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Biomedical subjects

B L Chia

Publications and source records attributed to B L Chia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Antecedent risk factors and their control in young patients with a first myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Identifying and controlling cardiovascular risk factors at an early age may prevent cases of young myocardial infarction (MI). We studied age-related differences in the cumulative incidence of risk factors and the adequacy of primary prevention by surveying 1,556 patients with a first MI admitted to a tertiary hospital in Singapore. METHODS: This is a single centre registry-based study on patients admitted with a first MI to a tertiary hospital in Singapore. We stratified the cohort into younger (45 years of age and younger) and older (older than 45 years of age) groups. The presence of five risk factors, namely: hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), smoking, a family history of premature MI, and hyperlipidaemia, was assessed at the point of care by interview and prior medical records when obtainable. We also determined by the same methods, if these patients were receiving active treatment for DM, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia prior to their first MI. Lipid levels were measured within 24 hours of admission. RESULTS: 96 percent of patients 45 years and younger and 92 percent of those older than 45 years had at least one antecedent risk factor. The 45 years and younger age group had a higher incidence of untreated hypertension (odds ratio 2.99, 95 percent confidence interval 2.00-4.46, p-value is less than 0.001) and hyperlipidaemia (odds ratio 1.71, 95 percent confidence interval 1.20 - 2.43, p-value is equal to 0.002). CONCLUSION: A majority of young patients with a first MI have at least one identifiable antecedent risk factor. There is significant undertreatment of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia in this age group.

Adult↗

A case of broken heart from blunt trauma.

A young man with blunt chest trauma presented acutely in shock as a result of cardiac rupture causing acute bloody tamponade. We discuss the clinical presentation, the importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis and management of such cases.

Accidents↗

Fatal pulmonary haemorrhage with the combined use of abciximab and fibrinolytic agent.

The increased bleeding risk associated with the use of abciximab has been well reported. The risk appears to be amplified when abciximab is administered concurrently with a fibrinolytic agent. We report and review the literature on the occurrence of a case of fatal pulmonary haemorrhage, a rare bleeding complication, in a patient who received both these drugs.

Abciximab↗

Usefulness of ST elevation II/III ratio and ST deviation in lead I for identifying the culprit artery in inferior wall acute myocardial infarction.

In a study of 92 patients presenting with inferior wall acute myocardial infarction, the infarct-related artery was the right coronary artery in 72 patients (78%) and the left circumflex artery in 20 (22%). An ST II/III ratio of 1 or an isoelectric ST in lead I are sensitive and specific markers of left circumflex artery occlusion, whereas an ST II/III ratio <1 (ST elevation in lead III >II) or ST depression in lead I are sensitive and specific markers of right coronary artery occlusion.

Adult↗

Value of troponin-T rapid assay, cardiac enzymes, electrocardiogram and history of chest pain in the initial diagnosis of myocardial infarction in the emergency department.

We conducted a prospective study of 152 adult patients presenting to an emergency department with chest pain or symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to evaluate the first electrocardiogram (ECG), creatine kinase (CK)-MB and Troponin-T Rapid Assay (TnT) alone or in combination with chest pain in the initial diagnosis of AMI. A provisional diagnosis was made after the history, physical examination and the first ECG reading. Blood specimens were taken for TnT, CK and CK-MB mass. A final discharge diagnosis of AMI was made according to World Health Organization criteria. Seventy-six (50%) of patients had a final diagnosis of AMI. The sensitivities of the first ECG, first CK-MB mass and first TnT were 76.3% (95% confidence interval (CI), 66.8-85.9), 38.2% (95% CI, 27.2-49.1) and 31.6% (95% CI, 21.2-42.0) respectively. The area under the curve for a combination of ECG, CK-MB mass, TnT and chest pain was the highest at 0.937 when compared with chest pain with varying combinations of tests. A combination of the first ECG, CK-MB mass and TnT had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 87.9% (95% CI, 80.0-95.8). The first ECG was the most sensitive test while the combination of chest pain, ECG, cardiac enzymes and TnT gave the best results in the initial diagnosis of AMI. If the first ECG, CK-MB mass and TnT are all negative, the probability of having an AMI is 12%.

Adult↗

Initial experience of radiofrequency catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardia in paediatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: The management of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in paediatric patients until recently has frequently been pharmacologic therapy, but this approach suffers from the drawbacks of treatment failure, development of drug intolerance and/or side-effects. AIM: In keeping with recent advances in paediatric cardiology, we share our experience with radiofrequency catheter ablation as an alternative and definitive modality of therapy. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 4 young patients with recurrent SVT underwent electrophysiologic study followed by radiofrequency ablation of the accessory pathways. RESULTS: Resolution of symptoms was achieved in all patients and no major complication was encountered. CONCLUSIONS: The ability to ablate permanently the reentrant circuit responsible for SVT has now permitted cure by non-surgical means, and is an important alternative to drug therapy in the management of SVT in children.

Adolescent↗

The use of abciximab in coronary angioplasty--an Asian centre's experience.

BACKGROUND: Abciximab, a monoclonal antibody to platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor, has been shown to be effective in reducing ischemic complications after coronary angioplasty in recent trials. However, little is known about its efficacy and safety when used in Asian patients. METHODOLOGY: Based on our abciximab registry, we performed a retrospective analysis of 115 Asian patients who received the antiplatelet agent while undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention in our centre. They constituted 18.4% of the total number of patients undergoing percutaneous revascularisation during the corresponding period. The majority of the patients were males (84%). The mean age of the cohort was 54 and the mean weight was 70 kg. The ethnic composition of the study population was: Chinese 54%, Indians 21%, Malays 19% and Others 6%. All patients received aspirin 100 mg and weight-adjusted heparin before the procedure. Abciximab may be administered on a preplanned basis prior to the procedure or be given as a 'bailout' strategy. RESULTS: There was a high clinical success rate of 95.8% and low incidence of ischemic complications when abciximab was given during coronary angioplasty. There were 0% Q myocardial infarction, 3.3% non-Q myocardial infarction and 0.8% death in our series. Bleeding complications were uncommon at 7.6%, predominantly involving the groin and gingiva. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 5.8% of patients. Abciximab was noted to increase the procedural activated clotting time (ACT) by 38 seconds when given concomitantly with heparin. The mean maximal procedural ACT achieved was 323 +/- 51 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: Abciximab may be used safely and efficaciously in Asian patients undergoing coronary angioplasty. The drug confers protection against ischemic complications during the procedure whether it is administered electively or as a 'bailout'. There is however, a need to redefine the heparin regime for our patients, given the high ACT obtained when abciximab is administered.

Abciximab↗

The ECG "lead I sign" in cardiac disease--an indicator of coexisting obstructive pulmonary disease.

Two patients with co-existing cardiac disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are described. The first patient had Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and the second patient had extensive anterior Q wave myocardial infarction. In addition to the distinctive ECG patterns of their cardiac abnormalities, both patients also showed the "lead I sign" which is a highly specific marker of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These two patients suggest that even in the presence of cardiac disease, the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should be strongly suspected when the "lead I sign" is present.

Electrocardiography↗