An Open-Label, Single-Arm, Pilot Intervention Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Apixaban in Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious adverse drug reaction due to its related risk of life- and limb-threatening thrombosis. Apixaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor that may be intended as an ideal alternative for the management of HIT. In this open-label, single-arm, pilot intervention study, the efficacy and safety of apixaban were evaluated in 30 patients aged >18 years with clinically suspected HIT (4Ts score ≥4 points). Patients with mechanical heart valves, chronic kidney disease, hepatic impairment, and active bleeding were excluded. In all patients with inclusion criteria, heparin or enoxaparin was discontinued and apixaban was started. The dose of apixaban for HIT suspected patients was defined on the basis of the reason for anticoagulant therapy. End points included confirmed thrombosis, mortality, and adverse treatment-related events. After apixaban therapy, platelet counts normalized in all patients; none of the 30 subjects developed new, progressive, or recurrent thrombosis; and only 1 of 30 patients developed a hemorrhagic event. Five patients (16.7%) died, but the reason for death was not linked to thrombosis, hemorrhage, or adverse effects of apixaban. Along with the available emerging data, our results propose that apixaban could be a safe and effective drug for the management of suspected HIT in clinically stable patients.

Designing a community participation management model to control the epidemic of heart coronary artery diseases for Tehran province.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most important disease in the cardiovascular diseases and is the most important cause of death in developed and developing countries. Today, the participation of communities in government programs is considered as an important indicator of the success rate and development process of societies. This study was conducted with the aim of designing a community participation management model for control of CAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out practically, quantitatively, and qualitatively in seven steps. The sample consisted of 400 people. The instrument for measuring this research is a questionnaire of 35 questions that is gathered through referring to the centers and observing and interviewing and reviewing the findings of previous research. The data were analyzed using "exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis" and "Amos 24" and "SPSS 20" software. RESULTS: A total of five factors have been identified as effective in managing people's participation in controlling the epidemic of CAD, including policy, planning, organizing, coordinating, and financing. Of these factors, policy-making and coordination have the most (0.96) and least (0.43) impact, respectively, on managing people's participation in controlling the epidemic of CADs. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that community-based CAD programs should be implemented and evaluated in accordance with clear rules and principles. All of the community should participate and establish close relationships with the national authorities.

Frequency of Left Bundle Branch Block in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction; A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVDs) is important problems in both developing and developed countries. Currently, non-invasive methods for diagnosis of CVD, especially myocardial infarction (MI), is an interesting subject in the cardiology field. Some evidence showed left bundle branch block (LBBB) is more prevalent among patients with MI. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the frequency of LBBB and their contributing factors in patients with MI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 150 patients with ST elevation or non-ST elevation on their admission electrocardiography who referred to Boo-Ali and Amir-Al-Momenin hospitals, Tehran from January 2016 to June 2017 entered the study. Frequency of LBBB and right bundle branch block (RBBB) in participants and the contributing factors were determined. RESULTS: In this study, of 150 cases (mean age: 60.35±12.88 years), 109 (72.7%) were male, and 41 (27.3%) were female. Out of 150 cases, 12 (8%) had LBBB, 5 (3.3%) RBBB, and 133 (89.7%) had not RBBB or LBBB. Contributing factors were family history, hypertension, and history of ischemic heart disease (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Eight percent of patients with myocardial infarction would develop LBBB, which is related to hypertension, and self and family history of ischemic heart disease.