Cardiovascular MRI (CMRI) is a non-invasive imaging technique adopted for assessing the blood circulatory system's structure and function. Precise image segmentation is required to measure cardiac parameters and diagnose abnormalities through CMRI data. Because of anatomical heterogeneity and image variations, cardiac image segmentation is a challenging task. Quantification of cardiac parameters requires high-performance segmentation of the left ventricle (LV), right ventricle (RV), and left ventricle myocardium from the background. The first proposed solution here is to manually segment the regions, which is a time-consuming and error-prone procedure. In this context, many semi- or fully automatic solutions have been proposed recently, among which deep learning-based methods have revealed high performance in segmenting regions in CMRI data. In this study, a self-adaptive multi attention (SMA) module is introduced to adaptively leverage multiple attention mechanisms for better segmentation. The convolutional-based position and channel attention mechanisms with a patch tokenization-based vision transformer (ViT)-based attention mechanism in a hybrid and end-to-end manner are integrated into the SMA. The CNN- and ViT-based attentions mine the short- and long-range dependencies for more precise segmentation. The SMA module is applied in an encoder-decoder structure with a ResNet50 backbone named CardSegNet. Furthermore, a deep supervision method with multi-loss functions is introduced to the CardSegNet optimizer to reduce overfitting and enhance the model's performance. The proposed model is validated on the ACDC2017 (n=100), M&Ms (n=321), and a local dataset (n=22) using the 10-fold cross-validation method with promising segmentation results, demonstrating its outperformance versus its counterparts.
INTRODUCTION: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are emerging antidiabetic agents with various potential cardiovascular benefits. The EMPT-ANGINA trial examined the effect of empagliflozin on the angina burden in those with concurrent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and refractory angina (RA). METHOD: In this 8-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 75 patients with T2DM and RA were randomly assigned to one of two groups: empagliflozin (n = 37) and placebo (n = 38). The primary outcome was an improvement in angina, which was assessed by the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). The secondary outcomes of this study included alterations in the SAQ domains and exercise test components. RESULTS: The mean age of individuals in the empagliflozin and placebo groups was 67.46 ± 9.4 and 65.47 ± 7.0 years, respectively (p = .304). Patients who received empagliflozin showed a significant improvement in both the primary endpoint, which was the SAQ Summary Score (192.73 ± 20.70 vs. 224 ± 25.36, p < .001) and the secondary endpoints. Exercise test components, including treadmill exercise duration, time till angina, 1 mm ST-segment depression onset, and heart rate (HR) recovery, were all significantly improved in the empagliflozin group. This positive impact was reached with no clinically significant changes in resting and exertion HR or blood pressure. There were no significant side effects in the empagliflozin group (p = .125). CONCLUSION: Empagliflozin can be safely added as a metabolic modulator agent to existing antianginal medications in individuals with concurrent T2DM and RA to reduce angina symptoms and enhance exercise capacity with minimal side effects.
Cardiovascular Agents , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Glucosides , Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diagnosis , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy , Angina Pectoris/diagnosis , Angina Pectoris/drug therapy , Cardiovascular Agents/adverse effects , Benzhydryl Compounds/adverse effects , Double-Blind Method , Treatment Outcome
BACKGROUND: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the first cause of mortality in the world. Stable coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common IHD. Medical therapy (MT), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are three strategies for the management of this disease. The main aim of this study was the comparison of MT with PCI or CABG in terms of cardiovascular (CV) mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), unplanned revascularization (UR), stroke, and freedom from angina in managing stable CAD. METHODS: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus were searched. Two reviewers independently appraised the titles and abstracted data of the identified studies. After the Full-text reviewing phase, eligible studies were analyzed through the random-effect meta-analysis method. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted for the robustness of findings. RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The pooled RR of CV mortality associated with MT compared with PCI and CABG was 1.22 and 1.385, respectively. Overall, The RR of MT associated with MI, UR, stroke, and freedom from angina compared with PCI was 1.001, 1.151, 0.799, and 0.801, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed no statistically significant difference between MT and PCI in terms of studied primary outcomes. The findings also highlighted that there is no statistically significant difference between MT and CABG in terms of CV mortality.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to predict significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data of 384 patients who underwent angiography during 2015-2017 were reviewed. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were evaluated in terms of having positive T wave in lead V1 (TV1) described as T wave with amplitude of more than 0.15 mV and angiography records were assessed for presence of significant CAD defined as presence of ≥ 70% internal diameter stenosis in at least one major epicardial coronary artery or more than 50% stenosis in left main artery (LMA). RESULTS: Out of 384 patients who participated in this study with mean age of 63.6 ± 10.2 years (40-89 years), 71.6% showed positive TV1 and significant CAD simultaneously and left anterior descending artery (LAD) and left circumflex artery (LCX) lesions were more frequently reported in coronary angiography. Based on chi-square test, the prevalence of significant CAD was obviously more in those with positive TV1 as compared to those without this finding [odds ratio (OR) = 2.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.80-4.19, P < 0.001]. Mann-Whitney test showed significant difference in number of coronary arteries involved in CAD between presence of positive and negative T wave in lead V1 (P < 0.001). Great number of patients with significant CAD had remarkably higher T wave amplitude in lead V1 in comparison to lead V6 (OR = 6.22, 95% CI: 3.14-12.30, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Positive TV1 and TV1 > TV6 pattern can be considered as a predictor for significant CAD in patients with otherwise normal ECG.
BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a common condition that needs appropriate treatment like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) like eptifibatide prevent procedural ischemic complications after PCI. Eptifibatide has increased the risk of bleeding complications, although it is effective in reducing mortality and morbidity. Eptifibatide is routinely used in bolus and infusion forms and the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of bolus-only dose and bolus + infusion strategy for administrating eptifibatide in bleeding complications and consequences after PCI. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on subjects who experienced PCI after incidence of myocardial infarction (MI). Patients were randomly divided into two groups who received bolus-only dose (n = 51) or bolus + infusion form of eptifibatide (n = 50). Then, PCI blood pressure, mean time duration of hemostasis after arterial sheath removal, laboratory data, need for blood transfusion, and presence of bleeding complications were evaluated. After 6 months, patients were followed for needs for additional coronary interventions. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 61.68 ± 1.50 years. The prevalence of men was 70.29%. There was no significant difference in mean of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during hospitalization (P > 0.050). The mean time duration of hemostasis was 8.13 ± 0.45 minutes in the bolus-only group and 16.46 ± 0.71 minutes in the bolus + infusion group (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the hemoglobin (Hb) level, platelet count, white blood cell (WBC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine level (P > 0.050). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that bolus-only dose of eptifibatide before PCI could be able to decrease significantly bleeding complication and other clinical and cardiovascular outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Management of atrial fibrillation (AF), besides prevention of stroke, mainly stresses symptom control and improvement of quality of life (QOL). In patients with permanent AF, exercising may improve QOL, rhythm, and symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of aerobic physical rehabilitation on the QOL of patients suffering from AF and admitted to a coronary care unit (CCU). METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial study was conducted on 50 patients who were hospitalized with chronic AF in the CCU of Montazeri Hospital, Najafabad, Iran, and had the inclusion criteria. The participants were selected using convenience sampling method, and were randomly divided into experimental (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups. The experimental group received a rehabilitation program in the form of an educational package and scheduled physical activity of aerobics for 8 weeks, and the control group received CCU routine care. The researcher measured the patients' QOL before and after the intervention using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean score of total QOL between the control and experimental groups before the intervention (P > 0.050). However, the comparison of the mean score of total QOL after the intervention showed a significant increase in the experimental group (P < 0.050). CONCLUSION: Aerobic rehabilitation activities are effective on the QOL of patients with chronic AF.
BACKGROUND: In physical diseases including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), illness perception (IP) plays an important role in illness outcomes. Fatigue is a major bothersome symptom after myocardial infarction (MI). This manuscript presents the research design, methodology, and primary findings of a study on factors in relation with fatigue and IP in patients with MI, and changes in fatigue after intervention on IP. METHODS: 241 patients with MI who experienced a first-time acute MI (AMI) participated in this study in 2016-2017. During hospitalization, the demographic and clinical information of participants were collected. After four months, the information regarding fatigue, IP, coping with stress, type D personality, perceived social support (PSS), and locus of control of the participants was collected at their houses. About one year later, based on the results of phase one of the study, a psychoeducation course was conducted for 35 of the patients as intervention group while 36 patients were supervised as control group. Two months later, the role of IP in fatigue changes of the participants was assessed. RESULTS: 155 (65%) of the patients had positive family history of coronary heart disease (CHD). 103 (43%) were cigarette smokers, 100 (43.5%) had high blood cholesterol, and 72 (30%) had sedentary life style before MI. CONCLUSION: The overview of the factors related to fatigue and IP of the patients with MI could help the care teams to provide better care in the recovery period of the illness.
BACKGROUND: The present study tries to compare the unintended outcomes of the Catania stent versus Xience stent in patients undergoing angioplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a three month, follow-up, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, 83 patients undergoing angioplasty, who met the inclusion criteria were entered into the study. After randomization 43 patients were treated with the Xience stent and 40 patients with the Catania stent. Stent-related outcomes such as Cardiac and Non-Cardiovascular Death, Myocardial Infarction (MI), Target Lesion Revascularization (TLR), Stent Thrombosis (ST), Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), Peripheral vasculopathy, and Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) were compared between the groups. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence rate of complications and clinical outcomes between the two treatment groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of MI, TLR, CABG operation, peripheral vasculopathy, or CVA was not observed in any patient and there was no statistically difference in mortality (4.7% vs. 2.5%; P = 0.527) and stent thrombosis (2.3% vs. 2.5%; P = 0.735). CONCLUSION: All in all, the present study could not find the significant differences between the Catania stent and Xience stent in terms of clinical outcomes during the follow-up period.
BACKGROUND: Lifestyle modification is an essential factor in the promotion of health in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). One of the interventions to promote lifestyle is interactive follow-up, which, according to the traditional methods, requires spending significant amount of time and cost. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of interactive text message follow-up on health promoting lifestyle of patients with ACS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial among 100 patients suffering from ACS during October-February 2016. The participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Collection of data on lifestyle was performed before, 3, and 4 months after the beginning of the intervention using Walker's Health Promoting lifestyle questionnaire. Six messages were sent to the intervention groups each week, and participants asked the questions by sending text message, each week 1 message were sent to the control group for 12 weeks. The statistical analysis of data was performed using independent t-test, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the mean score of lifestyle of the two groups, however, 3 months and 4 months after the beginning of the intervention, the mean score of lifestyle in the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The interactive text message follow-up is effective in promoting the lifestyle of patients with ACS and can be considered in the planning of follow-up of patients with ACS.
BACKGROUND: Coronary artery diseases and therapies such as coronary angioplasty would lead to changes in the quality of life in patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of collaborative care model on the quality of life in patients after coronary angioplasty. METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in Isfahan, Iran during 2015. In this study, 50 samples were selected by simple sampling and randomly allocated into two equal groups of intervention and control. Collaborative care model was performed in the intervention group for 3 months. Data were collected using quality of life (SF-36) questionnaire which includes 36 questions on physical and psychological dimensions and was completed before and one month after the intervention in both groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics and by independent t- test, paired t test, Chi square and Mann-Whitney tests through SPSS 18. RESULTS: After the intervention, the mean score of quality of life in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The results of independent t-test showed a significant difference between both groups regarding the mean of changes in the score of quality of life and its dimensions in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty 3 months after the intervention (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Results revealed that patients who had been cared based on collaborative care model had better scores of quality of life in all the physical, mental and social dimensions than the control group. Therefore, using this model for taking care of patients after coronary angioplasty is recommended. Trial Registration Number: IRCT2015120120912N4.
Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. In this study, using Cine MRI images, the infarct region was precisely determined by examining the local migration path length of critical points on myocardium borders and the fractional thickening effects. First, MRI Cine images of Epi/Endocardium were processed in 3D for all slices, and then incorporated in all frames to build a dynamic model. Epi/Endocardium images were segmented using Heiberg algorithm, and then by a robust restricted block matching algorithm, the sparse points were tracked. Finally, by fitting a 3D active mesh model to the sparse point displacements, a dense motion field was obtained, and some useful local parameters of left ventricle in patients with myocardial infarction were estimated. The local parameters are path length, fractional thickening, and strain. Using this process, the cardiac wall motion was quantized to determine the region and extent of infarct lesion. The process was implemented, and the results were examined and modified against the cardiac perfusion scan. Data were acquired from 10 healthy individuals and 20 patients with the myocardial infarction. The findings also reveal that the infarct region can be determined by locating less than 20% in the wall thickening. In all the patients, the process was able to precisely determine the affected region. The cardiac wall kinesis in damaged regions was properly evaluated by normalized path length and presented in standard bull's-eye format. The above approach is promising and can be extended in prognosis of acute heart infraction by prediction of prone to the wall kinesis regions in the patients close to MI by examining the local indexes of the myocardium in the cardiac MRI images.
Heart/diagnostic imaging , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine/methods , Models, Cardiovascular , Myocardial Infarction/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Algorithms , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Statistical
BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to assess the major immediate outcomes of eptifibatide therapy during intracoronary stent implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an interventional study, patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were randomized into either the eptifibatide (n = 100) or the control (n = 107) group. In each group, demographic and clinical characteristics such as cardiac death, stent thrombosis (ST), myocardial infarction (MI), rates of target lesion and vessel revascularization, cerebral vascular accident (CVA), and emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were recorded. RESULTS: The overall rates of major adverse events such as mortality, Stent thrombosis (ST), Myocardial Infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), CVA, and emergency CABG within 24 h after stent implantation were low and comparable between the two groups; P > 0.05 considered significant for all comparisons. CONCLUSION: There were no statistical differences between the clinical outcomes of groups administered with single-dose intracoronary eptifibatide and control groups among patients undergoing PCI during stent implantation.
BACKGROUND: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is one of the most common complications after radiographic procedures using intravascular radiocontrast media. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of atorvastatin on prevention of CIN in patients undergoing coronary angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a clinical trial study, 200 patients referred for angiography were randomly divided into two groups of using 80 mg atorvastatin and placebo before the procedure. Furthermore, 100 patients who were under chronic treatment of statins were included as the third group. Serum creatinine (Scr) levels before and after the procedure were evaluated and incidence of CIN (post-procedural Scr of >0.5 mg/dl or >25% from baseline) was assessed. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 60.06 ± 0.69 years and 276 (92%) were male. There were no significant differences between group with respect to age and gender. In pre-operation atorvastatin, placebo and long term statin groups, the incidence of CIN was 1%, 2% and 1%, and mean changes of Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 3.68 ± 1.32, -0.77 ± 1.21 and 1.37 ± 0.86; and mean changes of creatinine (Cr) was -0.05 ± 0.02, 0.02 ± 0.02 and -0.01 ± 0.01 respectively. (P = 0.776, 0.026 and 0.041 respectively). In pre-operation atorvastatin group, Cr decreased, and GFR increased significantly (P = 0.019 and 0.007 respectively). CONCLUSION: pre-operation short term high dose atorvastatin use was associated with a significant decrease in serum Cr level and increase in GFR after angiography.
BACKGROUND: Statins are shown effective by some studies in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). We evaluated the effectiveness of atorvastatin in the prevention of CIN in computed tomography angiography (CTA) candidates. METHODS: This study was conducted on patients referring for elective CTA with normal renal function. Patients received atorvastatin (80 mg/day) or placebo from 24 h before to 48 h after administration of the contrast material. Serum creatinine was measured before and 48 h after contrast material injection. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine level of ≥ 0.5 mg/dl or ≥ 25% of the baseline creatinine. RESULTS: A total of 236 patients completed the study; 115 atorvastatin, 121 placebo, mean age = 58.40 ± 9.80 year, 68.6% male. Serum creatinine increased after contrast material injection in both the atorvastatin (1.00 ± 0.16-1.02 ± 0.15 mg/dl, P = 0.017) and placebo groups (1.03 ± 0.17-1.08 ± 0.18 mg/dl, P < 0.001). Controlling for age, gender, comorbidities, drug history, and baseline serum creatinine level, patients who received atorvastatin experienced less increase in serum creatinine after contrast material injection (beta = 0.127, P = 0.034). However, there was no difference between the atorvastatin and placebo groups in the incidence of CIN (4.3 vs. 5.0%, P = 0.535). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing CTA, a short-term treatment with high dose atorvastatin is effective in preventing contrast-induced renal dysfunction, in terms of less increase in serum creatinine level after contrast material injection. Further trials including larger sample of patients and longer follow-ups are warranted.
BACKGROUND: Lead is a pollutant with numerous adverse effects on health. Since it can affect blood pressure, peripheral blood vessels, and the heart, the present study aimed to evaluate the relation between occupational exposure to lead and blood pressure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included male individuals working in battery firms in Isfahan. A questionnaire covering demographic characteristics and the history of different diseases and occupational exposure to lead was completed. Each participant's blood pressure was also measured and recorded. After obtaining blood samples and determining lead levels, mean and frequency analyses were performed. In addition, Pearson's correlation test and linear regression were used to assess the relation between blood lead levels (BLLs) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. All analyses were performed in SPSS.19. RESULTS: The mean age of the 182 studied workers was 42.85 ± 13.65 years. They had worked in battery firms for a mean period of 23.67 ± 14.72 years. Moreover, the mean value of BLLs among the participants was 7.92 ± 3.44 µg/dL. Correlation between BLL and systolic and diastolic blood pressure was not significant. The effects of lead on systolic and diastolic blood pressure after stepwise regression were B = -0.327 [confidence interval (CI) 95%: -0.877 to 0.223] and B = -0.094 (CI 95%: -0.495 to 0.307), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that BLLs in battery firm workers to be normal. Additionally, BLLs were not significantly related with either systolic or diastolic blood pressure which might have been the result of normal BLLs.
BACKGROUND: The present study assessed the significance of troponin and myeloperoxidase levels in the prediction of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the 1st month after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: This prospective, longitudinal study included 100 patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent PCI. The participants' characteristics were recorded in a questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained before and 24 h after PCI, and troponin, and myeloperoxidase levels were measured. During the 1st month after PCI, death, myocardial reinfarction, and revascularization during admission were investigated through weekly phone calls. The value of troponin and myeloperoxidase levels before and after PCI in predicting MACE was evaluated using Cox regression. RESULTS: Considering the obtained methods and the short duration of the study, 99% of the patients completed the study. Moreover, one death and four cases of myocardial infarction and revascularization were reported. Cox regression did not show significant relations between the incidence of MACE and myeloperoxidase levels before (hazard ratio = 1.12; 95% confidence interval 0.9, 1.39) and after PCI (hazard ratio = 0.86; 95% confidence interval = 0.43, 1.71), or troponin levels before (hazard ratio = 0.97; 95% confidence interval = 0.81, 1.17) and after PCI (hazard ratio = 1.03; 95% confidence interval = 0.96, 1.11). CONCLUSION: It seems that the few cases of MACE, due to the small sample size and short duration of follow-up, had been insufficient for determining the predictive value of troponin and myeloperoxidase levels before and after PCI. Therefore, further studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up duration are recommended.
INTRODUCTION: Oats are high in soluble fibers and effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We assessed the effects of beta-glucan from oat bran on serum nitric oxide (NO) endothelial function in patients with hypercholesterolemia. METHOD: Sixty hypercholesterolemic patients were randomly divided to receive an experimental bread rich in beta-glucan from oat bran (intervention) or bread rich in wheat fiber (control) for four weeks. All subjects had the same diet for two-week baseline period and hypocaloric diet for four weeks of intervention. Serum NO concentration and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were determined before and after the experiment. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 51.1 ± 9.3 years and 65% (n = 39) were female. After intervention, serum NO concentration increased by 50.2 ± 19.8 µmol/lit in the intervention group (P = 0.017), but no change was observed in the control group (17.5 ± 27.5 µmol/lit; P = 0.530). No change of FMD was observed in the intervention (0.48 ± 0.78%; P = 0.546) or in the control group (0.59 ± 0.92%; P = 0.533). CONCLUSION: Consumption of oat bread for four weeks increases serum NO concentration but has no effect on FMD. Further studies are warranted in this regard.
Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Hypercholesterolemia/blood , Nitric Oxide/blood , Obesity/blood , Adult , Bread , Cholesterol/blood , Cholesterol/cerebrospinal fluid , Dietary Fiber/administration & dosage , Endothelial Cells/pathology , Female , Humans , Hypercholesterolemia/complications , Hypercholesterolemia/diet therapy , Hypercholesterolemia/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/complications , Obesity/diet therapy , Obesity/pathology , beta-Glucans/administration & dosage
BACKGROUND: Iron is essential for many physiological processes; whereas, iron overload has been known as a risk factor in progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of serum ferritin levels, which are known as an indicator of body iron stored in the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: In a case-control study, we evaluated 432 eligible men who underwent coronary angiography at Chamran Cardiology Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. They were separated into two groups of case (with CAD) and control (without CAD). All subjects had given written informed consents. Then, the blood samples were taken after 12-14 hours of fast by a biologist for measuring cardiovascular risk factors and body iron stores, including serum ferritin, serum iron, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). For statistical analyses, chi-square test, Student's t-test, one-way ANOVA, and the logistic regression were used. RESULTS: In the present study, 212 participants with CAD in the case group and 220 participants free of CAD in the control group were included in the analysis. At baseline, there were significant differences in serum ferritin (P < 0.001) and other cardiovascular risk factors between the two groups. Moreover, when other risk factors of CVD were included in the model, serum ferritin [Odd Ratio (OR) = 1.006, 95% confidence interval of 95% (95% CI) 1.00-1.01, P = 0.045] and serum ferritin ≥ 200 (OR = 4.49, 95% CI 1.72-11.70, P < 0.001) were associated with CAD. CONCLUSION: High iron store, as assessed by serum ferritin, was associated with the increased risk of CAD. Furthermore, it was a strong and independent risk factor in the incident of atherosclerosis in the Iranian male population.
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the association of apolipoprotein B (apoB), apolipoprotein A (apoA), and apoB/apoA ratio with the body fat indicators in patients with stable angina pectoris (SA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty two participants aged 40-60 years old, with a mean age of 52.1 ± 7.2 years and SA, were recruited for the present study. Body weight, height, and waist circumference (WC) were measured, and waist to height ratio (WHtR) was calculated. After 12 hours of fasting, a blood sample was obtained and serum levels of apoB and apoA were measured and the apoB/apoA ratio was calculated. These patients underwent an abdominal computerized tomography scan (CTS) to assess visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT, SAT). Linear regressions were computed to assess the relation of apoB, apoA, and their ratio with various measurements of adiposity (VAT, SAT, WC, and WHtR), with adjustment for age, sex, and BMI ≥ 25, WC ≥ 80 in women and WC ≥ 90 in men and WHtR ≥ 0.59. RESULTS: From totally 123 patients with SA with a mean age of 52.1 ± 7.2 years, 44.7% male and 55.3% women were entered. Significant positive associations were found between visceral fat area and the apoB/apoA ratio (P = 0.02, ß = 0.2), and significant negative correlations were observed between visceral fat area and apoA concentrations (P = 0.04, ß = -0.2). CONCLUSION: As abdominal fat accumulation is associated with other risk factors such as apolipoproteins in ischemic patients, then we most focus on control of these factors.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the accuracy of 64-multidetector-row computed tomography angiography (CTA) in comparison to conventional invasive angiography (CIA) in the diagnosis of significant stenosis (≥ 50%) of coronary artery tree. METHODS: Assessment of CTA in the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) was performed in patients referred because of symptoms or stress studies suggestive of ischemia. For this purpose, among more than 1000 cases of coronary CTA in a 20 months period a study population of 54 patients suspected to have significant stenosis of the coronary artery tree was investigated. The CIA procedure was performed in these patients one month after CTA. The accuracy of CTA in detecting significant stenosis was compared to CIA. RESULTS: For vessel based analysis of 179 coronary vessels, CTA had a sensitivity of 96%, specificity of 87.5%, positive predictive value of 90.5%, and negative predictive value of 94.6%. For patient-base analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of CTA were 97.9%, 28.6%, 66.6%, and 90.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study reveal that CT angiography with 64-slice scanner could be considered as a suitable technique for rapid triage of patients presenting to hospitals with chest pain. High values of sensitivity and PPV reveal the good performance of CTA in detecting CAD.
