Effects of Air Pollutant Exposure on Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution is a consequence of industrial development that is exacerbated as a result of population growth, and urbanisation. AIM: The goal of the study is to investigate the effects of air pollution on the number of cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) according to gender using the Zero-inflated Poisson Regression model in Hamadan, Iran. METHODS: The study used an ecological design, and data collected from March 2016 to September 2020 in Hamadan were included. The intended response was the number of cases of AMI recorded in the investigated period. The time lag of the pollutants was used to investigate the effect of air pollution on the number of AMIs. RESULTS: The number of AMI recorded for men and women was 1,195 and 553, respectively. The average age (±SD) for men and women was 64.60 (±12.27) and 70.98 (±11.79) years, respectively. According to the air quality index in Hamadan, the values of particulate matter < 2.5 µm (PM2.5), SO2, O3, and CO were below moderate levels. Also, according to NO2 and particulate matter between 25 µm-10 µm (PM10), the air quality index of Hamadan was in the very unhealthy mode just for 2 and 3 days, respectively. The O3 and NO2 are significant positive effects on AMI among men. But, PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 are negative impacts on hospitalisation in men due to AMI. For women, PM2.5 and O3 had positive effects on AMI. But, NO2 and PM10 had a significant negative impact on hospitalisation in women during different time lags. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that if the analyses are based on gender, the responses to pollutants are different and hence the stratified analysis is important.

Improving service efficiency and throughput of cardiac surgery patients using Monte Carlo simulation: a queueing setting.

Bed occupancy rate (BOR) is important for healthcare policymakers. Studies showed the necessity of using simulation approach when encountering complex real-world problems to plan the optimal use of resources and improve the quality of services. So, the aim of the present study is to estimate average length of stay (LOS), BOR, bed blocking probability (BBP), and throughput of patients in a cardiac surgery department (CSD) using simulation models. We studied the behavior of a CSD as a complex queueing system at the Farshchian Hospital. In the queueing model, customers were patients and servers were beds in intensive care unit (ICU) and post-operative ward (POW). A computer program based on the Monte Carlo simulation, using Python software, was developed to evaluate the behavior of the system under different number of beds in ICU and POW. The queueing simulation study showed that, for a fixed number of beds in ICU, BOR in POW decreases as the number of beds in POW increases and LOS in ICU increases as the number of beds in POW decreases. Also, based on the available data, the throughput of patients in the CSD during 800 days was 1999 patients. Whereas, the simulation results showed that, 2839 patients can be operated in the same period. The results of the simulation study clearly demonstrated the behavior of the CSD; so, it must be mentioned, hospital administrators should design an efficient plan to increase BOR and throughput of patients in the future.

Effects of technology-based educational tools on nursing learning outcomes in intensive care units: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nurses working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), due to the sensitivity and difficulty of tasks, need continuous and scientific training to be able to offer the best performance in difficult situations and use their knowledge in the best way. Also, nursing students spend internships in ICUs and receive special training in practice in the actual center. Educational tools based on new technologies can potentially improve the educational outcomes of nursing in ICUs. OBJECTIVES:  The present study aims to review and evaluate the effect of using technology-based educational tools for training critical care nurses and nursing students. METHODS:  A comprehensive search was conducted to identify peer-reviewed English language articles in Embase, Medline (through PubMed), Scopus, and ISI web of science published from 2010 to Feb 18, 2022. The studies that examined the effectiveness of technology-based educational interventions with control groups were included. The risk of bias in each study was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Also, we used Standard Mean Difference (SMD) to estimate the effect of technology-based educational tools on learning outcomes. All meta-analyses were performed with a random effects model in Stata Ver.16. RESULTS:  Altogether, ten studies were eligible for the quality assessment and systematic review, while one study that had not reported the pre-intervention analysis was excluded from the meta-analysis. Nine studies were considered to have a low RoB regarding reporting ways, and one of them showed a high risk. Performance and selection bias caused a high risk in six and five of the studies, respectively. In the meta-analysis, improvement in knowledge (SMD = 0.91), skills (SMD = 0.52), and self-confidence (SMD = 0.96) was noticed by applying technology-based educational tools. CONCLUSION: It can be offered that if the learning method based on the new technologies tested is more effective than conventional teaching methods, they are likely to improve the learning outcome significantly. The new-developed tools also have great potential in improving health care functions among nurses or nursing students as well as enhancing the quality of life and patient satisfaction.

Educational approaches for patients with heart surgery: a systematic review of main features and effects.

INTRODUCTION: Patients who undergo heart surgery are exposed to mental and physical difficulties after discharge from hospital. They often need support and follow-up after discharge. The use of educational approaches or solutions before or after heart surgery can increase patients' knowledge on the post-operative complications and self-care. The main purpose of this systematic review is to determine the applications of educational approaches and investigate the effects of these approaches on patients with heart surgery. METHOD AND MATERIEL: A thorough search was conducted in Medline (through PubMed), Scopus, ISI web of science to select related articles published between 2011 and May 2022. All of the retrieved papers were screened according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist. RESULTS: A total of 29 articles were obtained from the search, which included in this systematic review after being assessed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most of the articles (n = 10, 34.48%) had been conducted in Canada and Iran, with the most significant number published in 2016. Out of 29 studies, 23 were experimental studies, and six were observational-analytical studies. The number of participants in the studies ranged from 11 to 600 (IQR1: 57.5, median: 88, IQR3: 190). In 28 (96.55%) studies, the educational approaches had a significant effect on clinical, economic or patient-reported outcomes. The greatest effect reported by the studies was related to clinical outcomes such as patient care improvement or change in clinical practice. The most effects in the patient-reported outcomes were related to improving patient satisfaction and patient knowledge. In terms of global rating scores, 17.24% of the included studies were considered as weak, 20.68% as moderate, and 62.06% as strong. CONCLUSION: The results of systematic review showed that the use of educational approaches by patients before and after heart surgery can have significant effects on reducing stress and financial burden, and increasing the quality of care and level of knowledge in patients.

The Effect of Home Care Training on Anxiety and Vital Signs Levels in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) require special care at home, and not being aware of this need before surgery can result in anxiety. This study aimed to determine the effect of home care training on the level of anxiety and vital signs in CABG patients. DESIGN: The study was a randomized clinical trial study. METHODS: The study included 80 patients undergoing CABG surgery in January 2020. Samples were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The control group received only routine training, whereas the intervention group received two additional training sessions on home care. Data were collected using the Spielberger situational anxiety questionnaire and a checklist of vital signs, and then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. FINDINGS: Results showed that before the intervention, the mean anxiety scores, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups were not significantly different (P > .05). However, after the intervention, the mean anxiety score, heart rate, respiratory rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the intervention group was significantly (P < .05) lower than the control group, but the mean temperature of the two groups showed no significant difference (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Home care training before surgery reduces anxiety and improves vital signs. The use of home care training before surgery is recommended for this patient population.

Imbalance in thioredoxin system activates NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in epicardial adipose tissue of patients with coronary artery disease.

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death worldwide and has in part an inflammatory basis. Since epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is in close contact with coronary arteries we hypothesized that an imbalance in thioredoxin-1 (TRX-1) and thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) in EAT, activates NLRP3 inflammasome and promotes production of IL-1ß, leading to the development of atherosclerosis. Thirty-eight patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and thirty patients with no clinical signs of atherosclerosis who underwent open-heart surgery for valve replacement were classified as CAD and control groups, respectively. Biopsy samples from EAT were collected and expression of TXNIP, TRX-1, NLRP3 and IL-1ß genes were assessed using qRT-PCR. Tissue protein levels of TXNIP and TRX-1 were determined by Western blotting while ELISA was applied to measure IL-1ß. Haematoxylin and eosin staining was used for histological examination. mRNA and protein levels of TXNIP in EAT were significantly higher in patients with CAD compared with control group, whereas CAD patients showed lower TRX-1 gene and protein expression. In addition, in CAD patients the NLRP3 gene expression was almost doubled and IL-1ß significantly increased at the both mRNA and protein levels. Enhancment in NLRP3 gene expression and TXNIP protein levels were accompanied with the increase in IL-1ß protein level whereas TRX-1 protein content showed a negative correlation with IL-1ß level. Concurrent increase in TXNIP, NLRP3, and IL-1ß suggests possible involvement of thioredoxin system in the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, production of IL-1ß, and the presence of inflammation in CAD patients.

Downregulation of Sirt1 is correlated to upregulation of p53 and increased apoptosis in epicardial adipose tissue of patients with coronary artery disease.

The higher expression level of p53 in epithelial adipose tissue (EAT) has previously been reported in atherosclerosis. Since we hypothesized that the expression of p53 is modulated by Sirt1, the aim of this study was to determine the expression levels of Sirt1 and p53 and to investigate their correlation to apoptosis in EAT of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Thirty-five patients with more than 50 % stenosis in at least one of the main coronary arteries were considered as CAD group while 29 patients with no clinical signs of atherosclerosis who underwent open-heart surgery for valve replacement were classified as control group. EAT biopsy samples were collected from all participants during surgery. Sirt1, p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 gene expression levels were determined in EAT by qRT-PCR and Western blotting was carried out to assess Sirt1 and p53 protein levels. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used for histopathological analysis. mRNA and protein levels of Sirt1 in EAT were significantly lower in patients with CAD compared with control group, whereas CAD patients showed greater p53 gene and protein expressions. In addition, inverse correlations were observed between Sirt1 and p53 at both mRNA and protein levels. The Bax and ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 gene expressions were higher in CAD group, but no difference was observed in Bcl-2 expression. Histopathological analysis showed apoptotic bodies and infiltrated immune cells in EAT of CAD group. Our results suggest that the Sirt1-p53 axis may involve in atherosclerosis by promotion of apoptosis.

The interactive effect of preoperative consultation and operating room admission by a counselor on anxiety level and vital signs in patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting surgery. A clinical trial study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to provide appropriate preoperative supportive conditions to improve anxiety and vital signs for patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting -CABG- surgery. METHODS: This clinical trial study was performed on 90 patients undergoing CABG surgery in Farshchian Hospital of Hamadan, Iran in 2019. Sample was selected by convenience and were randomly divided into three groups: control (n=30), intervention1 (n=30), and intervention2 (n=30). The control group received only the routine preoperative counseling of ward and admitted to the operating room as usual; the intervention1 and intervention2 groups in addition received another two counseling sessions, then the intervention1 group was admitted in the operating room as usual, but the intervention2 group was admitted by the counselor in the operating room. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire including demographic characteristics, vital signs chart, and the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS: The results showed that there was a significant difference in the mean anxiety of the three groups after admission in the operating room (intervention2 was lower than intervention1 and control groups, p<0.001; and intervention 1 group was lower than control group, p<0.001) and also there was a significant difference between the mean systolic blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate of the three groups (p <0.001) but the mean of the variables of temperature and diastolic blood pressure in the three groups were not significantly different (p=0.59 and p=0.225, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed preoperative consultation and admission in the operating room by the consultant can reduce the level of anxiety and stability of vital signs of patients undergoing CABG.

The interactive effect of preoperative consultation and operating room admission by a counselor on anxiety level and vital signs in patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting surgery. A clinical trial study

Objective. The purpose of this study was to provide appropriate preoperative supportive conditions to improve anxiety and vital signs for patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting -CABG- surgery. Methods. This clinical trial study was performed on 90 patients undergoing CABG surgery in Farshchian Hospital of Hamadan, Iran in 2019. Sample was selected by convenience and were randomly divided into three groups: control (n=30), intervention1 (n=30), and intervention2 (n=30). The control group received only the routine preoperative counseling of ward and admitted to the operating room as usual; the intervention1 and intervention2 groups in addition received another two counseling sessions, then the intervention1 group was admitted in the operating room as usual, but the intervention2 group was admitted by the counselor in the operating room. Data were collected using a three-part questionnaire including demographic characteristics, vital signs chart, and the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the mean anxiety of the three groups after admission in the operating room (intervention2 was lower than intervention1 and control groups, p<0.001; and intervention 1 group was lower than control group, p<0.001) and also there was a significant difference between the mean systolic blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate of the three groups (p<0.001) but the mean of the variables of temperature and diastolic blood pressure in the three groups were not significantly different (p=0.59 and p=0.225, respectively). Conclusion. Our results revealed preoperative consultation and admission in the operating room by the consultant can reduce the level of anxiety and stability of vital signs of patients undergoing CABG

Objetivo. Evaluar si las condiciones de apoyo preoperatorias mejoran la ansiedad y los signos vitales para los pacientes sometidos a cirugía de bypass de arterias coronarias (CABG por sus siglas en inglés). Métodos. Este estudio clínico se realizó en 90 pacientes sometidos a cirugía de revascularización coronaria -CABG- en el Hospital Farshchian de Hamadan en Irán. La muestra se seleccionó por conveniencia y se dividió aleatoriamente en tres grupos: control (n=30), intervención1 (n=30) e intervención2 (n=30). El grupo de control recibió solamente la consejería preoperatoria de rutina cuando ingresó a hospitalización y en el momento de admisión en la sala de cirugía; los grupos de intervención1 e intervención2 además de la consejería rutina recibieron otra sesión adicional; y cuando se admitió el grupo de intervención2 en la sala de operaciones, lo acompañó la misma persona que hizo la consejería. Los datos se recopilaron mediante un cuestionario de tres partes que incluyó características demográficas, un cuadro de signos vitales y los puntajes del State-Trait Anxiety Inventory de Spielberger. Resultados. Los hallazgos mostraron que hubo diferencia significativa en el puntaje de ansiedad de los tres grupos después de la admisión en la sala cirugía (en intervención2 fue menor que en los grupos intervención1 y control, p<0.001; y en el grupo de intervención1 fue menor que en el grupo de control, p<0.001). También se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significantes para las diferencias en la presión arterial sistólica, la frecuencia cardíaca y la frecuencia respiratoria de los tres grupos, pero no para las variables de temperatura y presión arterial diastólica (p=0.59 y p=0.225, respectivamente). Conclusión. Nuestros resultados revelaron que la consulta preoperatoria y la admisión en el quirófano por parte del consultor pueden reducir el nivel de ansiedad y la estabilidad de los signos vitales de los pacientes sometidos a CABG.

Objetivo. O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar se as condições de apoio pré-operatórias melhoram a ansiedade e os signos vitais para os pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de bypass de artérias coronárias (CABG por suas siglas em inglês). Métodos. Este estudo clínico se realizou em 90 pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de revascularização coronária -CABG- no Hospital Farshchian de Hamadan no Irão. A mostra se selecionou por de conveniência e se dividiu aleatoriamente em três grupos: controle (n=30), intervenção1 (n=30) e intervenção2 (n=30). O grupo de controle recebeu somente o aconselhamento pré-operatória de rotina quando ingressou a hospitalização e no momento de admissão na sala de cirurgia; os grupos de intervenção1 e intervenção2 ademais do aconselhamento de rotina receberam outra sessão adicional; e quando o grupo de intervenção2 foi admitido na sala de operações foi acompanhado pela mesma pessoa que fez o aconselhamento. Os dados se recopilaram mediante um questionário de três partes que incluiu características demográficas, um quadro de signos vitais e as pontuações do State-Trait Anxiety Inventory de Spielberger. Resultados. As descobertas mostraram que houve diferença significativa na pontuação de ansiedade dos três grupos depois da admissão na sala cirurgia (em intervenção2 foi menor do que nos grupos intervenção1 e controle, p<0.001; e no grupo de intervenção1 foi menor do que no grupo de controle, p<0.001). Também se encontrou diferenças estatisticamente significantes para as diferenças na pressão arterial sistólica, a frequência cardíaca e a frequência respiratória dos três grupos, mas não para as variáveis de temperatura e pressão arterial diastólica (p=0.59 e p=0.225, respectivamente). Conclusão. Nossos resultados revelaram que a consulta pré-operatória e a admissão na sala de cirurgia por parte do consultor podem reduzir o nível de ansiedade e a estabilidade dos signos vitais dos pacientes submetidos a CABG.

Designing and fabricating a novel medical insole with universal fluid layer with auto-customizability.

Medical insoles play a significant role in pressure reduction, proper stress-strain distribution, and correcting some deformities in the foot. The aim of the present research is to design and fabricate new medical insoles with universal fluid layer. After fabricating two types of insoles including flat silicone insole with shore 17 and flat silicone insole with universal fluid layer (medical silicone with shore 17 and silicone gel with shore 0), PEDAR test using one person in two standing and walking positions in three conditions comprised without the use of medical insole, using of flat medical silicone insole, and flat silicone insole with universal fluid layer was performed. These insoles were also modeled and solved in Abacus software according to the results obtained from mechanical properties testing of silicone and PEDAR test. The results of the finite element analysis showed that absorption of stress and strain in the static state by the silicone insoles with universal fluid layer was 63% and 63%, and in the dynamic state was 84% and 89% more than those obtained by the flat silicone insoles, respectively. The experimental results of the PEDAR system also showed that in the standing state, the silicone insoles with universal fluid layer and the flat silicone insoles had 58% and 30% pressure reduction, respectively, in comparison with without insole condition. Also, in the gait state, the silicone insoles with fluid layer and the flat silicone insole showed 37% and 9% pressure reduction, respectively, in comparison with without insole condition. Eventually, it was found out that the silicone insoles with fluid layer reduce plantar pressure well in comparison to the flat silicone insoles.

Portable Chest Radiography Immediately after Post-Cardiac Surgery; an Essential Tool for the Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Atelectasis: a Case Report.

Atelectasis after endobronchial intubation (ETT) is a known complication of general anesthesia. In-bed auscultation of lungs and use of the 21/23 rule are the two suggestive, but not reliable, methods for the early detection of this event; however, none of them guarantees its prevention. The portable chest radiograph (CXR) is a simple, quick method to detect atelectasis and proper placement of the endotracheal tube in the intensive care unit (ICU). A case of postsurgical, ICU-admitted patient was presented in the report, demonstrating left (LT) lung atelectasis in immediate portable CXR without any evidence of respiratory or hemodynamic abnormality. Portable CXR showed that the tip of the endotracheal tube was located in the lumen of the right main bronchus, leading to LT lung total atelectasis. After repositioning of ETT to the lumen of the trachea, atelectasis was disappeared in early follow-up CXR.

Association between incidence of atrial fibrillation and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG): a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Open heart surgery is one of the most common and valuable treatment methods for cardiovascular diseases, a common side effect of which is atrial fibrillation that occurs due to various reasons. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in patients after open heart surgery. METHODS: The present retrospective cohort study was conducted on 330 patients in Farshchian Heart Center through census. The required data were collected from medical records of the patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery using data collection between April 2015 and March 2015. Then, data analysis was performed using SPSS software (ver.16) at error level of p<0.05. The tests used in this study included independent-samples t-test, Mann-Whitney, and chi-squared tests. RESULTS: Based on the results, mean age of the patients was 61.76±9.2, the majority of the patients (70.1%) were male. The association between Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation and cardiopulmonary pump time (minute) was not meaningful. Incidence of atrial fibrillation had statistically significant relationship with variables of mean age, BMI, PAC, PVC, creatinine and duration of hospitalization (p<0.05); on the other hand, variables of gender, cross clamp time (minute), intubation time (hour), and clinical history had no effect on atrial fibrillation incidence rate (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Since the pathogenesis of AF after cardiac surgery is believed to be multifactorial, including clinical variables and technical intraoperative factors, the relation between incidence of AF with mean age, BMI, PAC, PVC, creatinine and duration of hospitalization was significant. But AF was not related to cardiopulmonary pump time (minute). It is necessary to conduct further research on factors affecting incidence of atrial fibrillation.

Cardiac Calcified Amorphous Tumor of the Mitral Valve Presenting as Transient Ischemic Attack.

Cardiac calcified amorphous tumors (CATs) are an extremely rare nonneoplastic intracardiac masses. They have been reported in the literature in only a few cases. Thus, the incidence, pathogenesis, and best approach to the treatment are not certain. We report a case of CATs on the atrial surface of the anterior mitral valve leaflet in a 37-year-old female who was diagnosed by histopathological examination after surgical removal.

Comparison of the Complications between Left Side and Right Side Subclavian Vein Catheter Placement in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous subclavian vein catheterization is one of the most common invasive procedures performed in cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to compare left and right subclavian vein catheter placement via the infraclavicular approach in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: This prospective, randomized clinical trial was performed in193 patients. The technique applied for cannulation was infraclavicular approach for both the right and the left sides. Subclavian vein of other side was attempted only when catheterization at initial side was unsuccessful at two attempts. The success and complication rates were compared for the two sides. RESULTS: On193 patients, catheterization attempts were performed. Overall 177 catheterizations (91.7%) were successful during the first attempt, 105 (92.1%) on the right side and 72 (91.1%) on the left side. There was no significant difference between success rate and side of catheterization. Malposition of the catheter tip on the right side (9.6%) was significantly more than the left side (0%) (P= 0.003). The differences in other complications on two sides were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Compared with the right side, insertion of the cannula on the left side resulted in fewer catheter tip misplacements. Incidence of cannulation failure and other complications were similar on both sides.