Clinical characteristics and outcomes of Australian and Indian ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of STEMI and subsequent mortality has been reported to be higher in Indian populations compared to developed countries. However, there is limited data directly comparing contemporary primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) treatment strategies and clinical outcomes for STEMI patients between developed and developing countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared population demographics, procedural characteristics, times to reperfusion and mortality in STEMI patients treated with pPCI between two tertiary referral centers in India and Australia respectively over a 3-year period (1st Jan 2017-31st Dec 2019). RESULTS: A total of 1293 STEMI presentations (896 Indian vs 397 Australian) were included. On average, Indian patients had lower median BMI than Australian patients (BMI 25.4 vs 27.8; p < 0.001), were significantly younger (mean age 56.0 vs 63.2 years; p < 0.001), more likely male (84 % vs 80 %; p = 0.046) and diabetic (48 % vs 18 %); p < 0.001). Radial access (50 % vs 88 %; p < 0.001) and TIMI III flow post PCI was also significantly lower (85 % vs 96 %; p < 0.001) with median door-to-balloon time significantly shorter in the Indian cohort (20mins vs 43mins; p < 0.001); however, median symptom to balloon time was significantly longer (245mins vs 160mins; p < 0.001). No significant differences in 30-day mortality (4.0 % vs 2.8 % Australian; p = 0.209) or 1-year mortality (6.5 % vs 4.3 %; p = 0.120) were observed. CONCLUSION: Significant differences in demographics and presentation characteristics exist between Indian and Australian STEMI patients treated with pPCI. Indian patients had significantly longer pre-hospital delays and lower achievement of TIMI III flow post PCI, yet shorter in-hospital time to treatment.

Study of clinical profile and management of patients with pulmonary embolism - single center study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical profile, diagnostic methods and management in patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: Retrospective assessment of clinical features and management of patients presenting with symptomatic pulmonary embolism from January 2005 to March 2012. RESULTS: 35 patients who were newly diagnosed to have pulmonary embolism with a mean age of 52.1 years were included in the study. Dyspnea (91.4%) and syncope (22.8%) were the predominant symptoms. Echocardiography was done in all patients. 30 patients (85.7%) had pulmonary arterial hypertension, 31 patients (88.5%) had evidence of RV dysfunction and 4 patients (16.7%) had evidence of thrombus in PA, RV. Out of 35 patients, 34 patients (97.14%) showed positive d-dimer reports. Among 35 patients, 24 (68.5%) had positive troponin values. V/Q scan was done in 14 patients (40%) and CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) was done in 24 patients (68.5%.). Thrombolysis was done is 24 patients (68.5%). All patients received low molecular weight heparin followed by warfarin. Of the 35 patients, 34 (97.1%) were discharged and were under regular follow up for 6 months and one patient died during the hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary embolism is a common problem and can be easily diagnosed provided it is clinically suspected. Early diagnosis and aggressive management is the key to successful outcome.

Risk factors of chronic kidney disease influencing cardiac calcification.

We sought to determine the influence of risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on cardiac calcification. We studied the correlation between coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and the type and duration of dialysis as well as the presence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The relation between calcium score and mortality was also analyzed. Patients with CKD attending the outpatient department or admitted in our hospital were included. They were subjected to high-resolution computerized tomography of the thorax to determine their CACS. Serum levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hCRP), homocysteine, calcium, phosphorus, and calcium × phosphorus product were measured. Out of the 50 patients studied, 39 were hypertensive (78%), 32 were diabetic (64.4%), 20 were on hemodialysis, and 13 were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The mean CACS was 388.6. Twenty-nine patients had high iPTH levels and 92.9% of them had calcium score >400 (P = 0.013). Twenty-eight patients had high hCRP and 85.7% of these patients had calcium score >400 (P = 0.048). Patients on dialysis for more than two years had higher calcium score >400 (P = 0.035). 43% of diabetics had calcium score >400 (P = 0.008). All the six patients who died had calcium score >400 (P = 0). There was statistically no significant association noted between hypertension, high calcium x phosphorus product, and high homocysteine levels, and high calcium score. Our study suggests that higher values of iPTH, hCRP, and longer duration on dialysis are associated with accelerated cardiac calcification. Calcification scores >400 are associated with increased mortality.