Second Derivative of the Finger Photoplethysmogram Predicts the Risk of Developing Hypertension in Middle-Aged Men.

Aim: Increased arterial stiffness impairs the functional and structural properties of arteries, which in turn elevates blood pressure (BP). The aim of this study was to test whether indices obtained from the second derivative of the finger photoplethysmogram (SDPTG), a marker of arterial stiffness, predict future development of hypertension in middle-aged men.

Methods: The SDPTG was measured in 902 men without hypertension (mean age 44±6 years) at an annual medical checkup.

High body mass index and triglyceride levels at health checkups increase the risk of new-onset chronic kidney disease and worsening renal function: the TAMA MED Project-CKD.

Background: Health checkups are important in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is not easily accompanied by subjective symptoms. CKD can be caused or aggravated by factors that have not yet been identified.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 7 483 patients who underwent specific annual health checkups at a medical institution in Tama City, did not have CKD in 2012, and continued to undergo checkups (aged 40-74 years).

Characteristics and outcomes in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and high bleeding risk: subanalysis of the J-RHYTHM Registry.

Recently, a once-daily dose of edoxaban (15-mg) has been approved for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients aged ≥ 80 years, in whom standard oral anticoagulants are not recommended because of high bleeding risk (HBR), based on the ELDERCARE-AF trial. However, information regarding the characteristics and clinical outcomes among such patients is limited. Thus, this study aimed to clarify the characteristics and event rates in elderly patients with NVAF and HBR defined by the ELDERCARE-AF criteria.

Predictive ability of visit-to-visit blood pressure indices for adverse events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: Subanalysis of the J-RHYTHM Registry.

Background: We previously reported that standard deviation (SD) of systolic blood pressure (SBP), an index of BP variability, and SBP-time in target range (TTR), an index of BP consistency, were significantly associated with adverse events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Thus, this study aimed to compare predictive ability for adverse events among visit-to-visit BP variability/consistency indices using data from the J-RHYTHM Registry.

Methods: Of 7406 outpatients with NVAF, 7226 (age, 69.

Impact of baseline blood pressure on adverse outcomes in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: the J-RISK AF.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the impact of baseline blood pressure (BP) on adverse outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), using a pooled analysis performed on data from J-RISK AF, a large-scale cohort of Japanese patients with AF.

Methods And Results: Of the 16 918 patients from five major AF registries including the J-RHYTHM Registry, Fushimi AF Registry, Shinken Database, Keio interhospital Cardiovascular Studies, and Hokuriku-Plus AF Registry, 15 019 non-valvular AF (NVAF) patients with baseline BP values (age, 70.0 ± 11.

Sarcopenia and coexistent risk factors detected using the 'Yubi-wakka' (finger-ring) test in adults aged over 65 years in the public annual health check-up in Tama City, Tokyo: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To examine the positive rate of sarcopenia using the 'Yubi-wakka' (finger-ring) test and associated risk factors among adults aged 65 years and older.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: We used the Yubi-wakka test, which has been developed and validated as a predictor of sarcopenia, frailty, disability and mortality.

External Validation of the Kumamoto Criteria in Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy Screening - A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The Kumamoto criteria have been proposed as a non-invasive screen for transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. This study assessed the validity of the Kumamoto criteria externally. The study included 138 patients (median age 73 years; 65% male) who underwent Tc-pyrophosphate (PYP) scintigraphy.

Impact of heart rate on adverse events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: Subanalysis of the J-RHYTHM Registry.

Background: Although heart rate (HR) is reportedly associated with major cardiovascular outcomes in the general population, its impact on adverse events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) remains controversial. Thus, we performed analyses of data from the J-RHYTHM Registry to clarify this in patients with NVAF.

Results: Of 7406 outpatients with NVAF from 158 institutions, 6886 (age, 69.

Surgical Treatment of a Giant Popliteal Venous Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Fistula on the Adjacent Femoral Vein and Its Postoperative Findings.

A case of a giant popliteal venous aneurysm that caused massive pulmonary thromboembolism with an arteriovenous fistula draining into the adjacent proximal femoral vein is reported herein. Deep veins in the lower leg were occluded by thrombi. The inlet and outlet orifice inside the aneurysm was closed and aneurysmorraphy was performed.

Impact of Systolic Blood Pressure Time in Target Range on Adverse Events in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation (from the J-RHYTHM Registry).

Although time in target range (TTR) of systolic blood pressure (BP), an index of consistency of BP control, is reportedly associated with major cardiovascular outcomes, the impact of BP-TTR on adverse events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) has not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, we performed a post hoc analysis to clarify it in patients with NVAF using data of the J-RHYTHM registry. Of 7,406 outpatients with NVAF, 7,226 (age, 70 ± 10 years; men, 71%), in whom BP was measured 4 times or more (15 ± 5 times) during the 2-year follow-up period or until occurrence of an event, constituted the study group.

A case of acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery compression by mediastinal hematoma associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm rupture.

A 76-year-old woman was admitted to our department for pneumonia. Although she gradually recovered, she complained of chest and back pain and went into shock. Electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in the inferior leads; thus, an acute inferior myocardial infarction (MI) was strongly suspected.

Clinical phenotypes of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation as defined by a cluster analysis: A report from the J-RHYTHM registry.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heterogeneous condition caused by various underlying disorders and comorbidities. A cluster analysis is a statistical technique that attempts to group populations by shared traits. Applied to AF, it could be useful in classifying the variables and complex presentations of AF into phenotypes of coherent, more tractable subpopulations.

Anemia and atrial fibrillation as independent risk factors for new-onset chronic kidney disease: the TAMA-MED Project-CKD and AF.

Background: Various risk factors have been identified for the new onset or rapid deterioration of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it is thought that many risk factors that have not yet been clarified remain.

Methods: Based on the results of specific annual health checkups at Tama City ( = 18 383) in 2017 and 2018, we analyzed the factors that cause new-onset CKD and the risk factors that rapidly worsen renal function.

Myocardial ultrastructure can augment genetic testing for sporadic dilated cardiomyopathy with initial heart failure.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to consider whether the ultrastructural features of cardiomyocytes in dilated cardiomyopathy can be used to guide genetic testing.

Methods And Results: Endomyocardial biopsy and whole-exome sequencing were performed in 32 consecutive sporadic dilated cardiomyopathy patients [51.0 (40.

Comparison among random forest, logistic regression, and existing clinical risk scores for predicting outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: A report from the J-RHYTHM registry.

Background: Machine learning (ML) has emerged as a promising tool for risk stratification. However, few studies have applied ML to risk assessment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Hypothesis: We aimed to compare the performance of random forest (RF), logistic regression (LR), and conventional risk schemes in predicting the outcomes of AF.

Effect of Empagliflozin Versus Placebo on Plasma Volume Status in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: Plasma volume status (PVS), a parameter of the discrepancy between actual plasma volume (PV) and ideal PV, has been recently evaluated as a prognostic marker in patients with heart failure. This subgroup analysis of the EMBODY trial was designed to determine whether a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor affects the alleviation of heart failure and improvement of PVS in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods: The EMBODY trial was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to identify the effect of an SGLT2 inhibitor on cardiac sympathetic hyperactivity in patients with AMI and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Japan.

Empagliflozin confers reno-protection in acute myocardial infarction and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: Although the reno-protective effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are known in patients with heart failure or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), this effect has not been confirmed in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods And Results: The prospective, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled EMBODY trial investigated patients with AMI and T2DM in Japan. The eligible patients included adults aged 20 years or older, diagnosed with AMI and T2DM, and who could be discharged within 2-12 weeks after the onset of AMI.