Designing electrolytes with high solubility of sulfides/disulfides for high-energy-density and low-cost K-Na/S batteries.

Alkaline metal sulfur (AMS) batteries offer a promising solution for grid-level energy storage due to their low cost and long cycle life. However, the formation of solid compounds such as MS and MS (M = Na, K) during cycling limits their performance. Here we unveil intermediate-temperature K-Na/S batteries utilizing advanced electrolytes that dissolve all polysulfides and sulfides (KS, x = 1-8), significantly enhancing reaction kinetics, specific capacity, and energy density.

Clinical, Angiographic Characteristics and In-Hospital Outcomes of Smoker and Nonsmoker Patients After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Smoking is a well-established cardiac risk factor there is dearth of Local data regarding clinical and angiographic characteristics of smoker patients.

Objectives: This study was planned to assess the differences in the clinical characteristics, angiographic characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes of smokers and nonsmokers after primary percutaneous coronary intervention at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: We included patients between 40 and 80 years of age diagnosed with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention from July 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018.

Clinical and procedural predictors and short-term survival of the patients with no reflow phenomenon after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objectives: In the present study, we analysed the incidence of no-reflow phenomenon, its clinical and procedural predictors, and associated in-hospital outcomes for the patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background: No-reflow phenomenon after primary PCI is a procedural complication associated with adverse post-procedure outcomes.

Methods: Data for this study were extracted from global registry, NCDR®, the site of National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD), Karachi from July 2017 to March 2018.

Multivessel Disease As A Prognostic Marker In Patients Presenting For Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Multi-vessel disease is associated with higher mortality rates in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients, which may further alter clinical course and decision making. Hence, the purpose of this study is to determine prevalence, in hospital and early after discharge (up to 30 days) outcome of patients with multi-vessel disease as compared to single vessel disease presenting with acute STEMI undergoing Primary PCI.

Methods: This study includes 282 consecutive selected patients, presented in emergency department with acute STEMI; undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at Catheterization Laboratory of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi Pakistan during the study period of 17th December 2016 to 16th June 2017.

Preventive strategies to fight complications during percutaneous multitrack balloon valvotomy "refining the technique".

Background: Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) is still the treatment of choice in selected cases of mitral stenosis (MS). Multitrack balloon (MTB) catheter is one of the techniques used for PMV with optimal results. We describe a novel refinement of appropriate balloon sizing and wire placement to reduce mitral regurgitation (MR) and Left ventricular (LV) apical perforation, respectively.

Predictors of successful percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy using the Bonhoeffer Multi-Track system in patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis: Can we see beyond the Wilkins score?

Objective: To know the predictors of a successful outcome of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) other than described in the Wilkins scoring system.

Methods: Two hundred fifty-eight consecutive patients were enrolled for this observational study in a tertiary care heart center of Pakistan who had a Wilkins score of ≤ 8. Patients with more than mild mitral regurgitation (MR) or having a clot in the left atrium were excluded.

Frequency of metabolic syndrome in patients with ischaemic heart disease.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of metabolic syndrome in patients with Ischaemic Heart Disease.

Methods: This was a cross sectional observational study. Patients with a first time cardiac event arriving in emergency room during the period October 2009 to April 2010, were included.

Successful management of dislodged stents during percutaneous coronary intervention.

Stent dislodgement is a very rare but recognized and potentially serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This case series describe the incidence and etiology of such cases at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi during the year 2008 and the method of treatment of this complication.

Coronary embolism causing acute myocardial infarction in a patient with mitral valve prosthesis: successful management with angioplasty.

A 24-year-old male patient with anterior myocardial infarction, caused by embolization from mitral valve prosthesis due to inadequate anticoagulation is presented. The patient underwent cardiac catheterization within 90 minutes of arrival. Angiography showed total occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) after the second diagonal branch.

Left main coronary artery dissection during percutaneous coronary intervention in patient with chronic total occlusion.

Catheter induced left main coronary artery dissection is a rare but well recognized life threatening complication of coronary angiography and angioplasty. We present a case of left main coronary artery dissection induced with a guide catheter while dealing with chronic total occlusion (CTO) and bailout stenting of left main and Left anterior descending (LAD) artery.

High prevalence of lack of knowledge of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction in Pakistan and its contribution to delayed presentation to the hospital.

Background: We conducted an observational study to determine the delay in presentation to hospital, and its associates among patients experiencing first Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD) in Karachi. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data.

Aspiration of thrombus in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of Export Aspiration Catheter with restoration of ECG changes, arterial flow and myocardial perfusion in patients with ST segment elevation Myocardial Infarction undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).

Methods: A total of 40 consecutive patients with ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) were selected. They underwent treatment according to the surgeon's discretion to either standard PCI or PCI with thrombus aspiration Catheter.

Knowledge of modifiable risk factors of heart disease among patients with acute myocardial infarction in Karachi, Pakistan: a cross sectional study.

Background: Knowledge is an important pre-requisite for implementing both primary as well as secondary preventive strategies for cardiovascular disease (CVD). There are no estimates of the level of knowledge of risk factor of heart disease in patients with CVD. We estimated the level of knowledge of modifiable risk factors and determined the factors associated with good level of knowledge among patients presenting with their first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.