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Introduction: Despite recent advancements in hypertension management, a significant portion of the population in India still has uncontrolled blood pressure (BP), particularly post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This paper fulfils the gap between post-PCI and hypertension management, ensuring hypertension is well-controlled before, during, and after PCI. Methods: Cardiologists (interventional, n = 256; noninterventional, n = 336) throughout India who treated hypertensive patients, post PCI were invited to participate in a survey and virtual meetings. The perception and practices in managing these patients and strategies to improve BP control were captured. Results: Out of 593 cardiologists, 57.5% opined that heart failure (HF) was more common in patients with hypertension indicated for PCI. The target BP after PCI for patients aged <65 years and >65 years was recommended to be 121--130/80 mmHg by 39% of experts while 131--140/90 mmHg by 33.2% of experts, respectively, with a target heart rate of 60--80 bpm. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) were considered the most effective antihypertensive agent in different comorbid conditions. Metoprolol and bisoprolol were the most preferred cardio-selective beta-blockers for both post-PCI and HF. A combination of ARBs and beta-blockers after the intervention was suggested in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus (57.0%), stroke (41.1%), and HF (44.9%). Conclusions: Managing BP and heart rate in patients with hypertension post-PCI is important. In monotherapy, ARBs followed by beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, were the most preferred antihypertensive agents in these patients with different comorbid conditions. While a combination of ARB and beta-blocker was preferred in patients with PCI and multiple comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The context of the study was venous thromboembolism (VTE) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Aim: The purpose of the study was to understand the prevalence of thrombotic events (pulmonary embolism [PE] and deep-vein thrombosis [DVT]) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (RVD) in patients with COVID-19. Settings and Design: Retrospective observational study, Max Hospital, New Delhi, India. Materials and Methods: This study was undertaken in 504 diagnosed COVID-19 adult patients of both genders in the age groups (>40 years and 40 years) during the COVID first and second waves in India. The hospital EMR database of the admitted COVID patients was extracted. Based on the study criteria, the parameters assessed were: D-dimer, CTSS scoring, DVT, RVD, and nature of hospitalization. Statistical Analysis Used: Quantitative variables were expressed in terms of mean and standard deviation. The significance of the association between different variables was evaluated by the Chi-square test. The significance of the difference in age and CTSS score between different categories of PE and DVT was tested by the Student's t-test. Results: The mean age of the patients was 57.13 years. The mean D-dimer level was 502.95 ng/mL. A PE was reported in 101 patients. The severity of the lung involvement as assessed on computed tomography pulmonary angiography was predominant in the bilateral segmental branch (70%), with a mean CTSS score of 14.47, 7.37. DVT was reported in 48 (9.5%) patients. RVD was observed in 14 (2.8%) patients. A significant correlation was found between PE and hospitalization (83.2%, P = 0.003), CTSS (20.07%, P = 0.037, confidence interval 0.10-3.31), and DVT (33.7%, P = 0.001). The prevalence of PE (20.03%) and VTE was 6.7%. RVD was reported in 2.8% of the cases. Conclusion: Our study validates the increased risk of VTE in COVID-19 patients. These findings will be useful to researchers and medical practitioners caring for COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The hypoplastic coronary sinus (CS) is a rare anomaly of the cardiac venous system, wherein some of the tributaries fail to join the CS. These tributaries usually drain into atrial chambers through dilated thebesian channels. We report the first case where the tributaries are draining into the right superior vena cava (SVC). Case summary: A case of ischemic cardiomyopathy with severe LV systolic dysfunction with NYHA class III symptoms was taken for CRTD implantation. CS venogram after direct cannulation from left subclavian access revealed a hypoplastic CS. The part of CS beyond the attachment of the oblique vein of the left atrium to CS (distal to the posterolateral vein) formed a common channel and was draining into the right‐sided SVC. The posterolateral vein was of sufficient caliber so that an left ventricle (LV) lead could be implanted, and the CRTD procedure could be completed. Discussion: Hypoplastic CS though has no pathological significance in the normal population but for CRT it can become a significant limitation. Tributaries of CS draining into right SVC are the rarest of the finding, the channel draining most likely is a remnant of the splanchnic plexus around the embryonic foregut that usually has a temporary communication with cardinal veins during intrauterine growth. This communication somehow has persisted and resulted in a channel between coronary vein and the SVC, which may be referred to as coronary veno‐cardinal vein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a powered toothbrush and manual toothbrush on the periodontal and microbial parameters. Settings and Design: This was a 4-week investigator-blinded, single-center, parallel group study. Subjects and Methods: A total of 120 participants were selected and assigned to one of the two toothbrush groups: study group (power toothbrush – Oral-B® CrissCross®) and control group (Oral-B® manual toothbrush). At baseline, gingival status, plaque, and bleeding on probing levels were recorded for the plaque index, gingival index, and bleeding index, respectively. Evaluation of the intraoral soft tissue for safety and clinical parameters was done for plaque, gingival status, and bleeding scores prior to the start of the study (i.e. baseline) and on the 28th day of the study. Statistical Analysis: Two-tailed statistical analyses were performed with a significance level set at P ≤ 0.05 and calculated using SPSS software. Changes in the clinical parameters (plaque index, gingival index, and bleeding index) were calculated using paired t-test. Comparisons between the powered and manual toothbrushes were performed using unpaired t-test. Analysis of categorized data (questionnaire) was done by Fisher's exact test. Results: Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and on the 28th day. Reduction in plaque, gingival, and bleeding indexes for powered toothbrush was 89%, 85%, and 93% and for manual toothbrush it was 68%, 75%, 72% respectively. A significant reduction was observed in the plaque scores before and after brushing with both the manual and electric brushes. There was no clinically significant soft-tissue abrasion noticed in either of the groups. Preference analysis showed an increased preference for the electric toothbrush over the manual toothbrush. Conclusions: This study concluded that the oscillating-rotating technology as incorporated in the electric toothbrush had statistically significant results over the manual toothbrush and was found to be a safe and effective toothbrush for long-term use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure is a significant public health concern characterized by notable rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite the presence of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), its utilization remains inadequate. This practical recommendation paper focuses on the utilization of angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) as a pivotal treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF). The recommendations presented in this paper have been developed by a group of cardiologists in India who convened six advisory board meetings to discuss the utilization of ARNI in the management of heart failure. The paper emphasizes the importance of accurate biomarkers for diagnosing heart failure, particularly N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which are commonly used. Additionally, the paper advocates the use of imaging, specifically echocardiography, in diagnosing and monitoring heart failure patients. Moreover, the paper highlights the role of ARNI in heart failure management, with numerous clinical trials that have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization, enhancing quality of life, and diminishing the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. This practical recommendation paper offers valuable insights into the utilization of ARNI in the management of heart failure, aiming to enhance the implementation of GDMT and ultimately alleviate the burden of heart failure on society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim is to study the effect of glycemic level in Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors on periodontal health. Materials and Method: Type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic patients in the age group of 35–80 years (n = 1700) were recruited for the study. Periodontal examination included as follows: Probing depth, clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession, and bleeding on probing. Periodontitis was diagnosed based on the CAL levels and diabetes was diagnosed based on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Body mass index, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were assessed for cardiovascular risk. Patients were characterized into two groups as follows: diabetic (n = 1235) and nondiabetic (n = 465). Sociodemographic variables included were: age, sex, obesity, smoking, duration of diabetes, and periodontitis were assessed. SPSS version 20.0.1.0 was used for all the statistical assessments. Conclusion: HbA1c and lipid levels were statistically significant with the severity of periodontitis (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval [CI]: HbA1c 1.34 [1.019–1.21]; Total cholesterol 1.01 [1.03–1.42]; triglycerides 1.01 [1.01–1.14]; LDL 1.028 [1.08–1.71]). Smoking and obesity were also found to be significantly associated with the presence of periodontitis [OR (95% CI): smoking 1.35 (1.10–1.67); obesity 1.23 (1.73–2.05)]. The study concluded that uncontrolled HbA1c levels and elevated cardiovascular risk factors significantly increase the severity of periodontitis in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart rate (HR) is strongly associated with both peripheral and central blood pressures. This association has implications in hypertension (HTN) prognosis and management. Elevated HR in HTN further elevates the risk of adverse outcomes. Evidence suggests that HR is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) and total mortality in patients with HTN. With objective to engage physicians and researchers in India to identify and discuss the implications related to HR management in HTN, experts in the HTN management provided consensus recommendations. The key expert recommendations included the following. (i) Heart rate (HR) has inverse relationship with the central aortic pressure, whereby reduction in HR is associated with an increase in central aortic pressure. This counter-balances the benefit of HR reduction with the harmful effects of rising central aortic pressure. (ii) Increase in the resting HR is associated with increased risk of incident HTN. A linear association between the two is observed especially in individuals with HR >80 bpm. (iii) A reduced HR variability further adds to the propensity for the development of HTN, especially in men. (iv) Each 10 beats per minute increase in the resting HR can substantially increase the risk of adverse CV and mortality outcomes. On treatment HR provides a better prognostic guide. (v) Ambulatory HR with day-time and night-time HR evaluation may also suggest different impact on outcomes. (vi) Target HR in patients with HTN remains unclear. Generally, HR<70 bpm on beta blocker (BB) treatment is advised which may be further lowered in patients with comorbidities like heart failure and coronary artery disease. (vii) Adopting healthy lifestyle approaches to keep check on BP and HR is essential. (viii) Use selective beta-1 blocker in symptomatic cases with elevated HR beyond 80-85 mmHg. BBs are expected to benefit by lowering HR by nearly 10 bpm. Preference should be given to newer beta-blockers which reduce HR and both peripheral and central blood pressure to derive comprehensive advantage of this dual action. (ix) It still remains unclear whether reducing HR in HTN without comorbidities alters the CV and mortality outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]