Effects on survival of the adverse event of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter study by the Japan Red Cross Liver Study Group.

This study aimed to describe the real-world efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atezo/Bev) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This retrospective analysis of a multicenter registry cohort included 268 patients treated with Atezo/Bev. The incidence of adverse events (AE) and its impact on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed.

Rescue balloon pulmonary angioplasty for worsening chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension with essential thrombocythaemia and the -V617F mutation: a case report.

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare thromboembolic disease, with occasional critical consequences. Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is associated with an increased incidence of venous and arterial thrombotic events. In addition, the -V617F mutation increases the risk of thrombosis.

Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty for Recurrent Lesions Six Years Following Pulmonary Endarterectomy for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the standard treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). However, repeating surgery in recurrent cases is generally deemed high-risk. Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA), an alternative treatment for organized thrombotic lesions of the peripheral pulmonary artery, has also shown a good prognosis in cases of inoperable CTEPH.

Corsair rotational bougie technique for facilitating balloon passage through a total occlusion lesion: a case report of balloon pulmonary angioplasty.

A 77-year-old man presented with dyspnoea and was diagnosed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Balloon pulmonary angioplasty was attempted; however, the balloons could not be advanced to the total occlusion lesion in the right A3 segment. The obstruction was overcome using a microcatheter Corsair (AsahiKASEI).

Emergent balloon pulmonary angioplasty in a patient with central-type chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension with cardiac shock.

The standard treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA); however, it may be unsuitable in the presence of comorbidities such as cardiac shock and severe hypoxia. We describe a successful case of emergent balloon pulmonary angioplasty performed before PEA in a patient with deteriorating central-type CTEPH.

New quantitative indices of cardiac amyloidosis with Tc-pyrophosphate scintigraphy.

Purpose: Amyloid light chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) are the major subtypes of cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Tc-pyrophosphate (PYP) scintigraphy is used to differentiate ATTR from other CA subtypes. We adapted the standardized uptake value (SUV) for Tc-PYP and proposed two quantitative indices, amyloid deposition volume (AmyDV) and total amyloid uptake (TAU).

Effect of fibrinogen replacement therapy on bleeding outcomes and 1-year mortality in patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of fibrinogen replacement therapy with cryoprecipitate or fibrinogen concentrate on bleeding outcomes and 1-year mortality in patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 439 consecutive patients who underwent thoracic aortic surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2019 and identified patients who received cryoprecipitate or fibrinogen concentrate (the fibrinogen replacement group) and those who did not (the control group). Multivariate analyses were performed to examine the associations of fibrinogen replacement therapy with perioperative major bleeding (i.

Characteristics, Antithrombotic Patterns, and Prognostic Outcomes in Claudication and Critical Limb-Threatening Ischemia Undergoing Endovascular Therapy.

Purpose: The underlying difference between intermittent claudication (IC) and critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) still remains unclear. This prospective multicenter observational study aimed to clarify differences in clinical features and prognostic outcomes between IC and CLTI, and prognostic factors in patients undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT).

Materials And Methods: A total of 692 patients with 808 limbs were enrolled from 20 institutions in Japan.

Two cases of anal squamous cell carcinoma achieving complete response after docetaxel + cisplatin + S-1 (DCS) induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation.

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is an uncommon tumor. However, its incidence is increasing worldwide. Surgical resection of locally advanced cases requires permanent anal prosthesis.

Ultrasonographic changes in quadriceps femoris thickness in women with normal pregnancy and women on bed rest for threatened preterm labor.

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in quadriceps femoris muscle thickness during the pregnancy and postpartum periods and to elucidate the effect of bed rest for threatened preterm labor on muscle thickness. In 26 women with normal pregnancy, quadriceps femoris thickness was measured at 11-13, 26, 30, and 35 weeks' gestation, and at 3-5 days and 1 month postpartum using ultrasonography. In 15 pregnant women treated with bed rest for threatened premature labor, quadriceps femoris thickness was measured at 30 and 35 weeks' gestation and postpartum.

An attempt to create a treatment algorithm of central adrenal insufficiency using CRH test, DHEA-S and clinical evaluation.

Objective : To examine diagnostic performance of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) test combined with baseline dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) in patients with a suspect of central adrenal insufficiency. Methods : Patients (n=215) requiring daily or intermittent hydrocortisone replacement, or no replacement were retrospectively checked with their peak cortisol after CRH test and baseline DHEA-S. Results :  None of 106 patients with the peak cortisol ≥ 17.

Twelve-month safety and effectiveness of TCD-17187 drug-coated balloon for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in the superficial femoral and proximal popliteal artery.

Purpose: The aim of this preapproval trial was to evaluate the 12-month safety and effectiveness of the TCD-17187 drug-coated balloon (DCB) for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and/or proximal popliteal artery (PA).

Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, core laboratory adjudicated, single-arm trial. From October 2019 to November 2020, a total of 121 symptomatic peripheral artery disease patients with SFA and/or proximal PA lesions were enrolled.

Optimal threshold of alpha-fetoprotein response in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response (relative decline in AFP) is associated with imaging response evaluated by response evaluation criteria in solid tumors ver1.1 (RECIST) and survival in treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the optimal threshold of AFP response is still unknown, especially in atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) treatment.

Transarterial embolization for convexity dural arteriovenous fistula with or without pial arterial supply: A report of four patients.

Background: Convexity dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVF) usually reflux into cortical veins without involving the venous sinuses. Although direct drainage ligation is curative, transarterial embolization (TAE) may be an alternative treatment.

Case Description: Between September 2018 and January 2021, we encountered four patients with convexity dAVFs.

Usefulness of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in predicting progression and survival outcomes after atezolizumab-bevacizumab treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: We investigated pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for predicting survival outcomes of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and determined the predictive ability of combined liver reserve-NLR.

Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study enrolled 242 patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for unresectable HCC. Pretreatment NLR <2.

A case of aortoduodenal fistula presenting with postoperative lymphatic leakage.

Introduction And Importance: Secondary aortoduodenal fistula (sADF) is a complication of prosthetic graft replacement of the abdominal aorta which often follows a fatal course. This report details our experience with a case of lymphatic fistula that developed after sADF repair. The fistula was refractory to conservative treatment but ultimately responded to lipiodol lymphangiography.

Procedural results and in-hospital outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction: Sub-analysis of the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry.

Objectives: To evaluate the procedural results and in-hospital outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Background: While the technical success of general CTO-PCI has improved, CTO-PCI patients with reduced LVEF remain at high-risk for adverse events.

Methods: The data of 820 patients with LVEF ≤ 35% (Group 1), 1816 patients with LVEF = 35%-50% (Group 2), and 5503 patients with LVEF ≥ 50% (Group 3), registered in the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry from January 2014 to December 2019, were retrospectively analyzed.

Efficacy of hepatitis C virus eradication after curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and decreased hepatic functional reserve: A nationwide, multicentre study by the Japanese Red Cross Liver Study Group.

Improvements in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence rate and survival have been frequently reported following virus eradication after hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC cure. However, the efficacy of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in patients who included those with advanced HCC and decreased hepatic functional reserve is unknown. A comparative examination was retrospectively conducted of 141 patients with hepatitis C who started DAA therapy within 1 year after undergoing curative HCC treatment and showed a sustained viral response (SVR) and 327 patients who underwent curative treatment for HCV-related HCC and did not subsequently receive antiviral therapy.