Validation of the obesity paradox by body mass index and waist circumference in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The paradoxical association of obesity with mortality, named the "obesity paradox", has been inconsistent, possibly due to a difference between body mass index (BMI) and central obesity, estimated by waist circumference (WC) as patterns of adiposity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We enrolled 8513 participants from the Kumamoto Intervention Conference Study, a multicenter registry that included consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at 18 centers between 2008 and 2017 in Japan. Patients were divided into quartiles in ascending order of the BMI or WC. The primary endpoints were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death within a year. RESULTS: There were 186 deaths (case fatality rate, 22.1/1000 person-years) during the follow-up period. The lowest group (1st quartile) of BMI or WC had the worst prognosis among the quartiles (1st quartile, 4.2%; 2nd quartile, 1.9%; 3rd quartile, 1.5%; 4th quartile, 1.1%; P < 0.001 (χ2) and 1st quartile, 4.1%; 2nd quartile, 2.3%; 3rd quartile, 1.2%; 4th quartile, 1.5%; P < 0.001 (χ2), respectively). Similar results were obtained for cardiovascular death. In a multivariable analysis adjusted by nine conventional factors, the lowest group (1st quartile) of BMI (hazards ratio, 2.748; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.712-4.411) and WC (hazards ratio, 2.340; 95% CI, 1.525-3.589) were independent prognostic factors for all-cause mortality. By dividing the participants into two groups according to either the BMI or WC based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III and World Health Organization classification, the highest mortality was observed in the lower group. However, the C-statistic after adding BMI (quartile) to conventional factors was found to be slightly higher than BMI (two categories) and WC (two categories) (0.735 vs. 0.734). CONCLUSIONS: The obesity paradox was observed in patients after PCI, and single-use of BMI (or WC) was sufficient to predict the prognosis of patients after PCI.

Impact of cerebrovascular comorbidity on prognosis in Japanese patients undergoing PCI: 1-year data from Japanese multicenter registry (KICS).

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are considered the principal cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide; the effect of stroke-induced cardiac manifestations is well recognized; however, not enough clinical data have been found about the impact of stroke with underlying cardiac disease. This study's objective is to assess the impact of stroke on the prognosis of patients with underlying IHD, who underwent PCI treatment. This was a multicenter, 1-year observational study in patients undergoing PCI in one of the 17 participating centers across Japan. 18,495 patients were registered on the PCI list; 2481 patients had a prior stroke experience, whereas 15,979 were stroke-free. Our study revealed that stroke patients were significantly older (mean age 73.5 ± 9.6, 69.7(± 11.5), respectively), and suffered from more comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease, p < 0.0001). During the 1-year period, subjects with stroke showed higher incidence of clinical events compared to those without stroke; to illustrate, all-cause death accounted for 6.2% in patients with stroke, in contrast to only 2.8% in stroke-free patients (p < 0.0001), cardiac death amounted for 2.2 and 1.2%, respectively (p < 0.0001), recurrent stroke for 3.1% and 1.2% (p < 0.0001), non-cardiac death for 3.6 and 1.54% (p < 0.0001), and finally, hemorrhagic complications with 2.6 and 1.3% (p < 0.0001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that stroke patients had a higher probability of all-cause mortality, cardiac death, and recurrent stroke (log-rank p < 0.0001). Cox hazard analysis also showed that the presence of stroke is a significant indicator in determining the outcome of cardiac death (HR = 1.457, 95% CI 1.036-2.051, p = 0.031); hence, proving it to be a crucial predictor on cardiac prognosis. History of prior stroke was common in PCI patients, and independently associated with a higher rate of subsequent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events recurrence. Thus, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive prevention of cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases.

High serum levels of thrombospondin-2 correlate with poor prognosis of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2) is highly expressed in hypertensive heart. Interstitial fibrosis is frequently observed in hypertensive heart, and it is a characteristic feature of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We tested here the hypothesis that high TSP-2 serum levels reflect disease severity and can predict poor prognosis of patients with HFpEF. Serum TSP-2 levels were measured by ELISA in 150 patients with HFpEF. HFpEF was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50%, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) ≥ 100 pg/ml or E/e' ≥ 15. The endpoints were mortality rate, HF-related hospitalization, stroke and non-fatal myocardial infarction. The median serum TSP-2 level was 19.2 (14.4-26.0) ng/ml. Serum TSP-2 levels were associated with the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class. Circulating levels of BNP and high-sensitivity troponin T were positively correlated with serum TSP-2 levels. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed high risk of adverse cardiovascular events in the high TSP-2 group (>median value), and that the combination of high TSP-2 and high BNP (≥ 100 pg/ml) was associated with the worst event-free survival rate. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis identified TSP-2 as independent predictor of risk of death and cardiovascular events. Circulating TSP-2 correlates with disease severity in patients with HFpEF. TSP-2 is a potentially useful predictor of future adverse cardiovascular events in patients with HFpEF.

Single-wire pressure and flow velocity measurement for quantifying microvascular dysfunction in patients with coronary vasospastic angina.

Endothelial and vascular smooth muscle dysfunction of epicardial coronary arteries play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of vasospastic angina (VSA). However, coronary microvascular (MV) function in patients with VSA is not fully understood. In the present study, subjects without coronary obstruction were divided into two groups according to the acetylcholine provocation test: VSA group (n = 29) and non-VSA group (n = 21). Hyperemic MV resistance (hMR) was measured using a dual-sensor (Doppler velocity and pressure)-equipped guidewire, and guidewire-derived hemodynamic parameters were compared. There were no between-group differences in clinical demographics, including potential factors affecting MV function (e.g., diabetes). Although coronary flow velocity reserve was similar between the two groups [2.4 ± 1.0 (VSA group) vs. 2.4 ± 0.9 (non-VSA group); P = 0.8], coronary vessel resistance and hMR were significantly elevated in the VSA group compared with the non-VSA group (2.6 ± 3.1 vs. 1.2 ± 0.8, P = 0.04; 1.9 ± 0.6 vs. 1.6 ± 0.5, P = 0.03, respectively). Coronary vasospasm, older age, E/e', and estimated glomerular filtration rate were significantly associated with MV dysfunction [defined as ≥ median value of hMR (1.6)] in univariate analysis. Coronary vasospasm most strongly predicted higher hMR in multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 4.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-21.60; P = 0.053). In conclusion, coronary MV resistance is impaired in patients with VSA compared with non-VSA patients, whereas coronary flow velocity reserve is maintained at normal levels in both groups. In vivo assessment of hMR might be a promising index of coronary MV dysfunction in patients with VSA.

Lack of association between peri-procedural myocardial damage and CYP2C19 gene variant in elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Peri-procedural myocardial damage (MD) is associated with increased risk of major in-hospital complications and adverse clinical events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of on-clopidogrel platelet aggregation and CYP2C19-reduced-function gene variants on elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-related MD. We measured changes in serum high-sensitive troponin T (hs-TnT) levels, CYP2C19 genotype, and on-clopidogrel platelet aggregation (PA) using VerifyNow(®) P2Y12 system in 91 patients who received stent implantation (stent group). The control group comprised 30 patients who did not receive PCI. Blood samples were obtained before and 24 h after PCI or coronary angiography (CAG). Patients of the stent group were divided into high and low MD groups based on the median value of hs-TnT level at 24 h after PCI. Serum hs-TnT levels were significantly higher 24 h after PCI (86.8 ± 121.5 pg/ml) compared with before PCI (9.4 ± 5.3, p < 0.001), whereas the levels were identical before and 24 h after CAG in the control group. Simple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that MD correlated with age (p = 0.014), estimated GFR (p = 0.003), hemoglobin A1c (p = 0.015), baseline serum hs-TnT (p = 0.049), and stent length (p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified old age, high hemoglobin A1c level, and long stent, but not CYP2C19 reduced-function allele or high on-clopidogrel PA, as independent predictors of elective PCI-related MD. The present study demonstrated no significant relation between peri-procedural MD and high on-clopidgrel PA associated with CYP2C19 reduced-function allele in patients undergoing elective PCI.

Circulating thrombospondin-2 reflects disease severity and predicts outcome of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2) is a matricellular protein found in human serum. Deletion of TSP-2 causes age-dependent dilated cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that TSP-2 is a useful biomarker in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum TSP-2 was measured in 101 patients with HFrEF, and mortality and cardiovascular events were followed. Serum TSP-2 in the HFrEF group was significantly higher than in the non-HF group (n=17). Mean NYHA functional class was significantly higher in the high TSP-2 group (>median) than the low TSP-2 group (2.26 vs. 1.76, P=0.004). Circulating TSP-2 level was significantly associated with that of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP; r=0.40, P<0.0001) on multivariate linear regression analysis. On Kaplan-Meier curve analysis the high TSP-2 group had a lower event-free rate than the low TSP-2 group (log-rank test, P=0.03). Multivariate Cox hazard analysis identified hemoglobin (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53-0.82, P<0.0001), and TSP-2 (ln[TSP-2]; HR, 3.34; 95% CI: 1.03-10.85, P=0.045) as independent predictors of adverse outcome. The area under the curve for 1-year events increased when TSP-2 was added to Framingham risk score (FRS; alone, 0.60) or BNP (alone, 0.69; FRS+TSP-2, 0.75; BNP+TSP-2, 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: TSP-2 is a potentially useful biomarker for assessment of disease severity and prognosis in HFrEF.

Intravascular ultrasound morphology of culprit lesions and clinical demographics in patients with acute coronary syndrome in relation to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at onset.

Despite current standards of care aimed at achieving targets for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), many patients remain at high residual risk of cardiovascular events. We sought to assess the LDL-C-dependent differences in culprit intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) morphologies and clinical characteristics in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Eighty-six consecutive ACS patients whose culprit lesions imaged by preintervention IVUS were divided into two groups based on the fasting LDL-C level on admission: a low-LDL-C group (LDL-C <2.6 mmol/l, n = 45) and a high-LDL-C group (LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/l, n = 41). Patients with stable angina with LDL-C <2.6 mmol/l (n = 30) were also enrolled as an age- and gender-matched control. The low-LDL-C ACS group was significantly older (72 ± 12 vs 64 ± 14 years, P = 0.007) and more diabetic (47 % vs 15 %, P = 0.001). Importantly, IVUS morphologies were comparable between low- and high-LDL-C ACS groups (all P not significant), whereas culprit plaque was more hypoechoic and less calcified in the low-LDL-C ACS group than in the low-LDL-C stable angina group. Furthermore, compared with the low-LDL-C ACS nondiabetic group, the low-LDL-C ACS diabetic group was more obese, more triglyceride rich (1.3 ± 0.6 vs 0.9 ± 0.4 mmol/l, P = 0.003), and more endothelially injured, but no different for the culprit IVUS morphologies. In multivariate analysis, diabetes was independently associated with a low LDL-C level on admission in patients with ACS. There was no relationship between the LDL-C level at onset and culprit-plaque IVUS morphologies in ACS patients, although culprit plaque in the low-LDL-C ACS group was more vulnerable than in the low-LDL-C stable angina group. In patients with low-LDL-C levels, diabetes with atherogenic dyslipidemia might be the key residual risk.

Growth differentiation factor 15 can distinguish between hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertensive hearts.

To distinguish hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) from hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (H-LVH) based on a morphological examination is often challenging. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for several cardiovascular diseases. In patients with LVH, GDF-15 promises to be a useful biomarker to distinguish between HCM and H-LVH. We evaluated 93 patients with H-LVH, 28 with HCM, and 28 disease control individuals. Serum GDF-15 concentrations were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Circulating GDF-15 levels were significantly higher in patients with H-LVH than with HCM (P = 0.003). On the other hand, values for plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were significantly lower in patients with H-LVH than with HCM (P = 0.004). Serum GDF-15 and plasma BNP levels positively correlated in patients with H-LVH but not with HCM. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed GDF-15 (odds ratio 12.06, confidence interval 1.85-78.77, P < 0.01) as an independent predictor of H-LVH among patients with LVH. In receiver-operating characteristic analysis, GDF-15 achieved an area under the curve of 0.70 for the identification of H-LVH. We found that GDF-15 might be a useful biomarker for discriminating HCM from H-LVH. Understanding serum GDF-15 values may have clinical utility for patients with LVH because the therapeutic strategies for treating HCM and H-LVH differ.

Neointimal tissue component assessed by tissue characterization with 40 MHz intravascular ultrasound imaging: comparison of drug-eluting stents and bare-metal stents.

OBJECTIVES: The present study used iMap IVUS system to compare neointimal tissue components between DES and bare-metal stents (BMSs). BACKGROUND: Drug-eluting stents (DESs) can cause impaired arterial healing, which constitutes the most important pathological substrate underlying late DES thrombosis. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-based tissue characterization allows for the in vivo identification of neointimal tissue components. METHODS AND RESULTS: Follow-up IVUS data after coronary stenting (9.8 ± 9.4 months from index procedures) was obtained from consecutive 61 lesions (34 in DES, 27 in BMS). The iMap tissue components (fibrotic, lipidic, necrotic, and calcified) were measured in every recorded frame and expressed as percentages of mean neointimal cross-sectional area for the stented segment. Patients' characteristics were comparable between DES and BMS. When compared with BMSs, smaller (2.9 ± 0.4 mm vs. 3.2 ± 0.4 mm, P = 0.004) and longer (34 ± 18 mm vs. 26 ± 14 mm, P = 0.03) DESs were implanted. When compared with BMS group, minimum lumen area at follow-up was significantly greater in DES group (3.9 ± 1.8 mm(2) vs. 3.1 ± 1.5 mm(2) , P < 0.04), mainly attributable to suppression of neointimal hyperplasia (1.7 ± 0.8 mm(2) vs. 3.1 ± 1.5 mm(2) , P < 0.0001). The iMap analyses showed that neointima after DES placement was composed of smaller fibrotic component (67 ± 8% vs. 78 ± 7%, P < 0.0001), larger necrotic (14 ± 4% vs. 9 ± 3%, P < 0.0001) and calcified (15 ± 6% vs. 7 ± 4%, P < 0.0001) components compared with BMS. Logistic regression analysis showed that only intra-DES neointima was a significant predictor of necrotic neointima at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: DES implantation would be associated with iMap-derived necrotic and less-fibrotic neointimal formation. In vivo iMap evaluation of neointimal tissue may provide useful information in detecting impaired healing after stenting.

Dose-Dependent Inhibitory Effect of Rosuvastatin in Japanese Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction on Serum Concentration of Matrix Metalloproteinases-INVITATION Trial.

AIM: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play critical roles in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This trial was conducted to determine the potential effects of higher-dose rosuvastatin on circulating MMP levels in patients with AMI. METHODS: This was a multicenter, open-label, 1:1 randomized, parallel-group study. Patients with AMI were randomly assigned to the appropriate-dose group (10 mg rosuvastatin once daily) or the low-dose group (2.5 mg rosuvastatin once daily) within 24 hours after percutaneous coronary intervention. MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were measured on day 1 and at week 4, 12, and 24 after enrollment. The primary endpoint was the change in MMP levels at 24 weeks after enrollment. The secondary endpoints were change in MMP levels at day 1 and weeks 4 and 12 after enrollment. RESULTS: Between August 2017 and October 2018, 120 patients with AMI from 19 institutions were randomly assigned to either the appropriate-dose or the low-dose group. There were 109 patients who completed the 24-week follow-up. The primary endpoint for both MMP-2 and MMP-9 was not significantly different between the two groups. The change in the active/total ratio of MMP-9 at week 12 after baseline was significantly lower in the appropriate-dose group compared with the low-dose group (0.81 [-52.8-60.1]% vs. 70.1 [-14.5-214.2]%, P=0.004), while the changes in MMP-2 were not significantly different between the two groups during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: This study could not demonstrate the superiority of appropriate-dose of rosuvastatin in inhibiting serum MMPs levels in patients with AMI.

Temporal trends in coronary intervention strategies and the impact on one-year clinical events: data from a Japanese multi-center real-world cohort study.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has significantly advanced over the last 40 years, but it is not clear whether there have been any changes in prognosis in recent years. The Kumamoto Intervention Conference Study Real-World Registry is a multi-center registry that enrolls consecutive patients undergoing PCI in 17 centers in Kyushu, Japan. To elucidate the clinical impact of recent changes in treatment strategies, 8841 consecutive participants (historical PCI: n = 4038, enrolled between January 2013 and December 2014, and current PCI: n = 4803, between January 2015 and March 2017) with 1-year follow-up data were analyzed. The incidences of major adverse cardiovascular and other clinical events were comparable between historical PCI and current PCI, even though complex lesions were more frequent during the more recent period. During this period, the use of radial approaches, drug eluting stents, and coronary imaging was greater. The use of prasugrel was more frequent (P < 0.001) during the time periods. Comparable event rates were associated with the use of clopidogrel (52.7%) and prasugrel (47.3%). In the sub-analysis for acute coronary syndrome (n = 5047), similar clinical event rates were recorded for historical and current PCI. Although the lesions to be treated are becoming more severe and complex, equivalent clinical outcomes have been maintained in recent years, possibly due to advances in the devices and medication used.

Imaging-guided PCI for event suppression in Japanese acute coronary syndrome patients: community-based observational cohort registry.

Although there is accumulating evidence for the usefulness of imaging-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), there are few studies for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and the impact of the frequency of use has not been well addressed. From the Kumamoto Intervention Conference Study; a Japanese registry comprising 17 institutions, consecutive patients undergoing successful PCI from April 2008 through March 2014 were enrolled. Subjects were divided into two groups: imaging-guided PCI and angiography-guided PCI. Clinical outcome was a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis within 1 year. A total of 6025 ACS patients were enrolled: 3613 and 2412 patients with imaging- and angiography-guided PCI, respectively. Adverse cardiac events were significantly lower in the imaging-guided PCI group (long-rank P < 0.001). Even after propensity-score matching, the event rates still showed significant differences between the two groups (log-rank P = 0.004). To assess the effects of frequency of imaging usage, we divided the 17 institutions into six low-, six moderate-, and five high-frequency groups. The event rates decreased depending on the frequency, seemingly driven by stepwise event suppression in angiography-guided PCI. In Japanese ACS patients, the incidence of adverse clinical events in patients treated with imaging-guided PCI were significantly lower than that in patients with angiography-guided PCI. Better clinical result was found in the institutions using intravascular imaging more frequently. University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN)-CTR ( http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ ). Identifier: KICS (UMIN000015397).

PCI using a 4-Fr "child" guide catheter in a "mother" guide catheter: Kyushu KIWAMI® ST registry.

OBJECTIVES: With the development of PCI techniques, the indications for stents have been expanding as well. On the other hand, we often encounter the situations where deploying a stent/stents by the conventional method is technically challenging. We report a novel stent delivery system using a newly developed 4Fr. straight catheter with Mother-and-Child method. METHODS AND RESULTS: We collected the data on coronary angioplasty in which we experienced the difficulty to deliver coronary stents and used 4Fr. KIWAMI ST01. The case number amounts to 32 cases over a six-month period from October 2009 through March 2010. The angioplasty was performed for lesions in the RCA in 9 patients (28%), lesions in the LAD in 15 patients (47%), lesions in the LCX in 5 patients (16%), lesions in the saphenous vein grafts in 2 patients (6%), and lesions in the internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts in 1 patient (3%). And the reasons for the difficult stent delivery by the conventional methods were as follows: severe calcification in 12 patients (37%), intense tortuosity in 7 patients (22%), poor backup support for guide catheter in 8 patients (25%), and trapping of the stent proximal to the target lesion in 5 patients (16%). The dislodgment of stent did not happened in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: KIWAMI® ST01 stent delivery system is feasible, safer, and effective in cases where stent delivery is difficult by the conventional method.

Corrigendum to 'A case of severe pulmonary thromboembolism in mycoplasma infection during early pregnancy' [J. Cardiol. Cases 22 (2020) 140-142].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jccase.2020.06.003.].

Dose-dependent INhibitory effect of rosuVastatin In Japanese patienTs with Acute myocardial infarcTION on serum concentration of matrix metalloproteinases - INVITATION trial.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is mainly characterized by the rupture of lipid-rich vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been shown to play a critical role in inflammatory processes underlying plaque rupture. Some reports suggested statins inhibit the increased MMP levels after AMI. However, there are a few comparison studies between the different dosages of the same statin and circulating levels of MMPs. PURPOSE: This study will preliminarily investigate the potential effects of appropriate or low dose of rosuvastatin on circulating MMPs levels in AMI patients. Moreover, we will also obtain plasma from patients while undergoing diagnostic angiography to determine differences in various cardiac sites and peripheral vessels. METHODS: This study is a multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel-group study to be conducted to compare the appropriate or low dose of rosuvastatin in the effect on serum levels of inflammatory markers in AMI patients. The eligible patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) will be randomly assigned to receive either appropriate or low-dose rosuvastatin daily using a web-based randomization software within 24h after PCI. The low-dose group will be treated with rosuvastatin 2.5mg once daily with a follow-up. The appropriate-dose group will begin treatment with rosuvastatin 5mg once daily, and the dose of rosuvastatin will be titrated to 10mg within 4 weeks. During administration of the study treatment, subjects will undergo laboratory testing including MMPs and be monitored for the occurrence of adverse events up to 24 weeks. The primary endpoint will be the change rate of MMPs at 24 weeks after administration. CONCLUSIONS: INVITATION will compare the appropriate or low dose of rosuvastatin in the effects on serum levels of inflammatory markers including MMPs in AMI patients. This study will provide significant information on rosuvastatin as an anti-inflammatory agent for AMI.

Impaired Peripheral Endothelial Function Assessed by Digital Reactive Hyperemia Peripheral Arterial Tonometry and Risk of In-Stent Restenosis.

BACKGROUND: Drug-eluting stents are replacing bare-metal stents, but in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a problem. Reactive hyperemia index (RHI) assessed by peripheral arterial tonometry evaluates endothelial function noninvasively. We prospectively assessed the prognostic value of RHI in predicting ISR after percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS AND RESULTS: RHI was measured before percutaneous coronary intervention and at follow-up (F/U) angiography (F/U RHI; 6 and 9 months post bare-metal stents- and drug-eluting stents- percutaneous coronary intervention, respectively) in 249 consecutive patients. At F/U, ISR (stenosis >50% of diameter) was seen in 68 patients (27.3%). F/U natural logarithm (RHI) was significantly lower in patients with ISR than in those without (0.52±0.23 versus 0.65±0.27, P<0.01); no between-group difference in initial natural logarithm (RHI) (0.60±0.26 versus 0.62±0.25, P=0.56) was seen. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, even after adjusting for other significant parameters in univariate analysis, F/U natural logarithm (RHI) independently predicted ISR (odds ratio: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.04-0.48; P=0.002). In receiver operating-characteristic analysis, F/U RHI was the strongest predictor of ISR (area under the curve: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.60-0.75; P<0.01; RHI <1.73 had 67.6% sensitivity, 64.1% specificity); area under the curve significantly improved from 0.62 to 0.70 when RHI was added to traditional ISR risk factors (P=0.02). Net reclassification index was significant after addition of RHI (26.5%, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired RHI at F/U angiography independently correlated with ISR, adding incremental prognostic value to the ISR-risk stratification following percutaneous coronary intervention. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT02131935.

Clinical significance of fecal occult blood screening in patients before percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The most common reason for premature discontinuation of dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) after coronary stenting is the manifestation of gastrointestinal bleeding. Before percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), we screened patients who tested positive for fecal occult blood (fecOB). METHODS AND RESULTS: On 1789 consecutively admitted cardiac catheterization patients, we performed fecOB examinations; 647 of these patients received PCIs, and 232 of them were fecOB positive. Ultimately, we performed 165 colonoscopies and detected 3 early cancer lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Positive results on fecOB screening, before PCI, could indicate lower intestinal lesions. We can perform surgical cancer procedures safely, even with aspirin usage.

Statins combined with exercise are associated with the increased renal function mediated by high-molecular-weight adiponectin in coronary artery disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Statins and exercise therapy are clinically effective in preventing cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of statins combined with exercise on the renal function of CAD patients. METHODS: We performed a sub-analysis of a clinical trial that determined the 20-week-effects of two statins (rosuvastatin, n=14; atorvastatin, n=14) combined with regular exercise on renal function, as assessed by the estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) of CAD patients. RESULTS: The combination of statins and exercise therapy increased eGFRs from 61.1±16.6 at baseline to 65.8±16.8ml/min/per 1.73m(2) (p=0.03), increased serum levels of high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin, increased ubiquinol/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ratios, and decreased high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Changes in HMW-adiponectin, ubiquinol/LDL-C ratios and hs-CRP were significantly correlated with changes in eGFR (r=0.597, p=0.001; r=0.437, p=0.02; and r=-0.473, p=0.01, respectively). Treatment-induced increases in HMW-adiponectin independently correlated with the increases in eGFR (ß=0.513, p=0.02) in a multivariate analysis. Both atorvastatin and rosuvastatin combined with regular exercise produced increases in eGFR. The patients treated with rosuvastatin exhibited significant improvements in eGFR. CONCLUSION: Statins combined with exercise significantly increased eGFR in CAD patients, and these improvements in renal function were correlated with increases in HMW-adiponectin levels. The statins-exercise combination treatment may have provided clinical benefits for patients with CAD partly through the improvement in renal function.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension complicated with homocystinuria.

A 17-year-old boy with homocystinuria was found to have a systolic murmur during a routine examination. Echocardiography demonstrated pulmonary hypertension (PH), and computer tomography angiography showed pulmonary thrombi. Although 12-month anticoagulation treatment reduced the thrombotic material within the main branch, it failed to clear thrombotic materials in the left and right lobar branches. Two years later, the patient was admitted to our hospital due to a worsening of PH. Treatment with bosentan, sildenafil and beraprost, in addition to anti-coagulant therapy, did not improve his PH. Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) was performed to remove the pulmonary thrombi. BPA markedly improved the patient's hemodynamics and exercise capacity. Close follow-up is scheduled to prevent any potential future thrombotic complications.

A case of human immunodeficiency virus-related heart failure resembling dilated cardiomyopathy but accompanied by high cardiac output.

A 34-year-old man presented with heart failure (HF). He suffered opportunistic infections and was shown to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive (viral load: 156,013 copies/mL) and have low CD4 lymphocytes (3/mm3), so he was initially treated for the opportunistic infections. Initial investigations showed high elevation of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP: 969 pg/mL). Transthoracic echocardiography showed an enlarged left ventricle (LV: 70 mm), a reduced LV ejection fraction (EF: 19%), but no LV hypertrophy or significant valvular diseases. After treatments for the infections, we started standard HF medications. Cardiac catheterization, after recovery from the opportunistic infections with negative inflammatory markers, showed no significant coronary stenosis, and endomyocardial biopsy did not show findings of myocarditis, without HIV structural protein on immunohistochemistry. Despite reduced EF, the cardiac output was elevated at 7.1 l/min [cardiac index (CI): 4.3 l/min/m2] and the systemic vascular resistance index was decreased at 1358 dynes s/cm5 m2. Hematologists began anti-retroviral therapy; the viral load was gradually reduced to negative, and the CD4 count was increased to 50/mm3 at Day 182. EF was accordingly improved up to 54%, but the cardiac output decreased to a normal level at 3.9 l/min (CI: 2.4 l/min/m2), leading to normalization of plasma BNP (<5 pg/mL). This case indicates that high cardiac output might be involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of HIV-related HF. .