Left Atrial Appendage Characteristics Assessed with Cardiac Computed Tomography in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Severe Mitral Valve Disease.

Purpose: The morphological and functional characteristics and clinical significance of the left atrial appendage (LAA) are well established in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data on the LAA characteristics in patients with mitral valve (MV) disease are limited. This study aimed to identify the LAA characteristics in AF patients with severe MV disease.

Trends in Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes of Infective Endocarditis: A 16-Year Nationwide Cohort Study in Korea.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease, the profile of which varies across countries. This nationwide cohort study aimed to assess the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of IE.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with IE between 2003 and 2018 were included in this study based on data from the National Health Insurance System of South Korea.

Three-dimensional agitated saline contrast transesophageal echocardiography for the diagnosis of patent foramen ovale.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a three-dimensional (3D) and dynamic structure, making diagnosis challenging with 2D imaging. We aimed to develop a practical 3D agitated saline contrast (ASC) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) protocol, assess its feasibility, and evaluate its diagnostic implications in ischemic stroke patients. In 158 ischemic stroke patients (52 women; age: 63.

Long-Term Follow-Up in Severe Mitral Stenosis With Low Transmitral Diastolic Pressure Gradient: From MASTER Registry.

Background: Long-term follow-up studies in severe mitral stenosis (MS) with low transmitral mean diastolic pressure gradient (MDPG) are not available. We evaluated the prognostic implications of severe MS with low MDPG in our MASTER (Multicenter Mitral Stenosis with Rheumatic Etiology) registry.

Methods: We included patients with severe rheumatic MS (mitral valve area ≤1.

Procedural and clinical risk factors of infective endocarditis - A nationwide case-control study in South Korea.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) causes high mortality and morbidity, posing a significant burden on healthcare systems. Although the incidence of IE is rising globally, its risk factors, particularly procedure-related risks, remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and procedural risk factors associated with IE using nationwide data from South Korea.

Discovering molecular signatures in kidney transplant biopsies with borderline changes and isolated V-lesions: single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis of human blood and tissue Spatial transcriptomics.

Acute T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) is one of the most important causes of kidney graft injury and loss; however, in-depth transcriptomic analyses of relevant tissues and circulating immune cells are limited. In this study, we conducted single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and spatial transcriptomics using kidney allograft biopsy samples. The scRNA-seq study included four patients with borderline rejection or biopsy-proven TCMR and two with no evidence of TCMR.

New Algorithm for Estimating Left Ventricular Filling Pressure by Echocardiography.

Background: Evaluation of whether dyspnea has a cardiac cause is essential. Guidelines from 2016 were reported to result in a high incidence of indeterminate left ventricular (LV) filling pressure. We sought to validate a new algorithm for the estimation of LV filling pressure (LVFP) in a multicenter study, with the objective of decreasing the yield of indeterminate filling pressure and increasing accuracy.

Early predictors of aortic valve surgery in patients with significant bicuspid aortic regurgitation without initial surgical indication.

Background: Bicuspid aortic regurgitation (AR) is common in younger patients who often do not meet guideline-based criteria for aortic valve (AV) surgery at diagnosis. However, identifying early predictors of disease progression may aid in risk stratification and surgical timing.

Methods: From a single-centre registry of 1927 patients with bicuspid AV, we identified 335 patients with moderate or severe AR, excluding those with severe aortic stenosis (AS), endocarditis or other major valvular diseases.

Left Ventricular and Atrial Function in Patients With Isolated Mitral Annular Calcification.

Background: Evaluation of left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) function using Doppler echocardiography in patients with mitral annular calcification (MAC) is challenging. This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of LV and LA function using speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with isolated MAC.

Methods: Among 537 patients with MAC identified by echocardiography during the period 2012 to 2016, 275 (73.

Persistent hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation in children.

Background: Persistent hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation (KT) has been reported in up to 50% of adult recipients, but pediatric data remain limited. We evaluated the prevalence, skeletal manifestations, and risk factors for persistent hyperparathyroidism in children following KT.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 107 pediatric KT recipients (58% male; median age 10.

Impact of Left Ventricular Diastolic Pressure Changes on Clinical Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Unlabelled: Changes in left ventricular (LV) diastolic pressure after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or their relationship with subsequent outcomes remain poorly clarified. Accordingly, we aimed to assess the changes in invasively measured LV diastolic pressure and their relationship with long-term outcomes in patients undergoing TAVR.

Methods: In total, 509 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR at 3 tertiary centers were retrospectively included and divided into 2 groups according to changes in LV pre-A pressure after TAVR: Group 1, with no change or decrease in pre-A pressure, and Group 2, presenting an increase in pre-A pressure after TAVR.

Outcomes of pancreas transplantation over two decades: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Pancreas transplantation (PT) is a definitive treatment for diabetes mellitus (DM), restoring endogenous insulin secretion and improving glycemic control. Despite its efficacy, PT is less common in South Korea compared to Western nations. This study aims to report the clinical outcomes of PT over 2 decades at a single center, focusing on surgical techniques, complications, and graft survival.

Impact of Renal Function on Myocardial Remodeling and Outcomes in Patients With Moderate Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Patients with moderate aortic stenosis (AS) and cardiac damage have poor prognosis, and whether early aortic valve replacement benefits these patients is under investigation. However, besides valvular hemodynamics, comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) can contribute to myocardial damage and affect prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of renal function on myocardial remodeling and outcomes in patients with moderate AS.

Strategies for Monitoring and Supporting Living Donors in Korea: An Expert Position Paper.

Background: The number of organ transplants in South Korea has increased, with a notable rise in living donor transplants. Ensuring their long-term health and well-being is critical to address potential complications and maintain the success of the transplant programs.

Methods: A diverse advisory panel, including transplant experts and coordinators, was established to evaluate the follow-up care for living donors.

Quality of life, socioeconomic impact, and medical consideration of living kidney donors: a comprehensive survey in Korea.

Background: South Korea stands out as a prominent nation relying heavily on living-donor transplants, with a high incidence of living-donor kidney transplants. This study aimed to obtain objective data on the psychological, social, and mental health status of living kidney donors in South Korea.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to living kidney donors at two tertiary hospitals between June 2020 and November 2020.

Factors associated with high-intensity physical activity and sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: High-intensity physical activity has traditionally been discouraged in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to concerns about triggering sudden cardiac death. However, current guidelines adopt a more liberal stance, and evidence on risk factors for exercise-related sudden cardiac death remains limited. This study investigated the clinical, morphological and genetic factors associated with high-intensity physical activity-related sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Role of Genetic Testing in Diagnosis and Prognosis Prediction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Korea.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) needs careful differentiation from other cardiomyopathies. Current guidelines recommend genetic testing, but genetic data on differential diagnoses and their relation with clinical outcomes in HCM are still lacking. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of genetic variants and the proportion of other cardiomyopathies in patients with suspected HCM in Korea and compare the outcomes of HCM according to the presence of sarcomere gene mutation.

Selecting the optimal candidates for percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty using multi-modality imaging.

Aims: This study compared echocardiography (echo) and cardiac computed tomography (CT) in measuring the Wilkins score and evaluated the potential added benefit of CT in predicting immediate percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) outcomes in rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) patients deemed eligible for PMV by echo.

Methods And Results: From a multicentre registry of 3,140 patients with at least moderate MS, we included 96 patients (age 56.4 ± 11.

Novel algorithm for non-invasive estimation of left atrial pressure in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Determining elevated left atrial (LA) pressure is crucial in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), yet non-invasive estimation using echocardiography remains unclear. This study aimed to identify useful echocardiographic indices for identifying elevated LA pressure in patients with AF.

Methods And Results: Patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF referred for catheter ablation at two tertiary hospitals were prospectively enrolled.

Outcomes of tricuspid valve surgery in patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation and low to intermediate risk.

Background: In patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR), delayed surgical intervention is associated with poor outcomes, particularly in advanced stages. This study aimed to assess whether earlier tricuspid valve (TV) surgery provides a survival benefit in patients with moderate to severe TR who are considered at low to intermediate risk of adverse clinical or surgical outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 10 016 patients diagnosed with moderate to severe TR between 2008 and 2020.

Incremental prognostic value of left ventricular and left atrial strains in moderate aortic stenosis.

Aims: Patients with moderate aortic stenosis (AS) show a poor prognosis if they have high-risk features. We investigated herein the incremental prognostic value of left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) strain in patients with moderate AS.

Methods And Results: In a cohort of 923 patients with moderate AS (median age 74 years, men 55%, aortic valve area 1.

Robot-assisted kidney transplantation: a propensity score-matched cohort analysis of early experience.

Background: Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Since the introduction of robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT), several centers have applied this technique as an alternative to open kidney transplantation (OKT). The objective of this study is to analyze our early experience, focusing on surgical technique and learning curve, and postoperative outcomes of RAKT.