Percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus under echocardiographic guidance

Percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus [PDA] is done in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, usually under fluoroscopic and angiographic guidance. The aortogram is used for assessing PDA size and shape the pre-device implantation. Additionally, post-device aortograms are applied for the assessment of device position, profile and residual shunt. Angiograms expose patient to radiation and possible untoward effects of contrast media. Recently, transthoracic echocardiography has been utilized to guide in PDA closure to avoid radiation exposure as well as contrast material. On two occasions, we were obligated by special circumstances to close the PDA under echocardiography guidance. First case was a 6-month baby girl with mild signs of heart failure having moderate size PDA. She underwent device closure under transthoracic echocardiogram as the angiographic system had stopped working during the procedure. Second case was a 6-year girl, weighting 16-kg with chronic renal failure. She had moderate size PDA closed by device under transthoracic echocardiographic, guidance avoiding the use of contrast agent due to chronic renal failure

Evaluation of furazolidone, sulfadimidine and amprolium to treat coccidiosis in beetal goats under field conditions

Coccidiosis is a protozoal and occasionally fatal diarrheic disease of goats imposing heavy economic losses to farming community. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacies of Furazolidone, Sulfadimidine and Amprolium against coccidiosis in Beetal goats. Twenty-four [24] Beetal goats naturally infected with coccidiosis were randomly divided into four groups of 6 [A-D]. Goats in groups A, B and C were treated orally with Furazolidone [10mg/Kg], Sulfadimidine [100mg/Kg] and Amprolium [55mg/Kg], respectively for 7 days. Goats in-group D served as positive control. Oocysts per gram [OPG] of feces counts of individual goats in each group were performed on Days; 0 [pre-treatment] 7, 14 and 21 [post-treatment]. OPG counts amongst goats in all groups at day 0 were not significant [P>0.05]. On days 7, 14 and 21, OPG values decreased significantly [P<0.05] in groups A, B and C compared to group D. The efficacy of Furazolidone, Sulfadimidine and Amprolium was 98.6, 98.0 and 99.6 percent, respectively on Day 21 [end of trial]. Statistically, the efficacies of three drugs were not significantly different [P>0.05]. In conclusion, Furazolidone, Sulfadimidine and Amprolium are well-tolerated and any one of these may be recommended to effectively treat coccidiosis in Beetal goats

Psychosocial risk factors of myocardial infarction and adverse effects of streptokinase in public sector hospitals

This study investigated the psychosocial risk factors of myocardial infarction and time related adverse effects of administration of streptokinase on short-term morbidity and mortality in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]. One hundred patients with STEMI treated with streptokinase in the hospital setting were prospectively enrolled in the study. The primary outcome parameter was the incidence of major adverse cardiac events. During hospital stay the psychosocial and demographic risk factors were also investigated. The overall mortality rate was similar in both groups and it was not significant. [5.7% vs 14.5%; P = 0.18]. The number of recurrent chest pain was significantly higher in the group 2 compared to the group 1 [25% vs 62.5%; P = .01]. The number of hypotesion was significantly higher in the group 1 as compared to the group 2 [30.7% vs 6.2%; P = .009]. The demographic and psychosocial risk factors were recorded. The early intravenous administration of streptokinase in the hospital setting leads to a reduced rate of major cardiovascular events compared to delayed administration beyond 2 hours. However, mortality rates were not significantly affected. Secondary prevention should be targeted on modifiable demographic, dietary, and psychosocial risk factors of STEMI

Prolonged oral cyanide effects on feed intake, growth rate and blood parameters in rabbits

Twelve adult rabbits bred locally were divided into two equal groups of 6; experimental and control groups. Rabbits in the experimental group were orally dosed with KCN at 3mg/kg body weight for 40 consecutive days. Members in control group were given placebo [distilled water] for the same period. Animals in both groups were offered feed at 90gm/kg/day while ample drinking water was available ad lib. Feed consumption and body weight of rabbits in both the groups were recorded. Blood samples were also drawn to determine various hematological parameters. Statistical analysis revealed a non-significant difference of total and daily feed intakes in rabbits of experimental and control groups. Whereas the feed efficiency of rabbits in the experimental group were significantly reduced [P<0.05] compared to controls. Likewise a significant decrease in body weight gain of rabbits in experimental group [P<0.05] was observed. A non-significant difference [P>0.05] was observed in leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count and platelets of rabbits in both the groups. Erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were significantly decreased in treated rabbits. It was concluded that chronic cyanide intake had a deleterious effect on feed efficiency, growth rate and blood components of rabbits

Posterior spinal fixation with pedicle screws and rods system in thoracolumbar spinal fractures

To determine the effectiveness of posterior spinal fixation in maintaining the stability of spine and to determine mortality in 6 months after posterior spinal fixation. Quasi experimental study. Department of Orthopaedics, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi and Department of Orthopaedics, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, from April 2006 to April 2009. Fifty patients with unstable thoracolumbar spinal fractures from T7 - L4 were included. All the patients were operated by posterior approach using pedicle screws and rods. Effectiveness of the fixation was measured at 6 months postoperatively in terms of relief of pain and improvement in mobility using Oswestry disability index, range of motion of spine using Schobar Test/sign, reduction in deformity by measuring Cobb angle, local kyphosis angle [LKA], thoracolumbar angle, anterior and posterior vertebral heights [AVH and PVH respectively], evidence of union was made using plain radiographs and by computer assisted measurement using " OSIRIS " software. The data was then analyzed using SPSS software version 13 and presented in the form of tables and charts. Twenty-eight patients were operated within first week. In 38 patients, 4 screws were used and in 12 patients, 8 screws were used with 2 rods. Pain and disability showed improvement, with mean 71.98% score pre-operatively to 44.96% mean at last visit [p = 0.001]. Mean range of motion increased 0.5 - 2 cms postoperatively in all directions [p = 0.001]. Mean kyphosis angle, Cobb angle and thoracolumbar angle improved postoperatively. Anterior and posterior vertebral body heights increased postoperatively with resultant decrease in anterior vertebral body compression. Ninety six percent patients showed signs of postoperative union on last visit and only 3 people died of unrelated causes till last visit. Posterior spinal fixation with pedicle screws and rods is an effective surgical technique in maintaining stability of spine by improvement in pain and mobility, range of motion of spine, correction of deformity and bone union

Effect of variable degrees of jejunal resection upon different clinico-biochemical parameters in dogs / 대한수의학회지

Dogs are considered to be the best companions of human beings due to their loyalty, obedience and pleasant disposition. Jejunum is the largest part of small intestine mainly involved in absorption of nutrients. Jejunal resection up to 80% allows normal weight gain while resection up to 90% increased morbidity and mortality. In the present study, 20 dogs were divided into 4 groups based on the degree of jejunal resection i.e. A (70% resection), B (80% resection) and C (100% resection) while group D served as control. Dogs in the 70% and 80% jejunal resection group showed normal growth and function while 100% jejunal resection resulted in weight loss and alteration of hematological and biochemical parameters.

Pulmonary atresia with hypoplastic right ventricle and large subaortic ventricular septal defect

A neonate is presented with a very rare association consisting of pulmonary atresia with large ventricular septal defect but additionally, combined with a hypoplastic right ventricle and well developed pulmonary arteries. The management strategy is described