Current Place of SGLT2i in the Management of Heart Failure: An Expert Opinion from India.

Heart failure (HF) is a global health concern that is prevalent in India as well. HF is reported at a younger age in Indian patients with comorbidity of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in approximately 50% of patients. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), originally approved for T2DM, are new guideline-recommended and approved treatment strategies for HF. Extensive evidence highlights that SGLT2i exhibits profound cardiovascular (CV) benefits beyond glycemic control. SGLT2i, in conjunction with other guideline-directed medical therapies (GMDT), has additive effects in improving heart function and reducing adverse HF outcomes. The benefits of SGLT2i are across a spectrum of patients, with and without diabetes, suggesting their potential place in broader HF populations irrespective of ejection fraction (EF). This consensus builds on the updated evidence of the efficacy and safety of SGLT2i in HF and recommends its place in therapy with a focus on Indian patients with HF.

Lipid Association of India 2023 update on cardiovascular risk assessment and lipid management in Indian patients: Consensus statement IV.

OBJECTIVE: In 2016, the Lipid Association of India (LAI) developed a cardiovascular risk assessment algorithm and defined low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals for prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in Indians. The recent refinements in the role of various risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis in prediction of ASCVD risk necessitated updating the risk algorithm and treatment goals. METHODS: The LAI core committee held twenty-one meetings and webinars from June 2022 to July 2023 with experts across India and critically reviewed the latest evidence regarding the strategies for ASCVD risk prediction and the benefits and modalities for intensive lipid lowering. Based on the expert consensus and extensive review of published data, consensus statement IV was commissioned. RESULTS: The young age of onset and a more aggressive nature of ASCVD in Indians necessitates emphasis on lifetime ASCVD risk instead of the conventional 10-year risk. It also demands early institution of aggressive preventive measures to protect the young population prior to development of ASCVD events. Wide availability and low cost of statins in India enable implementation of effective LDL-C lowering therapy in individuals at high risk of ASCVD. Subjects with any evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis are likely to benefit the most from early aggressive interventions. CONCLUSIONS: This document presents the updated risk stratification and treatment algorithm and describes the rationale for each modification. The intent of these updated recommendations is to modernize management of dyslipidemia in Indian patients with the goal of reducing the epidemic of ASCVD among Indians in Asia and worldwide.

Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor Therapy and Cardiac Remodeling in Heart Failure: Consensus Statement from India.

Adverse cardiac remodeling refers to progressive structural and functional modifications in the heart because of increased wall stress in the myocardium, loss of viable myocardium, and neurohormonal stimulation. The guideline-directed medical therapy for Heart failure (HF) includes Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) (sacubitril/valsartan), ß-blockers, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA). ARNI is under-prescribed in India despite its attractive safety and efficacy profile. Therefore, the consensus discusses objectives and topics related to ARNI in the management of cardiac remodeling, and experts shared their views on the early timely intervention of effective dosage of ARNI to improve the diagnosis and enhance mortality and morbidity benefits in cardiac reverse remodeling (CRR).

Role of Iron Therapy in Heart Failure: A Consensus Statement from India.

Iron deficiency (ID) with or without anemia is frequently observed in patients with heart failure (HF). Uncorrected ID is associated with higher hospitalization and mortality in patients with acute HF (AHF) and chronic HF (CHF). Hence, in addition to chronic renal insufficiency, anemia, and diabetes, ID appears as a novel comorbidity and a treatment target of CHF. Intravenous (IV) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) reduces the hospitalization risk due to HF worsening and improves functional capacity and quality of life (QOL) in HF patients. The current consensus document provides criteria, an expert opinion on the diagnosis of ID in HF, patient profiles for IV FCM, and correct administration and monitoring of such patients.

Role of Bisoprolol in Heart Failure Management: A Consensus Statement from India.

In India, heart failure (HF) is an important health concern affecting younger age groups than the western population. A limited number of Indian patients receive guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). Selective ß-1 blockers (BB) are one of the GDMTs in HF and play an important role by decreasing the sympathetic overdrive. The BB reduces heart rate (HR) reverse the adverse cardiac (both ventricular and atrial), vascular, and renovascular remodeling seen in HF. Bisoprolol, a ß-1 blocker, has several advantages and can be used across a wide spectrum of HF presentations and in patients with HF and comorbid conditions such as coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation (AF), post-myocardial infarction (MI), uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, and renal impairment. Despite its advantages, bisoprolol is not optimally utilized for managing HF in India. This consensus builds on updated evidence on the efficacy and safety of bisoprolol in HF and recommends its place in therapy with a focus on Indian patients with HF.

Unmet Need for Further LDL-C Lowering in India despite Statin Therapy: Lipid Association of India Recommendations for the Use of Bempedoic Acid.

Lipid-lowering therapy plays a crucial role in reducing adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and familial hypercholesterolemia. Lifestyle interventions along with high-intensity statin therapy are the first-line management strategy followed by ezetimibe. Only about 20-30% of patients who are on maximally tolerated statins reach recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. Several factors contribute to the problem, including adherence issues, prescription of less than high-intensity statin therapy, and de-escalation of statin dosages, but in patients with very high baseline LDL-C levels, including those with familial hypercholesterolemia and those who are intolerant to statins, it is critical to expand our arsenal of LDL-C-lowering medications. Moreover, in the extreme risk group of patients with an LDL-C goal of ≤30 mg/dL according to the Lipid Association of India (LAI) risk stratification algorithm, there is a significant residual risk requiring the addition of non-statin drugs to achieve LAI recommended targets. This makes bempedoic acid a welcome addition to the existing non-statin therapies such as ezetimibe, bile acid sequestrants, and PCSK9 inhibitors. A low frequency of muscle-related side effects, minimal drug interactions, a significant reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and a lower incidence of new-onset or worsening diabetes make it a useful adjunct for LDL-C lowering. However, the CV outcomes trial results are still pending. In this LAI consensus document, we discuss the pharmacology, indications, contraindications, advantages, and evidence-based recommendations for the use of bempedoic acid in clinical practice.

Evidence for intensive LDL-C lowering for acute coronary syndrome: Recommendations from the Lipid Association of India.

Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have a high risk of subsequent adverse cardiovascular outcomes, particularly within the first 30 days. Although it is well documented that initiation of statin therapy in the setting of ACS improves short- and long-term cardiovascular outcomes, and achievement of lower levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) incrementally improves outcomes, many patients with ACS have persistent hypercholesterolemia after discharge from the hospital. This is a missed opportunity that prompted the Lipid Association of India to develop recommendations for earlier initiation of more aggressive LDL-C lowering treatment, particularly for patients of South Asian descent who are well-documented to have earlier onset of more aggressive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The Lipid Association of India recommends individualized aggressive LDL-C goals after ACS, which can be rapidly achieved with high intensity statin therapy and subsequent goal-directed adjunctive treatment with ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors. Improved treatment of hypercholesterolemia achieved within weeks after ACS has the potential to reduce the high rate of morbidity and mortality in these high risk patients.

Factors Predicting Blood Culture Positivity in Children With Enteric Fever.

BACKGROUND: Blood culture, despite low sensitivity, is the gold standard for enteric fever diagnosis. Understanding predictors of blood culture positivity may help design strategies to optimize enteric fever diagnosis. METHODS: A cohort of 6760 children aged 0.5-15 years was followed for 3 years for enteric fever with blood cultures in an automated system, for fevers >3 days. Factors affecting test positivity in fevers and participant-level predictors for culture refusals were analyzed using regression models. RESULTS: Overall, 6097 suspected typhoid/paratyphoid fever (STF) episodes were reported, of which 5703 (93.5%) STFs had sampling for blood cultures, with 394 (6.5%) refusals. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi/Paratyphi positivity was culture-confirmed in 3.8% (218/5703) of STF episodes. Older children (odds ratio [OR], 1.96 [95% CI, 1.39-2.77]), larger blood volume inoculated (OR, 2.82 [95% CI, 1.71-4.66]), higher temperatures during fever (OR, 3.77 [95% CI, 2.89-4.91]), and fevers diagnosed as suspected typhoid or acute undifferentiated fever (OR, 6.06 [95% CI, 3.11-11.78]) had a higher probability of culture positivity. Antibiotics before culture did not decrease culture positivity. Blood culture refusals were higher for children from wealthier households or with milder illness. CONCLUSIONS: Performing blood cultures in older children with fever, especially those fevers with toxic presentation and increasing blood volume for inoculation are strategies to improve enteric fever detection in surveillance settings.

Consensus document: management of heart failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a known predisposing factor for heart failure (HF). The growing burden of these two conditions and their impact on health of the individual and on society in general needs urgent attention from the health care professionals. Availability of multiple treatment choices for managing T2DM and HF may make therapeutic decisions more complex for clinicians. Recent cardiovascular outcome trials of antidiabetic drugs have added very robust evidence to effectively manage subjects with this dual condition. This consensus statement provides the prevalence trends and the impact of this dual burden on patients. In addition, it concisely narrates the types of HF, the different treatment algorithms, and recommendations for physicians to comprehensively manage such patients.

Consensus and development of document for management of stabilized acute decompensated heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in India.

AIM: Ensuring adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) is an effective strategy to reduce mortality and readmission rates for heart failure (HF). Use of a checklist is one of the best tools to ensure GDMT. The aim was to develop a consensus document with a robust checklist for stabilized acute decompensated HF patients with reduced ejection fraction. While there are multiple checklists available, an India-specific checklist that is easy to fill and validated by regional and national subject matter experts (SMEs) is required. METHODOLOGY: A total of 25 Cardiology SMEs who consented to participate from India discussed data from literature, current evidence, international guidelines and practical experiences in two national and four regional meetings. RESULTS: Recommendations included HF management, treatment optimization, and patient education. The checklist should be filled at four time points- (a) transition from intensive care unit to ward, (b) at discharge, (c) 1st follow-up and (d) subsequent follow-up. The checklist is the responsibility of the consultant or the treating physician which can be delegated to a junior resident or a trained HF nurse. CONCLUSION: This checklist will ensure GDMT, simplify transition of care and can be used by all doctors across India. Institutions, associations, and societies should recommend this checklist for adaptability in public and private hospital. Hospital administrations should roll out policy for adoption of checklist by ensuring patient files have the checklist at the time of discharge and encourage practice of filling it diligently during follow-up visits.

Subsultus Tendinum in a Child with Typhoid Fever.

A 5-year-old male child with blood culture confirmed typhoid fever presented with twitching over the left scapular region. Contrast computerized tomography and electroencephalogram were normal. Following treatment with azithromycin and clonazepam, the twitching subsided. Subsultus tendinum, a rare neurological complication of typhoid fever, resolves spontaneously with treatment.