Atrial electrical remodeling and function after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis.

To examine reverse atrial electrical remodeling in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) after trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). In 65 consecutive patients with severe AS (83 ± 4 years, 47 (72.3%) females), we analyzed ECG records for the P wave duration (PWD) in lead II and P-terminal force (PTFV1) in V1, and measured cardiac dimensions and function by echocardiography (ECHO) following TAVR.

Clinical impact of ECG changes on oversensing of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Background: Inappropriate shocks delivered by subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICDs) are most frequently caused by cardiac oversensing. However, the predictors for oversensing of S-ICD remain unclear.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the predictors for oversensing of S-ICD, especially clinical impact of an electrocardiographic (ECG) change.

Incidence and Implications of J waves Observed During Coronary Angiography.

J waves may be observed during coronary angiography (CAG), but they have not been fully studied. We investigated the characteristics of J waves in 100 consecutive patients during CAG. The patients and their family members had no history of cardiac arrest.

Accentuation of J waves by intracoronary administration of multiple agents in a patient with vasospastic angina: Implications for pathogenesis.

A 64-year-old man was resuscitated from out-of-hospital VF, and coronary spasm was provoked by ergonovine at catheterization. An ECG was analyzed before and after each intracoronary injection of drugs or contrast medium. The baseline ECG showed nondiagnostic J waves in leads II, III, and aVF, but administration of acetylcholine, contrast medium and nitroglycerin into the right coronary artery induced a distinct augmentation of J-wave amplitudes with changes in the QRS morphology.

The Impact of Cancer on Major Bleeding and Stroke/Systemic Emboli in Patients Using Direct Oral Anticoagulants:From the Database of a Single-Center Registry.

Background: Few data are available on direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use in patients with cancer and atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from a single-center registryon 2,272 patients who tookDOACs for AF (apixaban:1,014; edoxaban:267; rivaroxaban:498; dabigatran:493). Patients were monitored for 2 years andclassified into non-cancer (n=2009) and cancer group (n=263) (cancer onset during DOAC treatment, active canceratDOAC administration, and cancer history).

Clinical Predictors of Recurrent Ventricular Arrhythmias in Secondary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Recipients With Coronary Artery Disease - Lower Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Incomplete Revascularization.

Background: The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a standard prevention therapy for patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia (VA), that is, ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. However, clinical predictors of recurrent VA in secondary prevention ICD recipients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remain unknown.

Methods and results: We followed up 96 consecutive patients with CAD undergoing ICD implantation for secondary prevention of SCD.

The comparison of early healing 1-month after PCI among CoCr-everolimus-eluting stent (EES), biodegradable polymer (BP)-EES and BP-sirolimus-eluting stent: Insights from OFDI and coronary angioscopy.

Background: Third-generation stents with abluminal biodegradable polymer (BP) might facilitate early healing. Therefore, we compared early healing between second-generation and third-generation stents using coronary angioscopy (CAS) and optical frequency domain imaging [OFDI].

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 30 consecutive patients with stent implantation for acute coronary syndrome (cobalt‑chromium [CoCr] everolimus-eluting stent [EES] [n = 10], BP-EES [n = 10], and BP-sirolimus eluting stent [SES] [n = 10]).

The Comparison of Inappropriate-Low-Doses Use among 4 Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: From the Database of a Single-Center Registry.

Background: Inappropriate doses of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are often prescribed. This study evaluated the prevalence, outcomes, and predictors of the prescription of inappropriately low doses of 4 types of DOACs in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data from a single-center registry with 2272 patients prescribed DOACs for AF (apixaban: 1014; edoxaban: 267; rivaroxaban: 498; dabigatran: 493).

Dynamicity of hypothermia-induced J waves and the mechanism involved.

Background: J waves develop during hypothermia, but the dynamicity of hypothermia-induced J waves is poorly understood.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the rate-dependent change in the amplitude of hypothermia-induced J waves.

Methods: Nineteen patients with severe hypothermia were included (mean age 70 ± 12 years; 16 men [84.

The effect of dapagliflozin treatment on epicardial adipose tissue volume.

Background: Glycosuria produced by sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors is associated with weight loss. SGLT-2 inhibitors reportedly might reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a pathogenic fat depot that may be associated with coronary atherosclerosis.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of coronary artery stent implantation in patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease including hemodialysis for three everolimus eluting (EES) stent designs: Bioresorbable polymer-EES, platinum chromium-EES, and cobalt chrome-EES.

Backgrounds: New-generation bioresorbable polymer-everolimus eluting stents (BP-EES) are available. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes for BP-EES compared to more established stent designs, namely the platinum chromium-EES (PtCr-EES) and cobalt chrome-EES(CoCr-EES) in patients with the end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) including hemodialysis (HD).

Methods: One-hundred-forty-one consecutive stents (BP-EES [n = 44], PtCr-EES [n = 45], and CoCr-EES [n = 52]) were implanted in 104 patients with CKD.

A case of central diabetes insipidus associated with cardiac dysfunction.

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) results from a deficiency of arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion. It is treated by replacement therapy with the synthetic AVP analogue desmopressin. To prevent heart failure in patients with CDI accompanied by cardiac dysfunction, controlling sodium and water intake is essential, using the minimum effective dose of desmopressin.

Electrical alternans induced by a brief period of myocardial ischemia during percutaneous coronary intervention: The characteristic ECG morphology and relationship to mechanical alternans.

Background: Electrical alternans (EA) has not been fully studied in the current percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedure.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate visible EA and the morphology of ST segment during PCI.

Methods: The incidence of visible EA and ST-segment morphology were studied while the coronary artery was occluded for 20 seconds.

Cardiogenic shock induced by bisoprolol in a patient with CYP2D6 variant. A case report.

A 66-year-old man was admitted for congestive heart failure with tachycardiac atrial fibrillation (AF). Heart failure was improved by diuretics, but control of heart rate by verapamil was insufficient, and bisoprolol was prescribed. After taking 2.

Papaverine-induced QT interval prolongation and ventricular fibrillation in a patient with a history of drug-induced QT prolongation.

A 64-year-old woman underwent a coronary flow reserve evaluation using intracoronary-administered papaverine into the left anterior descending artery. Her baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) was normal, but toward the end of papaverine administration, the QTU intervals were excessively prolonged and torsade de pointes occurred, leading to ventricular fibrillation. Ten months previously, the patient's ECG showed mildly prolonged QTc (480 ms(1/2)), which normalized after the cessation of bepridil.

Long-term PT-INR levels and the clinical events in the patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a special reference to low-intensity warfarin therapy.

Background: Anticoagulation therapy is essential in atrial fibrillation (AF), and in Japan, less intense control is popular.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety with a special reference to low intensity warfarin therapy.

Subjects And Methods: In 488 out of 508 patients with non-valvular AF, prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) was kept at 1.

Infectious aortitis caused by Salmonella Dublin followed by aneurysmal dilatation of the abdominal aorta.

A 67-year-old woman was admitted for severe abdominal pain (stomach ache). Computed tomography (CT) revealed gas along the abdominal aortic wall. A blood culture was positive for Salmonella dublin, a gram-negative bacillus that is rare in humans.

The association between obesity and acute myocardial infarction is age- and gender-dependent in a Japanese population.

Controversies concerning the association between obesity and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are still ongoing in Japan. We investigated the association between obesity defined by body mass index of 25 kg/m(2) or higher and AMI by a case-control study using data from 1199 AMI cases and 4056 apparently healthy controls. The analysis was performed in age- and sex-matched samples of 621 case-control pairs younger than 80 years and in crude samples aged 40-79 years divided into 10-year age groups.

J-waves in patients with an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention: prevalence, pathogenesis, and clinical implication.

Aims: The prevalence, clinical significance, and pathogenesis of J-waves were studied in the patients with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods And Results: One hundred and fifty-two consecutive patients with an acute ST-elevation MI were included. The mean age was 68.

Renal Dysfunction was an Independent Predictor of In-Hospital Death and Ventricular Rupture in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Apart from the severity of myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, several predictors of in-hospital death (In-HD) are suggested in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: We investigated predictors of In-HD and ventricular rupture (VR) including ventricular septal rupture (VSR) and free wall rupture (FWR) with stepwise multivariable logistic regressions in 1,042 patients admitted to our Cardiovascular Center within 48 hours from symptom onset for the first attack of AMI.

Results: In-HD, VSR, and FWR were observed in 78 cases (7.

Papaverine-induced polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in relation to QTU and giant T-U waves in four cases.

Objective: Papaverine is used for the evaluation of functional status of the coronary arteries but it may provoke severe ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTAs). This study compared the clinical and ECG characteristic of patients with papaverine-induced VTAs.

Materials And Methods: The study involved 25 patients who underwent a fractional flow reserve (FFR) study.

Unmasking of J waves during right coronary angiography in patients with spontaneous coronary spasms and ventricular fibrillation.

We encountered two consecutive cases with spontaneous ST elevation due to right coronary spasms and subsequent ventricular fibrillation (VF). Their 12-lead ECGs on anterior chest pain showed elevation of ST-segments in the inferior leads, but coronary angiography (CAG) revealed no significant stenosis. Both cases showed dramatically evolving J waves in the inferior leads during the right CAG, but it was not observed during angiography of the left CAG.