Journal of Korean medical science
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffect of cryoanalgesia combined with intravenous continuous analgesia in thoracotomy patients.
Fifty patients undergoing thoracotomy was studied to compare the effects of cryoanalgesia combined with intravenous continuous analgesia (IVCA). Patients were randomized into two groups: IVCA group and IVCA-cryo group. Subjective pain intensity was assessed on a visual analogue scale at rest (VAS-R) and during movement (VAS-M). ⋯ However, a significant increase in FVC and FEV1 was observed on the 7th POD in IVCAcryo group. The incidence of the post-thoracotomy pain at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months postoperatively was 68, 60, and 44% in IVCA group, and 88, 68, and 28% in IVCAcryo group, respectively. Our study showed that cryoanalgesia combined with IVCA effectively restore respiratory function on 7th POD, but that it was not effective at reducing the incidence of post-thoracotomy pain.
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2004
Case ReportsHemolytic anemia as a sequela of arsenic intoxication following long-term ingestion of traditional Chinese medicine.
We report on a 51-yr-old woman who developed intravascular hemolytic anemia caused by arsenic after long-term ingestion of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Twelve years before the admission, she was diagnosed as neurocysticercosis. ⋯ The urine arsenic level was elevated suggesting the arsenic intoxication as a cause of the anemia. She was treated successfully with therapeutic red cell exchange without any sequelae.
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2004
Effects of propofol on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rabbit.
This study was undertaken to clarify the effects of propofol on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury. Rabbits were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Each group received intravenous infusion of saline only, saline and Escherichia coli endotoxin, propofol (1 mg/kg bolus, then 5 mg/kg/hr) and endotoxin, or propofol (4 mg/kg bolus, then 20 mg/kg/hr) and endotoxin respectively. ⋯ And it increased W/D ratio of lung, lung injury score and leukocyte count, percentage of PMN cells, concentration of albumin, thromboxane B2 and IL-8 in BALF. Propofol attenuated all these changes except the leukocyte count in peripheral blood. In conclusion, propofol attenuated endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rabbits mainly by inhibiting neutrophil and IL-8 responses, which may play a central role in sepsis-related lung injury.
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2004
Relationships between high-resolution computed tomography, lung function and bacteriology in stable bronchiectasis.
To determine the relationship between high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings, lung function, and bacteriology in bronchiectasis, we conducted a retrospective study of 49 Korean patients with stable bronchiectasis. To quantify the extent and severity of bronchiectasis, we used a CT scoring system consisting of bronchial dilatation, bronchial wall thickening, the number of bronchiectatic segments, the number of bulla, and the number of emphysema segments. The presence of air-fluid levels and lung consolidation were also evaluated. ⋯ Twenty-one patients of 49 patients showed a positive sputum culture including 15 cases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The CT score was the most important predictor of lung function. The presence of air-fluid levels predicted bacterial colonization.
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2004
Increasing prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, expanded-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, and imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Korea: KONSAR study in 2001.
The 5th year KONSAR surveillance in 2001 was based on routine test data at 30 participating hospitals. It was of particular interest to find a trend in the resistances of enterococci to vancomycin, of Enterobacteriaceae to the 3rd generation cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone, and of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and acinetobacters to carbapenem. Resistance rates of Gram-positive cocci were: 70% of Staphylococcus aureus to oxacillin; 88% and 16% of Enterococcus faecium to ampicillin and vancomycin, respectively. ⋯ Thirty-five percent of non-typhoidal salmonellae were ampicillin resistant, and 66% of Haemophilus influenzae were beta-lactamase producers. Notable changes over the 1997-2001 period were: increases in vancomycin-resistant E. faecium, and amikacin- and fluoroquinolone-resistant acinetobacters. With the increasing prevalence of resistant bacteria, nationwide surveillance has become more important for optimal patient management, for the control of nosocomial infection, and for the conservation of the newer antimicrobial agents.