1.Predictors and patterns of early liver regeneration after major hepatectomy
Seoyeong KU ; Garam LEE ; Hyung Hwan MOON ; Hyungjune KU ; Won Jong YANG ; Junho SONG ; Suyeon KIM ; Chol Min KANG ; Amy CHOI ; Dong Hyeon GIM ; Young Il CHOI ; Dong Hoon SHIN ; Namkee OH ; Jinsoo RHU
Kosin Medical Journal 2026;41(1):58-66
Background:
Postoperative liver regeneration is essential for maintaining hepatic function. This study evaluated the rate, determinants, and volumetric patterns of early liver regeneration after hemihepatectomy.
Methods:
A retrospective review was conducted of 50 patients who underwent right or left hemihepatectomy between April 2019 and March 2025. Liver and spleen volumes (SV) were assessed preoperatively, at postoperative day (POD) 1 week, and at POD 3 months. Early liver regeneration rate (LRR) was defined as the percentage increase in remnant liver volume at POD 1 week relative to the preoperative future liver remnant (FLR), and patients were categorized into low (<50%) and high (≥50%) LRR groups. Clinical, biochemical, and volumetric variables were compared, and predictors of regeneration were identified using multivariable analyses. Regeneration patterns were also examined according to whether the FLR/standard liver volume (SLV) ratio was <50% or ≥50%.
Results:
FLR/SLV was the strongest independent predictor of rapid early liver regeneration (p<0.001). Remnants with FLR/SLV <50% exhibited rapid and sustained regeneration, whereas those with FLR/SLV ≥50% showed slower regrowth that plateaued after reaching approximately 90% of SLV. SV increased at POD 1 week in all patients; however, only the FLR/SLV ≥50% group showed a reduction by POD 3 months, whereas the <50% group maintained elevated volumes.
Conclusions
FLR/SLV reliably predicts early postoperative liver regeneration. Smaller remnants regenerate more rapidly, whereas persistent splenic enlargement suggests a sustained portal hemodynamic burden. Combined evaluation of FLR/SLV and SV may enhance perioperative risk assessment and surgical planning.
2.Systemic Gaps in Heart Failure Care and the Need for Specialized Management: A Nationwide Survey of Korean Cardiologists
SungA BAE ; Soo-Yong LEE ; So-Ree KIM ; Minjae YOON ; Kang Un CHOI ; Junho HYUN ; Kyung-Hee KIM ; Suk Min SEO ; Byung-Su YOO ; Seong-Mi PARK ;
International Journal of Heart Failure 2026;8(1):95-100
3.Acute Heart Failure Across the Ejection Fraction Spectrum: Phenotypes, Management, and Outcomes From Nationwide KorHF III Registry
Huijin LEE ; Eung Ju KIM ; Seong Woo HAN ; Seong-Mi PARK ; Hyung-Seop KIM ; Myung-Chan CHO ; Hyo-Suk AHN ; Mi-Seung SHIN ; Seok-Jae HWANG ; Jin-Ok JEONG ; Dong Heon YANG ; Junho HYUN ; Jin Oh CHOI ; Hae-Young LEE ; Byung-Su YOO ; Seok-Min KANG ; Dong-Ju CHOI ; Hyun-Jai CHO ;
International Journal of Heart Failure 2026;8(1):43-55
Background and Objectives:
Clinical characteristics and outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF) vary by phenotype. We assessed phenotype-specific features, treatment patterns, and outcomes in a nationwide Korean cohort.
Methods:
The Korean Heart Failure III registry prospectively enrolled 7,351 AHF admissions at 47 hospitals. Among 6,777 patients with available left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), phenotypes were defined as heart failure with reduced EF (HFrEF, ≤40%), mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF,41–49%), or preserved EF (HFpEF, ≥50%). The primary endpoint was a 12-month composite of all-cause death or heart transplantation, evaluated from index admission and, among hospital survivors, from discharge. We used inverse probability weighting (multinomial generalized boosted models with stabilized, trimmed weights) and weighted Cox proportional-hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs).
Results:
Phenotype distribution was 58.9% HFrEF, 13.6% HFmrEF, and 27.5% HFpEF. Crude 12-month composite rates from index admission were 13.4% (HFrEF), 12.7% (HFmrEF), and 16.8% (HFpEF). After weighting, from index admission, HFmrEF (HR, 0.892; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.731–1.088) and HFpEF (HR, 1.101; 95% CI, 0.939–1.291) did not differ from HFrEF; from discharge, HFpEF had modestly higher risk (HR, 1.207; 95% CI, 1.008–1.445) whereas HFmrEF did not (HR, 1.039; 95% CI, 0.844–1.279). Hyponatremia and chronic kidney disease were consistent adverse markers, while angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/ angiotensin II receptor blocker use at discharge was protective.
Conclusions
Across the EF spectrum, phenotypes showed distinct profiles and risk. Postdischarge risk was modestly higher in HFpEF, supporting phenotype-tailored care and systematic discharge optimization in Korean patients with AHF.
4.Prognostic Value of Ambulatory Status at Transplant in Older Heart Transplant Recipients: Implications for Organ Allocation Policy
Junho HYUN ; Jong-Chan YOUN ; Jung Ae HONG ; Darae KIM ; Jae-Joong KIM ; Myoung Soo KIM ; Jaewon OH ; Jin-Jin KIM ; Mi-Hyang JUNG ; In-Cheol KIM ; Sang-Eun LEE ; Jin Joo PARK ; Min-Seok KIM ; Sung-Ho JUNG ; Hyun-Jai CHO ; Hae-Young LEE ; Seok-Min KANG ; Dong-Ju CHOI ; Jon A. KOBASHIGAWA ; Josef STEHLIK ; Jin-Oh CHOI
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(3):e14-
Background:
Shortage of organ donors in the Republic of Korea has become a major problem. To address this, it has been questioned whether heart transplant (HTx) allocation should be modified to reduce priority of older patients. We aimed to evaluate post-HTx outcomes according to recipient age and specific pre-HTx conditions using a nationwide prospective cohort.
Methods:
We analyzed clinical characteristics of 628 patients from the Korean Organ Transplant Registry who received HTx from January 2015 to December 2020. Enrolled recipients were divided into three groups according to age. We also included comorbidities including ambulatory status. Non-ambulatory status was defined as pre-HTx support with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, continuous renal replacement therapy, or mechanical ventilation.
Results:
Of the 628 patients, 195 were < 50 years, 322 were 50–64 years and 111 were ≥ 65years at transplant. Four hundred nine (65.1%) were ambulatory and 219 (34.9%) were nonambulatory. Older recipients tended to have more comorbidities, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and received older donors. Post-HTx survival was significantly lower in older recipients (P = 0.025) and recipients with non-ambulatory status (P < 0.001). However, in contrast to non-ambulatory recipients who showed significant survival differences according to the recipient’s age (P = 0.004), ambulatory recipients showed comparable outcomes (P = 0.465).
Conclusion
Our results do not support use of age alone as an allocation criterion. Transplant candidate age in combination with some comorbidities such as non-ambulatory status may identify patients at a sufficiently elevated risk at which suitability of HTx should be reconsidered.
5.The Korean Organ Transplant Registry (KOTRY): Third Official Adult Heart Transplant Report
Hyo-In CHOI ; Sang Eun LEE ; Junho HYUN ; Darae KIM ; Dong-Ju CHOI ; Eun-Seok JEON ; Hae-Young LEE ; Hyun-Jai CHO ; Hyungseop KIM ; In-Cheol KIM ; Jaewon OH ; Minjae YOON ; Jin Joo PARK ; Jin-Oh CHOI ; Min Ho JU ; Seok-Min KANG ; Soo Yong LEE ; Sung-Ho JUNG ; Jae-Joong KIM
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(2):79-96
Background and Objectives:
The Korean Organ Transplant Registry (KOTRY) provided data for this third official report on adult heart transplantation (HT), including information from 709 recipients.
Methods:
Data from HTs performed at seven major centers in Korea between March 2014 and December 2020 were analyzed, focusing on immunosuppression, acute rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), post-transplant survival, and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) usage.
Results:
The median ages of the recipients and donors were 56.0 and 43.0 years, respectively.Cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease were the most common preceding conditions for HT. A significant portion of patients underwent HT at waiting list status 1 and 0. In the multivariate analysis, a predicted heart mass mismatch was associated with a higher risk of 1-year mortality. Patients over 70 years old had a significantly increased risk of 6-year mortality. The risk of CAV was higher for male donors and donors older than 45 years. Acute rejection was more likely in patients with panel reactive antibody levels above 80%, while statin use was associated with a reduced risk. The employment of left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation increased from 2.17% to 22.4%. Pre-transplant extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation was associated with worse post-transplant survival.
Conclusions
In this third KOTRY report, we analyzed changes in the characteristics of adult HT recipients and donors and their impact on post-transplant outcomes. The most notable discovery was the increased use of MCS before HT and their impact on post-transplant outcomes.
6.The Korean Organ Transplant Registry (KOTRY): Third Official Adult Heart Transplant Report
Hyo-In CHOI ; Sang Eun LEE ; Junho HYUN ; Darae KIM ; Dong-Ju CHOI ; Eun-Seok JEON ; Hae-Young LEE ; Hyun-Jai CHO ; Hyungseop KIM ; In-Cheol KIM ; Jaewon OH ; Minjae YOON ; Jin Joo PARK ; Jin-Oh CHOI ; Min Ho JU ; Seok-Min KANG ; Soo Yong LEE ; Sung-Ho JUNG ; Jae-Joong KIM
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(2):79-96
Background and Objectives:
The Korean Organ Transplant Registry (KOTRY) provided data for this third official report on adult heart transplantation (HT), including information from 709 recipients.
Methods:
Data from HTs performed at seven major centers in Korea between March 2014 and December 2020 were analyzed, focusing on immunosuppression, acute rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), post-transplant survival, and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) usage.
Results:
The median ages of the recipients and donors were 56.0 and 43.0 years, respectively.Cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease were the most common preceding conditions for HT. A significant portion of patients underwent HT at waiting list status 1 and 0. In the multivariate analysis, a predicted heart mass mismatch was associated with a higher risk of 1-year mortality. Patients over 70 years old had a significantly increased risk of 6-year mortality. The risk of CAV was higher for male donors and donors older than 45 years. Acute rejection was more likely in patients with panel reactive antibody levels above 80%, while statin use was associated with a reduced risk. The employment of left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation increased from 2.17% to 22.4%. Pre-transplant extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation was associated with worse post-transplant survival.
Conclusions
In this third KOTRY report, we analyzed changes in the characteristics of adult HT recipients and donors and their impact on post-transplant outcomes. The most notable discovery was the increased use of MCS before HT and their impact on post-transplant outcomes.
7.Prognostic Value of Ambulatory Status at Transplant in Older Heart Transplant Recipients: Implications for Organ Allocation Policy
Junho HYUN ; Jong-Chan YOUN ; Jung Ae HONG ; Darae KIM ; Jae-Joong KIM ; Myoung Soo KIM ; Jaewon OH ; Jin-Jin KIM ; Mi-Hyang JUNG ; In-Cheol KIM ; Sang-Eun LEE ; Jin Joo PARK ; Min-Seok KIM ; Sung-Ho JUNG ; Hyun-Jai CHO ; Hae-Young LEE ; Seok-Min KANG ; Dong-Ju CHOI ; Jon A. KOBASHIGAWA ; Josef STEHLIK ; Jin-Oh CHOI
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(3):e14-
Background:
Shortage of organ donors in the Republic of Korea has become a major problem. To address this, it has been questioned whether heart transplant (HTx) allocation should be modified to reduce priority of older patients. We aimed to evaluate post-HTx outcomes according to recipient age and specific pre-HTx conditions using a nationwide prospective cohort.
Methods:
We analyzed clinical characteristics of 628 patients from the Korean Organ Transplant Registry who received HTx from January 2015 to December 2020. Enrolled recipients were divided into three groups according to age. We also included comorbidities including ambulatory status. Non-ambulatory status was defined as pre-HTx support with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, continuous renal replacement therapy, or mechanical ventilation.
Results:
Of the 628 patients, 195 were < 50 years, 322 were 50–64 years and 111 were ≥ 65years at transplant. Four hundred nine (65.1%) were ambulatory and 219 (34.9%) were nonambulatory. Older recipients tended to have more comorbidities, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and received older donors. Post-HTx survival was significantly lower in older recipients (P = 0.025) and recipients with non-ambulatory status (P < 0.001). However, in contrast to non-ambulatory recipients who showed significant survival differences according to the recipient’s age (P = 0.004), ambulatory recipients showed comparable outcomes (P = 0.465).
Conclusion
Our results do not support use of age alone as an allocation criterion. Transplant candidate age in combination with some comorbidities such as non-ambulatory status may identify patients at a sufficiently elevated risk at which suitability of HTx should be reconsidered.
8.The Korean Organ Transplant Registry (KOTRY): Third Official Adult Heart Transplant Report
Hyo-In CHOI ; Sang Eun LEE ; Junho HYUN ; Darae KIM ; Dong-Ju CHOI ; Eun-Seok JEON ; Hae-Young LEE ; Hyun-Jai CHO ; Hyungseop KIM ; In-Cheol KIM ; Jaewon OH ; Minjae YOON ; Jin Joo PARK ; Jin-Oh CHOI ; Min Ho JU ; Seok-Min KANG ; Soo Yong LEE ; Sung-Ho JUNG ; Jae-Joong KIM
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(2):79-96
Background and Objectives:
The Korean Organ Transplant Registry (KOTRY) provided data for this third official report on adult heart transplantation (HT), including information from 709 recipients.
Methods:
Data from HTs performed at seven major centers in Korea between March 2014 and December 2020 were analyzed, focusing on immunosuppression, acute rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), post-transplant survival, and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) usage.
Results:
The median ages of the recipients and donors were 56.0 and 43.0 years, respectively.Cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease were the most common preceding conditions for HT. A significant portion of patients underwent HT at waiting list status 1 and 0. In the multivariate analysis, a predicted heart mass mismatch was associated with a higher risk of 1-year mortality. Patients over 70 years old had a significantly increased risk of 6-year mortality. The risk of CAV was higher for male donors and donors older than 45 years. Acute rejection was more likely in patients with panel reactive antibody levels above 80%, while statin use was associated with a reduced risk. The employment of left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation increased from 2.17% to 22.4%. Pre-transplant extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation was associated with worse post-transplant survival.
Conclusions
In this third KOTRY report, we analyzed changes in the characteristics of adult HT recipients and donors and their impact on post-transplant outcomes. The most notable discovery was the increased use of MCS before HT and their impact on post-transplant outcomes.
9.Prognostic Value of Ambulatory Status at Transplant in Older Heart Transplant Recipients: Implications for Organ Allocation Policy
Junho HYUN ; Jong-Chan YOUN ; Jung Ae HONG ; Darae KIM ; Jae-Joong KIM ; Myoung Soo KIM ; Jaewon OH ; Jin-Jin KIM ; Mi-Hyang JUNG ; In-Cheol KIM ; Sang-Eun LEE ; Jin Joo PARK ; Min-Seok KIM ; Sung-Ho JUNG ; Hyun-Jai CHO ; Hae-Young LEE ; Seok-Min KANG ; Dong-Ju CHOI ; Jon A. KOBASHIGAWA ; Josef STEHLIK ; Jin-Oh CHOI
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(3):e14-
Background:
Shortage of organ donors in the Republic of Korea has become a major problem. To address this, it has been questioned whether heart transplant (HTx) allocation should be modified to reduce priority of older patients. We aimed to evaluate post-HTx outcomes according to recipient age and specific pre-HTx conditions using a nationwide prospective cohort.
Methods:
We analyzed clinical characteristics of 628 patients from the Korean Organ Transplant Registry who received HTx from January 2015 to December 2020. Enrolled recipients were divided into three groups according to age. We also included comorbidities including ambulatory status. Non-ambulatory status was defined as pre-HTx support with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, continuous renal replacement therapy, or mechanical ventilation.
Results:
Of the 628 patients, 195 were < 50 years, 322 were 50–64 years and 111 were ≥ 65years at transplant. Four hundred nine (65.1%) were ambulatory and 219 (34.9%) were nonambulatory. Older recipients tended to have more comorbidities, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and received older donors. Post-HTx survival was significantly lower in older recipients (P = 0.025) and recipients with non-ambulatory status (P < 0.001). However, in contrast to non-ambulatory recipients who showed significant survival differences according to the recipient’s age (P = 0.004), ambulatory recipients showed comparable outcomes (P = 0.465).
Conclusion
Our results do not support use of age alone as an allocation criterion. Transplant candidate age in combination with some comorbidities such as non-ambulatory status may identify patients at a sufficiently elevated risk at which suitability of HTx should be reconsidered.
10.Prognostic Value of Ambulatory Status at Transplant in Older Heart Transplant Recipients: Implications for Organ Allocation Policy
Junho HYUN ; Jong-Chan YOUN ; Jung Ae HONG ; Darae KIM ; Jae-Joong KIM ; Myoung Soo KIM ; Jaewon OH ; Jin-Jin KIM ; Mi-Hyang JUNG ; In-Cheol KIM ; Sang-Eun LEE ; Jin Joo PARK ; Min-Seok KIM ; Sung-Ho JUNG ; Hyun-Jai CHO ; Hae-Young LEE ; Seok-Min KANG ; Dong-Ju CHOI ; Jon A. KOBASHIGAWA ; Josef STEHLIK ; Jin-Oh CHOI
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(3):e14-
Background:
Shortage of organ donors in the Republic of Korea has become a major problem. To address this, it has been questioned whether heart transplant (HTx) allocation should be modified to reduce priority of older patients. We aimed to evaluate post-HTx outcomes according to recipient age and specific pre-HTx conditions using a nationwide prospective cohort.
Methods:
We analyzed clinical characteristics of 628 patients from the Korean Organ Transplant Registry who received HTx from January 2015 to December 2020. Enrolled recipients were divided into three groups according to age. We also included comorbidities including ambulatory status. Non-ambulatory status was defined as pre-HTx support with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, continuous renal replacement therapy, or mechanical ventilation.
Results:
Of the 628 patients, 195 were < 50 years, 322 were 50–64 years and 111 were ≥ 65years at transplant. Four hundred nine (65.1%) were ambulatory and 219 (34.9%) were nonambulatory. Older recipients tended to have more comorbidities, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and received older donors. Post-HTx survival was significantly lower in older recipients (P = 0.025) and recipients with non-ambulatory status (P < 0.001). However, in contrast to non-ambulatory recipients who showed significant survival differences according to the recipient’s age (P = 0.004), ambulatory recipients showed comparable outcomes (P = 0.465).
Conclusion
Our results do not support use of age alone as an allocation criterion. Transplant candidate age in combination with some comorbidities such as non-ambulatory status may identify patients at a sufficiently elevated risk at which suitability of HTx should be reconsidered.

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