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.

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.

Purpose: This study evaluated whether combination therapy is more effective than monotherapy in elderly patients with metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer (MRGC) as first-line chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Elderly (≥ 70 years) chemo-naïve patients with MRGC were allocated to receive either combination therapy (group A: 5-fluorouracil [5-FU]/oxaliplatin, capecitabine/oxaliplatin, capecitabine/cisplatin, or S-1/cisplatin) or monotherapy (group B: 5-FU, capecitabine, or S-1). In group A, starting doses were 80% of standard doses, and they could be escalated to 100% at the discretion of the investigator. Primary endpoint was to confirm superior overall survival (OS) of combination therapy vs. monotherapy. Results: After 111 of the planned 238 patients were randomized, enrollment was terminated due to poor accrual. In the full-analysis population (group A [n=53] and group B [n=51]), median OS of combination therapy vs. monotherapy was 11.5 vs. 7.5 months (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56 to 1.30; p=0.231). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.6 vs. 3.7 months (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.83; p=0.005). In subgroup analyses, patients aged 70-74 years tended to have superior OS with combination therapy (15.9 vs. 7.2 months, p=0.056). Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred more frequently in group A vs. group B. However, among severe TRAEs (≥ grade 3), there were no TRAEs with a frequency difference of > 5%. Conclusion Combination therapy was associated with numerically improved OS, although statistically insignificant, and a significant PFS benefit compared with monotherapy. Although combination therapy showed more frequent TRAEs, there was no difference in the frequency of severe TRAEs.

In May 2023, the Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association published the revised clinical practice guidelines for Korean adults with diabetes and prediabetes. We incorporated the latest clinical research findings through a comprehensive systematic literature review and applied them in a manner suitable for the Korean population. These guidelines are designed for all healthcare providers nationwide, including physicians, diabetes experts, and certified diabetes educators who manage patients with diabetes or individuals at risk of developing diabetes. Based on recent changes in international guidelines and the results of a Korean epidemiological study, the recommended age for diabetes screening has been lowered. In collaboration with the relevant Korean medical societies, recently revised guidelines for managing hypertension and dyslipidemia in patients with diabetes have been incorporated into this guideline. An abridgment containing practical information on patient education and systematic management in the clinic was published separately.

Background and Objectives: Identifying patients with high bleeding risk (HBR) is important when making decisions for antiplatelet therapy strategy. This study evaluated the impact of ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) according to HBR in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients treated with drug eluting stents (DESs). Methods: In this post-hoc analysis of the TICO trial, HBR was defined by 2 approaches: meeting Academic Research Consortium for HBR (ARC-HBR) criteria or Predicting Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent DAPT (PRECISEDAPT) score ≥25. The primary outcome was a 3–12 months net adverse clinical event (composite of major bleeding and adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events). Results: Of the 2,980 patients without adverse events during the first 3 months after DES implantation, 453 (15.2%) were HBR by ARC-HBR criteria and 504 (16.9%) were HBR by PRECISE-DAPT score. The primary outcome rate was higher in HBR versus non-HBR patients (by ARC-HBR criteria: hazard ratio [HR], 2.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.76– 4.69; p<0.001; by PRECISE-DAPT score: HR, 3.09; 95% CI, 1.92–4.98; p<0.001). Ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT was associated with lower primary outcome rate than ticagrelor-based 12-month DAPT regardless of HBR by ARC-HBR criteria, with similar magnitudes of therapy effect for HBR and non-HBR patients (p-interaction=0.400). Results were consistent by PRECISE-DAPT score (p-interaction=0.178). Conclusions In ACS patients treated with DESs, ticagrelor monotherapy after 3-month DAPT was associated with lower rate of adverse clinical outcomes regardless of HBR, with similar magnitudes of therapy effect between HBR and non-HBR.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02494895

Idiopathic spontaneous intraperitoneal hemorrhage is both rare and potentially fatal. The incidence of gastroepiploic artery rupture, especially a non-aneurysmal rupture, is extremely low. We report the case of an elderly woman who was mistakenly diagnosed with procedure-related bleeding after gastroscopy. A 0.3 cm polyp was identified and removed during the procedure. The patient later developed shock due to which gastroscopy was repeated; however, no unusual findings were observed. Therefore, abdominopelvic computerized tomography was performed and gastroepiploic artery rupture was detected. Transcatheter arterial embolization was immediately performed without laparotomy, without any complications. The bleeding was controlled, and the patient was discharged after embolization. It is important to acknowledge the possibility of spontaneous rupture of the visceral arteries in elderly individuals with hypertension or atherosclerosis, especially in the event of sudden abdominal pain or shock immediately after an endoscopic procedure. This is the first case report of idiopathic spontaneous rupture of the right gastroepiploic artery successfully managed by transcatheter arterial embolization in South Korea.

Background: The soluble forms of suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (ST2) and galectin-3 have been proposed as novel biomarkers for cardiac fibrosis and heart failure, as well as predictors of cardiovascular events and mortality. However, there are limited data on the association between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and clinical outcomes in patients with kidney failure on replacement therapy. To determine this, we examined the associations between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients on hemodialysis. Methods: This study included maintenance hemodialysis patients (over 18 years old) who consented to preserve their serum in the Biobank at our institution between March 2014 and March 2015. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to evaluate the associations between soluble ST2, galectin-3 levels, and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, the secondary outcome was cardiovascular disease, and patients were followed for both outcomes until March 2018. Results: A total of 296 patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 57 ± 13 years, and 53.0% were male. Serum concentration of soluble ST2 was significantly associated with higher mortality, after adjustment for confounding factors, but was not associated with cardiovascular disease. Serum galectin-3 level was not independently associated with either outcome after adjustment. Conclusion Elevated soluble ST2 is independently associated with an increased risk of mortality, but not with cardiovascular disease, in patients on hemodialysis. Elevated galectin-3 was not associated with mortality or cardiovascular disease.

Background: The soluble forms of suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (ST2) and galectin-3 have been proposed as novel biomarkers for cardiac fibrosis and heart failure, as well as predictors of cardiovascular events and mortality. However, there are limited data on the association between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and clinical outcomes in patients with kidney failure on replacement therapy. To determine this, we examined the associations between soluble ST2 and galectin-3 and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients on hemodialysis. Methods: This study included maintenance hemodialysis patients (over 18 years old) who consented to preserve their serum in the Biobank at our institution between March 2014 and March 2015. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to evaluate the associations between soluble ST2, galectin-3 levels, and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, the secondary outcome was cardiovascular disease, and patients were followed for both outcomes until March 2018. Results: A total of 296 patients were analyzed in this study. The mean age was 57 ± 13 years, and 53.0% were male. Serum concentration of soluble ST2 was significantly associated with higher mortality, after adjustment for confounding factors, but was not associated with cardiovascular disease. Serum galectin-3 level was not independently associated with either outcome after adjustment. Conclusion Elevated soluble ST2 is independently associated with an increased risk of mortality, but not with cardiovascular disease, in patients on hemodialysis. Elevated galectin-3 was not associated with mortality or cardiovascular disease.