Hospitalized Patients, Treatments, and Quality of Care for Cardiovascular Diseases in Japan - Outline of the Nationwide JROAD Investigation.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have imposed a substantial burden on population health and society. In Japan, the National Plan for the Promotion of Measures Against Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Disease, grounded in national legislation, seeks to improve the quality of care and standardize treatment for cerebrovascular disease and CVD. The plan emphasizes the need to develop standardized systems for collecting and disseminating medical information, as well as promoting data-driven research.

Cancer as an independent mortality risk in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Background: The management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has advanced significantly in recent years, thereby improving patient prognosis. However, the impact of cancer on the outcomes of patients with CTEPH under current treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cancer in patients with CTEPH and determine how comorbid cancer affects their prognosis and clinical course.

Outcomes of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension After Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty and Pulmonary Endarterectomy.

Background: The contemporary outcome of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to clarify the characteristics and outcomes of CTEPH patients treated with BPA and PEA in Japan.

Methods: Among 1,270 participants enrolled between 2018 and 2023 in the CTEPH AC (Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Anticoagulant) registry, a Japanese nationwide CTEPH registry, 369 treatment-naive patients (BPA strategy: n = 313; PEA strategy: n = 56) and 690 on-treatment patients (BPA strategy: n = 561; PEA strategy: n = 129) were classified according to the presence of prior reperfusion therapy.

[Malignant Melanoma of a Male Breast That Was Difficult to Differentiate from Breast Cancer-A Case Report].

Introduction: Malignant melanoma in the male breast is extremely rare. Here we report a case of malignant melanoma in which a small cystic lesion in the male breast gradually increased during follow-up and was difficult to distinguish from breast cancer.

Case: A 65-year-old male was diagnosed with a tumor in the right breast and was referred to our department for further examination.

Competency acquisition among rehabilitation professionals supporting older residents' community-based activities in Japan: a qualitative study.

[Purpose] In Japan, community-gathering initiatives for older residents often involve support from rehabilitation professionals. However, the quality of this support varies. This study aimed to clarify the rehabilitation professionals' competency-acquisition process for establishing better support methods and processes, thereby reducing regional and individual differences.

Ozaki procedure-re-construction of aortic valve leaflets using autologous pericardial tissue: a review.

The Ozaki procedure has emerged as a valuable option for treating various aortic valve pathologies. This review article delves into the intricacies of this innovative surgical approach by exploring its adaptation to the complex anatomy and physiology of the aortic root. The diverse etiologies of aortic valve diseases, ranging from congenital anomalies to degenerative changes, make treatment selection a complex challenge.

Bi-weekly Glycated Albumin Measurement was Useful to Encourage Behavioral Changes in People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), representing the average blood glucose over 1-2 months, is the most commonly used glycemic marker in people with diabetes. Glycated albumin (GA) reflects the average blood glucose over the most recent 1-2 weeks. We considered whether the faster response of GA compared with HbA1c could make people with diabetes realize their glycemic control intuitively and effectively.

Surgical and Endovascular Treatments for Asymptomatic Arteriovenous Fistulas at the Craniocervical Junction: A Multicenter Study.

Objective: Asymptomatic craniocervical junction arteriovenous fistulas (CCJ AVFs) are rare and, thus, a consensus has not yet been reached regarding the indication of surgical interventions. This retrospective multicenter cohort study investigated the risks associated with surgery for asymptomatic CCJ AVFs and discussed the indication of surgical interventions.

Methods: Using data from 111 consecutive patients with CCJ AVFs registered with the Neurospinal Society of Japan between 2009 and 2019, we analyzed the treatment, complications, and outcomes of 18 patients with asymptomatic CCJ AVF.

Associations of sleep quality with the skeletal muscle strength in patients with type 2 diabetes with poor glycemic control.

Aims/introduction: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are reported to be at a high risk for sarcopenia, and are known to have a poorer sleep quality. However, the association between sleep quality and skeletal muscle in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is not yet precisely understood.

Materials And Methods: A total of 110 inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 40-90 years were enrolled.

[Treatment of patients with COVID-19 on Hemodialysis: Efficacy of Remdesivir].

Background: There is no standard therapy for hemodialysis (HD) patients with COVID-19. Data on remdesivir in HD patients with COVID-19 are scarce.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 25 HD patients with COVID-19 treated with remdesivir.

Quality Indicators in Patient Referral Documents for Heart Failure in Japan.

This study examined quality indicators (QIs) for heart failure (HF) in patients' referral documents (PRDs).We conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey to identify information that general practitioners (GPs) would like hospital cardiologists (HCs) to include in PRDs and that HCs actually include in PRDs. The percentage of GPs that desired each item included in PRDs was converted into a deviation score, and items with a deviation score of ≥ 50 were defined as QIs.

Management of two patients with dropped head syndrome utilizing anterior-posterior cervical surgery.

Background: Two elderly patients with dropped head syndromes (DHS) were successfully treated with circumferential cervical surgery.

Case Description: The two patients, respectively, 72 and 53 years of age, both underwent two-staged surgical procedures. The first surgery included the posterior placement of bilateral pedicle screws with multilevel facetectomies, followed by multilevel anterior cervical discectomy/fusion and posterior rod fixation.

Spinal Intradural Extramedullary Capillary Hemangioma with Coexistent Spinal Edema and Syringomyelia Successfully Treated by Tumor Removal and Cervical Laminoplasty.

Capillary hemangioma (CH) is usually found in pediatric patients and is located in soft tissue of the neck or head. As uncommon location of CH, spinal intradural extramedullary space has been reported; however, coexistent spinal edema or syringomyelia with spinal intradural extramedullary CH seems rare manifestations on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Laminectomy and tumor resection have been often performed for spinal intradural extramedullary CH.

[Two Cases of Hereditary Breast Cancer in Which Genetic Counseling Was Useful].

Introduction: The importance of genetic counseling has been noted for hereditary breast cancer. We report the cases of two 32-year-old woman, unmarried, BRCA mutation-positive patients.

Cases: In Case 1, the chief complaint was awareness of a right breast mass.

Hiccups as a specific neurological manifestation in males with COVID-19.

Several clinical manifestations of COVID-19 have been reported in the literature since then. In addition to upper respiratory symptoms, dysgeusia and anosmia are relatively common neurological manifestations with COVID-19. We had five cases of hiccups in succession; therefore, we assume that hiccups might be a specific symptom of COVID-19.

Declined Activities of Daily Living as Immobility Syndrome in an Uninfected Elderly Patient Amidst a Cluster of COVID-19 Infections.

Although coronavirus disease 2019 can cause immobility syndrome in the patients positive for coronavirus disease 2019 and the survivors of coronavirus disease 2019, it is not described in elderly patients who are not positive for coronavirus disease 2019. A 90-year-old female with motor weakness of the lower extremities was admitted in the chronic care hospital. She had rehabilitation therapy for independent ambulation and toilet activities.

Analysis of water and electrolyte imbalance in a patient with adipsic hypernatremia associated with subfornical organ-targeting antibody.

Patients with adipsic hypernatremia present with chronic hypernatremia because of defects in thirst sensation and dysregulated salt appetite, without demonstrable hypothalamic structural lesions. The involvement of autoantibodies directed against the sodium channel, Na in the subfornical organ (SFO) has recently been reported. However, the pathophysiology of water and electrolyte imbalance underlying the disease has yet to be elucidated.

Differences in Priorities for Heart Failure Management Between Cardiologists and General Practitioners in Japan.

Background: The purpose of this study was to clarify the current status and issues of community collaboration in heart failure (HF) using a nationwide questionnaire survey.

Methods and results: We conducted a survey among hospital cardiologists and general practitioners (GPs) using a web-based questionnaire developed with the Delphi method, to assess the quality of community collaboration in HF. We received responses from 46 of the 47 prefectures in Japan, including from 281 hospital cardiologists and 145 GPs.