Nihon University Hospital Research Articles

Assessment of Microcirculatory Dysfunction by Measuring Subcutaneous Tissue Oxygen Saturation Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Patients with Circulatory Failure

Background: Patients with circulatory failure have high mortality rates and require prompt assessment of microcirculation. Despite the improvement in hemodynamic parameters, microcirculatory dysfunction persists. We measured subcutaneous regional tissue oxygen saturation (rSO2) with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which can assess microcirculation in patients with circulatory failure. Methods: A finger-worn oximeter with NIRS measured rSO2 in the forehead, thenar eminence, thumb, and knees. First, the rSO2 was measured in healthy adult volunteers (n = 10). Circulatory failure was defined as a systolic blood pressure ≤ 90 mmHg and lactate ≥ 2 mmol/L. The study included 35 patients without circulatory failure and SOFA score of 0 at ICU admission and 38 patients with circulatory failure at ICU admission. Both groups included a single-center prospective study of patients who were transported to the ICU of the Nihon University Hospital. The rSO2 was measured only on ICU admission in the non-circulatory failure group and later in the circulatory failure group. Results: In the volunteer group, rSO2 at each site was approximately 58%. The rSO2 was significantly lower in the circulatory failure group than in the non-circulatory failure group (knee, p < 0.01). In the circulatory failure group, knee rSO2 showed a significant negative correlation with SOFA score (Day 0, ρ = −0.37, p = 0.02; Day 1, ρ = −0.53, p < 0.01; Day 2, ρ = −0.60, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Subcutaneous knee rSO2 was associated with SOFA score and was considered an indicator of microcirculatory dysfunction and organ damage.

Triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio may be a better index of cardiometabolic risk in women than in men in Japan

Background and aimsFew data exist regarding the gender differences in the relationship between triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and cardiometabolic risk leading to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We investigated, by gender, the association between the TG/HDL-C ratio and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in the Japanese, who are less obese than their Western counterparts. Methods and resultsA population consisting of 10,373 participants (average age, 47.6 ± 12.6 years, 60.9 % men) at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital between April 2019 and March 2020 was studied using a cross-sectional study method. The TG/HDL-C ratio and proportion of visceral obesity increased approximately parallelly with age in women; however, these parameters did not change proportionally with age in men. Accordingly, receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed the accuracy of the TG/HDL-C ratio as a predictor of visceral obesity based on the Japanese MetS criteria (women vs. men: area under the curve, 0.797 vs. 0.712, p < 0.0001; sensitivity, 82.4 % vs. 59.9 %; specificity, 61.1 % vs. 71.1 %; cutoff value, 1.075 vs. 1.933, respectively). Furthermore, a higher TG/HDL-C ratio in women reflected the status of MetS and its components compared with men in multi-logistic regression analysis. ConclusionAn increased TG/HDL-C ratio in women may be involved in MetS and its components compared to men. We may pay attention to visceral obesity and increased TG/HDL-C ratio to prevent ASCVD risk in women, even in the Japanese population, which generally contains a lower proportion of obesity than in Western populations.

Impact of COVID-19 spread on visit intervals and clinical parameters for patients with periodontitis in supportive periodontal therapy: a retrospective study.

This study investigated the relationship between the number of days that hospital visits were postponed and changes in clinical parameters due to the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), after the Japanese government declared a state of emergency in April 2020. Regarding the status of postponement of appointments, we analyzed the patients who had visited the Nihon University Hospital at Matsudo for more than 1 year for supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) and classified them into low-, moderate- and high-risk subgroups according to the periodontal risk assessment (PRA). Clinical parameters for periodontal disease such as probing depth (PD), full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS), full-mouth plaque score, periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA), and periodontal epithelial surface area (PESA) were analyzed in 2 periods, from October 2019 to March 2020 and after April 2020. Correlation coefficients between days of deferral and the degree of changes in clinical parameters were calculated. The mean age of the 749 patients was 67.56±10.85 years, and 63.82% were female. Out of 749 patients, 33.24% deferred their SPT appointments after April 2020. The average total of postponement days was 109.49±88.84. The number of postponement days was positively correlated with changes in average PD (rs=0.474) and PESA (rs=0.443) in the high-risk subgroup of FMBS, and average PD (rs=0.293) and PESA (rs=0.253) in the high-risk subgroup of tooth number (TN). Patients belonging to the high-risk subgroups for both FMBS and TN had a positive correlation between postponement days and PISA (rs=0.56). The findings, the spread of COVID-19 appears to have extended the visit interval for some SPT patients. Moreover, longer visit intervals were correlated with the worsening of some clinical parameters for SPT patients with high PRA.

Association of Higher N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Consumption and Aerobic Exercise with Lower Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio: Implications of Anti-Atherosclerotic Effect of Fish Consumption.

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), abundant in oily fish, exert anti-inflammatory cardiovascular protective effects. We aimed to investigate the association between fish-derived n-3 PUFAs, lifestyle habits, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) marker. This cross-sectional study included 6,950 participants with no history of ASCVD, who underwent annual health check-ups (average age, 46.3 ± 13.0 years; male:female ratio, 58.8%) between April 2019 and March 2020 at the Health Planning Center, Nihon University Hospital. We calculated n-3 PUFA consumption using a questionnaire and the Japan National Health and Nutrition Survey. The average fish consumption frequency and fish-derived n-3 PUFA consumption were 2.20 ± 1.28 days/week and 5.20 ± 3.11 g/week, respectively. A higher fish-derived n-3 PUFA consumption was associated with a lower NLR. Multiple-stepwise regression analysis revealed that higher fish-derived n-3 PUFA consumption and more aerobic exercise habits were significant independent determinants of lower NLR. Furthermore, higher fish-derived n-3 PUFA consumption was associated with habitual aerobic exercise habits. Thus, higher fish-derived n-3 PUFA consumption and more aerobic exercise habits may be synergistically associated with lower NLR. This association may explain the preventive effects of fish consumption on the ASCVD risk.

Abstract 14081: Higher Fish Intake and a Healthy Lifestyle May Be Associated With a Lower Platelet Count/Lymphocyte Count Ratio: Implication for the Anti-Atherosclerotic Effect of Fish Intake

Introduction: Higher fish intake and healthy lifestyle behaviors are associated with a reduced risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). A higher platelet count/lymphocyte count ratio (PLR), an inflammatory predictive marker of ASCVD, is reportedly associated with a higher incidence of CVD. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that higher fish intake would be associated with lower PRL, and a healthy lifestyle would also be associated with lower PLR. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between April 2019 and March 2020 at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital in a cohort of 5957 participants (average age, 46.7 ± 12.9 years; 58.9%, men) with no history of ASCVD. We calculated the amount of fish intake based on the average number of days of fish intake per week and data from the Japanese National Health and Nutrition Survey. Results: The average weekly frequency and amount of fish intake were 2.25 ± 1.30 days and 140.5 ± 86.7 g, respectively. As the weekly fish intake increased (&lt; 50, 50-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300, and ≥ 300 g), the PLR significantly decreased (p &lt; 0.0001). A multivariable logistic regression analysis identified higher fish intake as an independent determinant of a lower PLR. Aerobic exercise was also an independent negative determinant of PLR. Furthermore, with increasing frequency of fish intake, the proportion of participants engaging in habitual aerobic exercise increased (p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions: The results suggest that a higher fish intake and a healthier lifestyle related to fish intake habits are associated with a lower PLR and thus may exert beneficial anti-inflammatory effects. This association may explain the preventive effects of fish intake on ASCVD risk. Further investigations are needed to clarify the causal relationships between these factors.

Abstract 14998: Assessment of Microcirculatory Dysfunction by Measuring Subcutaneous Tissue Oxygen Saturation Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Patients With Circulatory Failure

Background: Patients with circulatory failure have been treated with the goal of normalizing systemic hemodynamic parameters such as blood pressure, central venous pressure, urine output, and central venous oxygen saturation. However, microcirculatory dysfunction remains even after improvement of these indices, suggesting a loss of hemodynamic coherence between the macrocirculation and the microcirculation. Recently, the usefulness of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in assessing the microcirculation has been reported. Aim: We measure regional tissue oxygenation saturation (rSO 2 ) at 3 - 5 mm subcutaneously in patients with circulatory failure using a finger-mounted tissue oximeter with the NIRS technique (Toccare: Astem Co., Ltd., Kawasaki, Japan) to investigate its relationship with microcirculation. Methods: This is a single-center prospective observational cohort study of patients with circulatory failure (systolic blood pressure ≤ 90 mmHg or lactate ≥ 2 mmol/L at presentation) transported to the emergency department of Nihon University Hospital from 15 June 2020 to 31 March 2022. We measured rSO 2 in the forehead, thenar eminence, thumb and knee using Toccare and assessed the relationship between rSO 2 and blood pressure, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and mottling score. Result: In patients with circulatory failure (n = 38), rSO 2 at each site showed no correlation with blood pressure, a negative correlation with SOFA score and APACHE II score and a positive correlation with mottling score. These significant correlations were also best observed in the knee. Conclusion: In patients with circulatory failure, rSO 2 measured with Toccare showed no correlation with blood pressure but a significant negative correlation with the severity of organ damage. The knee is possibly the optimal measurement site for monitoring microcirculatory dysfunction and determining the effectiveness of treatment.

The Role of The Department of Pathology - Initiatives at Nihon University Hospital

The Role of The Department of Pathology - Initiatives at Nihon University Hospital

Elevated blood acetoacetate levels reduce major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events risk in acute myocardial infarction.

Although elevated blood ketone body levels reduce major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) risk in chronic heart failure, their relationship with acute myocardial infarction remains unknown. We investigated this relationship in patients with acute myocardial infarction. This single-institution retrospective observational study analyzed data from 114 patients with acute myocardial infarction at Nihon University Hospital from May 1, 2018, to November 1, 2022. The cut-off value of acetoacetate for the incidence of in-hospital MACCE was determined by drawing a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and defining patients with acetoacetate above and below the optimal cut-off point value as ROC and low-acetoacetate (LA) groups, respectively. Propensity score matching was performed between the LA and high-acetoacetate (HA) groups. Sex, peak creatine kinase, lactate, and blood glucose were defined as confounding factors between in-hospital MACCEs and acetoacetate, and 1:1 propensity score matching between the LA and HA groups was used, resulting in 40 patients from both groups enrolled in the analysis. There was a significantly lower incidence of in-hospital MACCEs in the HA group (LA group: 9 [22%] vs HA group: 1 [3%], P = 0.014). In conclusion, in acute myocardial infarction, elevated blood acetoacetate levels reduce the risk of MACCE.

Higher frequency of fish intake and healthy lifestyle behaviors may be associated with a lower platelet count in Japan: Implication for the anti-atherosclerotic effect of fish intake

BackgroundHabitual fish intake and healthier lifestyles are associated with a lower risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Higher platelet counts (PLCs) are reportedly associated with higher ASCVD events. We aimed to investigate the association between fish intake and lifestyle with PLCs. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 9329 participants (average age: 46.9 ± 12.9 years; 58.9% men) with no history of ASCVD registered at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital in 2019. ResultsThe average fish intake frequency was 2.15 ± 1.28 days/week. As fish intake frequency increased (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days), PLC decreased significantly (p < 0.0001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that higher fish intake frequency tended to be a determinant of lower PLC. Aerobic exercise habits and sleep duration were independent negative determinants of PLC. Cigarette smoking habits were a positive independent determinant of PLC. Furthermore, with increasing fish intake frequency, the proportion of participants with habitual aerobic exercise, non-smoking habits, and longer sleep duration increased (p < 0.0001 for all). Higher n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA), calculated based on data from the Japanese National Health and Nutrition Survey, intake was associated with a lower PLC. ConclusionHigher fish intake and healthier lifestyle behaviors may be comprehensively associated with lower PLCs. The intake of N-3 PUFA with anti-inflammatory effects, rich in fish, may also be related to the lower PLC. This association may explain the preventive effects of fish intake on ASCVD risk.

Association of Glycated Hemoglobin Level with Self-Reported Chewing Problems in Elderly Community-Dwelling Individuals in Japan.

Chewing problems are associated with increased mortality, geriatric syndromes and poor activities of daily living. Starting in 2018, in Japan, a self-reported questionnaire investigating chewing status was implemented in the annual health checkup program. Considering the bidirectional association between hyperglycemia and poor oral health, it is hypothesized that people with self-reported chewing problems will have relatively poor glycemic profiles. We investigated the metabolic characteristics of elderly community dwellers with self-reported chewing problems, as well as the association between the problems and HbA1c levels. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. We reviewed the data of 1018 adults ≥ 65 years of age who had undergone an annual health checkup at Nihon University Hospital during the period from January 2019 through December 2019. The presence of chewing problems was investigated using a self-reported questionnaire constructed based on guidance provided by the Japanese government. In the 1018 participants, the overall prevalence of chewing problems was 10.4%. Participants with chewing problems showed significantly higher levels and worse categories of HbA1c than those without such problems (HbA1c < 6.0%, 42.5% vs 54.8%; HbA1c 6.0-6.9%, 41.5% vs 37.0%; HbA1c ≥ 7.0%, 16.0% vs 8.2%, p = 0.008). Participants with HbA1c ≥ 7.0% have a significantly increased risk of chewing problems as compared to those with HbA1c < 6.0% (odds ratio 2.76, p = 0.002), even after adjusting for the effects of age, sex, body mass index, eating behaviors, and history of diabetes mellitus. HbA1c ≥ 7.0% is associated with self-reported chewing problems in elderly Japanese community-dwellers. We thus recommend a proactive assessment of oral conditions for this population.

Launch of an Outpatient Clinic for Climbers at Nihon University Hospital

Launch of an Outpatient Clinic for Climbers at Nihon University Hospital

Associations of higher fish consumption and lifestyle with lower monocyte/HDL-C ratio in a Japanese population: Implication for the anti-atherosclerotic effect of fish consumption

BackgroundHigh fish consumption may be involved in lowering inflammation, resulting in the suppression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) development. The monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (MHR) is reported as a novel inflammatory marker of the development of atherosclerosis. We investigated the relationship between fish consumption, MHR, and lifestyle behaviors and explored the foundation of risk stratification of ASCVD using serum HDL-C, MHR, and fish consumption. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among 6841 adults at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital between April 2019 and March 2020.We calculated the amount of fish consumption based on Japan's National Nutrition Survey results. ResultsThe median (interquartile range) fish consumption was 111.4 (67.2/169.2) g per week. As fish consumption increased, MHR decreased significantly (p < 0.0001). Multivariate linear regression analysis identified increased fish consumption as an independent negative determinant of a decreased MHR (β = −0.050, p < 0.0001). Additionally, healthier lifestyle behaviors (sleep duration and cigarette smoking habit) were also significantly associated with MHR (β = −0.025, p = 0.027 and β = 0.146, p < 0.0001, respectively). Furthermore, risk stratification of ASCVD could be developed by combining the HDL-C level and fish consumption with the MHR, indicating that even with similar HDL-C levels, higher MHR and lower fish consumption are associated with a higher risk of ASCVD. Multi-logistic regression analysis with the MHR quartile as an independent variable also showed that the increase in quartile was associated with the exacerbation of visceral obesity and glucose/lipid markers. ConclusionsA higher fish consumption may be associated with a lower MHR as well as healthier lifestyle behaviors. Moreover, we proposed the concept of risk stratification through relationships with MHR, HDL-C, and fish consumption to reduce ASCVD risk. Further studies are required to dissect the causal relationships between these results.

The Frequency and Amount of Fish Intake Are Correlated with the White Blood Cell Count and Aerobic Exercise Habit: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective We investigated the relationship between the amount and frequency of fish intake, and the white blood cell (WBC) count and aerobic exercise habits. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between April 2019 and March 2020 at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital on a cohort of 8,981 male subjects. Results The average amount and frequency of fish intake were 134±85 g/week and 2.14±1.28 days/week, respectively. The WBC count decreased significantly as the amount of fish intake increased (p<0.0001). According to a multivariate regression analysis, a high fish intake amount (β=-0.082, p<0.0001) and regular aerobic exercise (β=-0.083, p<0.0001) were independent determinants of a low WBC count. The proportion of subjects engaged in regular aerobic exercise increased with an increase in the amount of fish intake (p<0.0001). Furthermore, the amount and frequency of fish intake significantly correlated with the amount of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake determined using the Japan's National Nutrition Survey results (both r=0.962 and 0.958). Therefore, the amount of fish intake could be substituted by the average number of days of fish intake per week.Conclusion A high fish intake was an independent determinant of a low WBC count and engagement in regular aerobic exercise, regardless of whether the fish intake was defined by the amount or frequency of fish intake. However, since fish intake frequency can be measured more easily, this may be used to measure the fish intake.

Assessment of sex differences in associations between sleep duration and lipid/glucose metabolism in urban Japan: a cross-sectional study.

Inadequate sleep durations (short or long) arerelated to worsening of lipid/glucose metabolism, leading to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). Few data exist on sex differences in this relationship that, to date, has been scarcely reported. This cross-sectional study included 6678 men and 4700 women at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital, located in the center of Tokyo, between September 2015 and October 2016. The prevalence of diabetes and dyslipidemia in the participants was 3.3% and 6.5%, respectively. Sleep duration was divided into five categories: < 5h, 5-6h, 6-7h, 7-8h, and ≥ 8h. We examined the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of lipid/glucose metabolism-related markers for the reference value defined in each guideline with 6-7h as the reference of comparison. In men, a sleep duration of < 5h was associated with ORs of 1.32 and 1.33 (95% CI, 1.01-1.73 and 1.02-1.74) for LDL-C level ≥ 120mg/dL and non-HDL-C level of ≥ 150mg/dL (defined as "borderline hyper" by the Japan Atherosclerosis Society Guidelines for Prevention of ASCVD 2017), respectively. Moreover, a sleep duration of < 5h was associated with an OR of 1.77 (1.33-2.35) for fasting blood glucose of ≥ 100mg/dL (defined as "high" by a specialized lifestyle checkup program in Japan). In women, sleep duration of < 5h was associated with an OR of 1.70 (1.24-2.33) for HbA1c level of ≥ 5.6% (defined as "high" by a specialized life style checkup program in Japan). However, there was no association between sleep duration and serum lipid profile. Inadequate short sleep duration was as a potential risk factor of adverse lipid and/or glucose metabolism in both sexes. However, there weresex differences in associations between sleep duration and lipid/glucose metabolism in urban Japan. To further reduce risks of ASCVD, it isof particular importance to emphasize adequate sleep duration in both sexes.Trial registration UMIN ( http://www.umin.ac.jp/ ) Study ID: UMIN000037643 retrospectively registered on August 9, 2019.

Combined Higher Frequency Fish Consumption and Healthy Lifestyle May Lower the Triglyceride/HDL-C Ratio in Middle-Aged Japanese Males: Anti-Atherosclerotic Effect of Fish Consumption

Background: Fish consumption may be associated with a low risk of coronary artery disease. We aimed to investigate whether higher fish consumption results in improved lifestyle behaviors and thus lower triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio – a predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Methods and Results: This cross-sectional study included 2,947 middle-aged Japanese males with no history of ASCVD or lipid-modifying therapy, who presented at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital between April 2018 and March 2019. We performed an analysis of variance using fish consumption as a categorical variable (0–2 days, 3–4 days, or 5–7 days per week). The serum TG/HDL-C ratio in the 5–7 days fish consumption group was significantly lower than those in the 0–2 and 3–4 days fish consumption groups (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.01, respectively). Multiple regression stepwise analysis revealed that weekly fish consumption negatively and independently determined the TG/HDL-C ratio (β = −0.061, p = 0.001). As fish consumption increased, the proportion of subjects with smoking habits decreased (p = 0.014), those engaging in aerobic exercises and aggressive daily physical activity increased (p < 0.0001 for both), and those with alcohol habit increased (p < 0.0001). In addition, we developed the risk stratification for ASCVD by combining the serum HDL-C level and the serum TG/HDL-C ratio with fish consumption. Conclusion: Increased frequency of fish consumption and improved lifestyle behaviors due to daily fish intake may work additively to lower the serum TG/HDL-C ratio. These associations may explain why high fish consumption is associated with a lower risk of ASCVD. Our findings may help physicians and nutritionists in treating patients with heart diseases and metabolic conditions by recommending a high fish diet in middle-aged Japanese males.

The Impact of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Guidelines Updates Against Out-of-Hospital Shockable Cardiac Arrest: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Background: International cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines based on the best available evidence from resuscitation science have been updated since 2000. However, few nationwide population-based studies have been investigated comprehensive efficacy of those updates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Methods: From the All-Japan Utstein Registry between 2005 and 2015, we enrolled 73 578 adults who had witnessed shockable (ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia) OHCA. We examined temporal trends over eleven years (2005 on the Guidelines 2000 era, from 2006 to 2010 on the consensus on CPR and emergency cardiovascular care science with treatment recommendations [CoSTR] 2005 era, and from 2011 to 2015 on the CoSTR 2010 era). The primary end point was favorable neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Category of 1 or 2) at 30 days after OHCA. Findings: Of 73 578 study patients, 61,080 (83%) were witnessed by bystander and 12 498 (17%) by emergency medical services (EMS) responder. After adjustment for Utstein variables, odds ratios for favorable 30-day neurological outcome increased year by year (reference, 2005): the bystander-witnessed group, 1∙19 (95% CI 1∙03-1∙37) in 2006, 2∙40 (95% CI 2∙10-2∙74) in 2010, 2∙45 (95% CI 2∙14-2∙80) in 2011 and 3∙02 (95% CI 2∙63-3∙46) in 2015; the EMS responder-witnessed group, 1∙27 (95% CI 1∙01-1∙60) in 2007, 1∙28 (95% CI 1∙02-1∙60) in 2010, 1∙54 (95% CI 1∙23-1∙94) in 2011 and 1∙58 (95% CI 1∙26-1∙99) in 2015. Similar results were seen in the subgroups receiving EMS-dispatcher CPR instruction, bystander chest compression-only CPR, early defibrillation, biphasic waveform defibrillators or advanced airway management. However, there was no evidence for any benefit from the addition of epinephrine. Interpretation: The international CPR guidelines updates for shockable OHCA had improved neurologically intact survival year by year. However, epinephrine is a topic for the future. Clinical Trial Registration Details: This study is registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, UMI09918. Funding Information: None. Declaration of Interests: We declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: A subcommittee of resuscitation science in the Japanese Circulation Society conducted this study with approval from the ethics committee at Nihon University Hospital.

Mechanical Complications of Myocardial Infarction

In this retrospective observational study, we have examined the incidence, characteristics, and treatment of serious myocardial infarction (MI) -associated mechanical complications (MCs) occurring in Japanese patients in this era of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), focusing on frailty, nutrition, and clinical implication of surgery. Included were 883 patients who, having suffered an MI, had been admitted to Nihon University Hospital between January 2013 and April 2020. Fifteen (1.70%) of these patients had suffered a potentially catastrophic MC-ventricular free wall rupture (VFWR, n = 8), ventricular septal rupture (VSR, n = 6), or papillary muscle rupture (PMR, n = 1). Factors associated with the MCs were age, poor nutritional status, a high Killip class, delayed diagnosis of MI, a high lactate concentration, a low thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade, and single-vessel disease. Thirty-day mortality among MC patients was 60% (9/15): 87.5% associated with VFWR, 33.3% associated with VSR and 0% associated with PMR. On adjusted multivariate analysis, occurrence of an MC was independently associated with 30-day mortality. Despite a high surgical risk (EuroSCORE II: 11.8 ± 4.7) with less frailty, 30-day mortality was lower among patients whose MC was treated surgically than among those whose MC was treated conservatively (40.0% versus 100.0%, respectively; P = 0.044).Our data suggest that surgical intervention can save patients with a life-threatening MI-associated MC and should be considered, if they are not particularly frail.

Higher Frequency of Fish Intake May Be Associated with a Lower Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio: Anti-Atherosclerotic Effects of Fish Consumption

Background: Higher fish consumption has been reported to be associated with a lower incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). An elevated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker of systemic inflammation, is reportedly associated with the development of adverse CAD events. We hypothesized that a higher fish intake was associated with a lower NLR. Methods and Results: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a cohort of 8,237 Japanese subjects who had no history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease registered at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital between April 2018 and March 2019. The average weekly frequency of fish intake was 2.32 ± 1.31 days. The NLR decreased significantly as the weekly frequency of fish intake (0 day, 1–2 days, 3–4 days, or 5–7 days) increased (p = 0.001). A multiple stepwise regression analysis identified the weekly frequency of fish intake (β = −0.045, p < 0.0001) and habitual alcohol intake (β = −0.051, p < 0.0001) as significant but weak, negative, and independent determinants of the NLR. Conversely, the presence of metabolic syndrome (β = 0.046, p < 0.0001), the presence of treatment for diabetes mellitus (β = 0.054, p < 0.0001), and the presence of treatment for hypertension (β = 0.043, p < 0.0001) were significant positive and independent determinants of the NLR. Conclusions: The present results suggest that a higher frequency of fish intake appears to be associated with a lower NLR, suggesting an anti-systemic inflammation effect. This association may partially explain the preventive effects of a higher fish intake on CAD events.

Gender differences in the associations among fish intake, lifestyle, and non-HDL-C level in Japanese subjects over the age of 50 years: Anti-atherosclerotic effect of fish consumption

Background and aimsHigher fish consumption may lead to the suppression of atherogenesis. The present study was aimed at investigating the gender differences in association with the frequency of fish intake, lifestyle behaviors and serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels. Methods and resultsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in a cohort of 4320 (2479 males, 1570 females) healthy Japanese subjects over 50 years of age registered at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital between April 2018 and March 2019. The average weekly frequency of fish intake was 2.58 ± 1.39 days in males and 2.42 ± 1.36 days in females. In males, the serum non-HDL-C level decreased significantly as the weekly frequency of fish intake (0–1 days, 2–3 days, 4–5 days, or 6–7 days) increased (p < 0.0001). Multiple stepwise regression analysis identified the weekly frequency of fish intake (β = −0.056, p = 0.004) and habitual aerobic exercise (β = −0.063, p = 0.001) as independent determinants of the serum non-HDL-C level. On the other hand, no such associations were observed in females. However, the proportion of subjects engaging in habitual aerobic exercise increased as the frequency of fish intake increased even among females. ConclusionsA higher frequency of fish intake may be associated with healthier lifestyle behaviors and lower non-HDL-C levels in males, but not in females. There appear to be gender differences in the relationships between the intake of fish and lifestyle behaviors on lipid metabolism. Clinical trial registrationumin (http://www.umin.ac.jp/) Study ID: UMIN000035899.

Association among daily fish intake, white blood cell count, and healthy lifestyle behaviors in an apparently healthy Japanese population: implication for the anti-atherosclerotic effect of fish consumption.

Higher fish consumption has been reported to be associated with a lower incidence of coronary artery disease. We hypothesized that a higher frequency of fish intake may be associated with lower peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts, a marker of chronic inflammation, which is known to be involved in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and a healthy lifestyle. This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2018 and August 2018 at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital in a cohort of 4105 apparently healthy subjects. The average frequency of fish intake was 2.3 ± 1.3days per week. The WBC count decreased significantly as the frequency of fish intake (0-2days, 3-4days, or 5-7days per week) increased (s < 0.0001). Multivariate linear regression analysis identified higher weekly frequency of fish intake as a significant independent determinant of a lower WBC count (β = - 0.051, p = 0.001). Furthermore, as the weekly frequency of fish intake increased, the proportion of habitual cigarette smokers decreased (p = 0.021), that of subjects engaging in habitual aerobic exercises increased (p < 0.0001), and the weekly alcohol intake frequency increased (p < 0.0001). Moreover, the above-mentioned lifestyle behaviors were also independent determinants of the WBC count. These results suggest that a high frequency of fish intake might be associated with healthier lifestyle behaviors as well as lower WBC counts, and thus may both exert beneficial anti-inflammatory effects and represent a component of healthier lifestyle behaviors associated with a lower risk of ASCVD in Japanese. This association may be partially related to the preventive effects of a higher fish intake on ASCVD events. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN ( http://www.umin.ac.jp/ ) Study ID: UMIN000039197 retrospectively registered 1 February 2020.