Ischemic heart disease remains the primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.Despite significant advancements in pharmacological and revascularization techniques in the late 20th century, heart failure prevalence after myocardial infarction has gradually increased over the last 2 decades. After ischemic injury, pathological remodeling results in cardiomyocytes (CMs) loss and fibrosis, which leads to impaired heart function.Unfortunately, there are no clinical therapies to regenerate CMs to date, and the adult heart’s limited turnover rate of CMs hinders its ability to self-regenerate. In this review, we present novel therapeutic strategies to regenerate injured myocardium, including (1) reconstruction of cardiac niche microenvironment, (2) recruitment of functional CMs by promoting their proliferation or differentiation, and (3) organizing 3-dimensional tissue construct beyond the CMs. Additionally, we highlight recent mechanistic insights that govern these strategies and identify current challenges in translating these approaches to human patients.

Purpose: Dose reduction of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is indicated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with renal impairment. This study investigated anticoagulation patterns and outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Materials and methods: In a prospective observational registry (CODE-AF), 3445 patients with non-valvular AF including 1129 with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤ 60 mL min−1 1.73 m−2) were identified between June 1, 2016, and July 3, 2017. Results: Compared with patients with no-CKD, patients with CKD more frequently had a high stroke risk (94.9% vs. 67.0%, p < 0.001) and higher NOAC usage rate (61.1% vs. 47.8%, p < 0.001). Among 718 patients with renal indication for dose reduction (RIDR), 7.5% were potentially overdosed. Among 2587 patients with no-RIDR, 79% were potentially underdosed. Compared with patients with no-RIDR, the underdose rates of dabigatran (0% vs. 88.6%, p = 0.001) and rivaroxaban (0% vs. 79.5%, p = 0.001) were lower in patients with RIDR. However, the underdose rate of apixaban was not different (62.5% vs. 53.9%, p = 0.089). The overdose rate of dabigatran (7.5% vs. 0%) and rivaroxaban (13.7% vs. 0%) was higher in RIDR than in no-RIDR patients. Stroke/transient ischemic attack was significantly higher in CKD patients (1.4 vs. 0.6 per 100 person-years, p = 0.045). Aspirin significantly increased minor bleeding in CKD patients compared with controls (p = 0.037). Conclusion CKD patients might have a high stroke risk and NOAC usage rate. The underdose rate of NOACs decreased in CKD patients, except for apixaban. Aspirin significantly increased minor bleeding in CKD patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to estimate the prevalence of and identify the predisposing risk factors of delirium and to determine the effect of delirium on the prognosis, especially death in burn patients. METHOD: The study was completed by thorough examination of medical records, with additional confirmation, of the 245 patients who were admitted to the Burn ICU in Burn treatment center of Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital during last one year (Jan. 1. 1998-Dec. 31. 1998). Delirium was retrospectively diagnosed according to DSM-IV. Only when disturbance of consciousness and attention, cognitive dysfunction especially disorientation, or perceptual disturbance were observed, diagnosis of delirium were given. Final outcome such as death was discriminated through examination of medical records or question to those who knew the patient. RESULTS: One year prevalence of delirium in burn patients is 34.4%. Statistically significant predisposing risk factors of delirium were five;Age 65 and over (OR=45.51, 95% CI:6.07-341.11), burn size over 60% of total body surface (OR=6.48, 95% CI:3.16-13.28), current psychiatric disorder (OR=6.81, 95% CI:1.42-32.57), current medical disease (OR=3.00, 95% CI:1.40-6.45), alcohol abuse (OR=3.17, 95% CI:1.07-9.43) Statistically significant deathrelated risk factors were three;burn size over 60% of total body surface (OR=4.58, 95% CI:2.00-10.46), delirium (OR=2.94, 95% CI:1.25-6.94), current psychiatric disorder (OR=4.09, 95% CI:1.05-15.87). Aging is not the death-related factor in this study. CONCLUSION: Three factors, such as delirium, organic brain damage, and burn size over 60% of total body surface may predict higher risk of death in burn patients.
Aging ; Alcoholism ; Brain ; Burns* ; Consciousness ; Delirium* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Heart ; Humans ; Critical Care* ; Medical Records ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) is a minimally invasive interventional procedure that repairs a valve without removing the old, damaged valve. Instead, a replacement valve is wedged into the location of the native aortic valve. During TAVR, contrast is used for conventional aortic root angiography, positioning of the TAVR valve device, and assessing the peripheral vasculature. Therefore, contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major concern when performing TAVR and is associated with increased mortality in patients with impaired renal function. Although the exact mechanism of post-TAVR AKI is unknown and appears multifactorial, contrast medium has been reported as a major contributing factor. We report a case of zero-contrast TAVR for severe AS in a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The procedure was successfully performed with only fluoroscopic and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Angiography ; Aortic Valve ; Aortic Valve Stenosis* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Humans ; Mortality ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, and hypertension, are the global leading causes of death, accounting for more than 30% of deaths worldwide. Although the risk factors of CVDs have been well understood and various treatment and preventive measures have been established, the mortality rate and the financial burden of CVDs are expected to grow exponentially over time due to the changes in lifestyles and increasing life expectancies of the present generation. Recent advancements in metagenomics and metabolomics analysis have identified gut microbiome and its associated metabolites as potential risk factors for CVDs, suggesting the possibility of developing more effective novel therapeutic strategies against CVD. In addition, increasing evidence has demonstrated the alterations in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and the imbalance of microbial-dependent metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids and trimethylamine N-oxide, play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of CVD. However, the exact mechanism of action remains undefined to this day. In this review, we focus on the compositional changes in the gut microbiome and its related metabolites in various CVDs. Moreover, the potential treatment and preventive strategies targeting the gut microbiome and its metabolites are discussed.

The infectious complications after renal transplantation remain as an important causes of both mortality and graft loss. The lung is the most common target for post-transplant infection. We analyzed the causative agents, treatments and outcomes of post-transplant pulmonary infections. From 1990 to 1998, 192 renal allografts were performed at Hallym University Hospital. Seven cases (3.6%) of 5 males and 2 females developed serious pulmonary infections and required hospitalization. The mean age was 42.6 years. The onsets of pulmonary infections were from a month to 6 months in 3 cases, from 6 months to a year in one case and after a year in 3 cases. Triple therapy regimen was used in 4 cases as an immunosuppression therapy. Acute rejections developed in 6 cases. Causative organisms were Cytomegalovirus in 2 cases, Mycobacteria in 2 cases, Aspergillus in a case, Nocardia in a case and unknown in a case. Despite appropriate antibiotics, four patients did not respond to the treatment and died. The early recognition of infection and appropriate therapy is important to reduce fatal consequence.
Allografts ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Aspergillus ; Cytomegalovirus ; Female ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney* ; Lung ; Male ; Mortality ; Nocardia ; Transplants

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is characterized by excessive urination and thirst. This disease results from inadequate output of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from the pituitary gland or the absence of the normal response to ADH in the kidney. We present a case of transient central DI in a patient who underwent a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A 44-yr-old male underwent a CABG operation. An hour after the operation, the patient developed polyuria and was diagnosed with central DI. The patient responded to desmopressin and completely recovered five days after surgery. It is probable that transient cerebral ischemia resulted in the dysfunction of osmotic receptors in the hypothalamus or hypothalamus-pituitary axis during CPB. It is also possible that cardiac standstill altered the left atrial non-osmotic receptor function and suppressed ADH release. Therefore, we suggest that central DI is a possible cause of polyuria after CPB.
Adult ; Antidiuretic Agents/therapeutic use ; Coronary Artery Bypass/*adverse effects ; Coronary Vessels ; Deamino Arginine Vasopressin/therapeutic use ; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic/*diagnosis/drug therapy/etiology ; Humans ; Hypothalamus/radionuclide imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Pituitary Gland/radionuclide imaging ; Polyuria/diagnosis/etiology ; Postoperative Complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy/etiology

Stem cells have attracted much attention due to their distinct features that support infinite self-renewal and differentiation into the cellular derivatives of three lineages. Recent studies have suggested that many stem cells both embryonic and adult stem cells reside in a specialized niche defined by hypoxic condition. In this respect, distinguishing functional differences arising from the oxygen concentration is important in understanding the nature of stem cells and in controlling stem cell fate for therapeutic purposes. ROS act as cellular signaling molecules involved in the propagation of signaling and the translation of environmental cues into cellular responses to maintain cellular homeostasis, which is mediated by the coordination of various cellular processes, and to adapt cellular activity to available bioenergetic sources. Thus, in this review, we describe the physiological role of ROS in stem cell fate and its effect on the metabolic regulation of stem cells.
Adult Stem Cells ; Cues ; Energy Metabolism ; Glucose ; Homeostasis ; Metabolism* ; Oxygen ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Stem Cells*

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases of chronic dialysis patients are often undertreated because of their higher surgical risk. This study aimed to assess mortality and morbidity after open heart surgery in chronic dialysis patients compared to those with normal renal function and identify risk factors for postoperative outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 2,432 patients who underwent open heart surgery from 2002 to 2017 and collected data from 116 patients (38 patients on dialysis and 78 age-, sex-, and diabetes mellitus status-matched control patients with normal kidney function). We assessed comorbidities, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, laboratory data, surgical methods, and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: The dialysis group had more comorbidities, higher NYHA classes, and greater need for urgent surgeries compared to the control group. They exhibited significantly higher postoperative mortality (18.4% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.005) and more overall complications (65.8% vs. 25.6%, P < 0.001). Dialysis itself significantly increased relative risk for in-hospital mortality after adjustment. EuroSCORE II was not as useful as in the general population. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that total (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 10.7; P = 0.029) and in-hospital death risk (AOR, 14.7; P = 0.033), the durations of postoperative hospitalization (AOR, 4.6; P = 0.034), CRRT (AOR 36.8; P = 0.004), and ventilator use (AOR, 7.6; P = 0.022) were significantly increased in the dialysis group. CONCLUSION: The dialysis group exhibited a higher risk for mortality and overcall complications after open heart surgery compared to the patients with normal renal function. Therefore, the benefit of surgical treatment must be balanced against potential risks.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Comorbidity ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dialysis ; Heart ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Logistic Models ; Mortality ; Odds Ratio ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thoracic Surgery ; Ventilators, Mechanical