Low respiratory quotient correlates with high mortality in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation

OBJECTIVE

Oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide generation (VCO2), and respiratory quotient (RQ), which is the ratio of VO2 to VCO2, are critical indicators of human metabolism. To seek a link between the patient's metabolism and pathophysiology of critical illness, we investigated the correlation of these values with mortality in critical care patients.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational study conducted at a suburban, quaternary care teaching hospital. Age 18 years or older healthy volunteers and patients who underwent mechanical ventilation were enrolled. A high-fidelity automation device, which accuracy is equivalent to the gold standard Douglas Bag technique, was used to measure VO2, VCO2, and RQ at a wide range of fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2).

RESULTS

We included a total of 21 subjects including 8 post-cardiothoracic surgery patients, 7 intensive care patients, 3 patients from the emergency room, and 3 healthy volunteers. This study included 10 critical care patients, whose metabolic measurements were performed in the ER and ICU, and 6 died. VO2, VCO2, and RQ of survivors were 282 +/- 95 mL/min, 202 +/- 81 mL/min, and 0.70 +/- 0.10, and those of non-survivors were 240 +/- 87 mL/min, 140 +/- 66 mL/min, and 0.57 +/- 0.08 (p = 0.34, p = 0.10, and p < 0.01), respectively. The difference of RQ was statistically significant (p < 0.01) and it remained significant when the subjects with FIO2 < 0.5 were excluded (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Low RQ correlated with high mortality, which may potentially indicate a decompensation of the oxygen metabolism in critically ill patients.

Brief communication: body composition and hidden obesity in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy

BACKGROUND

Increased incidence of lifestyle diseases as side-effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been reported in people living with HIV (PLWH). Few studies have evaluated obesity and hidden obesity in Japanese PLWH and their association with ART. In order to provide more appropriate drug selection and lifestyle guidance, we investigated the relationship between the effects of HIV infection and ART on the body composition of Japanese PLWH.

METHODS

PLWH who visited the outpatient clinic and had body composition measured using the body composition analyzer InBody 570 were included in this study. Medications, comorbidities, and blood test data were obtained. Body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were measured.

RESULTS

In this study, 543 patients were included. Based on body shape, patients were classified into a thin group (13), normal weight group (14), hidden obesity group (158), apparent obesity group (14), and obesity group (218). Compared with the normal weight group, the hidden obesity group had a higher prevalence of comorbidities and a lower SMI.

CONCLUSIONS

PLWH are more likely to have obesity than the general population, indicating that hidden obesity is common even among those with a normal BMI. It is important to measure body fat percentage along with body weight, as hidden obesity can be missed. Further investigation of the effects of ART on body composition is needed.

Nonstoichiometric Direct Arylation Polymerization of Octafluorobiphenyl with 2,7-Diiodofluorene for Regulating CH Terminals of π-Conjugated Polymer

Nonstoichiometric direct arylation polycondensation of 2,2',3,3',5,5',6,6'-octafluorobiphenyl with excess of 2,7-diiodo-9,9-dioctyl-9H-fluorene is demonstrated. Pd/Ag dual-catalyst system under water/2-methyltetrahydrofuran biphasic conditions enables direct arylation under mild conditions and promotes the intramolecular transfer of a Pd catalyst walking through the fluorene moiety. The nonstoichiometric direct arylation polycondensation under the optimized reaction conditions produces the corresponding π-conjugated polymer with a high molecular weight and terminal octafluorobiphenyl units at both ends.

Histiocytic sarcoma of the palate: a case report

Histiocytic sarcoma is a malignant proliferation of cells that exhibit morphological and immunophenotypic features of mature histiocytes. Owing to its rarity, its clinical features and standard treatment have not yet been established. This report describes a case of histiocytic sarcoma of the palate that developed in a 76-year-old man, the first report of an intraoral histiocytic sarcoma. An extended resection was performed; however, establishing the excision line was extremely difficult because assessing the tumour boundary on imaging was challenging and the tumour underwent dynamic gross morphological changes following biopsy. Complete resection is required to obtain a favourable prognosis for high-grade tumours with indistinct borders. In this case, an intraoperative rapid examination with frozen section analysis was performed along the planned excision line to completely resect the tumours exhibiting such behaviour. At 28 months postoperatively, the patient demonstrated no recurrence or metastasis; however, he is under careful monitoring.

Continuous and repeat metabolic measurements compared between post-cardiothoracic surgery and critical care patients

OBJECTIVE

Using a system, which accuracy is equivalent to the gold standard Douglas Bag (DB) technique for measuring oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide generation (VCO2), and respiratory quotient (RQ), we aimed to continuously measure these metabolic indicators and compare the values between post-cardiothoracic surgery and critical care patients.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational study conducted at a suburban, quaternary care teaching hospital. Age 18 years or older patients who underwent mechanical ventilation were enrolled.

RESULTS

We included 4 post-surgery and 6 critical care patients. Of those, 3 critical care patients died. The longest measurement reached to 12 h and 15 min and 50 cycles of repeat measurements were performed. VO2 of the post-surgery patients were 234 ± 14, 262 ± 27, 212 ± 16, and 192 ± 20 mL/min, and those of critical care patients were 122 ± 20, 189 ± 9, 191 ± 7, 191 ± 24, 212 ± 12, and 135 ± 21 mL/min, respectively. The value of VO2 was more variable in the post-surgery patients and the range of each patient was 44, 126, 71, and 67, respectively. SOFA scores were higher in non-survivors and there were negative correlations of RQ with SOFA.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed an accurate system that enables continuous and repeat measurements of VO2, VCO2, and RQ. Critical care patients may have less activity in metabolism represented by less variable values of VO2 and VCO2 over time as compared to those of post-cardiothoracic surgery patients. Additionally, an alteration of these values may mean a systemic distinction of the metabolism of critically ill patients.

A case of breast milk-acquired cytomegalovirus infection in an extremely low birth weight infant

INTRODUCTION

Although breast milk is considered the optimal nutrition for infants, it is also the primary cause of postnatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Preterm infants with postnatal CMV infections are susceptible to a variety of life-threatening conditions.

CASE SUMMARY

Twin male infants were delivered via emergency caesarian section at 27 weeks' gestation secondary to maternal complete uterine rupture. The Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min were 1 and 1 for the older twin (Twin A) and 0 and 3 for the younger twin (Twin B). Their birth weights were 1203 g (+ 0.65SD) and 495 g (- 3.79SD) respectively. On day 41, laboratory blood test results for Twin B showed a moderate elevation in C-reactive protein (CRP), thrombocytopenia. CMV quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests in Twin B's urine and blood as well as in the mother's breast milk were positive, but stored, dried umbilical cord CMV qPCR tests were negative. Twin B was diagnosed with a postnatal CMV infection secondary to infected breast milk and ganciclovir was commenced on day 52. Treatment was switched to valganciclovir at 74 days of age, but a negative CMV-DNA level in the blood was not achieved. Postnatal CMV infection in this infant led to an exacerbation of pre-existing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and he demised at 182 days of age.

CONCLUSION

Postnatal cytomegalovirus infections may lead to exacerbations of BPD. Early use of raw breast milk in preterm infants should be done with careful consideration of this potential complication.

Reduced Autophagy in Aged Trigeminal Neurons Causes Amyloid β Diffusion

The relationship between oral health and the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the elderly is not yet well understood. In this regard, the association between aging or neurodegeneration of the trigeminal nervous system and the accumulation of amyloid-β(1-42) (Aβ₄₂) oligomers in the pathogenesis of AD is unknown. We focused on selective autophagy in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus (Vmes) and the diffusion of Aβ₄₂ oligomers with respect to aging of the trigeminal nervous system and whether the degeneration of Vmes neurons affects the diffusion of Aβ₄₂ oligomers. We used female 2- to 8-mo-old transgenic 3xTg-AD mice and App^NL-G-F knock-in mice and immunohistochemically examined aging-related changes in selective autophagy and Aβ₄₂ oligomer processing in the Vmes, which exhibits high amyloid-β (Aβ) expression. We induced degeneration of Vmes neurons by extracting the maxillary molars and examined the changes in Aβ₄₂ oligomer kinetics. Autophagosome-like membranes, which stained positive for Aβ, HO-1, and LC3B, were observed in Vmes neurons of 3xTg-AD mice, while there was weak immunoreactivity of the membranes for intraneuronal Aβ in App^NL-G-F mice. By contrast, there was strong immunopositivity for extracellular Aβ₄₂ oligomers with the formation of Aβ₄₂ oligomer clusters in App^NL-G-F mice. The expression of Rubicon, which indicates age-related deterioration of autophagy, increased the diffusion of Aβ₄₂ oligomer with the age of Vmes neurons. Tooth extraction increased the extracellular immunopositivity for Aβ₄₂ oligomers in App^NL-G-F mice. These results suggest that autophagy maintains homeostasis in Vmes neurons and that deterioration of autophagy due to aging or neurodegeneration leads to the diffusion of Aβ₄₂ oligomers into the extracellular space and possibly the development of AD.

Development of a protein assay with copper chelator chromeazurol B, based on the biuret reaction

This study aimed to provide a novel and highly sensitive protein assay based on the biuret reaction and using chromeazurol B, a metal chelate compound. The method consists of two reagents and an automated analyzer. First, a complex of copper and protein (biuret reaction) is formed. Second, a chelating reagent containing chromeazurol B forms a three-dimensional complex of protein, copper, and chromeazurol B at neutral pH, resulting in highly sensitive coloration. The intra-assay (n = 20) variation for the three levels was 3.54 % or lower at each concentration. Each response with α, β-, and γ-globulin was 103.8 % and 104.3 %, respectively, against albumin. The molar absorption coefficient (ε) of the present method was 2.5 × 10⁵ m²/mol against human albumin, higher than that of the commercially available Lowry method (ε = 8.7 × 10⁴ m²/mol), which is based on the same principle. The correlation test for the pyrogallol method with 30 urine samples showed good performance (r = 0.961). The method described here (the Biuret-based CAB method) is a more sensitive and rapid assay than the Lowry method, and it may also be applied to biological samples because of its similar reactivity towards various proteins.

Petroclival meningiomas: update of current treatment and consensus by the EANS skull base section

BACKGROUND

The optimal management of petroclival meningiomas (PCMs) continues to be debated along with several controversies that persist.

METHODS

A task force was created by the EANS skull base section along with its members and other renowned experts in the field to generate recommendations for the management of these tumors. To achieve this, the task force reviewed in detail the literature in this field and had formal discussions within the group.

RESULTS

The constituted task force dealt with the existing definitions and classifications, pre-operative radiological investigations, management of small and asymptomatic PCMs, radiosurgery, optimal surgical strategies, multimodal treatment, decision-making, and patient's counselling.

CONCLUSION

This article represents the consensually derived opinion of the task force with respect to the management of PCMs.

Clinical features, risk factors, and prognosis of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in patients with malignant lymphoma who received a CHOP like regimen

Background

Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is a serious complication in patients with malignant lymphoma (ML) who received chemotherapy, which threatens life prognosis and quality of life of patients. However, incidence and risk factors of cardiotoxicity in patients with ML who undergo intensive chemotherapy which aims complete remission is not clarified. Furthermore, prognosis after cardiotoxicity and that after recovery from cardiotoxicity have not been elucidated.

Method

We screened 443 ML patients who received either rituximab (R)-CHOP or CHOP regimen between January 2008 and December 2017 at Nagoya City University Hospital. Two handled forty-four patients who underwent echocardiography before and after chemotherapy were enrolled and data were analyzed retrospectively. Cardiotoxicity was defined as a decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 10% or greater and an LVEF was below 50%. Partial recovery was defined as a 5% or more of increase in LVEF and an LVEF was ≥50% after cardiotoxicity. Complete recovery was defined as an increase in LVEF became more than 95% of the baseline value. Patient's basic characteristics, chemotherapeutic regimen, laboratory data, echocardiographic data, and prognosis were collected from the medical records by two cardiologists and two hematologists.

Result

At baseline, the median age was 71 years, the median cumulative dose of doxorubicin was 302 mg/m2 and the median LVEF was 69%. During the follow-up period, cardiotoxicity was observed in 52 out of 244 patients (21%), 30 patients (12%) had a symptomatic heart failure, and 5 patients died from cardiovascular cause. Thirty-five patients developed cardiotoxicity during the first year of chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis identified that only the baseline LVEF (HR 0.949, 95% CI 0.919–0.981, p=0.002) was an independent risk factor for cardiotoxicity. In our study, patients who received more than 200 mg/m2 of doxorubicin developed cardiotoxicity frequently. Among 52 patients who experienced cardiotoxicity, partial recovery and full recovery were observed in 18 (35%) and 4 (8%) patients, respectively. Four patients without recovery died due to heart failure and 1 patient with partial recovery died suddenly. Six out of 18 patients with partial recovery developed re-cardiotoxicity.

Conclusion

ML patients who undergo more than 200 mg/m2 of doxorubicin need a watchful follow-up. Only a baseline LVEF was an independent risk factor for cardiotoxicity. one third of patients with partial recovery developed re-cardiotoxicity.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Clinical features and prognosis of acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery embolism

Background

Coronary artery embolism (CE) is one of the important causes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The feature of CE is that angiographic evidence of coronary artery embolism and thrombosis without atherosclerotic components. However, the prevalence of CE remains unknown because of the diffifulty to diagnose in the acute settings. A recent retrospective analysis suggested that up to 3% of ACS cases may result from CE.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to elucidate the prevalence, clinical features and long-term outcomes including all-cause and cardiac death.

Methods

We analysed the consecutive 2695 patients with first AMI performed coronary intervention between January 2004 and July 2017. CE was diagnosed by clinical histories and angiographic findings. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical and lesion characteristics and outcomes including all-cause and cardiac death.

Results

The prevalence of CE was 2.0% (n=55; CE group and n=2640; non-CE group), including 8 (15%) patients with multivessel CE. The CE group had higher average age (70.8±14.9 vs. 68.4±12.6, p&lt;0.01), prevalence of female (54% vs. 27%, p&lt;0.01), lower prevalence of smoking (34% vs. 62%, p&lt;0.01). The common causes with CE were atrial fibrillation (47%), and malignant tumor (9%), and cardiomyopathy (5%), and patent foramen ovale (4%). Only 20% of patients with CE were treated with anti-coagulant therapy. The rate of distal infarction site (defined as #4, #8, #14–15) was significantly higher in CE group than non-CE group (54.0% vs. 4.9%, p&lt;0.01). During median follow-up of 53.6 [32.6–77.3] months, CE and thromboembolism recurred in 5 patients (CE: 1 patient, stroke 4 patients). The 4-year incidence of all-cause death was significantly higher in the CE group, but cardiac death was not significantly different between the groups (28.8% vs. 14.8%, p=0.03; 12.8% vs. 5.1%, p=0.11).

Conclusion

Compared with non-CE group, the prevalence of distal infarction site was significantly higher in the CE group, and the incidence of cardiac death is not significantly different.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Risk stratification based on academic research consortium high bleeding risk criteria for long-term bleeding event after everolimus-eluting stent implantation

Background

Recently, the Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (ARC-HBR) criteria has been suggested as the standard definition of HBR.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the risk stratification based on ARC-HBR Criteria for long-term bleeding event after everolimus-eluting stent implantation

Methods

The study population comprised 1193 patients treated with EES without in-hospital event between 2010 and 2011. Individual ARC-HBR criteria was retrospectively assessed. Major bleeding were defined as the occurrence of a Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 3 or 5 bleeding event. The mean follow-up period was 2996±433 days.

Results

There were 656 patients (55.0%) in HBR-groups. Cumulative incidence of major bleeding was significantly higher in HBR-group (8.1% vs 3.4% at 4 year, and 16.2% vs 5.7% at 8 year, P&lt;0.001). Cumulative rate of major bleeding tend to be higher as the number of ARC-HBR criteria increased (≥2 Majors: 24.3%, 1 Major: 17.0%, ≥2 Minors:11.7%, and Non-HBR: 5.7%, P&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

ARC-HBR criteria successfully stratified the long-term bleeding risk after drug-eluting stent implantation in real-world practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P743 Right ventricular function is important for exercise capacity in patients at risk of heart failure

Background and Purpose

It is important to evaluate exercise capacity to detect the development of heart failure (HF) in patients with heart disease. The pathology of exercise capacity is multi-factorial, and cardiac function is recognized as one of the most important determinants. However, the correlation between right ventricular (RV) function and exercise capacity is not fully understood in the subjects without HF. Therefore, we assessed the relationship between RV function and exercise capacity, both in patients with HF (HF+) and in patients with heart disease but not developed HF (HF-).

Methods

Two hundred and fifty-two patients with heart disease who underwent both Doppler echocardiography at rest and cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for the assessment of heart function were enrolled (HF+: n = 142, HF-: n = 110). We measured left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), peak early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E), peak late diastolic transmitral flow velocity (A), early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e’), left atrial volume (LAV), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) by echocardiography. After echocardiographic examination, symptom-limited exercise testing was performed with simultaneous respiratory gas analysis, and peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) was determined. Blood examination including hemoglobin (Hb) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was done on the same day.

Results

There were significant relationships between pVO2 and LVEF (r = 0.16, p = 0.005), e" (r = 0.51, p &lt; 0.0001), E/e" (r=-0.47, p &lt; 0.0001), LAV (r=-0.21, p = 0.0002), and TAPSE (r = 0.33, p &lt; 0.0001) in the whole subjects. In the multiple regression analyses, age, Hb, E/e" and TAPSE were selected as significant determinants for pVO2 both in HF+ (R²=0.39, p &lt; 0.0001) and HF- (R²=0.33, p &lt; 0.0001).

Conclusion

RV function is the prime determinant of exercise capacity in patients at risk of HF, as well as in patients with HF.

Abstract P743 Figure.

Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup with Liquid Chromatography Using Post-Column Bromination for Determination of Aflatoxin B1 in Cattle Feed: Collaborative Study

A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an immunoaffinity column cleanup liquid chromatography (LC) method for determination of aflatoxin B1 in cattle feed at a possible future European regulatory limit (1 ng/g). The test portion was extracted with acetone–water (85 + 15), filtered, diluted with water, and applied to an immunoaffinity column. The column was washed with water to remove interfering compounds, and the purified aflatoxin B1 was eluted with methanol. Aflatoxin B1 was separated and determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP–LC) and detected by fluorescence after post column derivatization (PCD) involving bromination. PCD was achieved with either pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide (PBPB), used by 14 laboratories, or an electrochemical cell and addition of bromide to the mobile phase, used by 7 laboratories. Both derivatization techniques were not significantly different when compared by the t-test; the method was statistically evaluated for all laboratories together (bromination and PBPB). The cattle feed samples, both spiked and naturally contaminatedwithaflatoxinB1, were sent to 21 laboratories in 14 different countries (United States, Japan, and Europe). Test portions were spiked at levels of 1.2 and 3.6 ng/g for aflatoxin B1. Recoveries ranged from 74 to 157%. Based on results for spiked samples (blind pairs at 2 levels) as well as naturally con-taminated samples (blind pairs at 3 levels), the relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 5.9 to 8.7%. The relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 17.5 to 19.6%. The method showed acceptable within-and between-laboratory precision for this matrix, as evidenced by HORRAT values, at the target levels of determination for aflatoxin B1. No major differences in RSD were observed, showing that the composition of the feeds was not a factor for the samples tested and that the method was applicable for all materials used.

P2693Late catch-up phenomenon and late-term target lesion revascularization of two-stenting for coronary bifurcation lesions between first and second generation drug-eluting stents

Background

The second generation drug-eluting stent (G2-DES) has been reported as superior to the first generation drug-eluting stent (G1-DES) in mid-term outcomes. However, the late-term outcomes between G1-DES and G2-DES in two-stenting for coronary bifurcation lesions are not well studied.

Purpose

To evaluate the late catch-up phenomenon and late-term target lesion revascularization (TLR) of two-stenting for coronary bifurcation lesions between G1-DES and G2-DES.

Methods

This study included 1133 lesions in 1089 patients undergoing drug eluting stent implantation with two stenting from 2004 to 2016. These consisted of 496 G1-DES implanted lesions and 637 G2-DES implanted lesions. Late-term follow-up angiography was performed without in-stent restenosis (ISR) and TLR at mid-term follow-up in 582 lesions (242 G1-DES lesions and 340 G2-DES lesions). ISR was defined as more than 50% restenosis. Late catch-up phenomenon was defined as ISR without ISR within 1 year following index stent implantation. Late-term TLR was defined as from 1 to 5 year TLR. Bifurcation lesions were defined as the main branch ranging from the proximal stem to the distal main branch with boundaries defined by 5 mm proximal and distal to the stent-implanted area, and the side branch ranging from the bifurcation carina to the distal side branch with boundaries defined by the carina and 5 mm distal to the stent-implanted area.

Results

The median follow-up duration was 5.1 years (the first and third quarters, 3.2 and 7.1 years). The late-catch up phenomenon rate significantly differed between the G1-DES and G2-DES groups (16.9% vs 8.4%, p=0.001). A significant difference in late catch-up between the same two groups was also observed in bifurcation lesions of the main branch (5.0% vs 0.6%, p=0.001) and side branch (10.3% vs 5.6%, p=0.033), respectively. The 5-year cumulative rates also differed between the two groups in TLR (8.2% vs 3.7% log-rank p=0.001), and late-term TLR (7.0% vs 3.6% log-rank p=0.001).

Conclusion

Two-stenting using G2-DES, compared with G1-DES, significantly reduced late-term restenosis and TLR. The restenosis rate in bifurcation area may be associated with differences between two groups in late-term outcome.

P318Exosomes mediate myocardial regeneration of cardiac progenitor cells in a swine model of dilated cardiomyopathy

Introduction

Stem cell therapy has been shown to improve cardiac function. The mechanisms of therapeutic efficacy are considered the secretion of paracrine factors but the details are still unknown.

Hypothesis

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles containing bioactive substances such as proteins, messenger RNAs and micro RNAs. We hypothesized that exosomes may be the main paracrine factors to mediate therapeutic efficacy of cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs).

Methods

Farm pigs (30 kg, n=10) were treated by intracoronary administration of 10,000 microspheres (100–300 μm) into three vessels. Two weeks later, 9.0×106 CDCs pretreated by exosome inhibitor (EI; 20μM of GW4869) or DMSO as controls were selectively infused into three coronary arteries. Evaluation of ejection fraction (EF) was performed before cell infusion and 1 month after protocol treatment.

Results

Pigs developed diffuse hypokinetic heart failure (baseline EF 37.1%±2.1%) and randomly assigned into two groups (CDCs with EI: n=5, CDCs with DMSO: n=5). No serious adverse events were found during the CDCs infusion. Significant improvement of EF was observed in CDCs with DMSO group (37.1%±2.1% to 42.5%±3.0%; P=0.01), whereas no change was found in CDCs with EI group (37.1%±2.4% to 36.2%±2.9%; P=0.58). Myocardial fibrosis stained by picrosirius red was significantly reduced in CDCs with DMSO group compared with CDCs with EI group (9.5±3.6% versus 17.3±5.3%; P<0.01).

Conclusions

We confirmed the therapeutic efficacy of CDCs and these effects were mainly mediated by exosomes.

P1833The c-fos mRNA expression reveals persistent myocardial stretch in the right ventricle during asphyxiated cardiac arrest

Background

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) heart transplantation has been debated over the past decades because of the shortage of donor. The right ventricular dysfunction is one of the remaining problems for clinical implication of DCD heart transplantation. DCD hearts suffering from the volume overload have a potential to aggravate the right ventricular dysfunction after heart transplantation. The c-fos mRNA is one of the “immediate” response genes to mechanical stresses, such as myocardial cell stretch, without neural and humoral factors. In this study, we assessed myocardial stretch during asphyxiated cardiac arrest using c-fos mRNA expression.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to reveal the impact of right ventricular volume overload during asphyxiated cardiac arrest.

Methods

Male Wistar rats (8 weeks of age, n=18) were anesthetized with paralyzed ventilation. The trachea was dissected and ligated to initiate asphyxiation. Hearts were harvested at 3 time points: 0, 15 and 30 minutes after termination of the ventilation. Free walls of right and left ventricle were sectioned and immersed in RNA stabilization solution as soon as possible. Total RNA was extracted from these tissues using a guanidine thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform method and cDNA was synthesized using a reverse transcriptase. Next, we measured the quantified expression level by using the droplet digital PCR method with a probe and primers for c-fos gene. Expression of c-fos level was divided by extracted TATA binding protein (TBP) level as a control marker, the ratio of c-fos and TBP was used in analysis.

Results

In the left ventricle, the expression of c-fos rapidly increased by 15 minutes (0.81±0.24 (c-fos/TBP), p<0.05 by one-way ANOVA followed by the Dunnett's test) compared to at 0 minutes (0.21±0.06), but the expression level recovered to the baseline level at 30 minutes after termination of the ventilation (0.19±0.03). On the other hand, in the right ventricle, the c-fos expression was gradually elevated and peaked at 30 minutes (0.88±0.20, p<0.05 by the Dunnett's test) compared to at 0 minutes (0.22±0.05).

Conclusion

These results suggest that the volume overload to the right ventricle during asphyxiated cardiac arrest prolongs compared to that to the left ventricle, which may cause the right ventricular dysfunction after DCD heart transplantation.

P5391Systemic administration of high-mobility group box 1 can suppress adverse post-infarction ventricular remodeling in a rat infarction model by enhancing self-regeneration

Background

High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) reportedly enhances CXCR4-positive bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) recruitment to damaged tissue to promote tissue regeneration.

Purpose

Our aim of this study is to evaluate whether systemic administration of HMGB1 might promote tissue repair in a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model.

Methods

We prepared 26 MI model rats with high ligation of the left coronary artery. Two weeks later, HMGB1 (3 mg/kg/day) or phosphate-buffered saline (control: 3 mL/kg/day) was administered for 4 days via femoral vein. Cardiac performance was evaluated by ultrasonography, left ventricular (LV) remodeling via immunostaining. We then used immunostaining to examine MSC recruitment to damaged tissue in green fluorescent protein bone marrow transplantation (GFP-BMT) model rats, and also performed intravital imaging using two-photon microscopy to visualize BM-cells recruitment in real time.

Results

Compared with control rats, there was a significant improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction of the HMGB1 group (HMGB1 vs. control: 48.6% ± 5.5% vs. 33.6% ± 5.4%; p<0.01) at 4 weeks after each administration. LV remodeling, characterized by interstitial fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and a decrease of capillary density, was significantly attenuated in the HMGB1 group compared with control rats. On QT-PCR analysis, VEGF mRNA expression was significantly higher in the HMGB1 group than in the control (border zone; 1.6±0.6 vs. 1.1±0.2; p=0.02, septal zone; 1.1±0.1 vs. 0.9±0.1; p<0.01). In GFP-BMT rats, GFP+/PDGFR+ cells were significantly mobilized to the border zone in the HMGB1 group compared with the control (1331±197 vs. 615±45 /mm2; p<0.01), leading to formation of newly developed vasculature (Figure 1). In intravital imaging, more GFP+ cells were mobilized to the infarction area in the HMGB1 group than in the control, which was further enhanced at 12h later. Additionally, SDF-1 expression in the peri-infarction area increased significantly in MI rats compared with normal rats (MI vs. normal; 2.1±0.4 vs. 0.9±0.1; p<0.01), in where some cell-adhesions of vascular endothelial cells were destroyed.

Conclusions

Systemic administration of HMGB1 mobilized BM-MSCs to the damaged myocardium via the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling complex. Those BM-MSCs might migrate to extracellular matrix in the border zone via the gap of each endothelial cell, leading to induction of angiogenesis and reduced fibrosis.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

P3651Outcomes of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in children: comparison between bovine jugular vein graft and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft

Background

Various types of conduits are available for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (RVOTR). The bovine jugular vein graft (BJVG) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft (ePTFEG) have been descrived as an alternative to the homograft for RVOTR. Purpose- This study summarized the results to evaluate the single-center operation of RVOTR using BJVG and ePTFEG.

Methods

The valve functions of 27 patients under 20 years old who underwent primary RVOTR with BJVG and 26 patients with ePTFEG at our university hospital between 2013 and 2018 were retrospectively investigated. The valve conditions were assessed using echocardiography and cardiac catheterization.

Results

The median age at the time of operation was 1.8 years old (range, 6 days to 7.8 years old) with BJVG and 2.2 years old (range, 8 months to 9.1 years old) with ePTFEG. The median follow-up time was 3.4 years (range, 2 months to 5.2 years) with BJVG and 2.1 years (range, 1 month to 5.1 years) with ePTFEG. The peak RVOT gradient of BJVG was lower than ePTFEG (10.6±7.7 mmHg versus 18.1±16.2 mmHg, P=0.035). There were no differences in branch pulmonary stenosis defined as peak gradient up to 36mmHg (40.7% versus 50.0%, P=0.50) and pulmonary regurgitation graded worse than moderate (18.5% versus 11.5%, P=0.48) with BJVG and ePTFEG, respectively. Aneurysmal dilatation of the conduit was seen 22.2% with BJVG but none of patients with ePTFEG (P=0.01). All of patients with aneurysmal dilated BJVG had branch pulmonary stenosis. There were no differences in catheter intervention for branch pulmonary stenosis (22.2% versus 30.8%, P=0.48) and conduit replacement (11.1% versus 7.7%, log rank P=0.67) with BJVG and ePTFEG, respectively. There were no deaths during the fllow-up period in both groups.

Conclusions

The outcomes of RVOTR with BJVG and ePTFEG were clinically satisfactory. Aneurysmal dilatation was seen with BJVG and branch pulmonary stenosis was the risk factor for aneurysmal dilatation.

P1964Impact of successful coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion on long-term clinical outcome of patients with impaired and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

Background

Successful recanalisation of percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion lesions has been associated with improved survival.

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the impact of successful percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion lesions on the long-term outcome of patients with impaired and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods

The study sample consisted of 842 consecutive patients (928 chronic total occlusion lesions) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention at our institution between October 2005 and December 2009. We divided them into 3 groups by the degree of LVEF: less than 40% (severely reduced LVEF, n=140), 40% to 59% (moderately reduced LVEF, n=470), and 60% and above (normal LVEF, n=232). We evaluated mortality during the 10-year follow-up period the basis of procedural success and failure.

Results

The overall procedural success rate was 89.1%. Median follow-up duration was 7.9 years. The 10-year cumulative incidences of cardiac death in each degree of LVEF are shown in the Figure.

Conclusions

Successful recanalisation for chronic total occlusion lesions in patients with impaired LVEF may be associated with reduced cardiac mortality.

Comparative effectiveness of gastric bypass versus gastric banding on acute care use for cardiovascular disease in adults with obesity

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gastric bypass is known to have larger effects on weight and metabolism than gastric banding. However, scarce data exist as to whether the differences are translated into differential risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related morbidities. The objective was to examine whether adults with obesity and CVD who underwent gastric bypass have a lower rate of acute care use (emergency department [ED] visit or unplanned hospitalization) for CVD than those with gastric banding.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed a comparative effectiveness study of gastric bypass versus banding among adults with obesity and CVD who underwent either surgery, using population-based [ED] and inpatient samples in California, Florida, and Nebraska from 2005 through 2011. The primary outcome was acute care use for CVD during a two-year postoperative period. We constructed negative binomial regression models to compare the event rate during sequential 6-month periods, using gastric banding group as the reference. We identified 11,229 adults with obesity and CVD who underwent gastric bypass and 3896 adults who had gastric banding. Patients with gastric bypass had significantly lower rate of the outcome compared to those with banding in the 7-12 months postoperative period (adjusted rate ratio [aRR] 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.98; P = 0.03). The significant reduction in the rate persisted during 13-18 months (aRR 0.71; 95% CI, 0.57-0.90; P = 0.005) and 19-24 months (aRR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.52-0.82; P < 0.001) after bariatric surgery.

CONCLUSION

In this population-based comparative effectiveness study of adults with obesity and CVD, the rate of acute care use for CVD was lower after gastric bypass compared to gastric banding.

A rare case of fetal extensive intracranial hemorrhage and whole-cerebral hypoplasia due to latent maternal vitamin K deficiency

We present here a late preterm infant with extensive brain lesions resulting from vitamin K deficiency. A female infant was born after 35 weeks of gestation by emergent cesarean section because of non-reassuring fetal status. Her mother had severe eating disorder and recurrent vomiting since early pregnancy. She was immediately intubated and ventilated because she was extremely pale, hypotonic, and non-reactive. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging immediately after birth showed intraparenchymal hemorrhage in the left frontal lobe and cerebellum, marked cerebral edema, and cerebellar hypoplasia. Coagulation studies of the infant showed hepaplastin test <5%, prolonged PT and APTT, and a marked elevation of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II. This case highlighted a potential risk of intracranial bleeding due to maternal vitamin K deficiency and difficulty in its prediction before delivery. Vitamin K supplementation to high risk mothers might be indispensable for preventing severe fetal vitamin K deficiency. Even when coagulation studies in mothers is normal, it is imperative to provide vitamin K supplementation for total protection.

VALIDATION OF MONTE CARLO DOSE CALCULATION FOR PAEDIATRIC CT EXAMINATIONS USING TUBE CURRENT MODULATION BASED ON IN-PHANTOM DOSIMETRY

The aim of this study is to estimate tube current modulation (TCM) profiles in paediatric computed tomography (CT) examinations with a TCM scheme (Volume-EC) and evaluate the estimation accuracy of TCM profiles. Another aim is to validate organ doses calculated using Monte Carlo-based CT dosimetry software and estimated TCM profiles by comparing them with those measured using 5-year-old and 10-year-old anthropomorphic phantoms and radio-photoluminescence glass dosemeters. Dose calculations were performed by inputting detailed descriptions of a CT scanner, scan parameters and CT images of the phantoms into the software. Organ doses were evaluated from the calculated dose distribution images. Average relative differences (RDs) between the estimated and actual TCM profiles ranged from -3.6 to 5.6%. RDs between the calculated and measured organ doses ranged from -4.2 to 13.0% and -18.1 to 4.9% for 5-year-old and 10-year-old phantoms, respectively. These results validate dose calculations for paediatric CT scans using TCM.

Ultrasound-guided coracohumeral ligament release

Long-term follow-up of patients with adhesive capsulitis (AC) reveals that approximately half of them suffer from a limited range of shoulder motion, particularly external and/or internal rotation. We report the surgical technique and short-term clinical outcomes of ultrasound-guided release of the thickened coracohumeral (CH) ligament in 8 patients (9 shoulders) with AC. Passive external rotation with the arm by the side significantly increased from an average of 18° preoperatively to 47° immediately after CH ligament release. VAS and ASES scores were improved at 3months follow-up in all 9 shoulders, and maintained at 6months follow-up in 6 shoulders. No procedure-related adverse events developed over the 6-month follow-up period. Ultrasound-guided release for thickened CH ligament is a reliable and effective minimally invasive surgery for persistent limited external rotation due to AC of the shoulder.

Viral eradication reduces both liver stiffness and steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who received direct-acting anti-viral therapy

BACKGROUND

Whether direct-acting anti-viral therapy can reduce liver fibrosis and steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unclear.

AIMS

To evaluate changes in liver stiffness and steatosis in patients with HCV who received direct-acting anti-viral therapy and achieved sustained virological response (SVR).

METHODS

A total of 198 patients infected with HCV genotype 1 or 2 who achieved SVR after direct-acting anti-viral therapy were analysed. Liver stiffness as evaluated by magnetic resonance elastography, steatosis as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging-determined proton density fat fraction (PDFF), insulin resistance, and laboratory data were assessed before treatment (baseline) and at 24 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR24).

RESULTS

Alanine aminotransferase and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance levels decreased significantly from baseline to SVR24. Conversely, platelet count, which is inversely associated with liver fibrosis, increased significantly from baseline to SVR24. In patients with high triglyceride levels (≥150 mg/dL), triglyceride levels significantly decreased from baseline to SVR24 (P = 0.004). The median (interquartile range) liver stiffness values at baseline and SVR24 were 3.10 (2.70-4.18) kPa and 2.80 (2.40-3.77) kPa respectively (P < 0.001). The PDFF values at baseline and SVR 24 were 2.4 (1.7-3.4)% and 1.9 (1.3-2.8)% respectively (P < 0.001). In addition, 68% (19/28) of patients with fatty liver at baseline (PDFF ≥5.2%; n = 28) no longer had fatty liver (PDFF <5.2%) at SVR24.

CONCLUSION

Viral eradication reduces both liver stiffness and steatosis in patients with chronic HCV who received direct-acting anti-viral therapy (UMIN000017020).

12-OH-17,18-Epoxyeicosatetraenoic acid alleviates eosinophilic airway inflammation in murine lungs

BACKGROUND

Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and obstruction with eosinophil infiltration into the airway. Arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, is metabolized into cysteinyl leukotriene with pro-inflammatory properties for allergic inflammation, whereas the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and its downstream metabolites are known to have anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the counter-regulatory roles of EPA in inflamed lungs.

METHODS

Male C57BL6 mice were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin (OVA). After EPA treatment, we evaluated the cell count of Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), mRNA expressions in the lungs by q-PCR, and the amounts of lipid mediators by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based lipidomics. We investigated the effect of the metabolite of EPA by in vivo and in vitro studies.

RESULTS

Eicosapentaenoic acid treatment reduced the accumulation of eosinophils in the airway and decreased mRNA expression of selected inflammatory mediators in the lung. Lipidomics clarified the metabolomic profile in the lungs. Among EPA-derived metabolites, 12-hydroxy-17,18-epoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-OH-17,18-EpETE) was identified as one of the major biosynthesized molecules; the production of this molecule was amplified by EPA administration and allergic inflammation. Intravenous administration of 12-OH-17,18-EpETE attenuated airway eosinophilic inflammation through downregulation of C-C chemokine motif 11 (CCL11) mRNA expression in the lungs. In vitro, this molecule also inhibited the release of CCL11 from human airway epithelial cells stimulated with interleukin-4.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated that EPA alleviated airway eosinophilic inflammation through its conversion into bioactive metabolites. Additionally, our results suggest that 12-OH-17,18-EpETE is a potential therapeutic target for the management of asthma.