Widespread use of proton pump inhibitors or potassium-competitive acid blocker has changed the status of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with ischemic heart disease: real-world data from high volume centers.

BACKGROUND: Although proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) are useful in peptic ulcer prevention, their efficacy in preventing other gastrointestinal bleeding remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the status of gastrointestinal bleeding in the modern era when PPIs are widely used. METHODS: This study included patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2018 and 2019 at two high-volume centers. Patients were categorized based on whether they experienced gastrointestinal bleeding within 2 years of PCI into groups A (patients who experienced gastrointestinal bleeding within 2 years after PCI) and B (patients who did not experience gastrointestinal bleeding). RESULTS: Groups A and B included 21 (4.1%) and 494 (95.9%) patients, respectively (a total of 515 patients). Age at the initial PCI (77.8±2.4 and 72.0±0.5 years in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.02), weight (53.8±3.2 and 61.8±0.7 kg in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.01), and concomitant warfarin use (14.3% and 2.0% in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.0005) were significantly different between the groups. The high bleeding risk rate (90.5% and 47.6% in groups A and B, respectively; p = 0.0001) was significantly different between the groups. A total of 95.9% of patients were taking PPIs or PCAB without significant differences between the groups. However, only one patient, who was taking steroids, had a gastric ulcer during PCAB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Acid-related upper gastrointestinal bleeding is largely controlled by PPIs in post-PCI patients. Furthermore, the risk factors for non-acid-related bleeding include older age, lower weight, and concomitant warfarin use.

Clinical significance of aortic spontaneous echo contrast in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in the descending aorta (DASEC), occurring with or without SEC in the left atrium (LASEC), in the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF). We examined the clinical significance of DASEC, including its relationship with LASEC, in patients with nonvalvular AF. METHODS: Among 176 patients, 41 (23%) had DASEC and 51 (29%) had LASEC. The patients were divided into four groups based on the presence/absence of LASEC and DASEC, as Group A: no SEC (n = 107); Group B: only LASEC (n = 28); Group C: only DASEC (n = 18); and Group D: both types of SEC (n = 23). Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were compared between groups, and the possible determinants of DASEC were evaluated. RESULTS: Age, sex, and CHA2 DS2 -VASc score were similar in the four groups. Group D was more likely to have an increased LA diameter, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and low LA appendage velocity compared to Group A. Group C had a smaller LA diameter and a higher appendage velocity than Group B. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, with age ≥75 years, female sex, LASEC, LVEF < 50%, and presence of DA plaques included as covariates, showed that LASEC (OR 4.22, 95% CI 1.92-9.26, p < .001) and LVEF < 50% (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.12-6.52, p = .027) were significant determinants of DASEC. The prevalence of DASEC increased with increasing LASEC severity in order of none (13%), mild (28%), and dense (50%) (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In nonvalvular AF patients, DASEC is common, and it partly originates from LASEC, particularly in the presence of LV systolic dysfunction.

Prognostic impact of a reduction in the fibrosis-4 index among patients hospitalized with acute heart failure.

Although the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) is associated with right atrial pressure or prognosis in acute heart failure (AHF), the prognostic impact of its reduction during hospitalization remains uncertain. We included 877 patients (age, 74.9 ± 12.0 years; 58% male) hospitalized with AHF. The reduction in FIB-4 was defined as: (FIB-4 on admission-FIB-4 at discharge)/FIB-4 on admission × 100. Patients were divided into low (< 1.0%, n = 293), middle (1.0-27.4%, n = 292), and high (> 27.4%, n = 292) FIB-4 reduction groups. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death or heart failure rehospitalization within 180 days. The median FIB-4 reduction was 14.7% (interquartile range - 7.8-34.9%). The primary outcome was observed in 79 (27.0%), 63 (21.6%), and 41 (14.0%) patients in the low, middle, and high FIB-4 reduction groups, respectively (P = 0.001). Adjusted Cox proportional-hazards analysis revealed that the middle and low FIB-4 reduction groups were associated with the primary outcome, independent of the pre-existing risk model including baseline FIB-4 ([high vs. middle] hazard ratio [HR]: 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-2,63, P = 0.017; [high vs. low] HR: 2.16, 95% CI 1.41-3.32, P < 0.001). FIB-4 reduction provided additional prognostic value to the baseline model, including well-known prognostic factors ([continuous net reclassification improvement] 0.304; 95% CI 0.139-0.464; P < 0.001; [integrated discrimination improvement] 0.011; 95% CI 0.004-0.017; P = 0.001). Additionally, the combination of the reduction in FIB-4 and brain natriuretic peptide was useful for risk stratification. In conclusion, among patients hospitalized with AHF, a greater FIB-4 reduction during hospitalization was associated with better prognoses.

Prognostic Impact of Multiple Drug Use at Discharge in Patients Hospitalized with Heart Failure.

The association between polypharmacy/multiple drug use (MDU) and prognosis in patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF) is unclear. It is also unknown whether the prognostic values of MDU vary depending on the presence/absence of a previous history of HF and preserved/reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We analyzed consecutive 1,034 patients hospitalized with HF (age, 74.9 ± 11.5 years; 58.7% male). MDU was defined as ≥5 drugs at discharge. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death and HF readmission. MDU was observed in 695 patients (67.2%). Patients with MDU use had higher prevalences of a previous history of HF, reduced LVEF, and comorbidities than those without MDU. Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that MDU was significantly associated with the primary endpoint after adjustment for possible confounders (hazard ratio [HR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.79; P = 0.030). There was significant interaction between the presence/absence of a history of HF and the prognostic impact of MDU (HF history [-]: HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.54-1.40; P = 0.553; HF history [+]: HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.16-2.55; P = 0.007; P for interaction = 0.005). However, there was no significant interaction between preserved/reduced LVEF and the prognostic impact of MDU (P for interaction = 0.274). In conclusion, MDU at discharge is an independent risk factor for the composite of death or HF readmission in patients hospitalized with HF. We observed a significant interaction between the presence of de novo versus recurrent HF and the prognostic value of MDU.

Relationship of warfarin versus DOACs with thrombogenic milieu in the left atrium among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Thrombogenic milieu (TM) within the left atrium plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of thromboembolic events, for which anticoagulation treatment is indicated typically on the mandatory basis. Little is known, however, about which regimen of anticoagulation, warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), is more likely associated with TM. We evaluated relative relationship of the two treatment options with concurrently-observed TM in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent transesophageal echocardiography. METHODS: TM was defined as the presence of either left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) or thrombus, or both. To determine which regimen was more likely related to TM, we firstly compared the prevalence of TM in 208 patients taking warfarin (Warfarin group) versus 486 patients taking DOACs (DOAC group); and secondly, did the same analysis after propensity score matching. RESULTS: Warfarin group was more likely associated with TM compared with DOAC group (46% vs 29%, p < 0.001). Similar findings were observed for dense SEC (18% vs 7%, p < 0.001) and thrombus (4% vs 1%, p = 0.057). The propensity score matching (198 patients for each group), where several baseline parameters were matched including age, gender, chronicity of AF, estimated glomerular filtration rate and B-type natriuretic peptide as well as the left ventricular ejection fraction, resulted in similar findings to the original groups (TM, 47% vs 32%, p = 0.002; dense SEC, 18% vs 7%, p = 0.001; thrombus, 4% vs 1%, p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: This study may strengthen the data on randomized trials that DOACs are superior to warfarin in preventing thromboembolic events in nonvalvular AF patients. Further studies are required to elucidate the details behind this difference.

Characterization of salivary microbiota in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a matched case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The importance of oral health in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is widely recognized; however, oral microbiota characteristics associated with T2DM in the elderly population are not well-understood. This study was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of the salivary microbiota in elderly Japanese patients with T2DM. METHODS: Saliva samples were collected from 42 elderly Japanese patients with T2DM and 42 age- and sex-matched subjects without T2DM (control). 16S ribosomal RNA metagenomic analysis and comparative analysis of both groups were performed. Random forest classification by machine learning was performed to discriminate between the salivary microbiota in the two groups. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the overall salivary microbiota structure between the T2DM and control groups (beta diversity; unweighted UniFrac distances, p = 0.001; weighted UniFrac distances, p = 0.001). The phylum Firmicutes was abundant in patients with T2DM, whereas the phylum Bacteroidetes was abundant in controls. The T2DM prediction model by random forest based on salivary microbiota data was verified with a high predictive potential in five cross-validation tests (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.938 (95% CI, 0.824-1.000)). CONCLUSION: Characterization revealed that the salivary microbiota profile of the elderly patients with T2DM is significantly distinct from that of the controls. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data indicate the necessity of oral health management based on the characteristics of the salivary microbiota in elderly patients with T2DM. Our findings will contribute to future research on the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic methods for this purpose.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Silent Cerebral Microbleeds in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), which can be detected by gradient-echo T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), represent small chronic brain hemorrhages caused by structural abnormalities in cerebral small vessels. CMBs are known to be a potential predictor of future stroke, and are associated with age, various cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive impairment, and the use of antithrombotic drugs. Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are at potentially high risk of CMBs due to the presence of coexistent conditions. However, little is known about CMBs in patients with CAD. We aimed to identify the factors associated with the presence of CMBs among patients with CAD. METHODS: We evaluated 356 consecutive patients [mean age, 72 ± 10 years; men = 276 (78%)] with angiographically proven CAD who underwent T2*-weighted brain MRI. The brain MRI was assessed by researchers blinded to the patients' clinical details. RESULTS: CMBs were found in 128 (36%) patients. Among 356 patients, 119 (33%) had previously undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and 26 (7%) coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). There was no significant relationship between CMBs and sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, anticoagulation therapy, antiplatelet therapy, or prior PCI. CMBs were significantly associated with advanced age, previous CABG, eGFR, non-HDL cholesterol, carotid artery disease, long-term antiplatelet therapy, and long-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) using univariate logistic regression analysis. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that long-term antiplatelet therapy (odds ratio, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.06 - 2.84; P = 0.03) or long-term DAPT (odds ratio, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.39 - 6.17; P = 0.004) was significantly associated with CMBs after adjustment for confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: CMBs were frequently observed in patients with CAD and were significantly associated with long-term antiplatelet therapy, especially long-term DAPT.

Prognostic Value of the FAN Score, a Combination of the Fibrosis-4 Index, Albumin-Bilirubin Score and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, in Patients Hospitalized with Heart Failure.

The fibrosis-4 index, albumin-bilirubin score and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio are all prognostic markers in patients with heart failure. Recently, the FAN score, which includes all 3 of these markers, was developed as a useful risk stratification tool in patients with cancer. However, its cut-off values have not been validated for heart failure. We aimed to investigate the optimal cut-off and prognostic values of the FAN score in patients with heart failure. We analyzed 669 consecutive patients hospitalized with heart failure (age, 75.8 ± 11.3 years). Their median values of the fibrosis-4 index, albumin-bilirubin score, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio at discharge were 2.12, -2.25, and 2.41, respectively. The FAN score for heart failure (HF-FAN score) was calculated using these median values. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and heart failure rehospitalization. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to HF-FAN scores of 0 (n = 112), 1 (n = 231), 2 (n = 242) and 3 (n = 84). Patients with HF-FAN scores of 3 were older, had higher brain natriuretic peptide levels, and larger inferior vena cava diameters. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a direct correlation between higher HF-FAN scores and occurrence of the primary endpoint (log-rank P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed a higher HF-FAN score was significantly associated with a worse prognosis even after adjustment for possible prognostic factors. Changing from the FAN score to HF-FAN score provided significant continuous net reclassification improvement. In conclusion, the HF-FAN score at discharge was useful for risk stratification in patients hospitalized with heart failure. The HF-FAN score might be more suitable for patients with heart failure than the FAN score.

Multiple Cardiovascular Diseases or Risk Factors Increase the Severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine whether disease severity varied according to whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients had multiple or single cardiovascular diseases and risk factors (CVDRFs).Methods and Results:COVID-19 patients with single (n=281) or multiple (n=412) CVDRFs were included retrospectively. Multivariable logistic regression showed no significant difference in the risk of in-hospital death between groups, but patients with multiple CVDRFs had a significantly higher risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (odds ratio: 1.75, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-2.81). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 patients with multiple CVDRFs have a higher risk of complications than those with a single CDVRF.

Myocardial findings evaluated by echocardiography in cardiac sarcoidosis: A report of seven cases.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown cause. With cardiac sarcoidosis (CS), patients represent a wide range of cardiac manifestations from subtle to overt morphological and functional abnormalities. The advent of ultrasound technologies has enabled to identify not only typical findings to CS such as basal thinning of the ventricular septum, but also subclinical myocardial alterations. Based on our recent experiences, we currently introduce a variety of myocardial manifestations evaluated by echocardiography on seven CS patients being selected. Most of the patients exhibited typical cardiac involvement and the remaining fairly unusual.

Splenic Volume Index Determined Using Computed Tomography upon Admission Is Associated with Readmission for Heart Failure Among Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

The spleen is associated with inflammation, and the size of the spleen is affected by hemodynamic congestion and sympathetic stimulation. However, the association between splenic size and prognosis in patients with heart failure remains unknown. Between January 2015 and March 2017, we analyzed 125 patients with acute decompensated heart failure who were assessed by computed tomography (CT) on the day of admission. The spleen was measured by 3-dimensional CT and then the patients were assigned to groups according to their median splenic volume indexes (SpVi; splenic volume/body surface area). We then compared their baseline characteristics and rates of readmission for heart failure after one year. The median SpVi was 63.7 (interquartile range: 44.7-95.3) cm3/m2. Age did not significantly differ between the groups. Patients with a high SpVi had more significantly enlarged left atria and left ventricles. Multiple regression analysis identified significant positive correlations between SpVi and posterior wall thickness as well as left ventricular mass index. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed lower event-free rates in the patients with a high, than a low SpVi (P = 0.041, log-rank test). After adjustment for potential cofounding factors, SpVi was independently associated with readmission for heart failure (Hazard ratio, 2.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-5.02; P = 0.047). In conclusion, increased splenic volume is independently associated with readmission for heart failure among patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Fibrosis-4 index reflects right-sided filling pressure in patients with heart failure.

The fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4 index) is a marker of liver fibrosis. It has been reported that the FIB-4 index in compensated phase is associated with estimated right-sided filling pressure and poor prognosis in patients with heart failure. However, the relationship with invasively obtained right-sided cardiac pressures has been unclear. Hemodynamic status was evaluated by right heart catheterization in 189 heart failure patients who were in a clinically compensated phase between January 2015 and September 2017. Patients were assigned to two groups based on a median FIB-4 index of 2.15, then hemodynamic parameters and event rates were compared. Endpoint was defined as a composite of all-cause death, readmission for heart failure, or left ventricular-assist device implantation. Then, we also investigated correlations between the FIB-4 index and clinical factors, including hemodynamic parameters. Patients with a high FIB-4 index were significantly older (76 [IQR, 63-80] vs. 65 [IQR, 56-74] years, P < 0.001) and had higher right atrial pressure (RAP; 7 [IQR, 5-11] vs. 4 [IQR, 1-6] mmHg, P < 0.001) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (16 [IQR, 12-22] vs. 12 [IQR, 8-19] mmHg, P = 0.011) than those with a low FIB-4 index. The FIB-4 index correlated more strongly with parameters of right-sided than left-sided HF (RAP, R = 0.41, P < 0.001; inferior vena cava diameter, R = 0.44, P < 0.001; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, R = 0.15, P = 0.038; brain natriuretic peptide, R = 0.14, P = 0.29). Multiple regression analysis showed that the FIB-4 index independently correlated with RAP. In conclusion, the FIB-4 index can non-invasively reflect right-sided filling pressure, which might explain why it is associated with a poor prognosis, among patients with heart failure.

Prognostic impact of a novel index of nutrition and inflammation for patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Malnutrition and systemic inflammation are associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure. Recent studies have reported that the advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI), derived from the body mass index (BMI), serum albumin level, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), is associated with poor prognosis in several types of cancers. Each marker is also known to prognostic factor of heart failure. Therefore, we hypothesized that ALI may be useful for determining the prognosis of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We reviewed survival in 381 consecutive patients (age, 73.1 ± 11.4 years, 59% men) who were hospitalized for ADHF and discharged. ALI at discharge, calculated as BMI × albumin level/NLR, was used to divide the patients into tertiles (ALI < 23.88, 23.88 ≤ ALI < 42.43, and ALI ≥ 42.43). The patients were also stratified into six groups according to the ALI tertiles and median concentration (177 pg/mL) of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The primary endpoint comprised all-cause mortality and readmission because of heart failure. The median follow-up duration was 363 days (interquartile range: 147-721 days), and 166 patients (44%) experienced the primary endpoint. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the event rate decreased progressively from the first to the third ALI tertile (52%, 48%, and 31%, respectively; p = 0.0013). In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, the first tertile was an independent prognostic factor for the primary endpoint (third vs. first tertile: hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.95; p = 0.031). The hazard ratio for the primary endpoint for the patients with high BNP and first tertile ALI relative to the patients with low BNP and third tertile ALI was 5.3 (95% confidence interval, 2.9-9.5; p < 0.001). ALI at discharge, a novel and simple index of nutrition and inflammation, may be useful for risk stratification and predicting the prognosis of patients with ADHF.

Increased prevalence of cerebral microbleeds in patients with low left ventricular systolic function.

Gradient-echo T2-star (T2*)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive method to detect cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). The presence of CMBs was reported to be a marker of future cardiovascular mortality and is associated with various cardiovascular risk factors, use of antithrombotic drugs, and cognitive dysfunction. However, the relationship between cardiac function and CMBs remains unclear. We investigated the association between cardiac function and presence of CMBs in patients with cardiovascular diseases. This single-center retrospective study included a total of 424 participants (mean age 70 ± 12 years; men 286 (67%); mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 61% ± 12%] who underwent echocardiography and brain T2*-weighted MRI within 1 month without neurologic abnormality. CMBs were found in 118 (28%) patients. There was no significant relationship between CMBs and anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. LVEF was significantly lower in patients with CMBs than in those without CMBs (59% ± 13% vs. 62% ± 11%, P < 0.05). On multivariate logistic analysis, lower LVEF [odds ratio (OR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-1.00; P < 0.05] and age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.05; P < 0.05) were significantly associated with CMBs. The presence of CMBs was frequently observed in the patients with cardiovascular disease and was significantly associated with age and LVEF.

Correction to: Increased prevalence of cerebral microbleeds in patients with low left ventricular systolic function.

In the original publication of the article, under the results section, the following sentence.

Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast occurring in patients with low CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc scores.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) is common in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), although scarce information exists on LASEC occurring in nonvalvular AF patients who have low thromboembolic risk scores. We therefore examined prevalence and determinants of LASEC under low CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc scores in these patients. METHODS: Among 713 patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography, 349 with a CHADS2 score < 2 (CHADS2 group) (93 women, mean age 65 years) and 221 with a CHA2DS2-VASc score < 2 (CHA2DS2-VASc group) (39 women, mean age 62 years) were separately examined for clinical and echocardiographic findings. RESULTS: LASEC was found in 77 patients of CHADS2 group (22%) and in 41 of CHA2DS2-VASc group (19%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusted for several parameters including non-paroxysmal AF, LA enlargement (LA diameter ≥ 50 mm), left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, and an elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) (BNP ≥200 pg/mL) revealed that for CHADS2 group, non-paroxysmal AF (Odds ratio 5.65, 95%CI 3.08-10.5, P < 0.001), BNP elevation (Odds ratio 3.42, 95%CI 1.29-9.06, P = 0.013), and LV hypertrophy (Odds ratio 2.26, 95%CI 1.19-4.28, P = 0.013) were significant independent determinants of LASEC, and that for CHA2DS2-VASc group, non-paroxysmal AF (Odds ratio 3.38, 95%CI 1.51-7.54, P = 0.003) and LV hypertrophy (Odds ratio 2.53, 95%CI 1.13-5.70, P = 0.025) were significant independent determinants of LASEC. CONCLUSIONS: LASEC was present in a considerable proportion of patients with nonvalvular AF under low thromboembolic risk scores. Information on AF chronicity, BNP, and LV hypertrophy might help identify patients at risk for thromboembolism, although large-scale studies are necessary to confirm our observations.

Usefulness of tissue Doppler-derived atrial electromechanical delay for identifying patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)-derived atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD) has been reported to be useful for detecting paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). However, its usefulness remains unknown when analyzed along with patients seemingly at high-risk for AF as controls. From this standpoint, we investigated whether AEMD would be of use for identifying patients with PAF. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed TDI recordings to obtain AEMD in 63 PAF patients. Thirty-three patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors (MRFs) but without history of AF and 50 healthy individuals served as disease and healthy controls, respectively. AEMD was defined as the time-interval between the electrocardiogram P-wave and the beginning of the spectral TDI-derived A' for the septal (septal EMD) and lateral (lateral EMD) sides of the mitral annulus. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the left atrial volume index between PAF patients and disease controls (28 ± 9 mL/m2 vs. 27 ± 5 mL/m2). PAF patients had longer AEMD, particularly for the lateral EMD (75 ± 23 ms), compared with disease (62 ± 22 ms, P = 0.009) and healthy (54 ± 24 ms, P < 0.001) controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the lateral EMD (OR 1.25, 95%CI 1.03-1.52, P = 0.023), along with the left atrial volume index (OR 2.25, 95%CI 1.44-3.51, P < 0.001), was one of the significant independent associates of identifying PAF patients. CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study indicates that even analyzed together with MRFs patients, AEMD remains useful for identifying patients at risk for AF. Our results need to be confirmed by a large-scale prospective study.

Improved diagnosis of the number of stenosed coronary artery vessels by segmentation with scatter and photo-peak window data for attenuation correction in myocardial perfusion SPECT.

BACKGROUND: Attenuation correction using segmentation of scatter and photo-peak window data (SSPAC) enables an evaluation of the attenuation map in a patient-specific manner without additional radiation exposure. We compared the accuracy of SSPAC and non-corrected myocardial perfusion scintigraphy methods for diagnosing the number of stenosed coronary artery vessels. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively reviewed the data from 183 consecutive patients who underwent 99mTc-tetrofosmin stress/rest SPECT examination and a coronary angiography within 3 months. The MPS images were reconstructed with and without SSPAC attenuation correction. We examined the accuracy of the quantitative interpretation using summed differential score in the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). The attenuation maps were successfully determined in 179 of 183 patients (98%). In terms of the vessel-based diagnostic ability, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values of the SSPAC and non-correction methods for diagnosing CAD in individual coronary territories were 77%*, 89%, 74%*, and 90%* vs 51%, 87%, 62%, and 82%, respectively (*P < .05). In 35 patients with multi-vessel CAD, those values were 78%*, 81%, 93%, and 55%* vs 49%, 81%, 89%, and 34%, respectively (*P < .05; AUC: 0.82 vs 0.62, P < .05). CONCLUSION: SSPAC-corrected SPECT myocardial perfusion images exhibit improved accuracy in the detection of the number of stenosed coronary artery vessels, even in patients with multi-vessel CAD.

Atrial Arrhythmias and Atrial Involvement in Cardiac Sarcoidosis.

Severe ventricular arrhythmias such as high-grade atrioventricular block and ventricular tachycardia may cause lethal conditions or sudden death in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Physicians should examine patients carefully for these conditions and treat them appropriately. As arrhythmias are being better diagnosed and treated, physicians are increasingly aware of atrial arrhythmias, which have not been focused upon as CS-related conditions, in patients with CS. This article reports a case of atrial flutter in sarcoidosis, and discusses literature findings on atrial arrhythmias and atrial involvement of CS. It is highly likely that atrial arrhythmia and supraventricular conduction disorder associated with or caused by CS are more common than previously thought. Physicians should pay careful attention for these conditions in the diagnosis and treatment of CS.

Changes in Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) induces cardiac remodeling. We investigated the changes in serum FGF23 levels in patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods and Results:A total of 44 patients diagnosed with AMI were included in the current study. All patients underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The median of peak creatine kinase (CK) and CKMB values was 1,816 U/L and 159 U/L, respectively. Serum levels of FGF23, calcium, and inorganic phosphate (iP) were measured before PCI, and on days 1, 3, 5, 7 after PCI. Serum FGF23 levels showed a slight, but significant decrease on days 1 and 3 after PCI, and a 1.5- and 2.0-fold increase on days 5 and 7, respectively, after PCI. As compared with propensity score-matched patients without AMI, serum FGF23 was significantly lower among the current cohort of AMI patients. In 22 subjects who underwent a follow-up echocardiographic examination at 6 months after the onset of AMI, the log-transformed relative increase in FGF23 on day 7 significantly and negatively correlated with changes between LVEF on admission and that at 6 months afterward. CONCLUSIONS: After a slight decrease on days 1 and 3 after admission, serum FGF23 increased significantly on days 5 and 7. The underlying mechanism and potential clinical importance of these observations require further investigation.