Combinational Elastography.

Heart failure (HF) can cause liver congestion and stiffness. Elastography is used to noninvasively measure organ stiffness. Liver fibrosis (LF) is monitored by shear wave and strain elastography. However, shear wave velocity (Vs) on shear wave elastography varies under the influence of fibrosis and congestion, and the LF index by strain elastography reflects only LF progression. Little is known about the usefulness of these methods in HF patients. This prospective study evaluated combined shear wave and strain elastography (i.e., combinational elastography) for assessing liver congestion. A total of 51 patients with HF (33 outpatients and 18 inpatients) and 10 healthy participants were included. Further, the relationships between combinational elastography and clinical characteristics in 51 patients with HF and the effects of medical treatment on these relationships in 18 inpatients with HF were investigated. Vs was significantly higher in the HF group than in the control group (1.68 ± 0.47 versus 1.21 ± 0.16, P = 0.002). The LF index did not significantly differ (1.39 ± 0.40 versus 1.33 ± 0.15, P = 0.680). Vs decreased after treatment (from 2.01 ± 0.61 to 1.62 ± 0.49 m/seconds; P = 0.026), while the LF index did not change (from 1.21 ± 0.29 to 1.26 ± 0.27; P = 0.664). Brain natriuretic peptide level (r = 0.343; P = 0.003) and composite congestion scores (r = 0.455; P < 0.001) were correlated with Vs. Combinational elastography is useful for assessing liver congestion, differentiating between liver congestion and fibrosis, and assessing therapeutic effects in HF patients.

A Case of Left Ventricular Thrombus with Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis Due to Atopic Dermatitis.

A 55-year-old man was presented to the emergency room because of abdominal pain for 4 days. He had a history of atopic dermatitis. Left ventricular (LV) asynergy and thrombus was detected on echocardiography, and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis was detected by computed tomography. There are no reported cases of this combination of thrombi. We hypothesized that the reason for this complication is the combination of coagulation disorder due to atopic dermatitis, silent myocardial infarction, and exacerbation of the coagulation abnormality due to bacteremia, leading to superior mesenteric vein and LV thrombosis. Atopic dermatitis that has potential risk factors of thrombus with sepsis could provoke thrombophilic state. Atopic dermatitis is a common disease, but continuous medical care is essential.

Effects of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, on left ventricular remodeling assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

The clinical efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the GLP-1 analog liraglutide on left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with AMI. We retrospectively evaluated the effects of liraglutide on LV remodeling assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) in 15 patients with type 2 diabetes who were successfully treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for AMI. Patients were divided into two groups based on their hypoglycemic medication: liraglutide use (group L; n = 6) or standard therapy (group S; n = 9). The CMRI findings in the early phase and at the 6-month follow-up were compared. At the 6-month follow-up, group S showed increases in LV end-diastolic (from 64 to 74 mL/m(2), p = 0.08) and end-systolic (from 38 to 45 mL/m(2), p = 0.13) volume indexes, whereas no such increase was observed in group L. The LV mass index (LVMI) was significantly smaller in group L than in group S at baseline (64 vs. 75 g/m(2), p = 0.05) and at follow-up (56 vs. 78 g/m(2), p = 0.009). Multivariate regression analysis showed that liraglutide use was an independent negative predictor of LVMI (ß = -0.720, p = 0.003). In conclusion, liraglutide may be able to prevent the progression of LV remodeling and is associated with a lower LV mass in diabetic patients with AMI undergoing primary PCI.

Left atrial remodeling and recurrence of congestive heart failure in patients initially diagnosed with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial volumes (LAVs) have been suggested to represent long-term exposure to elevated pressures. This study examined the recurrence of heart failure (HF) based on LAV in patients initially diagnosed with congestive HF (CHF). METHODS: This study comprised 77 patients (age, 75 ± 8 years) with well-documented, clinically defined HF, and complete two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations. The echocardiographic examinations were performed on admission and after medical treatment (90 ± 43 days after initial examination). Patients with atrial fibrillation, flail mitral valve, or mitral valve replacement were excluded from this study. RESULTS: The initial left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 44 ± 17% and the indexed LAV (LAVI) was 61 ± 22 mL/m(2) . After medical treatment, a decreased LAVI was observed in 38 patients and an increased LAVI (LA remodeling) was observed in 39 patients. With median follow-up periods of 454 days, compared to patients with decreased LAVI, patients with LA remodeling had a significantly higher incidence of CHF recurrence (P = 0.008). Patients with LA remodeling had a CHF-free survival rate of 36 ± 13% vs. 81 ± 9% (those without LA remodeling). A multivariate analysis indicated that, follow-up LV end-systolic volume (P = 0.04), LVEF (P = 0.005) and LAVI (P = 0.04) independently predicted CHF recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients initially diagnosed with CHF follow divergent courses based on their LAV. LA remodeling after medical treatment can be useful for predicting CHF recurrence during follow-up.

A case of ascending aortic dissection and rupture caused by giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by granulomatous inflammation in the wall of medium-sized and large-sized arteries, and it usually occurs in patients over 50 years of age.(1)) Symptoms are nonspecific, and include fatigue, fever, and headache.(2)) It is occasionally combined with aortic complications, and ruptures resulting in death. These complications occur as late events, usually several years after diagnosis and often after other symptoms have subsided.(3)) Physicians should therefore be alert for complications of the large arteries in GCA. Here we present a case of GCA combined with ascending aortic dissection and rupture 3 weeks after diagnosis.

Small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a useful marker of metabolic syndrome in patients with coronary artery disease.

AIM: An evaluation of the relation between small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sd-LDL-C) levels measured by the heparin-magnesium precipitation method and metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: We have prospectively measured sd-LDL-C levels by the heparin-magnesium precipitation method in 112 Japanese patients (male/female=80/32) with coronary artery disease (CAD) who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients were diagnosed with MetS according to modified Japanese criteria. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients (32%) met the criteria for MetS. Sd-LDL-C levels were significantly higher in the MetS group than non-MetS group (20.7 +/- 1.5 mg/dL vs. 17.1 +/- 1.0 mg/dL, p=0.042), especially among patients without lipid-lowering therapy (26.4 +/- 2.6 mg/dL vs. 17.5 +/- 1.5 mg/dL, p= 0.0034). Sd-LDL-C levels gradually increased with the number of components used to define MetS (0; 14.5 +/- 1.8 mg/dL, 1; 16.5 +/- 1.8 mg/dL, 2; 16.7 +/- 1.3 mg/dL, 3; 19.3 +/- 1.7 mg/dL, 4; 23.1 +/- 2.1 mg/dL, 5; 40.0 mg/dL, p=0.0071). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were significantly higher in the patients with MetS (1.09 +/- 0.17 mg/L vs. 0.67 +/- 0.09 mg/L, p=0.0204). CONCLUSION: The sd-LDL-C level measured by the heparin-magnesium precipitation method is a useful marker of MetS in Japanese patients with CAD.

Comparison of CTAC and prone imaging for the detection of coronary artery disease using CZT SPECT.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) cameras have improved the evaluation of patients with chest pain. However, inferior/inferolateral attenuation artifacts similar to those seen with conventional Anger cameras persist. We added prone acquisitions and CT attenuation correction (CTAC) to the standard supine image acquisition and analyzed the resulting examinations. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-two patients referred for invasive coronary angiography (CAG), and who also underwent rest/stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) on a CZT camera in the supine and prone positions plus CTAC imaging, to examine known or suspected CAD between April 2013 and March 2014 were included. A sixteen-slice CT scan acquired on a SPECT/CT scanner between rest and stress imaging provided data for iterative reconstruction. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LRs) were calculated to compare MPI with CAG on a per-patient basis. Per-patient sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of supine images to predict coronary abnormalities on CAG were 35% [95% confidence interval (CI) 19-52], 86% (95% CI 80-92), and 74% (95% CI 66-82); those of prone imaging were 65% (95% CI 45-81), 82% (95% CI 76-87), and 78% (95% CI 68-85); and those of CTAC were 59% (95% CI 41-71), 93% (95% CI 87-97), and 85% (95% CI 76-91), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prone acquisition and CTAC images improve the ability to assess the inferior/inferolateral area.

Comparison of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target value and the preventive effect of statins in elderly patients and younger patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target value and preventive effect of statins are different between elderly and younger patients. METHODS: We investigated 304 patients with previous percutaneous coronary intervention who underwent coronary angiography from January 2007 to December 2016 for examination of recurrent ischemia beyond the early restenosis. Patients were classified into two groups: age ≥ 75 years (elderly group: n = 140) and < 75 years (younger group: n = 164). Relationships between the achieved LDL-C level, incidence of late coronary events, and the effectiveness of statins were evaluated. RESULTS: During follow-up, 179 patients underwent late coronary revascularization. Recurrent ischemia presenting as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) occurred in 83 cases. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that in the younger group, recurrent ACS was significantly lower in patients with LDL-C < 70 mg/dL than in those with LDL-C ranging from 70 to < 100 mg/dL (P = 0.035); however, there was no difference between these in the elderly group (P = 0.863). Instead, recurrent ACS was less frequent in patients with LDL-C ranging from 70 mg/dL to < 100 mg/dL than in those with LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dL in the elderly group (P = 0.033). Statin use was associated with decreased recurrent ACS (P = 0.005); moreover, only using statins was an independent predictor in the elderly group (HR: 0.375; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Strict control of LDL-C to < 70 mg/dL was effective for reducing the incidence of recurrent ACS in younger patients. However, LDL-C < 100 mg/dL might be sufficient as the target value of LDL-C-lowering therapy for secondary prevention of ischemic events in Japanese elderly patients.

Capnocytophaga ochracea-related Bacterium Bacteremia in a Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patient without Neutropenia.

Gram-negative fusiform rods were detected in a blood culture obtained from a 63-year-old man who had been hospitalized for a long duration for severe heart failure. Although the organism could not be identified using a conventional method, it was finally identified as a bacterium of the Capnocytophaga ochracea group based on the results of biochemical testing, 16S rRNA sequencing and a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis. Although neutropenic patients with poor oral hygiene are exclusively vulnerable to Capnocytophaga bacteremia, this case was unique because such predisposing conditions were not noted. A multi-centered investigation is warranted for a better understanding of this clinically rare, but potentially pathogenic organism.

Acute Myocardial Infarction due to Left Atrial Myxoma.

Myxoma is a common benign cardiac tumor that may rarely cause an acute myocardial infarction. A 77-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with chest pain. Electrocardiography showed an ST elevation in leads V3-6. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed an ovoid mass with fragmentation in the left atrium and hypokinesia of the left ventricular apex. Coronary angiography indicated the presence of a coronary embolism that was suspected to be from the left atrial mass. The mass was removed by emergency surgical resection to avoid a further systemic embolism and was diagnosed pathologically as a myxoma. The patient was discharged after 13 days with no complications.

Pneumococcal endocarditis complicating meningitis and arthritis in a previously healthy woman: A case report.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults. Pneumococcal endocarditis coexisting with meningitis is rare, especially in healthy individuals. A 66-year-old woman was admitted with pneumococcal bacteremia, meningitis, and arthritis. She was in good condition before admission. Because of typical presentation of bacterial meningitis characteristics and normal echocardiographic findings, the patient was administered antibiotics for meningitis and arthritis. On hospitalization day 59, she developed a fever, and echocardiography showed severe aortic regurgitation, perforation, and vegetation of the aortic valve. She was diagnosed with pneumococcal endocarditis and underwent aortic valve replacement surgery. In general, invasive pneumococcal infections occur in debilitated middle-aged men with predisposing factors such as chronic alcoholism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and immunosuppressive conditions. In this case, regardless of the appropriate treatment and no risk of invasive pneumococcal infections, infective endocarditis occurred. .

Myocardial Calcification with a Latent Risk of Congestive Heart Failure in a Patient with Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Myocardial calcification is rare. An 88-year-old man who had previously been diagnosed with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy exhibited left ventricular asynergy on echocardiography before undergoing cholecystectomy. Computed tomography revealed severe calcification in the apical region of the left ventricular myocardium, although the coronary arteries were intact and the hemodynamics on right heart catheterization were normal. The cause of the left ventricular asynergy appeared to be myocardial calcification, thought to be the result of rheumatic fever based on the patient's past history. Stress echocardiography showed a latent risk for the development of heart failure due to the distensibility of the calcified left ventricular myocardium.

Frequency and predictors of bleeding complications associated with anti-coagulant therapy using dabigatran in Japanese patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Few data exist regarding frequency and predictors of bleeding complications associated with anticoagulant therapy using dabigatran in Japanese patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively studied 184 patients with AF who were administered dabigatran from April 2011 to August 2012 in our institution. Twenty-eight patients (15%) developed some type of bleeding complication. In the Bleeding group, age, CHADS2 and HAS-BLED score were higher (75 vs. 71 years, p=0.067, 2.7 vs. 1.9, p=0.006 and 2.3 vs. 1.8, p=0.01, respectively), hemoglobin concentration was lower (13.1 vs. 13.7 g/dL, p=0.04), casual activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was longer (60.2 vs. 47.4 sec., p<0.0001) and frequency of aspirin use was higher (29 vs. 15%, p=0.09) than those in the Non-bleeding group. Multivariate regression analysis showed that casual APTT was an independent significant predictor of any type of bleeding complications (ß=0.431, p<0.0001). Moreover, casual APTT (ß=0.359, p=0.049), pre-existing anemia (ß=0.457, p=0.02) and aspirin use (ß=0.597, p=0.02) were significant predictors of major bleeding. ROC analysis showed that casual APTT exhibited 83.3% sensitivity and 72.5% specificity as predictors of major bleeding and its cut-off value was 54.7 sec. CONCLUSION: Casual APTT level can serve as a predictor of bleeding complications, while pre-existing anemia and aspirin use may be associated with major bleeding in patients with AF treated with dabigatran.

Trousseau syndrome with nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis in a patient with uterine cancer.

This paper aims to describe the usefulness of transthoracic echocardiography in the follow-up of recurrent nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) associated with neoplastic conditions. A 60-year-old woman with advanced uterine cancer developed recurrent areas of aseptic vegetation on the mitral valve along with cerebral, renal and splenic embolisms. Echocardiographic assessments revealed vegetation and thrombotic events on three occasions. In this case, transthoracic echocardiography was effective in following the decreased frequency of attachment of the NBTE vegetation to the mitral valve and reductions in the size of the area of vegetation following treatment with unfractionated heparin infusion, hysterectomy and chemotherapy.