We experienced a case of lead-related SVC syndrome, which was successfully treated using unique transvenous lead extraction technique and endovascular stenting. This case also suggests that intravascular ultrasound facilitates decision-making on whether the interventionist should perform TLE alone or add stenting in case of a lead-related venous obstruction.
Abstract Background Recently, an increasing attention has been paid to foot microcirculation in critical limb ischemia (CLI). Although skin perfusion pressure (SPP) is the most frequently used marker of microcirculation, SPP is often unmeasurable at the most ischemic site in the foot. A new ultrasound technique (superb micro-vascular imaging [SMI]) allows the detection of extremely low velocity flows and enables the quantitative verification as vascular index (VI). We examined the diagnostic value of SMI-based VI in assessing foot perfusion when planning endovascular treatment (EVT). Methods Consecutive 50 patients with CLI were enrolled. All cases underwent EVT for superficial femoral arteries. SMI-based VI of plantar, dorsal, medial heel, lateral heel and toe's area were obtained before and after EVT, and those were compared with SPP (plantar and dorsal) or ankle-brachial index (ABI) representing macrocirculation. Results Based on the six angiosomes concept, SMI enabled to visualize microcirculation in all subjects, but SPP was not feasible in 13% of all subjects at the most ischemic site. After EVT, ABIs were significantly increased from 0.64±0.19 to 0.85±0.27 (P=0.0003). Plantar SPP also increased from 39.6±20.4 mmHg to 58.5±27.1 mmHg (p=0.002). SMI-based VI significantly increased in each sites based on the six angiosomes concept. Of note, plantar SMI-based VI significantly increased from 5.1±3.2% to 10.6±6.6% (p<0.0001), suggesting improvement of foot perfusion. Plantar SMI-based VI was well correlated with plantar-SPP both before and after EVT (p=0.002, r=0.663). Plantar VI was also informative in showing a rapid improvement of foot perfusion during EVT. Conclusion SMI enabled to visualize the foot microcirculation on the basis of angiosomes concept. SMI has potential as an alternative to SPP. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Grant-in -Aid for Scientific Reseach, Japan
We examined the hypothesis that ONOO − , a product of the interaction between superoxide (O 2 ·− ) and nitric oxide (NO), inhibits calcium-activated K + (K Ca ) channel activity in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of human coronary arterioles (HCAs), thereby reducing hyperpolarization-mediated vasodilation. HCAs were dissected from right atrial appendages. The interaction of ONOO − with microvessels was determined by immunohistochemistry using a nitrotyrosine antibody. Strong staining was observed in arteries exposed to authentic ONOO − or to sodium nitroprusside (SNP)+xanthine (XA)+xanthine oxidase (XO). Dilation to 10 −8 mol/L bradykinin (BK) was abolished in vessels exposed to ONOO − (−2.5±8%; P <0.05) but not DC-ONOO − (65±8%). Reduced dilation to BK was also observed after application of XO and SNP. Dilation to NS1619 (K Ca channel opener) was reduced in endothelial denuded arterioles treated with ONOO − . In isolated VSMCs, whole-cell peak K + current density was reduced by ONOO − (control 65±15 pA/pF; ONOO − 42±9 pA/pF; P <0.05). Iberiotoxin had no further effect on whole-cell K + current. In inside-out patches, ONOO − but not DC-ONOO − decreased open state probability (NP o ) of K Ca channel by 50±12%. O 2 ·− generated by XA+XO had no effect on BK-induced dilation and NP o of K Ca channels. These results suggest that ONOO − , but not O 2 ·− , inhibits K Ca channel activity in VSMCs possibly by a direct effect. This mechanism may contribute to impaired EDHF-mediated dilation in conditions such as ischemia/reperfusion where increased activity of NO synthase occurs in the presence of excess of O 2 ·− .
Background Blood pressure (BP) variability has reportedly been a risk factor for various clinical events. To clarify the influence of BP visit‐to‐visit variability on adverse events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, a post hoc analysis of the J‐RHYTHM Registry was performed. Methods and Results Of 7406 outpatients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation from 158 institutions, 7226 (age, 69.7±9.9 years; men, 70.7%), in whom BP was measured 4 times or more (14.6±5.0 times) during the 2‐year follow‐up period or until occurrence of an event, constituted the study group. SD and coefficient of variation of BP values were calculated as BP variability. Thromboembolism, major hemorrhage, and all‐cause death occurred in 110 (1.5%), 121 (1.7%), and 168 (2.3%) patients, respectively. When patients were divided into quartiles of systolic BP‐SD (<8.20, 8.20–10.49, 10.50–13.19, and ≥13.20 mm Hg), hazard ratios (HRs) for all adverse events were significantly high in the highest quartile compared with the lowest quartile (HR, 2.00, 95% CI, 1.15–3.49, P =0.015 for thromboembolism; HR, 2.60, 95% CI, 1.36–4.97, P =0.004 for major hemorrhage; and HR, 1.85, 95% CI, 1.11–3.07, P =0.018 for all‐cause death) after adjusting for components of the CHA 2 DS 2 ‐VASc score, warfarin and antiplatelet use, atrial fibrillation type, BP measurement times, and others. These findings were consistent when BP‐coefficient of variation was used instead of BP‐SD. Conclusions Systolic BP visit‐to‐visit variability was significantly associated with all adverse events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Further studies are needed to clarify the causality between BP variability and adverse outcomes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Registration URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ ; Unique Identifier: UMIN000001569.
To clarify the influence of hypertension and blood pressure (BP) control on thromboembolism and major hemorrhage in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, a post hoc analysis of the J-RHYTHM Registry was performed.A consecutive series of outpatients with atrial fibrillation was enrolled from 158 institutions. Of 7937 patients, 7406 with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (70.8% men, 69.8±10.0 years) were followed for 2 years or until an event occurred. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg, a diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, a history of hypertension, and/or antihypertensive drug use. Hypertension was an independent risk factor for major hemorrhage (hazard ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.05-2.21, P=0.027) but not for thromboembolism (hazard ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.73-1.52, P=0.787). When patients were divided into quartiles according to their systolic BP at the time closest to the event or at the end of follow-up (Q1, <114; Q2, 114-125; Q3, 126-135; and Q4, ≥136 mm Hg), odds ratios for both events were significantly higher in Q4 than in Q1 (thromboembolism, odds ratio 2.88, 95% CI 1.75-4.74, P<0.001; major hemorrhage, odds ratio 1.61, 95% CI 1.02-2.53, P=0.041) after adjustment for components of CHA2DS2-VASc score, warfarin use, and antiplatelet use. A systolic BP of ≥136 mm Hg was an independent risk factor for thromboembolism and major hemorrhage.BP control appears to be more important than a history of hypertension and baseline BP values at preventing thromboembolism and major hemorrhage in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.URL: http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr. Unique identifier: UMIN000001569.
Objective Early recurrence (ER) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is expected to resolve within the recommended 3-month blanking period, irrespective of the ablation device used. To compare the occurrence and relationship of AF within the blanking period and subsequent late recurrence (LR) with radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (CB) ablation. Methods A retrospective analysis of 294 patients (mean age=62±9, 70.0% male) undergoing PVI for drug-refractory paroxysmal AF was done. After categorizing the patients into the RF group (n=152) and the CB group (n=142), a group-wise comparison was done to investigate the impact of ER on LR throughout a 2-year follow-up. Results The groups were similar regarding the occurrence of ER (RF=22.4%, CB=24.6%, p=0.62), while LR was significantly higher in the RF group (p=0.003). ER was associated with LR in the RF group (p<0.01) but not in the CB group (p=0.08), while a significant independent association with an increased LR risk was observed [hazard ratio (HR) 6.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.56-10.51, p<0.01]. RF ablation also significantly increased the risk of LR (HR=2.93; 95% CI=1.64-5.23, p<0.01). Conclusion A recurrence of atrial arrhythmia is more frequent with RF-PVI than with CB-PVI for patients with paroxysmal AF. ER and RF-ablation are strong predictors for LR after the 3-month blanking period.
