坂倉 建一

Aerobic training based on anaerobic threshold (AT) is well-known to improve cardiac function, exercise capacity, and long-term outcomes of patients with heart failure. Recent reports suggested that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for patients with cardiovascular disease may improve cardiopulmonary exercise capacity. We present a 61-year-old male patient of severe left ventricular dysfunction with left ventricular assisted device (LVAD). Following HIIT for 8 weeks, exercise capacity and muscle strength have improved without worsening left ventricular function. Our case showed the possibility that HIIT was feasible and effective even in patients with LVAD.

Because rotational atherectomy (RA) has several unique complications, such as burr entrapment, vessel perforation, and slow flow, it is important for interventional cardiologists to be familiar with bailout procedures for such complications. The principal part of bailout procedures is to keep a guidewire in the target coronary artery during the procedure. However, it is not easy to keep a guidewire in the same position during the removal of a burr because the length of the RA guidewires is 300 cm, and the removal of a burr requires collaboration between the primary operator and an assistant. We describe the case of an 83-year-old male with stable angina. We performed RA to the left anterior descending artery, and removed the burr using a KUSABI (Kaneka Medix Corporation, OSAKA, Japan) trapping balloon technique without activating the dynaglide mode. This simple technique would help RA operators remove a burr more reliably than the conventional removal technique.

Blunt chest trauma can cause a wide variety of injuries including acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Although AMI due to coronary artery dissection caused by blunt chest trauma is very rare, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In the vast majority of patients with AMI, primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are performed to recanalize obstructed arteries, but PCI carries a substantial risk of hemorrhagic complications in the acute phase of trauma. We report a case of AMI due to right coronary artery (RCA) dissection caused by blunt chest trauma. The totally obstructed RCA was spontaneously recanalized with medical therapy. We could avoid primary PCI in the acute phase of blunt chest trauma because electrocardiogram showed early reperfusion signs. We performed an elective PCI in the subacute phase when the risk of bleeding subsided. Since the risk of severe hemorrhagic complications is greater in the acute phase of blunt chest trauma as compared with the late phase, deferring emergency PCI is reasonable if signs of recanalization are observed.

Severe dissection and hematoma following stent implantation can cause acute vessel closure, which requires an immediate bailout procedure. However, bailout from such a situation may not be easy, especially when the hematoma extends to the distal segment of a coronary artery. We present a case of 73-year-old woman with effort angina who underwent PCI to the right coronary artery (RCA). Following stent implantation, there was a massive hematoma from the distal edge of the stent. We tried to create re-entry at the distal part of the hematoma, but were not successful. We managed her conservatively without additional stent placement or creating re-entry. Follow-up coronary angiography on day 68 showed excellent coronary flow. Intravascular ultrasound demonstrated complete healing of the hematoma. A hematoma caused by edge dissection is a challenging complication. Additional stent implantation to cover the entire length of the hematoma and/or cutting balloon dilatation to create re-entry are options however, these procedures may worsen the situation. Our case clearly showed healing of dissection and hematoma without creating re-entry or additional stent implantation. Conservative management should be considered an option for severe edge dissection and hematoma following stent implantation.

Background: The guide extension catheter is frequently used in current percutaneous coronary intervention, and the GuideLiner (Vascular Solutions Inc., Minneapolis, MN) has been the standard guide extension catheter. Recently, the Guideplus (Nipro, Osaka, Japan) has emerged as a new guide extension catheter. The aim of the present study was to compare device performance between the Guideplus and GuideLiner. Methods: We compared the purpose of guide extension catheter and the device unsuccessful rate between the Guideplus and GuideLiner. We classified the purpose of guide extension catheter into 4 categories: (1) to advance devices into the target lesion, (2) to engage guide catheter into the ostium, (3) to support the small profile balloon crossing the CTO or 99% stenosis that the microcatheter could not cross, and (4) others. Results: Ninety-two lesions were classified as the Guideplus group, whereas 103 lesions were classified as the GuideLiner group. The purpose of guide extension catheter was significantly different between the 2 groups (P &lt 0.001). The Guideplus was frequently used to support the small profile balloon crossing the CTO or 99% stenosis (20.7%), whereas the GuideLiner was not used (0%). The device unsuccessful rate was significantly less in the Guideplus (8.7%) than in the GuideLiner (20.4%) (P = 0.022). Conclusions: The purpose of guide extension catheter was significantly different between the Guideplus and GuideLiner. The Guideplus was more frequently used to support the small profile balloon crossing the CTO or 99% stenosis. The device unsuccessful rate was less in the Guideplus, which may suggest the better performance as the guide extension catheter.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias, and carries an increased risk of cardiogenic embolism. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) including warfarin and/or non-vitamin K antagonists can prevent the majority of these events. The Saitama AF Registry was a community-based survey of patients with AF in Saitama City, which represents an urban community in Japan. A total of 75 institutions participated in the registry and attempted to enroll consecutive patients with AF from September 2014 to August 2015. The aim of the present study was to examine the clinical characteristics of patients with AF using data of the Saitama AF Registry. In addition, we investigated the difference in clinical characteristics of the patients between small-sized hospitals and large-sized hospitals. A total of 3591 patients were enrolled; 57.7% of all patients were enrolled from small-sized hospitals, whereas 42.3% were from large-sized hospitals. The patients from small-sized hospitals had higher CHADS(2) score than those from large-sized hospitals. Approximately, 80% of all patients were treated with OACs, and the prescription rate was higher in patients with CHADS(2) score ae<yen> 2 from both small-sized hospitals and large-sized hospitals. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated an appropriate use of OACs for high-risk patients with CHADS(2) score ae<yen>2 in Saitama City regardless of hospital size.

<p>Acute symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is usually managed by intravenous heparin and oral warfarin. Recently, direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) have been introduced for the treatment of acute DVT. DOAC may be useful for very elderly patients who live in rural areas, where medical resources are limited. An 83-year-old woman presented to our clinic with left leg edema. Contrast enhanced computed tomography showed massive deep vein thrombosis in her left internal iliac vein. We diagnosed her with acute deep vein thrombosis. Since she refused to be hospitalized, we treated her with rivaroxaban as an outpatient. She had a good clinical course without hospitalization or an adverse event. DOAC may be useful for very elderly patients in rural areas.</p>

A 79-year-old male who had a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) received coronary angiography (CAG), because of angina pectoris. CAG showed in-stent restenosis of the paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES). Since the devices could not pass the lesion, we performed rotational atherectomy. Although we could not identify the calcified lesion by the optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) findings because of strong attenuation, the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) image showed the superficial calcification. On the other hand, strong attenuation in OFDI suggested the presence of foamy macrophage, which was essential for the diagnosis of neoatherosclerosis. We could obtain a favorable result by deploying another drug-eluting stent. While an earlier report showed the calcified neoatherosclerosis following bare-metal stent implantation, we clearly showed the calcified neoatherosclerosis following PES implantation.

While most of pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) cases can be managed by thrombolytic and anticoagulation therapy, massive PE remains a life-threatening disease. Although surgical embolectomy can be a curative therapy for massive PE, peri-operative mortality for hemodynamically collapsed PE is extremely high. We present a case of hemodynamically collapsed massive PE. We avoided either thrombolytic therapy or surgical embolectomy, because the patient had recent cerebral contusion. Therefore, we managed the patient with the combination of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) and conventional anticoagulation, which dramatically improved the patient’s hemodynamics. In conclusion, the combination of V-A ECMO and conventional anticoagulation may be the preferred first line therapy for the patients with cardiogenic shock following massive PE.

Side branch occlusion, which was one of the common complications in percutaneous coronary interventions, was closely associated with cardiac death and myocardial infarction. Clinical guidelines also support the importance of preservation of physiologic blood flow in SB during PCI to bifurcation lesions. In order to avoid side branch occlusion during stent implantation, we often performed the jailed wire technique, in which a conventional guide wire was inserted to the side branch before stent implantation to the main vessel. However, the jailed wire technique could not always prevent side branch occlusion. In this case report, we described a case of 72-year-old male suffering from angina pectoris. Coronary angiography revealed the diffuse calcified stenosis in the proximal and middle of left anterior descending coronary artery, and the large diagonal branch originated from the middle of the stenosis. To prevent side branch occlusion, we performed a novel side branch protection technique by using the Corsair microcatheter (Asahi Intecc, Nagoya, Japan). In this case report, we illustrated this “Jailed Corsair technique”, and discussed the advantage compared to other side branch protection techniques such as the jailed balloon technique.

While rotational atherectomy (RA) is used for complex lesions in percutaneous coronary intervention, there are several contraindications such as unprotected left main stenosis or left ventricular dysfunction. We previously reported that the incidence of in-hospital complications was significantly greater in off-label as compared to on-label use RA. However, the mid-term clinical outcomes between off-label and on-label RA have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare the mid-term clinical outcomes between off-label (n = 156) and on-label RA (n = 94). The primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as the composite of ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (TVR), non-fatal MI, and all-cause death. We also identified 154 patients who underwent RA and follow-up angiography within 1 year, and compared quantitative coronary analysis between the off-label group (n = 96) and on-label group (n = 58). There was no significant difference in late luminal loss between the groups (0.03 +/- 0.53 mm in the off-label and -0.05 +/- 0.44 mm in the on-label groups, P = 0.57). However, the incidence of MACE was less in the on-label group (3.2 %) as compared to the off-label group (9.0 %) without reaching statistical significance (P = 0.08). In conclusion, mid-term clinical outcomes tended to be worse in the off-label group than in the on-label group. We may have to follow-up the patient who underwent off-label RA more carefully than the patient who underwent on-label RA.

Background: The optimal strategy for diffuse right coronary artery (RCA) stenosis remains unclear. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the mid-term outcomes of "complete full-metal jacket (c-FMJ) stenting strategy" with "incomplete full-metal jacket (i-FMJ) stenting strategy" for the diffuse long RCA lesion using drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods: Between July 2007 and October 2015, 121 patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for diffuse RCA lesions using DES. Fifty-three patients underwent c-FMJ PCI, whereas 68 patients underwent i-FMJ. Thirty patients received angiographical follow-up in the c-FMJ group, while 34 patients received angiographical follow-up in the i-FMJ group. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE): cardiac death, stent thrombosis (ST), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). Results: The incidence of MACE was significantly lower in the c-FMJ group (13.3%) as compared to the iFMJ group (41.2%) (p = 0.013). There was no cardiac death in either group. The incidence of ST was comparable between the i-FMJ group (2.9%) and c-FMJ group (3.3%) (p = 1.00), while TLR was significantly less in the c-FMJ group (6.7%) compared to the i-FMJ group (32.4%) (p = 0.011). Conclusions: The mid-term MACE was significantly less in the c-FMJ group than in the i-FMJ group, indicating that c-FMJ stenting was a favorable strategy for the diffuse long RCA lesion. (C) 2016 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Coronary spasm is abnormal contraction of an epicardial coronary artery resulting in myocardial ischemia. Coronary spasm induces not only depressed myocardial contractility, but also incomplete myocardial relaxation, which leads to elevated ventricular filling pressure. We herein report the case of a 55-year-old woman who had repeated acute heart failure caused by coronary spasm. Acetylcholine provocation test with simultaneous right heart catheterization was useful for the diagnosis of elevated ventricular filling pressure as well as coronary artery spasm. We should add coronary spasm to a differential diagnosis for repeated acute heart failure.

Objectives: The purpose of this randomized trial was to compare the incidence of slow flow between low-speed and high-speed rotational atherectomy (RA) of calcified coronary lesions. Background: Preclinical studies suggest that slow flow is less frequently observed with low-speed than high-speed RA because of less platelet aggregation with low-speed RA. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, single center study. A total of 100 patients with calcified coronary lesions were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to low-speed (140,000 rpm) or high-speed (190,000 rpm) RA. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of slow flow following RA. Slow flow was defined as slow or absent distal runoff (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] flow grade2). Results: The incidence of slow flow in the low-speed group (24%) was the same as that in the high-speed group (24%) (P=1.00; odds ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.40-2.50). The frequencies of TIMI 3, TIMI 2, TIMI 1, and TIMI 0 flow grades were similar between the low-speed (TIMI 3, 76%; TIMI 2, 14%; TIMI 1, 8%; TIMI 0, 2%) and high-speed (TIMI 3, 76%; TIMI 2, 14%; TIMI 1, 10%; TIMI 0, 0%) groups (P=0.77 for trend). The incidence of periprocedural myocardial infarction was the same between the low-speed (6%) and high-speed (6%) groups (P=1.00). Conclusions: This randomized trial did not show a reduction in the incidence of slow flow following low-speed RA as compared with high-speed RA (UMIN ID: UMIN000015702). (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In rotational atherectomy (RA), several burr sizes are available, such as 1.25 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.75 mm, or ≥ 2.0 mm. It is important to select an appropriate burr size for each lesion because rotational atherectomy has several unique complications regarding burrs such as entrapment or perforation. When a burr cannot penetrate the lesion, downsizing of the burr is generally recommended. Also, if the smallest burr (1.25 mm) cannot penetrate the lesion, a change to a more supportive or larger French guiding catheter has been recommended. We describe the case of a 68 year-old female who was referred to our department for percutaneous coronary intervention to the calcified stenosis in the middle of the left anterior descending coronary artery. We used the smallest burr (1.25 mm) and a supportive 7 Fr guiding catheter to penetrate the lesion. However, the smallest burr could not pass the lesion even after 14 sessions (total ablation time: 339 seconds). We intentionally increased the burr size from 1.25 mm to 1.5 mm. The 1.5 mm burr successfully passed the lesion without any perforation or burr entrapment. In this manuscript, we discuss why increasing the burr size was successful for this severely calcified lesion that was not penetrated by the smallest burr. (Int Heart J 2017 58: 279-282)

Eosinophilic myocarditis is a rare form of myocardial inflammation that is characterized by the infiltration of eosinophilic cells into the myocardium. The clinical symptoms of eosinophilic myocarditis are similar to those of acute coronary syndrome, and eosinophilic myocarditis sometimes occurs in combination with bronchial asthma. We herein present a case of eosinophilic myocarditis in which additional time was required to make a definitive diagnosis because the patient received steroid therapy. The diagnosis of eosinophilic myocarditis is challenging, especially when a patient has other inflammatory diseases, such as bronchial asthma. We should pay attention to the possibility that steroid therapy may mask the presentation of eosinophilic myocarditis.

Compared to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with single vessel disease (SVD) or double vessel disease (DVD), AMI with triple vessel disease (TVD) is associated with higher mortality. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of in-hospital death in AMI with TVD. We identified AMI patients with TVD in our tertiary medical center between January 2009 and December 2014. Baseline patient characteristics including laboratory data, echocardiograms, and coronary angiograms were collected from our hospital records. We divided our study population into a survivor group and non-survivor group. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the determinants of in-hospital death. A total of 138 AMI patients with TVD were identified and included as the final study population. Fifteen patients died during the hospitalization (mortality rate, 10.9%). Mean systolic blood pressure (134 ± 27 mmHg) was significantly greater in the survivor group compared with the non-survivor group (114 ± 31 mmHg) (P = 0.02). The prevalence of shock on admission was significantly less in the survivor group (15.4%) than in the non-survivor group (66.7%) (P < 0.001). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that shock status on admission (OR 11.50, 95% CI 3.21-41.14, P < 0.001), the left anterior descending artery (LAD) as the infarct related artery (IRA) (OR 3.83, 95% CI 1.04-14.09, P = 0.04), and serum albumin on admission (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08-0.84, P = 0.02) were significantly associated with in-hospital death. In conclusion, shock status on admission, the LAD as the IRA, and a low serum albumin level were the determinants of in-hospital death in AMI patients with TVD.

Background: Treatment options for patients with coronary artery disease at high risk for bleeding complications are limited. The aim of the current preclinical study was to evaluate neointimal coverage, endothelial recovery, inflammation and thrombogenicity in a novel thin-strut (71 mu m thickness) Cobalt Chromium (CoCr) stent modified with a nano-thin Polyzene (R)-F (PzF) surface coating. Methods and results: Twenty-eight single PzF nano-coated stents and 20 bare metal control stents (BMS) were implanted in the coronary arteries of 24 pigs, with scheduled 5-(n = 5), 28-(n = 13), and 90-day (n = 6) follow-up in addition to overlapping configuration (n = 6 each), examined at 28-days. Histomorphometric analysis showed significantly lower neointimal thickness in PzF nano-coated stents than BMS controls at both 28- and 90-days (p = 0.023 and 0.005) and reduced inflammation (p = 0.06 and 0.13). Endothelial coverage over luminal surfaces at all time points was similar between nano-coated stents and BMS controls. We conducted supplementary in-vitro experiments using human monocytes and an ex-vivo swine carotidjugular arterio-venous shunt model to better understand the healing properties afforded by the PzF nanocoating. Overall, the PzF-nano-coating showed reduced monocyte adhesion and thrombus formation compared to the un-coated controls. Conclusions: Stents modified with a nano-thin PzF-coating implanted in healthy swine indicate favorable vascular healing properties shown by reduced neointimal hyperplasia and inflammation, along with resistance to thrombus formation in an ex-vivo shunt model over unmodified stents. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background-The usage of rotational atherectomy (RA) is growing in the current percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) because of the expansion of PCI indication to more complex lesions. However, the complications after RA have been linked to procedure-related morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and determinants of complications in RA using a large nationwide registration system in Japan (J-PCI). Methods and Results-The primary composite outcome of this study was defined as the occurrence of in-hospital death, cardiac tamponade, and emergent surgery after RA. A total of 13 335 RA cases (3.2% of registered PCI cases) were analyzed. The composite outcome was observed in 175 cases (1.31%) and included 80 in-hospital deaths (0.60%), 86 tamponades (0.64%), and 24 emergent surgeries (0.18%). The clinical variables associated with occurrence of the composite outcome were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.03 per unit increment, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.05), impaired kidney function (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.15-2.19), previous myocardial infarction (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.21-2.35), emergent PCI (OR 4.02, 95% CI 1.66-8.27), and triple-vessel disease (versus single-vessel disease: OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.43-3.28). Notably, institutional volume of RA cases was inversely associated with the composite outcomes (high-versus low-volume institution: OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.36-0.89). Conclusions-The reported incidence of important procedure-related complication rate was 1.3%, with each component ranging between 0.2% and 0.6% in J-PCI. Its determinants were both patient related (age, impaired kidney function, and previous myocardial infarction) and procedure related (emergent procedures, number of diseased vessels, and institutional volume of RA).

Revascularization therapy such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) should be considered for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, revascularization therapy does not always improve left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of LVEF improvement following revascularization in HFrEF patients. From 2,229 consecutive decompensated heart failure patients, a total of 47 HFrEF patients who underwent revascularization were included in the analysis. Improvement of LVEF was defined as [(LVEF during chronic phase) - (LVEF during acute phase)] &gt;= 10%. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to investigate the determinants of LVEF improvement. The prevalence of revascularization by PCIs including chronic total occlusion (CTO) was significantly greater in the improved EF group (45.0%) as compared to the non -improved EF group (11.1%) (P = 0.02). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that revascularization by PCIs including CTO was the significant determinant of the LVEF improvement after adjusting for confounding factors (OR 5.43, 95% CI 1.06-27.74, P = 0.04). Optimal medical therapy (angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and/or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and beta-blockers) was less frequently prescribed in patients with CABG (50.0% for ACE inhibitor and/or ARB and 41.7% for beta-blocker) than in patients without CABG (94.3% for both) (P &lt; 0.01 and P &lt; 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, revascularization by PCIs including CTO was the significant determinant of LVEF improvement in HFrEF patients. Our results underscore the importance of optimal medical therapy even if patients receive complete revascularization such as CABG.

Background: Prolonged fluoroscopy time during coronary angiography is a major concern for interventional cardiologists as well as for patients. It is unknown which factors affect the prolonged fluoroscopy time. Methods: A total of 458 patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography were included. The patients who had the highest decile of fluoroscopy time were assigned to the prolonged fluoroscopy group (fluoroscopy time &gt;= 15.7 min), while the other patients were assigned to the non -prolonged fluoroscopy group (fluoroscopy time &lt;15.7 min). We performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify the predictors of prolonged fluoroscopy time. Results: Mean fluoroscopy time in 458 patients was 8.5 +/- 5.8 min. Median and ranges of fluoroscopy time were 19.0 [15.7-47.0] min in the prolonged fluoroscopy group and 6.0 [2.0-15.3] min in the non -prolonged fluoroscopy group, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that significant predictors of prolonged fluoroscopy time were prior surgery of ascending aorta replacement [odds ratios (OR) 11.46, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.53-85.74, p = 0.02] and the prevalence of moderate to severe aortic regurgitation (OR 2.83, 95% CI 1.20-6.66, p = 0.02). Conclusions: The prior surgery of ascending aorta replacement and moderate to severe aortic regurgitation were significant predictors of the prolonged fluoroscopy time. (C) 2015 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance are well-known risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) and adverse clinical events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Postprandial hyperglycemia is an important risk factor for CAD and serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) reflects postprandial hyperglycemia more robustly than hemoglobin (Hb)A1c. We aimed to clarify the relationship between serum 1,5-AG level and adverse clinical events after PCI. We enrolled 141 patients after PCI with follow-up coronary angiography. We evaluated associations between glycemic biomarkers including HbA1c and 1,5-AG and cardiovascular events during follow-up. Median serum 1,5-AG level was significantly lower in patients with any coronary revascularization and target lesion revascularization (TLR) [13.4 A mu g/ml (first quartile, third quartile 9.80, 18.3) vs. 18.7 (12.8, 24.2), p = 0.005; 13.4 A mu g/ml (10.2, 16.4) vs. 18.7 (12.9, 24.2), p = 0.001, respectively]. Multivariate logistic analysis showed lower 1,5-AG was independently associated with any coronary revascularization and TLR (odds ratio 0.93, 95 % confidence interval 0.86-0.99, p = 0.04; 0.90, 0.81-0.99, p = 0.044, respectively), whereas higher HbA1c was not. Postprandial hyperglycemia and lower 1,5-AG are important risk factors for adverse clinical events after PCI.

Rotational atherectomy to an angulated calcified lesion is always challenging. The risk of catastrophic complications such as a burr becoming stuck or vessel perforation is greater when the calcified lesion is angulated. We describe the case of an 83-year-old female suffering from unstable angina. Diagnostic coronary angiography revealed an angulated calcified lesion in the proximal segment of the right coronary artery. We performed rotational atherectomy to the lesion, but intentionally did not advance the rotational atherectomy burr beyond the top of the angulation. We controlled the rotational atherectomy burr and stopped it just before the top of the angulation to avoid complications. Following rotational atherectomy, balloon dilatation with a non-compliant balloon was performed, and drug-eluting stents were successfully deployed. In this manuscript, we provide a review of the literature on this topic, and discuss how rotational atherectomy to an angulated calcified lesion should be performed.

Background: Compared to transpulmonary pressure gradient (TPPG), diastolic pulmonary vascular pressure gradient (DPG) may be a more sensitive and specific indicator for pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to left heart disease (LHD) with significant pulmonary vascular disease (PVD). The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical features of PH-LHD with PVD classified by DPG and TPPG. Methods: We analyzed 410 patients admitted for symptomatic heart failure (HF) (New York Heart Association &gt;= 2) and who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) at compensated stage between 2007 and 2012. Patients with PH-LHD were divided into 3 groups according to the value of DPG and TPPG (Non-PVD group: DPG &lt;7 mmHg and TPPG &lt;= 12 mmHg; TPPG-PVD group: DPG &lt;7 mmHg and TPPG &gt;12 mmHg; DPG-PVD group: DPG &gt;= 7 mmHg). Multivariate Cox regression analysis was applied to investigate whether each PH-LHD category predicts death or HF readmission after adjusting for other variables. Results: PH-LHD was observed in 164 patients (40%) with symptomatic HF. Thirteen patients (3%) were allocated into DPG-PVD group, while 24 patients were allocated into TPPG-PVD group (6%). DPG-PVD group was significantly associated with death or HF readmission compared to non-PVD group (hazard ratio: 3.57; 95% CI: 1.33 to 9.55, p = 0.01), while the association between TPPG-PVD group and non-PVD group did not reach statistical significance (hazard ratio: 1.89; 95% CI: 0.77 to 4.64, p = 0.17). Conclusions: PH-LHD with PVD classified by DPG was significantly associated with poor long-term clinical outcomes, whereas the association between PH-LHD with PVD classified by TPPG and clinical outcomes did not reach statistical significance. However, further studies are needed, because there was no substantial difference in clinical outcomes between PH-LHD with PVD classified by DPG and PH-LHD with PVD classified by TPPG. (C) 2015 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A 44-year-old woman, who had been previously diagnosed with coronary spastic angina and treated with standard medical therapy including calcium channel blockers, was admitted to our hospital due to chest pain at rest. Her chest pain attacks were concentrated just before and during menstruation. Despite the administration of an intravenous infusion of nitroglycerin and nicorandil, strong heart attacks with ST elevation occurred frequently after this admission. However, following continuous combined estrogen-progestin hormonal contraception use (estradiol plus dienogest), her attacks disappeared completely. Reduced estrogen levels before and during menstruation were speculated to be associated with her angina attacks.

A 60-year-old man was prescribed oral desmopressin (1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin acetate trihydrate; DDAVP) for nocturnal polyuria. One week after starting to take desmopressin, he frequently felt chest pain while resting. Coronary angiography revealed no organic stenosis; however, an acetylcholine provocation test showed severe coronary spasm with ST elevation. He was diagnosed with coronary spastic angina, and we stopped the oral desmopressin and added diltiazem. While DDAVP should dilate the coronary vessels in healthy subjects, it may provoke coronary vasospasm in patients with endothelial dysfunction. We should be careful to avoid triggering coronary spasm when administering DDAVP to patients that may have potential endothelial dysfunction.

Thrombus aspiration is currently the standard strategy for primary PCI. Thrombus can be aspirated via aspiration catheters, restoring coronary blood flow. However, there are a limited number of reports regarding thrombus aspiration toward tumor embolized occlusion. We present a case of 90-year-old male with AMI caused by the metastatic tumor embolism. Emergent coronary angiography revealed total occlusion in three epicardial vessels. Histopathological examination of the aspirated specimen revealed the mixture of thrombus and metastatic tumor cells. Thrombus aspiration was partially effective for restoring coronary blood flow however, it was very helpful for the final diagnosis of tumor embolism.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is an integral membrane glycoprotein that modulates the pathological state of diabetes mellitus (DM), and DPP4 inhibitors are a new class of anti-type-2 DM drugs. Recent preclinical studies have associated DPP4 inhibition with improved myocardial systolic and diastolic function. Based on preclinical findings, we investigated associations between the administration of DPP4 inhibitors and cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a clinical setting. We enrolled 34 patients with diabetes who were treated for acute myocardial infarction at our hospital between January 2010 and December 2012. We retrospectively compared changes in cardiac parameters determined by trans-thoracic echocardiography between patients treated with (DPP4-I group; n = 13) or without (non-DPP4-I group; n = 21) a DPP4 inhibitor during follow-up. The values of E/e' and of e'/a' significantly decreased and increased, respectively, in the DPP4-I, compared with the non-DPP4-I group (-2.53 +/- A 5.53 vs. 2.58 +/- A 5.68, p = 0.038 and 0.08 +/- A 0.23 vs. -0.12 +/- A 0.21, p = 0.036, respectively). We concluded that DPP4 inhibitors could improve E/e' and e'/a' in patients with DM and AMI and thus might be effective for treating left ventricular diastolic failure.

Background: The optimal preoperative therapeutic strategy for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important concern in the era of drug-eluting stents and antiplatelet therapy. However, there are few studies about the impact of prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on perioperative major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and bleeding events associated with oral antiplatelet therapy. The aim of this study was to examine the risks and benefits of performing PCI before non-cardiac surgery (NCS) in patients with CAD. Methods: We investigated 130 patients who had angiographically significant and stable CAD and underwent NCS after index coronary angiography. We divided the patients into two groups: patients undergoing PCI with coronary stenting (PCI group), and those not undergoing PCI before NCS (no-PCI group), and compared the MACEs and bleeding events within 30 days from NCS between the groups. Results: There were 53 and 77 patients in the PCI and no-PCI groups, respectively. MACEs were observed in 2 patients (3.8%) in the PCI group and 3 patients (3.9%) in the no-PCI group (p = 0.97), whereas bleeding events were observed in 10 (18.9%) and 8 patients (10.4%) in the PCI and no-PCI groups, respectively (p = 0.17). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of MACEs and bleeding events. Conclusions: The rate of MACEs following NCS was not significantly different between the PCI and no-PCI groups, while the rate of bleeding events was higher in the PCI group without reaching statistical significance. This study suggests that patients with stable CAD may be able to safely undergo NCS without revascularization even in the presence of significant coronary artery stenosis. (C) 2015 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background: Clinical outcomes of implantation of the newer-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) following rotational atherectomy for heavily calcified lesions remain unclear in the real-world setting. Methods and Results: We enrolled 252 consecutive patients (273 lesions) treated with newer-generation DES following rotational atherectomy. The primary endpoint was the cumulative 2-year incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, clinically-driven target lesion revascularization, and definite stent thrombosis. Complete clinical follow-up information at 2-year was obtained for all patients. The mean age was 73.2+/-9.0 years and 155 patients (61.5%) were male. Cumulative 2-year incidence of MACE (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, clinically-driven target lesion revascularization and definite stent thrombosis) was 20.3% (7.0%, 2.1%, 18.1% and 2.1%, respectively). Predictors of MACE were presenting with acute coronary syndrome (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29-11.2, P= 0.02), hemodialysis (HR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.04-3.56, P= 0.04) and previous coronary artery bypass graft (HR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.02-5.00, P= 0.045). Conclusions: PCI for calcified lesions requiring rotational atherectomy is still challenging even in the era of newer-generation DES.

Postprandial hyperglycemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) level is an useful clinical marker of glucose metabolism which reflects postprandial hyperglycemia more robustly compared to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Relationship between serum 1,5-AG level and cardiovascular disease has been reported; however, comparison between HbA1c and 1,5-AG as markers of cardiovascular disease was not performed. We included 227 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography meeting the following inclusion criteria: (1) patients who had no history of coronary artery disease (CAD); (2) patients without acute coronary syndrome; (3) patients without poorly controlled diabetes mellitus; (4) patients without anemia, liver dysfunction, acute, and chronic renal failure and malnutrition; and (5) patients without adhibition of acarbose or Chinese herbal medicine. We measured HbA1c, glycoalbumin, and 1,5-AG. Serum 1,5-AG was significantly lower in patients with CAD (16.6 +/- A 8.50 vs. 21.1 +/- A 7.97 mu g/ml, P &lt; 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed decrease in serum 1,5-AG was independently associated with the presence of denovo CAD (0.93, 95 % CI 0.88-0.98, P = 0.006). Serum 1,5-AG was also independently associated with the presence of denovo CAD in patients without diabetes mellitus (0.94, 95 % CI 0.88-0.99, P = 0.046). In conclusion, lower serum 1,5-AG was associated with the presence of denovo CAD. Serum 1,5-AG may identify high cardiovascular risk patients for denovo CAD in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disease with high mortality. Hypertension is a well known risk factor of AAD. There have been previous reports about the association between circadian variation of blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular events. However, little is known about the association between the onset-time of AAD and circadian variation of BP. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of circadian variation of BP in AAD and its relation to the onset-time of this disease. This study included type B spontaneous AAD patients who were referred to our institution and treated conservatively between January 2008 and June 2013. Patients with type A AAD, secondary to trauma, and type B AAD which preceded surgical intervention were excluded. Data were retrospectively collected from the hospital medical records. Sixty-eight patients with type B AAD were enrolled. The distribution of the circadian pattern in the study patients was as follows: extreme-dipper, 0% (none); dipper, 20.6% (n = 14); non-dipper, 50% (n = 34); riser, 29.4% (n = 20). Non-dipper and riser patterns were more frequently observed compared with. other population studies reported previously. Moreover, no patient in the dipper group had night-time onset while 31.5% of the patients in the absence of nocturnal BP fall group (non-dipper and riser) did (P = 0.01). Absence of a nocturnal BP fall was frequently seen in AAD patients. Absence of a nocturnal BP fall may be a risk factor of AAD. Circadian variation of BP may also affect the onset-time of type BAAD.

Aims: The Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation System is a next-generation catheter-based device which was used to investigate whether the target ablation area can be controlled by changing ultrasound energy and duration to optimise nerve injury while preventing damage to the arterial wall. Methods and results: Five ultrasound doses were tested in a thermal gel model. Catheter-based ultrasound denervation was performed in 15 swine (29 renal arteries) to evaluate five different doses in vivo, and animals were euthanised at seven days for histopathologic assessment. In the gel model, the peak temperature was highest in the low power-long duration (LP-LD) dose, followed by the mid-low power-mid duration (MLP-MD) dose and the mid-high power-short duration (MHP-SD) dose, and lowest in the mid power-short duration (MP-SD) dose and the high power-ultra short duration (HP-USD) dose. In the animal study, total ablation area was significantly greater in the LP-LD group, followed by the MLP-MD group, and it was least in the HP-USD, MP-SD and MHP-SD groups (p=0.02). Maximum distance was significantly greater in the LP-LD group, followed by the MLP-MD group, the MHP-SD group, and the HP-USD group, and shortest in the MP-SD group (p=0.007). The short spare distance was not different among the five groups (p=0.38). Renal artery damage was minimal, while preserving significant nerve damage in all groups. Conclusions: The Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation System is a controllable system where total ablation area and depth of ablation can be optimised by changing ultrasound power and duration while sparing renal arterial tissue damage but allowing sufficient pen-arterial nerve damage.

Background-The pathology of radiofrequency-derived sympathetic renal denervation has not been studied over time and may provide important understanding of the mechanisms resulting in sustained blood pressure reduction. The purpose of this study was to investigate chronological changes after radiofrequency-renal denervation in the swine model. Methods and Results-A total of 49 renal arteries from 28 animals with 4 different time points (7, 30, 60, and 180 days) were examined. Semiquantitative histological assessment of arteries and associated tissue was performed to characterize the chronological progression of the radiofrequency lesions. Arterial medial circumferential injury (%) was greatest at 7 days (38 +/- 13%), followed by 30 days (31 +/- 6%) and 60 days (31 +/- 15%), and least at 180 days (21 +/- 12%) (P=0.046). Nerve injury score was significantly greater (P&lt;0.001) at 7 days (3.9 +/- 0.4) compared with 30 days (2.5 +/- 0.5), 60 days (2.6 +/- 0.5), and 180 days (1.9 +/- 0.9). Tyrosine hydroxylase score, which assesses functional nerve damage, was significantly less after 7 (1 +/- 1) and 30 days (0.7 +/- 0.6) compared with 60 (2.7 +/- 0.6) and 180 days (2.7 +/- 0.6; P=0.01). Focal nerve regeneration at the sites of radiofrequency ablation was observed in 17% of renal arteries at 60 days and 71% of 180 days. Conclusions-Nerve injury after radiofrequency ablation was greatest at 7 days, with maximum functional nerve damage sustained &lt;= 30 days. Focal terminal nerve regeneration was observed only at the sites of ablation as early as 60 days and continued to 180 days. Renal artery and peri-arterial soft tissue injury is greatest in the subacute phase, and least in the chronic phase, suggesting gradual recovery of the renal arterial wall and surrounding tissue.

An intra-luminal ultrasound catheter system (ReCor Medical's Paradise System) has been developed to provide circumferential denervation of the renal sympathetic nerves, while preserving the renal arterial intimal and medial layers, in order to treat hypertension. The Paradise System features a cylindrical non-focused ultrasound transducer centered within a balloon that circulates cooling fluid and that outputs a uniform circumferential energy pattern designed to ablate tissues located 1-6 mm from the arterial wall and protect tissues within 1 mm. RF power and cooling flow rate are controlled by the Paradise Generator which can energize transducers in the 8.5-9.5 MHz frequency range. Computer simulations and tissue-mimicking phantom models were used to develop the proper power, cooling flow rate and sonication duration settings to provide consistent tissue ablation for renal arteries ranging from 5-8 mm in diameter. The modulation of these three parameters allows for control over the near-field (border of lesion closest to arterial wall) and far-field (border of lesion farthest from arterial wall, consisting of the adventitial and peri-adventitial spaces) depths of the tissue lesion formed by the absorption of ultrasonic energy and conduction of heat. Porcine studies have confirmed the safety (protected intimal and medial layers) and effectiveness (ablation of 1-6 mm region) of the system and provided near-field and far-field depth data to correlate with bench and computer simulation models. The safety and effectiveness of the Paradise System, developed through computer model, bench and in vivo studies, has been demonstrated in human clinical studies.

We present a case of a patient who needed rapid switch from intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) to percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS)/venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. It is difficult to switch from IABP to PCPS, because 0.035-inch guidewires cannot pass the IABP guidewire lumen (0.025-inch compatible), and the IABP sheath needs to be removed together with the IABP catheter. First, a 0.025-inch guidewire was inserted into the IABP wire lumen, and then the IABP catheter together with the 8 Fr IABP sheath was removed, leaving the 0.025-inch guidewire in place. We used the Perclose ProGlide for safe and rapid exchange of the 0.025-inch guidewire for a 0.035-inch guidewire. This allowed insertion of a PCPS cannula and the prompt initiation of PCPS.

BACKGROUND Left atrial appendage (LAA) electrical isolation is reported to improve atrial fibrillation ablation outcomes. However, loss of mechanical function may increase thromboembolic risk. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of LAA occlusion after electrical isolation in a canine model. METHODS Nine canines underwent LAA isolation with irrigated radiofrequency ablation after pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. Entrance and exit block were confirmed with intravenous adenosine after 30 minutes. The LAA was then occluded with a Watchman device. Device position was assessed at 10 days by using transthoracic echocardiography. At 45 days, LAA isolation was assessed epicardially. Hearts were then examined macroscopically and histologically. RESULTS All 36 PVs and 8 of 9 LAAs (89%) were electrically isolated, Acute LAA reconnection occurred in 4 of 8 LAAs (50%). All were reisolated. The mean ablation time was 51 +/- 19 minutes, including 24 +/- 18 minutes for LAA isolation. LAA occlusion was successful in all cases. One animal died of a primary intracranial bleed due to anticoagulant hypersensitivity 36 hours after the procedure. Transthoracic echocardiography at 10 days confirmed satisfactory device positions and no pericardial effusion. At 45 days, 7 of 8 (88%) had persistent LAA electrical isolation. All devices were stable without evidence of erosion. Microscopy revealed complete device-tissue apposition and a mature connective tissue layer overlying the device surface in all cases. CONCLUSION LAA electrical isolation and mechanical occlusion can be performed concomitantly in this animal model, with no displacement or mechanical erosion of the appendage at 45 days. This technique can potentially improve success rates and obviate the need for chronic anticoagulation. Future studies should address efficacy, safety, and feasibility in humans.

Background-The long-term efficacy of radiofrequency ablation of renal autonomic nerves has been proven in nonrandomized studies. However, long-term safety of the renal artery (RA) is of concern. The aim of our study was to determine if cooling during radiofrequency ablation preserved the RA while allowing equivalent nerve damage. Methods and Results-A total of 9 swine (18 RAs) were included, and allocated to irrigated radiofrequency (n=6 RAs, temperature setting: 50 degrees C), conventional radiofrequency (n=6 RAs, nonirrigated, temperature setting: 65 degrees C), and high-temperature radiofrequency (n=6 RAs, nonirrigated, temperature setting: 90 degrees C) groups. RAs were harvested at 10 days, serially sectioned from proximal to distal including perirenal tissues and examined after paraffin embedding, and staining with hematoxylin-eosin and Movat pentachrome. RAs and periarterial tissue including nerves were semiquantitatively assessed and scored. A total of 660 histological sections from 18 RAs were histologically examined by light microscopy. Arterial medial injury was significantly less in the irrigated radiofrequency group (depth of medial injury, circumferential involvement, and thinning) than that in the conventional radiofrequency group (P&lt;0.001 for circumference; P=0.003 for thinning). Severe collagen damage such as denatured collagen was also significantly less in the irrigated compared with the conventional radiofrequency group (P&lt;0.001). Nerve damage although not statistically different between the irrigated radiofrequency group and conventional radiofrequency group (P=0.36), there was a trend toward less nerve damage in the irrigated compared with conventional. Compared to conventional radiofrequency, circumferential medial damage in highest-temperature nonirrigated radiofrequency group was significantly greater (P&lt;0.001). Conclusions-Saline irrigation significantly reduces arterial and periarterial tissue damage during radiofrequency ablation, and there is a trend toward less nerve damage.

Background: The perioperative risk of non-cardiac surgery (NCS) in the patients on antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear. Methods: This study was a retrospective and single center study. Between January 2008 and December 2011,198 patients who had already received PCI underwent NCS in our hospital. Among them, 63 patients underwent surgery on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT group) and 88 patients on single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT group). We compared bleeding events and cardiovascular events during perioperative period between the two groups. Results: There was no stent thrombosis in either group. The bleeding events in the DAPT group were significantly higher than that in the SAPT group (9.5% vs 2.3%, p = 0.049). There was no difference in events between with or without heparin-bridge in the SAPT group. Conclusions: The frequency of bleeding events was higher in the DAPT group. Both bleeding and cardiovascular events with aspirin alone were low in our study. It may be safe to undergo NCS with SAPT after PCI. (C) 2014 Japanese College of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.