Correlation between osteoprotegerin and coronary artery calcification in diabetic subjects: a systematic review of observational studies.

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is one of the critical cardiovascular complications that lead to elevated morbidity and mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2M). The association between osteoprotegerin (OPG) and CAC could potentially provide a reasonable chance for preventive therapy in type 2 diabetic patients and benefit the rate of mortality. Since measurement of CAC score is relatively expensive and requires radiation exposure, the current systematic review aims to provide clinical evidence for evaluating the prognostic role of OPG in determining CAC risk among subjects with T2M. Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, were investigated until July 2022. We assessed human studies investigating the association of OPG with CAC in type 2 diabetic patients. Quality assessment was performed by Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scales (NOS). Out of 459 records, 7 studies remained eligible to be included. Observational studies that provided odds ratio (OR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between OPG and the risk of CAC were analyzed by random-effects model. In order to provide a visual summary of our findings, the estimation of pooled OR from cross-sectional studies was reported as 2.86 [95% CI 1.49-5.49], which is consistent with the findings of the cohort study. Results revealed that the association between OPG and CAC was significant among diabetic patients. OPG is hypothesized to be a potential marker in predicting the presence of high coronary calcium score among subjects with T2M that could be recognized as a novel target for further pharmacological investigations.

Investigating the Manifestation of Coronary Artery Disease and Determining the Role of Effective Factors in the Need for Pacemaker Insertion in These Patients.

BACKGROUND: Many patients who are candidates for a pacemaker are also at the same time risk factors for coronary artery disease such as high blood pressure, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, and therefore the probability of having coronary artery disease is significant. Effective diagnostic measures can be taken to prove the factors affecting the incidence of CAD in patients undergoing pacemakers at high-risk, including angiography. Therefore, it can prevent complications during and after pacemaker implantation, which leads to an increase in the quality of treatment in patients requiring pacemaker implantation. AIM: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the predictive factors of significant coronary artery disease in patients with pacemaker implantation to identify patients in need of coronary angiography at the time of pacemaker implantation. METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out to examine the patients' files that were placed at the heart of Imam Reza Hospital during the period between March 2017 and September 2017. Demographic data, risk factors, echocardiography findings, and angiography, were collected and then recorded using a checklist. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22 and Chi-square, and Mann-Whitney tests were used for determining significates variables. RESULTS: A group of 102 patients who had undergone a permanent cardiac pacemaker insertion due to an atrioventricular (AV) Block were included in the study, and also coronary anatomy was determined coronary angiography. Based on the results, 13.7% of patients with cardiac pacemaker had obstructive coronary artery disease (stenosis > 70%). Factors affecting coronary artery stenosis on angiography include gender, chest pain, history of myocardial infarction, angioplasty, diabetes, smoking, history of aspirin intake, calcium blocker and Plavix, high hematocrit, ST elevation and ST depression in the ECG, and severe mitral regurgitation. CONCLUSION: It seems that in most patients requiring permanent pacemaker insertion because of the atrioventricular (AV) Block, angiography does not change the patient's fate, and so can be ignored. However, in patients who have several risk factors from the listed above, coronary angiography is recommended during admission.

Effects of a 3D segmental prosthetic system for tricuspid valve annulus remodelling on the right coronary artery: a human cadaveric coronary angiography study.

OBJECTIVES: A prosthetic system to repair secondary tricuspid valve regurgitation was developed. The conceptual engineering of the current device is based on 3D segmental remodelling of the tricuspid valve annulus in lieu of reductive annuloplasty. This study was designed to investigate the operational safety of the current prosthetic system with regard to the anatomical integrity of the right coronary artery (RCA) in fresh cadaveric human hearts. METHODS: During the study period, from January to April 2016, the current prosthetic system was implanted on the tricuspid valve annulus in fresh cadaveric human hearts that met the study's inclusion criteria. The prepared specimens were investigated via selective coronary angiography of the RCA in the catheterization laboratory. The RCA angiographic anatomies were categorized as normal, distorted, kinked or occluded. RESULTS: Sixteen specimens underwent implantation of the current prosthetic system. The mean age of the cadaveric human hearts was 43.24 ± 15.79 years, with vehicle accident being the primary cause of death (59%). A dominant RCA was noticed in 62.5% of the specimens. None of the specimens displayed any injury, distortion, kinking or occlusion in the RCA due to the implantation of the prostheses. CONCLUSIONS: In light of the results of the present study, undertaken on fresh cadaveric human heart specimens, the current segmental prosthetic system for 3D remodelling of the tricuspid valve annulus seems to be safe vis-à-vis the anatomical integrity of the RCA. Further in vivo studies are needed to investigate the functional features of the current prosthetic system with a view to addressing the complex pathophysiology of secondary tricuspid valve regurgitation.

Left Brachiocephalic Vein Cannulation in Bicaval Venous Drainage Is Safe, Effective, and Technically Advantageous.

Direct cannulation of both venae cavae (bicaval venous cannulation) is the gold standard for right atrial isolation in intracavitary surgery, but there has been no consensus about an alternative site. Therefore, we studied an alternative method for bicaval venous drainage in which the left brachiocephalic vein (LBCV) is cannulated instead of the superior vena cava. From 2012 through 2014, we performed routine LBCV cannulation in 150 consecutive patients as part of bicaval venous drainage before right atrial isolation. We prospectively collected demographic information, operative data, total pump and LBCV cannula flows with their respective calculated and indexed rates, central venous pressures, and perioperative complications. All patients survived surgery. There were no adverse technical outcomes or functional deficits associated with the technique. The mean indexed LBCV cannula flow was 1,520 ± 216 mL/min/m(2), representing an LBCV cannula-to-calculated pump-flow ratio of 64%. The mean central venous pressure during right atrial isolation was 3.7 ± 1.9 mmHg. Cannulation of the LBCV is intrinsically a safe and reproducible procedure with proven hemodynamic adequacy. Its versatility can be an asset to surgical techniques and perfusion methods. Furthermore, the hemodynamic results in our series promise alternative intrathoracic and extracardiac cannulation sites for mini-extracorporeal circulation, on-pump beating-heart procedures, and short-term circulatory assist device implementation.

The Impact of Remote Ischemic Pre-Conditioning on Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an acute major complication following intravascular administration of iodinated contrast agents; however, the best approach for preventing CIN is not clear. Remote ischemic pre-conditioning (RIPC) is a new, non-pharmacological method that has been considered for the prevention of CIN following coronary angiography. This study assessed the effects of RIPC with four brief episodes of upper limb ischemia and reperfusion in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after coronary angiography and/or angioplasty. METHODS: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, we enrolled 51 patients with chronic stable angina and non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE.ACS), and they underwent coronary angiography and/or angioplasty. Standard fluid therapy with normal saline was prescribed for all patients before and after the procedure. The patients were divided into two groups, i.e., a study group of patients who had undergone RIPC intervention and a control group of patients who had not undergone RIPC. One hour before the procedure, a sphygmomanometer cuff was placed around one arm and inflated up to 50 mmHg above the systolic pressure for five minutes; then, the cuff was deflated for another five minutes, and this cycle was repeated four times. The patients' serum creatinine levels were measured at baseline and 48 hours after the procedure, and the incidence of CIN was calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-one males and 30 females were studied in two groups, i.e., an RIPC intervention group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 26) that were homogenous considering baseline characteristics. No significant difference was observed in the mean level of serum creatinine between the two groups at a post-intervention time of 48 hours (RICP: 1.74 ± 0.70 mg/dL vs. CONTROL: 1.75 ± 0.87 mg/dL; P = 0.64). However, a lower incidence rate of CIN was observed 48 hours after the administration of the contrast medium in the RIPC group, but it was not statistically significant (RIPC: 23.1% vs. CONTROL: 12.0%; P = 0.30). CONCLUSION: It seems that adequate fluid therapy is still the most effective strategy for preventing CIN and that RIPC might have additional protective effects in very high risk patients, such as those with severe renal insufficiency and heart failure.

Giant cardiac hydatid cyst with rare adhesions.

We present a 29-year-old woman who was admitted to the emergency department with shortness of breath. Using echocardiography, a giant multi-cystic mass was detected in the right ventricle, attached to the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve and basal portion of the interventricular septum. Serologic tests (hydatid cyst antibody) confirmed Echinococcus infection. Lung computed tomography with intravenous contrast showed involvement of the pulmonary vasculature. The patient underwent cardiac surgery and the large cardiac cyst and the one in the right pulmonary artery branch were both removed. The tricuspid valve was also replaced by a bioprosthetic one. Albendazole was started preoperatively and was continued for six months after surgery. The patient recovered uneventfully and was followed up for one year. This is a report of a rare case of a very large cardiac hydatid cyst complicated by pulmonary embolism with attachments to both the tricuspid valve and interventricular septum.

Relationship between coronary and renal artery disease and associated risk factors in hypertensive and diabetic patients undergoing coronary angiography.

AIMS: Performing simultaneous renal angiography in patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) is suitable for those who have a high probability for renal artery stenosis (RAS), thus better recognition of all potential candidates could have paramount importance. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a cross sectional study, 260 consecutive hypertensive and/or diabetic patients (135 males, 125 females with average age of 57.1 and 57.2 years respectively) underwent simultaneous coronary and renal angiography. RAS was identified in 55 patients (21.2%). Significant RAS (> 50%) was present in 37 patients (14.2%). Female sex (P=0.01), older age (62.1+/-10 vs 56.3+/-8.9 years, p=0.001), higher serum creatinine level (1.3+/-0.69 vs 0.98+/-0.35 mg/dl p=0.017), reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (58.6+/-25.4 vs 81.8+/-28.1 ml/min/1.73 m2, p< 0.001), increased levels of intra-arterial systolic blood pressure (169.8+/-31.1 vs 155.1+/-28.4 mmHg, p=0.004) and pulse pressure (90.9+/-26.2 vs 77.5+/-21.9, p=<0.001) during catheterisation, history of hypertension alone (p=0.007) or accompanied with diabetes mellitus (DM) (p=0.014) and multi vessel CAD (> 2 vessels, p=0.002) were associated with significant RAS in univariate analysis and normal coronary arteries was a strong negative predictive factor (negative predictive value=95%). There was no significant relationship between involved location of coronary arteries, history of DM alone, history of dyslipidaemia and smoking with RAS. In multivariate model, female sex [odds ratio (OR) 0.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12-0.80, P=0.016], multivessel CAD (OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.25-2.83, P=0.002) and reduced eGFR (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.95-0.99, P=0.002) were independent predictors of RAS. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the limitations of non-invasive techniques, it seems worthwhile from both diagnostic and prognostic standpoints to perform simultaneous renal angiography following coronary angiography in patients with multivessel CAD, especially if other mentioned risk predictors are also present.