Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in an urban population in India: the Nagpur pilot study
Conclusions
The prevalence of AF was low compared with other regions of the world and stroke prophylaxis was underused. A larger study is needed to confirm these findings. This study demonstrates that larger evaluations would be feasible using the community-based techniques employed here. (Source: Heart Asia)
Source: Heart Asia - April 17, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Saggu, D. K., Sundar, G., Nair, S. G., Bhargava, V. C., Lalukota, K., Chennapragada, S., Narasimhan, C., Chugh, S. S. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
A young female with recurrent syncope
A 23-year-old woman presented with multiple episodes of palpitations and loss of consciousness within a 48 h period. She gave a history of similar episodes since childhood and had been previously diagnosed as suffering from epilepsy. While being monitored in the hospital, she was found to have rapid polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) during the episodes. She required repeated cardioversion as the arrhythmia recurred despite administration of intravenous amiodarone and lignocaine. Prolonged monitoring showed frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVC) (figure 1A), couplets and short runs of ventricular tachyc...
Source: Heart Asia - March 22, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Swamy B, M., Amalnathan, D., Selvaraj, R. J. Tags: Image challenge Source Type: research
Food patterns measured by principal component analysis and obesity in the Nepalese adult
Conclusions
Our results suggest that refined grains–meat–alcohol intake is associated with higher prevalence of overweight, and fast food intake is associated with higher prevalence of obesity in older adults (40 years or above) in suburban Nepalese adults. (Source: Heart Asia)
Source: Heart Asia - March 22, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Shrestha, A., Koju, R. P., Beresford, S. A. A., Gary Chan, K. C., Karmacharya, B. M., Fitzpatrick, A. L. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Uncommon cause of late onset anasarca after cardiac surgery
A 10-year-old girl presented with a history of having loose stools and generalised swelling for a 1-month period. She had complex congenital cyanotic heart disease—double outlet right ventricle with anatomy unsuitable for two-ventricle repair. She had undergone Fontan surgery 3 years previously. Fontan completion was staged after pulmonary artery (PA) banding and bidirectional Glenn surgery. Her laboratory parameters showed hypoproteinemia with hypocalcaemia (serum protein 3.4 gm/dL, serum albumin 1.3 gm/dL, serum calcium 5.6 mg/dL). The patient's clinical condition was highly suggestive of a part...
Source: Heart Asia - March 7, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Bhatt, C., Radhakrishnan, S., Nair, A. Tags: Image challenge Source Type: research
Strategic planning: a tool for personal and career growth
This article has been written from the content of lectures that the author used at the Radiology Leadership Academy at Emory University and the Junior Faculty Career development lectures at the same institution. Although generic in nature, the content is intended for early healthcare professionals who have shown interest and promise to become leaders in their profession. Of course, this interest or awakening may occur at any point in the professional's career. The original title of this material was ‘How to achieve career success’. It became evident that the ideal candidate to benefit from this material was a p...
Source: Heart Asia - March 3, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Garcia, E. V. Tags: Viewpoint Source Type: research
Evaluation of American Heart Association 2015 revised Jones criteria versus existing guidelines
Conclusions
Probably the clinical manifestations of ARF are milder comprising of subclinical carditis and arthralgia in Indian population hence inclusion of subclinical carditis, polyarthralgia and monoarthritis as major criteria in the newer guidelines has improved the diagnostic yield of ARF. In the absence of a gold standard for diagnosis, sensitivity and specificity cannot be commented upon. (Source: Heart Asia)
Source: Heart Asia - February 29, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Kumar, D., Bhutia, E., Kumar, P., Shankar, B., Juneja, A., Chandelia, S. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Evaluation of the American Heart Association 2015 revised Jones criteria versus existing guidelines
Conclusions
The clinical manifestations of ARF, comprising subclinical carditis and arthralgia, are possibly milder in the Indian population; hence, inclusion of subclinical carditis, polyarthralgia and monoarthritis as major criteria in the newer guidelines has improved the diagnostic yield of ARF. In the absence of a gold standard for the diagnosis of ARF, it is not possible to comment on sensitivity and specificity. (Source: Heart Asia)
Source: Heart Asia - February 28, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Kumar, D., Bhutia, E., Kumar, P., Shankar, B., Juneja, A., Chandelia, S. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Nebivolol as a first-line antihypertensive: a justifiable proposal?
β-Blockers (BBs) have long been used to treat hypertension (HBP). The mechanisms of their antihypertensive effects include negative chronotropy and inotropy, inhibition of β-adrenergic receptor-mediated peripheral vasoconstriction and central adrenergic outflow, as well as renin release.1 Additionally, newer BBs such as nebivolol have direct peripheral vasodilatory activity and other properties which distinguish them from first-generation and second-generation agents (table 1). In this issue of Heart Asia, Kim et al2 commend the use of BBs, and specifically nebivolol, as a first-line agent for HBP. Table 1C...
Source: Heart Asia - February 24, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Ling, L. H., Oh, V. M. S. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection resulting in very late stent thrombosis
A 58-year-old man with a history of coronary angioplasty done to right coronary artery 6 years back presented to the hospital with sudden-onset chest pain for 1 h. His ECG on admission revealed ST elevation in leads II, III and augmented vector foot (aVF). The patient was thrombolysed with streptokinase, which resulted in resolution of chest pain and ECG changes. Three hours later there was reappearance of ST elevation in same leads with cardiogenic shock. It was decided to take the patient for rescue angioplasty. Angiogram revealed significant luminal stenosis of proximal right coronary artery along with in-sten...
Source: Heart Asia - February 24, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Malviya, A., Nath, D., Mishra, A. Tags: Images in cardiovascular medicine Source Type: research
Hypertension treatment in the Asia-Pacific: the role of and treatment strategies with nebivolol
Hypertension is a common disease, and hypertensive patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. The prevalence and socioeconomic burden of hypertension in the Asia-Pacific region are predicted to increase in the coming decades. Effective blood pressure lowering reduces overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients, yet doubt has been raised regarding the use of (mainly older generation) β-blockers as initial therapy in hypertension. Consequently, several international treatment guidelines do not recommend β-blockers for the treatment of hypertension. However, in contrast to first-generati...
Source: Heart Asia - February 24, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Kim, C.-H., Abelardo, N., Buranakitjaroen, P., Krittayaphong, R., Lim, C. H., Park, S.-H., Pham, N. V., Rogelio, G., Wong, B., Low, L. P. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Cardiac eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: rapid imaging with contrast CT and contrast echo aids early diagnosis
A 49-year-old male asthmatic (on Montelukast) with multiple sclerosis presented with shortness of breath and generalised weakness. On examination, he was in cardiac failure with a systolic murmur, rapid atrial fibrillation and weakness in all four limbs with slurred speech. His white cell count was 37x109/L, eosinophils 25x109/L, urea 13.6 mmol/L, creatinine 131 μmol/L, troponin I 4448 ng/L, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) weakly positive (negative myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3)). Differential diagnoses included stroke, myocarditis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangii...
Source: Heart Asia - February 4, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Abraham, D., Freeman, L. J. Tags: Images in cardiovascular medicine Source Type: research
Mean platelet volume and cardiovascular outcomes in acute myocardial infarction
Conclusions
Elevated MPV was associated with worse outcome in patients with acute MI. Elevated MPV in these patients may be due to inherently large platelets.
Trial registration number
http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/rmaindet.php?trialid=5485&EncHid=98036.61144&modid=1&compid=19; CTRI/2012/12/003222. (Source: Heart Asia)
Source: Heart Asia - February 4, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Ranjith, M. P., DivyaRaj, R., Mathew, D., George, B., Krishnan, M. N. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Usefulness of cardiac resynchronisation therapy devices and implantable cardioverter defibrillators in the treatment of heart failure due to severe systolic dysfunction: systematic review of clinical trials and network meta-analysis
Conclusions
The combined option of CRT+ICD seems to be better than the option of CRT alone, although no clear improvement in survival was found for the combined option. It would be advisable to perform a direct comparative study of these two options. (Source: Heart Asia)
Source: Heart Asia - January 27, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Garcia Garcia, M. A., Rosero Arenas, M. A., Ruiz Granell, R., Chorro Gasco, F. J., Martinez Cornejo, A. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Survival outcomes in severe congenital versus non-congenital pulmonary hypertension
Conclusions
We report favourable 7-year survival in adults with PAH and systemic RV pressures—equivalent in ES and non-CHD groups. Those with non-CHD predominately died of cardiac complications of PAH, as distinct from those with ES, many of whom died from complications of chronic cyanosis. (Source: Heart Asia)
Source: Heart Asia - January 19, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Arnott, C., Boehm, C., Lau, E., Celermajer, D. S. Tags: Original research Source Type: research
Leadless pacemaker and cremation
Implantable cardiac pacemakers save lives and improve quality of life. Each year about a million pacemakers are implanted worldwide, a quarter of them in the USA. Over the past 50 years several innovations have taken place in the miniaturisation of the pacemaker including circuitry, battery and lead systems. These advances have increased generator lifespan, improved programmability and simplified the `implant procedure.1 The non-surgical, leadless pacemaker is an innovative example of miniaturisation. Normal pacemaker batteries explode when exposed to very high temperatures and need to be explanted at the time of crem...
Source: Heart Asia - December 7, 2015 Category: Cardiology Authors: Bhargava, R., Bhargava, B. Tags: Viewpoints Source Type: research
