Kanta Fujimi

Successful catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia originating from the idiopathic saccular apical left ventricular aneurysm

Left ventricular (LV) aneurysm has been recognized to frequently become a substrate of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. We report a case of a 66-year-old woman with symptomatic sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT) originating from saccular apical LV aneurysm without definite underlying diseases. We performed catheter ablation using electroanatomical and conventional bipolar potential mapping. During SMVT, we found an area of fragmented potential -40 ms preceding the earliest wide QRS complex in the area of the apical LV aneurysm. Radiofrequency applications were delivered to this area. Since then, SMVT was no longer inducible by programmed electrical stimulation. The patient has remained free of VT recurrences during a subsequent 12-month follow-up period.

Homocysteine-induced oxidative stress upregulates chymase in mouse mastocytoma cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), O•−2 and OH• participate in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion injury, inflammation and atherosclerosis. Our previous studies have suggested that increased angiotensin II (Ang II)-forming chymase may be involved in the development of atherosclerosis. However, the regulatory mechanism of chymase expression has not yet been clarified. In this study, we tested whether oxidative stress upregulates mouse mast cell proteinase chymase, mouse mast cell proteinase (MMCP)-5 or MMCP-4. We also examined the expression and activity of these proteins after treatment. Cultured mouse mastocytoma cells (MMC) displaying chymase-dependent Ang II-forming activity were treated with H2O2 and several aminothiols with or without anti-oxidants. The levels of MMCP-5 and MMCP-4 expression were determined by quantitative RT-PCR; the level of chymase-dependent Ang II-forming activity was measured by high performance liquid chromatography using Ang I as a substrate. Treatment of MMC with homocysteine (0.1–3 mmol l–1) significantly increased MMCP-5 and MMCP-4 expression, as well as Ang II-forming activity. These effects were significantly inhibited by the addition of catalase and further suppressed by the combination of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Incubation with hydrogen peroxide alone caused a significant increase in Ang II-forming activity, which was completely suppressed by co-treatment with catalase. Furthermore, MMCP-5 and MMCP-4 expression levels were drastically suppressed and chymase induction by homocysteine was diminished under the GATA-inhibited condition. Homocysteine increased mast cell chymase expression and activity through the mechanism of oxidative stress. Our results suggest that there is a biochemical link between oxidative stress and the local Ang II-forming system.

Results of provisional stenting with a Sirolimus-eluting stent for bifurcation lesion: Multicenter study in Japan

BACKGROUND Treatment of bifurcation lesion with a drug-eluting stent (DES) remains problematic. The purpose of this study was to investigate an appropriate treatment strategy for bifurcation lesion with a Sirolimus-eluting stent (SES). METHOD One-hundred-forty-one patients with 169 bifurcation lesions were treated at three centers in Japan using a Sirolimus-eluting stent. Forty-six lesions (39 patients) were treated on side branches, and provisional stenting was performed in these cases. We evaluated the angiographic results and clinical outcomes with this strategy. Patients with acute myocardial infarction were excluded. RESULT After a follow-up period of 184 +/- 65 days, there were no deaths or myocardial infarction (MI), and only one (2.0%) target lesion revascularization (TLR). The strategies used for side-branch treatment were balloon only (83.7%) and T or Modified T stent (16.3%). The final kissing balloon technique was performed on 53.4% overall. In patients with a 6-month follow-up angiogram who had 25 bifurcation lesions (including 5 LMT bifurcation Lesions, 6 LCX-OM Lesions, 13 LAD-Dx lesions, and 1 RCA lesion) that were treated with balloon only, the percent diameter stenosis (%DS) of the side branch at follow-up was similar to that after the procedure (47.2 +/- 34.4% vs. 46.4 +/- 24.1%). CONCLUSIONS In the treatment of bifurcation lesions using a SES, the results of provisional stenting for the side branch are acceptable. Percent DS of the side branch remained unchanged over time after PCI.

Atrial septal defect in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with coronary spasm.

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a well-known myocardial disease, but the additional coexistence of an atrial septal defect (ASD) and coronary spasm is quite rare. We report here on a 62-year-old man suffering from congestive heart failure due to apical HCM complicated by coronary spasm and secundum-type ASD. The transthoracic, transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were useful for diagnosing and evaluating of the patients status. A calcium channel blocker was given to prevent coronary spasm, and a surgical patch closure operation was successfully performed. Afterwards, his symptoms were alleviated.

Effects of treatment with a combination of cardiac rehabilitation and bosentan in patients with pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis associated with pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), which is classified as group 5 in the clinical classification of PH, is sometimes a complication of Pulmonary langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH), and is associated with high mortality. A 36-year-old woman had suffered from severe dyspnea 9 years previously and was diagnosed with PLCH and was on a waiting list for a lung transplant. Right heart failure had been observed and the mean pulmonary artery pressure was over 40 mmHg. The patient was diagnosed as PLCH with PH. After combined treatment with exercise rehabilitation and bosentan for 6 months, the cardiothoracic ratio, brain natriuretic peptide, and bodyweight were significantly decreased (cardiothoracic ratio from 43 to 38%, brain natriuretic peptide from 284 to10 pg/ml and bodyweight from 63 to 58 kg). Six-minute walk test also improved from 214 to 275 meters and the SF36 score for screening of depressive and anxiety disorders was improved. This is the report demonstrating the efficacy and safety of cardiac rehabilitation in combination with bosentan in a single patient with PLCH associated with PH.

Effects of Tolvaptan With or Without the Pre-Administration of Renin-Angiotensin System Blockers in Hospitalized Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

We examined whether tolvaptan combined with an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) is more effective than tolvaptan alone in the treatment of patients with heart failure (HF). Sixty-five hospitalized patients with acute decompensated HF were included in this study. They were divided into 2 groups; an ARB/ACE-I group (n = 44, who received ARB or ACE-I before the use of tolvaptan) and a non-ARB/ACE-I group (n = 21). There were no significant differences in patient characteristics including medications at baseline between the non-ARB/ACE-I and ARB/ACE-I groups with the exception of the percentages of hypertension and ischemic heart disease. Urinary volume (UV) at baseline in the ARB/ACE-I group was slightly higher than that in the non-ARB/ACE-I group. The increase in UV after the use of tolvaptan in the non-ARB/ACE-I group was significantly higher than that in the ARB/ACE-I group. The cardiothoracic ratio and the reduction in body weight were similar between the groups after tolvaptan use. Finally, in a logistic regression analysis, a response to the use of tolvaptan was independently associated with the non-use of ARB/ACE-I, but not with age, gender, body mass index, loop diuretic, or human arterial natriuretic peptide. In conclusion, tolvaptan alone might induce an increase in UV in decompensated HF patients without ARB/ ACE-I, although the treatment of HF with ARB/ACE-I is the first choice strategy.

Association of Arterial Pressure Volume Index With the Presence of Significantly Stenosed Coronary Vessels

Background A blood pressure (BP) monitoring system (PASESA®) can be used to easily analyze the characteristics of central and peripheral arteries during the measurement of brachial BP. Methods We enrolled 108 consecutive patients (M/F = 86/22, age 70 ± 10 years) who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) due to suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) in whom we could measure various parameters using PASESA® in addition to brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The patients were divided into two groups: patients who did not have significantly stenosed coronary vessel disease (n = 33, non-SVD group) and those who had at least one significantly stenosed coronary vessel (n = 75, SVD group). The characteristics of central and peripheral arteries (arterial velocity pulse index (AVI) and arterial pressure volume index (API), respectively) and baPWV were measured. Estimated central BP (eCBP) was calculated from the data obtained from PASESA®, and CBP was also measured simultaneously by invasive catheterization. Results API, but not AVI and baPWV, in the SVD group was significantly higher than that in the non-SVD group. Although eCBP was significantly associated with CBP, there was no difference in eCBP between the groups. There were significant associations among API, AVI and baPWV, albeit these associations were relatively weak. A multivariate logistic regression revealed that API and β-blocker were significant independent variables that were associated with the presence of significant coronary stenosis. The cut-off level of API that gave the greatest sensitivity and specificity for the presence of SVD was 24 units (sensitivity 0.636 and specificity 0.667). Conclusion In conclusion, API, but not AVI or baPWV, is associated with the presence of significant coronary stenosis.

Visit-to-Visit Variability and Reduction in Blood Pressure After a 3-Month Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

Visit-to-visit variability (VVV) in blood pressure (BP) has been shown to be a predictor of cardiovascular events. It is unknown whether CR can improve VVV in BP as well as reducing BP. We enrolled 84 patients who had cardiovascular disease (CVD) and participated in a 3-month CR program. We measured systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP), pulse pressure (PP), and heart rate (HR) before exercise training at each visit and determined VVV in BP or HR expressed as the standard deviation of the average BP or HR. Patients who had uncontrolled BP at baseline and who did not change their antihypertensive drugs throughout the study period showed a significant reduction of both SBP and DBP with a decrease in PP after 3 months. Patients who did not change their antihypertensive drugs were divided into larger (L-) and smaller (S-) VVV in the SBP groups and L- and S-VVV in the DBP groups according to the average value of VVV in SBP or DBP. In the L-VVV in the SBP and DBP groups, VVV in SBP and DBP in the 1st month was significantly decreased after the 3rd month in both groups. HR at baseline was significantly decreased after 3 months. In addition, CR induced a significant increase in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in blood. In conclusion, CR improved VVV in BP in patients with L-VVV in BP and evoked a significant reduction in HR and an increase in HDL-C. These effects due to the CR program may be cardioprotective.

Recent Patient Characteristics and Medications at Admission and Discharge in Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure

Background To improve the clinical outcome of heart failure (HF), it is important to evaluate the etiology and comorbidities of HF. We previously reported the baseline clinical characteristics and medications in hospitalized patients with HF in years 2000 - 2002 (group 2000) and 2007 - 2009 (group 2008). Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 158 patients who were hospitalized due to HF between 2012 and 2014 (group 2013) in the Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University Hospital. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and medications at admission and discharge, and compared the findings in group 2013 to those in group 2000 and group 2008. Results The major causes of HF were ischemic heart disease, hypertensive cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, and dilated cardiomyopathy. The New York Heart Association classification in group 2013 was significantly higher than those in group 2000 and group 2008. There was no difference in the level of brain natriuretic peptide at admission between group 2008 and group 2013. Tolvaptan began to be administered in group 2013. The median dose of furosemide just before the use of tolvaptan was 40 mg/day. At discharge, group 2013 showed higher rates of β-blocker and aldosterone antagonist. There was no difference in the frequency of loop diuretics. The dose of carvedilol at discharge was only 6.2 ± 4.0 mg/day. Antiarrhythmic drugs and β-blocker were used more frequently in HF with reduced ejection fraction (EF) than in HF with preserved EF. Conclusions We may be able to improve the clinical outcome of HF by examining the differences in the clinical characteristics and medications at admission and discharge in hospitalized patients with HF.

Assessment of various parameters using simple non-invasive tests in patients with cardiovascular diseases with or without cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves cardiac function and exercise capacity in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Simpler techniques are needed for use by physicians in the examination room to assess the usefulness of CR. We enrolled 46 consecutive CVD patients in a CR program (CR group) and prospectively followed them for 3 months. We compared them to 18 age-, gender- and body mass index-matched CVD patients without CR (non-CR group). Various parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 months using 3 simple non-invasive tests: severity of atherosclerosis [arterial velocity pulse index and arterial pressure volume index (API)] were determined using PASESA®, an autonomic nerve total activity amount index and a coefficient of variation of the R–R interval (CVRR) were determined using eHEART®, and peripheral resistance index, pressure rate product, stroke volume and cardiac index were determined using nico®]. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics including percentages (%) of ischemic heart disease and heart failure between the non-CR and CR groups. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic BP, heart rate and API at baseline significantly decreased and CVRR at baseline significantly increased after 3 months in the CR group, but not in the non-CR group. In addition, ΔAPI (Δ = the value after 3 months minus the value at baseline) was positively associated with ΔSBP in the CR group. In conclusion, CR significantly decreased BP and improved atherosclerosis and sympathetic nerve activity. These findings suggest that simple non-invasive tests may be useful for assessing the effects of CR.