Sustained inhibition of oxidized low-density lipoprotein is involved in the long-term therapeutic effects of apheresis in dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis is a potential therapy for conventional therapy-resistant peripheral artery disease. In the present study, we examined the chronic effects of LDL apheresis on clinical parameters in vivo and endothelial cell functions in vitro in hemodialysis patients who had the complication of peripheral artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were enrolled, and the responses of 19 patients to LDL apheresis were analyzed. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to change in ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) after treatment: patients with improved ABI (responders, n=10) and patients with worsened ABI (nonresponders, n=9). In the responders, apheresis resulted in a long-term reduction of circulating levels of oxidized LDL, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), the serum from the responders increased expression of activated endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein and proliferative activity. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between ABI and activated endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein level in HUVECs treated with responder serum (R=0.427, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that LDL apheresis decreases oxidized LDL and inflammation and improves endothelial cell function in the responders. This may be one of the mechanisms involved in the long-term therapeutic effect of LDL apheresis on peripheral circulation in hemodialysis patients.

Selective gelfoam embolization of primary racemose haemangioma of the bronchial artery.

A 54-year-old male presented with haemoptysis. Bronchial arteriography revealed a bent, meandering and dilated bronchial artery with vascular hyperplasia in multiple locations. The patient was diagnosed as having primary racemose haemangioma of the bronchial artery. Using a microcatheter, TorconNB (5 Fr) and Progreat (2.7 Fr), selective gelfoam embolization of the descending branch of the right bronchial artery was performed using the double catheter method. This approach would allow effective treatment of the haemorrhage and avoid spinal cord injury.

Idiopathic yellow nail syndrome successfully treated with OK-432.

A 70-year-old female presented with yellow discoloration of the nail beds of all fingers and toes, as well as bilateral pleural effusions. The patient was diagnosed as having the yellow nail syndrome based on the triad of yellow nails, lymphedema, and pleural effusions. The patient's intractable bilateral pleural effusion was treated with pleurodesis using OK-432. The treatment prevented the accumulation of pleural fluid for a long period of time. Pleural effusion associated with yellow nail syndrome is thought to be difficult to treat; however, this patient's excellent clinical course suggests that pleurodesis with OK-432 could be used to treat the disease in the future.

Pneumocystis pneumonia in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

A 76-year-old man, who was in the hospital for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and was receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist treatment for prostate cancer, developed fever and hypoxemia. Imaging revealed diffuse interstitial shadows, and PCR of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii. The patient's absolute CD4-positive lymphocyte count dropped to 145/microl, but the HIV antibody was negative. After trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SXT) treatment, the absolute CD4 positive lymphocyte count returned to normal. This patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus developed Pneumocystis pneumonia and developed a transient decrease in CD4-positive lymphocytes.

[A case of hepatitis and pneumonitis caused by Bofutsusyo-san herbal medicine].

We report a case of drug-induced pneumonitis and hepatitis associated with the herbal medication Bofutsusyo-san. A 41-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with pneumonitis and hepatitis. She complained of fever and dyspnea. Fine crackles were heard on chest auscultation and a chest X-ray film revealed diffuse reticulo-nodular shadow in both lung fields. Cessation of the medication improved the patient' s clinical and X-ray findings. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed an increase of the lymphocytes and a diminished CD4/CD8 ratio. A drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test was positive. Challenge tests for Bofutsusyo-san were positive. A diagnosis of drug-induced pneumonitis and hepatitis was made. Our findings suggested an association with Ou-gon.

[Improvement of central sleep disordered breathing with severe congestive heart failure by biventricular pacing therapy: a case report].

A 74-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy was repeatedly admitted for congestive heart failure. His left ventricular ejection fraction was 21% and diastolic left ventricular dimension was 73.5mm by echocardiography. He was treated with biventricular pacing and heart failure improved from New York Heart Association class III to II. Before the treatment, brain natriuretic peptide was 600.5 pg/ml. Apnea hypopnea index was 23.8 and all events were central type. After biventricular pacing, apnea hypopnea index was improved to 21.9 after 11 days, 14.0 after 33 days, and 4.8 after 48 days. His left ventricular ejection fraction was 36%, diastolic left ventricular dimension was 71.4mm, and brain natriuretic peptide was 383.8 pg/ml. In this patient, central sleep disordered breathing was improved by biventricular pacing therapy after only 48 days.

[Neurally mediated syncope with significant cardiac arrest and asymptomatic multiple cerebral infarctions: a case report].

A 32-year-old man had suffered episodes of loss of consciousness since childhood. He was admitted to another hospital because of three syncopal episodes in one day. He was referred to our hospital because of asymptomatic multiple lacunae indicating cerebral infarction on magnetic resonance imaging. He lost consciousness with convulsion followed by a 70-second interval of cardiac arrest during blood sampling. He reported the onset of his usual prodromal symptoms after 1 min in the 80 degrees head-up tilt position. He lost consciousness 2 min after returning to the supine position. Electrocardiography demonstrated a 10-second interval of cardiac arrest. Magnetic resonance angiography, carotid arterial echography, brain perfusion scintigraphy, and laboratory chemistry and hematology examinations identified no significant findings. Cerebral infarction had occurred in watershed areas, so hemodynamic change during cardiac arrest may be the main cause of the infarctions. He suffered no further syncopal or presyncopal episodes after implantation of a DDD pacing system.

Infected left atrial myxoma.

A 47-year-old Japanese woman with a continuing high fever was promptly diagnosed as having infected atrial myxoma one day after admission based on transthoracic echocardiographic findings and positivity for bacteria in blood culture. The mass was removed by an urgent open heart surgery. Histopathological examination confirmed that this mass was a myxoma with gram-positive bacterial colonies. Generally, antemortem diagnosis is difficult and there is a high mortality of patients with infected myxoma; however, this patient completely recovered from the illness because of the prompt diagnosis. This is the 37th case of definite infected myxoma reported in the literature. The cause of infection of this patient might have been the acupuncture therapy she underwent for weight reduction.

[Individualized tailoring of antihypertensive therapy].

Despite the publication of guidelines for the management of hypertension, there is still uncertainty among physicians regarding the right antihypertensive drug selection into the right patient. Though there have been great advances in investigating hypertension, there is only a little knowledge of the mechanisms and genetic backgrounds of 'essential hypertension'. Nationwide investigations, such as association studies dealing with a large number of patients and linkage studies using hypertensive pedigrees, are necessary to correct knowledge of individual genetic backgrounds, which influence the response to antihypertensive drug therapy. Progress toward tailoring treatment for essential hypertension and individualizing target genetic background has just started. Guidelines for the management of hypertension including the consideration of individual genetic background will be published in future days.