Background: Sepsis is a pro-inflammatory state caused by systemic infection. As sepsis progresses, multiple organ systems become affected with subsequent increase in mortality. Elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) has been seen with changes of other inflammatory markers and thus could potentially serve as a means of assessing sepsis severity. In this study, we examine the association of RDW with APACHE II score and in-hospital mortality. Meterials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study involving a cohort of patients with sepsis. The study period spanned 2 years with a cohort of 349 patients. Data were collected to determine if RDW is associated with APACHE II scores and in-hospital mortality in this cohort. Results: RDW correlated weakly (r_s = 0.27), but significantly (P < 0.0001) with APACHE II scores; coefficient of determination (r² = 0.09). The odds ratios for the association of RDW with APACHE II were calculated over the RDW range 12-20% at a dichotomized level of APACHE II, i.e., <15 and ≥15. At a RDW ≥16%, multivariate analysis including all potential confounders indicated that RDW was independently associated with an APACHE II score of ≥15. Similarly, mortality was associated with RDW ≥16%. Conclusion: A prognostic biomarker for sepsis in the form of a routine blood test may be of considerable clinical utility. The results of our study suggest that RDW may have value in differentiating between more severe and less severe cases of sepsis. Future studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these findings.

Background: Fall from height is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in suburban population in India. These cases are either domestic or workplace injuries with different causative factors. We analyzed different aspects of these falls to identify their risk factors. Materials and Methods: We conducted prospective and retrospective epidemiological study to identify various causative, contributory factors, and resultant injuries in cases of fall from height. The study group comprised of semiurban population and involved both domestic and workplace injuries presenting to a tertiary care hospital. Results: There were 208 cases of workplace (112) and domestic (96) fall from height. In domestic cases absence of parapet on roof was the commonest cause, most of falls occurred during summer and rainy season. Alcohol consumption prior to fall was commonest associated factor in adult males. Children mostly fell while playing on roof and climbing trees. Among workplace cases, civil construction site injuries were commonest and absence of any protective gear and long working and evening hours were commonest associated factors. Mean injury severity score was 10.86 in domestic cases and 14.87 in workplace cases. There were 17 mortalities with head injury being commonest associated cause. Only difference in incidence of alcohol consumption and permanent disability was statistically significant between workplace and domestic falls. Conclusion: Different factors are responsible for domestic and workplace cases of fall from height. Most of these cases are potentially preventable.

Background : The i-gel™ is a new device introduced recently. It differs from other supraglottic airway devices. It has a non-inflatable, gel-made cuff. Previously used devices, have some disadvantages which are claimed to be absent in i-gel™. In this study we aimed to compare the performance of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA)-Classic™ and i-gel™ during anesthesia in paralyzed patients. Materials and Methods : A total of 64 anaesthetized patients with paralysis were enrolled in a single-blind, randomized control trial to be intubated with one of the devices. We compared the device insertion parameters, some ventilatory parameters, and adverse effects after device insertion. Results : Vital signs were not significantly different between groups. Regarding duration of insertion attempts, the difference between groups was significant (P < 0.05); while the number of insertion attempts was insignificant (P = 0.265). There was no significant difference between both groups regarding postoperative complications (cough, sore throat, and blood on the cuff) (P > 0.05). Airway leak was assessed in both groups and data showed no significant difference (P = 0.662). Additionally, end-tidal CO ₂ change regarding the baseline value was significantly different after 10 and 15 min of anesthesia (P < 0.05). Conclusions : Successful insertion time was shorter significantly for i-gel™. As i-gel™ has easy application, it is advantageous to be used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation by non-anesthetists in which time is very important. We concluded that i-gel™ can be an alternative to LMA-Classic™ for controlled ventilation during anesthesia as it is easier to be placed.

Introduction: Trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world and in India. Objective: To describe 1) selected epidemiological and clinical characteristics of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who died within 24 h after admission to the emergency departments (EDs) of two medical facilities in rural India and 2) the methods used to transport these patients from the locale of the injury incident to the study sites. Materials and Methods: Medical records of all injured patients regardless of age or sex who died within 24 h after admission to both EDs during January 31, 2007 through December 31, 2009 were reviewed and abstracted. Demographic variables and information on prehospital care, time and mechanism of injury, mode of transport to EDs, and primary hospital resuscitation were abstracted and analyzed. Results: Of the 113 injured patients in this study, 42 had TBI and died within 24 h of ED admission. All of these TBI patients were transported to the ED by relatives or bystanders in non-ambulance vehicles. Most of the patients with TBI (78.5%) were 21-50-years-old; and overall 90.0% were males. Persons working near or along busy roads struck by vehicles accounted for 80.9% of all TBI cases. Severe TBIs were present in 97.6% of the patients; of these, 92.8% had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3 on arrival. Other concurrent injuries included superficial lacerations (85.7%), facial injuries (57.1%), and upper (35.7%) and lower (30.9%) extremity fractures. Common lesions recognized on computed tomography (CT) scan were acute subdural hematoma (21.4%), subarachnoid hemorrhage with diffuse cerebral edema (16.6%), and skull base fracture with diffuse cerebral edema (14.2%); in 21.4% of cases, the CT scan were reported normal. Conclusion: Most of the TBI patients who died within 24 h after admission to EDs in this study were not transported to EDs in emergency medical vehicles; most were of working age (ages 20-50 years); were male; and were day laborers working on busy interstate roads where they were hit by vehicles.

Context: Trauma in South Asia is an increasingly significant problem, particularly in light of increasing motorization. Societal changes are resulting in alterations in the epidemiology of trauma. Aims: To assess various epidemiological parameters that influence causation of injury in the patients admitted in a major trauma center in Northern India. Settings and Design: Prospective, cross-sectional, Hospital based study from August 2008 to July 2009. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 748 patients chosen by random assortment was carried out over a period of 1 year (August 2008 to July 2009) and following parameters were noted: Age group, sex, mode of trauma, type of injury, place where the trauma occurred and factors leading to injury. The length of stay of patients, Kampala trauma score (KTS) and mortality depending on the arrival time in emergency department was also noted. Statistical Analysis: Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 16. Results: Overall trauma was most common in the age group 15-30 years (Mean age: 29.43 ± 16.87 years), with male constituting 85.29% of the total patients. It was observed that road side injuries were the most frequent (66.71%) site of injuries, whereas household injuries (23.66%), farm site (6.28%), work place (1.60) were the next most common modes of trauma. Mean time of presentation of injured patient was 2.53 ± 4.92 days. About 48.13% patients were admitted after more than 24 h after the injury. Two wheelers (32.09) were found to be the most common mode of injury. Maximum injuries (65.31%) occurred in the rural setting. The overall length of hospital stay ranged from 2 days to 178 days (median15.6 days). Mortality is more in patients who arrive in night (between 9 pm and 5 pm). Conclusions: We conclude that the majority of injuries are preventable and the epidemiological trends differ from that of developed countries. Therefore, preventive strategies should be made on the basis of these epidemiological trends.

Background: Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel manage the airway, but only a group of them are allowed to engage in Endotracheal Intubation (ETI). Our purpose was to evaluate if the use of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or Combitube can be used by inexperienced care providers. Materials and Methods: A randomized, prospective manikin study was conducted. Fifty-nine participants were randomly assigned into two groups. Experienced group included 16 paramedics, eight anesthetic-technicians, and inexperienced group included 27 Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) and eight nurses. Our main outcomes were success rate and time to airway after only one attempt. Results: Airway success was 73% for ETI, 98.3% for LMA, and 100% for Combitube. LMA and Combitube were faster and had greater success than ETI (P = 0.0001). Inexperienced had no differences in time to securing LMA compared with experienced (6.05 vs. 5.4 seconds, respectively, P = 0.26). One failure in inexperienced, and no failure in experienced group occurred to secure the LMA (P = 0.59). The median time to Combitube placement in experienced and inexperienced was 5.05 vs. 5.00 seconds, P = 0.65, respectively. Inexperienced and experienced groups performed ETI in 19.15 and 17 seconds, respectively (P = 0.001).After the trial, 78% preferred Combitube, 15.3% LMA, and 6.8% ETI as the device of choice in prehospital setting. Conclusion: Time to airway was decreased and success rate increased significantly with the use of LMA and combitube compared with ETI, regardless of the experience level. This study suggests that both Combitube and LMA may be acceptable choices for management of airway in the prehospital setting for experienced and especially inexperienced EMS personnel.

Objective: A new flu virus (H1N1) swine origin and cause of human infection with acute lung disease was published in the world and led to many patients were admitted in intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: In a prospective descriptive study, all ICU patients in a pulmonary disease specialist hospital between April 2010 and July 2011 with confirmed infection (H1N1) were evaluated. Information including demographic, clinical and microbiology using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16 was studied and classified. Results: Of 46 patients hospitalized with confirmed diagnosis of swine flu pneumonia (H1N1), 20 cases (43.7%) admitted in ICU out of which 10 cases were males (50%), the mean age was 36.9 and the range was 21-66 years. Nine patients (45%) had underlying diseases. Most underlying disease was respiratory disease in which four cases (20%) were of asthma and one patient had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). No admission of pregnant patient with swine flu was reported in the ICU. Cough and sputum were the most frequent symptoms (19 patients equal 95%). Four patients (20%) were admitted with decreased level of consciousness and five cases (25%) died during hospitalization. Conclusion: It seems, swine flu with high mortality and transfer rates is a worldwide health problem. Because of limited treatment regimen, the risk of secondary infection and high need to intensive care in H1N1 pneumonia, environmental control, including vaccination of high risk people and public announcement, make determining role in controlling of this disease.

Dengue is potentially fatal unless managed appropriately. No specific treatment is available and the mainstay of treatment is fluid management with careful monitoring, organ support, and correction of metabolic derangement. Evidence with regards to the role of calcium homeostasis in dengue is limited. Low blood calcium levels have been demonstrated in dengue infection and hypocalcemia maybe more pronounced in more severe forms. The cause of hypocalcemia is likely to be multifactorial. Calcium has been also implicated in the immuopathogenesis of dengue; however, the precise clinical implications of these interactions are yet not clearly defined. Derangements of calcium homeostasis are likely to be associated with myocardial dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmias observed in dengue as suggested by in vitro studies. Calcium also plays a role in platelet aggregation. Studies evaluating the therapeutic use of calcium in dengue have been underpowered and poorly designed to make any firm recommendations. Further studies are needed to explore the role and usefulness of maintenance of calcium homeostasis in modulating cardiac dysfunction, immunopathogenesis, and platelet abnormalities related to dengue.