Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Pemafibrate in Patients With Severe Renal Impairment: A Retrospective Study.

Background: The management of hypertriglyceridemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is important. Pemafibrate, a novel selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha modulator with less toxic effects on liver and kidney function than those of other fibrates, has recently been approved for the treatment of patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) lower than 30 mL/min/1.73 m.

Reducing the Sodium Intake of Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Through Education and Estimating Salt Excretion: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Background: Japanese people traditionally consume high quantities of salt. This study aimed to investigate the effects of educating patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on simple methods for reducing their daily dietary salt intake.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective observational study included 115 outpatients with CKD at Kawashima Hospital (Tokushima, Japan).

X-linked Alport Syndrome with Type IV Collagen α5 Chain Staining Revealing Normal Expression in the Glomerular Basement Membrane and Negative on Bowman's Capsule and Distal Tubular Basement Membrane: A Case Report.

X-linked Alport syndrome is a hereditary progressive renal disease resulting from the disruption of collagen α3α4α5 (IV) heterotrimerization caused by pathogenic variants in the COL4A5 gene. This study aimed to report a male case of X-linked Alport syndrome with a mild phenotype accompanied by an atypical expression pattern of type IV collagen α5 [α5 (IV)] chain in glomerulus. A 38-year-old male presented with proteinuria (2.

Successful treatment of nephrotic syndrome due to pregnancy-related crescentic IgA nephropathy: a case report.

Background: Crescentic immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, defined as > 50% of the glomeruli with crescents, often has a poor renal prognosis. Because of the high prevalence of pre-eclampsia in the second trimester of pregnancy, we often fail to investigate the new onset of glomerulonephritis and the aggravation of subclinical nephropathies. We report a case of nephrotic syndrome suggestive of crescentic IgA nephropathy possibly triggered by pregnancy.

Successful Treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome Due to Collapsing Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Accompanied by Acute Interstitial Nephritis.

A 39-year-old woman was hospitalized for nephrotic syndrome. Laboratory test results showed increased serum creatinine levels and urinary excretions of beta-2-microglobulin, and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase. A renal biopsy revealed collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and acute interstitial nephritis.

A complicated case of Serratia marcescens catheter-related bloodstream infection misdiagnosed as hypersensitivity reactions to bicarbonate dialysate containing acetate.

Recurrent fever during/post-dialysis can occur due to infectious or non-infectious causes. We present the case of a 79-year-old patient who had persistent post-dialysis fever after long-term tunneled central venous catheterization with acetate-containing bicarbonate dialysate. Drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST) was positive for acetate dialysate, and he was suspected of having acetate dialysate-induced hypersensitivity reaction.

Splenic abscess diagnosed following relapsing sterile peritonitis in a peritoneal dialysis patient: A case report with literature review.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis is sometimes complicated with other infections; however, few cases of splenic abscess have been reported. We present the case of a 64-year-old PD patient with complicated splenic abscesses diagnosed following relapsing sterile peritonitis. After PD induction, he presented with turbid peritoneal fluid and was diagnosed with PD-related peritonitis.

Parathyroidectomy for tertiary hyperparathyroidism after second kidney transplantation: a case report.

Successful kidney transplantation usually resolves secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). However, some patients fail to normalize, and their condition is often referred to as tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT). Surgical consensus on the timing of post-transplant parathyroidectomy (PTX) for THPT has not been reached.

Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors for Mortality due to Bloodstream Infection of Unknown Origin in Hemodialysis Patients: A Single-Center, Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Hemodialysis patients are at a high risk of bloodstream infection (BSI). The risk factors for BSI-associated mortality, especially of unknown origin, remain uncertain. BSI of unknown origin is highly prevalent and related to high mortality.

[Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair and Abdominal Aorta Replacement to Treat Stanford Type B Acute Aortic Dissection Extending through an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm;Report of a Case].

A 69-year-old man developed sudden-onset chest and back pain and was brought to our hospital. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed acute Stanford type B aortic dissection extending from the distal aortic arch to a 72 mm abdominal aortic aneurysm( AAA). The acute phase was managed by antihypertensive therapy, and the patient was followed up.

[Resection of Anterior Mediastinal Tumor Followed by Left Brachiocephalic Vein Reconstruction;Report of a Case].

A 65-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on a chest radiogram. Swelling of the face and upper limbs were noted. Enhanced computed tomography showed a 62×101 mm mass in the anterior mediastinum with invasion to the superior vena cava (SVC) and the right upper lobe of the lung.

[Operative Results of Total Arch Replacement with Arch First Technique using a Trifurcated Graft].

In aortic arch surgery, we reconstruct branches before opening the arch to avoid cerebral embolism of the debris derived from the aortic wall. We made a trifurcated graft for branch reconstruction using 10 mm and 8 mm polyester grafts. Cardiopulmonary bypass started under right axillary perfusion and venous drainage through the right atrium.

[Complications of graft infection after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair].

Objective: The endovascular approach to aortic aneurysm repair is widely spreading as an alternative to open repair. However infectious complications may be devastating. We described the experiences with infected aortic endografts and reviewed treatment and outcomes.

[Pacemaker infection in a child; report of a case].

In the treatment for pacemaker infection, removal of infected devices and intensive antibiotics therapy are in principle and new devices should be implanted apart from the infected site. However, there are some problems in the case of children:it is not easy to remove infected devices because epicardial leads are often used for them. If endocardial leads are chosen as a new system, extension of the lead would be concerned with their growth.

Intraoperative migration of open stent graft detected by transesophageal echocardiography: report of two cases.

We report two cases of graft migration during open stent grafting, detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The incidence was 3.7% in our series.

Cardiac calcified amorphous tumor stuck in the aortic valve that mimicked a chameleon's tongue: report of a case.

A calcified amorphous tumor (CAT) is a rare intracardiac mass that carries a risk of embolism. We herein present the case of a club-shaped CAT that originated from the calcified mitral annulus. Echocardiography indicated a pendular motion of the mass and repeated entrapment by a stenotic aortic valve that was sustained for several beats, mimicking a chameleon's tongue.

Development of a new selective coronary perfusion cannula.

The two most common types of coronary perfusion cannulae currently being used are the "balloon type", with a balloon at the tip, and the "fenestrated type", which has holes along the side near the tip. However, on occasion an unusually high perfusion pressure or a considerable amount of leakage is encountered during infusion of the cardioplegic solution. We have examined the properties of a newly developed Kochi Medical School (KMS)-type cannula and compared these to the properties of the balloon-type and fenestrated-type cannulae in an ex vivo experimental model that contains ostia of 4, 3, or 2 mm in diameter.

Intraoperative continuous hemodiafiltration with selective venous drainage of ischemic limbs.

We report two cases of acute limb ischemia with threatened myonephropathic metabolic syndrome (MNMS) in which continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) was started before revascularization with selective drainage from the clamped femoral vein of ischemic limb and return of processed blood into the contralateral femoral vein. It was aimed to optimise the removal of metabolites which were produced by myolysis following reperfusion as well as to minimize the deviation of metabolites into the systemic circulation. Both cases had uneventful postoperative course without MNMS and the limbs were salvaged.

A surgical case report of off-pump onlay patch grafting for pseudoaneurysm with diffusely calcified coronary artery.

Coronary pseudoaneurysm usually occurs after catheter-based intervention as a result of traumatic dissection or perforation of a coronary artery in 4%-5% of cases. Here, we report the successful case of pseudoaneurysm occurring after percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) against the severely calcified coronary artery treated with off-pump long onlay patch bypass technique using internal thoracic arteries. We report the case of a 59-year-old woman treated with off-pump onlay patch grafting for pseudoaneurysm after coronary angioplasty against the diffusely calcified coronary lesion.

[Introduction, designs and assessment of a suture set for standard cardiovascular surgery].

A packing system for threads and needles has been introduced with the aim of efficient operations in the field of cardiovascular surgery. To provide competent and safe surgery to patients, a suture set was developed according to the standard cardiovascular surgery procedure with cooperation between doctors and nurses at Kochi University Hospital. This suture set was introduced to all surgeries for adults conducted under cardiopulmonary bypass.

New device for intraoperative graft assessment: HyperEye charge-coupled device camera system.

Purpose: Our institution developed a new color chargecoupled device (CCD) camera system (HyperEye system) for intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. The device consists of a combination of custommade optical filters and an ultra-high-sensitive CCD image sensor with non-Bayer color filter array (i.e.

One-stage minimally invasive direct CABG by a transdiaphragmatic approach combined with abdominal aortic aneurysm repair to avoid postoperative cardiovascular event.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) coexists in 40% of cases with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Previous reports have demonstrated the progression of myocardial ischemia after AAA repair and an increased rate of AAA rupture after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We herein describe the case of a 63-year-old man who underwent CABG combined with AAA repair to prevent perioperative cardiovascular events.

Postoperative administration of landiolol hydrochloride for patients with supraventricular arrhythmia: the efficacy of sustained intravenous infusion at a low dose.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of landiolol hydrochloride, a short-acting beta(1) blocker, by initiating its administration at a low dose (5 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) in patients with postoperative supraventricular arrhythmia. The efficacy of landiolol was evaluated in 38 patients who, after developing postoperative atrial flutter or fibrillation, with sinus tachycardia and two patients who had a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with frequent atrial extrasystole. The heart rate and blood pressure before and 2 h after the administration of landiolol were compared.

Intake of dissolved organic matter from deep seawater inhibits atherosclerosis progression.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in seawater can be defined as the fraction of organic matter that passes through a filter of sub micron pore size. In this study, we have examined the effect of DOM of deep seawater (DSW) from Pacific Ocean on platelet aggregation and atherosclerosis progression. DSW was passed through a series of filters and then through an Octadecyl C18 filter; the retained substance in ethanol was designated as C18 extractable DOM (C18-DOM).