QTc-Prolongation in Posterior Circulation Stroke

Background and Purpose

To evaluate the relationship between infarct location and QTc-prolongation in patients with posterior circulation strokes.

Methods

Admission electrocardiograms (ECG) of 131 patients among a prospective sample of 407 consecutive adult patients in the New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation Registry were retrospectively analyzed. The QT interval (ms) was measured and corrected using Bazett’s formula (QTc_Bazett) as well as linear regression functions (QTc_Linear). QTc_Bazett > 440 ms and QTc_Linear ≥ 450 ms for men (≥460 ms for women) were considered prolonged. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of the QTc.

Results

Overall, 34 % of patients had a prolonged QTc_Bazett and 7 % had a prolonged QTc_Linear noted on the admission ECG. There was a significant association between temporal lobe infarction and QTc_Bazett and QTc_Linear (p < 0.001 for both) in multivariable linear regression analyses adjusting for demographics, ECG parameters, and preadmission medication use. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, temporal lobe infarction emerged as an independent predictor of prolonged QTc_Bazett (p = 0.009) and QTc_Linear (p = 0.008), respectively. Sensitivity analyses excluding patients with transient ischemic attack yielded similar results. Exploratory analyses indicated that patients with temporal lobe infarction had worse functional 30-day outcomes in multivariable logistic regression (p = 0.022). However, there was no significant association between QTc and 30-day functional outcome.

Conclusions

QTc-prolongation is common after posterior circulation stroke and associated with temporal lobe infarction. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and to examine potential long-term consequences.     

Odds ratio of risk factors for oral submucous fibrosis in a case control model

Our aim was to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of various epidemiological, social, behavioural, and dietary risk factors for oral submucous fibrosis in a population-based case control study. We did this in rural and urban Lucknow by organising oral health camps in the community, where a total of 3136 subjects were enrolled. Panmasala, a dry commercial preparation containing areca nut, slaked lime, catechu, and condiments, with or without tobacco, was the most important aetiological factor for the disease. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the OR for tobaccoless panmasala ranged from 4.77 to 6.88 and for tobacco panmasala from 4.55 to 9.71. OR using multivariate analysis was 14.09 for tobaccoless panmasala and 5.39 for tobacco panmasala. Patients who use panmasala are at high risk of developing oral submucous fibrosis.     

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation--an anaesthesiologist's perspective--Part II: clinical and technical consideration

Although the concept of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has remained unchanged, component technology has evolved considerably over the past three decades. Presently the clinical conditions requiring ECMO support have been updated with input from the outcome data of patient registries. Modern circuit configuration has become less cumbersome, safer, and more efficient. Technological advances now allow prolonged support with fewer complications compared to the past eras and facilitate transition to a single bedside caregiver model, similar to hemofiltration or ventricular-assist devices. The clinical considerations and indicators for placing the patient on ECMO, the various circuit configurations, clinical and technical issues, and management aspects are considered in this article.