• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.165-171
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• 2024

Beta blockers are one of the commonest prescription drugs in medicine and they have been thought to revolutionize the treatment of heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in the last century. In addition to HFrEF, they are prescribed for a variety of diseases in cardiology from hypertension to HF, angina, and stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The increased prescription of beta blockers in conditions like HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and stable CAD may be doing more harm than good as per the data we have so far. The available data shows that beta blockers are associated with increased stroke risk and atrial fibrillation (AF) in hypertension and in patients with HFpEF, they have been associated with decreased exercise capacity. In patients with stable CAD and patients with myocardial infarction with normal systolic functions, beta blockers don't offer any mortality benefit. In this article, we critically review the common indications and the uses of beta blockers in patients with HFpEF, CAD, hypertension and AF and we propose that beta blockers are overprescribed under the shadow of their beneficial effects in patients with HFrEF.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.1157-1159
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• 2018

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.94-99
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• 2005

Electrocardiogram-gated single photon omission computed tomography (SPECT) provides valuable information in the assessment of both myocardial perfusion and ventricular function. Tl-201 is a suboptimal isotope for gating. Tl-201 images are more blurred compared with Tc-99m tracers due to the increased amount of scattered photons and use of a smooth filter. The average myocardial count densities are approximately one-half those of conventional technetium tracers. However, Tl-201 is still widely used because of its well-established utility for assessing myocardial perfusion, viability and risk stratification. Gated SPECT with Tl-201 enables us to assess both post-stress and rest left ventricular volume and function. Previous studies with gated Tl-201 SPECT measurements of ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) have shown high correlation with first-pass radionuclide angiography, gated blood pool scan, Tc-99m-MIBI gated SPECT, contrast ventriculography, echocardiography, and 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. However, problems related to these studies include few agreement data of EDV and ESV, use of a reference method that is likely to have the same systemic errors (gated Tc-99m-MIBI SPECT), and other technical factors related to the count density of gated SPECT. With optimization of gated imaging protocols and more validation studies, gated Tl-201 SPECT would be an accurate method to provide perfusion and function information in patients with coronary artery disease.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1982

To evaluate the usefulness of radionuclide cardiac angiography in the assessment of right ventricular function, we measured right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) using single pass method. In 12 normal persons, RVEF averaged $52.7{\pm}5.9%(mean{\pm}S.D.)$. In 25 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, RVEF was $37.2{\pm}10.6%$ and significantly lower than that of normal persons (p<0.01). All 10 patients with right ventricular failure had abnormal RVEF, which was significantly lower than that of 14 patients without right ventricular failure ($27.6{\pm}5.7%,\;43.9{\pm}8.5%$, respectively. p<0.01). It concluded thal RVEF measured by single pass radionuclide cardiac angiography was a useful, noninvasive method to assess right ventricular function.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.195-216
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• 2023

The Korean Society of Heart Failure guidelines aim to provide physicians with evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and managing patients with heart failure (HF). In Korea, the prevalence of HF has been rapidly increasing in the last 10 years. HF has recently been classified into HF with reduced ejection fraction (EF), HF with mildly reduced EF, and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF). Moreover, the availability of newer therapeutic agents has led to an increased emphasis on the appropriate diagnosis of HFpEF. Accordingly, this part of the guidelines will mainly cover the definition, epidemiology, and diagnosis of HF.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.217-238
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• 2023

The Korean Society of Heart Failure (KSHF) guidelines aim to provide physicians with evidence-based recommendations for the management of patients with heart failure (HF). After the first introduction of the KSHF guidelines in 2016, newer therapies for HF with reduced ejection fraction, HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction, and HF with preserved ejection fraction have since emerged. The current version has been updated based on international guidelines and research data on Korean patients with HF. Herein, we present Part II of these guidelines, which comprises treatment strategies to improve the outcomes of patients with HF.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.9
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• pp.621-631
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: The morphology-voltage-P-wave duration (MVP) electrocardiography (ECG) risk score is a newly defined scoring system that has recently been used for atrial fibrillation (AF) prediction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of the MVP ECG risk score to predict AF in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in long-term follow-up. Methods: The study used a single-center, and retrospective design. The study included 328 patients who underwent ICD implantation in our hospital between January 2010 and April 2021, diagnosed with heart failure. The patients were divided into low, intermediate and high-risk categories according to the MVP ECG risk scores. The long-term development of atrial fibrillation was compared among these 3 groups. Results: The low-risk group included 191 patients, the intermediate-risk group 114 patients, and the high-risk group 23 patients. The long-term AF development rate was 12.0% in the low-risk group, 21.9% in the intermediate risk group, and 78.3% in the high-risk group. Patients in the high-risk group were found to have 5.2 times higher rates of long-term AF occurrence compared to low-risk group. Conclusions: The MVP ECG risk score, which is an inexpensive, simple and easily accessible tool, was found to be a significant predictor of the development of AF in the long-term follow-up of patients with an ICD with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. This risk score may be used to identify patients who require close follow-up for development and management of AF.

• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.169-177
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: Acute worsening of cardiac function frequently leads to kidney dysfunction. This study aimed to identify clinical and imaging parameters associated with impaired kidney function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS: Data from 131 patients hospitalized with acute decompensated HFrEF (left ventricular ejection fraction, < 40%) were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at admission (those with preserved kidney function [GFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m²] and those with reduced kidney function [GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²]). Various echocardiographic parameters and perirenal fat thicknesses were assessed by computed tomography. RESULTS: There were 71 patients with preserved kidney function and 60 patients with reduced kidney function. Increased age (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.12; p = 0.005), increased log N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.14-2.66; p = 0.010), and increased perirenal fat thickness (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.10-1.29; p < 0.001) were independently associated with reduced kidney function, even after adjusting for variable clinical and echocardiographic parameters. The optimal average perirenal fat thickness cut-off value of > 12 mm had a sensitivity of 55% and specificity of 83% for kidney dysfunction prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Thick perirenal fat was independently associated with impaired kidney function in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HFrEF. Measurement of perirenal fat thickness may be a promising imaging marker for the detection of HFrEF patients who are more susceptible to kidney dysfunction.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1049-1055
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• 1998

Background: Coronary artery bypass surgery is an important treatment for ischemic heart disease. Recently operative mortality and morbidity has decreased, however further improvement is necessary. Materials and methods: This study was designed to evaluate the risk of operative mortality and morbidity by retrospective method. From 1992 to 1997, eighty six patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. There were 61 males and 25 females aged 36~74 years(mean, 58.6). Fourteen patients(16%) had previous PTCA or stent insertion, 41 patients(48%) had unstable angina, and 45 patients(52%) had three vessel disease. Patients with low LV ejection fraction(<35%) were 7 cases and urgent or emergent operation were 10 cases. There were 6 cases of combined surgery which were mitral valve replacement(2 cases), aortic valve replacement(2 cases), ASD repair(1 case), and VSD repair(1 case). Average number of distal anastomosis was 3.5 per patient and average aortic cross clamp time was 115±38.3min. Preoperative risk factors were defined as follows: female, old age(>70 years), low body surface area(<1.5M2), PTCA or stent insertion history, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, hypertension, DM, COPD, urgent or emergent operation, left main disease, low LV ejection fraction(<35%), and combined surgery. Results: Operative mortality was 7cases(8%). As a postoperative morbidity, perioperative myocardial infarction was 6 cases, cerebrovascular accident 6 cases, reoperation for bleeding 5 cases, acute renal failure 4 cases, gastrointestinal complication 3 cases, and mediastinitis 3 cases. In the evaluation of operative risk factors, low body surface area, DM and low LV ejection fraction were found to be predictive risk factors of postoperative morbidity(p<0.05), and low ejection fraction was especially a risk factor of hospital mortality(p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, low body surface area, DM and low LV ejection fraction were risk factors of postoperative morbidity and low ejection fraction was a risk factor of hospital mortality.

• International Journal of Heart Failure
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 2024

Background and Objectives: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalization and death worldwide. The Steady Movement with Innovating Leadership for Heart Failure (SMILE HF) aims to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management, hospital course, and long-term outcomes of patients hospitalized for acute HF in South Korea. Methods: This prospective, observational multicenter cohort study was conducted on consecutive patients hospitalized for acute HF in nine university hospitals since September 2019. Enrolment of 2000 patients should be completed in 2024, and follow-up is planned through 2025. Results: Interim analysis of 1,052 consecutive patients was performed to understand the baseline characteristics. The mean age was 69±15 years; 57.6% were male. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 39±15%. The prevalences of HF with reduced ejection fraction, HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction, and HF with preserved ejection fraction were 50.9%, 15.3%, and 29.2%. Ischemic cardiomyopathy (CMP) was the most common etiology (32%), followed by tachycardia-induced CMP (12.8%) and idiopathic dilated CMP (9.5%). The prescription rate of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor, beta-blockers, spironolactone, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors at discharge were 76.8%, 66.5%, 50.0%, and 17.5%, respectively. The post-discharge 90-day mortality and readmission rates due to HF aggravation were 2.0% and 6.4%, respectively. Our analysis reveals the current state of acute HF in South Korea. Conclusions: Our interim analysis provides valuable insights into the clinical characteristics, management, and early outcomes of acute HF patients in South Korea, highlighting the current state and treatment patterns in this population.