Current awareness and use of transthoracic echocardiography in evaluation of valvular heart disease in Kumamoto Prefecture -a report from the Kumamoto cardiovascular echocardiography standardization project

BACKGROUND

There are few reports on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for the evaluation of valvular heart disease in a specific area or region.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 2023 in Kumamoto Prefecture, where 106 hospitals provide cardiology services. Ninety-three (88%) of the hospitals completed questionnaires regarding TTE. The severity of low flow/low gradient AS was evaluated by dobutamine stress echocardiography in only 7% of hospitals and exercise stress echocardiography for asymptomatic mitral regurgitation in only 5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that participation in remote multi-institutional echocardiographic meetings and use of the Kumamoto Prefecture echocardiographic manual were significantly associated with the use of a multi-window approach (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In Kumamoto Prefecture, echocardiographic measurements are performed according to the recommendations at a relatively low rate. Dissemination of recommendations through remote meetings and the use of the echocardiographic manual may increase the likelihood of TTE being performed according to the recommendations.

Role of Common Antihypertensives in the Growth of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm at the Presurgical Stage

Background: Whether drug therapy slows the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in the Japanese population remains unknown. Methods and Results: In a multicenter prospective open-label study, patients with AAA at the presurgical stage (mean [±SD] AAA diameter 3.27±0.58 cm) were randomly assigned to treatment with candesartan (CAN; n=67) or amlodipine (AML; n=64) considering confounding factors (statin use, smoking, age, sex, renal function), with effects of blood pressure control minimized setting a target control level. The primary endpoint was percentage change in AAA diameter over 24 months. Secondary endpoints were changes in circulating biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], malondialdehyde-low-density lipoprotein, tissue-specific inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, matrix metalloproteinase [MMP] 2, MMP9, transforming growth factor-β1, plasma renin activity [PRA], angiotensin II, aldosterone). At 24 months, percentage changes in AAA diameter were comparable between the CAN and AML groups (8.4% [95% CI 6.23-10.59%] and 6.5% [95% CI 3.65-9.43%], respectively; P=0.23]. In subanalyses, AML attenuated AAA growth in patients with comorbid chronic kidney disease (CKD; P=0.04) or systolic blood pressure (SBP) <130 mmHg (P=0.003). AML exhibited a definite trend for slowing AAA growth exclusively in never-smokers (P=0.06). Among circulating surrogate candidates for AAA growth, PRA (P=0.02) and hs-CRP (P=0.001) were lower in the AML group. Conclusions: AML may prevent AAA growth in patients with CKD or lower SBP, associated with a decline in PRA and circulating hs-CRP.

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism after a Serious Disaster: The Kumamoto Twin Earthquakes

Objective: On April 16, 2016, earthquakes struck Kumamoto. In this report, the incidence and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients presenting to our hospital are summarized. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the details of 22 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with VTE at our hospital during the 2 weeks after the earthquakes. Results: Nineteen of the 22 patients stayed in their cars overnight after the earthquakes. Particularly, during the first 4 days, seven consecutive patients were hospitalized for pulmonary thromboembolism. All seven patients had sheltered in their cars after the earthquakes. The two patients transported on days 2.42 and 3.54 were the most severe cases. One patient was admitted after emergency initiation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for treatment of hemodynamic collapse, whereas the other patient was admitted after resuscitation. By contrast, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) alone occurred within 5-9 days of the earthquakes. Bilateral DVT was the most common, which was followed by DVT on the right side only. Conclusion: The incidence of VTE might be higher after an earthquake, and an overnight stay in a car might be a risk factor for VTE. Stable patients based on the D-dimer concentration can be managed with nonwarfarin oral anticoagulants.

Current Awareness and Status of Venous Ultrasonography in Kumamoto Prefecture - A Report of the Kumamoto Cardiovascular Echocardiography Standardization Project

Background: There are few reports on the current awareness and status of venous ultrasonography, including the number of specialists who perform this procedure, in a specific regional area in Japan. Methods and Results: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Kumamoto Prefecture from October 2018 to March 2019. Of the 366 medical institutions providing cardiology services in Kumamoto Prefecture, 259 (101 general hospitals, 158 small clinics) responded to our questionnaire. In 2017, 21,773 venous ultrasound tests were performed, 21,101 (97%) of which were performed in hospitals and only 672 (3%) were performed in clinics. Both the number of institutions performing venous ultrasounds and the number of tests performed increased over time. Although 317 medical staff in Kumamoto Prefecture were performing transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) when the questionnaires were collected, only 210 performed venous ultrasounds. Although 91% (61/67) of medical institutions could perform TTE within 30 min, only 77% (53/69) performed venous ultrasounds within 30 min. The number of venous ultrasounds per population×100 was largest in the Kumamoto and Kamimashiki areas (1.67) and smallest in the Kamoto area (0.05). Conclusions: This is the first report to reveal the current awareness and status of venous ultrasonography in a specific region in Japan. There are several problems to be overcome, such as a lack of venous ultrasound specialists and the regional disparity in venous ultrasounds in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Current Awareness and Status of Transthoracic Echocardiography in Kumamoto Prefecture ― A Report of the Kumamoto Cardiovascular Echocardiography Standardization Project ―

Background: There are few reports on current awareness and status of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), including the actual performance rate according to echocardiographic guidelines, in a specific area or region.

Methods and Results: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Kumamoto Prefecture from October 2018 to March 2019. There are 366 medical institutions advocating cardiology in Kumamoto Prefecture. Of these, 259 (101 hospitals and 158 clinics) returned questionnaires regarding TTE. In all, 150,570 TTEs were performed in 2017. Of these, 132,771 (88%) were performed in hospitals and 17,799 (12%) were performed in clinics. Physicians performed only 5% of TTEs, whereas sonographers performed 86%. Although the modified Simpson method was performed in 90% of hospitals, 3-dimensional echocardiography was performed in only 2% of hospitals. In addition, the left atrial volume index was not examined in approximately 60% of hospitals, and the mean E/E′ ratio was not examined in 80% of hospitals. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that having a Fellow of the Japan Society of Ultrasonic in Medicine was significantly and independently associated with guideline-oriented TTE (odds ratio 9.43; 95% confidence interval 1.22–72.71, P<0.05).

Conclusions: The rate of echocardiographic measurements performed according to echocardiographic guidelines is exceptionally low in Kumamoto Prefecture. Sufficient dissemination of echocardiographic guidelines may be important in improving this rate.

Development of caseous calcification of mitral annulus after initiation of hemodialysis therapy

We here present a 59-year-old man who had undergone peritoneal dialysis (PD) for 7 years and hemodialysis for the following 6 years in the Japanese Red Cross Kumamoto Hospital. Six years after commencing PD, transthoracic echocardiography showed a highly echoic mass with a transverse diameter of almost 15 mm in the posterior mitral leaflet. Because the mass increased from 2 years after initiation of hemodialysis, reaching over 25 mm by 6 years after commencing hemodialysis, tumor resection and mitral valve replacement were performed. When the surface of the mass was incised, white opalescent liquid drained out of the mass and histological examination showed multiple calcified nodules and granulation tissue, resulting in diagnosis of a caseous calcification of mitral annulus. <Learning Objective: Caseous calcification of mitral annulus (CCMA) is usually associated with end-stage renal disease. In the present case, a 59-year-old man had undergone peritoneal dialysis for 7 years, after which he had undergone hemodialysis for 6 years. The development of CCMA was seen after initiation of hemodialysis therapy. Routine echocardiography is useful for early diagnosis of CCMA, especially in patients whose type of dialysis changed from PD to hemodialysis.>.

Update on Cardiovascular Echo in Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection

The majority of aortic aneurysms comorbid with atherosclerosis can be asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally on routine physical examination or on imaging studies for other indications. Transthoracic echocardiography is a basic modality to assess patients with coronary artery disease and can be used for the screening of aortic aneurysm. Acute aortic dissection is a highly lethal cardiovascular emergency and requires prompt recognition. Although cardiovascular echo has a suboptimal accuracy rate for detecting aortic dissection, it is noninvasive, readily available, and easy to use. Recently, the concept of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) refers to the use of portable ultrasound at the patient’s bedside for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. POCUS could become an important tool in the screening and primary diagnosis for acute aortic dissection. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was established to detect aortic dissection and determine the therapy. However, the use of TEE has decreased with the progress of contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Currently, attention is paid to TEE in the monitoring for the operation of aortic dissection, the use on bedside, and in emergency room, and the precise evaluation of aortic dissection for the patient with a history of allergy of contrast media and/or renal disturbance.

An autopsy case of aortic root rupture with thin porcelain aorta during balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation

A 92-year-old woman was transferred to our institute due to drug-resistant heart failure from severe aortic stenosis. She seemed to be a candidate for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) because of her frailty and porcelain aorta. There were no severe calcified nodules in the left-ventricular outflow tract area. Because three-dimensional computed tomography analysis showed that her basal annulus area was 419 mm², a 26-mm SAPIEN XT (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) was selected for implantation. After deployment of the valve with 10% reduced volume, aortic root rupture occurred and her blood pressure fell due to acute cardiac tamponade. Emergent cardiac pericardial fenestration was done and drained blood was continuously returned to the circulation through percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass. Despite strenuous efforts to save her life, she died 13 h after the event. An autopsy revealed a thin porcelain aorta and aortic root rupture with a fragile aortic wall. <Learning objective: Porcelain aorta is known to be a risk factor for perioperative stroke during surgical aortic valve replacement, and TAVI could be chosen for a treatment strategy in those cases. We present a case of aortic root rupture caused by unusually fragile aortic wall during TAVI and the lesson from the autopsy results.>.

Utility of postural change in differentiating sludge from thrombus in the left atrial appendage: A case report

We detected symptomatic atrial fibrillation in a 64-year-old man who had undergone mitral valvuloplasty. While performing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the left lateral decubitus position, we detected an isoechoic mass lesion at the bottom of the left atrial appendage (LAA). After changing the patient's position from left to right, the mass lesion dropped down from the bottom of the LAA, spread out into the left atrium, and appeared as a spontaneous echocardiographic contrast with mobility. We therefore diagnosed the mass lesion as not a thrombus but sludge. Changing the patient's position during TEE is useful for distinguishing sludge from thrombi.

A case of acute coronary syndrome caused by delayed coronary ischemia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

An 84-year-old female patient suffered from dyspnea due to severe aortic stenosis. Several comorbidities and her advanced age made her acceptable for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The TAVI procedure was performed via a femoral access and a 26-mm CoreValve prosthesis (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) was implanted. The prosthesis was deployed at a high position because of short distance between the annulus base and coronary arteries. Aortic angiography indicated normal contrast flow into both coronary arteries. Six months later she was readmitted to our hospital because of acute coronary syndrome. Although selective intubation of coronary arteries could not be achieved because of high valve position, both coronary arteries seemed to be well contrasted. As a consequence, the second coronary angiography was undertaken because of recurring chest pains. The aortic root angiogram showed a decreased contrast flow into both coronary arteries. During the examination she deteriorated rapidly, developed cardiopulmonary arrest, and a percutaneous cardiopulmonary support and an intra-aortic balloon pump needed to be inserted. She was then transferred to the operating room for aortic valve replacement. This is the first case of delayed coronary ischemia after TAVI, necessitating the removal of an implanted CoreValve and its replacement with a new prosthetic valve. <Learning objective: The higher position of the CoreValve implanted in the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure can rarely induce coronary obstruction, especially in patients with low lying coronary ostia and a small sinus of Valsalva. Percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft are sometimes difficult in these patients, and replacement of the prosthetic valve may be an alternative. Patients with higher CoreValve position require close follow up to recognize any coronary perfusion defects at an early stage.>.

Vascular Access and Diagnosis of Venous Thrombosis

Ultrasonography is useful not only for screening, but also for evaluating pathological conditions and followup because it can be performed repeatedly and noninvasively at bedside. This paper discusses the importance of the functional assessment of vascular access, as well as the examination method and points for diagnosis of venous thrombosis.

Resting angina due to papillary fibroelastoma of the right coronary cusp

A 63-year-old man with chest pain at rest was referred to our hospital. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a mobile ball-like mass at the top of the right coronary cusp. Subsequently, transesophageal echocardiography also showed a mobile mass at the right coronary cusp. Aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve was performed under general anesthesia. We diagnosed this condition as papillary fibroelastoma based upon the pathological findings with hematoxylin and eosin staining, and Elastica van Gieson staining. Coronary angiography revealed no organic lesions. The operation was successful, and the patient remains asymptomatic. We speculate that the resting chest pain was induced by transient occlusion of the right coronary orifice by the tumor. We describe this rare case in detail including a review of the literature.

Congenital absence of inferior vena cava with azygos continuation revealed by vascular echo in a patient with pulmonary thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis: a case report

A 44-year-old man with an isolated anomaly of azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) presented with dyspnea due to pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) and deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). Sono-graphic examination disclosed not only pulmonary hypertension and DVT, but also infrahepatic interruption of the IVC with azygos continuation. A rare anomaly of azygos continuation of IVC could cause DVT and PTE. Vascular echo could play an important role in the examination of DVT and/or venous anomalies.

Impact of shear stress and atherosclerosis on entrance-tear formation in patients with acute aortic syndromes

Weak aortic media layers can lead to intimal tear (IT) in patients with overt aortic dissection (AD), and aortic plaque rupture is thought to progress to penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU) with intramural hematoma (IMH). However, the influences of shear stress and atherosclerosis on IT and PAU have not been fully examined. Ninety-eight patients with overt AD and 30 patients with IMH and PAU admitted to our hospital from 2002 to 2007 were enrolled. The greater curvatures of the aorta, including the anterior and right portions of the ascending aorta and anterior portion of the aortic arch, were defined as sites of high shear stress. The other portions of the aorta were defined as sites of low shear stress based on anatomic and hydrodynamic theories. Aortic calcified points (ACPs) were manually counted on computed tomography slices of the whole aorta every 10 mm from the top of the arch to the abdominal bifurcation point. IT was more often observed at sites of high shear stress in overt AD than in PAU (73.5 vs 20.0 %, P < 0.0001). Significantly more ACPs were present in PAU than in overt AD (18.6 ± 8 vs 13.3 ± 10, P = 0.007). The present study suggests that high shear stress and less severe atherosclerosis could induce the occurrence of an IT, thereafter progressing to overt AD, and that low shear stress and more severe atherosclerosis could proceed to PAU with IMH. These findings may help to identify the entrance-tear site.

Inadvertent coronary endarterectomy during aspiration thrombectomy with a Thrombuster III GR catheter in a patient with acute coronary syndrome

We describe a 41-year-old woman who presented with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Emergent percutaneous intervention was performed with aspiration thrombectomy followed by coronary artery stenting. White material was extracted from the aspiration catheter. Reperfusion therapy after stenting was successful. After undergoing a cardiac rehabilitation program, she was discharged from hospital on day 10. Pathological examination revealed that the aspirated material consisted of normal vascular components including endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Aspiration thrombectomy is a commonly used procedure with a low complication rate. This case presents the previously unreported complication of coronary artery injury.

An autopsy case of the rupture of a giant aneurysm in a saphenous vein graft: 18 years after CABG

The saphenous vein is a widely used blood vessel for arterial bypass procedures. Failures of saphenous vein aortocoronary bypass grafts are predominantly the result of subsequent vein graft atherosclerotic disease. Rarely saphenous vein grafts undergo aneurysmal degeneration. This report describes a case of a ruptured aneurysm in a saphenous vein graft that occurred in an 82-year-old female who underwent a coronary artery bypass operation 18 years previously. We could not resuscitate her, but describe the autopsy findings in detail.

Free-floating thrombus in the right common carotid artery

We report the case with type A acute aortic dissection that vascular echo disclosed a free-floating thrombus in the right common carotid artery.

Tight Heart Rate Control Reduces Secondary Adverse Events in Patients With Type B Acute Aortic Dissection

Background— Although type B aortic dissection has been treated with β blockers to lower the arterial blood pressure (BP), there has been little evidences about reduction in heart rate (HR). We assessed whether tight HR control improved the outcome of medical treatment in patients with aortic dissection.

Methods and Results— From 1997 to 2005, 171 patients with acute aortic dissection medically treated and controlled to lower BP under 120 mm Hg were enrolled. Based on the average HR at 3, 5, and 7 days after the onset, patients were divided into tight HR (<60 beat per minute) control group (32 patients; mean HR of 56.6±3.1 beat per minute) and conventional HR (≥60 beat per minute) control group (139 patients; mean HR of 71.7±8.2 beat per minute). We compared the frequency of aortic events including late organ or limb ischemia, aortic rupture, recurrent dissection, and aortic expansion of >5 mm, and surgical requirement between two groups. During a median follow-up of 27.0 months, late organ or limb ischemia, aortic rupture, recurrent dissection, pathological aortic expansion, and aortic surgery occurred in 0, 8, 14, 39, and 26 patients, respectively. Reduction in aortic events was observed in tight HR control group (12.5%) compared to conventional HR control group (36.0%), (Odds ratio: 0.25, C.I.: 0.08 to 0.77, P <0.01).

Conclusions— The present study demonstrated that tight heart rate control improved the outcome of medical treatment in patients with aortic dissection.

Beneficial effects of Waon therapy on patients with chronic heart failure: results of a prospective multicenter study

BACKGROUND

We conducted a prospective multicenter case-control study to confirm the clinical efficacy and safety of Waon therapy on chronic heart failure (CHF).

METHODS

Patients (n=188) with CHF were treated with standard therapy for at least 1 week, and then were randomized to Waon therapy (n=112) or a control group (n=76). All patients continued conventional treatment for an additional 2 weeks. The Waon therapy group was treated daily with a far infrared-ray dry sauna at 60 degrees C for 15 min and then kept on bed rest with a blanket for 30 min for 2 weeks. Chest radiography, echocardiography, and plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured before and 2 weeks after treatment.

RESULTS

NYHA functional class significantly decreased after 2 weeks of treatment in both groups. Chest radiography also showed a significant decrease of the cardiothoracic ratio in both groups (Waon therapy: 57.2+/-8.0% to 55.2+/-8.0%, p<0.0001; control: 57.0+/-7.7% to 56.0+/-7.1%, p<0.05). Echocardiography demonstrated that left ventricular diastolic dimension (LVDd), left atrial dimension (LAD), and ejection fraction (EF) significantly improved in the Waon therapy group (LVDd: 60.6+/-7.6 to 59.1+/-8.4 mm, p<0.0001; LAD: 45.4+/-9.3 mm to 44.1+/-9.4 mm, p<0.05; EF: 31.6+/-10.4% to 34.6+/-10.6%, p<0.0001), but not in the control group (LVDd: 58.4+/-10.3 mm to 57.9+/-10.4 mm; LAD: 46.3+/-9.7 mm to 46.2+/-10.1 mm; EF: 36.6+/-14.1% to 37.3+/-14.0%). The plasma concentration of BNP significantly decreased with Waon therapy, but not in the control group (Waon: 542+/-508 pg/ml to 394+/-410 pg/ml, p<0.001; control: 440+/-377 pg/ml to 358+/-382 pg/ml).

CONCLUSION

Waon therapy is safe, improves clinical symptoms and cardiac function, and decreases cardiac size in CHF patients. Waon therapy is an innovative and promising therapy for patients with CHF.

Haplotype of thrombomodulin gene associated with plasma thrombomodulin level and deep vein thrombosis in the Japanese population

INTRODUCTION

Thrombomodulin (TM) is an essential cofactor in protein C activation by thrombin. Here, we evaluated the contribution of genetic variations in the TM gene to soluble TM (sTM) level and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Japanese.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We sequenced the TM putative promoter, exon, and 3'-untranslated region in DVT patients (n=118). Among 17 genetic variations we identified, two missense mutations (R385K, D468Y) and three common single nucleotide polymorphisms (-202G>A, 2487A>T, 2729A>C) were genotyped in a general population of 2247 subjects (1032 men and 1215 women) whose sTM levels were measured. We then compared the frequency of these mutations in DVT patients with that in the age, body mass index-adjusted population-based controls.

RESULTS

We identified one neutral mutation (H381) and three missense mutations (R385K; n=2, A455V; n=53 heterozygous, n=14 homozygous, D468Y; n=2) of TM in the DVT patients. Age-adjusted mean values of sTM were lower in C-allele carriers of 2729A>C than in noncarriers in the Japanese general population (women: 16.7+/-0.3 U/ml vs. 17.9+/-0.2 U/ml, p<0.01, men: 19.4+/-0.3 U/ml vs. 20.4+/-0.3 U/ml, p=0.03). Additionally, the CC genotype of this mutation was more common in the male DVT patients than in the male individuals of the general population (odds ratio=2.76, 95% confidence interval=1.14-6.67; p=0.02). This mutation was in linkage disequilibrium (r-square>0.9) with A455V mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

TM mutations, especially those with a haplotype consisting of 2729A>C and A455V missense mutation, affect sTM levels, and may be associated with DVT in Japanese.

Unblinded Pilot Study of Autologous Transplantation of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells in Patients With Thromboangiitis Obliterans

Background— The short-term clinical benefits of bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation have been shown in patients with critical limb ischemia. The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation in patients with thromboangiitis obliterans.

Methods and Results— Eleven limbs (3 with rest pain and 8 with an ischemic ulcer) of 8 patients were treated by bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation. The patients were followed up for clinical events for a mean of 684±549 days (range 103 to 1466 days). At 4 weeks, improvement in pain was observed in all 11 limbs, with complete relief in 4 (36%). Pain scale (visual analog scale) score decreased from 5.1±0.7 to 1.5±1.3. An improvement in skin ulcers was observed in all 8 limbs with an ischemic ulcer, with complete healing in 7 (88%). During the follow-up, however, clinical events occurred in 4 of the 8 patients. The first patient suffered sudden death at 20 months after transplantation at 30 years of age. The second patient with an incomplete healing of a skin ulcer showed worsening of the lesion at 4 months. The third patient showed worsening of rest pain at 8 months. The last patient developed an arteriovenous shunt in the foot at 7 months, which spontaneously regressed by 1 year.

Conclusions— In the present unblinded and uncontrolled pilot study, long-term adverse events, including death and unfavorable angiogenesis, were observed in half of the patients receiving bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation. Given the current incomplete knowledge of the safety and efficacy of this strategy, careful long-term monitoring is required for future patients receiving this treatment.

Renal Function in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

AIMS

Renal dysfunction occurs occasionally after the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and preoperative renal function is considered as one of the potential causes. The present study was designed to evaluate and compare renal function and risk factors of AAA patients with those of hypertensive patients.

METHODS

We prospectively examined 95 patients with AAA and 72 patients with essential hypertension (HT) without other cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Renal function, urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and renal scintigraphy were compared. Kidney size was calculated using ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Serum creatinine and creatinine clearance in AAA patients was worse than in HT patients. Smoking status was more apparent in AAA patients. Renal artery stenosis occurred in 8 patients with AAA. Renal scintigraphy showed normal function in 19%, hypofunction in 69% and severe dysfunction in 12% of the AAA patients, and normal function in 42% and hypofunction in 58% of the HT patients (p < 0.0001). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that renal function was related to age, UAE, CVD, smoking status and kidney size for all patients, UAE, CVD, smoking status and kidney size for AAA patients, and age and kidney size for HT patients.

CONCLUSION

Renal function of AAA patients was worse than HT patients without other CVD. The risk factors for renal dysfunction were different between AAA and HT patients. These preoperative conditions may relate to the postoperative renal dysfunction seen in AAA patients.

Microalbuminuria and deterioration of renal function after elective repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm

AIMS

Renal dysfunction affects the prognosis of patients after aortic surgery. However, the factors associated with the postoperative deterioration of renal function has not been clarified precisely.

METHOD

We prospectively examined renal function in 80 patients (age: 73 +/- 7 years, 66 males) who required the elective repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Serum creatinine (Scr) was measured. 24-h-creatinine clearance (Ccr) and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) were determined. Renal volume and mean renal length were calculated using the data obtained by ultrasonography. 48 patients showed normal UAE (< 30 mg/day), and 24 had microalbuminuria (30-300 mg/day) and 8 had overt proteinuria (> 300 mg/day). Scr were 0.9 +/- 0.4, 1.0 +/- 0.3 and 2.1 +/- 1.3 mg/dl, respectively.

RESULTS

On Day 5 after surgery, 12 patients (15%) showed deterioration of renal function as defined either by an increase in Scr (> or = 0.5 mg/dl) or by a decrease in Ccr > or =20%). The acute deterioration of renal function was related to mean renal volume, mean renal length, duration of operation and the use of antibiotics. At Month 12 after surgery, Scr increased in the overt proteinuria group. The deterioration of renal function at Month 12 was found in 8 patients (10%) with microalbuminuria or overt proteinuria, and related to preoperative Ccr, UAE, mean renal volume, mean renal length, smoking status and blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the deterioration of renal function occurred in considerable number of patients with AAA after elective operation on acute and chronic phase, although the development of end-stage renal failure is rare. Factors related to the acute and late deterioration appears to be different. UAE and renal size should be measured, even if Scr is in normal range at preoperative observation.

Adrenomedullin enhances therapeutic potency of bone marrow transplantation for myocardial infarction in rats

Adrenomedullin (AM), a potent vasodilator, induces angiogenesis and inhibits cell apoptosis through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway. Transplantation of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (MNC) induces angiogenesis. We investigated whether infusion of AM enhances the therapeutic potency of MNC transplantation in a rat model of myocardial infarction. Immediately after coronary ligation, bone marrow-derived MNC (5 × 106 cells) were injected into the ischemic myocardium, followed by subcutaneous administration of 0.05 μg·kg−1·min−1 AM (AM-MNC group) or saline (MNC group) for 3 days. Another two groups of rats received subcutaneous administration of AM alone (AM group) or saline (control group). Hemodynamic and histological analyses were performed 4 wk after treatment. Cardiac infarct size was significantly smaller in the MNC and AM groups than in the control group. A combination of AM infusion and MNC transplantation demonstrated a further decrease in infarct size. Left ventricular (LV) maximum change in pressure over time and LV fractional shortening were significantly improved only in the AM-MNC group. AM significantly increased capillary density in ischemic myocardium, suggesting the angiogenic potency of AM. AM infusion plus MNC transplantation demonstrated a further increase in capillary density compared with AM or MNC alone. Although MNC apoptosis was frequently observed 72 h after transplantation, AM markedly decreased the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells among the transplanted MNC. In conclusion, AM enhanced the angiogenic potency of MNC transplantation and improved cardiac function in rats with myocardial infarction. This beneficial effect may be mediated partly by the angiogenic property of AM itself and by its antiapoptotic effect on MNC.

[Multiple brain infarctions in a young patient with Buerger's disease. A case report of cerebral thromboangiitis obliterans]

We report a 46-year-old woman with Buerger's disease who presented vascular dementia. In her early thirties, she began to feel cold sensation and pain in the lower extremities and later developed Raynaud's phenomenon in the upper extremities. The diagnosis of Buerger's disease was established on the basis of angiographic findings which showed the obstruction of peripheral vessels in both anterior tibial arteries. She was admitted to our hospital because of a transient attack of left brachial monoparesis and two episodes of epileptic seizure with progressive cognitive impairment for preceding five years. Neurological examination revealed acalculia, constructional apraxia, recent memory disturbance, and hyperreflexia of the left limbs without motor disturbance. Brain MRI revealed multiple infarctions mainly located in the border zone territories of the major cerebral arteries. Conventional angiography failed to detect abnormalities of cerebral vessels. She had no cardiovascular abnormality or coagulopathy. Cerebrovascular complications, so-called cerebral thoromboangiitis obliterans (CTAO), occur approximately in 2% of patients with Buerger's disease. CTAO has two types. Type 1 is associated with large artery changes and type 2 is associated with medium and small artery changes. Patients with type 2 CTAO usually have multiple infarcts in the cerebral arterial border zones and may develop progressive cognitive decline without motor deficit. Her clinical features are compatible with type 2 CTAO. While CTAO is a relatively rare manifestation of Buerger's disease, it should be suspected in cases of Buerger's disease in association with cognitive impairment of unknown onset.