Background and Objectives: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a life-threatening inherited arrhythmogenic disorder. Recently, RYR2, the major CPVTcausative gene, was associated with neuropsychiatric manifestations. We aimed to analyze the clinical presentations, neuropsychiatric manifestations, and treatment outcomes of children with CPVT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 23 patients diagnosed with CPVT before 19 years of age. Genetic analysis, history of neuropsychiatric manifestations, changes in ventricular arrhythmia burden before and after treatment, occurrence of cardiac events, and overall survival (OS) were investigated. Results: RYR2 variants were identified in 17 patients, and 14 were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. Neuropsychiatric manifestations, including intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, were identified in 10 patients (43.5%). The 5-year cardiac event-free survival rate was 31.2%, and the 10-year OS rate was 73.1%. Patients diagnosed since 2009 had a higher cardiac event-free survival rate than those diagnosed before 2009 (p=0.0028).Combined beta-blocker and flecainide therapy demonstrated a lower risk of cardiac events than beta-blocker monotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02–0.38;p=0.002). Left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) reduced the ventricular arrhythmia burden in Holter monitoring. Occurrence of near-fatal cardiac events after diagnosis was an independent predictor of death (HR, 33.40; 95% CI, 6.23–179.95; p<0.001). Conclusions Neuropsychiatric manifestations are common in children with CPVT. Flecainide and/or LCSD, when added to beta-blocker therapy, reduce the ventricular arrhythmia burden and cardiac events, thereby improving treatment outcomes in recent years.

Background and Objectives: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a life-threatening inherited arrhythmogenic disorder. Recently, RYR2, the major CPVTcausative gene, was associated with neuropsychiatric manifestations. We aimed to analyze the clinical presentations, neuropsychiatric manifestations, and treatment outcomes of children with CPVT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 23 patients diagnosed with CPVT before 19 years of age. Genetic analysis, history of neuropsychiatric manifestations, changes in ventricular arrhythmia burden before and after treatment, occurrence of cardiac events, and overall survival (OS) were investigated. Results: RYR2 variants were identified in 17 patients, and 14 were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. Neuropsychiatric manifestations, including intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, were identified in 10 patients (43.5%). The 5-year cardiac event-free survival rate was 31.2%, and the 10-year OS rate was 73.1%. Patients diagnosed since 2009 had a higher cardiac event-free survival rate than those diagnosed before 2009 (p=0.0028).Combined beta-blocker and flecainide therapy demonstrated a lower risk of cardiac events than beta-blocker monotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02–0.38;p=0.002). Left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) reduced the ventricular arrhythmia burden in Holter monitoring. Occurrence of near-fatal cardiac events after diagnosis was an independent predictor of death (HR, 33.40; 95% CI, 6.23–179.95; p<0.001). Conclusions Neuropsychiatric manifestations are common in children with CPVT. Flecainide and/or LCSD, when added to beta-blocker therapy, reduce the ventricular arrhythmia burden and cardiac events, thereby improving treatment outcomes in recent years.

Background and Objectives: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a life-threatening inherited arrhythmogenic disorder. Recently, RYR2, the major CPVTcausative gene, was associated with neuropsychiatric manifestations. We aimed to analyze the clinical presentations, neuropsychiatric manifestations, and treatment outcomes of children with CPVT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 23 patients diagnosed with CPVT before 19 years of age. Genetic analysis, history of neuropsychiatric manifestations, changes in ventricular arrhythmia burden before and after treatment, occurrence of cardiac events, and overall survival (OS) were investigated. Results: RYR2 variants were identified in 17 patients, and 14 were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. Neuropsychiatric manifestations, including intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, were identified in 10 patients (43.5%). The 5-year cardiac event-free survival rate was 31.2%, and the 10-year OS rate was 73.1%. Patients diagnosed since 2009 had a higher cardiac event-free survival rate than those diagnosed before 2009 (p=0.0028).Combined beta-blocker and flecainide therapy demonstrated a lower risk of cardiac events than beta-blocker monotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02–0.38;p=0.002). Left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) reduced the ventricular arrhythmia burden in Holter monitoring. Occurrence of near-fatal cardiac events after diagnosis was an independent predictor of death (HR, 33.40; 95% CI, 6.23–179.95; p<0.001). Conclusions Neuropsychiatric manifestations are common in children with CPVT. Flecainide and/or LCSD, when added to beta-blocker therapy, reduce the ventricular arrhythmia burden and cardiac events, thereby improving treatment outcomes in recent years.

Background and Objectives: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a life-threatening inherited arrhythmogenic disorder. Recently, RYR2, the major CPVTcausative gene, was associated with neuropsychiatric manifestations. We aimed to analyze the clinical presentations, neuropsychiatric manifestations, and treatment outcomes of children with CPVT. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 23 patients diagnosed with CPVT before 19 years of age. Genetic analysis, history of neuropsychiatric manifestations, changes in ventricular arrhythmia burden before and after treatment, occurrence of cardiac events, and overall survival (OS) were investigated. Results: RYR2 variants were identified in 17 patients, and 14 were classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. Neuropsychiatric manifestations, including intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, were identified in 10 patients (43.5%). The 5-year cardiac event-free survival rate was 31.2%, and the 10-year OS rate was 73.1%. Patients diagnosed since 2009 had a higher cardiac event-free survival rate than those diagnosed before 2009 (p=0.0028).Combined beta-blocker and flecainide therapy demonstrated a lower risk of cardiac events than beta-blocker monotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02–0.38;p=0.002). Left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) reduced the ventricular arrhythmia burden in Holter monitoring. Occurrence of near-fatal cardiac events after diagnosis was an independent predictor of death (HR, 33.40; 95% CI, 6.23–179.95; p<0.001). Conclusions Neuropsychiatric manifestations are common in children with CPVT. Flecainide and/or LCSD, when added to beta-blocker therapy, reduce the ventricular arrhythmia burden and cardiac events, thereby improving treatment outcomes in recent years.

Background: Over the last decade, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in critically ill children has increased and is associated with favorable outcomes. Our study aims to evaluate the current status of pediatric ECMO in Korea, with a specific focus on its volume and changes in survival rates based on diagnostic indications. Methods: This multicenter study retrospectively analyzed the indications and outcomes of pediatric ECMO over 10 years in patients at 14 hospitals in Korea from January 2012 to December 2021. Four diagnostic categories (neonatal respiratory, pediatric respiratory, postcardiotomy, and cardiac-medical) and trends were compared between periods 1 (2012–2016) and 2 (2017–2021). Results: Overall, 1065 ECMO runs were performed on 1032 patients, with the annual number of cases remaining unchanged over the 10 years. ECMO was most frequently used for post-cardiotomy (42.4%), cardiac-medical (31.8%), pediatric respiratory (17.5%), and neonatal respiratory (8.2%) cases. A 3.7% increase and 6.1% decrease in pediatric respiratory and post-cardiotomy cases, respectively, were noted between periods 1 and 2.Among the four groups, the cardiac-medical group had the highest survival rate (51.2%), followed by the pediatric respiratory (46.4%), post-cardiotomy (36.5%), and neonatal respiratory (29.4%) groups. A consistent improvement was noted in patient survival over the 10 years, with a significant increase between the two periods from 38.2% to 47.1% (P = 0.004). Improvement in survival was evident in post-cardiotomy cases (30–45%, P = 0.002).Significant associations with mortality were observed in neonates, patients requiring dialysis, and those treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (P < 0.001). In pediatric respiratory ECMO, immunocompromised patients also showed a significant correlation with mortality (P < 0.001). Conclusion Pediatric ECMO demonstrated a steady increase in overall survival in Korea;however, further efforts are needed since the outcomes remain suboptimal compared with global outcomes.

Local anesthetics systemic toxicity (LAST) is a grave complication of regional anesthesia that usually occurs immediately after local anesthetics injection. Here, we report on rare late-onset toxicity cases after supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks. Case: Two patients underwent surgery for radius fractures. We used lidocaine 100 mg and ropivacaine 150 mg for blocking and infused dexmedetomidine for intraoperative sedation. The 63-year-old male patient’s blood pressure dropped to 87/60 mmHg after 3 h 15 min after blocking. Ventricular fibrillation occurred 10 min later. After five defibrillations, electrocardiography showed ventricular tachycardia that was normalized through one cardioversion. The 54-year-old female patient’s heart rate decreased to 35 beats/min 2 h 30 min after blocking. Her vital signs returned to normal after administering atropine, ephedrine, epinephrine, and lipid emulsion. Conclusions: Physicians should remember that LAST may occur long after local anesthetic injection and be aware of factors that may adversely affect the course of LAST.

Background: There has been no comparison of the determinants of admission route between acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We examined whether factors associated with direct versus transferred-in admission to regional cardiocerebrovascular centers (RCVCs) differed between AIS and AMI. Methods: Using a nationwide RCVC registry, we identified consecutive patients presenting with AMI and AIS between July 2016 and December 2018. We explored factors associated with direct admission to RCVCs in patients with AIS and AMI and examined whether those associations differed between AIS and AMI, including interaction terms between each factor and disease type in multivariable models. To explore the influence of emergency medical service (EMS) paramedics on hospital selection, stratified analyses according to use of EMS were also performed. Results: Among the 17,897 and 8,927 AIS and AMI patients, 66.6% and 48.2% were directly admitted to RCVCs, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that previous coronary heart disease, prehospital awareness, higher education level, and EMS use increased the odds of direct admission to RCVCs, but the odds ratio (OR) was different between AIS and AMI (for the first 3 factors, AMI > AIS; for EMS use, AMI < AIS). EMS use was the single most important factor for both AIS and AMI (OR, 4.72 vs. 3.90). Hypertension and hyperlipidemia increased, while living alone decreased the odds of direct admission only in AMI;additionally, age (65–74 years), previous stroke, and presentation during non-working hours increased the odds only in AIS. EMS use weakened the associations between direct admission and most factors in both AIS and AMI. Conclusions Various patient factors were differentially associated with direct admission to RCVCs between AIS and AMI. Public education for symptom awareness and use of EMS is essential in optimizing the transportation and hospitalization of patients with AMI and AIS.

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a refractory complication of herpes zoster (HZ). To prevent PHN, various strategies have been aggressively adopted. However, the efficacy of these strategies remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the relative efficacy of various strategies used in clinical practice for preventing PHN using a network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods: We performed a systematic and comprehensive search to identify all randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was the incidence of PHN at 3 months after acute HZ. We performed both frequentist and Bayesian NMA and used the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values to rank the interventions evaluated. Results: In total, 39 studies were included in the systematic review and NMA. According to the SUCRA value, the incidence of PHN was lower in the order of continuous epidural block with local anesthetics and steroids (EPI-LSE), antiviral agents with subcutaneous injection of local anesthetics and steroids (AV + sLS), antiviral agents with intracutaenous injection of local anesthetics and steroids (AV + iLS) at 3 months after acute HZ. EPI-LSE, AV + sLS and AV + iLS were also effective in preventing PHN at 1 month after acute HZ. And paravertebral block combined with antiviral and antiepileptic agents was effective in preventing PHN at 1, 3, and 6 months. Conclusions The continuous epidural block with local anesthetics and steroid, antiviral agents with intracutaneous or subcutaneous injection of local anesthetics and a steroid, and paravertebral block combined with antiviral and antiepileptic agents are effective in preventing PHN.

Objective: The incidence of hip fractures is increasing worldwide with the aging population, causing a challenge to healthcare systems due to the associated morbidities and high risk of mortality. After hip fractures in frail geriatric patients, existing comorbidities worsen and new complications are prone to occur. Comprehensive rehabilitation is essential for promoting physical function recovery and minimizing complications, which can be achieved through a multidisciplinary approach. Recommendations are required to assist healthcare providers in making decisions on rehabilitation post-surgery. Clinical practice guidelines regarding rehabilitation (physical and occupational therapies) and management of comorbidities/complications in the postoperative phase of hip fractures have not been developed. This guideline aimed to provide evidence-based recommendations for various treatment items required for proper recovery after hip fracture surgeries. Methods Reflecting the complex perspectives associated with rehabilitation post-hip surgeries, 15 key questions (KQs) reflecting the complex perspectives associated with post-hip surgery rehabilitation were categorized into four areas: multidisciplinary, rehabilitation, community-care, and comorbidities/complications. Relevant literature from four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed) was searched for articles published up to February 2020. The evidence level and recommended grade were determined according to the grade of recommendation assessment, development, and evaluation method. Results A multidisciplinary approach, progressive resistance exercises, and balance training are strongly recommended. Early ambulation, weigh-bearing exercises, activities of daily living training, community-level rehabilitation, management of comorbidities/complication prevention, and nutritional support were also suggested. This multidisciplinary approach reduced the total healthcare cost. Conclusion This guideline presents comprehensive recommendations for the rehabilitation of adult patients after hip fracture surgery.

Background: To date, there has been no practical guidelines for the prescription of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in brain tumor patients in Korea. Thus, the Korean Society for Neuro-Oncology (KSNO), a multidisciplinary academic society, had begun preparing guidelines for AED usage in brain tumors since 2019. Methods: The Working Group was composed of 27 multidisciplinary medical experts in Korea.References were identified through searches of PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL using specific and sensitive keywords as well as combinations of the keywords. Results: The core contents are as follows. Prophylactic AED administration is not recommended in newly diagnosed brain tumor patients without previous seizure history. When AEDs are administered during peri/postoperative period, it may be tapered off according to the following recommendations. In seizure-naïve patients with no postoperative seizure, it is recommended to stop or reduce AED 1 week after surgery. In seizure-naïve patients with one early postoperative seizure (<1 week after surgery), it is advisable to maintain AED for at least 3 months before tapering. In seizure-naïve patients with ≥2 postoperative seizures or in patients with preoperative seizure history, it is recommended to maintain AEDs for more than 1 year. The possibility of drug interactions should be considered when selecting AEDs in brain tumor patients. Driving can be allowed in brain tumor patients when proven to be seizure-free for more than 1 year. Conclusion The KSNO suggests prescribing AEDs in patients with brain tumor based on the current guideline. This guideline will contribute to spreading evidence-based prescription of AEDs in brain tumor patients in Korea.