Association between serum level of uric acid in Japanese young patients with coronary spastic angina receiving coronary angiography.

Endothelial dysfunction may trigger coronary spastic angina (CSA). However, the risk factors for CSA in young patients remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the age-dependent role of serum uric acid levels in patients with CSA.

Efficacy of Computed Tomography-Based Evaluation of Myocardial Extracellular Volume Combined With Red Flags for Early Screening of Concealed Cardiac Amyloidosis in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: The prevalence of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients remains unclear. We explored the efficacy of computed tomography-based myocardial extracellular volume (CT-ECV) combined with red flags for the early screening of concealed ATTR-CM in AF patients undergoing catheter ablation.

Methods and results: Patients referred for AF ablation at Oita University Hospital were prescreened using the red-flag signs defined by echocardiographic or electrocardiographic findings, medical history, symptoms, and blood biochemical findings.

Quality of epicardial adipose tissue predicts major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) have been shown to be associated with several heart disease, including coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation (AF), and heart failure (HF). It is reported that the quality of EAT, represented by fat attenuation determined using computed tomography (CT) imaging, can detect the histologically-assessed remodeled EAT. We tested the hypothesis that quality of EAT would predict major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events (MACCE) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS).

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Long-Term Prognosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Japan.

Background During the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a global reduction in hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was observed. Generally, patients experienced increased severity of AMI with delays in time from symptom onset to treatment during the pandemic. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on in-hospital mortality among patients with AMI remains unclear.

R-R' interval in the left bundle branch block predicts long-term outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy by estimating greater mechanical dyssynchrony and viable myocardium.

Background: Typical left bundle branch block (LBBB) shows 2 peaks of the R wave, which reflect activation reaching the interventricular septum (R) and posterolateral wall (R') sequentially.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among R-R' interval (RR'), mechanical dyssynchrony, extent of viable myocardium, and long-term outcomes in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) candidates.

Methods: The study enrolled 49 patients (34 men; mean age: 69 ± 11 years) with LBBB who received CRT.

Innovations in online classes introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and their educational outcomes in Japan.

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic emerged in Japan in February 2020, forcing the adoption of online education by university medical schools across Japan. The advantages and disadvantages of online education have been studied in Japan; however, the educational outcome of online classes conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been completely evaluated. In this study, we examined the relationship between lecture format (e.

Usefulness of Prehospital 12-Lead Electrocardiography System in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients in Oita - Comparison Between Urban and Rural Areas, Weekday Daytime and Weekday Nighttime/Holidays.

Background: We have reported that a prehospital 12-lead electrocardiography system (P-ECG) contributed to transport of suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients to appropriate institutes and in this study, we compared its usefulness between urban and rural areas, and between weekday daytime and weekday nighttime/holiday.

Methods and results: Consecutive STEMI patients who underwent successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention after using P-ECG were assigned to the P-ECG group (n=123; 29 female, 70±13 years), and comparable STEMI patients without using P-ECG were assigned to the conventional group (n=117; 33 females, mean age 70±13 years). There was no significant difference in door-to-reperfusion times between the rural and urban cases (70±32 vs.

Association between interatrial septum adiposity and atrial fibrillation: transesophageal echocardiography imaging and autopsy study.

Recent clinical evidence has suggested that interatrial septal (IAS) adiposity contributes to atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study aimed to confirm the usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to estimate IAS adiposity in patients with AF. The histological IAS analysis based on autopsy samples sought to clarify characteristics that underlie the contribution of IAS adiposity to AF.

Vagal response is involved in the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation in patients with early repolarization syndrome.

Background: Patients with early repolarization syndrome (ERS) and Brugada syndrome (BruS) have comparable clinical symptoms. In both conditions, ventricular fibrillation (VF) is experienced often near midnight or in the early morning hours when the parasympathetic tone is augmented. However, differences between ERS and BruS regarding the risk of VF occurrence have recently been reported.

Predictors of outcome after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: Group analysis categorized by age and type of atrial fibrillation.

Background: The outcome of catheter ablation could probably differ among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), depending on age and AF type. We aimed to investigate the difference in predictors of outcome after catheter ablation for AF among the patient categories divided by age and AF type.

Methods And Results: A total of 396 patients with AF (mean age 65.

Risk stratification of ventricular fibrillation in patients with symptomatic Brugada syndrome using pharmacological tests.

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS), which is characterized by J-point elevation in right precordial leads of a 12-lead electrocardiogram, is associated with the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation (VF). However, risk stratification of VF in patients with BrS remains challenging.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify a risk predictor of VF in patients with BrS using pharmacological tests.

Role of computed tomography-based evaluation of skeletal muscle area in predicting cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Aim: This study aimed to determine possible associations between sarcopenia and poor cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 120 patients who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy between March 2004 and June 2018. In total, 58 patients who underwent computed tomography within 30 days of cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation were eligible for inclusion, and their data were analyzed (25 women; 33 men; mean age 71.

Prehospital 12-Lead Electrocardiography System in Oita Assisted Transport of "True" Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients to Optimal Institutes.

Background: Mobile cloud electrocardiography (C-ECG) can reduce the door-to-balloon time of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, so we hypothesized it would also assist in transporting ACS-suspected patients to the optimal institutes.

Methods and results: Initially, 10 fire departments in Oita had 10 ambulances equipped with C-ECG. Ambulance crews recorded a 12-lead ECG from the patient at the first point of contact and transmitted them to 18 hospitals (13 institutions (PCII) with 24-h availability for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and 5 regional core hospitals (RCH) without 24-h PCI) for analysis by a cardiologist.

Fragmented QRS as a risk marker for the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation in patients with variant angina.

Background: Variant angina (VA) is caused by reversible coronary artery spasm, which is characterized by chest pain with ST-segment elevations on standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) at rest. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is often caused by VA attack, but the risk stratification is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of fragmented QRS (fQRS) on VF occurrence in VA patients.

Reduction of bleeding complications on puncture site after percutaneous coronary intervention using a 6.5-French sheathless guiding catheter.

Background: Reducing complications at the puncture site after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is important. The diameter of a 6.5-French (Fr) sheathless guiding catheter (GC) is smaller by approximately 2-Fr compared to a 6-Fr conventional sheath.

Proposal criteria of paradoxical low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis for predicting prognosis in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient (PLF-LG) aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with poor prognosis in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This study aimed to verify the conventional criteria of PLF-LG AS (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] > 50%, mean aortic valve pressure gradient [AVPG] < 40 mm Hg and stroke volume index [SVI] < 35 ml/m by measuring Doppler method) compatible for predicting prognosis in patients undergoing TAVI.

Materials And Methods: A total of 128 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI for AS with LVEF > 50% were enrolled.

Detection of fibrotic remodeling of epicardial adipose tissue in patients with atrial fibrillation: Imaging approach based on histological observation.

Background: Fibrotic remodeling of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is crucial for proinflammatory atrial myocardial fibrosis, which leads to atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that the ratio of central to marginal adipocyte diameter in EAT represents its fibrotic remodeling. Based on a similar concept, we also tested whether the percent (%) change in EAT fat attenuation determined using computed tomographic (CT) images can detect this remodeling.

Role of fragmented QRS and Shanghai score system in recurrence of ventricular fibrillation in patients with early repolarization syndrome.

Background: The Shanghai Score System, which weighs electrocardiogram (ECG) findings reflecting repolarization abnormalities, has been proposed for diagnosis of early repolarization syndrome (ERS). However, recent studies have suggested the involvement of depolarization abnormalities in some ERS patients. The aim of this study was to validate the Shanghai Score System in predicting the recurrence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in ERS patients.

Impact of Age on Gender Differences in the Acute Myocardial Infarction Onset-Weather Association - Oita AMI Registry.

The onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is related to weather conditions, but the impact of age on gender differences in the AMI onset-weather association has not been elucidated. We analyzed the Oita AMI Registry and obtained data for 403 enrolled patients. To examine the impact of age, we categorized the patients into 4 groups: young (age ≤65 years) women (n=20); young men (n=123); elderly (age >65 years) women (n=84); and elderly men (n=176).

Distinctively different predictors for long-term outcomes between responders and nonresponders who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: It is common to develop heart failure (HF) events even in respondents to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) during a long-term observation period. We investigated the predictors for long-term outcome in responders in comparison with nonresponders in patients diagnosed with HF along with implanted CRT.

Methods: We enrolled 133 consecutive patients (mean age, 70 ± 10 years; 72 males) implanted with CRT from April 2010 to July 2019.