Nitya Nand

Cardiovascular Complications of Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning

Aluminum phosphide is widely used as a grain preservative. Recently some reports have appeared in the literature in which serious toxic effects of this agent have been reported, and a number of fatal complications, including shock and cardiac dysrhythmias, have been increasingly seen. Of 25 cases of aluminum phosphide poisoning the authors observed over a period of two years, 16 cases (64%) had evidence of cardiac dysfunction. Despite adequate treatment, 40% of the patients died. A plea is being made for recognition of these fatal complications and for early institution of adequate treatment.

Evaluation of Enzymes in Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid in Cases of Cerebrovascular Accidents

Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were measured serially in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 22 patients with fresh stroke and an equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. It was observed that levels of these enzymes in the CSF of control subjects were very low but were significantly elevated (p < 0.001) in both serum and CSF in patients with stroke. The elevation was greater in the CSF than in the serum and was maximum during the first four days of stroke. Thereafter, the enzymatic activity declined. Of all these enzymes, GGTP in CSF correlated best with the clinical picture. It was possible to differentiate between the ischemic and hemorrhagic type of stroke on the basis of CSF levels of GGTP ( > 60.0 units in hemorrhagic stroke). There was no correlation between GGTP levels in CSF and serum or among GOT, GPT, and GGTP in CSF. It can be concluded, therefore, that estimation of GGTP in CSF is helpful not only in predicting the degree of cerebral damage and functional outcome of the patient following stroke but also in differentiating the type of stroke.

Cardiovascular Complications of Enteric Fever

A case of a young female having salmonella typhi infection with cardiovascular complications in the form of myocarditis and femoral artery occlusion is reported. The relevant literature on the subject is reviewed, and possible mechanisms discussed.

Left Ventricular Filling Pressures after Rapid Blood Transfusion in Cases of Chronic Severe Anemia

Left ventricular filling pressure as reflected by pulmonary artery wedge pressure was measured in 15 adult cases of chronic severe anemia before and after rapid and large blood transfusion, using Swan-Ganz monitoring catheters. Pre-transfusion PAWP was normal in 80% of the cases but increased significantly after blood transfusion (P less than 0.001), reaching more than 18.0 mm Hg in 3 cases. No correlation was found between right atrial pressure and PAWP. In is concluded that administration of 2 units of blood at a rapid speed (8.92 +/ 1.73 ml/minute) in cases of CSA is not always quite safe so far as pulmonary hemodynamics are concerned and should therefore be avoided.