Clinical trials

Prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint (PROBE-like) clinical trial evaluating whether physician-supervised Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT)-assisted multimodal diagnostic support improves diagnostic concordance in emergency department patients presenting with acute cardiopulmonary symptoms.

Background Artificial intelligence-enabled electrocardiography (AI-ECG) has emerged as a promising digital biomarker for detecting latent myocardial dysfunction and predicting cardiovascular risk. However, whether serial AI-derived risk estimates reflect myocardial recovery following therapeutic intervention remains unknown. Objective The DYNAMIC-AF HF Study aims to evaluate longitudinal changes in AI-ECG-derived heart failure (HF) risk after catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF), and to determine their association with conventional markers of reverse remodeling. Methods The DYNAMIC-AF HF Study is a prospective multicenter observational cohort study enrolling 1,000 patients with symptomatic AF and HFmrEF undergoing first-time catheter ablation. Eligible participants must have a left ventricular ejection fraction of 41-49% and at least one predefined HF-related feature suggestive of latent myocardial dysfunction. Serial 12-lead electrocardiograms, echocardiography, biomarker assessments, and clinical follow-up will be performed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months. AI-based ECG analysis will generate continuous HF-risk scores, enabling construction of longitudinal AI-derived HF risk trajectories. The primary endpoint is the change in AI-derived HF risk from baseline to 12 months. Secondary endpoints include changes in left ventricular ejection fraction, global longitudinal strain, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels, AF recurrence, HF hospitalization, and mortality. Conclusions This study will evaluate whether serial AI-ECG assessment can serve as a dynamic digital biomarker of myocardial recovery following AF ablation and support future AI-enabled monitoring and clinical decision-support strategies in cardiovascular care.

Background Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are recommended for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Although NOACs substantially reduce intracranial hemorrhage, upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) remains a frequent and clinically consequential complication. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may reduce UGIB risk; however, concerns regarding long-term safety and pharmacodynamic variability persist. Fexuprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), provides rapid and sustained acid suppression independent of acid activation and CYP2C19 metabolism. No randomized trial has evaluated P-CAB therapy for prevention of UGIB in anticoagulated patients. Methods FENOX is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint (PROBE) superiority trial. Approximately 1,000 high-risk patients with non-valvular AF initiating NOAC therapy will be randomized 1:1 to receive fexuprazan plus NOAC therapy or NOAC therapy alone. High-risk enrichment includes advanced age, renal impairment, concomitant antiplatelet therapy, prior ulcer disease, or elevated HAS-BLED score. The primary endpoint is clinically relevant upper gastrointestinal bleeding (CR-UGIB) at 12 months, defined according to ISTH criteria. All events will be adjudicated by an independent blinded Clinical Events Committee. Primary analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle using time-to-event methods. Results The planned sample size provides 80% power to detect a 50% relative risk reduction in CR-UGIB, assuming a 12-month incidence of 10% in the control group. Interim safety monitoring will be conducted under independent oversight. Conclusion FENOX is the first randomized trial designed to evaluate a P-CAB-based gastroprotective strategy for prevention of clinically relevant UGIB in high-risk patients receiving NOAC therapy. By integrating high-risk enrichment, pragmatic design, and blinded endpoint adjudication, the study aims to provide rigorous evidence to inform gastroprotective strategies in anticoagulated populations.

The OPTIA-AF trial is a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate a rhythm-guided antithrombotic strategy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who maintain durable sinus rhythm after catheter ablation and have a history of prior drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Current guidelines generally recommend long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC) in patients with AF, even after successful ablation, while antiplatelet therapy remains essential for prevention of coronary ischemic events following percutaneous coronary intervention. OPTIA-AF tests whether discontinuation of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy with transition to single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) is non-inferior to continued NOAC therapy in patients who maintain sinus rhythm for at least 12 months after AF ablation. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either continued NOAC therapy or NOAC discontinuation with SAPT. The primary endpoint is a 24-month composite net clinical outcome including ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, definite or probable stent thrombosis, cardiovascular death, and major bleeding.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the long-term effectiveness and safety of new Alzheimer's disease treatments, particularly monoclonal antibody therapies like lecanemab and donanemab, as well as to enhance diagnostic methods for Alzheimer's disease by collecting real-world data from Korean Alzheimer's patients. The goal is to contribute to the precision of Alzheimer's treatment and to evaluate the impact of these new therapies and diagnostic techniques in clinical practice.