Hideo Izawa

Protein–energy wasting is associated with inflammation and advanced atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients. We enrolled 800 patients who had undergone successful lower-extremity revascularization, and we investigated the association among the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) as a surrogate marker of protein–energy wasting, C-reactive protein (CRP), and their joint roles in predicting amputation and mortality. They were divided into lower, middle, and upper tertiles (T1, T2, and T3) according to GNRI and CRP levels, respectively. Regarding the results, the amputation-free survival rates over 8 years were 47.0%, 56.9%, and 69.5% in T1, T2, and T3 of the GNRI and 65.8%, 58.7%, and 33.2% for T1, T2, and T3 of CRP, respectively (p < 0.0001 for both). A reduced GNRI [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–2.59, p = 0.0016 for T1 vs. T3] and elevated CRP (aHR 1.86, 95% CI 1.30–2.70, p = 0.0007 for T3 vs. T1) independently predicted amputation and/or mortality. When the two variables were combined, the risk was 3.77-fold higher (95% CI 1.97–7.69, p < 0.0001) in patients who occupied both T1 of the GNRI and T3 of CRP than in those who occupied both T3 of the GNRI and T1 of CRP. In conclusion, patients with preprocedurally decreased GNRI and elevated CRP levels frequently experienced amputation and mortality, and a combination of these two variables could more accurately stratify the risk.

Introduction Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is known to have a high negative predictive value (NPV) in identifying coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to examine whether resting echocardiographic parameters could exclude significant CAD on CCTA. Methods We recruited 142 patients who had undergone both CCTA and echocardiography within a 3‐month window. Based on the CCTA findings, patients were divided into two groups: Group A (non‐significant CAD, defined as all coronary segments having <50% stenosis) and Group B (significant CAD). Resting echocardiographic parameters were compared between the two groups to identify predictors of non‐significant CAD on CCTA. Results A total 92 patients (mean age, 68 ± 13 years; males, 62%) were eligible for this study; 50 in Group A and 42 in Group B. Among the various echo parameters, left atrial volume index (LAVI) and left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) were significantly lower in Group A (23.5 ± 7.6 vs. 33.6 ± 7.4 mL/m 2 , p < .001; −20.2 ± 1.8% vs. −16.8 ± 2.0%, p < .001, respectively). Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that the cutoff value to exclude significant CAD on CCTA was 29.0 mL/m 2 for LAVI (NPV 80.8%) and −18.1% for GLS (NPV 80.7%). The NPV increased to 95.0% when these parameters were combined (LAVI < 29.0 mL/m 2 and GLS < −18.1%). Conclusion The combination of resting LAVI and GLS was clinically useful in excluding significant CAD via CCTA.