Determination of the Predictive Value of Serum Bilirubin in Patients with Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Descriptive Analytical Study.

Purpose: In all types of ischemic stroke, especially in the acute phase, excessive oxidative stress causes structural and functional damage to the brain. This may play a major role in the pathophysiology of the brain damage. Higher serum levels of bilirubin have therapeutic effects in oxidative stress-induced stroke. Nevertheless, role of increased serum levels of bilirubin in the acute phase of ischemic stroke is ccontroversial. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional prospective descriptive study conducted in the Emergency Department (ED) of Imam Reza hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran, throughout six months. 275 ischemic stroke patients were evaluated based on their brain CT scan infarct size, NIHSS, MRS, and serum levels of bilirubin. Later, data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Results: Total, direct and indirect bilirubin levels were significantly higher in expired patients (p < 0.0001). Total (p< 0.0001), direct (p< 0.0001) and indirect (p< 0.0001) bilirubin levels, NIHSS score (p< 0.0001), and ischemic area (p< 0.0001) significantly predicted the outcome in these patients. Conclusion: Total, direct and indirect bilirubin levels was significantly associated with mortality in the acute phase of ischemic stroke patients.

Comparison of prophylactic effects of polyurethane cylindrical or tapered cuff and polyvinyl chloride cuff endotracheal tubes on ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Because microaspiration of contaminated supraglottic secretions past the endotracheal tube cuff is considered to be central in the pathogenesis of pneumonia, improved design of tracheal tubes with new cuff material and shape have reduced the size and number of folds, which together with the addition of suction ports above the cuff to drain pooled subglottic secretions leads to reduced aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions. So we conducted a study to compare the prophylactic effects of polyurethane-cylindrical or tapered cuff and polyvinyl chloride cuff endotracheal tubes (ETT) on ventilator-associated pneumonia. This randomized clinical trial was carried out in a 12 bed surgical intensive care unit. 96 patients expected to require mechanical ventilation more than 96 hours were randomly allocated to one of three following groups: Polyvinyl chloride cuff (PCV) ETT, Polyurethane (PU) cylindrical Sealguard ETT and PU Taperguard ETT. Cuff pressure monitored every three hours 3 days in all patients. Mean cuff pressure didn't have significant difference between three groups during 72 hours. Pneumonia was seen in 11 patients (34%) in group PVC, 8 (25%) in Sealguard and 7 (21%) in Taperguard group. Changes in mean cuff pressure between Sealguard and PVC tubes and also between Taperguard and PVC tubes did not show any significant difference. There was no significant difference in overinflation between three groups. The use of ETT with PU material results in reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia compared to ETT with PVC cuff. In PU tubes Taperguard has less incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia compared to Sealguard tubes.

Acute and chronic pathological effects of sulfur mustard on genitourinary system and male fertility.

PURPOSE: To review the acute and chronic pathological effects of sulfur mustard on the genitourinary system and male fertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed and Google Scholar to find studies related to the sulfur mustard-induced genitourinary effects and male infertility. Information in the abstracts of non-English related papers as well as those in the proceedings of congresses on sulfur mustard were reviewed as well. RESULTS: In acute phase after sulfur mustard exposure, evidences are in favor of microscopic and macroscopic renal lesions, very low androgen levels, and impaired spermatogenesis. Several years following sulfur mustard exposure, the long-term pathological effects vary from the renal function impairment to the gonadal damage, in particular the spermatogenesis. Nevertheless, carcinogenic effect of sulfur mustard on the genitourinary system as well as the prevalence of male infertility among sulfur mustard-exposed veterans in the chronic post-exposure phase is still unclear. CONCLUSION: Sulfur mustard causes both acute and chronic injuries to different parts of the genitourinary system.

Pericardial cyst presented as chronic cough: a rare case report.

Pericardial cysts are rare congenital abnormalities with a reported incidence rate of 1/100,000 males. The most common locations of these cysts are middle mediastinum and right cardiophrenic angle. Pericardial cysts are usually asymptomatic unless a complication or rapid growth occurs. Diagnosis is generally made incidentally or using combined radiological X-ray, contrast Computed Tomography (CT), and echocardiography imaging. Various forms of treatments include observation, needle aspiration, and surgical excision of the cysts. Recurrence of the disease is common when aspiration approach is selected. Herein, we present a case of pericardial cyst affecting right cardiophrenic angle in a 36 year-old man with an atypical right chest pain and chronic cough. Finally, the patient was treated successfully using surgical approach.

A comparative study of postoperative pulmonary complications using fast track regimen and conservative analgesic treatment: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pulmonary complications and pain are important causes of postoperative morbidity following thoracotomy. This study aimed to compare the effects of fast track and conservative treatment regimens on patients undergoing thoracotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, we recruited 60 patients admitted to the thoracic ICU of Imam Reza Hospital in two matched groups of 30 patients each. Group 1 patients received fast track regimen randomly; whereas, group 2 cases randomly received conservative analgesic regimen after thoracotomy and pulmonary resection. The outcome was determined based on the incidence of pulmonary complications and reduction of post-thoracotomy pain in all patients with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) <75% predicted value which was measured while the patients were in ICU. The length of ICU stay, thoracotomy pain, morbidity, pulmonary complications and mortality were compared in two groups. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients, 45 (75%) males and 15(25%) females with ASA class I-III were recruited in this study. Postoperative pulmonary complications were observed in 5 (16.7%) patients in group 1 versus 17 (56.7%) patients in group 2. There were statistically significant differences in development of postoperative pulmonary complications such as atelectasis and prolonged air leak between both groups (P< 0.001 and P = 0.003). There was also a statistically significant difference in the rate of preoperative FEV1 (p = 0.001) and ASA scoring (p = 0.01) and value of FEV1 < 75% predicted in the two groups. The difference in length of ICU stay in two groups was statistically significant (P= 0.003 and P = 0.017 in FEV1 < 75% group). Four patients in group 1 and 9 patients in group 2 had FEV1reduced to less than 75% of predicted value (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Using fast track regimen reduced postoperative pain and incidence of some pulmonary complications significantly when compared to the conservative regimen following thoracotomy and various lung surgeries.