Angiography-derived functional assessment of left main coronary stenoses.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of quantitative flow ratio (QFR) in left main (LM) coronary stenoses, using Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) as reference. BACKGROUND: QFR has demonstrated a high accuracy in determining the functional relevance of coronary stenoses in non-LM. However, there is an important paucity of data regarding its diagnostic value in the specific anatomical subset of LM disease. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational, multicenter, international, and blinded study including patients with LM stenoses. Cases with significant ostial LM disease were excluded. QFR was calculated from conventional angiograms at blinded fashion with respect to FFR. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients with LM stenoses were analyzed. Overall, LM had intermediate severity, both from angiographic (diameter stenosis [%DS] 43.8 ± 11.1%) and functional perspective (FFR 0.756 ± 0.105). Mean QFR was 0.733 ± 0.159. Correlation between QFR and FFR was moderate (r = 0.590). Positive and negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity were 85.4%, 64%, 85.4%, and 69.6% respectively. Classification agreement of QFR and FFR in terms of functional stenosis severity was 78.1%. Area under the receiver operating characteristics of QFR using FFR as reference was 0.82 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.93], and significantly better than angiographic evaluation including %DS (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.45 [95% CI, 0.32-0.58], p < 0.001) and minimum lumen diameter (AUC 0.60 [95% CI, 0.47-0.74], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with FFR, QFR has acceptable diagnostic performance in determining the functional relevance of LM stenosis, being better than conventional angiographic assessment. Nonetheless, caution should be taken when applying functional angiography techniques for the assessment of LM stenosis given its particular anatomical characteristics.

Unsupervised learning architecture for classifying the transient noise of interferometric gravitational-wave detectors.

In the data obtained by laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors, transient noise with non-stationary and non-Gaussian features occurs at a high rate. This often results in problems such as detector instability and the hiding and/or imitation of gravitational-wave signals. This transient noise has various characteristics in the time-frequency representation, which is considered to be associated with environmental and instrumental origins. Classification of transient noise can offer clues for exploring its origin and improving the performance of the detector. One approach for accomplishing this is supervised learning. However, in general, supervised learning requires annotation of the training data, and there are issues with ensuring objectivity in the classification and its corresponding new classes. By contrast, unsupervised learning can reduce the annotation work for the training data and ensure objectivity in the classification and its corresponding new classes. In this study, we propose an unsupervised learning architecture for the classification of transient noise that combines a variational autoencoder and invariant information clustering. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed architecture, we used the dataset (time-frequency two-dimensional spectrogram images and labels) of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) first observation run prepared by the Gravity Spy project. The classes provided by our proposed unsupervised learning architecture were consistent with the labels annotated by the Gravity Spy project, which manifests the potential for the existence of unrevealed classes.

In-hospital pulmonary rehabilitation after completion of primary respiratory disease treatment improves physical activity and ADL performance: A prospective intervention study.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary rehabilitation improves the physical condition of patients with chronic respiratory disease; however, there are patients who cannot leave the hospital because of their low activities of daily living (ADLs), despite the completion of primary respiratory disease treatment and rehabilitation during treatment. Therefore, this study demonstrated that those patients recovered their ADLs through in-hospital pulmonary rehabilitation after treatment completion. METHODS: We prospectively studied 24 hospitalized patients who had some remaining symptoms and showed low ADL scores of 9 points or less on the short physical performance battery after undergoing treatment for respiratory disease in Fukujuji Hospital from October 2018 to October 2019, excluding 2 patients who had re-exacerbation and 1 patient who could not be examined using the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT). After completion of the primary respiratory disease treatment, patients moved to the regional comprehensive care ward, and they received pulmonary rehabilitation for 2 weeks. In the ward, patients who could not yet leave the hospital could undergo pulmonary rehabilitation for up to 60 days. Data were evaluated three times: upon treatment completion (baseline), postrehabilitation, and 3 months after baseline. The main outcome was an improvement in the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) postrehabilitation. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 80 (interquartile range (IQR): 74.8-84.5), and 14 patients (58.3%) were male. The ISWT distance significantly increased postrehabilitation (median [IQR]: 60 m [18-133] vs 120 m [68-203], P < .001). The Barthel Index (BI) (P < .001), the modified Medical Research Council (P < .001), and other scale scores were also improved. Among patients with acute respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and interstitial pneumonia, ISWT and other data showed improvement at the postrehabilitation timepoint. Ten patients who could perform examinations at 3 months after baseline were evaluated 3 months after taking baseline data prior to starting rehabilitation. The ISWT showed significant improvement 3 months after baseline compared to baseline (P = .024), and the ISWT distance was maintained after rehabilitation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity, symptoms, mental health, and ADL status in patients who had not recovered after primary treatment completion for respiratory diseases could improve through in-hospital pulmonary rehabilitation.

Construction and commissioning of mid-infrared self-amplified spontaneous emission free-electron laser at compact energy recovery linac.

The mid-infrared range is an important spectrum range where materials exhibit a characteristic response corresponding to their molecular structure. A free-electron laser (FEL) is a promising candidate for a high-power light source with wavelength tunability to investigate the nonlinear response of materials. Although the self-amplification spontaneous emission (SASE) scheme is not usually adopted in the mid-infrared wavelength range, it may have advantages such as layout simplicity, the possibility of producing a single pulse, and scalability to a short-wavelength facility. To demonstrate the operation of a mid-infrared SASE FEL system in an energy recovery linac (ERL) layout, we constructed an SASE FEL setup in cERL, a test facility of the superconducting linac with the ERL configuration. Despite the adverse circumstance of space charge effects due to the given boundary condition of the facility, we successfully established the beam condition at the undulators and observed FEL emission at a wavelength of 20 µm. The results show that the layout of cERL has the potential for serving as a mid-infrared light source.

The stability of flow velocity and intracoronary resistance in the intracoronary electrocardiogram-triggered pressure ratio.

Assessment of coronary artery lesions using the fractional flow reserve and instantaneous flow reserve (iFR) measurements has been found to reduce the incidence of further cardiovascular events. Here, we investigated differences in terms of coronary flow velocity and resistance within the analysis interval between the iFR and the intracoronary electrocardiogram (IC-ECG)-triggered distal/aortic pressure (Pd/Pa) ratio (ICE-T). We enrolled 23 consecutive patients (n = 33 stenoses) who required coronary flow measurements. ICE-T was defined as the average Pd/Pa ratio in the period corresponding to the isoelectric line of the IC-ECG. We compared the index value, flow velocity, and intracoronary resistance during the analysis intervals of the iFR and the ICE-T, both at rest and under hyperemia. ICE-T values and ICE-T intracoronary resistance were both found to be significantly lower, whereas flow velocity was significantly higher than those of the iFR at both rest and under hyperemia (P < 0.001), and all fluctuations in ICE-T values were also significantly smaller than those in the iFR. In conclusion, the ICE-T appears theoretically superior to pressure-dependent indices for analyzing phases with low and stable resistance, without an increase in invasiveness.

Sex Differences in the Oxygenation of the Left and Right Prefrontal Cortex during Moderate-Intensity Exercise.

INTRODUCTION: Differences in cognitive performance with exercise between men and women have previously been reported. In this study, we evaluated between-sex differences in oxygenation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) with moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (AE), which could contribute to noted differences in cognitive function. METHOD: The subjects were ten men (age, 21.5 ± 0.5 years; height, 171.7 ± 4.8 cm; weight, 65.6 ± 5.6 kg) and ten women (age, 21.4 ± 0.5 years; height, 157.6 ± 4.9 cm; weight, 51.3 ± 6.5 kg). They completed our AE protocol, consisting of a 30-min leg-ergometer cycling at an intensity of 50% peak oxygen uptake, with an initial 4-min rest period for baseline measurement. Measures of the dynamics of cerebral oxygenation included: oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb) in the left and right PFC (LR-PFC) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb). The 30-min exercise period was subdivided into six 5-min phases, with the average and peak values determined in each phase. RESULTS: A significant interaction was found between LR-PFC HHb and sex (p < 0.001), with significantly higher values in men than in women in phases 3-6 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We report a significant sex effect of HHb in the LR-PFC.

CORRIGENDUM: Diagnostic Performance and Pressure Stability of a Novel Myocardial Ischemic Diagnostic Index　- The Intracoronary-Electrocardiogram-Triggered Distal Pressure/Aortic Pressure Ratio.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1253/circrep.CR-20-0099.].

Real-World Safety Profile of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Using a Second-Generation Cryoballoon in Japan: Insight From a Large Multicenter Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the incidence and characteristics of the real-world safety profile of second-generation cryoballoon ablation (2nd-CBA) in Japan. BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation using second-generation cryoballoons is an accepted atrial fibrillation ablation strategy. METHODS: This multicenter observational study included 4,173 patients with atrial fibrillation (3,807 paroxysmal) who underwent a 2nd-CBA in 18 participating centers. The baseline data and details of all procedure-related complications within 3 months post-procedure in consecutive patients from the first case at each center were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: Adjunctive ablation after the pulmonary vein isolation was performed in 2,745 (65.8%) patients. Complications associated with the entire procedure were observed in 206 (4.9%) total patients, and in the multivariate analysis, the age (odds ratio: 1.015; 95% confidence interval: 1.001 to 1.030; p = 0.035) and study period were predictors. Air embolisms manifesting as ST-segment elevation and cardiac tamponade requiring drainage occurred in 63 (1.5%) and 15 (0.36%) patients, respectively. Six (0.14%) patients had strokes/transient ischemic attacks, among whom 5 underwent ablation under an interrupted anticoagulation regimen. No atrioesophageal fistulae occurred; however, 10 (0.24%) patients had symptomatic gastric hypomotility. Esophageal temperature monitoring did not reduce the incidence, and the incidence was significantly higher in patients with adjunctive posterior wall isolations or mitral isthmus ablation than those without (p = 0.004). Phrenic nerve injury occurred during the 2nd-CBA in 58 (1.4%) patients; however, all were asymptomatic and recovered within 13 months. One patient died of aspiration pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: This study had a high safety profile of 2nd-CBA despite including the early experience and high rate of adjunctive ablation. Care should be taken for air embolisms during 2nd-CBA.

Analysis of risk factors for the development of a post-bronchoscopy respiratory infection in lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The development of pneumonia following bronchoscopy is a very important post-bronchoscopic complication, while lung abscesses after bronchoscopy are rare. However, bronchoscopic techniques have advanced, and recently, we have observed patients with lung abscess after bronchoscopy. Therefore, the risk factors might vary from those in past reports. This study was performed to identify the incidence of and risk factors for post-bronchoscopy respiratory infections. METHODS: We retrospectively studied adult patients diagnosed with lung cancer by bronchoscopy at Fukujuji Hospital from January 2017 to June 2019. The infection and noninfection groups were compared. The incidence of lung abscess was compared between recent periods and 2013, when endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) was not yet used in our hospital. RESULTS: We reviewed 327 patients, including 20 patients (6.1%) with infections. The risk factors for infection were necrosis and/or a cavity in the tumor (p < 0.001), a large tumor diameter (≥30 mm) (p = 0.010), and a low serum albumin level (<4.0 g/dL) (p = 0.010). We developed a predictive score with these risk factors, and the area under the curve was 0.737 (95% Cl: 0.610-0.864). No significant differences in age, current smoking status, or abnormal bronchoscopic findings were observed, although these were previously reported as risk factors. In total, 12 patients had lung abscesses (3.7%), which is a higher incidence than that in 2013 (0.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for developing post-bronchoscopy respiratory infection in our study varied from those in past reports, possibly because of the advancements in bronchoscopic techniques, such as EBUS-GS.

FOLFIRINOX for Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer After Pancreatic Resection: A Secondary Analysis of the Nationwide Multicenter Observational Study Conducted by the Japan Adjuvant Study Group of Pancreatic Cancer 06.

OBJECTIVES: The multidrug regimen with fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) is widely used for recurrent pancreatic cancer after pancreatic resection. However, there are concerns about severe toxicities and poor tolerability of FOLFIRINOX in these patients because some suffer from surgery-associated malnutrition, weight loss, and diabetes mellitus. We evaluated the toxicity and tolerability of FOLFIRINOX in these patients. METHODS: This study was conducted as a secondary analysis of the Japan Adjuvant Study Group of Pancreatic Cancer 06 study, which was a multicenter observational study of FOLFIRINOX for pancreatic cancer in Japan. The toxicity and tolerability of FOLFIRINOX in recurrent disease correlated with those of both the locally advanced and the metastatic disease group. RESULTS: The major grades 3 and 4 toxicities observed in the recurrent and locally advanced or metastatic disease groups were neutropenia (68% vs 63%), febrile neutropenia (4% vs 15%, P = 0.007), thrombocytopenia (4% vs 3%), diarrhea (4% vs 8%), and sensory neuropathy (0% vs 2%). The dose modification and relative dose intensity did not differ markedly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The toxicity and tolerability of FOLFIRINOX for recurrence after pancreatic resection were similar to those for locally advanced or metastatic disease with appropriate patient selection and dose modifications.

FOLFIRINOX as second-line chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer: A subset analysis of data from a nationwide multicenter observational study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Data on FOLFIRINOX as a second-line chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer are limited. In the JASPAC06 study-a nationwide, multicenter, observational study-FOLFIRINOX for patients with unresectable or recurrent pancreatic cancer as any line of treatment showed favorable efficacy and safety in Japanese clinical practice. METHODS: We performed exploratory analyses of patients with unresectable or recurrent pancreatic cancer who received FOLFIRINOX as the second-line chemotherapy in Japanese clinical settings. RESULTS: Of the 399 evaluable patients, 44 were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. The patients' characteristics were as follows: median age, 62 years; men, 26 (59%); Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance status 0/1, 30 (68%)/14 (32%); disease status, recurrent/local/metastatic: 4 (9%)/8 (18%)/32 (73%). The initial dose was reduced in 28 (64%) patients. The median time to treatment failure and number of cycles were 4.5 (range, 0.2-19.1) months and 6 cycles (range, 1-13 or more), respectively. The major grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia in 29 (66%), leucopenia in 17 (39%), anorexia in 7 (16%), febrile neutropenia in 5 (11%), and anemia in 5 (11%) patients. The median overall survival, progression-free survival, and 1-year survival rates were 10.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.2-13.3), 4.1 (95% CI, 2.6-5.5) months, and 30%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that FOLFIRINOX as a second-line chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer was effective in patients with a good performance status. It displayed toxicity similar to that observed with its use as a first-line treatment.

Adult axillary lymphangioma removal using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging system: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphangiomas are benign cystic tumors which arise from congenital malformations of the lymphatic system and are extremely rare in adulthood. We report a case of adult lymphangioma of the axilla that was removed after identifying the feeding lymphatic vessel using an indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging system. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 35-year old woman presented to our hospital with a rapidly growing mass on her left axilla. She had been pregnant once before and delivered at 34 years of age. Mammography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor that consisted of multiple cysts, which led to a diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma. The ICG fluorescence imaging system indicated that only one lymphatic vessel, which was completely removed with ligation of the feeding lymphatic vessel, was flowing to the tumor. An immunohistological study demonstrated that the cystic endothelia were positive for podoplanin (D2-40), a marker of lymphatic vessels. DISCUSSION: In addition to congenital factors, mechanical obstruction to lymphatic vessels by an external force, such as trauma or congestion of the lymphatic flow caused by increasing venous pressure during pregnancy or delivery might lead to lymphangioma in adulthood. Therefore, our patient's pregnancy and delivery one year prior to discovery of the tumor seems to be the cause of her lymphangioma. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, we recommend the complete excision to successfully treat adult-onset lymphangioma. We also suggest that visualization with ICG fluorescence imaging system is very useful for detecting the feeding lymphatic vessel and performing complete excision of the lymphangioma.

A case report of myocardial ischemia improvement despite early bypass graft occlusion: Efficiency of physiological reassessment.

Patients with functional ischemia often do not complain of chest symptoms even in early occlusion after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The clinical evidence indicating the necessity of revascularization for these patients is unclear. A 70-year-old man who underwent 3 stent implant procedures to treat repeated in-stent restenosis to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) felt effort-related chest pain. Coronary angiography revealed that the patient's jailed diagonal had severe stenosis with delay and the LAD had intermediate stenosis. The instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) value of the LAD equalled 0.75. The patient underwent sequential CABG, where the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the LAD and diagonal artery grafts were performed. Although his effort-related chest pain disappeared, coronary and bypass angiography did not show flow competition in the diagonal branch and early occlusion in the LIMA to LAD graft was confirmed. The physiological assessment of the LAD did not reveal myocardial ischemia (iFR = 0.89 and fractional flow reserve = 0.87). This case highlights the importance of physiological assessment to detect cases of early graft occlusion. Although the LAD was not perfused from the CABG, the iFR value improved dramatically and pharmacological therapy without revascularization was successful for this patient. .

Effect of QTU prolongation on hyperemic instantaneous wave-free ratio value: a prospective single-center study.

We hypothesized that in patients with QT prolongation, resistance might not decrease in the wave-free period, because QTU prolongation cannot be detected by instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) analysis software. We investigated whether corrected QTU (QTUc) prolongation affects the hyperemic iFR value. Forty-two consecutive patients with intermediate stenosis (≥ 50%) in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were analyzed. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) and hyperemic iFR were simultaneously and continuously recorded with intravenous adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and papaverine infusions. In 17 patients with stenosis in the proximal LAD, coronary flow was measured. Patients were divided into two groups according to the median absolute deviation of the QTUc by ATP administration/QTUc by papaverine administration. FFR, hyperemic iFR, and flow data were compared between each stimulus and group. Moreover, influences of pressure and electrocardiogram parameters on differences in iFR values under ATP and papaverine administration were compared between the following two groups (group 1: the absolute difference of hyperemic iFR values between ATP and papaverine administration is ≤ 0.05; group 2: that is > 0.05). The paired t test and t test were used in analysis. Hyperemic iFR values of patients under the use of papaverine were lower than those of patients under the use of ATP when QTUc was more prolonged by papaverine administration than by ATP administration (ATP 0.74 ± 0.14, papaverine 0.71 ± 0.15, P = 0.025). No significant differences were observed in the FFR value and flow data between the groups. Regarding QTU, QTUc, and QTUc by ATP/QTUc by papaverine, significant differences were observed between group 1 and group 2. Pressure parameters did not induce significant differences. QTUc prolongation induced by papaverine was associated with lower hyperemic iFR values. An iFR-based assessment might lead to inappropriate treatment of patients with QTUc prolongation.

Diagnostic Performance and Pressure Stability of a Novel Myocardial Ischemic Diagnostic Index　- The Intracoronary-Electrocardiogram-Triggered Distal Pressure/Aortic Pressure Ratio.

Background: We hypothesized that the intracoronary-electrocardiogram (IC-ECG)-based pressure index would be more stable and precise than the instantaneous flow reserve (iFR). We investigated the usefulness of the IC-ECG-based pressure index for diagnosing myocardial ischemia. Methods and Results: Thirty-seven consecutive patients with coronary stenosis requiring physiological assessment were enrolled in the study. iFR was measured at rest and under hyperemia in 51 and 40 lesions, respectively. The IC-ECG-triggered distal pressure (Pd)/aortic pressure (Pa) ratio (ICE-T) was defined as the mean Pd/Pa ratio in the period corresponding to the isoelectric line. The ICE-T was significantly lower than the iFR both at rest and during hyperemia (P<0.00001 for both). Fluctuations in the ICE-T pressure parameters (Pd/Pa, Pa, and Pd) were significantly smaller than those of iFR both at rest and during hyperemia. The diagnostic accuracy of predicting a fractional flow reserve (FFR) ≤0.80 of the ICE-T at rest was significantly higher than that of iFR (P=0.008). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that the ICE-T predicts FFR ≤0.80 more accurately than the iFR (area under curve 0.897 vs. 0.810 for ICE-T and iFR, respectively). Conclusions: We identified the period in the IC-ECG in which resting Pd/Pa was low and constant. The IC-ECG-based algorithm may improve the accuracy of diagnosing myocardial ischemia, without increasing invasiveness, compared with pressure-dependent indices.

Positive Myocardial Uptake of Bone Scintigraphic Agents Associated with Cardiac Amyloidosis: Frequency of Positive Uptake Data Based on Daily Clinical Practice.

Objective: The bone scan plays an important role for detecting number of conditions relating to bones, including: bone cancer or bone metastasis, bone inflammation. Extraosseous uptake, in particular, myocardial uptake, was observed in some patients examined with the bone scans. Positive uptake of 99mTc-labeled bone radiotracers is associated with cardiac amyloidosis. However, the frequency and cause of positive cardiac 99mTc-MDP uptake have not been fully studied. In this regard, the aim of this study was to assess the frequency and characteristics of patients with high myocardi-al uptake of bone scintigraphy in daily clinical practice setting. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 4180 bone scintigraphies performed in daily clinical practice during 7-years period. The intensity of the myocardial uptake was graded based on a visual scale ranging from 0 to 3 points. Score 0 indicates the absence of uptake. Score 1 defined uptake less than that of bone (referred to as the adjacent rib). Uptake similar to that of bone was classified score 2. Score 3 was defined as uptake greater than that of reference bone. Positive myocardial uptake included a visual score 2 or 3. Result: Positive 99mTc-MDP myocardial uptake occurred in 12 patients among 4180 patients (0.3%). 7 of 12 positive scan patients were consistent with amyloidosis confirmed by biopsy. In these patients, the mean age was 75.6 ± 5.2 years old. Ten cases showed biventricular uptake and 2 showed LV uptake only. Conclusion: Positive cardiac uptake of bone scintigraphic agents was present in 0.3% of bone scintigraphies in a clinical practice setting. This may be a sign of cardiac amyloidosis involvement which may give the presence of extraosseous bone tracer uptake its own importance and a new role.

A case of accessory pathway between the coronary sinus musculature and the left ventricle.

A 64-year-old female underwent catheter ablation of long R-P' tachycardia. Ventricular pacing exhibited retrograde conduction with an identical atrial activation sequence as during tachycardia because of an accessory pathway (AP) with a long VA conduction. A radiofrequency application within the posterior coronary sinus (CS) could achieve a change of activation pattern from distal-to-proximal to proximal-to-distal within CS proximal to the ablation site, caused by conduction block of CS musculature (CSM) at the proximal site. This phenomenon could explain that this AP was connected between the CSM and the left ventricle, in site far away from the discrete connection between the left atrium and CSM.

Multiple fungus balls in a patient with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

Typically, radiological examination in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis reveals cavities with fungus balls within the upper lobes. This case showed that multiple fungus balls can also be present in the lower lobes.