Effects of adverse life events on mental health in single older adults in Japan.

BACKGROUND: This study tested a hypothesised model of the effects of adverse life events on the mental health of middle-aged and older adults living alone, as mediated by thought suppression and help-seeking behaviours, considering gender differences. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 1202 (622 men; 580 women) individuals from 247445 residents aged 50-79 in District A of Tokyo. The questionnaire items covered parameters on adverse life events, help-seeking behaviour, thought suppression, and mental health status. RESULTS: Multiple group structural equation-modelling analysis revealed that the seriousness of adverse life events, help-seeking behaviours, and mental health scores were higher in women than in men. No significant gender differences were observed in thought suppression. The findings support all three proposed hypotheses: severe adverse life events will: (a) give rise to help-seeking behaviours, which will have a positive effect on mental health; (b) intensify thought suppression, which will harm mental health; and (c) inhibit help-seeking behaviour, especially in single middle-aged and older adult men. CONCLUSION: There is a need to develop interventional programs based on the theory of replacement thinking to encourage help-seeking behaviours in middle-aged and older adults.

Effect of Left Ventricular Hyperenhancement in Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Reverse Remodeling After Mitral Valve Repair for Moderate Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation.

We aimed to investigate cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived predictors of a lack of left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling after undersized mitral annuloplasty (uMAP) for moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). We retrospectively reviewed 31 patients who underwent uMAP for moderate IMR and cardiac MRI evaluation between 2004 and 2017. Cardiac MRI evaluation included cine MRI LV and right ventricular volumetric measurements and gadolinium-enhanced MRI assessment of myocardial scarring. LV dimensions were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at follow-up using serial transthoracic echocardiography, and the mid-term (median, 49 months) predictors of a lack of LV reverse remodeling were analyzed. At the mid-term follow-up (mean follow-up period: 85 ± 40 months), 15 patients exhibited reverse LV remodeling. The relative reduction in LV dimension at follow-up was negatively correlated with the preoperative number of LV segments with myocardial infarction (MI) (defined as an LV segment with >25% enhancement). The optimal cut-off for predicting a lack of reverse LV remodeling at follow-up was >5 LV segments with MI, with a sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 92%, respectively. This cut-off value also predicted all-cause mortality at follow-up, with a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 67%, respectively. The presence of >5 LV segments with MI on gadolinium-enhanced MRI might be a useful predictor of lack of reverse LV remodeling and all-cause mortality outcomes after undersized mitral annuloplasty for moderate IMR.

Psychological Factors That Suppress Help-Seeking among Middle-Aged and Older Adults Living Alone.

Help-seeking among destitute adults has not been adequately investigated. Therefore, this study clarifies the mechanisms that suppress help-seeking in middle-aged and older adults living alone. Data were collected from 1274 individuals (aged 50-79 years) who were living alone, using a survey that measured future time perspective, barriers to help-seeking, help-seeking intentions, and current and childhood economic statuses. Men living alone experienced lower help-seeking intention than women, were more likely to try to solve problems by themselves, and experienced greater distrust in others. No sex differences were observed in "future anxiety" and "resignation to the future." Poor economic status was associated with high "resignation to the future," "future anxiety," and "distrust of others" for both sexes. "Resignation to the future" was particularly higher among men with a poorer current economic status, which suppressed help-seeking. Abandoning hope for the future, which is characteristic of middle-aged and older men living alone, may inhibit help-seeking behavior.

Influences of mitral annuloplasty on left ventricular flow dynamics assessed with 3-dimensional cine phase-contrast flow magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the influence of annuloplasty procedures in mitral repair on left ventricular (LV) vortex flow patterns and aortic outflow patterns, and flow energy loss (EL). METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers and 14 patients who had undergone mitral valve repair were examined using 3-dimensional cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. A band group included 7 patients with semi-rigid and 2 with flexible partial bands. The ring group included 5 patients with semi-rigid complete rings. LV vortex flow patterns, aortic outflow patterns, EL, and aortic annulus changes during one cardiac cycle were evaluated. RESULTS: Mitral repair induced different vortex flow patterns compared with that of healthy volunteers. The vortex beneath the anterior mitral leaflet with semi-rigid devices was double-stranded in early diastole, and it was single-stranded with flexible bands with a large shift toward the apex during diastole. LVEL in patients who underwent mitral repair (0.84 ± 0.42 mW) was greater than that in healthy volunteers (0.47 ± 0.10 mW). Complete rings disturbed aortic outflow patterns, with EL distribution changes. Smaller devices relative to patient body size disturbed LV flow patterns and caused high EL. No significant relationship was found between indexed ring orifice area and transmitral mean pressure gradient (r = -0.25, P = .414), but a negative relationship exists between indexed ring orifice area and LVEL (r = -0.84, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Mitral repair, especially with relatively small annuloplasty rings, induced abnormal LV flow patterns and EL elevation, which have the potential to be a novel hemodynamic evaluation method after mitral repair.

Stress Echocardiography After Mitral Valve Repair Using a Semirigid Partial Band.

BACKGROUND: The reduction in exercise capacity after mitral valve repair (MVr) for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation is an unsolved issue. This study aimed to evaluate hemodynamics after MVr using a partial semirigid band during exercise stress echocardiography and to identify predictive factors for achieving better exercise capacity after MVr. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 48 patients using exercise stress echocardiography within 5 years of having undergone MVr using a partial semirigid band between 2013 and 2019. Values of maximal workload were converted into numbers of metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved for each patient. Age and sex expected METs (eMETs) were obtained, and percent eMETs (%eMETs [achieved METs / eMETs × 100]) were calculated. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of %eMETs. RESULTS: Only one third of patients achieved eMETs. Significant determinants of %eMETs were age at exercise stress echocardiography (ß coefficient 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.31 to 0.96; P < .001), female sex (ß coefficient 16.9; 95% confidence interval, 8.58 to 25.17; P < .001), and larger indexed device size (device size/body surface area; ß coefficient 4.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.74 to 6.46; P = .001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a cutoff value of 19.5 mm/m2 or greater indexed device size was optimal for achieving %eMETs greater than 100%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 87% and 79%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with larger indexed device size achieved greater exercise capacity after MVr using a partial semirigid band. Preoperative evaluation to decide whether we can use an annuloplasty device larger than 19.5 mm/m2 may be important for patients who intend to exercise with high intensity.

Repair of pacemaker lead-induced right ventricular perforation via a left mini-thoracotomy.

Cardiac perforation is a rare but serious and life-threatening complication of permanent pacemaker implantation, with an incidence of 0.1-6%. Surgery is usually performed through a median sternotomy; however, sternotomy-related morbidity remains a concern. Herein, we report a case of surgical repair performed via a left mini-thoracotomy for a right ventricular perforation caused by implantation of a permanent pacemaker lead in a 56-year-old woman. Through the left fifth intercostal space, the pacemaker lead was observed to have penetrated the left ventricular myocardium, reaching the pericardium. The lead had passed through the right ventricle and the inferior ventricular septum and protruded from the left ventricular myocardium. After pacemaker lead removal, a dark blow-out type hemorrhage occurred; hence, repair was performed using a pair of pledgeted Mattress sutures. In conclusion, left mini-thoracotomy provides an adequate surgical field and has less impact on hemodynamics when operating at the cardiac apex. .

Perceval sutureless aortic valve replacement after ascending aortic replacement.

In patients with a narrow sinotubular junction, small sinus of Valsalva, or extensibility loss in the aortic root, aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a standard valve is challenging due to limited surgical field. Detailed preoperative measurements of the aortic root render performing AVR using the Perceval valve easy.

Prevalence of and factors related to homebound and semi-homebound older adults in a rural area in Japan.

AIM: The homebound status is associated with unhealthy factors and physical disability. However, the prevalence of those who may be at an earlier stage of the homebound status ("semi-homebound") is unclear. This study thus examines the prevalence of semi-homebound individuals and identifies the associated physical, psychological, and social factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study invited 1,157 participants aged 65 years and more in rural Japan. The mean age was 74.7 ± 6.8. The survey questionnaire accounted for different parameters, such as age, sex, homebound status, morbidity, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and mental health. Ordinal regression analysis examined participants' homebound status; socio-demographic characteristics; and physical, psychological, and social variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of the homebound status was 0.11 (95%CI = 0.99-0.13), and the semi-homebound status was 0.30 (95%CI = 0.28-0.33). In the multivariable analysis, the homebound status was negatively associated with IADL (p < .001), mobility (p < .001), being alone during the day (p < .001), depression and anxiety (p < .05), and self-efficacy for going out (p < .001). DISCUSSION: The prevalence of semi-homebound individuals was approximately 30%. Homebound and semi-homebound individuals were associated with older, female, IADL, functional fitness, being alone during the day, depression and anxiety, and self-efficacy for going out. In the case of psychical, psychological, and social factors, the semi-homebound individuals revealed that these indicators fluctuated between homebound and non-homebound. Our findings further focused on semi-homebound individuals at elevated risks of disability, thereby emphasizing the need for customized intervention. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 1033-1039.

Blood flow energy loss: a predictor for the recovery of left ventricular function after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVES: It is difficult to estimate the improvement in left ventricular (LV) function after aortic valve replacement (AVR). The present study aimed to evaluate whether energy loss (EL) can predict the postoperative LV function after AVR. METHODS: Nine patients who underwent AVR with a bioprosthetic valve were enrolled in the present study. Porcine prostheses were used in 5 patients and bovine pericardial prostheses were used in 4 patients. The aortic flow pattern was visualized and EL and cardiac output (CO) were measured using 4-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging from the LV to the descending aorta; the EL/CO ratio in the extracted area was calculated as total EL/CO ratio. RESULTS: With a porcine valve, a severe helical flow was observed in the ascending aorta during the holosystolic phase. In contrast, with a bovine pericardial valve, straight transvalvular aortic flow was observed in the early systolic phase and 2 large vortical flows occurred on both sides of the greater and lesser curvature of the ascending aorta after the mid-systolic period. The total EL/CO ratio was strongly correlated with LV ejection fraction improvement after AVR (r = 0.74, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The aortic flow pattern is different between the porcine valve and bovine pericardial valve. The total EL/CO ratio is a valuable tool for evaluating the postoperative LV ejection fraction improvement after AVR. Optimization of total EL/CO ratio would have potential to improve haemodynamic performances after AVR.

Rice farming care as a novel method of green care farm in East Asian context: an implementation research.

BACKGROUND: Green care farms, which offer care for people with dementia in a farm setting, have been emerging in the Netherlands. The aim of this study was to 1) implement green care farms which use rice farming in Japan, 2) explore the positive experiences of rice farming care, and 3) compare the effect of rice farming care to that of usual care on well-being and cognitive ability. METHODS: We developed a new method of green care farm in Japan which uses rice farming, a farming that is practiced all over East Asia. The participants were 15 people with dementia (mean age = 75.6 ± 9.8 years) who participated in a one-hour rice farming care program once a week for 25 weeks. We also collected qualitative data on the positive experiences of study participants after the program. As a reference data, we also collected the corresponding data of the usual care group which included 14 people with dementia (mean age = 79.9 ± 5.8 years) who were attending the near-by day-care. RESULTS: The mean participation rate on the rice farming care group was 72.1%. After the intervention, participants reported experiencing enjoyment and connection during the program. It also changed the staff's view on dementia. The green care farm group showed a significant improvement in well-being but no significant difference in cognitive function compared to the usual care group. CONCLUSIONS: Green care farms by using rice farming is promising care method which is evidence-based, empowerment-oriented, strengths-based, community-based dementia service, which also delivers meaningful experience for the people with dementia in East Asia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN, UMIN000025020 , Registered 1 April 2017.

Prediction for future occurrence of type A aortic dissection using computational fluid dynamics.

OBJECTIVES: The actual underlying mechanisms of acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) are not well understood. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of AAAD using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. METHODS: We performed CFD analysis using patient-specific computed tomography imaging in 3 healthy control cases and 3 patients with AAAD. From computed tomography images, we made a healthy control model or pre-dissection model for CFD analysis. Pulsatile cardiac flow during one cardiac cycle was simulated, and a three-dimensional flow streamline was visualized to evaluate flow velocity, wall shear stress and oscillatory shear index (OSI). RESULTS: In healthy controls, the transvalvular aortic flow was parallel to the ascending aorta. There was no spotty high OSI area at the ascending aorta. In pre-dissection patients, accelerated transvalvular aortic flow was towards the posterolateral ascending aorta. The vortex flow was observed on the side of the lesser curvature in mid-systole and expanded throughout the entire ascending aorta during diastole. Systolic wall shear stress was high due to the accelerated aortic blood flow on the side of the greater curvature of the ascending aorta. On the side of the lesser curvature, high OSI areas were observed around the vortex flow. In all pre-dissection cases, a spotty high OSI area was in close proximity to the actual primary entry site of the future AAAD. CONCLUSIONS: The pre-onset high OSI area with vortex flow is closely associated with the future primary entry site. Therefore, we can elucidate the mechanism of AAAD with CFD analysis.

Inactive large cerebral hemorrhage is not exacerbated by the adjustment of anticoagulation post open-heart surgery.

Optimal timing of open-heart surgery for the treatment of patients with cerebral hemorrhage remains controversial because systemic heparinization may lead to catastrophic bleeding. Several recent reports have shown that patients who undergo open-heart surgery .within a few weeks of cerebral hemorrhage have a much lower risk of exacerbated bleeding than previously considered. Herein, we report a case of left atrial myxoma and large hemorrhagic embolic stroke, which was successfully operated on with no exacerbation of cerebral hemorrhage. Careful assessment of time-course changes in cerebral hemorrhage by neurological imaging and adjustment of anticoagulation can help prevent the exacerbation of postoperative cerebral hemorrhage and neurological deterioration. .

Development of a scale measuring barriers to going out among community-dwelling older adults.

AIM: To maintain the frequency of going out and to improve homebound status among older adults, specific barriers need to be identified. Hence, this study developed a scale to measure barriers to going out. METHODS: A preliminary study was carried out to collect items for the scale. We conducted semi-structured interviews with five homebound older adults, and created 14 items as a draft barrier scale. The main study included 2273 older adults and their cohabitating family members in rural Japan. For older adults, the questions included demographic characteristics, responses to the draft scale and variables to examine its validity. For family members, the questions included demographic characteristics, their relationship with the older adult and their assessment of their older relative's willingness to go out. We used data from 892 pairs for our analysis. RESULTS: We selected nine items through the criterion group strategy, and confirmed the unidimensional structure of the scale through factor analysis. The results showed significant relationships between the scale and older adults' self-efficacy about going out, their health locus of control, the frequency of going out and their reluctance to go out as assessed by family members. We carried out a receiver operating characteristic analysis to determine the scale's cut-off point. Our multivariate analysis showed that the scale had a significantly stronger association with homebound status than with other variables. CONCLUSION: We developed a highly reliable and valid scale on barriers to going out among community-dwelling older adults and confirmed its usability. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 238-244.

Computerized virtual surgery based on computational fluid dynamics simulation for planning coronary revascularization with aortic root replacement in adult congenital heart disease: a case report.

A 38-year-old woman presented with exertional dyspnea and chest compression. She had undergone repair of congenital supravalvular aortic stenosis at 8 years of age. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed re-stenosis in the ascending aorta, bilateral coronary arterial aneurysm, and a highly thickened left ventricular wall. Release of stenosis was necessary to avoid left ventricular functional deterioration; however, it could cause demand-supply mismatch in coronary flow due to substantial left ventricular hypertrophy. Sufficient statistical evidence was not available in this situation; therefore, computerized virtual surgery based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was performed to predict the postoperative hemodynamics. Consequently, root replacement with in situ Carrel patch coronary reconstruction was considered a better option than coronary artery graft bypass in the left-side coronary flow supply. The patient underwent root replacement with in situ Carrel patch coronary reconstruction as planned based on CFD without any complication and was discharged 15 days postoperatively.