The Efficacy and Tolerability of Irbesartan/Amlodipine Combination Therapy in Patients With Essential Hypertension Whose Blood Pressure Were not Controlled by Irbesartan Monotherapy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of irbesartan (IRB) and amlodipine (AML) combination therapy in patients with essential hypertension whose blood pressure (BP) was not controlled by IRB monotherapy. METHODS: Two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III studies were conducted in Korea (the I-DUO 301 study and the I-DUO 302 study). After a 4-week run-in period with either 150 mg IRB (I-DUO 301 study) or 300 mg IRB (I-DUO 302 study), patients with uncontrolled BP (ie, mean sitting systolic BP [MSSBP] ≥140 mmHg to <180 mmHg and mean sitting diastolic BP <110 mmHg) were randomized to the placebo, AML 5 mg, or AML 10 mg group. A total of 428 participants were enrolled in the 2 I-DUO studies. In the I-DUO 301 study, 271 participants were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive either IRB/AML 150/5 mg, IRB/AML 150/10 mg, or IRB 150 mg/placebo. In the I-DUO 302 study, 157 participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive IRB/AML 300/5 mg or IRB 300 mg/placebo. The primary endpoint was the change in MSSBP from baseline to week 8. Tolerability was assessed according to the development of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and clinically significant changes in physical examination, laboratory tests, pulse, and 12-lead electrocardiography. FINDINGS: In I-DUO 301, the mean (SD) changes of MSSBP at week 8 from baseline were -14.78 (12.35) mmHg, -21.47 (12.78) mmHg, and -8.61 (12.19) mmHg in the IRB/AML 150/5 mg, IRB/AML 150/10 mg, and IRB 150 mg/placebo groups, respectively. In I-DUO 302, the mean (SD) changes of MSSBP at week 8 from baseline were -13.30 (12.47) mmHg and -7.19 (15.37) mmHg in the IRB/AML 300/5 mg and IRB 300 mg/placebo groups, respectively. In both studies, all combination groups showed a significantly higher reduction in MSSBP than the IRB monotherapy groups (P < 0.001 for both). TEAEs occurred in 10.00%, 10.99%, and 12.22% of participants in the IRB/AML 150/5 mg, IRB/AML 150/10 mg, and IRB 150 mg/placebo groups, respectively, in I-DUO 301 and in 6.33% and 10.67% of participants in the IRB/AML 300/5 mg and IRB 300 mg/placebo groups, respectively, in I-DUO 302, with no significant between-group differences. Overall, there was one serious adverse event throughout I-DUO study. IMPLICATIONS: The combination of IRB and AML has superior antihypertensive effects compared with IRB alone over an 8-week treatment period, with placebo-like tolerability. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05476354 (I-DUO 301), NCT05475665 (I-DUO 302).

Improved intra-atrial conduction delay after successful ablation for atrial fibrillation by scar homogenization in right atrium.

Atrial fibrosis in the right atrium (RA) presenting as a low-voltage zone might be the mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF) and intra-atrial conduction delay. The impact of scar homogenization in RA on intra-atrial conduction delay is unknown. We describe a patient with paroxysmal AF and significant intra-atrial conduction delay with repetitive atrial flutter, triggered from the lateral free wall in the RA between the significant low-voltage zone and slow conduction area after pulmonary vein isolation. Linear ablation along the trabeculated lateral free wall in the RA to homogenize the scar was successfully performed, and the intra-atrial conduction delay improved ultimately.

Long-term clinical outcomes for patients with uncrossable patent foramen ovale.

Introduction: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is performed in selected patients with cryptogenic stroke to prevent recurrence. The prognosis of patients with uncrossable PFO after failed guidewire or catheter passage during the procedure remains unknown. We compared the long-term prognosis between uncrossable PFO and successful PFO closure in patients with high-grade PFO shunts. Methods: We analyzed patients who underwent PFO closure for stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) prevention at Gachon University Gil Medical Center between April 2010 and March 2022. The primary outcome was a composite of recurrent stroke or TIA. Secondary outcomes included stroke, TIA, all-cause death, and a composite of stroke, TIA, and all-cause death. Results: Of 286 patients, 245 were included in the analysis after excluding those with transseptal puncture technique usage or concurrent atrial septal defect. Among them, 82 had uncrossable PFO, and 163 underwent successful PFO closure. Large shunts were more prevalent in the PFO closure group compared to the uncrossable PFO group (62.0% vs. 34.1%, P < 0.001), and resting shunts were also more common in the PFO closure group (17.8% vs. 2.4%, P < 0.001). Stroke or TIA occurred in 2 patients (2.4%) in the uncrossable PFO group and 8 patients (4.9%) in the PFO closure group (hazard ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.30-6.81; P = 0.647). Additionally, no disparities in the occurrence of stroke or TIA were found in subgroups divided by baseline characteristics, RoPE score, or shunt grade. Conclusion: Clinical outcomes for patients with uncrossable PFO seem similar to those with successful PFO closure.

Korean Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Advanced and Acute Heart Failure.

The Korean Society of Heart Failure (KSHF) Guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations based on Korean and international data to guide adequate diagnosis and management of heart failure (HF). Since introduction of 2017 edition of the guidelines, management of advanced HF has considerably improved, especially with advances in mechanical circulatory support and devices. The current guidelines addressed these improvements. In addition, we have included recently updated evidence-based recommendations regarding acute HF in these guidelines. In summary, Part IV of the KSHF Guidelines covers the appropriate diagnosis and optimized management of advanced and acute HF.

Korean Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Management of the Underlying Etiologies and Comorbidities of Heart Failure.

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, long-term 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.

Korean Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Advanced and Acute Heart Failure.

The Korean Society of Heart Failure (KSHF) Guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations based on Korean and international data to guide adequate diagnosis and management of heart failure (HF). Since introduction of 2017 edition of the guidelines, management of advanced HF has considerably improved, especially with advances in mechanical circulatory support and devices. The current guidelines addressed these improvements. In addition, we have included recently updated evidence-based recommendations regarding acute HF in these guidelines. In summary, Part IV of the KSHF Guidelines covers the appropriate diagnosis and optimized management of advanced and acute HF.

Korean Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Management of the Underlying Etiologies and Comorbidities of Heart Failure.

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, long-term 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.

Korean Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Definition and Diagnosis.

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 Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Treatment.

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.

Epidemiology of PAH in Korea: An Analysis of the National Health Insurance Data, 2002-2018.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but fatal disease. Recent advances in PAH-specific drugs have improved its outcomes, although the healthcare burden of novel therapeutics may lead to a discrepancy in outcomes between developing and developed countries. We analyzed how the epidemiology and clinical features of PAH has changed through the rapidly advancing healthcare infrastructure in South Korea. METHODS: PAH was defined according to a newly devised 3-component algorithm. Using a nationwide health insurance claims database, we delineated annual trends in the prevalence, incidence, medication prescription pattern, and 5-year survival of PAH in Korea. Cumulative survival and potential predictors of mortality were also assessed among 2,151 incident PAH cases. RESULTS: Between 2002 or 2004 and 2018, the prevalence and incidence of PAH increased 75-fold (0.4 to 29.9 per million people) and 12-fold (0.5 to 6.3 per million person-years), respectively. The proportion of patients on combination PAH-specific drug therapy has also steadily increased up to 29.0% in 2018. Among 2,151 incident PAH cases (median [interquartile range] age, 50 [37-62] years; 67.2% female), the 5-year survival rate and median survival duration were 71.8% and 13.1 years, respectively. Independent predictors of mortality were age, sex, etiology of PAH, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide study delineated that the prevalence and incidence of PAH have grown rapidly in Korea since the early 2000s. The use of combination therapy has also increased, and the 5-year survival rate of PAH in Korea was similar to those in western countries.

Korean Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Definition and Diagnosis.

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 (HFrEF), HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (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 Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Treatment.

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.

Gender disparities in prevalence by diagnostic criteria, treatment and mortality of newly diagnosed acute myocardial infarction in Korean adults.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is highly prevalent and remains the leading cause of mortality. Particularly in women, under-recognition and management of AMI have been raised. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term trends of prevalence, treatment methodologies, and mortality of AMI by gender. The subjects of this study were patients hospitalized for AMI according to the Korean National Health Insurance Claims Database from 2002 to 2018. Total 633,097 AMI patients were hospitalized, 40% women. The incidence of AMI has been increasing since 2011, with a lower incidence in women. Overall, 53.1% of patients underwent CAG, with a lower tendency in women than in men (39.8% vs. 62.3%). Furthermore, fewer women underwent PCI than men (77.5% vs. 85.8% in 2018, p < 0.0001). Of the 336,463 AMI patients undergoing CAG, women were undertreated with a lower prescription rate of beta-blockers or statins at discharge. When adjusted for age, women showed higher 7-day mortality but lower 1-year mortality relative to men. According to the Korean National Health Insurance Claims Database, women with AMI have been under-recognized, underdiagnosed, and undertreated in terms of revascularization or medical therapy for years suggesting that efforts to close the gender gap are necessary.

Empagliflozin is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in routine care in East Asia: Results from the EMPRISE study.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: The EMPA-REG OUTCOME® trial demonstrated benefits of empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), on cardiovascular, renal outcomes and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease. The EMPRISE study program evaluates how these effects translate in a broad population of patients with type 2 diabetes in routine clinical care across countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included patients ≥18 years with type 2 diabetes initiating empagliflozin or any dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) from large administrative databases in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Propensity score-matched (1:1) 'as-treated' analyses comparing the risk of cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality between empagliflozin and DPP-4i use were performed in each country. Pooled hazard ratios (pHR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using random effects meta-analysis models comparing both empagliflozin and SGLT2i with DPP-4i use, respectively. Intention-to-treat and subgroup analyses in patients with/without cardiovascular disease and in patients receiving 10 mg empagliflozin were performed. RESULTS: The study included 28,712 and 70,233 matched patient pairs for empagliflozin/DPP-4i and SGLT2i/DPP-4i analyses, respectively. The risk of composite outcomes including (i) hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) and all-cause mortality was lower with empagliflozin (pHR 0.76, 95% CI 0.67-0.86) and SGLT2i (0.71, 0.65-0.77); (ii) combined myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause mortality was also lower with empagliflozin (0.74, 0.61-0.88) and SGLT2i (0.69, 0.60-0.78) compared to DPP-4i. The intention-to-treat and three subgroup analyses were consistent with results of the main analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that both empagliflozin and SGLT2i compared with DPP-4i are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in routine clinical care in East Asia.

Role of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in elderly hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension is facing some changes in the last years. Its prevalence is increasing in elderly subjects. This growing prevalence is due to longer survival of the population worldwide, among other factors. On the other hand, recent guidelines have insisted in the relevance of out of office blood pressure measurements, to improve diagnostic and management of hypertension. Therefore, elderly subjects with hypertension could benefit from out of office blood pressure measurements, like ambulatory blood pressure measurements; nevertheless, there are very few or no specific recommendations regarding this. AIM: In this review, we will gather the most important information about this subject. RESULTS: As hypertension in the elderly has some specific characteristics related to aging of the cardiovascular system, the most important aspect could be that these characteristics make ambulatory blood pressure measurement suitable for its use in elderly. Among those a higher prevalence of white coat hypertension, white coat phenomenon, and a higher nocturnal blood pressure and higher prevalence of nondipper and riser pattern, represent aspects that should be considered for better diagnostic and an improved management. CONCLUSION: As the prevalence of hypertension will grow in the next years, more studies specifically directed to this subject are needed.

ABO Blood Type Is Associated with Thrombotic Risk in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Blood type is reportedly correlated with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, presumably because of its effect on thrombogenicity. However, the relationship between blood type and thrombotic complications in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. This retrospective study analyzed the blood types of 1170 AF patients (mean age, 70 years; 58% men) who were followed up for up to 4 years. Patients with greater than mild mitral stenosis or prosthetic valves were excluded. The cohort included 305 (26%) type O, 413 (35%) type A, 333 (28%) type B, and 119 (10%) type AB patients. The primary endpoint of major adverse cerebrovascular events (MACE) occurred in 52 (4.4%) patients. When longitudinal outcomes were plotted, AB blood type patients had worse prognosis than non-AB blood type patients (p = 0.039), particularly type O blood patients (p = 0.049). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that AB blood type was associated with higher MACE rates (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-4.00; p = 0.048) than non-AB blood types independent of anticoagulation therapy duration or CHA2DS2-VASc score. These indicate that AF patients with AB blood type are at an increased risk of MACE compared to those with non-AB blood type independent of the duration of anticoagulation or the CHA2DS2-VASc score.

Unexpected paced wide QRS complex rhythm after successful implantation of cardiac resynchronization therapy; what is the mechanism?

The adaptive CRT (aCRT) is an innovative algorithm that was developed to avoid unnecessary right ventricular (RV) pacing through continuous intracardiac delay evaluation. We present a case of unexpected wide QRS paced rhythm after successful implantation of CRT in patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB) and describe the reasons and the programming changes required to resolve it.

Real-world practice patterns and characteristics of adverse events with selexipag in Korean patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Optimizing an individual dose with careful management of adverse events (AEs) is essential in the treatment with selexipag approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This study aims to identify real-world practice patterns and AE characteristics of selexipag. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This multicenter, longitudinal, observational study included Korean patients with PAH who initiated with selexipag and were followed up to 24 weeks. The dose-titration pattern, AE incidences by dosing and time course, recovery pattern from AEs, and relationship between doses and AE incidences were evaluated. RESULTS: Data for 113 patients were included in the analysis. The individual maintenance dose ranged between 200 and 3,200 µg/day. More often AEs were occurred in the titration phase than maintenance phase. There was no significant difference in AE incidences according to the distribution of titration and maintenance doses. The four most common AEs were diarrhea, headache, nausea/vomiting, and myalgia without showing a dose-dependent trend in either frequency or severity. The recovery rates were between 65.0% and 76.9% with a median time to recovery of 15-70 days (range, 2-233). CONCLUSION: Our finding that AE incidence did not increase with increasing dose of selexipag would provide supportive real-world evidence on the management of optimal dose and safety.