Impact of unipolar voltage criteria for left atrial posterior wall on atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation.

INTRODUCTION: Beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), additional therapeutic strategies for atrial fibrillation (AF) have not been established. Remodeling of the left atrium (LA) could impact AF recurrence post-PVI. We investigated the impact of unipolar voltage (UV) criteria for the LA posterior wall (LA-PW) on AF recurrence post-PVI. METHODS: We reviewed the cases of 106 AF patients (mean age 63.8 years, nonparoxysmal AF: 59%) who underwent extensive encircling PVI by radiofrequency ablation guided by a 3-dimension mapping system, investigating the impact on AF recurrence of the UV criteria of the LA. RESULTS: Out of all patients, 26 patients had AF recurrence during post-PVI follow-up [median 603 days]. They showed a higher percentage of nonparoxysmal AF (80.8 vs. 52.5%, p = .011), longer AF duration (2.9 ± 2.7 vs. 1.0 ± 1.7 years, p = .002), and larger area size of UV < 2.0 mV in LA-PW (2.8 ± 1.8 vs. 1.0 ± 1.5 cm2 , p < .001) than those without recurrence. Cox Hazard analysis for AF recurrence adjusted by age, gender, AF duration, body mass index and left atrial volume index revealed that an area size over 2.0 cm2 of UV < 2.0 mV in LA-PW (HR 6.9 [95% CI:1.3-35.5], p = .021) posed independent risks for AF recurrence post-PVI. The atrial arrhythmia-free survival rate was higher in those with no area of UV < 3.0 mV in LA-PW compared to those with a sizable area (>2.0 cm2 ) of UV < 3.0 mV and <2.0 mV (95.0% vs. 74.2% vs. 57.1%, Log-Rank: p < .001). In the AF etiology of patients with AF recurrence, 9 of 14 patients who underwent the 2nd procedure had no PV reconnection, and 8 patients required the LA-PW isolation for their non-PV AF. CONCLUSION: UV criteria of LA-PW is a useful parameter for AF-recurrence post-PVI. Lower UV in LA-PW as an indication of electrical remodeling could indicate a higher risk of AF recurrence and the need for further therapeutic strategies.

Impact of nocturnal blood pressure dipping on recurrence of atrial fibrillation after pulmonary vein isolation.

Lack of the typical nocturnal blood pressure (BP) fall, i.e non-dipper, has been known as a cardiovascular risk. However, the influence of non-dipper on atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has been unclear. We investigated the clinical impact of non-dipping as evaluated by 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring on the long-term outcome of AF recurrence post-PVI in 76 AF patients with a history of increased BP. The PVI procedure was successful in all 76 patients (mean age, 66±9years; antihypertensive medication, 89%; non-paroxysmal AF, 24%). Twenty patients had AF recurrence during a median follow-up of 1138 days. There was no difference in BP levels between the AF recurrence and non-recurrence groups (average 24 h systolic BP:126 ± 17 vs.125 ± 14 mmHg; P = 0.84). On the other hand, the patients with non-dipper had a higher AF recurrence than those with dipper (38.9% vs.15.0%; P = 0.018). In Cox hazard analysis adjusted by age, non-paroxysmal AF and average 24-hr systolic BP level, the non-dipper was an independent predictor of AF recurrence (HR 2.78 [95%CI:1.05-7.34], P = 0.039). Non-dipper patients had a larger left atrial (LA) volume index than the dipper patients (45.9 ± 17.3 vs.38.3 ± 10.2 ml/m2, P = 0.037). Among the 58 patients who underwent high-density voltage mapping in LA, 11 patients had a low-voltage area (LVA) defined as an area with a bipolar voltage < 0.5 mV. However, there was no association of LVA with non-dipper or dipper (22.2% vs.16.1%, P = 0.555). Non-dipper is an independent predictor of AF recurrence post-PVI. Management of abnormal diurnal BP variation post-PVI may be important.

[Aspergillus prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis; report of a case].

A 76-year-old woman, who had underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) 2 months previously, was admitted to our hospital for persistent pyrexia. Her blood culture results were negative. A new heart murmur was noted on day 19 after admission. Esophageal echocardiography indicated the usual prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) findings, including a hyperechoic area in the prosthetic valve and deterioration of regurgitation. Medication was unable to prevent heart failure on day 39 after admission. Subsequently, we performed redo AVR and annulus debridement, but she died due to complicated sepsis in the postoperative period. As reports of Aspergillus PVE are scarce, its precise prognosis remains unknown. However, given that the prognoses of infective endocarditis related to Aspergillus species are poor, we believe that Aspergillus PVE can be fatal. Therefore, we suggest that Aspergillus PVE should be diagnosed as soon as possible, and that prompt surgery should be performed to improve the patient prognosis.

[Surgical therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy].

BACKGROUND: Surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) is considered as an effective surgical procedure for patients with ischemic myocardiopathy( ICM). However" surgical treatment for ischemic heart failure (STICH)" trial concluded that adding SVR to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) did not relieve symptoms and failed to lower death rate or cardiac rehospitalization as compared with CABG alone. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of CABG with SVR for ICM. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively studied 24 patients who had undergone CABG with or with out SVR for ICM from October 1992 to June 2008. In CABG with SVR group, cardiac symptoms were relieved and the left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) was reduced from the baseline significantly. However cardiac symptoms were relieved only in CABG-S [left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd)<60 mm] group, and not in CABG-L (LVDd≥60 mm) group. LVESVI was not reduced in CABG without SVR group. CONCLUSION: SVR contributed to relieving the symptoms, and improving the left ventricular function and the long-term survival of patients with especially dilated ICM, which could not be achieved by CABG alone.

[Familial aortic dissection of non-Marfan syndrome with mutations in the transforming growth factor-beta receptor type 1 genes].

Marfan syndrome is an inherited connective tissue disorder with ocular, skeletal and cardiovascular systems and often causes acute aortic dissection. Interestingly, there have been several reports of familial thoracic aortic dissection in patients with autosomal dominant diseases without Marfan syndrome. Variation of the transforming growth factor-beta receptor (TGFBR) gene is reported to be one of the causes. We report a case of a familial aortic dissection not associated with Marfan syndrome, with mutation of TGFBR type 1. Hereditary aortic dissection of the non-Marfan syndrome that does not have clinical manifestations is not uncommon. Thus, the existence of familial aortic aneurysm should be in mind in diagnosis and treatment.

[A case of delayed colonic perforation after metallic stent placement for advanced descending colon cancer during bevacizumab-based chemotherapy].

A 73-year-old man with advanced descending colon cancer and peritoneal metastases underwent a self-expandable metallic stent placement under fluoroscopic guidance on October 2007. The stent placement was successful without early complication. After 6 courses of FOLFOX4 followed by 7 courses of FOLFIRI, he received Bevacizumab-based chemotherapy from August 2008. In April 2009, he was admitted to our hospital with severe abdominal pain due to perforation of descending colon. Although emergent surgery was performed, he developed DIC and died on the 21 postoperative days. This case suggests that metallic stent placement for colorectal cancer cases might increase the risk of bowel perforation during Bevacizumab-based chemotherapy.

Critical angioedema induced by a renin angiotensin system blocker in the contemporary era of increasing heart failure: A case report and commentary.

Bradykinin-mediated angioedema, a nonallergic reaction most commonly caused by renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, has the potential to lead to a critical condition. RAS blockers are important for treating heart failure and are widely used in clinical settings. We present the case of an 85-year-old man who was administered enalapril after percutaneous coronary intervention for an acute myocardial infarction and developed severe angioedema requiring a tracheostomy. He had multiple risks for angioedema including advanced age, smoking history, renal dysfunction, and longstanding use of an angiotensin receptor blocker. The prompt diagnosis of drug-induced angioedema is critical and depends on physicians' recognition of risk factors and knowledge of pathophysiology. In the present era of increasingly prevalent heart failure, it is imperative that the possibility of angioedema receives attention, especially given the continuing reliance on RAS blockers and the advent of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors, a new type of heart failure drug.

Expression analysis of desmosomal components of the novel canine epidermal keratinocyte cell line (MSCEK).

A novel canine epidermal keratinocyte cell line, MSCEK, was developed from skin of a healthy dog. The aim of this study was to determine its expression of desmosomal components and to evaluate its use as a detection tool for circulating autoantibodies in canine pemphigus. Immunofluorescence and western blotting analyses revealed that MSCEK expresses desmoglein (Dsg) 1, Dsg2, Dsg3, desmoplakin, plakoglobin and cytokeratins. Moreover, positive fluorescent reactions on the surface of MSCEK cells were observed when the cells were incubated with sera obtained from four dogs diagnosed with pemphigus complex. These findings indicate that MSCEK should be a useful tool for future research to characterize circulating autoantibodies that recognize desmosomal components in dogs with pemphigus.

Low-dose recombinant canine interferon-gamma for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: an open randomized comparative trial of two doses.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the minimum effective dose of recombinant canine interferon-gamma (rCaIFN-gamma) for the treatment of dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). Thirty-four dogs with AD from 17 animal hospitals in Japan were administered half or one-fifth of the approved rCaIFN-gamma dose of 10 000 units/kg, three times a week for 4 weeks, followed by once weekly for an additional 4 weeks. Pruritus, excoriation, erythema and alopecia were evaluated and scored by the investigators on weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12. The efficacy rate (number of excellent cases + number of good cases/total number of cases) at week 8 in the 2000 units/kg group was 36.4% for pruritus, 36.4% for excoriation, 45.5% for erythema and 36.4% for alopecia. In contrast, in the 5000 units/kg group, the efficacy rate was 64.3% for pruritus, 57.1% for excoriation, 78.6% for erythema and 78.6% for alopecia. The efficacy rate of the 5000 units/kg group was high for all signs evaluated and comparable to that of the 10 000 units/kg group reported in a previous study. The results of this study showed that 2000 units/kg of rCaIFN-gamma is less effective than 5000 units/kg to treat dogs with AD, and the efficacy of the 5000 units/kg dose is comparable to that of 10 000 units/kg at week 8.

Elevated concentrations of sphingosylphosphorylcholine in cerebrospinal fluid after subarachnoid hemorrhage: a possible role as a spasmogen.

This study investigates the role of sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) in the mechanisms underlying cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The levels of SPC were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with SAH and also in an experimental canine model. CSF samples were collected from 11 patients with SAH, and from dogs that had received an injection of SPC into the cisterna magna to examine SPC kinetics in the CSF. SPC was assayed using solid-phase extraction and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The SPC concentrations in SAH patients on days 3, 8, and 14 after the onset of SAH were significantly higher than those in normal CSF. In the canine model, rapid dilution of SPC in CSF was observed. In combination with data from previous studies, these results suggest that SPC is involved in the development of cerebral vasospasm. Rapid dilution of SPC in CSF suggests that SPC is released into CSF at higher concentrations than those measured in the present study.

A case of canine vasotropic and vasoinvasive nonepitheliotropic lymphoma with unusual tumor cells and extensive dermal necrosis.

A 14-year-old, spayed female Shih-tzu dog presented with masses in the dorsal aspect of cervical region and digit of the right anterior limb. Extensive necrosis was seen in the dermal tissue overlying the tumor, and diffuse round cell proliferation and infiltration were seen histologically from the superficial dermis to the deep dermis. Two types of proliferating cells were present: lymphoblast-like cells with round-oval, vesicular nuclei and moderate-large nucleoli; and smaller cells with characteristic irregularly shaped nuclei. Electron microscopy of these smaller cells showed cerebriform, pleomorphic nuclei with a chromatin pattern characteristic of lymphoid cells, as seen in lymphoblast-like tumor cells. Immunohistochemically, both types of tumor cells were positive for CD3. Most vessel walls had been invaded by tumor cells, resulting in extensive dermal necrosis and hemorrhage. Based on these histopathological findings, the tumor was diagnosed as vasotropic and vasoinvasive nonepitheliotropic lymphoma, characterized by a notable presence of unusual tumor cells with irregularly shaped nuclei and extensive dermal necrosis.

Cholesterol primes vascular smooth muscle to induce Ca2 sensitization mediated by a sphingosylphosphorylcholine-Rho-kinase pathway: possible role for membrane raft.

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor involved in abnormal cardiovascular events. Rho-kinase-mediated Ca(2+) sensitization of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) plays a critical role in vasospasm and hypertension. We recently identified sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) and Src family tyrosine kinase (Src-TK) as upstream mediators for the Rho-kinase-mediated Ca(2+) sensitization. Here we report the strong linkage between cholesterol and the Ca(2+) sensitization of VSM mediated by a novel SPC/Src-TK/Rho-kinase pathway in both humans and rabbits. The extent of the sensitization correlated well with the total cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in serum. However, an inverse correlation with the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed, and a correlation with other cardiovascular risk factors was nil. When cholesterol-lowering therapy was given to patients and rabbits with hypercholesterolemia, the SPC-induced contractions diminished. Depletion of VSM cholesterol by beta-cyclodextrin resulted in a loss of membrane caveolin-1, a marker of cholesterol-enriched lipid raft, and inhibited the SPC-induced Ca(2+) sensitization and translocation of Rho-kinase from cytosol to the cell membrane. Vasocontractions induced by membrane depolarization and by an adrenergic agonist were cholesterol-independent. Our data support the previously unreported concept that cholesterol potentiates the Ca(2+) sensitization of VSM mediated by a SPC/Src-TK/Rho-kinase pathway, and are also compatible with a role for cholesterol-enriched membrane microdomain, a lipid raft. This process may play an important role in the development of abnormal vascular contractions in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Pseudoaneurysm rupture after acute Type A dissection repair: possible reaction to BioGlue.

A 45-year-old man with acute Type A aortic dissection underwent the ascending aorta replacement with BioGlue (CryoLife Europa, Guildford, Surrey, UK) for anastomotic reinforcement. Postoperatively, he developed descending aortic dilation, a giant mediastinal cyst, Henoch-Schonlein purpura and an anastomotic-site pseudoaneurysm rupture. A BioGlue-induced inflammatory reaction was likely, according to a positive patch test (delayed allergic reaction).

Combined therapy using interventional radiology and surgical management for a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the iliac artery: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: An optimal treatment strategy for a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the iliac artery must necessarily control bleeding and prevent ischemia in the ipsilateral lower extremity. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 69-year-old man underwent resection of a metastatic lymph node from rectal cancer, which had invaded the sigmoid colon, the left internal iliac artery and vein, and his left ureter. The metastatic lymph node and the organs it invaded were resected together. Owing to postoperative complications, the patient was required to undergo a 2nd and 3rd operation after the initial surgery. During his 3rd surgery, sudden intraoperative bleeding was identified, which was diagnosed as a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the internal iliac artery. After achieving temporary surgical hemostasis, the lesion was successfully treated using combined therapy comprising catheter embolization and an axillofemoral bypass. DISCUSSION: Even after temporary surgical hemostasis has been achieved, it is perhaps safer to block the arterial flow prophylactically to avoid recurrence of a pseudoaneurysm owing to infection. CONCLUSION: Combined therapy using catheter embolization and surgical revascularization is a minimally invasive and effective treatment option for a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the iliac artery.

Sphingosylphosphorylcholine is a novel messenger for Rho-kinase-mediated Ca2+ sensitization in the bovine cerebral artery: unimportant role for protein kinase C.

Although recent investigations have suggested that a Rho-kinase-mediated Ca2+ sensitization of vascular smooth muscle contraction plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cerebral and coronary vasospasm, the upstream of this signal transduction has not been elucidated. In addition, the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) may also be related to cerebral vasospasm. We recently reported that sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), a sphingolipid, induces Rho-kinase-mediated Ca2+ sensitization in pig coronary arteries. The purpose of this present study was to examine the possible mediation of SPC in Ca2+ sensitization of the bovine middle cerebral artery (MCA) and the relation to signal transduction pathways mediated by Rho-kinase and PKC. In intact MCA, SPC induced a concentration-dependent (EC50=3.0 micromol/L) contraction, without [Ca2+]i elevation. In membrane-permeabilized MCA, SPC induced Ca2+ sensitization even in the absence of added GTP, which is required for activation of G-proteins coupled to membrane receptors. The SPC-induced Ca2+ sensitization was blocked by a Rho-kinase inhibitor (Y-27632) and a dominant-negative Rho-kinase, but not by a pseudosubstrate peptide for conventional PKC, which abolished the Ca2+-independent contraction induced by phorbol ester. In contrast, phorbol ester-induced Ca2+ sensitization was resistant to a Rho-kinase inhibitor and a dominant-negative Rho-kinase. In primary cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, SPC induced the translocation of cytosolic Rho-kinase to the cell membrane. We propose that SPC is a novel messenger for Rho-kinase-mediated Ca2+ sensitization of cerebral arterial smooth muscle and, therefore, may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of abnormal contraction of the cerebral artery such as vasospasm. The SPC/Rho-kinase pathway functions independently of the PKC pathway.

Meshless bubble filter using ultrasound for extracorporeal circulation and its effect on blood.

A bubble filter with no mesh structure for extracorporeal circulation using ultrasound was developed. Hemolysis was evaluated by measuring free hemoglobin (FHb). FHb in 120 mL of bovine blood was measured in acoustic standing-wave fields. With a sound pressure amplitude of 60 kPa at driving frequencies of 1 MHz, 500 kHz and 27 kHz for 15 min. FHb values were 641.6, 2575 and 8903 mg/dL, respectively. Thus, hemolysis was inhibited with higher driving frequencies when the same sound pressure amplitude was applied. An ultrasound bubble filter with a resonance frequency of 1 MHz was designed. The filtering characteristics of the flowing microbubbles were investigated with a circulation system using bovine blood with a flow rate of 5.0 L/min. Approximately 99.1% of microbubbles were filtered with 250 kPa and a flow of 5.0 L/min. Hemolysis decreased as the sound pressure decreased; FHb values were 225.8 and 490.7 mg/dL when using 150 and 200 kPa, respectively.

Ratio of preoperative atrial natriuretic peptide to brain natriuretic peptide predicts the outcome of the maze procedure in mitral valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Although the maze procedure is an established surgical treatment for eliminating atrial fibrillation (AF), its efficacy in patients with mitral valve disease has remained unsatisfactory. A useful predictive marker for the outcome of the maze procedure is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the preoperative ratio of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) reflects atrial fibrosis and can be used to predict the maze procedure outcome in patients with mitral valve disease. METHODS: A total of 23 consecutive patients who underwent the radial approach to the maze procedure combined with mitral valve surgery were included in this study and were divided into a sinus rhythm (SR) group (n=16) and an AF group (n=7) based on postoperative cardiac rhythm. Plasma samples were obtained at rest before the operation and were analysed for ANP and BNP levels. Atrial tissue samples taken during surgery were used to quantify interstitial fibrosis. RESULTS: The preoperative ANP-to-BNP ratio in the SR group was significantly higher than that in the AF group (0.74 +/- 0.29 vs. 0.42 +/- 0.28, respectively; p=0.025). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify factors that predict outcomes after the maze procedure. The area under the ROC curve for the ANP-to-BNP ratio (0.81) was greater than for any other preoperative factors. Moreover, the preoperative ANP-to-BNP ratio demonstrated a negative correlation with left atrial fibrosis (r=-0.69; p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative ANP-to-BNP ratio can predict maze procedure outcome in patients with mitral valve disease, and it represents a potential biomarker for left atrial fibrosis.

Feline epidermal nevi resembling human inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus.

Multiple, pigmented, verrucous, cutaneous lesions in a 2-year-old female cat were pathologically examined. The lesions were linearly arranged on the right side of the body, and had developed along with moderate pruritus since infancy. Histologically, prominent exophytic, papillomatous outgrowths of the epidermis and acanthosis with intense ortho and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis were characteristic of the lesions. Dermal inflammation with mononuclear cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils was also noted. Inclusion bodies, cellular degeneration, and intranuclear viral particles suggesting papillomavirus infection in the keratinocytes were not observed. Papillomavirus antigen and DNA were not detected in the lesions by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction, respectively. In accordance with these clinical and histopathological features, the cutaneous lesions of the present cat were diagnosed as epidermal nevi, which were consistent with human inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevi.