Do preoperative pulmonary function indices predict morbidity after coronary artery bypass surgery.

Context: The reported prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) varies among different groups of cardiac surgical patients. Moreover, the prognostic value of preoperative COPD in outcome prediction is controversial. Aims: The present study assessed the morbidity in the different levels of COPD severity and the role of pulmonary function indices in predicting morbidity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Settings and Design: Patients who were candidates for isolated CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass who were recruited for Tehran Heart Center-Coronary Outcome Measurement Study. Methods: Based on spirometry findings, diagnosis of COPD was considered based on Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease category as forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1]/forced vital capacity <0.7 (absolute value, not the percentage of the predicted). Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) definition was used for determining COPD severity and the patients were divided into three groups: Control group (FEV1 >75% predicted), mild (FEV1 60–75% predicted), moderate (FEV1 50–59% predicted), severe (FEV1<50% predicted). The preoperative pulmonary function indices were assessed as predictors, and postoperative morbidity was considered the surgical outcome. Results: This study included 566 consecutive patients. Patients with and without COPD were similar regarding baseline characteristics and clinical data. Hypertension, recent myocardial infarction, and low ejection fraction were higher in patients with different degrees of COPD than the control group while male gender was more frequent in control patients than the others. Restrictive lung disease and current cigarette smoking did not have any significant impact on postoperative complications. We found a borderline P = 0.057 with respect to respiratory failure among different patients of COPD severity so that 14.1% patients in control group, 23.5% in mild, 23.4% in moderate, and 21.9% in severe COPD categories developed respiratory failure after CABG surgery. Conclusion: Among post-CABG complications, patients with different levels of COPD based on STS definition, more frequently developed respiratory failure. This finding may imply the prognostic value of preoperative pulmonary function test for determining COPD severity and postoperative morbidities.

Perioperative effects of oral midazolam premedication in children undergoing skin laser treatment: a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial / Efeitos peroperatórios da premedicação oral de midazolam em crianças submetidas a tratamento de pele por laser: estudo duplo-cego randomizado e controlado

PURPOSE: To investigate and compare the efficacy of oral midazolam with two different dosages in orange juice on perioperative hemodynamics and behavioral changes in children who underwent skin laser treatment in an academic educational Hospital. METHODS: Ninety children, candidates for skin laser treatment were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups of 30 each: the placebo group received 0.1 ml/kg orange flavored juice, group 2 and 3 receiving 0.5 and 1 mg/kg of injectable midazolam mixed with an equal volume of orange juice, respectively. The main outcome measures included the mask acceptance, patients' behavioral scales and postoperative events. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in heart rate, respiratory rate, and systolic blood pressure among the three groups. However, arterial oxygen saturation was significantly reduced in those given 1 mg.kg-1 midazolam. The median scores of anxiety, separation from parent, preparing an intravenous line, acceptance of the oxygen mask, good sedation, crying reduction and consciousness level were better in midazolam group. Postoperative agitation and re-crying were also more frequent in placebo receivers. Those given 1 mg.kg-1 midazolam were significantly more optimal for sedation, crying, consciousness, preparing an intravenous line, and postoperative re-crying compared with 0.5 mg.kg-1 midazolam receivers. CONCLUSION: As a preanaesthetic medication, the 1 mg.kg-1 dose of orally given midazolam especially in a volume of orange juice and can optimize the children's behavior during skin laser treatment with no serious adverse effects, enhancing their parents' satisfactions about the sedative protocol.

OBJETIVO:Investigar e comparar a eficácia do uso oral de midazolam com duas diferentes doses de suco de laranja na hemodinâmica peropeatória e mudanças de desempenho em crianças submetidas tratamento de pele por laser em Hospital educacional e acadêmico. MÉTODOS:Noventa crianças candidatas a tratamento de pele por laser foram distribuídas aleatóriamente em três grupos de 30 cada: o grupo placebo recebeu 0.1mg/kg de suco de laranja, grupos dois e três receberam 0.5 e 1mg/kg de midazolam injetável misturado em igual volume de suco de laranja respectivamente. Os principais registros incluíam a aceitação da máscara, escalas de comportamento e eventos pós-operatórios. RESULTADOS:Não houve diferenças significantes cardíacas, respiratórias e pressão sanguinea sistólica nos três grupos. Contudo, o nível de saturação de oxigênio foi reduzido significantemente nos que receberam 1mg.kg-1 de midazolam. Os níveis médios de ansiedade, separação dos pais, preparo intravenoso, aceitação da máscara de oxigênio, boa sedação, redução do choro e nível de consciência, foram melhores no grupo midazolam. Agitação pós-operatória e retorno do chora foi mais freqüente nos que receberam placebo. Observou-se que o grupo que recebeu 1mg.kg-1 foi melhor comparado ao que recebeu 0.5mg.kg-1. CONCLUSÃO:Como medicação pré-anestésica na dose de 1mg.kg-1 de midazolam, fornecida em igual volume de suco de laranja, é satisfatória no comportamento de crianças durante tratamento de pele por laser, proporcionando satisfação dos pais.

Recuperação anestésica e efeitos hemodinâmicos da infusão contínua de tiopental versus halotano na manutenção da anestesia em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia ocular / Anesthetic recovery and hemodynamic effects of continuous thiopental infusion versus halothane for maintenance anesthesia in patients undergoing ocular surgery

PURPOSE: To investigate anesthesia recovery and hemodynamic status in patients under thiopental infusion or halothane maintenance anesthesia undergoing ocular surgery. METHODS: Fifty-nine voluntary patients undergoing ocular surgery in Farabi hospital were allocated to one of two maintenance anesthesia groups: inhaled halothane, 0.8 to 1 per cent, (group I, n=37) and thiopental infusion, 10 to 12 mg/kg/hour, (group II, n=22). Hemodynamic parameters were recorded at the time of patient entrance to the operation room and at the 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 minutes following anesthesia. Anesthesia recovery variables were also compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In group I, arterial blood pressure at 10 to 40 min and heart rate at 1 and 25 min after the administration of anesthetics were significantly lower when compared with group II (W ²= 25.10, p= 0.005). Arterial oxygen saturation was similar in the two groups over the whole points of time. The time intervals between the end of surgery and beginning of the first body movements and respiratory efforts were significantly longer in group received halothane (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Continuous infusion of thiopental can be applied effectively and safely for maintenance of anesthesia. In comparison with halothane, it is associated with lower changes of intraoperative hemodynamics and faster anesthesia recovery.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a recuperação anestésica e as condições hemodinâmicas em pacientes submetidos a infusão de tiopental ou hatotano na manutenção da anestesia na cirurgia ocular. MÉTODOS: Cinquenta e nove voluntários submetidos a cirurgia ocular no Hospital Farabi foram distribuídos em dois grupos de manutenção anestésica: Grupo I (n=37) inalação halotano, 0,8 a 1 por cento e Grupo II (n=22) infusão de tiopental, 10 a 12 mg/kg/hora. Foram registrados parâmetros hemodinâmicos da entrada dos pacientes na sala operatória até 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 e 40 minutos durante a anestesia. Variáveis de recuperação anestésica foram também comparados entre ambos os grupos. RESULTADOS: No Grupo I a pressão arterial nos 10 a 40 minutos e avaliação cardíaca em um e 25 minutos após a administração dos anestésicos foram significantes mais baixos comparados com o Grupo II (W²=25.10, p=0.005). A saturação de oxigênio foi similar nos dois grupos durante todos procedimentos. Os intervalos de tempo entre o final da cirurgia e início dos primeiros movimentos e a respiração foram significativamente mais prolongados no grupo que recebeu halotoano (p<0.001). CONCLUSÃO: A infusão continua de tiopental pode ser aplicado efetivamente e com segurança na manutenção da anestesia. Em comparação com halotano as mudanças hemodinâmicas foram menores e a recuperação anestésica mais rápida.

Helicobacter pylori infection in Iranian children with recurrent abdominal pain.

OBJECTIVES: Helicobacter pylori infection may be a cause of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in children. However, this relationship between H. pylori infection and RAP has not yet been confirmed. AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of H. pylori infection as a cause of RAP in Iranian children. METHODS: Demographic characteristics and clinical information of 40 children with RAP and mean age of 12.7 +/- 1.0 year and 60 healthy children (as control group) matched for sex and age were collected by self-administered questionnaires and physical examination. The stool antigen test was performed using HpSA ELISA in both study groups. RESULTS: In the RAP group, 16 of the 40 patients were positive for H. pylori infection on HpSA, whereas this test was positive in 15 of the 60 healthy children. No relationship was found between RAP and positive HpSA ELISA for H. pylori (p = 0.112). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in children with RAP and in healthy children in the age range of 12 to 15 years was similar.

Incidence of genitourinary cancers in the Islamic Republic of Iran: a survey in 2005.

We here report the incidence of different types of genitourinary cancers among the Iranian population according to the records of the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education. In a population-based cancer-registry study in 2005, all recorded data in pathology laboratories, freestanding cancer clinics and treatment centers, physician offices, and other state central registries were obtained with the assistance of Iran Universities of Medical Sciences and sent to the Diseases Management Center in the Health Ministry. The prevalences of urological cancers were as follows: bladder cancer 48.3%; prostate cancer 33.4%; renal cell carcinoma 10.3%; renal pelvis and ureter cancer 0.75%; testicular cancer 6.15%; penile cancer 0.15%; urethral cancer 0.45%; and other unspecified urinary cancers 0.43%. The male to female ratios for the various common urological cancers varied between 1.69 (renal cell carcinoma) and 7.75 (unspecified urinary cancers). The incidence of prostate cancer among our population was dramatically higher than in other countries of Asia. However, bladder cancer was found to be the commonest of the genitourinary cancers, especially in elderly patients, among our population.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with low ejection fraction: The effect of intra-aortic balloon pump insertion on early outcome.

Background: Survival benefit with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients with left ventricular dysfunction is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the early results of CABG that predict 30-day mortality and prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS) after isolated CABG and the role of IABP application as a main predictor in patients with an ejection fraction (EF) of 30% or less. Materials and Methods: Eight hundred and thirty-three patients who underwent isolated CABG with EF </= 30% were entered and compared with 10881 patients with EF > 30% as the control group. Demographic and clinical characteristics and postoperative complications were considered. Data were analyzed using the student's t-test and chi-square test for univariate analysis and the analysis of covariance and logistic regression for multivariate analysis. Results: The thirty-day mortality rate (1.6% vs. 0.7%, P P P = 0.002) and prolonged LOS (P = 0.009). Also, urinary tract infection, prolonged ventilation, and renal failure as postoperative complications were statistically more in the group with the application of IABP. Conclusion: Low ejection fraction can positively affect thirty-day mortality and prolonged LOS and ICU stay in patients who undergo CABG. In these patients, IABP insertion is a strong predictor for early complication and mortality.

Outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients without major risk factors and patients with at least one major risk factor for coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has become a safer procedure in recent years. AIMS: We aimed to compare complications and early outcome of CABG in patients without history of general risk factors with those in patients with at least one general risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Postoperative in-hospital complications, 30-day mortality rate and length of stay in hospital of 708 patients without preoperative general risk factors undergoing CABG in three university hospitals were assessed and compared with 10,844 patients undergoing CABG with at least one general risk factor as controls. In addition, the association of the studied variables with patients' early outcome was evaluated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS software with Pearson's chi2 test; independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney test and univariate analysis were used. RESULTS: All studied in-hospital complications were similar between the two groups. Thirty days mortality rate (0.7% in study group and 1.4% in control group) was similar between groups, whereas prolonged length of stay (>12 days) was more frequent in control group (61.33% vs. 71.36%, P<0.0001). Atrial fibrillation (P<0.0001) was a strong predictor for prolonged length of stay in hospital. CONCLUSION: Most aspects of early complications after CABG, as well as 30-day mortality rate, were similar between patients with and without general risk factors for coronary artery disease undergoing CABG.