Safety and efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange in neuromyelitis optica: A retrospective study from South India.

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an idiopathic demyelinating disorder characterized mainly by optic neuritis and myelitis, causing gradual loss of vision and deterioration of neurological function. The underlying pathogenesis mainly involves antibodies against aquaporin 4. The effectiveness of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been shown by many studies across the globe but are only a few from India.

Syncopal reactions in blood donors: Pathophysiology, clinical course, and features.

Vasovagal syncope (VVS) in donors is a transient loss of consciousness due to short-term global cerebral hypoperfusion, which has a rapid onset and has complete spontaneous recovery. VVS may be triggered by pain, fear, anxiety, or emotional upset and loss of blood perse. It is an exaggeration of an adaptive response meant to assist in reducing the amount of bleeding/loss of blood.

Global Disparities in Outcomes of Pregnant Individuals With Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Scoping Review.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains as 1 of the major contributors to indirect pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity worldwide and disproportionately affects marginalized populations.

Objectives: In this scoping review, the authors sought to explore the socioeconomic, cultural, and health care access-related causes of global disparities in outcomes of pregnancy among individuals with RHD.

Methods: We performed a literature search of all studies published between January 1, 1990, and January 1, 2022, that investigated causes for disparate outcomes in pregnant individuals with RHD.

Protocol of randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of moderate exercise training on the functional capacity of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in a tertiary care center in South India.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation programs are planned to reduce the physiological and psychological stress of Cardiovascular Disease, decrease the risk of mortality secondary to CVD, improve cardiovascular function, and help patients to achieve their highest quality of life. However, data on the safety and efficacy of exercise training (ET) in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) is sparse. Exercise interventions in those with an ICD have not been extensively studied.

Incremental cost of treating antimicrobial-resistant infections among hospitalised patients in India: a cohort study.

Background: Accurate estimates of incremental cost (IC) attributable to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) provide information of immense public health importance to the policy makers. Here, we present the IC from patient perspective for treating antimicrobial-resistant pathogens in India.

Methods: This cohort study was conducted in eight hospitals including government (GH), private (PH) and trust hospitals (TH), considering their ownership, geographical location and categories of cities.

Chikungunya infection in children: clinical profile and outcome.

The clinical profile and outcomes of children with chikungunya infection differ from those observed in adults. As there is a paucity of data on chikungunya infection in children, this study aimed to find the clinical course, complications, and mortality rates of chikungunya infection in children. This was a combined retrospective and prospective observational study.

How depression impacts on road traffic accidents among older adults and elderly Indians: Evidence from large scale nationally representative survey.

Introduction: With increased urbanization the prevalence of important public health problems like road traffic accidents (RTA) and depression are surging. This study was aimed to determine the association between RTA and depression among Indian population aged ≥45 years.

Methods: Using Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) dataset (April 2017-December 2018), we have conducted this study among older adults (45-59 years) and elderly (≥60 years) Indians.

A comparison of demographic profiles, clinical profile, course, and outcome of Bipolar I Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder: Findings from the Bipolar Disorder Course and Outcome study from India (BiD-CoIN study).

Background: There is lack of data on bipolar disorder (BD) type II from India.

Aim: To compare the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with BD-I and BD-II using the data of the Bipolar Disorder Course and Outcome study from India (BiD-CoIN study).

Methodology: Using the data of the BiD-CoIN study, patients with BD-I and BD-II were compared for demographic and clinical variables.

Central nervous system vasculopathy: inherited or acquired? The DADA2 conundrum.

Young people with stroke require detailed investigation because uncommon causes are more likely. A 19-year-old woman presented with multiple cortical and subcortical infarcts, arterial aneurysms, anaemia and hypertension. Further evaluation identified a systemic vasculopathy secondary to a deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2, a rare treatable monogenic disorder.

Comparison of dexmedetomidine versus fentanyl-based total intravenous anesthesia technique on the requirement of propofol, brain relaxation, intracranial pressure, neuronal injury, and hemodynamic parameters in patients with acute traumatic subdural hematoma undergoing emergency craniotomy: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Propofol is one of the most used intravenous anesthetic agents in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients undergoing emergency neurosurgical procedures. Despite being efficacious, its administration is associated with dose-related adverse effects. The use of adjuvants along with propofol aids in limiting its consumption, thereby mitigating the side effects related to propofol usage.

Chronic Kidney Disease Prevalence in India: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis From Community-Based Representative Evidence Between 2011 to 2023.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence varies widely across different regions of India. We aimed to identify the status of CKD in India, by systematically reviewing the published community-based studies between the period of January 2011 to December 2023. PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE were searched for peer-reviewed evidence.

In vitro efficacy of levonadifloxacin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) including hVISA isolates collected across India.

Background: Vancomycin has been the preferred treatment for MRSA infections. However, newer drugs are necessary due to the increasing prevalence of MRSA isolates that are less susceptible to vancomycin. Levonadifloxacin and its prodrug alalevonadifloxacin, novel quinolones with broad spectrum anti-MRSA activity.

Robotic esophagectomy with function-preserving radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy for esophageal cancer.

Radical lymphadenectomy is the critical component of surgery for esophageal cancer. However, lymphadenectomy significantly contributes to postoperative morbidity, particularly in terms of pulmonary complications following esophagectomy. Function-preserving mediastinal lymphadenectomy seeks to balance the procedure's necessary radicality and optimal functional outcomes.

Effectiveness of Inhalational Tranexamic Acid in Patients with Nonmassive Hemoptysis-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Hemoptysis, the expectoration of blood from the lower respiratory tract, varies in severity and necessitates effective management to mitigate morbidity. Traditional treatments include bronchial artery embolization and pharmacological approaches. Tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic agent known for its efficacy in reducing bleeding during surgery and trauma, is being explored for its efficacy in treating Hemoptysis via both intravenous and inhalational routes.

Prevalence and predictors of suboptimal peak inspiratory flow rates in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the role of peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR) in the management of inhalation therapy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Conducted in the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at a tertiary care institute from July 2021 to January 2022, this study included a total of 351 patients who were clinically diagnosed with stable COPD and currently receiving inhaler therapy. Participants underwent comprehensive assessments that included demographic data collection, the use of the ABCD assessment tool to evaluate disease severity, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) for quality of life measurement, and assessments for adherence to inhaler therapy and inhaler technique proficiency.

Local swelling in snakebite envenomation: Are we missing something for want of a name?

Envenomations caused by viperid and some elapid snakebites are typically accompanied by local swelling and signs of inflammation that appear within a few hours of bite and spread centripetally for a few days. Often these changes are mistaken for signs of infection and are misdiagnosed as 'cellulitis'. This potentially results in unwarranted use of antibiotics.

Snakebite envenomation-associated acute kidney injury: a South-Asian perspective.

Snakebite is a neglected public health problem in tropical countries. Snakebite envenomation-associated acute kidney injury (SBE-AKI) is a major complication accounting for significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of SBE-AKI may be multifactorial, including prerenal AKI secondary to hemodynamic alterations, intrinsic renal injury, immune-related mechanisms, venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy and capillary leak syndrome.

Serial evaluation of local changes in snakebite envenomation using infrared thermal imaging.

Background: There is a lack of objective tools to assess the local changes following snakebite envenomation. We aimed to describe the progression of local changes in envenomed patients using serial infrared thermal imaging.

Methods: In a prospective sample of patients with snakebite envenomation, clinical assessment and infrared imaging of local changes were done at enrolment and 6 h and 24 h later, followed by once daily until hospital discharge or day 7, whichever was earlier.