Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Post-COVID Case.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a unique heart disease that mimics the clinical presentation of acute coronary syndrome and is seen more commonly in post-menopausal females. Here, we report a case that presents an ideal documentation of TTC depicting its characteristic clinical features and possible outcomes. TTC usually culminates in a complete reversal of both systolic and diastolic dysfunctions, however in our case of a post-COVID scenario, the persisting, rather worsening diastolic dysfunction might be a residual manifestation of COVID-19 myocarditis. Recent reports have found an increasing prevalence of TTC amidst the COVID-19 pandemic possibly as a result of the emotional and physical stress, and subsequent catecholamine surge caused by the virus in such patients. There might exist an independent association between TTC and the COVID-19 virus. Increased clinical evidence is required to establish the strength of this relationship, if any.

A Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate Cardiovascular Changes in Patients of Hypothyroidism.

Introduction Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder in India and is easy to diagnose based on clinical manifestations and signs. Thyroid hormone affects the cardiovascular system. Fatiguability, dyspnea, weight gain, lower limb swelling, and bradycardia are some clinical manifestations. ECG changes in hypothyroidism include sinus bradycardia, prolonged QTc interval, changes in the morphology of the T-wave, QRS duration, and low voltage. Echocardiography changes include diastolic dysfunction, asymmetrical septal hypertrophy, and pericardial effusion. This study aimed to examine the cardiovascular changes in patients with hypothyroidism. Methodology Patients with hypothyroidism and cardiovascular changes were assessed using an electrocardiogram and echocardiography. Results A total of 68 hypothyroid patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of patients was 41.93 ± 15.36 years, and the mean BMI was 24.64 ± 4.30 kg/m2. Of 68 hypothyroid patients, 57 (83.8%) were females, and 11 (16.2%) were males. The mean thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level in the study population was 11.48 ± 22.02 (mIU/mL). The most common symptoms reported among the study participants were tiredness or weakness (67.6%), followed by dyspnea (42.6%). The mean pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were 81.50 ± 16.16, 112.76 ± 7.05, and 70.68 ± 7.46, respectively. Pallor was the most common sign (22.1%) among all the people who participated in the study. The most common findings on the ECG were low voltage complexes (25%) followed by inversion of the T wave (23.5%). Other ECG findings were bradycardia (10.3%), right bundle branch block (7.4%), and QRS prolongation (2.9%). Echocardiography revealed 21 (30.8%) patients with grade 1 left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and pericardial effusion in two patients (2.94%). There was a significantly greater increase in the level of TSH in study participants. Conclusion Patients with abnormal ECG and echocardiography without other cardiovascular changes should be evaluated for hypothyroidism to improve the quality of care.

Kissing stenting of aorto-ostial lesions in juxtaposed renal arteries.

Percutaneous angioplasty with or without stenting has become an established procedure for treatment of renal artery stenosis for control of hypertension or progressive renal dysfunction. Anatomic variation of renal arteries is common with dual blood supply of unilateral kidney noted in almost 25% of the general population. Renal angioplasty of these anatomic variants of renal arteries is challenging. We present an unusual case of juxtaposed renal arteries with aorto-ostial lesion where direct kissing stenting was done with excellent technical and clinical outcome.

Clinical profile, common thrombophilia markers and risk factors in 85 young Indian patients with arterial thrombosis.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Arterial thrombosis may occur consequent to hereditary thrombophilia and increased lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and fibrinogen. Our aim was to study the prevalence of common thrombophilia markers in 85 consecutive cases of arterial thrombosis. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective study was conducted from 85 consecutive young patients treated as outpatients or admitted due to stroke or myocardial infarction at a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: Eighty-five Indian patients (age < 45 years) presenting ischemic stroke (n = 48) or myocardial infarction (n = 37) and 50 controls were studied for seven thrombophilia markers including antithrombin (AT), factor V, protein C, protein S, activated protein C resistance (APC-R), fibrinogen and Lp(a). Functional assays for protein C, protein S, factor V and APC-R were performed using clotting-based methods. Semi-quantitative estimation of fibrinogen was done using Clauss's method and Lp(a) using immunoturbidimetry. Statistical analysis was done using the Epi Info 6 software. RESULTS: Thirty-three samples (38.8%) tested positive for one or more thrombophilia markers. The three commonest abnormalities were elevated Lp(a) (20%), fibrinogen (17.6%) and low APC-R (14.2%). Low levels of protein C, protein S and AT were present in 4.7, 9.4 and 7% of the patients, respectively. Overall, the risk factor profile was: smoking (33%), positive family history (15.3%), hyperlipidemia (7%), hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity (2.3% each). CONCLUSIONS: An association was found between low levels of protein C, protein S and AT and arterial thrombosis, but only elevated fibrinogen levels, smoking, positive family history and hyperlipidemia showed statistical significance.

Clinical profile, common thrombophilia markers and risk factors in 85 young Indian patients with arterial thrombosis / Perfil clinico, marcadores comuns de trombofilia e fatores de risco em 85 pacientes indianos jovens com trombose arterial

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Arterial thrombosis may occur consequent to hereditary thrombophilia and increased lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and fibrinogen. Our aim was to study the prevalence of common thrombophilia markers in 85 consecutive cases of arterial thrombosis. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective study was conducted from 85 consecutive young patients treated as outpatients or admitted due to stroke or myocardial infarction at a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: Eighty-five Indian patients (age < 45 years) presenting ischemic stroke (n = 48) or myocardial infarction (n = 37) and 50 controls were studied for seven thrombophilia markers including antithrombin (AT), factor V, protein C, protein S, activated protein C resistance (APC-R), fibrinogen and Lp(a). Functional assays for protein C, protein S, factor V and APC-R were performed using clotting-based methods. Semi-quantitative estimation of fibrinogen was done using Clauss's method and Lp(a) using immunoturbidimetry. Statistical analysis was done using the Epi Info 6 software. RESULTS: Thirty-three samples (38.8%) tested positive for one or more thrombophilia markers. The three commonest abnormalities were elevated Lp(a) (20%), fibrinogen (17.6%) and low APC-R (14.2%). Low levels of protein C, protein S and AT were present in 4.7, 9.4 and 7% of the patients, respectively. Overall, the risk factor profile was: smoking (33%), positive family history (15.3%), hyperlipidemia (7%), hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity (2.3% each). CONCLUSIONS: An association was found between low levels of protein C, protein S and AT and arterial thrombosis, but only elevated fibrinogen levels, smoking, positive family history and hyperlipidemia showed statistical significance. .

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Trombose arterial pode ocorrer em consequência de trombofilias hereditárias e de lipoproteína (a) [Lp (a)] e fibrinogênio aumentados. Nosso objetivo foi estudar a predominância de marcadores comuns da trombofilia em 85 casos consecutivos de trombose arterial. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Um estudo retrospectivo foi realizado sobre 85 pacientes jovens tratados consecutivamente no ambulatório ou admitidos por infarto do miocárdio ou acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) num hospital de cuidado terciário. MÉTODOS: Oitenta e cinco pacientes indianos (idade < 45 anos) que se apresentaram com AVC isquêmico (n = 48) ou infarto do miocárdio (n = 37) e 50 controles foram estudados para sete marcadores de trombofilia que incluíram antitrombina (AT), fator V, proteína C, proteína S, resistência ativada da proteína C (APC-R), fibrinogênio e Lp (a). Os ensaios funcionais da proteína C, proteína S, fator V e APC-R foram executados por métodos baseados em coagulação. A avaliação semiquantitativa do fibrinogênio foi feita pelo método de Clauss e a Lp(a) por imunoturbimetria. A análise estatística foi feita pelo software Epi Info 6. RESULTADOS: Trinta e três amostras (38.8%) foram positivas para um ou vários marcadores do trombofilia. As anomalias mais comuns foram Lp (a) (20%), fibrinogênio (17.6%) e APC-R (14.2%) elevados. Baixos níveis da proteína C, proteína S e AT foram detectados em 4.7%, 9.4% e 7% dos pacientes, respectivamente. Globalmente, os perfis dos fatores de risco foram: fumo (33%), antecedentes familiares positivos (15.3%), hiperlipidemia (7%), hipertensão, diabetes mellitus e obesidade (2.3% cada). CONCLUSÕES: Uma associação foi encontrada entre baixos níveis de proteína C, proteína S, AT e trombose arterial, ...

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in a child with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and Noonan syndrome.

We report an 8-year-old child presenting with classical features of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and Noonan syndrome with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III symptoms. Due to progressively worsening symptoms, the child was taken up for percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation, which was successfully performed. Postextrasystolic gradient fell down from 125 to 35 mm Hg. Other than postprocedure bifascicular block, no complications were encountered till 1 year of follow-up.

Antiphospholipid antibodies in young myocardial infarction patients.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a multi-factorial disease which claims many young lives. There are very few Indian studies that have investigated antiphospholipid antibodies (APLs) in MI patients. APLs have been implicated in arterial thrombosis including premature coronary artery and cerebrovascular thrombosis. In the present study, the prevalence of two clinically significant APLs--anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) and lupus anticoagulants (LA) in young MI patients was studied and compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Fifty healthy blood donors and 40 young MI patients (less than 45 yrs) diagnosed according to the American Heart Association guidelines were recruited for the study. The criteria for diagnosis were presence of atleast two of three classical findings including: clinical symptoms, diagnostic ECG, and presence of one or more cardiac biomarkers out of raised CK-MB isoform and T-troponin on serial measurement. LA and ACA were tested by lupus-sensitive activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and ELISA respectively. Elevation of ACA was observed in 9 patients, while 6 were positive for LA. ACA of IgG isotype was detected in 8 patients. One patient had LA and raised ACA of IgG and IgM isotypes. Antiphospholipid antibodies were found to be significantly associated with MI in young patients, when considered together (p < 0.05) and in coronary thrombosis, mild elevation of ACA may be considered significant.