Jun Tanno

Impact of hypoalbuminemia, frailty, and body mass index on early prognosis in older patients (≥85 years) with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND The optimal treatment strategies for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in older patients are unclear because of the high risk of mortality in this population. Hypoalbuminemia, frailty, and body mass index (BMI) have been reported to worsen the prognosis of some older patients with cardiovascular disease, but the specific impact of these factors on the prognosis after STEMI is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of these factors on early outcomes in patients aged ≥85 years with acute STEMI. METHODS Sixty-two consecutive eligible patients aged ≥85 years (mean age, 88.1±2.5 years; age range, 85-94 years; female, 41.9%; primary percutaneous coronary intervention, 67.7%) who were admitted to our hospital with STEMI were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline patient characteristics, echocardiographic, electrocardiographic, and laboratory findings, and the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Clinical Frailty Scale (CSHA-CFS) score were assessed. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality and the secondary endpoint was failure of discharge to home. Independent baseline variables with a p-value of <0.15 in the univariate analyses were included in the multivariate analyses. RESULTS Multivariate analysis identified a higher baseline serum troponin I level [p=0.046; odds ratio (OR): 1.02], lower baseline albumin level (p=0.035, OR: 0.16), and CSHA-CFS score ≥6 (p=0.028, OR: 6.38) as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Lower BMI (p<0.001, OR: 0.49) and CSHA-CFS frailty score ≥6 (p=0.002, OR: 16.69) were identified as independent predictors of failure of discharge to home. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that the serum albumin level, CSHA-CFS score, and BMI, in addition to serum troponin I level, have an impact on the early prognosis of older patients with STEMI.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging-based myocardial strain study for evaluation of cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab: A pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of the method.

BACKGROUND Trastuzumab, used to treat breast cancer overexpressing human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, may be cardiotoxic. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging with myocardial strain studies has been used to evaluate subclinical biventricular myocardial changes, however, its clinical utility during chemotherapy has not been evaluated. METHODS The clinical outcomes, CMR and cardiac biomarkers of 9 women aged 62.3 ± 12.6 years with early or locally advanced breast cancer were evaluated at baseline, and at 3, 6 and 12 months after the initiation of trastuzumab. RESULTS None of the patients developed heart failure or elevated serum cardiac biomarkers. Global left ventricular (LV) peak systolic longitudinal and circumferential strains were significantly decreased at 6 months (longitudinal strains, -21.1 ± 1.7% [baseline] vs. -19.5 ± 1.0% [6 months], p = 0.039, and circumferential strains, -23.4 ± 1.8% [baseline] vs. -21.6 ± 2.5% [6 months], p = 0.036). These changes were analogous to those observed in the LV ejection fraction. Right ventricular (RV) free wall peak systolic circumferential strains were decreased at 6 months (-20.9% ± 2.4% [baseline] vs. -19.1% ± 2.3% [6 months], p = 0.049), whereas RV longitudinal strains and ejection fraction remained unchanged. The LV longitudinal strain was the most reproducible of the 4 peak strain parameters. CONCLUSIONS The LV longitudinal and circumferential strains measured by CMR decreased during trastuzumab therapy, although their predictive value for later heart failure or association with RV parameters was not determined. These techniques may be a useful means of diagnosing and monitoring trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity.

The effect of adaptive servo-ventilation on dyspnoea, haemodynamic parameters and plasma catecholamine concentrations in acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema

Background: Adaptive servo-ventilation has a potential sympathoinhibitory effect in acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema (ACPO). Aims: To evaluate the acute effects of adaptive servo-ventilation in patients with ACPO. Methods: Fifty-eight consecutive patients with ACPO were divided into those who underwent adaptive servo-ventilation and those who received oxygen therapy alone as part of their immediate care. Visual analogue scale, vital signs, blood gas data and plasma catecholamine concentrations at baseline and 1 h during emergency care, and subsequent clinical events (death within 30 days, intubation within seven days or between seven and 30 days, and length of hospital stay) were assessed. Pre-matched and post-propensity score (PS)-matched datasets were analysed. Results: During the first hour of adaptive servo-ventilation, plasma catecholamine concentrations fell significantly (baseline versus 1 h: epinephrine p = 0.003, norepinephrine p <0.001, dopamine p <0.001), with falls in blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and pCO2, and rise in HCO3 and pH. In the PS-matched model, visual analogue scale (p = 0.036), systolic blood pressure (from 153.8 ± 30.7 to 133.1 ± 16.3 mmHg; p = 0.025) and plasma dopamine concentration (p = 0.034) fell significantly in the adaptive servo-ventilation group compared with the oxygen therapy alone group. The clinical outcomes between the groups were comparable. Conclusion: In patients with ACPO, emergency care using adaptive servo-ventilation attenuated plasma catecholamine concentrations and led to the improvement of dyspnoea, vital signs and acid-base balance, without adversely influencing clinical outcomes. Using adaptive servo-ventilation, rather than standard oxygen alone, may relieve dyspnoea and improve haemodynamic status, possibly by modulating sympathetic nerve activity.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Giant Cell Myocarditis Intriguing Associations With Clinical and Pathological Features

Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is rare and often fatal. Proper diagnosis is crucial, because immunosuppressive therapy has been reported to increase the median transplant-free survival time from 3.0 to 12.3 months.1 Although endomyocardial biopsy plays an essential role in early diagnosis, it may yield false-negative results. Imaging examinations including cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may facilitate the diagnosis, but the associations between specific CMR findings and the clinical features and pathological findings remain unclear. We present a patient with characteristic CMR findings, with intriguing associations with the clinical features and pathological findings of the biopsy and autopsy. A 73-year-old woman presented with acute chest pain and dyspnea that had continued for 7 hours. Her medical history was unremarkable, with the exception of uveitis and dyslipidemia. Initial examination showed resting blood pressure 132/83 mm Hg, heart rate 103 bpm, and respiratory rate 17 breaths/min. She required 5 L/min of oxygen via facemask to maintain Spo2>98%. Coarse crackles were heard over both lung fields. X-ray demonstrated mild cardiomegaly with bilateral pulmonary congestion (Figure 1). Electrocardiography, which had been within normal limits 2 years previously, showed changes resembling acute myocardial infarction (Figure I in the online-only Data Supplement). Echocardiography showed global hypokinesis in the left ventricular (LV) wall, and regional akinesis in the septum and inferoseptal wall. Coronary artery angiography revealed no significant stenosis or intracoronary plaque rupture. Her serum creatinine kinase level was high at 2558 IU/L. CMR was performed on day 7. Cine-CMR showed global hypokinesis in …

Increase in Ultrasonic Intensity of Blood Speckle across Moderate Coronary Artery Stenosis Is an Independent Predictor of Functional Coronary Artery Stenosis Measured by Fractional Flow Reserve: Pilot Study

Background and Aims The degree of coronary artery stenosis should be assessed both anatomically and functionally. We observed that the intensity of blood speckle (IBS) on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is low proximal to a coronary artery stenosis, and high distal to the stenosis. We defined step-up IBS as the distal minus the proximal IBS, and speculated that this new parameter could be used for the functional evaluation of stenosis on IVUS. The aims of this study were to assess the relationships between step-up IBS and factors that affect coronary blood flow, and between step-up IBS and fractional flow reserve (FFR). Methods and Results This study enrolled 36 consecutive patients with angina who had a single moderate stenosis in the left anterior descending artery. All patients were evaluated by integrated backscatter IVUS and intracoronary pressure measurements. FFR was calculated from measurements using a coronary pressure wire during hyperemia. Conventional gray-scale IVUS images were recorded, and integrated backscatter was measured in three cross-sectional slices proximal and distal to the stenosis. Step-up IBS was calculated as (mean distal integrated backscatter value) − (mean proximal integrated backscatter value). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that the heart rate (r = 0.45, P = 0.005), ejection fraction (r = −0.39, P = 0.01), and hemoglobin level (r = −0.32, P = 0.04) were independently correlated with step-up IBS, whereas proximal and distal IBS were not associated with these factors. There was a strong inverse correlation between step-up IBS and FFR (r = −0.84, P < 0.001), which remained significant on stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Conclusions The newly defined parameter of step-up IBS is potentially useful for the functional assessment of coronary artery stenosis.

Improved Myocardial Strain Measured by Strain-Encoded Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Patient With Cardiac Sarcoidosis

A woman aged 64 years with cardiac sarcoidosis responded favourably to corticosteroid therapy in terms of recovered longitudinal myocardial strain, as evaluated by strain-encoded magnetic resonance imaging (SENC-MRI). In contrast, circumferential myocardial strain and late gadolinium enhancement demonstrated minimal improvement, suggesting relatively advanced pathology of the myocardial middle layer. We propose SENC-MRI as a marker of disease at an early stage of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Clinical implications of pleural effusion in patients with acute type B aortic dissection.

Background: Pleural effusion may complicate acute Stanford type B aortic dissection (ABAD). Aims: To identify the relationships between the quantity and side of the pleural effusion, biomarkers and outcomes in patients with ABAD. Methods: We undertook a retrospective review of 105 patients with ABAD. Their demographics, the data on admission and during hospital stay, the volume of pleural effusion calculated from the area on computed tomography images and clinical outcomes were analysed. Results: The median estimated peak volume (median 6.7 days after onset) was 129 ml (63–192, range 26–514 ml) on the left and 11 ml (6–43, range 2–300 ml) on the right. On univariate analysis, the volume of bilateral effusions was associated with anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and inflammatory markers, whereas the volume of left-sided effusions was associated with older age, low diastolic blood pressure and maximum aortic diameter. Multivariate analysis revealed that hypoalbuminaemia was independently associated with bilateral effusion volume (P<0.001), while maximum aortic diameter was associated with left-sided effusion volume (P=0.019). A greater volume of bilateral plural effusion was associated with longer intensive care unit stay. Conclusions: Larger bilateral pleural effusions in patients with ABAD were associated with hypoalbuminaemia and potentially with anaemia and inflammation, and may increase the length of intensive care unit stay. Left-sided effusion volume appears to be influenced by the nature of the aortic dilatation. Multiple mechanisms may underpin the development of pleural effusion in ABAD, and are likely to influence clinical outcomes.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Septic Emboli in the Left Main Trunk as a Complication of Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) complicated by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is frequently fatal and may require emergent interventions. However, the optimal treatment of this rare condition remains controversial as it lacks established guidelines. We successfully treated a patient with IE complicated by AMI during the acute phase using percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) followed by surgery. A 73-year-old man was diagnosed with IE of the mitral and aortic valves caused by Streptococcus oralis. Four weeks after the initiation of antibiotics sensitive to the causative bacteria, he suddenly developed AMI manifested by chest pain and dyspnoea with cardiovascular collapse. Emergent coronary angiography revealed that the myocardial infarction was secondary to septic emboli in the left main trunk. Emergent PCI comprising aspiration and stent deployment, was successfully performed, and his vital signs were immediately stabilised. He subsequently underwent mitral and aortic valve replacement and debridement without major post-operative complications. Although the optimal treatment strategy for haemodynamically unstable AMI secondary to IE requires further discussion, the present case indicates the importance of early diagnosis and the potential effectiveness of aggressive PCI as a bridge to the following surgery.

A Novel Index Using Ankle Hemodynamic Parameters to Assess the Severity of Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Pilot Study

In peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the lower extremities, the presence of flow-limiting stenoses can be objectively detected by the ankle-brachial index (ABI). However, the severity of ischemic symptoms is not necessarily associated with the ABI value. Atherosclerotic plaque in lower extremity PAD induces ankle arterial stiffness and reduces ankle vascular resistance, which may decrease ankle blood flow and cause ischemic symptoms. We hypothesized that the ankle hemodynamic index (AHI), defined as the ratio of ankle arterial stiffness to ankle vascular resistance, could be used to assess the blood supply deficiency in a diseased lower limb in patients with PAD. The 85 consecutive patients with PAD who were retrospectively analyzed in this study had Rutherford grade 1 to grade 6 ischemia diagnosed as PAD and significant stenotic lesions (>50% diameter stenosis) of the lower extremity on contrast angiography. The AHI was calculated as the product of the ankle pulse pressure and the ratio of heart rate to ankle mean arterial pressure (ankle pulse pressure × heart rate/ankle mean arterial pressure). The Rutherford grade was significantly correlated with the AHI (r = 0.50, P < 0.001), but not with the ABI (r = 0.07, P = 0.52). Multiple ordinal regression analysis showed that anemia (odds ratio 0.66, P = 0.002) and AHI (odds ratio 1.04, P = 0.02) were independently associated with Rutherford grade. Our study shows that AHI, a novel parameter based on the ABI measurement, is well correlated with ischemic symptoms, and may be a useful means to assess the arterial blood supply of the lower extremities of patients with PAD.

Hemodynamic decompensation caused by acute myocardial infarction in an adult with Ebstein's anomaly

a Department of Cardiology, International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan b Department of Diagnostic Radiology, International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan c Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan d Department of Pediatric Cardiology, International Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan e Department of Cardiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan