For patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), the immediate therapeutic goal is to establish the patency of the infarct-related artery. Prolonged myocardial ischemia, however, often breaks down the coronary microvasculature, and the flow to the infarct myocardium may be markedly reduced. This is called the no-reflow phenomenon. This phenomenon is important not solely because it correlates with infarct size but because it provides additional prognostic information. With recent advances in imaging modalities, the no-reflow phenomenon is observed more frequently than when clinical judgment alone is used. Patients with this phenomenon are associated with poor functional and clinical outcomes. Now, the no-reflow phenomenon can be a parameter with which to predict high-risk patients. The focus of reperfusion therapy has shifted toward the improvement of myocardial perfusion. The improvement of myocardial perfusion could promote the functional recovery of viable muscle and reduce infarct expansion, which is associated with favorable clinical outcomes. For this purpose, pharmacological interventions and catheter-based devices to retrieve embolic materials have been proposed. Advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of microvascular dysfunction would aid the development of therapeutic strategies for its prevention and treatment.
en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences en-keyword=cardiac function kn-keyword=cardiac function en-keyword=coronary intervention kn-keyword=coronary intervention en-keyword=microcirculation kn-keyword=microcirculation en-keyword=myocardial infarction kn-keyword=myocardial infarction en-keyword=reperfusion kn-keyword=reperfusion END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=124 cd-vols= no-issue=1 article-no= start-page=71 end-page=73 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2012 dt-pub=20120401 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Guidelines for treatment of chronic heart failure kn-title=慢性心不全治療ガイドライン en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name=中村一文 kn-aut-sei=中村 kn-aut-mei=一文 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name=伊藤浩 kn-aut-sei=伊藤 kn-aut-mei=浩 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学病院 循環器内科 affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学大学院医歯薬学総合研究科 循環器内科学 END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=125 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=211 end-page=216 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2013 dt-pub=20131202 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title=Balloon pulmonary angioplasty for inoperable patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension kn-title=外科的手術が不可能な慢性血栓塞栓性肺高血圧症に対する 内科的バルーン肺動脈形成術の新手法 en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=MizoguchiHiroki en-aut-sei=Mizoguchi en-aut-mei=Hiroki kn-aut-name=溝口博喜 kn-aut-sei=溝口 kn-aut-mei=博喜 aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaAiko en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Aiko kn-aut-name=小川愛子 kn-aut-sei=小川 kn-aut-mei=愛子 aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MunemasaMitsuru en-aut-sei=Munemasa en-aut-mei=Mitsuru kn-aut-name=宗政充 kn-aut-sei=宗政 kn-aut-mei=充 aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MikouchiHiroshi en-aut-sei=Mikouchi en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name=三河内弘 kn-aut-sei=三河内 kn-aut-mei=弘 aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name=伊藤浩 kn-aut-sei=伊藤 kn-aut-mei=浩 aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsubaraHiromi en-aut-sei=Matsubara en-aut-mei=Hiromi kn-aut-name=松原広己 kn-aut-sei=松原 kn-aut-mei=広己 aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=国立病院機構岡山医療センター 循環器科 affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=国立病院機構岡山医療センター 循環器科 affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=国立病院機構岡山医療センター 循環器科 affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=国立病院機構岡山医療センター 循環器科 affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=岡山大学大学院医歯薬学総合研究科 循環器内科学 affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=国立病院機構岡山医療センター 循環器科 en-keyword=pulmonary hypertension kn-keyword=pulmonary hypertension en-keyword=intravascular ultrasound kn-keyword=intravascular ultrasound en-keyword=chronic thromboembolism kn-keyword=chronic thromboembolism en-keyword=reperfusion pulmonary injury kn-keyword=reperfusion pulmonary injury en-keyword=pulmomary edema kn-keyword=pulmomary edema END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=19 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=E35 end-page=E39 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2013 dt-pub=201308 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Serum cystatin C as a biomarker of cardiac diastolic dysfunction in patients with cardiac disease and preserved ejection fraction en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Diastolic dysfunction of the heart is correlated with cardiac mortality. Serum cystatin C (CysC) is an endogenous marker of kidney function. It is not clear whether serum CysC is associated with diastolic dysfunction in patients with varying cardiac conditions with concomitant diastolic abnormalities and preserved ejection fraction (EF). The authors measured serum CysC levels in patients with cardiac diseases and examined the relationships between serum CysC levels and diastolic function. Serum CysC was measured and echocardiography was performed in 124 consecutive patients with cardiac diseases. Transmitral flow (TMF) patterns surrogating diastolic function were categorized into two groups: a normal group and an abnormal group. Serum CysC and BNP showed a significant positive correlation. There were no significant differences in serum CysC among those cardiac diseases. Seventy-eight patients with cardiac disease and preserved EF (left ventricular EF ?50%) and without renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate ?60 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) ) were examined. Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that left atrium diameter and abnormal TMF patterns were independent determinants of serum CysC. Furthermore, patients with elevated serum CysC levels had poor prognosis. Serum CysC is associated with diastolic dysfunction in patients with various cardiac diseases and preserved EF. Serum CysC might be a biomarker of cardiac diastolic dysfunction in patients with preserved EF. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=NosakaKazumasa en-aut-sei=Nosaka en-aut-mei=Kazumasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusanoKengo en-aut-sei=Kusano en-aut-mei=Kengo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TohNorihisa en-aut-sei=Toh en-aut-mei=Norihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TadaTakeshi en-aut-sei=Tada en-aut-mei=Takeshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiToru en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=DoiMasayuki en-aut-sei=Doi en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KohnoKunihisa en-aut-sei=Kohno en-aut-mei=Kunihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiology, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital affil-num=8 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences affil-num=9 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences affil-num=10 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=2013 cd-vols= no-issue= article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2013 dt-pub=2013 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Can Be Discontinued at Three Months after Implantation of Zotarolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention increases the risk of bleeding. We studied the safety and clinical outcomes of switching from DAPT to aspirin monotherapy at 3 months after ZES implantation. We retrospectively evaluated 168 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease who had been implanted with a ZES from June 2009 through March 2010. After excluding 40 patients according to exclusion criteria such as myocardial infarction, 128 patients were divided into a 3-month DAPT group (67 patients, 88 lesions) and a 12-month conventional DAPT group (61 patients, 81 lesions). Coronary angiographic followup and clinical followup were conducted at more than 8 months and at 12 months after ZES implantation, respectively. Minor and major bleeding events, stent thrombosis (ST), and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, target lesion revascularization, and target vessel revascularization) were evaluated. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidences of ST and MACE between the two groups. The incidence of bleeding events was significantly lower in the 3-month group than in the 12-month group (1.5% versus 11.5%, ). DAPT can be safely discontinued at 3 months after ZES implantation, which reduces bleeding risk. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WadaTadashi en-aut-sei=Wada en-aut-mei=Tadashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakahamaMakoto en-aut-sei=Nakahama en-aut-mei=Makoto kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TodaHironobu en-aut-sei=Toda en-aut-mei=Hironobu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=WatanabeAtsuyuki en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Atsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=HashimotoKatsushi en-aut-sei=Hashimoto en-aut-mei=Katsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=TerasakaRitsuko en-aut-sei=Terasaka en-aut-mei=Ritsuko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamadaNobuyuki en-aut-sei=Yamada en-aut-mei=Nobuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiology, Fukuyama City Hospital affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiology, Fukuyama City Hospital affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiology, Fukuyama City Hospital affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiology, Fukuyama City Hospital affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiology, Fukuyama City Hospital affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiology, Fukuyama City Hospital affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences affil-num=8 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiology, Fukuyama City Hospital affil-num=9 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=8 cd-vols= no-issue=2 article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2013 dt-pub=20130219 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=A Decreased Level of Serum Soluble Klotho Is an Independent Biomarker Associated with Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Background: Klotho was originally identified in a mutant mouse strain unable to express the gene that consequently showed shortened life spans. In humans, low serum Klotho levels are related to the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in community-dwelling adults. However, it is unclear whether the serum Klotho levels are associated with signs of vascular dysfunction such as arterial stiffness, a major determinant of prognosis, in human subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: We determined the levels of serum soluble Klotho in 114 patients with CKD using ELISA and investigated the relationship between the level of Klotho and markers of CKD-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) and various types of vascular dysfunction, including flow-mediated dilatation, a marker of endothelial dysfunction, ankle-brachial pulse wave velocity (baPWV), a marker of arterial stiffness, intima-media thickness (IMT), a marker of atherosclerosis, and the aortic calcification index (ACI), a marker of vascular calcification. Results: The serum Klotho level significantly correlated with the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D level and inversely correlated with the parathyroid hormone level and the fractional excretion of phosphate. There were significant decreases in serum Klotho in patients with arterial stiffness defined as baPWV >= 1400 cm/sec, atherosclerosis defined as maximum IMT >= 1.1 mm and vascular calcification scores of ACI>0%. The serum Klotho level was a significant determinant of arterial stiffness, but not endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis or vascular calcification, in the multivariate analysis in either metabolic model, the CKD model or the CKD-MBD model. The adjusted odds ratio of serum Klotho for the baPWV was 0.60 (p = 0.0075). Conclusions: Decreases in the serum soluble Klotho levels are independently associated with signs of vascular dysfunction such as arterial stiffness in patients with CKD. Further research exploring whether therapeutic approaches to maintain or elevate the Klotho level could improve arterial stiffness in CKD patients is warranted. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KitagawaMasashi en-aut-sei=Kitagawa en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=SugiyamaHitoshi en-aut-sei=Sugiyama en-aut-mei=Hitoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorinagaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Morinaga en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=InoueTatsuyuki en-aut-sei=Inoue en-aut-mei=Tatsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakiueKeiichi en-aut-sei=Takiue en-aut-mei=Keiichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaAyu en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Ayu kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=YamanariToshio en-aut-sei=Yamanari en-aut-mei=Toshio kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KikumotoYoko en-aut-sei=Kikumoto en-aut-mei=Yoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=UchidaHaruhito Adam en-aut-sei=Uchida en-aut-mei=Haruhito Adam kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=KitamuraShinji en-aut-sei=Kitamura en-aut-mei=Shinji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= en-aut-name=MaeshimaYohei en-aut-sei=Maeshima en-aut-mei=Yohei kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=11 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=12 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=13 ORCID= en-aut-name=MakinoHirofumi en-aut-sei=Makino en-aut-mei=Hirofumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=14 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=8 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=9 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=10 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=11 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=12 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Cardiovasc Med, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=13 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Cardiovasc Med, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=14 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Med & Clin Sci, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=76 cd-vols= no-issue=9 article-no= start-page=2266 end-page=2272 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2012 dt-pub=201209 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease on Left Main Coronary Artery Disease and Prognosis in Japanese Patients en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=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) and/or proteinuria. Patients with LMCAD (n=95) had a significantly higher prevalence of CKD than those without LMCAD (P=0.02). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that CKD was independently associated with LMCAD (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-2.76, P=0.01). A 1-year follow-up of patients with LMCAD showed that the cumulative incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events among patients with eGFR <30 ml.min(-1).1.73 m(-2) was higher than that among patients with 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<0.01) when comparing patients with LMCAD and eGFR <30 ml.min(-1).1.73 m(-2) vs. patients without LMCAD and eGFR >= 60 ml.min(-1).1.73 m(-2). Conclusions: Renal insufficiency is a risk factor for LMCAD and predicts poor prognosis in Japanese patients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=DanKazuhiro en-aut-sei=Dan en-aut-mei=Kazuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiyoshiToru en-aut-sei=Miyoshi en-aut-mei=Toru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=UeedaMasayuki en-aut-sei=Ueeda en-aut-mei=Masayuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhtsukaHiroaki en-aut-sei=Ohtsuka en-aut-mei=Hiroaki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=UgawaSatoko en-aut-sei=Ugawa en-aut-mei=Satoko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhnishiNobuhiko en-aut-sei=Ohnishi en-aut-mei=Nobuhiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakaishiAtsushi en-aut-sei=Takaishi en-aut-mei=Atsushi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusanoKengo en-aut-sei=Kusano en-aut-mei=Kengo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Cardiovasc Med, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Cardiovasc Med, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Mitoyo Gen Hosp, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Mitoyo Gen Hosp, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Mitoyo Gen Hosp, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=Mitoyo Gen Hosp, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil=Mitoyo Gen Hosp, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=8 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Cardiovasc Med, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=9 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Cardiovasc Med, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci affil-num=10 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Dept Cardiovasc Med, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci en-keyword=Chronic kidney disease kn-keyword=Chronic kidney disease en-keyword=Coronary artery disease kn-keyword=Coronary artery disease en-keyword=Left main coronary artery kn-keyword=Left main coronary artery en-keyword=Risk factor kn-keyword=Risk factor END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=63 cd-vols= no-issue=20 article-no= start-page=2131 end-page=2138 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2014 dt-pub=20140527 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Electrocardiographic Parameters and Fatal Arrhythmic Events in Patients With Brugada Syndrome en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Objectives This study aimed to determine the usefulness of the combination of several electrocardiographic markers on risk assessment of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS). Background Detection of high-/low-risk BrS patients using a noninvasive method is an important issue in the clinical setting. Several electrocardiographic markers related to depolarization and repolarization abnormalities have been reported, but the relationship and usefulness of these parameters in VF events are unclear. Methods Baseline characteristics of 246 consecutive patients (236 men; mean age, 47.6 +/- 13.6 years) with a Brugada-type electrocardiogram, including 13 patients with a history of VF and 40 patients with a history of syncope episodes, were retrospectively analyzed. During the mean follow-up period of 45.1 months, VF in 23 patients and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in 1 patient were observed. Clinical/ genetic and electrocardiographic parameters were compared with VF/SCD events. Results On univariate analysis, a history of VF and syncope episodes, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, spontaneous type 1 pattern in the precordial leads, and electrocardiographic markers of depolarization abnormalities (QRS duration >= 120 ms, and fragmented QRS [f-QRS]) and those of repolarization abnormalities (inferolateral early repolarization [ER] pattern and QT prolongation) were associated with later cardiac events. On multivariable analysis, a history of VF and syncope episodes, inferolateral ER pattern, and f-QRS were independent predictors of documented VF and SCD (odds ratios: 19.61, 28.57, 2.87, and 5.21, respectively; p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the presence/ absence of inferolateral ER and f-QRS predicted a worse/better prognosis (log-rank test, p < 0.01). Conclusions The combination of depolarization and repolarization abnormalities in BrS is associated with later VF events. The combination of these abnormalities is useful for detecting high-and low-risk BrS patients. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=TokiokaKoji en-aut-sei=Tokioka en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=KusanoKengo F. en-aut-sei=Kusano en-aut-mei=Kengo F. kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=MiuraDaiji en-aut-sei=Miura en-aut-mei=Daiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NishiiNobuhiro en-aut-sei=Nishii en-aut-mei=Nobuhiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaseSatoshi en-aut-sei=Nagase en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=KohnoKunihisa en-aut-sei=Kohno en-aut-mei=Kunihisa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OheTohru en-aut-sei=Ohe en-aut-mei=Tohru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Natl Cerebral & Cardiovasc Ctr, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=8 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=9 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=10 en-affil= kn-affil=Sakakibara Heart Inst Okayama en-keyword=Brugada syndrome kn-keyword=Brugada syndrome en-keyword=early repolarization kn-keyword=early repolarization en-keyword=fragmented QRS kn-keyword=fragmented QRS en-keyword=noninvasive risk assessment kn-keyword=noninvasive risk assessment en-keyword=ventricular fibrillation kn-keyword=ventricular fibrillation END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=9 cd-vols= no-issue=7 article-no= start-page= end-page= dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2014 dt-pub=20140722 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Directed Differentiation of Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Identifies the Transcriptional Repression and Epigenetic Modification of NKX2-5, HAND1, and NOTCH1 in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=The genetic basis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) remains unknown, and the lack of animal models to reconstitute the cardiac maldevelopment has hampered the study of this disease. This study investigated the altered control of transcriptional and epigenetic programs that may affect the development of HLHS by using disease-specific induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) were isolated from patients with congenital heart diseases to generate patient-specific iPS cells. Comparative gene expression analysis of HLHS- and biventricle (BV) heart-derived iPS cells was performed to dissect the complex genetic circuits that may promote the disease phenotype. Both HLHS- and BV heart-derived CPCs were reprogrammed to generate disease-specific iPS cells, which showed characteristic human embryonic stem cell signatures, expressed pluripotency markers, and could give rise to cardiomyocytes. However, HLHS-iPS cells exhibited lower cardiomyogenic differentiation potential than BV-iPS cells. Quantitative gene expression analysis demonstrated that HLHS-derived iPS cells showed transcriptional repression of NKX2-5, reduced levels of TBX2 and NOTCH/HEY signaling, and inhibited HAND1/2 transcripts compared with control cells. Although both HLHS-derived CPCs and iPS cells showed reduced SRE and TNNT2 transcriptional activation compared with BV-derived cells, co-transfection of NKX2-5, HAND1, and NOTCH1 into HLHS-derived cells resulted in synergistic restoration of these promoters activation. Notably, gain- and loss-of-function studies revealed that NKX2-5 had a predominant impact on NPPA transcriptional activation. Moreover, differentiated HLHS-derived iPS cells showed reduced H3K4 dimethylation as well as histone H3 acetylation but increased H3K27 trimethylation to inhibit transcriptional activation on the NKX2-5 promoter. These findings suggest that patient-specific iPS cells may provide molecular insights into complex transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms, at least in part, through combinatorial expression of NKX2-5, HAND1, and NOTCH1 that coordinately contribute to cardiac malformations in HLHS. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=KobayashiJunko en-aut-sei=Kobayashi en-aut-mei=Junko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=YoshidaMasashi en-aut-sei=Yoshida en-aut-mei=Masashi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=TaruiSuguru en-aut-sei=Tarui en-aut-mei=Suguru kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=HirataMasataka en-aut-sei=Hirata en-aut-mei=Masataka kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=NagaiYusuke en-aut-sei=Nagai en-aut-mei=Yusuke kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=KasaharaShingo en-aut-sei=Kasahara en-aut-mei=Shingo kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=NaruseKeiji en-aut-sei=Naruse en-aut-mei=Keiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= en-aut-name=SanoShunji en-aut-sei=Sano en-aut-mei=Shunji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=9 ORCID= en-aut-name=OhHidemasa en-aut-sei=Oh en-aut-mei=Hidemasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=10 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Surg affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Surg affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Surg affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Physiol affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Surg affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Physiol affil-num=8 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Med affil-num=9 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ, Grad Sch Med Dent & Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Cardiovasc Surg affil-num=10 en-affil= kn-affil=Okayama Univ Hosp, Dept Regenerat Med, Ctr Innovat Clin Med END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=69 cd-vols= no-issue=3 article-no= start-page=129 end-page=136 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2015 dt-pub=201506 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Epoprostenol Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by elevation of pulmonary artery pressure caused by pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling, which leads to right heart failure and death. Epoprostenol (prostaglandin I2) has a potent short-acting vasodilator property, and intravenous continuous epoprostenol is therefore used for treatment of PAH. Here we review evidence for the usefulness of intravenous continuous epoprostenol therapy in patients with PAH. Epoprostenol therapy is effective in idiopathic PAH patients and in patients with PAH associated with connective tissue disease, portal hypertension or congenital heart diseases, but it is not effective in patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease or pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis. High-dose epoprostenol therapy markedly improved hemodynamics in some patients with PAH, possibly due to reverse remodeling of pulmonary arteries. This therapy has several side effects and complications such as headache, hypotension and catheter-related infections. Intravenous continuous epoprostenol is an effective treatment, but there are still some problems to be resolved. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AkagiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=MatsubaraHiromi en-aut-sei=Matsubara en-aut-mei=Hiromi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=OgawaAiko en-aut-sei=Ogawa en-aut-mei=Aiko kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=SarashinaToshihiro en-aut-sei=Sarashina en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=EjiriKentaro en-aut-sei=Ejiri en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine affil-num=2 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine affil-num=3 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Clinical Science, National Hospital Organization Okayama Medical Center affil-num=4 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Clinical Science, National Hospital Organization Okayama Medical Center affil-num=5 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine affil-num=6 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine affil-num=7 en-affil= kn-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine en-keyword=pulmonary arterial hypertension kn-keyword=pulmonary arterial hypertension en-keyword=epoprostenol kn-keyword=epoprostenol en-keyword=high-dose kn-keyword=high-dose en-keyword=complications kn-keyword=complications en-keyword=side effects kn-keyword=side effects END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=70 cd-vols= no-issue=5 article-no= start-page=397 end-page=400 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2016 dt-pub=201610 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Feasibility of Repairing Defects Followed by Treatment with Pulmonary Hypertension-specific Drugs (Repair and Treat) in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Atrial Septal Defect: Study Protocol for Interventional Trial en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=A treatment strategy for patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and atrial septal defect (ASD) remains unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of initial repair of ASD followed by treatment with PH-specific drugs in patients with PH and ASD. Eligible patients receive transcatheter ASD closure followed by treatment with bosentan and sildenafil. Right heart catheterization is performed at baseline and at 12, 24 and 48 weeks. The primary endpoint is change in pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance from baseline to follow-up. This study should provide valuable information to establish a therapeutic strategy for PH and ASD. en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=AkagiSatoshi en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakamuraKazufumi en-aut-sei=Nakamura en-aut-mei=Kazufumi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=AkagiTeiji en-aut-sei=Akagi en-aut-mei=Teiji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=NakagawaKoji en-aut-sei=Nakagawa en-aut-mei=Koji kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=TakayaYoichi en-aut-sei=Takaya en-aut-mei=Yoichi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=SarashinaToshihiro en-aut-sei=Sarashina en-aut-mei=Toshihiro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= en-aut-name=EjiriKentaro en-aut-sei=Ejiri en-aut-mei=Kentaro kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=7 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=8 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Okayama University Hospital kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=7 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= affil-num=8 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science kn-affil= en-keyword=pulmonary hypertension kn-keyword=pulmonary hypertension en-keyword=atrial septal defect kn-keyword=atrial septal defect en-keyword=repair and treat kn-keyword=repair and treat en-keyword=transcatheter closure kn-keyword=transcatheter closure END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=5 cd-vols= no-issue=10 article-no= start-page=501 end-page=504 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2019 dt-pub=20190716 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Open chest epicardial mapping in an asymptomatic patient with Brugada syndrome en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract= en-copyright= kn-copyright= en-aut-name=WatanabeAtsuyuki en-aut-sei=Watanabe en-aut-mei=Atsuyuki kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=1 ORCID= en-aut-name=MoritaHiroshi en-aut-sei=Morita en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=2 ORCID= en-aut-name=KawadaSatoshi en-aut-sei=Kawada en-aut-mei=Satoshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=3 ORCID= en-aut-name=TachibanaMotomi en-aut-sei=Tachibana en-aut-mei=Motomi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=4 ORCID= en-aut-name=MorimotoYoshimasa en-aut-sei=Morimoto en-aut-mei=Yoshimasa kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=5 ORCID= en-aut-name=ItoHiroshi en-aut-sei=Ito en-aut-mei=Hiroshi kn-aut-name= kn-aut-sei= kn-aut-mei= aut-affil-num=6 ORCID= affil-num=1 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=2 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=3 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=4 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=5 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= affil-num=6 en-affil=Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University kn-affil= en-keyword=Asymptomatic kn-keyword=Asymptomatic en-keyword=Brugada syndrome kn-keyword=Brugada syndrome en-keyword=Catheter ablation kn-keyword=Catheter ablation en-keyword=Epicardial mapping kn-keyword=Epicardial mapping en-keyword=Open chest surgery kn-keyword=Open chest surgery END start-ver=1.4 cd-journal=joma no-vol=21 cd-vols= no-issue=4 article-no= start-page=161 end-page=163 dt-received= dt-revised= dt-accepted= dt-pub-year=2019 dt-pub=20191230 dt-online= en-article= kn-article= en-subject= kn-subject= en-title= kn-title=Pregnancy with Fontan circulation: A report of case series in Japan en-subtitle= kn-subtitle= en-abstract= kn-abstract=Owing to new surgical procedures and medications, more women who have undergone the Fontan procedure reach childbearing ages. We report five cases of pregnancy with Fontan circulation. Case 1 had subchorionic hematoma (SCH), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and preterm labor (PTL). She delivered a 1073 g infant via cesarean section at gestation week 28 because of hemorrhagic shock. Case 2 delivered 2142 g and 2232 g infants at gestation weeks 37 and 36, respectively. She had FGR, PTL, and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Case 3 had SCH, PTL, and heart failure. At 36 weeks, labor was induced and she delivered a 2546 g infant by vacuum extraction with epidural analgesia. Cases 4 and 5 resulted in miscarriage. All subjects experienced obstetrical complications. This report discusses pregnant women with Fontan circulation by focusing on affected Japanese women.