• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.11
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• pp.484-488
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• 2014

Purpose: Chronic upper airway obstruction causes hypoxemic pulmonary vasoconstriction, which may lead to right ventricle (RV) dysfunction. Adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in children. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate RV function in children with ATH. Methods: Twenty-one children (male/female, 15/6; mean age, $92.3{\pm}39.0$ months; age range, 4-15 years) with ATH and 21 healthy age- and gender-matched controls were included in this study. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and RV myocardial performance index were measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Further, the plasma level of N-terminal of probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), an indicator of RV function, was determined. Results: The snoring-tiredness during daytime-observed apnea-high blood pressure (STOP) questionnaire was completed by the patients' parents, and loud snoring was noted in the ATH group. The plasma NT-proBNP level was significantly higher in the ATH group than that in the controls ($66.44{\pm}37.63pg/mL$ vs. $27.85{\pm}8.89pg/mL$, P=0.001). The echocardiographic parameters were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion: We were unable to confirm the significance of echocardiographic evidence of RV dysfunction in the management of children with ATH. However, the plasma NT-proBNP level was significantly higher in the ATH group than that in the control, suggesting that chronic airway obstruction in children may carry a risk for cardiac dysfunction. Therefore, more patients should be examined using transthoracic echocardiography. In addition, pediatricians and otolaryngologists should consider cardiologic aspects during the management of children with severe ATH.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.195-202
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• 1993

$^{123}Iodine$-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) which is a norepinephrine analogue, can be used to evaluate the sympathetic innervation of the heart. In this study, cardiac imaging with $^{123}I-MIBG$ was performed in patients with 9 dilated cardiomyopathy, 2 ischemic cardiomyopathy and 1 acute myocardial infarction to evaluate the sympathetic nervous function. $^{123}I-MIBG$ imaging showed multifocal defects (8), diffuse defect (2), near non-visualization (2). The defects of MIBG scans were found to be larger and more severe on 4 hours image than 30 minutes. Heart to lung, heart to mediastinum ratios were decreased at 4 hours than those at 30 minutes. Measured LVEF values were not correlated with the severity of MIBG uptake. $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ imaging was also performed in all patients to find the relationship with $^{123}I-MIBG$ scan. $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ scan showed multifocal defects in 9 patients, diffuse defects in 1 patient and no defect in 2 patients. The defects are similar in size, severity and extent, but more larger and severe on $^{123}I-MIBG$ imaging. Therefore, cardiac $^{123}I-MIBG$ imaging is a useful method to evaluate the sympathetic nervous function in cardiomyopathy.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.11
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• pp.465-477
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of three - week high altitude ski training on the myocardial performance of cross - country skiers and to provide basic data for the future improvement of cross - country skiers'. The subjects were 6 cross - country skiing male college athletes. To investigate the effects of periodic and high altitude training on cross - country skiers, a general linear model ANOVA with repeated measure And analyzed using the Paired Samples t-test. In high altitude ski training for 3 weeks, the body composition did not change but the isokinetic muscular function of the shoulder joint, hip joint, knee joint, and ankle joint was decreased. Therefore, further study is needed if it is considered that continuous strength training should be performed during the ski training period such as SP period.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.403-413
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• 1998

Purpose: We investigated reproducibility of the quantification of left ventricular volume and ejection fraction, and grading of myocardial wall motion and systolic thickening when we used gated myocardial SPECT and Cedars quantification software. Materials and Methods: We performed gated myocardial SPECT in 33 consecutive patients twice in the same position after Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT We used 16 frames per cycle for the gating of sequential Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT. After reconstruction, we used Cedars quantitative gated SPECT and calculated ventricular volume and ejection fraction (EF). Wall motion was graded using 5 point score. Wall thickening was graded using 4 point score. Coefficient of variation for re-examination of volume and fraction were calculated. Kappa values (k-value) for assessing reproducibility of wall motion or wall thickening were calculated. Results: Enddiastolic volumes (EDV) ranged from 58 ml to 248 ml (122 ml +/- 42 ml), endsystolic volumes (ESV) from 20 ml to 174 ml (65 ml +/- 39 ml), and EF from 20% to 65% (51% +/- 14%). Geometric mean of standard deviations of 33 patients was 5.0 ml for EDV, 3.9 ml for ESV and 1.9% for EF. Their average differences were not different from zero (p>0.05). k-value for wall motion using 2 consecutive images was 0.76 (confidence interval: 0.71-0.81). k-value was 0.87 (confidence interval: 0.83-0.90) for assessment of wall thickening. Conclusion: We concluded that quantification of functional indices, assessment of wall motion and wall thickening using gated Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT was reproducible and we could use this method for the evaluation of short-acting drug effect.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 1998

Ischemic preconditioning is known to have protective effect on myocardial function at prolonged ischemic insult but the mechanism of the effect is not clearly known. The effect of the preconditioning on the global ischemia using cardioplegic solution is not well known. To evaluate the effect of global myocardial preconditioning on the functional recovery after cardioplegic arrest and two hours of hypothermic storage, we used the isolated rat heart and two hours cardioplegic arrest time at $0^{\circ}C$. In the experimental group(n=10), after baseline functional data was obtained, ischemic preconditioning was induced with 1 min of global normothermic ischemia for three times before the arrest period. In the control group(n=10), hearts underwent no ischemic precondi- tioning. After 2 hrs of cardioplegic arrest and storage in the $0^{\circ}C$ cardioplegic solution reperfusion was done and hemodynamic data were collected at post-reperfusion 20 min. Heart with ischemic preconditioning showed improved functional recovery at post reperfusion 20 min in peak developed pressure and dP/dT. In percent change of the peak pressure, preconditioning group showed 93.20$\pm$15.7% recovery rate compared to baseline data, and control group showed 67.3$\pm$15.6% recovery rate. In percent change of the dP/dT, control group showed 54.7$\pm$18.2% recovery rate and preconditioning group showed 78.1$\pm$15.1% recovery rate. Percent changes in heart rate and coronary flow showed no significant difference between two groups and there was no significant differences in amount of cardioplegic delivery between groups. Our data suggest ischemic preconditioning may have protective effect on recovery state after cardioplegic arrest and 2 hr ischemic storage of isolated rat heart and its mechanism is not related to the amount of the cardioplegic delivery amount.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 1994

Gastrodia (G) Rhizoma has been used clinically as an oriental herbal medicine with sedative, anticonvulsive, and depressor effects. The present study tested effects of G. Rhizoma extracts on the coronary circulation and myocardial oxygen consumption in perfused rat hearts. Sprague Dawley rats (SD) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were employed as experimental animals and nonworking Langendorff heart perfusion technique introduced for heart experiments. G. Rhizoma extracts were prepared from grinding G. Rhizoma into powder, extracting in water and 50% ethanol for 4 or 16 hr and diluting with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate perfusion buffer to be 70%. Hearts were perfused with bicarbonate buffer oxygenated with 95% $O_{2}:$ 5% $CO_{2}$ at constant coronary perfusion pressure of $90cmH_{2}O$. The diluted extracts were infused into coronary arteries in a concentration of $1{\sim}5\;{\mu}M$ for $7{\sim}8 min. While in SD water- or ethanol-extracts of G. Rhizoma extracted for 16 hr increased coronary perfusate flow (CPF) and decreased coronary vascular resistance (CVR), ethanol-extracts in SHR produced coronary vasoconstriction associated with enhanced CVR. G. Rhizoma extracts-induced increase in CPF reduced myocardial oxygen extraction, and thus myocardial oxygen consumption ($MVO_{2}$) remained at that observed prior to infusion of extracts. In SD and SHR 16 hr-water-extracts markedly altered coronary venous effluent pH and $Pco_{2}$ and evoked metabolic acidosis, which could be a coronary vasodilator mechanism decreasing CVR. In this study, the extracts decreasing CVR in SD and SHR did not augment the lactate production. Therefore, although the effects of the extracts on cardiac function and coronary circulation depended on solvents and duration for extraction, the 16hr-water-extracts, at least, exhibited coronary vasodilation in SD and SHR. Conversely, ethanol-extracts constricted coronary arteries in SHR. G. Rhizoma extracts-induced vasodilation might be due to the metabolic acidosis rather than due to the increased lactate production. The results indicate that G. Rhizoma extracts obtained from proper extracting procedures can be used as a safe and clinically applicable herbal medicine in the cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and hypertension for vasodilatory and antihypertensive actions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.3 s.272
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• pp.168-179
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• 2007

Background: The recent trend of an increasing number of patients with acute cardiogenic shock or chronic congestive heart failure following myocardial infarction, as well as the considerable number who can not be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass after open heart surgery, call for immediate efforts to develop affordable ventricular assist devices that are suitable for the Korean physique. Recently, a pneumatic pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD), named DKUH-75, has been developed by the Department of Biomedical Engineering, in collaboration with the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Dankook University College of Medicine. The feasibility of the DKUH-75 VAD was evaluated on the bases of common hemodynamic variables and echocardiographic measurements in pigs, which are subjected to an acute cardiogenic shock state following myocardial infarction, using a novel coronary artery ligation method employing the ischemic preconditioning concept. Material and Method: Acute cardiogenic shock was induced in 10 Yorkshire Landrace Duroc strain pigs by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery via an ischemic preconditioning process. The hemodynamic variables were monitored, with epicardial echocardiographic measurements performed before and one hour after the ligation. The DKUH-75 VAD was implanted into 5 pigs one hour after the onset of the shock. The hemodynamic variables and echocardiographic measurements were taken one hour after installation of the VAD. Result: The systolic, diastolic and mean systemic arterial pressures were significantly decreased in all the experimental animals one hour after the ligation. The systolic, diastolic and mean pulmonary arterial pressures were increased (Eds note: this completely contradicts the preceding statement? However, if you mean the non-experimental animals this should be stated?). The left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was increased, but the cardiac index decreased, An increase in the left ventricular end systolic dimension and decreases in the fractional shortening and ejection fraction were observed all animals one hour after the coronary artery ligation. In all 5 of the VAD implanted pigs, the systolic and mean systemic arterial pressures were increased, and the pulmonary arterial pressures decreased one hour after the implantation; the LVEDP decreased, but the cardiac index was significantly increased, In the echocardiographic measurements, the left ventricular end systolic dimension decreased after the implantation of the VAD, but the fractional shortening and ejection fraction significantly increased. Conclusion: Significant improvements in the hemodynamic variables and echocardiographic measurements were observed in the 5 VAD implanted animals one hour after installation, which had been subjected to an acute cardiogenic shock state by ligation of the coronary artery, indicating that the DKUH-75 VAD could help in the recovery of the myocardial function. This suggests that the DKUH-75 VAD is feasible in the short term in relation to an acute cardiogenic shock state due to myocardial infarction.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.309-317
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• 1999

Background: Left ventricular diastolic filling is an important determinant for maintenance of cardiac output during hemodialysis. Few investigators have studied the influence of hemodialysis on diastolic function. To evaluate the change of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. we performed M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic studies before and after hemodialysis. Methods: The study population consisted of 30 patients(15 patients were male, mean age $45{\pm}10$ years) with CRF on maintenance hemodialysis. They have normal left ventricular systolic function(Fractional shortening>30%) and no evidence of valvular heart disease or regional wall motion abnormalities. The ejection fraction (EF) was measured using M-mode echocardiography and Doppler indices such as peak E velocity, peak A velocity, isovolumetric relaxation time(IVRT), deceleration time(DT). and left ventricular ejection time(LVET) obtained from Doppler echocardiography. The index of myocardial performance (IMP) was calculated from each of the Doppler velocity indices. Results: The weight reduction after hemodialysis was $2.1{\pm}1.0kg$(p<0.0001), After hemodialysis, there was some decrease in blood pressure(p<0.05), but no significant change in heart rate, EF and fractional shortening, mean VCF, peak A velocity, and DT. And significant reduction in peak E velocity, E/A ratio(p<0.0001. p<0.001), and significant increase in IVRT and IMP(p<0.05, p<0.0001) were noted. Conclusion: In conclusion, preload reduction is the main mechanism that accounts for changes in Doppler diastolic indices after hemodialysis. And an increased IMP suggests that diastolic function may be aggravated after hemodialysis, and that implies impaired left ventricular filling and disturbed left ventricular compliance.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.547-552
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• 2004

Recently, autologous bone marrow cell transplantation (CTx) for angiogenesis and myogenesis in ischemic myocardium has been extensively investigated to improve heart functions. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of CTx with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) in patients who were not feasible for complete revascularization. Material and Method: Four male patients underwent CTx and OPCAB simultaneously. Bone marrow was aspirated from iliac bone. Mean 1.5 ${\times}$ 10$^{9}$ mononuclear cells including mean 6.7 ${\times}$ 10$^{6}$ CD34 + cells and 3.7 ${\times}$ 10$^{6}$ AC133 + cells were obtained and concentrated with 10 cc. These cells were transplanted into non-graftable ischemic myocardium after OPCAB. The heart function of all patients were evaluated using the MIBI scan, echocardiogram and MRI preoperatively. The effects of CTx was evaluated using MIBI scan and echocardiogram at 1 month postoperatively. Result: An average of 2 grafts were bypassed to left anterior descending artery territory. Other territories were transplanted with isolated mononuclear cell. All patients had uncomplicated postoperative course. After 1 month follow up, there were improvement in symptom, ejection fraction (from 49% to 55%) on echocardiogram and myocardial perfusion on MIBI scan in all patients. Conclusion: These preliminary data showed improvement of heart function and myocardial perfusion and also showed the feasibility and safety of combined therapy with OPCAB and CTx in ischemic myocardium. However, the effectiveness of CTx alone cannot be readily assessed. Further randomized, controlled studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of CTx alone.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.242-254
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• 2003

Most of the studies conducted have investigated the beneficial effects of ischemic preconditioning on normothermic myocardial ischemia. However, the effect of preconditioning could be attenuated through the use of multidose cold cardioplegia as practiced in contemporary clinical heart surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether preconditioning improves postischemic cardiac function in a model of 25℃ moderate hypothermic ischemic heart induced by cold cardioplegia in isolated rat hearts. Material and Method: The isolated Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were randomly assigned to four groups. All hearts were perfused at 37℃ for 20 minutes with Krebs-Henseleit solution before the baseline hemodynamic data were obtained. Group 1 consisted of preconditioned hearts that received 3 minutes of global ischemic preconditioning at 37℃, followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion before 120 minutes of cardioplegic arrest (n=6). Cold (4℃) St. Thomas Hospital cardioplegia solution was infused to induce cardioplegic arrest. Maintaining the heart at 25℃, infusion of the cardioplegia solution was repeated every 20 minutes throughout the 120 minutes of ischemic period. Group 2 consisted of control hearts that underwent no manipulations between the periods of equilibrium and 120 minutes of cardioplegic arrest (n=6). After 2 hours of cardioplegic arrest, Krebs solution was infused and hemodynamic data were obtained for 30 minutes (group 1, 2: cold cardioplegia group). Group 3 received two episodes of ischemic preconditioning before 30 min of 37℃ normothermic ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion (n=6). Group 4 served as ischemic controls for group 3 (group 3, 4: warm ischemia group). Result: Preconditioning did not influence parameters such as left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), rate-pressure product (RPP) and left ventricular dp/dt (LV dp/dt) in the cold cardioplegia group. (p=NS) However, preconditioning before warm ischemia attenuated the ischemia induced cardiac dysfunction, improving the LVSP, LVEDP, RPP, and LVdp/dt. Less leakage of CPK and LDH were observed in the ischemic preconditioning group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ischemic preconditioning improved postischemic cardiac function after warm ischemia, but did not protect cold cardioplegic hearts.