Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Tracheostomy in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery of South Korea: Retrospective Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety in Critically Ill Patients.

Background: In intensive care settings, the maintenance of ventilation is typically essential. Tracheostomy is frequently performed to facilitate long-term ventilation and to minimize associated complications. This procedure can be conducted using several techniques, including traditional surgery, endoscopic approaches, and ultrasound-guided methods.

Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Core Needle Biopsy for Pulmonary Nodules in Patients with Impaired Lung Function: Is It Feasible and Safe?

Background: The number of patients with incidentally identified pulmonary nodules is increasing. This study attempted to confirm the usefulness and safety of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) core needle biopsy of pulmonary nodules.

Methods: Data from 18 patients diagnosed with pulmonary nodules who underwent VATS core need biopsy were retrospectively reviewed.

Automatic Plaque Removal Using Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Angiography: Diagnostic Accuracy and Utility in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the utility and accuracy of dual-energy automatic plaque removal (DE-APR) in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 100 patients with PAD who underwent DE computed tomography angiography (DE-CTA) and DSA of the lower extremities. DE-CTA was used to generate APR subtracted images.

Cardiac Calcified Amorphous Tumor in the Left Atrium: A Case Report.

A cardiac calcified amorphous tumor (CAT) is a rare non-neoplastic mass of the heart with histological characteristics comprising calcification and amorphous fibrous material. Little is known regarding the incidence, symptoms, and therapeutic strategies for CAT. Echocardiography and computed tomography were performed on a 48-year-old man who had a cardiac mass that was accidentally discovered on admission to a local hospital for a fracture related to a trauma that occurred 1 month prior.

Management of perioperative acute massive pulmonary embolism: A case series.

The management of acute massive pulmonary embolism during the perioperative period is challenging. Accurate diagnosis using echocardiography and application of rapid extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can improve patients' outcomes.

Chemical pleurodesis with L. extract for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in elderly patients.

Background: Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is generally managed by surgery, if pneumothorax was not improved following chest tube insertion or in the event of persistent air leakage lasting more than 5 days. However, if surgery is not an option, chemical pleurodesis with sclerosants can be performed. Several sclerosants have been used in the chemical pleurodesis of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, However, there is still controversy for what is the ideal sclerosant for Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.

Veno-Arterial-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Critically Ill Patient with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Patients with cardiopulmonary failure may not be fully supported with typical configurations of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), either veno-arterial (VA) or veno-venous (VV). Veno-arterial-venous (VAV)-ECMO is a technique used to support the cardiopulmonary systems during periods of inadequate gas exchange and perfusion. In the severe case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which simultaneously affects the heart and lung, VAV-ECMO may improve a patient's recovery potential.

Percutaneous intervention for salvage of non-maturing arteriovenous fistulas: Which is the better approach, arterial or venous?

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and long-term patency of endovascular treatment for non-maturing native arteriovenous fistulas according to the approach route (arterial vs. venous).

Methods: Eighty-five patients underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for non-maturing fistulas (63 radiocephalic and 22 brachiocephalic) between 2010 and 2019.

Assessment of the Initial Risk Factors for Mortality among Patients with Severe Trauma on Admission to the Emergency Department.

Background: For decades, trauma has been recognized globally as a major cause of death. Reducing the mortality of patients with trauma is an extremely pressing issue, particularly for those with severe trauma. An early and accurate assessment of the risk of mortality among patients with severe trauma is important for improving patient outcomes.

Management of acute type A aortic dissection with acute lower extremities malperfusion.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection complicated by malperfusion is a life - threatening emergency. The optimal management strategy for malperfusion remains controversial.

Case Presentation: A 46-year-old man presented to another institution with acute type A aortic dissection with abdominal aorta occlusion.

Perforation of inferior vena cava and duodenum by strut of inferior vena cava filter: A case report.

Introduction: An Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is an intravascular filter that is implanted into the IVC to prevent pulmonary embolism in medical, surgical, and trauma patients. The insertion of an IVC filter is a relatively safe procedure, but rarely may be associated with symptomatic perforation of the IVC wall, particularly in the long term.

Patient Concerns And Diagnosis: A 74-year-old-woman with a medical history of IVC filter insertion visited the emergency department complaining of abdominal pain.

Immunoglobulin G4-Related Aortitis of the Abdominal Aorta.

Noninfectious aortitis, inflammatory abdominal periaortitis, and idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis are chronic inflammatory diseases with unclear causes. Recent studies have shown that some cases of aortitis are associated with immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related systemic disease. Herein, we report a case of IgG4-related aortitis (IgG4-RA) that was diagnosed after surgery.

Clinical usefulness of the angle between left main coronary artery and left anterior descending coronary artery for the evaluation of obstructive coronary artery disease.

Background: A wider angle between the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) has been suggested to induce plaque formation in the arterial system via changes in shear stress. However, the relationship between the left main coronary artery (LM)-LAD angle and LAD stenosis has not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the associations between the LM-LAD and LAD-LCX angles and LAD stenosis.

Invasive thymoma with multiple ring calcifications and osseous metaplasia: A case report.

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A case report of pseudoaneurysm of left sinus of Valsalva invaded into the left ventricle with severe aortic regurgitation.

Background: The pseudoaneurysms of sinus of Valsalva is an uncommon and serious complication of an infection, trauma, or after cardiac surgery or procedure. Pseudoaneurysms of sinus of Valsalva from left is rare. We describe a case of pseudoaneurysm of the left coronary sinus of Valsalva invaded into the left ventricle (LV) diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal ecoccardiography (TEE), and multiple detector computed tomography (MDCT).

A Report of Two Cases of Adventitial Cystic Disease of the Popliteal Artery.

Two patients were admitted to our department because of recent aggravation of claudication in the leg, which was exacerbated by walking. They were diagnosed as having a Baker cyst or acute thrombosis in the popliteal fossa at another hospital. There was no evidence of ischemia, and the ankle brachial index was normal.

Case of a cardiac arrest patient who survived after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation and 1.5 hours of resuscitation: A case report.

Rationale: Per the American Heart Association guidelines, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation should be considered for in-hospital patients with easily reversible cardiac arrest. However, there are currently no consensus recommendations regarding resuscitation for prolonged cardiac arrest cases.

Patient Concerns And Diagnosis: We encountered a 48-year-old man who survived a cardiac arrest that lasted approximately 1.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between Surgical Repair and Endovascular Stent for the Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the treatment outcomes between endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and open surgical repair (OSR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in a South Korean population.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of 99 patients with AAAs who were managed at Gyeongsang National University Hospital between January 2005 and December 2014. We reviewed the demographic characteristics and perioperative treatment outcomes of patients with AAA undergoing EVAR or OSR.

Successful Tractotomy Technique for a Penetrating Lung Injury in a Patient with One Lung.

We report the case of a patient with penetrating chest trauma (right chest) who had undergone a left pneumonectomy due to pulmonary tuberculosis 24 years ago. We performed an emergent thoracotomy, finding an opening of the penetrating wound in a lower-lobe basal segment of the right lung. A stapled tractotomy was performed along the tract.

Risk Factors for Pneumonia in Ventilated Trauma Patients with Multiple Rib Fractures.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common disease that may contribute to morbidity and mortality among trauma patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study evaluated the associations between trauma factors and the development of VAP in ventilated patients with multiple rib fractures.

Methods: We retrospectively and consecutively evaluated 101 patients with multiple rib fractures who were ventilated and managed at our hospital between January 2010 and December 2015, analyzing the associations between VAP and trauma factors in these patients.

Usability verification of the Emergency Trauma Score (EMTRAS) and Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS) in patients with trauma: A retrospective cohort study.

Early estimation of mortality risk in patients with trauma is essential. In this study, we evaluate the validity of the Emergency Trauma Score (EMTRAS) and Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (REMS) for predicting in-hospital mortality in patients with trauma. Furthermore, we compared the REMS and the EMTRAS with 2 other scoring systems: the Revised Trauma Score (RTS) and Injury Severity score (ISS).

The thorax trauma severity score and the trauma and injury severity score: Do they predict in-hospital mortality in patients with severe thoracic trauma?: A retrospective cohort study.

Several scoring systems are commonly used to evaluate severity in patients with traumatic injuries. However, there is no generally accepted standard scoring system to assess the severity of thoracic trauma, specifically in patients who have sustained severe injuries. The present study aimed to evaluate the validity of the trauma and injury severity score (TRISS) and the thorax trauma severity score (TTSS) as predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with severe thoracic trauma.

Evaluation of Preoperative Predictors of 30-Day Mortality in Patients with Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Purpose: Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) is a rare, extremely dangerous condition. Previous studies have published preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data; however, there are not enough studies on the preoperative factors alone. Here we studied the preoperative predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with RAAA.

Ectopic Cervical Thymoma: A Case Report and Review.

In the embryo, the thymus originates from the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches and migrates from the superior neck to the mediastinum. Ectopic cervical thymoma (ECT) is an extremely rare tumor that originates from ectopic tissue, and is caused by the aberrant migration of the embryonic thymus. Our patient was a 30-year-old woman who had a nodular lesion in the neck for several years.

Autotransplantation of the Heart for Recurrent Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor.

We report a rare case of dyspnea caused by a cardiac tumor in a 53-year-old woman. The patient had undergone a cardiac tumor (inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, 6.2 × 4.