Predictors of lead break during transvenous lead extraction.

Background: The incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of lead break during transvenous lead extraction (TLE) were previously unknown.

Methods: We included consecutive patients who underwent TLE between September 2013 and July 2019 at our institute. Lead break during removal was defined as lead stretching and becoming misshapen, as assessed by fluoroscopy.

Identification of Anemia for Predicting Mid-Term Prognosis After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Japanese Patients - Insights From the OCEAN-TAVI Registry.

Patients with anemia have a poor prognosis following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Given the unique distribution of hemoglobin levels in the Japanese cohort, the optimal cut-off hemoglobin value may help stratify Japanese patients' mortality following TAVI. Data of patients who underwent TAVI were collected from the prospective multicenter Optimized transCathEter vAlvular iNtervention (OCEAN)-TAVI Registry.

Retrograde balloon aortic valvuloplasty with the newly invented Inoue balloon for aortic stenosis accompanied by severe heart failure: A case report.

Retrograde balloon aortic valvuloplasty using the newly invented Inoue balloon was one of the feasible and safe therapeutic options in a hemodynamically unstable patient having aortic stenosis with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction complicated with bacterial infection.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Recurrent Drug-Eluting Stent Thrombosis: Insights From the REAL-ST Registry.

Background Stent thrombosis (ST) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation remains a life-threatening complication. Recurrent ST (RST) is not a rare phenomenon, potentially contributing to high mortality after the index ST events. However, little evidence is available about the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of definite RST after DES thrombosis.

Effects of social support on mental health for critical care nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan: A web-based cross-sectional study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine whether high social support has a protective effect on mental health for critical care nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: This cross-sectional anonymous web-based survey was conducted from November 5 to December 5, 2020, in Japan and included critical care nurses. The invitation was distributed via mailing lists.

Two-Year Outcomes of Asymptomatic vs. Symptomatic Patients After Deferral of Revascularization Based on Fractional Flow Reserve - Insights From the J-CONFIRM Registry.

The effect of symptoms on clinical outcomes after deferral of revascularization based on fractional flow reserve (FFR) remains poorly understood. From the J-CONFIRM (Long-Term Outcomes of Japanese Patients With Deferral of Coronary Intervention Based on Fractional Flow Reserve in Multicenter) Registry, this study evaluated 1,215 patients with stable coronary artery disease, including symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (n=571 and 644, respectively). The primary endpoint was the cumulative 2-year incidence of target vessel failure (TVF), including cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction (TVMI), and clinically driven target vessel revascularization (CDTVR).

Population Density Analysis of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Japan.

Background Despite recent progress in the treatment of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, data on geographic disparities application of the evidence-based therapy remain limited. Methods and Results The J-PCI (Japanese Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) registry is a nationwide registry to assure the quality of delivered care. Between January 2014 and December 2018, 209 521 patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction in 1126 institutions.

Perioperative antithrombotic management of patients who receive direct oral anticoagulants during gastroenterological surgery.

Aim: We investigated the effect of perioperative management of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) on bleeding and thromboembolic complications during gastroenterological (GE) surgery.

Methods: A total of 334 patients receiving anticoagulants and undergoing elective GE surgery between 2012 and 2018 were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups: patients receiving warfarin (WF, n = 231), patients receiving DOACs with heparin bridging (DOAC-HB, n = 34), and patients receiving DOAC without heparin bridging (DOAC-NHB, n = 69).

Biventricular pacemaker implantation via a persistent left superior vena cava after removal of an infected device from the right side.

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a congenital anomaly that poses a unique challenge when implanting cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) from the left side. To date, only a few isolated case reports are available regarding biventricular pacemaker implantation via PLSVC. These reports lack procedural details and tips to overcome difficulties faced by the physician when performing this technically demanding procedure.

Ostial atresia of the coronary sinus in patients with supraventricular arrhythmias.

Of 3577 patients with supraventricular arrhythmias, 3 demonstrated an atresia of the coronary sinus (CS) ostium. Two patients had the accessory pathways. One had atrial fibrillation.

Influence of Sex on Relationship Between Total Anatomical and Physiologic Disease Burdens and Their Prognostic Implications in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

Background Total atherosclerosis disease burden is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. However, the influence of sex on the relationship between total anatomical and physiologic disease burdens and their prognostic implications have not been well defined. Methods and Results A total of 1136 patients who underwent fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement in all 3 major coronary arteries were included in this study.

Comparison of Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Elderly Patients, Including 10 628 Nonagenarians: Insights From a Japanese Nationwide Registry (J-PCI Registry).

Background Scarce data exist about the outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI ) in old patients. This study sought to provide an overview of PCI in elderly patients, especially nonagenarians, in a Japanese large prospective nationwide registry. Methods and Results We analyzed 562 640 patients undergoing PCI (≥60 years of age) from 1018 Japanese hospitals between 2014 and 2016 in the J-PCI (Japanese percutaneous coronary intervention) registry.

Impact of the bifurcation angle on major cardiac events after cross-over single stent strategy in unprotected left main bifurcation lesions: 3-dimensional quantitative coronary angiographic analysis.

The impact of the bifurcation angle (BA) between the left main (LM) and the main branch on clinical outcomes after single stenting has never been documented. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the BA on clinical outcomes after single cross-over LM to left anterior descending artery (LAD) stenting. A total of 170 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in unprotected LM bifurcation with successful single cross-over stenting from the LM into the LAD were enrolled.