Impact of the menstrual cycle on commercial prognostic gene signatures in oestrogen receptor-positive primary breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Changes occur in the expression of oestrogen-regulated and proliferation-associated genes in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast tumours during the menstrual cycle. We investigated if Oncotype® DX recurrence score (RS), Prosigna® (ROR) and EndoPredict® (EP/EPclin) prognostic tests, which include some of these genes, vary according to the time in the menstrual cycle when they are measured. METHODS: Pairs of test scores were derived from 30 ER-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative tumours sampled at two different points of the menstrual cycle. Menstrual cycle windows were prospectively defined as either W1 (days 1-6 and 27-35; low oestrogen and low progesterone) or W2 (days 7-26; high oestrogen and high or low progesterone). RESULTS: The invasion module score of RS was lower (- 10.9%; p = 0.098), whereas the ER (+ 16.6%; p = 0.046) and proliferation (+ 7.3%; p = 0.13) module scores were higher in W2. PGR expression was significantly increased in W2 (+ 81.4%; p = 0.0029). Despite this, mean scores were not significantly different between W1 and W2 for any of the tests and the two measurements showed high correlation (r = 0.72-0.93). However, variability between the two measurements led to tumours being assigned to different risk categories in the following proportion of cases: RS 22.7%, ROR 27.3%, EP 13.6% and EPclin 13.6%. CONCLUSION: There are significant changes during the menstrual cycle in the expression of some of the genes and gene module scores comprising the RS, ROR and EP/EPclin scores. These did not affect any of the prognostic scores in a systematic fashion, but there was substantial variability in paired measurements.

Menstrual cycle associated changes in hormone-related gene expression in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer.

The major changes in hormone levels that occur through the menstrual cycle have been postulated to affect the expression of hormone-regulated and proliferation-associated genes (PAGs) in premenopausal ER+ breast cancer. Whilst previous studies have demonstrated differences in gene expression, here, we investigated if there are within patient changes in the expression of oestrogen- and progesterone-regulated genes (ERGs and PRGs) and PAGs in ER+ breast cancer during the menstrual cycle. Samples from 96 patients in two independent prospective studies of the effect of menstrual cycle on ER+ breast cancer were used. Plasma hormone measurements were used to assign tumours to one of three pre-defined menstrual cycle windows: W1 (days 27-35 and 1-6; low oestradiol and low progesterone), W2 (days 7-16; high oestradiol and low progesterone) and W3 (days 17-26; intermediate oestradiol and high progesterone). RNA expression of 50 genes, including 27 ERGs, 11 putative PRGs and seven PAGs was measured. The AvERG (geomean of PGR, GREB1, TFF1 and PDZK1) was used as a composite measure of ERG expression and showed significant changes between the three windows of the menstrual cycle increasing over 2.2-fold between W1 and W2 and decreasing between W2 and W3 and between W3 and W1. Proliferation gene expression also varied significantly, following the same pattern of changes as ERG expression, but the changes were of lower magnitude (1.4-fold increase between W1 and W2). Significant changes in the expression of eight individual ERGs, including GREB1, PGR and TFF1, and two PAGs were observed between W1 and either W2 or W3 with all genes showing higher levels in W2 or W3 (1.3-2.4-fold; FDR 0.016-0.05). The AvProg, a composite measure of PRG expression, increased significantly (1.5-fold) in W3 compared to W1 or W2 but no significant changes were observed for individual PRGs. In conclusion, we observed significant changes in ERG, PRG and PAG expression in ER+ breast tumours during the menstrual cycle that may affect the assessment and interpretation of prominent biomarkers (e.g. PgR) and commonly used multigene prognostic signatures in premenopausal ER+ breast cancer.

Short term clinical outcomes of Everolimus-eluting stents in patients with stable angina pectoris.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Everolimus-eluting stents, compared with bare metal stents, reduced the risk of restenosis in clinical trials with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The objective of this study was to determine the three months clinical outcomes of Everolimus Eluting Stents in patients with stable angina pectoris in Pakistani population. METHODS: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study and the data was collected from Catheterization Laboratory Cardiology Department Lady Readings Hospital Peshawar. Our study included all the patients with stable coronary artery disease who had received Everolimus eluting stents from August, 2013, to April, 2014. Total study duration was 09 months. The primary end points were the rate of target vessel revascularization, myocardial infarction at three months. All those patients who received Everolimus coronary stents were recalled after three months from the index procedure and enquired about target vessel revascularization (TVR), myocardial infarction and hospitalization over the last three months. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: Our study included 378 patients with stable ischemic heart disease who underwent revascularization with Everolimus eluting stent. These patients were followed up for a period of 3 months for target vessel revascularization(TVR) and myocardial infarction(MI). Mean age was 57.04±9.307, males were (72%). Left Anterior Descending (LAD) and Left circumflex (LCx) were the predominant vessels vascularized. Mean length of Everolimus eluting stent was 21.91± 4.6 while mean diameter of stent was 2.90±0.248. Thirteen (3.4%) patients had TVR and 14 (3.7%) patients had MI during three months follow up after PCI. TVR and MI were prevalent in patients who received longer Everolimus stents as compared to those who received shorter stents at three months, and the difference between the two was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Short-term results from this study suggest that real-world outcomes among 378 patients are comparable to those reported in other registries and trials, and safety outcomes as measured by rates of TVR, MI were low. The long-term safety of Everolimus-eluting stents needs to be ascertained in large, randomized trials.

Nonfasting Apo-lipoprotein B and Triglyceride levels as a predictor of coronary heart disease in Type II diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Lipoprotein-A has been recognized as a risk factor for ischemic heart diseases. Myocardial infarction (MI) is common complication of ischemic heart disease. Diabetes play an incremental role in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), however still there are conflicting data regarding the relationship of Lipoprotein-B and MI. We therefore wanted to evaluate the relationship of Lipo-B, MI and diabetes mellitus. Our objective was to determine the non-fasting Apo-lipoprotein B and triglycerides level among type II diabetic patients with ischemic heart disease and to compare with type II diabetic without ischemic heart disease. METHODS: This was cross sectional study where two groups of patients were recruited in the study, Group-I included patient with Ischemic Heart Disease and diabetes while Group-II comprised of diabetes without Ischemic Heart Disease. Age, sex and basic demographic matching was done between the two groups. Data were collected using random sample. The comparative approach was used to see the role of diabetes in the elevation of Apo-lipoprotein B level, which is a risk factor for Ischemic heart diseases. RESULTS: Two hundred forty eight patients (Cases: 123 Diabetic with myocardial infarction and (Control: 125 Diabetic without myocardial infarction) were included in the study. Mean Apo-B among diabetic patients with myocardial infarction was high (68.3±24.23 ng/ml) compared to non-cardiac patients (49.97±33.880 ng/ml) with a p <0.000. Marked difference was also observed in triglycerides levels where it was found very high (301.4±55.1 mg/dL) in patients of diabetes with myocardial infarction as compared to subjects without MI (137.7±84.7 mg/dL). There was positive correlation between Apo-lipoprotein and Triglycerides (P value=039). CONCLUSION: Based on the study result it was concluded that Apo-lipoprotein and triglycerides in diabetic patients with myocardial infarction, had higher levels compared to diabetic patients without Myocardial infarction and this could be a consequence of increase in age, insulin resistance and deficiency of insulin in the body. We also found positive correlation between Apo-lipoprotein and Triglycerides.

Impact of stent length and diameter on short term clinical outcomes of drug eluting stents in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The risk of restenosis and other adverse cardiovascular events with bare-metal stents have increased with smaller stent diameters and longer stent lengths. However, the exact impact of stent size on the short-term outcomes of drug-eluting stent (DES) implantations has not been much classified in Pakistani population. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of size (length and diameter) of Drug Eluting Stents on Clinical outcomes in patient with stable coronary artery disease at three months of implantation in Pakistani Population. METHODS: This is a prospective study which was carried out in the Department of Cardiology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from April 2011 and July 2012. All consecutive patients with stable coronary disease undergoing Percutaneous Intervention (PCI) with DES implantation at Cardiology Unit Lady Reading Hospital, were included prospectively. Clinical outcomes (Myocardial infarction [MI], unstable angina[UA], and positive ETT) at three months stratified by 3 tertiles of stent length and diameter each, were measured in patients who underwent PCI with DES for coronary artery lesions. All patients were followed and reassessed after three months from the index procedure. Exercise Tolerance Test(ETT) was performed on every patient and recorded on proforma. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 16. RESULTS: A total of 376 patients were included prospectively in this study. The mean age was 57±9.313 years. Male patients were 271(72.1%). Mean length of drug eluting stent was 27.313±7.235 mm while mean diameter of stent was 2.90±0.2483mm. There were slightly higher rates of MI, U.A and positive ETT in the longest stent length tertile(>28mm) compared with the shortest stent length tertile (<22mm) at three months, but they were statistically not significant. We also observed that for DES, there was no clear relationship between stent diameter and outcome for any of the clinical outcome variables. CONCLUSION: In our single-center prospective study, stent length and diameter defined in tertiles, had no impact on the short-term clinical outcomes of DES in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Impact of MRI on high grade Ductal Carcinoma Insitu (HG DCIS) management, are we using the full scope of MRI?

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative assessment of pure Ductal Carcinoma Insitu (DCIS) is essential in the surgical planning. The role of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has long been debated. The impact of MRI on the management of High Grade (HG) DCIS was assessed, whether it accurately captures the true size of this entity in comparison to conventional imaging, and, if MRI use would reduce the number of re-excision surgery. METHOD: Ninety-one consecutive patients with HG DCIS, who were identified from a prospectively collected data at Kettering General Hospital between April 2011 and December 2015. All patients had preoperative MRI scan in addition to the standard breast imaging. This was compared to a control group of consecutive patients (n=52) which was obtained from a period just before 2011. Impact on surgical planning and number of surgeries for each patient was compared. The size of HG DCIS estimated by MRI was compared to the final histological size. Secondary outcomes included change of initial surgical plan and detection of occult contralateral breast cancer. RESULTS: MRI group had 91 patients with median age of 63. Seventy percent of which presented through the screening program. The overall sensitivity of MRI to detect HG DCIS was 77% (70/91) with a false negative rate FNR of 23% (21/91). Therefore, 70 patients only were included in the data analysis. The control group included 52 screening patients with comparable baseline characteristics. Re-excision (or completion mastectomy) rates were higher in the control group 26% compared to 8% in the MRI group (P-value 0.012). MRI use correctly converted the initial plan of breast conservation to mastectomy in 9 patients (13%). Five patients had additional ipsilateral malignant features (7%).Occult contra lateral disease, was diagnosed in 2 patients (3%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that MRI could be an important tool in reducing the re-excision rates in the surgical management of HG DCIS. Although still controversial, selective MRI imaging can be useful in the preoperative diagnosis and evaluation of HG DCIS. Case by case discussion at MDT is crucial. Wider adaptation of MRI when indicated in the assessment of breast lesions with proper correlation to histology postoperatively is a key in improving our MRI interpretation skills, helping us to exploit the full scope of this useful tool.

Imaging changes after breast reconstruction with fat grafting - Retrospective study of 90 breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the breast imaging changes after fat grafting and its impact on cancer follow up. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study conducted on patients who underwent fat grafting for breast reconstruction. We reviewed mammographic and ultrasound images of patients. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze results. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of ninety patients with breast cancer had fat grafting. Fifty eight patients for defects following post mastectomy reconstruction and 32 for wide local excision defects. The mean follow up was 37.4 months. Benign lumps were identified in 23/90 cases (25 percent). Mammograms were reported as BI-RADS I in 21/32 cases (72 percent) and BI-RADS II in 8/32 cases (28 percent). BI-RADs III score was reported in two patients on further follow up imaging, both were re-classified as BI-RADS II after biopsy. A total of eight patients (8.9 percent) required biopsy. No local recurrences or new cancers were observed in any patients. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests radiological changes after fat grafting are almost always benign with no adverse outcome on cancer follow up.

Quantification of diagnostic accuracy using nitrate enhanced Tc-99m sestamibi gated myocardial SPECT in assessing myocardial viability: prospective analysis.

The aim of this prospective study was to assess myocardial viability with nitrate-enhanced Tc-99m sestamibi gated single-photon emission computed tomography in patients with known coronary artery disease. We enrolled 48 consecutive patients (39 men, 9 women) aged 24-82 years, with coronary artery disease and history of myocardial infarction. A Tc-99m sestamibi study was conducted at rest as baseline, followed by a nitrate-enhanced study the next day. Of 960 segments analyzed, 244 of 480 in the left anterior descending coronary artery territory showed viability on the baseline study, and 276 were viable according to the nitrate-enhanced study. Similarly, of 192 right coronary segments analyzed, 148 showed viability on the baseline study compared to 153 on the nitrate study. Of 288 left circumflex territory segments analyzed, 206 showed viability on the baseline study compared to 241 on the nitrate study. The overall improvement of viability with the nitrate study was 12.04%. On the gated studies, the overall improvement with nitrate was 2.02%. The gated study also allowed grading of wall motion and thickness. It was concluded that nitrate-augmented Tc-99m sestamibi myocardial imaging significantly improved the detection of hibernating myocardium, with gated images further improving the accuracy of detection in borderline cases.

Comparative analysis of type of myocardial infarction in patients with successful or unsuccessful streptokinase thrombolysis following ST elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of thrombolytic therapy in term of success and failure on the type of ST elevation MI, using streptokinase. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a comparative study, conducted at Department of Cardiology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from October 2006 to October 2007. Patients with first acute myocardial infarction were divided into group A (successful thrombolysis) and group B (unsuccessful thrombolysis) using ECG criteria. RESULTS: Total number of patients were 200. Group A included 136 (68%) patients and group B included 64 (32%) patients. There were total 88 (44%) patients of anterior MI with 47 patients in group A and 41 patients in group B (34.6% vs 64.0%, p < 0.001). There were total 110 (55.0%) patients of inferior MI with 88 patients in group A and 22 patients in group B (64.7% vs 34.4%, p < 0.001). Lateral myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 2 (1%) patients with 1 patient each in group A and group B (0.7% vs 1.6%, p = 0.583). CONCLUSION: Anterior MI was associated with a higher rate of thromblysis failure while inferior MI and lateral wall MI was associated with a higher rate of successful thrombolysis.

Comparison of enoxaparin and dalteparin with unfractionated heparin in the treatment of non-ST elevated acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The term non-ST elevated Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) encompasses unstable Angina (USA) and non-ST segment elevated Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI), both of which may end up in death or a fatal/non-fatal Myocardial Infarction (MI). Unfractionated heparin (UFH) has been shown to reduce death and MI in patients with USA and NSTEMI. Of late, there has been a great interest in the role of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) in the two conditions and they have been found to be at least as effective as or even more effective than UFH. METHODS: A total of 90 patients who presented to CCU of Khyber Teaching Hospital. Peshawar with USA or NSTEMI, from June 2008 to June 2009, were enrolled into the study. An equal number of patients were randomly assigned to one of the three arms for 5 days each: Group A received enoxaparin, group B received dalteparin and group C received UFH. The primary end points of the study were all cause mortality, STEMI, refractory USA, recurrent USA or a major bleed. The secondary end point was minor bleeding. RESULTS: At the end of the study, there were 2 deaths each in the dalteparin and UFH group, whereas no such event was recorded in the enoxaparin group. Two patients had STEMI in the UFH group but none in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: LMWHs are far more superior to unfractionated heparin.

Assessment of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function by tissue Doppler imaging after acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate left ventricular systolic and diastolic function by Tissue Doppler imaging after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: It was a hospital based, prospective descriptive study, from 1st July 2010 to 31st Dec. 2010. Total of 200 patients having acute myocardial infarction underwent detailed tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiographic examination for evaluation of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function on day 3, in echocardiographic section of Govt. Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Peak systolic (Sm), peak early diastolic (Em) and peak late diastolic (Am) velocities were recorded at 4 different sites of the mitral annulus. The ejection fraction and pulse wave TDI diastolic parameters were also recorded. Using SPSS version 16 data was analysed, frequencies and Mean +/- SD were determined for categorical and numerical variables, respectively. A p-value < or = 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Total study sample was 200 patients having acute myocardial infarction (MI). The sample was divided into 4 groups, i.e., anterior MI, inferior MI, septal MI, and lateral MI. There were 122 men and 78 women and the mean age was 42 +/- 5 SD. There was a marked reduction in Sm velocity at mitral annulus, especially at the infarction sites. The mean peak systolic velocity from 4 mitral annulus sites was well correlated with ejection fraction (p = 0.0001). Similar to systolic velocities, Em velocity was also reduced, especially at the infarction sites. The mean peak early diastolic velocity from 4 mitral annulus sites was well correlated with ejection fraction (p = 0.0001). The mean Em velocity was correlated well with isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT). There was no correlation between mean Em velocity and deceleration time (DT). CONCLUSION: Tissue Doppler Imaging is a reliable, accurate and easily reproducible modality of echocardiography. The reduced peak systolic velocity and reduced peak early diastolic velocity seems to be an expression of regionally reduced systolic and diastolic functions, respectively. While the reduced mean systolic velocity and reduced mean early diastolic velocity from 4 mitral annulus sites are expressions of globally reduced systolic and diastolic functions, respectively and were correlated well with the ejection fraction.

Changing trend of presentation of acute coronary syndrome in Peshawar over the last sixteen years.

BACKGROUND: Once considered as disease of the affluent and developed countries, coronary artery disease is emerging as epidemic in the developing world in general and South Asia in particular. OBJECTIVE: To observe the trend of presentation of acute coronary syndrome in the local population over the last 16 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical audit from 1995 to 2010 was carried out in which the data was retrieved from the computerised database of the Department of Cardiology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. The period was divided into four quartiles, and the data of each quartile was analyzed for the total number of admissions, the type of ACS, whether ST-elevated MI or non-ST elevated ACS (comprising unstable angina and non-STEMI), age, gender and mortality. RESULTS: The total admissions into the unit in the first quartile (1995-1998) were 23,827, in the second quartile (1999-2002) 29,005, in the third quartile (2003-2006) 33,206 and in the fourth quartile (2007-2010) were 40,110. Total ACS brunt constituted 8340 (35%), 10,384 (35.8%), 12,180 (36.68%) and 14,920 (37.2%) patients respectively. The mean age of patients was 49.70 +/- 6.4 years, 48.21 +/- 7.2 years, 47.38 +/- 7.1 years and 46.81 +/- 6.2 years respectively. Women were 2356 (28.25% of the total ACS burden) in the first quartile, increasing to 3554 (34.225%), 4817 (39.55%) and 6281 (42.1%) in the following quartiles. STEMI constituted 45.88% (3826) of the total ACS presentations in the first quartile, 47.24% (4905) in the second, 49.55% (6035) in the third and 49.87% (7440) in the last quartile. The mortality rate, however, remained constant throughout (8.4% to 8.8%). CONCLUSION: An increasing trend is seen in the burden of CAD in the local population with increasing presentation as STEMI. It is also evident that CAD is occurring at younger ages and more so in the female population.

Comparison of effect of locally available brands of clopidogrel on platelet aggregation in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulant effect of clopidogrel is of utmost importance in coronary artery disease, especially in prevention of coronary stent thrombosis. Recently, many new local brands of clopidogrel have been launched, with unknown efficacy. This study was conducted with the aim to compare two locally prepared clopidogrel brands, in terms of the effect of a loading dose of 600 mg on inhibition of platelet aggregation in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: This was a double blind randomised study. Sample population consisting of 35 patients, were admitted at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, for the management of coronary artery disease. Baseline platelet aggregation of all these patients was measured. These patients were divided in two groups randomly. Group-A consisting of 18 patients was given brand 'A' clopidogrel 600 mg, while Group-B consisting of 17 patients was give brand 'B' of clopidogrel 600 mg. The platelet aggregation of both groups was then measured at baseline, and at 2, 4, and 6 hours after taking the loading dose of 600 mg. RESULTS: Platelet aggregation time at baseline in Group-A was 2.61 +/- 2.28 sec. and in Group-B it was 2.24 +/- 1.52 sec. (p = 0.57). After 2 hours of clopidogrel administration in Group-A the platelet aggregation time was 1.44 +/- 1.58 sec. and in Group-B it was 1.53 +/- 1.107 sec. (p = 0.85). Platelet aggregation time after 4 hours in Group-A was 0.28 +/- 0.57 sec. and in Group-B 1.06 +/- 1.03 sec. (p = 0.009), and after 6 hours it was 0.00 +/- 0.00 sec. in Group-A and in Group-B it was 0.59 +/- 0.71 sec. (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The two brands of clopidogrel had a significant difference in their effect on inhibition of platelet aggregation. Different brands of clopidogrel may not be equally effective.

Frequency and predictors of renal artery stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is a common finding in patients undergoing coronary angiography. We designed this study to look for the frequency and any predictors of renal artery stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: A total of 201 consecutive patients with CAD confirmed by coronary angiography underwent an abdominal aortogram in the same sitting to screen for RAS. Patient demographics and co-morbidities were analysed for any association with RAS. RESULTS: Forty-one of the patients were female (20.4%); ninety patients were hypertensive (44.8%); 49 patients (24.4%) were smokers; 19 patients (9.5%) had renal insufficiency; 88 patients (43.8%) had high cholesterol levels; 44 patients (21.9%) were diabetic. Thirty-two patients (15.9%) had single coronary artery disease, 59 patients (29.4%) had two vessel disease, and 110 patients (54.7%) had three vessel disease. Significant renal artery stenosis (> or = 50% stenosis) was present in 26 patients (12.9%). Among the variables studied, only female gender was found to be associated with a higher frequency of renal artery stenosis (24.39% vs 10.0%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of renal artery stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease is 12.9%. Female gender is associated with a higher frequency of renal artery stenosis in patients with CAD.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus among obese and non-obese patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Globally, obesity is now recognised as an epidemic. The degree of obesity is proportional to the rate of development of cardiovascular diseases, hence, resulting in a dramatic increase in morbidity and mortality. Apart from obesity, diabetes mellitus is another well recognised risk factor contributing to coronary artery disease. The precise prevalence of obesity-related diabetes varies with age, race and gender; and is yet unknown in our population. We therefore, carried out this study with the aim to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in obese and non-obese patients with diagnosed coronary artery disease. METHODS: This hospital based cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in Cardiology Department of Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from 15th March 2005 to 30th May 2006. A total of 200 patients with diagnosed coronary artery disease were enrolled, 100 were classified as obese and 100 as non-obese. RESULTS: Among these, 139 patients were male and 61 female. A total of 88 were found to be diabetic, 54 of these were obese and 34 non-obese (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus was significantly more frequent among obese patients with coronary artery disease as compared to non obese patients with coronary artery disease.

Pattern of coronary artery disease with no risk factors under age 35 years.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is no more deemed to be an ailment of the 4th or 5th decade; rather an earlier age incidence is not infrequently encountered in our population. However, there are a few data regarding CAD in young adults, and much about its underlying pathology still remains undetermined. The objective of this study was to delineate the coronary arterial disease pattern in adults under the age of 35 years, but having no known coronary risk factors. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted at the Cardiology Departments of all 3 public sector tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar from Jun 2008 to Dec 2009. After having excluded the traditional risk factors for CAD, patients under the age of 35 years with objective evidence of CAD were subjected to percutaneous coronary angiography. RESULTS: Out of a total of 104 patients, 85 (81.73%) patients were men, and 19 (18.27%) were women. The mean age of the whole group was 32.66 +/- 3.237 (22-35) years. Significant CAD (> 50% diameter narrowing of at least one major coronary artery) was found in 87 (83.7%) patients while 17 (16.3%) patients had non-atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, including 12 (11.53%) patients having normal coronary arteries, 1 (1%) patient had anomalous origin of right coronary artery (RCA), 1 (1%) patient had coronary arteritis, 2 (1.92%) patients had coronary artery ectasia, and 1 (1%) patient had a myocardial bridge over left anterior descending artery (LAD). Among the patients with significant CAD, the prevalence rate of one, two and three vessel disease was 54 (51.9%), 22 (21.2%) and 11 (10.6%) respectively. Almost 50% of the lesions occurred in LAD followed by 25% in RCA and 20% in circumflex, while only one patient (1%) had isolated significant CAD of left main coronary artery. Osteal segments were involved in 10%, proximal in 61%, mid in 21% and distal segments in 7% of the lesions. CONCLUSION: In the younger age group, CAD is mostly a disease of men, single vessel CAD predominates with LAD involvement mostly, predominant osteal to proximal segment involvement of vessels, and a much higher incidence of normal coronaries and non-obstructive CAD is met with.

Prevalence of hypertension among obese and non-obese patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Globally, obesity is now recognised as an epidemic. The degree of obesity is proportional to the rate of development of cardiovascular diseases, hence, resulting in a dramatic increase in morbidity and mortality. Apart from obesity, hypertension is another well recognised risk factor contributing to coronary artery disease (CAD). The precise prevalence of obesity-related hypertension varies with age, race and gender; and is yet unknown in our population. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension in obese and non-obese patients with diagnosed CAD. METHODS: This hospital based descriptive study was conducted in Cardiology Department of Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from 15th March 2007 to 30th May 2008. A total of 200 patients with diagnosed CAD were enrolled, 100 were found obese and 100 non-obese. RESULTS: Among these, a total of 111 (55.5%) were found to be hypertensive, 66 (59.46%) of these were obese and 45 (40.54%) non-obese (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Obese patients with CAD had significantly more frequent hypertension.

Myocardial infarction in young versus older adults: clinical characteristics and angiographic features.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease is now frequently encountered in young adult population. However, being a relatively uncommon entity, not many studies are available in this regard. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and angiographic features of patients less than 40 years of age with a history of myocardial infarction and compare them to patients older than 40 years. METHODS: A total of 281 patients who underwent coronary angiography from April, 2009 to December, 2009, were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of age. Group A included patients 40 years of age or younger. Group B included patients older than 40 years. Both the groups were compared with respect to gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and extent and severity of coronary artery disease as assessed on coronary angiography. RESULTS: Of the total 281 patients, 45 (16%) were < or =40 years old (Group-A) and 236 (84%) were older than 40 years (Group-B). There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the risk factors like gender, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. On coronary angiography, the two groups neither differed in the number of totally occluded vessels, nor in the severity of the culprit lesion. There were only 3 patients in group-A (6.7%) and 5 patients in group-B (2.1%) with normal coronaries (p=NS). Majority (60%) of the patients in group-A had no significant disease or single vessel disease while majority (69%) of the patients in group-B had two or more vessels involved (p<0.001 ). As far as the number of lesions in the coronary arteries is concerned, 62.3% patients had 2 or lesser lesions in group-A while 68.6% patients in group-B had three or more lesions (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that in our study, young patients with MI do not have significantly high prevalence of normal coronaries compared to older patients. Young patients are similar to the older patients with respect to severity of CAD. Lesser number of coronaries is involved and there is lesser number of lesions per patient in young patients compared to older ones.

Electrical storms and their prognostic implications.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of sudden cardiac death has always been a challenge for electrophysiologists and to date, automatic implantable cardiovertor defibrillator (AICD) is found to be the only remedy. This device delivers an intracardiac shock whenever it senses a fatal ventricular arrhythmia in order to achieve sinus rhythm. If the delivery of these intracardiac shocks becomes frequent, the situation is declared as an electrical storm. This article deals with the frequency, precipitating factors and prevention of electrical storms. METHODS: One hundred and ten episodes of electrical storms (a total of 668 shocks) were retrospectively analysed in 25 recipients of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators. ECG, echocardiography, serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine were done for all the patients, and they were hospitalized for a minimum of 24 hours. RESULTS: During the 3 year study period, all the 25 patients with an implantable cardiovertor defibrillator, on an average, received one shock per two years. However, 12 out of these 25 patients (50%) had more than two shocks within 24 hours. Most of these patients with electrical storms were having active ischemia, electrolytes imbalances or renal failure. CONCLUSION: Electrical storms are common in patients with coronary artery disease with impaired left ventricular functions. Ischemia, electrolytes imbalances and renal failure predispose to the electrical storms. Electrical Storms are predictors of poor prognosis.