Aortic valvar atresia with a normal-sized left ventricle in an adolescent.

Atresia of the aortic valve is usually associated with hypoplasia of the mitral valve and the left ventricle. In very rare cases, a ventricular septal defect may be associated with aortic atresia, when left ventricle and mitral valve are normal-sized, due to the presence of an outflow for the left ventricle through the ventricular septal defect. We present the multi-modality imaging findings of an adolescent girl who presented with breathlessness and was later found to have aortic valvar atresia with a normal-sized left ventricle.

Cutoff values of body fat composition to predict metabolic risk factors with normal waist circumference in Asian Indian population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to see if visceral fat volume (VFV), subcutaneous fat volume (SFV), and visceral-subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR) can be used to detect metabolically obese normal weight individuals in Asian Indian population. METHODS: This is a single center prospective cross-sectional study and 80 cases having either hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia with normal waist circumference and 80 controls having normal metabolic parameters with normal waist circumference were evaluated. Visceral and subcutaneous fat volumes and visceral to subcutaneous fat ratios were determined by computed tomography (CT) at L4-L5 level with a slice thickness of 5 mm. RESULTS: Visceral fat volume, subcutaneous fat volume, and VSR are significantly higher in patients with metabolic risk factors as compared to those without risk factors. Volume of subcutaneous fat is significantly higher in females as compared to males. VSR is higher in males in our study. The cutoff values for VFV, SFV, and VSR to predict at least one metabolic syndrome are 8.5 cm3, 15.7 cm3, and 0.61 in males and 7.0 cm3, 16.5 cm3, and 0.44 in females. CONCLUSIONS: For individuals with normal waist circumference, VFV, SFV, and VSR can effectively predict the presence of one metabolic risk factor. KEY POINTS: • Visceral fat volume, subcutaneous fat volume, and visceral-subcutaneous fat ratio can predict individuals at risk of metabolic syndrome having normal waist circumference. • Higher VSR in Indian population is due to low reservoir of primary adipose tissue fat compartment which leads to diversion of adipocytes into the secondary adipose tissue fat compartment. • This data can be used as a screening tool in preventive radiology for identifying individuals at risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

"Dual" drainage in cardiac partial anomalous pulmonary venous return.

Anomalous drainage of pulmonary veins into the coronary sinus is an uncommon variety of anomalous pulmonary venous return. Rarely, anomalously draining pulmonary veins may show "dual" drainage. We present the imaging findings of an infant who had dual drainage of a cardiac type of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return in the setting of unroofing of the coronary sinus which has not previously been described.

Assessment of preoperative and postoperative cardiac function in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Chronic upper airway obstruction caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy is one of the major cause of morbidity in children. It can lead to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome, Pulmonary Hypertension, Cor Pulmonale and right heart failure. The study aimed to evaluate and compare various parameters of cardiac function with the help of echocardiography preoperatively and postoperatively in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. METHODOLOGY: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 23 patients at an apex care institute, under the age group of 4-12 years, who were diagnosed with adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Preoperative symptom analysis and Echocardiographic examination were done. After the assessment, all patients underwent surgery in the form of adenotonsillectomy. Follow-up symptom analysis and echocardiographic examination was done after 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Significant improvement in the obstructive symptoms were noted in postoperative group as expected (p = < 0.001) and also in parameters such as mPAP (p = < 0.001), TAPSE (p = < 0.001), TAV (p = 0.001), Ejection fraction (p = 0.027) and RVMPI (p = 0.044) were improved in postoperative group. 4 patients had Grade 1 Right ventricular diastolic dysfunction, which disappeared in three patients postoperatively. CONCLUSION: We have concluded that there can be subclinical cardiac dysfunctions which occurs as a result of chronic upper airway obstruction due to untreated adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Routine cardiac screening in children presenting with sleep disordered breathing associated with adenotonsillar hypertrophy may be helpful in identifying and preventing the development of cardiopulmonary complication. These changes can be reversed by performing adenotonsillectomy.

Epidemiology, etiology and clinical associations of congenital heart disease identified during congenital rubella syndrome surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a common congenital malformation. Antenatal rubella infection in the mother and genetic defects are important causes to which CHD are attributed. Exact contribution of antenatal rubella infection or genetic causes to CHD is still unknown. OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology, etiology and clinical associations of echocardiographically confirmed congenital heart disease in infants in Western Rajasthan enrolled in the congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) surveillance project. To study the utility of clinical diagnostic criteria in identifying congenital rubella infection. METHOD: This was a prospective observational study, in which 251 patients with echocardiographically confirmed CHD were enrolled. Detailed clinical evaluation was done in all patients. Rubella serology was done in all patients. Genetic and other testing was done as appropriate. RESULT: The hospital-based prevalence of CHD in infants was 1% at our center. Fifty-seven percent of the babies had acyanotic septal heart defects of which ventricular septal defect (VSD) was the most common (35%). Anti-rubella immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were positive in 8.5% of the CHD patients. A clinically identifiable genetic cause was present in 3.6% of the cases. In patients who tested positive for anti-rubella IgM antibodies also, VSD was the most common (33%) CHD followed by Tetralogy of Fallot (13.2%). CONCLUSION: CRS contributes to 8.5% of CHD. CRS is associated with a wide spectrum of CHD. The etiology of a large number of CHD remains elusive. Detailed studies on the cause and mechanism of development of CHD need to be undertaken.

Diagnostic utility of mitral annular displacement by speckle tracking echocardiography in predicting significant coronary artery disease in suspected chronic stable angina pectoris.

BACKGROUND: More than 50% of patients currently referred for coronary angiography (CAG) with suspected chronic stable angina pectoris (CSAP) shows normal or nonobstructive CAD. Mitral annular displacement (MAD) is a function of global shortening deformation of left ventricle (LV) and mirrors sub-endocardial ischemia in CAD. The aim of this study was to ascertain if MAD can predict the presence of CAD in patient presenting with suspected CSAP. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with suspected CSAP (n = 140) and preserved LV function without apparent wall motion abnormalities during the study period. We excluded patients with prior heart disease (valvular, ischemic), presenting with acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmia, heart failure, and poor imaging. All the patients were subjected to speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and CAG. Average MAD and normalized MAD were calculated by automated function imaging (AFI), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted for presence of significant CAD considering CAG as gold standard. RESULTS: The results showed that both average MAD (4 segment) and normalized MAD were significantly reduced (P = <.001) in patients with significant CAD (n = 81). In ROC analysis, area under curve (AUC) for predicting significant CAD in patients of CSAP was better for normalized MAD (0.88) compared to average MAD (4 segment, 0.85).The optimal cutoff of normalized MAD and average MAD for detection of significant CAD were ≤15.3% (sensitivity 90.1%, specificity 79.7%) and ≤11.19 (sensitivity 84%, specificity 69.5%), respectively. Normalized MAD showed week inverse correlation with SYNTAX score (-0.24, R2  = 0.058) and Hs CRP (-0.23, R2  = 0.057). CONCLUSION: MAD is a simple and rapid noninvasive diagnostic tool which accurately predicted the presence of significant CAD in patients with CSAP.

Working through complexities of radial and brachial vasculature during transradial approach.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review is to discuss different methods of working through radial artery (RA) and brachial artery (BA) vascular complexities to increase the success rate of transradial approach (TRA). BACKGROUND: Anatomical complexities of RA and BA vasculature are an important reason for failure of TRA. There are few current data describing methods to overcome these challenges and reduce TRA failure. METHODS: A series of the primary RA and BA anatomical complexities are identified and management techniques to overcome these variants are discussed. RESULTS: RA and BA vascular complexities can be divided into three subsets including (1) radial artery spasm (RAS); (2) variant anatomy including tortuosity, loops, and anomalous origin of RA; (3) acquired abnormalities including perforations, atherosclerotic lesions, and calcification of RA. In-depth discussion with supportive examples for the identification and management of these challenges are provided. A classification of RAS and perforations is shown and simple algorithms that have been developed for management of RAS, perforations and loops are explained. CONCLUSIONS: Despite lower rates of bleeding and vascular complications as compared to transfemoral approach (TFA), the adoption has been relatively slow particularly due to higher failure rates. Anatomical complexities of RA and BA vasculature play an important role for TRA failure cases. Using a simply framework to classify the anatomical or functional problem, and then approach these challenges in a logical sequence should facilitate management and increase success rate for TRA.

Working through challenges of subclavian, innominate, and aortic arch regions during transradial approach.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review is to discuss different methods of working through subclavian, innominate, and aortic arch anatomical challenges to increase the success rate of transradial approach (TRA). BACKGROUND: Anatomical challenges in the subclavian, innominate, and aortic arch regions are important reasons for failure of TRA. There is limited modern literature describing methods to overcome these challenges and reduce TRA failure. METHODS: A number of primary subclavian, innominate, and aortic arch anatomical challenges are identified and management techniques to overcome them are discussed. RESULTS: Subclavian, innominate, and aortic arch anatomical challenges can be divided into five subsets, including (1) tortuosity, (2) loop, (3) stenosis, (4) congenital aberrancy, and (5) combined challenges. In depth discussion with supportive examples for the identification and management of these challenges are provided. CONCLUSIONS: Despite lower rates of bleeding and vascular complications as compared to transfemoral approach, the adoption of TRA has been relatively slow in part due to frustration from operator failure during the learning curve. Anatomical challenges of subclavian, innominate, and aortic arch regions play an important role in TRA procedural failure. Using a simple, conceptual, framework to classify the anatomical or functional problem and then applying a logical approach to these challenges can facilitate management and augment operator success rates for TRA.

Rationale and design of Dapagliflozin vErsus SacubiTrIl-valsartaN therapY in Heart Failure with reduced ejection fraction (DESTINY-HF): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure affects almost 64 million people, with more than half of it constituting heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (SGLT2i) are in the first line for HFrEF, but no head-to-head trials are available. Moreover, growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) has been demonstrated as a promising prognostic marker, specifically for HFrEF, but has not been explored much. METHODS: This pragmatic randomised controlled trial recruits 100 patients with HFrEF (ejection fraction <40%) of New York Heart Association (NYHA) II-III and allocates them in a 1:1 ratio to the dapagliflozin and sacubitril/valsartan groups. The primary objective is to assess the difference in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide serum levels at the end of 16 weeks. The secondary efficacy objectives are to assess GDF-15, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-overall summary score and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Patients will be assessed at baseline, fourth week and 16th week after randomisation. As health technology assessment practices widely differ in countries, cost assessment is a vital factor to consider. The cost needed to treat one cardiovascular event is also compared between both groups. The occurrence of safety events will also be evaluated at each follow-up point. CONCLUSION: This pragmatic study aims to compare the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin versus sacubitril/valsartan in patients with HFrEF in real-world settings. The study aims to provide clinicians with data to make informed decisions regarding the preferred drug class. Additionally, examining the impact of ARNI and SGLT2i on GDF-15 levels could offer better insights into prognosis among patients with HFrEF. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study involves human participants and was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee at AlIMS Jodhpur with reference number AIIMS/IEC/2023/5842 approved this study. Participants gave informed consent to participate in the study before taking part. The research findings will be disseminated via closed group discussions at the site of study, scientific conferences, peer-reviewed published manuscripts, and social media. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CTRI/2023/12/060772.

Total anomalous systemic venous drainage in left heterotaxy syndrome.

Total anomalous systemic venous drainage is an extremely rare congenital heart defect. In this study we describe an 11-year-old girl who presented with a history of fatigue and central cyanosis that she had had since early childhood with unremarkable precordial examination results. Investigations revealed left heterotaxy with all systemic venous drainage to the left-sided atrium with non-compaction of the left ventricle.

Anomalous Double Right Coronary Artery Presenting as Inferior Wall ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Rare Coronary Anomaly.

Congenital anomalous origin of coronary arteries is rare and occurs in 0.2%-2% of patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG). Most of the cases are benign but may present with life-threatening symptoms such as myocardial ischemia or sudden cardiac death. The prognosis depends on the site of origin of the anomalous artery, intramyocardial course, and relation to other great vessel and cardiac structures. Increased awareness and easy availability of noninvasive methods like computed tomography CAG have led to more reporting of such cases. Here, we report the case a 52-year-old male with a double right coronary artery having anomalous origin from a noncoronary aortic cusp detected during CAG which has not been reported in the literature before.

Coronary bronchial fistula - A rare incidental finding.

Coronary fistulas are unusual finding in coronary angiography (CAG) with coronary bronchial fistula (CBF) being a rarer one. Here, we represent a case of CBF which was diagnosed incidentally on CAG. These anomalous connections can be percutaneously treated.

The diagnostic accuracy of two-dimensional strain imaging echocardiography to detect the severity of coronary artery disease in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Strain imaging by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography can detect severe coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of various strain parameters in patients with non-ST segment acute coronary syndrome to detect the angiographic severity of CAD and also to compare among them. METHODS: This hospital-based observational study was conducted on 178 patients with NSTEACS and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction who presented in emergency or outdoor from July 2021 to December 2022. We excluded patients with prior coronary revascularization, heart failure, arrhythmia, more than trivial valvular heart disease, or poor acoustic window. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), peak systolic strain (SS), post systolic index (PSI), and systolic strain rate (SR) were calculated by speckle tracking with automated function imaging. Coronary angiography was done in all patients, and the syntax score was calculated. RESULTS: The strain parameters showed a significant correlation with the syntax score. There was a statistically significant difference in strain parameters between patients with left main (LM) or triple vessel disease (TVD) and others. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that GLS had a better diagnostic accuracy for detecting LM or TVD than other strain parameters. GLS with a cut-off value of -11.2% had a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 53.5% for detecting LM or TVD. CONCLUSION: Strain imaging can be a helpful bedside adjunct to conventional investigations for detecting severe CAD in patients with NSTEACS.

Origin of all Three Coronaries from Single Ostium: A Rare Case Report.

Origin of coronary arteries from the opposite sinus of Valsalva is rare and origin from a single ostium is extremely rare. Patients with these anomalies may have myocardial ischemia because of altered ostial configuration, exit angulation from the aorta, the course between great arteries, and atherosclerosis. Usually, these anomalies are diagnosed during coronary angiography either by computed tomography or catheter-based. Management depends upon the coronary anomaly and associated clinical condition.

The development and randomised feasibility trial of a Nurse-led lifestyle modification follow-up programme among post-myocardial infarction patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most often occurring disease in India accounting for 24.8% of deaths. Myocardial infarction contributes to this. A higher risk of cardiovascular disease exists due to comorbidities or the unawareness of existing illness among the Indian population. There is a shortage of published research on cardiovascular disease and a lack of standard cardiac rehabilitation programmes in India. Aim: Our study aims to develop a Nurse-led lifestyle modification follow-up programme, to assess and compare the effectiveness of the programme on health outcomes and quality of life among post-myocardial infarction patients. Methods: A two arm, single-blinded, randomised feasibility trial was conducted by developing a Nurse-led lifestyle modification follow-up programme. The interventional programme was based on the information-motivation-behavioural skill model and included health education, an educational booklet, and telephone follow-up. For feasibility testing of intervention, 12 patients were randomly allocated (n = 6/group). Patients in the control group were provided with routine care, while the intervention group was given routine care along with a Nurse-led lifestyle modification follow-up programme. Results: It was possible to use this tool. In addition to determining the tool's feasibility for use we found that the intervention group showed a significant improvement in systolic blood pressure (BP) (p = 0.001), diastolic BP (p = 0.016), Body Mass Index (BMI) (p = 0.004), and quality of life in all the subscales - physical, emotional and social (p < 0.001) after 12 weeks of discharge. Conclusion: Findings from this study will help to reinforce designing a cost-effective care delivery system in the care of post-myocardial infarction patients. This programme is a novel approach to improve preventive, curative and rehabilitative services for the post-myocardial infarction patients in India.

Cardiac Abnormalities in Refractory Status Epilepticus-an Exploratory Study.

Background and Purpose: Cardiac abnormalities have been reported during ongoing seizures and refractory status epilepticus (RSE). Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiac arrhythmias may contribute to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. We sought to explore the utility of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes in patients with RSE prognosis and functional outcome. Methods: Patients of RSE underwent electrocardiogram (ECG), holter, troponin-I (Trop I), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and 2-dimensional echocardiogram (2D Echo) along with continuous electroencephalogram in first 24 hours and admission. Heart rate changes/arrhythmias, corrected QT interval (QTc) and HRV, ventricular dysfunction or regional motion wall abnormality were studied on 2D Echo. These parameters were also at baseline, at discharge or death and 30 days post discharge. Results: This prospective observational study conducted over 18 months enrolled 20 patients with RSE, fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 47.75±17.2 years with male: female ratio of 1:1. Mean time to presentation from seizure onset was 8.80±7.024 hours. Central nervous system infection (35.0%), autoimmune encephalitis (20.0%) and cerebrovascular disease (20.0%) were the common etiologies. Amongst cardiac injury markers, cardiac enzymes and QTc prolongation were the commonest abnormalities in RSE. Both reduced HRV and presence of cardiac injury markers had significant correlation with poor outcome along with poor Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) at presentation, and presence of non convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). Conclusions: Presence of poor GCS, poor mRS, markers of cardiac injury, reduced HRV and occurrence of NCSE have a consistent correlation with mortality and poor clinical outcome. Therefore, routine assessment of cardiac abnormalities using affordable, easily accessible and non-invasive tools such as ECG, 2D Echo, holter NT-proBNP and Trop I is recommended in RSE patients.

Rare association of aneurysm of anterior mitral leaflet with bicuspid aortic valve.

Mitral valve aneurysm is defined as outpouching of the mitral valve which expands in systole and collapse in diastole. It was first reported in 1729 by Morand. Most of the cases have been described in the African population. It is rare in the Indian population. Its chief presentations are congestive heart failure, palpitations, arrhythmia, or in rare cases an embolic phenomenon. It can be diagnosed either by echocardiography or cardiac imaging (magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography). It can either occur as an isolated defect or with other associated valvular abnormalities. Here, we present a case of a 40-year-old male who was referred for the evaluation of palpitation who on the investigation was found to have a bicuspid aortic valve with severe Aortic Regurgitation (AR) along with aneurysm in the anterior mitral leaflet causing severe mitral regurgitation. This case highlights the importance of keeping a submitral aneurysm as a differential diagnosis for mitral regurgitation and searching for other associated valvular defects which may affect the management and treatment outcomes.

Résumé L'anévrisme de la valve mitrale est défini comme un gonflement de la valve mitrale qui se dilate en systole et s'effondre en diastole. Il a été signalé pour la première fois en. 1729 par Morand. La plupart des cas ont été décrits dans la population africaine. Il est rare dans la population indienne. Ses principales présentations sont insuffisance cardiaque congestive, palpitations, arythmie, ou dans de rares cas un phénomène embolique. Elle peut être diagnostiquée soit par échocardiographie, soit imagerie cardiaque (imagerie par résonance magnétique/tomodensitométrie). Il peut se produire soit comme un défaut isolé, soit avec d'autres défauts valvulaires associés. anomalies. Nous présentons ici le cas d'un homme de 40 ans qui a été référé pour l'évaluation de palpitations et qui, à l'examen, a été s'est avéré avoir une valve aortique bicuspide avec une insuffisance aortique sévère ainsi qu'un anévrisme dans le feuillet mitral antérieur provoquant une insuffisance mitrale sévère. Ce cas met en évidence l'importance de garder un anévrysme subsectoriel comme diagnostic différentiel d'une insuffisance mitrale et de rechercher d'autres défauts valvulaires associés pouvant affecter la prise en charge et les résultats du traitement. Mots-clés: Insuffisance aortique, valve aortique bicuspide, insuffisance mitrale, anévrisme submitral.