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Biomedical subjects

Balendu C Vasavada

Publications and source records attributed to Balendu C Vasavada.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Efficacy and safety of endovascular intracoronary brachytherapy.

Intracoronary brachytherapy has emerged as one of the novel exciting developments in the field of interventional cardiology to counteract the problem of restenosis. Restenosis is the major limitation to a full expansion of all revascularization procedures. Elastic recoil, unfavorable remodeling and a proliferative response to injury are the more importune mechanisms to restenosis. The technique of intracoronary brachytherapy involves application of locally delivered radiation or brachytherapy in the management of restenosis. Ionizing radiation has been shown to decrease the proliferative response to injury in animal models of restenosis. Subsequently, several small randomized trials have demonstrated that intracoronary brachytherapy can reduce the rates of both angiographic and clinical restenosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for in-stent restenosis.

Brachytherapy↗

QT interval prolongation with global T-wave inversion: a novel ECG finding in acute pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report a novel electrocardiographic (ECG) phenomenon in acute pulmonary embolism characterized by QT interval prolongation with global T-wave inversion. METHODS: Among a total of 140 study patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism, patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria for QT interval prolongation with global T-wave inversion were examined. Each of these patients had undergone a detailed clinical evaluation including testing for myocardial injury and echocardiography. RESULTS: QT interval prolongation with global T-wave inversion was found in five patients (age 51-68 years) with acute pulmonary embolism. Four were women. Acute pulmonary embolism was diagnosed by ventilation-perfusion scan in three patients and by spiral computed tomography in other two patients. None of the patients had any right or left ventricular regional wall motion abnormalities on echocardiography. All patients had changes characteristic of hemodynamically significant pulmonary embolism, including right ventricular stunning or hypokinesis and dilatation in five patients with paradoxical septal motion in four. Acute coronary syndrome was ruled out in each patient by clinical evaluation, serial ECGs and cardiac markers, and lack of regional wall motion abnormalities on echocardiography. Prolongation of QT intervals (QTc 456-521 ms) with global T-wave inversion was noted on presentation. The ECG changes gradually resolved in 1 week in all patients with appropriate treatment of acute pulmonary embolism. One patient died. None of the patients developed torsade de pointes. CONCLUSIONS: Acute pulmonary embolism may occasionally result in reversible QT interval prolongation with deep T-wave inversion, and, thus should be considered among the acquired causes of the long QT syndrome.

Acute Disease↗

Left bundle branch block in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a sign of advanced cardiovascular involvement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate left bundle branch block (LBBB) as an indicator of advanced cardiovascular involvement in diabetic (DM) patients by examining left ventricular systolic function and proteinurea. METHODS: Data of 26 diabetic patients with left bundle branch block (DM with LBBB) were compared with data of 31 diabetic patients without left bundle branch block (DM without LBBB) and 18 nondiabetic patients with left bundle branch block (non-DM with LBBB). The inclusion criteria were age >45 years, and diabetes mellitus type 2 of >5 years. RESULTS: Mean ages of patients in DM with LBBB, DM without LBBB, and non-DM with LBBB groups were 67 +/- 8, 68 +/- 10, and 65 +/- 10 years, respectively (P = NS). Females were 65%, 61%, and 61%, respectively (P = NS). Left ventricular ejection fraction in DM with LBBB was significantly lower than in DM without LBBB and non-DM with LBBB (30 +/- 10% vs 49 +/- 12% and 47 +/- 8%, P < 0.01). Left ventricular end-diastolic volume was significantly higher in DM with LBBB than in DM without LBBB and non-DM with LBBB (188.6 +/- 16.4 mL vs 147.5 +/- 22.3 mL and 165.3 +/- 15.2 mL, P < 0.03). Similarly, left ventricular end-systolic volume was significantly higher in DM with LBBB than in DM without LBBB and non-DM with LBBB (135.4 +/- 14.7 mL vs 83.7 +/- 9.5 mL and 96.6 +/- 18.4 mL, P < 0.02). No statistically significant difference was seen in left atrial size. Proteinurea in DM with LBBB (79.4 +/- 18.9 mg/dL) was significantly higher than in DM without LBBB (35.6 +/- 8.5 mg/dL, P < 0.05) and non-DM with LBBB (12 +/- 3.5 mg/dL, P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in Hb A1c levels in DM with LBBB and DM without LBBB (9.01% vs 7.81%, P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Left bundle branch block in diabetic patients indicates advanced cardiovascular involvement manifesting with more severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction and proteinurea compared to both diabetic patients without left bundle branch block and nondiabetic patients with left bundle branch block.

Aged↗

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma: a comprehensive analysis of 725 cases.

BACKGROUND: With the advent of echocardiography, cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (CPF) is being increasingly reported. The demographics, clinical characteristics, pathological features, treatment, and prognosis of CPF are examined. DATA COLLECTIONS: Cases, case series and related articles on the subject in all languages were identified through a comprehensive literature search. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Seven hundred twenty-five cases of CPF were identified. Males comprised 55% of patients. Highest prevalence was in the 8th decade of life. The valvular surface was the predominant locations of tumor. The most commonly involved valve was the aortic valve, followed by the mitral valve. The left ventricle was the predominant nonvalvular site involved. No clear risk factor for development of CPF has been reported. Size of the tumor varied from 2 mm to 70 mm. Clinically, CPFs have presented with transient ischemic attack, stroke, myocardial infarction, sudden death, heart failure, presyncope, syncope, pulmonary embolism, blindness, and peripheral embolism. Tumor mobility was the only independent predictor of CPF-related death or nonfatal embolization. Symptomatic patients should be treated surgically because the successful complete resection of CPF is curative and the long-term postoperative prognosis is excellent. The symptomatic patients who are not surgical candidates could be offered long-term oral anticoagulation, although no randomized controlled data are available on its efficacy. Asymptomatic patients could be treated surgically if the tumor is mobile, as the tumor mobility is the independent predictor of death or nonfatal embolization. Asymptomatic patients with nonmobile CPF could be followed-up closely with periodic clinical evaluation and echocardiography, and receive surgical intervention when symptoms develop or the tumor becomes mobile.

Adolescent↗

Cardiac arrhythmias in pregnancy: clinical and therapeutic considerations.

Pregnancy can precipitate cardiac arrhythmias not previously present in seemingly well individuals. Risk of arrhythmias is relatively higher during labor and delivery. Potential factors that can promote arrhythmias in pregnancy and during labor and delivery include the direct cardiac electrophysiological effects of hormones, changes in autonomic tone, hemodynamic perturbations, hypokalemia of pregnancy, and underlying heart disease. Paroxysmal supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia may cause hemodynamic compromise with consequences to the fetus. Management of arrhythmias in pregnant women is similar to that in non-pregnant but a special consideration must be given to avoid adverse fetal effects. No drug therapy is usually needed for the management of supraventricular or ventricular premature beats, but potential stimulants, such as smoking, caffeine, and alcohol should be eliminated. In paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, vagal stimulation maneuvers should be tried first. Adenosine or a cardioselective beta-blocker could be used if vagal maneuvers are ineffective. Alternatively, verapamil or diltiazem may be given. In pregnant women with atrial fibrillation, the goal of treatment is conversion to sinus rhythm or to control ventricular rate by a cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocker drug or digoxin. Ventricular arrhythmias may occur in the pregnant women with cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, or mitral valve prolapse. Termination of ventricular arrhythmias can usually be achieved by intravenous lidocaine or procainamide or by electrical cardioversion. Amiodarone is not safe for the fetus. Beta-blocker therapy must be continued during pregnancy and postpartum period in women with long QT syndrome and torsade de pointes.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Ibutilide-induced long QT syndrome and torsade de pointes.

Ibutilide is a class III antiarrhythmic agent used for the termination of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. It mainly affects membrane potassium currents and prolongs the cardiac action potential. This effect is reflected as QT interval prolongation on the surface electrocardiogram. Like other drugs that affect potassium currents, ibutilide is prone to induce a malignant ventricular tachycardia, torsade de pointes. We report four cases of torsade de pointes after administration of ibutilide for pharmacologic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter; three of these cases required direct current cardioversion for termination of torsade de pointes. All four patients were female. We discuss the risk factors for development of ibutilide-induced torsade de pointes.

Aged↗

Alcohol-triggered acute myocardial infarction.

Heavy alcohol drinking may trigger the onset of acute myocardial infarction. Although the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, alcohol-induced changes in blood homeostasis, endothelial dysfunction, decreased fibrinolysis, and coronary spasm are the possible explanations. There are rare reports of acute myocardial infarction in young individuals triggered by acute heavy alcohol intake. We present a case of acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction triggered by heavy alcoholic binge drinking in a man and discuss the available explanations of this rare association.

Adult↗

Ibutilide for pharmacological cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and flutter: impact of race on efficacy and safety.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the racial differences in the efficacy and safety of ibutilide in patients with recent-onset (<2 weeks) atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. METHODS: This study included 58 consecutive patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (n = 34) and atrial flutter (n = 24). The mean age was 65.7 +/- 14.6 years (range, 37-86 years), 47% were women (n = 27) and 34% (n = 20) were African Americans. The duration of arrhythmia ranged from 3 hours to 2 weeks. All patients had echocardiography, were on therapeutic anticoagulation, had a fairly well controlled ventricular rate, normal QTc interval on 12-lead electrocardiography, and normal serum electrolytes. Ibutilide was administered as an intravenous infusion with a maximal dose of 2 mg. RESULTS: The overall conversion rate to sinus rhythm was 66% (n = 38), with 62% (n = 21) with atrial fibrillation and 71% (n = 17) of atrial flutter. Most conversions (84%) occurred within 45 minutes of ibutilide infusion. The mean time to arrhythmia conversion was 37.4 +/- 59.8 minutes. Race had a significant impact on efficacy, with increased conversions seen in African Americans (P = 0.004) and increased nonconversion seen in whites (P = 0.02). Successful conversion was not affected by the left atrial size or the presence of valvular heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and diabetes mellitus. QTc intervals were prolonged after drug administration, with a mean change of 24.6 milliseconds for all patients. The QTc prolongation after drug administration was greater in African Americans than in whites (27.4 vs. 23.3 milliseconds). Torsade de pointes occurred in 4 patients (3 African Americans) and was treated with intravenous magnesium sulfate and electrical cardioversion. CONCLUSION: Ibutilide used for pharmacological cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter is more effective in African Americans but carries a higher risk of torsade de pointes.

Adult↗

Use of ibutilide for cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation and flutter in elderly.

Ibutilide is a class III antiarrhythmic drug used for pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation and flutter. The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of ibutilide in elderly patients (age, >or=65 years). The study population consisted of 32 consecutive elderly patients (17 women, 15 men; mean age, 76 +/- 8 years; age range, 65-94 years) with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (19 patients) or flutter (13 patients). Ibutilide was administered 1-mg intravenously over 10 minutes, and a second 10-minute infusion of 1-mg was given if the arrhythmia did not terminate within 10 minutes after the end of initial infusion. Twenty-six patients received two 1-mg doses of ibutilide. The rate of successful arrhythmia termination was 59% (19 patients): 63% in patients with atrial fibrillation (12 of 19) and 54% in atrial flutter (7 of 12). The mean conversion time was 33 +/- 45 minutes. Three-fourths of the conversions occurred within 45 minutes of treatment. No clinical variables were correlated with success of cardioversion. Patients with a left atrial size of 50 mm or larger had a conversion rate of 50% compared with a conversion rate of 61% in patients with a left atrial size of less than 50 mm (P = NS). Ibutilide-induced lengthening in the QTc interval was of 17 +/- 21 milliseconds. Cardiac complications were torsade de pointes (1 patient), nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (1 patient), and transient bradycardia (1 patient). Torsade de pointes was terminated with direct current cardioversion. Ibutilide appears to be an effective drug for conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation and flutter in elderly patients under monitored conditions. Complications are rare and transient.

Aged↗

Therapeutics of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonism.

The integrin glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor is the final common pathway to platelet aggregation. Administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists reduces acute ischemic complications following plaque fissuring or rupture. Research on this subject was initially limited to patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Further studies evaluating the role of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome have shown benefit of these drugs in reducing adverse cardiac events and death. Intravenous glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors (abciximab, tirofiban, and eptifibatide) given in combination with traditional regimens are superior to placebo in management of non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction. Oral glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors (orbofiban, sibrafiban, and xemilofiban) are not effective in reducing ischemic events when used on a long-term basis after acute coronary syndrome. Pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists are elaborated.

Abciximab↗

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma originating from pulmonary vein--a case report.

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma is a primary cardiac neoplasm that typically affects the cardiac valves, mainly the aortic and mitral valves, and very rarely the endocardium of cardiac chambers. Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma is rarely diagnosed during life, as the majority are incidental findings at autopsy, but with the advent of echocardiography, it is being increasingly recognized. Although the tumor is usually small and histologically benign, it may have a malignant propensity for life-threatening complications, such as a cerebrovascular accident, myocardial ischemia or infarction, or sudden death. The patient reported here presented with an embolic stroke from a thrombus on the surface of a left atrial papillary fibroelastoma. The papillary fibroelastoma was originating from the lower portion of the left inferior pulmonary vein and was protruding into the left atrial cavity. Papillary fibroelastoma originating from the pulmonary veins has not been reported before. The tumor was successfully removed by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography-guided cardiac surgery. Grossly, the surface of the tumor was smooth and translucent. The gelatinous membrane on the surface tore easily, and soft papillary tumor with multiple fronds was visible. Histology confirmed the mass was a papillary fibroelastoma. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. Follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram revealed no residual or recurrence of tumor. The patient was in excellent health at 2-year follow-up. The case is described and the clinical characteristics of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma are reviewed.

Aged↗

Cardiac tamponade in patients with human immunodeficiency virus disease.

The characteristics of cardiac tamponade in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease were examined by evaluating the cases, case series, and related articles, including autopsy series, identified through a comprehensive literature search. One-hundred eighty-five cases of cardiac tamponade have been reported in patients with HIV disease. Sex data were available in 176 patients, of whom 154 (87%) were males. The mean age was 34.7 +/- 10.4 years (range, 11 months to 61 years). Mean CD4 cell count was 98 +/- 95 cells/mm3 (range, 3 to 430 cells/mm3). The most common etiology of pericardial tamponade was mycobacterial infection (78 patients), including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, and Mycobacterium kansasii. A bacterial cause was found in 20 patients (11%). Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant bacteria, followed by streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Rhodococcus equi. Lymphoma was found in 15 (8%) patients and Kaposi sarcoma in 13 (7%) patients. Numerous unusual organisms, including Cryptococcus neoformans, Nocardia asteroides, Aspergillus species, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex were also associated with cardiac tamponade in HIV patients. Occasionally, HIV itself was involved in the pathogenesis. In 48 patients (26%), no cause was found or reported. The most common clinical presentation was dyspnea, followed by fever, cough, chest pain, and cardiac arrest. The predominant pericardial fluid color composition was serosanguineous. The majority of patients died during hospitalization or in the immediate follow-up period. Vigilance for cardiac tamponade in patients with HIV disease, especially in those with opportunistic infections and/or malignancies, and cardiac symptoms, may result in early and proper management of cardiac tamponade in these patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗