Tariq Bhat

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and cardiovascular diseases: a review.

The role of inflammatory markers in cardiovascular diseases has been studied extensively and a consistent relationship between various inflammatory markers and cardiovascular diseases has been established in the past. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a new addition to the long list of these inflammatory markers. NLR, which is calculated from complete blood count with differential, is an inexpensive, easy to obtain, widely available marker of inflammation, which can aid in the risk stratification of patients with various cardiovascular diseases in addition to the traditionally used markers. It has been associated with arterial stiffness and high coronary calcium score, which are themselves significant markers of cardiovascular disease. NLR is reported as an independent predictor of outcome in stable coronary artery disease, as well as a predictor of short- and long-term mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes. It is linked with increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and higher long-term mortality in patients undergoing PCI irrespective of indications of PCI. In patients admitted with advanced heart failure, high NLR was reported with higher inpatient mortality. Recently, NLR has been reported as a prognostic marker for outcome from coronary artery bypass grafting and postcoronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation.

Access-site complications and their management during transradial cardiac catheterization.

Transradial access for cardiac catheterization is now widely accepted among the invasive cardiology community as a safe and viable approach with a markedly reduced incidence of major access-related complications compared with the transfemoral approach. As this access technique is now being used more commonly for cardiac catheterization, it is of paramount importance to be aware of its complications and to understand their prevention and management. Some of the common complications of transradial access include asymptomatic radial artery occlusion, nonocclusive radial artery injury and radial artery spasm. Among these complications, radial artery spasm is still a significant challenge. Symptomatic radial arterial occlusion, pseudoaneurysm and radial artery perforation are rarely reported complications of the transradial approach. Early identification of these rare complications and their immediate management is of vital importance. Arteriovenous fistula, minor nerve damage and complex regional pain syndrome are very rare but have been reported. Recently, granulomas have been reported to be associated with the use of a particular brand of hydrophilic sheaths during the procedure. Generally, access-site complications can be minimized by avoiding multiple punctures, selection of smaller sheaths, gentle catheter manipulation, adequate anticoagulation, use of appropriate compression devices and avoiding prolonged high-pressure compression. In addition, careful observation for any ominous signs such as pain, numbness and hematoma formation during and in the immediate postprocedure period is essential in the prevention of catastrophic hand ischemia.

Major complications of cryoballoon catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and their management

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common symptomatic and sustained cardiac arrhythmia. It affects approximately 2–3 million people in the USA alone with an increased incidence and prevalence worldwide. It is associated, in addition to worsening quality of life, with increased morbidity and mortality especially in poorly controlled AF, affecting mostly those older than 65 years of age. Radiofrequency ablation was found to be a good strategy for focal isolation of pulmonary veins triggering from the vulnerable atrial substrate but is a time-consuming procedure and carries the risk of multiple complications like tamponade which could be fatal, atrioesophageal fistula and local thrombus formation at the site of ablation. Cryoballoon ablation with pulmonary vein isolation has emerged in the past few years as a breakthrough novel technology for the treatment of drug-refractory AF. It is a relatively simple alternative for point-by-point radiofrequency ablation of paroxysmal AF and is associated with fewer incidences of fatal complications such as cardiac perforation. As experience with this new tool accumulates, the field faces new challenges in the form of rare compilations including gastroparesis, phrenic nerve palsy, atrioesophageal fistula, pulmonary vein stenosis, thromboembolism pericardial effusion, and tamponade.

High-density lipoprotein in uremic patients: metabolism, impairment, and therapy.

Several studies have shown that HDL has altered antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in chronic uremia, either by the reduction in its antioxidant enzymes or by the impairment of their activity. Systemic oxidative stress, which is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, has been shown to decrease antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of HDL and even transform it into a pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory agent. For this reason, we believe that the propensity for accelerated cardiovascular disease in CKD is facilitated by a few key features of this disease, namely, oxidative stress, inflammation, hypertension, and disorders of lipid metabolism. In a nutshell, oxidative stress and inflammation enhance atherosclerosis leading to increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in this population. In this detailed review, we highlight the current knowledge on HDL dysfunction and impairment in chronic kidney disease as well as the available therapy.

Acute complication due to impella 2.5 device (superficial femoral artery thrombosis): managed successfully with novel aspiration thrombectomy catheter (pronto v3).

The Impella recover LP 2.5 is a percutaneous left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recently approved for use in patients undergoing high risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and also in cases of cardiogenic shock. There is limited evidence available in literature about its safety, especially with regards to the incidence of local vascular complications, their management and long-term implications. We report here the first case of a serious local vascular complication—superficial femoral artery thrombus formation during Impella recover LP 2.5 use in a high risk PCI which was managed successfully with novel aspiration thrombectomy catheter (Pronto V3), which in itself is the first reported use of Pronto V3 in such a vascular complication.

Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in a young patient with essential thrombocythemia: a case with long-term follow-up report

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a neoplastic proliferation of mature myeloid cells – in particular, megakaryocytes – leading to persistently elevated platelet count. Usual clinical presentation is related to an increase in the risk of hemorrhage and/or thrombosis. Management of ET consists of antiplatelet therapies – mainly aspirin and cytoreductive therapies. Coronary involvement in patients with ET is rare. The optimal treatment strategies for ET patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction remains unclear. Acute interventions like intracoronary thrombolytic therapy, angioplasty, and coronary-artery bypass grafting have been reported in such patients. However, several questions remain unanswered about the acute and long-term management of these patients. Herein, we report the case of a 47-year-old female who presented with acute myocardial infarction as the first clinical sign of ET, and also present the long-term follow-up of this patient.

Electromagnetic Interference with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators Causing Inadvertent Shock: Case Report and Review of Current Literature

As the number of patients having implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) devices is increasing, it is important for the physicians and patients to be aware of situations and conditions that can result in interference with normal functioning of these devices. There are multiple cases of malfunction of ICDs reported in literature and it may be of great significance to have an overview of these incidents for appropriate recognition and future prevention. Here we are reviewing the available literature as well as reporting an interesting case of electromagnetic interference (EMI) resulting from leak of current in pool water causing firing of ICD.

Pseudoaneurysm a rare complication of transradial cardiac catheterization: a case report:

Transradial access for cardiac catheterization is a safe and viable approach with significantly lower incidence of major access-related complications compared with the transfemoral approach. As this form of access is getting wider acceptance among interventional cardiologists, awareness of its complications is of vital importance. Asymptomatic radial artery occlusion, non-occlusive radial artery injury and radial artery spasm are commonly reported complication of this approach. Symptomatic radial arterial occlusion, pseudoaneurysm and radial artery perforation are rarely reported complications of transradial approach. Early identification of these uncommon complications and their urgent management is of significant importance. We present the case of an 80-year-old lady who developed pseudoaneurysm a week after transradial cardiac catheterization managed with surgical excision with no long-term sequela.

Uncommon Presentation of Fatal Pulmonary Embolism

We are reporting a case of 57 year old lady smoker with history of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and depression that was admitted to hospital for suicidal ideation and paraspinal abscess. Patient had acute retrosternal chest pain associated with shortness of breath, electrocardiogram finding was highly suggestive of STEMI in V1-V3, Patient coded in ventricular tachycardia that cardioverted to sinus rhythm, coronary angiogram didn’t reveal culprit lesion but pulmonary angiogram confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

Isolated Left Ventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy diagnosed by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium has often been misdiagnosed as other cardiomyopathies because it is a relatively recently described cardiomyopathy with literature limited to case reports and case series and little awareness among physicians. We are reporting a case of isolated left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy that was misdiagnosed for over two decades.