International Cardiovascular Research Journal
Volume:7 Issue: 1, Mar 2013

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of amiodarone and metaprolol in prevention of atrial fibrillation in patients, following open heart surgery. Thi s prospective study was carried out between May 2008 to Nov. 2010, and comprised a total of 50 patients with normal preoperative sinus rhythm undergoing open heart surgery using c a rd i o pulmonary bypass. Mean age of patients was 47+2.7 years, of which 60% who developed atrial fibrillation aged from 51 to 60 years. Most patients (62%) were in NYHA Class III. Patients who received amiodarone showed significant improvement in LVEF compared to those treated with Metaprolol. Amiodarone treated group exhibited lesser incidence and short-lasting atrial fibrillation, lower ventricular rate, shorter hospitalization, an d lesser cost of care than those in metaprolol group. The present study showed that amiodarone was more efficient in controlling post-operative atrial fibrillation as compared to metaprolol. However, a larger randomized controlled trial is needed to corroborate the result of this study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- term effects of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) on coexisting AR. Clinical, echocardiographic and catheterization data from hospital records of a total of 327 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent PMV at a tertiary centre were retrospectively reviewed and aortic regurgitation changes 48 hours post PMV was recorded. The study population consisted of 282 females and 45 males. Mean age at the time of intervention was 47.13±11 years. Before PMV, 142 (43.3%) patients had no AR, 124 (37.9%) had mild AR and 61 (18.7%) had moderate AR. There was no change in AR severity in post- PMV follow-up. AR progression after PMV and during the follow-up was not significant and there was no increase in the need for aortic valve replacement (AVR) procedures. Our findings indicated that a considerable number of patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis had concurrent AR. At the time of PMV concomitant AR does affect procedural success and is not associated with inferior outcomes. Patients with moderate degrees of AR remain good candidates for PMV.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most prevalent type of cardiomyopathy in children, which results in congestive heart failure and causes significant morbidity and mortality. This study, aims to investigate the effect of supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on heart function and oxidative stress biomarkers in these patients.

The present research was a case-control study on pediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, who received n-3 PUFA and anti-failure therapy for 6 months (group 1, n = 6), or anti-failure therapy alone for 6 months (group 2, n = 6), as well as age matched normal individuals (group 3, n = 6), and evaluated the cardiac function and biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Echocardiographic parameters, such as left ventricular ejection fraction, shortening fraction, tissue Doppler Ea and Aa waves of lateral annulus of tricuspid valve, and Ea and S wave of septum, were significantly improved in group 1 after n-3 PUFA compared to pre- treatment status, while they were not changed after treatment in group 2. Antioxidant enzymes, including catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in erythrocytes were slightly decreased, while plasma 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α concentrations were somewhat increased in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3, however these changes were not statistically significant. Total antioxidant capacity of plasma was similar in all 3 groups.

The results indicate that some echocardiographic parameters were significantly improved in patients receiving omega-3 fish oil. However, omega-3 had no significant e ffect on oxidative s tress b iomarkers.

Obejectives:The objectives of this study were to compare and analyze the results of right anterolateral thoracotomy and median sternotomy approach for primary mitral valve replacement with reference to the exposure during Valve Replacement, length of surgical incision, mean cross clamp time, mean bypass time, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, hospitalization, overall comorbidity with sternotomy; sepsis, dehiscence, healing cosmetic issues and cost effectiveness. The present study comprised 68 patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease who underwent mitral valve replacement in the Department ofCardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Sher‑i‑Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences from September 2009 to August 2011. This study comprised 64 patients with 23 (35.9%) males and 41 (64.1%) females. Sternotomy group had 10 males (31.3%) and 22 females (68.7%). Thoracotomy group had 13 males (40.6%) and 19(59.4%) females. The length of incision between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.0001). Mean incision length were 24.6±2.1 cm and 14.8±2.3 cm in sternotomy and thoracotomy respectively. Statistically significant difference regarding duration of ICU stay was found between the two groups (P<0.0001). Scar visibility was 100% in sternotomy and around 25% in thoracotomy(P<0.0001). Thoracotomy through a right anterolateral aspect was easy to perform while maintaining maximum security for the patients. Besides its satisfactory cosmetic result especially in female patients, this approach proved to have several advantages. It offers a better exposure to the mitral apparatus even in patients with small left, allowing easy mitral valve replacement which is apparent from the lower cross‑clamp time in the test group. The invaluable advantage of the above- mentioned thoracotomy is total eradication of the risk of deep sternal infection. The shorter hospital stay and cost effectiveness of thoracotomy approach are additional relief to the family.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes, one year after primary percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). Patients and From September 2009 to March 2012, primary PCI was performed on 70 cases, and the data relating to their catheterization were recorded. Peri interventional treatment data included PCI with drug-eluting or bare-metal stent or balloon angioplasty alone. The mean age of the patients was 61.34+11.31 years, and 72.9% of them were males. The ratios of patients with diabetes, hypertension and, hyperlipidemia were 61.4, 71.4%, and 52.9% respectively. In clinical follow-up, total incidence of death was 4.3%, with no death occurring during 30 days. However, 3 patients died after one-year, of which one patient (1.4%) had cardiac problem and the other 2 (2.9%) died because of non-cardiac reasons. Target vessel revascularization, reinfarction within 30 days, and mechanical complication or stroke were not found in any of the patients. Patients with hypertension (6%) and those with LAD ST-elevation myocardial infarction (5%) died after one year (P= 0.263 and P= 0.319 respectively). However, no mortality was reported in patients with RCA and LCX STelevation myocardial infarction. Of subjects with multivessel disease, 7% died after oneyear (P= 0.161), but there was no reported mortality in those with single vessel disease. The prognosis was satisfactory in patients undergoing PCI after one year clinical follow up.

The aim of this retrospective study is to identify intraoperative patient’s characteristics predicting the n e ed for blood transfusion during CABG in our local cardiac surgical service. This study included 1835 consecutive patients, 1311 males and 524 females with mean age 58.8±9.9 years, undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Risk factors detected by univariate study were entered in a multivariate logistic regression model of the relationship between preoperative variables and blood transfusion. Blood transfusion was used in 435 patients (29.9%). Univariate analysis identified hemoglobin, smoking, hypertension, sex, diabetes, BMI and use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) as significant predictors. Multivariate analysis revealed hemoglobin (OR: 0.8; CI: 0.74‑0.86; P<0.001), CPB use (OR: 12.2; CI: 8.2‑. ; P<0.001) and female gender (OR: 2.29; CI:1.72‑3.04; P<0.001) as independent risk factors for blood transfusion. The predictors of RBC transfusion after isolated CABG were performing CPB, preoperative hemoglobin and female gender. These factors can be used as a clinical tool to preserve blood bank resources without increasing patient’s risk.

We report a case of idiopathic nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) originating from the aortic sinus cusp referred for presyncope and LV dysfunction and frequent premature ventricular complex with no response to 3 months anti-arrhythmic medication for heart failure and arrhythmia. She was then referred to us for frequent PVC''s and runs of nonsustained VT. ECG recorded during the nonsustained VT showed a left bundle branch block pattern in the precordial leads and an inferior axis and early transition in precordial leads in V3-V4. QS morphology in lead V1 was noticed with notching on the downward deflection. Electrophysiologic study was conducted to map ventricular outflow tract as a classic method, although pace map failed to find any matched QRS with the spontaneous PVCs. The mapping of aortic cusps was also performed. The best potential was recorded in a region located at the commissure of left-right aortic cusps. A single radiofrequency energy was delivered which resulted in immediate elimination of PVCs. The patient was discharged the day after ablation without any PVC recorded on monitor. Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) improved to normal level two months later. There was no PVC detected at serial holter monitoring. It seems logical not to overlook even an isolated or nonsustained ventricular arrhythmia considering the available and effective treatments such as ablation rather than congestive heart failure(CHF) therapy especially in a young patient.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a form of dilated cardiomyopathy that is defined as deterioration in cardiac function presenting typically between the last month of pregnancy and up to five months postpartum. As with other forms of dilated cardiomyopathy, PPCM involves systolic dysfunction of the heart with a decrease of the left ventricular ejection fraction with associated congestive heart failure. In heart failure sinus tachycardia is a poor prognostic factor and the common symptom. In this paper, we presented a case treated with ivabradine which provided additional benefit in patient with acute heart failure.