Research in Cardiovascular Medicine

BACKGROUND: Patients with high levels of total cholesterol (TCH), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CH), and triglyceride (TG) are at increased risk of coronary heart disease. Studies have shown that flavonoids and antioxidant compounds have beneficial effects on hyperlipidemia. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of extract of Hypericum perforatum (EHP) on the serum lipid profile (TCH, TG, and LDL-CH), aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lipid peroxidation in hyperlipidemic rats...

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (IPAH) is a rare, debilitating, and fatal disease. Late-onset treatment can lead to right heart failure, multiple organ damage, and death. Since the thyroid plays a major role in the metabolism and hemodynamics in humans, the screening of thyroid function is crucial. Thyroid dysfunction has been reported to cause pulmonary hypertension, but the thyroid is also involved in IPAH. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate thyroid function in IPAH patients...

BACKGROUND: Patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) after aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the subject of continuing debate in the cardiac surgery field. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and severity of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) and the functional status of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) using a CarboMedics prosthesis in the mid-term follow up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 66 consecutive patients who were referred to AVR with a CarboMedics prosthesis at the Rajaie cardiovascular medical and research center, a university referral hospital in Tehran, Iran...

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is one of the most primary and common reactions to a cardiac event can lead to hypertension, tachycardia, and high cardiac output. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictors of clinical anxiety aggravation at the end of a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study used a database of a CR ward of a hospital in Iran. The demographic and clinical information of 574 patients participating in the CR program from April 2005 through April 2010 were analyzed...

INTRODUCTION: Increasing numbers of complex percutaneous coronary interventions have been accompanied by various intra-procedural complications. The fracture and embolization of devices or their fragments are potentially life-threatening situations, depending on the site of embolization. Different non-surgical methods to handle embolic complications have been proposed for different clinical situations. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a distally embolized catheter fragment that was percutaneously retrieved...

BACKGROUND: The effects of the risk factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke on the occurrence of these diseases differ between different populations. OBJECTIVES: To study the difference in the effects of different cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors on the incidence of IHD and stroke in an Iranian adult population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS) is a longitudinal study that followed up 6323 subjects older than 35 years with no history of CVD since 2001...

BACKGROUND: Appropriate treatment methods lead to a reduced rate of mortality and morbidity, and an improved quality of life, in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we compared short and long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus medical therapy in patients 80 years of age and older with multi-vessel coronary artery disease (MVCAD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 50 octogenarian patients with MVCAD who underwent CABG were compared with 50 patients in the same condition who were treated with medical therapy during the same time...

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity in children are a serious problem. They are increasingly prevalent and associated with a wide range of health problems in adulthood. Monitoring their status is essential for effective planning in the health system. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children below 5 years in Tehran in 2012. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study employed data provided by the urban health equity assessment in Tehran...

BACKGROUND: In some patients with chest pain, selective coronary angiography reveals slow contrast agent passage through the epicardial coronary arteries in the absence of stenosis. This phenomenon has been designated the slow coronary flow (SCF) phenomenon. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to describe the demographic and clinical findings and presence of common atherosclerosis risk factors in patients with the SCF phenomenon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 2014 and March 2015, demographic data, clinical histories, atherosclerosis risk factors, and laboratory and angiographic findings were recorded for all consecutive patients scheduled for coronary angiography and diagnosed with the SCF phenomenon, as well as a control group (patients with normal epicardial coronary arteries; NECA)...

BACKGROUND: Ventricular septal defects (VSD) is one of the most frequent congenital cardiac malformations and cardiac conduction disorders are still one of the serious postoperative complications in this surgery. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the incidence of conduction disorders with the use of continuous compared to interrupted suturing techniques in VSD surgical repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Previously recorded data of 231 patients who underwent surgical closure of VSD between January 2009 and January 2012 at the Rajaie cardiovascular medical and research center were retrospectively reviewed...

BACKGROUND: Recently, the potential of L-arginine supplementation as a novel and effective strategy for weight loss and improving biochemical parameters in obese patients has been under consideration. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of 8-week oral L-arginine supplementation on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triceps skinfold (TS), subscapular skinfold (SS), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), plasma fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with BMI values > 29...

BACKGROUND: Gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is known as a feasible tool for the measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and volumes, which are of great importance in the management and follow-up of patients with coronary artery diseases. However, considering the technical shortcomings of SPECT in the presence of perfusion defect, the accuracy of this method in heart failure patients is still controversial. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare the results from gated SPECT MPI with those from echocardiography in heart failure patients to compare echocardiographically-derived left ventricular dimension and function data to those from gated SPECT MPI in heart failure patients...

BACKGROUND: The crucial role of inflammation in the development and progression of atherosclerosis has been previously described. However, there is insufficient data available to demonstrate the changes in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) during clopidogrel therapy. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we aimed to assess the changes in the inflammatory marker of coronary heart disease, i.e., hs-CRP during clopidogrel therapy, in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)...

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a complex multifocal arterial disease involving interactions between multiple genetic and environmental factors. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we investigated the possible association between NOS3 (rs1799983), MTHFR (rs1801133), APOB (rs5742904) and TNF-α (rs361525) polymorphisms and the risk of coronary atherosclerotic lesions in Iranian patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the case-control study, 108 patients with coronary atherosclerosis disease and 95 control subjects with no family history of cardiovascular disease were enrolled...

BACKGROUND: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a novel biomarker reflecting inflammation status and fibrosis involving worsening of both cardiac and renal functions. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Gal-3 serum levels and microalbuminuria in a group of chronic heart failure (CHF) outpatients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled CHF outpatients having stable clinical conditions and receiving conventional therapy. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, routine chemistry analysis, echocardiography, and evaluation of the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR)...

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary hypertension is common among patients with hyperthyroidism, and Graves' disease constitutes the most common cause of thyrotoxicosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a female patient admitted to the cardiology department with shortness of breath and pretibial myxedema. The diagnostic work-up revealed combined pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension due to Graves' disease superimposed on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction...

INTRODUCTION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCMP) is a rare acute cardiomyopathy characterized by acute chest pain syndrome, similar to myocardial infarction, except that no significant stenosis is observed on coronary angiography in patients with this condition; these findings aid the diagnosis of TCMP. CASE PRESENTATION: We discuss an unusual case of TCMP in a 45-year-old woman with complete heart block and significant coronary artery stenosis. Maximal exercise test and perfusion scan after 1 month from the acute event did not show any ischemia; therefore, revascularization was not recommended...

INTRODUCTION: Constrictive pericarditis is characterized by constriction of the heart secondary to pericardial inflammation. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is useful imaging modality for addressing the challenges of confirming this diagnosis. It can be used to exclude other causes of right heart failure, such as pulmonary hypertension or myocardial infarction, determine whether the pericardium is causing constriction and differentiate it from restrictive cardiomyopathy, which also causes impaired cardiac filling...

BACKGROUND: Subdiaphragmatic activity can produce subdiaphragmatic-related artifacts, which can degrade the quality of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). OBJECTIVES: We examined the impact of drinking milk, water, and lemon juice on different subdiaphragmatic-related artifacts by using (99m)Tc-sestamibi myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in order to determine a feasible method for improving the image quality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 179 patients (age 58 ± 9...

BACKGROUND: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is diagnosed biochemically by the presence of normal serum free thyroxine concentration, in conjunction with an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level. Recent studies have demonstrated the frequent association between SH and cardiovascular diseases and risk factors. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of SH on patterns of circulating endothelial-derived microparticles, (EMPs) among chronic heart failure (CHF) patients...