Clinical, Demographic, and Angiographic Profiles of Amarnath Pilgrims Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: The challenges posed by high altitude are particularly significant in terms of cardiovascular health. There are currently no data available on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among Amarnath pilgrims. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical and angiographic profiles of ACS among Amarnath pilgrims, focusing on demographic characteristics, risk factors, types of ACS, clinical presentation, angiographic findings, and in-hospital outcomes. By examining these aspects, we aimed to provide insights into the unique challenges faced by pilgrims during their spiritual journey and to identify potential strategies for improving the prevention and management of ACS in this population.  Methods: This was a hospital-based, prospective, observational study that included patients who had participated in the pilgrimage and presented with ACS between 2022 and 2023.  Results: Sixty patients were recruited for the study, with a mean age of 51.19 ± 11.17 years. Of these, 43 (71.7%) were male. Risk factors identified in the study included hypertension in 35 (58.3%), smoking in 23 (38.3%), diabetes mellitus in 18 (30%), and dyslipidemia in 25 (41.6%) patients. ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was present in 46 (76.66%) patients, Anterior wall myocardial infarction (AWMI) occurred in 29 (48.3%), inferior wall myocardial infarction (IWMI) in 15 (25%), and high lateral wall myocardial infarction (HLWMI) in two (3.3%) patients. Of the 60 patients, 19 (31.6%) were in Killip class I, 16 (26.6%) were in class II, and 25 (41.6%) were in classes III or IV. The average time from the onset of symptoms to hospitalization was 7.6 ± 3.1 hours, significantly higher in those with Killip class III or IV (9.3 ± 3.6 vs. 5.4 ± 2.7 hours, p = 0.01). There were nine (15%) in-hospital deaths, and in the multivariate analysis, advanced Killip class (p = 0.04) and delays in hospitalization of more than six hours (p = 0.03) were found to be significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, 40% of patients presented in the advanced Killip class, and 15% experienced in-hospital mortality. The average time from the onset of symptoms to hospitalization was significantly higher for those categorized in the advanced Killip classes. Our study highlights a significant association between advanced Killip class, delay in hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality among Amarnath pilgrims with ACS, underscoring the importance of timely intervention. It is recommended that appropriate measures be taken to improve patient outcomes in these cases.

Echocardiographic Measurements in Normal Healthy Adult Population of North India.

BACKGROUND AND AIM:  Interpretation of imaging modalities depends on robust normal reference limits. Ethnicity is an essential determinant of cardiac chamber sizes. Though few studies from India have focused on this research, it has yet to include the Kashmiri population. We aimed to study normal echocardiographic values of healthy Kashmiri adults and compare them with Western and Indian studies. METHODS:  It was a prospective observational study on healthy adults of Kashmir Valley. A comprehensive echocardiographic analysis following standardized protocols was performed. RESULTS:  A total of 2245 study participants were analyzed. The mean age was 32.52±11.55 years. There were 1100 (49%) males. Males had higher absolute left ventricular volumes and mass, left atrial volumes, right ventricular diameter, and aortic size, while females had higher absolute left ventricular ejection fraction and early and late diastolic mitral inflow velocities. Males had higher indexed left ventricular end-systolic volume, while females had higher indexed left ventricular end diastole diameter, aorta diameter, right ventricle, and left and right atrial sizes. Left ventricular mass and diastolic parameters were significantly associated with age. Compared with the American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging, absolute values of left ventricle size, volumes, mass, right ventricle size, aortic size, and left and right atrial size were higher than those in our study. Our study population had a higher left ventricle ejection fraction. Among indexed parameters, left ventricle volumes, left ventricle systolic diameter, aortic annulus, and left and right atrial volumes were still significantly higher in Western data. While comparing with Indian data, we noted significant regional differences. CONCLUSION:  We provide normal reference values for our local population. We noted significant differences with Western as well as other Indian populations. Our study highlights the need for developing ethnic-specific reference values of various echocardiographic measurements.

Multiple Uterine Leiomyomas in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 with a Novel MEN1 Gene Mutation.

To report the clinical, hormonal, and genetic features of a female with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) with multiple uterine leiomyomas. The study was conducted at a tertiary care endocrinology unit. A 27-year-old female was diagnosed with prolactinoma, primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), and multiple uterine leiomyomas. In view of prolactinoma and PHPT, a clinical diagnosis of MEN1 syndrome was made. She also had multiple uterine leiomyomas for which myomectomy was done. Genetic analysis revealed a novel mutation c.1763C>T, p.S588L of MEN1 gene. The association of uterine leiomyomas with MEN1 is exceptionally rare. This is the first report of multiple uterine leiomyomas in a patient with MEN1 from our country and the first report of this mutation in the MEN1 gene in the world. We conclude that in the presence of multiple uterine leiomyomas and endocrine tumor, clinical examination and laboratory evaluation may uncover the diagnosis of MEN1 syndrome in these patients.