Incidence, admission and case-fatality of acute myocardial infarction: weekend versus weekday in a Japanese population: 16-year results from Takashima AMI Registry (1988-2003).

For acute myocardial infarction (AMI), "weekend" has been associated with higher incidence, admission, and fatality. But, very few studies in this regard are available in Japan. Day of the week variation in AMI was examined using an entire community covering 16-year AMI registration data from Japan.

Stroke case fatality shows seasonal variation regardless of risk factor status in a Japanese population: 15-year results from the Takashima Stroke Registry.

Background: Seasonal variation in fatality caused by stroke was examined using 15 years of data from a stroke registry of a Japanese population.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Takashima Stroke Registry, which covers approximately 55,000 residents in central Japan. There were 1,650 registered cases of first-ever stroke between 1988 and 2002.

Seasonal pattern of incidence and case fatality of acute myocardial infarction in a Japanese population (from the Takashima AMI Registry, 1988 to 2003).

We examined the seasonal variations in the incidence and case fatality of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a geographically defined population using 16-year AMI registration data. It remains unclear whether the incident events of AMI display any seasonal variation. Documentation of such a pattern may foster investigation for understanding the potential mechanisms responsible for these effects and may provide novel avenues for prevention of AMI.

Case fatality of stroke and day of the week: is the weekend effect an artifact? Takashima stroke registry, Japan (1988-2003).

Background And Purpose: For stroke admissions, the 'weekend effect' has been associated with higher stroke fatality. However, it is unclear if stroke case fatality shows this pattern if the onset day is taken into account. Day of the week variation in stroke case fatality was examined using 16-year stroke registration data.

QRS voltages are transiently increased at the superacute stage of experimental myocarditis.

Background: There are few reports on the precise electrocardiographic characteristics of acute myocarditis. The present study was focused on QRS voltage changes at the superacute stage of murine myocarditis.

Methods: Serial electrocardiograms were recorded during the acute stage of viral myocarditis in mice, and then the cardiac pathology was examined.

Trend of increase in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction in a Japanese population: Takashima AMI Registry, 1990-2001.

The incidence and mortality of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remain low in Japan despite major dietary changes and worsening cardiovascular risk factors, a situation that should have resulted in a substantial increase in AMI rates (Japanese paradox). The current trend in the incidence of AMI was examined for the period 1990-2001 by use of data from the Takashima AMI Registry covering a stable population of approximately 55,000 in central Japan. AMI incidence rates (per 100,000 person-years) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for 1990-1992, 1993-1995, 1996-1998, and 1999-2001.

Reduction of infracardiac intestinal activity by a small amount of soda water in technetium-99m tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with adenosine stress.

Background: In technetium (Tc)-99m myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), intestinal activity often interferes with the assessment of myocardial perfusion of the inferior wall. We examined whether a small amount of soda water prevents intestinal activity and improves image quality of the inferior wall in Tc-99m tetrofosmin MPI.

Methods And Results: Ninety-five patients referred for 1-day rest/stress Tc-99m tetrofosmin MPI were assigned to one of two groups automatically, according to the date when they underwent MPI: the soda water group (n = 63) ingested 100 mL soda water just before image acquisition after adenosine stress, and the control group (n = 32) underwent no intervention.

Higher stroke incidence in the spring season regardless of conventional risk factors: Takashima Stroke Registry, Japan, 1988-2001.

Background And Purpose: Seasonal variation in stroke incidence was examined using 14-year stroke registration data in a Japanese population. We also examined if this variation was modified by conventional stroke risk factors hypertension, diabetes mellitus, drinking, and smoking.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Takashima Stroke Registry, which covers a stable population of approximately 55,000 in Takashima County in central Japan.

Registration and surveillance of acute myocardial infarction in Japan: monitoring an entire community by the Takashima AMI Registry: system and design.

Background: The purpose of this registration is to follow incidence and case fatality trend of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Japan, using a whole community population disease registry that surveys the most up-to-date information. Since the 1970s, mortality from coronary heart disease has followed a declining trend in Japan, which has been attributed to a decrease in the incidence of AMI and some evidence suggests that incidence has leveled off during the past couple of decades. These reported decreasing or stable trends in AMI have been observed despite recent worsening of the cardiovascular risk factor situation in Japan (Japanese paradox).

Relevance of inflammatory cell infiltrates for complete atrioventricular block in experimental murine myocarditis.

Background: There are few systemic pathologic studies on myocarditis. This study aimed to clarify the pathologic characteristics of murine myocarditis.

Methods: We recorded serial electrocardiograms in experimental viral myocarditis in mice and then examined their cardiac pathology.

Complete atrioventricular block in experimental murine myocarditis.

Background: There were few reports on the pathological characteristics of the conduction system in myocarditis. This study was aimed to clarify the pathological characteristics of complete atrioventricular (AV) block in myocarditis.

Methods And Results: We studied serial electrocardiograms in experimental myocarditis in mice and also examined their cardiac pathology.

[Tumor microembolism presenting as characteristic patterns of pulmonary perfusion on lung scanning: a case report].

A 55-year-old man presented with tumor microembolism manifesting as characteristic patterns of pulmonary perfusion on lung scanning. He had a 2-week history of dyspnea and general fatigue. Echocardiography demonstrated right ventricular enlargement.

Anti-oxidant effects of coenzyme Q10 on experimental viral myocarditis in mice.

We studied the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on mice with acute myocarditis inoculated with the encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus with the analysis of indices of effects of oxidative injury and DNA damage in the myocardium. The mice were treated as follows: CoQ10 group (n = 118); CoQ10 1.0 mg (0.