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IntroductionHigh adherence to oral anticoagulants is essential for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We developed a smartphone application (app) that pushes alarms for taking medication and measuring blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) at certain times of the day. In addition to drug alarms, the habit of measuring one’s BP and HR may reinforce drug adherence by improving self-awareness of the disease. This pilot study aims to test the feasibility and efficacy of the smartphone app-based intervention for improving drug adherence in patients with AF.Methods and analysisA total of 10 university hospitals in Korea will participate in this randomised control trial. Patients with AF, being treated with edoxaban for stroke prevention will be included in this study. Total of 500 patients will be included and the patients will be randomised to the conventional treatment group (250 patients) and the app conditional feedback group (250 patients). Patients in the app conditional feedback group will use the medication reminder app for medication and BP check alarms. The automatic BP machine will be linked to the smartphone via Bluetooth. The measured BP and HR will be updated automatically on the smartphone app. The primary endpoint is edoxaban adherence by pill count measurement at 3 and 6 months of follow-up. Secondary endpoints are clinical composite endpoints including stroke, systemic embolic event, major bleeding requiring hospitalisation or transfusion, or death during the 6 months. As of 24t November 2021, 80 patients were enrolled.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Institutional Review Board and will be conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study results will be published in a reputable journal.Trial registration numberKCT0004754.

Several surrogate biomarkers possess prognostic significance for heart failure (HF), and a decline in their respective values may predict clinical improvement. However, data on the prognostic value of these biomarkers during short-term follow-up after discharge in acute decompensated HF are scarce. We aim to evaluate the prognostic value of short-term follow-up of surrogate biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of hospitalized patients with acute decompensated HF. This multi-center, prospective study will enroll consecutive hospitalized patients with acute decompensated HF. All patients will undergo sampling and comparison of biomarkers, including plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, growth differentiation factor 15, troponin-T, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio obtained within 1 month and 6 months after discharge from the index admission. The primary endpoint is a composite of cardiovascular mortality or HF hospitalization during 1 year of follow-up. We will investigate the prognostic value of multiple biomarkers for the primary endpoint. This trial will provide robust evidence for novel multi-biomarker strategies for acute decompensated HF in real-world settings.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04437628.

Background Despite strong evidence of clinical benefit, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are currently underutilized and smartphone-based CR strategies are thought to address this unmet need. However, data regarding the detailed process of development are scarce. Objective This study focused on the development of a smartphone-based, patient-specific, messaging app for patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods The AnSim app was developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team that included cardiologists, psychiatrists, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, and rehabilitation doctors and therapists. First, a focus group interview was conducted, and the narratives of the patients were analyzed to identify their needs and preferences. Based on the results, health care experts and clinicians drafted messages into 5 categories: (1) general information regarding cardiovascular health and medications, (2) nutrition, (3) physical activity, (4) destressing, and (5) smoking cessation. In each category, 90 messages were developed according to 3 simplified steps of the transtheoretical model of behavioral change: (1) precontemplation, (2) contemplation and preparation, and (3) action and maintenance. After an internal review and feedback from potential users, a bank of 450 messages was developed. Results The focus interview was conducted with 8 patients with PCI within 1 year, and 450 messages, including various forms of multimedia, were developed based on the transtheoretical model of behavioral change in each category. Positive feedback was obtained from the potential users (n=458). The mean Likert scale score was 3.95 (SD 0.39) and 3.91 (SD 0.39) for readability and usefulness, respectively, and several messages were refined based on the feedback. Finally, the patient-specific message delivery system was developed according to the baseline characteristics and stages of behavioral change in each participant. Conclusions We developed an app (AnSim), which includes a bank of 450 patient-specific messages, that provides various medical information and CR programs regarding coronary heart disease. The detailed process of multidisciplinary collaboration over the course of the study provides a scientific basis for various medical professionals planning smartphone-based clinical research.

BACKGROUND Despite strong evidence of clinical benefit, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are currently underutilized and smartphone-based CR strategies are thought to address this unmet need. However, data regarding the detailed process of development are scarce. OBJECTIVE This study focused on the development of a smartphone-based, patient-specific, messaging app for patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS The AnSim app was developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team that included cardiologists, psychiatrists, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, and rehabilitation doctors and therapists. First, a focus group interview was conducted, and the narratives of the patients were analyzed to identify their needs and preferences. Based on the results, health care experts and clinicians drafted messages into 5 categories: (1) general information regarding cardiovascular health and medications, (2) nutrition, (3) physical activity, (4) destressing, and (5) smoking cessation. In each category, 90 messages were developed according to 3 simplified steps of the transtheoretical model of behavioral change: (1) precontemplation, (2) contemplation and preparation, and (3) action and maintenance. After an internal review and feedback from potential users, a bank of 450 messages was developed. RESULTS The focus interview was conducted with 8 patients with PCI within 1 year, and 450 messages, including various forms of multimedia, were developed based on the transtheoretical model of behavioral change in each category. Positive feedback was obtained from the potential users (n=458). The mean Likert scale score was 3.95 (SD 0.39) and 3.91 (SD 0.39) for readability and usefulness, respectively, and several messages were refined based on the feedback. Finally, the patient-specific message delivery system was developed according to the baseline characteristics and stages of behavioral change in each participant. CONCLUSIONS We developed an app (AnSim), which includes a bank of 450 patient-specific messages, that provides various medical information and CR programs regarding coronary heart disease. The detailed process of multidisciplinary collaboration over the course of the study provides a scientific basis for various medical professionals planning smartphone-based clinical research. CLINICALTRIAL

Background Data comparing outcomes in heart failure ( HF ) across Asia are limited. We examined regional variation in mortality among patients with HF enrolled in the ASIAN ‐HF (Asian Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure) registry with separate analyses for those with reduced ejection fraction ( EF ; Methods and Results The ASIAN ‐ HF registry is a prospective longitudinal study. Participants with symptomatic HF were recruited from 46 secondary care centers in 3 Asian regions: South Asia (India), Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore), and Northeast Asia (South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China). Overall, 6480 patients aged >18 years with symptomatic HF were recruited (mean age: 61.6±13.3 years; 27% women; 81% with HF and reduced r EF ). The primary outcome was 1‐year all‐cause mortality. Striking regional variations in baseline characteristics and outcomes were observed. Regardless of HF type, Southeast Asians had the highest burden of comorbidities, particularly diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, despite being younger than Northeast Asian participants. One‐year, crude, all‐cause mortality for the whole population was 9.6%, higher in patients with HF and reduced EF (10.6%) than in those with HF and preserved EF (5.4%). One‐year, all‐cause mortality was significantly higher in Southeast Asian patients (13.0%), compared with South Asian (7.5%) and Northeast Asian patients (7.4%; P Conclusions This first multinational prospective study shows that the outcomes in Asian patients with both HF and reduced or preserved EF are poor overall and worst in Southeast Asian patients. Region‐specific risk factors and gaps in guideline‐directed therapy should be addressed to potentially improve outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration URL : https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ . Unique identifier: NCT 01633398.

Long-term clinical outcome data according to severity of coronary artery spasm (CAS) as assessed by an intracoronary acetylcholine provocation test are limited in series of Asian patients.To investigate 5-year clinical outcomes in patients with CAS according to CAS severity.In total, 5873 consecutive patients with insignificant coronary artery disease (70% fixed stenosis) who underwent an acetylcholine provocation test were enrolled and divided into four groups according to CAS severity during the acetylcholine provocation test: negative, borderline positive, moderately positive and severely positive. CAS severity was assessed by quantitative coronary angiography. We investigated 5-year clinical outcomes according to CAS severity.Over a follow-up period of up to 5 years, before adjustment, the severely-positive CAS group showed a significantly higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE; composite of death, myocardial infarction and de novo revascularization) (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.834, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.047-3.211; P=0.033), total death (HR: 3.124, 95% CI: 1.047-9.322; P=0.041), myocardial infarction (HR: 3.190, 95% CI: 1.069-9.519; P=0.037) and recurrent angina (HR: 1.762, 95% CI: 1.363-2.278; P0.001) compared with the negative group. However, after adjustment for baseline confounders, only the incidence of recurrent angina (HR: 1.323, 95% CI: 1.014-1.726; P=0.039) was significantly higher in the severely-positive CAS group compared with the negative group.The severity of CAS in the positive group was not associated with an increased incidence of MACE after adjustment for covariates compared with the negative group, but the severely-positive CAS group was associated with a higher incidence of recurrent angina compared with the negative group.

Coronary artery spasm (CAS) and significant coronary stenosis are known to be major causes of myocardial ischemia. However, their association and the impact of insignificant coronary stenosis (ICS) on long-term clinical outcomes of CAS patients are largely unknown.A total of 2797 patients without significant coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent the acetylcholine (ACH) provocation test between November 2004 and October 2010 were enrolled. Significant CAS was defined as having ≥70% of temporary narrowing by ACH test and ICS as having70% of fixed stenosis on angiography. Patients were divided into two groups: ICS group (n=764) and non-ICS group (n=845). To adjust potential confounders, a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed using the logistic regression model. Primary endpoint was the composite of total death, myocardial infraction (MI), de novo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). Secondary endpoint was the incidence of recurrent angina requiring repeat coronary angiography (CAG) at 3years.After PSM analysis, two well-balanced groups (548 pairs, total=1096) were generated. The baseline clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups. During the ACH test, compared with the non-ICS group, the ICS group had smaller spastic narrowing diameter (0.69±0.35 vs. 0.73±0.37, P=0.039) and incidence of ST-segment depression (4.0% vs. 0.9%, P=0.001). The incidence of primary and secondary endpoints was similar between the two groups up to 3years.Although, the ICS group was expected to have more adverse long-term clinical outcomes, it was not associated with the increased incidence of major adverse clinical outcomes compared with the non-ICS group up to 3years. Longer term follow-up studies are needed.

There is limited long-term comparative clinical outcome data concerning angiography- versus intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in non-complex left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease treated with the single stenting technique in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era.The aim of this study was to investigate whether angiography-guided stenting is comparable to IVUS-guided stenting during 3-year clinical follow-up periods in patients with non-complex LM disease treated with the single stenting technique.A total of 196 patients treated with either angiography-guided (n = 74) or IVUS-guided (n = 122) PCI were included. The primary outcome was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as total death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), and non-target vessel revascularization (Non-TVR). To adjust for any potential confounders, propensity score (PS) adjusted analysis was performed.During 3-year follow-up, the PS adjusted Cox-proportional hazard ratio (HR) was not significantly different between the two groups for total death, cardiac death, and MI. Also, TLR and the combined rates of TVR and non-TVR were not significantly different. Finally, MACE was not significantly different between the two groups (HR: 0.63, 95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.33-1.17; P = 0.149).Angiography-guided PCI for non-complex LMCA diseases treated with the single stenting technique showed comparable results compared with IVUS-guided PCI in reducing clinical events during 3-year clinical follow-up in the DES era. Although IVUS guided PCI is the ideal strategy, angiography-guided PCI can be an option for LMCA PCI in some selected cases.

Purpose Calcium channel blockers diltiazem and nitrate have been used as selective coronary vasodilators for patients with significant coronary artery spasm (CAS). However, no study has compared the efficacy of diltiazem alone versus diltiazem with nitrate for long-term clinical outcomes in patients with CAS. Materials and methods A total of 2741 consecutive patients without significant coronary artery disease with positive CAS by acetylcholine (Ach) provocation test between November 2004 and May 2014 were enrolled. Significant CAS was defined as a narrowing of >70% by incremental intracoronary injection of 20, 50, and 100 μg of Ach into the left coronary artery. Patients were assigned to either the diltiazem group (n=842) or the dual group (diltiazem with nitrate, n=1899) at physician discretion. To adjust for potential confounders, a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed using the logistic regression model. After PSM analysis, two well-balanced groups (811 pairs, n=1622, C-statistic=0.708) were generated. Results At 5 years, there were similar incidences in primary endpoints, including mortality, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and recurrent angina requiring repeat coronary angiography between the two groups. Diltiazem alone was not an independent predictor for major adverse cardiovascular events or recurrent angina requiring repeat coronary angiography. Conclusion Despite the expected improvement of endothelial function and the relief of CAS, the combination of diltiazem and nitrate treatment was not superior to diltiazem alone in reducing mortality and cardiovascular events up to 5 years in patients with significant CAS.

Summary Recently, meta-analysis studies reported that hyperuricaemia is associated with higher incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), however, there are limited data on the Asian population. The aim of this observational study is to estimate the long-term impact of hyperuricaemia on the new-onset T2DM and cardiovascular events. This study is based on a single-centre, all-comers, and large retrospective cohort. Subjects that visited from January 2004 to February 2014 were enrolled using the electronic database of Korea University Guro Hospital. A total of 10 505 patients without a history of T2DM were analyzed for uric acid, fasting glucose and haemoglobin (Hb) A1c level. Inclusion criteria included both Hb A1c

The difference in the usefulness of routine angiographic follow-up (RAF) and clinical follow-up (CF) after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD) patients has not been well clarified as yet.A total of 642 consecutive MVD patients who underwent PCI with drug-eluting stents (DES) were enrolled. RAF was performed at 6-9 months after the index PCI (n=374) and others were medically managed and clinically followed (n=268). Patients who experienced clinical events including death, myocardial infarction (MI), and ischemia-driven PCI before 1 year were excluded. To adjust for any potential confounders, a propensity scorematched analysis was carried out using the logistic regression model and two propensity-matched groups (193 pairs, n=386, C-statistic=0.744) were generated. Cumulative clinical outcomes up to 3 years were compared between the RAF group and the CF group.During the 3-year follow-up period, the cumulative incidence of revascularization [target lesion revascularization: odds ratio (OR), 4.21; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.67-10.6; P=0.001) and target vessel revascularization (TVR: OR, 4.69; 95% CI, 2.00-11.0; P0.001, target vessel revascularization: OR, 4.69; 95% CI, 2.00-1011.0; P0.001] and major adverse cardiovascular events (composite of death, repeat PCI and MI: OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.62-105.42, P0.001) were significantly higher in the RAF group compared with the CF group. However, the 3-year incidence of death (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.44-104.53; P=0.558) or MI (OR, 2.58; 95% CI, 0.79-108.37; P=0.102) was not different between the two groups. In MVD patients treated with second-generation DESs, the incidence of repeat revascularization (target lesion revascularization and target vessel revascularization) was not different between the two groups.Conclusion RAF following index PCI with DES in multivessel CAD patients was associated with increased incidence of revascularization and major adverse cardiovascular events. However, in MVD patients treated with second-generation DESs, repeat revascularization incidence was similar between two different follow-up strategies up to 3 years.

Background— Lipid-rich inflamed coronary plaques are prone to rupture. The purpose of this study was to assess lipid-rich inflamed plaques in vivo using fully integrated high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT)/near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) molecular imaging with a Food and Drug Administration–approved indocyanine green (ICG). Methods and Results— An integrated high-speed intravascular OCT/NIRF imaging catheter and a dual-modal OCT/NIRF system were constructed based on a clinical OCT platform. For imaging lipid-rich inflamed plaques, the Food and Drug Administration–approved NIRF-emitting ICG (2.25 mg/kg) or saline was injected intravenously into rabbit models with experimental atheromata induced by balloon injury and 12- to 14-week high-cholesterol diets. Twenty minutes after injection, in vivo OCT/NIRF imaging of the infrarenal aorta and iliac arteries was acquired only under contrast flushing through catheter (pullback speed up to ≤20 mm/s). NIRF signals were strongly detected in the OCT-visualized atheromata of the ICG-injected rabbits. The in vivo NIRF target-to-background ratio was significantly larger in the ICG-injected rabbits than in the saline-injected controls ( P P P r =0.85) without significant bias (0.41). Cellular ICG uptake, correlative fluorescence microscopy, and histopathology also corroborated the in vivo imaging findings. Conclusions— Integrated OCT/NIRF structural/molecular imaging with a Food and Drug Administration –approved ICG accurately identified lipid-rich inflamed atheromata in coronary-sized vessels. This highly translatable dual-modal imaging approach could enhance our capabilities to detect high-risk coronary plaques.

PURPOSE Differences in the utility of routine angiographic follow-up (RAF) and clinical follow-up (CF) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are not well understood. The present study aimed to compare the 3-year clinical outcomes of RAF and CF in AMI patients who underwent PCI with drug-eluting stents (DES). MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 774 consecutive AMI patients who underwent PCI with DES were enrolled. RAF was performed at 6 to 9 months after index PCI (n=425). The remaining patients were medically managed and clinically followed (n=349); symptom-driven events were captured. To adjust for any potential confounders, a propensity score matched analysis was performed using a logistic regression model, and two propensity-matched groups (248 pairs, n=496, C-statistic=0.739) were generated. Cumulative clinical outcomes up to 3 years were compared between RAF and CF groups. RESULTS During the 3-year follow-up period, the cumulative incidences of revascularization [target lesion revascularization: hazard ratio (HR), 2.40; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18-4.85; p=0.015, target vessel revascularization (TVR): HR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.69-6.58; p=0.001, non-TVR: HR, 5.64; 95% CI, 1.90-16.6; p=0.002] and major adverse cardiac events (MACE; HR, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.92-5.73; p

Background Recently, palbociclib plus exemestane with GnRH agonist demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared with that of the capecitabine for premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer (median PFS 20·1 vs. 14·4 months, p = 0·0235 ; HR 0·659 [95% C.I. 0·437–0·994])(Park YH et al, J Clin Oncol 37, 2019 [suppl; abstr 1007]). We evaluated PROs in YoungPEARL phase ll trial. Methods Pts (N = 189) were randomized 1:1 to receive palbociclib plus exemestane with GnRH agonist or capecitabine. PROs were assessed at day 1 (baseline), every 6 weeks, and at the end of treatment, using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-30). Repeated-measures mixed-effect analyses were carried out to compare on-treatment overall scores and changes from baseline between the treatment groups while controlling for baseline. Results Questionnaire completion rates were 100% at baseline and during treatment from baseline to 84 weeks in each group. Global health status/QoL scores were maintained from baseline to the end of treatment across all time points within each cohort. Between-treatment comparison in the change from baseline functioning scale scores showed trends favoring palbociclib arm for physical functioning (0.12 vs -3.66, p = 0.1201) while favoring capecitabine arm for emotional (0.87 vs 2.61, p = 0.5963) and social functioning (2.63 vs 5.97, p = 0.3234). There was a trend to improve appetite loss (-5.27 vs 0.72, p = 0.1484) and insomnia tended to get worse (3.81 vs -2.65, p = 0.0736) in palbociclib arm while capecitabine arm showed the greater improvement in pain (-2.80 vs -5.83, p = 0.3200) but worsening in diarrhea (1.17 vs 7.37, p = 0.0598) without statistical significance. Conclusions These findings show that palbociclib plus endocrine therapy maintained high PRO scores with some different function and symptom profiles compared with capecitabine arm. Clinical trial identification NCT02592746. Legal entity responsible for the study Korea Cancer Study Group. Funding Pfizer. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

We report a case about a 27-year-old healthy young male who developed syncope during exercise, which was subsequently identified to be attributable to non-sustained polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). Occurrence of polymorphic VT was neither related to a prolonged QT interval nor a fixed short coupling interval. Standard examinations including echocardiography, coronary angiography, isoproterenol infusion study, and cardiac MRI showed no structural heart disease. On the electrophysiology study, activation mapping revealed that a discrete potential preceded the premature ventricular complex (PVC) triggered polymorphic VT, which was recorded just above the pulmonary valve. After radiofrequency ablation at this area, PVC and polymorphic VT disappeared and did not recur after a 2 month follow up.

Purpose of this study is to propose a new robotic system equipped with a steerable catheter for percutaneous coronary intervention. Key design issues of the system are less X-ray exposure, easy sterilization, and convenient user interface.

Background Coronary artery spasm ( CAS ) is a well‐known endothelial dysfunction, and a major cause of vasospastic angina ( VSA ). The renin–angiotensin system ( RAS ) is known to be closely associated with endothelial function. However, there are only a few studies that investigated the impact of RAS inhibitor on long‐term clinical outcomes in VSA patients. Methods and Results A total of 3349 patients with no significant coronary artery disease, diagnosed with CAS by acetylcholine provocation test were enrolled for this study. Significant CAS was defined as having ≥70% narrowing of the artery after incremental injections of 20, 50, and 100 μg of acetylcholine into the left coronary artery. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether the prescription included RAS inhibitor or not ( RAS inhibitor group: n=666, non‐ RAS inhibitor group; n=2683). To adjust for any potential confounders that could cause bias, propensity score matching ( PSM ) analysis was performed using a logistic regression model. After PSM analysis, 2 matched groups (524 pairs, n=1048 patients, C‐statistic=0.845) were generated and their baseline characteristics were balanced. During the 5‐year clinical follow‐up, the RAS inhibitor group showed a lower incidence of recurrent angina (8.7% versus 14.1%, P =0.027), total death (0.0% versus 1.3%, P =0.045), and total major adverse cardiovascular events (1.0% versus 4.1%, P =0.026) than the non‐ RAS inhibitor group. Conclusions Chronic RAS inhibitor therapy was associated with lower incidence of cardiovascular events in VSA patients in the 5‐year clinical follow‐up.

An asymptomatic 31-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B and a 7-year history of lamivudine use was referred to our hospital for evaluation of a heart murmur. The patient had no family history of congenital heart disease or collagen vascular disease. Cardiac auscultation revealed a grade 3/6 continuous murmur at the right parasternal border. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a round, tunnel-like structure from the left aortic sinus to the right atrium (RA; Figure 1A and 1B, arrows, and Movie IA and IB in the online-only Data Supplement) without any evidence of RA or right ventricular enlargement. Modified parasternal short-axis view (Figure 1C and Movie II in the online-only Data Supplement) of the aortic valve level demonstrated an anastomosis site to the RA with continuous turbulent flow on color Doppler examination. Continuous-wave Doppler obtained from the shunt indicated a high flow velocity with systolic and diastolic pattern at the anastomosis site to the RA (Figure 1D). Cardiac catheterization showed a normal pulmonary artery pressure (systolic/diastolic, 24/7 mm Hg) and normal mean RA pressure (4 mm Hg), and the Qp/Qs ratio was 1.3:1. Aortography confirmed a large tunnel beginning in the left aortic sinus and ending in the RA (Figure 2, asterisk, and Movie III in the online-only Data Supplement), with normal-looking left coronary arteries arising independently from different proximal portions of the tunnel. Importantly, no coronary myocardial branches originated from the tunnel, which is the …

The goal of the present study was to demonstrate risk factors affecting the interfractional variation in whole pelvic irradiation.Daily image acquisitions of 101 patients with locally advanced pelvic malignancy were undertaken using a kilo-voltage orthogonal on-board imager. The baseline deviation (the shift between the initial treatment and each fraction; Value(Base)) and day-to-day variation (the shift between the previous treatment and each fraction; Value(DD)) were measured. The standard deviations (SD) along the x- (right-left), y- (cranial-caudal), and z- (anterior-posterior) axes (SD[x], SD[y], and SD[z], respectively), the 3D vector of the SD (SD[3D]), and the mean of 3D shift (mean[3D]) were calculated in each patient. Various clinical factors, lumbar pelvic balance and rotation, and the shift of 5 consecutive fractions from the initial treatment (Value(5Fx)) were investigated as risk factors.The prone set-up showed a larger mean(Base)[3D] than in the supine position (p =0 .063). A body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m(2) resulted in the largest mean(DD)[3D] (p = 0.078) and SD(DD)[3D] (p = 0.058). All the SD(5Fx) along the x-, y-, and z-axes had moderate linear relationships with SD(Base) and SD(DD) (p 0.001). The SD(5Fx)[3D] also had a moderate linear relationship with the mean(Base)[3D], mean(DD)[3D], SD(Base)[3D], and SD(DD)[3D] (p 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the SD(5Fx) had the same significant relationship with SD(Base) and SD(DD) (p 0.001). A BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) was associated with the largest SD(DD)[x] (p = 0.003).Close surveillance through high-quality and frequent image guidance is recommended for patients with extensive variations of the initial five consecutive fractions or obesity.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) are known to have similar effects on cardiovascular outcomes including total mortality in head-to-head trials, and ACE inhibitors, in particular, are recommended for diabetic patients. However, data is limited

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) can lead to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There are limited study of prognostic impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients with DM as compared with optimal medical therapy (OMT) alone. This is a retrospective single

A 47-year-old man was emergently referred from another tertiary care center for percutaneous coronary intervention to the left main coronary artery (LM). Diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG) indicated a critical stenosis at the LM ostium ([Fig. 1][1]A, arrow) and haziness in the proximal to mid–

Pseudomonas putida is well known as a toluene-degrading bacterium. Because methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) often coexists with toluene in subsurface environment, in this study we investigated substrate interactions between toluene and MTBE, and their degradation potential in mixtures by Pseudomonas putida. Batch microcosm studies were conducted for a wide concentration range (25–200 mg L−1) to monitor bacterial growth associated with toluene and/or MTBE degradation using Pseudomonas putida previously adapted to toluene. We found that the effect of MTBE on toluene degradation was strongly concentration-dependent, and that concentrations of either toluene or MTBE as low as 25 mg L−1 can enhance degradation of other compound, but those concentrations higher than 25 mg L−1 tend to result in negative or no effect. The negative effect was more pronounced for toluene since MTBE degradation was inhibited at a concentration of 50 mg L−1 or higher toluene. This indicates that concentrations of cocontaminants become a limiting factor for bioremediation of groundwater. Therefore, for higher degradation efficiency, care should be taken in the selection of concentration ranges of toluene and MTBE. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2011.

There have been several reports showing that the statin use is associated with new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of chronic statin use on development of new-onset DM in a series of Asian population. The patients were retrospectively enrolled using the electronic database of Korea University Guro Hospital from January 2004 to February 2010. A total of 10,994 patients without a history of diabetes were analyzed. Baseline lipid profiles, fasting glucose, Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c, and glucose tolerance tests were measured in all patients before statin treatment. Included patients had HbA1c ≤ 5.7% and fasting glucose level ≤ 100 (mg/dl). The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the use of statins (the statin group, n = 2,324 patients and the nonstatin group, n = 8,670 patients). To adjust baseline potential confounders, a propensity score-matched analysis was performed using logistic regression model. After propensity score matching, 2 propensity-matched groups (1,699 pairs, n = 3,398, C statistic = 0.859) were generated and analyzed. After propensity score matching, baseline characteristics of both groups were balanced except that the statin group was older and had higher rate of coronary artery disease compared with the nonstatin group. During a 3-year follow-up, the statin group had higher incidence of new-onset DM compared with the nonstatin group (hazard ratio 1.99, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.92, p0.001), but the statin group showed lower incidence of major adverse cerebral-cardiovascular events compared with the nonstatin group (hazard ratio 0.40, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.85, p0.001). In the present study, although the use of statins was associated with higher rate of new-onset DM, it markedly improved 3-year cardiovascular outcomes in Asian population.

Despite the remarkable advances in cardiovascular imaging over the last decade, it is still challenging to identify high-risk atherosclerotic plaques prior to onset of major cardiovascular complications. Accumulating knowledge regarding the pathophysiological properties of vulnerable plaque (VP) has driven the development of molecular imaging technologies that target biologic process to characterize vulnerable plaques. Given the importance of VP detection in vivo, molecular imaging has emerged as an attractive diagnostic tool to more accurately estimate the risk of plaque rupture.

Introduction Serum uric acid (UA) has been known to have a positive association with blood pressure (BP). However, the relationship between serum UA and BP in different age groups is unclear. Methods A total of 45,098 Koreans who underwent health examinations at Korea Association of Health Promotion with no history of taking drugs related with UA and/or BP were analyzed for determining the relationship between serum UA and BP. Results In men

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular ischemic events. We assessed the strategy of routine coronary angiography and subsequent coronary revascularization, if clinically indicated, in patients with CLI who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).Of a total 286 consecutive CLI patients treated by PTA, 252 patients who underwent coronary angiography before or after PTA were enrolled. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as angiographic stenosis ≥50% and significant CAD as ≥70% stenosis.Of the 252 patients with CLI who underwent coronary angiography, a total of 167 patients (66.3%) had CAD and 85 patients (33.7%) did not have CAD. Patients in the CAD group were older, had a higher prevalence of diabetes and cerebrovascular disease, and had a lower mean ejection fraction. In the CAD group, of the 145 patients with significant CAD, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in 114 patients (78.6%). At 1 year, the CAD and non-CAD groups had no statistically significant differences in mortality (7.1% vs 4.7%; P=.45), myocardial infarction (1.1% vs 0%; P=.31), and PCI (4.7% vs 1.1%; P=.31). These outcomes were similar after the adjustment of baseline confounders. At 1 year, the CAD and non-CAD groups had similar rates of repeat PTA (16.7% vs 17.6%; P=.86), target lesion revascularization (13.7% vs 14.1%; P=.94), and amputation (19.1% vs 16.4%; P=.60).A strategy of routine coronary angiography and coronary revascularization may be a reasonable treatment option for these patients who have high risk for severe CAD. A randomized trial is needed to determine if this is the preferred strategy for CLI patients.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with poor outcomes. We assessed the clinical outcomes of diabetic versus non-diabetic patients with PAD who underwent peripheral transluminal angioplasty (PTA).The outcomes of 239 consecutive patients with symptomatic PAD who underwent PTA were analyzed. Restenosis and clinical outcomes were assessed at a follow-up of 2 years.Diabetic patients had a higher percentage of wound as the initial diagnosis for PTA (72.7% vs. 14.2%; P.001), chronic kidney disease (26.7% vs. 6.3%; P.01), need for dialysis (19.3% vs. 3.1%; P.01), and coronary artery disease (67.6% vs. 50.7%; P=.02). Infrapopliteal PTA was more commonly performed in the diabetic group (70.4% vs. 25.3%; P.001). Diabetic patients had lower rates of angiographic follow-up at 8 months (38.6% vs. 60.3%; P.01). Diabetic patients had higher binary restenosis (54.4% vs. 31.5%; P=.02) and had a trend toward a higher incidence of total occlusion (34.0% vs. 19.5%; P=.08). At 2-year follow-up, the amputation rate was higher in the diabetic group (24.4% vs. 1.5%; P.001) despite PTA.Diabetic patients more frequently presented with critical limb ischemia compared with non-diabetic patients and had higher rates of restenosis and amputation at 2 years following standard PTA. Improved therapies are needed for this high-risk group of patients.

Recently, it was reported that statins are associated with lower rates of major adverse cardiovascular events and amputations in critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients (pts). However, the impact of statin administration duration on clinical outcomes for pts undergoing percutaneous transluminal

There are limited data comparing the safety and efficacy of newer generation Platinum Chromium Everolimus-eluting Stent (PtCr-EES, Promus ElementTM, Boston Scientific) with Cobalt Chromium EES (CoCr-EES, PromusTM, Boston Scientific and XienceTM, Abbott Vascular) in a series of Asian population. A