Predictors of Poor Outcome in Patients with COVID-19 associated Respiratory Failure: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is majorly known to cause mild to moderate disease, but a small fraction of patients may develop respiratory failure due to diffuse lung injury, requiring management in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study attempts to identify factors that can predict unfavorable outcomes in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. Methods: Hospital records of 120 COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU were retrospectively analyzed and data pertaining to demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were obtained. These data were then compared with outcome parameters like survival, duration of hospital stay, and various adverse events. Results: Out of 120 patients, 70% were male, with a mean age of 54.44 years [standard deviation (SD) ± 14.24 years]. Presenting symptoms included breathlessness (100%), cough (94.17%), fever (82.5%), and sore throat (10.83%). Diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were the common comorbidities associated. Increased serum D-dimer, ferritin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and unvaccinated status were associated with higher mortality. Overall, 25.83% of patients survived, 24.41% of patients developed septic shock, and 10.6% of patients were discharged on oxygen. World Health Organization (WHO) clinical progression scale score ? 6 had 57 and 82% sensitivity and 83 and 77% specificity on days 7 and 14 after admission, respectively, for predicting mortality. A baseline National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS 2) ? 9 had 48% sensitivity and 88% specificity for predicting mortality. Conclusion: Advanced age and associated comorbidities are linked to adverse outcomes in moderate to severe COVID-19. Persistently high D-dimer levels, despite standard treatment, may also contribute to increased mortality. WHO clinical progression scale and NEWS 2 have high specificity for predicting mortality.

Open-angle glaucoma in a rural and urban population in Eastern India—the Hooghly river glaucoma study

Purpose: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. The current study aims to estimate prevalence, features, and associations of open angle glaucoma (OAG) in a rural and urban East Indian population. Methods: This is a population based cross sectional study with two arms, rural (28 contiguous villages from 13 Gram Panchayats in Balagarh Police Station, Hooghly district) and urban (Kolkata). Individuals residing in the study area aged 40 years and above were included using multistage random cluster sampling. All subjects underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination at our base hospitals including applanation tonometry, ultrasound pachymetry, gonioscopy, and frequency doubling technology perimetry. The primary outcome was the prevalence of POAG (95% CI). Age and gender specific prevalence estimates were calculated. Multiple logistic regressions were used to analyze the risk factors. Results: Data from 7128 and 6964 subjects aged 40 years or older from Kolkata city and Hooghly district, respectively were analyzed. In the urban population, 2.10% (95% CI: 1.99–2.21%) had POAG and 0.15% (95% CI: 0.13–0.17%) had secondary OAG. In the rural population, 1.45% (95% CI: 0.59–2.31%) had POAG and 0.10 ± 0.03% (95% CI: 0.07–0.13%) had secondary OAG. Conclusion: The study concludes that higher age, higher vertical cup disc ratio (VCDR), and lower central corneal thickness (CCT) are important independent predictors of OAG and emphasizes that increased intraocular pressure (IOP) is not POAG. Gonioscopy, disc evaluation, and screening perimetry need to be incorporated in the detection protocol for glaucoma if we intend to lighten the burden of blindness due to glaucoma.

Palliative head-and-neck radiotherapy with cyclical hypofractionated radiotherapy (Quad Shot): A single-institutional experience

Background: This study aims to report on our institutional experience of palliative radiotherapy (RT) in the locally advanced head and neck by cyclical hypofractionated RT (Quad Shot) which is a short-course palliative regimen with good patient compliance, low rates of acute toxicity, and good response rates. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to review the use of the Quad Shot technique at our institution to quantify the palliative response in locally advanced head-and-neck cancer. Materials and Methods: Between April 2017 and July 2019, 45 patients with biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma of the head-and-neck region at the Department of Radiotherapy, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata, which were deemed to be fit for palliative RT by departmental tumor board were given cyclical hypofractionated palliative RT as 14 Gy in four fractions over 2 days, twice daily, repeated every 4 weeks for a maximum of 3 cycles. Retrospective assessment was done for improvement in pain and dysphagia and also response to treatment. Results: Pain response occurred in 66.7% of the patients. The mean pain scores decreased significantly from pre- to post-treatment, 47.4 to 21.5 (P < 0.0001). The mean initial dysphagia score improved from 21.9 to 38.2 (P = 0.0002). About 60% of patients developed mucositis (≤ Grade 2), while no Grade 3 mucositis was reported. A total of 30 patients had partial response (66.67%) and 6 patients had stable disease. However, a total of nine patients had progressive disease which included those patients that were given fewer courses of Quad Shot. Conclusion: In locally advanced head-and-neck cancer patients particularly with poor performance status or elderly patients who are in dire need of some form of local therapy for symptom control and palliation, the hypofractionated palliative RT regimen (Quad Shot) offers an effective and quick treatment option which is beneficial both clinically and in logistics issue.

Pre-operative hypertension and its risk factors: A cross-sectional study among patients admitted for surgery at a tertiary health care facility of Eastern India

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most common diagnoses in a primary health care setting and it is one of the important and preventable contributors to disease and death. HTN is considered as an additional risk factor in anesthesia and HTN is of special importance to the anesthetist for various reasons. Tracheal intubation, surgical incision, recovery from anesthesia, and post-operative pain can increase blood pressure (BP). Objectives: This study aims to find out the burden of pre-operative HTN and its risk factors among patients who were admitted for surgical procedures at a tertiary health care facility of Durgapur, West Bengal, India. Materials and Methods: After obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee, an institution based, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2019 to February 2019. A pre-tested, semi-structured schedule was used to collect Clinic Social data. Anthropometric measurements and BP were taken as per the world health organization STEP-wise approach to surveillance guidelines. BP was classified as per “The eighth joint national committee (JNC-8) guidelines. Results: Data were collected from 150 study subjects and were analyzed using SPSS, version 20.0 for windows. The frequency of pre-operative HTN and pre-HTN was found to be 38.0% and 32.0% respectively. As per JNC-8, 34.7% had Stage-1 HTN followed by 32.0% and 3.3% who had pre-HTN and Stage-2 HTN, respectively. Increasing age, male gender, smoking, increasing body mass index, dyslipidemia, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were significantly associated with a higher frequency of HTN. Conclusion: There is a very high prevalence of pre-operative HTN and pre-HTN. Increasing age, male gender, smoking, overweight, obesity, dyslipidemia, and T2DM were significant risk factors for HTN. Routine screening of HTN should be done in surgical ward to see if there are cases of “white coat” HTN.

Disability in New Leprosy Cases - Magnitude, Pattern and Associated Factors: A Cross Sectional Study in a Subdivision of Darjeeling District, West Bengal

Leprosy is an infectious disease, which may lead to disability before, during or after treatment. Leprosy is associated with social stigma and discrimination because of disability and disfigurement and recognized as a disease of major public health significance. As factors associated with occurrence and management of disabilities may vary from area to area, it is important to generate this information in affected populations. This study has been carried out to determine the extent and pattern of disabilities among newly diagnosed leprosy cases, factors associated with disability, provision and utilization of disability preventive services. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Siliguri subdivision of Darjeeling district, West Bengal. All newly diagnosed and registered leprosy cases in a reference year (April 2013 - March 2014) were included. Detailed medical examination and interviews was carried out to assess the disability and to study the relevant aspects. The entire collected data was analysed using SPSS software and chi-square, binary logistic regression were applied to test association between disability and other epidemiological correlates. It was observed that all the disabilities were in multibacillary (MB) cases only. Child leprosy rates of 5.5% appears to be promising statistics. Among 110 new leprosy cases studied, overall proportion of disability was 15.5%; grade 1 and grade 2 disabilities were 9.1% and 6.4% respectively. Hand was the commonest site of involvement, whereas grade 2 disability was highest in feet (2.7%). Disability status was found to be significantly associated with number of nerve involvement and history of treatment interruption. Utilization of disability preventive services was found very poor. Significantly the proportion of disability was highest among leprosy cases aged 60 years or more (37.5%). As no disability was noted in patients below 15 years, march towards achieving one of the targets of Global Leprosy Strategy 2016-20 appears to be closing to goal. Though the situation may be better comparably to some other parts of country, yet the overall proportion of disabilities as well as grade 1 and grade 2 disabilities among newly diagnosed leprosy cases is unacceptably high in the studied area. Community based studies and appropriate interventions can help in achieving the targets pertaining to leprosy situation in general and access to quality services in particular

Post therapy Wilms tumour or ectopic immature renal tissue: A pathologist's diagnostic dilemma

Post chemotherapy Wilms Tumour (PCWT) is a diagnostic conundrum both for the clinician and the pathologist, in view of its morphological similarity with ectopic immature renal tissue (EIRT). However, due to their varying prognoses and different lines of management, it is important to distinguish between the two. Here, we discuss clinical presentation and pathology of a case of PCWT, arising in a horse shoe deformity of the kidney in a 5 year old girl. The discussion focuses on the pathogenesis of Extra Renal Wilms Tumour (ERWT) as well as its distinguishing morphological features and chemotherapy induced changes in Wilms tumour.

Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver in children: A report of 2 cases

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is a benign non-neoplastic lesion of the liver usually found in adults. It is uncommon in children, comprising 2-10% of all pediatric liver tumours. In children, it can occur at all ages, with increased frequency between 6-10 years. We present two cases of FNH in childhood- the first being that of a 5-month-old infant, and the second in a 6-year-old boy. The possibility of congenital FNH had been excluded in the first case. The second case posed diagnostic difficulty initially and was wrongly treated for hepatoblastoma by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, but later correctly diagnosed to be FNH. Both the children are doing well on follow-up. Paediatric FNH though rare, should be kept in mind while dealing with a hepatic mass. Radiological features can be variable and needle sampling may not be sufficient to reach to a diagnosis. Histological examination with glutamine synthetase immunostaining should be performed in doubtful cases to differentiate FNH from other paediatric liver masses, as management differs.

Prevalence estimation of microsatellite instability in colorectal cancers using tissue microarray based methods – A tertiary care center experience

Aim: Microsatellite instability (MSI) pathway is known to be implicated in carcinogenesis of 15% colorectal carcinomas (CRC), including 2%–3% of cases of Lynch syndrome, as per western literature. MSI status has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. The prevalence of MSI in Indian CRC patients is unknown. We aimed to determine the prevalence by studying 231 consecutive unselected cases of CRC. Methods: Tissue microarrays using duplicate cores per case for 141 cases, and whole tissue sections for 90 cases, were used. Immunohistochemistry with four mismatch repair (MMR) markers – MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 was performed. Molecular analysis for MSI status was performed in 18 randomly selected cases. Correlation with various clinical and histopathological features was done using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Loss of MMR immunohistochemical (IHC) was seen in 53/231 cases, i.e. 22.94% (95% confidence interval 17.52%–28.36%). MLH1-PMS2 dual loss comprised 13.9%, MSH2-MSH6 7.4%, and isolated PMS2 loss in 1.73% of cases. Univariate analysis showed significant association with age (<60 years), right-sided tumor location, histologic type, high grade, the presence of severe intratumoral lymphocytic (ITL) and peri-tumoral lymphocytic response, and N0 nodal stage. On multivariate analysis, independent variables were age < 60 years, right-sided location, and severe ITL. Molecular testing for MSI corroborated with the IHC results. Conclusion: The study results show a slightly higher prevalence of MSI-H phenotype, compared to Western literature, stressing the need for more widespread testing for better clinical management and identification of possible hereditary colon cancer syndrome.

Angle closure glaucoma in rural and urban populations in eastern India—The Hooghly River Glaucoma Study

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence, features, and associations of primary angle closure disease (PACD) in rural and urban populations from West Bengal in eastern India. Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study with two arms, rural and urban. The rural study area consisted of 28 contiguous villages from 13 gram panchayats in Balagarh Police Station, with rural base hospital at Dhobapara, Balagarh Police Station, in the village Kuliapara of Hooghly district. A tertiary eye hospital in central Kolkata was the urban study center. Individuals residing in the study area aged 40 years and above were included in this study using multistage random cluster sampling. All subjects underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination at our base hospitals including applanation tonometry, ultrasound pachymetry, gonioscopy, and frequency doubling technology perimetry. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS 13. Multiple logistic regressions were used to analyze risk factors for PACD. Results: A total of 7,408 and 7,248 subjects aged 40 years or older were enumerated from Hooghly district and Kolkata city, respectively. PACD was detected in 1.9% subjects in rural arm and 1.54% subjects in the urban arm (P < 0.001). In rural arm, 0.3% had PACS, 0.56% had PAC, and 1.03% had PACG. In urban arm, 0.22% had PACS, 0.35% had PAC, and 0.97% had PACG. Conclusion: The study concludes that higher age, higher CCT, and shorter axial length/presence of hyperopia are important independent predictors of ACD. ACD is more common in eastern India than previous estimates.

Plasmablastic lymphoma in HIV patients: Experience at a tertiary care hospital in eastern India.

BACKGROUND: Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL), a rare non‑Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) variant specifically associated with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), expresses well‑differentiated plasma cell markers like CD138, bright CD38, and MUM1; but not conventional B‑cell markers. It occurs at unusual sites like oral cavity and orbit, and has poor survival rates. AIMS: This study serves as a review of a clinical experience with six HIV patients with PBL and observes the spectrum of clinical presentations, histopathologies, and 1‑year outcomes in PBL patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review of six PBL patients was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in eastern India using relevant radiological, histopathogical, and immunohistological studies. RESULTS: Incidence of PBL among HIV patients was 0.58% (6/1,028). Mean CD4 count at presentation was 125.5 ± 71.1 cells/μL. Sites of involvement included pleura, lung parenchyma, suprarenal gland, pelvic cavity, and retroorbital space (one each). Immunohistopathology of biopsied sample in each patient revealed PBL (positive plasma cell markers MUM‑1/ IRF4, CD38, and CD138/syndecan; and negative of B‑cell markers CD3, CD20, and CD30). Three (60%) were positive for Epstein Barr virus (EBV) immunoglobulin G (IgG). Five surviving patients received CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) regimen and attained partial remission (PR) after six cycles. Subsequently, three patients were started on EPOCH (etoposide, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) therapy; two attained near total regression after 6 months (four cycles). Overall, four patients remained alive with good quality of life at the end of 1 year of follow‑up. CONCLUSION: PBL in HIV occurs at unusual sites with varying aggressivity. This study is too small to comment on the long‑term outcomes of PBL in HIV; however, coadministration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) with standard chemotherapy may improve survival.

Seroepidemiological study of human metapneumovirus in New Delhi, India.

Purpose: There are a few seroepidemiological studies reported on human metapneumovirus (hMPV) as hMPV was only discovered in the year 2001. This respiratory virus has been reported to be ubiquitous and associated with respiratory tract infections in all age groups. The present study aimed at determining the prevalence of antibodies to hMPV in children and adults of 1 month to 55 years of age. Materials and Methods: Serum samples from 100 study subjects were tested for hMPV antibody by an in-house ELISA system that used hMPV-infected cell lysate antigen. Result: The prevalence of antibody to hMPV was lowest in children less than 5 years of age (60%) and increased throughout age to > 80%. Similarly, geometric mean titres were 1:180 in children less than 5 years of age and reached a peak of 1:419 in adults over 35 years of age. Conclusion: The results show that hMPV infection is acquired early in life and re-infection in later life may maintain the seroprevalence and antibody levels in adult population.

A prospective study of suicidal behaviour in Sundarban delta, West Bengal, India.

Background. Deliberate self-harm is a challenging public health issue but there is a paucity of data on non-fatal deliberate self-harm in the literature. We aimed to understand the behaviour of deliberate self-harm, both fatal and nonfatal, in a primary care setting. Methods. A year-long prospective study of all admitted patients of deliberate self-harm at 13 block primary health centres of the Sundarban region was done to examine the sociodemographic profile and clinical outcome of suicidal behaviour. Data were collected by using an especially devised deliberate self-harm register. Each subject was administered a 20-item case history sheet by trained medical officers and nursing staff. Results. A total of 1614 deliberate self-harm subjects (619 men, 995 women) were admitted during the year, of whom 143 (62 men, 81 women) died. Although women, especially in the younger age groups, constituted the majority of subjects (61.6%), the fatality trend was higher among men than among women (10% v. 8.1%). Poisoning was the commonest (98.4%) method of self-harm, particularly using pesticide. Easy availability of pesticides was a risk factor. Psychosocial stressors, such as conflict with spouse, guardian or in-laws, failed love affairs and economic distress, were the common underlying reasons. The majority of acts of deliberate self-harm (92.6%) were committed inside the home, especially by women. Only a small proportion of subjects had a past or family history of attempt at deliberate self-harm. The overall incidence of fatal and non-fatal deliberate self-harm was 5.98 and 61.51 per 100 000 population, respectively. Conclusion. Both fatal and non-fatal pesticide-related deliberate self-harm is a major public health issue in the Sundarban region. An intersectoral approach involving primary health, administration and agriculture may help in developing an effective preventive programme to reduce the morbidity and mortality from deliberate self-harm.

Growth and nutritional status of Bengali adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the growth and nutritional status among healthy Bengali adolescent schoolgirls at peri-urban area. METHODS: In this cross sectional study, sample consists of 527 school going adolescent girls, aged 10 to 18 years. The sample of the present study was collected from a peri-urban area (Duttapukur) of north 24 parganas district of West Bengal, India. Standard anthropometric measurements including linear, curvilinear and skinfold thickness were collected from each subject. Percentile curves and nutritional indices were used to determine the growth and nutritional status respectively. RESULTS: The nature of distance curves and percentile curves of the body measurements showed a high rate of increase in 10-11 years of age group corresponding to an earlier adolescent growth spurt than average Indian girls. The adolescent girls in the current study were found to be significantly (p<0.0001) taller than Indian girls and heavier than both Indian and urban Bengali girls but slightly shorter than urban Bengali girls. They are significantly (p<0.0001) shorter and lighter than American girls, which also corresponded to 50(th) percentile curves. Age specific nutritional assessment shows different grades of malnutrition among them. Gomez's classification indicates about 60 % to 70 % adolescent girls show either moderate to mild malnutrition during their growth period. Both the indices of Waterlow's classification show least percentage of least malnutrition among the girls. CONCLUSION: The growth pattern and nutritional status observed among adolescent girls in peri-urban situation show heterogeneity with respect to some anthropometric traits and in conformity with the growth pattern and nutritional status of urban girls.

Clinicopathological profile of hepatic involvement in type-2 diabetes mellitus and its significance.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Involvement of liver as an organ complication in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is known. Studies are few about their baseline parameters from our country. Study the disease burden and clinicopathological profile of hepatic involvement in T2DM, find the associations with known risk factors and thus try to identify simple markers of advanced disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A screened group of randomly selected 47 patients of T2DM without other liver diseases (viral, alcoholic, drug, autoimmune, etc.) was selected. Their clinical (age, sex, body mass index, family history, blood pressure), biochemical (transaminases, lipid profile), and hepatic ultrasonographic (USG) and histopathological (HPE) profiles were studied. Segregation was done according to the histological severity and duration of diabetes (< 5 yrs, 5-10 yrs, > 10 yrs). RESULTS: On histology, normalcy was maintained in 17%, only fatty change was present in 43%, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) could be identified in 40% with more advanced disease in 23%. Prevalence of cirrhosis was low. Positive family history, hypertension, longer duration, female sex and increased body mass index were significantly associated with NASH; more advanced disease was associated with male sex only. Incident lipid profile and transaminases levels were non-contributory. In the early stage, USG detected abnormality correlated poorly with HPE. CONCLUSION: The burden of hepatopathy in T2DM is high; with improving cardiovascular mortality, a higher burden awaits us in the next decade or so. Naturally, it becomes imperative to the treating clinician for targeting this aspect of diabetic complication from the very beginning of therapy.

Whole time domestic child labor in metropolitan city of Kolkata.

We conducted this study to explore the socioeconomic conditions, and health and nutritional status of whole time child domestic labor. 330 children engaged in domestic child labor ranging between 8 to 14 years of age from the metropolitan city of Kolkata were studied. Majority of the domestic child laborers were girls and migrants coming from illiterate families. These children were physically, mentally or sexually abused. Further, they suffered from anemia, gastrointestinal tract infections, vitamin deficiencies, respiratory tract infections and skin diseases along with a high prevalence of malnutrition. The study highlights the poor state of domestic child labor in Kolkata, India.

Oromandibular dystonia and persistent psychiatric symptoms in extra-pontine myelinolysis.

A 32 years female presented with gradually progressive dysarthria, dysphagia, oromandibular dystonia and mild generalized weakness. She had several episodes of acute psychotic behavior. She had abnormal saccadic eye movements, generalized hypertonia and exaggerated jerks in upper limbs. She was previously treated in a peripheral hospital for severe vomiting and diarrhea. MRI of brain revealed symmetrical T-2 weighted hyperintensities in bilateral putaminal and caudate region along with pons and midbrain suggesting demyelination due to a metabolic insult. Her power improved gradually over days and the dysarthria, dysphagia and oromandibular dystonia improved gradually over several weeks with supportive measures but the psychiatric manifestations are still persisting.

A study on mortality and morbidity pattern of acute childhood poisoning cases admitted in block primary health centres of Sundarban, West Bengal.

A hospital - record based study was conducted in Sundarban of West Bengal to explore the profile of mortality and morbidity pattern of acute accidental poisoning among children. Sundarban is an underdeveloped coastal region of West Bengal. Three years retrospective (1999 - 2001) data of childhood accidental poisoning cases were collected from the indoor admission registers and case history sheets of 11 Block Primary Health Centers (BPHC) of the region. A total of 1056 children with accidental poisoning were admitted during those three years of which 58% were males. Mean age of males was slightly higher than females in all the three years. Organophosphorus pesticide poisoning was the commonest.

Media influenced imitative hanging: a report from West Bengal.

Media influences behaviour, especially of the young children and adolescents in various ways. The present study examined the media coverage of a judicial hanging and its immediate social effect. In a qualitative study the media coverage of a case of a judicial hanging was thoroughly discussed and the media influence, for over a period of ten weeks of the incident, in terms of suicide and copying of hanging among children, was collected and analysed. Eighteen cases were reported as an aftermath of this hanging: 1 suicide and 17 imitative hanging in children with 5 deaths. This report calls for attention that media should be cautious and responsible in presenting the news items that have potential social impact.

Evaluation of stentangioplasty in university cardiac center.

In this ongoing prospective study conducted in University Cardiac Center, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from July 2004 to January 2006. Fifty (50) patients (mean age 56+/-7.2 years) underwent stentangioplasty were evaluated. The study group of 50 patients consisted of 42 (84%) men and 08 (16%) women. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-hospital success, failure and complications during the procedures. About risk factors 19(38%) had hypertension, 13(26%) were smoker, 11(22%) suffered from diabetes mellitus, 05(10%) had family history of ischaemic heart disease. Average left ventricular ejection fraction was 54+/-7. Target vessel percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were done in 61 vessel, intracoronary stent implanted in 58 vessels, direct stenting were done in 35 cases, failed PTCA were in 03(6%) cases and two had dissection. The native vessels had a mean reference diameter of 2.91 mm and their luminal diameter increased significantly after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). All the patients were discharged by one to three days of the procedure with improvement of their clinical condition. In conclusion, intracoronary stent deployment in coronary artery stenosis following balloon angioplasty is a valid and beneficial strategy with good in-hospital results.