Challenges In The Anesthetic Management Of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Undergoing Emergency Ceserean Section

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an unusual form of dilated cardiomyopathy which manifests as acute heart failure in the last trimester of pregnancy or early postpartum period. Choice of anaesthesia is based on the urgency of lower segment caesarean section and severity of PPCM. Here we report a 31year old female G3P2L2 36weeks + 2days diagnosed as Peripartum Cardiomyopathy came with complaints of leaking per vagina was taken up for emergency caesarean section under general anaesthesia. In this case report, we discuss the anaesthetic management of a case of PPCM posted for emergency caesarean section with intra-operative event of desaturation. Anaesthetic management was directed towards optimization of desaturation, myocardial contractility, preload and after load. No adverse events or complications were observed.

Development of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model and Assessment of the Impact of Renal Underdevelopment in Preterm Infants on the Pharmacokinetics of Aminophylline

Objective:To develop a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for individualization of the dosing regimen considering the physiological requirements of these preterm neonates. Methods: The study comprised preterm newborns with fewer than 34 weeks of gestation and six apneic episodes in 24 h. A PBPK model was created using PK-SIM (version 9, update 1, GitHub, San Francisco, CA, USA). A PBPK model is built using a typical loading dosage of 5 mg/kg and a maintenance dose of 1.5 mg/kg. Based on the verified base model, a PBPK model representing renal underdevelopment based on nRIFLE/pRIFLE categorization was developed. Results: The PK parameters of Aminophylline were computed using the PBPK model. As per the model prediction, T1/2 and area under the curve reduced as postnatal age increased, and in the event of renal underdevelopment, even while Cmax for patients under R (RISK), I (injury) was within the therapeutic range; it was greater compared to preterm without any renal complications. Mean Cmax (mol/L) was 59.53 and for R, I, and F (FAILURE) categories the values were 83.04, 99.69, and 126.98, respectively. Conclusion: The model was created using appropriate drug, study subject, and dosage protocol inputs. The established PBPK model could help in individualizing aminophylline dose in preterm babies.

Humoral response to viral vector COVID-19 vaccine in hemodialysis patients

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is not readily available in many countries where dosing interval is spaced more than ideal. Patients with chronic kidney disease, especially those on maintenance hemodialysis, have a tendency for a reduced immune response. This study was undertaken to demonstrate the distinct humoral immune response to the viral vector COVID-19 vaccine in patients with kidney failure receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Methods: The study was carried out with two cohorts: 1) patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis and 2) healthcare workers from the same dialysis center as controls, each group with 72 subjects. Participants received a dose of Covishield ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 coronavirus vaccine. The humoral immunological response was determined using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay which quantitatively measures antibodies to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein receptor-binding domain. Results: All study subjects in the control group developed a humoral response (antibody titer of ≥0.8 U/mL), while only 64 of 72 in the dialysis group (88.9%) were responders. Age (ρ = –0.234, p = 0.04) and sodium level (ρ = 0.237, p = 0.04) correlated with low antibody titer in bivariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only age (odds ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.22; p = 0.045) was associated with nonresponders. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a weak antibody response of hemodialysis patients to the viral vector COVID-19 vaccine. Older age was associated with nonresponders. Evaluation of both humoral and cellular immunity after the second vaccine dose and serial antibody titers can help determine the need for booster shots.

Evaluation of carotid intima media thickness and associated risk factors in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross sectional study

Background: Chronic kidney disease is distinguished by progressive loss of kidney function over a period of years in the end leading to irreversible kidney failure. CKD is a significant prognosticator of cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis is common in patients with risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease.Methods: It was a cross sectional study on CKD patients in a tertiary care hospital. About 90 CKD stage 3-5 patients aged above 18 years were enrolled in the study. Serum lipid profile, RFT, serum calcium, phosphorous, and BP were estimated among all the patient. Patient risk factors were noted and CIMT levels were compared accordingly.Results: Out of 90 patients, males were predominant. There was a significant positive correlation between stage 5 and CIMT (P value <0.001). Mean CIMT was higher in patients with type 2 Diabetes. Patients with higher phosphorous the mean CIMT was significantly higher.Conclusions: The CIMT is early marker for atherosclerosis. Author observed it was significantly higher in patients with stage 3 and 5 CKD. CIMT is a non- invasive marker which should be done in all patients with CKD which is cost effective.

Symptomatic Pulmonary Siderosis A case report

Pulmonary siderosis or Welder’s lung is a rare occupational lung disease which occurs due to long term inhalation of iron compounds. It is most commonly seen in arc-welders. Most of the patients are asymptomatic with mild or no functional impairment. We report a case of pulmonary siderosis with symptomatic respiratory disease and restrictive pattern in pulmonary function test.