• 한국임상약학회지
• /
• 제20권2호
• /
• pp.159-164
• /
• 2010

Radiofrequency ablation (RA) is being used to manage atrial fibrillation (AF) with patients failed at the $1^{st}$-line anti-arrhythmic medications. Patients undergoing this procedure are at increased risk of thromboembolism after ablation, and anticoagulation management surrounding the ablation remains controversial. Although no conclusive recommendations can be made, published guidelines and data support therapeutic anticoagulation with warfarin. The purpose of this study was to analyze effectiveness of current therapy and to find factors fluctuate International Normalized Ratio (INR) values in patients undergone RA followed by anticoagulation service (ACS). Retrospective review was conducted utilizing database in a hospital. Among 110 patients under warfarin around ablation between January 2006 to September 2007, 54 patients were selected and allocated into 2 groups: Group A included 47 who discontinued warfarin after ablation, while 7 in B continued the medication. Information on demographics, amount and length of warfarin dosing, INR values and measuring frequencies, and the causing factors on INR fluctuation were abstracted. Differences were analyzed using chi-squared test, Fisher's Exact test, and unpaired Student t-test. Mean amount of warfarin before and after surgery was 4.0 mg, 4.1 mg in Group A and was 5.1 mg, 4.6 mg in Group B, respectively. Average duration of warfarin doing before ablation was 73.7 days in Group A, 129.9 days in B with no significant difference (p = 0.312). The duration time of warfarin on groups after ablation lasted several months. The number of checking INRs was 4.1 and 7.6, respectively. Inter-individual variability of INR fluctuations were $2.1{\pm}0.6$ in Group A and $2.2{\pm}0.7$ in B which were not significantly different (p = 0.062). 164 cases of decreased INR were: 'omission in taking medication, stressfulness and headache, 'increased intake of high vitamin K foods', 'lifestyle change of increased physical activities', and 'increase of food-intakes'. To the contrary, 36 cases of increased INR were: 'reduce of food-intake', 'use of non-prescription drugs', 'reduction in physical activities', and 'excessive restriction on food-intake', consecutively. In conclusion, the study validated therapeutic outcomes of RA patients who we treated with standard guideline and demonstrated 9 factors of INR fluctuations in the patient. A well-trained, pharmacist-monitored anticoagulation service could reduce the risk of adverse effects and prevent complications in patients with AF around RA operation.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
• /
• 제19권3호
• /
• pp.699-706
• /
• 2018

플라즈마 고분자의 영구기체(He, $H_2$, $O_2$, $N_2$, $CH_4$) 및 응축성 증기($CO_2$, $C_2H_4$, $C_3H_8$)에 대한 투과 특성을 조사하였다. 플라즈마 고분자는 마이크로파 방전과 라디오파 방전을 이용하여 제조하였으며 플라즈마 중합의 단량체(monomer)로는 hexamethyldisiloxane(HMDS)을 사용하였다. 마이크로파를 이용하여 제조한 HMDS 플라즈마 고분자막의 투과도계수는 투과 기체의 분자지름에 의존하는 경향을 나타내었으며 라디오파를 이용하여 제조한 플라즈마 고분자막보다 높은 산소/질소 투과선택도를 나타내었다. 반면에 라디오파를 이용하여 제조한 HMDS 플라즈마 고분자막의 투과도계수는 투과기체의 임계온도에 의존하는 경향을 나타내었으며 질소에 대한 에틸렌 및 프로판의 투과선택도가 우수한 특성을 나타내었다. 마이크로파로 중합시킨 고분자막은 가교결합도가 높기 때문에 기체의 투과도계수가 주로 확산계수(또는 분자지름)에 의존하게 된다. 그러나 라디오파의 에너지 밀도는 마이크로파의 에너지 밀도보다 낮기 때문에 라디오파로 중합시킨 플라즈마 고분자막의 구조는 마이크로파로 중합시킨 고분자 막에 비하여 가교결합도가 떨어지게 되며 이 막을 통한 투과도계수는 분자크기 보다는 기체의 임계온도에 의존하는 경향을 나타내었다. 따라서 라디오파를 이용하여 중합시킨 HMDS 플라즈마 고분자막은 영구기체 보다는 공기 중의 유기물질을 제거하는데 보다 효과적으로 이용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 디지털융복합연구
• /
• 제18권3호
• /
• pp.267-273
• /
• 2020

전자파에 노출된 생쥐에서 운동이 해마에 미치는 생체영향을 확인하고자 뇌의 신경세포에서 많이 발현되는 AMPKα, p-AMPKα, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, p38, p-p38 단백질 발현의 변화를 해마에서 조사하였다. 10주 동안 생쥐들을 정상군, 운동군, 전자파 노출군, 전자파 노출 및 자발운동군으로 나누어 비교하였다. 생쥐들은 835 MHz의 주파수를 송출하는 Wave Exposer V20을 사용해 전자파에 노출시켰고, 각 분자들에 대한 단백질 발현량의 차이는뇌의 해마를 분리해 Western blot으로 조사했다. 각각의 분자들과 인산화 분자들에서 유의한 단백질 발현의 증가는 운동군에서 있었으며, 전자파 노출 및 운동군에서는 이들 분자들의 발현이 통계적으로 유의한 수준으로 현저히 감소하였다. 따라서, 본 연구는 기억을 담당하는 해마에서 운동에 의해 신경가소성이 증가할 수 있지만, 전자파에 노출되면 기억 및 인지기능이 영향을 받을 수 있어 전자파가 실제 세포수준에서 기억력에 영향을 미칠 수 있음을 보였다. 앞으로 전자파가 치매에 미치는 임상적 영향에 대한 연구를 진행한다면 흥미 있는 결과를 기대할 수 있을 것이다.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• 제20권2호
• /
• pp.116-122
• /
• 2007

Background: Lumbar zygapophysial joints are a common source of chronic lower back pain and radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RF) of the medial branches (MB) has been shown to be effective at providing substantial pain relief for chronic low back pain. Therefore, we carried out this study to determine the short term outcomes and prognostic factors of RF on the MB of patients with lumbar facet syndrome. Methods: We performed RF in fourteen patients who showed greater than 80% pain relief up to three times after a diagnostic MB block was conducted using 0.3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine. Using 10 cm curved electrodes with 10-mm active tip, a 60 second, $80^{\circ}C$ lesion was made after electrical stimulation at 50 Hz for sensory and 2 Hz for motor nerve testing. The degree of pain relief was then assessed after 2 weeks, and again after 3 months using a visual analog scale (VAS) and a four point Likert scale. The outcome was regarded as 'success' if at least a 50% reduction in the VAS was observed. Possible prognostic factors between the two groups were also evaluated Results: The success rate was 71.4% (10/14) after three months of follow-up. However, there were transient complications, such as neuritis like syndrome, in 4 patients. In addition, short symptom duration and low minimal voltage (< 0.4 V) for sensory stimulation were shown to be the relevant prognostic factors for a successful outcome. Conclusions: RF may be an alternative to repeated MB block or intraarticular injection for palliation of lumbar facet syndrome. For better outcomes, early diagnosis and strict patient selection should be coupled with efforts to avoid anatomically incorrect RF.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• 제19권6호
• /
• pp.1099-1109
• /
• 2018

Objective: In a proof of concept study, we compared no-touch radiofrequency ablation (NtRFA) in bipolar mode with conventional direct tumor puncture (DTP) in terms of local tumor control (LTC), peritoneal seeding, and tumorigenic factors, in the rabbit VX2 subcapsular hepatic tumor model. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two rabbits with VX2 subcapsular hepatic tumors were divided into three groups according to the procedure: DTP-RFA (n = 25); NtRFA (n = 25); and control (n = 12). Each of the three groups was subdivided into two sets for pathologic analysis (n = 24) or computed tomography (CT) follow-up for 6 weeks after RFA (n = 38). Ultrasonography-guided DTP-RFA and NtRFA were performed nine days after tumor implantation. LTC was defined by either achievement of complete tumor necrosis on histopathology or absence of local tumor progression on follow-up CT and autopsy. Development of peritoneal seeding was also compared among the groups. Serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured via ELISA (Elabscience Biotechnology Co.) after RFA for tumorigenic factor evaluation. Results: Regarding LTC, there was a trend in NtRFA (80%, 20/25) toward better ablation than in DTP-RFA (56%, 14/25) (p = 0.069). Complete tumor necrosis was achieved in 54.5% of DTP-RFA (6/11) and 90.9% of NtRFA (10/11). Peritoneal seeding was significantly more common in DTP-RFA (71.4%, 10/14) than in NtRFA (21.4%, 3/14) (p = 0.021) or control (0%). Elevations of HGF, VEGF or IL-6 were not detected in any group. Conclusion: No-touch radiofrequency ablation led to lower rates of peritoneal seeding and showed a tendency toward better LTC than DTP-RFA.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• 제21권9호
• /
• pp.1077-1086
• /
• 2020

Objective: To evaluate the effect of perfluorobutane microbubbles (Sonazoid^®, GE Healthcare) on steam popping during radiofrequency (RF) ablation for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to assess whether popping affects treatment outcomes. Materials and Methods: The institutional review board approved this retrospective study, which included 90 consecutive patients with single HCC, who received percutaneous RF ablation as the first-line treatment. The patients were divided into two groups, based on the presence or absence of the popping phenomenon, which was defined as an audible sound with a simultaneous sudden explosion within the ablation zone as detected via ultrasonography during the procedure. The factors contributing to the popping phenomenon were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Local tumor progression (LTP) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test for performing comparisons between the two groups. Results: The overall incidence of the popping phenomenon was 25.8% (24/93). Sonazoid^® was used in 1 patient (4.2%) in the popping group (n = 24), while it was used in 15 patients (21.7%) in the non-popping group (n = 69). Multivariable analysis revealed that the use of Sonazoid^® was the only significant factor for absence of the popping phenomenon (odds ratio = 0.10, p = 0.048). There were no significant differences in cumulative LTP and DFS between the two groups (p = 0.479 and p = 0.424, respectively). Conclusion: The use of Sonazoid^® has a suppressive effect on the popping phenomenon during RF ablation in patients with HCC. However, the presence of the popping phenomenon may not affect clinical outcomes.

• 대한영상의학회지
• /
• 제83권2호
• /
• pp.317-330
• /
• 2022

목적 본 연구는 신장종양 환자에서 시행한 고주파절제술 이후 신장 기능에 영향을 미치는 다양한 요소들에 대한 평가를 통해서 이들의 상관관계와 임상적 가치를 평가하기 위한 것이다. 대상과 방법 2010년 1월부터 2018년 12월까지 본원에서 ultrasonography, CT 유도하에 고주파절제술을 시행 받은 91명을 대상으로 선정하였다. 신기능을 평가하는 방법으로 시술 직전과 시술 이후 혈청 크레아티닌, 사구체 여과율을 측정하였다. 시술 전과 비교하여 혈청 크레아티닌 수치가 0.3 mg/dL 이상 증가하는 것을 유의미한 것으로 정하고, 이에 근거하여 두 그룹으로 분류하였다. 신장 기능 손상에 영향을 미치는 요소를 평가하기 위해서 다변수 로지스틱 회귀분석을 이용해서 그룹 간에 비교를 시행하였다. 결과 단일 신장, 3단계 이상의 만성 콩팥병, 요관 손상은 신장 기능 손상에서 통계적으로 유의한 의미가 있었다. 성별, 연령, 다른 암, 종양 크기, 위치, 성장 형태, 집합계와의 근접성 등은 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 신장 기능 수치의 시간에 따른 변화는 단일 신장, 3단계 이상의 만성 콩팥병, 요관 손상 유무에 따라서 통계적으로 유의하게 달랐다. 결론 고주파절제술 시행 전의 의학적 상태 중 단일 신장, 3단계 이상의 만성 콩팥병, 시술 이후 발생한 합병증 중 요관 손상은 시술 이후 발생하는 신장 기능 손상의 위험요소로 생각할 수 있다.

• 대한영상의학회지
• /
• 제81권3호
• /
• pp.620-631
• /
• 2020

목적 5 cm 이하 크기의 간암을 가진 92명의 환자군에서 식염수 주입방식 전극을 이용한 고주파 소작술의 국소 재발률과 예후인자를 평가하였다. 대상과 방법 2009년부터 2015년까지 간암으로 식염수 주입전극 고주파 소작술을 받은 92명 환자(148개 간암)를 대상으로 하였다. 후향적으로 기술적인 성공과 효능, 국소 재발률을 분석하였다. 국소 재발의 가능한 예후인자로써 혈관주위종양, 횡경막하종양, 인공복수 유무, 2 cm이상 크기, 이전 간동맥색전술 치료 여부를 평가하였다. 결과는 각각의 병변 별로 분석하였다. 결과 1~97.4개월의 추적관찰 기간 동안 누적 국소 재발률은 1년, 3년, 5년에서 각각 7.9%, 11.4%, 14.6%였다. 5년 누적 국소 재발률은 혈관주위간암과(35.1%; p = 0.009) 횡경막하간 암에서(38.9%; p = 0.002) 각각 비교군에 비해 유의미하게 높았다. 다른 예후인자들에서 국소 재발률의 유의미한 차이는 없었다(p > 0.05). 결론 식염수 주입전극을 이용한 고주파 소작술은 5 cm 이하 크기의 간암을 국소 재발률 증가없이 안전하고 효과적으로 치료할 수 있다. 그렇지만 식염수 주입전극으로도 혈관 주위와 횡경막하 위치의 간암은 다른 부위에 비해 국소 재발률이 높으므로, 혈관주위간암과 횡경막하간암은 식염수 주입전극을 이용한 고주파 소작술에서도 국소 재발의 위험성이 크다는 것을 유념하여야 한다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• 제25권3호
• /
• pp.289-300
• /
• 2024

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the outcomes of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT). Materials and Methods: Patients with THPT underwent RFA between September 2017 and January 2022. Laboratory parameters, including serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels, were monitored for 48 months after RFA and compared with the levels at baseline. Complications related to RFA and changes in hyperparathyroidism-related clinical symptoms were recorded before and after RFA. Results: A total of 42 patients with THPT were recruited for this study. Ultimately, 36 patients with renal failure and 2 patients who underwent successful renal transplantation (male:female, 17:21; median age, 54.5 years) were enrolled. The follow-up time was 21.5 ± 19.0 months in the 36 patients with renal failure. In these 36 patients, iPTH levels were significantly decreased to 261.1 pg/mL at 48 months compared with the baseline value of 1284.9 pg/mL (P = 0.012). Persistent hyperparathyroidism, defined as iPTH levels maintained at > 585.0 pg/mL for 6 months after treatment, occurred in 4.0% of patients (1/25). Recurrent hyperparathyroidism, defined as iPTH levels > 585.0 pg/mL after 6 months, were 4.0% (1/25) and 0.0% (0/9) at 6 months and 4 years after treatment, respectively. In two patients with THPT after successful renal transplantation, iPTH decreased from the baseline value of 242.5 and 115.9 pg/mL to 171.0 and 62.0 pg/mL at 6 months after treatment. All complications resolved within 6 months of ablation without medical intervention, except in 10.5% (4/38) patients with permanent hypocalcemia. The overall symptom recovery rate was 58.8% (10/17). The severity scores for bone pain, arthralgia, and itchy skin associated with hyperparathyroidism improved after treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion: US-guided RFA is an effective and safe alternative to surgery in the treatment of patients with TPTH and improves hyperparathyroidism-related clinical symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• 제25권5호
• /
• pp.438-448
• /
• 2024

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of no-touch radiofrequency ablation (NT-RFA) using twin cooled wet (TCW) electrodes in patients experiencing recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after undergoing locoregional treatments. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-arm study of NT-RFA involving 102 patients, with a total of 112 recurrent HCCs (each ≤ 3 cm). NT-RFA with TCW electrodes was implemented under the guidance of ultrasonography (US)-MR/CT fusion imaging. If NT-RFA application proved technically challenging, conversion to conventional tumor puncture RFA was permitted. The primary metric for evaluation was the mid-term cumulative incidence of local tumor progression (LTP) observed post-RFA. Cumulative LTP rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to explore factors associated with LTP. Considering conversion cases from NT-RFA to conventional RFA, intention-to-treat (ITT; including all patients) and per-protocol (PP; including patients not requiring conversion to conventional RFA alone) analyses were performed. Results: Conversion from NT-RFA to conventional RFA was necessary for 24 (21.4%) out of 112 tumors. Successful treatment was noted in 111 (99.1%) out of them. No major complications were reported among the patients. According to ITT analysis, the estimated cumulative incidences of LTP were 1.9%, 6.0%, and 6.0% at 1, 2, and 3 years post-RFA, respectively. In PP analysis, the cumulative incidence of LTP was 0.0%, 1.3%, and 1.3% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The number of previous locoregional HCC treatments (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.265 per 1 treatment increase; P = 0.004), total bilirubin (aHR, 7.477 per 1 mg/dL increase; P = 0.012), and safety margin ≤ 5 mm (aHR, 9.029; P = 0.016) were independently associated with LTP in ITT analysis. Conclusion: NT-RFA using TCW electrodes is a safe and effective treatment for recurrent HCC, with 6.0% (ITT analysis) and 1.3% (PP analysis) cumulative incidence of LTP at 2 and 3-year follow-ups.