A case of long-term survival after splenectomy for solitary splenic metastasis from gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Very rarely does a splenic solitary metastasis arise from a gastric carcinoma because splenic metastasis is usually seen in association with widespread visceral metastasis. Splenectomy is considered to be a curative treatment; however, long-term prognosis after splenectomy has scarcely been reported. We report a case of a metachronous and solitary metastasis to the spleen from gastric cancer in which the patient achieved 5-year recurrence-free survival after splenectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: An 84-year-old man underwent an open total gastrectomy involving D1+ lymph nodes dissection for gastric cancer located in the cardia (pT3N1M0, pStage IIB). Eighteen months later, a 2-cm solitary hypodense lesion was detected in the spleen by computed tomography (CT). Twenty-three months later, the serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) value elevated to 19.9 ng/ml, and abdominal CT revealed an increase in tumor size to 5 cm. Positron-emission tomography (PET)-CT revealed intense 18F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-glucose (FDG) uptake in the spleen without the involvement of other organs and lymph nodes. We diagnosed him with solitary splenic metastasis from gastric cancer and performed a splenectomy 26 months after the first surgery. Histological examination revealed that the splenic tumor was a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, which was very similar to the primary gastric tumor; the lesion was diagnosed as a metastatic tumor from the previous gastric carcinoma. The patient remains healthy to date without recurrence, 5 years after the splenectomy. CONCLUSION: We experienced a case of a solitary splenic metastasis from gastric cancer in which 5-year recurrence-free survival was achieved after splenectomy. To determine the surgical indication in patients with splenic metastasis, it is important to differentiate between a solitary lesion or multiple metastasis. Especially, occult metastasis should be excluded by means of several months of follow-up with imaging tests and systemic FDG-PET surveys before splenectomy.

CVIT expert consensus document on primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) update 2022.

Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) has significantly contributed to reducing the mortality of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) even in cardiogenic shock and is now the standard of care in most of Japanese institutions. The Task Force on Primary PCI of the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Interventional and Therapeutics (CVIT) society proposed an expert consensus document for the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) focusing on procedural aspects of primary PCI in 2018. Updated guidelines for the management of AMI were published by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in 2017 and 2020. Major changes in the guidelines for STEMI patients included: (1) radial access and drug-eluting stents (DES) over bare-metal stents (BMS) were recommended as a Class I indication, (2) complete revascularization before hospital discharge (either immediate or staged) is now considered as Class IIa recommendation. In 2020, updated guidelines for Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) patients, the followings were changed: (1) an early invasive strategy within 24 h is recommended in patients with NSTEMI as a Class I indication, (2) complete revascularization in NSTEMI patients without cardiogenic shock is considered as Class IIa recommendation, and (3) in patients with atrial fibrillation following a short period of triple antithrombotic therapy, dual antithrombotic therapy (e.g., DOAC and single oral antiplatelet agent preferably clopidogrel) is recommended, with discontinuation of the antiplatelet agent after 6 to 12 months. Furthermore, an aspirin-free strategy after PCI has been investigated in several trials those have started to show the safety and efficacy. The Task Force on Primary PCI of the CVIT group has now proposed the updated expert consensus document for the management of AMI focusing on procedural aspects of primary PCI in 2022 version.

Bilirubin and its oxidative metabolite biopyrrins in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

This study aimed to assess the involvement of bilirubin and its oxidative metabolite biopyrrin in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to determine the responsible organs that overproduce these molecules. One hundred thirteen consecutive patients hospitalized for AMI were analyzed. Levels of serum bilirubin, plasma and urinary biopyrrins were measured on the day of admission, day 2, 3, 7 and 14. Expressions of biopyrrins and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a stress-responsive bilirubin-producing enzyme, in heart, aorta, kidney, liver and lung were immunostained with autopsied specimens. Serum bilirubin, plasma and urinary biopyrrins were increased within 24 hr, formed a peak on day 3 and then decreased by day 14. These three parameters were well correlated to each other. The maximum biopyrrin elevation was higher in death cases and associated with impaired left ventricular function. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed biopyrrin accumulation and HO-1 expression in the infracted myocardium. Immunoreactive HO-1 and biopyrrins were also observed in renal tubular cells, aortic wall and lung. Serum bilirubin and its metabolite biopyrrins were elevated in patients with AMI. Plasma and urinary biopyrrin elevation were associated with mortality and morbidity. Induction of anti-oxidative enzyme HO-1 seemed to be involved in the activation of bilirubin/biopyrrin pathway.

Acute myocardial infarction in Fukushima area of Japan.

Although acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the most serious coronary disease, the background of its onset and the mortality are not fully understood, especially in Japan. From June 1999 to May 2005, we mailed an annual questionnaire to eighteen hospitals in which emergency cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were available in the Fukushima area of Japan. A total of 1,590 patients were included. The onset time of AMI had two peaks, i.e., from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. As for reperfusion therapy, four groups were analyzed, the non-reperfusion therapy group (Group N, n = 233), thrombolysis alone group (Group T, n = 80), PCI without thrombolysis group (Group P, n = 1106), and PCI with thrombolysis group (Group TP, n = 151). The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly reduced in Group P (8.4%) compared with that in Group N (33.0%, p < 0.01) and Group T (18.8%, p < 0.01). However, the in-hospital mortality in Group P did not differ from that in Group TP (9.9%). The in-hospital mortality was analyzed by the logistic regression analysis among age, arrival time after onset, peak creatine kinase (CK) values, coronary risk factors, reperfusion therapy, PCI, and thrombolysis. There were significant differences in age (P < 0.01), peak CK values (p < 0.01), hypertension (p < 0.05), and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.01). These results suggest that the onset of AMI may be partly related to human biorhythms, and that PCI would be effective in reducing the in-hospital mortality.

High serum erythropoietin level is associated with smaller infarct size in patients with acute myocardial infarction who undergo successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether a higher serum erythropoietin (EPO) level in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) subjected to successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can predict a smaller infarct size determined by creatine kinase (CK) release. BACKGROUND: Erythropoietin has been shown to protect cardiomyocytes from ischemia-reperfusion injury in rodents. METHODS: We prospectively studied 101 patients with first MI who received successful primary PCI within 12 h from the onset of MI. Blood samples were collected to examine the serum EPO level after the primary PCI and within 24 h from the onset of MI. RESULTS: The peak CK level and cumulative CK release were significantly lower in the above-median EPO group than in the below-median EPO group. Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grades and collateral grades before PCI, infarct-related coronary arteries, time to the successful reperfusion from the onset of MI, and serum creatinine levels were similar in the two EPO groups. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the absolute serum EPO level (mU/ml) as well as TIMI grades after PCI and preinfarction angina was an independent predictor for the cumulative CK release. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a high endogenous EPO level can predict a smaller infarct size in patients with acute MI subjected to successful primary PCI. This might be attributed to the potentially protective effect of endogenous EPO against ischemia-reperfusion injury in humans.

Inhibition by Rho-kinase and protein kinase C of myosin phosphatase is involved in thrombin-induced shape change of megakaryocytic leukemia cell line UT-7/TPO.

Thrombin induced a shape change of UT-7/TPO, a thrombopoietin-dependent human megakaryocytic cell line. Expression of myosin light chain (MLC) kinase was negligible in UT-7/TPO cells, while Rho-kinase and protein kinase C (PKC) were detected. Thrombin stimulated both monophosphorylation at Ser19 and diphosphorylation at Thr18 and Ser19 of 20 kDa MLC, as well as phosphorylation of myosin-binding subunit (MBS) and PKC-potentiated inhibitory phosphoprotein of myosin phosphatase (CPI). The Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 [(+)-(R)-trans-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-phynidyl) cyclohexane-carboxamide dihydrochloride, monohydrade] strongly inhibited thrombin-induced shape change, MBS phosphorylation, and mono- and diphosphorylation of MLC. The PKC inhibitor GF109203X (2-[1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-maleimide) partially inhibited thrombin-induced shape change and MLC diphosphorylation even at the concentration that completely inhibited thrombin-induced CPI phosphorylation. In shape-changed UT-7/TPO cells induced by thrombin, phosphorylated MBS and CPI were colocalized with diphosphorylated MLC at pseudopods, whereas monophosphorylated MLC was mainly located in the cortical region. The accumulation of diphosphorylated MLC was blocked by preincubation with either Y-27632 or GF109203X. These results suggest that Rho-kinase is responsible for the induction of MLC phosphorylation in thrombin-induced shape change of UT-7/TPO cells and that myosin phosphatase inactivation through Rho-kinase-MBS and PKC-CPI pathways could be necessary for enhancement of MLC diphosphorylation which promote the pseudopod formation.

Correlation between cardiac norepinephrine overflow during exercise and cardiac 123I-MIBG uptake in patients with chronic heart failure.

UNLABELLED: Cardiac (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) uptake is reduced in chronic heart failure, and its reduction is reported to relate to the decrease in exercise capacity. Reduced (123)I-MIBG uptake may predict an inadequately reduced adrenergic drive to the heart during cardiac sympathetic stimulation, including exercise. However, there is little information about the relationship between cardiac (123)I-MIBG uptake at rest and norepinephrine (NE) release during exercise in relation to the exercise capacity in the failing heart. The aim of this study was to examine whether cardiac (123)I-MIBG uptake at rest can predict cardiac sympathetic activity during exercise in patients with chronic heart failure. We determined how cardiac (123)I-MIBG uptake at rest relates to NE overflow from the heart during symptom-limited graded exercise in such patients. METHODS: Twelve patients (mean +/- SD, 52 +/- 12 y) with chronic stable heart failure performed symptom-limited graded exercise tests under catheterizations with a 4-min stage using a supine bicycle ergometer within 2 wk after (123)I-MIBG imaging. NE concentrations in the arterial and coronary sinus blood (NE(A) and NE(CS), respectively) were measured at each exercise stage, and NE overflow was approximated by the difference between NE(CS) and NE(A) (NE(CS-A)). RESULTS: The left ventricular ejection fraction at rest was 47% +/- 16% and peak oxygen uptake was 17.7 +/- 5.1 mL/kg/min. The heart-to-mediastinum uptake ratio of the delayed (123)I-MIBG image (1.00 - 1.72; mean +/- SD, 1.30 +/- 0.19) correlated with NE(CS-A) at peak exercise (r = 0.80, P < 0.01) and peak heart rate (r = 0.73, P < 0.01) but not with peak oxygen uptake. CONCLUSION: Cardiac (123)I-MIBG uptake of the delayed image can predict the degree of the increase in adrenergic drive to the heart during sympathetic stimuli induced by exercise in patients with chronic heart failure.

Successful endovascular treatment of chronic total occlusion of superficial femoral artery using retrograde approach from deep femoral artery.

An 82 years-old man with intermittent claudication was admitted to our hospital. Computed tomography angiography showed his right superficial femoral artery (SFA) was chronic total occlusion (CTO), and we performed endovascular treatment (EVT). We advanced a guide-wire by contralateral transfemoral approach, but guide-wires could not penetrate the occluded SFA lesion antegradely. Thus, we tried to approach the CTO lesion retrogradely. A guide-wire passed through the collateral channel from deep femoral artery (DFA) to distal SFA. With a reverse-controlled antegrade and retrograde subintimal tracking (CART) technique, we were able to pass the CTO lesion. Finally two SMART stents were implanted. We experienced a case in which retrograde approach via collateral channel from DFA was effective to CTO of SFA.

Epidermal cyst of the breast treated by vacuum-assisted biopsy.

A 38-year-old woman presented for evaluation of a firm mass (measuring 20 × 20 mm) in the upper outer quadrant of her left breast. On the basis of the clinical and radiologic findings, we diagnosed a benign breast tumor and scheduled removal by a hand-held vacuum-assisted biopsy device (VABD) under ultrasonographic guidance. Because the first specimen removed from the tumor was white, flaky, and waxy material, we strongly suspected that the lesion was an epidermal cyst. We continued VABD treatment until the tumor was invisible on real-time ultrasonography. Histologic examination demonstrated that the tumor was composed of mature stratified squamous epithelium and laminated layers of keratin, findings consistent with a diagnosis of epidermal cyst. These cysts rarely occur in the breast and are sometimes difficult to distinguish from breast cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an epidermal cyst treated by VABD.

Start and initial results of the Fukushima Prefecture acute myocardial infarction registration survey.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains one of the most serious heart diseases and elucidation of its pathogenesis and advances in treatment strategies have been desired. In 2009, to understand the status of AMI in Fukushima Prefecture for improving treatment outcomes, a new AMI registration survey system was conducted throughout the prefecture. A total of 1,556 cases were registered in the initial 2 years from 2009 to 2010. The hospital-based overall incidence of AMI in Fukushima Prefecture was 37.9 people per population of 100,000 per year. Mortality from AMI within 30 days of onset was 10.2%. We report herein the actual situation of AMI onset and treatment in Fukushima Prefecture based on the initial results of the survey.

A case of acute psittacosis with severe abdominal pain.

We report the case of a psittacosis patient with severe abdominal pain who subsequently developed acute respiratory failure. The main symptoms of psittacosis are considered to be upper respiratory inflammation and influenza-like symptoms. However, it should be emphasized that digestive symptoms can be prominent in psittacosis patients. Early diagnosis of this condition is difficult and there is a need for an effective method for rapid diagnosis.

Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or an angiotensin receptor blocker in combination with aspirin and cilostazol on in-stent restenosis.

It remains to be determined whether adding an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) to antiplatelet therapy has a therapeutic benefit on in-stent restenosis. After successful coronary stenting, 165 patients (167 lesions) were randomly assigned to a basal (aspirin 162 mg + cilostazol 200 mg/day), ACEI (basal treatment + quinapril 10 mg or perindopril 4 mg/day), or ARB (basal treatment + losartan 50 mg/day) treatment group. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed before, immediately following, and 6 months after stenting. Follow-up coronary angiography was completed in 126 patients (128 lesions). Restenosis rates tended to be higher (12, 26, and 12% for the basal, ACEI, and ARB groups, respectively), and target lesion revascularization rates were higher in the ACEI group than in the other groups (9, 23,* and 5%, respectively, *P < 0.05 versus basal group). Moreover, late lumen loss was higher in the ACEI group than in the basal group (0.60 +/- 0.55, 0.98 +/- 0.61* and 0.73 +/- 0.64 mm in the basal, ACEI, and ARB groups, respectively). The combinations of an ACEI or ARB with aspirin and cilostazol are ineffective for the prevention of in-stent restenosis, and an ACEI may even promote intimal proliferation after stent implantation.

Injury to the tricuspid valve and membranous atrioventricular septum caused by huge calcified right ventricular myxoma: report of a case.

A 64-year-old female, admitted because of severe dyspnea on exertion and facial edema, showed echocardiographic findings of a large tumor in the right ventricle (RV). Echocardiography revealed a cardiac mass extending from the RV across the tricuspid valve into the right atrium, synchronized with the cardiac cycle, and severe tricuspid regurgitation was apparent. The mass was removed under cardiopulmonary bypass. It measured 7 x 5 x 5 cm with diffuse superficial calcification and arose from the posterior wall of the RV, just under the tricuspid valve ring, with a short pedicle. During the same procedure, after the successful excision of the tumor, small atrial and ventricular septal defects were found that had been caused by the tumor and these were closed directly. The tricuspid valve was repaired with valvuloplasty, chordoplasty and annuloplasty. The microscopic findings were of typical myxoma; however, a right ventricular myxoma protruding into the right atrium is exceedingly rare.