Rinku Garg

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a major risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), the reliability of stress testing for the evaluation of chest pain in patients with abnormal blood pressure elevation is an important clinical problem. When compared to exercise electrocardiography, stress echocardiography (SE) provides similar sensitivity but superior diagnostic specificity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology in collaboration with echocardiography lab of Santosh Medical hospital Ghaziabad, on a population of 200 cases more than 60 years of age. Amongst these patients, 100 patients with hypertension for more than 5 years were included in Group 1 and 100 healthy age matched control were included in Group 2. Physical parameters were recorded and all subjects underwent comprehensive echocardiographic examination. Data was analysed using SPSS 20 software. All parameters were presented as mean and standard deviation. A p-value Results: Gender distribution was 86% Male and 14% female in case group and 91% Male and 9% female subjects in control group. In echocardiographic parameters, the difference in values of L.A. Diameter in Group 1(2.94+0.27) vs Group 2 (3.43+0.32) was significant. Similarly, difference in value of Aortic Root in Group 1(2.94+0.27) vs Group 2 (3.02+0.32) was significant. The difference in value of IVSD in Group 1 (2.94+0.27) vs Group 2 (3.02+0.32) was also significant. However, difference in values of LVID in Group 1 (4.97+4.25) vs Group 2 (5.24+5.) was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In current study, Left ventricular systolic function was within normal physiological limits in all hypertensive patients. However, when compared to healthy control group it was lower suggesting that chronic hypertension does affect left ventricular function gradually. Keywords: Echocardiography, Hypertension, Indian population, Left ventricle function, Left ventricle hypertrophy, Aortic root diameter, LVID, IVSD, LA diameter.

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Abstract

Introduction: Learning styles account for different methods of individuals learning, namely visual, auditory and kinaesthetic identified by the acronym VAK. All students do not learn from the same teaching methodologies. Hence it is important to find out the types of students in relation to their preference for effective teaching of concepts and skills. Smartphone use is increasingly becoming popular among medical students. Objective: This study is being carried out in order to improve on the teaching methodology used in undergraduate medical classes taking in to consideration the preference of students who are using smartphones for one to two hours on a daily basis. Materials and Methods: A 40 question questionnaire was circulated amongst 50 medical students volunteers to categorise them in accordance to their preferences of learning styles. Their daily smartphone usage was also recorded. Results: It was seen that majority of students are Visual learners and smartphone usage had increased the number from previous studies. Conclusion: More emphasis needs to be placed on visual learning techniques like slideshow presentations and demonstrations especially among smartphone proficient medical students. Keywords: Kinaesthetic, Visual, Auditory, Teaching methodology, Learning modes, First year MBBS students.

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