Background: The benefits of transradial access (TRA) over transfemoral access (TFA) for bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are uncertain because of the limited availability of device selection. This study aimed to compare the procedural differences and the in-hospital and long-term outcomes of TRA and TFA for bifurcation PCI using secondgeneration drug-eluting stents (DESs). Methods: Based on data from the Coronary Bifurcation Stenting Registry III, a retrospective registry of 2,648 patients undergoing bifurcation PCI with second-generation DES from 21 centers in South Korea, patients were categorized into the TRA group (n = 1,507) or the TFA group (n = 1,141). After propensity score matching (PSM), procedural differences, in-hospital outcomes, and device-oriented composite outcomes (DOCOs; a composite of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization) were compared between the two groups (772 matched patients each group). Results: Despite well-balanced baseline clinical and lesion characteristics after PSM, the use of the two-stent strategy (14.2% vs. 23.7%, P = 0.001) and the incidence of in-hospital adverse outcomes, primarily driven by access site complications (2.2% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.015), were significantly lower in the TRA group than in the TFA group. At the 5-year follow-up, the incidence of DOCOs was similar between the groups (6.3% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.639). Conclusion The findings suggested that TRA may be safer than TFA for bifurcation PCI using second-generation DESs. Despite differences in treatment strategy, TRA was associated with similar long-term clinical outcomes as those of TFA. Therefore, TRA might be the preferred access for bifurcation PCI using second-generation DES.

This report presents the latest statistics on the stroke population in South Korea, sourced from the Clinical Research Collaborations for Stroke in Korea-National Institute for Health (CRCS-K-NIH), a comprehensive, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry. The Korean cohort, unlike western populations, shows a male-to-female ratio of 1.5, attributed to lower risk factors in Korean women. The average ages for men and women are 67 and 73 years, respectively.Hypertension is the most common risk factor (67%), consistent with global trends, but there is a higher prevalence of diabetes (35%) and smoking (21%). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (19%) is lower than in western populations, suggesting effective prevention strategies in the general population. A high incidence of large artery atherosclerosis (38%) is observed, likely due to prevalent intracranial arterial disease in East Asians and advanced imaging techniques.There has been a decrease in intravenous thrombolysis rates, from 12% in 2017–2019 to 10% in 2021, with no improvements in door-to-needle and door-to-puncture times, worsened by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. While the use of aspirin plus clopidogrel for noncardioembolic stroke and direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation is well-established, the application of direct oral anticoagulants for non-atrial fibrillation cardioembolic strokes in the acute phase requires further research. The incidence of early neurological deterioration (13%) and the cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke at 3 months (3%) align with global figures. Favorable outcomes at 3 months (63%) are comparable internationally, yet the lack of improvement in dependency at 3 months highlights the need for advancements in acute stroke care.

Objective: The Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) is a relatively specific test for bipolar disorders designed to assess the main functioning problems experienced by patients. This brief instrument includes 24 items assessing impairment or disability in 6 domains of functioning: autonomy, occupational functioning, cognitive functioning, financial issues, interpersonal relationships, and leisure time. It has already been translated into standardized versions in several languages. The aim of this study is to measure the validity and reliability of the Korean version of FAST (K-FAST). Methods: A total of 209 bipolar disorder patients were recruited from 14 centers in Korea. K-FAST, Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF) were administered, and psychometric analysis of the K-FAST was conducted. Results: The internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) of the K-FAST was 0.95. Test-retest reliability analysis showed a strong correlation between the two measures assessed at a 1-week interval (ICC = 0.97; p ＜ 0.001). The K-FAST exhibited significant correlations with GAF (r = −0.771), WHOQOL-BREF (r = −0.326), YMRS (r = 0.509) and BDRS (r = 0.598). A strong negative correlation with GAF pointed to a reasonable degree of concurrent validity. Although the exploratory factor analysis showed four factors, the confirmatory factor analysis of questionnaires had a good fit for a six factors model (CFI = 0.925; TLI = 0.912; RMSEA = 0.078). Conclusion The K-FAST has good psychometric properties, good internal consistency, and can be applicable and acceptable to the Korean context.

Objective: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one’s physical health and quality of life as its severity increases. Therefore, proper assessment and management of dysphagia are critical for improving swallowing function and preventing complications. Thus a guideline was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment and management in patients with dysphagia. Methods: Nineteen key questions on dysphagia were developed. These questions dealt with various aspects of problems related to dysphagia, including assessment, management, and complications. A literature search for relevant articles was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and one domestic database of KoreaMed, until April 2021. The level of evidence and recommendation grade were established according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Results: Early screening and assessment of videofluoroscopic swallowing were recommended for assessing the presence of dysphagia. Therapeutic methods, such as tongue and pharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with swallowing therapy, were effective in improving swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Nutritional intervention and an oral care program were also recommended. Conclusion This guideline presents recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, including rehabilitative strategies.

Background: Total cholesterol concentration measurement is important in the diagnosis of dyslipidemia and evaluation of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Measurement reliability for obtaining an accurate total cholesterol concentration requires procedure standardization. We evaluated the standardization status for total cholesterol concentration measurement through Korean external quality assessment (EQA) data analysis. Methods: This study involved 1,670 laboratories that participated in the EQA of total cholesterol concentration measurements in 2019 for 32 products from different manufacturers. The target concentrations of three quality control (QC) materials (samples A, B, and C) were measured using the reference method and compared with EQA data. The performance criteria for total cholesterol concentration measurement were based on the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines, with ± 3% inaccuracy. Results: The target values and inaccuracies of the QC material based on the reference method measurements were 254.65 ± 7.64, 108.30 ± 3.25, and 256.29 ± 7.69 mg/dL (6.59 ± 0.20, 2.80 ± 0.08, and 6.63 ± 0.20 mmol/L) for samples A, B, and C, respectively.The performance criteria were not met in 42.7% laboratories for sample A, 68.4% of laboratories for sample B, and 38.0% laboratories for sample C. Conclusions Despite significant efforts to accurately measure total cholesterol concentrations, further actions are needed for measurement standardization. Manufacturers reporting values that differ from target values should check calibrator traceability; additional efforts to accurately measure total cholesterol concentrations are required for laboratories that use products from these manufacturers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although anticoagulation with warfarin is recommended as an international normalized ratio (INR) of prothrombin time between 2.0 and 3.0 and mean time in the therapeutic range (TTR) ≥70%, little has been proven that universal criteria might be suitable in Korean atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.METHODS: We analyzed 710 patients with non-valvular AF who took warfarin. INR value and clinical outcomes were assessed during 2-year follow-up. Intensity of anticoagulation was assessed as mean INR value and TTR according to target INR range. Primary net-clinical outcome was defined as the composite of new-onset stroke and major bleeding. Secondary net-clinical outcome was defined as the composite of new-onset stroke, major bleeding and death.RESULTS: Thromboembolism was significantly decreased when mean INR was over 1.6. Major bleeding was significantly decreased when TTR was over 70% and mean INR was less than 2.6. Mean INR 1.6–2.6 significantly reduced thromboembolism (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19–0.85), major bleeding (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.23–0.81), primary (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.29–0.84) and secondary (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.28–0.74) net-clinical outcomes, whereas mean INR 2.0–3.0 did not. Simultaneous satisfaction of mean INR 1.6–2.6 and TTR ≥70% was associated with significant risk reduction of major bleeding, primary and secondary net-clinical outcomes.CONCLUSIONS: Mean INR 1.6–2.6 was better than mean INR 2.0–3.0 for the prevention of thromboembolism and major bleeding. However, INR 1.6–2.6 and TTR ≥70% had similar clinical outcomes to INR 2.0–3.0 and TTR ≥70% in Korean patients with non-valvular AF.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; International Normalized Ratio ; Prothrombin Time ; Risk Reduction Behavior ; Stroke ; Thromboembolism ; Warfarin

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although anticoagulation with warfarin is recommended as an international normalized ratio (INR) of prothrombin time between 2.0 and 3.0 and mean time in the therapeutic range (TTR) ≥70%, little has been proven that universal criteria might be suitable in Korean atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. METHODS: We analyzed 710 patients with non-valvular AF who took warfarin. INR value and clinical outcomes were assessed during 2-year follow-up. Intensity of anticoagulation was assessed as mean INR value and TTR according to target INR range. Primary net-clinical outcome was defined as the composite of new-onset stroke and major bleeding. Secondary net-clinical outcome was defined as the composite of new-onset stroke, major bleeding and death. RESULTS: Thromboembolism was significantly decreased when mean INR was over 1.6. Major bleeding was significantly decreased when TTR was over 70% and mean INR was less than 2.6. Mean INR 1.6–2.6 significantly reduced thromboembolism (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19–0.85), major bleeding (HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.23–0.81), primary (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.29–0.84) and secondary (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.28–0.74) net-clinical outcomes, whereas mean INR 2.0–3.0 did not. Simultaneous satisfaction of mean INR 1.6–2.6 and TTR ≥70% was associated with significant risk reduction of major bleeding, primary and secondary net-clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Mean INR 1.6–2.6 was better than mean INR 2.0–3.0 for the prevention of thromboembolism and major bleeding. However, INR 1.6–2.6 and TTR ≥70% had similar clinical outcomes to INR 2.0–3.0 and TTR ≥70% in Korean patients with non-valvular AF.

Refractory status asthmaticus represents the most severe clinical presentations of asthma, and it is typically associated with the presence of hypoxemia, hypercapnia, lactic acidosis, dynamic hyperventilation and altered state of consciousness. Several case reports have demonstrated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as an alternative treatment method for patients with status asthmaticus that failed to respond to maximal conventional therapy. We experienced a case of pregnant woman with severe asthma attack not relieved by conventional treatment, in whom early administration of ECMO resulted in a good outcome. A 23-year-old woman at, 11 weeks of pregnancy, was admitted with acute asthma attack. Despite maximal rescue therapies with mechanical ventilation, her condition gradually deteriorated. Venovenous ECMO was initiated 4 hours from intubation and gas exchange with lung mechanics was rapidly recovered within hours. She was extubated 45 hours after initiation of ECMO and had successful weaning from ECMO 2 days after extubation. The patient had no complication and gave birth to a healthy baby at 37 weeks of gestation. This is the first case report in Korea on the successful use of ECMO in a pregnant woman with severe respiratory insufficiency due to status asthmaticus, who failed to respond to mechanical ventilation and maximum pharmacological treatment. Early ECMO application is a useful treatment option for patients with refractory status asthmaticus refractory to conventional therapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levelsin improving the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the predictionof pathologic response after the neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) for patients with rectalcancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 524 rectal cancer patients who underwentNCRT and total mesorectal excision between January 2009 and December 2014. Theperformances of MRI with or without CEA parameters (initial CEA and CEA dynamics) forprediction of pathologic tumor response grade (pTRG) were compared by receiver-operatingcharacteristic analysis with DeLong’s method. Cox regression was used to identify the independentfactors associated to pTRG and disease-free survival (DFS) after NCRT. Results: The median follow-up was 64.0 months (range, 3.0 to 113.0 months). On multivariate analysis,poor tumor regression grade on MRI (mrTRG; p < 0.001), initial CEA (p < 0.001) andthe mesorectal fascia involvement on MRI before NCRT (mrMFI; p=0.054) showed associationwith poor pTRG. The mrTRG plus CEA parameters showed significantly improved performancesin the prediction of pTRG than mrTRG alone. All of mrTRG, mrMFI, and initial CEAwere also identified as independent factors associated with DFS. The initial CEA further discriminatedDFS in the subgroups with good mrTRG or that without mrMFI. Conclusion The CEA parameters significantly improved the performance of MRI in the prediction ofpTRG after NCRT for patients with rectal cancer. The DFS was further discriminated by initialCEA level in the groups with favorable MRI parameters.