Evaluation of clopidogrel in inhibition of platelet aggregation

Evaluation of in-vivo therapeutic effects of Clopidogrel 75mg [Lowplat] given once daily for seven days to the patients requiring antiplatetet therapy. This is an open label, multicenter study to determine the platelet aggregation inhibition of the study drug in adult subjects suffering from diseases requiring antiplatelet therapy i.e. coronary artery diseases [CAD], peripheral vascular diseases [PVD] and cerebro vascular accident [CVA], presented at different hospitals and clinics in Faisalabad. Mean platelet aggregation inhibited by [LP] was 66% [P <0.001] and standard deviation was +/- 10%, which is statistically significant. This study proves that the Lowplat [LP] is effective in reducing platelet aggregation significantly in Pakistani patients' who require antiplatelet therapy. The cost benefit of locally manufactured drug may be passed on to the patients

Rheumatoid arthritis; aprospective study of eighty cases

To see the pattern of rheumatoid disease,in local population. SETTING: Department of Medicine Medical Unit-II, Allied Hospital PMC, Faisalabad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of eighty patients of different age and sex groups suffering from rheumatoid arthritis according to American rheumatism association criteria were included in the study. A detailed history and physical examination was made to see the pattern of joint involvement and extra articular rheumatoid disease. The disease was clearly predominant in females [73.3%], with peak incidence of onset in fourth decade. Patients presented typically with pain, swelling and stiffness of joints [71%]. The most common joint deformity was ulnar deviation of hands [13.7%]. Extra articular disease was less common [15%]. ESR was raised above normal in almost all the cases. Rheumatoid factor was positive in 80% of the cases. Extra articular rheumatoid disease is less common in local population. Rheumatoid factor is of great help in diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis as compared to other laboratory investigations available for diagnosing inflammatory joint disease. Aspirin should be the drug of first choice in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Side effects with Aspirin were not serious and were tolerable. In our country corticosteroids are being given un-necessarily by most of practicing physicians and quacks. Patients are put on steroids indefinitely without follow-up. This should be discouraged as most of the patients do well with first line therapy and go into remission. Only few cases need second line drugs like gold; penicillamine and corticosteroids

Two dimensional echocardiographic identification of mechanical complication after myocardial infarction

Cross sectional echocardiography was used to find the incidence of mechanical complications in 90 patients with first myocardial infarction. Seventy five patients were men, 15 women. Mean age was 52 years [range 25-70 years]. The infarct was anterior in 61 patients, inferior in 22 patients and subendocardial in 7. Left ventricular aneurysm was present in 12 patients [13.3%], 11 of them had anterior AMI. Left ventricular thrombus was found in 19 patients [21.2%], all of them present in LV apex. Pericardial effusion was seen in 8 patients [9%]. Ventricular septal rupture was seen in 4 patients [4.5%]. Right ventricular infarction was seen in one patient[1.1%]. Papillary muscle rupture, Pseudoaneurysm or rupture left ventricular free wall were seen in none of 90 patients

Study of various risk factors in patients with ischemic heart disease

Sixty five consecutive patients of ischemic heart disease admitted in medical unit - II of Allied Hospital Faisalabad, were processed to see the presence or absence of various well known risk factors for ischemic heart disease. 73% of the patients were male and more than 70% were above age of 50 years. Mean age of study group patients was 58.15 years. In this study 27.7% of the patients were house wives, 26.6 laborers of various kinds, 21.5% government servants and 21.64% businessmen. About 40% of the patients had sedantry lifestyle. 30.7% gave family history of ischemic heart disease. 46.15% of patients with IHD in this study were smokers 21.5% of them were smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day. 18.45% of patients were obese, 33.8% hypertensive with 15.3% suffering from diabetes mellitus. 36.9% of the total population were having type A personality suffering from depression or anxiety. Total serum cholesterol was more than 200 mg/ dl in 40% of patients[> 250 mg/ dl in 18.46% of patients and, between 200-240 mg/ dl in 21.5%]. Mean serum cholesterol was found to be 189.4 mg/ dl [Male group revealed a mean cholesterol value of 191.5%]. 26.6% patients showed their serum uric acid equal to or above 7 mg/ dl [Mean serum uric acid level 5.4 mg/ dl]. More than 50% had more cases than one major risk factors involved