Risk factors associated with the need for additional intravenous gamma-globulin therapy for Kawasaki disease.

Aim: To investigate the characteristics of patients with Kawasaki disease who needed intravenous gamma-globulin (IVGG) re-treatment.

Methods: Using the database of the 17th nationwide survey in Japan, a total 11,366 patients were identified and analysed (1,855 re-treatment patients and 9,511 responders).

Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male sex (odds ratio (OR) 1.

Older age is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular sequelae in Kawasaki disease.

Objectives: To clarify the characteristics of Kawasaki disease (KD) in children 6 years and older and to determine whether age is a risk factor for cardiovascular abnormalities.

Methods: Patients who had KD and were reported between 1999 and 2000 in the 16th nationwide survey of KD in Japan (n = 15,314) were analyzed. Patients who were aged 6 years or older (older group) were matched with patients who were aged 6 months to 3 years and were treated at the same hospital (younger groups).

Early intravenous gamma-globulin treatment for Kawasaki disease: the nationwide surveys in Japan.

Objective: To determine the optimal period of intravenous gamma-globulin (IVGG) treatment, using the database from nationwide Kawasaki disease surveys in Japan.

Study Design: We selected patients who first visited a doctor within 3 days of illness and received IVGG treatment within 9 days of illness. We divided these patients into 2 groups: an early group (treated on days 1-4: 4731 cases) and a conventional group (days 5-9: 4020 cases).

Incidence and clinical features of asymptomatic atrial septal defect in school children diagnosed by heart disease screening.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical features of atrial septal defect (ASD) in school children in Japan who were diagnosed by heart disease screening. From 1989 to 1998, a questionnaire, electrocardiography (ECG) and phonocardiogram were obtained from school children when they entered their first year of elementary school (n=86,142) or junior high school (n=80,632). In this program, 33 asymptomatic ASD patients were newly diagnosed (0.

Sequential follow-up results of catheter intervention for coronary artery lesions after Kawasaki disease: quantitative coronary artery angiography and intravascular ultrasound imaging study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the sequential follow-up results of catheter intervention in Kawasaki disease by use of quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intravascular ultrasound imaging.

Methods And Results: Catheter intervention was performed on 23 stenotic lesions in 22 patients (aged 2 to 24 years). Percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PBA) was performed in 4 patients, stent implantation in 7, percutaneous transluminal coronary rotational ablation (PTCRA) in 10, and a combination of PTCRA with stent implantation in 2.