Naoki Serizawa

Impact of Sleep-Disordered Breathing on Life-Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmia in Heart Failure Patients With Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator

It was recognized that sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is associated with cardiac arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. However, it was unclear whether the presence of SDB increased the risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia in patients with heart failure (HF) with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Seventy-one patients with HF and an ICD who were followed up for 180 days after a sleep study were prospectively studied. All patients had an ejection fraction <or=35%. SDB was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index >or=10 events/hour on the sleep study. The frequency of appropriate ICD therapy and the day-night pattern of ICD therapies were compared between patients with and without SDB. SDB was diagnosed in 47 of 71 patients (66%). There were no statistical differences between patients with and without SDB in baseline cardiac function. However, appropriate ICD therapies occurred more frequently in patients with (43%) than without SDB (17%; p = 0.029). On multivariate analysis, the presence of SDB was an independent predictor for appropriate ICD therapy (hazard ratio 4.05, 95% confidence interval 1.20 to 13.65, p = 0.015). Moreover, the rate of total ICD therapy from midnight to 6 A.M. was significantly higher in patients with (34%) than without SDB (13%; p = 0.046). In conclusion, in patients with HF with an ICD, the presence of SDB was common and an independent predictor of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias that were more likely to occur during sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with greater thoracic aortic size.

To the Editor: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by partial or complete occlusion of the pharynx during sleep, results in persistent inspiratory effort and interruption of airflow. During each episode of apnea, OSA patients develop increased transmural pressure in the aortic wall.

Differences in hemodynamic responses between intravenous carperitide and nicorandil in patients with acute heart failure syndromes

While recent guidelines for the treatment of acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS) recommend pharmacotherapy with vasodilators in patients without excessively low blood pressure (BP), few reports have compared the relative efficiency of vasodilators on hemodynamics in AHFS patients. The present study aimed to assess the differences in hemodynamic responses between intravenous carperitide and nicorandil in patients with AHFS. Thirty-eight consecutive patients were assigned to receive 48-h continuous infusion of carperitide (n = 19; 0.0125–0.05 μg/kg/min) or nicorandil (n = 19; 0.05–0.2 mg/kg/h). Hemodynamic parameters were estimated at baseline, and 2, 24, and 48 h after drug administration using echocardiography. After 48 h of infusion, systolic BP was significantly more decreased in the carperitide group compared with that in the nicorandil group (22.1 ± 20.0 % vs 5.3 ± 10.4 %, P = 0.003). While both carperitide and nicorandil significantly improved hemodynamic parameters, improvement of estimated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was greater in the carperitide group (38.2 ± 14.5 % vs 26.5 ± 18.3 %, P = 0.036), and improvement of estimated cardiac output was superior in the nicorandil group (52.1 ± 33.5 % vs 11.4 ± 36.9 %, P = 0.001). Urine output for 48 h was greater in the carperitide group, but not to a statistically significant degree (4203 ± 1542 vs 3627 ± 1074 ml, P = 0.189). Carperitide and nicorandil were differentially effective in improving hemodynamics in AHFS patients. This knowledge may enable physicians in emergency wards to treat and manage patients with AHFS more effectively and safely.

Diagnosis and Detection of Myocardial Injury in Active Cardiac Sarcoidosis – Significance of Myocardial Fatty Acid Metabolism and Myocardial Perfusion Mismatch –

BACKGROUND Myocardial injury can be detected more sensitively using (123)I-radioiodinated 15-(p-iodophenyl)-3(R,S)-methylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) than thallium-201 (TL). The present study investigated whether (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) uptake as an index of active inflammation in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is associated with BMIPP and TL findings, and whether dual single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can facilitate diagnosis of CS. METHODSANDRESULTS We retrospectively enrolled 52 consecutive patients with suspected CS who were assessed on FDG-PET/computed tomography (CT) and BMIPP/TL dual SPECT. The SPECT images were divided into 17 segments and then BMIPP and TL total defect scores (BMDS, TLDS) as well as mismatch scores (BMDS-TLDS: sumMS) were calculated. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the entire myocardium was obtained from FDG-PET/CT. SUVmax was much higher in patients with, than without CS (P<0.0001). BMDS was higher and sumMS much higher in CS (P<0.05 and P<0.0001, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of sumMS to detect CS were 74% and 80%, respectively. SUVmax was not associated with either BMDS or sumMS in the patients with CS. On multivariate analysis, the combination of sumMS and SUVmax had greater prognostic significance compared with each parameter on its own. CONCLUSIONS BMIPP and TL dual-tracer mismatch is a useful finding to diagnose CS, and adds greater diagnostic value to SUVmax on FDG-PET/CT.

Effect of Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty on Respiratory Function in Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) improves hemodynamics and exercise capacity. However, its effect on respiratory function is unclear. Our objective was to investigate the effect of BPA on respiratory function. METHODS: We enrolled patients with inoperable CTEPH who underwent BPA primarily in lower lobe arteries (first series) and upper and middle lobe arteries (second series). We compared changes in hemodynamics and respiratory function between different BPA fields. RESULTS: Sixty‐two BPA sessions were performed in 13 consecutive patients. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance significantly improved from 44 ± 8 to 23 ± 5 mm Hg and 818 ± 383 to 311 ± 117 dyne/s/cm−5. The percent predicted diffusion capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco) decreased after BPA in the lower lung field (from 60% ± 8% to 54% ± 8%) with no recovery. Percent Dlco increased after BPA in the upper middle lung field (from 53% ± 6% to 58% ± 6%) and continued to improve during the follow‐up (from 58% ± 6% to 64% ± 11%). The ventilation/Co2 production (Symbole/Symbolco2) slope significantly improved after BPA in the lower lung field (from 51 ± 13 to 41 ± 8) and continued to improve during the follow‐up (from 41 ± 8 to 35 ± 7); however, the Symbole/Symbolco2 slope remained unchanged after BPA in the upper/middle lung field. Changes in % Dlco and the Symbole/Symbolco2 slope differed significantly between lower and upper/middle lung fields. Symbol. No caption available. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of BPA on respiratory function in patients with CTEPH differed depending on the lung field.

Association between sleep apnea and overnight hemodynamic changes in hospitalized heart failure patients with and without paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

BACKGROUND Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is a common symptom for patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Some symptoms of PND are similar to those of sleep apnea (SA) which might be associated with overnight worsening hemodynamics in failing hearts. However, the association between PND, SA, and overnight change in hemodynamics in patients with heart failure remains uncertain. METHODS We studied 28 consecutive patients with reduced ejection fraction who were hospitalized with ADHF. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels were measured before and after overnight sleep study. PND was defined as having an episode of PND prior to hospitalization for ADHF. RESULTS Ten (36%) patients had a history of PND. Respiratory disturbance index (the frequency and severity of sleep apnea) was an independent factor associated with a history of PND (odds ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.47, p=0.011). In those without PND, plasma ANP levels decreased from before sleep to after waking, whereas in those with PND it increased (p=0.011). In addition, overnight change in plasma ANP levels was independently associated with respiratory disturbance index (p=0.035). CONCLUSION These results thus suggest that in patients with ADHF, SA might be a predisposing cause of PND in association with overnight worsening hemodynamics.

An overlap of Brugada syndrome and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia

Overlapping characteristics of Brugada syndrome (BrS) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) have been reported in recent studies, but little is known about the overlapping disease state of BrS and ARVC/D. A 36‐year‐old man, hospitalized at our institution for syncope, presented with this overlapping disease state. The electrocardiogram showed spontaneous coved‐type ST‐segment elevation, and ventricular fibrillation was induced by right ventricular outflow tract stimulation in an electrophysiological study. BrS was subsequently diagnosed; additionally, the presence of epsilon‐like waves and right ventricular structural abnormalities met with the 2010 revised task force criteria for ARVC/D. After careful investigation for both BrS and ARVC/D, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was inserted in the patient. This case revealed 2 important clinical findings: (1) BrS and ARVC/D clinical features can coexist in a single patient, and EPS might be useful for determining the phenotype of overlapping disease (e.g., BrS‐like or ARVC/D‐like). (2) An overlapping disease state of BrS and ARVC/D can change phenotypically during its clinical course. Therefore, careful examination and attentive follow‐up are required for patients with BrS or ARVC/D.

Isolated cardiac sarcoidosis diagnosed by electroanatomic voltage mapping-guided endomyocardial biopsy combined with magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography

Cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis is related to lethal arrhythmias and is considered a serious condition. Because steroid therapy is an effective treatment, early diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is of paramount importance in respect to improving prognosis. However, the diagnostic yield of histologic examination by endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) in CS is usually low. We report the case of isolated CS histopathologically proven by electroanatomical voltage mapping (EVM)-guided EMB combined with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). A 53-year-old man presented with general fatigue. Electrocardiography showed intermittent complete atrioventricular block and echocardiography showed reduced cardiac function. CMR showed late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in the areas of myocardium with suspected sarcoidosis. Next, we performed an EVM-guided EMB and found a non-caseating epithelioid granuloma in the right ventricular septum, which showed low voltage on EVM and LGE on CMR. FDG-PET showed accumulation in the same cardiac region. This case shows that EVM-guided EMB combined with diagnostic imaging can be a valuable approach in cases of suspected isolated CS. <Learning objective: To reduce inflammation and prevent ventricular remodeling by early corticosteroid treatment, detecting cardiac sarcoidosis (CS)-affected regions is important. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography help detect such regions. However, histopathological diagnosis of CS by endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is usually difficult. The present case suggests that electroanatomical voltage mapping-guided EMB combined with diagnostic imaging improves detection of CS-affected regions.>.

Successfully treated eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis relapse presenting as myocarditis and followed by multimodality imaging

A 60-year-old man with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), which was diagnosed 12 years earlier and managed with prednisolone, was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea and paresthesias in both hands. Laboratory test revealed peripheral eosinophilia along with elevated troponin T and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The patients clinical picture was consistent with myocarditis and relapse of EGPA. Endomyocardial biopsy showed marked infiltration of eosinophils in myocardium, which confirmed relapse of EGPA with myocarditis. Thallium-201 and iodine-123-beta-methyl iodophenyl pentadecanoic acid dual single-photon emission computed tomography (TL-BMIPP SPECT), as well as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), also confirmed cardiac involvement. The patient was treated with methylprednisolone and improved dramatically. CMR and TL-BMIPP SPECT performed after discharge showed improvement of abnormal lesions, while anomalies detected by these modalities remained. This is a case of EGPA relapse presenting as myocarditis despite treatment with prednisolone. <Learning objective: Cardiac involvement and relapse are frequent in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients. Patients should be screened and monitored carefully for cardiac involvement during follow-up by multimodality imaging.>.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension

Traditionally, patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) were advised to limit their physical activity because of the risk of fatal cardiovascular compromise. However, relatively little is known about the risks and benefits of exercise for patients with PH. The present article discussed the effects and safety of pulmonary rehabilitation in PH in light of the current literature. To sum up, exercise training has been reported to significantly improve exercise capacity and quality of life (QoL), whereas the method of intervention, exercise training duration, and patient status (including medically stable patients, immediately after intervention) varied slightly among studies. Furthermore, most of the adverse events were nonfatal and not a direct consequence of exercise training. Accordingly, exercise training in patients with PH seems safe and beneficial. However, the long-term effect of exercise in PH has not been shown. Thus, the precise mechanisms through which pulmonary rehabilitation may influence cardiopulmonary function remains unclear. Future multicenter randomized control trials with longer follow-up duration are needed to further demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of exercise training in patients with various types of PH.Although some questions remain, exercise training in patients with PH seems safe and beneficial. Therefore, supervised rehabilitation programs for patients with PH including close monitoring should be encouraged.