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A 3.3 kV trench MOSFET with double-trench structure was demonstrated. The deep buried p-base regions were fabricated using tilt angle ion implantation into the sidewalls of the trench contacts. The distance between the trench gate and trench contact was determined through simulation, in order to optimize the trade-off between on-resistance (RonA) and the electrical field in the oxide (Eox). A tapered trench was located in the connective area between the edge termination and the active area, in order to maintain breakdown voltage. We achieved a RonA of 10.3 mWcm2 and a breakdown voltage of 3843 V and the maximum Eox at breakdown voltage was estimated to be 3.2 MV/cm.

Aim The optimal fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement method for superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions remains to be established. We clarified the optimal measuring procedure for FFR for SFA lesions and investigated the necessary dose of papaverine for inducing maximal hyperemia in SFA lesions. Methods Forty-eight patients with SFA lesions who underwent measurement of peripheral FFR (pFFR: distal mean pressure divided by proximal mean pressure) after endovascular treatment by the contralateral femoral crossover approach were prospectively enrolled. In the pFFR measurement, a guide sheath was placed on top of the common iliac bifurcation and pressure equalization was performed. After advancing the pressure wire distal to the SFA lesion, sequential papaverine administration selectively to the affected common iliac artery was performed. Results There were no symptoms, electrocardiogram changes, and significant pressure drops at the guide sheath tip with increasing papaverine dose. pFFR changes following 20, 30, and 40 mg of papaverine were 0.87±0.10, 0.84±0.10, and 0.84±0.10, respectively (P＜0.001). Although not significantly different, pFFR decreased more in several patients at 30 mg of papaverine than at 20 mg. The pFFR at 40 mg of papaverine was almost similar to that at 30 mg of papaverine. The necessary papaverine dose was not changed according to sex and number of run-off vessels. Conclusions The contralateral femoral crossover approach is useful in FFR measurement for SFA lesions, and maximal hyperemia is induced by 30 mg of papaverine.

Wound severity is assessed mainly by the Rutherford classification for critical limb ischemia (CLI) with tissue loss. The Rutherford classification is based on the extent of tissue loss; however, its classification criteria are ambiguous and do not include information regarding wound depth. We investigated the effects of wound depth on clinical outcomes in CLI with tissue loss after endovascular treatment (EVT).Between April 2007 and August 2013, we enrolled 210 consecutive patients (247 limbs) who received EVT for CLI with tissue loss. In the limbs examined, 271 individual wounds existed. We evaluated wound depth using the University of Texas grade (grade 1: superficial wound not involving the tendon, capsule, or bone, n = 97; grade 2: wound penetrating the tendon or capsule, n = 124; and grade 3: wound penetrating the bone or joint, n = 50). We also investigated the wound healing rate at 12 months and limb salvage and major amputation-free survival rates 3 years after EVT.The wound healing rates at 12 months in Texas 1, 2, and 3 were 88%, 48%, and 24%, respectively (log-rank P.001). The limb salvage and major amputation-free survival rates at 3 years were lower in deep wounds than in shallow wounds (limb salvage rates: 98%, 82%, and 67%, respectively; P.001; major amputation-free survival rates: 78%, 52%, and 42%, respectively; P.001). In only minor tissue loss, the wound healing rates at 12 months and the limb salvage and major amputation-free survival rates at 3 years were stratified according to wound depth (wound healing rates: 92% in Texas 1 and 51% in Texas 2 or 3; P.001; limb salvage rates: 99% in Texas 1 and 86% in Texas 2 or 3; P = .001; major amputation-free survival rates: 79% in Texas 1 and 57% in Texas 2 or 3; P = .001). In only major tissue loss, deep wounds also caused poor outcomes compared with shallow wounds (wound healing rates: 70% in Texas 1 and 36% in Texas 2 or 3; P = .019; limb salvage rates: 94% in Texas 1 and 73% in Texas 2 or 3; P = .050; major amputation-free survival rates: 75% in Texas 1 and 45% in Texas 2 or 3; P = .039).Wound depth is an important indicator of wound status and affects the clinical outcomes of CLI with tissue loss.

To examine the effectiveness of vascular elastography (VE) for the assessment of totally occluded lower limb arteries prior to endovascular treatment (EVT).Of 812 consecutive patients who underwent EVT between April 2010 and April 2012, VE was used to evaluate the hardness of chronic total occlusions of the femoropopliteal segment prior to EVT in 65 consecutive patients (48 men; mean 73.9 years, range 63-86). Elastograms of the CTOs proximally and distally were scored using a 5-point scale, and outcomes in limbs with hard lesions (VE score 0-2) were compared to those with soft lesions (VE score 3-4) according to lesion length. The interventionists who performed the endovascular procedures were not informed of the VE score results.CTO characteristics could be evaluated in all cases. A VE score ≤2 was found in 14 of the 23 lesions150 mm in length. A flexible guidewire was sufficient for recanalization in more of the soft lesions than in the hard lesions [6/9 vs. 2/14, respectively]. In 39 lesions150 mm, a VE score of 3 was recorded in most lesions proximally, while lesions distally were hard in many cases (VE score 1 or 2). A flexible guidewire alone was sufficient in many soft CTOs (8/13, p0.01). In 16 cases, hard calcified plaque was indicated by difficulty in penetrating the lesion even with a stiff guidewire; all these cases had a VE score of 1 or 2. A retrograde approach was required only in hard CTOs (p0.01). The procedure time was significantly longer for the hard lesion group (152.9±63.2 vs. 87.0±29.8 minutes, p=0.001). In 11 in-stent occlusions, only VE scores of 3 (n=4) or 4 (n=7) were recorded, indicating soft thrombus, which was aspirated under distal protection in 7 cases.VE may be a useful method for determining the hardness of CTO lesions noninvasively before endovascular therapy, providing information that can help plan the procedure.

Objectives To evaluate the predictors of non-healing in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) after successful endovascular therapy (EVT). Background Occasionally, wound healing in patients with CLI and tissue loss cannot be achieved even after successful EVT. Patient's co-morbidities, vascular anatomy, wound features, and interventional strategies/outcomes are associated with the probability of wound healing. Methods Between April 2007 and October 2012, 182 patients with CLI (220 limbs) with tissue loss were treated with EVT in our institute. Of these, 164 individual wounds (130 patients, 149 limbs) out of 243 individual wounds were successfully treated. Successful EVT was defined as revascularization by achieving visible blood flow to the wounds, as evaluated by digital subtraction angiography performed just after EVT. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze predictors associated with wound healing. Results The mean follow-up period was 23 ± 18 months. The wound healing rates were 40.2%, 57.3%, 62.2%, and 70.7% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that insulin use [hazard ratio (HR), 0.541; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.329–0.890; P = 0.016], dependence on hemodialysis [HR, 0.429; 95% CI, 0.272–0.678; P

Aim: We assessed the wire behavior by using intravascular ultrasound when knuckle wire technique is performed for chronic total occlusion of the superficial femoral artery. We investigate the relationship between the angiogram and the wire behavior. Methods: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled 48 patients (50 limbs) in whom intravascular ultrasound could be performed successfully after knuckle wire technique. Results: The wire passed intraluminally from the proximal cap to the reentry site in nine cases (18%). Once the wire entered the subintimal space, it remained in the subintimal space through the occlusion (32/34 cases; 95%). Conclusion: The wire was more likely to advance intraluminally if the chronic total occlusion had a tapered proximal cap and an abrupt distal margin.

Background The differences in wound healing according to wound location remain unclear. Methods and results Between April 2007 and October 2011, 138 patients (166 limbs) with critical limb ischemia with tissue loss were treated with endovascular treatment. On these limbs, 177 individual wounds were identified on the foot and were evaluated for wound healing rates and time to healing according to their locations. Wound locations were divided into 3 groups: group T (Toe wounds, n=112), group H (Heel wounds, n=25), and group E (Extensive wounds extending onto the fore- or mid-foot along with dorsum or plantar surfaces, n=40). The mean follow-up period was 23±19 months. At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, wound healing rates were 51%, 64%, 75%, and 75%, respectively, in group T; 12%, 36%, 36%, and 52%, respectively, in group H; and 0%, 5%, 8%, and 13%, respectively, in group E. The median time to healing was 64 days (interquartile range 25-156 days) in group T, 168 days (interquartile range 123-316 days) in group H, and 267 days (interquartile range 177-316 days) in group E (P=0.038). Conclusions Extensive wounds extending onto the fore- or mid-foot along with dorsum or plantar surfaces were the most difficult type of wound to heal.

Objective We reviewed the technical changes and results achieved with the retrograde approach since we introduced it 7 years ago. Subjects and Methods The subjects were 1,268 patients who were treated for CTO between January 2004 and December 2010. They were investigated with respect to the success rate, the frequency of employing the retrograde approach and its outcome, and other factors. Results The retrograde approach was employed in ∼30% of chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients (n = 281) and the retrograde guidewire success rate was 81.1%. The kissing wire technique was substituted for the retrograde approach in 126 of the 281 patients, with antegrade crossing of a guidewire being successful in 88 of them (70%). The retrograde approach was combined with the CART and reverse controlled antegrade retrograde tracking (CART) techniques in 22 and 21 patients, respectively. Among 83 patients treated with Corsair catheters, crossing of the CTO was achieved in 63. The overall procedural success rate was 79.7% (224 patients). Complications of the retrograde approach included collateral channel dissection (2.1%), channel perforation (1.7%), CTO perforation (1.7%), and donor artery occlusion (1.1%). Conclusion The success rate and safety of the retrograde approach are both satisfactory if the appropriate devices and techniques are selected. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Advances in coronary intervention have increased the opportunity to intervene on complex lesions, resulting in an increase in PCI-related complication, including coronary artery perforation. However, treatment options for coronary perforation are limited, with delivery of devices to complex lesions being problematic. Balloon hemostasis is the usual bailout method, despite the risk of myocardial ischemia. In this report, we describe an over-the-wire balloon method to treat a patient with coronary perforation. Ischemia was avoided by injecting autologous blood through the catheter, while hemostasis was achieved by prolonged balloon inflation. This new technique is applicable when a perfusion balloon is not indicated.

Objective To (1) compare the outcome of self-expandable stents with versus without jailed deep femoral artery (DFA) for proximal superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions, and to (2) ascertain the fate of jailed DFA. Background Complex SFA lesions involving the femoral bifurcation (FB) was mostly treated surgically, and the role played by endovascular procedures is uncertain. Methods We retrospectively identified 104 consecutive, de novo lesions involving the SFA ostium, stented between April 2005 and September 2010. Depending on the proximal stent edge location, the sample was divided between 60 distal common femoral artery (CFA) stenting with jailed DFA and 44 ostial SFA stenting without jailed DFA. The FB was the segment beginning in the distal CFA, 10 mm proximal to the DFA ostium and ending in the SFA and 10 mm distal to the carina. Stented CFA lesions proximal to the FB were excluded. The bifurcation was classified as patent when free of restenosis and repeat revascularization. Results The overall 12-month bifurcation and primary patency rates were 72.5% and 52.0%, respectively. Predictors of loss of bifurcation patency were ostial SFA stenting and a small stent in the FB. Bifurcation patency (83.3% vs. 56.3%; P < 0.01) and primary patency of the SFA (56.2% vs. 37.5%; P = 0.088) were higher after distal CFA than after ostial SFA stenting. In 95.7% of distal CFA and 100% of ostial SFA stenting, DFA remained patent at 12-month follow-up (P = 0.237). Conclusions The 12-month fate of jailed DFA after distal CFA stenting was acceptable, and the bifurcation patency rate was higher than after ostial SFA stenting. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our emergency department with ongoing dyspnea for 2 weeks. The patient was immediately intubated endotracheally because of the hypoxia with flush pulmonary edema. Electrocardiogram showed ST depression and echocardiogram showed hypokinesis of anterior left ventricular wall with poor systolic function. Also her cardiac enzymes were elevated, emergency coronary angiogram was performed from radial artery because both femoral arteries were not fully palpable. Coronary angiogram showed three vessels disease including chronic total occlusion of right coronary artery and left main bifurcation lesion. Also blood flow of left anterior descending coronary artery was delayed. Acute coronary syndrome was the cause of acute heart failure and revascularization was needed but aortography revealed total occlusion of infrarenal aorta. Patient was relatively hemodynamically stable; we planned treating total occlusion of infrarenal aorta with endovascular therapy to maintain a rout for cardiopulmonary support system. With bi-directional approach from both femoral artery and left brachial artery, occlusion site with heavy calcification was finally passed through by guide wire from retrograde approach. After pull-through technique, self-expanding nitinol stent was implanted after pre dilation with small balloon. Considering her EURO score, supposed perioperative mortality was high, percutaneous coronary intervention was performed. A 7 fr sheath was inserted from right femoral artery and intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted from left femoral artery. Sirolimus-eluting stent was implanted to left circumflex artery and also from ostium of left main to mid left anterior descending coronary artery after using an atherectomy device. After successful revascularization, patient became hemodynamically stable and weaning off the respirator was successful. Reporting case achieved successful revascularization to severe coronary artery disease after endovascular recanalization with infrarenal aortic occlusion.

Background: Stent deployment across side branch (SB) ostium is common in daily practice. The present study investigated the natural history of SBs jailed by drug-eluting stents (DES). Methods: The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades of 271 consecutive SBs jailed by DES in 196 patients was assessed immediately after the procedure and at 9 months of follow-up. Patients receiving any SB intervention were excluded. Results: Of 271 jailed SBs, occlusion occurred in 6.27% and deterioration of flow occurred in 6.27% immediately after stenting. In patients with these SB changes, periprocedural myocardial infarction was more likely than in those without (10.0% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.017), while there was no increase of cardiac death or life-threatening complications such as stent thrombosis and Q-wave myocardial infarction (Q MI) during follow-up. At 9 months, angiography showed that one-third of the initially obstructed SBs were still occluded. In contrast, flow was maintained in almost all (98.6%) SBs with early TIMI flow grade 3 and there was no delayed occlusion of these branches. Multiple regression analysis showed that lesion complexity (Medina bifurcation class, calcification, and preprocedural TIMI grade 2 flow in the SB) and technical factors (jailing by overlapping stents) were related to SB occlusion or flow deterioration. Conclusions: Jailed SBs showing good flow after stenting had a favorable angiographic and clinical outcome after 9 months of follow-up. However, preprocedural lesion complexity and technical factors should be considered to avoid SB occlusion/flow deterioration associated with periprocedural myocardial infarction. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:37–46)

To investigate the long-term outcome of Percutaneous transluminal intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO). The subjects were 606 patients (1,145 lesions) who were treated for CTO between January 1996 and December 2003 at our institution. Among them, 436 patients with early success and confirmed patency at the CTO by follow-up coronary angiography after 6 months were classified as the patent group (Group P), while 170 patients without early success or with occlusion on follow-up angiography were classified as the occluded group (Group O). In April 2006 (mean: 660 ± 602 days), the outcome of CTO was investigated and the major adverse cardiac events (MACE)-free rate was calculated. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify determinants of death. The early success rate was 76.4% before 2003 when Conquest guidewires were not available. However, it subsequently showed significant improvement to 89%. The cumulative survival rate was significantly higher for Group P (92%) than for Group O (64%) and the MACE-free rate (free from, death, bypass surgery, myocardial infarction, and revascularization) showed a similar trend. The cumulative survival rate of patients without myocardial viability in the territory of the vessel with CTO was significantly higher for Group P (88%) than for Group O (55%). The outcome was significantly worse for patients with occlusion of other vessels (90%) than for patients without additional occlusion (42%). It was significantly better when the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was ≥40% than when the LVEF was ≤40% (90 vs. 68%). Multivariate analysis identified occluded CTO, other vessel occlusion, low ejection fraction (EF), unimproved EF, and old age as determinants of death from CTO. If early success is obtained and patency is maintained, the long-term outcome after PCI for CTO is significantly better than when failure occurs Occluded CTO, other vessel occlusion, low EF, unimproved EF, and old age are important determinants of the outcome.

Sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) is established to be effective in reducing restenosis. Repeat revascularization, however, is still required in up to 5-8% of patients. In this study, we analyzed clinical and angiographic variables that might be related with SES re-restenosis and variables related with re-restenosis after repeat SES implantation for SES restenosis. We also assessed clinical outcomes at 2-year follow-up after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for SES restenosis. Repeat revascularization for SES restenosis was performed in 113 patients with 140 lesions. Of the 140 lesions, follow-up coronary angiography (CAG) was performed on 117 lesions (101 patients) and revealed 46 SES re-restenotic and 71 non-re-restenotic lesions. In multivariate analysis, SES-in-SES-strategy and reference diameter before the second PCI were independent predictors of re-restenosis after PCI for SES restenosis. However, the reference diameter was the only independent predictor of re-restenosis after SES-in-SES. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 2 years were found in 44 patients (43.5%), and target lesion revascularization (TLR) was performed in 33.7% of patients after SES restenosis. In conclusion, the incidence of MACE and TLR was relatively high in patients with SES restenosis, but the placement of another SES on larger-diameter vessels may be an effective strategy for the second PCI.

Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) is an iron-binding secretory protein present in breast milk, mucosal secretions, and the secondary granules of neutrophils. Although bLf has multiple functions, including antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities, its effect on neuronal cells is not fully understood. We report that bLf prevents cell adhesion of PC12 cells and allows them to be cultivated in suspension. PC12 cells normally adhere well to plastic culture plates and show anchorage-dependent cell growth, but we found that soon after adding bLf, they detach from culture plates and begin to grow in suspension. When bLf was removed from the medium, the cells began to re-adhere to the plates. Thus, bLf inhibits cell adhesion and stimulates anchorage-independent growth in PC12 cells. On the other hand, bLf-induced cell suspension growth was not observed when cells were grown on a laminin matrix, suggesting that bLf does not affect integrin-mediated cell adhesion on a laminin matrix. Treatment of cells with heparin or chondroitin sulfate A or C inhibited bLf-induced growth in cell suspension. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with heparinase and/or chondroitinase prevented direct binding of bLf to the cell membrane. These results suggest that bLf binds to the membrane of PC12 cells via membrane-associated proteoglycans and leads to anchorage-independent growth. Keywords:: bovine lactoferrin, cell adhesion, PC12 cell, proteoglycan, cell suspension

The threshold-voltage (V th) shift of 4H-SiC MOSFETs with Ar or N2O post-oxidation annealing (POA) was measured by conventional sweep and non-relaxation methods. Although the V th shift values of both samples were almost identical when measured by the sweep method, those for the Ar POA samples were larger than those for the N2O POA samples when measured by the non-relaxation method. Thus, we can say that investigating the exact V th shifts using only the conventional sweep method is difficult. The temperature-dependent analysis of the V th shifts measured by both methods revealed that the N2O POA decreases charge trapping in the near-interface region of the SiO2.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between postprocedure intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings and restenosis after placement of drug-eluting stents (DES) for femoropopliteal lesions. Methods: Between July 2012 and May 2013, DES were placed in 64 patients with 88 de novo femoropopliteal lesions. In 40 patients (mean age 74.2±9.4 years; 27 men), DES were placed in 50 lesions under IVUS guidance, and restenosis was monitored for 1 year. All patients were symptomatic (Rutherford 2–6), and 17 patients (43%) suffered from critical limb ischemia. IVUS findings after stenting were compared for patients with vs without restenosis, which was defined as a peak systolic velocity ratio >2.4 on duplex ultrasonography or >50% diameter stenosis on angiography. Results: Ten patients (14 lesions) developed restenosis, while 30 patients (36 lesions) did not. There were no significant differences in the frequency of diabetes or dialysis between the 2 groups. Female patients were predominant in the restenosis group (p2 and 0.6, respectively. Conclusion: IVUS guidance of DES placement in femoropopliteal lesions can offer useful predictors of restenosis at 1 year. The utility of distal lumen CSA and the axial symmetry index in the prediction of restenosis after femoropopliteal DES placement should be confirmed in a larger cohort.

Purpose: To develop a scoring system to predict wound healing in critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients treated with endovascular therapy (EVT). Methods: Between July 2007 and January 2013, 184 patients (118 men; mean age 73.0 years) with CLI (217 limbs) and tissue loss underwent EVT. From this cohort 236 separate wounds were divided into development (n=118) and validation (n=118) groups. Predictors of wound healing were identified using multivariable analysis. Each predictor was assigned a score based on its regression coefficient, and total scores were calculated, ranging from 0 to 1 for low risk up to ≥4 for high risk of a nonhealing wound. The performance of the scoring system in the prediction of wound healing was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Results: By multivariable analysis, a University of Texas grade ≥2 (HR 0.524, 95% CI 0.288–0.951, p=0.034), an infected wound (HR 0.497, 95% CI 0.276–0.894, p=0.020), dependence on hemodialysis (HR 0.459, 95% CI 0.259–0.814, p=0.008), no visible blood flow to the wound (HR 0.343, 95% CI 0.146–0.802, p=0.014), and major tissue loss (HR 0.322, 95% CI 0.165–0.630, p=0.001) predicted a non-healing wound. The 1-year rates of wound healing in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 94.6%, 67.6%, and 9.1%, respectively, in the development group (p

Endovascular therapy (EVT) has become first-line approach for critical limb ischemia (CLI), however, its high restenosis rate remains as a major problem. Generally, restenosis is associated with poor wound healing course, so usually repeat EVT is needed for the restenosis case. However, the clinical

Background: Recent studies have suggested the possibility of late catch-up phenomenon after implantation of sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) for coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to bare metal stent. However, little is known about the incidence of late catch-up phenomenon after implantation of everolimus-eluting stent (EES). Methods: Between April 2007 and May 2011, 1234 patients with CAD were treated with SES and 502 patients were treated with EES in our institution. We used a propensity score matching method with 1:1 matching, including 495 patients treated with SES and 495 patients treated with EES. Late catch-up phenomenon which was defined as target lesion restenosis (1 year to 3 years) were compared between the 2 groups. Results: After the propensity matching, no difference was seen in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. Cumulative incidence of TLR at 3 years was 7.1% in EES group and 13.5% in SES group (P=0.001, log-rank test). Incidence of late catch-up phenomenon was 4.2% in EES group and 7.8% in SES group (P=0.020, log-rank test). Multivariate Cox’s proportional hazard analysis revealed that sirolimus eluting stent usage (HR 4.7, 95%CI 2.8-7.9, P Conclusions: EES was significantly superior to SES in the incidence of late catch-up phenomenon.

We proposed an Schottky barrier diode wall integrated trench MOSFET (SWITCH-MOS) for the purposes of shrinking the cell pitch and suppressing the forward degradation of the body diode. A trench Schottky barrier diode (SBD) was integrated into a trench gate MOSFET with a wide shielding p+ region that protected the trench bottoms of both the SBD and the MOS gate from high electrical fields in the off state. The SBD was placed on the trench sidewall of the plane (m-face). Static and transient simulations revealed that SWITCH-MOS sufficiently suppressed the bipolar current that induced forward degradation, and we determined that the optimum Schottky barrier height (SBH) was from 0.8 to 2.0 eV. The SBH depends on the crystal planes in 4H-SiC, but the SBH of the m-face was unclear. We fabricated a planar m-face SBD for the first time, and we obtained SBHs from 1.4 to 1.8 eV experimentally with titanium or nickel as a Schottky metal.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients with tissue loss have been recognized to have a poor survival rate. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the prognosis of CLI patients with tissue loss improves after complete wound healing is achieved by endovascular therapy.We treated 187 CLI patients with tissue loss by endovascular therapy from April 2007 to December 2012. Among these patients, 113 patients who achieved complete wound healing were enrolled. The primary end point was survival rate at 3 years. The secondary end points were limb salvage rate and recurrence rate of CLI at 3 years.The mean follow-up period after achievement of complete wound healing was 32 ± 18 months. At 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years, the survival rates were 86%, 79%, and 74%; the limb salvage rates were 100%, 100%, and 100%; the recurrence rates of CLI were 2%, 6%, and 9%, respectively. On multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, age75 years (hazard ratio, 3.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-8.24; P = .017) and nonambulatory status (hazard ratio, 2.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-5.65; P = .035) were identified as independent predictors of death for CLI patients with tissue loss even after complete wound healing was achieved. The Kaplan-Meier curve for the overall survival rate at 3 years showed that CLI patients of older age (75 years) had a significantly decreased survival rate compared with CLI patients of younger age (≤75 years) (58% vs 87%; log-rank test, P.001). In addition, nonambulatory CLI patients had a significantly poor survival rate relative to ambulatory CLI patients (40% vs 93%; log-rank test, P.001).The overall survival rate of CLI patients was acceptable and the recurrence rate of CLI was extremely low once complete wound healing was achieved. Nonambulatory status and age75 years can serve as predictors of death even after complete wound healing is achieved.

Accelerated atherosclerosis in prolonged maintenance hemodialysis (HD) has been recognized; however, whether HD duration is associated with poor clinical outcome in HD patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is unknown. We evaluated the impact of HD duration on clinical outcomes in HD patients with CAD after DES implantation. Between April 2007 and December 2012, 168 angina pectoris patients (320 de novo lesions) on HD were treated with DES. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and target lesion revascularization (TLR) were investigated at 3 years according to the HD duration (≤ 3 years, 83 patients; >3 years, 85 patients). The incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the long HD duration group (25.3 vs. 50.6 %; P = 0.001). Especially, sudden cardiac death (SCD) was significantly higher in the long HD duration group (3.6 vs. 16.5 %; P = 0.006). On the other hand, the rates of TLR were similar between the two groups (12.0 vs. 14.1 %; P = 0.69). Cox's proportional hazard analysis revealed that HD duration (HR 1.08 per year, 95 % CI 1.03-1.13, P = 0.002), β-blocker use (0.28, 0.17-0.46, P < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (2.10, 1.23-3.56, P = 0.007) were independent predictors of MACE. Longer HD duration did not affect TLR; however, SCD was significantly higher in the long HD duration group.

There was no report that evaluated clinical results after repeat drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for DES restenosis at coronary artery lesions with high degree hinge motion. From April 2007 to December 2009, subjects were serial 133 patients who underwent repeat154 DES implantation for DES

Very late stent thrombosis (VLST) is a catastrophic complication after implantation of a drug-eluting stent (DES). It has been reported that VLST is associated with pathological changes, which often include late acquired incomplete stent apposition (LAISA) with thrombus formation. In addition, the vascular response to the stent (evaginations, neointimal growth, and thrombosis) and the incidence of LAISA are reported to vary among the different types of DES. We experienced a patient with cardiogenic shock induced by simultaneous VLST of both the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the left circumflex artery (LCX) at 3 years after implantation of two sirolimus-eluting stents. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) showed LAISA of both arteries. A paclitaxel-eluting stent, which had been implanted in the right coronary artery 3 years earlier, did not show such a finding. IVUS revealed "different vascular reactions" to "different types of DES" in this patient.

To evaluate the predictors of non-healing in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) after successful endovascular therapy (EVT).Occasionally, wound healing in patients with CLI and tissue loss cannot be achieved even after successful EVT. Patient's co-morbidities, vascular anatomy, wound features, and interventional strategies/outcomes are associated with the probability of wound healing.Between April 2007 and October 2012, 182 patients with CLI (220 limbs) with tissue loss were treated with EVT in our institute. Of these, 164 individual wounds (130 patients, 149 limbs) out of 243 individual wounds were successfully treated. Successful EVT was defined as revascularization by achieving visible blood flow to the wounds, as evaluated by digital subtraction angiography performed just after EVT. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze predictors associated with wound healing.The mean follow-up period was 23±18 months. The wound healing rates were 40.2%, 57.3%, 62.2%, and 70.7% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that insulin use [hazard ratio (HR), 0.541; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.329-0.890; P=0.016], dependence on hemodialysis [HR, 0.429; 95% CI, 0.272-0.678; P0.001], and major tissue loss [HR, 0.460; 95% CI, 0.294-0.720; P=0.001] were independent predictors of non-healing after successful EVT.Insulin use, dependence on hemodialysis, and major tissue loss were independent predictors of non-healing after successful EVT.

Entrapment of nondeflated balloon is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. Sometimes it has hazardous potentials for the patient. We experienced a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) caused by a defective balloon. We reported this experience and simple bailout technique.

The clinical outcomes of EVT for the restenosis of SFA stent with jailed DFA were poorly understood. The aim of this study was to reveal the SFA patency and the fate of DFA after EVT for the restenosis of SFA stent with jailed DFA. From April 2007 to January 2013, we performed de novo 490 ostial

To evaluate the 2-year results obtained with self-expandable stent for chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the iliac artery, a retrospective study was performed of patients who underwent endovascular therapy (EVT) for chronic iliac artery CTO who presented from April 2007 to September 2012. 82 patients with 86 occluded iliac arteries underwent successful recanalization and stenting with a self-expandable stent. The primary equivalence end point was a composite of restenosis, mortality, target vessel revascularization, and limb salvage rates. Patients were followed up with the presence of a palpable femoral artery pulse, resolution of symptoms, and noninvasive vascular laboratory testing reviewed at 1, 3, and 6 months after EVT and then were evaluated at 6-month intervals. In patients who gave consent, repeat angiography was done in sixty-one of 86 lesions (70.1 %) for follow-up. The mean follow-up was at 27.6 ± 17.8 months (range 3–60 months). All stents were placed in the true lumen under intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance. There were no cases of peripheral embolization or iliac artery rupture after the procedure. The ankle-brachial index increased significantly from 0.55 ± 0.19 to 0.88 ± 0.17 (P

The chloride permeability of normal weight concrete subjected to static and repeated compressive loading was evaluated by using the AASHTO T277 test method. The results of concrete under static loading showed that the application of loads up to 90 % of the ultimate strength had little effect on the chloride permeability. It was found from the results of concrete under repeated loading that load repetitions at the maximum stress levels of 60 % or more caused the chloride permeability to increase significantly. The test results also indicated that the chloride permeability of concrete subjected to static and repeated loading increased at an increasing rate with its residual strain. The relation between the chloride permeability obtained and the cracking behavior of concrete previously reported was discussed.

The threshold-voltage (V th) shift of 4H-SiC MOSFETs with Ar or N2O post-oxidation annealing (POA) was measured by conventional sweep and non-relaxation methods. Although the V th shift values of both samples were almost identical when measured by the sweep method, those for the Ar POA samples were larger than those for the N2O POA samples when measured by the non-relaxation method. Thus, we can say that investigating the exact V th shifts using only the conventional sweep method is difficult. The temperature-dependent analysis of the V th shifts measured by both methods revealed that the N2O POA decreases charge trapping in the near-interface region of the SiO2.

To (1) compare the outcome of self-expandable stents with versus without jailed deep femoral artery (DFA) for proximal superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions, and to (2) ascertain the fate of jailed DFA.Complex SFA lesions involving the femoral bifurcation (FB) was mostly treated surgically, and the role played by endovascular procedures is uncertain.We retrospectively identified 104 consecutive, de novo lesions involving the SFA ostium, stented between April 2005 and September 2010. Depending on the proximal stent edge location, the sample was divided between 60 distal common femoral artery (CFA) stenting with jailed DFA and 44 ostial SFA stenting without jailed DFA. The FB was the segment beginning in the distal CFA, 10 mm proximal to the DFA ostium and ending in the SFA and 10 mm distal to the carina. Stented CFA lesions proximal to the FB were excluded. The bifurcation was classified as patent when free of restenosis and repeat revascularization.The overall 12-month bifurcation and primary patency rates were 72.5% and 52.0%, respectively. Predictors of loss of bifurcation patency were ostial SFA stenting and a small stent in the FB. Bifurcation patency (83.3% vs. 56.3%; P0.01) and primary patency of the SFA (56.2% vs. 37.5%; P = 0.088) were higher after distal CFA than after ostial SFA stenting. In 95.7% of distal CFA and 100% of ostial SFA stenting, DFA remained patent at 12-month follow-up (P = 0.237).The 12-month fate of jailed DFA after distal CFA stenting was acceptable, and the bifurcation patency rate was higher than after ostial SFA stenting.

The effects of freezing and thawing cycling on the chloride permeability of normal weight and lightweight concretes were investigated by using the AASHTO T277 chloride permeability test method and the freeze-thaw test method similar to that recommended by ASTM C666. The results showed that the chloride permeability of the normal weight concretes having an air content of at least 5·3% changed little with the repeated cycles of freezing and thawing up to 618 cycles, irrespective of the presence and the type of mineral admixtures. It was also found that lightweight concretes made with fully-saturated expanded shale aggregates exhibited an extremely high chloride permeability at any air content, when they were subjected to a single freeze-thaw cycle. Furthermore, the type of microcracks developing in normal weight concretes exposed to the repeated freeze-thaw cycles was discussed.