessels which can be used repetitively and supply enough blood flows. Therefore, there have been various kinds of study on an inosculation rate andfactors influencing it following an arteriovenous fistula (AV fistula) and lots of studies are ongoing for the purpose of escalating the inosculation rate. The authors analyzed the effects of short-term result, age, sex, diabetes and hypertension on arteriovenous inosculations in 134 anatomical snuffbox operated subjects among the patients who have taken an AV fistula at this center. Material and Method: Based on 134 patients who underwent an AV fistula at the department of thoracic surgery of this center from July, 2000 to May, 2004, the difference in arteriovenous inosculation rate was compared and analyzed depending or age (discriminated by 65-year-old), sex and the condition of the presence or absence of diabetes and hypertension. Correlation analyses were conducted for each parameter and statistical tests were performed by using SPSS for windows Release 11.0.1, which were determined to be statistically significant if p value was below 0.05. Result: The total number of operations was 169 including 35 of re-operations. The male/female rate was 70 : 64 (52% : 48%). The average age was $56.3{\pm}12.26$ years and there were 33 (24%) old aged patients above 65-year-old; there were 103 (71%) patients with hypertension and 90 (67%) patients with diabetes. Overall arteriovenous inosculation rate was $93{\pm}2.4%,\;91{\pm}2.7%,\;89{\pm}3.0%$ at 6, 12, 24 months, respectively. The arteriovenous inosculation rate of above 65-year-old patient group was $85{\pm}4.8%,\;80{\pm}5.8%,\;80{\pm}5.8%$ and below 64-year-old patient group's was $85{\pm}4.8%,\;80{\pm}5.8%,\;80{\pm}5.8%$ at given time points, respectively, which showed higher inosculation rate in below 64-year-old patient group with a statistical significance (p=0.0034). However, no statistical significance was found between the patients with hypertension and diabetes and the patients with no complication. In addition, there was no statistical significance in inosculation rate between male and female. Conclusion: The arteriovenous inosculation ratewas higher in the treated patient below 64-year-old than in the treated patient above 65-year-old. Thus it is advantageous for increase in long-term inosculation rate to obtain hemodialysis routes at an early age. The conditions of sex and the presence or absence of diabetes and hyper- tension do not make statistically significant effect on the arteriovenous inosculation rate.