Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia associated with cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Diastolic dysfunction and atrial lesions have been reported in patients with AF fibrillation. We aimed to evaluate the diastolic function and atrial lesions in patients with CA and AF.

Methods and Results: We included 27 patients (mean age 72 years) with biopsy-confirmed CA. We analyzed the average E/e′ as diastolic function using echocardiography and atrial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) as an atrial lesion using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). We compared these parameters among 20 patients with sinus rhythm (SR) and 7 with AF. Echocardiography examination showed that average E/e′ were larger in the AF group than in the SR group (average E/e′: AF, 21.3 [14.5–30.3]; SR, 14.2 [10.3–16.9]; P=0.0053). CMRI demonstrated that atrial LGE was more severe in the AF group than in the SR group (AF, 7/7 [100%]; SR, 11/21 [52.4%]; P=0.00228). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that average E/e′ demonstrated significant association with AF in all patients (odds ratio 1.24; [95% confidence interval 1.03–1.51]; P=0.0251).

Conclusions: AF may be associated with atrial lesions and diastolic dysfunction in patients with CA.

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the association between physical activity before the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and clinical outcomes in cancer survivors.

Methods and Results: We analyzed 904 cancer survivors (median age [interquartile range] 75 [68–80] years; 297 [32.9%] patients were female) who required hospitalization for treatment of CVD. The amount of physical activity 1 month before the admission was assessed using the 3-question (3Q) assessment tool, and categorized as minimal, low, adequate, and high according to physical activity level. The primary outcome was the composite events of all-cause death and/or rehospitalization for CVD up to 1 year after discharge. The total amount of physical activity was identified in 544 (60.2%) patients in the minimal group, 95 (10.5%) in the low group, 253 (28.0%) in the adequate group, and 12 (1.3%) in the high group. A total of 686 (75.9%) patients completed follow up, with 252 (27.9%) composite events occurring. Even after adjustment for various confounders, higher physical activity was significantly associated with a lower composite event rate (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.859 [0.833–0.900]).

Conclusions: High physical activity in cancer survivors was associated with a lower composite event rate after treatment for CVD. Assessment of prehospital physical activity using the 3Q score may be useful in their risk stratification.

Background: The Nagasaki Acute Myocardial Infarction Secondary Prevention Clinical Pathway (NASP) is a regional pathway that aims to standardize practices related to the treatment of acute myocardial infarction in order to improve patient prognoses. This study aimed to understand physician backgrounds and concerns regarding implementation of the NASP.

Methods and Results: This exploratory sequential mixed-methods study was developed around the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework. Following focus group interviews, the web-based, self-administered questionnaire survey with a cross-sectional study design was given to 62 physicians who practiced at acute care hospitals (ACHs), primary care hospitals (PCHs), or outpatient clinics (OCs) in the Nagasaki prefecture. Hayashi’s quantitative theory type II analysis was used to assess the quantitative relationship between physician characteristics and their concerns. In addition, physicians were clustered based on the types of concerns they had. Our results demonstrated that specialists in cardiovascular disease held more concerns regarding implementation of the NASP. Furthermore, workload burden was found to be the most common concern among these physicians. Cooperation between physicians at ACHs and physicians at PCHs/OCs was also found to be vital for the NASP.

Conclusions: Interventions such as modifications to the NASP operation may assist in alleviating concerns regarding the NASP and allow for the development of tailored interventions and effective expansion of the pathway.

Background: This study aimed to determine whether spectral imaging with dual-energy computed tomography (CT) can improve diagnostic performance for coronary plaque characterization.

Methods and Results: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 30 patients with coronary plaques, using coronary CT angiography (dual-layer CT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies. Based on IVUS findings, patients were diagnosed with either vulnerable or stable plaques. We computed 7 histogram parameters for plaque CT numbers in 120 kVp images and virtual monochromatic images ranging from 40 to 140 keV at 5-keV intervals. A predictive model was developed using histogram data of optimal energy, plaque volume or stenosis, and a combination of both. The model’s performance was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) using 5-fold cross-validation. Peak diagnostic performances for each histogram parameter were observed at various energy levels (40–110 keV) in the univariate logistic regression model. The histogram model demonstrated optimal diagnostic performance at 65 keV, with an AUC of 0.81. The combined model, incorporating histogram data and plaque volume, achieved an AUC of 0.85, which was similar to the performance of qualitative CT characteristics (AUC=0.88; P=0.70).

Conclusions: Spectral imaging with dual-energy CT can enhance the diagnostic performance of machine learning using CT histograms for coronary plaque characterization.

Background: We investigated whether patients with diabetes who had good control of both low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) would be associated with better long-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods and Results: Using our PCI registry (Fu-Registry), the 1,006 cases with diabetes were divided into 4 groups: Group 1, LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL and TG ≥175 mg/dL; Group 2, LDL-C <100 mg/dL and TG ≥175 mg/dL; Group 3, LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL and TG <175 mg/dL; and Group 4, LDL-C <100 mg/dL and TG <175 mg/dL. The primary endpoint during the follow-up period (median follow up of 1,984 days) was defined as major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Additionally, all coronary events were defined as a secondary endpoint. The incidence rates of MACEs were as follows: Group 1, 38%; Group 2, 26%; Group 3, 31%; and Group 4, 27% (P=0.074), and the rates tended to be higher in Group 1. All coronary events were as follows: Group 1, 66%; Group 2, 56%; Group 3, 58%; and Group 4, 51% (P=0.032).

Conclusions: In patients with diabetes who underwent PCI, the LDL-C and TG levels in Group 4 met secondary prevention targets for coronary artery disease and these patients showed better long-term clinical outcomes compared with those in other groups.

Background: Exercise training based on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) improves outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), while nutritional status is also crucial. This study evaluated CPET implementation and the impacts of clinical parameters, including CPET and nutritional status, on 2-year outcomes in ACS patients.

Methods and Results: Data from 2,621 ACS patients enrolled in the Mie ACS registry were analyzed. Of these, 938 were hospitalized in CPET-equipped facilities, while 1,683 were not. Nutritional status was assessed using controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score. Cox regression analysis evaluated the associations between nutritional status, CPET-based exercise education, and 2-year prognosis. Among the 938 patients in CPET facilities, 359 underwent CPET and received exercise education. During the 2-year follow up, 60 all-cause deaths occurred. Univariate Cox regression revealed that CPET implementation was associated with lower all-cause mortality. Other predictors included hemoglobin levels, age, hospitalization length, Killip class ≥2, mechanical support, and malnutrition. In multivariate Cox regression, CPET implementation remained an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio 0.47; P=0.04). However, when nutritional status was included, moderate to severe malnutrition emerged as an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 2.47; P=0.02), diminishing the significance of CPET (P=0.058).

Conclusions: Moderate to severe malnutrition is a powerful independent prognostic factor for mortality in the Mie ACS registry. CPET implementation may enhance survival in ACS patients.

Background: Sustainability of the 24/7 acute coronary syndrome response system is at risk due to the Work Style Reform for physicians.

Methods and Results: A survey of 93 facilities in Chugoku-Shikoku region found that 30% of facilities expected acute coronary syndrome services to be restricted due to the Work Style Reform. Approximately 35% had implemented task shifting, which reduced physicians’ workload by 30% and improved team care.

Conclusions: Task shifting improved the working environment. However, various barriers to implementation were also identified. Further investigation is needed to achieve a balance between the Work Style Reform and sustainability of the acute coronary syndrome response system.