Characteristics of Metachronous Remnant Gastric Cancer After Proximal Gastrectomy: A Retrospective Analysis.

PURPOSE: Despite annual endoscopy, patients with metachronous remnant gastric cancer (MRGC) following proximal gastrectomy (PG) are at times ineligible for endoscopic resection (ER). This study aimed to clarify the clinical risk factors for ER inapplicability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 203 patients who underwent PG for cT1 gastric cancer between 2006 and 2015. The remnant stomach was categorized as a pseudofornix, corpus, or antrum. RESULTS: Thirty-two MRGCs were identified in the 29 patients. Twenty MRGCs were classified as ER (ER group, 62.5%), whereas 12 were not (non-ER group, 37.5%). MRGCs were located in the pseudo-fornix in 1, corpus in 5, and antrum in 14 in the ER group, and in the pseudo-fornix in 6, corpus in 4, and antrum in 2 in the non-ER group (P=0.019). Multivariate analysis revealed that the pseudo-fornix was an independent risk factor for non-ER (P=0.014). In the non-ER group, MRGCs at the pseudo-fornix (n=6) had more frequent undifferentiated-type histology (4/6 vs. 0/6), deeper (≥pT1b2; 6/6 vs. 2/6) and nodal metastasis (3/6 vs. 0/6) than non-pseudo-fornix lesions (n=6). We examined the visibility of the region developing MRGC on an annual follow-up endoscopy one year before MRGC detection. In seven lesions at the pseudofornix, visibility was only secured in two (28.6%) because of food residues. Of the 25 lesions in the non-pseudo-fornix, visibility was secured in 21 lesions (84%; P=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic visibility increases the chances of ER applicability. Special preparation is required to ensure the complete clearance of food residues in the pseudo-fornix.

Impact of the Clinical Frailty Scale on Long-term Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

BACKGROUND: The semiquantitative Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is reportedly a useful marker for predicting short- and mid-term mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We assessed the long-term prognostic impact of CFS in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI. METHODS: We prospectively assessed patients undergoing TAVI in Kokura Memorial Hospital using a 9-level CFS and enrolled 1594 patients after excluding patients with CFS 8-9. The patients were divided into the low (CFS level, 1-3; N = 842), intermediate (4; N = 469), and high (5-7; N = 283) groups according to their CFS levels. RESULTS: In the low, intermediate, and high groups, 3-year all-cause mortality rates were 17.4%, 29.4%, and 41.7% (P <0.001) and composite rates of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalization were 12.1%, 19.1%, and 23.9% (P <0.001), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that higher frailty was independently associated with all-cause mortality (intermediate group: adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.15, P <0.001; high group: adjusted HR, 2.18, 95% CI, 1.59-2.99, P <0.001) and composite of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure hospitalization (intermediate group: adjusted HR, 1.47, 95% CI, 1.04-2.08, P = 0.030; high group: adjusted HR, 1.66, 95% CI, 1.09-2.51, P = 0.018) and this result was consistent, irrespective of stratification based on age, sex, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, and New York Heart Association functional class without significant interaction. CONCLUSIONS: The simple CFS tool predicts the long-term adverse outcomes post-TAVI.

Key nodal stations for predicting splenic hilar nodal metastasis in upper advanced gastric cancer without invasion of the greater curvature.

Background: Standard surgery for upper advanced gastric cancer without invasion of the greater curvature (UGC-GC) is spleen-preserving D2 total gastrectomy without dissection of the splenic-hilar nodes (#10). However, some patients with nodal metastasis to #10 survive more than 5 years due to nodal dissection of #10. If nodal metastasis to #10 is predictable based on the positivity of other nodes dissected by the current standard surgery without #10 nodal dissection, physicians may be able to consider #10 dissection. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed data from the National Cancer Center Hospital in Japan between 2000 and 2012. We selected cases that met the following criteria: (1) D2 or more total gastrectomy with splenectomy, (2) UGC-GC, and (3) histological type is gastric adenocarcinoma. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses concerning lymph node stations associated with #10 metastasis. Results: A total of 366 patients were examined. A multivariate analysis revealed that #10 metastasis was associated with positivity of the nodes along the short gastric arteries (#4sa) and distal nodes along the splenic artery (#11d) (#4sa: p = 0.003, #11d: p = 0.016). When either key node was positive, the metastatic rate of #10 was 24.4%, and the therapeutic value index was 13.3. Conclusions: #4sa and #11d were key lymph nodes predicting #10 nodal metastasis in UGC-GC. When these key nodes are positive on computed tomography before surgery or according to a rapid pathological examination during surgery, dissection of #10 should be considered even if upper advanced tumors are not invading the greater curvature.

Successful Balloon-Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Extremely Large Annulus (>1,000 mm2).

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in extra-large annulus is challenging because of the limited sizes and data of the current commercial prosthesis sizes available. We present a case of successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a new balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve for an aortic annulus area >1,000 mm2 on computed tomography.

Clinically significant incidental noncardiac findings on preprocedural computed tomography in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing aortic-valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: There is a scarcity of data on the prevalence of abnormal findings on preprocedural computed tomography (CT) before aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). METHODS: Among consecutive 593 patients with severe AS who were planned to undergo AVR, we evaluated the prevalence of clinically significant incidental noncardiac findings on preprocedural CT. Clinically significant incidental noncardiac findings were defined as newly detected abnormalities that required therapy, consultation for expert, further investigation, or clinical follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age was 82.0 years and 39.5 % of the patients were men. Of those, 78.4 % of the patients were treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and 21.6 % of the patients were treated with surgical AVR (SAVR). There were 271 clinically significant incidental noncardiac findings in 227 patients (38.3 %) including 2.5 % of malignancy. The prevalence of clinically significant incidental noncardiac findings were higher in the TAVI group than in the SAVR group (40.2 % versus 31.3 %). The prevalence of clinically significant incidental noncardiac findings were lower in patients under 60 years of age (10.0 %) than in patients over 60 years of age (60-69 years: 40.0 %, 70-79 years: 34.3 %, 80-89 years: 39.7 %, and ≥90 years: 42.1 %). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically significant incidental noncardiac findings were newly identified on preprocedural CT in approximately 40 % of patients with severe AS undergoing AVR including 2.5 % of malignancy.

Carcinoid Heart Disease With Hypoxemia.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) complicated with carcinoid heart disease (CHD) can cause severe hypoxia and worsening clinical conditions. We report the case of a patient with CHD in poor general condition with multiple severe valve regurgitations and PFO, who underwent successful percutaneous closure of the PFO.

Long-term prognostic value of the H2FPEF score in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

AIMS: A considerable proportion of candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have underlying heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which can be challenging for diagnosis because significant valvular heart disease should be excluded before diagnosing HFpEF. This study investigated the long-term prognostic value of the pre-procedural H2FPEF score in patients with preserved ejection fraction (EF) undergoing TAVI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients who underwent TAVI between October 2013 and May 2017 were enrolled from the Optimized CathEter vAlvular iNtervention-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Japanese multicentre registry. After excluding 914 patients, 1674 patients with preserved EF ≥ 50% (median age: 85 years, 72% female) were selected for calculation of the H2FPEF score and were dichotomized into two groups: the low H2FPEF score [0-5 points; n = 1399 (83.6%)] group and the high H2FPEF score [6-9 points; n = 275 (16.4%)] group. Patients with high H2FPEF scores were associated with a higher prevalence of New York Heart Association Functional Class III/IV (59.3% vs. 43.7%, P < 0.001), diabetes (24.4% vs. 18.5%, P = 0.03), and paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (15.9% vs. 6.2%, P < 0.001). These patients showed worse prognoses than those with low H2FPEF scores regarding the cumulative 2 year all-cause mortality (26.3% vs. 15.5%, log-rank P < 0.001), cardiovascular mortality (10.5% vs. 5.4%, log-rank P < 0.001), HF hospitalization (16.2% vs. 6.7%, log-rank P < 0.001), and the composite endpoint of cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalization (23.8% vs. 10.8%, log-rank P < 0.001). After adjustment for several confounders, the high H2FPEF scores were independently associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.48; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-2.00; P = 0.011] and for the composite endpoint of cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalization (adjusted HR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.38-2.74; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis confirmed the excess risk of high H2FPEF scores relative to low H2FPEF scores for the composite endpoint of cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalization increased with a lower Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score (STS score <8%: adjusted HR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.50-3.85; P < 0.001; STS score ≥8%: adjusted HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.79-2.28; P = 0.28; Pinteraction = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: The H2FPEF score is useful for predicting long-term adverse outcomes after TAVI, including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and HF hospitalization for patients with preserved EF. More aggressive interventions targeting HFpEF in addition to the TAVI procedure might be relevant in patients with high H2FPEF scores, particularly in those with a lower surgical risk.

Impact of D2 Total Gastrectomy Including Splenectomy for Scirrhous Gastric Cancer in the Era of Effective Adjuvant Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Total gastrectomy with D2 dissection including splenectomy (TGS) is usually selected for locally resectable scirrhous gastric cancer (SGC), which was established in the era of surgery alone. However, it remains unclear whether TGS for SGC is justified in the era of effective adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: This study included 112 SGC patients, consisting of 60 cases treated between January 2000 and December 2006 (Former group), and 52 cases treated between January 2007 and December 2016 (Latter group). We collected clinicopathological data and then examined the survival and the therapeutic value indexes. RESULTS: The background characteristics were well-balanced, except for sex and physical status. The Latter group might be characterized by frequent female (P = 0.037) and poorer physical status (P = 0.048). Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 86.5% of the Latter group and was 11.7% of the Former group (P < 0.001). The 5-year-overall survival rate of the Latter group was 58.7% (95% confidence interval: 43.5-71.1), seems better than that of the Former group (44.5%; 95% confidence interval 31.7-56.6) (hazard ratio = 0.758, P = 0.291). Improvement of the index from the Former group was observed in the Latter group at almost all stations. The ratio of the index between two groups was 1.42 at the D1 station and 1.67 at the D2 station. Index of splenic hilar node ranked similarly high in both groups. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic value index was improved in almost all nodal stations by S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy, especially in D2 nodes. TGS would be more important for locally resectable SGC in the era of effective adjuvant chemotherapy.

Assessing Potential Risks of Future Redo Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Asian Patients.

Background: In the Asian cohort, data are limited on the risk for coronary obstruction due to sinus of Valsalva (SOV) sequestration in redo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the potential risk for coronary obstruction in simulated redo TAVR in Asian patients. Methods: Post-TAVR computed tomographic data from 788 patients who received balloon-expandable (BE) SAPIEN 3 transcatheter aortic valves (TAVs) and 334 patients who received self-expanding (SE) Evolut R or Evolut PRO TAVs were analyzed. The risk for coronary obstruction due to SOV sequestration in redo TAVR, defined as the TAV commissure level above the sinotubular junction (STJ) and a TAV-to-STJ distance <2.0 mm in each coronary sinus, was retrospectively evaluated. Results: The potential risks for coronary obstruction due to SOV sequestration at 1 or both coronary arteries were identified in 52.1% of the BE TAV group and 71.3% of the SE TAV group (P < 0.001). After adjusting for multiple covariates, STJ diameter, STJ height, TAV oversizing degree by area, and implantation depth were independently associated with SOV sequestration risk in the BE TAV group, whereas STJ diameter and implantation depth were independently associated with SOV sequestration risk in the SE TAV group. Conclusions: Coronary obstruction due to SOV sequestration in redo TAVR may occur in a substantial number of Asian patients. This finding suggests the importance of considering the structural feasibility of future redo TAVR when implanting the first TAV, especially in Asian patients with long life expectancy.

Precancerous nature of intestinal metaplasia with increased chance of conversion and accelerated DNA methylation.

OBJECTIVE: The presence of intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a risk factor for gastric cancer. However, it is still controversial whether IM itself is precancerous or paracancerous. Here, we aimed to explore the precancerous nature of IM by analysing epigenetic alterations. DESIGN: Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was conducted by EPIC BeadArray using IM crypts isolated by Alcian blue staining. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing for H3K27ac and single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin by sequencing were conducted using IM mucosa. NOS2 was induced using Tet-on gene expression system in normal cells. RESULTS: IM crypts had a methylation profile unique from non-IM crypts, showing extensive DNA hypermethylation in promoter CpG islands, including those of tumour-suppressor genes. Also, the IM-specific methylation profile, namely epigenetic footprint, was present in a fraction of gastric cancers with a higher frequency than expected, and suggested to be associated with good overall survival. IM organoids had remarkably high NOS2 expression, and NOS2 induction in normal cells led to accelerated induction of aberrant DNA methylation, namely epigenetic instability, by increasing DNA methyltransferase activity. IM mucosa showed dynamic enhancer reprogramming, including the regions involved in higher NOS2 expression. NOS2 had open chromatin in IM cells but not in gastric cells, and IM cells had frequent closed chromatin of tumour-suppressor genes, indicating their methylation-silencing. NOS2 expression in IM-derived organoids was upregulated by interleukin-17A, a cytokine secreted by extracellular bacterial infection. CONCLUSIONS: IM cells were considered to have a precancerous nature potentially with an increased chance of converting into cancer cells, and an accelerated DNA methylation induction due to abnormal NOS2 expression.

Impact of Transjugular Intracardiac Echocardiography-Guided Self-Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation on Reduction of Conduction Disturbances.

BACKGROUND: A high permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) risk remains a concern of self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation, despite the continued improvements in implantation methodology. We aimed to assess the impact of real-time direct visualization of the membranous septum using transjugular intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) during transcatheter aortic valve implantation on reducing the rates of conduction disturbances including the need for PPI. METHODS: Consecutive patients treated with Evolut R and Evolut PRO/PRO+ from February 2017 to September 2022 were included in this study. We compared outcomes between the conventional implantation method using the 3-cusps view (3 cusps without ICE group), the recent method using cusp-overlap view (cusp overlap without ICE group), and our novel method using ICE (cusp overlap with ICE group). RESULTS: Of the 446 patients eligible for analysis, 211 (47.3%) were categorized as the 3 cusps without ICE group, 129 (28.9%) were in the cusp overlap without ICE group, and 106 (23.8%) comprised the cusp overlap with ICE group. Compared with the 3 cusps without ICE group, the cusp overlap without ICE group had a smaller implantation depth (2.2 [interquartile range, 1.0-3.5] mm versus 4.3 [interquartile range, 3.3-5.4] mm; P<0.001) and lower 30-day PPI rates (7.0% versus 14.2%; P=0.035). Compared with the cusp overlap without ICE group, the cusp overlap with ICE group had lower 30-day PPI rates (0.9%; P=0.014), albeit with comparable implantation depths (1.9 [interquartile range, 0.9-2.9] mm; P=0.150). Multivariable analysis showed that our novel method using ICE with the cusp-overlap view was independently associated with a 30-day PPI rate reduction. There were no group differences in 30-day all-cause mortality (1.4% versus 1.6% versus 0%; P=0.608). CONCLUSIONS: Our novel implantation method using transjugular ICE, which enable real-time direct visualization of the membranous septum, achieved a predictably high position of prostheses, resulting in a substantial reduction of conduction disturbances requiring PPI after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Zero-Contrast Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) usually requires contrast medium during the procedure. However, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of developing contrast nephropathy. This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of zero-contrast LAAC in patients with CKD.Methods and Results: Zero-contrast LAAC was attempted in 15 patients with CKD Stages 3b-5 who were not on hemodialysis. All procedures were performed successfully, without any periprocedural complications. At the 45-day follow-up, no device-related complications or acute kidney disease were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy of zero-contrast LAAC in patients with CKD can be an acceptable option.

Acceleration of sarcopenia in elderly patients who develop asymptomatic pneumonia shadow within one year after surgery for early gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although early gastric cancer is curable with local treatment, the overall survival in elderly patients did not reach 80% at five years after surgery. The major cause of death in elderly patients with early gastric cancer is not cancer itself but is related to postoperative sarcopenia. Elderly patients frequently develop postoperative asymptomatic pneumonia shadow, which is associated with a poor prognosis. However, why asymptomatic pneumonia shadow worsens the prognosis remains unclear. We investigated whether sarcopenia is accelerated in patients who developed asymptomatic pneumonia shadow. METHODS: We retrospectively examined patients of > 75 years of age who underwent R0 gastrectomy for gastric cancer and were diagnosed with T1 disease at National Cancer Center Hospital between 2005 and 2012. The diagnosis of asymptomatic pneumonia shadow was defined by diagnostic findings of pneumonia (consolidation type, reticular type, and nodular type) which were newly observed on chest computed tomography performed one year after surgery in comparison to preoperative computed tomography. Postoperative muscle loss was assessed by a computed tomography-based analysis using the L3 skeletal muscle index before and two years after surgery and the rate of decrease was calculated. Patients were classified into two groups according to the rate of decrease (cut-off value: 10%). RESULTS: Of the 3412 patients who underwent gastrectomy in our hospital during the study period, 142 were included in this study. Asymptomatic pneumonia shadow was found in 26 patients (18%). Patients who developed asymptomatic pneumonia shadow showed a significantly greater loss of muscle volume in comparison to patients who did not develop asymptomatic pneumonia shadow. In the multivariate analysis, total gastrectomy and asymptomatic pneumonia shadow were the independent risk factors for severe muscle loss. However, there was no significant difference in prognosis between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia was accelerated in elderly patients who developed asymptomatic pneumonia shadow after surgery for early gastric cancer. However, the poor prognosis in these patients may not be related to accelerated sarcopenia.

Possible candidates for splenic hilar nodal dissection among patients with upper advanced gastric cancer without invasion of the greater curvature.

BACKGROUND: Spleen preserving D2 total gastrectomy without dissection of the splenic hilar nodes (#10) is a standard operation for upper advanced gastric cancer without invasion of the greater curvature (UGC-wGC). However, some patients with #10 metastasis have survived after splenectomy with dissection of #10. This study explored possible candidates for dissection of #10 among patients with UGC-wGC by examining the metastatic rate and the therapeutic index. METHODS: This study retrospectively reviewed data of patients treated in National Cancer Center Hospital (Japan) between 2000 and 2012. We applied the following inclusion criteria: (1) ≥ D2 total gastrectomy with splenectomy, (2) UGC-wGC, and (3) gastric adenocarcinoma histology. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for #10 metastasis. RESULTS: A total of 366 patients were examined; #10 metastasis was observed in 4.4% (16/366). The multivariate analysis revealed that location (posterior vs. others, P = 0.025) and histology (undifferentiated vs. differentiated, P = 0.048) were significant factors for #10 metastasis among sex, age, tumor size, dominant circumferential location, macroscopic type, depth of invasion, and histology. The incidence of #10 metastasis was 14.9% (7/47) for tumors located on the posterior wall with undifferentiated type histology. The 5-year overall survival rate of these patients was 42.9%, and the therapeutic index was 6.38, which was the second highest value among the second-tier nodal stations. CONCLUSION: Even for upper advanced gastric cancer without invasion of the greater curvature, dissection of #10 could be justified for tumors located on the posterior wall with undifferentiated type histology.

Impact of D2 Gastrectomy for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer in the Era of Effective Adjuvant Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Gastrectomy with D2 dissection has been established as the standard procedure for locally advanced gastric cancer in the era of surgery alone. However, no consideration has been given to the efficacy of dissection in the era of effective adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: This study included 1298 advanced gastric cancer patients, consisting of 725 cases treated between January 2000 and December 2006 (Former group), and 573 cases treated between January 2007 and July 2015 (Latter group). Clinicopathological data were collected, survival and the therapeutic value index were determined. RESULTS: The background characteristics were well balanced, except for age, tumor location, and intraoperative blood loss. The Latter group showed the following characteristics: an older population (p < 0.001), a frequent upper location (p = 0.008), and less blood loss (p < 0.001). Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 75.2% of the Latter group and was 9.4% in the Former group. The 5-year overall survival rate of the Latter group was 75.7% (95% confidence interval: 71.7-79.1), significantly better than that of the Former group (70.0%, 95% confidence interval: 66.5-73.2) (p = 0.025). Improvement in the index from the Former group was observed in the Latter group at almost all stations. The ratio of the index between these two groups was 1.09 at the D1 station and 1.19 at the D2 station. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic value index was improved in all nodal stations by S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy, regardless of whether the D1 or D2 nodes were involved. D2 gastrectomy would be still important for locally advanced gastric cancer in the era of effective adjuvant chemotherapy.

[Gentle Method to Elevate Left Liver Lobe in Robot Assisted Gastrectomy].

Robot-assisted gastrectomy with the Davinci XiTM has been performed in our department since August 2019. This technique requires elevation of the left liver lobe. In order to prevent perioperative liver injury and expansion of postoperative subcutaneous emphysema, we use a silicone disc(HAKKO MEDICAL Co., Ltd.)and thread to elevate the liver. After docking the Davinci system, we move the needle as follows:(ⅰ). left side peritoneum near the left triangular ligament, (ⅱ). silicone rubber(, ⅲ). center of crus(, ⅳ). silicone rubber(, ⅴ). hepatic cirrus, and(ⅵ). right side peritoneum. Both ends of the thread are guided out of the abdominal cavity from both hepatic circumflex by end-close, forming a V-shape with the center of crus at the bottom, which provides a stable and effective view of the liver. Fifty-three cases were performed after introduction of this elevation technique. Median AST and ALT on postoperative day 1 were 37(14-1,556)IU/L and 30(10- 1,676)IU/L, respectively, although small subcutaneous emphysema confined to the anterior chest and upper abdominal wall was observed in 2 patients(3.8%). No cases of extensive subcutaneous emphysema involving the neck or extremities were observed. This elevation technique protects the liver and may reduce the incidence of postoperative subcutaneous emphysema.

Prevalence and Prognostic Significance of Malnutrition in Older Japanese Adults at High Surgical Risk Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background The usefulness of preprocedural nutritional status to stratify prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been evaluated; however, the studies conducted so far have been relatively small and/or focused on a single nutritional index. This study sought to assess the prevalence and prognostic impact of malnutrition in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Methods and Results We applied the Controlling Nutritional Status score, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, and Prognostic Nutritional Index to 1040 consecutive older Japanese patients at high surgical risk who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation. According to the Controlling Nutritional Status score, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, and Prognostic Nutritional Index, 16.6%, 60.5%, and 13.8% patients had moderate or severe malnutrition, respectively; 89.3% were at least mildly malnourished by at least 1 score. Worse nutritional status was associated with older age, lower body mass index, higher degree of frailty, worse symptoms and renal function, atrial fibrillation, and anemia. During a median follow-up of 986 days (interquartile range, 556-1402 days), 273 (26.3%) patients died. Compared with normal nutrition, malnutrition was associated with an increased risk for all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio for moderate and severe malnutrition, respectively: 2.19 (95% CI, 1.45-3.31; P<0.001) and 6.13 (95% CI, 2.75-13.70; P<0.001) for the Controlling Nutritional Status score, 2.02 (95% CI, 1.36-3.02; P=0.001) and 3.24 (95% CI, 1.86-5.65; P<0.001) for the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, and 1.60 (95% CI, 1.06-2.39; P=0.024) and 2.32 (95% CI, 1.50-3.60; P<0.001) for the Prognostic Nutritional Index). Conclusions Malnutrition is common in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation and is associated with increased mortality.

Prognostic Impact of Long-term Postoperative Pneumonia in Elderly Patients with Early Gastric Cancer.

Background: Elderly patients with stage I gastric cancer, a disease that is curable by surgery, easily develop long-term postoperative pneumonia (LTPP) within two years after surgery despite showing no active symptoms. The present study assessed whether or not LTPP determines the later prognosis among elderly patients. Methods: We retrospectively examined patients >75 years old who underwent R0 gastrectomy for gastric cancer and were diagnosed with T1 disease at National Cancer Center Hospital between 2005 and 2012. LTPP was evaluated by chest computed tomography every year until two years after surgery. Results: Of the 3412 patients who underwent gastrectomy in our hospital during this period, 159 were included in this study. The elderly patients who developed LTPP had a worse prognosis than those who did not. Furthermore, their comorbidities and LTPP were significant independent risk factors for a poor prognosis. Patients who developed LTPP had a significantly higher risk of dying due to respiratory disease or cardiovascular disease than those without pneumonia. Conclusions: LTPP was significantly related to a poor survival and death from respiratory disease. To improve the prognosis, not only nutritional support but also exercise and rehabilitation program may be required for patients who develop LTPP within two years after surgery.