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Background: Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is the major comorbid condition in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), the evidence, which supports the efficacy of rhythm control for AF in HFpEF is limited. Hypothesis: Electrical cardioversion (EC) of AF for maintenance of sinus rhythm (SR) improves recovery in patients with HFpEF. Methods: We analyzed 162 subjects hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure which were documented AF on admission and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50%. We defined the conservative treatment (CT) group as not attempting cardioversion during hospitalization and EC groups as successful EC of AF and maintenance of SR until discharge. Clinical characteristics, composite event of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization were compared between the two groups. Results: Among all patients with AF on admission, 24 subjects (14.8%) were succeeded in restoring and maintaining SR by EC. They exhibited younger (70.8 years vs. 80.3 years, p < 0.01) and a lower level of BNP (88.3 ng/L vs. 156.0 ng/L, p < 0.01) than the CT group (n = 111). The findings from echocardiography demonstrated a smaller left atrial dimension (44.7 mm vs. 55.7 mm, p < 0.01) and lower E wave levels (81.5 cm/s vs. 110.0 cm/s) in the EC group. Concerning medical therapy, the rate of using anti-arrhythmia drugs in the EC group was higher (41.7% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.01). During the observational period (median = 1.6 years), successful restoration of SR was associated with a less frequent incidence of a composite event of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization (hazard ratio = 0.19, 95% confidence interval = 0.06 - 0.60, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our findings highlight those patients with HFpEF, and AF treated with rhythm control by EC may improve, healthwise. Randomized controlled studies should evaluate the efficacy of EC and the effect of rhythm control for AF about atrial remodeling in HFpEF.

Objective Although life-threatening cardiac complications in influenza infection are rare, subclinical influenza-associated cardiac abnormalities may occur more frequently. We investigated the prevalence of subclinical cardiac findings. Methods After obtaining their written informed consent, 102 subjects were enrolled in the present study. The study subjects underwent a first set of examinations, which included electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, and the measurement of their cardiac enzyme levels. Those with one or more abnormal findings among these examinations were encouraged to undergo a repeat examination 2 weeks later. Results Among the 102 subjects enrolled, 22 (21.6%) were judged to have cardiac findings, including ST-T abnormalities, pericardial effusion, diastolic dysfunction, and cardiac enzyme elevation. Eighteen of these 20 subjects underwent a second screening at a median of 14 days later, and it was found that 11 of the 18 subjects were free from cardiac findings on this second examination. This suggested that the abnormalities were only transient and they therefore might have been associated with influenza. Approximately 20% of the influenza patients enrolled had cardiac findings, including ST-T segment abnormalities, pericardial effusion, and cardiac enzyme elevation. Conclusion Among the 102 patients who were studied, the cardiac findings were only mild and transient; however, physicians should be aware of influenza infection-associated cardiac abnormalities because such abnormalities may not be rare.

Background Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) induces cardiac remodeling. We investigated the changes in serum FGF23 levels in patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods and Results:A total of 44 patients diagnosed with AMI were included in the current study. All patients underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The median of peak creatine kinase (CK) and CKMB values was 1,816 U/L and 159 U/L, respectively. Serum levels of FGF23, calcium, and inorganic phosphate (iP) were measured before PCI, and on days 1, 3, 5, 7 after PCI. Serum FGF23 levels showed a slight, but significant decrease on days 1 and 3 after PCI, and a 1.5- and 2.0-fold increase on days 5 and 7, respectively, after PCI. As compared with propensity score-matched patients without AMI, serum FGF23 was significantly lower among the current cohort of AMI patients. In 22 subjects who underwent a follow-up echocardiographic examination at 6 months after the onset of AMI, the log-transformed relative increase in FGF23 on day 7 significantly and negatively correlated with changes between LVEF on admission and that at 6 months afterward. Conclusions After a slight decrease on days 1 and 3 after admission, serum FGF23 increased significantly on days 5 and 7. The underlying mechanism and potential clinical importance of these observations require further investigation.

Several studies have shown that subjects with higher serum bilirubin may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disorders. We herein investigated whether serum bilirubin concentration is associated with lower extremity ischemia among cardiology patients. In total, 935 patients without a history of angioplasty or bypass surgery of the lower limb arteries and who had bilateral ankle-brachial index measurements were included in the study. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) was defined to be present when ABI of either or both sides was

Background: Circulating soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), which can reflect immune activation and low-grade inflammation, may be a novel biomarker of cardiovascular disease. Methods: We investigated the potential association between suPAR and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) by analyzing patients with either sinus rhythm, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), or non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (NPAF), which indicates either permanent or persistent AF. Results: Among 426 patients enrolled (mean age 71.4±9.2 years; 110 (25.8%) female), 310, 62, and 54 were diagnosed with sinus rhythm, PAF, and NPAF, respectively. NPAF was >10-fold more prevalent in the highest suPAR quartile (>3534 pg/mL; 32 (30.2%) of 106 patients) than in the lowest suPAR quartile (

Serum levels of the soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) reflect immune and inflammatory activation, and are shown to be associated with cardiovascular outcomes. We herein investigated the potential association between suPAR and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction among patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and sinus rhythm. Among 291 patients who had sinus rhythm and an LVEF of ≥50% enrolled in the study, 26 (8.9%) were considered to have diastolic dysfunction. Patients with diastolic dysfunction had lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and higher systolic blood pressure (BPs), BNP, C-reactive protein, and suPAR than those without diastolic dysfunction. As compared with the first suPAR quartile, the fourth suPAR quartile was significantly associated with both diastolic dysfunction with an odds ratio of 8.95 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-77.0, P

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease, that is characterized by the elevation of circulating IgG4 level and the tissue-infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells, can target the cardiovascular tissue, although the diagnosis of IgG4-related cardiovascular lesion is not easy owing to the substantial risk for the tissue sampling. We herein examined the serum IgG4 levels among cardiac patients. In patients who were admitted to the cardiology department (n=477) and those who underwent computed tomography coronary artery angiography (n=401), elevated serum IgG4 level (≥135 mg/dL) was found 23 (4.8%) and 17 (4.2%), respectively. However, among those with elevated serum IgG4, only two patients could be clinicopathologically diagnosed with IgG4-related disease. Cardiovascular organ involvement may aggravate the prognosis of IgG4-related disease which in general not life-threatening. Considering that the non-negligible prevalence of high IgG4 level among cardiac patients who were not diagnosed with IgG4-related disease, however, physicians should not count too much on the serum IgG4 levels for the diagnosis of IgG4-related cardiovascular lesions, especially when histopathologic findings are not available, or when other-tissue involvement of IgG4-related disease is not apparent. (This is a translation of J Jpn Coll Angiol 2017; 57: 91-98.).

Background Heart failure (HF) is an epidemic in healthcare worldwide including Asia. It appears that HF will become more serious with aging of the population. The patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) were older, more often female, and frequently have comorbidities including hypertension. However, lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) on admission is associated with poor outcomes in patients with HF. It remains unclear whether this association is similar in very elderly patients with HFpEF. Purpose To investigate clinical features and prognosis in octogenarian HFpEF subjects. Methods We analyzed 87 consecutive subjects aged 80 years or older who were hospitalized for acute decompensated HF with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% between 2015 and 2017. Clinical characteristics and a composite event of cardiac death and HF hospitalization were compared in two groups according to SBP cut-off of 140 mmHg on admission. Results The prevalence of lower SBP subjects (mean BP = 118 mmHg) and higher SBP (mean BP = 166 mmHg) subjects were 41.4% and 58.6%, respectively. Lower SBP subjects were more comorbid with atrial fibrillation (72.2 vs. 45.1%, p=0.01). In the lower SBP group, diuretics, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors/ARBs were more commonly used than higher SBP group (Table). During the observational period (median = 1.0 year), lower SBP on admission was associated with a 2.65-fold [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29–5.55, p=0.009] greater likelihood of experiencing the composite events of cardiac death and rehospitalization for HF (Figure). This observation was still consistent even after adjusting clinical demographics and comorbidity [hazard ratio = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.30–6.87, p=0.01]. Table 1 Lower SBP group (n=36) Higher SBP group (n=51) P-value Atrial fibrillation (%) 72.2 0.01 0.01 Loop diuretic (%) 97.1 83.7 0.08 MRA (%) 47.1 24.5 0.04 Beta-blocker (%) 52.9 44.9 0.51 ACE inhibitor/ARB (%) 59.2 29.4 0.01 Figure 1 Conclusions In octogenarian patients with acute decompensated HF and preserved LVEF, SBP on admission less than 140 mmHg is significantly associated with poor outcomes. Future studies need to prospectively evaluate optimal SBP treatment goals in very elderly patients with HFpEF.

A 38-year-old woman had developed an abdominal distention, lower extremity edema, and dyspnea. Imaging examination revealed a large mass in the right atrium which was connected to lesions within the inferior vena cava. Although complete resection of the mass was not possible, partial surgical tumor resection was performed to avoid pulmonary embolization and circulatory collapse. Leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed histologically, and chemotherapy (doxorubicin) followed by radiotherapy was started. By reviewing papers published in the past 10 years that included 322 patients, we also discuss the clinical presentations and prognosis of leiomyosarcoma in the inferior vena cava.

Serum inorganic phosphate level is associated with fibroblast growth factor 23 among cardiac patients with preserved renal function

Background and Aims: Combination of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) are known to be an effective therapy for cardiovascular diseases, however, their biological roles in the favorable effect on adverse event have not been studied well. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of EPA and statins focusing on plaque formation in a rabbit plaque model. Methods: Rabbit carotid artery was injured with a balloon followed by feeding with a normal diet for 4 w and then with a high-cholesterol diet for 4 w. The rabbits were either received pitavastatin alone, EPA alone, combination (pitavastatin+EPA) or vehicle (control) for 4 w with a high-cholesterol diet. The injured carotid arteries were harvested and analysed morphometrically and immunohistochemically. Results: In control group, smooth muscle cells were located on the luminal side of the plaque and lipidrich macrophages accumulated in the center of the plaque expressing Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Tissue Factor (TF), and NF-kB, those are characteristic of unstable plaques. In contrast, EPA reduced the expression of TF and NF-kB and increased the expression of PPAR-α in the plaque. Pitavastatin also reduced the expression of MMP-9, TF, and NF-kB, but not PPAR-α in the plaque. Combination of pitavastatin and EPA significantly reduced the expression of MMP-9, TF, and NF-kB increasing the expression of PPAR-α resulting in the inhibition of intimal hyperplasia and plaque formation in carotid arteries. Conclusions: Pitavastatin and EPA synergistically played a role for inhibitory effect on plaque formation decreasing the expression of inflammation-related molecules and increasing the expression of PPAR-α in injured artery.

Background Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by the basal hypercontractility and apical ballooning of the left ventriculum and T-wave inversion in the electrocardiogram. It has been suggested that Takotsubo cardiomyopathy might underlie the pathogenesis of persistent cardiac dysfunction; however, few reports are present demonstrating the advent of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in patients with idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Case presentation A 64-year-old women was admitted due to dyspnea on effort and lower extremity edema. She had been diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy 2.5 years before owing to the reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (24%), normal coronary artery, and interstitial fibrosis of the myocardial samples. On admission, her electrocardiogram showed giant negative T wave in II, III, aVF, and precordial leads. Echocardiography showed dyskinesis of the left ventricular apex and hypercontraction of the basal wall, which had not been observed in the previous examinations. Coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries, and apical ballooning and basal hypercontractility was confirmed by left ventriculography. On day 15 of admission, contraction of apical wall was recovered, and basal hypercontraction was disappeared. Conclusion The present case is the first report demonstrating appearance the transient basal wall hypercontraction along with the advent of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. Whether such findings are indicative of fair prognosis and have the utility of understanding the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy needs further investigation.

Background and purpose Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), which catalyzes purine catabolism, has two interconvertible forms, xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase, the latter of which produces superoxide during uric acid (UA) synthesis. An association between plasma XOR activity and cardiovascular and renal outcomes has been previously suggested. We investigated the potential association between cardiac parameters and plasma XOR activity among cardiology patients. Methods and results Plasma XOR activity was measured by [13C2,15N2]xanthine coupled with liquid chromatography/triplequadrupole mass spectrometry. Among 270 patients who were not taking UA-lowering drugs, XOR activity was associated with body mass index (BMI), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HbA1c and renal function. Although XOR activity was not associated with serum UA overall, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), those with higher XOR activity had higher serum UA among patients without CKD. Compared with patients with the lowest XOR activity quartile, those with higher three XOR activity quartiles more frequently had left ventricular hypertrophy. In addition, plasma XOR activity showed a U-shaped association with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and increased plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, and these associations were independent of age, gender, BMI, ALT, HbA1C, serum UA, and CKD stages. Conclusions Among cardiac patients, left ventricular hypertrophy, low LVEF, and increased BNP were significantly associated with plasma XOR activity independent of various confounding factors. Whether pharmaceutical modification of plasma XOR activity might inhibit cardiac remodeling and improve cardiovascular outcome should be investigated in future studies.

The role of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) has been implicated in the process of plaque vulnerability. However, few studies have addressed the direct relationship between plaque morphology and plasma PTX3. We evaluated the relationship between coronary vulnerable plaque, assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and plasma PTX3 in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).OCT was used to determine plaque vulnerability in 51 patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS; n = 17) and stable angina (SA; n = 34). Both highly-sensitive C-reactive protein and systemic plasma PTX3 were measured.Based on the OCT findings, patients were divided into 3 groups; a fibrous plaque (n = 18), thick-cap fibroatheroma (ThCFA) (n = 19), and thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (n = 14) groups. ThCFA was defined as a lipid-rich plaque (lipid content in ≥ 2 quadrant) covered with ≥ 65 μm thick fibrous cap, and TCFA was that with < 65 μm. There were no differences in patient characteristics between the 3 groups except for the presence of ACS and eicosapentaenoic acid levels. TCFA was more frequently observed with plaque rupture and intraluminal thrombus compared with the other 2 groups. Plasma PTX3 levels were higher in the TCFA group compared with the fibrous plaque and ThCFA groups, and showed weak correlation with cap thickness.Plasma PTX3 level was associated with plaque vulnerability assessed by OCT in patients with CAD.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, Rational: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a transient systolic dysfunction of the left ventricular apex without stenosis of coronary arteries and is induced by various psychological and physical factors. TCM sometimes causes lethal complications such as arrhythmia, thrombogenesis, and even cardiac rupture, and thus it should be diagnosed appropriately and managed carefully. Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are exposed to overstress during the treatment process and therefore can are at potential risk for TCM. Patient concerns: The patient was diagnosed as having pneumonia because of influenza A virus mixed with bacteria and underwent intensive care with intubation and mechanical ventilation in the ICU. His respiratory condition soon improved, and so extubation was carried out; however, redeterioration with pulmonary edema occurred at half of a day following extubation. Diagnosis: The chest x-ray revealed pulmonary edema. The electrocardiogram pattern significantly changed with time, and the echocardiogram showed weakness of wall motion around the left ventricular apex. Hence, to confirm the diagnosis, we performed cardiac catheterization immediately, with the results showing a Takotsubo-like form at the systolic phase without significant stenosis of the coronary arteries. Intervention: The patient was reintubated with administration of catecholamine for decreasing blood pressure caused by left ventricular dysfunction. Also, diuretics for pulmonary edema and anticoagulants for prevention of thrombogenesis were administered. Outcomes: As the respiratory condition improved with stabilization of cardiovascular hemodynamics, reextubation was done at ICU day 11 and was discharged from the ICU at ICU day 15. The patient was subsequently treated for pneumonia after leaving the ICU but suffered from repetitive aspiration pneumonia and was finally transferred to another hospital at hospital day 111. Lessons: TCM should be considered especially under the situation of intensive care, and prompt diagnosis should be followed by appropriate management.

Background Recent studies have suggested that soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), a biomarker of subclinical levels of inflammation, is significantly correlated with cardiovascular events. Purpose We investigated the association between suPAR and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) among cardiac inpatients. Methods and Results In total, 242 patients (mean age 71.3 ± 9.8 years; 70 women) admitted to the cardiology department were enrolled in the study. suPAR was significantly correlated with LVEF (R = -0.24, P 3236 pg/mL) was associated with low LVEF (< 50%) and elevated BNP (> 300 pg/mL) with an odds ratio of 3.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–12.1) and 5.36 (95% CI, 1.32–21.8), respectively, after adjusting for age, sex, log-transformed estimated glomerular filtration rate (log(eGFR)), C-reactive protein, and diuretic use. The association between suPAR and LVMI was not statistically significant. In multivariate receiver operating characteristic analysis, addition of log(suPAR) to the combination of age, sex, log(eGFR) and CRP incrementally improved the prediction of low LVEF (area under the curve [AUC], 0.827 to 0.852, P = 0.046) and BNP ≥ 300 pg/mL (AUC, 0.869 to 0.906; P = 0.029). Conclusions suPAR was associated with low LVEF and elevated BNP, but not with left ventricular hypertrophy, independent of CRP, renal function, and diuretic use among cardiac inpatients who were not undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

Aim: Previous studies have revealed that blockade of the renin angiotensin system attenuates plaque vulnerability and reduces cardiovascular events; however, few studies have compared the effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) with an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and evaluated combination therapy. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and mechanisms of plaque stabilization by ACEI or ARB and to determine the effects of combination therapy.Methods: Twenty-eight male Japanese white rabbits were fed a high-cholesterol diet after balloon injury of the carotid arteries, then separated into ACEI (n= 7; imidapril 0.5 mg/kg/day), ARB (n= 7; TA606 4.5 mg/kg/day), combination (n= 7; imidapril 0.5 mg/kg/day+TA606 4.5 mg/kg/day), and vehicle (n= 7) groups.Results: No difference in plaque volume was identified among the 4 groups. ACEI or ARB increased the thickness of the fibrous cap, collagen content and the number of smooth muscle cells in the intima (% smooth muscle cell in intima: ACEI, 36.3%; ARB, 36.4%; vehicle, 14.9%), and reduced the accumulation of macrophages (% macrophages in intima: ACEI, 20.1%; ARB, 24.0%; vehicle, 37.9%), suggesting the plaque-stabilizing effects of each drug. ACEI reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression and gelatinolytic activity in the intima. While ARB did not change gelatinolytic activity, accumulation ot T cell in the intima was suppressed. Combination therapy did not show additive effects.Conclusion: These results suggest that ACEIs and ARBs have similar, but not additive, plaque-stabilizing effects. Each agent showed specific effects, with ACEIs decreasing gelatinolytic activity and ARBs suppressing T cell accumulation.

Background Valvular aortic stenosis (AS) is not an infrequent condition in the aged population. Activation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is presumed to be involved in the development of AS; however, direct evidence seems to be limited. We herein examined the effect of the administration of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the development of aortic valve thickening in apolipoprotein-E (ApoE)-deficient mice. Methods and Results Male ApoE-deficient mice were divided into three groups: control (saline, n = 8), mice that were administered low-dose Ang II (500 ng/kg/min, n = 11), and those with high-dose Ang II (1000 ng/kg/min, n = 11) administration for 4 weeks. Administration of high-dose, but not low-dose, Ang II significantly induced aortic valve thickening. It was found that in the aortic valve leaflets of high-dose Ang II group, integrity of endothelial cells was impaired and the number of myofibroblasts was increased. These phenomena induced by high-dose Ang II were suppressed by Ang II type 1 receptor blocker olmesartan ( n = 15), but not by the dilatator, hydralazine ( n = 13). Olmesartan also suppressed dilatation of aortic diameter, although it did not significantly affect the plaque area, in the abdominal aorta in ApoE-deficient mice. Conclusion Administration of Ang II to genetically hyperlipidemic mice induced aortic valve thickening by a pressor-independent mechanism. Role of RAS activation in the development of AS in dyslipidemic patients should further be investigated.

From contact angle measurements using water and methylene iodide, surface tensions for solid films of 35 poly(silylene) polymers were obtained using the geometric-mean method. The surface tensions of poly(silylene)s depend strongly on the nature of the substituent groups, and span a very wide range from 25.0 to 52.8 dyne cm −1 . Particularly high values were found for poly(aralkylsilylene)s. Surface tensions for two polysilanes were also measured by the equation of state method, giving results in good agreement with those obtained by the geometric-mean method.

The ozonolyses of (E)- and (Z)-o-(2-phenyl-3-methoxy-2-propenyl)benzophenone, which should proceed through a common carbonyl oxide intermediate, afforded distinctly different reaction product mixtures, suggesting that the substrate stereochemistry exerts an influence on the overall reaction mechanism

The ozonolyses of (E)- and (Z)-o-(2-phenyl-3-methoxy-2-propenyl)benzophenone, which should proceed through a common carbonyl oxide intermediate, afforded distinctly different reaction product mixtures, suggesting that the substrate stereochemistry exerts an influence on the overall reaction mechanism

(Purpose) Protruding atheroma in the thoracic aorta (PATA) has been reported to be associated with coronary artery disease and future embolic disease in previous studies using transesophageal echocardiography. Recently multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has been available for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and it can also detect PATA. The clinical impact of PATA detected by MSCT has not been examined. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the presence of PATA by MSCT can predict future vascular events (coronary revascularization (CR) and embolic events). (Methods) From November 2005 to March 2008, 511 consecutive patients (male 56%, age 66±11y.o.) with suspected ischemic heart disease underwent MSCT. The exclusion criteria were atrial fibrillation, renal insufficiency, or a history of CR or cardiothoracic surgery. According to the aortic plaque thickness, we divided patients into 3 groups: Group 1 (4mm, PATA, n=33). (Results) Risk factors were: hypertension (68%), diabetes (41%), hypercholesterolemia (57%), and smoking (44%). During follow-up period (15.6-month median), CR was required for 68 patients (59 PCI and 9 CABG). Univariate analysis showed that the patients required for CR were of significantly higher prevalence of all the risk factors, aortic plaque (Group 2, 3) and calcification of coronary artery, aortic and mitral valve. Multivariate analysis showed that requirement of CR was independently associated with aortic plaque, smoking, or coronary calcification, and PATA revealed the highest odds (odds ratio 7.4, 95% confidence interval 3.1 to 17.6) among them. Embolic events occurred in 7 patients (5 brain, 1 bowel, and 1 kidney and lower extremity) during follow-up period. By univariate analysis, only smoking and PATA revealed significantly higher prevalence in patients with embolic events (p=0.02 and (Conclusions) PATA detected by MSCT can predict future vascular events. We should be aware of the presence of PATA by MSCT as a risk for the future cardiovascular events.

Ozonlysis of solutions of 1-acetoxy- and 1-chloro-2,3-diphenylindene in methanol at −70° C afford, via a highly selective rearrangement of the corresponding intermediate primary ozonides, a seven-membered cyclic hemiperacetal and an isochroman derivative respectively whose structures have been determined unambiguously by X-ray analysis.

The peroxides (1a–e) and epoxides (2a–g) in methylene dichloride were treated with tungsten(VI) oxide and then with catalytic amounts of chlorosulphonic acid to give the corresponding 1,2,4-trioxanes (3a–r) in 10–63% yield. The mode of decomposition of the 1,2,4-trioxanes was studied by treating a number with the following reagents: triethylamine, sodium ethoxide, lithium di-isopropylamide, Grignard and lithium reagents, lithium aluminium hydride, anthrylsodium, triphenylphosphine, and titanium tetrachloride.

Ozonlysis of solutions of 1-acetoxy- and 1-chloro-2,3-diphenylindene in methanol at −70° C afford, via a highly selective rearrangement of the corresponding intermediate primary ozonides, a seven-membered cyclic hemiperacetal and an isochroman derivative respectively whose structures have been determined unambiguously by X-ray analysis.

The peroxides (1a–e) and epoxides (2a–g) in methylene dichloride were treated with tungsten(VI) oxide and then with catalytic amounts of chlorosulphonic acid to give the corresponding 1,2,4-trioxanes (3a–r) in 10–63% yield. The mode of decomposition of the 1,2,4-trioxanes was studied by treating a number with the following reagents: triethylamine, sodium ethoxide, lithium di-isopropylamide, Grignard and lithium reagents, lithium aluminium hydride, anthrylsodium, triphenylphosphine, and titanium tetrachloride.

Ozonolysis of 1-methyl-2,3-diphenylindene (1) in methylene chloride–methanol at –70 °C affords a novel alkoxyhydroperoxide product (3), incorporating methanol, whose crystal structure has been established by X-ray analysis.