Correlation of lipid profile and carotid artery plaque as detected by Doppler ultrasound in ischaemic stroke patients--A hospital-based study.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Carotid plaque formation and intima media thickness can be a predictor of ischaemic stroke. In this regard studies from our country, are few and far between. This is a small hospital-based study to look in to this matter. We have assessed the intima media thickness of the common carotid as well as the internal and external carotid arteries by the ultrasound method. The lipid profiles were estimated and correlated with the intima media thickness. Results indicate that in the common as well as in the internal and external carotid arteries, the intima media thickness is a good predictor of ischaemic stroke. This thickness is also well correlated with the lipid levels in blood. Hence this non-invasive method can be used successfully to identify the high risk patients, prone to develop stroke.

Hepatopulmonory syndrome--an uncommon and severe complication of certain liver diseases.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is charaterised by arterial hypoxaemia found mainly in association with chronic liver disease (most commonly cirrhosis of liver) but also rarely with acute liver diseases like fulminant hepatic failure or Budd-Chiari syndrome. The purpose of this article is to present an uncommon but grave complication mostly associated with cirrhosis of liver and to differentiate this entry from cyanotic heart diseases or certain lung conditions. Investigations include history and physical examination, certain biochemical tests, upper gastro-intestinal (GI) endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, liver biopsy and venacavography in appropriate cases. Finally, the suspected cases underwent arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis and contrast enhanced echocardiography (CEE) for confirmation of the diagnosis of HPS. Of the 123 cases of cirrhosis of liver, three cases of HPS (2.4%) were found-all of them being males. Also one male patient with inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction amongst other causes presenting with HPS was encountered. As of now, no medical treatment has been proved to be useful and liver transplant remains the only hope for this disorder.