The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical practices related to colorectal cancer and colonoscopy in South Korea: a nationwide population-based study.

Background/aims: Despite of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is little data regarding its impact on colorectal cancer (CRC)-related clinical practice. This study aimed to assess the changes in its impact during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This was a retrospective national population-based study using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment database from January 2019 to December 2021.

Risk Factors Associated With a Large Vertical Cup-to-Disc Ratio: Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey.

Prcis: Higher intraocular pressure, higher systolic blood pressure, and higher serum aspartate transaminase to alanine aminotransaminase level were risk factors associated with a large vertical cup-to-disk ratio (vCDR).

Purpose: To identify risk factors for a large vCDR using data from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2008-2012).

Materials And Methods: Out of the total 29,322 participants aged 20 or older who participated in Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KHANES) from the year 2008 to 2012, this study was conducted on 21,780 participants, excluding 1449 of them without fundus photographs and 6093 of them with missing values.

In situ procedure for high-efficiency computational modeling of atrial fibrillation reflecting personal anatomy, fiber orientation, fibrosis, and electrophysiology.

We previously reported the feasibility and efficacy of a simulation-guided clinical catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in an in-silico AF model. We developed a highly efficient realistic AF model reflecting the patient endocardial voltage and local conduction and tested its clinical feasibility. We acquired > 500 endocardial bipolar electrograms during right atrial pacing at the beginning of the AF ablation procedures.

Clinical characteristics and rhythm outcome of catheter ablation of hemodynamically corrected valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: Although the hemodynamic burden and structural substrate contribute to valvular atrial fibrillation (VAF) mechanisms, the role of catheter ablation has rarely been reported. We investigated the clinical characteristics, mapping findings, and long-term rhythm outcomes after catheter ablation of hemodynamically corrected VAF.

Methods: We compared 77 patients with VAF (46.

The effects of kinase modulation on in vitro maturation according to different cumulus-oocyte complex morphologies.

Successful production of transgenic pigs requires oocytes with a high developmental competence. However, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) obtained from antral follicles have a heterogeneous morphology. COCs can be classified into one of two classes: class I, with five or more layers of cumulus cells; and class II, with one or two layers of cumulus cells.

Long-term changes in heart rate variability after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: 1-year follow-up study with irrigation tip catheter.

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) changes cardiac autonomic nerve activity. However, the long-term effect of RFCA has not yet been evaluated when an open irrigation tip catheter (OITC) was used. Therefore, we hypothesized that AF ablation changes heart rate variability (HRV) that would be maintained over 1 year after OITC ablation and be associated with clinical recurrence of AF.

A case of portal vein thrombosis by protein C and s deficiency completely recanalized by anticoagulation therapy.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare form of venous thrombosis that affects the hepatic portal vein flow, which can lead to portal hypertension. Treatment of PVT includes anticoagulants, thrombolysis, insertion of shunts, bypass surgery, and liver transplantation. Single anticoagulation therapy is not regarded as a curative treatment but can be associated with a reduction in new thrombotic episodes.

The electroanatomical remodelling of the left atrium is related to CHADS2/CHA2DS2VASc score and events of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of stroke, its relationship with atrial remodelling has not yet been studied. We hypothesized that the degree of electroanatomical remodelling of the left atrium (LA) is related to CHADS₂/CHA₂DS₂VASc score and events of stroke.

Methods And Results: We compared CHADS₂/CHA₂DS₂VASc score (0, 1, ≥ 2) or events of stroke with mean and regional LA volume [by three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography images] or LA endocardial voltage (by 3D-electroanatomical map) in 348 patients who underwent catheter ablation of AF (78.

Characteristics of complex fractionated atrial electrogram in the electroanatomically remodeled left atrium of patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Complex fractionated atrial electrogram (CFAE) guided ablation is effective in some patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF), but the pattern of CFAE may be different in the remodeled left atrium (LA).

Methods And Results: In 100 AF patients (83 males, 55.0+/-10.

Multiple coronary artery-left ventricular microfistulae in a patient with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a demonstration by transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography.

Among the congenital coronary artery fistulae, multiple coronary artery microfistulae arising from the left and right coronary artery and emptying into the left ventricle are very rare and little is known of their anatomic and clinical features, especially in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A 67-year- old woman was referred for the evaluation of chest pain at exertion, and shortness of breath. Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings were typical of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.