Effects of azilsartan compared to other angiotensin receptor blockers on left ventricular hypertrophy and the sympathetic nervous system in hemodialysis patients.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and most patients with hypertension are administered antihypertensive drugs. However, not all patients achieve normal blood pressure levels. The new angiotensin receptor blocker azilsartan (Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Osaka, Japan) has been reported to have a strong hypotensive effect.

Intravascular ultrasound complements the diagnostic capability of carbon dioxide digital subtraction angiography for patients with allergies to iodinated contrast medium.

Carbon dioxide digital subtraction angiography (CO(2)DSA) is a useful and safe alternative for patients with renal dysfunction or allergies to iodinated contrast medium. However, CO(2)DSA image quality is worse than that of angiography with iodinated contrast medium, primarily because of movement during imaging and stent struts. In angioplasty of arteries of the lower extremities, CO(2)DSA cannot be used to sufficiently evaluate target lesions and determine the most efficient intervention.

Patient with a massive idiopathic thrombosis in the inferior vena cava.

A 50 year-old man with no significant medical history was admitted for dyspnea and left femoral swelling. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and a thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC). The thrombus extended from the proximal IVC to the left popliteal vein.

Cough syncope induced by gastroesophageal reflux disease.

A 52-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of syncope and convulsions. An electrocardiogram on admission revealed normal sinus rhythm. However, after repeated bouts of coughing, the heart rate showed bradycardia associated with convulsion.

The gravitation of the moon plays pivotal roles in the occurrence of the acute myocardial infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a social burden. However, being able to predict AMI could lead to prevention. A previous study showed only the relation between the lunar phase and the occurrence of AMI, but the period it takes for the moon to orbit around the earth and the period of the lunar phase differ.

Comparison of levels of serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with acute myocardial infarction versus unstable angina pectoris versus stable angina pectoris.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important for resorption of extracellular matrixes and may degrade the fibrous cap of an atherosclerotic plaque, thus contributing to coronary plaque rupture. Histologic studies have shown MMP expression in lesions of acute coronary syndrome. In this study, we evaluated the relation between plaque morphology as obtained by intravascular ultrasound before percutaneous coronary intervention and serum MMP levels in patients who had coronary artery disease.

Left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction in antecedent hypertensive patients.

Antecedent hypertension adversely affects mortality and heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI). In addition, accelerated ventricular remodeling is a contributor to the increased mortality observed after MI. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of antecedent hypertension to ventricular remodeling after MI.

Antecedent hypertension interacts with adverse ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction.

Background: Ventricular remodeling is an independent predictor of left ventricular function in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Accelerated ventricular remodeling is a probable contributor to the increased mortality observed after MI in hypertensive patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the relationship of antecedent hypertension to ventricular remodeling after MI.

Comparison of temporary occlusion and aspiration system versus the conventional method during coronary stenting for acute myocardial infarction.

This study evaluated the effects of the temporary occlusion and aspiration device GuardWire on percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction. This device brought about a significant reduction in the no-reflow phenomenon and improvement in ST resolution compared with conventional percutaneous coronary intervention.

The decrease of plaque volume during percutaneous coronary intervention has a negative impact on coronary flow in acute myocardial infarction: a major role of percutaneous coronary intervention-induced embolization.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate how decreased plaque volume during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) affects coronary flow in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Background: Coronary flow after reperfusion therapy is a major determinant of clinical outcomes in patients with AMI. However, little is still known about the changes in coronary flow that appear after PCI in response to the decreased plaque during the procedure.

Convalescent stage coronary flow reserve and late myocardial morphologic outcomes in patients with first anterior acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Microvascular damage immediately after reperfusion therapy is an independent predictor of left ventricular function in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, its recovery may vary among individuals and the relationship between convalescent stage microvasculature and late myocardial morphologic change is unclear.

Methods And Results: Patients treated with coronary angioplasty within 12 h of their first anterior AMI were enrolled in this study.

Hepatocyte growth factor production may be related to the inflammatory response in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a well-known powerful proliferative factor of vascular endothelial cells and it has been reported that plasma HGF concentrations are increased in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), although the mechanisms are not yet well delineated. Serum HGF levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 22 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) (15 males, 7 females; class IIb or IIIb of the Braunwald classification), 60 patients with AMI (37 males, 23 females; average time from the onset of symptoms to admission 4.6+/-0.