• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.49-56
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible role for cranial artery velocity in cervicogenic headache. Methods: We studied 13 patients with cervicogenic headaches (M=9, F=4, age=$24.50{\pm}3.50\;y$) these were compared to 20 normal subjects (M=10, F=10, age=$23.30{\pm}2.90\;y$). Cervicogenic headache patients were divided into two groups (a myofascial relaxation group, a placebo group). Pain levels were measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound recordings were used to measure blood flow velocity in the cranial artery. Results: Cervicogenic headache patients exhibited a significantly lower blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery. The patients who received an intervention had a significantly higher blood flow velocity in the left middle cerebral artery, right vertebral artery and basilar artery. Compared to the placebo group, the myofascial relaxation group exhibited a significantly decreased level of pain. Conclusion: Cervicogenic headache is pain referred to the head from a source in the cervical spine. Manual therapy affect to cervical spine and soft tissue as well as the passage of these vessels and nerves to recover because it is thought to be able to help.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 2010

Purpose: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and impaired diastolic function may occur early in systemic hypertension. Diastolic dysfunction is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)-derived tissue velocity and strain rate are new parameters for assessing diastolic dysfunction. The aim of this study is to determine whether TDI and strain rate imaging (SRI) would improve the ability to recognize early impaired diastolic and systolic functions compared with conventional echocardiography in hypertensive adolescents. Methods: We included 38 hypertensive patients with systolic blood pressure above 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure above 90 mmHg. Ejection fraction and myocardial performance index (MPI) were estimated by conventional echocardiography. Peak systolic myocardial velocity, early diastolic myocardial velocity (Em), and peak late diastolic myocardial velocity (Am) were obtained by using TDI and SRI. Results: In the hypertensive group, interventricular septal thickness was significantly increased on M-mode echocardiography. Em/Am was significantly decreased at the mitral valve annulus. Among hypertensive subjects, the E strain rate at basal, mid, and apex was significantly decreased. Systolic strain was significantly decreased at the septum in the hypertensive group. Conclusion: Strain rate might be a useful new parameter for the quantification of both regional and global LV functions and could be used in long-term follow up in hypertensive patients. Early identification by SRI of subjects at risk for hypertensive and ventricular dysfunction may help to stratify risk and guide therapy. Further studies, including serial assessment of LV structure and function in a larger number of adolescents with hypertension, is necessary.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.499-506
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• 1996

Blood flow velocimeter is an essential device to measure the blood flow in skin tissue. In this study, we developed a high-speed LDV(laser Doppler Velocimeter) that has real time processing capability using a DSP(digital signal processing) chip and is able to continuously measure information about blood-flow based on a noninvasive method using self-mixing type laser diode. This LDV system has a simpler structure than any other typical blood flow velocimeter and is composed of new self-mixing probe, stabilizer circuits DSP board, and interf'ace boule We measured velocity of speaker-unit by operational frequencies to identify Doppler effect of this system, performed clinical experiment on bare finger tip and compared it with a commercial euipment BPM403A(USA).

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.476-483
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• 2007

Purpose : The objective of this study was to assess ventricular function by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who have been undergoing open heart surgery (OHS) using cardiopulmonary bypass. We tried to compare the parameters of tissue Doppler imaging before and after OHS in patients with congenital heart disease. Methods : This study was conducted on 32 patients with CHD after OHS from January 2005 to December 2005 at Kyungpook National University hospital. Patients who underwent 2-D echocardiography before and after their OHS. All patients were divided into three groups, left ventricular volume overloading group (group 1), and right ventricular volume overloading group (group 2), and right ventricular pressure overloading group (group 3). The TDIs were examined before and 1 to 3 months after OHS. Peak early diastolic (E), and peak late diastolic (A) velocity of transmitral flow were measured by pulsed wave Doppler examination. Peak systolic (Sm), peak early diastolic (Em), and peak late diastolic (Am) velocity in apical 4-chamber and 2-chamber views were measured by TDI. The author calculated E/Em ratio. Results : The patients were 14 boys and 18 girls and the average age of patients was 2 years and 3 months. The congenital heart diseases which have to get OHS were ventricular septal defect (13 cases), atrial septal defect (7), atrioventricular septal defect (3), isolated pulmonary stenosis (2) and tetralogy of Fallot (7). There were significant decrease of Sm, Em, Am measured on tricuspid annulus and E/Em measured on mitral annulus in apical 4 chamber view (P<0.05). Conclusion : This study showed significant decrease of Sm, Em, Am measured on tricuspid annulus and E/Em measured on mitral annulus in apical 4 chamber view after OHS. These changes might be due to the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass in OHS and/or hemodynamic changes after correction of congenital heart disease. To clarify these changes, further study on more patients is needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.846-856
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• 2005

Purpose : To measure the peak myocardial tissue velocities and patterns of longitudinal motion of atrioventricular(AV) annuli and assess body weight and heart rates-related changes in normal children. Methods : Using pulsed wave Tissue Doppler Imaging(TDI), we measured peak systolic, early and late diastolic myocardial velocities in 72 normal children at six different sites in apical-4 chamber (A4C) view and at four different sites in apical-2 chamber(A2C) view and compared those values with each other, also observing effects with body weights and heart rates. Longitudinal motions of the AV annuli were measured at three different sites in A4C. Results : There were no significant differences of the TDI parameters between gender, ECHO-machines and among the three Doctors performing TDI. Peak myocardial velocities were significantly higher at the base of the heart than in the mid-ventricular region and in the right lateral ventricular wall than in the left lateral ventricular wall or IVS. The TDI parameters showed no significant correlation with fractional shortening(%). Peak systolic and early diastolic myocardial velocities had no correlation with heart rates, but peak late diastolic velocities and A/E ratio correlated positively with heart rates. Correlations between the TDI parameters and body weight were inconsistent. Absolute longitudinal displacement and % displacement were not differ between gender and not correlated with the TDI parameters. Conclusion : We measured the peak myocardial velocities with TDI and the longitudinal motion of the AV annuli using M-mode echocardiography in normal children. With more large scale evaluation, we may establish reference values in normal children and broaden clinical applicabilities in congenital and acquired heart diseases.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2017

Background The effect of liposuction on the perforators of the lower abdominal wall has been investigated in several studies. There are controversial results in the literature that have primarily demonstrated the number and patency of the perforators. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of liposuction on the perfusion of perforator-based abdominal flaps using a combined laser-Doppler spectrophotometer (O2C, Oxygen to See, LEA Medizintechnik). Methods Nine female patients undergoing classical abdominoplasty were included in the study. Perforators and the perfusion zones of the deep inferior epigastric artery flap were marked on the patient's abdominal wall. Flap perfusion was quantitatively assessed by measuring blood flow, velocity, capillary oxygen saturation, and relative amount of hemoglobin for each zone preoperatively, after tumescent solution infiltration, following elevation of the flap on a single perforator, and after deep and superficial liposuction, respectively. Results The measurements taken after elevation of the flap were not significantly different than measurements taken after the liposuction procedures. Conclusions The liposuction procedure does not significantly alter the perfusion of perforator-based abdominal flaps in the early period. The abdominal tissue discarded in a classic abdominoplasty operation can be raised as a perforator flap and has been demonstrated to be a unique model for clinical research.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.12
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• pp.392-396
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• 2018

Purpose: Adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) that causes upper airway obstruction might lead to chronic hypoxemic pulmonary vasoconstriction and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate whether adenotonsillectomy (T&A) in children suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to severe ATH could improve RV function. Methods: Thirty-seven children (boy:girl=21:16; mean age, $9.52{\pm}2.20years$), who underwent T&A forsleep apnea due to ATH, were included. We analyzedthe mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), the presence and the maximal velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and the right ventricular myocardial performance index (RVMPI) with tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) by transthoracic echocardiography pre- and post-T&A. The follow-up period was $1.78{\pm}0.27years$. Results: Only the RVMPI using TDE improved after T&A ($42.18{\pm}2.03$ vs. $40{\pm}1.86$, P=0.001). The absolute value of TAPSE increased ($21.45{\pm}0.90mm$ vs. $22.30{\pm}1.10mm$, P=0.001) but there was no change in the z score of TAPSE pre- and post-T&A ($1.19{\pm}0.34$ vs. $1.24{\pm}0.30$, P=0.194). The mPAP was within normal range in children with ATH, and there was no significant difference between pre- and post-T&A ($19.6{\pm}3.40$ vs. $18.7{\pm}2.68$, P=0.052). There was no difference in the presence and the maximal velocity of TR (P=0.058). Conclusion: RVMPI using TDE could be an early parameter of RV function in children with OSA due to ATH.

• Clinical and Molecular Hepatology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.409-416
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an early manifestation of cardiac dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). However, the effect of LVDD on survival has not been clarified, especially in decompensated LC. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 70 patients with decompensated LC, including ascites or variceal bleeding, at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from April 2013 to April 2015. The cardiac function of these patients was evaluated using 2D echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging. The diagnosis of LVDD was based on the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Results: Forty-four patients (62.9%) had LVDD. During follow-up (22.3 months), 18 patients died (16 with LVDD and 2 without LVDD). The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with LVDD than in those without LVDD (31.1 months vs. 42.6 months, P=0.01). In a multivariate analysis, the Child-Pugh score and LVDD were independent predictors of survival. Moreover, patients with a ratio of early filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e') ${\geq}10$ (LVDD grade 2) had lower survival than patients with E/e' ratio < 10. Conclusions: The presence of LVDD is associated with poor survival in patients with decompensated LC. Therefore, it may be important to monitor and closely follow LVDD patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2010

Purpose : Adiponectin is an endogenous modulator of vascular remodeling that suppresses vascular inflammation. However, the role of adiponectin in Kawasaki disease (KD) has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between serum adiponectin level and several parameters, such as interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, lipid profile, and C reactive protein (CRP), and to clarify the association between adiponectin and cardiac function. Methods : Twenty-two KD patients (22 patients in acute phase and 20 patients in subacute phase) were enrolled in the study group. The control group consisted of 31 subjects (13 febrile patients and 18 healthy children). Both groups underwent blood sampling and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Results : CRP was significantly increased in the KD group compared with the control group. There were no significant differences in serum $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and adiponectin levels between groups. However, a negative correlation was found between adiponectin level and CRP level or platelet count. Systolic myocardial velocity and A myocardial velocity measured by TDI were decreased significantly in the acute KD group compared with the subacute KD group and control group. Positive correlations were found between adiponectin level and systolic myocardial velocity or A myocardial velocity. Conclusion : In acute KD patients, low adiponectin level was related to severe inflammatory reactions and decreased left ventricular functions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.190-195
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• 2016

Purpose: Severe aplastic anemia (SAA), a fatal disease, requires multiple transfusion, immunosuppressive therapy, and finally, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as the definitive treatment. We hypothesized that iron overloading associated with multiple transfusions and HSCT-related complications may adversely affect cardiac function. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed in children after HSCT for SAA. Methods: Forty-six consecutive patients with a median age of 9.8 years (range, 1.5-18 years), who received HSCT for SAA and who underwent comprehensive echocardiography before and after HSCT, were included in this study. The data of LV functional parameters obtained using conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) were collected from pre- and post-HSCT echocardiography. These data were compared to those of 40 age-matched normal controls. Results: In patients, the LV ejection fraction, shortening fraction, end-diastolic dimension, mitral early diastolic E velocity, TDI mitral septal E' velocity, and STE LV longitudinal systolic strain rate (SSR) decreased significantly after HSCT. Compared to normal controls, patients had significantly lower post-HSCT early diastolic E velocity and E/A ratio. On STE, patients had significantly decreased LV deformational parameters including LV longitudinal systolic strain (SS), SSR, and diastolic SR (DSR), and circumferential SS and DSR. Serum ferritin levels showed weak but significant correlations (P<0.05) with LV longitudinal SS and SSR and circumferential SS and DSR. Conclusion: Subclinical LV dysfunction is evident in patients after HSCT for SAA, and was associated with increased iron load. Serial monitoring of cardiac function is mandatory in this population.