Gender-based differences in the job titles and lifestyles in the cataract and refractive surgery society in Japan.

To investigate sex differences in the titles and lifestyles of Japanese ophthalmologists, we evaluated work places and private lives. Retrospective cross-sectional study. The study included 1721 members (1344 males and 377 females) of the Japanese Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. An online, anonymized questionnaire was distributed to the society members. The questionnaire included 40 questions to collect data on profiles, lifestyles, job title, families, spouses, children, household chores, child-rearing, and work satisfaction. In total, 219 members (144 males and 75 females; 53.4 ±â€…1.0 and 51.3 ±â€…9.9 years old, respectively) completed the questionnaire. The job title, working time, annual income, marriage rate, and the number of children significantly differed between male and female respondents. Female respondents had greater responsibilities toward house chores, child care, and nursing, whereas several male doctors had spouses who did not work or worked for shorter times, earned a lower income, and contributed greater toward family responsibilities. Female respondents changed their job titles after having children more frequently than male respondents. Both males and females had limited time available for community activities and volunteer work. There were no significant differences in daily sleep duration. Both sexes were equally satisfied with their career choice of ophthalmology; however, fewer females recommended ophthalmology as a career for students and children compared to males. There are significant sex differences among ophthalmologists in Japan in terms of family responsibilities; this topic has received insufficient attention.

Zinc supplementation in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

This single-centre prospective feasibility study (UMIN000030232) evaluated whether zinc supplementation was safe and effective for improving outcomes among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Within 24 h after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention, consenting patients with AMI were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive conventional treatment (conventional treatment group) or conventional treatment plus zinc acetate supplementation (zinc supplementation group). The two groups were compared in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and scar size, which was evaluated using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) at 4 weeks after discharge. A total of 56 patients underwent randomization (with 26 assigned to the zinc supplementation group and 27 to the conventional treatment group). The two groups had generally similar laboratory findings and clinical characteristics. The two groups also had similar lengths of hospital stay and rates of MACE. Forty of the 53 patients underwent CMR and it revealed that % core zone was numerically lower in the zinc supplementation group than in the conventional treatment group (9.3 ± 6.9% vs. 14.2 ± 9.1%, P = 0.07). This small single-centre study failed to detect a significant reduction in mid-term MACE after AMI among patients who received zinc supplementation.

Relationship between early drop in systolic blood pressure, worsening renal function, and in-hospital mortality in patients with heart failure: a retrospective, observational study.

This study aimed to determine the optimal cut-off value of the early drop in systolic blood pressure (SBP) for worsening renal function (WRF) in hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) and analyze predictors of WRF and the early drop in SBP at that threshold. We retrospectively enrolled 396 patients with acute decompensated HF. The early drop in SBP was defined as the difference between baseline and SBP measured 24 h after hospitalization. We performed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine the optimal cut-off value of the early drop in SBP for WRF and evaluated the effect of the early drop in SBP on in-hospital mortality by multivariate logistic regression analyses. The mean age of the patients was 73.4 ± 14.7 years, and 61.2% were men. A 14.0% drop in SBP was identified as the optimal cut-off value for WRF from the ROC curve analysis. An early drop in SBP ≥ 14.0% was associated with WRF in multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio 7.84; 95% confidence interval 4.06-15.14; P < 0.0001). The dose of intravenous furosemide within 24 h of admission was one of the predictors of the early drop in SBP ≥ 14.0%, while no early drop in SBP was a predictor of in-hospital mortality in multivariate logistic regression models. In conclusion, the optimal cut-off value for WRF in patients with HF was a 14.0% drop in SBP within 24 h of admission. The early drop in SBP ≥ 14.0% was one of the predictors of WRF in patients with HF. However, no early drop in SBP was associated with in-hospital mortality. This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network in Japan (UMIN000035989).

Percutaneous coronary intervention in a patient with heparin resistance due to essential thrombocythaemia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease is uncommon in patients with essential thrombocythaemia (ET); therefore, no treatment strategies have been established. CASE SUMMARY: A 68-year-old man visited our hospital with worsening effort angina complicated with ET. Coronary angiography (CAG) revealed moderate stenosis of the left main trunk and left anterior descending artery (LAD). We planned to perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) only after the patient's platelet count had fallen below 600 000/µL. Platelet factor 4 levels were markedly elevated (355.0 ng/mL; the normal range is <20 ng/mL). We observed a de novo lesion in the proximal left circumflex artery and stenosis progression in the LAD at the time of the PCI, neither of which had been detected at the previous CAG. During the PCI procedure, argatroban was infused to maintain the activated clotting time (ACT) above 250 s. The PCI was performed successfully without any complications. Follow-up CAG showed no restenosis, and no bleeding complications were observed during the course. DISCUSSION: In patients with ET, it may be useful to measure platelet factor 4 before PCI and to monitor ACT during the procedure. When heparin resistance is suspected based on blood coagulation tests, infusion of direct thrombin inhibitor during PCI may be considered, with anticoagulation monitoring by ACT.

Poor prognosis of heart failure patients with in-hospital worsening renal function and elevated BNP at discharge.

AIMS: Our purpose was to investigate the association between the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level at discharge, the occurrence of worsening renal function (WRF), and long-term outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled hospitalized acute HF patients. We divided patients into four groups on the basis of BNP <250 pg/mL (BNP-) or BNP ≥250 pg/mL (BNP+) at discharge and the occurrence of WRF during admission: BNP-/WRF-, BNP-/WRF+, BNP+/WRF-, and BNP+/WRF+. We evaluated the association between BNP at discharge, WRF, and cardiovascular/all-cause mortality/hospitalization due to HF. Clinical follow-up was completed in 301 patients. At discharge, percentages of the patients with clinical signs of HF were low and similar among four groups. The median follow-up period was 1206 days (interquartile range, 733-1825 days). The composite endpoint of cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalization was significantly different between the four groups [12.9% (BNP-/WRF-), 22.7% (BNP-/WRF+), 35.8% (BNP+/WRF-), and 55.4% (BNP+/WRF+), P < 0.0001]. All-cause mortality was also different etween the four groups (15.1%, 38.6%, 28.7%, and 39.3%, respectively, P = 0.003). In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, the combination of BNP ≥250 pg/mL and WRF showed the highest hazard ratio (HR) for composite endpoint (HR, 5.201; 95% confidence interval, 2.582-11.11; P < 0.0001), and BNP-/WRF+ was associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR, 2.286; 95% confidence interval, 1.089-4.875; P = 0.03). Patients in BNP+/WRF+ had a higher cardiovascular mortality (28.6%), and those in BNP-/WRF+ had a high non-cardiovascular mortality (29.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Heart failure patients with BNP ≥250 pg/mL at discharge and in-hospital occurrence of WRF had the highest risk for the composite endpoint (cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalization) among groups.

The impact of worsening renal function with elevated B-type natriuretic peptide at discharge on 1-year prognosis in heart failure patients.

There are a few studies about the clinical impacts of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) at discharge with the occurrence of worsening renal function (WRF) on mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). We divided total 301 patients with acute decompensated HF into four groups by the median value (278.7 pg/mL) of BNP level at discharge and by the occurrence of WRF. WRF developed in 100 patients (33.2%). Cardiovascular mortality was significantly different between the four groups (P = 0.0002). Patients with WRF and elevated BNP had a higher cardiovascular mortality than patients without WRF and elevated BNP in Cox proportional hazard models (hazard ratio [HR], 10.48; 95% confident interval [95% CI], 1.27-225.53; P = 0.03). Patients with either WRF or elevated BNP did not have an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to patients without WRF and elevated BNP. Regarding HF readmission and cardiovascular mortality, patients with WRF and elevated BNP had the highest risk (HR, 5.17; 95% CI, 2.07-14.30, P = 0.0003) and patients with either WRF or elevated BNP had a higher risk than patients without WRF and elevated BNP. The occurrence of WRF combined with elevated BNP at discharge was associated with increased 1-year cardiovascular mortality and HF readmission.

Effect of cutting balloon after rotational atherectomy in severely calcified coronary artery lesions as assessed by optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVES: Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), we evaluated the effect of a cutting balloon (CB) compared with a conventional balloon after rotational atherectomy (RA) and before stenting in severely calcified coronary lesions. BACKGROUND: A CB is designed to create discrete incisions to facilitate fracture of severely calcified plaque. METHODS: OCT was performed preintervention (if possible), post-RA, and poststent implantation. RA modification of calcium was defined as a polished, concave, round-shaped surface. Calcium fracture was defined as a break in the calcium plate. The effects of calcium modification and stent expansion between CB (n = 18) versus conventional balloon (n = 23) following RA were compared. RESULTS: Median patient age was 72 years with 24% on hemodialysis. The amount of calcium and the length of RA modification were comparable between the CB and conventional balloon groups. Final poststent OCT showed that the number and thickness of calcium fracture were greater after CB versus conventional balloon, resulting better stent expansion (78.9% [IQR: 72.4-88.1] vs. 66.7% [IQR: 55.0-76.7], p < 0.01). In the multivariable model, after adjusting for the amount of calcium, CB use was an independent predictor of the presence of calcium fracture (odds ratio 30.0; 95% confidence interval 2.7-994.1, p = 0.004) and an independent predictor for greater stent expansion (regression coefficient 7.4; 95% confidence interval 0.5-14.3, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In severely calcified lesions calcium fracture was more often associated with RA followed by CB compared with RA followed by conventional balloon predilation before stenting. CB use was also a determinant of greater stent expansion.

Serum zinc concentration in patients with acute myocardial infarction in percutaneous coronary intervention era.

INTRODUCTION: There were few studies that investigated the association between serum zinc concentration and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in percutaneous coronary intervention era. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the relationships between serum zinc concentration, complications, and prognosis in AMI patients after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, prospective, observational study including 50 patients with AMI. We divided patients into two groups (High-zinc group and Low-zinc group) by median serum zinc concentration and compared two groups about clinical outcomes up to 1 year follow up. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 66.2 ± 11.8 years old. Patients in the Low-zinc group had ST-segment elevation more frequently than those in the High-zinc group (96.0% vs. 72.0%, P = 0.02). All-cause mortality at 1 year was similar in both groups (P (log-rank) = 0.33). However, the lengths of hospital stay and in coronary care unit were longer in patients in the Low-zinc group than in those in the High-zinc group (15.6 ± 9.2 days vs. 11.9 ± 2.9 days, P = 0.06; 3.9 ± 2.8 days vs. 2.3 ± 0.8 days, P = 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis showed that low serum zinc concentration was associated with the use of cardiac or respiratory assist devices (adjusted odds ratio, 17.79; 95% CI 1.123 to 1216.5; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no significance difference in mortality in Low-zinc and High-zinc groups, low serum zinc concentration was associated with longer stay in the coronary care unit, and was one of the independent predictors for the use of cardiac or respiratory assist devices.

The association between high-dose loop diuretic use at discharge and cardiovascular mortality in patients with heart failure.

AIMS: Few studies have reported the impact of high-dose loop diuretics at discharge on prognosis in Japanese patients with heart failure (HF). Our purpose was to assess the relationship between the dose of loop diuretics at discharge and cardiovascular mortality in patients with HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled decompensated HF patients who were admitted to our hospital between March 2010 and March 2015, and compared HF patients who received high-dose loop diuretics at discharge (HD group) with low-dose loop diuretics at discharge (LD group) with regard to risk of cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality. High-dose loop diuretic was defined as ≥40 mg/day of oral furosemide at discharge. A total of 215 patients were enrolled to the study. The median follow-up duration was 641 days. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality were significantly lower in the LD group than in the HD group (10.4% vs. 31.6%, P < 0.001; 2.2% vs. 24.6%, P < 0.001, respectively). High-dose loop diuretics were associated with cardiovascular mortality in multivariate Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio, 16.06, 95% confidence interval 3.457 to 116.8; P < 0.001). The largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.85) for cardiovascular death was obtained with a threshold of 40 mg furosemide. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose loop diuretic use at discharge was one of the predictors of cardiovascular mortality in patients with HF. An oral furosemide dose of 40 mg daily may be defined as 'high-dose' loop diuretics in Japanese patients with chronic HF.

Serial 3-Vessel Optical Coherence Tomography and Intravascular Ultrasound Analysis of Changing Morphologies Associated With Lesion Progression in Patients With Stable Angina Pectoris.

BACKGROUND: Optical coherence tomographic (OCT) morphologies associated with lesion progression are not well studied. The aim of this study was to determine the morphological change for untreated lesion progression using both OCT and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). METHODS AND RESULTS: We used baseline and 8-month follow-up 3-vessel OCT and IVUS to assess 127 nonculprit lesions (IVUS plaque burden ≥40%) in 45 patients with stable angina after target lesion treatment. Lesion progression was defined as an IVUS lumen area decrease >0.5 mm2. A layered pattern was identified as a superficial layer that had a different optical intensity and a clear demarcation from underlying plaque. Lesion progression was observed in 19% (24/127) lesions, and its pattern was characterized into 3 types: type I, new superficial layered pattern at follow-up that was not present at baseline (n=9); type II, a layered pattern at baseline whose layer thickness increased at follow-up (n=7); or type III, no layered pattern at baseline or follow-up (n=8). The increase of IVUS plaque+media area was largest in type I and least in type III (1.9 mm2 [1.6-2.1], 1.1 mm2 [0.9-1.4], and 0.3 mm2 [-0.2 to 0.8], respectively; P=0.002). Type III, but not types I or II, showed negative remodeling during follow-up (IVUS vessel area; from 14.3 mm2 [11.4-17.2] to 13.5 mm2 [10.4-16.7]; P=0.02). OCT lipidic plaque was associated with lesion progression (odds ratio, 13.6; 95% confidence interval, 3.7-50.6; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Lesion progression was categorized to distinct OCT morphologies that were related to changes in plaque mass or vessel remodeling.

Relationship between worsening renal function and long-term cardiovascular mortality in heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: Recently several studies showed that worsening renal function (WRF) during hospitalization might be a strong independent predictor of poor prognosis in decompensated heart failure (HF) patients. However, these studies had a relatively short follow-up duration and their data were limited to in-hospital outcomes. Our purpose was to assess the relationship between WRF and long-term cardiovascular mortality in HF patients. METHODS: We enrolled decompensated HF patients who were admitted to our hospital between April 2010 and March 2015. WRF was defined as a relative increase in serum creatinine of at least 25% or an absolute increase in serum creatinine ≥0.3mg/dL from the baseline. We assessed the cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality in HF patients with WRF (WRF group) and without WRF (no WRF group). RESULTS: Among 301 patients enrolled, WRF developed in 118 patients (39.2%). During a median follow-up period of 537days [interquartile range, 304.3 to 1025.8days], cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality were significantly higher in the WRF group than in the no WRF group (23.2% vs. 6.1%, P<0.001; 30.3% vs. 14.7%, P<0.001, respectively). In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, age and serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level were associated with both cardiovascular death and all-cause death. However, WRF was not the independent predictor of cardiovascular death (P=0.19) nor all-cause death (P=0.57). CONCLUSIONS: WRF was associated with cardiovascular death in patients with HF. Although not an independent predictor, WRF might be one of useful markers to identify patients who should be followed carefully after discharge.

Morphological assessment of chronic total occlusions by combined coronary computed tomographic angiography and intravascular ultrasound imaging.

AIMS: The relationship between CTO morphology and vessel remodelling is unclear. We described chronic total occlusion (CTO) morphology using coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) combined with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Pre-intervention CCTA and IVUS of 130 CTO lesions (128 patients) were evaluated. Based on CCTA, positive CTO lesion remodelling [PR, maximum CTO segment vessel diameter > proximal reference vessel diameter (RVD)] was seen in 44 (33.8%) lesions. In the other 86 lesions without PR, 74 (56.9%) had a minimum CTO segment vessel diameter >50% of the proximal RVD and were classified as non-PR; 12 (9.2%) lesions had a minimum CTO segment vessel diameter ≤50% of the proximal RVD and were classified as collapse. Comparing the three groups, CTO with PR had the greatest maximum atheroma cross-sectional area (CSA) while the collapse group had the least atheroma CSA (16.0 mm2 [12.0, 19.4] vs. 9.1 mm2 [6.0, 15.9], P < 0.001). The maximum arc of attenuated plaque was greatest in the PR group (51° [0, 167]); and the maximum arc of calcium was greatest in the non-PR group (91° [51, 174]). In the collapse group distal to the occluded segment, there was a normal-appearing vessel by IVUS that corresponded to the collapsed segment by CCTA; its minimum plaque burden was 33.2% [19.9, 38.1] with a smooth concave-shaped lumen surface, implying that the CCTA collapse segment was not occluded. CONCLUSION: Not all CTOs are the same with regard to lesion remodelling and underlying morphology. The combination of IVUS and CCTA can help to categorize CTO morphology.

Steroid pulse therapy was effective for cardiac sarcoidosis with ventricular tachycardia and systolic dysfunction.

A 32-year-old man presented with palpitation. He was diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis by lung biopsy. The electrocardiogram showed first-degree atrioventricular block and complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB). We planned to examine laboratory data, echocardiography, Holter monitoring, and gallium-67 scintigraphy. Before he went through all these exams, he developed ventricular tachycardia. After defibrillation was performed, his electrocardiogram revealed complete atrioventricular block. We observed elevation of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels. In addition, both of gallium-67 scintigraphy and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed abnormal uptake in the ventricular septum. We diagnosed the patient with cardiac sarcoidosis associated with these arrhythmias. We started treatment with methylprednisolone pulse therapy (1 g daily). After 3 days of steroid pulse therapy, we administered prednisolone 30 mg daily. On day 15, electrocardiogram changed from complete atrioventricular block to first-degree atrioventricular block and CRBBB. He was discharged with no progression with cardiac sarcoidosis for 2 years.

Serial Intravascular Ultrasound Findings After Treatment of Chronic Total Occlusions Using Drug-Eluting Stents.

Morphologic changes after chronic total occlusion (CTO) treatment with drug-eluting stents (DESs) have not been assessed in detail. Our aim was to use both baseline and follow-up intravascular ultrasound studies to evaluate the morphologic changes and, especially, the changes in distal vessel size and the effect of subintimal stenting after treatment of CTOs with DES. We analyzed serial follow-up intravascular ultrasound (baseline and follow-up at 9 ± 2 months) after DES implantation into 40 CTOs. Overall, 33 CTOs were treated by the anterograde approach; and 7 were treated by the retrograde approach. Minimum lumen cross-sectional area (CSA) trended toward a decrease from baseline to follow-up (4.8 ± 1.7 vs 4.5 ± 1.7 mm(2), p = 0.10), although the minimum stent CSA (4.8 ± 1.7 vs 4.9 ± 1.7 mm(2), p = 0.26) did not change. The distal reference, but not the proximal reference lumen CSA, increased significantly at follow-up (3.8 ± 2.0 to 5.1 ± 2.3 mm(2), p = 0.0004). Late-acquired stent malapposition was seen in 17 patients (42.5%). In 8 CTOs (20%), a part of the stent was implanted into a subintimal space; in these 8 patients, maximum percent neointimal hyperplasia and minimum lumen area was similar in the subintimal segment compared with the adjacent intraplaque segment. The frequency of late-acquired stent malapposition was similar. In conclusion, after CTO treatment with DES, distal vessel enlargement was detected. Subintimal stenting after recanalization of CTO was not inferior compared with stenting within the plaque in terms of long-term morphologic impact.

The Efficacy of Tolvaptan in Congestive Heart Failure Patients with and Without Hypoalbuminemia: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) with hypoalbuminemia is associated with poor response to conventional therapy. We investigated whether tolvaptan, a potent aquaretic agent, might be of benefit in HF patients with hypoalbuminemia. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 40 patients hospitalized for HF. Patients received conventional therapy including loop diuretics. We subsequently added tolvaptan in the range of 3.75-15 mg daily and it was discontinued after improvement of HF symptoms. We compared clinical and laboratory data in HF patients with and without hypoalbuminemia (defined as serum albumin <3.0 g/dL). RESULTS: Tolvaptan was administered in 18 HF patients with hypoalbuminemia (Group A) and 22 HF patients without hypoalbuminemia (Group B). The mean serum albumin was 2.63 ± 0.27 and 3.46 ± 0.25 g/dL, respectively. The average urine output on tolvaptan increased significantly in both groups (1644.4 ± 797.6-3011.6 ± 1453.8 mL/day, P = 0.004; 1459 ± 612.7-2112.2 ± 724.5 mL/day, P = 0.008; respectively). In addition, we observed higher urine output on therapy in Group A than in Group B (P = 0.015). There was a moderate negative correlation between serum albumin and average urine output on tolvaptan (r = -0.42, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of tolvaptan to low dose loop diuretics might be an effective strategy for treatment of HF patients with hypoalbuminemia.

Mechanical complications of everolimus-eluting stents associated with adverse events: an intravascular ultrasound study.

AIMS: Mechanical complications contribute to bare metal and first-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) failure. However, the importance of the mechanical complications of second-generation DES remains unclear. We report mechanical complications associated with everolimus-eluting stent (EES) failures. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analysed 177 consecutive EES-treated lesions in 136 patients who underwent intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) at follow-up. Mechanical complications were identified in 17 patients (five stable angina, 10 unstable angina, two non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI] without angiographic thrombus). Fifteen (88.2%) were treated with repeat revascularisation. By IVUS, there were 16 focal (94.1%) and one diffuse (5.9%) in-stent restenoses. Complete stent fracture with separation was seen in only one, partial stent fracture with separation was seen in three, and in 13 there was longitudinal deformation (n=2) or stent strut fracture (n=11) with overlapping of the proximal and distal stent fragments. In 13 EES with evidence of overlapping in the setting of either fracture or deformation, there was a 35.5±12.2% smaller stent area compared to the adjacent proximal and distal stent fragments, and >50% neointimal hyperplasia in 12 (92.3%). CONCLUSIONS: We found EES mechanical complications, often followed by longitudinal deformation or fracture leading to excessive neointimal hyperplasia, in-stent restenosis, and repeat revascularisation.

Association between increased epicardial adipose tissue volume and coronary plaque composition.

To assess the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) and plaque vulnerability in significant coronary stenosis using a 40-MHz intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging system (iMap-IVUS), we analyzed 130 consecutive patients with coronary stenosis who underwent dual-source computed tomography (CT) and cardiac catheterization. Culprit lesions were imaged by iMap-IVUS before stenting. The iMAP-IVUS system classified coronary plaque components as fibrous, lipid, necrotic, or calcified tissue, based on the radiofrequency spectrum. Epicardial adipose tissue was measured as the tissue ranging from -190 to -30 Hounsfield units. EATV, calculated as the sum of the fat areas on short-axis images, was 85.0 ± 34.0 cm(3). There was a positive correlation between EATV and the percentage of necrotic plaque tissue (R (2) = 0.34, P < 0.01), while there was a negative correlation between EATV and the percentage of fibrous tissue (R (2) = 0.24, P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that an increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (ß = 0.15, P = 0.03) and EATV (ß = 0.14, P = 0.02) were independently associated with the percentage of necrotic plaque tissue. An increase in EATV was associated with the development of coronary atherosclerosis and, potentially, with the most dangerous type of plaque.

Local injection of tissue-plasminogen activator using a pulse spray catheter as a treatment option for proximal deep vein thrombosis: A case report.

A 24-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and left common iliac vein thrombosis. She had used low-dose contraceptive pill for dysmenorrhea. Otherwise, her laboratory data did not show any other thrombotic risk factors. Thrombus in the common iliac vein usually requires a permanent inferior vena cava (IVC) filter. However, the use of long-term warfarin should have been avoided for her potential future pregnancy. A retrievable IVC filter was placed and catheter directed thrombolysis was performed for her deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Local injection of monteplase from a pulse spray catheter was performed for 4 days. After the catheter-based treatment, the thrombus resolved and the IVC filter was successfully removed on day 19. The patient was discharged on day 21. Warfarin therapy was discontinued 6 months after discharge. .

Bypass to the left coronary artery system may accelerate left main coronary artery negative remodeling and calcification.

AIMS: This study aimed to use intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) data to reveal the mechanism of lesion progression in the native coronary circulation proximal to bypass grafts after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS AND RESULTS: We reviewed IVUS images in 86 patients with an angiographically significant left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis. Overall, 41 patients underwent CABG more than 6 months (mean 8.2 ± 6.1 years) previously and had at least one patent graft to the left coronary artery system. The number of patent grafts to the left coronary artery was 1.4 ± 0.7. Comparing patent graft vs. non-CABG groups, external elastic membrane and lumen areas and remodeling index at the minimum lumen area (MLA) site trended smaller with no difference in the plaque & media area. In addition, patients in the patent graft group had more LMCA calcium whether defined by cross-sectional (arc at the MLA site of 141 ± 109° vs. 88 ± 108°, P = 0.025) or longitudinal measurements (calcium length index, calculated as LMCA calcium length divided by total LMCA length, 0.69 ± 0.38 vs. 0.50 ± 0.42, P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Negative remodeling may be the main mechanism of lesion progression proximal to a patent bypass graft, and more calcium was found in LMCA after CABG compared with non-CABG patients.

Frequency, mechanisms, and implications of late peri-stent contrast staining: analysis (from the HORIZONS-AMI Trial).

Previous studies have suggested that angiographically detected persistent contrast staining (PSS) at follow-up may predict subsequent very late stent thrombosis. The Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial was a dual-arm, factorial, randomized trial in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions. All follow-up angiograms (1,330 lesions in 1,115 patients, median time 13.3 months) without major cardiovascular events before follow-up angiography were analyzed at a core laboratory blinded to clinical events for the presence of PSS (defined as contrast staining outside the stent contour extending to ≥20% of the stent diameter). Corresponding follow-up intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) data (275 lesions in 248 patients) were also evaluated to assess the mechanisms of PSS. PSS was present in 23 patients (2.1%) at follow-up and was not more common with paclitaxel-eluting than with bare-metal stents. All 6 PSS patients with follow-up IVUS had stent malapposition (vs 41.2% malapposition in the follow-up IVUS cohort). Comparing poststent and follow-up IVUS, 2 patients had late acquired and 4 had persistent malapposition; all 6 showed positive vessel remodeling from baseline to follow-up (mean vessel area 22.0 ± 8.0 to 32.4 ± 11.7 mm(2), p = 0.07). During 3-year follow-up, stent thrombosis developed in no patient with PSS compared with 8 PSS-negative patients (0% vs 0.8%, p = 0.68). The rates of revascularization and major adverse cardiovascular events were also not increased in PSS patients. In conclusion, in the large-scale HORIZONS-AMI trial, PSS at angiographic follow-up was infrequent and was associated with late stent malapposition and positive remodeling but was independent of stent type. Identification of PSS was not associated with subsequent stent thrombosis.