Clinical Results of Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment in a Large-Scale Multicenter Korean Registry Study

Background and Objectives@#The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of treatment with drug-coated balloon (DCB) in a large real-world population. @*Methods@#Patients treated with DCBs were included in a multicenter observational registry that enrolled patients from 18 hospitals in Korea between January 2009 and December 2017. The primary outcome was target lesion failure (TLF) defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and clinically indicated target lesion revascularization at 12 months. @*Results@#The study included 2,509 patients with 2,666 DCB-treated coronary artery lesions (1,688 [63.3%] with in-stent restenosis [ISR] lesions vs. 978 [36.7%] with de novo lesions).The mean age with standard deviation was 65.7±11.3 years; 65.7% of the patients were men.At 12 months, the primary outcome, TLF, occurred in 179 (6.7%), 151 (8.9%), 28 (2.9%) patients among the total, ISR, and de novo lesion populations, respectively. A history of hypertension, diabetes, acute coronary syndrome, previous coronary artery bypass graft, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, B2C lesion and ISR lesion were independent predictors of 12 months TLF in the overall study population. @*Conclusions@#This large multicenter DCB registry study revealed the favorable clinical outcome of DCB treatment in real-world practice in patient with ISR lesion as well as small de novo coronary lesion.

Ventricular late potentials measured by signal‑averaged electrocardiogram in young professional soccer players

Background and objectives@#Athlete’s heart is characterized by structural cardiac changes, including enlargement and hypertrophy. However, exercise-induced cardiac electrical remodeling is not well known in Asian athletes. We sought to evaluate the association between vigorous exercise and the development of abnormal late potential on signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG).Method: We analyzed 48 Korean professional soccer players and 71 healthy sedentary controls who underwent SAECG and transthoracic echocardiography at Kyung Hee University Hospital. An SAECG was considered abnormal (positive for ventricular late potential) when any one of the three following criteria was met: filtered QRS dura‑ tion > 114 ms, root-mean-square voltage in the terminal 40 ms 114 ms (7.0% vs. 22.9%, P = 0.013) and lower terminal QRS rootmean-square voltage < 20 uV (5.6% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.012). Ventricular late potential on SAECG was significantly more frequent in athletes (15.5% vs. 35.4%, P = 0.012). Regarding echocardiographic parameters, the athletes had larger cardiac chamber size; however, these differences became non-significant after adjustment for body surface area, except left ventricular mass index (65.7 ± 12.7 g/m2 vs. 84.7 ± 17.7 g/m2 , P < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Abnormal SAECG findings were significantly more common in athletes than in controls. Further study is needed to determine the clinical impact of these abnormal SAECGs in athletes and cardiac outcomes in the long term.

Ventricular late potentials measured by signal‑averaged electrocardiogram in young professional soccer players

Background and objectives@#Athlete’s heart is characterized by structural cardiac changes, including enlargement and hypertrophy. However, exercise-induced cardiac electrical remodeling is not well known in Asian athletes. We sought to evaluate the association between vigorous exercise and the development of abnormal late potential on signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG).Method: We analyzed 48 Korean professional soccer players and 71 healthy sedentary controls who underwent SAECG and transthoracic echocardiography at Kyung Hee University Hospital. An SAECG was considered abnormal (positive for ventricular late potential) when any one of the three following criteria was met: filtered QRS dura‑ tion > 114 ms, root-mean-square voltage in the terminal 40 ms 114 ms (7.0% vs. 22.9%, P = 0.013) and lower terminal QRS rootmean-square voltage < 20 uV (5.6% vs. 20.8%, P = 0.012). Ventricular late potential on SAECG was significantly more frequent in athletes (15.5% vs. 35.4%, P = 0.012). Regarding echocardiographic parameters, the athletes had larger cardiac chamber size; however, these differences became non-significant after adjustment for body surface area, except left ventricular mass index (65.7 ± 12.7 g/m2 vs. 84.7 ± 17.7 g/m2 , P < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Abnormal SAECG findings were significantly more common in athletes than in controls. Further study is needed to determine the clinical impact of these abnormal SAECGs in athletes and cardiac outcomes in the long term.

The Use Pattern and Clinical Impact of Novel P2Y12 Receptor Antagonists for Acute Myocardial Infarction in Korea

No abstract available.

Funtional significance of the intermediate lesion in a single coronary artery assessed by fractional flow reserve

No abstract available.

Unexpected development of acute abdominal aortic thrombosis during percutaneous coronary intervention

No abstract available.

Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Coronary Stenoses: MINIATURE Investigators (Korea MultIceNter TrIal on Long-Term Clinical Outcome According to the Plaque Burden and Treatment Strategy in Lesions with MinimUm Lumen ARea lEss Than 4 mm2 Usin

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the two-year clinical outcomes in patients with angiographically intermediate lesions according to the plaque burden and treatment strategy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients with angiographically intermediate lesions (diameter stenosis 30-70%) with an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) minimum lumen area (MLA) <4 mm2 with 50-70% plaque burden of 16 Korean percutaneous coronary intervention centers. Patients were divided into medical therapy group (n=85) and zotarolimus-eluting stent group (ZES; Resolute) group (n=74). We evaluated the incidences of two-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). RESULTS: A two-year clinical follow-up was completed in 143 patients and MACE occurred in 12 patients. There were no significant differences in the incidences of death (1.3% vs. 3.0%, p=0.471), target vessel-related non-fatal myocardial infarction (0.0% vs. 0.0%, p=1.000) and target vessel revascularizations (7.8% vs. 4.5%, p=0.425) between medical and ZES groups. Independent predictors of two-year MACE included acute myocardial infarction {odds ratio (OR)=2.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43-6.12, p=0.014}, diabetes mellitus (OR=2.46; 95% CI 1.24-5.56, p=0.028) and non-statin therapy (OR=2.32; 95% CI 1.18-5.24, p=0.034). CONCLUSION: Medical therapy shows comparable results with ZES, and myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus and non-statin therapy were associated with the occurrence of two-year MACE in patients with intermediate lesion with IVUS MLA <4 mm2 with 50-70% of plaque burden.

Health-Related Quality-of-Life after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with UA/NSTEMI and STEMI: the Korean Multicenter Registry

Compared with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), long-term outcomes are known to be worse in patients with unstable angina/non-STEMI (UA/NSTEMI), which might be related to the worse health status of patients with UA/STEMI. In patients with UA/NSTEMI and STEMI underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), angina-specific and general health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) was investigated at baseline and at 30 days after PCI. Patients with UA/NSTEMI were older and had higher frequencies in female, diabetes and hypertension. After PCI, both angina-specific and general HRQOL scores were improved, but improvement was much more frequent in angina-related HRQOL of patients with UA/NSTEMI than those with STEMI (44.2% vs 36.8%, P < 0.001). Improvement was less common in general HRQOL. At 30-days after PCI, angina-specific HRQOL of the patients with UA/NSTEMI was comparable to those with STEMI (56.1 +/- 18.6 vs 56.6 +/- 18.7, P = 0.521), but general HRQOL was significantly lower (0.86 +/- 0.21 vs 0.89 +/- 0.17, P = 0.001) after adjusting baseline characteristics (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the general health status of those with UA/NSTEMI was not good even after optimal PCI. In addition to angina-specific therapy, comprehensive supportive care would be needed to improve the general health status of acute coronary syndrome survivors.

A case of primary aldosteronism presenting as non-ST elevation myocardial infarction

No abstract available.

Combined Assessments of Biochemical Markers and ST-Segment Resolution Provide Additional Prognostic Information for Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prognostic value of biochemical markers and the resolution of ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram are well established. However, how a combination of these two tools affects the evaluation of risk stratification has not yet been evaluated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and June 2008, 178 consecutive patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) were analyzed at two coronary care units. Patients were divided into the following three groups according to ST-segment resolution: complete (> or =70% depression of the elevated ST-segment, n=63), partial (30% to 70%, n=90), and incomplete (<30%, n=25). Demographic data, including history, electrocardiography, biochemical markers, initial ejection fraction, and angiographic findings were also evaluated. RESULTS: There were 7 deaths, 3 repeated myocardial infarctions, and 17 readmissions for worsening heart failure during six months of follow-up. In a multivariate analysis to predict clinical outcomes, ejection fraction {hazard ratio (HR): 0.83 (0.76-0.91), p<0.01}, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein {HR: 1.15 (1.05-1.26), p<0.05}, and the degree of ST-segment resolution {HR: 0.96 (0.93-0.09), p<0.05} were independently associated with clinical outcomes. According to the Cox-proportional hazards model, the addition of ST-segment resolution markedly improved the prognostic utility of the model containing biochemical markers and ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: Assessment of biomarkers upon admission and ST-segment resolution are strong predictors of clinical outcomes. The combination of these data provides additive information about prognosis at an early point in the disease progression and further improves risk stratification for STEMI.

Impact of Glutathione S-Transferase M1 and T1 Gene Polymorphisms on the Smoking-Related Coronary Artery Disease

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) plays a key role in the detoxification of xenobiotic atherogen generated by smoking. To analyze the effect of GSTM1/T1 gene polymorphisms on the development of smoking-related coronary artery disease (CAD), 775 Korean patients who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled. The subjects were classified by luminal diameter stenosis into group A (>50%), B (20-50%), or C (<20%). GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms were analyzed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for GSTM1/T1 genes and CYP1A1 gene for internal control. Of 775 subjects, 403 patients belonged to group A. They had higher risk factors for CAD than group B (N=260) and group C (N=112). The genotype frequencies of null GSTM1 and GSTT1 showed no significant differences among 3 groups. Considering the effect of GSTM1 gene polymorphisms on the smoking-related CAD, smokers with GSTM1 null genotype had more increased risk for CAD than non-smoker with GSTM1 positive genotype (odds ratios [OR], 2.07, confidence interval [CI], 1.06-4.07). Also the effect of GSTT1 gene polymorphism on smoking-related CAD showed the same tendency as GSTM1 gene (OR, 2.00, CI, 1.05-3.84). This effect of GSTM1/T1 null genotype on smoking-related CAD was augmented when both gene polymorphisms were considered simultaneously (OR, 2.76, CI, 1.17-6.52). We concluded that GSTM1/T1 null genotype contributed to the pathogenesis of smoking-related CAD to some degree.

Effects of Intraluminal Irradiation with Holmium-166 for TIPS Stenosis: Experimental Study in a Swine Model

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of intraluminal irradiation with Holmium-166 (166Ho) for reducing the pseudointimal hyperplasia (PIH) in the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) tract in a swine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TIPS was performed in 12 domestic pigs, after the creation of portal hypertension by intraportal injection of a mixture of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and lipiodol. Five pigs first underwent intraluminal irradiation (30 Gy) in the parenchymal tract with using a 166Ho solution-filled balloon catheter, and this was followed by the placement of a nitinol stent in the TIPS tract. For the seven control pigs, the balloon was filled with saline and contrast media mixture. Two weeks later, follow-up portography and histological analysis were performed. RESULTS: TIPS was successfully performed in all twelve pigs with achieving artificially induced portal hypertension. Portography performed two weeks after TIPS showed the patent tracts in the TIPS tracts that were irradiated with 166Ho (5/5, 100%), whereas either completely (5/6, 83.3%) or partially (1/6, 16.7%) occluded TIPS were seen in the seven pigs of the nonirradiated control group, except in one pig that experienced periprocedural death due to bleeding. Histological analysis showed a statistically significant difference for the maximal PIH (irradiated: 32.8%, nonirradiated: 76.0%, p < 0.001) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Intraluminal irradiation with 30 Gy of 166Ho for TIPS significantly improved the TIPS patency in a swine model of portal hypertension during a 2-week period of follow-up.

The Difference of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and the Diastolic Function between Prehypertensives and Normotensives

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether prehypertensives (PHs) exhibit more prevalent electrocardiographic and echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG LVH) and if they are are more associated with impaired left ventricular (LV) diastolic function than are normotensives (NTs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 608 subjects> or = 40 years of age with normal BP (SBP<120 mmHg and DBP<80 mmHg, n=335) and PH (n=273) and who were without a history of hypertension, diabetes and any other known cardiovascular diseases underwent blood sampling for obtaining the lipid profile, and they also underwent 12-lead electrocardiography and echocardiography. RESULTS: Compared with the NTs, the PHs had significantly higher Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell voltage for ECG LVH, and they ahd a higher prevalence of ECG LVH (men: 16.9% vs 5.9%, women: 2.0% vs 1.0%, respectively). The PHs had a more increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI, Men: 118.1+/-24.4 g/m2 vs 102.0+/-19.1 g/m2, p=0.02; Women: 117.5+/-26.4 g/m2 vs 101.9+/-30.7 g/m2, p=0.02) and a more decreased LV diastolic function (E/A, Men: 1.14+/-0.6 vs 1.30+/-0.4, p=0.03; Wemen: 1.11+/-0.6 vs 1.25+/-0.5, p=0.03) on echocardiography than the NTs. CONCLUSION: The PHs were associated with a higher prevalence of ECG LVH and a more increased LVMI on echocardiography than that of the NTs. Therefore, we should pay earlier attention to diagnose and screen the pre-hypertensive group.

The Relation of Circadian Blood Pressure Variation to Left Ventricular Mass, Diastolic Function, and Dynamic QT Dispersion

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A non-dipping pattern in hypertensive patients has been shown to be associated with a greater left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, LV diastolic impairments and prolonged ventricular repolarization. The dynamic parameters of the QT dispersion (QTd) have been highlighted as markers of ventricular repolarization heterogeneity. The aim of this study was to demonstrate if the extent of nocturnal blood pressure (BP) fall was related to the LV mass, LV diastolic function and dynamic parameters of the QTd. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 122 subjects, receiving electrocardiography, 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, 12 lead-24hr Holter monitoring and 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography examinations, were enrolled. The subjects were classified as normotensive, dipper and non-dipper. The LV mass (LVM) and LV diastolic indices were measured. Using the QT Guard software, with 12 lead-24hr Holter monitoring, the QTd, mean QTd, QTd variation (the difference between the maximum minus the minimum QTd value observed over the recording time), QTd maximum (the maximum difference of QTd between consecutive beats) and QTd variability (QTd standard deviation) were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 122 patients, 39 and 40 were placed in the dipper and non-dipper groups, respectively. The non-dipper group had a greater LVM index (LVMI) than the dipper group (p<0.01). The non-dipper group had greater increases in their A velocity (p<0.01), and more prolonged deceleration (p<0.01) and isovolumic relaxation (p<0.01) times than the dipper group. There were no significant differences in the QT and QTc interval between the 3 groups, but the QTd was much more increased in the non-dipper than the dipper and normotensive groups (p<0.01). For the dynamic parameters of the QTd, the QTd variation, QTd maximum and QTd variability were significantly increased in the non-dipper compared to the dipper and normotensive groups (p<0.05). Comparing the dipper and normotensive groups, there were no significant differences in the LVMI, LV diastolic indices, QTd and dynamic parameters of the QTd. CONCLUSION: The non-dipper group of hypertensive patients had a greater LVMI, more impaired LV diastolic function and greater increases in their QTd and dynamic parameters of the QTd compared to the dipper and normotensive groups, suggesting the possibility of a much greater chance of cardiovascular events, and their complications, in the non-dipper compared to the dipper group.

Tissue Doppler Image-Derived Myocardial Performance(Tei Index) as a Simple Assessment of Global Cardiac Function in Adults

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A new Doppler time index of myocardial performance (the Tei index) has been studied as a useful predictor of global cardiac function. It is defined as (a-b)/b, where a is the interval between the end and onset of the mitral inflow, and b is the ejection time of the left ventricular outflow. However, the Doppler time intervals are not measured on the same cardiac cycle. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We compared the tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)-derived Tei index, which can be measured on the same cardiac cycle, with the conventional Tei index as measured by pulsed wave Doppler method, in healthy persons (n=44), in patients having diastolic dysfunction with an E/E' ratio >10 (DD, n=56), and in patients having systolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction<50% (SD, n=10). At the septal and lateral mitral annulus from the apical 4-chamber view, the time interval between the end and onset of the mitral annular velocities during diastole (a') minus the duration of the systolic wave (b') divided by b', which is (a'-b')/b', is defined as the TDI-tei index. RESULTS: The TDI-Tei index and the conventional Tei index were significantly higher in the SD group than in the DD group, and they were also higher in the DD group than in the healthy controls. The TDI-Tei index at the septal and lateral annulus correlated well with the Tei index (r=0.71, r=0.65, respectively, p<0.001) and this showed a good correlation with other echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the TDI-Tei index correlates well with the conventional Tei index along with having the advantage of simultaneous recording of the systolic and diastolic velocities in adults.

Delayed Presentation of Mitral Valve Leaflet Perforation Following Blunt Chest Trauma: A Case Report

Mitral regurgitation originating from mitral valve leaflet perforation secondary to blunt chest trauma is a rare condition. The mechanisms related with valvular injury are rapid acceleration- deceleration movements of the thorax, compression of the heart between the sternum and vertebrae during early systole or late diastole, and abrupt increase of the intrathoracic pressure followed by cardiac rupture. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a recommended diagnostic tool and is superior to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for diagnosing valvular lesions. Valvular injury causing sudden and severe mitral regurgitation will lead to congestive heart failure and death without operative correction. A high index of suspicion with appropriate diagnostic methods will provide a diagnosis and allow the possibility of operative correction. We report the case of a 45-year-old man with delayed presentation of traumatic mitral valve perforation and review previous reports of blunt traumatic mitral valve injury.

Isolated Coronary Artery Dissection after Blunt Chest Trauma: A Case Report

Blunt chest trauma in intoxicated patients is very difficult to evaluate in the emergency medical center. Emergency physicians have difficulty figuring out the nature of the accident because the patients are frequently uncooperative. That is why we should always be cautious when evaluating intoxicated patients. Coronary artery dissection after blunt chest trauma is very rare, but delayed diagnosis can be lethal to the patient. We report a case of a27-year-old intoxicated male patient transferred to our emergency medical center after a motorcycle accident. After the primary survey, there were no severe external wounds, fractures or hemorrhages. We decided to monitor the patient in the observation unit until his mental status fully recovered. About two hours later, he complained of epigastric discomfort and dyspnea. His electrocardiogram showed ST segment elevation in leads I, aVL, V1- V4. Cardiac enzymes were also elevated. The coronary angiogram revealed a total occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) and a dissecting flap was seen on intravascular ultrasonography. He recovered after successful stent insertion in the LAD lesion.

Isolated Tricuspid Regurgitation Caused by Annular Dilatation

Isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is rare. Generally, TR is caused by pulmonary hypertension secondary to mitral or aortic valve disease, commonly referred to as "functional" regurgitation. The causes of isolated TR in adults include trauma, endocarditis, carcinoid heart disease, and congenital malformation of the tricuspid valve apparatus. In addition, isolated TR should be distinguished from Ebstein anomaly. In the present case, the patient had no definite causes of TR, and neither mitral nor aortic valve disease. The tricuspid valve of this patient showed no abnormalities other than a severely dilated tricuspid annulus. Isolated TR caused by annular dilatation was diagnosed and then ring annuloplasty was perfomed. The subsequent clinical course was satisfactory.

A case of Libman-Sacks endocarditis confused with infective endocarditis / 대한내과학회지

The nonbacterial valvular and mural verrucous endocarditis known as Libman-Sacks endocarditis is found in 40~60% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. the Libman-Sacks endocarditis mostly affects the mitral and aortic valves and frequently displays valvular dysfunction. In rare cases, the Libman-Sacks endocarditis can embolize and cause stroke syndrome. We report a case of Libman-Sacks endocarditis confused with infective endocarditis because its clinical manifestations were very similar to those of infective endocarditis. We confirmed systemic lupus erythematosus with Libman-Sacks endocarditis by means of serology and successfully treated patient with steroid.

Pulmonary Lymphangiomatosis / 결핵

Pulmonary lymphangiomatosis is a very rare pulmonary lesion with an aggressive potential that occurs mainly in newborns, infants and young children of both sexes. It is characterized by pulmonary abnormalities of lymphatic system, showing an increased number of complex anastomosing lymphatic channels in the pleura, in the subpleural interlobular septa, and along the bronchovascular lymphatic route and uniformly fatal. We report a case of lymphangiomatosis behaving like lymphangioleiomyomatosis in a 26-year-old woman.