Kyoko Sato

Association between arterial stiffness and platelet activation

Increased arterial stiffness is strongly associated with atherosclerosis, while platelet activation is an important trigger of thrombotic events in patients with atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the effect of arterial stiffness on platelet activation. We therefore investigated the association between arterial stiffness and platelet activation in 38 normal volunteers (20 men and 18 women) aged 23–77 years (mean=49±15 years). Arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) and heart–brachial PWV (hb-PWV). Flow cytometric analyses were performed to evaluate platelet activation by measuring surface expression of P-selectin and platelet–neutrophil complexes (PNC) before and after activation by ADP. We also calculated the difference between basal and stimulated states of P-selectin and PNC to assess platelet activation reserve. PWVs were significantly correlated with age and BP (r=0.60–0.81). For platelet activation and activation reserve, correlations with age were less strong but remained significant (r=0.36–0.61), with the exception of P-selectin (not significant, NS), and correlations with SBP were similar (r=0.35–0.53). A significant correlation was found between PWVs and platelet activation (r=0.43–0.74). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated significant correlations between platelet activation and reserve and PWVs (coefficient=2.17–6.59), when both age and BP were adjusted for simultaneously. In conclusion, platelet activation was associated with arterial stiffness, suggesting that arterial stiffness may play an important role in thrombotic events.

Quantitative analysis of carotid atherosclerotic lesions and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein in community‐dwelling elderly 80 years or older

Aim:  To investigate the association between the carotid atherosclerotic lesions assessed by high‐resolution ultrasonography and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) in the community‐dwelling elderly aged 80 years or older.

Nonlinear dynamics assessed by fractal analysis as a predictor of cardiovascular events in chronic atrial fibrillation

Conclusions: In patients with presumed AMI and new LBBB, the presence of concordant in patients with a slope>-1.4 and 32% in those with a slope>-1.4. ST elevation or VI-3 ST depression is specific for AMI and independently predicts 30. Conclusion: Nonlinear dynamics of long-term HR fluctuation IS a powerful presdictor 01 day mortality The absence of these ST changes predicts a better outcome even when cardiovascular events in chronic AF. compared to patients with normal intraventricular conduction.

Echocardiographic risk stratification for ischemic stroke in non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation : Importance of aortic plaques detected by transesophageal echocardiography

Background: The aim of the present paper was to assess the prevalence of atherosclerotic aortic plaques in non‐rheumatic atrial fibrillation and their relation to ischemic stroke. Although aortic plaques are frequently seen in the elderly, their significance remains unclear in relation to ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.