• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.13-17
• /
• 2023

Objectives : Our goals were to examine how the well points in the fingers came to be and how their placements have changed, as well as to determine how they relate to the EX-UE11 points. Methods : We reviewed the classic textbooks to understand the origin and the changes of locations of the well points in the fingers. We also compared the location and indications between well points in the fingers and EX-UE11 points. Results : At first, the tips of the fingers, which are now thought to be the locations of EX-UE11 points, were once described as containing well points. Currently, well points are positioned 0.1 F cun distal-medial (or lateral) to the medial (or lateral) corner of the nail. In addition to the locational commonality, we found similarities between the well points in the fingers and the EX-UE11 points in terms of their indications; for example, bloodletting at these places is frequently utilized to treat emergencies, including acute stroke and fever. Conclusions : We suggest that it is highly likely that well points in the fingers and EX-UE11 points were initially the same acupuncture point and later classified into two different acupuncture points, given their identical locations and indications. If the clinical relevance between the change process of the well points' locations in the fingers and the EX-UE11 is studied in the historical literature, it is anticipated that the significance and clinical application of well points can be expanded.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.823-829
• /
• 2023

Objectives: This study reports the case of a patient with right hemiparesis after a left thalamic infarction, in which the patient experienced improved clinical symptoms (hemiparesis, constipation) after treatment with a complex Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A 81-year-old male patient diagnosed with acute left thalamic infarction was treated with daily acupuncture and herbal medicine (Boyanghwanoh-tang-gagam) three times a day. Jowiseunggi-tang extract granules were administered to treat constipation by adjusting the dosage according to the reported symptoms. The patient's clinical course was assessed using changes in Modified Barthel Index (MBI) score, Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) grade, and defecation frequency . Results: The patient's MBI score improved from 35 to 69 and was discharged with the ability to walk under supervision. The MMT grade also improved from 3/4 to 5/5 in the upper/lower extremities. Other clinical symptoms, including constipation, also improved, leading to the discontinuation of magnesium medication. Conclusion: These findings suggest that complex Korean medicine treatments, including herbal medicine and acupuncture, may be an effective treatment for post-stroke hemiplegic patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.374-386
• /
• 2023

Background: The heightened morbidity and mortality associated with repeat cardiac surgery are well documented. Redo median sternotomy (MS) and minimally invasive valve surgery are options for patients with prior cardiac surgery who require mitral valve surgery (MVS). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the outcomes of redo MS and minimally invasive MVS (MIMVS) in this population. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus for studies comparing outcomes of redo MS and MIMVS for MVS. To calculate risk ratios (RRs) for binary outcomes and weighted mean differences (MDs) for continuous data, we employed a random-effects model. Results: We included 12 retrospective observational studies, comprising 4157 participants (675 for MIMVS; 3482 for redo MS). Reductions in mortality (RR, 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-0.80), length of hospital stay (MD, -4.23; 95% CI, -5.77 to -2.68), length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay (MD, -2.02; 95% CI, -3.17 to -0.88), and new-onset acute kidney injury (AKI) risk (odds ratio, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.61) were statistically significant and favored MIMVS (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in aortic cross-clamp time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, or risk of perioperative stroke, new-onset atrial fibrillation, surgical site infection, or reoperation for bleeding (p>0.05). Conclusion: The current literature, which primarily consists of retrospective comparisons, underscores certain benefits of MIMVS over redo MS. These include decreased mortality, shorter hospital and ICU stays, and reduced AKI risk. Given the lack of high-quality evidence, prospective randomized control trials with adequate power are necessary to investigate long-term outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.67 no.1
• /
• pp.14-21
• /
• 2024

Objective : The primary treatment goal of current endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for emergent large-vessel occlusion (ELVO) is complete recanalization after a single maneuver, referred to as the 'first-pass effect' (FPE). Hence, we aimed to identify the predictive factors of FPE and assess its effect on clinical outcomes in patients with ELVO of the anterior circulation. Methods : Among the 129 patients who participated, 110 eligible patients with proximal ELVO (intracranial internal carotid artery and proximal middle cerebral artery) who achieved successful recanalization after EVT were retrospectively reviewed. A comparative analysis between patients who achieved FPE and all others (defined as a non-FPE group) was performed regarding baseline characteristics, clinical variables, and clinical outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were subsequently conducted for potential predictive factors with p<0.10 in the univariate analysis to determine the independent predictive factors of FPE. Results : FPE was achieved in 31 of the 110 patients (28.2%). The FPE group had a significantly higher level of functional independence at 90 days than did the non-FPE group (80.6% vs. 50.6%, p=0.002). Pretreatment intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) (odds ratio [OR], 3.179; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.025-9.861; p=0.045), door-to-puncture (DTP) interval (OR, 0.959; 95% CI, 0.932-0.987; p=0.004), and the use of balloon guiding catheter (BGC) (OR, 3.591; 95% CI, 1.231-10.469; p=0.019) were independent predictive factors of FPE. Conclusion : In conclusion, pretreatment IVT, use of BGC, and a shorter DTP interval were positively associated with FPE, increasing the chance of acquiring better clinical outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.591-602
• /
• 2021

Acute ischemic stroke(AIS) should be diagnosed within a few hours of onset of cerebral infarction symptoms using diagnostic radiology. In this study, we evaluated the clinical usefulness of SVD and the Bayesian algorithm to measure the volume of cerebral infarction using computed tomography perfusion(CTP) imaging and magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging(MR DWI). We retrospectively included 50 patients (male : female = 33 : 17) who visited the emergency department with symptoms of AIS from September 2017 to September 2020. The cerebral infarct volume measured by SVD and the Bayesian algorithm was analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and expressed as a median value and an interquartile range of 25 - 75 %. The core volume measured by SVD and the Bayesian algorithm using was CTP imaging was 18.07 (7.76 - 33.98) cc and 47.3 (23.76 - 79.11) cc, respectively, while the penumbra volume was 140.24 (117.8 - 176.89) cc and 105.05 (72.52 - 141.98) cc, respectively. The mismatch ratio was 7.56 % (4.36 - 15.26 %) and 2.08 % (1.68 - 2.77 %) for SVD and the Bayesian algorithm, respectively, and all the measured values had statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Spearman's correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficient of the cerebral infarct volume measured by the Bayesian algorithm using CTP imaging and MR DWI was higher than that of the cerebral infarct volume measured by SVD using CTP imaging and MR DWI (r = 0.915 vs. r = 0.763 ; p < 0.01). Furthermore, the results of the Bland Altman plot analysis demonstrated that the slope of the scatter plot of the cerebral infarct volume measured by the Bayesian algorithm using CTP imaging and MR DWI was more steady than that of the cerebral infarct volume measured by SVD using CTP imaging and MR DWI (y = -0.065 vs. y = -0.749), indicating that the Bayesian algorithm was more reliable than SVD. In conclusion, the Bayesian algorithm is more accurate than SVD in measuring cerebral infarct volume. Therefore, it can be useful in clinical utility.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.85-104
• /
• 1969

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of rapid hemorrhage on cardiopulmonary hemodynamics of the cooled dogs. Hypothermia was induced by means of body surface cooling with ice water. Lowest esophageal temperatures ranged from 24 to 26 degree. Dogs were bled via the femoral artery into a reservoir in amount of the equivalent blood volume of 3% of body weight of the dogs. Some dogs were reinfused with the same amount of blood which they lost and others infused with 5% dextrose solution. Fourty adult mongrel dogs were divided into three groups: group I[15 dogs]; dogs were bled in normothermic state. Five dogs had no further treatment, but five dogs were reinfused with blood and five infused with 5% dextrose solution 30 minutes after bleeding. GroupII[10 dogs]; dogs were bled as group I after having been cooled. Five dogs were reinfused with blood as group I. Group III[15 dogs]; dogs were first bled and then cooled. Reinfusion procedures were the same as in group l Results were as follow: 1. The heart rate showed a slight decrease after bleeding in group I and then increased over the control level after 60 minutes. After reinfusion and infusion, the heart rate was also increased gradually and after three hours almost returned to the control level. In group II and groupIll, the heart rate decreased remarkably and after reinfusion showed a light increase but after infusion tended to decrease cotinually. 2. The stroke volume showed remarkable decrease after bleeding in group I., and recovered to control level after reinfusion and infusion,and then gradually decreased again. In group III, the stroke volume showed no remarkable change after hypothermia, and tended to decrease after reinfusion. In group III, the stroke volume decreased remarkably after bleeding and hypothermia,and clearly increased after reinfusion and infusion and then returned to control level. 3. Femoral mean pressure declined very rapidly and significantly right after bleeding and showed a remarkable prompt rise after reinfusion and infusion in group I [67% recovery]. On the other hand, it declined remarkably after hypothermia and bleeding and showed a slight rise after reinfusion and infusion in group II[46% recovery] and III [41% recovery]. 4. Venous pressure declined slightly after bleeding and tended to return to the control level after reinfusion and infusion,in group I. In group II, it did not change significantly during hypothermia but showed a slight decline after bleeding and returned toward control level after reinfusion. In group III, it declined slightly after bleeding and showed no significant change after hypothermia and rose over the control level after reinfusion and infusion. 5. Right ventricular systolic pressure decreased markedly after bleeding and then increased progressively after 30 minutes. It increased after reinfusion and infusion as well, approaching the control level in group I. In group II, it showed no significant change during hypothermia, but decreased remarkably after bleeding and then returned to near control level after reinfusion. In group III, it was decreased markedly after bleeding but did not change significantly during hypothermia and showed a slight increase after reinfusion. 6. The respiratory rate increased gradually after bleeding and decreased gradually after reinfusion but did not return to the control level, whereas it decreased near to the control level after infusion,and tended to increase in group I. In group II, it decreased significantly after hypothermia and bleeding but returned near to the control level after reinfusion. In group III, it showed a remarkable decrease after hypothermia and increased slightly after reinfusion and infusion but did not returned to the control level. In group I, the tidal volume decreased slightly after hemorrhage, and increased gradually to near the control level after 3 hours following reinfusion.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.81-86
• /
• 2005

Background: Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a sensitive cardiac marker of myocardial injury. In normal coronary angiogram, positive cTnI values may be detected in various events such as sepsis, stroke, trauma and so on. To investigate characteristics of cTnI positive group in trauma patients, we designed this study between cTnI positive group and cTnI negative group. Method: Trauma patients who visited emergency room within 24 hours after accidents were included. Patients who had renal failure, acute coronary syndrome, sepsis, spontaneous SAH were excluded. Retrospective study of 97 trauma patients was done. We investgated ISS (injury severity score), positive cTnI, EKG abnormality, shock class, ICU admission rate and mortality. Result: In comparing with non chest trauma group, chest trauma group, whose chest AIS (Abbreviated Injury Score) is more than 3 point, had significant values in ISS, positive cTnI, EKG abnormality, shock class and ICU admission rate. Also, in non chest trauma group, we found several patients whose cTnI level was positive. When non chest trauma group was divided into two subgroups, the mortality and shock class of positive cTnI group were higher than that of negative cTnI group. When all trauma patients were divided into two groups, a positive cTnI group had higher values in ISS, shock class, ICU admission rate and mortality than that in a negative cTnI group. Conclusion: We found that cTnI were positive in patients of cardiac contusion but also in various trauma cases. In non chest trauma patients, we assumed that hypotension caused cTnI elevating. The cTnI could play a role in predicting prognosis in trauma patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.61 no.2
• /
• pp.267-276
• /
• 2018

Objective : The beneficial effect of hypothermia after hemicraniectomy in malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction has been controversial. We aim to investigate the safety and clinical efficacy of hypothermia after hemicraniectomy in malignant MCA infarction. Methods : From October 2012 to February 2016, 20 patients underwent hypothermia (Blanketrol III, Cincinnati Sub-Zero, Cincinnati, OH, USA) at $34^{\circ}C$ after hemicraniectomy in malignant MCA infarction (hypothermia group). The indication of hypothermia included acute cerebral infarction >2/3 of MCA territory and a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score <11 with a midline shift >10 mm or transtentorial herniation sign (a fixed and dilated pupil). We retrospectively collected 27 patients, as the control group, who had undergone hemicraniectomy alone and simultaneously met the inclusion criteria of hypothermia between January 2010 and September 2012, before hypothermia was implemented as a treatment strategy in Dong-A University Hospital. We compared the mortality rate between the two groups and investigated hypothermia-related complications, such as postoperative bleeding, pneumonia, sepsis and arrhythmia. Results : The age, preoperative infarct volume, GCS score, National institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and degree of midline shift were not significantly different between the two groups. Of the 20 patients in the hypothermia group, 11 patients were induced with hypothermia immediately after hemicraniectomy and hypothermia was initiated in 9 patients after the decision of hypothermia during postoperative care. The duration of hypothermia was $4{\pm}2days$ (range, 1 to 7 days). The side effects of hypothermia included two patients with arrhythmia, one with sepsis, one with pneumonia, and one with hypotension. Three cases of hypothermia were discontinued due to these side effects (one sepsis, one hypotension, and one bradycardia). The mortality rate of the hypothermia group was 15.0% and that of the control group was 40.7% (p=0.056). On the basis of the logistic regression analysis, hypothermia was considered to contribute to the decrease in mortality rate (odds ratio, 6.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 37.05; p=0.045). Conclusion : This study suggests that hypothermia after hemicraniectomy is a viable option when the progression of patients with malignant MCA infarction indicate poor prognosis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.265-275
• /
• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of Yang Eui Gongjin-dan (YEGJD), a traditional Korean medicine, on severe pain or numbness, including acute and chronic non-cancer pain. Methods: Records of patients visiting the Department of Traditional Korean Internal Medicine, Stroke and Neurological Disorders Center, from March 2011 to January 2015, were searched. Their chief complaint was severe numbness or pain (NRS≥7). We compared the NRS of pain pre- and post-YEGJD treatment in 34 patients; and analyzed changes in pain severity pre- and post-YEGJD treatment in 17 chronic non-cancer pain patients. We also investigated other accompanying symptoms, such as insomnia, anorexia, dyspepsia, fatigue, coldness, and excessive sweating, related to the deficiency state (虛症) in traditional Korean medicine. Results: The average pain NRS for the 34 patients significantly decreased from 8.04±1.08 to 3.75±2.54 after YEGJD treatment. The average pain NRS score in chronic non-cancer pain patients also significantly declined from 7.91±0.97 to 3.29±2.29. Conclusions: The traditional Korean medicine Yang Eui Gongjin-dan has an analgesic effect and is useful for treating severe pain or numbness. We recommend a randomized controlled trial using objective assessment scales and a large patient sample to further test the effects of Yang Eui Gongjin-dan.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.835-840
• /
• 2008

Acupuncture has long been contended to be effective in an ischemic stroke. A real-time monitoring of glutamate, an excitotoxin in the process of ischemic neuronal damage, in the striatum is tried in a rat model of global ischemia. Global ischemia was induced by the 11 vessel occlusion method for 10 minutes, during which acupuncture stimulation on GB34 and GB39 points was executed. Glutamate release in the rat striatum was monitored 256 times per second using real-time amperometric biosensor. Real time measurement data of 10 minutes prior to the induction of ischemia served as baseline data. Data acquisition continued for 30 minutes after the initiation of reperfusion. Peak concentration of glutamate release along with incidentally measured EEG and cerebral blood flow was compared between cases with and without acupuncture stimulation. Peak concentration of glutamate lowered when acupuncture stimulation was executed. A real time monitoring system of 11 vessel-occlusion induced global ischemia model was successfully established. The effect by acupuncture on acute global ischemia was successfully observed in this real-time monitoring setting, which may be one of the neuroprotective mechanism of acupuncture.