Prevalence of Hypocortisolemia in Patients with Sepsis or Septic Shock (The HIS Study) Presenting to the Emergency Department.

Background: Cortisol response to stressors (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, autonomic nervous system, and immune system) plays a vital role in maintaining stable metabolic homeostasis. This study was done to assess the prevalence of hypocortisolemia in patients presenting to ED with sepsis and/or septic shock.

Methods: This prospective observational study was done from July 2020 to April 2021.

Prospective review of 188 cases of epistaxis presenting to the emergency department: Etiology and outcome.

Background: Due to a myriad of risk factors, epistaxis is a very frequent presentation to the emergency room (ER). This study aims to ascertain the prevalence of epistaxis in our population, risk factors, effectiveness of ER treatment, complications, and ER outcome.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective observational study performed in the ER of a referral tertiary care center in south India.

Surgical Outcome of Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Analysis of Nearly 3,000 Cases over 10 Years.

 Basal ganglia hemorrhage (BGH) is a severe neurologic condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and its optimal management remains a topic of debate. Our study assessed the surgical outcomes of BGH patients at the 3-month mark using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).  This retrospective observational study was conducted over 10 years at an advanced neuro-specialty hospital in Eastern India, including patients who underwent decompressive craniotomy and hematoma evacuation.

Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's Disease: A Boon or Bane - A Single Centre Retrospective Observational Study from India.

 Subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) for refractory Parkinson's disease (PD) is more of a modality of treatment that is empirical, for which a physiological explanation is being sought. This study was done to determine the outcome and complications of patients undergoing STN-DBS for PD.  This retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in an advanced neuromedicine facility in eastern India for 9 years (August 2013-August 2022), which included all patients undergoing STN-DBS.

A clinico-epidemiological profile, coinfections and outcome of patients with Influenza Like Illnesses (ILI) presenting to the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients presented to the emergency department (ED) with features of Influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and with other atypical presentations. This study was done to determine the etiology, co-infections, and clinical profile of patients with ILI.

Methods: This prospective observational study included all patients presenting to the ED with fever and/or cough, breathing difficulty, sore throat, myalgia, gastrointestinal complaints (abdominal pain/vomiting/diarrhea), loss of taste and altered sensorium or asymptomatic patients who resided in or travelled from containment zones, or those who had contact with COVID-19 positive patients during the first wave of the pandemic between April and August 2020.

A single - center retrospective observational study on patients undergoing Encephalo-Duro-Arterio -Myo-Synangiosis in patients with moyamoya disease.

Background: Many cases of moyamoya disease are refractory to conventional medical therapy, hence surgical revascularization techniques have emerged as one of the primary choices of treatment. In this study, we present the functional and angiographic outcomes of patients undergoing encephalo-duro-arterio-myo-synangiosis (EDAMS).

Methods: This is a retrospective observational cohort study, done over 8 years (2012-2020) in a neurological center in Eastern India.

Differentiating Cardiac and Pulmonary Causes of Dyspnea Using Ultrasonography and Dyspnea Discrimination Index.

Background: One of the most common reasons for emergency room (ER) visits is acute dyspnea. The challenge is in differentiating a cardiac and pulmonary cause of acute breathlessness. Hence, we have studied the effectiveness of the dyspnea discrimination index (DDI) used in conjunction with ultrasonography (USG) in distinguishing between cardiac and pulmonary causes of dyspnea.

Evaluation of Carotid Flow Time to Assess Fluid Responsiveness in the Emergency Department.

Background: Assessing fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients is challenging. Objective, noninvasive tests that are easy to perform are needed. Doppler measurements of dynamic carotid artery parameters such as carotid blood flow (CBF) and carotid flow time (CFT) are being studied as the potential indicators of volume responsiveness, but the data supporting its use are sparse.

The adverse effects of Ketamine on Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSA) in the Emergency Department.

Background: Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) in the emergency department (ED) is mainly used for wound irrigation, reduction of fractures, and wound closure. Ketamine is one of the most commonly used drugs for PSA in the ED. The study was conducted in the ED of a large tertiary care hospital in southern India to evaluate the adverse effects of Ketamine on PSA.

Role of cerebrospinal fluid C-reactive protein in tuberculous meningitis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is still a significant health problem worldwide. Central nervous system TB amounts to 10% of all cases of TB. Despite advances in the pharmacological management of TB, the overall outcomes remain poor with significant mortality and morbidity.

Secondary hospital rotation of postgraduate trainees: A pilot study.

Background: Postgraduate (PG) training in general medicine requires reorientation to meet the healthcare needs of India. In this pilot study, we designed a secondary hospital (SH) posting for medicine PGs to sensitize them to the practice of medicine and challenges in a rural SH setting.

Methods: PG trainees in general medicine were sent for a 2-week rotation to select SHs.

Predictors of mortality, strategies to reduce readmission, and economic impact of acute decompensated heart failure: Results of the Vellore Heart Failure Registry.

Aim: Heart failure is a global problem that is increasing in prevalence. We undertook the initiative to compile the Vellore Heart Failure Registry (VHFR) to assess the clinical profile, mortality, risk factors and economic burden of heart failure by conducting a prospective, observational, hospital-based cohort study in Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

Methods And Results: This study was a prospective observational cohort study conducted at the Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, between January 2014 and December 2016.

Blood alcohol levels in road traffic accidents: Factors associated and the relationship between history of alcohol consumption and blood alcohol level detection.

Introduction: Alcohol consumption contributes to a significant number of road traffic accidents (RTAs), and data regarding the reliability of history and blood alcohol content (BAC) in RTA victims are scant.

Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted in the emergency departments (EDs) over 6 weeks. All adult RTAs presenting within 12 h of the incident were included for analysis.

Injury Patterns and Outcomes of Trauma in the Geriatric Population Presenting to the Emergency Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital of South India.

Background: The geriatric population is more prone for injuries with complications due to their associated comorbidities. This study was done to understand the mode, severity, and outcome of injuries among geriatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included all patients >60 years who presented with trauma between October 2014 and March 2015.