Myocardial strain analysis by 4D-speckle tracking echocardiography for prediction of coronary artery disease severity in patients with stable angina pectoris.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the myocardial strain by four-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (4D-STE) in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) to determine the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) based on the Gensini score. METHODS: The present study comprised of 150 patients with SAP. Patients with history of SAP, normal left ventricular ejection fraction, and without regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) were scheduled for elective coronary angiography. Based on Gensini score, there were two groups: non-critical stenosis group [Gensini score (0-19), n = 117] and critical stenosis group [Gensini score ≥20, n = 33]. Correlation between Gensini score and 4D-STE strain parameters were investigated. RESULTS: Out of 150 patients, critical stenosis group had significantly depressed values of all 4D-STE strain parameters than non-critical stenosis group (p < 0.001), except global radial strain (GRS) parameter. Significant positive correlation was found between Gensini score and 4D global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global area strain (GAS) with Spearman's correlation coefficient (ρ) as 0.626, 0.548, and 0.631, respectively (p < 0.001), whereas significant negative correlation was found between Gensini score and GRS (ρ = -0.433, p < 0.001). A 4D GLS value of ≥ -17 had 84.9% sensitivity and 97.4% specificity, GAS ≥ -31 (90.9% sensitivity, 78.6% specificity), GCS ≥ -17 (69.7% sensitivity, 92.3% specificity), and GRS <47 (sensitivity 72.7%, specificity 76.1%) to detect critical CAD described by Gensini score ≥20. CONCLUSION: The 4D-STE can aid in the assessment of severe CAD stenosis with good sensitivity and specificity in the patients with SAP without RWMA on traditional echocardiography.

Clinical relevance of double-arm blood pressure measurement and prevalence of clinically important inter-arm blood pressure differences in Indian Primary Care.

Hypertension guidelines recommend measuring blood pressure (BP) in both arms at least once. However, this is seldom done due to uncertainties regarding measurement procedure and the implications of finding a clinically important inter-arm BP difference (IAD). This study aimed to provide insight into the prevalence of clinically important IADs in a large Indian primary care cohort. A number of 134678 (37% female) unselected Indian primary care participants, mean age 45.2 (SD 11.9) years, had BP measured in both arms using a standardized, triplicate, automated simultaneous measurement method (Microlife WatchBP Office Afib). On average, there were clinically minor differences in right and left arm BP values: systolic BP 134.4 vs. 134.2 mmHg (p<0.01) and diastolic BP 82.7 vs. 82.6 mmHg (p<0.01), respectively. Prevalence of significant mean systolic IAD between 10 and 15 mmHg was 7813 (5.8%). Systolic IAD ≥ 15 mmHg 2980 (2.2%) and diastolic IAD ≥ 10 mmHg 7151 (5.3%). In total, there were 7595 (5.6%) and 8548 (6.3%) participants with BP above the 140/90 mmHg threshold in only the left or right arm, respectively. Prevalence of participants with elevated BP on one arm only was highest in patients with a systolic IAD ≥ 15 mmHg; 19.1% and 13.7%, for left and right arm, respectively. This study shows that a substantial prevalence of IAD exist in Indian primary care patients. BP is above the diagnostic threshold for hypertension in one arm only for 6% of participants. These findings emphasise the importance of undertaking bilateral BP measurement in routine clinical practice. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Clinical relevance of double-arm blood pressure measurement and prevalence of clinically important inter-arm blood pressure differences in Indian primary care.

Hypertension guidelines recommend measuring blood pressure (BP) in both arms at least once. However, this is seldom done due to uncertainties regarding measurement procedure and the implications of finding a clinically important inter-arm BP difference (IAD). This study aimed to provide insight into the prevalence of clinically important IADs in a large Indian primary care cohort. A number of 134 678 (37% female) unselected Indian primary care participants, mean age 45.2 (SD 11.9) years, had BP measured in both arms using a standardized, triplicate, automated simultaneous measurement method (Microlife WatchBP Office Afib). On average, there were clinically minor differences in right and left arm BP values: systolic BP 134.4 vs 134.2 mmHg (p < .01) and diastolic BP 82.7 vs 82.6 mmHg (p < .01), respectively. Prevalence of significant mean systolic IAD between 10 and 15 mmHg was 7,813 (5.8%). Systolic IAD ≥ 15 mmHg 2,980 (2.2%) and diastolic IAD ≥ 10 mmHg 7,151 (5.3%). In total, there were 7,595 (5.6%) and 8,548 (6.3%) participants with BP above the 140/90 mmHg threshold in only the left or right arm, respectively. Prevalence of participants with elevated BP on one arm only was highest in patients with a systolic IAD ≥ 15 mmHg; 19.1% and 13.7%, for left and right arm, respectively. This study shows that a substantial prevalence of IAD exists in Indian primary care patients. BP is above the diagnostic threshold for hypertension in one arm only for 6% of participants. These findings emphasize the importance of undertaking bilateral BP measurement in routine clinical practice.

Correlation of serum ST2 levels with severity of diastolic dysfunction on echocardiography and findings on cardiac MRI in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to find a correlation of serum Suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) levels with severity of diastolic dysfunction on echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients. METHODS: Fifty patients aged ≥18 years fulfilling diagnostic criteria for HFpEF were included. ST2 levels, 2D echocardiography and CMRI were performed. Left ventricular ejection fraction, E/A, Septal E/E', left atrial volume index (LAVI), tricuspid regurgitation (TR), assessment of diastolic dysfunction, T1 mapping in milliseconds and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in percentage were noted. The primary outcome measure was to study correlation of ST2 levels with severity of diastolic dysfunction, whereas the secondary outcome measures were to study correlation of ST2 levels with native T1 mapping and LGE on CMRI. RESULTS: ST2 levels showed statistically significant and positive correlation with E/E' (r = 0.837), peak TR velocity (r = 0.373), LAVI (r = 0.74), E/A (r = 0.420), and T1 values in milliseconds (r = 0.619). There was no statistically significant correlation between ST2 level and LGE in % (r = 0.145). The median ST2 levels in patients with E/E' > 14 and E/E' ≤ 14 were 110.8 and 36.1 respectively (p-value < 0.05). The mean ST2 levels were significantly higher in patients who had diastolic dysfunction grade III (126.4) and New York Heart Association class IV (133.3). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of ST2 adds important information to support the diagnosis of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with HFpEF.

Expert Opinion on P2Y12 Inhibitors Use in Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes: Focus on Ticagrelor.

Ticagrelor is a potent, oral P2Y12 inhibitor used as a part of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). New evidence has emerged for its use in ACS, which may be crucial for the Indian context. This brought together nearly 150 experts in ACS management across the country who reviewed the current evidence and discussed the same through a series of 10 meetings on an online platform. With all experts' agreement, the key expert opinions for the P2Y12 inhibitors use in ACS management were finalized. These include the following. In ACS patients aged <75 years, with diabetes, a history of stroke/transient ischemic attack, and chronic kidney disease, ticagrelor may be preferred over other P2Y12 inhibitors. It may also be preferred in the elderly above 75 years with clopidogrel is a suitable alternative in patients at high-risk of bleeding. Rates of stent thrombosis are lower with ticagrelor than clopidogrel. In patients managed with fibrinolysis, use ticagrelor after 48 hours if streptokinase was the fibrinolytic agent or it can be used after 12 to 24 hours if fibrin-specific fibrinolytic was used. Rates of major bleeding in patients treated with fibrinolysis are similar to clopidogrel. Prehospital administration may be preferred over in-hospital administration with expected bleeding rates similar to clopidogrel. Switching among P2Y12 inhibitors should be done with due consideration of their pharmacodynamics. At present, DAPT should be continued for 12 months with discontinuation after three to six months in patients with high bleeding risk. The use of low dose ticagrelor may be considered in cases with high-bleeding risk. DAPT or ticagrelor continuation beyond one year should be individualized considering ischemic and bleeding risks. Dyspnea is a common, mild, and transient and does not necessitate ticagrelor discontinuation. Severe dyspnea should be investigated thoroughly. In conclusion, ticagrelor (180 mg, 90 mg, and 60 mg doses), a potent antiplatelet is expected to reshape the antiplatelet use in the management of ACS.

One-year clinical outcomes in patients with very small coronary artery disease treated with drug-eluting stents: An observational study in the Indian population.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in very small vessel coronary arteries is challenging due to adverse short-term as well as long-term outcomes. This single-arm, open-label, observational study assessed 1-year clinical outcomes of drug-eluting stents (DES) in Indian patients undergoing PCI for symptomatic very small-calibre coronary artery disease. It enrolled 66 Indian patients with 74 very small coronary artery lesions (reference vessel diameter: ≥2.0 and ≤ 2.25 mm); eligible for implantation with 2.25 mm DES. The primary endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was 3.0% indicating favourable 1-year clinical outcomes of DES in very small coronary artery lesions in Indian patients.

Correlation between echocardiographic calcium score and coronary artery lesion severity on invasive coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVES: The direct correlation between Echocardiographic non-coronary calcium score (ECS) and lesion severity on invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is not reported. The aim of the present study was to find the correlation between ECS and Gensini score. METHODS: One hundred seventy patients aged ≥18 years posted for clinically indicated ICA were included. All the patients underwent standard transthoracic echocardiography. ECS and Gensisni scores were calculated. The primary outcome measure was to find a correlation of ECS with Gensini score, whereas the secondary outcome measure was to correlate ECS with traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease. The Chi-square/Fisher exact test was used to compare qualitative variables. Spearman's correlation analysis was used for assessing the correlation between ECS score and the Gensini score. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to detect the cut-off value of the ECS score. RESULTS: The correlation of total ECS with Gensini score was positive and statistically significant (r = 0.550, p-value < 0.0001). As ECS increased, the Gensini score increased. ECS value of >1 detected CAD with 56.5% sensitivity, 79.5% specificity. Eight-nine percent of patients who had ECS >1, had Gensini score ≥18, whereas 44.3% of patients who had ECS ≤1, had Gensini score ≥18. The patients with ECS >1 had significantly higher Gensini scores than the patients with ECS ≤1. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation of total ECS with Gensini score was positive and statistically significant.

Blood pressure and heart rate related to sex in untreated subjects: the India ABPM study.

Women are underrepresented in groups of patients seeking hypertension care in India. The present paper reports trends in office and ambulatory blood pressure measurement (OBPM, ABPM) and 24-h heart rate (HR) with sex in 14,977 subjects untreated for hypertension (aged 47.3 ± 13.9 years, males 69.4%) visiting primary care physicians. Results showed that, for systolic blood pressure (SBP), females had lower daytime ABPM (131 ± 16 vs. 133 ± 14 mm Hg, P < .001) but higher nighttime ABPM (122 ± 18 vs. 121 ± 16 mm Hg, P < .001) than males. Females had higher HR than men at daytime (80 ± 11 vs 79 ± 11.5 bpm) and nighttime (71 ± 11 vs 69 ± 11), respectively (all P < .001). Dipping percentages for SBP (7.4 ± 7.3 vs 9.3 ± 7.4%), DBP (10.1 ± 8.6 vs. 12.3 ± 8.9%), and HR (10.7 ± 7.9 vs. 12.8 ± 9.2%) were lower (P < .001) for females than for males, respectively. Females more often had isolated nighttime hypertension as compared to males (14.9%, n = 684% vs 10.6%, n = 1105; P < .001). BP patterns and HR showed clear differences in sex, particularly at nighttime. As females were more often affected by non-dipping and elevated nighttime SBP and HR than males, they should receive ABPM, at least, as frequently as men to document higher risk necessitating treatment.

Beat-to-beat estimation of stroke volume using impedance cardiography and artificial neural network.

Impedance cardiography is a low-cost noninvasive technique, based on monitoring of the thoracic impedance, for estimation of stroke volume (SV). Impedance cardiogram (ICG) is the negative of the first derivative of the impedance signal. A technique for beat-to-beat SV estimation using impedance cardiography and artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed. A three-layer feed-forward ANN with error back-propagation algorithm is optimized by examining the effects of number of neurons in the hidden layer, activation function, training algorithm, and set of input parameters. The input parameters are obtained by automatic detection of the ICG characteristic points, and the target values are obtained by beat-to-beat SV measurements from time-aligned Doppler echocardiogram. The technique is evaluated using an ICG-echocardiography database with recordings from subjects with normal health in the under-rest and post-exercise conditions and from subjects with cardiovascular disorders in the under-rest condition. The proposed technique performed much better than the earlier established equation-based estimations, and it resulted in correlation coefficient of 0.93 for recordings from subjects with cardiovascular disorders. It may be helpful in improving the acceptability of impedance cardiography in clinical practice. Graphical abstract ᅟ.