Shoji Haruta

Computed Tomographic Findings of Syphilitic Aortitis: A Case Report

We describe the computerized tomographic (CT) findings of the aortic wall in a case of acute-phase syphilitic arteritis. The delayed phase of the contrast-enhanced CT shows a double-ring configuration of the thick thoracic aortic wall, which is similar to CT findings previously reported for Takayasu arteritis. We speculate that the resemblance of the CT findings for these two diseases accounts for their similar histopathological features.

Efficacy of the combination of amlodipine and candesartan in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease: A subanalysis of the HIJ-CREATE study

BACKGROUND The effects of the combination of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) plus dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (DHP-CCBs), which is known as a potent antihypertensive drug regimen, on cardiovascular events remain unclear. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this post hoc subgroup analysis was to compare the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) of patients treated with candesartan and amlodipine with that of those with candesartan and non-amlodipine CCBs in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS HIJ-CREATE was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled study that compared the effects of candesartan-based with those of non-ARB-based standard therapy on MACE in 2049 hypertensive patients with CAD. In the candesartan group, a total of 335 patients were treated with DHP-CCBs (amlodipine: 170 and non-amlodipine-CCBs: 165) at the baseline. In this sub-analysis, we compared, among the participants allocated to candesartan regimen, the long-term effects of amlodipine and non-amlodipine CCBs that were concomitantly given with ARB, although the choice of CCB was not randomized. RESULTS The median follow-up was 3.9 years. Treatment using amlodipine with candesartan reduced the risk of MACE by 38% (hazard ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.94, p=0.025), as compared to patients treated with non-amlodipine-CCBs and candesartan. In a multivariate analysis, combination therapy of candesartan with amlodipine was an independent predictor of reduced risk of MACE. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the combination of amlodipine and candesartan is more beneficial in reducing MACE in hypertensive patients with CAD compared to non-amlodipine-DHP-CCBs in combination therapy with candesartan. Further investigation in larger-scale prospective randomized studies is required to reach any conclusion as to the superiority of combination therapy of candesartan with amlodipine.

A case of variant angina treated with a pacemaker for cardiopulmonary arrest due to complete atrioventricular block and pulseless electrical activity

A 55‐year‐old woman with variant angina was hospitalized for cardiopulmonary arrest because of pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Despite intensive postresuscitation drug therapy, another episode of angina occurred, with complete atrioventricular block and PEA. There was no confirmed ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. Coronary arteriography did not show significant stenosis, and acetylcholine‐loading test was positive. The patient was diagnosed with coronary spastic angina, and a pacemaker was implanted to stabilize hemodynamics during attacks. The pacemaker settings required some ingenuity: a high output was selected to avert pacing failure, and a rate drop response setting was selected to ensure efficient pacing.

Clinical course of a case of variant angina treated with a pacemaker for cardiopulmonary arrest due to complete atrioventricular block and pulseless electrical activity

In the Journal of Arrhythmia, we previously reported the case of a 55-year-old woman with variant angina who was implanted with a pacemaker to treat cardiopulmonary arrest due to complete atrioventricular block and pulseless electrical activity [1]. In this report, we follow the clinical outcome of the pacemaker implantation in this patient. Upon implantation, we simulated the proper and effective response of the pacemaker to prepare for the possibility that the patient might encounter coronary ischemia-induced bradycardia. A high output setting was selected in order to prevent pacing failure and a rate drop response (RDR) setting was selected both to ensure efficient pacing in the case of an angina attack and to conserve battery power during periods when there was no angina. Three years have passed since the pacemaker was implanted. During this time, the patient appears to have been in remission of vasospastic activity and the patient is doing well without symptomatic angina. We also evaluated the pacemaker data and found that an episode of paroxysmal atrioventricular block occurred asymptomatically and that the RDR response was functioning appropriately (Fig. 1). Finally, the ventricular pacing rate was 0.4% and the average battery longevity was 11.5 years (range, 9.5–13 years), which was longer than that of the ordinary setting. Fig. 1 The pacemaker electrocardiogram; a rate drop response (RDR) was activated after an episode of paroxysmal atrioventricular block.