Slow blood-flow in the left atrial appendage is associated with stroke in atrial fibrillation patients.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients are at high risk of stroke with ∼90% clots originating from the left atrial appendage (LAA). Clinical understanding of blood-flow based parameters and their potential association with stroke for AF patients remains poorly understood. We hypothesize that slow blood-flow either in the LA or the LAA could lead to the formation of blood clots and is associated with stroke for AF patients.

Electrocardiography score based on the Minnesota code classification system predicts cardiovascular mortality in an asymptomatic low-risk population.

Background: The use of a single abnormal finding on electrocardiography (ECG) is not recommended for stratifying the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in low-risk general populations because of its low discriminative power. However, the value of a scoring system containing multiple abnormal ECG findings for predicting CV death has not been sufficiently evaluated.

Methods: In a prospective community-based cohort study, 8417 participants without atherosclerotic CV diseases (ASCVDs) and any related symptoms were followed for 18 years.

The relationship between stress and sleep quality: The mediating effect of fatigue and dizziness among patients with cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of non-noncommunicable disease mortality worldwide. Therefore, this study analyzes the mediating effect of dizziness and fatigue in the relationship between stress and sleep quality in patients with heart disease. This study was conducted on patients with heart disease diagnosed by a cardiologist from December 7, 2021 to August 30, 2022 at the Outpatient Department of Cardiology at Hanyang University Hospital in Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do.

Influence of concomitant percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with percutaneous coronary intervention on clinical outcomes of stable lower extremity artery diseases.

Concomitant percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often performed because lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) commonly coincides with coronary artery disease. We investigated the impact of concomitant PTA on both cardiovascular and limb outcomes in the Korean National Health Insurance Service registry. Among 78,185 patients undergoing PCI, 6563 patients with stable LEAD without limb ischemia were included.

Influence of changes in body fat on clinical outcomes in a general population: a 12-year follow-up report on the Ansan-Ansung cohort in the Korean Genome Environment Study.

Background: The impact of the changes in the obesity status on mortality has not been established; thus, we investigated the long-term influence of body fat (BF) changes on all-cause deaths and cardiovascular outcomes in a general population.

Methods: A total of 8374 participants were observed for 12 years. BF was measured at least two times using a bioimpedance method.

Factors Affecting Health-Promoting Behaviors in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally and the second most common cause of death in South Korea. Health-promoting behaviors recommended for patients with cardiovascular disease include control of diet, physical activity, cessation of smoking, medication adherence, and adherence to medical recommendations. This study aimed to determine the relationship between depression, anxiety, perception of health status, and health-promoting behavior in patients from South Korea who have suffered from cardiovascular disease.

Prognostic value of myocardial injury-related findings on resting electrocardiography for cardiovascular risk in the asymptomatic general population: the 12-year follow-up report from the Ansan-Ansung cohort.

We investigated the predictive values of myocardial injury-related findings (MIFs) including ST-T wave abnormalities (STA) and pathologic Q waves (PQ) in electrocardiography for long-term cardiovascular outcomes in an asymptomatic general population. We observed 8444 subjects without cardiovascular diseases and related symptoms biennially over a 12-year period. Major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs) were defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and stroke.

Association between insulin resistance and risk of atrial fibrillation in non-diabetics.

Aims: Previous studies from Western countries have been unable to demonstrate a relationship between insulin resistance and new-onset atrial fibrillation. We aimed to evaluate this relationship in the nondiabetic Asian population.

Methods: Between 2001-2003, 8175 adults (mean age 51.

The extent of complex fractionated atrial electrograms in the left atrium reflects age-related electrical remodeling in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Backgrounds: Alterations in the atrial structure and function associated with aging result in electric remodeling of the left atrium (LA) in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). We performed this study to evaluate the influence of age on electric remodeling as assessed by the extent of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) in the LA.

Methods: A total of 122 patients (mean age, 55.

Independent effect of physical activity and resting heart rate on the incidence of atrial fibrillation in the general population.

While physical activity (PA) may influence resting heart rate (RHR), and a low RHR may be a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), controversy exists regarding the association between PA and development of AF. Using data from a Korean, prospective population cohort, we investigated the independent effect of PA and RHR on the incidence of AF in the general population. A total of 8,811 participants aged 40-69 years were analyzed.

The relationship between decreased pulmonary function and atrial fibrillation in general population: Findings from Ansung-Ansan cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Background: Decreased pulmonary function is a possible risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data on this relationship in Asian populations are scant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between decreased pulmonary function and the incidence of AF in a prospective cohort of Koreans aged 40-69 years.

The relationship between visit-to-visit variability in blood pressure and incidence of metabolic syndrome: a general population-based cohort study in Korea.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated that visit-to-visit variability of blood pressure (BP) has significant relationship with cardiovascular disease. Visit-to-visit variability in BP might have prognostic value for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of visit-to-visit variability in BP on development of metabolic syndrome in general population without cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and BP medication.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction by Thallium-201 Myocardial SPECT-CT in Patients with Angina Pectoris: Comparison with 2D Echocardiography.

Purpose: Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) is an important parameter for assessing cardiac systolic function and predicting prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of assessing LVEF by Tl-201 hybrid myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT using two attenuation correction methods in patients with angina pectoris.

Methods: A total of 339 patients with angina pectoris (62.

Single and persistent elevation of C-reactive protein levels and the risk of atrial fibrillation in a general population: The Ansan-Ansung Cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Background: Inflammation has been reported to cause atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it remains unclear whether C-reactive protein (CRP) levels predict AF. We investigated whether there was an association between serum CRP levels and the development of AF.

Clinical efficacy of aspirin with identification of intimal morphology by optical coherence tomography in preventing event recurrence in patients with vasospasm-induced acute coronary syndrome.

Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), we found that there were morphological differences in the coronary intima between patients with vasospasm-induced acute coronary syndrome (VACS) and those with stable variant angina. We investigated whether aspirin use would protect against chest pain recurrence in patients with VACS. A retrospective cohort study was performed.

Comparison of Morphologic Features and Flow Velocity of the Left Atrial Appendage Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Alone, Transient Ischemic Attack, and Cardioembolic Stroke.

The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a major source of emboli responsible for cardioembolic stroke (CES). We hypothesized that there could be differences in the morphologic and functional features of LAAs among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) alone, patients with cardioembolic transient ischemic attack (CETIA), and patients with CES. Patients with AF and CETIA/CES were included in either a CETIA group or a CES group.

Abdominal Wall Hematoma as a Rare Complication following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Abdominal wall hematoma is a rare but potentially serious vascular complication that may develop after coronary angiographic procedures. In particular, an oblique muscle hematoma caused by an injury of the circumflex iliac artery is very rare, yet can be managed by conservative treatment including hydration and transfusion. However, when active bleeding continues, angiographic embolization or surgery might be needed.

The clinical efficacy of left atrial appendage isolation caused by extensive left atrial anterior wall ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: The left atrial appendage (LAA) can be a source of atrial fibrillation (AF) triggering or a part of reentry. We sought to determine the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with LAA potential delay including electrical isolation (LAAEI) following LA anterior wall (LAAW) ablation for AF.

Methods: LAAW ablation cases were collected from among 846 patients who underwent catheter ablation (CA).

Defining Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Relationship to Hypertension in Postmenopausal Korean Women.

Background: Inconsistent results regarding the association between low vitamin D level and hypertension (HTN) have led to uncertainty in clinical practice as to the use of vitamin D cutoff value. The aims of this study were to investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and HTN in postmenopausal women and to determine the clinically significant cutoff value for vitamin D deficiency.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 5 database (4107 postmenopausal women, aged 50-79 years).

Feasibility and accuracy of a new mobile electrocardiography device, ER-2000(®), in the diagnosis of arrhythmia.

Background: We performed this study to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a new mobile electrocardiography (ECG) device, ER-2000(®), in detecting cardiac arrhythmia, by comparing it to a 12-lead ECG used as the gold standard.

Methods: Mode 1 of ER-2000(®) was recorded using three electrodes with cables attached to the anterior chest wall, and mode 2 was recorded using the side chest channel and finger channel. Standard 12-lead ECG was used to record with a speed of 25 mm/s, simultaneously.