Safety of the reduced fixed dose of mycophenolate mofetil confirmed via therapeutic drug monitoring in de novo kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is usually prescribed with a reduced fixed dose in Asian kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). However, the clinical efficacy and safety of the fixed dose have not yet been investigated via therapeutic drug monitoring. We evaluated whether reduced fixed-dose MMF is an optimal dosing strategy to achieve the therapeutic target of mycophenolic acid (MPA) exposure in Korean KTRs.

Effectiveness of Atherectomy and Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in Femoropopliteal Disease: A Comprehensive Outcome Study.

Purpose: Atherectomy has been reintroduced for debulking calcified atheroma to enhance the efficacy of drug-coated balloons (DCBs); however, its efficacy in severe calcification and related outcomes have not been fully evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of atherectomy and DCB angioplasty for treating femoropopliteal occlusive disease (FPOD).

Materials And Methods: From 2014 to July 2022, 85 limbs in 76 patients with FPOD underwent atherectomy with DCB angioplasty.

Cardioprotective Effect of SGLT2 Inhibitor in Diabetic Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter Propensity Score Matched Study.

Introduction: Kidney transplantation (KT) improves the cardiovascular outcomes of patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of premature death and graft loss in KT recipients (KTRs) with diabetes. We evaluated the cardioprotective effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in KTRs with diabetes.

4-Color Flow Cytometric Crossmatch Using Whole Blood Lysis.

Background: In lymphocyte crossmatch using flow cytometry (flow cytometric crossmatch, FCXM), the conventional tricolor FCXM protocol requires a mononuclear cell isolation step. To develop a new, more streamlined protocol, we introduced whole blood lysis (WBL) and CD45 fluorescence-triggered acquisition using 4-color flow cytometry.

Methods: A total of 186 donor/recipient pairs for transplantation were classified into donor-specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alloantibody-positive (DSA+, n = 78) and DSA-negative (DSA-, n = 108) groups.

Neuron Circuit Based on a Split-gate Transistor with Nonvolatile Memory for Homeostatic Functions of Biological Neurons.

To mimic the homeostatic functionality of biological neurons, a split-gate field-effect transistor (S-G FET) with a charge trap layer is proposed within a neuron circuit. By adjusting the number of charges trapped in the SiN layer, the threshold voltage (V) of the S-G FET changes. To prevent degradation of the gate dielectric due to program/erase pulses, the gates for read operation and V control were separated through the fin structure.

Misdiagnosis of Primary Iliac Aneurysmo-Colonic Fistula as a Submucosal Tumor Leading to Delayed Treatment: A Case Report.

An aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding that requires prompt diagnosis and intervention owing to its high mortality rate. Moreover, iliac aneurysmo-colonic fistula is an exceptionally infrequent presentation. We report a unique case of a 71-year-old male presenting with hematochezia, later diagnosed with a primary fistula between a common iliac artery aneurysm and the sigmoid colon.

Case Report: Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome as a cause of deep vein thrombosis and subsequent popliteal artery occlusion.

Background: Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a relatively rare cause of arterial insufficiency in young and physically active individuals; however, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can develop in association with PAES.

Case Report: A 47-year-old man presented with a 6-day history of left leg swelling and discomfort which was diagnosed as DVT extending to the distal femoral vein and pulmonary embolism on computed tomography (CT). PAES was not suspected at this time, and the patient was administered anticoagulants for 1 year.

Comparing clinical outcomes of vitamin K antagonists vs non-vitamin K antagonists in anticoagulant therapy for mesenteric venous thrombosis.

Objective: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants have shown similar efficacy and lower bleeding rates than vitamin K antagonists for venous thromboembolism. However, this has not been proven in mesenteric vein thrombosis. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of vitamin K antagonists and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants.

Outcomes of Surgical and Endovascular Treatment for Cephalic Arch Stenosis in Proximal Arteriovenous Fistula.

Purpose: The cephalic arch is a significant site of stenosis in proximal arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) that contributes to access dysfunction and thrombosis. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of surgical treatment (ST) and endovascular treatment (ET) for cephalic arch stenosis (CAS).

Materials And Methods: A total of 62 patients with proximal AVF who underwent CAS revision using either ST or ET were enrolled between January 2018 and March 2023.

Anuria after kidney transplantation diagnosed as early recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis combined with acute calcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity: a case report and literature review.

Background: Primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a glomerular disease that sometimes recurs in patients after kidney transplantation (KT) and increases the risk of graft loss. Proteinuria is a common early sign of recurrent FSGS, but an abrupt decrease in urine volume is rare. Herein, we report a patient with early recurrence of FSGS with anuria following KT.

Surgical Strategies and Long-Term Outcomes for Complex Coral Reef Aorta with Multisegmental Involvement: A Case Report.

Coral reef aorta (CRA) is a rare condition characterized by the distribution of rock-hard calcifications in the visceral part of the aorta, leading to potentially life-threatening symptoms, such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, and limb and visceral ischemia. The patient was a 54-year-old female who presented with leg claudication and was diagnosed with CRA using computed tomography. CRA affected the descending thoracic and abdominal aortas, including the visceral portion, leading to reduced perfusion of both limbs and the left kidney.

Case Report: Hybrid approach as a Rescue Treatment in a patient with vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (vEDS) is a rare connective tissue disorder associated with gene mutation encoding type III collagen. Given the possible fatal prognosis if not treated timely, it is important to suspect and diagnose as soon as possible. Despite advances in endovascular technique, access point complications remain a serious challenge in patients with vEDS.

Recurrent C3 Glomerulonephritis along with BK-Virus-Associated Nephropathy after Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report.

C3 glomerulonephritis (C3GN) is a rare cause of end-stage kidney disease and frequently recurrent in allografts following kidney transplantation (KT). Herein, we describe the case of a kidney transplant recipient who developed recurrent C3GN along with BK-virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) following KT. A 33-year-old man diagnosed with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis 17 years ago underwent preemptive KT with a donor kidney from his aunt.

Clinical Outcomes of Internal Iliac Artery Interruption during Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of internal iliac artery (IIA) interruption during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and to identify the risk factors for ischemic complications.

Materials And Methods: Endovascular treatment was performed in 316 patients with aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms of the abdominal aorta or iliac arteries between March 2006 and January 2022. Medical records and radiological imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed.

Below-Knee Prosthetic Bypass Is a Viable Option for Limb Salvage in Patients with Extensive Femoropopliteal Occlusive Disease.

Purpose: This study aimed to (1) evaluate the outcomes of below-knee prosthetic bypass (BKPB) in the absence of the great saphenous vein, and (2) identify risk factors associated with these outcomes.

Materials And Methods: This study included 37 consecutive patients who underwent BKPB with or without distal modification between 2010 and 2022. We further assessed the following treatment outcomes: primary patency (PP), secondary patency (SP), limb salvage (LS), and amputation-free survival (AFS) rates.

Medial Arterial Calcification and the Risk of Amputation of Diabetic Foot Ulcer in Patients With Diabetic Kidney Disease.

We assessed the risk factors for major amputation of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) stages 3b-5. For DFU assessment, in addition to DFU location and presence of infection, ischemia, and neuropathy, vascular calcification was assessed using the medial arterial calcification (MAC) score. Of 210 patients, 26 (12.

Significance of collateral circulation in managing persistent sciatic artery: Two case reports.

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare congenital anomaly considered an embryologic remnant of the internal iliac artery. Traditionally, the classification systems categorized PSA based on the completeness of PSA and superficial femoral artery (SFA) alongside the origin of PSA. The most common class has been known as type 2a in Pillet-Gauffre classification, meaning complete PSA with incomplete SFA.

Pretransplant C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio predicts mortality in kidney transplant recipients: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The C-reactive protein (CRP)-to-albumin ratio (CAR) is a more effective prognostic indicator than CRP or albumin alone in various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the CAR for mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Methods: A total of 924 patients who underwent their first kidney transplantation at Kyungpook National University Hospital during 2006-2020 were enrolled and classified into quartile (Q) groups according to their pretransplant CAR values.

Right Gastroepiploic Artery Transposition for a Common Hepatic Artery and Proper Hepatic Artery Aneurysm Repair.

Although hepatic artery aneurysms (HAAs) are uncommon, they are associated with risk of rupture. HAAs >2 cm in diameter require endovascular or open surgical repairs. For HAAs involving the proper hepatic artery or gastroduodenal artery, which is a collateral artery from the superior mesenteric artery, hepatic arterial reconstruction is especially important to avoid ischemic liver injury.

Type Ic Endoleak after LifeStream Balloon-Expandable Stent Graft and Zenith Iliac Branch Device Placement.

Considering the recent advancements in endovascular management of aortoiliac aneurysms, the use of an iliac branch device (IBD) to preserve pelvic blood flow and reduce complications caused by embolization of the internal iliac artery (IIA) is recommended by various guidelines. Although the outcomes reported following IBD placement are mainly positive and durable, IBD-specific complications such as a type Ic endoleak and associated reintervention may occur. Moreover, only one IBD device and one type of balloon-expandable bridging stent graft for IIA are currently available on the domestic market.

A multicenter, randomized, open-labelled, non-inferiority trial of sustained-release sarpogrelate versus clopidogrel after femoropopliteal artery intervention.

Optimal antiplatelet therapy after endovascular therapy (EVT) for peripheral artery disease is controversial. This trial aimed to evaluate whether sarpogrelate plus aspirin was non-inferior for preventing early restenosis after femoropopliteal (FP) EVT compared to clopidogrel plus aspirin. In this open-label, prospective randomized trial, 272 patients were enrolled after successful EVT for FP lesions.

Prospective, Multicenter Study of Rotational Atherectomy with Antirestenotic Therapy for Infrainguinal Arterial Disease.

Background: Thrombi are common in steno-occlusive lesions of infrainguinal atherosclerotic diseases. Despite the easy passage of guidewires through these lesions, conventional ballooning or stenting cannot effectively treat them, and patients are at risk of distal embolization. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of using a rotational aspiration atherectomy system to treat infrainguinal atherosclerotic disease.