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.

Despite the availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Korea, need remains for pangenotypic regimens that can be used in the presence of hepatic impairment, comorbidities, or prior treatment failure. We investigated the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir–velpatasvir and sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir for 12 weeks in HCV-infected Korean adults. Methods: This Phase 3b, multicenter, open-label study included 2 cohorts. In Cohort 1, participants with HCV genotype 1 or 2 and who were treatment-naive or treatment-experienced with interferon-based treatments, received sofosbuvir–velpatasvir 400/100 mg/day. In Cohort 2, HCV genotype 1 infected individuals who previously received an NS5A inhibitor-containing regimen ≥ 4 weeks received sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir 400/100/100 mg/day. Decompensated cirrhosis was an exclusion criterion. The primary endpoint was SVR12, defined as HCV RNA < 15 IU/mL 12 weeks following treatment. Results: Of 53 participants receiving sofosbuvir–velpatasvir, 52 (98.1%) achieved SVR12. The single participant who did not achieve SVR12 experienced an asymptomatic Grade 3 ASL/ALT elevation on day 15 and discontinued treatment. The event resolved without intervention. All 33 participants (100%) treated with sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir achieved SVR 12. Overall, sofosbuvir–velpatasvir and sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir were safe and well tolerated. Three participants (5.6%) in Cohort 1 and 1 participant (3.0%) in Cohort 2 had serious adverse events, but none were considered treatment-related. No deaths or grade 4 laboratory abnormalities were reported. Conclusions: Treatment with sofosbuvir–velpatasvir or sofosbuvir–velpatasvir–voxilaprevir was safe and resulted in high SVR12 rates in Korean HCV patients.

Aortic aneurysm-induced chronic consumptive coagulopathy is a very rare complication but can be a source of critical complications and mortality. A 72-year-old man presented with a rapidly expanding descending thoracic aortic aneurysm with a penetrating ulcer and an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm complicated by chronic coagulopathy. We were aware of the bleeding risk during surgical replacement based on the patient's chronic coagulopathy status and successfully performed endovascular repair of the thoracic aortic aneurysm with a penetrating ulcer. Platelet transfusion, antiplatelet agents, and proteinase inhibitors improved the coagulopathy. A delayed type Ib endoleak developed, and the coagulopathy recurred 2 months later when the patient presented with purpura of both lower legs. We successfully managed the condition by elective surgical replacement of the entire aorta after improving the coagulopathy with platelet replacement and administration of proteinase inhibitors.
Aged ; Aorta ; Aortic Aneurysm* ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Blood Platelets ; Endoleak ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Leg ; Mortality ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Platelet Transfusion ; Purpura ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: As the incidence rate of and mortality from pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) are increasing worldwide, it is important to study the simple predictive risk factors for PMC among patients with hospital-acquired diarrhea (HAD). This study focused on identifying the clinical risk factors that can easily predict PMC. METHODS: The presumed HAD patients were prospectively recruited at the Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital. RESULTS: Age of 70 and older (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 0.75), use of proton pump inhibitors (adjusted OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.512 to 6.57), use of cephalosporins (adjusted OR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.82 to 4.94), and underlying cancer (adjusted OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.82) were independent risk factors for PMC in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of PMC was very low in the patients with HAD who exhibited no risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for PMC in patients with HAD included cephalosporin use, proton pump inhibitor use, old age, and cancer. Considering the strongly negative predictive values of these risk factors, endoscopic evaluation can be delayed in patients with HAD without risk of developing PMC.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Clostridium difficile ; Cross Infection/complications/*epidemiology ; Diarrhea/complications/*epidemiology ; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/complications/*epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: At present, a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-based concept of tumor biology has been established, and trastuzumab (Herceptin(R); Genentech/Roche, San Francisco, CA, USA), a monoclonal humanized antibody directed against HER2, is a pivotal agent for the management of HER2 positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer. It is also known that HER2 has a predictive value in gastric cancer; however, its association with the prognosis of this disease remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both the relationship between HER2 overexpression in the tumors of gastric cancer patients, and the prognosis of these patients who have had curative resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 139 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent surgery at the Kosin University Gospel Hospital between October 2011 and March 2012 were included in this retrospective study. All tumor samples were examined for HER2 expression by immunohistochemistry. A retrospective review of the medical records was conducted to determine the correlation between the presence of HER2 overexpression and clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: The HER2+ rate was 15.1%. HER2 overexpression was associated with histological grade (P=0.044) and Lauren classification (P=0.036). There was no significant difference in the 2-year overall survival between HER2+ and HER2- patients (P=0.396). Multivariate analysis showed that HER2 was not an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: HER2 overexpression in tumors was associated with histological grade and Lauren classification in gastric cancer patients with curative resection. However, HER2 was not an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer in our study.
Biology ; Breast Neoplasms ; Classification ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Trastuzumab

Congenital myotonic dystrophy (CMD) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder with cardiac rhythm abnormalities that may occur as a child grows. No report has described complete atrioventricular (AV) block detected in a neonate with CMD. We report a floppy infant of 31(+4) weeks gestation with complete AV block at birth, who was diagnosed with CMD by Southern analysis. She recovered from complete AV block 32 hr after temporary transcutaneous pacing was applied. To the best our knowledge, this is the first recorded case of a complete AV block accompanied by CMD during the neonatal period. When a newborn has a complete AV block, the physician should consider the possibility of the CMD and conduct a careful physical examination.
3' Untranslated Regions ; Atrioventricular Block/complications/*diagnosis ; Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Myotonic Dystrophy/complications/*diagnosis/genetics ; Myotonin-Protein Kinase/genetics ; Trinucleotide Repeats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effects of an automatic energy-lowering system in patients over the age of 28 years with Schwind Amaris laser platform by analyzing the enhancement operation rate according to age. METHODS: A total of 20448 eyes from 10224 patients who received a bilateral LASIK or LASEK operation with the Schwind Amaris laser platform between August 2007 and April 2011 in our clinic were included in the present study. The rate of enhance operation due to undercorrection was analyzed to determine whether the age affects the enhancement operation rate. RESULTS: There were a total of 17 enhancement operations. Fifteen out of 17 eyes who received the enhanced operation were above the age of 28 years (p=0.005). In multivariate analysis, patient age over 28 years (OR=6.75, CI 1.54-29.60, p=0.011), preoperative higher spherical equivalent (OR=0.56, CI 0.41-0.77, p=0.0004) and preoperative higher mean keratometric value (OR=1.38, CI 1.01-1.88, p=0.043) were significantly associated with a higher enhancement operation rate. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should be aware that the amount of laser energy from Schwind Amaris laser platform is automatically reduced in patients above the age of 28 years. Therefore, the nomogram should be adjusted to reduce the enhancement operation rate for a specific age group, especially in patients with higher preoperative myopic errors and steeper cornea.
Composite Resins ; Cornea ; Eye ; Humans ; Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nomograms ; Refractive Surgical Procedures

We report a case of intraocular gnathostomiasis diagnosed by western blot assay in a patient with subretinal tracks. A 15-year-old male patient complained of blurred vision in the right eye, lasting for 2 weeks. Eight months earlier, he had traveled to Vietnam for 1 week and ate raw wild boar meat and lobster. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes and anterior chamber examination revealed no abnormalities. Fundus examination showed subretinal tracks in the right eye. Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography showed linear hyperfluorescence of the subretinal lesion observed on fundus in the right eye. Ultrasound examination revealed no abnormalities. Blood tests indicated mild eosinophilia (7.5%), and there was no abnormality found by systemic examinations. Two years later, the patient visited our department again for ophthalmologic evaluation. Visual acuity remained 20/20 in both eyes and the subretinal tracks in the right eye had not changed since the previous examination. Serologic examination was performed to provide a more accurate diagnosis, and the patient's serum reacted strongly to the Gnathostoma nipponicum antigen by western blot assay, which led to a diagnosis of intraocular gnathostomiasis. This is the first reported case of intraocular gnathostomiasis with subretinal tracks confirmed serologically using western blot in Korea.
Adolescent ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Fundus Oculi ; Gnathostoma/*isolation & purification ; Gnathostomiasis/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Humans ; Male ; Retinal Diseases/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Travel ; Vietnam

PURPOSE: This experimental study verified the effect of adipose-tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) on the healing of ischemic colonic anastomoses in rats. METHODS: ASCs were isolated from the subcutaneous fat tissue of rats and identified as mesenchymal stem cells by identification of different potentials. An animal model of colonic ischemic anastomosis was induced by modifying Nagahata's method. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats (10-week-old, 370 +/- 50 g) were divided into two groups (n = 30 each): a control group in which the anastomosis was sutured in a single layer with 6-0 polypropylene without any treatment and an ASCtreated group (ASC group) in which the anastomosis was sutured as in the control group, but then ASCs were locally transplanted into the bowel wall around the anastomosis. The rats were sacrificed on postoperative day 7. Healing of the anastomoses was assessed by measuring loss of body weight, wound infection, anastomotic leakage, mortality, adhesion formation, ileus, anastomotic stricture, anastomotic bursting pressure, histopathological features, and microvascular density. RESULTS: No differences in wound infection, anastomotic leakage, or mortality between the two groups were observed. The ASC group had significantly more favorable anastomotic healing, including less body weight lost, less ileus, and fewer ulcers and strictures, than the control group. ASCs augmented bursting pressure and collagen deposition. The histopathological features were significantly more favorable in the ASC group, and microvascular density was significantly higher than it was in the control group. CONCLUSION: Locally-transplanted ASCs enhanced healing of ischemic colonic anastomoses by increasing angiogenesis. ASCs could be a novel strategy for accelerating healing of colonic ischemic risk anastomoses.
Anastomotic Leak ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Collagen ; Colon ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Ileus ; Ischemia ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Models, Animal ; Polypropylenes ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Transplants ; Ulcer ; Wound Infection

PURPOSE: To evaluate the crystalline lens thickness/anterior chamber depth (CLT/ACD) ratio as a preoperative factor that affects the vault after implantable contact lens (ICL) implantation. METHODS: A total of 130 eyes of 130 patients who received bilateral ICL implantation were included in the present study. The preoperative CLT/ACD ratio was analyzed to determine if the patients had any correlation with postoperative vault by Visante optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: The mean vault was 0.58 mm +/- 0.23 at postoperative 2 months. Eight eyes (6.15%) had low vault, 93 eyes (71.53%) had ideal vault and 29 eyes (29.31%) had high vault. The CLT/ACD ratios were 1.04 mm +/- 0.11, 0.96 mm +/- 0.09 and 0.90 mm +/- 0.09 in the low vault group, ideal vault group and high vault group, respectively (p < 0.01). The CLT/ACD ratio showed statistically significant correlations with postoperative vault in univariate analysis (r = -0.4718; p < 0.01) and in multivariate analysis (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Vaults after ICL implantation have a negative correlation with the preoperative CLT/ACD ratio. The results from the present study may improve the prediction of postoperative vault after ICL implantation.
Anterior Chamber ; Eye ; Humans ; Lens, Crystalline ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Multivariate Analysis ; Phakic Intraocular Lenses ; Tomography, Optical Coherence