ABSTRACT
Background: To evaluate the effects of Left ventricular remodeling patterns in patients with left ventricular restrictive filling pattern (RFP; E/A>2) in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) on prognosis. Methods: Patient data was retrospectively analyzed over a period of 4.5 years to determine the effect of LV geometry by Echocardiographic parameterson survival and re-admission for heart failure. All patients with previous history of transmural myocardial infarction were studied and all were on guideline directed medical therapy. None underwent device therapy or surgery. The stored 2D Echocardiograms were studied. Left ventricular dimensions were noted, including the relative wall thickness (RWT). The patients were grouped based on RWT<0.34 and _x0001_ 0.34 and were compared for clinical outcomes of mortality and re-admissions for heart failure, over a period of 54 months. Results: There were 102 ICM patients who had baseline RFP. We identified two sub-groups based on geometric phenotypes of left ventricular eccentric remodeling and dilated remodeling based on the relative wall thickness (RWT >0.34 or <0.34). The patients with preserved RWT had significantly more dilated ventricles (LVIDd and LVIDs), greater pulmonary artery systolic pressures (PASP), greater diatolic dysfunction (E/A) and less left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF); p < 0.001. The number of deaths was higher in the reduced RWT patients, as were the number of re-admissions, although the time to survival and time to re-admission was not significant. Conclusions: In this pilot study on ICM patients in advanced heart failure with baseline RFP, the presence of preserved RWT indicative of eccentric remodelling demonstrated a better clinical outcome
ABSTRACT
In third world countries like India, where there is a paucity of dedicated interventional radiologists and training fellowships in peripheral interventions, it is the onus of the cardiologist to perform peripheral interventions. This coupled with logistic constraints of unavailability of medical insurance for majority of the population, makes it necessary to modify coronary hardware for use in peripheral interventions. Here, we discuss the modifications and simplifications performed to ensure optimal quality of clinical outcomes.
ABSTRACT
An acquired aortopulmonary artery fistula is rare. We describe a case with an aortic arch aneurysm communicating with the main pulmonary artery. The diagnosis was made on the basis of transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography. A post-mortem examination revealed the complete anatomy of the aneurysm and the aortopulmonary communication.