Study of Correlation of Serum Vitamin D Levels with Arterial Stiffness and Cardiovascular Morbidity in Elderly Individuals of Western Rajasthan.

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent condition in western countries as well as in India. Lower level of vitamin D is associated with increased arterial stiffness by activating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system leading to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality including increased risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. Our aim was to study the correlation between serum vitamin D level, various measures of arterial stiffness and cardiovascular morbidity in elderly individuals. Material and Method: The present study was conducted in collaboration with Department of Medicine, Department of Cardiology and Regional Geriatric Centre, NPHCE, MDM Hospital attached to Dr. S.N. medical college Jodhpur. Total 100 elderly individuals 60 yrs and above attending hospital for minor short illness, acute illness or for routine health checkup or with acute coronary events are included in the study. Vitamin D level was assessed by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Pulse Wave Velocity was determined by Periscope. Results: In subjects with coronary artery disease, 28.30% were vitamin D deficient, 49.05% were vitamin D insufficient and only 22.64% are vitamin D sufficient. In healthy subjects, 25.53% were vitamin D deficient, 23.40% were vitamin D insufficient and 51.04% were vitamin D sufficient. The difference between these groups was statistically highly significant. (p value-0.006). Various measures of arterial stiffness including Rt baPWV, Lt baPWV, cf PWV and pulse pressure are more in vitamin D deficient group as compared to vitamin D sufficient group. The difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is quite common condition in elderly individuals which besides its bone mineralization action is also involved in cardiovascular functions. Deficiency of vitamin D may cause increase in arterial stiffness and widening of pulse pressure which are the predictor of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Acute pancreatitis complicated by ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiographic abnormalities mimicking myocardial ischemia have been reported in intra-abdominal conditions, including acute pancreatitis. However, the occurrence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is rare. OBJECTIVES: To present a case report of a young man with acute pancreatitis subsequently complicated by acute STEMI. The diagnosis and management of STEMI in acute pancreatitis can present unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, which are reviewed. CASE REPORT: A 31-year-old man with no conventional coronary risk factors presented with acute abdominal pain, elevated pancreatic enzymes, and computed tomography scan findings of acute pancreatitis. The patient developed chest discomfort and presented to us on Day 2 with electrocardiographic evidence of an evolved extensive anterior wall myocardial infarction. Cardiac troponin I levels were elevated, and the electrocardiogram showed regional wall motion abnormalities in the left anterior descending territory (LAD). Coronary angiography done after stabilization showed a thrombus in the LAD, with no atherosclerotic lesions whatsoever. Hemostatic abnormalities are known in acute pancreatitis, and the development of a transient hypercoagulable state may be responsible for thrombotic complications. The overlap of some of the symptoms of the two conditions may cause diagnostic difficulty. Management issues include the choice of revascularization therapy, the safety of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy, intravenous fluid administration, and the use of cardiac medications that potentially can cause hypotension. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis and management of STEMI in the setting of acute pancreatitis can be challenging. In the absence of guidelines, a multidisciplinary approach individualized to the patient's clinical situation may be most appropriate.

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.

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.

Warfarin-induced diffuse alveolar hemorrhage: Case report and a review of the literature.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) refers to the intra-alveolar accumulation of blood originating from the pulmonary microvasculature. This life-threatening condition is a medical emergency as patients often develop acute respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. This mandates for an early diagnosis with prompt and aggressive management strategies. A host of clinical disorders are known to cause DAH; however, warfarin-induced alveolar hemorrhage is a distinct clinical rarity. A search of the literature reveals few reports documenting this entity. A 27-year-old male presented with complaints of recent-onset hemoptysis and dyspnea. One month back, he was diagnosed with lower-limb deep-venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. He had been taking oral anticoagulants irregularly since then without monitoring of prothrombin time. Chest radiograph, done on presentation, revealed bilateral upper-lobe infiltrates, whereas computed tomography of the chest was suggestive of bilateral upper-lobe ground-glass opacities. Serial bronchoscopic alveolar lavage yielded samples which became progressively bloodier, whereas cytological evaluation of the sample revealed numerous alveolar macrophages with intracytoplasmic hemosiderin. A diagnosis of DAH due to warfarin was made, and the patient was administered Vitamin K followed by infusion of fresh frozen plasma. There was a marked clinical recovery, and the patient has been asymptomatic since then.

Prevalence and spectrum of iron deficiency in heart failure patients in south Rajasthan.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and pattern of iron deficiency (ID) in heart failure (HF) patients with or without anemia. METHODS: This is a single-center observational study, conducted at a tertiary care hospital of south Rajasthan. Patients admitted to hospital with clinical diagnosis of HF based on validated clinical criteria were included in the study. ID was diagnosed based on complete Iron profile, including serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation (TSAT). Anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) <13g/dl for males and <12g/dl for females, based on World Health Organization definition. Absolute ID was taken as serum ferritin<100µg/L and functional ID was defined as normal serum ferritin (100-300µg/L) with low TSAT (<20%). RESULTS: A total of 150 patients of HF (68% males and 32% females) were studied. Most of the patients were of high-functional NYHA class (mean NYHA 2.89±0.95). ID was present in 76% patients with 48.7% patients having absolute and 27.3% patients having functional ID. Females were having significantly higher prevalence of ID than males (91.6% vs 68.6%; p=0.002). Nearly one-fourth of the patients were having ID but without anemia, signifying importance of workup of ID other than Hb. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the yet underestimated and neglected burden of ID in HF patients in India. This study suggests further large-scale studies to better characterize this easily treatable condition and considering routine testing in future Indian guidelines.