Current status of hybrid intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography catheter for coronary imaging and percutaneous coronary intervention

Both intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) play a crucial role in elucidating the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease (CAD) with the goal to improve patient outcomes of medical and/or interventional CAD management. However, no single intravascular imaging technique has been proven to provide complete and detailed evaluation of all CAD lesions due to some limitations. Although sequential use of multiple modalities may sometimes be performed, there may be issues related to risk, time, and cost. To overcome these problems, several hybrids involving dual-probe combined IVUS-OCT catheters have been developed.The aim of this review article is to demonstrate some limitations of stand-alone imaging devices for evaluation of CAD, summarize the advances in hybrid IVUS-OCT imaging devices, discuss the technical challenges, and present the potential value in the clinical setting, especially in patients receiving medical or interventional CAD management.     

Predictive factors for subsequent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma associated with hepatolithiasis: Japanese National Cohort Study for 18 years

Journal of Gastroenterology - Predictive factors for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in long-term follow-up of hepatolithiasis are unknown. We thus conducted a cohort study to investigate the...     

Enlargement of Intrathoracic Goiter with Unilateral Phrenic Nerve Paralysis Leading to Cardiopulmonary Arrest

As an intrathoracic goiter expands, it causes airway stenosis and phrenic nerve paralysis, and slight respiratory stimuli can trigger sudden life-threatening hypoventilation. A 78-year-old obese woman with a large intrathoracic goiter was found unconscious with agonal breathing in her room early in the morning. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation restored spontaneous circulation. She underwent surgical removal of the goiter; however, she required long-term mechanical ventilation because of atelectasis due to phrenic nerve paralysis. In patients with large intrathoracic goiters, difficulty breathing on exertion and diaphragm elevation on chest X-ray may be significant findings predicting future respiratory failure.     

Obstructive and secretory complications of diverting ileostomy

This review aimed to highlight the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of obstructive and secretory complications associated with diverting ileostomy (DI). Obstructive complications at the stoma site are termed stoma outlet obstruction (SOO) or stoma-related obstruction (SRO). The incidence of SOO/SRO is 5.4%-27.3%, and the risk factors are multifactorial; however, the configuration of the stoma limb and the thickness of the rectus abdominis muscle (RAM) may be of particular concern. Trans-stomal tube decompression is initially attempted with a success rate of 33%-86%. A thick RAM may carry the risk of recurrence. Surgical refinement, including a wider incision of the anterior sheath and adequate stoma limb length, avoids tension and immobility and may decrease SOO/SRO. Secretory complications of DI are termed high output stoma (HOS). Persistent HOS lead to water and sodium depletion, and secondary hyperaldosteronism, resulting in electrolyte imbalances, such as hypomagnesemia. The incidence of HOS is 14%-24%, with an output of 1000-2000 mL/d lasting up to three days. Treatment of HOS is commenced after excluding postoperative complications or enteritis and includes fluid intake restriction, antimotility and antisecretory drug therapies, and magnesium supplementation. Intensive monitoring and surveillance programs have been successful in decreasing readmissions for dehydration.     

Thermophilic ATP synthase has a decamer c-ring: indication of noninteger 10:3 H+/ATP ratio and permissive elastic coupling

In a rotary motor F(o)F(1)-ATP synthase that couples H(+) transport with ATP synthesis/hydrolysis, it is thought that an F(o)c subunit oligomer ring (c-ring) in the membrane rotates as protons pass through F(o) and a 120 degrees rotation produces one ATP at F(1). Despite several structural studies, the copy number of F(o)c subunits in the c-ring has not been determined for any functional F(o)F(1). Here, we have generated and isolated thermophilic Bacillus F(o)F(1), each containing genetically fused 2-mer-14-mer c (c(2)-c(14)). Among them, F(o)F(1) containing c(2), c(5), or c(10) showed ATP-synthesis and other activities. When F(1) was removed, F(o) containing c(10) worked as an H(+) channel but F(o)s containing c(9), c(11) or c(12) did not. Thus, the c-ring of functional F(o)F(1) of this organism is a decamer. The inevitable consequence of this finding is noninteger ratios of rotation step sizes of F(1)/F(o) (120 degrees /36 degrees ) and of H(+)/ATP (10:3). This step-mismatch necessitates elastic twisting of the rotor shaft (and/or the side stalk) during rotation and permissive coupling between unit rotations by H(+) transport at F(o) and elementary events in catalysis at F(1).     

Activation patterns and conduction velocity in posterolateral right atrium during typical atrial flutter using an electroanatomic mapping system.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the activation patterns and conduction velocity (CV) in the posterolateral right atrial (RA) wall during typical counterclockwise atrial flutter (AFL) using an electroanatomic mapping system. METHODS AND RESULTS: During typical AFL in 25 patients, the transverse conduction pattern and CV were classified and calculated. The line blocking transverse conduction was defined by the conduction pattern and double potentials recorded during mapping. There were 3 types (including 2 subtypes) of transverse conduction pattern based on the conduction blocks across the posterolateral RA in a line between the superior and inferior venae cava. Trans-cristal conduction activation in a horizontal direction was seen in all but 4 patients. The CV in the gap area was 0.59+/-0.21 m/s. CONCLUSIONS: Three types of transverse conduction pattern were observed during trans-ctristal conduction and the trans-ctristal CV was relatively slower than that in other parts of the RA, except for the isthmus.     

Effects of L-carnitine on exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina pectoris

The effects of L-carnitine (900 mg, p.o. daily) on exercise performance were studied in 12 patients with stable effort angina using a multistage treadmill exercise test. Exercise tests were performed at the end of the placebo period and after 4 and 12 weeks of carnitine therapy. While 12 patients experienced angina during treadmill tests in the placebo period, 2 patients were free of angina after treatment with carnitine. The mean exercise time was 11.4 +/- 0.7 min (mean +/- SE) in the placebo period. This increased significantly to 12.2 +/- 0.5 min (p less than 0.05) after 4 weeks and 12.8 +/- 0.5 min (p less than 0.01) after 12 weeks of treatment with carnitine. The time required for 1 mm ST depression to occur was 6.4 +/- 0.9 min in the placebo period. This increased significantly to 7.6 +/- 0.9 min (p less than 0.01) after 4 weeks and 8.8 +/- 1.0 min after 12 weeks of treatment with carnitine. There was significantly less ST segment depression during the same exercise load after 12 weeks of treatment as compared with that in the placebo period (p less than 0.05). The heart rate and the pressure rate product at the same work load showed no significant difference among the 3 testing periods. The results of this study suggest that L-carnitine may improve exercise tolerance in patients with effort angina.