Effect of Ulinastatin on Syndecan-2-Mediated Vascular Damage in IDH2-Deficient Endothelial Cells.

Syndecan-2 (SDC2), a cell-surface heparin sulfate proteoglycan of the glycocalyx, is mainly expressed in endothelial cells. Although oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators have been shown to mediate dysfunction of the glycocalyx, little is known about their role in vascular endothelial cells. In this study, we aimed to identify the mechanism that regulates SDC2 expression in isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2)-deficient endothelial cells, and to investigate the effect of ulinastatin (UTI) on this mechanism.

CR6 interacting factor 1 deficiency promotes endothelial inflammation by SIRT1 downregulation.

Aims: CR6 interacting factor 1 (CRIF1) deficiency impairs mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes, contributing to increased mitochondrial and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. CRIF1 downregulation has also been revealed to decrease sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression and impair vascular function. Inhibition of SIRT1 disturbs oxidative energy metabolism and stimulates nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)-induced inflammation.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Cannulation of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Make it Simple.

Background: Cannulation of the great vessels is required for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Currently, there is no guideline for optimal imaging modalities during percutaneous cannulation of ECMO.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe percutaneous cannulation guided by point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for ECMO and compare it with fluoroscopy and landmark guidance.

Extracorporeal CPR and intra-aortic balloon pumping in tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy complicating cardiac arrest.

Although tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) due to atrial fibrillation occurs frequently, it is under-recognized in clinical settings. TIC has a wide range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic tachycardia to cardiomyopathy leading to end stage heart failure. We present a case of a 48year-old-woman who presented as cardiogenic shock, and rapidly progressed to cardiac arrest from recently diagnosed but undertreated atrial fibrillation, resulting TIC in the emergency department (ED).

Phrenic Arterial Injury Presenting as Delayed Hemothorax Complicating Simple Rib Fracture.

Delayed hemothorax after blunt torso injury is rare, but might be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present a case of delayed hemothorax bleeding from phrenic artery injury in a 24-year-old woman. The patient suffered from multiple rib fractures on the right side, a right hemopneumothorax, thoracic vertebral injury and a pelvic bone fracture after a fall from a fourth floor window.

IDH2 deficiency impairs mitochondrial function in endothelial cells and endothelium-dependent vasomotor function.

Mitochondrial NADP(+)-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH2) plays an essential role protecting cells against oxidative stress-induced damage. A deficiency in IDH2 leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiomyocytes and cancer cells. However, the function of IDH2 in vascular endothelial cells is mostly unknown.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in bedside echocardiography-diagnosed massive pulmonary embolism.

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the major causes of inhospital cardiac arrest as well as out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Bedside diagnosis of acute PE in the emergency department (ED) can be challenging, especially in a cardiac arrest setting. Even if the early diagnosis of an acute massive PE had been made, hemodynamic instability may be worsened unless obstructive shock gets resolved.

An unusual case of candidemia presenting as acute respiratory distress syndrome after a small bowel bezoar removal operation.

We report a rare case of sepsis with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by Candida parapsilosis and Candida famata after a small bowel bezoar operation. The patient was successfully treated with intensive care including mechanical ventilation and systemic antifungal therapy. A strong association was observed between the intestinal obstruction caused by the bezoar and candidemia presenting as ARDS.

Life-threatening hemothorax due to azygos vein rupture after chest compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Hemothorax is not an uncommon cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)–related complication. But hemothorax related to azygos vein injury (AVI) is a rare condition following blunt chest trauma, with no report of CPR-related AVI in the literature. We present a case of azygosve in rupture in a middle-aged woman after repeated chest compression during 1 hour of CPR.

Feasibility and early outcomes of intensivist-led critical care after major trauma in the Korean ICU.

Purpose: Substantial evidence supports the benefits of an intensivist model of critical care delivery. However, currently, this mode of critical care delivery has not been widely adopted in Korea. We hypothesized that intensivist-led critical care is feasible and would improve ICU mortality after major trauma.

Atypical transient stress-induced cardiomyopathies with an inverted Takotsubo pattern in sepsis and in the postpartal state.

Several cases of inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy--a variant form with hyperdynamic left ventricular apex and akinesia of the left ventricular base and mid-portion--have been reported recently, especially in association with cerebrovascular accidents and catecholamine cardiomyopathies. Herein, we describe 2 cases of inverted Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: one that occurred in a middle-aged woman who had a septic condition, and another in a young woman who was in the postpartal state. Such cases have not been reported previously.

Cardiac surgery in a patient with idiopathic aplastic anemia: a case report.

Major surgery in a patient with pancytopenia might be associated with increased surgical risks, especially for bleeding and infection. A 66-yr-old man was admitted to the hospital due to shortness of breath. His dyspnea was classified by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) as functional class III.

Heart transplantation. A retrospective analysis of the long-term results.

Long-term results of orthotopic heart transplantation vary among different institutions. The purpose of the present study was to assess the factors, which might affect long-term survival and complications. Between November 1992 and July 2003, 112 heart transplantations (M/F=89:23) were performed.