Care at critical care medical centers is associated with improved outcomes in patients with accidental hypothermia: a historical cohort study from the J-Point registry.

Aim: The recommendation that patients with accidental hypothermia should be transported to specialized centers that can provide extracorporeal life support has not been validated, and the efficacy remains unclear.

Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients with a body temperature of ≤35°C presenting at the emergency department of 12 hospitals in Japan between April 2011 and March 2016. We divided the patients into two groups based on the point of care delivery: critical care medical center (CCMC) or non-CCMC.

Multicenter prospective trial of total gastrectomy versus proximal gastrectomy for upper third cT1 gastric cancer.

Background: The appropriate surgical procedure for patients with upper third early gastric cancer is controversial. We compared total gastrectomy (TG) with proximal gastrectomy (PG) in this patient population.

Methods: A multicenter, non-randomized trial was conducted, with patients treated with PG or TG.

Optimal timing of echocardiography for heart failure inpatients in Japanese institutions: OPTIMAL Study.

Aims: Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure (HF) provided by the European Society of Cardiology state that echocardiography is recommended for the assessment of the myocardial structure and function of subjects with suspected HF including HF with reduced (HFrEF), mid-range (HFmrEF), and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as class I of recommendation and level C of evidence. However, the impact of timing of echocardiography on survival for hospitalized HF patients or the prevalence of echocardiography during their stay has not yet been fully investigated. Therefore, we designed and conducted a prospective multicentre study, Optimal Timing of Echocardiography for Heart Failure Inpatients in Japanese Institutions (OPTIMAL) study, to investigate and evaluate the prevalence of echocardiography during the in-hospital stay of HF patients, and the impact of timing of echocardiography on their survival.

Correction to: Review of the efforts of the Japanese Society of Echocardiography for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the initial outbreak in Japan.

In the original publication of the article, the text citations of the Figs. 4-1, 4-2 and 5 should be Figs. 4, 5 and 6.

A phase II trial of dose-reduced nab-paclitaxel for patients with previously treated, advanced or recurrent gastric cancer (OGSG 1302).

Background: For unresectable or recurrent advanced gastric adenocarcinoma (AGC), tri-weekly administration of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) at 260 mg/m achieved a response rate of 27.8% in a phase II trial in Japan. However, frequent neutropenia and peripheral neuropathy limit its use in clinical settings.

Phase II Study of Panitumumab Monotherapy in Chemotherapy-Naïve Frail or Elderly Patients with Unresectable RAS Wild-Type Colorectal Cancer: OGSG 1602.

Lessons Learned: Panitumumab monotherapy showed favorable efficacy and feasibility in the treatment of frail or elderly patients with RAS wild-type unresectable colorectal cancer. It is especially effective for left-sided tumors; therefore, panitumumab as first-line treatment could be an additional therapeutic option for frail elderly patients, particularly in those who are unsuitable for upfront oxaliplatin-based or irinotecan-based combination regimens.

Background: First-line panitumumab monotherapy is expected to be well tolerated and improve survival in patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

Review of the efforts of the Japanese Society of Echocardiography for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the initial outbreak in Japan.

Under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Japanese Society of Echocardiography (JSE) has been working to protect medical staff involved in echocardiographic examinations and to prevent secondary infections caused by the examinations since mid-March 2020. This review aims to describe the footprint of the JSE's responses, focusing on the 3 months in which the initial outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic occurred in Japan. We summarized the six parts as follows: (1) the initial actions for COVID-19 of JSE, (2) JSE's actions for infection control-associated echocardiographic examinations, (3) statements from the American Society of Echocardiography during the COVID-19 pandemic and their Japanese translation by JSE, (4) making videos for explaining the practice of echocardiography during the COVID-19 pandemic, (5) attempts with the JSE members' opinions by the communication platform and surveys, and (6) efforts of final statement during the initial spread of COVID-19.

Multimodality imaging in takotsubo syndrome: a joint consensus document of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) and the Japanese Society of Echocardiography (JSE).

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a complex and still poorly recognized heart disease with a wide spectrum of possible clinical presentations. Despite its reversibility, it is associated with serious adverse in-hospital events and high complication rates during follow-up. Multimodality imaging is helpful for establishing the diagnosis, guiding therapy, and stratifying prognosis of TTS patients in both the acute and post-acute phase.

Multimodality imaging in takotsubo syndrome: a joint consensus document of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) and the Japanese Society of Echocardiography (JSE).

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a complex and still poorly recognized heart disease with a wide spectrum of possible clinical presentations. Despite its reversibility, it is associated with serious adverse in-hospital events and high complication rates during follow-up. Multimodality imaging is helpful for establishing the diagnosis, guiding therapy, and stratifying prognosis of TTS patients in both the acute and post-acute phase.

Takotsubo syndrome triggered by coronary artery embolism in a patient with chronic atrial fibrillation.

Although takotsubo syndrome is defined as a reversible heart failure syndrome with the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease, some cases of concomitant takotsubo syndrome and acute myocardial infarction have been reported. We herein describe the case of a patient with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who was not receiving anticoagulant therapy, who developed takotsubo syndrome triggered by acute myocardial infarction probably due to coronary artery thromboembolism. < Takotsubo syndrome triggered by acute myocardial infarction rarely occurs.

Predictive accuracy of biomarkers for survival among cardiac arrest patients with hypothermia: a prospective observational cohort study in Japan.

Background: There is limited information on the predictive accuracy of commonly used predictors, such as lactate, pH or serum potassium for the survival among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients with hypothermia. This study aimed to identify the predictive accuracy of these biomarkers for survival among OHCA patients with hypothermia.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we analyzed the data from a multicenter, prospective nationwide registry among OHCA patients transported to emergency departments in Japan (the JAAM-OHCA Registry).

Adjuvant Chemotherapy after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Long-term Outcomes of CAPOX Plus Bevacizumab Followed by TME for High-risk Localized Rectal Cancer.

Objectives: We previously reported the feasibility of neoadjuvant capecitabine and oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab as a treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer (UMIN000003219). The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic relevance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by total mesorectal resection (TME).

Methods: Twenty-five patients of our prior multicenter prospective study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by TME enrolled to this study.

Noninvasive assessment of intraventricular pressure difference in left ventricular dyssynchrony using vector flow mapping.

Diastolic intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) reflects left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. The relative pressure imaging (RPI) enables the noninvasive quantification of IVPD based on vector flow mapping (VFM) and visualization of regional pressure distribution. LV dyssynchrony causes deterioration of cardiac performance.

Systemic haemodynamic, renal perfusion and renal oxygenation responses to changes in inspired oxygen fraction during total intravenous or volatile anaesthesia.

Background: Anaesthesia-induced changes in renal perfusion are dependent on the choice of anaesthetic agent. However, the effects of varying inspired oxygen fraction (FiO) on renal perfusion and oxygenation during TIVA (propofol + fentanyl) or volatile anaesthesia (VA; isoflurane) are unknown.

Methods: In 16 Merino ewes, we surgically implanted a renal artery flow probe and laser-Doppler and oxygen-sensing probes in the renal medulla and cortex.

Association between low pH and unfavorable neurological outcome among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated by extracorporeal CPR: a prospective observational cohort study in Japan.

Background: We aimed to identify the association of pH value in blood gas assessment with neurological outcome among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients treated by extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the database of a multicenter prospective observational study on OHCA patients in Osaka prefecture, Japan (CRITICAL study), from July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016. We included adult OHCA patients treated by ECPR.

[Tumor Embolisms from Colon Cancer Detected on Transcatheter Examination-A Case Report].

A 58-year-old woman underwent surgery and systemic chemotherapy(FOLFIRI plus panitumumab)for ascending colon cancer with multiple lymph node and liver metastases; the preoperative Virchow lymph node aspiration cytology showed adenocarcinoma.After 4 courses of chemotherapy, contrast-enhanced CT showed an embolus in the left subclavian vein.An anticoagulation therapy was started, but the embolus tended to increase.

Probucol Trial for Secondary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Events in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease (PROSPECTIVE).

Aims: Although intensive statin therapy reduced cardiovascular risks, cardiovascular events have not been completely prevented. Probucol is a potent antioxidant and reduces tendon xanthomas in familial hypercholesterolemia patients despite reduction of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (HDL-C). We investigated whether probucol can reduce cardiovascular events on top of conventional lipid-lowering therapy in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Etiology and mortality in severe acute pancreatitis: A multicenter study in Japan.

Background/objectives: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) has a high mortality rate despite ongoing attempts to improve prognosis through a various therapeutic modalities. This study aimed to delineate etiology-based routes that may guide clinical decisions for the treatment of SAP.

Methods: Using data from a recent retrospective multicenter study in Japan, we analyzed the association between clinical outcomes, mainly in-hospital mortality and pancreatic infection, and various etiologies while considering confounding factors.

Poor Long-Term Survival of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Children.

The effect of post-cardiac arrest care in children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has not been adequately established, and the long-term outcome after pediatric OHCA has not been sufficiently investigated. We describe here detailed in-hospital characteristics, actual management, and survival, including neurological status, 90 days after OHCA occurrence in children with OHCA transported to critical care medical centers (CCMCs).We analyzed the database of the Comprehensive Registry of Intensive Care for OHCA Survival (CRITICAL) study, which is a multicenter, prospective observational data registry designed to accumulate both pre- and in-hospital data on OHCA treatments.

[A Case of Cecal Cancer Complicated with Intussusception Treated Laparoscopically].

A 75-year-old woman presented with the chief complaint of right lower abdominal pain. There was mild tenderness in the lower right abdomen and a mass was palpated. There were no peritoneal irritation symptoms.

[A Case of Nephrotic Syndrome Induced by FOLFIRI plus Ramucirumab for Metastatic Descending Colon Cancer].

We report a case of multiple lung metastases of RAS mutant type descending colon cancer with development of nephrotic syndrome after the introduction of FOLFIRI plus ramucirumab(RAM). A female patient in her 50s underwent adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin after primary tumor and partial lung resection. For recurrent multiple lung metastases, 4 years of capecitabine and bevacizumab therapy was administered.

Osborn Wave Is Related to Ventricular Fibrillation and Tachycardia in Hypothermic Patients.

Background: The Osborn wave (OW) is often observed in hypothermic patients; however, whether OW in hypothermic patients is related to the development of fatal ventricular arrhythmia, including ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), remains undetermined. This study aimed to estimate the association between OW and the incidence of fatal ventricular arrhythmias.

Methods and results: This retrospective study used the Japanese Accidental Hypothermia Network registry database and included 572 hypothermic patients.

Optimal extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation inclusion criteria for favorable neurological outcomes: a single-center retrospective analysis.

Aim: Although age ≤75 years, witnessed arrest, shockable initial cardiac rhythm, and short cardiac arrest duration are commonly cited inclusion criteria for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), these criteria are not well-established, and ECPR outcomes remain poor. We aimed to evaluate whether the aforementioned inclusion criteria are appropriate for ECPR, and estimate the improvements in prognoses associated with their fulfillment.

Methods: Between October 2009 and December 2017, we retrospectively examined consecutive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients who were admitted to our hospital and received ECPR.