effects of panax ginseng on lipid profile, pro-oxidant: antioxidant status and high-sensitivity C reactive protein levels in hyperlipidemic patients in Iran

Because of the conflicting results from previous studies regarding the efficacy of ginseng on lipid profile and anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities of its components, we aimed to evaluate the effects of Panax ginseng on lipid profile, pro-oxidant - anti-oxidant status and high-sensitivity C reactive protein [hs-CRP] levels. Forty Iranian hyperlipidemic patients were randomly assigned to placebo [n = 20] or control [n = 20] groups in this double-blind randomized controlled trial. The ginseng or placebo was taken two capsules twice a day for 8 weeks. Total cholesterol [TC], triglyceride [TG], low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], fasting blood glucose, serum creatinine and hs-CRP levels and pro-oxidant - anti-oxidant balance [PAB] were estimated before and after intervention. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to changes in serum TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C levels. Nor were there significant differences between the two groups with respect to changes in hs-CRP level and PAB from baseline to week 8. Our study demonstrates that ginseng does not have significant effects on lipid profile, Hs-CRP level and PAB. Further clinical studies, with a larger sample size, more prolonged period of therapy are needed to investigate the therapeutic effects of ginseng

Correlation between asymptomatic intradialytic hypotension and regional left ventricular dysfunction in hemodialysis patients

Cardiovascular disease and heart failure are common in dialysis patients. Recurrent subclinical myocardial ischemia is an important event which may lead to the heart failure. We examined whether this phenomenon occurs secondary to the intradialytic hypotension in hemodialysis patients. Twelve patients prone to intradialytic hypotension who had been on maintenance hemodialysis for more than 12 months and 15 hemodialysis patients without any history of intradialytic hypotension were included in this study. Echocardiography was performed before hemodialysis [baseline], and at 60 minutes and 120 minutes during hemodialysis [climax], and 30 minutes postdialysis [recovery]. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular systolic diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, fractional shortening of left ventricular, and regional wall motion abnormality score and index were measured during the four stages in all patients. Regional wall motion abnormality preceded reduction in the left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening in patients with intradialytic hypotension. However, decreased systolic blood pressure and increased regional wall motion abnormality were accompanied. This study showed that reversible myocardial dysfunction occurs during the hemodialysis. It may be contributed to the intradialytic hypotension. In addition, we showed that regional wall motion abnormality less frequently occurred in patients without intradialytic hypotension. This suggests that confronting with intradialytic hypotension may prevent cardiovascular dysfunction

Value of automated ECG interpretation in diagnosis of cardiac disorders

Electrocardiography [ECG] is a valuable device in the assessment of cardiovascular diseases. Recent medical software developments such as the invention of modern automated ECG interpreters have greatly facilitated the work of electrocardiographers and cardiologists. We present our experience in the use of one such device in the routine reporting of 200 successive ECGs recorded in our Cardiac Care Unit and Cardiac Emergency Ward. The interpretations of 200 ECGs provided by the GE-digital ECG device were chosen and compared with those supplied by four cardiologists in a single blind manner. All statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS version 11.5 for windows. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. There was a diagnostic match between the interpretations by the device and those by the cardiologists in 107 [53.5%] cases as opposed to a diagnostic mismatch in 93 cases [46.5%]. The matching rate in the interpretations of myocardial ischemic disorders was high, which means practically all the ischemic cases diagnosed by the device were confirmed by the cardiologists. Only in 12 cases myocardial infarction or ischemic changes were reported by the cardiologists, while they were missed by the device. As regards rhythm disorders, the sensitivity and specificity of the device were 67.7% and 75.7%, respectively. With respect to conductive disorders, the respective sensitivity and specificity of the device were 70% and 96.6%, respectively. Finally, in the case of structural disorders, the interpretations of the device were 92.8% sensitive and 83.3% specific. According to the results of our study and similar researches, it seems that the interpretations of an automated ECG device in diagnosing the ischemic and structural disorders of the heart are reliable. The device, however, should not be relied upon when assessing conduction disorders and dysrhythmias. We, therefore, recommend that the users of digital ECG devices recheck the digital interpretations in those cases