فهرست مطالب
International Cardiovascular Research Journal
Volume:13 Issue: 1, Mar 2019
- تاریخ انتشار: 1398/02/10
- تعداد عناوین: 7
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Pages 1-4BackgroundHeart failure is a life-threatening event that could lead to sudden cardiac death. It is primarily prevented by the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Applying this therapy is mainly determined by left ventricular ejection fraction. However, this criterion results in considerable pitfalls. Improving the discrimination strategies in order to select eligible patients can help avoid unnecessary insertions.ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare global longitudinal myocardial strain and left ventricular ejection fraction in predicting sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia in heart failure patients.MethodsThis study was performed on 70 ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathic patients randomly selected from Imam Reza clinic. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% who had undergone implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation were recruited into the research. Left ventricular ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain were measured by 3D echocardiography. Independent sample t-test was used for analysis and statistical significance was set at < 0.05.ResultsThe data were expressed as mean ± SD. The study subjects in the ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathic groups were categorized according to the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The results showed a significant difference between arrhythmic and non-arrhythmic cases only in the ischemic group regarding the amount of left ventricular ejection fraction. Meanwhile, a significant difference was observed between arrhythmic subjects and their counterparts in both ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathic groups concerning global longitudinal strain parameters.ConclusionGlobal longitudinal strain could be considered as a valuable predictor of ventricular tachyarrhythmia occurrence beside left ventricular ejection fraction. This helps selection of appropriate patients for implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy.Keywords: Heart Failure, Primary Prevention, Implantable Defibrillator
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Pages 5-10<p>Background</p><p>Abnormal liver function test results are often observed in patients with acute Myocardial Infarction (MI).</p><p>ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) activity elevation after MI-induced liver injury.MethodsIn this randomized clinical trial, 75 patients with acute MI were randomly allocated to an intervention and a control group. The intervention group received 1 gram per day equal to three capsules of Pikasol (fish oil) for three months, while the control group received the routine treatment after MI. In all samples, plasma concentrations of ALT were assessed on the admission day and 2, 30, 60, and 90 days after the intervention. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 16 software, and P < 0.05 was set as the level of statistical significance.ResultsThe results showed no significant differences between the two groups regarding age, sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The results also indicated no significant differences between the two groups concerning the serum level of ALT on the day of admission (P = 0.68), day 2 (P = 0.79), day 30 (P = 0.86), day 60 (P = 0.09), and day 90 (P = 0.64).ConclusionThe study results suggested that the patients receiving omega-3 supplementation following MI had similar ALT levels to those who received no supplementations. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the results.Keywords: Unsaturated Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Myocardial Infarction, Liver Injury
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Pages 11-16<p>Background</p><p>Cardiac rehabilitation program reduces cardiovascular risk factors and increases respiratory capacity in patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). High-stress lifestyle is established in military patients with CAD. Military groups have been proposed to have an active lifestyle and better anthropometric changes compared to civilians. However, no studies have been conducted on their response to the cardiac rehabilitation program.</p><p>ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of cardiac rehabilitation on alterations in obesity anthropometric indices among military personnel.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 military patients with CAD and 100 non-military ones at a cardiac rehabilitation center. The two groups were compared with regard to obesity anthropometric and rehabilitation indices before and after a 20-session cardiac rehabilitation program. At first, normal distribution of the data was checked using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Then, independent sample t-test was used to compare the means between the two groups. Paired t-test was also applied to compare the indices before and after the cardiac rehabilitation program. The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software, version 16 and P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 59.72 ± 4.6 and 58.03 ± 5.3 years in the military and civilian groups, respectively (P = 0.060). The results showed no significant differences between the two groups regarding the frequency of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, history of smoking, and positive family history of cardiovascular disease (P = 0.46, 0.48, 0.48,0.29, and 0.47, respectively). Obesity anthropometric indices were significantly decreased in each study group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Additionally, rehabilitation indices were increased more in the military group than in the civilian group, but the difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionDespite the military patients’ probably lower rates of obesity anthropometric indices, they did not benefit more from the cardiac rehabilitation program. However, as in the previous research, the results indicated that the cardiac rehabilitation program after cardiac events and interventions were helpful to improve both military and civilian patients’ capabilities and quality of lives. Rehabilitation indices were also equally increased in the two groups without any significant differences.Keywords: Cardiac Rehabilitation, Military Personnel, Coronary
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Pages 17-22BackgroundHypertension results in severe health problems and intensifies the risk of stroke, heart and kidney diseases, and death. Having a valid and reliable questionnaire for self-management of hypertension is very important.ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian hypertension self-management questionnaire.MethodsThis psychometric exploratory research was conducted in Tabriz in 2017. In this exploratory research, the Persian version of diabetic patients’ self-management questionnaire, which had proper psychometric properties, was modified in order to assess hypertensive patients’ self-management. The face and content validity of the Persian hypertension self-management questionnaire was evaluated. Content Validity Ratio (CVR), Content Validity Index (CVI), and Impact Score (IS) of the questionnaire were calculated by participation of 49 hypertensive patients and 14 experts. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were considered to assess the reliability of the questionnaire.ResultsThe questionnaire’s overall CVI, CVR, and IS were 0.82, 0.63, and 4.41, respectively. Additionally, the CVIs of all questions were over 0.62. Moreover, the internal consistency of the questionnaire was approved by Cronbach’s alpha = 0.882 and its ICC was 0.94.ConclusionThe study findings revealed that the Persian hypertension self-management questionnaire had optimal psychometric properties. Hence, application of this questionnaire by physicians and health educators can be helpful in establishing evidence-based self-management support programs for hypertensive patients.Keywords: Self-Management, Questionnaire, Hypertension
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Pages 23-28BackgroundVenous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a global cause of morbidity and mortality with annual incidence rates between 0.75 and 2.69 per 1000 individuals in the population. Despite the large variety of VTE prophylactic solutions and the availability of several guidelines for their use, appropriate prophylaxis practices are not ideal in many healthcare facilities around the world.ObjectivesThe present study aimed to evaluate the extent of administration of the recommended prophylactic treatment to hospitalized patients at risk of VTE according to local protocols and/or national/international guidelines.MethodsThis observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on 1256 medical and surgical patients from 26 sites across the Near East region. The patients’ records were screened for the fulfillment of inclusion/exclusion criteria during a single visit. The proportion of medical and surgical patients who were at risk of VTE and the thrombo-prophylactic measures employed by physicians for these patients were assessed.ResultsThe results demonstrated that 559 patients (52.2%) did not require thrombo-prophylaxis. Yet, 17.8% were inappropriately administered a prophylactic treatment. Out of the 512 patients at risk of VTE, 443 were eligible for drug prophylaxis. However, 50% received the recommended treatment. Furthermore, significant variations were observed among centers in different countries regarding prophylactic measures in critically ill, cancer, chronically immobilized, and non-orthopedic surgery patients.ConclusionDespite the universal acknowledgment of the seriousness of VTE, the employment of thromboprophylaxis remains suboptimal in the Near East region. A considerable number of hospitalized patients are not receiving any VTE prophylaxis or are given inappropriate treatments. Further studies are required to assess and compare compliance rates prior to and following the implementation of such quality improvement projects.Keywords: Pulmonary Embolism, Venous Thromboembolism, Venous Thrombosis
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Pages 29-33<p>Background</p><p>Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) with 30% prevalence is regarded as a common and threatening condition in premature neonates.</p><p>ObjectivesThe present study aimed to assess the effect of rectal acetaminophen on PDA treatment in premature neonates.MethodsThis case series study was conducted on all premature neonates with PDA admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Dr. Mohammad Kermanshahi Hospital affiliated to Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS) during one year (2017). The subjects had contraindications for simultaneous administration of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and oral medications. Finally, 18 neonates (nine males and nine females) were studied. The patients were treated with 25 mg/kg rectal acetaminophen as the loading dose followed by 15 mg/kg/8 h for three days. Diagnosis and correction of PDA before and after the treatment were justified by echocardiography. Finally, statistical analyses were performed using chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests.ResultsAbout 95% of the neonates responded to the treatment, while the response rate for oral ibuprofen and oral acetaminophen was 70 - 75% based on the results of the previous studies. The results indicated no statistically significant relationships among gestational age, birth weight, and the time of using rectal acetaminophen in two treatment steps of the study (P values = 0.898, 0.281, and 0.219, respectively).ConclusionRectal acetaminophen is suggested as an influential, safe, and cost-effective therapeutic option for PDA closure in preterm neonates with gestational age < 35 weeks.Keywords: Acetaminophen, Ductus Arteriosus, Rectal
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Pages 34-36Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation caused by Echinococcus granulosus larvae. Cases of cardiac hydatid cyst with pericardial involvement are uncommon. Its essential characteristics include clinical polymorphism, latency, and severity of complications. Herein, we reported a rare case of isolated pericardial hydatid cyst whose diagnosis was evoked on the imaging data and confirmed with the parasitological study of the operative specimen.Keywords: Echinococcosis, Cyst