Post-COVID-19 fatal Aspergillus endocarditis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Aspergillus endocarditis (AE) is a rare fatal infection. The infection is often reported in patients with prosthetic heart valves, immunosuppressed, broad-spectrum antimicrobial use regimens, and drug abusers. METHODS: Herein, we report a rare case of native mitral valve AE in a 63-year-old man, with a probable COVID-19-associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis nine months ago treated with antifungals. RESULTS: In the last admission, the lethargy, neurological deficit, and septic-embolic brain abscess in brain MRI led to suspicion of infective endocarditis. Transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography and color Doppler flow velocity mapping showed a large highly mobile mass destroying leaflet and severe mitral regurgitation. The Surgical valve replacement is performed. The surgical valve replacement is performed. Direct microscopic examination and culture of the explanted and vegetative mass revealed Aspergillus section Fumiagati confirmed by molecular method. Despite the administration of voriconazole and transient improvement the patient expired. CONCLUSION: As AE is a late consequence of COVID-19-associated invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, therefore, long-term follow-up of invasive aspergillosis, and prompt diagnosis of surgical and systemic antifungal therapy treatment, are warranted to provide robust management.

Comparing the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine plus carvedilol versus carvedilol in the prevention of atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia following open-heart surgery. Agents with antioxidant properties may reduce postoperative complications like postoperative AF (POAF) in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. This study was conducted to assess the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in prevention of AF following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: Three hundred patients who underwent CABG surgery were entered in the study. Patients with contraindications for beta-blockers and patients were simultaneously replacing or repairing the valve with open-heart surgery were excluded. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 150) and they were received NAC plus carvedilol or carvedilol. The patients were monitored for 5 days after surgery and the incidence of AF during hospitalization was recorded. RESULTS: AF was detected in 14 patients in the NAC with Carvedilol group (9.33%) and 23 patients in Carvedilol group (15.33%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of POAF between the two groups (p value = 0.112). The result of multivariable regression model represented that although the incidence of POAF was lower in NAC plus carvedilol group, it wasn't statistically significant (p value = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: NAC was not associated with a decreased incidence of AF following CABG surgery.

Frequency rate of atelectasis in patients following coronary artery bypass graft and its associated factors at mazandaran heart center in 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: As the most common postoperative pulmonary complication after cardiac surgery, atelectasis is one of the most important and serious early postoperative complications and one of the most important causes of prolonged hospitalization, increased costs, and mortality rise. Therefore, the present study was aimed at specifying the frequency of atelectasis in patients following coronary artery bypass graft and its associated factors in Mazandaran Heart Center in 2013-2014. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present investigation was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which sequential sampling was used. It was conducted on 375 patients whose coronary artery bypass graft had been performed by the same surgeon and anesthesiologist. For data collection, first the patients' demographic variables and the information of their surgery were retrieved through their profiles, direct observation, patient inquiry, and the collected data were recorded in the data collection forms. Then, atelectasis was measured before the surgery and on the first and second days after it by taking CXR whose results were checked by two radiologists who were not aware of the previous observations. Data were analyzed through t-test, Pearson test, and Chi-square test using SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: The results of the present study indicated that, 123 out of 375 patients (32.8%) were diagnosed with at least one type of tattletales during the first three days after the surgery. The mean age of the patients who were diagnosed with atelectasis was 62.9±9 and most of them were female. The results also showed that there was a significant relationship between postoperative frequency of atelectasis and the patients' pulmonary diseases and underlying diseases like diabetes and hyperlipidemia, smoking and alcohol use before the surgery, and transfusion of 4 units of packed red blood cells during the surgery (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Atelectasis is the most common postoperative complication which emerges more in patients with pulmonary and underlying diseases than other patients.

The effect of inhalation aromatherapy with rose essential oil on the anxiety of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anxiety is one of the most common responses of patients awaiting coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery to stressful conditions before surgery. This study is intended to examine the effect of inhalation aromatherapy with rose essential oil on the anxiety of patients undergoing CABG surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-blind randomized clinical trial of 66 patients undergoing CABG surgery. The experimental group inhaled three drops of 4% rose essential oil for 10 minutes one night and one hour before surgery. The control group did not receive any intervention from the research team. RESULTS: The level of anxiety was measured before and 30 minutes after the intervention using the Spielberger's Anxiety Inventory. Prior to surgery, an independent t-test showed that the mean score of anxiety was not significantly different between the experimental and control groups (p = 0.41). Aromatherapy with rose essential oil did not cause any significant differences in state anxiety (P = 0.41), trait anxiety (P = 0.90), and total anxiety (P = 0.69). CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that inhalation aromatherapy with rose essential oil could not significantly reduce anxiety in CABG patients. Future research with larger sample sizes and using different concentrations of rose essential oil are needed to achieve more definitive conclusions.

The effects of health promotion model-based educational program on self-care behaviors in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in Iran.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Post-operative self-care behaviors, have positive effects on increase in adaptability, and reduce cardiac surgery patients' disability. The present study is carried out aimed at determining the effect of education based on a health promotion model on the patients' self-care behaviors after coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: This is a semi-experimental study carried out in Mazandaran (Iran) in 2016. Two hundred and twenty patients who participated in the study were selected using a simple random sampling method from a population of postoperative patients, and divided into control and experimental groups (110 patients in each) using block (AABB) randomization. Self-designed self-care questionnaires based on a health promotion model were distributed among the patients once before and three months after intervention. The data were analyzed by SPSS-22, Chi-Square tests, Mann-Whitney and ANCOVA at the significance level of p<0.05. RESULTS: The average score of total self-care behaviors in cardiac surgery patients was not significant between the two groups before education (p=0.065), but after training, a significant difference was observed between the two groups (p<0.001). The analysis of ANOVA with repeated measure indicated that following the intervention, significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of improvement of self-care behaviors after excluding the effect of pre-test and controlling demographic and health-related characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Developing and implementing a training program based on the health promotion model can enhance self-care behaviors and reduce the number of admissions in patients after cardiac surgery.

The effect of pleasant olfactory mental imagery on the incidence and extent of atelectasis in patients after open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Atelectasis is the most common pulmonary complication after open heart surgery. This study was intended to examine the effects of pleasant olfactory mental imagery on postoperative atelectasis in patients undergoing open heart surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. The sample consisted of 80 patients who were randomly assigned to either practice olfactory mental imagery (test group) or receive routine care (control group). A card with the image of roses was given to patients and they were asked to look at the image, visualize the scent of roses in the mind, and then sniff as much as possible, hold their breath for 2s and eventually exhale slowly through the nose. This procedure was consecutively repeated five times. After a fifteen-minute break, patients proceeded to practice olfactory mental imagery with other fruit images (banana, apple, and lemon). The test group executed the olfactory mental imagery for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon on postoperative days 1 and 2. The control group received the routine ICU care. A questionnaire collected information on sociodemographic characteristics and clinical parameters. Chest radiographs were used to diagnose atelectasis, which were evaluated by the hospital radiologist. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding sociodemographic, medical and surgical information. The incidence of atelectasis in the test group (40%, n=16) was significantly lower than in the control group (67.5%, n=27) on postoperative day 2 (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that olfactory mental imagery can improve respiratory function and reduce the risk of atelectasis in patients with cardiac surgery.

Effects of pleasant olfactory mental imagery on the arterial oxygenation in patients with open heart surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arterial hypoxemia is one of the most common respiratory complications following cardiac surgery. This study was intended to examine the effects of pleasant olfactory mental imagery on postoperative hypoxemia in patients undergoing open heart surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. The sample consisted of 80 patients who were randomly assigned to either practice olfactory mental imagery (experimental group) or receive routine care (control group). A card with the image of roses was given to patients and they were asked to look at the image, visualize the scent of roses in the mind, and then sniff as much as possible, hold their breath for 2 s and eventually exhale slowly through the nose. This procedure was consecutively repeated five times. After a fifteen-minute break, patients proceeded to practice olfactory mental imagery with other fruit images. The experimental group executed the olfactory mental imagery for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon on postoperative days 1 and 2. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups regarding sociodemographic characteristics, medical and surgical information. This study also demonstrated that the mean Spao2 was significantly higher in the experimental group (97.400 ± 1.70) than the control group (96.465 ± 1.70) (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that olfactory mental imagery can improve arterial oxygenation in patients with cardiac surgery.

Predictors of Health-Promoting Behaviors in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Patients: An Application of Pender's Health Promotion Model.

BACKGROUND: Advances in coronary artery surgery have reduced patient morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, patients still have to face physical, psychological, and social problems after discharge from hospital. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of Pender's health promotion model in predicting cardiac surgery patients' lifestyles in Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 220 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery in Mazandaran province (Iran) in 2015. The subjects were selected using a simple random sampling method. The data were collected via (1) the health-promoting lifestyle profile II (HPLP II) and (2) a self-designed questionnaire that included two main sections: demographic characteristics and questions based on the health-promoting model constructs. RESULTS: Spiritual growth (28.77 ± 5.03) and physical activity (15.79 ± 5.08) had the highest and lowest scores in the HPLP II dimensions, respectively. All the health promotion model variables were significant predictors of health-promoting behaviors and explained 69% of the variance in health-promoting behaviors. Three significant predictors were estimated using regression coefficients: behavioral feelings (ß = 0.390, P < 0.001), perceived benefits (ß = 0.209, P < 0.001), and commitment to a plan of action (ß = 0.347, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the study, health-promoting model-based self-care behaviors can help identify and predict cardiac surgery patients' lifestyles in Iran. This pattern can be used as a framework for discharge planning and the implementation of educational interventions to improve the lifestyles of CABG patients.

A double-blind randomized clinical trial comparing different doses of magnesium in cardioplegic solution for prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

AIMS: This study aims to compare different doses of magnesium administered via cardioplegic solutions to prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: A total of 120 patients who were scheduled for elective CABG surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled in this double-blind, randomized clinical trial. After fulfilling the inclusion criteria, they were randomly allocated into three groups (A, B, and C). Patients in groups A, B, and C received 60, 80, and 100 mg/kg of magnesium sulfate via cardioplegic solutions during aortic cross-clamp, respectively. Postoperative AF was assessed by continuous ECG monitoring during 3 days after surgery. Also serum magnesium, potassium, and calcium levels were assessed during the study period. RESULTS: The findings revealed significant differences in four point measurements of serum magnesium level after surgery (P<.001). In particular, it was observed that 10 (26.3%) patients in group A, 4 (10%) patients in group B, and 2 (5.4%) patients in group C had AF after surgery. This indicates patients receiving magnesium at doses of 80 and 100 mg/kg had lower rates of AF occurrence than those receiving 60 mg/kg dose of magnesium (P=.02). Additionally, no significant difference was found in serum calcium and potassium concentration between the three groups throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: Magnesium administration via the cardioplegic solution during aortic cross-clamping at doses of 80 and 100 mg/kg can reduce the risk of AF occurrence after CABG compared to the dose of 60 mg/kg. Considering the lower rate of AF incidence and shorter length of ICU stay in patients receiving 100 mg/kg of magnesium, it seems reasonable to administer 100 mg/kg magnesium during aortic cross-clamp to prevent postoperative AF.

Health-related variables and predictors of Health-promoting Lifestyle in cardiovascular disease patients.

INTRODUCTION: The principal cause for death in the world is cardiovascular disease. Poor lifestyle is a contributing element in this regard. The objective of this study was to estimate the effects of health-related variables and lifestyle variables on the results of exercise stress tests in patients with cardiovascular disease in Iran. METHODS: The study population in this case-control study was 220 patients who were candidates for exercise stress tests in Mazandaran Province (Iran) in 2015. The patients were divided randomly into two groups based on the results of their exercise stress tests, i.e., positive (110 patients) and negative (110 patients). The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire entitled "Health promotion lifestyle profile-II." The data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, the chi-squared test, and logistic regression by SPSS version 22 software. RESULTS: The risk of a positive exercise stress test increases with age. The age group above 65 was 1.049 times more at risk of a positive exercise stress test than the age group of less than 45. The people with dyslipidemia had 1.635 times greater risk of positive exercise stress tests than the group without dyslipidemia. In addition, patients with hypertension had 1.579 times greater risk of positive exercise stress tests than the group without hypertension. The lack of individual health responsibility (Odds ratio (OR): 1.622), stress management (OR: 1.592), and physical activity (OR: 1.245) contributed more to positive exercise tests than the other risk factors. CONCLUSION: Educational interventions can improve the responsibility for health, physical activity, and stress management among people with the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Frequency Rate of Atelectasis in Patients Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft and Its Associated Factors at Mazandaran Heart Center in 2013-2014.

INTRODUCTION: As the most common postoperative pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery, atelectasis is one of the most important and serious early postoperative complications and one of the most important causes of prolonged hospitalization, increased costs, and mortality rise. Therefore, the present study was aimed at specifying the frequency of atelectasis in patients following coronary artery bypass graft and its associated factors in Mazandaran Heart Center in 2013-2014. MATERIALS: The present investigation was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which sequential sampling was used. It was conducted on 375 patients whose coronary artery bypass graft had been performed by the same surgeon and anesthesiologist. For data collection, first the patients' demographic variables and the information of their surgery were retrieved through their profiles, direct observation, patient inquiry, and the collected data were recorded in the data collection forms. Then, atelectasis was measured before the surgery and on the first and second days after it by taking CXR whose results were checked by two radiologists who were not aware of the previous observations. Data were analyzed through t-test, Pearson test, and Chi-square test using SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: The results of the present study indicated that, 123 out of 375 patients (32.8%) were diagnosed with at least one type of tattletales during the first three days after the surgery. The mean age of the patients who were diagnosed with atelectasis was 62.9 and most of them were female. The results also showed that there was a significant relationship between postoperative frequency of atelectasis and the patients' pulmonary diseases and underlying diseases like diabetes and hyperlipidemia, smoking and alcohol use before the surgery, and transfusion of 4 units of packed red blood cells during the surgery (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Atelectasis is the most common postoperative complication which emerges more in patients with pulmonary and underlying diseases than other patients.

Can Valeriana officinalis root extract prevent early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after CABG surgery? A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

RATIONALE: We hypothesized that valerian root might prevent cognitive dysfunction in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients through stimulating serotonin receptors and anti-inflammatory activity. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Valeriana officinalis root extract on prevention of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after on-pump CABG surgery. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 61 patients, aged between 30 and 70 years, scheduled for elective CABG surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), were recruited into the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups who received either one valerian capsule containing 530 mg of valerian root extract (1,060 mg/daily) or placebo capsule each 12 h for 8 weeks, respectively. For all patients, cognitive brain function was evaluated before the surgery and at 10-day and 2-month follow-up by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test. RESULTS: Mean MMSE score decreased from 27.03 ± 2.02 in the preoperative period to 26.52 ± 1.82 at the 10th day and then increased to 27.45 ± 1.36 at the 60th day in the valerian group. Conversely, its variation was reduced significantly after 60 days in the placebo group, 27.37 ± 1.87 at the baseline to 24 ± 1.91 at the 10th day, and consequently slightly increased to 24.83 ± 1.66 at the 60th day. Valerian prophylaxis reduced odds of cognitive dysfunction compared to placebo group (OR = 0.108, 95 % CI 0.022-0.545). CONCLUSION: We concluded that, based on this study, the cognitive state of patients in the valerian group was better than that in the placebo group after CABG; therefore, it seems that the use of V. officinalis root extract may prevent early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after on-pump CABG surgery.

Comparing the therapeutic effects of carvedilol and metoprolol on prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery, a double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a common complication after open heart surgery and is frequently associated with increased hospital stay, complications, and mortality rates. The effect of ß-blockers on prevention of supraventricular arrhythmias has been confirmed in several prospective randomized studies. OBJECTIVES: This clinical trial aimed to compare the preventive effects of carvedilol and metoprolol on occurrence of AF after CABG surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 150 patients (55 females, 95 males; mean age: 59 ± 10 years) who underwent CABG surgery. The patients with no contraindication for ß-blocker use were randomly divided into two groups of carvedilol and metoprolol Tartarate (n = 75). Treatment with ß-blocker was started on the first postoperative day (metoprolol, 25 mg BD; carvedilol, 6.25 mg, BD) and the dosage was regulated according to the patients' hemodynamic response. All the patients were monitored 5 days after the surgery and incidence of AF and other complications was recorded in both groups. RESULTS: AF was detected in 18 patients in the carvedilol group and 21 patients in the metoprolol group (P = 0.577). The results of Fisher Exact test showed no significant relationship between the type of the drug and the occurrence of AF (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the prevalence of AF was higher in the renal failure group. AF was mostly recorded on the second and third days after the surgery. The results showed an association between old age and higher occurrence of AF. AF was recorded in 11 patients (14%) in the metoprolol group and 9 ones (12%) in the carvedilol group, with Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF) being between 35% and 45% (P = 0.587). However, no significant difference was found between the two groups in this regard. CONCLUSIONS: In the patients with sufficient ejection fraction, no difference was observed in using carvedilol or metoprolol in prevention of post-CABG AF. Yet, given the anti-oxidant and anti- inflammatory effects of carvedilol, it might be more beneficial in comparison to metoprolol, particularly in the patients with lower ejection fractions or heart failure.

Metformin as an adjunct to insulin for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes after CABG surgery: a randomized double blind clinical trial.

Perioperative hyperglycemia is common in patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery and there is a direct relation between postoperative hyperglycemia and mortality rate in these patients. The aim of the present study is to determine the efficacy of metformin on glycemic control in diabetic patients after CABG surgery. In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 100 patients with type 2 diabetes admitted in open heart ICU after CABG surgery in Mazandaran Heart Center were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. Three hours after extubation, therapeutic antiglycemic regimens were applied in these two groups and continued for three days. Intervention group received regular insulin infusion along with two metformin 500 mg tablets per twelve hours while control group received regular insulin infusion with two placebo tablets per twelve hours. Blood glucose level and other parameters were measured and recorded in determined intervals. To analyze the data, independent T-test, paired T-test, Mann-Whitney and repeated measure ANOVA tests were employed. Mean blood glucose level was not significantly different in the two groups at the beginning of the ICU admission; however, mean glucose level in insulin-metformin group, twelve hours after the initiation of the study, was significantly lower than insulin group (p < 0.05). In addition, mean doses of potassium and insulin demand as well as mean number of episodes of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia and glucose levels out of the accepted range were significantly lower in insulin-metformin group (p < 0.05). Alterations in mean levels of lactate, BE, pH and creatinine were not statistically significant in these two groups. It seems that adding metformin to insulin leads to a better glycemic control in type two diabetic patients undergoing CABG surgery without causing metabolic acidosis. Therefore, it might be a potential option in blood glucose control protocol in this group of patients.

Does high-dose metformin cause lactic acidosis in type 2 diabetic patients after CABG surgery? A double blind randomized clinical trial.

Metformin is a dimethyl biguanide oral anti-hyperglycemic agent. Lactic acidosis due to metformin is a fatal metabolic condition that limits its use in patients in poor clinical condition, consequently reducing the number of patients who benefit from this medication. In a double blind randomized clinical trial, we investigated 200 type 2 diabetic patients after coronary artery bypass surgery in the open heart ICU of the Mazandaran Heart Center, and randomly assigned them to equal intervention and control groups. The intervention group received regular insulin infusion along with 2 metformin 500 mg tablets every twelve hours, while the control group received only intravenous insulin with 2 placebo tablets every twelve hours. Lactate level, pH, base excess, blood glucose and serum creatinine were measured over five 12 h periods, with data averaged for each period. The primary outcome in this study was high lactate levels. Comparison between the 2 groups was made by independent Student's t-test. To compare changes in multiple measures in each group and analysis of group interaction, a repeated measurement ANOVA test was used.There was no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding pH, base excess, or bicarbonate intake (P>0.05). No patient showed lactic acidosis in either group. Lactate levels were 23.0 vs 23.4 in the insulin-metformin and insulin only groups when the study was started, respectively. At the end of the study, those levels were 18.7 vs 18.9, respectively. In addition, the ANOVA repeated measurement test did not show a significant difference in terms of changes in the amount of lactate level between the 2 groups during the five measurement tests of the study period (P>0.05).High-dose metformin (1,000 mg twice daily with insulin) does not cause lactic acidosis in type 2 diabetic patients after coronary artery bypass surgery.