Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet
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Comparative Study
A comparative study: right ventricular assessment in post-repaired tetralogy of Fallot patients by echocardiogram with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
Post-repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) patients require comprehensive evaluation of the right ventricular (RV) size and function. Currently, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is considered to be the gold standard for RV function assessment. Echocardiogram (ECHO) is the most useful non-invasive tool for RV assessment. However, correlations of ECHO and CMR findings for this particular group of patients require further evaluation. ⋯ ECHO is an effective tool for RV evaluation in post-repaired TOF with PR. FAC, TAPSE and severity of PR from ECHO correlated well with CMR parameters. Measurement of area RVEDi from ECHO is the best parameter to predict RVEDVi from CMR.
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To test the diagnostic properties of the original and a modified STOP-Bang, as well as testing the additional use of a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) of > or = 0.55 in screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Thai patients. ⋯ Both STOP-Bang and its modified version were highly sensitive measures for OSA screening in medical or dental clinics. However, the modified version might be more suitable for Thais and Asians, and the additional use of WHtR > or = 0.55 might be useful for reducing the unnecessary sleep investigation or management in those who were classified as high-risk patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of oral probiotics supplementation in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis among very low birth weight preterm infants.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most serious gastrointestinal problem in very low birth weight preterm infants. Multiple risk factors activate the inflammatory cascade leading to high expressions of pro-inflammatory mediators causing bowel injury in NEC. The anti-inflammatory effect of probiotics is due to the inhibition and reduction of inflammatory signal in intestinal epithelium. ⋯ In this study, there was no difference in incidence of NEC stage ≥ 2 between the two groups. No adverse effects of probiotics supplementation were observed.
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Retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas (RSTS) are rare malignant tumors with a distinguishing feature of slow growth in the silent retroperitoneal space. The patients usually present late with a large retroperitoneal mass surrounded by the major vascular structures and visceral organs rendering curative resection an extremely difficult and risky operation. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate surgical experience and results of treatment of RSTS at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Operative techniques of these complex surgical procedures were also described. ⋯ Acceptable outcomes after complete surgical resection of the RSTS were achieved from this small but important case-series. The authors have demonstrated that CGR with concomitant resection of the contiguous organs can be safely performed in patients with large RSTS. Preoperative CT scan was invaluable for diagnosis and treatment plan. Preoperative core needle biopsy was not necessary when preoperative CT scan was diagnostic. Intention for curative resection should be attempted whenever possible to minimize chance of local recurrence and improve survival. Experience of the surgical team is an important factor for successful results when conducting these technically demanding operations.
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Lactate and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have been found to be elevated in cardiopulmonary failure, sepsis, shock and hepatic injury. Severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) patients also develop shock and experience a certain degree of hepatic injury, implicating that serum lactate and LDH may be elevated in Dengue shock syndrome (DSS). ⋯ Serum lactate and LDH was found to be elevated in DHF and/or DSS patients. Lactate may be used as a predictor of DSS if the level is > 2 U/L on Day 0. LDH can be used to differentiate patients with or without dengue in the early febrile phase, if the level is > 500 IU. If the level of LDH is increased to approximately 1, 000 IU on Day 0, it may be a predictor of severe dengue infection or DHF and DSS with plasma leakage.