The Influence of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease and Body Mass Index on the Incidence of Alzheimer Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background/aims: This study aimed to investigate the influence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of Alzheimer disease (AD) in the general South Korean population.

Methods: The National Screening Program for Transitional Ages collected data from 66-year-old dementia-free Koreans in 2010 and 2011. MASLD was diagnosed based on the fatty liver index (≥30) and the presence of metabolic components, and overweight/obese status was defined as a BMI ≥23 kg/m.

Thrombus composition and distribution patterns by thrombus volume in acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Thrombus burden considerably impacts ischemic stroke presentation and outcomes. However, the relationship between thrombus histology and volume has not been studied well. We investigated whether ischemic stroke thrombus composition and spatial distribution patterns differed with thrombus volume.

Blood pressure threshold and outcomes after successful endovascular thrombectomy.

Background: Several randomized clinical trials have indicated that intensive blood pressure (BP) lowering is associated with worse outcomes, leaving the optimal BP targets following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) uncertain.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between specific systolic BP (SBP) thresholds, time spent outside these thresholds, and clinical outcomes.

Methods: This post hoc analysis of the Outcome in Patients Treated With Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy-Optimal Blood Pressure Control (OPTIMAL-BP) trial, included patients with successful EVT randomized to intensive (<140 mmHg) or conventional (140-180 mmHg) BP management.

Association between osteoporosis and risk of dementia: a Korean women nationwide population-based cohort study.

Unlabelled: Brief rationale: dementia and osteoporosis share risk factors and are rising in aging populations.

Main Results: osteoporosis significantly increases the risk of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease dementia, and vascular dementia in Korean older women. Significance of the paper: early detection and treatment of osteoporosis may reduce dementia risk.

Cardiovascular Risk with Prokinetics: A Self-Controlled Case Series Study Using a Korean Nationwide Health Claims Database.

There have been concerns about potential adverse cardiovascular (CV) events associated with prokinetics that enhance gastrointestinal (GI) motility. To evaluate whether prokinetics use was associated with increased CV risk. We conducted a self-controlled case series (SCCS) study using the National Health Claims Database in South Korea.

Association Between Intravenous Antihypertensives and Functional Outcome After Successful Endovascular Thrombectomy.

Background: Intravenous antihypertensives are frequently used to control blood pressure after successful endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), yet studies investigating the relationship between intravenous antihypertensive use and functional outcomes after successful EVT remain limited.

Methods: We conducted an exploratory secondary analysis of the OPTIMAL-BP trial (Outcome in Patients Treated With Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy-Optimal Blood Pressure Control), which compared intensive (systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg) versus conventional blood pressure management (systolic blood pressure, 140-180 mm Hg) within the first 24 hours after successful recanalization across 19 stroke centers in South Korea between June 2020 and November 2022. Patients were classified according to the administration of intravenous antihypertensives within the initial 24 hours after enrollment.

Blood pressure management based on infarct volume after successful endovascular thrombectomy.

Introduction: While the efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in large core infarcts has been established, the influence of blood pressure (BP) management on functional outcomes based on infarct volume remains unclear.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the Outcome in Patients Treated With Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy-Optimal Blood Pressure Control (OPTIMAL-BP) trial, which compared intensive (systolic BP < 140 mmHg) versus conventional (systolic BP 140-180 mmHg) BP management within the first 24 h following successful recanalization. Patients were grouped based on an infarct volume cut-off of 50 ml, assessed 24 h post-EVT.

Temporal Trends in Public Stroke Awareness in Korea, 2009 to 2023.

Background: No large-scale survey on public stroke awareness has been conducted in Korea since 2009. This study assessed temporal trends in awareness of stroke warning signs (WSs) and risk factors (RFs) from 2009 to 2023. We hypothesized that stroke awareness remains inadequate and that changes in information sources have influenced the depth of knowledge.

Procedure Time of Endovascular Thrombectomy as Performance Measure of Acute Stroke Treatment.

Purpose: Procedure time (PT), defined as the time between groin access and vessel recanalization, is a recently recognized predictor of outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, the factors affecting PT and its potential value as a performance measure of AIS treatment remain unexplored.

Materials And Methods: Using the Korean Stroke Registry, we compared patients who underwent EVT for AIS from 2018 to 2022 based on 60 minutes PT.

Effect of Potassium-Competitive Acid Blockers on Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background And Aim: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the drug of choice to prevent upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT); however, unmet needs remain. Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) are novel acid-suppressive drugs that have emerged as potential alternatives. We evaluated the effectiveness of P-CAB in reducing the risk of UGI bleeding in patients receiving DAPT after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Thiazolidinedione Use and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Who Underwent Carotid Artery Revascularization.

Background: Thiazolidinediones are oral antidiabetic agents known for their wide-ranging pleiotropic effects, potentially offering cardiovascular protection. Using a nationwide health claims database in Korea, we evaluated whether thiazolidinedione treatment was associated with long-term cardiovascular prognosis after carotid revascularization.

Methods And Results: This retrospective cohort study included patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent carotid endarterectomy or stent insertion in Korea between 2009 and 2020.

Mediation of Time-Related Blood Pressure Variability on Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering and Functional Outcomes Post Endovascular Therapy: A Post Hoc Analysis of the OPTIMAL-BP Trial.

Background: We investigated whether the association between blood pressure (BP) management in patients with successful reperfusion following endovascular therapy (EVT) and functional outcomes is mediated by BP variability parameters.

Methods And Results: This is a post hoc analysis of the OPTIMAL-BP (Outcome in Patients Treated With Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy-Optimal Blood Pressure Control) trial, conducted at 19 centers in South Korea. The primary outcome was the 90-day functional outcome, assessed using the modified Rankin Scale.

Cytochrome P450 2C19 Genotypes and Clopidogrel in Patients With Ischemic Stroke: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) genotypes influence the antiplatelet effectiveness of clopidogrel by affecting its conversion to its active metabolite. However, evidence from prospective trials regarding the effects of CYP2C19 genotypes on the role of clopidogrel preventing cardiovascular events among patients with acute ischemic stroke remains limited.

Objective: To investigate the association of the CYP2C19 genotypes with the clinical prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with clopidogrel.

Nelonemdaz and Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke and Mechanical Reperfusion: The RODIN Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Nelonemdaz selectively antagonizes the 2B subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate glutamate receptor and scavenges free radical species.

Objective: To evaluate whether nelonemdaz enhances the clinical outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing emergent reperfusion therapy.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled randomized phase 3 trial (December 25, 2021, to June 30, 2023, in South Korea) recruited patients with acute ischemic stroke who met the following criteria: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score greater than or equal to 8, Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography score greater than or equal to 4, and endovascular thrombectomy within 12 hours after stroke onset.

Effects of blood pressure lowering in patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis before endovascular thrombectomy.

Background: The effects of blood pressure (BP) lowering in patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) before endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) are unclear.

Aims: This study aims to investigate whether intensive and conventional BP management affects outcomes differently, depending on IV tPA administration before EVT.

Methods: In this subgroup analysis of the Outcome in Patients Treated with Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy-Optimal Blood Pressure Control (OPTIMAL-BP; ClinicalTrials.

Phase-dependent electronic structure modulation of nickel selenides by Fe doping for enhanced bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis.

Bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis is a pivotal process that underpins a diverse array of sustainable energy technologies, including electrolyzers and fuel cells. Metal selenides have been identified as highly promising candidates for oxygen electrocatalysts with electronic structure engineering that lies at the heart of catalyst design. Two-phase Fe-doped nitrogen carbon (NC)-supported nickel selenides were synthesized using a coordination polymer template.

Proton Pump Inhibitors Use in Patients With Ischemic Stroke on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy at Low Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Background: Current guidelines lack recommendations regarding the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for preventing upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) among patients at low risk for UGIB treated with dual antiplatelet therapy for ischemic stroke (IS). Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of PPIs in lowering the risk of significant UGIB in this patient group.

Methods And Results: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving patients at low risk for UGIB admitted for IS between 2014 and 2018 and treated with dual antiplatelet therapy.

Intensive blood pressure lowering in acute stroke with intracranial stenosis post-thrombectomy: A secondary analysis of the OPTIMAL-BP trial.

Background: Intensive blood pressure (BP) management within 24 h after successful reperfusion following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is associated with worse functional outcomes than conventional BP management in Asian randomized controlled trials. Given the high prevalence of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) in Asia, ICAS may influence these outcomes.

Aims: We aimed to assess whether ICAS affects the outcomes of intensive BP management after successful EVT.

Risk of cardiovascular events following hemodialysis initiation: a self-controlled case series study.

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to evaluate whether hemodialysis (HD) initiation is associated with CVD risk in patients with CKD.

Methods: This self-controlled case series, using data from a nationwide Korean health claims database, included patients with CKD who initiated HD between 2007 and 2019 and experienced CVD, including acute stroke or myocardial infarction (MI), between 2008 and 2020.

Cardiovascular Safety of COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients With Cancer: A Self-Controlled Case Series Study in Korea.

Background: Cancer patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes and are susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We aimed to assess the cardiovascular safety of COVID-19 vaccination for cancer patients in South Korea.

Methods: We conducted a self-controlled case series study using the K-COV-N cohort (2018-2021).

Proton Pump Inhibitor for Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients with Myocardial Infarction on Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Guidelines provide various recommendations for the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) to prevent upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding in acute myocardial infarction (MI) treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). We evaluated the effects of PPIs in reducing the risk of severe UGI bleeding in patients with MI receiving DAPT.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients admitted for acute MI between 2014 and 2018, based on a nationwide health claims database in Korea.

Impact of intensive blood pressure lowering after multiple-attempt endovascular thrombectomy: A secondary analysis of the OPTIMAL-BP trial.

Background: Multiple attempts of thrombectomy have been linked to a higher risk of intracerebral hemorrhage and worsened functional outcomes, potentially influenced by blood pressure (BP) management strategies. Nonetheless, the impact of intensive BP management following successful recanalization through multiple attempts remains uncertain.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate whether conventional and intensive BP managements differentially affect outcomes according to multiple-attempt recanalization (MAR) and first-attempt recanalization (FAR) groups.

Regional disparities in prehospital delay of acute ischemic stroke: The Korean Stroke Registry.

Background: Late hospital arrival keeps patients with stroke from receiving recanalization therapy and is associated with poor outcomes. This study used a nationwide acute stroke registry to investigate the trends and regional disparities in prehospital delay and analyze the significant factors associated with late arrivals.

Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack between January 2012 and December 2021 were included.