Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI): The K-TAVI Registry

Purpose@#The incidence and prognostic implications of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are controversial, especially for Korean patients. Furthermore, the pattern of antithrombotic therapy for these patients is unknown. The present study sought to identify the impact of AF on Korean patients undergoing TAVI and demonstrate the status of antithrombotic therapy for these patients. @*Materials and Methods@#A total of 660 patients who underwent TAVI for severe AS were recruited from the nationwide K-TAVI registry in Korea. The enrolled patients were stratified into sinus rhythm (SR) and AF groups. The primary endpoint was all-cause death at 1-year. @*Results@#AF was recorded in 135 patients [pre-existing AF 108 (16.4%) and new-onset AF 27 (4.1%)]. The rate of all-cause death at 1 year was significantly higher in patients with AF than in those with SR [16.2% vs. 6.4%, adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 2.207, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.182–4.120, p=0.013], regardless of the onset timing of AF. The rate of new pacemaker insertion at 1 year was also significantly higher in patients with AF than in those with SR (14.0% vs. 5.5%, adjusted HR: 3.137, 95%CI: 1.621–6.071, p=0.001).Among AF patients, substantial number of patients received the combination of multiple antithrombotic agents (77.8%), and the most common combination was that of aspirin and clopidogrel (38.1%). @*Conclusion@#AF was an independent predictor of 1-year mortality and new pacemaker insertion in Korean patients undergoing TAVI.

Downregulation of Heat Shock Protein 72 Contributes to Fibrostenosis in Crohn’s Disease

Background/Aims@#Crohn’s disease (CD) with recurrent inflammation can cause intestinal fibrostenosis due to dysregulated deposition of extracellular matrix. However, little is known about the pathogenesis of fibrostenosis. Here, we performed a differential proteomic analysis between normal, inflamed, and fibrostenotic specimens of patients with CD and investigated the roles of the candidate proteins in myofibroblast activation and fibrosis. @*Methods@#We performed two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis and identified candidate proteins using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and orbitrap liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We also verified the levels of candidate proteins in clinical specimens and examined their effects on 18Co myofibroblasts and Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells. @*Results@#We identified five of 30 proteins (HSP72, HSPA5, KRT8, PEPCK-M, and FABP6) differentially expressed in fibrostenotic CD. Among these proteins, the knockdown of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) promoted the activation and wound healing of myofibroblasts. Moreover, knockdown of HSP72 induced the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of intestinal epithelial cells by reducing E-cadherin and inducing fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin, which contribute tofibrosis. @*Conclusions@#HSP72 is an important mediator that regulates myofibroblasts and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in fibrosis of CD, suggesting that HSP72 can serve as a target for antifibrotic therapy.

Changes in Subjective Outcomes during the Early Period after Septoturbinoplasty

Purpose@#Septoturbinoplasty is frequently performed to correct nasal obstruction; however, there is still a lack of research on changes in nasal and nose-related symptoms early after septoturbinoplasty. Therefore, we aimed to investigate changes in subjective outcomes within 6 months after septoturbinoplasty. @*Materials and Methods@#The medical records of patients who underwent septoturbinoplasty at Gangnam Severance Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Symptom scores were evaluated using the Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and obstruction scores.The SNOT-22 and obstruction scores were investigated before surgery and at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. @*Results@#We noted significant decreases in both SNOT-22 and obstruction scores at 1 month after surgery, compared to those before surgery (p<0.001). However, there were no significant changes at 3 and 6 months after surgery, compared to scores at 1 month after surgery. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, a larger difference between SNOT-22 scores preoperatively and 1 month after surgery was significantly associated with a significant improvement in symptoms at 3 or 6 months after septoturbinoplasty (p=0.029). @*Conclusion@#These results imply that subjective outcomes and degree of improvement in the first month after septoturbinoplasty can be used as a predictor of the results thereof and for counseling patients about its progress.

The Clinical Impact of β-Blocker Therapy on Patients With Chronic Coronary Artery Disease After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background and Objectives@#The outcome benefits of β-blockers in chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) have not been fully assessed. We evaluated the prognostic impact of β-blockers on patients with chronic CAD after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). @*Methods@#A total of 3,075 patients with chronic CAD were included from the Grand DrugEluting Stent registry. We analyzed β-blocker prescriptions, including doses and types, in each patient at 3-month intervals from discharge. After propensity score matching, 1,170 pairs of patients (β-blockers vs. no β-blockers) were derived. Primary outcome was defined as a composite endpoint of all-cause death and myocardial infarction (MI). We further analyzed the outcome benefits of different doses (low-, medium-, and high-dose) and types (conventional or vasodilating) of β-blockers. @*Results@#During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 3.1 (3.0–3.1) years, 134 (5.7%) patients experienced primary outcome. Overall, β-blockers demonstrated no significant benefit in primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–1.24), all-cause death (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.60–1.25), and MI (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.49–3.15). In subgroup analysis, β-blockers were associated with a lower risk of all-cause death in patients with previous MI and/ or revascularization (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.14–0.99) (p for interaction=0.045). No significant associations were found for the clinical outcomes with different doses and types of β-blockers. @*Conclusions@#Overall, β-blocker therapy was not associated with better clinical outcomes in patients with chronic CAD undergoing PCI. Limited mortality benefit of β-blockers may exist for patients with previous MI and/or revascularization.

Clinical outcomes of endovascular treatment for ruptured thoracic aortic disease

Background/Aims@#Untreated rupture of the thoracic aorta is associated with a high mortality rate. We aimed to review the clinical results of endovascular treatment for ruptured thoracic aortic disease. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed data on 37 patients (mean age, 67.0 ± 15.18 years) treated for ruptured thoracic aortic disease from January 2005 to May 2016. The median follow-up duration was 308 days (interquartile range, 61 to 1,036.5). The primary end-point of the study was the composite of death, secondary intervention, endoleak, and major stroke/paraplegia after endovascular treatment. @*Results@#The etiologies of ruptured thoracic aortic disease were aortic dissection (n = 11, 29.7%), intramural hematoma (n = 7, 18.9%), thoracic aortic aneurysm (n = 14, 37.8%), and traumatic aortic transection (n = 5, 13.5%). Three patients died within 24 hours of thoracic endovascular aortic repair, and one showed type I endoleak. The technical success rate was 89.2% (33/37). The in-hospital mortality rate was 13.5% (5/37); no deaths occurred during follow-up. The composite outcome rate during follow-up was 37.8% (14/37), comprising death (n = 5, 13.5%), secondary intervention (n = 5, 13.5%), endoleak (n = 5, 13.5%), and major stroke/paraplegia (n = 3, 8.1%). Left subclavian artery revascularization and proximal landing zone were not associated with the composite outcome. Low mean arterial pressure (MAP; ≤ 60 mmHg, [hazard ratio, 13.018; 95% confidence interval, 2.435 to 69.583, p = 0.003]) was the most significant predictor and high transfusion requirement in the first 24 hours was associated with event-free survival (log rank p = 0.018). @*Conclusions@#Endovascular treatment achieves high technical success rates and acceptable clinical outcome. High transfusion volume and low MAP were associated with poor clinical outcomes.

Erratum: Correction of Figure in the Article: Normal Reference Plots for the Bioelectrical Impedance Vector in Healthy Korean Adults

The present erratum notice corrects one figure of the article.

Normal Reference Plots for the Bioelectrical Impedance Vector in Healthy Korean Adults

BACKGROUND: Accurate volume measurement is important in the management of patients with congestive heart failure or renal insufficiency. A bioimpedance analyser can estimate total body water in litres and has been widely used in clinical practice due to its non-invasiveness and ease of results interpretation. To change impedance data to volumetric data, bioimpedance analysers use equations derived from data from healthy subjects, which may not apply to patients with other conditions. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) was developed to overcome the dependence on those equations by constructing vector plots using raw impedance data. BIVA requires normal reference plots for the proper interpretation of individual vectors. The aim of this study was to construct normal reference vector plots of bioelectrical impedance for Koreans. METHODS: Bioelectrical impedance measurements were collected from apparently healthy subjects screened according to a comprehensive physical examination and medical history performed by trained physicians. Reference vector contours were plotted on the RXc graph using the probability density function of the bivariate normal distribution. We further compared them with those of other ethnic groups. RESULTS: A total of 242 healthy subjects aged 22 to 83 were recruited (137 men and 105 women) between December 2015 and November 2016. The centers of the tolerance ellipses were 306.3 Ω/m and 34.9 Ω/m for men and 425.6 Ω/m and 39.7 Ω/m for women. The ellipses were wider for women than for men. The confidence ellipses for Koreans were located between those for Americans and Spaniards without overlap for both genders. CONCLUSION: This study presented gender-specific normal reference BIVA plots and corresponding tolerance and confidence ellipses on the RXc graph, which is important for the interpretation of BIA-reported volume status in patients with congestive heart failure or renal insufficiency. There were noticeable differences in reference ellipses with regard to gender and ethnic groups.

Safety and Efficacy of an Aortic Arch Stent Graft with Window-Shaped Fenestration for Supra-Aortic Arch Vessels: an Experimental Study in Swine

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair exhibits limitations in cases where the aortic pathology involves the aortic arch. We had already developed a fenestrated aortic stent graft (FASG) with a preloaded catheter for aortic pathology involving the aortic arch. FASG was suitable for elective cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An aortic arch stent graft with a window-shaped fenestration (FASG-W) for supra-aortic arch vessels is suitable for emergent cases. This study aims to test a FASG-W for supra-aortic arch vessels and to perform a preclinical study in swine to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this device. Six FASG-Ws with 1 preloaded catheter were advanced through the iliac artery in 6 swine. The presence of endoleak and the patency and deformity of the grafts were examined with computed tomography (CT) at 4 weeks postoperatively. A postmortem examination was performed at 8 weeks. The mean procedure time for FASG-W was 27.15±4.02 minutes. The mean time for the selection of the right carotid artery was 5.72±0.72 minutes. RESULTS: Major adverse events were not observed in any of the 6 pigs who survived for 8 weeks. For the FASG-W, no endoleaks, no disconnection, and no occlusion of the stent grafts were observed in the CT findings or the postmortem gross findings. CONCLUSION: The procedure with the FASG-W was able to be performed safely in a relatively short procedure time and involved an easy technique. The FASG-W was found to be safe and convenient for use in this preclinical study of swine.

The predictive value of echocardiography for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after acute pulmonary embolism in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a life-threatening complication after acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of CTEPH after APE in Korea and to determine echocardiographic predictors of CTEPH. METHODS: Among 381 patients with APE confirmed by chest computed tomography (CT) between January 2007 and July 2013, 246 consecutive patients with available echocardiographic data were enrolled in this study. CTEPH was defined as a persistent right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) greater than 35 mmHg on echocardiography during follow-up and persistent pulmonary embolism on the follow-up CT. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (6.1%) had CTEPH. The rate of right ventricular (RV) dilatation (66.7% vs. 28.1%, p = 0.002) and the RVSP (75.5 mmHg vs. 39.0 mmHg, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the CTEPH group. D-dimers, RV dilatation, RV hypertrophy, RVSP, and intermediate-risk APE were associated with the risk of CTEPH after APE (odds ratio [OR] 0.59, 5.11, 7.82, 1.06, and 4.86, respectively) on univariate analysis. RVSP remained as a significant predictor of CTEPH on multivariate analysis (OR, 1.056; 95% confidence interval, 1.006 to 1.109; p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the incidence of CTEPH after APE in Korea was 6.1% and that initial RVSP by echocardiography was a strong prognostic factor for CTEPH.

Effect of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Regression of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Statin Treated Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Statins remain the mainstay of secondary coronary artery disease (CAD) prevention, but n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) display biological effects that may also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and CAD. However, data on the possible antiatherosclerotic benefits of adding ω-3 PUFA to statin therapy are limited. This study aimed to investigate the potential additive effects of ω-3 PUFA on regression of atherosclerosis in CAD patients receiving statin therapy and stent implantation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four CAD patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation were enrolled, prescribed statins, and randomly assigned to two groups: n-3 group (ω-3 PUFA 3 g/day, n=38) or placebo group (placebo, n=36). All patients completed the study follow-up consisting of an intravascular ultrasound at baseline and at 12 months. RESULTS: There was no difference in the baseline characteristics and distribution of other medications. No significant differences were observed in primary endpoints, including changes in atheroma volume index (-12.65% vs. -8.51%, p=0.768) and percent atheroma volume (-4.36% vs. -9.98%, p=0.526), and in secondary endpoints including a change in neointimal volume index (7.84 vs. 4.94 mm3/mm, p=0.087). CONCLUSION: ω-3 PUFA had no definite additional effect on the regression of coronary atherosclerosis when added to statin in CAD patients undergoing PCI.

Thoracic Endovascular Repair by Chimney Technique for Aortic Dissection with Malperfusion Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

A perfusion deficit of the aortic branch vessels in a patient with a type B aortic dissection is a challenging complication, as it leads to hemodynamic instability and doubles the mortality rate; however, the optimal management strategy in these cases remains controversial. Although surgical repair is still performed as the standard, endovascular approaches have been used recently as alternatives because of the high rate of perioperative complications. Herein, we report a patient with a type B aortic dissection and compromised renal and iliac arteries who was successfully treated by thoracic endovascular repair and insertion of a percutaneous stent. In addition, we adopted the chimney technique to preserve blood flow to the left subclavian artery due to the short proximal landing zone.

Type B Aortic Dissection with Malperfusion of Both Common Iliac Arteries That Underwent Stent Placement Using the Left Brachial Approach / 대한내과학회지

Malperfusion syndrome is a complication of acute descending aortic dissection (DAD) and it is associated with a poor clinical outcome. Surgical treatment for it has a high rate of mortality. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for DAD with malperfusion syndrome has resulted in good clinical outcomes. However, when both common iliac arteries are compromised by a false lumen, it is impossible to conduct TEVAR because there is no accessible artery. We successfully treated a case of DAD with malperfusion syndrome in which both common iliac arteries were compromised by placing stents in both arteries using the left brachial approach.

Association between Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of plasma fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 with angiographically significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Serum FGF-21 was measured in 120 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on the presence/absence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and of significant CAD. The atherosclerotic burden was obtained by two angiographic scores: Gensini score (GS) and Extent score (ES). FGF-21 levels were higher in type 2 diabetes mellitus than in non-diabetic patients (P = 0.014). FGF-21 levels were significantly correlated with GS (r = 0.358, P < 0.001) and ES (r = 0.324, P < 0.001) in univariate analysis with all patients. After adjusting for several confounding factors, both GS and ES were associated with FGF-21 in all patients (r = 0.271, P = 0.014; r = 0.217, P = 0.041, respectively). However, FGF-21 lost significant correlation with both GS and ES with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the final model. The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and CAD feature had elevated FGF-21 levels. Despite of a limited role in diabetic patients, FGF-21 levels are independently associated with angiographic severity and extent of CAD.

Effects of Intracoronary Administration of Autologous Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells on Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Porcine Model

PURPOSE: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are known to be potentially effective in regeneration of damaged tissue. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of intracoronary administration of ADSCs in reducing the infarction area and improving function after acute transmural myocardial infarction (MI) in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ADSCs were obtained from each pig's abdominal subcutaneous fat tissue by simple liposuction. After 3 passages of 14-days culture, 2 million ADSCs were injected into the coronary artery 30 min after acute transmural MI. At baseline and 4 weeks after the ADSC injection, 99mTc methoxyisobutylisonitrile-single photon emission computed tomography (MIBISPECT) was performed to evaluate the left ventricular volume, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; %), and perfusion defects as well as the myocardial salvage (%) and salvage index. At 4 weeks, each pig was sacrificed, and the heart was extracted and dissected. Gross and microscopic analyses with specific immunohistochemistry staining were then performed. RESULTS: Analysis showed improvement in the perfusion defect, but not in the LVEF in the ADSC group (n=14), compared with the control group (n=14) (perfusion defect, -13.0+/-10.0 vs. -2.6+/-12.0, p=0.019; LVEF, -8.0+/-15.4 vs. -15.9+/-14.8, p=0.181). There was a tendency of reducing left ventricular volume in ADSC group. The ADSCs identified by stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) staining were well co-localized by von Willebrand factor and Troponin T staining. CONCLUSION: Intracoronary injection of cultured ADSCs improved myocardial perfusion in this porcine acute transmural MI model.

Safety and Efficacy of a Novel, Fenestrated Aortic Arch Stent Graft with a Preloaded Catheter for Supraaortic Arch Vessels: An Experimental Study in Swine

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) shows limitations in cases in which the aortic pathology involves the aortic arch. The study aims were to test a fenestrated aortic arch stent graft (FASG) with a preloaded catheter for the supraaortic arch vessels and to perform a preclinical study in swine to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this device. Six FASGs with 1 preloaded catheter and 5 FASGs with 2 preloaded catheters were advanced through the iliac artery in 11 swines. The presence of endoleaks and the patency and deformity of the grafts were examined with computed tomography (CT) at 4 weeks postoperatively. A postmortem examination was performed at 8 weeks. The mean procedure time for the one and two FASG groups was 30.2 (27.9-34.5) min and 43.1 (39.2-53.7) min. The mean time for the selection of the carotid artery was 4.8 (4.2-5.5) min and 6.2 (4.6-9.4) min. Major adverse event was observed in one of 11 pigs. One pig died at 4 weeks likely because of the effects of the high dose of ketamine, while the remaining 10 pigs survived 8-week. For both the one and two FASG groups, no endoleaks, no disconnection, no occlusion of the stent grafts were observed in the CT findings and the postmortem gross findings. The procedure with the FASG could be performed safely in a relatively short procedure time and involved an easy technique. The FASG is found to be safe and convenient in this preclinical study with swine.

Coarctation of the Aorta Treated with Stenting in a Patient with Turner Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Cardiovascular malformations, such as bicuspid aortic valve and coarctation of the aorta, are more prevalent in patients with Turner syndrome than in the general population. Here, we describe the case of a 35-year-old female with Turner syndrome who was admitted to our hospital with a fever caused by infective endocarditis. Aortic coarctation was diagnosed using computed tomography. The patient was treated with antibiotics and a stent was then implanted. Endovascular therapy using stents is a safe and effective treatment option for aortic coarctation in patients with Turner syndrome.

Non-Interventional and Interventional Treatment of Aortic Dissection / 대한내과학회지

A new appraisal of the management of acute aortic dissection is timely because of recent developments in diagnostic strategies (including biomarkers and imaging), endograft design, and surgical treatment. These have led to a better understanding of the epidemiology, risk factors, and molecular nature of aortic dissection. Although open surgery is the main treatment for proximal aortic repair, the use of endovascular management is now established for complicated distal dissection and distal arch repair and has recently been discussed as a pre-emptive measure to avoid late complications by inducing aortic remodeling.

A Coronary Intramural Hematoma Presenting with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in an Elderly Man / 대한내과학회지

An intramural hematoma is a rare, challenging cause of myocardial infarction generally seen in middle-aged females with no atherosclerotic risk factors. Intravascular ultrasound is useful in diagnosing and managing intramural hematomas. Here, we present anintramural hematoma presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction without definite intimal dissection in an elderly man who was diagnosed using intravascular ultrasound and managed accordingly.

A Hybrid Approach for Thoracic Aortic Arch Aneurysms in Two Patients at High Operative Risk / 대한내과학회지

A large aortic aneurysm invading the aortic arch can be catastrophic if rupture occurs. In the past, the standard treatment was an open thoracotomy followed by total aortic arch replacement. However, open surgery is difficult in patients at high operative risk. Consequently, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is preferred in high-risk patients. In patients with a short proximal landing whose aortic aneurysm invades the aortic arch, TEVAR is not available because of innominate, left carotid, and left subclavian artery occlusion. We report two cases in which aortic aneurysms invaded the aortic arch, and who were treated with TEVAR after a supra-aortic artery bypass operation.

A Hybrid Approach for Thoracic Aortic Arch Aneurysms in Two Patients at High Operative Risk / 대한내과학회지

A large aortic aneurysm invading the aortic arch can be catastrophic if rupture occurs. In the past, the standard treatment was an open thoracotomy followed by total aortic arch replacement. However, open surgery is difficult in patients at high operative risk. Consequently, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is preferred in high-risk patients. In patients with a short proximal landing whose aortic aneurysm invades the aortic arch, TEVAR is not available because of innominate, left carotid, and left subclavian artery occlusion. We report two cases in which aortic aneurysms invaded the aortic arch, and who were treated with TEVAR after a supra-aortic artery bypass operation.