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Background/Aims: Small, dense low-density lipoprotein (sd-LDL) is a newly recognized risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) in the general population. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between sd-LDL, and CAD and cardiovascular risk factors such as other lipid profiles and hemostatic factors, in patients with chronic hemodialysis (CHD). Methods: Thallium single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed to evaluate for CAD in 126 CHD patients. Coronary angiography was performed in patients with positive thallium SPECT. CHD patients were classified into CAD and non-CAD group. LDL subfractions, other lipid profiles, and hemostatic factors were measured. Results: The proportion of sd-LDL, and mean LDL size did not differ between CHD patients and healthy controls. Twenty-eight CHD patients had CAD by thallium SPECT and coronary angiography. The proportion of sd-LDL and mean LDL size did not differ between CAD and non-CAD patients. Age, diabetes mellitus presentation and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were significantly higher, and prealbumin and apolipoprotein A1 levels were significantly lower, in the CAD group (p < 0.05). The proportion of sd-LDL was positively correlated with triglyceride levels (p < 0.001), apolipoprotein B (p < 0.05) and fibrinogen (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that sd-LDL is not increased in CHD patients and is not associated with CAD in such patients.

Background/Aims: Accurate measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is critical for the management of kidney transplant recipients. Comparison of creatinine and cystatin C in renal transplant recipients gave conflicting results. We aimed to compare the performance of creatinine- and cystatin C-based equations and creatinine clearance in 102 early postoperative Korean renal transplant patients. Methods: We measured 51Cr-EDTA clearance using a 2-compartment model and considered this the reference GFR. Then, we estimated GFR using 13 creatinine- and 7 cystatin C-based equations. Serum creatinine value was calibrated to isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). Results: The mean reference GFR was 76.77 ± 17.01 ml/min/1.73 m2. The IDMS-traceable MDRD (IDMS-MDRD) equation had the highest accuracy (94.12 within 30% of the reference; 99.02 within 50% of the reference) with a bias of 0.33 ml/min/1.73 m2 and a precision of 12.57 ml/min/1.73 m2. The Mayo Clinic equation also performed well (92.16% within 30% of the reference; 99.02% within 50% of the reference; bias: –0.19 ml/min/1.73 m2). As for cystatin C-based equations, the Filler equation had the least bias (0.03 ml/min/1.73 m2) but low accuracy (78.43% within 30% of the reference). Conclusions: We conclude that the IDMS-MDRD equation provided the best estimate of GFR in our early postoperative Korean renal transplant patients.

Pancreatic fistulas are usually caused by the disruption of pancreatic duct. The majority of pancreatic fistulas are external fistulas and common causes of external and internal pancreatic fistulas are trauma and surgery. Internal pancreatic fistulas due to pancreatitis are rare. Internal pancreatic fistulas may communicate with peritoneal cavity, colon, small bowel, biliary system or pleural cavity. Among them, fistula between pancreatic duct and portal vein due to acute pancreatitis is rare. We report a case of 32-year-old male with fistula between pancreatic duct and portal vein as a complication of acute pancreatitis. Pancreaticoportal fistula was diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. He recovered after distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and supportive care.