Munenori Takata

Effect of add-on aliskiren to type 1 angiotensin receptor blocker therapy on endothelial function and autonomic nervous system in hypertensive patients with ischemic heart disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the add‐on effect of aliskiren to valsartan on endothelial‐dependent vasodilation in hypertensive patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). After 4 weeks of treatment with 80 mg of valsartan, 28 patients were allocated to either continued treatment with valsartan or an add‐on treatment with valsartan plus 150 mg of aliskiren. Aliskiren significantly decreased plasma renin activity, whereas endothelium‐dependent vasodilation measured by flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) did not change. In contrast, heart rate significantly decreased (73.1 ± 9.8 to 66.3 ± 7.0 beats per minute at baseline and 24 weeks, respectively [P = .009]) and the standard deviation of the R‐R intervals (SDNN) significantly increased in the aliskiren group. The add‐on aliskiren to valsartan therapy may not improve endothelial functions, although it significantly reduced resting heart rate via regulation of the autonomic nervous system in hypertensive patients with IHD.

Elevated C-reactive protein levels and enhanced high frequency vasomotion in patients with ischemic heart disease during brachial flow-mediated dilation

Purpose The physiological role of vasomotion, rhythmic oscillations in vascular tone or diameter, and its underlying mechanisms are unknown. We investigated the characteristics of brachial artery vasomotion in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Methods We performed a retrospective study of 37 patients with IHD. Endothelial function was assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and power spectral analysis of brachial artery diameter oscillations during FMD was performed. Frequency-domain components were calculated by integrating the power spectrums in three frequency bands (in ms2) using the MemCalc (GMS, Tokyo, Japan): very-low frequency (VLF), 0.003–0.04 Hz; low frequency (LF), 0.04–0.15 Hz; and high frequency (HF), 0.15–0.4 Hz. Total spectral power (TP) was calculated as the sum of all frequency bands, and each spectral component was normalized against TP. Results Data revealed that HF/TP closely correlated with FMD (r = −0.33, p = 0.04), whereas VLF/TP and LF/TP did not. We also explored the relationship between elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and vasomotion. HF/TP was significantly increased in subjects with high CRP levels (CRP;>0.08 mg/dL) compared with subjects with low CRP levels (0.052±0.026 versus 0.035±0.022, p<0.05). The HF/TP value closely correlated with CRP (r = 0.24, p = 0.04), whereas the value of FMD did not (r = 0.023, p = 0.84). In addition, elevated CRP levels significantly increased the value of HF/TP after adjustment for FMD and blood pressure (β = 0.33, p<0.05). Conclusion The HF component of brachial artery diameter oscillation during FMD measurement correlated well with FMD and increased in the presence of elevated CRP levels in subjects with IHD.

Presence of desaturated hemoglobin enhances the contribution of blood cells to flow-mediated dilation in subjects with systemic sclerosis.

flow-mediated dilation in subjects with systemic sclerosis Eisuke Amiya , Munenori Takata , Masafumi Watanabe ⁎, Takehiro Takahashi , Yoshihide Asano , Masaru Hatano , Atsuko Ozeki , Aya Watanabe , Shuichi Kawarasaki , Zenshiro Tamaki , Takashi Taniguchi , Yohei Ichimura , Tetsuo Toyama , Ryozo Nagai , Shinichi Sato , Issei Komuro a,d a Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan b Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan c Jichi Medical School, Japan d Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan

A multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing the identification rate of stigmata of recent hemorrhage and rebleeding rate between early and elective colonoscopy in outpatient-onset acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe clinical benefit of early colonoscopy within 24 h of arrival in patients with severe acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB) remains controversial. This trial will compare early colonoscopy (performed within 24 h) versus elective colonoscopy (performed between 24 and 96 h) to examine the identification rate of stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH) in ALGIB patients. We hypothesize that, compared with elective colonoscopy, early colonoscopy increases the identification of SRH and subsequently improves clinical outcomes.MethodsThis trial is an investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial examining the superiority of early colonoscopy over elective colonoscopy (standard therapy) in ALGIB patients. The primary outcome measure is the identification of SRH. Secondary outcomes include 30-day rebleeding, success of endoscopic treatment, need for additional endoscopic examination, need for interventional radiology, need for surgery, need for transfusion during hospitalization, length of stay, 30-day thrombotic events, 30-day mortality, preparation-related adverse events, and colonoscopy-related adverse events. The sample size will enable detection of a 9% SRH rate in elective colonoscopy patients and a SRH rate of ≥ 26% in early colonoscopy patients with a risk of type I error of 5% and a power of 80%.DiscussionThis trial will provide high-quality data on the benefits and risks of early colonoscopy in ALGIB patients.Trial registrationUMIN-CTR Identifier, UMIN000021129. Registered on 21 February 2016; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT03098173. Registered on 24 March 2017.

Clinical characteristics and genetic backgrounds of Japanese patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome

BackgroundAtypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is caused by complement overactivation, and its presentation and prognosis differ according to the underlying molecular defects. The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic backgrounds of aHUS patients in Japan and to elucidate the associations between their genetic backgrounds, clinical findings, and outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a nationwide epidemiological survey of clinically diagnosed aHUS patients and examined 118 patients enrolled from 1998 to 2016 in Japan. We screened variants of seven genes related to complement and coagulation, as well as positivity for anti-CFH antibodies, and assessed clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and clinical course.ResultsThe most frequent genetic abnormalities were in C3 (31%) and the frequency of CFH variants was relatively low (10%) compared to Western countries. The predominant variant in this cohort was C3 p.I1157T (23%), which was related to favorable outcomes despite frequent relapses. A total of 72% of patients received plasma therapy, while 42% were treated with eculizumab. The prognosis of Japanese aHUS patients was relatively favorable, with a total mortality rate of 5.4% and a renal mortality rate of 15%.ConclusionsThe common occurrence of genotype C3, especially the p.I1157T variant was the characteristic of the genetic backgrounds of Japanese aHUS patients that differed from those of Caucasian patients. In addition, the favorable prognosis of patients with the unique C3 p.I1157T variant indicates that understanding the clinical characteristics of individual gene alterations is important for predicting prognosis and determining therapeutic strategies in aHUS.

The association between orthostatic increase in pulse pressure and ischemic heart disease.

Abstract The clinical meaning of changes in PP with posture remains unclear. We performed treadmill exercise testing on 144 subjects to diagnose ischemic heart disease, and measured the PPs in the supine and standing positions. The differences in the two PPs ranged between −35 and 45 mmHg. Eleven subjects were diagnosed with significant coronary ischemia. The differences in the PPs were significantly increased, and PP in the standing position was significantly elevated in these subjects. A large difference in the PPs in the standing and supine positions was associated with significant coronary ischemia, independent of significant covariables.

Diurnal body temperature rise is reduced in diabetes with autonomic neuropathy

We conducted a retrospective study of 60 patients with ischemic heart disease (31 with diabetes and 29 without diabetes) to investigate the impact of diabetes on diurnal body temperature patterns. We found that the increase of axillary body temperature in the evening was reduced in the presence of diabetes, which was associated with autonomic neuropathy.