• Korean Circulation Journal
• /
• v.54 no.8
• /
• pp.454-465
• /
• 2024

Background and Objectives: The popliteal artery is generally regarded as a "no-stent zone." Limited data are available on the outcomes of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) for popliteal artery disease. This study aimed to evaluate the 12-month clinical outcomes among patients who received DCB treatment for atherosclerotic popliteal artery disease. Methods: This prospective, multicenter registry study enrolled 100 patients from 7 Korean endovascular centers who underwent endovascular therapy using IN.PACT DCB (Medtronic) for symptomatic atherosclerotic popliteal artery disease. The primary endpoint was 12-month clinical primary patency and the secondary endpoint was clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR)-free rate. Results: The mean age of the study cohort was 65.7±10.8 years, and 77% of enrolled patients were men. The mean lesion length was 93.7±53.7 mm, and total occlusions were present in 45% of patients. Technical success was achieved in all patients. Combined atherectomy was performed in 17% and provisional stenting was required in 11%. Out of the enrolled patients, 91 patients completed the 12-month follow-up. Clinical primary patency and TLR-free survival rates at 12 months were 76.0% and 87.2%, respectively. A multivariate Cox regression analysis identified female and longer lesion length as the significant independent predictors of loss of patency. Conclusions: DCB treatment yielded favorable 12-month clinical primary patency and TLR-free survival outcomes in patients with popliteal artery disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.10
• /
• pp.4577-4581
• /
• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess thyroid function in breast cancer patients exposed to therapeutic external beam radiation. The focus was on possible progressive changes and any relationships between the incidence of primary hypothyroidism, the time required to become hypothyroid, and factors such as chemotherapy, hormonotherapy and immunotherapy. Materials and Methods: Seventy females undergoing 3D conformal and IMRT radiation therapy for breast cancers were enrolled in a non-randomized prospective study. The patients was divided into two groups: those after mastectomy or breast conserving surgery (BCS) were irradiated to a scar of the chest wall/breast and the ipsilateral supraclavicular and the axillary areas (supraclavicular radiotherapy group - SC-RT group - 32 patients) and the control group receiving adjuvant chest wall/breast RT only (BCT group - 38 patients).The total doses were 50.0 to 70 Gy in 5 to 7 weeks. The median follow-up term was 24 months (range, 1-40 months). Thyroid function was evaluated by measuring thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), and free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels. The minimum, maximum and mean thyroid gland doses for 20 Gy (V20) were calculated for all patients. Results: Statistically significant results were obtained for the SC-RT group. Two yearsa fter the end of RT the chance of an event was increased in 6% of the population (p=0.009) in the SC-RT group. In the BCT group no significance was noted. No statistically significant differences were found for V20, chemio-, immunotherapy and hormonotherapy or Ki67 values (p=0.12). No significant results were obtained for development of hypothyroidism and clinical factors (age, thyroid volume, treatment modalities). Conclusion: Radiotherapy is associated with a higher incidence of thyroid toxicity in breast cancer patients. Routine thyroid function monitoring should be recommended in such cases.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.96-100
• /
• 2004

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of ethanol in ingested patients by analyzing data from a single institution's registry, Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 50 patients who has ingested drugs with/without ethanol came to emergency department from January 2004 to May 2004. Only patients over 18 years of age were included. Clinical characteristics, general and specific treatment, laboratory finding, complication, and clinical outcomes were obtained from protocol. Patients were divided into two groups: drug ingested with alcohol (ethanol group, n=18), and ingested without alcohol (non-ethanol group, n=32). Results: The age, the amout of ingestion, the time to treatment, the systolic blood pressure, the diastolic blood pressure and the shock duration were not different between two groups. The AST level with the ethanol group was higher than with the non-ethanol group ($230.94\pm518.88$ U/L vs $43.22\pm63.39$ U/L, p=0.002). The ALT level with the ethanol group was higher than with the non-ethanol group ($97.06\pm152.98$ U/L vs $32.75\pm43.10$ U/L, p=0.001). The lactic acid level with the ethanol group was higher than with the non-ethanol group ($7.40\pm6.33$ mmol/L vs $3.77\pm3.10$ mmol/L, p=0.001). The hospital stay duration and the admission rate were not different between two groups. Conlusions: The ethanol increased the levels of serum AST, ALT and lactic acid in intoxicated patients. But the ethanol dose not increase admission rate and duration of admission stay in intoxicated patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.129-139
• /
• 2000

Clinical observation was made on 210 cases of CVA that were confirmed through brain CT, MRI scan and clinical observation. They were hospitalized in the oriental medical hospital of Kyungwon University from January to December in 1998. Objective : To evaluate the current status of cerebrovascular disease in Korea, we performed observation on stroke patients. Methods : We performed a retrospective study on 210 cases of stroke who had been admitted to the Dept. of Internal Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyungwon University from Jan. 1, 1998 to Dec. 31, 1998. Results : The incidence was highest in the patients with the age of above fifty. The frequency of strokes was similar between male and female cases. Ischemic stroke(70.0%) was more common than hemorrhagic stroke(20.5%), with transient ischemic attacks(9.5%) occuring less frequently. Middle cerebra! arterial territory was the most commonly involved site in ischemic strokes. Among intracerebral hemorrhages, putaminal hemorrhages were found in 69.8%, and was followed by IVH(9.3%), IVH with ICH(7.0%), subcortical hemorrhages (4.7%) and pontine hemorrhages(4.7%). The most ordinary preceding disease was hypertension. The next was diabetes mellitus. Most cases were given simultaneous treatment in both western and oriental medical methods. Conclusions : Generally it is thought that CVA occurs frequently in winter. But our observations reveal no such relationship. The predisposing factors of cerebral infarction were usually initiated during the time of resting and sleeping and those of cerebral hemorrhage chiefly during the time of exercising. I Patients whose condition of consciousness was bad at the time of admission tended to have a bad prognosis. This study suggests changing trends of stroke in Korea, and that a multicenter prospective study using stroke registry is required for confirmation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.1-4
• /
• 2014

Objective : The case fatality rate of nonlesional intracerebral hemorrhage (n-ICH) was high and not changed. Knowing the causes is important to their prevention; however, the reasons have not been studied. The aims of this study were to determine the cause of death, to improve the clinical outcomes. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed consecutive cases of nonlesional intracerebral hemorrhage in a prospective stroke registry from January 2010 to December 2010. Results : Among 174 patients ($61.83{\pm}13.36$, 28-90 years), 29 patients (16.7%) died during hospitalization. Most common cause of death was initial neurological damage (41.4%, 12/29). Seventeen patients who survived the initial damage may then develop various potentially fatal complications. Except for death due to the initial neurological sequelae, death associated with immobilization (such as pneumonia or thromboembolic complication) was the most common in eight cases (8/17, 47.1%). However, death due to early rebleeding was not common and occurred in only 2 cases (2/17, 11.8%). Age, initial Glasgow Coma Scale, and diabetes mellitus were statistically significant factors influencing mortality (p<0.05). Conclusion : Mortality of n-ICH is still high. Initial neurological damage is the most important factor; however, non-neurological medical complications are a large part of case fatality. Most cases of death of patients who survived from the first bleeding were due to complications of immobilization. These findings have implications for clinical practice and planning of clinical trials. In addition, future conduct of a randomized study will be necessary in order to evaluate the benefits of early mobilization for prevention of immobilization related complications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.16-20
• /
• 2008

Objective : Rapid increase in aged population and westernization of lifestyle have modified epidemiological status of stroke. The purpose of this study is to analyze changing trends of stroke epidemiology in South Korea. Methods : We reviewed retrospectively medical records of 1,124 cases diagnosed as stroke among 54,534 patients who visited the Emergency Medical Center at our hospital from January 1994 to December 1996 (Group A). Also, we evaluated 1,705 cases diagnosed as stroke among 55,381 patients who visited to the same hospital from January 2003 to December 2005 (Group B). The variable features of stroke, such as age, sex, seasonal variation and distribution of stroke subtypes were studied by comparing group A with B. Results : In group A, hemorrhagic stroke (67.9%) was more prevalent than ischemic stroke (32.1%). However, group B showed that the ratio of hemorrhagic stroke (40.3%) to ischemic stroke (59.6%) has been reversed. The highest incidence of stroke was noted in their sixties and seventies of age in group B, which was older than that of group A. In group A, male ischemic stroke (IS) patients outnumbered female patients (1.26:1). Moreover, this gender disproportion became higher in group B (1.53:1). In group A, the number of male intracerebral hermorrhage (ICH) patients were similar to that of female patients (0.97:1). However, male ICH patients outnumbered female patients in group B (1.23:1). As for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), female patients outnumbered male patients more than two-fold in both groups. Both groups showed that the occurrence of ischemic stroke was highest in summer, but that of hemorrhagic stroke was the highest in winter. Conclusion : This study showed the changing trends of stroke in its distribution of subtypes. Multicenter prospective study using stroke registry would be required for the determination of national epidemiologic trends.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.35-40
• /
• 2018

Background: The treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is challenging, and multimodal treatment including surgery is recommended; however, the role of surgery is debated. The treatment outcomes of MPM in Korea have not been reported. We analyzed the outcomes of MPM in the context of multimodal treatment, including surgery. Methods: The records of 29 patients with pathologically proven MPM from April 1998 to July 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The treatment outcomes of the surgery and non-surgery groups were compared. Results: The overall median survival time was 10.6 months, and the overall 3-year survival rate was 25%. No postoperative 30-day or in-hospital mortality occurred in the surgery group. Postoperative complications included tachyarrhythmia (n=4), pulmonary thromboembolism (n=1), pneumonia (n=1), chylothorax (n=1), and wound complications (n=3). The treatment outcomes between the surgery and non-surgery groups were not significantly different (3-year survival rate: 31.3% vs. 16.7%, respectively; p=0.47). In a subgroup analysis, there was no significant difference in the treatment outcomes between the extrapleural pneumonectomy group and the non-surgery group (3-year survival rate: 45.5% vs. 16.7%, respectively; p=0.23). Conclusion: Multimodal treatment incorporating surgery did not show better outcomes than non-surgical treatment. A nationwide multicenter data registry and prospective randomized controlled studies are necessary to optimize the treatment of MPM.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.7
• /
• pp.4335-4338
• /
• 2013

Background: This study aimed to determine the association between betel quid chewing and the occurrence of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers. Methods: A cohort of 17,388 subjects, recruited and interviewed over the 1990-2001 period, in Khon Kaen, Thailand, was followed up until 2011. The data were linked to the Khon Kaen Population-Based Cancer Registry. Results: The prevalence of betel quid chewing was 15.9%, with a female predominance (97.7%); the mean age of chewers was 57.7 years (SD 6.6). The overall incidence of UADT cancers from the cohort was 14.7 per 100,000 person-years, whereas the incidence among the chewers was 45.7. Betel nut chewing was the only major risk factor for UADT cancers in this population (HR=5.26, 95%CI=2.51-11.0), while weak associations were found for tobacco smoking and alcohol (HR=1.16, 95%CI=0.45-3.01 and 1.47, 95%CI=0.72-3.03 respectively). Conclusions: We found betel quid chewing to be a main risk factor for UADT cancers, resulting in a higher incidence in females. However, further study is required to explore the potential risk factors among non-chewers, non-smokers, and non-drinkers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.1069-1072
• /
• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in many communities worldwide. This population based study was conducted to assess determinants of colorectal mortality in Iranian patients. Materials and Methods: A cohort of 1,127 cases of confirmed colorectal cancer registered in a population based registry covering 10 referral hospital in Tehran, Iran, were followed for five years. Information about tumor characteristics, smoking status and family history were collected at base line and survival status were followed every six months by contacting patient or next of kin (if patients died during the follow-up). The cause of death for each case was validated by verbal autopsy and referring to patient medical records at the time of death. The data were analyzed by Stata software using univariate and multivariate analysis (Cox regression). In building the model a p value of less than 5% was considered as significant. Results: The age at diagnosis was $53.5{\pm}14$ years. Sixty one percent were male. Colorectal mortality among the patients was 96.9 person-years among men and 83 person-years among women. Seventy five percent of patients lived for 2.72 years, 50% for 5.83, and 25% for 13 years after the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The age at diagnosis was significantly different between men and women (p<0.03). Higher tumor grade predicted higher death rate; the adjusted hazard ratios were 1.79 (95%CI, 0.88-3.61), 2.16 (95%CI, 1.07-4.37), and 3.1 (95%CI, 1.51-6.34) for grades II, III, and IV respectively when they were compared with grade I as reference. Ethnicity, marital status, family history of cancer, and smoking were related to survival with different degrees of magnitude. Conclusions: Among many factors related to survival among the colorectal patients, tumor grade and smoking showed the highest magnitudes of association.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.2241-2247
• /
• 2012

Objective: This qualitative study retrospectively examined the experience and psychological impact of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) among Southern Chinese females with unilateral breast cancer history who underwent BRCA1/2 genetic testing. Limited knowledge is available on this topic especially among Asians; therefore, the aim of this study was to acquire insight from Chinese females' subjective perspectives. Methods: A total of 12 semi-structured in-depth interviews, with 11 female BRCA1/BRCA 2 mutated gene carriers and 1 non-carrier with a history of one-sided breast cancer and genetic testing performed by the Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer Family Registry, who subsequently underwent CPM, were assessed using thematic analysis and a Stage Conceptual Model. Breast cancer history, procedures conducted, cosmetic satisfaction, pain, body image and sexuality issues, and cancer risk perception were discussed. Retrieval of medical records using a prospective database was also performed. Results: All participants opted for prophylaxis due to their reservations concerning the efficacy of surveillance and worries of recurrent breast cancer risk. Most participants were satisfied with the overall results and their decision. One-fourth expressed different extents of regrets. Psychological relief and decreased breast cancer risk were stated as major benefits. Spouses' reactions and support were crucial for post-surgery sexual satisfaction and long-term adjustment. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that thorough education on cancer risk and realistic expectations of surgery outcomes are crucial for positive adjustment after CPM. Appropriate genetic counseling and pre-and post-surgery psychological counseling were necessary. This study adds valuable contextual insights into the experiences of living with breast cancer fear and the importance of involving spouses when counseling these patients.