Distribution of anti-factor Xa activity in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation receiving 15 mg dose of edoxaban.

Background: The distribution of anti-factor Xa activity (AXA) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) taking edoxaban 15 mg has not been fully elucidated.

Methods And Results: The trough and peak AXA were measured in 19 NVAF patients taking edoxaban 15 mg. We compared these results with those in patients taking edoxaban 30 mg.

Impact of HIF prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors in heart failure patients with renal anemia.

Objective: Hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitors are a new class of anti-anemia agents. We retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of HIF-PH inhibitors in patients with heart failure (HF) complicated by anemia associated with chronic kidney disase. HIF-PH inhibitor treatment was initiated in 32 patients with chronic HF complicated by renal anemia and were followed up for 3 months.

Efficacy and safety of atrial fibrillation ablation in heart failure patients with left ventricular ejection fraction less than 50.

Introduction: The efficacy of catheter ablation in patients with low cardiac function has been previously reported; however, only a few studies have included mid-range ejection fraction (mrEF). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 79 patients (reduced ejection fraction [rEF]/mrEF, 38/41; paroxysmal/persistent, 37/42; heart failure hospitalizations within one year before ablation, 36 [45.

A Long-Term Study of the Reduction in Drug-Related Incident Reports and the Impact on Patients by Pharmacist Intervention in the Emergency Department.

In Japan, pharmacists have begun working in emergency departments (ED) over the last decade. However, no reports exist on the contribution of pharmacists' activities in the ED to patient safety. We investigated whether pharmacists' long-term duties influence the number of incident reports in the ED.

Evaluation of arrhythmogenic foci using a novel automated detection algorithm and isoproterenol in persistent atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: The CARTOFINDER mapping system analyzes activation patterns using unipolar potentials during atrial fibrillation (AF), where isoproterenol (ISP) is conventionally used to induce non-pulmonary vein (PV) foci and confirm PV arrhythmogenicity. In 20 patients with persistent AF who underwent ablation at our hospital, arrhythmogenic foci were evaluated using both these methods.

Methods: Before pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), PV and left atrium (LA) were analyzed during AF using CARTOFINDER, and the isolation line was determined based on the results.

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography for optimizing the outcomes of pulmonary vein isolation with cryoablation -the role of isolation of PVs including carina.

Purpose: Compared with conventional pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with radiofrequency ablation, PVI with cryoballoon is an easier and shorter procedure without reconnection, particularly in the superior pulmonary vein. However, the durability of the cryoballoon may be reduced due to anatomical factors and the position of the pulmonary vein (PV). Further, inadequate isolation of the carina leads to recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF).

A case of accessory pathway mapped with ultra-high-resolution mapping led to a coronary sinus diverticulum.

Ultra-high-resolution mapping is useful in the ablation of accessory pathways. However, in patients with accessory pathways in the coronary sinus (CS) diverticulum, treatment with endocardial ablation may be challenging. Patients suspected of having subepicardial accessory pathways may require the examination of the venous anomaly using CS angiography.

Isolated bilateral external iliac artery dissections with emotional stress.

We present a patient with isolated bilateral external iliac artery dissections associated with emotional stress. The diagnosis should be kept in mind in young, fit patients presenting lower back pain occurring subsequent to emotional stress.

Secondary Cardiac Lymphoma Presenting as Sick Sinus Syndrome and Atrial Fibrillation Which Required Leadless Pacemaker Implantation.

Cardiac involvement of malignant lymphoma is relatively common, although such a phenomenon has subclinical manifestations that are difficult to detect. We herein describe a patient with atrial fibrillation and sick sinus syndrome as the main symptoms. Computed tomography showed a mass in the right atrium extending into the superior vena cava (SVC).

The appearance of a single left atrial tachycardia as two different types on preoperative surface and intracardiac ECG of pacemaker due to progressive cardiac conduction disturbance.

We treated a patient with PCCD whose single left AT appeared as two different types on preoperative surface and intracardiac ECG from a pacemaker. The diagnosis was hindered by the fact that the conduction block encompassed interatrial block and the pacemaker A-wave was captured at the right atrial appendage.

Efficacy of isoproterenol in the evaluation of dormant conduction and arrhythmogenic foci identification in atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established therapy. However, postoperative recurrence is a serious issue caused by the reconduction of the isolated pulmonary veins (PV) and the onset of non-PV foci. The objectives of this study were to elucidate dormant conduction, confirm PV arrhythmia substrate, induce non-PV foci after PV isolation, and assess the acute efficacy of high dose isoproterenol (ISP) when administered in addition to adenosine.

Comparison of Anti-factor Xa Activity Among Three Different Factor Xa Inhibitors in Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Renal Impairment.

Background: Factor-Xa inhibitors (FXaIs) are widely used for the treatment of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Although we have previously reported the distribution of the anti-factor Xa activity (AXA) values of three different FXaIs in NVAF patients, the differences in the distribution of AXA values among the different FXaIs in patients with renal impairment (RI) have not been fully elucidated.

Methods: Trough and peak AXA values were measured in 94 patients taking rivaroxaban, 124 patients taking apixaban, and 66 patients taking edoxaban.

Importance of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor use in diabetic patients with acute heart failure.

Background: It is known that once heart failure occurs in older patients with diabetes, the overall prognosis is extremely poor. We investigated whether early initiation of SGLT2 inhibitor therapy after admission was beneficial for diabetic patients requiring inpatient treatment for acute heart failure.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed consecutive patients with comorbid diabetes who were admitted to the Department of Cardiology in Tosei General Hospital for treatment of acute heart failure.

Influence of proton pump inhibitors on blood dabigatran concentrations in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor used to decrease the risk of ischemic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Its prodrug, dabigatran etexilate (DE) is often co-administrated with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) because of its adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Drug-drug interactions between DE and PPIs in daily clinical practice have not been fully elucidated.

Use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are antidiabetic agents that act on the proximal renal tubules to lower blood glucose levels by inhibiting glucose reabsorption and promoting urinary glucose excretion. The present study assessed the long-term use of SGLT2 inhibitors in older patients with diabetes.

Methods: A total of 117 older patients with type 2 diabetes who were given SGLT2 inhibitors were enrolled from April 2014 to March 2016.

Monitoring of anti-Xa activity and factors related to bleeding events: A study in Japanese patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation receiving rivaroxaban.

Background: Anti-Xa activity (AXA) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and relationship to bleeding events remains unclear.

Methods: We evaluated AXA in 94 patients at both trough and peak rivaroxaban concentrations. Rivaroxaban dosage was determined according to creatinine clearance (CrCl): 10 and 15mg once daily for patients with CrCl 15-49 and CrCl ≥50mL/min, respectively.

Distribution of Anti-Factor Xa Activity in Patients on Edoxaban Therapy for Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: The distribution of anti-factor Xa activity (AXA) values in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients on edoxaban therapy has not been fully elucidated.

Methods and results: The steady-state trough and peak AXA values were measured in 66 NVAF patients. The trough AXA value did not differ significantly between the 60-mg and the 30-mg OD groups (0.

Measurement of Anti-Factor Xa Activity in Patients on Apixaban for Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Chromogenic anti-factor Xa activity (AXA) assay is reported to be the most appropriate method to measure the pharmacodynamics of apixaban, but the distribution of AXA in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients on apixaban therapy has not been fully elucidated.

Methods and results: Steady-state trough and peak AXA were measured in 124 NVAF patients taking apixaban. In 25 patients, baseline, first peak, and trough AXA were also examined, and were 0.

Clinical usefulness of measuring prothrombin time and soluble fibrin levels in Japanese patients with atrial fibrillation receiving rivaroxaban.

Background: Rivaroxaban is currently used to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Measuring coagulation function may help clinicians to understand the effects of this drug and the associated risk of bleeding.

Methods And Results: Rivaroxaban was given to 136 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.