Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in South Korea, imposing substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and society. Despite the high burden of symptom and complex care needs of HF patients, palliative care and hospice services remain underutilized in South Korea due to cultural, institutional, and knowledge-related barriers. This position statement from the Korean Society of Heart Failure emphasizes the need for integrating palliative and hospice care into HF management to improve quality of life and support holistic care for patients and their families. By clarifying the role of palliative care in HF and proposing practical referral criteria, this position statement aims to bridge the gap between HF and palliative care services in South Korea, ultimately improving patient-centered outcomes and aligning treatment with the goals and values of HF patients.

Background: The recently introduced super-resolution (SR) deep learning image reconstruction (DLR) is potentially effective in reducing noise level and enhancing the spatial resolution. We aimed to investigate whether SR-DLR has advantages in the overall image quality and intensity homogeneity on coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography with four different approaches: filtered-back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR), DLR, and SR-DLR. Methods: Sixty-three patients (mean age, 61 ± 11 years; range, 18–81 years; 40 men) who had undergone coronary CT angiography between June and October 2022 were retrospectively included. Image noise, signal to noise ratio, and contrast to noise ratio were quantified in both proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries. The left ventricle myocardium contrast homogeneity was analyzed. Two independent reviewers scored overall image quality, image noise, image sharpness, and myocardial homogeneity. Results: Image noise in Hounsfield units (HU) was significantly lower (P < 0.001) for the SR-DLR (11.2 ± 2.0 HU) compared to those associated with other image reconstruction methods including FBP (30.5 ± 10.5 HU), hybrid IR (20.0 ± 5.4 HU), and DLR (14.2 ± 2.5 HU) in both proximal and distal segments. SR-DLR significantly improved signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio in both the proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries.No significant difference was observed in the myocardial CT attenuation with SR-DLR among different segments of the left ventricle myocardium (P = 0.345). Conversely, FBP and hybrid IR resulted in inhomogeneous myocardial CT attenuation (P < 0.001). Two reviewers graded subjective image quality with SR-DLR higher than other image recon‑ struction techniques (P < 0.001). Conclusions SR-DLR improved image quality, demonstrated clearer delineation of distal segments of coronary arter‑ ies, and was seemingly accurate for quantifying CT attenuation in the myocardium.

Background: The recently introduced super-resolution (SR) deep learning image reconstruction (DLR) is potentially effective in reducing noise level and enhancing the spatial resolution. We aimed to investigate whether SR-DLR has advantages in the overall image quality and intensity homogeneity on coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography with four different approaches: filtered-back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR), DLR, and SR-DLR. Methods: Sixty-three patients (mean age, 61 ± 11 years; range, 18–81 years; 40 men) who had undergone coronary CT angiography between June and October 2022 were retrospectively included. Image noise, signal to noise ratio, and contrast to noise ratio were quantified in both proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries. The left ventricle myocardium contrast homogeneity was analyzed. Two independent reviewers scored overall image quality, image noise, image sharpness, and myocardial homogeneity. Results: Image noise in Hounsfield units (HU) was significantly lower (P < 0.001) for the SR-DLR (11.2 ± 2.0 HU) compared to those associated with other image reconstruction methods including FBP (30.5 ± 10.5 HU), hybrid IR (20.0 ± 5.4 HU), and DLR (14.2 ± 2.5 HU) in both proximal and distal segments. SR-DLR significantly improved signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio in both the proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries.No significant difference was observed in the myocardial CT attenuation with SR-DLR among different segments of the left ventricle myocardium (P = 0.345). Conversely, FBP and hybrid IR resulted in inhomogeneous myocardial CT attenuation (P < 0.001). Two reviewers graded subjective image quality with SR-DLR higher than other image recon‑ struction techniques (P < 0.001). Conclusions SR-DLR improved image quality, demonstrated clearer delineation of distal segments of coronary arter‑ ies, and was seemingly accurate for quantifying CT attenuation in the myocardium.

Background: The recently introduced super-resolution (SR) deep learning image reconstruction (DLR) is potentially effective in reducing noise level and enhancing the spatial resolution. We aimed to investigate whether SR-DLR has advantages in the overall image quality and intensity homogeneity on coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography with four different approaches: filtered-back projection (FBP), hybrid iterative reconstruction (IR), DLR, and SR-DLR. Methods: Sixty-three patients (mean age, 61 ± 11 years; range, 18–81 years; 40 men) who had undergone coronary CT angiography between June and October 2022 were retrospectively included. Image noise, signal to noise ratio, and contrast to noise ratio were quantified in both proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries. The left ventricle myocardium contrast homogeneity was analyzed. Two independent reviewers scored overall image quality, image noise, image sharpness, and myocardial homogeneity. Results: Image noise in Hounsfield units (HU) was significantly lower (P < 0.001) for the SR-DLR (11.2 ± 2.0 HU) compared to those associated with other image reconstruction methods including FBP (30.5 ± 10.5 HU), hybrid IR (20.0 ± 5.4 HU), and DLR (14.2 ± 2.5 HU) in both proximal and distal segments. SR-DLR significantly improved signal to noise ratio and contrast to noise ratio in both the proximal and distal segments of the major coronary arteries.No significant difference was observed in the myocardial CT attenuation with SR-DLR among different segments of the left ventricle myocardium (P = 0.345). Conversely, FBP and hybrid IR resulted in inhomogeneous myocardial CT attenuation (P < 0.001). Two reviewers graded subjective image quality with SR-DLR higher than other image recon‑ struction techniques (P < 0.001). Conclusions SR-DLR improved image quality, demonstrated clearer delineation of distal segments of coronary arter‑ ies, and was seemingly accurate for quantifying CT attenuation in the myocardium.

The sociomedical environment is changing. In the traditional physician-patient relationship, the physician was authoritative and the patient was obedient. The contractual relationship featured patient consent to the physician’s decision. Today, the physician must explain fully the planned medical treatment, and any alternative, to the patient, who has the right to choose her treatment after considering the benefits and side-effects. The Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology thus decided to standardize the surgical consent forms to meet the legal requirements of modern medicine, improve patient understanding of the surgical details, and protect medical staff from legal disputes. To determine the format and content, subcommittees for each cancer type collected and reviewed all relevant articles and the current consent forms of domestic medical institutions. After several meetings, 16 basic items to be included for each type of gynecologic cancer were selected. Also, to help patients understand the surgical details, figures were included. The revised forms were legally reviewed in terms of the appropriateness of the format and content. We also developed English versions to provide adequate information for foreign patients. We hope that these efforts will promote trust between patients and physicians, and contribute to effective treatment by laying a foundation of mutual respect.

The development of back pain following epidural analgesia is one reason for patient refusal of neuraxial analgesia. The primary endpoint of this study was to compare the incidence and severity of back pain following midline and paramedian epidural technique. The secondary endpoint was to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of back pain. Methods: This prospective randomized study included 114 patients receiving thoracic epidural catheterization for pain management following upper abdominal or thoracic surgery. Patients were allocated to either the midline or the paramedian group by computer-generated randomization. An investigator who was blinded to the patient group interviewed patients at 24, and 48 h, and 3–5 days after surgery about the existence of back pain and its severity. Results: The total incidence of back pain following epidural anesthesia was 23.8% in the midline group and 7.8% in the paramedian group. The numerical rating scale of back pain was not different between the two groups at 24 h and 4 days after surgery. The paramdian technique was associated with a lower incidence of back pain than the midline technique (95% confidence interval 0.05–0.74, odds ratio 0.2, P < 0.01). However, the number of attempts, surgical position, body mass index, and duration of surgery were not associated with back pain. Conclusions: This study showed that the midline group of thoracic epidural analgesia demonstrated higher incidence of back pain than the paramedian group. However, the pain was mild in intensity and decreased with time in both groups.

The sociomedical environment is changing. In the traditional physician-patient relationship, the physician was authoritative and the patient was obedient. The contractual relationship featured patient consent to the physician’s decision. Today, the physician must explain fully the planned medical treatment, and any alternative, to the patient, who has the right to choose her treatment after considering the benefits and side-effects. The Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology (KSGO) thus decided to standardize the surgical consent forms to meet the legal requirements of modern medicine, improve patient understanding of the surgical details, and protect medical staff from legal disputes. To determine the format and content, subcommittees for each cancer type collected and reviewed all relevant articles and the current consent forms of domestic medical institutions. After several meetings, 16 basic items to be included for each type of gynecologic cancer were selected. Also, to help patients understand the surgical details, figures were included. The revised forms were legally reviewed in terms of the appropriateness of the format and content. We also developed English versions to provide adequate information for foreign patients. We hope that these efforts will promote trust between patients and physicians, and contribute to effective treatment by laying a foundation of mutual respect.

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a disease with an uncertain etiology consisting of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and portal pressure increase in the absence of liver cirrhosis. In INCPH, patients exhibit normal liver functions and structures. The factors associated with INCPH include the following: Umbilical/portal pyremia, bacterial diseases, prothrombic states, chronic exposure to arsenic, vinyl chloride monomers, genetic disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Approximately 70% of patients present a history of major variceal bleeding, and treatment relies on the prevention of complications related to portal hypertension. Autoimmune disorders associated with INCPH are mainly systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. To the best of our knowledge, a case of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) associated with INCPH has not been reported thus far. Therfore, we report our experience of a patient with AS accompanied by INCPH, who showed perisplenic varices with patent spleno-portal axis and hepatic veins along with no evidence of cirrhosis on liver biopsy, and provide a brief literature review.

Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a disease with an uncertain etiology consisting of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension and portal pressure increase in the absence of liver cirrhosis. In INCPH, patients exhibit normal liver functions and structures. The factors associated with INCPH include the following: Umbilical/portal pyremia, bacterial diseases, prothrombic states, chronic exposure to arsenic, vinyl chloride monomers, genetic disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Approximately 70% of patients present a history of major variceal bleeding, and treatment relies on the prevention of complications related to portal hypertension. Autoimmune disorders associated with INCPH are mainly systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. To the best of our knowledge, a case of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) associated with INCPH has not been reported thus far. Therfore, we report our experience of a patient with AS accompanied by INCPH, who showed perisplenic varices with patent spleno-portal axis and hepatic veins along with no evidence of cirrhosis on liver biopsy, and provide a brief literature review.
Arsenic ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Biopsy ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Fibrosis ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Portal Pressure ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; Varicose Veins ; Vinyl Chloride

BACKGROUND: The bispectral index (BIS) is a valuable indicator for measuring sedation levels and patient consciousness. Recent reports have highlighted its clinical value as an indicator for anesthesia-related cerebral hypoperfusion and ischemic brain damage. CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old female patient underwent right breast conservation surgery during general anesthesia. During surgery, the patient experienced abrupt bradycardia (heart rate of 36 bpm) without hypotension. During bradycardia, her BIS was severely reduced from 45 to 20 along with elvated suppression ratio (50). After injection of 0.5mg of atropine, her BIS level was recovered, her heart rate was increased, and her suppression ratio was decreased. CONCLUSION: The patient recovered from anesthesia without showing any signs of neurological sequelae based on BIS level monitoring.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Atropine ; Bradycardia ; Brain ; Breast ; Consciousness ; Consciousness Monitors ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Middle Aged