• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.775-785
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• 1999

Background : Though surgery plays an important role in the management of patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, there is little information regarding the timing of resection. We tried to find out the ideal timing of operation. Method: A retrospective review was performed in 69 patients underwent pulmonary resection for pulmonary tuberculosis between January 1993 and December 1997. They were categorized into various groups according to the length of preoperative specific drug therapy. The rates of treatment failure, realpse and complication in each group were compared statistically by $x^2$-test. Results: Eighty one point two percent were men and 18.8 % women with a median age of 33 years(range, 16 to 63 years). The mean number of resistant drugs was 3.l(range, 0 to 9). Patients were treated preoperatively with multidrug regimens, which mean number of preoperative specific drugs was 4.6, in an effort to reduce the mycobacterial burden with the mean length of preoperative drug therapy, 5.0 months. Postoperative treatment was conducted for a mean period of 13.0 months with a mean number of postoperative specific drugs, 4.4. Postoperative treatment failures were confirmed in 8 among 69 patients(11.6%). 2 of these 8 patients were showed up in the preoperative 3 to 4 months medication group and each of the rest was occurred in the preoperative 2 to 3, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, 12 to 13, 17 to 18 months, less than one month medication group, respectively. 59 of 69 patients were available for evaluation of the relapse rate with the mean duration of the postoperative follow-up, 19.8 months. In 4 patients bacterial relapse was confirmed(6.8%). Each of these 4 was in the preoperative 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 5 to 6 months medication group. Categorized into various groups according to the length of preoperative specific therapy, there were no statistical significances of the treatment failure rate, relapse rate and complication rate in the groups. There were seven treatment failures of 28 who were AFB culture positive until the time of operation(25%, p<0.01). Categorized the preoperative AFB culture positive group into various groups according to the length of preoperative drug therapy, there were no statistical significances, either. Conclusion: We believe that operation plays an important ancillary role in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Our results indicate that the timing of resection according to the length of preoperative drug therapy may not cause trouble.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.562-569
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• 2005

Background : The severity scoring system is useful for predicting the outcome of critically ill patients. However, the system is quite complicated and cost-ineffective. Simple serologic markers have been proposed to predict the outcome, which include troponin-I, lactate and C-reactive protein(CRP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic values of troponin-I, lactate and CRP in critically ill non-cardiac patients. Methods : From September 2003 to June 2004, 139 patients(Age: $63.3{\pm}14.7$, M:F = 88:51), who were admitted to the MICU with non-cardiac critical illness at Gyeongsang National University Hospital, were enrolled in this study. This study evaluated the severity of the illness and the multi-organ failure score (Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health EvaluationII, Simplified Acute Physiologic ScoreII and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) and measured the troponin-I, lactate and CRP within 24 hours after admission in the MICU. Each value in the survivors and non-survivors was compared at the 10th and 30th day after ICU admission. The mortality rate was compared at 10th and 30th day in normal and abnormal group. In addition, the correlations between each value and the severity score were assessed. Results : There were significantly higher troponin-I and CRP levels, not lactate, in the non-survivors than in the survivors at 10th day($1.018{\pm}2.58ng/ml$, $98.48{\pm}69.24mg/L$ vs. $4.208{\pm}10.23ng/ml$, $137.69{\pm}70.18mg/L$) (p<0.05). There were significantly higher troponin-I, lactate and CRP levels in the non-survivors than in the survivors on the 30th day ($0.99{\pm}2.66ng/ml$, $8.02{\pm}9.54ng/dl$, $96.87{\pm}68.83mg/L$ vs. $3.36{\pm}8.74ng/ml$, $15.42{\pm}20.57ng/dl$, $131.28{\pm}71.23mg/L$) (p<0.05). The mortality rate was significantly higher in the abnormal group of troponin-I, lactate and CRP than in the normal group of troponin-I, lactate and CRP at 10th day(28.1%, 31.6%, 18.9% vs. 11.0%, 15.8 %, 0%) and 30th day(38.6%, 47.4%, 25.8% vs. 15.9%, 21.7%, 14.3%) (p<0.05). Troponin-I and lactate were significantly correlated with the SAPS II score($r^2=0.254$, 0.365, p<0.05). Conclusion : Measuring the troponin-I, lactate and CRP levels upon admission may be useful for predicting the outcome of critically ill non-cardiac patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.766-772
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• 2000

Background : Pressure rise time (PRT) is the time in which the ventilator aclieves the set airway pressure in pressure-targeted modes, such as pressure control ventilation (PCV). With varying PRT, in principle, the peak inspiratory flow rate of the ventilator also varies. And if PRT is set to a shorter duration, the effective duration of target pressure level would be prolonged, which in turn would increase inspiratory tidal volume(Vti) and mean airway pressure (Pmean). We also postulated that the increase in Vti with shortening of PRT may relate inversely to the patients' basal airway resistance. Methods : In 13 paralyzed patients on PCV (pressure control 18$\pm$9.5 cm $H_2O$ $FIO_2\;0.6\pm0.3$, PEEP 5$\pm$3 cm $H_2O$, f 20/min, I : E1 : 2) with Servo 300 (Siemens-Elema, Solna, Sweden) from various causes of respiratory failure, PRT of 10 %, 5 % and 0 % were randomly applied. At 30 min of each PRT trial, peak inspiratory flow (PIF, L/sec), Vti (ml), Pmean (cm $H_2O$) and ABGA were determined. Results : At PRT 10%, 5%, and 0%, PIF were 0.69$\pm$0.13, 0.77$\pm$0.19, 0.83$\pm$0.22, respectively (p<0.001). Vti were 425$\pm$94, 439$\pm$101, 456$\pm$106, respectively (p<0.001), and Pmean were 11.2$\pm$3.7, 12.0$\pm$3.7, 12.5$\pm$3.8, respectively (p<0.001). pH were 7.40$\pm$0.08, 7.40$\pm$0.92, 7.41$\pm$0.96, respectively (p=0.00) ; $PaCO_2$ (mm Hg) were 47.4$\pm$15.8, 47.2 $\pm$15.7, 44.6$\pm$16.2, respectively (p=0.004) ; $PAO_2-PaO_2$ (mm Hg) were 220$\pm$98, 224$\pm$95, 227$\pm$94, respectively (p=0.004) ; and $V_n/V_T$ as determined by ($PaCO_2-P_E-CO_2$)/$PaCO_2$ were 0.67$\pm$0.07, 0.67$\pm$0.08, 0.66$\pm$0.08, respectively (p=0.007). The correlation between airway resistance and change of Vti from PRT 10% to 0% were r= -0.243 (p=0.498). Conclusion : Shortening of pressure rise timee during PCV was associated with increased tidal volume, increased mean airway pressure and lower $PaCO_2$.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.522-529
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• 2005

Background : Several national societies have published guidelines for empirical antimicrobial therapy in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP). This study investigated the etiologies of SCAP in the Asan Medical Center and assessed the relationship between the initial empirical antimicrobial regimen and 30 day mortality rate. Method : retrospective analysis was performed on patients with SCAP admitted to the ICU between March 2002 and February 2004 in the Asan Medical Center. The basic demographic data, bacteriologic study results and initial antimicrobial regimen were examined for all patients. The clinical outcomes including the ICU length of stay, the ICU mortality rate, and 30 days mortality rates were assessed by the initial antimicrobial regimen. Results : One hundred sixteen consecutive patients were admitted to the ICU (mean age 66.5 years, 81.9 % male, 30 days mortality 28.4 %). The microbiologic diagnosis was established in 58 patients (50 %). The most common pathogens were S. pneumoniae (n=12), P. aeruginosae (n=9), K. pneumonia (n=9) and S. aureus (n=8). The initial empirical antimicrobial regimens were classified as: ${\beta}$-lactam plus macrolide; ${\beta}$-lactam plus fluoroquinolone; anti-Pseudomonal ${\beta}$-lactam plus fluoroquinolone; Aminoglycoside combination regimen; ${\beta}$-lactam plus clindamycin; and ${\beta}$-lactam alone. There were no statistical significant differences in the 30-day mortality rate according to the initial antimicrobial regimen (p = 0.682). Multivariate analysis revealed that acute renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome and K. pneumonae were independent risk factors related to the 30 day mortality rate. Conclusion : S. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosae, K. pneumonia and S. aureus were the most common causative pathogens in patients with SCAP and K. pneumoniae was an independent risk factor for 30 day mortality. The initial antimicrobial regimen was not associated with the 30-day mortality.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2003

Background : A bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) is useful in diagnosing the etiology of bilateral pulmonary infiltrations, but may worsen the oxygenation and clinical status in severely hypoxemic patients. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of the continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) using a conventional mechanical ventilator via a face mask as a tool for maintaining the oxygenation level during BAL. Methods : Seven consecutive patients with the bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and severe hypoxemia ($PaO_2/FIO_2$ ratio ${\leq}200$ on oxygen 10 L/min via mask with reservoir bag) were enrolled. The CPAP 5-6 $cmH_2O(F_IO_2\;1.0)$ was delivered through an inflatable face mask using a conventional mechanical ventilator. The CPAP began 10 min before starting the BAL and continued for 30 min after the procedure was completed. A bronchoscope was passed through a T-adapter and advanced through the mouth. BAL was performed using the conventional method. The vital signs, pulse oxymetry values, and arterial blood gases were monitored during the study. Results : (1) Median age was 56 years(male:female=4:3). (2) The baseline $PaO_2$ was $78{\pm}16mmHg$, which increased significantly to $269{\pm}116mmHg$(p=0.018) with CPAP. After the BAL, the $PaO_2$ did not decrease significantly but returned to the baseline level after the CPAP was discontinued. The $SpO_2$ showed a similar trend with the $PaO_2$ and did not decrease to below 90 % during the duration of the study. (3) The $PaCO_2$ increased and the pH decreased significantly after the BAL but returned to the baseline level within 30 min after the BAL. (5) No complications directly related to the BAL procedure were encountered. However, intubation was necessary in 3 patients(43 %) due to the progression of the underlying diseases. Conclusion : In severe hypoxemic patients, CPAP using a face mask and conventional mechanical ventilator during a BAL might allow minimal alterations in oxygenation and prevent subsequent respiratory failure.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.871-877
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• 1995

Background: The index which could predict the prognosis of critically ill patients is needed to find out high risk patients and to individualize their treatment. The APACHE III scoring system was established in 1991, but there has been only a few studies concerning its prognostic value. We wanted to know whether the APACHE III scores have prognostic value in discriminating survivors from nonsurvivors in sepsis. Methods: In 48 patients meeting the Bones criteria for sepsis, we retrospectively surveyed the day 1(D1), day 2(D2) and day 3(D3) scores of patients who were admitted to intensive care unit. The scores of the sepsis survivors and nonsurvivors were compared in respect to the D1 score, and also in respect to the changes of the updated D2 and D3 scores. Results: 1) Of the 48 sepsis patients, 21(43.5%) survived and 27(56.5%) died. The nonsurvivors were older($62.7{\pm}12.6$ vs $51.1{\pm}18.1$ yrs), presented with lower mean arterial pressure($56.9{\pm}26.2$ vs $67.7{\pm}14.2\;mmHg$) and showed greater number of multisystem organ failure($1.2{\pm}0.8$ vs $0.2{\pm}0.4$) than the survivors(p<0.05, respectively). There were no significant differences in sex and initial body temperature between the two groups. 2) The D1 score was lower in the survivors (n=21) than in the nonsurvivors ($44.1{\pm}14.6$, $78.5{\pm}18.6$, p=0.0001). The D2 and D3 scores significantly decreased in the survivors (D1 vs D2, $44.1{\pm}14.6$ : $37.9{\pm}15.0$, p=0.035; D2 vs D3, $37.9{\pm}15.0$ : $30.1{\pm}9.3$, p=0.0001) but showed a tendency to increase in the nonsurvivors (D1 vs D2 (n=21), $78.5{\pm}18.6$ : $81.3{\pm}23.0$, p=0.1337; D2 vs D3 (n=11), $68.2{\pm}19.3$ : $75.3{\pm}18.8$, p=0.0078). 3) The D1 scores of 12 survivors and 6 nonsurvivors were in the same range of 42~67 (mean D1 score, $53.8{\pm}10.0$ in the survivors, $55.3{\pm}10.3$ in the nonsurvivors). The age, sex, initial body temperature, and mean arterial pressure were not different between the two groups. In this group, however, D2 and D3 was significantly decreased in the survivors(D1 vs D2, $53.3{\pm}10.0$ : $43.6{\pm}16.4$, p=0.0278; D2 vs D3, $43.6{\pm}16.4$ : $31.2{\pm}10.3$, p=0.0005), but showed a tendency to increase in the nonsurvivors(D1 vs D2 (n=6), $55.3{\pm}10.3:66.7{\pm}13.9$, p=0.1562; D2 vs D3 (n=4), $64.0{\pm}16.4:74.3{\pm}18.6$, p=0.1250). Among the individual items of the first day APACHE III score, only the score of respiratory rate was capable of discriminating the nonsurvivors from the survivors ($5.5{\pm}2.9$ vs $1.9{\pm}3.7$, p=0.046) in this group. Conclusion: In sepsis, nonsurvivors had higher first day APACHE III score and their updated scores on the following days failed to decline but showed a tendency to increase. Survivors, on the other hand, had lower first day score and showed decline in the updated APACHE scores. These results suggest that the first day and daily updated APACHE III scores are useful in predicting the outcome and assessing the response to management in patients with sepsis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.975-991
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• 1997

Background : Many patients with isoniazid and rifampin-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis have organisms that are also resistant to other first-line drugs. Despite of aggressive retreatment chemotherapy, the results are often unsuccessful, with a failure rate approaching 40%. Recently, there has been a revival of resectional surgery for the treatment of multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods : A retrospective analyses of the case records and radiographic findings were done. Between January 1991 and December 1995, 14 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative patients with multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis were selected for resection to supplement chemotherapy. All patients had organisms resistant to many of the first-line drugs, including both isoniazid and rifampin. Results : Despite of aggressive therapy for median duration of 9.5 months, 12 of the 14 patients (86%) were still sputum smear and/or culture positive at the time of surgery. The disease was generally extensive. Although main lesions of the disease including thick-walled cavities were localized in one lung, lesser amounts of contralateral disease were demonstrated in 10 of 14 (71%). Types of surgery performed were pneumonectomy including extrapleural pneumonectomy in six patients, lobectomy or lobectomy plus in six patients, and segmentectomy in two patients. The resected lung appeared to have poor function ; preoperative perfusion lung scan showed only 4.8% of the total perfusion to the resected portion of the lung. There were no operative deaths. Two patients had major postoperative complications including empyema with bronchopleural fistula and prolonged air leak, respectively. Of the 14 patients, 13 (93%) remained sputum-culture-negative for M. tuberculosis for a median duration of 23 months and one remained continuously sputum smear and culture positive for M. tuberculosis. Conclusion : On the basis of comparison with historical controls, adjunctive resectional surgery appears to play a significant beneficial role in the management of patients with multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis if the disease is localized and there are adequate reserve in pulmonary function.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.411-418
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• 2004

Background : Cigarette smoking is the single biggest avoidable cause of death and disability in most countries. Effective prevention of cigarette Smoking and help for those wishing to quit can therefore yield enormous health benefits for populations and individuals. Although most of smokers try to stop smoking for themselves, the success rate of quitting smoking is very low. Promoting and supporting smoking cessation should be an important health policy priority for healthcare professionals in all clinical settings. In this study, we tried to evaluate the effect of the educational program for smoking cessation of our hospital, the smoking pattern, and characteristics of adult smokers enrolled in the program. Methods : We enrolled 640 smokers, who has visited the '5 day stop smoking school' for smoking cessation from Jan 1998 to 2001. we evaluated the characteristics of the smokers based on the self report questionnaire at the beginning of the program and we also checked 100 smokers, enrolled in Inpatient Smoking Cessation Educational program, their smoking behavior and the cessation rate with postal questionnaire after finishing this program from Nov 2002 to Jan 2003. Results : The health was most common motivation for smoking cessation. The stress was the most important motivation of smoking. The overall smoking cessation rate of the smokers enrolled in inpatient smoking cessation school was 60%. The age of starting smoking and the kind of occupation have a significant difference between the success group and failure group of smoking cessation. Conclusion : The inpatient smoking cessation program was effective smoking cessation intervention in the adult smokers who enrolled in '5 day stop smoking school'.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.366-373
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• 2006

Background: Paraquat is extremely toxic chemical material, which generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing multiple organ failure. In particular, paraquat leads to irreversible progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Exaggerated cell deaths exceeding the normal repair of type II pneumocytes leads to mesenchymal cells proliferation and fibrosis. This study examined the followings; i) whether or not paraquat induces cell death in lung epithelial cells; ii) whether or not paraquat-induced cell deaths are apoptosis or necrosis; and iii) the effects of N-acetylcysteine, dexamethasone, and bcl-2 on paraquat-induced cell deaths. Methods: A549 and BEAS-2B lung epithelial cell lines were used. The cell viability and apoptosis were evalluated using a MTT assay, Annexin V staining was monitored by fluorescence microscopy, The level of bcl-2 inhibition was examined by establishing stable A549 pcDNA3-bcl-2 cell lines throung the transfection of pcDNA3-bcl-2 with the mock. Results: Paraquat decreased the cell viability in A549 and BEAS-2B cells in a dose and time dependent manner. The Annexin V assay showed that apoptosis was the type of paraquat-induced cell death. Paraquat-induced cell deaths was significantly inhibited by N-acetylcysteine, dexamethasone, and bcl-2 overexpression. The cell viability of A549 cells treated with N-acetylcysteine, and dexamethasone on the paraquat-induced cell deaths were increased significantly by 10 ~ 20%, particularly at high doses. In addition, the cell viability of A549 pcDNA3-bcl-2 cells overexpressing bcl-2 was significantly higher than the untransfected A549 cells. Conclusion: Paraquat induces apoptotic cell deaths in lung epithelial cells in a dose and time dependent manner. The paraquat-induced apoptosis of lung epithelial cells might occur through the mitochondrial pathway.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.713-721
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics of severe meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) which required mechanical ventilation over 48 h and to delineate the progress of respiratory failure and radiographic findings in severe MAS. Methods : Twelve infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital diagnosed with severe MAS from January 2004 to July 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Results : The presence of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is the only independently significant risk factor for a longer hospital stay and longer duration of mechanical ventilation. Surfactant replacement therapy (SRT) was not randomized but only performed in infants with radiographic findings for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In the presence of radiographic findings for RDS, the duration of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation was significantly longer. PPHN developed in 8 infants (75%). The PPHN group had a significantly longer duration of mechanical ventilation. All infants who received SRT showed radiographic improvement within 12 h, but there was no significant change in the severity score during the same period. Infants without the PPHN complications showed significant decrease in the severity score within 12 h after SRT, whereas infants with PPHN complications did not. Conclusion : The clinical course of severe MAS differed significantly depending on the development of PPHN. SRT conferred radiographic improvement in infants who showed radiographic findings for RDS, but did not influence the clinical course of MAS significantly.