Sino-atrial nodal artery occlusion causing acute sinus node dysfunction after percutaneous coronary intervention: Case report and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: New antithrombotic medications and improved stent designs have reduced branch occlusion, although the sino-atrial nodal artery (SANA) may still be occluded after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), causing sinus node dysfunction (SND). Ischemic sinus nodes are usually asymptomatic but can cause sinus arrest sometimes requiring pacemaker placement. In rare cases, junctional escape rhythms, a manifestation of sinus exit blocks after PCI, can predict cardiogenic shock. METHODS: We present a case study of a patient who underwent bifurcation PCI to the LMCA to the LCX but subsequently developed cardiogenic shock as a result of SND, a junctional escape rhythm required substantial inotropic support. This case offers an exemplification of a sparsely documented, yet infrequent manifestation of iatrogenic ischemic SND at an unorthodox site, the confluence of the LMCA-LCX. In addition, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 22 scholarly works pertaining to the subject of sinus node dysfunction (SND) subsequent to PCI resulting from ischemia caused by stenosis or occlusion of the SANA. RESULTS: RCA was responsible for 96.1% of SND cases, whereas LCX was responsible for 3.9%. SND was asymptomatic in 49.3% of cases and junctional escape rhythm in 37.6% of symptomatic cases. 28% needed a temporary transvenous pacemaker, while 7.8% needed a permanent one. Interventional management recanalized the SANA in 5.2% of patients, restoring flow. CONCLUSION: Transient sino-atrial node ischemia after PCI can cause acute SND. Before stent implantation, doctors should consider SND. Complete plaque evaluation around the SANA is needed before choosing the best PCI procedure.

Role of Empagliflozin in heart failure with severe aortic stenosis before valve replacement: EASTER-HF study.

We evaluated empagliflozin in severe DAS patients with HF before AVR. HF patients with LVEF 30-80 % and NYHA functional class II-IV symptoms got empagliflozin 10 mg or not within 6 months before AVR, along with SOC. Adding empagliflozin to the SOC before AVR reduced HF death or HHF by 73 % after 6-months in a group of 20 patients (RR 0.27; p = 0.022). Improving LVEF (+3.48 %, p < 0.001) and NT-proBNP levels (-3974.6 pg/mL) with empagliflozin in SOC before AVR significantly reduced in-hospital and 6-month mortality in this patient group. In severe DAS and HF patients, empagliflozin improved symptoms and prognosis.

One-year Outcomes of Biodegradable Polymer-coated Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent in Acute Coronary Syndrome - A Patient-level Pooled Analysis from Two Indian Registries.

INTRODUCTION: This pooled analysis was conducted to assess the clinical safety and performance of the Supra family (Sahajanand Medical Technologies Ltd., Surat, India) of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) including ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) from two real-world all-comers Indian registries at one-year. METHODS: We evaluated 1824 patients with ACS who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with the Supra family of SES from two real-world Indian registries (891 patients from T-Flex registry and 933 patients from Tetriflex real-world registry). The primary endpoint was the incidence of target lesion failure (TLF) defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI), and target lesion revascularization (TLR) at one-year follow-up. The safety endpoint was stent thrombosis at one-year follow-up. RESULTS: Among a total of 1824 patients with ACS, 689 (37.8%) patients presented with STEMI. In ACS and STEMI groups, 47.6% and 41.8% patients had multi-vessel disease, respectively. Of 2128 lesions in ACS group, 76.7% lesions were type B2/C and 16.2% lesions were totally occluded. In the STEMI group, out of 784 treated lesions, 76.7% were type B2/C lesions and 21.9% were totally occluded. At one-year follow-up, incidence of TLF was 5.3% (cardiac death: 0.9%, TV-MI: 2.5%, TLR: 1.9%) in patients with ACS and 6.2% (cardiac death: 1.4%, TV-MI: 2.1%, TLR: 2.7%) in patients with STEMI. The one-year rate of definite/probable stent thrombosis were 0.3% and 0.7% in patients with ACS and STEMI, respectively. CONCLUSION: This patient-level pooled analysis provides evidence for the safe and effective use of the Supra family of SES in complex patient populations such as ACS and even in STEMI with favourable rates of TLF and stent thrombosis at one-year follow-up.

SGLT2 Inhibitors: Paradigm Shift from Diabetes Care to Metabolic Care-An Indian Perspective.

The prevalence and burden of diabetes are on the rise in India, making it 'the diabetes capital of the world'. Comorbidities such as obesity, cardiovascular (CV) complications, chronic kidney disease (CKD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and neurodegenerative diseases are common in patients with diabetes. Recent breakthroughs in diabetes medications and continuous glucose monitoring have resulted in a paradigm shift in diabetes care. Hence, a review in the Indian context is warranted. This review focuses on the existing evidence (gathered by a systematic literature search utilising online databases such as PubMed) on the metabolic, cardio-renoprotective, and hepatoprotective effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition, particularly in the Indian setting. The study revealed that the SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), with their numerous pleiotropic benefits, have received considerable attention recently as a novel class of antihyperglycaemic agents (AHAs) for the management of diabetes. SGLT2i play a crucial role in the transition from glycaemic control to metabolic care, particularly in the context of obesity, CV disease and renal disease. In addition to improving glycaemic control, SGLT2i have been shown to promote weight loss, reduce blood pressure and improve lipid profiles, which are key components of metabolic health. Moreover, SGLT2i have demonstrated renal protective effects, including a reduction in albuminuria and a slower decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), suggesting a potential role in the management of renal dysfunction.

A 'dreaded' complication of stuck prosthetic valve in the first trimester pregnancy.

A dramatic rise in cardiac output with a decrease in afterload are the hallmark of hemodynamic variations induced by normal pregnancy, which requires significant cardiac adaptation. Females with rheumatic mitral valve disease who have had a mitral valve replacement in the past are increasingly choosing to become pregnant. Hypercoagulability of pregnancy, problems with anticoagulant therapy along with hemodynamic changes in pregnancy increase the risk of cardiac complications in this subset. There is a paucity of research on the management of problems in patients with cardiac prosthetic valves. We present a case of primigravida with a history of mitral valve replacement, presenting with a stuck valve. Learning objectives: •Pregnancy is a pro-thrombotic state•Pregnancy with a mechanical heart valve has high risk of stuck vale despite adequate anti-coagulation•Management of such high-risk cases must be carried out at a tertiary care center with all facilities•Multi-disciplinary approach is required to deal with pregnant women with mechanical heart valve.

Ultrathin Strut Biodegradable Polymer-Coated Sirolimus-Eluting Coronary Stents: Patient-Level Pooled Analysis From Two Indian Registries.

Background Despite significant evolution in stent technology, female gender, and patients with diabetes mellitus, multivessel disease, total occlusions, long lesions, and small vessels represent the "Achilles' heel" of contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We performed a pooled analysis of high-risk subgroup on patient-level data from the T-Flex registry (1,203 patients) and a real-world Indian registry (1,269 patients), with the aim of assessing one-year safety and clinical performance of ultrathin strut biodegradable polymer-coated Supra family of sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) (Sahajanand Medical Technologies Limited, Surat, India) in the real-world, all-comer population. Method We pooled the following high-risk subgroups data from two all-comer registries: female gender (n=678), diabetes mellitus (n=852), multivessel disease (n=406), total occlusions (n=420), long lesions (≥28 mm) (n=1241), and small vessels (≤2.5 mm) (n=726). Both the registries included patients with coronary artery disease who underwent implantation of at least one SES belonging to the Supra family of stents from May 2016 until March 2018, irrespective of lesion complexity and comorbidities. The primary endpoint was the inci-dence of target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and clinically indicated target lesion revas-cularization by percutaneous or surgical methods up to one year. The safety endpoint was stent thrombosis.  Results According to prespecified high-risk subgroups, one-year rates of TLF and overall stent thrombosis, respectively, were as follows: female gender (4.9% and 0.6%), diabetes mellitus (6.9% and 1.0%), multivessel disease (6.4% and 0.8%), total occlusions (5.2% and 0.5%), long lesions (≥28 mm) (6.6% and 0.8%), and small vessels (≤2.5 mm) (6.1% and 1.3%). Conclusion This present pooled analysis demonstrated the one-year safety and clinical performance of ultrathin strut biodegradable polymer-coated Supra family of SES in a real-world, all-comer population, with considerably low rates of TLF and stent thrombosis.

HOW did GLP-1RAs bring about a paradigm shift in the guidelines of managing T2DM: A path to gluco-cardio Centricity.

Diabetes is a common condition with a dismal prognosis. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 537 million people worldwide have diabetes. Cardiovascular disorders (CVD) are the major cause of death globally. Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) increases the risk of CVD. Since 2008, the FDA has required all new antihyperglycemic treatments to show no increased CV risk. Years of glucocentric diabetic therapy have left many patients on medicines with no known CV benefit. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are excellent glucose-lowering medicines with little risk of hypoglycaemia, CVD and weight loss. GLP-1RAs may also delay renal disease development. As an adjunct to metformin or ongoing therapy, GLP1RAs or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors are recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Thus, this review summarises GLP-1RA and their significance in the paradigm shift in diabetes care recommendations from glucocentric to gluco-cardiocentric.

Intervenção coronária percutânea com técnica mini culotte estadiada para reestenose ostial de grande ramo lateral / Percutaneous coronary intervention with the staged mini culotte technique for ostial restenosis of the large side branch

O conhecimento da anatomia e da fisiologia de uma bifurcação é essencial na área intervencionista atual. A lesão de bifurcação é uma das alterações coronárias mais desafiadoras no tratamento percutâneo. Foram investigadas muitas estratégias intervencionistas devido ao alto nível de interesse nessas lesões, mas os resultados dos procedimentos e de longo prazo foram relativamente ruins. As melhorias em implante de stents e outros procedimentos intervencionistas reduziram a probabilidade de desfechos clínicos adversos, criando o ambiente mais favorável para os stents realizarem seu trabalho. O implante de stent provisional tem sido amplamente aceito como técnica intervencionista inicial nas lesões de bifurcação coronária pela comunidade médica há mais de 15 anos. A reestenose de um grande ramo é possível após angioplastia do vaso principal utilizando uma abordagem provisional de um único stent. Embora a reestenose do ramo lateral após angioplastia de bifurcação seja menos comum nos procedimentos modernos de bifurcação, ela ainda ocorre em 5% dos casos durante o acompanhamento angiográfico baseado em sintomas. Em nossa série de casos de cinco pacientes, a reestenose grave de ramo lateral apresentou sintomas de angina recorrente, que necessitou de revascularização do vaso-alvo. Ao aplicar os princípios de bifurcação, aprimoramos a etapa do mini culotte estadiado da técnica culotte de bifurcação, tornando-a mais fácil de usar e reduzindo a exposição à radiação e o tempo de operação.

Understanding the anatomy and physiology of a bifurcation is crucial in today's interventional field. The bifurcation lesion is one of the most challenging coronary conditions to treat percutaneously. Numerous interventional strategies have been investigated because of the high level of interest in these lesions, but the relatively poor procedural and long-term results. Improvements in stenting and other interventional procedures have reduced the likelihood of adverse clinical outcomes, by creating the most favorable environment for stents to do their work. Provisional stenting has been widely accepted as the initial interventional technique for coronary bifurcation lesions by the medical community for over 15 years. Restenosis of a major branch is possible after angioplasty of the main vessel using a provisional one-stent approach. Although side branch restenosis following bifurcation angioplasty is less common with modern bifurcation procedures, it still occurs in 5% of cases during angiographic follow-up for symptoms. In our case series of five patients, severe side-branch restenosis presented with recuring anginal symptoms, which required target vessel revascularization. By applying bifurcation principles, we improved the "staged mini culotte" part of the culotte bifurcation stent technique, making it more user-friendly, and reducing exposure to radiation and operating time.

Twelve months clinical outcomes of ultrathin strut sirolimus-eluting stent in real-world Indian patients with coronary artery disease.

PURPOSE: Although the field of interventional cardiology has witnessed extraordinary progression, the search of an ideal coronary drug-eluting stent is still going on. Tetriflex (Sahajanand Medical Technologies Limited, Surat, India) is a latest generation biodegradable polymer-coated ultrathin (60 µm) sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) with unique Long Dual Z-link (LDZ) design. The present registry reports the 12 months clinical follow-up results of Tetriflex SES in unselected, real-world patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: This was an investigator-initiated, retrospective, multi-center, single-arm, observational registry conducted in India between March-2017 and March-2018. The registry included 1269 consecutive patients with CAD who underwent implantation of at least one Tetriflex SES. The primary outcome was considered as target lesion failure (TLF), which was a composite of cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI) and clinically-driven target lesion revascularisation (CD-TLR) at 12 months follow-up. The safety outcome, at 12 months follow-up, was stent thrombosis. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 54.99±10.80 years. Among all, 36.6% patients had diabetes and 51.7% patients had multi-vessel disease. A total of 1515 lesions were treated with 1682 Tetriflex SES of which 73.2% lesions were complex B2/C type and 14.7% were totally occluded. At 12 months, the cumulative incidence of TLF was 5.75% comprising 0.8% cardiac death, 3.20% TV-MI and 1.72% CD-TLR. All the incidences of definite/probable stent thrombosis (n = 4, 0.32%) were reported within 30 days of the index procedure. Twelve-month cumulative incidence of TLF in diabetic subgroup was 7.10%. CONCLUSION: Twelve months clinical follow-up results of an ultrathin (60 µm), biodegradable polymer-coated Tetriflex SES, with unique LDZ-link, further clarify its safety and effectiveness in real-world, unselected Indian patients.

Allergic myocardial infarction (type III Kounis syndrome) secondary to mushroom ingestion: An unusual cause of very late stent thrombosis of saphenous venous graft and refractory no-reflow phenomenon.

The clinical presentation of myocardial injury associated with allergy responses is known in the cardiology literature as Kounis syndrome or allergic angina/myocardial infarction. An allergic acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may be caused by systemic increase of allergy mediators, or by local stimulation activating heart tissue mast cells (precipitating coronary spasm or generating plaque rupture and coronary or stent thrombosis). Acute allergic/anaphylactic reactions may cause ACS by directly affecting the heart and atherosclerotic plaque, or by exacerbating underlying illness. We present a case of a 67-year-old, Indian male, who had coronary artery bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention and developed very late stent thrombosis of the saphenous venous graft as a result of an allergic response to mushrooms. Learning objectives: •A prototypical patient with Kounis syndrome who experienced allergy symptoms and myocardial ischemia after being exposed to a probable allergenic stimulus.•A link between Type III Kounis syndrome and drug-eluting stent thrombosis has recently been hypothesized.•Mast cells are plentiful in cardiac tissue and may lead to coronary artery/stent thrombosis.

The prevalence of risk factors and pattern of obstructive coronary artery disease in young Indians (< 45 years) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A gender-based multi-center study.

OBJECTIVES: In a retrospective study, we aimed to explore the prevalence of risk factors and trends of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in Indian females <45 years of age compared to males of the same age group who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, multi-centre study of young Indian females and males (<45 years) who underwent PCI as per the guidelines at three high-volume centres in India. RESULTS: In a group of 3656 patients under the age of 45 who had PCI, 3.1% of those with obstructive CAD were young women (n = 113), while 6.9% were young men (n = 254). Traditional risk factors such as hypertension (p = 0.73), diabetes (p = 0.61), and family history of premature CAD (p = 0.63) were equally common in both genders, whereas dyslipidaemia (p < 0.001), overweight (p < 0.006), smoking (p = 0.004) and, alcoholism (p < 0.001) were more common in young males. Acute coronary syndrome was the most common clinical presentation. Single-vessel disease was common, with the involvement of the left anterior descending artery as the most common angiographic feature. The prevalence of cardiogenic shock was 4.4% in females and 4.1% in males, while the in-hospital mortality rate was 1.77% in young females and 2% in young males. CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive CAD in young men and women accounted for 10% of all CAD cases requiring PCI. Although men account for the majority of patients, CAD in women under the age of 45 is not uncommon. Traditional risk factors are becoming more prevalent in younger women.

Multiple biventricular thrombi in a patient with alcoholic cardiomyopathy and COVID-19: A tragic association in a deadly pandemic.

As a primary cause, intracardiac thrombi are seen in a variety of cardiac conditions such as acute anterior myocardial infarctions and dilated cardiomyopathy. However, there are secondary predisposing conditions that increase the risk of clot formation in normally functioning ventricles. Migration or embolization of thrombus produced elsewhere, such as pulmonary thrombo-embolism, may occur at times. However, the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a variety of intracardiac or extracardiac thrombi formations due to systemic inflammation and activation of the clotting system. We present a unique and rare case in association with alcoholic dilated cardiomyopathy and COVID-19, which resulted in the development of multiple biventricular thrombi. Learning objectives: •Significant systolic dysfunction is unusual, especially in people with prolonged alcoholism.•The hypercoagulable condition of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), combined with myocardial damage secondary to alcohol, can result in extensive intracardiac thrombosis.•Thrombotic manifestations in COVID-19 are associated with a high mortality rate.

Dual left anterior descending artery: Case series based on novel classification and its therapeutic implications.

Angiographically, a "dual LAD" is described as two distinct arteries supplying the vascular territory of the LAD in parts, identified as the short LAD/LAD1 and the long LAD/LAD2. Using an easy-to-understand three-step approach, Jariwala et al unveiled a novel classification strategy for dual LAD systems in an attempt to decrease ambiguity in diagnosis and management of the anomaly. As part of our research, we looked at a wide range of published cases and case series in the literature, and also those reported from our hospital. In our novel classification system, we divide dual LADs into three main groups based on their origin and vascular territory, each of which is further divided into subgroups based on the course of LAD1/LAD2 and the variable feature that is a distinguishing attribute of the type of anomaly to be specified. A review of 144 publications in the world literature revealed 340 patients eligible for the study. The median age was 58.8 years (SD - 11.42; range - 29-89) with male predominance (3.3:1). Cases in Group I comprised 60.6% of the total cases, followed by Group II (36.2%), and Group III (3.2%). Subgroup I-A was the most common in terms of dual LAD, followed by subgroup II-A. Acute coronary syndrome (45.5%) and chronic coronary syndrome (55.8%) were the most common clinical presentations in patients with significant coronary artery disease (30.8%).

The clinical experience of macitentan in pulmonary hypertension in Indian cohort: 12-month follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness and safety of macitentan, an endothelin-receptor antagonist (ERA) in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), has been demonstrated in numerous randomized clinical trials including SERAPHIN, focused on the reduction of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to demonstrate the clinical and echocardiographic progression using macitentan in Indian patients with PAH. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: It was a retrospective study of 20 patients with multiple etiologies of PAH who had begun macitentan in routine clinical practice from a single center. There were 55% of patients with existing PAH therapies. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC), 6-min walking distance, N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide level (NT-pro-BNP), and echocardiographic data such as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), and the occurrence of pericardial effusion were collected at baseline and 12-month follow-up. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Of the 20 PAH patients, 70% were women. The majority were in WHO FC II (50%), while 35% were in FC III and 15% were in FC IV. The mean age was 43.4 years at the start of the therapy with macitentan. After 6 months of macitentan therapy, 85% showed substantial improvement in their FC, each increased its 6-min walking distance test (P < 0.0001), and there was a significant reduction in plasma levels of NT-pro BNP (P < 0.0001). There has also been an improvement in echocardiographic parameters such as TAPSE and sPAP (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that macitentan has been well tolerated and beneficial in Indian patients with PAH and further, future research is required to verify these results.

Left ventricular thrombus with normal systolic function secondary to the novel prothrombotic association of acute on chronic calcific pancreatitis and COVID-19.

In the presence of normal left ventricular systolic function, the development of left ventricular thrombus has seldom been documented in hypercoagulable conditions. Echocardiographic results of left ventricular thrombi can be differentiated from those found in cardiac tumors such as myxoma. Many other organs, including the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as the cardiac and vascular systems, have recently been linked to thromboembolic events in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It not only exacerbates acute pancreatitis but often predisposes, in fact, to a novel prothrombotic state in patients with pre-existing comorbid conditions such as chronic calcific pancreatitis. We report an unusual correlation of two prothrombotic disorders - COVID-19 and acute on chronic pancreatitis contributing to the development of thrombus in a normal left ventricle. .

Rare association of severe iron-deficiency anaemia and moderate pericardial effusion.

Pericardial effusion secondary to isolated severe iron-deficiency anaemia is an extremely rare condition. We present a case with severe anaemia presented with moderate pericardial effusion. Pericardial effusion completely resolved with correction of anaemia.

ADDition of DAPAgliflozin, Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor to Angiotensin Receptor Blocker-Neprilysin Inhibitors Non-Responders in Patient with Refractory Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (ADD DAPA trial).

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin, a SGLT2i along with ARNI in refractory HFrEF irrespective of their diabetic status. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 104 symptomatic patients of HFrEF despite of optimal medical management with ARNI between January-June 2020. Despite the optimal GDMT, dapagliflozin, SGLT2i was added inpatients withrefractory heart failure. At 6-months follow-up, the primary outcome was change in left ventricular ejection fraction, and secondary outcomes included changes in NYHA functional class, vital parameters, renal function, potassium levels, and NT-pro BNP levels. RESULTS: The primary outcomeat 6-months follow-up was a mean change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) +9.00 ± 0.62 (p < 0.001). The secondary outcome was a significant improvement (69%) in median NYHA functional class by 2.3 (95% Confidence interval 2.245-2.355) with 92.6% of patients were in NYHA class I and 7.4% were in NYHA class II.Diabetic subgroup reached the HbA1C goal of <7%. None of them had either symptomatic hypotension, hypoglycaemia, dyselectrolaemia, and decline in renal function. The drug was well received by most of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Dapagliflozin, an SGLT2i, should be used in symptomatic, refractory HFrEF patients despite the use of ARNI. The combination of ARNI and SGLT2i is well tolerated, but large, randomized trials are needed to prove this hypothesis.

Endovascular management of the post-traumatic common carotid artery pseudoaneurysms.

PURPOSE: Pseudoaneurysms of the common carotid artery secondary to high-velocity fragment injuries to the head and neck in patients are uncommon lesions. Multi-detector computed tomography angiography should be performed on all patients suffering from high-speed fragment injuries of the head and neck. CASE PRESENTATION: We share our experience with the endovascular management approach for the closure of 2 separate pseudoaneurysms involving the left common carotid artery. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous options for surgical and endovascular treatment of these lesions are available. Endovascular therapy in patients with common carotid artery pseudoaneurysms offers a reliable and non-invasive management option. It helps in the mitigation of its rupture and thromboembolic complications.