Rishi Bajaj

P-wave indices in patients with pulmonary emphysema: do P-terminal force and interatrial block have confounding effects?

Introduction Pulmonary emphysema causes several electrocardiogram changes, and one of the most common and well known is on the frontal P-wave axis. P-axis verticalization (P-axis > 60°) serves as a quasidiagnostic indicator of emphysema. The correlation of P-axis verticalization with the radiological severity of emphysema and severity of chronic obstructive lung function have been previously investigated and well described in the literature. However, the correlation of P-axis verticalization in emphysema with other P-indices like P-terminal force in V1 (Ptf), amplitude of initial positive component of P-waves in V1 (i-PV1), and interatrial block (IAB) have not been well studied. Our current study was undertaken to investigate the effects of emphysema on these P-wave indices in correlation with the verticalization of the P-vector. Materials and methods Unselected, routinely recorded electrocardiograms of 170 hospitalized emphysema patients were studied. Significant Ptf (s-Ptf) was considered ≥40 mm.ms and was divided into two types based on the morphology of P-waves in V1: either a totally negative (−) P wave in V1 or a biphasic (+/−) P wave in V1. Results s-Ptf correlated better with vertical P-vectors than nonvertical P-vectors (P = 0.03). s-Ptf also significantly correlated with IAB (P = 0.001); however, IAB and P-vector verticalization did not appear to have any significant correlation (P = 0.23). There was a very weak correlation between i-PV1 and frontal P-vector (r = 0.15; P = 0.047); however, no significant correlation was found between i-PV1 and P-amplitude in lead III (r = 0.07; P = 0.36). Conclusion We conclude that increased P-tf in emphysema may be due to downward right atrial position caused by right atrial displacement, and thus the common assumption that increased P-tf implies left atrial enlargement should be made with caution in patients with emphysema. Also, the lack of strong correlation between i-PV1 and P-amplitude in lead III or vertical P-vector may suggest the predominant role of downward right atrial distortion rather than right atrial enlargement in causing vertical P-vector in emphysema.

Electrocardiographic impacts of lung resection

INTRODUCTION Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes accompanying lung resection have not been well investigated previously in a large controlled series of human adults. Thus, our current investigation was undertaken for a better understanding of the ECG changes associated with lung resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS Medical records of 117 patients who underwent lung resection (segmentectomy, lobectomy, or pneumonectomy) were reviewed. Their clinical course and ECGs were compared during early, intermediate and late postoperative course (<1 month, 1 month to 1 year and >1 year post-op respectively). RESULTS Patients in the acute postoperative phase had higher heart rate, increased maximum P-duration and P-dispersion, increased incidence of atrial arrhythmias and frequent ST-T changes. P-vector and QRS-vector were significantly affected after the lung resections; the correlation being most consistent between the anatomical displacements and the QRS-vector in the majority of patients. The axial shifts also demonstrated a characteristic temporal relationship after left pneumonectomy (a leftward deviation in the acute, normal or slight rightward deviation in the intermediate and a rightward deviation in the late postoperative course). The precordial R/S transition is often affected due to the mediastinal shifts and the ECGs in patients after left lung resection may simulate acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction due to a delayed R/S transition. CONCLUSION The understanding and recognition of the expected ECG findings after lung resection are imperative to avoid confusing these changes with other acute cardiopulmonary events which would prevent unnecessary further investigational work-up. These ECG changes are often dynamic and may bear a temporal relationship to the dynamic post-surgical changes in the thoracic anatomy.

Optimal electrocardiographic limb lead set for rapid emphysema screening

Background Pulmonary emphysema of any etiology has been shown to be strongly and quasidiagnostically associated with a vertical frontal P wave axis. A vertical P wave axis (>60 degrees) during sinus rhythm can be easily determined by a P wave in lead III greater than the P wave in lead I (bipolar lead set) or a dominantly negative P wave in aVL (unipolar lead set). The purpose of this investigation was to determine which set of limb leads may be better for identifying the vertical P vector of emphysema in adults. Methods Unselected consecutive electrocardiograms from 100 patients with a diagnosis of emphysema were analyzed to determine the P wave axis. Patients aged younger than 45 years, those not in sinus rhythm, and those with poor quality tracings were excluded. The electrocardiographic data were divided into three categories depending on the frontal P wave axis, ie, >60 degrees, 60 degrees, or <60 degrees, by each criterion (P amplitude lead III > lead I and a negative P wave in aVL). Results Sixty-six percent of patients had a P wave axis > 60 degrees based on aVL, and 88% of patients had a P wave axis > 60 degrees based on the P wave in lead III being greater than in lead I. Conclusion A P wave in lead III greater than that in lead I is a more sensitive marker than a negative P wave in aVL for diagnosing emphysema and is recommended for rapid routine screening.

Non-atherosclerotic multiple coronary artery aneurysms.

A 52-year-old man underwent two-dimensional echocardiogram which showed moderate to severe aortic regurgitation (AR) and dilated ascending aorta. CT angiography (CTA) showed dilated ascending aorta (5 cm) and transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed bicuspid aortic valve. He underwent cardiac catheterisation which revealed triple vessel aneurysmal disease of the left anterior descending, left circumflex and right coronary artery. The patient underwent aortic graft placement for ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic valve replacement with a Saint Jude valve for severe AR. There was no history or stigmata of Kawasaki disease and workup for coronary artery aneurysm including vasculitis and connective tissue disorders was negative. Histopathology did not reveal evidence of active aortitis or dissection. His aneurysms are being observed by a yearly coronary CTA. We present a rare case of multiple coronary artery aneurysms associated with bicuspid aortic valve and ascending aortic aneurysm.

Rapidly Progressing Mycotic Aortic Aneurysm Masquerading As Acute Coronary Syndrome

Mycotic aortic aneurysms are rare. The most common cause of a mycotic aortic aneurysm is bacterial seeding in a diseased or injured aortic intima with subsequent arteritis. Because the clinical presentation of mycotic aortic aneurysms can be quite variable, the diagnosis hence can often be quite challenging. We herewith report an interesting case study in which the patient with a mycotic aortic aneurysm presented with the clinical picture masquerading as an acute coronary syndrome. The scenario reiterates the fact that despite the availability of accurate noninvasive imaging techniques, strong clinical suspicion might be imperative for the diagnosis of mycotic aneurysms.

Cardiac tamponade in hypothyroidism.

Pericardial effusion in overt hypothyroidism is common (incidence 3–6%), but cardiac tamponade and pretamponade as a presentation in newly diagnosed hypothyroidism is rare. For patients diagnosed with cardiac tamponade without sinus tachycardia, hypothyroidism should be suspected.1 Evaluation of hypothyroidism is often overlooked during the initial evaluation of patients at risk for this uncommon disease.2 We present a 46-year-old woman with a medical history of hypertension, treated with amlodipine, who presented to the emergency department with worsening symptoms of pedal oedema and fatigue. She was seen by her primary care physician a few weeks prior to this admission for bilateral leg …

A rare but important differential diagnosis in transient monocular blindness

A 45-year-old man presented with transient episodes of monocular blindness. Physical examination, including full neurology and funduscopy examination was unremarkable. Head CT was negative for intracranial bleed. Carotid ultrasound with Doppler was unremarkable. A two-dimensional echocardiogram was performed and showed a mobile mass attached to the aortic valve. To further evaluate the mass, a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed which showed a multilobulated, mobile, pedunculated mass attached to the aortic surface of the non-coronary aortic cusp, measuring …

Successful treatment of mobile right atrial thrombus and acute pulmonary embolism with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator

An 89-year-old woman came with symptoms of progressively worsening dyspnoea at rest over the preceding week. She was normotensive, had elevated jugular venous pressure and clear lungs. ECG revealed atrial fibrillation with the rapid ventricular rate. Labs were significant for markedly elevated pro-brain natriuretic peptide of 43 000 pg/mL and troponin-T of 1 ng/mL. An urgent 2D echocardiogram was obtained, which revealed the severely dilated right atrium and a large linear mobile mass in the right atrium consistent with a thrombus. An emergent CT scan revealed multiple bilateral pulmonary emboli. She received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. Repeat echocardiogram performed 6 h later showed no evidence of the right atrial thrombus. She was subsequently maintained on intravenous heparin and transitioned to Coumadin. Early recognition of this rare but potentially fatal complication is important as prompt treatment measures can help in preventing life-threatening complications of the right atrial thrombus.

CRT-20 Comparison Of Prasugrel 60 Mg Vs Clopidogrel 600 Mg Loading Doses In Patients Undergoing Primary PCI For Acute STEMI

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of prasugrel 60 mg vs. clopidogrel 600 mg loading doses in patients undergoing primary PCI for acute STEMI. There is ever increasing evidence to suggest that potent antiplatelet therapy plays a crucial role in the management of patients

Mobile complex atherosclerotic aortic plaque

A 64-year-old man with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and transient ischaemic attack was admitted with complaints of palpitations and fatigue. He was found to be having AF with sustained rapid ventricular response. He had failed rate control therapy with calcium channel blockers and antiarrhythmic therapy (dronedarone), and was on dabigatran for anticoagulation. Prior to undergoing direct current cardioversion, he underwent a transoesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) to rule out left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus which revealed a large, complex atherosclerotic plaque …