Prognostic value of the liver fibrosis marker fibrosis-5 index in patients with severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation: comparison with fibrosis-4 index.

The fibrosis-4 index (FIB4), a liver fibrosis maker, has been shown to be associated with the prognosis in patients with severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Recent study showed that the fibrosis-5 index (FIB5), which was calculated by albumin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase and platelet count, had better prognostic value than FIB4 in patients with heart failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of FIB5 index for predicting prognosis in patients with severe isolated TR and compare the prognostic value between the FIB4 and the FIB5 in those patients. This was a dual-center, retrospective study. 113 consecutive outpatients with severe isolated TR (mean age, 65.8 years; 47.8% male) were analyzed. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. During a median follow-up of 3.0 years, 41 MACEs occurred. Patients with MACEs had a lower the FIB5 than patients without MACEs. The multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the FIB5 < -4.30 was significantly associated with higher incidence of MACEs after adjusted by confounding factors. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses showed that prognostic values did not differ between the FIB5 and the FIB4 in whole patients and in patients aged ≥ 70 years; while, in patients aged < 70 years, the FIB5 had better prognostic value than the FIB4. The FIB5 may be a useful predictor of MACEs in patients with severe isolated TR.

Effects of luseogliflozin and voglibose on high-risk lipid profiles and inflammatory markers in diabetes patients with heart failure.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors could reduce cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure irrespective of diabetes status. In this prespecified sub-analysis of randomised-controlled trial, we investigated the efficacy of luseogliflozin (2.5 mg daily), a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, with that of voglibose (0.6 mg daily), an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, on high-risk lipid profile and inflammatory markers in patients with type-2 diabetes and heart failure. Among the 157 patients studied, there were no significant differences in the mean malondialdehyde LDL or small-dense LDL cholesterol levels between the luseogliflozin and voglibose groups (percent change: 0.2% vs. - 0.6%, p = 0.93; - 1.7% vs. - 8.6%, p = 0.21) after 12 weeks in comparison to levels at the baseline. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels after 12 weeks compared to the baseline levels (percent change, - 1.6% vs. - 4.0% and 22.5% vs. 10.0%; p = 0.52 and p = 0.55, respectively). In conclusion, in patients with type-2 diabetes and heart failure, compared to voglibose, luseogliflozin did not significantly improve the high-risk lipoprotein profile including malondialdehyde LDL and small-dense LDL cholesterol or the levels of inflammatory markers, including adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.Trial registration: Trial number: UMIN-CTR, UMIN000018395; Registered 23 July 2015; URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm .

The Fibrosis-4 Index Predicts Cardiovascular Prognosis in Patients With Severe Isolated Tricuspid Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is used to evaluate liver disease patients. It can also be used to evaluate the prognosis for heart disease patients; however, its ability to determine the prognosis of severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) patients is unclear. This study aimed to clarify the association between FIB-4 index scores and the cardiovascular prognosis for severe isolated TR patients.Methods and Results: This was a dual-center, retrospective study. From 2011 to 2019, 111 consecutive outpatients with severe isolated TR (mean age, 68.6 years; 53.2% male) were evaluated. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The association between FIB-4 index scores and echocardiography was also evaluated. During a median follow up of 3.0 years, 24 patients were lost to follow up and 40 MACEs occurred. Baseline FIB-4 index scores for patients with MACEs were significantly higher than those for patients without MACEs. A multivariate analysis revealed that FIB-4 index scores are significantly associated with MACEs (hazard ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-3.54; P=0.046). A linear regression analysis indicated that FIB-4 index scores were correlated with echocardiographic parameters, including the left atrial volume index and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter. CONCLUSIONS: The FIB-4 index score may be a useful predictor of MACEs for patients with severe isolated TR.

Effects of luseogliflozin on estimated plasma volume in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

AIMS: Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors have diuretic effects in both patients with glycosuria and with natriuresis. We sought to assess the effect of luseogliflozin on estimated plasma volume (ePV) in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was a post-hoc analysis of the MUSCAT-HF trial (UMIN000018395), a multicentre, prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial that assessed the effect of 12 weeks of luseogliflozin (2.5 mg, once daily, n = 83) as compared with voglibose (0.2 mg, three times daily, n = 82) on the reduction in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with type 2 diabetes and HFpEF. The analysis compared the change in ePV calculated by the Straus formula from baseline to Weeks 4, 12, and 24, using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures. We also estimated the association between changes in ePV and changes in other clinical parameters, including BNP levels. Luseogliflozin significantly reduced ePV as compared to voglibose at Week 4 {adjusted mean group-difference -6.43% [95% confidence interval (CI): -9.11 to -3.74]}, at Week 12 [-8.73% (95%CI: -11.40 to -6.05)], and at Week 24 [-11.02% (95%CI: -13.71 to -8.33)]. The effect of luseogliflozin on these parameters was mostly consistent across various patient clinical characteristics. The change in ePV at Week 12 was significantly associated with log-transformed BNP (r = 0.197, P = 0.015) and left atrial volume index (r = 0.283, P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Luseogliflozin significantly reduced ePV in patients with type 2 diabetes and HFpEF, as compared with voglibose. The reduction of intravascular volume by luseogliflozin may provide clinical benefits to patients with type 2 diabetes and HFpEF.

Fibrosis-4 index reflects right ventricular function and prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

AIMS: Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4 index), calculated by age, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and platelet count, is a simple marker to evaluate liver fibrosis and is associated with right-sided heart failure. However, the clinical relevance of FIB-4 in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains unclear. We investigated the prognostic implication of the FIB-4 index regarding right ventricular dysfunction in patients with HFpEF. METHODS AND RESULTS: This prospective study included 116 consecutive HFpEF patients (mean age 79 years, 43% male) hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure. We evaluated the association of the FIB-4 index with right ventricular function determined by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S') before discharge. Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the FIB-4 index and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, readmission for heart failure, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. FIB-4 index before discharge was significantly lower than that at admission (2.62 [1.92-3.46] and 3.03 [2.05-4.67], median [interquartile range], P < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction, TAPSE, and S' before discharge were 62.7 (55.9-68.6) %, 17.5 ± 4.6 mm (mean ± standard deviation), and 10.0 (8.0-12.0) cm/s, respectively. In multiple linear regression analysis, the FIB-4 index before discharge was inversely correlated with TAPSE (ß minus;0.244, P = 0.014) and S' (ß -0.266, P = 0.009). During a median follow-up of 736 days, 37 MACE occurred. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that a high FIB-4 index before discharge (per 1 point) was a significant predictor of MACE (hazard ratio 1.270, 95% confidence interval 1.052-1.532) after adjustment for male, serum creatinine, and haemoglobin. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the optimal cut-off value of FIB-4 index before discharge to predict MACE was 3.11. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with a FIB-4 index before discharge ≥3.11 had a significantly poorer prognosis than patients with FIB-4 index before discharge <3.11 (P = 0.029). Patients with an FIB-4 index ≥3.11 had a 2.202-fold (95% confidence interval 1.110-4.368) increased risk of MACE compared with those with an FIB-4 index <3.11 after adjustment for male, serum creatinine, and haemoglobin. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the FIB-4 index was associated with right ventricular dysfunction and a higher risk of future MACE in patients with HFpEF.

Effect of Luseogliflozin on Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus.

Background Effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on reducing hospitalization for heart failure have been reported in randomized controlled trials, but their effects on patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the drug efficacy of luseogliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and HFpEF. Methods and Results We performed a multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled trial for comparing luseogliflozin 2.5 mg once daily with voglibose 0.2 mg 3 times daily in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus suffering from HFpEF (left ventricular ejection fraction >45% and BNP [B-type natriuretic peptide] concentrations ≥35 pg/mL) in a 1:1 randomization fashion. The primary outcome was the difference from baseline in BNP levels after 12 weeks of treatment between the 2 drugs. A total of 173 patients with diabetes mellitus and HFpEF were included. Of these, 83 patients were assigned to receive luseogliflozin and 82 to receive voglibose. There was no significant difference in the reduction in BNP concentrations after 12 weeks from baseline between the 2 groups. The ratio of the mean BNP value at week 12 to the baseline value was 0.79 in the luseogliflozin group and 0.87 in the voglibose group (percent change, -9.0% versus -1.9%; ratio of change with luseogliflozin versus voglibose, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.78-1.10; P=0.26). Conclusion In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and HFpEF, there is no significant difference in the degree of reduction in BNP concentrations after 12 weeks between luseogliflozin and voglibose. Registration URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm; Unique identifier: UMIN000018395.

Favorable effect of catheter ablation on nocturnal hypertension in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: The current study was performed to determine whether pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) improves nocturnal hypertension in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). BACKGROUND: Abnormal night-time blood pressure (BP) fluctuation is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Imbalance of autonomic nervous function is a risk factor common to both of these abnormalities. PVI can reportedly modify the autonomic nervous function balance in patients with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: The study population comprised 50 consecutive patients (mean age, 69.8 ±â€Š7.5 years; 35.0% male) with PAF scheduled for PVI. Both 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring and heart rate variability analysis were performed before and at 3 months after PVI. RESULTS: Patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of nocturnal BP dipping before PVI: the normal dipping group (n = 27) and the nondipping group (n = 23). The low-frequency spectrum power and the ratio of low-frequency spectrum power to high-frequency spectrum power (low-frequency spectrum/high-frequency spectrum) were higher in the nondipping than the normal dipping group (low-frequency spectrum: 219.9 ±â€Š210.2 vs. 92.7 ±â€Š50.5 ms, respectively, P = 0.03; low-frequency spectrum/high-frequency spectrum: 1.8 ±â€Š1.9 vs. 0.9 ±â€Š0.8, respectively, P = 0.05). In the nondipping group, the elevated night-time BP disappeared in eight (35%) patients at 3 months after PVI, which was associated with an increase in high-frequency spectrum power. These patients did not develop atrial fibrillation recurrence during follow-up (mean, 568 ±â€Š218 days). CONCLUSION: Among patients with PAF, the nondipping group showed greater sympathetic activity (higher low-frequency spectrum power and low-frequency spectrum/high-frequency spectrum) than the dipping group. Restoration of BP dipping after PVI is associated with increased parasympathetic activity (higher high-frequency spectrum power) and reduced recurrence of arrhythmic events.

The effect of luseogliflozin and alpha-glucosidase inhibitor on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in diabetic patients: rationale and design of the MUSCAT-HF randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a strong risk factor for coronary artery disease and heart failure, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The aim of the ongoing MUSCAT-HF (It stands for Prospective Comparison of Luseogliflozin and Alpha-glucosidase on the Management of Diabetic Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction) trial is to evaluate the efficacy of luseogliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, versus voglibose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, using brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as the index of therapeutic effect in T2DM patients with HFpEF. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A total of 190 patients with T2DM and HFpEF (ejection fraction >45%) who are drug-naïve or taking any anti-diabetic agents will be randomised (1:1) to receive luseogliflozin 2.5 mg one time per day or voglibose 0.2 mg three times per day. The patients will be stratified by age (<65 years, ≥65 years), baseline haemoglobin A1c (<8.0%, ≥8.0%), baseline BNP (<100 pg/mL, ≥100 pg/mL), baseline renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2, <60 mL/min/1.73 m2), use of thiazolidine or not and presence or absence of atrial fibrillation and flutter at screening. After randomisation, participants will receive the study drug for 12 weeks in addition to their background therapy. The primary endpoint is the proportional change in baseline BNP after 12 weeks of treatment. The key secondary endpoints are the change from baseline in the ratio of early mitral inflow velocity to mitral annular early diastolic velocity, body weight and glycaemic control after 12 weeks of treatment. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the ethics committee and the patients will be included after informed consent. The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000018395.

Decrease in oxidized high-density lipoprotein is associated with slowed progression of coronary artery calcification: Subanalysis of a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Oxidized high-density lipoprotein (oxHDL) is characterized by reduced anti-inflammatory properties compared with HDL. However, the role of oxHDL in the pathogenesis of coronary artery calcification (CAC), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, remains unclear. We prospectively investigated the association between the change in oxHDL and progression of CAC in a substudy of a multicenter study. METHODS: In the principal study, patients with a CAC score of 1-999 were treated with pitavastatin with/without eicosapentaenoic acid. Measurement of CAC with multidetector-row computed tomography and a blood test were performed at baseline and at the 1-year follow-up. In the principal study, the increase in CAC did not differ among treatment groups. In this substudy, patients were divided into two groups: CAC progression (change in Agatston score of >0) and no CAC progression. RESULTS: In total, 140 patients were analyzed. The oxHDL level significantly decreased from 167 (132-246) at baseline to 122 (103-149) after treatment (median [25th-75th percentile], U/ml) (p < 0.001). The annual change in CAC was significantly positively associated with changes in oxHDL (r = 0.17, p = 0.04), triglycerides (r = 0.17, p = 0.04), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = 0.22, p = 0.01) but was not associated with changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol or HDL-cholesterol. Multiple logistic analysis demonstrated that the decrease in oxHDL per 10 U/ml was independently associated with CAC progression (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-0.99; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in oxHDL is associated with the attenuation of CAC progression, suggesting that oxHDL is a potential target for atherosclerosis prevention.

High Baseline Lipoprotein(a) Level as a Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Calcification Progression: Sub-analysis of a Prospective Multicenter Trial.

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is a low-density lipoprotein-like particle largely independent of known risk factors for, and predictive of, cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated the association between baseline Lp(a) levels and the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in patients with hypercholesterolemia undergoing statin therapy. This study was a sub-analysis of a multicenter prospective study that evaluated the annual progression of CAC under intensive and standard pitavastatin treatment with or without eicosapentaenoic acid in patients with an Agatston score of 1 to 999, and hypercholesterolemia treated with statins. We classified the patients into 3 groups according to CAC progression. A total of 147 patients (mean age, 67 years; men, 54%) were analyzed. The proportion of patients with Lp(a) > 30 mg/dL significantly increased as CAC progressed (non-progression; 5.4%, 0100; 23.6%). Logistic regression analysis showed that Lp(a) > 30 mg/dL was an independent predictor of the annual change in Agatston score > 100 (OR: 5.51; 95% CI: 1.28-23.68; p=0.02), even after adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, current smoking, body mass index, and lipid-lowering medications. Baseline Lp(a) >30 mg/dL was a predictor of CAC progression in this population of patients with hypercholesterolemia undergoing statin therapy.

Influence of arterial stiffness on cardiovascular outcome in patients without high blood pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Although blood pressure (BP) is a major determinant of arterial stiffness, whether high pulse wave velocity (PWV) adversely influences cardiac parameters and cardiovascular (CV) outcome in patients without high BP remains unclear. METHODS: Outpatients without high BP (n=320), defined as systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg, were enrolled in this retrospective study. At baseline, all patients underwent echocardiography and multidetector CT to determine the coronary artery calcification (CAC) score. Arterial stiffness was assessed based on brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV), from which patients were classified into two groups: those with high (≥18 m/s, n=89) and low baPWV (<18 m/s, n=231). Cardiac parameters and CV event incidence during the follow-up period were compared between these groups. RESULTS: In multivariable linear regression analysis, baPWV was significantly associated with CAC score and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide hormone level, after adjustment for confounding factors. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, baPWV ≥18 m/s was significantly associated with CAC score ≥400 (OR 2.466, 95% CI 1.012 to 6.009, p=0.0471). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the high-baPWV group experienced more CV events during the 575 days of follow-up (20% vs 6%, p=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: High baPWV was associated with greater CAC and a high risk of a future CV event, especially coronary artery disease, even in patients without high BP.

Effect of Intensive and Standard Pitavastatin Treatment With or Without Eicosapentaenoic Acid on Progression of Coronary Artery Calcification Over 12 Months　- Prospective Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of lipid-lowering agents on progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) remains unclear. We evaluated the effects of pitavastatin 2 mg/day (PIT2), pitavastatin 4 mg/day (PIT4), and PIT2 combined with eicosapentaenoic acid (PIT2+EPA) on CAC progression.Methods and Results:This prospective multicenter study in Japan included patients with an Agatston score of 1-999, hypercholesterolemia, and no evidence of cardiovascular disease. Patients were allocated into PIT2, PIT4, or PIT2+EPA groups. The primary outcome was the annual percent change in Agatston score in all patients. In total, 156 patients who had multi-detector row computed tomography without any artifacts were included in the primary analysis. Pitavastatin did not significantly reduce the annual progression rate of the Agatston score (40%; 95% CI: 19-61%). The annual progression rate of Agatston score in the PIT2 group was not significantly different from that in the PIT4 group (34% vs. 42%, respectively; P=0.88) or the PIT2+EPA group (34% vs. 44%, respectively; P=0.80). On post-hoc analysis the baseline ratio of low- to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was a significant predictor of non-progression of Agatston score by pitavastatin (OR, 2.17; 95% CI: 1.10-44.12; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Pitavastatin does not attenuate progression of CAC. Intensive pitavastatin treatment and standard treatment with EPA does not reduce progression of CAC compared with standard treatment.

Comparable effect of aliskiren or a diuretic added on an angiotensin II receptor blocker on augmentation index in hypertension: a multicentre, prospective, randomised study.

BACKGROUND: The effects of antihypertensive drug combination therapy on central blood pressure (BP) and augmentation index (AI) have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the effects of the direct renin inhibitor, aliskiren, or a diuretic added to an angiotensin II receptor blocker on AI in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS: A 24-week, prospective, multicentre, randomised, open-label study enrolled 103 patients already treated with valsartan. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either valsartan with aliskiren (V+A), or valsartan with trichlormethiazide (V+T). The primary outcome was the change in AI derived from radial artery tonometry. Secondary outcome measures included systolic and diastolic BP, cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI, which reflects arterial stiffness) and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine concentration. RESULTS: After 24 weeks, systolic and diastolic BP were significantly reduced in both groups to a broadly comparable extent. There was no significant difference in AI at the end of the study between the V+A group and the V+T group (between-group difference: -2.3%, 95% CI -6.9% to 2.2%, p=0.31). Central BP at the end of the study also did not differ between the two groups (p=0.62). There was no significant difference in the CAVI between the groups at the end of the study. Urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine concentration was significantly lower in the V+A group than in the V+T group (p<0.01), suggesting that V+A attenuated oxidative stress more than V+T. CONCLUSION: The combination of valsartan and aliskiren had an effect on AI comparable with that of the combination of valsartan and trichlormethiazide. UMIN CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000005726.

Effect of remote ischemia or nicorandil on myocardial injury following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with stable coronary artery disease: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) and nicorandil on periprocedural myocardial injury (pMI) in patients with planned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial. The aim of this randomized trial was to evaluate the effect of RIPC or nicorandil on pMI following PCI in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) compared with a control group. METHODS: Patients with stable CAD who planned to undergo PCI were assigned to a 1:1:1 ratio to control, RIPC, or intravenous nicorandil (6mg/h). Automated RIPC was performed by a device, which performs intermittent arm ischemia through three cycles of 5min of inflation and 5min of deflation of a pressure cuff. The primary outcome was the incidence of pMI, determined by an elevation in high-sensitive troponin T or creatine kinase myocardial band at 12 or 24h after PCI. The secondary outcomes were ischemic events during PCI and adverse clinical events at 8months after PCI. RESULTS: A total of 391 patients were enrolled. The incidence of pMI following PCI was not significantly different between the control group (48.9%) and RIPC group (39.5%; p=0.14), or between the control group and nicorandil group (40.3%; p=0.17). There were no significant differences in ischemic events during PCI or adverse clinical events within 8months after PCI among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated moderate reductions in biomarker release and pMI by RIPC or intravenous nicorandil prior to the PCI consistently, but may have failed to achieve statistical significance because the study was underpowered.

A case of life-threatening supraventricular tachycardia storm associated with theophylline toxicity.

A 76-year-old man taking theophylline was admitted to our hospital with congestive heart failure and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). After admission, he developed cardiogenic shock as a result of SVT storm, which was refractory to medical treatment including adenosine and electrical cardioversion. The serum theophylline concentration at admission was identified as toxic. Therefore, theophylline toxicity was considered as a major cause of the SVT storm. Hemodynamic stability was achieved by using mechanical circulatory support. Additionally, continuous hemodiafiltration was performed to remove theophylline, and it was effective for suppression of SVT. The patient was successfully weaned off mechanical circulatory support. After the patient's general status had improved, an electrophysiological study was performed, and it showed orthodromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia with a right free wall accessory pathway. Radiofrequency catheter ablation was successfully performed. .

An increase in the coronary calcification score is associated with an increased risk of heart failure in patients without a history of coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The presence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and its severity predict future cardiovascular events and is used for risk stratification. However, the association of CAC with heart failure (HF) in patients without a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the correlations of CAC with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and HF events in patients without a history of CAD or HF. METHODS: From June 2010 to June 2013, a total of 487 patients without a history of CAD and HF were enrolled. All of the patients underwent plane multi-detector computed tomography. They were divided into four categories according to CAC scores: ≤10, 11-100, 101-400, and ≥401. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with high NT-proBNP levels increased with CAC categories (p<0.0001). The CAC score was associated with NT-proBNP levels ≥400pg/ml, with an odds ratio of 2.901 (95% confidence interval: 1.368-6.151, p=0.0055) for CAC scores ≥401 compared with CAC scores of 0-10 after adjustment for confounding factors. During the follow-up period of 497±315 days, nine patients were admitted for HF. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with CAC scores ≥401 had a lower rate of freedom from admission for HF with cumulative incidences of 0.4%, 1%, 2%, and 8% for CAC scores of 0-10, 11-100, 101-400, and ≥401, respectively (p<0.0001). Increasing CAC scores were associated with an increase in incidence of admission for HF, with a hazard ratio of 10.371 for CAC scores ≥401 (95% CI: 1.062-101.309, p=0.0443) compared with CAC scores of 0-10 after adjustment for risk factors. CONCLUSION: Severe CAC is an independent determinant of high NT-proBNP levels and a predictor of admission for HF in a population without a history of CAD or HF.

Serum cystatin C level is associated with left atrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy and impaired left ventricular relaxation in patients with stage 2 or 3 chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Cystatin C is an endogenous marker of kidney function that overcomes the limitations of serum creatinine. High serum cystatin C levels have been associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the associations between serum cystatin C levels and structural and functional cardiac changes in patients with stage 2 or 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 429 consecutive patients (aged 24-97 years) with CKD stage 2 or 3 and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF)>40%. Echocardiographic parameters, including LV mass index (LVMI), early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (e' velocity), left atrial volume index (LAVI), and N-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured. Patients were categorized into quartiles according to serum cystatin C levels. Cystatin C was associated with LAVI (p=0.0055), LVEF (p=0.0432), LVMI (p=0.0409), e' (p=0.0051), E/e' (p=0.0027), and log-transformed NT-proBNP (p<0.0001) according to multivariate linear regression analysis, after adjustment for confounding factors including creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcreat) and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio. Incidence of eccentric and concentric hypertrophy increased with increasing cystatin C (Q1, 38%; Q2 49%; Q3, 51%; Q4, 66%, p=0.0008), mainly because of increasing concentric hypertrophy (Q1, 30%; Q2, 39%; Q3, 39%; Q4, 51%, p=0.0187). CONCLUSION: A high serum cystatin C is strongly associated with structural cardiac abnormalities such as LVH and left atrial enlargement, impaired LV relaxation, and an increased NT-proBNP, independently of eGFRcreat in patients with stage 2 or 3 CKD.

Report from the Japanese registry of CPR for in-hospital cardiac arrest (J-RCPR).

BACKGROUND: In-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) is an important issue, but data in Japan are limited. METHODS AND RESULTS: To investigate in-hospital CPA, we conducted a prospective multicenter observational registry of in-hospital CPA and resuscitation in Japan (J-RCPR). During January 2008 to December 2009, patients were registered from 12 participating hospitals. All patients, visitors and employees within the facility campus who experience a cardiopulmonary resuscitation event defined as either a pulseless or a pulse with inadequate perfusion requiring chest compressions and/or defibrillation of ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) were registered. Data were collected in 6 major categories of variables: facility data, patient demographic data, pre-event data, event data, outcome data, and quality improvement data. Data for 491 adults were analyzed. The prevalence of pulseless VT/VF as first documented rhythm was 28.1%, asystole was 29.5% and pulseless electrical activity was 41.1%. Immediate causes of event were arrhythmia 30.6%, acute respiratory insufficiency 26.7%, and hypotension 15.7%. Return of spontaneous circulation was 64.7%; the proportion of survival 24h after CPA was 49.8%, the proportion of survival to hospital discharge was 27.8% and proportion of favorable neurological outcome at 30 days was 21.4%. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the registry for in-hospital CPA in Japan and shows that the registry provides important observational data.

Arterial stiffness: methods of measurement, physiologic determinants and prediction of cardiovascular outcomes.

Arterial stiffness has been shown to be a potent and independent predictor of cardiovascular risk. In this review, we outline methods for the measurement of arterial stiffness, describe the physiological mechanisms that underpin the utility of arterial stiffness as an integrative marker of cardiovascular disease, and detail the evidence examining the value of arterial stiffness for prediction of adverse cardiovascular events and mortality. The extent to which arterial stiffness may be modified by medical and lifestyle therapy is reviewed.

Clinical features of and effects of angiotensin system antagonists on amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Amiodarone (AMD) is a strong antiarrhythmic drug but has severe side effects such as pulmonary toxicity. There are no indicators or drugs that can prevent the development of amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity (AIPT). METHODS: We collected data for 96 consecutive patients treated with AMD and analyzed clinical factors related to AIPT. In addition, we examined the effect of AMD and angiotensin II (Ang II) on human lung alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) and verified the protective efficacy of an Ang II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) in vitro. RESULTS: During a follow-up period of 33.8+/-34.6 months, AIPT developed in 11 patients (11.5%). There were no differences in the dose of AMD, left ventricular ejection fraction, serum KL-6 and %DLCO level before starting AMD between patients with and those without AIPT. However, repeated episodes of congestive heart failure (CHF) were observed more frequently in patients with AIPT than in patients without AIPT (81.8% vs. 41.2%, P<0.011). In vitro examination, AMD progressively increased apoptosis of AEC and Ang II enhanced this effect of AMD (P<0.001). However, ARB inhibited the enhancement by Ang II of the AMD-induced apoptosis effect (P<0.001). Furthermore, patients with AIPT were administrated a lower dose of angiotensin system antagonists than were those without AIPT (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that Ang II induced by CHF increases the risk of AMD-induced pulmonary toxicity. An angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or ARB should be given at a sufficient dose during AMD treatment.