BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) are established sources of cardioembolism. We investigated differences in stroke outcome and patterns between PFO and AF. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the medical records and brain MR images of patients with AF or PFO from the prospective acute stroke and transient ischemic attack registry. Infarct pattern and volume on diffusion-weighted imaging, and the national institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) on admission were compared between patients with AF and PFO. RESULTS: From June 2005 to July 2008, a total of 289 subjects were enrolled (AF group, n=156; PFO group, n=133). Infarct pattern analyzed with MR images revealed that multiple vascular territorial infarction was more prevalent in AF group than in PFO group (26.9% vs. 8.3%, P<0.01). A probable cardiac embolism, radiologically defined as territorial infarction without symptomatic steno-occlusion of the corresponding artery, was more frequently documented in AF group than in PFO group (71.8% vs. 41.4%, P<0.01) The infarct volume of PFO was smaller than that of AF. Compared to AF, PFO was associated with the mild neurologic deficit (NIHSS< or =3) after adjusting age, sex and previous stroke history. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that AF and PFO had different characteristics such as infarct patterns and initial clinical severity although both are classified as cardioembolism.
Arteries ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Brain ; Embolism ; Foramen Ovale, Patent ; Humans ; Infarction ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Medical Records ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke

Supraaortic stenosis is a localized or diffuse congenital narrowing of the ascending aorta at the levels of superior margin of the sinus of Valsalva, just above coronary arteries. Hemodynamically, it is a usually manifestated as aortic stenosis especially when it combined with subaortic membrane. And there is no case report of supraaortic stenosis combined with subaortic membrane which has aortic valvular reurgitation due to secondary change of dilated sinus of Valsalva by supraaortic ridge. We have experienced a case of aortic regurgitation associated with supraaortic ridge combined with subvalvular aortic membrane.
Aorta ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency* ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Vessels ; Membranes* ; Sinus of Valsalva

Purpose: The number of international visiting scholars has been on the increase in Korea and we aim to investigate the program’s current situation. Methods: This cross-sectional study is based on an online survey questionnaire responded by international visiting scholars in surgical departments of 8 Korean hospitals between 2014 and 2018 about their experiences and satisfaction with the visiting scholar program. Results: A total of 1,496 international scholars from 80 countries visited various surgical departments in 8 Korean hospitals between 2014 and 2018. The numbers have been on the increase over the years. Out of 355 visiting scholars in 2018, 71 replied to the online survey, of whom 52 were male and 19 female, and mostly in their 30s and 40s. Information about the program was accessed mostly through friends or colleagues (42.3%) and international conferences (36.6%). The commonest funding source was private (35.2%) and more than half stayed for less than 3 months. The visiting scholar’s main roles were mostly observation or participation in surgery and clinical research. All but 1 were satisfied with the program (98.6%) and would recommend it to friends and colleagues, although the language barrier was identified as an inconvenience. Those aged 20–39 years with governmental or institutional funding were associated with stays of more than 1 year. Conclusion The number of international visiting scholars at surgical departments in Korean hospitals has been on the increase with high satisfaction levels. Improvements need to be made on funding sources and lengthening visiting period to maximize the benefits of the program.