The beneficial role of N-acetylcysteine as an adjunctive drug in treatment of COVID-19 patients in a tertiary care hospital in India: an observational study

Background: N-acetyl cysteine, a mucolytic agent, demonstrates free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties, and prevents endothelial dysfunction by inhibition of NF-KB and formation of no adducts. This has a potential role to tackle cytokine storms, endothelial dysfunction and prothrombotic state observed in COVID-19 manifestations like ARDS and Multi organ dysfunction.Methods: Institution based descriptive cross sectional study, 164 patients from laboratory confirmed RT PCR positive COVID-19 patients, in the study period from 27th May 2020 to 10th August 2020, were assessed, in medical college Kolkata, a dedicated COVID-19 care facility.Results: It was observed that moderate-severe patients who received N-acetyl cysteine along with standard therapy had average hospital stay duration of 12 days, higher rate of discharge, average duration of oxygen therapy of 8 days, less number of deaths and reduced transfer to critical care facilities.Conclusions: N-acetyl cysteine can be considered as an adjunctive therapy with standard protocol driven care, due to its beneficial anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties.

Bactericidal Effect of GaAIAs Laser on Anaerobic Photosensitized Periodontopathics- An In Vitro Study

Background: The mainstay of periodontal therapy remains the physical removal of subgingival plaque. The present study was conducted to determine bactericidal effect of GaAIAs laser on anaerobic photosensitized periodontopathics. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 60 adult patients of both genders of chronic periodontitis (Group I). Equal number of controls was also selected (Group II). In all patients subgingival plaque samples were collected. Samples were cultured anaerobically for 72 h at 37°C on blood agar, Brewer's agar culture plates. Bacteria were identified based on colony characteristics, hemolysis, pigmentation, and fluorescence. Results: The mean P. gingivalis count (CFU/ml) during undilution in group I was 302.4 and in group II was 401.5, at 1:10 was 204.5 in group I and 328.2 in group II, at 1:50 was 115.2 in group I and 276.3 in group II, at 1:100 was 27.8 in group I and 132.8 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The mean F. nucleatum count (CFU/ml) during undilution in group I was 212.4 and in group II was 291.5, at 1:10 was 125.5 in group I and 217.2 in group II, at 1:50 was 68.2 in group I and 150.3 in group II, at 1:100 was 17.8 in group I and 94.8 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).Conclusions: Authors found that GaAIAs laser found to be effective in reducing periodontal pathogens.

Quality of anticoagulation therapy in neurological patients in a tertiary care hospital in north India.

Background & objectives: There is paucity of studies on the quality of anticoagulation in neurological patients from India. This study evaluates the quality of oral anticoagulation therapy in neurology patients. Methods: Consecutive patients attending a tertiary care neurology service in north India who were prescribed oral anticoagulant (OAC), were included. Their international normalized ratio (INR) values were prospectively monitored and the earlier INR values of the patients who were already on OAC were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with multi-organ dysfunction, pregnancy and those below 18 yr of age were excluded. The therapeutic INR range was defined as per standard recommendations. The level of anticoagulation, factors interfering with OAC and complications were noted. Results: The results were based on 77 patients with median age 40 yr. Fifty one patients received OAC for secondary stroke prevention, 23 for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and three for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A total 167.9 person-years of follow up was done with a median of 1.2 (0.3-9.3) years. Of the 1287 INR reports, 505 (39.3%) reports were in the therapeutic range, 496 (38.5%) were below and 282 (21.91%) were above the therapeutic level. Stable INR was obtained in 33 (42.86%) patients only. INR level was improved by dose adjustment in 20 (26%), drug modification in two (2.6%), and dietary adjustment in six (7.8%) patients. Three patients were sensitive and five were resistant to OAC. Complications were noted in 28 instances; thromboembolic in 16 and haemorrhagic stroke in 12. The overall complication rate was 16.7 per 100 person-years. Interpretation & conclusions: It may be concluded that stable therapeutic INR is difficult to maintain in neurological patients. Optimal modification of diet, drug and dose of oral anticoagulant may help in stabilization of INR.

Pressure bandage over venous conduit harvesting site causing compartment syndrome in a patient with intra-aortic balloon pump: An unusual cause.

Intra Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) is conventionally used to support coronary perfusion and weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. IABP in situ has its own share of complications. We present a case where a patient on IABP support who had reduced peripheral pulsations of the ipsilateral limb and was initially misdiagnosed as IABP catheter associated thromboembolism. A negative embolectomy ruled out the same. Further looking for the cause of reduction of ipsilateral pulses it was found that the tight compressive bandage at saphenous vein conduit harvesting site had led to development of compartment syndrome (CS).

Association of homocysteine and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) gene polymorphism with coronary artery disease (CAD) in the population of North India

The implications of the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and the level of homocysteine in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) have been extensively studied in various ethnic groups. Our aim was to discover the association of MTHFR (C677T) polymorphism and homocysteine level with CAD in north Indian subjects. The study group consisted of 329 angiographically proven CAD patients, and 331 age and sex matched healthy individuals as controls. MTHFR (C677T) gene polymorphism was detected based on the polymerase chain reaction and restriction digestion with HinfI. Total homocysteine plasma concentration was measured using immunoassay. T allele frequency was found to be significantly higher in patients than in the control group. We found significantly elevated levels of mean homocysteine in the patient group when compared to the control group (p = 0.00). Traditional risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking habits, a positive family history and lipid profiles (triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol), were found significantly associated through univariate analysis. Furthermore, multivariable logistics regression analysis revealed that CAD is significantly and variably associated with diabetes, hypertension, smoking, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol. Our findings showed that MTHFR C677T polymorphism and homocysteine levels were associated with coronary artery disease in the selected population.

Genetic predisposition of E-selectin gene (S128R) polymorphism in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background & objectives: A surface glycoprotein molecule, E-selectin is involved in adhesion of circulating leukocyte to the activated endothelium and plays a fundamental role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The present study was undertaken to document the status of S128R polymorphism of E-selectin gene in angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) patients from Uttar Pradesh. Methods: Genotype of the S128R polymorphism was done by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 329 angiographically proven CAD patients [n=83 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and n= 246 AMI-free] and 331 age and sex matched control individuals (angiographically proven not to have CAD). Results: This pilot study revealed a significant association of R allele in coronary artery disease patients in univariate analysis [allele frequency 9.6% in patients vs. 5.6% in control (P = 0.031, OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.05 – 2.47)]. However, after binomial logistic regression the significant determinants of CAD were: presence of diabetes (OR: 2.26, P=0.001) hypertension (OR = 2.61, P=0.001), smoking habit (OR=2.038, P=0.001), elevated serum triglycerides (OR=1.967, P=0.001) and low HDL-C (high density lipoprotein cholesterol) (OR=1.107, P=0.001). Interpretation & conclusions: The interaction of classical risk factors for CAD with S128R polymorphism in our study population showed that the significant determinants of coronary artery disease were presence of diabetes, hypertension, smoking habit, elevated serum triglycerides and low HDL. S128R polymorphism in E-selectin gene was not an independent predictor of CAD in our population.

Induced mild hypothermia in post-cardiopulmonary bypass vasoplegia syndrome.

The state of vasoplegia in immediate post-cardiopulmonary bypass period is characterized by severe hypotension, supranormal cardiac output, low systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and resistance to vasoconstrictors. We could successfully use induced mild hypothermia to increase SVR, and could avoid very high doses of nor-epinephrine (>0.3 mcg/kg/min) in the background of severe pulmonary hypertension (systolic pulmonary pressure> 90 mmHg). Its effects such as decreased oxygen demand, positive inotropy and better right ventricle performance probably helped to improve oxygenation in presence of pulmonary oedema.

Gabapentin for refractory idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal neuralgia is sudden, usually unilateral, severe, stabbing, brief recurrent pain in the distribution area of one or more of the branches of trigeminal nerve. Various pharmacological agents including carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine, baclofen and clonazepam have been tried with variable success rate. Here a case of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia is presented. The patient presented in the emergency room with severe pain in the distribution area of maxillary branch of trigeminal nerve, resistant to conventional pharmacotherapy, managed successfully with gabapentin without untoward side-effects.

Pulmonary artery catheter insertion in a patient of dextrocardia with anomalous venous connections.

In a young adult patient having situs solitus with dextrocardia the attempted pulmonary artery catheter placement for emergency mitral valve replacement required an unduly long length (50cm) of catheter insertion to get into right ventricle and then into pulmonary artery. Although catheter coiling was suspected initially, chest x-ray taken after successfully placement revealed an uncommon congenital anomalous venous connection i.e. right internal jugular opening into left sided superior vena cava then into inferior vena cava after running all along the left border of the heart. With the result, it required to pass 50cm of PA catheter to get into right ventricle in our patient. This emphasizes the need to look for abnormal venous connections during echocardiography and x-ray screening in congenital heart disease. Fluoroscopy is recommended when an unusual length of pulmonary artery catheter insertion is required to enter the pulmonary artery.

Self-extubation in intensive care and re-intubation predictors: a retrospective study.

To find out the incidence of self-extubation in intensive care, to evaluate the factors responsible for it and to identify the predictors of need for re-intubation, a retrospective analysis was conducted among 350 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit over a two-year period and required ventilatory therapy for more than 48 hours. In all patients who self-extubated, the demographic data, ventilatory parameters before self-extubation (mode of ventilation, inspired oxygen concentration, positive end-expiratory pressure), partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood and inspired oxygen fraction ration (PaO2/FiO2), and the event of re-intubation were noted. These values were compared among patients who were re-intubated and those who were not. Twelve patients out of 350 self-extubated. Of these 12 patients, 7 required re-intubation while 5 did not. Of these 7 patients, 3 died within 48 hours of the episode of self-extubation and one patient's death was directly attributable to self-extubation. Of the remaining 4 patients, 3 died within a span of 7 days. Re-intubation after self-extubation should not be considered mandatory. Patients who required re-intubation had lower PaO2/FiO2 than patients who did not.