Efficacy and safety of propranolol in infants with heart failure due to moderate-to-large ventricular septal defect (VSD-PHF study) - A prospective randomized trial.

Aims: The utility of beta-blocker therapy in infants with heart failure (HF) due to significant left-to-right shunt lesions is not known. The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of propranolol in infants with HF due to moderate-to-large ventricular septal defect (VSD).

Methods: The prospective randomized trial included 80 infants with HF and moderate-to-large VSD, randomly allocated to receive either conventional therapy alone ( = 40) or propranolol plus conventional therapy ( = 40).

Varicella myopericarditis mimicking acute myocardial infarction with ARDS - A rare association in an immunocompetent young adult.

Primary varicella infection in an immunocompetent young adult is very rare, but it has a high mortality rate due to serious complications. We report a rare association of varicella pneumonia presenting in acute respiratory distress with mild chest pain, however with electrocardiographic and biochemical markers suggestive of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography was done to exclude infarction, serum antibody titers confirmed varicella, acyclovir was started, and ARDS was successfully treated with steroid pulse therapy and mechanical ventilator support.