Accuracy of cardiac output measurements during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: according to the vessel anastomosis sites

Sung Yong Park,Dae Hee Kim,Han Bum Joe,Ji Young Yoo,Jin Soo Kim,Min Kang,Yong Woo Hong 대한마취통증의학회 2012 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.62 No.5

Background: During beating heart surgery, the accuracy of cardiac output (CO) measurement techniques may be influenced by several factors. This study was conducted to analyze the clinical agreement among stat CO mode (SCO), continuous CO mode (CCO), arterial pressure waveform-based CO estimation (APCO), and transesophageal Doppler ultrasound technique (UCCO) according to the vessel anastomosis sites. Methods: This study was prospectively performed in 25 patients who would be undergoing elective OPCAB. Hemodynamic variables were recorded at the following time points: during left anterior descending (LAD) anastomosis at 1 min and 5 min; during obtuse marginal (OM) anastomosis at 1 min and 5 min: and during right coronary artery (RCA) anastomosis at 1 min and 5 min. The variables measured including the SCO, CCO, APCO, and UCCO. Results: CO measurement techniques showed different correlations according to vessel anastomosis site. However, the percent error observed was higher than the value of 30% postulated by the criteria of Critchley and Critchley during all study periods for all CO measurement techniques. Conclusions: In the beating heart procedure, SCO, CCO and APCO showed different correlations according to the vessel anastomosis sites and did not agree with UCCO. CO values from the various measurement techniques should be interpreted with caution during OPCAB. Background: During beating heart surgery, the accuracy of cardiac output (CO) measurement techniques may be influenced by several factors. This study was conducted to analyze the clinical agreement among stat CO mode (SCO), continuous CO mode (CCO), arterial pressure waveform-based CO estimation (APCO), and transesophageal Doppler ultrasound technique (UCCO) according to the vessel anastomosis sites. Methods: This study was prospectively performed in 25 patients who would be undergoing elective OPCAB. Hemodynamic variables were recorded at the following time points: during left anterior descending (LAD) anastomosis at 1 min and 5 min; during obtuse marginal (OM) anastomosis at 1 min and 5 min: and during right coronary artery (RCA) anastomosis at 1 min and 5 min. The variables measured including the SCO, CCO, APCO, and UCCO. Results: CO measurement techniques showed different correlations according to vessel anastomosis site. However, the percent error observed was higher than the value of 30% postulated by the criteria of Critchley and Critchley during all study periods for all CO measurement techniques. Conclusions: In the beating heart procedure, SCO, CCO and APCO showed different correlations according to the vessel anastomosis sites and did not agree with UCCO. CO values from the various measurement techniques should be interpreted with caution during OPCAB.

불응성 자가면역질환에서의 자가조혈모세포이식

민도준,양동원,민창기,김완욱,이상헌,박성환,김동욱,이종욱,조철수,민우성,김범생,김호연,김춘추 대한조혈모세포이식학회 2001 대한조혈모세포이식학회지 Vol.6 No.1

배경: 기존의 치료에 불응하고 예후가 불량한 자가면역질환 환자들에게 최근 고용량 면역억제 및 조혈모 세포이식이 새로운 치료방법으로 대두되고 있다. 저자들은 다발성 경화증(multiple sclerosis, MS) 및 류마티스 관절염(rheumatoid arthritis, RA) 등 2명의 자가면역질환 환자들에서 자가조혈모세포 이식을 시행하였다. 방법: 말초혈액 조혈모세포 가동화를 위하여 cyclophosphamide (4 g/㎡) 및 granulocyte colony stimulating factor (10 g/kg/day)를 투여하였고, CD34+ 세포를 분리·채집 하였다, 이식 전처치로 MS 환자에서 BEAM 및 antihymocyte globulin (ATG) (3.75 mg/kg), RA 환자에서 fludarabine (180 mg/㎡), ATG (10 mg/kg)와 busulfan (8 mg/kg)을 투여하였다. 결과: 호중구 수가 500/㎕ 이상으로 회복되는 기간은 MS 환자에서 9일, RA 환자에서 15일이었다. 혈소판이 20.000/㎕ 이상으로 회복되는 가간은 RA 환자에서 9일 이었고, MS 환자에서는 혈소판 감소증이 발생하지 않았다. 비혈액학적 독성으로 MS 환자에서 WHO 1도의 오심 및 점막염이 관찰되었다. MS 환자는 이식 6개월 후까지 시력감소가 남아있었으나, 이식전에 관찰되던 감각이상 및 운동장애 등의 신경학적 이상 소견은 더 이상 관찰되지 않았다. RA 환자는 이식 1개월 후 관절 증상 및 검사소견의 호전을 보였다. 결론: 불응성 자가면역질환 환자에서 고용량 면역억제 및 조혈모세포이식은 적은 독성으로 높은 치료효과를 기대할수 있으며, 향후 이 시술의 임상적 의의를 규명하기 위하여 전향적이고 장기적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다. Background: High-dose immunosuppressive therapy followed by autologous hemathpoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been proposed as a new approach to treat severe, refractory autoimmune diseases. We describe two patients with refractory autoimmune diseases (one multiple sclerosis 〔MS〕and one rheumatoid arthritis〔RA〕) who underwent T-cell-depleted autologous peripheral bleed stem cell transplantation for the first time in Korea. Methods: We mobilized autologous stem cells with cyclophisphamide (4 g/㎡) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (10 ㎍/kg/day). Stem cells were enriched ex vivo using CD34-positive immunoselection and reinfused after high-dose chemotherapy with BEAM and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) (3.75 mg/kg) in MS, or fludarabine (180 mg/㎡), ATG (10 mg/kg) and busulfan (8 mg/kg) in RA. Results: The engraftment with an absolute nerutrophil count greater than 500㎕ occurred on day 9 in MS and 15 in RA, respectively. The time to nontransfused platelet count greater than 2.000/㎕ was 9 day in RA. MS patient did not show ant episode of thrombocytopenia. Regimen-related non-hematopoietic toxicity was minimal. For 6 months since HSCT, them patient with MS had been free from previously existed sensory and motor abnormalities except decreased visual acuity. Then patient with RA and only one tender joint and two mildly swollen joints with improvement in laboratory parameters at one month after HSCT. Conclusion: These results underscore the feasibility and potential efficacy of intensive immunosuppression followed by autologous HSCT for treatment of intractable autoimmune diseases. The durability of remission, however, remains to be clarified.

Lumbricus rubellus에 존재하는 Lumbrokinase의 Ubiquitin-conjugate 분해활성에 관한 연구

우기민,이상한,조만희 순천향의학연구소 2004 Journal of Soonchunhyang Medical Science Vol.10 No.1

본 연구에서 Lumbricus rubellus에 존재하는 강력한 fibrinolytic 효소인 Lumbrokinse들을 여러 크로마토그래피법을 이용하여 부분정제하고 그들의 생화학적 성질들을 조사하고 비교하였다. L. rubellus의 단백질 추출물은 fibrinogen, lactalbumin, BSA, casein 등 다양한 단백질들을 분해하는 활성을 가졌으며, 그들의 활성은 poly-lysine같은 poly-cation들에 의하여 활성화되었다. 또한 이러한 활성화 정도는 poly-cation들의 길이에 의존적이며 poly-lysine의 경우 이성체에 상관없이 모두 활성화시켰다. DEAE-Sepharose를 통하여 확인된 3 종류의 분해활성으로부터 2 종류의 서로 다른 Lumbrokinse들을 Phenyl-Sepharose, Superose-12 크로마토그래피들을 통하여 부분정제하여 E-I, E-III라고 명명하였다. SDS-PAGE와 gel filtration을 시행하였을 때 그들은 각각 33 kD과 38 kDa의 폴리펩타이드로 구성된 단일체로 규명되었다. E-I의 fibrinogen을 분해하는 특이적 활성은 poly-lysine이 없을 경우 3.75 ng hydrolysis/ng enzyme/20 min으로 상대적으로 낮았으나 poly-lysine이 첨가될 경우 75 ng hydrolysis/ng enzyme/20 min로 활성이 20배가량 증가하였다. 반면 E-III는 poly-lysine이 없을 경우 20 ng hydrolysis/ng enzyme/20 min으로 상대적으로 높았지만 poly-lysine의 첨가시 129 ng hydrolysis/ng enzyme/20 min로 약 6.5배의 증가를 보였다. 0.2 M의 KCI은 poly-lysine에 의한 fibrinogen 분해활성을 강하게 억제하였으며 펩타이드 분해활성은 E-I와 E-III가 서로 다른 영향을 받았다. E-III는 poly-lysine에 의해 증가된 활성이 억제받는 반면, E-I는 오히려 펩타이드 분해활성이 KCI에 의하여 10배가량 증가되었다. 이러한 상반된 결과는 두 효소가 서로 다른 분해기작과 조절기작을 가짐을 의미한다. 정제된 E-I와 E-III는 놀랍게도 ubiquitin이 결합된 일련의 단백질들을 분해하였으며, 이 활성도 또한 poly-lysine에 의하여 증가되었다. 또한 ubiquitin-conjugate의 분해활성은 PMSF에 의하여 억제받으므로 serine계의 단백질 분해효소이며 IAA에 의하여 억제받지 않으므로 활성화 부위에 sulfide 기가 관여하지 않는 것으로 판명되었다. 또한 fibrinogen의 분해에서와 같이 이들의 활성도 KCI에 의해 억제되었다. Ubiquitin-conjugate들은 분해된 후 자유 ubiquitin이 반응산물로 나타났으므로 E-I과 E-III는 포유동물들에 존재하는 ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH)의 새로운 종류이거나 26S proteasome을 대신할 수 있는 또 다른 형태의 단백질 분해효소일 가능성을 제공해준다.

레미콘 슬러지를 이용한 불소제거

강민구(Min Koo Kang),신관우(Gwan Woo Shin),이상일(Sang Ill Lee) 大韓環境工學會 2013 대한환경공학회지 Vol.35 No.11

본 연구의 목적은 칼슘염을 함유한 레미콘 슬러지를 이용하여 불소함유폐수를 물에 난용성인 CaF₂ 화합물 형태로 침전시켜 처리하는데 있어 pH, 레미콘슬러지 주입량, Seed물질 주입량, 교반속도, 교반시간의 최적 조건을 도출하고자 하는데 있다. 실험결과 레미콘 슬러지를 이용한 대상폐수의 CaF₂ 침전 반응에서 함수율 및 불소의 제거효율 등을 고려할 경우 최적의 pH 6, 레미콘 슬러지 주입량은 10 g/L, Seed 물질 주입량은 2 g/L, 교반속도은 100 rpm, 교반시간은 60 min으로 관찰되었다. 이 때 Seed 물질의 주입은 불소제거효율에는 영향이 없는 것으로 나타났지만 침전물의 형성이 되는 반응을 촉진시키고 플럭형성을 원활하게 하여 고액 분리가 잘 되어 함수율이 낮아지는 결과가 나타났다. The purpose of this study was performed to investigate the optimum conditions of pH, concrete sludge, seed dosage, mixing intensity, operation time in treating fluoride-containing wastewater as CaF₂ using the ready-mixed concrete sludge. Considering fluoride removal, water content, that pH 6, concrete sludge dosage of 10 g/L, Seed dosage (CaF₂) of 2 g/L, mixing intensity of 100 rpm and operation time of 60 min were found to be optimum. Correspondingly, removal of fluoride and water content was about 85% and 64%, respectively. Increase in amount of seed dosage did not affect fluoride removal efficiency. but the result that the water content is decreased was shown up in occuring the solid-liquid separation well.

Ether-free polymeric anion exchange materials with extremely low vanadium ion permeability and outstanding cell performance for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) application

Cha, Min Suc,Jo, Sang Woo,Han, Seung Hui,Hong, Soo Hyun,So, Soonyong,Kim, Tae-Ho,Oh, Seong-Geun,Hong, Young Taik,Lee, Jang Yong Elsevier 2019 Journal of Power Sources Vol.413 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Ether-free poly(<I>p</I>-phenylene)-based anion exchange membrane materials with outstanding vanadium ion blocking properties are reported. The synthesized ionomers with a rigid backbone structure show small dimensional variations despite the high ion exchange capacities. Among the synthesized membranes, the QPPP-2 membrane with ion exchange capacity of 2.1 meq·g<SUP>−1</SUP> exhibits high anion (OH<SUP>−</SUP>, SO<SUB>4</SUB> <SUP>2−</SUP>, and Cl<SUP>−</SUP>) conductivity. The QPPP-2 membrane shows an extremely low diffusion coefficient (2.12 × 10<SUP>−9</SUP> cm<SUP>2</SUP> min<SUP>−1</SUP>) for VO<SUP>2+</SUP>, which is much lower than that of Nafion 115 (2.88 × 10<SUP>−6</SUP> cm<SUP>2</SUP> min<SUP>−1</SUP>), indicating the vanadium ion blocking property of QPPP-2. Moreover, the chemical and operational stabilities of the membranes are investigated <I>via</I> ex situ soaking tests in 0.1 M VO<SUB>2</SUB> <SUP>+</SUP> solution and in situ operation tests for 100 cycles, respectively. The vanadium redox flow battery single cell assembled with the QPPP-2 membrane exhibits a coulombic efficiency of 99%, voltage efficiency of 87%, and energy efficiency of 86% during 100 cycles at 80 mA cm<SUP>−2</SUP>. The excellent chemical, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the QPPP-2 membrane make it suitable for use in vanadium redox flow battery.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> AEMs are fabricated by a Ni(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. </LI> <LI> The synthesized ionomers indicated excellent dimensional and chemical stability. </LI> <LI> Ether-free polymeric AEMs showed extremely low vanadium ion cross over. </LI> <LI> The performance of developed AEM showed high EE (87%) with high capacity retention. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

오죽잎차와 오죽죽순차의 성분 분석 및 항산화 효과

김상민 ( Sang Min Kim ),전제승 ( Je Seung Jeon ),강석우 ( Suk Woo Kang ),김우리 ( Woo Ri Kim ),이기덕 ( Ki Deok Lee ),엄병헌 ( Byung Hun Um ) 한국응용생명화학회(구 한국농화학회) 2012 Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry (J. Appl. Vol.55 No.2

Nutritional components of Ojuk leaf tea and Ojuk shoot tea prepared from the leaves and shoots of black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra Munro) by tea manufacturing process were evaluated. In addition, the extraction yield of water soluble components from these teas in the general tea brewing condition (water extraction in 80oC for 10 min.) and the contents of polyphenol and flavonoid were compared with not only the dried raw materials, but also green tea and mate tea. Finally, offline and online scavenging activities against 2,2`-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and di(phenyl)-(2,4,6 trinitrophenyl)iminoazanium free radicals were investigated to evaluate the antioxidant activity and explore the components showing ABTS free radical scavenging activity from tea infusion. These results demonstrated that these teas from black bamboo contain various nutritional components and can be used as traditional tea beneficial to human health.

수변공원과 체육공원의 중요 속성

홍성권 ( Sung Kwon Hong ),이상우 ( Sang Woo1 Lee ),이민우 ( Min Woo Lee ),이상민 ( Sang Min Lee ) 한국환경복원기술학회 2007 한국환경복원기술학회지 Vol.10 No.6

정신분열병에 대한 리스페리돈의 효과 및 안정성

이민수,김용구,김영훈,연병길,오병훈,윤도준,윤진상,이철,정희연,강병조,김광수,김동언,김명정,김상훈,김희철,나철,노승호,민경준,박기창,박두병,백기청,백인호,손봉기,손진욱,양병환,양창국,우행원,이정호,이종범,이홍식,임기영,전태연,정영조,정영철,정인과,정인원,지익성,채정호,한상익,한선호,한진희,서광윤 大韓神經精神醫學會 1998 신경정신의학 Vol.37 No.1

연구목적 : 본 시험의 목적은 임상시험 시작전에 연구자들을 대상으로 PANSS Workshop을 통하여 PANSS, ESRS에 대한 국내에서의 표준화 작업을 구축하고 새로운 정신병 치료제인 리스페리돈의 효과와 안정성을 재확인하여 리스페리돈 사용에 대한 적정화를 이루는데 있다. 연구방법 : 1996년 4월부터 1996년 9월까지 국내 39개 대학병원 정신과에 입원중인 혹은 증상이 악화되어 입원하는 정신분열병 환자 377명을 대상으로 다시설 개방 연구를 시행하였다. 1주일간의 약물 배설기간을 가진후, 리스페리돈을 8주간 투여하였고, 기준점, 1주, 2주, 4주, 그리고 8주후에 평가되었다. 용량은 제1일에는 리스페리돈 1mg씩 1일 2회, 제2일에는 2mg씩 1일 2회, 제3∼7일에는 3mg씩 1일 2회 투여하였다. 이후 환자의 임상상태에 따라 임의로 증량할 수 있으며, 최대 일일 16mg을 초과하지 않도록 하였다. 추체외로 증상을 조절하기 위한 투약을 허용하였다. 임상증상 및 부작용의 평가는 PANSS(Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), CGI(Clinical Global Impression) 그리고 ESRS(Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale)을 사용하였다. 연구결과 : 377명중 343명(91%)이 8주간의 연구를 완결하였다. 치료 종결시점인 8주후 PANSS 총점수가 20% 이상 호전된 경우를 약물 반응군으로 정의할때, 약물반응군은 81.3%였다. 리스페리돈에 반응하는 예측인자로는 발병연령, 이전의 입원 횟수, 유병기간이 관련 있었다. 리스페리돈은 1주후부터 PANSS양성, 음성, 및 일반정신병리 점수상에 유의한 호전을 보여 효과가 빨랐다. CGI의 경우도 기준점에 비해 1주후부터 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. ESRS의 경우, 파킨슨 평가점수는 기준점과 비교해 투여 1주, 2주, 4주후 유의하게 증가되었다가 8주후 기준점과 차이가 없었다. Dystonia 평가점수는 1주후만 유의한 증가를 보였으며, dyskinesia 평가점수는 유의한 차이가 없었다. 혈압, 맥박수의 생명징후 및 일반 혈액학 검사, 생화학적 검사, 심전도 검사에서 유의한 변화는 없었다. 결 론 : 이상의 다시설 개방 임상 연구를 통해 리스페리돈은 정신분열병 환자에서 양성증상뿐만 아니라 음성증상 및 전반적인 증상에도 효과적인 것으로 사료된다. 보다 명확한 평가를 위해서는 다른 항정신병약물과의 이중맹검 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각되며, 또한 장기적 치료에 대한 평가도 함께 이루어져야 하겠다. Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of risperidone in the treatment of Korean schizophrenic patients. Method : This multicenter open study included 377 schizophrenic patients drawn from 39 university hospitals. After a wash-out period of 1 week, the schizophrenic patients were treated with risperidone for 8 weeks and evaluated at 5 points ; at baseline, and 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The dose was increased from 2mg/day(1mg twice daily) to 6mg/day(3mg twice daily) during the first week and adjusted to a maximum of 16mg/day over the next 7 weeks according to the patient's clinical response. Medication to control extrapyramidal symptoms was permitted. The psychiatric and neurological status of the patients was assessed by PANSS, CGI, and ESRS scales. Results : 343(91%) of 377 patients completed the 8-week trial period. Clinical improvement, as defined by a 20% or more reduction in total PANSS score at end point, was shown by 81.3% of patients. The predictors of response to risperidone were associated older age, shorter duration of illness, fewer previous hospitalization. Risperidone had rapid onset of action ; a significant decrease of the total PANSS and three PANSS factor(positive, negative, general), and CGI was already noticed at the end of first week. For the ESRS, parkinsonism rating scores were significantly increased until week 4 comparing with baseline. Dystonia rating scores were significantly increased until week 1, and dyskinesia rating scores were not significantly changed during the study. Laboratory parameters including vital sign, EKG, hematological, and biochemical values showed no significant changes during the trial. Conclusions : This study suggests that risperidone is generally safe and effective against both the positive and negative symptoms in our group of patients.

연구보문 : 자연과학 ; 황산처리에 의한 불투수성 황근 종자의 발아촉진에 관한 연구

서상흠 ( Sang Heum Seo ),박민우 ( Min Woo Park ),장미하 ( Mi Ha Chang ),장일웅 ( Il Ung Jang ),심상인 ( Sang In Shim ),나영왕 ( Young Wang Na ),김수영 ( Soo Young Kim ),김석현 ( Seok Hyeon Kim ) 한국국제농업개발학회 2012 韓國國際農業開發學會誌 Vol.24 No.3

The reason of poor germination rate of hamabo mallow seed was speculated using TZ test to determine the viability of seed. Seeds showed high viability via TZ test were not germinated well. The quiescent seeds did not imbibed properly due to the hard seed coat and did not show further processes required for germination. Several well-known treatments for seed coat loosening and water uptake into seed were applied and compared for their efficiency. Stratification, hot water treatment, seed coat scarification, wet-cold treatment were revealed as less effective for improving germination although those treatments were common method for breaking dormant seed. Chemical scarification with sulfuric acid, however, effectively increased germinability and promptness index of hamabo mallow seeds. Optimal time for sulfuric acid treatment was 20 min. Seeds treated for 20 min showed improved germination percentage, germination speed, and promptness index of 80%, 13, and 1969 at 30 days after imbibition, respectively, in petri dish experiment. The values were greater than control seeds showed low values (12%, 1, and 183, respectively). The similar tendency was observed in the pot experiment that sulfuric acid treated seed were sown in artificially mixed soil (loamy soil:peatmoss:sand:compost = 5:2:2:1) and placed in greenhouse. Ultrastructure analysis of chemically scarified seed with sulfuric acid for 20 min by scanning electron microscopy did not show any noticeable changes in seed coat hardness and water uptake via hilum. But the only change after sulfuric acid treatment was removal of hilum cap that close the hilum and hider imbibition. Therefore, subsequent experiment was conducted to know the relationship between removal of hilum cap and facilitated imbibition by sulfuric acid treatment and whether the hilum cap removal directly influenced to the opening of micropyle. Water uptake velocity of seed treated for 20 min in concentrated sulfuric acid for was greater than control seed. This result implies that the crucial effect of sulfuric acid treatment is the removal of hilum cap that increase water uptake via micropyle in hamabo mallow.

하지 수술을 위한 경막외 마취시 Ropivacaine 과 Bupivacaine 의 비교

이상곤,민병우,반종석,문철준 대한마취과학회 2001 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.41 No.4

Comparison of Epidural Ropivacaine and Bupivacaine in Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Surgery Chul-Jun Mun, M.D., Sang-Gon Lee, M.D., Jong-Suk Ban, M.D. and Byung-Woo Min, M.D. Department of Anesthesiology, Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea Background: Ropivacaine is an amide local anesthetic structurally related to bupivacaine. A ran-domized, double-blind study was performed to compare the clinical effectiveness of ropivacaine and bupivacaine in patients undergoing lower-extremity surgery. Methods: Forty-nine patients (ASA Ⅰ-Ⅱ) were randomized to receive 15 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine or bupivacaine. Twenty patients received 15 ml of ropivacaine and 20 patients received 15 ml of bupiva-caine at the L3,4 or L4,5 interspace. Parameters measured were the onset time, duration and spread of sensory block, the onset time, duration and degree of motor block, the quality of anesthesia and the heart rate and blood pressure profile during the block onset. Results: Demographic characteristics were similar among the groups. Seven patients were excluded from the study due to technical failure of the block, two patients were excluded due to insufficient data. The onset and duration of analgesia at T10 dermatome (mean ?? SD) was 18.9 ?? 7.0 minutes and 187.5 ?? 34.6 minutes respectively for ropivacaine, and was 15.2 ?? 8.8 minutes and 187.8 ?? 40.0 minutes respectively for bupivacaine. Maximum block height (mean ?? SD) was T6.5 ?? 2.0 for ropivacaine and T6.4 ?? 2.0 for bupivacaine. The incidence of complete motor block (Bromage scale 3) was low in the ropivacaine group, being 3/20 for ropivacaine and 12.20 for bupivacaine. Conclusions: The sensory blockade profile of ropivacaine, administered epidurally, is similar to that obtained with an equal dose of bupivacaine. However motor blockade with ropivacaine is less intense, less frequent, and of shorter duration than with bupivacaine. (Korean J Anesthesiol 2001; 41: 434~438)