ABSTRACT
Background: High blood pressure (BP) is one of the significant non-communicable diseases that are of high prevalence in our country. Hypertension (HTN) is responsible cause of 57% of stroke and 24% of coronary heart disease deaths in India. Eight classes of medications are currently used in the treatment of hypertension. Azilsartan medoxomil is a newly added FDA approved drug to the ARB class of antihypertensive agents. azilsartan and chlorthalidone combination is also got the FDA approval. There is limited study in between these two groups regarding efficacy especially in rural Bengal.Methods: A prospective observational study was done in medicine OPD of Bankura Sammilani Medical College for twelve weeks with two groups that are azilsartan (80mg) and fixed dose combination of azilsartan (40mg) plus chlorthalidone (12.5mg) in the age group of 18 to 55years of moderate hypertensive patients. Change of heart rate was assessed as safety parameter.Results: It was found that both the group of drugs are very much effective in lowering blood pressure constantly in respect of both systolic and diastolic BP but azilsartan monotherapy in high dose reduce systolic blood pressure slightly high. Significant change of heart rate was not seen with both the groups.Conclusions: Both the group was effective as well as safe in hypertensive patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: Snake envenomation is a common life-threatening problem encountered all-over West Bengal particularly in the rural areas. There are a large number of patients attending the Emergency unit and being admitted to the Medicine ward, some in the intensive care unit (ICU) and intensive therapy unit (ITU) of the tertiary health care facilities. The objective of this study was to assess rationality and effectiveness of management of venomous snake bite following standard protocol – Standard treatment guidelines of Government of West Bengal and National snakebite management protocol of Government of India.Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of six months (May - October 2017) duration. Data were collected from the treatment records of patients admitted with history of snake bite in the Medicine ward, ICU and ITU of tertiary care teaching hospital of rural Bengal.Results: Of the 63 venomous bite patients, most (82.5 %) were diagnosed to have features of neurotoxic envenomation. All of them (100%) received anti-snake venom (ASV). There was no incidence of anaphylactic reaction as well as any serious adverse drug reaction following ASV administration. Two patients developed acute renal failure, needed haemodialysis. Overall percentage of mortality was 3.2%.Conclusions: The survival rate in venomous snake bite is found to be high in this institution. The practice of snake bite management is found to be adherent with standard protocol. A multicentric study of longer duration is suggested to draw a firm conclusion.