Effectiveness of remdesivir for hospitalized COVID-19 patients depending on the severity of respiratory status: a multicenter retrospective study in Japan.

Background: Remdesivir, an antiviral nucleotide analog prodrug, is approved for clinical use against COVID-19 worldwide. However, its effectiveness varies depending on the respiratory failure status of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of remdesivir treatment based on the severity of respiratory failure, as indicated by the oxygen demand upon hospital admission.

Time series differences in coagulopathy in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 and bacterial pneumonia patients: a nationwide observational study in Japan.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection causes systemic immune overresponse (cytokine storm), which can lead to microthrombi and dysfunction of coagulation such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) of sepsis. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) coagulopathy is known to occur mainly in the pulmonary microcirculation. We aimed to investigate hematological differences in coagulopathy between COVID-19 pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia.

Intravascular Imaging and Pathological Features of Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in Atherosclerotic Porcine Peripheral Arteries.

Aims: The safety and efficacy of drug-coated balloon angioplasty (DCBA), compared to plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) for peripheral artery in-stent restenosis (ISR), have been examined in clinical trials. However, little is known about the pathological response after DCBA for ISR. We compared the intravascular imaging findings and tissue responses of in-stent neointima in iliac arteries after DCBA and POBA using atherosclerotic porcine peripheral arteries.

Prevalence and Associations of Epiretinal Membrane by OCT in a Japanese Population-Based Cohort: Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization Eye Study.

Purpose: To examine the prevalence of epiretinal membrane (ERM) according to the OCT-based severity scales, and to describe associations focusing on the impact of smoking and axial length of the globe.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Participants: The baseline examination cohort comprised participants from the Tohoku Medical Megabank community cohort recruited from 2013 to 2017.

Early lymphopenia as a predictor of COVID-19 outcomes: A multicenter cohort study.

Introduction: Lymphopenia is recognized as a biomarker for predicting outcomes in coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the optimal timing for its observation remains uncertain. We investigated the association between early lymphopenia and COVID-19 prognosis, as well as the relationship between lymphocyte count trends and disease outcomes.

Safety and efficacy of edoxaban monotherapy after bioabsorbable polymer everolimus-eluting stent implantation in a human-like coronary atherosclerotic porcine model.

Background: The combination of antiplatelet and antithrombotic drugs increases the risk of bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation after coronary drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. However, the appropriateness of direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) monotherapy at the time of stent implantation remains uncertain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DOAC monotherapy, specifically using factor Xa inhibitors such as edoxaban, in a low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDL-R) miniature pig model of human-like unstable coronary plaques compared to conventional dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).

Fungal infection-related conditions and outcomes in severe COVID-19: a nationwide case-control study.

Background: Fungal infections are significant complications of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although various risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19 have been identified, clinical and treatment factors associated with fungal infections in patients with severe COVID-19 remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate clinical factors associated with fungal infections during severe COVID-19 treatment.

Randomized Trial for Evaluation in Secondary Prevention Efficacy of Combination Therapy-Statin and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (RESPECT-EPA).

Background: Low plasma levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are associated with cardiovascular events. This trial aimed to assess the clinical benefits of icosapent ethyl in patients with coronary artery disease, a low EPA/arachidonic acid (AA) ratio, and statin treatment.

Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded end-point study, patients with stable coronary artery disease and a low EPA/AA ratio (<0.

Endoscopic view of the vertebra during laser balloon ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Key Clinical Message: Left atrial posterior wall on the vertebra is often difficult to obtain stable tissue contact with ablation-catheter. Laser balloon ablation is effective because the compression from the vertebra can be visualized through endoscopy.

Abstract: When performing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with radiofrequency, left atrial posterior wall on the vertebra is often difficult to obtain stable tissue contact with ablation-catheter because of the movement of the ablation point.

Clinical outcomes and anticoagulation therapy in elderly non-valvular atrial fibrillation and heart failure patients.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) often coexist. Older age is strongly associated with stroke, HF, and mortality. The association between coexistence of HF and a risk of clinical outcomes and the effectiveness of anticoagulation therapy including direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in elderly patients with AF and HF have not been investigated.

Therapeutic interventions and the length of hospital stay for pediatric patients with COVID-19: a multicenter cohort study.

The evidence for pediatric patients with COVID-19 was very limited, which was attributed to the small number of the cases as well as the rare incidence of severe pneumonia in this population. This retrospective cohort study aimed to identify the characteristics of pediatric patients with COVID-19 in the early period of the pandemic by analyzing Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) data in Japan. This retrospective cohort analysis of Japanese multicenter research on COVID-19 using DPC data compared the outcomes and costs of treatment for pediatric patients with COVID-19.

Outcomes of Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation With Percutaneous Left Ventricular Unloading in Fulminant Myocarditis.

Fulminant myocarditis requiring peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has a high mortality rate. We investigated clinical outcomes of combined use of VA-ECMO and percutaneous left ventricular assist device (VAD) (Impella) for fulminant myocarditis in 104 consecutive patients enrolled in the Japan Registry for Percutaneous VAD (J-pVAD) between October 2017 and January 2020. Patients were followed until hospital discharge and predictors of survival were analyzed with a Cox proportional hazards model.

Associated organs and system with COVID-19 death with information of organ support: a multicenter observational study.

Background: The organ dysfunction that is associated with death in COVID-19 patients has not been determined in multicenter epidemiologic studies. In this study, we evaluated the major association with death, concomitant organ dysfunction, and proportion of multiple organ failure in deaths in patients with COVID-19, along with information on organ support.

Methods: We performed an observational cohort study using the Japanese multicenter research of COVID-19 by assembling a real-world data (J-RECOVER) study database.

Thrombocytopenia as a Bleeding Risk Factor in Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Artery Disease: Insights From the AFIRE Study.

Background Thrombocytopenia poses a risk of bleeding in patients with chronic coronary syndrome after coronary intervention. However, whether thrombocytopenia also increases the bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic coronary syndrome remains unclear. Methods and Results This study evaluated the AFIRE (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease) trial.