Our study suggest that elevated NLR (>5.25) is independently associated with higher all-cause mortality rate up to 6 months period irrespective of ACS type.

BackgroundAn elevated mean platelet volume is associated with increased platelet activation and thus may predict thrombotic events. The goal of this study was to investigate the association of the mean platelet volume and the major adverse events after coronary artery bypass surgery.MethodsBaseline clinical details and preoperative hematologic parameters were obtained prospectively in 205 consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Postoperative mortality and major adverse events were recorded in the early postoperative period (median of 72 days, interquartile range 58.5-109 days).ResultsCombined adverse events occurred in 37 patients (18.0%) during the early follow-up. The preoperative mean platelet volume and hematocrit levels were found to be associated with postoperative adverse events (p<0.001 for both variables). In multivariate logistic regression models, the preoperative mean platelet volume and hematocrit levels were strong independent predictors of combined adverse events after surgery (respectively OR 1.89, p=0.037; OR 0.87, p=0.011). After receiver-operating-characteristics curve analysis, using a cut-point of 8.75 fL, the preoperative mean platelet volume level predicted adverse events with a sensitivity of 54% and specificity of 70%. In a further model with cut-off points, higher preoperative mean platelet volume levels remained a powerful independent predictor of postoperative myocardial infarction (OR 3.60, p=0.013) and major adverse cardiac events (OR 2.53, p=0.045).ConclusionsAn elevated preoperative mean platelet volume is associated with an adverse outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting. In conclusion, we can say that mean platelet volume is an important, simple, readily available, and cost effective tool and can be useful in predicting the postoperative adverse events in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

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Leukotriene (LT) modifiers are anti-inflammatory drugs that are useful as an add-on therapy with first-line asthma-controller medications. This group includes LT synthesis inhibitors (eg, Zileuton) and receptor antagonists (eg, Montelukast), whose direct comparative clinical data are not available. This study was conducted to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of orally administered Zileuton extended-release (ER) with Montelukast sodium in patients suffering from chronic persistent asthma. Patients of 18-65 years of age with mild to moderate chronic stable asthma were randomized to treatment with Zileuton ER 2400 mg/d or Montelukast 10 mg/d for 12 weeks. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and asthma symptoms (cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and shortness of breath each on a 4-point scale) were assessed on monthly scheduled out-patient visits. Safety assessments by clinical and laboratory parameters were carried out during the course of the study. Among 210 patients eligible for efficacy assessment, PEFR improved by 64.8 ± 52.8 (95% confidence interval: 54.8-74.7) L/min with Zileuton ER (n = 109) and 40.6 ± 47.5 (31.3-49.9) L/min with Montelukast (n = 101; P < 0.001), whereas percent improvements were 27.0% (22.6%-31.5%) versus 18.4% (14.1%-22.7%), respectively (P = 0.006). Zileuton ER lead to ≥12% PEFR improvements in 74 of 109 [67.9% (59.1%-76.7%)] patients, whereas the same was noted in 52 of 101 [51.5% (41.7%-61.2%)] patients receiving Montelukast (P = 0.015). The reduction in the mean overall symptom intensity score was also significantly better with Zileuton ER [-5.0 ± 2.1 (4.6-5.4) versus -4.2 ± 2.3 (3.8-4.7)] (P = 0.018); however, the same was not observed for the decline in the individual symptom scores. A lesser but not significantly different adverse event rate was reported in the Zileuton ER group than the Montelukast group with the commonest events being headache and gastrointestinal effects in both the groups. Thus, Zileuton ER seems to be more efficacious than Montelukast and well tolerated for the treatment of mild to moderate chronic persistent asthma in adult patient population. Further studies can elucidate the comparative treatment benefits of these LT modifiers in asthma management.

A 55-year-old male presented with history of nausea, vomiting, palpitation paresthesis and profuse sweating in emergency department 2h after ingestion of "Bachnaag" (Aconite) root. Examination revealed shock with irregular pulses. Initial ECG showed frequent multifocal ventricular ectopics (VE), which later turned to short runs of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Immediate gastric lavage was done and activated charcoal given. Patient was treated with fluid resuscitation without any improvement in blood pressure. Patient was started on nor-adrenaline infusion with gradual recovery from hypotension over a period of 6h, but support was continued for 48h. Amiodarone was started to control ventricular excitability, which persisted over 72h with gradual decrease in frequency of VT and VE. Patient was discharged with normal sinus rhythm on oral amiodarone on 5th day of hospitalization. On follow-up after 2 weeks patient was totally asymptomatic and amiodarone was stopped.