Effectiveness and safety of optical coherence tomography-guided PCI in Indian patients with complex lesions: A multicenter, prospective registry.

BACKGROUND: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is reported to be a feasible and safe imaging modality for the guidance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of complex lesions. METHODS: This multicenter, prospective registry assessed the minimum stent area (MSA) achieved under OCT guidance. A performance goal of 24% improvement in MSA over and above the recommendation set by the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions Consensus 2018 (4.5 mm2 MSA for non-left main and 3.5 mm2 for small vessels). The incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy was also assessed. Core lab analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Five hundred patients (average age: 59.4 ± 10.1 years; 83% males) with unstable angina (36.8%), NSTEMI (26.4%), and STEMI (22%) were enrolled. The primary endpoint was achieved in 93% of lesions with stent diameter ≥2.75 mm (average MSA: 6.44 mm2) and 87% of lesions with stent diameter ≤2.5 mm (average MSA: 4.56 mm2). The average MSA (with expansion ≥80% cutoff) was 6.63 mm2 and 4.74 mm2 with a stent diameter ≥2.75 mm and ≤2.5 mm, respectively. According to the core lab analysis, the average MSA achieved with a stent diameter ≥2.75 mm and ≤2.5 mm was 6.23 mm2 and 3.95 mm2, respectively (with expansion ≥80% cutoff). Clinically significant serum creatinine was noted in two patients (0.45%). Major adverse cardiac events at 1 year were noted in 1.2% (n = 6) of the patients; all were cardiac deaths. CONCLUSION: PCI under OCT guidance improves procedural and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with complex lesions not just in a controlled trial environment but also in routine clinical practice.

Evidence for intensive LDL-C lowering for acute coronary syndrome: Recommendations from the Lipid Association of India.

Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have a high risk of subsequent adverse cardiovascular outcomes, particularly within the first 30 days. Although it is well documented that initiation of statin therapy in the setting of ACS improves short- and long-term cardiovascular outcomes, and achievement of lower levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) incrementally improves outcomes, many patients with ACS have persistent hypercholesterolemia after discharge from the hospital. This is a missed opportunity that prompted the Lipid Association of India to develop recommendations for earlier initiation of more aggressive LDL-C lowering treatment, particularly for patients of South Asian descent who are well-documented to have earlier onset of more aggressive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The Lipid Association of India recommends individualized aggressive LDL-C goals after ACS, which can be rapidly achieved with high intensity statin therapy and subsequent goal-directed adjunctive treatment with ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors. Improved treatment of hypercholesterolemia achieved within weeks after ACS has the potential to reduce the high rate of morbidity and mortality in these high risk patients.

Validation of the OPtimal Treatment of Angina (OPTA) Questionnaire in Indian Patients with Chronic Stable Angina.

BACKGROUND: A rising burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) in India is a major cause of concern, with angina being the leading manifestation. Hence a questionnaire to sensitize the clinicians about stable angina management and to assist in risk stratification is imperative. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the content and face validity of a modified questionnaire adapted from the 7-item Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A panel of six experts in the field of evidence-based practice reviewed and rated the modified instrument for content clarity and relevance based on the 4-point ordinal scale. Face validity was assessed based on the trichotomous rating of "disagreed", "agree" or "neutral". Items on which ≥75% of patients "disagreed" were subjected to further review and revision. RESULTS: A total of six experts and 51 patients participated in the content and face validity, respectively. As no question received a score ≤2 by two or more experts for either content clarity or relevance, no modification in the questionnaire was required post content validation. During face validation, all patients agreed that the questions correctly measured the specific area of cardiovascular health status and response options correctly captured the answers provided. Demographic and baseline data of the patients were collected. CONCLUSION: The newly developed 5-item questionnaire demonstrated content and face validity, suggesting it to be a potential instrument to improve management decision and care of angina patients in India.

Fiberoptic-Guided Blue Rhino Dilator-Assisted Dilation of Postintubation Tracheal Stenosis: A Case Report About a Novel Technique.

Posttracheostomy tracheal stenosis is a rare complication of prolonged tracheal intubation. Treatment modalities that may be used include surgical resection and anastomosis, endoscopic tracheal dilation, laser resection, and tracheal stenting. We describe a novel salvage modality for dilation of a symptomatic tracheal stenosis using a percutaneous tracheostomy dilator wherein rigid bronchoscopic dilation was not feasible and balloon tracheal dilation had failed.

Pharmacological Reperfusion Therapy with Tenecteplase in 7,668 Indian Patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction - A Real World Indian Experience.

OBJECTIVE: This real-world, observational, prescription event monitoring study was conducted to evaluate safety and efficacy of indigenous tenecteplase (TNK-tPA) in Indian patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: This is a multi-centric, observational, prescription event monitoring study. Data was collected for 7,668 patients from 1,307 investigator sites across India from January 2011 to February 2016. RESULTS: Overall, 76.71% patients were hypertensive, 47.97% patients were diabetic, 42.01% had dyslipidemia, 24.35% had ischemic heart disease and 40.82% patients were smokers. The overall rate for achieving clinically successful thrombolysis by TNK was 93.34%. Delayed administration of tenecteplase yielded lower success rate (84.66%) as against those patients who received tenecteplase within 3 hours of symptoms (94.34%). 93.2% patients had chest pain resolution after pharmacological fibrinolysis. Overall 91.1% patients had 50% resolution of ST elevation at 90 minutes and mean time for 50% ST resolution was 72.06 minutes. Overall 53 patients died (mortality of 0.69%) before discharge. The incidence of bleeding (excluding stroke) was 1.77%, any stroke without ICH was 0.18% and any ICH was 0.38%. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study further reinforce the safety and efficacy of indigenous TNK-tPA in Indian patients presenting with STEMI, including high-risk sub-groups. The study also highlights the importance of early reperfusion therapy.

Isolated iliac artery aneurysm rupture causing lumbar plexopathy.

Isolated iliac artery aneurysms (IIAAs) are rare. We present a patient with lumbosacral plexopathy due to common iliac artery aneurysm rupture that presented with left monoplegia.