The impact of microvascular resistance on the discordance between anatomical and functional evaluations of intermediate coronary disease.

Aims: In intermediate coronary artery disease, discordance between anatomical and functional assessments persists and the diagnostic accuracy of an anatomical evaluation is not satisfactory for determining functional significance. We aimed to evaluate the impact of microvascular resistance on "anatomical-functional discordance".

Methods And Results: In 97 intermediate coronary lesions of 83 patients, minimum lumen area (MLA), fractional flow reserve (FFR), Δ(Pd/Pa-FFR), and hyperaemic microvascular resistance index (hMVRI) were measured using intravascular ultrasound and an intracoronary dual pressure and Doppler sensor-tipped guidewire.

Independent risk factors for mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who undergo comprehensive cardiac evaluations.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the impact of cardiovascular comorbidities on the prognosis of COPD is not well known.

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of cardiovascular comorbidities on the prognosis of COPD.

Usefulness of Hyperemic Microvascular Resistance Index as a Predictor of Clinical Outcomes in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background And Objectives: Microvascular function is a useful predictor of left ventricular functional changes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the usefulness of the hyperemic microvascular resistance index (hMVRI) for predicting long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with STEMI assessed immediately after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Subjects And Methods: hMVRI were evaluated in 145 patients with first acute STEMI treated with primary PCI using an intracoronary Doppler wire.

The relationship between intravascular ultrasound-derived percent total atheroma volume and fractional flow reserve in the intermediate stenosis of proximal or middle left anterior descending coronary artery.

Background: It remains undefined whether the atherosclerotic disease extent of the conductive vessel (expressed as intravascular ultrasound [IVUS]-derived percent total atheroma volume [%TAV]), correlates with functional severity of intermediate stenosis of left anterior descending artery (LAD).

Methods: An IVUS study and fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements performed in 130 patients with coronary angiographic intermediate stenosis of proximal or middle LAD. %TAV was calculated as the percentage of total vessel volume occupied by total atheroma volume on IVUS.

Point-of-care measurements of platelet inhibition after clopidogrel loading in patients with acute coronary syndrome: comparison of generic and branded clopidogrel bisulfate.

Purpose: Platelet-function suppression with antiplatelet therapy is effective in preventing and treating cardiovascular disease. Clopidogrel is a thienopyridine derivative that blocks platelet activation by adenosine diphosphate receptor binding. This study demonstrates the effects of generic clopidogrel bisulfate in comparison to branded clopidogrel bisulfate in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Relationship between intravascular ultrasound parameters and fractional flow reserve in intermediate coronary artery stenosis of left anterior descending artery: intravascular ultrasound volumetric analysis.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) parameters, including volumetric analysis, and fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Background: Although it is known that coronary atherosclerosis burden measured by IVUS volumetric analysis is related with clinical outcomes, its relationship with functional significance remains unknown.

Methods: Both IVUS and FFR were performed in 206 cases of intermediate stenosis of the left anterior descending artery (LAD).

Comparison of 3-year clinical outcomes between classic crush and modified mini-crush technique in coronary bifurcation lesions.

Objectives: We aimed to compare long-term clinical outcomes between modified mini-crush (modi-MC) technique with classic crush (crush) technique for treatment of bifurcation lesions.

Background: The modi-MC technique showed excellent procedural success and favorable 9-month clinical outcomes.

Methods: From January 2005 to November 2009, we enrolled patients with de novo bifurcation lesions treated with modi-MC (n = 112 lesions in 111 patients) and crush technique (n = 69 lesions in 67 patients).

[Mitochondrial DNA mutations in lung cancer].

Background And Objective: Mitochondiral DNA (mtDNA) mutations has been identified in various cancers, but their significance was unknown. This study aimed to detect mtDNA mutations in lung cancer, and to investigate their roles in the carcinogenesis of human lung.

Methods: Total DNA (including nuclear DNA and mtDNA) was extracted from the tumor tissues, corresponding distal non-cancerous lung tissues, and peripheral lymphocytes derived from 58 patients with lung cancer.