著者
Siobhan M. Craige Shashi Kant John F. Keaney Jr
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
pp.CJ-15-0464, (Released:2015-05-18)
参考文献数
131
被引用文献数
65 74

Endothelial function is largely dictated by its ability to rapidly sense environmental cues and adapt to these stimuli through changes in vascular tone, inflammation/immune recruitment, and angiogenesis. When any one of these abilities is compromised, the endothelium becomes dysfunctional, which ultimately leads to disease. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been established at the forefront of endothelial dysfunction; however, more careful examination has demonstrated that ROS are fundamental to each of the sensing/signaling roles of the endothelium. The purpose of this review is to document endothelial ROS production in both disease and physiological adaptation. Through understanding new endothelial signaling paradigms, we will gain insight into more targeted therapeutic strategies for vascular diseases.
著者
Minako Yamaoka Seiji Yamaguchi Masaki Okuyama Hitonobu Tomoike
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
JAPANESE CIRCULATION JOURNAL (ISSN:00471828)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.63, no.12, pp.951-956, 1999 (Released:2001-08-25)
参考文献数
41
被引用文献数
45 46

Proinflammatory cytokines, ie, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), participate in the development and the progression of congestive heart failure (CHF). On the other hand, an anti-inflammatory cytokine may neutralize the proinflammatory cytokines of CHF. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is known to suppress the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines. IL-10 and the IL-10 receptor system was investigated in comparison with the behavior of TNF α in 68 patients with various causes of CHF (mean age: 61 years) and in 31 normal subjects (61 years). The circulating IL-10 level was higher in CHF patients than in normal subjects (p<0.05). The TNFα level was higher in CHF patients than in control subjects (p<0.005). The ratio of IL-10 to TNFα tended to be higher in control subjects than in patients with CHF (p=0.09). With lipopolysaccharide treatment, the release of IL-10 was more enhanced from mononuclear leukocyte of patients with CHF than from control subjects (p<0.05). The expression of the IL-10 receptor estimated by flow cytometry of mononuclear leukocytes was higher in the CHF patients than in the normal subjects. The IL-10/IL-10 receptor system was activated, at least partly, to downregulate an excess of TNF α in patients with advanced CHF. IL-10 may be an important inherent component of the cytokine network of CHF. (Jpn Circ J 1999; 63: 951 - 956)
著者
Reyhaneh Nosrati Steve Lin Andrew Ramadeen Dena Monjazebi Paul Dorian Vladislav Toronov
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.81, no.6, pp.879-887, 2017-05-25 (Released:2017-05-25)
参考文献数
35
被引用文献数
11 15

Background:Maintaining cerebral oxygen delivery and metabolism during cardiac arrest (CA) through resuscitation is essential to improve the survival rate while avoiding brain injury. The effect of CA and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on cerebral and muscle oxygen delivery and metabolism is not clearly quantified.Methods and Results:A novel hyperspectral near-infrared spectroscopy (hNIRS) technique was developed and evaluated to measure cerebral oxygen delivery and aerobic metabolism during ventricular fibrillation (VF) CA and CPR in 14 pigs. The hNIRS parameters were measured simultaneously on the dura and skull to investigate the validity of non-invasive hNIRS measurements. In addition, we compared the hNIRS data collected simultaneously on the brain and muscle. Following VF induction, oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) declined with a 9.9 s delay and then cytochrome-c-oxidase (Cyt-ox) decreased on average 4.4 s later (P<0.05). CPR improved cerebral metabolism, which was reflected by an average 0.4 μmol/L increase in Cyt-ox, but had no significant effect on HbO2, deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) and tissue oxygen saturation (tSO2). Cyt-ox had greater correlation with HHb than HbO2. Muscle metabolism during VF and CPR was significantly different from that of the brain. The total hemoglobin concentration (in the brain only) increased after ~200 s of untreated CA, which is most likely driven by cerebral autoregulation through vasodilation.Conclusions:Overall, hNIRS showed consistent measurements of hemodynamics and metabolism during CA and CPR.
著者
Mitsuru Takami Koji Fukuzawa Kunihiko Kiuchi Hiroyuki Takahara Kimitake Imamura Toshihiro Nakamura Yusuke Sonoda Kazutaka Nakasone Kyoko Yamamoto Yuya Suzuki Kenichi Tani Hidehiro Iwai Yusuke Nakanishi Mitsuhiko Shoda Atsushi Murakami Shogo Yonehara Ken-ichi Hirata
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Reports (ISSN:24340790)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.5, no.11, pp.415-423, 2023-11-10 (Released:2023-11-10)
参考文献数
11

Background: There is a strong demand for remote monitoring systems to gather health data. This study investigated the safety, usefulness, and patient satisfaction in outpatient care using telehealth with real-time electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring after catheter ablation.Methods and Results: In all, 38 patients who underwent catheter ablation were followed up using telehealth. At the 3- and 6-month follow-up, a self-fitted Duranta ECG monitoring device was sent to the patient’s home before the online consultation. Patients attached the devices themselves, and the doctors viewed the patients by video chat and performed real-time ECG monitoring. The frequency of hospital visits and the ECG monitoring duration were compared with conventional in-person follow-up data (n=102). The completion rate for telehealth follow-up was 32 of 38 patients (84%). The number of hospital visits during the 6 months was significantly lower with telehealth follow-up than with conventional follow-up (median [interquartile range] 1 [1–1] vs. 5 [3–5]; P<0.0001). However, the ECG monitoring duration was approximately 4-fold longer for the telehealth follow-up (median [interquartile range] 89 [64–117] vs. 24 [0.1–24] h; P<0.0001). No major adverse events were observed during the telehealth follow-up. Patient surveys showed high satisfaction with telehealth follow-up due to reduced hospital visits.Conclusions: A combination of telehealth follow-up with real-time ECG monitoring increased the ECG monitoring duration and patient satisfaction without any adverse events.
著者
Hiroshi Tada
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.76, no.4, pp.791-800, 2012 (Released:2012-03-23)
参考文献数
57
被引用文献数
13 14

The aortic root is at the center of the heart. Each of the aortic sinuses of Valsalva, positioned at the base of the aortic root, is in contact with the atrial myocardium and/or ventricular myocardium at their bases, which enables mapping and ablating of some ventricular arrhythmias with an outflow tract origin and supraventricular tachycardias (ie, atrial tachycardia, accessory pathways) from the aortic sinuses of Valsalva. These arrhythmias have characteristic electrocardiographic findings associated with their origins, and almost all are difficult to ablate from an atrial or ventricular endocardial site. Site-specific and potential complications, such as a coronary artery occlusion or atrioventricular block, can occur with catheter ablation at the aortic sinuses of Valsalva. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and proper ablation at the aortic sinuses of Valsalva are required for a cure. This review describes the anatomic features of the aortic sinuses of Valsalva and focuses on the diagnosis and radiofrequency catheter ablation of arrhythmias that can be ablated from this site. (Circ J 2012; 76: 791-800)
著者
Barry A. Borlaug
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.78, no.1, pp.20-32, 2014 (Released:2013-12-25)
参考文献数
100
被引用文献数
76 88

Approximately half of patients with heart failure (HF) have a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and with the changing age and comorbidity characteristics in the adult population, this number is growing rapidly. The defining symptom of HFpEF is exercise intolerance, but the specific mechanisms causing this common symptom remain debated and inadequately understood. Although diastolic dysfunction was previously considered to be the sole contributor to exercise limitation, recent studies have identified the importance of ventricular systolic, chronotropic, vascular, endothelial and peripheral factors that all contribute in a complex and highly integrated fashion to produce the signs and symptoms of HF. This review will explore the mechanisms underlying objective and subjective exercise intolerance in patients with HFpEF.  (Circ J 2014; 78: 20–32)
著者
Kahomi Sazawa Kohei Ohno Tomohisa Yamashita Shoya Ino Satoru Shibata Takahito Itoh Hiroyuki Hotta Tomoaki Matsumoto Hitoshi Ooiwa Hirofumi Kubo Takayuki Miki
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Reports (ISSN:24340790)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.4, no.12, pp.588-594, 2022-12-09 (Released:2022-12-09)
参考文献数
36

Background: Post hoc analysis of the PARADIGM-HF trial showed that sacubitril/valsartan (S/V) was more effective than enalapril in lowering HbA1c in patients with heart failure and diabetes.Methods and Results: In the present study, the effect of S/V on glycemic control was retrospectively analyzed in 150 patients (median age 74 years) who were prescribed S/V for the treatment of heart failure and/or hypertension. After a median period of 13 weeks treatment, mean (±SD) HbA1c levels decreased significantly from 6.56±0.68% to 6.49±0.63%. The decrease in HbA1c was evident in patients with (n=111), but not in those without, diabetes. There were no significant changes in renal function after S/V treatment, but systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced from 141±21 to 134±19 mmHg. Ninety patients had N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) tested, and S/V significantly decreased median NT-proBNP concentrations from 1,026 to 618 pg/mL; however, there was no correlation between the degree of decrease in HbA1c and that in NT-proBNP. Multiple regression analysis revealed that being diabetic, rather than having heart failure, was a significant independent variable for a reduction in HbA1c.Conclusions: Treatment with S/V improved glycemic control in patients with heart failure and/or hypertension, especially in those with concomitant diabetes. This favorable effect on glucose metabolism may be mediated by neprilysin inhibition and is desirable in the treatment of heart failure and hypertension in diabetic patients.
著者
Satoshi Ide Hiromasa Hayama Yusuke Asai Mari Terada Hidetoshi Nomoto Satoshi Kutsuna Norio Ohmagari Yukio Hiroi
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.85, no.6, pp.944-947, 2021-05-25 (Released:2021-05-25)
参考文献数
17
被引用文献数
5

Background:Several studies have reported elevated troponin levels in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, so we investigated myocardial damage by measuring high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) levels and analyzed the relationship with comorbidities.Methods and Results:Of 209 patients who recently recovered from COVID-19, 65% had an elevated hsTnT level that was higher than levels in patients with acute phase infection despite most patients (79%) having a mild illness. The hsTnT levels correlated with disease severity, sex, comorbidities, and ACEi and ARB use.Conclusions:Myocardial damage occurs in the recovery phase of COVID-19, and its evaluation, regardless of patient age, should be considered.
著者
Hiroyuki Matsuura Fukiko Ichida Tsutomu Saji Shunichi Ogawa Kenji Waki Masahide Kaneko Masahiro Tahara Takashi Soga Yasuo Ono Satoshi Yasukochi
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.80, no.11, pp.2362-2368, 2016-10-25 (Released:2016-10-25)
参考文献数
24
被引用文献数
52 55

Background:The 1st nationwide survey by the Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of acute or fulminant myocarditis (AMC/FMC) in children revealed that the survival rate of FMC was only 51.6%. The 2nd nationwide survey was performed to evaluate the recent outcomes of pediatric myocarditis.Methods and Results:Questionnaires regarding patients aged ≤18 years with AMC/FMC during the period from January 2006 to December 2011 were mailed. A total of 221 cases (age 6.5±5.3 years, 116 boys and 105 girls) were reported. There were 145 (65.6%) and 74 cases (33.5%) of AMC/FMC, respectively; the type of myocarditis was not reported in the remaining 2 cases (0.9%). Viruses were identified in 56 cases (25.3%), including coxsackie B in 9 and influenza A in 8. Histopathology by either endomyocardial biopsy or autopsy was obtained in 38 cases (19.2%). Intravenous immunoglobulin was effective in 49 (34.3%) of 143 cases. Steroid therapy was effective in 20 (32.8%) of 61 cases. Mechanical circulatory support was given in 54 cases (24.4%) and 94.2% of them were patients with FMC. The survival rates for the whole study population, acute myocarditis, and FMC were 75.6%, 91.0%, and 48.6%, respectively.Conclusions:The survival rate of children with myocarditis was almost identical to that of 10 years ago. (Circ J 2016; 80: 2362–2368)
著者
Tomohisa Hirano Kunihiko Tsuchiya Kazuhiko Nishigaki Kenji Sou Tomoki Kubota Shinsuke Ojio Masanori Kawasaki Shinya Minatoguchi Hisayoshi Fujiwara Katsumi Ueno Hiroaki Hosokawa Norihiko Morita Toshihiko Nagano Takahiko Suzuki Sachirou Watanabe
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.70, no.5, pp.525-529, 2006 (Released:2006-04-25)
参考文献数
23
被引用文献数
34 36

Background To diagnose left main trunk (LMT) infarction by 12-lead standard electrocardiogram (ECG) is an important emergency technique, but the features in LMT infarctions have not been clarified. Methods and Results The study enrolled 140 subjects who were divided into 4 groups according to the location of the culprit artery: 35 with LMT, 35 with left anterior descending artery (LAD), 35 with right coronary artery and 35 with left circumflex artery. Various parameters obtained from the ECGs were analyzed. Average QTc interval (0.51±0.06 s) in LMT group was markedly longer than that in the 3 other groups. Average QRS axis (-10±77 degrees) in LMT infarction showed a remarkable left deviation. ST-segment elevation in lead aVR occurred in 28 patients (80.0%) in the LMT group. The ECG features of the LMT group could be classified into 2 main groups: right bundle branch block (RBBB) with a marked left axis deviation (RBBB + LADEV type) and ST-segment elevation in leads V2-5, I and aVL without abnormal axis deviation (LAD type). Conclusion Either ST-segment elevation in lead aVR and marked prolongation of both the QRS width and QTc interval with a prominent abnormal axis deviation or ST-segment elevation in the broad anterior precordial lead with a normal QRS axis strongly suggests LMT infarction. (Circ J 2006; 70: 525 - 529)
著者
上田 三四二
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
JAPANESE CIRCULATION JOURNAL (ISSN:00471828)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.25, no.1, pp.106-119, 1961-01-15 (Released:2008-04-14)
参考文献数
44

The causal relations between various neuroses and the distribution of subclinical adhesive arachnoiditis cerebrospinalis have been extensively studied by Maekawa and his students. The neurocirculatory asthenia (N.C.A.), a type of neurosis, is frequently associated with abnormal electrocardiograms. It is also known that the stimulation of the peripheral sympathetic nerve produces electrocardiograms of "coronary insufficiency" pattern. In this paper the author tried to elucidate the possible role of the spinal sympathetic nervous system supplying the heart in the pathogenesis of N.C.A. by studying the effect of the electrical stimulation of the spinal cord in dogs on the electrocardiograms. Methods After adult dogs were laminectomized under anesthesia, a pair of concentric electrodes was inserted into the spinal cord, and the electrical stimulation was applied at 4 to 15 volts for about 5 to 15 seconds. Electrocardiograms were recorded before, during and after the electrical stimulation. Results and Discussion In 30 of 36 tested animals the electrical stimulation of the spinal cord produced electrocardiographic changes in ST and T waves. Although changes could be produced either with the upper thoracic cord or lower thoracic cord stimulation, electrocardiographic changes were more frequent in incidence and severe in degree with the former mode of the stimulation than with the latter. A still stronger effect could be produced when the two areas were stimulated simultaneously. The maximum effect was obtained at 2.5 mm depth of the insertion of the stimulating electrode; in this case the tip of the electrode was located near the lateral horn of the spinal cord. Although the electrical stimulation of the spinal cord produced an elevation of the blood pressure concomitantly with the electrocardiographic changes, the observed electrocardiographic changes were not possibly reactions secondary to the elevation of the blood pressure. Altered electrocardiograms and elevated blood pressure are probably two distinct manifestations of a single reaction process of the organism to the stimulation, i.e., the coronary vasoconstriction on the one hand, and generallized peripheral vasoconstriction on the other.
著者
Jun-ichi Kawabe Fumitaka Ushikubi Naoyuki Hasebe
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.74, no.5, pp.836-843, 2010 (Released:2010-04-23)
参考文献数
86
被引用文献数
81 86

Prostacyclin (PGI2) is one of the important vascular prostanoids, the effects of which counteract those of thromboxane (TXA2), and these 2 prostanoids provide an important balance in cardiovascular homeostasis. The clinical experience of COX-2 selective inhibitors having unexpected adverse effects in patients with cardiovascular risk has opened up a debate about the role of COX-2-derived prostanoids in vascular pathophysiology. PGI2 is a major anti-atherogenic prostanoid produced by COX-2 in vascular cells, including endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. The balance between COX-2-derived PGI2, COX-1-derived TXA2, and other COX-2-mediated atherogenic prostanoids is a crucial factor in determining pathophysiological outcomes. Recent studies using stable PGI2 analogs and genetically deficient mice have revealed novel effects of PGI2 on its target cells, such as endothelial and endothelial progenitor cells. The role PGI2 in the physiology and pathophysiology of vascular diseases is reviewed and the recent findings linking PGI2, COX-2 and atherothrombosis are summarized. (Circ J 2010; 74: 836 - 843)
著者
Masafumi Nakayama Nobuhiro Tanaka Kunihiro Sakoda Yohei Hokama Kou Hoshino Yo Kimura Masashi Ogawa Jun Yamashita Yuichi Kobori Takashi Uchiyama Yoshifusa Aizawa Akira Yamashina
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.79, no.3, pp.530-536, 2015-02-25 (Released:2015-02-25)
参考文献数
38
被引用文献数
20 19

Background:Papaverine is useful for evaluating the functional status of a coronary artery, but it may provoke malignant ventricular arrhythmia (VA). The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, and clinical and ECG characteristics of patients with papaverine-induced VAs.Methods and Results:The 182 consecutive patients underwent fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement of 277 lesions. FFR was determined after intracoronary papaverine administration by standard procedures. The clinical and ECG characteristics were compared between patients with and without ventricular tachycardia (VT: ≥3 successive premature ventricular beats (PVBs), or ventricular fibrillation (VF)). After papaverine administration, the QTc interval, QTUc interval, and T-peak to U-end interval were prolonged significantly. Single PVBs on the T-wave or U-wave type developed in 29 patients (15.9%). Polymorphic VT (torsade de pointes) occurred in 5 patients (2.8%), and of those, VF developed in 3 patients (1.7%). No clinical and baseline ECG parameters were predictors for VT or VF except for sex and administration of papaverine into the left coronary artery. Excessive prolongation of QT (or QTU), T-peak to U-end intervals and giant T-U waves were found immediately prior to the ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTAs), which were unpredictable from the baseline data.Conclusions:Intracoronary administration of papaverine induced fatal VTAs, although the incidence is rare. Excessive prolongation of the QT (and QTU) interval appeared prior to VTAs; however, they were unpredictable. (Circ J 2015; 79: 530–536)
著者
Chih-Chun Lee Dong-Yi Chen Yi-Hsin Chan Victor Chien-Chia Wu Yu-Ting Cheng Kuo-Chun Hung Chia-Pin Lin Ying-Chang Tung Fu-Chih Hsiao Jih-Kai Yeh Pao-Hsien Chu Shao-Wei Chen
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
pp.CJ-23-0146, (Released:2023-08-29)
参考文献数
28

Background: In Taiwan, infective native aortic aneurysms (INAAs) are relatively common, so the aim of present study was to demonstrate the comparative outcomes of endovascular repair for thoracic and abdominal INAAs.Methods and Results: Patients with naïve thoracic or abdominal INAAs managed with endovascular repair between 2001 and 2018 were included in this multicenter retrospective cohort. The confounding factors were adjusted with propensity score (PS). Of the 39 thoracic and 43 abdominal INAA cases, 41 (50%) presented with aneurysmal rupture, most of which were at the infrarenal abdominal (n=35, 42.7%) or descending thoracic aorta (n=25, 30.5%). Salmonella spp. was the most frequently isolated pathogen. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 18.3%. The risks of in-hospital death and death due to rupture were significantly lower with thoracic INAAs (12.8% vs. 23.3%; PS-adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06–0.96; 0.1% vs. 9.3%; PS-adjusted OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01–0.90). During a mean follow-up of 2.5 years, the risk of all-cause death was significantly higher with thoracic INAAs (35.3% vs. 15.2%; PS-adjusted HR 6.90, 95% CI 1.69–28.19). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was associated with death.Conclusions: Compared with thoracic INAAs, endovascular repair of abdominal INAAs was associated with a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate. However, long-term outcomes were worse for thoracic INAAs, with CKD and infections being the most important predictor and cause of death, respectively.
著者
Teruhiko Imamura Koichiro Kinugawa Naoko Kato Hironori Muraoka Takeo Fujino Toshiro Inaba Hisataka Maki Osamu Kinoshita Masaru Hatano Shunei Kyo Minoru Ono
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.78, no.3, pp.625-633, 2014 (Released:2014-02-25)
参考文献数
34
被引用文献数
56 57

Background: The continuous flow (CF) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has replaced the pulsatile flow (PF) LVAD because of its advantages of better patient survival and higher quality of life. However, “late-onset right ventricular failure (RVF)” after CF LVAD implantation has emerged as an increasing concern, but little is known about the mechanism. Methods and Results: We retrospectively analyzed the 3-month hemodynamic and echocardiographic data from 38 consecutive patients who had received CF LVADs, and from 22 patients who had received PF LVADs. Late-onset RVF was defined as persistent right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI) <4.0g/m2 at any rotation speed and after saline infusion test at 5 weeks after implantation of CF LVAD. Patients with late-onset RVF had significantly impaired exercise tolerance indicated by shorter 6-min walking distance and lower peak VO2, and worsened tricuspid regurgitation, together with enlargement of the RV under CF LVAD treatment (all P<0.05). Univariable analyses demonstrated that preoperative smaller LV diastolic diameter (LVDd) was the risk factor for late-onset RVF with a cutoff value of 64mm calculated by ROC analysis (area under curve, 0.925). In contrast, there was no correlation between preoperative LVDd and postoperative RVSWI in the PF LVAD group, though their preoperative background was worse than that of the CF group. Conclusions: In the setting of preoperative small LVDd, CF LVAD may cause late-onset RVF by leftward shift of the interventricular septum.  (Circ J 2014; 78: 625–633)
著者
Lijuan Liu Yanbin Liu Weijun Tong Hong Ye Xianyu Zhang Wuchun Cao Yonghong Zhang
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.71, no.11, pp.1761-1764, 2007 (Released:2007-10-25)
参考文献数
27
被引用文献数
22 26

Background Associations between pathogens and hypertension (HT) has been reported, but few studies have focused on the relationship between aggregate pathogens and HT. The present study explored whether the risk of HT is associated with each pathogen (defined as Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniaee), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and Coxsackie virus) or with aggregate pathogens in Chinese Mongolians. Methods and Results One thousand and thirty Chinese Mongolians aged 30 years or more were recruited, including 488 hypertensive and 942 normotensive subjects. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect IgG antibodies for C. pneumoniaee, M. pneumoniae, H. pylori and Coxsackie virus. The seroprevalence of Coxsackie virus was significantly associated with HT (odds ratio (OR) 3.7 after adjustment for risk factors), but no significant association was found for C. pneumoniae, M. pneumoniae and H. pylori (OR 1.32, 0.75 and 1.19, respectively). The results also showed that the risk of HT was associated with the aggregate pathogens: it increased with the increasing number of pathogens, and the ORs were 1.629, 2.653, 2.129, and 5.146 for 1, 2, 3 and 4 pathogens, respectively, after controlling for risk factors. Conclusion The risk of HT is associated with Coxsackie virus and aggregate pathogen load. The mechanism(s) underlying the associations remain to be elucidated further. (Circ J 2007; 71: 1761 - 1764)