An elevated level of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2, but not galectin-3, is associated with the presence of coronary artery disease in hypertensive patients.

We investigated whether there were associations between coronary artery disease (CAD) and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity (sST2) and galectin-3 levels at the time of coronary artery computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for CAD screening. The subjects consisted of 429 patients who underwent CCTA examination. CAD was diagnosed when there was 50% or more stenosis in the coronary artery.

Considering the Possible Role of Pharmacists According to the Presence or Absence of Lifestyle-Related Diseases at the Time of Coronary CT Examination and Trends of Medication Use for These Diseases by Medical Doctors.

Background: Because patients often already have coronary artery disease (CAD) at the time of a coronary artery computed tomography angiography (CCTA) examination, we examined the medications prescribed by medical doctors for lifestyle-related diseases and investigated what possible role pharmacists can play in prescribing.

Methods: Patients (n = 1357) who underwent CCTA examination were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of lifestyle-related diseases [hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia (DL) and diabetes mellitus (DM)], and the relationship between the presence or absence of CAD was examined.

Results: The rate of CAD was significantly higher in patients with HTN, DL or DM than in patients without these diseases.

Association Between Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Left Ventricular Mass Index in Patients Who Have Undergone Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: From the FU-CCTA Registry.

Background: Left ventricular mass (LVM) is a predictor of future cardiovascular risk. We determined the association between LVM measured by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and the prognosis in patients who have undergone CCTA for screening of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study.

Association between pre-treatment with statin and its inhibitory effect on the onset of coronary artery disease at the time of coronary computed tomography angiography: a new look at an old medication.

Coronary artery stenosis is often advanced by the time coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Statins are the most important anti-lipidemic medication for improving the prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Although lipid-lowering therapy using statins appears to have been established as a method for preventing CAD, there remains the problem that CAD cannot be completely suppressed.

Association Between the Presence of Coronary Artery Disease or Peripheral Artery Disease and Left Ventricular Mass in Patients Who Have Undergone Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

Background: Left ventricular mass (LVM) is a critical marker of future cardiovascular risk. We determined the association between LVM measured by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients who had undergone CCTA for screening of CAD.

Methods: We enrolled 1,307 consecutive patients (66 ± 12 years old, 49% males) who underwent CCTA for screening of CAD at the Fukuoka University Hospital (FU-CCTA registry), and either were clinically suspected of having CAD or had at least one cardiovascular risk factor.

Association between Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and the Liver Fibrosis Score in Patients with and without Coronary Artery Disease: From the FU-CCTA Registry.

The liver fibrosis score reflects the degree of hepatic scarring and has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular disease. Using a coronary artery computed tomography angiography registry at the Fukuoka University Hospital (FU-CCTA registry), we investigated the association between major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and the liver fibrosis score (fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4I)) in 612 patients who underwent CCTA to screen for coronary artery disease and performed a prognosis survey for up to 5 years. The primary endpoint was MACEs (all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, coronary revascularization).

Association between paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation and hyperuricemia in patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography: from the FU-CCTA-AF Registry.

Background: Hyperuricemia (HU) and hypertension (HTN) contribute to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and both are also involved in the onset and development of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: In the present study, we investigated the association between risk factors for atherosclerosis [including HU, HTN, blood pressure and serum uric acid (UA) levels] and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Paro-AF) or persistent atrial fibrillation (Pers-AF) in patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods: We enrolled 263 patients from the Fukuoka University-CCTA-AF (FU-CCTA-AF Registry) who underwent CCTA prior to AF ablation therapy.

Association Between Telomere G-Tail Length and Coronary Artery Disease or Statin Treatment in Patients With Cardiovascular Risks - A Cross-Sectional Study.

The utility of telomere G-tail length to predict coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial. CAD results from coronary artery narrowing due to cholesterol and lipid accumulation, augmented by inflammatory cells and other factors. This study explored the significance of telomere G-tail length in suspected CAD patients.

Investigating the Association between Coronary Artery Disease and the Liver Fibrosis-4 Index in Patients Who Underwent Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Liver fibrosis scores, indicative of hepatic scarring, have recently been linked to coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated the association between CAD and the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4I) in patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). This study included 1244 patients who were clinically suspected of having CAD.

Association Between Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and the Gensini Score or Coronary Artery Calcification Score in Hypertensive Patients Who Have Undergone Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

Background: From the Fukuoka University Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (FU-CCTA) registry, we present major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in hypertensive patients who have undergone CCTA, and the association between MACEs and the Gensini score of coronary arteries or the coronary artery calcification (CAC) score.

Methods: Of the patients who underwent CCTA for coronary artery disease (CAD) screening at Fukuoka University Hospital, 318 hypertensive patients who had at least one cardiovascular risk factor or suspected CAD were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: MACEs and non-MACEs groups.

Association between major adverse cardiovascular events and pentraxin-3 in patients who have undergone coronary computed tomography angiography: from the FU-CCTA registry.

Chronic vasculitis is considered to be associated with future cardiovascular events. Here, we present major cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for screening for coronary artery disease (CAD), and the association between MACEs and the inflammation marker pentraxin (PTX)-3 or highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP). The patients who underwent CCTA for the purpose of screening for CAD at Fukuoka University Hospital (FU-CCTA registry), 456 patients with suspected CAD or at least one cardiovascular risk factor were followed for up to 5 years.

Impact of Controlling a Nutritional Status Score on Wound Healing in Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia after Endovascular Treatment.

Background: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is the most advanced stage of peripheral artery disease. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to avoid major amputation in CLTI patients. Malnutrition worsens the condition of CLTI patients, and therefore, it may be important to evaluate the nutritional status in patients with CLTI.

Association Between Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and the Ratio of Subcutaneous Fat Area to Visceral Fat Area in Patients Who Have Undergone Multidetector Row Computed Tomography.

Obesity is a critical cardiovascular risk factor that has been defined in terms of body mass index (BMI), abdominal circumference (AC), and fat area. In this study, we examined which markers of obesity are most closely associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). This prospective cohort study enrolled 529 consecutive patients who initially underwent coronary computed tomography angiography for screening of coronary atherosclerosis at Fukuoka University Hospital (FU-CCTA Registry) and either were clinically suspected of having coronary artery disease (CAD) or had at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor with a follow-up of up to 5 years.

A Continuous Murmur as the Only Clinical Sign for Complex Coronary Artery Fistulas Diagnosis.

An asymptomatic patient presented at our hospital exhibiting a Brugada electrocardiography pattern with coronary artery fistulas. Coronary artery fistula is a congenital or acquired rare abnormal condition with increased symptoms and complications over time. In the absence of the therapeutic consensus, we discuss the association and management for this condition.

Association between mitral annulus calcification and subtypes of heart failure rehospitalization.

Background: Mitral annulus calcification (MAC) has been associated with cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure (HF); however, the associations between MAC and both the category and etiology of HF have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between MAC and three types of HF rehospitalization: HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF), and HF with reduced EF (HFrEF).

Methods: We enrolled consecutive patients undergoing echocardiography, who were admitted to our hospital for clinically indicated congestive HF between April 2014 and March 2018.

Associations between High-Density Lipoprotein Functionality and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients Who Have Undergone Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

The present study aimed to investigate the associations between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients who have undergone coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We performed a prospective cohort study and enrolled 151 patients who underwent CCTA and had a follow-up of up to 5 years. We measured cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), caspase-3/7 activity and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion as bioassays of HDL functionality.

Association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography: FU-CCTA registry.

It is unclear whether higher levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) prevent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We prospectively evaluated 501 patients who had undergone coronary computed tomography angiography at Fukuoka University Hospital and either were clinically suspected of having coronary artery disease (CAD) or had at least one cardiovascular risk factor with a follow-up of up to 5 years. The primary endpoint was MACE (cardiovascular death, ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization).

Association Between the Level of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Coronary Atherosclerosis in Patients Who Have Undergone Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

Background: Although the Japan Atherosclerosis Society Guidelines 2017 recommend lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, < 70 mg/dL or ≤ 100 mg/dL) to prevent secondary cardiovascular events, we cannot conclude that a low level of LDL-C prevents primary cardiovascular events in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We registered 1,016 patients who were clinically suspected to have CAD and who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for screening of coronary atherosclerosis. We excluded 350 patients who were receiving anti-lipidemic therapies and finally analyzed 666 patients.

Associations between smoking habits and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography as screening for coronary artery disease.

We analyzed whether smoking was associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the progression of coronary atherosclerosis as assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) as screening for coronary artery disease (CAD). We enrolled 443 patients who had all undergone CCTA and either were clinically suspected of having CAD or had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. We divided the patients into smoking (past and current smoker) and non-smoking groups and into males and females, and evaluated the presence of CAD, severity of coronary atherosclerosis and MACE (cardiovascular death, ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization) with a follow-up of up to 5 years.

Associations Between High Levels of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Who Have Undergone Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography.

Background: Although a recent study in a Japanese cohort indicated that extremely high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, ≥ 90 mg/dL) had an adverse effect on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease mortality, we could not conclude that high levels of HDL-C were associated with the presence or severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We enrolled 1,016 patients who were clinically suspected to have CAD and who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The number of significantly stenosed coronary vessels (vessel disease (VD), ≥ 50% coronary stenosis is diagnosed as CAD) and the Gensini score were quantified using CCTA, and the lipid profile was measured.

A Coronary Artery Calcium Score of Zero in Patients Who Have Undergone Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Is Associated With Freedom From Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events.

Background: The coronary artery calcification score (CACS) is a good marker of future cardiovascular risk. We determined the association between the CACS and the prognosis in patients who have undergone coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study and enrolled 502 consecutive patients who underwent CCTA for screening of coronary artery disease (CAD) at Fukuoka University Hospital (FU-CCTA Registry) and either were clinically suspected of having CAD or had at least one cardiovascular risk factor with a follow-up of up to 5 years.

Presence and severity of coronary artery disease in patients who achieved intensive blood pressure reduction at the time of coronary computed tomography angiography.

Blood pressure (BP)-lowering treatment should be aimed at achieving intensive BP control. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has become more widely available and enables the accurate noninvasive assessment of coronary artery stenosis for screening. The presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients who achieved intensive BP control at the time of CCTA were compared to those in patients without hypertension (HTN).

Associations between the psoas major muscle index and the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.

The associations between the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and measurements of the psoas major muscle (PMM) as assessed by multidetector row coronary computed tomography angiography (MDCT) are not known.We enrolled 793 patients who were clinically suspected to have CAD or had at least one cardiac risk factor and had undergone MDCT. The number of significantly stenosed coronary vessels (VD) and measurements of the PMM index (PMMI) were determined using MDCT.