Association of Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease With Clinical Outcomes of Durvalumab and Tremelimumab in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: A Multicenter Study.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the association between the efficacy of durvalumab plus tremelimumab (Dur/Tre) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: A total of 239 patients with HCC who received Dur/Tre between March 2023 and October 2024 at multiple institutions in Japan were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into three groups based on underlying liver disease: viral-related HCC (n = 126), MASLD-related HCC (n = 30), and nonviral, non-MASLD HCC (n = 83).

The Endovascular Therapy Using Excimer Laser Atherectomy for Complex Femoropopliteal In-Stent Restenosis Lesions.

Purpose: The guidelines recommend excimer laser atherectomy (ELA) for in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesions in femoropopliteal arteries. However, its efficacy is still unknown in ISR related to scaffolds other than bare-metal stent (BMS). This study aimed to evaluate the 1-year clinical outcomes in patients with femoropopliteal ISR lesions treated with endovascular therapy (EVT) using ELA.

Impact of Prior Heart Failure Hospitalization on Long-Term Cardiac Mortality in ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction Patients.

Heart failure is associated with poor outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). While heart failure following STEMI has been extensively studied, the role of a prior history of heart failure hospitalization (HFH) as a specific risk factor for long-term outcomes in patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been fully explored.Consecutive 1,544 patients (median age, 69 [60-78] years; male, 75.

Drug-Eluting Stent and Drug-Coated Balloon Compared to Full-Covered Drug-Eluting Stent for Femoropopliteal Lesions: CENTAUR Study.

Background: Several studies have documented positive clinical outcomes associated with drug-containing devices, such as drug-eluting stents (DES) and drug-coated balloons (DCB), for femoropopliteal artery (FPA) lesions. Endovascular therapy (EVT) using drug-containing devices is the primary strategy, even for complex FP lesions. However, little is known about the clinical outcomes of the hybrid of DES and DCB therapies.

Detection of Age-Related Pelvic Floor Fragility in Female Patients Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Introduction And Hypothesis: As aging societies become increasingly widespread worldwide, the prevalence of pelvic floor (PF) disorders is also increasing, particularly among older women. We hypothesized that PF fragility associated with aging could be detected by examining its configurations and the condition of the levator ani muscle. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to establish a method for detecting age-related PF fragilities by analyzing PF configuration and levator ani muscle thickness using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Scaffold Versus Repeat Drug-Coated Balloon Therapy for Early and Late Drug-Coated Balloon Restenosis in Femoropopliteal Arteries: Results of the RECURRENCE-2 Study.

Background: The current study aimed to investigate whether scaffolds or repeat drug-coated balloons (DCBs) were more effective in preventing recurrent restenosis after repeat endovascular therapy (EVT) for early (within 12 months) and late (after 12 months) DCB restenosis.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 234 limbs from 213 consecutive patients who underwent repeat EVT using scaffold (n = 52) or DCB only (n = 182) for primary DCB restenosis in femoropopliteal lesions at eight cardiovascular centers across Japan. Repeat EVT for early and late DCB restenosis was performed in 123 and 111 limbs, respectively.

One-year Clinical Outcomes and Predictors of Distal Embolization After JETSTREAM™ Atherectomy for Calcified Femoropopliteal Artery Lesions: Results From the JET-FORWARD Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify predictors of distal embolization following JETSTREAM™ atherectomy for calcified femoropopliteal lesions and evaluate 1-year clinical outcomes in a real-world setting.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed data from 109 patients with 121 calcified femoropopliteal lesions who underwent JETSTREAM™ atherectomy therapy between October 2022 and December 2023 as part of the JET-FORWARD study, a retrospective, single-arm, multicenter study. Distal embolization incidence and risk factors were the primary focus, while 1-year primary patency served as efficacy outcome measures.

Comparison of Stent Strategy and Drug-Coated Balloon After JETSTREAM for Severely Calcified Femoropopliteal Artery Disease (CORVUS Study).

Background: This study compared procedural complications, patency, and adverse events between a stent strategy and drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment after using the JETSTREAM atherectomy device for severely calcified femoropopliteal (FP) lesions.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed multicenter data from 588 patients who underwent endovascular therapy for severely calcified de novo FP lesions between April 2018 and December 2023 at 8 centers in Japan. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on the revascularization method: stent strategy and DCB after JETSTREAM atherectomy.

Early Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation is Associated With Lower Recurrence Rates and Improved Prognosis in Patients With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.

Introduction: Left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (LVRR) following catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AFCA) has not been fully elucidated. This study investigated the clinical impact of early LVRR after AFCA on prognosis in patients with LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD).

Methods: Of 1,989 consecutive patients undergoing first-time AFCA, 302 patients with a baseline LV ejection fraction < 50% were included.

Antitumor effects and immune-mediated adverse events of durvalumab plus tremelimumab treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: Durvalumab plus tremelimumab (Dur/Tre) is a first-line systemic treatment option for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, the management of severe immune-mediated adverse events (imAEs) is challenging. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between severe imAEs and antitumor responses in patients with uHCC treated with Dur/Tre.

Super-resolution deep learning reconstruction to evaluate lumbar spinal stenosis status on magnetic resonance myelography.

Purpose: To investigate whether super-resolution deep learning reconstruction (SR-DLR) of MR myelography-aided evaluations of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective study, lumbar MR myelography of 40 patients (16 males and 24 females; mean age, 59.4 ± 31.

Impact of size-dependent differences in excimer laser coronary angioplasty in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction: nuclear scintigraphy findings.

Introduction: Excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) employs catheters of various sizes. Although the crossability and irradiation time are better with the use of smaller-diameter catheters, the available irradiation area is greater when larger-diameter catheters are used.

Aim: To investigate the effects of laser catheter size on myocardial function and salvage in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), as assessed using nuclear scintigraphy data.

Impact of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy on 2-Year Mortality in Japanese Patients Undergoing Endovascular Therapy for Femoropopliteal Lesions - Results of the Multicenter GEMINI-FP Study.

Background: The effect of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) on mid-term mortality in Asian patients, including Japanese patients, who have undergone endovascular therapy (EVT) for lower extremity artery disease remains still unclear. This study evaluated the effects of GDMT, defined as the combined prescription of antiplatelet agents, statins, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, on 2-year mortality in Japanese patients undergoing EVT for femoropopliteal (FP) lesions.

Methods And Results: In this multicenter retrospective study, 1,756 registered patients were divided into 2 groups: those who received all 3 medications that comprised GDMT (full GDMT group) and those who received ≤2 medications (non-GDMT group).

Patterns and Timings of Recurrence After Fluoropolymer-Coated Drug-Eluting Stent Use for Femoropopliteal Artery Diseases - Results of the PLANET Study.

Background: Fluoropolymer-coated drug-eluting stents (FP-DESs) are widely used to treat femoropopliteal artery (FPA) disease. However, data on the pattern and timing of recurrence after FP-DES implantation are limited. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap.

Recurrence patterns and clinical outcomes following paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty in femoropopliteal artery disease: Results of the CRESCENT study.

Background: Paclitaxel-coated balloons (PCBs) are widely used for femoropopliteal artery (FPA) diseases. However, data on recurrence and recurrence patterns after PCB angioplasty are limited. This study investigated the association between recurrence patterns, baseline characteristics, and clinical outcomes in the cases following PCB angioplasty.

Usefulness of Repeated Lusutrombopag Administration in Clinical Practice and its Correlation with the Simulation Software-Predicted Platelet Count: A Multicenter Study.

Objective Lusutrombopag is recommended for severe thrombocytopenia (<5.0×10/μL) in patients with chronic liver disease who are scheduled to undergo invasive procedures. However, reports on the efficacy of repeated lusutrombopag dosing are scarce.

Effects of statin therapy in patients treated with drug-eluting and drug-coated stents for femoropopliteal lesions.

Objective: The effects of statins on drug-eluting and drug-coated stents for femoropopliteal lesions are not well known. Therefore, this multicenter retrospective study evaluated the impact of statins on the patency of drug-eluting and drug-coated stents.

Methods: Between January 2018 and December 2021, a total of 449 patients were treated with drug-eluting and drug-coated stents at eight cardiovascular centers in Japan (LEADers femoropopliteal lesion registry).

Comparing the Clinical Performance of High-Dose and Low-Dose Drug-Coated Balloons for Long Femoropopliteal Artery Disease: Results of the SATELLITE Study.

Background: Previous studies have shown comparable outcomes between first-generation high-dose drug-coated balloon (HD-DCB) and second-generation low-dose drug-coated balloon (LD-DCB) for femoropopliteal artery disease. However, data about the clinical performances of these DCBs for longer lesions in real-world clinical settings are limited.

Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective study, the clinical performances of the HD-DCB (IN.

Outcomes of contemporary stents with deep femoral artery coverage.

Introduction: We aimed to investigate deep femoral artery (DFA) status during endovascular treatment (EVT) and the patency of the femoropopliteal (FP) artery and DFA using current stent devices for ostial FP lesions.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective study analyzed data from 457 patients who underwent EVT with stent deployment for de novo ostial FP lesions between April 2018 and December 2021 at eight centers in Japan. Propensity score-matched analysis was performed to compare the clinical impacts of DFA coverage for ostial FP lesions with stent deployment.

A rare, asymptomatic case of an extrahepatic portocaval shunt between the posterior aspect of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava.

Purpose: We present the case of a rare extrahepatic portocaval shunt that resulted in communication of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava (IVC) at the level between two right renal veins that was incidentally diagnosed with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in an asymptomatic patient.

Methods: A woman in her sixties with abdominal pain and diarrhea of unclear origin underwent exploratory abdominal CECT.

Results: The CECT incidentally revealed an extrahepatic portocaval shunt, whereby a vessel arising from the portal vein superior to the confluence of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins drained into the posterior aspect of the IVC between two right renal veins.

Comparative Outcomes of Supera Interwoven Nitinol Versus Eluvia Fluoropolymer-Based Drug-Eluting Stents for the Treatment of Severely Calcified Femoropopliteal Artery Lesions: Results of the ELDORADO Study.

Background: Supera interwoven nitinol stents (IWNS) and Eluvia fluoropolymer-based drug-eluting stents (DES) were designed to improve the patency of the femoropopliteal (FP) artery; however, which type of stent yields superior outcomes in calcified FP lesions remains unclear.

Aims: To compare the safety and efficacy of Supera IWNS and Eluvia DES in severely calcified FP lesions.

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 257 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular therapy using either IWNS (n = 123) or DES (n = 134) for FP lesions with peripheral arterial calcium scoring system (PACSS) grade 3 or 4 severe calcification between April 2018 and December 2021 at eight cardiovascular centers in Japan.

Late-onset disseminated BCG infection with hepatosplenomegaly after intravesical BCG immunotherapy in a non-immunocompromised patient.

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy for bladder cancer rarely leads to disseminated BCG infections, most of which occur early after BCG instillations or in immunocompromised patients. We report late-onset disseminated BCG infection after intravesical BCG immunotherapy in a non-immunocompromised patient. A 78-year-old non-immunocompromised man was admitted with fever and hepatosplenomegaly.

Comparison of Single Antiplatelet Therapy and Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Endovascular Therapy in Patients with Lower Extremity Artery Disease.

Evidence for antithrombotic therapy after endovascular therapy (EVT) is limited. This retrospective, multicenter, observational study enrolled 732 consecutive patients with lower extremity artery disease who underwent EVT between January 2018 and December 2019. Overall, 570 patients who received single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) were selected and divided into the SAPT (n = 189) and DAPT (n = 381) groups.

Prognostic Factors Associated with 2-year Mortality in Patients with Intermittent Claudication Treated with Endovascular Therapy for Femoropopliteal Lesions: Results from the Multicenter PROCYON Study.

Aim: Few studies have evaluated the midterm prognosis of patients with intermittent claudication who underwent endovascular therapy (EVT) for femoropopliteal lesions. Therefore, we aimed to assess 2-year mortality and prognostic factors in these patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 947 patients who underwent EVT for intermittent claudication between January 2018 and December 2021 at eight Japanese cardiovascular centers.

Impact of Below-the-Knee Runoff in Patients With Lower Extremity Artery Disease Who Underwent Endovascular Therapy Using Drug-Coated Balloons in Femoropopliteal Lesions.

Background: The impact of below-the-knee (BK) runoff after drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment in femoropopliteal (FP) lesions has not been well investigated.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter observational study enrolled 291 consecutive patients with lower extremity artery disease who underwent endovascular therapy with DCBs for FP lesions between January 2018 and December 2021. Patients were classified into four groups based on the BK runoff.