Background and Objectives: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) increases the risk of sudden cardiac death. Despite international guidelines for sudden death prevention and implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) use, clinical practices vary. This study assessed the practices and opinions of Korean cardiologists on HCM management, focusing on ICD use and reimbursement policies. Methods: A structured electronic survey was distributed to members of the Korean Society of Cardiology, covering HCM management, ICD preferences, and reimbursement policies. Results: A total of 119 cardiologists participated, with most being arrhythmia specialists (56.3%) and university professors (81.5%). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and genetic testing were underutilized (30.3% and 11.8%, respectively). Beta-blocker-refractory premature ventricular complexes were primarily managed with continued medical therapy (77.3%). ICD preferences varied by physician specialty and patient age, with subcutaneous ICDs preferred in younger patients and dual-chamber ICDs in older patients. Nearly half of respondents believed ICD reimbursement criteria required revision. Conclusions Significant variability in HCM management exists among Korean cardiologists, influenced by restrictive reimbursement criteria rather than clinical guidelines. Updated reimbursement policies and improved access to advanced diagnostics are needed to align with international standards and optimize patient care.

OBJECTIVE: High cholesterol level is a risk factor for coronary artery disease, and coronary artery disease is a major risk factor for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the effect of cholesterol level on outcomes of OHCA has been poorly studied. This study aimed to determine the effect of cholesterol level on outcomes of OHCA.METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the CAPTURES (Cardiac Arrest Pursuit Trial with Unique Registration and Epidemiologic Surveillance) project database in Korea. Multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the effect of cholesterol level on outcomes in OHCA.RESULTS: In all, 584 cases of OHCA were analyzed; those with cholesterol levels <120 mg/dL were classified as having low total cholesterol (TC) (n=197), those with levels ranging from 120–199 mg/dL as middle TC (n=322), and those with ≥200 mg/dL as high TC (n=65). Compared to low TC, more patients with middle TC and high TC survived to discharge (9.1% vs. 22.0% and 26.2%, respectively, P=0.001). The good cerebral performance category also increased in that order (4.1 % vs. 14.6% and 23.1%, respectively, P≤0.001). Comparing middle TC and high TC with low TC, adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 1.97 (1.06 to 3.64) and 2.53 (1.08 to 5.92) for survival to discharge, respectively, and 2.53 (1.07 to 5.98) and 4.73 (1.63 to 13.71) for good neurological recovery, respectively.CONCLUSION: Higher cholesterol is associated with better outcomes in OHCA; cholesterol level is a good predictor of outcomes of OHCA.
Cholesterol ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Odds Ratio ; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the demographic characteristics and trauma service structures and processes of hospitals in 15 countries across the Asia Pacific, and to provide baseline data for the integrated trauma database: the Pan-Asian Trauma Outcomes Study (PATOS).METHODS: Medical directors and emergency physicians at PATOS-participating hospitals in countries across the Asia Pacific were surveyed through a standardized questionnaire. General information, trauma care system data, and trauma emergency department (ED) outcomes at each hospital were collected by email and analyzed using descriptive statistics.RESULTS: Survey data from 35 hospitals across 15 countries were collected from archived data between June 2014 and July 2015. Designated trauma centers were identified as the highest hospital level for trauma patients in 70% of surveyed countries. Half of the hospitals surveyed had special teams for trauma care, and almost all prepared activation protocol documents for these teams. Most hospitals offered specialized trauma education programs, and 72.7% of hospitals had a hospital-based trauma registry. The total number of trauma patients visiting the ED across 25 of the hospitals was 300,376. The overall survival-to-discharge rate was 97.2%; however, it varied greatly between 85.1% and 99.7%. The difference between survival-to-discharge rates of moderate and severe injury groups was highest in Taiwan (41.8%) and lowest in Thailand (18.6%).CONCLUSION: Trauma care systems and ED outcomes vary widely among surveyed hospitals and countries. This information is useful to build further detailed, systematic platforms for trauma surveillance and evidence-based trauma care policies.
Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Electronic Mail ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Physician Executives ; Taiwan ; Thailand ; Trauma Centers

Development of a competence-based curriculum is important. This study aimed to develop competence assessment tools in emergency medicine and use it to assess competence of Cameroonian healthcare professionals. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Through literature review, expert survey, and discrimination tests, we developed a self-survey questionnaire and a scenario-based competence assessment tool for assessing clinical knowledge and self-confidence to perform clinical practices or procedures. The self-survey consisted of 23 domains and 94 questionnaires on a 5-point Likert scale. Objective scenario-based competence assessment tool was used to validate the self-survey results for five life-threatening diseases presenting frequently in emergency rooms of Cameroon. Response rate of the self-survey was 82.6%. In this first half of competence assessment, knowledge of infectious disease had the highest score (4.6 ± 0.4) followed by obstetrics and gynecology (4.2 ± 0.6) and hematology and oncology (4.2 ± 0.5); in contrast, respondents rated the lowest score in the domains of disaster, abuse and assault, and psychiatric and behavior disorder (all of mean 2.8). In the scenario-based test, knowledge of multiple trauma had the highest score (4.3 ± 1.2) followed by anaphylaxis (3.4 ± 1.4), diabetic ketoacidosis (3.3 ± 1.0), ST-elevation myocardial infarction (2.5 ± 1.4), and septic shock (2.2 ± 1.1). Mean difference between the self-survey and scenario-based test was statistically insignificant (mean, −0.02; 95% confidence interval, −0.41 to 0.36), and agreement rate was 58.3%. Both evaluation tools showed a moderate correlation, and the study population had relatively low competence for specific aspects of emergency medicine and clinical procedures and skills.
Anaphylaxis ; Cameroon* ; Communicable Diseases ; Curriculum ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Developing Countries ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Disasters ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medicine* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Gynecology ; Hematology ; Mental Competency* ; Multiple Trauma ; Myocardial Infarction ; Obstetrics ; Professional Competence ; Shock, Septic ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Recent studies report that nursing home elderly (NHE) have significantly lower serum levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OHD) than community dwelling elderly (CDE); however, in Korea such studies are lacking. We aimed to compare the vitamin D status between NHE and CDE in Korea. METHODS: This study included 203 patients over 65 years, admitted to the geriatric department of Seoul Medical Center between 01/2015 and 12/2015. Their medical records were reviewed for demographic data, type of residence, medical and drug history, serum 25-OHD, albumin, creatinine, and calcium levels, and geriatric assessment results. After excluding 36 subjects who had taken vitamin D supplements, anticonvulsants, or steroids, 33 NHE and 134 CDE were included for final analysis. RESULTS: Almost 80% of subjects showed a vitamin D deficiency (25-OHD <20 ng/mL); 54% were severely deficient (25-OHD <10 ng/mL). NHE had a significantly lower serum 25-OHD level than CDE (5.47±2.95 ng/mL vs. 14.72±11.35 ng/mL, p<0.001). Serum 25-OHD level was related to serum albumin level, the Geriatric Depression Scale score, and the Korean version of the Mini Mental State Examination score (p=0.004, p=0.041, p=0.032, respectively). After adjustment for confounding factors using multiple logistic regression analysis, diagnosis of severe vitamin D deficiency was more likely in NHE than CDE (odds ratio, 8.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-49.81). CONCLUSION: This study suggests a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Korean NHE. To prevent falls and osteoporotic fractures in this population, vitamin D supplementation should be considered.
Accidental Falls ; Aged* ; Anticonvulsants ; Calcium ; Creatinine ; Depression ; Diagnosis ; Geriatric Assessment ; Humans ; Independent Living ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Nursing Homes* ; Nursing* ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Prevalence ; Seoul ; Serum Albumin ; Steroids ; Vitamin D Deficiency* ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

Chondrosarcoma is a rare entity of malignant tumor which arises from cartilaginous tissue, and the literatures on this disease are scarce. The first-line of treatment for cardiac chondrosarcoma is surgery. Due to early local recurrence and distant metastasis, the prognosis is poor even after complete surgical excision. We present a case of chondrosarcoma in the left atrium causing functional mitral stenosis which required urgent surgical intervention, and the successful treatment outcome.
Chondrosarcoma* ; Heart Atria ; Heart Neoplasms ; Heart* ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasms, Connective Tissue ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: Genetic imaging is used to investigate the mechanism by which genetic variants influence brain structure. In a previous study, a structural change of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was associated with symptom modulation in post-traumatic stress disorder patients. This study examined the effect of a polymorphism in the gene encoding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on regional gray matter (GM) volumes and the correlations between the dorsolateral prefrontal GM volume and the stress level in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Sixty-one volunteers underwent genotyping for the BDNF Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and completed the Stress Response Inventory (SRI). Magnetic resonance images were also acquired, and the effect of each subject's BDNF genotype and SRI subscore on his or her dorsolateral prefrontal GM volume was evaluated. RESULTS: The Val/Val homozygotes had significantly larger GM volumes in the prefrontal cortex and the precuneus, the uncus, and the superior temporal and occipital cortices than Met carriers. The Met homozygotes demonstrated a higher stress response in depression domain than Val/Val and Val/Met groups. A negative correlation between the middle frontal cortex GM volume and the SRI depression subscore was found. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate an interaction between genes and brain structure, and they suggest that differences in dorsolateral prefrontal GM volume related to the BDNF Val66Met SNP are associated with resilience to stressful life events, particularly in the dimension of emotion.
Brain ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Depression ; Genotype ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

OBJECTIVE: The functional strategic mechanisms in the brain during performing visuospatial working memory tasks, especially tasks with heavy load, are controversial. We conducted the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while sixteen subjects were performing face- and location-matching n-back tasks to examine causal relations within the frontoparietal networks. METHODS: We applied a sophisticated method, the structural equation modeling (SEM), to the fMRI data. The imaging data were analyzed by extracting the task-related eigenseries using the principal component analysis (PCA) and then by applying a form of data-driven model called the automated search method. RESULTS: The SEM analyses revealed a functional shift of network connectivity from the right to the left hemisphere with increasing load in the face-matching n-back tasks while the location-matching tasks required bilateral activation. In the locating matching n-back tasks, a pattern of parallel processing was observed in the left phonological loop and the right inferior parietal regions. Furthermore, object working memory-related activities in the left hemisphere reliably contributed to performance of both the face- and location-matching 2-back tasks. CONCLUSION: Our results are consistent with previous reports in terms of demonstrating parallel and distributed information processing during performing working memory tasks with heavy loads. Our results additionally suggest a dynamic shift between the fast imagery circuit (right hemisphere) and the stable verbal circuit (left hemisphere), depending on task load.
Automatic Data Processing ; Brain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Memory, Short-Term ; Principal Component Analysis

Endovascular stent graft placement in Stanford type B aortic dissection has increased as a result of the demonstration of its safety and efficacy. Despite the advantage of reduced mortality and morbidity, the mid-to long-term prognosis and possible complications associated with the procedure are a source of concern. Among the many possible complications, retrograde type A dissection after stent grafting for type B dissection is considered rare; however, this life-threatening event appears to be underrecognized. Here, we report a case that converted to open surgery due to a retrograde type A dissection after endovascular stent graft placement for a Stanford type B dissection. This is the first report of a retrograde type A dissection after endovascular stent graft placement in Korea.
Aortic Diseases ; Imidazoles ; Korea ; Nitro Compounds ; Prognosis ; Stents ; Transplants

Elective surgical repair has traditionally been considered to be the treatment of choice for the exclusion of isolated iliac artery aneurysms (IAAs). Recently, endovascular repair has evolved as an alternative to surgical repair, especially in patients at high surgical risk. However, in the absence of sufficient proximal necks, iliac artery aneurysms are not suitable for direct deployment of a tubular-shaped endograft. Here we report two cases of IAAs with short proximal necks that were excluded using an endovascular bifurcated stent-graft. The bifurcated stent-graft was successfully deployed with complete exclusion of the aneurysm. In neither case was there evidence of procedural failures. There were no signs of significant complications. We conclude that endovascular repair of IAAs with short proximal necks is feasible and efficient using an endovascular bifurcated stent-graft.
Aneurysm ; Angioplasty ; Humans ; Iliac Aneurysm ; Iliac Artery ; Neck ; Stents