Utility of optical coherence tomography in acute coronary syndromes.

Studies utilizing intravascular imaging have replicated the findings of histopathological studies, identifying the most common substrates for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) as plaque rupture, erosion, and calcified nodule, with spontaneous coronary artery dissection, coronary artery spasm, and coronary embolism constituting the less common etiologies. The purpose of this review is to summarize the data from clinical studies that have used high-resolution intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess culprit plaque morphology in ACS. In addition, we discuss the utility of intravascular OCT for effective treatment of patients presenting with ACS, including the possibility of culprit lesion-based treatment by percutaneous coronary intervention.

Presentation, management, and outcomes of 25 748 acute coronary syndrome admissions in Kerala, India: results from the Kerala ACS Registry.

AIMS: There are limited contemporary data on the presentation, management, and outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admissions in India. We aimed to develop a prospective registry to address treatment and health systems gaps in the management of ACSs in Kerala, India. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively collected data on 25 748 consecutive ACS admissions from 2007 to 2009 in 125 hospitals in Kerala. We evaluated data on presentation, management, and in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We created random-effects multivariate regression models to evaluate predictors of outcomes while accounting for confounders. Mean (SD) age at presentation was 60 (12) years and did not differ among ACS types [ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) = 37%; non-STEMI = 31%; unstable angina = 32%]. In-hospital anti-platelet use was high (>90%). Thrombolytics were used in 41% of STEMI, 19% of non-STEMI, and 11% of unstable angina admissions. Percutaneous coronary intervention rates were marginally higher in STEMI admissions. Discharge medication rates were variable and generally suboptimal (<80%). In-hospital mortality and MACE rates were highest for STEMI (8.2 and 10.3%, respectively). After adjustment, STEMI diagnosis (vs. unstable angina) [odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval = 4.06 (2.36, 7.00)], symptom-to-door time >6 h [OR = 2.29 (1.73, 3.02)], and inappropriate use of thrombolysis [OR = 1.33 (0.92, 1.91)] were associated with higher risk of in-hospital mortality and door-to-needle time <30 min [OR = 0.44 (0.27, 0.72)] was associated with lower mortality. Similar trends were seen for risk of MACE. CONCLUSION: These data represent the largest ACS registry in India and demonstrate opportunities for improving ACS care.

Disability among Leprosy Patients in the Lustrum 2016-2020: Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in Southern Kerala.

Background: The stigma surrounding leprosy in the community is due to grade 2 disability (G2D). The current global leprosy project aims towards a 90% reduction in G2D by 2030. This research was done to estimate the proportion of leprosy patients who had G2D at the time of diagnosis and to identify the clinical and demographic factors that predicted G2D. Materials and Methods: Design -Hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study. The outcome variable was G2D and the determinants were demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: G2D was seen in 22.3% and G1D in 17.5%. The M:F ratio of G2D was 5:1. G2D was highest in the hands (62.1%), followed by the feet (59.4%), and the eyes (16.2%). The claw hand was the most common deformity in the hand and the plantar ulcer was the most common deformity in the feet. Age >45 (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.1-4.8), males (OR 3.3,95% CI 1.3-8.5), multibacillary type (OR 6.95,95% CI 1.6-30.6), pure neuritic type (OR 3.6,95% CI 1.1-12.3), and thickened nerves (OR 14.3, 95% CI 1.9-108.7) were the significant determinants. Conclusion: Being male, being older than 45, having multibacillary leprosy, having pure neuritic leprosy, and having a thicker nerve trunk predicted G2D. Training primary care health workers in recognising the subtle early symptoms and raising community awareness are the need of the hour. Frequent leprosy case detection programmes should be held to identify undiagnosed cases.

A patient presenting with early syphilis and features of general paralysis of insane - An interesting case report in the 21st century!

A 66-year-old unemployed unmarried male with known men sex men activity since the age of 20 years presented with an erythematous well-defined ulcer on the lower lip and multiple discrete papulo-squamous lesions on the palms, soles, and scrotum. The patient was also in dysphoric mood with grandiose ideas with normal higher function. Knee and ankle jerk reflexes were absent and there was impaired tandem walking. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay were positive. Cerebrospinal fluid-VDRL was positive with grossly elevated proteins and glucose. HIV test was negative. Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain was normal. We made a diagnosis of neurosphilis - General paralysis of insane (GPI) with co-existing early syphilis. The patient was started on crystalline penicillin for 14 days after which there was significant improvement in behavior. We are reporting a rare case of GPI with early syphilis.

Clinical expert consensus document on the use of percutaneous left ventricular assist devices during complex high-risk PCI in India using a standardised algorithm.

Over the past decade, percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (pLVAD), such as the Impella microaxial flow pump (Abiomed), have been increasingly used to provide haemodynamic support during complex and high-risk revascularisation procedures to reduce the risk of intraprocedural haemodynamic compromise and to facilitate complete and optimal revascularisation. A global consensus on patient selection for the use of pLVADs, however, is currently lacking. Access to these devices is different across the world, thus, individual health care environments need to create and refine patient selection paradigms to optimise the use of these devices. The Impella pLVAD has recently been introduced in India and is being used in several centres in the management of high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and cardiogenic shock. With this increasing utilisation, there is a need for a standardised evaluation protocol to guide Impella use that factors in the unique economic and infrastructural characteristics of India's health care system to ensure that the needs of patients are optimally managed. In this consensus document, we present an algorithm to guide Impella use in Indian patients: to establish a standardised patient selection and usage paradigm that will allow both optimal patient outcomes and ongoing data collection.

Rationale, Design, and Implications of Bifurcation Coronary Stenting: Insight from the Indian Bifurcation Stenting (IBIS) Registry.

Background Bifurcation coronary stenting (BCS) has unique therapeutic challenges. Several BCS strategies are prescribed for treatment, with conflicting data, and which is the best strategy for optimal short- and long-term outcomes remains a matter of debate. There is no systematic data from an Indian perspective in regard to patterns of BCS and its outcomes. Methods and analysis The Indian Bifurcation Stenting (IBIS) registry is a prospective, nationwide, endpoint-driven, investigator-initiated, multi-center, observational registry to compare the different bifurcation stent strategies, the effect of adjuvant techniques, and bifurcation anatomical differences in predicting short- and long-term clinical outcomes of bifurcation coronary interventions in India. A total of 1,000 patients from 20 clinical sites across the country will be enrolled in this study from September 2020 to August 2023. The primary endpoint will be the composite endpoint of major adverse cardiac events including cardiac death, target lesion myocardial infarction (MI), and ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization at the end of two years. The secondary endpoints include all causes of death, MI, target vessel revascularization, in-stent restenosis, stroke, and predefined procedural parameters. The safety endpoint is the occurrence of definite or probable stent thrombosis. Conclusion The aim of this prospective observational registry is to assess the practice patterns and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing coronary bifurcation lesion angioplasty in India. This will be extremely useful to provide an evidence-based insight as well as guidance to bifurcation angioplasty in India.

Coronary plaque and clinical characteristics of South Asian (Indian) patients with acute coronary syndromes: An optical coherence tomography study.

BACKGROUND: South Asians, and Indians in particular, are known to have a higher incidence of premature atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with worse clinical outcomes, compared to populations with different ethnic backgrounds. However, the underlying pathobiology accounting for these differences has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: ACS patients who had culprit lesion optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging were enrolled. Culprit plaque characteristics were evaluated using OCT. RESULTS: Among 1315 patients, 100 were South Asian, 1009 were East Asian, and 206 were White. South Asian patients were younger (South Asians vs. East Asians vs. Whites: 51.6 ± 13.4 vs. 65.4 ± 11.9 vs. 62.7 ± 11.7; p < 0.001) and more frequently presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (77.0% vs. 56.4% vs. 35.4%; p < 0.001). On OCT analysis after propensity group matching, plaque erosion was more frequent (57.0% vs. 38.0% vs. 50.0%; p = 0.003), the lipid index was significantly greater (2281.6 [1570.8-3160.6] vs. 1624.3 [940.9-2352.4] vs. 1303.8 [1090.0-1757.7]; p < 0.001), and the prevalence of layered plaque was significantly higher in the South Asian group than in the other two groups (52.0% vs. 30.0% vs. 34.0%; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to East Asians and Whites, South Asians with ACS were younger and more frequently presented with STEMI. Plaque erosion was the predominant pathology for ACS in South Asians and their culprit lesions had more features of plaque vulnerability. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03479723.

Effect of Perineural and Intravenous Dexamethasone on Duration of Analgesia in Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block with Bupivacaine: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Perineural dexamethasone has been shown to improve analgesia in single injection supraclavicular block. Systemic mechanism of action of dexamethasone along with safety concerns of perineural route of administration has prompted the investigation of intravenous route as an alternative. AIMS: We aim to compare the effects of dexamethasone as an additive to local anesthetic when used via perineural and intravenous route in terms of duration of analgesia and onset of motor and sensory block. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was done as a prospective comparative observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in India among 50 patients during a period of 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients aged 18-60 years, belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Classes I and II, receiving supraclavicular block with 0.5% bupivacaine and perineural dexamethasone were compared with similar number of patients receiving the block along with intravenous dexamethasone. Duration of analgesia, onset of sensory block, and onset of motor block were studied. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The results were analyzed using Chi-square test for qualitative variables and unpaired t-test for quantitative variables. RESULTS: The duration of analgesia in the group receiving perineural dexamethasone (Group DP) 817.2 ± 88.011 min was comparable to the group receiving intravenous dexamethasone (Group DI) 858.00 ± 86.168, with a P = 0.104. Time to onset of sensory block in Group DP (10.20 ± 1.443 min) was significantly faster than that of Group DI (11.60 ± 1.443) with a P = 0.001. Time to onset of motor block in Group DP (13.92 ± 1.754 min) was significantly earlier than that of Group DI (14.96 ± 1.274 min) with a P = 0.02. CONCLUSION: It is concluded from this study that intravenous and perineural dexamethasone equally prolongs the duration of analgesia in supraclavicular block. However, perineural dexamethasone resulted in a faster onset of motor and sensory blockade.

Comparison of resting and adenosine-free pressure indices with adenosine-induced hyperemic fractional flow reserve in intermediate coronary lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) using adenosine has been the gold standard in the functional assessment of intermediate coronary stenoses in the catheterization laboratory. We aim to study the correlation of adenosine-free indices such as whole cycle Pd/Pa [the ratio of mean distal coronary pressure (Pd) to the mean pressure observed in the aorta (Pa)], instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), and contrast-induced submaximal hyperemia (cFFR) with FFR. METHODS: This multicenter, prospective, observational study included patients with stable angina or acute coronary syndrome (>48 h since onset) with discrete intermediate coronary lesions (40-70% diameter stenosis). All patients underwent assessment of whole cycle Pd/Pa, iFR, cFFR, and FFR. We then evaluated the correlation of these indices with FFR and assessed the diagnostic efficiencies of them against FFR ≤0.80. RESULTS: Of the 103 patients from three different centers, 83 lesions were included for analysis. The correlation coefficient (r value) of whole cycle Pd/Pa, iFR, and cFFR in relation to FFR were +0.84, +0.77, and +0.70 (all p values < 0.001), respectively, and the c-statistic against FFR ≤0.80 were 0.92 (0.86-0.98), 0.89(0.81-0.97), and 0.91 (0.85-0.97) (all p values < 0.001), respectively. The best cut-off values identified by receiver-operator characteristic curve for whole cycle Pd/Pa, iFR, and cFFR were 0.94, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively, for an FFR ≤0.80. By the concept of "adenosine-free zone" (iFR = 0.86-0.93), 59% lesions in this study would not require adenosine. CONCLUSION: All the three adenosine-free indices had good correlation with FFR. There is no difference in the diagnostic accuracies among the indices in functional evaluation of discrete intermediate coronary stenoses. However, further validation is needed before adoption of adenosine-free pressure parameters into clinical practice.

Consensus document for invasive coronary physiologic assessment in Asia-Pacific countries.

BACKGROUND: Currently, invasive physiologic assessment such as fractional flow reserve is widely used worldwide with different adoption rates around the globe. Patient characteristics and physician preferences often differ in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region with respect to treatment strategy, techniques, lesion complexity, access to coronary physiology and imaging devices, as well as patient management. Thus, there is a need to construct a consensus document on recommendations for use of physiology-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in APAC populations. This document serves as an overview of recommendations describing the best practices for APAC populations to achieve more consistent and optimal clinical outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: A comprehensive multiple-choice questionnaire was provided to 20 interven- tional cardiologists from 10 countries in the APAC region. Clinical evidence, tips and techniques, and clinical situations for the use of physiology-guided PCI in APAC were reviewed and used to propose key recommendations. There are suggestions to continue to develop evidence for lesion and patient types that will benefit from physiology, develop directions for future research in health economics and local data, develop appropriate use criteria in different countries, and emphasize the importance of education of all stakeholders. A consensus recommendation to enhance the penetration of invasive physiology-based therapy was to adopt the 5E approach: Evidence, Education, Expand hardware, Economics and Expert consensus. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus document and recommendations support interventional fellows and cardiologists, hospital administrators, patients, and medical device companies to build confidence and encourage wider implementation of invasive coronary physiology-guided therapy in the APAC region.

Optimal platelet inhibition in patients undergoing PCI: data from the Multicenter Registry of High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Adequate Platelet Inhibition (MR PCI) study.

BACKGROUND: Optimal inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) may afford greater protection against ischemic events during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The objective of this study was to test several antiplatelet regimens in elective high-risk PCI patients by comparing different combinations of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and clopidogrel. METHODS: The study was a randomized open-label study at 3 heart centers in India. One hundred twenty patients were enrolled between July 2006 and September 2006. Patients were randomized to 1 of the 4 groups: group A--tirofiban, group B--eptifibatide, group C--tirofiban + clopidogrel 600-mg loading dose, and group D--eptifibatide + clopidogrel 600-mg loading dose. All patients received a clopidogrel maintenance dose after PCI. The primary outcome measure was the IPA assessed at 10 minutes, at 6 to 8 hours, and at 24 hours. RESULTS: The IPA was higher with high-dose tirofiban compared with eptifibatide at 10 minutes (95.88 +/- 5.85% vs 91.22 +/- 7.52%, P = .003) and at 6 to 8 hours (93.11 +/- 7.6% vs 85.45 +/- 11.03, P < .001). Significantly more patients achieved >95% IPA with the high-dose tirofiban regimen. CONCLUSIONS: This head-to-head study comparing high-dose tirofiban with double-bolus eptifibatide demonstrated higher degree of platelet inhibition with high-dose tirofiban at 10 minutes and at 6 to 8 hours in patients undergoing elective high-risk PCI. The addition of clopidogrel did not acutely extend the IPA from intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, but did so at 24 hours.

The design and rationale of the primary angioplasty registry of Kerala.

BACKGROUND: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) continues to be a major cause of cardiovascular mortality in Kerala, India. Timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the recommended reperfusion strategy for STEMI. There is limited data on the safety, effectiveness, equity and efficiency of regional primary PCI services in India. METHODS/DESIGN: The primary angioplasty registry of Kerala is a clinician-initiated prospective state-wide longitudinal hospital-based registry of patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI. The registry aims to document the efficacy and safety of the real world use of primary PCI in Indian patients presenting with STEMI, in order to achieve regional adoption of global standard performance indicators. In addition, the registry would analyze procedural variations in the performance of primary PCI and assess its impact on relevant patient centered outcomes. We plan to enroll 6000 STEMI patients, undergoing primary PCI, across 48 hospitals. These patients would be followed up for a minimum of 1year. CONCLUSIONS: The primary angioplasty registry of Kerala would help analyze the quality and outcomes of primary PCI services in Kerala, thereby yielding insights that can help limit unacceptable procedural variations in the performance of primary PCI. Identifying deviations from guideline based therapies can form the basis of quality improvement programs, which in turn will enable hospitals to achieve better patient outcomes.

Current practices of Asia-Pacific cardiologists in the utilization of bioresorbable scaffolds.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although Absorb Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds (A-BVS) are routinely used in the Asia-Pacific, there is little information on patient selection or deployment technique here. This document investigates the experiences of leading interventional cardiologists from the Asia-Pacific region with a focus on patient characteristics, deployment techniques and management. METHODS AND RESULTS: A detailed questionnaire was distributed to 28 highly-experienced interventional cardiologists ('Authors') from 13 Asia-Pacific countries. The results were discussed at a meeting on patient selection, technical consideration, deployment practices and patient management. Potential patient benefits of Absorb compared to metallic DES, the learning curve for patient selection and preparation, device deployment, and subsequent patient management approaches are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Current practices are derived from guidelines optimized for European patients. Differences in approach exist in the Asia-Pacific context, including limited access to imaging and frequency of occurrence of complex lesions. Nevertheless, the use of the Absorb BVS ('Absorb') in certain Asia-Pacific countries has flourished and practices here are continuing to mature.

Three-year data from the XIENCE V INDIA study: safety and efficacy of XIENCE V in 1000 real world Indian patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease in Asia has reached epidemic proportions in recent years. Use of drug eluting stents in Asians has rapidly expanded with varying penetration rates across different countries. The XIENCE V INDIA Study included 'real world' patients who underwent XIENCE V stent implantation to assess short and intermediate term outcomes in Indian patients with diverse risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate 3-year clinical outcomes in a cohort of 'real world' Indian patients with CAD being treated with XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System. METHODS: 1000 patients were enrolled from 18 sites in India between June 2008 and March 2009. Patients were included if their index procedures were completed using only XIENCE V. There were no clinical or angiographic exclusions. An independent Clinical Events Committee adjudicated all endpoint-related events. The primary endpoint was stent thrombosis rate annually through to 3 years as defined by the Academic Research Consortium criteria. The co-primary endpoint was the composite rate of cardiac death and myocardial infarction at 1 year. RESULTS: At 1-year the primary endpoint of definite/probable stent thrombosis rate was 0.51%. No additional very late stent thrombosis was reported through a 3-year follow up. The composite endpoint of cardiac death and any myocardial infarction was 1.9%, 2.7% and 3.1% at 1, 2 and 3 years respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite the high risk population of coronary artery disease, the use of XIENCE V in 'real world' Indian patients was associated with very low clinical event rates upto three years of follow up.