Sung Hea Kim

The serological and genetic basis of the cis-AB blood group in Korea

Background and Objectives  The cis‐AB blood group is rare, although relatively common amongst Koreans. The serological characteristics and genetic basis of Korean cis‐AB blood donors were investigated.

A novel Bvar allele (547 G>A) demonstrates differential expression depending on the co-inherited ABO allele

Background and Objectives  Genetic analysis of group B donors in Korea was performed.

A Fractured Sirolimus-Eluting Stent With a Coronary Aneurysm

A 55-year-old man had undergone successful percutaneous intervention with a sirolimus-eluting stent, placed in the right coronary artery (2.5 x 33 mm) and distal left circumflex artery (3.0 x 28 mm) without high pressure ballooning. Twelve months later he presented with unstable angina. Angiography revealed two fracture sites on the right coronary artery-deployed stent, with a large aneurysm and an aneurysmal dilatation of the left circumflex artery without stent fracture. Due to the potential risk of aneurysmal rupture, he underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and ligation of the aneurysm.

Early repolarization with horizontal ST segment may be associated with aborted sudden cardiac arrest: a retrospective case control study.

BackgroundRisk stratification of the early repolarization pattern (ERP) is needed to identify malignant early repolarization. J-point elevation with a horizontal ST segment was recently suggested as a malignant feature of the ERP. In this study, the prevalence of the ERP with a horizontal ST segment was examined among survivors of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) without structural heart disease to evaluate the value of ST-segment morphology in risk stratification of the ERP.MethodsWe reviewed the data of 83 survivors of SCA who were admitted from August 2005 to August 2010. Among them, 25 subjects without structural heart disease were included. The control group comprised 60 healthy subjects who visited our health promotion center; all control subjects were matched for age, sex, and underlying disease (diabetes mellitus, hypertension). Early repolarization was defined as an elevation of the J point of at least 0.1 mV above the baseline in at least two continuous inferior or lateral leads that manifested as QRS slurring or notching. An ST-segment pattern of <0.1 mV within 100 ms after the J point was defined as a horizontal ST segment.ResultsThe SCA group included 17 men (64%) with a mean age of 49.7 ± 14.5 years. The corrected QTc was not significantly different between the SCA and control groups (432.7 ± 37.96 vs. 420.4 ± 26.3, respectively; p = 0.089). The prevalence of ERP was not statistically different between the SCA and control groups (5/25, 20% vs. 4/60, 6.7%, respectively; p = 0.116). The prevalence of early repolarization with a horizontal ST segment was more frequent in the SCA than in the control group (20% vs. 3.3%, respectively; p = 0.021). Four SCA subjects (16%) and one control subject (1.7%) had a J-point elevation of >2 mm (p = 0.025). Four SCA subjects (16%) and one (1.7%) control subject had an ERP in the inferior lead (p = 0.025).ConclusionThe prevalence of ERP with a horizontal ST segment was higher in patients with aborted SCA than in matched controls. This result suggests that ST morphology has value in the recognition of malignant early repolarization.

A case of native valve endocarditis caused by Burkholderia cepacia without predisposing factors

BackgroundInfective endocarditis is rarely caused by Burkholderia cepacia. This infection is known to occur particularly in immunocompromised hosts, intravenous heroin users, and in patients with prosthetic valve replacement. Most patients with Burkholderia cepacia endocarditis usually need surgical treatment in addition to antimicrobial treatment.Case PresentationHere, we report the case of a patient who developed Burkholderia cepacia-induced native valve endocarditis with consequent cerebral involvement without any predisposing factors; she was successfully treated by antimicrobial agents only.ConclusionIn this report, we also present literature review of relevant cases.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Plaque as a Predictor for Ischemic Etiology in Patients With Severe Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction

Background and Objectives Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of heart failure associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). The prognosis of LVSD is significantly influenced by the etiology of heart failure and therefore, differentiation of significant CAD from other etiologies is important. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque are useful predictors for cardiovascular events, including stroke and CAD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of carotid IMT and plaque for the diagnosis of CAD in LVSD patients. Subjects and Methods Seventy-three (n= 73, 47 male, 67.6±12.4 years) patients hospitalized for heart failure with severe LVSD were retrospectively enrolled. The severity of CAD was analyzed by the Duke Jeopardy Score system, and carotid IMT and plaque were measured according to the Mannheim Carotid IMT Consensus. Results Significant CAD was found in 41 patients (56.1%, CAD group) on coronary angiography. Mean common carotid artery (CCA) IMT (0.74±0.05 mm vs. 1.04±0.04 mm, p<0.01) was significantly higher in the CAD group. Plaque in CCA (6.25% vs. 19.5%, p<0.01) and plaque in bulb (25.0% vs. 60.9%, p<0.001) were significantly higher in the CAD group. Mean CCA IMT {odds ratio (OR) 2.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.134-4.469, p<0.01} and plaque in bulb (OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.702-12.965, p<0.01) were significant predictors for the diagnosis of CAD according to multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusion In patients with severe LVSD, mean CCA IMT and bulb plaque can be useful additional predictors for the diagnosis of CAD.

The QT prolongation and clinical features in patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy: Experiences of two tertiary cardiovascular centers.

OBJECTIVE There are few data regarding clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings in takotsubo cardiomyopathy patients presenting with QT prolongation. Aim of this study was to investigate the differences in these parameters between takotsubo cardiomyopathy patients presenting with and those without QT prolongation. METHODS We performed an observational retrospective study. One hundred five patients were enrolled from the takotsubo cardiomyopathy registry database and divided according to the presence of QT prolongation. Fifty patients presented with QT prolongation (QT group) and 55 did not (NQT group). Statistical analysis was performed using Students t-test or Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test. RESULTS QT group had higher prevalence of dyspnea (66 versus 40%, p=0.008) and cardiogenic shock (46 versus 24%, p=0.016) than NQT group. QT group had higher prevalence of ST elevation (82 versus 64%, p=0.036), T wave inversion (96 versus 58%, p=0.001), ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (8 versus 0%, p=0.032) and classic ballooning pattern (92 versus 66%, p=0.003), but lower left ventricular ejection fraction (mean, 39.2 versus 43.5%, p=0.005). In addition, QT group had significant higher hs-C-reactive protein (median, 6.6 versus 1.7 mg/L, p=0.023), creatine kinase-MB (median, 18.6 versus 7.6 ng/mL, p=0.032) and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels (median, 3637 versus 2145 pg/mL, p=0.044). QT group required more frequent use of inotropics (46 versus 24%, p=0.016) and diuretics (58 versus 38%, p=0.042) than NQT group. CONCLUSION The clinical features of takotsubo cardiomyopathy are different according to the presence of QT prolongation. The QT group was lesser likely to have preserved cardiovascular reserve and more likely to require hemodynamic support than the NQT group despite the entire prognosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy is excellent regardless of QT prolongation.

Little impact of tsunami-stricken nuclear accident on awareness of radiation dose of cardiac computed tomography: a questionnaire study.

BackgroundWith the increased use of cardiac computed tomography (CT), radiation dose remains a major issue, although physicians are trying to reduce the substantial risks associated with use of this diagnostic tool. This study was performed to investigate recognition of the level of radiation exposure from cardiac CT and the differences in the level of awareness of radiation before and after the Fukushima nuclear plant accident.MethodsWe asked 30 physicians who were undergoing training in internal medicine to determine the equivalent doses of radiation for common radiological examinations when a normal chest X-ray is accepted as one unit; questions about the absolute radiation dose of cardiac CT data were also asked.ResultsAccording to the results, 86.6% of respondents believed the exposure to be 1 mSv at most, and 93.3% thought that the exposure was less than that of 100 chest X-rays. This finding indicates that their perceptions were far lower than the actual amounts. Even after the occurrence of such a large nuclear disaster in Fukushima, there were no significant differences in the same subjects’ overall awareness of radiation amounts.ConclusionsEven after such a major social issue as the Fukushima nuclear accident, the level of awareness of the accurate radiation amount used in 64-channel multidetector CT (MDCT) by clinical physicians who order this test was not satisfactory. Thus, there is a need for the development of effective continuing education programs to improve awareness of radiation from ionizing radiation devices, including cardiac CT, and emphasis on risk-benefit evaluation based on accurate knowledge during medical training.

Slow Coronary Flow is Related to Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness but Not Pulse Wave Velocity

Background and Objectives Slow coronary flow (SCF) is characterized by delayed contrast dye opacification without significant stenosis of epicardial coronary arteries. However, the pathophysiology and clinical implications of SCF are not fully understood. Some reports have suggested that SCF might be caused by atherosclerosis in the coronary artery microvasculature. Measuring carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV), which are non-invasive and simple diagnostic tools, was developed to detect subclinical atherosclerosis. Thus, we determined IMT and PWV, and their possible relationship in a SCF group and a normal coronary flow (NCF) group of patients. Subjects and Methods We included 101 patients who complained of chest pain but had a normal coronary angiogram. Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction frame count (TIMI frame count, TFC) was evaluated in the left and right coronary arteries. We defined SCF as a TFC of more than 25. Carotid IMT was measured by ultrasonography in both common carotid arteries. PWV was calculated from pulse transit time between the brachial and ankle arteries. Results Fifteen patients were included in the SCF group and 86 patients in the NCF group. Male patients (n=11, 73.3%) were significantly more common in the SCF group than in the NCF group (n=37, 43.0%, p<0.05). The TFC of the SCF and NCF groups were 28.8±3.5 and 15.7±4.5, respectively. The carotid IMT in the SCF group increased significantly compared to that in the NCF group (1.2±0.3 mm vs. 0.8±0.1 mm, p<0.01). However, no significant difference in PWV was observed between the two groups. Conclusion SCF may reflect early atherosclerotic changes in the coronary artery microvasculature.

Diagnostic value of the corrected QT difference between leads V1 and V6 in patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism

Abstract In acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), right ventricular pressure overload impairs right-sided cardiac conduction and repolarization. We hypothesized that if heterogeneity of repolarization between right and left ventricles occurs in acute PTE, there would be the difference of repolarization between them. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of corrected QT interval (QTc) difference between leads V1 and V6 (V1 − V6) in patients with acute PTE. A total of 89 patients with suspected acute PTE who underwent computed tomographic angiography (CTA) were enrolled from January to December 2015. PTE was identified by CTA. We compared electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters, especially QTc difference (V1 − V6) between patients with PTE and those without PTE. Acute PTE was finally diagnosed in 45 patients. Clinical situations including the chief complaint were not different between PTE and non-PTE groups. S1Q3T3, a traditional ECG marker, had no diagnostic value for acute PTE. Patients with PTE had a significantly longer mean QTc in V1 (454.6 ± 44.3 vs 417.5 ± 31.3 ms, P < .001) and larger QTc difference (V1 − V6) (34.8 ± 30.5 vs –12.5 ± 16.6 ms, P < .001) than non-PTE controls. QTc difference (V1 − V6) was negative in all patients without PTE. PTE patients had a higher prevalence of T wave inversion in leads III (51.1% vs 29.5%, P = .038) and V1 (82.2% vs 38.6%, P < .001). A QTc difference (V1 − V6) of ≥20 ms identified PTE with 82.2% sensitivity, 100.0% specificity, and 100.0% positive predictive value. QTc difference (V1 − V6) had an excellent diagnostic value for differentiating patients with and without acute PTE.