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Background: Recently, there has been increasing concern about adverse health effects of exposure to desert dust events. However, the association between dust and the incidence of ischemic heart diseases is unknown. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether Asian dust (AD), a windblown sand dust originating from mineral soil in China and Mongolia, is associated with the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)., Methods and Results: We investigated the data regarding hospitalization because of AMI among 3068 consecutive patients from 4 AMI centers in Fukuoka, Japan, and data for AD from April 2003 to December 2010. We applied a time-stratified case-crossover design to examine the association between AD and the incidence of AMI. Using a conditional logistic regression analysis, we estimated the odds ratios of AMI associated with AD after controlling for ambient temperature and relative humidity. The occurrence of AD events 0 to 4 days before the day of admission was significantly associated with the incidence of AMI. In particular, the occurrence of AD 4 days before admission was significantly associated with the onset of AMI., Conclusions: These data suggest that exposure to AD a few days before symptom onset is associated with the incidence of AMI., (© 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Background: Management of acute type A aortic dissection (AADA) complicated by coma remains controversial. We analyzed our experience in managing AADA complicated by coma to determine the relationship of duration of preoperative coma to postoperative neurological recovery., Methods and Results: Between September 2003 and October 2010, 181 patients with AADA were treated, including 27 presenting with coma (Glasgow Coma Scale <11) on arrival. Twenty-one patients were repaired immediately (immediate group); time from onset of symptoms to operating room was <5 hours. For brain protection, deep hypothermia with antegrade cerebral perfusion was used, and postoperative therapeutic hypothermia with magnesium treatment was performed. Six patients initially were managed medically, and 3 of them were followed by eventual repair because time from onset was >5 hours (delayed group). The preoperative National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 31.4 ± 6.6 in the immediate group and 28.3 ± 9.5 in the delayed group. Hospital mortality was 14% in the immediate group and 67% in the delayed group. Full recovery of consciousness was achieved in 86% of patients in the immediate group and in 17% in the delayed group. In immediate group, the postoperative National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score significantly improved to 6.4 ± 8.4, cumulative survival rate was 71.8% in 3 years, and independence in daily activities was achieved in 52% (11/21)., Conclusions: Aortic repair, if performed immediately from the onset of symptoms, showed satisfactory recovery of consciousness and neurological function in patients with AADA complicated by coma. In this patient population, immediate aortic repair is warranted.

Background: Coagulation and fibrinolysis parameters were compared between two strategies of heparinization during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in patients who underwent aortic surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) and retrograde cerebral perfusion (RGCP) with aprotinin., Methods and Results: From January 1994 to January 1996, 94 patients underwent aortic surgery with DHCA with aprotinin; replacement of the ascending aorta took place in 14 patients, arch in 69, and descending aorta in 11. Two million units of aprotinin was administrated in the priming of CPB, and 3 mg/kg heparin was given before CPB. During CPB, 49 patients had an additional 1 mg/kg/h heparin regardless of activated clotting time (ACT) [group A], whereas 45 patients had an additional 1 mg/kg/h heparin when ACT was less than 500 seconds [group B]. ACT, PT, aPTT, fibrinogen, AT-3, plasminogen, alpha2-PI (plasmin inhibitor), fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), DD (D dimer), TAT (thrombin-antithrombin complex), PIC (plasmin-plasmin inhibitor complex), beta-TG (thromboglobulin), and PF-4 (platelet factor-4) were assayed. No difference was detected between the two groups regarding the duration of operation, CPB, aortic cross-clamping, DHCA, RGCP, and time from the end of CPB to admission to ICU. The heparin dose was greater in group A, but the protamine dose was similar. There was no difference in bleeding after perfusion or in ICU. Levels of TAT, fibrinogen, and DD were lower in group A. PIC, alpha-PI, and FDP value showed no difference. PF-4 and beta-TG were lower in group A, and the platelet count at the end of operation and the day after the operation was higher in group A., Conclusions: Platelets were better preserved and activation of the coagulation system during CPB was less severe in patients who had a regular additional constant heparin regimen irrespective of ACT in surgery for the aortic aneurysm with DHCA and aprotinin usage. An accurate monitoring system for heparinization is necessary to maintain appropriate anticoagulation during CPB in patients who are undergoing aortic surgery with DHCA using aprotinin.