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.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular risk remains increased despite optimal low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level induced by intensive statin therapy. Therefore, recent guidelines recommend non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) as a secondary target for preventing cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of omega-3 fatty acids (OM3-FAs) in combination with atorvastatin compared to atorvastatin alone in patients with mixed dyslipidemia. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, and phase III multicenter study included adults with fasting triglyceride (TG) levels ≥200 and <500 mg/dL and LDL-C levels <110 mg/dL. Eligible subjects were randomized to ATOMEGA (OM3-FAs 4,000 mg plus atorvastatin calcium 20 mg) or atorvastatin 20 mg plus placebo groups. The primary efficacy endpoints were the percent changes in TG and non-HDL-C levels from baseline at the end of treatment. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of treatment, the percent changes from baseline in TG (−29.8% vs. 3.6%, P<0.001) and non-HDL-C (−10.1% vs. 4.9%, P<0.001) levels were significantly greater in the ATOMEGA group (n=97) than in the atorvastatin group (n=103). Moreover, the proportion of total subjects reaching TG target of <200 mg/dL in the ATOMEGA group was significantly higher than that in the atorvastatin group (62.9% vs. 22.3%, P<0.001). The incidence of adverse events did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION The addition of OM3-FAs to atorvastatin improved TG and non-HDL-C levels to a significant extent compared to atorvastatin alone in subjects with residual hypertriglyceridemia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Decreasing the time delay for thrombolysis, including intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with tissue plasminogen activator and intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT), is critical for decreasing the morbidity and mortality of patients experiencing acute stroke. We aimed to decrease the in-hospital delay for both IVT and IAT through a multidisciplinary approach that is feasible 24 h/day. METHODS: We implemented the Stroke Alert Team (SAT) on May 2, 2016, which introduced hospital-initiated ambulance prenotification and reorganized in-hospital processes. We compared the patient characteristics, time for each step of the evaluation and thrombolysis, thrombolysis rate, and post-thrombolysis intracranial hemorrhage from January 2014 to August 2016. RESULTS: A total of 245 patients received thrombolysis (198 before SAT; 47 after SAT). The median door-to-CT, door-to-MRI, and door-to-laboratory times decreased to 13 min, 37.5 min, and 8 min, respectively, after SAT implementation (P<0.001). The median door-to-IVT time decreased from 46 min (interquartile range [IQR] 36–57 min) to 20.5 min (IQR 15.8–32.5 min; P<0.001). The median door-to-IAT time decreased from 156 min (IQR 124.5–212.5 min) to 86.5 min (IQR 67.5–102.3 min; P<0.001). The thrombolysis rate increased from 9.8% (198/2,012) to 15.8% (47/297; P=0.002), and the post-thrombolysis radiological intracranial hemorrhage rate decreased from 12.6% (25/198) to 2.1% (1/47; P=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: SAT significantly decreased the in-hospital delay for thrombolysis, increased thrombolysis rate, and decreased post-thrombolysis intracranial hemorrhage. Time benefits of SAT were observed for both IVT and IAT and during office hours and after-hours.
Ambulances ; Cerebral Infarction ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Mortality ; Stroke* ; Thrombectomy ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator

PURPOSE: Implant beds with an insufficient amount of cortical bone or a loss of cortical bone can result in the initial instability of a dental implant. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bone cement grafting on implant initial stability in areas with insufficient cortical bone. METHODS: Two different circumferential defect depths (2.5 mm and 5 mm) and a control (no defect) were prepared in six bovine rib bones. Fourteen implants of the same type and size (4 mm x 10 mm) were placed in each group. The thickness of the cortical bone was measured for each defect. After the implant stability quotient (ISQ) values were measured three times in four different directions, bone cement was grafted to increase the primary stability of the otherwise unstable implant. After grafting, the ISQ values were measured again. RESULTS: As defect depth increased, the ISQ value decreased. In the controls, the ISQ value was 85.45+/-3.36 (mean+/-standard deviation). In circumferential 2.5-mm and 5-mm defect groups, the ISQ values were 69.42+/-7.06 and 57.43+/-6.87, respectively, before grafting. These three values were significantly different (P<0.001). After grafting the bone cement, the ISQ values significantly increased to 73.72+/-8.00 and 67.88+/-10.09 in the 2.5-mm and 5.0-mm defect groups, respectively (P<0.05 and P<0.001). The ISQ value increased to more than double that before grafting in the circumferential 5-mm defect group. The ISQ values did not significantly differ when measured in any of the four directions. CONCLUSIONS: The use of bone cement remarkably increased the stability of the implant that otherwise had an insufficient level of stability at placement, which was caused by insufficient cortical bone volume.
Alveolar Bone Loss ; Bone Cements ; Dental Implants ; Ribs ; Transplants*

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to measure the distance of the intraosseous vascular anastomosis in the anterolateral wall of the maxillary sinus from different reference points, and to correlate the location of the intraosseous vascular anastomosis with the tooth position and the residual bone height of the maxilla. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) images were taken from 283 patients undergoing dental implants placement in the posterior maxilla. Three horizontal lines were drawn at the ridge crest, maxillary sinus floor, and the position of the anastomosis. A vertical second line at the center of each tooth was drawn perpendicular to the horizontal lines. The distance from the ridge crest to the maxillary sinus floor and the distance from the maxillary sinus floor to the bony canal were measured from the intersections of the horizontal and vertical lines. The residual alveolar bone height was used to categorize three groups: group 1,<4 mm; group 2, between 4 and 8 mm; and group 3, >8 mm. RESULTS: The residual bone height values of different tooth positions were significantly different (P=0.0002). The distance from the maxillary sinus floor to the intraosseous vascular anastomosis was significantly different between groups 1 and 3 (P=0.0039). At the molar sites, a moderate negative correlation was found between the residual bone height and the distance from the maxillary sinus floor to the intraosseous anastomosis. The distances of the alveolar ridge crest and the maxillary sinus from the intraosseous vascular anastomosis were not significantly different between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, sites with a higher residual bone height in the molar regions were at a relatively high risk of artery damage during window osteotomy preparation; therefore, we recommend taking more precautions when using a lateral approach for sinus elevation.
Alveolar Bone Loss ; Alveolar Process ; Arteries ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Maxilla ; Maxillary Artery ; Maxillary Sinus ; Molar ; Mouth, Edentulous ; Osteotomy ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tooth*

PURPOSE: The aim of this report is to investigate the efficacy of anorganic bovine bone xenograft(Bio-Oss(R) ) at maxillary sinus floor augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two male patients who missed maxillary posterior teeth were included. They were performed maxillary sinus floor augmentation using anorganic bovine bone xenograft(Bio-Oss(R) ). After 10 or 13 months, the regenerated tissues were harvested using trephine drills with 2 or 4mm diameter and non-decalcified specimens were made. The specimens were examined histologically and histomorphometrically to investigate graft resorption and new bone formation. RESULTS: Newly formed bone was in contact with Bio-Oss(R) particles directly without any gap between the bone and the particles. The proportions of newly formed bone were 23.4~25.3% in patient 1(Pt.1) and 28.8% in patient 2(Pt.2). And the proportions of remained Bio-Oss(R) were 29.7~30.2% in Pt.1 and 29.2% in Pt.2. The fixtures installed at augmented area showed good stability and the augmented bone height was maintained well. CONCLUSION: Anorganic bovine bone xenograft(Bio-Oss(R) ) has high osteoconductivity and helps new bone formation, so that it can be used in maxillary sinus floor augmentation.
Humans ; Male ; Mandrillus ; Maxillary Sinus ; Osteogenesis ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; Tooth ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Many researches showed loss of alveolar bone in fresh extraction socket and even in case of immediate implant placement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of non-resorbable barrier membrane on the change of buccal and lingual alveolar bone in immediate implant placement into periapically infected extraction sockets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immediate implants were placed into artificially induced periapical lesion of mandibular premolars after complete debridement using buccal bone defect made by a 6mm trephine bur in 4 mongrel dogs. Before flap repositioning, a non-resorbable barrier membrane was placed on the buccal defect in the experimental group. No membrane was placed in the control group. In 12 weeks after placement, the dogs were sacrificed and undecalcified histologic specimens were prepared. The vertical distance from the smooth-rough surface interface(SRI) to gingiva, 1st bone contact and bone crest were measured in buccal and lingual side. The horizontal thicknesses of gingiva and bone at 0, 1, 2 and 3 mm below SRI were measured. RESULTS: The buccal bone was resorbed more than lingual bone in both groups and there was statistical significance(p<0.05). The distances from SRI to 1st bone contact were 2.45+/-2.35 mm in experimental group and 4.49+/-3.10 mm in control group. In all vertical level, lingual bone was thicker than buccal bone(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Buccal bone was reduced more than lingual bone in immediate implant placement into periapically infected extraction sockets. Placement of non-resorbable barrier membrane reduced the buccal bone resorption. However there was no statistical significance.
Animals ; Bicuspid ; Bone Resorption ; Debridement ; Dogs ; Gingiva ; Hyoid Bone ; Membranes

PURPOSE: The aerosol generated by ultrasonic scaler can contain bacteria or virus which can penetrate into body through respiratory systems of dentists, dental hygienist or patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine digluconate as preoperative mouthrinse or lavage for ultrasonic scaler on the reduction of viable organisms in aerosol produced during periodontal treatment using ultrasonic scaler. METHODS: 30 patients with moderate chronic periodontitis were included and divided into 3 groups: Control (no preoperative mouthrinse and tap water as lavage), CHG (preoperative mouthrinse with 0.1% chlorhexidine digluconate and tap water as lavage), CHL (no reoperative mouthrinse and 0.1% chlorhexidine digluconate as lavage). Each patient received scaling or subgingival curettage for 30 min. In CHG group, mouthrinse with chlorhexidine digluconate was performed for 1 min. before treatment. Before, during and after scaling or subgingival curettage, air sampling was performed for 7 min. each (1000 L/7 min.) with trypticase-soy agar plate. Agar plates were incubated in 37degrees C aerobically. The numbers of colony-forming units (CFU) were counted and compared. RESULTS: The numbers of CFUs of the samples obtained during treatment were 97+/-14.0 in control, 73.1+/-14.9 in CHG group and 44.5+/-9.0 in CHL group. The difference among the 3 groups was determined to be statistically significant (one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's correction, p-value: 0.0003). In contrast, the numbers of CFU of samples obtained before and after treatment were not significantly different among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Chlorhexidine digluconate used as preoperative mouthrinse or lavage for ultrasonic scaler can reduce the microorganisms in aerosol produced during periodontal treatment using ultrasonic scaler. Less number of microorganisms were detected when chlorhexidine was used as lavage for ultrasonic scaler.
Aerosols ; Agar ; Bacteria ; Chlorhexidine ; Chronic Periodontitis ; Dental Hygienists ; Dentists ; Humans ; Respiratory System ; Stem Cells ; Subgingival Curettage ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; Ultrasonic Therapy ; Ultrasonics ; Viruses ; Water