Relationship between coronary high-intensity plaques on T1-weighted imaging by cardiovascular magnetic resonance and vulnerable plaque features by near-infrared spectroscopy and intravascular ultrasound: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the coronary plaque characterization by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) (NIRS-IVUS), and to determine whether pre-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) evaluation using CMR identifies high-intensity plaques (HIPs) at risk of peri-procedural myocardial infarction (pMI). Although there is little evidence in comparison with NIRS-IVUS findings, which have recently been shown to identify vulnerable plaques, we inferred that CMR-derived HIPs would be associated with vulnerable plaque features identified on NIRS-IVUS. METHODS: 52 patients with stable coronary artery disease who underwent CMR with non-contrast T1-weighted imaging and PCI using NIRS-IVUS were studied. HIP was defined as a signal intensity of the coronary plaque-to-myocardial signal intensity ratio (PMR) ≥ 1.4, which was measured from the data of CMR images. We evaluated whether HIPs were associated with the NIRS-derived maximum 4-mm lipid-core burden index (maxLCBI4mm) and plaque morphology on IVUS, and assessed the incidence and predictor of pMI defined by the current Universal Definition using high-sensitive cardiac troponin-T. RESULTS: Of 62 lesions, HIPs were observed in 30 lesions (48%). The HIP group had a significantly higher remodeling index, plaque burden, and proportion of echo-lucent plaque and maxLCBI4mm ≥ 400 (known as large lipid-rich plaque [LRP]) than the non-HIP group. The correlation between the maxLCBI4mm and PMR was significantly positive (r = 0.51). In multivariable logistic regression analysis for prediction of HIP, NIRS-derived large LRP (odds ratio [OR] = 5.41; 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 1.65-17.8, p = 0.005) and IVUS-derived echo-lucent plaque (OR = 5.12; 95% CIs 1.11-23.6, p = 0.036) were strong independent predictors. Furthermore, pMI occurred in 14 of 30 lesions (47%) with HIP, compared to only 5 of 32 lesions (16%) without HIP (p = 0.005). In multivariable logistic regression analysis for prediction of incidence of pMI, CMR-derived HIP (OR = 5.68; 95% CIs 1.53-21.1, p = 0.009) was a strong independent predictor, but not NIRS-derived large LRP and IVUS-derived echo-lucent plaque. CONCLUSIONS: There is an important relationship between CMR-derived HIP and NIRS-derived large LRP. We also confirmed that non-contrast T1-weighted CMR imaging is useful for characterization of vulnerable plaque features as well as for pre-PCI risk stratification. Trial registration The ethics committee of Juntendo Clinical Research and Trial Center approved this study on January 26, 2021 (Reference Number 20-313).

Impact of Physical Activity on Coronary Plaque Volume and Components in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients After Early Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an established multidisciplinary secondary preventive program. We investigated the effects of CR involving intensive physical activity (PA) on coronary plaque volume and components in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Methods and Results:We enrolled 32 consecutive patients with ACS in early phase II CR and randomly assigned them to an intensive CR group (n=18; CR participation ≥twice/week, daily PA ≥9,000 steps) or a standard CR group (n=14; CR participation ≥once/2weeks, daily PA ≥6,000 steps). Serial integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound was performed for non-culprit lesions at baseline and after 8 months. Baseline clinical data were identical between the 2 groups. Unexpectedly, CR participation and PA did not differ significantly between the 2 groups, and there was no significant difference in plaque volume (PV) or components between the 2 groups. Subsequently, we classified the patients into 2 groups according to median PA (7,000 steps). There were significant differences in percent change of PV and of lipid volume between these 2 groups. In addition, these changes were negatively and independently correlated with PA. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference was observed in PV or components between the intensive CR and the standard CR groups. Intensive PA, however, may retard coronary PV and ameliorate lipid component in patients with ACS participating in late phase II CR.

Myocardial triglyceride content in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy: comparison between hypertensive heart disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) enables the assessment of myocardial triglyceride (TG) content, which is reported to be associated with cardiac dysfunction and morphology accompanied by metabolic disorder and cardiac hemodynamic status. The clinical usefulness of myocardial TG content measurements in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has not been fully investigated. We examined whether myocardial TG content assessed by 1H-MRS was useful for diagnosis in patients with LVH. To quantify myocardial TG content, we conducted 1H-MRS in 35 subjects with LVH. Left ventricular function was measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were assigned to a hypertensive heart disease (HHD, n = 10) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, n = 25) group based on the histology and/or late gadolinium enhancement pattern. The myocardial TG content was significantly higher in the HHD group than in the HCM group (2.14 ± 1.29 vs. 1.09 ± 0.72 %, P < 0.001). Myocardial TG content were significantly and negatively correlated with LV mass (r = -0.41, P < 0.04) and stroke volume (r = -0.64, P < 0.05) in the HCM group and HHD group, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, LV mass volume and diagnosis of HCM or HHD were independent factors of the myocardial TG content. The results suggest that myocardial metabolism may differ between HCM and HHD patients and that measurement of myocardial TG content by 1H-MRS may be useful for evaluating the myocardial metabolic features of LVH.

Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a residual risk factor associated with long-term clinical outcomes in diabetic patients with stable coronary artery disease who achieve optimal control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Diabetes mellitus is recognized an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and mortality. Clinical trials have shown that statins significantly reduce cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. However, residual cardiovascular risk persists despite the achievement of target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels with statin. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is an established coronary risk factor that is independent of LDL-C levels. We evaluated the impact of HDL-C on long-term mortality in diabetic patients with stable CAD who achieved optimal LDL-C. We enrolled 438 consecutive diabetic patients who were scheduled for percutaneous coronary intervention between 2004 and 2007 at our institution. We identified 165 patients who achieved target LDL-C <100 mg/dl. Patients were stratified into two groups according to HDL-C levels (low HDL-C group, baseline HDL-C <40 mg/dl; high HDL-C group, ≥40 mg/dl). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) that included all-cause death, acute coronary syndrome, and target lesion revascularization were evaluated between the two groups. The median follow-up period was 946 days. The rate of MACE was significantly higher in diabetic patients with low-HDL-C who achieved optimal LDL-C (6.9 vs 17.9 %, log-rank P = 0.030). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that HDL-C is significantly associated with clinical outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio for MACE 1.33, 95 % confidence interval 1.01-1.75, P = 0.042). Low HDL-C is a residual risk factor that is significantly associated with long-term clinical outcomes among diabetic patients with stable CAD who achieve optimal LDL-C levels.

Impact of red blood cell distribution width on long-term mortality in diabetic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a novel prognostic marker that reflects oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in patients with cardiovascular disease. Diabetes mellitus increases oxidative stress and vascular inflammation, which accelerate atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between RDW and long-term outcome in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Subjects comprised 560 consecutive diabetic patients (mean age, 66.6 years; male, 80%) with stable CAD who had undergone elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to median RDW at baseline (13.1%): a high RDW group (mean RDW, 14.0%; interquartile range, 13.3-14.2%); and a low RDW group (mean RDW, 12.6%; interquartile range, 12.4-12.9%). All-cause mortality rates were compared between groups. Mean duration of follow up was 3.9 years. Patients with high RDW were more likely to be older, show dyslipidemia and have a lower ejection fraction and decreased hemoglobin level. Twenty-nine patients (5.2%) died during follow up. The cumulative incidence of all-cause death was significantly higher in the high RDW group than in the low RDW group (log-rank P=0.0015). Multivariate analysis identified high RDW as being associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 2.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-6.62; P=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Increased RDW was significantly associated with increased long-term all-cause mortality in diabetic patients after PCI.

1H-MRS to evaluate improved triglyceride accumulation in idiopathic triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy after CNT-01 (tricaprin/trisdecanion) administration.

Summary: Triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TGCV) is an intractable disease characterized by massive triglyceride (TG) accumulation in the myocardium and coronary arteries caused by genetic or acquired dysfunction of adipose TG lipase (ATGL). A phase IIa trial has been conducted involving patients with idiopathic TGCV using CNT-01 (tricaprin/trisdecanion) by the Japan TGCV study group, which showed that CNT-01 improved myocardial lipolysis as demonstrated by iodine-123-beta-methyl iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) scintigraphy. We evaluated changes in myocardial TG content using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) before/after CNT-01. This report describes a male patient with hypertension, diabetes, angina pectoris, repeated percutaneous coronary intervention, chest pain, and exertional dyspnea that persisted despite standard medications and nitroglycerin. Idiopathic TGCV was diagnosed based on a remarkably reduced washout rate (WR) for BMIPP scintigraphy, high myocardial TG content on 1H-MRS, and no ATGL mutation. After an 8-week, 1.5 g/day CNT-01 administration, the WR of BMIPP increased from 5.1 to 13.3% and the myocardial TG content decreased from 8.4 to 5.9%, with no adverse effects. CNT-01 corrected myocardial lipolysis and subsequently reduced TG content in idiopathic TGCV as evaluated using 1H-MRS, which may be a useful, noninvasive evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. Learning points: Triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TGCV) is an intractable disease characterized by massive triglyceride accumulation in the myocardium and coronary arteries, caused by genetic or acquired dysfunction of adipose triglyceride lipase. Japan TGCV Study Group developed a specific treatment for idiopathic TGCV using CNT-01 (tricaprin/trisdecanion), a type of medium-chain fatty acid. CNT-01 corrected myocardial lipolysis and reduced TG content in idiopathic TGCV using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which may be a useful noninvasive evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.

Long-term impact of mild chronic kidney disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence shows that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent risk factor for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, it is not known whether mild renal insufficiency affects long-term clinical outcomes. METHODS: This is a post-hoc analysis from the Extended-ESTABLISH trial, which was designed to estimate the impact of renal insufficiency on patients with ACS after percutaneous coronary intervention over the long term. One hundred and eighty patients were divided into three groups based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at time of ACS: moderate-to-severe CKD, <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (n = 31, 17.2%); mild CKD, 60-90 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (n = 100, 55.6%) and non-CKD, ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (n = 47, 26.1%). The eGFR was calculated using the new Japanese equation. Long-term outcomes were compared over a follow-up period of 1538 ± 707 days. RESULTS: Cumulative incidence rates of MACCE did not significantly differ between groups 1 year after ACS onset (P = 0.384), whereas significant differences appeared during the long-term follow-up (10.6 versus 27.0% versus 35.4% in the non-CKD, mild CKD and moderate-to-severe CKD groups, respectively; log-rank test, P = 0.022). In a multivariate Cox hazard regression model, moderate-to-severe CKD and mild CKD were associated with a higher rate of MACCE after adjusting for confounding variables (hazard ratios = 3.46 and 2.67, respectively; P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of mild CKD at ACS occurrence is associated with a worse outcome in the long term, but not the short term.

Candesartan with pioglitazone protects against endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory responses in porcine coronary arteries implanted with sirolimus-eluting stents.

BACKGROUND: Sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) are widely used in coronary artery disease as revascularization therapy. Although endothelial dysfunction induced by implanted SES can become a major clinical concern, therapeutic strategies to overcome this disorder remain unclear. The aim of the present study was therefore to identify effective therapies in a clinically relevant animal model. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-one pigs were randomized to control, candesartan (CAN) and candesartan plus pioglitazone (CAN+PIO) groups. Drugs were administered orally for 7 days before SES implantation until the time of death. Forty-two SES were used in porcine coronary arteries. Early inflammatory cell adhesion in SES evaluated on scanning electron microscopy at 3 days was significantly suppressed in the CAN and CAN+PIO groups compared with controls. Bradykinin-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation at an adjacent segment distal to the SES evaluated using organ chambers was reduced compared with intact segments in control coronaries at 28 days. Endothelial dysfunction was reversed by CAN and even more obviously improved in the CAN+PIO group. CONCLUSIONS: Candesartan protected against vascular inflammation and restored endothelial function after SES implantation. The combination of candesartan and pioglitazone was more effective than candesartan monotherapy and might confer vascular protection when administered before SES implantation.

Clinical impact of angiographic restenosis after bare-metal stent implantation on long-term outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: In-stent restenosis (ISR) after bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation is thought to be clinically benign, although this notion remains controversial. The long-term clinical outcomes of ISR with BMS have not been established. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 983 consecutive patients (1,227 lesions) implanted with a BMS between 1999 and 2004 at the authors' institution, 746 underwent routine follow-up angiography. Angiographic ISR (ISR group) was evident in 215 patients (28.8%) and 136 of them underwent repeat revascularization. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), target lesion revascularization and all-cause death were evaluated between patients with and without ISR (non-ISR group). Patients in the ISR group were older and more likely to have diabetes. The median follow-up period was 2,031 days. The rates of MACE and ACS were significantly higher in the ISR group compared with the non-ISR group (33.5% vs. 13.7%, P<0.0001 and 11.2% vs. 7.0%, P<0.05, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that ISR was significantly associated with clinical outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for MACE, 2.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01-3.94, P<0.01; adjusted HR for ACS, 1.84; 95%CI: 1.08-3.13, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ISR with BMS was significantly associated with long-term adverse clinical outcomes. Risk of future cardiovascular events due to ISR must be carefully considered.

Azelnidipine and amlodipine anti-coronary atherosclerosis trial in hypertensive patients undergoing coronary intervention by serial volumetric intravascular ultrasound analysis in Juntendo University (ALPS-J).

BACKGROUND: A previous study reported that amlodipine retarded coronary plaque progression in patients with coronary artery disease. The goal of this multicenter study was to determine which calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) other than amlodipine attenuated the progression of plaque volume (PV) accessed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). METHODS AND RESULTS: ALPS-J was a prospective, randomized open-label study conducted at 5 centers. Patients who had hypertension and were scheduled for coronary intervention were enrolled. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive 16 mg/day of azelnidipine or 5mg/day of amlodipine administered for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percent change in coronary PV measured by IVUS. Between 2007 and 2009, 199 patients were enrolled; 115 had evaluable IVUS images at both baseline and after 48 weeks of treatment. Blood pressure significantly reduced to 128/68 mmHg at follow-up. The lipid profiles in the 2 groups were comparable (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: 97 mg/dl). The %change in PV showed a significant regression of 4.67 and 4.85% in the azelnidipine and amlodipine groups, respectively. The upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the mean difference in %change PV between the 2 groups (0.18%, 95% confidence interval 4.62 to 4.98%) did not exceed the pre-defined non-inferiority margin of 6.525%. CONCLUSIONS: ALPS-J demonstrated that azelnidipine was not inferior to amlodipine for primary efficacy. In addition to standard medical therapy, dihydropyridine CCBs will retard PV progression in hypertensive patients.

Gender-based outcomes among patients with diabetes mellitus after percutaneous coronary intervention in the drug-eluting stent era.

Diabetes mellitus has a greater effect on mortality rates due to coronary artery disease in women than in men. Although women undergoing coronary intervention in general have a higher frequency of adverse outcomes than men, the effect of gender among diabetic patients on clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been well established in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era. We have investigated the impact of gender on long-term clinical outcome in these high risk populations. We enrolled 404 consecutive patients (74 women and 330 men) with diabetes mellitus who underwent elective PCI (85% with DES). We evaluated the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), which is a composite of total all-cause death, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and target lesion revascularization (TLR) during a period of 4 years after coronary intervention. The women were significantly older, more likely to have dyslipidemia, and had significantly higher systolic blood pressure and LDL-C values than men. The use of insulin and angiotensin receptor blockers was more frequent among the women (32.4% versus 21.0%, P = 0.04 and 60.8% versus 39.8%, P < 0.01, respectively). The angiographic profiles of both were comparable. At four-year clinical follow-up, cumulative incidence of MACE was identical between the women and the men (16.2% versus 15.5%, P = 0.90; adjusted HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.61-2.50, P = 0.56). Although the baseline characteristics of the women were worse, clinical outcomes did not significantly differ between women and men among diabetic patients after elective PCI.

Triglyceride Deposit Cardiomyovasculopathy with Massive Myocardial Triglyceride which Was Proven Using Proton-magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

The patient was a 73-year-old man with a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, rheumatoid arthritis, repeated percutaneous coronary intervention and percutaneous peripheral intervention procedures. He was frequently admitted to our hospital for congestive heart failure with orthopnea. The myocardial washout rate of iodine-123-ß-methyl iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid was defective on scintigraphy. He was diagnosed with triglyceride deposit cardiomyovasculopathy (TGCV). Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) indicated the level of myocardial triglyceride (TG) content to be extremely high (4.92%). This is the first report to confirm a massive accumulation of TG in the myocardium of a patient with TGCV using 1H-MRS noninvasively.

Preliminary Pilot Study of Combined Effects of Physical Activity and Achievement of LDL-Cholesterol Target on Coronary Plaque Volume Changes in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the combined effects of physical activity (PA) and aggressive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction on the changes in coronary plaque volume (PV) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using volumetric intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analysis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from two different prospective clinical trials that involved 101 ACS patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and assessed the non-culprit sites of PCI lesions using IVUS at baseline and at the follow-up. After PCI, all the patients participated in early phase II comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation. Patients were divided into four groups based on whether the average daily step count, measured using a pedometer, was 7000 steps of more and whether the follow-up LDL-C level was <70 mg/dL. At the time of follow-up, we examined the correlation of changes in the PV with LDL-C and PA. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the four study groups were comparable. At the follow-up, plaque regression in both the achievement group (PA and LDL-C reduction) was higher than that in the other three groups. In addition, plaque reduction independently correlated with increased PA and reduction in LDL-C level. CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy of intensive PA and achievement of LDL-C target retarded coronary PV in patients with ACS.

Impact of metabolic syndrome on 10-year clinical outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a risk factor and prognosticator for ischemic heart disease, but its actual effect on long-term mortality after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: All-cause death and cardiovascular death were investigated among patients with ACS upon admission who underwent complete revascularization by either percutaneous coronary intervention or bypass surgery between 1984 and 1992. MetS was defined according to the NCEP/ATPIII criteria modified for waist circumference. From among 1,836 patients who underwent complete revascularization during the study period, 384 (21.0%) with ACS were enrolled, of whom 163 (42.5%) had MetS. During a mean follow-up of 10.4 +/-3.4 years, the total number of deaths was 83 (21.6%), of which 38 (9.9%) were from cardiovascular causes. Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that MetS increased the risk of mortality by a ratio of 1.62 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-2.59, P=0.046) and of cardiovascular death by 2.40 (95%CI 1.16-4.94, P=0.018) in patients with ACS. CONCLUSIONS: MetS is a powerful determinant of long-term all-cause and cardiovascular death after ACS. Furthermore, MetS and ACS might jointly exacerbate poor long-term outcomes.

Azelnidipine and amlodipine anti-coronary atherosclerosis trial in hypertensive patients undergoing coronary intervention by serial volumetric intravascular ultrasound analysis in Juntendo university (ALPS-J).

PURPOSE: Many trials have shown that calcium channel blockers (CCBs) can reduce the cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The mechanisms of this effect could be associated with plaque regression due to the anti-atherosclerotic properties of CCBs. The goal of this study is to determine the effects of CCB on volumetric quantitative changes of coronary plaques accessed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). To confirm this hypothesis, a multicenter randomized trial of CCBs treatment with azelnidipine or amlodipine will be conducted in hypertensive CAD patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients who have hypertension and are scheduled for PCI will be enrolled. Subjects will be randomized to azelnidipine or amlodipine and observed for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint will be the percent change of coronary plaque volume. The secondary endpoint will include inflammatory markers, antioxidant activity, and incidence of composite cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we will investigate the improvement of coronary plaque with IVUS by treatment with two dihydropyridine CCBs in hypertensive patients undergoing elective PCI. This result will lead to the discovery of more effective drug therapy for inhibition of coronary events.

A Simple Skin Incision Design for Pediatric Superficial Branch of Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery.

BACKGROUND: Superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) perforator flap is one of the demanding flaps. However, little is known about SCIA anatomy, which is crucial for successful SCIA perforator flap elevation, in children. We assessed the efficacy of our incision design to detect the superficial branch of the SCIA in vivo. METHODS: Eleven consecutive pediatric patients who required harvesting (eg, skin grafts or vascularized lymph node transfer) were assessed. All possible congenital vascular malformation cases were excluded. To reduce potential bias, all groin procedures were performed on the contralateral side of malformations. After inguinal area mapping, 1.5-cm skin incision was made. From the window opened by the skin incision, tiny perforation to the skin surface was detected for further dissection. Following the tiny branch, the main trunk of the superficial circumflex vascular bundle was dissected. The whole vascular bundle, artery, and major vein from the bundle were dissected and their sizes were measured. RESULTS: Of the 11 patients, 4 were boys; the age range was 5 months to 14 years (mean age: 3.2 years). Vessel bundle size was 0.7-1.5 (mean: 1.1 mm). In all cases, the bundle was detected within 5 min (1-5, mean: 2.5 min). No vascular damage was observed, and all arteries pulsated well, without requiring additional skin incision. The superficial branch of the SCIA was mainly detected right below the initial skin incision. CONCLUSIONS: Our skin incision design can effectively detect the SCIA in pediatric patients and may be used in adult patients.

Usefulness of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in the Diagnosis of Löffler Endocarditis Secondary to Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.

A 40-year-old man who was diagnosed with bronchial asthma and eosinophilia was transferred to our hospital due to a worsening respiratory status. He was diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), and eosinophilic pneumoniae. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging indicated Löffler endocarditis. Treatment was initiated using intravenous methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide, and heparin as anticoagulation therapy. Three months later, CMR showed the improvement of the LV myocardium. In this case, the early diagnosis of Löffler endocarditis by CMR could prevent systemic embolism and CMR was useful for assessing the curative effects of steroid and immunosuppressant therapy.

Clinical significance of non-culprit plaque regression following acute coronary syndrome: A serial intravascular ultrasound study.

BACKGROUND: The use of serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for coronary atherosclerosis has offered valuable insight into plaque regression (PR) or progression. However, the beneficial effects of PR on the long-term clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of coronary plaque change in patients following primary percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 4 prospective clinical trials involving 173 patients with ACS who underwent serial IVUS of non-culprit lesions on statin treatment at baseline and at 6 or 8 months of follow-up. The relationship of the IVUS findings with the change in percent atheroma volume (PAV), on-treatment low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were investigated. RESULTS: In our serial IVUS analysis, baseline plaque volume and PAV were 79.6mm3 and 46.0%, respectively. The overall change in PAV was -1.5% [interquartile range (IQR): -4.1% to 1.0%], and PR (i.e. PAV change from baseline <0) was observed in 67.1% of patients. They were followed up observationally for a mean of 3.5 years and a total of 37 MACCE occurred. The rate of MACCE tended to be lower in patients with PR than in those without PR (18.1% vs. 28.7%, p=0.14). A multivariate Cox hazard model analysis demonstrated that achievement of both PR and on-treatment low LDL-C levels (<70mg/dL) was the only significant independent predictor of MACCE (hazard ratio: 0.42, 95% confidence interval: 0.19-0.88; p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Achievement of both PR and sufficient lowering of the LDL-C was clinically important in post-ACS management.

Video Super-microsurgery Amplified using Close-up Lens Filter on the Operative Field Camera: Preliminary Report.

BACKGROUND: Super-microsurgery has widely spread due to the improvement of high magnification microscopes. The cost of multiple microscopes is high. Furthermore, the microscope heads are too large to fit in multiple surgical fields for pediatric patients. We adapted a 2-dimensional magnification system for performing lymphatic venous anastomosis on pediatric lymphedema cases. METHODS: We attached a close-up lens filter to the suspended camera (CHZ-1,360-PTR camera, Carina system, Tokyo, Japan) in the operative field. This was done to achieve 26× magnification using a small camera head, making it possible to perform super-micro anastomoses. Anastomoses time, scar length, and lymph vessel diameters were measured, and the outcomes were statistically analyzed and compared with the contralateral side. RESULTS: Four pediatric lymphedema patients underwent the aforementioned technique, using the multisite microscopic approach. All anastomoses were completed within 20 minutes. The results were not significantly different from the conventional microscopic lymphatic venous anastomosis. CONCLUSION: This system is advantageous because (1) it has less costly initial investments; (2) it requires a small camera head, which provides available space for the multisite microscopic approach even for pediatric patients; and (3) it allows for a wider surgical working space.

Cleft Lip and Palate Repair Using a Surgical Microscope.

BACKGROUND: Cleft lip and palate repair requires a deep and small surgical field and is usually performed by surgeons wearing surgical loupes. Surgeons with loupes can obtain a wider surgical view, although headlights are required for the deepest procedures. Surgical microscopes offer comfort and a clear and magnification-adjustable surgical site that can be shared with the whole team, including observers, and easily recorded to further the education of junior surgeons. Magnification adjustments are convenient for precise procedures such as muscle dissection of the soft palate. METHODS: We performed a comparative investigation of 18 cleft operations that utilized either surgical loupes or microscopy. Paper-based questionnaires were completed by staff nurses to evaluate what went well and what could be improved in each procedure. The operating time, complication rate, and scores of the questionnaire responses were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The operating time when microscopy was used was not significantly longer than when surgical loupes were utilized. The surgical field was clearly shared with surgical assistants, nurses, anesthesiologists, and students via microscope-linked monitors. Passing surgical equipment was easier when sharing the surgical view, and preoperative microscope preparation did not interfere with the duties of the staff nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical microscopy was demonstrated to be useful during cleft operations.