Hyperlipidemia is an important risk factor of coronary atherosclerosis. Serum lipids, especially cholesterol level is closely related to coronary artery and early identification and treatment of hypercholesterolemia reduced the risk of ischemic heart disease. In secondary prevention studies, lipid regulation has been demonstrated to result in a reduced incidence of myocardial infarction and mortality. But during the acute phase of a myocardial infarction, the serum lipid pattern is known to be rapidly changed and consequently dose not reflect the baseline level of the patient. Total serum cholesterol concentrations measured within 24 hours after acute myocardial infarction are likely to reflect basal levels, thus they must be used as the reference for the diagnosis and treatment of hyperlipidemia. If serum lipid levels were not measured within 24 hours of acute chest pain, it is essential to correct the lipid level to the baseline level. So we investigated the following. First, serum lipid alteration during the acute phase of acute myocardial infarction, second, the factors that are related to lipid change, third, the time to check the baseline value of lipid level during the acute phase of myocardial infarction.

We have measured the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride at admission time and the next day in a group of 51 acute myocardial infarction patients who had acute chest pain.

First, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol at the next day were significantly reduced. Second, positive correlation was noted between lipid alteration and the lipid level that was checked at admission time. Last, male groups had more significant reduction of LDL cholesterol than female groups.

Cholesterol levels thats were checked the next day were significantly reduced in comparison with the cholesterol value registered at hopital admission. Consequently, it is essential to check the lipid level at the time of hospital admission. But if it was not done, corrected values are a useful guide to patients basal lipid state and treatment references.

Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty(PMV) became a treatment modality or mitral stenosis because of its low morbidity, short hospital stay, and low cost. We reviewed clinical and hemodynamic results after PMV for the patients with mitral stenosis in Ewha Womans University Mokdong hospital.

We compared the results of echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and clinical parameters before and after PMV. PMV was performed under fluoroscopic guidance in 21 patients(M:4, F:17, mean age 43±12 years) with mitral stenosis from October 1993 to April 1999. Transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) and Transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) were performed for the evaluation of mitral valve, chamber size, and the presence of left atrial thrombus before procedures. TIE was also used for follow-up evaluation. On presentation, all patients showed at least NYHA class II. Five patients had atrial fibrillation. Two patients with thrombus in the left atrium were included to study group after thrombolytic treatment with coumadin. Echo-score of our patients was not greater than 8.

Mean mitral valve area(MVA) by 2 dimensional or Doppler echocardiography was increased from 1.16±0.36cm² before PMV to 2.06±0.33cm² after PMV. There were marked improvements in transmitral gradients(11.60±5.54mmHg before PMV vs 4.93±2.53mmHg after PMV, p<0.001), left atrial dimension(46.41±14.66mm vs 42.03±15.01mm, p=0.042), and cardiac output(4.21±1.25L/min vs 6.88±9.57L/min, p<0.0001) following PMV, Severe(≥GIII) mitral insufficiency or severe postprocedural complications were not noted. This suggested that all procedure was successful.

The Procedural success rate of PMV in Ewha Womans University Mokdong hospital was 100%. Low echo score of our patients might explain this high procedural success rate. Long-term-follow-up is warranted in the near future.

An elevated serum lipoprotein(a) level is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases, and the lipoprotein(a) level is correlated to preclinical atherosclerosis. To evaluate the association between lipoprotein(a) and aortic selerosis, mitral sclerosis, and abdominal aorta thickness, we measured the aortic valve thickness, mitral valve thickness and abdominal aorta thickness. Also, we assessed the relationship between the aortic valve sclerosis, mitral valve sclerosis, abdominal aorta thickness and other coronary risk factors.

We measured serum lipoprotein(a) in 116 patients(52 men, 64 women) with mean age of 58.7±13.9 years. Aortic valve thickness was assessed by parasternal long and short axis two dimensional echocardiography, mitral valve thickness was measured by apical 4 chamber view. The abdominal aorta thickness was measured by the subcostal view.

The level of lipoprotein(a) was significantly correlated with the aortic valve thickness, but not with the miral valve thickness and the abdominal aorta thickness. lipoprotein(a) level was higher in smoking patients(p<0.05), and not related to other ariables such as blood pressure, age, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein. Coronary angiography was performed in 18 paitents, and there was a tendency of the coronary artery disease with high level of the lipoprotein(a)(p<0.005). There was no significant difference in the thickness of aortic valve in terms of sex, blood pressure, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, triglyceride or blodo sugar.

We conclude that increased serum levels of lipoprotein(a) are closely related to aortic valve sclerosis and may be a risk factor for coronary artery disease.