Homocysteine – Risk factor for ischemic stroke.

The present study was undertaken to compare the homocysteine levels in patients of ischemic stroke with controls. Our study included 117 patients of ischemic stroke and 101 controls. The mean homocysteine levels in patients with ischemic stroke were 16.80±6.71 umol/L while in controls it was 12.30±4.68 umol/L, the difference being statistically significant (P<0.01). The increased homocysteine levels in patients with ischemic stroke are independent of diabetes mellitus, age and sex. The homocysteine levels were higher in hypertensive subjects than non-hypertensive (P<0.05).

Syncope in a middle aged male due to acute rheumatic fever.

Rheumatic fever is a multi system disease which occurs following infection with group A beta hemolytic streptococcus. It is commonest in the age group of 5-15 years but can occur in adults also. First degree atrioventricular block is a common manifestation of acute rheumatic fever and is included in the Jones criteria but Wenckebacks phenomena and complete heart block are relatively rare manifestations of rheumatic fever. Syncope occurring in acute rheumatic fever is also infrequently reported. We report the case of a 38-year-old male with rheumatic carditis who had advanced atrioventricular block which resulted in syncope and required a temporary pacemaker insertion.

Coexistence of celiac disease and ulcerative colitis.

Coexistence of celiac disease and ulcerative colitis has been reported from Western countries. We report two patients, a 30-year old man and a 16-year old boy, who presented initially with features of celiac disease and later developed ulcerative colitis.

Serial neuro-electrophysiological studies in acute organophosphate poisoning--correlation with clinical findings, serum cholinesterase levels and atropine dosages.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: A prospective evaluation of the correlation between the serial clinical findings, serum cholinesterase levels, electrodiagnostic abnormalities and the daily atropine requirement was undertaken in 29 patients with confirmed acute organophosphate poisoning (OPP). RESULTS: Clinical weakness conforming to the pattern found in 'Intermediate Syndrome' was noted in 19 patients (65.55%). It was associated with all types of organophosphate compounds and occurred in all patients in whom the serum cholinesterase on admission was less than 200 units. Three types of electrodiagnostic abnormalities were noted: single supramaximal electrical stimulus induced repetitive response, a decrement--increment response to 30 Hz repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) and a decremental responses to 30 Hz RNS. The 30 Hz decremental response correlated best with the presence of clinically detectable weakness (sensitivity = 61.72%; specificity = 81.54%; positive predictive value = 73.91%; negative predictive value = 71.62%). Time trends evaluation revealed that the peak daily atropine dosages were given at a mean of 1.76 +/- 0.83 days in comparison to a mean nadir of serum cholinesterase of 2.48 +/- 1.97 days and a mean nadir of 9:1 ratio of 2.65 +/- 1.76 days. The 2-tailed correlation coefficient analysis and simple regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between serum cholinesterase levels and the 9:1 ratios (correlation coefficient: 0.59). A negative correlation was observed between the 9:1 ratios and the daily atropine requirement (correlation coefficient: -0.57) and between serum cholinesterase levels and daily atropine requirement (correlation coefficient: -0.49). CONCLUSIONS: At admission, level of serum cholinesterase of less than 200 units is a predictor and the 30 Hz RNS decremental response could be a useful marker for the 'Intermediate Syndrome'.

Should beta-blockers be withdrawn in post-myocardial infarction patients before treadmill test?

In most patients of myocardial infarction, beta-blockers are used for secondary prophylaxis and a treadmill test is required for risk stratification. To study the effect of oral beta-blockers on interpretation of treadmill test, 54 consecutive patients were subjected to treadmill test four to six weeks after myocardial infarction. Fourteen patients with strongly positive treadmill test were referred for coronary angiography. Treadmill test was repeated in 37 patients 72 hours after withdrawal of beta-blockers. The peak exercise heart rate was significantly different while off and on beta-blockers (148 +/- 13 bpm vs 124 +/- 14 bpm, respectively; p < 0.01). The test was negative on both the occasions in 17 patients. On stopping beta-blockers, the negative test became mildly positive in five and strongly positive in six patients. The mildly positive test became strongly positive in four patients and remained almost unchanged in five. In 10 patients there was conversion of negative or mildly positive treadmill test into strongly positive result after withdrawal of beta-blockers. Thus the risk stratification changed significantly in 27 percent patients. It is suggested that beta-blockers can and should be withdrawn in post-MI patients before doing treadmill test.

Diagnostic and prognostic significance of lactate dehydrogenase in cerebrospinal fluid in patients of meningitis.

Activity of lactate dehydrogenase was measured in cerebrospinal fluid in 60 cases of meningitis (35 pyogenic, 18 tuberculous and 7 viral). Thirty age and sex matched healthy controls were taken to find out its diagnostic and prognostic significance in meningitis. The cerebrospinal fluid lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in cases of pyogenic meningitis and tuberculous meningitis as compared to the control group. The maximum elevation was seen on the 1st day in all types of meningitis but the activity declined significantly thereafter in patients of pyogenic meningitis who recovered without complications. However, in 2 cases of pyogenic meningitis and 5 cases of tuberculous meningitis who survived with complications, the lactate dehydrogenase activity on subsequent estimations increased serially. Further, the basal lactate dehydrogenase activity in 9 cases of pyogenic meningitis (who expired) was higher than those who survived without complications. The basal lactate dehydrogenase activity in pyogenic meningitis was significantly higher (p < 0.05) as compared to tuberculous meningitis and viral meningitis patients (p < 0.02) in this study.

Feasibility of thrombolytic therapy--a one year prospective study.

A one year prospective study was conducted on all the patients admitted with clinical diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to determine the proportion of patients who can be given thrombolytic therapy. Factors responsible for non-administration were analysed. 213 patients with AMI entered the study. Standard inclusion criteria for thrombolytic therapy were used. 101 (47%) patients failed to meet the inclusion criteria. This included 7 (3.3%) who failed to satisfy the electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria. Nine patients with atypical symptoms were unable to reach within the stipulated 6 hours while the remaining 85 (40%) patients were delayed inspite of typical features due to inability of the patient to attribute the symptoms to the heart, lack of proper transport facility and self medication. 112 patients (53%) met the inclusion criteria but 7 patients were excluded because of age (> 70 years), and another 8 because of contraindications. Of the remaining 97 patients, 47 failed to receive thrombolytic therapy due to lack of awareness of the benefits of thrombolytic therapy by the first treating physician, misinterpretation of ECG, inability to afford and refusal to give consent. Only 50 patients (23%) received thrombolytic therapy. This low figure can be easily improved upon by the correction of a number of remediable factors.

Copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium in chronic renal failure.

Estimation of copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium was done in plasma, erythrocytes and urine of twenty patients with chronic renal failure of diverse aetiologies. Twenty normal individuals formed the control group. Significant plasma hypozincaemia and hypozincuria was observed in uraemic patients, though the concentration of zinc in erythrocytes was significantly higher than in controls. The copper content of the erythrocytes was significantly higher in patients when compared to controls, while the reverse was true for its excretion in the urine. The increased level of copper in the erythrocytes showed a correlation with increasing severity of renal failure. Significant hypocalcaemia was seen in the erythrocytes and plasma of uraemic patients, though magnesium level was elevated. Urinary excretion, however, of both calcium and magnesium were markedly reduced in these patients. The magnesium levels in plasma and urine showed a significant correlation with the severity of renal failure.

Frontal bone osteomyelitis causing recurrent meningitis.

A case of recurrent pyogenic meningitis is reported. The focus for recurrent meningeal infection was frontal bone osteomyelitis secondary to a road accident which the patient sustained ten years earlier.