Angioscopic Findings of Stenosis Versus Occlusion in Femoropopliteal Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Despite the increase in the number of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), the pathophysiology is not fully elucidated. Recently, angioscopy with a 0.48-megapixel equivalent resolution camera became available for patients with PAD. We aimed to compare the plaque component between native stenosis and occlusion in the femoropopliteal artery using this modality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients who underwent endovascular treatment for native femoropopliteal artery disease with angioscopy were studied. The major angioscopic classifications of each lesion were defined as follows: atheromatous plaque (AP) was defined as luminal narrowing without any protrusion, calcified nodule (CN) was defined as a protruding bump with surface irregularity, a mainly reddish thrombus was defined as organizing thrombus (OG), and organized thrombus (OD) was defined by more than half of the thrombus showing a whitish intima-like appearance. RESULTS: A total of 34 lesions (stenosis, n=18; occlusion, n=16) from 32 patients were included. All stenotic lesions showed AP or CN (n=8 [44%], n=10 [56%], respectively), whereas all occluded lesions showed OG or OD (n=5 [31%], n=11 [69%], respectively), which amounted to a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). In occluded lesions, stiff wires (>3 g) were required to cross all lesions classified as OD, whereas this was not always necessary for lesions classified as OG (11 [100%] of 11, 1 [25%] of 5, respectively; p=0.04). Yellow color plaques were observed to a similar degree in all angioscopic classifications. Major adverse limb events, defined as amputation and any reintervention at 12 months, were highly variable, depending on the angioscopic findings, and tended to be more frequently observed in CN and OD (13% in AP, 40% in CN, 0% in OT, and 36% in OD, p=0.25). CONCLUSION: Angioscopy revealed varying components in stenosis and occlusion with different degrees of clinical impact. This may provide new information on the pathophysiology of PAD.

Impact of Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation on the Mid-Term Outcomes of Patients After Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated With Current Acute-Phase Management and Optimal Medical Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Early reported beneficial effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) have recently been disputed. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical impact of CR on the mid-term outcomes of patients following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with currently available management. METHODS: This study reviewed 145 consecutive patients who underwent primary coronary intervention and were discharged without any disability after STEMI during 2013-2015. RESULTS: Among the patients, 66 (45.5%) completed an outpatient CR program (CR group) and 79 were their non-CR counterparts or patients who dropped out of the program (N-D group). There were no between-group differences in patient demographics and clinical profiles, including door-to-balloon times and prescriptions. A total of 27 patients developed major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) during follow-up. The MACCE-free survival rates were 88% and 76% in the CR and N-D groups, respectively (log-rank, p=0.04). Cox proportional analysis demonstrated that inclusion in the N-D group was a significant predictor of MACCEs (HR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.07-5.74; p=0.03). In the CR group, peak oxygen consumption and ventilatory efficiency determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing significantly improved after the program (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The impact of CR on the mid-term prognosis of patients with STEMI, even in the current myocardial infarction management era, was beneficial.

[Sandwich Technique Used with a Right Ventricular Approach for Ventricular Septal Perforation;Report of a Case].

Ventricular septal perforation( VSP) leads to a high mortality rate after surgical treatment. The surgical procedure has not been established. Left ventricular (LV) incisions have mainly been performed, while we report a case of right ventricular (RV) approach that resulted in a favorable outcome in a 76-year-old male. The patient was diagnosed with myocardial infarction due to left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion. VSP was diagnosed after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and surgery was performed on the 4th day of illness. The perforation site was identified near the anterior septum by epicardiac echography before incision, and a patch made of 3 layers using a pericardial patch, felt, and a Dacron patch was sewn on the perforation with a sandwich technique and closed with bio glue. The RV approach is a useful procedure because it avoids the hemostatic manipulation of left ventricle myocardial necrosis under high pressure and can preserve left cardiac function.

A case of spontaneous coronary artery dissection that later turned out to be Takayasu arteritis.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which typically occurs in women at low risk of atherosclerosis. We herein report a case of SCAD in a 57-year-old man who later developed Takayasu arteritis. The patient presented to our hospital complaining of chest pain and was diagnosed with unstable angina. Emergent coronary angiography was performed, and optical coherence tomography revealed that ACS was caused by SCAD. The patient was treated medically without further ballooning or stenting. Because there was a bilateral difference in blood pressure, the systemic artery was screened by contrast-enhanced computed tomography, which showed left subclavian artery occlusion, proximal stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery, right common iliac artery dissection, and left external iliac artery dissection. Based on these results and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography findings, we diagnosed Takayasu arteritis. Prednisolone and tocilizumab were selected for medical treatment, and the patient was in a good condition at one year after the diagnosis. Takayasu arteritis can cause dissection of various arteries and should be suspected when atypical SCAD or multiple dissections are present. Early initiation of immunosuppressive therapy can control disease activity. Learning objective: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an important cause of acute coronary syndrome. In this case, we experienced a case of SCAD which turned out to be the first symptom of Takayasu arteritis. Immunosuppressive therapy was effective for both coronary lesion and systemic vasculitis. Not only fibromuscular dysplasia, but also various types of vasculitis should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis when encountering atypical SCAD cases.

Neointimal characteristic changes following drug-coated balloons in lesions with repeated revascularization.

BACKGROUND: Since their emergence, drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have been used widely to treat in-stent lesions with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, despite their superior efficacy to balloon angioplasty, how DCBs affect neointimal characteristics is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the neointimal characteristic changes following DCB treatment. METHODS: Using optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI), we serially observed the in-stent lesion site just after and 1 year after DCB angioplasty in 12 lesions of 11 patients with repeated revascularization. Neoatherosclerosis was defined as lipid-laden neointima with or without calcification in the stented lesion. Progression or regression of neoatherosclerosis, newly formed neointimal calcification, newly formed uncovered strut and newly formed evagination were assessed. Tiny tissue protrusion was also recorded as mushroom-like protrusion. RESULTS: Underlying stents were first-generation (n = 5) or newer (n = 7) drug-eluting stents (DESs) with implantation durations ranging from 1 to 15 years (median 8 years). Surprisingly, two-thirds of the lesions (67%, 8 of 12) showed progression of neoatherosclerosis, while a quarter of lesions (25%, 3 of 12) showed regression of neoatherosclerosis. The maximal lipid arc increased from 122° to 174°. Newly formed neointimal calcification was observed in 2 of 12 lesions (16%). Newly formed uncovered struts (33%; 4 of 12) and newly formed evaginations (33%; 4 of 12) were not rare. Mushroom-like protrusion was found in a quarter of lesions (25%; 3 of 12). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that a considerable number of lesions showed varied neointimal characteristic changes in a small number of patients. Further studies in a larger population are needed to understand the clinical impact of these findings.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Program for Patients in the Hematological Department Receiving Carbapenem Therapy: A Single-Center and Interrupted Time Series Analysis.

As antibiotic resistance has become a global problem, the intervention of an antimicrobial stewardship team (AST) is warranted. In hematological disorders, infectious complications are crucial owing to abnormal neutrophil function and decreased cell-mediated immunity. Despite the widespread implementation of AST intervention, the effectiveness of stewardship practices for immunocompromised patients remains uncertain. We determined the effect of AST interventions on carbapenem therapy in the department of hematology. Patients admitted to the department and undergoing carbapenem therapy were enrolled. We compared carbapenem use between the pre-AST (April 2016-March 2018) and post-AST (April 2018-March 2021) periods. Factors associated with long-term carbapenem therapy were investigated. Overall, 515 episodes of carbapenem therapy in 264 patients in the department were evaluated. According to the interrupted time series analysis, the number of days of therapy decreased with AST intervention (ß = -0.263, p = 0.011). In multivariate analysis, predictive factors associated with long-term carbapenem therapy (>8 days) were outpatient onset, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, and infection with resistant bacteria (such as extended spectrum ß-lactamases and AmpC) (95% confidence interval, 1.030-2.818, 1.067-66.667, 1.057-2.782, 0.168-0.742, and 1.382-5.750, respectively). The AST intervention reduced carbapenem use in patients with hematological disorders.

Subacute Stent Thrombosis After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Middle-Aged Anabolic Steroid-Abusing Bodybuilder.

A 54-year-old male bodybuilder who was abusing anabolic steroids developed an acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after strenuous strength training. Despite optimal use of dual antiplatelet therapy, on day 4 after primary coronary stenting, the patient suffered another acute coronary event due to subacute thrombosis, potentially pre-disposed by anabolic steroid use. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

The Effect of Cilostazol on Endothelial Function as Assessed by Flow-Mediated Dilation in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

AIM: The vascular endothelium plays a key role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a novel way of assessing endothelial function. Cilostazol is a unique antiplatelet drug that also has the potential to improve endothelial function. The objective of this present study was to investigate the effects of cilosatzol on endothelial function as assessed by FMD. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were assigned to one of two groups: the Cilostazol(+) group (with cilostazol) and Cilostazol(-) group (without cilostazol). In addition to conventional dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel/ticlopidine, the Cilostazol(+) group (n=27) was also given cilostazol (100 mg/day). The Cilostazol(-) group (n=24) did not receive cilostazol. FMD was assessed at enrollment and after 6-9 months. RESULTS: The FMD of both the Cilostazol(+) and Cilostazol(-) groups remained similar at 5.2 (interquartile range: 3.8-8.5) to 5.4 (interquartile range: 4.2-6.7) (P=0.29) and 5.0 (interquartile range: 3.6-6.4) to 4.9 (interquartile range: 4.0-7.0) (P=0.38), respectively. However, the diameters of the baseline and maximal brachial arteries tended to increase in the Cilostazol(+) group (baseline: 4.2±0.7 to 4.4±0.7, P=0.18; maximal: 4.5±0.7 to 4.6±0.7 P=0.22), whereas that of the Cilostazol(-) group tended to decrease (baseline: 4.1±0.6 to 3.9±0.5, P=0.10; maximal: 4.3±0.7 to 4.1±0.5, P=0.05). The rates of change in the baseline diameter (Cilostazol(+): 3.7±9.8% vs. Cilostazol(-): -3.8±12.2%, P=0.03) and maximal diameter (Cilostazol(+): +3.1±8.9% vs. Cilostazol(-): -4.4±12.0%, P=0.02) were significantly different. CONCLUSION: Although cilostazol didn't affect the FMD, there was a significant difference in the rates of change in baseline and maximal brachial artery diameter. This may have a beneficial effect in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Cardiopulmonary arrest due to persistent coronary spasm in a young woman. Are we properly diagnosing vasospastic angina?

Coronary spasm is a risk factor for acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. This is a case of a young female patient with cardiopulmonary arrest induced by coronary spasm on arrival at our hospital. There has been no case that prolonged spontaneous attack was confirmed in multi-vessels. This case demonstrates that persistent coronary spasm is lethal and an important cause of cardiopulmonary arrest even in young people. It is extremely important to detect patients with coronary spasm before the ischemic events associated with cardiopulmonary arrest occur.

Provoked coronary spasm predicts adverse outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a novel predictor of prognosis after acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between provoked coronary spasm and clinical course in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: Coronary spasm has a pathogenetic role in the occurrence of AMI and progressive atherosclerosis. There is no report that focused on the prognostic significance of provoked coronary spasm in AMI patients. METHODS: Our group investigated 240 consecutive patients who underwent spasm-provocation tests using acetylcholine after AMI. Coronary spasm was defined as a transient total or subtotal occlusion of the luminal diameter. The patients were divided into 2 groups (positive group: n = 174, negative group: n = 66). RESULTS: The clinical courses of the 2 groups were compared at long-term follow up (mean, 43 months). Major adverse cardiac events (death, acute coronary syndrome, or revascularization) occurred in 82 patients (47.1%) in the positive group and 18 patients (27.3%) in the negative group (p = 0.0055). The frequency of major adverse cardiac event-free survival was significantly lower in the positive group than in the negative group (p = 0.0018). Provoked coronary spasm was a significant independent predictor of poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Provoked coronary spasm predicts adverse outcome in AMI patients.

Gender difference in subjective symptoms related to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is also detected in postmenopausal women.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is well known to be male-dominant. Female sex hormones may be involved, since very few premenopausal women experience AF. However, a possible gender difference in older subjects has not been fully elucidated yet. We retrospectively reviewed the symptoms of 133 patients (111 males and 22 females) with paroxysmal AF (PAF) from the medical records at our hospital from 1995 to 2000, and classified the patients according to the time of the attacks as day type, night type, or unspecific type. In females, the age at the first diagnosis of PAF was significantly higher (males: 57 +/- 1 year old, females: 65 +/- 2 years old; P = 0.006) and the proportion of cases younger than 61 years old was significantly smaller (63%, 32%; P = 0.007). As in previous reports, the female group had more cases with unspecific type (26.5%, 47.6%) or with long duration (> 24 hours) (16.9%, 37.5%). In contrast to these published results, fewer women (10.5%) had frequent attacks (more than twice a week) than men (39.8%). The incidence of regular alcohol consumption, one of the most important PAF triggers, was significantly higher in men than women (84.7%, 13.6%; P < 0.0001). Even when we focused on cases older than 60 years old, the female group still had more cases with unspecific type (53.3% versus 23.1%) or with long duration (27.3% versus 14.7%) than men, and fewer with frequent attacks (0% versus 51.7%) or regular alcohol consumption (6.7% versus 82.9%; P < 0.0001) than men. The gender difference in symptoms related to PAF may depend not only on sex hormones, but also on intrinsic or social gender differences.

Mechanism of decrease in the atrial potential after implantation of a single-lead VDD pacemaker: atrial histological changes after implantation of a VDD pacemaker lead in dogs.

The single-lead VDD pacemaker system (VDDPS) enables atrial synchronous ventricular pacing with only one lead in patients with an atrioventricular block. There are some cases in which the atrial potential decreases after implantation of a VDDPS, making physiological pacing difficult. The mechanism of this decrease has not been elucidated yet. To elucidate the possible relationship between the decrease of the atrial potential after implantation of a VDDPS and histopathological changes of the atrium. We implanted a VDDPS from the jugular vein under anesthesia in 10 adult dogs. The tip of the pacing lead was fixed in the right ventricular apex of the heart under fluoroscopic guidance. Then, the lead was ligated and fixed to the jugular vein at a point where a favorable atrial potential was obtained. The end of the lead was passed from the neck to the back subcutaneously; then pulled outside and fixed there to measure the atrial potential. The atrial potential was measured using a pacing system analyzer under anesthesia on days 3 (n = 9) and 7 (n = 8), as well as on weeks 2 (n = 6), 3 (n = 4), and 4 (n = 3), after the implantation. The heart was removed from the dogs on day 3 (n = 2), day 7 (n = 2), week 2 (n = 2), and week 4 (n = 4) to examine the atrial histological findings. The atrial potential was 2.7 +/- 0.7 mV at the time of the implantation, 1.7 +/- 1.1 mV (P < 0.05) on day 3, and 1.7 +/- 0.7 mV on week 4 after the implantation. Macroscopically, the pacemaker lead was covered with thrombus, and adhered to the atrial wall in 80% of animals. Microscopically, the endocardium was hypertrophic due to fibrous tissue; besides RBC extravasation, inflammatory cells infiltration and degeneration of myocardial cells, were observed under the endocardium. Inflammatory changes developed in the atrial wall after implantation of the VDDPS, and this seemed to be one of the mechanisms for the decrease of the atrial potential of the VDDPS.