Background and Objectives: Evidence remains limited on the real-world prescription of very low-dose oral anticoagulation among frail patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We described the practice patterns, effectiveness, and safety of very low-dose edoxaban (15 mg once daily). Methods: Patients with AF prescribed edoxaban 15 mg once daily in 2 tertiary hospitals between 2016 and September 2022 were included. Baseline clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes of interest were thromboembolic and bleeding events. Results: A total of 674 patients were included (mean age 78.3±9.1, 49.7% aged ≥80 years, 49.3% women, median follow-up 1.0±1.2 years). Mean CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score was 3.9±1.6, and the modified HAS-BLED score was 2.0±1.1. Between 2016 and 2022, the number of very lowdose edoxaban prescriptions increased. The main reasons for the prescription of very lowdose were low body weight (55.5% below 60 kg), anaemia (62.8%), chronic kidney disease (40.2%), active cancer (15.3%), concomitant anti-platelet use (26.7%), and prior major bleeding (19.7%). During a median follow-up duration of 8 (interquartile range 3–16) months, overall thromboembolic and bleeding events occurred in 16 (2.3%) and 88 (13.1%) patients, respectively. Compared to the expected event rates on the established risk scoring systems, patients receiving very low-dose edoxaban demonstrated a 61% reduction in ischemic stroke, a 68% reduction of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism, whereas a 49% increase in major bleeding. Conclusions The prescription of very low-dose edoxaban was increased over time, attributable to various clinical factors. The use of very low-dose edoxaban reduced the expected risk of thromboembolic events.

Background and Objectives: Evidence remains limited on the real-world prescription of very low-dose oral anticoagulation among frail patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We described the practice patterns, effectiveness, and safety of very low-dose edoxaban (15 mg once daily). Methods: Patients with AF prescribed edoxaban 15 mg once daily in 2 tertiary hospitals between 2016 and September 2022 were included. Baseline clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes of interest were thromboembolic and bleeding events. Results: A total of 674 patients were included (mean age 78.3±9.1, 49.7% aged ≥80 years, 49.3% women, median follow-up 1.0±1.2 years). Mean CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score was 3.9±1.6, and the modified HAS-BLED score was 2.0±1.1. Between 2016 and 2022, the number of very lowdose edoxaban prescriptions increased. The main reasons for the prescription of very lowdose were low body weight (55.5% below 60 kg), anaemia (62.8%), chronic kidney disease (40.2%), active cancer (15.3%), concomitant anti-platelet use (26.7%), and prior major bleeding (19.7%). During a median follow-up duration of 8 (interquartile range 3–16) months, overall thromboembolic and bleeding events occurred in 16 (2.3%) and 88 (13.1%) patients, respectively. Compared to the expected event rates on the established risk scoring systems, patients receiving very low-dose edoxaban demonstrated a 61% reduction in ischemic stroke, a 68% reduction of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism, whereas a 49% increase in major bleeding. Conclusions The prescription of very low-dose edoxaban was increased over time, attributable to various clinical factors. The use of very low-dose edoxaban reduced the expected risk of thromboembolic events.

Background and Objectives: Evidence remains limited on the real-world prescription of very low-dose oral anticoagulation among frail patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We described the practice patterns, effectiveness, and safety of very low-dose edoxaban (15 mg once daily). Methods: Patients with AF prescribed edoxaban 15 mg once daily in 2 tertiary hospitals between 2016 and September 2022 were included. Baseline clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes of interest were thromboembolic and bleeding events. Results: A total of 674 patients were included (mean age 78.3±9.1, 49.7% aged ≥80 years, 49.3% women, median follow-up 1.0±1.2 years). Mean CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score was 3.9±1.6, and the modified HAS-BLED score was 2.0±1.1. Between 2016 and 2022, the number of very lowdose edoxaban prescriptions increased. The main reasons for the prescription of very lowdose were low body weight (55.5% below 60 kg), anaemia (62.8%), chronic kidney disease (40.2%), active cancer (15.3%), concomitant anti-platelet use (26.7%), and prior major bleeding (19.7%). During a median follow-up duration of 8 (interquartile range 3–16) months, overall thromboembolic and bleeding events occurred in 16 (2.3%) and 88 (13.1%) patients, respectively. Compared to the expected event rates on the established risk scoring systems, patients receiving very low-dose edoxaban demonstrated a 61% reduction in ischemic stroke, a 68% reduction of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism, whereas a 49% increase in major bleeding. Conclusions The prescription of very low-dose edoxaban was increased over time, attributable to various clinical factors. The use of very low-dose edoxaban reduced the expected risk of thromboembolic events.

Background and Objectives: Evidence remains limited on the real-world prescription of very low-dose oral anticoagulation among frail patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We described the practice patterns, effectiveness, and safety of very low-dose edoxaban (15 mg once daily). Methods: Patients with AF prescribed edoxaban 15 mg once daily in 2 tertiary hospitals between 2016 and September 2022 were included. Baseline clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes of interest were thromboembolic and bleeding events. Results: A total of 674 patients were included (mean age 78.3±9.1, 49.7% aged ≥80 years, 49.3% women, median follow-up 1.0±1.2 years). Mean CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score was 3.9±1.6, and the modified HAS-BLED score was 2.0±1.1. Between 2016 and 2022, the number of very lowdose edoxaban prescriptions increased. The main reasons for the prescription of very lowdose were low body weight (55.5% below 60 kg), anaemia (62.8%), chronic kidney disease (40.2%), active cancer (15.3%), concomitant anti-platelet use (26.7%), and prior major bleeding (19.7%). During a median follow-up duration of 8 (interquartile range 3–16) months, overall thromboembolic and bleeding events occurred in 16 (2.3%) and 88 (13.1%) patients, respectively. Compared to the expected event rates on the established risk scoring systems, patients receiving very low-dose edoxaban demonstrated a 61% reduction in ischemic stroke, a 68% reduction of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism, whereas a 49% increase in major bleeding. Conclusions The prescription of very low-dose edoxaban was increased over time, attributable to various clinical factors. The use of very low-dose edoxaban reduced the expected risk of thromboembolic events.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risks of adverse events including stroke and all-cause death. Understanding the pattern of causes of death (COD) with the relative risks in patients with AF compared to the non-AF population is essential in planning optimal care for patients with AF. We aimed to analyze the COD and its relative risks in patients with AF, using a nationwide population-based cohort. Methods: Using the Korean nationwide claims database, people aged 40 or older who received health examinations in 2009 were included if they had no missing values (n = 6,877,929).In total the study included 40,585 people with AF and 6,837,344 without AF. COD was defined by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnostic codes. Comparison between the AF and non-AF groups was performed with Multivariate Cox proportional regression model. Results: In the AF group, cardiovascular diseases were the most common COD, causing 39.8% of all deaths, compared with 19.0% for non-AF subjects. The AF group was associated with a higher risk of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases by almost 3-fold than the matched non-AF group (hazard ratios [HR], 3.082; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 2.963–3.205 for cardiovascular diseases; HR, 2.981; 95% CI, 2.799–3.175 for cerebrovascular diseases, all P < 0.001). Among patients with AF, the risks of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular death were well-stratified by CHA2DS2 -VASc scores. The risk of cerebrovascular death was 11 times higher among patients with a CHA2DS2 -VASc score ≥ 7. Conclusion Compared to non-AF individuals, patients with AF had a higher risk of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and the mortality risks were wellstratified by the CHA2DS2 -VASc score. Integrated care management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases for patients with AF might help mitigate mortality.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risks of adverse events including stroke and all-cause death. Understanding the pattern of causes of death (COD) with the relative risks in patients with AF compared to the non-AF population is essential in planning optimal care for patients with AF. We aimed to analyze the COD and its relative risks in patients with AF, using a nationwide population-based cohort. Methods: Using the Korean nationwide claims database, people aged 40 or older who received health examinations in 2009 were included if they had no missing values (n = 6,877,929).In total the study included 40,585 people with AF and 6,837,344 without AF. COD was defined by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnostic codes. Comparison between the AF and non-AF groups was performed with Multivariate Cox proportional regression model. Results: In the AF group, cardiovascular diseases were the most common COD, causing 39.8% of all deaths, compared with 19.0% for non-AF subjects. The AF group was associated with a higher risk of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases by almost 3-fold than the matched non-AF group (hazard ratios [HR], 3.082; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 2.963–3.205 for cardiovascular diseases; HR, 2.981; 95% CI, 2.799–3.175 for cerebrovascular diseases, all P < 0.001). Among patients with AF, the risks of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular death were well-stratified by CHA2DS2 -VASc scores. The risk of cerebrovascular death was 11 times higher among patients with a CHA2DS2 -VASc score ≥ 7. Conclusion Compared to non-AF individuals, patients with AF had a higher risk of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and the mortality risks were wellstratified by the CHA2DS2 -VASc score. Integrated care management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases for patients with AF might help mitigate mortality.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risks of adverse events including stroke and all-cause death. Understanding the pattern of causes of death (COD) with the relative risks in patients with AF compared to the non-AF population is essential in planning optimal care for patients with AF. We aimed to analyze the COD and its relative risks in patients with AF, using a nationwide population-based cohort. Methods: Using the Korean nationwide claims database, people aged 40 or older who received health examinations in 2009 were included if they had no missing values (n = 6,877,929).In total the study included 40,585 people with AF and 6,837,344 without AF. COD was defined by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnostic codes. Comparison between the AF and non-AF groups was performed with Multivariate Cox proportional regression model. Results: In the AF group, cardiovascular diseases were the most common COD, causing 39.8% of all deaths, compared with 19.0% for non-AF subjects. The AF group was associated with a higher risk of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases by almost 3-fold than the matched non-AF group (hazard ratios [HR], 3.082; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 2.963–3.205 for cardiovascular diseases; HR, 2.981; 95% CI, 2.799–3.175 for cerebrovascular diseases, all P < 0.001). Among patients with AF, the risks of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular death were well-stratified by CHA2DS2 -VASc scores. The risk of cerebrovascular death was 11 times higher among patients with a CHA2DS2 -VASc score ≥ 7. Conclusion Compared to non-AF individuals, patients with AF had a higher risk of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and the mortality risks were wellstratified by the CHA2DS2 -VASc score. Integrated care management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases for patients with AF might help mitigate mortality.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased risks of adverse events including stroke and all-cause death. Understanding the pattern of causes of death (COD) with the relative risks in patients with AF compared to the non-AF population is essential in planning optimal care for patients with AF. We aimed to analyze the COD and its relative risks in patients with AF, using a nationwide population-based cohort. Methods: Using the Korean nationwide claims database, people aged 40 or older who received health examinations in 2009 were included if they had no missing values (n = 6,877,929).In total the study included 40,585 people with AF and 6,837,344 without AF. COD was defined by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnostic codes. Comparison between the AF and non-AF groups was performed with Multivariate Cox proportional regression model. Results: In the AF group, cardiovascular diseases were the most common COD, causing 39.8% of all deaths, compared with 19.0% for non-AF subjects. The AF group was associated with a higher risk of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases by almost 3-fold than the matched non-AF group (hazard ratios [HR], 3.082; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 2.963–3.205 for cardiovascular diseases; HR, 2.981; 95% CI, 2.799–3.175 for cerebrovascular diseases, all P < 0.001). Among patients with AF, the risks of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular death were well-stratified by CHA2DS2 -VASc scores. The risk of cerebrovascular death was 11 times higher among patients with a CHA2DS2 -VASc score ≥ 7. Conclusion Compared to non-AF individuals, patients with AF had a higher risk of death from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and the mortality risks were wellstratified by the CHA2DS2 -VASc score. Integrated care management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases for patients with AF might help mitigate mortality.

Background: Lessons learned from the Household Humidifier Disinfectant Tragedy (HHDT) in Korea, which poisoned thousands of citizens over a period of years, necessitated an examination of national poison prevention and surveillance systems. The objectives of this study are to identify essential changes needed in chemical poisoning prevention regulations and surveillance systems for effective poison control by comparing recent trends in international poison control center (PCC) operations, and to delineate the critical elements for establishing a state-of-the-art poison control surveillance system in Korea based on recent advances in PCCs with toxicovigilance. Methods: A comprehensive review of Korea’s regulatory and surveillance systems for chemical health hazards, with a focus on household products under the HHDT, was conducted. A review of toxicovigilance systems in major countries shows that creating an effective national PCC requires key elements: a centralized database of toxic substances and poisoning cases, mandatory or voluntary reporting of poisoning cases, real-time alerts, collaboration among health organizations, and targeted follow-up of poisoned individuals. Results: Significant deficiencies in Korea’s legislation, toxicological data management, and poisoning surveillance systems, explained the inadequate response of the Korean government to the HHDT for nearly 17 years until the end of 2011. Based on a review of PCC toxicovigilance systems in major countries, a national framework with five core components is recommended for establishing a modern comprehensive Korea PCC system with toxicovigilance capacity. The core components include establishment of a centralized database of toxic substances information and clinical poisoning cases, implementation of mandatory or permissive reporting of poisoning cases, real-time alert mechanisms, collaborative systems among health-related organizations, and clinical follow-up of poisoned sub-groups. Conclusion A rationale and framework for a state-of-the-art national Korean PCC with toxicovigilance is justified and offered. This proposed system could assist neighboring countries in establishing their own sophisticated, globally integrated PCC networks.

Purpose: Surgical management of obstructive left colon cancer (OLCC) is still a matter of debate. The classic Hartmann procedure (HP) has a disadvantage that requires a second major operation. Subtotal colectomy/total abdominal colectomy (STC/TC) with ileosigmoid or ileorectal anastomosis is proposed as an alternative procedure to avoid stoma and anastomotic leakage. However, doubts about morbidity and functional outcome and lack of long-term outcomes have made surgeons hesitate to perform this procedure. Therefore, this trial was designed to provide data for morbidity, functional outcomes, and long-term outcomes of STC/TC. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed consecutive cases of OLCC that were treated by STC/TC between January 2000 and November 2020 at a single tertiary referral center. Perioperative outcomes and long-term outcomes of STC/TC were analyzed. Results: Twenty-five descending colon cancer (45.5%) and 30 sigmoid colon cancer cases (54.5%) were enrolled in this study. Postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients. The majority complication was postoperative ileus (10 of 12). Anastomotic leakage and perioperative mortality were not observed. At 6 to 12 weeks after the surgery, the median frequency of defecation was twice per day (interquartile range, 1–3 times per day). Eight patients (14.5%) required medication during this period, but only 3 of 8 patients required medication after 1 year. The 3-year disease-free survival was 72.7% and 3-year overall survival was 86.7%. Conclusion The risk of anastomotic leakage is low after STC/TC. Functional and long-term outcomes are also acceptable. Therefore, STC/TC for OLCC is a safe, 1-stage procedure that does not require diverting stoma.