label: url

en: Association of Microluminal Structures Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography With Local Inflammation in Adjacent Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Coronary Plaque Characteristics in Fresh Cadavers

en: Coronary intraplaque microluminal structures (MS) are associated with plaque vulnerability, and the inward progression of vascular inflammation from the adventitia towards the media and intima has also been demonstrated. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the relationships among MS, local inflammation in adjacent epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), and coronary plaque characteristics.Methods and Results: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed MS in the left anterior descending coronary artery in 10 fresh cadaveric hearts. We sampled 30 lesions and subdivided them based on the presence of MS: MS (+) group (n=19) and MS (-) group (n=11). We measured inflammatory molecule levels in the adjacent EAT and percentage lipid volume assessed by integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound in each lesion. The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor B and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 were significantly higher in the MS (+) group than in the MS (-) group (0.9±0.7 vs. 0.2±0.2 arbitrary units (AU), P=0.04 and 1.5±0.5 vs. 0.6±0.7 AU, P=0.02, respectively). Percentage lipid volume was significantly higher in the MS (+) group than in the MS (-) group (38.7±16.5 vs. 23.7±10.9%, P=0.03). Intraplaque MS observed on OCT were associated with lipid-rich plaques and local inflammation in the adjacent EAT. Collectively, these results suggest that local inflammation in the EAT is associated with coronary plaque vulnerability via MS.

en: Circulation Journal

ja: Circulation Journal


en: Effects of L-/N-Type Calcium Channel Blockers on Angiotensin II-Renin Feedback in Hypertensive Patients

en: International Journal of Hypertension

ja: International Journal of Hypertension


en: Atherosclerotic Coronary Plaque Is Associated With Adventitial Vasa Vasorum and Local Inflammation in Adjacent Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Fresh Cadavers


en: Association of Decreased Docosahexaenoic Acid Level After Statin Therapy and Low Eicosapentaenoic Acid Level with In-Stent Restenosis in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

en: It is speculated that statin therapy modulates the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, the data available on the effects of statin therapy on the serum levels of PUFA and the subsequent impact on in-stent restenosis (ISR) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are limited. A total of 120 ACS patients who received emergent coronary stent implantation, follow-up coronary angiography to evaluate ISR, and new statin therapy were enrolled. We measured the serum levels of the PUFA and lipids at the onset of ACS and at the follow-up coronary angiography. The follow-up coronary angiography revealed 38 ISR cases. New statin therapy significantly reduced the serum levels of DHA and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), while it did not affect EPA level. Single regression analysis revealed that a decreased serum level of LDL-C was associated with decreased DHA level. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the decreased DHA level after statin therapy and low serum level of EPA on admission were determinants of prevalence of ISR. Statin therapy decreased the serum level of DHA with a parallel reduction in LDL-C level in patients with ACS. Decreased DHA level after statin therapy and low EPA level on admission are risk factors for ISR, indicating that in patients with ACS, decreased serum levels of DHA may be a residual target for the prevention of ISR.

en: Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis


en: A successful case of catheter ablation against ventricular tachycardia storm due to old myocardial infarction in a patient with aortic valve replacement

ja: 大動脈弁人工弁(機械弁)置換術後遠隔期に生じたOMI-VT stormに対し経心房中隔的に施行したカテーテルアブレーションが著効した1例

en: A 68-year-old woman with VT storm and frequent appropriate ICD therapy was referred for catheter ablation. Her past history was notable for aortic valve replacement by mechanical valve due to infectious endocarditis 17 years prior to presentation and left ventricular apical old myocardial infarction with unknown onset. At 67 years old, She admitted to the prior hospital due to ventricular tachycardia with LBBB and superior axis at heart rate of 210 per minutes. Administration of amiodarone and magnesium sulfate was ineffective and cardioversion of 200J was successfully terminated the tachycardia. Intra-cardiac defibrillator was implanted and the administration of amiodarone and mexiletine was started. 5 months after, she admitted to the hospital due to the frequent appropriate shock against the same ventricular tachycardia. Administration of lidocaine, sotalol, pilsicainide, and magnesium sulfate could not control the tachycardia and she was referred to our hospital for catheter ablation. During the first session, ventricular tachycardia was easily induced and electroanatomical mapping was performed both during tachycardia and during sinus rhythm. Late diastolic potential preceding the onset of QRS wave by 45ms was detected at the infero-septal side of the apical aneurysm. 7 5s of the RF energy application at this site could terminate the tachycardia and thereafter no ventricular tachycardia was induced. But after dose-reduction or cessation of some anti-arrhythmic drugs, ventricular tachycardia was recurred and second session was performed. This time, no ventricular tachycardia was induced, then we performed isthmus transection and core isolation against the apical aneurysm. Thereafter no ventricular tachycardia was occurred in spite of dose-reduction or cessation of some anti-arrhythmic drugs.

en: Shikoku Acta Medica

ja: 四国医学雑誌