Assessment of post-myocardial infarction lipid levels and management: Results from a tertiary care hospital of Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Lipid treatment practices and levels in post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, which are crucial for secondary prevention. AIM: To evaluate the lipid treatment practices and lipid levels in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed patients who had experienced their first AMI event in the past 3 years. We assessed fasting and non-fasting lipid profiles, reviewed statin therapy prescriptions, and examined patient compliance. The recommended dose was defined as rosuvastatin ≥ 20 mg or atorvastatin ≥ 40 mg, with target total cholesterol levels set at < 160 mg/dL and target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at < 55 mg/dL. RESULTS: Among 195 patients, 71.3% were male, and the mean age was 57.1 ± 10.2 years. The median duration since AMI was 36 (interquartile range: 10-48) months and 60% were diagnosed with ST-segment elevation MI. Only 13.8% of patients were advised to undergo lipid profile testing after AMI, 88.7% of patients were on the recommended statin therapy, and 91.8% of patients were compliant with statin therapy. Only 11.5% had LDL-C within the target range and 71.7% had total cholesterol within the target range. Hospital admission in the past 12 months was reported by 14.4%, and the re-admission rate was significantly higher among non-compliant patients (37.5% vs 5.6%). Subsequent AMI event rate was also significantly higher among non-compliant patients (43.8% vs 11.7%). CONCLUSION: Our study highlights that while most post-AMI patients received the recommended minimum statin therapy dose, the inadequate practice of lipid assessment may compromise therapy optimization and raise the risk of subsequent events.

Prevalence of Cardiac Risk Factors and Attitude toward Self-Risk Assessment among Cardiac Care Givers.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this survey was to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors and attitude toward self-risk assessment among cardiac care physicians (who did not have CVD history), at a tertiary care cardiac center in Pakistan. DESIGN: In this survey we included cardiac care givers who had a minimum of 1 year of working experience in a cardiac care center. PARTICIPANTS: Participants with self-reported history of established diagnosis of CVD were excluded. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the help of a structured questionnaire which consisted of demographic information, data regarding established CVD risk factors, self-awareness, and attitude toward CVD risk assessment. RESULTS: A total of 126 participants were interviewed, out of which 20.6% (26) were females and mean age was 36.1±7.6 years. The most prevalent CVD risk factor was family history of CVD (33.3%) followed by smoking (14.3%) and 23.8% had body mass index of ≥27.5 kg/m2. Around 23% of the participants did not know their cholesterol levels, similarly more than 74% were not aware of their high-density lipoproteins levels. More than 76% had never assessed their CVD risk and more than 37% don't know or don't have any opinion about their own CVD risk. CONCLUSIONS: The present study reveals low prevalence of conventional cardiac risk factors and marginally higher tendency of modifiable risk factors, such as smoking and obesity, among the cardiac physicians. A large proportion of these cardiac physicians have not yet assessed their CVD risk.

Ten years risk assessment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease using Astro-CHARM and pooled cohort equation in a south Asian sub-population.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) are on the rise in low and middle-income countries attributed to modern sedentary lifestyle and dietary habits. This has led to the need of assessment of the burden of at-risk population so that prevention measures can be developed. The objective of this study was to assess ten years risk assessment of ASCVD using Astro-CHARM and Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE) in a South Asian sub-population. METHODS: A total of 386 residents of all six districts of Karachi with no ASCVD were enrolled in the study through an exponential non-discriminative referral snowball sampling technique. The inclusion criteria consisted of age 40 years or above and either gender. Study participants were enrolled after obtaining informed written consent and those study participants who were found to have either congenital heart disease or valvular heart diseases or ischemic heart disease were excluded from the study based on initial screening. For the calculation of 10 years risk of ACVD based on Astro-CHARM and PCE, the variables were obtained including medical history and coronary artery calcium and C-reactive protein measurements. RESULTS: Mean estimated 10-year risk of fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke as per the Astro-CHARM was 13.98 ± 8.01%, while mean estimated 10-year risk of fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke as per the PCE was 22.26 ± 14.01%. Based on Astro-CHARM, 11.14% of the study participants were labeled as having high risk, while PCE estimated 20.73% of study participants as having high risk of ASCVD. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that our findings showed substantial differences in ten-year risk of ASCVD between Astro-CHARM and PCE, both calculators can be used to develop a new population and specific risk estimators for this South Asian sub-population. Our study provides the first step towards developing a risk assessment guided decision-making protocol for primary prevention of ASCVD in this population.

The Post Clinic Ambulatory Blood Pressure (PC-ABP) study correlates Post Clinic Blood Pressure (PCBP) with the gold standard Ambulatory Blood Pressure.

OBJECTIVE: Our previous study showed that post-clinic blood pressure (BP) taken 15 min after a physician-patient encounter was the lowest reading in a routine clinic. We aimed to validate this reading with 24 h Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) readings. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the cardiology clinics at the Aga Khan University, Pakistan. Hypertensive patients aged ≥ 18 years, or those referred for the diagnosis of hypertension were included. RESULTS: Of 150 participants, 49% were males. 76% of all participants were hypertensive. Pre-clinic BP reading was measured by a nurse, in-clinic by a physician and 15 min post-clinic by a research assistant using a validated, automated BP device (Omron-HEM7221-E). All patients were referred for 24 h ABPM. Among the three readings taken during a clinic visit, mean (± SD) systolic BP (SBP) pre-clinic, in-clinic, and 15 min post-clinic were 153.2 ± 23, 152.3 ± 21, and 140.0 ± 18 mmHg, respectively. Mean (± SD) diastolic BP (DBP) taken pre-clinic, in-clinic and 15 min post-clinic were 83.5 ± 12, 90.9 ± 12, and 86.4 ± 11 mmHg respectively. Mean (± SD) daytime ambulatory SBP, DBP and pulse readings were 134.7 ± 15, 78.7 ± 15 mmHg, and 72.6 ± 12/min, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients of pre-clinic, in-clinic and post-clinic SBP with daytime ambulatory-SBP were 0.4 (p value: < 0.001), 0.5 (p value: < 0.001) and 0.6 (p value: < 0.001), respectively. Post-clinic BP has a good correlation with ambulatory BP and may be considered a more reliable reading in the clinic setting.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: ten year experience at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: There is very little literature regarding Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC) from the Asian Countries other than Japan and Korea. We conducted this study to determine the demographics, clinical presentations, complications and recovery of left ventricular (LV) systolic function in TTC patients of Pakistani origin. METHODS: A ten years retrospective case series study of TTC was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital. Patients were followed for up to six months after presentation, with special emphasis on the recovery of LV function. CONCLUSION: TTC is classically triggered by an acute illness or by extreme stress and a triggering incident may not always be identified. It usually presents in the guise of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our data was congruent with the existing literature, except for more heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Average Troponin-I (Tn-I) levels were also higher as compared to western population. The reason for more severity in our patients may be late presentation or different level of response to stress.

Mode of Coronary Revascularization and Short term Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery are two alternative methods for coronary revascularization, but it remains controversial as which one is associated with lower risks of worse clinical outcomes for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We determined the mode of coronary revascularization (PCI vs. CABG) which is associated with lower risk of mortality and morbidity in CKD patients. METHODS: In this cross sectional study, 159 patients with CKD were enrolled from single center of coronary revascularization at Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi between January 2012 and August 2013. All patients with CKD underwent PCI or CABG. The primary outcome was in-hospital composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke. We evaluated which mode of coronary revascularization was associated with reduced risks of clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 159 patients with CKD, 85 (53.5%) received PCI and 74 (46.5%) received CABG. The primary finding of this study is that more patients with moderate to severe CKD underwent PCI and more patients with mild to moderate CKD underwent CABG. In both these categories, no difference was observed in clinical outcomes. There are few factors like age, ST- elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and number of coronary artery disease predicted PCI as treatment strategy in patients with moderate to severe CKD. CONCLUSION: Patients with moderate to severe CKD have similar rates of short term clinical outcomes whether they underwent PCI or CABG. Therefore, PCI can be acceptable and less invasive treatment option alternative to CABG, particularly in patients with moderate to severe CKD.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: ten year experience at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: There is very little literature regarding peripartum cardiomyopathy from the Asian countries. We conducted this study to determine demographic details, clinical presentations, complications and recovery of left ventricular (LV) systolic function in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCMP) patients of Pakistani origin. METHOD: A ten year retrospective case series of PPCMP was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital. Patients were also followed up for six months after presentation, with special regard to improvement in the LV function. RESULTS: Total 45 patients were included, 25 (55.5%) primigravida and 8 (17.7%) gravida 2 and the remaining 12 (26.6%) were multigravida. Fourteen patients (31.1%) presented during pregnancy and 31 (68.8%) after delivery. All patients presented with CHF and three (6.6%) were complicated with ventricular tachycardia (VT) at presentation. LV systolic dysfunction was present in 39 (86.66%) patients and RV dysfunction in 15 (33.3%) patients. Two patients had LV clot and thromboembolic stroke occurred in another 4 patients. All patients received standard treatment except three patients who had asthma and could not be given beta blockers. Echocardiogram was repeated after 6 month and in 32 (71.1%) patients LV functions recovered to normal. RV function improved in all except 2 (4.4%) patients. All patients were discharged in stable condition. CONCLUSION: Significant numbers of PPCMP patients, who had severe LV dysfunction at presentation recovered their LV functions at six month follow up.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome.

We present a case of a 71-year-old man, with a history of hypertension and dyslipidaemia, who presented with typical cardiac chest pain and palpitations of 2 h duration. The examination revealed irregular pulse of 138 bpm, blood pressure 115/75 mm Hg, variable first and normal second heart sounds. The lungs were clear to auscultation. The ECG showed atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular rate. His heart rate was controlled with ß blockers and the acute coronary syndrome treatment protocol was initiated. His baseline blood reports were within normal limits and two serial troponin I tests were negative. Coronary angiogram showed dissection in the left coronary system extending into the branch vessels and 30-40% stenosis in the right coronary artery. The patient underwent coronary artery bypass graft as an emergent case. He suffered a mild stroke postsurgery with complete functional recovery. He is being followed up in the clinic and has performed well.

Non-invasive prediction of ST elevation myocardial infarction complications by left ventricular Tei index.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate association between the Tei index and cardiac complications of ST elevation of Myocardial Infarction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of a 202 adult consecutive patients with first ST elevation MI (STEMI) were studied. Tei index was obtained as: (a _ b)/b, where "a" is the interval between the cessation and onset of mitral flow and "b" is the ejection time of aortic flow measured with the help of pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Subsequent complications, included Death, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Cardiogenic shock, Atrial Flutter/ Atrial Fibrillation, Sustained ventricular tachycardia, Advanced Atrio- Ventricular Clock (AV Block), Myocardial Infarction (MI), Readmission (due to any cardiac cause) and Revascuralarization during the 30 days after the onset of Acute STEMI were prospectively evaluated and compared with the initial Tei index at admission. RESULTS: Complications were noted in 60% of the patients with acute STEMI. The Tei index was significantly increased for patients with complications compared with those without them (0.66 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.30 +/- 0.10, P < .0001). When Tei index > 0.40 was used for the criteria, the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy to predict subsequent complications were 86%, 82%, and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Tei index allows approximate but quick and practical noninvasive prediction of complications in patients with STEMI.

Admission creatine kinase as a prognostic marker in acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prognostic significance of creatine kinase (CK) in Pakistani patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to find out if CK combined with troponin T (TnT) could be a better predictor for long-term adverse cardiac event. METHODS: One hundred and eighty six consecutive patients with AMI who were eligible for streptokinase (SK) treatment were included in this prospective cohort study. The relationship between their serum/plasma CK and TnT levels at the time of admission and clinical outcome was investigated over a mean follow up of 24.12 +/- 3.75 months. RESULTS: Admission CK was found to be associated with subsequent cardiac event and mortality (P < 0.01 and P < 0.04 respectively). Admission CK was also mildly associated with time interval between onset of symptoms to SK treatment (correlation coefficient 'r' = 0.23). Odds of encountering a cardiac event in AMI patients with above-normal CK levels (adjusted for gender) were 3.46 times higher than the odds in patients with normal CK levels. Similarly, odds of mortality in patients with positive TnT were 4.6 times the odds in patients with negative TnT. The two biochemical markers, CK and TnT, together did not provide any further information about prognosis of the disease. CONCLUSION: Admission CK is a better prognostic marker for a subsequent cardiac event, while TnT is a better predictor of mortality over a mean follow up of nearly 2 years. Together, they do not improve predictability of an adverse cardiac event.

Cardiac rupture during stress echocardiography.

A case of acute cardiac rupture during dobutamine stress echocardiography testing that was performed on the sixth day after admission for an acute inferoposterior myocardial infarction is reported. Following successful surgical repair, the postoperative course was complicated by severe mitral regurgitation secondary to papillary muscle rupture.

Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with significant pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical and echocardiographic features of significant pericardial effusion (PE) have been reported from the west. Currently there is lack of published data from this part of the world, we reviewed all consecutive cases of significant PE requiring echocardiographic assisted pericardiocentesis to analyze the clinical and echocardiographic features of these patients. METHODS: Forty four consecutive patients who underwent echocardiography assisted pericardiocentesis at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) between January 1988 and May 2001" re included in this review. RESULTS: Most common presenting symptoms were dyspnea (89%) and fever (36%). Elevated JVP and pulsus paradoxus were documented in 59% and 41% of patients respectively. Sinus tachycardia (75%) and low voltage (34%) were the most common ECG findings. Malignancy (45-51%) and tuberculosis (27%) were among the most frequent causes of PE. One patient died during echocardiography-assisted pericardiocentesis. CONCLUSION: The symptoms and physical findings of haemodynamically significant PE are frequently nonspecific. Transthoracic echocardiography is the gold standard for rapid and confirmatory diagnosis of PE and cardiac tamponade. The most common cause of PE was malignancy followed by tuberculosis. Pericardiocentesis under echocardiographic guidance is a safe and effective treatment for significant PE.

Spontaneous multivessel coronary artery dissection associated with elevated homocysteine levels.

A case of spontaneous multi-vessel coronary artery dissection in a young man, with markedly elevated serum homocysteine levels, is reported. The effects of elevated homocysteine levels on arterial endothelial function and possible plaque rupture leading to coronary dissection and acute coronary syndrome and / or sudden cardiac death are also discussed.

Outcome of cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics and in-hospital outcome of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to evaluate the influence of urgent coronary revascularization on in-hospital mortality. DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. January 2001 to December 2001. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients with AMI and CS, admitted at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi Pakistan, during the year 2001 were reviewed. A pre-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. Analysis was done using the SPSS statistical package. RESULTS: Out of 615 patients with AMI, 53 (8.6%) had CS. Mean age was 60.9 +10.7 years. 62.3% were men, 52.8% were hypertensive and 43.4% were diabetic. Most infarcts were anterior in location (56.6%). Thrombolytic therapy (Streptokinase) was administered to 43.5% of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. 64.2% required ventilatory support while swan ganz was used in 37.7%. Intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted in 39.6%. Ventricular tachycardia was the most common complication (39.6%). Overall in-hospital mortality was 54.7%. CS associated with mechanical complications had 80% in-hospital mortality. In patients without mechanical complications (n=48), in-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the revascularization group (31.6% vs. 65.5%, p-value = 0.021). However, there were significant differences in the baseline characteristics in the two groups because of the selection bias. CONCLUSION: CS occurring in patients with AMI has an extremely poor prognosis. Patients selected for revascularization strategy has favorable in-hospital outcome.