Serum microRNA-126 and -223 as new-generation biomarkers for sarcoidosis in patients with heart failure.

Background: Although cardiac sarcoidosis is associated with poor prognosis, diagnosis of the disease is challenging and the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic modalities are limited. This study was performed to evaluate the potential of serum microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic biomarkers for cardiac sarcoidosis.

Methods: We performed genome-wide expression profiling for 2565 miRNAs (Human-miRNA ver.

Antihypertensive efficacy and safety of the angiotensin receptor blocker azilsartan in elderly patients with hypertension.

Objectives: The number of elderly patients with hypertension has been steadily increasing. However, there are limited data on the safety and efficacy of the new angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) azilsartan in elderly patients with hypertension. We investigated the clinical efficacy and safety of azilsartan in this population.

Brain natriuretic peptide as a potential novel marker of salt-sensitivity in chronic kidney disease patients without cardiac dysfunction.

Although the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is counter-balanced by a salt-sensitive mechanism in the hypertensive state, both are reported to be up-regulated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We conducted this study to evaluate the associations among the RAS, renal function, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, as well as to identify markers for salt-sensitivity. A total of 213 pre-dialysis CKD patients with preserved cardiac function (EF >50 %) were enrolled.

Prescription patterns of oral anticoagulants for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: experience at a Japanese single institution.

New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are now clinically available. However, few studies have demonstrated which patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) actually receive NOACs in a clinical setting. We analyzed 182 NVAF patients who received oral anticoagulants.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with involvement of delayed-onset rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury after rosuvastatin treatment.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a disorder characterized by left ventricular apical ballooning with preceding emotional and/or physical stressors. This condition is also an important differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. We herein describe a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a significant clinical phenomenon, triggered by delayed-onset rhabdomyolysis following the administration of long-term statin treatment, without any preceding stressors or changes in the patient's medical condition, in association with complaints of non-specific muscle-related symptoms.

Role of the left atrial function on the pseudonormalization of the transmitral flow velocity pattern evaluated by two-dimensional tissue tracking technique.

Background: Mechanisms of the pseudonormalization (PN) of the transmitral flow (TMF) velocity pattern have been mainly attributed to left ventricular diastolic function.

Purpose: To assess the influence of left atrial (LA) function on the PN with two-dimensional tissue tracking technique.

Methods: The subjects consisted of 21 healthy volunteers and 70 patients with various cardiac diseases.