Background: Whether drug therapy slows the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in the Japanese population remains unknown.

Methods and Results: In a multicenter prospective open-label study, patients with AAA at the presurgical stage (mean [±SD] AAA diameter 3.27±0.58 cm) were randomly assigned to treatment with candesartan (CAN; n=67) or amlodipine (AML; n=64) considering confounding factors (statin use, smoking, age, sex, renal function), with effects of blood pressure control minimized setting a target control level. The primary endpoint was percentage change in AAA diameter over 24 months. Secondary endpoints were changes in circulating biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], malondialdehyde–low-density lipoprotein, tissue-specific inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, matrix metalloproteinase [MMP] 2, MMP9, transforming growth factor-β1, plasma renin activity [PRA], angiotensin II, aldosterone). At 24 months, percentage changes in AAA diameter were comparable between the CAN and AML groups (8.4% [95% CI 6.23–10.59%] and 6.5% [95% CI 3.65–9.43%], respectively; P=0.23]. In subanalyses, AML attenuated AAA growth in patients with comorbid chronic kidney disease (CKD; P=0.04) or systolic blood pressure (SBP) <130 mmHg (P=0.003). AML exhibited a definite trend for slowing AAA growth exclusively in never-smokers (P=0.06). Among circulating surrogate candidates for AAA growth, PRA (P=0.02) and hs-CRP (P=0.001) were lower in the AML group.

Conclusions: AML may prevent AAA growth in patients with CKD or lower SBP, associated with a decline in PRA and circulating hs-CRP.

Background: There is a strong demand for remote monitoring systems to gather health data. This study investigated the safety, usefulness, and patient satisfaction in outpatient care using telehealth with real-time electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring after catheter ablation.

Methods and Results: In all, 38 patients who underwent catheter ablation were followed up using telehealth. At the 3- and 6-month follow-up, a self-fitted Duranta ECG monitoring device was sent to the patient’s home before the online consultation. Patients attached the devices themselves, and the doctors viewed the patients by video chat and performed real-time ECG monitoring. The frequency of hospital visits and the ECG monitoring duration were compared with conventional in-person follow-up data (n=102). The completion rate for telehealth follow-up was 32 of 38 patients (84%). The number of hospital visits during the 6 months was significantly lower with telehealth follow-up than with conventional follow-up (median [interquartile range] 1 [1–1] vs. 5 [3–5]; P<0.0001). However, the ECG monitoring duration was approximately 4-fold longer for the telehealth follow-up (median [interquartile range] 89 [64–117] vs. 24 [0.1–24] h; P<0.0001). No major adverse events were observed during the telehealth follow-up. Patient surveys showed high satisfaction with telehealth follow-up due to reduced hospital visits.

Conclusions: A combination of telehealth follow-up with real-time ECG monitoring increased the ECG monitoring duration and patient satisfaction without any adverse events.

Background: Although accurate assessment of right ventricular (RV) morphology and function is clinically important, data regarding reference values for echocardiographic measurements of the right ventricle in the Japanese population are limited.

Methods and Results: The World Alliance Society of Echocardiography (WASE) Normal Values Study was conducted to examine normal echocardiographic values in 15 countries. Using the WASE study database, we analyzed 2-dimensional echocardiographic parameters of RV size and systolic function in 192 healthy Japanese individuals and compared them with those obtained from 153 healthy American individuals. In the Japanese population, the absolute values of RV dimensions were smaller for women than men, although the difference disappeared after the data were adjusted for body surface area. RV dimensions, RV length and RV area were smaller in the elderly, but age did not affect RV systolic function. The absolute value, but not the adjusted value, of RV size tended to be smaller in Japanese than American individuals for both sexes. For men, RV systolic function parameters were lower in the Japanese population. This trend was not seen in women.

Conclusions: The present study identified normal reference values for RV size and systolic function in a healthy Japanese population. Sex, age, and race had a significant impact on RV size; however, this trend was weak for RV systolic function.

Background: The number of octo- and nonagenarians admitted to cardiac care units (CCUs) has been increasing in the context of an aging society; however, clinical details and outcomes for these patients are scarce.

Methods and Results: Data from 2,242 consecutive patients admitted to the CCU between 2019 and 2021 (age <80 years, 1,390 [62%]; octogenarians, 655 [29%]; nonagenarians, 197 [8.7%]) were reviewed using the in-hospital database for the Tokyo CCU Network. The primary cause of admission was acute coronary syndrome in younger patients and octogenarians (58% and 49%, respectively) and acute heart failure (AHF) in nonagenarians (42%). The proportions of females, underweight, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, stroke, previous heart failure, anemia, and malnutrition were higher among octo- and nonagenarians than among younger patients. In-hospital and 1-year mortality rates were greater in octo- and nonagenarians (younger vs. octogenarian vs. nonagenarian, 2.0% vs. 3.8% vs. 5.6% and 4.1% vs. 11.9% vs. 19.0%, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that 1-year mortality was associated with octo-/nonagenarian status (odds ratio [OR] 2.24 and 2.64), AHF (OR 2.88), body mass index (OR per 1-kg/m²0.91), and albumin concentration (OR per 1-g/dL 0.27).

Conclusions: Approximately 40% of patients admitted to the CCU were octo- or nonagenarians, and being an octo- or nonagenarian, having AHF, a lower body mass index, and lower albumin concentrations were associated with 1-year mortality after CCU admission.