First successful implementation of subintimal transcatheter withdrawal technique in intravascular ultrasound-guided tip detection antegrade dissection and reentry: a case report.

Background: Antegrade dissection and reentry (ADR) is an effective technique for wire passage in chronic total occlusion (CTO), and in recent years, the effectiveness of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided tip detection (TD)-ADR has been reported. However, the expansion of the subintimal space serves as a significant obstacle to the success of ADR, posing a limitation to the procedure. Case summary: We present the first case of using IVUS-guided TD-ADR with the subintimal transcatheter withdrawal (STRAW) technique. The patient was a 68-year-old Asian female with effort angina pectoris and a CTO in the middle section of the right coronary artery (RCA). Two previous attempts at percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the RCA at another hospital were unsuccessful. During the third attempt PCI, the antegrade wire migrated into the subintimal space. To address this, we performed IVUS-guided TD-ADR using the Conquest Pro 12 Sharpened Tip (CP12ST; Asahi Intecc, Aichi, Japan) wire. However, due to the expansion of the subintimal space, we were unable to puncture the true lumen. To reduce the subintimal space, we employed the STRAW technique, which allowed successful puncture of the true lumen using the CP12ST wire. Finally, stenting was performed, resulting in satisfactory antegrade blood flow. Discussion: Intravascular ultrasound-guided TD provides accurate guidance for puncturing in ADR procedures, but the expansion of the subintimal space remains a significant challenge. The STRAW technique offers a solution by reducing the subintimal space and enabling successful puncture of the true lumen during IVUS-guided TD-ADR.

CVIT expert consensus document on primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) update 2022.

Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) has significantly contributed to reducing the mortality of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) even in cardiogenic shock and is now the standard of care in most of Japanese institutions. The Task Force on Primary PCI of the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Interventional and Therapeutics (CVIT) society proposed an expert consensus document for the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) focusing on procedural aspects of primary PCI in 2018. Updated guidelines for the management of AMI were published by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in 2017 and 2020. Major changes in the guidelines for STEMI patients included: (1) radial access and drug-eluting stents (DES) over bare-metal stents (BMS) were recommended as a Class I indication, (2) complete revascularization before hospital discharge (either immediate or staged) is now considered as Class IIa recommendation. In 2020, updated guidelines for Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) patients, the followings were changed: (1) an early invasive strategy within 24 h is recommended in patients with NSTEMI as a Class I indication, (2) complete revascularization in NSTEMI patients without cardiogenic shock is considered as Class IIa recommendation, and (3) in patients with atrial fibrillation following a short period of triple antithrombotic therapy, dual antithrombotic therapy (e.g., DOAC and single oral antiplatelet agent preferably clopidogrel) is recommended, with discontinuation of the antiplatelet agent after 6 to 12 months. Furthermore, an aspirin-free strategy after PCI has been investigated in several trials those have started to show the safety and efficacy. The Task Force on Primary PCI of the CVIT group has now proposed the updated expert consensus document for the management of AMI focusing on procedural aspects of primary PCI in 2022 version.

Efficacy and safety of tolvaptan in acute heart failure patients during long-distance transportation.

AIMS: Treating patients with acute heart failure is difficult at the local hospitals in medically depopulated areas where cardiologists are generally absent. These patients require long-distance and time-consuming transportation to the intensive care units. It is well known that tolvaptan is effective for the treatment of congestive heart failure, but the effect of prehospital tolvaptan use in patients is not well evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of prehospital tolvaptan use in patients with acute congestive heart failure who require long-distance and time-consuming transportation. METHODS: This retrospective study included 30 patients who were newly diagnosed with acute heart failure at Wakkanai City Hospital and transported to Nayoro City General Hospital between January 2013 and May 2020. The patients were classified into those who received tolvaptan (tolvaptan group, n = 18) and did not receive tolvaptan (control group, n = 12). RESULTS: The percentage of patient survival at discharge did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups (100% [tolvaptan] vs. 91% [control], p = 0.414). During transportation, the percentage of patients in the tolvaptan group who required increased oxygen doses was statistically significantly lower than that in the control group (0% vs. 36%, p = 0.0181). Patients in the tolvaptan group had statistically significantly shorter intensive care unit stays (median: 2 days vs. 6 days, p = 0.0376), less days to discontinuation of oxygen (median: 2.8 days vs. 6.9 days, p < 0.00125), and less days to ambulation (median: 1.5 days vs. 7.5 days, p = 0.0362) compared with the control group. In the tolvaptan group, blood pressure was not different; however, heart rate was statistically significantly reduced (99 ± 21 vs. 88 ± 21 beats per minute, p = 0.016) during transportation. CONCLUSION: The use of tolvaptan in patients with acute heart failure requiring long-distance transport is safe and may show better clinical course compared with conventional therapies.

Insufficient recovery of fractional flow reserve even after optimal implantation of drug-eluting stents: 3-year outcomes from the FUJI study.

BACKGROUND: Adequate improvement in fractional flow reserve (FFR) is not necessarily achieved in some cases of drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation, even when imaging confirms successful placement. We hypothesized that post-stent FFR may be associated with advanced diffuse atherosclerotic condition. We explored the relationships between FFR values after DES implantation (post-stent FFR). METHODS: A total of 218 patients were included in this prospective, multicenter study and were divided into two groups: adequate FFR group (post-stent FFR >0.80, n=176) and inadequate FFR group (post-stent FFR ≤0.80, n=42). The primary endpoint was a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) including cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), unplanned coronary revascularization, and hospitalization for heart failure. The secondary endpoints were event rate of all-cause death, non-fatal MI, unplanned coronary revascularization, non-fatal stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure. RESULTS: During follow-up of 31.4±8.7 months, 34 patients (16%) had cardiovascular events. Inadequate FFR group was significantly associated with higher risk of MACE (hazard ratio: 3.86; 95% confidence interval: 1.17-12.76, p=0.026; log-rank p=0.027). In particular, the incidence of unplanned coronary revascularization on non-target lesions was significantly higher in the inadequate FFR group (log-rank p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Post-stent FFR ≤0.80 was associated with a high incidence of non-target lesion revascularization and could be a surrogate marker for advanced atherosclerotic condition in the vessels of the entire coronary artery.

Questionnaire in patients with aborted sudden cardiac death due to coronary spasm in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the medical or mechanical therapy, and the present knowledge of Japanese cardiologists about aborted sudden cardiac death (ASCD) due to coronary spasm. METHODS: A questionnaire was developed regarding the number of cases of ASCD, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), and medical therapy in ASCD patients due to coronary spasm. The questionnaire was sent to the Japanese general institutions at random in 204 cardiology hospitals. RESULTS: The completed surveys were returned from 34 hospitals, giving a response rate of 16.7%. All SCD during the 5 years was observed in 5726 patients. SCD possibly due to coronary spasm was found in 808 patients (14.0%) and ASCD due to coronary spasm was observed in 169 patients (20.9%). In 169 patients with ASCD due to coronary spasm, one or two coronary vasodilators was administered in two-thirds of patients [113 patients (66.9%)], while more than 3 coronary vasodilators were found in 56 patients (33.1%). ICD was implanted in 117 patients with ASCD due to coronary spasm among these periods including 35 cases with subcutaneous ICD. Majority of cause of ASCD was ventricular fibrillation, whereas pulseless electrical activity was observed in 18 patients and complete atrioventricular block was recognized in 7 patients. Mean coronary vasodilator number in ASCD patients with ICD was significantly lower than that in those without ICD (2.1 ± 0.9 vs. 2.6 ± 1.0, p < 0.001). Although 16 institutions thought that the spasm provocation tests under the medications had some clinical usefulness of suppressing the next fatal arrhythmias, spasm provocation tests under the medication were performed in just 4 institutions. CONCLUSIONS: In the real world, there was no fundamental strategy for patients with ASCD due to coronary spasm. Each institution has each strategy for these patients. Cardiologists should have the same strategy and the same knowledge about ASCD patients due to coronary spasm in the future.

Clinical experience of idarucizumab use in cases of cardiac tamponade under uninterrupted anticoagulation of dabigatran during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Anticoagulants are prescribed for prevention of thromboembolic events (TE) of atrial fibrillation (AF), however, their effects have a negative impact on disastrous bleeding outcomes. Idarucizumab was developed to reverse the anticoagulation effects of dabigatran. This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of idarucizumab in the setting of progressive emergent bleeding events associated with catheter ablation (CA). Dabigatran is given uninterruptedly as an anticoagulant in patients undergoing CA of AF. The capacity of idarucizumab to reverse the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran in patients with cardiac tamponade associated with CA was examined by measuring the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), active clotting time (ACT), and prothrombin international normalizing ratio (PT-INR). The primary endpoint was effective hemostasis. This analysis included 21 patients receiving idarucizumab, given for restoration of hemostasis. In all 21 patients, hemostasis was restored at a median of 205.6 ± 14.8 min. Normal intraoperative cessation of bleeding was reported in 16 patients, and completion of hemostasis was also ascertained in the remaining four within 5 h. No TEs occurred within 72 h after the idarucizumab administration. Despite a significant reduction in the aPTT and ACT, no significant change was observed in PT-INR after administering idarucizumab. In emergency situations, idarucizumab was able to reverse dabigatran within a relatively short period without any serious adverse events.

Apixaban versus Warfarin for the Prevention of Periprocedural Cerebral Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Multicenter Prospective Randomized Study.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke can be a life-threatening complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation. Uninterrupted warfarin treatment contributes to minimizing the risk of stroke complications. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a prospective, open-label, randomized, multicenter study assessing the safety and efficacy of apixaban for the prevention of cerebral thromboembolism complicating AF catheter ablation. Two hundred patients with drug-resistant AF were equally assigned to take either apixaban (5 mg or 2.5 mg twice daily) or warfarin (target international normalized ratio, 2-3) for at least 1 month before AF ablation. Neither drug regimen was interrupted throughout the operative period. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed for all patients to detect silent cerebral infarction (SCI) after the ablation. Primary outcomes were defined as the occurrence of stroke, transient ischemic attack, SCI, or major bleeding that required intervention. The secondary outcome was minor bleeding. The groups did not statistically differ in patients' backgrounds or procedural parameters. During AF ablation, the apixaban group required administration of more heparin to maintain an activated clotting time > 300 seconds than the warfarin group (apixaban, 14,000 ± 4,000 units; warfarin, 9,000 ± 3,000 units). Three primary outcome events occurred in each group (apixaban, 2 SCI and 1 major bleed; warfarin, 3 SCI, P = 1.00), and 3 and 4 secondary outcome events occurred in the apixaban and warfarin groups (P = 0.70), respectively. CONCLUSION: Apixaban has similar safety and effectiveness to warfarin for the prevention of cerebral thromboembolism during the periprocedural period of AF ablation.

Impaired ventricular repolarization dynamics in patients with early repolarization syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Almost all current investigations on early repolarization syndrome (ERS) have focused on the J-wave characteristics and ST-segment configuration; however, few have reported on ventricular repolarization indexes in ERS. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 145 subjects were enrolled: 10 ERS patients, 45 uneventful ER pattern (ERP) subjects, and 90 healthy controls without J waves or ST-segment elevation. Ambulatory ECG-derived parameters (QT, QTc(B), QTc(F), T peak-Tend(Tpe), and QT/RR slope) were measured and statistically compared. Among the groups, there was no significant difference in the average QT and QTc(B); however, ERS patients had the shortest QTc(F) and longest Tpe (QTc(F): 396.2 ± 19 vs 410.4 ± 20 vs 419.2 ± 19 milliseconds, P = 0.036, Tpe: 84.9 ± 12 vs 70.4 ± 11 vs 66.9 ± 15 milliseconds, P < 0.001, for the ERS, ERP, and control groups, respectively). Importantly, the 24-hour QT/RR slope was significantly smaller in the ERS than ERP and control groups (QT/RR: 0.105 ± 0.01 vs 0.154 ± 0.02 vs 0.161 ± 0.03, respectively; P < 0.001). When analyzing the diurnal and nocturnal QT/RR slopes, ERS patients had small diurnal and nocturnal QT/RR slopes while the ERP and control groups had large diurnal and small nocturnal QT/RR slopes (diurnal QT/RR: 0. 077 ± 0.01 vs 0.132 ± 0.03 vs 0.143 ± 0.03, P < 0.001; nocturnal QT/RR: 0.093 ± 0.02 vs 0.129 ± 0.03 vs 0.130 ± 0.04, P = 0.02 in the ERS, ERP, and control groups, respectively). CONCLUSION: ERS patients had a continuously depressed diurnal and nocturnal adaptation of the QT interval to the heart rate. Such abnormal repolarization dynamics might provide a substrate for reentry and be an important element for developing ventricular fibrillation in the ERS cohort.

A randomized comparison of sirolimus- vs. paclitaxel-eluting stents for treatment of bifurcation lesions by single stent and kissing balloon: results of the SINGLE KISS trial.

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of bifurcation lesions, routine stenting of both branches has thus far failed to demonstrate a clear clinical advantage over a provisional one-stent strategy. On the other hand, large scale data evaluating different stent types for clinical outcomes after one-stent treatment with final kissing inflation (FKI) of bifurcation lesions is also limited. This prospective study evaluated the clinical and angiographic outcomes of paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) vs. sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in single crossover main branch stenting followed by FKI in patients with bifurcation lesions. METHODS: We randomized 800 patients with single bifurcation lesions to PES (n=400) and SES (n=400) groups. RESULTS: Crossover rates to the two-stent strategy were low in both groups (PES 1.5%, SES 2.8%; p=0.23). At 1 year, there was no significant difference in the primary endpoint of this study, target lesion revascularization rate (PES 3.8%, SES 3.2%, hazard ratio 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.39 to 1.76; p=0.62). Stent thrombosis occurred in only 1 case in the SES group after 282 days. At 9 months, a total of 593 patients underwent quantitative coronary measurement. The main branch restenosis rate in the PES group was significantly higher than that of the SES group (PES 12.2%, SES 5.5%; p=0.004), however both groups exhibited similar high side branch restenosis rates (PES 17.2%, SES 19.3%; p=0.6). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with bifurcation lesions, a single stent strategy using PES and SES with FKI indicated similar 1 year clinical outcomes and safety profiles.

Acute myocardial infarction with a left main trunk lesion and documented lambda-like J waves.

We herein describe a case of a myocardial infarction, in which Lambda-like J waves were documented. The patient was referred to our hospital due to ventricular fibrillation. The twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) on admission showed prominent J waves in the lateral and precordial leads. Coronary angiography revealed 99% stenosis with a delay in the left anterior descending artery, 75% stenosis in the left main trunk, and possible ischemia in the conus branch. Our report addresses the possibility that ischemic J waves can be used as an important marker for lethal arrhythmias in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Possible contribution of ischemia of the conus branch to induction or augmentation of Brugada type electrocardiographic changes in patients with coronary artery disease.

Recent evidence suggests an association between vasospastic angina and Brugada syndrome. Here we present two cases of coronary artery disease who presented with ECG abnormalities which might have been provoked or enhanced by ischemia of the conus branch of the right coronary artery. The 12-lead ECGs demonstrated normal sinus rhythm in these two cases. Interestingly, a saddle back or coved type ST segment elevation in leads V1-V3 was documented either in the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedure of the proximal right coronary artery or with an intracoronary acetylcholine (Ach) administration into the right coronary artery. These Brugada type ECG changes were restored to the baseline ECG waveform after improvement in the ischemia. In the second case, vasospasms of the conus branch of the right coronary artery were associated with a coved type ST segment elevation in leads V1 to V2. We discuss the possible interaction between ischemia caused by conus branch lesions and Brugada type electrocardiographic changes.

A case of Brugada syndrome in which diurnal ECG changes were associated with circadian rhythms of sex hormones.

We describe a thought-provoking case of Brugada syndrome in which a relationship between the diurnal electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and sex hormone levels was observed. A 36-year-old man who experienced cardiac arrest was referred to our hospital. He had a family history of sudden cardiac death. The 12-lead ECG exhibited a mild coved type ST-segment elevation in leads V1 and V2, which was enhanced by intravenous pilsicainide injection. Hence, this case was diagnosed as Brugada syndrome. The circadian rhythm of the serum testosterone level revealed low levels in the daytime (1.66-1.99 ng/mL) and high levels (2.52-3.42 ng/mL) in the nighttime. Interestingly, augmentation of the ST segment elevation and widening of the P wave were observed at around 2:00 AM, when the serum testosterone was recorded at its highest. Our report discusses the influence of the circadian rhythms of sex hormones on the ECG changes in Brugada syndrome.

Brugada syndrome case: difficult differentiation between a concealed form and tricyclic antidepressant-induced Brugada sign.

We describe a case of Brugada syndrome, in which recurrent syncope with convulsive seizures was induced after antidepressant treatment. The patient had been treated with five kinds of psychotropic drugs. The twelve-lead ECG after the syncope exhibited an RSR'-pattern in the precordial leads, however, a coved type ST-segment elevation was induced by a pilsicainide test. Although ventricular fibrillation was not induced in the electrophysiologic study, an ICD implantation was considered as the recommended therapy since Brugada syndrome unmasked by antidepressants could not be ruled out. The possible contribution of antidepressants to Brugada type ST-segment changes is discussed.

Brugada syndrome whose ST-segment changes were enhanced by antihistamines and antiallergenic drugs.

We describe a case of Brugada syndrome, in which a coved type ST-segment elevation was enhanced by antihistamines and antiallergenic drugs. The patient had been treated with four kinds of antihistamines and antiallergenic drugs. The twelve-lead ECG exhibited a coved type ST-segment elevation in leads V(1) and V(2), and their enhancement was induced by pilsicainide. After discontinuing those drugs, the ST segment elevation in leads V(1) and V(2) became reduced. An ICD implantation was selected for the therapy since ventricular fibrillation was induced. Our report discusses the possible contribution of antihistamines and antiallergenic drugs to the Brugada type ST-segment changes.