Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. However, current evidence regarding the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of community intervention and health promotion programs for NCDs, specifically hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, in East and Southeast Asia has not yet been systematically reviewed. We systematically reviewed the literature from East and Southeast Asian countries to answer 2 clinical questions: (1) do health promotion programs for hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia reduce cardiovascular events and mortality; and (2) are these programs cost-effective?

Methods and Results: Electronic literature searches were performed across Medline, Cochrane Library, and Ichushi using key words and relevant subject headings related to randomized controlled trials, comparative studies, quasi-experimental studies, or propensity score matching that met eligibility criteria that were defined for each question. In all, 3,389 records were identified, of which 12 full-text articles were reviewed. Three papers were from Japan, 7 were from China/Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and 2 were from South Korea. None were from Southeast Asia. Four papers examined the effect of community intervention or health promotion on the incidence of cardiovascular events or mortality. Eight studies examined the cost-effectiveness of interventions.

Conclusions: The literature review revealed that community intervention and health promotion programs for the control of NCDs are a cost-effective means of reducing cardiovascular events and mortality in East Asian countries.

Background: We explored the histologic patterns of and age-related changes in atrial and ventricular myocardial contiguity at the left and right atrioventricular (AV) junction that could be a target site for catheter ablation.

Methods and Results: Twenty-three structurally normal adult hearts obtained at autopsy were studied. The 2 AV annuli were divided into 13 clinically recognized portions in which we measured distance between the atrial and ventricular myocardium at the AV junction. Overall, measured distance was less on the right than left side (mean [±SD] 0.74±0.59 vs. 1.15±0.78 mm, respectively), and distance increased gradually with age. The gap was smallest at the anterolateral portion on the right side and posterolateral portion on the left side. Three specific features were noted, namely extension of the ventricular myocardium (coarse trabeculae) towards the atrium on the right side of the AV junction, extension of the atrial myocardium onto the AV valve leaflets, and a collection of small myocardial cells, perhaps including specialized cells, in the right anterolateral portion. No concealed AV muscular connections were found.

Conclusions: Contiguity and separation of the myocardium at the AV junction have specific patterns, and myocardial proximity is influenced by age. These histologic features of the AV junction may prove to be informative for catheter ablation of tachyarrhythmias related to the AV junction.

Background: Diffuse gallbladder (GB) wall thickening is caused by elevated systemic venous pressure, such as heart failure (HF). This study investigated the relationship between GB wall thickness (WT) and HF, and the prognostic impact of GBWT.

Methods and Results: This prospective study included 116 patients with HF and 11 healthy controls. Among the 116 patients, 30 with GBWT measurements in the postprandial state or a history and/or signs of GB disease were excluded. The remaining 86 patients had significantly higher GBWT than the controls (median [interquartile range {IQR}] 2.0 [1.7–2.4] vs. 1.3 [1.1–1.6] mm, respectively; P<0.001). GBWT was significantly correlated with B-type natriuretic peptide (r=0.386, P<0.001), left atrial volume index (r=0.452, P<0.001), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (r=−0.311, P=0.006). GBWT also exhibited a stepwise increasing relationship with increasing HF stage (Stage B, 22 patients, median [IQR] 1.8 [1.7–2.1] mm; Stage C, 60 patients, 2.0 [1.8–2.5] mm; and Stage D, 4 patients: 4.0 [3.5–4.5] mm). In Stage C or D HF patients, 11 hospitalizations for HF were observed over a median follow-up of 303 days (IQR 125–394 days). Furthermore, the rate of hospitalization events for HF was significantly higher in the high (≥3 mm) than low GBWT group (P=0.007).

Conclusions: GBWT can be used to assess organ congestion in patients with HF.

Background: Identifying risk factors for cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is essential for the early detection and prompt initiation of medial therapy for CTRCD. No study has investigated whether the sigmoid septum is a risk factor for anthracycline-induced CTRCD.

Methods and Results: We enrolled 167 patients with malignant lymphoma who received a CHOP-like regimen from January 2008 to December 2017 and underwent both baseline and follow-up echocardiography. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤50% were excluded. CTRCD was defined as a ≥10% decline in LVEF and LVEF <50% after chemotherapy. The angle between the anterior wall of the aorta and the ventricular septal surface (ASA) was measured to quantify the sigmoid septum. CTRCD was observed in 36 patients (22%). Mean LVEF and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were lower, left ventricular mass index was higher, and ASA was smaller in patients with CTRCD. In a multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, GLS (hazard ratio [HR] per 1% decrease 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.35) and ASA (HR per 1° increase 0.97; 95% CI 0.95–0.99) were identified as independent determinants of CTRCD. An integrated discrimination improvement evaluation confirmed the significant incremental value of ASA for developing CTRCD.

Conclusions: Smaller ASA was an independent risk factor and had significant incremental value for CTRCD in patients with malignant lymphoma who received the CHOP-like regimen.