Long-term treatment outcomes of popliteal artery entrapment syndrome by the Korean Rare vascular Ailments Research Experts.

Objective: Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) results from an anomalous relationship between the popliteal artery and the myofascial structures of the popliteal fossa. The long-term treatment outcomes are not well known because of the rarity of the disease. This study aimed to establish a nationwide collective dataset, and analyze treatment outcomes.

The time-dependent changes in serum immunoglobulin after kidney transplantation and its association with infection.

Introduction: Kidney transplant recipients often experience significant alterations in their immune system, which can lead to increased susceptibility to infections. This study aimed to analyze time-dependent changes in serum immunoglobulin and complement levels and determine the risk factors associated with infection.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of serum samples from 192 kidney transplant recipients who received transplantations between August 2016 and December 2019 was conducted.

Midterm outcomes of physician-modified endovascular stent grafts for the treatment of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms in Korea: a retrospective study.

Purpose: Physician-modified endovascular stent grafts (PMEG) are a good treatment option for complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), especially in high-risk patients not amenable to open repair, and when commercial fenestrated devices are not available. We report our single-center experience with PMEG for the treatment of complex AAAs.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent PMEG repair for AAA from November 2016 to September 2020 at our institution.

A 20-Year Analysis of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Outcomes and Associated Factors in Korea.

Background: Unlike western countries, which have reported distinct decreases in incidence of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) over the last few decades, epidemiologic studies in Korea have not shown significant changes in incidence or mortality of rAAA. The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes in rAAA treatment outcomes and various associated risk factors over the past 2 decades.

Methods: A 20-year retrospective multicenter review for rAAA cases from the period of January 2000 to December 2020 was undertaken.

A Study on the Biofilm Removal Efficacy of a Bioelectric Toothbrush.

Effective oral care is a critical requirement to maintain a high quality of life. Most oral diseases are caused by plaque (oral biofilm), which is also correlated with systemic diseases. A common method to remove biofilm is brushing teeth with toothpaste.

Association Between Low Anti-spike Antibody Levels After the Third Dose of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and Hospitalization due to Symptomatic Breakthrough Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Whether anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody levels post-third coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination correlate with worse outcomes due to breakthrough infection is unclear. We evaluated the association between anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels and symptomatic breakthrough infection or hospitalization during the Omicron surge in kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: In total, 287 kidney transplant recipients expected to receive a third vaccination were enrolled between November 2021 and February 2022.

Validation of I71.3 code for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in Korea: misplaced diagnosis in claims data.

Purpose: Studies in western countries have shown a decline in the incidence of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) with advancements in endovascular repair and screening. However, according to health insurance data in Korea based on rAAA code (I71.3), overall rAAA has been increasing.

The Effects of Exergaming on Executive and Physical Functions in Older Adults With Dementia: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Despite increasing interest in the effects of exergaming on cognitive function, little is known about its effects on older adults with dementia.

Objective: The purpose of this is to investigate the effects of exergaming on executive and physical functions in older adults with dementia compared to regular aerobic exercise.

Methods: In total, 24 older adults with moderate dementia participated in the study.

The appearance of C1q deposition in transplanted kidney allografts and its clinical and histopathologic features.

Background: C1q nephropathy is an uncommon type of glomerulonephritis characterized by extensive and dominant C1q mesangial deposition in the absence of systemic lupus erythematosus. However, there are limited studies about C1q deposition in renal allografts. This study aimed to report the prevalence of C1q deposition in transplanted kidney allograft biopsies and describe its clinical and histopathologic features.

Percutaneous Mechanical Thrombectomy of Submassive Pulmonary Embolism and Extensive Deep Venous Thrombosis for Early Thrombus Removal.

Traditional treatment with anticoagulation in nonfatal submassive pulmonary embolism can result in serious sequelae of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension or poor exercise tolerance, and functional impairment. To prevent long-term complications in previously healthy young patients, other treatment options to actively resolve existing thrombi should be considered. Despite recommendations for use in only severe clinical presentations, endovascular interventional techniques could serve as suitable treatment options for such patients.

Predictive Value of Abnormal and Borderline Ankle-Brachial Index for Coronary Re-Intervention and Mortality in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: An Observational Cohort Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the abnormal and borderline ABIs for predicting coronary re-intervention and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials And Methods: Data from a previous study were obtained and used to investigate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease among Korean patients with CAD (n=285) in 2010. All patients underwent follow-up coronary angiography as scheduled (asymptomatic: 2-, 5-, and 7-month intervals) or as clinically indicated (symptomatic).

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training Versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Epicardial Fat Thickness and Endothelial Function in Hypertensive Metabolic Syndrome.

Hypertension is common in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS), and it is an important risk factor for cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality. Compared to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is considered a time-efficient exercise strategy for cardiometabolic health. We compared the effects of HIIT and MICT on epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and endothelial function in patients with hypertensive MS.

Initial Experience and Potential Advantages of AFX2 Bifurcated Endograft System: Comparative Case Series.

Purpose: The AFX2 endograft is a unibody, bifurcated stent graft that can be used to lower complications in certain patients. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed consecutive cases in which the AFX2 system was used to overcome the challenges of narrow distal aorta, as well as to reduce procedure time and contrast medium dose. Furthermore, we compared the results with matched patients treated using the Endurant II endograft system.

Effects of exergaming in postmenopausal women with high cardiovascular risk: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Recently, exergames have been used an exercise modality as aerobic fitness activities. However, evidence of its effectiveness on cardiovascular (CV)-related risk factors remain unclear.

Hypothesis: We evaluate the effects of exergaming on CV-related risk factors compared with traditional aerobic exercise in high CV risk patients.

Exergaming Improves Executive Functions in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Recent studies indicate that participation in exercise-related games can improve executive function, attention processing, and visuospatial skills.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether exercise via exergaming (EXG) can improve executive function in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: A total of 22 MetS patients were recruited and randomly assigned to an EXG group or a treadmill exercise (TE) group.

Heart rate recovery and blood pressure response during exercise testing in patients with microvascular angina.

Background: Angina pectoris with a normal coronary angiogram, termed microvascular angina (MVA), is an important clinical entity; however, its causes remain unclear. Autonomic dysfunction is one of the possible causes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate parasympathetic dysfunction assessed by heart rate recovery (HRR) and increased sympathetic activity assessed by exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response (EBPR) to exercise in MVA.