Isolated unilateral pulmonary artery atresia with contralateral pulmonary artery branch stenosis: A "window" for intervention.

Adult presentation of unilateral pulmonary artery atresia in association with contralateral branch pulmonary stenosis is rare. We present the case of a quadragenarian, who manifested with right ventricular failure and hemoptysis. This report discusses the diagnostic workup and therapeutic options along with a brief overview of the concerned literature.

Impact of COVID-19 on heart failure hospitalization and outcome in India - A cardiological society of India study (CSI-HF in COVID 19 times study - "The COVID C-HF study").

OBJECTIVES: The presentation and outcomes of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) during COVID times (June 2020 to Dec 2020) were compared with the historical control during the same period in 2019. METHODS: Data of 4806 consecutive patients of acute HF admitted in 22 centres in the country were collected during this period. The admission patterns, aetiology, outcomes, prescription of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and interventions were analysed in this retrospective study. RESULTS: Admissions for acute heart failure during the pandemic period in 2020 decreased by 20% compared to the corresponding six-month period in 2019, with numbers dropping from 2675 to 2131. However, no difference in the epidemiology was seen. The mean age of presentation in 2019 was 61.75 (±13.7) years, and 59.97 (±14.6) years in 2020. There was a significant decrease in the mean age of presentation (p = 0.001). Also. the proportion of male patients decreased significantly from 68.67% to 65.84% (p = 0.037). The in-hospital mortality for acute heart failure did not differ significantly between 2019 and 2020 (4.19% and 4.,97%) respectively (p = 0.19). The proportion of patients with HFrEF did not change in 2020 compared to 2019 (76.82% vs 75.74%, respectively). The average duration of hospital stay was 6.5 days. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of ADHF patients admitted during the Covid pandemic did not differ significantly. The length of hospital stay remained the same. The study highlighted the sub-optimal use of GDMT, though slightly improving over the last few years.

COVID-19 infected ST-Elevation myocardial infarction in India (COSTA INDIA).

OBJECTIVE: To find out differences in the presentation, management and outcomes of COVID-19 infected STEMI patients compared to age and sex-matched non-infected STEMI patients treated during the same period. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicentre observational registry in which we collected data of COVID-19 positive STEMI patients from selected tertiary care hospitals across India. For every COVID-19 positive STEMI patient, two age and sex-matched COVID-19 negative STEMI patients were enrolled as control. The primary endpoint was a composite of in-hospital mortality, re-infarction, heart failure, and stroke. RESULTS: 410 COVID-19 positive STEMI cases were compared with 799 COVID-19 negative STEMI cases. The composite of death/reinfarction/stroke/heart failure was significantly higher among the COVID-19 positive STEMI patients compared with COVID-19 negative STEMI cases (27.1% vs 20.7% p value = 0.01); though mortality rate did not differ significantly (8.0% vs 5.8% p value = 0.13). Significantly lower proportion of COVID-19 positive STEMI patients received reperfusion treatment and primary PCI (60.7% vs 71.1% p value=< 0.001 and 15.4% vs 23.4% p value = 0.001 respectively). Rate of systematic early PCI (pharmaco-invasive treatment) was significantly lower in the COVID-19 positive group compared with COVID-19 negative group. There was no difference in the prevalence of high thrombus burden (14.5% and 12.0% p value = 0.55 among COVID-19 positive and negative patients respectively) CONCLUSIONS: In this large registry of STEMI patients, we did not find significant excess in in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 co-infected patients compared with non-infected patients despite lower rate of primary PCI and reperfusion treatment, though composite of in-hospital mortality, re-infarction, stroke and heart failure was higher.

Comparison of non-invasive assessment for pulmonary vascular indices by two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography angiography with conventional catheter angiocardiography in unrepaired Tetralogy of Fallot physiology patients weighing more than 10 kg: a retrospective analysis.

AIMS: Assessment of pulmonary vascular dimensions (PVDs) in Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is an integral part of planning transcatheter and surgical interventions. We sought to examine the reliability and correlation of echocardiography (ECHO) and computed tomography angiography (CTA) measurements with those obtained by cardiac catheterization and angiography (CCA). METHODS AND RESULTS: Tetralogy of Fallot physiology patients undergoing ECHO, CTA, and CCA within a month prior to surgical correction during 2018-2020 were retrospectively enrolled. Indexed diameter of pulmonary annulus (iPAnn), indexed right pulmonary artery (iRPA), indexed left pulmonary artery (iLPA) and indexed descending aorta (iDA) were measured using ECHO and CTA followed by derivation of Nakata index (NI), McGoon's ratio (MGR), ratio of predicted peak right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) pressures (pRV/pLV) and Z-scores. Comparison with CCA-derived measurements was made and correlational equations were subsequently deduced. Pulmonary vascular dimensions for 54 patients with mean age of 15.5 ± 9.3 years (range: 3-34 years) were analysed. Computed tomography angiography and CCA measurements for iPAnn, iRPA, NI, MGR, pRV/pLV, and Z-score were comparable with each other while ECHO parameters were significantly lower than CCA. However, iLPA diameter was significantly underestimated by ECHO and overestimated by CTA. Correlational analysis showed stronger correlation between CTA- and CCA-derived PVD as against ECHO measurements except for iDA, pRV/pLV, and Z-score. CONCLUSIONS: For unrepaired TOF physiology patients weighing more than 10 kg, CTA-acquired PVD are reliable and comparable with CCA except for DA for which ECHO is non-inferior. Non-invasive modalities though are inferior to CCA for LPA sizing. Utilizing derived equations, precise estimation of PVD can be carried out using non-invasive tools.

Serum Gamma Glutamyltransferase (GGT) in coronary artery disease: Exploring the Asian Indian Connection.

Background: There is a need to identify novel markers for CAD, independent of traditional CV risk factors. One of these is gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), a marker of increased oxidative stress. Given the high prevalence of CAD in Asian Indians, the link of GGT and CAD in them needs to be studied. Aim: To assess GGT in patients with angiographically documented CAD. Methods and Results: Two hundred patients aged 58.1 ± 9.95 years, 73% males, hypertension 56%, diabetes 40% were included. Mean GGT was 63.6 ± 44.33 (10-269 U/L). The levels of GGT progressively increased in those with single/double or triple-vessel CAD (36.5, 61.5, and 87 U/L, respectively, P < 0.001). Using objective criteria of CAD burden (SYNTAX and Gensini scores), we reaffirmed these findings. GGT in patients with SYNTAX tertiles 0-22, 23-32, and ≥ 33 was 33, 62, and 97 U/L, respectively and in Gensini tertiles 0-17.65, 17.66-56.65, ≥56.66 was 32, 52, and 88 U/L, respectively, all P < 0.001. SYNTAX score ≥ 23 was present in only 23% patients in GGT tertile 1 (<41 U/L), whereas60% and 94% in GGT tertiles 2 and 3 had SYNTAX ≥ 23. Significant positive correlation was seen between GGT and SYNTAX (r = 0.634) and Gensini score (r = 0.772). Conclusions: In this study, GGT had an independent correlation with angiographic severity of CAD and SYNTAX and Gensini scores. Although the existing evidence seems biologically plausible, more studies are needed to explore the potential role of this inexpensive marker for predicting disease burden in patients with CAD.

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin as a Marker for Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Prospective Observational Analysis.

Introduction: Incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) varies between 5% and 20%. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a sensitive marker for acute kidney injury. Data regarding the predictive accuracy of NGAL in Indian patients undergoing PCI is sparse. Methods: A total of 212 consecutive "all-comer" patients, undergoing PCI from March 2015 to April 2016 were recruited in this single-center observational study. Plasma NGAL levels were measured at 4 hours post PCI using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Triage® Alere™, San Diego, CA, USA). Results: Twenty-five (11.8%) patients developed CIN. The 4-hour post-PCI plasma NGAL levels were significantly higher in patients with CIN than without (400.6 ± 269.3 ng/mL vs. 109.8 ± 68.0 ng/mL, P < 0.0001). Patients developing CIN had higher age, low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and higher contrast volume usage during PCI. After adjusting for confounding factors, diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.04; P = 0.039; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-8.73), hypotension at presentation (AOR 24.84; P < 0.0001; 95% CI: 4.65-132.83), and multi-staged PCI (AOR 13.45; P < 0.0001; 95% CI: 4.54-39.79) were found to independently predict the development of CIN. NGAL levels significantly correlated with age (r = 0.149, P = 0.031), eGFR (r = -0.385, P < 0.0001), hemoglobin (r = -0.214, P = 0.002), contrast volume (r = 0.185, P = 0.007), and 48-hour post-PCI serum creatinine levels (r = 0.334, P < 0.0001). At a cutoff of 256.5 ng/mL, plasma NGAL had a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 95.2% (area under the curve = 0.878; P < 0.0001; 95% CI: 0.801-0.955) to predict the occurrence of CIN. Conclusions: Plasma NGAL is an early and highly predictive biomarker of CIN in patients undergoing PCI. Patients having diabetes, hypotension at presentation and those undergoing second-stage procedures are at a high risk of developing CIN after PCI.

Guiding Principles for the Clinical Use and Selection of Microcatheters in Complex Coronary Interventions.

The use of microcatheters as a coronary interventional tool for a therapeutic approach to complex coronary interventions like bifurcation lesions, ostial location, tortuous anatomy, angled takeoffs, coronary calcification, and chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is growing among cardiologists across the country. During the treatment of such complex lesions, microcatheters play an essential part of the tool kit with both single-lumen and double-lumen microcatheters (DLMs) having their specific niche areas. The selection of microcatheters involves a detailed understanding of the microcatheter specification, lesion anatomy, lesion location, vessel tortuosity and trajectory, and crossing techniques. The selection of appropriate crossing techniques with different microcatheters increases success rates of PCI, reduces procedural time and contrast use, and lowers the radiation. However, the use of microcatheters and their technicalities have not yet fully realized by many operators and their true scope has not been fully explored. This article discusses and summarizes the thoughts and key opinions of experts in this field.

Is Indexed Left Atrial Volume (LAVi) in Indian Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) undergoing revascularization a predictor of cardiovascular outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Left atrial volume indexed to body surface area (LAVi) is the recommended method for LA size quantification. Assessing LAVi in Indian patients undergoing coronary interventions for acute coronary syndrome (STEMI, NSTEMI, and UA) is clinically relevant. METHODS AND RESULTS: Amongst 190 patients (66.4 yrs, 68.4% males), 29.5%, 40.5%, and 30% respectively had STEMI, NSTEMI and UA. Mean LAVi was 32.29 ± 12.06 ml/m2 and 111 (58.4%) had LAVi ≥32 while 79 (41.6%) had LAVi <32. Patients were divided into 2 groups (group 1 LAVi >32 and group 2 LAVi <32). Group 1 patients had higher prevalence of TVD [n = 49 vs n = 5, p = <0.001] and higher mean Syntax score (24.47 vs 14.64, p = <0.001). Despite similar LVEF, those with higher LAVi had had higher incidence of mild MR (50.4 vs 27.8, P = 0.0002) and moderate/severe MR was present only in Group 1 patients (27.9% and 5.4%). Grade I, II, and III diastolic dysfunction was present in 71.2, 17.1, and 9.9% patients in Group 1 vs 45.6%, 0%, and 0% in group 2. Diastolic parameters like septal E/e' and lateral E/e'ratio were also higher in Group 1. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 30 days was significantly higher in group 1 (20.7 vs 6.3%, P = 0.006). On multivariate analysis, triple vessel disease and LAVi were the only predictors of MACE while LVEF was not. ROC curve analysis for LAVi demonstrated that a cut-off 33.35 ml/m2, predicted 30 day MACE with Area under curve (AUC) 0.775 (95% CI 0.700-0.850); sensitivity and specificity of 86.7% and 61.4%. Inter-quartile analysis of LAVi (<26.3, 26.3-33.35, 33.36-36.3, and >36.3 ml/m2) demonstrated that 30 day MACE increased across quartiles (4.16%, 4.25%, 22.44%, and 28.26%, respectively, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Amongst patients with ACS undergoing revascularization, those with higher LAVi had more severe CAD, diastolic dysfunction and higher 30 day MACE. LAVi provides superior prognostic information as compared to conventional LV systolic and diastolic parameters in patients with ACS and should be incorporated in routine echocardiographic analysis. More studies with larger numbers and longer follow up are required to further elucidate on this.

Exploring the association of fibrinogen and CRP with the clinical spectrum of CAD and periprocedural outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of an atherosclerotic plaque is mediated by the mechanisms involving thrombus formation and systemic inflammation. While C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are useful in predicting a cardiovascular event in intermediate risk population, the usefulness of routinely measuring fibrinogen in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is debatable. Also, data on the association of these markers with periprocedural outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) is scarce. AIMS: The study aimed to determine whether the levels of fibrinogen and CRP vary across the different spectra of CAD and whether they have any correlation with cardiac Troponin I levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 284 patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were included in the study. Complete blood count, serum lipid profile, serum CRP, fibrinogen, and troponin I were measured for all patients. RESULTS: Patients with STEMI had significantly higher levels of CRP as compared to those with unstable angina (USA) and chronic stable angina (CSA). Patients presenting with ACS had significantly higher baseline fibrinogen as compared to those with CSA. A significant positive correlation between CRP and admission Troponin I (r = 0.50; P < 0.05) as well as fibrinogen and admission troponin I (r = 0.30; P < 0.05) was observed. The CRP levels were significantly higher in 15 patients with periprocedural MI as compared to those who did not develop periprocedural MI. CONCLUSIONS: : The levels of the markers of inflammation and atherothrombosis vary with presentation across varied spectra of CAD with generally higher levels in acute presentation and in those who develop periprocedural MI.

Impact of completeness of revascularisation on long-term outcomes in patients with multivessel disease undergoing PCI: CR versus IR outcomes in multivessel CAD.

AIMS: We aimed to study long-term clinical outcomes in patients with multivessel disease (MVD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) over the last 10 years with respect to the completeness of revascularisation at a tertiary care hospital. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 2,960 consecutive MVD patients taken for PCI between 2008 to 2017 were enrolled in the study with baseline demographic, procedural, and follow-up details retrieved from custom-made departmental software. Of those, 2,598 patients with follow-up details constituted the study cohort. Complete revascularisation (CR) was achieved in 1,854 (71.4%) and incomplete revascularisation (IR) in 744 (28.6%) patients. Propensity matching was performed and 740 matched pairs identified in the two groups. The primary endpoint was survival free of any major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) with each individual MACE event being a secondary endpoint. IR occurred more often in patients with acute coronary syndrome (64.1% vs 58.3%, p=0.003), complex lesion intervention (40.7% vs 29.6%, p<0.001) and in those with mean stent length ≥38 mm per vessel intervened (21.0% vs 13.5%, p<0.001). Median follow-up was 54 months (interquartile range: 31-84 months). After propensity matching, CR resulted in a better survival free of all adverse events, i.e., 86.4% vs 81.1% (HR 1.52, CI: 1.21-2.02; p<0.01). Individual MACE endpoints were, however, not statistically different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In MVD patients undergoing PCI, CR results in better survival free of all adverse events including all-cause mortality, non-fatal MI, repeat revascularisation and recurrent angina.

Vascular dysfunction and its recovery after transradial coronary angioplasty- A serial observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To serially evaluate the effect of trans-radial coronary angioplasty (TRA) on the vascular function of radial artery (RA) and upstream brachial artery (BA) and to find out the relative contribution of endothelial dependent flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) and endothelial independent nitrate mediated dilatation (NMD). METHODS: Forty patients of chronic stable angina with successful TRA were studied. FMD and NMD of bilateral RA and BA were measured with high-resolution ultrasound, before and at 24 h and at 3 months, after catheterization. RESULTS: FMD as well as NMD were significantly decreased in right RA (16.3 ± 3.6% to 5.7 ± 1.8%; p = 0.001, and 24.1 ± 5.3% to 9.7 ± 2.8%; p = 0.001, respectively) as well as in upstream BA (17.0 ± 1.6% to 9.4 ± 0.5%; p = 0.001,and 26.5 ± 6.8% to 20.5 ± 3.7%; p = 0.001, respectively) at 24 h. FMD/NMD ratio was also decreased in RA (70 ± 10% to 60 ± 10%; p = 0.04) and as well as in BA (70 ± 20% to 50 ± 10%; p = 0.03). The endothelial dysfunctions returned to normal at 3 months. Control arm did not show any change in vascular function at any point of time. Radial artery diameter/sheath ratio <1 and catheter exchanges >2 were the independent predictors for >50% decrease in FMD. CONCLUSIONS: TRA results in reversible depression in FMD as well as NMD in the radial artery as well as upstream brachial artery. These vascular dysfunctions are limited to the catheterized arm only and return to normal after 3 months.

Left main coronary artery diameter - A correlation between intravascular ultrasound and quantitative coronary angiography.

Coronary angiography mostly underestimates coronary artery size. Indian data is scarce on correlating quantitative angiographic coronary diameter (DQCA) to intravascular ultrasound derived coronary diameter (DIVUS). We retrospectively analyzed 10-year data (2008-2017) of patients undergoing IVUS guided left main percutaneous coronary intervention (LM-PCI). LM, ostio-proximal LAD (op-LAD), and ostio-proximal LCX (op-LCX) were analyzed in 186, 177 and 44 patients, respectively. A linear correlation was noted between D IVUS and D QCA with derived equations for LM DIVUS = 1.68 + 0.69 × DQCA, op-LAD DIVUS = 1.91 + 0.53 × DQCA, op- LCX DIVUS = 1.93 + 0.49 × DQCA. We conclude that our equations could be used for an approximate estimation of true vessel size in the absence of IVUS assessment.

Acromegaly: Cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular manifestations and early vascular alterations in relation to disease activity.

Acromegaly is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. 49 acromegaly patients were evaluated for presence of cardiovascular risk factors and manifestations using 2D-Echocardiography, strain, strain-rate, carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and correlated with disease activity. 32 patients with growth hormone (GH) level >1 ng/ml were considered active. Patients with active disease have more LV dysfunction as assessed by strain(p-0.031) and strain rate(p-0.001); trend towards lower ejection fraction(p-0.11) with significant correlation to GH(cc -0.252,p-0.05). Patient with active disease have reduced FMD(p- 0.042); with no difference in prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and CIMT inrelation to disease activity.

Global Chronic Total Occlusion Crossing Algorithm: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

The authors developed a global chronic total occlusion crossing algorithm following 10 steps: 1) dual angiography; 2) careful angiographic review focusing on proximal cap morphology, occlusion segment, distal vessel quality, and collateral circulation; 3) approaching proximal cap ambiguity using intravascular ultrasound, retrograde, and move-the-cap techniques; 4) approaching poor distal vessel quality using the retrograde approach and bifurcation at the distal cap by use of a dual-lumen catheter and intravascular ultrasound; 5) feasibility of retrograde crossing through grafts and septal and epicardial collateral vessels; 6) antegrade wiring strategies; 7) retrograde approach; 8) changing strategy when failing to achieve progress; 9) considering performing an investment procedure if crossing attempts fail; and 10) stopping when reaching high radiation or contrast dose or in case of long procedural time, occurrence of a serious complication, operator and patient fatigue, or lack of expertise or equipment. This algorithm can improve outcomes and expand discussion, research, and collaboration.

Maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant females with rheumatic heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac diseases are seen in 1-3% of pregnancies. In developing countries rheumatic heart disease (RHD) contributes a major cause of cardiac disorders. OBJECTIVE: To study the maternal and fetal outcome in women with valvular heart disease or prosthetic heart valve replacement secondary to RHD in a tertiary care center. METHOD: The consecutive pregnant women with RHD attending our institute from May 2018 to August 2019 were included. A maternal adverse outcome was defined as cardiac death, new onset arrhythmia, heart failure, thromboembolic event, hospitalization for other cardiac reasons or cardiac intervention, aortic dissection, infective endocarditis and acute coronary syndrome. Fetal adverse outcome defined as fetal death, preterm birth, and low birth weight. RESULT: Total 80 patients were included in this study, native RHD in 60(75%) and 20(25%) had mechanical prosthetic valve replacement. Maternal adverse event occurred in 34(42.5%), comprising of death in 1(1.2%), new onset AF 2(2.5%), 20(25%) underwent balloon mitral valvotomy, 3(3.7%) underwent mitral valve replacement, heart failure hospitalization in 7(8.7%). 1(1.2%) patient developed mitral valve infective endocarditis. Preterm delivery occurred in 19(23.7%), 7(8.7%) abortions and 1(1.2%) intrauterine death. Fetuses with low birth weight were 43(53.7%). Pregnancy with live birth occurred in 57(95%) women with valvular heart disease but no prosthesis and 16(80%) women with prosthetic valve disease. CONCLUSION: Women with rheumatic heart disease carry a high risk both for mother and fetus. Early diagnosis, close follow-up during pregnancy, early recognition of deterioration in symptoms and timely cardiac intervention can lead to good maternal or fetal outcome.

Use of strain, strain rate, tissue velocity imaging, and endothelial function for early detection of cardiovascular involvement in young diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Subtle structural and functional changes may precede the onset of overt global left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Data pertaining to tissue velocity imaging (TVI)and strain imaging to assess regional myocardial function and flow mediated vasodilatation are limited in young patients with diabetes. MATERIALS: Conventional echocardiography, TVI parameters along with strain (S), and strain rate (SR) were measured in 50 young diabetics (15.16 ± 2.95 years, mean HBA1c 8.15 ± 1.37 g %) and 25 controls (15.60 ± 2.51 years). Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), nitrate--mediated dilatation (NMD), and carotid intima-media thickness were also assessed. RESULTS: Conventional echocardiography parameters were similar in patients and controls; however, deceleration time of the mitral inflow velocity (early deceleration time) was significantly shorter in patients when compared with controls (149.06 ± 31.66 vs. 184.56 ± 19.27 ms, P =0.001). Patients had lower strain values at the basal lateral LV (21.39 ± 4.12 vs. 23.78 ± 2.02; P =0.001), mid-lateral LV (21.43 ± 4.27 vs. 23.17 ± 1.92 P =0.02), basal septum (20.59 ± 5.28 vs. 22.91 ± 2.00; P = 0.01), and midseptum (22.06 ± 4.75 vs. 24.10 ± 1.99; P = 0.01) as compared to controls. SR at the basal and midsegments of the lateral LV wall and at the basal septum was also significantly lower in diabetic patients. Diabetic children also had endothelial dysfunction with significantly lower FMD (8.36 ± 4.27 vs. 10.57 ± 4.12, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: LV strain indices and flow--mediated dilatation are impaired in asymptomatic children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus despite absence of overt heart failure and normal ejection fraction. Early detection of subclinical regional myocardial dysfunction by deformation analysis including strain and strain rate may be useful in the asymptomatic diabetic population.

Arterial Anomalies of the Upper Limb and Their Influence on Transradial Coronary Procedures.

OBJECTIVES: During transradial coronary procedures, arterial anomalies of the upper limb can lead to transradial navigation difficulties. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and impact of these anomalies on transradial procedures. METHODS: In consecutive patients undergoing transradial coronary procedures, antegrade upper-limb arterial angiography was done at the end of the procedure with the catheter tip in the subclavian artery. Radial artery angiography from the sheath was done only if the guidewire or catheter could not be navigated. Patient characteristics, upper-limb arterial anatomy, and transradial outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Among 1195 patients, upper-limb arterial anomalies were noted in 117 patients (9.7%). High origin of the radial artery was the most common anomaly (8.1%) followed by radial artery loop (0.9%). Transradial navigation difficulties and failures were significantly more frequent in patients with these anomalies vs those without anomalies (42.7% vs 2.0% [P<.001] and 9.4% vs 0.9%, [P<.001], respectively). There was a greater need for radial road mapping and navigation assistance techniques, including balloon/pigtail assisted tracking. Passage for radial artery loop was associated with maximum navigation difficulties and higher transradial failure rate (63.6%). Fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, and transradial complications, including forearm hematoma and radial artery occlusions, were also significantly higher in patients with upper-limb arterial anomalies. CONCLUSION: Different upper-limb arterial anomalies are associated with different degrees of impact on transradial outcomes; these patients require an individualized approach for transradial navigation.

Post-stenting angiographically silent coronary dissection: OCT comes to the rescue.

Stent edge dissection is one of the procedural complications concerning percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We present a clinical case of multi-vessel PCI where the patient had to return with recurring symptoms within two weeks of a seemingly successful PCI, only to teach us a valuable lesson in the more frequent and judicious use of intracoronary imaging.

Effect of statin on perioperative myocardial injury in isolated valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: Statins have known pleiotropic effects that confer protection from ischemia-reperfusion injury. Because cardiopulmonary bypass is a potentially reversible ischemia-reperfusion sequence, we aimed to assess whether statin loading could help to limit myocardial injury in patients undergoing isolated heart valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: One hundred patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease undergoing valve replacement received either a loading dose of rosuvastatin (40 mg initiated 7 days before surgery; loaded group) or no statins (non-loaded group). Cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase MB, and brain natriuretic peptide were measured at 8, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively. The primary endpoint was the extent of perioperative myocardial injury measured by the area under the curve for each biomarker. RESULTS: Despite similar baseline levels, all biomarkers at 8, 24, and 48 h were significantly lower in the loaded group. The area under the curve of each biomarker was significantly lower in the loaded group than in the non-loaded group (troponin I: 31.43 vs. 77.21 ng·h·mL-1, creatine kinase MB 309.31 vs. 429.12 ng·h·mL-1, brain natriuretic peptide 5176.11 vs. 16119.31 pg·h·mL-1, all p < 0.001). The mean changes from baseline to peak levels were also significantly lower in the loaded group. The loaded group had a shorter hospital stay but no significant difference was seen in ventilator time, inotrope time, aortic crossclamp time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, or intensive care unit stay. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing valve replacement, high-dose statin loading before surgery had a favorable impact on the release kinetics of various cardiac biomarkers.