Potential application of 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT for diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis.

Detecting cardiac sarcoidosis; a potentially life-threatening condition is challenging and requires a multimodality imaging approach using echocardiography, PET/CT and CMR. Although 18F-FDG is the recommended PET tracer for evaluating cardiac sarcoidosis, it is limited by physiological cardiac FDG uptake and requires stringent patient preparation/ dietary modifications before imaging. We hereby present a case of cardiac sarcoidosis demonstrating myocardial FAPI uptake on cardiac PET, highlighting the potential role of 68Ga-FAPI PET in the evaluation of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Novel markers of COVID-19 mortality-A comparative study with patients of acute coronary syndrome.

Background: COVID-19 can cause severe pneumonia that can progress to multiple organ failure. It is believed that dysregulation of inflammation and cytokine storm, contributes to severe COVID-19. As inflammatory mediators play an important role in the pathogenesis of the severe disease, inflammatory markers like fever, leucocytosis, and C-reactive protein are known to predict severe disease. Various other biomarkers have been known to have prognostic value in patients with COVID-19 infection. Inflammation, both local and systemic plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Thus in this study, we aimed to compare and describe the various biomarkers, and mortality between patients admitted with COVID-19 infection and ACS patients without COVID-19 infection. Methods: In a retrospective observational case-control study, a total of 108 patients admitted to our hospital during the month of May 2021 with COVID-19 were enrolled. Patients of the acute coronary syndrome (tested negative for COVID-19 infection) admitted during the same month were enrolled (including both the intensive care unit and ward) as controls. Results: The median age of patients with COVID was significantly lower than that of patients with acute coronary syndrome [49 years (IQR, 36-62 years) and 60 years (IQR, 52-66 years)]. Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher among patients with COVID infection (58.5 ± 6.3% versus 36.9 ± 9.3%). The total leukocyte count was significantly higher among patients with COVID-19 compared to those with acute coronary syndrome [13200 per microliter (8625-17500) vs 9800 per microliter (8150-12150), P < 0.001]. The blood urea level was significantly higher among patients with COVID infection [52.5 (IQR, 34.7-81.5) versus 20 (IQR, 16-31)]. Levels of C-reactive protein were significantly higher among patients with COVID [39 (IQR, 7.7-100) versus 2 (1.4-3.5)]. The mortality of patients hospitalized with COVID was 4 times higher than those with acute coronary syndrome [25.9% (28) versus 6.1% (6)]. Survivors of COVID-19 had higher hemoglobin levels than those who did not [12.5 g/dLvs 11.5 g/dL, P = 0.03]. Conclusions: Elevated total leukocyte counts reflect underlying secondary bacterial infection among patients with COVID-19 and help initiate appropriate antibiotics. Depletion of intravascular volume reflected by an increased urea/creatinine ratio increases the risk of mortality and warrants aggressive measures of rehydration and albumin infusion.

[Efficacité du tirofiban intracoronaire avant pose d'un stent suivi d'une perfusion dans une charge de thrombus importante prouvée par angiographie : une étude randomisée]. / Efficacy of pre stenting intracoronary tirofiban followed by infusion in angiographically proven large thrombus burden : A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The presence of angiographic thrombus is associated with poor outcomes in contemporary cardiology practice. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in such lesions is associated with slow flow and no-reflow phenomenon which translate into poor clinical outcomes. METHODS: This was a single-centre, prospective, open-label, randomized controlled study with 50 patients each in intervention group and control group. Patients with angiographically proven large thrombus burden were recruited. In the intervention group, patients were given loading dose of intracoronary tirofiban (25 mcg/kg infused over 5 minutes) followed by prolonged infusion of tirofiban (0.15 mcg/kg/min for 12-18 hours) followed by PCI after 48-72 hours interval. In control group patients were taken up directly for PCI during the index procedure. Outcomes were assessed angiographically and in terms of clinical endpoints. RESULTS: The primary composite-endpoint of recurrent angina, myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, target lesion revascularization and unscheduled CABG was significantly lower in the intervention arm compared to control arm (4% vs 16%, p = 0.04). Amongst the secondary endpoints, a statistically significant 30-day increase in ejection fraction from baseline was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group (1.6 ± 1.3 vs 0.2 ± 0.4, p = 0.0001). Overall mortality was similar in the two groups (4% vs 8%, p = 0.39). The primary safety endpoint of major bleeding was also similar in the 2 groups (2% vs 0%, p = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Tirofiban use prior to PCI in high thrombus burden was associated with improved clinical and angiographic endpoints with similar adverse events compared to controls.

Role of fibrinogen, albumin and fibrinogen to albumin ratio in determining angiographic severity and outcomes in acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic unmasked the huge deficit in healthcare resources worldwide. It highlighted the need for efficient risk stratification in management of cardiovascular emergencies. AIM: To study the applicability of the old, available and affordable nonconventional biomarkers: albumin and fibrinogen in their ability to predict angiographic severity and clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, 166 consecutive patients with ACS were enrolled. Fibrinogen, albumin and their ratio were determined from serum. Patients with underlying chronic liver disease, active malignancy, autoimmune disease, active COVID-19 infection and undergoing thrombolysis were excluded. RESULTS: Mean age of the population was 60.5 ± 1.5 years, 74.1% being males. ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was most common presentation of ACS seen in 57% patients. Fibrinogen albumin ratio (FAR) ≥ 19.2, had a sensitivity of 76.9% and specificity of 78.9 % [area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) = 0.8, P = 0.001] to predict ≤ thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 1 flow in culprit artery in STEMI patients. Even in non-STEMI patients, FAR ≥ 18.85 predicted the same with 80% sensitivity and 63% specificity (AUROC = 0.715, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Novel biomarkers, with their high cost, lack of availability and long turn over time are impractical for real-world use. Identifying ≤ TIMI 1 flow in the culprit artery has significant impact of management and outcome. Our study has shown that readily available biomarkers like fibrinogen and albumin can help identify these high-risk patients with good accuracy. This allows risk-stratification and individualization of treatment in ACS.

Incidence of atrial high rate episodes after dual-chamber permanent pacemaker implantation and its clinical predictors.

Atrial high rate episodes (AHRE) confers increased morbidity and mortality amongst patients with permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI). The incidence of AHREs and it's clinical predictors in Indian patients without prior history of atrial fibrillation (AF) are not well understood. A total of 100 dual-chamber PPI patients, who had no prior history of AF, underwent pacemaker interrogation starting from a minimum of 1 month after implantation to detect any AHREs. The incidence of AHREs was 17% at a mean follow up 15.2 ± 7.5 months. Only right ventricular apical lead position was found to have an independent association with AHREs (OR: 3.50, 95% CI: 1.02-12.03; p = 0.04).

Predictors of dementia amongst newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) confers a 2-to-3-fold increased risk of developing cognitive dysfunction and dementia, independent of age and past stroke. The purpose of study was to identify risk factors for developing dementia amongst AF patients in India. This was a single-centre, prospective, observational study wherein recently diagnosed, treatment naïve, persistent non-valvular AF patients were enrolled. All patients were screened for dementia using the Mini-Mental state exam. Amongst a total of 108 patients enrolled, 40 (37%) had dementia. The most common cognitive deficits were in attention and calculation followed by memory deficits. Factors independently contributing to dementia were advanced age, female sex, presence of diabetes, elevated pulmonary artery pressures and a lower serum albumin.

Evaluation of Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Prior to Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting - A Prospective Observational Study in North Indian Population.

Background: Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is an established risk factor for peri-operative neurological complications in patients following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, routine pre-surgical screening for CAS is still a matter of debate. This study was conducted to study the prevalence of asymptomatic carotid artery disease in patients undergoing CABG and to determine the predictors of significant carotid stenosis in them. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 112 patients, who were planned for CABG, were enrolled, and their demographic details, risk factor profile, and coronary angiogram parameters were analyzed. Results: Carotid stenosis was observed in 75.0% of the study population with 11.6% having unilateral and 63.4% having bilateral carotid stenosis. A total of 56.2% of the patients had mild, 14.3% had moderate, and 4.5% had severe carotid stenosis. The presence of significant carotid stenosis showed a correlation with chronic stable angina (P = 0.009), significant left main (LM) disease (P = 0.001), chronic total occlusion (P = 0.043), and coronary vessel calcification (P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis of all the predictor variables in a regression model showed that significant LM disease (Odds ratio (OR):6.5, P = 0.002) and coronary artery calcification (OR: 4.3, P = 0.024) were the only independent predictors of significant CAS in the study population. Conclusion: The presence of significant carotid vessel stenosis in patients undergoing CABG in the Indian population has a stronger association with the chronicity of the coronary artery disease rather than the coronary atheroma load (as determined by the modified Gensini score). The presence of significant LM disease and coronary artery calcification may be useful in detecting high-risk patients for significant CAS during the pre-surgical workup.

Accuracy of Global Longitudinal and Territorial Longitudinal Strain in Determining Myocardial Viability in Comparison to Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Out of Window Period Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction Patients.

BACKGROUND: To determine the accuracy of global longitudinal strain and territorial longitudinal strain in determining myocardial viability in comparison to single-photon emission computed tomography in out of window period anterior wall myocardial infarction patients. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective study carried out in a tertiary care center in northern India. All patients presenting with anterior wall myocardial infarction-out of window period without ongoing chest pain and akinetic left-anterior descending territory on echocardiography were recruited. All patients underwent strain echocardiography and the determination of both global longitudinal strain and territorial longitudinal strain within 12-48 hours of anterior wall myocardial infarction. In addition, all underwent single-photon emission computed tomography to determine the viability status of the anterior myocardium. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients of anterior wall myocardial infarction-out of window period were enrolled and underwent strain imaging with speckle tracking and single-photon emission computed tomography for viability determination. Gobal longitudinal strain and territorial longitudinal strain were significantly reduced in patients with nonviable myocardium (P < .001). On receiver-operating curves, a gobal longitudinal strain of <10.45% had a sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 93.9% (AUC=0.889) in predicting nonviability on single-photon emission computed tomography. Similarly, a territorial longitudinal strain of <7.60% had a sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 84.8% (AUC=0.825) in predicting nonviability. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment strategies in patients presenting with anterior wall myocardial infarction, outside the window period is largely guided by the hemodynamic status and influenced by the viability status of the myocardium. Strain echocardiography using speckle tracking provides gobal longitudinal strain and territorial longitudinal strain, both of which have good sensitivity and specificity in predicting viability and can be performed safely and quickly in high-risk group of patients.

A rare cause of myocardial infarction and ventricular tachycardia in a young male with HIV/AIDS - spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A case report.

HIV/AIDS is a multisystemic disorder and occurrence of cardiovascular disease is higher compared to non-HIV individuals. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) remains a rare and underdiagnosed cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), even in modern day era. SCAD is predominantly seen in young to middle aged females and present as a non-atherosclerotic cause of myocardial ischaemia, infarction or sudden cardiac death (SCD); with or without ventricular arrythmias. Ventricular tachycardia (VT) can sometimes be the initial presentation of SCAD. HIV associated arteriopathy can predispose to occurrence of SCAD. We report a case of a 38-year-old male suffering from HIV/AIDS, with no conventional risk factors presenting as VT. Coronary angiogram showed SCAD in right coronary artery without any flow limitation.

Vieussens' Arterial Ring.

The Vieussens' artery is an anastomotic communication between the conus branch of the right coronary artery and the left anterior descending (LAD). Vieussens' ring is so named because it circles around the great vessels in the form of a partial ring. The course of the artery can be best understood in 2 orthogonal views. In the left oblique view, the artery appears coursing upward to the left. In the right oblique view, it courses anteriorly across the right ventricular outflow tract. The clinical significance of Vieussens' arterial ring lies in it being a major source of collateral blood flow to an occluded LAD. The presence of this large collateral may explain preserved ventricular function in our patient, despite severe triple-vessel disease.

Intraoperative evaluation of renal resistive index with transesophageal echocardiography for the assessment of acute renal injury in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: A prospective observational study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after on pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery and is associated with a poor prognosis. Postoperative AKI is associated with morbidity, mortality, and increase in length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and increases the financial burden. Identifying individuals at risk for developing AKI in postoperative period is extremely important to optimize outcomes. The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between the intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) derived renal resistive index (RRI) and AKI in patients undergoing on-pump CABG surgery. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in patients more than 18 years of age undergoing elective on pump CABG surgery between July 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019, at a tertiary care center. All preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative parameters were recorded. TEE measurement was performed in hemodynamically stable patients before the sternum was opened. Postoperative AKI was diagnosed based on the serial measurement of serum creatinine and the monitoring of urine output. Results: A total of 115 patients were included in our study. Thirty-nine (33.91%) patients had RRI >0.7 while remaining seventy-six (66.08%) patients had RRI <0.7. AKI was diagnosed in 26% (30/115) patients. AKI rates were significantly higher in patients with RRI values exceeding 0.7 with 46.15% (18/39) compared to 15.75% (12/76) in RRI values of less than 0.7. Multivariate analysis revealed that AKI was associated with an increase in RRI and diabetes mellitus. The RRI assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) to distinguish between non-AKI and AKI groups were 0.705 (95% CI: 0.588-0.826) for preoperative RRI. The most accurate cut-off value to distinguish non-AKI and AKI groups was a preoperative RRI of 0.68 with a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 67%. Conclusions: An increased intraoperative RRI is an independent predictor of AKI in the postoperative period in patients undergoing CABG surgery. The cutoff value of TEE-derived RRI in the intraoperative period should be >0.68 to predict AKI in the postoperative period.

COVID-19 presenting as acute pericarditis.

COVID 19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a highly infectious disease, mainly affects the respiratory system. In this article, we have presented a case of COVID-19, who presented solely with pericarditis without myocarditis, without any respiratory symptoms. The diagnosis was made based on clinical, electrocardiographic, radiological and biological findings. He was treated successfully with aspirin and colchicine. Our case highlights an atypical presentation of COVID-19, which should be kept in mind in the present pandemic and to diagnose and isolate early to limit the spread of infection.

Left main revascularization with optical coherence tomography in a young male with newly diagnosed homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is the most common primary lipid disorder responsible for coronary artery disease. A 22-year-old male presented with history of accelerating angina and extensive xanthomatous lesions all over the body. Coronary angiography showed significant left main and left anterior descending artery disease. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging revealed areas of lipid rich plaque with thin capped fibrous atheroma, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Area of maximum stenosis showed fibrous plaque with dense lipid pool. OCT in this patient clarified plaque characteristics and achieved optimal procedural results. There were only few case reports which described OCT findings in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. .

Angiographic profile and outcomes in persistent non-valvular atrial fibrillation: A study from tertiary care center in North India.

BACKGROUND: The relationship of atrial fibrillation (AF) with coronary artery disease (CAD) is well established, yet it is often missed. There is evidence of myocardial ischemia on stress imaging in AF patients in the absence of obstructive CAD. In this prospective cohort, we studied the angiographic profiles of non-valvular AF patients. METHODS: The study was a nonrandomized, prospective, single-center observational study of consecutive patients of persistent non-valvular AF. Patients symptomatic for AF despite optimal medical therapy for 3 months were recruited and all underwent coronary angiograms (CAG). Patients with prior history of CAD were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were followed for a mean duration of 12 ± 1.4 months. The mean age of the study group was 66.07 (±11.49) years. Hypertension was the commonest comorbidity seen in 74% patients. Obstructive CAD was present in 32 (46%) patients, non-obstructive (<50% stenosis) CAD in 17 (24%) patients and normal coronaries in 21 (30%) patients. Overall 49 (70%) patients had evidence of CAD. Amongst patients without obstructive CAD, slow flow was seen in 16 (42%) patients. Lower baseline ejection fraction, lower haemoglobin & albumin levels and higher creatinine levels was associated with increased mortality. In patients without obstructive CAD, hospitalizations for fast ventricular rate were significantly increased in those having slow flow on CAG (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Majority (70%) of our patients had evidence of atherosclerotic CAD on CAG. A large proportion of patients without obstructive CAD had slow flow on CAG.

Changing spectrum of infective endocarditis in India: An 11-year experience from an academic hospital in North India.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have demonstrated a shift in the spectrum of infective endocarditis (IE) in the developed world. We aimed to investigate whether demographic and microbiologic characteristics of IE have changed in India. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of patients with in north India between 2010 and 2020. METHODS: The clinical and laboratory profiles of 199 IE admitted to an academic hospital patients who met the modified Duke criteria for definite IE were analysed. RESULTS: The mean age was 34 years, and 84% were males. The main predisposing conditions were injection drug use (IDU) (n = 71, 35.7%), congenital heart disease (n = 46, 21.6%), rheumatic heart disease (n = 25, 12.5%), and prosthetic device (n = 19, 9.5%). 17.1% of patients developed IE without identified predispositions. Among 64.3% culture-positive cases, the most prevalent causative pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (46.1%), viridans streptococci (7.0%), enterococci (6.0%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (5.5%), gram negative bacilli (5.5%), polymicrobial (5.5%), and Candida (1.0%). The tricuspid (30.3%), mitral (25.6%), and aortic (21.6%) valves were the most common sites of infection, and 60.3% had large vegetations (>10 mm). Systemic embolization occurred in 55.3% of patients at presentation. Cardiac surgery was required for 13.1%. In-hospital mortality was 17.1% and was associated with prosthetic devices (p-value, 0.001), baseline leucocytosis (p-value, 0.036) or acute kidney injury (p-value, 0.001), and a microbial etiology of gram negative bacilli or enterococci (p-value, 0.005). CONCLUSION: IDU is now the most important predisposition for IE in India, and S. aureus has become the leading cause of native valve endocarditis with or without IDU.

Very severe aortic stenosis masquerading as acute coronary syndrome.

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) may rarely present like acute coronary syndrome with increased cardiac biomarker despite having normal coronaries. Here we describe a case of very severe AS, who presented with exertional and rest angina and a high level of TnI. Angiography revealed normal coronaries. Echocardiography showed very severe AS with peak velocity of 5.08 m/s and maximum and mean gradient of 103 and 54 mm Hg, respectively. The patient subsequently underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) successfully. Subendocardial ischaemia may occur in patients with severe AS during haemodynamic stress, even in the setting of normal unobstructed coronaries due to supply-demand mismatch. Subsequent degeneration and death of the cardiac myocytes cause cTnI elevation, which anticipates the start of the clinical downhill course in severe AS. Our case highlights the importance of thorough physical examination and early use of echocardiography in patients with angina to detect the presence of severe AS.

One-year outcomes of novel BioMime Morph tapered stent in long and multiple coronary artery lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Even with the immense progress achieved in the field of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), treatment of diffuse long atherosclerotic coronary artery disease continues to remain a challenge for durable outcomes. The downstream reduction in diameter along the lesion length of a coronary artery may compel the cardiologist to use either 2 overlapping stents of different diameters or a single long stent leading to stent-vessel mismatch at the edges. Recently, Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., India, has introduced a long-tapered sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) system, BioMime Morph, which conforms to the normal tapered geometry of coronary arteries along with adequate lesion coverage. In this study, we aimed to provide real world experience regarding the safety and efficacy of the BioMime Morph SES over a follow-up of one year. METHODS: This was a single center, retrospective study involving 172 participants who underwent PCI with the BioMime Morph SES. Mean length of the target lesion was 34.4±10.4 mm, and mean stent length was 53.2±8.7 mm. The most frequent revascularized vessel was the left anterior descending artery (LAD) in 97 lesions (54.4%). RESULTS: Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (defined as a composite of target vessel myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and death due to a cardiac cause) at 1, 6, and 12 months were seen in 4 (2.3%), 7 (4.0%), and 8 (4.7%) patients, respectively. Overall, 5 cardiac deaths and 2 definite stent thrombosis were observed in the study. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the novel BioMime Morph SES is an effective and a safe option for PCI in the treatment of long diffuse atherosclerotic lesions.