Signal-Guided Multitask Learning for Myocardial Infarction Classification Using Images of Electrocardiogram.

Introduction: The diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) needs to be swift and accurate, but definitively diagnosing it based on the first test encountered in clinical practice, the electrocardiogram (ECG), is not an easy task. The purpose of the study was to develop a deep learning (DL) algorithm using multitask learning method to differentiate patients experiencing MI from those without coronary artery disease using image-based ECG data.

Methods: A DL model was developed based on 11,227 ECG images.

Association of Adding Salt to Foods and Potassium Intake with Incident Atrial Fibrillation in the UK Biobank Study.

Background: High sodium and low potassium consumption are related to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the relationship between the frequency of salt addition and potassium consumption with the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Our study used the UK Biobank cohort, which included over 500,000 individuals enrolled from the United Kingdom between 2006 and 2010.

SrTiO and (Ba,Sr)TiO Films Epitaxially Grown on SrRuO Using Atomic Layer Deposition.

High dielectric constant () materials have been investigated to improve the performance of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) capacitors. However, the conventional binary oxides have reached their fundamental limit of < 100. In this study, we investigated alternative ternary oxides, SrTiO (STO) and (Ba,Sr)TiO (BSTO), which were epitaxially grown on SrRuO (SRO) using atomic layer deposition (ALD).

Long-term clinical outcomes of image-guided percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry.

Imaging modalities for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT), have increased in the current PCI era. However, their clinical benefits in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the long-term outcomes of image-guided PCI in patients with AMI using data from the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry.

Isolated cryptococcal pleural effusion in a heart transplant recipient: A case report and literature review of pleural fluid adenosine deaminase levels.

Isolated cryptococcal pleural effusion is rare as the initial clinical presentation in opportunistic cryptococcal infection. We describe a 59-year-old male heart transplantation recipient who presented with a mononuclear-leukocyte-predominant exudative pleural effusion, with adenosine deaminase levels (ADA) of 37 IU/L and focal pleural nodularity on computed tomography. A thorough evaluation, including pleural fluid culture, cryptococcal antigen, and histological examination, led to the diagnosis of cryptococcal pleural effusion.

Impact of Positron Emission Tomography Viability Imaging: Guided Revascularizations on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Myocardial Scar on Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Scans.

Background: Positron emission tomography (PET) viability scan is used to determine whether patients with a myocardial scar on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may need revascularization. However, the clinical utility of revascularization decision-making guided by PET viability imaging has not been proven yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of PET to determine revascularization on clinical outcomes.

Diagnostic Value of a Wearable Continuous Electrocardiogram Monitoring Device (AT-Patch) for New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in High-Risk Patients: Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: While conventional electrocardiogram monitoring devices are useful for detecting atrial fibrillation, they have considerable drawbacks, including a short monitoring duration and invasive device implantation. The use of patch-type devices circumvents these drawbacks and has shown comparable diagnostic capability for the early detection of atrial fibrillation.

Objective: We aimed to determine whether a patch-type device (AT-Patch) applied to patients with a high risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation defined by the congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, sex scale (CHADS-VASc) score had increased detection rates.

Acute decompensated heart failure after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A case report.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TVAI) is a widely used treatment modality for severe aortic stenosis. The complication rates of the procedure have gradually decreased over time, owing to the improvements in procedural skills and development of TVAI devices. However, several rare but serious complications can still occur after TAVI.

Predictors of stroke or systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation with CHA DS -VASc score of 0.

Background: Anticoagulant therapy has been important for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it was not recommended due to its relatively higher risk of bleeding than its lower risk of stroke in patients with a CHA DS -VASc score of 0.

Hypothesis: This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of stroke in AF patients with very low risk of stroke.

Comparison of the efficiency between electrocardiogram and echocardiogram for left ventricular hypertrophy evaluation in patients with hypertension: Insight from the Korean Hypertension Cohort Study.

In patients with hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) represents a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and asymptomatic organ damage. Currently, electrocardiography (ECG) and two-dimensional echocardiography (Echo) are the most widely used methods for LVH evaluation. This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of LVH, as evaluated by ECG and Echo, in patients with hypertension.

Preoperative cardiac troponin I as a predictor of postoperative cardiac events in patients with end stage renal disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

We investigated if elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) serum levels before non-cardiac surgery were predictors of postoperative cardiac events in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing dialysis. In total, 703 consecutive patients with ESRD undergoing dialysis who underwent non-cardiac surgery were enrolled. Preoperative cTnI serum levels were measured at least once in all patients.

A case of paroxysmal complete atrioventricular block in a COVID-19 patient.

Many types of cardiac arrhythmias can occur in people with COVID-19, and these arrhythmias can affect the patient's outcomes. We have experienced paroxysmal complete atrioventricular block in a patient with COVID-19 and would like to share the course of treatment.

Effectiveness of a new cardiac risk scoring model reclassified by QRS fragmentation as a predictor of postoperative cardiac event in patients with severe renal dysfunction.

Background: It is difficult to evaluate the risk of patients with severe renal dysfunction before surgery due to various limitations despite high postoperative cardiac events. This study aimed to investigate the value of a newly reclassified Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) that incorporates QRS fragmentation (fQRS) as a predictor of postoperative cardiac events in patients with severe renal dysfunction.

Methods: Among the patients with severe renal dysfunction, 256 consecutive patients who underwent both a nuclear stress test and noncardiac surgery were evaluated.

Prognostic impact of chromogranin A in patients with acute heart failure.

Backgruound: Chromogranin A (CgA) levels have been reported to predict mortality in patients with heart failure. However, information on the prognostic value and clinical availability of CgA is limited. We compared the prognostic value of CgA to that of previously proven natriuretic peptide biomarkers in patients with acute heart failure.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and coronary collateral formation in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

There is insufficient information on the relationship between the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and collateral circulation (CC) formation after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We analyzed 857 patients who underwent primary PCI. The serum NT-proBNP levels were measured on the day of admission, and the CC was scored according to Rentrop's classification.

Derivation and validation of a combined in-hospital mortality and bleeding risk model in acute myocardial infarction.

Background: In the potent new antiplatelet era, it is important issue how to balance the ischemic risk and the bleeding risk. However, previous risk models have been developed separately for in-hospital mortality and major bleeding risk. Therefore, we aimed to develop and validate a novel combined model to predict the combined risk of in-hospital mortality and major bleeding at the same time for initial decision making in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Impact of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Cardiovascular Diseases on Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19 in Daegu Metropolitan City.

Background: Data regarding the association between preexisting cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and the outcomes of patients requiring hospitalization for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of preexisting CVRFs or CVDs on the outcomes of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in a Korean healthcare system.

Methods: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to 10 hospitals in Daegu Metropolitan City, Korea, were examined.

Variation in treatment strategy for non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: A multilevel methodological approach.

Background: Variations by hospital and region in the selection of an early invasive strategy (EIS) after non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in patients with high-risk criteria are unknown.

Methods: We evaluated the data of 7037 patients with NSTEMI from 20 hospitals of 3 regions from the Korean Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health database. We used hierarchical generalized linear mixed-models to estimate region- and hospital-level variation in the selection of an EIS after adjusting for patient-level high-risk criteria.

Incremental Predictive Value of Plasma Renin Activity as a Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with Heart Failure.

Background: The association of N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and plasma renin activity (PRA) for the prognosis of the patients with acute heart failure (HF) has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to determine the association between NT-proBNP and PRA and to investigate the incremental value of PRA to NT-proBNP for predicting long term prognosis in patients with acute HF.

Methods: Three hundred and ninety-six patients (mean age, 64.