Tomoyo Sugiyama

Differences in catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation between males and females

BACKGROUND Catheter ablation (CA) has become a standard treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, gender-related differences associated with CA of paroxysmal AF (PAF) remain unclear. METHODS We compared 1124 consecutive patients (mean age, 61 ± 10 years; male, n=864) with PAF scheduled for CA between the genders. RESULTS Females were significantly older (p<0.0001), and had a lower body-mass-index (p=0.02), smaller left atrial dimension (LAD; p=0.04), larger LAD indexed by the body-surface-area (LADI; p<0.0001) and better left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0.0001) at baseline. Ischemic heart disease (p=0.007) was more frequent in males, whereas hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (p=0.007) and mitral stenosis (p=0.001) were more frequent in females. More additional procedures were performed to eliminate non-pulmonary vein foci in females than males (p<0.05), but those locations were similar between the genders. The incidence of procedure-related complications was similar between genders (p=0.73). Sinus rhythm was similarly maintained between females and males after the first CA (56.4% vs. 59.3% at 5 years, p=0.24), but was significantly lower in females after the last CA (76.5% vs. 81.3% at 5 years, p=0.007). More females did refuse multiple CA procedures (especially a second one) than males (37.8% in females vs. 27.4% in males, p=0.02). The age (HR, 0.98/y, p=0.01), duration of AF (HR, 1.04/y, p=0.0001), number of failed anti-arrhythmic-drugs (HR, 1.10, p=0.03) and LADI (HR, 1.89 per 10mm/m(2), p=0.001) were significantly associated with AF-recurrence in males, but not in females. CONCLUSIONS Specific differences and similarities between the genders were observed in PAF patients undergoing CA.

Quantitative assessment of tissue prolapse on optical coherence tomography and its relation to underlying plaque morphologies and clinical outcome in patients with elective stent implantation.

BACKGROUND Tissue prolapse (TP) is sometimes observed after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but its clinical significance remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between TP volume on optical coherence tomography (OCT) after PCI and underlying plaque morphologies and the impact of TP on clinical outcomes. METHODS We investigated 178 native coronary lesions with normal pre-PCI creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) values (154 lesions with stable angina; 24 with unstable angina). TP was defined as tissue extrusion from stent struts throughout the stented segments. All lesions were divided into tertiles according to TP volume. The differences in plaque morphologies and 9-month clinical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS TP volume was correlated with lipid arc (r=0.374, p<0.0001) and fibrous cap thickness (r=-0.254, p=0.001) at the culprit sites. The frequency of thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) was higher in the largest TP tertile (≥ 1.38 mm(3)) (p=0.015). In multivariate analysis, right coronary artery lesion (odds ratio [OR]: 2.779; p=0.005), lesion length (OR: 1.047; p=0.003), and TCFA (OR: 2.430; p=0.022) were related to the largest TP tertile. Lesions with post-PCI CK-MB elevation (>upper reference limit) had larger TP volume than those without (1.28 [0.48 to 3.97] vs. 0.70 [0.16 to 1.64] mm(3), p=0.007). The prevalence of cardiac events during the 9-month follow-up was not significantly different according to TP volume. CONCLUSIONS TP volume on OCT was related to plaque morphologies and instability, and post-PCI myocardial injury, but not to worse 9-month outcomes.

Association of Intravascular Ultrasound- and Optical Coherence Tomography-Assessed Coronary Plaque Morphology With Periprocedural Myocardial Injury in Patients With Stable Angina Pectoris

BACKGROUND Periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) is not an uncommon complication and is related to adverse cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We investigated the predictors of PMI in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) on intravascular imaging. METHODSANDRESULTS We enrolled 193 SAP patients who underwent pre-PCI intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Clinical characteristics, lesion morphology, and long-term follow-up data were compared between patients with and without PMI, defined as post-PCI elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-T. PMI were observed in 79 patients (40.9%). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (odds ratio [OR], 0.973; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.950-0.996; P=0.020), ≥2 stents (OR, 3.100; 95% CI: 1.334-7.205; P=0.009), final myocardial blush grade 0-2 (OR, 4.077; 95% CI: 1.295-12.839; P=0.016), and IVUS-identified echo-attenuated plaque (EA; OR, 3.623; 95% CI: 1.700-7.721; P<0.001) and OCT-derived thin-cap fibroatheroma (OCT-TCFA; OR, 3.406; 95% CI: 1.307-8.872; P=0.012) were independent predictors of PMI on multivariate logistic regression analysis. A combination of EA and OCT-TCFA had an 82.4% positive predictive value for PMI. On Cox proportional hazards analysis, PMI was an independent predictor of adverse cardiac events during 1-year follow-up (hazard ratio, 2.984; 95% CI: 1.209-7.361; P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS Plaque morphology assessment using pre-PCI IVUS and OCT may be useful for predicting PMI in SAP patients.

The prognostic value of the serum eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid ratio in relation to clinical outcomes after endovascular therapy in patients with peripheral artery disease caused by femoropopliteal artery lesions

BACKGROUND The EPA/AA ratio has emerged as a predictor of mortality endpoints in cardiac disease; however, its prognostic value in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients is unclear. We assessed the serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to arachidonic acid (AA) ratio in patients with PAD caused by femoropopliteal artery lesions, to determine whether it predicts clinical outcomes after endovascular therapy (EVT). METHODS AND RESULTS We obtained serum EPA/AA ratios from 132 consecutive patients with PAD caused by femoropopliteal artery lesions before EVT. Patients were divided into two groups using the median value of serum EPA/AA ratios of the entire cohort; LOW group with the levels ≤0.30 (n = 66) and HIGH group >0.30 (n = 66). The incidence of major adverse events (MAE), including major adverse limb events (MALE) and death from any cause, was determined. At a median follow-up interval of 24 months, MALE occurred in 40 patients (30.3%) and 11 patients (8.3%) died. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis demonstrated the survival probability from MAE was significantly worse in patients with EPA/AA ratio under the median (long-rank test χ(2) = 16.4; p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed critical limb ischemia (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.84 to 6.46; p < 0.001) and the preprocedural serum EPA/AA ratios ≤0.30 (HR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.33 to 5.65; p = 0.006) independently predicted MAE after EVT. CONCLUSIONS Lower serum EPA/AA ratios appear to be associated with a greater risk of MALE and death from any cause after EVT in patients with PAD caused by femoropopliteal artery lesions.

Campylobacter showae bacteremia with cholangitis

We report a case of Campylobacter showae bacteremia associated with cholangitis. A 71-year-old man with advanced bile duct cancer was admitted to our hospital because of cholangitis with shock, hypoglycemia, and impaired renal function. After replacement of the biliary drainage tube, pus was drained from the tube. Specimens for blood and bile cultures were obtained, and fluid resuscitation and antimicrobial treatment were then begun. Although anaerobic blood culture yielded small curved gram-negative rods, the isolate could not be identified by conventional identification methods. The isolate was identified as C. showae by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. We consider here the pathogenicity of C. showae and the association of C. showae with cholangitis.

Lipoprotein(a) is an important factor to determine coronary artery plaque morphology in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BackgroundLipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] can influence the development and disruption of atherosclerotic plaques through its effect on lipid accumulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum Lp(a) levels and plaque morphology of an infarct-related lesion and non-infarct-related lesion of the coronary artery in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods and resultsCoronary plaque morphology was evaluated in 68 patients (age 62.1±12.1 years, mean±SD; men n=58, women n=10) with AMI by intravascular ultrasound with radiofrequency data analysis before coronary intervention and by 64-slice computed tomography angiography within 2 weeks. Patients were divided into a group with an Lp(a) level of 25 mg/dl or more (n=20) and a group with an Lp(a) level of less than 25 mg/dl (n=48). Intravascular ultrasound with radiofrequency data analysis identified four types of plaque components at the infarct-related lesion: fibrous, fibrofatty, dense calcium, and necrotic core. The necrotic core component was significantly larger in the group with an Lp(a) level of 25 mg/dl or more than in the group with an Lp(a) level of less than 25 mg/dl (27.6±8.0 vs. 15.7±10.0%, P=0.0001). Coronary plaques were classified as calcified plaques, noncalcified plaques, mixed plaques, and low-attenuation plaques on 64-slice computed tomography angiography. Computed tomography indicated that the group with an Lp(a) level of 25 mg/dl or more had a greater number of total plaques, noncalcified plaques, and low-attenuation plaques in whole coronary arteries than did the group with an Lp(a) level of less than 25 mg/dl (5.3±1.8 vs. 3.7±2.2, P=0.0061; 4.0±2.0 vs. 1.2±1.3, P=0.0001; 2.2±2.1 vs. 0.5±0.7, P=0.0001, respectively). ConclusionElevated serum Lp(a) levels are associated with the number of plaques and plaque morphology. Patients with a high Lp(a) level during AMI require more intensive treatment for plaque stabilization.

Impact of statin use before the onset of acute myocardial infarction on coronary plaque morphology of the culprit lesion.

Statins favorably stabilize coronary plaque. We evaluated the impact of statin use before the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on culprit lesion plaque morphology. Patients (n = 127) with AMI were divided into either a statin group (n = 31) or a nonstatin group (n = 96) based on statin use before the onset of AMI. Coronary plaque morphology of the culprit lesion was evaluated using intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH) with radiofrequency data analysis before coronary intervention. The IVUS-VH identified 4 types of plaque components: fibrous, fibrofatty, dense calcium, and necrotic core. The IVUS-VH showed less percentage of necrotic area, greater percentage fibrous area, and greater percentage of fibrofatty area of the culprit lesion in the statin group. In conclusion, statin use before the onset of AMI might have effects on coronary plaque morphology of the AMI culprit lesion with less necrotic core and greater fibrous and fibrofatty component.

Relationship between quantities of tissue prolapse after percutaneous coronary intervention and neointimal hyperplasia at follow-up on serial optical coherence tomography examination

BACKGROUND The clinical significance of the extent of tissue prolapse (TP) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for long-term outcomes remains undetermined. This study investigated the relationship between the quantities of TP immediately after PCI and neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) at follow-up on serial optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination. METHODS We evaluated 145 native coronary lesions (89 lesions with stable angina pectoris [SAP] and 56 with acute coronary syndrome [ACS]). OCT was performed to examine pre-PCI plaque morphologies at the narrowest culprit sites, post-PCI TP area in each cross-sectional area (CSA) and TP volume throughout the stented segments, 9-month follow-up NIH area in each CSA and NIH volume throughout the stented segments. We investigated the relationships between the quantities of TP and NIH and their differences according to clinical presentation. RESULTS ACS lesions had a larger TP area at the narrowest culprit sites (0.39 [0.14-0.85] vs. 0.11 [0.00-0.32] mm2, P<0.001) and at the most protruding sites (0.51 [0.24-1.08] vs. 0.21 [0.10-0.52] mm2, P<0.001) compared with SAP lesions. In ACS lesions, TP area was correlated with NIH area at the culprit sites (r=0.283, P=0.042) and at the most protruding sites (r=0.288, P=0.038). In SAP lesions, TP area was correlated with NIH area at the most protruding sites (r=0.244, P=0.030), but not at the culprit sites. CONCLUSIONS The extent of TP immediately after PCI was quantitatively related to the degree of NIH at 9-month follow-up on serial OCT examination. The quantities of TP might influence long-term stent outcomes.

EROSION Study (Effective Anti-Thrombotic Therapy Without Stenting: Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography–Based Management in Plaque Erosion): A 1-Year Follow-Up Report

Background— The initial EROSION study (Effective Anti-Thrombotic Therapy Without Stenting: Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography–Based Management in Plaque Erosion) demonstrated that patients with acute coronary syndrome caused by plaque erosion might be stabilized with aspirin and ticagrelor without stenting for ⩽1 month. However, a long-term evaluation of outcomes is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess whether the initial benefit of noninterventional therapy for patients with acute coronary syndrome caused by plaque erosion is maintained for ⩽1 year. Methods and Results— Among 53 patients who completed clinical follow-up, 49 underwent repeat optical coherence tomography imaging at 1 year. Median residual thrombus volume decreased significantly from 1 month to 1 year (0.3 mm3 (0.0–2.0 mm3] versus 0.1 mm3 [0.0–2.0 mm3]; P=0.001). Almost half of the patients (46.9%) had no residual thrombus at 1 year. Minimal effective flow area remained unchanged (2.1 mm2 [1.5–3.8 mm2] versus 2.1 mm2 [1.6–4.0 mm2]; P=0.152). Among 53 patients, 49 (92.5%) remained free from major adverse cardiovascular event for ⩽1 year: 3 (5.7%) patients required revascularization because of exertional angina and 1 (1.9%) patient had gastrointestinal bleeding. Conclusions— One-year follow-up optical coherence tomography demonstrated a further decrease in thrombus volume between 1-month and 1-year follow-up. A majority (92.5%) of patients with acute coronary syndrome caused by plaque erosion managed with aspirin and ticagrelor without stenting remained free of major adverse cardiovascular event for ⩽1 year. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02041650.

Comparison of vascular responses after different types of second-generation drug-eluting stents implantation detected by optical coherence tomography

Few studies have directly compared vascular responses to second-generation drug-eluting stents (DESs). We performed optical coherence tomography examinations in 56 consecutive patients with implanted single stent [19 cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stents (CoCr-EES), 22 platinum-chromium EES (PtCr-EES), and 15 resolute zotarolimus-eluting stents (R-ZES)] for de novo lesions, and who did not have restenosis at their 9-month follow-up. Neointimal thickness (NIT), stent apposition, and neointimal coverage were assessed in every strut. A neointimal unevenness score [(NUS), maximum NIT/average NIT in the same cross-section] was determined for every 1-mm cross-section (CS). A total of 8350 struts and 1159 CSs were analyzed. The CoCr- and PtCr-EES had significantly fewer malapposed struts compared to the R-ZES (CoCr-EES: 0.19 % vs. PtCr-EES: 0.19 % vs. R-ZES: 0.61 %, p = 0.007). Furthermore, the PtCr-EES had a lower frequency of uncovered struts compared to the others (CoCr-EES: 2.0 % vs. PtCr-EES: 1.4 % vs. R-ZES: 2.3 %, p = 0.047). The NUS correlated with the frequency of uncovered struts (p < 0.001, r = 0.54). The EESs demonstrated more homogenous neointimal growth, as shown in the NUS, compared to the R-ZES [CoCr-EES: 1.66 (1.38–1.97) vs. PtCr-EES: 1.67 (1.41–2.00) vs. R-ZES: 1.94 (1.56–2.28), p < 0.001]. Our results demonstrate that unevenness neointimal growth may relate with strut coverage after second-generation DES implantation. The PtCr-EES had a high frequency of strut coverage with a homogeneous neointima, suggesting fewer risks for stent thrombosis.