Postoperative quantitative evaluation of left internal thoracic artery (LITA) grafts is usually performed by angiography, scintigraphy and Doppler flowire. However it is difficult to observe the characteristics of the intima of the LITA graft. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and quantity of plaque of intima of LITA grafts in 6 cases after coronary artery bypass surgery using an intra-vascular ultrasound device (IVUS). There was no stenosis or calcification of LITA grafts on angiography. However we found atherosclerotic plaque in all LITA grafts by IVUS. Characteristics of plaque were eccentric in all cases, and soft, hard and mixed plaque were found. The average minimal lumen diameter of LITA grafts was 2.6±0.2mm. The average lumen area of LITA grafts was 5.4±0.7mm². The rate of plaque area was 37.1±5.9%. The eccentric arteriosclerotic plaques were seen in all cases, contradicting the established theory that LITA do not form arteriosclerosis easily. We suggest that IVUS is an effective follow-up device for evaluating the morphological findings and quantitative evaluation of LITA graft in a timely manner.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases characterized by muscle involvement and various extramuscular manifestations. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most common extramuscular manifestations of IIM and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The clinical phenotypes, treatment responses, and prognosis of IIM-ILD are significantly related to myositis-specific antibody (MSA) profiles, with some racial differences. The features associated with MSA in IIM-ILD could also be relevant to cases of ILD where MSA is present but does not meet the criteria for IIM. The anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody is highly associated with rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD), especially in Asian populations, and with characteristic cutaneous manifestations, such as skin ulcers. Radiologically, ground-glass opacities, consolidations, and nonsegmental linear opacities were more predominant than reticular opacities and honeycombing. While the mortality rate is still around 30%, the prognosis can be improved with early intensive therapy with corticosteroids and multiple immunosuppressants. In contrast, anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibodies are associated with chronic ILD, although RP-ILD is also common. Patients with anti-ARS antibodies often show lung-predominant presentations, with subtle muscle and skin involvement. Radiologically, reticular opacities, with or without consolidation, are predominant and may progress to honeycombing over time. Combination therapy with corticosteroids and a single immunosuppressant is recommended to prevent relapses, which often lead to a decline in lung function and fatal long-term outcomes. Significant advances in immunology and genetics holds promise for fostering more personalized approaches to managing IIMILD.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases characterized by muscle involvement and various extramuscular manifestations. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most common extramuscular manifestations of IIM and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The clinical phenotypes, treatment responses, and prognosis of IIM-ILD are significantly related to myositis-specific antibody (MSA) profiles, with some racial differences. The features associated with MSA in IIM-ILD could also be relevant to cases of ILD where MSA is present but does not meet the criteria for IIM. The anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody is highly associated with rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD), especially in Asian populations, and with characteristic cutaneous manifestations, such as skin ulcers. Radiologically, ground-glass opacities, consolidations, and nonsegmental linear opacities were more predominant than reticular opacities and honeycombing. While the mortality rate is still around 30%, the prognosis can be improved with early intensive therapy with corticosteroids and multiple immunosuppressants. In contrast, anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibodies are associated with chronic ILD, although RP-ILD is also common. Patients with anti-ARS antibodies often show lung-predominant presentations, with subtle muscle and skin involvement. Radiologically, reticular opacities, with or without consolidation, are predominant and may progress to honeycombing over time. Combination therapy with corticosteroids and a single immunosuppressant is recommended to prevent relapses, which often lead to a decline in lung function and fatal long-term outcomes. Significant advances in immunology and genetics holds promise for fostering more personalized approaches to managing IIMILD.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases characterized by muscle involvement and various extramuscular manifestations. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most common extramuscular manifestations of IIM and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The clinical phenotypes, treatment responses, and prognosis of IIM-ILD are significantly related to myositis-specific antibody (MSA) profiles, with some racial differences. The features associated with MSA in IIM-ILD could also be relevant to cases of ILD where MSA is present but does not meet the criteria for IIM. The anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody is highly associated with rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD), especially in Asian populations, and with characteristic cutaneous manifestations, such as skin ulcers. Radiologically, ground-glass opacities, consolidations, and nonsegmental linear opacities were more predominant than reticular opacities and honeycombing. While the mortality rate is still around 30%, the prognosis can be improved with early intensive therapy with corticosteroids and multiple immunosuppressants. In contrast, anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibodies are associated with chronic ILD, although RP-ILD is also common. Patients with anti-ARS antibodies often show lung-predominant presentations, with subtle muscle and skin involvement. Radiologically, reticular opacities, with or without consolidation, are predominant and may progress to honeycombing over time. Combination therapy with corticosteroids and a single immunosuppressant is recommended to prevent relapses, which often lead to a decline in lung function and fatal long-term outcomes. Significant advances in immunology and genetics holds promise for fostering more personalized approaches to managing IIMILD.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases characterized by muscle involvement and various extramuscular manifestations. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most common extramuscular manifestations of IIM and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The clinical phenotypes, treatment responses, and prognosis of IIM-ILD are significantly related to myositis-specific antibody (MSA) profiles, with some racial differences. The features associated with MSA in IIM-ILD could also be relevant to cases of ILD where MSA is present but does not meet the criteria for IIM. The anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody is highly associated with rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD), especially in Asian populations, and with characteristic cutaneous manifestations, such as skin ulcers. Radiologically, ground-glass opacities, consolidations, and nonsegmental linear opacities were more predominant than reticular opacities and honeycombing. While the mortality rate is still around 30%, the prognosis can be improved with early intensive therapy with corticosteroids and multiple immunosuppressants. In contrast, anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibodies are associated with chronic ILD, although RP-ILD is also common. Patients with anti-ARS antibodies often show lung-predominant presentations, with subtle muscle and skin involvement. Radiologically, reticular opacities, with or without consolidation, are predominant and may progress to honeycombing over time. Combination therapy with corticosteroids and a single immunosuppressant is recommended to prevent relapses, which often lead to a decline in lung function and fatal long-term outcomes. Significant advances in immunology and genetics holds promise for fostering more personalized approaches to managing IIMILD.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a heterogeneous group of autoimmune diseases characterized by muscle involvement and various extramuscular manifestations. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most common extramuscular manifestations of IIM and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The clinical phenotypes, treatment responses, and prognosis of IIM-ILD are significantly related to myositis-specific antibody (MSA) profiles, with some racial differences. The features associated with MSA in IIM-ILD could also be relevant to cases of ILD where MSA is present but does not meet the criteria for IIM. The anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody is highly associated with rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD), especially in Asian populations, and with characteristic cutaneous manifestations, such as skin ulcers. Radiologically, ground-glass opacities, consolidations, and nonsegmental linear opacities were more predominant than reticular opacities and honeycombing. While the mortality rate is still around 30%, the prognosis can be improved with early intensive therapy with corticosteroids and multiple immunosuppressants. In contrast, anti-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibodies are associated with chronic ILD, although RP-ILD is also common. Patients with anti-ARS antibodies often show lung-predominant presentations, with subtle muscle and skin involvement. Radiologically, reticular opacities, with or without consolidation, are predominant and may progress to honeycombing over time. Combination therapy with corticosteroids and a single immunosuppressant is recommended to prevent relapses, which often lead to a decline in lung function and fatal long-term outcomes. Significant advances in immunology and genetics holds promise for fostering more personalized approaches to managing IIMILD.