Causes and outcome of patients with fulminant hepatic failure

To identify the causes and outcome of patients with Fulminant hepatic failure among 40 patients. Descriptive case series study Study conducted in an ICU of Medical unit II Civil Hospital Karachi, during October 2004 to October, 2006. 40 consecutive patients of either sex having clinical features and biochemical markers suggestive of acute liver failure without prior history of any liver disease were included in study. All patients assessed from day one of admission in ICU till two weeks both clinically and biochemically and data analyzed on SPSS version 10.0. Out of 40 patients 16 [40%] were presented in hyper acute stage, 20[50%] were in acute stage and 4 [10%] were in sub acute stage of Fulminant hepatic failure. The most common etiology found among 40 patients was viral in origin. 29 patients [72.5%] were having different hepatotrophic viral etiology. In this study out of 40 patients 26 [65%] expired and among them 15 [57.60%] were male and 11 [42.30%] were female patients. Majority of patients died were having viral and drug related etiologies. This clinical descriptive study highlight the facts that Fulminant hepatic failure [FHF], is a well known entity in our Medical ICU and is not uncommon in our country where viral, Falciparum and drug related etiologies are frequently seen. The mortality is high all over the world but cases have also shown improvement in survival rate with aggressive therapy and intensive monitoring .Considering the facts and fatal consequences of this entity, short and long term large-scale studies are still needed to predict overall mortality in our Country

Clinical spectrum and outcome of patients with tuberculous meningitis

The study was basically conducted to analyze the various clinical presentation in patients with tuberculous meningitis and to access their outcome. Descriptive study. Medical Unit II, Civil Hospital Karachi from October 2005 to September 2006. Forty patients of either sex admitted in Medical ward showing signs and symptoms suggestive of TBM were selected in this study. All patients were analyzed by using SPSS version 10.0. The age of patients range between 14-75 years. Mostly they were young and the mean age was 29.65 years. Mean duration of illness was 45 days. Majority of the patients were presented with fever, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness and altered consciousness. 12 [30%] were having fits. Hemiparesis/hemiplegia was seen in 5 [12.5%] cases. Cranial nerve palsies in 9 [22.5%]. Hydrocephalus was observed in 10 [25%] patients. Mostly patients showed lymphocytic pleocytosis with high protein and low sugar in their CSF except in two cases where it was neutrophilic predominance. X-ray chest was suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis in 14 [25%] cases. Among 40 cases 16 [40%] patients fully recovered without complications, 14 [35%] had partial recovery with complications and 10 [25%] were expired. TBM is a chronic serious illness with varied presentation and relatively high mortality and morbidity. Early treatment has considerable impact to decrease both

Electrocardiographic changes in patients with acute stroke: an overview

To determine the frequency of ECG changes in patients with acute stroke but without any underlying cardiac disease. Observational study ICU Medical unit II, Civil Hospital Karachi Nov, 2004 to Nov, 2006. All the patients who were admitted in the ICU and had first time stroke were taken in the study. Patients who had TIA, preexisting cardiac disease or on cardiac medication, electrolyte imbalances and brain-stem stroke were excluded from the study. Day one ECG considered in the study and data analyzed on SPSS version.10.0. This was the prospective observational study based on two years. The frequency of ECG abnormalities [n = 64 or was 64%].The most common stroke related ECG abnormality among 100 patients was prolonged QT interval and was found in 64% of the patients with SAH and 56% in ICH and 36% ischemic stroke. Characteristic T-wave inversions were seen commonly in ICH 46% as compared to 33% in SAH and 21% in Ischemic stroke. Electrocardiographic changes are commonly seen in patients with acute stroke, both in ischemic and hemorrhagic variety. Theses changes sometimes create diagnostic and management dilemmas especially with no preexisting cardiac disease. Patients with ECG abnormalities in acute stroke should be advised for long term follow-up to predict outcome as well

Risk factors and outcome in 114 young stroke patients

Incidence of young stroke is increasing world wide and it is important to identify the precipitating factors for prevention of stroke. This study was conducted to identify the risk factors and outcome of stroke in young patients who were admitted to Civil Hospital Karachi. It is a descriptive correlational study. The young stroke patients who were admitted in neurology and all medical units of Civil Hospital Karachi from 2003 to 2005 were evaluated for the factors responsible for stroke and their outcome. 114 young stroke patients were included in this study who were clinically diagnosed as a case of stroke and their lesions were confirmed through CT/MRI of brain .Non-stroke lesions presented as motor neurological deficit were excluded. Detailed clinical history, comprehensive neurological examination, CT/MRI of brain and in certain cases conventional cerebral angiography was done. The sample contained 79 males and 35 females. Hypertension was the most common risk factor: The other risk factors were smoking, hyperlipidemia and family history of stroke. Cerebral infarction was diagnosed in 78[68.4%] patients and intracerebral hemorrhage/sub-arachnoid hemorrhage was seen in 36 [31.6%]. Small vessel occlusion was common than large artery atherosclerosis. Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage was the most common sub-type of intra cerebral hemorrhage. 47.3% patients were discharged as independent, 31.6% as dependent and 21.1% died. The frequency of hypertension and hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage suggests accelerated hypertensive arteriolar damage, possibly due to poor control of hypertension. The causes of stroke among young adults are more diverse than in the elderly and require a thorough diagnostic work up for further prevention of stroke