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Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are often used as primary prevention strategy for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young individuals. This study analyzed appropriate therapies, complications and inappropriate shocks in the real-world Indian population. Methods: All patients in the cardiomyopathy cohort under follow up who had ICD implanted as a primary prevention strategy were studied. The objective was to assess the incidence of appropriate ICD therapies, inappropriate therapies and complications. ICD was interrogated and stored electrograms analyzed. Underlying arrhythmia or conditions resulting in appropriate or inappropriate ICD therapy were studied. Correlation and regression studies was done to assess for the predictors of appropriate therapy. Results: Fifty patients were followed up for a mean follow-up duration of 4.4 ± 3.1 years with total follow up of 220.2 patient years. Appropriate ICD therapy was delivered in 16 out of 50 (32%) patients, with 65 appropriate therapies (median 2 per patient, range: 0–20). Inappropriate therapy delivered in 7 of the 50 (14%) patients, with 44 inappropriate therapies (median 5 per patient, range: 0–20). Complications occurred in 8 of the 50 (16%) patients. Overall, the rate of appropriate therapy was 29.5 per 100 patient years, that of inappropriate therapy was 19.9 per 100 patient years and the rate of complications was 3.6 per 100 patient years. Conclusions: When implanted for primary prevention in patients with cardiomyopathies over a mean period of 4.4 ± 3.1 years, appropriate ICD therapy was delivered in 32% patients. However, inappropriate therapy (14% patients) and complications (16% patients) were also common.

Abstract Background Pulmonary artery to left atrium fistula is an unusual structural cause of silent cyanosis. Only less than 100 cases have been reported so far. A high index of clinical suspicion and proper evaluation with bubble contrast echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography (CT) will help to detect this treatable anomaly. The advent of safer percutaneous closure methods has replaced the need for more invasive surgical closure. Case presentation We report an adolescent boy, who presented with long-standing cyanosis and progressive dyspnea with normal clinical cardiovascular examination. On evaluation, echocardiography and bubble contrast study revealed a large right pulmonary artery (RPA) to left atrium (LA) fistula. Cardiac CT confirmed the same with normal pulmonary venous drainage s/o a large 20 mm Type I RPA LA Fistula. He underwent successful percutaneous closure of the fistula tract with a 22 × 24 mm Cera™ duct occluder via transseptal approach uneventfully. Conclusion Our case enlightens the methodological approach to diagnosing this rare anomaly as well as the feasibility of percutaneous intervention in such cases as it is one of the largest fistula tracts closed percutaneously to date.

Abstract Background Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the common congenital heart defects. Its management has transformed dramatically in the last 4 decades with the transition from surgical to percutaneous transcatheter closure for most secundum-type ASDs. Various devices are available for transcatheter closure of ASD with Amplatzer atrial septal occluder being most commonly used worldwide. Cocoon septal occlude has a nanocoating of platinum using nano-fusion technology over nitinol framework that imparts better radiopacity and excellent biocompatibility and prevents leaching of nickel into circulation, and by smoothening nitinol wire makes this device very soft and smooth. The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility, effectiveness, safety, and long-term outcome of transcatheter closure of ASD using Cocoon septal occluder (Vascular Innovation, Thailand). Results All patients undergoing transcatheter closure of hemodynamically significant ASD between September 2012 and July 2019 in our institute were included into this single-center, prospective study. Exclusion criteria were defect > 40 mm, unsuitable anatomy, Eisenmenger syndrome, and anomalous pulmonary venous return. Three hundred and twenty patients underwent device closure, of which 238 (74%) were female. The mean age was 14.6 years (range 6–29), and the median weight was 30.2 kg (range 10–53 kg). Procedure was performed under fluoroscopy using transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography in 298 (93.1%) and 22(6.9%) patients, respectively. Balloon-assisted technique was used, when septal defect was ≥ 34 mm, in 9 (2.8%) patients. The mean diameter of defect and device was 21.4 mm (range 12–36 mm) and 26.9 mm (range 14–40 mm), respectively. Aortic rim was absent in 11 (3.4%) patients. Primary success was achieved in 312 (97.5%) patients. Early embolization to right ventricle was noted in 2 (0.6%) patients. In both cases, 40-mm device was attempted for defect of 36 mm with inadequate aortic rim using balloon-assisted technique. One (0.3%) patient developed perforation of right atrium. All were surgically repaired. Three (0.9%) patients developed complete heart block following device deployment requiring device retrieval. Two patients had had moderate residual shunt at 6 months of follow-up. After mean follow-up of 50.92 months (range 12.5–89 months), no erosion, allergic reactions to nickel, or other major complications were reported. Conclusions Percutaneous transcatheter closure of ASD by Cocoon septal occluder (up to 36 mm) is safe and feasible with high success rate and without any significant device-related major complications over long-term follow-up. With unique device design and excellent long-term safety, it could be preferred dual-disk occluder for transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect. In most of the patients, ASD device can be safely deployed under transthoracic echocardiographic guidance.

Objective: Several studies have demonstrated a shift in the spectrum of infective endocarditis (IE) in the developed world. We aimed to investigate whether demographic and microbiologic characteristics of IE have changed in India. Design: A retrospective analysis of patients with in north India between 2010 and 2020. Methods: The clinical and laboratory profiles of 199 IE admitted to an academic hospital patients who met the modified Duke criteria for definite IE were analysed. Results: The mean age was 34 years, and 84% were males. The main predisposing conditions were injection drug use (IDU) (n = 71, 35.7%), congenital heart disease (n = 46, 21.6%), rheumatic heart disease (n = 25, 12.5%), and prosthetic device (n = 19, 9.5%). 17.1% of patients developed IE without identified predispositions. Among 64.3% culture-positive cases, the most prevalent causative pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (46.1%), viridans streptococci (7.0%), enterococci (6.0%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (5.5%), gram negative bacilli (5.5%), polymicrobial (5.5%), and Candida (1.0%). The tricuspid (30.3%), mitral (25.6%), and aortic (21.6%) valves were the most common sites of infection, and 60.3% had large vegetations (>10 mm). Systemic embolization occurred in 55.3% of patients at presentation. Cardiac surgery was required for 13.1%. In-hospital mortality was 17.1% and was associated with prosthetic devices (p-value, 0.001), baseline leucocytosis (p-value, 0.036) or acute kidney injury (p-value, 0.001), and a microbial etiology of gram negative bacilli or enterococci (p-value, 0.005). Conclusion: IDU is now the most important predisposition for IE in India, and S. aureus has become the leading cause of native valve endocarditis with or without IDU.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) - a complex and progressive disease that carries significant morbidity and mortality despite optimal medical treatment. Combination therapy for PAH can be more effective than monotherapy. The present randomized trial compared the safety and efficacy of sildenafil ambrisentan combination therapy with sildenafil monotherapy. Twenty-two patients of Eisenmenger syndrome and five patients of idiopathic PAH were randomized to two arms. There was a significant improvement in NYHA functional class and mean pulmonary artery pressure, while an insignificant improving trend was observed for 6-min walk distance and oxygen saturation, following the 12 weeks of combination therapy. An upfront combination therapy was found to be safe and effective in the management of PAH patients.

Interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC) with azygous continuation provides technical challenge in many percutaneous cardiac interventions. They are performed via the femoral venous access route. We describe four such cases in whom, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) device closure was done in interrupted IVC. All the four cases were done using the femoral route. Two cases were done via retrograde approach through femoral artery access, in which one was closed with a muscular VSD device and the other with a Gianturco coil. The introduction of newer closure devices helps in the retrograde approach. Two cases were done via anterograde approach through the femoral venous route, with a loop through the azygous vein. One child had transient bradycardia due to cardiac stretch which normalized after the device deployment and introducer system removal. Thus, we describe different femoral approaches in interrupted IVC patients for PDA closure, with the difficulties faced and the complications managed.

Abstract Background Transcatheter device closure is a safe procedure recommended in children with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). While the standard procedure uses arterial and venous femoral access, it poses risk of vascular complications especially in young infants. Isolated venous approach has been tried in a few studies and was found to be non-inferior to the standard technique. In this prospective observational study, we have compared the two vascular approaches of PDA device closure in pediatric patients and have also studied the feasibility of this approach in young children with weight < 6 kg. Results PDA device occlusion was performed with either one of the approaches—venous alone (group I) or standard approach (group II) in a total of 135 children enrolled prospectively. The baseline data, procedural outcomes, vascular complications, and radiation dose were compared between the two groups. Fifty-two and 83 children were included in group I and group II, respectively. A total of 22 children (16%) (13 in group I; 9 in group II) had weight < 6 kg. In group II, 6 children (7.2%) had vascular site complications treated with heparin infusion with two children requiring thrombolysis. Another child in group II developed intravascular hemolysis following residual shunt, requiring surgical device retrieval and closure. No significant differences were observed in mean fluoroscopic time (p = 0.472) and air kerma between the two groups (p = 0.989). Conclusion Transcatheter PDA device closure without arterial access is a feasible and safe option in children including young infants. This technique avoids the risk of vascular complications although requires careful case selection.

Abstract Introduction: Reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract during primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot often requires the placement of a transannular patch which results in pulmonary regurgitation (PR). We compared the short-term outcomes of bicuspid polytetrafluoroethylene membrane valve versus transannular pericardial patch reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract. Methods: Thirty consecutive patients undergoing primary repair of tetralogy of Fallot were randomly allocated to two groups - polytetrafluoroethylene valve (PTFEV) group (n=15) and transannular pericardial patch (TAP) group (n=15). The two groups had similar preoperative demographic characteristics. We compared the short-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes between these groups. The transthoracic echocardiographic follow-up was performed at one week, one month and six months after surgery. Results: The PTFEV group had significantly lower central venous pressure in the immediate postoperative period compared to the TAP group (7.60±2.06 vs. 10.13±1.73, P=0.002). Extubation time was significantly shorter in the PTFEV group compared to the TAP group (12.93±7.55 hrs vs. 22.23±15.11 hrs, P=0.04). PR in the PTFEV group was absent in five patients at 24 hours post-surgery. At the study endpoint, PR was absent in six, trivial in one and mild in eight patients in the PTFEV group compared to TAP group, where all 15 patients had severe PR. Conclusion: The bicuspid polytetrafluoroethylene membrane valves significantly decrease the central venous pressure in the immediate postoperative period, facilitate early extubation and, thus, prevent ventilator-related comorbidities. They achieve a high degree of pulmonary competence and do not increase the right ventricular outflow tract gradient in short-term follow-up.

Objective: Transcatheter closure is the first-choice strategy for the management of appropriate patients with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The management of large PDAs is challenging due to the limited available sizes of approved devices and the inherent risks of surgical ligation, especially in adults with calcified PDAs. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of the off-label use of large occluders at a tertiary center. Methods: This retrospective review included patients who underwent transcatheter PDA closure with large occluders (≥16 mm) over 16 years. The baseline patient data, procedural details, angiograms, and immediate outcomes were recorded and patients were followed up at 3, 6, 12 months after the intervention and annually thereafter. Results: Of the 685 patients who underwent transcatheter PDA closure, 36 patients (mean age 16.6 ± 12.5 years) needed occluders ≥ 16 mm in size. Cocoon duct occluder, Cera duct occluder, Amplatzer atrial septal occluder (ASO), and Cera muscular ventricular septal defect occluders were used for PDA closure. There was no device embolization, one patient in whom ASO was used had residual shunt with intravascular hemolysis requiring surgery, and one patient had mild left pulmonary artery narrowing after the intervention, which was managed conservatively. No patient had residual shunt and one patient had persistent pulmonary hypertension at an intermediate duration of follow-up. Conclusion: Transcatheter PDA closure with the use of large devices, which are available in Asia and Europe, is an effective and safe method, especially in adolescents and adults. However, a close follow-up of these patients is mandatory.

Context: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) often have the suboptimal results of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) despite adequate restoration of coronary patency. Aims: This study evaluated the utility of starting nicorandil before PCI in patients with ACS, in terms of acute angiographic and short-term echocardiographic outcomes. Settings and Design: It was a prospective, randomized, blinded, single-center trial; involving stable patients with recent ACS and no prior revascularization. Subjects and Methods: Patients started on intravenous (IV) nicorandil infusion or placebo at least 2 h before PCI, continued till 48 h after PCI. Echocardiographic parameters (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF], Wall Motion Score Index (WMSI) score, and myocardial performance index (MPI)) were assessed at baseline and at 4 weeks post-PCI. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade and corrected TIMI frame count were assessed before and after PCI. The primary endpoints were improvement in regional wall motion abnormality, MPI, LVEF, and corrected TIMI frame count. The secondary endpoints were the major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) (cardiac death, angina, myocardial infarction [MI], or revascularization) within 30 days, no reflow, slow flow, and periprocedural MI. Results: Fifty-five patients were recruited over 1 year, of which 13 patients were excluded. There were numerically lower but statistically nonsignificant improvement in slow flow and no reflow in nicorandil arm. Significant improvement in echocardiographic parameter of MPI was seen in nicorandil group at follow-up. There was no significant improvement in other echocardiographic parameters and MACE. Conclusions: In patients with ACS and a single-vessel disease on undergoing PCI for recent ACS, the use of IV nicorandil was associated with a significant improvement in MPI at 1-month follow-up. There was no significant difference in the acute angiographic parameters, MACE, LVEF, or wall motion score index.

Objectives: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has significantly improved management of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). A significant number of patients have a dramatic response and have been termed “super-responders”. The characteristics of this subset of patients in Indian and Asian population have not been well studied. In this study, we sought to assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of this cohort of patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving patients undergoing CRT. Changes in ejection fraction and LVESV at the end of one year of follow-up following device implantation were assessed, and patients were stratified into non-responders, responders, and super-responders. Responders had a 15–29% decrease in LVESV while super-responders had a >30% decrease in LVESV. Results: Of the 74 patients who had undergone CRT-P/CRT-D implantation, 16 patients did not have echocardiograms at the end of one year of follow-up and were excluded from the analysis. Thus, 58 patients were enrolled for analysis. We identified 16 patients (27.6%) to be super-responders, 26 patients (44.8%) to be responders, and 16 patients (27.6%) to be non-responders. Factors associated with a super-response were a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy as against ischemic cardiomyopathy (93.7% vs 6.3%; p – 0.01), prior right ventricular (RV) apical pacing (25% vs 2.4%; p – 0.02) and absence of a prior history of myocardial infarction (MI) (0% vs 33.3%; p – 0.02). Conclusion: In our study, 27.6% of patients were super-responders, and a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy, absence of a prior history of MI and prior RV apical pacing predicted a super-response to CRT. Keywords: Cardiac resynchronization therapy, Super-responders, HFrEF

Objective: The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of “percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) care program” among patients undergoing PCI. Subjects and Methods: A quasi-experimental design was adopted, and purposive sampling technique was used to enroll the patients in the experimental and control groups. Different tools were used to collect the data, which include numerical pain and comfort rating scale, Barthel Index for activities of daily living, assessment for the presence of vascular complications, modified CADEQ-SV questionnaire, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale, self-structured satisfaction scale, and PCI manual. Results: There was a significant decrease observed in state anxiety (P < 0.001), pain level at 12 h (P = 0.03), discomfort within 12 h (P < 0.001) and 24 h (P = 0.002), improving knowledge regarding coronary artery disease (CAD) (P < 0.001), and activities of daily living as well as significant increase in satisfaction level (P < 0.001) among patients undergoing PCI in the experimental group than the control group. Conclusion: The study concluded that this program was effective in reducing anxiety, pain, and discomfort and increased satisfaction level, knowledge regarding CAD, and independence in self-care activities for PCI patients.

Background: Secondary prevention strategies, including structured cardiac rehabilitation (CR), following myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary interventions may reduce the burden of mortality and recurrent morbidity. Objective: The objective of the study is to examine the effect of an adapted model of CR in patients who had experienced MI and had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in an Indian tertiary care hospital setting. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental design using control group and pre-test was used with patients post-MI and PCI. Fifty patients were allocated to CR intervention group for 12 weeks of intervention care compared with 51 patients in standard routine care control group. Results: After the 12-week program, participants in intervention group revealed a significant increase in coronary artery disease-related knowledge (P < 0.001), 6-minute walk test distance (P < 0.001), and high-density lipoprotein (P < 0.05). The level of physical activity was significantly higher in the intervention group in terms of mean duration of moderate or vigorous physical activity (P < 0.05) as well as mean of 10-minutes' continuous physical activity time at or above a moderate level (P < 0.01). Furthermore, depression levels (P < 0.05) and levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the intervention group. There were no changes observed in these parameters in the control group. Conclusion: CR is feasible and effective as it potentially improved health in patients who have experienced MI and had undergone PCI at a tertiary care hospital. Barriers may be recognized which might hinder participation in CR in Indian settings.

Stents are widely used in the management of various medical conditions including pulmonary arterial stenosis. Endovascular stenting is the treatment modality of choice for patients with branch pulmonary arterial stenosis which is unresponsive to balloon angioplasty alone. Since stents are increasingly being used in the pediatric population, stent fracture, even if uncommon, is likely to be encountered with increasing frequency during the follow-up of these patients. We hereby report a case of stent fracture in the left pulmonary artery which was treated by using a second stent.

Introduction: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a common cyanotic disease and the concept of ideal Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) temperature is still controversial. Aim: To assess the merits and demerits in terms of short term patient outcome of normothermic CPB over hypothermic CPB during intracardiac repair of TOF amongst paediatric patients. Materials and Methods: Among 71 patients of TOF who underwent Intracardiac Repair (ICR) in the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery from 1st January, 2016 to 30th April, 2017, 60 patients were included in our single centre retrospective observational study. Normally distributed variables were expressed by their mean and standard deviation; non normally distributed variables were expressed by their medians and interquartile ranges; categorical variables were expressed as n (%). Statistical software Stata IC version 14, R version 3.2.1 and MedCal were used. All tests were two-tailed with level of significance as

Cardiac fibromas are rare tumours of the heart. We present a case of cardiac fibroma in a four-year-old child in view of rarity of the case and success achieved in its management. The child had presented with a history of intermittent palpitations. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (VT). She was initially managed with intravenous Metoprolol and Amiodarone infusion but had recurrent VT. Echocardiography revealed a mass in the apical septum. A Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) showed a homogeneous mass involving the anterolateral and apical aspect of interventicular septum causing expansion of the septum and indentation and compression of both ventricles. The tumour was approached through median sternotomy under Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB). The adventitia over the exposed part of the tumour was incised and the tumour was dissected out of the interventricular septum. A bovine pericardial patch was used to close the septal defect. Most of the small tumours dispersed around Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD) were excised. The patient was weaned off CPB easily. In the postoperative period, Amiodarone infusion was continued with no recurrence of arrhythmias. Histopathology revealed classical features of fibroma. The child is stable and is on outpatient follow-up. Our patient had a huge fibroma and we could successfully resect it avoiding need for transplant. We hereby conclude that in children with a huge intracardiac fibroma involving almost a complete cardiac chamber, success can be achieved through resection and reconstruction in selected cases and the need for transplant may be obviated.

Objective: To develop surface landmarks for blind axillary vein puncture for pacemaker lead implantation. Methods and results: Patients for routine coronary angiography were counseled for participating in our study. 20 patients who gave consent were taken up for axillary venogram after proper positioning at the time of coronary angiogram. The venograms of these 20 patients, were reviewed and the landmarks were used to develop a blind axillary puncture technique. Success rate of 100% was achieved with surface landmark guided axillary vein puncture. The implantation time while using surface landmark guided axillary puncture was not significantly longer than when venography based approach was used. Another interesting observation made from the study was that increasing BMI had a positive correlation with the time taken for venous access, the fluoroscopic time and the volume of contrast used, all the associations being statistically significant. Thus, the surface landmark guided technique is more safe and expeditious in non obese patients and probably in pediatric patients as well. Moreover, the new surface landmark guided approach is a significant safety step in terms of reducing the unwanted and avoidable radiation exposure to the hands. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that placement of endocardial permanent pacemaker and ICD leads via the developed surface landmarks is effective and safe and is devoid of the harmful effects of radiation and contrast exposure.

Transcatheter device closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) in small children less than 15 kg may be associated with increased complications. Complete atrioventricular heart block (CHB) is a rare complication of ASD device closure in such a setting. We report the case of a 2-year-old girl, less than 15 kg, who underwent device closure of ASD with Amplatzer Septal Occluder and subsequently developed CHB 12 h after the procedure which resolved completely with steroid treatment on fifth day. Case report of a similar kind is rarely reported in the literature. Despite adequate postero-inferior margin CHB may still occur in small children as in our case.

The modified Blalock–Taussig shunt is a synthetic shunt between the subclavian and pulmonary artery, used in the treatment of congenital cyanotic heart diseases with pulmonary hypoperfusion. Delayed complications include progressive failure of the shunt, serous fluid leak, and pseudoaneurysm formation. We report two different and rare mediastinal vascular complications following modified BT shunt surgery in this case report. The first one is a seroma, due to serous fluid leakage through the shunt graft, which is a relatively benign complication. The second one is a pseudoaneurysm, arising from the shunt, a frequently fatal complication. Generally, X-ray chest is used for screening in these patients. CT angiography plays a vital role in the diagnosis of both these conditions. Management in pseudoaneurysm should be aggressive, as timely intervention may be life saving, while in seroma the management is most often conservative occasionally requiring surgical intervention.

Background: Transcatheter closure of various congenital and acquired vascular malformations with Amplatzer Vascular plugs I and II has been established. Here we present our experience with device closure. Materials and methods: Between October 2006 and August 2012, nine (three males and six females) patients aged between 11 months and 62 years (mean age 19 years) underwent percutaneous device closure with AVP I and II vascular plugs for congenital and acquired arteriovenous malformation and cardiac diverticulum are presented here. Results: One case of coronary cameral fistula, four cases of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula, one case of large major aortopulmonary collaterals (in tetralogy of Fallot closed before intracardiac repair), one case of congenital cardiac diverticulum, one case of fistula between external carotid artery and internal jugular vein and one case of iatrogenic carotid jugular fistula were successfully closed with AVP I and II plugs. Overall in nine cases, 16 AVP I and II plugs were deployed to occlude feeding vessels and one cardiac diverticulum. The technical success rate was 100%. No major complications were observed. Conclusion: Amplatzer vascular plugs can be used successfully for closure of various congenital and acquired vascular malformations with good result.

Persistent levoatriocardinal vein (LACV) is a rare pulmonary venous anomaly characterized by persistence of embryonic pulmonary to systemic communication. It is commonly associated with obstructive lesions of the left heart, such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome and mitral atresia. Complete duplication of the superior vena cava (SVC) and inferior vena cava (IVC) is rare, and occurs due to aberrations in the multistep development of the cardinal venous system. Coexistence of double SVC and IVC has been reported in the literature; however, their occurrence with persistent levoatriocardinal vein is hitherto unreported. The current case describes a rare coexistence of these complex pulmonary and systemic venous anomalies: persistent levoatriocardinal vein in a child with double SVC and IVC. The embryological development and possible aberrations leading to these anomalies are also detailed.