Non-invasive assessment of left ventricular filling pressure in aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure (FP) is important for the management of aortic stenosis (AS) patients. Although, it is often restricted for predict LV FP in AS because of mitral annular calcification and a certain left ventricular hypertrophy. Thus, we tested the predictive ability of the algorithm for elevated LV FP in AS patients and also applied a recently-proposed echocardiographic scoring system of LV FP, visually assessed time difference between the mitral valve and tricuspid valve opening (VMT) score. METHODS: We enrolled consecutive 116 patients with at least moderate AS in sinus rhythm who underwent right heart catheterization and echocardiography within 7 days. Mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) was measured as invasive parameter of LV FP. LV diastolic dysfunction (DD) was graded according to the ASE/EACVI guidelines. The VMT score was defined as follows: time sequence of opening of mitral and tricuspid valves was scored to 0-2 (0: tricuspid valve first, 1: simultaneous, 2: mitral valve first). When the inferior vena cava was dilated, one point was added and VMT score was finally calculated as 0-3. RESULTS: Of the 116 patients, 29 patients showed elevated PAWP. Ninety patients (93%) and 67 patients (63%) showed increased values for left atrium volume index (LAVI) and E/e', respectively when the cut-off values recommended by the guidelines were applied and thus the algorism predicted elevated PAWP with a low specificity and positive predictive value (PPV). VMT ≥ 2 predicted elevated PAWP with a sensitivity of 59%, specificity of 90%, PPV of 59%, and negative predictive value of 89%. An alternative algorithm that applied tricuspid regurgitation velocity and VMT scores was tested, and its predictive ability was markedly improved. CONCLUSION: VMT score was applicable for AS patients. Alternative use of VMT score improved diagnostic accuracy of guideline-recommended algorism.

Paradoxical increase in global longitudinal strain by handgrip exercise despite left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Although global longitudinal strain (GLS) is recognized as a sensitive marker of intrinsic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, its afterload dependency has also been pointed. We hypothesized that decrease in GLS during handgrip exercise could be more sensitive marker of intrinsic myocardial dysfunction. METHODS: Handgrip exercise-stress echocardiography was performed in 90 cardiovascular disease patients with preserved LV ejection fraction. LV diastolic function was graded according to the guidelines. Diastolic wall stress (DWS) and ratio of left atrial (LA) volume index to late-diastolic mitral annular velocity (LAVI/a') were measured at rest as LV stiffness. As well, LA strains were measured to assess LA function. GLS was expressed as absolute value and significant changes in GLS by handgrip exercise was defined as changes over prespecified mean absolute test-retest variability (2.65%). RESULTS: While mean value of GLS did not change by the exercise, substantial patients showed significant changes in GLS: decreased (group I, n = 28), unchanged (group II, n = 34), and increased (group III, n = 28). Unexpectedly, patients in group I did not show any clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, while those in group III were characterized by elevated natriuretic peptide levels, blunted heart rate response to handgrip exercise, and advanced LV diastolic dysfunction. Multivariable analyses revealed that DWS, left atrial booster strain, and grade II or more diastolic dysfunction determined the increase in GLS even after adjustment for elevated natriuretic peptides and the changes in heart rate by the exercise. CONCLUSION: In contrast to our hypothesis, paradoxical increase in GLS by handgrip exercise could be associated with advanced LV diastolic dysfunction in cardiovascular patients with preserved LV ejection fraction. Our findings suggest that HG exercise for heart failure patients does not enhance the afterload straightforward, resulting in variable changes of GLS according to the individual conditions.

Efficacy of polyglycolic acid sheeting with fibrin glue for perforations related to gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Gastrointestinal (GI) perforations are one of the major adverse events of endoscopic procedures. Polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets with fibrin glue have been reported to close GI perforations. However, its clinical outcome has not yet been fully investigated; thus, we conducted a multicenter retrospective observational study to assess the efficacy of PGA sheeting for GI perforation. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent PGA sheeting for endoscopic GI perforations between April 2013 and March 2018 in 18 Japanese institutions were retrospectively analyzed. PGA sheeting was applied when the clip closure was challenging or failed to use. Perforations were filled with one or several pieces of PGA sheets followed by fibrin glue application through an endoscopic catheter. Nasal or percutaneous drainage and endoscopic clipping were applied as appropriate. Clinical outcomes after PGA sheeting for intraoperative or delayed perforations were separately evaluated. RESULTS: There were 66 intraoperative and 24 delayed perforation cases. In intraoperative cases, successful closure was attained in 60 cases (91%). The median period from the first sheeting to diet resumption was 6 days (interquartile range [IQR], 4-8.8 days). Large perforation size (≥ 10 mm) and duodenal location showed marginal significant relationship to higher closure failure of intraoperative perforations. In delayed perforation cases, all cases had successful closure. The median period from the first sheeting to diet resumption was 10 days (IQR, 6-37.8 days). No adverse events related to PGA sheeting occurred. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic PGA sheeting could be a therapeutic option for GI perforations related to GI endoscopic procedures.

Efficacy of Endoscopic Evaluation of Acute Radiation Esophagitis during Chemoradiotherapy with Proton Beam Therapy Boost for Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the utility of endoscopy for assessing radiation esophagitis during chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with proton beam therapy (PBT) boost for esophageal cancer. METHODS: Between December 2012 and December 2016, 38 patients with esophageal cancer were treated with CRT with PBT boost. To evaluate radiation esophagitis, endoscopy was performed after administration of CRT with standard PBT boost (total dose 50-60 Gy relative biological effectiveness [RBE]). Radiation esophagitis was evaluated and classified into 5 newly developed endoscopic grades (Fukui Acute Radiation Esophagitis [FARE] grade). The additional PBT boost was then adjusted and delivered (2-20 Gy [RBE]) to a maximum total dose of 74.4 Gy (RBE) based on the degree of radiation esophagitis, probability of residual tumor, and patient's general condition. To evaluate the utility of endoscopic examination, the incidences of adverse events graded according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, version 4.0) were determined at the time of endoscopic examination after CRT with standard PBT boost (50-60 Gy [RBE]) and at the completion of treatment (60-74.4 Gy [RBE]), as well as during the 90 days from the beginning of treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between FARE grade and CTCAE esophagitis grade (ρ = 0.48; p = 0.03). Moreover, endoscopy detected severe esophagitis in an asymptomatic patient. Radiation dose escalation was achieved without severe acute adverse events. There was no significant difference between the incidence of acute toxicity at the time of the CRT with standard PBT boost (50-60 Gy [RBE]) and the higher dose at the completion of treatment (60-74.4 Gy [RBE]), which suggests this dose escalation strategy is safe. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic evaluation of radiation esophagitis using FARE grades was safely performed and useful for adjusting added radiation to ensure the safety of escalations in CRT with PBT boost for esophageal cancer.

Is Additional Surgery Always Sufficient for Preventing Recurrence After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection with Curability C-2 for Early Gastric Cancer?

BACKGROUND: When a lesion does not meet the curative criteria of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC), referred to as non-curative resection or curability C-2 in the guidelines, an additional surgery is the standard therapy because of the risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify high-risk patients for recurrence after additional surgery for curability C-2 ESD of EGC. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study enrolled 1064 patients who underwent additional surgery after curability C-2 ESD for EGC. We evaluated the recurrence rate and the risk factors for recurrence after additional surgery in these patients. RESULTS: The 5-year recurrence rate after additional surgery was 1.3%. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the independent risk factors for recurrence after additional surgery were LNM (hazard ratio [HR] 32.47; p < 0.001) and vascular invasion (HR 4.75; p = 0.014). Moreover, patients with both LNM and vascular invasion had a high rate of recurrence after additional surgery (24.6% in 5 years), with a high HR (119.32) compared with those with neither LNM nor vascular invasion. Among patients with no vascular invasion, a high rate of recurrence was observed in those with N2/N3 disease according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system (27.3% in 5 years), in contrast with no recurrence in those with N1 disease. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with both LNM (N1-N3) and vascular invasion, as well as those with N2/N3 disease but no vascular invasion, would be candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy after additional surgery for curability C-2 ESD of EGC.

Age Affects Clinical Management after Noncurative Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Additional surgery is recommended after noncurative endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer due to the risk of lymph node metastasis. However, age may affect the clinical management of these patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our retrospective multicenter study was to clarify whether age affects decision-making after noncurative ESD and if the decision affects long-term outcomes. METHODS: Age was classified as follows: non-elderly, <70 years (n = 811); elderly, 70-79 years (n= 760); and super-elderly, ≥80 years (n = 398). Age associations with the selection for additional surgery were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Long-term outcomes were also evaluated in each age group. RESULTS: Age was inversely related to the rate of additional surgery, which ranged from 70.0% in the non-elderly group to 20.1% in the super-elderly group (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, age <70 years (versus age ≥80 years) was associated with the -selection of additional surgery (OR 18.6). Overall survival (OS) in patients who underwent additional surgery was -significantly higher in the non-elderly and elderly groups (p< 0.001), whereas the difference was not significant in the super-elderly group (p = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that almost 80% of super-elderly patients did not undergo additional surgery, the difference of OS between patients with and without additional surgery was not significant only in patients ≥80 years. Therefore, establishment of criteria for selecting treatment methods after noncurative ESD in elderly patients is required.

Long-term outcomes after non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer according to hospital volumes in Japan: a multicenter propensity-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of data regarding the long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC) without curative resection, and the relationship of these outcomes with hospital volumes remains unclear. This study evaluated long-term outcomes of patients who underwent ESD for EGC without curative resection according to hospital volumes in Japan. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study evaluated 1,969 patients who did not meet the criteria of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association for curative resection between January 2000 and August 2011. Hospitals were classified according to the annual number of ESD procedures: low- and medium-volume group (LMVG), high-volume group (HVG), and very high-volume group (VHVG). Clinicopathological features, overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared across groups after a generalized propensity score matching analysis. RESULTS: In 495 pairs of generalized propensity score-matched patients, the 5-year OS, DSS, and RFS rates were 81.5%, 97.9%, and 97.6% for LMVG; 86.9%, 98.2%, and 97.0% for HVG; and 85.4%, 98.5%, and 97.6% for VHVG, respectively. The 5-year DSS and RFS rates did not significantly differ among the three groups. However, 5-year OS was significantly worse in the LMVG than in the HVG and VHVG (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: DSS and RFS in patients with EGC who did not meet the criteria for curative resection did not differ across hospital volumes in Japan. Even in cases in which ESD for EGC involved non-curative resection, the procedure is feasible across Japanese hospitals with different volumes.

The Role of an Undifferentiated Component in Submucosal Invasion and Submucosal Invasion Depth After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The role of an undifferentiated component in submucosal invasion and submucosal invasion depth (SID) for lymph node metastasis (LNM) of early gastric cancer (EGC) with deep submucosal invasion (SID ≥500 µm from the muscularis mucosa) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has not been fully understood. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors (RFs), including these factors, for LNM in such patients. METHODS: We enrolled 513 patients who underwent radical surgery after ESD for EGC with deep submucosal invasion. We evaluated RFs for LNM, including an undifferentiated component in submucosal invasion and the SID, which was subdivided into 500-999, 1,000-1,499, 1,500-1,999, and ≥2,000 µm. RESULTS: LNM was detected in 7.6% of patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that an undifferentiated component in submucosal invasion (OR 2.22), in addition to tumor size >30 mm (OR 2.51) and lymphatic invasion (OR 3.07), were the independent RFs for LNM. However, the SID was not significantly associated with LNM. CONCLUSION: An undifferentiated component in submucosal invasion was one of the RFs for LNM, in contrast to SID, in patients who underwent ESD for EGC with deep submucosal invasion. This insight would be helpful in managing such patients.

Evaluation of an e-learning system for diagnosis of gastric lesions using magnifying narrow-band imaging: a multicenter randomized controlled study.

Background and study aim Magnifying narrow-band imaging (M-NBI) is useful for the accurate diagnosis of early gastric cancer (EGC). However, acquiring skill at M-NBI diagnosis takes substantial effort. An Internet-based e-learning system to teach endoscopic diagnosis of EGC using M-NBI has been developed. This study evaluated its effectiveness. Participants and methods This study was designed as a multicenter randomized controlled trial. We recruited endoscopists as participants from all over Japan. After completing Test 1, which consisted of M-NBI images of 40 gastric lesions, participants were randomly assigned to the e-learning or non-e-learning groups. Only the e-learning group was allowed to access the e-learning system. After the e-learning period, both groups received Test 2. The analysis set was participants who scored < 80 % accuracy on Test 1. The primary end point was the difference in accuracy between Test 1 and Test 2 for the two groups. Results A total of 395 participants from 77 institutions completed Test 1 (198 in the e-learning group and 197 in the non-e-learning group). After the e-learning period, all 395 completed Test 2. The analysis sets were e-learning group: n = 184; and non-e-learning group: n = 184. The mean Test 1 score was 59.9 % for the e-learning group and 61.7 % for the non-e-learning group. The change in accuracy in Test 2 was significantly higher in the e-learning group than in the non-e-learning group (7.4 points vs. 0.14 points, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusion This study clearly demonstrated the efficacy of the e-learning system in improving practitioners' capabilities to diagnose EGC using M-NBI.Trial registered at University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000008569).

Interobserver agreement in detection of "white globe appearance" and the ability of educational lectures to improve the diagnosis of gastric lesions.

BACKGROUND: White globe appearance (WGA) refers to a small white lesion of globular shape underneath cancerous gastric epithelium that can be clearly visualized by magnifying endoscopy with narrowband imaging (M-NBI). WGA has been reported to be a novel endoscopic marker that is highly specific in differentiating early gastric cancer (GC) from low-grade adenoma, and has a significantly higher prevalence in early GCs than in noncancerous lesions. However, interobserver agreement in detecting WGA and whether training intervention can improve diagnostic accuracy are unknown. METHODS: Twenty sets of M-NBI images were examined by 16 endoscopists. The endoscopists attended a lecture about WGA, and examined the images again after the lecture. Interobserver agreement in detecting WGA in the second examination and increases in the proportion of correct diagnoses and the degree of confidence of diagnoses of cancerous lesions were evaluated. RESULTS: The kappa value for interobserver agreement in detecting WGA in the second examination was 0.735. The proportion of correct diagnoses was significantly higher in the second examination compared with the first examination when WGA was present (95.5% vs 55.4%; P < 0.001), but not when WGA was absent (61.6% vs 52.7%; P = 0.190). The proportion of correct diagnoses with a high degree of confidence was significantly higher in the second examination, both with WGA (91.1% vs 29.5%; P < 0.001) and without WGA (36.6% vs 20.5%; P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: The detection of WGA by endoscopists was highly reproducible. A brief educational lecture about WGA increased the proportion of correct diagnoses and the degree of confidence of diagnoses of GC with WGA.

A case of Trousseau syndrome associated with a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma disseminated to the mesenteric adipose tissue.

A 66-year-old man with recurrent stroke within a short period of time was referred to our department from the neurology department to rule out any malignancy. An endoscopic examination revealed a white depressed lesion in the body of the stomach, and computed tomography revealed a high-density area in the mesentery around the stomach. A mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma was detected from both the stomach biopsy and resected mesenteric specimen. Systemic chemotherapy was administered for the MALT lymphoma (Lugano classification stage IV). Cerebral infarction did not occur after the treatment. We concluded that Trousseau syndrome associated with the MALT lymphoma disseminated to the mesenteric adipose tissue. A MALT lymphoma has a small probability of occurring in Trousseau syndrome.

[Case of acute necrotizing esophagitis associated with AA amyloidosis secondary to bronchiectasis].

An 82-year-old woman with a history of bronchiectasis for 20 years was admitted to our hospital with anorexia and diarrhea. Sigmoidoscopy showed multiple mucosal erythematous areas and erosions. Histologic examination with Congo red stain revealed massive amyloid deposition around the submucosal vessels as well as in the parenchyma of the mucosa and submucosa. With immunohistochemistry, the diagnosis of secondary/reactive AA amyloidosis was confirmed. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy demonstrated diffuse dark brown mucosa, establishing the diagnosis of acute necrotizing esophagitis. Ischemia associated with amyloid deposition of the vessels in the esophagus was considered to be a possible etiology of acute necrotizing esophagitis. Additionally, gastric outlet obstruction and gastroesophageal reflux associated with gastroduodenal erosions caused by amyloid deposition were supposed to be another factor. Amyloid deposition in the esophageal mucosa may cause a reduction in mucosal defense that is responsible for the pathogenesis. We report the first case of acute necrotizing esophagitis associated with amyloidosis.

Head-to-Head Comparison of Hepatic Vein and Superior Vena Cava Flow Velocity Waveform Analyses for Predicting Elevated Right Atrial Pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Blood flow in the hepatic veins and superior vena cava (SVC) reflects right heart filling; however, their Doppler profiles are often not identical, and no studies have compared their diagnostic efficacies. We aimed to determine which venous Doppler profile is reliable for detecting elevated right atrial pressure (RAP). METHODS: In 193 patients with cardiovascular diseases who underwent cardiac catheterization within 2 d of echocardiography, the hepatic vein systolic filling fraction (HV-SFF) and the ratio of the peak systolic to diastolic forward velocities of the SVC (SVC-S/D) were measured. HV-SFF < 55% and SVC-S/D < 1.9 were regarded as elevated RAP. We also calculated the fibrosis 4 index (FIB-4) as a serum liver fibrosis marker. RESULTS: HV-SFF and SVC-S/D were feasible in 177 (92%) and 173 (90%) patients, respectively. In the 161 patients in whom both venous Doppler waveforms could be measured, HV-SFF and SVC-S/D were inversely correlated with RAP (r = -0.350, p < 0.001; r = -0.430, p < 0.001, respectively). SVC-S/D > 1.9 showed a significantly higher diagnostic accuracy of RAP elevation compared with HV-SFF < 55% (area under the curve, 0.842 vs. 0.614, p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that both FIB-4 (ß = -0.211, p = 0.013) and mean RAP (ß = -0.319, p < 0.001) were independent determinants of HV-SFF. In contrast, not FIB-4 but mean RAP (ß = -0.471, p < 0.001) was an independent determinant of SVC-S/D. The diagnostic accuracy remained unchanged when HV-SFF < 55% was considered in conjunction with the estimated RAP based on the inferior vena cava morphology. Conversely, SVC-S/D showed an incremental diagnostic value over the estimated RAP. CONCLUSIONS: SVC-S/D enabled a more accurate diagnosis of RAP elevation than HV-SFF.

Applicability of new proposed criteria for iron deficiency in Japanese patients with heart failure.

AIMS: Iron deficiency (ID) is a common co-morbidity in patients with heart failure (HF). A recent study showed that ID defined by the current guideline criteria was not associated with worse clinical outcomes, and new ID criteria was proposed in patients with HF. However, the external applicability of the new proposed criteria is unclear. We sought to investigate the applicability of the proposed ID criteria in Japanese patients with HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively examined 763 patients with chronic HF from a Japanese multicentre registry. The proposed ID criteria were transferrin saturation (TSAT) < 20% and serum iron ≤13 mmol/L and the guideline ID criteria were serum ferritin <100 ng/mL or, when ferritin was 100-299 ng/mL, TSAT <20%. Among all patients (456 male, mean age 71 ± 13 years), 213 (28%) and 444 (58%) met the proposed and guideline ID criteria, respectively. During a median follow-up period of 436 days (interquartile range 297-565), the primary outcome of all-cause mortality occurred in 56 (7%) patients. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome between the patients with and without guideline ID criteria (P = 0.32), whereas patients with serum iron ≤10 µmol/L showed higher mortality (P = 0.002). In multivariable Cox regressions, the proposed ID criteria, but not guideline ID criteria, were independently associated with the risk of all-cause mortality (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.16-3.51 and HR 1.32, 95% CI 0.76-2.28, respectively), even after adjustment for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: When defined by the proposed criteria and not the guideline criteria, ID was associated with higher mortality in patients with chronic HF, suggesting that the proposed ID criteria is applicable to the Japanese population.

Associations of right ventricular pulsatile load and cardiac power output to clinical outcomes in heart failure: Difference from systemic circulation.

BACKGROUND: Although left ventricular (LV) cardiac power output (CPO) is a powerful prognostic indicator in heart failure (HF), the significance of right ventricular (RV) CPO is unknown. In contrast, RV pulsatile load is a key prognostic marker in HF. We investigated the impact of RV-CPO and pulsatile load on cardiac outcome and the prognostic performance of the combined systemic and pulmonary circulation parameters in HF. METHODS: Right heart catheterization and echocardiography were performed in 231 HF patients (62 ±â€¯16 years, LV ejection fraction 42 ±â€¯18 %). Invasive and noninvasive CPOs were calculated from mean systemic or pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiac output. LV-CPO was then normalized to LV mass (LV-P/M). Pulmonary arterial capacitance and the ratio of acceleration time to ejection time (AcT/ET) of RV outflow were used as parameters of RV pulsatile load. The primary endpoints, defined as a composite of cardiac death, HF hospitalization, ventricular arrythmia, and LVAD implantation after the examination, were recorded. RESULTS: Noninvasive CPOs were moderately correlated with invasive ones (LV: ρ = 0.787, RV: ρ = 0.568, and p < 0.001 for both). During a median follow-up period of 441 days, 57 cardiovascular events occurred. Lower LV-P/M and higher RV pulsatile load were associated with cardiovascular events; however, RV-CPO was not associated with the outcome. Echocardiographic LV-P/M and AcT/ET showed significant incremental prognostic value over the clinical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: RV pulsatile load assessed by AcT/ET may be a predictor of clinical events in HF patients. The combination of echocardiographic LV-P/M and AcT/ET could be a novel noninvasive prognostic indicator in HF patients.

Usefulness of the pulmonary venous flow waveform for assessing left atrial stiffness.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the novel non-invasive left atrial (LA) stiffness parameter using pulmonary venous (PV) flow measurements and the clinical usefulness of the novel LA stiffness parameter. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 237 patients who underwent right heart catheterization and echocardiography less than one week apart. From the pulmonary artery wedge pressure waveform, the difference between x-descent and v-wave (ΔP) was measured. Using the echocardiographic biplane method of disks, the difference between LA maximum volume and that just before atrial contraction (ΔVMOD) was calculated, and the ΔP/ΔVMOD was calculated as a standard LA stiffness index. From the PV flow waveform, the peak systolic velocity (S), peak diastolic velocity (D), and minimum velocity between them (R) were measured, and S/D, S/R, and D/R were calculated. From the speckle tracking echocardiography-derived time-LA volume curve, the difference between LA maximum volume and that just before atrial contraction (ΔVSTE) was measured. Each patient's prognosis was investigated until three years after echocardiography. RESULTS: Among the PV flow parameters, D/R was significantly correlated with ΔP (r = 0.62), and the correlation coefficient exceeded that between S/D and ΔP (r = - 0.39) or S/R and ΔP (r = 0.14). The [D/R]/ΔVSTE was significantly correlated with ΔP/ΔVMOD (r = 0.61). During the follow-up, 37 (17%) composite endpoints occurred. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with [D/R]/ΔVSTE greater than 0.13 /mL were at higher risk of cardiac events. CONCLUSION: The [D/R]/ΔVSTE was useful for assessing LA stiffness non-invasively and might be valuable in the prognostic evaluation of patients with cardiac diseases.

Non-atrophic gastric mucosa is an independently associated factor for superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors: a multicenter, matched, case-control study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The etiology of superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) remains unclear. Recent studies have reported conflicting associations between duodenal tumor development and Helicobacter pylori infection or endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy. As such, the present study aimed to clarify the relationship between SNADETs and H. pylori infection and/or endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study reviewed data from 177 consecutive patients with SNADETs who underwent endoscopic or surgical resection at seven institutions in Japan over a three-year period. The prevalence of endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy and the status of H. pylori infection were compared in 531 sex- and age-matched controls selected from screening endoscopies at two of the seven participating institutions. RESULTS: For H. pylori infection, 85 of 177 (48.0%) patients exhibited SNADETs and 112 of 531 (21.1%) control patients were non-infected (p<0.001). Non-atrophic mucosa (C0 to C1) was observed in 96 of 177 (54.2%) patients with SNADETs and 112 of 531 (21.1%) control patients (p<0.001). Conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that non-atrophic gastric mucosa was an independent risk factor for SNADETs (odds ratio, 5.10; 95% confidence interval, 2.44-8.40; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Non-atrophic gastric mucosa, regardless of H. pylori infection status, was a factor independently associated with SNADETs.

Impact of right ventricular stiffness on discordance between hemodynamic parameter and regurgitant volume in patients with pulmonary regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Accurate detection of significant pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is critical in management of patients after right ventricular (RV) outflow reconstruction in Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) patients, because of its influence on adverse outcomes. Although pressure half time (PHT) of PR velocity is one of the widely used echocardiographic markers of the severity, shortened PHT is suggested to be seen in conditions with increased RV stiffness with mild PR. However, little has been reported about the exact characteristics of patients showing discrepancy between PHT and PR volume in this population. METHODS: Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed in 74 TOF patients after right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction [32 ± 10 years old]. PHT was measured from the continuous Doppler PR flow velocity profile and PHT < 100 ms was used as a sign of significant PR. Presence of end-diastolic RVOT forward flow was defined as RV restrictive physiology. By using phase-contrast MRI, forward and regurgitant volumes through the RVOT were measured and regurgitation fraction was calculated. Significant PR was defined as regurgitant fraction ≥ 25%. RESULTS: Significant PR was observed in 54 of 74 patients. While PHT < 100 ms well predicted significant PR with sensitivity of 96%, specificity of 52%, and c-index of 0.72, 10 patients showed shortened PHT despite regurgitant fraction < 25% (discordant group). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction were comparable between discordant group and patients showing PHT < 100 ms and regurgitant fraction ≥ 25% (concordant group). However, discordant group showed significantly smaller mid RV diameter (30.7 ± 4.5 vs. 39.2 ± 7.3 mm, P < 0.001) and higher prevalence of restrictive physiology (100% vs. 42%, P < 0.01) than concordant group. When mid RV diameter ≥ 32 mm and presence of restrictive physiology were added to PHT, the predictive value was significantly improved (sensitivity: 81%, specificity: 90%, and c-index: 0.89, P < 0.001 vs. PHT alone by multivariable logistic regression model). CONCLUSION: Patients with increased RV stiffness and non-enlarged right ventricle showed short PHT despite mild PR. Although it has been expected, this was the first study to demonstrate the exact characteristics of patients showing discrepancy between PHT and PR volume in TOF patients after RVOT reconstruction.

Multimodal Imaging of Constrictive Pericarditis Induced by Long-term Pergolide Treatment for Parkinson's Disease.

We herein report the first case of constrictive pericarditis (CP) induced by long-term pergolide treatment for Parkinson's disease that was assessed using multimodal imaging in a 72-year-old patient with leg edema and dyspnea. The patient was correctly diagnosed with CP using multimodal imaging and successfully treated with pericardiectomy. The treatment history of Parkinson's disease and pathological findings of the removed pericardium suggested that long-term pergolide was the cause of CP. Properly recognizing pergolide as the cause of CP and accurately diagnosing CP using multimodal imaging may contribute to the early detection and treatment of pergolide-induced CP.

Application of an echocardiographic scoring system of left ventricular filling pressure to diagnose acute heart failure in patients complaining dyspnea.

BACKGROUND: Dyspnea is a common symptom in acute heart failure (AHF) patients. Although an accurate and rapid diagnosis of AHF is essential to improve prognosis, estimation of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure (FP) remains challenging, especially for noncardiologists. We evaluated the usefulness of a recently-proposed parameter of LV FP, visually assessed time difference between the mitral valve and tricuspid valve opening (VMT) score, to detect AHF in patients complaining of dyspnea. METHODS: Echocardiography and lung ultrasonography (LUS) were performed in 121 consecutive patients (68 ±â€¯14 years old, 75 males) presenting with dyspnea. The VMT score was determined from the atrioventricular valve opening phase (tricuspid valve first: 0, simultaneous: 1, mitral valve first: 2) and inferior vena cava dilatation (absent: 0, present: 1), and VMT ≥2 was judged as positive. LUS was performed with the 8 zones method and judged as positive if 3 or more B-lines were observed in bilateral regions. The AHF diagnosis was performed by certified cardiologists according to recent guidelines. RESULTS: Of the 121 patients, 33 were diagnosed with AHF. The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing AHF were 64 % and 84 % for LUS and 94 % and 88 % for VMT score. In logistic regression analysis, VMT score showed a significantly higher c-index than LUS (0.91 vs 0.74, p = 0.002). In multivariable analyses, VMT score was associated with AHF independently of clinically relevant covariates and LUS. In addition, serial assessment of VMT score followed by LUS provided a diagnostic flow chart to diagnose AHF (VMT 3: AHF definitive, VMT 2 and LUS positive: AHF highly suspicious; VMT 2 and LUS negative: further investigation is needed; VMT ≤ 1: AHF rejected). CONCLUSIONS: VMT score showed high diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing AHF. Combined assessment of the VMT score and LUS could become a reliable strategy for diagnosis of AHF by non-cardiologists.