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Biomedical subjects

B Sharada

Publications and source records attributed to B Sharada.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Atherosclerosis in transplant heart.

Graft atherosclerosis in the transplant heart is essentially asymptomatic due to denervation of the transplant heart and also is rapidly progressive. After one year it is the major cause of transplant rejection. Histopathologically, graft atherosclerosis differs from the conventional atherosclerosis. Intra-vascular ultrasound and repeated coronary angiography help in its early diagnosis. Angioplasty and bypass graft surgery are not of much help. Preventive measures through dietary means to keep triglycerides under control and prophylactic use of calcium channel blocker, diltiazem are rewarding. Many patients with graft coronary atherosclerosis end up with retransplant.

Coronary Artery Disease↗

Intravenous dexamethasone pulse therapy in diffuse systemic sclerosis. A randomized placebo-controlled study.

Thirty-five patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis were studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Seventeen patients received intravenous dexamethasone "pulse" therapy, while 18 patients received placebo. Each "pulse" consisted of 100 mg dexamethasone in 250 ml 5% dextrose infused intravenously over 1 h. Pulse therapy was repeated every month for 6 months. Assessment of disease status with various parameters was done at entry and at completion of trial, i.e. after 6 months. Significant improvement in skin involvement was seen in the study group, with the total skin score (TSS) decreasing from 28.5 +/- 12.2 to 25.8 +/- 12.8, while in the control group, TSS increased from 30.6 +/- 13.2 to 34.7 +/- 10. Similarly, significant improvement was noted in the flexion index. Other parametres that included extension index, maximum oral opening, range of movement of joints, functional disability score, Raynaud's phenomenon (frequency and duration), ESR, proteinuria, chest X-ray, ECG, lung function tests, barium swallow and antinuclear antibody were unchanged. Adverse effects of therapy were limited to an increased incidence of minor chest infections. It is concluded that intravenous pulse dexamethasone may be useful in the treatment of diffuse systemic sclerosis.

Adult↗