A Novel Technique for Retrieval of a Drug-Eluting Stent After Catheter Break and Stent Loss

Break of a stent delivery catheter and subsequent stent loss (SL) has been a rare event in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era. We here report a case of successful retrieval of a stent after a break if the delivery catheter and SL from a balloon catheter at a culprit lesion. We finally resolved this situation using a simple balloon technique for both the broken stent catheter inside of the guide catheter and the unexpanded stent in the culprit lesion. Thus balloons are an important weapon in our armamentarium in the cardiac catheterization laboratory for urgent retrieval of a lost stent. Their apt use definitely allowed our patient to avoid undergoing emergency cardiovascular thoracic surgery.

Hammam an ancient principle of health

The baths or 'hammams' as they are named, are for many, aspects of health not just for external cleanliness. Hammam [bath] is being used as a method of Ilaj-bil-tadbeer [Regimental therapy] advocated in Unani system of medicine since ages. Hammam refers to bath. Hammam refreshes body by dispersing the superfluities and preparing body for assimilation of food. Moreover it guards against discomfort. Unani physicians have mentioned various types of Hammam for different ailments and plays important role in prevention and promotion of health like Wajaul Mafasil [Arthritis], skin diseases, menorrhagia, liver disease etc. This paper is a review of the history, benefits, therapeutic effects and different types of Hammam used and mentioned by old Unani physicians in classical Unani literature. Hammam will also be discussed in the light of modern medicine

Noum wa yaqzah [sleep and wakefulness] one of Sittah Zarooriyah [six essentials] in unani medicine

There are six essentials [Sitta, Zarooriyah] in Unani system of medicine. These are considered to have influence on the human body with respect to preservation of health. These six essentials are: 1] Hawa-e-Muheet [Air]. 2] Makul wa Mashroob [Food and Drinks]. 3] Harkat-o-Sakoon Badni [Physical or bodily movement and repose. 4] Harkat-o-Sakoon Nafsani [Mental or Psychic movement and repose]. 5] Noum wa yaqzah [Sleep and wakefulness]. 6] Istifragh-o-Ahtibas [Evacuation and retention], Noum wa yaqzah [Sleep and wakefulness] is very essential for healthy living as it effects the health in different ways. Any disturbance in Noum wa yaqzah [Sleep and wakefulness] leads to various health related problems like stress, anxiety and may lead to psychological problems. Concept, importance and description of Noum wa yaqzah [Sleep and wakefulness] will be discussed in this paper with special reference to Unani system of medicine

Massage. A Holistic Therapy

Massage is the oldest form of medical care. Massage is systemized manipulation of soft tissues for the purpose of normalizing them. Massage improves circulation and brings fresh air to the body, it assists in elimination of waste products and speeds up healing after injury and enhances the recovery from the disease. In this paper, history, types of massage, benefits and effects of massage will be described from Unani and modern point of view

Community health and environment

Our community health and environment programme serves to protect the basics: pure food, clean water, fresh air and healthy communities. New issues are always on the rise, so we must stay on the cutting edge to protect our communities, our health and the environment. A EURO symposium in 1966 defined community health as including "all the personal health and environmental services in any human community, irrespective of whether such services were public or private ones". Historical background from ancient India to 20th century will be discussedú in this article which will also enlighten us on the changing concepts in public health, changing global scenario and its effect on community health

Impact of Smoking and Smoking-Related Parameters on Acetylcholine-Induced Coronary Artery Spasm

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Smoking has been known to be an independent risk factor of the coronary morbidity induced by coronary artery endothelial dysfunction, but its detailed impact, including the duration and amount of smoking on coronary artery spasm, has not been clarified yet. We investigated the incidence of acetylcholine (Ach)-induced coronary artery spasm according to smoking and the smoking-related parameters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 306 patients (163 males, age: 56.1+/-11.2 years), without significant coronary artery disease underwent Ach provocation testing by injecting incremental doses of 20, 50 and 100 ug Ach into the left coronary artery. Significant coronary artery spasm was defined as focal or diffuse severe transient luminal narrowing (>75%) with/without chest pain or ST-T change of the EKG. The impact of conventional risk factors, including smoking and the smoking-related parameters, on coronary artery spasm was analyzed. RESULTS: The conventional risk factors of coronary atherosclerosis, including hypertension, DM and hyperlipidemia, were numerically higher in the provocation (+) group, but the differences were not statistically different between the two groups. Only smoking itself was significantly higher in the provocation (+) group whereas the smoking duration, amount and the duration of quitting smoking were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Smoking is known to be an independent risk factor of coronary artery spasm, but smoking-related parameters such as the smoking duration, the amount and the duration of quitting smoking were not associated with coronary artery spasm.