Kenichi Yamane

Validation of lactate level as a predictor of early mortality in acute decompensated heart failure patients who entered intensive care unit

BACKGROUND The significance of routine measurement of lactate level is unclear in patients with critical acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). METHODS AND RESULTS Consecutive 754 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in our hospital from January 2007 to March 2012 and given a diagnosis of ADHF were eligible for retrospective entry into the registry. Lactate level was measured on admission from routine arterial blood sample and we investigated by comparing the lactate level and parameters of conventional in-hospital mortality predictors. Among the patients, 88 (12%) died during hospitalization. The lactate level had great power to predict in-hospital mortality, as suggested by the c-statistics of 0.71. The occurrence of in-hospital death was more pronounced in patients with high levels of lactate (>3.2mmol/l) and the tendency was observed in patients in both the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) group and non-ACS group. In multivariate analysis, elevated lactate levels remained an independent predictor of in-hospital death (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-4.21; p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS Elevated levels of arterial lactate on admission were related to worse in-hospital mortality in patients with ADHF either with or without ACS, suggesting that the presence of high lactate in patients who enter the ICU with ADHF could help stratify the initial risk of early mortality.

Comparison of heart-type fatty acid binding protein and sensitive troponin for the diagnosis of early acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND The current development of serological biomarkers allows detection of smaller myocardial necrosis and early acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We evaluated the relevance of the heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) assay, which has recently been approved in Japan, for early diagnosis of AMI as compared with the sensitive troponin assay. METHODS This is an observational study in a single center. From 2010 July to 2011 January, 114 patients who presented with symptoms suggestive of AMI were enrolled. RESULTS AMI was adjudicated in 45 patients (40%). The diagnostic accuracy of measurements obtained at presentation for AMI, as quantified by the area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve (AUC), was significantly lower with H-FABP assay than the sensitive troponin assay [AUC for H-FABP, 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48-0.70; and for troponin I, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.94; P<.0001]. Among patients who presented within 2h after the onset of chest pain, the AUC for H-FABP was even low as compared with sensitive troponin (0.55; 0.39-0.72 vs. 0.89; 0.80-0.98, p<0.001). The clinical sensitivity for the diagnosis of AMI with the cutoff point of 99 th percentile was similar in both assays (81% and 81%, respectively), however, the specificity was extremely low in the H-FABP assay as compared with sensitive troponin assay (19% and 79%, respectively). CONCLUSION The measurement of H-FABP in 114 consecutive patients with chest pain suggestive of AMI showed no improvement of diagnosis for early AMI as compared with the current sensitive troponin assay because of its extremely low specificity.

Comparison of everolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents in dialysis patients ☆

BACKGROUND We previously reported that the incidence of 1-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients treated with paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) was lower than that in the sirolimus-eluting stents in dialysis patients. However, it remains unclear whether there are differences in clinical outcomes between everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and PES. METHODS Between February 2010 and September 2013, 102 maintenance dialysis patients with 135 lesions treated with EES were compared to 107 maintenance dialysis patients with 147 lesions treated with PES. One-year clinical outcomes were investigated. RESULTS Diabetes mellitus was present in 64.7% in the EES group and 71.0% in the PES group (p = 0.33). Heavy calcification was in 27.4% vs. 34.0% (p = 0.23). Rotational atherectomy was undergone in 11.1% vs. 23.1% (p < 0.01). Total stented length was not significantly different (23.5 ± 14.6 mm vs. 24.4 ± 13.2 mm, p = 0.60). One patient in the EES group was lost to follow up. At 12 months, MACE occurred in 13.2% in the EES group and 17.4% in the PES group (p = 0.25). Target lesion revascularization (TLR) was observed in 9.5% vs. 10.4% respectively (p = 0.77). Mortality was 11.8% vs. 13.1% (p = 0.35). Cardiac death was 5.0% vs. 7.7% (p = 0.09). Definite stent thrombosis was observed in 2.0% vs. 0% (p = 0.14). Subgroup analysis in patients with diabetes mellitus revealed no significant differences in MACE (12.7% vs. 14.9%, p = 0.36), TLR (8.3% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.42), mortality (13.7% vs. 13.2%, p = 0.28), and cardiac death (6.3% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.15) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS One-year clinical outcomes following EES and PES implantations are similar in dialysis patients.

A Comparison between the Instantaneous Wave-free Ratio and Resting Distal Coronary Artery Pressure/Aortic Pressure and the Fractional Flow Reserve: The Diagnostic Accuracy Can Be Improved by the Use of both Indices

Objectives The fractional flow reserve (FFR) is an index of the severity of coronary stenosis that has been clinically validated in several studies. The instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) and the resting distal coronary artery pressure/aortic pressure (Pd/Pa) are nonhyperemic pressure-derived indices of the severity of stenosis. This study sought to examine the diagnostic accuracy of the iFR and resting Pd/Pa with respect to hyperemic FFR. Methods Following an intracoronary injection of papaverine, the iFR, resting Pd/Pa, and FFR were continuously measured in 123 lesions in 103 patients with stable coronary disease. Results The iFR and resting Pd/Pa values were strongly correlated with the FFR (R=0.794, p<0.001, R=0.832, p<0.0001, respectively). A receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis revealed that the optimal iFR cut-off value for predicting an FFR of <0.80 was 0.89 (AUC 0.901, sensitivity 84.1%, specificity 80.0%, positive predictive value 69.8%, negative predictive value 90.0%, diagnostic accuracy 81.3%), while the optimal resting Pd/Pa cut-off value was 0.92 (AUC 0.925, sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 78.5%, positive predictive value 70.2%, negative predictive value 93.9%, diagnostic accuracy 82.9%). The lesions with an iFR value of ≤0.89 and a Pd/Pa value of ≤0.92 were defined as double-positive lesions, while the lesions with an iFR value of >0.89 and a Pd/Pa value of >0.92 were defined as double-negative lesions. In these 109 lesions, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were 92.3%, 82.9%, 75.0%, 95.1%, and 86.2%, respectively. Conclusion This analysis demonstrated that the iFR and resting Pd/Pa were strongly correlated with the FFR and that the diagnostic accuracy of the iFR was similar to that of the resting Pd/Pa. The diagnostic accuracy can be improved with the use of both the iFR and the resting Pd/Pa.

Contrast-induced Hyperemia as an Alternative to Drug-induced Hyperemia in the Evaluation of the Fractional Flow Reserve in Coronary Lesions

Objective Measuring the fractional flow reserve (FFR) requires the induction of coronary hyperemia, usually with adenosine, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), or papaverine. However, adenosine can induce rhythmic complications, and intracoronary boluses of papaverine that prolong the QT interval can cause ventricular tachycardia. Injection of contrast media, which is routinely performed to validate the FFR guidewire placement, also induces hyperemia and may be an alternative method of measuring the FFR. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the FFR after contrast hyperemia (FFRcont) compared to FFR evaluated after intracoronary papaverine (FFRpp). Methods This study included 109 lesions in 93 patients (mean age 70.4±8.7 years) with stable coronary disease. The FFR was measured as follows: 1) baseline pressure value; 2) FFRcont after intracoronary contrast injection (iopamidol, 8 mL for left coronary artery [LCA] or 6 mL for right coronary artery [RCA]); 3) FFRpp after intracoronary injection of papaverine (12 mg for LCA or 8 mg for RCA). Results FFRcont values were strongly correlated with FFRpp (R=0.940, p<0.0001; FFRpp = FFRcont ×1.007-0.032). The best cut-off point in the receiver operator curve analysis for predicting a FFRpp <0.80 was 0.82 (area under the curve =0.980; sensitivity 95.1%, specificity 91.2%, positive predictive value 86.7%, negative predictive value 96.9%). Conclusion FFRcont is highly accurate for predicting FFRpp. An FFRcont threshold value of 0.82 provides excellent sensitivity and a negative predictive value. FFRcont is an alternative method of inducing hyperemia.

Comparison of sirolimus- and paclitaxel-eluting stents in patients with moderate renal insufficiency: results from the J-DESsERT trial

BACKGROUND It is unclear whether there are differences in clinical outcomes between sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) in patients with moderate renal insufficiency (RI). METHODS The Japan-Drug Eluting Stents Evaluation; a Randomized Trial (J-DESsERT) was a prospective, randomized multicenter trial which compared 1:1 coronary stenting between SES and PES patients. Patient with serious RI (serum creatinine value 2mg/dL or higher) were excluded. Patients were classified into 2 arms according to renal function: a non-RI arm of 2220 patients (SES 1094 and PES 1126 patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL min(-1) 1.73 m(-2)) and an RI arm of 1206 patients (SES 613, PES 593 with 30≤eGFR <60 mL min(-1) 1.73 m(-2)). RESULTS At 12 months, the primary endpoint of target vessel failure in the non-RI arm occurred in 6.0% in the SES group and 8.7% in the PES group (p=0.02). In the RI arm, this occurred in 5.7% and 8.1% (p=0.10). Mortality rates were 0.8% vs 0.7% (p=0.78) in the non-RI arm, and 2.2% vs 2.1% (p=0.90) in the RI arm. Cardiac death was 0.4% vs 0.1% (p=0.17) in the non-RI arm, and 1.0% vs 1.0% (p=0.96) in the RI arm. Mortality was higher in patients with RI than those without RI (2.1% vs 0.8%; p<0.01). Cardiac death rates increased in the RI arm compared with those in the non-RI arm (1.0% vs 0.2%; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Regardless of the presence or absence of moderate RI, differences in outcomes between SES and PES change little except mortality and cardiac death.

Atrial electrical abnormality in patients with Brugada syndrome assessed by signal-averaged electrocardiography

Background Ventricular fibrillation and atrial fibrillation are well-known arrhythmias in patients with Brugada syndrome. This study evaluated the characteristics of the atrial arrhythmogenic substrate using the signal-averaged electrogram (SAECG) in patients with Brugada syndrome. Methods SAECGs were performed during normal sinus rhythm in 23 normal volunteers (control group), 21 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF; PAF group), and 21 with Brugada syndrome (Brugada group). Results The filtered P wave duration (fPd) in the control, Brugada, and PAF groups was 113.9 ± 12.9 ms, 125.3 ± 15.0 ms, and 137.1 ± 16.3 ms, respectively. The fPd in the PAF group was significantly longer compared to that in the control and Brugada groups (p < 0.05). The fPd in the Brugada group was significantly longer than that in the control group (p < 0.05) and significantly shorter than that in the PAF group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Patients with Brugada syndrome had abnormal P waves on the SAECG. The abnormal P waves on the SAECG in Brugada syndrome patients may have intermediate characteristics between control and PAF patients.

Partial left superior pulmonary vein potential elimination by an inferior ganglionated plexus ablation

Ganglionated plexus (GP) plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). The GP ablation has been found to be effective for AF treatment. In this case, we reported an AF case in which the pulmonary vein (PV) potentials of the anterior region of the left superior PV were eliminated by an inferior right GP ablation.

The Difference between the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of newly progressed coronary lesions in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

BACKGROUND Generally, newly progressed coronary lesions (NPCLs) are considered to be composed of lipid-rich plaques. In case of vulnerable plaque rupture, they may quickly become culprit lesions responsible for acute coronary syndromes. METHODS Between September 2011 and September 2015, 2034 patients underwent scheduled follow-up coronary angiography (CAG) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Tsuchiya General Hospital. Patients with NPCLs found by CAG during the follow-up period were evaluated by optical coherence tomography (OCT). NPCLs were defined as the lesions with less than 50% diameter stenosis, which progressed to more than 75% diameter stenosis within 3years after the previous CAG. Patients with restenosis after PCI were excluded. We compared OCT findings of NPCLs between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. RESULTS The follow-up CAG showed NPCLs in 64 patients (3.2%). OCT revealed fibrous plaque in 42 patients (65.6%) and thin-cap fibroatheroma in one patient. Thirteen patients had chest symptoms for one month before CAG and the remaining 51 patients were asymptomatic. The prevalence of fibrous plaque and intimal disruption or plaque rupture were not significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (61.5% vs. 66.7%, p=0.752 and 30.8% vs. 11.8%, p=0.213, respectively). However, thrombi were more frequently observed in symptomatic patients (61.5% vs. 13.7%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The majority of NPCLs found in asymptomatic patients at follow-up CAG were not vulnerable; however, those found in symptomatic patients might be vulnerable. In clinical practice, NPCLs found in asymptomatic patients should be evaluated for functional severity of stenosis in order to determine the need for coronary revascularization.

COMPARISON OF OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS OF Very LATE STENT THROMBOSIS BETWEEN DRUG–ELUTING STENT AND BARE–METAL STENT

methods: From March 2009 to August 2012, OCT was performed in 23 patients with VLST (13 DES-treated patients and 10 BMS-treated patients) during emergent coronary angioplasty in Tsuchiya General Hospital and Hiroshima Asa City Hospital. OCT qualitative tissue analysis (thrombus, intra-luminal material, thin-cap ibroatheroma (TCFA), and intimal hyperplasia tissue characteristics) was compared between DES-treated and BMStreated lesions. The proportion of uncovered and malapposed struts in each stented segment developed VLST was evaluated and the % plaque area was calculated.