Impact of minimum contrast media volumes during percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion lesion.

Contrast media exposure is associated with contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO). Aim of this study is to assess the utility of minimum contrast media volume (CMV ≤ 50 mL) during CTO-PCI for CIN prevention in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We extracted data from the Japanese CTO-PCI expert registry; 2863 patients with CKD who underwent CTO-PCI performed from 2014 to 2020 were divided into two groups: minimum CMV (n = 191) and non-minimum CMV groups (n = 2672). CIN was defined as an increased serum creatinine level of ≥ 25% and/or ≥ 0.5 mg/dL compared with baseline levels within 72 h of the procedure. In the minimum CMV group, the CIN incidence was lower than that in the non-minimum CMV group (1.0% vs. 4.1%; p = 0.03). Patient success rate was higher and complication rate was lower in the minimum CMV group than in the non-minimum CMV group (96.8% vs. 90.3%; p = 0.02 and 3.1% vs. 7.1%; p = 0.03). In the minimum CMV group, the primary retrograde approach was more frequent in the case of J-CTO = 1,2 and 3-5 groups compared to that in non-minimum CMV-PCI group (J-CTO = 0; 11% vs. 17.7%, p = 0.06; J-CTO = 1; 22% vs. 35.8%, p = 0.01; J-CTO = 2; 32.4% vs. 46.5%, p = 0.01; and J-CTO = 3-5; 44.7% vs. 80.0%, p = 0.02). Minimum CMV-PCI for CTO in CKD patients could reduce the incidence of CIN. The primary retrograde approach was observed to a greater extent in the minimum CMV group, especially in cases of difficult CTO.

Procedural results and in-hospital outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction: Sub-analysis of the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the procedural results and in-hospital outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). BACKGROUND: While the technical success of general CTO-PCI has improved, CTO-PCI patients with reduced LVEF remain at high-risk for adverse events. METHODS: The data of 820 patients with LVEF ≤ 35% (Group 1), 1816 patients with LVEF = 35%-50% (Group 2), and 5503 patients with LVEF ≥ 50% (Group 3), registered in the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry from January 2014 to December 2019, were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was in-hospital major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), including death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, stroke, and emergent revascularization. Secondary endpoints included procedural details, guidewire success, and technical success. RESULTS: There were no differences in guidewire and technical success rates between the groups. In-hospital MACCEs was significantly higher in Group 1 (Group 1 vs. Group 2 vs. Group 3: 3.4% vs. 1.7% vs. 1.5%, p = 0.001) and was especially driven by death (1.3% vs. 0.3% vs. 0.1%, p < 0.001) and stroke (0.7% vs. 0.2% vs. 0.2%, p = 0.007). Multivariate analysis showed that LVEF ≤ 35% (odds ratio [OR]; 1.58, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.04-2.41, p = 0.03) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥ 3 (OR; 2.01, 95% CI; 1.03-3.93, p = 0.04) were predictors of in-hospital MACCEs. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital MACCEs were significantly higher in patients with LVEF ≤ 35%. LVEF ≤;35% and NYHA class ≥ 3 were predictors of in-hospital MACCEs after CTO-PCI.

Older phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation patients engaged in gardening maintained physical function during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study aimed to clarify the effects of gardening on hemodynamic response, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise, and body weight in patients in whom phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation (CR) was interrupted due to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Among 76 outpatients participating in consecutive phase 2 CR in both periods from March to April and June to July 2020, which were before and after CR interruption, respectively, at Sanda City Hospital were enrolled. The inclusion criterion was outpatients whose CR was interrupted due to COVID-19. Patients under the age of 65 were excluded. We compared the data of hemodynamic response and RPE during exercise on the last day before interruption and the first day after interruption when aerobic exercise was performed at the same exercise intensity in the gardener group and the non-gardener group. Forty-one patients were enrolled in the final analysis. After CR interruption, the gardener group did not show any significant difference in all items, whereas the non-gardener group experienced significant increase in HR (Peak) (p = 0.004) and worsening of the Borg scale scores for both dyspnea and lower extremity fatigue (p = 0.039 and p = 0.009, respectively). Older phase 2 CR patients engaged in gardening did not show any deterioration in hemodynamic response or RPE during exercise, despite CR interruption and refraining from going outside. Gardening may be recommended as one of the activities that can maintain or improve physical function in older phase 2 CR patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Predictors of prolonged guidewire manipulation time for native coronary chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention via primary antegrade approach.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the predictive factors for the guidewire manipulation time (GWMT) of ≥20 and 30 min for chronic total occlusion-percutaneous coronary intervention (CTO-PCI) via the primary antegrade approach (PAA). BACKGROUND: Selection of primary retrograde approach (PRA) and the optimal timing to switch from antegrade to retrograde approach for coronary CTO-PCI is still debatable. METHODS: Using the Japanese CTO-PCI expert registry data, we selected and analyzed 4461 patients who underwent CTO-PCI via PAA alone. The considerable lesion/anatomical factors for GWMT ≥20 and 30 min were analyzed. The risks of prolonged GWMT ≥20 and 30 min were stratified as easy, intermediate, difficult, and very difficult according to the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Nine lesion/anatomical characteristics (blunt stump, side branch at proximal cap, bifurcation at the exit point, calcification, tortuosity, occlusion length ≥ 20 mm, reattempt, nonleft anterior descending artery (nonleft anterior descending artery [LAD]), and tandem CTO) were independent predictors of GWMT ≥20 min (all p < 0.05). Excluding the nonLAD and tandem CTO, the same factors of GWMT ≥20 min correlated with GWMT ≥30 min (all p < 0.05). The distributions were increased in easy, intermediate, difficult, and very difficult subsets of GWMT ≥20 min (58.3%, 77.2%, 89.1%, and 100%) and GWMT ≥30 min (47.5%, 69.2%, 83.9%, and 100%). CONCLUSIONS: These predictive factors of prolonged GWMT should be assessed before CTO-PCI via PAA and when considering an adequate timing to switch the retrograde or PRA if clinically available.

Relationship of end-tidal oxygen partial pressure to the determinants of anaerobic threshold in post-myocardial infarction patients.

The anaerobic threshold (AT), obtained during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), is an important prognostic measure and can be used to develop an exercise prescription in patients after a myocardial infarction (post-MI). The purpose of this study was to examine the central and peripheral determinants of AT in post-MI patients end-tidal oxygen partial pressure (PETO2) measures. We performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on 148 consecutively enrolled post-MI patients to determine PETO2 measured at the AT (AT PETO2) and ΔPETO2 (difference between resting PETO2 and AT PETO2). We subsequently investigated the relationship between these measures of PETO2 and the individual AT for each patient. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that AT PETO2 and ΔPETO2 were independently and significantly associated with the AT (ß = -0.344, p < 0.001 and ß = 0.228, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, the independent factors of AT PETO2 were left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.005), resting ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (p = 0.002), and resting dead-space gas volume to tidal volume ratio (p < 0.001). However, the independent factors for ΔPETO2 were history of diabetes (p = 0.047), estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.001), and resting systolic blood pressure (p = 0.017). These findings suggested that AT PETO2 was associated with central determinants; whereas, and ΔPETO2 was associated with peripheral determinants, The AT PETO2 and ΔPETO2 provide variable insight regarding the cause of exercise intolerance and can be used to determine appropriate therapies.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation patients in Japan.

This study aimed to clarify the effects of the interruption of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and refraining from going outside due to the COVID-19 pandemic on hemodynamic response and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise including differences by age in phase 2 CR outpatients. Among 76 outpatients participating in consecutive phase 2 CR in both periods from March to April and June to July 2020, which were before and after CR interruption, respectively, at Sanda City Hospital were enrolled. The inclusion criterion was outpatients whose CR was interrupted due to COVID-19. We compared the data of hemodynamic response and RPE during exercise on the last day before interruption and the first day after interruption when aerobic exercise was performed at the same exercise intensity in the < 75 years group and ≥ 75 years group. Fifty-three patients were enrolled in the final analysis. Post-CR interruption, peak heart rate increased significantly (p = 0.009) in the < 75 years group, whereas in the ≥ 75 years group, weight and body mass index decreased significantly (p = 0.009, 0.011, respectively) and Borg scale scores for both dyspnea and lower extremities fatigue worsened significantly (both, p < 0.001). CR interruption and refraining from going outside due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the hemodynamic response, RPE during exercise and body weight in phase 2 CR outpatients. In particular, patients aged ≥ 75 years appeared to be placed at an increased risk of frailty.

Impact of worsening renal function on peak oxygen uptake in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

AIM: Worsening renal function (WRF) induced by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events and mortality. Peak oxygen uptake may contribute to prognosis in AMI patients with WRF, however, the impact of WRF on peak oxygen uptake is unclear. METHODS: Among 154 patients with AMI who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention and participated in phase II cardiac rehabilitation, those who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing were consecutively enrolled. WRF was defined as a ≥20% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR [ml/min/1.73 m2 ]) from admission to that at cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The association of WRF with peak oxygen uptake was evaluated by multivariate regression analysis. The non-WRF group was divided into two subgroups according to eGFR <60/≥60 at cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and eGFR at cardiopulmonary exercise testing and peak oxygen uptake of all three groups were compared. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were enrolled in the final analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that WRF was associated with peak oxygen uptake (p = .003). Comparing the non-WRF group with eGFR at cardiopulmonary exercise testing <60 and the WRF group, although eGFR at cardiopulmonary exercise testing was similar (p = 1.000), peak oxygen uptake in the WRF group was significantly lower (p = .026). CONCLUSION: WRF, not eGFR at cardiopulmonary exercise testing was significantly associated with peak oxygen uptake in patients with AMI. This result suggests that when considering the relationship between renal function and peak oxygen uptake, WRF must be taken into account.

[Malignant Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Pleura;Report of a Case].

We report a rare case of a malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura(SFTP). The patient was a 66-year-old man, who had an asymptomatic 25 mm nodule in the left upper lung field. We performed a wedge resection of the left lung by video-assisted thoracic surgery, and the tumor was diagnosed as a malignant SFTP. Although the recurrence has not been found for 26 months, long-term clinical follow-up is thought to be necessary because of the potential adverse biological behavior of this tumor.

[Late-Onset Acute Pneumonitis Caused by Pembrolizumab Used to Treat Postoperative Recurrence of Squamous Cell Carcinoma-A Case Report].

We present an unusual case of late-onset acute pneumonitis developing 21 months after pembrolizumab monotherapy. An 80-year-old male with primary, pulmonary, squamous cell carcinoma underwent right lower lobectomy and lymph node dissection(ND2a-2); the postoperative pathological stage was ⅢA(pT2bN2M0)and the PD-L1 tumor proportion score 70%. Six months after surgery, he developed mediastinal lymph node(#2R), bilateral pulmonary, and hepatic metastases; pembrolizumab was administered every 3 weeks as a first-line treatment. A partial response was evident after 3 courses; we thus continued the monotherapy. However, after 28 courses(21 months)of pembrolizumab, we discontinued the regimen because acute pneumonitis(Grade 3)developed; we prescribed prednisolone at 50 mg/day. The acute pneumonitis shadow improved and prednisolone was tapered over 2 months. The patient exhibited no new lesion and no progressive disease 6 months after pembrolizumab was discontinued.

[Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma Responding to Fourth-Line S-1 Monotherapy-A Case Report].

Herein, we report a case of unresectable lung cancer in which S-1 monotherapy contributed to an improvement in the patient's quality of life and to prolonged survival. A 44-year-old man with primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma(negative driver mutation and a PD-L1 tumor proportion score of 1-24%)of clinical stage ⅢA(cT4N0M0)underwent multidisciplinary treatment as follows: 1 ) weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel plus radiotherapy as induction chemoradiotherapy, 2 ) surgery that revealed that the lesion was unresectable, 3 ) cisplatin plus pemetrexed as second-line treatment, and 4 ) pembrolizumab as third-line treatment. However, the disease progressed after 19 courses of pembrolizumab, and the patient developed cachexia due to esophageal stenosis caused by tumor enlargement. He underwent percutaneous gastrostomy and was fed via a gastrostomy tube. S-1 monotherapy(2-week administration every 3 weeks)was introduced as fourth-line treatment. After 3 courses of S-1 monotherapy, the patient complained of regurgitation of stomach fluid. Computed tomography( CT)revealed that the primary tumor had decreased in size, and he developed the ability to drink water. After 6 courses of S-1, CT revealed progressive disease, so atezolizumab was administered as fifth-line treatment. However, after 2 courses, mediastinitis due to esophageal penetration into the mediastinum occurred. The patient died 28 months after the initial treatment.

[Wedge Resection as an Alternative Procedure for Primary Pulmonary Carcinoma in Poor-risk Patients].

BACKGROUND: We present wedge resection as an alternative procedure for primary pulmonary carcinoma in poor-risk patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined the overall survival of 94 patients who underwent wedge resection for pN0M0 primary pulmonary carcinoma over the last 20 years because of their intolerance of lobectomy. RESULTS: In the wedge resection group, the postoperative 5-year survival in all causes of death was 59.6%, indicating significantly better prognoses in patients with adenocarcinoma aged less than 75 years old. The 5-year survival in the lobectomy group was 77.5%, while the 5-year survival in terms of primary causes of death in the wedge resection and lobectomy groups was 89.3% and 88.0%, respectively. There was a significant difference between wedge resection and lobectomy in all causes of death, but not between groups in primary causes of death. CONCLUSION: Because there were many non-primary deaths in the wedge resection group, care should be taken to follow comorbidities that cause limited lung resection. Survival in the wedge resection group was not inferior to that in the lobectomy group in analyses of the primary causes of death. We suggest that wedge resection should be a favorable procedure for primary pulmonary carcinoma in poor-risk patients to obtain a large enough sample volume of tumor cells.

[Successful Treatment of a Mechanically Ventilated Patient with an Oncological Emergency Caused by Recurrence of Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma].

We successfully treated a mechanically ventilated patient with severe respiratory failure caused by airway stenosis; she recovered after radiotherapy and gefitinib administration. A 68-year-old female with a pulmonary adenocarcinoma underwent a radical operation(right middle-lower sleeve lobectomy and lymph node dissection). Forty-four months later, she was admitted to our hospital with severe dyspnea, and was placed on mechanical ventilation after tracheal intubation. Postoperative cancer recurrence was evident in the bronchial mucosa and the site of carinal stenosis. Pathological examination revealed an epidermal growth factor receptor-positive adenocarcinoma. After radiotherapy(a total of 30 Gy), gefitinib(250mg/day) was commenced. Respiratory function improved gradually, and ventilator weaning was successful 3 weeks after tracheal intubation. Computed tomography revealed a partial response; her recovery from the emergency oncological situation was remarkable. She was discharged 4 months after hospitalization. Although she took gefitinib every 2-to-7 days, she refused all examinations and possible treatments for 25 months after recurrence. Finally, she died of respiratory failure 29 months after recurrence and 73 months after the initial operation.

[Multidisciplinary Approach to Recurrence after Resection of Primary Lung Cancer].

BACKGROUND: The standard approach for treating recurrence after complete resection of primary non-small cell lung cancer has been controversial. We present here a multidisciplinary strategy for postoperative recurrence in patients with primary lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over the last 7 years, we examined the disease-free survival and overall survival of 70 patients who underwent multidisciplinary treatment for recurrence after surgical resection of primary lung cancer. RESULTS: The median overall survival was 32.3 months after surgery and 17.4 months after recurrence developed, indicating significantly better prognoses in females and in patients with adenocarcinoma, stage I disease, driver mutation positivity, a longer postoperative disease-free period, and never smokers. Eight patients survived more than 5 years after recurrence;of these patients, all had adenocarcinomas, 7 had oligometastases and/or tumor dormancy, and 5 received multiple-drug regimens. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary treatment for recurrence after resection of primary lung cancer was effective for patients receiving various drug regimens. In patients with oligometastases, disease control was achieved by a combination of local treatments targeting each involved organ. In patients with tumor dormancy, follow-up or a drug holiday was important to maintain the patient's quality of life.

Liquid-Infused Smooth Surface for Improved Condensation Heat Transfer.

Control of vapor condensation properties is a promising approach to manage a crucial part of energy infrastructure conditions. Heat transfer by vapor condensation on superhydrophobic coatings has garnered attention, because dropwise condensation on superhydrophobic surfaces with rough structures leads to favorable heat-transfer performance. However, pinned condensed water droplets within the rough structure and a high thermodynamic energy barrier for nucleation of superhydrophobic surfaces limit their heat-transfer increase. Recently, slippery liquid-infused surfaces (SLIPS) have been investigated, because of their high water sliding ability and surface smoothness originating from the liquid layer. However, even on SLIPS, condensed water droplets are eventually pinned to degrade their heat-transfer properties after extended use, because the rough base layer is exposed as infused liquid is lost. Herein, we report a liquid-infused smooth surface named "SPLASH" (surface with π electron interaction liquid adsorption, smoothness, and hydrophobicity) to overcome the problems derived from the rough structures in previous approaches to obtain stable, high heat-transfer performance. The SPLASH displayed a maximum condensation heat-transfer coefficient that was 175% higher than that of an uncoated substrate. The SPLASH also showed higher heat-transfer performance and more stable dropwise condensation than superhydrophobic surfaces and SLIPS from the viewpoints of condensed water droplet mobility and the thermodynamic energy barrier for nucleation. The effects of liquid-infused surface roughness and liquid viscosity on condensation heat transfer were investigated to compare heat-transfer performance. This research will aid industrial applications using vapor condensation.

The Characteristics of Primary Retrograde Approach Selection for Native Coronary Chronic Occlusion With Short Occlusion Length from the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry.

Although the coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) crossing algorithm has been published, the characteristics associated with the first strategy selection for short-length lesions <20 mm is still debatable. This study aimed to determine the characteristics associated with primary retrograde approach (PRA) for native CTO with short occlusion length in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Between January 2014 and December 2021, we examined data on 4,088 lesions in the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry with occlusion lengths <20 mm. Then, the characteristics for short-length CTO, which was performed by way of the PRA, were assessed. PRA was performed in 785 patients (19.2%). The guidewire success rate was 93.6%, and the technical success rate was 91.3%. Previous coronary artery bypass grafting, chronic kidney disease, and 6 lesion/anatomic characteristics (i.e., blunt stump, distal runoff <1 mm, CTO lesion tortuosity, reattempt procedures, ostial location, and the presence of collateral channel grade 2) were associated with PRA (p <0.05). Moreover, hemodialysis was an independent factor of unsuccessful anterograde guidewire crossing, along with distal runoff <1 mm, the existence of calcification, and CTO lesion tortuosity (all p <0.05). In clinical settings, these independent factors for PRA in short-length CTO can help in selecting the CTO-PCI strategy.

Determinants of One-Year Outcome After Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion; Insight from Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry.

Although outcomes have improved with new-generation drug-eluting stents, few reports have analyzed the risk factors associated with chronic outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO)-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to investigate the independent risk factors for target lesion revascularization (TLR) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) after CTO-PCI using Japanese multicenter data. A total of 3,666 patients, who underwent CTO-PCI and completed a 1-year follow-up, registered at the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry from 2014 to 2019, were examined. The primary outcome was defined as TLR, and the secondary outcome was MACCEs at the 1-year follow-up. TLRs and MACCEs occurred in 175 (4.8%) and 524 (14.3%) patients, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that in-stent occlusion (ISO) (odds ratio [OR] 2.604, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.695 to 4.001), hemodialysis (OR 1.784, 95% CI 1.062 to 2.997), diabetes mellitus with insulin use (OR 1.741, 95% CI 1.060 to 2.861), moderate-to-severe calcification (OR 1.726, 95% CI 1.197 to 2.487), and the right coronary artery as the target vessel (OR 1.468, 95% CI 1.018 to 2.117) were significantly associated with TLR. Hemodialysis (OR 2.214, 95% CI 1.574 to 3.113), ISO (OR 1.499, 95% CI 1.127 to 1.993), arteriosclerosis obliterans (OR 1.414, 95% CI 1.074 to 1.863), and multivessel disease (OR 1.356, 95% CI 1.117 to 1.647) were significantly associated with MACCEs. One-year outcomes of new-generation drug-eluting stents for CTO-PCI were favorable, and ISO as a lesion factor and hemodialysis as a patient factor were strongly associated with TLR and MACCEs, respectively.

Retrograde Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention (JR-CTO) Score: From the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry.

BACKGROUND: Despite the effectiveness of the retrograde approach for chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions, there are no standardized tools to predict the success of retrograde percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a prediction tool to identify CTO lesions that will achieve successful retrograde PCI. METHODS: This study evaluated data from 2,374 patients who underwent primary retrograde CTO-PCI and were enrolled in the Japanese CTO-PCI Expert Registry between January 2016 and December 2022 (NCT01889459). All observations were randomly assigned to the derivation and validation cohorts at a 2:1 ratio. The prediction score for guidewire failure in retrograde CTO-PCI was determined by assigning 1 point for each factor and summing all accrued points. RESULTS: The JR-CTO score (moderate-severe calcification, tortuosity, Werner collateral connection grade ≤1, and nonseptal collateral channel) demonstrated a C-statistic for guidewire failure of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.67-0.76) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.64-0.77) in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. Patients with lower scores had higher guidewire and technical success rates and decreased guidewire crossing time and procedural time (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The JR-CTO (Japanese Retrograde Chronic Total Occlusion) score, a simple 4-item score that predicts successful guidewire crossing in patients undergoing retrograde CTO-PCI, has the potential to support clinical decision-making for the retrograde approach.

Prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer with postoperative regional lymph node recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Regional lymph node recurrence after radical surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an oligo-recurrent disease; however, no treatment strategy has been established. In the present study we aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of postoperative regional lymph node recurrence and identify prognostic predictors in the era of molecular-targeted therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data on clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with regional lymph node recurrence after surgery who underwent treatment for NSCLC between 2002 and 2022. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients were included in this study. The median time between surgery and detection of recurrence was 1.21 years. Radiotherapy (RT) alone and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were performed in 38 and six patients, respectively. Driver gene alterations were detected in eight patients (EGFR: 6, ROS1:1, and BRAF: 1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was examined in 22 patients after 2016. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) after lymph node recurrences were 1.32 and 4.34 years, respectively. Multiple lymph node recurrence was an independent prognostic factor for PFS, whereas driver gene alteration was the only prognostic factor for OS. There was no significant difference in the OS between patients stratified according to the initial treatment modality for lymph node recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the number of tumor recurrences may correlate with PFS, while detection of driver gene alterations could guide decision-making for the appropriate molecular-targeted therapy to achieve longer OS.

Clinical effective use of Conquest Pro 12 Sharpened Tip for chronic total occlusion intervention: A series of three case reports.

A new chronic total occlusion (CTO) guidewire, Conquest Pro 12 Sharpened Tip (CP12ST), has a stronger penetration force than the original CP12 and a deflection effect that it does not have. The CP12ST enables us to advance into hard plaque that has not ever penetrated, which might change CTO treatment as shown in three cases.

Characteristics of suicidal emergency room patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

AIM: Owing to the stress caused by the behavioral restrictions and lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, suicide rates have increased in Japan, especially among young people. This study aimed to identify the differences in the characteristics of patients hospitalized for suicide attempts in the emergency room, requiring inpatient care before and during the pandemic over 2 years. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis. Data were collected from the electronic medical records. A descriptive survey was conducted to examine changes in the pattern of suicide attempts during the COVID-19 outbreak. Two-sample independent t-tests, Chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact test were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred one patients were included. No significant differences were found in the number of patients hospitalized for suicide attempts, average age, or sex ratio before and during the pandemic periods. Acute drug intoxication and overmedication in patients increased significantly during the pandemic. The self-inflicted means of injury with high fatality rates were similar during the two periods. The rate of physical complications significantly increased during the pandemic, while the proportion of unemployed individuals significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Despite studies predicting an increase in suicides based on past statistics of young people and of women, no significant changes were observed in this survey of the Hanshin-Awaji region, including Kobe. This may have been owing to the effect of suicide prevention measures and mental health measures implemented by the Japanese government after an increase in suicides and after past natural disasters.