Utility of brain natriuretic peptide in diagnosis of congestive heart failure and comparison with trans-thoracic echocardiography: a multicenter analysis in south Asian and Arabian population

To evaluate serum Brain Natriuretic Peptide levels [BNP] as a screening test in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Comparative cross-sectional study. Prince Salman Heart Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between December 2010 to January 2012 and Nishtar Hospital, Multan, Pakistan, from February to August 2006. A total of 80 patients with clinical diagnosis of Congestive Heart Failure [CHF] underwent measurement of serum BNP and had a trans-thoracic echocardiography to measure Ejection Fraction [EF]. The normal limit for serum BNP levels, provided by the manufacturer of the kit was applied as a cut-off value for BNP. EF of > 45% was considered normal. Forty seven patients [94%] had an EF < 45%. BNP levels were elevated in 36 patients [72%]. Sensitivity and specificity of BNP was found to be 80% and 66% respectively and accuracy was 80%. BNP measurements as a screening tool for CHF has good sensitivity and accuracy when compared to echocardiography

Asymptomatic metastatic osteosarcoma to the right ventricle: case report and review of the literature

Metastatic cardiac tumors are far more common than primary tumors, and benign primary cardiac tumors are common than malignant tumors. We report a 22-year-old Saudi woman with right femur osteosarcoma who was found to have a large right ventricular mass by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Diagnosis was highly suggestive by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography [FDG PET/CT] scan. We performed a review of the literature for metastatic osteosarcoma of the right ventricle

Sustaining soil productivity by integrated plant nutrient management in wheat based cropping system under rainfed conditions

The study of the use of organic [FYM] and inorganic [NPK] nutrient sources with biofertiliser on wheat-fallow and wheat-maize cropping system under rainfed environment revealed significant increase in biometric parameters of wheat during winter and summer seasons of two years. During both the seasons, application of 1/2 NPK + 1/2 FYM + Biopower [brand] produced the highest grain yield [3684 kg/ha] and [3781 kg/ha] of wheat with the maximum N uptake of 357 kg/ha, P uptake of 51 kg/ha and K uptake of 215 kg/ha. Wheat-maize cropping system was found to be profitable economically with integrated use of mineral and organic and/or Biopower under rainfed conditions of Pakistan

Soil micronutrient status in Hazro area of district Attock, Pakistan

Study of micronutrients in the soil of Hazro area of District Attock [Potohar], Pakistan, revealed micronutrient deficiency in the order of Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu. All the soils were low to medium in Fe and Mn followed by Zn content, whereas only 8% samples had low Cu content. 92% and 18% soils in Hazro area had satisfactory to adequate Cu and Zinc contents, respectively. Thus soils were deficient in Fe, Mn and Zn, whereas Cu was in medium to adequate range