Overcoming challenges associated with identifying FBN1 deep intronic variants through whole-genome sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Marfan syndrome (MFS), caused by pathogenic variants of FBN1 (fibrillin-1), is a systemic connective tissue disorder with variable phenotypes and treatment responsiveness depending on the variant. However, a significant number of individuals with MFS remain genetically unexplained. In this study, we report novel pathogenic intronic variants in FBN1 in two unrelated families with MFS. METHODS: We evaluated subjects with suspected MFS from two unrelated families using Sanger sequencing or multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification of FBN1 and/or panel-based next-generation sequencing. As no pathogenic variants were identified, whole-genome sequencing was performed. Identified variants were analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR and targeted sequencing of FBN1 mRNA harvested from peripheral blood or skin fibroblasts obtained from affected probands. RESULTS: We found causative deep intronic variants, c.6163+1484A>T and c.5788+36C>A, in FBN1. The splicing analysis revealed an insertion of in-frame or out-of-frame intronic sequences of the FBN1 transcript predicted to alter function of calcium-binding epidermal growth factor protein domain. Family members carrying c.6163+1484A>T had high systemic scores including prominent skeletal features and aortic dissection with lesser aortic dilatation. Family members carrying c.5788+36C>A had more severe aortic root dilatation without aortic dissection. Both families had ectopia lentis. CONCLUSION: Variable penetrance of the phenotype and negative genetic testing in MFS families should raise the possibility of deep intronic FBN1 variants and the need for additional molecular studies. This study expands the mutation spectrum of FBN1 and points out the importance of intronic sequence analysis and the need for integrative functional studies in MFS diagnosis.

Prognosis of Chronic Kidney Disease and Metabolic Syndrome in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and metabolic syndrome (MS) and their combined prognostic effects in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Our aims were to identify the incidence and prognostic implications of CKD and MS in ACHD. METHODS: This is retrospective cohort study. We included 2,462 ACHD ≥ 20 years of age who were treated at a tertiary hospital in Korea from 2006 to 2018. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73m². MS was diagnosed based on the presence of abnormal metabolic parameters: blood sugar level, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality from 2006 through 2019 using data from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in Korea. RESULTS: The incidence of CKD and MS in ACHD was 7.6% and 35.9%, respectively. The coexistence rate of CKD and MS was 4.6%. Although MS was not independently associated with mortality in the multiple analysis (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-1.46), it was closely related to the presence of CKD (adjusted odds ratio, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.89-3.63). ACHD patients with CKD had a significantly increased risk of mortality compared with those without CKD (aHR, 2.84; 95% CI, 2.00-4.04). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ACHD, the distribution of MS is higher, and both MS and its components were associated with CKD. Given the CKD was independently associated with mortality, close monitoring and management of renal dysfunction and metabolic parameters in ACHD patients is needed.

A Retrospective Population-Based Survival Study of Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Few studies used nationwide data to assess the survival rates (SRs) and death risk for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH; ICD-10 I27.0) in Korea. METHODS: IPAH data (N = 9,017; female:male = 6:4) were collected from the National Health Insurance Service in Korea, from 2006 through 2017. The data consisted of primary diagnoses related to IPAH. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional-hazards analyses were carried out. RESULTS: The mean age was 62.3 (± 19.4) years, 64.2 (± 18.9) years in female and 59.4 (± 19.8) years in male (P < 0.001). The one-, three-, five- and 10-year SRs for IPAH were 89.0%, 79.8%, 72.3% and 57.0%, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of IPAH was 1.81 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-2.59) in 60-69 age group, 3.42 (95% CI, 2.40-4.87) in 70-79, and 7.73 (95% CI, 5.43-11.0) in 80s. Other risk factors were male, low-income status, diabetes, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and malignant neoplasm. CONCLUSION: The 10-year SR of IPAH was 57% in Korea. The HR for IPAH was significantly high in patients with older age and other risk factors.

Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Survival in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: a Retrospective Population-based Study.

BACKGROUND: The number of adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) with atrial fibrillation (AF) is expected to increase. We sought to assess the impact of AF on survival in Korean ACHD. METHODS: Records of AF in ACHD were extracted from the records of the Korea National Health Insurance Service from 2006 through 2015. Multiple Cox proportional hazards analyses were carried out after adjustment for age, sex, income level, AF, and comorbidities. Survival rates (SRs) with and without AF were compared. The death records from 2006 through 2016 were included. RESULTS: A total of 3,999 ACHD had AF (51.4% were male) and 62,691 ACHD did not have AF (43.5% were male); the proportion of ACHD who were 60 years and older was 53.0% and 27.0% in those with and without AF, respectively (P < 0.001). The age-standardized incidence rate for AF was 1,842.0 persons per 100,000 people in the Korean general population from 2006 through 2015. For AF in ACHD, it was 5,996.4 persons per 100,000 ACHD during the same period, which was higher than that in the general population (P < 0.001). Significantly higher proportion of death (20.9%) occurred in ACHD with AF than without AF (8.3%) (P < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio for AF of death in ACHD was 1.39 (95% confidence interval, 1.29-1.50). The ten-year SR of ACHD with AF was 69.7% whereas it was 87.5% in non-AF (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In ACHD, AF occurs more frequently and has a worse prognosis than seen in the non-valvular general population in Korea. AF is associated with increased death in ACHD, especially with aging.

Prevalence and clinical significance of cardiovascular magnetic resonance adenosine stress-induced myocardial perfusion defect in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is thought to be associated with microvascular dysfunction. Adenosine stress-perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is a sensitive method for assessing microvascular perfusion abnormalities. We evaluated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of HCM patients with adenosine-induced perfusion defects on CMR. METHODS: Among 189 consecutive patients with HCM who underwent adenosine-stress perfusion CMR, 115 patients who had clinical, echocardiography, 24-h Holter monitoring and treadmill exercise test data were analyzed. We calculated myocardial perfusion ratio index from the intensity-over-time curve to quantify perfusion defects. The presence and extent of the stress-induced perfusion defect were compared with clinical characteristics, presence and extent of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), left ventricular (LV) mass index and volume, presence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) and results of treadmill exercise test. RESULTS: The mean age of enrolled patients was 51.8 ± 11.3 years. Most patients were asymptomatic except 25 subjects presented with New York Heart Association Class II dyspnea and 16 patients with atypical non-exertional chest discomfort. LGE was present in 103 (89.6%) subjects. Adenosine stress-induced perfusion defects were present in 48 (42%) subjects. None of the perfusion defects corresponded with a single or multiple coronary artery territories, showing a multiple patchy pattern in 24 (50.0%), a concentric subendocardial pattern in 20 subjects (41.7%), and as a single blot-like defect in the remaining 4 (8.3%). A perfusion defect was associated with NSVT, LV apical aneurysm, higher LV mass index, and higher LGE volume on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed female gender (P = 0.008), presence of apical aneurysm and NSVT (P = 0.036 and 0.047, respectively), and LV mass index (P = 0.022) to be independently associated with adenosine stress-induced perfusion defects. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HCM, adenosine-stress perfusion defects on CMR are present in more than 40% of subjects. This perfusion defect is associated with NSVT, higher LV mass index, and apical aneurysms. The prognostic value of this finding needs further elucidation.

Mutations in DDX58, which encodes RIG-I, cause atypical Singleton-Merten syndrome.

Singleton-Merten syndrome (SMS) is an autosomal-dominant multi-system disorder characterized by dental dysplasia, aortic calcification, skeletal abnormalities, glaucoma, psoriasis, and other conditions. Despite an apparent autosomal-dominant pattern of inheritance, the genetic background of SMS and information about its phenotypic heterogeneity remain unknown. Recently, we found a family affected by glaucoma, aortic calcification, and skeletal abnormalities. Unlike subjects with classic SMS, affected individuals showed normal dentition, suggesting atypical SMS. To identify genetic causes of the disease, we performed exome sequencing in this family and identified a variant (c.1118A>C [p.Glu373Ala]) of DDX58, whose protein product is also known as RIG-I. Further analysis of DDX58 in 100 individuals with congenital glaucoma identified another variant (c.803G>T [p.Cys268Phe]) in a family who harbored neither dental anomalies nor aortic calcification but who suffered from glaucoma and skeletal abnormalities. Cys268 and Glu373 residues of DDX58 belong to ATP-binding motifs I and II, respectively, and these residues are predicted to be located closer to the ADP and RNA molecules than other nonpathogenic missense variants by protein structure analysis. Functional assays revealed that DDX58 alterations confer constitutive activation and thus lead to increased interferon (IFN) activity and IFN-stimulated gene expression. In addition, when we transduced primary human trabecular meshwork cells with c.803G>T (p.Cys268Phe) and c.1118A>C (p.Glu373Ala) mutants, cytopathic effects and a significant decrease in cell number were observed. Taken together, our results demonstrate that DDX58 mutations cause atypical SMS manifesting with variable expression of glaucoma, aortic calcification, and skeletal abnormalities without dental anomalies.

The Prevalence of Marfan Syndrome in Korea.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Marfan syndrome (MFS) in Korean adults. Data were collected from the National Health Insurance Service in Korea from 2006 through 2013. The data consisted of primary diagnoses related to MFS (Q87.4) diagnosed according to the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. The age-standardized prevalence of MFS in adults was calculated using the estimated Korean population in 2010 as a reference. Overall, the prevalence of MFS was 0.90 per 100,000 persons in 2006 and 2.27 in 2013. For males in 2013, the prevalence per 100,000 persons was 2.61 in overall and 4.32 in 15-19 years-old. For females in 2013, the prevalence per 100,000 persons was 1.92 in overall and 3.02 in 10-14 years-old. In conclusion, currently, the age-standardized overall prevalence of MFS was 2.27 persons per 100,000 persons. And the overall age-standardized prevalence of MFS increased between 2006 and 2013 especially in 15-19 years-old males and 10-14 years-old females.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Functional Outcomes 6 Months after Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) predicts the outcome of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Korean version of the modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) 6 months after stroke with adjustment for age, gender, education, smoking, drinking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, the FIM or K-MBI at discharge and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 7 days post stroke. METHODS: This study is an interim report of the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation. The sample included 2,037 ischemic stroke patients aged 18 years or older. The FIM and K-MBI scores were assessed at discharge and at 6 months after the onset of stroke. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. CKD was defined as an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. RESULTS: Overall, the mean age was 65.5 (±12.4) years. The proportion of men was 62.6%. The proportion of CKD cases was 12.7%. The means of the 6-month FIM and K-MBI were 109.8 (±27.9) and 87.0 (±26.4), respectively. In multiple linear regressions, the 6-month FIM after stroke was significantly associated with CKD (-2.85, p < 0.05), age (-0.29, p < 0.01), the FIM at discharge (0.46, p < 0.01) and the 7-day NIHSS score (-1.71, p < 0.01). Additionally, the post-stroke 6-month K-MBI was significantly associated with CKD (-2.88, p < 0.01), age (-0.27, p < 0.01), the K-MBI at discharge (0.46, p < 0.01) and the 7-day NIHSS score (-1.55, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This nationwide hospital-based cohort study showed that CKD might predict poor 6-month FIM and K-MBI scores in ischemic stroke patients.

Quantification of left ventricular trabeculae using cardiovascular magnetic resonance for the diagnosis of left ventricular non-compaction: evaluation of trabecular volume and refined semi-quantitative criteria.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is an unclassified cardiomyopathy and there is no consensus on the diagnosis of LVNC. The aims of this study were to establish quantitative methods to diagnose LVNC using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and to suggest refined semi-quantitative methods to diagnose LVNC. METHODS: This retrospective study included 145 subjects with mild to severe trabeculation of the left ventricle myocardium [24 patients with isolated LVNC, 33 patients with non-isolated LVNC, 30 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with non-compaction (DCMNC), 27 patients with DCM, and 31 healthy control subjects with mild trabeculation]. The left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, global LV myocardial volume, trabeculated LV myocardial volume, and number of segments with late gadolinium enhancement were measured. In addition, the most prominent non-compacted (NC), compacted (C), normal mid-septum, normal mid-lateral wall, and apical trabeculation thicknesses on the end-diastolic frames of the long-axis slices were measured. RESULTS: In the patients with isolated LVNC, the percentage of trabeculated LV volume (TV%, â€‹42.6 ± 13.8 %) â€‹relative to total LV myocardial volume was 1.4 times higher than in those with DCM (30.3 ± 14.3 %, p < 0.001), and 1.7 times higher than in the controls (24.8 ± 7.1 %, p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in TV% between the isolated LVNC and DCMNC groups (47.1 ± 17.3 % in the DCMNC group; p = 0.210). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis using Jenni's method for CMR classification as the standard diagnostic criteria revealed that a value of TV% above 34.6 % was predictive of NC with a specificity of 89.7 % (CI: 74.2 - 98.0 %) and a sensitivity of 66.1 % (CI: 52.6 - 77.9 %). A value of NC/septum over 1.27 was considered predictive for NC with a specificity of 82.8 % (CI: 64.2 - 94.2 %) and a sensitivity of 57.6 % (CI: 44.1 - 70.4 %). In addition, a value of apex/C above 3.15 was considered predictive of NC with a specificity of 93.1 % (CI: 77.2 - 99.2 %) and a sensitivity of 69.5 % (CI: 56.1 - 80.8 %). CONCLUSIONS: A trabeculated LV myocardial volume above 35 % of the total LV myocardial volume is diagnostic for LVNC with high specificity. Also, the apex/C and NC/septum ratios could be useful as supplementary diagnostic criteria.

Cerebrolysin combined with rehabilitation promotes motor recovery in patients with severe motor impairment after stroke.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrolysin is a neuropeptide preparation with neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects. Combining Cerebrolysin treatment with a standardized rehabilitation program may have a potential synergistic effect in the subacute stage of stroke. This study aims to evaluate whether Cerebrolysin provides additional motor recovery on top of rehabilitation therapy in the subacute stroke patients with moderate to severe motor impairment. METHODS: This phase IV trial was designed as a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. A total of 70 patients (Cerebrolysin n = 35, placebo n = 35) with moderate to severe motor function impairment were included within 7 days after stroke onset and were randomized to receive a 21-day treatment course of either Cerebrolysin or placebo, given in addition to standardized rehabilitation therapy. Assessments were performed at baseline, immediately after treatment as well as 2 and 3 months after stroke onset. The plasticity of motor system was assessed by diffusion tensor imaging and with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in motor function (p < 0.05); however, no significant difference was found between the two groups. In the stroke patients with severe motor impairment, the Cerebrolysin group exhibited significantly more improvement in motor function compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05). Effects of Cerebrolysin were demonstrated as restricted increments of corticospinal diffusivity and as recovery of the sensorimotor connectivity. CONCLUSION: The combination of standard rehabilitation therapy with Cerebrolysin treatment in the subacute stroke has shown additional benefit on motor recovery and plastic changes of the corticospinal tract in patients with severe motor impairment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01996761 (November 5, 2013).

Comparison of clinical characteristics in patients with Takayasu arteritis with and without concomitant tuberculosis.

Because of frequent tuberculosis in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA), a possible relationship between TA and tuberculosis has been proposed. However, there are no studies to date that have examined clinical manifestations in patients diagnosed with TA with or without tuberculosis. Two hundred sixty-seven patients were diagnosed with TA according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria between September 1994 and April 2014. Patients with TA were classified into groups with or without tuberculosis. Among the 267 patients with TA studied, 47 patients (17.7 %) who had a history of previous treatment of tuberculosis (34 patients), concurrent diagnosis of tuberculosis with TA (10 patients), or diagnosis of tuberculosis during the follow-up period for TA (3 patients) were included in the group with tuberculosis. The group with tuberculosis comprised of 33 patients (70.2 %) with pulmonary tuberculosis, 12 patients (25.5 %) with tuberculous lymphadenitis, and 2 patients (4.3 %) with tuberculosis of the skin and colon, respectively. Comorbid disease and patients' signs and symptoms were not significantly different between TA patients with and without tuberculosis. Additionally, the site of disease involvement in angiographic findings and distribution of angiographic type were similar between the two groups. In conclusion, tuberculosis including tuberculous lymphadenitis was frequently observed in patients with TA. Clinical features and angiographic findings in TA were not different according to the presence or absence of concomitant tuberculosis.

Natural Course of Adult Ebstein Anomaly When Treated according to Current Recommendation.

The objectives of this study were to assess the clinical outcomes of adults with Ebstein Anomaly (EA) according to their treatment modalities. All adult EA patients diagnosed between October 1994 and October 2014 were retrospectively evaluated by medical record review. Total 60 patients were categorized into 3 groups according to their treatment strategy, i.e. non-operative treatment (Group I, n = 23), immediate operative treatment (Group II, n = 27), and delayed operative treatment (Group III, n = 10). A composite of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and factors associated with MACCE were assessed in each treatment group. MACCE occurred in 13.0% patients in Group I, 55.6% patients in Group II and 50% in Group III (P = 0.006). Event free survivals at 5 years were 90% in Group I, 52.7% in Group II, 50.0% in Group III (P = 0.036). Post-operatively, most patients showed improvement on clinical symptoms. However, event free survival rate was lower in patients with operation compared to those with non-operative treatment (58.7% vs. 90.9%; P = 0.007). Major arrhythmic event occurred more frequently even after surgical ablation (50.0% vs. 20.0%; P = 0.034). Re-operation was more frequent in patients underwent delayed surgery compared to those with immediate surgery (50.0% vs. 18.5%; P = 0.001). Current guideline to decide patient's treatment strategy appeared to be appropriate in adult patients with EA. However, surgical ablation for arrhythmia was not enough so that concomitant medical treatment should be considered. Therefore, attentive risk stratification and cautious decision of treatment strategy by experienced cardiac surgeon are believed to improve clinical outcome.

Analysis of Protrusio Acetabuli Using a CT-based Diagnostic Method in Korean Patients with Marfan Syndrome: Prevalence and Association with Other Manifestations.

A new CT-based diagnostic method of protrusio acetabuli (PA) was introduced. However, prevalence of PA by this method and correlation between PA and other manifestations of Marfan syndrome (MFS) is unknown in Korean MFS patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PA diagnosed by a CT-based method in Korean patients with MFS, the association of PA with other manifestations of MFS, and the contribution of PA to MFS diagnosis. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 146 MFS patients with the presence of a causative FBN1 mutation and 146 age- and sex-matched controls from a single tertiary care center. All MFS patients underwent a complete assessment of criteria based on the revised Ghent nosology. PA was assessed quantitatively using a CT-based circle-wall distance (CWD) method. PA was diagnosed in 77.4% of patients in the MFS group and in 11.0% of the control group. CWD was significantly different between the two groups (1.50 mm vs. -0.64 mm, P<0.001). The presence of PA did not correlate with the presence of ectopia lentis, aortic root diameter, or history of aortic dissection. The presence of PA did not have a significant impact on the final diagnosis of MFS. Even though the presence of PA does not related to the cardinal clinical features of MFS or influence MFS diagnosis, its presence may be helpful for the suspicion of MFS when aortic dissection or aneurysm is found on CT angiography of the aorta because of the high frequency of PA in MFS patients.

Determinants of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in healthy Koreans.

The aim of this study was to determine the normal value of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) according to age group, gender, and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in healthy Koreans, and to investigate the association between PWV and risk factors such as prehypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, and obesity. We measured an arterial stiffness in 110 normal subjects who were 20 to 69 yr-old with no evidence of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular accident or diabetes mellitus. The mean values of baPWV and cfPWV were 12.6 (± 2.27) m/sec (13.1 ± 1.85 in men, 12.1 ± 2.51 in women; P=0.019) and 8.70 (± 1.99) m/sec (9.34 ± 2.13 in men, 8.15 ± 1.69 in women; P=0.001), respectively. The distribution of baPWV (P<0.001) and cfPWV (P=0.006) by age group and gender showed an increase in the mean value with age. Men had higher baPWV and cfPWV than women (P<0.001). There was a difference in baPWV and cfPWV by age group on prehypertension, dyslipidemia, current smoking, or obesity (P<0.001). In multiple linear regression, age and prehypertension were highly associated with baPWV and cfPWV after adjustment for confounding factors (P<0.001). The present study showed that baPWV and cfPWV are associated with age, gender, and prehypertension in healthy Koreans.

Association Between Atopic Dermatitis and Suicidal Behaviors in North Korean Adolescent Defectors From 2011 to 2019.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and suicidal behaviors in adolescent defectors among residents who escaped from North Korean (adolescent defectors, n=423) and adolescents with South Korean parents (Korean adolescents, n=540,265). METHODS: The study used data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted from 2011 to 2019. Differences in general characteristics, health behaviors, suicidal ideation, suicide plans, suicide attempts, and AD between adolescent defectors and Korean adolescents were examined. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between AD and suicidal behaviors. RESULTS: The adolescent defectors group had lower AD (16.3% vs. 24.2%), poorer subjective health (10% vs. 6%), smoked more (47% vs. 18%), drank more (60% vs. 43%), lived with family less frequently (56% vs. 96%), and were more than twice as likely to have depression (42% vs. 27%), suicidal ideation (30% vs. 14%), a suicide plan (23% vs. 5%), or have made a prior suicide attempt (19% vs. 3%) compared with the Korean adolescent group (p<0.001). The adjusted odds ratio for the adolescent defectors group compared to the Korean adolescent group was 1.66 for suicidal ideation, 3.59 for suicide plans, and 4.34 for suicide attempts (p<0.001). AD was found to be associated with suicide plans and attempts in adolescent defectors and associated with suicidal ideation in Korean adolescents. CONCLUSION: AD was significantly associated with suicide plans and suicidal attempts among adolescent defectors and suicidal ideation in Korean adolescents, based on a random sample of middle- and high-school students.

A Single Center Experience of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Management in Korea: A 25-Year Comparative Analysis Following the Introduction of Targeted Therapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The transformation of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatment in Korea, ushered by targeted therapy's advent, prompted our analysis of baseline attributes, treatment trends, and survival shifts within our single-center registry. METHODS: We examined 230 patients (72.6% female, mean age 40.6±17.4 years) diagnosed and/or treated between 1980 and 2021 in our PAH clinic. Given targeted therapy's introduction and active use since 2007, we compared diagnostic classification, demographics, and treatment patterns at that juncture. Survival analysis encompassed PAH types and the overall population. For historical survival comparison, 50 non-registry patients were retrospectively added, and age-sex matching enabled pooled analysis. RESULTS: Congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHD-PAH) constituted the largest subset (43.0%), trailed by connective tissue disease-associated PAH (CTD-PAH, 29.6%) and idiopathic PAH (IPAH, 19.1%). Post-2007, CTD-PAH proportions surged, notably with an elevated initiation rate of targeted therapy (95.4%). Overall survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years stood at 91.3%, 77.4%, and 65.8%, respectively, with CHD-PAH exhibiting superior survival to idiopathic or CTD-PAH. Age-sex matching analysis indicated survival disparities between those starting immediate targeted therapy vs. conservative treatment upon diagnosis, especially driven by IPAH. CONCLUSIONS: In the post-introduction of the targeted therapy era, patients with PAH promptly started treatment right away, and higher survival rates of patients who started initial PAH-targeted therapy were demonstrated. The transition towards early treatment initiation might have likely contributed to the elevated survival rates observed in Korea's PAH patient cohort.

Positive correlation between the dysregulation of transforming growth factor-ß1 and aneurysmal pathological changes in patients with Marfan syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to investigate the correlation between the dysregulation of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and cystic medial degeneration in the aortic aneurysmal tissues of in Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients. Although aortic aneurysm in animal models of MFS is related to the dysregulation of TGF-ß, it has yet to be determined whether TGF-ß dysregulation correlates with pathogenic aneurysmal characteristics in MFS patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Compared with aortic tissue from normal individuals, the medial layers of aortic tissue from MFS patients exhibited profound cystic medial degeneration and cellular apoptosis. These histopathologic changes positively correlated with the extent of TGF-ß1 signaling activation (Smad2 phosphorylation) in aneurysmal aortic tissue. In addition, the level of TGF-ß1 expression in peripheral blood and aneurysmal aortic tissues was significantly elevated in MFS patients. A significant positive correlation was observed between the plasma level of active TGF-ß1 in MFS patients and the severity of cystic medial degeneration and Smad2 phosphorylation in aneurysmal aortic medial layers. CONCLUSIONS: We found a strong association between the dysregulation of TGF-ß1 and aortic pathogenesis in human MFS patients. This suggests that the plasma concentration of TGF-ß1 in MFS patients might be a useful biomarker of the progression of aortic aneurysms.

Identification of two novel COL3A1 variants in patients with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by aberrations in COL3A1, which encodes type III collagen. Sanger sequencing has limitations for diagnosis since exon deletion/duplication and splicing alterations are not uncommon in COL3A1. We report 2 patients with vEDS who were not diagnosed by conventional Sanger sequencing. METHODS: We performed either targeted panel or whole-genome sequencing. Complementary DNA (cDNA) sequencing was performed using cultured skin fibroblasts. Sanger sequencing of DNA was performed for the confirmation of breakpoints in the case of exon deletion. We also evaluated the sensitivity of the splicing prediction tool, SpliceAI. RESULTS: An exon 27 deletion was suspected on targeted panel sequencing of 1 patient. The deletion was confirmed using cDNA sequencing (r.1870_1923del) and breakpoints were confirmed (c.1870-109_1923+10del). On targeted panel sequencing in the other patient, we found a novel intronic variant of c.1149+6T>C that leads to skipping of exon 16 (r.1051_1149del) by cDNA sequencing. SpliceAI showed 98.8% sensitivity for known splicing variants in COL3A1. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the necessity of a comprehensive approach to the genetic diagnosis of vEDS. In addition, cDNA sequencing was useful as an auxiliary method, especially considering the limited sensitivity of the splicing prediction tool.

Differential Diagnosis of Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease and/or Pulmonary Capillary Hemangiomatosis after Identification of Two Novel EIF2AK4 Variants by Whole-Exome Sequencing.

Background: Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) and/or pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) are rare causes of pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and PVOD/PCH are clinically similar, but there is a risk of drug-induced pulmonary edema when PCH patients receive the PAH therapy. Therefore, early diagnosis of PVOD/PCH is important. Objectives: We report the first case in Korea of PVOD/PCH in a patient carrying compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in the EIF2AK4 gene. Case Description and Method: A 19-year-old man who was previously diagnosed with idiopathic PAH suffered from dyspnea on exertion for 2 months. He had a reduced lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (25% predicted). Chest computed tomography images showed diffusely scattered ground-glass opacity nodules in both lungs with an enlarged main pulmonary artery. For the molecular diagnosis of PVOD/PCH, whole-exome sequencing was performed for the proband. Results: Exome sequencing identified two novel EIF2AK4 variants, c.2137_2138dup (p.Ser714Leufs*78) and c.3358-1G>A. These two variants were classified as pathogenic variants according to the 2015 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. Conclusions: We identified two novel pathogenic variants (c.2137_2138dup and c.3358-1G>A) in the EIF2AK4 gene. Identification of possible pathogenic gene variants by whole-exome sequencing or panel sequencing is recommended as a guide to adequate treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension.