Background Statins or 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors are one of the most commonly prescribed medications in cardiac patients. Just like any other class of drugs, they have the potential to cause liver injury over time even with judicious use. This druginduced liver injury (DILI) can be either direct (hepatocellular) or idiosyncratic. As with multiple other hepatic pathologies, DILI may be asymptomatic or clinically silent. Therefore, it is prudent to carry out liver function tests (LFTs) from time to time. LFTs are an inexpensive, noninvasive, and quick first-line investigation to monitor liver status. However, the pattern of liver injury with statin use is not specific and a correlation over time may not be apparent. Aims To evaluate derangement in LFTs over time with respect to statin use and determine if a correlation exists.

Objectives: This study was designed to compare the in-hospital outcomes of primary PCI with export vs. primary PCI with the balloon in patients with total occlusion. Methodology: Consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI with TA and pre-balloon dilatation were recruited in 1:1 ratio and post-procedure in-hospital mortality and complication rate (slow flow/no-reflow, contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), and arrhythmias) were compared. Patients in the TA group were further stratified based on export time (time from onset of chest pain to the use of export) as ≤ 6 hours or > 6 hours. Results: A total of 200:199 patients were recruited in export and balloon group. Overall complications were significantly higher in balloon group, 39.7% (79/199) vs. 23.0% (46/200); p<0.001, which included slow flow/no-reflow (24.6% vs. 14.5%; p=0.005), CIN (10.1% vs. 4.5%; p=0.022), and arrhythmias (14.6% vs. 5.5%; p=0.006) with in-hospital mortality rate of 3.0% (6/200) vs. 6.0% (12/199); p=0.153. Upon stratifications, outcomes were more favorable  when export time was ≤ 6 hours as compared to > 6 hours with mortality rate of 0% vs. 6.3%; p=0.010 and complication rate of 19.2% vs. 27.1%; p=0.187. Conclusion: TA in patients with total occlusion was associated with lesser complications and relatively better mortality benefits. The benefits of TA were directly associated with export time. Therefore, timely use of export can be considered in patients with total occlusion.

Introduction Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a devastating medical emergency that requires immediate pharmacological and radiological intervention. With the advent of techniques such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), pacemakers, and percussion pacing, survival rates have improved significantly. However, there are certain factors and complications associated with AMI that still lead to a high mortality rate, such as old age, advanced heart disease, diabetes mellitus (DM), and arrhythmias. Factors such as the type of arrhythmia, the heart rate, and the level at which dissociation occurs between atrial and ventricular rhythm all influence mortality and morbidity rates. Outcomes are further influenced by the sex of the patient, the type of AMI [ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)], history of smoking, arrival times at the hospital, presence of hyperglycemia, previous history of cardiac surgery, and the need for a temporary pacemaker or a permanent pacemaker. As with most scientific studies, local data from Pakistan is hard to find on this topic as well. With this study, we hope to contribute valuable information and updates to the study of a developing problem from the developing world. Objective We aimed to analyze the frequency and outcomes of different types of arrhythmia in AMI. Methods This study involved a retrospective observational cohort. It was conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi from January 2019 to July 2019 (six months). All data were retrieved from the online database at the NICVD. Written consent was obtained from all patients. Patient confidentiality was ensured at all times. Results A total of 500 patients were included in the study. The mean age of our cohort was 56.17 ±14.01 years. NSTEMI was more prevalent than STEMI. Sinus arrhythmia (SA) was the most frequently recorded arrhythmia and had the best survival rates. Atrioventricular (AV) nodal blocks and ventricular tachycardia (VT) had the worst outcomes. The overall mortality rate was 11.4%, and the mean in-hospital length of stay was 2.07 ±1.54 days. Smoking increased mortality in all cases. Conclusions AMI is complicated by several types of arrhythmia. SA is the most common arrhythmia in AMI. Mortality in AMI is largely due to AV nodal blocks and VT. Smoking increases mortality in all cases.

Background High intensity statins are recommended in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Statins inhibit atherosclerotic plaque formation in the coronary arteries and reducing the burden of ischemic heart disease, therefore decreasing the morbidity and mortality. Muscle symptoms are most common adverse effect of statins. Hence, the aim of this study is to determine the statin induced myalgia by the statin myalgia clinical score. Purpose To monitor the Statin induced myalgia on high intensity statin in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Methods This was an prospective observational study comprised of 418 patients with acute coronary syndrome who were commenced on high intensity statins (Rosuvastatin 20–40mg & Atorvastatin 40–80). These patients were followed at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks subsequently and the clinical myalgia score (SAMS-CI) was calculated at each visit to determine the statin induced myalgia. SAMS-CI was categorized as unlikely (2–6), possible (7–8) and probable (9–11) Results From 418 patients, 327 were males and 91 were females. Mean age was 55.6±11.14. Only 19 (7.63±1.8) patients developed muscle symptoms on high intensity statins (Rosuvastatin 20 mg and Atorvastatin 40 mg) on SAMS-CI Score. 5 patients were unlikely to develop myalgia on SAMS-CI and continued with the same dosage without any new symptoms. 6 patients were possible on SAMS-CI, therefore the dosage of these patients were decreased to moderate intensity statin (Rosuvastatin 10mg, Atorvastatin 20 mg), their symptoms were resolved and continued with the moderate intensity statins. Furthermore, Statin was hold in 8 patients in the probable category for 4 weeks until the resolution of symptoms followed by moderate intensity statins. Conclusion Statin induced myalgia is more reported in old aged and female patients. Most of the patients can better tolerate the lower range of high intensity statins with the similar benefits and should be prescribed in every patient FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Objectives: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common complication and found to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The objective of this study was to validate the Mehran Risk Score (MRS) for the risk stratification of CIN in patients undergone primary PCI. Methodology: A cohort of consecutive patients undergone primary PCI at a tertiary care cardiac center were included for this study. Patients in Killip class IV at presentation, patents history of any PCI, and chronic kidney diseases were excluded from this study. MRS was calculated at baseline and post procedure serum creatinine level increase of either 25% or 0.5 mg/dL was taken as CIN. Results: A total of 547 patients were included, of which 79.3%(434) were male. CIN after primary PCI was observed in 62(11.3%) patients. The area under the curve (AUC) for the MRS was 0.712 [0.641 to 0.783]. Cut-off value of ≥6.5 had sensitivity of 61.3% [48.1%-73.4%] with positive predictive value of 21.2% [17.5%-25.6%] and specificity of 70.9% [66.7%-74.9%] with negative predictive value of 93.5% [91.3%-95.2%]. MRS ≥6.5 was found to be an independent predictor on multivariable analysis with adjusted odds ratios (OR) of 3.86 [2.23-6.68] along with multi-vessel diseases with OR of 2.31 [1.27-4.19]. Conclusion: MRS has shown to have a good discriminating power. However low positive predictive value of the optimal cutoff value of ≥6.5 for prediction of CIN suggests need of modification to the MRS to improve its clinical utility in the modern era of primary PCI.