[Electrolyte disorders after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and its related factors]

Introduction: coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is a common therapeutic intervention in patients with coronary artery disease. This surgery has various complications. Electrolyte disorders are among common important complications among these patients

Objective: purpose of this study was to determine the level of electrolyte disorders and related factors in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery hospitalized in cardiac care units

Methods: in this descriptive cross-sectional study, 288 Coronary Artery By Pass Graft [CABG] patients admitted to educational hospital were selected by gradual sampling. Data were collected by a three part researcher made questionnaire covering demographics, past medical history and levels of sodium and potassium through patients' medical records. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate tests [chi square test, fisher exact test and logistic regression]

Results: findings showed that 16.7% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were hyponatremia, 4.9% hypernatremia, 14.2% hypokalemia and 3.8% hyperkalemia. The results also indicated that there was a significant relationship between the factors such as body mass index, history of drug use, the number of vessels involved, the number of grafts, the length of time connected to mechanical ventilation, duration of artificial heart-lung machine use, aortic clamping time, and amount of intraoperative hypothermia, hemoglobin and hematocrit and postoperative electrolyte disorders [P<0.05]. According to Logistic regression model, these factors were not associated to electrolyte abnormalities

Conclusion: the findings showed that many factors such as individual medical history and condition during surgery can affect electrolyte abnormalities after coronary artery bypass graft. Identifying these factors can be useful in planning for prevention, diagnosis and early treatment of possible complications which in turn may result in promotion of quality care

[Agreement of panoramic radiography and doppler sonography in detection of carotid artery calcification]

According to some studies, diagnosis of carotid artery calcification in panoramic radiography could be a good marker and an aid for the prediction and prevention of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular accidents. Doppler sonography is an important diagnostic method for the recognition of calcified atheroma and carotid artery stenosis, With respect to the importance of the recognition of calcified atheroma and vast usage of panoramic radiography in dental treatments, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of agreement between panoramic radiography and Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of calcified carotid artery. In this descriptive-analytic study, panoramic radiographs were taken from 35 nephrologic and neurologic patients with carotid Doppler sonography, in order to evaluate calcified carotid atheroma. Panoramic radiographs were designed in a form that, the most of cervical vertebrae height to the level of the 4[th] and 5[th] intervertebral spaces, could be seen. The data related to the presence or absence of calcified atheroma in Doppler sonography and panoramic radiography were collected by SPSS software. The degree of agreement between the two methods was evaluated by Kappa analysis. Panoramic radiograph and Doppler sonography in both male and female patients in right side showed an average to good agreement rate. Overall, this agreement in patients with cerebrovascular complications without paying any attention to the affected side was from good to average degree. The presence of linear and nodular opacities in the level of 3[rd]-4[th] or 4[th]-5[th] intervertebral spaces in panoramic radiography especially at the right side could be considered serious. If positive risk factors are also present, the patients could be referred, with great confidence and economical justification, for precise medical examinations, [Doppler Sonography]

Can previous thyroid scan induce cytogenetic radioadaptive response in patients treated by radioiodine for hyperthyroidism?

Background: Induction of radioadaptive responses in cells pretreated with a low dose radiation before exposure to a high dose is well documented by many investigators. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of chromosomal aberration in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients treated by radioiodine [[131]I] for hyperthyroidism, with or without previous thyroid scan with [99m]Tc

Materials and Methods: Venous blood samples were obtained from 35 patients one month after radioiodine therapy and cytogenetically evaluated using analysis of metaphase in two groups. The first group [n = 15, 13 females and 2 males, mean age= 44.7 +/-11.5 years and mean weight 74.4+/-7.9 Kg] received 5 mCi [99m]Tc for thyroid scanning 38.6+/-19.9 days before radioiodine therapy with 10.4 +/- 3.4 mCi [131]I. The second group [n = 20, 14 females and 6 males, mean age = 41.0 +/-10.8 years and mean weight = 68.1+/-9.2 Kg] didn't have history of thyroid scanning. We also studied a control group [n = 29, 11 Females and 8 males, mean age = 33.7+/-7.4 and mean weight = 70.0+/-8.8 Kg] who didn't have any history of diagnostic or therapeutic and also occupational exposure

Results: The mean frequency of total chromosomal aberrations in the first and second groups and controls were 1.46 +/-1.55, 1.65 +/- 1.62 and 0.93 +/- 0.92 respectively. Results also showed that the mean frequency of total chromosome aberration in two groups were higher than controls and significantly higher in patients who had not received [99m]Tc compared those who had undertaken thyroid scan before radioiodine therapy [p=0.03]

Conclusion: These findings may indicate the fact that the radiation dose received from [99m]Tc could induce resistance to subsequent higher radiation dose of [131]I in peripheral blood lymphocytes and it might be due to cytogenetic radioadaptive response

[Nuclear weapons, triage of injured and therapeutic approach to the acute radiation syndrome]

Background: In new wars using of nuclear weapons according to their high explosive rate have important role. This article mentioned the characteristics of the atomic bombs and kinds of its side effects

Materials and Methods: this is a review article and used through Pubmed, Yahoo and Google sites following keywords: Acute radiation syndrome, triage and nuclear weapons. Generally 49 articles collected and 18 articles were assessed

Results: According to high explosive of nuclear weapons, It is necessary to triage and sort the suffered to treat in the best ways and most short times

Conclusion: In terrorist attacks or wars, nuclear accidents or even atomic-nuclear events can lead to acute radiation syndrome and other serious complications. So, it is more necessary to have enough preparation and tools to face these events

[Nuclear weapons, triage of injured and therapeutic approach to the acute radiation syndrome]

Background: In new wars using of nuclear weapons according to their high explosive rate have important role. This article mentioned the characteristics of the atomic bombs and kinds of its side effects

Materials and Methods: this is a review article and used through Pubmed, Yahoo and Google sites following keywords: Acute radiation syndrome, triage and nuclear weapons. Generally 49 articles collected and 18 articles were assessed

Results: According to high explosive of nuclear weapons, It is necessary to triage and sort the suffered to treat in the best ways and most short times

Conclusion: In terrorist attacks or wars, nuclear accidents or even atomic-nuclear events can lead to acute radiation syndrome and other serious complications. So, it is more necessary to have enough preparation and tools to face these events

[ inhabitants health status in high and low natural background radiation areas in Ramsar, north of Iran]

Background and Objective: ramsar a coastal city in the north part of Iran has among the highest levels of natural radiation known to exist in an inhabited area. This is mainly due to radium-226 and its progenies coming to the earth surface through hot springs. The health effect of low doses of ionizing radiation is not clear and is still under the matter of discussion. The study of the effects of high natural background radiation on human health was the main goal of this investigation. The present article is showing the results of the first phase of our work

Materials and Methods: this cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on 101 families [402 residents] of high background radiation areas and 98 families [374 residents] from adjacent normal radiation areas. After description of the study and its objectives to the participants, they were asked to participate in interviews and complete questionnaires containing some socio-economic and health items. Some items of questionnaires were determined using the information recorded in local health centers in those areas

Results: overall data showed no significant differences between the frequencies of any mental and physical disabilities as well as death, abortion and mental depression in residents of normal and high background radiation areas. However the frequency of some special diseases such as cardiac diseases and malignancies among residents of high background radiation area in comparison with ordinary radiation level areas was lower [P<0.05]

Conclusion: these preliminary results, showed lack of ill effects and even some positive effects. Among population of high background radiation areas. Although we used census method for getting data, we believe that other radio-epidemiologic prospective studies can improve our knowledge about radiobiology of low doses of ionizing radiation