Myocardial perfusion and oxidative metabolism in healthy subjects: sex-specific insights from vasodilatory stress C-acetate PET.

Background: C-acetate positron emission tomography (PET) enables simultaneous quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and oxidative metabolism; however, sex-specific normative data under vasodilator stress remain insufficiently defined. We aimed to characterize these parameters in healthy individuals.

Results: Eighteen healthy individuals (9 males and 9 females, age/sex-matched; median age 43 years [range 34-65]) with normal echocardiography and no underlying cardiovascular disease underwent one-day rest-stress dynamic C-acetate PET with adenosine.

Comparison of Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Sinus Rhythm and Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Heart Failure.

Background And Objectives: In chronic heart failure (HF), natriuretic peptide (NP) levels are higher in atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to sinus rhythm (SR). However, due to the loss of atrial contraction, AF patients are prone to hemodynamic decompensation at earlier stages. Since NP levels reflect disease severity, acutely decompensated AF patients may exhibit lower NP levels compared to SR patients, who retain greater hemodynamic reserve.

Real-World Experience of Mavacamten for Patients With Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in South Korea: A Prospective Multi-Center Observational Study.

Background And Objectives: Mavacamten has shown promise in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM); however, real-world evidence is limited in Asians. We aimed to provide the first multicenter, real-world analysis of mavacamten use in Korea.

Methods: This prospective observational study included symptomatic oHCM patients treated at 7 tertiary hospitals in Korea.

A Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled, Multicenter Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Ezetimibe/Atorvastatin/Amlodipine Combination in Patients With Comorbid Primary Hypercholesterolemia and Essential Hypertension.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple combination of ezetimibe (Eze)/atorvastatin (Ato) 10/40 mg + amlodipine (Aml) 10 mg therapy for lowering the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and blood pressure compared with either Eze/Ato 10/40 mg or Aml 10 mg therapies in patients with comorbid primary hypercholesterolemia and essential hypertension.

Methods: This was a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, active-controlled, Phase III clinical trial. Participants underwent a wash-out period (2 weeks for nonfibrate medications, 6 weeks for fibrates) followed by 4 weeks of therapeutic lifestyle changes.

Palliative Care and Hospice for Heart Failure Patients: Position Statement From the Korean Society of Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in South Korea, imposing substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and society. Despite the high burden of symptom and complex care needs of HF patients, palliative care and hospice services remain underutilized in South Korea due to cultural, institutional, and knowledge-related barriers. This position statement from the Korean Society of Heart Failure emphasizes the need for integrating palliative and hospice care into HF management to improve quality of life and support holistic care for patients and their families.

Evaluating dyadic factors associated with self-care in patients with heart failure and their family caregivers: Using an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model.

Dyadic conditions of patients with heart failure and their caregivers may affect both patient self-care and caregiver contribution to patient self-care (CCPS). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of patient-caregiver physical function and depressive symptoms to the patient self-care (maintenance and management) and CCPS. Data from 55 were analyzed using an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model to address the aim through AMOS.

COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Myocarditis: What We Learned From Our Experience and What We Need to Do in The Future.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has led to a global health crisis with substantial mortality and morbidity. To combat the COVID-19 pandemic, various vaccines have been developed, but unexpected serious adverse events including vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia, carditis, and thromboembolic events have been reported and became a huddle for COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine-related myocarditis (VRM) is a rare but significant adverse event associated primarily with mRNA vaccines.

Association Between Orthostatic Hypertension and Frailty Among Older Patients With Hypertension.

Background: Frailty frequently coexists with hypertension in older patients. We aimed to evaluate the association between frailty and positional change in blood pressure, especially orthostatic hypertension.

Methods: Participants were recruited from 12 University hospitals in South Korea.

Characteristics According to Frailty Status Among Older Korean Patients With Hypertension.

Background: As the prevalence of hypertension increases with age and the proportion of the older population is also on the rise, research on the characteristics of older hypertensive patients and the importance of frailty is necessary. This study aimed to identify clinical characteristics of older hypertension in Korea and to investigate these characteristics based on frailty status.

Methods: The HOW to Optimize eLDerly systolic BP (HOWOLD-BP) is a prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial that aims to compare intensive (target systolic blood pressure [SBP] ≤ 130 mmHg) with standard (target SBP ≤ 140 mmHg) treatment to reduce cardiovascular events in older hypertensive Korean patients aged ≥ 65 years.

The Role of COVID-19 Vaccination for Patients With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the Upcoming Endemic Era.

COVID-19 vaccination has played a pivotal role in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic by providing a powerful tool to curb the spread of the virus, reduce severe illness and hospitalizations, and ultimately save lives and facilitate a return to normal daily routines. As COVID-19 vaccination has become more widespread and more individuals have recovered from the infection, COVID-19 has entered an endemic disease phase. This phase is characterized by a less severe and more stable pattern of infection within certain regions, similar to the predictability of seasonal influenza.

Metformin treatment is associated with improved survival in diabetic patients hospitalized with acute heart failure: A prospective observational study using the Korean acute heart failure registry data.

Aims: Although the hypothesis that metformin is beneficial for patients with diabetes and heart failure (HF) has been steadily raised, there is limited data on metformin use in patients with acute HF. We analyzed the association of metformin on all-cause mortality in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes and acute HF.

Methods: The Korean Acute Heart Failure registry prospectively enrolled patients hospitalized for acute HF from 2011 to 2014.