Epidemiological Profile and Outcome of COVID-19 Patients and Its Comparison Between the First and Second Wave at a Tertiary-Level COVID Care Facility in North India.

Background: In December 2019, COVID-19 emerged in China and spread rapidly throughout the world, including India. So far, India has witnessed three spells of the disease, termed the first, second, and third waves; although the first two waves were significant in terms of severity, mortality, and need for respiratory support, the third wave had no significant impact and most people recovered without being admitted to the hospital. The present study aimed to discuss the clinical demographic characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of COVID-19 patients and their comparisons between the first and second waves.

Coronavirus infection and ABO blood grouping: Correlation or coincidence?

Background: Association between the ABO blood group and patient outcomes in COVID-19 patients is still unexplored. A known association may help to understand possible risks in advance to the management of such COVID-19 patients. The present study was designed to test such association if there is any, between the ABO blood group and the severity of COVID-19 patients.

QTc Interval of Healthcare Workers from India: Baseline and Effect of Hydroxychloroquine Prophylaxis during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The aim of this study was to access the incidence of prolonged QTc interval and changes, if any, among Indian healthcare workers (HCWs) taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) prophylaxis while managing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Methods: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) policy, HCWs were advised to take HCQ as prophylaxis after getting an electrocardiogram (ECG) while being posted to look after COVID-19 patients. A follow-up ECG was repeated for those who took HCQ.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Clinical Practices, Working Environment, and Social Life of Intensivists in Non-COVID ICU.

Purpose: Enlightening the changes in the usual clinical practices, working environment, and social life of Intensivists working in noncoronavirus disease intensive care units (non-COVID ICU) during the COVID pandemic.

Materials And Methods: Observational cross-sectional study for Indian intensivists working in non-COVID ICUs conducted between July and September 2021. A 16-question online survey consisting of the work and social profile of the participating intensivists, changes in the usual clinical practices, working environment, and impact on their social life was administered.

Association of hyperglycaemia at-admission & diabetes mellitus with 28 day mortality in patients admitted with moderate-severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: A retrospective study.

Background & Objectives: The association between hyperglycaemia at admission, diabetes mellitus (DM) status and mortality in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected patients is not clear. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between DM, at-admission hyperglycaemia and 28 day mortality in patients admitted with moderate-severe SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring intensive care.

Methods: All consecutive moderate-to-severe patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) over six months were enrolled in this single-centre, retrospective study.

Knowledge and Compliance of Hydroxychloroquine Prophylaxis for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection among Indian Health-Care Workers.

Objective: In the initial days of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as chemoprophylaxis for health-care workers (HCWs) involved in the care of COVID-19 patients. The present survey aimed to assess the knowledge and compliance of HCQ prophylaxis as per the ICMR recommendations among Indian HCWs during the first wave of the pandemic.

Methods: A validated 19-item questionnaire-based survey was distributed to HCWs in our apex tertiary care institute who had completed their duties in the COVID-19 wards to assess the knowledge, attitude, and compliance of all sections of HCWs regarding the ICMR-recommended HCQ prophylaxis.

New insights into development and mortality of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis in a homogenous cohort of 1161 intensive care patients.

Background: COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has been widely reported but homogenous large cohort studies are needed to gain real-world insights about the disease.

Methods: We collected clinical and laboratory data of 1161 patients hospitalised at our Institute from March 2020 to August 2021, defined their CAPA pathology, and analysed the data of CAPA/non-CAPA and deceased/survived CAPA patients using univariable and multivariable models.

Results: The overall prevalence and mortality of CAPA in our homogenous cohort of 1161 patients were 6.

A questionnaire-based study on quality and adequacy of clinical communication between physician and family members of admitted Covid-19 patients.

Objective: To assess adequacy of present means of clinical communication between physicians and (Covid-19) patients' family members, to analyse their perspectives and recommend felicitous practices for virtual conversation during ongoing pandemic.

Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based (20 questions) anonymous online survey was conducted including patient's relatives (Group-1) and treating physicians (Group-2), through Google Forms.

Results: Response Rate was 82.

A novel epidemiological scoring system for the prediction of mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Background: Most of the reported risk score models for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality are based on the levels of inflammatory markers, comorbidities or various treatment modalities, and there is a paucity of risk score models based on clinical symptoms and comorbidities.

Methods: To address this need, age, clinical symptoms and comorbidities were used to develop a COVID-19 scoring system (CSS) for early prediction of mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. The CSS was developed with scores ranging from 0 to 9.

Non-COVID Surgical Emergency During the Nationwide Lockdown due to Corona Pandemic: a Critical Appraisal.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared corona infection as a pandemic in February 2020. A nationwide lockdown was enforced by Indian government on 25 March 2020. Separate health facilities were developed to handle the confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease).

Right atrial myxoma: Unusual location; uncommon association.

We are presenting a case of the right atrial myxoma found in a case of rheumatic heart disease. During transthoracic echocardiography for the evaluation of a suspected rheumatic valvular heart disease, a diagnosis of severe mitral stenosis with severe mitral regurgitation with the right atrial thrombus was made. On transesophageal echocardiography, a pedunculated mass in the right atrium was confirmed.

Effect of Midazolam and Dexmedetomidine Sedation on the Onset and Duration of Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block: A Randomised Comparative Study.

Objective: Prolonging the duration of sensory blockade with bupivacaine following supraclavicular brachial plexus block is desirable for improved postoperative pain management. This study was conducted to assess the effect of intravenous dexmedetomidine on the onset and duration of supraclavicular brachial plexus block using bupivacaine.

Methods: Sixty ASA I and II adult patients undergoing upper limb surgery under supraclavicular brachial plexus block were included in this prospective, randomised, double-blind study.

Comparison of Three Different Concentrations 0.2%, 0.5%, and 0.75% Epidural Ropivacaine for Postoperative Analgesia in Lower Limb Orthopedic Surgery.

Introduction: Ropivacaine has been studied previously and holds promise as an agent that offers a safe, efficacious, and better recovery profile than other conventional agents such as bupivacaine. The aim of the present study was to compare the safety and efficacy of equal volume of different concentration of ropivacaine for epidural analgesia in patients undergoing major lower limb orthopedic surgery.

Subjects And Methods: One hundred and fifty adult patients were randomized into three groups to receive single dose of equal volume of ropivacaine through epidural route in concentrations of 0.

Comparison of Enhancement of Analgesic Effect of Intrathecal Neostigmine by Intrathecal Clonidine and Transdermal Nitroglycerin Patch on Bupivacaine Spinal Anesthesia.

Background: Relief of pain is very important goal intraoperatively and postoperatively. Neostigmine has been used successfully intrathecally with other agents such as clonidine and opioids for pain relief.

Aims: This study aims to compare and evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining intrathecal (IT) neostigmine with IT clonidine and transdermal nitroglycerin (tNTG) patch for the relief of pain in patients after surgery.

Comparison of Dexmedetomidine and Midazolam for Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Patients Guided by Bispectral Index and Sedation-Agitation Scale.

Background: Mechanical ventilation and sedation are inextricably linked components of critical care that represent, what we do for the patients during their vulnerable course in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Aims: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of midazolam and dexmedetomidine in patients on mechanical ventilator with the help of Bispectral Index (BIS) monitoring and correlation of BIS with Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS).

Settings And Design: Prospective, observational, and comparative study.

A Comparative Study of Intravenous Esmolol, Labetalol and Lignocaine in Low Doses for Attenuation of Sympathomimetic Responses to Laryngoscopy and Endotracheal Intubation.

Background: Direct layngoscopy and endotracheal intubation is a noxious stimuli and induces sympathomimetic responses. Although well tolerated in healthy subjects, it may impose life threatening arrhythmias, left ventricular failure or rupture of cerebral aneurysm in susceptible patients. Esmolol, Labetalol and Lignocaine attenuate these responses but are associated with side effects of bradycardia, hypotension etc.