Predictive role of adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein for prediction of cardiovascular event in an Iranian cohort Study: The Isfahan Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have been conducted on the predictive effects of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on cardiovascular events. Few studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of adiponectin for the prediction of the incident of cardiovascular events in the Middle East area. This study compared the predictive effect of hs-CRP and adiponectin on healthy volunteers for the prediction of cerebrovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: This nested case-control in original Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS) was conducted from 2001 to 2011. Participants were selected from ICS. The case group included participants with CVD while the control group included participants without CVD. The level of hs-CRP and adiponectin was measured in the blood samples collected in the year 2007. Thereafter, the statistical analyses were performed to determine the predictive value of hs-CRP and adiponectin in CVD prediction. RESULTS: The results showed that before the elimination of diabetes effect; there was a significant difference between the two groups, in terms of the mean of adiponectin (P = 0.019) and no significant difference was observed in hs-CRP levels (P = 0.673). However, after eliminating the factor of diabetes, there was no significant difference between the case and control groups in adiponectin and hs-CRP levels (P = 0.184, P = 0.946). The results showed that the odds ratio (OR) of the adiponectin level was 0.879 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.719-1.075, P = 0.210] while the OR of hs-CRP was 1.045 (95% CI: 0.922-1.185, P = 0.491). Furthermore, it was shown that after adjustment for age, sex, and diabetes; the OR of adiponectine was 0.875 (95% CI: 0.701-1.091, P = 0.235) and that of hs-CRP was 1.068 (95% CI: 0.935-1.219, P = 0.333). CONCLUSION: The results show that adiponectin and hs-CRP cannot be predictors for cardiovascular events in a healthy population. Risk factors such as diabetes limit the use of adiponectin as a CVD predictor.

Efficacy and safety of conventional long acting ß2- agonists: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is usually considered one of the leading causes of death worldwide, so finding proper therapeutic strategies for this disease is of high importance. In this meta-analysis, we reviewed the existing literature on the efficacy and safety of conventional long acting beta agonists (LABAs) in COPD patients. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE and Google scholar to identify relevant articles. We limited data to double-blinded randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data of 14, 832 COPD subjects including 7540 patients under a ß2 agonist (cases) and 7292 taking placebo (controls) retrieved from 20 randomized controlled trials and were enrolled into this meta-analysis. Evaluated outcomes included overall mortality, exacerbations and tolerance to the drug. RESULTS: The analysis of survival showed no significant difference between those taking LABAs or placebo (relative risk (RR): 0.945, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.821-1.088, P=0.432). Exacerbation rate, however, was significantly lower among the cases than among the controls (RR: 0.859, 95%CI: 0.800-0.922, p<0.001). Similar observation was detected in analyzing the rate of drug withdrawal in patients of the two groups with patients under placebo having significantly higher rate of drug discontinuation due to adverse events or disease symptoms (RR:0.821, 95% CI: 0.774-0.871; p<0.007). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we found that the use of conventional LABA therapy in COPD patients is associated with a lower exacerbation rate of the disease as well as higher tolerance to the drug, but no survival advantage is expectable. Substitution of LABAs with new agents is recommended.

Response of transplant recipients to influenza vaccination based on type of immunosuppression: A meta-analysis.

Influenza vaccination is widely used in transplant recipients, but there is little known about the significance and correlating factors of its effectiveness. In the current study, we reviewed the existing literature on clinical trials performed in transplant recipients on the effectiveness of influenza vaccination and to evaluate the relevance of the type of immunosuppression employed in these patients on the humoral reaction to the vaccine. A comprehensive search of the literature was performed through Pubmed and Google Scholar to find reports indicating immunogenicity of influenza vaccination in transplant patients. Finally, data from 15 published clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis. Data of 947 transplant recipients retrieved from 15 clinical trials investigating the immunogenicity of influenza vaccination were analyzed in this meta-analysis. Analysis showed significantly lower rates of sero-conversion among transplant recipients receiving mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) than other immunosuppressive agents (relative risk: 0.724; 95% confidence interval: 0.596-0.880; P = 0.001). No significant correlation was found with tacrolimus, sirolimus, cyclosporine and azathioprine. Different immunosuppressive agents seem to have different effects on the humoral response rate to influenza vaccination, with MMF having the most significant deleterious effect. The limited and controversial data available in the literature do not support any differential effect for other immunosuppressive agents.

Echocardiographic changes after aortic valve replacement: Does the failure rate of mitral valve change?

BACKGROUND: Since some degrees of functional mitral regurgitation (MR) may be seen in patients who are candidate for undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR), determining the effectiveness of AVR surgery on MR rate improvement can be effective in designing a protocol to deal with patients with functional MR. The purpose of this study was to examine the echocardiographic changes after AVR surgery with a focus on changes in MR. METHODS: The research was conducted as a before-after observational study on patients hospitalized in Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran, Iran, who were undergone AVR surgery between 2011 and 2012. After selecting the patients and obtaining informed consent to participate in the project, transthoracic echocardiographic data were collected by a specialist in Cardiology Echocardiography using ViVid 7 device before and till one week after AVR surgery. The MR rate was measured using methods; including Color Flow Doppler, PISA, Vena Cava Width and Effective Regurgitant Orifice. RESULTS: Finally, the study was conducted on 85 patients (mean age = 56.23 ± 6.10 years, 27 women = 31.8%). Of 21 patients with preoperative MR more than mild (moderate, mild to moderate), 20 patients (95%) showed at least one degree decrease in MR. Among 64 patients who had mild MR before the surgery, 29 patients improved (45%), that this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study results showed that in patients with preoperative MR degree higher than mild, after AVR the MR rate improved 24 times more than those who had preoperative MR degree equivalent to mild and lower. However, these changes are not affected by other echocardiographic changes and patients demographic characteristics.

Helicobacter pylori Infection and atherosclerosis: a systematic review.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a spiral-shaped gram negative bacterium that naturally colonizes the human gastric epithelium. In recent years, large evidence has come to the literature strongly proposing causal link between H. pylori and extra gastric disorders. Cardiovascular system is one of the extra gastric organs that can be affected by H. pylori infection. The first evidence suggestive of such an association comes from seroepidemiological evaluations, but histopathological and eradication studies have strongly confirmed existence of a causal association between H. pylori infection and cardiovascular events.

A meta-analysis of potential relationship between Epstein-Barr-Encoded-RNA (EBER) and onset time of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes two non-polyadenylated RNAs termed EBV-encoded RNAs (EBERs). In this study, we tried to find series in which data of EBER and onset time of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) for patients have been documented to conduct a meta-analysis. A comprehensive search of the literature was performed by Pubmed and Google scholar to find reports indicating test results for EBER and PTLD onset in transplant patients. PTLD was considered "early onset" when it develops within the first post-transplant year. Finally, 265 patients from 15 studies have been included in the meta-analysis. The overall meta-analysis also showed a significant relation between EBER test positivity and early-onset PTLD development [relative risk (RR): 1.36; 95% CI: 1.16-1.59; P <0.001]. The i2 index was 49.8%. Our study suggests that PTLD lesions with positive EBER test are more likely to develop within the early post-transplant period. Since early-onset PTLD is supposed to have better prognosis, having a positive EBER test might not be a bad news. However, for having a precise conclusion, prospective studies are needed to be conducted.

Efficacy of cardiac resynchronization with defibrillator insertion in patients undergone coronary artery bypass graft: a cohort study of cardiac function.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a proven therapeutic method in selected patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction which increases left ventricular function and patient survival. We designed a study that included patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), with and without CRT-defibrillator (CRT-D) inserting and then measured its effects on these two groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2010 and 2013, we conducted a prospective cohort study on 100 coronary artery disease patients where candidate for CABG. Then based on the receiving CRT-D, the patients were categorized in two groups; Group 1 ( n = 48, with CRT-D insertion before CABG) and Group 2 ( n = 52 without receiving CRT-D). Thereafter both of these groups were followed-up at 1-3 months after CABG for mortality, hospitalization, atrial fibrillation (AF), echocardiographic assessment, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class level. RESULTS: The mean age of participants in Group 1 (48 male) and in Group 2 (52 male) was 58 ± 13 and 57 ± 12 respectively. Difference between Groups 1 and 2 in cases of mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) changes and NYHA class level was significant ( P > 0.05). Hospitalization ( P = 0.008), mortality rate ( P = 0.007), and AF were significantly different between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the increase in LVEF and patient's improvement according to NYHA-class was significant in the first group, and readmission, mortality rate and AF was increased significantly in the second group.

Cardiovascular manifestations of allograft dysfunction in renal transplant recipients: a review.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of death among renal transplant recipients; renal graft dysfunction has special effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. REVIEW: Several studies have demonstrated a significant correlation between creatinine level and major coronary events, congestive heart failure and cerebrovascular events. Cardiovascular mortality has been related in different reports to serum creatinine levels and duration on renal replacement therapy. A low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was also found to be a significant predictor of death in the pediatric kidney transplant population. Immunosuppressive therapy is also associated with several adverse effects. It has been shown that earlier withdrawal of steroids is associated with less cardiovascular effects, especially via reduction in the incidence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, weight gain, and post-transplant diabetes. The introduction of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) has led to an increase in the number of renal transplant patients dying with a functioning graft, mainly because of cardiovascular disease. Compared to CNIs, mycophenolate mofetil has been proposed to reduce infiltration of circulating lymphocytes to the atherosclerotic plaque. Sirolimus is known to be associated with higher incidence of hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia but lower incidence of hypertension. CONCLUSION: Dialysis duration, renal allograft dysfunction and the immunosuppressive agents used enhance cardiovascular risk among the renal transplantation population. Transplanted children are at a particularly high risk of cardiovascular events post-transplantation.

Efficacy and safety of inhaler steroids in COPD patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health dilemma and cause of morbidity and mortality in either industrialized or developing countries and inhaled corticosteroids are widely used worldwide in these patients. In this systematic review, we aimed to analyze the effectiveness of these gents compared to placebo. METHODS: Pubmed and Google Scholar literature search has been done to find randomized placebo-controlled trials investigating effectiveness of inhaled steroids in COPD patients. Finally, the data from 18 trials had been retrieved and included into a database, and analyzed using Stata ® v.9.0. RESULTS: Data of 12, 297 COPD subjects were analyzed. Analysis of survival of patients in the two groups showed no significant difference between those taking inhaled corticosteroids or placebo (relative risk (RR): 1.071, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.938-1.224, P=0.309). Patients taking inhaled steroids were significantly less likely to develop an exacerbation episode (RR: 0.697, 95%CI: 0.596-0.816, p<0.001) or to have less withdrawal rate than placebo (RR: 0.882, 95%CI: 0.811-0.960; P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Because steroid inhalers represent no survival effects in COPD patients, and due to their life threatening side effects (pneumonia, candidemia, etc.), we propose to replace steroid inhalers to cheaper agents which provide patients with comparable advantages (e.g. few exacerbations) and fewer side effects. Pulmonary rehabilitations as well as anti-inflammatory drugs are recommended to be more attended in COPD patients.

Pediatric patients with renal disease and cardiovascular complications: A literature review.

The cardiovascular burden of end stage renal disease (ESRD) in children has recently received more attention, and some authors have recommended that the origins of the increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality be found in childhood. In this comprehensive review of the literature, we aim to review the main and most recent studies evaluating cardiovascular risk factors in pediatric kidney disease patients. The literature suggests that ESRD, even in the pediatric population, is associated with a high rate of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and needs serious attention. Unfortunately, there is extreme scarcity of data on the efficacy of preventive strategies on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients with renal disease. Therefore, authors of the current article recommend future studies to be directed to find beneficial and/or potential harmful effects of different interventions conventionally used in this population, including lifestyle modifications and pharmaceutical therapy on cardiovascular indices. Moreover, the effects of these drugs on the renal function of children with minimal kidney disease should be evaluated.

Glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus prevents coronary arterial wall infection.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a very well-known risk factor for development of atherosclerosis, and it has been hypothesized that poor glycemic control and hyperglycemia plays a major role in this process. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the associates of poor glycemic control in Iranian patients who have already undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), with especial focus on the inhabitation of infectious agents within the coronary arterial wall. METHODS: In January 2010, 52 consecutive patients with type 2 DM who undergone CABG at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences (Tehran, Iran) were included into this cross-sectional study and biopsy specimens from their coronary plaques were taken and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for detecting Helicobacter species, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Chlamydia pneumoniae, and their potential relation to the glycemic control status in these patients. RESULTS: Compared to that in diabetic patients with mean fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels FBS < 126, atherosclerotic lesions in type 2 diabetic patients with poor glycemic control (FBS > 126) were significantly more likely to be positive for CMV PCR test (41% vs. 9%, respectively; P = 0.05). In laboratorial test results, mean triglyceride level was significantly higher among patients of poor glycemic control (168 ± 89 vs. 222 ± 125 mg/dl, respectively; P = 0.033). Hypertension was also significantly more prevalent in this population (73% vs. 36%, respectively; P = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Type 2 diabetic patients with poor glycemic control can be at higher risk for developing CMV infection in their coronary arterial wall, which can promote atherosclerosis formation process in this patient population. According to the findings of this study, we recommend better control of serum glucose levels in type 2 diabetic patients to prevent formation/progression of atherosclerosis.

Atrioventricular block as the initial presentation of calcified bicuspid aortic valve.

BACKGROUND: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is one of the most common and important congenital heart disorders in adults. If a patient with congenital disorders is not diagnosed early, the patient's disease may progress to a severe condition and thus diagnosis of the main disorder will be rendered difficult. CASE REPORT: A 34 year-old male patient referred to a referral medical care unit for cardiac electrophysiological study with cardiac shock due to complete heart block 3 months ago and he underwent Dual-Chamber permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. Thick and calcified bicuspid AV with invasion to interventricular septum, moderate to severe valve insufficiency (AI), severe aortic valve stenosis (AS), and dilated ascending aorta were observed at his echocardiography. Aortic valve replacement (AVR), aneurysm of ascending aorta, root replacement with tube graft (Bentall Procedure), and also a 3 chambers intracardiac defibrillator (ICD) were used. After 2 weeks of operation, he was discharged and at the first post-hospitalization visit (1 week later), his cardiovascular condition was acceptable. CONCLUSION: Thick calcified aortic root is a less studied and potential contributing risk factor for AV block after AVR. Therefore, in candidates of aortic valve replacement, considering conductive disorders, especially in patients with calcified valve, is mandatory. Irreversible AV block requiring PPM implantation is a rare condition following AVR.

Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection and associated vascular complications: a literature review.

Interferon (IFN)-based therapy, the cornerstone for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, is generally considered to be the single most effective treatment strategy for this infection. Although most adverse effects of IFN therapy respond very well to the cessation of this drug, there are reports of serious irreversible adverse effects. This review article evaluates the adverse effects of IFN therapy in HCV-infected patients. We have undertaken an extensive search for articles regarding IFN and pegylated-IFN (PEG-IFN) therapy and their vascular complications using multiple sources that include PubMed, publishers' websites, and Google Scholar. The prevalence of ocular disorders in the early period (first 8 weeks) after IFN administration was high with over half of the patients experiencing these adverse effects. Several authors strongly propose screening programs for retinopathy in the early period after IFN administration. Pulmonary hypertension due to IFN therapy is a serious side effect due to its irreversible nature in most patients. Patients who develop signs of acute abdomen up to months after IFN administration should be rapidly assessed for potential adverse effects of IFN. The literature suggests a broad spectrum of vascular injuries to different organs in humans as adverse effects of IFN therapy in HCV-infected patients.

Cardiovascular disorders in the context of non-alcoholic Fatty liver disease: a literature review.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in the United States and other industrialized countries, and the reported prevalence in the developing countries is also rather high. This disease is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality and damage to the other organs. The cardiovascular system is, perhaps, the most vulnerable organ to NAFLD adverse effects to the extent that most mortality associated with this disease is reportedly from the cardiovascular system rather than from the liver itself. In this article, we review the significant aspects of cardiovascular disorders associated with NAFLD, including the epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases in NAFLD patients, factors that interfere in this relationship like hypertension, severity of NAFLD, and age of the patients, and finally preventive strategies whose employment could significantly improve the outcome.

Helicobacter pylori Infection in the general population: A Middle Eastern perspective.

Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection is probably the most important factor that has been associated with the development of gastric cancers in human populations. However, there are no reliable data on the prevalence of this infection in the Middle East. In this article, based on a comprehensive literature review, we aimed to evaluate the situation in this region. The literature has been searched for the incidence and prevalence of H.pylori infection by Pubmed and Google Scholar. Search was repeated for each of the Middle Eastern countries, and to empower the method, citations of each found article were searched for the related studies. Seventy seven reports from the countries of the Middle East region had been reviewed and they all indicated a high rate of infection either in the general population or in the dyspeptic patients, the rate seemed to be higher in patients with dyspepsia, in patients with histologically confirmed gastritis and in patients of older age groups.

Sub-Lingual Spray Versus Pearl of TNG as A Provocative Agent for Tilt Table Test.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the false positive ratio of Tilt Table Test (TTT) result by using TNG spray (Sub-lingual; SL) as compared to TNG pearl in patients referred to military service. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective study. It was conducted on 110 cases referred for military service, expressed vasovagal symptoms. We divided the subjects into three groups; first Group (60 cases) used TNG pearl for provoking syncope in TTT, Group 2 (50 cases) and Group 3 (control cases) used TNG spray in the same dose (0.4 mg). RESULTS: In the first step of tilt study, 10%, and 8% of subjects had fainted on not using provoking drug in cases and controls, respectively. After using the drugs, 36.6%, 96% and 18% showed positive results in pearl, spray and the control groups, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Rather than pearl group, a 40 minute tilt using TNG spray showed significant higher positive results, which may be incorrectly positive. Using this form of TNG seems not useful for distinguishing and diagnosing vasovagal shocks, especially in subjects referred for military service capacity. For constant evidence, a cross-over clinical trial study is required, involving suspected cases divided into two groups, who both will be examined with spray and pearl.

Coronary angiography findings in lung injured patients with sulfur mustard compared to a control group.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Sulfur mustard (SM) exposed veterans. We also evaluated the relationship between exposure to SM and angiography findings and compared angiography findings of SM exposed individuals with unexposed ones after two decades from the time of exposure to SM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted on 200 consecutive patients (100 SM exposed vs. 100 unexposed) undergoing angiographic assessments due to CAD. RESULTS: The coronary angiography findings between two groups were significantly different ( P < 0.001). Ninety two (92%) patients in SM exposed group and 82 (82%) in unexposed group had abnormal findings in their coronary arteries ( P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CAD and angiographic changes were significantly increased with exposure to SM. Further studies on cardiovascular effects of SM are needed.

Clinical associations between renal dysfunction and vascular events: A literature review.

Chronic kidney disease affects several other organs of the human body, and causes high levels of morbidity and mortality due to these effects. The cardiovascular system is probably the most vulnerable organ to a decrease in kidney function, and responds very fast to this effect. To the extent that, more kidney disease patients die of cardiovascular events than that of the original renal disease. Moreover, cerebrovascular events have been confirmed to increase, and to have inferior outcomes on the general population. In this review article, we aim to review studies investigating effects of renal disease on vascular events.