Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy for refractory massive cardiac ascites in an adult with single ventricle haemodynamics: a case report.

Background: Cardiac ascites is a classical finding of right-sided heart failure, mainly caused by tricuspid valve disease and constrictive pericarditis. Refractory cardiac ascites, defined as ascites that is uncontrollable with any medication, including conventional diuretics and selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonists, is a rare but challenging entity. Although cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) is a therapeutic option for refractory ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis and malignancy, its efficacy in cardiac ascites has never been reported. We herein report a case of CART for refractory cardiac ascites in a patient with complex adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Case summary: A 43-year-old Japanese female with a history of ACHD involving single ventricle haemodynamics presented with refractory massive cardiac ascites due to progressive heart failure. Because conventional therapy using diuretics could not control her cardiac ascites, abdominal paracentesis was frequently required, resulting in hypoproteinaemia. Therefore, CART was initiated once per month in addition to conventional therapies, which enabled the prevention of hypoproteinaemia and further hospitalizations except to undergo CART. In addition, it helped improve her quality of life without any complications for 6 years until she died from cardiogenic cerebral infarction at the age of 49 years. Discussion: This case demonstrated that CART can be safely performed in patients with complex ACHD and refractory cardiac ascites due to advanced heart failure. Thus, CART may improve refractory cardiac ascites as effectively as massive ascites caused by liver cirrhosis and malignancy and lead to an improvement in the patients' quality of life.

Longitudinal strain combined with delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance improves risk stratification in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has been reported to be associated with unfavourable outcomes; however, few studies have addressed the prognostic value of left ventricular (LV) deformation parameter indicated by global longitudinal strain (GLS) in two-dimensional speckle-tracking (2DST) echocardiography in patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This study aims to investigate whether the combination of GLS and LGE is useful in stratifying the risk in patients with DCM. METHODS: We studied 179 consecutive symptomatic patients with DCM (age, 61±15 years; 121 males; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 33%±9%; New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II: n=71, III: n=107, IV: n=1) who underwent CMR and echocardiography with conventional assessment and 2DST analysis. RESULTS: There were 40 rehospitalisations for heart failure, including 7 cardiac deaths and 2 implantations of LV assist device during follow-up (3.8±2.5 years). Univariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that NYHA class, blood pressure, B-type natriuretic peptide, LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, LVEF, left atrium volume, GLS and LGE were significantly associated with long-term outcome. Multivariable analysis revealed that GLS and LGE were independently associated with long-term outcome (p<0.05, both). In additional analyses, we found independent associations between GLS and LV reverse remodelling after the optimal medical therapy, and between LGE and life-threatening arrhythmias (p<0.05, both). CONCLUSION: Combining GLS and LGE could be useful for risk stratification and prognostic assessment in patients with DCM.

Effects of 6-month eicosapentaenoic acid treatment on postprandial hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, insulin secretion ability, and concomitant endothelial dysfunction among newly-diagnosed impaired glucose metabolism patients with coronary artery disease. An open label, single blinded, prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Recent experimental studies have revealed that n-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) regulate postprandial insulin secretion, and correct postprandial glucose and lipid abnormalities. However, the effects of 6-month EPA treatment on postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, insulin secretion, and concomitant endothelial dysfunction remain unknown in patients with impaired glucose metabolism (IGM) and coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: We randomized 107 newly diagnosed IGM patients with CAD to receive either 1800 mg/day of EPA (EPA group, n = 53) or no EPA (n = 54). Cookie meal testing (carbohydrates: 75 g, fat: 28.5 g) and endothelial function testing using fasting-state flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) were performed before and after 6 months of treatment. The primary outcome of this study was changes in postprandial glycemic and triglyceridemic control and secondary outcomes were improvement of insulin secretion and endothelial dysfunction. After 6 months, the EPA group exhibited significant improvements in EPA/arachidonic acid, fasting triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The EPA group also exhibited significant decreases in the incremental TG peak, area under the curve (AUC) for postprandial TG, incremental glucose peak, AUC for postprandial glucose, and improvements in glycometabolism categorization. No significant changes were observed for hemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose levels. The EPA group exhibited a significant increase in AUC-immune reactive insulin/AUC-plasma glucose ratio (which indicates postprandial insulin secretory ability) and significant improvements in FMD. Multiple regression analysis revealed that decreases in the TG/HDL-C ratio and incremental TG peak were independent predictors of FMD improvement in the EPA group. CONCLUSIONS: EPA corrected postprandial hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia and insulin secretion ability. This amelioration of several metabolic abnormalities was accompanied by recovery of concomitant endothelial dysfunction in newly diagnosed IGM patients with CAD. Clinical Trial Registration UMIN Registry number: UMIN000011265 ( https://www.upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&type=summary&recptno=R000013200&language=E ).

Impact of esophageal temperature monitoring guided atrial fibrillation ablation on preventing asymptomatic excessive transmural injury.

BACKGROUND: Even with the use of a reduced energy setting (20-25 W), excessive transmural injury (ETI) following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is reported to develop in 10% of patients. However, the incidence of ETI depends on the pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) method and its esophageal temperature monitor setting. Data comparing the incidence of ETI following AF ablation with and without esophageal temperature monitoring (ETM) are still lacking. METHODS: This study was comprised of 160 patients with AF (54% paroxysmal, mean: 24.0±2.9 kg/m(2)). Eighty patients underwent ablation accompanied by ETM. The primary endpoint was defined as the occurrence of ETI assessed by endoscopy within 5 d after the AF ablation. The secondary endpoint was defined as AF recurrence after a single procedure. If the esophageal temperature probe registered >39 °C, the radiofrequency (RF) application was stopped immediately. RF applications could be performed in a point-by-point manner for a maximum of 20 s and 20 W. ETI was defined as any injury that resulted from AF ablation, including esophageal injury or periesophageal nerve injury (peri-ENI). RESULTS: The incidence of esophageal injury was significantly lower in patients whose AF ablation included ETM compared with patients without ETM (0 [0%] vs. 6 [7.5%], p=0.028), but not the incidence of peri-ENI (2 [2.5%] vs. 3 [3.8%], p=1.0). AF recurrence 12 months after the procedure was similar between the groups (20 [25%] in the ETM group vs. 19 [24%] in the non-ETM group, p=1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Catheter ablation using ETM may reduce the incidence of esophageal injury without increasing the incidence of AF recurrence but not the incidence of peri-ENI.

Incidence of esophageal injury after pulmonary vein isolation in patients with a low body mass index and esophageal temperature monitoring at a 39 °C setting.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal injury following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is reported to occur in 35% of patients. Even with a low energy setting (20-25 W), lesions develop in 10% of patients. Body mass index (BMI) has been reported to be a predictor of esophageal injury, indicating that patients with a low BMI (<24.9 kg/m(2)) are at a higher risk. We hypothesized that catheter ablation with a lower energy setting of 20 W controlled by esophageal temperature monitoring (ETM) at 39 °C could prevent esophageal injury even in patients with a BMI <24.9 kg/m(2). METHODS: Twenty patients with AF were included (age, 63±8 years; BMI, 22.9±1.3 kg/m(2), left atrium diameter, 44±11 mm). If the esophageal temperature probe registered a temperature of >39 °C, radiofrequency (RF) application was stopped immediately. RF application could be performed in a "point by point" manner for a maximum of 20 s. Endoscopy was performed 1-5 days after ablation. RESULTS: Esophageal mucosal injury was not observed in any patient in the study. CONCLUSIONS: Catheter ablation using ETM reduced the incidence of esophageal injuries, even in patients with a low BMI.

Visualizing radiofrequency lesions using delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging in patients with atrial fibrillation: A modification of the method used by the University of Utah group.

BACKGROUND: Atrial tissue fibrosis has previously been identified using delayed-enhancement MRI (DE-MRI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the clinical importance of DE-MRI is well recognized, the visualization of atrial fibrosis and radiofrequency (RF) lesions has still not been achieved in Japan, primarily because of the differences in contrast agents, volume-rendering tools, and technical experience. The objective of this study was to visualize RF lesions by using commercially available tools. METHODS: DE-MRI was performed in 15 patients who had undergone AF ablation (age, 59±4 years, left atrium diameter, 40±2 mm). Specific parameters for MR scanning obtained from previous reports were modified. RESULTS: Of the 15 images, the images of three patients were uninterpretable owing to low image quality. RF lesions could be visualized in 8 (67%) of the 12 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, we successfully demonstrated that RF lesions could be visualized in Japanese patients using DE-MRI, although only commercially available tools were used.

Visualization of the radiofrequency lesion after pulmonary vein isolation using delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging fused with magnetic resonance angiography.

BACKGROUND: The radiofrequency (RF) lesions for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can be visualized by delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI). However, the quality of anatomical information provided by DE-MRI is not adequate due to its spatial resolution. In contrast, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) provides similar information regarding the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) as computed tomography angiography. We hypothesized that DE-MRI fused with MRA will compensate for the inadequate image quality provided by DE-MRI. METHODS: DE-MRI and MRA were performed in 18 patients who underwent AF ablation (age, 60±9 years; LA diameter, 42±6 mm). Two observers independently assessed the DE-MRI and DE-MRI fused with MRA for visualization of the RF lesion (score 0-2; where 0: not visualized and 2: excellent in all 14 segments of the circular RF lesion). RESULTS: DE-MRI fused with MRA was successfully performed in all patients. The image quality score was significantly higher in DE-MRI fused with MRA compared to DE-MRI alone (observer 1: 22 (18, 25) vs 28 (28, 28), p<0.001; observer 2: 24 (23, 25) vs 28 (28, 28), p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: DE-MRI fused with MRA was superior to DE-MRI for visualization of the RF lesion owing to the precise information on LA and PV anatomy provided by DE-MRI.

Novel Compression Tool to Prevent Hematomas and Skin Erosions After Device Implantation.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of hematoma formation following implantation of a cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) is estimated to be 5% even if a pressure dressing is applied. It is unclear whether a pressure dressing can really compress the pocket in different positions. Furthermore, the adhesive tape for fixing pressure dressings can tear the skin. We developed a new compression tool for preventing hematomas and skin erosions. METHODS AND RESULTS: We divided 46 consecutive patients receiving anticoagulation therapy who underwent CIED implantation into 2 groups (Group I: conventional pressure dressing, Group II: new compression tool). The pressure on the pocket was measured in both the supine and standing positions. The incidence of hematomas was compared between the 2 groups. The pressure differed between the supine and standing positions in Group I, but not in Group II (Group I: 14.8±7.1 mmHg vs. 11.3±9.9 mmHg, P=0.013; Group II: 13.5±2.8 mmHg vs. 13.5±3.5 mmHg, P=0.99). The incidence of hematomas and skin erosions was documented in 2 (8.7%) and 3 (13%) Group I patients, respectively. No complications were documented in Group II. CONCLUSIONS: The new compression tool can provide adequate continuous pressure on the pocket, regardless of body position. This device may reduce the incidence of hematomas and skin erosions after CIED implantation.

Accuracy of nonstenotic coronary atherosclerosis assessment by multi-detector computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The ability to evaluate coronary stenosis using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) has been well discussed. In contrast, several studies demonstrated that the plaque burden measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has a relationship to the risk of cardiovascular events. the accuracy of MDCT was studied to determine plaque and vessel size compared with IVUS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-six proximal lesions (American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association classification: segment 1, 5, 6) from 33 patients were assessed using MDCT and IVUS. The plaque and vessel area were measured from the cross-sectional image using both MDCT and IVUS. Eight coronary artery lesions with motion artifacts and heavily calcified plaques were excluded from the analysis. The vessel and lumen size evaluated using MDCT were closely correlated with those evaluated by IVUS (R(2)=0.614, 0.750 respectively). Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between percentage plaque area assessed by MDCT and IVUS (R(2)=0.824). CONCLUSION: MDCT can noninvasively quantify coronary atherosclerotic plaque with good correlation compared with IVUS in patients with atherosclerosis.