This descriptive survey study aimed to assess the impact of applying a restraint algorithm on intensive care unit (ICU) nurses’ attitudes, clinical practices, and perceived ethical dilemmas related to restraint use. The study included 159 ICU nurses from two hospitals affiliated with C University in Seoul, surveyed between 15 December 2023 and 15 January 2024. Participants were divided into two groups: Group A, in which the restraint algorithm was applied, and Group B, in which it was not.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, a one-way ANOVA, Scheffé’s test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients, with the SPSS/WIN 29.0 program. There was no significant effect of the physical restraint algorithm on nurses’ attitudes or practices. However, nurses in the algorithm group reported higher levels of perceived ethical dilemmas related to restraint use (t=2.07, p=.040). Additionally, nurses with more positive attitudes toward physical restraints were more likely to experience ethical dilemmas (r=0.44, p<.001). The findings of this study suggest that applying a restraint algorithm may be associated with increased perception of ethical dilemmas related to its use among nurses. Therefore, it is important to develop and implement consistent guidelines for restraint use as well as support programs to help ICU nurses address those dilemmas.

The impact of age on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients is not clearly understood. Using data from the Korean Renal Data System (2001–2022), we analyzed 66,129 HD patients, stratified into young (<65 years, n = 24,589), younger-old (65–74 years, n = 17,732), and older-old (≥75 years, n = 23,808) groups. Patients were categorized into BMI quartiles, and survival outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and event time ratios for the relative change in the survival time. During the follow-up period, 14,360 of the patients (21.7%) died, with a median follow-up of 3.4 years. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed poorer outcomes in lower BMI quartiles across all age groups. The lowest BMI quartile was significantly associated with a shorter survival time compared to the highest BMI quartile, with a 15% reduction in the young group (p = 0.001) and a 12% reduction in the older-old group (p = 0.002). Predicted survival time increases with rising BMI in the young group, but the rate of increase slows in the younger-old group and plateaus in the older-old group after a BMI of 25 kg/m2. Lower BMI correlates with higher mortality, particularly in younger HD patients.

Background: This study aimed to generate a Z score calculation model for coronary artery diameter of normal children and adolescents to be adopted as the standard calculation method with consensus in clinical practice. Methods: This study was a retrospective, multicenter study that collected data from multiple institutions across South Korea. Data were analyzed to determine the model that best fit the relationship between the diameter of coronary arteries and independent demographic parameters. Linear, power, logarithmic, exponential, and square root polynomial models were tested for best fit. Results: Data of 2,030 subjects were collected from 16 institutions. Separate calculation models for each sex were developed because the impact of demographic variables on the diameter of coronary arteries differs according to sex. The final model was the polynomial formula with an exponential relationship between the diameter of coronary arteries and body surface area using the DuBois formula. Conclusion A new coronary artery diameter Z score model was developed and is anticipated to be applicable in clinical practice. The new model will help establish a consensus-based Z score model.

Korean Renal Data System (KORDS) is a nationwide end-stage renal disease (ESRD) registry database operated by the Korean Society of Nephrology (KSN). Diabetes mellitus is currently the leading cause of ESRD in Korea; this article provides an update on the trends and characteristics of diabetic ESRD patients. The KORDS Committee of KSN collects data on dialysis centers and patients through an online registry program. Here, we analyzed the status and trends in characteristics of diabetic chronic kidney disease stage 5D (CKD 5D) patients using data from 2001 to 2021. In 2021, the dialysis adequacy of hemodialysis (HD) was lower in diabetic CKD 5D patients than in nondiabetic CKD 5D patients, while that of peritoneal dialysis (PD) was similar. Diabetic CKD 5D patients had a higher proportion of cardiac and vascular diseases and were more frequently admitted to hospitals than nondiabetic CKD 5D patients, and the leading cause of death was cardiac disease. From 2001 to 2020, diabetic CKD 5D patients had a higher mortality rate than nondiabetic CKD 5D patients, but in 2021 this trend was reversed. Diabetic PD patients had the highest mortality rate over 20 years. The mortality rate of diabetic HD patients was higher than that of nondiabetic HD patients until 2019 but became lower starting in 2020. There was a decreasing trend in mortality rate in diabetic CKD 5D patients, but cardiac and vascular diseases were still prevalent in diabetic CKD 5D patients with frequent admissions to hospitals. More specialized care is needed to improve the clinical outcomes of diabetic CKD 5D patients.

With an increasing aging population, the mean age of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is globally increasing. However, the current clinical status of elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) is rarely reported in Korea. The current study analyzed the clinical features and trends of older patients undergoing HD from the Korean Renal Data System (KORDS) database. The patients were divided into three groups according to age: <65 years (the young group), n = 50,591 (35.9%); 65–74 years (the younger-old group), n = 37,525 (26.6%); and ≥75 years (the older-old group), n = 52,856 (37.5%). The proportion of older-old group undergoing HD significantly increased in incidence and decreased in prevalence from 2013 to 2022. The median levels of hemoglobin, serum creatinine, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone significantly decreased in the older-old group. The proportions of arteriovenous fistula creation and left forearm placement showed decreased trends with age. Although the utilization of low surface area dialyzers increased with age, the dialysis adequacy, including urea reduction ratio and Kt/V was within acceptable range in the older-old group on HD. Over the past 20 years, the mortality rate in the older-old group has increased, with cardiovascular diseases decreasing and infectious diseases increasing. The incidence of elderly patients undergoing HD has increased over time, but the high mortality of the older-old group needs to be solved. Therefore, it is imperative to develop holistic strategies based on age and individual needs for patients with ESKD.

The aim of this study was to develop evidence-based recommendations for determining the surgical extent in patients with locally invasive differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Locally invasive DTC with gross extrathyroidal extension invading surrounding anatomical structures may lead to several functional deficits and poor oncological outcomes. At present, the optimal extent of surgery in locally invasive DTC remains a matter of debate, and there are no adequate guidelines. On October 8, 2021, four experts searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases; the identified papers were reviewed by 39 experts in thyroid and head and neck surgery. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the quality of evidence, and to develop and report recommendations. The strength of a recommendation reflects the confidence of a guideline panel that the desirable effects of an intervention outweigh any undesirable effects, across all patients for whom the recommendation is applicable. After completing the draft guidelines, Delphi questionnaires were completed by members of the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery. Twenty-seven evidence-based recommendations were made for several factors, including the preoperative workup; surgical extent of thyroidectomy; surgery for cancer invading the strap muscles, recurrent laryngeal nerve, laryngeal framework, trachea, or esophagus; and surgery for patients with central and lateral cervical lymph node involvement. Evidence-based guidelines were devised to help clinicians make safer and more efficient clinical decisions for the optimal surgical treatment of patients with locally invasive DTC.

A 16-year-old patient with pectus excavatum visited our hospital because of palpitation. He underwent first Nuss operations at the age of 3. When he was 13 years old, the slow-fast type atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia was documented during electrophysiology study. However, the catheter ablation was not conducted because of recurrent atrial fibrillation during procedure. At that time, second Nuss operation was performed due to progressive chest wall deformity. And then, atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia was successfully treated by radiofrequency catheter ablation at the higher position than usual slow pathway zone under the modified fluoroscopic view with the cranial angle although distorted right atrial geometry and radiographic obstacle of Nuss operation bar. The concern about abnormal cardiac and electrical anatomy, and the accurate and modified procedure technique are essential in patients with pectus excavatum. (Ewha Med J 2022;45(3):e6)

Cardiac rhabdomyomas are typically presented in the tuberous sclerosis. Although benign and often associated with spontaneous regression, in rare circumstances huge mass size and critical location can lead to heart failure, ventricular outflow tract obstruction and refractory tachyarrhythmias. An 1-day-old girl was diagnosed as cardiac tumor during perinatal period. At birth, transthoracic echocardiography revealed huge cardiac mass located in septal area of both ventricle measuring 34×30 mm. It protruded into the left ventricular (LV) outflow tract, potentially obstructing it. A surface ECG revealed atrial tachycardia with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia with heart rate of 217 beats per min. The tachyarrhythmias were controlled with intravenous amiodarone. Reduction of the giant cardiac mass was treated with mammalian target of rapamycin pathway inhibitor sirolimus. However, she unfortunately died at 10 days-old because of sudden cardiac arrest maybe due to LV outflow tract obstruction during therapy. Gene analysis revealed TSC2 mutation after death. (Ewha Med J 2022;45(3):e5)