Tropical Coronary Artery Disease and Arrhythmogenic Potentials—The Changing Pattern towards Endomyocardial Fibrosis—An Analysis

Aim: To analyse the increasing burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) in tropical and subtropical belts of the Equator since it remains blurred and carries a grim prognosis. Introduction: Endomyocardial fibrosis [EMF] is a tropical febrile disorder, confined to peculiar and limited geographical areas. Plaque buildup in endocardium and coronary arteries, causing ischemic injury and arrhythmic episodes, is a vanishing mystery in its pathogenesis and emphasizing alternative routes for understanding and treatment of this enigmatic disease. Case Report: 15 cases in various age groups were reported with potential complications of coronary artery disease and arrhythmias, associated with endocardial lesions, the characteristic feature of endomyocardial fibrosis. Conclusion: The narrowing of coronary arteries as a result of thickening of the walls, spasm, inflammation, plaques and its rupture produce ischemic episodes which can occur slowly or suddenly in a devastating pattern with arrhythmogenic potentials. The important steps to prevent and decrease the risk of CAD is to reduce the chance of getting this disorder by epidemiological measures with an advice of blood thinning medications such as small daily dose aspirin, antibiotics in susceptible individuals and revascularization in established myocardial infarction.

Native Aortic Valve Endocarditis—A Case Report

Introduction: To report a case of isolated “endocarditic” aortic regurgitation in a 17-year old female with infective vegetations on aortic valve. Case Report: A 17-year old female was admitted with features of heart failure and a febrile illness. Blood cultures were negative and ECG revealed normal. Echocardiography revealed a “kissing-type” of vegetation on the bicuspid aortic valve with severe aortic regurgitation and a dilated left ventricle with moderate dysfunction. Conclusion: The management of aortic insufficiency occurring in infective endocarditis may differ and the presence of intractable pulmonary edema or shock is a clear indication for prompt valve replacement. The traditional diagnostic criteria are insufficient to diagnose infective endocarditis and the modified Duke criteria provide high sensitivity and specificity over 80% for the diagnosis of native valve endocarditis with positive blood cultures.

Isolated Patent Ductus Arteriosus in an Elderly Female, Aged 65 Years—A Case Report

Aim: To report a case of longer-lived patent ductus arteriosus with features of pulmonary arterial hypertension up to the age of 65 years in an elderly woman. Introduction: The clinical recognition of patent ductus arteriosus with severe pulmonary hypertension is difficult. Only 60% of adults presented with a continuous murmur in a recent series. Asymptomatic patent ductus arteriosus tolerated for many years and may not require closure. Case Report: A 65 years old female presented with dyspnea had signs of pulmonary arterial hypertension with enlarged pulmonary artery and its branches, atrial fibrillation along with a continuous murmur in the left second intercostal space. Echocardiography revealed a 13 mm size patent ductus arteriosus and a bidirectional with predominant left-to-right shunt. Patient was managed conservatively and symptoms got improved with medical therapy. Conclusion: Treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in the setting of pulmonary hypertension is challenging. Early repair can mitigate the development of pulmonary hypertension and reverse vasculopathy in more advanced disease. Maternal aspirin ingestion should be avoided in pregnancy since it causes constriction of fetal ductus.