Clinical features and predictors of outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: Although short-term mortality of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has decreased dramatically in the past few decades, sudden cardiac arrest remains a serious complication. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical characteristics and predictors of prognosis in AMI patients who experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). METHODS: We retrospectively registered consecutive AMI patients who were treated with emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2004 and 2017. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between patients with OHCA and those without OHCA. RESULTS: Among 2101 AMI patients, 95 (4.7%) presented with OHCA. Younger age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-0.97; p < 0.0001), absence of diabetes mellitus (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.30-0.85; p = 0.01) or dyslipidemia (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36-0.88; p = 0.01), left main trunk (LMT) or left anterior descending artery (LAD) as the culprit lesion (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.99-5.33; p < 0.0001), and renal deficiency (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 2.27-5.84; p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with incidence of OHCA. Thirty-day mortality was 32.6% in patients with OHCA and 4.5% in those without OHCA. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed LMT or LAD as the culprit lesion (OR, 12.18; 95% CI, 2.27-65.41; p = 0.004), glucose level (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.01; p = 0.01), and renal deficiency (OR, 3.35; 95% CI, 1.07-10.53; p = 0.04) as independent predictors of 30-day mortality among AMI patients with OHCA. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AMI who underwent emergency PCI, 30-day mortality was six times greater in those having presented initially with OHCA compared with those without OHCA. Younger age, absence of diabetes mellitus or dyslipidemia, LMT or LAD as the culprit lesion, and renal deficiency were independent predictors of OHCA. OHCA patient with higher blood glucose level on admission, LMT or LAD as the culprit lesion, or renal deficiency showed worse clinical outcomes.

Differing effects of beta-blockers on long-term clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention between patients with mid-range and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the difference in effects of beta-blockers on long-term clinical outcomes between ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients with mid-range ejection fraction (mrEF) and those with reduced ejection fraction (rEF). METHODS: Data were assessed of 3508 consecutive IHD patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 1997 and 2011. Among them, 316 patients with mrEF (EF = 40-49%) and 201 patients with rEF (EF < 40%) were identified. They were assigned to groups according to users and non-users of beta-blockers and effects of beta-blockers were assessed between mrEF and rEF patients, separately. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and non-fatal acute coronary syndrome. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 5.5 years in mrEF patients and 4.3 years in rEF patients. Cumulative event-free survival was significantly lower in the group with beta-blockers than in the group without beta-blockers in rEF (p = 0.003), whereas no difference was observed in mrEF (p = 0.137) between those with and without beta-blockers. In the multivariate analysis, use of beta-blockers was associated with reduction in clinical outcomes in patients with rEF (hazard ratio (HR), 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.36-0.97; p = 0.036), whereas no association was observed among those with mrEF (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.49-1.10; p = 0.137). CONCLUSIONS: Our observational study showed that use of beta-blockers was not associated with long-term clinical outcomes in IHD patients with mrEF, whereas a significant association was observed in those with rEF.

An analysis of patients with acute aortic dissection who were transported by physician-staffed helicopter.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to determine whether or not patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD) treated by the staff of a doctor helicopter (DH) service while being transported from the scene or for interhospital transportation obtained a favorable outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated all patients with AAD who were transported by DH between January 2015 and December 2019 using the registry data of the DH control room of our hospital. RESULTS: One hundred five cases were enrolled in the present study. All patients were transported within 24 h from the onset. Male patients accounted for 55.2% of the study population, the average age was 71 years and the rate of Stanford A AAD was 51.4%. Regarding transportation, 61.6% of the patients underwent interhospital transportation, and 42.8% were transported to our hospital. All patients underwent drip infusion during transportation and 81.9% of the patients received drugs (e.g., depressors, pain killers and/or antiemetics). Two patients underwent tracheal intubation due to unconsciousness and profound shock with restless state, respectively. The systolic blood pressure after transportation to hospital was significantly higher in comparison to before transportation. No patients suffered cardiac arrest or showed a deterioration of vital signs. All patients were safely transported to the destination. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests the safety of using a Dr. Heli to transport AAD patients from the scene and for interhospital transportation, even after the onset.

Clinical Characteristics and Long-Term Outcomes of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome During Travel.

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death among travelers, but the clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients who develop acute coronary syndrome (ACS) while traveling have not been assessed. We evaluated 2548 patients with ACS who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 1999 and 2015 and compared the incidences of all-cause and cardiac death during follow-up between travelers and locals. We assessed 192 (7.5%) patients who developed ACS while traveling. These patients were younger and had a higher prevalence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction than local patients. During a median follow-up period of 5.3 years, 632 (24.8%) all-cause deaths were identified, including 310 cardiac deaths (12.2%). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the cumulative incidence of all-cause death was significantly lower among the travelers than locals (P = 0.001, log-rank test). Multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that travel was significantly associated with a lower rate of all cause death (hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.80; P = 0.002). Cardiac mortality did not significantly differ between travelers and locals (P = 0.29). Patients with ACS treated with primary PCI while traveling had more favorable long-term clinical outcomes than local patients. Appropriate initial treatments and secondary preventions might improve the prognosis of travelers.

Increased risk of cardiovascular mortality by strict glycemic control (pre-procedural HbA1c < 6.5%) in Japanese medically-treated diabetic patients following percutaneous coronary intervention: a 10-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: In the secondary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease in patients with diabetes, an optimal level of HbA1c, the most widely-used glycemic control indicator, for favorable clinical consequences still remains to be established. This study assessed the association between preprocedural HbA1c level and CV mortality in Japanese diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study using a single-center prospective PCI database involving consecutive 4542 patients who underwent PCI between 2000 and 2016. Patients with any antidiabetic medication including insulin at PCI were included in the analysis (n = 1328). We divided the patients into 5 and 2 groups according to HbA1c level; HbA1c: < 6.5% (n = 267), 6.5-7.0% (n = 268), 7.0-7.5% (n = 262), 7.5-8.5% (n = 287) and ≥ 8.5% (n = 244), and 7.0% > and ≤ 7.0%, respectively. The primary outcome was CV mortality including sudden death. The median follow-up duration was 6.2 years. RESULTS: In the follow-up period, CV and sudden death occurred in 81 and 23 patients, respectively. While unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no difference in cumulative CV mortality rate between patients binarized by preprocedural HbA1c 7.0%, analysis of the 5 groups of HbA1c showed significantly higher cumulative CV death in patients with HbA1c < 6.5% compared with those with 7.0-7.5% (P = 0.042). Multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed a U-shaped relationship between preprocedural HbA1c level and risk of CV death, and the lowest risk was in the HbA1c 7.0-7.5% group (Hazard ratio of HbA1c < 6.5% compared to 7.0-7.5%: 2.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.33-7.25, P = 0.007). Similarly, univariate analysis revealed the lowest risk of sudden death was in the HbA1c 7.0-7.5% group. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate an increased risk of CV mortality by strict glycemic control (HbA1c < 6.5%) in the secondary prevention of CV disease in Japanese patients with medically-treated diabetes. Trial registration This study reports the retrospective analysis of a prospective registry database of patients who underwent PCI at Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan (Juntendo Physicians' Alliance for Clinical Trials, J-PACT), which is publicly registered (University Medical Information Network Japan-Clinical Trials Registry UMIN-CTR 000035587).

A case of iliopsoas hematoma as a complication of tetanus in a patient who did not receive anticoagulant therapy.

BACKGROUND: The specific clinical feature of tetanus is whole body muscle spasms. These spasms are intensely painful and sometime lead to some injuries. Vertebral fractures have been reported as a common complication of tetanus, however iliopsoas hematoma is a rare complication. We describe a case of iliopsoas hematoma in a tetanus patient who had not been treated with any anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents. CASE PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old female patient was transferred to our hospital 7 days after the onset of tetanus. An iliopsoas hematoma was identified in her right iliopsoas muscle on computed tomography. There was no extravasation; thus, the hematoma improved with conservative therapy. There were no episodes that suggested a bleeding tendency, or no factors associated with hemorrhagic conditions. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of iliopsoas hematoma as a complication in a tetanus patient who did not received anticoagulation therapy. The possibility of IPH as a complication of tetanus should be considered before and during the administration of anticoagulation therapy.

Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome and Its Effects on Sleep and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by leg restlessness and dysesthesia. Although the relationship between RLS and heart failure (HF) has been reported, the prevalence and clinical significance of RLS in patients with HF remain to be elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled consecutive patients with HF who were admitted to our institutions. RLS was diagnosed using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria. Subjective sleepiness, sleep quality, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and 8-item Short Form (SF-8), respectively. Among the 133 patients, 18 (13.6%) had RLS and were younger than those without RLS (62.4±13.4 vs 70.0±12.2, P = .017). The RLS group had significantly disrupted sleep quality and QoL, with greater PSQI score (8.0±3.2 vs 5.9±3.3, P = .015) and lower SF-8 physical component summary (PCS) score (35.6±6.5 vs 40.7±9.5, P = .031), despite similar ESS and SF-8 mental component summary scores. In the multivariable regression analysis, RLS was associated with greater PSQI (ß=0.211; P = .014) and lower PCS score (ß=-0.177; P = .045). CONCLUSION: In the patients with HF, RLS was prevalent, and sleep quality and QoL may be disrupted by RLS.

Impact of Lipoprotein (a) Levels on Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Serum levels of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) could be a risk factor for adverse events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the effect of Lp(a) on long-term outcomes in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, possibly through the increased likelihood for development of heart failure (HF), remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to determine the prognostic impact of Lp(a) in patients with CAD and LV systolic dysfunction. Methods and Results: A total of 3,508 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention were candidates. We analyzed 369 patients with LV systolic dysfunction (defined as LV ejection fraction <50%). They were assigned to groups according to a median level of Lp(a) (i.e., high Lp(a), ≥21.6 mg/dL, n=185; low Lp(a), <21.6 mg/dL, n=184). The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and readmission for acute coronary syndrome and/or HF. The median follow-up period was 5.1 years. Cumulative event-free survival was significantly worse for the group with high Lp(a) than for the group with low Lp(a) (P=0.005). In the multivariable analysis, a high Lp(a) level was an independent predictor of the primary outcomes (hazard ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-2.18; P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: A high Lp(a) value could be associated with long-term adverse clinical outcomes among patients with CAD and LV systolic dysfunction.

Long-Term Predictive Value of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein for Cancer Mortality in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a well known risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. We investigated the long-term impact of hs-CRP on cancer mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods and Results: This study was a retrospective analysis of 2,867 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for stable CAD from 2000 to 2016. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to median hs-CRP. We then evaluated the association between baseline hs-CRP and both all-cause and cancer deaths. Median hs-CRP was 0.10 mg/dL (IQR, 0.04-0.27 mg/dL). The median follow-up period was 5.8 years (IQR, 2.3-10.0 years). There were 416 deaths (14.5%), including 149 cardiovascular deaths (5.2%) and 115 (4.0%) cancer deaths. On Kaplan-Meier analysis the higher hs-CRP group had a significantly higher incidence of both all-cause and cancer death (log-rank, P<0.001 and P=0.001, respectively). On multivariable analysis higher hs-CRP was significantly associated with higher risk of cancer death (HR, 1.74; 95% CI: 1.18-2.61, P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated baseline hs-CRP was significantly associated with cancer mortality in patients with stable CAD. Hs-CRP measurement may be useful for the identification of subjects with an increased risk of cancer death.

Association between C-reactive protein levels at hospital admission and long-term mortality in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

The C-reactive protein (CRP) levels obtained at hospital admission are associated with the prognosis of several cardiovascular diseases, including acute coronary syndrome. Although the admission CRP level is associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), there are limited data on the association between the admission CRP level and long-term mortality in patients with ADHF. This study included consecutive ADHF patients admitted to our institution from 2007 to 2011. Eligible patients were divided into four groups based on quartiles of admission CRP levels. The association between the admission CRP level and long-term mortality was assessed by multivariable Cox proportional analysis, including other independent variables with p values < 0.1 in the univariable analyses. Overall, 527 eligible patients were examined. There were 142 deaths (27%) during a median follow-up period of 2.0 years. In the multivariable analysis, the hazard ratio (HR) significantly increased with admission CRP levels in a dose-dependent manner for mortality (p for trend = 0.034). Multivariable analysis also showed a significant association between the admission CRP level, when treated as a natural logarithm-transformed continuous variable, and increased mortality (HR 1.16, p = 0.030). In patients with ADHF, the admission CRP level was associated with an increased risk of long-term mortality.

Clinical Significance of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Preserved Renal Function Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Although high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been used to predict the risk of adverse cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), little is known about the association between hs-CRP and long-term outcomes in patients with preserved renal function.Here, we studied 1,153 patients with stable CAD and preserved renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate: > 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2) who underwent their first PCI between 2000 and 2011. Those with available data on preprocedural hs-CRP were included. Patients were assigned to tertiles according to preprocedural hs-CRP levels. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including all-cause death and nonfatal myocardial infarction, was evaluated. During a median follow-up period of 7.5 years, Kaplan-Meier curves showed ongoing divergence in the rates of MACE among the hs-CRP tertiles (hs-CRP < 0.05 mg/L, 12.1%; 0.05-0.17 mg/L, 12.1%; > 0.17 mg/L, 21.6%; log-rank P = 0.003). After adjusting for the established cardiovascular risk factors, hs-CRP levels were found to be associated with a higher incidence of MACE (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.77-7.07; P = 0.0008) and a higher rate of all-cause mortality (HR: 5.14, 95% CI: 2.38-10.30; P < 0.0001).In conclusion, this long-term registry showed that preprocedural hs-CRP measurement is clinically useful for long-term risk assessments in patients with stable CAD and preserved renal function.

Gas in coronary artery: A case of fatal decompression sickness evaluated by computed tomography.

A 54-year-old man suffered a leg cramp while diving in the ocean at a depth of 20 meters. He began to surface, with his ascent based on a decompression table. He lost consciousness at the surface and was rescued by a nearby boat. The boat staff judged him to be in cardiac arrest, so they performed chest compressions. When the boat reached port where an ambulance was waiting, emergency medical technicians confirmed that the patient was in cardiac arrest; his initial rhythm was asystole. Treated with basic life support, the patient was then transported to a rendezvous point, where a physician-staffed helicopter waited. The patient remained in cardiac arrest, so the staff of the helicopter performed tracheal intubation with mechanical ventilation, securing a venous route, infusion of adrenaline, and mechanical chest compression. On arrival at our hospital 100 minutes after collapse, he remained in cardiac arrest. Continued advanced cardiac life support failed to obtain spontaneous circulation. Whole-body computed tomography (CT) at 120 minutes after the collapse showed multiple gas bubbles in the heart, aorta, inferior vena cava, cerebral artery, coronary artery and portal vein with lung edema. This is the first case to show gas in the bilateral coronary arteries on CT. The present case clearly demonstrates that decompression sickness can also induce acute coronary syndrome.

Impact of serum albumin levels on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between low serum albumin levels and both coronary artery disease (CAD) and mortality. However, the long-term clinical impact of low serum albumin level in patients with CAD undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not yet been fully investigated. We studied 2860 all-comer patients with CAD who underwent their first PCI and had data available for pre-procedural serum albumin between 2000 and 2011. Patients were assigned to tertiles based on pre-procedural albumin levels. We evaluated the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including all-cause death and nonfatal myocardial infarction. Mean albumin level was 4.0 ± 0.5 g/dL. Lower albumin levels were associated with older age, lower body mass index (BMI), and higher prevalences of female sex, ACS and chronic kidney disease (CKD). During the median follow-up period of 7.4 years, Kaplan-Meier curves showed ongoing divergence in rates of MACE among albumin tertiles (albumin <3.8 g/dl: 44.3% vs. 3.8-4.1 g/dl: 38.0% vs. >4.1 g/dl: 22.9%; log-rank p < 0.0001). After adjusting for established cardiovascular risk factors including age, acute coronary syndrome, BMI and CKD, serum albumin levels were significantly associated with incidence of MACE (HR 1.74 per 1-g/dl decrease, 95% CI 1.34-2.26, p < 0.0001) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.30-2.33, p = 0.0002). Pre-PCI low serum albumin level was associated with worse long-term outcomes, independent of traditional risk factors. Assessing albumin levels may allow risk stratification in patients with CAD undergoing PCI.

Impact of gender difference on long-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for coronary artery disease in patients under statin treatment.

The incidence of adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is higher in women than in men. Statins reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular events arising in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), but the impact of gender difference on long-term outcomes of PCI for CAD under statin treatment has not been established. We prospectively enrolled 3,580 consecutive patients with CAD who were treated by PCI at our institution between 2000 and 2011. Among these, 2,009 (43.9 %; male, n = 1619; female, n = 390) were under statin therapy at the time of PCI. We evaluated the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including all-cause death and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Age was significantly more advanced and the prevalences of hypertension and chronic kidney disease were higher among the female, than the male patients. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly higher in women than in men (111.5 ± 38.9 vs. 107.5 ± 3 3.9 mg/dL, p = 0.04). During a median follow-up period of 6.3 years, MACE that occurred in 336 (16.7 %) patients included 206 (10.2 %) with all-cause death and 154 (7.7 %) with ACS. The cumulative rate of MACE tended to be higher in women than in men but the difference did not reach significance (19.7 vs. 16.0 %; p = 0.08, log-rank test). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that being female was not associated with MACE after adjusting for age (HR 1.22; 95 % CI 0.94-1.57; p = 0.13) and other variables (HR 1.14; 95 % CI 0.86-1.49; p = 0.35). Long-term clinical outcomes were comparable between male and female patients with coronary artery disease who were administered with statins and underwent PCI even though the baseline characteristics were worse among the females.

Preprocedural High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Predicts Long-Term Outcome of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been used to predict the risk of adverse cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Less is known, however, about the association between hs-CRP and long-term outcome after PCI in the Japanese population.Methods and Results:We studied 3,039 all-comer patients with CAD who underwent their first PCI and had data available for preprocedural hs-CRP at Juntendo University between 2000 and 2011. Patients were assigned to tertiles based on preprocedural hs-CRP concentration. We evaluated the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including all-cause death, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). Patients with higher hs-CRP had a higher prevalence of current smoking, chronic kidney disease and ACS, and a lower prevalence of statin use. During a median follow-up period of 6.5 years, ongoing divergence in MACE with hs-CRP tertile was noted on Kaplan-Meier curves (hs-CRP <0.08 mg/L, 26.4%; 0.08-0.25 mg/L, 38.2%; >0.25 mg/L, 45.6%; log-rank P<0.001). After adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors, hs-CRP was associated with higher incidence of MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04-1.16, P<0.001) and higher all-cause mortality (HR, 1.14; 95% CI: 1.06-1.22, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preprocedural hs-CRP measurement is clinically useful for long-term risk assessment in Japanese patients with established CAD and undergoing PCI.

Impact of sleep-disordered breathing on overnight changes in arterial stiffness in patients with acute heart failure.

Overnight increases in arterial stiffness associated with sleep-disordered breathing may adversely affect patients with acute heart failure. Thus, we investigated overnight changes in arterial stiffness and their association with sleep-disordered breathing in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure. Consecutive patients with acute heart failure were enrolled. All participants underwent overnight full polysomnography following the initial improvement of acute signs and symptoms of acute heart failure. The arterial stiffness parameter, cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), was assessed before and after polysomnography. Overall, 60 patients (86.7% men) were analyzed. CAVI significantly increased overnight (from 8.4 ± 1.6 at night to 9.1 ± 1.7 in the morning, P < 0.001) in addition to systolic and diastolic blood pressure (from 114.1 mmHg to 121.6 mmHg, P < 0.001; and from 70.1 mmHg to 78.2 mmHg, P < 0.001, respectively). Overnight increase in CAVI (ΔCAVI ≥ 0) was observed in 42 patients (70%). The ΔCAVI ≥ 0 group was likely to have moderate-to-severe sleep-disordered breathing (i.e., apnea-hypopnea index ≥15, 55.6% vs 80.9%, P = 0.047) and greater obstructive respiratory events (29.4% vs 58.5%, P = 0.041). In multivariable analysis, moderate-to-severe sleep-disordered breathing and greater obstructive respiratory events were independently correlated with an overnight increase in CAVI (P = 0.033 and P = 0.042, respectively). In patients hospitalized for acute heart failure, arterial stiffness, as assessed by CAVI, significantly increased overnight. Moderate-to-severe sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive respiratory events may play an important role in the overnight increase in cardio-ankle vascular index.

Outcome after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) may reduce the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events but remains challenging. The study aim was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI with CS. METHODS: We conducted an observational cohort study of patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI between April 2004 and December 2017 at Juntendo University Shizuoka Hospital. The primary outcome was cardiovascular death (CVD) during the median 3-year follow-up. We performed a landmark analysis for the incidence of CVD from 0 day to 1 year and from 1 to 10 years. RESULTS: Among the 1758 STEMI patients in the cohort, 212 (12.1 %) patients with CS showed significantly higher 30-day CVD rate on admission than those without (26.4 % vs 2.9 %). Landmark Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that CVD from day 0 to year 1 was significantly higher in the patients with CS (log-rank p < 0.0001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that CS was significantly associated with higher cardiovascular mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 11.8; 95%confidence intervals, 7.78-18.1; p < 0.0001), but the mortality rates from 1 to 10 years were comparable (log-rank p = 0.68). CONCLUSION: The cardiovascular 1-year mortality rate for patients with STEMI was higher for those with CS on admission than without, but the mortality rates of >1 year were comparable. Surviving the early phase is essential for patients with STEMI and CS to improve long-term outcomes.

Feasibility of self-measurement telemonitoring using a handheld heart sound recorder in patients with heart failure - SELPH multicenter pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Multi-parametric assessment, including heart sounds in addition to conventional parameters, may enhance the efficacy of noninvasive telemonitoring for heart failure (HF). We sought to assess the feasibility of self-telemonitoring with multiple devices including a handheld heart sound recorder and its association with clinical events in patients with HF. METHODS: Ambulatory HF patients recorded their own heart sounds, mono­lead electrocardiograms, oxygen saturation, body weight, and vital signs using multiple devices every morning for six months. RESULTS: In the 77 patients enrolled (63 ±â€¯13 years old, 84 % male), daily measurements were feasible with a self-measurement rate of >70 % of days in 75 % of patients. Younger age and higher Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire scores were independently associated with lower adherence (p = 0.002 and 0.027, respectively). A usability questionnaire showed that 87 % of patients felt self-telemonitoring was helpful, and 96 % could use the devices without routine cohabitant support. Six patients experienced ten HF events of re-hospitalization and/or unplanned hospital visits due to HF. In patients who experienced HF events, a significant increase in heart rate and diastolic blood pressure and a decrease in the time interval from Q wave onset to the second heart sound were observed 7 days before the events compared with those without HF events. CONCLUSIONS: Self-telemonitoring with multiple devices including a handheld heart sound recorder was feasible even in elderly patients with HF. This intervention may confer a sense of relief to patients and enable monitoring of physiological parameters that could be valuable in detecting the deterioration of HF.

Prognostic Value of Cheyne-Stokes Respiration and Nutritional Status in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Malnutrition frequently coexists with heart failure (HF), leading to series of negative consequences. Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) is predominantly detected in patients with HF. However, the effect of CSR and malnutrition on the long-term prognosis of patients with acute decompensated HF (ADHF) remains unclear. We enrolled 162 patients with ADHF (median age, 62 years; 78.4% men). The presence of CSR was assessed using polysomnography and the controlling nutritional status score was assessed to evaluate the nutritional status. Patients were divided into four groups based on CSR and malnutrition. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. In total, 44% of patients had CSR and 67% of patients had malnutrition. The all-cause mortality rate was 26 (16%) during the 35.9 months median follow-up period. CSR with malnutrition was associated with lower survival rates (log-rank p < 0.001). Age, hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte count, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, B-type natriuretic peptide, administration of loop diuretics, apnea-hypopnea index and central apnea-hypopnea index were significantly different among all groups (p < 0.05). CSR with malnutrition was independently associated with all-cause mortality. In conclusion, CSR with malnutrition is associated with a high risk of all-cause mortality in patients with ADHF.

Overnight changes in uric acid, xanthine oxidoreductase and oxidative stress levels and their relationships with sleep-disordered breathing in patients with coronary artery disease.

Serum uric acid (UA) level is associated with the high cumulative incidence or prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), and hyperuricemia is considered as an independent risk marker for CAD. Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is also associated with an increased risk of CAD. Several studies have shown that SDB is associated with hyperuricemia, but the mechanisms are unclear. We measured serum levels of UA and xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) activity and urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), all of which were assessed at 6 p.m. and the following 6 a.m. in males with CAD. In addition, nocturnal pulse oximetry was performed for the night. Overall 32 eligible patients with CAD were enrolled. Serum UA levels significantly increased overnight. (5.32 ± 0.98 mg/dl to 5.46 ± 1.02 mg/dl, p < 0.001) Moreover, XOR activity and urinary 8-OHdG levels significantly increased from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Furthermore, 3% Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was correlated with the overnight changes in XOR activity (r = 0.36, P = 0.047) and urinary 8-OHdG levels (r = 0.41, P = 0.02). In addition, 3%ODI was independently correlated with the changes in XOR activity (correlation coefficient, 0.36; P = 0.047) and 8-OHdG (partial correlation coefficient, 0.63; P = 0.004) in multivariable analyses. SDB severity was associated with the overnight changes in XOR activity and urinary 8-OHdG, suggesting that SDB may be associated with oxidative stress via UA production. This trial is registered at University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN), number: UMIN000021624.