effect of multiple risk factors on the severity of coronary artery blockage among the patients who had undergone angiography in the cardiology unit of JHL

Coronary artery disease [CAD] is the leading cause of mortality in the elderly. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors [CVRFs] such as advancing age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, and family history of CAD are well recognized for their association with clinical events and acute coronary syndromes; however, the correlation between CVRFs and atherosclerotic burden, assessed angiographically, is not as well established, with the studies reporting variable and inconsistent results. To study the effect of multiple risk factors on the severity of coronary artery blockage among the patients who had undergone angiography. A Descriptive Cross Sectional Study. This study was carried out at Cardiac unit Jinnah Hospital Lahore from May 2010 to July 2010. The study included 120 patients undergoing angiography and were assessed for severity of risk factors. Cross tabulation was performed with dependent variable, severity of coronary artery disease and independent variables like familial tendency, smoking, Diabetes, hypertension, obesity and high cholesterol level. Chi square test was applied to see statistical significance. severity of coronary artery disease was assessed by number of coronary vessels involved. Vessels with more than 50% blockage on angiography were labeled as blockade. Among them 42% of the subjects had one vessel involved and 78% of the subjects had more than one vessel involved. Mean age of subject were 53.0 yrs with SD + 11.7. 76.7% were male and 23.3% were female. 49.2% had familial history of Coronary artery disease 66.7% were smokers. 38.3% of subjects had diabetes mellitus. 68.3% of the subjects had hypertension. 37.5% of the subjects were overweight. 17.5% of the subjects had cholesterol level > 250 mg/dl 75.8% of the subjects had a proximal blockade, 20.0% had a distal blockage and 4.2% had both proximal and distal blockage. Smoking, duration of smoking, number of cigarettes smoked per day and obesity are positively associated with severity of coronary artery disease and are statistically significant [P<.05]. While high cholesterol level, diabetes and Hypertension had a non-significant relationship in our study. There is a significant association between the severity of risk factors and the severity of coronary artery disease. The association of Smoking, duration of smoking, number of cigarettes smoked per day and obesity with severity of coronary artery disease is statistically significant [P<.05]

Analgesic effect of ketamine and morphine after tonsillectomy in children

A comparative double blind study of Ketamine and Morphine was conducted on eighty children following tonsillectomy to assess the analgesic, respiratory rate depressant and emesis. Children [6-12 years] were divided into two groups randomly [n=40]. General anesthesia was induced followed by 0.1mg/kg morphine [I/M] and 0.5mg/kg ketamine [I/M] to Group I and Group II respectively before the initiation of surgical procedure. Pain scores [face score and CHEOPS score] were estimated for children at thirty, sixty, one hundred and twenty and two hundred and forty minutes following surgery. Comparison of CHEOPS score estimation reflected that pain scores were statistically significant [P < 0.05] in Group I receiving Morphine as compared to Group II who received Ketamine. The analgesic effect of ketamine and morphine showed statistically insignificant results [P>0.05] in case of face score. Moreover, respiratory rate in Group I had shown statistical association [p<0.05] as compared to the ketamine at 60 and 120 minutes. Furthermore, incidence of vomiting was more in Group I [0.05] as compared to Group II. It can be concluded from the study that ketamine may be used as a suitable substitute to that of morphine in children undergoing tonsillectomy

Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding dengue fever in people of Lahore

Dengue fever has emerged as an important public health problem in recent years and has become endemic throughout major cities in Pakistan. In Lahore, capital of Punjab it has appeared as an epidemic during last few years. Lahore has been worst hit by Dengue and emerged as an epidemic with terrible implications on health and economy of the populations and collapsing the health systems. Study was conducted during the peak of epidemic in 2011. To establish a baseline of knowledge, attitude and practices for dengue prevention. Cross Sectional Study. This study was conducted in Lahore, Capital of Punjab province. Lahore has been divided in to eight administrative zones called 'towns'. Allama Iqbal and Gulberg towns were selected for the study. Study was conducted during the month of September 2011, at the peak of epidemic. The study was focused on densely populated 6 areas and a total of 219 household were randomly selected and interviewed and all information stored in a structured Proforma. Among 219 households, showed that electronic media was the most common source of information within the community, followed by Friends and family. Areas of deficit knowledge were information about vector and its biting time and seasonal prevalence. The identified deficit areas of practices were keeping water storage tanks uncovered and less use of insecticides. Whereas, negative attitude noted was about elimination of larval breeding sources. Overall level of knowledge and practices were low however, study showed positive attitude of community toward Dengue prevention