Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: outcome in 24 patients with renal impairment treated with plasma exchange. Canadian Apheresis Study Group

The Canadian Apheresis Study Group recently completed a randomized clinical trial involving 102 patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), in which treatment with plasma infusion and treatment with plasma exchange were compared. Thirty-three other patients were ineligible or refused to be randomly assigned in the trial. Of the 33 patients, 24 were assessed as ineligible because they would be unable to tolerate the fluid input that would occur if they were randomly assigned to receive plasma infusion. All 24 patients had oliguria and elevated creatinine and/or blood urea nitrogen level. These 24 patients were treated with acetylsalicyclic acid, dipyridamole, and plasma exchange according to the standardized protocol defined in the trial. Blood for tests of factors possibly involved in the pathogenesis of TTP was drawn before exchange and at intervals during and after exchange. The mean platelet count before exchange was 35.5 x 10(9) per L. In 12 of the 24 patients, the platelet count reached 150 x 10(9) per L or greater by 7 days after the initiation of plasma exchange. Three patients responded partially, in that their platelet count increased to at least twice that at presentation, but remained below 150 x 10(9) per L. One patient died during the first week. Of the eight other patients who experienced treatment failure at the 7-day assessment point, six subsequently responded, four while continuing to receive plasma exchange and two after plasma exchange had been discontinued. Of the 15 patients who either responded fully or responded partially by the end of the first cycle, all survived.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Coronary artery anomalies diagnosed by magnetic resonance angiography

Coronary artery anomalies are uncommon entities that may be associated with sudden death. Because of its 2‐D projection imaging nature, conventional X‐ray coronary angiography may not accurately delineate the origins and course of aberrant coronary arteries with respect to the great vessels. Non‐invasive, cross‐sectional imaging techniques such as coronary CT angiography and magnetic resonance angiography are increasingly used in clinical practice to diagnose coronary artery anomalies. Although this study reviews coronary artery anatomy and selected anomalies as seen with true fast imaging with steady‐state precession magnetic resonance angiography, the information provided is equally applicable to electrocardiogram‐gated coronary CT angiography.     

Tobacco Chewing and Associated Factors Among Youth of Western Nepal: A Cross-sectional Study

Background:

Smokeless tobacco is found to be as addictive and harmful as smoking but have not been explored into, especially among youth.

Objectives:

This study was conducted to find the prevalence of tobacco chewing among college students in Nepal and the factors that have influence over their use.

Study design:

A cross-sectional study with a self-administered questionnaire.

Materials and Methods:

Five colleges of different streams in Pokhara city were selected for the study. A total of 816 students participated. The study was conducted during the period of May 2006–February 2007, using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire.

Results:

Overall prevalence of ever tobacco chewing was 21.3% (males 30.2% and females 10.9%) among the youth with average age of initiation 15.7 years. Pan masala and gutka were used by 63.6% and frequency of use varied widely and only 5.7% said they were daily users. Reasons cited for chewing were most commonly ‘just like it’ or ‘friends chew’. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed age, ever smoking status, being ever alcoholic, and having friends or family members who chewed were significantly associated with students’ tobacco chewing. Almost one-tenth of the students believed they were addicted to chewing tobacco and 42.5% of them had tried to quit the habit.

Conclusion:

The study shows a high prevalence of tobacco chewing by Nepali youth. Important factors that influenced the habit were having chewer friends, their own smoking and alcohol status and having family members who chewed. It is pertinent to consider these when formulating cessation and prevention programs     

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus,and Chlamydia pneumoniae immunoglobulin seropositivity in coronary artery disease patients and normal individuals in North Indian population

Background

In present day atherosclerosis is perceived as a chronic inflammatory vascular condition and infectious diseases are believed to contribute to its pathophysiology. In this context, the microorganisms which are believed to play a role in the pathophysiology include Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Helicobacter pylori.

Method

A case control study (retrospective) was conducted over a two-year period. The study population was divided into two groups with 200 individuals in each group. The first group comprised cases of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the second comprised healthy controls selected from the general population after matching for age and sex. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was done for immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies to H. pylori, C. pneumonia, and CMV. They were also evaluated for conventional risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidaemia. Epi Info™ version 6 six software was used for analysis of data. Odds ratio, χ² for trend and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to find out statistically significant results.

Results

Seropositivity for H. pylori was present in 119 patients of CAD (59.5%) but it was present in only 76 controls (38%) (P = 0.001). There was a statistically significant association between seropositivity for H. pylori and CAD. There was no statistically significant association between C. pneumoniae and CMV seropositivity with CAD. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done with CAD as the outcome (dependent variable). The predictor covariates (independent) variables were seropositivity to H. pylori, C. pneumoniae, and CMV, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia. It was found that seropositivity to H. pylori, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidaemia were significant risk factors for CAD.

Conclusion

Our study shows an association between IgG antibody response to H. pylori and CAD. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that this association was retained even on comparison with the other risk factors.     

Primary 360° broad buckling in retinal detachment

Background: Chronic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment behaves like proliferative vitreo-retinopathy (PVR) even without evidence of the same. Surgery could be done either with conventional buckling procedures where the extent of buckling is determined by the number and location of the breaks or by primary vitreous surgery. In this study these cases were managed with primary 360°encircling broad buckle without a vitreous procedure.