Impact of Cancer History on Temporal Changes in the Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test of Patients with Cardiovascular Disease.

The elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in cancer patients and survivors is likely the result of normal age-related pathologies coupled with the direct and indirect effects of cancer therapy that extend across multiple systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on CVD patients with a history of cancer.In this study, patients who had participated in the outpatient CR program were enrolled and were divided into 2 groups (cancer survivor group and no-cancer group) based on their history of cancer.

Low Energy Intake Diagnosed Using the Harris-Benedict Equation Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Elderly Heart Failure Patients.

Introduction: Insufficient nutrient intake is a strong independent predictor of mortality in elderly patients with heart failure. However, it is unclear to what extent energy intake affects their prognosis. This study investigated the association between patient outcomes and actual measured energy intake in elderly patients (≥65 years) with heart failure.

Characteristics of Discharged Elderly Patients with Acute Heart Failure Followed by Board-Certified-Cardiologists in a Rural Area of Japan.

The worldwide incidence rates of heart failure (HF) are approaching pandemic status due to aging societies. Board-certified cardiologists (BCCs) of the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS) are cardiologists who have completed the respective fellowship program and passed the examination. However, in rural areas, patients have limited access to medical care for social or geographical reasons.

Impact of tag index and local electrogram for successful first-pass cavotricuspid isthmus ablation.

Background: The optimal ablation index (AI) value for cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation is unknow.

Objective: This study investigated the optimal AI value and whether preassessment of local electrogram voltage of CTI could predict first-pass success of ablation.

Methods: Voltage maps of CTI were created before ablation.

Impact of pulmonary vein anatomy and left atrial size on postoperative atrial fibrillation after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after esophagectomy and pre-existing cardiac substrate.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 212 consecutive patients from between July 2010 and December 2022 who were scheduled to undergo esophagectomy for esophageal cancer without previous history of atrial fibrillation. All the patients underwent both echocardiography and contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT).

Early Healing of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Confirmed by Optical Coherence Tomography.

Our image series show the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the diag- nosis and treatment of a 52-year-old male who was admitted to our hospital because of inferior ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. An emergent coronary angiogram showed the total occlusion at the proximal site of the right coronary artery (RCA). IVUS revealed false lumen and intramural hematoma, as well as intimal tear at the proximal site of RCA, diagnosed as a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).

Long-term risk stratification for hospitalized patients with acute heart failure at a single rural cardiovascular centre.

Aims: Early risk stratification of patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is critical for appropriate triage and outcome improvement. The serum sodium, blood urea nitrogen, age, serum albumin, systolic blood pressure, and natriuretic peptide level (SOB-ASAP) score can predict in-hospital mortality of AHF. However, the relationship between the SOB-ASAP score and long-term prognosis is unknown.

Impact of Upper Arm Prolonged Occlusion on Radial Artery Diameter Before Coronary Angiography in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: The transradial approach (TRA) for percutaneous coronary angiography and intervention has been increasingly gaining popularity in clinical practice. However, there are cases in which it is difficult to insert a sheath or catheter due to spasm, pulsation loss, and occlusion. It has been reported that flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) contributed to the reduction of complications due to the TRA and the improvement of the number of puncture attempts.

Acute coronary syndrome due to plaque erosion likely triggered by insect bites: a case series of Kounis syndrome.

Background: Kounis syndrome is the concurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including coronary spasm, acute myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis due to an allergic and/or anaphylactoid insult.

Case Summary: We present two cases of Kounis syndrome likely triggered by insect bites, with plaque erosion demonstrated using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Three common findings were derived from this case series.

Usefulness of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Patient with Cardiac Involvement of Systemic Sclerosis.

A 72-year-old Japanese woman with systemic sclerosis was admitted to our hospital because of symptoms of heart failure. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging had shown that extensive myocardial fibrosis secondary to systemic sclerosis was the main cause of heart failure. One month after CMR, she had complete atrioventricular (AV) block.