Open-Label, Single-Center, Single-Arm Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Elobixibat for Chronic Constipation in Patients With Heart Failure.

Neither the efficacy nor safety of elobixibat has been investigated in the treatment of chronic constipation in patients with heart failure (HF). In this prospective, single-center, single-arm study elobixibat (10 mg/day) was administered for 12 weeks to 18 HF patients with chronic constipation defined according to the Rome IV criteria. Spontaneous bowel movement (SBM), stool consistency as measured by the Bristol Stool Form Scale, and degree of straining during defecation were recorded.

Detailed investigation of the lesion formation with a novel contact force sensing catheter with a mesh-shaped irrigation tip.

Background: Recently, a novel contact force (CF) sensing catheter with mesh-shaped irrigation tip (TactiFlex SE, Abbott) was invented and is expected to be useful for safe and effective radiofrequency ablation. However, this catheter's detailed characteristics of the lesion formation are unknown.

Methods: With an in vitro model, TactiFlex SE and its predecessor, FlexAbility SE, were used.

A case of post-COVID-19 myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome characterized by post-exertional malaise and low serum acylcarnitine level.

COVID-19 afflicts patients with acute symptoms and longer term sequelae. One of the sequelae is myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), which is often difficult to diagnose, having no established tests. In this article, we synthesize information from literature reviews on patients with ME/CSF that developed after recovery from COVID-19.

Study Design of the Japanese Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry (J-CARRY) - Protocol for a Prospective, Multicenter, Open Registry.

Guidelines for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) highly recommend cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on the basis of abundant evidence of its effectiveness. However, the current understanding and dissemination of CR in Japan are far from sufficient. The Japanese Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry (J-CARRY) is an academic society-led prospective multicenter observational registry conducted by the Registration and Facility Accreditation System Committee of the Japanese Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Japanese multicenter prospective study investigating laparoscopic surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer with evaluation of CRM and TME quality (PRODUCT trial).

Aim: In Japan, we have not been able to validate the results of laparoscopic surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer using the universal index "circumferential resection margin (CRM)." Previously, we established a semi-opened circular specimen processing method and validated its feasibility. In the PRODUCT trial, we aimed to assess CRM in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic rectal resection.

Peri-mitral flutter with epicardial bypass after surgical maze procedure.

Peri-mitral flutter with long epicardial bypass after surgical maze procedure.

Effects of uninterrupted dabigatran on the intensity of anticoagulation during atrial fibrillation ablation.

Background: Uninterrupted dabigatran during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is now established as the standard therapy. However, there are few reports on the effects of uninterrupted dabigatran on the intensity of anticoagulation during AF ablation.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 247 consecutive patients who underwent AF ablation in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2018.

Prognosis of Japanese Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Who Underwent Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation - The JID-CAD Study.

There has been no large multicenter clinical trial on the prognosis of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) in Japanese patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to compare differences in the prognoses of Japanese patients with CAD between primary and secondary prevention, and to identify potential predictors of prognosis. We investigated 392 CAD patients (median age 69 years, 90% male) treated with ICD/CRT-D enrolled in the Japan Implantable Devices in CAD (JID-CAD) Registry.

Effects of Phase II Comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation on Risk Factor Modification and Exercise Capacity in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome - Results From the JACR Registry.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is categorized as a Class I recommendation in guidelines for the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, nationwide studies on CR in patients with ACS remain limited in Japan. The Japanese Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation (JACR) Registry is a nationwide, real-world database for patients participating in CR. From the JACR Registry database, we analyzed 924 patients participating in Phase II CR in 7 hospitals between September 2014 and December 2016.

Antegrade slow pathway mapping of typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia based on direct slow pathway capture.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of typical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (tAVNRT) is performed without revealing out the location of antegrade slow pathway (ASp). In this study, we studied a new electrophysiological method of identifying the site of ASp.

Methods: This study included 19 patients.

Oncologic emergency in patients with skeletal metastasis of unknown primary.

Aim: Patients with skeletal metastasis from prediagnosed primary malignancy sometimes have concurrent oncologic emergency (OE) during the first visit. This study aims to investigate the types of OEs and treatment outcome in such patients.

Methods: We have experienced 359 patients with skeletal metastasis from unknown primary malignancy.

Long-term survival outcomes following laparoscopic surgery for clinical stage 0/I rectal carcinoma.

Aim: To clarify and evaluate the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for clinical stage 0/I rectal carcinoma patients.

Methods: This single-arm phase II trial involved accredited surgeons from 43 Japanese institutions. Patients were registered preoperatively.

Novel technique using pancreatic duct stent facilitates difficult biliary cannulation in patients with Roux-en-Y anatomy (with video).

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy has been reported to be useful. However, selective biliary cannulation through the papilla is difficult in cases with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy. Herein, we report a successful biliary cannulation using a pancreatic duct (PD) stent in patients with Roux-en-Y anatomy.

Long-Term Tolvaptan Treatment in Refractory Heart Failure.

The vasopressin type-2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan is an essential tool in the management of decompensated heart failure (HF) in the inpatient setting for short-term use with careful monitoring. There is conflicting evidence, however, for its long-term use. In this prospective, multi-center, open-labeled, randomized control trial, Assessment of QUAlity of life during long-term treatment of ToLVaptan in refractory HF (AQUA-TLV study), patients with congestive HF refractory to furosemide ≥60 mg/day were randomly assigned to a control group or tolvaptan add-on group and followed for 6 months, after confirmation of baseline urine osmolality ≥350 mOsm/L.

Relationship between the ablation index, lesion formation, and incidence of steam pops.

Background: The ablation index (AI) is reported to be useful for a durable pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, there have been no studies investigating the relationship between the power, contact force (CF), AI, and steam pops.

Methods: Using an in vitro model, ablation energy was delivered until a steam pop occurred and the time to the steam pop and AI when the steam pop occurred were measured.