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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., Competing Interests: The authors have no financial conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023. The Korean Society of Cardiology.)

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 CHA 2 DS 2 -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., Competing Interests: The authors have no financial conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023. The Korean Society of Cardiology.)

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., Competing Interests: The authors have no financial conflicts of interest, (Copyright © 2023. The Korean Society of Cardiology.)

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., Competing Interests: The authors have no financial conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023. The Korean Society of Cardiology.)

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between cardiovascular events and 2 different levels of elevated on-treatment diastolic blood pressures (DBP) in the presence of achieved systolic blood pressure targets (SBP)., Methods: A nation-wide population-based cohort study comprised 237,592 patients with hypertension treated. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Elevated DBP was defined according to the Seventh Report of Joint National Committee (JNC7; SBP <140 mmHg, DBP ≥90 mmHg) or to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) definitions (SBP <130 mmHg, DBP ≥80 mmHg)., Results: During a median follow-up of 9 years, elevated on-treatment DBP by the JNC7 definition was associated with an increased risk of the occurrence of primary endpoint compared with achieved both SBP and DBP (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.24) but not in those by the 2017 ACC/AHA definition. Elevated on-treatment DBP by the JNC7 definition was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (aHR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.18-1.70) and stroke (aHR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.08-1.30). Elevated on-treatment DBP by the 2017 ACC/AHA definition was only associated with stroke (aHR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04-1.16). Similar results were seen in the propensity-score-matched cohort., Conclusion: Elevated on-treatment DBP by the JNC7 definition was associated a high risk of major cardiovascular events, while elevated DBP by the 2017 ACC/AHA definition was only associated with a higher risk of stroke. The result of study can provide evidence of DBP targets in subjects who achieved SBP targets., Competing Interests: The authors have no financial conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022. The Korean Society of Cardiology.)

Background and Objectives: Factors associated with low heart failure (HF) awareness have not been well-evaluated. This study was conducted to find out which demographic features would be associated with low HF awareness in the general population of Korea., Methods: A telephone interview was conducted with 1,032 adults (58 years and 50.6% were male) across the country. Based on answer to 15 questions about HF, we scored from 0 to 15 points (mean, 7.53±2.75; median, 8; interquartile range, 6-9). A score of <8 was defined as low HF awareness, and a score of ≥8 was defined as high HF awareness., Results: A total of 478 subjects (46.3%) had low HF awareness. HF awareness scores were 5.18±1.85 and 9.55±1.50 in subjects of low and high HF awareness groups, respectively. Subjects with low HF awareness were older, more female-dominant, more diabetic, lower educational and house hold income levels, and more frequently living in rural areas, compared to those with high HF awareness (p<0.05 for each). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, older age (≥67 years: odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-2.19; p=0.004), female sex (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.02-1.73; p=0.034) and low educational level (high school graduate or less vs. college graduate: OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.75-3.22; p<0.001) were significantly associated with low HF awareness even after controlling for potential confounders., Conclusions: Older age, female sex, and lower level of education were independently associated with low HF awareness in the general Korean population. More attention and education are needed for these vulnerable groups to improve HF awareness., Competing Interests: The authors have no financial conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020. The Korean Society of Cardiology.)

Competing Interests: The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

Drug-eluting balloon (DEB) with angioplasty a paclitaxel-coated balloon catheter is an effective treatment option in patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR) after a drug-eluting stent (DES). We describe a case in which 'no-reflow' phenomenon developed after DEB angioplasty of a DES ISR lesion. Coronary flow was restored after intracoronary administration of nicorandil.