Department of Cardiology

Introduction

Our Cardiology Department not only handles heart diseases but also diagnoses and treats a wide range of circulatory system disorders, including peripheral vascular diseases and lifestyle-related diseases.

Since October 2023, under our new structure, we have enhanced our ability to address various circulatory disorders, such as heart failure and arrhythmias, in addition to the catheter treatments we have been providing for coronary artery diseases like angina and myocardial infarction. We collaborate closely with our Emergency Medicine Department for tertiary emergency care and utilize newly available advanced cardiac support devices to save lives of critically ill patients on a daily basis. Furthermore, we are actively preparing to commence minimally invasive catheter treatments for structural heart diseases such as aortic valve stenosis (TAVI) and mitral regurgitation (MitraClip), in conjunction with our Cardiovascular Surgery Department. Strengthening our ties with Saitama Medical University International Medical Center (Hidaka), a facility specializing in heart transplants, has facilitated smoother management of the most severe cases of heart failure patients.

As part of our role in research and education at a university hospital, we maintain active communication with cardiovascular departments at other university and large-scale hospitals nationwide. We participate in numerous large-scale multicenter clinical trials and consistently contribute to conference presentations and scientific publications. Additionally, we host journal clubs every morning to ensure our knowledge remains up-to-date through the review of the latest research papers.

In April 2024, we welcomed six new staffs, further enriching our ability to provide advanced cardiovascular care 24/7. With this significant increase in staff, we are prepared to adapt to “new working patterns” for incoming physicians. This spring, we plan to dispatch personnel to high-volume centers within Saitama Prefecture and to non-regular positions in Kawagoe City, aiming to provide even greater reassurance and support to our local patients.

We invite you to take notice of our dynamic Cardiology Department and encourage you to visit us for consultations with confidence.

Sincerely,

Kentaro Jujo, Director of Cardiology Department

Patient care at our department

Our Cardiology Department is responsible for diagnosing and treating heart diseases. If you experience symptoms such as heaviness, pain, or pressure in the chest, severe shortness of breath, or sudden rapid or irregular heartbeat, please visit our outpatient clinic. Also, if you have severe swelling with no known cause or experience fainting with loss of consciousness, you may have an irregular heart condition. We recommend getting checked at our outpatient clinic. For those visiting without an appointment for the first time, please complete the registration by 11:00 AM from Monday to Friday.

For first-time visitors to our outpatient clinic, we will conduct an electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, blood tests, and other specialized examinations as necessary. If a cardiac catheterization test is required, it will be performed after admission for diagnosis. Based on the results, we will determine whether medication alone is sufficient or if catheterization or surgery is necessary. Catheterization procedures will be conducted in our Cardiology Department, and referrals to our Cardiovascular Surgery Department will be made if surgical intervention is required. Implantation surgeries for pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for arrhythmias, and biventricular pacemakers for heart failure are performed in our Cardiology Department.

Conditions like acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina require urgent treatment, and many emergency admissions are due to these ischemic heart diseases. If symptoms such as heaviness, pain, or pressure in the chest persist for 30 minutes to 1 hour, we recommend coming to the hospital by ambulance as it could indicate acute myocardial infarction. The longer the delay, the more the heart muscle damage progresses, so time is of the essence. Some individuals endure symptoms until morning, but even if the pain is not severe or unbearable, if the symptoms persist, please come to the hospital urgently. Also, if symptoms last for 5-15 minutes and are milder than before but occur with lighter activity, increased frequency, or longer recovery time, it may indicate an increased risk of myocardial infarction, so we advise prompt hospitalization. Our department is prepared to perform emergency cardiac catheterization tests and treatments 24/7, even during late nights and holidays, ensuring timely diagnosis and intervention.

In cases of heart failure, symptoms such as gradually worsening shortness of breath and swelling may occur, but sudden onset of shortness of breath can also lead to emergency hospitalization. While valvular diseases, cardiomyopathy, and hypertension are common causes, myocardial infarction can also be a cause, so immediate hospitalization is recommended. Endurance is not advisable when it comes to heart disease. Please follow the instructions in the "Visiting Guide" on our website and come to the hospital promptly.

Main diseases

1. Heart Failure
2. Ischemic Heart Diseases: (1) Stable Angina (2) Variant (Prinzmetal's) Angina (3) Acute Coronary Syndrome (including unstable angina, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) (4) Old Myocardial Infarction
3. Arrhythmias: (1) Bradycardic Arrhythmias (sick sinus syndrome, atrioventricular block) (2) Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia) (3) Ventricular Arrhythmias (premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation) (4) Long QT Syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW), Brugada Syndrome, etc.
4. Valvular Heart Diseases: (1) Mitral Valve Stenosis/Regurgitation (2) Aortic Valve Stenosis/Regurgitation
5. Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases: (1) Idiopathic Cardiomyopathies (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy), Secondary Cardiomyopathies (2) Acute Myocarditis (3) Infective Endocarditis (4) Acute Pericarditis, Constrictive Pericarditis (5) Cardiac Tamponade (6) Cardiac Tumors (myxoma), etc.
6. Congenital Heart Diseases: (1) Atrial Septal Defect (2) Ventricular Septal Defect (3) Patent Ductus Arteriosus (4) Tetralogy of Fallot, etc.
7. Arterial Diseases: (1) Acute Aortic Dissection (2) Aortic Aneurysm (3) Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease, etc.
8. Hypertension
9. Hypotension
10. Pulmonary Embolism, Pulmonary Infarction

Target Symptoms

1. - Chest pain, pressure, tightness, heaviness, or discomfort
2. - Back pain
3. - Palpitations, skipping or irregular heartbeat, rapid heartbeat
4. - Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing upon exertion, dyspnea, nocturnal
5. dyspnea
6. - Persistent swelling
7. - Temporary loss of consciousness, presyncope
8. - Transient visual disturbances, darkness in vision
9. - Prolonged unexplained fever

Treatment results

Medical staff

Name	Job Title	Position	Specialized Field	Credentials
重城　健太郎 (Jujo Kentaro)	Professor	Director Manager Research Chief	Catheter intervention Heart failure	Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Member of The Japanese Circulation Society Board Certified Member of Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics Certified TAVI implanter (Sapien)
小宮山　英徳 (Komiyama Hidenori)	Assistant professor	Assistant Research Director Catheterization Lab Chief	Cardiovascular intervention	Board Certified Member of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Fellow of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Member of The Japanese Circulation Society Board Certified Member of Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics,
石原　嗣郎 (Ishihara Shiro)	Assistant professor	Chief of Education Manager of Inpatient Services	Heart failure Cardiovascular implantable electronic device treatment catheter ablation	Board Certified Member of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Fellow of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine, Board Certified Member of The Japanese Circulation Society Board Certified Member of The Japanese Heart Rhythm Society, ICD/CRT
阿部　拓朗 (Abe Takuro)	Assistant professor	Chief of medical staff	Catheter intervention Heart failure	Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Member of The Japanese Circulation Society
安藤　敏行 (Andou　Toshiyuki)	Assistant professor	medical staff	Cardiology	Board Certified Member of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
奥田　希子 (Okuda Nozomiko)	Assistant professor	medical staff	Catheter intervention Heart failure	Board Certified Doctor of Internal medicine Occupational health physician
河原　勇貴 (Kawahara Yuki)	Assistant professor	medical staff	Catheter intervention Heart failure	Board Certified Doctor of Internal medicine
谷　昂大 (Tani Akihiro)	Assistant professor	>medical staff	Catheter intervention Acute heart failure	Board Certified Doctor of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Member of The Japanese Circulation Society Certified Member of Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics
小形　円香 (Ogata　Madoka)	Assistant professor	medical staff	Cardiology
北川　快 (きたがわ　かい)	Assistant professor	medical staff	Cardiology
三好　晃太朗 (みよし　こうたろう)	Assistant professor	medical staff	Cardiology
橋本　淳貴 (はしもと　じゅんき)	Assistant professor	medical staff	Cardiology
米山　史華 (よねやま　ふみか)	Assistant professor	medical staff	Cardiology
沼賀　美紀 (ぬまが　みき)	Assistant professor	medical staff	Cardiology
神山　哲男 (Kamiyama　Tetsuo)	Associate professor		Cardiology Ultrasound Medicine Palliative Medicine	Fellow of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine(FJSIM) Board Certified Member of the Japanese Circulation Society Board Certified Member of the Japanese Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine
井上　芳郎 (Inoue　Yoshirou)	Visiting Lecture		Catheter intervention Heart failure	Board Certified Member of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine,ICD/CRT Board Certified Member of The Japanese Circulation Society Board Certified Member of The Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (BMCVIT)
石川　昌弘 (Ishikawa Masahiro)	Visiting Lecture		cardiac rehabilitation	Board Certified Member of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Fellow of the Japanese Society of Internal Board Certified Member of The Japanese Circulation Society

Outpatient clinic

土曜日は初診患者を受付しておりません。

To the Medical Institutions

Our Cardiology Department provides diagnosis and treatment for ischemic heart diseases (myocardial infarction, angina), heart failure, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, valvular heart diseases, acute aortic dissection, peripheral arterial diseases, and pulmonary embolism, among others. We strive to accommodate patients with cardiovascular diseases in the Kawagoe area and its surroundings to the best of our ability. For ischemic heart diseases, including myocardial infarction and angina, we have physicians available around the clock and have established a system to respond to emergency catheterization procedures at any time. Additionally, for cases of cardiac arrest or shock, we collaborate with the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) center to provide extracorporeal circulation support, striving for successful resuscitation.

In cases where surgical intervention is deemed beneficial for ischemic heart diseases or valvular diseases, we collaborate with the Cardiovascular Surgery Department to provide appropriate treatment.

For arrhythmias, in addition to medication and device therapy, we have initiated catheter ablation therapy for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. We also perform catheter interventions for peripheral arterial diseases. We prioritize thorough assessment and treatment for heart failure, and when heart transplantation or implantation of ventricular assist devices is considered, we collaborate with Saitama Medical University International Medical Center.

Referral Information for Patients

Our Cardiology Department's first-time outpatient clinic operates from Monday to Friday, with reception available from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. In addition to a referral letter, we would appreciate it if you could provide us with your electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest X-ray images. We also offer referral via fax, so please click on the "Medical Institution Collaboration Room" banner on our website for more information.

If you suspect diseases related to the heart or blood vessels (arteries/veins), we would be grateful for your referral to our department. For emergency cases, outside the aforementioned first-time reception hours, the on-duty physician will review your case, so please call us in advance.

For referral inquiries, please call the Cardiology Department outpatient clinic at 049-228-3586 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and for evening/weekend inquiries, please call our evening/weekend reception at 049-228-3595. Additionally, if you suspect acute myocardial infarction or acute heart failure and wish to speak directly with a cardiologist, our "Cardiology Hotline" (080-9980-2999) is available 24/7 for your convenience. Please feel free to use it.