In vivo cardiac diffusion tensor imaging on an MR system featuring ultrahigh performance gradients with 200 mT/m maximum gradient strength.

Purpose: Our aim is to assess the potential of an MR system with ultrahigh performance gradients (200 mT/m maximum gradient strength) to address two interrelated challenges in cardiac DTI: low SNR and sensitivity to bulk motion.

Methods: Imaging was performed in 20 healthy volunteers, two patients, and one swine post-myocardial infarction. The impact of maximum gradient strength was assessed with spin echo cardiac DTI featuring second-order motion compensation and varying maximum system gradient strengths (40, 80, 200 mT/m).

Benefit of implantable cardioverter defibrillator use in Japanese patients based on modified MADIT-ICD benefit score.

Aims: The MADIT-ICD benefit score is used to stratify the risk of life-threatening arrhythmia and non-arrhythmic mortality. We sought to develop an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) benefit-prediction score for Japanese patients with ICDs.

Methods: Patients who underwent ICD implantation as primary prophylaxis were retrospectively enrolled.

Interaction of left ventricular size with the outcome of cardiac resynchronization therapy in Japanese patients.

Background: We analyzed the influence of the QRS duration (QRSd) to LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) ratio on cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) outcomes in heart failure patients classified as III/IV per the New York Heart Association (NYHA) and with small body size.

Hypothesis: We proposed the hypothesis that the QRSd/LV size ratio is a better index of the CRT substrate.

Methods: We enrolled 114 patients with advanced heart failure (NYHA class III/IV, and LV ejection fraction >35%) who received a CRT device, including those with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and QRSd ≥120 milliseconds (n = 60), non-LBBB and QRSd ≥150 milliseconds (n = 30) and non-LBBB and QRSd of 120-149 milliseconds (n = 24).

Paced QRS morphology mimicking complete left bundle branch block induced by right ventricular pacing is associated with pacing-induced cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: Right ventricular (RV) pacing sometimes causes left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, also known as pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM). However, the association between specifically paced QRS morphology and PICM development has not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the association between paced QRS mimicking a complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) and PICM development.

Pulsed Field Ablation Index-Guided Ablation for Lesion Formation: Impact of Contact Force and Number of Applications in the Ventricular Model.

Background: The effect of contact force (CF) on lesion formation is not clear during pulsed field ablation (PFA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of CF, PFA, and their interplay through the PFA index (PF index) formula on the ventricular lesion size in swine.

Methods: PFA was delivered through the CF-sensing OMNYPULSE catheter.

Long-term prognosis and prognostic factors after primary prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy.

Background: Little is known regarding which patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) should be considered for prophylactic therapies, such as an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), in the primary percutaneous intervention era. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) on major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients of ICM and non-ICM who underwent ICD implantation at our institute from October 2006 to August 2020.

Effects of Contact Force on Lesion Size During Pulsed Field Catheter Ablation: Histochemical Characterization of Ventricular Lesion Boundaries.

Background: Effects of contact force (CF) on lesion formation during pulsed field ablation (PFA) have not been well validated. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between average CF and lesion size during PFA using a swine-beating heart model.

Methods: A 7F catheter with a 3.

Right ventricular systolic function as a predictor of appropriate ICD therapy.

Background: Recent studies have shown that right ventricular dysfunction is associated with a significantly increased risk of sudden cardiac death. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of the right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) and appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy to determine the cutoff value of the RVFAC.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent initial ICD implantations except those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Brugada syndrome, and long QT syndrome were retrospectively enrolled.

Deep learning-based coronary computed tomography analysis to predict functionally significant coronary artery stenosis.

Fractional flow reserve derived from coronary CT (FFR-CT) is a noninvasive physiological technique that has shown a good correlation with invasive FFR. However, the use of FFR-CT is restricted by strict application standards, and the diagnostic accuracy of FFR-CT analysis may potentially be decreased by severely calcified coronary arteries because of blooming and beam hardening artifacts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of deep learning (DL)-based coronary computed tomography (CT) data analysis in predicting invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR), especially in cases with severely calcified coronary arteries.

Antithrombotic Regimen After Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure - A Real-World Study.

Background: Antithrombotic therapy after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in patients at high risk of bleeding remains controversial. We present real-world clinical outcomes of LAAC.

Methods and results: Data from 74 consecutive patients who received LAAC therapy between January 2020 and June 2022 were analyzed.

Junctional rhythm during cryoablation for typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Introduction: Cryoablation is being used as an alternative to radiofrequency (RF) ablation for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) owing to the lower risk of atrioventricular block (AVB) compared to RF ablation. Junctional rhythm often occurs during successful application of RF ablation for AVNRT. In contrast, junctional rhythm has rarely been reported to occur during cryoablation.

Anagrelide-associated Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure in a Patient with Essential Thrombocythemia: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Anagrelide is used worldwide to treat essential thrombocythemia (ET) by reducing platelet counts. Cardiomyopathy and heart failure (HF) are rare but serious complications associated with anagrelide use, although no cases were reported during Japanese Phase I to III studies. A 46-year-old, otherwise healthy, Japanese ET patient developed HF with reduced ejection fraction after 18 months of treatment with 1.

Pathophysiological background and prognosis of common atrial flutter in non-elderly patients: Comparison to Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: It is unclear whether there is any difference in the background and prognosis between non-elderly patients who undergo catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) and common atrial flutter (CAFL).

Purpose: To investigate the difference between the patient background of both CAFL and AF in the non-elderly.

Methods: In 526 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation of clinical paroxysmal/persistent CAFL or AF in our hospital, we enrolled only patients under 60 years old.