An Abnormal ECG Finding in a Patient With COVID-19.

This case report presents the electrocardiogram findings of a patient in their 50s with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, hypertension, and diabetes.

VATS cardiac sympathetic denervation for ventricular arrhythmias: initial experience in a tertiary care centre.

Cardiac sympathetic denervation (CSD) is a useful therapeutic option for patients with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) refractory to anti-arrhythmic agents and/or catheter ablation. However, the experience is mostly limited to non-structural heart disease in paediatric patients. The advent of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with its reduced morbidity has encouraged the use of VATS CSD in patients with structural heart disease. In this series, we report the surgical and cardiac outcomes of VATS-guided CSD in four patients who presented with electrical storm in the setting of different structural cardiomyopathies. Four patients underwent VATS-guided CSD at our centre during the period 2019-2021 after failure of conventional medical and/or ablative treatment for the management of refractory VAs. All four patients presented with electrical storm with different cardiomyopathies including ischaemic (post-acute myocardial infarction) and non-ischaemic aetiologies (sarcoidosis, non-specific right ventricular cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy). A combined total of 349 implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks were registered in the 4 weeks preceding the procedure with mean shocks of 87 per patient. All four patients successfully underwent CSD through the VATS approach with no operative mortality or any major surgical morbidity. All patients had resolution of electrical storms with 75% of patients remaining free of ICD shocks at a mean follow-up of 14.87 months. One patient who remained free of ICD shocks and recurrent VAs died at 23 months after the procedure due to progressive heart failure and complications. VATS CSD is a safe and effective complementary therapeutic modality in patients with life-threatening refractory VAs and electrical storms irrespective of the underlying substrate. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-022-01361-y.

Incidentally detected Vieussens' arterial ring-to-pulmonary trunk fistula in a patient with aortic stenosis.

We report a case of a 45-year-old man with severe aortic stenosis where computed tomography angiography incidentally revealed a fistulous communication between the conal branches of the right coronary artery and anterior interventricular artery and the left anterolateral aspect of the pulmonary trunk with a conglomerate of nondilated tortuous vessels along the anterior surface of right ventricular outflow tract.

1029 genomes of self-declared healthy individuals from India reveal prevalent and clinically relevant cardiac ion channelopathy variants.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and genetic spectrum of cardiac channelopathies exhibit population-specific differences. We aimed to understand the spectrum of cardiac channelopathy-associated variations in India, which is characterised by a genetically diverse population and is largely understudied in the context of these disorders. RESULTS: We utilised the IndiGenomes dataset comprising 1029 whole genomes from self-declared healthy individuals as a template to filter variants in 36 genes known to cause cardiac channelopathies. Our analysis revealed 186,782 variants, of which we filtered 470 variants that were identified as possibly pathogenic (440 nonsynonymous, 30 high-confidence predicted loss of function ). About 26% (124 out of 470) of these variants were unique to the Indian population as they were not reported in the global population datasets and published literature. Classification of 470 variants by ACMG/AMP guidelines unveiled 13 pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants mapping to 19 out of the 1029 individuals. Further query of 53 probands in an independent cohort of cardiac channelopathy, using exome sequencing, revealed the presence of 3 out of the 13 P/LP variants. The identification of p.G179Sfs*62, p.R823W and c.420 + 2 T > C variants in KCNQ1, KCNH2 and CASQ2 genes, respectively, validate the significance of the P/LP variants in the context of clinical applicability as well as for large-scale population analysis. CONCLUSION: A compendium of ACMG/AMP classified cardiac channelopathy variants in 1029 self-declared healthy Indian population was created. A conservative genotypic prevalence was estimated to be 0.9-1.8% which poses a huge public health burden for a country with large population size like India. In the majority of cases, these disorders are manageable and the risk of sudden cardiac death can be alleviated by appropriate lifestyle modifications as well as treatment regimens/clinical interventions. Clinical utility of the obtained variants was demonstrated using a cardiac channelopathy patient cohort. Our study emphasises the need for large-scale population screening to identify at-risk individuals and take preventive measures. However, we suggest cautious clinical interpretation to be exercised by taking other cardiac channelopathy risk factors into account.

Statin and aspirin as adjuvant therapy in hospitalised patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a randomised clinical trial (RESIST trial).

BACKGROUND: Statins and aspirin have been proposed for treatment of COVID-19 because of their anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic properties. Several observational studies have shown favourable results. There is a need for a randomised controlled trial. METHODS: In this single-center, open-label, randomised controlled trial, 900 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalisation, were randomly assigned to receive either atorvastatin 40 mg (Group A, n = 224), aspirin 75 mg (Group B, n = 225), or both (Group C, n = 225) in addition to standard of care for 10 days or until discharge whichever was earlier or only standard of care (Group D, n = 226). The primary outcome variable was clinical deterioration to WHO Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement ≥ 6. The secondary outcome was change in serum C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and troponin I. RESULTS: The primary outcome occurred in 25 (2.8%) patients: 7 (3.2%) in Group A, 3 (1.4%) in Group B, 8 (3.6%) in Group C, and 7 (3.2%) in Group D. There was no difference in primary outcome across the study groups (P = 0.463). Comparison of all patients who received atorvastatin or aspirin with the control group (Group D) also did not show any benefit [Atorvastatin: HR 1.0 (95% CI 0.41-2.46) P = 0.99; Aspirin: HR 0.7 (95% CI 0.27-1.81) P = 0.46]. The secondary outcomes revealed lower serum interleukin-6 levels among patients in Groups B and C. There was no excess of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients admitted with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection, additional treatment with aspirin, atorvastatin, or a combination of the two does not prevent clinical deterioration. Trial Registry Number CTRI/2020/07/026791 ( http://ctri.nic.in ; registered on 25/07/2020).

Effect of Yoga on Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients With Vasovagal Syncope (LIVE-Yoga).

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the impact of yoga as an adjunct to standard therapy versus standard therapy alone on the symptomatic burden in patients with recurrent vasovagal syncope (VVS). BACKGROUND: There is a significant reduction in the quality of life (QoL) of patients with recurrent VVS. Existing management therapies have been largely ineffective. Recent trials have demonstrated the efficacy of yoga in diseases with autonomic imbalance, suggesting its possible utility in VVS. METHODS: Patients with recurrent VVS were randomized to receive either a specialized yoga training program in addition to current guideline-based therapy (intervention arm, group 1) or current guideline-based therapy alone (control arm, group 2). The primary outcome was a composite of the number of episodes of syncope and presyncope at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included QoL assessment by World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Field questionnaire (WHOQoL-BREF) scores and Syncope Functional Status Questionnaire scores at 12 months, head up tilt test, and heart rate variability at 6 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients underwent randomization. The mean number of syncopal or presyncopal events at 12 months was 0.7 ± 0.7 in the intervention arm compared to 2.52 ± 1.93 in the control arm (P < 0.01). In the intervention arm, 13 (43.3%) patients remained free of events versus 4 (16.0%) patients in the control arm (P = 0.02). QoL at 12 months showed significant improvement of all Syncope Functional Status Questionnaire scores and 2 domains of WHOQoL-BREF scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Yoga as adjunctive therapy is superior to standard therapy alone in reducing the symptomatic burden and improving QoL in patients with recurrent VVS.

Painful LBBB syndrome: a rare cause of angina.

Painful left bundle branch block (LBBB) syndrome is an uncommon condition that is largely underdiagnosed. In this report, we describe a man in his 40s who had typical rate-dependent LBBB associated with angina without evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease.

An atypical case of atrioventricular block in an elderly man: A fortuitous escape.

Paroxysmal atrioventricular block (PAVB) is an important but under-recognized etiology of syncope. It is characterised by sudden and unexpected change from 1:1 atrioventricular conduction to complete atrioventricular block. This poorly defined entity is usually associated with absence or delayed emergence of an adequate escape rhythm. We present a case of asymptomatic PAVB in an elderly man because of the presence of a stable escape rhythm.

Pulmonary Arterial Dilatation: Imaging Evaluation Using Multidetector Computed Tomography.

Pulmonary artery dilatation comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders. Early diagnosis is important as the presentation may be incidental, chronic, or acute and life threatening depending upon the etiology. Cross-sectional imaging plays an important role, with CT pulmonary angiography being regarded as the first line investigation in the evaluation of pulmonary artery pathologies. Moreover, effects of pulmonary artery lesions on proximal and distal circulation can also be ascertained with the detection of associated conditions. Special attention should also be given to the left main coronary artery and the trachea-bronchial tree as they may be extrinsically compressed by the dilated pulmonary artery. In context of an appropriate clinical background, CT pulmonary angiography also helps in treatment planning, prognostication, and follow-up of these patients. This review mainly deals with imaging evaluation of the pulmonary arterial dilatations on CT with emphasis on the gamut of etiologies in the adult as well as pediatric populations.

Prevalence Rates of Congenital Coronary Anomalies and Coronary Variations in Adult Indian Population Using Dual-Source Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography: Analysis of Regional Distribution of Coronary Anomalies and the Need for Standardized Reporting Formats.

Background Congenital coronary artery anomalies (CCAA) are predominantly discovered as incidental findings on computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) of adults. They are rare but significant, considering their importance during endovascular or surgical interventions. This study describes the prevalence of CCAA and coronary variants (CV) in adults as identified by CTCA. Methods It is a retrospective evaluation of 7,694 CTCAs of adults performed in a tertiary care facility in North India. Results CCAA and CV were observed in a total of 9.6% of patients. The most common CV was myocardial bridging, observed in 7.1%. Anomalies of origin and course were detected in 2.3% of the patients. The frequency of these anomalies in the right coronary artery, left main, left circumflex artery, and the left anterior descending artery arteries were 1.06, 0.41, 0.03, and 0.38%, respectively. The single coronary pattern was seen in 0.05% and coronary artery fistulas in 0.03%. Scrutiny of data on Indian regional distribution revealed differing definitions and inclusion and exclusion criteria, making comparisons difficult, highlighting the need for uniform definitions as well as the need to adopt a standardized reporting template and format. Conclusion The prevalence of CCAA and CV is 9.6% in adult Indian patients undergoing CTCA. Prior knowledge of these anatomical finding can prevent a catastrophe during surgery or endovascular interventions. Hence, it is important that clinicians, as well as radiologists, are aware of these entities.

Intra-atrial right coronary artery on dual-source CT: prevalence and characteristics.

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the prevalence rate and radiological characteristics of intra-atrial right coronary artery (IARCA) in an adult population undergoing computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) on a dual-source CT scanner. METHODS: Overall, 7114 consecutive CTCAs acquired using a dual-source CT scanner in a high-volume, specialized cardiac care facility were retrospectively analyzed for the presence of IARCA. We scrutinized the CTCA datasets to determine the prevalence rate of IARCA and also to characterize its various imaging features including its length, depth from right atrial wall, segment involved, and presence and absence of atherosclerosis within the involved segment and in the rest of the right coronary artery (RCA). RESULTS: The prevalence of IARCA was 0.29% (21/7114) in our study population. The mean length and depth of the intra-atrial segment was 14.85 mm and 2.57 mm, respectively. The mid-RCA was the most common segment to be involved, and no significant atherosclerosis was noted either in the intra-atrial segment or the rest of the RCA. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of the incidental IARCA in the adult subjects undergoing CTCA is higher than previously reported for anatomical series, as seen in our study using a dual-source scanner. This under-reported anomaly must be explicitly assessed in patients undergoing ablative and other electrophysiological procedures, where it can have important implications.

Utility of Caudal Angulation for Venous Access under Fluoroscopic Guidance during Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Implantation.

BACKGROUND: Axillary venous access is preferred for CIED implantation. The procedure is usually performed under fluoroscopic guidance in anteroposterior (A-P) view. However, there is a lack of perception of depth in this view with a fear of creating complications. Caudal fluoroscopy (adding 30°-35° caudal angulation to A-P projection) has been proposed to circumvent this problem. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the advantages of caudal fluoroscopy using fluoroscopic images, contrast venograms, and CT angiography images of axillary vein. METHODS: The fluoroscopic images and contrast venograms obtained in the A-P view were compared with caudal fluoroscopy in patients undergoing CIED implantation at our centre. Also, the CT angiography images of axillary vein were reconstructed to understand the relative anatomy of the vein and the underlying lung parenchyma, simulating these 2 projections. RESULTS: The CT angiography images, contrast venograms, and fluoroscopic images confirmed that caudal fluoroscopy allows better visualization of the vein in relation to the lung parenchyma and rib cage. Analysis of fluoroscopic images revealed that the bend of the first rib formed a conical prominence in caudal fluoroscopy. This served as an important bony landmark for successful venous access, which was usually obtained while the needle was being directed towards this prominence in caudal fluoroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed advantages of caudal fluoroscopy for CIED implantation have been elucidated by analysis of CT angiography images, contrast venograms, and fluoroscopic images.

Herculean mistake: mephentermine associated cardiomyopathy.

Case presentation: A 32-year-old professional bodybuilder presented with acute decompensated heart failure. He gave a history of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) use for >2 years and mephentermine use for the preceding 3 months. Management: Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with a large pedunculated, mobile thrombus attached to the ventricular apex. The patient had an embolic stroke during the hospital stay, with complete neurological recovery. Following the cessation of mephentermine use, there was a steady improvement in LV function over a follow-up of 2 months. However, at 3 months, his ventricular function showed deterioration, which coincided with mephentermine reuse. Take home message: Though AAS abuse by athletes leading to such a presentation has been documented, to the best of our knowledge, a similar role of mephentermine has not been reported.

Atorvastatin and Aspirin as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of adding statin (atorvastatin) and/or aspirin on clinical deterioration in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 who require hospitalisation. The safety of these drugs in COVID-19 patients will also be evaluated. TRIAL DESIGN: This is a single-centre, prospective, four-arm parallel design, open-label, randomized control trial. PARTICIPANTS: The study will be conducted at National Cancer Institute (NCI), Jhajjar, Haryana, which is a part of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and has been converted into a dedicated COVID-19 management centre since the outbreak of the pandemic. All RT-PCR confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection with age ≥ 40 years and < 75 years requiring hospital admission (patients with WHO clinical improvement ordinal score 3 to 5) will be included in the trial. Written informed consent will be taken for all recruited patients. Patients with a critical illness (WHO clinical improvement ordinal score > 5), documented significant liver disease/dysfunction (aspartate transaminase [AST] / alanine aminotransferase [ALT] > 240), myopathy and rhabdomyolysis (creatine phosphokinase [CPK] > 5x normal), allergy or intolerance to statins or aspirin, prior statin or aspirin use within 30 days, history of active gastrointestinal bleeding in past three months, coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100000/ dl), pregnancy, active breastfeeding, or inability to take oral or nasogastric medications will be excluded. Patients refusing to give written consent and taking drugs that are known to have a significant drug interaction with statin or aspirin [including cyclosporine, HIV protease inhibitors, hepatitis C protease inhibitor, telaprevir, fibric acid derivatives (gemfibrozil), niacin, azole antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole), clarithromycin and colchicine] will also be excluded from the trial. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: In this study, the benefit and safety of atorvastatin (statin) and/or aspirin as adjuvant therapy will be compared with the control group receiving usual care for management of COVID-19. Atorvastatin will be prescribed as 40 mg oral tablets once daily for ten days or until discharge, whichever is earlier. The dose of aspirin will be 75 mg once daily for ten days or until discharge, whichever is earlier. All other therapies will be administered according to the institute's COVID-19 treatment protocol and the treating physician's clinical judgment. MAIN OUTCOMES: All study participants will be prospectively followed up for ten days or until hospital discharge, whichever is longer for outcomes. The primary outcome will be clinical deterioration characterized by progression to WHO clinical improvement ordinal score ≥ 6 (i.e., endotracheal intubation, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, pressor agents, renal replacement therapy, ECMO requirement, and mortality). The secondary outcomes will be change in serum inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and Interleukin-6), Troponin I, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) from time zero to 5th day of study enrolment or 7th day after symptom onset, whichever is later. Other clinical outcomes that will be assessed include progression to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), shock, ICU admission, length of ICU admission, length of hospital admission, and in-hospital mortality. Adverse drug effects like myalgia, myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, hepatotoxicity, and bleeding will also be examined in the trial to assess the safety of the interventions. RANDOMISATION: The study will use a four-arm parallel-group design. A computer-generated permuted block randomization with mixed block size will be used to randomize the participants in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to group A (atorvastatin with conventional therapy), group B (aspirin with conventional therapy), group C (aspirin + atorvastatin with conventional therapy), and group D (control; only conventional therapy). BLINDING (MASKING): The study will be an open-label trial. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMISED (SAMPLE SIZE): As there is no existing study that has evaluated the role of aspirin and atorvastatin in COVID-19 patients, formal sample size calculation has not been done. Patients satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be recruited during six months of study period. Once the first 200 patients are included in each arm (i.e., total 800 patients), the final sample size calculation will be done on the basis of the interim analysis of the collected data. TRIAL STATUS: The institutional ethical committee has approved the study protocol (Protocol version 3.0 [June 2020]). Participant recruitment starting date: 28th July 2020 Participant recruitment ending date: 27th January 2021 Trial duration: 6 months TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been prospectively registered in Clinical Trial Registry - India (ICMR- NIMS): Reference no. CTRI/2020/07/026791 (registered on 25 July 2020)]. FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest of expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.