A nightmare of clopidogrel resistance in a resource-limited setting: case report of subacute stent thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Stent thrombosis, a life-threatening complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) continues to occur despite effective antiplatelet regimens and improved stenting methods. Noncompliance with dual antiplatelet therapy is the most common etiology; however, in spite of timely and their optimum administration the rates of recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) and stent thrombosis remain high. Clopidogrel resistance is increasingly evoked with elevated risk of anterothrombotic events particularly in the setting of stent implantation. In this case report, we present a case of subacute stent thrombosis associated with clopidogrel resistance in a resource-constrained setting. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60 year old man with a long standing history of hypertension presented with a 6-month history of progressive shortness of breath. Initial electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed T-wave inversion on lateral leads and echocardiogram revealed akinetic basal lateral wall and hypokinetic mid lateral wall with reduced systolic functions. An elective coronary angiography (CAG) revealed a 90% stenosis of mid left anterior descending (LAD) artery and an 80% stenosis on the proximal left circumflex artery. He underwent a successful PCI with a drug-eluting stent implantation to mid LAD. He was discharged in a stable state 48 h post revascularization with dual antiplatelet (clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid). Seven days later, he presented with a crushing substernal chest pain. Cardiac enzymes were elevated and ECG revealed anterior ST-elevation MI. An emergency CAG revealed a high thrombus burden with 100% occlusion of mid LAD. Following unsuccessful ballooning, intravenous and intracoronary thrombolysis with tenecteplase was given. A TIMI II flow was achieved and the patient was sent to the coronary care unit. However, 14 h later there was yet a new onset of severe chest pain. A 12-lead ECG previewed anterior ST-elevation MI and the cardiac enzymes were high. Urgent CAG revealed in-stent thrombotic total occlusion of mid LAD. A stent in stent was then implanted and TIMI III flow was restored. Clopidogrel resistance was suspected and the patient was transitioned to ticagrelol. There were no further ischemic events during the remainder of hospitalization and the patient was discharged in a hemodynamically stable state three days later. During follow-up after one and three months, he was fairly stable without any further cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to clopidogrel resistance, stent thrombosis in the setting of dual antiplatelet therapy compliance may occur. While in a situation of clopidogrel resistance newer and more potent antiplatelet drugs should be used, their availability and cost remains a significant barrier particularly in the developing world. Nonetheless, a high index of suspicion and timely revascularization is fundamental to restore patency of the thrombosed vessel and confer better risk-adjusted survival rates.

Psychopathology associated with cardiac pacing in Tanzania: A case series.

Emotional disarray linked to interventional procedures may potentially aggravate previous psychiatric conditions or even precipitate new psychopathologies. Despite of the well-known deleterious impact of mental health disorders on cardiac outcomes, psychological disturbances are relatively understudied yet of vital importance to the overall health of post-pacing patients. In this case series we present a spectrum of mental illnesses observed in a cohort of patients who underwent permanent pacemaker implantation in Tanzania's national referral cardiac centre. Five individuals of African origin aged between 58 and 81 years presented to Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute with clinical conditions warranting permanent pacemaker implantation. All five denied prior history of mental illness, however, after thorough psychiatric reviews; organic brain syndrome, panic disorder, brief psychotic disorder, adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder diagnoses were reached. All five were successfully channeled for medical psychotherapy. To conclude, this case series illustrates variable consequences of poor psychological adaptation to implantable cardiac devices, and it underscores the importance of continued psychological evaluation to such patients.

Acute Myocardial Infarction Following the Consumption of Energy Drink in a 28-Year-Old Male: A Case Report.

Excessive intake of energy drinks is increasingly realized to have a detrimental effect on platelet and endothelial functions with resultant hypercoagulable state and consequently increased risk of thrombosis. A 28-year-old man of African origin presented to the emergency department with an 8-hour history of retrosternal chest pain. His symptoms started 4 hours after consuming 5 cans (1250 cc) of an energy drink whose principal ingredients are caffeine, taurine, sugar, and glucuronolactone. His past medical and surgical history was unremarkable, and he had no apparent cardiovascular risk factor. Physical examination was unremarkable; however, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram showed features of anterolateral myocardial infarction (STEMI). Catheterization confirmed a 100% thrombotic occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery and revascularization with a drug-eluting stent was successful. In conclusion, sudden onset of chest pain following energy drink consumption should raise an index of suspicion for acute coronary syndrome. With the preponderance of data suggesting increased incidence of energy drink-associated coronary events, it is prudent to advocate a limited consumption of such beverages.

Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors Among Caregivers of Patients Attending a Tertiary Cardiovascular Hospital in Tanzania.

Background: Notwithstanding the ever-present burden of infectious diseases, the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region has experienced a 67% rise in the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden in less than three decades. Furthermore, regardless of the increased recognition of NCDs threat in the region, reliable local estimates and associated drivers are generally lacking. We therefore conducted this cross-sectional study to establish the pattern and correlates of the modifiable NCD risk factors among caregivers of patients attending a tertiary cardiovascular centre in Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We used a structured questionnaire bearing a modified WHO STEPwise Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) tool to explore the modifiable behavioral and modifiable biological NCD risk factors. Results: A total of 1063 caregivers were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 40.5 years, and 55.7% were female. Nearly 80% of participants had a good knowledge regarding NCDs and 85.4% had a positive family history of NCDs. Overall, 1027 (96.6%) participants had at least one modifiable NCD risk factor while 510 (48.0%) had three or more (i.e., clustering). With respect to modifiable behavioral NCD risk factors, 34 (3.2%) were tobacco users, 56 (5.3%) had harmful alcohol consumption, 691 (65%) had unhealthy eating behavior, and 820 (77.1%) were physically inactive. Pertaining to modifiable biological NCD risk factors, 710 (66.8%) had excess body weight, 420 (39.5%) had hypertension and 62 (5.8%) were diabetic. Conclusion: A vast majority of caregivers of NCD patients in this tertiary setting were found to have modifiable NCD risk factors with a strong tendency of clustering. These findings call for intensification of both population strategies and targeted group interventions for better control of the NCD threat and its correlates.

Kissing stent management of stenosis of two branches of left renal artery bifurcation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Secondary hypertension accounts for 5% of all cases of hypertension. Renal artery stenosis is one of the common causes of secondary hypertension. Atherosclerosis and fibromuscular dysplasia are the commonest types of stenosis associated with renal vascular hypertension, with the former accounting for 70-80% of all cases and the latter accounting for 10% of the incidence. The greatest incidence atherosclerosis is in men over the age of 40 years, mostly affecting the proximal part of the renal arteries, whereas fibromuscular dysplasia affects women ranging in age from 30 to 50 years. Currently, possible treatments are medical treatment using blood pressure-lowering drugs, balloon angioplasty with or without stent insertion, and surgery to reconstruct the artery. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 46-year-old Asian woman with stenosis of two branches of renal artery bifurcation treated by percutaneous balloon dilatation and stenting of both branches after referral to our department for a renal angiogram following 8 months of uncontrolled hypertension despite receiving medications. Initially, the patient presented with severe headache and fatigue. She was a known nonsmoker, was not diabetic, and had no history of diabetes in her family. She had no history of atherosclerosis. Apart from high blood pressure, the result of her physical examination was unremarkable. Laboratory investigations revealed normal serum cholesterol, lipid profile, and serum creatinine. She had been attending a hypertension clinic and receiving antihypertensive drugs for the past 8 months on a regular basis under close observation. Despite this treatment and care, her blood pressure remained high at 175/110 mmHg, which the attending doctor concluded to be uncontrolled blood pressure. Initial imaging indicated left renal artery stenosis, and the patient was referred to our department. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with uncontrolled hypertension despite receiving medications, renal Doppler ultrasound should be included in the diagnostic workup for secondary hypertension. Once renal artery stenosis is suspected, renal angiography is highly recommended because the technique is able to accurately diagnose stenosis in the branch arteries, unlike computed tomographic angiography and magnetic resonance angiography. Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty is the treatment of choice for renal artery stenosis in patients with renovascular hypertension or renal dysfunction.

Control of Hypertension among Diabetic Patients in a Referral Hospital in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is common among diabetic patients. The co-existence of two conditions carries an excessive risk of severe complications and mortalities. Limited information exists on the determinants of poor hypertension control among these patients. We aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with poor hypertension control in these patients. METHODS: Data of diabetic patients who were also hypertensive attending an outpatient clinic from 1 August 2015 to 31 December 2015 at Bugando Medical Centre were retrospectively analyzed. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as a blood pressure of ≥130mmHg and/or ≥80mmHg systolic and diastolic respectively. A designed questionnaire was used to collect data of patients. Continuous variables were summarized by median and interquartile ranges (IQR) and categorical variables were summarized by frequency and percentage. Logistic regression was used to find the predictors of uncontrolled hypertension. RESULTS: The majority of our study population were females, 161/295 (54.6%), and the median age was 57 years (IQR 50-64). The prevalence of hypertension was 206/295 (69.8%). A total of 174/206 (84.5%) patients had uncontrolled hypertension. This poor control was significantly associated with poor adherence to anti-hypertensives (OR 1.73[1.26-2.38] p=0.002), presence of any long-term complication (OR 3.19 [1.65-6.18] p=0.03) and overweight (BMI>24.9 Vs <24.9) (OR 1.68 [0.98-2.88], p=0.04). Under-prescription and ambiguous drugs combination was also observed. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of poor hypertension control among diabetic patients in Tanzania is alarming. Most of the factors associated with this situation can be modified. The clinicians should advocate individualized management, continuous health education and adherence to the available guidelines.