• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1073-1079
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• 2003

Purpose : Recently there has been a decrease in ventilator care rate and duration of very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) in Fatima Hospital. The aims of this study were to survey the frequency and duration of ventilation in VLBWI and to develop a non-invasive neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) policy. Methods : We performed a retrospective study of 284 newborn of infants less than 1,500 gm admitted to NICU and discharged from January 1998 to December 2001. Patients were intubated or applied continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) via nasal prong immediately after presenting signs of respiratory distress. We analyzed epidemiologic data to study the changes in ventilator care rate, duration and outcome of ventilator care groups. Results : Of 284 newborn infants, 146 required invasive management, such as endotracheal intubation and assisted ventilation. The characteristics, the severity of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings in ventilator care groups at birth showed no significant differences. The annual proportion of infants requiring assisted ventilation decreased according to increasing gestational age. The median duration of ventilation decreased markedly from 6.0 days in 1998 to 2.7 days in 2001. Final complications and outcomes in ventilator care groups showed no significant differences. Conclusion : Our study shows a significant reduction in the invasiveness of the treatment of VLBW infants, which was not associated with an increased mortality or morbidity. A non-invasive strategy for the VLBW infant with minimal to moderate respiratory distress after birth in NICU is better than immediate invasive management. Non-invasive nasal CPAP is a simpler and safer method than invasive assisted ventilation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.190-200
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• 1996

Background : Mechanical ventilation constitutes the last therapeutic method for acute respiratory failure when oxygen therapy and medical treatment fail to improve the respiratory status of the patient. This invasive ventilation, classically administered by endotracheal intubation or by tracheostomy, is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Consequently, any less invasive method able to avoid the use of endotracheal ventilation would appear to be useful in high risk patient. Over recent years, the efficacy of nasal mask ventilation has been demonstrated in the treatment of chronic restrictive respiratory failure, particularly in patients with neuromuscular diseases. More recently, this method has been successfully used in the treatment of acute respiratory failure due to parenchymal disease. Method : We assessed the efficacy of Bilevel positive airway pressure(BiPAP) in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). This study prospectively evaluated the clinical effectiveness of a treatment schedule with positive pressure ventilation via nasal mask(Respironics BiPAP device) in 22 patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. Eleven patients with acute exacerbations of COPD were treated with nasal pressure support ventilation delivered via a nasal ventilatory support system plus standard treatment for 3 consecutive days. An additional 11 control patients were treated only with standard treatment. The standard treatment consisted of medical and oxygen therapy. The nasal BiPAP was delivered by a pressure support ventilator in spontaneous timed mode and at an inspiratory positive airway pressure $6-8cmH_2O$ and an expiratory positive airway pressure $3-4cmH_2O$. Patients were evaluated with physical examination(respiratory rate), modified Borg scale and arterial blood gas before and after the acute therapeutic intervention. Results : Pretreatment and after 3 days of treatment, mean $PaO_2$ was 56.3mmHg and 79.1mmHg (p<0.05) in BiPAP group and 56.9mmHg and 70.2mmHg (p<0.05) in conventional treatment (CT) group and $PaCO_2$ was 63.9mmHg and 56.9mmHg (p<0.05) in BiPAP group and 53mmHg and 52.8mmHg in CT group respectively. pH was 7.36 and 7.41 (p<0.05) in BiPAP group and 7.37 and 7.38 in cr group respectively. Pretreatment and after treatment, mean respiratory rate was 28 and 23 beats/min in BiPAP group and 25 and 20 beats/min in CT group respectively. Borg scale was 7.6 and 4.7 in BiPAP group and 6.4 and 3.8 in CT group respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups in changes of mean $PaO_2$, $PaCO_2$ and pH respectively. Conclusion: We conclude that short-term nasal pressure-support ventilation delivered via nasal BiPAP in the treatment of acute exacerbation of COPD, is an efficient mode of assisted ventilation for improving blood gas values and dyspnea sensation and may reduce the need for endotracheal intubation with mechanical ventilation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.6
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• pp.481-485
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• 2012

Background: Tracheostomy is a common procedure for patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. However, the timing of tracheostomy is quite variable. This study was performed to find out the factors determining the timing of tracheostomy in medical intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Patients who were underwent tracheostomy between January 2008 and December 2009 in the medical ICU of Seoul National University Hospital were included in this retrospective study. Results: Among the 59 patients, 36 (61.0%) were male. Median Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores on the admission day were 28 and 7, respectively. The decision of tracheostomy was made on 13 days, and tracheostomy was performed on 15 days after endotracheal intubation. Of the 59 patients, 21 patients received tracheostomy before 2 weeks (group I) and 38 were underwent after 2 weeks (group II). In univariate analysis, days until the decision to perform tracheostomy (8 vs. 14.5, p<0.001), days before tracheostomy (10 vs. 18, p<0.001), time delay for tracheostomy (2.1 vs. 3.0, p<0.001), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (19.0% vs. 2.6%, p=0.049), existence of neurologic problem (38.1% vs. 7.9%, p=0.042), APACHE II scores (24 vs. 30, p=0.002), and $PaO_2/FiO_2$ <300 mm Hg (61.9% vs. 91.1%, p=0.011) were different between the two groups. In multivariate analysis, APACHE II scores${\geq}20$ (odds ratio [OR], 12.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14~136.19; p=0.039) and time delay for tracheostomy (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.11~3.55; p=0.020) were significantly associated with tracheostomy after 2 weeks. Conclusion: APACHE II scores${\geq}20$ and time delay for tracheostomy were associated with tracheostomy after 2 weeks.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.564-570
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• 2006

Toxic gases and soot deposition as a consequence of smoke inhalation can cause direct injury to the upper and lower airways and even to the lung parenchyma. A delay in proper and prompt therapy can be detrimental to critically ill burn patients with an inhalation injury. Therefore, serial chest radiography is an important diagnostic tool for pulmonary complications during treatment. The radiographic findings of the chest include normal, consolidation, interstitial and alveolar infiltrates, peribronchial thickening, atelectasis, cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and a pneumothorax as acute complications of smoke inhalation. In addition, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis obliterans and pulmonary fibrosis can occur as late complications. We encountered a case of 44-year-old male who presented with acute lung injury after an inhalation injury. He required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation due to respiratory failure. He was managed successfully with conservative treatment. Later, a cavitary lesion of the left upper lobe was observed on the chest radiography and computed tomography, which was complicated by massive hemoptysis during the follow-up. However, the cavitary lesion disappeared spontaneously without any clinical consequences.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.6
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• pp.243-250
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• 2014

Background: Information regarding prognostic value of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum levels of GDF-15 and H-FABP predict an adverse outcome for COPD exacerbation. Methods: Clinical variables, including serum GDF-15 and H-FABP levels were compared in prospectively enrolled patients with COPD exacerbation that did or did not experience an adverse outcome. An adverse outcome included 30-day mortality and need for endotracheal intubation or inotropic support. Results: Ninety-seven patients were included and allocated into an adverse outcome (n=10) or a control (n=87) group. Frequencies of mental change and $PaCO_2$>37 mm Hg were significantly higher in the adverse outcome group (mental change: 30% vs. 6%, p=0.034 and $PaCO_2$>37 mm Hg: 80% vs. 22%, p<0.001, respectively). Serum GDF-15 elevation (>1,600 pg/mL) was more common in the adverse outcome group (80% vs. 43%, p=0.041). However, serum H-FABP level and frequency of serum H-FABP elevation (>755 pg/mL) did not differ between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that an elevated serum GDF-15 and $PaCO_2$>37 mm Hg were significant predictors of an adverse outcome (odds ratio [OR], 25.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7-243.8; p=0.005 and OR, 11.8; 95% CI, 1.2-115.3; p=0.034, respectively). Conclusion: Elevated serum GDF-15 level and $PaCO_2$>37 mm Hg were found to predict an adverse outcome independently in patients with COPD exacerbation, suggesting the possibility that serum GDF-15 could be used as a prognostic biomarker of COPD exacerbation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.690-695
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• 2005

Nitric acid is an oxidizing agent used in metal refining and cleaning, electroplating, and other industrial applications. Its accidental spillage generates oxides of nitrogen, including nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$), which cause chemical pneumonitis when inhaled. The clinical presentation of a nitric acid inhalation injury depends on the duration and intensity of exposure. In mild cases, there may be no symptoms during the first few hours after exposure, or the typical symptoms of pulmonary edema can appear within 3-24 hours. However, in cases of prolonged exposure, progressive pulmonary edema develops instantaneously and patients may not survive for more than 24 hours. We report a case of a 44-year-old male who was presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome after nitric acid inhalation. He complained of cough and dyspnea of a sudden onset after inhaling nitric acid fumes at his workplace over a four-hour period. He required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation due to fulminant respiratory failure. He was managed successfully with mechanical ventilation using positive end expiratory pressure and systemic corticosteroids, and recovered fully without any deterioration in his pulmonary function.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.4
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• pp.319-329
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• 2018

Background: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a necessary procedure for diagnosis of various lung diseases. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen delivery was recently introduced. This study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of HFNC oxygen supply during BAL procedure in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). Methods: Patients who underwent BAL while using HFNC at a partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood/fraction of inspired oxygen ($PaO_2/FiO_2$; PF) ratio of 300 or below among patients who had been admitted from March 2013 to May 2017 were retrospectively investigated. Results: Thirty-three BAL procedures were confirmed. Their baseline PF ratio was $166.1{\pm}46.7$. $FiO_2$ values before, during, and after BAL were $0.45{\pm}0.12$, $0.74{\pm}0.19$, and $0.57{\pm}0.14$, respectively. Flow (L/min) values before, during, and after BAL were $26.5{\pm}20.3$, $49.0{\pm}7.2$, and $40.8{\pm}14.2$, respectively. Both $FiO_2$ and flow during and after the procedure were significantly different from those before the procedure (both p<0.001). Oxygen saturation levels before, during, and after BAL measured by pulse oximeter were $94.8{\pm}2.9$, $94.6{\pm}3.5$, and $95.2{\pm}2.8%$, respectively. There were no significant differences in oxygen saturation among the three groups. Complications of BAL procedure included transient hypoxemia, hypotension, and fever. However, there was no endotracheal intubation within 24 hours. Baseline PF ratio in "without HFNC" group was significantly higher than that in "with HFNC" group. There were no differences in complications between the two groups. Conclusion: The use of HFNC during BAL procedure in ARF patients was effective and safe. However, there were no significant differences in oxygen saturation level and complications comparing "without HFNC" group in mild ARF. More studies are needed for moderate to severe ARF patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2011

Purpose: Many patients have fear for surgery owing to the injection of lidocaine and the possible pain in the course of the operation. To resolve such a problem the cases to do plastic surgery with monitored anesthetic care are increasing, in which something like sedatives is injected into vein without endotracheal intubation and under voluntary respiration, but the usage is now under the controversy. Methods: There were 25 patients who had surgery with local anesthesia, and another 25 patients who had surgery with monitored anesthetic care which belongs to ASA class 1 and 2 from January to April, 2009. Their anesthesia records were collected and surveys were given before and after the surgery and the surgery staff recorded OAA/S during the surgery. The postoperative surveys included the awakening during the surgery, pain, anxiety, and the degree of patient's satisfaction through visual analogue scale to identify the difference between the two methods. Results: The OAA/S results according to time lapse show that it is possible to lead a fast effective sedation and recovery with monitored anesthetic care, and monitored anesthetic care enhances both surgeon's convenience level and patient's satisfaction level, and reduces awakening, pain, and anxiety, compared to local anesthesia. Conclusion: The current paper shows about the plastic surgery, particularly the outpatient surgery, when monitored anesthetic care method is applied, it could gain a fast sedation and recovery or an effective sedation of patients. The method also has some affirmative effects in regard with surgeon's convenience and the patients' satisfaction degree and the reduction of their awakening, pain, and anxiety. With careful and adequate watch on the measures about vital signs like electrocardiogram, the degree of oxygen saturation, and blood pressure, it could clinically be very useful.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.196-202
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• 2012

Purpose: This study aimed to recognize the frequency of near-hanging patients with elevated Troponin-I (Tn-I), to obtain information necessary for treatment and prediction of prognosis by analyzing the clinical feature of near-hanging patients, and to evaluate the relevance of elevated Tn-I to abnormal result of other cardiac-related examinations. Methods: A retrospective review for the near-hanging patients, clinical record was conducted at two urban training hospitals between April, 2001 and December, 2011. We divided included patients into two groups, which one with elevated Tn-I level ($Tn-I{\geq}0.1ng/dL$) and one without it, and compared the differences in initial vital signs, cardiac enzyme tests, an electrocardiogram, echocardiography, chest X-ray, and the clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 39 patients were included, out of them, 14 patients showed rise in Tn-I level. The length of hospital stay and ICU hospitalization was more prolonged in the patient group with elevated Tn-I level than non-elevated group. As well as the incidence of endotracheal intubation and abnormal findings in echocardiography or chest X-ray was higher in the Tn-I elevated group, which is statistically significant. Conclusion: The rising of serum Tn-I level in near-hanging patients were not uncommonly observed. We believe that the cardiac-related test including Tn-I is necessary for near-hanging patients, and those who are shown abnormal result in cardiac-related test may need close observation and intensive care.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.569-573
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• 2007

A 3 month old female baby, who had been diagnosed with right atrial isomerism associated with total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR), a functional single ventricle and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCA), underwent left MAPCA unifocalization and left Blalock-Taussig shunt (3.5 mm) at 3 months of age. The post-operative course was complicated by pulmonary venous congestion, and the drainage site of the TAPVR was found to be stenotic on echocardiography. We performed sutureless repair of the TAPVR along with unifocalization of the right MAPCA. She was put on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator for 8 days after the 2nd operation, and she was able to come off the oxygenator with the placement of a central shunt (3 mm). She developed tracheal stenosis, which was presumably due to longstanding endotracheal intubation, and she then underwent tracheostomy. She was discharged to home on day 104 after the 1st operation, and she has been followed up for 2 months in a good clinical condition.