Predictive risk stratification using HEART (history, electrocardiogram, age, risk factors, and initial troponin) and TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) scores in non-high risk chest pain patients: An African American urban community based hospital study.

Validated risk scoring systems in African American (AA) population are under studied. We utilized history, electrocardiogram, age, risk factors, and initial troponin (HEART) and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) scores to predict major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in non-high cardiovascular (CV) risk predominantly AA patient population.A retrospective emergency department (ED) charts review of 1266 chest pain patients where HEART and TIMI scores were calculated for each patient. Logistic regression model was computed to predict 6-week and 1-year MACE and 90-day cardiac readmission. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was constructed to differentiate between clinical strategies in non-high CV risk patients.Of the 817 patients included, 500 patients had low HEART score vs. 317 patients who had moderate HEART score. Six hundred sixty-three patients had low TIMI score vs. 154 patients had high TIMI score. The univariate logistic regression model shows odds ratio of predicting 6-week MACE using HEART score was 3.11 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-6.76, P = .004) with increase in risk category from low to moderate vs. 2.07 (95% CI 1.18-3.63, P = .011) using TIMI score with increase in risk category from low to high and c-statistic of 0.86 vs. 0.79, respectively. DCA showed net benefit of using HEART score is equally predictive of 6-week MACE when compared to TIMI.In non-high CV risk AA patients, HEART score is better predictive tool for 6-week MACE when compared to TIMI score. Furthermore, patients presenting to ED with chest pain, the optimal strategy for a 2% to 4% miss rate threshold probability should be to discharge these patients from the ED.

Contrast-Induced Nephropathy After Cardiac Catheterization: Culprits, Consequences and Predictors.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common complication after radiocontrast exposure. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of 513 hospitalized patients who underwent cardiac catheterization from June-December 2014 was done, of which 38 patients with end-stage renal disease and 57 patients without preprocedural creatinine were excluded. Serum creatinine concentration before the procedure and each day for 3 days after the procedure was recorded. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine concentration by ≥25% or ≥0.5mg/dL from the preprocedural value within 72hours of contrast exposure. RESULTS: A total of 418 patients (mean age: 69.1 ± 13.8 years, 55% males) were included in the study. Mean incidence of CIN was 3.7% (n = 16). CIN accounted for longer duration of hospitalization, lengthier intensive care unit admission, requirement of hemodialysis and higher mortality. Incidence of CIN was higher in the presence of preexisting atrial fibrillation (AF), congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). When tested by univariate analysis, incidence of CIN was 13.8% in the AF group (P < 0.001), 8.6% in CHF group (P < 0.01) and 8.9% in CKD group (P < 0.002), compared with 2.3%, 1.9% and 2.4% in the absence of preexisting AF, CHF and CKD, respectively. On further testing using multivariate logistic regression model using AF, CHF and CKD as independent variables, development of CIN was strongly associated with preexisting AF with an odds ratio of 4.11, 95% CI: 1.40-12.07, P = 0.01. CONCLUSION: Identifying patients at risk is an important step in preventing CIN. Preexisting AF, independent of traditional risk factors, may increase the risk for CIN.

Risk factor analysis of troponin-negative chest-pain patients who underwent cardiac catheterization.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors in chest-pain patients with negative troponins who underwent cardiac catheterization after a positive myocardial perfusion imaging study. BACKGROUND: Stress testing is beneficial to providing a prognosis for patients with known CAD. This study intends to identify pretest risk factors that will give the least number of false positive nuclear stress test results. RESULTS: 60% of patients who had a positive stress test had significant coronary artery disease on angiogram. History of CAD (P = .0017), HTN (P = .047) and age > 60 years (P = .0325) are significantly correlated with a positive angiogram. CONCLUSION: History of CAD, HTN and age > 60 years were significantly associated with positive angiogram in troponin-negative chest-pain patients who underwent cardiac catheterization after a positive myocardial perfusion imaging study.

Paradoxical embolism, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism in a patient with patent foramen ovale: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Coexistence of pulmonary embolism and systemic arterial embolism suggest the diagnosis of paradoxical embolism which suggests the presence of intracardiac defects such as patent foramen ovale (PFO). CASE PRESENTATION: A 42 year old man was found to have a paradoxical embolism in the systemic arterial circulation, in the setting of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremities. CONCLUSION: Paradoxical embolism and intracardiac shunt should be immediately considered in a patient with pulmonary embolism and systemic arterial embolism. Diagnostic modalities included arteriogram and saline contrast echocardiography. Closure of intracardiac shunt is needed for patients who are at risk for recurrent embolic events.

Clenbuterol-contaminated heroin: cardiovascular and metabolic effects. A case series and review.

We report a series of six cases, admitted over a single weekend, following nasal inhalation of street drugs and exhibiting markedly atypical presentations. Clenbuterol, a beta2 adrenoceptor agonist, was identified as a contaminant. Increased awareness of the effects of specific adulterants is essential to the adequate management of these patients.