Cardiac echinococcosis--a rare echocardiographic diagnosis.

A 30 year old female admitted for evaluation of left chest pain was suspected to have multiple cardiac hydatid cysts. The diagnosis was established by cross sectional echocardiography and computed tomography, supported by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for echinococcosis. Medical therapy altered the echopattern of the cysts but failed to reduce cystic masses. Surgery was advocated but refused by the patient.

Alcohol and coronary artery disease.

Alcohol affects the heart and circulation in several ways. Chronic alcohol consumption can be associated with a variety of cardiovascular disorders, ranging from hypertension and stroke to heart failure and sudden death. At the same time an inverse correlation has been found between moderate drinking and incidence of coronary artery disease, perhaps due to its favourable effects on lipoprotein levels. Reports on acute effects of alcohol on coronary circulation, which may be of great significance in patients with pre-existing heart disease, have been contradictory. However, clinical studies have demonstrated an adverse effect of acute alcohol intake in low to moderate doses on coronary supply-demand relation in patients with angina pectoris. Considering the overall health hazard of alcohol consumption, a recommendation that patients increase their alcohol intake or that they start to drink if they do not already would probably be unjustifiable.

Indirect assessment of acute effects of ethyl alcohol on coronary circulation in patients with chronic stable angina.

Acute effects of ethyl alcohol on left ventricular performance, haemodynamic and electrocardiographic response to treadmill exercise test were studied in 20 patients with chronic stable angina. Following ingestion of 80 ml of whisky (43% ethyl alcohol by volume) the mean heart rate and rate-pressure product decreased significantly at the end of each stage of exercise compared to corresponding prealcohol values. There were also significant derangements in systolic time intervals parameters in the form of decrease in left ventricular ejection time I and increase in pre-ejection phase I and pre-ejection phase/left ventricular ejection time ratio after alcohol intake indicating a depression in left ventricular performance. However, following alcohol intake the mean exercise time (6.5 +/- 3.8 minutes) until onset of ischaemic ST segment depression decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) compared to the corresponding prealcohol exercise time (8.6 +/- 3.5 minutes). Interestingly, the mean rate-pressure product (an indicator of myocardial oxygen demand) at the onset of ischaemic ST segment depression was significantly less (P less than 0.01) when exercise test was done after alcohol intake compared to the corresponding pre-alcohol value. The data indicated that despite significant decrease in myocardial oxygen demand produced by alcohol intake, ST T changes developed early and at a lower rate-pressure product, indicating decreased blood flow to the ischaemic zones of the myocardium. This may be explained by the coronary steal effect produced by alcohol.

Multichamber intracardiac thrombi in a patient without any predisposing cardiac or non-cardiac disease.

A patient who developed multichamber (left ventricle, right ventricle, right atrium) intracardiac thrombi without having any predisposing cardiac or non-cardiac disease is discussed. The thrombi were diagnosed echocardiographically and confirmed histopathologically. The occurrence of multichamber mural thrombi without any predisposing disease is extremely rare. Risk factors for their development have been reviewed.

Comparative evaluation of dopamine infusion & treadmill exercise tests in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Dopamine infusion test (DIT) was compared with treadmill exercise test (TMT) in 20 patients of chronic stable angina (TMT +ve) for inducing reversible myocardial ischaemia so as to assess its efficacy as an alternative to TMT in patients who cannot perform exercise test due to certain non-cardiac diseases. DIT was positive in 15 of the 20 patients studied; five patients in whom DIT was negative had late onset, early offset changes in TMT. Haemodynamically the increase in heart rate (HR) was less but rise in systolic blood pressure (SBP) was more with dopamine infusion in comparison to the corresponding stage of TMT. However, evidence of myocardial ischaemia (ST segment depression) appeared at a lower rate pressure product (RPP) with dopamine infusion compared to exercise test. The test was tolerated well, in higher doses (stages III & IV) side effects like ventricular ectopic beats, palpitation and angina not warranting stoppage of test, were seen in some patients. Dopamine infusion is a good chemical stress test, and can be used as an alternative to TMT especially in situations where the latter cannot be performed. The test is simple, cost effective, non-invasive and well tolerated.

The changing profile of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Resurgence of malaria has been noted in the Rohtak district (Haryana, India) after the recent floods. The profile of 66 patients of P. falciparum infection who were admitted to our hospital over one month in October 1995 is reported. While only a minority of cases (< 15%) presented with an uncomplicated course, all others developed one or more complication(s), some of them very rare. The usual manifestations viz, cerebral malaria, black water fever and algid malaria seen in the past were observed in less than half the patients. The remaining presented with unusual complications like haemolytic anaemia (46.2%), severe anaemia (37.9%), thrombocytopaenia (18.2%), pancytopaenia (6%), adult respiratory distress syndrome (4.5%) often not seen in sporadic cases of falciparum malaria which occurred in the past in this district. Similarly all deaths (15.1%) were noted in patients with rarer manifestations and only one patient died of cerebral malaria. This study confirms the occurrence of severe and complicated falciparum malaria in this part of the country.

Estimation of 24 hour protein excretion from single random urine specimen.

The product of protein/creatinine ratio (in a random urine specimen) and estimated daily urinary creatinine excretion were evaluated as a function of 24 h urinary protein excretion in 40 patients with pathology proteinuria having varying grades of renal function. An excellent correlation was found between the results obtained by this method and those from the standard 24 h urine collection method in healthy controls (r = 0.99) and in patients with normal (r = 0.88) or mild to moderately impaired renal function (r = 0.99). However, this method did not give a good measure of quantitative proteinuria in patients with advanced renal failure (r = 0.56), possibly due to decreased urinary excretion of creatinine in patients with advanced renal failure as compared to the estimated value. The product of protein/creatinine ratio and estimated daily urinary creatinine excretion thus gave a quick and alternate reliable method of estimating 24 h proteinuria in patients having normal or mild to moderately impaired renal function. However, this method is not suitable for patients with advanced renal failure.

Cardiovascular complications of enteric fever.

A case of a young female having salmonella typhi infection with cardiovascular complications in the form of myocarditis and femoral artery occlusion is reported. The relevant literature on the subject is reviewed, and possible mechanisms discussed.

Lipid profile in the first-degree relatives of patients with precocious coronary heart disease in Rohtak area (Northern India).

Twenty-five patients with precocious coronary heart disease (CHD) (aged forty years or less) and 82 first-degree relatives were studied for lipid profile. Eighty-eight age- and sex-matched controls were also studied. The mean serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol of patients and their first-degree relatives were significantly higher as compared with normal controls. High density lipoprotein cholesterol values were found to be almost identical in the patient group, their first-degree relatives, and normal controls. Hyperlipidemia was found in 68% of patients with CAD, of their first-degree relatives, and 24% of controls. Almost all lipid fractions in relatives of hyperlipidemic patients paralleled those of the patients suffering from CHD. Of 25 families studied, 16 had hyperlipidemia. In conclusion, it can be stated that there is a statistically significant hyperlipidemia in young patients with CHD that has a significant familial clustering, thus delineating a group of high-risk individuals (first-degree relatives of young coronary patients) for possible primary prevention of CHD. This familial clustering could be due to genetic or environmental factors; however, the relative contribution of these two factors requires further investigation.

Intracardiac mass lesions: experience of 14 cases.

Mass lesions within the heart are often encountered during routine echocardiography. The nature of such masses can generally be suspected depending upon clinical setting. During 13 years of our experience in echo lab, we came across 14 patients with large intracardiac masses (some of them, rare type). Clinical features, echocardiographic findings and histopathological confirmation which was possible in majority of them, are described. Five of our patients had cardiac tumour (myxoma), four had large intracavitary thrombus, while pieces from two patients were demonstrated to have large vegetations and hydatid cyst(s). One patient, suspected to have vegetation on mitral valve, turned out to have thick myxomatous tissue deposits on histopathology. Two-dimensional echocardiographic features of intracardiac mass lesion are generally dependable in deciding nature of such lesions. However, very large thrombus and vegetation mimicking cardiac tumour are rarely encountered.

DC cardioversion and coronary artery spasm.

Marked ST segment elevation which occurred following DC shock given for conversion of lone atrial fibrillation in a 55 years old male is reported. This was possibly coronary artery spasm induced by direct current and adds one more complication to the many already described.

The profile of acute poisonings in Harayana-Rohtak Study.

A prospective study of 559 cases of acute poisoning who came to this hospital over a period of 14 months. 91.4% cases were of self poisoning (suicidal), 8.1% accidental and only 0.5% homicidal. Majority of patients were young (mean age 27 years), males twice the number of females. Almost 3/4th of the total patients belonged to lower socio-economic group (rural more than urban). The common causative factors which led to self poisoning were marital disharmony, economic hardships and scolding/disagreement with other family members. Aluminium phosphide (ALP) was the most commonly abused substance followed by organophosphates and zinc phosphide in 67.8, 13.9 and 4.3% cases respectively. The overall mortality rate in the series was 33.82%, but true mortality rate in patients who consumed ALP was as high as 67.6%. Most of these cases (94.9%) were not given any preliminary treatment in the village primary health centre (PHC) nearest to the site of mishap and they were brought/referred to this hospital straight and thus most valuable time crucial for effective treatment was lost. Easy availability of a highly toxic substance like ALP at peak moments of frustration has added fuel to the fire and pushed up the incidence of self-poisoning. Suggested preventive measures include caging of tablets in plastic packs, stringent restrictions on free supply of ALP and education of medical/paramedical personnel involved in health care delivery at grass root level.

Saddle embolism of aorta.

Aortic saddle embolus is a rare but serious form of arterial embolisation in patients with myocardial infarction. Four patients with aortic saddle embolism with peripheral propagation of the clott are reported. Two patients had suffered an attack of acute anterior myocardial infarction (one and four weeks respectively) prior to the embolic episode. One patient had a transmural myocardial infarct five years ago, and the 4th patient had dilated cardiomyopathy. The onset was sudden, marked by pain, parasthesias, pallor, pulselessness in three patients, and gradual in one. Two of the three patients (both females) in whom clott migration occured in only one limb developed below-knee gangrene of the affected side. In one patient (a young male) clott migration occurred in both popliteal arteries and the limbs were spared from developing gangrene although he continues to have leg angina. One patient presented with intermittent calf claudication only. All our patients reported late due to which none could be subjected to embolectomy.

Serum & tissue magnesium content in patients of aluminium phosphide poisoning and critical evaluation of high dose magnesium sulphate therapy in reducing mortality.

Role of high dose magnesium sulphate therapy was evaluated in 50 patients of Aluminium Phosphide (AIP) poisoning. Simultaneously serum and RBC magnesium levels were studied in these patients at six different points within first 24 hours. In non-survivors magnesium content of various tissues (brain, stomach, kidneys, liver, lungs and heart) was also estimated. Magnesium estimation (tissue as well as serum) was done using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. No significant difference was found in dose related mortality rates in patients treated with and without magnesium sulphate. The immediate causes of death in these patients included intractable shock, shock coupled with arrhythmias and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Serum as well as RBC magnesium content was within normal range at all the six points (0, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours after arrival in hospital). Tissue magnesium content of various organs (in non-survivors) was more (p < 0.01) compared to that of corresponding organs in controls (accidental deaths). No significant alterations were seen in other serum electrolytes (Na, K, Ca, PO4). The data confirmed that neither there was any evidence of hypomagnesemia in these patients nor magnesium sulphate therapy improved survival. Survival can be improved (to some extent) with continuous cardiac monitoring and use of appropriate anti-arrhythmic agents. However, imposition of stringent restrictions on the free supply of AIP and caging of tablets in plastic packs with holes and spikes may yield better results in preventing AIP poisoning rather than treating these patients.

Myositis ossificans in tetanus. A rare complication.

Myositis ossificans developing as a complication of tetanus is very rare. There are only nine cases reported so far. We report here a case of a young female who developed myositis ossificans in both the elbow joints as a complication of severe tetanus.

Profile of young acute myocardial infarction in Harayana.

Profile of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young patients (below 40 years) was studied in a rural/semi-urban population. Out of the total 338 patients who were admitted to ICCU over a period of one year, 65 (19.2%) were aged 40 years or below (Range 14-40 years). Male:female ratio was 20:1. Majority of these young patients were thinly built, engaged in heavy physical work and belonged to lower socio-economic group. Smoking was the most common risk factor (87%); other risk factors were few. Majority of these young patients ignored chest pain and reported late to the hospital. However, despite this, incidence of complications/mortality was less in comparison to their older counterparts. The overall mortality was only 6% as compared to 21% in older age group. The study focuses our attention to the rising incidence of AMI in young individuals even in populations least prone to ischaemic heart disease. Smoking was the only modifiable risk factor which needs to be curbed with full force.

Cardiac arrhythmias in aluminium phosphide poisoning studied by on continuous holter and cardioscopic monitoring.

Variable incidences of cardiac arrhythmias (based on isolated 12 lead ECG records) have been reported in patients of aluminium phosphide (ALP) poisoning. We did continuous holter and cardioscopic monitoring in ICU in 30 patients of acute ALP poisoning. Supraventricular and ventricular ectopics were recorded in each and every patient. Life threatening ventricular tachycardia was recorded in 40% cases and ventricular fibrillation in 23.3% cases. Supraventricular tachycardia and atrial flutter/fibrillation occurred in 46.7% and 20% patients, respectively. ST-T changes simulating myocardial ischaemia were also present in all patients (S-T depression in 90%, S-T elevation in 10%). One-third of the patients developed variable degrees of heart block, IV amiodarone/xylocard could revert dangerous ventricular arrhythmias to sinus rhythm in 4 cases. Toxic myocarditis produced by phosphine seems to be responsible for the development of these arrhythmias.

Effect of atenolol and labetalol on serum lipids.

Adverse alterations in lipid profile suggesting higher atherogenicity were observed following 12 weeks treatment with atenolol in patients of hypertension. No significant alterations in lipid profile were observed with labetalol therapy.

Tissue magnesium content and histopathological changes in non-survivors of aluminium phosphide poisoning.

The study was conducted in 30 non-survivors of Aluminium Phosphide poisoning and similar number of age and sex matched controls (fatalities as a result of road side accidents, head injury, etc). Magnesium content was estimated in brain, heart, stomach, kidney, liver and lung using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. It was found that tissue magnesium levels were not significantly different (p = NS) when comparison was carried out between controls (Group II) and Patients who were not given magnesium as part of treatment (group IB). However magnesium levels in different organs of patients who received magnesium as part of treatment were found to be significantly higher (group IA)(P < 0.01) in comparison to controls as well as patient group not treated with magnesium sulphate. Significant histopathological changes were observed in almost all the organs. The changes seem to be the result of direct tissue damage by phosphine rather than shock and anoxia which occurred in all these cases.

Utility of intradermal smear in the diagnosis of malaria.

The objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate the usefulness of the intradermal smear test in the diagnosis of malaria. One hundred cases of suspected malaria (having received no prior antimalarials) were investigated. Both peripheral blood film (PBF) and intradermal smears (IDS) were simultaneously prepared and patients placed on antimalarial therapy. The slides were repeated for the next 2 days. At admission, 70 cases were positive on PBF--59 were Plasmodium falciparum (PF) and 11 were Plasmodium vivax (PV) whereas surprisingly 62 cases were positive on IDS at admission--61 were PF, one was PV. IDS identified two more cases of PF [P value (not significant)] but failed to identify any new cases of PV (P value NS). On subsequent days IDS positivity for PF was higher than for PBF (P < 0.05 for day 1 and P < 0.001 for day 2). However, the PV yield was poor for any further statistical evaluation on subsequent days. We conclude that IDS is simple, easy to perform, requires no special infrastructure compared to PBF, and is a helpful diagnostic tool in cases where malaria is strongly suspected but peripheral blood slides are repeatedly negative due to prior use of antimalarial therapy. IDS may be added to routine PBF in malaria (especially PF).