SummaryBackground: Brain (B-type) natriuretic peptide (BNP) is known to be secreted predominantly from the myocardium. Brain natriuretic peptide plasma concentrations have been shown to be markedly increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction; however, plasma BNP response during episodes of myocardial ischemia has not been established.Hypothesis: This study was designed to examine plasma BNP in patients with transient myocardial ischemia induced by inflation of a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) balloon.Methods: Thuzy consecutive patients (26 men and 4 women; mean age 6 1 years) who underwent PTCA, and another 49 patients (39 men and 10 women; mean age 63 years) who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography were enrolled in this study. Serum BNP concentrations were assayed in all patients.Results: Plasma BNP was increased significantly with a peak concentration of 66.1 ? 65.2 pg/ml24 h after PTCA. Coronary angiography did not cause plasma BNP increase

The IVUS-guided endovascular therapy for CTO using Treasure 12 guidewire is feasible and safe, minimizes contrast material, and has a high initial technical success rate.

Three-vessel OCT imaging showed that TCFAs tend to cluster in predictable spots within the proximal segment of the LAD, but develop relatively evenly in the LCx and RCA arteries.

No abstract

On March 11, 2011, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in the eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of northern Japan. A resulting tsunami struck the Japan Pacific coast, causing >20,000 deaths, injuries and missing persons. Survivors' post-tsunami health and nutritional status were surveyed one month after the disaster in a school shelter in Ishinomaki City. Hyogo College of Medicine's disaster relief team observations and survivors' questionnaires were used to assess the disaster's effects on survivors' lifestyles and gastrointestinal symptoms while residing in temporary shelters. Of 236 disaster evacuees 9-88 years of age (mean age 52 years), 23% lost weight and 28% reported decreased food intake one month after the earthquake. Up to 25% of the participants presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, including constipation (10%), appetite loss (6.4%), vomiting (6.4%), and nausea (2.1%). Although the victims preferred more vegetables (44%) or fruit (33%), most food aid received, such as rice balls or bread, was carbohydrate-based, possibly because of easy provision and abundance in emergency food pantries. The authors asked the volunteers and the Japan Self-Defense Forces to provide a more balanced diet, including vegetables and fruit. Consumption of imbalanced diets may have caused more gastrointestinal symptoms for the survivors. Because of the victims' hesitation to request more balanced diets, and because of poorly controlled existing chronic disease and mental stress, professional public health providers should assure emergency food nutrition after disasters.