Impact of renal denervation on quality of life (How does renal denervation contribute to improving hypertension treatment affected by poor medication adherence?).

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved renal denervation (RDN) as a new treatment option for hypertension (HT) because it not only has antihypertensive effects but also improves the quality of blood pressure (BP) reduction. RDN is expected to be increasingly used in clinical practice in the future. This review summarizes the impact of RDN on quality of life (QOL). Although the treatment of HT aims to improve life prognosis, the use of antihypertensive agents can impair QOL because of adverse effects and lifestyle changes associated with long-term medication use. Consequently, poor adherence to antihypertensive agents is a common problem and may be the most important issue affecting patient QOL. In RDN trials in patients taking antihypertensive agents, approximately 40% of patients had poor adherence to the drugs. Poor adherence is often the cause of resistant hypertension. Therefore, RDN should be well suited to treating HT and improving QOL. Studies have shown that approximately 30% of HT patients prefer RDN to drug treatment. Patients who prefer RDN are typically male and younger and have high BP, poor adherence, and a history of adverse effects of antihypertensive agents. We hope that RDN will improve not only life prognosis but also QOL in HT patients because of its benefits for adherence. Furthermore, we expect that in the future, RDN will be used in other sympathetic nervous system-related diseases, such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and sleep apnea syndrome.

Correction to: Randomized trial of an increased dose of calcium channel blocker or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker as an add-on intensive depressor therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension: the ACADEMIE Study.

In the Original publication of the article, the legend appearing inside the flow chart has been incorrectly published.

Citizen bystander-patient relationship and 1-month outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of cardiac origin from the All-Japan Utstein Registry: a prospective, nationwide, population-based, observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The presence of a bystander witness is a crucial predictor of patient survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the differences in survival and neurological outcomes among different types of citizen bystanders are not well understood. DESIGN: We analysed data from the All-Japan Utstein Registry, a prospective, nationwide, population-based, observational study that was started in January 2005. SETTING: The registry includes all patients with OHCA who were transported to the hospital by emergency medical service (EMS) in Japan. The type of citizen bystander was classified as family member, friend, colleague, passerby or other. PARTICIPANTS: We analysed 210 642 patients in the registry who were 18 years or older and experienced OHCA of cardiac origin witnessed by a citizen bystander between 2005 and 2014. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcomes were 1 month survival and 1 month survival with minimal neurological impairment. RESULTS: Of the citizen bystander-witnessed cases, 65.1% (137 147/210 642) were witnessed by a family member. However, among patients who survived to 1 month and who had a favourable 1 month neurological outcome, much lower proportions (53.9% (10 907/20 239) and 48.9% (5722/11 696)) were witnessed by a family member. Witness by a friend, colleague or passerby was associated with good 1 month neurological function, after controlling for the patient's age, first recorded rhythm, gender, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), use of a public-access automated external defibrillator, dispatcher instructions, collapse-call time and response time compared with witness by a family member (friend: OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.46, colleague: OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.98, passerby: OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.39 to 1.84). CONCLUSIONS: One-month survival and favourable1 month neurological outcome of patients with OHCA of cardiac origin witnessed by a family member were worse than those in cases witnessed by a friend, colleague or passerby, independent of the patient characteristics and the response of EMS.

Randomized trial of an increased dose of calcium channel blocker or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker as an add-on intensive depressor therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension: the ACADEMIE Study.

There is a lack of data on how to treat hypertensive patients with diabetes when treatment with medium doses of calcium channel blocker and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) is insufficient to achieve the target blood pressure (BP). A total of 121 participants with type 2 diabetes and uncontrolled essential hypertension, who were receiving medium doses of amlodipine (5 mg/day) and ARB, were enrolled. Participants were randomized to receive either a high dose of amlodipine (10 mg/day) plus a medium dose of ARB (high-AML) or a medium dose of amlodipine (5 mg/day) plus a high dose of ARB (high-ARB). The depressor effects of these two regimens were monitored using a telemonitoring home BP-measuring system. Fifty-four patients were excluded after an observation period, and the remaining 67 eligible participants were randomized into the two groups; 42 which had a record of their home BP for analysis. The change in morning home systolic and diastolic BP was greater in the high-AML than in the high-ARB (systolic BP; - 7.9 mmHg vs. + 2.7 mmHg; p = 0.0002, diastolic BP; - 3.9 mmHg vs. + 0.6 mmHg; p = 0.0007). In addition, the home systolic and diastolic BP before going to bed and office systolic BP were significantly reduced from week 0 only in the high-AML. An increased dose of amlodipine, but not ARB, reduced home morning BP in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes who were already receiving combination therapy with medium doses of amlodipine and ARB.

Associations between microalbuminuria and parameters of flow-mediated vasodilatation obtained by continuous measurement approaches.

The associations between microalbuminuria and various parameters of flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) are not completely understood. We retrospectively analyzed 265 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography and in whom we could measure FMD and the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). Using 15 continuous measurement approaches, we measured FMD as the magnitude of the percentage change in the brachial artery diameter from baseline to peak (bFMD), the maximum FMD rate calculated as the maximal slope of dilation (FMD-MDR), and the integrated FMD response calculated as the area under the dilation curve during the 60- and 120-s dilation periods (FMD-AUC60 and FMD-AUC120). We divided the patients into two groups according to UACR: normoalbuminuria (NOR, n = 211) and microalbuminuria (MIC, n = 54). The MIC group showed a significantly higher percentage of coronary artery disease than the NOR group. FMD-AUC60 and FMD-AUC120, but not FMD-MDR, in the MIC group were significantly lower than those in the NOR group. On the other hand, bFMD in the MIC group tended to be lower than that in the NOR group, but this difference was not significant. A multiple regression analysis indicated that FMD-AUC120 and diabetes mellitus were predictors of MIC. Finally, we defined the cut-off value of FMD-AUC120 for the presence of MIC in all patients as 8.4 mm x second (sensitivity 0.640, specificity 0.588) by a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. In conclusion, this study provides more definitive evidence for the association of microalbuminuria with endothelial dysfunction. FMD-AUC120 may be a superior marker for MIC.

A Case of Multifaceted Assessment in an Elderly Patient With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a common health problem worldwide, including in Japan. Unfortunately, patient outcomes remain poor, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 50%. Therefore, we need to assess the precise conditions, including cardiac function, in patients with HF, particularly in the elderly. We performed a multifaceted assessment in an elderly patient with HF on admission and at discharge using eight different evaluations (the mean life expectancy using the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM), the severity of dementia, nutrition, medication adherence, biomarker (the level of brain natriuretic peptide in blood), sociality, performance and comorbidity). Each parameter was scored on a 5-point scale (excellent = 5 points; good = 4 points; fair (average) = 3 points; poor = 2 points; failure = 1 point; maximum total points of 40) (Fukuoka University Heart Failure Scoring System, FUFS). An 86-year-old male patient who complained of dyspnea and lower-leg edema was admitted to our university hospital due to acute decompensated HF. After treatment, his symptoms improved, as did his cardiothoracic ratio, plural effusion and pulmonary congestion, and he exhibited compensated HF. His total score improved from 28 to 32 points, and his mean life expectancy using SHFM increased from 4.9 to 5.4 years. We evaluated the precise conditions using a multifaceted assessment strategy in an elderly patient with HF. The strategy was useful for evaluate the patient's condition in this case.

Lifestyle changes through the use of delivered meals and dietary counseling in a single-blind study. The STYLIST study.

BACKGROUND: Dietary habits are associated with obesity, and both are important contributing factors to lifestyle-related diseases. The STYLIST study examined the effects of dietary counseling by registered dietitians and the delivery of proper calorie-controlled meals (UMIN Registration No: 000006582). METHODS AND RESULTS: Two-hundred adult patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus were randomly divided into 2 groups with/without dietary counseling and consumed an ordinary diet for 4 weeks. Each group was then subdivided into 2 groups with/without dietary counseling and received calorie-controlled lunch and dinner boxes for the next 4 weeks. The calories in the delivered meals were based on the subject's ideal body weight (BW) and physical activity level. BW, waist circumference, blood pressure, and laboratory data, including glycoalbumin, were measured at 0, 4, and 8 weeks. BW and the other parameters were significantly reduced during the study period in patients who received diet counseling in the ordinary diet period and/or delivered meal period but not in patients without dietary counseling, as assessed by linear mixed models for longitudinal data. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of dietary counseling by dietitians and delivery of calorie-controlled meals was effective in reducing BW, as well as blood pressure and glycoalbumin, in patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of irbesartan and olmesartan in patients with hypertension (EARTH study).

Fifty-four patients were randomly divided into irbesartan and olmesartan groups. Blood pressure (BP) was significantly decreased in all patients at 12 weeks. In particular, BP in patients who initially received irbesartan showed significant reductions. The equality of variance of BP in the irbesartan group was significantly smaller than that in the olmesartan group at 12 weeks. Blood concentrations of adiponectin were significantly increased in the irbesartan group at 12 weeks. Log [pentraxin-3] in the irbesartan group were significantly decreased. In conclusion, the ability of irbesartan to reduce BP is comparable to that of olmesartan with equivalent safety.

A case of coronary artery disease with antiphospholipid syndrome that showed repeated stent thrombosis.

A 55-year-old man with severe chest pain was hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiography revealed total occlusion of his left anterior descending coronary artery, which was successfully recanalized by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the patient subsequently experienced subacute stent thrombosis, restenosis in the stent, and frequent thrombosis in PCI toward restenosis. Primary antiphospholipid syndrome should be considered as a possible cause of repeated stent thrombosis, and, if salvage by PCI is impossible, salvage by coronary artery bypass graft should be considered.

Associations between augmentation index and severity of atheroma or aortic stiffness of the descending thoracic aorta by transesophageal echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Although the aortic augmentation index (AI) is an attractive tool as an index of the vascular system, the association between radial AI or brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) and severity of atheroma or arterial stiffness of the morphological central artery is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Severity of atheroma and aortic stiffness of the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) by transesophageal echography in 96 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was assessed. The relationship between radial AI or brachial-ankle PWV and atherosclerotic lesions was also investigated. The DTA was divided into 3 equal longitudinal portions, and the atheromatous lesions of each portion of the DTA were scored according to their character and extension. Instantaneous dimensional changes in the DTA was measured, and the aortic stiffness index beta was calculated. Radial AI was significantly correlated with age, plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, the mean atheromatous score and the mean aortic stiffness index. However, brachial-ankle PWV was not associated with central arterial stiffness. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that radial AI was most closely correlated with the mean atheromatous score. CONCLUSIONS: Radial AI might be a novel tool for determining the severity of central aortic atheromatous lesions.

Significance of changes in plasma adiponectin concentration after the implantation of stents in patients with stable angina.

OBJECTIVE: Although plasma adiponectin levels may be a marker for the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and can help to predict future cardiovascular events in patients with CAD, the significance of changes in plasma adiponectin levels after the implantation of stents in patients with stable angina is unclear. METHODS: The subjects included 32 consecutive patients with stable angina who had undergone successful coronary stenting [bare metal stent (BMS, n=16) or sirolimus-eluting stent (SES, n=16)]. Blood sampling was performed at baseline, and at 24 h, 48 h, 14 days and 6 months after stenting. RESULTS: Plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels at baseline (0.16+/-0.15 mg/dl) were significantly increased at 24 h (0.36+/-0.45 mg/dl, p=0.011) and 48 h (1.01+/-1.01 mg/dl, p<0.001), and plasma adiponectin levels at baseline (6.7+/-4.2 microg/ml) were significantly decreased at 24 h (6.1+/-4.2 microg/ml, p=0.019) and 48 h (6.2+/-4.9 microg/ml, p=0.010) in all subjects. Although there were no significant differences in changes in plasma hs-CRP and adiponectin levels between BMS and SES groups during the study period, BMS group (6.5+/-0.9 microg/ml at baseline) showed a significant reduction of plasma adiponectin at 48 h (5.8+/-1.1 microg/ml, p=0.022) and 6 months after stenting (4.7+/-2.3 microg/ml, p=0.011). Percent diameter stenosis (%DS) at 6 months after stenting was negatively correlated with changes in the plasma adiponectin levels within 6 months [Delta adiponectin (6 months-baseline)]. In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the %DS at 6 months after stenting was most closely correlated with Delta adiponectin (6 months-baseline) after adjusting for age, sex and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary stenting may decrease circulating adiponectin in association with an inflammatory response. The changes in plasma levels of adiponectin after stenting may also be a predictor of coronary restenosis in patients with CAD.

Changes in CCR2 chemokine receptor expression and plasma MCP-1 concentration after the implantation of bare metal stents versus sirolimus-eluting stents in patients with stable angina.

BACKGROUND: Although restenosis after successful coronary stenting is associated with changes in adhesion molecules and chemokines, it is unclear whether the differential effects of these molecules between a bare metal stent (BMS) and sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) may help to prevent coronary restenosis. The aim of this clinical study was to compare the expression levels of those molecules after elective placement of either a BMS or SES. METHODS AND RESULTS: The subjects included 32 consecutive patients with stable angina who had undergone successful coronary stenting and who randomly received either a BMS (n=16) or SES (n=16). Quantitative angiographic analysis 6 months after stenting showed that the minimal lumen diameter was significantly greater in the SES as compared to the BMS group, while the percent diameter stenosis and in-stent lumen loss were significantly lower. Plasma monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) increased significantly after 14 days and 6 months and monocyte CCR2 expression increased 24 hr and 48 hr after stenting in the BMS but not the SES group. Changes in plasma MCP-1 (DeltaMCP-1) within 6 months after stenting correlated significantly with in-stent lumen loss. The DeltaMCP-1 (between 6 months and baseline) was significantly related only to the lumen loss (r=0.443, p=0.023), which suggests that the reduction of MCP-1 is the best contributor to decreased lumen loss. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that reduction in MCP-1 production by SES may be one mechanism to prevent restenosis after coronary stenting.

Usefulness of multi-detector row computed tomography for the management of percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) has been a useful therapeutic option for medically refractory patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) has enabled the non-invasive detection of coronary arteries. Therefore, we describe here a patient with HOCM who was treated by PTSMA, and the usefulness of MDCT for its greater certainty and safety for the management of PTSMA.

Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa following infective endocarditis in a patient with acute heart failure: a case report.

A 22-year-old male presented with infective endocarditis and aortic regurgitation with congenital bicuspid aortic valve. Echocardiography revealed vegetation on the aortic valve and a pseudoaneurysm in the region of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF) with severe aortic and mitral regurgitation. His clinical condition, acute heart failure due to severe aortic and mitral regurgitation, became worse. Since the MAIVF complication indicates advanced disruption of tissue at the MAIVF, urgent cardiac surgery was indicated because of the evidence of pseudoaneurysm. He received successful aortic valve replacement and restoration of normal mitral-aortic continuity. Pseudoaneurysm of the MAIVF is a relatively rare complication of infective endocarditis, but should be considered in patients who are suspected to have vegetation because echocardiography can easily establish the correct diagnosis.

Significance of combined angiotensin II receptor blocker and carvedilol therapy in patients with congestive heart failure and arginine variant.

OBJECTIVE: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and beta-blockers have contributed to longer life expectancies for patients with congestive heart failure. However, whether the use of ARBs is helpful for introducing carvedilol (beta-blocker) is unclear when patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure are admitted to the hospital. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 27 patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure were given carvedilol upon admission. Five patients received carvedilol monotherapy (group A), and 22 were treated with a combination of carvedilol and ARBs (group B). RESULTS: There was no difference in medication between the groups except for ARBs. In addition, there were no significant differences in the decrease in plasma brain natriuretic peptide, or the improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction upon carvedilol treatment between the groups. Although there was no significant difference in the maintenance dose of carvedilol between the groups, the gross dose of carvedilol in group B was significantly lower than that in group A. In addition, the improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction in group B was positively correlated with the maintenance dose of carvedilol in patients who had wild-type beta1-adrenergic receptor at amino acid 389 (arginine/arginine genotype). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ARBs are helpful for introducing carvedilol in patients with the wild-type beta1-adrenergic receptor gene, and that treatment with combined treatment with ARB or analysis of the beta1-adrenergic receptor genotype may offer advantages to control congestive heart failure in the short-term.