Clinical safety and effectiveness of the Genoss drug-eluting stent in real-world clinical practice

Background/Aims@#The Genoss DES™ is a novel, biodegradable, polymer-coated, sirolimus-eluting stent with a cobalt- chromium stent platform and thin strut. Although the safety and effectiveness of this stent have been previously investigated, real-world clinical outcomes data are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this prospective, multicenter trial was to evaluate the clinical safety and effectiveness of the Genoss DES™ in all-comer patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. @*Methods@#The Genoss DES registry is a prospective, single-arm, observational trial for evaluation of clinical outcomes after Genoss DES™ implantation in all-comer patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention from 17 sites in South Korea. The primary endpoint was a device-oriented composite outcome of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction (MI), and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 12 months. @*Results@#A total of 1,999 patients (66.4 ± 11.1 years of age; 72.8% male) were analyzed. At baseline, 62.8% and 36.7% of patients had hypertension and diabetes, respectively. The implanted stent number, diameter, and length per patient were 1.5 ± 0.8, 3.1 ± 0.5 mm, and 37.0 ± 25.0 mm, respectively. The primary endpoint occurred in 1.8% patients, with a cardiac death rate of 1.1%, target vessel-related MI rate of 0.2%, and clinically driven TLR rate of 0.8%. @*Conclusions@#In this real-world registry, the Genoss DES™ demonstrated excellent safety and effectiveness at 12 months among all-comer patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. These findings suggest that the Genoss DES™ may be a viable treatment option for patients with coronary artery disease.

Ticagrelor Monotherapy After 3-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Acute Coronary Syndrome by High Bleeding Risk: The Subanalysis From the TICO Trial

Background and Objectives@#Identifying patients with high bleeding risk (HBR) is important when making decisions for antiplatelet therapy strategy. This study evaluated the impact of ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) according to HBR in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients treated with drug eluting stents (DESs). @*Methods@#In this post-hoc analysis of the TICO trial, HBR was defined by 2 approaches: meeting Academic Research Consortium for HBR (ARC-HBR) criteria or Predicting Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent DAPT (PRECISEDAPT) score ≥25. The primary outcome was a 3–12 months net adverse clinical event (composite of major bleeding and adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events). @*Results@#Of the 2,980 patients without adverse events during the first 3 months after DES implantation, 453 (15.2%) were HBR by ARC-HBR criteria and 504 (16.9%) were HBR by PRECISE-DAPT score. The primary outcome rate was higher in HBR versus non-HBR patients (by ARC-HBR criteria: hazard ratio [HR], 2.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.76– 4.69; p<0.001; by PRECISE-DAPT score: HR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.92–4.98; p<0.001). Ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT was associated with lower primary outcome rate than ticagrelor-based 12-month DAPT regardless of HBR by ARC-HBR criteria, with similar magnitudes of therapy effect for HBR and non-HBR patients (p-interaction=0.400). Results were consistent by PRECISE-DAPT score (p-interaction=0.178). @*Conclusions@#In ACS patients treated with DESs, ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT was associated with lower rate of adverse clinical outcomes regardless of HBR, with similar magnitudes of therapy effect between HBR and non-HBR.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02494895

Frequent Premature Atrial Contractions as a Poor Prognostic Factor in Cryptogenic Stroke Patients with Concomitant Non-Sustained Atrial Tachycardia

In cryptogenic stroke patients, early detection of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and recurrent stroke is required to prevent poor clinical outcomes. Therefore, we investigated the predictors of new-onset AF and recurrent stroke in cryptogenic stroke patients without previously diagnosed AF. In total, 390 patients who were diagnosed with stroke and non-sustained atrial tachycardia (NSAT) on 24-hour Holter monitoring were followed up to assess new-onset AF and recurrent stroke. The 5-year event-free survival as well as the predictors of recurrent stroke or new-onset AF were investigated. Based on receiver operating characteristic analysis, frequent premature atrial contractions (PACs) were defined as PACs >44 beats/day. The median follow-up period was 35 months. The composite event rate was 11.5%. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 5-year cumulative incidence of composite events was higher in cryptogenic stroke patients with frequent PACs than in those without frequent PACs. Multivariate analysis revealed that current smoking, increased left atrial volume index, and frequent PACs were poor prognostic predictors of composite event, and frequent PACs were an independent poor prognostic factor of new-onset AF in cryptogenic stroke patients. Therefore, frequent PACs might be associated with poor clinical outcomes (new-onset AF and recurrent stroke) in cryptogenic stroke patients with concomitant NSAT.

Safety and Efficacy of a New Ultrathin Sirolimus-Eluting Stent with Abluminal Biodegradable Polymer in Real-World Practice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Recently, Genoss drug-eluting stent (DES)™ stent comprising cobalt-chromium platform with an ultrathin strut thickness, sirolimus, and an abluminal biodegradable polymer was developed. Owing to the lack of substantial evidence for the safety and efficacy of this stent, we report 12-month results of the Genoss DES™ stent.@*METHODS@#We analyzed subjects who were eligible for a 12-month follow-up from the ongoing Genoss DES™ registry, which is a prospective, single-arm, observational, multicenter trial to investigate the clinical outcomes after the successful Genoss DES™ stent implantation among all-comers. The primary endpoint was a device-oriented composite outcome, defined as cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization at 12-month follow-up.@*RESULTS@#Among 622 subjects, the mean age of subjects was 66.5±10.4 years, 70.6% were males, 67.5% had hypertension, and 38.3% had diabetes. The implanted stent number, diameter, and length per patient were 1.5±0.8, 3.1±0.4 mm, and 36.0±23.3 mm, respectively. At 12-month clinical follow-up, the primary endpoint occurred only in 4 (0.6%) subjects.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The novel Genoss DES™ stent exhibited excellent safety and efficacy in real-world practice.

Safety and Efficacy of a New Ultrathin Sirolimus-Eluting Stent with Abluminal Biodegradable Polymer in Real-World Practice

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, Genoss drug-eluting stent (DES)™ stent comprising cobalt-chromium platform with an ultrathin strut thickness, sirolimus, and an abluminal biodegradable polymer was developed. Owing to the lack of substantial evidence for the safety and efficacy of this stent, we report 12-month results of the Genoss DES™ stent.METHODS: We analyzed subjects who were eligible for a 12-month follow-up from the ongoing Genoss DES™ registry, which is a prospective, single-arm, observational, multicenter trial to investigate the clinical outcomes after the successful Genoss DES™ stent implantation among all-comers. The primary endpoint was a device-oriented composite outcome, defined as cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization at 12-month follow-up.RESULTS: Among 622 subjects, the mean age of subjects was 66.5±10.4 years, 70.6% were males, 67.5% had hypertension, and 38.3% had diabetes. The implanted stent number, diameter, and length per patient were 1.5±0.8, 3.1±0.4 mm, and 36.0±23.3 mm, respectively. At 12-month clinical follow-up, the primary endpoint occurred only in 4 (0.6%) subjects.CONCLUSIONS: The novel Genoss DES™ stent exhibited excellent safety and efficacy in real-world practice.

The Current Status of Intervention for Intermediate Coronary Stenosis in the Korean Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (K-PCI) Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Intermediate coronary lesion that can be under- or over-estimated by visual estimation frequently results in stenting of functionally nonsignificant lesions or deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of significant lesions inappropriately. We evaluated current status of PCI for intermediate lesions from a standardized database in Korea.@*METHODS@#We analyzed the Korean percutaneous coronary intervention (K-PCI) registry data which collected a standardized PCI database of the participating hospitals throughout the country from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. Intermediate lesion was defined as a luminal narrowing between 50% and 70% by visual estimation and then compared whether the invasive physiologic or imaging study was performed or not.@*RESULTS@#Physiology-guided PCI for intermediate lesions was performed in 16.8% for left anterior descending artery (LAD), 9.8% for left circumflex artery (LCX), 13.2% for right coronary artery (RCA). PCI was more frequently performed using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) than using fractional flow reserve (FFR) for coronary artery segments (27.7% vs. 13.9% for LAD, 32.9% vs. 8.1% for LCX, and 33.8% vs. 10.8% for RCA). In accordance with or without FFR, PCI for intermediate lesions was more frequently performed in the hospitals with available FFR device than without FFR, especially in left main artery (LM), proximal LAD lesion (40.9% vs. 5.9% for LM, 24.6% vs 7.6% for proximal LAD).@*CONCLUSIONS@#These data provide the current PCI practice pattern with the use of FFR and IVUS in intermediate lesion. More common use of FFR for intermediate lesion should be encouraged.

Coronary Artery Aneurysm after Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation

PURPOSE: We evaluated the incidence, predictors, and prognosis of coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) after second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 976 consecutive patients (1245 lesions) who underwent follow-up angiography after second-generation DES implantation were analyzed. Incidence and predictors of CAA were assessed, and clinical prognosis was compared with 34 cases of CAA after first-generation DES implantation using previous CAA registry data. RESULTS: All 10 cases of CAA (0.80% per lesion) in 10 patients (1.02% per patient) were detected at follow up. Compared to lesions without CAA, those with CAA had greater involvement of the proximal segment (90% vs. 51%, p=0.014), a higher proportion of pre-intervention, a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction score of 0 or 1 flow (80% vs. 16%, p<0.001), more chronic total occlusions (40% vs. 10%, p<0.001), and longer implanted stents (41.9±23.2 mm vs. 28.8±14.8 mm, p=0.006). As for CAA morphology, instances of CAA after second-generation DES were predominantly the single fusiform type (90%), whereas instances of CAA after first-generation DES were multiple saccular (47%) and single saccular (35%) types (p<0.001). Myocardial infarction with stent thrombosis occurred in 5 patients with CAA after first-generation DES (15%), and no adverse events were observed in patients with CAA after second-generation DES over a median follow-up duration of 4.3 years (p=0.047, log-rank). CONCLUSION: Although CAAs after second-generation DES implantation were detected at a similar incidence to that for CAAs after first-generation DES implantation, second-generation DES-related CAAs had different morphologies and more benign clinical outcomes versus first-generation DES-related CAAs.

The Current Status of Intervention for Intermediate Coronary Stenosis in the Korean Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (K-PCI) Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intermediate coronary lesion that can be under- or over-estimated by visual estimation frequently results in stenting of functionally nonsignificant lesions or deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of significant lesions inappropriately. We evaluated current status of PCI for intermediate lesions from a standardized database in Korea. METHODS: We analyzed the Korean percutaneous coronary intervention (K-PCI) registry data which collected a standardized PCI database of the participating hospitals throughout the country from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. Intermediate lesion was defined as a luminal narrowing between 50% and 70% by visual estimation and then compared whether the invasive physiologic or imaging study was performed or not. RESULTS: Physiology-guided PCI for intermediate lesions was performed in 16.8% for left anterior descending artery (LAD), 9.8% for left circumflex artery (LCX), 13.2% for right coronary artery (RCA). PCI was more frequently performed using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) than using fractional flow reserve (FFR) for coronary artery segments (27.7% vs. 13.9% for LAD, 32.9% vs. 8.1% for LCX, and 33.8% vs. 10.8% for RCA). In accordance with or without FFR, PCI for intermediate lesions was more frequently performed in the hospitals with available FFR device than without FFR, especially in left main artery (LM), proximal LAD lesion (40.9% vs. 5.9% for LM, 24.6% vs 7.6% for proximal LAD). CONCLUSIONS: These data provide the current PCI practice pattern with the use of FFR and IVUS in intermediate lesion. More common use of FFR for intermediate lesion should be encouraged.

Associates and Prognosis of Giant Left Atrium; Single Center Experience

BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) remodeling develops as a result of longstanding pressure overload. However, determinants and clinical outcome of excessive remodeling, so called giant left atrium (GLA), are not clear. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of patients with GLA (antero-posterior diameter higher than 65 mm), including echo-Doppler parameters, and follow-up clinical outcomes from a tertiary referral hospital were investigated. RESULTS: Among 68519 consecutive primary patients who underwent echocardiography over a period of 10 years, data from 163 GLA cases (0.24%) were analyzed. Main causes were significant rheumatic mitral stenosis (n = 58, 36%); other causes comprised significant rheumatic mitral regurgitation (MR; n = 10, 6%), mitral valve (MV) prolapse or congenital mitral valvular disease (MVD) (n = 20, 12%), and functional MR (n = 25, 15%). However, mild rheumatic MV disease (n = 4, 3%) or left ventricular (LV) systolic or diastolic dysfunction without significant MR (n = 46, 28%) were also causes of GLA. During median follow-up of 22 months, 42 cases (26%) underwent composite events. MV surgery was related to lower rate of composite events. In multivariate analysis, MV surgery, elevated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, and increased LA volume index were independent predictors of future events (p < 0.05) regardless of underlying diseases or history of MV surgery. CONCLUSION: Although rheumatic MVD with atrial fibrillation is the main contributor to GLA, longstanding atrial fibrillation with LV dysfunction but without MVD also could be related to GLA. Even in GLA state, accurate measurement of LA volume is crucial for risk stratification for future events, regardless of underlying disease.

Prognostic Value of Elevated Homocysteine Levels in Korean Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether an elevated homocysteine (Hcy) level is associated with a worse prognosis in Korean patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 5839 patients (60.4% male, mean age 61.3±11.2 years) with CAD were enrolled from 2000 to 2010 at Gangnam Severance Hospital. CAD was diagnosed by invasive coronary angiography. Laboratory values including Hcy level were obtained on the day of coronary angiography and analyses were performed shortly after sampling. Patients were divided into two groups according to their Hcy levels. Baseline risk factors, coronary angiographic findings, length of follow-up, and composite endpoints including cardiac death (CD) and non-fatal myocardial infarction (NFMI) were recorded. 1:1 propensity score matched analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up period of 4.4±2.5 years, there were 132 composite endpoints (75 CD and 57 NFMI) with an event rate of 2.3%. Mean Hcy level was 9.9±4.3 µmol/L (normal Hcy 7.9±1.5 µmol/L and elevated Hcy 13.9±5.1 µmol/L). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed an association of elevated Hcy level with worse prognosis (p<0.0001). In addition, a multivariate Cox regression analysis showed an association of elevated Hcy level with worse prognosis for both the entire cohort (hazard ratio [HR] 2.077, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.467-2.941, p<0.0001) and the propensity score matched cohort (HR 1.982, 95% CI 1.305-3.009, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Elevated Hcy level is associated with worse outcomes in Korean patients with CAD.

Left Ventricular Filling Pressure as Assessed by the E/e' Ratio Is a Determinant of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence after Cardioversion

PURPOSE: Left ventricular (LV) filling pressure affects atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. We investigated the relationship between diastolic dysfunction and AF recurrence after cardioversion, and whether LV filling pressure was predictive of AF recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients (mean 58+/-12 years) with newly diagnosed persistent AF were retrospectively enrolled. We excluded patients with left atrial (LA) diameters larger than 50 mm, thereby isolating the effect of LV filling pressure. We evaluated the differences between the patients with (group 1) and without AF recurrence (group 2). RESULTS: Group 1 showed increased LA volume index (LAVI) and E/e' compared to group 2 (p9.15) compared with patients with lower LV filling pressure (E/e'< or =9.15) (log rank p=0.008). Cox regression analysis revealed that E/e' [hazards ratio (HR): 1.100, 95% CI: 1.017-1.190] and LAVI (HR: 1.042, 95% CI: 1.002-1.084) were independent predictors for AF recurrence after cardioversion. CONCLUSION: LV filling pressure predicts the risk of AF recurrence in persistent AF patients after cardioversion.

Carotid Artery End-Diastolic Velocity and Future Cerebro-Cardiovascular Events in Asymptomatic High Risk Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prognostic value of additional carotid Doppler evaluations to carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque has not been completely evaluated. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 1119 patients with risk factors for, but without, overt coronary artery disease (CAD), who underwent both carotid ultrasound and Doppler examination were included in the present study. Parameters of interest included peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities, resistive indices of the carotid arteries, IMT, and plaque measurements. The primary end-point was all-cause cerebro-cardiovascular events (CVEs) including acute myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization therapy, heart failure admission, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Model 1 covariates comprised age and sex; Model 2 also included hypertension, diabetes and smoking; Model 3 also had use of aspirin and statin; and Model 4 also included IMT and plaque. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 1386+/-461 days and the mean age of the study population was 60+/-12 years. Amongst 1119 participants, 43% were women, 57% had a history of hypertension, and 23% had diabetes. During follow-up, 6.6% of patients experienced CVEs. Among carotid Doppler parameters, average common carotid artery end-diastolic velocity was the independent predictor for future CVEs after adjustments for all models variables (HR 0.95 per cm/s, 95% confident interval 0.91-0.99, p=0.034 in Model 4) and significantly increased the predictive value of Model 4 (global chi2=59.0 vs. 62.8, p=0.029). CONCLUSION: Carotid Doppler measurements in addition to IMT and plaque evaluation are independently associated with future CVEs in asymptomatic patients at risk for CAD.

Erratum to: Additive Beneficial Effects of Valsartan Combined with Rosuvastatin in the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemic Hypertensive Patients

In this article, on page 230, Fig. 2A needs to be corrected.

Additive Beneficial Effects of Valsartan Combined with Rosuvastatin in the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemic Hypertensive Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We compared the efficacy and safety of valsartan and rosuvastatin combination therapy with each treatment alone in hypercholesterolemic hypertensive patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients who met inclusion criteria were randomized to receive 1 of the following 2-month drug regimens: valsartan 160 mg plus rosuvastatin 20 mg, valsartan 160 mg plus placebo, or rosuvastatin 20 mg plus placebo. The primary efficacy variables were change in sitting diastolic blood pressure (sitDBP) and sitting systolic blood pressure (sitSBP), and percentage change in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in the combination, valsartan, and rosuvastatin groups. Adverse events (AEs) during the study were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 354 patients were screened and 123 of them were finally randomized. Changes of sitDBP by least squares mean (LSM) were -11.1, -7.2, and -3.6 mm Hg, respectively, and was greater in the combination, as compared to both valsartan (p=0.02) and rosuvastatin (p<0.001). Changes of sitSBP by LSM were -13.2, -10.8, and -4.9 mm Hg, and was greater in the combination, as compared to rosuvastatin (p=0.006) and not valsartan (p=0.42). Percentage changes of LDL-C by LSM were -52, -4, and -47% in each group, and was greater in the combination, as compared to valsartan (p<0.001), similar to rosuvastatin (p=0.16). Most AEs were mild and resolved by the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Combination treatment with valsartan and rosuvastatin exhibited an additive blood pressure-lowering effect with acceptable tolerability, as compared to valsartan monotherapy. Its lipid lowering effect was similar to rosuvatatin monotherapy.

Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 Is Related to Plaque Stability and Is a Potential Biomarker for Acute Coronary Syndrome

PURPOSE: Plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) binds to low-density lipoprotein. The levels of Lp-PLA2 reflect the plaque burden, and are upregulated in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We investigated the diagnostic value of Lp-PLA2 levels and found that it might be a potential biomarker for ACS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We classified 226 study participants into three groups: patients without significant stenosis (control group), patients with significant stenosis with stable angina (SA group), and patients with ACS (ACS group). RESULTS: Lp-PLA2 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were significantly greater in the ACS group than in the SA group (p=0.044 and p=0.029, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that Lp-PLA2 levels are significantly associated with ACS (odds ratio=1.047, p=0.013). The addition of Lp-PLA2 to the ACS model significantly increased the global chi2 value over traditional risk factors (28.14 to 35.602, p=0.006). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for Lp-PLA2 was 0.624 (p=0.004). The addition of Lp-PLA2 level to serum hs-CRP concentration yielded an integrated discrimination improvement of 0.0368 (p=0.0093, standard error: 0.0142) and improved the ability to diagnose ACS. CONCLUSION: Lp-PLA2 levels are related to plaque stability and might be a diagnostic biomarker for ACS.

Multidetector Computed Tomography for the Evaluation of Coronary Artery Disease; The Diagnostic Accuracy in Calcified Coronary Arteries, Comparing with IVUS Imaging

PURPOSE: Contrast enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been used as an alternative to coronary angiography for the assessment of coronary artery disease in the patient of the intermediate risk group. However, coronary calcium is a known limiting factor for MDCT evaluation. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of 64-channel MDCT with each coronary artery calcium score (CACS) by compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 54 symptomatic patients with intermediate-risk (10 females, mean age 59.9+/-6.9 years, Framingham point scores 9-20) with 162 sites who had a culprit lesion on 64-channel MDCT before performing coronary angiography with IVUS were enrolled. Patients were divided into 4 subgroups depending on CACS: 0, 1-99, 100-399, and >400. Lesion length, external elastic membrane (EEM) cross sectional area (CSA), minimal luminal area, and plaque area were measured and compared between IVUS and MDCT. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients for the measurements of the EEM CSA, lumen CSA, and plaque area were r=0.514, r=0.837, and r=0.578, respectively. Furthermore, there were close correlation of plaque area between four subgroups of CACS (r=0.671, r=0.623, r=0.562, r=0.571, respectively). CONCLUSION: Despite the increase in CACS, the geometric analysis of coronary arteries using with 64-channel MDCT was comparable with IVUS in symptomatic patient of the intermediate risk group.

Effect of Abciximab on the Levels of Circulating Microparticles in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated by Primary Angioplasty

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of the additional use of abciximab during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the level of procoagulant microparticles (MPs) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who had undergone primary PCI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this study, we studied 86 patients with STEMI (72 men, age 58+/-13) who had undergone primary PCI. The decision to administer abciximab immediately prior to PCI was left to the discretion of the operator. Blood samples for analysis of MPs were obtained from the femoral artery before and after PCI. MPs with procoagulant potential were measured using a commercial kit. The cellular origins of MPs were determined by antigenic capture with specific antibodies. RESULTS: Procoagulant MPs captured onto annexin V were not changed significantly after PCI {13.4+/-13.2 nM vs. 13.2+/-16.1 nM phosphatidylserine equivalent (PS eq), p=0.479}. Abciximab was used in 30 of 86 patients (35%) immediately prior to PCI. In patients who had undergone PCI without abciximab, no significant change in the level of MPs was observed after PCI. However, in the abciximab group, the level of circulating MPs was significantly decreased after PCI (12.0+/-10.7 nM vs. 7.8+/-11.7 nM PS eq, p=0.018). Levels of endothelial- and platelet-derived MPs also showed a significant reduction after PCI in the abciximab group. CONCLUSION: Primary PCI with additional abciximab significantly reduced the level of procoagulant MPs regardless of their cellular origins in patients with STEMI.

Erratum: Synephrine-containing dietary supplement precipitating apical ballooning syndrome in a young female

There was a spelling error in the main text.

Synephrine-containing dietary supplement precipitating apical ballooning syndrome in a young female

Apical ballooning syndrome (ABS) is a unique reversible cardiomyopathy that is frequently precipitated by emotional or physical stress. In addition, the few drugs reported to precipitate ABS were either illegal or strictly controlled for medical use. This paper reports a case of ABS precipitated by a dietary supplement. Our case accentuates the potential risk of dietary supplements containing synephrine, which is uncontrolled and available to the general public. Therefore, the Korea Food and Drug Administration should regulate these dietary supplements, and warn healthcare workers and the general public of the potential hazards of the indiscriminate abuse of dietary supplements.

Spontaneous Sinus Conversion of Permanent Atrial Fibrillation During Treatment of Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia is a common adverse effect of treatment for heart failure and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The cardiac manifestations of hyperkalemia include various electrocardiogram changes. We describe a case of a 74-year-old woman with heart failure and permanent atrial fibrillation who reverted to normal sinus rhythm during recovery from hyperkalemia.