Background: Remimazolam is an ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine that maintains stable hemodynamics during anesthesia. However, few reports have focused on hemodynamic stability and opioid use during cardiac surgery with remimazolam. We hypothesized that administration of remimazolam for induction and maintenance of anesthesia for transcatheter aortic valve implantation would maintain hemodynamics as effectively as conventional anesthetics and allow use of an appropriate dose of opioids. We compared intraoperative hemodynamics and opioid use in patients with severe aortic stenosis who received remimazolam or conventional anesthetics. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data for patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation from October 2022 to September 2023. The 23 patients were divided into two groups: a remimazolam group and midazolam + sevoflurane group. The primary outcome was intraoperative blood pressure. The secondary outcomes were the doses of vasoconstrictors, vasodilators, and opioids used. Results: There was no significant difference in any patient characteristic or intraoperative blood pressure between the two groups (before anesthesia: 92.0 [87.0-99.8] vs. 91.0 [86.0-107.0] mm Hg, P=0.935; 1 minute after induction of anesthesia: 91.0 [83.0-98.5] vs. 90.0 [86.3-95.3] mm Hg, P=0.843; at the start of surgery: 77.0 [70.0-79.0] vs. 82.5 [75.5-105.5] mm Hg, P=0.072; at the end of surgery: 74.0 [71.0-78.0] vs. 82.5 [75.5-90.8] mm Hg, P=0.082). The maximum rate of remifentanil administration was significantly higher in the remimazolam group (0.10 [0.10-0.20] vs. 0.10 [0.013-0.10] μg/kg/min, P=0.012). Conclusions: Remimazolam maintained hemodynamics as effectively as midazolam + sevoflurane, even when used in combination with opioids. Remimazolam thus appears to be noninferior to midazolam + sevoflurane.

Background: Current guidelines lack recommendations for serum tumor markers in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) undergoing radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). This study assessed the potential of the postoperative serum C-terminus of cytokeratin 19 (CYFRA21-1, CYFRA) level, hereafter referred to as poCY, as a predictor of early progression in patients treated with RNU. Methods: Overall, 117 patients were categorized into the high group (HG) or low group (LG) based on a poCY cutoff level of 3.5 ng/mL after excluding those who did not meet the inclusion criteria. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to measure cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: During a median follow-up of 34 months, the 5-year CSS and PFS rates were 79% and 66%, respectively. The HG had a significantly worse CSS and 2-year PFS than the LG. Multivariate analyses identified poCY and lymph node involvement (LNI) as independent prognostic factors. Regarding the 2-year PFS, poCY, LNI, and resection margin status (RM) emerged as independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: poCY, LNI, and RM predicted early progression following RNU in patients with UTUC. Patients with elevated poCY may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, irrespective of their pathological findings.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises subgroups with distinct characteristics and histological types. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) concentration and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression are prognostic factors for TNBC. We analyzed the association of immune cell PD-L1 expression, in relation to histological type and TIL concentration, with TNBC outcomes. Methods: Data from 86 patients with TNBC treated between 2008 and 2014 were analyzed. Those treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) were excluded. PD-L1 expression in immune cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry using an SP142 clone. TIL concentration was measured with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Tumor histology was classified as basal type (G1), apocrine type (G2), metaplastic change (G3), special type (G4), and adenoid cystic carcinoma (G5). Results: The rate of PD-L1 positivity was 2.5%, 17.3%, and 58.6% for patients with TIL concentrations classified as low (TIL-L), moderate (TIL-M), and high (TIL-H) (p < 0.0001). Five-year overall survival (OS) was 78.8% among patients with PD-L1-positive tumors and 81.8% among those with PD-L1-negative tumors. Among TIL-L patients, 5-year OS in PD-L1-positive and -negative tumors was 100% and 77.4%, respectively (p = 0.9993). Among TIL-H patients, 5-year OS for PD-L1-positive and -negative tumors was 73.0% and 83.3%, respectively (p = 0.8241). In multivariate analysis, tumor size and lymphatic vessel invasion were independent prognostic factors for OS. Conclusions: The rate of PD-L1 positivity was higher in TIL-H patients. Patients classified as TIL-H and PD-L1-positive had worse TNBC outcomes.

Background: Cancer pain distresses pediatric patients, affects quality of life, and is a psychological burden for families. The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of pharmacists in assisting children with cancer pain and their families. Methods: Between February and May 2024, a nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted among hospital pharmacists from the Japanese Society for Pharmaceutical Palliative Care and Sciences. The survey examined pharmacist involvement with children <15 years of age with cancer pain and their families, particularly in pain assessment, explaining analgesic use, and managing psychological, social, and spiritual pain. Results: Of 2,720 pharmacists, 219 (8.1%) responded, 57 of whom (26.0%) had pediatric palliative care experience. Most pharmacists performed pain assessments, provided analgesic explanations (86.0%), and intervened in psychological, social, and spiritual pain (54.4%). Among those who intervened, more than 90% either communicated with patients and their families or listened to their concerns. Pharmacists with ≥5 years of experience were significantly more involved in psychological, social, and spiritual pain than were those with <5 years of experience (odds ratio, 3.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-11.54). However, most pharmacists reported difficulties in pain assessment and providing analgesic explanations; the main reasons were "due to patient age and comprehension" (87.0%) and "reluctance to initiate opioid analgesics by patients or their families" (68.3%), respectively. Conclusions: Pharmacists were actively engaged in pain management for children with cancer and their families. However, most reported difficulties, particularly in pain assessment and analgesic explanations. Therefore, educational programs should be developed to facilitate effective pain management.

Background: Information is limited on the incidence and risk factors for further serious conditions after an in-hospital fall. Using data from the incident-accident reports, we assessed the incidence and risk factors for subsequent adverse events (SAEs) among outpatients after in-hospital falls. Methods: Incident-accident reports from April 2017 to March 2024 at Nippon Medical School Tama Nagayama Hospital were reviewed to identify outpatient falls. Data on patient characteristics and fall-related details were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for SAEs. Results: We analyzed data from 118 outpatients with in-hospital falls (mean age: 76.4±11.7 years; male: 56.8%): 39 (33.1%) experienced SAEs, including 5 fractures (4.2%), 13 functional disorders (11.0%), 17 surgical procedures (14.4%), and 17 admissions (14.4%). Multivariable analysis showed that males had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for SAEs than females, even after adjusting for age (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.21-6.48; P=0.016). For each SAE, the floor of the fall, number of previous falls, and site of the fall were significantly associated with a subsequent fracture, functional disorder, and surgical procedure after an in-hospital fall, respectively. Conclusions: The incidence rate of SAEs among outpatients with in-hospital falls was 33.1%. Male sex was the only significant risk factor for SAEs, and factors contributing to individual SAE types were distinct. To prevent further adverse outcomes after in-hospital falls, medical staff should pay more attention to patients with these risk factors.

Background: Ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the most serious complications after cardiac catheterization. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of IS in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization as well as the risk factors and neurological prognosis of IS. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of consecutive 2,848 patients (age 69.1 ± 11.1 years, 2,118 men) who underwent cardiac catheterization from January 2011 to December 2013 to determine the incidence and clinical outcomes of IS. Results: Thirteen patients (0.46%) developed IS after cardiac catheterization, necessitating treatment in the stroke care unit. Multivariate analysis identified five unmodifiable risk factors (age, atrial fibrillation, current smoking, prior stroke, and prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and two modifiable risk factors (additional internal thoracic artery angiography and the transbrachial approach) associated with IS. The initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 6.9 ± 9.3 at the onset of IS, which improved to 3.1 ± 8.2 at the time of discharge. Five patients demonstrated complete recovery at discharge (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score = 0), seven demonstrated residual neurological deficit (mRS = 2.7 ± 1.7, including two cases of severe deficit), and one patient died in hospital (mRS = 6). Conclusions: Although rare, IS following cardiac catheterization is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Avoiding unnecessary internal thoracic artery angiography and the brachial approach may reduce the incidence, and appropriate use of anticoagulants or thrombolytics may improve the prognosis and decrease residual neurological deficits.

Anisakiasis is a parasitic infection affecting the human gastrointestinal tract. It is caused by the consumption of contaminated, raw or inadequately cooked fish or squid, which is typically used for making sushi and sashimi. Most cases involve gastric anisakiasis, whereas intestinal anisakiasis is rare. This report describes the case of a 63-year-old Japanese woman with a history of raw fish consumption who presented with acute-onset abdominal pain and vomiting. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) demonstrated thickened small bowel loops and ascites on the liver surface. The patient was admitted for supportive care. On the second day of hospitalization, contrast-enhanced abdominal CT revealed that the ascites had moved from the liver surface to the pouch of Douglas. On the fifth day of hospitalization, the patient was discharged with a substantial improvement in abdominal pain. Five days after the discharge, her eosinophil count was elevated, and parasitic disease was therefore suspected. Anti-Anisakis IgG/A and IgE (RAST) antibody levels were elevated, confirming the diagnosis of intestinal anisakiasis. A review of 51 reported cases of intestinal anisakiasis suggests that the presence of ascites and measurement of anti-Anisakis antibody titers are helpful for diagnosis in cases presenting with nonspecific abdominal symptoms after consumption of raw or undercooked fish.

Nasogastric tube syndrome (NGTS) is a complication of NGT placement that can cause sore throat, bilateral vocal cord paralysis, and airway constriction. Although rare, this condition should be known by all physicians because it is sometimes fatal. We report a case of NGTS that was successfully diagnosed and debrided with a rigid curved laryngoscope. A 79-year-old man was referred to our department for evaluation of persistent pharyngeal pain and dysphagia after thoracic aortic aneurysm surgery. He had restricted bilateral vocal fold abduction, and the NGT had been placed for nearly 120 days. After induction of general anesthesia, the patient underwent laryngeal examination using a rigid curved laryngoscope, which revealed ossified cricoid cartilage in the postcricoid area, leading to confirmation of NGTS. The NGT was removed, and the protruding bony lesion was debrided. Subsequently, the patient underwent gastrostomy to improve his nutritional status. One month later, the postcricoid lesion improved, and the patient was able to tolerate an oral diet. The pathophysiology of NGTS is thought to involve ulceration of the postcricoid mucosa and injury of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle by contact with the NGT. Although the treatment has not been established, early removal of the NGT is important. In the present case, the rigid curved laryngoscope was useful for resection of the bony lesion, which contributed to early epithelialization and symptom improvement.