Clinical trials

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.

To date, no optimal treatment has been established to improve outcomes in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. The safety and efficacy of pulsed-field ablation (PFA) have been demonstrated in several studies, and its clinical application is expanding. \- In patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, can the addition of posterior wall isolation (PWI) following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using PFA reduce recurrence? Participants will: * Undergo either PVI alone or PVI with additional left atrial posterior wall isolation (PWI) * Visit the clinic to assess for recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias

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.