Cardiology Commons^™

Disseminated Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection Complicated By Encephalitis And Ramsay Hunt Syndrome In An Hiv Patient, Amro Elshereye, Burak Erdinc, Sonu Sahni

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York) Publications and Research

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a human α-herpesvirus which cause primary varicella infection (chicken pox) or herpes zoster infection (shingles) after reactivation of the dormant virus. VZV infection is usually self-limited but disseminated infection can be seen in immunocompromised individuals. It can also get complicated by central nervous system (CNS) involvement. We describe a case of a 51-year-old male with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who presented with altered mental status and deficits in his right-sided cranial nerves of VI, VII, and VIII. The patient also had disseminated vesicular-pustular rash all over his body at different stages of healing. A diagnosis of …

Multivessel Coronary Artery Fistula Presenting As Coronary Steal Syndrome Leading To Cardiac Arrest, Muhammad F Ahmed, Anaam Mubin, Rumman Syed, Abdullah K Mahmood, Sonu Sahni

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York) Publications and Research

The coronary steal phenomenon refers to myocardial ischemia caused by the diversion of blood away from normal myocardial circulation. A coronary artery fistula (CAF) is an abnormality of the coronary anatomy characterized by the aberrant termination of a coronary artery or its branches into cardiac chambers or great vessels. Although CAFs are often thought to be asymptomatic, fistulas that diverge a significant amount of blood flow and decrease the normal perfusion of myocardial tissue can cause ischemia and can present with acute coronary syndrome. We describe a unique case of a 70-year-old woman with no coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing …

Paraneoplastic Pemphigus: An Indication For Treatment In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Ifeanyichukwu Onukogu, Preethi Ramachandran, Joshua Narh, Sonu Sahni, Gardith Joseph

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York) Publications and Research

Paraneoplastic disorders are rare multiorgan diseases associated with hematological malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Some of these paraneoplasms manifest as cutaneous lesions, appearing as a simple rash, ulcers or skin thickening. The pathogenesis for this process has been described as development of certain autoimmune reactions against cell wall antigens and proteins. An example is paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) which manifests as cutaneous bullae. Bullae may occur anytime during the course of the malignancy i.e. acute phase or remission. Diagnosis involves evaluation of clinical findings, serology and presence of characteristic histological findings. Its pathogenesis is described as development of auto-antibodies …

Giant Left Main Coronary Artery Aneurysm Presenting As Multiple Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Shocks, Yury Malyshev, Asma Syed, Ricardo Castillo, Rumman A Syed, Sonu Sahni

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York) Publications and Research

Giant aneurysms of the left main coronary artery are one of the rarest findings in cardiology, encountered in less than 0.02% of patients. The presentation is usually the same as coronary artery disease since most coronary aneurysms in the western world are associated with atherosclerosis. Here we report the first case of giant aneurysm of the left main coronary artery presenting as ventricular tachycardia with multiple shocks of the defibrillator in a 57-year-old man with heart failure. We also review the etiology, pathology, and management of coronary aneurysms.

Narrow Escape: A Novel Approach To The Endovascular Treatment Of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Secondary To Pacemaker Leads With Excellent Long-Term Outcomes, Yury Malyshev, Sergey Ayzenberg, Sonu Sahni, Mazin Khalid, Jeffrey Le

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York) Publications and Research

Pacemaker or defibrillator placement is a common procedure done in more and more patients due to increased longevity and the prominence of cardiac disease. With more indications for cardiac implantable electrode devices, the devices themselves have evolved into more complex structures with more leads. The mechanical stress, risk of infection, and decreased blood flow through the superior vena cava (SVC) put patients at risk for SVC obstruction. Herein, we present a rare case of complete SVC obstruction secondary to fibrosis due to pacemaker leads which was treated with venoplasty and showed excellent long-term results. We also review the current literature …

A Broken Heart: Cardiac Arrest As The Initial Presentation Of Myasthenic Crisis, Alexander Andreev, Farhana Begum, Anjuli Singh, Sonu Sahni

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York) Publications and Research

Myasthenic crisis is a life-threatening condition commonly associated with respiratory failure and may present in unusual ways. However, there is paucity in the literature about the cardiac manifestations of myasthenia gravis. We present a case of a 61-year-old male who presented to the emergency room with upper respiratory infection symptoms who soon thereafter suffered sudden cardiac arrest. He was found to have shortened PR interval pre and post arrest onelectrocardiogram (EKG). Only past medical history, discovered post cardiac arrest, was myastenia gravis. All other causes of cardiac arrest were ruled out, and it was deemed to be due to a …

Wellens' Syndrome Presenting As Epigastric Pain And Syncope: An Unusual Presentation, Temitope Ajibawo, Alexander Andreev, Sonu Sahni

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York) Publications and Research

Wellens' syndrome, also regarded as left anterior descending coronary T-wave syndrome, is an electrocardiography (EKG) pattern that indicates critical proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) stenosis. It is characterized by deeply inverted T-waves or biphasic T-waves in the anterior precordial chest leads in a patient with unstable angina. Patients typically present with symptoms consistent with acute coronary syndrome. We present a unique case of Wellens' syndrome with no angiographic findings of significant stenosis in the proximal LAD but with significant occlusion of the proximal circumflex artery and initial presentation with a chief complaint of epigastric pain and syncope. Physicians need …

Systemic Blood Pressure Trends And Antihypertensive Utilization Following Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: An Analysis Of The Interagency Registry For Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support, Adham Elmously, Andreas R. De Biasi, Donald A. Risucci, Berhane Worku, Evelyn M. Horn, Arash Salemi

NYMC Faculty Publications

Background: Elevated systemic blood pressure (SBP) has been linked to complications in Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs), including stroke and pump thrombosis. We queried Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) to describe the response of SBP to CF-LVAD implantation and to delineate contemporary trends in antihypertensive (AH) utilization for patients with these pumps. Methods: We identified all CF-LVAD implantations in patients older than 18 years from 2006-2014, excluding those whose durations were less than 30 days. Pre-implant patient demographics and characteristics were obtained for each record. SBPs [i.e., mean arterial pressures (MAPs)], AH-use data, and vital status …

Antihypertensive Drug Therapy, Wilbert S. Aronow

NYMC Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Corticosteroid Weaning In Stable Heart Transplant Patients: Guidance By Serum Cortisol Level, David A. Baran, Cheryl Rosenfeld, Mark J. Zucker

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (Middletown) Publications and Research

Background: Despite earlier studies describing the feasibility of steroid weaning in heart transplant patients, the majority of patients are maintained on steroid therapy for life. We examined a strategy based on a single morning serum cortisol measurement.

Methods: We assigned stable posttransplant patients, who were maintained on tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids, into one of two groups based on a screening morning cortisol level. Patients with a cortisol < 8 micrograms/deciliter were assigned to a "maintenance" group and the others were assigned to the weaning group and steroids were tapered off over 4-6 weeks. Patients were monitored on subsequent office visits for adrenal insufficiency and allograft rejection.

Results: Thirty-one patients were enrolled (6 patients in the maintenance group and 25 in the steroid-weaning group). Mean follow-up was 10.2 ± 4 years for the weaning group and 9.0 ± 4.9 …

Optimal Scene Time To Achieve Favorable Outcomes In Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: How Long Is Too Long?, Glenn Goodwin, Dyana Picache, Brian J. Louie, Nicholas Gaeto, Tarik Zeid, Paxton P. Aung, Sonu Sahni

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (New York) Publications and Research

Despite advances in resuscitation science and public health, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) cases have an average survival rate of only 12% nationwide, compared to 24.8% of cases occurring in hospital. Many factors, including resuscitation interventions, contribute to positive patient outcomes and have, therefore, been studied in attempts to optimize emergency medical services (EMS) protocols to achieve higher rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the field. However, no consensus has been met regarding the appropriate amount of time for EMS to spend on scene.

Device Therapies Among Patients Receiving Primary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators In The Cardiovascular Research Network, Robert T. Greenlee, Alan S. Go, Pamela N. Peterson, Andrea E. Cassidy-Bushrow, Charles Gaber, Romel Garcia-Montilla, Alan H. Kadish

Office of the President Publications and Research

BACKGROUND: Primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) reduce mortality in selected patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction by delivering therapies (antitachycardia pacing or shocks) to terminate potentially lethal arrhythmias; inappropriate therapies also occur. We assessed device therapies among adults receiving primary prevention ICDs in 7 healthcare systems.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We linked medical record data, adjudicated device therapies, and the National Cardiovascular Data Registry ICD Registry. Survival analysis evaluated therapy probability and predictors after ICD implant from 2006 to 2009, with attention to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Coverage With Evidence Development subgroups: left ventricular ejection fraction, 31% to 35%; …

Hypertension Associated With Atrial Fibrillation, Wilbert S. Aronow

NYMC Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Temporal Trends And Outcomes Of Acute Myocardial Infarction In Patients With Cancer, N Pothineni, N Shah, Yogita Rochlani, M Saad, S Kovelamudi, K Marmagkiolis, S Bhatti, M Cilingiroglu, Wilbert Aronow, A Hakeem

NYMC Faculty Publications

Background: Data on outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients with cancer are scarce. We investigated the nationwide trends in admissions for STEMI, utilization of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and in-hospital outcomes in patients with the three most common cancer diagnoses (lung, breast, and colon) compared to patients without cancer. Methods: We conducted an administrative database study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). All in-patient hospitalizations for STEMI from 2001 to 2011 were identified. Patients with concomitant diagnosis of lung, breast or colon cancer were identified using appropriate International classification of diagnosis (ICD 9-CM) codes. Primary outcome was utilization …

Comparative Effectiveness And Safety Of Empagliflozin On Cardiovascular Mortality And Morbidity In Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Wilbert S. Aronow, Tatyana Shamliyan

NYMC Faculty Publications

Background: Based on a single placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, empagliflozin is licensed to reduce cardiovascular death in diabetes and comorbid cardiovascular disease. Methods: We examined the comparative effectiveness of empagliflozin on mortality and cardiovascular morbidity in type 2 diabetes. We conducted random-effects direct frequentist meta-analyses of aggregate data and appraised the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Our search in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov, and PharmaPendium up to May 2017 identified 11 meta-analyses, multiple publications, and unpublished data from 29 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results: Empagliflozin reduces all-cause mortality [relative …

Masked Hypertension, Wilbert S. Aronow

NYMC Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

D-Shaped Left Ventricle, Anatomic, And Physiologic Implications, E Cativo Calderon, Tuoyo Mene-Afejuku, R Valvani, D Cativo, D Tripathi, H Reyes, Savi Mushiyev

NYMC Faculty Publications

Right ventricular loading/pressure influences left ventricular function because the two ventricles pump in series and because they are anatomically arranged in parallel, sharing the common ventricular septum. Flattening of the interventricular septum detected during echocardiographic examination is called D-shaped left ventricle. We present a case of an elderly male of African descent, who presented with increased shortness of breath. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed flattening and left sided deviation of interventricular septum causing a decreased size in left ventricle, secondary to volume/pressure overload in the right ventricle. While patient received hemodialysis therapy and intravascular volume was removed, patient blood pressure was noted …

A Cardiopulmonary Bypass Based Blood Management Strategy In Adult Cardiac Surgery, A Budak, Kevin Mccusker, S Gunaydin

NYMC Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Despite the recent introduction of a number of technical and pharmacologic blood conservation measures, bleeding and allogeneic transfusion remain persistent problems in open-heart surgical procedures. Efforts should be made to decrease or completely avoid transfusions to avoid these negative reactions. METHODS: Our coronary artery bypass grafting database was reviewed retrospectively and a total of 243 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were studied in a 12-month period (January-December 2016) after the implementation of the new program, and compared with 275 patients of the previous 12-month period.All the staff involved in the care of the patients were …

Hypertension Highlights During 2016, Wilbert S. Aronow

NYMC Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Drug-Induced Causes Of Secondary Hypertension, Wilbert S. Aronow

NYMC Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Association Of Obesity With Hypertension, Wilbert S. Aronow

NYMC Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Correlation Between Electrocardiographic Changes And Coronary Findings In Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction And Single-Vessel Disease, Abdallah Sanaani, Srikanth Yandrapalli, George P. Jolly, R Paudel, Howard Cooper, Wilbert Aronow

NYMC Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Correlation of ST-segment elevation on the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) with the expected affected coronary territory is established in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), correlation of ischemic ECG abnormalities with the affected coronary territory has not been well-established. We sought to investigate the correlation of electrocardiographic abnormalities with the location of 1-vessel obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with both STEMI and NSTEMI. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the charts of all patients referred for coronary angiography in 2012 were reviewed. Patients with a single obstructive coronary artery plus angina-equivalent symptoms …

Celiprolol: A Unique Selective Adrenoceptor Modulator, James Nawarskas, Angela Cheng-Lai, William H. Frishman

NYMC Faculty Publications

Celiprolol is a β-blocker with a unique pharmacologic profile: it is a β1-andrenoceptor antagonist with partial β2 agonist activity. Given this combination of effects, celiprolol may be better described as a selective adrenoreceptor modulator. It has antihypertensive and antianginal properties and is indicated for those uses in various countries around the world. In the United States, however, the proposed indication for this drug will be for the treatment of vascular type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by fragile arterial structure and an increased risk of life-threatening vascular complications. By reducing heart rate and pulsatile pressure, celiprolol may …

Management Of Pulmonary Hypertension From Left Heart Disease In Candidates For Orthotopic Heart Transplantation, Anna Koulova, Alan Gass, S Patibandla, C Gupta, Wilbert Aronow, Gregg Lanier

NYMC Faculty Publications

Pulmonary hypertension in left heart disease (PH-LHD) commonly complicates prolonged heart failure (HF). When advanced, the PH becomes fixed or out of proportion and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplant (OHT). To date, the only recommended treatment of out of proportion PH is the treatment of the underlying HF by reducing the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) with medications and often along with use of mechanical circulatory support. Medical therapies typically used in the treatment of World Health Organization (WHO) group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have been employed off-label in the setting …

Hypertension And Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Wilbert S. Aronow

NYMC Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Evacetrapib On Cardiovascular Outcomes In Patients With High-Risk Cardiovascular Disease, Wilbert S. Aronow

NYMC Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Brain Injury With Systemic Inflammation In Newborns With Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Heart Surgery, R Pironkova, Joseph Giamelli, H Seiden, V Parnell, D Gruber, C Sison, K Ojamaa

NYMC Faculty Publications

The potential role of systemic inflammation on brain injury in newborns with congenital heart disease (CHD) was assessed by measuring levels of central nervous system (CNS)-derived proteins in serum prior to and following cardiac surgery. A total of 23 newborns (gestational age, 39±1 weeks) with a diagnosis of CHD that required cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were enrolled in the current study. Serum samples were collected immediately prior to surgery and 2, 24 and 48 h following CPB, and serum levels of phosphorylated neurofilament-heavy subunit (pNF-H), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100B were analyzed. Systemic inflammation was assessed by measuring …

Complete Versus Culprit Only Revascularization In St-Elevation Myocardial Infarction-A Perspective On Recent Trials And Recommendations, Gabriela Andries, Sahil Khera, Robert Timmermans, Wilbert Aronow

NYMC Faculty Publications

The presence of multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) is strongly associated with higher 30-day mortality, reduced myocardial reperfusion success, reinfarction, and occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 1 year compared with single-vessel CAD. Despite higher morbidity and mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and coexistent multivessel CAD, major guidelines recommended against percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on non-culprit lesions at the time of primary PCI in patients with STEMI who are hemodynamically stable. The presence of multivessel CAD often poses a therapeutic dilemma for interventional cardiologists. A few larger scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have …

The Exerrt Trial: "Exercise To Regadenoson In Recovery Trial": A Phase 3b, Open-Label, Parallel Group, Randomized, Multicenter Study To Assess Regadenoson Administration Following An Inadequate Exercise Stress Test As Compared To Regadenoson Without Exercise For Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Using A Spect Protocol, G Thomas, S Cullom, T Kitt, K Feaheny, K Ananthasubramaniam, R Gropler, Diwakar Jain, R Thompson

NYMC Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the non-inferiority and safety of regadenoson administration during recovery from inadequate exercise compared with administration without exercise. METHODS: Patients unable to achieve adequate exercise stress were randomized to regadenoson 0.4 mg either during recovery (Ex-Reg) or 1 hour after inadequate exercise (Regadenoson) (MPI1). All patients also underwent non-exercise regadenoson MPI 1-14 days later (MPI2). The number of segments with reversible perfusion defects (RPDs) detected using single photon emission computerized tomography imaging was categorized. The primary analysis evaluated the majority agreement rate between Ex-Reg and Regadenoson groups. RESULTS: 1,147 patients were randomized. The lower bound of the …

Pulmonary Embolism In Transit, Anna Koulova, Ramin Malekan, Wilbert Aronow, Howard Cooper

NYMC Faculty Publications

A 65-year-old woman with recently diagnosed ovarian cancer presented with near syncope, tachypnea, and hypoxia. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a dilated and hypokinetic right ventricle and a large, mobile mass in the right atrium prolapsing across the tricuspid valve. She was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism in transit and emergent embolectomy was recommended.