• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제31권12호
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• pp.1230-1233
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• 1998

The Cox-Maze procedure was developed as a cure for atrial fibrillation. The recovery rate of both atrial contractility is reported low in the atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valvular heart disease than that of loan atrial fibrillation. We performed the Cox-Maze procedure (Maze III) in three cases who suffered from non-mitral heart diseases associated with atrial fibrillation: A ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, a ventricular septal defect, and an aortic stenoinsufficiency. The Cox-Maze procedure was performed concomitantly with correction of the underlying heart disease. Conversion to sinus rhythm was achieved in all three patients, and both right and left atrial mechanical activities could be identified echocardiographically after three postoperative months.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.207-212
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• 2016

Objective: Prescription rate of dabigatran and rivaroxaban, which are the direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), has increased. We have analyzed the prescription trend and medication use of dabigatran and rivaroxaban in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Methods: It was retrospectively studied from September 2012 to April 2014 using the electronic medical records and the progress notes. Patients with NVAF (n=424) were evaluated on the medication use, prescribing preferences, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and the availability of prescription reimbursement of dabigatran (n=210) and rivaroxaban (n=214). Results: Dabigatran was prescribed higher than rivaroxaban (23.3% versus 7.5%, p<0.001) in the neurology department, but rivaroxaban was prescribed higher compared to dabigatran in the cardiology department (87.4% versus 74.3%, p<0.001). Dabigatran was prescribed more than rivaroxaban in high risk patients with CHADS2 score ${\geq}3$ (44.3% versus 31.3%, p=0.006). Dabigatran patients seemed to have more ADRs than patients with rivaroxaban (25.2% versus 11.2%, p<0.001), but no serious thrombotic events and bleeding were found. Only 35.6% (n=151) were eligible for prescription reimbursement by the National Health Insurance (NHI). Bridging therapy (86, 31.5%) and direct-current cardioversion (57, 20.2%) were main reasons of ineligibility for reimbursement. Conclusion: Prescription preferences were present in choosing either dabigatran or rivaroxaban for patients with NVAF. Inpatient protocols and procedures considering patient-factors in NVAF need to be developed.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.37-46
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• 2022

Background: Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is associated with ischemic stroke risk in the aging population. Observational studies have indicated beneficial effects of direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) against ischemic stroke compared to warfarin. This study aimed to investigate ischemic stroke incidence and bleeding risk in patients on DOAC therapy. Methods: Using the database of Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment-Aged Patient Sample 2015, we conducted a retrospective cohort study. Study subjects with NVAF diagnosis and prescribed anticoagulants were enrolled. Propensity score (PS) matching by age, sex, comorbidities, and medications were used. The clinical outcomes were major adverse cerebro-cardiovascular events (MACCEs, ischemic stroke/systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, cardiac death) and bleeding events. A cox proportional hazard model analysis was performed to compare the outcomes with hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Total 4,773 elderly patients with NVAF were initially included. Four PS-matched groups including rivaroxaban vs. warfarin-only (n=1,079), dabigatran vs. warfarin-only (n=721), rivaroxaban vs. dabigatran (n=721), and switchers of warfarin to rivaroxaban vs. warfarin-only (n=287) were analyzed. Every group showed statistically similar results of MACCEs and bleeding events, except for the group of rivaroxaban vs. dabigatran. Rivaroxaban users showed higher risks of bleeding events than dabigatran users (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.01-4.99). Conclusion: In the elderly patients with NVAF, efficacy and safety outcomes among oral anticoagulants including DOACs and warfarin were similar, while rivaroxaban are more likely to have higher bleeding risks than dabigatran. Further research using large size sample is needed.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.321-328
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• 2020

Background: This study aimed to investigate the incidences of and risk factors for perioperative events following anticoagulant discontinuation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Methods: A total of 216 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac consultation for suspending perioperative anticoagulants were enrolled. A perioperative event was defined as a composite of thromboembolism and major bleeding. Results: The mean anticoagulant discontinuation duration was 5.7 (±4.2) days and was significantly longer in the warfarin group (p<0.001). Four perioperative thromboembolic (1.9%; three strokes and one systemic embolization) and three major bleeding events (1.4%) were observed. The high CHA₂DS₂-VASc and HAS-BLED scores and a prolonged preoperative anticoagulant discontinuation duration (4.4±2.1 vs. 2.9±1.8 days; p=0.028) were associated with perioperative events, whereas the anticoagulant type (non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants or warfarin) was not. The best cut-off levels of the HAS-BLED and CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores were 3.5 and 2.5, respectively, and the preoperative anticoagulant discontinuation duration for predicting perioperative events was 2.5 days. Significant differences in the perioperative event rates were observed among the four risk groups categorized according to the sum of these values: risk 0, 0%; risk 1, 0%; risk 2, 5.9%; and risk 3, 50.0% (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the HAS-BLED score was an independent predictor for perioperative events. Conclusion: Thromboembolic events and major bleeding are not uncommon during perioperative anticoagulant discontinuation in patients with NVAF, and interrupted anticoagulation strategies are needed to minimize these.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• 제33권49호
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• pp.323.1-323.12
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• 2018

Background: Vitamin K antagonist (VKA) to prevent thromboembolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients has limitations such as drug interaction. This study investigated the clinical characteristics of Korean patients treated with VKA for stroke prevention and assessed quality of VKA therapy and treatment satisfaction. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, prospective, non-interventional study. Patients with $CHADS_2{\geq}1$ and treated with VKA (started within the last 3 months) were enrolled from April 2013 to March 2014. Demographic and clinical features including risk factors of stroke and VKA treatment information was collected at baseline. Treatment patterns and international normalized ratio (INR) level were evaluated during follow-up. Time in therapeutic range (TTR) > 60% indicated well-controlled INR. Treatment satisfaction on the VKA use was measured by Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) after 3 months of follow-up. Results: A total of 877 patients (age, 67; male, 60%) were enrolled and followed up for one year. More than half of patients (56%) had $CHADS_2{\geq}2$ and 83.6% had $CHA_2DS_2-VASc{\geq}2$. A total of 852 patients had one or more INR measurement during their follow-up period. Among those patients, 25.5% discontinued VKA treatment during follow-up. Of all patients, 626 patients (73%) had poor-controlled INR (TTR < 60%) measure. Patients' treatment satisfaction measured with TSQM was 55.6 in global satisfaction domain. Conclusion: INR was poorly controlled in Korean NVAF patients treated with VKA. VKA users also showed low treatment satisfaction.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제53권7호
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• pp.425-451
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• 2023

Most patients with heart failure (HF) have multiple comorbidities, which impact their quality of life, aggravate HF, and increase mortality. Cardiovascular comorbidities include systemic and pulmonary hypertension, ischemic and valvular heart diseases, and atrial fibrillation. Non-cardiovascular comorbidities include diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney and pulmonary diseases, iron deficiency and anemia, and sleep apnea. In patients with HF with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors combined with calcium channel blockers and/or diuretics is an effective treatment regimen. Measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance via right heart catheterization is recommended for patients with HF considered suitable for implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices or as heart transplantation candidates. Coronary angiography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and reperfusion in patients with HF and angina pectoris refractory to antianginal medications. In patients with HF and atrial fibrillation, longterm anticoagulants are recommended according to the CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores. Valvular heart diseases should be treated medically and/or surgically. In patients with HF and DM, metformin is relatively safer; thiazolidinediones cause fluid retention and should be avoided in patients with HF and dyspnea. In renal insufficiency, both volume status and cardiac performance are important for therapy guidance. In patients with HF and pulmonary disease, beta-blockers are underused, which may be related to increased mortality. In patients with HF and anemia, iron supplementation can help improve symptoms. In obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure therapy helps avoid severe nocturnal hypoxia. Appropriate management of comorbidities is important for improving clinical outcomes in patients with HF.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.10-19
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• 1976

One hundred and seventy-four patients were treated in this Department since 1956. One hundred and fifteen patients of them were surgically treated. They were classified on the basis of the disease entity as follows; 48 case of thrombo-angiitis obliterance, 8 cases of Leriche syndrome, 12 cases of arterial embolism, 36 arterial aneurysm, 5 arterio-venous fistula, 15 arterial and venous injuries, 8 pulseless diseases, 2 coarctation of aortas, 15 varicose veins, 12 thrombophlebitis, 9 superior venacaval syndromes, 2 inferior vena caval obstructions and Raynaud's diseases. All the cases of the Burger's diseases were males, and half of them were in the fourth decades, 39 cases underwent undergone unilateral or bilateral sympathectomies. All the Leriche syndromes were males aged over fifty. Three cases out of six were suffering from diabetes mellitus. 2 cases underwent aorto-femoral bypass graft with Y-shaped dacrons. And two embolectomies were performed in 2 cases. Eight cases of arterial embolisms among 12 had mitral valvular diseases with auricular fibrillation The most common site of lodgement of emboli was femoral artery. Nine out of 14 underwent embolectomies with Fogarty catheters. There were 14 peripheral arterial aneurysms, 16 thoracic and/or abdominal aortic aneurysms, and 4 dissecting aneurysms. Most frequent cause of peripheral arterial aneurysms were external trauma. Thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms were non-traumatic. And four cases of the dissecting aneurysms had significant hypertension and aged over fifty. Among 5 cases of arteriovenous fistulas, 2 cases hand typical Branham's sign, and they were normalized after operation. Eight cases of pulseless disease were females and aged from three to twenty-five. Three out of them were treated surgically using dacron prosthetic grafts, but the results of the surgery were variable and not satisfactory. A case of coarctation of aorta was treated surgically with an excellent result. Fourteen out of 15 varicose veins underwent ligation of the saphenous vein system, exstirpation of the varicose veins, stripping or some combination of these methods. Two cases of superior vena caval syndromes were operated by bypass graft between the left innominate vein and the right auricle. Two cases of inferior vena caval obstructions were operated upon through right atrial route using extracorporial circulation. All the four cases of vena caval obstructions showed excellent results postoperatively. Two cases out of 12 thrombophlebitis underwent thrombectomies. One of two Raynaud's diseases was surgically treated with an excellent result.