Clinical safety and efficacy of World's thinnest (50 µm), very long (>40 mm) Everolimus Eluting Stent (SES) among real world patients.

BACKGROUND: Safety and efficacy of newer-generation and World's thinnest everolimus eluting stent (Evermine 50) in patients with very long and multiple lesions. METHOD: Total of 711 patients received >40 mm long, World's thinnest (50 µm) Evermine 50 Everolimus eluting stent (Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., India) for various indications at LPS Institute of Cardiology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, UP, India between August 2017 and December 2018. Primary outcome as Device-oriented composite outcome (DOCO)- composite of cardiovascular death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization, secondary end points including peri-procedural device failure (failure of stent delivery, change of stent, edge dissection, stent fracture), target vessel failure (TVF), Global Cardiovascular End Points (GCEP)- composite of all-cause death, any MI, and any revascularization, and stent thrombosis (ST) were evaluated at 1-year follow-up. RESULT: Mean age was 52.7±15.9 years and majority (78.6%) were male. Indications for implantation were STEMI (n=284; 46.2%), NSTEMI (n=201; 32.8%), UA (n=78; 12.6%), and CCS (n=52; 8.4%). Total of 989 lesions were treated among 711 patients. Median length of stent per lesion was 54±14 mm. DOCO occurred in 47 (6.6%) which was contributed by target vessel MI and TLR in 23 (3.2%) and 15 (2.1%) patients respectively. GCEP was observed in 117 (16.4%) at 12-month follow-up mainly attributed by any revascularization 60 (8.4%). Stent failure was seen in 36 (5.1%) patients mainly as result of failure of assigned stent delivery (n=18; 2.5%), and edge dissection (n=15; 2.1%). Definite and probable ST were observed in 8 (1.1%) and 6 (0.8%) patients respectively. CONCLUSION: Evermine 50 Everolimus eluting stent is safe and effective to treat unduly long and multiple lesions.

Transcatheter Device Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect in Pediatric Patients: Long-Term Outcomes.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects in pediatric patients at long-term follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 376 patients with perimembranous VSDs between September 2008 and December 2015 who underwent percutaneous closure at our center. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and electrocardiogram were done before and after the procedure in all the patients. All patients were subjected to follow-up evaluation at 1, 3, 6, 12 months, and annually thereafter with TTE and electrocardiogram. RESULTS: A total of 376 patients (210 males and 166 females) underwent transcatheter closure of perimembranous VSD. Mean age of patients was 8.67 ± 3.02 (range 3-18 years) and mean weight was 21.15 ± 8.31 (range 8-65 kg). The procedure was carried out successfully in 98.93% of patients with no reported mortality. Rhythm disturbances occurred in 8.5% of patients after the procedure which included three cases of complete atrioventricular block. CONCLUSION: This study shows that in experienced hands transcatheter closure of perimembrnous VSD is safe and effective at long-term follow-up. With minimal morbidity and no mortality, the transcatheter is an effective alternative to surgical closure in selected patients.

Non-pharmaco, non-invasive management of coronary no-reflow phenomenon.

INTRODUCTION: No-reflow is an infrequent but dreaded complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), where the culprit is obstruction of the downstream microvascular bed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of forceful injection of blood (autologous blood transfusion - ABT) in reversing no-reflow during PCI because data regarding its effectiveness is not available. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 100-120 ml of blood was withdrawn through guiding catheter over 3 to 5 min using a 10 ml syringe and re-infused by forceful injection over 3 min through it, and its efficacy was assessed at 10 min using TIMI flow grade and quantitative corrected TIMI frame count. RESULTS: In total 93 patients received ABT following no-reflow. Their clinical presentation was ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n = 61; 65.6%), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) (n = 23; 24.7%), and unstable angina (n = 9; 9.6%). It was observed among patients undergoing primary PCI (n = 18; 19.3%), pharmaco-invasive PCI (n = 27; 29%), rescue PCI (n = 11; 11.8%), and PCI for cardiogenic shock (n = 5; 5.3%). A mean volume of 108 ±4 ml blood was transfused. Commonest culprit vessel was left anterior descending artery (n = 51; 54.8%) followed by right coronary (n = 29; 31.2%), left circumflex (n = 19; 10.8%), and saphenous vein grafts (n = 3; 3.2%). Following ABT, TIMI 3 flow was successfully restored in 77 (82.7%) patients. TIMI flow grade improved from 1.02 to 2.52 and cTIMI frame count decreased from 60.6 ±12 to 16.1 ±6 (p < 0.001). ABT was well tolerated except transient hypotension (n = 17; 18.3%). Overall mortality was reported in 10 (10.7%) patients at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: In this largest and only study to date, ABT is a safe and highly effective approach to reverse no-reflow by raising driving pressure across the capillary bed.

Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in Patients With Isolated Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava From a Right-Sided Approach: Technical Considerations and Follow-Up Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Positioning a permanent pacing wire in patients with persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) to right ventricle often comes as on-table surprise. It is technically demanding and therefore most of operators prefer left-sided approach. We assessed technical challenges during pacemaker implantation, and their short- and long-term outcomes among patients with isolated PLSVC from a right-sided approach. METHODS: Thirty-one consecutive patients with isolated PLSVC and 93 patients with right superior vena cava (RSVC) were enrolled with syncope with sinus node dysfunction (SND) and atrioventricular (AV) block. Study was designed on the basis of nested case-control method, and therefore 1:3 proportions was the enrolment criteria to detect any difference as statistically significant as incidence of isolated PLSVC is low. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 64.8 ± 10.5 years. SND was the most common indication (n = 55; 44%) followed by AV block (n = 47; 37%). Nineteen (20%) patients received tined pacing lead, while 105 (85%) had screwing lead. There was no significant difference in mean procedural time (25 ± 11 min vs. 23 ± 12 min; P = 0.24), mean fluoroscopic time (3.1 ± 2.2 min vs. 2.7 ± 2.1 min; P = 0.54), pacing parameters for atrial and ventricular leads, dislodgement rate (3.2% vs. 4.8%; P = 0.32) and follow-up duration (6.9 ± 1.3 years vs. 7.2 ± 1.1 years; P = 0.18) between two groups. Compared to patients with RSVC, those with PLSVC had alpha loop configuration for ventricular lead which was statistically significant (31 vs. 00; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PLSVC had alpha loop configuration for ventricular lead because of circuitous course via left mediastinum. Although pacemaker implantation through coronary sinus via isolated PLSVC from right sided-approach is technically challenging, it obtains good long-term results but needs frequent follow-up during the initial period.

Prospective evaluation of the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of Cocoon Duct Occluder for transcatheter closure of large patent ductus arteriosus: A single-center study with short- and medium-term follow-up results.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel Cocoon Duct Occluder device for the transcatheter closure (TCC) of large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). METHODS: In this prospective, non-randomized study, consecutive patients with large PDA (narrowest diameter: ≥3.5/4.0 mm in symptomatic/asymptomatic patients, respectively), who underwent TCC with Cocoon Duct Occluder at our institute between November, 2012 and June, 2016 were examined. TCC was performed using the standard technique, and devices were antegradely delivered via 6-10F delivery sheaths. Device embolization, residual shunt, hemolysis, left pulmonary artery (LPA) stenosis, procedural and fluoroscopy time, and mortality were assessed. Patients were followed-up by transthoracic echocardiography with color Doppler imaging at 24 h (D1), 1 month (D30), and 6 months (D180) after implantation. RESULTS: A total of 57 patients (age: 11.7±2.8 years; weight: 22.3±3.5 kg) were enrolled. The mean narrowest diameter was 7.4±0.7 mm. The PDA closure was successfully performed in each patient. Fluoroscopy and procedural time was 6.7±3.2 min and 23.9±2.7 min, respectively. Postprocedural angiography revealed that 49 (85.9%) patients had immediate and complete closure, whereas 8 (14.1%) had residual shunt. Color Doppler imaging at D1 revealed complete closure in 52 (91.3%) patients. At D30, complete closure was reported in all patients and was maintained at D180. Hemolysis, embolization, obstruction of LPA or descending aorta, and death were not reported till D180. CONCLUSION: TCC using Cocoon Duct Occluder is feasible, safe, and effective in the management of patients with large PDA, with excellent results on short- and medium-term follow-up.

Acute myocardial infarction in very young adults: A clinical presentation, risk factors, hospital outcome index, and their angiographic characteristics in North India-AMIYA Study.

BACKGROUND: India is currently in the fourth stage of epidemiological transitions where cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Purpose of the present study was to assess the risk factors, clinical presentation, angiographic profile including severity, and in-hospital outcome of very young adults (aged ≤ 30 years) with first acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Total of 1,116 consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) were studied between March 2013 and February 2015 at LPS Institute of Cardiology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 26.3 years. Risk factors were smoking (78.5%), family history of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) (46.8%), obesity (39.1%), physical inactivity (38.7%) and stressful life events (29.6%). The most common symptom and presentation was chest pain and anterior wall myocardial infarction (AWMI) in 94.8% and 58.8%, respectively. About 80.6% of patients had obstructive CAD with single vessel disease (57.6%), double-vessel disease (12.9%) and left main involvement (3.2%). Left anterior descending (LAD) was commonest culprit artery (58.1%) followed by right coronary artery in 28.2%. In-hospital mortality was 2.8%. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in 71.6% of patients. Median number and length of stent were 1.18 and 28 ± 16 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: AMI in very young adult occurred most commonly in male. Smoking was the most common risk factor. AWMI owing to LAD artery involvement was the most common presentation. Mean time of presentation after symptom onset was 16.9 hours. In contrast to western population, it is characterised by earlier onset, delayed presentation, more severity, diffuse disease, and more morbidity but with favourable in-hospital mortality.

Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) of extreme pulmonary valve stenosis by the use of Accura balloon.

Transcatheter therapy of valvular pulmonary stenosis is one of first catheter interventions facilitating its application in field of structural heart disease and now treatment of choice for significant pulmonary stenosis. Myriads of balloon catheter have been used for this purpose starting from Diamond (Boston Scientific,Natick, MA USA), Marshal (Medi-Tech,Watertown MAUSA), Innoue balloon, Tyshak I and currently Tyshak II. Diameter and length of balloon depend on size of annulus and age group, respectively. Problem with shorter balloon is difficulty in keeping it across the annulus while inflation as it tends to slip distally whereas with longer balloon, potential of tricuspid leak or conduction block as it may impinge on adjacent structures. Potential advantage of Accura balloon over Tyshak balloon lies in its peculiar shape while inflation and variable diameter, making stepwise dilatation possible. Here, we report a case of successful balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty using Accura balloon (Vascular Concept, UK) with little modification of conventional technique.

Safety and Feasibility of Transcatheter Interruption of Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm Using the Cocoon Duct Occluder: Immediate Results and Mid-Term Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available regarding safety and feasibility of transcatheter interruption of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (RSOVA) using the Cocoon duct occluder (CDO) with immediate and mid-term follow-up result. METHODS: Transcatheter closure (TCC) was successfully done among eight patients, whereas five cases, not amenable to TCC, were referred for surgical correction among 13 consecutive patients of RSOVA at LPS Institute of Cardiology, Kanpur between January 2010 and March 2015. RESULTS: Their mean age was 26.1 ± 6.9 years. Sites of rupture were from right coronary sinus (RCS) to right atrium (RA) in one (12.5%), right ventricle in one (12.5%), and non-coronary sinus to RA in six patients (75%). The defects (9 - 17 mm) were closed by CDO (12/10 - 20/18 mm) with 100% procedural success. During follow-up (9 - 26 months), there was no residual shunt, progression of AR, infective endocarditis or device embolization. CONCLUSION: TCC of RSOVA appears to be a safe and feasible alternative to surgical therapy, with high technical success and excellent mid-term follow-up.

Radial Artery Occlusion - Incidence, Predictors and Long-term outcome after TRAnsradial Catheterization: clinico-Doppler ultrasound-based study (RAIL-TRAC study).

Background and aim The purpose of this study was to assess incidence, predictors and outcome of radial artery occlusion (RAO) after transradial catheterization (TRC) based on clinical and Doppler ultrasound study. Methods A total of 1,945 consecutive patients undergoing transradial catheterization for diagnostic evaluation or intervention were included. Radial artery examination was based on palpation and colour Doppler study on the day before, 1 day (D1), 1 month (D30) and 6 months (D180) following the procedure. RAO was defined as absence of pulse on palpation and forward flow on Doppler study. Predictors of RAO were found by logistic regression analysis. Results Baseline demographic and procedural data were recorded. The mean radial arterial diameter was 2.56 ± 0.29 mm. On D1, radial artery Doppler examination revealed RAO in 339 patients (17.4%) but pulse was still palpable in 115 (34%) of them. At D30, these were 221 (11.4%) and 114 (52%), respectively, as no new RAO were noted. Interestingly, 118 (34.8%) patients had spontaneous recanalization of their radial artery as shown by catch-up in patency rate. At D180, these were 99 (5.1%) and 68 (69%), respectively, meaning further new catch-up implying further recanalization. Patients with persistent RAO remained asymptomatic. On multivariate analysis, female sex, diabetes, lower BMI, radial artery diameter ≤2.2 mm and radial artery-to-sheath ratio (AS ratio) < 1 were predictors of RAO. Conclusion TRC for coronary angiography, ad hoc and staged angioplasty can be performed with similar efficacy and safety though RAO occurs more frequently in patients with prior radial artery cannulation and with larger sheath size. Persistent RAO remains asymptomatic.

Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Angioplasty of Occluded Twin Circumflex Coronary Artery in a Patient of Acute Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction: A Rare Anomaly.

Anomalies of the coronary arteries are reported in 1-2% of patients among diagnostic angiogram. Dual origin of a circumflex from both sinuses is extremely rare among them. We report a case of a patient who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute inferior wall myocardial infarction where left coronary injection demonstrated normal obtuse marginal and right coronary injection demonstrated normal right coronary artery (RCA). On further probing, an anomalous left circumflex (LCx) artery was seen arising from RCA ostium which was subsequently cannulated and revascularized by deployment of 2.75 × 26 mm Xience Prime drug-eluting stent (Abott Vascular, USA). Herein, we report for the first time primary percutaneous coronary intervention of twin circumflex and also illustrate that anomalous circumflex can be missed if it arises from RCA ostium and if not probed carefully.

Successful Restoration of Complete Heart Block to Normal Sinus Rhythm by Primary Angioplasty of Dual Left Anterior Descending Artery.

Dual left anterior descending (LAD) artery is a rare coronary anomaly. We present a patient with a rare case of dual LAD, smaller one arising from the left main coronary stem and larger one from right coronary artery who presented with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction with complete heart block (CHB). Temporary pacemaker was implanted and coronary angiogram revealed critical occlusion of proximal LAD which was subsequently revascularized by primary angioplasty using drug-eluting stent (Xience prime, 2.75 × 23 mm) leading to recovery of CHB and restoration to normal rhythm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of dual LAD presenting with CHB treated by primary angioplasty reported in the literature.

Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Using BaLloon-Assisted Sliding and Tracking (BLAST) of Diagnostic Catheter to Negotiate Double Hairpin Loop of Radial Artery.

During transradial intervention, sharp edge of the guide catheter tip may act like a "razor-blade" and can prevent the catheter navigation especially in situation like double hair pin loop. Here, we report primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) through diagnostic catheter using an innovative technique, balloon-assisted sliding and tracking (BLAST), to overcome this double hairpin loop, thus saving time and contrast volume.

Acute Myocardial Infarction Due to Coronary Artery Embolism in a 22-Year-Old Woman with Mitral Stenosis with Atrial Fibrillation Under Warfarinization: Successful Management with Anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND Coronary artery embolization is an exceedingly rare cause of myocardial infarction, but a few cases in association with prosthetic mechanical valves have been reported. We report a case of embolic myocardial infarction caused by a thrombus in the left atrium with deranged coagulation profile in a patient with critical mitral stenosis under warfarinization. CASE REPORT A 22-year-old woman was taken to the catheterization lab for early coronary intervention in lieu of non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Electrocardiography showed T↓ in V1 to V4, and atrial fibrillation with controlled ventricular rate. Coronary angiography showed total occlusion of the mid-left anterior descending artery with thrombus. After upstream treatment with tirofiban, the apparent thrombus was dislodged distally while passing a BMW wire. No abnormalities were seen by intravascular ultrasound study. Echocardiography revealed critical mitral stenosis, and left atrial clot with mild left ventricular dysfunction. Coagulation profile revealed sub-therapeutic international normalized ratio levels. The sequential angiographic images, normal intravascular ultrasound study, and presence of atrial fibrillation are confirmatory of coronary embolism as the cause of myocardial infarction. Anticoagulation and treatment of acute coronary syndrome were initiated and she was referred for closed mitral valvulotomy. CONCLUSIONS Coronary artery thromboembolism as a nonatherosclerotic cause of acute coronary syndrome is rare. The treatment consists of aggressive anticoagulation, antiplatelet therapy, and interventional options, including simple wiring when possible. In this context, primary prevention in the form of patient education on optimal anticoagulation with oral vitamin K antagonist and medical advice about imminent thromboembolic risks are of extreme importance.

A Rare Case of Angina Pectoris with the Longest Ectopic Left Main Coronary Artery Arising from Right Sinus of Valsalva and a Prepulmonic Course.

Knowledge of the morphoanatomical characteristics of the main trunk of the left coronary artery as well as its variations is cornerstone of hemodynamic, correct interpretation of coronary angiogram and for revascularization purpose. The left main coronary artery (LMCA) ranges from 3 to 6 mm in diameter and may be up to 10 to 15 mm in length in humans. We here report a case of the longest anomalous LMCA (56 mm) reported so far in a 35-year-old man with chronic stable angina arising from right sinus of valsalva as seen on conventional angiogram and multidetector computerized tomogram (MDCT).

Efficacy and Safety of Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: Thrombolysis in acute submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) remains controversial. So we studied impact of thrombolytic therapy in acute submassive PE in terms of mortality, hemodynamic status, improvement in right ventricular function, and safety in terms of major and minor bleeding. METHOD: A single-center, prospective, randomized study of 86 patients was conducted at LPS Institute of Cardiology, G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur, India. Patients received thrombolysis (single bolus of tenecteplase) with unfractionated heparin (UFH, group I) or placebo with UFH (group II). RESULT: Mean age of patients was 54.35 ± 12.8 years with male dominance (M:F = 70%:30%). Smoking was the most common risk factor seen in 29% of all patients, followed by recent history of immobilization (25%), history of surgery or major trauma within past 1 month (15%), dyslipidemia (10%) and diabetes mellitus (10%). Dyspnea was the most common symptom in 80% of all patients, followed by chest pain in 55% and syncope in 6%. Primary efficacy outcome occurred significantly better in group I vs. group II (4.5% vs. 20%; P = 0.04), and significant difference was also found in hemodynamic decompensation (4.5% vs. 20%; P = 0.04), the fall in mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (28.8% vs. 22.5%; P = 0.03), improvement in right ventricular (RV) function (70% vs. 40%; P = 0.001) and mean hospital stay (8.1 ± 2.5 vs. 11.1 ± 2.14 days; P = 0.001). There was no difference in mortality and major bleeding as safety outcome but increased minor bleeding occurred in group I patients (16% vs. 12%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Patients with acute submassive PE do not derive overall mortality benefit, recurrent PE and rehospitalization with thrombolytic therapy but had improved clinical outcome in form of decrease in hemodynamic decompensation, mean hospital stay, PASP and improvement of RV function with similar risk of major bleed but at cost of increased minor bleeding.

Bi-Luminal Mitral Valve: Incidence, Clinical Features, Associated Anomaly and Echocardiographic Evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to know the incidence, clinical features, associated anomaly and echocardiographic evaluation of bi-luminal mitral valve (also known as double orifice mitral valve or DOMV) in patients with suspected mitral valve disease, continous murmur or left-to-right shunt. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with DOMV were diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in a retrospective review of 52,256 echocardiographic studies in 45,898 patients performed between 2000 and 2015. RESULTS: The mean age was 20.1 years (15 - 34 years) with female preponderance (M/F: 1:1.8). Dyspnea and diastolic murmur were the most common symptoms found in 19 (67.8%) and 19 (67.8%) of patients, respectively. Normal sinus rhythm was the most common electrocardiographic finding. Twenty-five (89%) patients had complete bridge, while three (11%) had incomplete bridge type of DOMV. Twenty-one (75%) had severe mitral stenosis (MS) including severe tricuspid regurgitation (n = 13, 61%), ventricular septal defect (VSD, n = 3, 14%), complete endocardial cushion defect (ECD, n = 3, 14%), and mild to moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) (n = 2, 11%), moderate MS and moderate MR were found in four (16%) patients among complete bridge type of DOMV, while all patients with incomplete bridge type had severe MS and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) as associated lesions. Overall, 24 (85%) had severe and four (15%) had moderate MS. CONCLUSIONS: DOMV as a cause of symptomatic mitral valve disease was seen in young and middle-aged patients with estimated incidence of 0.06%. Dyspnea and diastolic murmur were the most common symptoms. Mostly, it was an isolated anomaly but in majority, associated with VSD, complete ECD and PDA. TTE examination is a reliable and sufficient means of diagnosing DOMV and determining its type.

Coronary Angiography Safety between Transradial and Transfemoral Access.

Background and Aim. The aim of study was to evaluate safety, feasibility, and procedural variables of transradial approach compared with transfemoral approach in a standard population of patients undergoing coronary catheterization as one of the major criticisms of the transradial approach is that it takes longer overall procedure and fluoroscopy time, thereby causing more radiation exposure. Method. Between January 2015 and December 2015, a total of 1,997 patients in LPS Institute of Cardiology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, UP, India, undergoing coronary catheterization were randomly assigned to the transradial or transfemoral approach. Result. Successful catheterization was achieved in 1045 of 1076 patients (97.1%) in the transradial group and in 918 of 921 patients (99.7%) in the transfemoral group (p = 0.001). Comparing the transradial and transfemoral approaches, fluoroscopy time (2.46 ± 1.22 versus 2.83 ± 1.31 min; p = 0.32), procedure time (8.89 ± 2.72 versus 9.33 ± 2.82 min; p = 0.56), contrast volume (67.52 ± 22.54 versus 71.63 ± 25.41 mL; p = 0.32), radiation dose as dose area product (24.2 ± 4.21 versus 22.3 ± 3.46 Gycm2; p = 0.43), and postprocedural rise of serum creatinine (6 ± 4.5% versus 8 ± 2.6%; p = 0.41) were not significantly different while vascular access site complications were significantly lower in transradial group than transfemoral group (3.9% versus 7.6%; p = 0.04). Conclusion. The present study shows that transradial access for coronary angiography is safe among patients compared to transfemoral access with lower rate of local vascular complications.

Unusual Survival of Anomalous Left Coronary Artery From the Pulmonary Artery With Severe Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis in Septuagenarian Women: Foes Becoming Friends?

ALCAPA syndrome (anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery) is a rare disease but lethal with clinical expression from myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure to death during early infancy and unusual survival to adulthood. We report a 73-year-old woman with ALCAPA who presented with exertional dyspnea (NYHA functional class II) over past 2 years. Physical examination revealed soft S, long mid diastolic rumbling murmur and apical pan-systolic murmur. Electrocardiography displayed biatrial enlargement and poor R progression and normal sinus rhythm. Echocardiography established calcified severe mitral stenosis (MS), presence of continuous flow entering the pulmonary trunk, turbulent continuous flow in inter-ventricular septum with left to right shunt in contrast echocardiography and normal systolic function. Coronary angiogram showed absence of left coronary artery (LCA) originating from aorta, dilated and tortuous right coronary artery (RCA) and abundant Rentrop grade 3 intercoronary collateral communicating with LCA originating from pulmonary trunk which was also confirmed on coronary CT angiogram thus establishing diagnosis of ALCAPA. It is exceedingly rare to be associated with severe MS. However, such a long survival in our patient can be explained by the severe pulmonary arterial hypertension which may be contributing to lesser coronary steal.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness and Its Association With the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Clinical Setting: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an important risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Estimation of visceral adipose tissue is important and several methods are available as its surrogate. Although correlation of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) with visceral adipose tissue as estimated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or CT is excellent, it is costlier and cumbersome. EAT can be accurately measured by two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography. It tends to be higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome than in subjects without coronary artery disease (CAD) and in those with stable angina. It also carries advantage as index of high cardiometabolic risk as it is a direct measure of visceral fat rather than anthropometric measurements. The present study evaluated the relationship of EAT to the presence and severity of CAD in clinical setting. METHODS: In this prospective, single-center study conducted in the Department of Cardiology, LPS Institute of Cardiology, Kanpur, India, 549 consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome or chronic stable angina were enrolled. Sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were estimated to find cut-off value of EAT thickness for diagnosing CAD using coronary angiographic findings as gold standard. RESULTS: Patients were diagnosed as CAD group (n = 464, 60.30 ± 8.36 years) and non-CAD group (n = 85, 54.42 ± 11.93 years) after assessing coronary angiograms. The EAT was measured at end-systole from the PLAX views of three cardiac cycles on the free wall of the right ventricle. Lesion was significant if > 50% in left main and > 70% in other coronary arteries. The mean EAT thickness in CAD group was 5.10 ± 1.06 and in non-CAD group was 4.36 ± 1.01 which was significant (P = 0.003). Significant correlation was demonstrated between EAT thickness and presence of CAD (P < 0.003). Higher EAT was associated with severe CAD and presence of multivessel disease. By ROC analysis, EAT > 4.65 mm predicated the presence of significant coronary stenosis by 71.6% sensitivity and 73.1% specificity. CONCLUSION: EAT thickness measured using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) significantly correlates with the presence and severity of CAD. It is sensitive, easily available, and cost-effective and assists in the risk stratification and may be an additional marker on classical risk factors for CAD.