Importance of left ventricular contraction for left atrial reservoir function.

Background: The determinants of left atrial (LA) reservoir function have not been clarified.

Methods: To elucidate the effect of left ventricular (LV) contraction on LA reservoir volume (ΔV), volume change due to mitral annular downward motion and aortic root anterior motion, which are related to LV contraction during systole, was calculated in 72 consecutive subjects [42 patients without any cardiac disease (control group), 13 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF group) and 17 with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF group)]. LA volume was calculated using the modified Simpson's method of bi-plane 2-D echocardiograms.

Different serial changes in the neointimal condition of sirolimus-eluting stents and paclitaxel-eluting stents: an optical coherence tomographic study.

Aims: Detailed long-term changes of the neointima in sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) are still unclear.

Methods And Results: We consecutively enrolled 14 patients (18 SES) and 12 patients (13 PES) who underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) serially at eight months and 18 months after stent implantation. For 18 SES and 13 PES, OCT was used to visualise 2,486 and 1,361 stent struts at the eight-month and 2,199 and 1,309 stent struts at the 18-month follow-up, respectively.

New approach for rotational dyssynchrony using three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Left ventricular (LV) twist can be evaluated using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) by analyzing difference between apical and basal rotation. However, it is unable to evaluate global rotational dyssynchrony because it cannot assess mid-wall rotation. Recently developed three-dimensional STE (3DSTE) can investigate LV global rotational dyssynchrony.

Correlation between inflammation state and successful medical cardioversion using bepridil for refractory atrial fibrillation.

Background: It has been reported that inflammation is associated with long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the relation between high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the recurrence of AF after medical cardioversion is unknown. On the other hand, bepridil is very effective in restoring sinus rhythm for patients with refractory AF.

Higher serum uric acid and lipoprotein(a) are correlated with coronary spasm.

It has been reported that a major cause of coronary vasospastic angina (VSA) is endothelial dysfunction of the coronary artery. On the other hand, some studies showed that serum uric acid and lipoprotein(a) are correlated with endothelial dysfunction. Thus, we examined whether uric acid and lipoprotein(a), are correlated with VSA.

Valsalva aneurysm filled with thrombi mimicking a cardiac tumor.

A Valsalva aneurysm filled with thrombi can be difficult to diagnose, because it mimics a cardiac tumor. Both cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) were performed on a patient who showed a low-echoic mass located between the atrial septum and the non-coronary sinus. Based on MRI findings allowing tissue characterization and the accurate location of the mass and the TEE findings of an irregular surface of the mass and a partial defect in the edge of the non-coronary sinus, we diagnosed the mass as a thrombosed Valsalva aneurysm that had perforated the inter-atrial septum.

Ovarian vein thrombosis following total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Ovarian vein thrombosis usually occurs in pregnant patients, especially during the postpartum period. However, it is a rare complication following laparoscopic surgery in gynecology. The risk of a thromboembolic event is not well defined, and evidence-based guidelines regarding deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in gynecological laparoscopic surgery are still lacking.

Differences in optical coherence tomographic findings and clinical outcomes between excimer laser and cutting balloon angioplasty for focal in-stent restenosis lesions.

Aim: In-stent restenosis (ISR), especially focal ISR, after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains one of the major clinical problems in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era. Several reports have revealed that excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) is useful for ISR; however, detailed findings after ELCA are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the condition of the neointima after ELCA for ISR with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and compared the OCT findings and clinical outcome between ELCA and cutting-balloon angioplasty (CBA).

Long-term follow-up of a rare calcified cardiac tumor: a case report.

We describe a case of cardiac masses (high- and iso-echoic mass) which were detected by echocardiography in a 57-year-old man with cerebral infarction. Because he refused both biopsy and surgery, the patient was treated with an anticoagulant and antibiotic in our outpatient clinic. During 3-year follow-up, the iso-echoic mass disappeared and the high-echoic mass did not change.

Initial findings of impact of strut width on stent coverage and apposition of sirolimus-eluting stents assessed by optical coherence tomography.

Objectives: We investigate the influence of stent design on stent coverage at 6-9 months after sirolimus eluting stent (SES) implantation using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Background: Although some reports suggest that stent design may correlate with stent coverage of stent struts, there were few detailed data whether stent design impact on stent coverage in the same drug-eluting stent.

Methods: A total of 21 SESs (15 patients), who had implanted 2.

Bidirectional endovascular treatment for chronic total occlusive lesions of the femoropopliteal arterial segment using a hand-carried ultrasound device and a retrograde microcatheter.

Background: Although endovascular therapy for complex lesions in the lower limbs has frequently achieved successful recanalization by improvement of techniques and devices, chronic total occlusion in the femoropopliteal arterial segment still remains a challenge for treatment by endovascular therapy. We investigated the efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy for chronic total occlusion in the femoropopliteal arterial segment guided by a hand-carried ultrasound (HCUS) device and supported by a retrograde microcatheter.

Methods: We attempted endovascular therapy for chronic total occlusion lesions in the femoropopliteal arterial segment using a protocol involving a dual-access procedure using the HCUS device and a retrograde 2.

Impact of 64 multi-detector computed tomography for the evaluation of aortic paraprosthetic regurgitation.

Background: Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) has been used to provide diagnostic information after heart valve replacements such as prosthetic valve dysfunction. However, only few data are available about aortic paraprosthetic regurgitation (APR). The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility, accuracy, and reproducibility of the existence of APR using contrast-enhanced 64-row MDCT.

Comparison of angioscopic findings and three-year cardiac events between sirolimus-eluting stent and bare-metal stent in acute myocardial infarction.

The safety of sirolimus-eluting stents (SESs) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains controversial. We compared long-term neointimal coverage after stent implantation for AMI evaluated by coronary angioscopy and 3-year clinical events between SESs and bare-metal stents (BMSs). Eighty-seven consecutive patients who received SESs or BMSs for AMI were enrolled.

Serial angioscopic evaluation of neointimal coverage and incidence of thrombus formation after Paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation: comparison between 6- and 18-month follow-up.

Background: Long-term serial angioscopic follow-up data after paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) implantation has not previously been published. The aim of this study is to compare the angioscopic parameters such as neointimal coverage grade and prevalence of red mural thrombus at 6- and 18-month follow-up after PES implantation.

Hypothesis: Neointimal formation continues to grow and prevalence of angioscopic thrombus formation becomes low over time after PES implantation.

Two cases of quadricuspid aortic valve.

Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital aortic valve anomaly. We present two cases of QAV diagnosed by using echocardiography including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and cardiac computed tomography (CT). The first case, QAV with four equal-sized cusps, was identified in a 58-year-old man.

Vulnerable disease may induce neointimal coverage after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation.

Background: Neointimal formation can protect against thrombosis after sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation; however, promoters of neointimal formation are unknown.

Methods: Six-month follow-up angioscopy was performed in 141 consecutive patients with SES implantation. All patients received aspirin (100 mg) and ticlopidine (200 mg) daily until angioscopy.

Chronic effect of right ventricular pacing on left ventricular rotational synchrony in patients with complete atrioventricular block.

Background: Chronic effect of right ventricular (RV) pacing on left ventricular (LV) rotational synchrony is unknown. The aim of this study is to assess chronic effect of RV pacing on LV rotational synchrony using two-dimensional ultrasound speckle tracking imaging.

Methods And Results: Thirty-one patients who underwent dual-chamber pacemaker implantation for complete atrioventricular block, and age- and sex-matched 10 healthy controls were assessed.

Renin-angiotensin system blockade is associated with the long-term protection against cardiac remodeling after cardioversion in hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia, and renin-angiotensin system blockade (RAS-B) may be favorable for AF because of its effect on cardiac remodeling. However, effects of RAS-B on AF in hypertensive patients are controversial. Thus, in this study, we investigated the long-term effects of RAS-B on cardiac remodeling and rhythm control after electrical cardioversion for hypertensive patients with persistent AF.

High incidence of thrombus formation at 18 months after paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation: angioscopic comparison with sirolimus-eluting stent.

Background: Difference of neointimal formational pattern and incidence of thrombus formation between sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) at 18 months after stent implantation has not previously been reported.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 35 event-free patients who received SES (15 patients, 18 stents) or PES (20 patients, 23 stents) implantation with 18-month follow-up coronary angioscopy. We divided our patients into SES or PES groups and compared neointimal coverage pattern and incidence of red mural thrombus formation between the 2 groups.

Difference of neointimal formational pattern and incidence of thrombus formation among 3 kinds of stents: an angioscopic study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the neointimal formational pattern and incidence of thrombus formation among sirolimus-eluting (SES), paclitaxel-eluting (PES), and bare-metal stents (BMS) with coronary angioscopy.

Background: Neointimal formation and incidence of mural thrombus are different with the type of stent.

Methods: One hundred successive patients who received 43 SES, 40 PES, or 32 BMS implantation underwent 6-month follow-up coronary angioscopy.

Right ventricular apical pacing impairs left ventricular twist as well as synchrony: acute effects of right ventricular apical pacing.

Background: This study was designed to compare the rotation of the left ventricular (LV) apex and base, LV synchrony between LV apical and basal rotation, and LV twist, changing from intrinsic atrioventricular conduction to right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing.

Methods: Thirty consecutive patients with sick sinus syndrome who had undergone DDD pacemaker implantation were studied. Changing from intrinsic atrioventricular conduction to RVA pacing, the acute effect on echocardiographic parameters, including LV rotation and twist and LV apical-basal rotation delay, was assessed.

Preprocedural statin administration can reduce thrombotic reaction after stent implantation.

Background: It has been reported that stent deployment results in acute inflammation and platelet deposition as an acute phase reaction and smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation as a chronic phase reaction. Other studies have shown that statin therapy can reduce thrombosis as a pleiotropic effect. The present study was undertaken to examine whether preprocedural statin therapy can reduce the thrombotic reaction after stent implantation by using in-stent restenosis (ISR) tissue.

A 90-day ad libitum administration toxicity study of oligoglucosamine in F344 rats.

A 90-day ad libitum administration toxicity study of oligoglucosamine (OG) was carried out using F344 rats of both sexes. The animals were divided into four groups of 20 animals each, 10 of each sex, and fed a diet containing 0, 0.04, 0.

A ninety-day feeding, subchronic toxicity study of oligo-N-acetylglucosamine in Fischer 344 rats.

Oligo-N-acetylglucosamine (OAG) is a hydrolyzed derivative of chitin that has been used as a sweetener in foods. Since, no information has been published about the safety of OAG, a 90-day feeding study was conducted, using F344 Fischer rats of both sexes, to characterize and evaluate the toxicity of OAG, and the results of the study are presented here. Dietary levels of 0% (control), 0.