Greetings
Department of Cardiology offers cutting-edge medical care. We offer the world's most advanced CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound imaging. In the coronary artery disease area, we offer cutting-edge treatment using intravascular imaging devices such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Our nationally leading experts provide interventional procedures for coronary artery (PCI), peripheral vascular (EVT), carotid artery (CAS), and renal artery (PTRA). Our arrhythmia treatments include atrial fibrillation ablation and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. We also actively treat structural heart disease, primarily with transcatheter aortic valve implanation and transcatheter edge-to-edge repair. We are also seeing an increase in the number of catheter-based atrial septal defect closures and balloon pulmonary angioplasty for chronic thrombotic pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTEPH) cases. We are attracting attention from all around the world, attracting many international cardiologists seeking guidance and observation, making us undoubtedly Japan's leading department in the field of catheter-based treatment. Please feel free to consult us if you require any catheter-based treatment.
Director Cardiology Medicine
Yuji Ikari
Treatment details
Department of Cardiology provides advanced medical care for acute, severe cardiovascular diseases. We accept patients with acute coronary syndromes (acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina) requiring emergency care 24 hours a day, providing emergency coronary artery treatment. For life-threatening arrhythmias, we offer catheter ablation or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. For patients with severe heart failure and severe ventricular arrhythmias, we implant implantable cardioverter-defibrillators with biventricular pacing. In our outpatient clinic, we provide a wide range of cardiovascular care, including ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, valvular disease, congenital heart disease, carotid artery stenosis, renal artery stenosis, and peripheral artery disease. We particularly welcome referrals from nearby medical institutions. We provide care based on the request written on the referral letter, providing results as quickly as possible and reporting them to the referring physician. For example, patients with unexplained chest pain are screened using a coronary CT scan (FFR-CT) using dual-source CT and photon-counting CT, both of which are installed at Tokai University Hospital. CT scans provide images similar to those obtained with coronary angiography, and can also provide quantitative ischemia evaluation using FFR-CT, making them extremely useful.
In cases where cardiac catheterization is required, cardiac catheterization is performed on an outpatient basis. Because a very thin catheter is used via the radial artery, cardiac catheterization, which previously required hospitalization, can now be performed on an outpatient basis. There are still few hospitals in Japan that perform same-day cardiac catheterization, but depending on the case, it can be performed on an outpatient (same-day) basis.
Main target diseases
1. Coronary artery disease - myocardial infarction, angina pectoris
Mortality of acute myocardial infarction could have improved in response to time duration from onset to revascularization of the coronary artery. In our department, we strive to shorten the time from when a patient arrives at the hospital to when a coronary intervention is performed. shortening the time from onset to coronary intervention is important as described, therefore, please refer patients to our department as soon as possible if acute myocardial infarction is suspected.
While medical therapy is the first treatment for angina pectoris, coronary intervention is effective for patients with residual symptom under optimal medical therapy. For coronary intervention, we perform the coronary intervention via radial artery with smaller diameter catheters, which could have reduced pain and risk of complication for patients. Moreover, we are certified as a facility for advanced coronary treatments including rotational/orbital atherectomy, lasers and shockwaves. Diagnostic catheterization for coronary artery disease can be performed on an outpatient basis at our hospital, eliminating the need for hospitalization.
2. Arrhythmic disorders
We provide advanced treatments for a wide range of heart rhythm disorders. Our team of heart rhythm specialists performs catheter ablation, including the latest pulsed field ablation (PFA), to treat atrial fibrillation, which has been increasing in Japan in recent years. We also offer a full range of device-based therapies, such as pacemakers for slow heart rhythms, implantable defibrillators to prevent sudden cardiac death from dangerous ventricular arrhythmias, and biventricular pacemakers (cardiac resynchronization therapy) for patients with severe heart failure. In addition, we provide left bundle branch pacing, a newer, more physiological pacing method that helps improve heart function. For patients with unexplained fainting or stroke of unknown cause, we use implantable electrocardiogram monitors to detect hidden atrial fibrillation at an early stage. Furthermore, for refractory ventricular tachycardia that is difficult to control with catheter ablation, we offer a minimally invasive treatment using external X-ray radiation, making our hospital one of the few leading centers in Japan providing this innovative therapy.
3. Peripheral vascular disease
Carotid artery stent placement for carotid artery stenosis is effective in preventing cerebral infarction. As a leader in Japan, our department has provided guidance to specialists across the country. We have ample know-how to safely perform carotid artery stents. We also actively perform catheter treatments for lower limb occlusive arteriosclerosis, particularly comprehensive severe chronic lower limb ischemia (CLTI).
4. Structural heart disease
We actively accept patients who are suspected of having structural heart disease as well as undergoing catheter treatment for valvular disease, and we consider the optimal treatment method in a heart team centered around Cardiology, Cardiovascular Surgery, and Department of Anesthesiology. The main target patients are as follows.
1) Aortic valve disease (aortic valve stenosis (AS), aortic regurgitation (AR))
2) Mitral valve disease (mitral stenosis (MS), mitral regurgitation (MR))
3) Other valvular diseases (pulmonary valve (PS/PR), tricuspid valve (TR))
4) Atrial septal defect (ASD), patent foramen ovale (PFO), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
5) Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
6) After cardiac surgery
7) Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)
8) Patients with atrial fibrillation who are at high risk of bleeding/who cannot undergo anticoagulation
We perform procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), percutaneous aortic balloon angioplasty (BAV), transcatheter mitral valvuloplasty (MitraClip), and mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) for the above valvular diseases. As our hospital is a specialized transcatheter aortic valve replacement facility certified by the Council of Societies Related to Transcatheter Valvular Disease Treatment, we also perform TAVI for dialysis cases and TAVI (valve-in-valve) for valvular insufficiency after surgical aortic valve replacement. Our hospital also provides safe treatment using alternative approaches for cases where TAVI via the standard femoral artery approach is not possible.
We have also performed transcatheter atrial septal defect closure for atrial septal defect (ASD), transcatheter foramen ovale closure for patent foramen ovale (PFO) that has developed paradoxical cerebral embolism, and transcatheter left atrial appendage closure (LAAO, Watchman) for patients with atrial fibrillation who are at high risk of bleeding or who are unable to undergo anticoagulation, with good results. Pulmonary artery angioplasty (BPA) for chronic pulmonary thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and percutaneous transluminal septal ablation (PTSMA) for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy are also extremely effective in improving symptoms.
We actively accept patients who have various structural heart diseases. To offer the optimal treatment options, each patient will be evaluated by our heart team which consists of Cardiology service, Cardiovascular Surgery service, and Anesthesiology service.
The main target patients are as follows.
1) Aortic valve disease (aortic valve stenosis (AS), aortic regurgitation (AR))
2) Mitral valve disease (mitral stenosis (MS), mitral regurgitation (MR))
3) Other valvular diseases (pulmonary valve (PS/PR), tricuspid valve (TR))
4) Congenital heart disease; Atrial septal defect (ASD), patent foramen ovale (PFO), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
5) Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM)
6) Conditions after cardiac surgery
7) Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH)
8) Patients who have atrial fibrillation and are at high risk of bleeding
Among the many valve treatments, we offer:
i) Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
*Includes TAVI for dialysis patients, or valve-in-valve TAVI for failed surgical aortic valve
ii) Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV)
iii) Mitral Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER; ie MitraClip, PASCAL)
iv) Percutaneous transluminal mitral commissurotomy (PTMC)
To prevent future strokes, we offer:
i) Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO; ie Watchman, Amulet)
ii) Transcatheter patent foramen ovale closure
We also have other specialized procedures:
i) Pulmonary artery angioplasty (BPA) for CTEPH
ii) Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) for HOCM
5. Heart failure and cardiogenic shock
For severe cardiogenic shock, in addition to conventional intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary bypass (ECMO), we have introduced Impella, a left ventricular assist pump, and can handle even the most severe cases.
As the number of cases of chronic heart failure continues to increase, we have established a multidisciplinary heart failure team to examine each case and are actively incorporating outpatient cardiac rehabilitation and hospitalization for heart failure education in an effort to improve prognosis.
Main medical achievements
We offer cutting-edge treatments, including coronary artery atherectomy, laser angioplasty, and carotid artery stents. Diagnostic coronary catheterization is also available on an outpatient basis. We have consistently achieved results with implantable treatments for arrhythmias and implantable Holter monitors. PCI for multivessel disease is performed all at once in selected patients, so although the number of elective PCI cases appears relatively low, patients are satisfied with the service.
Doctor List
Department Head: Yuji Ikari
Chief physician of Ward 7A: Yohei Ohno
Deputy Chief Physician of Ward 7B: Shigemitsu Tanaka
Chief Physician of Ward 14B: Koichiro Yoshioka
Outpatient: 0463 (93) 1121 extension 6201, 6202
Professor Yuji Ikari
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, hypertension |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and specialist General Internal Medicine medicine / specialist of the Japanese Circulation Society / honorary specialist and instructor of the Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics |
| Specialized Areas | Diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, ischemic heart disease, cardiovascular intervention, carotid artery stenting |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday (PM) and Wednesday (AM and PM) |
Professor Shinya Goto
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, hypertension |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist of the Japanese Circulation Society / Specialist of the Japanese Society of Angiology / Instructor of the Japanese Atherosclerosis Society / Specialist and Instructor of Social Medicine |
| Specialized Areas | Diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, thrombosis, and coagulation disorders |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday (PM) and Tuesday (AM) |
Professor Koichiro Yoshioka
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified Physician, General Internal Medicine Specialist, and Instructor by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist in Circulation by the Japanese Circulation Society / Specialist in Arrhythmia by the Japanese Heart Rhythm Society / Certified Health and Sports Physician by the Japan Medical Association / Certified Occupational Physician by the Japan Medical Association |
| Specialized Areas | Hereditary arrhythmia, sports cardiovascular disease |
| Outpatient medical day | Wednesday (AM/PM) and Thursday (AM) |
Professor Mari Amino
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese Society of Internal Medicine certified physician / Japanese Circulation Society specialist / Japanese Heart Rhythm Society specialist / Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine specialist / Japanese Society of Health Checkups and Preventive Medicine certified physician / Japan Medical Association certified health and sports physician / Japan Medical Association certified industrial physician |
| Specialized Areas | Hereditary arrhythmia, sports cardiovascular disease |
| Outpatient medical day | Wednesday (AM/PM) |
Associate Professor Atsuhiko Yagishita
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified by the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and a specialist General Internal Medicine / Specialist of the Japanese Circulation Society / Certified arrhythmia specialist by the Japanese Society of Heart Rhythm Electrocardiology / ICD/CRT training completed by the Japanese Society of Heart Rhythm Electrocardiology |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiac arrhythmias, catheter ablation, cardiac implantable devices |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday (AM/PM) |
Associate Professor Noriaki Kishimoto
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist of the Japanese Circulation Society / Senior Clinical Physician of the Japanese Society of Cardiology (FJCC) / Instructor and Specialist of the Japanese Atherosclerosis Society / Instructor of the Japanese Society of Clinical Nutrition |
| Specialized Areas | Clinical nutritional management and drug treatment of hyperlipidemia, treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia |
| Outpatient medical day | Thursday (AM) |
Associate Professor Yohei Ohno
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, structural heart disease (valvular disease, etc.) |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese Society General Internal Medicine / Japanese Circulation Society / Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics / International Proctor for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)/ Proctor for Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for MitraClip |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiovascular intervention, transcatheter valvular disease treatment, adult congenital heart disease |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday (AM) Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy Friday (AM) |
Lecturer: Shigemitsu Tanaka
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, structural heart disease (valvular disease, etc.) |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and specialist General Internal Medicine / specialist of the Japanese Circulation Society / certified physician of the Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics, hypertension |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiovascular intervention, intravascular imaging |
| Outpatient medical day | Tuesday (PM) and Thursday (PM) |
Lecturer: Takeshi Ijichi
| Specialization | Ischemic heart disease, heart failure |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and specialist General Internal Medicine medicine / specialist of the Japanese Circulation Society / certified physician of the Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapy / cardiac rehabilitation instructor / completed palliative care training / completed heart failure palliative care training course / completed joint training in implantable cardioverter defibrillators / heart failure treatment using pacing / certified industrial physician by the Japan Medical Association |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiovascular intervention |
| Outpatient medical day | Tuesday (PM) Oncology Cardiovascular / Friday (PM) Refractory Heart Failure / Cardiomyopathy |
Lecturer: Sho Torii
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, hypertension |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and specialist General Internal Medicine / specialist of the Japanese Circulation Society / certified physician of the Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics / cardiac rehabilitation instructor |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiovascular intervention, peripheral vascular intervention |
| Outpatient medical day | Tuesday (AM) Peripheral Arterial Disease |
Lecturer Tsutomu Murakami
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, structural heart disease (valvular disease, etc.) |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese Society of Internal Medicine certified physician and General Internal Medicine specialist / Japanese Circulation Society specialist / Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics certified physician / SHD echocardiogram certified physician / Japanese Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiogram certified physician |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiovascular intervention/SHD echocardiography |
| Outpatient medical day | Tuesday (PM) and Friday (PM) Congenital Diseases |
Lecturer: Norihiko Kamioka
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, structural heart disease (valvular disease, etc.) |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and specialist General Internal Medicine / Specialist of the Japanese Circulation Society / Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapy / ECFMG (USA) / Proctor for Transcatheter Aortic Valve and Pulmonary Valve Replacement / Instructor for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) (SAPIEN and Core Valve series) / Instructor for Transcatheter patent foramen ovale closure |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiovascular intervention, transcatheter valvular disease treatment, adult congenital heart disease |
| Outpatient medical day | Friday (AM) Valvular Heart Disease Saturday (AM) |
Instructor: Shingo Matsumoto
| Specialization | Ischemic heart disease, heart failure |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified Physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine / Specialist in Cardiology of the Japanese Circulation Society / Certified Physician of the Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Interventions / Cardiac Rehabilitation Instructor |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiovascular intervention, heart failure |
Lecturer: Junichi Miyamoto
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, structural heart disease (valvular disease, etc.) |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine, specialist of the Japanese Circulation Society, and certified physician of the Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiovascular intervention, transcatheter valvular disease treatment, adult congenital heart disease |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday (AM) and Saturday (AM) |
Assistant Professor Yu Sato
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, hypertension |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Certified physician of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine and specialist General Internal Medicine / specialist of the Japanese Circulation Society / certified physician of the Japanese Society of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics, hypertension |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiovascular intervention, peripheral vascular intervention |
| Outpatient medical day | Friday (AM) |
Assistant Professor Marie Yoshikawa
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japan Society of Internal Medicine certified doctor |
| Specialized Areas | heart failure |
Assistant Professor Satoshi Noda
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, structural heart disease (valvular disease, etc.) |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japanese Society of Internal Medicine certified physician/Japanese Society of Perioperative Transesophageal Echo certified physician |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiovascular intervention/SHD echocardiography |
| Outpatient medical day | Wednesday (AM) |
Assistant Professor Kazuma Iimura
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japan Society of Internal Medicine certified doctor |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiac arrhythmias, catheter ablation, cardiac implantable devices |
| Outpatient medical day | Monday (PM) |
Assistant Professor Aika Iijima
| Specialization | Cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia |
|---|---|
| Specialist | Japan Society of Internal Medicine certified doctor |
| Specialized Areas | Cardiac arrhythmias, catheter ablation, cardiac implantable devices |
| Outpatient medical day | Tuesday (AM) |