Impact of accelerated washout of Technetium-99m-sestamibi on exercise tolerance in patients with acute coronary syndrome: single-center experience.

Technetium-99m-sestamibi (Tc-sestamibi) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) could be used to assess area-at-risks, as well as myocardial infarct or saved sizes. In patients with ACS, accelerated washout of Tc-sestamibi during early and delayed imaging in the acute phase may suggest mitochondrial dysfunction in the injured but salvaged myocardium. However, the link between Tc-sestamibi accelerated washout and exercise tolerance is unknown.

[Passive Orthostatism Using Tilt Table in Critical Patients after Cardiovascular Surgery].

Previously, we performed passive orthostatism using a tilt table for the purpose of early mobilization in intensive care unit patients after cardiovascular surgery. In this study, we introduced VitalGo Total Lift Bed( TLB), which does not require patient-transfer before passive orthostatism, to reduce the burden on patients and medical staff. No obvious adverse events were found throughout the study.

[Passive Orthostatism Using a Tilt Table in Patients with Impaired Oxygenation after Cardiovascular Surgery].

Passive orthostatism using a tilt table was introduced in patients with impaired oxygenation [Pao2/Fio(2 P/F) ratio < 300] after cardiovascular surgery. Our passive orthostatism protocol was as follows. Patient was transferred to a tilt table under endotracheal intubation with pulmonary artery catheter monitoring, and rested for 10 minutes in a supine position, followed by 45-degree tilt for 5 minutes, and then passive orthostatism at 60-degree for 25 minutes.

[Thoracentesis under Standing with Assistance of a Tilt Table in Critical Patients after Cardiovascular Surgery].

For safe and effective drainage in patients with pleural effusion after cardiac surgery, ultrasound-guided thoracocentesis was carried out under standing with assistance of a tilt table. Thoracocentesis was performed in 5( 11%) of the 44 patients who were treated under passive orthostatism using a tilt table. Four cases were under intubated-ventilator assist, and 2 cases were under intraaortic balloon pumping( IABP).

Long-term changes in neointimal hyperplasia following implantation of bare metal stents assessed by integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound.

In-stent restenosis (ISR) is a common phenomenon with bare metal stents (BMSs) in the early stage after implantation. However, ISR occurs at a lower rate with long time after BMS implantation. We assessed changes over time in neointimal hyperplasia following BMS implantation using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IUVS).

Outcomes of patients with stable low-risk coronary artery disease receiving medical- and PCI-preceding therapies in Japan: J-SAP study 1-1.

Background: Stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is classified into 2 types: high-risk (ie, 3-vessel disease, left main trunk lesions, or ostial lesions of the left anterior descending (LAD)) and low-risk (1- or 2-vessel disease other than ostial lesions of the LAD), which comprise the majority of CAD patients. According to ACC/AHA/ACP-ASIM guidelines for low-risk CAD, anti-anginal agents should be initially administered to control attacks, then coronary intervention should be considered when medical therapy is not effective (medical-preceding therapy: M). In Japan, however, the initial treatment is generally percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) combined with medical therapy (PCI-preceding therapy: P).

Assessment of acute myocardial infarction in Japan by the Japanese Coronary Intervention Study (JCIS) Group.

Background: Until now, large-scale nationwide surveys of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), such as those performed in Europe and America, have not been performed in Japan. Therefore, in 2000 the Japanese Coronary Intervention Study (JCIS) group conducted a nationwide survey on the incidence of AMI in Japan.

Methods And Results: Questionnaires were collected from 8,268 facilities throughout Japan.