Indian J Med Res
-
Comparative Study
Comparison of straight sternotomy and interlocking sternotomy in open heart surgery.
Stable sternal approximation is an important factor to avoid respiratory complications after open heart surgery. The present study is designed to compare interlocking sternotomy and straight sternotomy in terms of sternal stability, pain and respiratory function. ⋯ Interlocking sternotomy can be performed with good functional results and offers a less painful alternative to straight sternotomy.
-
Recent years have witnessed a large number of deaths due to hyperthermia and heat-related illnesses across the globe in human population resulting in great social and medical problems. The detailed mechanisms and probable therapeutic measures have still not been worked out. ⋯ It appears that hyperthermia is instrumental in opening of the BBB either directly or indirectly leading to vasogenic oedema formation, a feature crucial to molecular and cellular alteration in the brain inducing cell and tissue injury. The probable mechanisms and functional significance of heat induced brain oedema and BBB damage in relation to neurodegenerative changes are discussed.
-
With increase in the use of newer psychotropics, there is a growing concern in relation to the teratogenicity. Unfortunately, it is not possible to carry out prospective studies in pregnant women and as a result physicians caring for such patients have to rely on case reports, case series, and retrospective studies. Available evidence shows that the safety of psychotropics in pregnancy is still unresolved and the decision to prescribe psychotropics in pregnancy should be taken in the light of severity of mental disease, and drugs should be prescribed only when the potential risk to the foetus from exposure is outweighed by the risk of untreated maternal disorder. In this review we discussed the current evidence of the teratogenic risks with psychotropic drugs commonly used to treat psychiatric disorders and also focused on decision making in such patients.