May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Bangladesh.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. According to Non-communicable disease (NCD) Risk Factors Survey Bangladesh 2010, one-fifth (21.9%) of adults aged 25 years or more have hypertension. Almost one-third of the adult population did not have their BP measured in their lifetime in Bangladesh. National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh participated in May Measurement Month (MMM) 2018 as a part of a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programmes nationally. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 years was carried out in May 2018. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the MMM protocol. Data were collected from 10 screening sites in 9 districts in Bangladesh. A total of 5208 individuals were screened during MMM18. After multiple imputation, 1750 (33.6%) had hypertension. Among the 1750 participants with hypertension, 1312 (75.0%) were aware of having hypertension. Among those that were not on antihypertensive medication, 15.2% were hypertensive and among those that were on antihypertensive medication 33.6% had uncontrolled hypertension. The present study showed that opportunistic screening can identify significant numbers of people with raised BP. A periodic public health programme at a national level needs to be initiated to increase hypertension detection and control rates and thus for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

May Measurement Month (MMM) 2017: an analysis of blood pressure screening results in Bangladesh-South Asia.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. Based on the findings of the non-communicable disease Risk Factors Survey Bangladesh 2010, the prevalence of hypertension in adults 25 years or older in Bangladesh is 20.1%. The Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey, 2011 showed that approximately 50% of those affected are unaware of their hypertensive condition. The May Measurement Month 2017 (MMM17) is a global initiative of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) aimed at raising awareness of high BP. We participated in MMM17 to raise awareness of hypertension screening and identify those with elevated BP who were unaware, and those on treatment with still uncontrolled hypertension. Following the standard protocol designed by the ISH, we participated in MMM17, an opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18. It was carried out in May 2017. BP measurement, the definition of hypertension and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. Data were collected from 35 screening sites in 33 districts in Bangladesh. Personnel from several government and non-government organizations volunteered in this huge event. A total of 11 418 individuals were screened during MMM17, of which 5401 (47.3%) were found to have hypertension. Of 8365 individuals not receiving anti-hypertensive medication, 2348 (28.1%) were hypertensive. Of 3053 individuals receiving anti-hypertensive medication, 1594 (52.2%) had uncontrolled BP. MMM17 was the largest BP screening campaign undertaken in Bangladesh. This study suggests that opportunistic screening can identify significant numbers of people with raised BP. A periodic public health programme at a national level needs to be initiated to increase hypertension detection and control rate and thus for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Severity of Coronary Artery Disease by Friesinger Score Among Women With Acute Coronary Syndrome in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: The chance of coronary artery disease (CAD) is much higher in women who have gone through menopause than in those who have not, owing to hormonal defense against atherosclerosis. More advanced CAD and several comorbidities were observed in postmenopausal women. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of information comparing the angiographic severity of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in premenopausal and postmenopausal women of different ages. This research sought to determine the Friesinger score's use in evaluating the degree of CAD in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with ACS. METHODS: A total of 145 female patients with ACS were included in this cross-sectional observational research. Depending on the stage of menopause, they were categorized into two groups: group I (premenopausal) and group II (postmenopausal). The study examined the differences in clinical data and the severity of coronary angiographic features based on the Friesinger score between the premenopausal and postmenopausal ACS groups. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) was found in the mean age of premenopausal ACS patients, which was 41.53 ± 5.45 years, and postmenopausal ACS patients, which was 57.23 ± 7.45 years. Between the premenopausal group (31.4% vs. 17.1%; p = 0.04 and 31.4% vs. 15.7%; p = 0.002) and postmenopausal group (48.6% vs. 20%; p = 0.001), there was a greater prevalence of normal coronary angiography, single-vessel disease, and triple-vessel disease. Comparing the postmenopausal group to the premenopausal group, the high to intermediate Friesinger score (11-15) was found to be considerably higher (2.9% vs. 1.4%; 72.9% vs. 50%; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Prior to menopause, single-vessel disease and normal coronary angiography were more common, whereas postmenopausal individuals had triple-vessel disease. The postmenopausal group's CAD was found to be more severe than the premenopausal group's according to the Friesinger score used for severity evaluation.

Severity of Coronary Artery Diseases Among Pre- and Postmenopausal Women With Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Hospital-Based Study in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal women present with more severe coronary artery disease (CAD) in addition to multiple comorbidities. However, there are limited data available to compare the risk factors, clinical characteristics, and angiographic severity of CAD between pre- and postmenopausal women with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS). AIM: This study aimed to assess and compare the severity of CAD in pre- and postmenopausal women with ACS. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Cardiology of NHFH RI. A total of 140 female patients with ACS were enrolled and then divided into Group I (premenopausal) and Group II (postmenopausal) on the basis of menopause history. Clinical data and coronary angiographic severity were compared between both groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the premenopausal group was 41.53 ± 5.45 years, and that of the postmenopausal group was 57.23 ± 7.45 years. Family history of premature CAD was significantly more common in the premenopausal group than in the postmenopausal group (35(50%) vs. 23(32.9%); p=0.017)). DM and smokeless tobacco were more prevalent in the postmenopausal group (48(68.6%) vs. 28(40%); p=0.001 and 14(20%) vs. 2(2.9%); p=0.002). Atypical presentation was more common in the premenopausal group (21(30%) vs. 9(12.9%); p=0.013). Most of the patients in both groups presented with unstable angina followed by NSTEMI and STEMI. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group (50.71 ± 8.38% vs. 53.74 ± 7.46%; p=0.026). Normal coronary angiogram and single-vessel disease were more prevalent in the premenopausal group (22(31.4%) vs. 12(17.1%); p=0.04) and (22(31.4%) vs. 11(15.7%); p=0.002), whereas triple-vessel disease was more prevalent in the postmenopausal group (34(48.6% vs. 14(20%); p=0.001). The left anterior descending artery was the most commonly involved vessel in the postmenopausal group (67(95.7%) vs. 60(85.7%); p=0.04). Finally, the mean Gensini score was higher in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group (56.1 ± 43.4 vs. 33.5 ± 36.9; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Family history of premature CAD and atypical presentation were common in premenopausal ACS patients. DM and smokeless tobacco use were more prevalent in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group. Normal coronary angiogram and single-vessel disease were more prevalent in the premenopausal group, and triple-vessel disease was more common in the postmenopausal group. CAD was more severe in the postmenopausal group.

Safety and effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention using rotational atherectomy and new-generation drug-eluting stents for calcified coronary artery lesions in patients with chronic kidney disease.

AIM: Coronary artery calcification is an important factor influencing revascularisation outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Lesion preparation using rotational atherectomy (RA) may help adequately modify calcified plaques and facilitate the achievement of optimal clinical outcomes in these patients. In this study, we assessed the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using RA followed by new-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in patients with CKD and calcified coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: From November 2014 to October 2019, a total of 203 patients with calcified CAD who underwent RA followed by second- or third-generation DES implantation at our centre were included in the study. Mild, moderate, and severe CKD was present in 38%, 55.5%, and 6.5% of the patients, respectively. Diffused coronary calcifications were present in 85%. Procedural success was 97.5% with minimal periprocedural complications. In-stent restenosis occurred in one patient (0.5%); major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were reported in 22 patients (10.8%); cardiac death occurred in eight patients during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous coronary intervention using RA followed by second- or third-generation DES implantation is feasible and safe with high procedural success and low in-stent restenosis in CKD patients with calcified coronary lesions.

Clinical Presentation, Management and In-Hospital Outcome of Healthcare Personnel With COVID-19 Disease.

Objective Healthcare personnel (HCP) are undoubtedly one of the major frontline fighters in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that many HCP have become infected by COVID-19 globally. The infection of HCP has received great attention in social media and is frequently reported from different parts of the world. However, there are few scientific reports addressing this aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of COVID-19 infection among the HCP of our setting. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed in the National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute of Bangladesh from April 29 to July 20, 2020. HCP employed in this hospital who experienced fever or respiratory symptoms or came in close contact with COVID-19 patients at home or their workplace were included in this study. The presence of COVID-19 disease was confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal samples. A total of 394 HCP were sampled and 139 had a positive corona test. Structured interviews were conducted to document symptoms for all HCP with confirmed COVID-19. Data analysis was performed in July 2020. Results Out of 1,409 HCP, 139 subjects tested positive for COVID-19. Among the HCP, infection rate was 9.86%. The mean age of the study population was 34.08±11.11 years (range: 20-69 yrs), of whom 82 (59%) were female. Most of this cohort were nurses (56 [40.3%]) and physicians (25 [18%]), and the remaining 58 (41.7%) were other staff. The mean duration of onset of symptoms to test was 2.89±2.07 days. The most common symptoms were fever (84.2%), fatigue (56.1%), cough (54%), body ache (39.6%), headache, and anosmia (38.8%). Most subjects had mild disease (125 [93%]), three (2.1%) of the HCP had moderate disease and one (0.7%) had severe disease. Ten of the HCP (7.2%) were asymptomatic. Most of them were treated either by ivermectin plus azithromycin or ivermectin plus doxycycline. Only 20 (14.4%) of the HCP were hospitalized, while others were treated either in home isolation (59.7%) or in institutional isolation (25.9%). Recovery was almost uneventful except one healthcare worker who died. Conclusion Most HCP had mild symptoms and a few of them were asymptomatic also. HCP with mild COVID-19 symptoms may be treated in home or institutional isolation. As they are a vulnerable group for infection, providing adequate protection to HCP is absolutely mandatory to safeguard them from this pandemic.