Background: Current guidelines recommend factor IIa- or Xa-specific inhibitors over warfarin analogs for preventing thromboembolic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).However, their plasma concentrations in Korean patients are not well understood. Methods: We conducted a single-center laboratory study to determine the distribution ranges of peak and trough concentrations of three factor Xa inhibitors (apixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban) prescribed for preventing strokes in patients with AF. Patients receiving one of these drugs and undergoing blood specimen collection for laboratory tests were screened. Blood specimens were obtained from patients who had adhered to the prescribed drug regimen consistently for at least 1 week. Drug plasma concentrations were measured using heparin liquid-reagent technology-based anti-Xa chromogenic assays. Results: We selected 459 patients who were taking standard or on-label-reduced doses of apixaban (N = 252), edoxaban (N = 182), or rivaroxaban (N = 25). The 5th–95th percentile ranges of the peak concentrations were 84–414 ng/mL (apixaban), 72–424 ng/mL (edoxaban), and 97–517 ng/mL (rivaroxaban). The respective 5th–95th percentile ranges of the trough concentrations were 44–237 ng/mL, 23–93 ng/mL, and 13–219 ng/mL. Approximately 19.6% (apixaban), 33.3% (edoxaban), and 64.0% (rivaroxaban) of patients in each group had peak concentrations out of the predicted distribution ranges based on pharmacokinetic data. Approximately 7.3%, 52.8%, and 8.3% of patients had trough concentrations out of the predicted distribution ranges. Conclusions A considerable proportion of Korean patients with AF taking factor Xa inhibitors may require population-specific reference ranges to guide therapeutic monitoring.

Hypoparathyroidism is one of the major complications of total thyroidectomy. This complication can occur when the parathyroid tissue is unintentionally removed or the parathyroid vessels is ligated. Early mapping and localization of the parathyroid tissue would be helpful to prevent such unintended complication. The authors introduce the procedures of parathyroid identification with Near-infrared autofluorescence performed in our institution.

Hypoparathyroidism is one of the major complications of total thyroidectomy. This complication can occur when the parathyroid tissue is unintentionally removed or the parathyroid vessels is ligated. Early mapping and localization of the parathyroid tissue would be helpful to prevent such unintended complication. The authors introduce the procedures of parathyroid identification with Near-infrared autofluorescence performed in our institution.

Hypoparathyroidism is one of the major complications of total thyroidectomy. This complication can occur when the parathyroid tissue is unintentionally removed or the parathyroid vessels is ligated. Early mapping and localization of the parathyroid tissue would be helpful to prevent such unintended complication. The authors introduce the procedures of parathyroid identification with Near-infrared autofluorescence performed in our institution.

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.

Hypoparathyroidism is one of the major complications of total thyroidectomy. This complication can occur when the parathyroid tissue is unintentionally removed or the parathyroid vessels is ligated. Early mapping and localization of the parathyroid tissue would be helpful to prevent such unintended complication. The authors introduce the procedures of parathyroid identification with Near-infrared autofluorescence performed in our institution.

Hypoparathyroidism is one of the major complications of total thyroidectomy. This complication can occur when the parathyroid tissue is unintentionally removed or the parathyroid vessels is ligated. Early mapping and localization of the parathyroid tissue would be helpful to prevent such unintended complication. The authors introduce the procedures of parathyroid identification with Near-infrared autofluorescence performed in our institution.