Prognostic Value of Objective Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Patients With Heart Failure: Subanalysis of FRAGILE-HF and Kitasato Cohort.

Background: Social factors encompass a broad spectrum of nonmedical factors, including objective (social isolation [SI]) and perceived (loneliness) conditions. Although social factors have attracted considerable research attention, information regarding their impact on patients with heart failure is scarce. We aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of objective SI and loneliness in older patients with heart failure.

Prognostic impact of oral anticoagulation therapy and atrial fibrillation in patients with type B acute aortic dissection.

Background: The prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation (AF) and oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy in patients with type B acute aortic dissection (AAD) remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the prognostic impact of AF and OAC therapy in patients with type B AAD.

Methods: Consecutive patients diagnosed with AAD were included in this single-center, retrospective study.

Relationship of Mild to Moderate Impairment of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction With Fatal Ventricular Arrhythmic Events in Cardiac Sarcoidosis.

Background: Current guidelines recommend placing an implantable cardiac defibrillator for patients with cardiac sarcoidosis and a severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤35%. In this study, we determined the association between mild or moderate LVEF impairment and fatal ventricular arrhythmic event (FVAE).

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed 401 patients with cardiac sarcoidosis without sustained ventricular arrhythmia at diagnosis.

Thrombocytopenia as a Bleeding Risk Factor in Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Artery Disease: Insights From the AFIRE Study.

Background Thrombocytopenia poses a risk of bleeding in patients with chronic coronary syndrome after coronary intervention. However, whether thrombocytopenia also increases the bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic coronary syndrome remains unclear. Methods and Results This study evaluated the AFIRE (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease) trial.

An adult case of junctional tachycardia diagnosed by premature atrial contractions and atrial overdrive pacing.

We report an adult case with JT, which could be differentiated from slow-fast AVNRT by premature atrial contractions and atrial overdrive pacing.

The Prognostic Value of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Cardiac Sarcoidosis Without Heart Failure: Insights From ILLUMINATE-CS.

Background The prognostic role of BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis without evident heart failure is unknown. Methods and Results This is a post hoc analysis of ILLUMINATE-CS (Illustration of the Management and Prognosis of Japanese Patients With Cardiac Sarcoidosis), a multicenter, retrospective, and observational study that evaluated the clinical characteristics and prognosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. We analyzed patients with cardiac sarcoidosis without evident heart failure at the time of diagnosis.

Impact of different dose reduction criteria for anti-Xa direct oral anticoagulants on bleeding complications: A single center observational study.

Background: Each direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) has different dose reduction criteria. Here, we evaluated the differences in the doses of three anti-Xa DOACs and clinical events based on the dose reduction criteria in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Consecutive AF patients prescribed with anti-Xa DOACs [rivaroxaban (Riva), apixaban (Apix), and edoxaban (Edox)] between April 2011 and May 2016 were retrospectively evaluated.

Antithrombotic Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Prior Atherothrombotic Disease: A Post Hoc Analysis of the AFIRE Trial.

Background Among patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease, those with histories of atherothrombotic disease are at high-risk for future ischemic events. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban monotherapy in patients with atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and histories of atherothrombotic disease. Methods and Results This was a post hoc subanalysis of the AFIRE (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease) trial.

Impact of Social Frailty in Hospitalized Elderly Patients With Heart Failure: A FRAGILE-HF Registry Subanalysis.

Background Frailty is conceptualized as an accumulation of deficits in multiple areas and is strongly associated with the prognosis of heart failure (HF). However, the social domain of frailty is less well investigated. We prospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics and prognostic impact of social frailty (SF) in elderly patients with HF.

Clinical valuables related to resolution of complete or advanced atrioventricular block after steroid therapy in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis.

Background: Prediction of atrioventricular block (AVB) resolution after steroid therapy in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is difficult.

Methods: We identified 24 patients with CS and complete or advanced AVB receiving steroid therapy. AVB resolution was assessed by reviewing surface electrocardiogram and the percentage of ventricular pacing required on subsequent device interrogation reports.

Reassessment of practical usage and accumulation of real-world data of wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) in Japan-Design paper for J-WCDR study.

Although implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are a powerful preventive therapy for cardiac sudden death, there are some populations in whom ICDs cannot be applied because of a lack of a definitive indication (grey-zone patients), such as in patients during the acute phase of cardiac injury with a susceptible risk for lethal arrhythmias. In such patients, wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCDs) provide safer bridging period during the acute phase until the final decision-making for the ICD use and it may eliminate any inappropriate overuse of ICDs in the subacute phase. The JCS/JHRS practical guidelines provide the criteria for WCD use in Japan.

Energy loss by right ventricular pacing: Patients with versus without hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) pacing causes left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony sometimes resulting in pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. However, RV pacing for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is one of the treatment options. LV flow energy loss (EL) using vector flow mapping (VFM) is a novel hemodynamic index for assessing cardiac function.

Canagliflozin Suppresses Atrial Remodeling in a Canine Atrial Fibrillation Model.

Background Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the possible pleiotropic effects of SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2) inhibitors in clinical cardiovascular diseases. Atrial electrical and structural remodeling is important as an atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate. Methods and Results The present study assessed the effect of canagliflozin (CAN), an SGLT2 inhibitor, on atrial remodeling in a canine AF model.

Seasonal Variations in the Pathogenesis of Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Background Seasonal variations in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have been reported, with incidence and mortality peaking in the winter. However, the underlying pathophysiology for these variations remain speculative. Methods and Results Patients with ACS who underwent optical coherence tomography were recruited from 6 countries.

Early inappropriate shock in a subcutaneous cardiac defibrillator due to subcutaneous air.

A 57-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to syncopal attack. He was diagnosed with Brugada syndrome due to which a subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator (S-ICD) was inserted using the standard technique. Two hours after the implantation, he experienced inappropriate shock while conscious.

Steerable esophageal thermometer for atrial fibrillation ablation in a patient with esophageal achalasia: a case report.

Esophageal injury is a major concern during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Operators avoid radiofrequency applications on the esophagus by changing ablation line; however, it is unavoidable in patients with a dilated esophagus, such as esophageal achalasia. Steerable esophageal thermometer is useful for evaluating precise temperatures to prevent esophageal injury.

Myocardial ischemia induced by major aortopulmonary collateral arteries treated with transcatheter coil embolization.

Major aortopulmonary collateral arteries branching from coronary arteries may cause coronary steal. The careful follow-up is needed irrespective of symptoms because increasing physical activities and oxygen demand along with the age may induce myocardial ischemia. Transcatheter intervention by well-trained physician would be a treatment option in patients with myocardial ischemia.