A retrospective analysis of ectopic pregnancies in tertiary care hospital of Western India: two year study

Background: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the first trimester and major cause of reduced reproductive potential. Early detection of EP by improved ultrasonography modalities has decreased the rate of rupture and consequent maternal morbidity. Aim was to study the predisposing risk factors in modern scenario and choose the appropriate management available.Methods: A retrospective study on clinical diagnosis and management of EP of patients was carried out between January 2018 to February 2020. Investigations included CBC, UPT, serum β-hCG and TVS. Management was decided after thorough evaluation.Results: Out of 7,780 deliveries, 70 were EP (0.9%). Women with age 21-30 year had highest incidence (85.7%). Common symptoms were abdominal pain (94%), amenorrhea (87%), bleeding per vagina (48%). Most common risk factor associated with EP was PID (28.5%). Tubal EP was most common (84.2%) involving ampulla (66%), isthmus (15%), fimbria (12%), interstitial (7%). Scar ectopic was reported in 10% of cases and ovarian, rudimentary horn and abdominal pregnancy in 1.4% each. About 52.8% of ectopic was ruptured and salpingectomy was done in 74.3% and salpingo-oophorectomy in 2.8%. Five cases of scar EP required hysterotomy and 1 case was managed by methotrexate (MTX).Conclusions: EP remains a major challenge to the obstetrician worldwide. A high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and timely intervention in the form of medical or surgical treatment will definitely help in reducing the morbidity and mortality

Study of various treatment modalities of caesarean scar pregnancy

Background: Caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) can be defined as the implantation of the gestational sac within the scar of a previous caesarean surgery. Incidence of CSP is 1 in 1800 pregnancies.Methods: It is a retrospective study based on clinical diagnosis and management of CSP of women who presented to the obstetrics and gynaecology department SVP hospital from January 2008 to August 2021. Total number of cases of CSP were 28. Incidence, gestational age, ultrasound findings, serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels, flow profiles of color Doppler, and different methods of treatment were recorded. Diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound.Results: In this study, all 28 cases of CSP considered were offered definitive management. In present study 5 cases (17.88%) showed torrential haemorrhage during dilatation and evacuation (D and E) which was treated by various methods like 1 (3.57%) Foley’s tamponade, 1 (3.57%) uterine artery embolization (UAE) and 3 (10.71%) hysterectomy. Hysterotomy was performed in 13 cases (46.42%) and (7.69%) of heterotrophic CSP (HCSP). One case (3.84%) of CSP presented at 26 weeks of gestation with haemorrhagic shock, underwent obstetric hysterectomy.Conclusions: There is a rise in the incidence of CSP because of increase in the global rate of caesarean sections and early transvaginal USG in pregnancy. Transvaginal sonography is the best diagnostic tool. Medical management can be offered when diagnosis is made at gestational age of 7 weeks of gestational age. Surgical management has an advantage of shorter follow up.

Changing trends in fetomaternal outcome in COVID-19 in pregnancy

Background: This study is to provide an overview of the clinical course and outcome of COVID in pregnancy in both first wave and second wave, to study about different parameters affected significantly in both waves.Methods: This is a retrospective comparative study that was conducted by dividing the patients into group 1 and group 2. Group 1 was treated in 2020 (wave 1) whereas group 2 in 2021 (wave 2). A laboratory confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women were included. All the patients were further categorized into mild, moderate and severe subgroups according to the ICMR criteria. Results: The study of the first (2020) and second (2021) wave of COVID-19. In group 1 and group 2, there were a total of 359 cases and 145 cases respectively. In group 1, there were 54/359 (15.04%) moderate cases and in group 2 there were 17/145 (11.72%) moderate cases. While there were 101/359 (28.13%) and 106/145 (73.10%) severe cases in group 1 and group 2 respectively. Most of severe cases of second group associated with breathlessness, tachypnoea and fall in oxygen saturation level ended with mechanical ventilation by O2 mask (7.54%), NRBM (8.49%), HFNC (14.15%), BIPAP (12.26%), invasive ventilation (22.64%). Conclusions: The results of study show that hospitalized patients in the second wave were younger, required hospitalization, and had higher mortality rates

Predictive role of fragmented QRS in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective: Fragmented QRS (fQRS), as defined by additional spikes in the QRS complex of a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), is a marker of scarred myocardium. In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), fQRS is a predictor of heart failure (HF) and other major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The study was aimed to evaluate the role of fQRS in prediction of HF in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: In a prospective, non-randomized, small observational study, we enrolled 188 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of fQRS and their in-hospital, 1 and 6-month MACE outcomes were assessed. Results: Of the 188 patients, fQRS were noted in 92 (48.94%) patients. Patients with fQRS were more likely to have Killip class II/III/IV. Patients with fQRS had a significantly higher corrected QT interval, lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and higher N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) at 24 hours and 48 hours compared to patients without fQRS. The in-hospital (P=0.001), 30-day (P=0.03) and 6-month (p=0.01) MACE were higher in patients with fQRS. On logistic multiple analysis, fQRS in anterior leads (OR=3.70, CI=1.68-10.02, p=0.001), fQRS in more than 2 leads (OR=5.20, CI=1.51-12.83, p=0.01), NT-proBNP (OR=1.05, CI=1.03-1.08, p=0.02) and Killip class II/III/IV were found to be significant predictors for HF hospitalization. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that fQRS can be a predictor for HF in patients with STEMI and provide a simple and readily available technique for predicting prognosis. Larger studies are required to validate these findings

Significance of myocardial injury on in-hospital clinical outcomes of in-hospital and COVID-19 patients

Introduction: Acute Myocardial injury defined by increased troponin I level is associated with poor in-hospital outcomes and cardiovascular complications in patients with COVID-19. The current study was designed to determine the implications and clinical outcome of myocardial injury in COVID-19. Methods: This retrospective study included hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Myocardial injury was defined by high sensitivity Troponin I (hs-TNI)≥26ng/l. Cardiac biomarkers, inflammatory markers and clinical data were systemically collected and analyzed. Hazard ratio for in-hospital mortality and logistic regression for predictors of acute myocardial injury were analyzed. Results: Of the 1821 total patients with COVID-19, 293(16.09%) patients died and 1528 (83.91%) patients survived. Patients who died had significantly higher association with presence of cardiovascular risk factors, severe CTSS ( CT severity score ) and myocardial injury as compared to survived group. 628 (34.5%) patients had evidence of myocardial injury and they had statistically significant association with cardiovascular risk factors, in-hospital mortality, procalcitonin; higher hospital, and ICCU stay. We found significant hazard ratio of diabetes (HR=2.66, (CI:1.65-4.29)), Severe CT score (HR=2.81, (CI:1.74-4.52)), hs-TNI≥26 ng/l (HR=4.68, (CI:3.81-5.76)) for mortality. Severe CTSS score (OR=1.95, CI: 1.18-3.23, P=0.01) and prior CVD history (OR=1.65, CI:1.00-2.73, P=0.05) were found significant predictors of myocardial injury in regression analysis. Conclusion: Almost one third of hospitalized patients had evidence of acute myocardial injury during hospitalization. Acute myocardial injury is associated with higher hospital and ICCU stay, mortality, higher in-hospital infection which indicates more severe disease and the poor in-hospital outcomes

An Unexpected Transformation

In this study, a middle aged woman, diagnosed with decompensated cirrhosis presented with complaints of malaise and exertional dyspnea since 3 months, with history of repeated blood transfusions. On evaluation, she was pale and icetric with grade II ascites. Further work up was revealed severe iron deficiency anemia. An upper digestive tract endoscopy (UGIE) revealed presence of small low risk esophageal varices and actively oozing gastric antral vascular ectasia [Med-Science 2016; 5(3.000): 826-8

Severe myocardial depression in a patient with aluminium phosphide poisoning: A clinical, electrocardiographical and histopathological correlation

Aluminium phosphide poisoning is very common in India. It is one of the most fatal poisons. The clinical spectrum of poisoning varies depending upon the dosage and duration of consumption. The main effect of the poison is due to the release of phosphine which inhibits cytochrome oxidase and thereby hampers cellular oxygen utilization. Almost any organ can be affected by aluminium phosphide poisoning. We report a case where the heart was the predominantly affected organ. We describe the clinical symptoms and signs and their correlation with electrocardiographic and histopathological examinations

Subglottic web: A rare cause of respiratory distress in neonate

A full term male neonate presented with stridor and respiratory distress at birth. Direct laryngoscopy after tracheostomy and patient stabilization revealed a subglottic web with a very small hole at 6 o′clock position. The patient was managed by cauterization of web using Bugbee electrode with resultant normal lumen post operatively

Intussusception in a premature neonate: A rare and often misdiagnosed clinical entity

Intussusception is a very rare cause of intestinal obstruction in neonates. It is of extremely rare occurrence among premature neonates. We present a case of 11-day-old premature neonate who presented with abdominal distension, intolerance to feeds, vomiting, significant bilious aspirate and bleeding per rectum. The initial diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) led to a delay in the diagnosis. On exploratory laparotomy, it turned out to be a case of ileo-colic intussusception with Meckel′s diverticulum as a lead point. This site of intussusception (ileo-colic) and presence of a lead point among premature neonate is of exceedingly rare occurrence and very few such cases have been reported. In this article, the published work about clinical features and management on intussusceptions in premature neonates has been reviewed. The authors intend to highlight the difficulty in distinguishing the NEC and intussusception. Subtle clinical and radiological features which can help in differentiating the two conditions have been emphasized. This can avoid the delay in diagnosis and management which can prove critical. High index of suspicion with timely intervention is the key for optimizing outcome. A diagnosis of intussusception should always be considered in any preterm infant with suspected NEC

Subglottic web: A rare cause of respiratory distress in neonate

A full term male neonate presented with stridor and respiratory distress at birth. Direct laryngoscopy after tracheostomy and patient stabilization revealed a subglottic web with a very small hole at 6 o'clock position. The patient was managed by cauterization of web using Bugbee electrode with resultant normal lumen post operatively