Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients Who Progress to Pneumonia on Follow-Up Chest Radiograph: 236 Patients from a Single Isolated Cohort in Daegu, South Korea.

Objective: We investigated the prevalence of pneumonia in novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients using chest radiographs to identify the characteristics of those with initially negative chest radiographs, who were positive for pneumonia on follow-up.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective cohort data of 236 COVID-19 patients were reviewed. Chest radiography was performed on admission, with serial radiographs obtained until discharge.

Clinical impact of diabetes mellitus on 2-year clinical outcomes following PCI with second-generation drug-eluting stents; Landmark analysis findings from patient registry: Pooled analysis of the Korean multicenter drug-eluting stent registry.

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk for adverse clinical events following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). However, the clinical impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is not well-known. The aim of the current analysis was to examine the clinical impact of DM on clinical outcomes and the time sequence of associated risks in patients treated with second-generation DES.

The impact of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation on the left atrial volume and function: study using three-dimensional echocardiography.

Purpose: The exact correlation between the baseline left atrial (LA) volume (LAV) and atrial fibrillation (AF) radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) outcomes and changes to the LA after AF RFCA has not yet been fully understood. We sought to evaluate the serial changes in the LAV and LA function after RFCA using 3D echocardiography.

Methods: Consecutive patients who received RFCA of paroxysmal (PAF) or persistent AF (PeAF) at our center between January 2013 and March 2016 were included.

Clinical significance of early-diastolic tissue velocity imaging of lateral mitral annulus for prognosis of nonischemic left ventricular dysfunction.

Purpose: We explored the potential of tissue velocity imaging (TVI) for prognosis of nonischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (LVD).

Methods: We reviewed 138 nonischemic LVD patients (58 ± 14 years) who underwent both cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and echocardiography. Septal and lateral mitral annular TVI data were compared with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on CMR.

NOAC Adherence of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in the Real World: Dosing Frequency Matters?

Background And Objectives:  Nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) require stricter medication adherence. We investigated the NOACs adherence in real-world practice.

Methods:  We screened all patients in our cardiology department the day before their outpatient appointment, over a 5-month period.

5-Year Outcomes According to FFR of Left Circumflex Coronary Artery After Left Main Crossover Stenting.

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the long-term clinical impact of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in jailed left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) after left main coronary artery (LM) simple crossover stenting.

Background: Although the provisional side-branch intervention with FFR guidance has been validated for non-LM bifurcation lesions, the outcome of such a strategy in LM bifurcation disease is not well-known.

Methods: Patients who underwent LM-to-left anterior descending coronary artery simple crossover stenting and who had FFR measurements in the LCx thereafter were enrolled.

The incidence of left atrial appendage thrombi on transesophageal echocardiography after pretreatment with apixaban for cardioversion in the real-world practice.

The risk of thromboembolisms during the post-cardioversion period is high. For patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), anticoagulation with warfarin (INR 2.0~3.

Implication of ultrasound contrast-enhancement of carotid plaques in prevalence of acute coronary syndrome and occurrence of cardiovascular outcomes.

Purpose: Ultrasonographic contrast enhancement of carotid plaque (CECP) has been used to detect neovascularization of vasa vasorum and plaque. However, it is uncertain whether CECP can provide risk stratification of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between CECP and manifestations of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in established CAD patients and to explore the prognostic implication of CECP for cardiovascular (CV) clinical outcomes.

Long-term outcomes of intravascular ultrasound-guided implantation of bare metal stents versus drug-eluting stents in primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background/aims: While drug-eluting stents (DESs) have shown favorable outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) compared to bare metal stents (BMSs), there are concerns about the risk of stent thrombosis (ST) with DESs. Because intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance may help optimize stent placement and improve outcomes in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients, we evaluated the impact of IVUS-guided BMS versus DES implantation on long-term outcomes in primary PCI.

Methods: In all, 239 STEMI patients received DES (n = 172) or BMS (n = 67) under IVUS guidance in primary PCI.

The efficacy of the cystatin C based glomerular filtration rate in the estimation of safe contrast media volume.

Background And Objectives: The risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is significantly influenced by baseline renal function and the amount of contrast media (CM). We evaluated the usefulness of the cystatin C (CyC) based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRCyC) in the prediction of CIN and to determine the safe CM dosage.

Subjects And Methods: We prospectively enrolled a total of 723 patients who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and investigated the clinical factors associated with the development of CIN.

Acute Stent Thrombosis and Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia in a Patient With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Heparin is an essential drug in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome and it is used during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), albeit a serious complication of heparin therapy characterized by thrombocytopenia and high risk for venous and arterial thrombosis, has rarely been previously reported during PCI. We report a case of an acute stent thrombosis due to an unusual cause, HIT during primary PCI, in a patient with acute myocardial infarction.