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The number of elderly patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is increasing, and it is often difficult to treat. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using tolvaptan early after hospitalization in elderly patients with ADHF and the prognosis one year after hospitalization. This study enrolled 185 patients with ADHF who were admitted for the first time. Tolvaptan was administered within 24 h after admission. These patients were assigned to two groups: over 80 years old (n = 109) and under 80 years old (n = 76). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the occurrence of MACCE within one year (25% vs. 20%, p = 0.59). All-cause mortality was significantly higher in the over-80 group (12% vs. 2%, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the incidence of worsening renal failure (11% vs. 7%, p = 0.46) and hypernatremia (5% vs. 9%, p = 1.0), and in the duration of hospitalization (19.2 days vs. 18.8 days, p = 0.8). Tolvaptan might be effective and safe in elderly patients with ADHF, and there was no difference in the incidence of MACCE within one year.

Background Recent ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia stated that the treatment goal of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) in very high-risk patients is less than 55mg/dl. PCSK9 inhibitors in addition to strong statins could be a useful strategy for rapid and aggressive lowering of LDL-C. However, the feasibility and safety of early initiation of a PCSK9 inhibitor for AMI patients undergoing primary PCI remain unclear. Objectives We examined the effects of early initiation of a PCSK9 inhibitor, evolocumab, on lipid profile and inflammatory markers and its safety in AMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Methods This study is a single center, randomized, controlled trial involving 102 patients hospitalized for AMI. The patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to the evolocumab group and the control group. Evolocumab (140 mg) was subcutaneously injected within 24 hours after PCI and then every two weeks. All patients received pitavastatin (2mg/day) in addition to the allocated treatment. The primary endpoints were changes in lipid profile and inflammatory markers from baseline to 4 weeks. Results 102 patients were enrolled between October 2017 and December 2019. 89 patients were ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 13 patients were non-STEMI. Primary PCI was successfully performed in all patients. 76 patients were statin-naïve. 2 patients were excluded from analyses because they died severe heart failure in acute phase. Finally, 100 patients (evolocumab; n=51 and control; n=49) were analyzed. Baseline LDL-C was 121.6±30.3 mg/dl in the evolocumab group and 124.7±33.6 mg in the control group. Change in LDL-C from the baseline to 4 weeks was −92.4±32.4 mg/dl (−75%) in the evolocumab group and −44.8±32.1 mg/dl (−33.1%) in the control group (mean difference; 47.6mg/dl, 95% CI; 34.8 to 60.4 mg/dl, p Conclusion In patients with AMI undergoing primary PCI, early initiation of evolocumab rapidly reduced LDL-C without no adverse event, and achieved LDL-C Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Background Cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) can be lowered by catheter ablation. We hypothesized the underlying mechanism was improvement in renal and endothelial function corresponding to AF burden, and investigated whether restoration of sinus rhythm (SR) after ablation affected these functions according to AF type. Methods and Results We prospectively measured estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and reactive hyperemia index (RHI) in 358 consecutive patients with AF before and 6 and 12 months after the ablation. For each AF type [paroxysmal AF (PAF), n = 229, and persistent AF (PeAF), n = 129], we evaluated changes in these markers and influence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The eGFR and natural logarithm-transformed (ln) UACR improved at 6 months in the PeAF group (68.7 ± 18.7–71.8 ± 18.9 mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.003 and 3.1±1.6 to 2.8±1.5, p Conclusions SR restoration after ablation was associated with an improved eGFR and UACR in PeAF patients, but not PAF patients. In PeAF patients with CKD, an improved endothelial function after ablation was associated with an improved renal function.

Background: Renal insufficiency plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of renal dysfunction and its impact on prognosis in patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) and stable angina pectoris. Methods and Results: A total of 626 consecutive patients with significant coronary artery stenosis were enrolled. Renal insufficiency was graded using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before coronary angiography. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as eGFR = 60 ml.min(-1).1.73 m(-2) (P=0.03). The hazard ratio for a cardiovascular event was 9.54 (95% CI: 3.15-28.89, P= 60 ml.min(-1).1.73 m(-2). Conclusions: Renal insufficiency is a risk factor for LMCAD and predicts poor prognosis in Japanese patients.

Background: Little is known about right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Recently, RV ischemia has been reported to be a contributory factor in the development of RV dysfunction. The aim of this study is to evaluate RV myocardial perfusion and assess its relationship with RV dysfunction. Methods: This prospective study consisted of 10 consecutive patients (7 female, 51±17 years) with PAH (6 idiopathic PAH (IPAH), and 4 chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)), and 6 healthy controls (3 females, 37±6 years). Quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was performed using Philips iE33 imaging system with an S5-1 probe. We depicted the apical four chamber view. A solution of Levovist (300mg/ml) was inravenously administered at a rate of 3ml/min with a volumetric pump. End-systolic images were obtained every four heart beats. The MCE images were analyzed off-line using VoluMap-445 system. The RV myocardium was divided into six segments, at each myocardial segment, calibrated contrast intensity (CI) was determined as the difference (dB) between the mean myocardial CI and cavity CI. 2D speckle tracking echocardiographic study was also performed using Vivid E9 ultrasound system. Results: Among 96 RV myocardial segments, quantitative CI analysis was possible in 86 segments (90%). RV fractional area change was 46% (healthy), 34% (CTEPH) and 25% (IPAH). Mean calibrated CI of RV free wall was -13.4dB, -19.3dB and -22.8dB, respectively (p=0.01). We found good inverse correlation between calibrated CI and longitudinal strain of RV free wall (r=-0.5, p=0.0013). ![Figure][1] Conclusion: Quantitative MCE revealed patients with PAH have impaired RV myocardial perfusion, and this correlated well with the RV longitudinal myocardial dysfunction. [1]: pending:yes