Aortic distensibility in beta-Thalassemia major

Any unfavorable effect of beta-Thalassemia major on aortic distensibility will contribute to the adverse effects of beta-Thalassemia major on the cardiovascular system. To evaluated aortic distensibility in patients with beta-Thalassemia major. The study comprised eighty [46 males] consecutive beta-Thalassemia major patients and 80 control subjects matched for age and gender were selected. Aortic distensibility was approximately two-fold lower in patients compared with control subjects [aortic distensibility: 1.4 +/- 0.8 vs 3.6 +/- 1.2, cm[2] dyn[-1] 10[-6], P = 0.01]. Beta-Thalassemia major causes significant decrease in aortic distensibility

Ischemic preconditioning and atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmic complication after coronary artery bypass grafting. Ischemic preconditioning has proved to be a potent endogenous factor in suppressing ischemia- reperfusion induced arrhythmia. In this prospective study, 101 patients were randomly selected and divided into two groups including 50 patients with ischemic preconditioning protocol and 51 patients in the control group. Data were collected from 24 hour electrocardiogram from 1 day before the operation to 3[rd] post-operative day. Atrial fibrillation was registered as positive, if it lasted longer than 30 seconds. The postoperative atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in the ischemic preconditioning group that was 8% in ischemic preconditioning and 23.52% in control groups [P=0.033]. Control group had a longer stay in intensive care unit and longer mechanical ventilation support. This study suggests that ischemic preconditioning is a useful prophylactic protocol to decrease the prevalence of post-cardiac surgery atrial fibrillation

Distribution and characteristics of the heart disease in pediatric age group in southern Iran

The spectrum of heart diseases among pediatric age group may be different between communities and, in this connection there is no documented report from Iran. We studied cardiac problems among Iranian pediatric age group referred to the pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery out-patient clinic, in a tertiary center for possibility of heart disease. Of 2341 patients, aged from 1 day to 16 years referred, during 2001 and 2003, to the above center, 1817 [77.6%] patients had cardiac diseases. The most common reason for referrals was abnormal heart sounds on routine physical examination [49%]. Congenital heart diseases [CHD] were the most frequent cardiac problems [76.1%], followed by mitral valve prolaps [8.3%] and rheumatic cardiac involvement including sub-clinical findings [7.9%]. Other significant disturbances were associated chromosomal abnormalities, genetic disorders, and electrical and conduction problems. Although rheumatic carditis has very low incidence compared with congenital heart diseases [nearly 1/10], it is still a significant problem in this region and a planning for its better prevention is essential

value of LDH level of BAL fluid in differentiating benign from malignant solitary pulmonary nodules

Serum lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] concentration is an indicator for tissue injury. It may be secreted locally in many conditions. For the first time, this study was performed to investigate the value of LDH level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid [BALF] in differentiation of benign from malignant single pulmonary nodules [SPNs] and to assess its relationship with serum LDH levels. This study was a prospective case-control clinical study. It included 59 patients with a SPN and 21 non-smoker healthy adult volunteers as controls. They underwent bronchoscopy with BAL, Transbronchial needle aspiration [TBNA], and transbronchial biopsy [TBB]. Both total serum and HAL LDFJ levels were measured. The range of the HAL LDH levels in the control group was 4.60 -26 mild/mI, in patients with benign nodule was 6- 83 rnlU/ml, and in those with malignant nodule was 33 -147 mIU/ml. Overall, the mean BALF LDI-I level was significantly higher in patients with a malignant pulmonary nodule [85.92 +/- 28.31] as compared with that of either patients with a benign nodule [19.08 +/- 18.35] [p<0.0001] or control group [12.16 +/- 6.18] [p<0.0001]. No significant difference between the absolute value of HAL LDH level in patients with benign pulmonary nodule and the control subjects was found [p=0.23]. There was no correlation between HALF LDH and serum LDFI level in patients with SPNs [p=0.595]. HALF LDH levels are increased in patients with malignant SPN, but had no significant rise in benign solitary pulmonary nodules. This factor is useful in differentiating benign from malignant SPNs. A low BAL fluid LDI-1 level in a patient with SPN who does not have a tissue diagnosis may be deemed acceptable for observation and follow up. This may save patients the need for operative procedures