The advantage of the mini-electrode-equipped catheter for the radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Introduction: Novel ablation catheters equipped with mini-electrodes (ME) offer high resolution mapping for target tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the mapping performance and efficacy of ME catheters in radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias (PSVTs).

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 136 patients undergoing RFA of PSVT including 76 patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and 60 patients with atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) or Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome.

An Artificial Intelligence Algorithm With 24-h Holter Monitoring for the Identification of Occult Atrial Fibrillation During Sinus Rhythm.

Background: Subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the pathogeneses of embolic stroke. Detection of occult AF and providing proper anticoagulant treatment is an important way to prevent stroke recurrence. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an artificial intelligence (AI) model can assess occult AF using 24-h Holter monitoring during normal sinus rhythm.

Risk of infective endocarditis associated with invasive dental procedures in patients with cardiac rhythm devices.

Aims: The incidence of infective endocarditis related to cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) has gradually increased. The risk associated with dental procedures in patients with CIED implantation and the need for prevention of infective endocarditis remain unclear. The present study investigated the incidence and risk of infective endocarditis associated with invasive dental procedures in patients with CIEDs.

Drug Utilization Pattern of Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide Population-Based Study in Korea.

Introduction: Treatment persistence for anticoagulant therapy is important in preventing thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. Understanding drug utilization pattern and treatment changes in oral anticoagulant (OAC) users may facilite better NVAF management. Thus, our study aimed to examine OAC treatment patterns preceding events leading to switch or discontinuation and medication adherence in Korean NVAF patients.

Comorbidities and Antithrombotic Treatment Pattern in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Objective: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are proven alternatives to warfarin for preventing stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. We aimed to examine the treatment patterns and patient factors associated with the use of antiplatelet agents, warfarin, and NOACs in clinical practice.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service database.

Effectiveness and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: A nationwide, population-based study in Korea.

Background: To compare the risk of stroke/systemic embolism (S/SE) and major bleeding (MB) between non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), this retrospective study was conducted using the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) claims database.

Methods: Patients with AF who initiated NOACs (apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban) from July 1, 2015 to November 30, 2016 were included. We applied inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method using propensity score to make weighted populations having similar characteristics between groups.

Treatment Pattern of Antithrombotic Therapy over Time after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Real-World Practice in Korea.

We examined antithrombotic treatment patterns with clinical characteristics and therapy changes over time in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment service claims database (01JAN2007-30NOV2016) in Korea, we included adult patients with AF and PCI: (1) who underwent PCI with stenting between 01JAN2008 and 30NOV2016; (2) with ≥1 claim for AF (ICD code: I48) (3) with antithrombotics 1 day prior to or at the date of PCI; and (4) with CHADS2-VASc of ≥2. In this study, 7749 patients with AF who underwent PCI, triple therapy, dual therapy, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), and single antiplatelet therapy were prescribed to 24.

Impact of Reduced-Dose Nonvitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants on Outcomes Compared to Warfarin in Korean Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Reduced-dose nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are commonly prescribed to Asian patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). We aimed to compare the risk of stroke/systemic embolism (S/SE) and major bleeding (MB) between patients treated with reduced-dose NOACs and those treated with warfarin, using the claims database in Korea. Patients with NVAF newly initiated on oral anticoagulants (OACs; apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and warfarin) between 1 July 2015 and 30 November 2016 were included.

Single direct oral anticoagulant therapy in stable patients with atrial fibrillation beyond 1 year after coronary stent implantation.

Objective: Optimal antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) beyond 1 year after coronary stent implantation has not been well established in the era of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC).

Methods: Using Korean National Health Insurance Service data, we analysed 4294 patients with AF who were prescribed DOAC beyond 1 year after coronary stent implantation. Subjects were classified into the monotherapy group (DOAC single therapy, n=1221) or the combination therapy group (DOAC with an antiplatelet agent, n=3073).

The risk of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding in Asian patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation treated with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants compared to warfarin: Results from a real-world data analysis.

Background: Although randomized trials provide a high level of evidence regarding the efficacy of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs), the results of such trials may differ from those observed in day-to-day clinical practice.

Aims: To compare the risk of stroke/systemic embolism (S/SE) and major bleeding (MB) between NOAC and warfarin in clinical practice.

Methods: Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who started warfarin/NOACs between January 2015 and November 2016 were retrospectively identified from Korea's nationwide health insurance claims database.

Ptosis With Aberrant Facial Nerve Regeneration Following Bell Palsy.

Bell palsy is the most common lesion affecting the facial nerve. Aberrant facial nerve regeneration following facial nerve palsy may cause facial nerve synkinesis and ptosis. The authors present a 65-year-old male who suffered from left peripheral facial nerve palsy in 2017.

The diagnostic value of postcontrast susceptibility-weighted imaging in the assessment of intracranial brain neoplasm at 3T.

Background: Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is occasionally performed with intravenous gadolinium (Gd). It was reported that SWI can be performed after Gd injection without information loss or signal change.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced SWI (CE-SWI) in the assessment of intracranial brain neoplasm.

Acute and long-term outcome of redo catheter ablation for recurrent atrial tachycardia and recurrent atrial fibrillation in patients with prior atrial fibrillation ablation.

Purpose: Organized atrial tachycardia (AT) accounts for a substantial proportion of recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF). We sought to analyze the characteristics and long-term outcome of redo RFCA for recurrent AT compared with those for recurrent AF.

Methods: We analyzed 133 patients who underwent prior AF ablation and presented for redo RFCA procedure.

Effect of Fimasartan versus Valsartan and Olmesartan on Office and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Korean Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Essential Hypertension: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active Control, Three-Parallel Group, Forced Titration, Multicenter, Phase IV Study (Fimasartan Achieving Systolic Blood Pressure Target (FAST) Study).

Purpose: Head-to-head comparison of the blood pressure (BP) lowering effect of fimasartan versus valsartan, with olmesartan as a reference, on office blood pressure and ambulatory BP.

Patients And Methods: Of the 369 randomly assigned patients in this study, 365 hypertensive patients were referred as the full analysis set and divided into 3 groups with a 3:3:1 ratio (fimasartan group: 155, valsartan group: 157, olmesartan group: 53). After the 2-week single-blind placebo run-in period, initial standard doses of 60-mg fimasartan, 80-mg valsartan, and 10-mg olmesartan were administered for 2 weeks, then forcibly up-titrated higher doses (fimasartan 120 mg, valsartan 160 mg, olmesartan 20 mg) were given for 4 weeks.

Ten-year trends in the incidence, treatment and outcomes of patients with mitral stenosis in Korea.

Objective: Mitral stenosis increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke. Large data underlying the trend in incidence, treatment and outcomes of mitral stenosis are lacking.

Methods: Based on the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database in Republic of Korea, patients who were diagnosed with mitral stenosis between 2007 and 2016 were enrolled.

Outcomes of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Mitral Stenosis.

Background: Patients with mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation (AF) require anticoagulation for stroke prevention. Thus far, all studies on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have excluded patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate the efficacy of DOACs in patients with mitral stenosis.

Utility of acute arrhythmia termination as an ablation endpoint for induced atrial tachyarrhythmia after complete pulmonary vein isolation during catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: The presence of inducible atrial tachyarrhythmia after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) may indicate the necessity of further substrate modification, but the optimal ablation endpoint is unknown. We sought to assess the impact of procedural termination of inducible atrial tachyarrhythmia after PVI in comparison with continued atrial tachyarrhythmia after PVI.

Methods: Among patients who underwent RFCA for persistent AF, we enrolled 93 patients who were in sinus rhythm after PVI and had inducible atrial tachyarrhythmia and 157 patients with continued atrial tachyarrhythmia after PVI.

Relationship between airflow obstruction and coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals: evaluation by coronary CT angiography.

Airflow obstruction is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the causal mechanisms linking airflow obstruction with higher incidence of cardiovascular events remain elusive. We evaluated the relationship between airflow obstruction, a key feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and prevalence, extent, and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in a large cohort of asymptomatic subjects.

Differences between Korea and Japan in Physician Decision Making Regarding Permanent Pacemaker Implantation.

Background And Objectives: The number of permanent pacemakers (PPMs) implanted in patients in Japan and Korea differs significantly. We aimed to investigate the differences in decision making processes of implanting a PPM.

Materials And Methods: Our survey included 15 clinical case scenarios based on the 2008 AHA/ACC/HRS guidelines for device-based therapy of cardiac rhythm abnormalities (class unspecified).

Randomized Comparison of Continuous Versus Intermittent Heparin Infusion During Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Objectives: This study tested the hypothesis that continuous heparin infusions would be favorable for maintaining heparin concentrations during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: Heparin infusions are essential for RFCA of AF. There is a paucity of data on the details for the optimal heparin infusion during RFCA of AF.

Achievement of successful pulmonary vein isolation: methods of adenosine testing and incremental benefit of exit block.

Purpose: Several approaches were tried to achieve complete pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). The aims of this study were to (1) compare adenosine-induced PV conduction and exit conduction, (2) determine the adequate adenosine dose, and (3) investigate the correlation of dormant conduction and recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: A total of 378 consecutive patients who underwent PVI from June 2012 to April 2015 were prospectively included (the de novo procedure in 318 (84.

Visualization of the Critical Isthmus by Tracking Delayed Potential in Edited Windows for Scar-Related Ventricular Tachycardia.

Background And Objectives: Identifying the critical isthmus of slow conduction is crucial for successful treatment of scar-related ventricular tachycardia. Current 3D mapping is not designed for tracking the critical isthmus and may lead to a risk of extensive ablation. We edited the algorithm to track the delayed potential in order to visualize the isthmus and compared the edited map with a conventional map.