EEG abnormalities in clinically diagnosed brain death organ donors in Iranian tissue bank

Brain death is defined as the permanent, irreversible and concurrent loss of all brain and brain stem functions. Brain death diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and it is not routine to use paraclinical studies. In some countries, electroencephalogram [EEG] is performed in all patients for the determination of brain death while there is some skepticism in relying on EEG as a confirmatory test for brain death diagnosis. In this study, we assessed the validity of EEG and its abnormalities in brain death diagnosis. In this retrospective study, we used 153 EEGs from medical records of 89 brain death patients in organ procurement unit of the Iranian Tissue Bank admitted during 2002-2008. We extracted and analyzed information including EEGs, which were examined by a neurologist for waves, artifacts and EEG abnormalities. The mean age of the patients was 27.2 +/- 12.7 years. The most common cause of brain death was multiple traumas due to accident [65%]. The most prevalent artifact was electrical transformer. 125 EEGs [82%] were isoelectric [ECS] and seven EEGs [5%] were depictive of some cerebral activity which upon repeat EEGs, they showed ECS patterns too. There was no relationship between cause of brain death and cerebral activity in EEGs of the patients. In this study, we could confirm ECS patterns in all brain death patients whose status had earlier been diagnosed clinically. Considering the results of this study, it seems sensible to perform EEG as a final confirmatory test as an assurance to the patients' families.

[ factors relevant to the onset of vascular complications after coronary intervention in Shahid Rajaei cardiovascular Center in Tehran, Iran]

Vascular complications, as the most common complications of diagnostic catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI], are important factors in the morbidity of patients undergoing such procedures; thus, this study was done to evaluate the prevalence of these complications and their related factors. This is a descriptive study composed of 2097 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in Shahid Rajaei Cardiovascular Center in Tehran, Iran from January 2008 to January 2009. Occurrence of vascular complications in course of hospitalization and the related factors leading to the complications were investigated. Out of 2097 patients, 1544 [73.6%] were male and 553 [26.4%] were female, and the mean age of the participants was 57 +/- 10 years. Vascular complications from the time of PCI to the time discharge were observed in 19 [0.9%] patients. The other complications included: hematoma in 10 cases [52.6%], pseudoaneurysm in five cases [26.3%], retroperitoneal hemorrhage and arteriovenous fistula in 2 [10.5%] patients each. The complications were significantly more common in female patients [P=0.003], in patients with a history of hypertension [P=0.02], people of shorter stature [P=0.004], and being on gp IIIa/IIb inhibitors [P=0.003]. The rate of vascular complications post-percutaneous coronary interventions is low and it is considered to be a good treatment option for patients with coronary stenosis; provided that sufficient compression is applied on the vascular access point in the right time after removal of the arterial sheath. PCI is of fewer vascular complications, especially in female patients, history of hypertension, and higher anticoagulant concentrations

Occupational exposure to infrared radiation in aluminum and cast-iron foundries in Zanjan, Iran

The harmful effects of the long-term ocular exposure to cumulative levels of infrared radiation [IR] in glassblowing and foundries have been recognized since the late 19th century. These effects include cataracts, keratitis, and chronic dry eye problems. Therefore, infrared radiation measurements are critical and need to be assessed regularly in the industries and workplaces where there are high temperature furnaces, such as in the glass industries and foundries. However, IR measurement is not very simple, especially when the range of interest is one in which radiometers are not available, as for the IR-B and IR-C ranges, and commonly available radiometers have a limited sensitivity range. The present article deduce a calculation method for evaluating of IR irradiance based on Planck's radiation law for black body radiation and using an IR detector sensitive in the spectral range 750-1150 nm. Based on this method, workers exposure was assessed to all harmful wavelength ranges of IR radiation in three foundries [two aluminums and one cast-iron]. The results suggested that IR-A and IR-B radiation [wavelength from 770 nm to 3000 nm] in the mentioned foundries were more than TLVs [threshold limit values] given by ACGIH. There were significant risks of health hazards due to IR radiation exposure. Personal protective equipment should be used in order to prevent serious damage to eyes and skin, and selection of appropriate equipment should be on an individual basis due to different radiation exposure

Ocular complications of brucellosis: a case report

A 21 -year-old female was referred for severe bilateral visual loss 3 weeks after a diagnosis of brucellosis. On ocular examination she had bilateral optic nerve head swelling, preretinal hemorrhages and retinal vasculitis. The patient was diagnosed with bilateral optic neuritis secondary to brucellosis and developed optic atrophy and severe visual loss despite medical treatment. Brucellosis can lead to various types of ocular involvement including vasculitis, optic neuritis and retinal hemorrhage