Possible effects of melatonin on reperfusion injury following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has been reported to be one of the most effective internentions in terms of myocardial salvage, reperfusion itself can cause additional damage to the myocardium. Since there is strong evidence that free radicals are the principal offender in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, it has been suggested that treatment with antioxidant agents can be protective. Investigations have shown that melatonin secretion is partially disturbed in CABG patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of melatonin as an antioxidant agent on I/R injury. METHODS: 164 elective CABG candidates participated in this randomized clinical trial during the preoperative period. The candidates were randomized to receive 3 mg of melatonin tablets (physiologic dose) from 3 days before surgery until the day of discharge. Cardiac biomarkers [troponin and creatine kinase myocardial band (CKMB)] were assessed once before surgery (24 hours before surgery), and 8 and 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS: Finally, 130 patients, 65 (50%) patients in the melatonin group and 65 (50%) in the control arm finished our study. Mean age of melatonin and control groups was 59.90 ± 9.59 and 60.80 ± 8.00 years, respectively; moreover, 47 (72.30%) in melatonin and 45 (69.23%) in control group were men. No significant difference was seen in baseline cardiac biomarkers between two groups (P > 0.05). In both groups, cardiac biomarkers (CKMB and troponin) elevated after surgery in comparison to their preoperative values. There was no statistically significant difference between the control and melatonin groups regarding the 8-hour and 24-hour troponin and CKMB when adjusted for interacting factors (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although physiological concentration of melatonin is protective against I/R injury, substitution of endogenous melatonin with the oral supplement which creates physiologic concentration may not prevent I/R injury. In order to have antioxidant effect, pharmacologic doses of melatonin should be employed.

Effect of COVID-19 medications on corrected QT interval and induction of torsade de pointes: Results of a multicenter national survey.

BACKGROUND: There are some data showing that repurposed drugs used for the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) have potential to increase the risk of QTc prolongation and torsade de pointes (TdP), and these arrhythmic side effects have not been adequately addressed in COVID-19 patients treated with these repurposed medications. METHODS: This is the prospective study of 2403 patients hospitalised at 13 hospitals within the COVID-19 epicentres of the Iran. These patients were treated with chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, atazanavir/ritonavir, oseltamivir, favipiravir and remdesivir alone or in combination with azithromycin. The primary outcome of the study was incidence of critical QTc prolongation, and secondary outcomes were incidences of TdP and death. RESULTS: Of the 2403 patients, 2365 met inclusion criteria. The primary outcome of QTc ≥ 500 ms and ∆QTc ≥ 60 ms was observed in 11.2% and 17.6% of the patients, respectively. The secondary outcomes of TdP and death were reported in 0.38% and 9.8% of the patients, respectively. The risk of critical QT prolongation increased in the presence of female gender, history of heart failure, treatment with hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin combination therapy, simultaneous furosemide or beta-blocker therapy and acute renal or hepatic dysfunction. However, the risk of TdP was predicted by treatment with lopinavir-ritonavir, simultaneous amiodarone or furosemide administration and hypokalaemia during treatment. CONCLUSION: This cohort showed significant QTc prolongation with all COVID-19 medications studied, however, life-threatening arrhythmia of TdP occurred rarely. Among the repurposed drugs studied, hydroxychloroquine or lopinavir-ritonavir alone or in combination with azithromycin clearly demonstrated to increase the risk of critical QT prolongation and/or TdP.

Relationship between Vitamin D Levels and the Incidence of Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is probably a consequence of inflammation. Vitamin D is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin D levels on the incidence of POAF. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, patients were monitored for the occurrence of POAF during the first 5 days after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery in Tehran Heart Center. Those with concomitant valvular surgeries were excluded. Thereafter, they were divided into 2 groups: with or without POAF. Vitamin D levels were assessed in all the patients. The relationship between the vitamin D level and the incidence of POAF was evaluated and compared between the groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The study population comprised of 156 patients. The mean age was 62.8±8.6 years, and 105 (67.3%) patients were male. Of the 156 patients, 29 (19%) developed POAF. The median preoperative vitamin D level was 15.3 in the group with POAF and 25.3 in the group without POAF (P=0.07). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated no significant relationship between vitamin D levels and the occurrence of POAF.

Nephroprotective Effects of L-Carnitine against Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Open-Labeled Clinical Trial.

Background: L-carnitine may prevent the incidence of AKI by its antioxidant effects and improving circulation in ischemic conditions. The goal of this trial was to evaluate the impact of L-carnitine on contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing elective PCI. Methods: Totally, the patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The treatment group received 1 g of L-carnitine orally 3 times a day, 24 hours before the procedure (3 g before PCI) and 2 g after PCI, whereas the control group did not receive L-carnitine. In both groups, the plasma level of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) was measured at baseline and 12 hours after PCI. Results: Our study was conducted on 202 patients (including 91 vs. 111 patients in the treatment and the control group; 31 (34.1%) vs 33 (29.7%) female in carnitine and control group; and ages include 62.0 ± 9.0 vs 57.0 ± 11.2 years). The median plasma levels of NGAL were not different between the carnitine and control groups at baseline (57 [IQR: 22 - 255] vs. 54 [IQR: 29 - 324]; p value = 0.155) and 12 hours after PCI (71 [IQR: 52 - 129] vs. 70 [IQR: 46 - 153]; p value = 0.925), but the changes in the plasma NGAL from baseline to 12 hours after PCI were different between the 2 groups (5 [IQR:-147 - 30] vs. 17 [IQR: -21 - 41]; p value = 0.010). Conclusion: Our results showed that oral L-carnitine was able to prevent an increase in NGAL following contrast medium administration in patients undergoing PCI. More studies should be performed to fully elucidate the nephroprotective effects of L-carnitine.

Preventive effect of l-carnitine and its derivatives on endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggregation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oxidative stress plays an important role in platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction. Exogenous and endogenous reactive oxygen species are associated with platelet activation and vascular dysfunction. Antioxidants have been shown to attenuate oxidative stress and consequently endothelial dysfunction by preventing inflammation, regulating vascular tone, and promoting antiadhesive and antithrombotic properties. l-carnitine and its derivatives have been demonstrated to improve endothelial and platelet function against oxidative stress by several mechanisms, some of which cannot be found in other antioxidants. The role of l-carnitine and its derivatives in endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation will be reviewed here from the perspective of basic and clinical research. METHOD: This study reviews in vitro and in vivo studies, clinical trials, and abstracts in the English language that have examined the protective effects of l-carnitine and its derivatives on endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggregation in pathological conditions. We searched experimental studies, clinical trials, and other review articles to obtain the materials. CONCLUSIONS: Although in vitro physiological models, animal studies on vascular and platelet function, and some human studies on these systems are in favor of the preventive effects of l-carnitine and its derivatives on endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggregation, more clinical trials are needed to clarify the clinical importance of l-carnitine as a supportive option to maintain the normal homeostatic function of the vasculature and to prevent platelet activation.

Evaluating the Potential Effect of Melatonin on the post-Cardiac Surgery Sleep Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative neurological injuries, including cognitive dysfunction, sleep disorder, delirium, and anxiety, are the important consequences of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Evidence has shown that postoperative sleep disturbance is partly due to disturbed melatonin secretion in the perioperative period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin on postoperative sleep disorder in patients undergoing CABG. METHOD: One hundred forty-five elective CABG patients participated in a randomized double-blind study during the preoperative period. The patients were randomized to receive either 3 mg of melatonin or 10 mg of Oxazepam one hour before sleep time. Each group received the medication from 3 days before surgery until the time of discharge. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Groningen Sleep Quality Score (GSQS), and the incidence of delirium was evaluated by nursing records. Sleep quality and anxiety scores were compared before and after surgery through the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and independent t-test were used to compare the sleep and anxiety scores between the groups. P values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Totally, 137 patients at a mean age of 60 years completed the study (76% male). The analysis of the data showed that sleep was significantly disturbed after surgery in both groups. The patients in the Oxazepam group demonstrated significantly higher disturbance in their mean postoperative GSQS score than did their counterparts in the melatonin group (p value < 0.001). A smaller proportion of the participants experienced delirium in the melatonin group (0.06%) than in the Oxazepam group (0.12%); however, this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The result of the present study revealed that melatonin improved sleep in post-cardiac surgery patients more than what was observed with Oxazepam. Therefore, melatonin may be considered an effective alternative for Benzodiazepines in the management of postoperative sleep disorder.

Efficacy of colchicine versus placebo for the treatment of pericardial effusion after open-heart surgery: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Pericardial effusion (PE), a common complication after open-heart surgery, accounts for 50% to 85% of patients. Although reversible in most of the cases, it could be life threatening in the occurrence of tamponade in large effusions. We aimed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of colchicine on PE after open-heart surgery. METHODS: The study is a prospective, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled single-center trial at Tehran Heart Center. A total of 149 patients with mild or moderate PE in transthoracic echocardiography were randomly assigned to receive 1 mg/d colchicine (n = 74) or 1 tablet of placebo (n = 75) for 2 weeks and then underwent follow-up echocardiography. RESULTS: Baseline and clinical characteristics were not significantly different between the 2 study groups except for age (P = .02) and graft numbers (P = .005). There was no significant difference in pretreatment and posttreatment PE sizes between the 2 study groups (P = .440 and .844, respectively). Median (25th-75th percentiles) of effusion changes was 5 mm (1-7.6 mm) in the colchicine group and 5 mm (1-6.6 mm) in the placebo group (P = .932). Intervention had no significant impact on pretreatment and posttreatment effusion values and changes in isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients (P = .607, .539, and .628, respectively). After adjustment for possible confounders, there was still no significant difference in postoperative PE between the 2 study groups (t = -0.285, P = .776). CONCLUSION: We concluded that prescription of colchicine does not seem to be effective in treatment of asymptomatic postoperative PE. This could be justified in case that the etiology of most of the PEs might be contribution of noninflammatory factors which are better to be dealt with observational approaches.

Effect of Melatonin on Cardiac Injury after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Several studies have reported that the antioxidant properties of melatonin can provide cardiac protection through scavenging of free radicals. This study sought to investigate the efficacy of melatonin on cardiac biomarkers, myocardial-specific protein high sensitive troponin-T (hs-TnT) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). In this randomized clinical trial, a total of 40 patients with STEMI planned to undergo pPCI were randomly assigned to two groups of receiving melatonin plus standard treatment [n=20] and control group, receiving only standard therapy [n=20]. The following parameters including hsTnT and CK-MB were assessed preoperatively (baseline) and at 6 hours after procedure. Melatonin could significantly reduce the level of CK-MB (118.2 ± 21.09 IU/L in the treated group versus 198.24 ± 20.94 IU/L in the control group; p-value = 0.01). However, there was no difference in the mean hs-TnT level between two groups (2491 ± 664 µg/L vs. 2801 ± 620 µg/L; p value = 0.73). Our results revealed that melatonin can be considered as a safe adjunctive medication to the standard regimen after pPCI for the aim of decreasing cardiovascular events. Meanwhile, this was a pilot study with a small number of patients and further studies are needed to confirm the beneficial effect of melatonin in patients with STEMI.

Potential Effect of L-Carnitine on the Prevention of Myocardial Injury after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

BACKGROUND: L-carnitine has been demonstrated to confer cardiac protection against ischemia reperfusion injury in animals. This study evaluates the effects of L-carnitine administration on cardiac biomarkers after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS: One hundred thirty-four patients undergoing elective CABG surgery, without a history of myocardial ischemia or previous L-carnitine treatment, were enrolled and randomly assigned to an L-carnitine group ([n = 67], 3000 mg/d, started 2 days preoperatively and continued for 2 days after surgery) or a control group (n = 67). CK-MB (creatine kinase, muscle-brain subunits) and troponin T (TnT) levels were assessed in all the patients before surgery as baseline levels and at 8 and 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Our study included 134 patients (99 [73.8%] males) at a mean ± SD age of 59.94 ± 8.61 years who were candidates for CABG and randomized them into control or L-carnitine groups. The baseline demographic characteristics, including age (60.01 ± 9.23 in the L-carnitine group vs. 59.88 ± 7.98 in the control group) and sex (54 [80.6%] in the L-carnitine group vs. 45 [67.2%] in the control group) did not show any significant differences (p value=0.93 and 0.08, respectively). Patients in the L-carnitine group had lower levels of CK-MB (mean ± SD, 25.06 ± 20.29 in the L-carnitine group vs. 24.26 ± 14.61 in the control group), but the difference was not significant (p value = 0.28). TnT levels also showed no significant differences between the two groups (399.50 ± 378.91 in the L-carnitine group vs. 391.48 ± 222.02 in the control group; p value = 0.34). CONCLUSION: In this population of intermediate- to high-risk patients undergoing CABG surgery, L-carnitine did not reduce CK-MB and TnT levels.

Association between Perioperative Parameters and Cognitive Impairment in Post-Cardiac Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) has been an important complication of cardiac surgery over the years. Neurocognitive dysfunction can affect quality of life and lead to social, functional, emotional, and financial problems in the patient's life. To reduce POCD, we sought to identify the association between cognitive dysfunction and perioperative factors in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: One hundred one patients aged between 45 and 75 years undergoing elective cardiac surgery were enrolled in this study. All the surgeries were performed on-pump by the same medical team. A brief Wechsler Memory Test (WMT) was administered before surgery, 3 to 5 days after the surgery, and 3 months after discharge. All related perioperative parameters were collected in order to study the effect of these parameters on the postoperative WMT scores and WMT score change. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 101 patients, comprising 14 (13.8%) females and 87 (86.2%) males aged between 45 and 75 years. In univariate analysis, the baseline WMT score, serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase and T3, cross-clamp time, and preexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease showed significant effects on the postoperative WMT score (p value < 0.05), whereas only the baseline WMT score and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease showed strong effects on the postoperative WMT score in the multiple regression model. In addition, the multiple regression model demonstrated a significant association between the baseline WMT score, serum creatinine level, and nitrate administration and the WMT score change. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that preexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and preoperative high serum creatinine levels negatively affected cognitive function after surgery. In addition, there was a strong relationship between the patients' basic cognition and POCD. Preoperative nitrate administration led to a significant improvement in POCD. It is also concluded that the preoperative administration of specific medicines like nitrates can reduce neurological complications after cardiac surgery.

Plasma Vitamin D Status and Its Correlation with Risk Factors of Thrombosis, P-selectin and hs-CRP Level in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism; the First Study of Iranian Population.

Low plasma level of vitamin D is linked to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and peripheral vascular diseases. Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide problem that involves Iranian population. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first investigation on venous thromboembolism (VTE) subjects that assessed the correlation of vitamin D level with plasma P-selectin, hs-CRP, and risk factors of thrombosis. In this prospective pilot study, patients with diagnosis of acute deep vein thrombosis and/ or pulmonary embolism were enrolled. All patients' clinical data, demographics and risk factors of thrombosis were evaluated. Plasma level of P-selectin and hs-CRP were measured by ELISA method. Radio immune assay method was used to determine plasma level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D). In this study, 60 subjects were included. The mean ± SD plasma 25-hydroxy vitamin D level (25(OH) D) of participants was 21.4 ± 14.6 ng/mL. The vitamin D deficiency was detected in 60% of patients. No significant relation was found between the plasma 25(OH)D level and P-selectin and hs-CRP. In multiple regression analysis, there was a significant relationship between the level of 25(OH)D and the patients' age (beta = 0.452; p = 0.001), diabetes (beta = 0.280; p = 0.036) and positive family history of cardiovascular diseases (beta = 0.373; p = 0.003). Vitamin D deficiency is a frequent problem in Iranian VTE patients. Moreover, Plasma level of vitamin D is not associated with P-selectin and hs-CRP in VTE patients.

Evaluating the frequency of errors in preparation and administration of intravenous medications in orthopedic, general surgery and gastroenterology wards of a teaching hospital in tehran.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of medication errors happened during the preparation and administration of intravenous (IV) drugs. This study was designed as prospective cross-sectional evaluations by direct unconcealed observation in a setting consisted of orthopedic, general surgery and gastroenterology wards of a teaching hospital. Participants were those patients hospitalized in these wards along with nurses responsible for preparation and administration of IV medications. Medication errors occurred in the process of preparation and administration of IV drugs, were recorded by a pharmacist. The frequency of medication errors with suggesting a solution to overcome was the main outcome of this study. Details of the preparation and administration stages of the observed drugs were compared to an instructed checklist prepared by an expert clinical pharmacist. From a total of 357 preparation and administration episodes, the most common type of error (%20.6) was the injection of bolus doses and infusion faster than the recommended rate. Metronidazole had the highest rate of error (%24.3). IV rounds conducted at 12 p.m. had the most rate of error (%26.3). Errors happened in the administration process were more prevalent than those in the preparation. No significant correlation was found between the frequency of errors and nurses' demographic data. This study revealed that the errors happened in the preparation and administration of IV drugs is prevalent. Improving the medication safety by the implementation of clinical pharmacists' prepared protocols at the point of care is an important concern.

Plasma zinc level in hepatitis C patients with or without Beta thalassemia major; is there any difference?

BACKGROUND: Zinc deficiency has been reported frequently in hepatitis C patients in the literature. Furthermore, a decrease in zinc level has been shown in beta thalassemia major as well. Iranians consume a large amount of phytate in their regimens which can bind with zinc and decrease its gastrointestinal absorption. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine plasma zinc level in an Iranian sample with the diagnosis of hepatitis C with or without concomitant beta thalassemia major. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2011 and April 2012, plasma zinc level was determined via atomic absorption method, in 130 hepatitis C patients with or without beta thalassemia major in a known referral center of hepatic diseases in Tehran, Iran. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation (SD) of plasma zinc levels was determined as 0.78 ± 0.22 mg/L. Also zinc level was 0.76 ± 0.19 mg/L and 0.80 ± 0.24 mg/L in thalassemic and non thalassemic patients, respectively. T-test analysis showed that there is no significant difference between these two groups regarding plasma zinc level (P = 0.235). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that zinc level of studied patients is less than which is reported in normal Iranian population. Moreover, there is not a significant difference in plasma zinc levels between thalassemic and non thalassemic patients and it seems to be a common problem in both ones. Addition of zinc supplement may be recommended in both groups in order to optimize the nutritional support and probably improve the treatment response.

Detection and management of medication errors in internal wards of a teaching hospital by clinical pharmacists.

Any suboptimum treatment in the management of patients can lead to medication errors (MEs) that may increase morbidity and mortality in hospitalized individuals. By establishing well-designed patient care activities within the managed care setting, clinical pharmacists can cooperate with other health care professionals to provide quality care and maximize safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and prevention of MEs by clinical pharmacists. This was a cross-sectional interventional study conducted in internal wards of a teaching hospital during a two-month period. During this period, patient records, and physician orders were reviewed by clinical pharmacists. Any prescription error identified was documented. Incorrect drug selection, dose, dosage form, frequency, or route of administration all were considered as medication errors. Then, the clinical pharmacist discuss about findings with the clinical fellows to change faulty orders. The frequency and types of MEs in different wards that were detected and prevented by clinical pharmacists was documented. During the study period, in 132 patients, 262 errors were detected (1.98 per each). Wrong frequency 71 (27%), forget to order 37 (14.1%), wrong selection 33 (12.5%), drug interactions 26 (9.9%), forget to discontinue 25 (9.5%) and inappropriate dose adjustment in renal impairment 25 (9.5%) were the most types of errors. Cardiovascular medications were the class with the highest detected errors (31.6%) followed by gastrointestinal agents (15.6%). Medication errors are common problems in medical wards that their frequency can be restricted by the intervention of clinical pharmacists.

A drug utilization evaluation study of amphotericin B in neutropenic patients in a teaching hospital in iran.

Drug Utilization Evaluation (DUE) studies facilitate assessing the appropriateness and rational use of medications.The goal of the present study was to evaluate Amphotericin B usage in neutropenic patients. A prospective DUE study was performed in Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation wards at Taleghani hospital for one-year. National comprehensive cancer network, clinical practice guidelines in oncology, American Hospital Formulary Service and other relevant medical practice and up-to dated articles were used to evaluate whether Amphotericin B is properly used according to the guidelines. All data collected by a pharmacist in daily review using information of physician and nursing records as well as laboratory findings. During the one-year study, 35 patients receiving amphotericin B were evaluated. 29 patients (82.9%) received amphotericin B due to neutropenia and fever and 6 patients had confirmed fungal infections. All of the injectable solutions of amphotericin B were appropriately prepared for intravenous infusion. In addition, for all patients, ordering (indication) of the study drug was in accordance with the guidelines. Twenty-five (71.4%) patients received an appropriate dose according to the guidelines. Duration of treatment was properly selected in 21 (60%) patients. Twenty-two (62.8%) patients developed hypokalemia as the most frequent adverse drug event. Although, preparation and indication of amphotericin B was in compliance with the current guidelines, dosage and duration of treatment were considered to be incoherent with the designed protocol used in this study. We conclude more attention should be paid to dosage and duration of treatment with amphotericin B in order to optimize its administration.

Comparing effects of clonazepam and zolpidem on sleep quality of patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION: Poor sleep quality is very common among maintenance hemodialysis patients and has negative impacts on patients' quality of life. Benzodiazepines have traditionally been used in this population; however, they may induce physical dependence and sleep apnea. Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic medications with less side effects are introduced as alternatives. This study was designed to compare the effect of zolpidem and clonazepam on sleep quality of hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized crossover study on 23 hemodialysis patients, sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at baseline, at the initiation of a 1-week washout period after a 2-week treatment with zolpidem (1 mg) and clonazepam (5 mg to 10 mg), and after the second 2 weeks of treatment. Patients who suffer from any concurrent situations that may affect sleep quality or psychiatric disorders and those on medications affecting sleep quality were excluded. RESULTS: The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 87.8% of the 88 hemodialysis patients who were initially approached. There was a significant negative correlation between iron deficiency and poor sleep quality. Both clonazepam and zolpidem significantly improved sleep quality; however, clonazepam was more effective in decreasing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores (P = .03). Zolpidem was better tolerated in the hemodialysis patients. CONCLUSIONS: Clonazepam was more effective than zolpidem in the improvement of sleep quality of hemodialysis patients, while zolpidem was better tolerated in these patients.

The evaluation of albumin utilization in a teaching university hospital in iran.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the pattern and the suitability of the human Albumin usage according to the available and reliable guidelines. A concurrent, cross-sectional study was performed in Shariati Hospital (associated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran). All inpatient adults that were prescribed albumin during the study period were evaluated to register the indications for albumin usage and specific patient information. The total 1281 vials of Albumin were prescribed for 135 patients during the study period. The most common reasons to prescribe albumin were volume expansion after the heart surgery (53.3%), nutrition source in malnourished patients (19.3%), paracentesis (12.9%), plasmapheresis (9.6%), hypoalbuminemia (3%) and the others (2.1%). Only 411 vials (32.1%) prescribed with 34 prescriptions (25.2%) were utilized appropriately based on the guidelines. The results showed that based on the guidelines, the most prescriptions of albumin in this hospital have not been written appropriately. Therefore, educational programs on using guidelines may help reduce albumin usage and treatment costs.