The Clinical Impact of Intravascular Imaging-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients with High Thrombus Burden.

Despite the established clinical efficacy following intravascular imaging (IVI)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) than angiography-guided PCI, evidence regarding prognostic benefits of IVI-guided PCI in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with high thrombus burden remains limited. Using the nationwide registries of KAMIR-NIH and KAMIR-V, we evaluated the prognostic impact of IVI-guided PCI in AMI patients with high thrombus burden. A total of 4,074 patients with AMI and TIMI thrombus grades 4 or 5 who underwent aspiration thrombectomy were selected, of whom 892 patients (21.

Clopidogrel versus aspirin for secondary prevention of coronary artery disease: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Aspirin monotherapy is recommended indefinitely for patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this individual patient level meta-analysis was to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the comparative efficacy and safety of clopidogrel versus aspirin monotherapy in patients with established CAD, most of whom had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention or had acute coronary syndrome.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase to identify randomised trials published from database inception to April 12, 2025, comparing clopidogrel monotherapy with aspirin monotherapy in patients with established CAD who had discontinued or never started dual antiplatelet therapy.

Transcriptional intermediary factor 1 gamma prevents lung inflammation and fibrosis via alveolar type 2 cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages.

Transcriptional intermediary factor 1 gamma (TIF1γ) inhibits transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) signaling, the main pathway involved in fibrosis. We previously showed that TIF1γ regulated anti fibrotic processes in the liver. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of TIF1γ in pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

Directed differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells into functional endothelial cells having IKAROS-mediated immune tolerance properties.

We report an efficient method for the directed differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from embryonic stem cells (EMSCs) into functional endothelial cells (EC), addressing the challenges of direct conversion, such as cellular senescence. We found that transduction of one transcription factor, ER71, was required for the efficient derivation of induced endothelial cells from EMSCs (MiECs). Addition of transforming growth factor-β inhibitor (SB431542), vascular endothelial growth factor, and ascorbic acid to the culture media enhanced the differentiation efficiency.

Sirtuin-1 directly binds and deacetylates hepatic PCSK9 thereby promoting the inhibition of LDL receptor degradation.

Aims: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol is causally involved in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) pathogenesis. Pharmacological activation of the intracellular NAD + -dependent deacetylase Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) reduces plasma LDL-cholesterol levels by increasing hepatic LDL-receptor (LDLR) expression, which intriguingly associates with atheroprotective effects. Recent studies have identified the presence of SIRT1 in plasma, however, its effects remain elusive.

The impact of body mass index on antiplatelet monotherapy strategy for secondary prevention after percutaneous coronary intervention: A substudy of the HOST-EXAM trial.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) may influence both clinical risk and pharmacologic response after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We aimed to evaluate the association between BMI and long-term outcomes in a stabilized post-PCI population and to determine whether the effects of clopidogrel versus aspirin as single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) differ across BMI strata.

Methods: This secondary analysis of the HOST-EXAM Extended study (median follow-up 5.

P2Y inhibitor or aspirin after percutaneous coronary intervention: individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Objective: To assess the long term comparative effectiveness of P2Y inhibitor monotherapy compared with aspirin monotherapy in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).

Design: Individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Data Sources: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Ovid/Embase.

Lipid-Lowering Effect and Safety of Ezetimibe and Atorvastatin 5 mg in Patients With Primary Hypercholesterolemia or Mixed Dyslipidemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel, Multicenter, Phase 3 Clinical Trial.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the lipid-lowering effect and safety of low-intensity atorvastatin (5 mg) plus ezetimibe (10 mg) combination therapy (A5E10) with monotherapy regimens-atorvastatin 5 mg [A5], ezetimibe 10 mg [E10], and atorvastatin 10 mg [A10])-in dyslipidemia patients.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 252 dyslipidemia patients was conducted at 25 centers in South Korea (NCT05970679). Participants aged ≥ 19 years were randomized into four groups: A5E10, A5, E10, and A10.

Bio-inspired artificial mechanoreceptors with built-in synaptic functions for intelligent tactile skin.

Tactile perception involves the preprocessing of signals from slowly adapting and fast-adapting afferent neurons, which exhibit synapse-like interactions between mechanoreceptors and their dendrites or terminals, transmitting signals to the brain. Emulating these adaptation and sensory memory functions is crucial for artificial tactile sensing systems. Here, inspired by human tactile afferent systems, we present an array of artificial synaptic mechanoreceptors with built-in synaptic functions by vertically integrating synaptic transistors with a reduced graphene oxide channel, an ionogel gate dielectric and an elastomeric fingerprint-like receptive layer in an all-in-one platform.

Transcriptional Intermediary Factor 1γ-Induced Irisin in Skeletal Muscle Attenuates Renal Fibrosis in Diabetic Nephropathy.

Background: Transcriptional intermediary factor 1γ (TIF1γ) is a negative regulator of TGF-β1 signalling and has been associated with patient survival in renal cell carcinoma. However, its role in diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly in diabetic nephropathy (DN), remains unclear. DN is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Short-Term DAPT After Complex PCI With Third-Generation DES: A Post Hoc Analysis of the HOST-IDEA Trial.

Background: The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear. We aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of 3 to 6 months of DAPT over 12 months after complex PCI.

Methods: A post hoc analysis of the HOST-IDEA (Harmonizing Optimal Strategy for Treatment of Coronary Artery Stenosis-Coronary Intervention With Next-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Platforms and Abbreviated Dual Antiplatelet Therapy) randomized trial which enrolled patients undergoing PCI with third-generation drug-eluting stents was performed.

Aerobic Exercise and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Diabetes Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Nationwide Population-based Study.

Aims: We investigated the impact of aerobic exercise on clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We analyzed a nationwide prospective population database from the Korean National Health Insurance System. We included 8,225 patients with diabetes who had undergone PCI and documented their aerobic exercise habits before and after the procedure (mean interval: 2.

Final kissing balloon dilatation in patients with coronary bifurcation lesions treated with an upfront provisional stenting strategy.

Background: The impact of final kissing balloon inflation (FKB) in patients treated with an upfront provisional strategy for coronary bifurcation lesions is controversial.

Aims: We aimed to assess the impact of FKB on patient- and lesion-oriented outcomes in a large real-world cohort.

Methods: The ULTRA-BIFURCAT registry was obtained by patient-level merging the BIFURCAT and ULTRA registries.

Impact of renal function on treatment strategies and clinical outcomes in acute myocardial infarction patients with multivessel disease.

Objective: The impact of renal function on revascularization outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction and multivessel disease remains unclear. This study compared long-term outcomes of complete (CR) and incomplete revascularization (IR) in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 or <60 mL/min/1.73 m METHODS: Using data from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health, 5962 patients (mean age: 65.

Potent P2Y inhibitors in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock.

Background: Although potent P2Y inhibitors, such as ticagrelor and prasugrel, are standard treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), evidence for their efficacy and safety compared with clopidogrel is limited in patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Methods: Among 28,949 patients from the nationwide pooled registry of KAMIR-NIH and KAMIR-V, a total of 1482 patients (5.1%) with AMI and cardiogenic shock who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention of the culprit vessel were selected.

Fractional flow reserve- and intravascular ultrasound-guided strategies for intermediate coronary stenosis and low lesion complexity in patients with or without diabetes: a post hoc analysis of the randomised FLAVOUR trial.

Background: A recent randomised trial demonstrated fractional flow reserve (FFR) guidance for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was non-inferior to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance regarding clinical outcomes, with a lower frequency of PCI.

Aims: We sought to evaluate the prognosis of FFR versus IVUS guidance for PCI of intermediate coronary artery stenosis and low lesion complexity in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Methods: This study is a prespecified post hoc analysis from the FLAVOUR trial.

Differential Prognosis of True Bifurcation Lesions According to Left Main Versus Non-Left Main Location and Treatment Strategy.

Background: Although true bifurcation lesions are associated with a high risk of procedural complications, the differential prognostic implications of percutaneous coronary intervention for true bifurcations according to lesion location are unclear. This study aimed to identify whether clinical outcomes of true bifurcation lesions differed between left main coronary artery (LM) and non-LM bifurcations and to determine the optimal treatment strategy for subtypes of bifurcation lesions in the current-generation drug-eluting stent era.

Methods: The ULTRA-BIFURCAT (Combined Insights From the Unified COBIS III, RAIN, and ULTRA Registries) was created by merging 3 bifurcation-dedicated registries from Korea and Italy.

Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Position Statement on the Use of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in the Management of Aortic Stenosis.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been established as an effective treatment modality in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and the uptake of TAVI is rapidly growing in the Asia-Pacific region. However, there exist a heterogeneity in the management of aortic stenosis and the use of TAVI among countries in the region. Reasons for these differences include anatomic variations, disparity in healthcare resources and infrastructure, and the lack of consensus on the optimal management of AS in the Asia-Pacific region.

Complete or incomplete revascularization in patients with left main culprit lesion acute myocardial infarction with multivessel disease: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Complete revascularization has demonstrated better outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and multivessel disease. However, in the case of left main (LM) culprit lesion AMI with multivessel disease, there is limited evidence to suggest that complete revascularization is better.

Methods: We reviewed 16,831 patients in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry who were treated from July 2016 to June 2020, and 399 patients were enrolled with LM culprit lesion AMI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Optimal Long-term Antiplatelet Regimen for Patients with High Ischaemic and Bleeding Risks After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

To assess an optimal long-term antiplatelet strategy in patients at both high ischaemic and bleeding risks after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Patients at high risks of both ischaemia and bleeding were eligible for inclusion. We excluded patients with any ischaemic and major bleeding complications during the mandatory period of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).

Beta-blockers after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction and non-reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background: Data on the clinical impact of beta-blockers (BBs) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) who had non-reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after percutaneous coronary intervention are limited.

Methods: From 2016 to 2020, we evaluated a cohort of 12,101 myocardial infarction patients with a non-reduced LVEF (≥40%) from the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry V. Patients were divided into two groups based on their BB (carvedilol, bisoprolol, or nebivolol) treatment at discharge: with beta-blocker treatment (BB,  = 9,468) and without beta-blocker treatment (non-BB,  = 2,633).

Long-Term Aspirin vs Clopidogrel After Coronary Stenting by Bleeding Risk and Procedural Complexity.

Importance: Antiplatelet monotherapy in the chronic maintenance period for patients with high bleeding risk (HBR) and those who have undergone complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not yet been explored.

Objective: To compare clopidogrel vs aspirin monotherapy in patients with HBR and/or PCI complexity.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This post hoc analysis of the multicenter HOST-EXAM Extended study, an open-label trial conducted across 37 sites in South Korea, enrolled patients from 2014 to 2018 with up to 5.

Sex Differences in Procedural Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Bifurcation PCI.

Background And Objectives: The risk profiles, procedural characteristics, and clinical outcomes for women undergoing bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not well defined compared to those in men.

Methods: COronary BIfurcation Stenting III (COBIS III) is a multicenter, real-world registry of 2,648 patients with bifurcation lesions treated with second-generation drug-eluting stents. We compared the angiographic and procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes based on sex.

Cost-effectiveness of Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Intravascular Ultrasound to Guide Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From the FLAVOUR Study.

Background And Objectives: The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea.

Methods: A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).