Background and Objectives: We investigated the clinical benefit of anticoagulation with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) in very elderly atrial fibrillation (AF) patients through national healthcare insurance registry. Methods: Clinical data was acquired from the National Health Insurance Service of south Korea. Medical records of 862,935 patients who were diagnosed with AF from 2015 to 2020 were collected for analysis. Patients under the age of 85, prior history of intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding and prior prescription days of aspirin, warfarin or NOAC exceeding 90 along with follow up period less than 90 days were excluded. Results: A total of 10,625 patients were eligible for analysis. Patients with oral anticoagulant (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53–0.69, p<0.001) showed higher efficacy regarding cerebrovascular accident (CVA) compared to aspirin (HR, 0.84, 95% CI, 0.74–0.95, p=0.008) and no treatment group. Individual comparison of NOAC and aspirin via propensity score matching showed that patients with NOAC (HR, 0.71, 95% CI, 0.61–0.85, p<0.001) showed higher event free survival regarding CVA compared to aspirin. Bleeding risk was also higher for NOAC (HR, 1.28, 95% CI, 1.07–1.56, p=0.006) group but did not result in commensurate increase in mortality (HR, 0.60, 95% CI, 0.45–0.81, p<0.001). Conclusions Anticoagulation with NOAC in very elderly patient showed higher event free survival regarding CVA. Despite having higher event rate of bleeding, eventual death was lower for NOAC.

Background and Objectives: We investigated the clinical benefit of anticoagulation with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) in very elderly atrial fibrillation (AF) patients through national healthcare insurance registry. Methods: Clinical data was acquired from the National Health Insurance Service of south Korea. Medical records of 862,935 patients who were diagnosed with AF from 2015 to 2020 were collected for analysis. Patients under the age of 85, prior history of intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding and prior prescription days of aspirin, warfarin or NOAC exceeding 90 along with follow up period less than 90 days were excluded. Results: A total of 10,625 patients were eligible for analysis. Patients with oral anticoagulant (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53–0.69, p<0.001) showed higher efficacy regarding cerebrovascular accident (CVA) compared to aspirin (HR, 0.84, 95% CI, 0.74–0.95, p=0.008) and no treatment group. Individual comparison of NOAC and aspirin via propensity score matching showed that patients with NOAC (HR, 0.71, 95% CI, 0.61–0.85, p<0.001) showed higher event free survival regarding CVA compared to aspirin. Bleeding risk was also higher for NOAC (HR, 1.28, 95% CI, 1.07–1.56, p=0.006) group but did not result in commensurate increase in mortality (HR, 0.60, 95% CI, 0.45–0.81, p<0.001). Conclusions Anticoagulation with NOAC in very elderly patient showed higher event free survival regarding CVA. Despite having higher event rate of bleeding, eventual death was lower for NOAC.

Background and Objectives: We investigated the clinical benefit of anticoagulation with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) in very elderly atrial fibrillation (AF) patients through national healthcare insurance registry. Methods: Clinical data was acquired from the National Health Insurance Service of south Korea. Medical records of 862,935 patients who were diagnosed with AF from 2015 to 2020 were collected for analysis. Patients under the age of 85, prior history of intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding and prior prescription days of aspirin, warfarin or NOAC exceeding 90 along with follow up period less than 90 days were excluded. Results: A total of 10,625 patients were eligible for analysis. Patients with oral anticoagulant (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53–0.69, p<0.001) showed higher efficacy regarding cerebrovascular accident (CVA) compared to aspirin (HR, 0.84, 95% CI, 0.74–0.95, p=0.008) and no treatment group. Individual comparison of NOAC and aspirin via propensity score matching showed that patients with NOAC (HR, 0.71, 95% CI, 0.61–0.85, p<0.001) showed higher event free survival regarding CVA compared to aspirin. Bleeding risk was also higher for NOAC (HR, 1.28, 95% CI, 1.07–1.56, p=0.006) group but did not result in commensurate increase in mortality (HR, 0.60, 95% CI, 0.45–0.81, p<0.001). Conclusions Anticoagulation with NOAC in very elderly patient showed higher event free survival regarding CVA. Despite having higher event rate of bleeding, eventual death was lower for NOAC.

Background and Objectives: We investigated the clinical benefit of anticoagulation with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) in very elderly atrial fibrillation (AF) patients through national healthcare insurance registry. Methods: Clinical data was acquired from the National Health Insurance Service of south Korea. Medical records of 862,935 patients who were diagnosed with AF from 2015 to 2020 were collected for analysis. Patients under the age of 85, prior history of intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding and prior prescription days of aspirin, warfarin or NOAC exceeding 90 along with follow up period less than 90 days were excluded. Results: A total of 10,625 patients were eligible for analysis. Patients with oral anticoagulant (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53–0.69, p<0.001) showed higher efficacy regarding cerebrovascular accident (CVA) compared to aspirin (HR, 0.84, 95% CI, 0.74–0.95, p=0.008) and no treatment group. Individual comparison of NOAC and aspirin via propensity score matching showed that patients with NOAC (HR, 0.71, 95% CI, 0.61–0.85, p<0.001) showed higher event free survival regarding CVA compared to aspirin. Bleeding risk was also higher for NOAC (HR, 1.28, 95% CI, 1.07–1.56, p=0.006) group but did not result in commensurate increase in mortality (HR, 0.60, 95% CI, 0.45–0.81, p<0.001). Conclusions Anticoagulation with NOAC in very elderly patient showed higher event free survival regarding CVA. Despite having higher event rate of bleeding, eventual death was lower for NOAC.

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proven to be a reliable inflammatory marker. A recent study reported that elevated NLR is associated with adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We investigated whether NLR at emergency room (ER) is associated with mechanical complications of STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 744 patients with STEMI who underwent successful primary PCI from 2009 to 2018 were enrolled in this study. Total and differential leukocyte counts were measured at ER. The NLR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophil count to lymphocyte count. Patients were divided into tertiles according to NLR. Mechanical complications of STEMI were defined by STEMI combined with sudden cardiac arrest, stent thrombosis, pericardial effusion, post myocardial infarction (MI) pericarditis, and post MI ventricular septal rupture, free-wall rupture, left ventricular thrombus, and acute mitral regurgitation during hospitalization. Results: Patients in the high NLR group (> 4.90) had higher risk of mechanical complications of STEMI (P = 0.001) compared with those in the low and intermediate groups (13% vs. 13% vs. 23%). On multivariable analysis, NLR remained an independent predictor for mechanical complications of STEMI (RR = 1.947, 95% CI = 1.136–3.339, P= 0.015) along with symptom-to balloon time (P = 0.002) and left ventricular dysfunction (P < 0.001). Conclusion NLR at ER is an independent predictor of mechanical complications of STEMI undergoing primary PCI. STEMI patients with high NLR are at increased risk for complications during hospitalization, therefore, needs more intensive treatment after PCI.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to determine the value of hypoxic liver injury (HLI) in the emergency room (ER) for predicting hypoxic hepatitis (HH) and in-hospital mortality in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Materials and Methods: 1537 consecutive STEMI patients were enrolled. HLI in the ER was defined as a ≥2-fold increase in serum aspartate transaminase (AST). HH was defined as a ≥20-fold increase in peak serum transaminase. Patients were divided into four groups according to HLI and HH status (group 1, no HLI or HH; group 2, HLI, but no HH; group 3, no HLI, but HH; group 4, both HLI and HH). Results: The incidences of HLI and HH in the ER were 22% and 2%, respectively. In-hospital mortality rates were 3.1%, 11.8%, 28.6%, and 47.1% for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Patients with HLI and/or HH had worse Killip class, higher cardiac biomarker elevations, and lower left ventricular ejection fraction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HLI in the ER was an independent predictor of HH [odds ratio 2.572, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.166–5.675, p=0.019]. The predictive value of HLI in the ER for the development of HH during hospitalization was favorable [area under the curve (AUC) 0.737, 95% CI 0.643–0.830, sensitivity 0.548, specificity 0.805, for cut-off value AST >80]. Furthermore, in terms of in-hospital mortality, predictive values of HLI in the ER and HH during hospitalization were comparable (AUC 0.701 for HLI at ER and AUC 0.674 for HH). Conclusion Among STEMI patients, HLI in the ER is a significant predictor for the development of HH and mortality during hospitalization (INTERSTELLAR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02800421).

Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proven to be a reliable inflammatory marker. A recent study reported that elevated NLR is associated with adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We investigated whether NLR at emergency room (ER) is associated with mechanical complications of STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 744 patients with STEMI who underwent successful primary PCI from 2009 to 2018 were enrolled in this study. Total and differential leukocyte counts were measured at ER. The NLR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophil count to lymphocyte count. Patients were divided into tertiles according to NLR. Mechanical complications of STEMI were defined by STEMI combined with sudden cardiac arrest, stent thrombosis, pericardial effusion, post myocardial infarction (MI) pericarditis, and post MI ventricular septal rupture, free-wall rupture, left ventricular thrombus, and acute mitral regurgitation during hospitalization. Results: Patients in the high NLR group (> 4.90) had higher risk of mechanical complications of STEMI (P = 0.001) compared with those in the low and intermediate groups (13% vs. 13% vs. 23%). On multivariable analysis, NLR remained an independent predictor for mechanical complications of STEMI (RR = 1.947, 95% CI = 1.136–3.339, P= 0.015) along with symptom-to balloon time (P = 0.002) and left ventricular dysfunction (P < 0.001). Conclusion NLR at ER is an independent predictor of mechanical complications of STEMI undergoing primary PCI. STEMI patients with high NLR are at increased risk for complications during hospitalization, therefore, needs more intensive treatment after PCI.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to determine the value of hypoxic liver injury (HLI) in the emergency room (ER) for predicting hypoxic hepatitis (HH) and in-hospital mortality in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Materials and Methods: 1537 consecutive STEMI patients were enrolled. HLI in the ER was defined as a ≥2-fold increase in serum aspartate transaminase (AST). HH was defined as a ≥20-fold increase in peak serum transaminase. Patients were divided into four groups according to HLI and HH status (group 1, no HLI or HH; group 2, HLI, but no HH; group 3, no HLI, but HH; group 4, both HLI and HH). Results: The incidences of HLI and HH in the ER were 22% and 2%, respectively. In-hospital mortality rates were 3.1%, 11.8%, 28.6%, and 47.1% for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Patients with HLI and/or HH had worse Killip class, higher cardiac biomarker elevations, and lower left ventricular ejection fraction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HLI in the ER was an independent predictor of HH [odds ratio 2.572, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.166–5.675, p=0.019]. The predictive value of HLI in the ER for the development of HH during hospitalization was favorable [area under the curve (AUC) 0.737, 95% CI 0.643–0.830, sensitivity 0.548, specificity 0.805, for cut-off value AST >80]. Furthermore, in terms of in-hospital mortality, predictive values of HLI in the ER and HH during hospitalization were comparable (AUC 0.701 for HLI at ER and AUC 0.674 for HH). Conclusion Among STEMI patients, HLI in the ER is a significant predictor for the development of HH and mortality during hospitalization (INTERSTELLAR ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02800421).

Background and objectives: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) occasionally causes life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. J wave on surface electrocardiography (sECG) has also been associated with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and cardiac events; therefore, we investigated whether the presence of J wave on sECG is a potential risk factor for ventricular arrhythmia in patients with TTC. Subjects and methods: We performed a retrospective study in 79 patients who were diagnosed with TTC from 2010 to 2014. Among them, 20 (25.3%) were diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia (VT). The J wave on the sECG was defined as J point elevation manifested through QRS notching or slurring at least 1 mm above the baseline in at least two leads. Results: A higher prevalence of ventricular tachycardia was observed in patients with J wave. The corrected QT interval (QTc) was significantly longer in the VT group than in the non-VT group. In a multivariate analysis, the presence of J wave appeared to be the only independent predictors of VT [Hazard Ratio (HR) 3.5, p = 0.019]. Conclusion Our results suggest that the presence of J wave on the sECG is significantly associated with VT, and appear to indicate that the presence of J wave is a strong and independent predictor of VT in patients with TTC.

Polyacrylamide hydrogel is used widely in plastic surgery due to its nontoxic, nonabsorbent nature. There have been reports of silicone leading to pulmonary embolism and acute respiratory distress syndrome with systemic adverse effects. However, there have been case reports only of local reactions involving polyacrylamide; systemic reactions appear to be rare. Furthermore, there has been no report of alveolar hemorrhage after polyacrylamide injection for breast augmentation. We treated a 53-year-old female with an alveolar hemorrhage that occurred 2 days after a polyacrylamide injection. On the day of admission, the patient had a fever with chills and dyspnea. The chest X-ray showed multiple infiltrations and chest computed tomography showed consolidation and a ground-glass appearance in both lung fields. The alveolar hemorrhage was confirmed at fiber-optic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage. The symptoms and radiology findings improved after corticosteroid administration and conservative treatment. We report the first case of alveolar hemorrhage after a polyacrylamide injection for breast augmentation.
Breast* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Bronchoscopy ; Chills ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Fever ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Hydrogel ; Lung ; Mammaplasty ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Silicones ; Surgery, Plastic ; Thorax