Prognostic Implication of LDL-C Variability and Its Association with Lipid-Lowering Strategies: Insights from the RACING and LODESTAR Trials.

Purpose: We aimed to compare the visit-to-visit variability in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) according to different lipid-lowering strategies and evaluate its prognostic implications using data from previous trials.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed two randomized clinical trials: the RACING trial and the LODESTAR trial. LDL-C variability was evaluated using standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation, and variation independent of mean.

Prognostic implication of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in acute myocardial infarction-related cardiogenic shock.

Background: Given the conflicting results regarding the clinical outcomes of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) based on etiology, its benefit for patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) remains controversial. This study aimed to report the real-world clinical outcomes of VA-ECMO treatment for patients with CS, based on the presence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Patients treated with peripheral VA-ECMO between 2008 and 2023 at a tertiary cardiovascular center were included and classified into two groups based on CS etiology (AMI-CS and non-AMI-CS).

Comparison of High-Dose versus Low-Dose Paclitaxel Drug-Coated Balloons for Native Femoropopliteal Artery Disease: An Analysis of the K-VIS ELLA Registry.

Purpose: Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have demonstrated favorable outcomes in the treatment of femoropopliteal artery (FPA) disease. A variety of DCBs are currently available, with differing doses of antiproliferative agents and types of excipients. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of high-dose versus low-dose paclitaxel DCBs for the treatment of FPA disease.

Ticagrelor Monotherapy Ticagrelor With Aspirin in Bleeding and Cardiovascular Events in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients According to Renal Function: The Subanalysis From the TICO Trial.

Background And Objectives: Ticagrelor monotherapy after short-term dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has not been established in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This study evaluated the effects of ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month of DAPT on renal function in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Methods: From the TICO trial, the primary outcome was a composite of net adverse clinical events (NACEs), defined as a composite of major bleeding and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs).

Intravascular Ultrasound Predictors of 12-Month Patency Loss Following Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty for the Femoropopliteal Artery.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been shown to improve outcomes of drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for treatment of femoropopliteal artery (FPA) disease. However, the optimal IVUS criteria for achieving improved outcomes of DCB angioplasty for FPA disease remain uncertain. The study aimed to identify IVUS predictors for loss of patency at 12 months after DCB angioplasty for FPA disease.

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients with Cardiogenic Shock: Results from the Rescue Registry.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) frequently leads to multiorgan failure, often necessitating continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We evaluated the association between CRRT, ECMO, and its prognostic implication in patients with CS. A total of 1247 patients with CS were enrolled from the RESCUE (Retrospective and Prospective Observational Study to Investigate Clinical Outcomes and Efficacy of Left Ventricular Assist Device for Korean Patients with Cardiogenic Shock) registry between January 2014 and December 2018.

Endovascular Aneurysmal Repair With the INCRAFT Stent Graft System for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Combined Korean Multi-Center and Single-Center Registry Analysis.

Introduction: The INCRAFT™ Stent Graft System is a trimodular, bifurcated, ultra-low-profile endovascular device designed for endovascular aneurysm repair in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Materials And Methods: The study population comprised a prospective multi-center cohort (n = 85) and a single-center retrospective cohort (n = 61) of Korean AAA patients treated with INCRAFT. Postprocedural follow-up involved computed tomography (CT) imaging at 1 and 12 months post-procedure to monitor aneurysm dimensions and detect any endoleak.

Alternative LDL Cholesterol-Lowering Strategy vs High-Intensity Statins in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

Importance: In patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), intensive lowering of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels with high-intensity statins is generally recommended. However, alternative approaches considering statin-related adverse effects and intolerance are needed.

Objective: To compare the long-term efficacy and safety of an alternative LDL cholesterol-lowering strategy vs high-intensity statin strategy in patients with ASCVD in randomized clinical trials.

De-escalation to ticagrelor monotherapy versus 12 months of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with and without acute coronary syndromes: a systematic review and individual patient-level meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 12 months is the standard of care after coronary stenting in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this individual patient-level meta-analysis was to summarise the evidence comparing DAPT de-escalation to ticagrelor monotherapy versus continuing DAPT for 12 months after coronary drug-eluting stent implantation.

Methods: A systematic review and individual patient data (IPD)-level meta-analysis of randomised trials with centrally adjudicated endpoints was performed to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy (90 mg twice a day) after short-term DAPT (from 2 weeks to 3 months) versus 12-month DAPT in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with a coronary drug-eluting stent.

Ticagrelor monotherapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: An individual patient-level meta-analysis from TICO and T-PASS trials.

Background: Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) tend to be excluded or under-represented in randomized clinical trials evaluating the effects of potent P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).

Methods: Individual patient data were pooled from randomized clinical trials that included STEMI patients undergoing drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation and compared ticagrelor monotherapy after short-term (≤3 months) DAPT versus ticagrelor-based 12-month DAPT in terms of centrally adjudicated clinical outcomes. The co-primary outcomes were efficacy outcome (composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) and safety outcome (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 3 or 5 bleeding) at 1 year.

Effect of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin on new-onset diabetes mellitus in patients treated with high-intensity statin therapy for coronary artery disease: a post-hoc analysis from the LODESTAR randomized clinical trial.

Background: The impact of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin on new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) among patients treated with high-intensity statin therapy for coronary artery disease (CAD) remains to be clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of NODM in patients with CAD treated with rosuvastatin compared to atorvastatin in the randomized LODESTAR trial.

Methods: In the LODESTAR trial, patients with CAD were randomly assigned to receive either rosuvastatin or atorvastatin using a 2-by-2 factorial randomization.

Development of Clinically Validated Artificial Intelligence Model for Detecting ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Study Objective: Although the importance of primary percutaneous coronary intervention has been emphasized for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the appropriateness of the cardiac catheterization laboratory activation remains suboptimal. This study aimed to develop a precise artificial intelligence (AI) model for the diagnosis of STEMI and accurate cardiac catheterization laboratory activation.

Methods: We used electrocardiography (ECG) waveform data from a prospective percutaneous coronary intervention registry in Korea in this study.

Treat-to-target or high-intensity statin treatment in older adults with coronary artery disease: a post hoc analysis of the LODESTAR trial.

Background: The optimal statin treatment strategy that is balanced for both efficacy and safety has not been clearly determined in older adults with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: In the post hoc analysis of the LODESTAR (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-targeting statin therapy versus intensity-based statin therapy in patients with coronary artery disease) trial, the impact between a treat-to-target strategy versus a high-intensity statin therapy strategy was compared in older adults (aged 75 years or older). The goal of treat-to-target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level was 50-70 mg/dl.

Clinical Outcomes After Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment in Popliteal Artery Disease: K-POP Registry 12-Month Results.

Background And Objectives: The popliteal artery is generally regarded as a "no-stent zone." Limited data are available on the outcomes of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) for popliteal artery disease. This study aimed to evaluate the 12-month clinical outcomes among patients who received DCB treatment for atherosclerotic popliteal artery disease.

Ticagrelor monotherapy for acute coronary syndrome: an individual patient data meta-analysis of TICO and T-PASS trials.

Background And Aims: In patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a potent P2Y12 inhibitor is recommended for 12 months after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Monotherapy with a potent P2Y12 inhibitor after short-term DAPT is an attractive option to better balance the risks of ischaemia and bleeding. Therefore, this study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy after short-term DAPT, especially in patients with ACS.

Moderate-intensity statin plus ezetimibe vs high-intensity statin according to baseline LDL-C in the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A post-hoc analysis of the RACING randomized trial.

Background And Aims: Whether the effect of a combination strategy rather than increasing doses of one drug to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels is consistent across baseline LDL-C levels remains uncertain.

Methods: In the RACING trial, which showed a non-inferiority of moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe (rosuvastatin 10 mg with ezetimibe 10 mg) to high-intensity statin (rosuvastatin 20 mg) for the primary outcome (3-year composite of cardiovascular death, major cardiovascular event, or stroke), the heterogeneity in treatment effect according to baseline LDL-C levels was assessed for the primary and secondary outcomes (clinical efficacy and safety).

Results: Of 3780 participants, 2817 participants (74.