A Case of Bradycardia-Induced Torsades De Pointes in a Patient Presenting to the Emergency Room With Cardiac Arrest.

Torsades de pointes (TdP) is a less common type of ventricular tachycardia (VT) characterized by polymorphic VT of changing amplitude and characteristic twists around the isoelectric baseline. It is almost always associated with QT interval prolongation. Unless immediately intervened, it can lead to ventricular fibrillation followed by cardiac arrest. We report a case of a patient with bradycardia-induced TdP who presented to the emergency room with cardiac arrest.

Pacemaker Pocket Infection After Splenectomy.

A post-splenectomy patient suffers from frequent infections due to capsulated bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis despite vaccination because of a lack of memory B lymphocytes. Pacemaker implantation after splenectomy is less common. Our patient underwent splenectomy for splenic rupture after a road traffic accident. He developed a complete heart block after seven years, during which a dual-chamber pacemaker was implanted. However, he was operated on seven times to treat the complication related to that pacemaker over a period of one year because of various reasons, which have been shared in this case report. The clinical translation of this interesting observation is that, though the pacemaker implantation procedure is a well-established procedure, the procedural outcome is influenced by patient factors like the absence of a spleen, procedural factors like septic measures, and device factors like the reuse of an already-used pacemaker or leads.

A Case of Device Closure of an Eccentric Atrial Septal Defect Using a Large Device.

Device closure of an eccentric atrial septal defect can be challenging and needs technical modifications to avoid unnecessary complications. Here, we present a case of a 45-year-old woman who underwent device closure of an eccentric defect with a large device. The patient developed pericardial effusion and left-sided pleural effusion due to injury to the junction of right atrium and superior vena cava because of the malalignment of the delivery sheath and left atrial disc before the device was pulled across the eccentric defect despite releasing the left atrial disc in the left atrium in place of the left pulmonary vein. These two serious complications were managed conservatively with close monitoring of the case during and after the procedure.

Transcatheter Closure of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus Using a Piccolo Duct Occluder.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is feasible in low-birth-weight infants. A female baby was born prematurely with a birth weight of 924 g. She had a PDA measuring 3.7 mm. She was dependent on positive pressure ventilation for congestive heart failure in addition to the heart failure medications. She could not be discharged from the hospital even after 79 days of birth, and even though her weight reached 1.9 kg in the neonatal intensive care unit. We attempted to plug the PDA using an Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder, but the device failed to anchor. Then, the PDA was plugged using a 4-6 Amplatzer Duct Occluder using a 6-Fr sheath which was challenging.

Tunnelling a calcified total occlusion.

Among the complex and high-risk coronary intervention cases, a calcified total occlusion of coronary artery poses a great challenge. We came across a 48 years old male who had calcified total occlusion of the right coronary artery. The chronic total occlusion was crossed using Nic-Nano balloon and the calcific plaque was modified using intravascular lithotripsy as an alternative technique to rotational atherectomy which we felt as an evolving alternative approach to treat the calcified total occlusion.

Device closure of fistula from left lower pulmonary artery to left atrium using a vascular plug: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery-to-left atrial fistula is a variant of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula and is a developmental anomaly. Delayed presentation, cyanosis and effort intolerance are some of the important features. The diagnosis is confirmed by computed tomography or pulmonary artery angiography. Catheter-based closure is preferred to surgery. CASE SUMMARY: Left pulmonary artery-to-left atrial fistula is rare. A 40-year-old male presented with effort intolerance, central cyanosis, and recurrent seizures. He had a large and highly tortuous left pulmonary artery-to-left atrial fistula associated with a large aneurysmal sac in the course. Catheter-based closure was performed using a vascular plug. CONCLUSION: Left pulmonary artery-to-left atrial fistula is relatively uncommon compared to right pulmonary artery-to-left atrial fistula. Percutaneous closure by either a transeptal technique or guide wire insertion into the pulmonary vein through the pulmonary artery is preferred. The need for an arteriovenous loop depends on the tortuosity of the course of the fistula and the size of the device to be implanted because a larger device needs a larger sheath, necessitating firm guide wire support to facilitate negotiation of the stiff combination of the delivery sheath and dilator.

Surgical repair of postcatheterization radial artery pseudoaneurysm.

Radial artery pseudoaneurysm (RAP) at the site of transradial access (TRA) for coronary angiography is rare. A clean puncture, secure bandage, and watchful follow-up are must to prevent complete occlusion and aneurysm formation at the access site. This illustration describes surgical repair as one of the successful strategies to repair a postcatheterization RAP after TRA.

Secondary prophylaxis to control rheumatic heart disease in developing countries: Put into a cage if can't be killed.

A significant socioeconomic inequality is the main barrier to achieve primordial prevention of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in the developing countries. An effective vaccine with affordable cost against Streptococcus yet to be identified. The subclinical nature of rheumatic fever (RF) is the main hurdle for effective primary prevention of RHD. When RF and RHD are recognized at the earliest, treated adequately and SP with penicillin is strictly followed, then this disease can be kept under control though cannot be eradicated.

A Biatrial Myxoma with Triple Ripples.

Cardiac myxoma is a benign tumor, but it is known for its space-occupying effect at the site of origin and frequent systemic embolization. This case report highlights a biatrial myxoma of interatrial septum who presented with significant tricuspid valve regurgitation, atrial fibrillation, and cardioembolic stroke of the left parietal lobe, i.e., a biatrial myxoma with triple ripples.

Role of Echocardiograghy in Treating a Case of Double Chamber Right Ventricle with Delayed Presentation.

The clinical diagnosis of double chamber right ventricle (DCRV) is not straightforward. Clinical history, clinical examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, and Echocardiography (echo) contribute to morphological diagnosis. Cardiac catheterization is essential for hemodynamic evaluation. A thorough presurgical workup helps the cardiac surgeon to choose the appropriate surgical approach and timing of surgery in an individual case. We present a case of a DCRV who presented to us in the fifth decade of life. Echo confirmed the morphological diagnosis and cardiac catheterization complemented the exact pull back gradient across the obstruction in the right ventricle. This patient was suggested muscle bundle resection and ventricular septal defect closure using right atrial approach.

Infective endocarditis caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: A report of two cases and review of literature.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is known for nosocomial habitat. Infective endocarditis due to this organism is rare and challenging because of resistance to multiple broad-spectrum antibiotic regimens. Early detection and appropriate antibiotic based on culture sensitivity reports are the key to its management. We report the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of two cases of infective endocarditis caused by S. maltophilia.

Hemolysis induced by PMIVSD occluder.

Hemolysis related to occluder, prosthetic valve, and prosthetic ring used for mitral valve annuloplasty are not very unusual. However, hemolysis related to transcathetor closure of post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect (PMIVSD) is infrequent. A close follow-up for spontaneous resolution with or without blood transfusion has been reported in a few cases. Occasionally, surgical retrieval is unavoidable or lifelong blood transfusion is required if surgery cannot be done because of higher risk. In this illustration, we have showed a close follow-up of a case of hemolysis induced by atrial septal occluder used for VSD closure after myocardial infarction. Despite successful device closure of PMIVSD which is difficult, a close watch is needed for complications like residual leak, device embolization, and hemolysis.

Comparison of transfemoral vs transbrachial approach for angioplastic reconstruction of chronic total aortoiliac occlusion.

The angioplasty of chronic total aortoiliac occlusion using transfemoral is controversial. From March 2014 to December 2015, four consecutive patients (4 males; mean age 58.2±6.8 years; age of range 51-65 years) underwent angioplasty and stenting of TASC-D occlusion. In all the cases, we failed to cross from femoral approach. On switching over to left brachial access, angioplasty was done successfully in all. There was no procedural site complication or clinical evidence cerebral thromboembolism. Self-expandable stents were implanted in all with adequate pre and post dilation. Complete revascularisation was achieved in two cases and in other two cases, the angioplasty to the left aortoiliac carina was staged. Therefore, it is better to avoid femoral approach as initial step to cross chronic TASC 2007 type D (chronic total aortoiliac occlusion or called extensive aortoiliac disease) because of failure to cross retrogradely due to subintimal course of guide wire leading to retrograde aortic dissection.

Thrombus aspiration catheter is a Dottering balloon.

Coronary angiogram in a young man with history of STEMI with delayed presentation revealed subtotal occlusion of left anterior descending artery (LAD) with large thrombotic filling defect distal to the critical lesion. PCI was preferred without delay because of ongoing chest pain. Several runs of thrombus aspiration failed to detect any visible thrombus. However, the immediate angiogram after thrombus aspiration showed complete distal embolization of the thrombus which could have been achieved by Dottering or balloon dilatation. In contrary to the general perception, does thrombus aspiration push more thrombus than it can aspirate?

Rare presentation of intralobar pulmonary sequestration associated with repeated episodes of ventricular tachycardia.

Arterial supply of an intralobar pulmonary sequestration (IPS) from the coronary circulation is extremely rare. A significant coronary steal does not occur because of dual or triple sources of blood supply to sequestrated lung tissue. We present a 60-year-old woman who presented to us with repeated episodes of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) in last 3 mo. Radio frequency ablation was ineffective. On evaluation, she had right lower lobe IPS with dual arterial blood supply, i.e., right pulmonary artery and the systemic arterial supply from the right coronary artery (RCA). Stress myocardial perfusion scan revealed significant inducible ischemia in the RCA territory. Coronary angiogram revealed critical stenosis of proximal RCA just after the origin of the systemic artery supplying IPS. The critical stenosis in the RCA was stented. At 12 mo follow-up, she had no further episodes of VT or angina.