Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in South Korea, imposing substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and society. Despite the high burden of symptom and complex care needs of HF patients, palliative care and hospice services remain underutilized in South Korea due to cultural, institutional, and knowledge-related barriers. This position statement from the Korean Society of Heart Failure emphasizes the need for integrating palliative and hospice care into HF management to improve quality of life and support holistic care for patients and their families. By clarifying the role of palliative care in HF and proposing practical referral criteria, this position statement aims to bridge the gap between HF and palliative care services in South Korea, ultimately improving patient-centered outcomes and aligning treatment with the goals and values of HF patients.

To examine the effects of a spousal participation health promotion program (health promotion program, HPP) based on Cox’s Interaction Model of supporting husbands’ health behavior compliance following a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: This study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. A total of 52 participants (26 in each group) completed the study. The researchers conducted pretest and posttest at 12-week intervals on 26 control groups. Those in the 26 experimental groups attended in the entire 12-week program with pretest and posttest. Also, 10 control groups who wished to receive the intervention were given the opportunity to participate in the HPP for 3 weeks and were provided with the materials used from weeks 4 through 12 after completion of the study. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and a Wilcoxon signed rank test were conducted. Results: Spousal participation HPP was effective in promoting participants’ marital compatibility and health behavior compliance. Conclusion: Spousal participation HPP was an effective intervention for reducing body mass index, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein, enhancing marital harmony, and promoting health behavior compliance among middle-aged and older men who underwent PCI. Therefore, it is recommended to actively utilize the spousal participation HPP as an effective intervention strategy for health management of this population.

Background and Objectives: Until now, apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has been considered to have a benign prognosis in terms of cardiovascular mortality. The prevalence of sudden cardiac arrest and the current status of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantations in patients with apical HCM remain to be elucidated. Methods: Between July 2001 and May 2021, 96 HCM patients who had undergone ICD implantations from 3 tertiary hospitals were reviewed. We evaluated the prevalence of apical HCM and the indication for an ICD implantation. Results: Fifteen patients (15.6%) had apical HCM and 81 (84.4%) the non-apical type including septal (n = 56) and diffuse (n = 25) types, respectively. Sixty-four patients (66.7%) received ICD implantations for primary prevention and 32 (33.3%) for secondary prevention.Among those with apical HCM, 7 patients (46.7%) presented with an aborted sudden cardiac death or documented ventricular fibrillation, therefore, they received ICD implantations for secondary prevention. The proportion of secondary prevention ICD implantations did not significantly differ between apical and non-apical HCM subtypes (46.7% [7/15] vs. 30.9% [25/81], P = 0.233). Conclusions The proportion of secondary prevention ICD implantations did not differ significantly by HCM subtype. ICD implantations should be considered for high-risk patients with apical HCM.

This paper introduces the current status of Seoul National University Hospital Dementia Brain Bank (SNUH-DBB), focusing on the concordance rate between clinical diagnoses and postmortem neuropathological diagnoses. We detail SNUH-DBB operations, including protocols for specimen handling, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and cerebral organoids establishment from postmortem dural fibroblasts, and adult neural progenitor cell cultures. We assessed clinical-neuropathological diagnostic concordance rate. Between 2015 and September 2024, 162 brain specimens were collected via brain donation and autopsy. The median donor age was 73 years (1-94) with a male-to -female ratio of 2:1. The median postmortem interval was 9.5 hours (range: 2.5-65). Common neuropathological diagnoses included pure Lewy body disease (10.6%), Lewy body disease (LBD) with other brain diseases (10.6%), pure Alzheimer's disease-neuropathological change (ADNC) (6.0%), ADNC with other brain diseases (10.7%), vascular brain injury (15.2%), and primary age-related tauopathy (7.3%). APOE genotype distribution was following: ε3/ε3: 62.3%, ε2/ε3:9.6%, ε2/ε4: 3.4%, ε3/ε4: 24.0%, and ε4/ε4: 0.7%. Concordance rates between pathological and clinical diagnoses were: ADNC/AD at 42.4%; LBD at 59.0%; PSP at 100%; ALS at 85.7%; Huntington’s disease 100%. The varying concordance rates across different diseases emphasize the need for improved diagnostic criteria and biomarkers, particularly for AD and LBD. Tissues have been distributed to over 40 national studies. SNUH-DBB provides high-quality brain tissues and cell models for neuroscience research, operating under standardized procedures and international guidelines. It supports translational research in dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, potentially advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

This paper introduces the current status of Seoul National University Hospital Dementia Brain Bank (SNUH-DBB), focusing on the concordance rate between clinical diagnoses and postmortem neuropathological diagnoses. We detail SNUH-DBB operations, including protocols for specimen handling, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and cerebral organoids establishment from postmortem dural fibroblasts, and adult neural progenitor cell cultures. We assessed clinical-neuropathological diagnostic concordance rate. Between 2015 and September 2024, 162 brain specimens were collected via brain donation and autopsy. The median donor age was 73 years (1-94) with a male-to -female ratio of 2:1. The median postmortem interval was 9.5 hours (range: 2.5-65). Common neuropathological diagnoses included pure Lewy body disease (10.6%), Lewy body disease (LBD) with other brain diseases (10.6%), pure Alzheimer's disease-neuropathological change (ADNC) (6.0%), ADNC with other brain diseases (10.7%), vascular brain injury (15.2%), and primary age-related tauopathy (7.3%). APOE genotype distribution was following: ε3/ε3: 62.3%, ε2/ε3:9.6%, ε2/ε4: 3.4%, ε3/ε4: 24.0%, and ε4/ε4: 0.7%. Concordance rates between pathological and clinical diagnoses were: ADNC/AD at 42.4%; LBD at 59.0%; PSP at 100%; ALS at 85.7%; Huntington’s disease 100%. The varying concordance rates across different diseases emphasize the need for improved diagnostic criteria and biomarkers, particularly for AD and LBD. Tissues have been distributed to over 40 national studies. SNUH-DBB provides high-quality brain tissues and cell models for neuroscience research, operating under standardized procedures and international guidelines. It supports translational research in dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, potentially advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

This paper introduces the current status of Seoul National University Hospital Dementia Brain Bank (SNUH-DBB), focusing on the concordance rate between clinical diagnoses and postmortem neuropathological diagnoses. We detail SNUH-DBB operations, including protocols for specimen handling, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and cerebral organoids establishment from postmortem dural fibroblasts, and adult neural progenitor cell cultures. We assessed clinical-neuropathological diagnostic concordance rate. Between 2015 and September 2024, 162 brain specimens were collected via brain donation and autopsy. The median donor age was 73 years (1-94) with a male-to -female ratio of 2:1. The median postmortem interval was 9.5 hours (range: 2.5-65). Common neuropathological diagnoses included pure Lewy body disease (10.6%), Lewy body disease (LBD) with other brain diseases (10.6%), pure Alzheimer's disease-neuropathological change (ADNC) (6.0%), ADNC with other brain diseases (10.7%), vascular brain injury (15.2%), and primary age-related tauopathy (7.3%). APOE genotype distribution was following: ε3/ε3: 62.3%, ε2/ε3:9.6%, ε2/ε4: 3.4%, ε3/ε4: 24.0%, and ε4/ε4: 0.7%. Concordance rates between pathological and clinical diagnoses were: ADNC/AD at 42.4%; LBD at 59.0%; PSP at 100%; ALS at 85.7%; Huntington’s disease 100%. The varying concordance rates across different diseases emphasize the need for improved diagnostic criteria and biomarkers, particularly for AD and LBD. Tissues have been distributed to over 40 national studies. SNUH-DBB provides high-quality brain tissues and cell models for neuroscience research, operating under standardized procedures and international guidelines. It supports translational research in dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, potentially advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has been used for over a century and has been demonstrated to be effective in treating patients with various allergic diseases. AIT allergens can be administered through various routes, including subcutaneous, sublingual, intralymphatic, oral, or epicutaneous routes. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has recently gained clinical interest, and it is considered an alternative treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. This review provides an overview of the current evidence-based studies that address the use of SLIT for treating AR, including (1) mechanisms of action, (2) appropriate patient selection for SLIT, (3) the current available SLIT products in Korea, and (4) updated information on its efficacy and safety. Finally, this guideline aims to provide the clinician with practical considerations for SLIT.

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a causative treatment of allergic diseases in which allergen extracts are regularly administered in a gradually escalated doses, leading to immune tolerance and consequent alleviation of allergic diseases. The need for uniform practice guidelines in AIT is continuously growing as the number of potential candidates for AIT increases and new therapeutic approaches are tried. This updated version of the Korean Academy of Asthma Allergy and Clinical Immunology recommendations for AIT, published in 2010, proposes an expert opinion by specialists in allergy, pediatrics, and otorhinolaryngology. This guideline deals with the basic knowledge of AIT, including mechanisms, clinical efficacy, allergen standardization, important allergens in Korea, and special consideration in pediatrics. The article also covers the methodological aspects of AIT, including patient selection, allergen selection, schedule and doses, follow-up care, efficacy measurements, and management of adverse reactions. Although this guideline suggests the optimal dosing schedule, an individualized approach and modifications are recommended considering the situation for each patient and clinic.

This paper introduces the current status of Seoul National University Hospital Dementia Brain Bank (SNUH-DBB), focusing on the concordance rate between clinical diagnoses and postmortem neuropathological diagnoses. We detail SNUH-DBB operations, including protocols for specimen handling, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and cerebral organoids establishment from postmortem dural fibroblasts, and adult neural progenitor cell cultures. We assessed clinical-neuropathological diagnostic concordance rate. Between 2015 and September 2024, 162 brain specimens were collected via brain donation and autopsy. The median donor age was 73 years (1-94) with a male-to -female ratio of 2:1. The median postmortem interval was 9.5 hours (range: 2.5-65). Common neuropathological diagnoses included pure Lewy body disease (10.6%), Lewy body disease (LBD) with other brain diseases (10.6%), pure Alzheimer's disease-neuropathological change (ADNC) (6.0%), ADNC with other brain diseases (10.7%), vascular brain injury (15.2%), and primary age-related tauopathy (7.3%). APOE genotype distribution was following: ε3/ε3: 62.3%, ε2/ε3:9.6%, ε2/ε4: 3.4%, ε3/ε4: 24.0%, and ε4/ε4: 0.7%. Concordance rates between pathological and clinical diagnoses were: ADNC/AD at 42.4%; LBD at 59.0%; PSP at 100%; ALS at 85.7%; Huntington’s disease 100%. The varying concordance rates across different diseases emphasize the need for improved diagnostic criteria and biomarkers, particularly for AD and LBD. Tissues have been distributed to over 40 national studies. SNUH-DBB provides high-quality brain tissues and cell models for neuroscience research, operating under standardized procedures and international guidelines. It supports translational research in dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, potentially advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Objective: Adenomyosis impacts pregnancy outcomes, although there is a lack of consensus regarding the actual effects. It is likely, however, that the severity of adenomyosis or ultrasound findings or timing of diagnosis can have different effects on adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Methods: In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of the timing of adenomyosis diagnosis on pregnancy outcomes. Singleton pregnant women who delivered between 2017 and 2022 were analyzed based on the timing of adenomyosis diagnosis, using a national database. The final cohort was classified into three groups: 1) group 1, without adenomyosis; 2) group 2, those diagnosed with adenomyosis before pregnancy; and 3) group 3, those diagnosed with adenomyosis during pregnancy. Results: A total of 1,226,475 cases were ultimately included in this study. Women with a diagnosis of adenomyosis had a significantly higher risk of APOs including hypertensive disorder during pregnancy (HDP), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), postpartum hemorrhage, placental abruption, preterm birth, and delivery of a small-for-gestational-age infant even after adjusting for covariates. In particular, concerning HDP, the risk was highest in group 3 (group 2: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.15 vs. group 3: aOR, 1.36). However, the highest GDM risk was in group 2 (GDM; group 2: aOR, 1.24 vs. group 3: aOR, 1.04). Conclusion The increased risk of APO differed depending on the timing of adenomyosis diagnosis. Therefore, efforts for more careful monitoring and prevention of APOs may be necessary when such women become pregnant.