Does clinical practice supported by artificial intelligence improve hypertension care management? A pilot systematic review.

Although artificial intelligence (AI) is considered to be a promising tool, evidence for the effectiveness of AI-supported clinical practice for lowering blood pressure (BP) in the real world is scarce. We conducted a systematic review to elucidate whether AI-supported clinical care improves BP control. We identified two randomized control trials (RCTs) in a literature search. The results revealed no significant difference between AI-supported care and usual care in a random-effects model meta-analysis of RCTs (AI vs. usual care: systolic/diastolic BP difference: -2.13 [95% confidence interval: -4.72 to 0.46] / -1.03 [-2.52 to 0.46]). In this review, we were unable to clarify whether AI-supported clinical practice improved BP control compared with usual care. Further studies will be needed to provide robust evidence for the effectiveness of AI-supported care in clinical settings.

Association Between the Presence or Severity of Coronary Artery Disease and Pericardial Fat, Paracardial Fat, Epicardial Fat, Visceral Fat, and Subcutaneous Fat as Assessed by Multi-Detector Row Computed Tomography.

The associations between the presence or severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and measurements of various kinds of fat as assessed by multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) are unclear. We enrolled 300 patients who were clinically suspected to have CAD or who had at least one cardiac risk factor and had undergone MDCT. The number of significantly stenosed coronary vessels (VD), and measurements of pericardial fat index, paracardial fat index, epicardial fat index, visceral fat index, and subcutaneous fat index were quantified using MDCT. Plasma levels of adiponectin, pentaxin-3, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein factors were also measured. Pericardial fat index, paracardial fat index, and visceral fat index in a CAD group were significantly greater than those in a non-CAD group. In addition, the levels of these fat indices tended to increase as the number of VD increased and were positively correlated with the Gensini score. The area-under-the-curve for paracardial fat index was significantly greater than those for the other parameters of fat index measured by a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. The cut-off level of paracardial fat index that gave the greatest sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CAD was 54.9 cm3/m2 (sensitivity 0.710, specificity 0.552). The presence of CAD was independently associated with paracardial fat index, in addition to age and diabetes mellitus, by a multiple logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, paracardial fat index may be a marker for evaluating the presence or severity of CAD.

The Current Conditions and Lifestyles of Obese University Students.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in Japan remains high, and the onset becomes early. Studies on the current conditions and lifestyles of obese university students may support early interventions to achieve lifestyle modification. METHODS AND RESULTS: The results of periodic health examinations in 32,262 first-year university students revealed that 2,036 (6.3%) were obese. We performed a more detailed examination in 221 of these obese students (165 males and 56 females, age 19 ± 1 years) with study agreement from 2014 to 2016. In this study cohort, the percentage of students who exercised regularly was significantly higher among males than females. Body fat in males with well-exercised was lower than that in males with no exercise. In addition, serum level of high-density cholesterol in males with well-exercised was higher. Among females, there were no significant differences in these parameters between exercisers and non-exercisers. Forty-two obese students (40 males and two females) met the diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Among males, levels of body fat, uric acid, liver enzyme and insulin resistance in the MetS group were significantly higher than those in the non-MetS group. The average ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid (EPA/AA) was low (0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Although the proportions of students with obesity and/or MetS were not high, the EPA/AA ratio in obese young males was low, which may be associated with a high risk of coronary atherosclerosis. To prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases early intervention to achieve lifestyle modification may be important.

Associations between microalbuminuria and parameters of flow-mediated vasodilatation obtained by continuous measurement approaches.

The associations between microalbuminuria and various parameters of flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) are not completely understood. We retrospectively analyzed 265 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography and in whom we could measure FMD and the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). Using 15 continuous measurement approaches, we measured FMD as the magnitude of the percentage change in the brachial artery diameter from baseline to peak (bFMD), the maximum FMD rate calculated as the maximal slope of dilation (FMD-MDR), and the integrated FMD response calculated as the area under the dilation curve during the 60- and 120-s dilation periods (FMD-AUC60 and FMD-AUC120). We divided the patients into two groups according to UACR: normoalbuminuria (NOR, n = 211) and microalbuminuria (MIC, n = 54). The MIC group showed a significantly higher percentage of coronary artery disease than the NOR group. FMD-AUC60 and FMD-AUC120, but not FMD-MDR, in the MIC group were significantly lower than those in the NOR group. On the other hand, bFMD in the MIC group tended to be lower than that in the NOR group, but this difference was not significant. A multiple regression analysis indicated that FMD-AUC120 and diabetes mellitus were predictors of MIC. Finally, we defined the cut-off value of FMD-AUC120 for the presence of MIC in all patients as 8.4 mm x second (sensitivity 0.640, specificity 0.588) by a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. In conclusion, this study provides more definitive evidence for the association of microalbuminuria with endothelial dysfunction. FMD-AUC120 may be a superior marker for MIC.

Safety of Landiolol Hydrochloride as a Premedication for Producing an Appropriate Heart Rate for Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the safety of a bolus injection of landiolol hydrochloride, an ultrashort-acting ß1-selective antagonist, as a premedication prior to multidetector-row computed tomography coronary angiography (CTA). METHODS: The subjects consisted of 176 patients (M/F = 64:112, 67 ± 11 years) who had heart rate (HR) at rest ≥ 70 beats/min (bpm) and underwent CTA. Systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) and HR were measured before and after the administration of landiolol. RESULTS: SBP/DBP and HR upon entry to the CT room were 136 ± 17/80 ± 11 mm Hg and 83 ± 10 bpm, respectively. HR was significantly reduced at the time of CTA scan (62 ± 7 bpm). Next, we divided the patients into three groups according to HR upon entry to the CT room: 70 - 79 bpm (n = 76), 80 - 89 bpm (n = 60) and ≥ 90 bpm (n = 40). HR at the time of CTA scan was significantly lower than that upon entry to the CT room in all three groups: 70 - 79 bpm (74 ± 3 bpm upon entry to the CT room to 61 ± 6 bpm at the time of CAT scan), 80 - 89 bpm (84 ± 3 to 63 ± 7 bpm) and ≥ 90 bpm (98 ± 6 to 65 ± 7 bpm). Although SBP/DBP was significantly decreased after the CTA scan (123 ± 18/72 ± 12 mm Hg), landiolol had no severe adverse events throughout CTA. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a bolus injection of landiolol reduced HR by about 20 bpm without any severe adverse effects. Thus, a bolus injection of landiolol hydrochloride may be a suitable pretreatment for controlling HR in CTA.

Cardiac rehabilitation in patients with cardiovascular disease leads various hemodynamic parameters obtained using simple non-invasive tests to their appropriate levels.

We evaluated whether comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) could improve various hemodynamic parameters obtained using simple non-invasive tests. We analyzed 48 CVD patients with (n = 38, CR group) or without (n = 10, non-CR group) a CR program, and prospectively followed them for 12 months. Various parameters were measured at baseline and after 12 months using 3 simple non-invasive tests: blood pressure (BP) and severity of atherosclerosis [arterial velocity pulse index (AVI) and atrial pressure volume index] were determined using PASESA®, an index of total autonomic nerve activity and a coefficient of variation of the R-R interval (CVRR) were determined using eHEART®, and the total peripheral resistance, stroke volume and cardiac index (CI) were determined using nico®. The main hemodynamic parameters did not change between baseline and 12 months in both groups. Patients in the CR group were divided into higher (H-) and lower (L-) systolic BP (SBP) or AVI according to the average value of SBP or AVI at baseline in the CR group. Patients with H-SBP or H-AVI in the CR group showed a significant reduction of SBP or AVI at 12 months. In addition, patients in the CR group were divided into H- and L- CI or CVRR according to the average value of CI or CVRR at baseline in the CR group. Patients with L-CI or L-CVRR in the CR group significantly improved after 12 months. In conclusion, CR may lead various hemodynamic parameters obtained using simple non-invasive tests to their appropriate levels.

Significance of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Visit-to-Visit Variability of Blood Pressure in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease in a 12-Month Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Visit-to-visit variability (VVV) in blood pressure (BP) has been shown to be a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the long-term effect of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) with exercise training on VVV in BP has not yet been established. Therefore, we evaluated the long-term effects of CR on VVV in BP in patients with CVD. METHODS: Twenty-two CVD patients in a 12-month CR program who had at least six clinic visits per month to measure BP were enrolled. We determined VVV in BP expressed as the standard deviation of average BP every month for 12 months. RESULTS: The mean age was 70 ± 8 years and the body mass index was 24.4 ± 4.9 kg/m2. In addition, the percentage (%) of males, % heart failure and % ischemic heart disease were 77%, 55% and 27%, respectively. Patients who had uncontrolled BP at baseline showed a significant reduction of both systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). VVV in SBP in the first month was significantly less than that in the last month, although there was no difference in VVV in DBP. Patients were divided into larger (L-) and smaller (S-) VVV in SBP groups according to the average value of VVV in SBP as a cut-off. The L-VVV in SBP group, but not the S-VVV in SBP group, showed a significant reduction of VVV in SBP. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive CR may improve VVV in SBP in CVD patients who have larger VVV in SBP.

Efficacy and Safety of Combination Therapy Consisting of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blocker, Calcium Channel Blocker and Hydrochlorothiazide in Patients With Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Many patients continue to have high blood pressure (BP) even after treatment with high-dose (H)-angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB)/calcium channel blocker (CCB) or middle-dose (M)-ARB/CCB/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). METHODS: Thirty-two hypertensive patients who had the use of H-ARB/CCB or M-ARB/CCB/HCTZ were enrolled in this study. We applied a changeover with a switch to H-ARB (telmisartan 80 mg/day)/CCB (amlodipine 5 mg/day or nifedipine CR 40 mg/day)/HCTZ (12.5 mg/day). RESULTS: Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were significantly decreased in all patients and in the H-ARB/CCB and M-ARB/CCB/HCTZ groups after 3 months. Percentage (%) of patients who reached the target BP after 3 months (72%) in all patients was significantly higher than that at 0 months (19%). There were no serious adverse effects in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with H-ARB/CCB/HCTZ was associated with a significant reduction of BP.

A Case of Multifaceted Assessment in an Elderly Patient With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a common health problem worldwide, including in Japan. Unfortunately, patient outcomes remain poor, with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 50%. Therefore, we need to assess the precise conditions, including cardiac function, in patients with HF, particularly in the elderly. We performed a multifaceted assessment in an elderly patient with HF on admission and at discharge using eight different evaluations (the mean life expectancy using the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM), the severity of dementia, nutrition, medication adherence, biomarker (the level of brain natriuretic peptide in blood), sociality, performance and comorbidity). Each parameter was scored on a 5-point scale (excellent = 5 points; good = 4 points; fair (average) = 3 points; poor = 2 points; failure = 1 point; maximum total points of 40) (Fukuoka University Heart Failure Scoring System, FUFS). An 86-year-old male patient who complained of dyspnea and lower-leg edema was admitted to our university hospital due to acute decompensated HF. After treatment, his symptoms improved, as did his cardiothoracic ratio, plural effusion and pulmonary congestion, and he exhibited compensated HF. His total score improved from 28 to 32 points, and his mean life expectancy using SHFM increased from 4.9 to 5.4 years. We evaluated the precise conditions using a multifaceted assessment strategy in an elderly patient with HF. The strategy was useful for evaluate the patient's condition in this case.

Associations between parameters of flow-mediated vasodilatation obtained by continuous measurement approaches and the presence of coronary artery disease and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

We investigated the associations between the parameters of flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) obtained by continuous measurement approaches and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. The subjects consisted of 282 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and in whom we could measure FMD. Using continuous measurement approaches, we measured FMD as the magnitude of the percentage change from brachial artery diameter from baseline to peak (bFMD), the maximum FMD rate calculated as the maximal slope of dilation (FMD-MDR), and the integrated FMD response calculated as the area under the dilation curve during the 60- and 120 s dilation periods (FMD-AUC60 and FMD-AUC120). We divided the patients into two groups, the CAD group and the non-CAD group, and defined the severity of coronary atherosclerosis according to the Gensini score. The CAD group showed significantly lower %FMD, FMD-MDR, FMD-AUC60, and FMD-AUC120. Gender, smoking, dyslipidemia (DL), and diabetes mellitus (DM), in addition to FMD-AUC120, were identified as significant independent variables that predicted the presence of CAD by a multivariate logistic regression. In addition, a multiple regression analysis indicated that gender, DL, and hypertension, in addition to FMD-AUC120, were predictors of the Gensini score. Finally, we defined the cutoff value of FMD-AUC120 for the prediction of CAD in all patients as 11.1 (sensitivity 0.582, specificity 0.652) by a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. In conclusion, FMD-AUC120 as assessed by continuous measurement approaches may be a superior marker for evaluating the presence of CAD and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

Paradoxical nocturnal elevation of sympathetic tone and spontaneous ventricular fibrillation in Brugada syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Nocturnal dominance of the incidence of spontaneous ventricular tachyarrhythmias has been reported in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS). The purpose of the present study is to analyze the QT dynamics and autonomic balance as well as their diurnal variations in BrS patients. METHODS: Of the 33 consecutive patients with BrS included in the study, 14 had a history of cardiopulmonary arrest due to spontaneous ventricular fibrillation (VF) episodes (VF-BrS) and 19 had asymptomatic BrS (A-BrS). QT dynamics and heart rate variability were analyzed using 24-h Holter electrocardiogram recordings. RESULTS: Of the total 14 first cardiopulmonary arrest episodes due to spontaneous VF, 11 (79%) occurred in VF-BrS patients during the nighttime or at rest. The QT/RR slope during daytime was significantly steeper than that during nighttime in the A-BrS patients (p=0.031), but not in the VF-BrS patients (p=1.0). There were significant diurnal differences pertaining to the high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF)/HF ratios in the A-BrS patients (p=0.019 and p=0.019, respectively), but not in the VF-BrS patients (p=1.0 and p=1.0, respectively). The VF-BrS patients were characterized by relatively high LF/HF ratios, whereas the A-BrS patients were characterized by relatively low LF/HF ratios throughout the daytime and nighttime. Furthermore, the LF/HF ratios during the nighttime in the VF-BrS patients were significantly higher than those in the A-BrS patients (p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Most first episodes of spontaneous VF in the VF-BrS patients occurred during the nighttime or at rest. The autonomic imbalance of paradoxical nocturnal elevation of the sympathetic tone along with an underlying persistent sympathetic tone throughout the day may play a key role for spontaneous VF initiation in BrS patients.

Impact of the Absolute Difference in Diastolic Blood Pressure Between Arms in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the relationship between the severity and presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and a difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) between arms or between lower limbs. METHODS: We enrolled 277 patients who underwent coronary angiography. We calculated the absolute (|right BP (rt. BP) - left BP (lt. BP)|) and relative (rt. BP - lt. BP) differences in SBP or DBP between arms or between lower limbs, and assessed the severity of CAD in terms of the Gensini score. RESULTS: The absolute difference in DBP between arms in the CAD group was significantly lower than that in the non-CAD group, whereas the absolute difference in DBP between lower limbs in the CAD group was significantly higher. There were no differences in the absolute or relative difference in SBP between arms or lower limbs between the groups. The absolute difference in DBP between arms decreased as the Gensini score increased. In a logistic regression analysis, the presence of CAD was independently associated with the absolute difference in DBP between arms, in addition to male, family history, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. CONCLUSION: The absolute difference in DBP between arms in addition to traditional factors may be a critical risk factor for the presence of CAD.

Efficacy and safety of combination therapy of high-dose losartan and hydrochlorothiazide in patients with hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the efficacy and safety of combination therapy of high-dose losartan (100 mg/day) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, 12.5 mg/day) compared with those of the combination of high-dose telmisartan (80 mg/day) and HCTZ (12.5 mg/day). METHODS: Forty hypertensive patients who received a combination of high-dose telmisartan and HCTZ were enrolled. We applied a changeover strategy with switching from a combination of high-dose telmisartan and HCTZ to high-dose losartan and HCTZ. We divided the patients into two groups; those who achieved the target blood pressure (controlled group) and those who did not reach the target blood pressure (uncontrolled group) before the changeover and performed further analysis. RESULTS: The uncontrolled group showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (143±12 mmHg to 126±11 mmHg at three months). In addition, serum uric acid significantly decreased in all subjects, and in each of the controlled and uncontrolled groups. There were no significant changes in other biochemical parameters, such as potassium and hemoglobin A1c, at three months after the changeover in all subjects. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy with high-dose losartan and HCTZ was superior to the combination of telmisartan and HCTZ with respect to significant decreases in systolic blood pressure and serum uric acid in hypertensive patients.

Clinical significance of flow-mediated dilation, brachial intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity in patients with and without coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the interrelationships among brachial flow-mediated vasodilatation (bFMD), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and brachial intima-media thickness (bIMT) in patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Two-hundred consecutive patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) were enrolled as the CAD group and 50 age-, sex- and body mass index-matched patients without CAD were selected as the non-CAD group. bFMD, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the CAD group were significantly lower. The CAD group showed significantly higher levels of hemoglobin A(1c)(HbA(1c)) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), but not baPWV. CAD was independently associated with bFMD, DBP, HbA(1c) and HDL-C. bFMD and HDL-C significantly decreased and LDL-C increased as the number of diseased vessels with significant stenosis increased. The number of diseased vessels was independently associated with bFMD and HDL-C. In addition, bFMD, bIMT, the time constant of the shear rate and the time constant of the flow rate as assessed by a new program, Trend Plus(®), were associated with the presence of CAD. Among these parameters, the presence of CAD was independently associated with bIMT as well as bFMD. CONCLUSIONS: bFMD was a better predictor of the severity of CAD than either baPWV or coronary risk factors in patients with SAP. In addition, bIMT may be a critical predictor of CAD.

A case of coronary artery disease with antiphospholipid syndrome that showed repeated stent thrombosis.

A 55-year-old man with severe chest pain was hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiography revealed total occlusion of his left anterior descending coronary artery, which was successfully recanalized by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the patient subsequently experienced subacute stent thrombosis, restenosis in the stent, and frequent thrombosis in PCI toward restenosis. Primary antiphospholipid syndrome should be considered as a possible cause of repeated stent thrombosis, and, if salvage by PCI is impossible, salvage by coronary artery bypass graft should be considered.