Naoyuki Sata

Recurrent Pericardial Tamponade from Atrial Hemangioma

We encountered a 72-year-old woman with a left atrial hemangioma arising in the appendage and growing like an extracardiac mass. Life-threatening cardiac tamponade, recurrent over a 5-year clinical course, was the only sign of this rare tumor. The extraatrial growth pattern of the tumor made it difficult to distinguish the cardiac origin from a paracardiac mass. With the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass, the tumor was removed from the left atrium at the base of the appendage. Pathologic diagnosis was a combination of cavernous- and venous-type hemangioma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was doing well with no pericardial effusion at the 10-month follow-up.

Relationship between weather and onset of acute myocardial infarction: Can days of frequent onset be predicted?

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and weather conditions, to determine whether days in which AMI onset is likely can be predicted. METHODS AND RESULTS Of the 929 patients admitted to our hospitals in Kagoshima prefecture with AMI, subjects comprised 611 patients. Days of frequent onset (F-days) were defined as days with > or = 3 patients/day admitted for AMI, with days of non-frequent onset (N-days) defined as days with < 3 patients/day. Meteorological factors were measured, and daily differences in all parameters and intraday temperature differences on the onset day, and 1 and 2 days before onset were calculated. F-days were significantly associated with intraday temperature differences on the onset day (10.3 degrees C vs. 7.9 degrees C, p=0.005), 1 day before onset (10.7 degrees C vs. 7.9 degrees C, p=0.002), and 2 days before onset (11.3 degrees C vs. 7.9 degrees C, p=0.0001). A cutoff intraday temperature difference of > or = 9.4 degrees C on 1 and 2 days before onset was predictive of F-days with 89% sensitivity and 87% specificity. CONCLUSIONS Intraday temperature differences offer a powerful predictor of F-days. Onset of AMI can be predicted based on weather conditions over the preceding 1-2 days.

Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Regurgitation in a Patient With Left Ventricular Noncompaction

We present a case of a 61-year-old man who underwent aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation complicated with left ventricular noncompaction. The pathogenesis of this condition remains unknown. In advanced form, left ventricular noncompaction produces marked disability and carries a poor prognosis. We underscore that familiarity with this disease entity will help to stimulate early diagnosis and timely treatment when necessary.

Hepatocyte growth factor improves the survival of rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension via the amelioration of pulmonary hemodynamics

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional growth factor with mitogenic, anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of administration of recombinant human HGF on pulmonary arterial hypertension. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was induced in rats by a single injection of monocrotaline (MCT) and recombinant human HGF (0.12 mg/day) was administered into the right ventricle cavity using osmotic pumps, which were implanted subcutaneously 21 days after MCT injection. Continuous intravenous delivery of recombinant human HGF for 14 days led to prolonged survival of animals suffering from severe MCT-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension. Although a bolus injection of recombinant human HGF did not affect pulmonary arterial pressure, a 14-day administration of recombinant human HGF attenuated the inflammatory cell infiltrate, matrix accumulation and vascular medial thickening. As a consequence, the pulmonary lumen was enlarged and the pulmonary arterial pressure was significantly reduced. Additionally, continuous administration of recombinant human HGF suppressed lung tissue expression of platelet-derived growth factor, which plays an important role in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension. These results indicate that recombinant human HGF possibly has a great potential for improving symptoms and altering the clinical course of pulmonary arterial hypertension.