Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiling of imipenem in patients admitted to an intensive care unit in India: A nonrandomized,cross-sectional,analytical, open-labeled study

Results:The difference in the plasma imipenem concentration between the gastrointestinal and the nongastrointestinal groups was significant at 2 h (P = 0.015) following drug dosing; while the difference was significant between the skin/cellulitis and nonskin/cellulitus groups at 2 h (P = 0.008), after drug dosing. The imipenem levels were above the MIC and 5 times the MIC for the isolated organism in 96.67% and 50% of the patients, respectively.Conclusions:The pharmacokinetic profile of imipenem does not vary according to the locus of an infection in critically ill patients. Imipenem, 3 g/day intermittent dosing, maintains a plasma concentration which is adequate to treat most infections encountered in patients admitted to an ICU. However, a change in the dosing regimen is suggested for patients infected with organisms having MIC values above 4 mg/L.     

Study of Adverse Whole Blood Donor Reactions in Normal Healthy Blood Donors: Experience of Tertiary Health Care Centre in Jammu Region

Whole blood donation is generally a safe procedure, but sometimes adverse reactions of varying severity may occur during or at completion of blood donation process. The aim of the present study was to estimate the frequency and type of adverse events during blood donation. This retrospective study conducted from November 2011 to December 2012 at Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine GMC Jammu. All whole blood donations at our Department was analyzed. All adverse events occurring during or at end of donation were noted using standardized format. Overall 108 adverse events were reported in relation to 29,524 donations, resulting in overall adverse event rate of 0.365 %. Presyncopal reactions in other words vasovagal reactions of mild intensity, were the most commonly observed adverse reactions and accounted for approximately 58/108 (53.70 %) of all adverse reactions noted. Only 0.365 % of blood donations were complicated by adverse events and most of these events were presyncopal symptoms. Our study reinforces that blood donation is a very safe procedure which could be made even more event free by following certain friendly, reassuring and tactful practices.     

Allograft use in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: a review of the current literature

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery plays an important role in restoring stability and function to the knee joint following ACL rupture. Owing to an increase in activity levels and sports participation, ACLR has become one of the most commonly performed procedures world-wide. Graft choice may influence clinical outcomes, and therefore the optimal graft remains widely debated. Whilst, historically, autograft tissue has been the preferred choice, the past decade has seen a steady increase in the popularity of allografts. This demand is partly driven by improvements in graft availability, procurement processes and safety; but more importantly a desire to eliminate issues related to donor site morbidity from graft harvest. Despite this, there remains controversy surrounding the use of allograft in ACLR surgery, with much of the literature demonstrating conflicting evidence on functional and survivorship outcomes. In this article we review the current literature surrounding allograft use in ACLR, from the biology of allograft integration, through to outcomes in clinical practice.