Association of Left Atrial Spontaneous Echocardiographic Contrast with Inflammatory Markers in Mitral Stenosis Patients.

Background: Spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) is a risk factor for left atrial thrombus formation and an important indicator of potential systemic embolism originated from heart. An established relation exists between the inflammatory status and the prothrombotic state. The present study was conducted to evaluate the association between left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast with inflammatory markers in mitral stenosis patients. Methods: This observational analytical study was undertaken in the department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular diseases (NICVD), Dhaka. A total of 70 patients with mitral stenosis were categorized into two groups: group I with left atrial SEC and group II without left atrial SEC. All patients underwent transthoracic as well as transoesophageal echocardiography. Complete blood count with ESR was done and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio was calculated. The high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was assayed. Results: The hs-CRP levels were significantly greater in the SEC-positive group (5.6±2.1vs 1.5±0.7, p=0.001). The mean ESR level was significantly greater in the SEC-positive group (32.6±15.5 mmvs15.8±4.7 mm).The neutrophil levels ((76.1±1.9 vs 63.7±3.3) were significantly greater in the SEC-positive group, and the lymphocyte levels (33.3±3.0 vs 21.5±1.3) were significantly greater in the SEC-negative group (p=0.001 for each). The neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio was also significantly greater in the SEC-positive group (3.4±0.4 vs2.1±0.6, p=0.001).On multivariate analysis hs-CRP, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, raised ESR, mitral valve area and left atrial diameter were independent risk factors for SEC in patients with mitral stenosis. Conclusion: From this study it may be concluded that left atrial SEC is associated with raised inflammatory markers in majority of patients with mitral stenosis. So, SEC may be considered as a reflection of ongoing inflammatory process in patients with mitral stenosis.

Impaired Renal Function is Associated with Severe Coronary Artery Disease in Chronic Stable Angina Patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in renal impaired patients. Many of the patients of chronic kidney disease die of cardiovascular disease before requiring dialysis. Cardiovascular disease in renal impaired patient is potentially preventable and treatable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between renal impairment and coronary artery disease severity in chronic stable angina patients. Methods: 110 patients with chronic stable angina who got admitted for coronary angiography were included in the study. They were divided into impaired renal function group (with estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <90 ml/min/1.73m2) and normal renal function group (eGFR e” 90 ml/min/1.73m2) on the basis of eGFR. The severity of the CAD was assessed by angiographic Vessel score and Gensini score. Results: Mean Gensini score was significantly high in impaired renal function group (42.30±24.9 vs 25.65±17.9, p <0.05). There was significant negative correlation between eGFR and vessel score (r=-0.30, p <0.05) and between eGFR and Gensini score (r =-0.65, P <0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, after adjustment of factors eGFR remain independent predictors of severe CAD (P=0.002, OR -5.73). Conclusion: Impaired renal function, assessed by eGFR is associated with angiographic severe coronary artery disease in chronic stable angina patients and this association is independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors.

Factors influencing the outcome of patients with acute extradural haematomas undergonig surgery.

Background: Acute extradural haematoma (EDH) remains most common cause of mortality and disability resulting from traumatic brain injury. In the last three decades, improvements in rescue, neuromonitoring, diagnostic procedure and intensive care have led to better outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing the outcome in patients with EDH undergoing surgery treated in a tertiary hospital in Bangladesh. Methods: In this retrospective study, 102 consecutive patients with acute EDH who underwent craniotomy were included. The study was carried out from July 2003 to December 2005. The diagnosis was made clinically and radiologically by CT scan. Patients were grouped on the basis of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and operative outcomes were evaluated by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) Results: More than half sampled respondents’ (57%) age were more than 20 years while rests of the patients below 20 years with male predominance (Male: Female -12:1). About 7 in 10 respondents (70.6%) were working. Similarly, majority of the respondents (79.4%) had lost more than 30 ml blood. A notable proportion of the respondents (73.5%) had good GCS score (9-15 score) during admission. Similarly majority of the respondents (70.6%) had GCS score 9-15 and 29.4% had GCS score 3-8 before surgery. Road Traffic Accident (RTA) (65%) is the most common cause of EDH followed by assault (20%) and fall from height (12%). Temporal and temporo-parietal locations were the most common site of EDH (56%). Patients with good GCS before surgery had significantly better outcome (89%) compare to those who had bad GCS (10%). Conclusion: Level of consciousness before surgery is the most important factor affecting the outcome. Hence, early diagnosis and surgical intervention is very essential.

Surgical experience with a huge supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumour in a 3 years old boy.

The concept of Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET) has been evolving for many years, since its nomenclature has been done. A 3 years old boy presented with unable to stand and walk, vertigo, vomiting and visual disturbances. MRI of brain revealed suggestive of malignant tumour with intratumoral hemorrhage involving the frontotemporo- parietal region. A gross total removal of tumor was achieved through craniotomy. The pathological finding was consistent with PNET. This case is an exclusive one as it was huge size. Supratentorial PNETs are rare tumour and carry poor prognosis. Newer modalities of treatment should be tried to improve survival.

Pattern of cancer in young adults at National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), Bangladesh.

This is an analysis of 1624 young adults (20-44 years) new cancer patients who attended Out Patient Department of NICRH in 2005 from 01 January to 31 December. This study was carried out to know the age and sex distribution and types of cancer they are suffering from. Histologiacally or cytologically confirmed patients or those patients having radiological or clinical evidence of malignancy were included in the study. There were 42.9% male and 57.1% female with male to female ratio of 0.75: 1.00. Female populations of this age group were the most cancer sufferers. Mean age of young adults was 34.47 (SD+/-6.33) years. Muslims (93.4%) were in majority and 36.5% were illiterate. This study revealed that the top five cancers found in both sexes were breast cancer (19.2%), female genital organ cancer (17.7%), GIT cancer (13.5%), head & neck cancer (12.2%) and respiratory tract cancer (7.9%). Breast cancer and GIT cancer ranked top among females and males respectively.