BackgroundContrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is the acute deterioration of renal function after parenteral administration of radio contrast media in the absence of other causes. The true incidence of CIN varies because of differences among the published studies in the definition of CIN, the proportion of high-risk patients, the types of contrast media, and the use of preventive measures. Remote ischemic preconditioning (IPC) may offer a non-pharmacological prevention strategy for lowering CIN in patients undergoing coronary procedures. The assumption that IPC produces protective effects on tissues or organs by multiple brief cycles of ischemia and reperfusion applied to another remote tissue or organ.AimTo investigate the effect of ischemic preconditioning in prevention of CIN in patients with renal impairment undergoing percutaneous coronary angiography.ResultsIn this study, 100 patients undergoing elective PCI with a base line creatinine clearance <60 ml/min were studied. Patients were divided into two equal groups (ischemic preconditioning group and control group). The incidence of CIN was markedly lower in ischemic preconditioning group 14% VS 38% in control group. The incidence of CIN difference as was found to be (24%). Amount of dye used, decreased LVEF and presence of a significant LAD lesion were significant risk factors for occurrence of CIN.ConclusionsThe current study showed that remote ischemic preconditioning plays an important role in prevention of CIN in patients undergoing PCI with renal impairment GFR < 60 ml/min. The amount of contrast, decreased LVEF, and presence of LAD significant lesion were significant risk factors for developing of CIN and these subgroups benefited from application of ischemic preconditioning.

Objective: Early treatment of acute ischemia of the heart by performing immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to restore blood flow in patients with the clinical presentation of an acute coronary syndrome and more specifically with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can save lives. This study aims to identify the mean time (door to balloon time and first contact to balloon time) to primary PCI for STEMI patients and to assess the percentage of primary PCI and its success rate in Egypt.Methods: A registry study of patients presenting to cardiac centers in Egypt was designed, where patients’ basic characteristics, the treatment strategy, and the door to balloon time and the first contact to balloon time were assessed.Results: One thousand six hundred fifty STEMI patients with a mean age of 57 years were included in the study. Immediate transfer for primary PCI was the most used treatment strategy, representing 74.6% of all treatment strategies used. The door to balloon time and the first contact to balloon time were 50 and 60 minutes, respectively, with a primary PCI success rate of 65.1%.Conclusion: The registry study results showed a marked improvement by implementation of the best treatment strategy with respect to the time factor to achieve a better outcome for STEMI patients in Egypt.

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Despite the logistical difficulties, excellent outcomes for acute interventional reperfusion strategy in STEMI can be achieved in our country, possibly similar to those seen in the West. There is a strong need for making the practice of PCI in STEMI more widespread in developing regions.

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Background:  Cardiac arrhythmias are considered as one of the most important causes of mortality in patients on hemodialysis. Arrhythmias frequently occur in patients with chronic renal failure on regular hemodialysis with reported incidences varying from 30–48% of patients. These abnormalities can span from supraventricular to severe ventricular arrhythmia. There is an increased frequency of occurrence and clustering of arrhythmias around the dialysis time. Aim of the study: To detect the difference between acetate and bicarbonate dialysis as regard to the type and frequency of arrhythmia in those patients. Study design: This study was done on 20 male patients age 51–73, all have history of heart disease. Patients were divided into 2 equal groups using acetate in group 1 and bicarbonate in group 2. All patients were on regular hemodialysis (4 hours, thrice weekly). Careful history and clinical examination were done. Pre‐dialysis investigations included serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, serum sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus, serum albumin, hemoglobin, and arterial blood gases. Post‐dialysis serum potassium and arterial blood gases were measured. ECG and forty‐eight hours ambulatory monitor (Holter monitor)(before, during, and after hemodialysis, till the end of the dialysis day and throughout the following day) were performed. Results: Group 1 showed significantly less post‐dialysis supraventricular arrhythmias than in dialysis day (210.9 ± 236 and 62.3 ± 14.4), respectively. Significantly less ventricular arrhythmias in post‐dialysis than in dialysis day (30.7 ± 50.4, and 106.2 ± 128.4), respectively. While in Group 2 there were insignificant differences regarding supraventricular arrhythmias (21.9 ± 28.9 and 16.6 ± 36.3) and ventricular arrhythmias (22.9 + 7.8 and 29.6 + 12.8) in dialysis day than in post‐dialysis day. There was significantly higher frequency of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias in the dialysis day in acetate hemodialysis in comparison to bicarbonate hemodialysis. Conclusion: Bicarbonate hemodialysis is less arrhythmogenic in comparison to acetate hemodialysis and has better effect on the blood pH and greater degree of base repletion. Continuous ambulatory ECG recording (Holter) is a useful tool in detecting arrhythmias in dialysis patients.

Background: Regional ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) networks facilitate timely performance of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), reduce mortality and improve outcomes. Few data exist on the feasibility and impact of regional STEMI networks in developing countries. Aim of the Work: The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and impact of establishing a regional STEMI network on the management and outcomes of STEMI patients in north Cairo. Patients and Methods: A prospective observational study conducted on 352 patients presenting in North Cairo with confirmed diagnosis of STEMI within 48 hours of symptoms. Patients were divided into group I (n = 140) before and group II (n = 212) after establishment of the STEMI network. Both groups were compared as regards patients’ demographics, presentation, management and short-term outcomes. The north Cairo regional STEMI network was established among four governmental hospitals and the governmental ambulance was used for interhospital transfer. WhatsApp® was used for trans-network team communication. Results: Mean age of the study population was 55.4 ± 11.02 years and 286 (81.3%) were males. Mean time from chest pain to first medical contact did not change between the two groups (240 minutes; P = 0.36) while door to balloon mean time was reduced (from 54.3 to 44.1 minutes: P = 0.01). Use of thrombolytic therapy declined from 51 (36.4%) to 16 (7.5%) (P < 0.001) while primary PCI increased from 59.8% to 77.1% (p < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 51.3 ± 10.7 to 55.4 ± 9.1 (P < 0.001), the mean time of CCU stay was reduced from a mean of 3.0 to 2.0 days (P < 0.001) and in-hospital mortality improved from 6.4% to 2.8% (P = 0.10). Conclusion: The establishment of the STEMI network in north Cairo was feasible and improved patients’ outcomes. Use of primary PCI increased and in-hospital mortality improved from after establishment of STEMI network.

Background: While the exact frequency of pulmonary hypertension is unknown, it is estimated that about 1,000 new cases occur a year in the United States. Females are more often affected than males. Onset is typically between 20 and 60 years of age. It was first identified by Ernst von Romberg in 1891. Aim of the work: To determine the correlation between ECG voltage variability and presence & severity of pulmonary hypertension. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 80 patients who presented to the outpatient clinic of Ain Shams university hospital and Nasser institute hospital, in the period between May 2019 and March 2020. Patients were divided into 40 patients with pulmonary hypertension (PASP>35 mm Hg) and 40 patients (age and sex matched) with normal pulmonary artery pressure, patients were subjected to full history taking, ECG, laboratory investigations, complete transthoracic Echocardiography. Results: We found that there was no statistically significant difference between both groups as regards the incidence of QT dispersion, T wave alternans and QRS alternans. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference between the degree of pulmonary hypertension and incidence of QT dispersion, T wave alternans and QRS alternans. Conclusion: In the present study we found that there is no significant relation between T wave alternans, R wave alternans and QT dispersion as parameters of ECG voltage variability and PAH. In addition, there is no significant relation between the degree of pulmonary hypertension and the degree of QT dispersion, T wave alternans and QRS alternans.