The Power and Promise of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor (ARNI) in Heart Failure Management: National Consensus Statement

Heart failure (HF) is a huge global public health task due to morbidity, mortality, disturbed quality of life, and major economic burden. It is an area of active research and newer treatment strategies are evolving. Recently angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), a class of drugs (the first agent in this class, Sacubitril–Valsartan), reduces cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in chronic HF patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Positive therapeutic effects have led to a decrease in cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalizations (HFH), with a favorable safety profile, and have been documented in several clinical studies with an unquestionable survival benefit with ARNI, Sacubitril–Valsartan. This consensus statement of the Indian group of experts in cardiology, nephrology, and diabetes provides a comprehensive review of the power and promise of ARNI in HF management and an evidence-based appraisal of the use of ARNI as an essential treatment strategy for HF patients in clinical practice. Consensus in this review favors an early utility of Sacubitril–Valsartan in patients with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), regardless of the previous therapy being given. A lower rate of hospitalizations for HF with Sacubitril–Valsartan in HF patients with preserved EF who are phenotypically heterogeneous suggests possible benefits of ARNI in patients having 40–50% of LVEF, frequent subtle systolic dysfunction, and higher hospitalization risk.

Anticholinergic Burden in Geriatric Patients Attending Clinical Pharmacology Clinic — A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study in Eastern India

Background : Anticholinergic burden in Geriatric population is of great concern throughout the Globe, yet often neglected. There are previous studies to assess the Anticholinergic burden, carried out in specific population, though its prevalence in general population is difficult to interpret. Polypharmacy remains one of the major causes contributing to the increased burden in Anticholinergic score among Geriatrics. Multiple co-morbidities and the prevalence of Multiple Chronic Diseases are the responsible factors which imbibe Multiple Drug Therapy in Geriatric population. Anticholinergic burden in older adults has been associated with Cognitive impairment, Delirium, Dizziness and Confusion, Falls and increased hospitalizations. However, Anticholinergic-acting drugs are often advised in Geriatric population. In this study an attempt was made to understand the Anticholinergic burden score among Geriatric population. Methods : This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study, which was done, in a period of six months among 62 Geriatric patients attending a therapeutics clinic of a private clinical pharmacology OPD for first time. Patients were noted for their comorbidities and anticholinergic burden was calculated, based on the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden scale. Results were statistically analyzed. Results : Clinically significant anticholinergic burden was observed in 22.58% population. The most frequently prescribed drug was found to be alprazolam followed by amitriptyline and theophylline. Among the comorbidities hypertension and diabetes was commonly seen in majority of the population. Conclusion : Co-professional care at clinical pharmacology OPD with assessment of anticholinergic burden of geriatric prescriptions and advices on rational de-prescribing with suggestions on safer alternatives would be beneficial for treating physicians to optimize therapy.

An Observational Study on Metabolic Derangements in People Living with HIV

Background: HIV infection is a global pandemic. The adult HIV prevalence in India is 0.22%. Successful therapy is transforming HIV into a chronic medical condition, and there are many metabolic complications. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic abnormalities in people living with HIV (PLHIV) who were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least 2 years and compare it with ART-naïve patients as well as the effect of protease inhibitor-based (PI-based) and non-protease inhibitor-based (non-PI-based) ART was assessed. Methodology: Adult HIV-positive patients both ART-naïve and on ART for more than 2 years were included. Detailed history and clinical examination, including blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were done. This was followed by investigations like lipid profile including total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting plasma glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) estimation. Standard statistical tools were utilized to assess derangements and association to therapy. Results: The study was conducted for 1.5 years in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 70% of the study population was male with mean age of participants being 43.2 years, 40% were ART-naïve, 37% received non-PI-based ART, and 23% PI-based ART. The mean total cholesterol level and mean triglyceride value were significantly higher in the PI-based ART group than in the therapy-naïve group. The ART-naïve group was seen to have more subjects with abnormally low HDL-C values. The PI-based ART study subjects were found to have a greater number of cases of glucose intolerance in relation to the rest of the two groups significantly (p-value <0.001). The LDL-C systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference had no association with the different ART regimens or with the HIV infection itself. CD4 T cell count at diagnosis in the three study groups was compared with all the variables of metabolic syndrome and no association was found. Conclusion: Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels are the main parameters found to be affected in PLHIV on therapy.

Prescribing Cascade � What, When, How and the Ways to Mitigate

Rational prescribing is essential for adequate patient compliance and proper therapeutic outcome. Often medicines are prescribed randomly to take care of the drug induced adverse reactions without changing the culprit drug or modifying it抯 dose, rather commonly by adding another drug towards amelioration of the presenting complain, ignoring it抯 drug related occurrence. This 慞rescribing Cascade� turns out to be a vicious cycle by promoting polypharmacy thus leading to it抯 adverse consequences. This can happen to any person at any age but elderly population are more vulnerable because of their age related physiological changes and co-morbidities. There are several ways to curb the vicious cycle down like anticholinergic burden assessment, selecting the right drug for the right person, medication reconciliation etc.

Two Cases of Secondary Hypertension with Rare Aetiology

Secondary Hypertension comprises approximately 5% of Systemic Hypertension1. Renal parenchymal, Renovascular and Endocrine Diseases are amongst the common causes of Secondary Hypertension. Takayasu,s Arteritis is a rare form of Primary Systemic Vasculitis that appears to be commoner in Asia than Europe or North America2 and in contrast to Japanese patients, who have a higher incidence of aortic arch involvement, the series from India reports higher incidences of thoracic and abdominal involvement. In general, patients from Indian subcontinent tend to have greater prevalence of Pan-aortic Disease (both above and below the diaphragm) when compared with the west. In India the women : men ratio is around 1.5:1. Takayasu, s Arteritis most frequently affects young women3. Therapeutic intervention like Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) and Stenting, By-pass Surgeries or surgical reconstruction should be performed when disease is made inactive by the use of effective immunosuppressive Therapy4

CNS Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis can involve almost any organ of the body. In the Central Nervous System (CNS) it can cause meningitis, tuberculoma, abscess,spondylitis, arachnoiditis, myeloradiculitis or other manifestations. Around 10% of all patients with tuberculosis have CNS involvement. Tuberculosis is rampant in the developing world and has reemerged as a major public health menace with the HIV pandemic. Compared with HIV-negative individuals, HIVpositive individuals with TB are 5 times more likely to have CNS involvement. Laboratory confirmation of CNS TB is difficult and hence empirical treatment has to be initiated as early as possible based on clinical and radiological features. In this article,we review the CNS manifestations of tuberculosis and their diagnosis and treatment

A Hospital based Observational Study of Clinical spectrum and Outcome of Mucormycosis during the COVID Pandemic

Background : Mucormycosis is a life threatening fungal disease caused by the filamentous fungi mucormycetes. Though a known entity for decades, it began to manifest in an unprecedented manner in the COVID scenario specially with the second wave in India. The objectives were to describe the demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, risk factors, therapy and in-hospital mortality of patients with Mucormycosis. Material and Methods : We conducted a retrospective observational study for a period of six months from March 2021 to August 2021. The data was collected for cases of mucormycosis from multiple centres all over West Bengal and analysed. All consecutive individuals with confirmed mucormycosis were enrolled in this study. The data documenting demographic particulars, presentation, predisposing factors and comorbiditieswere recorded in a pre validated case report form Details of investigation recording site and extent of disease, therapeutic intervention and outcome was mentioned . Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 21.0 for MS-Windows. Results : The total number of cases from March to August 2021 was 263 . There were 171 males and 92 females and the mean age of occurrence was 50.8±0.4 years .In West Bengal clusters of cases were being reported most commonly from the districts of North 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Hooghly. Some cases admitted here hailed from outside states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Assam. The majority of the cases 74.22% (196)were COVID Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) while only 25.78% were non COVID associated. Diabetes mellitus was associated in 78.7 % and history of prolonged steroid therapy in 57.4% of cases. We encountered rhino orbital mucormycosis in 99.24 % of cases and cerebral involvement in 47.3%. They were treated with Amphotericin B deoxycholate along with endoscopic debridement. The most common side effects of Amphotericin B Deoxycholate were hypokalemia (93%), hypomagnesemia (32%) and AKI (74%) of the cases .The number of patients discharged was 16.7% and 10 left against medical advice (LAMA) . In hospital deaths were recorded to be 26.7%. Cause of death was commonly -AKI, septic shock and multiorgan failure . Conclusion : Prevention is better than cure of this devastating disease which is difficult todiagnose and treat .Awareness about mucormycosis and careful clinical evaluation of post-COVID patients is mandatory in this era in order to rapidly diagnose and treat mucormycosis

Spectrum of Neurological Illnesses in Pregnancy – An Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Centre of Eastern India

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of interrelated risk factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes mellitus. The increase in prevalence of hyperuricemia was considered to be directly related to increasing incidence of obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in developing and developed countries. Hyperuricemia is defined as serum uric acid of 6.0mg/dl and 7.0mg/dl for females and males respectively. Aims and Objectives: To study correlation of hyperuricemia with metabolic syndrome or its components. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross sectional single centre study with 316 patients fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria was carried out. Results: Out of 316 patients, 202 (63.9%) were males and 114 (36.1%) were females. 138(43.7%) were from rural areas and 178 (56.3%) were from urban areas. 126 (39.9%) patients had an active lifestyle and 190 (60.1%) had a sedentary lifestyle. Mean waist circumference among114 females was 82.10 cm and among men was 87.07cm. 113 patients fulfilled the criteria for central obesity with the mean uric acid level of 8.14 mg/dl (p=0.001); Mean uric acid level of patients without central obesity was 7.36 mg/dl. 99 (31.33%) fulfilled the criteria for hypertriglyceridemia with mean s.uric acid level 8.24mg/dl (p=0.0440). 124 had elevated blood pressure with mean s.uric acid 8.28 mg/dl (p=0.004). Patients with normal blood pressure had a mean value of s. uric acid 7.86 mg/dl. 33.44% fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome (41.23%of total females and 32.10% of total males). Odds ratio was 1.28 and 0.864 for females and males respectively. Conclusion: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with hyperuricemia was 35.4%. More common in females than males. Hyperuricemia is more prevalent in patients with a sedentary lifestyle. Hyperuricemia positively correlates with central obesity, blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia. Hence, it is of utmost importance to screen patients of hyperuricemia for metabolic syndrome or its components to prevent mortality and morbidity associated with CVDs.

Challenges in Diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis

Even in the era of twenty-first century tuberculosis is still considered as a major health burden around the globe particularly around the Indian sub-continent. Though Pulmonary system is the principal site for Mycobacterium but extra-pulmonary involvement is not so common. Extra-pulmonary involvement can be seen in isolation or even with pulmonary involvement also. Immunocompromised individuals like HIV-affected individuals carries a greater risk for disseminated tuberculosis with involvement of multiple extra-pulmonary sites but Immunocompetent persons also can develop extra-pulmonary manifestation. Among all sites, Lymph nodes are the commonest in extra-pulmonary involvement. Though conventional Sputum smear examination and culture sensitivity is still reliable in diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis but are less helpful in extra-pulmonary cases due to its paucibacillary nature. Modern molecular methods in background of strong clinical suspicion with or without radiological evidences forms the pathway to confirm the diagnosis. These Diagnostic difficulty makes the delay in response to treatment in these patients

Stress Levels among Indian Doctors � An Online Survey

An Online survey was conducted by sending a ten-point questionnaire to about 200 Doctors in India, using the Survey Monkey App. A total of 146 responses were received, out of which 132 were complete. Majority of the Doctors had more than 20 years of experience in the Medical Profession and 80% of the respondents were males. Surprisingly, majority of the Doctors were happy with their income and though the prevalence of smoking and alcohol intakes was low, almost 60% had High Stress Levels. Professional Stress was almost twice that of Domestic Stress. The causes and solutions for these high levels of stress in the Indian Doctors needs to be explored further.

Thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 : A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge

The World started to experience the wrath of pandemic in the form of SARS-COV 2/COVID-19 infection since 2020. It is not the first time that we are experiencing such life threatening pandemics. But, what we forget to remember is the known diseases that are always there around us along with this pandemic. COVID-19 has its affect on almost every Organ System and one of its complications being Thrombogenicity. In order to combat this condition, we are using Anticoagulant Therapy mostly in the form of unfractionated Heparin or Low Molecular Weight heparin. But, it is also evident that heparin itself can result in state of Thrombosis in the form of heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia Complex and thus worsening the condition of the patient if not identified and treated early. In this report, we are going to discuss about a case of Thrombocytopenia Associated with COVID-19 which might be provoked by COVID-19 itself or use of Heparin and have given a brief review of literature on this topic

Efficacy of Interventional Awareness Program on HIV/AIDS among High School Students of West Bengal, India

Introduction: Worldwide Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection is a Public Health Problem. Adolescents and young people are inclined to experiment with sex and prone to have HIV infection. Interventional Education Program on HIV/AIDS may prevent spread of the infection. Materials and Methods : Knowledge and attitude of students (N=2373) of 10th to 12th grade from 38 schools of Kolkata about HIV/AIDS was assessed based on a questionnaire. Subsequently an interventional educational program was conducted for them. A follow-up study with the same questionnaire after 6-8 weeks of the interventional program was performed among the students (N=811) of 11th and 12th standard. Knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS was evaluated by defining a ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Attitude’ score from responses of the students to relevant questions. Data was analyzed using SPSS, version 17 software. Observations : Interventional Program improved student’s (a) responses to more questions, (b) knowledge level and (c) positive attitude towards HIV/AIDS. Significant improvement occurred in the association of knowledge score with respect to the male students after the Intervention Program but not much with respect to girls. Association of the attitude score with respect to gender and three streams (Arts, Science, Commerce) of study were significantly enhanced after the program. Discussion : Several studies around the world indicate that Interventional Educational Programs almost certainly improve knowledge and attitude of the school students about HIV/AIDS. Some differences in findings may be due to qualitative differences of the study participants. Our observations may not be extrapolated to other Indian Student Groups who may differ in awareness and cultural status

Cerebral infarction: an unusual manifestation of viper snake bite.

Snake envenomation causes significant mortality and morbidity. Viper bite usually present with local cellulites, renal failure and bleeding disorders. Thrombotic manifestation of snake bite is rarely reported and early administration of Anti-Snake Venom Serum (ASV) also reduces the risk of thrombotic complications. Cerebral infarction in case of viper bite may be due to hypotension, hypercoagulability or direct action of venom on vessel wall. We report a rare case of viper bite, presented with renal failure and cerebral infarction in spite of early ASV institution. The thrombotic manifestation in this case was possibly due to disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy following Plasmodium vivax malaria- a case report.

Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) is usually preceded by infection with certain bacteria and viruses. Parasitic infection has rarely been reported as a causal factor for AIDP. Neurological manifestations following malaria is commonly seen with P. falciparum. There are only few case reports of Guillain–Barré Syndrome or facial diplegia following P. vivax infection. Here we are reporting a patient who developed AIDP and facial diplegia within two weeks following successful treatment of P. vivax infection.

Lupus cystitis with hydroureteronephrosis in a young female with lupus nephritis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune, multisystem disorder. Lupus nephritis is a common manifestation of SLE. Though rare, SLE may also involve lower urinary tract in the form of lupus cystitis with associated complications like hydroureteronephrosis. Lupus cystitis may present with gastro intestinal (GI) symptoms as the initial manifestation. The case reported herein is concerned with concomitant lupus nephritis and cystitis in a young female who also had associated GI symptoms and hydroureteronephrosis.

Filariasis presenting with pancytopenia diagnosed by Microfilaria in bone marrow aspirate – Report of a rare entity from India.

Filariasis is one of the major public health hazards among Indian population. The common features are asymptomatic microfilariaemia, acute adenolymphangitis, hydrocele and chronic lymphatic disease. There are very few reported cases of pancytopenia as a presenting feature of Filariasis. We describe a case of Filariasis who presented with features of pancytopenia and microfilariae were demonstrated in bone marrow aspirate.