Morphological characteristics of optical coherence tomography defined plaque fissure in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

We assessed the plaque disruption in 245 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The plaque fissure was diagnosed with optical coherence tomography, and intravascular ultrasound was used to determine arterial remodeling. Of them, 26 fissures were found in this study.

Impact of left atrial appendage closure on cardiac functional and structural remodeling: A difference-in-difference analysis of propensity score matched samples.

Background: Although the safety and efficacy of left atrial (LA) appendage (LAA) closure (LAAC) in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients have been well documented in randomized controlled trials and real-world experience, there are limited data in the literature about the impact of LAAC on cardiac remodeling. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of LAAC on cardiac functional and structural remodeling in NVAF patients.

Methods: Between March 2014 and November 2016, 47 NVAF patients who underwent LAAC were included in this study (LAAC group).

Plaque Vulnerability as Assessed by Radiofrequency Intravascular Ultrasound in Patients with Valvular Calcification.

Background: Cardiac valvular calcification is associated with the overall coronary plaque burden and considered an independent cardiovascular risk and prognostic factor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the presence of valvular calcification and plaque morphology and/or vulnerability.

Methods: Transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess valvular calcification in 280 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent radiofrequency intravascular ultrasound (Virtual Histology IVUS, VH-IVUS).

Multimodality Intravascular Imaging Assessment of Plaque Erosion versus Plaque Rupture in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background And Objectives: We assessed plaque erosion of culprit lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome in real world practice.

Subjects And Methods: Culprit lesion plaque rupture or plaque erosion was diagnosed with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was used to determine arterial remodeling.

Gap junction remodelling by chronic pressure overload is related to the increased susceptibility to atrial fibrillation in rat heart.

Aims: Left atrial (LA) fibrosis caused by various pathological stimuli is a common finding. However, the difference of atrial remodelling via haemodynamic change in diverse cardiomyopathy has not been elucidated.

Methods And Results: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (6-8 weeks, n = 180) were randomly assigned to three groups and corresponding sham control groups: (i) ischaemic cardiomyopathy, (ii) left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and (iii) dilated cardiomyopathy.

Influence of previous statin therapy on cholesterol-lowering effect of ezetimibe.

Background And Objectives: The inhibition of cholesterol absorption by ezetimibe increases cholesterol synthesis. The effect of inhibition of cholesterol synthesis on cholesterol absorption is controversial. The influence of these interactions on cholesterol levels is unknown.

Frequency and evolution of thin-capped fibroatheromas in left main coronary artery as assessed by serial virtual histology intravascular ultrasound analysis.

Background: The objective of the current study was to assess thin-capped fibroatheroma (TCFA) of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) and its changes after statin therapy.

Methods: We assessed the frequency and distribution of virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) thin-capped fibroatheroma (VH-TCFA) in the LMCA in 500 patients. Serial VH-IVUS examinations were available in 50 patients at 12-month follow-up.

DICOM-based intravascular ultrasound signal intensity analysis: an Echoplaque Medical Imaging Bench study.

Background: Most intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) data are stored digitally using the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard. This allows random access to studies and improves on the major limitation of conventional grayscale IVUS.

Methods: We harvested 129 coronary arteries from 43 autopsied cases.

Fenofibrate reduces C-reactive protein levels in hypertriglyceridemic patients with high risks for cardiovascular diseases.

Background And Objectives: The effects of fenofibrate on C-reactive protein (CRP) are under debate. We investigated the effect of fenofibrate on CRP levels and the variables determining changes.

Subjects And Methods: This case-control study enrolled 280 hypertriglyceridemic patients who were managed either with 200 mg of fenofibrate (Fenofibrate group, n=140) or with standard treatment (comparison group, n=140).

Relation Between RR Intervals and Early Diastolic Mitral Annular Velocities in Atrial Fibrillation.

Background And Objectives: Irregular RR intervals in atrial fibrillation (AF) make beat-to-beat changes in left ventricular (LV) systolic performance. Early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E') is one of the well-established parameters for evaluating LV diastolic function. The relation between RR intervals and E's is unknown.

Acute viral myopericarditis presenting as a transient effusive-constrictive pericarditis caused by coinfection with coxsackieviruses A4 and B3.

Acute myopericarditis is usually caused by viral infections, and the most common cause of viral myopericarditis is coxsackieviruses. Diagnosis of myopericarditis is made based on clinical manifestations of myocardial (such as myocardial dysfunction and elevated serum cardiac enzyme levels) and pericardial (such as inflammatory pericardial effusion) involvement. Although endomyocardial biopsy is the gold standard for the confirmation of viral infection, serologic tests can be helpful.

Relationship between coronary artery plaque composition by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound analysis and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objective: Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is an indicator of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risks. To identify patients with coronary atherosclerosis before the onset of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction will be desirable.

Methods: We measured the ankle-brachial index and baPWV in 150 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Effects of ezetimibe added to ongoing statin therapy on C-reactive protein levels in hypercholesterolemic patients.

Background And Objectives: Ezetimibe alone does not decrease C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in hypercholesterolemic patients. However, several reports have suggested that ezetimibe might potentiate the effect of statin not only on cholesterol but also on CRP when administered together. We investigated the effect of ezetimibe on CRP levels in patients taking statins.

Effects of the transition from premenopause to postmenopause on lipids and lipoproteins: quantification and related parameters.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to quantitatively measure changes in lipids and lipoproteins during perimenopause and to identify variables related to these changes.

Methods: Among women who had three regular health evaluations over a span of 2-4 years, 34 women remained in the premenopausal state, 34 premenopausal women transitioned to the postmenopausal state, and 36 postmenopausal women were enrolled. The menopausal state was determined not only by a history of amenorrhea but also by levels of female sex hormones.

Disappearance of angina pectoris by lipid-lowering in type III hyperlipoproteinemia.

Type III hyperlipoproteinemia is a rare familial disease characterized by marked elevations of serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels caused by an accumulation of remnant lipoproteins in apolipoprotein E2/E2 homozygotes. It is associated with an increased risk for premature atherosclerotic vascular disease. A 55-year-old woman was diagnosed as having type III hyperlipoproteinemia on the basis of skin lesions, serum lipid levels, lipid electrophoresis, and apolipoprotein E genotyping and stable angina pectoris on the basis of typical symptoms and treadmill exercise electrocardiographic results.

The effect of aspirin on C-reactive protein in hypertensive patients.

High level of C-reactive protein (CRP), most popular inflammatory marker, increases the risk of thrombotic cardiovascular events. Aspirin, which has both anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects, has the potential to influence CRP release. Several studies have been reported investigating clinical effects of aspirin on CRP levels.

The impact of mitral annular calcification on left ventricular function in nonagenarians.

Background And Objectives: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is known to be associated with degenerative processes of the cardiac fibrous skeleton and cardiovascular disease mortality. However, MAC has not been evaluated in an extreme age group (patients >/=90 years of age). In this study, the clinical significance of MAC associated with aging was examined in this age group and compared with MAC associated with aging in a younger (20 to 50 years of age) group of patients.

Association of the parameters derived from the relation between RR intervals and left ventricle performance with a history of heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Parameters derived from the relation between RR intervals and left ventricular (LV) performance in atrial fibrillation (AF) have been useful to evaluate systolic LV function. This study investigated the association of these parameters with a history of heart failure. Echocardiography was performed in 107 patients with AF.

Atherosclerotic progression attenuates the expression of Nogo-B in autopsied coronary artery: pathology and virtual histology intravascular ultrasound analysis.

The relation of Nogo-B to atherosclerotic plaque progression is not well understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the expression of Nogo-B in fibroatheromas (FA) of different stages, classified using virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) analysis in 19 autopsied cases of non-sudden cardiac death. VH-IVUS imaging analysis was performed 30 mm from the ostium of each coronary artery.

Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of pitavastatin and atorvastatin: an 8-week, multicenter, randomized, open-label, dose-titration study in Korean patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Although previous studies have examined the efficacy of pitavastatin, its tolerability and effects on lipid concentrations have not been compared with those of atorvastatin in a multicenter, randomized study.

Objective: This trial compared the efficacy and tolerability of pitavastatin and atorvastatin in hypercholesterolemic Korean adults.

Methods: This 8-week, multicenter, randomized, open-label, dose-titration study was conducted at 18 clinical centers in Korea between May 2005 and February 2006.

Effects of fenofibrate on C-reactive protein levels in hypertriglyceridemic patients.

We investigated the effects of fenofibrate on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Patients with a triglyceride level >or=200 mg/dL were randomly assigned to receive either 200 mg of fenofibrate (n = 54) or general measures (n = 54). A third group of patients with hypercholesterolemia received a statin (n = 54).

Effect of fenofibrate on lipoprotein(a) in hypertriglyceridemic patients: impact of change in triglyceride level and liver function.

We investigated the effect of fenofibrate on lipoprotein(a)levels in hypertriglyceridemic patients and the parameters relating to its effect. Patients with a triglyceride level >/=300 mg/dL or with a triglyceride level >/=200 mg/dL and a high density lipoprotein cholesterol level View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Overweight and effect of hormone replacement therapy on lipid profiles in postmenopausal women.

Background: Many experimental and observational studies have suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women is cardioprotective. However, the results of randomized controlled trials have been discouraging. We attempted to evaluate the influence of overweight, a frequent risk factor for coronary artery disease, on the lipid-modifying effects of HRT.

New parameters for left ventricular function in atrial fibrillation: based on the relationship between RR interval and performance.

This study was designed to obtain new parameters representing left ventricular (LV) function independent of irregular RR intervals in atrial fibrillation (AF). AF patients were divided into Normal (n=9) and LV Dysfunction (n=9) groups. The relations between LV outflow peak ejection velocity (Vpe) and preceding (RR-1) or prepreceding RR intervals (RR-2) were obtained using logarithmic equations, from which the squared correlation coefficient (r2), slope, Vpe at RR-1 or RR-2=1 sec (Vpe-1), and the ratio of slope to Vpe-1 (Slope/Vpe-1) were calculated.

Characterization of binding and phagocytosis of oxidatively damaged erythrocyte to macrophage.

Background: Scavenger receptors are thought to be involved in the recognition of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and oxidized erythrocyte (oxRBC). However, there are controversies about the kind of receptors and ligands related to the binding. Macrophages lacking class A scavenger receptor show identical binding of oxRBC with wild-type ones.