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Biomedical subjects

A Azuma

Publications and source records attributed to A Azuma.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

[Apical sequestration in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: its clinical features and pathophysiology].

The clinical and pathophysiological significance of apical sequestration, in which an apical cavity was sequestered from the remainder of the left ventricle by cavity obliteration was investigated in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Among 196 consecutive patients, 24 with apical sequestration and 70 control subjects proven to have no sequestration with left ventriculography were selected for this study using echocardiography combined with Doppler color flow imaging. Various cardiac disorders occurred significantly more frequently in patients with apical sequestration than in the 70 controls: NYHA > or = II, 83% vs 51%; thromboembolism, 17% vs 3%; ventricular tachycardia, 47% vs 11%; and apical asynergy, 75% vs 4%. Continuous Doppler ultrasound revealed that all 24 patients with sequestration had a high systolic blood flow velocity across the obliterated cavity (2.7 +/- 0.9 m/s). During isovolumic relaxation or early diastolic filling or both, 21 of them had paradoxical jet flow directed toward the basal cavity away from the apex, with the peak flow velocity ranging from 1.0 m/s to 3.5 m/s (mean 1.9 +/- 0.7). The maximal diastolic pressure gradient across the obliterated cavity ranged between 4 mmHg and 49 mmHg using the simple Bernoulli's equation, which suggested a significantly higher pressure in the sequestered apical chamber during early diastole. Patients with sequestration were classified into 2 groups; 17 with (group A) and 7 without (group B) apical hypertrophy. The time interval from the closing of the aortic valve to the onset of filling into the sequestered cavity was longer in group A than in group B (401 +/- 191 vs 131 +/- 145 ms, p < 0.01) as assessed by the pulsed Doppler technique. Angiographic asynergy of the apex was more frequent in group A than in group B (100 vs 29%, p < 0.01). In group B, the midventricular cavity was incompletely obliterated throughout the cardiac cycle; whereas, in group A, it was obliterated completely in systole and partially in diastole. Apical sequestration is not uncommon in HCM; it is accompanied by abnormal segmental wall motion, which may be related to ventricular arrhythmias and thromboembolism. Prolonged cavity obliteration with a higher systolic apical pressure and a persistent diastolic intraventricular gradient may play a pathogenic role in apical aneurysmal formation in the absence of fixed coronary artery disease, particularly in patients with apical hypertrophy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Quantitative measurements of balloon-to-artery ratios in coronary angioplasty.

To determine the optimal balloon-to-artery ratio in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), the effects of balloon size on the extent of residual stenosis, the incidence of coronary dissection, and the percentage of cases requiring repeat PTCA for restenosis were examined retrospectively. Fifty consecutive patients who underwent elective PTCA for simple and discrete lesion localized in the left anterior descending coronary artery were selected for this study. To measure the absolute cross-sectional area of the adjacent control segment of the artery, we developed a new method of quantitative coronary angiography, a hybrid of cinevideodensitometry and the edge detection method. The balloon-to-artery ratio was calculated as the cross-sectional area ratio between the control segment adjacent to the stenosis and the balloon which was visually selected by the operator during PTCA. Residual stenosis was determined as the percent area of stenosis by our hybrid method using cinevideodensitometry. The balloon-to-artery ratio ranged from 0.4 to 2.4, and a weak but significant inverse correlation (r = -0.51) was observed between the balloon-to-artery ratio and the extent of residual stenosis. In 23 patients whose balloon-to-artery ratios were less than 1.0, residual stenosis was greater (59.9 +/- 11.9% vs 46.0 +/- 19.6%, p < 0.05), and the percentage of repeat PTCA was higher (26% vs 4%, p < 0.05) than in the group of 27 patients whose balloon-to-artery ratios were higher than 1.0. The incidence of coronary dissection was similar in the 2 groups (9% vs 15%, ns). The percent area of stenosis before PTCA, the number of inflations, the inflation pressures, and the inflation times were also similar between these 2 groups. We concluded that the optimal balloon size is slightly more than the control segment dimensions of simple and discrete isolated stenoses of the left anterior descending artery treated at lower inflation pressures, and that an accurate measurement method of the coronary arterial dimensions is necessary to determine this optimal balloon size.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1991

[Cancer therapy by using bispecific antibody].

This paper reviewed recent researches and clinical trials using bispecific antibodies. Antibodies with two distinct binding specificities have great potential for a wide range of clinical applications as targeting agents for in vitro and in vivo immunotherapy. They have shown great promise for targeting cytotoxic effector cells, cytotoxic drugs, delivering radionuclides or toxins to tumor cells. We introduced potential applications of bispecific antibodies, and discussed the theoretical basis and problems associated with their production and purification, cell fusion and chemical conjugation techniques, and proposed a new manufacturing strategy by genetic engineering. This approach will enable the wide clinical application of bispecific antibodies for cancer immunotherapy.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

[A case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with progressive cavity dilatation--a review of serial 201Tl myocardial imaging].

We reviewed 201Tl images of a 32 year old man with dilated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (DHCM). At 22 years of age, when he was diagnosed as having nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)IVST; 20mm, Dd; 44mm, EF; 62%), 201Tl images showed only a small defect in the anteroseptal segment. At 27 years of age, when he had the first cardiac symptom as palpitation on exertion, his perfusion defect of 201Tl became wider. At 32 years age, he was hospitalized because of deterioration of congestive heart failure. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular wall thinning(IVST; 6mm), left ventricular cavity enlargement (Dd; 63mm) with a large mural thrombus and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (EF; 32%). Thus 201Tl images may provide useful information on the process of DHCM from HCM.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[A prominent retrograde flow in coronary artery in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

Pathophysiology and clinical significance of a systolic backward flow in the epicardial coronary artery have not been elucidated. Using a 20 MHz Doppler catheter, we assessed coronary flow velocity waveforms in the left anterior descending coronary artery in 19 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and 11 patients without apparent cardiac abnormalities as control subjects. Systolic flow fraction was smaller in HCM than in controls. Only 4 patients with HCM showed a prominent retrograde flow persisting during almost the entire systole. All the 4 had marked cavity obliteration and two of them had systolic intraventricular pressure gradients of 80 and 110 mmHg respectively. Exercise thallium-201 ECT revealed that myocardial hypoperfusion was more frequent in those 4 patients. Through these observations, it is concluded that a high intramyocardial systolic pressure combined with a relatively low coronary perfusing pressure may result in a large systolic retrograde flow in the left epicardial coronary artery, and that it may be related to myocardial ischemia in patients with HCM.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Evaluation of coronary arterial stenosis before and after PTCA: visual estimation versus computer-assisted analysis].

Coronary arteriogram of 34 patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were evaluated visually and by computer-assisted analysis, that employed an edge detection method and cine-videodensitometry. The results of visual estimation were in general agreement with those of computer-assisted analysis for determination of percent area of stenosis in severe stenosis, and percent diameter of stenosis in slightly stenotic lesions. Before PTCA, the findings obtained by densitometry agreed with those using the edge detection method. However, after PTCA, the results were significantly different. This discrepancy may have been due to asymmetric morphologic changes in the luminal cross sectional area immediately after PTCA, which could not be assessed by the edge detection method in a single-plane view. Through these studies it was concluded that the densitometry is most useful for evaluating the effects of PTCA.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1990

[Value and limitations of stress thallium-201 scintigraphy in evaluating the viability of infarcted myocardial segments].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value and limitations of stress thallium-201 scintigraphy in evaluating the viability of infarcted myocardial segments following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and aortocoronary bypass surgery. The relative thallium activity (RTA: the ratio of the count rate in the infarcted segment to that in the intact segment) obtained from delayed images of stress myocardial scintigraphy was used as an index of myocardial viability and was compared with the following parameters. 1) Thallium-201 myocardial perfusion images were made during transient coronary arterial occlusion (PTCA) in eight patients with old myocardial infarction. The RTA of delayed images after successful PTCA was compared with those of stress thallium-201 scintigraphy. There were no significant differences of the RTA between delayed images following PTCA and those of stress myocardial scintigraphy. We therefore, presumed that incomplete redistribution of the delayed images of stress thallium-201 scintigraphy did not truly reflect the degree of coronary stenosis. 2. Regional ejection fraction of the left ventricle after postextrasystolic potentiation (PESP) using equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography was studied in 18 patients with old myocardial infarction, and was compared with the RTA of delayed images of stress myocardial scintigraphy. A significant correlation was observed between the changes in regional ejection fraction by PESP and the RTA three hours after exercise. 3. The RTAs of early and delayed thallium-201 scintigrams were measured at rest in 30 patients with old myocardial infarction, and were compared with the RTA of delayed thallium 201 scintigrams after exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1990

[Coronary flow reserve index corrected by exercise load using Tl-201 SPECT: evaluation by PTCA].

For simple, non-invasive evaluations of coronary flow reserve during exercise, we investigated the coronary flow reserve index using the ratio of change of fractional distribution in the regional myocardium to oxygen demand. The subjects included 24 patients with effort angina pectoris and 11 normal volunteers. PTCA was performed for 11 patients. Using the biological properties of Tl-201, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed at submaximal exercise and at rest by two successive injections of Tl-201 within a short time interval (double dose method). The correlation between the fractional distribution in the myocardium (delta-Fract) and the oxygen demand during exercise and at rest were evaluated. delta-Fract correlated well with the rate of change of the pressure rate product (delta-PRP), and delta-Fract/delta-PRP (CRI) was a good indicator of the coronary flow reserve index. CRI in the ischemic region correlated well with the percent area stenosis of the supplying coronary artery and improved with resolution of percent area stenosis of the target coronary artery after PTCA, but in some cases they were not above the normal range. CRI as obtained by exercise SPECT using the double dose method is useful for non-invasively estimating the coronary flow reserve during exercise, and it can be used for evaluating the effect before and after PTCA.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1990

[Regional myocardial blood flow measurements in resting and dipyridamole induced vasodilative state by Xenon-133 clearance method].

Myocardial imaging with Xenon-133 and a gamma camera was employed to evaluate the relationship between angiographically demonstrated coronary artery stenosis and regional myocardial blood flow (r-MBF) in 22 patients with ischemic heart disease and 9 control subjects. After a left anterior oblique cineangiogram was obtained, the cinecamera was replaced by the mobile gamma camera in the same plane and location over the pericardium of patients. Then, 370 MBq (10 mCi) of 133Xe was injected into the left coronary artery as a bolus. After the first measurement of r-MBF in resting state, a second injection was made 3 minutes after intravenous injection of 0.56 mg/kg of dipyridamole for 4 minutes. The r-MBF in different regions of the heart was calculated by Kety formula. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) was defined the rMBF ratio between resting and dipyridamole induced vasodilative state. In the resting state, good correlation (r = 0.711) was observed between pressure rate product and the r-MBF at the areas perfused by non stenotic vessels. The r-MBF of the areas perfused by severe stenotic vessels (greater than 90%) was smaller than that of the areas perfused by non stenotic vessels, however there was overlapping of flow. In the dipyridamole induced vasodilative state, the r-MBF of the areas perfused by intact vessels increased approximately 2.4 times of the resting state, and showed good correlation with pressure rate product. In contrast, the r-MBF of the areas perfused by stenotic vessels did not correlate with pressure rate product, but depended on the degrees of coronary stenosis (50-75% stenosis; 1.9 times, greater than 90% stenosis; 1.3 times, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Assessment of transient dilation of the left ventricular cavity in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by exercise thallium-201 scintigraphy].

Exercise Tl scintigraphy (EX-Tl) provides a noninvasive means of identifying myocardial perfusion abnormalities in patients (pts) with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We have noted that some pts with HCM have a pattern of transient dilation of the left ventricle (LV) on the immediate post exercise images as compared with 3 hour redistribution images. We presumed that left ventricular dilation was caused by subendocardial hypoperfusion. So we studied transient dilation of the LV in 50 pts with HCM and 20 controls (C). Initial and delayed conventional short tomographic images were obtained after reconstruction of 30 projections acquired over 180 degrees. Thirty six radii every 10 degrees were generated from the center of the middle myocardial images of the short axis. An area surrounded by the thirty six points of maximal count on each radius was calculated in initial and delayed images. Transient Dilation Index (TDI) as an index of dilation was determined by dividing an area in initial image by an area in delayed image. TDI in pts with HCM was larger than that in C. Pts with HCM were classified into the two groups, Group A: TDI greater than 1.11 (mean + 2 SD in C), 24 pts, Group B: TDI greater than 1.11, 26 pts. Frequency of pts with history of chest pain in Group A was higher than that in Group B, and frequency of pts with positive exercise ECG in Group A was higher than that in Group B. End diastolic volume in Group B did not change 10 minutes after exercise by radionuclide ventriculography. In conclusion, transient dilation of the LV in pts with HCM by EX-Tl is in appearance, and may reflect subendocardial ischemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Utility of reinjection method in stress Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy to assess viability of the infarcted myocardium].

To assess viability of the infarcted myocardium, we performed stress Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy using reinjection method in 37 patients with old myocardial infarction, and in 13 patients of them, Tl myocardial imagings were performed in resting state on the other day within 4 weeks after this examination. In this method, 111 MBq (3 mCi) of thallium was injected at the peak of exercise and initial and delayed images were acquired, then additionally 37 MBq (1 mCi) of thallium was injected after delayed scanning (reinjection) and we obtained post-reinjection images. Delayed images showed redistribution in 15 patients (41%), and no redistribution in 22 patients (59%). In post-reinjection images, 7 (19%) of 15 patients with redistribution and 3 (8%) of 22 patients without redistribution showed improvement of thallium uptake, in total 10 patients (27%) had additional thallium uptake in infarcted regions. And the degree of thallium uptake in post-reinjection images were almost equal to that in resting images. In conclusion, myocardial imaging using thallium reinjection method may be useful for the assessment of viability of the infarcted myocardium.

Female↗
PubMed1989

Activation of peripheral blood T cells via the p75 interleukin 2 receptor.

By using mAb and flow cytometry, a constitutive expression of the p75 IL-2R was revealed in human peripheral blood CD8+ T cells and TCR delta-1+ T cells as well as in CD16+ NK cells. Anti-p75 IL-2R mAb almost completely inhibited the induction of cytolytic activity in these T cells by brief exposure to IL-2, as estimated by anti-TCR/CD3 mAb-targeted cytotoxicity. While anti-p55 IL-2R mAb alone inhibited the response only modestly, maximal inhibition was achieved by combining both anti-p55 and anti-p75 IL-2R mAbs. These results indicate that the p75 IL-2R constitutively expressed on peripheral blood CD8+ T cells and TCR delta-1+ T cells is predominantly responsible for the direct activation of these cells by IL-2.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

[Thallium-201 myocardial perfusion imaging during transient coronary occlusion at the time of PTCA: comparison with stress imaging].

To evaluate myocardial perfusion during transient coronary arterial occlusion, thallium-201 was administered intravenously during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in 12 patients with effort angina, and the resulting perfusion images were compared with those of exercise stress obtained before PTCA. Thallium-201 was injected at the last inflation of an angioplastic balloon and occlusion was maintained for 60 to 90 sec. Three projections of planar images were obtained immediately after PTCA, using a portable gamma camera in an angiography room. These perfusion images obtained during PTCA and exercise were visually interpreted and compared. Myocardial perfusion defects due to the responsible vessel occlusion were observed at early imaging after PTCA, and were fully redistributed three hrs post injection. In 10 patients without angiographically imaged collateral vessels, there were no significant differences in perfusion between images during PTCA and during exercise. Two patients whose collaterals were observed during coronary angiography before PTCA had higher perfusion scores during PTCA than during exercise. We concluded that intravenous injection of thallium-201 during PTCA is a useful means for assessing alteration of myocardial perfusion due to transient coronary occlusion without increasing the risk of angioplastic procedures, and that it provides more precise information about the jeopardized myocardium, perfused by antegrade blood flow.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗
PubMed1989

[An examination of left ventricular peak filling rate and ventricular relaxation rate by simultaneous acquisition of radionuclide ventriculography and left ventricular pressure].

We investigated whether peak filling rate (PFR) obtained from ECG gated radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) reflects left ventricular (LV) relaxation rate or not. Five patients with angina pectoris, 5 patients with old myocardial infarction and 6 controls were studied by simultaneous acquisition of RNV and LV pressure. RNV was performed in modified left anterior oblique position before and during angiotensin II (A II) infusion to elevate their blood pressure about 25 mmHg (A-1) and 50 mmHg (A-2). The data were acquired in a list mode and LV volume curves were reconstructed by forward and backward gating from the R wave of ECG. Actual PFR and corrected PFR by stroke volume (/SV), by end diastolic volume (/EDV), by instantaneous volume (/IV) were calculated from LV volume curve and its first differential curve. LV pressure was simultaneously measured by the catheter-tip micromanometer, and the time constant (T) of assumed exponential decline in LV pressure was calculated as index of LV relaxation rate. Although there was no correlation between actual PFR and T, corrected PFR (/EDV) and PFR (/IV) correlated with T. PFR (/EDV) decreased and T increased during A-1 and A-2. Decrease of PFR (/EDV) corresponded with increase of T. Thus, corrected PFR (/EDV) obtained from RNV reflects the rate of LV relaxation, and was considered to be an useful index to evaluate LV diastolic function.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[An attempt of thallium-201 myocardial perfusion imaging during transient coronary arterial occlusion by PTCA].

To evaluate the myocardial perfusion during transient coronary occlusion, we attempted to obtain the myocardial scintigraphy during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Tl-201 was injected at the last inflation of angioplastic balloon and occlusion was kept on for 60 sec. Planar images or SPECT were obtained immediately after PTCA. With this protocol, myocardial perfusion defects were observed during PTCA and fully redistributed 3 hours after Tl injection. Extent of ischemic lesions were almost same as that observed during exercise in two cases without collateral vessels. In a case with well visualized collateral vessels, perfusion defect was smaller in PTCA images than that in exercise stressed images. We conclude that intravenous injection of Tl-201 during PTCA is useful to assess the alteration of myocardial perfusion due to transient coronary occlusion without increasing the risk of angioplastic procedure.

Adult↗