Publications by authors named "Takashi Morinaga"
Article Synopsis
- Most heart failure patients show signs of congestion, which can impact prognosis differently based on their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).
- This study analyzed data from 3,787 patients to evaluate how varying levels of congestion affect outcomes like death and rehospitalization, revealing that severe congestion on admission is linked to worse outcomes in those with LVEF ≥ 40%.
- The results suggest that while clinical congestion severity affects patients with higher LVEF, it does not have the same effect on those with lower LVEF, indicating a need for further research into congestion's role across different LVEF levels.
Article Synopsis
- Recombinant spider silk protein (RSP) shows potential as a sustainable biomaterial for creating high-performance materials.
- This study explored how the initial secondary structure of RSP (β-sheets, α-helices, and random coils) impacts the mechanical properties of resulting hydrogels.
- Findings indicated that gels made from α-RSP had significantly better strength and stiffness than those made from random coils, due to unique crystalline structures formed during solvent treatment.
Background: Cognitive impairment assessed using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) is associated with short-term mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We assessed the long-term prognostic impact of cognitive impairment in patients with severe aortic stenosis post-TAVI.
Methods And Results: We enrolled 1,057 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI at the Kokura Memorial Hospital and prospectively assessed them using the MMSE.
Background: The semiquantitative Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is reportedly a useful marker for predicting short- and mid-term mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We assessed the long-term prognostic impact of CFS in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI.
Methods: We prospectively assessed patients undergoing TAVI in Kokura Memorial Hospital using a 9-level CFS and enrolled 1594 patients after excluding patients with CFS 8-9.
Aims: In recent years, there has been remarkable development in machine learning (ML) models, showing a trend towards high prediction performance. ML models with high prediction performance often become structurally complex and are frequently perceived as black boxes, hindering intuitive interpretation of the prediction results. We aimed to develop ML models with high prediction performance, interpretability, and superior risk stratification to predict in-hospital mortality and worsening heart failure (WHF) in patients with acute heart failure (AHF).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPatent foramen ovale (PFO) complicated with carcinoid heart disease (CHD) can cause severe hypoxia and worsening clinical conditions. We report the case of a patient with CHD in poor general condition with multiple severe valve regurgitations and PFO, who underwent successful percutaneous closure of the PFO.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In the Asian cohort, data are limited on the risk for coronary obstruction due to sinus of Valsalva (SOV) sequestration in redo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the potential risk for coronary obstruction in simulated redo TAVR in Asian patients.
Methods: Post-TAVR computed tomographic data from 788 patients who received balloon-expandable (BE) SAPIEN 3 transcatheter aortic valves (TAVs) and 334 patients who received self-expanding (SE) Evolut R or Evolut PRO TAVs were analyzed.
Background: A high permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) risk remains a concern of self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation, despite the continued improvements in implantation methodology. We aimed to assess the impact of real-time direct visualization of the membranous septum using transjugular intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) during transcatheter aortic valve implantation on reducing the rates of conduction disturbances including the need for PPI.
Methods: Consecutive patients treated with Evolut R and Evolut PRO/PRO+ from February 2017 to September 2022 were included in this study.
Background: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) usually requires contrast medium during the procedure. However, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of developing contrast nephropathy. This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of zero-contrast LAAC in patients with CKD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: The use of tolvaptan is increasing in clinical practice in Japan. However, the characteristics of patients who used tolvaptan and the timing of its use in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) are not fully elucidated.
Methods And Results: Among consecutive 4056 patients in the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry, we analysed 3802 patients after excluding patients on dialysis, prior or unknown tolvaptan use at admission, and unknown timing of tolvaptan use, and we divided them into two groups: tolvaptan use (N = 773) and no tolvaptan use (N = 3029).
Backgrounds: The prognostic implication of weight loss after discharge from acute heart failure (AHF) remains unclear. We sought to investigate the association of weight loss between discharge and 6-month visit with subsequent clinical outcomes in patients with AHF.
Methods: We analyzed 686 patients with AHF in the prospective longitudinal follow-up study derived from the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry, and divided them into 2 groups based on the weight loss at 6-month index visit.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates the link between tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and outcomes in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) using data from a large Japanese registry.
- A total of 3,735 AHF patients were analyzed, revealing a direct correlation where increased severity of TR led to higher risks of all-cause mortality and hospital readmissions for heart failure.
- Despite the high prevalence of moderate to severe TR, very few patients underwent surgical intervention, highlighting a potential gap in treatment options for these individuals.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined the effects of starting or changing loop diuretics during acute heart failure (AHF) hospitalization on post-discharge outcomes, specifically all-cause mortality.
- Analyzing data from 3665 patients, they found that starting loop diuretics during hospitalization did not lower the risk of death after discharge.
- Additionally, altering the dose of loop diuretics for patients already on them had no significant impact on mortality risk, with higher doses possibly increasing the risk.
Article Synopsis
- Congestion significantly impacts hospitalization outcomes in heart failure patients, with higher levels correlating to increased risk of death or readmission.
- A study of 3787 hospitalized heart failure patients in Japan revealed that those with higher Composite Congestion Scores (CCS) at admission were more likely to experience adverse outcomes.
- Even after achieving complete decongestion prior to discharge, residual congestion still indicated a higher risk for post-discharge complications, emphasizing the importance of monitoring congestion levels throughout treatment.
Although pyridinic-nitrogen (pyri-N) doped graphene is highly active for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of fuel cells in alkaline media, the activity critically decreases under acidic conditions. We report on how to prevent the deactivation based on the mechanistic understanding that governs the ORR kinetics. First, we considered that the deactivation is due to the hydration of pyri-NH , leading to a lower shift of the redox potential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: There are no previous studies focusing on collaborative follow-ups between hospitals and clinics for patients discharged after acute heart failure (AHF) in Japan. The purpose of this study was to determine the status of collaboration between hospitals and clinics for patients with AHF in Japan and to compare patient characteristics and clinical outcomes using a large Japanese observational database.
Methods And Results: Of 4056 consecutive patients hospitalized for AHF in the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry, we analysed 2862 patients discharged to go home, who were divided into 1674 patients (58.
Article Synopsis
- * Results showed that a significant percentage of patients (16.6% moderate, 60.5% mild or moderate, and 13.8% severe malnutrition) were malnourished, which was linked to factors like older age, lower body mass index, and frailty.
- * Malnutrition was found to be a significant predictor of increased mortality, with adjusted hazard ratios indicating much higher risks of death for those with moderate and severe malnutrition compared to those with normal nutritional status.
Researchers around the world are developing technologies to minimize carbon dioxide emissions or carbon neutrality in various fields. In this study, the dry spinning of regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) was achieved as a proof of concept for a process using ionic liquids as dissolution aids and plasticizers in developing natural polymeric materials. A dry spinning equipment system combining a stainless-steel syringe and a brushless motor was built to generate fiber compacts from a dope of silk fibroin obtained by degumming silkworm silk cocoons and ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride ([HMIM][Cl]) according to a general method.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Insomnia is a known risk factor for heart failure (HF) and a predictor of cardiac events in HF patients, but the clinical significance of insomnia in patients with acute HF (AHF) is not adequately evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the association between insomnia and subsequent clinical outcomes in patients with AHF.
Methods: From the Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry, consecutive 3414 patients hospitalized for HF who were discharged alive were divided into the 2 groups at discharge: insomnia group and non-insomnia group.
At present, underfilling or overfilling the volume of the balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve (THV) is generally utilized in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, no research has assessed the clinical impact of filling volume variations of the current-generation SAPIEN 3 THV. We analyzed the clinical data of 331 patients who underwent TAVI with SAPIEN 3 at our institution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The complex link between nutritional status, protein and lipid synthesis, and immunity plays an important prognostic role in patients with heart failure. However, the association between appetite loss at discharge and long-term outcome remains unclear.
Methods: The Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry is a prospective cohort study that enrolled consecutive patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in Japan.
Article Synopsis
- - The study examined how left atrial (LA) reverse remodeling affects the prognosis of heart failure (HF) patients who have recovered their ejection fraction (EF), involving 1,246 patients and focusing on 397 with reduced EF at discharge.
- - Results showed that patients in the heart failure recovery group (HFrecEF) had a significantly lower 180-day risk of death or hospitalization compared to those who did not recover (8.9% vs. 23.4%).
- - Notably, LA reverse remodeling was linked to lower risk outcomes in the HFrecEF group but not in the non-HFrecEF group, suggesting that combining heart function measures could enhance risk assessment in heart failure patients.
Aims: There is a scarcity of data on the post-discharge prognosis in acute heart failure (AHF) patients with a low-income but receiving public assistance. The study sought to evaluate the differences in the clinical characteristics and outcomes between AHF patients receiving public assistance and those not receiving public assistance.
Methods And Results: The Kyoto Congestive Heart Failure registry was a physician-initiated, prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study enrolling 4056 consecutive patients who were hospitalized due to AHF for the first time between October 2014 and March 2016.