Clinical Efficacy of Pre-Hospital Electrocardiogram Transmission in Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Rapid reperfusion by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is an established strategy for the treatment of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Pre-hospital electrocardiogram (PH-ECG) transmission by the emergency medical services (EMS) facilitates timely reperfusion in these patients. However, evidence regarding the clinical benefits of PH-ECG in individual hospitals is limited.This retrospective, observational study investigated the clinical efficacy of PH-ECG in STEMI patients who underwent pPCI. Of a total of 382 consecutive STEMI patients, 237 were enrolled in the study and divided into 2 groups: a PH-ECG group (n = 77) and non-PH-ECG group (n = 160). Door-to-balloon time (D2BT) was significantly shorter in the PH-ECG group (66 [52-80] min), compared to the non-PH-ECG group (70 [57-88] minutes, P = 0.01). The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 6% in the PH-ECG group, which was significantly lower than that in the non-PH-ECG group (16%) (P = 0.037, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15-0.98). This trend was particularly evident in severely ill patients when stratified by GRACE score.The use of PH-ECG improved the survival rate of STEMI patients undergoing pPCI due to the improved pre-arrival preparation based on the EMS information. Coordination between EMS and PCI-capable institutes is essential for the management of PH-ECG.

How Commonly Is Stroke Found in Patients with Isolated Vertigo or Dizziness Attack?

BACKGROUND: The sudden development of vertigo or dizziness without focal neurological symptoms is generally attributable to vestibular diseases such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Isolated vertigo or dizziness attack needs more attention than vestibular diseases. This retrospective study was performed to elucidate the frequency of strokes in patients with isolated vertigo or dizziness attack. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 221 patients (men, 119; women, 102; mean age, 68.4 ± 10.3 years) who were admitted to our hospital over the last 10 years because of sudden isolated vertigo or dizziness attack without other neurological symptoms except for nystagmus, deafness, or tinnitus. We investigated the clinical features, final diagnosis, neuroimaging findings, and short- or long-term outcome of these patients. RESULTS: One hundred eighteen patients had vertigo whereas the other 103 had dizziness. Brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging revealed recent stroke lesions in 25 patients (11.3%) (ischemic, 21; hemorrhagic, 4).The lesions were generally small and localized in the cerebellum (n = 21), pons (n = 1), medulla oblongata (n = 1), or corona radiata (n = 1). Of the 25 patients, 19 (76%) had dizzy-type spells; none had neurological dysfunction at the time of discharge. In the remaining 196 patients, no stroke was detected on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke was found in 11% of patients with isolated vertigo or dizziness attack. The posterior inferior cerebellar artery area was the most frequently implicated for isolated vertigo or dizziness.

Analysis of Factors Associated with Progression and Long-Term Outcomes of Penetrating Artery Territory Infarction: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with penetrating artery territory infarction occasionally show progressive motor deficits during the acute stage with poor prognosis. Predictive indices or medical therapies for suppressing the symptomatic progression (SP) of penetrating artery infarction have not been established. In this study, we investigated SP-related clinical factors and functional outcomes, specifically improvement 3 months post ictus in patients with penetrating artery infarction. METHODS: We retrospectively examined acute stroke patients with penetrating artery infarction admitted at 7 collaborative hospitals. SP was defined as an increase by 1 point or higher in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Functional improvement was assessed based on the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. The influence of factors, such as patient characteristics, clinical data, medical treatment during the acute stage and on SP, and functional improvement was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Four hundred eighty-eight patients (310 men; mean age, 70 years) were examined. Sixty-eight patients (14%) exhibited SP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that higher hemoglobin A1c (odds ratio [OR], 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.55), body mass index (BMI; OR, .85; 95% CI, .77-.94), and systolic blood pressure on admission (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.19-2.25) were independent predictors of SP in penetrating artery infarction. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT; OR, 3.48; 95% CI, 1.52-8.38) independently influenced functional improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Initial high blood pressure, diabetes, and low BMI on admission were associated with early progression of penetrating artery infarction. DAPT during the acute stage may contribute to functional improvement.

Validation of ultrasound parameters to assess collateral flow via ophthalmic artery in internal carotid artery occlusion.

This study aimed to characterize the flow patterns using ultrasound (US) in the external carotid artery (ECA) in patients with total occlusion of internal carotid artery (ICA) and characterize collateral retrograde flow through the ophthalmic artery (OA, secondary collateral, internalization). This study was performed on 45 patients who were retrospectively selected with total occlusion of the ICA, who underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and US (43 men; mean age 68.1 ± 7.9 years). Collateral retrograde flow and collateral flow through the circle of Willis (primary collateral) were determined by DSA and MRA. We compared several US parameters such as ECA peak systolic velocity, mean velocity, end-diastolic (ED) velocity, pulsatility index (PI), and pulsatility transmission index (PTI). PTI was defined as the ratio of ipsilateral ECA PI to the ipsilateral common carotid artery (CCA). In this patient group, 27 patients showed retrograde flow through OA as assessed by DSA. The presence of primary collateral flow was significantly lower in patients with retrograde flow than without (P < .05). ECA ED velocity was significantly higher, and PI and PTI were significantly lower with retrograde flow through OA than without (P < .05). According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, PTI was the most highly correlated ultrasonologic parameter with internalization (cutoff value, .94; sensitivity, 92.6%; specificity, 94.5%). Using PTI was discriminative to determine internalization of ECA because a collateral pathway through OA in cases of ICA occlusion had less primary collateral pathways.

Long-term outcomes following bioresorbable vascular scaffolds.

INTRODUCTION: The higher scaffold thrombosis rates observed with the first-generation bioresorbable scaffolds (BRSs) compared to conventional drug-eluting stents were likely due in part to bioresorbable polymers having insufficient radial strength, necessitating larger strut profiles. Meta-analysis of the long-term outcomes from the first-generation Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) showed that this period of excess risk ended at 3 years. Therefore, current attention has been focused on improving early outcomes by increasing the scaffold's tensile strength and reducing strut thickness. AREAS COVERED: This review summaries the lessons learned from the first-generation BRS. It updates the long-term clinical outcomes of trials evaluating the ABSORB BVS and metallic alloy-based BRS. In addition, it reviews the next-generation BRSs manufactured in Asia. EXPERT OPINION: Critical areas to improve the performance and safety of biodegradable scaffolds include further development in material science, surface modification, delivery systems, and long-term follow-up studies.

The Impact of Microvascular Resistance Reserve on the Outcome of Patients With STEMI.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular resistance reserve (MRR) can characterize coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD); however, its prognostic impact in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients remains undefined. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the prevalence of CMD in STEMI patients and to elucidate the prognostic performance of MRR. METHODS: This prospective cohort study enrolled 210 STEMI patients with multivessel disease who underwent successful revascularization and returned at 3 months for coronary physiology assessments with bolus thermodilution. The prevalence of CMD (MRR <3) and the association between MRR and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) at 12 months were investigated. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 65 years, and 59.5% were men. At the 3-month follow-up, 56 patients (27%) had CMD (MRR <3.0). The number of MACCEs at 12 months was higher in patients with vs without CMD (48.2% vs 11.0%; P < 0.001). MRR was independently associated with 12-month MACCEs (HR: 0.45 per unit increase; 95% CI: 0.31-0.67; P < 0.001) and with stroke, heart failure, and poorer recovery in left ventricular systolic function. The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for predicting MACCEs at 12 months with fractional flow reserve, coronary flow reserve (CFR), the index of microvascular resistance (IMR), and MRR were 0.609, 0.762, 0.781, and 0.743, respectively. The prognostic performance of CFR, IMR, and MRR were all comparable. CONCLUSIONS: The novel parameter MRR is a prognostic marker of MACCEs in STEMI patients with a comparable performance to CFR and IMR. (Impact of TMAO Serum Levels on Hyperemic IMR in STEMI Patients [TAMIR]; NCT05406297).

Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio to assess left main bifurcation stenosis: selecting the angiographic projection matters.

Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (µQFR) assesses fractional flow reserve (FFR) in bifurcation lesions using a single angiographic view, enhancing the feasibility of analysis; however, accuracy may be compromised in suboptimal angiographic projections. FFRCT is a well-validated non-invasive method measuring FFR from coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). We evaluated the feasibility of µQFR in left main (LM) bifurcations, the impact of the optimal/suboptimal fluoroscopic view with respect to CCTA, and its diagnostic concordance with FFRCT. In 300 patients with three-vessel disease, the values of FFRCT and µQFR were compared at distal LM, proximal left anterior descending artery (pLAD) and circumflex artery (pLCX). The optimal viewing angle of LM bifurcation was defined on CCTA by 3-dimensional coordinates and converted into a 2-dimensional fluoroscopic view. The best fluoroscopic projection was considered the closest angulation to the optimal viewing angle on CCTA. µQFR was successfully computed in 805 projections. In the best projections, µQFR sensitivity was 88.2% (95% CI 76.1-95.6) and 84.8% (71.1-93.7), and specificity was 96.8% (93.8-98.6) and 97.2% (94.4-98.9), in pLAD and pLCX, respectively, with regard to FFRCT. The AUC of µQFR for predicting FFRCT ≤ 0.80 tended to be improved using the best versus suboptimal projections (0.94 vs. 0.89 [p = 0.048] in pLAD; 0.94 vs. 0.88 [p = 0.075] in pLCX). Computation of µQFR in LM bifurcations using a single angiographic view showed high feasibility from post-hoc analysis of coronary angiograms obtained for clinical purposes. The fluoroscopic viewing angle influences the diagnostic performance of physiological assessment using a single angiographic view.

Quantitative coronary computed tomography assessment for differentiating between total occlusions and severe stenoses.

BACKGROUNDS: The impact of quantitative assessment to differentiate total occlusions (TOs) from severe stenoses on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether quantitative characteristics assessed on CCTA could help differentiate a TO from a severe stenosis on invasive coronary angiography (ICA). METHODS: This study is a sub-analysis of the FASTTRACK CABG (NCT04142021) in which both CCTA and ICA were routinely performed. Quantitative analysis was performed with semi-automated CCTA plaque-analysis software. Blinded analysts compared TOs on CCTA, defined as a complete lack of contrast opacification within the coronary occlusion, with corresponding ICA. RESULTS: Eighty-four TOs were seen on CCTA in 59 of the 114 patients enrolled in the trial. The concordance in diagnosing a TO between ICA and CCTA was 56.0% (n â€‹= â€‹47). Compared to severe stenoses, TOs had a significantly longer lesion length (25.1 â€‹± â€‹23.0 â€‹mm vs 9.4 â€‹± â€‹11.2 â€‹mm, P â€‹< â€‹0.001). The best cut-off value to differentiate a TO from severe stenosis was a lesion length of 5.5 â€‹mm (area under the curve 0.77, 95% CI: 0.66-0.87), with a 91.1% sensitivity and 61.1% specificity. Dense calcium percentage atheroma volume (PAV) was significantly higher in TOs compared to severe stenoses (18.7 â€‹± â€‹19.6% vs. 6.6 â€‹± â€‹13.0%, P â€‹< â€‹0.001), whilst the opposite was seen for fibro-fatty PAV (31.3 â€‹± â€‹14.2% vs. 19.5 â€‹± â€‹10.5%, P â€‹< â€‹0.001). On a multivariable logistic regression analysis, lesion length (>5.5 â€‹mm) was the only parameter associated with differentiating a TO from a severe stenosis. CONCLUSION: In quantitative CCTA analysis, a lesion length >5.5 â€‹mm was the only independent predictor differentiating a TO from a severe stenosis. NCT REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04142021.

Cardiac computed tomography-derived coronary artery volume to myocardial mass in patients with severe coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery lumen volume (V) to myocardial mass (M) ratio (V/M) can show the mismatch between epicardial coronary arteries and the underlying myocardium. METHODS: The V, M and V/M were obtained from the coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) of patients in the FAST-TRACK CABG study, the first-in-human trial of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) guided solely by CCTA and fractional flow reserve derived from CCTA (FFRCT) in patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD). The correlations between V/M ratios and baseline characteristics were determined and compared with those from the ADVANCE registry, an unselected cohort of historical controls with chronic CAD. RESULTS: The V/M ratio was obtained in 106 of the 114 pre-CABG CCTAs. Mean age was 65.6 years and 87% of them were male. The anatomical SYNTAX score from CCTA was significantly higher than the functional SYNTAX score derived using FFRCT [43.1 (15.2) vs 41.1 (16.5), p â€‹< â€‹0.001]. Mean V, M, and V/M were 2204 â€‹mm3, 137 â€‹g, and 16.5 â€‹mm3/g, respectively. There were weak negative correlations between V and anatomical and functional SYNTAX scores (Pearson's r â€‹= â€‹-0.26 and -0.34). V and V/M had a strong correlation (r â€‹= â€‹0.82). The V/M ratio in the current study was significantly lower than that in the ADVANCE registry (median 16.1 vs. 24.8 [1st quartile 20.1]). CONCLUSION: Systematically smaller V/M ratios were found in this population with severe CAD requiring CABG compared to an unselected cohort with chronic CAD. The V/M ratio could provide additional non-invasive assessment of CAD especially when combined with FFRCT.

Frequency of periprocedural myocardial injury and infarction stratified by cardiac troponin I and cardiac troponin T.

BACKGROUND: There are different definitions of periprocedural myocardial infarction (PPMI) both in terms of thresholds for cardiac biomarkers and the ancillary criteria for myocardial ischemia. Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac Troponin T (cTnT) are used interchangeably to diagnose PPMI. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the frequency of periprocedural myocardial injury and infarction as defined by the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI), the Academic Research Consortium-2 (ARC-2), and the 4th Universal definition of MI (4UDMI) stratified using cTnT versus cTnI, among patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and unstable angina. RESULTS: Among 830 patients, PPMI rates according to the SCAI, ARC2 and 4UDMI criteria were 4.34 %, 2.05 %, and 4.94 % respectively, with higher rates seen for all definitions when using cTnI versus cTnT (SCAI: 9.84 % vs. 1.91 %, p < 0.001; ARC 2: 3.15 % vs. 1.56 %, p = 0.136; and 4UDMI 5.91 % vs. 4.51 %, p = 0.391). Minor and major periprocedural myocardial injury was respectively observed in 58.31 % and 27.10 % of patients, with rates of both significantly higher when using cTnI versus cTnT (Minor: 69.29 % vs. 53.47 %, p < 0.001, Major: 49.21 % vs. 17.36 %, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with CCS and unstable angina, PPMIs defined by SCAI occurred more frequently when using cTnI as opposed to cTnT, whereas the type of troponin had no impact on the incidence of PPMIs according to the ARC-2 and 4UDMI.

Pituitary ischemic apoplexy in a young woman using oral contraceptives: a case report.

Estrogen is suggested to be one of the plausible risk factors for pituitary hemorrhagic apoplexy through pituitary hyperemia. We experienced a 33-year-old woman with pituitary ischemic apoplexy of a nonfunctional macroadenoma under oral contraceptive use. Our case indicates that hypercoagulable state, but not hyperemia, associated with estrogen may promote pituitary ischemic apoplexy.

Preprocedural physiological assessment of coronary disease patterns to predict haemodynamic outcomes post-PCI.

BACKGROUND: Even with intracoronary imaging-guided stent optimisation, suboptimal haemodynamic outcomes post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can be related to residual lesions in non-stented segments. Preprocedural assessment of pathophysiological coronary artery disease (CAD) patterns could help predict the physiological response to PCI. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between preprocedural pathophysiological haemodynamic patterns and intracoronary imaging findings, as well as their association with physiological outcomes immediately post-PCI. METHODS: Data from 206 patients with chronic coronary syndrome enrolled in the ASET-JAPAN study were analysed. Pathophysiological CAD patterns were characterised using Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (µQFR)-derived indices acquired from pre-PCI angiograms. The diffuseness of CAD was defined by the pullback pressure gradient (PPG) index. Intracoronary imaging in stented segments after stent optimisation was also analysed. RESULTS: In the multivariable analysis, diffuse disease - defined by the pre-PCI µQFR-PPG index - was an independent factor for predicting a post-PCI µQFR <0.91 (per 0.1 decrease of PPG index, odds ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-2.34; p=0.022), whereas the stent expansion index (EI) was not associated with a suboptimal post-PCI µQFR. Among vessels with an EI ≥80% and post-PCI µQFR <0.91, 84.0% of those vessels had a diffuse pattern preprocedure. There was no significant difference in EI between vessels with diffuse disease and those with focal disease. The average plaque burden in the stented segment was significantly larger in vessels with a preprocedural diffuse CAD pattern. CONCLUSIONS: A physiological diffuse pattern preprocedure was an independent factor in predicting unfavourable immediate haemodynamic outcomes post-PCI, even after stent optimisation using intracoronary imaging. Preprocedural assessment of CAD patterns could identify patients who are likely to exhibit superior immediate haemodynamic outcomes following PCI.

Critical multi-organ emboli originating from collapsed, vulnerable caseous mitral annular calcification.

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a generally asymptomatic abnormality found commonly in aged hearts. Some clinical studies have suggested that MAC should be considered an independent risk factor for stroke; however, whether the abnormality is indeed a risk factor remains controversial. We report a case in which debris from a vulnerable caseous MAC contributed to lethal embolisms in multiple organs. Postmortem examination revealed that caseous materials originating from a collapsed MAC were trapped in stenosed atherosclerotic cerebral and coronary arteries. Our findings support the notion at that subtle debris from collapsed vulnerable MACs can trigger major and even lethal embolic events in patients with severe atherosclerotic stenosis in vital organs.

Safety and efficacy of uninterrupted treatment with edoxaban or warfarin during the peri-procedural period of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The real-world safety and efficacy of uninterrupted anticoagulation treatment with edoxaban (EDX) or warfarin (WFR) during the peri-procedural period of catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) are yet to be investigated. METHODS: We conducted a two-center experience, observational study to retrospectively investigate consecutive patients who underwent CA for AF and received EDX or WFR. We examined the incidence of thromboembolic and bleeding complications during the peri-procedural period. RESULTS: The EDX and WFR groups included 153 and 103 patients, respectively (total: 256 patients). Demise or thromboembolic events did not occur in either of the groups. The incidence of major bleeding in the EDX and WFR groups was 0.7% and 2.9%, respectively. The total incidence of major/minor bleeding in the EDX and WFR groups was 7.8% and 8.7%, respectively. Of note, the incidence of bleeding complications in the uninterrupted WFR strategy group was markedly high in patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 (75%) or a HAS-BLED score ≥3 (60%). Patients with eGFR ≥30 and a HAS-BLED score ≤2 had a lower incidence of bleeding (<10%), regardless of the administered anticoagulation drug (EDX or WFR). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the safety and efficacy of uninterrupted anticoagulation therapy using EDX or WFR in real-world patients undergoing CA for AF. Patients with severely impaired renal function and/or a higher bleeding risk during uninterrupted therapy with WFR were at a prominent risk of bleeding. Therefore, particular attention should be paid in the treatment of these patients.

Genetic variations of CYP2C9 in 724 Japanese individuals and their impact on the antihypertensive effects of losartan.

CYP2C9, a drug-metabolizing enzyme, converts the angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan to its active form, which is responsible for its antihypertensive effect. We resequenced CYP2C9 in 724 Japanese individuals, including 39 hypertensive patients under treatment with losartan. Of two novel missense mutations identified, the Arg132Gln variant showed a fivefold lower intrinsic clearance toward diclofenac when expressed in a baculovirus-insect cell system, while the Arg335Gln variant had no substantial effect. Several known missense variations were also found, and approximately 7% of the Japanese individuals (53 out of 724) carried one of the deleterious alleles (CYP2C9*3, *13, *14, *30, and Arg132Gln) as heterozygotes. After 3 months of losartan treatment, systolic blood pressure was not lowered in two patients with CYP2C9* 1/*30, suggesting that they exhibited impaired in vivo CYP2C9 activity. CYP2C9*30 might be associated with a diminished response to the antihypertensive effects of losartan.

Blood biomarkers associated with neurological deterioration in patients with acute penetrating artery territory infarction: A multicenter prospective observational study.

Background and purpose Neurological deterioration in acute penetrating artery territory infarction is unpredictable and associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. The aim of this prospective study was to clarify the cause of neurological worsening and predict clinical outcomes using blood biomarkers. Methods Eight Japanese stroke centers participated. Blood samples were obtained within 24 h (the first sampling) and on day 7 in hospital (the second sampling) in patients with penetrating artery territory infarction, arriving within two days of stroke onset. Symptomatic worsening was defined as a minimum increase of one point on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of ≥3 at 90 days after ictus. Results Of the 89 patients, 25 (28%) had symptomatic worsening, and 25 (28%) had a poor outcome. Although tumor necrosis factor-alpha, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly increased in both groups at the second sampling, soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1, CD40 ligand, and pro-adrenomedullin levels were significantly increased and ADAMTS13 activity was decreased in symptomatic worsening patients ( p < 0.05 for all). After multivariate adjustment, a low number of CD34+ cells at the first sampling was an independent predictor of poor outcome (odds ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.04-0.74, p = 0.011, per 1 cell/µl increase). Conclusions Blood biomarkers associated with atherosclerotic processes seem to be an indication for symptomatic worsening, and the number of CD34+ cells may help to predict three-month functional outcome in patients with penetrating artery territory infarction.

Genotypes of vitamin K epoxide reductase, gamma-glutamyl carboxylase, and cytochrome P450 2C9 as determinants of daily warfarin dose in Japanese patients.

The dose required for the anticoagulant effect of warfarin exhibits large inter-individual variations. This study sought to determine the contribution of four genes, vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKORC1), gamma-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX), calumenin (CALU), and cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) to the warfarin maintenance dose required in Japanese patients following ischemic stroke. We recruited 93 patients on stable anticoagulation with a target International Normalized Ratio (INR) of 1.6-2.6. We genotyped eleven representative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the three genes involved in vitamin K cycle and the 42613A>C SNP in CYP2C9, known as CYP2C93, and then examined an association of these genotypes with warfarin maintenance doses (mean+/-SD=2.96+/-1.06 mg/day). We found an association of effective warfarin dose with the -1639G>A (p=0.004) and 3730G>A genotypes (p=0.006) in VKORC1, the 8016G>A genotype in GGCX (p=0.022), and the 42613A>C genotype in CYP2C9 (p=0.015). The model using the multiple regression analysis including age, sex, weight, and three genetic polymorphisms accounted for 33.3% of total variations in warfarin dose. The contribution to inter-individual variation in warfarin dose was 5.9% for VKORC1 -1639G>A, 5.2% for CYP2C9 42613A>C, and 4.6% for GGCX 8016G>A. In addition to polymorphisms in VKORC1 and CYP2C9, we identified GGCX 8016G>A, resulting in the missense mutation R325Q, as a genetic determinant of warfarin maintenance dose in Japanese patients.

Changes in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging findings in the acute and subacute phases of anoxic encephalopathy.

We report serial magnetic resonance imaging findings in a case of anoxic encephalopathy (AE). Diffusion-weighted images clearly showed early development of lesions in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and caudate putamen, along with delayed manifestation of lesions in the hippocampus, corpus callosum, and white matter. The present case is the first to demonstrate delayed development of postischemic changes in the hippocampus and deep white matter after AE on neuroimaging.

[Progressive dysarthria and bilateral sensory disturbance in a case of bilateral ventrolateral pontine infarction].

A rare case of bilateral ventrolateral pontine infarction in a 70-year-old man who developed progressive dysarthria and bilateral sensory disturbance is reported with literature review. He had been diagnosed with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose tolerance 10 years earlier. Ten days before admission, he was aware of the difficulty in walking and speaking, which gradually worsened. On admission he showed bilateral thermal hypoalgesia of face and lower extremities, dysarthria, dysphagia, and ataxic gait. High resolution three-dimensional MRI revealed bilateral ventrolateral pontine infarction with a large atherosclerotic plaque in the ventral side of the basilar artery, which led to a diagnosis of atherothrombotic brain infarction. The atherosclerotic plaque in the basilar artery was thought to be responsible for simultaneous occlusion of the bilateral short circumflex arteries of the pons.