The Trends of Atrial Fibrillation-Related Hospital Visit and Cost, Treatment Pattern and Mortality in Korea: 10-Year Nationwide Sample Cohort Data

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The change of in-hospital and out-hospital treatments, and hospital costs for atrial fibrillation (AF) were not well known in rapidly aging Asian countries. This study is to examine the trends of AF management and outcomes in Korea. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In the sample cohort from Korean National Health Insurance Data Sample Cohort (K-NHID-Sample Cohort) from 2004 through 2013, we identified patients with AF and hospital visit records using Korean Classification of Diseases, 6th Revision (KCD-6). Hospital cost, prescribed medications, radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), morbidity and mortality were identified. RESULTS: AF-related hospitalization and outpatient clinic visits increased by 2.19 and 3.06-fold, respectively. While the total cost increased from 3.6 to 11.3 billion won (p<0.001), the mean cost per patient increased from 0.68 to 0.83 million won (p<0.001). Although the mean CHA₂DS₂-VASc score increased from 3.5 to 4.4 in the total AF population, the proportion of patients who receive anticoagulation therapy with warfarin showed no significant change for the decade. The proportion of hospitalization for RFCA was increased (0.4% to 1.1%, p<0.001). All-cause mortality (6.7% to 5.0%), cardiovascular mortality (1.4% to 1.1%) and stroke-related death (1.3% to 0.8%) showed a modest decrease from 2004 to 2013. CONCLUSION: During the last decade, AF-related hospitalization and outpatient clinic visits have increased with the increase of many other comorbidities, whereas the rate of anticoagulation did not improved. Although mortality in patients with AF showed a modest decrease from 2004 to 2013, proper anticoagulation therapy is warranted for the improvement of public health.

Gender Difference in the Long-Term Clinical Implications of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

PURPOSE: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with poor short- and long-term outcomes after isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This study evaluated gender differences in the long-term clinical implications of POAF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After propensity score matching, a gender-based comparison of long-term (>1 year) newly developed atrial fibrillation (LTAF) and mortality between 1664 (480 females) consecutive patients with (POAF) and without POAF (no-POAF) who had undergone CABG was performed. RESULTS: During a follow-up of 49±28 months, cumulative survival free of LTAF was lower in the POAF group than in the no-POAF group for both males (92.1% vs. 98.2%, p<0.001) and females (84.1% vs. 98.0%, p<0.001). However, female patients with POAF more frequently developed LTAF than male POAF patients (13.9 % vs. 6.9%, p=0.049). In multivariate analysis, POAF was a significant predictor of LTAF among males [hazard ratio (HR) 4.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22–19.79, p=0.031] and females (HR 16.50; 95% CI 4.79–56.78; p<0.001). POAF was a predictor of long-term mortality among females (adjusted HR 3.96; 95% CI 1.13–13.87, p=0.033), but not among males. CONCLUSION: Although POAF was related to LTAF in both genders, cumulative survival free of LTAF was poorer among females than among males. Additionally, a significant correlation with long-term mortality after CABG was observed among female patients with POAF.

Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in a Patient with Andersen-Tawil Syndrome

Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS), a rare autosomal dominant disorder, is characterized by periodic paralysis, dysmorphic features and cardiac arrhythmias. This syndrome is caused by mutations of KCNJ2 gene, which encodes inward rectifying potassium channel. Here, we report an 18-year-old girl who was presented with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia and acute respiratory distress. She was diagnosed with ATS, based on dysmorphic features, ventricular arrhythmia, and periodic paralysis. This is the first case to be reported in Korea who experienced a fatal cardiac arrest and respiratory failure caused by ATS.

A Case of Kommerell's Diverticulum Initially Detected by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Kommerell's diverticulum is a rare congenital disorder characterized by typical right sided aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery which are usually detected by accident in asymptomatic patients. However, some of patients complain of severe symptoms caused by compression of the adjacent organs or complicated aortic dissection by the diverticulum. Early detection of the disease can lead to elective surgical correction. In this article, we report a Kommerell's diverticulum case initially detected by transesophageal echocardiography.

A Case of Esophageal Achalasia Compressing Left Atrium Diagnosed by Echocardiography in Patient with Acute Chest Pain

No abstract available.

Visceral Obesity of the Heart: Extensive Lipomatous Hypertrophy of Interatrial Septum

No abstract available.