Prescription of statins after acute coronary syndrome; a single-centre observational study.

There is limited information about the current use of high-intensity statins (HIS) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Pakistani patients. We studied the prescription of HIS in patients admitted with ACS to Ittefaq Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from February 2019 to December 2019. Among the 411 patients, 221 (53.8%) patients underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), 62 (15.1%) were referred for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), and 128 (31.1%) were treated medically. Overall 408 (99.3%) patients were prescribed statins and 198 (48.2%) received HIS, with 45 (10.9%) patients receiving maximally allowed dose (Atorvastatin 80mg or Rosuvastatin 40mg). Patients treated with PCI were more likely to be prescribed HIS (73.3% vs 26.7%, p <0.001), while older patients (>75 years of age), those treated medically, and patients with severely reduced LV systolic function were significantly less likely to receive HIS (p <0.001). Our study, therefore, identifies a gap in implementation of guidelines for HIS use, particularly among the medically treated ACS patients.

Acute myocardial infarction after a negative Dobutamine stress echocardiogram in a patient with end-stage liver disease.

Dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) is generally a safe and reliable test for detection of myocardial ischaemia. We report the case of a 43-year-old male with end-stage liver disease (ESLD), who underwent DSE as part of workup for liver transplantation. Although the patient had an uneventful negative DSE, within 45 minutes he developed inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). His coronary angiography showed severe 2-vessel coronary artery disease, which was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with implantation of drug-eluting stents (DES). Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after a normal DSE has previously been reported in the literature. We describe one such case, with added complexity of managing an ACS in a patient with high bleeding risk. Our case is unique in reporting a STEMI after a negative DSE in a liver transplant recipient. Increased physician awareness of potential complications of DSE is essential to allow timely recognition and management.

Frequency of high bleeding risk in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of risk factors for bleeding and high bleeding risk in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: The single-centre retrospective observational study was conducted at Ittefaq Hospital Lahore and comprised data of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention from February 2018 to December 2019. Minor and major bleeding risk factors were identified on the basis of the consensus definition of the Academic Research Consortium. Patients with high bleeding risk were identified according to the consensus-based criteria of at least one major criterion or two minor criteria. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 385 patients, 280(72.7%) were males. The overall mean age was 57.9±11.9 years. The indication of procedure was acute coronary syndrome in 367(95%) patients. Of all the patients, 171(45%) had bleeding risk, with 94(24%) patients having a high bleeding risk. Of these, 60(15.6%) patients had high risk based on the presence of at least one major criterion and 34(8.8%) patients because of the presence of two or more minor criteria. Patients with high bleeding risk were more likely to be older and female with more co-morbidities (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were found to have at least one bleeding risk factor, and one in four patients had high bleeding risk.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients with chronic illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey from Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES: We studied the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the physical and mental health of patients with chronic illnesses and their behavioural responses. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey among outpatients with chronic illnesses in Lahore, Pakistan. RESULTS: Four hundred and one participants were surveyed (84% above 50 years of age). One or two chronic illnesses were present in 130 (32%), three or four in 211 (53%) and more than four in 60 (15%). The majority correctly identified the sources of Covid-19 infection and higher risk patients. Of the respondents, 127 (32%) described feeling more vulnerable. Respondents reported a lack of trust in the community response (199; 49.6%) and hospital measures (167; 41.6%) to slow the spread of Covid-19 and 369 (92%) practiced some degree of social distancing. Respondents described negative impacts of lockdown measures on their physical and mental health (235; 58.6% and 262; 65.3%, respectively). Many reported difficulty in getting medical help during the pandemic (302; 75.2%). Half of the respondents (200; 49.8%) felt that delays in receiving care had adversely affected their health. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents with chronic illnesses frequently reported negative behavioural and health impacts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

IVUS and OCT guided primary percutaneous coronary intervention for spontaneous coronary artery dissection with bioresorbable vascular scaffolds.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon but important cause of acute coronary syndrome. The diagnosis of SCAD by an angiogram alone can be challenging and the increasing use of intracoronary imaging has proven an invaluable diagnostic adjunct in this regard. The appropriate initial management of SCAD has been a matter of significant debate. Owing to frequent spontaneous healing of coronary dissection and a higher risk of complications with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of SCAD, a default approach of mechanical revascularization is not recommended. However in the presence of vessel occlusion and on-going myocardial infarction PCI is mandated. Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) offer potential advantages over the conventional stents in the setting of SCAD. We describe a state-of-the-art approach to the acute treatment of SCAD causing STEMI, utilizing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and BVS and discuss management strategies for the modern era.

Thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction: A review of clinical evidence and guidelines.

Acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is characterized by complete thrombotic occlusion of a major coronary artery. Early recanalization of the infarct-related artery is most efficiently delivered by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), however this does not always restore normal myocardial perfusion, mainly due to distal embolization of the thrombus and microvascular obstruction. Early evidence for manual thrombus aspiration during PPCI was promising and this was once considered an important aspect of the procedure, especially in patients with a high thrombus burden. However, a large body of evidence from recent major randomized controlled trials (notably TASTE and TOTAL) does not support the routine use of manual thrombus aspiration in patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI.

The 7-year teesside experience of primary prevention ICD indications following primary PCI (PPCI) and the potential impact of a change in NICE guidance.

INTRODUCTION: The recovery of LV function in patients with severe LV impairment in the acute phase following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is not well established. The indication for a primary prevention ICD post-STEMI is dependent on which screening guidance, NICE or ESC, is followed. The potential impact of the new NICE guidance is estimated. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients presenting with a STEMI over a 7-year period (2005-2012) treated with PPCI to determine in-hospital mortality, LV function at index presentation, at 3 months and the predicted primary prevention ICD implantation rate using NICE (TA095) and ESC 2006 guidelines. Predicted implant rates using the new NICE guidance (TA314) and actual implantation rates were also assessed. RESULTS: 3902 patients with a mean age of 65±13 years underwent PPCI. Of those patients surviving until discharge, 332 (10%) had LVEF ≤35%. 254 of 332 patients (76%) with a severely impaired ventricle were followed up at participating centres. 210 of 254 (83%) patients had a repeat echocardiogram within 3 months post-MI; among these patients, 89 (42%) remained to have LVEF ≤35%. The number of patients fulfilling NICE and ESC criteria for primary prevention ICD implantation was 14 (16%) and 84 (94%), respectively. The actual number of patients receiving an ICD was 17 (19%). The number of patients fulfilling the new NICE (TA314) guidance was 84 (94%). CONCLUSIONS: A small proportion of patients with STEMIs undergoing PPCI have a severely impaired LV systolic function. A large proportion of these patients will have improved LV systolic function at 3 months. There is a five-fold difference in the predicted ICD implantation rates depending on which guidance is followed-NICE versus ESC. The potential impact of the new NICE (TA314) guidance on ICD implantation will be a significant increase in ICD implantation rates.

A left atrial mass in a patient with atrial fibrillation and previous renal cancer.

A 73-year-old man underwent a surveillance CT following a laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for left-sided renal cell carcinoma 3 years earlier. He had atrial fibrillation. CT identified a large left atrial mass. The differential diagnosis of this mass was thrombus, primary cardiac tumour or cardiac metastasis secondary to his previous renal cell carcinoma. Location, size and appearance of the mass on echocardiogram were unusual for a left atrial thrombus; however, following surgical removal pathological examination confirmed this as an organised thrombus. A brief discussion on diagnostic evaluation of a left atrial mass follows the case report.

Hypokalaemia: common but not always benign. Severe, persistent hypokalaemia secondary to ectopic ACTH from a carcinoid tumour.

Hypokalaemia is a common and often benign observation. There is usually an obvious underlying cause for the anomaly. However, hypokalaemia can very rarely be the sole presentation of a more sinister disease. A high index of suspicion and a systematic approach are therefore required to avoid delays in the management, especially in the context of presentation to a medical team. We present a case of a patient with severe and persistent hypokalaemia due to ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion secondary to a carcinoid tumour. The case report is followed by a brief discussion on the approach to the management of hypokalaemia and additional tests to confirm ectopic ACTH.

Haematological emergencies on the acute medical take.

As haematological emergencies are uncommon in daily clinical practice, enhanced awareness and high index of suspicion is required to ensure that the potentially lifesaving measures are offered. This article discusses some of the haematological conditions which may present on the acute medical take.