Early and midterm results of extended septal myectomy: Indian experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a genetic disorder, which is a cause of significant morbidity and sudden cardiac death. Extended septal myectomy (ESM) is the therapeutic gold standard to treat left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in HOCM resulting in long-term symptomatic relief. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of ESM on midterm symptom relief, LVOTO, and survival in patients suffering from HOCM in the Indian population. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 36 consecutive symptomatic patients with HOCM having symptoms refractory to medical treatment and LVOTO with resting gradient ≥ 50 mmHg and who underwent ESM at our institution from 2010 to 2019. Preoperative and postoperative transthoracic echocardiography was performed to assess left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient, septal thickness, and assessment of valvar and cardiac function. RESULTS: ESM was performed successfully in all 36 patients. The mean preoperative LVOT gradient was 113.06 ± 36.70 mmHg and decreased to 15.17 ± 7.30 mmHg (p < .0001) in the initial postoperative period. There were two in-hospital deaths (5.6%). There was no further mortality in the subsequent follow-up. The mean septal thickness was 23.89 ± 5.77 mm preoperatively and 13.17 ± 3.48 mm (p < .0001) postoperatively. During a mean follow-up of 2 years, the NYHA functional class improved from 3.50 ± 0.70 (III-IV) to 1.50 ± 0.70 (I) (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: ESM results in immediate abolition of mechanical obstruction to LVOT with normalization of left ventricular pressure and eliminates symptoms associated with HOCM.

Chylothorax after coronary artery bypass grafting: Is it always early?

BACKGROUND: Chylothorax is a rare complication of cardiothoracic surgical interventions and usually presents early in the postoperative period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a case of 63 years female who presented with chylothorax 5 months after undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Chylothorax should be considered in patients with recurrent pleural effusions even if the effusions do not have the typical milky appearance. Although chylothorax in most cases will present early in post operative period, it should be remembered that it can present in a delayed manner. Morbidity and health care costs associated with this entity can be remarkably high and therefore it is of great importance to diagnose and treat it.

Left atrial myxoma with biventricular dysfunction.

Occurrence of left atrial myxoma with severe ventricular dysfunction without any obstructive coronary artery disease, as presented in our case, is very rare. It may be due to undiagnosed concomitant dilated cardiomyopathy or unknown cardiodepressant effect of myxoma which warrants further research.

CYP2C9, VKORC1, CYP4F2, ABCB1 and F5 variants: influence on quality of long-term anticoagulation.

AIMS: The study aims to evaluate the impact of genetic, demographic and clinical data on various measures of outcome of anticoagulation quality in patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 310 patients receiving long-term oral anticoagulation therapy in our hospital. Apart from demographic and clinical variables, 21 SNPs (in 7 genes) were analyzed and compared with the outcomes of anticoagulation therapy. Various outcomes that were measured are; supra therapeutic INRs (INR >3, >6), anticoagulation stabilization, time taken to stabilize and proportion of INRs within (2-3), above (>3) and below (<2) therapeutic range. RESULTS: Supra therapeutic INRs were influenced by CYP2C9*2, *3, CYP4F2 rs2108622, VKORC1-1639G>A, 1173C>T, rs55894764 along with concomitant drugs, smoking, body weight and height. Persistently fluctuating INRs/absolute instability correlated with VKORC1-1639G>A, gender, height and body mass index. The time taken to stabilize was associated with CYP4F2 rs2108622, CYP2C9*14, smoking, clinical indication and concomitant drugs. The overall distribution of INR was influenced by variants in CYP4F2 rs2108622, CYP2C9*3, rs9332230, VKORC1 1173C>T, -1639G>A, rs55894764, ABCB1 rs2032582, rs1128503, rs1045642 and F5 rs6025, age, smoking and concomitant drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of factors influencing the quality of long term anticoagulation can help clinicians to customize therapy either by dose variation, therapy with alternate choice of drug, concurrent heparin therapy and/or frequent INR monitoring.

How standard transesophageal echocardiography views change with dextrocardia.

Dextrocardia with situs inversus is a rare condition. Situs inversus with dextrocardia is also called as "situs inversus totalis". Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) views in dextrocardia patient are not discussed in the literature. The cardiac position and the cardiac chambers are mirror image of the normal anatomy. Because of this positional change, certain TEE probe and multiplane angle manipulations are required to obtain the recommended views.

Body piercing: a rare cause of mitral valve endocarditis.

Body piercing has become a way of life for many individuals. It represents freedom, as well as rebellion, and can provide shock value to the public. Often, it is used as a rite of passage from adolescence into adulthood, and can also provide a boost in self-esteem. However, body piercing may lead to non-infectious complications such as prolonged bleeding and keloid formation, while infectious complications include the transmission of blood-borne infections (e.g. human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B, C and D), as well as bacteremia through the site of piercing. Infective endocarditis in individuals with congenital heart defects has been identified after body piercing. Here, the first documented case is reported of mitral valve endocarditis in a previously fit and healthy young female following navel piercing.