ABSTRACT
Background: Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in population above the age of 65 years. Severity and prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) increase with increasing age. Thrombolysis remains the standard of care in the management of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in developing countries like India where primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still not possible in the majority of patients. The risks and benefits of thrombolytic reperfusion therapy among the elderly patients with STEMI is much less known. Authors aimed to evaluate the outcome and complications of thrombolytic therapy in elderly patients admitted with acute STEMI.Methods: The present observational study was done between January 2017 and January 2019 in the department of cardiology, Dr. S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur, India. It included a study group comprising 102 consecutive elderly patients who had acute STEMI and underwent thrombolytic therapy and a control group comprising 102 consecutive elderly patients who had STEMI who were not given thrombolytic therapy. Both groups were evaluated for an outcome (in-hospital mortality) and complications.Results: The overall in-hospital mortality was less in thrombolytic therapy group as compared to control group although not statistically significant (8.82% versus 14.70%, p=0.277). Similarly, in-hospital mortality was less in thrombolytic therapy subgroup A (age 66-74 years) as compared to control subgroup A (6.45% versus 10.75%, p=0.583) and also less in thrombolytic therapy subgroup B (age 75-85years) as compared to control subgroup B (12.50% versus 21.62%, p=0.445). Among the traditional risk factors, co-morbid conditions and complications, there was less prevalence of diabetes mellitus (4.90% versus 15.68%, p=0.021), hypertension (5.88% versus 6.86%, p=1.000), cardiogenic shock (8.82% versus 9.80%, p=1.000), left ventricular failure (LVF) (0.98% versus 3.92%, p=0.365) and atrioventricular (AV) block (0% versus 4.90%, p=0.245) but more acute kidney injury (AKI) (2.94% versus 0%, p=0.070) in thrombolytic therapy group patients as compared to control group patients. Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) did not occur in both group patients.Conclusion: Despite the higher prevalence of co-morbidities and high risk features in elderly patients of acute STEMI, timely thrombolysis is beneficial. A mortality benefit was seen in all groups suggesting net benefit regardless of increasing age up to the age of 85 years.
ABSTRACT
Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a common form of heart valve disease associated with episodes of rheumatic fever. Despite the developments achieved in the field of cardiology, the consequences of acute rheumatic fever remain significantly high in developing countries like India. Objectives of current study aims to evaluate the pattern of valvular involvement in patients of RHD in Western Rajasthan assessed by echocardiography.Methods: This is an observational study conducted at the department of Cardiology, Dr. S. N. Medical College, Jodhpur, India between September 2015 and February 2019. The study includes analysis of echocardiograms of RHD patients performed during this period.Results: Total 502 echocardiograms of RHD patients between 4 and 75 years of age with mean age of 35.6±11.6 years were evaluated, in which the most common age group was 21-40 years. There were 191 (38.04%) males, and 311(61.95%) females. Mitral valve was most commonly involved in which mitral stenosis (MS) was seen in 345(68.72%) and mitral regurgitation (MR) was seen in 350(69.72%) patients. Aortic stenosis (AS) was seen in 61(12.15%) and aortic regurgitation (AR) was found in 224(44.62%) cases. Organic tricuspid valve (TV) disease was seen in 18(3.58%). In combined valvular involvement MS+MR was seen in 234(46.61%) cases; followed by MR+AR in 171(34.06%); MS+AR in 161(32.07%); AS+AR in 62(12.35%); MR+AS in 46(9.16%) and MS+AS in 42(8.36%) subjects.Conclusion: The echocardiographic pattern of RHD patients of Western Rajasthan showed a predominant involvement of mitral valve, followed by aortic and tricuspid valves. Further amongst multi-valvular involvement the sequence was predominantly MS+MR followed by MR+AR, MS+AR, AS+AR, MR+AS, and MS+AS.
ABSTRACT
Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly that can cause myocardial infarction, heart failure and even death in paediatric patients. Only few untreated patients survive till adulthood. Here we present the case of a 28-year-old lady with exertional dyspnoea and chest pain who was diagnosed to have ALCAPA.