Novel treatment system using endoscopic ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound: A proof-of-concept study.

Aim: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a novel minimally invasive local treatment of solid tumors. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided HIFU (EUS-HIFU) using mechanical effects would have potential benefits, including precise detection of target lesions and enhance drug delivery. The aim of this study is to develop EUS-HIFU device and to prove our concept in porcine model using a locally injected phase change nano droplet (PCND) as the sensitizer.

Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Is Associated With Brachial-Ankle Pulse-Wave Velocity and Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: The precise mechanisms underlying the high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) with increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remain largely unknown. Measurements of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) have been shown to be useful for risk assessment in HF patients. Thus, this study sought to define the association of PVR with baPWV and clinical outcomes in HFpEF.

Correction to: Accuracy and limitations of vector flow mapping: left ventricular phantom validation using stereo particle image velocimetory.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The conflict of interest statement was missing in the article. The CoI statement is given below.

Transluminal Approach with Bubble-Seeded Histotripsy for Cancer Treatment with Ultrasonic Mechanical Effects.

Bubble-seeded histotripsy (BSH) is a newly developed ultrasound-based mechanical fractionation technique using locally injected phase change nanodroplets (PCNDs) as sensitizers. The PCNDs are a kind of microbubble precursor compressed into submicron-size in droplets form, which were designed for local administration and will expand into microbubbles under ultrasound exposure. Previously, we reported that a combination of PCNDs injection and pulsed high-intensity focused ultrasound (pHIFU) with an acoustic intensity as low as about 3 kW/cm at 1.

A posteriori accuracy estimation of ultrasonic vector-flow mapping (VFM).

Abstract: A novel method, called a posteriori "VFM accuracy estimation" (VAE), for resolving an intrinsic VFM problem is proposed. The problem is that VFM uncertainty can easily vary according to blood flows through an echocardiographic imaged plane (i.e.

Accuracy and limitations of vector flow mapping: left ventricular phantom validation using stereo particle image velocimetory.

Background: The accuracy of vector flow mapping (VFM) was investigated in comparison to stereo particle image velocimetry (stereo-PIV) measurements using a left ventricular phantom. VFM is an echocardiographic approach to visualizing two-dimensional flow dynamics by estimating the azimuthal component of flow from the mass-conservation equation. VFM provides means of visualizing cardiac flow, but there has not been a study that compared the flow estimated by VFM to the flow data acquired by other methods.

New approach for local cancer treatment using pulsed high-intensity focused ultrasound and phase-change nanodroplets.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the combination effects of pulsed HIFU (pHIFU) and phase-change nanodroplets (PCND) as a sensitizer on efficient induction of mechanical effects of pHIFU and chemically enhanced tumor growth inhibition for local anti-tumor therapy.

Method: Changes in growth of colon 26 tumor tissue inoculated onto CDF1 mice were evaluated by the following treatments. (1) pHIFU exposure (1.

Assessment of carotid plaque neovascularization using quantitative analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging is useful for risk stratification in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the carotid artery is a potential technique for imaging plaque neovascularization, a feature of unstable atherosclerotic plaques. This study examined whether assessment of intra-plaque neovascularization of the carotid artery using CEUS provides prognostic information in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: A total of 206 patients with stable CAD underwent a CEUS examination of the carotid artery and were followed up prospectively for <38 months or until a cardiac event (cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina pectoris (uAP) requiring unplanned coronary revascularization, or heart failure requiring hospitalization).

Combined assessment of flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity improves the prediction of future coronary events in patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

Background And Purpose: Measurement of either flow-mediated endothelium-dependent dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), or intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery is useful for risk assessment of future cardiovascular events. This study examined whether combination of these vascular parameters may have an additive effect on the ability of traditional risk factors to predict coronary events in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Patients (n=923) with stable CAD had measurements of FMD, baPWV, and maximum IMT (maxIMT), and were prospectively followed up for <8.

Echolucency of carotid plaque is useful for assessment of residual cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic coronary artery disease who achieve LDL-C goals on statin therapy.

Background: Ultrasound assessment of either intima-media thickness (IMT) or plaque echolucency of the carotid artery provides prognostic information on coronary events. This study examined the hypothesis that IMT and plaque echolucency of the carotid artery may remain useful for prediction of coronary events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after achievement of LDL-C goals on statin therapy.

Methods And Results: Ultrasound assessment of carotid maximum IMT (maxIMT) and plaque echolucency with integrated backscatter (IBS) analysis was performed in 357 chronic CAD patients with LDL-C <100mg/dl on statin therapy.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of carotid plaque neovascularization is useful for identifying high-risk patients with coronary artery disease.

Background:  Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the carotid artery has potential as a technique for imaging plaque neovascularization. This study examined whether CEUS could provide information on the severity and instability of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods And Results:  A total of 304 patients with CAD and carotid plaque underwent CEUS examination of the carotid artery.

In-stent restenosis is inhibited in a bare metal stent implanted distal to a sirolimus-eluting stent to treat a long de novo coronary lesion with small distal vessel diameter.

Objectives: This study examined whether sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation exerts an antiproliferative action on a bare metal stent (BMS) placed distally in the same coronary artery.

Background: Diffusion of sirolimus into flowing coronary blood may cause accumulation of this drug in the coronary bed beyond the distal edge of an SES.

Methods: We analyzed data from 115 consecutive patients with ischemic heart disease who were treated with two overlapping stents without a gap in the same coronary artery for a long de novo lesion.

Usefulness of a collateral channel dilator for antegrade treatment of chronic total occlusion of a coronary artery.

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to clarify the effectiveness of a collateral channel dilator microcatheter in antegrade percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) of a coronary artery.

Background:  The Corsair microcatheter, which was originally developed as a collateral channel dilator, has been reported to be useful for retrograde CTO-PCI.

Methods:  We compared the success rate of the Corsair microcatheter collateral channel dilator for antegrade CTO-PCI with a previously available microcatheter.

Early improvement in carotid plaque echogenicity by acarbose in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Background: The resolution of hyperglycemia is associated with suppression of in-hospital cardiac complications in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This study evaluated carotid artery plaque echolucency using ultrasound in patients with ACS and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) to determine whether acarbose, an α-glucosidase inhibitor, may rapidly stabilize unstable atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods And Results: ACS patients with type 2 DM and carotid plaques (n=44) were randomly assigned to treatment with acarbose (150 or 300 mg/day, n=22) or a control group (no acarbose, n=22).

A comparison of the efficacy of combined ezetimibe and statin therapy with doubling of statin dose in patients with remnant lipoproteinemia on previous statin therapy.

Background And Purpose: It remains undetermined whether the addition of ezetimibe to ongoing statin therapy is more effective than increasing the dose of statin for reducing remnant lipoprotein levels in patients with remnant lipoproteinemia on previous statin treatment. This study examined whether combined ezetimibe and statin therapy resulted in a greater improvement in remnant lipoprotein levels and endothelial function than with the dose of statin in patients with remnant lipoproteinemia on previous statin treatment.

Methods And Results: A total of 63 patients with stable coronary artery disease and high levels of remnant-like lipoprotein particle cholesterol (RLP-C) (≥5.

Ultrasound assessment of brachial endothelial vasomotor function in addition to carotid plaque echolucency for predicting cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Single assessment of either flow-mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery (FMD) or carotid plaque echolucency provides prognostic information for both cerebrovascular and coronary events.

Objectives: This study tested the hypothesis that combined assessment using carotid plaque echolucency and FMD may have an additive effect when predicting cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Ultrasound assessment of carotid plaque echolucency with integrated backscatter (IBS) analysis (calibrated IBS=intima-media IBS value-adventitia IBS) and FMD was performed in 547 consecutive patients with CAD.

Predictive value of remnant lipoprotein for cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease after achievement of LDL-cholesterol goals.

Objectives: Triglycerides-rich lipoproteins are related to residual cardiovascular risk in patients on lipid-lowering treatment who achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. This study examined the predictive value of remnant lipoprotein levels for cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) with LDL-C levels <100mg/dL on lipid-lowering therapy.

Methods: Serum levels of remnant lipoproteins (remnant-like lipoprotein particles cholesterol; RLP-C) were measured by an immunoseparation method in 560 patients with CAD who had LDL-C levels <100mg/dL on lipid-lowering therapy, including statin (58%), fibrate (13%) or diet only (29%).

Predictive value of serial assessment of endothelial function in chronic heart failure.

Background: It remains undefined whether reversibility of endothelial dysfunction after optimized therapies for heart failure (HF) provides prognostic information in patients with HF. This study examined whether changes in endothelial vasomotor function after therapies for HF may predict future outcomes in patients with stable HF.

Methods: This study included 245 patients with stable chronic ischemic HF and an impaired flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery (FMD <5.

Short-term progression of maximum intima-media thickness of carotid plaque is associated with future coronary events in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objective: This study examined whether changes in maximum intima-media thickness of carotid plaque (plaque-IMTmax) over 6 months predict future coronary events in patients with carotid plaque and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: This study included 240 patients with CAD who had a carotid plaque (IMT ≥ 1.1mm) at entry.

Comparative study of bezafibrate and pravastatin in patients with coronary artery disease and high levels of remnant lipoprotein.

Background: Remnant lipoproteinemia is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) diseases. This study examined which of 2 common lipid-lowering drugs (fibrates and statins) is more effective in patients with remnant lipoproteinemia and if lowering remnant lipoprotein levels can reduce CV risk.

Methods And Results: Remnant lipoprotein levels were measured by an immunoseparation method (remnant-like lipoprotein particles cholesterol: RLP-C) in 274 patients with coronary artery disease and high RLP-C levels (>or=5.

Inhibition of secretory phospholipase A2 activity attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in a mouse model.

This study evaluated the hypothesis that LY374388, an inhibitor of secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) activity, may exert a protective effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury in male C57BL/6J mice. Intratracheal administration of LPS increased histopathological changes in lung tissue, lung wet to dry ratios, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid levels of neutrophil numbers, sPLA(2) activity, leukotriene B(4), and thromboxane B(2). However, a simultaneous intraperitoneal treatment with LY374388 significantly attenuated these LPS-induced changes.