This manuscript represents the official position of the Korean Society of Echocardiography on valvular heart diseases.This position paper focuses on the diagnosis and management of valvular heart diseases with referring to the guide‑ lines recently published by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology. The committee sought to reflect national data on the topic of valvular heart diseases published to date through a systematic literature search based on validity and relevance. In the part II of this article, we intend to pre‑ sent recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of mitral valve disease and tricuspid valve disease.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that patients with polycythemia vera (PV) who exhibit hydroxyurea-resistance (HU-R) and -intolerance (HU-I) may have distinct characteristics and clinical outcomes. However, to date, no studies have reported a comparison between these two groups or assessed prognostic factors in these patients. Methods: The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and identify prognostic factors among PV patients with HU-R or HU-I. We conducted a review of PV patients who received frontline treatment with HU from nine centers and identified 90 patients with HU-R or HU-I. Results: The cumulative incidence of thrombosis after 7 years of HU-R/I was 21.4%, and the incidence of disease progression was 22.5%. Comparing the HU-R and HU-I groups, the HU-R group had a significantly higher rate of disease progression (36.7% vs. 0.56%, P = 0.009), while there was no significant difference in thrombosis incidence (19.0% vs. 22.9%, P = 0.463). Multivariate analysis revealed that HU-R was an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 6.27, 95% confidence interval, 1.83–21.47, P = 0.003).Additionally, higher lactate dehydrogenase levels, multiple cardiovascular risk factors, and prior thrombosis were identified as unfavorable predictors of overall survival. Conclusion These findings suggest that patients with HU-R face a higher risk of hematological transformation, but have a comparable risk of thrombosis to patients with HU intolerance. These distinctions should guide decisions on second-line treatment options and clinical trials involving these patients.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, is a condition characterized by abnormal blood clot formation in the pulmonary arteries and the deep venous vasculature. It is often serious and sometimes even fatal if not promptly and appropriately treated. Moreover, the later consequences of VTE may result in reduced quality of life. The treatment of VTE depends on various factors, including the type, cause, and patient comorbidities. Furthermore, bleeding may occur as a side effect of VTE treatment. Thus, it is necessary to carefully weigh the benefits versus the risks of VTE treatment and to actively monitor patients undergoing treatment. Asian populations are known to have lower VTE incidences than Western populations, but recent studies have shown an increase in the incidence of VTE in Asia. A variety of treatment options are currently available owing to the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants.The current VTE treatment recommendation is based on evidence from previous studies, but it should be applied with careful consideration of the racial, genetic, and social characteristics in the Korean population.

In 2016, the World Health Organization revised the diagnostic criteria for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) based on the discovery of disease-driving genetic aberrations and extensive analysis of the clinical characteristics of patients with MPNs. Recent studies have suggested that additional somatic mutations have a clinical impact on the prognosis of patients harboring these genetic abnormalities. Treatment strategies have also advanced with the introduction of JAK inhibitors, one of which has been approved for the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis and those with hydroxyurea-resistant or intolerant polycythemia vera. Recently developed drugs aim to elicit hematologic responses, as well as symptomatic and molecular responses, and the response criteria were refined accordingly. Based on these changes, we have revised the guidelines and present the diagnosis, treatment, and risk stratification of MPNs encountered in Korea.

Background/Aims: In Korea, medications are available by prescription from a physician, or can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. Education regarding both prescribed and OTC drugs is important to minimize side effects and avoid drug abuse. The risk of side effects due to polypharmacy is increasing due to the growing number of elderly patients with comorbidities. Methods: There are various clinical guidelines for physicians, but it is difficult for patients and their caregivers to find published guidelines regarding drug use. In this regard, experts from nine subspecialties of internal medicine, geriatric medicine, and guideline development methodology formed a working group to develop guidelines for safe drug use under the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the Korean Association of Internal Medicine. Results: The main contents of this guideline are 1) safe and effective drug administration, 2) the proper use of analgesics (acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), 3) the proper use of tranquilizers and sleeping pills to prevent drug abuse, 4) points to be aware of when taking multiple medications. Conclusions The guidelines were developed for patients and their caregivers to understand the general principles and precautions for drug use, including commonly used painkillers, mood stabilizers, sleeping pills, and polypharmacy. These guidelines could also be used as educational materials for physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers to educate patients and their caregivers.

Background: Postoperative thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression therapy is recommended for patients with intermediate- and high-risk differentiated thyroid cancer to prevent the recurrence of thyroid cancer. With the recent increase in small thyroid cancer cases, the extent of resection during surgery has generally decreased. Therefore, questions have been raised about the efficacy and long-term side effects of TSH suppression therapy in patients who have undergone a lobectomy. Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial in which 2,986 patients with papillary thyroid cancer are randomized into a high-TSH group (intervention) and a low-TSH group (control) after having undergone a lobectomy. The principle of treatment includes a TSH-lowering regimen aimed at TSH levels between 0.3 and 1.99 μIU/mL in the low-TSH group. The high-TSH group targets TSH levels between 2.0 and 7.99 μIU/mL. The dose of levothyroxine will be adjusted at each visit to maintain the target TSH level. The primary outcome is recurrence-free survival, as assessed by neck ultrasound every 6 to 12 months. Secondary endpoints include disease-free survival, overall survival, success rate in reaching the TSH target range, the proportion of patients with major cardiovascular diseases or bone metabolic disease, the quality of life, and medical costs. The follow-up period is 5 years. Conclusion The results of this trial will contribute to establishing the optimal indication for TSH suppression therapy in low-risk papillary thyroid cancer patients by evaluating the benefit and harm of lowering TSH levels in terms of recurrence, metabolic complications, costs, and quality of life.

Background/Aims: In Korea, medications are available by prescription from a physician, or can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. Education regarding both prescribed and OTC drugs is important to minimize side effects and avoid drug abuse. The risk of side effects due to polypharmacy is increasing due to the growing number of elderly patients with comorbidities. Methods: There are various clinical guidelines for physicians, but it is difficult for patients and their caregivers to find published guidelines regarding drug use. In this regard, experts from nine subspecialties of internal medicine, geriatric medicine, and guideline development methodology formed a working group to develop guidelines for safe drug use under the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the Korean Association of Internal Medicine. Results: The main contents of this guideline are 1) safe and effective drug administration, 2) the proper use of analgesics (acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), 3) the proper use of tranquilizers and sleeping pills to prevent drug abuse, 4) points to be aware of when taking multiple medications. Conclusions The guidelines were developed for patients and their caregivers to understand the general principles and precautions for drug use, including commonly used painkillers, mood stabilizers, sleeping pills, and polypharmacy. These guidelines could also be used as educational materials for physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers to educate patients and their caregivers.

Background: Postoperative thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression therapy is recommended for patients with intermediate- and high-risk differentiated thyroid cancer to prevent the recurrence of thyroid cancer. With the recent increase in small thyroid cancer cases, the extent of resection during surgery has generally decreased. Therefore, questions have been raised about the efficacy and long-term side effects of TSH suppression therapy in patients who have undergone a lobectomy. Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial in which 2,986 patients with papillary thyroid cancer are randomized into a high-TSH group (intervention) and a low-TSH group (control) after having undergone a lobectomy. The principle of treatment includes a TSH-lowering regimen aimed at TSH levels between 0.3 and 1.99 μIU/mL in the low-TSH group. The high-TSH group targets TSH levels between 2.0 and 7.99 μIU/mL. The dose of levothyroxine will be adjusted at each visit to maintain the target TSH level. The primary outcome is recurrence-free survival, as assessed by neck ultrasound every 6 to 12 months. Secondary endpoints include disease-free survival, overall survival, success rate in reaching the TSH target range, the proportion of patients with major cardiovascular diseases or bone metabolic disease, the quality of life, and medical costs. The follow-up period is 5 years. Conclusion The results of this trial will contribute to establishing the optimal indication for TSH suppression therapy in low-risk papillary thyroid cancer patients by evaluating the benefit and harm of lowering TSH levels in terms of recurrence, metabolic complications, costs, and quality of life.

Background: Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) contributes to inflammatory conditions inducing conversion of endothelial cells (ECs) into activated fibroblasts, promoting fibrotic diseases. Pro-inflammatory cytokine is the most potent inducer of EndMT. We investigated inhibition of interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced EndMT by gemigliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor. Methods: We exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to 10 ng/mL IL-1β/20 μM gemigliptin and analyzed the expression of endothelial, smooth muscle, mesenchymal, and osteoblastic markers, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Smad, and non-Smad signaling pathway proteins. Results: Morphological changes showed gemigliptin blocked IL-1β-induced EndMT, upregulated EC markers, and downregulated smooth muscle and mesenchymal markers. IL-1β activation of HUVECs is initiated by the BMP/Smad and non-smad BMP signaling pathways. Gemigliptin inhibited IL-1β induction of BMP2 and 7, activin receptor type IA, BMP receptor type IA, and BMP receptor type II. Reversal of IL-1β-mediated inhibition of BMP-induced Smad1/5/8, Smad2, and Smad3 phosphorylation by gemigliptin suggests involvement of the Smad pathway in gemigliptin action. In the non-Smad BMP pathway, gemigliptin treatment significantly increased the deactivation of extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), p38, and JNK by IL-1β. Gemigliptin treatment suppressed BMP-2-induced expression of key osteoblastic markers including osterix, runt-related transcription factor 2, and hepcidin during IL-1β-induced EndMT. Conclusion We demonstrated a novel protective mechanism of gemigliptin against fibrosis by suppressing IL-1β-induced EndMT.

Fungi are a major cause of human infections with diverse clinical manifestations. The incidence of fungal infections has increased over time, particularly in patients who have risk factors such as neutropenia, immune suppression, an intravascular catheter, parenteral nutrition, a prosthetic device, and prior broad spectrum antibiotic therapy. Here, we present an unusual case of co-infection by 2 distinct fungi, Candida parapsilosis and Trichosporon asahii, isolated from a patient who did not have any known risk factors initially, except active pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite the negative conversion of sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) culture test after treatment, clinical symptoms were refractory to therapy. The patient developed symptoms suggesting septic shock, and 2 distinct colonies were isolated from a blood specimen, which were identified as C. parapsilosis and T. asahii by MALDI-TOF and rRNA sequencing. Fever and hypotension were relieved after anti-fungal agent injection, and pulmonary lesions identified by imaging also improved.
Candida ; Catheters ; Coinfection ; Fever ; Fungemia ; Fungi ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Neutropenia ; Parenteral Nutrition ; Risk Factors ; Shock, Septic ; Sputum ; Trichosporon ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary