Publications (89) View all
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Article: Cardiac tamponade as an independent condition affecting the relationship between the plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels and cardiac function.
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ABSTRACT: Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is finely regulated by the cardiac function and several extracardiac factors. Therefore, the relationship between the plasma BNP levels and the severity of heart failure sometimes seems inconsistent. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the plasma BNP levels in patients with cardiac tamponade and their changes after pericardial drainage. This study included 14 patients with cardiac tamponade who underwent pericardiocentesis. The cardiac tamponade was due to malignant diseases in 13 patients and uremia in 1 patient. The plasma BNP levels were measured before and 24-48 h after drainage. Although the patients reported severe symptoms of heart failure, their plasma BNP levels were only 71.2 ± 11.1 pg/ml before drainage. After appropriate drainage, the plasma BNP levels increased to 186.0 ± 22.5 pg/ml, which was significantly higher than that before drainage (P = 0.0002). In patients with cardiac tamponade, the plasma BNP levels were low, probably because of impaired ventricular stretching, and the levels significantly increased in response to the primary condition after drainage. This study demonstrates an additional condition that affects the relationship between the plasma BNP levels and cardiac function. If inconsistency is seen in the relationship between the plasma BNP levels and clinical signs of heart failure, the presence of cardiac tamponade should therefore be considered.Heart and Vessels 08/2012; · 2.05 Impact Factor -
Article: Transient increase in blood pressure after the Great East Japan Earthquake in patients with hypertension living around Tokyo.
International journal of cardiology 07/2012; · 7.08 Impact Factor -
Article: Clinical value of fibrillatory wave amplitude on surface ECG in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation
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ABSTRACT: PurposeWe postulated that amplitude of fibrillatory (F)-wave in patients with persistent AF would correlate with clinical characteristics and outcome in patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF. MethodMaximal and mean amplitude of F-waves were measured in V1 and lead II in 90 patients prior to ablation for persistent AF. F-wave amplitudes were correlated to clinical, echocardiographic variables, and outcome. ResultsF-wave ≥ 0.1mV in lead II and V1was correlated with younger age and shorter AF history, and in lead II only was correlated with a smaller left atrium. Higher F-wave amplitude at baseline predicted AF termination during ablation. Maximal amplitude of ≥ 0.07mV predicted AF termination by ablation with 82%/79% sensitivity and 68%/73% specificity in V1/lead II respectively. An association between F-wave amplitude and AF recurrence was observed. Forty-three percent of patients with mean f wave amplitude <0.05 in lead V1 had AF recurrence compared to 12% of those with F-wave ≥ 0.05 (p = 0.004). ConclusionLonger AF duration, older age and larger LA size are associated with fine AF amplitude. High F-wave amplitude predicts procedural termination of arrhyhmia in patients with persistent AF and freedom from AF upon follow-up.Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology 04/2012; 26(1):11-19. · 1.17 Impact Factor -
Article: Substrate modification by pulmonary vein isolation and left atrial linear ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: its impact on complex-fractionated atrial electrograms.
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ABSTRACT: PV and Linear Ablation for CFAEs. Linear ablations in the left atrium (LA), in addition to pulmonary vein (PV) isolation, have been demonstrated to be an effective ablation strategy in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PsAF). This study investigated the impact of LA linear ablation on the complex-fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) of PsAF patients. A total of 40 consecutive PsAF patients (age: 54 ± 10 years, 39 males) who underwent catheter ablation were enrolled in this study. Linear ablation of both roofline between the right and left superior PVs and the mitral isthmus line joining from the mitral annulus to the left inferior PV were performed following PV isolation during AF. High-density automated CFAE mapping was performed using the NAVX, and maps were obtained 3 times during the procedure (prior to ablation, after PV isolation, and after linear ablations) and were compared. PsAF was terminated by ablation in 13 of 40 patients. The mean total LA surface area and baseline CFAEs area were 120.8 ± 23.6 and 88.0 ± 23.5 cm(2) (74.2%), respectively. After PV isolation and linear ablations in the LA, the area of CFAEs area was reduced to 71.6 ± 22.6 cm(2) (58.7%) (P < 0.001) and 44.9 ± 23.0 cm(2) (39.2%) (P < 0.001), respectively. The LA linear ablations resulted in a significant reduction of the CFAEs area percentage in the region remote from ablation sites (from 56.3 ± 20.6 cm(2) (59.6%) to 40.4 ± 16.5 cm(2) (42.9%), P < 0.0001). Both PV isolation and LA linear ablations diminished the CFAEs in PsAF patients, suggesting substrate modification by PV and linear ablations. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 962-970, September 2012).Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology 04/2012; 23(9):962-70. · 3.06 Impact Factor -
Article: Improvement of atrioventricular conduction following catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia in a patient with a prolonged PR interval.
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ABSTRACT: We herein present the case of a 60-year-old male with narrow QRS tachycardia who had a remarkable PR prolongation during sinus rhythm. The tachycardia was diagnosed as a slow-fast atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia. Slow pathway ablation was performed after the confirmation of the presence of an antegrade fast pathway. Following the elimination of the slow pathway, the PR and atrio-His intervals became shortened from 470 and 420 to 170 and 120 ms, respectively. Moreover, the improvement of atrioventricular conduction after the slow pathway ablation lasted for at least 34 months.Heart and Vessels 02/2012; · 2.05 Impact Factor
