Takeshi Nishiuchi

Gender disparities in the association between epicardial adipose tissue volume and coronary atherosclerosis: A 3-dimensional cardiac computed tomography imaging study in Japanese subjects

BackgroundGrowing evidence suggests that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may contribute to the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). In this study, we explored gender disparities in EAT volume (EATV) and its impact on coronary atherosclerosis.MethodsThe study population consisted of 90 consecutive subjects (age: 63 ± 12 years; men: 47, women: 43) who underwent 256-slice multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography. EATV was measured as the sum of cross-sectional epicardial fat area on CT images, from the lower surface of the left pulmonary artery origin to the apex. Subjects were segregated into the CAD group (coronary luminal narrowing > 50%) and non-CAD group.ResultsEATV/body surface area (BSA) was higher among men in the CAD group than in the non-CAD group (62 ± 13 vs. 33 ± 10 cm3/m2, p < 0.0001), but did not differ significantly among women in the 2 groups (49 ± 18 vs. 42 ± 9 cm3/m2, not significant). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that EATV/BSA was the single predictor for >50% coronary luminal narrowing in men (p < 0.0001). Predictors excluded were age, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia.ConclusionsIncreased EATV is strongly associated with coronary atherosclerosis in men.

Radioimmunoassay for atrial natriuretic peptide: method and results in normal subjects and patients with various diseases

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) was developed to determine its plasma level. Anti-alpha-hANP rabbit serum was specific for the N-terminus and ring structure of alpha-hANP, and showed no appreciable cross-reactions with other neuropeptides. The lowest level of alpha-hANP detectable by this radioimmunoassay was 4 pg per tube. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 4.6-11.4% and 7.9-11.8%, respectively, and the recovery rates at 4 concentrations were 62.6-74.0%. The fasting plasma alpha-hANP concentration in normal subjects were 19.3 +/- 1.0 ng/l (mean +/- SE; n = 54), and there was no sex difference. The plasma alpha-hANP level in normal subjects fell significantly during water deprivation and increased significantly on infusion of hypertonic saline. The mean plasma levels of alpha-hANP were higher than normal in patients with essential hypertension, liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure and chronic renal failure. Our results indicate that this radioimmunoassay is suitable for determining the alpha-hANP concentration in human plasma and can assess changes in pathological and physiological states.

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels in patients with ventricular septal defect

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Scar formation in the cardiac conduction system of a patient with Takayasu's arteritis.

An autopsied case of Takayasus arteritis associated with complete atrioventricular (AV) block is described for the first time. The findings of scar formation and diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes into the cardiac conduction system, particularly the AV node, were similar to those in patients with connective tissue diseases or congenital complete heart block. The degree of AV block progressed with aggravation of the disease. These findings suggest that complete AV block may have been induced by acquired autoimmunity involving the cardiac conduction system.

Decrease in plasma brain natriuretic peptide level in the early phase after the start of carvedilol therapy is a novel predictor of long-term outcome in patients with chronic heart failure.

Objective — The purpose of the present study was to determine whether change in plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level at an early phase of carvedilol therapy is a predictor of improvement in cardiac function and long-term prognosis in patients with systolic chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods and results — Neurohumoral factors and haemodynamics were examined in 64 patients with systolic CHF (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 45%) before and one month (early phase) and 3 to 6 months (late phase) after the start of carvedilol therapy.These patients were followed up for a mean period of 57 months. Plasma BNP levels were already decreased in the early phase before improvement of LVEF in response to carvedilol therapy. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses showed that D log brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)E (= log BNP at baseline – log BNP at early phase) (P< 0.0001) was a significant independent predictor of improvement in LVEF in the late phase. Cardiac events occurred in 11 patients during the follow-up period. In addition, multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that D log BNPE (P= 0.0045) and systolic blood pressure at baseline (P=-0.048) were significant independent predictors of the development of cardiac events. Conclusions — Decrease in plasma BNP level in the early phase of carvedilol therapy is a novel predictor of not only improvement of LVEF in the late phase but also prognosis in patients with systolic CHF.

Aggressive Antiplatelet Therapy Before Coronary Stent Implantation in Acute Coronary Syndrome with Essential Thrombocythemia A Case Report

A 52-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of unstable angina pectoris. Coronary angiography revealed severe stenosis at a proximal site of the left anterior descending artery. Essential thrombocythemia (ET) was diagnosed on the basis of findings of marked thrombo cytosis (106 x 104/μL) and an increased number of immature megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. Because hyperaggregability of platelets was demonstrated by an ex vivo platelet aggregation assay and by elevated plasma levels of β-thromboglobulin (β-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4), antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and ticlopidine and cytoreduction therapy with hydroxyurea were started. This combination treatment resulted in a decrease in the platelet count to less than 60 x 104/μL and decreases in plasma levels of both β-TG and PF4 to almost normal values. Percutaneous coronary angioplasty and stenting were then performed success fully without thrombotic complications. These findings suggest that combination therapy with antiplatelet and cytoreduction agents before catheter intervention is useful for the prevention of thrombotic complications in patients with acute coronary syndrome associated with essential thrombocythemia.