Ultrasound cardiography examinations detect victims' long-term realized and potential consequences after major disasters: a case-control study

BACKGROUND@#An increase in cardiovascular diseases has been reported following major disasters. Previous work has shown that ultrasonographic findings from ultrasound cardiography examination (UCG) increased until the 44th month after the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The present study conducted UCG among victims in the tsunami disaster area and investigated the frequency of disaster-related cardiovascular diseases and changes over time until the 55th month after the disaster.@*METHODS@#The subjects were residents of temporary housing complexes and neighboring housing in Watari-gun, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. There were 207 subjects in the 18th month, 125 in the 30th month, 121 in the 44th month, and 106 in the 55th month after the disaster. Data were collected through UCG and self-report questionnaire.@*RESULTS@#Significant changes were observed among subjects with clinical findings from the UCG, which increased over the study period-from 42.0 to 60.8, 72.7, and 73.6% beginning in the 18th month after the disaster (p < 0.0001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#It is possible that the UCG can become a useful examination to visualize the potential impact of a major disaster on the cardiac function of victims. Victims with clinical findings continued increasing not only during the acute phase after a disaster but also in the long term. We therefore need to keep this in mind, and note that it is important to establish a support system to control cardiovascular diseases from the early stage of disaster.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#UMIN; ID000029802. R000034050 . 2 November 2017.

The Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis of the Lower Extremities in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Disorders, based on the Results of Ultrasonography Screening / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

We screened patients with chronic respiratory disorders for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities using ultrasonography. These patients require pulmonary rehabilitation because of their physical disabilities and the reduction in their activities of daily living (ADL). The average soleus vein diameter, which is the reported source of most DVTs, was 6.1±1.5 mm in the control group, 6.8±2.1 mm in the home oxygen therapy (HOT) patients, and 7.0±1.6 mm in the non-HOT patients. The soleus vein diameters in the HOT and non-HOT patients were significantly greater than in the control group (<i>p</i>=0.003). The prevalence of calf DVTs in the HOT patients was significantly higher than in the non-HOT patients (14.3 % vs. 2.0 %, <i>p</i>=0.027). Therefore, patients with chronic respiratory disorders are at greater risks of developing DVT. Furthermore, it appears that not only the deterioration in ADL but also the presence of respiratory disorders and a hypoxic state may influence the onset of DVT in HOT patients. Chronic respiratory disorder is thought to be one of the risk factors for DVT. Therefore, preventive measures, such as ultrasonographic screening examinations, daily living guidance, and physical therapy, are important for patients with chronic respiratory disorders.