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Biomedical subjects

A Adlakha

Publications and source records attributed to A Adlakha.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Torsades de pointes ventricular tachycardia associated with overdose of astemizole.

An overdose of astemizole predisposes the myocardium to ventricular dysrhythmias, including torsades de pointes. Herein we describe a case of astemizole-induced torsades de pointes ventricular tachycardia and also review previous case reports in the literature. All the patients were young, and dysrhythmias developed only in those with corrected QT intervals greater than 500 ms. Although several mechanisms have been postulated, no clear explanation has been provided for why astemizole promotes myocardial dysrhythmias. Treatment of astemizole-induced torsades de pointes includes discontinuing use of astemizole, intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate and isoproterenol, temporary cardiac pacing, and, when necessary, direct current cardioversion. A cardiac cause of syncope or convulsions must not be overlooked, especially in patients taking H1 antagonists because they often have these symptoms before hospitalization or detection of torsades de pointes (or both).

Adult↗

The milk-alkali syndrome. A reversible form of acute renal failure.

The milk-alkali syndrome became rare with the advent of modern ulcer therapy with nonabsorbable antacids, histamine2 blockers, and sucralfate. An increased frequency of this syndrome seems likely with the growing popularity of the use of calcium carbonate as an antacid or as calcium supplementation to prevent osteoporosis. We treated five patients who had six episodes of the milk-alkali syndrome; four of these cases were diagnosed between 1990 and 1992. All patients were ingesting massive quantities of calcium and absorbable alkali and were unaware of the toxic effects of these compounds. All patients presented with the triad of hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and renal failure. All metabolic abnormalities were corrected, and renal function improved with appropriate supportive measures and cessation of calcium and alkali ingestion. In two patients, the renal failure was so severe that dialysis was necessary. In four patients, either the serum amino-terminal parathyroid hormone or 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol levels were appropriately decreased in response to hypercalcemia. The serum carboxy-terminal parathyroid hormone levels were increased because of renal failure. Since both physicians and patients are often unaware of the calcium and alkali content of many nonprescription medicines, the diagnosis of the milk-alkali syndrome, a reversible cause of renal failure, can be missed if a detailed history of such intake is not elicited. Measurement of the serum amino-terminal parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol levels may help differentiate milk-alkali syndrome from primary hyperparathyroidism.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia caused by Plasmodium vivax malaria.

A 64-year-old woman developed a relapse of Plasmodium vivax malaria followed by a rapidly progressive diffuse patchy pulmonary process. Open lung biopsy specimen showed bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). After corticosteroid therapy was initiated, there was both clinical and radiographic improvement. This is believed to be the first reported association of BOOP with malaria.

Biopsy↗

Low-dose alpha-interferon treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia.

We treated 29 patients with chronic-phase and accelerated chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with alpha-interferon in a dose of 2 mU/m2 given subcutaneously daily for 30 days and then three times per week. Most had received prior treatment. Three patients have had sustained hematologic and karyotypic remissions after a median of 22 months of treatment. Three further patients have had complete hematologic and partial karyotypic remissions. At a median follow-up of 48 months, the median survival has not been reached. This dose of alpha-interferon may induce sustained remissions even in pretreated patients and may prolong survival in CML.

Adult↗

In vitro studies on the mechanism of action of hepsulfam in chronic myelogenous leukemia patients.

In the present study we have characterized the cytotoxicity and DNA damage induced by hepsulfam and busulfan in cells isolated from both chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients and normal donors. hepsulfam inhibited colony-forming units-granulocyte, macrophage to a greater extent than busulfan in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) isolated from CML patients. Normal PBCs were equally sensitive to both agents and were more sensitive than the cells isolated from CML patients. Hepsulfam induced DNA interstrand cross-links in PBCs and bone marrow from both CML and normal volunteers, whereas busulfan produced few or no DNA interstrand cross-links. In addition, hepsulfam induced higher levels of DNA interstrand cross-linking than busulfam in three samples isolated from CML patients in blast crisis. Busulfan did however cause a small number of DNA strand breaks to be formed in human cells. Both agents produced similar levels of DNA-protein cross-links in PBCs from CML patients. These results suggest that the mechanism of DNA reactivity of hepsulfam and busulfan differ and that hepsulfam may prove useful in the treatment of CML.

Antineoplastic Agents↗