Electrocardiographic variations during three trimesters of normal pregnancy.

Background: Electrocardiography can detect the physiological adaptations in the maternal cardiovascular system, but the results should be interpreted with caution as they mislead to the diagnosis of heart disease. This study is undertaken to highlight the effect of normal pregnancy on the electrocardiographic changes during three trimesters, so that it helps to distinguish the normal from that of pathological. Methods: A total of 150 normal pregnant women, each 50 in three trimesters fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. 50 age matched nonpregnant women were selected as control group. A 12 lead ECG was recorded by using ECG machine with special emphasis on mean ECG heart rate, PR interval, frontal plane QRS axis, T wave inversion in lead III & V2, Q waves in LIII & aVF, QTc. All the parameters were analyzed. Results: The ECG changes observed in our study include, significant increase in mean ECG heart rate, decrease in PR interval, deviation of QRS axis towards left with progression of pregnancy, T wave inversion in lead LIII & V2, presence of Q wave in leads LIII & aVF and QTc was significantly prolonged in second and third trimesters of pregnancy compared to non pregnant group. Conclusions: The cardiovascular hemodynamic adaptation to pregnancy is a well established fact which was also apparent in our study. It is necessary to understand the normal physiological changes which help in better management of cardiac diseases

Awareness and attitude regarding human papilloma virus and its vaccine among medical students in a medical school in India.

Background: Human papilloma virus is the major cause of cervical cancer in women and HPV vaccine is the most effective option. Prevention of cancer with vaccine is a new concept. Medical students should be aware of cervical cancer, HPV and its vaccine. This calls for assessment of the knowledge of HPV infection and the acceptability of HPV vaccine among medical students. The aim of this study was to assess awareness of HPV infection and HPV vaccine and to assess attitude toward these vaccines among final year medical students in Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study. A total of 127 (59 males and 68 females) final year M.B.B.S. students participated. Data regarding HPV and its vaccine were collected using questionnaire based survey. The questionnaire sought student responses pertaining to the knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV and its vaccine. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Access and Excel software. Results: Most of the participants know well about the etiology and prevention of cervical cancer but information regarding the dosage, schedule, site and route of administration was lacking in majority of them. Conclusion: The medical students know the association between Human Papilloma Virus and cervical cancer, but the awareness about HPV vaccine was low among study population. Medical schools should modify their curricula to include teaching methods aimed at improving awareness regarding HPV and its vaccine.