Background/Aims: Endoscopic anti-reflux therapy is a therapeutic option for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), providing durable effects. However, clinical data from Korea remain limited. This study evaluates the clinical outcomes of endoscopic radiofrequency Stretta therapy in Korean patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 71 patients with GERD who underwent Stretta therapy at 2 tertiary hospitals in Korea between November 2015 and July 2021. Clinical outcomes, including patient satisfaction, medication cessation or reduction, and complications, were evaluated. Pre- and post-procedural esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring test results were also analyzed. Results: Patient satisfaction rates at 1, 6, and 12 months post-procedure were 54.7% (35/64), 70.0% (28/40), and 75.0% (21/28), respectively. Medication cessation or reduction was achieved in 31.2% (20/64) at 1 month, 70.0% (28/40) at 6 months, and 67.9% (19/28) at 12 months. Esophageal manometry (n = 21) showed no significant changes in mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure (18.7 mmHg [2.5-52.9] vs 17.4 mmHg [0.0-43.0], P = 0.702) or mean integrated relaxation pressure (8.2 mmHg [0.0-28.0] vs 10.1 mmHg [0.0-31.0], P = 0.840). The 24-hour pH monitoring (n = 18) demonstrated a nonsignificant decrease in acid exposure time (pH < 4) from 2.3% (0.0-8.4) to 1.6% (0.0-7.3) (P = 0.182). Similarly, the DeMeester score decreased non-significantly from 8.4 (0.8-27.7) to 6.6 (0.8-21.8) (P = 0.352). No procedure-related complications occurred. Conclusion Endoscopic radiofrequency Stretta therapy appears to be a safe treatment option for GERD and may provide favorable patient satisfaction and medication reduction.

Limited data exist regarding the real-world practices and clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEFs).Using nationwide registry data from South Korea, we aimed to investigate long-term outcomes and clinical practices, especially implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) implantation, in patients with reduced LVEFs at least 40 days after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Of 13,056 patients with AMI between 2011 and 2015, we analyzed 350 (median age, 66 years [interquartile range, 56-75]) who had LVEFs <40% on follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram 40 days after the index event. The primary outcome was cardiac-cause mortality at 3 years. Secondary outcomes comprised major cardiovascular events as well as outcomes defined by the use of ICDs, cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds), and electrophysiology studies. Among 350 patients, 39 (11.1%) died from cardiac causes during 3 years of follow-up. Eleven (3.1%) were hospitalized for ventricular tachycardia. The rate of ICD or CRT-D implantation up to 3 years was 5.7% (20/350). Cox time-to-event analysis revealed older age, LVEF <30%, diabetes mellitus, and previous MI or revascularization as positively associated with cardiac death, whereas the use of statins and body weight <67 kg were negatively associated. This nationwide Korean registry demonstrated that only 5.7% of patients who had reduced LVEFs after 40 days of AMI underwent ICD implantations over 3 years. Considering the high mortality, concerted efforts are needed to improve clinical outcomes for patients who may have been candidates for ICD implantation.

Background: The heart donor allocation system in South Korea is divided into three regions, with priority given to recipients within the same region over those in other regions of the same tier. It is commonly believed that heart transplantation (HT) within the same region can reduce ischemic time (IT), although its clinical impact remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics and outcomes of intra-region HT and inter-region HT. Methods: From 2014 to 2022, a total of 115 adult patients underwent isolated HT at a tertiary hospital. Of these, 58 recipients (54.5 ± 10.3 years, female, 36.2%) underwent intra-region HT and 57 recipients (53.9 ± 14.1 years, female, 31.6%) underwent inter-region HT. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-bridged HTs accounted for 50.0% and 54.4% of cases, respectively (P = 0.638). There were no differences in preoperative characteristics between the two groups. Results: The median inter-hospital distance (38.0 [32.0–112.0] km vs. 351.0 [300.0–390.5] km, P < 0.001) and total IT (153 [123–170] minute vs. 265 [243–298] minute, P < 0.001) were longer in the inter-region group than intra-region group. Despite these differences, both groups showed similar clinical outcomes. The 30-day mortality rates were 5.2% and 5.3% (P < 0.99), respectively. There were no differences in postoperative cardiac index, early adverse outcomes, or long-term survival between the two groups. The inter-hospital distance and cold IT showed a strong positive correlation (time [minute] = 39.462 + 0.410 × distance [km]). Conclusion Despite the difference in IT, there was no difference in postoperative outcomes between the two groups. Based on these findings, the effect of donor location on the outcomes of HT in South Korea is not considered significant.

Background: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant/ rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data of notified people with tuberculosis between July 2018 and December 2021 were retrieved from the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort database. MDR/RR-TB was further categorized according to isoniazid susceptibility as follows: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB), and RR-TB if susceptibility to isoniazid was unknown. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with MDR/RR-TB. Results: Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of MDR/RR-TB cases among all TB cases and TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results was 2.1% (502/24,447). The proportions of MDR/RR-TB and MDR-TB cases among TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results were 3.3% (502/15,071) and 1.9% (292/15,071), respectively. Among all cases of rifampicin resistance, 31.7% (159/502) were RMR-TB and 10.2% (51/502) were RR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age, foreigners, and prior tuberculosis history were significantly associated with MDR/ RR-TB. Conclusion Rapid identification of rifampicin resistance targeting the high-risk populations, such as younger generations, foreign-born individuals, and previously treated patients are necessary for patient-centered care.

Background: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant/ rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data of notified people with tuberculosis between July 2018 and December 2021 were retrieved from the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort database. MDR/RR-TB was further categorized according to isoniazid susceptibility as follows: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB), and RR-TB if susceptibility to isoniazid was unknown. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with MDR/RR-TB. Results: Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of MDR/RR-TB cases among all TB cases and TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results was 2.1% (502/24,447). The proportions of MDR/RR-TB and MDR-TB cases among TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results were 3.3% (502/15,071) and 1.9% (292/15,071), respectively. Among all cases of rifampicin resistance, 31.7% (159/502) were RMR-TB and 10.2% (51/502) were RR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age, foreigners, and prior tuberculosis history were significantly associated with MDR/ RR-TB. Conclusion Rapid identification of rifampicin resistance targeting the high-risk populations, such as younger generations, foreign-born individuals, and previously treated patients are necessary for patient-centered care.

Background: The heart donor allocation system in South Korea is divided into three regions, with priority given to recipients within the same region over those in other regions of the same tier. It is commonly believed that heart transplantation (HT) within the same region can reduce ischemic time (IT), although its clinical impact remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics and outcomes of intra-region HT and inter-region HT. Methods: From 2014 to 2022, a total of 115 adult patients underwent isolated HT at a tertiary hospital. Of these, 58 recipients (54.5 ± 10.3 years, female, 36.2%) underwent intra-region HT and 57 recipients (53.9 ± 14.1 years, female, 31.6%) underwent inter-region HT. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-bridged HTs accounted for 50.0% and 54.4% of cases, respectively (P = 0.638). There were no differences in preoperative characteristics between the two groups. Results: The median inter-hospital distance (38.0 [32.0–112.0] km vs. 351.0 [300.0–390.5] km, P < 0.001) and total IT (153 [123–170] minute vs. 265 [243–298] minute, P < 0.001) were longer in the inter-region group than intra-region group. Despite these differences, both groups showed similar clinical outcomes. The 30-day mortality rates were 5.2% and 5.3% (P < 0.99), respectively. There were no differences in postoperative cardiac index, early adverse outcomes, or long-term survival between the two groups. The inter-hospital distance and cold IT showed a strong positive correlation (time [minute] = 39.462 + 0.410 × distance [km]). Conclusion Despite the difference in IT, there was no difference in postoperative outcomes between the two groups. Based on these findings, the effect of donor location on the outcomes of HT in South Korea is not considered significant.

Background: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant/ rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data of notified people with tuberculosis between July 2018 and December 2021 were retrieved from the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort database. MDR/RR-TB was further categorized according to isoniazid susceptibility as follows: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB), and RR-TB if susceptibility to isoniazid was unknown. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with MDR/RR-TB. Results: Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of MDR/RR-TB cases among all TB cases and TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results was 2.1% (502/24,447). The proportions of MDR/RR-TB and MDR-TB cases among TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results were 3.3% (502/15,071) and 1.9% (292/15,071), respectively. Among all cases of rifampicin resistance, 31.7% (159/502) were RMR-TB and 10.2% (51/502) were RR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age, foreigners, and prior tuberculosis history were significantly associated with MDR/ RR-TB. Conclusion Rapid identification of rifampicin resistance targeting the high-risk populations, such as younger generations, foreign-born individuals, and previously treated patients are necessary for patient-centered care.

Background: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant/ rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data of notified people with tuberculosis between July 2018 and December 2021 were retrieved from the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort database. MDR/RR-TB was further categorized according to isoniazid susceptibility as follows: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB), and RR-TB if susceptibility to isoniazid was unknown. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with MDR/RR-TB. Results: Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of MDR/RR-TB cases among all TB cases and TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results was 2.1% (502/24,447). The proportions of MDR/RR-TB and MDR-TB cases among TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results were 3.3% (502/15,071) and 1.9% (292/15,071), respectively. Among all cases of rifampicin resistance, 31.7% (159/502) were RMR-TB and 10.2% (51/502) were RR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age, foreigners, and prior tuberculosis history were significantly associated with MDR/ RR-TB. Conclusion Rapid identification of rifampicin resistance targeting the high-risk populations, such as younger generations, foreign-born individuals, and previously treated patients are necessary for patient-centered care.

Background: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of multidrug-resistant/ rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Data of notified people with tuberculosis between July 2018 and December 2021 were retrieved from the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort database. MDR/RR-TB was further categorized according to isoniazid susceptibility as follows: multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), rifampicin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB), and RR-TB if susceptibility to isoniazid was unknown. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with MDR/RR-TB. Results: Between 2018 and 2021, the proportion of MDR/RR-TB cases among all TB cases and TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results was 2.1% (502/24,447). The proportions of MDR/RR-TB and MDR-TB cases among TB cases with known drug susceptibility test results were 3.3% (502/15,071) and 1.9% (292/15,071), respectively. Among all cases of rifampicin resistance, 31.7% (159/502) were RMR-TB and 10.2% (51/502) were RR-TB. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that younger age, foreigners, and prior tuberculosis history were significantly associated with MDR/ RR-TB. Conclusion Rapid identification of rifampicin resistance targeting the high-risk populations, such as younger generations, foreign-born individuals, and previously treated patients are necessary for patient-centered care.

Background: The heart donor allocation system in South Korea is divided into three regions, with priority given to recipients within the same region over those in other regions of the same tier. It is commonly believed that heart transplantation (HT) within the same region can reduce ischemic time (IT), although its clinical impact remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics and outcomes of intra-region HT and inter-region HT. Methods: From 2014 to 2022, a total of 115 adult patients underwent isolated HT at a tertiary hospital. Of these, 58 recipients (54.5 ± 10.3 years, female, 36.2%) underwent intra-region HT and 57 recipients (53.9 ± 14.1 years, female, 31.6%) underwent inter-region HT. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-bridged HTs accounted for 50.0% and 54.4% of cases, respectively (P = 0.638). There were no differences in preoperative characteristics between the two groups. Results: The median inter-hospital distance (38.0 [32.0–112.0] km vs. 351.0 [300.0–390.5] km, P < 0.001) and total IT (153 [123–170] minute vs. 265 [243–298] minute, P < 0.001) were longer in the inter-region group than intra-region group. Despite these differences, both groups showed similar clinical outcomes. The 30-day mortality rates were 5.2% and 5.3% (P < 0.99), respectively. There were no differences in postoperative cardiac index, early adverse outcomes, or long-term survival between the two groups. The inter-hospital distance and cold IT showed a strong positive correlation (time [minute] = 39.462 + 0.410 × distance [km]). Conclusion Despite the difference in IT, there was no difference in postoperative outcomes between the two groups. Based on these findings, the effect of donor location on the outcomes of HT in South Korea is not considered significant.