• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1318-1326
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• 1992

Backgroud. To determine the influence of age at operation upon surgical outcome in patients with isolated secundum atrial septal defect, retrospective clinical analysis was done. Material and method. From June, 1976 to December, 1991, 146 patients, 63 male and 83 female patients ranging in age from 13 months to 56 years, were operated on for isolated secundum atrial septal defect. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their age at operation: Group I [<20 years old], 91 patients[62.3%]; Group II [21 to 40 years old], 44 patients[30.1%]; GroupIII[>41 years old], 11 patients[7.6%]. Significant differences in clinical features, hemodynamic function, early and late results between age groups were speculated. Results. One hundred thirty-one patients[89.6%] were symptomatic at the time of operation, the most common symptoms being dyspnea on exertion, recurrent respiratory infection, palpitation and chest pain. Patients in NYHA class III or IV were 3.3% in group I, 25% in groupIII, and 54.5% in group Ill. Hemodynamic data was available for 138 patients [94.5%]. Significant pulmonary hypertension [MPA systolic pressure $^3$ 40mmHg] was noted in 22 patients [15.9%]. Patients with pulmonary vascular disease [Rp/Rs>1.25] were 2% in group I, 7.3% in group Il, and 9.1% in groupIII. But there were no significant differences between the age groups in the size of the shunt or the ratio of pulmonary to systemic flow. Atrial septal defects were closed with direct suture in 144 patients and patch repair was performed in 2 patients with high defect. Atrial arrhythmia [8.2%] was the most common postoperative complication. The mean [LSD] duration of follow-up in all patients was 16$\pm$22 months [range, 1~96 months]. Functional result was excellent regardless of the age groups. During follow-up period, late cardiovascular events were arrhythmia [7 cases], reoperation for recurrent ASD [2 cases], and premature late death due to bacterial endocarditis [1 case]. Incidence of preoperative and late atrial fibrillation was significantly higher in older age group. Conclusion. Age at operation is one of the most important predictor of early and late surgical outcome with its impact on the following factors : 1] hemodynamic alterations and ventricular dysfunction due to longstanding volume and pressure overload, 2] pulmonary vascular disease, and 3] atrial arrhythmia including atrial fibrillation as a result of atrial dilatation. Therefore, among patients with surgically repaired atrial septal defects, those operated on over the age of 20 require careful supervision on the long-term basis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2014

Background Understanding risk factors that increase readmission rates may help enhance patient education and set system-wide expectations. We aimed to provide benchmark data on causes and predictors of readmission following inpatient plastic surgery. Methods The 2011 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset was reviewed for patients with both "Plastics" as their recorded surgical specialty and inpatient status. Readmission was tracked through the "Unplanned Readmission" variable. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared using chi-squared analysis and Student's t-tests for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis was used for identifying predictors of readmission. Results A total of 3,671 inpatient plastic surgery patients were included. The unplanned readmission rate was 7.11%. Multivariate regression analysis revealed a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; confidence interval [CI], 1.12- 3.60; P=0.020), previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (OR, 2.69; CI, 1.21-5.97; P=0.015), hypertension requiring medication (OR, 1.65; CI, 1.22-2.24; P<0.001), bleeding disorders (OR, 1.70; CI, 1.01-2.87; P=0.046), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 or 4 (OR, 1.57; CI, 1.15-2.15; P=0.004), and obesity (body mass index ${\geq}30$) (OR, 1.43; CI, 1.09-1.88, P=0.011) to be significant predictors of readmission. Conclusions Inpatient plastic surgery has an associated 7.11% unplanned readmission rate. History of COPD, previous PCI, hypertension, ASA class 3 or 4, bleeding disorders, and obesity all proved to be significant risk factors for readmission. These findings will help to benchmark inpatient readmission rates and manage patient and hospital system expectations.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.356-358
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• 2017

A dog (neutered male Schnauzer, 11 years old, 8 kg) presented with recurrence of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Rapid whole blood transfusion was initiated, and then sudden tachycardia and dyspnea were observed. Invasive arterial blood pressure, arterial blood gas analysis, and thoracic radiograph indicated transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO). Persistent high blood pressure of 160-205 mmHg was observed; the thoracic radiograph revealed interstitial infiltration and a fissure line, which suggested pulmonary edema and pleural effusion. Despite furosemide administration and nasal oxygen supplementation, hypertension and respiratory distress were not completely controlled. Finally, cardiac arrest occurred and the patient expired due to TACO 24 hours after the transfusion.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.863-871
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• 2010

The prevalence of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is approximately 3% in children. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy is the most common cause of OSAS in children, and obesity, hypotonic neuromuscular diseases, and craniofacial anomalies are other major risk factors. Snoring is the most common presenting complaint in children with OSAS, but the clinical presentation varies according to age. Agitated sleep with frequent postural changes, excessive sweating, or abnormal sleep positions such as hyperextension of neck or abnormal prone position may suggest a sleep-disordered breathing. Night terror, sleepwalking, and enuresis are frequently associated, during slow-wave sleep, with sleep-disordered breathing. Excessive daytime sleepiness becomes apparent in older children, whereas hyperactivity or inattention is usually predominant in younger children. Morning headache and poor appetite may also be present. As the cortical arousal threshold is higher in children, arousals are not easily developed and their sleep architectures are usually more conserved than those of adults. Untreated OSAS in children may result in various problems such as cognitive deficits, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, poor academic achievement, and emotional instability. Mild pulmonary hypertension is not uncommon. Rarely, cardiovascular complications such as cor pulmonale, heart failure, and systemic hypertension may develop in untreated cases. Failure to thrive and delayed development are serious problems in younger children with OSAS. Diagnosis of pediatric OSAS should be based on snoring, relevant history of sleep disruption, findings of any narrow or collapsible portions of upper airway, and confirmed by polysomnography. Early diagnosis of pediatric OSAS is critical to prevent complications with appropriate interventions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.10
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• pp.386-394
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• 2019

Background: Preterm infants have difficulty maintaining body temperature after birth. However, clinical guidelines advocate that neonatal body temperature should be maintained at 36.5℃-37.5℃. Purpose: We aimed to investigate the incidence of admission hypothermia in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and to determine the association of admission temperature with in-hospital mortality and morbidities. Methods: A cohort study using prospectively collected data involving 70 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that participate in the Korean Neonatal Network. From registered infants born between January 2013 and December 2015, 5,343 VLBW infants born at less than 33 weeks of gestation were reviewed. Results: The mean admission temperature was 36.1℃±0.6℃, with a range of 31.9℃ to 38.4℃. Approximately 74.1% of infants had an admission hypothermia of <36.5℃. Lower birth weight, intubation in the delivery room and Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes were significantly related to admission hypothermia. The mortality was the lowest at 36.5℃-37.5℃ and adjusted odd ratios for all deaths increased to 1.38 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.83), 1.44 (95% CI, 1.05-1.97) and 1.86 (95% CI, 1.22-2.82) for infants with admission temperatures of 36.0℃-36.4℃, 35.0℃-35.9℃, and <35.0℃, respectively. Admission hypothermia was also associated with high likelihoods of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary hypertension, proven sepsis, pulmonary hemorrhage, air-leak, seizure, grade 3 or higher intraventricular hemorrhage and advanced retinopathy of prematurity requiring laser therapy. Conclusion: A large portion of preterm infants in Korea had hypothermia at NICU admission, which was associated with high mortality and several important morbidities. More aggressive interventions aimed at reducing hypothermia are required in this high-risk population.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.153-166
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• 2013

Yang deficiency pattern is a representative syndrome differentiation. This article is a study on to which categories of modern diseases yang deficiency is assigned by reference to modern clinical papers and the meaning of yang deficiency interpreted with a perspective of Korean Medicine and a modern perspective. Yang deficiency, yang qi deficiency, lack of yang qi and yang qi debilitation are the words found in "Nei Ching" and yang qi can be interpreted as something to warm, drive and arouse. Zhangzhongjing considered recovery or loss of Yang as the key to life in "Shanghanlun". Danxi proposed "Yang being liable to hyperactivity, Yin being insufficient" and emphasized pathological ministerial fire of Yang exuberance rather than physiological ministerial fire of Yang deficiency. Zhangjingyue proposed "Yang not being in excess, Yin being often deficient" and understood growth and decline of yin qi are all led by yang qi and put emphasis on true yin in addition to yang qi. Diseases of yang deficiency pattern are related with decline of metabolic level, hypofunction of internal secretion, disorder of immune function, disorder of automatic nerve system, sympathetic nerve inhibition, metabolic disorder of microelements, increase of cGMP, change of microcirculation, low speed of blood stream, kidney malfunction. Diseases related with kidney are sterility, polycystic ovary syndrome, spinal stenosis, edema, renal failure, IgA nephropathy, erectile dysfunction, nephritis, prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, decrease of adrenal cortical hormone by nephrotic syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome. Disease related with heart are heart failure, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, pulmonary heart disease. Diseases related with spleen are irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis. Diseases related with liver are hypothyroidism, liver cirrhosis ascites, hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis, hepatic diabetes. Diseases related with lung are allergic rhinitis, cough variant asthma, bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema. And diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, aplastic anemia, headache, encephalatrophy, Alzheimer's disease are also related with yang deficiency.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.85 no.3
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• pp.205-220
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• 2022

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of comorbidities associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their relation with relevant outcomes. A systematic review based on the PRISMA methodology was performed from January 2020 until July 2021. The MEDLINE, Lilacs, and Scielo databases were searched to identify studies related to COPD and its comorbidities. Observational studies on the prevalence of comorbidities in COPD patients and costs with health estimates, reduced quality of life, and mortality were included. Studies that were restricted to one or more COPD pain assessments and only specific comorbidities such as osteoporosis, bronchitis, and asthma were excluded. The initial search identified 1,409 studies and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 studies were finally selected for analysis (comprising data from 447,459 COPD subjects). The most frequent COPD comorbidities were: hypertension (range, 17%-64.7%), coronary artery disease (19.9%-47.8%), diabetes (10.2%-45%), osteoarthritis (18%-43.8%), psychiatric conditions (12.1%-33%), and asthma (14.7%-32.5%). Several comorbidities had an impact on the frequency and severity of COPD exacerbations, quality of life, and mortality risk, in particular malignancies, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias. Comorbidities, especially cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, are frequent in COPD patients, and some of them are associated with higher mortality.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.625-630
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• 2006

Background: Pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients is the result of a direct effect of tobacco smoke on the intrapulmonary vessels with the abnormal production of the mediators that control vasoconstriction, vasodilatation, and vascular cell proliferation, which ultimately lead to aberrant vascular remodeling and physiology. COPD patients are prone to the developmint of an acute and chronic thromboembolism with an elevation of the plasma procoagulant and fibrinolytic markers However, the roles of the coagulation and fibrinolysis system on the right ventricular dysfunction in COPD patients are not well defined. We examined the alteration of the coagulation and fibrinolysis system in COPD patients according to the right ventricular function measured using cardiac multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Methods: The right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was measured using cardiac MDCT in 26 patients who were diagnosed with COPD according to the definition of the GOLD guideline. The plasma level of thrombin antithrombin (TAT) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 were measured using an enzyme linked immunoassay. Results: The plasma TAT was markedly elevated in COPD patients ($10.5{\pm}19.8{\mu}g/L$) compared with those of the control ($3.4{\pm}2.5{\mu}g/L$) (p<0.01). However, the plasma PAI-1 in COPD patients ($29.6{\pm}20.7ng/mL$) was similar to that in the controls. The plasma TAT showed a significant inverse relationship with the RVEF measured by the cardiac MDCT in COPD patients (r=-0.645, p<0.01). However, the plasma PAI-1 did not show a relationship with the RVEF (r=0.022, p=0.92). Conclusion: These results suggest that the coagulation system in COPD patients is markedly activated, and that the plasma level of TAT might be a marker of a right ventricular dysfunction in COPD patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.588-595
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• 2002

Purpose : The incidence of obesity has increased in Korea recently. Obesity leads to higher risks of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. It also leads to risks of respiratory complications. This study was performed to see the effects of obesity on children's pulmonary functions and on developed bronchospasm after exercise loading according to their obesity degrees. Methods : 257 obese children and 150 non-obese children were enrolled. Obese children were divided into 3 groups by the obesity degrees. Pre- and post-exercise loading $FEV_1$(forced expiratory volume at one second), FVC(forced vital capacity) and PEFR(peak expiratory flow rate) were checked in all subjects. The percent predicted values of each parameter was compared according to obesity degrees and the differences between pre-exercise and post-exercise values. Results : The percent predicted value of $FEV_1$, FVC decreased only in the severe obesity group compared with those in the control group. However percent predicted PEFR declined according to obesity degrees. The percent predicted value of $FEV_1$, FVC and PEFR after exercise loading were much lower than those before exercise loading in all groups. Conclusion : As the degree of obesity was higher, the percent predicted value of pulmonary function was lower. And after exercise loading, as the degree of obesity was higher, the reduction of percent predicted value of pulmonary function was larger. Therefore the pulmonary function in obese children must be observed carefully. Further studies on the effects of pulmonary functions in obese children are necessary.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.194-203
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• 1982

In this investigation we undertook to evaluate the utility of radionuclide cardiac angiography in the detection of cardiac shunts before and after surgical correction. Time-activity curves of ventricles and lungs were evaluated after bolus intravenous injection of 99mTc-human serum albumin in 512 preoperative patients and 551 post-operative patients. Omitting 31 cases of technical failure due to poor bolus, we detected shunts in 459 cases of 481 preoperative evaluations, so the detectability was 95.4%. The cases which couldn`t be detected by this method had small amount of shunt. Also the degree of shunt detected by radioisotope methods were well correlated with oxymetry method. [r=0.89, p<0.01 ] In postoperative evaluations, 18 out of 411 patients with left to right shunt and 10 out of 140 right to left shunt were found to have remnant shunts with radionuclide cardiac angiography. Of the 28 cases with failed operation, 2 were confirmed in reoperation, 2 by cardiac catheterization, 2 by two -dimensional echocardiography. All except one .f these patients had membranous ventricular septal defects and those with left to right shunts had moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension and shunt amount. Also those had larger septal defects than control group. We consider that radionuclide cardiac angiography is a simple and noninvasive method which can show the preoperative diagnosis and postoperative follow up of cardiac shunts.