Utility of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Cardiac Infections.

Diagnosis of cardiac infections, which includes infective endocarditis (IE) and cardiac device infections, despite having a high death rate, is still challenging. Frequently used modalities such as echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging cannot confirm the presence of an active infection or extracardiac findings. Taking these things to consideration, newer guidelines have suggested the inclusion of 18F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (18F FDG PET/CT) in the workup of patients with suspected prosthetic valve IE. In this pictorial essay, we are demonstrating the utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT in varied cases of IE, cardiac implantable electronic devices, and coronary stent infection and how they helped in solving diagnostic dilemmas.

Early repolarization syndrome, epilepsy, and atrial fibrillation in a young girl with novel KCND3 mutation managed with quinidine.

A 6-year-old girl presented with a difficult to control epilepsy syndrome. On evaluation, additional presyncope episodes associated with polymorphic ventricular tachycardia were also noted. A diagnosis of early repolarization syndrome (ERS) was made with an early repolarization pattern on electrocardiogram, documented VT episodes, and clinical presyncope (proposed Shanghai score 7). Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) was also noted on 24-h Holter recordings. The child was stabilized with isoprenaline infusion and was later discharged with arrhythmia control on quinidine and cilostazol. The genetic evaluation revealed a potassium channel KCND3 gene missense mutation. The case highlights the association of epilepsy syndrome and AF with ERS; the possible association of KCND3 gene mutation with a malignant phenotype; and management issues in a small child.

A randomized trial of the immediate effect of Bee-Humming Breathing exercise on blood pressure and heart rate variability in patients with essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: Bee-Humming Breathing (BHB) exercise is a simple yogic practice recommended for its favorable effect on cardiac physiology, including blood pressure (BP) and autonomic nervous system. However, strong evidence supporting its effectiveness is lacking. The present study was designed to evaluate the immediate effect of BHB exercise on blood pressure parameters and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with essential hypertension. STUDY METHODS: We conducted a randomized control trial including 70 patients with essential hypertension, randomly allocated to perform either BHB exercise (n=35) or placebo slow breathing exercise (n = 35) for 5-minutes duration. Blood pressure and HRV were measured before, during, and after the practice. RESULTS: There was no significant decrease in systolic [effect size (95% CI): 2.22 (-13.20, 17.64); p 0.77], diastolic [4.54 (-17.40, 26.48); p 0.68] and mean blood pressures [1.37 (-8.78, 11.52); p 0.78] after BHB exercise in comparison to the control group in our study. The HRV analysis showed a significant increase in the HF power [6.8 (1.47, 12.12); p 0.01], and decrease in the LF power [-26.47 (-34.25, -18.68); p < 0.01] during the recovery phase of the 5-minute BHB exercise in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomized controlled trial to show that though a single short session of BHB exercise in hypertensive patients does not significantly reduce BP, it significantly augments the parasympathetic tone as indicated by a significant improvement in HRV parameters. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CTRI/2018/08/015215.

A curious case of impossible coronary sinus cannulation.

A 40-year-old male, diagnosed to have WPW syndrome and symptomatic with recurrent palpitations, was taken up for radiofrequency ablation. There was difficulty in coronary sinus cannulation. Coronary venogram revealed coronary sinus atresia with persistent left superior vena cava, and collateral venous pathways draining into the right atrium. This case is discussed for the rare coronary venous anomaly, its embryology and the difficulties in the management during electrophysiological studies.