Malondialdehyde-modified LDL IgG antibody levels and indices of cardiac function in valvular heart and coronary artery disease patients

To compare the changes in anti-malondialde-hyde-modified low-density lipoprotein [MDA-LDL] IgG levels among patients undergoing off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] or valvuloplasty. A total of 38, 39 and 34 patients who underwent off-pump CABG, on-pump CABG and valvuloplasty, respectively, were enrolled in this study. Serum anti-MDA-LDL IgG values were measured 24 h before and after the operative procedures and at discharge. Echocardiogra-phy was also done before surgery and before discharge. The results were compared with values from 50 healthy controls. In all patients, a reduction in antibody titers was observed post-operatively. However, the decrease was significant only in the off-pump CABG - before surgery: 42.33 [25.83-58.51], after surgery: 30.86 [16.36-51.33] and at discharge: 10.96 [6.82-23.57; p = 0.027]. There was a significant positive association between anti-MDA-LDL IgG levels and ejection fraction [r = 0.248, p = 0.036] and a negative association with E/E', a marker of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, in the coronary patients [r = -0.345, p = 0.012], but no significant associations were found in patients with valvular heart disease. Serum anti-MDA-LDL IgG levels were associated with cardiac function indices in coronary patients undergoing CABG

Cardiovascular risk factors and nutritional intake are not associated with ultrasound-defined increased carotid intima media thickness in individuals without a history of cardiovascular events

Carotid ultrasound appears to be useful in the assessment of cardiovascular risk. In this study, we have assessed the carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT] in a group of individuals without a history of cardiovascular events. A sample of 431subjects [189 [43.9%] males and 242 [56.1%] females] was obtained from an urban population using a stratified-cluster method in Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerosis disorder study. None of the subjects had a history of the cardiovascular event. Carotid artery duplex ultrasound was used to determine the CIMT in all subjects, and to identify those with an abnormal value [CIMT [+]; i.e., CIMT >/= 0.8 mm]. Dietary intake of participants was assessed using a questionnaire for 24-h dietary recall. The relationship between anthropometric, biochemical and dietary data and CIMT were assessed. The mean age of subjects was 48.7 +/- 8.0 years. Of the 431 patients, 118 [27.4%] were found to be CIMT [+]. Of the cardiovascular parameters assessed, only age [odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval [CI]], 1.11 [0.56-4.34]; P < 0.01] and male gender [OR [95% CI], 1.14 [0.63-2.23]; P < 0.05] were significant independent predictors of ultrasound defined CIMT. Crude and total energy adjusted intake were not associated with the presence of CIMT [+]. It appears that within a relatively young Iranian population of individuals without a history of cardiovascular event, the presence of CIMT [+] defined by duplex ultrasound cut-off value of >/= 0.8 mm, did not associate with several modifiable cardiovascular risk factors or measures of dietary intake

Determination of the effects of digoxin on the right ventricular function in patients undergoing pneumonectomy

Introduction: Pneumonectomy is the standard treatment of lung cancer, even though patients should undergo several evaluations before surgery; deterioration of cardiopulmonary function after pulmonary resection is inevitable. We have evaluated the effects of digoxin on the improvement of right ventricular function and prevention of probable complications after lung resection surgery

Materials and Methods: All patients who were candidate for pneumonectomy or extensive lobectomy in Ghaem hospital from 2010 to 2012 were enrolled into this study and were divided into two groups randomly. The first group [group D] received digoxin during surgery and in the second group [group C] normal saline was administered as placebo. Echocardiographic evaluation of the patients was accomplished the day before and the day after surgery

Results: Among 20 patients in each group, male to female ratio was almost 2:1 and mean age was 63.8 [ranged 46-83 years]. The most common cause of pneumonectomy was lung cancer. Comparison of the preoperative demographic variables, blood biochemistry, pulmonary function tests, echocardiographic and blood gas indexes showed no statistically significant differences between two groups. But postoperative evaluations showed a significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction in group D. Right ventricular systolic and diastolic diameters and pulmonary artery pressure were decreased significantly as well

Conclusion: According to our results, we suggest a single dose of digoxin during lung resection surgery to improve cardiac performance after pneumonectomy

Prevalence of chest wall deformities in a large sample of Iranian children aged 7-14 years

Pectus excavatum [PE] and pectus carinatum [PC] are two common chest deformities. We investigated the prevalence of chest wall deformities including PE and PC in Iranian population. 25587 children and adolescents aged 7-14 years consisting of 13586 [53.1%] males and 12001 [46.9%] females were studied using cluster-stratified sampling method. Screening was clinical and based on descriptive findings. Suspected subjects with chest wall deformity were referred to the expert surgeon to confirm the diagnosis. The prevalence of chest deformities in our population was 204 [1.03%]. The mean age of subjects was 10.2 +/- 3.0 years. Of these subjects 124 [0.49%] [74 [54%] males and 50 [42%] females]] had PE and 80 [0.31%] [58 [72.5%] males and 22 [17.5%]females]] had PC. The prevalence of PE seems to be very high in Iran. Special attention must be paid to diagnose and treat this problem in our population