The predictability of arch expansion with the Invisalign First system in children with mixed dentition: a retrospective study.

This study aimed to quantify the predictability of arch expansion in children with early mixed dentition treated with the Invisalign First® system and evaluate the clinical factors for the predictability of arch expansion. Pretreatment, predicted and posttreatment digital models from Invisalign's ClinCheck® software were obtained for 90 children with mean (standard deviation) age of 8.42 (0.93) who planned arch expansion. Arch width measurements were collected using Invisalign's arch width table. The predictability of expansion was calculated by comparing the amount of expansion achieved with the predicted expansion. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate clinical factors associated with predictability of expansion. The predictability of the expansion of the maxillary teeth was as follows: 71.1% primary canines (n = 55), 67.5% first primary molars (n = 46), 65.2% second primary molars (n = 79), and 53.4% first permanent molars (n = 90); the predictability of the expansion of the mandibular teeth was 81.1% primary canines (n = 31), 81.2% first primary molars (n = 51), 77.8% second primary molars (n = 80), and 69.4% first permanent molars (n = 90). The predictability of arch expansion was significantly higher in the mandibular arch compared to the maxillary arch and significantly lower in the permanent first molar than in the other primary teeth. Predictability decreased significantly as the amount of predicted expansion per aligner increased in the upper and lower permanent first molars, primary second molars, and upper primary canines. Predictability significantly increased when buccal or palatal attachments were placed on the bilateral side compared to cases without attachment at the upper permanent first and primary second molars. The predictability of arch expansion using the Invisalign First® system varies according to arch and tooth type. The amount of predicted expansion per aligner and the number of attachments to the maxillary teeth are potential clinical factors that can affect the predictability of expansion.

Decompression Illness in Divers With or Without Patent Foramen Ovale : A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: In previous studies, the prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been reported to be higher in scuba divers who experienced decompression illness (DCI) than in those who did not. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between PFO and DCI in scuba divers. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary cardiac center in South Korea. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred experienced divers from 13 diving organizations who did more than 50 dives per year. MEASUREMENTS: Participants had transesophageal echocardiography with a saline bubble test to determine the presence of a PFO and were subsequently divided into high- and low-risk groups. They were followed using a self-reported questionnaire while blinded to their PFO status. All of the reported symptoms were adjudicated in a blinded manner. The primary end point of this study was PFO-related DCI. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine the odds ratio of PFO-related DCI. RESULTS: Patent foramen ovale was seen in 68 divers (37 at high risk and 31 at low risk). Patent foramen ovale-related DCI occurred in 12 divers in the PFO group (non-PFO vs. high-risk PFO vs. low-risk PFO: 0 vs. 8.4 vs. 2.0 incidences per 10 000 person-dives; P = 0.001) during a mean follow-up of 28.7 months. Multivariable analysis showed that high-risk PFO was independently associated with an increased risk for PFO-related DCI (odds ratio, 9.34 [95% CI, 1.95 to 44.88]). LIMITATION: The sample size was insufficient to assess the association between low-risk PFO and DCI. CONCLUSION: High-risk PFO was associated with an increased risk for DCI in scuba divers. This finding indicates that divers with high-risk PFO are more susceptible to DCI than what has been previously reported and should consider either refraining from diving or adhering to a conservative diving protocol. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Sejong Medical Research Institute.

Three-Dimensional Myocardial Strain for the Prediction of Clinical Events in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Two-dimensional (2D) strain provides more predictive power than ejection fraction (EF) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). 3D strain and EF are also expected to have better clinical usefulness and overcome several inherent limitations of 2D strain. We aimed to clarify the prognostic significance of 3D strain analysis in patients with STEMI. METHODS: Patients who underwent successful revascularization for STEMI were retrospectively recruited. In addition to conventional parameters, 3D EF, global longitudinal strain (GLS), global area strain (GAS), as well as 2D GLS were obtained. We constructed a composite outcome consisting of all-cause death or re-hospitalization for acute heart failure or ventricular arrhythmia. RESULTS: Of 632 STEMI patients, 545 patients (86.2%) had a reliable 3D strain analysis. During median follow-up of 49.5 months, 55 (10.1%) patients experienced the adverse outcome. Left ventricle EF, 2D GLS, 3D EF, 3D GLS, and 3D GAS were significantly associated with poor outcomes. (all, p < 0.001) The maximum likelihood-ratio test was performed to evaluate the additional prognostic value of 2D GLS or 3D GLS over the prognostic model consisting of clinical characteristics and EF, and the likelihood ratio was 15.9 for 2D GLS (p < 0.001) and 1.49 for 3D GLS (p = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: The predictive power of 3D strain was slightly lower than the 2D strain. Although we can obtain 3D strains, volume, and EF simultaneously in same cycle, the clinical implications of 3D strains in STEMI need to be investigated further.

Efficacy and Safety of 3 Versus 6 Months of Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Implanted With a Coroflex ISAR Stents: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The optimal duration of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after implantation of a drug-eluting stent (DES), especially recently developed polymer-free DESs, is unknown. This study examined the efficacy and safety of 3- versus 6-month DAPT in patients implanted with Coroflex ISAR polymer-free DESs. METHODS: Between May 2015 and August 2020, 488 patients who underwent Coroflex ISAR stent implantation were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to the 3-month (n=244) or 6-month (n=244) DAPT group. RESULTS: At 1 year, the primary endpoint (composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] type 2-5 bleeding) occurred in 9 (3.7%) patients in the 3-month DAPT group and in 7 (2.9%) patients in the 6-month DAPT group (hazard ratio 1.31; P=.60). There was no difference between the 3- and 6-month DAPT groups in either BARC type 2-5 bleeding (1.6% vs 0.8%; hazard ratio 2.00; P=.42) or any bleeding (2.9% vs 3.3%; hazard ratio 0.87; P=.80). CONCLUSION: Compared with 6 months of DAPT, 3 months of DAPT did not increase the risk of primary endpoint 1 year after Coroflex ISAR stent implantation, although it should be noted that the trial has limited power to see differences due to low event rate and low recruitment rate.

Assessment of dental caries lesion activity status using quantitative parameters obtained from the quantitative light-induced fluorescence method and difference of microbial distribution in primary molars.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess differences in quantitative measures obtained from the quantitative light-induced fluorescence method and microbial composition of carious dentin and saliva according to the activity status of caries lesions in primary molars. METHODS: A total of 34 teeth from 34 children were evaluated in this study. The activity status of carious lesions was classified using the International Caries Classification and Management System criteria (active or inactive). Images of the carious lesions were captured using a quantitative light-induced fluorescence device for quantitative analyses. Carious dentin and saliva were collected to detect and quantify selected bacterial species (S. mutans, S. sobrinus, Lactobacillus species, F. nucleatum, P. nigrescence, P. intermedia) and C. albicans by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to evaluate differences in quantitative measures from quantitative light-induced fluorescence, the microbial composition of carious dentin, and saliva according to the activity status of carious lesions. RESULTS: Red fluorescence values (∆R, ∆Rmax) from the quantitative light-induced fluorescence method were significantly higher in active lesions (∆R, p = 0.009; ∆Rmax, p = 0.014). The quantitative mean levels of Lactobacillus species (p = 0.010) in carious dentin and S. sobrinus (p = 0.017) in saliva were significantly higher in the active-lesion group. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative measures related to red fluorescence from the quantitative light-induced fluorescence method, levels of Lactobacillus species from carious dentin, and levels of S. sobrinus from saliva were associated with caries lesion activity.

Prognostic factors for the survival of primary molars following pulpotomy with mineral trioxide aggregate: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate potential factors influencing the success rates of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomy performed in primary molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 347 teeth treated between March 2012 and December 2016 in 258 patients, with a mean age of 5.3 ± 1.7 years, were included in the analysis. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to analyze were used time to failure. Multivariate Cox regression analysis with shared frailty was used to evaluate the clinical factors associated with failures. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) follow-up period was 35.8 (19.6) months. Within 84 months, the survival rate was 87.1%. In multivariate Cox regression, treatment performed in lower primary molars had a lower survival rate than upper primary molars (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.38, P = 0.012). Caries extension below the cemento-enamel junction had more risk of failure (HR = 10.9, P < 0.001). Final restoration using resin-modified glass ionomer or amalgam (direct filling) had a lower survival rate than stainless steel crown (HR = 5.62, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical variables such as arch type, degree of caries extension, and type of final restoration may affect the survival of primary molars following MTA pulpotomy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study indicate that specific clinical variables can be used to predict the prognosis of MTA pulpotomy in primary teeth, and estimate the risk of treatment failure. Assessments of these variables should be performed in the context of evidence-based clinical decision making.

Association Between Low Muscle Mass and Prognosis of Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background Low muscle mass has been associated with poor prognosis in certain chronic diseases, but its clinical significance in patients with coronary artery disease is unclear. We assessed the clinical significance of 2 easily measured surrogate markers of low muscle mass: the ratio of serum creatinine to serum cystatin C (Scr/Scys), and the ratio of estimated glomerular filtration rate by Scys to Scr (eGFRcys/eGFRcr). Methods and Results Patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were prospectively enrolled from a single tertiary center, and Scr and Scys levels were simultaneously measured at admission. Best cut-off values for Scr/Scys and eGFRcys/eGFRcr to discriminate 3-year mortality were determined; 1.0 for men and 0.8 for women in Scr/Scys, and 1.1 for men and 1.0 for women in eGFRcys/eGFRcr. The prognostic values on 3-year mortality and the additive values of 2 markers on the predictive model were compared. In 1928 patients enrolled (mean age 65.2±9.9 years, 70.8% men), the risk of 3-year mortality increased proportionally according to the decrease of the surrogate markers. Both Scr/Scys- and eGFRcys/eGFRcr-based low muscle mass groups showed significantly higher risk of death, after adjusting for possible confounders. They also increased predictive power of the mortality prediction model. Low Scr/Scys values were associated with high mortality rate in patients who were ≥65 years, nonobese, male, had renal dysfunction at baseline, and presented with acute myocardial infarction. Conclusions Serum surrogate markers of muscle mass, Scr/Scys, and eGFRcys/eGFRcr may have clinical significance for detecting patients with coronary artery disease at high risk for long-term mortality.

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Duration Determines Outcome After 2- But Not 1-Stent Strategy in Left Main Bifurcation Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes after left main coronary artery (LM) bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the impact of the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) according to treatment strategy. BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the optimal PCI strategy for LM bifurcation lesions with new-generation drug-eluting stents. METHODS: A patient-level pooled analysis of 5 nationwide multicenter registries was performed. Rates of target lesion failure, thrombotic adverse cardiovascular events, and their individual components at 3-year were analyzed. Subgroup analysis according to DAPT duration was performed. RESULTS: From 13,172 patients undergoing PCI with new-generation drug-eluting stents, a total of 700 patients were treated for LM bifurcation lesions, 567 with a 1-stent strategy and 133 with a 2-stent strategy. Rates of target lesion failure and target lesion revascularization were higher in the 2-stent group, driven mainly by complex lesion profiles. Risks for thrombotic adverse cardiovascular events and its components were comparable between the 2 strategies. Subgroup analysis showed that risks for target lesion failure and thrombotic adverse cardiovascular events in the 2-stent group were significantly higher than in the 1-stent group in those with DAPT interruption <1 year, while they were similar in those receiving DAPT maintenance ≥1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Up to 20% of patients who underwent LM bifurcation PCI eventually required a 2-stent strategy, which was as safe as a 1-stent strategy with the use of new-generation drug-eluting stents. Careful pre-emptive case selection as well as prolonged DAPT may be necessary when considering a 2-stent strategy in LM PCI given its higher rate of repeat revascularization and lesion failure than the 1-stent approach.

Quantified degree of eccentricity of aortic valve calcification predicts risk of paravalvular regurgitation and response to balloon post-dilation after self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist regarding the impact of aortic valve calcification (AVC) eccentricity on the risk of paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) and response to balloon post-dilation (BPD) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We investigated the prognostic value of AVC eccentricity in predicting the risk of PVR and response to BPD in patients undergoing TAVR. METHODS: We analyzed 85 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent self-expandable TAVR (43 women; 77.2±7.1years). AVC was quantified as the total amount of calcification (total AVC load) and as the eccentricity of calcium (EoC) using calcium volume scoring with contrast computed tomography angiography (CTA). The EoC was defined as the maximum absolute difference in calcium volume scores between 2 adjacent sectors (bi-partition method) or between sectors based on leaflets (leaflet-based method). RESULTS: Total AVC load and bi-partition EoC, but not leaflet-based EoC, were significant predictors for the occurrence of ≥moderate PVR, and bi-partition EoC had a better predictive value than total AVC load (area under the curve [AUC]=0.863 versus 0.760, p for difference=0.006). In multivariate analysis, bi-partition EoC was an independent predictor for the risk of ≥moderate PVR regardless of perimeter oversizing index. The greater bi-partition EoC was the only significant parameter to predict poor response to BPD (AUC=0.775, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Pre-procedural assessment of AVC eccentricity using CTA as "bi-partition EoC" provides useful predictive information on the risk of significant PVR and response to BPD in patients undergoing TAVR with self-expandable valves.

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial: harmonising optimal strategy for treatment of coronary artery stenosis - coronary intervention with next-generation drug-eluting stent platforms and abbreviated dual antiplatelet therapy (HOST-IDEA) trial.

INTRODUCTION: We have recently seen the introduction of newer generation drug-eluting stents with ultrathin struts that use advanced polymer technologies. However, the efficacy and safety of these newest stents have not yet been fully explored. In addition, there are still controversies over the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after stent implantation, particularly for ultrathin stents with the newest polymer technologies. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The HOST-IDEA trial is a randomised, open-label, multicentre, non-inferiority trial and the first study to directly compare two of these ultrathin sirolimus-eluting stents: Orsiro stent with biodegradable polymer, and polymer-free Coroflex ISAR (CX-ISAR) stent. This study has a scheme of 2×2 factorial design according to the stent type and DAPT duration (3 vs 12 months). A total of 2152 patients will be randomised and stratified to demonstrate the non-inferiority of CX-ISAR to Orsiro, or of the abbreviated DAPT duration to the conventional 12 months (both in 1:1 ratio). For the comparison of stent type, the primary endpoint is target lesion failure (TLF), which is a composite of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction and clinically driven target lesion revascularisation. For the comparison of DAPT duration, the net adverse clinical event is the coprimary endpoint, which is defined as a composite of TLF, definite/probable stent thrombosis and major bleeding. ETHIC APPROVAL AND DISSEMINATION: All the institutions involved in this study are required to have ethical approval prior to patient enrolment. This multicentre study will recruit patients through competitive registration, but institutions that have not yet obtained ethical approvals have made it impossible to enrol patients in a centralised web database. The final results will be presented at relevant international conferences and will be materialised in the form of papers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02601157; Pre-results.

Gender Difference in the Association between Aortic Pulse Pressure and Left Ventricular Filling Pressure in the Elderly: An Invasive Hemodynamic Study.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine the association between aortic pulse pressure (APP) and left ventricular (LV) filling pressure in the elderly of both genders. METHODS: A total of 211 stable elderly subjects (age ≥65 years, mean age 72.1 ± 5.2 years, 53.6% women) who underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) were prospectively investigated. APP was measured in the ascending aorta using a pigtail catheter immediately before ICA. E/e', reflecting LV filling pressure, was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: There were positive linear correlations between APP and E/e' in both genders, but the correlation power was stronger in women than in men (r = 0.402, P <.001 vs r = 0.208, P = .040). The significance of this association between APP and E/e' remained after controlling for potential confounders in multiple linear regression analysis in women (ß = 0.359, P <.001), but not in men (r = 0.139, P = .108). CONCLUSIONS: Invasively measured APP is independently associated with E/e' in elderly women, but not in elderly men undergoing ICA. Aortic stiffness may be a potential mechanism for more prevalent LV diastolic dysfunction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in elderly women.

Corneal topographic and tomographic analysis of fellow eyes in unilateral keratoconus patients using Pentacam.

PURPOSE: To evaluate topographic and tomographic changes in fellow eyes in unilateral keratoconus (KCN) patients by comparing them with normal eyes. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative case series. METHODS: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients with unilateral KCN and 34 eyes of 34 refractive surgery candidates were divided into 3 diagnostic groups using a Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug camera: advanced KCN eyes of unilateral KCN (KCN group, 14 eyes), normal fellow eyes of unilateral KCN (fellow eye group, 14 eyes), and refractive surgery candidates (normal group, 34 eyes). Topographic and tomographic parameters, which were obtained from Pentacam using sagittal curvature, elevation, and corneal thickness maps, were compared among the 3 groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify cutoff points in discriminating between fellow and normal eyes. RESULTS: Keratometric asymmetry, topometric indices, and elevation differences (maximum - minimum) on both the anterior and posterior surfaces were statistically different (P < .05). On ROC curve analysis, keratometric asymmetry and topometric index were best at discriminating fellow eyes from normal, followed by elevation differences (maximum - minimum) on the posterior and anterior cornea surface. CONCLUSIONS: Fellow eyes in unilateral KCN showed differences in several parameters that were not detectable with the Pentacam detection program, when compared with normal. However, each single parameter alone is not sufficient to detect early changes; thus, elevation indices as well as indices of anterior curvature should be considered together.

Effect of tailored antiplatelet therapy on periprocedural myonecrosis in patients with diabetes mellitus (from the DM-Verify Now Trial).

We investigated whether additional platelet inhibition with a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor would be beneficial in reducing the risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) in diabetic patients with high residual platelet reactivity (HPR). Patients with diabetes mellitus were administered aspirin and clopidogrel at a 300-mg loading dose 1 day before the procedure, and the VerifyNow P2Y(12) assay was performed just before percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients with HPR, defined as a P2Y(12) reaction unit of ≥270 were randomly assigned to group A or control group C1. Patients without HPR were assigned to control group C2. Conventional anticoagulation with heparin was given to groups C1 and C2, and group A received additional abciximab treatment. Clinically relevant PMI was defined as any elevation in the biomarkers creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme and cardiac troponin I >3 times the upper normal limit measured 8, 16, or 24 hours after percutaneous coronary intervention. Of the patients, 47 and 51 were assigned to group A and C1; the clinical and procedural characteristics in the 2 groups were balanced. Of the 47 patients in group A and 51 patients in group C1, 9 (19%) and 9 (18%), respectively, experienced a PMI event according to the creatine kinase-MB cutoff (p = 1.00), and 27 in group A (57%) and 29 in group C1 (57%) experienced a PMI event according to the troponin I cutoff (p = 1.00). Five minor bleeding events, including small and localized hematomas, were observed immediately after the procedure (4 in group A and 1 in group C1). Only 1 major bleeding event, retroperitoneal hemorrhage, was observed in group A. The patients in group C2 had a PMI event rate (50% of 32 patients, p = 1.00) similar to that of group C1. In conclusion, additional platelet inhibition using a tailored approach and a point-of-care assay did not improve the periprocedural outcome in diabetic patients with HPR.

Comparison of drug-eluting versus bare-metal stent implantation in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with renal insufficiency: results from the national registry in Korea.

INTRODUCTION: It is unknown whether drug-eluting stents (DES), in comparison with bare-metal stents (BMS), improve clinical outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with renal insufficiency. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of BMS versus DES, as well as sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) versus paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), in STEMI patients with renal insufficiency. METHODS: From the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry, 874 STEMI patients with renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min) comprising 116 patients with BMS and 758 patients with DES (430 SES and 328 PES) implantation were selected. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 1 year, defined as composite of all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization were compared. In addition to multivariate adjusted analysis, propensity analysis for stent choice was performed. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 342 days, 116 MACE occurred. MACE was more frequent in the BMS group than in the DES group before (HR [95% CI]=2.3 [1.3-3.8]) and after propensity score matching (HR [95% CI]=2.0 [1.0-3.8]). The difference of MACE was mainly driven by a higher rate of target lesion revascularization rate in the BMS group. In comparison between SES and PES, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in propensity score-matched populations (HR [95% CI]=0.7 [0.4-1.1]). CONCLUSIONS: In STEMI patients with renal insufficiency, DES implantation exhibits a favorable 1 year clinical outcomes than BMS implantation, however, no difference was found between SES and PES.

A case of successful colonoscopic treatment of colonic obstruction caused by phytobezoar.

A phytobezoar is the most common type of bezoar, which is a gastrointestinal mass composed of vegetable. A persimmon is a common cause of a phytobezoar. The majority of bezoars are found in the stomach, with the small intestine being the next most commonly involved site. The colon is a rare site for a bezoar. Recently, we experienced a colonic bezoar that caused colonic obstruction in a 66-year-old female patient who took persimmons regularly. The patient came to the hospital because of abdominal pain and distension. To differentiate a tumor or other problems that can cause intestinal obstruction, we performed an abdominal computed tomography scan and found an ovoid intraluminal mass with a mottled gas pattern in the distal descending colon. A large impacted bezoar was seen in the sigmoid colon, which was completely obstructed, and it was successfully removed by using colonoscopy.

[A case of inferior vena cava thrombosis and acute pancreatitis in a patient with ulcerative colitis].

A 21-year-old man admitted complaining of sudden severe epigastric pain for 1 day. He had been diagnosed as ulcerative colitis (UC) and taking mesalazine for two months. UC was in nearly complete remission at admission. He never drank an alcohol, and serum amylase was 377 IU/L. CT scan showed inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis in addition to mild acute pancreatitis. To evaluate the cause of acute pancreatitis and IVC thrombosis, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram (MRCP), endoscopic ultrasonogram (EUS), lower extremity Doppler ultrasonogram (US) and blood test of hypercoagulability including factor V, cardiolipin Ab, protein C, protein S1, antithrombin III, and anti phospholipids antibody were performed. There was no abnormality except mild acute pancreatitis and IVC thrombosis in all the tests. He was recommended to stop taking mesalazine and start having anticoagulation therapy. After all symptoms disappeared and amylase returned normal, rechallenge test with mesalazine was done. Flare-up of abdominal pain occurred and the elevation of serum amylase was observed. Ulcerative colitis came to complete remission with short-term steroid monotherapy. Acute pancreatitis and IVC thrombosis were completely resolved after 3-month anticoagulation therapy with no more mesalazine. We postulated that IVC thrombosis occurred due to hypercoagulable status of UC and intra-abdominal inflammation caused by mesalazine-induced pancreatitis.

Subclinical coronary artery disease as detected by coronary computed tomography angiography in an asymptomatic population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) has become a public health issue, according to increasing awareness of the substantial risks posed by asymptomatic atherosclerosis. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and characteristics of subclinical CAD using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and to evaluate the role of this advanced technology in identifying subclinical CAD in asymptomatic Korean individuals, compared with conventional risk stratification. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 4,320 consecutive asymptomatic individuals (61% males, aged 50±9 years), who underwent 64-slice CCTA during a routine health check. RESULTS: Coronary artery plaques were present in 1,053 (24%) individuals. Significant stenosis (diameter stenosis ≥50%) was identified in 139 (3%) subjects, and most of the significant lesions (87%) were located in the left anterior descending artery. CCTA revealed noncalcified plaques in 5% of subjects with a coronary calcium score of zero (n=801). Although 25% (n=10) of those with noncalcified plaque had significant stenosis, most of them (90%) were classified into low- or moderate-risk groups according to National Cholesterol Education Program risk stratification guidelines. In a young population (age ≤55 years for males, ≤65 years for females), 30% of subjects with significant stenosis were classified into a low-risk group and 60% had low (0 to 100) calcium scores. CONCLUSION: Subclinical CAD in asymptomatic individuals cannot be ignored for its considerable prevalence, CCTA may be helpful in identifying at-risk subclinical CAD in a noninvasive manner, especially in the young and traditionally low-risk population.

Cytomegalovirus colitis in patients without inflammatory bowel disease: a single center study.

OBJECTIVE: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) aggravates preexisting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and there are numerous reports of CMV colitis in IBD patients. However, little attention has been paid to CMV colitis in non-IBD patients. The aim was to determine the clinical manifestations, endoscopic appearance, and clinical course of CMV colitis in non-IBD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed medical records of patients diagnosed with CMV colitis based on immunohistochemical studies of biopsy specimens or surgical specimens between 1998 and 2009. RESULTS: The medical records of 43 patients were reviewed. Subjects included individuals with AIDS, and those undergoing chemotherapy, steroid therapy, or transplantation, as well as individuals with other co-morbidities and individuals with no previous illnesses. Frequent symptoms were non-bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and hematochezia. Macroscopically normal rectosigmoid mucosa was observed in eight of 21 patients who underwent full-length colonoscopy. Endoscopic findings were varied, and included macroscopically normal (n = 2), colitis alone (n = 12), ulcer alone (n = 5), and ulcer with colitis (n = 22). The ulcer margin was well-circumscribed in 12 of 21 patients. Thirty-six patients were administered antiviral agents and two patients died. All patients who were not treated with an antiviral agent recovered spontaneously while waiting for their biopsy results. CONCLUSIONS: Colonoscopy is preferred to sigmoidoscopy for diagnosis of CMV colitis. Antiviral therapy should not be mandatory for a subset of patients with CMV colitis.

Does "late catch-up" exist in drug-eluting stents: insights from a serial quantitative coronary angiography analysis of sirolimus versus paclitaxel-eluting stents.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested the possibility of late catch-up after drug-eluting stent implantation. There are limited data on whether late catch-up exists in sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PESs). METHODS: Consecutive patients were routinely recommended 2 serial angiographic follow-ups (at 6-9 and 18-24 months post-percutaneous coronary intervention). A serial quantitative coronary angiographic analysis was performed in lesions not receiving target lesion revascularization at first follow-up. Early luminal loss (LL) was defined as the difference in minimal luminal diameter between the first angiographic follow-up and immediate post-percutaneous coronary intervention, and delayed LL was defined as the difference in minimal luminal diameter between the second and first angiographic follow-up. RESULTS: Four hundred twelve lesions in the main cohort (PES 128, SES 284) and 47 lesions in the secondary hybrid cohort (PES 23, SES 24), which received serial angiographic follow-ups without target lesion revascularization, were included. In the main cohort, early LL was higher in PES compared with SES (0.56 vs 0.20 mm, P < .01), whereas delayed LL occurring after the first angiographic follow-up was higher in SES (0.10 vs 0.28 mm, P < .01), suggesting more prominent late catch-up in SES. Early LL showed better correlation with total LL (correlation coefficient 0.82 vs 0.30) in PES, whereas delayed LL showed better correlation with total LL (correlation coefficient 0.42 vs 0.91) in SES. Such observations were reproducible in the hybrid cohort, where both SES and PES were implanted at index procedure. CONCLUSION: Late catch-up occurs in both PES and SES with greater delayed late loss in SES. Our data suggest that the process of neointima formation after SES and PES implantation may follow a slightly different timeline.

Mechanical properties of blood-mixed polymethylmetacrylate in percutaneous vertebroplasty.

STUDY DESIGN: Mechanical study of polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) mixed with blood as a filler. PURPOSE: An attempt was made to modify the properties of PMMA to make it more suitable for percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The expected mechanical changes by adding a filler into PMMA included decreasing the Young's modulus, polymerization temperature and setting time. These changes in PMMA were considered to be more suitable and adaptable conditions in PVP for an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. METHODS: Porous PMMA were produced by mixing 2 ml (B2), 4 ml (B4) and 6 ml (B6) of blood as a filler with 20 g of regular PMMA. The mechanical properties were examined and compared with regular PMMA(R) in view of the Young's modulus, polymerization temperature, setting time and optimal passing-time within an injectable viscosity (20-50 N-needed) through a 2.8 mm-diameter cement-filler tube. The porosity was examined using microcomputed tomography. RESULTS: The Young's modulus decreased from 919.5 MPa (R) to 701.0 MPa (B2), 693.5 Mpa (B4), and 545.6 MPa (B6). The polymerization temperature decreased from 74.2 (R) to 59.8 (B2), 54.2 (B4) and 47.5 (B6). The setting time decreased from 1,065 seconds (R) to 624 seconds (B2), 678 seconds (B4), and 606 seconds (B6), and the optimal passing-time decreased from 75.6 seconds (R) to 46.6 seconds (B2), 65.0 seconds (B4), and 79.0 seconds (B6). The porosity increased from 4.2% (R) to 27.6% (B2), 27.5% (B4) and 29.5% (B6). A homogenous microstructure with very fine pores was observed in all blood-mixed PMMAs. CONCLUSIONS: Blood is an excellent filler for PMMA. Group B6 showed more suitable mechanical properties, including a lower elastic modulus due to the higher porosity, less heating and retarded optimal passing-time by the serum barrier, which reduced the level of friction between PMMA and a cement-filler tube.