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Biomedical subjects

A Kasai

Publications and source records attributed to A Kasai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

[A case of metastatic liposarcoma originating in the retroperitoneum successfully treated with combination chemotherapy].

We reported a 36-year-old woman with metastatic liposarcoma originating in the retroperitoneum, which responded well to adjuvant chemotherapy. The primary tumor was removed by surgery. Two months later, the patient developed metastasis to the brain, and to the lung four months later. Metastatic liposarcomas to the brain generally are extremely rare. The patient was treated with combination chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin, and dacarbazine (CYVADIC). After she was examined, the former two drugs were alternated with vindesine and ifosfamide, and another regimen with cisplatin and etoposide was given after a three-week interval. As a result, both of the metastases totally disappeared. No recurrent lesion has been noted for two years. Although the role of chemotherapy for liposarcoma has not been well defined and little data support its use in an adjuvant setting, this combination chemotherapy seemed to be effective for advanced liposarcoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Electrophysiological characteristics during slow pathway ablation of posterior atrioventricular junctional reentrant tachycardia.

The purpose of this study was to compare the electrophysiological characteristics of posterior and anterior atrioventricular junctional reentrant tachycardia (AVJRT) during radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of a slow pathway. Twenty-four patients with common AVJRT, including 4 posterior (P) and 20 anterior AVJRT (A) were studied. We analyzed the retrograde atrial activation sequence of junctional rhythm and the presence of transient HA block during slow pathway ablation. When HA block developed, the AH interval before ablation and immediately after the end of energy delivery was measured. Successful ablation sites were divided into three groups; high (H), middle (M), and low (L) from the His bundle to the floor of the coronary sinus orifice. The results were: (1) the number of successful ablation sites were H 0, M 1, L 3 in P and H 1, M 8, L 11 in A; (2) the HA interval during AVJRT in P was longer than that in A (109 +/- 48 ms vs 43 +/- 6 ms, P < 0.01); (3) the retrograde atrial activation sequence during junctional rhythm was strictly concordant with that during AVJRT in both groups, but HA block developed during slow pathway ablation more often in P than in A (100% vs 30%, P < 0.01); and (4) The AH interval did not lengthen after HA block developed in P. These data suggest that another pathway does exist from the AV node to the atrium in addition to anterograde fast pathway and slow pathway, and that this pathway is used as the retrograde limb of P.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial↗
PubMed1998

Effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation on parasympathetic denervation: a comparison of three different ablation sites.

UNLABELLED: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) has been shown to result in local parasympathetic denervation. The purpose of this study was to estimate the correlation between RF cumulative energy and parasympathetic denervation at three different ablation sites. METHODS: 45 patients who underwent RF ablation of 36 AV reentrant tachycardias and 9 AV nodal reentrant tachycardias were studied. Twenty patients had left free-wall accessory pathways (group L), 8 patients right free-wall accessory pathways (group R), and 17 patients septal accessory pathways (n = 8) or slow pathways (n = 9) (group S). Time and frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability on 24-hour ambulatory ECG recordings was performed before and after RF ablation. pNN50 and the high frequency (0.15 to 0.40 Hz, HF) component were measured to examine the effects on parasympathetic nerve activity. The values of delta pNN50 and delta HF were expressed as the percent change of pNN50 and HF that occurred after versus before RF ablation. RESULTS: Both pNN50 and HF significantly decreased after RF ablation in all three groups. In group S, there was a significant correlation between RF cumulative energy and delta pNN50 (r = 0.66, P < 0.01) or delta HF (r = 0.58, P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no correlation between RF cumulative energy and delta pNN50 or delta HF in either group L or group R. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that RF ablation produces parasympathetic denervation at all three sites along the mitral or tricuspid annulus and that parasympathetic fibers may be located predominantly in the septal area.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[MR diffusion-weighted imaging of cerebral infarction].

MR diffusion-weighted imaging was performed to investigate changes in water diffusion in patients with cerebral infarction, and diffusion-weighted images (DWI) were compared with T2-weighted images (T2WI). Acute and subacute infarcts were seen as areas of high intensity on DWI and showed lower apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs), while chronic infarcts showed a relative increase in ADCs. The relative ADC increased progressively over time, becoming renormalized at 3 to 4 weeks, and was elevated in the chronic state. On DWI, infarcts as small as 5 to 6 mm in diameter and lesions adjacent to the ventricular or subarachnoid space could be readily identified. DWI was useful for distinguishing acute lesions from chronic lesions in patients with multiple cerebral infarction, and provided valuable pathophysiologic information on the course of ischemic stroke evolution.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Exercise-induced coronary spasm: comparison of treadmill and bicycle exercise in patients with vasospastic angina.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether exercise-induced coronary spasms are influenced by the different exercise modes. METHODS: We compared ischaemic ECG responses in 67 patients with vasospastic angina who underwent both treadmill and bicycle ergometer exercise and also coronary angiography. RESULTS: ECG ST-segment elevation was provoked more frequently during treadmill exercise than it was during bicycle exercise (19 versus 9%, P < 0.05). Of 45 patients without significant coronary stenosis (coronary artery luminal diameter narrowing < 75%), 19 patients manifested ST-segment depression during treadmill exercise, whereas only seven patients did during bicycle exercise (42 versus 16%, P < 0.01). All patients with ST-segment elevation or depression during bicycle ergometer exercise also had ST-segment changes during treadmill exercise. Although higher systemic blood pressure levels and lower heart rates were found during bicycle exercise compared with during treadmill exercise the pressure-rate products at peak exercise did not differ between the two exercise tests. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that treadmill and bicycle exercise are different stressors in patients with vasospastic angina, and that coronary spasms are provoked more frequently during treadmill exercise than they are during bicycle exercise. The cause of this difference is not known, but it may be related in part to the difference in systemic haemodynamic or neurohumoral response.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Arrhythmia].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1992

Effects of sublingually administered nifedipine on left ventricular isovolumic relaxation, diastolic filling, and distensibility in patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

The acute effects of nifedipine (20 mg) on left ventricular diastolic function were investigated in 16 patients with chronic coronary artery disease by measuring left ventricular pressure with a manometer-tipped catheter and by measuring volume with cineangiography. Heart rates were maintained by right atrial pacing. Left ventricular peak systolic pressure (-15%; p less than 0.01 vs control) decreased significantly. With afterload reduction, left ventricular ejection fraction (+11%; p less than 0.01) increased. There was no significant change in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. The diastolic peak filling rate of left ventricular volume significantly increased (+36%; p less than 0.05), whereas the time from end-systole to the peak filling rate remained unchanged. Administration of nifedipine did not improve left ventricular relaxation as assessed by the isovolumic pressure decay. There was also no significant change in the left ventricular diastolic pressure-volume relationship. We conclude that nifedipine improves left ventricular systolic function with afterload reduction but has little or no effect on left ventricular diastolic properties in patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMed1992

[Left ventricular diastolic function in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

To investigate left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM), we analyzed the LV cineangiograms (RAO 30 degrees) and pressures (tip manometer) in 11 patients with AHCM who had giant negative T waves on their electrocardiograms and "ace of spades" configurations on the LV angiograms. Ten patients with non-obstructive HCM (HNCM) and 10 normal subjects served as controls. LV volumes and instantaneous rates of LV volume changes were derived from frame-by-frame analyses of their LV angiograms. LV isovolumic relaxation was assessed according to the time constant (T) of LV pressure decay. LV diastolic distensibility was evaluated by plotting diastolic pressure-volume curves. There was no significant change in the LV systolic functions among these 3 groups. Compared with normals, LV end-diastolic pressure was equally elevated in AHCM and HNCM. The T of isovolumic pressure decay was significantly prolonged in AHCM and HNCM. LV early diastolic filling was maintained at the normal level in AHCM as assessed by the peak filling rate (PFR) during the rapid filling period and the time from end-systole to PFR. The LV diastolic pressure-volume relation shifted upwards in both AHCM and HNCM. In conclusion, impaired LV isovolumic relaxation and decreased diastolic distensibility, which are associated with HNCM, may also be present in AHCM.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[A case of congenital long QT syndrome associated with T wave alternans].

A case was presented in which a rare T wave alternans occurred in association with congenital long QT syndrome. A 71-year-old woman, who had experienced several syncopal attacks per year for the previous forty years, was admitted for further evaluation of the syncope. She had a family history of sudden death (sister) and QT prolongation (son). Electrocardiogram showed a corrected QT interval of 0.68 seconds. Treadmill exercise-tolerance test revealed both T wave alternans immediately after exercise and torsades de pointes 150 seconds after exercise. The syncope was induced by the mental excitation. A prolonged corrected QT interval reduced from 0.70 seconds to 0.58 seconds by the correction of her serum potassium and magnesium. The effect of propranolol, verapamil, phenytoin or mexiletine on T wave alternans and ventricular arrhythmia was evaluated by the treadmill exercise-tolerance test. The treatment with propranolol was most effective.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1991

Two cases of bi-ventricular dysplasia associated with ventricular tachycardia and familial occurrence of sudden death.

Two strikingly similar patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia which severely impaired not only the right ventricle but also the left ventricle are described in association with familial occurrence of sudden death. A 49-year-old man experienced syncope which was due to ventricular tachycardia. Electrocardiography revealed a first degree atrioventricular block, incomplete right bundle-branch block, T wave inversions in leads II, III, a VF and V1 to V5, and multiformal ventricular extrasystoles. Echocardiography and ventricular cineangiography showed not only the right ventricular dilatation with an aneurysm in the right ventricular apex, inflow and outflow tracts, but also mild dilatation of the left ventricle with left ventricular apical and posterior aneurysms. Radionuclide angiography also disclosed dysfunction of both ventricles, especially during exercise. His family history revealed that 3 members of his family died of sudden deaths. A 56-year-old woman experienced syncope secondary to ventricular tachycardia, with left bundle-branch block. Electrocardiography showed complete right bundle-branch block, left axis deviation, and T wave inversions in leads V1 to V4. Echocardiography and ventricular cineangiography revealed not only marked right ventricular dilatation with the "triangle of dysplasia", but also a left ventricular aneurysm in the apex and posterior portion. Her elder brother died of a sudden death, and electrocardiograms of 2 members of her family showed ventricular extrasystoles and T wave inversions. These 2 cases may well be termed "familial bi-ventricular dysplasia".

Cardiac Complexes, Premature↗
PubMed1991

[Eosinophilic heart disease with favorable courses: report of two cases].

Two cases of eosinophilia-associated acute peri-myocarditis which coursed favorably are reported. Case 1 was a 47-year-old man whose ECG revealed QS, ST-T change, bundle branch block, and arrhythmias. Case 2 was a 30-year-old man whose ECG showed ST segment depression. The chest radiographs of both patients revealed enlarged hearts. Left ventriculography showed abnormal regional wall motion. Their endomyocardial biopsies revealed eosinophilic infiltration of the myocardium, but few eosinophils were degranulated. In Case 1, the development of eosinophilia preceded perimyocarditis and the eosinophilia continued even after the symptoms of peri-myocarditis were improved. In conclusion, it seems that eosinophilia did not have specific relation to the initial manifestation of the disease but that it occurred as a secondary reaction to peri-myocarditis of unknown etiology in these cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Analysis of left ventricular pulsus alternans in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

We analyzed left ventricular (LV) pulsus alternans in 49 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy during cardiac catheterization. LV pulsus alternans was noted in 6 of 17 patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, 5 of whom already showed intraventricular pressure gradient at rest. No patient with hypertrophic non-obstructive cardiomyopathy had LV pulsus alternans. Pulsus alternans was neither observed in the right ventricle nor in the pulmonary artery. There was little, if any, pulsus alternans in a low pressure LV chamber (subaortic portion) and peripheral artery during LV pulsus alternans in a high pressure chamber. LV end-diastolic pressure also remained unchanged during LV pulsus alternans, except in one case. It is suggested that LV pulsus alternans in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy may imply LV dysfunction associated with increased afterload.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Exercise-induced ST segment shift in vasospastic angina with special reference to comparisons between treadmill and bicycle ergometer exercise testings].

To assess the difference between cardiovascular responses to treadmill exercise (TM) and those to bicycle ergometer exercise (EM) in provoking coronary spasm, we compared the ST segment shifts (elevation or depression) during TM and EM in 67 patients with vasospastic angina. Coronary artery spasm was demonstrated on angiography. Both TM and EM were performed on the same day during a medication-free period. For both tests, multistage, symptom-limited exercise protocols were used; EM in the morning and TM in the afternoon. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Rate-pressure products at peak exercise during TM and EM were similar. Systolic blood pressure levels at peak exercise were higher during EM than during TM (p < 0.01). The patients' heart rates at peak exercise were higher during TM than during EM (p < 0.01). Diastolic blood pressure levels at peak exercise were higher during EM than during TM (p < 0.05). 2. Exercise-induced ST elevation occurred more frequently with TM than with EM (19% vs 9%, p < 0.05). 3. Exercise-induced ST depression was provided in 27 patients during TM and in 13 during EM (40% vs 19%, p < 0.01). Among 45 patients without significant lesions, ST depression occurred in 19 during TM, but in only 7 during EM (42% vs 16%, p < 0.01). In conclusion, coronary spasm seemed to occur more frequently with TM than with EM. The mechanism causing such difference remains to be elucidated, however, we speculate that the difference between TM and EM as to enhanced autonomous nervous system activity and coronary perfusion exercise may be related to the difference in the incidence of coronary spasm.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Clinical evaluation of severe idiopathic tricuspid regurgitation].

This study clarified the clinical profile and echocardiographic findings of severe idiopathic tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Among 8,538 consecutive ultrasonic examinations, a total of 63 patients had severe TR, which was depicted by color flow mapping as a regurgitant signal more than 4 cm from the tricuspid valve orifice. Thirteen of the 63 patients had no underlying diseases, and these patients with severe idiopathic TR were the subjects of the present study. All 13 patients were over 66 years of age (mean 77.3 +/- 5.6 years old) and had had episodes of right heart failure which responded effectively to diuretics. All 13 patients had atrial fibrillation. Using two-dimensional echocardiography, thickening (77%), prolapse (69%) and malaligned coaptation (54%) of the tricuspid valves were observed. The tricuspid annular diameters, cross-sectional areas of the right and left atria and the right ventricular end-diastolic dimensions were significantly greater than those of the age-and-gender-matched lone atrial fibrillation group and the normal control group (p less than 0.01). The left ventricular dimension and ejection fraction did not differ from those of the matched lone atrial fibrillation group. Other valvular regurgitations were also detected (AR 77%, MR 100%, PR 69%), but the degrees of regurgitation were minimal. We proposed severe TR with tricuspid annular dilatation, right atrial and right ventricular dilatation observed in the aged as a distinct cardiac disease entity.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Acute and chronic effects of a new oral inotropic agent, ibopamine hydrochloride, on hemodynamic and metabolic responses to ergometer exercise in patients with severe congestive heart failure].

The hemodynamic and metabolic effects of ibopamine, an orally active 3,4-diisobutylic ester of N-methyl-dopamine, at rest and during exercise, were evaluated in 8 patients with severe congestive heart failure, initially at 2 hrs after oral 100 mg and after 4 weeks of maintenance therapy (100 mg, 3 times a day). At rest, a single dose of ibopamine increased CI, SVI and SWI, and reduced PCWP, PAm, RA and PVR. These beneficial hemodynamic effects were maintained during supine bicycle exercise: CI and SVI increased markedly (p less than 0.05) and PCWP, PAm, RA and SVR increased at a lower extent (p less than 0.05) after ibopamine than on control conditions. After chronic therapy with the drug, LVDd and CTR decreased (p less than 0.05) and exercise tolerance time increased (p less than 0.01). HR, BPm, double product, norepinephrine, epinephrine, renin activity, aldosterone and lactate/pyruvate did not change significantly after administration of ibopamine. Clinical responses after 4 weeks of maintenance therapy were good in 4 cases and fair in 1 case. No adverse effects were observed. Therefore, ibopamine seems to have not only a positive inotropic action, but also a potent vasodilating action, leading to both afterload and preload reduction and so to be useful for the treatment of severe congestive heart failure at rest and during exercise after acute and chronic therapy with the drug.

Administration, Oral↗