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Biomedical subjects

H Ijiri

Publications and source records attributed to H Ijiri.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Successfully treated unstable angina pectoris in a young Japanese female.

A 25-year-old Japanese female complaining chest oppression and palpitation was admitted to hospital under the presumptive diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD), although no obvious underlying disease associated with IHD was detected. Coronary angiography showed stenosis at the proximal site of left anterior descending artery (LAD), with dilatation and tortuosity at the bifurcation of the first and the second septal branches. Intravascular ultrasound imaging of the LAD showed intimal thickness without calcification at the site of stenosis. The stenosis was successfully and smoothly dilated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Even with precise evaluation, the cause of the coronary artery disease in this young female patient was not clarified. Further careful follow-up is needed.

Adult↗

The inhibitory effects of carvedilol against arrhythmias induced by coronary reperfusion in anesthetized rats.

BACKGROUND: Previous study has shown the antiarrhythmic effects of carvedilol on isolated rat hearts, but little is known about the mechanism of this protective action. This article examines the inhibitory effect of carvedilol against arrhythmias induced by reperfusion in anesthetized rats. In addition, the results are compared with those with propranolol, superoxide dismutase (SOD) plus catalase, and a combination of both in order to elucidate the mechanism of the protective actions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Ninety percent of the rats in the control group showed lethal ventricular fibrillation (VF). Carvedilol at the doses of 0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 mg/kg significantly reduced the incidence of lethal VF to 0%, 0%, and 10%, respectively (P <.05). In contrast, propranolol at the doses of 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg and SOD (35,000 units/kg) plus catalase (400,000 units/kg) did not reduce the incidence of lethal VF (80%, 60%, 70%, and 70%, respectively). However, administration of a combination of propranolol (1.0 mg/kg) and SOD plus catalase completely inhibited the occurrence of lethal VF to 0% (P<.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that carvedilol has the inhibitory effect against reperfusion arrhythmias in rats and suggest that the mechanism of action of this compound is related to the combined effects of beta-blocking and antioxidant.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Effect of imidapril in dipper and nondipper hypertensive patients: comparison between morning and evening administration.

The purpose of the study was to identify differences in the patterns of efficacy and duration of effects of imidapril administered at different times of the day (morning versus evening) in dipper and nondipper hypertensive patients. Twenty patients with untreated hypertension were classified into two groups: dippers (n = 9) and nondippers (n = 11). Imidapril (10 mg) was given at 07:00 or 18:00 for 4 weeks in a crossover fashion. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored before and after morning and evening treatment every 30 min for 48h by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). In dipper hypertension, the mean 48h BP was reduced with both doses. The decrease in the diurnal BP was stronger when the drug was administered in the evening than morning, but without significant difference. In nondipper hypertension, the systolic BP decreased at night with both doses, but the extent of the nocturnal reduction in systolic BP was greater after morning therapy. There were no significant differences in the decrease in BP during the day or night between the morning and evening administrations. When imidapril was administered in the morning, its serum concentration reached a maximum at 16:00, and when the drug was administered in the evening, it reached a maximum at 6:00. In dipper hypertension, the time taken for the blood concentration of imidapril to reach a maximum changed depending on its time of administration, and the time when the maximum antihypertensive effect of the drug appeared was different. In nondipper hypertension, decreases in the BP were confirmed at night regardless of the time of administration; this might be caused by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors effectively blocking the BP from increasing by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Therefore, when assessing the effectiveness of antihypertensive agents, factors such as the various patterns of BP before therapy and administration time must be considered.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Circadian rhythm of autonomic nervous function in patients with normal-tension glaucoma compared with normal subjects using ambulatory electrocardiography.

PURPOSE: To compare circadian rhythm of autonomic nervous function in patients with normal-tension glaucoma with subjects with normal eyes. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with normal-tension glaucoma and 32 age-matched normal subjects who had no history of systemic disorders and no currently treated systemic disorders, especially diseases of the autonomic nervous system, were studied. An ambulatory electrocardiogram was installed that recorded heartbeats for 48 hours. Low-frequency and high-frequency values were calculated as markers of the autonomic nervous system status based on heart-rate variability using a power-spectrum analysis. RESULTS: The low-frequency values of patients with normal-tension glaucoma during the spans of an active day and a resting night were significantly greater than those of normal subjects, and this difference was emphasized during the night resting span. However, the high-frequency values of patients with normal-tension glaucoma were similar to those of normal subjects. The normal subjects showed a significant age-related decrease in all investigated parameters except the low-frequency values during the resting span. However, the patients with normal-tension glaucoma showed a significant age-related decrease only in low-frequency values during the active day. Patients with normal-tension glaucoma with progressive visual field defects showed much greater values than other cases, although the values were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a disturbance of the circadian rhythm of the autonomic nervous system may exist in patients with normal-tension glaucoma.

Adult↗

Improvement of exercise tolerance by single lead VDD pacemaker: evaluation using cardiopulmonary exercise test.

We used a cardiopulmonary test to assess the physiological benefit of single lead VDD pacing in ten patients (six men, four women; aged 32-84 years, mean 69 years) with atrioventricular block. Maximal symptom-limited treadmill exercise test using a ramp protocol was performed under VDD and VVIR or VVI pacing (VVI) in random sequence. The pacemaker was then programmed to the VDD mode, and Holter ECG was recorded in nine patients. Compared with findings during the VVI, the VDD mode had a greater chronotropic response (mean maximal heart rate, VDD 106 +/- 17 beats/min vs VVI 79 +/- 19 beats/min, P = 0.03), and was associated with prolongation of exercise duration (VDD 11.2 +/- 2.9 minute vs VVI 10.5 +/- 3.1 minute; P = 0.01), and the onset of anaerobic threshold at a higher oxygen uptake (VDD 12.4 +/- 3.4 mL/min per kilogram vs VVI 10.0 +/- 2.1 mL/min per kilogram; P < 0.01). Atrial sensing was recognized in almost all normal sinus P waves for all cases examined using Holter ECG. Thus, chronotropic response during exercise by VDD pacemaker improved exercise tolerance, indicating that a VDD pacemaker might be useful for patients requiring physical activity.

Adult↗

Cardiac arrhythmias and left ventricular hypertrophy in dipper and nondipper patients with essential hypertension.

To evaluate the behavior of cardiac arrhythmias in dipper and nondipper hypertensive patients, 48-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, 24-h Holter electrocardiogram recording and echocardiographic studies were performed in 56 untreated outpatients with essential hypertension. These patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence (dipper, n=33) or absence (nondipper, n=23) of reduction of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure during nighttime by an average of more than 10% of daytime blood pressure. Mean 48-h systolic and diastolic blood pressures did not differ between the 2 groups. Nondipper patients had a significantly larger left atrial dimension (31.9+/-3.8 vs 35.6+/-3.7 mm; p<0.01), left ventricular mass index (114+/-26 vs 136+/-36 g/m2; p<0.05), as well as a larger number of total supraventricular (16+/-19 vs 89+/-197 beats; p<0.05) and ventricular ectopic beats (7+/-14 vs 47+/-96 beats; p<0.05) during daytime as compared with dippers. In conclusion, nondipper hypertensive patients are likely to experience supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias more frequently than dippers. A blunted nocturnal blood pressure fall may be involved in the appearance of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with essential hypertension.

Adult↗

Successfully treated complete atrioventricular block with corticosteroid in a patient with cardiac sarcoidosis: usefulness of gallium-67 and thallium-201 scintigraphy.

A 71-year-old male with sarcoidosis was followed for 6 years without steroid therapy. He was admitted because of complete atrioventricular block. Chest X-ray showed hilar lymphadenopathy. Echocardiogram showed mild left ventricular hypertrophy without local wall thinning. Cardiac sarcoidosis was diagnosed by a defect of Thallium-201 (Tl-201) imaging and abnormal uptake of Gallium-67 (Ga-67). After the start of corticosteroid therapy, complete atrioventricular block was recovered. Abnormal uptake of Ga-67 was improved. Tl-201 and Ga-67 are useful to diagnose cardiac sarcoidosis, to evaluate the lesion of cardiac involvement and to estimate the efficacy of corticosteroid therapy.

Aged↗

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy complicated with cardiac amyloidosis.

The echocardiographic findings of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are very similar to those of cardiac amyloidosis. A 76-year-old Japanese man was admitted for treatment of early stage gastric cancer in July 1996. His electrocardiogram indicated left ventricular hypertrophy and echocardiography showed left ventricular hypertrophy with asymmetric septal hypertrophy. He was re-admitted complaining of dyspnea on effort and pretibial edema in October 1998. The amplitude of QRS complex on electrocardiogram was decreased. Echocardiogram showed left ventricular wall thickening with granular sparkling. He was diagnosed as HCM with cardiac amyloidosis.

Aged↗

Relation between QT interval dispersion and heart rate.

Because the relation between QT dispersion (QTd) and heart rate (HR) are different from that between QT interval and HR, QTd could be overadjusted at a high HR and be underadjusted at a slow HR if we use Bazett's formula to adjust QTd. HR adjustment of QTd is not needed to evaluate repolarization dispersion.

Aged↗

Antiarrhythmic effect of magnesium sulfate against occlusion-induced arrhythmias and reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in anesthetized rats.

The antiarrhythmic effect of magnesium sulfate (Mg) as well as the hemodynamics were studied using the coronary ligation and reperfusion models in rats. In the study on coronary ligation arrhythmia, i.v. administration of Mg (0.6, 2, 6, 20 and 60 micromol) was conducted at 5 min after coronary ligation. Mg had an action to decrease the total number of premature ventricular contraction (PVC), the duration of ventricular tachycardia (VT), the frequency of VT and ventricular fibrillation (Vf) and the mortality ratio for 30 min after coronary ligation. In the 6-60 micromol groups, significant antiarrhythmic action (p < 0.01 vs. control) was attained. In the study on reperfusion arrhythmia, i.v. administration of Mg (20, 60 and 200 micromol) was conducted at 4 min after coronary ligation, and at 1 min after ligation, the coronary artery was reperfused. Mg had an action to decrease the frequency of Vf, the mortality ratio and the duration of VT and Vf and to extend the interval between the initiation of reperfusion and the occurrence of VT and Vf for 10 min after reperfusion. In the 200 micromol group, significant antiarrhythmic action (p < 0.05 vs. control) was attained. Administration of Mg decreased the heart rate and blood pressure. We concluded that Mg can control myocardial ischemia-induced and reperfusion-induced arrhythmia and that sudden cardiac death which occurs as a result of arrhythmia can be prevented.

Anesthesia↗

Alterations of autonomic nervous activity in recurrence of variant angina.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether autonomic nervous activity is involved in the recurrence of spontaneous coronary spasm in variant angina. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Cardiology department of a university hospital. PATIENTS: 18 patients with variant angina were divided into single attack group (SA; nine patients) and multiple attack group (MA; nine patients) according to the frequency of ischaemic episodes with ST segment elevation during 24 hour Holter monitoring. METHODS: Heart rate variability indices were calculated using MemCalc method, which is a combination of the maximum entropy method for spectral analysis and the non-linear least squares method for fitting analysis, at 30 second intervals for 30 second periods, from 40 minutes before the attack to 30 minutes after the attack. High frequency (HF; 0.04-0.15 Hz) was defined as a marker of parasympathetic activity, and the ratio of low frequency (LF; 0.15-0.40 Hz) to high frequency (LF/HF) as an indicator of sympathetic activity. The averaged value during the 40 to 30 minute period before an attack was defined as the baseline. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, the HF component decreased in both groups at two minutes before the attack (p < 0.01), and the LF/HF ratio decreased at three minutes before the attack (p < 0.01). The baseline LF/HF was lower in the MA group than in the SA group (p < 0. 01). CONCLUSIONS: A reduction of sympathetic activity may play a key role in determining the recurrence of transient ischaemic events caused by spontaneous coronary spasm in patients with variant angina.

Aged↗

Exercise-induced uncommon atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia with sick sinus syndrome: a case report.

Exercise seldom provokes tachycardia in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). This report presents a case of exercise-induced uncommon atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with sick sinus syndrome. Treadmill exercise testing provoked AVNRT of long RP' with good reproducibility. Uncommon AVNRT was confirmed by the lack of atrial pre-excitation during PSVT and para-Hisian pacing. The patient has been successfully treated with verapamil and DDD pacing for 5 years.

Aged↗

QT dispersion in dipper- and nondipper-type hypertension.

The aim of this study was to identify the relationship of QT dispersion on 12-lead electrocardiograms and left ventricular mass index on echocardiograms associated with the circadian rhythm of blood pressure (BP). Heart rate and BP were monitored every 30 min for 48 h in 62 patients with essential hypertension using an ambulatory BP monitoring device. The patients were divided into four groups according to gender and circadian BP pattern (nocturnal BP dipper or nondipper). The patients were classified as dippers if their daytime BP decreased by at least 10% during the night and all the other subjects were classified as nondippers. Age, body mass index, and 48-h mean BP were similar among the four groups. During the night-rest period, the systolic and diastolic BP were significantly decreased in dipper-type hypertensives. The maximum QTc interval and QTc dispersion were longer in nondippers than in dippers. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) had a tendency to increase in nondippers. The nocturnal reduction of BP significantly correlated with QTc dispersion and LVMI. The QTc dispersion significantly correlated with LVMI and interventricular septum thickness.

Adult↗

Limited reproducibility of circadian variation in blood pressure dippers and nondippers.

The relation between blood pressure (BP) variation and hypertensive organ damage is controversial. The reproducibility of the circadian variation pattern acceptable as the standard for discriminating between "dippers" and "nondippers" has not yet been evaluated. We evaluated the reproducibility of "dipper" and "nondipper" patterns in essential hypertensives by monitoring BP for 48 h. Noninvasive ambulatory BP and heart rate (HR) monitoring for 48 h every 30 min were performed in 253 untreated patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension. Mean daytime (awake) and nighttime (sleeping) systolic BP, diastolic BP, and HR values were analyzed by reviewing the patients' diaries. Patients were divided into two groups by presence (dippers) and absence (nondippers) of a reduction of both systolic and diastolic BP during the night of > 10% of the daytime pressure. A subject who was a dipper on day 1 remained a dipper on day 2 in 41% (n = 103, DD group) and changed to nondipper in 16% (n = 41, DN group). A subject who was a nondipper on day 1 remained a nondipper on day 2 in 30% (n = 75, NN group) and changed to a dipper in 13% (n = 34, ND group). Our findings indicate that there is a high risk of false-positive or false-negative results when 24-h recordings are used to identify dipper and nondipper profiles.

Adult↗

Prevalence of ventricular preexcitation in Japanese schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is thought to be a congenital disease, however, its exact prevalence is not known. This may be because of the intermittent activity of accessory pathways in some cases and fluctuations in autonomic tone. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence of ventricular preexcitation by electrocardiography and reported symptoms in each school age child in Yamanashi prefecture. METHODS: From 1994 to 1996, answers to a questionnaire, results of physical examination, and electrocardiography were obtained from all schoolchildren in Yamanashi prefecture (n = 92,161; total population 880,000) on admission to elementary school (age 6 to 7 years, n = 28,395), junior high school (age 12 to 13 years, n = 31,206), and high school (age 14 to 15 years, n = 32,837). RESULTS: Elementary and junior high school students had a significantly lower prevalence of preexcitation than high school students (0.073% and 0.070% v 0.174%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of left free wall pathway was highest in high school students (n = 27) compared with elementary (n = 6) and junior high school students (n = 5) (p < 0.005). The only symptom noted in the answers to the questionnaire was palpitations. The symptomatic cases were more frequent in high school (n = 13) than in elementary (n = 1) and junior high school (n = 2) children, but not significantly. No student with preexcitation had associated heart disease or family history of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or sudden death. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of preexcitation in younger schoolchildren was less frequent than previously reported. The prevalence of preexcitation and left free wall pathways increased with age. The symptoms were few and there was no significant morbidity.

Adolescent↗

Dipyridamole thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography for prediction of perioperative cardiac events in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans undergoing vascular surgery.

The aim of the study was to determine whether or not dipyridamole thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography (201Tl-SPECT) has significant additive value for predicting perioperative cardiac events in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) undergoing vascular surgery. Routine preoperative 201Tl-SPECT was performed in 106 consecutive patients with ASO (age 68+/-8.9 years; 91 men and 15 women). The frequency of reversible defects in a clinical high-risk group (n=44) was significantly higher than in a low-risk group (n=62; 55% vs 24%, p<0.01). Perioperative cardiac events occurred in 9 patients, including 4 cardiac deaths, 1 non-fatal myocardial infarction, and 4 cases of unstable angina. Although clinical risk stratification was useful in predicting cardiac events (19% in the high-risk group vs 2% in the low-risk group, p<0.01), the positive predictive value was low. When considering a combination of 2 or more than 2 risk factors and a large reversible defect as a predictor, the positive predictive value and specificity increased from 19% to 47% and from 64% to 91%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity remained unchanged (89%). These results suggest that the addition of 201Tl-SPECT data to clinical risk-stratified patients with ASO allows better prediction of perioperative cardiac events.

Adult↗