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INTRODUCTION: Status epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency. Aim of this study was to examine the etiology and outcome of adult patients in status epilepticus presenting to our center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted from January 2009 to December 2010. Newly diagnosed patients as well as known case of seizure disorder presenting with status epilepticus were included. Detailed history, clinical examination, baseline investigation, neuroimaging electroencephalogram findings were recorded. Patients were treated using a standard protocol and were followed-up for 2 weeks after discharge. Quantification of precipitating factors was done using proportion, mean and standard deviation. RESULTS: 80 consecutive patients were studied. Mean age was 38.43 ± 16.56 years (range 13 to 78 years). Male to female ratio was 4:1. 57.5% were known cases of seizure disorders. Generalized tonic-clonic seizure was commonest presentation in 91.30%. Majority (97.5%) had convulsive SE. Poor drug compliance was found to be the commonest precipitant (50% patients), followed by central nervous system infection (20% patients. Alcohol intake contributed in 12.5% cases, whereas, precipitating factor couldn't be traced in 7.5% patients'. In 55% patients, SE was controlled with no recurrence or complication and in 25% there was recurrence after control of SE. 15% patients ended up with persistent sequel (cognitive and psychosomatic dysfunction, neurological deficit etc.) lasting for 2 weeks or more. The mortality was 5%. CONCLUSION: Poor compliance with drugs (in established cases of seizure disorders) and central nervous systems infections/structural lesions (in new onset cases) were commonest causes of SE in our study group. Conventional first line antiepileptics were able to control seizures in only 55% patients.
RESUMO
AIM: To study the hemodynamic effects of spironolactone with propranolol vs propranolol alone in the secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. METHODS: Thirty-five cirrhotics with variceal bleeding randomly received propranolol (n = 17: Group A) or spironolactone plus propranolol (n = 18: Group B). Hemodynamic assessment was performed at baseline and on the eighth day. RESULTS: Spironolactone with propranolol caused a greater reduction in the hepatic venous pressure gradient than propranolol alone (26.94% vs 10.2%; P < 0.01). Fourteen out of eighteen patients on the combination treatment had a reduction in hepatic venous pressure gradient to <= 12 mmHg or a 20% reduction from baseline in contrast to only six out of seventeen (6/17) on propranolol alone (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Spironolactone with propranolol results in a better response with a greater reduction in hepatic venous pressure gradient in the secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. A greater number of patients may be protected by this combination therapy than by propranolol alone. Hence, this combination may be recommended for secondary prophylaxis in patients with variceal bleeding.
