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Primary cardiac lymphoma is a rare entity of extranodal lymphoma and is observed with increasing frequency in immunocompromised hosts. However, a considerable proportion of cardiac lymphomas still occur in immunocompetent patients. We report the case of a 55-year-old immunocompetent Japanese man with a large amount of pericardial fluid and the presentation of heart failure secondary to primary cardiac B cell lymphoma, which was diagnosed by cytological examination of pericardial fluid and imaging. The right atrium, right ventricle and pericardium were affected by the tumour, which encased the mid/distal portion of the right coronary artery (RCA). Pretreatment optical coherence tomography of the RCA demonstrated no tumour extension into the vascular structure but a focal mural thrombus. We initiated chemotherapy (steroid therapy then COP at half dose/R-CHOP/R-CHASE) [COP (C: Cyclophosphamide, O: Oncovin, P: Prednisolone) R-CHOP (R: Rituximab, C: Cyclophosphamide, H: Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, O: Oncovin, P: Prednisolone) R-CHASE (R: Rituximab, C: Cyclophosphamide, HA: high dose Cytarabine, S: Steroid, E: Etoposide)]with administration of low-dose aspirin to prevent possible ischaemic events. The patient had a good clinical course without adverse events except for transient pericarditis.

An increased blood pressure variability (BPV) has been reported to be associated with older age and cognitive dysfunction; however, associations between increased BPV and rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) has not been thoroughly investigated in patients without clinical Lewy body diseases.In frailty outpatient clinic, we evaluated ambulatory BP, RBD screening questionnaire (RBDSQ), and beat-to-beat heart rate variability during positional change from sitting to standing in 112 elderly hypertensive patients.The mean age was 81.2 ± 6.3 years (68% male). There were 15 patients who had probable RBD (RBDSQ scores ≥ 5). Patients with RBD had a greater body mass index, coefficient of variation (CV) in 24-h diastolic BP (23.5 ± 6.1 versus 18.7 ± 5.8,An increased BPV in ambulatory BP, associated with autonomic dysfunction, can be observed in patients with probable RBD even in elderly patients without clinical presentation of Lewy body diseases.

An 89-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for subacute onset of right upper and lower limb weakness and was diagnosed with acute cerebral infarction. During rehabilitation, close observation revealed that her oxygen saturation decreased in the sitting position and improved in the recumbent position without any subjective symptoms of dyspnea. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac catheterization revealed a large patent foramen ovale with an atrial septal aneurysm with right-to-left shunting through the defect, and she was diagnosed with platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. Her right hemiplegia caused the trunk to collapse, so the patient slumped when in sitting position, and the trunk tilted to the right forward, resulting in an increased right-to-left shunt. Her peripheral capillary oxygen saturation improved in the upright sitting position supported by therapists. This case suggests that right hemiplegia may exacerbate the symptoms of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome.

An 80-year-old woman with a history of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and Lewy body dementia was admitted to our hospital with a first episode of syncope while walking. The pressure gradient of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) had been stable at nearly 10 mmHg for 3 years before the admission. We evaluated the cause of syncope. Echocardiography showed that the pressure gradient of LVOT was unchanged, even in the supine position ergometer exercise test. Although the head-up tilt test revealed a drop in blood pressure of 44 mmHg systolic and 23 mmHg diastolic, she was asymptomatic during the test. The orthostatic hypotension was considered to be a manifestation of autonomic failure due to Lewy body dementia; however, it was insufficient to explain the syncope on exertion. Echocardiography in a sitting-up position showed that the pressure gradient of LVOT was exacerbated to 41 mmHg, which might be the cause of syncope while walking. Orthostatic hypotension, especially in patients with Lewy body dementia, is a common cause of syncope in the elderly. However, we should keep in mind that the exacerbation of LVOT obstruction due to posture-dependent fluid shift can be a cause of syncope in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or sigmoid-shaped interventricular septum. In such patients, echocardiography in a sitting-up position can be an effective tool to diagnose the cause of syncope.

BACKGROUND The change of left ventricular function deteriorated with age because of gradual increases of blood pressure may result in increased energy loss (EL) in left ventricle (LV). The present study investigated EL in LV among hypertensive elderly patients and examined factors contributing to EL. METHODS A single-center retrospective study was performed on elderly hypertensive outpatients (≥65 years) who underwent echocardiography (N = 105). EL in the LV was measured using a vector flow mapping system, and factors affecting peak EL during the early-diastolic phase (ED-EL), late-diastolic phase (LD-EL), and systolic phase (Sys-EL) were evaluated. RESULT Mean age was 79.9 ± 6.4 years (male 43%). Mean ED-EL, LD-EL, and Sys-EL were 42.1 ± 46.7, 75.6 ± 60.2, and 40.4 ± 40.2 mJ/N/s. In a stepwise regression analysis, the E/e'(lateral) (unstandardized B = 0.005, 95%CI -0.03 to 0.007, standardized β = 0.434, P < .001) was identified as factors affecting ED-EL. The factors affecting LD-EL were E/A ratio (B = -0.122, 95%CI -0.176 to -0.068, β = -0.470, P < .001) and time velocity integral (TVI) in LVOT (unstandardized B = 0.002, 95%CI 0.000 to 0.004, β = 0.247, P = .021). The factors influencing Sys-EL were TVI in LVOT (B = 0.002, 95%CI 0.001 to 0.004, β = 0.390, P < .001), E/A ratio (B = -0.054, 95%CI -0.093 to -0.015, β = -0.258, P = .008), left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter (B = -0.006, 95%CI -0.010 to -0.002, β = -0.307, P = .006), and left ventricular mass index (B = 0.000, 95%CI 0.000 to 0.001, β = 0.208, P = .039). CONCLUSION Peak EL in the LV was higher during diastolic phase than systolic phase among elderly hypertensive patients. Peak EL both during late-diastolic phase and systolic phase was affected by systolic blood flow in LVOT and LV transmitral flow pattern.

Minor ST-T changes on electrocardiograms are observed in patients with hypertensive heart disease with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF); however, the relationship between minor ST-T changes and global myocardial work on echocardiograms remains unclear. We evaluated the global longitudinal strain (GLS), global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) in 186 hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF (50%) using an offline analysis system (View Pal, GE). Minor ST-T changes as well as major ST-T changes (depression in ST in lead V5 1 mV) were also evaluated by electrocardiography. The mean age was 79.4 ± 8.2 years (men 37.6%). Patients with minor and major ST-changes had a smaller absolute GLS (-20.3 ± 3.1, -18.2 ± 3.7, and -15.2 ± 5.0%, P 0.001) and a smaller constructive workload [GWI (2148 ± 486, 1938 ± 462, and 1685 ± 701 mmHg%, P = 0.002) and GCW (2419 ± 510, 2185 ± 466, and 1865 ± 702 mmHg%, P 0.001)] than those with no ST-T changes. Additionally, patients with minor and major ST-T changes had increased wasted myocardial work [GWW (87 ± 61, 105 ± 56, and 127 ± 75 mmHg%, P = 0.045)], which resulted in reductions in the myocardial work efficiency [GWE (95 ± 4, 94 ± 3, and 89 ± 12%, P 0.001)]. Even after adjustments for confounding factors, including EF, diastolic function parameters, LV hypertrophy, history of heart failure and atrial fibrillation, patients with minor ST-T changes had significantly smaller LV global constructive work in comparison to those without [GWI (2260 ± 33 vs. 2025 ± 76 mmHg%, P = 0.007) and GCW (2501 ± 45 vs. 2210 ± 105 mmHg%, P = 0.003)]. In conclusion, in hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF, minor ST-T changes on electrocardiograms were associated with reduced constructive work in the LV.

Aims/Introduction Older adults with diabetes mellitus are susceptible to sarcopenia. Diffusion tensor imaging studies have also shown that patients with diabetes have altered white matter integrity. However, the relationship between these structural changes in white matter and sarcopenia remains poorly understood. Materials and Methods The study included 284 older patients (aged ≥65 years) who visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital Frailty Clinic. We used diffusion tensor imaging to measure fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) to evaluate changes in white matter integrity. We investigated the associations between sarcopenia, or its diagnostic components, and FA or MD in seven white matter tracts considered to be associated with sarcopenia according to the patients’ diabetes status. Results We found significantly low FA or high MD values in the bilateral anterior thalamic radiations (ATR) and right inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus (IFOF) of patients with Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019‐defined sarcopenia, in all patients and those with diabetes. Using binominal regression analyses, we associated low FA values in the left ATR and right IFOF with sarcopenia in all patients and those with diabetes, after adjusting for age, gender, HbA1c, blood pressure, cognitive function, physical activity, depression, nutritional status, and inflammation. Conclusions White matter alterations in left ATR and right IFOF are associated with the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with diabetes. Specific changes to the left ATR and right IFOF tracts could play critical roles in the occurrence of sarcopenia in patients with diabetes., Older adults with diabetes mellitus are susceptible to sarcopenia and altered white matter integrity. Using diffusion tensor imaging technique, we found alterations in left anterior thalamic radiation and right inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus are associated with sarcopenia in patients with diabetes.

Background Contrast-enhanced spectral detector-based computed tomography (SDCT) allows for the comprehensive and retrospective analysis. We report a case of pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) accompanied by non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) diagnosed by SDCT. Case summary A 72-year-old man with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and prostate cancer suddenly developed chest and back pain and had difficulty in breathing at rest. Electrocardiography showed a right bundle branch block without significant ST-segment change. The initial serum troponin I level was 0.05 ng/mL, and the d-dimer level was 14.7 μg/mL. Spectral detector-based computed tomography showed bilateral scattered PE. After admission, his chest pain persisted, and the serum troponin I level 3 h after admission was elevated to 0.90 ng/mL. Reconstruction of SDCT images showed a perfusion defect of the posterolateral left ventricle myocardium. A coronary angiogram showed total occlusion of the obtuse marginal branch (OM); percutaneous coronary intervention was performed. Furthermore, we administered him with oral anticoagulants (OACs) for PE. Spectral detector-based computed tomography tests performed 6 months after the treatment was initiated, until when the dual antiplatelet therapy and OAC therapy were continued, showed improvement in perfusion defects of both pulmonary fields and the myocardium. His treatment was deescalated to single antiplatelet therapy and OAC, and the patient has had a good course. Discussion Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is sometimes difficult to diagnose accurately, especially in the hyper-acute phase or in the OM branch. The reconstruction of spectral images from enhanced SDCT was helpful to diagnose this unique combination of PE and NSTEMI and may be useful for evaluating therapeutic effects in such patients.

Aims Sarcopenia is a serious problem because of its poor prognosis. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, insulin resistance and oxidative stress, which may play crucial roles for the development of sarcopenia. We aimed to examine whether serum GDF15 level is associated with muscle mass, strength and lower extremity function in older patients with cardiometabolic disease. Methods Serum GDF15 levels were measured in 257 patients with cardiometabolic diseases (including 133 patients with diabetes) who had visited the frailty clinic, using a latex turbidimetric immunoassay. Appendicular skeletal muscle index, handgrip strength, timed-up-and-go test and gait speed were evaluated. Power, speed, balance and total scores based on the sit-to-stand test were calculated to assess lower extremity function. Results The highest tertile of serum GDF15 was independently associated with low handgrip strength, low gait speed, long timed-up-and-go time and scores of lower extremity function but not an appendicular skeletal muscle index in multiple logistic regression analyses after adjustment for covariates. Patients in the highest tertile of GDF15 were at the risk of having three to nine times lower grip strength, three times lower gait speed, five to six times lower mobility and five to 11 times reduction in lower extremity function as compared with those in the lowest GDF15 tertile dependent on the models. Conclusions Elevated serum GDF15 level was independently associated with low muscle strength and lower extremity function in older patients with cardiometabolic disease. Serum GDF15 could be one of the biomarkers for muscle weakness and low physical performance. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 980-987.

Background: Elderly patients admitted to hospital with heart failure (HF) often have cognitive impairment, but the association between these conditions is unclear. Methods and Results: We enrolled 43 patients admitted to a geriatric hospital with HF. We evaluated echocardiography, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and extracellular water/total body water (ECW/TBW) ratio (Inbody S10). Mean age was 85.1±8.0 years (range, 60–99 years) and 44.2% of the patients were men. Mean MMSE score was 20.5±5.4, with 66.7% of the patients showing cognitive impairment (MMSE ≤23). There was a significant negative correlation of MMSE score with age (r=−0.344, P=0.032), regular alcohol drinking (r=0.437, P=0.007), uric acid level (r=0.413, P=0.010), and ECW/TBW ratio (r=−0.437, P=0.007). On stepwise regression analysis including these covariates, MMSE score was significantly associated with the ECW/TBW ratio (β=0.443, P=0.009). When several echocardiography parameters (i.e., end-diastolic left ventricular volume, r=0.327, P=0.048; left atrial volume index, r=−0.411, P=0.012; and transmitral inflow A wave velocity, r=−0.625, P=0.001) were added to the model, MMSE score was found to be related to the A wave (P=0.001) and to atrial volume index (P=0.015), which are measures of diastolic function. Conclusions: In elderly patients with HF, cognitive function might be influenced by body water distribution and diastolic heart function.

Background: Increase of collagen in the extracellular matrix occurs with ageing. We investigated whether a collagen marker, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), was associated with risk of stroke. Methods and Results: In a nested case-control study of 953 subjects from the general population, we evaluated determinants of TIMP-1 level and stroke risk. Mean subject age was 65.7±8.6 years (53.0% men); TIMP-1 was 72.4±28.2 pg/mL in the control group and 75.3±30.9 pg/mL in the stroke group. The relationship between TIMP-1 quartile and stroke was J-curved. Subjects in the highest TIMP-1 quartile (≥89 ng/mL) had a significantly higher OR of stroke (59–72 ng/mL; OR, 1.90; 95% CI: 1.09–3.31, P=0.023) than those in the second TIMP-1 quartile, and this tended toward significance even after adjusting for confounding factors (P=0.059). Elevation of serum TIMP-1 became more marked after age 65 years. On multiple linear regression analysis, significant determinants of TIMP-1 were older age (B=0.21 per 1 year; 95% CI: 0.52–1.07, P

Myocardial ischemia due to narrowing of the right coronary artery (RCA) may result in sinus arrhythmias, which usually present as transient sinus bradycardia with no hemodynamic instability. We report a rare case of sinus arrest with hemodynamic instability, which lasted for several months, and was caused by the occlusion of the sinus node (SN) artery following the RCA stenting. A 78-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was referred to our hospital because of chest pain during activity. In her coronary angiogram, severe diffuse stenosis of the RCA was observed and intracoronary imaging using intravascular ultrasound revealed diffuse atherosclerotic plaque lesions with partial calcification and vulnerability. RCA was treated by inserting three zotarolimus-eluting stents. Immediately after these interventions, the SN artery originating from the RCA proximal to the lesion was occluded, which resulted in SN dysfunction. Significant bradycardia was observed on electrocardiogram along with low blood pressure, suggesting sinus arrest. Along with hemodynamic instability, sinus arrest lasted for several months, and permanent pacemaker implantation was needed. The plaque burden should be taken into consideration when choosing the appropriate percutaneous coronary intervention strategy because of the potential complication of sinus arrest after RCA stenting.

Resistant hypertension is an important cardiovascular risk factor. This analysis of the JAMP study (Japan Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Prospective) data investigated the effects of uncontrolled resistant hypertension diagnosed using ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring on the risk of heart failure (HF) and overall cardiovascular events. The JAMP study patients with hypertension and no HF history were included. They had true resistant hypertension (24-hour BP ≥130/80 mm Hg), pseudoresistant hypertension (24-hour BP P =0.012 and 2.24 [95% CI, 1.17–4.30]; P =0.015, respectively) and versus uncontrolled nonresistant hypertension (1.51 [1.03–2.20]; P =0.034 and 3.03 [1.58–5.83]; P Registration: URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr ; Unique identifier: UMIN000020377.

Background: Nonspecific ST-T change in electrocardiogram can be observed in hypertensive heart disease with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF); however, the relationship between nonspecific ST-T change and global myocardial work in echocardiography was unclear. Methods: We evaluated global longitudinal strain (GLS), GWI (global work index), GCW (global constructive work), GWW (global wasted work), GWE (global work efficiency), using offline analyzing system (View Pal, GE) in 196 hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF (>50%). Nonspecific ST-T change and major ST-T change (depression of ST in V5 lead >1mV) was also evaluated in electrocardiogram. Results: Mean age was 79.3±8.2 years (men 37.8%). Compared with patients with no ST-T change, those with nonspecific and major ST-change had a smaller absolute value of GLS (-20±3, -18±4, -14±5%, P Conclusion: In hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF, nonspecific ST-T change in electrocardiogram was associated with a reduced constructive work in LV.

Background: Although an elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) is associated with cognitive dysfunction, BP may decrease with advanced cognitive dysfunction; therefore, we attempted to identify the turning point in the relationship between cognitive function and SBP in elderly subjects. Methods: In pooled datasets of general populations and outpatient clinics (age>65 years), in which the risk of frailty or cognitive dysfunction was assessed (N = 4076), the relationship between SBP and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was examined. Results: Mean age was 72.5 ± 6.2 years (male 45.1%), and SBP was 133.0 ± 19.5 mmHg. In an analysis of locally weighted scatter plot smoothing, the relationship between SBP and MMSE scores changed at an MMSE score of 24 points. In subjects with preserved cognitive function (MMSE ≥24 points), MMSE scores decreased with increases in SBP (B = −0.047 per 10 mmHg increase, P = 0.002) after adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, alcohol habit, smoking status, diabetes, a history of stroke, and the geriatric nutritional index; however, in subjects with reduced cognitive function (MMSE

White matter abnormalities may reflect cerebral microvessel disease. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can help detect early changes in white matter integrity in each tract. However, studies investigating the relationship between subclinical atherosclerosis markers and white matter alterations in DTI findings are limited. This study aimed to examine associations between cardiovascular risk factors and indices of subclinical atherosclerosis—ankle brachial index (ABI), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT)—and altered white matter integrity in older patients. A total of 224 patients (aged ≥65 years) with cardiometabolic disease who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and either plethysmography or cervical ultrasound at the start of the 3-year observational study period were included in this study. We measured fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), which are indices of white matter integrity in seven white matter tracts. In a univariate analysis, lower ABI and higher baPWV values were associated with FA or MD abnormalities in several tracts, whereas IMT was scarcely associated with such change. In addition, high blood pressure and glycoalbumin/glycohemoglobin ratio (GA/HbA1c) and low body mass index (BMI) and triglyceride (TG) levels were associated with FA or MD abnormalities. In a multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, BMI, diastolic blood pressure, TG, and GA/HbA1c, the associations between ABI and FA or MD remained in all of either side of the following tracts: anterior thalamic radiation, forceps minor, inferior frontooccipital fasciculus (p < 0.001 for all) and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF; p < 0.05), whereas most of those between baPWV and FA or MD disappeared except for SLF (p < 0.05). These results indicate that low ABI could be an indicator of white matter abnormalities.

Aim Orthostatic blood pressure (BP) can fall with reduced stroke volume and arterial elasticity. However, as the reason for orthostatic BP rise is unclear, we investigated the relationship of orthostatic BP rise with frailty in older patients. Methods In 169 consecutive outpatients who visited the frailty clinic, we evaluated orthostatic BP and heart rate changes (i.e. in the sitting position, just after standing up, 1 min after standing and after sitting down). Frailty was evaluated using the Kihon Checklist (KCL) established by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Results The mean age was 77.4 ± 6.9 years, and 29% of patients had frailty with a KCL score ≥8. The systolic BP declined in both groups, but patients with frailty experienced a smaller decrease just after standing (-0.2 ± 10.3 vs -6.2 ± 11.5, P = 0.001). During standing for 1 min, elevation of systolic BP was greater in patients with frailty than in those without (8.4 ± 11.6 mmHg vs 3.2 ± 11.2 mmHg, P = 0.009). The difference in elevation of systolic BP remained significant, even after adjusting for confounding factors including systolic BP before standing (P = 0.013). In particular, the KCL score for motor function was significantly correlated with an elevation of orthostatic systolic BP after standing for 1 min, even after controlling for systolic BP before standing and confounding factors (P = 0.020). Conclusions The elevation of systolic BP after standing for 1 min was greater in patients with frailty as diagnosed by the KCL score, especially in relation to reduced motor function. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 525-529.

Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) diagnosed by Cornell product and the Sokolow-Lyon voltage are associated with anatomical LVH; therefore, we investigated whether Cornell product and the Sokolow-Lyon voltage were associated with echocardiographic regional wall motion (measured by 2D-strain imaging). We reviewed data on 288 consecutive hypertensive patients who underwent both echocardiography and electrocardiography. Electrocardiographic LVH was calculated as follows: Cornell voltage, S in lead V3 + R in lead aVL; Cornell product, Cornell voltage (+0.6 mV for females) × QRS duration; and Sokolow-Lyon voltage, S in lead V1 + R in lead V5. The mean age of the subjects was 64.3 ± 13.2 years; 47.9% were men, and 65.2% were taking antihypertensive medications. Both Cornell product (r = 0.392, P < 0.001) and the Sokolow-Lyon voltage (r = 0.315, P < 0.001) were significantly related to left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and the relationship between Cornell product and LVMI (beta = 0.24, P = 0.001) was independent of the Sokolow-Lyon voltage (beta = 0.25, P < 0.001). In multivariate linear regression analysis in which the two ECG-LVH were included together, Cornell product was related to global longitudinal strain (beta = 0.24, P = 0.002), even after adjusting for the Sokolow-Lyon voltage (P = 0.835). Additionally, the Cornell voltage was related to the inner/outer ratio of circumferential strain (beta = 0.17, P = 0.033) after adjusting for the Sokolow-Lyon voltage (P = 0.318). By contrast, the Sokolow-Lyon voltage was related to the relative wall thickness and E/e' on tissue Doppler imaging, even after adjusting for Cornell product. In conclusion, Cornell product and voltage were associated with longitudinal regional wall motion and with the transmurality of regional wall motion in the short axis direction.

OBJECTIVE Unattended automated office blood pressure (AOBP) may be a better estimate of true blood pressure (BP) than conventional office BP by physicians or nurses. However, measurement of AOBP is cumbersome in general clinical practice. We compared unattended AOBP by the patients themselves using the rigid cuff in the waiting room with attended AOBP and home BP (HBP) (N = 72). METHODS Unattended AOBP by patients was measured in the waiting room using a rigid cuff with the fully automated device (Omron, HEM-907, triple BP readings taken at 1-min intervals after 5 min of rest). Attended AOBP was measured using a soft cuff by a physician in an examination room without specific resting time. HBP was measured for 5 consecutive days. RESULTS The mean age was 76.5 ± 8.6 years. The mean systolic unattended AOBP by patients, attended AOBP and HBP were 139.3 ± 16.6, 144.8 ± 17.1 and 139.1 ± 14.4 mmHg, respectively. Unattended AOBP by patients was significantly related to attended AOBP (r = 0.798; P

Background: Strategies to prevent the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are important in clinical practice due to increased life expectancy. The present study investigated the prevalence of CKD as well as lipid profiles affecting CKD, especially triglyceride (TG) levels.Methods: In total, 5,169 subjects were eligible for a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Jichi Medical School Cohort Study. We examined CKD subjects with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 59 mL/min/1.73m2 or lower and independent factors associated with reductions in eGFR.Results: The prevalence of CKD was 17.7%. Age, systolic blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia were defined as related factors for CKD. The lowest, second, third, and highest quartile ranges of total cholesterol (TC) and TG were 0-166, 167-188, 189-212, and 213 mg/dL or higher and 0-71, 72-100, 101-148, and 149 mg/dL or higher, respectively. The odds ratio (OR) of Q2 to Q4 of TC relative to that of Q1 for CKD increased linearly (OR [95%CI]: Q2, 1.3 [1.0-1.7]; Q3, 1.38 [1.1-1.8]; Q4, 1.5 [1.4-2.4]). The ORs of Q2 and Q3 of TG for CKD did not increase, whereas that of Q4 did (OR [95% CI]: Q2, 0.95 [0.7-1.2]; Q3, 0.98 [0.8-1.2]; Q4, 1.21 [1.0-1.5]). Conclusion: Increases in TC and TG levels were both independently associated with CKD. The relationship with CKD became stronger as TC increased, and the TG had threshold was 149 mg/dL.

Aim We examined whether the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community-based Integrated Care System 8-items (DASC-8) is useful for screening frailty and as a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Methods Outpatients (N = 431; 269 women; Mage = 78.9 ± 6.8 years) with cardiometabolic disease from a frailty clinic participated. Frailty status was assessed using modified Cardiovascular Health Study criteria, the Clinical Frailty Scale and the Kihon Checklist. Cognition, higher-level activities of daily living, sarcopenia, physical activities, depression, nutrition, medication adherence, social network and quality of life were assessed as CGA components. We examined the association of DASC-8 category with frailty or CGA components using multiple logistic regression analyses, adjusted for age and sex. Results Most participants (n = 310, 71.9%) were in Category I, 90 (20.9%) were in Category II and 31 (7.1%) were in Category III. There were no significant differences in sex, body mass index, or past medical history, except regarding age or cerebral infarction. Logistic regression analyses showed that, for all definitions of frailty, the odds ratios of frailty significantly increased as category progressed. Cognitive function, higher-level activities of daily living, handgrip strength, gait speed, physical activities, medication adherence, social network and quality of life decreased as the category increased. Although depressive tendency increased in Category II, there was no significant difference in muscle mass or prevalence of sarcopenia among the categories. Malnutrition was observed in Category III. Conclusions DASC-8 category was associated with frailty and several CGA components in older patients with cardiometabolic disease. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 1157-1163.

Aims The association of vascular dysfunction and amyloid beta deposition attracted attentions for its relationship with cognitive decline. Previous studies show the correlation between the declined cardiac function and the cognitive impairment. In the present study, we analysed the association between cognitive functions and cardiac parameters in community-dwelling people with preserved ejection fraction without heart failure. Methods and results Subjects were 108 Japanese community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults with preserved ejection fraction (25 men and 83 women; mean age 74.7 years). Cardiac functional parameters at rest were assessed with B-type natriuretic peptide and echocardiography. The cardiopulmonary exercise test was used to test these parameters during exercise. Cognitive function was assessed with the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J). Other indices were assessed biochemically, physiologically, and physically. There were significant correlations between MoCA-J score and age (r = -0.388), peak oxygen uptake (VO2 , r = 0.201), peak VO2 /heart rate (HR, r = 0.243), peak VO2 /weight (r = 0.244), peak metabolic equivalents (r = 0.244), usual walking speed (r = -0.200), and the Timed Up and Go test (r = -0.230). Multiple linear regression analysis showed peak VO2 /HR was an independent determinant of MoCA-J score after adjusting for potential confounders (B = 0.424). After 6 months of exercise training with 64 subjects, we found that the per cent change of peak VO2 /HR was related to the per cent change of MoCA-J score (r = 0.296). Conclusions These results suggested that peak VO2 /HR (an index of stroke volume at peak exercise) might be associated with cognitive impairment based on the vascular cascade hypothesis.

Background: Hand grip strength and peak oxygen uptake (VO2) are important components of frailty. However, the relationship between these two variables among community-dwelling elderly people is still unclear. The present study aimed to investigate this relationship. Methods: Participants were 190 Japanese community-dwelling elderly outpatients (61 men and 129 women, mean age 78.0 years). Hand grip strength of participants’ dominant hand was measured using a Smedley-type hand dynamometer. Peak VO2 levels were assessed with a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and usual walking speed were assessed physiologically and physically. Sample size was calculated using G*Power 3.1.9.2. Results: There were significant correlations between hand grip strength and age (r = −0.22), peak VO2 (r = 0.40), SMI (r = 0.51), and usual walking speed (r = 0.29). There were significant differences in age, peak VO2 and SMI after participants were divided into normal and low hand grip strength groups according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia threshold, whether both sexes were combined or considered separately. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that peak VO2, SMI and age were independent determinants of hand grip strength after adjusting for potential confounders (Exp(B) = 0.871; 0.475; 1.065). Longitudinal analysis after 6 months of exercise training showed the percentage of change in hand grip strength and peak VO2 were correlated positively (r = 0.22) for 92 participants. Conclusion: Peak VO2 is independently associated with hand grip strength among community-dwelling elderly outpatients.

Backgrounds Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is associated with cardiovascular diseases, heart failure, and increased mortality. We evaluated whether OH was affected by cardiac structure and function or autonomic function in elderly hypertensive outpatients. Patients and methods In 64 hypertension patients (mean age 74.2±1.7 years old), we evaluated changes in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability before and after standing up using the MemCalc system. In addition, we retrospectively reviewed their medical records and echocardiographic data. Results Of the total patients, 28% had OH [decrease of systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥20 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥10 mmHg]. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that stroke volume (SV)/pulse pressure (PP) was associated independently with orthostatic change in SBP (P=0.007). The patients with OH tended to have a lower SV (57.3±13.1 vs. 68.1±16.3 ml, P=0.009) and lower SV/PP (1.02±0.26 vs. 1.33±0.45, P=0.001) than those without OH. The significance in difference in SV/PP remained even after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, estimated glomerular filtration rate, number of antihypertesive drugs, history of diabetes, and SBP at rest (P=0.036). However, there were no significant differences in change in the low frequency/high frequency ratio after standing up (P=0.899) between patients with and without OH. Conclusion Elderly hypertensive patients with OH may have a reduced arterial compliance, measured as SV/PP, and may not have differences in sympathetic nerve activities, measured as the low frequency/high frequency ratio.

Aims This study aimed to investigate the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and cardiac functional parameters in older adults during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Methods and results Sixty-three Japanese community-dwelling older adults were enrolled (20 men and 43 women; mean age 80 years, range 65–97 years). Cardiac functional parameters during exercise were assessed using CPET. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was calculated by dividing the appendicular lean mass (measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) by height in metres squared. Subjects were divided into two groups: men with SMI ≥ 7.0 kg/m2 and women with SMI ≥ 5.4 kg/m2 (non-sarcopenic group); or men with SMI

Cancer treatment has been developing significantly and cancer-related cardiovascular disease treatments such as various anticancer agents and molecular target drugs have been reported often in the era of oncocardiology. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematopoietic stem cell malignancy. Dasatinib is a novel tyrosine-kinase inhibitor approved for CML with Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome and the most common adverse effects of dasatinib are peripheral edema and pleural effusion, which sometimes impose the interruption or reduction of dosage of dasatinib treatment, accompanied by diuretic and steroid use. The goal of CML treatment is maintaining hematological control in the long term by controlling these side effects. The aim of this study is to clarify the efficacy of tolvaptan in treating dasatinib-induced fluid retention.We retrospectively analyzed six CML patients who received tolvaptan for dasatinib-induced fluid retention.The mean age of patients was 60.5±11.5 years old, and the mean dosage of dasatinib and tolvaptan were 58.3±20.4mg/day and 5.0±1.9mg/day, respectively. Tolvaptan was introduced 564.5±369.9 days after dasatinib was introduced. Ejection fraction (EF) by echocardiography and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels did not change. However, the diastolic function significantly changed [E/e' of the septal side: from 20.3±2.3 to 16.5±4.2, of the lateral side: from 15.0±2.1 to 12.5±3.8 (p0.05, respectively)]. New York Heart Association functional class was improved from 3.3±0.5 to 1.5 ± 1.2 (p0.01) and the grades of fluid retention were also improved. Three patients discontinued dasatinib, and two patients could restart the administration of dasatinib after controlling fluid retention. Five patients could control fluid retention and they could continue with dasatinib therapy without any complications.Tolvaptan may be useful in fluid control in patients with CML treated with dasatinib.

Background Although frailty and cognitive impairment are critical risk factors for disability and mortality in the general population of older inhabitants, the prevalence and incidence of these factors in individuals treated in the specialty outpatient clinics are unknown. Methods We recently established a frailty clinic for comprehensive assessments of conditions such as frailty, sarcopenia, and cognition, and planned 3-year prospective observational study to identify the risk factors for progression of these aging-related statuses. To date, we recruited 323 patients who revealed symptoms suggestive of frailty mainly from a specialty outpatient clinic of cardiology and diabetes. Frailty status was diagnosed by the modified Cardiovascular Health Study (mCHS) criteria and some other scales. Cognitive function was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J), and some other modalities. Sarcopenia was defined by the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). In this report, we outlined our frailty clinic and analyzed the background characteristics of the subjects. Results Most patients reported hypertension (78%), diabetes mellitus (57%), or dyslipidemia (63%), and cardiovascular disease and probable heart failure also had a higher prevalence. The prevalence of frailty diagnosed according to the mCHS criteria, cognitive impairment defined by MMSE (≤27) and MoCA-J (≤25), and of AWGS-defined sarcopenia were 24, 41, and 84, and 31%, respectively. The prevalence of frailty and cognitive impairment increased with aging, whereas the increase in sarcopenia prevalence plateaued after the age of 80 years. No significant differences were observed in the prevalence of frailty, cognitive impairment, and sarcopenia between the groups with and without diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or dyslipidemia with a few exceptions, presumably due to the high-risk subjects who had multiple cardiovascular comorbidities. A majority of the frail and sarcopenic patients revealed cognitive impairment, whereas the frequency of suspected dementia among these patients were both approximately 20%. Conclusions We found a high prevalence of frailty, cognitive impairment, and sarcopenia in patients with cardiometabolic disease in our frailty clinic. Comprehensive assessment of the high-risk patients could be useful to identify the risk factors for progression of frailty and cognitive decline.

Our aim is to determine the optimal time schedule for home blood pressure (BP) monitoring that best predicts stroke and coronary artery disease in general practice. The Japan Morning Surge-Home Blood Pressure (J-HOP) study is a nationwide practice-based study that included 4310 Japanese with a history of or risk factors for cardiovascular disease, or both (mean age, 65 years; 79% used antihypertensive medication). Home BP measures were taken twice daily (morning and evening) over 14 days at baseline. During a mean follow-up of 4 years (16 929 person-years), 74 stroke and 77 coronary artery disease events occurred. Morning systolic BP (SBP) improved the discrimination of incident stroke ( C statistics, 0.802; 95% confidence interval, 0.692–0.911) beyond traditional risk factors including office SBP (0.756; 0.646–0.866), whereas the changes were smaller with evening SBP (0.764; 0.653–0.874). The addition of evening SBP to the model (including traditional risk factors plus morning SBP) significantly reduced the discrimination of incident stroke ( C statistics difference, −0.008; 95% confidence interval: −0.015 to −0.008; P =0.03). The category-free net reclassification improvement (0.3606; 95% confidence interval, 0.1317–0.5896), absolute integrated discrimination improvement (0.015; SE, 0.005), and relative integrated discrimination improvement (58.3%; all P Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ . Unique identifier: UMIN000000894.