The Clinical Outcomes of Marginal Donor Hearts: A Single Center Experience

Background and Objectives@#Although the shortage of donor is a common problem worldwide, a significant portion of unutilized hearts are classified as marginal donor (MD) hearts. However, research on the correlation between the MD and the prognosis of heart transplantation (HTx) is lacking. This study was conducted to investigate the clinical impact of MD in HTx. @*Methods@#Consecutive 73 HTxs during 2014 and 2021 in a tertiary hospital were analyzed.MD was defined as follows; a donor age >55 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 240 minutes, or significant cardiac structural problems. Preoperative characteristics and postoperative hemodynamic data, primary graft dysfunction (PGD), and the survival rate were analyzed. Risk stratification by Index for Mortality Prediction after Cardiac Transplantation (IMPACT) score was performed to examine the outcomes according to the recipient state. Each group was sub-divided into 2 risk groups according to the IMPACT score (low <10 vs. high ≥10). @*Results@#A total of 32 (43.8%) patients received an organ from MDs. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was more frequent in the non-MD group (34.4% vs. 70.7, p=0.007) There was no significant difference in PGD, 30-day mortality and long-term survival between groups. In the subgroup analysis, early outcomes did not differ between low- and high-risk groups. However, the long-term survival was better in the low-risk group (p=0.01). @*Conclusions@#The outcomes of MD group were not significantly different from non-MD group. Particularly, in low-risk recipient, the MD group showed excellent early and longterm outcomes. These results suggest the usability of selected MD hearts without increasing adverse events.

Vegetarian Diets and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: Pros

There is an ongoing need for public health interventions aimed at further mitigating the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) through changes in dietary patterns and other lifestyle habits. Plant-based diets (PBDs) are effective in reducing CVD risk factors, a benefit evidenced by the favorable cardio-metabolic profiles observed in vegetarians who abstain from consuming meat, fish, and poultry compared to omnivores. Numerous studies have demonstrated that PBDs, particularly when rich in high-quality plant foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, are associated with a lower risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Herein, we briefly review the current evidence regarding the relationship between CVD and PBDs, as well as the potential underlying biological mechanisms.

Effects of Ankle Control Training Using Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Leg Muscle Activation and Balance in Patients with Stroke

Purpose@#This study examined the effects of ankle control training using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), leg muscle activation, and balance in stroke patients. @*Methods@#Thirty-one stroke patients diagnosed with cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage were selected for the study. The experimental group underwent ankle control training using NMES, while the control group applied NMES to the paretic tibialis anterior muscle for 30 minutes per session, five times a week for four weeks. The muscle activity changes were measured using surface electromyography, and balance parameters were evaluated using a functional reach test (FRT). @*Results@#The intra-group comparison of the concentric muscle activity revealed improvements in the experimental group, including paretic tibialis anterior (TA) muscle (p<0.05), medial gastrocnemius muscle (MG) (p<0.01), and lateral gastrocnemius muscle (LG) (p<0.05), as well as MG (p<0.05), LG (p<0.05), soleus muscle (p<0.05) of the non-paretic side, and soleus muscle symmetry index (p<0.05). The intra-group comparison of the eccentric muscle activity showed improvements in the experimental group, including MG (p<0.01) and LG (p<0.01) of the paretic side, as well as MG (p<0.01), LG (p<0.01) of the non-paretic side, and LG symmetry index (p<0.01). The intra-group comparison of the functional reach test revealed significant differences in the test results in the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#Ankle control training using NMES had a positive effect on the changes in muscle activation and improved balance in patients with stroke.

A Case of Endocarditis on Mitral Annular Calcification

no abstract available.

A Case of Heart Transplantation for Fulminant Myocarditis After ChAdOx1nCoV-19 Vaccination

Vaccines have become the mainstay of management against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (coronavirus disease 2019; COVID-19) in the absence of effective antiviral therapy. Various adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination have been reported, including cardiovascular complications such as myocarditis or pericarditis. Herein, we describe clinical records of a 63-year woman with fulminant myocarditis following ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination that was salvaged by heart transplantation. She complained chest pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever after the second vaccination. After the heart transplantation, the patient died due to necrotizing pneumonia on the 54th day of onset. Fulminant myocarditis is very rare after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination but can be fatal.

Fatal Myopericarditis in a Patient With Lupus Erythematosus Supported by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may occur in any organ. In patients with SLE, myocarditis is extremely rare and potentially life-threatening. Herein, we report on a patient with lupus myocarditis, diagnosed by myocardial biopsy, immunologic tests, and clinical manifestations. Our findings suggest that securing time for diagnosis via extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and other intensive care is helpful for obtaining a good prognosis.

Sodium/glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor, Empagliflozin, Alleviated Transient Expression of SGLT2 after Myocardial Infarction

Background and Objectives@#Large clinical studies of sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown a significant beneficial effect on heart failure-associated hospitalization and cardiovascular events. As SGLT2 is known to be absent in heart cells, improved cardiovascular outcomes are thought to be accounted for by the indirect effects of the drug. We sought to confirm whether such benefits were mediated through SGLT2 expressed in the heart using myocardial infarction (MI) model. @*Methods@#Mice pre-treated with empagliflozin (EMPA), an SGLT2 inhibitor, showed a significantly reduced infarct size compared with the vehicle group three days post-MI.Interestingly, we confirmed SGLT2 localized in the infarct zone. The sequential changes of SGLT2 expression after MI were also evaluated. @*Results@#One day after MI, SGLT2 transiently appeared in the ischemic areas in the vehicle group and increased until 72 hours. The appearance of SGLT2 was delayed and less in amount compared with the vehicle group. Additionally, there was a significant difference in metabolites, including glucose and amino acids in the 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis between groups. @*Conclusions@#Our work demonstrates that SGLT2 is transiently expressed in heart tissue early after MI and EMPA may directly operate on SGLT2 to facilitate metabolic substrates shifts.

Fatal Myopericarditis in a Patient With Lupus Erythematosus Supported by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may occur in any organ. In patients with SLE, myocarditis is extremely rare and potentially life-threatening. Herein, we report on a patient with lupus myocarditis, diagnosed by myocardial biopsy, immunologic tests, and clinical manifestations. Our findings suggest that securing time for diagnosis via extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and other intensive care is helpful for obtaining a good prognosis.

Sodium/glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor, Empagliflozin, Alleviated Transient Expression of SGLT2 after Myocardial Infarction

Background and Objectives@#Large clinical studies of sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown a significant beneficial effect on heart failure-associated hospitalization and cardiovascular events. As SGLT2 is known to be absent in heart cells, improved cardiovascular outcomes are thought to be accounted for by the indirect effects of the drug. We sought to confirm whether such benefits were mediated through SGLT2 expressed in the heart using myocardial infarction (MI) model. @*Methods@#Mice pre-treated with empagliflozin (EMPA), an SGLT2 inhibitor, showed a significantly reduced infarct size compared with the vehicle group three days post-MI.Interestingly, we confirmed SGLT2 localized in the infarct zone. The sequential changes of SGLT2 expression after MI were also evaluated. @*Results@#One day after MI, SGLT2 transiently appeared in the ischemic areas in the vehicle group and increased until 72 hours. The appearance of SGLT2 was delayed and less in amount compared with the vehicle group. Additionally, there was a significant difference in metabolites, including glucose and amino acids in the 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis between groups. @*Conclusions@#Our work demonstrates that SGLT2 is transiently expressed in heart tissue early after MI and EMPA may directly operate on SGLT2 to facilitate metabolic substrates shifts.

Gross tumor volume dependency on phase sorting methods of four-dimensional computed tomography images for lung cancer

PURPOSE: To see the gross tumor volume (GTV) dependency according to the phase selection and reconstruction methods, we measured and analyzed the changes of tumor volume and motion at each phase in 20 cases with lung cancer patients who underwent image-guided radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) images in 20 cases of 19 patients who underwent image-guided radiotherapy. The 4D-CT images were reconstructed by the maximum intensity projection (MIP) and the minimum intensity projection (Min-IP) method after sorting phase as 40%–60%, 30%–70%, and 0%–90%. We analyzed the relationship between the range of motion and the change of GTV according to the reconstruction method. RESULTS: The motion ranges of GTVs are statistically significant only for the tumor motion in craniocaudal direction. The discrepancies of GTV volume and motion between MIP and Min-IP increased rapidly as the wider ranges of duty cycles are selected. CONCLUSION: As narrow as possible duty cycle such as 40%–60% and MIP reconstruction was suitable for lung cancer if the respiration was stable. Selecting the reconstruction methods and duty cycle is important for small size and for large motion range tumors.

Gross tumor volume dependency on phase sorting methods of four-dimensional computed tomography images for lung cancer

PURPOSE: To see the gross tumor volume (GTV) dependency according to the phase selection and reconstruction methods, we measured and analyzed the changes of tumor volume and motion at each phase in 20 cases with lung cancer patients who underwent image-guided radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) images in 20 cases of 19 patients who underwent image-guided radiotherapy. The 4D-CT images were reconstructed by the maximum intensity projection (MIP) and the minimum intensity projection (Min-IP) method after sorting phase as 40%–60%, 30%–70%, and 0%–90%. We analyzed the relationship between the range of motion and the change of GTV according to the reconstruction method. RESULTS: The motion ranges of GTVs are statistically significant only for the tumor motion in craniocaudal direction. The discrepancies of GTV volume and motion between MIP and Min-IP increased rapidly as the wider ranges of duty cycles are selected. CONCLUSION: As narrow as possible duty cycle such as 40%–60% and MIP reconstruction was suitable for lung cancer if the respiration was stable. Selecting the reconstruction methods and duty cycle is important for small size and for large motion range tumors.

Right Cardiac Catheterization Using the Antecubital Fossa Vein in Korean Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Right heart catheterization is traditionally performed using a femoral vein approach that involves admission, bed rest, and risks of bleeding and hematoma. Recent studies have confirmed safety of the use of forearm vein for right cardiac catheterization. In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility of right cardiac catheterization via the antecubital fossa vein in Korean patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The medical records of all patients who underwent right heart catheterization at our hospital between January 2003 and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Right cardiac catheterizations via the antecubital fossa vein and the femoral vein were compared in terms of demographic data (age, sex, weight, height, and body mass index), indications for right cardiac catheterization, and procedural and outcome data (initial success rate, procedure time, compression to ambulation time, and complications). RESULTS: We reviewed 132 cases (antecubital fossa vein approach, n=37; femoral vein approach, n=95). The demographic data, initial success rate (100% vs. 100%) and procedure time (21.6±16.8 min vs. 25.6±12.6 min, p=0.14) were similar in both groups. The antecubital fossa vein group had a shorter mean compression to ambulation time than the femoral vein group (0.0 min vs. 201.2±48.1 min, p<0.01). No complications were observed in either group. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated the ease of performance of right cardiac catheterization via the antecubital fossa vein. Thus, the antecubital fossa vein can be an alternative access site for right cardiac catheterization in Korean patients.

Erratum: Right Cardiac Catheterization Using the Antecubital Fossa Vein in Korean Patients

In the article, the 9th author's name was misspelled.

Complications of Cardiac Perforation and Lead Dislodgement with an MRI-Conditional Pacing Lead: a Korean Multi-Center Experience

Medtronic CapSureFix MRI 5086 pacing lead (5086; Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) has been reported to be associated with increased cardiac perforation and lead dislodgement. This study aimed to compare the incidence of cardiac perforation and lead dislodgement within 30 days after pacemaker implantation between 5086 MRI lead and previous Medtronic CapSureFix Novus 5076 non-MRI pacing lead. This was a nationwide, multicenter retrospective study in which we compared the incidence of adverse events between 277 patients implanted with 5086 lead and 205 patients implanted with 5076 lead between March 2009 and September 2014. Cardiac perforation within 30 days of pacemaker implantation occurred in 4 patients (1.4%) with the 5086 lead and in no patient with the 5076 lead (P = 0.084). Lead dislodgement occurred in 8 patients (2.9%) with the 5086 lead and in 5 patients (2.4%) with the 5076 lead (P = 0.764). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, age was significantly associated with cardiac perforation. Congestive heart failure and implantation of right atrial (RA) lead at RA free wall or septum were significant factors for the incidence of lead dislodgement and lead revision. The incidence of cardiac perforation and lead dislodgement were not statistically different between the patients with 5086 lead and the patients with 5076 lead. However, careful attention for cardiac perforation may be needed when using the 5086 MRI lead, especially in elderly patients.

Rapidly Growing Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Mass in Patient with Sarcomatoid Renal Cell Carcinoma

Cardiac metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) without inferior vena cava (IVC) involvements is extremely rare with few reported cases. Sarcomatoid RCC with rhabdoid feature is a rare pathologic type of RCC having aggressive behavior due to great metastatic potential. Here, we report a case of rapidly growing cardiac metastasis of RCC which brought on right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction without IVC and right atrial involvement in a 61-year-old woman. Cardiac arrest occurred during radical nephrectomy and echocardiography revealed mass nearly obstructing the RVOT which was not recognized by preoperative echocardiography 1 month ago. Postoperative immunohistochemical evaluation of renal mass revealed sarcomatoid RCC with rhabdoid feature.

Extraction of a Fully Deployed Coronary Stent during Retrieval of Another Dislodged Stent

Coronary stent dislodgement is a rare and serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention and is associated with major adverse cardiac events. Successful retrieval of the stent is recommended in this situation because it is important for the prognosis. Recently, a patient was referred to our hospital with a dislodged coronary stent. When attempting to percutaneously extract the dislodged stent, a challenging situation was encountered, as the stent was entrapped and tightly entangled with another fully deployed coronary stent. Extraction of a fully deployed stent is generally prohibited as it may result in severe complications. Nevertheless, we extracted both the dislodged stent and the fully deployed stent, as a last resort. Herein, we report about this case. Our case highlights if the operator had a thorough understanding of the surrounding circumstances regarding the fully deployed coronary stent, successful extraction of the fully deployed coronary stent without any complications could be possible.

Radiation Exposure in Coronary Angiography: A Comparison of Cineangiography and Fluorography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Coronary angiography (CAG) is the gold standard for diagnosing coronary artery disease. However, exposure to ionizing radiation delivered during CAG has various negative biological effects on humans. In this study, there was an evaluation of whether fluorography resulted in decreased radiation exposure, as compared with cineangiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into two CAG groups, in accordance with the operator's professional discretion: a conventional cineangiography group versus a fluorography group. Fluorography refers to the photography of fluoroscopic images that are retrospectively stored, e.g., using the "Store fluoro" function of the Siemens cardiac angiography system. The primary outcomes included the air kinetic energy released per unit mass {air kerma (AK) mGy} and the dose (kerma)-area product (DAP; microGy . m2), both measured using built-in software in the Siemens system. The secondary outcomes included the total procedure time and amount of contrast agent used with each CAG method. RESULTS: The total AK and DAP were significantly lower in the fluorography group (159.3+/-64.9 mGy and 1337.9+/-629.6 microGy . m2, respectively) than in the cineangiography group (326.9+/-107.5 mGy and 2341.1+/-849.9 microGy . m2, respectively; p=0.000 for both). The total procedure time (cineangiography vs. fluorography, 12.8+/-4.7 vs. 12.5+/-2.9 min; p=0.779) and contrast agent amount (136.1+/-28.3 vs. 126.3+/-25.7, p=0.214) were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Fluorography is a useful method to decrease the radiation exposure in selected patients requiring CAG.

Giant Cell-Rich Osteosarcoma: A Tumor Simulating Borderline Lesion / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Giantcell-rich osteosarcoma (GCRO) is a rare subtype of osteosarcoma. We reviewed; 1) radiological finding of GCRO and clinical impression-related diagnostic workup at referral center, 2) diagnostic delay until a proper diagnosis is made, 3) impact of diagnostic delay on the oncologic outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 17 patients with GCRO. We investigated the plain radiographic finding, tumor size and location, presence of pathologic fracture, clinical impression and pathological diagnosis at referral center, diagnostic delay, definitive treatment, local recurrence, metastasis, and survival rate. RESULTS: Eleven cases (64.7%) showed a plain radiographically, purely osteolytic pattern while 6 cases (35.3%) showed mixed osteolytic and sclerotic lesion. Diagnosis at primary center was osteosarcoma in 7 (41.2%), giant cell tumor in 7 (41.2%), and benign bone tumor in 3 (17.6%). Six patients (35.3%) experienced diagnostic delay. Mean diagnostic delay was 3.1 months (1 to 8). At final follow-up 5-year actuarial survival rate of 17 patients was 65%+/-25%. Although 11 patients without diagnostic delay showed a tendency of high survival over 6 patients with diagnostic problem, there was no statistical significance (p=0.14). CONCLUSION: GCRO is a rare subtype of osteosarcoma simulating giant cell tumor both pathologically and radiologically. Careful diagnostic approach is required in order not to misdiagnose this malignant tumor.

Plain Radiologic Findings and Chronological Changes of Incipient Phase Osteosarcoma Overlooked by Primary Physicians

BACKGROUND: We assessed the plain radiographic characteristics of 10 cases of osteosarcomas during the initial painful period that had been overlooked by a primary physician. In addition, we evaluated chronologic changes in radiographic findings from initial symptomatic period to the time of accurate diagnosis. METHODS: The clinical records were reviewed for clinical parameters including age, sex, location, presenting symptoms, initial diagnosis, duration from initial symptoms to definite diagnosis, and initial and follow-up plain radiographic findings of the lesion. RESULTS: Initial clinical diagnoses included a sprain in 6, growing pain in 2, stress fracture in 1, and infection in 1 patient. Initial plain radiographic findings were trabecular destruction (100%), cortical disruption (60%), periosteal reaction (60%), and soft tissue mass (10%). Intramedullary matrix changes were osteosclerosis in 6 and osteolysis in 4 patients. On progression, 4 cases with minimal sclerosis changed to osteoblastic lesion in 3 patients and osteolytic lesion in 1. Four cases with faint osteolytic foci transformed into osteolytic lesion in 3 and mixed pattern in 1. CONCLUSIONS: Notable plain radiologic findings of incipient-stage osteosarcoma include trabecular disruption along with faint osteosclerosis or osteolysis. In symptomatic patients with trabecular destruction, additional imaging study including magnetic resonance imaging should be performed to exclude osteosarcoma in the incipient phase, even without radiologic findings suggesting malignant tumor, such as cortical destruction or periosteal reaction.

The Effect of Radiographic Contrast Media on Reperfusion Injury in the Isolated Rat Heart

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of commonly used contrast media (CM) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 minutes of regional ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion. The following CM (1 mL/1 L Krebs-Henseleit buffer) were randomly perfused for 15 minutes beginning 5 minutes before reperfusion and ending 10 minutes after reperfusion: iohexol (n=8), iopromide (n=8), ioversol (n=8), iomeprol (n=8), iopamidol (n=7), ioxaglate (n=8), and iodixanol (n=7). The effects of a direct bolus injection of undiluted iohexol, iopromide, or ioxaglate (each n=6) via the aortic root immediately prior to reperfusion were also evaluated. The area of necrosis, expressed as the percentage of the area at risk (AN/AR), and cardiodynamic variables were measured. RESULTS: The AN/AR of the control and experimental groups in the order described in methods was 33.7+/-6.4%, 30.3+/-7.4%, 34.7+/-12.6%, 29.2+/-10.2%, 20.9+/-7.6%, 22.6+/-8.7%, 18.8+/-7.9%, and 19.9+/-11.4%, respectively. Groups that received iomeprol and ioxaglate exhibited significantly decreased AN/AR values compared to those of control hearts (p=0.042 and p=0.013). No significant differences in the AN/AR were observed between control hearts and the groups injected with a single bolus of CM. No significant hemodynamic changes were noted after reperfusion among the groups. CONCLUSION: The overall effects of the CM on coronary reperfusion were not deleterious, and better effects were noted in two CM groups. However, it is unclear whether this result was attributed to a specific physiochemical property of the CM.