ABSTRACT
Background: Cardiac toxicity after self-poisoning from ingestion of yellow oleander seeds is a common toxicological emergencyin South India.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the various cardiac arrhythmias and electrolyte abnormalities in yellowoleander poisoning. This study was also designed to identify the clinical and biochemical parameters at presentation whichcan predict serious arrhythmias.Materials and Methods: This was a observational study among 111 patients who attended our emergency department afterconsuming yellow oleander seeds. Clinical, biochemical, electrocardiographic, and treatment details were collected from thepatients and recorded. Patients were monitored with serial electrocardiograms (ECGs).Results: Oleander seed poison was most prevalent in the 20–40 years of age. Incidence was more among the young females.ECG abnormalities were found in majority of the individuals. More the crushed seeds consumed and delay to admission to thehospital, poorer was the outcome. All symptomatic patients had conduction defects affecting the sinus node, atrioventricularnode, or both. Patients showing cardiac arrhythmias that required specific management had significantly higher serumpotassium concentrations. At presentation, 21 patients had serious arrhythmias, and on follow-up, 4 developed new-onsetserious arrhythmia. Sinus bradycardia (41.8%) was the most common arrhythmia followed by segment-wave changes (33%).Mortality rate was 1.9%.Conclusions: The arrhythmias produced by this poisoning might range from sinus bradycardia to complete heart block andventricular tachycardia. Although serum potassium correlated significantly with serious dysrhythmias, it did not predict thedevelopment of new-onset serious arrhythmia. On the whole, serious dysrhythmias were significantly associated with ingestionof crushed seeds, delay in admission, hyperkalemia.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: As there is an exponential rise in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in pandemic proportions as wellas a steady increase in incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH),Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study of association between these two entities is been carried. Authors studiedthyroid function tests in 100 cases of MetS and 50 controls.Results: The results were analyzed and we found that the prevalence of SCH in MetS was found to be 21% when compared toonly 6% in the control population. This association with SCH is more frequent among women. The thyroid dysfunction in MetSis statistically significantly associated with the serum triglycerides, followed closely by the waist circumference. This associationis not found with the other components of MetS.Conclusion: Due to the alarming rise, in CV mortality and morbidity, the people at risk have to be identified at the earliest andtheir risk factors modified. Hence, diagnosing MetS should become a routine practice among the medical fraternity.