Quantitative assessment of tissue prolapse on optical coherence tomography and its relation to underlying plaque morphologies and clinical outcome in patients with elective stent implantation.

Background: Tissue prolapse (TP) is sometimes observed after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but its clinical significance remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between TP volume on optical coherence tomography (OCT) after PCI and underlying plaque morphologies and the impact of TP on clinical outcomes.

Methods: We investigated 178 native coronary lesions with normal pre-PCI creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) values (154 lesions with stable angina; 24 with unstable angina).

Differences in catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation between males and females.

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) has become a standard treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, gender-related differences associated with CA of paroxysmal AF (PAF) remain unclear.

Methods: We compared 1124 consecutive patients (mean age, 61 ± 10 years; male, n=864) with PAF scheduled for CA between the genders.

Lipoprotein(a) is an important factor to determine coronary artery plaque morphology in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] can influence the development and disruption of atherosclerotic plaques through its effect on lipid accumulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum Lp(a) levels and plaque morphology of an infarct-related lesion and non-infarct-related lesion of the coronary artery in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods And Results: Coronary plaque morphology was evaluated in 68 patients (age 62.

Diagnosis and assessment of Takayasu arteritis by multiple biomarkers.

Background: Patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) often show recurrence under steroid treatment without an elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP). There is a report that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-3, MMP-9 and pentraxin3 (PTX3) could be sensitive biomarkers, but the characteristics of these biomarkers have not been established.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 45 consecutive patients; 28 were grouped in an active phase as evidenced by clinical recurrence within 2 years of blood sampling.

Impact of statin use before the onset of acute myocardial infarction on coronary plaque morphology of the culprit lesion.

Statins favorably stabilize coronary plaque. We evaluated the impact of statin use before the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on culprit lesion plaque morphology. Patients (n = 127) with AMI were divided into either a statin group (n = 31) or a nonstatin group (n = 96) based on statin use before the onset of AMI.

Improved prognosis of Takayasu arteritis over the past decade--comprehensive analysis of 106 patients.

Background: We aimed to describe the recent clinical characteristics of Takayasu arteritis (TA).

Methods And Results: We enrolled 106 consecutive TA patients and compared the clinical characteristics of patients with TA onset before 1999 and after 2000, patients with onset at age less than 39 years and more than 40 years, patients with monophasic and relapsing-remitting clinical course, and patients with and without human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-B52 allele. Among the patients with TA onset after 2000, the time from onset to diagnosis had decreased; the frequency of occlusion in aortic arch branches and the complication of moderate or severe aortic regurgitation (AR) had decreased, and the maximum dose of prednisolone and the use of immunosuppressive agents had increased.

Renal function after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Kidney function is a known predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) often have kidney dysfunction, less is known about the association between AF and kidney function. We sought to assess changes in kidney function after catheter ablation of AF.

Differential characteristics of inflammatory responses to stent implantation between de novo and intrastent restenosis lesion in patients with stable angina.

Mechanical plaque rupture of coronary atherosclerotic plaque during stent implantation can increase serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Patients with stable angina pectoris were divided into 2 groups: one group included 186 patients with de novo lesion who underwent stent implantation (de novo group); the other group included 40 patients with intrastent restenosis (ISR) undergoing stent implantation (ISR group). The de novo group had a significant increase in hsCRP levels post stenting, while the ISR group showed no increase in hsCRP post stenting.

Reversible left ventricular dysfunction "takotsubo" cardiomyopathy associated with hyperthyroidism.

Myocardial stunning with hyperthyroidism is rare. A 79-year old woman with hyperthyroidism was admitted to our hospital complaining of palpitations due to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. An echocardiogram showed akinesis of the apical wall which was not observed 2 weeks before admission.