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During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the British Cardiovascular Society/British Cardiovascular Intervention Society and the British Heart Rhythm Society recommended to postpone non-urgent elective work and that primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) should remain the treatment of choice for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We sought to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the primary PCI service within the United Kingdom (UK). A survey of 43 UK primary PCI centres was performed and a significant reduction in the number of cath labs open was found (pre-COVID 3.6±1.8 vs . post-COVID 2.1±0.8; p<0.001) with only 64% of cath labs remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Primary PCI remained first-line treatment for STEMI in all centres surveyed., Competing Interests: None declared., (Copyright © 2020 Medinews (Cardiology) Limited.)

Objective: To implement detailed EU cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) quality criteria in the multicentre DISCHARGE trial (FP72007-2013, EC-GA 603266), we reviewed image quality and adherence to CCTA protocol and to the recommendations of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in a pilot study., Materials and Methods: From every clinical centre, imaging datasets of three patients per arm were assessed for adherence to the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the pilot study, predefined standards for the CCTA protocol and ICA recommendations, image quality and non-diagnostic (NDX) rate. These parameters were compared via multinomial regression and ANOVA. If a site did not reach the minimum quality level, additional datasets had to be sent before entering into the final accepted database (FADB)., Results: We analysed 226 cases (150 CCTA/76 ICA). The inclusion/exclusion criteria were not met by 6 of the 226 (2.7%) datasets. The predefined standard was not met by 13 of 76 ICA datasets (17.1%). This percentage decreased between the initial CCTA database and the FADB (multinomial regression, 53 of 70 vs 17 of 75 [76%] vs [23%]). The signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of the FADB did not improve significantly (ANOVA, p = 0.20; p = 0.09). The CTA NDX rate was reduced, but not significantly (initial CCTA database 15 of 70 [21.4%]) and FADB 9 of 75 [12%]; p = 0.13)., Conclusion: We were able to increase conformity to the inclusion/exclusion criteria and CCTA protocol, improve image quality and decrease the CCTA NDX rate by implementing EU CCTA quality criteria and ICA recommendations., Key Points: • Failure to meet protocol adherence in cardiac CTA was high in the pilot study (77.6%). • Image quality varies between sites and can be improved by feedback given by the core lab. • Conformance with new EU cardiac CT quality criteria might render cardiac CTA findings more consistent and comparable.

Cardiac arrhythmias are common in patients with various types of muscular dystrophies. The pathophysiological mechanisms of arrhythmias are complex and related to direct involvement of the conduction system and to the development of cardiomyopathy. The occurrence of atrio-ventricular conduction abnormalities and ventricular arrhythmias are associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac death. The threshold for device therapy ( cardiac pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator) is relatively low according to current guidelines due to the risk of rapid progression of the disease. Atrial arrhythmias carry high risk of stroke and anticoagulation should be considered even in young patients without coexisting risk factors for stroke as estimated by the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Patients with muscular dystrophies should be under regular cardiology follow up even in the absence of symptoms. Early detection of cardiac involvement is crucial. The management of patients with muscular dystrophies requires disease-specific and multidisciplinary approach due to the multi-organ involvement., (© 2019 MEDPRESS.)

Infective endocarditis is one of three common cardiac infections in the United Kingdom, in addition to myocarditis and pericarditis, with a reported incidence of 1.7 to 6.2 cases per 100,000 patient years. Infective endocarditis can often have serious consequences and a wide variety of organisms may be the causative pathogen. There are little published data regarding the exact spectrum of organisms that cause endocarditis in the United Kingdom and whether organisms such as streptococci still dominate. In the present study, all cases of endocarditis at the authors' institution, representing a typical nontertiary centre, were retrospectively examined and audited to provide a snapshot of the organism spectrum in these patients. The cases of more than 120 patients who were coded as having endocarditis by the institution's clinical coding department during the period between December 2000 and January 2011 were examined. Microbiological tests and clinical case notes of all patients were reviewed. Of the 101 patients diagnosed with and treated for endocarditis, 64 were male, with a mean age of 60.57 years. The most common organisms identified were Streptococcus species (31%), Staphylococcus aureus (27%) and Enterococcus faecalis (21%). The organisms with the highest associated mortality rate were S aureus and the 'other organism' group, which included non-HACEK group (Haemophilus species, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Cardiobacterium hominis, Eikenella corrodens and Kingella species) pathogens such as Candida albicans. Streptococcus species and S aureus remain the main cause of endocarditis in a typical hospital setting in the United Kingdom, although in a smaller proportion of cases than historical data suggests. Overall, mortality remains high, and the clinician should remain vigilant to endocarditis in any patient with a positive blood culture because the number of cases of endocarditis caused by less typical organisms are increasing.

We present a case of acute myocardial infarction in a young adult with a history of anabolic steroid abuse. On diagnostic coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound, he was found to have a distal left main stem thrombus extending into the proximal left anterior descending artery and a large intermediate vessel. As he was hemodynamically stable and pain-free, he was managed conservatively with triple antiplatelet therapy (aspirin, clopidogrel, and abciximab). This was also to avoid the risk of 'wiring the vessel,' especially if there was underlying dissection. Repeat angiography a few weeks later showed complete thrombus resolution. This is the first reported case of extensive left main stem thrombus in a young patient with anabolic steroid abuse. Management of such cases is not straightforward and our case highlights one approach to both diagnosis and treatment.

Stroke is a rare but serious complication of cardiac catheterization. Due to the low incidence of stroke complicating catheterization of the left heart, there is no clearly defined optimal treatment. With increasing numbers of diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures being performed, definitive management pathways for periprocedural neurological complications need to be defined. Many studies have shown excellent results with both thrombolytic and catheter-based neurovascular rescue, but equal attention should be paid to identify measures to prevent this iatrogenic complication. It is also imperative that management decisions be taken jointly by the cardiologist and stroke physician. We review the literature regarding the features of ischemic stroke complicating cardiac catheterization, the various management modalities and suggest a management protocol.