Association between serum levels of Hs-CRP and LDL-C with degree of coronary artery stenosis in patients with stable angina pectoris

Over the past decade, several studies have revealed the role of high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], an acute inflammatory marker, as a prognostic factor in the setting of myocardial infarction, predicting future cardiac outcome of patients suffering from an acute coronary event. This study compares hs-CRP and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C] in predicting degree of coronary stenosis in patients with chronic stable angina. One hundred and five patients with chronic stable angina undergoing angiography were evaluated regarding known cardiovascular risk factors including age, sex, smoking habit, exercise, parental history of premature CAD, history of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, total-cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and triglyceride. hs-CRP was measured by nephlometery and degree of coronary involvement was quantified by using an angiographic scoring scale. Results showed that hs-CRP was not correlated with angiographic score. When all traditional risk factors were entered as independent variables, age, sex, and history of hyperlipidemia were significant predictors of degree of coronary stenosis, and neither hs-CRP nor LDL-C were statistically significant. It was shown that hs-CRP was only related to sex and HDL-C. We conclude that larger studies with better set points for hs-CRP should be conducted, but our study indicates that traditional CAD risk factors including age, sex and history of hyperlipidemia still predict degree of coronary artery stenosis better than hs-CRP and hs-CRP measurement doesn't add any information in this regard. Association of low HDL and hs-CRP may warrant further studies, too

Primary hydatid disease of the ilium: a case report

Bone hydatid disease is endemic in several regions worldwide and lacks a typical clinical appearance and image characteristics; therefore, its diagnosis is very difficult. A 49-year-old rural woman was referred with purulent discharge from sinus tract in the left ilium. X-ray and CT scan showed multiple lytic lesions with cortical destruction. She was scheduled for sequestrectomy with impression of chronic osteomyelitis but destroyed hydatid cysts were detected intraoperatively. Iliac wing excision from the iliac crest to the sacroiliac joint and supraacetabulum area was performed. Pathologic findings were in favor of bone hydatidosis. Postoperatively, albendazole and antibiotics were prescribed

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and use of drug-eluting stent in Shiraz catheterization centers during 2006

The dominant role of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty [PTCA], especially with drug-eluting stent is obvious in alleviating symptoms and improving life quality of patients with coronary artery disease.We analyzed a total 2267 angioplasty cases [906 women, and 1361 men] in six public and private catheterization centers in Shiraz, from January 2006 to January 2007. A] Pure old balloon angioplasties were performed only in 12 cases [0.52%]. B] Drug-eluting stents [53.7%] were placed more frequently than Bare-metal stents [46.3%]. There was 13% increase in placing drug-eluting stent during 2005. C] Drug-eluting stents were used in 50.0% and 54.9% of patients in public and private hospitals, respectively. D] In Shiraz centers, Cypher model was used more often than other models [29.1%]. E] Single-vessel disease PTCAs were done in 65.5% of patients followed by two [27.0%], and three-vessel diseases [7.5%]. We recommend the increasing use of drug-eluting stents especially in patients with three-vessel disease. However, the use of first generation of drug-eluting stents would increase the chance of subacute thrombosis. It is also essential to carry out especial surveys about drug-eluting stents in Iran and Middle East