Impact of socioeconomic status on adverse cardiac events after coronary angioplasty: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status (SES) has been associated with adverse cardiovascular events in coronary atherosclerotic disease. However, it is unclear how SES impacts adverse cardiac events in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We determined SES based on educational, economic and occupational parameters for 630 consecutive patients who underwent PCI at our centre between 01 June 2015 and 01 June 2016. The patients were divided into low and high SES groups, and they were followed up for 12 months. Patients were matched at baseline for demographic and procedural characteristics; multivariate analysis was used to adjust for baseline and procedural variables. Postprocedure compliance to medications was analysed. At 12 months, the primary composite end point of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) - consisting of death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularisation, target vessel revascularisation - was compared between the groups. RESULTS: The high SES group had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (p=0.03; OR 0.74%, 95% CI 0.53% to 1.03%) and a stronger family history of ischaemic heart disease (p=0.003; OR 0.53%, 95% CI 0.33% to 0.84%). Low SES was associated with lower compliance with medication (p=0.01; OR 2.22%, 95% CI 1.19% to 4.15%). At 12 months, the primary composite end point of MACE was found to be higher in the low SES group (p=0.01); higher MACE was primarily driven by cardiac mortality (p<0.001). Low SES was found to be an independent predictor of MACE (HR 1.84%, 95% CI 1.16% to 2.96%). CONCLUSION: Low SES was associated with a higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing PCI and was an independent predictor of MACE at 12 months.

Coronary artery fistula and mid-cavitary obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a rare association.

We report a case of a 60-year-old man with a history of angina on exertion (New York Heart Association Class II) who was found to have mid-cavitary obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on two-dimensional echocardiography and whose coronary angiogram showed right coronary artery-left ventricular fistula, with no significant coronary atherosclerosis suggestive of ischaemic heart disease. The patient was started on beta-blocker therapy, and on follow-up his angina improved. The patient had a benign course and did not have any progressive heart failure or acute coronary syndrome on follow-up. This case report highlights a rare association of mid-cavitary obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with coronary artery fistula.

Manipal lifestyle modification score to predict major adverse cardiac events in postcoronary angioplasty patients.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle modification (LSM) such as prudent diet, physical activity, avoidance of smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight may considerably decrease the risk for coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to develop a new LSM scoring system and investigate the correlation between adherence to LSM and incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) at 12-month follow-up. METHOD: A total of 1000 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were included in this prospective single-center study. Manipal lifestyle modification score (MLSMS) was developed by using five lifestyle-related factors. Adherence to LSM at the baseline and subsequent follow-ups was determined by using MLSMS. The MACE at 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in overall adherence to LSM (p < 0.001) at 12-month follow-up. Nonadherence to LSM [hazard ratio (HR) 0.575; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.334-0.990; p < 0.046] and noncompliance to medication (HR 2.09; 95% CI 1.425-3.072; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of MACEs after PTCA. The cumulative MACE was 15.4%, which includes 4.9% of all-cause death, 5.2% of nonfatal myocardial infarction, 2.0% of target lesion revascularization, 1.8% of target vessel revascularization, and 1.3% of stroke at 12 months. The incidence of MACEs at 12 months was significantly (p = 0.03) higher in LSM nonadherent compared with LSM adherent patients. CONCLUSION: There is an overall reduction in adherence to LSM on successive follow-ups and a significant association between the incidence of MACEs and the lack of adherence to LSM. MLSMS is a simple and effective evaluation tool in predicting MACEs in this group of patients.

A study of right ventricular function in pre- and post-valvular surgeries.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to compare tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in pre- and postoperative valvular heart surgery patients using M-mode imaging, to determine changes in tissue Doppler parameters among patients undergoing valvular heart surgery, and to analyze tissue deformation parameters of right ventricle (RV) and RV strain in pre- and postoperative patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational, cross-sectional, single-center study that included 24 patients who underwent echocardiographic assessment prior to surgery, after surgery, and at 1-month follow-up. Assessment of left and right ventricles by M-mode echocardiography, evaluation of RV by 2D Doppler echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and strain imaging were performed. RESULTS: The TAPSE was significantly reduced immediately after surgery (14.8 ± 0.37 vs. 10.9 ± 0.26 mm), which was then improved on follow-up assessment (17.8 ± 34 mm) (p = 0.001). Tricuspid valve diastolic velocity was increased after surgery and then gradually declined at 1-month follow-up (p = 0.003). Presurgery RV free wall strain was found to be reduced, which was then improved during post-procedure analysis as well as on follow-up (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After cardiac valvular surgery, RV myocardial deformation showed a gradual improvement after 1 month, although there was an immediate decline in RV function postsurgery. The pattern of RV contraction, as showed by RV strain, varied postsurgery, which was remarkably increased in postoperative patients at the time of follow-up. Tissue deformation imaging being an emerging technique helps in the assessment of minute, subtle changes that occur in the RV myocardial function in cardiac patients undergoing valve surgery.

An infant with congenital rubella syndrome in developing India.

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), caused by rubella virus infection during pregnancy, remains a public health concern in developing countries. Three to five per cent of all suspected CRS cases in India have been proven to be a rubella infection. Only about 45%-60% of pregnant women and infants in India receive the rubella vaccination. We present a case of a preterm female infant who tested positive for the rubella virus. The baby was born with low birth weight and, on examination, showed pallor and hepatosplenomegaly. She was detected to have an ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) and a large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on echocardiography. On ophthalmic examination, she was diagnosed with bilateral cataract. She was treated with diuretics, and she underwent surgical correction for PDA. With this case we intend to present the literature, clinical manifestations and management of CRS. We will also focus on prevention, vaccination and disease burden in India..

Adult Survival in Ellis-van Creveld Syndrome with Common Atrium - A Rare Case Report.

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, characterized by chondral dysplasia, ectodermal dysplasia, polydactyly and congenital heart defects. Patients with this syndrome rarely survive into adulthood. The syndrome has also been rarely reported in the Indian population. We present the case of a 56 year old female who presented with post-menopausal bleeding, and was diagnosed with Ellis van Creveld syndrome, with a common atrium and common atrioventricular valve.

Statin Induced Rhabdomyolysis with Non Oliguric Renal Failure: A Rare Presentation.

Statins are safe, well tolerated, efficient and time tested drugs for the management of hypercholesterolemia, and thus play a cardinal role in the management of patients with heart disease. Although safe in clinical practice, they are associated with adverse effects, clinically the most important and most severe being muscle related complications/myotoxicity. Rhabdomyolysis, though rare, is the most severe form of myotoxicity. The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) adverse event reporting system reports rate of statin induced rhabdomyolysis at 0.3-13.5 cases per 1,000,000 patients. We present a case of a 74-year-old male who presented with an acute coronary syndrome and was initiated on atorvastatin. However, patient developed atorvastatin induced rhabdomyolysis, with non oliguric renal failure, which subsequently improved on cessation of medication.

Masquerading Bundle Branch Block: A Poor Prognostic Sign Revisited.

Masquerading bundle branch block is a rare but important finding on the Electrocardiogram (ECG). It is an indication of severe and diffuse conduction system disease and usually indicates poor prognosis. The precordial leads show a Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) pattern while the limb leads resemble a Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB). This finding on an ECG is almost invariably associated with severe underlying heart disease. It is extremely important to be aware of this finding as it is a marker of poor cardiac outcomes. We report the case of a 68-year-old gentleman, who presented with progressive dyspnoea on exertion over three months. ECG showed a broad QRS complex with a RBBB pattern on the precordial leads and a LBBB pattern on the limb leads (suggestive of masquerading bundle branch block). A coronary angiogram revealed severe Triple Vessel Disease (TVD). The patient was scheduled for an early Coronary Artery By-Pass Grafting Surgery. However, his clinical condition deteriorated and he died while awaiting the surgery.

Native Triple Valve Endocarditis as Complication of Post-Abortal Sepsis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a highly morbid condition in pregnancy which poses both maternal and fetal risk. In majority of cases, endocarditis occurs only on single valve and usually occurs on valve with structural disease or prosthetic valve. Multi-valvular involvement is not common and so we report a case of native triple valve endocarditis as a complication of post abortal sepsis which was successfully treated medically.

Delayed Diagnosis of Left-Sided Diaphragmatic Hernia in an Elderly Adult with no History of Trauma.

Diaphragmatic Hernia (DH) is the herniation of abdominal contents into the thorax through a rent in the diaphragm. Acquired DH most commonly occurs following a blunt or penetrating trauma to the abdomen with former being common than the later. Very rarely DH can be spontaneous and be asymptomatic until it's very extensive. A 78-year-old presented with breathlessness and chest pain of one month duration. There was dull note to percussion and absent breath sounds in left lower zone. Auscultation revealed bowel sounds in left infra-axillary and mammary area. Electrocardiogram and laboratory data suggested acute myocardial infarction. Coronary angiogram showed a triple vessel disease. Roentgenogram was simulating pneumonic consolidation but presence of air shadows was the thing against pneumonic consolidation. CT imaging of the thorax revealed an extensive left diaphragmatic hernia with viscera and left kidney as its contents. He was initially taken up for CABG and surgery for diaphragmatic hernia was planned at a later date. This case is important for its extensive nature and for its rarity as acquired DH rarely occurs spontaneously. Chest roentgenogram must be read cautiously in all such cases to look for this entity. Auscultation for bowel sounds in the thorax is a diagnostic clue.