Intensive blood pressure control may not be safe in subacute ischemic stroke by intracranial atherosclerosis: a result of randomized trial.

Objective: Current guideline recommends intensive blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive patients, but the appropriate target BP level after ischemic stroke due to intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis remains uncertain.

Methods: In this randomized, single-blinded trial, patients with symptomatic internal carotid or middle cerebral artery steno-occlusion (>50%) within 7-42 days after index stroke received intensive (target SBP < 120 mmHg) or modest (target SBP < 140 mmHg) BP control from April 2010 to December 2012. The primary outcome was the change in ischemic lesion volume in white matter lesions at the whole forebrain between baseline and 24 weeks as measured from fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) images, which was tested in noninferiority test (noninferiority margin of 3 cm).

Microbubble signal and trial of org in acute stroke treatment (TOAST) classification in ischemic stroke.

Purpose: Right-to-left shunt (RLS) through a patent foramen ovale (PFO) is likely associated with ischemic stroke. Many studies have attempted to demonstrate the association between RLS and ischemic stroke. However, information on the association between the degree of RLS and the subtypes of ischemic stroke categorized by the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification is lacking.

Targeted cardiopulmonary resuscitation training focused on the family members of high-risk patients at a regional medical center: A comparison between family members of high-risk and no-risk patients.

Background: We developed a hospital-based cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training model focused on the target population (family members of patients with potential risks for cardiac arrest) and compared the outcome of CPR training between target and non-target populations for validity.

Methods: Family members of patients in training were divided into three groups on the basis of patients' diseases, as follows: 1) the cardio-specific (CS) risk group, including family members of patients with cardiac disease at risk of cardiac arrest; 2) the cardiovascular (CV) risk group, including family members of patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease; and 3) the no-risk group. Pre- and posttraining surveys and skill tests as well as a post-training 3-month telephone survey were conducted.

Prevention of cardiovascular events in Asian patients with ischaemic stroke at high risk of cerebral haemorrhage (PICASSO): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

Background: The optimal treatment for patients with ischaemic stroke with a high risk of cerebral haemorrhage is unclear. We assessed the efficacy and safety of cilostazol versus aspirin, with and without probucol, in these patients.

Methods: In this randomised, controlled, 2 × 2 factorial trial, we enrolled patients with ischaemic stroke with a history of or imaging findings of intracerebral haemorrhage or two or more microbleeds from 67 centres in three Asian countries.

Effect of the Standardization of Diagnostic Tests on the Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Impaired Fasting Glucose.

Background: Without standardization of medical laboratory's testing practices, there is an increase in false diagnoses when relying on test results. However, the effect of test standardization is difficult to assess numerically. This study's purpose is to quantify the effect of the standardization level of a laboratory on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

Serum alanine aminotransferase level and liver-related mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis B: A large national cohort study.

Background: The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level has been used to identify at-risk patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who need antiviral therapy. However, the level associated with increased liver-related mortality requiring active treatment is still unclear.

Methods: We used a Health Examination Cohort of the National Health Insurance Service of Korea that included approximately 0.

Vision Improvement with Refractive Correction Does Not Completely Exclude Major Eye Diseases: Analyses of Visually Impaired South Korean Population in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2011.

Purpose: To investigate the association between vision improvement with refractive correction in the visually impaired eyes and the prevalence of ocular comorbidities in the South Korean population.

Materials And Methods: The data of 24,620 individuals in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES 2009-2011) were reviewed. Visual impairment was defined as a presenting visual acuity < 20/60.

Change in blood pressure variability in patients with acute ischemic stroke and its effect on early neurologic outcome.

Background: How short-term blood pressure variability (BPV) is affected in the acute stage of ischemic stroke and whether BPV is associated with early neurologic outcomes remains unclear.

Methods: Patients who admitted for ischemic stroke within 24 h of symptom onset were consecutively identified between January 2010 and January 2015. BP profiles measured in real-time were summarized into short-term, 24-h time intervals, based on standard deviation (SD) and mean of systolic BP (SBPSD) during the first 3 days.

Predictive Value of Pulse Pressure in Acute Ischemic Stroke for Future Major Vascular Events.

Background And Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether pulse pressure (PP) obtained during the acute stage of ischemic stroke can be used as a predictor for future major vascular events.

Methods: Using a multicenter prospective stroke registry database, patients who were hospitalized for ischemic stroke within 48 hours of onset were enrolled in this study. We analyzed blood pressure (BP) data measured during the first 3 days from onset.

Long-Term Outcome After Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease.

Background: The long-term outcome after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is determined by many confounding factors. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is linked to atherosclerotic stroke, and it is an important cause of death during the perioperative and follow-up periods after CEA. We aimed to investigate mortality and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with IHD compared with patients who do not have IHD.

Primary tumor location predicts poor clinical outcome with cetuximab in RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: In metastatic colorectal cancer, the location of the primary tumor has been suggested to have biological significance. In this study, we investigated whether primary tumor location affects cetuximab efficacy in patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods: Genotyping by the SequenomMassARRAY technology platform (OncoMap) targeting KRAS, NRAS, PIK3CA, and BRAF was performed in tumors from 307 patients who had been given cetuximab as salvage treatment.

Association of meal frequency with metabolic syndrome in Korean adults: from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

Background: Although previous studies have established a close relationship between caloric intake and metabolic syndrome, there is limited research exploring the impact of meal frequency adjusted by caloric intake on metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Objective: To evaluate the association of meal frequency and MetS after adjusting for confounding factors including caloric intake in Korean men and women.

Methods: We analyzed the national representative data of a total 12,389 adults (5171 men, 7218 women) from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010-2012.

One-Year Outcomes After Minor Stroke or High-Risk Transient Ischemic Attack: Korean Multicenter Stroke Registry Analysis.

Background And Purpose: Patients with minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack are at high risk of recurrent stroke and vascular events, which are potentially disabling or fatal. This study aimed to evaluate contemporary subsequent vascular event risk after minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack in Korea.

Methods: Patients with minor ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack admitted within 7 days of symptom onset were identified from a Korean multicenter stroke registry database.

Solitary Piloleiomyoma in the Scalp.

Cutaneous leiomyomas can be classified into three types according to the site of origin: piloleiomyoma, angioleiomyoma, and dartoic (genital) leiomyoma. It might be expected that leiomyomas are commonly found on the scalp because there are many arrector pili muscles and vessels. However, leiomyomas are actually rarely reported in the scalp.

Rivaroxaban vs Warfarin Sodium in the Ultra-Early Period After Atrial Fibrillation-Related Mild Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: In atrial fibrillation (AF)-related acute ischemic stroke, the optimal oral anticoagulation strategy remains unclear.

Objective: To test whether rivaroxaban or warfarin sodium is safer and more effective for preventing early recurrent stroke in patients with AF-related acute ischemic stroke.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A randomized, multicenter, open-label, blinded end point evaluation, comparative phase 2 trial was conducted from April 28, 2014, to December 7, 2015, at 14 academic medical centers in South Korea among patients with mild AF-related stroke within the previous 5 days who were deemed suitable for early anticoagulation.

Prognostic Significance of Troponin Elevation for Long-Term Mortality after Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Troponin, a marker of myocardial injury, frequently increases and is related with poor outcome in ischemic stroke patients. However, the long-term outcome of this elevation remains uncertain. We, therefore, investigated the prognostic significance of troponin elevation for long-term mortality, and explored factors affecting troponin elevation after ischemic stroke.

Prognostic indicators of survival and survival prediction model following extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with sudden refractory cardiac arrest.

Background: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has been considered in selected candidates with potentially reversible causes during a limited period. Candidate selection and the identification of predictable conditions are important factors in determining outcomes during CPR in the emergency department (ED). The objective of this study was to determine the key indicators and develop a prediction model for survival to hospital discharge in patients with sudden cardiac arrest who received ECPR.

Quality of Anticoagulation with Warfarin in Korean Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Prior Stroke: A Multicenter Retrospective Observational Study.

Background And Purpose: The quality of anticoagulation is critical for ensuring the benefit of warfarin, but this has been less well studied in Korean ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who had an AF-related ischemic stroke and were treated with long-term warfarin therapy in 16 Korean centers. The quality of warfarin therapy was primarily assessed by the time in therapeutic range [TTR; international normalized ratio (INR), 2.

Useful Endoscopic Ultrasonography Parameters and a Predictive Model for the Recurrence of Esophageal Varices and Bleeding after Variceal Ligation.

Background/aims: To identify the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography with a mini-probe (EUM) and to create a predictive model for esophageal variceal (EV) recurrence and bleeding following esophageal variceal ligation (EVL).

Methods: A total of 144 patients who received EUM prior to prophylactic EVL and met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. EUM findings, EV diameter, paraesophageal vein diameter, and the number of perforating veins were assessed.

Dose-Dependent Effect of Statin Pretreatment on Preventing the Periprocedural Complications of Carotid Artery Stenting.

Background And Purpose: We investigated whether statin pretreatment can dose dependently reduce periprocedural complications in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting because of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

Methods: We enrolled a consecutive series of 397 symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (≥50% stenosis on conventional angiography) treated with carotid artery stenting at 2 tertiary university hospitals over a decade. Definition of periprocedural complications included any stroke, myocardial infarction, and death within 1 month after or during the procedure.

Retinal artery occlusion and associated recurrent vascular risk with underlying etiologies.

Background And Purpose: RAO is caused by various etiologies and subsequent vascular events may be associated with underlying etiologies. Our aim is to investigate the etiologies of RAO, the occurrence of subsequent vascular events and their association in patients with RAO.

Methods: We analyzed data from 151 consecutive patients presenting with acute non-arteritic RAO between 2003 and 2013 in a single tertiary-care hospital.

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in five major risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the Korean population: a cross-sectional study using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2014.

Objectives: To examine trends in socioeconomic inequalities in major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among the Korean population.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: A nationally representative population survey database.

Quantitative Imaging of Cerebral Thromboemboli In Vivo: The Effects of Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator.

Background And Purpose: Quantitative imaging for the noninvasive assessment of thrombolysis is needed to advance basic and clinical thrombosis-related research and tailor tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment for stroke patients. We quantified the evolution of cerebral thromboemboli using fibrin-targeted glycol chitosan-coated gold nanoparticles and microcomputed tomography, with/without tPA therapy.

Methods: We injected thrombi into the distal internal carotid artery in mice (n=50).