Significance of 'recovery ST-segment depression' in exercise stress test.

OBJECTIVE: To study the significance of ST-segment depression during 'recovery' compared to that 'during stress' and 'both the phases' in exercise stress test. METHODS: Patients with positive exercise stress test who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2018 were studied. Patients were divided into 3 groups- Group A with ST-depression restricted to recovery phase, group B with ST-depression restricted to stress phase and group C with ST-depression seen both during exercise and recovery. All patients underwent CAG. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of each of these groups in diagnosis of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) were analysed and compared. RESULTS: Total 300 patients were studied. Mean age of the study population was 48.77 ± 7.94 years. 78.3% of patients with positive exercise stress test had significant CAD. 96% of patients in group A had significant CAD, which was higher than in group B (88.9%) & group C (70.1%). The specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of ST-segment depression in group A (96.92%, 96% and 25.2% respectively) were higher than that of ST-depression in group B (89.23%, 88.89% and 24.47% respectively) and group C (13.85%, 70.05% and 7.96% respectively). Sensitivity and accuracy of ST-depression in group A were lower (20.43% and 37% respectively), compared to other 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Patient with ST-depression restricted to recovery phase had highest specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. However, accuracy was highest in group with both stress phase and exercise ST-segment depression.

Patterns of cardiovascular diseases in COVID-19 patients admitted to tertiary cardiac care centre.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the pattern of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in COVID-19 patients admitted to tertiary cardiac care centre. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 511 adult patients admitted between July 1, 2020, and November 30, 2020, with COVID-19 infection and having either new onset or pre-existing CVDs. Clinical features, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, chest X-ray, biomarkers, haematological and biochemical parameters were analysed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 56.62 ± 14.74 years. Male: Female ratio was 2.78:1. Pre-existing CVDs were present in 258 patients (50.5%). The most common cardiovascular manifestation was acute coronary syndrome (ACS), seen in 259 patients (50.7%). ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was more common than non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS). Possible myocarditis was seen in 52 patients (10.1%). Rhythm and conduction abnormalities were noted in 144 patients (28.2%), the most common being QT prolongation, seen in 51 patients (10%). In-hospital mortality occurred in 97 patients (18.9%). Age, serum Ferritin level, D-dimer, NT-pro-BNP and total leukocyte count were significantly higher among patients with in-hospital mortality compared to survival group. Blood lymphocyte count and Haemoglobin level were significantly lower in mortality-group, compared to survival-group. Incidence of pre-existing CVDs, cardiogenic shock, heart failure, atrial fibrillation (AF), and renal failure were significantly higher in mortality-group compared to survival-group. CONCLUSION: The most common CVD in COVID-19 patients in our study was ACS. STEMI was more common than NSTE-ACS. Advanced age, elevated serum ferritin, D-dimer, NT pro-BNP, leucocytosis, lymphopenia, lower haemoglobin, pre-existing CVDs heart failure, cardiogenic shock, AF and renal failure were associated with increased mortality in these patients.

Cerebrovascular Events Complicating Cardiac Catheterization - A Tertiary Care Cardiac Centre Experience.

Background: Cerebrovascular events (CVEs) are one of the rare complications of cardiac catheterization. This prospective single-center study was conducted to assess the incidence, presentations, and outcomes of CVEs in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Methods: Patients undergoing cardiac catheterization who developed CVEs within 48 h of procedure were analyzed prospectively with clinical assessment and neuroimaging. Results: Out of 55,664 patients, 35 had periprocedural CVEs (0.063%). The incidence of periprocedural CVEs with balloon mitral valvotomy, percutaneous coronary intervention, and coronary angiography was 0.127%, 0.112%, and 0.043%, respectively. A larger proportion of periprocedural CVEs occurred in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS, 77.1%) than in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The majority of CVEs were ischemic type (33 patients, 94.3%). It was most commonly seen in the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. Hemorrhagic CVEs were very rare (2 patients, 5.7%). The majority of the CVEs manifested during or within 24 h of the procedure (31 patients, 88.6%). Neurodeficits persisted during the hospital stay in 20 patients (57.2%), who had longer duration of procedure compared to those with recovered deficits (P = 0.0125). In-hospital mortality occurred in three patients (8.5%) and post-discharge mortality in another 3 (8.5%). Conclusions: Periprocedural CVEs are rare and have decreased over time. They occur in a greater proportion in patients with ACS than in patients with stable CAD, more with interventional than diagnostic procedures. Ischemic event in the left MCA territory is the most common manifestation, commonly seen within 24 h of the procedure. Longer duration of procedure was a risk factor for larger infarcts and hence persistent neurodeficit at discharge. Although a substantial number of patients recover the neurodeficits, periprocedural CVEs are associated with adverse outcomes.

Integrated Yoga Practice in Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a detrimental noncommunicable disease, which is increasing due to sedentary lifestyle and urbanization in the young population. It is further elevated with risk factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, an increase in triglycerides, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and so on, which manifests as atherosclerotic disease. Yoga-based lifestyle intervention is a noninvasive effective treatment method to control and prevent cardiac risk factors in CAD patients. Yoga has been used in India as a therapeutic method to manage hypertension and other chronic disorders and is fast gaining popularity as an effective means for the alleviation of stress, improvement of fitness, and enhancement of well-being. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of introducing the integrated approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) in a cardiac rehabilitation center in India and understand its usefulness in improving the cardiac function and managing the cardiac risk factors in acute myocardial infarction patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Methods and Design: Cardiac patients were randomized to a yoga-practicing group (n = 33) and a control group (n = 33). The yoga-practicing group was instructed to attend three supervised IAYT classes 3 days per week for 12 weeks at the hospital yoga center. The control group received standard care that included pharmacologic treatment and the instructions of the cardiologist. The outcome measures were assessed at baseline (T1 = 0) and completion (T2 = 3 months). The primary outcome measure was the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Results: There was no statistically significant difference in LVEF (U = 420.500, p value = 0.218) between the two groups. However, the yoga-practicing group showed significant reduction in depression (Cardiac Depression Scale [CDS], U = 71, p value = 0.0), anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale [HAM-A], U = 128, p value = 0.0), and a significant increase in quality of life (QOL) scores (Duke Activity Status Index [DASI], U = 146, p value = 0.0; and metabolic equivalents (METs), U = 136, p value = 0.0) at 3 months compared to control. Overall, the CAD patients practicing yoga showed a favorable profile compared to control individuals on CDS, HAM-A, DASI, and MET outcomes. Control and yoga practicing groups did not differ significantly in the lipid levels. Conclusion: This study indicated that the integration of yoga practice in a cardiac rehabilitation program is feasible and has no added benefit in improving the cardiac function. However, the addition of yoga to cardiac rehabilitation may be beneficial in reducing depression and anxiety and improving QOL in patients.

Yoga-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Given the shortage of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs in India and poor uptake worldwide, there is an urgent need to find alternative models of CR that are inexpensive and may offer choice to subgroups with poor uptake (e.g., women and elderly). OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the effects of yoga-based CR (Yoga-CaRe) on major cardiovascular events and self-rated health in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The trial was conducted in 24 medical centers across India. This study recruited 3,959 patients with acute myocardial infarction with a median and minimum follow-up of 22 and 6 months. Patients were individually randomized to receive either a Yoga-CaRe program (n = 1,970) or enhanced standard care involving educational advice (n = 1,989). The co-primary outcomes were: 1) first occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, or emergency cardiovascular hospitalization); and 2) self-rated health on the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions-5 Level visual analogue scale at 12 weeks. RESULTS: MACE occurred in 131 (6.7%) patients in the Yoga-CaRe group and 146 (7.4%) patients in the enhanced standard care group (hazard ratio with Yoga-CaRe: 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71 to 1.15; p = 0.41). Self-rated health was 77 in Yoga-CaRe and 75.7 in the enhanced standard care group (baseline-adjusted mean difference in favor of Yoga-CaRe: 1.5; 95% CI: 0.5 to 2.5; p = 0.002). The Yoga-CaRe group had greater return to pre-infarct activities, but there was no difference in tobacco cessation or medication adherence between the treatment groups (secondary outcomes). CONCLUSIONS: Yoga-CaRe improved self-rated health and return to pre-infarct activities after acute myocardial infarction, but the trial lacked statistical power to show a difference in MACE. Yoga-CaRe may be an option when conventional CR is unavailable or unacceptable to individuals. (A study on effectiveness of YOGA based cardiac rehabilitation programme in India and United Kingdom; CTRI/2012/02/002408).

Observational study of left ventricular global longitudinal strain in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with extended pharmaco-invasive strategy: A six months follow-up study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate left ventricular (LV) function by assessment of LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who underwent delayed fibrinolysis and coronary intervention (extended pharmaco-invasive strategy), since LV function is one of the determinants of both immediate and long-term outcomes. METHODS: Prospective study of consecutive STEMI patients who underwent extended pharmaco-invasive strategy. The LV function was estimated using LV GLS at baseline and at 6 months. RESULTS: The study included eighty-seven STEMI patients who received delayed pharmaco-invasive therapy and coronary intervention. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate a change in LV function by assessment of GLS at 6 months as compared to baseline. Prior to PCI, LV ejection fraction was 48.08 ± 6.23% and GLS was -11.11 ± 2.99%. Procedural success was achieved in all patients. LV ejection fraction after 6 months of follow-up increased to 53.12 ± 5.61% and the GLS improved to -13.03 ± 3.06% In comparison to baseline, there was a significant improvement in both LV ejection fraction and GLS at 6 months of follow-up (P < .001).The cardiac mortality was 1.1% at 6 months. CONCLUSION: There is a significant improvement of LV function as assessed by GLS and ejection fraction at short-term follow-up. In a stable cohort of STEMI patients, extended pharmaco-invasive strategy is also a reasonable option if PCI cannot be performed within the first 24 hours, due to logistic and infrastructural constraints.

Incidence, predictors, clinical profile, management and outcome of patients with isolated left main coronary artery ostial disease.

OBJECTIVES: Isolated left main coronary artery (LMCA) ostial disease is a rare variant of LMCA disease. Earlier studies on this disease are limited by small number of patients enrolled. The aim of the present study was to analyze the incidence, risk factors, clinical profile and long term outcome of patients with isolated LMCA ostial disease. METHODS: 15,553 patients who underwent coronary angiogram in a single tertiary care cardiac hospital were analyzed for LMCA disease. 351(2.2%) patients were found to have significant LMCA disease out of which 28(0.18%) had isolated LMCA ostial disease. These 28 patients were compared with 323 non-ostial and non-isolated LMCA disease patients. RESULTS: The mean age of isolated LMCA ostial disease group was significantly less than the other group (p=0.009). Females were more affected than males (p=0.008). They also had low incidence of coronary risk factors (especially dyslipidemia, p=0.04). They tend to present more with stable angina and less with myocardial infarction. They had higher ejection fraction and normal regional wall motion (p=0.04). There was no mortality difference between two groups at the end of 1 year (p=0.234). CONCLUSION: In one of the largest studies done in these patients, we found that isolated LMCA ostial disease is more common in middle aged females with few coronary risk factors. These patients also had a better ejection fraction and normal regional wall motion compared to patients with non-ostial and non-isolated LMCA disease. The clinical and angiographic profile of these patients suggests that they may represent a distinct clinical entity.

Effect of thrombolytic therapy on the patterns of post myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture.

OBJECTIVES: Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but feared complication after myocardial infarction (MI). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of thrombolytic therapy on the patterns of VSR following MI. METHODS: 30 consecutive patients admitted to a single tertiary level cardiac hospital with a diagnosis of acute MI and developed VSR in the hospital were included. The effect on thrombolytic therapy on the formation of VSR and its clinical outcome was studied. RESULTS: Out of 30 patients, 15 patients received thrombolytic therapy.10 received early (<12h) and 5 received late (>12h). The median time to post MI VSR formation was significantly shorter in thrombolysis group compared to non thrombolysis group at 1 vs 3 days(p=0.026). The median time for VSR formation was shorter in early thrombolysis group compared to late thrombolysis group at 1 vs 3 days (p=0.022). There was no difference between late and no thrombolytic therapy (3 vs 3 days, p=0.672). There was no significant difference in the mortality between thrombolytic and no thrombolytic therapy (p=0.690). Patients treated medically had a significant higher mortality compared to patients treated surgically (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Thrombolytic therapy results in an earlier presentation of VSR after MI. This earlier presentation may be due to reduction in the number of patients developing late VSR after thrombolytic therapy, while the number of patients developing an early VSR remaining unaffected. Despite improvements in medical therapy and percutaneous and surgical techniques, mortality with this complication remains extremely high.

PTMC in post-MV repair status.

MV repair in the rheumatic population is feasible with acceptable long-term results.1 Incidence of mitral stenosis (MS) following mitral valve (MV) repair for severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation (MR) and usefulness of percutaneous transluminal mitral valvuloplasty (PTMC) in these patients is not described in literature. We report a case of successful PTMC in severe MS following MV repair for severe rheumatic MR.

Right atrial spindle cell sarcoma as a rare cause of tricuspid stenosis.

Spindle cell sarcomas of the right atrium are extremely rare primary cardiac tumours with very few cases reported in the medical literature. The prognosis of this malignant neoplasm remains poor due to delay in diagnosis, early metastasis and few available therapeutic options. It responds poorly to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment. We report a 42-year-old man, who presented to emergency room with dyspnoea and fatigue (New York Heart Association classification II) since 1 month. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed massive pericardial effusion with tamponade. The patient underwent emergency pericardiocentesis; postpericardiocentesis echocardiogram showed large right atrial mass involving the right ventricle and the tricuspid valve causing tricuspid stenosis. Findings were confirmed by cardiac CT scan. Percutaneous transvenous biopsy was carried out which revealed spindle cell sarcoma.

Ping-Pong Mitral Stenosis: Left Atrial Myxoma With Mitral Stenosis and Pulmonary Hypertension in an Octogenarian.

Left atrial (LA) myxoma presenting with symptoms of mitral stenosis in elderly males is very rare accounting for 10% of the cases. We report an 80-year-old male who presented with symptoms of orthopnea and palpitations and was subsequently found to have a large LA myxoma obstructing the mitral valve and causing pulmonary hypertension (PHT).

Hematological dyspnea: A rare cause with gratifying recovery.

A 17-year-old female was referred for evaluation of fever of two-month duration with acute onset of dyspnea since 1 week. Clinical examination revealed tachycardia, tachypnea, elevated jugular venous pressure, bilateral basal crepitations with normal heart sounds, and no murmur. Chest X-ray showed infiltrates in bilateral lung fields. Echocardiography revealed obliteration of biventricular apices along with layered thrombus over the left ventricular endocardium. Doppler studies elicited restrictive physiology with mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Complete hemogram revealed hypereosinophilia with eosinophilic count of 7.4 × 109/L. All secondary causes of elevated eosinophil count were excluded. The patient was started on steroids and anticoagulation. Serial echocardiograms showed clearing of the thrombus with marked symptomatic improvement. We highlight a case of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome with classic cardiac (Loeffler endocarditis) and pulmonary manifestations and prompt recovery with steroids and anticoagulation. .

Sinus node dysfunction complicating viper bite.

Viper venom toxicities comprise mainly bleeding disorders and nephrotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity is a rare manifestation of viper bite. We describe the case of a previously healthy 35-year-old man who developed coagulopathy and sinus node dysfunction following a viper bite. Electrocardiography showed sinus arrest and junctional escape rhythm. This is the first account of sinus node dysfunction caused by a viper bite.

Xanthoma tuberosum in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia is one of the high risk factors that can result in premature coronary arterial disease leading to severe morbidity and premature death in children and young adults. We describe a rare example of extensive xanthoma tuberosum in a case of familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia.

Coronary artery disease in patients undergoing cardiac surgery for non-coronary lesions in a tertiary care centre.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing surgery for various valvular as well as non-valvular cardiac pathologies. METHODS: Patients with various valvular and non-valvular pathologies were selected. All patients with age ≥ 40 years and an indication for open heart surgery underwent pre-operative coronary angiogram and were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean age was 51.5 ± 9.02 years. 178 (59.3%) patients were males and 122 (40.7%) patients were females. Out of 300 patients, 270 (90%) patients had valvular heart disease (VHD) and 30 (10%) patients had non-valvular heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), mitral valve prolapse (MVP), degenerative aortic valve disease (DAVD) and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) was present in 161 (53.7%), 17 (5.7%), 60 (20%) and 32 (10.7%) patients respectively. Overall, 26 (8.7%) patients were found to have significant CAD. CAD was significantly more common in patients with VHD as compared to patients with other etiologies (1 patient, 3.3%, p < 0.05). In the valvular group, DAVD patients had maximum prevalence of CAD (14 patients, 23.4%, p < 0.05). In the group with CAD, the presence of variables such as age >60 years, male sex, typical angina, HT, dyslipidemia and smoking were significantly greater as compared to those with normal coronaries. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of CAD among patients undergoing non-coronary cardiac surgery is 8.7%. Coronary artery disease is relatively uncommon in patients with rheumatic VHD (4.9%), while its prevalence is highest in DAVD (23.4%).

Clinical, echocardiographic and microbiological study, and analysis of outcomes of infective endocarditis in tropical countries: a prospective analysis from India.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the clinical, echocardiographic, microbiological profile and outcomes of patients with definitive infective endocarditis (IE) in tropical countries. METHODS: Between September 2010 and March 2013, a total of 109 patients with 111 episodes of definitive IE (as per the modified Duke's criteria) was enrolled in the study. The mean age at presentation was 32.7 ± 17.2 years (range: 2-70 years), and there was a male preponderance (3:1). RESULTS: Native valve disease was identified in 57 cases of IE, followed by congenital heart disease (n = 35), prosthetic valve disease (n = 11), normal valves (n = 5) and pacemaker lead infection (n = 1). Echocardiography was diagnostic in all patients except one. Positive blood cultures were obtained in 68 episodes, with streptococci (n = 34) and staphylococci (n = 11) the most common organisms. At least one major complication was identified in 60 patients. Ultimately, only 15 patients underwent surgery for IE, but 25 died during their hospital stay. On multivariate analysis, prosthetic valve involvement, combined mitral and aortic valve involvement, male gender, and leukocytosis were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: IE in India is associated with a higher mortality and lower rates of culture positivity compared to the west; rates of surgery for IE in India are unacceptably low. Changing epidemiological trends may pose newer challenges in the near future.

Electrogenic Cardioversion.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice. Cardioversion for AF may be performed by either using direct current (DC) shock (electrical cardioversion) or using drugs (chemical cardioversion). Here we report a case of a patient with heart failure and AF, who reverted to the normal sinus rhythm on correction of hyperkalemia (electrogenic cardioversion). The patient maintained sinus rhythm during follow-up. We highlight the importance of serum potassium in patients with AF.