1.Cost-effectiveness of Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Intravascular Ultrasound to Guide Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From the FLAVOUR Study
Doyeon HWANG ; Hea-Lim KIM ; Jane KO ; HyunJin CHOI ; Hanna JEONG ; Sun-ae JANG ; Xinyang HU ; Jeehoon KANG ; Jinlong ZHANG ; Jun JIANG ; Joo-Yong HAHN ; Chang-Wook NAM ; Joon-Hyung DOH ; Bong-Ki LEE ; Weon KIM ; Jinyu HUANG ; Fan JIANG ; Hao ZHOU ; Peng CHEN ; Lijiang TANG ; Wenbing JIANG ; Xiaomin CHEN ; Wenming HE ; Sung Gyun AHN ; Ung KIM ; You-Jeong KI ; Eun-Seok SHIN ; Hyo-Soo KIM ; Seung-Jea TAHK ; JianAn WANG ; Tae-Jin LEE ; Bon-Kwon KOO ;
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(1):34-46
Background and Objectives:
The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea.
Methods:
A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D.
Results:
From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis.
Conclusions
Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.
2.Cost-effectiveness of Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Intravascular Ultrasound to Guide Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From the FLAVOUR Study
Doyeon HWANG ; Hea-Lim KIM ; Jane KO ; HyunJin CHOI ; Hanna JEONG ; Sun-ae JANG ; Xinyang HU ; Jeehoon KANG ; Jinlong ZHANG ; Jun JIANG ; Joo-Yong HAHN ; Chang-Wook NAM ; Joon-Hyung DOH ; Bong-Ki LEE ; Weon KIM ; Jinyu HUANG ; Fan JIANG ; Hao ZHOU ; Peng CHEN ; Lijiang TANG ; Wenbing JIANG ; Xiaomin CHEN ; Wenming HE ; Sung Gyun AHN ; Ung KIM ; You-Jeong KI ; Eun-Seok SHIN ; Hyo-Soo KIM ; Seung-Jea TAHK ; JianAn WANG ; Tae-Jin LEE ; Bon-Kwon KOO ;
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(1):34-46
Background and Objectives:
The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea.
Methods:
A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D.
Results:
From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis.
Conclusions
Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.
3.Source, Structure, Biological Activity and Application of Natural Arabinogalactan: A Review
Peng ZHAO ; Man ZHANG ; Dan MU ; Wenming BAI ; Rina SU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):353-362
Natural arabinogalactan, an important polysaccharide, has a wide range of sources, a complex structure, various biological activities, and great application potential. Natural arabinogalactan is mainly rich in plants and microorganisms, and its structure varies due to different sources, including types Ⅰ, type Ⅱ, type Ⅱ-related types, and new configurations. Natural arabinogalactan has shown a variety of biological activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-coagulation, anti-aging, blood glucose-lowering, intestinal health-maintaining, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. In addition, natural arabinogalactan shows good biocompatibility and low toxicity, serving as a potential material in the biomedical field. Natural arabinogalactan has been designed as a carrier in the drug delivery system to effectively improve drug stability and targeting. Natural arabinogalactan is often added to skin care products to help delay skin aging and enhance skin barrier function because of their moisturizing and antioxidant properties. Additionally, natural arabinogalactan acts as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier to improve the texture and taste while enhancing the nutritional value of food products. The review of latest research reports is helpful to further understand the relationship between the structure, biological activity, and functional application of natural arabinogalactan and provides an important reference for future research and development.
4.Cost-effectiveness of Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Intravascular Ultrasound to Guide Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From the FLAVOUR Study
Doyeon HWANG ; Hea-Lim KIM ; Jane KO ; HyunJin CHOI ; Hanna JEONG ; Sun-ae JANG ; Xinyang HU ; Jeehoon KANG ; Jinlong ZHANG ; Jun JIANG ; Joo-Yong HAHN ; Chang-Wook NAM ; Joon-Hyung DOH ; Bong-Ki LEE ; Weon KIM ; Jinyu HUANG ; Fan JIANG ; Hao ZHOU ; Peng CHEN ; Lijiang TANG ; Wenbing JIANG ; Xiaomin CHEN ; Wenming HE ; Sung Gyun AHN ; Ung KIM ; You-Jeong KI ; Eun-Seok SHIN ; Hyo-Soo KIM ; Seung-Jea TAHK ; JianAn WANG ; Tae-Jin LEE ; Bon-Kwon KOO ;
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(1):34-46
Background and Objectives:
The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea.
Methods:
A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D.
Results:
From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis.
Conclusions
Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.
5.Cost-effectiveness of Fractional Flow Reserve Versus Intravascular Ultrasound to Guide Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From the FLAVOUR Study
Doyeon HWANG ; Hea-Lim KIM ; Jane KO ; HyunJin CHOI ; Hanna JEONG ; Sun-ae JANG ; Xinyang HU ; Jeehoon KANG ; Jinlong ZHANG ; Jun JIANG ; Joo-Yong HAHN ; Chang-Wook NAM ; Joon-Hyung DOH ; Bong-Ki LEE ; Weon KIM ; Jinyu HUANG ; Fan JIANG ; Hao ZHOU ; Peng CHEN ; Lijiang TANG ; Wenbing JIANG ; Xiaomin CHEN ; Wenming HE ; Sung Gyun AHN ; Ung KIM ; You-Jeong KI ; Eun-Seok SHIN ; Hyo-Soo KIM ; Seung-Jea TAHK ; JianAn WANG ; Tae-Jin LEE ; Bon-Kwon KOO ;
Korean Circulation Journal 2025;55(1):34-46
Background and Objectives:
The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea.
Methods:
A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D.
Results:
From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis.
Conclusions
Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.
6.Clinical Efficacy of Gandouling Decoction Combined with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Dysphagia in Wilson Disease with Combined Phlegm and Stasis
Zhihong RAO ; Wenming YANG ; Yue YANG ; Xiang LI ; Peng HUANG ; Yulong YANG ; Ke DIAO ; Shuzhen FANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(15):155-162
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Gandouling decoction combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in the treatment of dysphagia in Wilson disease (WD) with combined phlegm and stasis. MethodsA total of 80 WD patients with dysphagia due to combined phlegm and stasis treated in the Department of Encephalopathy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine were randomized into a control group and an observation group, with 40 patients in each group. In addition, 40 healthy volunteers were recruited as the normal group. The control group was treated with basic copper drainage combined with NMES. The observation group was treated with Gandouling Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. Each course of treatment lasted for 8 days, and the patients were treated for a total of 4 courses. All subjects underwent video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) before and after treatment. During the examination, contrast agents with 4 different characters were used for the swallowing action, and the passing time was recorded. The TCM syndrome score, water swallow test score, standard swallowing assessment (SSA) score, and 24-h urinary copper level before and after treatment were analyzed. ResultsWhen performing VFSS, the passing time of contrast agents of different characters in the oral stage was longer in the WD group than in the normal group (P<0.01), while it had no significant difference in the pharyngeal stage. After treatment, the passing time in the oral stage shortened in the control and observation groups (P<0.01), and the observation group outperformed the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, both the control and observation groups showed declines in TCM syndrome score and SSA score (P<0.01) and an increase in water swallow test score (P<0.01), and the changes were more obvious in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). In addition, the treatment in the control and observation groups elevated the 24-h urinary copper level (P<0.01), and the elevation in the observation group was more obvious than that in the control group (P<0.01). Neither group showed obvious adverse reaction. ConclusionGandouling decoction combined with NMES can significantly ameliorate dysphagia in WD patients with the syndrome of combined phlegm and stasis regarding the TCM syndrome score, water swallow test score, and SSA score, demonstrating definite clinical efficacy and high safety.
7.Correlation between Kayser-Fleischer ring grading and cognitive function in Wilson’s disease
Wei HE ; Yulong YANG ; Wenming YANG ; Yue YANG ; Chen HU ; Hui LI ; Peng HUANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1150-1155
ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation with cognitive function based on a new Kayser-Fleischer ring (K-F ring) grading method in Wilson’s disease (WD). MethodsA total of 136 WD patients who were hospitalized in Encephalopathy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, from April 2022 to October 2023 were enrolled. All subjects underwent slit lamp examination, and the grade of K-F ring was determined according to the shape and extent of copper deposition in the cornea, whether it formed a ring or not, and whether there was a sunflower-like cloudy change in the lens. The patients were instructed to complete UWDRS, MoCA, and MMSE scale assessments, and these indicators were compared between patients with different K-F ring grades. An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test (homogeneity of variance) or the Dunnett’s T3 test (heterogeneity of variance) was used for further multiple comparisons; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation of K-F ring grade with UWDRS, MoCA, and MMSE scores. ResultsAmong the 136 patients with WD, there were 40 patients with grade 4 K-F ring, accounting for the highest proportion of 29.4%, and 14 patients with grade 0 K-F ring, accounting for the lowest proportion of 10.3%, and there were 22 patients with grade 1 K-F ring (16.2%), 19 with grade 2 K-F ring (14%), 25 with grade 3 K-F ring (18.4%), and 16 with grade 5 K-F ring (11.7%). According to the different grades of K-F ring, there was a significant increase in UWDRS score (F=22.61, P<0.001) and significant reductions in MoCA and MMSE scores (F=16.40 and 13.80, both P<0.001). The Spearman correlation analysis showed that K-F ring grade was positively correlated with UWDRS score (r=0.67, P<0.01) and was negatively correlated with MoCA and MMSE scores in WD patients (r=-0.59 and -0.57, both P<0.01). ConclusionThe new K-F ring grading method can determine disease severity in WD patients to a certain degree and partially reflect cognitive function and activities of daily living in such patients.
8.Exploration of Role of Yin and Yang Syndrome Differentiation in Parkinson's Disease
Wei DONG ; Wenjie HAO ; Wenming YANG ; Peng HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(3):187-195
The syndrome differentiation of Yin and Yang has the function of controlling the other six principles in the eight principles syndrome differentiation,which is a higher level or general induction of the disease. In the clinical process of traditional Chinese medicine,syndrome differentiation of Yin and Yang runs through the whole process of disease diagnosis and treatment. For Parkinson's disease,syndrome differentiation of Yin and Yang is particularly important. Different symptoms,the transformation of pathogenesis during the development of the disease and the treatment of traditional Chinese and western medicine all reflect the characteristics of Yin and Yang opposition restriction,mutual root and mutual use,and the transformation of ebb and flow. This article discusses the background,application and value of Yin-Yang syndrome differentiation from three aspects:the origin and application of yin-yang syndrome differentiation,the basis of Parkinson's disease syndrome differentiation,and the status and role of Yin-Yang syndrome differentiation in Parkinson's disease. It is of great significance to guide the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease with "Yin-Yang as the key point".
9.Wilson's Disease in Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine: A Review
Yue YANG ; Wenming YANG ; Han WANG ; Xiang LI ; Peng HUANG ; Hailin JIANG ; Wenjie HAO ; Yulong YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(4):209-217
Wilson's disease (WD) is a copper metabolism disorder caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene, with diverse phenotypes and complex pathogenesis. It is one of the few rare diseases that can achieve good clinical efficacy through standardized treatment. Since there are few systematic reviews of this disease, we summarize the pathogenesis and treatment methods of WD from traditional Chinese and western medicine by reviewing the literature related to WD. In western medicine, ATP7B gene mutation is considered as the root cause of WD, which affects copper transport and causes copper metabolism disorders. The excessive copper deposited in the body will result in oxidative stress, defects in mitochondrial function, and cell death. Western medicine treatment of WD relies mainly on drugs, and copper antagonists are the first choice in clinical practice, which are often combined with hepatoprotective and antioxidant therapy. Surgery is a common therapy for the patients with end-stage WD, and gene therapy provides an option for WD patients. According to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, WD is rooted in constitutional deficiency and copper accumulation and triggered by dampness-heat accumulation or phlegm combined with stasis. The patient syndrome varies in different stages of the disease, and thus the treatment should be based on syndrome differentiation. The TCM treatment method of nourishing the liver and kidneys and warming the spleen and kidneys can address the root cause. The methods of clearing heat and drying dampness, resolving phlegm and dispelling stasis, and soothing liver and regulating qi movement can be adopted to treat symptoms. On the basis of syndrome differentiation, special prescriptions for the treatment of WD have been formulated, such as Gandou decoction, Gandouling, and Gandou Fumu decoction, which have been widely used in clinical practice. TCM and western medicine have their own advantages and shortcomings. The integrated Chinese and western medicine complementing with each other demonstrates great therapeutic potential. This paper summarizes the pathogenesis and treatment of WD with integrated Chinese and western medicine, aiming to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
10.Discordance Between Angiographic Assessment and Fractional Flow Reserve or Intravascular Ultrasound in Intermediate Coronary Lesions: A Post-hoc Analysis of the FLAVOUR Trial
Jung-Hee LEE ; Sung Gyun AHN ; Ho Sung JEON ; Jun-Won LEE ; Young Jin YOUN ; Jinlong ZHANG ; Xinyang HU ; Jian’an WANG ; Joo Myung LEE ; Joo-Yong HAHN ; Chang-Wook NAM ; Joon-Hyung DOH ; Bong-Ki LEE ; Weon KIM ; Jinyu HUANG ; Fan JIANG ; Hao ZHOU ; Peng CHEN ; Lijiang TANG ; Wenbing JIANG ; Xiaomin CHEN ; Wenming HE ; Myeong-Ho YOON ; Seung-Jea TAHK ; Ung KIM ; You-Jeong KI ; Eun-Seok SHIN ; Doyeon HWANG ; Jeehoon KANG ; Hyo-Soo KIM ; Bon-Kwon KOO
Korean Circulation Journal 2024;54(8):485-496
Background and Objectives:
Angiographic assessment of coronary stenosis severity using quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) is often inconsistent with that based on fractional flow reserve (FFR) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). We investigated the incidence of discrepancies between QCA and FFR or IVUS, and the outcomes of FFR- and IVUS-guided strategies in discordant coronary lesions.
Methods:
This study was a post-hoc analysis of the FLAVOUR study. We used a QCA-derived diameter stenosis (DS) of 60% or greater, the highest tertile, to classify coronary lesions as concordant or discordant with FFR or IVUS criteria for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The patient-oriented composite outcome (POCO) was defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization at 24 months.
Results:
The discordance rate between QCA and FFR or IVUS was 30.2% (n=551). The QCAFFR discordance rate was numerically lower than the QCA-IVUS discordance rate (28.2% vs. 32.4%, p=0.050). In 200 patients with ≥60% DS, PCI was deferred according to negative FFR (n=141) and negative IVUS (n=59) (15.3% vs. 6.5%, p<0.001). The POCO incidence was comparable between the FFR- and IVUS-guided deferral strategies (5.9% vs. 3.4%, p=0.479).Conversely, 351 patients with DS <60% underwent PCI according to positive FFR (n=118) and positive IVUS (n=233) (12.8% vs. 25.9%, p<0.001). FFR- and IVUS-guided PCI did not differ in the incidence of POCO (9.5% vs. 6.5%, p=0.294).
Conclusions
The proportion of QCA-FFR or IVUS discordance was approximately one third for intermediate coronary lesions. FFR- or IVUS-guided strategies for these lesions were comparable with respect to POCO at 24 months.

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