Isolated right ventricular myocardial infarction caused by occlusion of an anomalous non-dominant right coronary artery: successful management with percutaneous coronary intervention.

Isolated right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI) is a rare clinical presentation of acute coronary syndrome. A high index of suspicion is needed for its timely diagnosis and management to prevent serious complications like heart failure, cardiogenic shock, ventricular arrythmias or sudden cardiac death. Coronary anomalies are rare entities with a varied clinical presentation. We report an interesting case of a middle-aged female who presented with isolated RVMI, with a borderline blood pressure and sinus node dysfunction resulting from occlusion of an anomalous right coronary artery. The successful management of this patient with percutaneous coronary intervention using coronary stenting is also discussed.

Bronchial artery embolization: A gratifying life-saving procedure.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is an urgent life-saving procedure in patients with massive hemoptysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a single center observational study wherein patients presenting with hemoptysis were evaluated and underwent BAE. Initially, a descending thoracic aortogram was performed to identify culprit vessels followed by selective catheterization of the involved vessels. Abnormal bronchial artery morphology included hypertrophied and tortuous bronchial artery (BA), focal hyperemia and hypervascularity, shunting into pulmonary artery or vein, extravasation of contrast into the lung parenchyma/cavity and BA aneurysms. Selective embolization was done using either gelfoam or polyvinyl alcohol particles. Post-procedure, follow-up was done at one month and six months with outcomes defined in terms of recurrence of hemoptysis. RESULTS: A total of 187 patients underwent BAE with post-tubercular sequalae being the most common diagnosis in 157 (84%) followed by idiopathic bronchiectasis in 19 (10.2%) and aspergilloma in 7 (3.7%). A total of 246 vessels were embolized with right sided BA being more commonly involved as compared to left [143 (76.5%) vs. 35 (18.7%); P < 0.0001]. Complete resolution was observed in 183 (97.8%) 24 hours post procedure. Recurrence was reported in 34 (18.2%) patients with higher frequency in diabetics, patients with active tuberculosis and presence of aspergillomas. Multi-variate logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes, presence of an aspergilloma and feeding vessels from internal mammary artery were independent predictors of recurrent hemoptysis. Most of the complications were minor except paraparesis observed in two patients. CONCLUSION: BAE is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of hemoptysis of different etiologies.

Speckle Tracking Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Function by Myocardial Strain Before and After Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: In patients of aortic stenosis and regurgitation, pressure and volume effects on left ventricular function are occult and missed by routine echocardiography markers like ejection fraction (EF). Speckle tracking analysis by measuring global longitudinal strain and global circumferential strain seems to ascertain this occult LV function parameters at an early phase in a more comprehensive manner. Limited studies have examined these parameters pre/post aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: 94 consecutive patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic regurgitation (AR), planned for AVR were included (as per set inclusion criteria) along with 15 normal controls-15 months prospective study. Routine echocardiography and speckle tracking imaging was done at baseline (pre AVR) and post AVR at 1st week, 1st month and 3rd month of follow up. RESULTS: 90 patients completed study (70 in AS and 20 in AR group). In AS group mean values (± 2 standard deviations) of global longitudinal strain (GLS) improved from a baseline -10.9% (± 3.9) to -19.4% (±3.8) at 3rd month (p value < 0.0001). Mean values of global circumferential strain (GCS) too improved from -17.3% (±4.5) to -21.4% (±3.6) respectively (p value < 0.0001). In AR group too mean values of global longitudinal strain progressed from a baseline -12.6% (±3.9) to -19.4% (±3.4) at three months of follow (p value < 0.0001) and mean values of global circumferential strain also progressed from -15.3% (±3.4) at baseline to -21.7% (±3.1) respectively (p value < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Magnitude of recovery of GLS and GCS after AVR was more as compared to recovery in EF. Poor GLS/GCS values at baseline were associated with lesser recovery pressing need for an earlier intervention.

Cardiovascular complications and its impact on outcomes in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a widespread morbidity and mortality. Limited data exists regarding the involvement of cardiovascular system in COVID-19 patients. We sought to evaluate the cardiovascular (CV) complications and its impact on outcomes in symptomatic COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This was a single center observational study among symptomatic COVID-19 patients. Data regarding clinical profile, laboratory investigations, CV complications, treatment and outcomes were collected. Cardiac biomarkers and 12 lead electrocardiograms were done in all while echocardiography was done in those with clinical indications for the same. Corrected QT-interval (QTc) at baseline and maximum value during hospitalization were computed. RESULTS: Of the 108 patients, majority of them were males with a mean age of 51.2 ± 17.7 years. Hypertension (38%) and diabetes (32.4%) were most prevalent co-morbidities. ECG findings included sinus tachycardia in 18 (16.9%), first degree AV block in 5 (4.6%), VT/VF in 2 (1.8%) and sinus bradycardia in one (0.9%). QTc prolongation was observed in 17.6% subjects. CV complications included acute cardiac injury in 25.9%, heart failure, cardiogenic shock and acute coronary syndrome in 3.7% each, "probable" myocarditis in 2.8% patients. Patients with acute cardiac injury had higher mortality than those without (16/28 [57.1%] vs 14/78 [17.5%]; P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that acute cardiac injury (OR: 11.3), lymphopenia (OR: 4.91), use of inotropic agents (OR: 2.46) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (OR:1.1) were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: CV complications such as acute cardiac injury is common in COVID-19 patients and is associated with worse prognosis.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Single Coronary Artery from Right Sinus: Radial Route is Right.

We present percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using radial approach in a rare case of single coronary artery originating from the right sinus. Although these anomalies and stenosis of anomalous vessels have been described previously, treatment of atherosclerotic lesions by PCI has rarely been reported. There is a definite procedural risk during PCI in patients with a single ostium because dissection with the guiding catheter would result in a catastrophic event. Additionally, technical difficulties may occur due to the ostial configuration and course of the branch to be stented. The patient suffered an acute coronary syndrome-inferior wall STEMI, and was thrombolysed elsewhere within a window period of 4 h. He had post myocardial infarction (MI) angina and was referred to our center after 3 days of thrombolysis. We present this technically challenging and rare case in which PCI of right coronary artery was performed through the radial route.

Successful retrieval of fractured pressure wire tip (FFR) by hybrid technique.

Coronary angiography and angioplasty are relatively safe procedures but not without complications. We report an interesting case of effort angina taken for angioplasty of the LCX and assessment of fractional flow reserve (FFR) for the LAD artery lesion in which the tip of the pressure wire was broken and embolised to the LCX while trying to retrieve it. This is the first case report using a hybrid technique with a slip catheter for the successful retrieval of a fractured FFR wire.