Angiographic findings after supplementation with heracleum persicum extract: results of a randomized controlled trial

Objective: Heracleum persicum is a common dietary spice with several traditional medicinal properties important for cardiovascular health including antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and anti?inflammatory effects. This study explored the effects of supplementation with H. persicum fruit on the angiographic findings of patients with minimal coronary artery disease [CAD]

Methods: Subjects who were diagnosed with <50% stenosis in any of their coronary arteries by angiography were selected for this trial and randomly assigned to H. persicum hydroalcoholic fruit extract [n = 15; 300 mg/day] or placebo [n = 12] for 6 months. At the end of the trial, participants underwent a second coronary angiography in order to evaluate the progression of their disease

Results: Posttrial angiography did not reveal any improvement in the number of stenosed vessels after consumption of H. persicum extract versus placebo [P > 0.05]. Similarly, there was no significant difference between the study groups in terms of disease progression and chest pain score [P > 0.05]

Conclusion: The present results do not support any clinically significant benefit of supplementation with H. persicum extract on the angiographic findings of in patients with minimal CAD

Chlamydia pneumoniae in the atherosclerotic plaques of coronary artery disease patients

An association between Chlamydia pneumoniae [C. pneumoniae] and cardiovascular disease has been demonstrated. In this study, we aimed to study this potential relationship in 105 Iranian patients. Coronary artery specimens from 105 Iranian patients undergoing CABG were analyzed by PCR method for C. pneumoniae. Serological evaluation for C. pneumoniae IgG and IgM was performed using ELISA. 53 specimens from mamillary artery were also investigated. C. pneumoniae PCR test result was positive for 23 [21.9%] of patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis, but none of the specimens from the mamillary artery was positive for C. pneumoniae when it was evaluated by the PCR [P<0.001]. Coronary artery disease patients with and without a history of unstable angina or myocardial infarction were comparable in C. pneumoniae PCR test positive rates [P=0.618]. Relevance of IgG and IgM positivity were also studied by correlating it to the study parameters, but no difference was found. CRP was significantly higher in the IgM positive group [P<0.001]. A significant proportion of coronary atherosclerotic plaques are infected with C. pneumoniae while no infection was found in the normal mamillary artery specimens. No association was found between acute coronary syndromes and serological and PCR positivity. Further prospective randomized controlled studies with large patient population are needed to confirm our findings

[Short- and long-term outcomes of angioplasty and stenting for high-risk extracranial carotid stenosis in carotid endarterectomy]

Carotid endarterectomy [CEA] is a standard method for patient with significant carotid stenosis but direct surgical repair via carotid endarterectomy may not be a good option in some patients because of the overall health status that may make the surgery too risky. Carotid angioplasty and stenting [CAS], is a relatively new procedure for the treatment of carotid artery disease in patients who may not be fit enough to undergo surgery. In this investigation, we determined short- and long-term outcomes of stent angioplasty in high-risk patients for whom the risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality is high. We have followed 82 consecutive symptomatic patients with a >/= 50% and asymptomatic patients with a >/= 70%- 80% carotid stenosis within 15.9 months of angioplasty and stenting in Baqiyatallah and Jamaran hospitals from 2008-2010. All the patients were considered poor surgical candidates by experienced surgeons and anesthesiologists upon pre-surgical consultation. This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 28 women and 54 men with a mean age of 69.7_9.2 years. The procedure was technically successful in 79 [96.3%] cases. There were 6 [7.3%] deaths, 5 [6.1%] strokes, 4 [4.9%] MIs and 4 [4.9%] TIAs during the follow-up period. The clinical results during the short available follow-up period suggested stent angioplasty to be useful, effective, reliable and safe in the treatment of significant cervical carotid stenosis in high-risk patients. Further analytical investigations with longer follow-up periods for predicting risk factors are recommended

Left-sided angiosarcoma of heart: a rare case

A 22-year-old man presented with exertional dyspnea commencing one month prior to his admission. Echocardiography revealed a non-homogenous mass, and the pathology examination of the pericardial biopsy was compatible with angiosarcoma