India Unburdening the Pandemic: Jabs and Talks.

The impact of COVID-19 on the global healthcare system was detrimental, and India was not an exception. A crucial part of India's fight during the pandemic was the nation's astonishing vaccination delivery. From actively curbing the spread of COVID-19 and managing the affected to initiatives for the vaccination of our vast country, India faced numerous challenges in the healthcare delivery system during the pandemic. India's compassionate initiative to supply COVID-19 vaccines across the globe was remarkable. With the rising caseload and increasing case fatality, healthcare workers (HCWs) worked tirelessly to fight the battle against COVID-19. This left gruesome effects on their mental health, leading to various mental health problems. To alleviate such concerns, the government and many renowned institutions in India put forth recommendations, services, and assistance to those suffering. In a nutshell, the healthcare system in India faced countless challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the course of action taken to combat those challenges was truly extraordinary.

Comparison of Framingham Risk Scores (FRS), Joint British Society (JBS3), and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Cardiovascular Risk Scores Among Adults With First Myocardial Infarction.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of myocardial infarction (MI) among young Indian adults is on the rise with reports suggesting 32.7% of all deaths in men and 32.6% of all deaths in women between 2010-13 were due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Though various long-term cohort studies have established risk assessment scores none of them are specific to the Indian population. In this study, we look to establish which scoring system among the American College of Cardiology (ACC), Joint British Society (JBS3) and Framingham Risk Scores (FRS) would be reliable for the Indian population. A timely intervention based on the most reliable score can help mitigate cardiovascular diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included Indian adults, aged more than 40 years, with first MI. Patients previously on lipid lowering drugs were excluded. Demographic data, history, clinical information, laboratory data and other investigations were noted. Subsequently the predicted cardiovascular risk scores based on JBS3, ACC, and FRS were calculated and divided into low risk, intermediate and high risk based on the categorization of the risk scores individually. RESULTS: There were 102 (79.1%) males and 23 (17.8%) females with a mean age of 51.01 years (standard deviation [SD]=12.82, p value <0.001). There was considerable prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus with 56 (47.1%) of the subjects being known diabetics. The mean 10-year risk of MI based on ACC was 12.42% (SD=10.45), mean JBS3 score was 14.45% (SD=12.67) and mean FRS score was 15.75% (SD=14.71). FRS scores when categorized, 48 (40.3%) patients had low risk, 30 (23.3%) had medium risk and 43 (33.3%) had high risk. As for ACC score, 39 (35.8%) patients were in low risk and 29 (26.6%) in intermediate risk, borderline in 18 (16.5%) and high risk in 23 (21.1%). In JBS3 scores, 53 (46.5%) patients were in low risk, 32 (28.1%) were in moderate risk and 29 (25.4%) in high risk. CONCLUSION:  The absolute value of 10-year risk scores was highest for FRS scores. The proportion of patients whose scores were under the category of high risk was highest for FRS.

Surgical Outcome of Encephaloduroarteriomyosynangiosis for Moyamoya Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Indirect bypass surgeries for moyamoya disease have included modifications of procedures involving placement of the superficial temporal artery on the brain pial surface. We evaluate the functional and angiographic outcomes of patients treated with encephaloduroarteriomyosynangiosis (indirect) revascularization and examine the outcome in relation to demographic and radiological factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients treated surgically for moyamoya disease over a 14-year period were identified. Demographics, clinical presentation, and radiology were analyzed to assign a stage for the disease (Suzuki staging) and the extent of revascularization (Matsushima grade) at the last follow-up. A modified Rankin score was used to assess the clinical status at presentation and the functional outcome at follow-up. RESULTS: There were 46 patients operated on by a single surgeon over a 14-year period. A higher incidence of motor deficits, seizures, and speech deficits was seen in the pediatric population. Age, sex, preoperative Suzuki disease stage, and hemispheric involvement had no bearing on angiographic outcome at last follow-up. Three of 46 patients (6.5%) developed immediate postoperative complications. Among 43 patients on follow-up, 39 had stable disease or showed improvement in clinical symptoms with 90% event-free status at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect revascularization procedures are an effective alternative to direct cerebral revascularizations in the early or advanced stages of moyamoya disease. This is effective in a predominant ischemic presentation as noted in our series.

Surgical Management of Spinal Tuberculosis - A Retrospective Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Center in Karnataka.

CONTEXT: Tuberculosis (TB) is a common infectious disorder in developing countries. A significant load of patients with extrapulmonary TB are diagnosed in our institute, mostly involving the spine. AIM: We aimed to present our experience in the surgical management of spinal TB. SETTING AND DESIGN: This was a retrospective observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients (year 2016-2018) who underwent surgical management with minimum of 1-year follow-up (17 patients lost during follow-up) were graded as per the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading system for neurological deficits. All were surgically treated with laminectomy and epidural abscess drainage/transpedicular debridement of granulation with/without spinal stabilization. Thoracic and lumbar cases were managed by posterior approach; among them, 12 patients who had no significant cord compression and good ASIA grade with facet involvement (requiring fusion) underwent minimally invasive pedicle screw fixation. Cervical cases were managed mostly by anterior approach. All patients received Anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) post operatively as per protocol postoperatively, following which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spine was done. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 18.0 (SPSS Inc. Released in 2009. PASW Statistics for Windows, version 18.0. Chicago, IL, USA: SPSS Inc.). The continuous variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics using mean and standard deviation. RESULTS: The average age was 42.5 years. The most common location was thoracic (28 patients), followed by lumbar (20 patients), cervical (16 patients), and thoracolumbar (6 patients). Twenty patients had epidural abscess with cord compression. All patients who presented within 4 weeks of onset of symptoms showed a statistically significant improvement postsurgery. Sixteen patients with epidural abscess had good neurological recovery immediately after surgery (ASIA B to ASIA D/E). Four patients with epidural abscess with late presentation remained ASIA A after surgery. All patients had good fusion rates (follow-up X-ray) at 1 year. After ATT course completion, all patients had complete eradication of disease (MRI spine). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment for spinal TB, if performed early (within 4 weeks) with good decompression, results in satisfactory clinical outcome with early improvement in the neurological deficits. Posterior approach to the spine with decompression and fixation gives good results, and minimally invasive procedures further help lessen muscle dissection, less pain, and early mobilization.