Risk Factors Associated With Contrast-Induced Nephropathy after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of CIN after primary PCI and its association with risk factors in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at a tertiary care cardiac center in Pakistan. Methodology In this observational study, we included 282 patients who presented with STEMI and underwent primary PCI at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Karachi, Pakistan, from October 2017 to April 2018. The serum creatinine (mg/dL) levels were obtained at baseline and 48 to 72 hours after the primary PCI procedure, and patients with a 25% increase or ≥ 0.5 mg/dL rise in post-procedure creatinine level (after 48 to 72 hour) were categorized for CIN. Results Out of a total sample of 282 patients, 68.4% (193) were males, and the mean age was 56.4 ± 9.1 years. A majority of the patients, 78.7% (222), were hypertensive and 34% (96) were diabetic. The CIN was observed in 13.1% (37) of the patients, and increased risk of CIN was found to be associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus and increased (>200 mL) use of contrast during the procedure, with odds ratios of 2.3 (1.14-4.63) and 3.12 (1.36-7.17), respectively. Conclusions The CIN after PCI is a common complication associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus and the use of an increased amount of contrast during the procedure.

The Frequency of Left Atrial Thrombus on Transthoracic Echocardiogram in Patients with Mitral Stenosis

Background

Patients with mitral stenosis (MS) are more prone to develop left atrial (LA) thrombus. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the frequency of LA thrombus on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients with MS.

Methods

In this study, we included patients diagnosed with MS undergoing TTE at the echocardiography department of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD), Karachi, Pakistan. The severity of MS was classified based on the mitral valve area (MVA) as follows: very severe: MVA of ≤1.0 cm²; severe: MVA of ≤1.5 cm²; and mild to moderate: MVA of >1.5 cm². The LA thrombus was observed and noted on TTE.

Results

A total of 256 MS patients were included in this study, out of which 46.5% (119) were male. The mean age was 33.78 ±11.51 years. MS was classified as mild to moderate in 3.5% of the patients, severe in 54.3%, and very severe in 42.2%. In 98.8% of the patients, the etiology of MS was rheumatic. LA thrombus was observed in 25% (64) of the patients and LA smoke was observed in 12.1% (31). Among other findings, mitral regurgitation (MR) was observed in 17.2% of the patients, aortic regurgitation (AR) in 5.1%, aortic stenosis (AS) in 4.7%, and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in 48.8%. Five (2%) patients had atrial septal defect (ASD), 17.3% had left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, 15.2% had right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, and vegetation was seen in 11.8% of the patients. Patients with LA thrombus were found to be associated with the following conditions on a higher scale compared to those without: decreased ejection fraction (EF) (52 ±8.5% vs. 54.94 ±6.6%; p: 0.011); RV dysfunction (39.1% vs. 7.3%; p: <0.001); and presence of associated pathologies (82.8% vs. 43.8%; p: <0.001).

Conclusion

LA thrombus on TTE was detected in a significant number (25%) of patients with MS. It was also found to be strongly associated with the severity of the disease, reduced EF, RV dysfunction, and the presence of associated value pathologies.

Intravenous immunoglobulin in drug and device refractory patients with the symptoms of gastroparesis-an open-label study

BACKGROUND

Gastroparesis is a complex clinical entity; many aspects of which remain unknown. Although most patients have idiopathic, diabetic, or postsurgical gastroparesis, many are thought to have measurable neuromuscular abnormalities. Immunotherapy has recently been utilized to treat suspected autoimmune gastrointestinal dysmotility.

METHODS

Fourteen patients with symptoms of gastroparesis (Gp) who were refractory to drug/device were selected from 443 Gp patients from 2013 to 2015 who were treated at the University of Louisville motility center. All patients underwent a structural and psychiatric evaluation along with detailed psychological and behavioral examination to rule out eating disorders. We performed detailed neuromuscular evaluation and all 14 patients received at least 12 weeks of intravenous immunoglobulin (400 mg/kg infusion weekly). Response was defined subjectively (symptomatic improvement) using standardized IDIOM score system.

KEY RESULTS

All 14 patients had serological evidence and/or tissue evidence of immunological abnormality. Post-IVIG therapy, there was a significant improvement in symptoms scores for nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and abdominal pain.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

Although limited by the absence of placebo group, the data illustrate the role of autoimmunity and neuromuscular evaluation in patients with gastroparesis and support the utility of a diagnostic trial of immunotherapy in an effort to improve therapeutic outcomes for such patients.