Drug abuse and ACS in the very young (less than 30 years): Demographic, clinical and angiographic profile.

AIM: To identify incidence, type of drug abuse study clinical and angiographic profile in very young population presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients less than 30 years with ACS included and segregated into Group 1 and 2 (with and without drug abuse respectively) RESULT: n = 153; n = 17 in group 1 of whom 35.29 % consumed opium, 17.64 % energy drinks, 17.64 % whey protein supplements, 17.64 % inhaled marijuana, 5.88 % heroin and spasmoproxyvon and 23.52 % multi-substance abusers. STEMI, Single vessel disease and urban domicile were predominant. Rising trends of drug abuse were identified in prospective (28.20 %) versus retrospective (5.30 %) timeframe (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Rising trends of drug abuse, a potentially modifiable risk factor of ACS in the young are alarming. Strict regulations are needed to curb this menace.

Clinical profile and outcome of cardiac manifestations in patients presenting with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) can cause significant morbidity and mortality in children. This study was conducted to assess the pattern and outcome of cardiac abnormalities in MIS-C. This retrospective study was conducted in children with MIS-C between 1 month and 18 years. We enrolled 53 children with a mean age of 7.78 ± 4.62 years. Overall, 35.8% of children with MIS-C had cardiac manifestations in the form of coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) or left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Younger age (P 0.009) and high C-reactive protein at admission (P = 0.001) were significant predictors of cardiac involvement. CAAs were seen in 11.3% of children. On follow-up, 67% and 83% of children showed regression of CAA at 1 and 6 months, respectively. 24.5% of patients had presented with LV dysfunction. LV ejection fraction improved significantly at 1 month (P = 0.002) and 6 months (P = 0.001). Cardiac outcomes in MIS-C were favorable with timely identification and treatment.

Role of two-dimensional strain echocardiographic parameters in suspected acute coronary syndrome patients with initial non-diagnostic electrocardiogram and troponins: An observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is often challenging especially in presence of initial normal troponins and non-specific electrocardiogram. The index study aimed at determining the diagnostic value of strain echocardiography in patients with suspected ACS but with non-diagnostic electrocardiogram and echocardiography findings. METHODS: The study was conducted on 42 patients with suspected ACS and non-diagnostic electrocardiograms, normal quantitative troponin-T levels, and left ventricular function. All patients underwent conventional and 2D-strain echocardiography followed by coronary angiography, within 24 h of admission. Patients with regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA), valvular heart disease, suspected myocarditis, and past coronary artery disease (CAD) were excluded. RESULTS: Amongst the global strains, the global circumferential strain (GCS) was significantly reduced (p = .014) amongst those with significant CAD on angiography as opposed to global longitudinal strain (GLS) which was similar in the two groups (p = .33). The GCS/GLS ratio was also significantly reduced in patients with significant CAD compared to those with normal/mild disease on coronary angiography (p = .025). Both the parameters had good accuracy in predicting significant CAD. GCS displayed a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 86% at an optimal cut-off 31.5% (AUROC: .93, 95% CI: .601-1.000; p = .03), and likewise GCS/GLS ratio had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity and 86% at a cut-off of 1.89% (AUROC: .86, 95% CI: .592-1.000; p = .049). GLS and peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) did not differ significantly in patients with/without significant CAD (p = .32 and .58, respectively). CONCLUSION: GCS and GCS/GLS ratio provides incremental value in comparison to GLS, PALS, and tissue Doppler indices (E/e') in patients with suspected ACS and non-diagnostic electrocardiogram and troponins. GCS at cut-off of >31.5% and GCS/GLS ratio >1.89 can reliably exclude patients with significant CAD in this setting.

Prevalence and predictors of lower extremity atherosclerotic disease amongst high-risk patients using ankle brachial index.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) continues to increase worldwide. This is expected to translate into logarithmic rise in lower-limb amputations especially in the developing world. Majority of patients suffering from LEAD remain asymptomatic until late and are vulnerable to limb-threatening complications unless actively screened and treated. METHODS: This was a prospective, single-center, observational study to determine the prevalence and predictors of LEAD. Patients with known atherosclerotic vascular disease (but not known LEAD) or those at risk were enrolled. All underwent ankle brachial index (ABI) measurement as per the standard protocol. A threshold of ABI ≤0.90 was taken to diagnose LEAD. RESULTS: A total of 1000 patients were enrolled. The mean age of the group was 61.4 ± 10.0 years and the prevalence of LEAD was 10.2%. Amongst those who had LEAD, the majority of patients (69.6%) had no symptoms. The prevalence of LEAD in diabetic population in our study was 13.2% and it was 30.9% in coronary artery disease patients . Factors independently linked to LEAD on regression analysis included advanced age, presence of diabetes, smoking history, lower serum HDL and a lower ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of patients suffering from LEAD are asymptomatic. Early diagnoses and institution of appropriate medical and physical therapy can prevent excess morbidity and mortality due to LEAD. Factors independently linked to LEAD are advanced age, presence of diabetes, smoking history, lower serum HDL and a lower ejection fraction. The presence of either of these should signal undertaking of appropriate steps to unmask underlying LEAD.

Clinical profile of patients with cardiac amyloidosis in India.

Limited data exists on patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) in India, due to underdiagnosis and late presentation. We present single centre data from 13 patients over a 4 year period with a median age of 65 years. A majority presented with symptomatic heart failure (69%) and eight patients had confirmed AL amyloidosis. At the end of the follow up period, 46% patients died, with 30% of the overall cohort dead within six months. Among the survivors, 71% continue to have NYHA grade III/IV symptoms. A suggested algorithm for earlier diagnosis in resource constrained settings is also presented.

Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome II presenting paradoxically as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a case report and reappraisal of pathophysiology.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a rare disease entity characterized by acute, non-ischemic, reversible myocardial dysfunction that mimics acute myocardial infarction. Activation and excessive outflow of sympathetic nervous system are believed to be central to the figure in the disease pathogenesis. Adrenocortical hormones potentiate the systemic actions of sympathetic nervous system and accordingly are essential for regulation of myocardial function. We present an unusual case of a middle-aged woman with primary adrenal insufficiency who presented paradoxically with TCM. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old woman with past history of hypothyroidism presented to emergency department with history of acute chest pain and syncope. There was no significant drug history or history of an emotional or physical stimulus prior to admission. Prominent pigmentation over the tongue and skin creases of hands were noted. On presentation, she was in shock and had ventricular tachycardia which required electrical cardioversion. The subsequent electrocardiogram demonstrated diffuse T-wave inversions with prolonged QTC. There was apical hypokinesia on echocardiogram, and cardiac biomarkers were elevated. There was persistent inotropic requirement. She had marked postural symptoms, and a postural blood pressure drop of 50 mm Hg was present. Initial laboratory parameters were significant for hyperkalemia (7.8 mEq/L) and hyponatremia (128 mEq/L). These findings prompted evaluation for adrenal insufficiency which was confirmed with appropriate tests. Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome II was thus diagnosed based on the above findings. Coronary angiography revealed normal coronaries. The diagnoses of TCM was established in accordance with the International Takotsubo Diagnostic Criteria. She was started on stress dose steroid replacement therapy and improved dramatically. At one month of follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic, and there was normalization of her left ventricular function. CONCLUSIONS: Intricate relationship and interplay exist between the steroid hormones and catecholamines in the pathogenesis of TCM. Steroid hormones not only potentiate the actions of catecholamines, but they also regulate and channelize catecholaminergic actions preventing their deleterious effects on the cardiac tissue. Hence, both steroid deficiency and exogenous steroid replacement may precipitate TCM. Evidence from more such cases and larger perspective studies in future will further improve our understanding of this complex disease process and its myriad associations.

Establishing a diagnostic reference level of radiation dose in coronary angiography and intervention: A prospective evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Invasive Coronary Angiography (CAG) leads to significant radiation exposure to the patients. Guidelines suggest that a local landmark or Diagnostic Reference Level (DRL) for these procedures should be established for every region and country. This study attempts to create a DRL for a tertiary care hospital, acting as an interim DRL for the country/region. METHODS: Radiation exposure data for all coronary procedures done at a tertiary care hospital between October 2016 to September 2018 were collected. Data was segregated into diagnostic Coronary Angiography (CAG) and single-vessel Percutaneous Intervention (PCI). The parameters collected include dose surface product (PKA), skin surface entry dose (KAR), and fluoroscopy time (FT). The 75th percentile of the PKA was used to define the DRL. RESULTS: 500 Patients were included in the CAG group, in which the Median KAR was 412.05 mGy, Median PKA was 2635.7 µGysqm, and median FT was 2.25 min. The DRL for coronary angiography was calculated as 3695.1 µGysqm. Two hundred fifty patients were in the PCI group, the Median KAR was 1649 mGy, Median PKA was 8822.1 µGysqm, the median FT being 8.2 min. The DRL for single-vessel coronary intervention was calculated as 11038 µGysqm. CONCLUSION: This study establishes a benchmark for radiation dose for diagnostic coronary angiography and single-vessel coronary intervention at a tertiary care hospital in NCR. It establishes an interim DRL that can be used for future studies in other institutions in the region and country and to compare with other countries.

First in man: percutaneous coronary angioplasty using non-fluoroscopic electro-anatomic mapping.

Reduction of radiography exposure and contrast use continue to be challenging goals for interventional cardiology. We present a case where percutaneous coronary intervention was done successfully using an electroanatomic mapping system (NavX™; Abbot Inc. USA); with near zero use of fluoroscopy or contrast agent.

Pediatric oral lichen planus: review and case report.

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is one of the most common dermatologic diseases occurring in the mouth with an overall prevalence of 0.5 - 2.2%. Childhood OLP is rare and follows an atypical course. OLP typically presents clinically as bilateral, symmetrical, flat- topped polygonal papules and plaques that may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. The aim of this article is to present a brief review of OLP with a case report of a 7 year old girl with OLP.