Ministry of Health Clinical Practice Guidelines: Lipids.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has updated the Clinical Practice Guidelines on Lipids to provide doctors and patients in Singapore with evidence-based treatment for lipids. This article reproduces the introduction and executive summary (with recommendations from the guidelines) from the MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines on Lipids, for the information of SMJ readers. Chapters and page numbers mentioned in the reproduced extract refer to the full text of the guidelines, which are available from the Ministry of Health website: http://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/healthprofessionalsportal/doctors/guidelines/cpg_medical.html.

15th Sukaman Memorial Lecture: ST Segment Elevation: New Electrocardiographic Insights in 2014.

Of all the non-arrhythmic electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities, ST segment elevation (ST elevation) is the most important with regard to diagnosis, prognosis and management.

Predictors of In-hospital Adverse Events in Patients with Prosthetic Valve Infective Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and analyse factors associated with in-hospital adverse events. METHODS: A review of all patients who underwent echocardiography at a local university hospital with definite PVE (modified Duke's criteria) was performed. Adverse events of in-hospital mortality and redo valve surgery were identified. RESULTS: There were 23 patients with PVE (median age 53 years (IQR:38-66), 12 males (52%)). Twelve adverse events occurred including seven (30%) in-hospital mortalities and five (21%) redo valve surgery. Factors associated with in-hospital mortality include Staphylococcus aureus-PVE (86% vs 31%, p=0.027), presence of shock (86% vs 19%, p=0.005) and intensive care unit admission (72% vs 19%, p=0.026). Factors associated with the need for redo valve surgery include a younger median age (37 vs 61 years, p=0.012), longer median length of stay (58 vs 17 days, p=0.004), history of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) (60% vs 6%, p=0.021) and right-sided valvular involvement (40% vs 0%, p=0.040). Using a composite endpoint of both outcomes, factors associated with in-hospital adverse events were a history of IVDA (36% vs 0%, p=0.037) and presence of shock (64% vs 17%, p=0.036). CONCLUSION: PVE carries a high risk of poor clinical outcome in terms of in-hospital mortality and the need for redo surgery.

Relationship between apnoea-hypopnoea index and angiographiccoronary disease phenotypes in patients presenting with acutemyocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea and atherosclerosis has not been confirmed using coronary angiography. We sought to investigate the relationships between the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) and angiographic coronary disease phenotypes.
 METHODS: SYNTAX score, lesion complexity, and thrombus burden grade were determined in 125 patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction and had undergone a screening sleep study. Severe OSA was defined as AHI ≥ 30.
 RESULTS: Most of the recruited patients were male (97.6%). Severe obstructive sleep apnoea was diagnosed in 37% of the patients. The severe obstructive sleep apnoea group (n = 46) was older (P = 0.039) and more obese (P = 0.003) than the non-severe group (n = 79). There was no evidence of difference between the severe and non-severe obstructive sleep apnoea groups with regard to SYNTAX score (P = 0.871), number of complex lesions (P = 0.241), and thrombus burden grade (P = 0.433). Multivariate analysis adjusting for difference in age and body mass index did not change the findings. CONCLUSION: Using the three angiographic scoring systems, we found no association between AHI and angiographic coronary disease phenotypes, suggesting a limited effect of obstructive sleep apnoea on the amount and distribution of coronary plaques in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction in singapore: ethnic variation in evidence-based therapy and its association with socioeconomic status, social network size and perceived stress level.

BACKGROUND: Singapore is a multiethnic Asian country comprising predominantly Chinese, Malays, and Indians. We sought to study the disparities in evidence-based therapy for people from these three ethnic groups who were admitted to hospital with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We also examined its association with socioeconomic level and social network size and the influence on psychological stress level. METHODS: In a prospective study, patients admitted with STEMI were recruited for a questionnaire survey. Relevant demographic and clinical data were collected. RESULTS: A total of 364 patients were recruited and categorised based on ethnicity: Chinese (222 patients), Malays (72 patients), and Indians (70 patients). Malays and Indians were significantly younger than Chinese at the time of presentation with STEMI. Malays had significantly more children than the Chinese and Indians. Malays were in the lowest socioeconomic class, based on education level (P ≤ .02) and residential type (P ≤ .003). Most (87%) patients were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. There were no significant differences between Chinese, Malays, and Indians in accessibility to primary percutaneous coronary intervention, symptom-to-balloon time, door-to-balloon time, and prescription of evidence-based medications. Malays had larger social networks for information support (P ≤ .05) and financial support (P ≤ .04) than Chinese and Indians. There were no significant differences between the three ethnic groups in satisfaction with social support. The perceived stress level was higher among Malays and Indians than Chinese. CONCLUSIONS: Although Malays were underprivileged in the socioeconomic level, no significant difference in healthcare disparities were observed among the three ethnic groups. This may be a reflection of the advancement in Singapore's healthcare system. The lower socioeconomic level may also explain the higher perceived stress level in Malays.

Demographics of severe valvular aortic stenosis in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of aortic valve stenosis (AS) is seeing renewed interest mainly due to the availability of transcatheter therapies. However, the number of epidemiological studies of this disease in Singapore is limited. We aimed to describe the aetiology and clinical presentation of AS in Singapore, as well as patients' attitudes toward it. Our findings may facilitate the future planning and utilisation of resources to better manage these patients. METHODS: 249 consecutive patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography (from April 1999 to April 2008) and diagnosed with severe AS were assessed. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and patients' decisions on surgery were determined. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 71 (range 23-98) years. 50.2% of patients were male. The commonest presenting symptom was dyspnoea, and 40 (16.0%) patients had coexistent atrial fibrillation. The aetiology of AS was degenerative in 216 (86.7%), rheumatic in 11 (4.4%) and related to a bicuspid valve in 22 (8.9%) patients. The average peak velocity across the aortic valve was 4.2 ± 0.8 m/s and the mean aortic valve area was 0.76 ± 0.13 cm2. The overall mean logistic EuroSCORE was 10.7 ± 12.3. 105 (42.2%) patients who were offered surgery refused. 87 (35%) deaths were seen during the follow-up period (mean duration 14.5 months), which also saw 68 (27%) patients undergo surgery and 86 (34%) patients hospitalised for heart failure. CONCLUSION: Degenerative AS was the commonest aetiology in this contemporary cohort of patients. Despite the known benefits of surgery, the refusal rate for surgery remained high.

Reperfusion therapies reduce ischemic mitral regurgitation following inferoposterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The presence of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) portends a poorer prognosis. The possible influence of reperfusion therapy in restoring mitral valve competence in inferoposterior STEMI has not been well elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 423 consecutive patients with a first inferoposterior STEMI and determined the presence of IMR in patients treated with reperfusion therapy versus medical therapy. A primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in 186 patients; 74 patients underwent thrombolysis, 63 patients had rescue PCI whereas 54 patients were treated medically. The mean time interval between STEMI presentation and echocardiography was 14 ± 27 days. Patients receiving reperfusion therapy had less moderate or severe IMR (2.5 vs. 11.1%, P=0.001). The presence of IMR between the primary PCI and the thrombolytic groups was similar (52.2 vs. 60.8%, P=NS). Left ventricular ejection fraction (47.7 ± 10.3 vs. 53.1 ± 11.4%, P<0.001) and infarct size (mean CK-MB) (271 ± 168 vs. 222 ± 151 U/l, P<0.001) were significantly worse in patients with IMR. Dominance of the coronary artery system, involvement of the right or the left coronary arteries, and the presence of triple-vessel disease did not correlate with the presence of IMR. After adjustment for age and left ventricular ejection fraction, there was a trend toward poorer survival and recurrent admission for heart failure at 1 year in patients with IMR (hazard ratio=2.4, 95% confidence interval 0.91-6.2, P=0.08). CONCLUSION: Both thrombolytic therapy and primary PCI were associated with decreased incidences of IMR following inferoposterior STEMI.

Correlation between high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and remodeling index in patients with coronary artery disease: IDEAS (IVUS diagnostic evaluation of atherosclerosis in Singapore)-HDL study.

Serum level of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol is associated with risk of coronary artery disease. We correlated the serum level of cholesterol with coronary artery remodeling index of patients with coronary artery disease. A total of 120 patients with de novo lesions located in native coronary artery were studied. Remodeling index was based on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) interrogation of the lesions using the static approach, and was defined as external elastic membrane (EEM) area at lesion/average EEM area at proximal and distal reference segments. The average remodeling index was 0.9 (SD: 0.2). The remodeling index was not associated with any of the demographic and coronary risk factors. Stable angina was associated with a low remodeling index. Remodeling index correlated with white blood cell count and HDL-cholesterol, but not with total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride. In the multiple linear regression analysis, HDL-cholesterol and procedure indication were the only 2 significant predictors of remodeling index. An increase of 1 mg/dL of HDL-cholesterol resulted in a decrease of 0.003 (95% CI: 0.0001, 0.007; P = 0.046) in remodeling index, after adjusting for procedural indications. When stratified according to diabetic status, the negative correlation persisted in non-diabetic (P = 0.023), but not in diabetic, patients (P = 0.707). We found a negative correlation between HDL-cholesterol level and remodeling index. Diabetic status may have an influence on the observed relationship.

Relation between combining evidence-based medications on mortality following myocardial infarction in patients with and without renal impairment.

BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet agents, beta-blockers, statins and ACE inhibitors have been shown to reduce mortality in patients following myocardial infarction (MI). However, it is uncertain if the combination of these agents has a similar impact on mortality following MI in patients with renal dysfunction. METHODS: We studied 5529 consecutive patients with confirmed MI between January 2000 and December 2003. Data on baseline demographics, co-morbidities and in-hospital management were collected prospectively. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using the 4-component Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Based on discharge use of evidence-based medications, the patients were divided into those using 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 medications. The impact of medication use on 1-year mortality was then assessed for patients with GFR > or =60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (group I) and GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (group 2). RESULTS: Mean age was 63 +/- 13 years with 71% men.The prevalence of reduced GFR was 35% and the adjusted odds ratio for I-year mortality of patients in group 2 compared to those in group I was 1.86 (95% CI 1.54-2.25, P < 0.001). Compared with patients with no medication, the adjusted odds ratio for 1-year mortality was lower in patients with 1, 2, 3 and 4 medications in both groups. There was no significant interaction between the number of medications used and GFR. CONCLUSION: Increased use of combined evidence-based medications was independently associated with a lower 1-year post MI mortality. Such therapies offer similar survival benefit in patients with and without renal dysfunction.

Diverse clinical spectrum of stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an uncommon disorder characterized by apical ballooning. The etiology and pathophysiology of this syndrome has not been fully evaluated. This case series examined the clinical characteristics and outcomes of 10 patients with confirmed stress-induced cardiomyopathy. We identified 10 cases of stress-induced cardiomyopathy. All exhibit characteristic apical ballooning and basal hyperkinesia except one with an "inverted Takotsubo" pattern. Coronary angiography excluded coronary artery stenoses as a cause of cardiomyopathy. Patient characteristics, cardiac function, follow-up echocardiography and outcomes were determined. 60% of cases were female and 70% of cases had ST-segment elevations. Identified precipitants included severe emotional stress, subarachnoid haemorrhage and sepsis. None of the cases had angiographically significant coronary stenosis. One patient had an "inverted Takotsubo" pattern with mid-ventricular ballooning. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is a clinical spectrum which can present with a classical "Takotsubo" or "inverted Takotsubo" pattern. Presentation is varied but characterized by recovery to normal cardiac systolic function. Study of this syndrome may enhance further understanding of the "brain-heart" relationship.

Computer-based testing of the modified essay question: the Singapore experience.

BACKGROUND: The modified essay question (MEQ), featuring an evolving case scenario, tests a candidate's problem-solving and reasoning ability, rather than mere factual recall. Although it is traditionally conducted as a pen-and-paper examination, our university has run the MEQ using computer-based testing (CBT) since 2003. AIMS: We describe our experience with running the MEQ examination using the IVLE, or integrated virtual learning environment (https://ivle.nus.edu.sg), provide a blueprint for universities intending to conduct computer-based testing of the MEQ, and detail how our MEQ examination has evolved since its inception. METHODS: An MEQ committee, comprising specialists in key disciplines from the departments of Medicine and Paediatrics, was formed. We utilized the IVLE, developed for our university in 1998, as the online platform on which we ran the MEQ. We calculated the number of man-hours (academic and support staff) required to run the MEQ examination, using either a computer-based or pen-and-paper format. RESULTS: With the support of our university's information technology (IT) specialists, we have successfully run the MEQ examination online, twice a year, since 2003. Initially, we conducted the examination with short-answer questions only, but have since expanded the MEQ examination to include multiple-choice and extended matching questions. A total of 1268 man-hours was spent in preparing for, and running, the MEQ examination using CBT, compared to 236.5 man-hours to run it using a pen-and-paper format. Despite being more labour-intensive, our students and staff prefer CBT to the pen-and-paper format. CONCLUSIONS: The MEQ can be conducted using a computer-based testing scenario, which offers several advantages over a pen-and-paper format. We hope to increase the number of questions and incorporate audio and video files, featuring clinical vignettes, to the MEQ examination in the near future.

Heart failure mortality in Southeast Asian patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic indicators and mortality in multiethnic Southeast Asian patients with heart failure (HF) may be different. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population comprised 225 inpatients with HF with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or less who were discharged alive. Five years later, survival and causes of death were determined. Proportionally, more Malay and Indian patients were admitted compared with Chinese patients (P < .001). There were 55.6% in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV. Ischemic heart disease was the most common cause (85.8%). At 5 years, 152 patients (67.5%) had died. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were prescribed to 79.1% of patients on discharge. Cardiovascular causes accounted for 69.7% of deaths. Predictors of mortality include female gender (P = .046), age 70 years or more (P = .017), renal impairment (P = .008), NYHA class III or IV (P = .03), and non-use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (P = .005). On multivariate analysis, increasing age (P = .001) and renal impairment (P = .019) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. Cardiovascular death was more likely with NYHA class III or IV (P = .004) and renal impairment (P = .012). CONCLUSION: Mortality is unusually high in this group of patients despite treatment. Greater use of evidence-based therapies in HF-management programs may arrest this trend.

Variant angina in a 6-year-old boy.

We describe a case of variant angina and acute inferior myocardial infarction in a previously well 6-year-old boy with a strong family history of ischemic heart disease.