1.Safety and Efficacy of Pivot-Balloon for Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation:The First-in-Man Experiences
Eun Kyoung KIM ; Min-Ku CHON ; Hyun-Sook KIM ; Yong-Hyun PARK ; Sang-Hyun LEE ; Ki Seok CHOO ; Hyung Gon JE ; Dae-Hee KIM ; Tae Oh KIM ; Yoon Seok KOH ; Jae-Hyeong PARK ; Jae-Hwan LEE ; Young Jin CHOI ; Eun Seok SHIN ; Hyuck-Jun YOON ; Seung-Whan LEE ; Joo-Yong HAHN
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(1):20-31
Background and Objectives:
Among various emerging catheter-based treatments for severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), the spacer device can reduce the regurgitation orifice without manipulating the valve leaflet. However, its clinical application has been hampered by traumatic anchoring to the myocardium and the coaxial alignment of the balloon resulting in insufficient TR reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the early-stage safety, technical feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of the novel atraumatic vertical spacer in patients with isolated severe TR.
Methods:
All procedures were guided by fluoroscopy and transthoracic echocardiography.The maximum device placement time with an inflated balloon was 24 hours. Changes in the amount of TR, right ventricular function, and patient hemodynamics were measured during balloon deployment.
Results:
A total of 7 patients (median age 74), underwent successful device implantation without procedure-related complications. During balloon inflation (median 25 minutes), there were no symptoms or signs indicative of TR intolerance. TR was reduced by 1 grade or greater in all patients, with 2 patients exhibiting a reduction of 3 grades, from torrential TR to a moderate degree. Mild TR after balloon inflation was achieved in 3 patients with baseline severe TR. The TR reduction observed during initial balloon deployment was sustained during the subsequent balloon maintenance period.
Conclusions
The Pivot-balloon procedure was safe, technically feasible, and effective in reducing TR in patients with severe TR. No periprocedural complications or adverse cardiovascular events were reported during device placement with TR reduction observed in all patients. However, longer-term follow-up is needed to confirm safety and treatment effect.
2.The Effects of Nicotine on Re-endothelialization, Inflammation, and Neoatherosclerosis After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation in a Porcine Model
Seok OH ; Ju Han KIM ; Saleem AHMAD ; Yu Jeong JIN ; Mi Hyang NA ; Munki KIM ; Jeong Ha KIM ; Dae Sung PARK ; Dae Young HYUN ; Kyung Hoon CHO ; Min Chul KIM ; Doo Sun SIM ; Young Joon HONG ; Seung-won LEE ; Youngkeun AHN ; Myung Ho JEONG
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(1):50-64
Background and Objectives:
Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.Nicotine, a crucial constituent of tobacco, contributes to atherosclerosis development and progression. However, evidence of the association between nicotine and neointima formation is limited. We aimed to evaluate whether nicotine enhances neointimal hyperplasia in the native epicardial coronary arteries of pigs after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES).
Methods:
After coronary angiography (CAG) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), we implanted 20 DES into 20 pigs allocated to 2 groups: no-nicotine (n=10) and nicotine (n=10) groups. Post-PCI CAG and QCA were performed immediately. Follow-up CAG, QCA, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and histopathological analyses were performed 2 months post-PCI.
Results:
Despite intergroup similarities in the baseline QCA findings, OCT analysis showed that the nicotine group had a smaller mean stent and lumen areas, a larger mean neointimal area, greater percent area stenosis, and higher peri-strut fibrin and inflammation scores than the no-nicotine group. In immunofluorescence analysis, the nicotine group displayed higher expression of CD68 and α-smooth muscle actin but lower CD31 expression than the no-nicotine group.
Conclusions
Nicotine inhibited re-endothelialization and promoted inflammation and NIH after PCI with DES in a porcine model.
3.ABO/RhD-Mismatch Transfusion
Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;36(1):1-6
ABO/RhD-mismatch transfusions are frequently encountered in clinical practice, so a systematic and thorough understanding of these events is necessary. In the case of ABO minor-incompatible transfusions, it is important to consider the possibility of hemolytic transfusion reactions because of the reaction between the ABO antibodies in the blood product and the patient’s red blood cells. For platelet products, the risk is approximately 1 in 9,000.In ABO major-incompatible transfusions, red blood cell products are contraindicated, but plasma or platelet products may be allowed in situations such as blood product shortages. In RhD major-incompatible transfusions, the use of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent alloimmunization may be considered depending on the patient’s clinical status and the availability of blood products. In the case of RhD major-incompatible red blood cell transfusions, however, such prevention is difficult to apply in Korea. ABO/RhD-mismatch transfusion may also affect the long-term outcomes of patients, in addition to immediate hemolytic transfusion reactions. Therefore, decisions must be made based on the patient’s clinical situation considering the benefits and potential risks.
4.Hemicrania continua with rhinosinusitis: a case report
Korean Journal of Family Medicine 2025;46(1):48-51
Hemicrania continua (HC) is an indomethacin-responsive headache, characterized by unilateral and continuous headaches with cranial autonomic symptoms. Various pathologies, including sinus-related conditions, are associated with HC. Here, we report the case of a 62-year-old man with HC and rhinosinusitis. The patient complained of a unilateral continuous headache with ipsilateral cranial autonomic symptoms, conjunctival injection, and eyelid edema for 20 months. HC was identified as a potential diagnosis based on the symptom criteria, and a response to indomethacin confirmed the diagnosis. Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia should be considered in patients with unilateral headaches and cranial autonomic symptoms.
5.Variables in the projection of physician demand and supply in primary care
Korean Journal of Family Medicine 2025;46(1):4-11
Primary care services improve healthcare outcomes and limit unnecessary specialty care. Thus, it is essential to monitor primary care physician demand and supply projections to suggest evidence-based healthcare reforms and promote better healthcare delivery. This study evaluates 28 demand variables, 50 supply variables, and 26 additional variables associated with the demand and supply projections of physicians by reviewing scenarios from other countries, including Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, and the United States of America. The results indicate that Korea uses less diverse demand and supply indicators and suggest the need to implement variables used in the other four countries to improve projection modeling.
6.Efficacy of Virtual Reality Program for Mental Health Promotion in Pregnant Women
Boram LEE ; Hyun Ju LIM ; Jeonghyun PARK ; Kyungwon KIM ; Hwagyu SUH ; Byung Dae LEE ; Young Min LEE ; Eunsoo MOON ; Du-Ri KIM ; Jong-Hwan PARK ; Myung-Jun SHIN ; Yean-Hwa LEE
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2025;23(1):32-41
Objective:
Recently, various mental health promotion programs using virtual reality (VR) technology have been tried in the psychiatric field. Considering the importance of mental health in pregnant women, VR-assisted mental health promotion programs for pregnant women are needed to be developed. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the efficacy of a VR-assisted mental health promotion program for pregnant women.
Methods:
Fifty-five pregnant women were participated in this study. Mental health states such as depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and quality of life were assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Perceived Stress Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version (WHOQOL-BREF) before and after using VR program treatment. Based on the mental health types of pregnant women classified by cluster analysis, the effects of the VR program were analyzed by paired t test and Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Results:
The VR program significantly reduced PHQ-9 (p = 0.033) and GAD-7 (p = 0.046) scores, and significantly increased WHOQOL-BREF (p = 0.026) score of the participants. Additionally, when classifying the mental health types of pregnant women, the VR program was significantly effective to improve depression, anxiety, and quality of life in the most severe group based on the cluster analysis.
Conclusion
The results of this study suggest that VR program may be effective to improve the mental health of pregnant women. Particularly, VR programs for the high-risk group of depression might be the most effective. Therefore, VR-assisted mental health promotion programs could be useful for managing the mental health in pregnant women.
7.Survey of the Actual Practices Used for Endoscopic Removal of Colon Polyps in Korea: A Comparison with the Current Guidelines
Jeongseok KIM ; Tae-Geun GWEON ; Min Seob KWAK ; Su Young KIM ; Seong Jung KIM ; Hyun Gun KIM ; Sung Noh HONG ; Eun Sun KIM ; Chang Mo MOON ; Dae Seong MYUNG ; Dong-Hoon BAEK ; Shin Ju OH ; Hyun Jung LEE ; Ji Young LEE ; Yunho JUNG ; Jaeyoung CHUN ; Dong-Hoon YANG ; Eun Ran KIM ; Intestinal Tumor Research Group of the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases
Gut and Liver 2025;19(1):77-86
Background/Aims:
We investigated the clinical practice patterns of Korean endoscopists for the endoscopic resection of colorectal polyps.
Methods:
From September to November 2021, an online survey was conducted regarding the preferred resection methods for colorectal polyps, and responses were compared with the international guidelines.
Results:
Among 246 respondents, those with <4 years, 4–9 years, and ≥10 years of experiencein colonoscopy practices accounted for 25.6%, 34.1%, and 40.2% of endoscopists, respectively. The most preferred resection methods for non-pedunculated lesions were cold forceps polypectomy for ≤3 mm lesions (81.7%), cold snare polypectomy for 4–5 mm (61.0%) and 6–9 mm (43.5%) lesions, hot endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for 10–19 mm lesions (72.0%), precut EMR for 20–25 mm lesions (22.0%), and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for ≥26 mm lesions (29.3%). Hot EMR was favored for pedunculated lesions with a head size <20 mm and stalk size <10 mm (75.6%) and for those with a head size ≥20 mm or stalk size ≥10 mm (58.5%). For suspected superficial and deep submucosal lesions measuring 10–19 mm and ≥20 mm, ESD (26.0% and 38.6%) and surgery (36.6% and 46.3%) were preferred, respectively. The adherence rate to the guidelines ranged from 11.2% to 96.9%, depending on the size, shape, and histology of the lesions.
Conclusions
Adherence to the guidelines for endoscopic resection techniques varied depend-ing on the characteristics of colorectal polyps. Thus, an individualized approach is required to increase adherence to the guidelines.
8.Korean Registry on the Current Management of Helicobacter pylori (K-Hp-Reg): Interim Analysis of Adherence to the Revised Evidence-Based Guidelines for First-Line Treatment
Hyo-Joon YANG ; Joon Sung KIM ; Ji Yong AHN ; Ok-Jae LEE ; Gwang Ha KIM ; Chang Seok BANG ; Moo In PARK ; Jae Yong PARK ; Sun Moon KIM ; Su Jin HONG ; Joon Hyun CHO ; Shin Hee KIM ; Hyun Joo SONG ; Jin Woong CHO ; Sam Ryong JEE ; Hyun LIM ; Yong Hwan KWON ; Ju Yup LEE ; Seong Woo JEON ; Seon-Young PARK ; Younghee CHOE ; Moon Kyung JOO ; Dae-Hyun KIM ; Jae Myung PARK ; Beom Jin KIM ; Jong Yeul LEE ; Tae Hoon OH ; Jae Gyu KIM ;
Gut and Liver 2025;19(3):364-375
Background/Aims:
The Korean guidelines for Helicobacter pylori treatment were revised in 2020, however, the extent of adherence to these guidelines in clinical practice remains unclear. Herein, we initiated a prospective, nationwide, multicenter registry study in 2021 to evaluate the current management of H.pylori infection in Korea.
Methods:
This interim report describes the adherence to the revised guidelines and their impact on firstline eradication rates. Data on patient demographics, diagnoses, treatments, and eradication outcomes were collected using a web-based electronic case report form.
Results:
A total of 7,261 patients from 66 hospitals who received first-line treatment were analyzed.The modified intention-to-treat eradication rate for first-line treatment was 81.0%, with 80.4% of the prescriptions adhering to the revised guidelines. The most commonly prescribed regimen was the 14-day clarithromycin-based triple therapy (CTT; 42.0%), followed by tailored therapy (TT; 21.2%), 7-day CTT (14.1%), and 10-day concomitant therapy (CT; 10.1%). Time-trend analysis demonstrated significant increases in guideline adherence and the use of 10-day CT and TT, along with a decrease in the use of 7-day CTT (all p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that guideline adherence was significantly associated with first-line eradication success (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 2.56; p<0.001).
Conclusions
The revised guidelines for the treatment of H. pylori infection have been increasingly adopted in routine clinical practice in Korea, which may have contributed to improved first-line eradication rates. Notably, the 14-day CTT, 10-day CT, and TT regimens are emerging as the preferred first-line treatment options among Korean physicians.
9.Erratum to "Investigating the Immune-Stimulating Potential of β-Glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans in Cancer Immunotherapy" Biomol Ther 32(5), 556-567 (2024)
Jae-Hyeon JEONG ; Dae-Joon KIM ; Seong-Jin HONG ; Jae-Hee AHN ; Dong-Ju LEE ; Ah-Ra JANG ; Sungyun KIM ; Hyun-Jong CHO ; Jae-Young LEE ; Jong-Hwan PARK ; Young-Min KIM ; Hyun-Jeong KO
Biomolecules & Therapeutics 2025;33(1):233-233
10.The Brainstem Score on Diffusion-weighted Imaging before Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion is a Reliable Predictor for Prognosis: A Comparative Study with Critical Area Perfusion Score on Perfusion MRI
Junho SEONG ; Kangwoo KIM ; Seungho LEE ; Yoonkyung LEE ; Byeol-A YOON ; Dae-Hyun KIM ; Jae-Kwan CHA
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2025;43(1):1-11
Background:
This study evaluated the use of brainstem score (BSS) on pre-procedural diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to predict outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO) patients and compared its predictive effectiveness to the critical area perfusion score (CAPS) on perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using RAPID.
Methods:
This study focused on ABAO patients who underwent MT after MRI at Dong-A University Hospital from 2013 to 2023. Ischemic lesion volume and DWI BSS were measured for all. For the group that underwent perfusion MRI using RAPID, CAPS were measured. The primary end point was a poor outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin scale [mRS], >2).
Results:
71 patients had ABAO and underwent MT after MRI. The poor outcome group (66.2%) had significantly larger ischemic lesion volume and higher DWI BSS compared with the good outcome group. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, DWI BSS (odds ratio, 8.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.93-35.50; p<0.01) was an independent predictor of poor outcomes. In 26 patients, CAPS was measured on perfusion MRI. In this subgroup, poor outcome group (50.0%) had higher DWI BSS and CAPS than the good outcome group. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, DWI BSS remained a valid independent predictor for predicting outcomes, but CAPS did not function as an independent predictor.
Conclusion
In this study, the DWI BSS before MT in ABAO patients emerged as a useful imaging marker for predicting post-procedural outcomes. Its predictive ability is not only comparable to but even superior to CAPS on perfusion MRI.

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