Short-term outcomes among patients with subclinical hypothyroidism undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Objectives: This study aimed to examine possible associations between previously undiagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism and short-term outcomes and mortality in a sample of Iraqi patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Design: This is a prospective observational cohort study. Setting: The study was conducted in a single tertiary referral centre in Baghdad, Iraq. Participants: Thyroid-stimulating hormone and free T4 levels were measured in 257 patients hospitalised with STelevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2020 and March 2022. Main outcome measures: Adverse cardiovascular and renal events during hospitalisation and 30-day mortality were observed. Results: Previously undiagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism was detected in 36/257 (14%) ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients and observed more commonly in females than males. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism had significantly worse short-term outcomes, including higher rates of suboptimal TIMI Flow (< III) (p =0.014), left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% (p=0.035), Killip class >I (p=0.042), cardiogenic shock (p =0.016), cardiac arrest in the hospital (p= 0.01), and acute kidney injury (p= 0.044). Additionally, 30-day mortality was significantly higher in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (p= 0.029). Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism previously undiagnosed and untreated had a significant association with adverse short-term outcomes and higher short-term mortality within 30 days compared to euthyroid patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Routine thyroid function testing during these patients' hospitalisation may be warranted.

Acute myocardial infarction at a district hospital in KwaZulu-natal ­ management and outcomes

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) following ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The condition remains a management challenge in resource-constrained environments. This study analysed the management and outcomes of patients presenting with AMI at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Methods: A descriptive study that assessed hospital records of all patients diagnosed with AMI over a 2-year period (01 August 2016 to 31 July 2018). Data extracted recorded patient demographics, risk factors, timing of care, therapeutic interventions, follow up with cardiology and mortality of patients. Results: Of the 140 patients who were admitted with AMI, 96 hospital records were analysed. The mean (standard deviation [s.d.]) age of patients was 55.8 (±12.7) years. Smoking (73.5%) and hypertension (63.3%) were the most prevalent risk factors for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in contrast to dyslipidaemia (70.2%) and hypertension (68.1%) in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Almost 49.5% of patients arrived at hospital more than 6 h after symptom onset. Three (12.5%) patients received thrombolytic therapy within the recommended 30-min time frame. The mean triage-to-needle time was 183 min ­ range (3; 550). Median time to cardiology appointment was 93 days. The in-hospital mortality of 12 deaths considering 140 admissions was 8.6%. Conclusion: In a resource-constrained environment with multiple systemic challenges, in-hospital mortality is comparable to that in private sector conditions in South Africa. This entrenches the role of the family physician. There is need for more coordinated systems of care for AMI between district hospitals and tertiary referral centres.

STEMI et ses complications durant la pandémie de COVID 19

Nous rapportons le cas clinique de S.L, admis aux urgences pour la prise en charge d'une douleur thoracique en relation avec un STEMI antérieur étendu et une contamination suspectée par COVID 19. Le patient a subi une thrombolyse compliquée d'une hémorragie sous-arachnoïdienne. L a prise en charge des STEMI et COVID 19 reste régie par les différentes manage

A prehospital randomised controlled trial in South Africa: Challenges and lessons learnt

The incidence of cardiovascular disease and STEMI is on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa. Timely treatment is essential to reduce mortality. Internationally, prehospital 12 lead ECG telemetry has been proposed to reduce time to reperfusion. Its value in South Africa has not been established. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of prehospital 12 lead ECG telemetry on the PCI-times of STEMI patients in South Africa. A multicentre randomised controlled trial was attempted among adult patients with prehospital 12 lead ECG evidence of STEMI. Due to poor enrolment and small sample sizes, meaningful analyses could not be made. The challenges and lessons learnt from this attempt at Africa's first prehospital RCT are discussed. Challenges associated with conducting this RCT related to the healthcare landscape, resources, training of paramedics, rollout and randomisation, technology, consent and research culture. High quality evidence to guide prehospital emergency care practice is lacking both in Africa and the rest of the world. This is likely due to the difficulties with performing prehospital clinical trials. Every trial will be unique to the test intervention and setting of each study, but by considering some of the challenges and lessons learnt in the attempt at this trial, future studies might experience less difficulty. This may lead to a stronger evidence-base for prehospital emergency care

Fibrinolyse Precoce Avec Elevation Des Produits De Degradation Du Fibrinogene Dans L/'hematome Intra Cerebral Spontane

Description. L'hematome intracerebral est essentiellement considere comme une maladie vasculaire; liee a la structure des vaisseaux. Un traitement recent; le facteur VII; a montre indirectement l'importance de l'hemostase dans cette affection.Objectif. Explorer certains aspects de l'hemostase dans une serie d'hematomes intra-cerebraux spontanes. Methode : Des tests d'hemostase ont ete realises chez des patients porteurs d'un hematome intra-cerebral spontane. Les taux de fibrinogene et des produits de degradation de fibrinogene (PDF) ont ete doses a l'entree; tandis que la numeration des thrombocytes; l'International Normalized Ratio (INR); le temps de cephaline activee (TCA) ont ete par ailleurs determines.Resultats.Treize patients successifs ont ete etudies. Chez 3 patients; une elevation des facteurs de degradation du fibrinogene a ete observee (3/13 soit 23). Un cas de thrombopenie associee a l'augmentation des PDF a ete note.Conclusion. Dans un sous-groupe non negligeable d'hematomes; il existe une fibrinolyse concomitante dans les 24 premieres heures. Ce phenomene est soit primitif; soit secondaire a la rupture vasculaire