A Multi-Center, Prospective Observational Study to Investigate the Safety, Compliance, and Efficacy of Omethyl QTlet Soft Capsule.

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be effective in lowering triglyceride (TG) levels; however, tolerability issues arise due to the large size of the pills. The purpose of this study was to examine the safety, compliance, and efficacy of Omethyl QTlet soft capsules (OQCs). This multi-center, prospective, observational study evaluated the safety, compliance, and efficacy of OQCs.

Changes in QRS Duration Are Associated with a Therapeutic Response to Sacubitril-valsartan in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) can reverse the cardiac remodeling effects that occur in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). These studies have also suggested that ARNIs have favorable effects on ventricular dyssynchrony. We assessed the changes in QRS duration associated with ARNIs in patients with HFrEF.

The matricellular protein CCN5 prevents adverse atrial structural and electrical remodelling.

Atrial structural remodelling including atrial hypertrophy and fibrosis is a key mediator of atrial fibrillation (AF). We previously demonstrated that the matricellular protein CCN5 elicits anti-fibrotic and anti-hypertrophic effects in left ventricles under pressure overload. We here determined the utility of CCN5 in ameliorating adverse atrial remodelling and arrhythmias in a murine model of angiotensin II (AngII) infusion.

Adherence to dabigatran and the influence of dabigatran-induced gastrointestinal discomfort in the real-world practice.

Background: Dabigatran-induced gastrointestinal discomfort (DGID) is an important factor influencing the adherence to dabigatran. We investigated the incidence and risk factors of DGID and its impact on the adherence and persistence to dabigatran.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled the patients prescribed with dabigatran in 10 tertiary hospitals of the South Korea.

Efficacy and Safety of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Patients Treated with Statins for Residual Hypertriglyceridemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Cardiovascular risk remains increased despite optimal low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level induced by intensive statin therapy. Therefore, recent guidelines recommend non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) as a secondary target for preventing cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of omega-3 fatty acids (OM3-FAs) in combination with atorvastatin compared to atorvastatin alone in patients with mixed dyslipidemia.

Medical Resource Consumption and Quality of Life in Peripheral Arterial Disease in Korea: PAD Outcomes (PADO) Research.

Background And Objectives: We aimed to investigate the history of medical resource consumption and quality of life (QoL) in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients in Korea.

Methods: This was a prospective, multi-center (23 tertiary-hospitals, division of cardiology), non-interventional study. Adult patients (age ≥20 years) suffering from PAD for the last 12-month were enrolled in the study if they met with any of following; 1) ankle-brachial index (ABI) ≤0.

Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with a persistent left superior vena cava.

Aims: A persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common thoracic venous anomaly. This venous anomaly can impact the evaluation and treatment of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVA). The aim of this study was to assess the proportion and characteristics of PLSVC in adult SVA patients.

Epicardial Fat Thickness and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio are Increased in Non-Dipper Hypertensive Patients.

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness (EFT), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR; an important inflammatory marker), and diurnal blood pressure (BP) changes in patients with recently diagnosed essential hypertension.

Methods: A total of 647 patients underwent echocardiography and 24 hours of ambulatory BP monitoring. EFT was measured by echocardiography, while NLR was measured by dividing the neutrophil count by the lymphocyte count.

Efficacy and safety of two fixed-dose combinations of S-amlodipine and telmisartan (CKD-828) versus S-amlodipine monotherapy in patients with hypertension inadequately controlled using S-amlodipine monotherapy: an 8-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, Phase III clinical study.

Purpose: To evaluate the blood pressure (BP) lowering efficacy and safety of CKD-828, a fixed-dose combination of S-amlodipine (the more active isomer of amlodipine besylate, which is calcium channel blocker) and telmisartan (long acting angiotensin receptor blocker), in patients with hypertension inadequately controlled with S-amlodipine monotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Eligible patients (N=187) who failed to respond after 4-week S-amlodipine 2.5 mg monotherapy (sitting diastolic blood pressure [sitDBP] ≥90 mmHg) to receive CKD-828 2.

The Combined Impact of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus on Significant Coronary Artery Disease and Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis.

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has recently emerged as a new important inflammatory marker for predicting cardiovascular events. This study aimed to evaluate the combined impact of NLR and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on significant coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid artery atherosclerosis.

Methods: This study includes a total of 828 patients evaluated by coronary angiography and carotid ultrasonography.

A Randomized, Double-blind, Candesartan-controlled, Parallel Group Comparison Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Antihypertensive Efficacy and Safety of Fimasartan in Patients with Mild to Moderate Essential Hypertension.

Purpose: A new antihypertensive drug that selectively blocks angiotensin II receptor type 1, fimasartan, has a potent and rapidly acting antihypertensive effect. We investigated the antihypertensive effects of fimasartan 60 and 120 mg and its safety in comparison to 8 mg of candesartan.

Methods: This clinical trial is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active comparator, and parallel group study.

Beneficial Effect on Surrogate Markers of Heart Failure with Bisoprolol Up-Titration to Recommended Targets in Korean Patients with Heart Failure and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to establish the benefit of bisoprolol up-titration toward recommended dosage targets, versus lower-dose maintenance, in heart failure (HF) patients with systolic dysfunction.

Methods: Korean HF patients received bisoprolol 1.25 mg/day, incrementally up-titrated toward 10 mg/day in the absence of contraindications.

Association between the N-terminal plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels or elevated left ventricular filling pressure and thromboembolic risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: We aimed to investigate the role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and left ventricular (LV) filling pressures in thromboembolic risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Among 327 patients with non-valvular AF, the ratio of peak early filling velocity to mitral annulus velocity (E/Ea) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) was compared according to the presence of left atrial appendage (LAA) dysfunction [presence of spontaneous echo contrast (SEC)≥grade 3 and/or reduced LAA emptying flow velocity <20cm/s].

Results: Compared to patients without LAA dysfunction, patients with LAA dysfunction presented with significantly higher CHADS2 scores (1.

Comparative effect on platelet function of a fixed-dose aspirin and clopidogrel combination versus separate formulations in patients with coronary artery disease: A phase IV, multicenter, prospective, 4-week non-inferiority trial.

Background/objectives: The effect of aspirin and clopidogrel in a fixed-dose combination (FDC) on platelet function was compared with separate formulations in patients that had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent (DES).

Methods: This was a phase IV, prospective, multicenter, single-arm, non-inferiority study. Patients that had taken aspirin 100 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg once daily as separate formulations for >6 months after PCI with DES were enrolled, and then switched to an aspirin/clopidogrel FDC once-daily for 4 weeks.

Erratum to: Additive Beneficial Effects of Valsartan Combined with Rosuvastatin in the Treatment of Hypercholesterolemic Hypertensive Patients.

[This corrects the article on p. 225 in vol. 45, PMID: 26023311.

Impact of Gender on the Association of Epicardial Fat Thickness, Obesity, and Circadian Blood Pressure Pattern in Hypertensive Patients.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of gender on the association between epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and circadian blood pressure (BP) changes in patients with recently diagnosed essential hypertension (EH). A total of 441 patients with EH (male/female: 236/205, mean age: 50.7 ± 13.

Additive beneficial effects of valsartan combined with rosuvastatin in the treatment of hypercholesterolemic hypertensive patients.

Background And Objectives: We compared the efficacy and safety of valsartan and rosuvastatin combination therapy with each treatment alone in hypercholesterolemic hypertensive patients.

Subjects And Methods: Patients who met inclusion criteria were randomized to receive 1 of the following 2-month drug regimens: valsartan 160 mg plus rosuvastatin 20 mg, valsartan 160 mg plus placebo, or rosuvastatin 20 mg plus placebo. The primary efficacy variables were change in sitting diastolic blood pressure (sitDBP) and sitting systolic blood pressure (sitSBP), and percentage change in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in the combination, valsartan, and rosuvastatin groups.

The Impact of Subclinical Hypothyroidism or Thyroid Autoimmunity on Coronary Vasospasm in Patients without Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

Background And Objectives: Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with endothelial dysfunction and impaired coronary flow reserve. However, the effect of subclinical hypothyroidism or thyroid autoimmunity on variant angina has yet to be determined.

Subjects And Methods: Among 385 consecutive patients without associated cardiovascular risk factors who underwent coronary angiography with the ergonovine provocation test (EPT), 165 had a positive EPT {EPT(+)} and 220 had a negative EPT {EPT(-)}.

The Korean Heart Rhythm Society's 2014 Statement on Antithrombotic Therapy for Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Korean Heart Rhythm Society.

In patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), the risk of stroke varies considerably according to individual clinical status. The CHA2DS2-VASc score is better than the CHADS2 score for identifying truly lower risk patients with AF. With the advent of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs), the strategy for antithrombotic therapy has undergone significant changes due to its superior efficacy, safety and convenience compared with warfarin.

Cardiac involvement in hypereosinophilia associated with toxocariasis.

Cardiac involvement in hypereosinophilia is rare; when present, it manifests as ventricular thickening, usually with fibrous tissue and mural thrombosis. We present a case of a 57-year-old man with an abnormal right ventricular apex with eosinophilia, which was caused by Toxocara canis infection.

Attenuation of acetylcholine activated potassium current (I KACh) by simvastatin, not pravastatin in mouse atrial cardiomyocyte: possible atrial fibrillation preventing effects of statin.

Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors, are associated with the prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF) by pleiotropic effects. Recent clinical trial studies have demonstrated conflicting results on anti-arrhythmia between lipophilic and hydrophilic statins. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for anti-arrhythmogenic effects of statins are largely unexplored.

Simvastatin attenuates the oxidative stress, endothelial thrombogenicity and the inducibility of atrial fibrillation in a rat model of ischemic heart failure.

Increased atrial oxidative stress has an important role in inducing and maintaining atrial fibrillation (AF), and the activation of the small GTPase Rac1 contributes to the oxidative stress. We investigated the relationship of Rac1, atrial endothelial thromboprotective markers and AF inducibility and if simvastatin has a potential beneficial effect on a myocardial infarction (MI)-induced heart failure (HF) rat model. Rats were randomized into three groups (shams, MI group and simvastatin treatment group) and underwent echocardiography, AF induction studies and left atrial (LA) fibrosis analysis.

Impact of duration and dosage of statin treatment and epicardial fat thickness on the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the time-dependent effect of statin treatment and echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness (EFT) on the maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients after electrical cardioversion (EC). One hundred sixty-three AF patients without previous statin treatment who underwent EC were consecutively enrolled. The maintenance rate of SR after EC (1, 3, 6, and 12 months) as documented by electrocardiogram and EFT were compared between patients with statin treatment (statin group, n = 63) and those without (no statin group, n = 100).

Impact of Pheochromocytoma on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and QTc Prolongation: Comparison with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Background And Objectives: Excessive catecholamine causes the alteration of cardiac structure and function. This study evaluated if there is any difference in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and QTc prolongation in conditions with pheochromocytoma and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC).

Subjects And Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 20 pheochromocytoma patients for cardiovascular events prior to diagnosis.