Acute pulmonary artery thromboembolism in presence of large mobile right atrial thrombus and severe thrombocytopenia.

Acute pulmonary embolism in presence of thrombocytopenia poses a challenging situation to manage. Concomitant presence of right atrial thrombus and thrombocytopenia will further complicate the situation. We hereby report a case of large right atrial thrombus with massive saddle bilateral pulmonary artery embolism with severe thrombocytopenia managed surgically with successful outcome.

Techniques, Timing & Prognosis of Post Infarct Ventricular Septal Repair: a Re-look at Old Dogmas.

OBJECTIVE:: The study aimed to identify the factors affecting the prognosis of post myocardial infarction (MI) ventricular septal rupture (VSR) and to develop a protocol for its management. METHODS:: This was a single center, retrospective-prospective study (2009-2014), involving 55 patients with post MI VSR. The strengths of association between risk factors and prognosis were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The UNM Post MI VSR management and prognosis scoring systems (UPMS & UPPS) were developed. RESULTS:: Thirty-day mortality was 52.5% (35% in the last 3 years). Twenty-eight (70%) patients underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting. Residual ventricular septal defect was found in 3 (7.5%) patients. The multivariate analysis showed low mean blood pressure with intra-aortic balloon pump (OR 11.43, P=0.001), higher EuroSCORE II (OR 7.47, P=0.006), higher Killip class (OR 27.95, P=0.00), and shorter intervals between MI and VSR (OR 7.90, P=0.005) as well as VSR and Surgery (OR 5.76, P=0.016) to be strong predictors of mortality. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (P=0.17) and location (P=0.25) of VSR did not affect the outcome. Mean follow-up was 635.8±472.5 days and 17 out of 19 discharged patients were in NYHA class I-II. CONCLUSION:: The UNM Post-MI VSR Scoring Systems (UPMS & UPPS) help in management and prognosis, respectively. They divide patients into 3 groups: 1) Immediate Surgery - Patients with scores of <25 require immediate surgery, preferably with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, and have poor prognosis; 2) Those with scores of 25-75 should be managed with "Optimal Delay" and they have intermediate outcomes; 3) Patients with scores of >75 can undergo Elective Repair and they are likely to have good outcomes.

Diagnostic accuracy of serum cystatin C for early recognition of contrast induced nephropathy in Western Indians undergoing cardiac catheterization.

AIMS: We aimed to compare the diagnostic efficacy of serum cystatin C (sCyC) for contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) in Western Indians undergoing cardiac catheterization. We also aimed to propose a clinically applicable cut-off of sCyC for early identification of CIN in this ethnic group. METHODS: In this prospective study, 253 patients undergoing coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled. The demographic and risk factor details, levels of sCr at baseline, 24 and 48h after the procedure, whereas baseline and 24h levels of sCyC were noted. Increase of 0.5mg/dl or ≥25% from baseline sCr was used to define CIN. Optimum cut off of sCyC for CIN diagnosis was obtained using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: After 48h of contrast media (CM) exposure, the incidence of CIN was 12.25% (31 patients) according to sCr definition, where only 3.9% (10 patients) had sCr rise in 24h. Overall significant (p<0.0001) rise in mean levels of sCr (48h) and sCyC (24h) was observed in CIN patients. However, the mean sCr rise at 24h was non-significant. The optimum cut off of sCyC for diagnosing CIN was found to be a rise of ≥10% from baseline (AUC - 0.901; sensitivity - 100%, specificity - 77.89%). According to sCyC, 94 (37.15%) patients had CIN. CONCLUSION: We may conclude that a rise of ≥10% in sCyC at 24h could be used as a reliable marker for identification of CIN in western Indians undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Techniques, timing & prognosis of post infarct ventricular septal repair: a re-look at old dogmas

Abstract Objective: The study aimed to identify the factors affecting the prognosis of post myocardial infarction (MI) ventricular septal rupture (VSR) and to develop a protocol for its management. Methods: This was a single center, retrospective-prospective study (2009-2014), involving 55 patients with post MI VSR. The strengths of association between risk factors and prognosis were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The UNM Post MI VSR management and prognosis scoring systems (UPMS & UPPS) were developed. Results: Thirty-day mortality was 52.5% (35% in the last 3 years). Twenty-eight (70%) patients underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting. Residual ventricular septal defect was found in 3 (7.5%) patients. The multivariate analysis showed low mean blood pressure with intra-aortic balloon pump (OR 11.43, P=0.001), higher EuroSCORE II (OR 7.47, P=0.006), higher Killip class (OR 27.95, P=0.00), and shorter intervals between MI and VSR (OR 7.90, P=0.005) as well as VSR and Surgery (OR 5.76, P=0.016) to be strong predictors of mortality. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (P=0.17) and location (P=0.25) of VSR did not affect the outcome. Mean follow-up was 635.8±472.5 days and 17 out of 19 discharged patients were in NYHA class I-II. Conclusion: The UNM Post-MI VSR Scoring Systems (UPMS & UPPS) help in management and prognosis, respectively. They divide patients into 3 groups: 1) Immediate Surgery - Patients with scores of <25 require immediate surgery, preferably with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, and have poor prognosis; 2) Those with scores of 25-75 should be managed with "Optimal Delay" and they have intermediate outcomes; 3) Patients with scores of >75 can undergo Elective Repair and they are likely to have good outcomes.

Ductus arteriosus stenting: A promising percutaneous palliation in patients with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the feasibility and outcomes of ductal stenting in patients with duct-dependent pulmonary blood flow (PBF). METHODS: Duct-dependent hypoxic patients with confluent pulmonary artery (PA) branches were enrolled for ductal stenting and followed regularly. RESULTS: Sixty patients, with a median age of 12 (1-1095) days and weight of 2.8 (2.2-8.9) kg, were enrolled. Median right PA (RPA) and left PA (LPA) Z-scores were -1.23 (-10.54 to 2.81) and -0.96 (-8.03 to 3.0), respectively. Mean narrowest ductal diameter was 1.73±0.57 mm and length was 12.78±3.32 mm. Sixty-four stents with mean diameter of 4.21±0.32 mm and length of 14.34±3.44 mm were deployed in 59 patients. The procedure was unsuccessful in one. Post-stenting mean oxygen saturation (SO2) increased significantly from baseline of 68.88±7.47% to 90.43±6.04% (p<0001). Complications included pulmonary edema in one patient and acute stent occlusion in another. At a median follow-up of eight (2-14) months, mean SO2 (80.04±7.54%) was significantly higher than baseline (p<0.0001). Median RPA and LPA Z-scores, 0.56 (-2.89 to 3.29) and -0.02 (-2.81 to 3.86), respectively, were significantly higher than baseline. Six patients required re-interventions (shunt in three and angioplasty in three). Six patients died, three due to sepsis and another three with worsened cyanosis due to impaired PBF, probably due to ductal occlusion. CONCLUSION: Ductal stenting is an effective palliation in patients with duct-dependent PBF. It maintains adequate SO2 and promotes balanced PA growth at mid-term follow-up.

Transcatheter device closure of pseudoaneurysms of the left ventricular wall: An emerging therapeutic option.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a rare but serious complication of acute myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery. While surgical intervention is the conventional therapeutic option, transcatheter closure can be considered in selected patients with suitable morphology of the pseudoaneurysm. We report a case of successful transcatheter closure of a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm orifice and isolation of the sac using an Amplatzer septal occluder.

Transcatheter device closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect in children treated with prophylactic oral steroids: acute and mid-term results of a single-centre, prospective, observational study.

UNLABELLED: Background and Objective Although transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect is emerging as an accepted, viable alternative, conduction disturbances still remain a major concern. Although steroid treatment has shown encouraging results with complete recovery, efficacy of prophylactic use of steroids is still speculative. We aim to study the mid-term outcome of perimembranous ventricular septal defect closure in children who received prophylactic oral steroids. Materials and methods A prospective study was designed and antegrade device closure was attempted in eligible children who met the following inclusion criteria: age 3-18 years and weight >10 kg, defect diameter ⩽12 mm, and symptomatic, haemodynamic changes or history of infective endocarditis. Prophylactic steroid protocol consisted of 2 weeks oral prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day) initiated immediately after the procedure, and in the event of bradyarrhythmia it was escalated to 2 mg/kg. Patients were regularly followed-up at 1, 6, and 12 months and then annually. Patients with post-procedure heart block underwent Holter monitoring after a minimum of 1 year interval. RESULTS: Between May, 2007 and August, 2012, successful device closure was accomplished in 290/297 patients. Mean age and weight were 9±3.12 years and 21±8.27 kg, respectively. The defect measured 5±1.38 mm on echocardiography. Mean fluoroscopy time was 12.98±8.64 minutes. Eight patients with major complications included one each with device embolisation, haemolysis, severe aortic regurgitation, and five with bradyarrhythmias, including complete atrioventricular block in three, Mobitz II in one, and bifascicular block in one. Patients with complete atrioventricular block responded to high-dose steroid and temporary pacemaker. Minor complications included post-procedure heart block (n=22) and blood loss (n=2). At 18.23±13.15 months follow-up, 8/27 (five major, 22 minor) with arrhythmia had persistent post-procedure heart block of no clinical consequences. CONCLUSION: In our patient population, transcatheter device closure of the perimembranous ventricular septal defect with prophylactic oral steroid resulted in excellent closure rate and acceptably low incidence of conduction disturbances at mid-term follow-up.

Clinical and angiographic follow-up of coronary artery fistula interventions in children: techniques and classification revisited.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistula has emerged as a safe and effective alternative to surgery. However, follow-up angiographic data after closure of the coronary artery fistula is extremely limited. We report our clinical and angiographic follow-up of children who underwent either transcatheter or surgical closure. METHOD: Clinical profile, echocardiography parameters, and closure technique were retrospectively reviewed from the hospital charts. Since 2007, 15 children have been intervened and followed up with electrocardiography, echocardiography, and angiography. RESULTS: A total of 15 children (six girls), with mean age of 6.7±5.4 years and weighing 16.3±9.8 kg, underwent successful closure (transcatheter=13, surgical=2) without periprocedural complication. Coronary artery fistula arose from the right (n=7) and left coronary artery (n=8) and drained into the right atrium or the right ventricle. Transcatheter closure was carried out using a duct occluder. Of the patients, two underwent surgical closure of the fistula on a beating heart. At 31.8±18.7 months follow-up, all the children were asymptomatic and had no evidence of myocardial ischaemia or infarction. However, follow-up angiography revealed thrombotic occlusion of fistula with the patent parent coronary artery in those having branch coronary artery fistula, and five of seven patients with parent coronary artery fistula had near-complete occlusion of fistula extending into the native coronary artery. CONCLUSION: Follow-up angiography revealed a high incidence of parent artery occlusion when the fistula was arising from the native artery and not from one of its branches. Coronary artery fistula intervention of the parent coronary artery fistula always carries the potential risk of ischaemia, unless the distal-most exiting segment is the primary site of occlusion.

Clinical profile of pediatric patients with long QT syndrome masquerading as seizures.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical profile of patients with long QT syndrome presenting as seizures. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of six pediatric patients admitted at authors' institute between October 2008 and January 2013 with seizures and a presumptive diagnosis of long QT syndrome (LQTS) was done. The diagnosis was made on the basis of updated Schwartz diagnostic criteria. Clinical data, investigation profile and follow up of patients was recorded in a standard format and analysed. RESULTS: All the 6 patients in the study were boys with a mean age of 10.3 ± 2.8 y at the time of diagnosis. The lag period between symptom onset and diagnosis was 5.6 ± 3.14 y. All patients had history of seizures with a history of precipitating event in 4 patients. Average baseline QTc interval was 556 ± 41.31 ms. Mean Schwartz score was 6.66 ± 1.16. Polymorphic VT was documented in 4 patients. After initiating standard treatment with betablockers, nicorandil, spironolactone or pacemaker, all the six patients were asymptomatic at a mean follow up period of 17.5 mo, with no recurrence of seizures. CONCLUSIONS: LQTS can cause seizures due to prolonged ventricular arrhythmias in high risk subgroup. Children, who present with LQTS and seizures, generally have a precipitating event causing seizures, and they respond well to drug therapy.

Efficacy and safety of tenecteplase in pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a relatively common life-threatening cardiovascular condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present the efficacy and safety data of weight-adjusted tenecteplase in 30 consecutive patients of acute PE. 30 patients (22 male, 8 female) with acute PE were included in the study and divided into three groups: (1) Acute PE complicated by shock stage and/or persistent hypotension (12 patients). (2) RV dilatation and/or dysfunction without hypotension (14 patients). (3) Severe hypoxemia without hypotension and RV dysfunction (4 patients). Predominant symptoms were dyspnoea, cough, chest pain, syncope and haemoptysis, noted in 100% (30), 40% (12), 54% (16), 32% (9) and 10% (3) of patients respectively. RV dilatation and dyskinesia were present in 86%, septal paradoxical movement in 73% and inferior venacava collapse absent in 53% of patients respectively. 12 patients presented with acute PE and cardiogenic shock, 14 patients showed RV dilatation and dysfunction with systolic BP >90 mmHg and four patients were having RV dilation without dysfunction but severe hypoxemia. There was significant reduction in right ventricular systolic pressure and improvement in right ventricular dysfunction. Our study shows that tenecteplase is very effective and safe in the treatment of PE with minimal risk of bleeding in high risk group and intermediate risk and even in selective low risk category group of patients. However, in view of small number of patients in study group, a large multicentre randomized study would be required to draw a firm conclusion regarding the thrombolysis in low risk category patient.

Transcatheter right ventricular outflow tract stenting in children with postoperative infundibular stenosis and preserved pulmonary valve function.

Recurrent or residual right ventricular outflow tract obstruction after early surgical repair of congenital heart disease is one of the most frequent indications for either surgical or transcatheter reintervention. Transcatheter stent implantation across the stenotic right ventricular outflow tract or conduit is a safe and effective alternative to surgical reintervention. However, chronic deleterious effects of pulmonary regurgitation can potentially counterbalance the early improvement in clinical and hemodynamic parameters, sometimes necessitating further intervention. While there are several studies documenting safe and effective palliation by transcatheter right ventricular outflow tract stenting in infants with tetralogy of Fallot, literature on isolated infundibular stent implantation sparing the normal pulmonary valve in postoperative infundibular restenosis is very scant. We report our experience of safety and feasibility of transcatheter right ventricular outflow tract stent implantation while preserving the native pulmonary valve function in two children with infundibular stenosis after surgical repair of congenital heart disease.

Prevalence and predictors of renal artery stenosis in patients undergoing peripheral and coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: Renal artery stenosis is a potential cause of secondary hypertension, ischemic nephropathy and end-stage renal disease. Atherosclerosis is by far the most common etiology of renal artery stenosis in elderly. We investigated whether the presence of significant atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) with luminal diameter narrowing ≥50 % could be predicted in patients undergoing peripheral and coronary angiography. METHODS: The records of 3,500 consecutive patients undergoing simultaneous renal angiography along with peripheral and coronary angiography were reviewed. The patients with known renal artery disease were excluded. RESULTS: Prevalence of ARAS was 5.7 %. Significant ARAS (luminal diameter narrowing ≥50 %) was present in 139 patients (3.9 %). Hypertension with altered serum creatinine and triple-vessel CAD were associated with significant renal artery stenosis in multivariate analysis. No significant relationship between the involved coronary arteries like left anterior descending, left circumflex, right coronary artery and ARAS was found. Only hypertension and altered serum creatinine were associated with bilateral ARAS. Extent of CAD or risk factors like diabetes, hyperlipidemia or smoking did not predict the unilateral or bilateral ARAS. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of ARAS among the patients in routine cardiac catheterization was 5.7 %. Hypertension is closely associated with significant ARAS. Significant CAD in the form of triple-vessel disease and altered renal function tests are closely associated with ARAS. They predict the presence of significant renal artery stenosis in patients undergoing routine peripheral and coronary angiography. Moreover, hypertension and altered renal functions predict bilateral ARAS.

Perventricular device closure of isolated muscular ventricular septal defect in infants: a single centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate prospective single centre experience of mid-term safety and efficacy of perventricular device closure of isolated large muscular ventricular septal defect (mVSD) in high-risk infants. BACKGROUND: Surgical closures of large mVSD in infants represent a challenge with significant morbidity. METHODS: Between August 2008-2010, perventricular closure was attempted in 24 infants of 6.01 ± 2.37 months age and 4.27 ± 0.56 kg weight under TEE guidance. RESULTS: The device was successfully deployed in 21/24 infants. Size of mVSD was 8.42 ± 1.46 mm (6.1-12 mm). Mean procedure time was 28.8 ± 11.7 min. The closure rate was 84% immediately and 100% at 6 months. Four patients suffered major complications: 2-died, 1-esophageal perforation, 1-persistent CHB. At 26.23 ± 6.63 months follow-up two patients were symptomatic: 1-required device retrieval, 1-died of severe gastroenteritis. CONCLUSION: Perventricular device closure of isolated mVSD appears feasible option at mid-term follow-up and may either substitute or complement the conventional surgical technique in selected cases depending on institutional paediatric cardiac surgery performance.

Percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus via internal jugular vein in patient with interrupted inferior vena cava.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) using various occluders and coils via femoral vein is a well established therapeutic option. However, in patients with interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC) it is not feasible to close the PDA percutaneously using traditional methods. We present a nine-year-old girl with IVC interruption in whom percutaneous closure of PDA was successfully accomplished via the transjugular approach.

Compression of long-term EEG using power spectral density.

In this paper, we propose to use the features based on power spectral density as a descriptor of the EEG in the compression of the long-term intensive care unit EEG to obtain the temporal evolution of the recurrent patterns. Sleep EEG is used as a baseline since the sleep stages can be mapped to recurrent patterns in the background EEG. Our results indicate that the spectral features provide a better classification of the sleep EEG and assist in a better formation of homogenous clusters compared to the results obtained with the previously used features. The average overall agreement compared against manual scoring of seven sleep EEG records is 68.5%. It is an improvement compared to 62.7% obtained with the previously used features. Although our results for computer classification use only the EEG information from one frontal and one occipital channel, they are similar to the manual classification of sleep EEG, which is based on additional information.