A case of hepatic portal venous gas that resolved with conservative treatment.

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is a potentially fatal condition. If vital signs are normal and laboratory data are not suggestive of any necrotic changes, a follow-up computed tomography after a conservative procedure can be performed at short intervals to conservatively monitor the patient.

Assisted reproductive technology in Japan: A summary report for 2018 by the Ethics Committee of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Purpose: Since 2007, the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) has collected cycle-based data for assisted reproductive technology (ART) in an online registry. Here, we present the characteristics and treatment outcomes of ART cycles registered during 2018.

Methods: The Japanese ART registry consists of cycle-specific information for all ART treatment cycles implemented at 621 participating facilities.

Impact of Blood Pressure Visit-to-Visit Variability on Adverse Events in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Subanalysis of the J-RHYTHM Registry.

Background Blood pressure (BP) variability has reportedly been a risk factor for various clinical events. To clarify the influence of BP visit-to-visit variability on adverse events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, a post hoc analysis of the J-RHYTHM Registry was performed. Methods and Results Of 7406 outpatients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation from 158 institutions, 7226 (age, 69.

Superficial anorectal abscess resembling a lipoma: A case report.

Perianal abscesses exist in various forms depending on the location. Clinical examination and endorectal ultrasound (EUS) may be useful for the diagnosis of anal tumor.

Statement for electrophysiological procedures under the COVID-19 pandemic from the Japanese heart rhythm society task force.

COVID-19 is a global catastrophe with markedly reduced health and economy of human civilization. Heart rhythm disorder has also been impacted by this disease. This statement is the universal criteria for EP procedures in the new era, which we will face during COVID-19 pandemic.

Clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and outcomes of heat-related illness (Heatstroke Study 2017-2018).

Aim: Heat-related illness is common, but its epidemiology and pathological mechanism remain unclear. The aim of this study was to report current clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, and outcomes of heat-related illness in Japan.

Methods: We undertook a prospective multicenter observational study in Japan.

Histological properties of oscillating intracardiac masses associated with cardiac implantable electric devices.

Background: There have been a few cases of echogenic cardiac implantable electric device (CIED) lead-associated oscillating intracardiac masses (ICMs) in leads imaged by echocardiography. The histological properties of ICMs could help clarify the etiological diagnosis. Although there is extensive literature on mass size, the histological properties of such masses have not been characterized.

Clinical characteristics of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock in relation to bacterial virulence of beta-hemolytic and .

Aim: Combined detailed analysis of patient characteristics and treatment as well as bacterial virulence factors, which all play a central role in the cause of infections leading to severe illness, has not been reported. We aimed to describe the patient characteristics (Charlson comorbidity index [CCI]), treatment (3-h bundle), and outcomes in relation to bacterial virulence of and beta-hemolytic (BHS).

Methods: This sepsis primary study is part of the larger Focused Outcomes Research in Emergency Care in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Sepsis and Trauma (FORECAST) study, a multicenter, prospective cohort study.

Clinical Approach to Shortening Length of Hospital Stay in Elderly Patients With Acute Heart Failure Requiring Intensive Care.

The length of hospital stay (LOHS) after acute heart failure (AHF) is too long in Japan. The clinical approach to shortening LOHS is an urgent issue in the aging Japanese society. Of 1,473 AHF patients screened, 596 patients >75 years old were enrolled.

Assisted reproductive technology in Japan: A summary report for 2017 by the Ethics Committee of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Purpose: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) has collected cycle-based assisted reproductive technology (ART) data in an online registry since 2007. Herein, we present the characteristics and treatment outcomes of ART cycles registered during 2017.

Methods: We collected cycle-specific information for all ART cycles implemented at participating facilities and performed descriptive analysis.

Plasma Xanthine Oxidoreductase (XOR) Activity in Cardiovascular Disease Outpatients.

The mechanisms of the increased plasma xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) activity in outpatients with cardiovascular disease were unclear. A total of 372 outpatients were screened, and 301 outpatients with cardiovascular disease were prospectively analyzed. Blood samples were collected from patients who visited a daily cardiovascular outpatient clinic.

Risk Factors of In-Hospital Lethal Arrhythmia Following Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - Insight From the J-MINUET Study.

Lethal arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF) are common complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Predictors of in-hospital VT/VF after AMI, however, have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we sought to elucidate the predictors of in-hospital VT/VF events after AMI in the Japanese registry of acute Myocardial INfarction diagnosed by Universal dEfiniTion (J-MINUET).

Long-term effects of an oral elemental nutritional supplement on post-gastrectomy body weight loss in gastric cancer patients (KSES002).

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of short-term nutritional intervention with an oral elemental diet (ED; Elental; EA Pharma Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) at 300 kcal/day for 6-8 weeks in the early post-gastrectomy period on postoperative long-term body weight loss (BWL).

Methods: We analyzed consecutive patients who were randomly divided to receive the regular diet with or without ED.

Trends in sepsis care in Japan: comparison of two sepsis cohort studies conducted by the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine.

Our analysis showed that improved compliance with sepsis bundles was associated with lower in-hospital mortality over a 7-year period in Japan, confirming that the SSC has been executed correctly in our country.

Acute Aspirin Plus Cilostazol Dual Therapy for Noncardioembolic Stroke Patients Within 48 Hours of Symptom Onset.

Background The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of antiplatelet (aspirin plus cilostazol) dual therapy for patients with noncardioembolic stroke within 48 hours of symptom onset. Methods and Results The ADS (Acute Aspirin Plus Cilostazol Dual Therapy for Non-Cardiogenic Stroke Patients Within 48 Hours of Symptom Onset ) study is an investigator-initiated, prospective, multicenter (34 hospitals in Japan), randomized, open-label, and aspirin-controlled trial. Acute stroke patients with noncardioembolic stroke within 48 hours of onset were studied.

Advanced cadaver-based educational seminar for trauma surgery using saturated salt solution-embalmed cadavers.

Aim: Senior surgeons in Japan who participated in "cadaver-based educational seminar for trauma surgery (CESTS)" subsequently stated their interest in seminars for more difficult procedures. Therefore, we held a 1-day advanced-CESTS with saturated salt solution (SSS)-embalmed cadavers and assessed its effectiveness for surgical skills training (SST).

Methods: Data were collected from three seminars carried out from September 2015 to January 2018, including a 10-point self-assessment of confidence levels (SACL) questionnaire on nine advanced surgical skills, and evaluation of seminar content before, just after, and half a year after the seminar.

Clinical Features of Acute Heart Failure During Sleep - Prognostic Impact of a Prodrome in Patients With Severely Decompensated Acute Heart Failure Admitted at Midnight or Early Morning.

The features of sleep-associated acute heart failure (AHF) patients admitted at midnight or early morning (M/E) are unclear. Of 1,268 AHF patients screened, 932 were analyzed, and divided into 2 groups by admission time (M/E group, 23:00-06:59, n=399; daytime group, 07:00-22:59, n=533). Those in the M/E group were further divided by the presence of a prodrome: with (n=176; prodrome group) or without (n=223; sudden onset group).

Prior Anticoagulation and Short- or Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Ischemic Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Background We aimed to clarify associations between prior anticoagulation and short- or long-term clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Methods and Results A total of 1189 ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who were hospitalized within 7 days after onset were analyzed. Of these, 813 patients (68.

Assisted reproductive technology in Japan: A summary report for 2016 by the Ethics Committee of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Purpose: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology started an online cycle-based assisted reproductive technology (ART) registry system in 2007. This report presents the characteristics and treatment outcomes of ART registered for the cycles practiced during 2016.

Methods: Cycle-specific information for all ART cycles implemented in participating ART facilities were collected.

Low-Voltage Type 1 ECG Is Associated With Fatal Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia in Brugada Syndrome.

Background Epicardial mapping can reveal low-voltage areas on the right ventricular outflow tract in patients with Brugada syndrome with several ventricular fibrillation ( VF ) episodes. A type 1 ECG is associated with an abnormal electrogram on right ventricular outflow tract epicardium. This study investigated the clinical significance of the amplitude of type 1 ECGs in patients with Brugada syndrome.

Patients Refusing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Even Once Have Poorer Clinical Outcomes.

Background Although transcatheter aortic valve replacement ( TAVR ) is the least invasive treatment for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis, some patients hesitate to undergo the procedure. We investigated the clinical impact of treatment delay after patient refusal of TAVR . Methods and Results We used the Japanese OCEAN (Optimized Catheter valvular intervention) regsitry data of 1542 patients who underwent TAVR .

9-Year Trend in the Management of Acute Heart Failure in Japan: A Report From the National Consortium of Acute Heart Failure Registries.

Background Acute heart failure ( AHF ) is a heterogeneous condition, and its characteristics and management patterns differ by region. Furthermore, limited evidence is available on AHF outside of Western countries. A project by the National Consortium of Acute Heart Failure Registries was designed to evaluate the trends over time in patient backgrounds, in-hospital management patterns, and long-term outcomes of patients with AHF over 9 years in Japan.

Prior Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy is Related to Small Infarct Volume and No Major Artery Occlusion in Patients With Stroke and Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Background The aims of the present study were to investigate the relationships between prior direct oral anticoagulant ( DOAC ) therapy and infarct volume and the site of arterial occlusion in patients with acute ischemic stroke and non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Methods and Results From March 2011 through November 2016, consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory and non-valvular atrial fibrillation were recruited. The infarct volume was assessed semi-automatically using initial diffusion-weighted imaging, and the arterial occlusion site was evaluated on magnetic resonance angiography.