Quantification and environmental impact of slaughter waste during its life cycle.

Considering the lack of an in-depth and comprehensive study on slaughter waste quantification and its management, despite the growing demand for meat this study aims to quantify the slaughter waste generated in Mumbra, Thane, India, from the meat retail stores. The study also endeavors to find the composition of slaughter waste in municipal solid waste by employing the questionnaire survey method. The literature reviewed the published studies on the life cycle analysis of food products for global warming potential values for meat and vegetable products along with the vegetarian and non-vegetarian dietary patterns. In this study, it was observed that 55.93% of the population were non-vegetarian consumers and the composition of slaughter waste was 7% of total municipal solid waste disposed of in disposal sites resulting in greenhouse gas emission of 0.11 Gg CO2 Eq./year. The study presents the implementation of a biomethanation plant as a mitigation measure, along with an evaluation of the theoretical biogas potential and electricity generation capacity derived from slaughter waste, considering it as a potential feedstock. The outcomes of this study also highlight the necessity for further focused research in this specific area, aiming to increase consumer knowledge regarding the environmental impacts of meat-based diets. The finding of this study will help researchers and assists policymakers in facilitating effective management and understanding the scale of the emissions resulting from meat products and slaughter waste and identifying suitable mitigation approaches, and actively contributing to reducing the environmental footprint.

Evaluation of lead-based echodensities on transesophageal echocardiogram in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

INTRODUCTION: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is recommended to rule out endocarditis in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). A lead-based echodensity (LBE), however, is often found on TEE in patients with a CIED and may not represent an infection. We sought to evaluate the predictors, characteristics, and clinical significance of LBEs seen on TEE in patients with a CIED. METHODS: Patients with a CIED were retrospectively identified from a database using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9/ICD-10 codes and were cross-matched with Current Procedural Terminology codes for a TEE. Clinical and follow-up data were collected. A blinded echo board-certified cardiologist reviewed all TEEs. RESULTS: Out of the 231 patients in the cohort, 191 had TEE performed for a noninfection-related indication while 40 TEEs were part of an endocarditis workup. A total of 50 LBEs were identified, and a majority were in the noninfection cohort. Systemic anticoagulant use in the noninfection cohort was associated with a decreased odds of having LBE on TEE (odds ratio [OR] of 0.23 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06-0.60, p = .003]). Lead dwell time in the noninfection cohort was associated with an increased odds of having LBE on TEE (OR 1.21 (95% CI: 1.04-1.39, p = .009]). CONCLUSION: In our cohort of patients who had TEE for noninfection indications we found that systemic anticoagulant use is associated with fewer LBEs on TEEs, suggesting possible thrombin fibrin composition of LBE.

A comparative study of the two leadless pacemakers in clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: AVEIR-VR leadless pacemaker (LP) was recently approved for clinical use. Although trial data were promising, post-approval real world data with regard to its effectiveness and safety is lacking. To report our early experience with AVEIR-VR LP with regard to its effectiveness and safety and compare it with MICRA-VR. METHODS: The first 25 patients to undergo AVEIR-VR implant at our institution between June and November 2022, were compared to 25 age- and sex-matched patients who received MICRA-VR implants. RESULTS: In both groups, mean age was 73 years and 48% were women. LP implant was successful in 100% of patients in both groups. Single attempt deployment was achieved in 80% of AVEIR-VR and 60% of MICRA-VR recipients (p = 0.07). Fluoroscopy, implant, and procedure times were numerically longer in the AVEIR-VR group compared to MICRA-VR group (p > 0.05). No significant periprocedural complications were noted in both groups. Incidence of ventricular arrhythmias were higher in the AVEIR-VR group (20%) compared to the MICRA-VR group (0%) (p = 0.043). At 2 and 8 weeks follow-up, device parameters remained stable in both groups with no device dislodgements. The estimated battery life at 8 weeks was significantly longer in the AVEIR-VR group (15 years) compared to the MICRA-VR group (8 years) (p = 0.047). With 3-4 AVEIR-VR implants, the learning curve for successful implantation reached a steady state. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience with AVEIR-VR show that it has comparable effectiveness and safety to MICRA-VR. Larger sample studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Anatomical location of leadless pacemaker and the risk of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear if the location of implantation of the leadless pacemaker (LP) makes a difference in the incidence of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM). AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of PICM based on the location of implantation of LP. METHODS: A total of 358 consecutive patients [women: 171 (48%), mean age: 73 ± 15 years] with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) > 50%, who received an LP (Micra) between January 2017 and June 2022, formed the study cohort. Micra-AV and Micra-VR were implanted in 122 (34%) and 236 (66%) patients, respectively. Fluoroscopically, the location of implantation of LP in the interventricular septum (IS) was divided into two equal halves (apex/apical septum [AS] and mid/high septum [HS]). During follow-up, PICM was defined as an EF drop of ≥10%. RESULTS: LP was implanted in 109 (34%) and 249 (66%) patients at AS and HS locations, respectively. During a mean 18 ± 8 months follow-up, 28 patients (7.8%) developed PICM. Among the 249 patients with HS placement of LP, 10 (4%) developed PICM, whereas among the 109 patients with AS placement of LP, 18 (16.5%) developed PICM (p = .002). AS location was associated with a higher risk of PICM compared to HS locations (adjusted hazard ratio: 4.42, p < .001). CONCLUSION: AS location of LP was associated with a higher risk of PICM compared to HS placement. Larger randomized studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Look before you place: A bizarre ECG artifact due to lead placement.

The Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a readily available non-invasive test used in the evaluation of a patient with angina. ECG artifacts are common and stem from a number of different reasons including lead placement and must be identified to appropriately manage patients. We present the case of an elderly patient for whom an ECG was performed to evaluate chest pain showing an abnormal waveform concerning for an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Closer inspection of the ECG revealed a characteristic pattern documented in the literature known as Aslanger's Sign seen when an ECG lead is placed over an artery.

Inappropriate Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy With the Use of an Underbody Electrosurgery Dispersive Electrode.

Perioperative management of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators is an important part of anesthetic care. Society recommendations and expert consensus statements exist to aid clinicians, and they have identified the umbilicus as an important landmark in decision-making. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator antitachycardia therapy may not need to be deactivated for infraumbilical surgery because electromagnetic interference is unlikely to occur. The authors present two cases in which inappropriate antitachycardia therapy occurred intraoperatively with use of an underbody dispersive electrode, even though both surgeries were infraumbilical. The authors also present two cadaver models to demonstrate how monopolar electrosurgery below the umbilicus is sensed using both traditional and underbody dispersive electrosurgical return electrodes.

Association of T-wave abnormalities with major cardiovascular events in diabetes: the ACCORD trial.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: T-wave abnormalities (TWA) are often found on ECG and signify abnormal ventricular repolarisation. While TWA have been shown to be associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, the relationship between TWA and hard cardiovascular endpoints is less clear and may differ in the presence of diabetes, so we sought to explore these associations in participants from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial. METHODS: TWA were operationally defined as the presence of any Minnesota Codes 5-1 through 5-4 in any lead distribution. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to examine relationships between TWA and clinical cardiovascular events. Secondary analyses explored the risks conferred by major vs minor TWA, differential effects of TWA by anatomic localisation (anterolateral, inferior or anterior lead distributions), and differing associations in those with or without prevalent CVD. RESULTS: Among 8176 eligible participants (mean 62.1 ± 6.3 SD years, 61.4% male), there were 3759 cardiovascular events, including 1430 deaths (473 of a cardiovascular aetiology), 474 heart failure events, 1452 major CHD events and 403 strokes. Participants with TWA had increased risks of all-cause mortality (HR 1.45 [95% CI 1.30, 1.62], p < 0.0001), cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.93 [1.59, 2.34], p = 0.0001), congestive heart failure (HR 2.04 [1.69, 2.48], p < 0.0001) and major CHD (HR 1.40 [1.26, 1.57], p < 0.0001), but no increased risk of stroke (HR 0.99 [0.80, 1.23], p = 0.95). Major TWA conferred a higher risk than minor TWA. When TWA were added to the UK Prospective Diabetes Study risk engine, there was improved discrimination for incident CHD events, but only for those with prevalent CVD (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.5744 and 0.6030 with p = 0.0067). Adding TWA to the risk engine yielded improvements in reclassification that were of greater magnitude in those with prevalent CVD (net reclassification improvement [NRI] 0.24 [95% CI 0.16, 0.32] in those with prevalent CVD, NRI 0.14 [95% CI 0.07, 0.22] in those without prevalent CVD). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The presence and magnitude of TWA are associated with increased risk of clinical cardiovascular events and mortality in individuals with diabetes and may have value in refining risk, particularly in those with prevalent CVD. Graphical abstract.

New-onset atrial fibrillation incidence and associated outcomes in the medical intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: In patients with critical medical illness, data regarding new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is relatively sparse. This study examines the incidence, associated risk factors, and associated outcomes of NOAF in patients in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). METHODS: This single-center retrospective observational cohort study included 2234 patients with MICU stays in 2018. An automated extraction process using ICD-10 codes, validated by a 196-patient manual chart review, was used for data collection. Demographics, medications, and risk factors were collected. Multiple risk scores were calculated for each patient, and AF recurrence was also manually extracted. Length of stay, mortality, and new stroke were primary recorded outcomes. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty one patients of the 2234 patient cohort (11.4%) developed NOAF during their MICU stay. NOAF was associated with greater length of stay in the MICU (5.84 vs. 3.52 days, p < .001) and in the hospital (15.7 vs. 10.9 days, p < .001). Patients with NOAF had greater odds of hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR) = 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34-2.71, p < .001) and 1-year mortality (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.82, p = .03). CHARGE-AF scores performed best in predicting NOAF (area under the curve (AUC) 0.691, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of NOAF in this MICU cohort was 11.4%, and NOAF was associated with a significant increase in hospital LOS and mortality. Furthermore, the CHARGE-AF score performed best in predicting NOAF.

Prognostic value of Goldberger's electrocardiographic criteria for left ventricular dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: The ability of the Goldberger electrocardiographic (ECG) triad criteria to detect left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) is well-established. However, the prognostic significance of this triad as a predictor of poor outcomes is not known. OBJECTIVE: We explored the association between the Goldberger ECG-LVD triad with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in the general population. METHODS: This analysis included 8426 participants (60.5 ±â€¯13.6 years, 51.5% women, 50% non-Hispanic white) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The Goldberger ECG-LVD triad was defined as follows: high precordial QRS voltage (SV1 or SV2 + RV5 or RV6 ≥ 3500 µV); low limb lead QRS voltage (mean QRS amplitude in each of the limb leads ≤800 µV); and poor R wave progression (RV4/SV4 < 1). Mortality was ascertained using the National Death Index. RESULTS: At baseline, 1384 (47.3%) of the participants had at least one of the criteria of Goldberger triad (1193 had only one and 191 participants had 2 or more). During a median follow up of 13.8 years, 3184 deaths occurred, of which 1405 were cardiovascular. In multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, presence of at least one of the Goldberger triad criteria (vs. none) was associated with increased risk of all-cause (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.08-1.26, p ≤0.0001) and cardiovascular mortality (1.19, 1.06-1.33, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The Goldberger ECG-LVD triad for left ventricular dysfunction may offer prognostic value in addition to its reported diagnostic utility.

Management of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with LVAD.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have extended the life expectancy of patients with heart failure. The hemodynamic support afforded by LVADs in this population has also resulted in patients having prolonged ventricular arrhythmias. The purpose of this article is to review the mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias in LVADs and the available management strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent evidence suggests that prolonged ventricular arrhythmias may result in increased mortality in patients with LVADs. SUMMARY: Successful management of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with LVAD requires interdisciplinary collaboration between electrophysiology and heart failure specialists. Medical management, including changes to LVAD changes, heart failure medication management, and antiarrhythmics constitute the initial treatment for ventricular arrhythmias. Surgical or endocardial ablation are reasonable options if VAs are refractory.

P-wave axis is associated with all-cause mortality in diabetes: The ACCORD trial.

Abnormal P-wave axis (PWA) has emerged as a novel marker of risk for both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality (ACM) in the general population, though this relationship has not been adequately explored among those with type 2 diabetes (DM2). We aimed to explore the association between abnormal PWA and ACM among a large, well-phenotyped group of participants with DM2 from the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial. This analysis included 8899 ACCORD participants with available PWA data on baseline electrocardiogram. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between PWA and ACM in models adjusted for demographics, ACCORD trial treatment assignment, and potential confounders. PWA was modeled as either normal (0° -75°) or abnormal (<0° or >75°). Over 44,000 person-years of follow up, there were 609 deaths. Participants with abnormal PWA had increased risk of ACM (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.25-2.08). After multivariable adjustment, the association remained significant (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03-1.72). This relationship was similar in subgroups stratified by age, race, sex, and history of CVD. Among ACCORD trial participants, abnormal PWA was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Abnormal PWA may have added value beyond traditional risk factors in prediction models.

QRS duration is associated with all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes: The diabetes heart study.

BACKGROUND: QRS-duration predicts mortality in patients with heart failure and, to a lesser extent, the general population. However, in patients with diabetes, its prognostic significance is unknown. To better understand how QRS-duration relates to mortality among those with diabetes, we explored survival as a function of QRS-duration in the Diabetes Heart Study. METHODS: The study population included 1335 participants. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to evaluate the relationship between QRS-duration and all-cause mortality, comparing those with QRS-duration ≤120 vs. >120 (ms). Multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, race, hypertension, smoking, years with diabetes, BMI, systolic blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, glomerular filtration rate, and hemoglobin A1c. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Participants were: mean age 61 ± 9, 55% women, 83% white; 99 participants (7.5%) had a QRS-duration >120. After 11,000 person-years of follow-up (median 8.5 years; maximum 13.9 years), 266 participants had died (20%). Participants with baseline QRS-duration >120 had an adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality of 1.56 (95% CI 1.05-2.24; p = 0.027). Modeling QRS-duration as a continuous variable, we found an 11% increase in all-cause mortality for each 10 ms increase in QRS-duration. In conclusion, QRS-duration is associated with subsequent all-cause mortality among those with type 2 diabetes-participants with QRS-duration >120 ms had a 56% increase in all-cause mortality, even after adjustment for conventional risk factors. Given the ubiquitous presence of ECG data in the medical record, QRS-duration may prove to be a useful prognostic measure, especially among those with diabetes.

Imaging-based predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac conduction abnormalities requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation are major complications of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We aimed to investigate whether the relationship between prosthetic valve size and cardiac-gated computed tomography (CT)-based aortic root complex measurements can aid in recognizing patients at risk for PPM implantation post-TAVR. METHODS: We included 83 of 114 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR with the Edwards Sapien valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irving, CA, USA) at our institution. We excluded patients with preexisting PPM, patients who required conversion to an open surgical procedure, and patients without CT data. We assessed the significance of various potential predictors of PPM placement post-TAVR. RESULTS: Following TAVR, eight patients (9.6%) required PPM. Prosthetic valve to sinus of Valsalva (SOV) index was significantly higher in those patients requiring a PPM post-TAVR (84.1 ± 9.3 vs 76.8 ± 7.1, P  =  0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The prosthetic valve size to diameter of SOV index was identified as a novel predictor of PPM implantation after TAVR.

Total mercury status in an urban water body, Mithi River, Mumbai and analysis of the relation between total mercury and other pollution parameters.

Mercury is a heavy metal which has garnered attention recently in India. Minamata Convention on mercury was established on October 2013 and was joined by India on September 30, 2014. India is seen as a major mercury pollution source after China according to many studies in the past. Various mercury pollution sites that are currently recognized in India are Kodai Lake, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, and Thane Creek, Mumbai. Since 1992, chlor-alkali plants have been regulated to eliminate mercury cell process of manufacturing. Also, medical and health care facilities are discarding mercury-containing equipment and processes. Various anthropogenic sources of mercury to the atmosphere include combustion of fossil fuels, processing and mining of primary metal ores, cement manufacturing units, chlor-alkali plants, and use of mercury in various products like paints, electric switches, and relays. The hazard associated with mercury pollution becomes extremely serious when we consider its ability to be transported over long-range distances. Various atmospheric transport models suggest India and other Asian countries to be a major source of long-range transport of mercury to North America. Considering the hazards of mercury and its widespread presence in our life, a study on mercury pollution in an urban water body is conducted. This study deals with Mithi River located in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (19.0760° N, 72.8777° E) to study the total mercury in water and derive its relationship with other pollution parameters.

A safe, simple technique for transseptal catheterization.

Transseptal catheterization is required for atrial fibrillation ablation and many ablations for atrial tachycardias, left atrial flutters, and accessory pathways. Using a Brockenbrough needle or other specialized device adds time, expense, and risk of potential complications such as atrial or aortic perforation, pericardial effusion, and tamponade to these procedures. We present a simple, low-risk technique for transseptal catheterization.

Right ventricular septal pacing in patients with right bundle branch block.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been shown to improve left ventricular (LV) function and exercise performance in patients with left bundle branch block. Patients with right bundle branch block (RBBB) do not have a similar positive response to standard CRT. We hypothesized that single site pacing of the right ventricular septum (RVS) near the proximal right bundle could restore more normal activation of the LV in RBBB patients. METHODS: 78 consecutive patients (56 M, 22 F) with baseline RBBB underwent pacemaker or ICD implantation. Leads were placed in the right atrium and RVS. RESULTS: Baseline QRS duration was 120-220 ms (mean QRSd = 147 ms). At the optimal AV delay, the fused QRSd was 56-160 ms (mean QRSd = 112 ms). The mean decrease in QRSd was 34 ± 20.4 ms (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: RVS pacing in patients with RBBB resulted in a marked decrease in QRS duration and often normalized the ECG.

Perioperative atrial fibrillation and the long-term risk of ischemic stroke.

IMPORTANCE: Clinically apparent atrial fibrillation increases the risk of ischemic stroke. In contrast, perioperative atrial fibrillation may be viewed as a transient response to physiological stress, and the long-term risk of stroke after perioperative atrial fibrillation is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between perioperative atrial fibrillation and the long-term risk of stroke. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective cohort study using administrative claims data on patients hospitalized for surgery (as defined by surgical diagnosis related group codes), and discharged alive and free of documented cerebrovascular disease or preexisting atrial fibrillation from nonfederal California acute care hospitals between 2007 and 2011. Patients undergoing cardiac vs other types of surgery were analyzed separately. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Previously validated diagnosis codes were used to identify ischemic strokes after discharge from the index hospitalization for surgery. The primary predictor variable was atrial fibrillation newly diagnosed during the index hospitalization, as defined by previously validated present-on-admission codes. Patients were censored at postdischarge emergency department encounters or hospitalizations with a recorded diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: Of 1,729,360 eligible patients, 24,711 (1.43%; 95% CI, 1.41%-1.45%) had new-onset perioperative atrial fibrillation during the index hospitalization and 13,952 (0.81%; 95% CI, 0.79%-0.82%) experienced a stroke after discharge. At 1 year after hospitalization for cardiac surgery, cumulative rates of stroke were 0.99% (95% CI, 0.81%-1.20%) in those with perioperative atrial fibrillation and 0.83% (95% CI, 0.76%-0.91%) in those without atrial fibrillation. At 1 year after noncardiac surgery, cumulative rates of stroke were 1.47% (95% CI, 1.24%-1.75%) in those with perioperative atrial fibrillation and 0.36% (95% CI, 0.35%-0.37%) in those without atrial fibrillation. In a Cox proportional hazards analysis accounting for potential confounders, perioperative atrial fibrillation was associated with subsequent stroke both after cardiac surgery (hazard ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6) and noncardiac surgery (hazard ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.7-2.3). The association was significantly stronger for perioperative atrial fibrillation after noncardiac vs cardiac surgery (P < .001 for interaction). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among patients hospitalized for surgery, perioperative atrial fibrillation was associated with an increased long-term risk of ischemic stroke, especially following noncardiac surgery.

Flecainide Toxicity in a Patient with a Functioning Pacemaker.

Flecainide is a class Ic anti-arrhythmic that demonstrates use dependence, meaning the medication has an increased effect on the myocardium at high heart rates. Flecainide toxicity can be identified by wide QRS complexes on an electrocardiogram (ECG). We discuss a case of a 75-year-old patient with a pacemaker who presented with concern for flecainide toxicity. The patient had several risk factors known to increase the likelihood for toxicity, including structural heart disease and acute kidney injury. The initial ECG showed tachycardia with wide QRS complexes. The patient had a pacemaker set in a tracking mode (DDD) that resulted in rapid ventricular pacing with failure to mode switch. However, with modification to the VVI mode, the patient experienced tachycardia resolution with an improvement in QRS complexes. This case emphasizes the use dependence of flecainide and illustrates the utility of pacing mode in the management of flecainide toxicity in patients with pacemakers.