Proteogenomic profiling predicts outcomes of adjuvant chemotherapy in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background & Aims: Cholangiocarcinoma is a heterogeneous disease, and its molecular characteristics and biomarkers and not yet fully understood. Here we performed comprehensive proteogenomic analyses to investigate the molecular landscape of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (EH-CCA).

Methods: To identify potential biomarkers, prespecified exploratory analyses were conducted within the STAMP trial-a randomized phase 2 trial of adjuvant capecitabine or gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GemCis) for patients with resected EH-CCA.

Detection rate by time period and predictors of serious arrhythmias in unexplained syncope: a multicenter implantable loop recorder registry study.

Background/aims: Although an implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a valuable tool for investigation of unexplained syncope, there are limited data regarding time course to diagnosis and predictors of serious arrhythmias as a cause of unexplained syncope. We sought to investigate diagnosis rate by time period after ILR implantation and identify predictors of serious arrhythmias in patients with unexplained syncope.

Methods: We identified 394 patients who received ILR implantation for unexplained syncope enrolled in the Korean ILR registry.

Dual-phoretic wireless device for directionally oriented and carrier-free targeted drug delivery.

Drug localization, release control, and penetration into solid tissues through biological tight junctions are crucial for the treatment of localized diseases with biological barriers by maximizing therapeutic efficacy of the drug and minimizing damage to normal organs. Here, we introduce a dual-phoretic wireless drug delivery system that harnesses the physical control of ion transportation: electrophoresis for controllable release and iontophoresis for directional penetration. Adjustable, pulsatile, and repeatable drug release under biological conditions is achieved using ion diodes and Zn-based electrochemical cells.

Hepatic artery dissection after living-donor liver transplantation requires different management based on the locations and clinical outcomes: A retrospective cohort study.

HAD is a rare complication of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and is associated with hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). Given its low incidence, the clinical outcomes of HAD are not well established. This study aimed to identify the clinical outcomes of hepatic artery dissection (HAD) according to its location and extent.

Current Status of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Donor Hepatectomy: A Worldwide Survey (A Joint Initiative of the International Laparoscopic Liver Society and the International Living Donor Liver Transplantation Group).

Background: Minimally invasive donor hepatectomy (MIDH) is gaining exponential growth. This study aimed to investigate the global dissemination of MIDH and to identify strategies and barriers to implementing MIDH in centers performing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Methods: A web-based survey was distributed to members of the International Laparoscopic Liver Society, the International Living Donor Liver Transplantation Group, and centers performing LDLT identified through a systematic review.

15-Year Trends in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Epidemiology, Treatment, and Outcomes from a Hospital-Based Registry.

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, particularly in Korea. We analyzed trends in the epidemiology, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes of HCC over the past 15 years, using a large-scale hospital-based registry.

Methods: We examined Asan Medical Center HCC registry data on 21,699 treatment-naïve patients with HCC diagnosed between 2009 and 2023.

Cryoballoon Ablation for Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Results From the Korean Cryoballoon Registry.

Background And Objectives: Cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is considered an effective rhythm control treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) and is increasing exponentially. However, data regarding the efficacy and safety of CBA in elderly patients are limited.

Methods: A total of 2,652 patients (55.

Cryoballoon Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: From the Korean Cryoballoon Ablation Registry.

Background And Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in more than 20% of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients, further increasing the risk of stroke. Although radiofrequency catheter ablation in AF patients with HCM has been performed, data on cryoballoon ablation (CBA) in HCM patients are limited. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of CBA in HCM patients with AF.

Long-Term Outcomes of Left Renal Vein Ligation in Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A 20-Year Study.

BACKGROUND Persistence of large spontaneous splenorenal shunt (SSRS) can result in graft failure in adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) due to portal flow steal; thus, it is necessary to block SSRS to ensure sufficient portal blood flow. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a retrospective 20-year observational follow-up study subsequent to a prior prospective study to evaluate the long-term outcomes following ligation of the proximal left renal vein (LRV). Between October 2001 and January 2005, 44 liver cirrhosis patients underwent LDLT with LRV ligation.

Preoperative Transarterial Chemoembolization for Resectable Single Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Center Cohort Study.

Background: The efficacy of preoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative TACE for resectable solitary HCC.

Methods: This retrospective study included 4899 patients who underwent hepatectomy from 2008 to 2019.

Incidence and Outcomes of Diaphragmatic Hernia After Living Donor Hepatectomy: The Significance of Bipolar Irrigated Sealer Use.

Background: Acquired diaphragmatic hernia (DH) is a rare and potentially fatal complication after living donor hepatectomy (LDH). This study aimed to assess the incidence and clinical outcomes of DH after LDH.

Methods: Four thousand fourteen living donors who underwent LDH at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, between September 2013 and August 2023 were retrospectively reviewed.

Predicting futile outcomes following deceased donor liver transplantation in non-HCC patients with MELD-Na score above 30: a retrospective international multicenter cohort study.

Introduction: In the current "sickest first" allocation policy for limited deceased liver grafts, identifying patients "too sick to transplant" before transplantation is crucial to optimize outcomes. This study aimed to predict futile outcomes following deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) in patients with model for end-stage liver disease-sodium (MELD-Na) scores ≥30.

Methods: This international multicenter study was conducted as part of the International Society of Liver Surgeons.

Feasibility of Pure Laparoscopic Donor Right Hepatectomy Compared With Open Donor Right Hepatectomy: A Large Single-center Cohort Study.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the morbidity of living donors and recipients after pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH) and open donor right hepatectomy (ODRH).

Background: Donor and recipient morbidity have not been sufficiently reported in large-scale comparisons of PLDRH and ODRH.

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 3348 donors who underwent PLDRH (n = 329) and ODRH (n = 3019) and their corresponding recipients (n = 3348) between January 2014 and August 2023.

Prognostic Efficacy of the Albumin-Bilirubin Score and Treatment Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Large-Scale, Multi-Center Real-World Database Study.

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with treatment outcomes closely tied to liver function. This study evaluates the prognostic utility of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score compared to the traditional Child-Pugh (CP) grading, leveraging real-world evidence from a large-scale, multi-center database.

Methods: The Liver Cancer IN Korea (LINK) research network, a multi-center initiative, retrospectively collected electronic health records from three academic hospitals in South Korea, encompassing HCC patients diagnosed between 2015 and 2020.

Age and Clinically Actionable Events in Patients With Implantable Loop Recorders: Analysis of Multicenter Loop Recorder Registry.

Introduction: Little is known about age and clinical intervention after implantable loop recorder (ILR) insertion. This study investigated the association between age and clinical intervention after ILR implantation.

Methods And Results: Data were obtained from a multicenter registry of ILR in Korea (2017-2020, n = 795).

Clinical Outcome of Cryoballoon Ablation for Long-Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: From the Korean Cryballoon Ablation Registry.

Introduction: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) by cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is considered an effective primary strategy for early persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data regarding CBA for long-standing persistent AF (PeAF) are limited. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of CBA for long-standing PeAF compared to PeAF.

Circulating tumor DNA status and dynamics predict recurrence in patients with resected extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background & Aims: Surgery is the only curative therapeutic option for resectable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, but recurrence is common, and prognosis is poor. There is an unmet clinical need for improved decision-making regarding adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT). Herein, we evaluated the usefulness of monitoring longitudinal circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for molecular residual disease (MRD) in patients from the STAMP trial, which compared the efficacy of adjuvant capecitabine (CAP) vs.

Liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease versus other etiologies: A meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasingly being diagnosed and predicted to rise further. We compared outcomes of transplantation for MASLD-related HCC versus other etiologies (OE).

Methods: Databases were searched to identify studies comparing outcomes after transplantation MASLD-related HCC with OE-related HCC.

Safety and feasibility of pure laparoscopic living donor right hepatectomy.

Pure laparoscopic living-donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH) has emerged as a significant advancement in liver transplantation, offering reduced donor morbidity and improved recovery times. However, PLDRH is still performed in only a limited number of centers. This retrospective study reports on the outcomes of 215 living donors who underwent PLDRH at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, Korea between November 2014 and December 2021.

Evaluating Respiratory Muscle Strength in Sarcopenia Screening among Older Men in South Korea: A Retrospective Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of incorporating respiratory muscle strength, specifically maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), along with traditional sarcopenia screening measures such as hand grip strength (HGS) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), to identify sarcopenia in older men.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted involving male patients aged 65 years and older who underwent measurements of respiratory muscle strength, HGS, and muscle mass at a general hospital in Korea from July 2016 to May 2022. Statistical analysis utilized independent t-tests and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to assess the sensitivity and specificity of MIP, MEP, HGS, and SMI in sarcopenia screening.

Long-term clinical impact of early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia after cryoballoon ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: The impact of early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (ERAT) within the 90-day blanking period on long-term outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing cryoballoon ablation (CBA) is controversial. This study aimed to assess the relationship between ERAT and late recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (LRAT) post-CBA.

Methods: Utilizing data from a multicenter registry in Korea (May 2018 to June 2022), we analyzed the presence and timing of ERAT (<30, 30-60, and 60-90 days) and its association with LRAT risk after CBA.