Combined Use of Photobiomodulation and Curcumin-Loaded Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Significantly Improved Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats Compared to Either Treatment Alone.

Introduction: Here, we assess the therapeutic effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) and curcumin (CUR)-loaded superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), alone or together, on the maturation step of a type 1 diabetes (DM1) rat wound model. Methods: Full-thickness wounds were inflicted in 36 rats with diabetes mellitus (DM) induced by the administration of streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were randomly allocated to four groups. Group one was untreated (control); group two received CUR; group 3 received PBM (890 nm, 80 Hz, 0.2 J/cm2); group 4 received a combination of PBM plus CUR. On days 0, 4, 7, and 15, we measured microbial flora, wound closure fraction, tensile strength, and stereological analysis. Results: All treatment groups showed a substantial escalation in the wound closure rate, a substantial reduction in the count of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a substantial improvement in wound strength, a substantially improvement in stereological parameters compared to the control group, however, the PBM+CUR group was superior to the other treatment groups (all, P≤0.05). Conclusion: All treatment groups showed significantly improved wound healing in the DM1 rat model. However, the PBM+CUR group was superior to the other treatment groups and the control group in terms of wound strength and stereological parameters.

Large right ventricular hydatid cyst in a child: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cystic Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection with a worldwide distribution. It is caused by the larval stages of a species of tapeworms known as Echinococcus granulosus. Even in endemic areas; Cardiac involvement by hydatidiosis is very rare and has atypical presentations as well as localization which make it undiagnosed in about 10% of cases. The left ventricle is the most Common chamber involved by the hydatid cyst and isolated involvement of the right ventricle is very rare, especially in children. The aim of the present study was to describe hydatid cardiac cyst of the right ventricle of a child. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a rare case of an 8 year-old boy, living in a rural area, who was diagnosed with a cardiac hydatid cyst in the right ventricle. He also had multiple pulmonary hydatid cysts and presented with dyspnea, cough and atypical chest pain. The patient underwent surgery for the resection of pulmonary cysts and, subsequently, cardiac hydatid cyst. The outcome was favorable seven weeks after surgery and there was no clinical and echocardiographic recurrence. CONCLUSION: Cardiac Echinococcosis must be suspected in endemic areas, diagnosed with appropriate imaging techniques, and treated appropriately.

Erosion of Pulmonary Artery Banding into the Cardiovascular System: A First Case Report.

There have been very rare reports on the migration of foreign bodies that are left or implanted in the body, and so far, they have only been reported in the gastrointestinal tract and intestines (a process similar to phagocytosis), later manifesting as an obstruction in the lumen. Meanwhile, no such cases have yet been reported in the cardiovascular system. The case reported here is a 14-month-old girl who had undergone pulmonary artery banding (PA band made of PTFE) around the pulmonary artery at the age of 8 months due to severe pulmonary hypertension and failure to thrive. She underwent reoperation six months later for a final treatment. It was discovered that the PA band was no longer around the pulmonary artery and had migrated completely into the pulmonary artery while remaining intact and circular and was drawn into the pulmonary artery in a process similar to phagocytosis. The PA band was removed completely. The uneven surface inside the main pulmonary artery was resected and the artery was repaired end-to-end. A total heart repair surgery was again performed on the patient. No problem was observed in the 2.5-year follow-up after the second surgery. Overall, the authors' case is the first instance of migration of a biologically-neutral foreign body into the cardiovascular system that had occurred six months after the PA-band implantation, and the first case of erosion of a foreign body into the lumen outside the gastrointestinal tract. Although the authors could not find the cause of the presented case, reports on future cases can help find the underlying reason.

Cardiac myxosarcoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: It is a rare cardiac malignant primary tumor that seems to derive from the same cellular line as myxomas, but the prognosis is very different. It is a rare cardiac malignant primary tumor that seems to derive from the same cellular line as myxomas, but the prognosis is very different. It is a rare cardiac malignant primary tumor that seems to derive from the same cellular line as myxomas, but the prognosis is very different. Cardiac myxosarcoma is a rare neoplasm that appears to rise from the same cellular source like myxoma. It is difficult to differentiate a myxoma tumor from a myxosarcoma tumor because of its appearance and pathology examination. Myxosercoma tumor requires surgery and chemoradiotherapy, but myxoma is treated only by surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of a 58-year-old patient with a left atrium myxosarcoma, presenting with congestive heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a large polypoid and mobile mass in the left atrium, the patient underwent cardiac surgery and the tumor was successfully extracted, and histopathological result revealed typical features of myxoma. 15 days after surgery, he underwent explorative laparatomy because of progressive GI bleeding. Laparatomy revealed extensive metastatic masses in abdomen and the pathology diagnoses was myxosaroma. Unfortunately, in spite of supportive care, the patient expired on postoperative day one. CONCLUSION: It is difficult to differentiate a myxoma tumor from a myxosarcoma tumor because of its appearance and pathology examination. Maybe magnetic resonance imaging can help us to achieve more data suggesting malignancy.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial of High-Dose, Short-Term Vitamin D Administration in the Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery is a relatively common complication affecting short- and long-term survival. The renoprotective effect of vitamin D (VitD) has been confirmed in several experimental models. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of high-dose VitD administration in patients with VitD insufficiency on the incidence of postoperative AKI, the urinary level of tubular biomarkers, and serum anti-inflammatory biomarker after coronary artery bypass graft. DESIGN AND METHOD: In this randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial, the patients were randomly allocated to either the VitD group (n = 50), receiving 150,000 IU VitD tablets daily for 3 consecutive days before surgery or the control group (n = 61), receiving placebo tablets. RESULTS: There was no difference in the incidence of postoperative AKI between the groups. Both of the urinary levels of interleukin-18 and kidney injury molecule-1 were significantly increased after the operation (p < 0.001, for both). Also, the serum level of interleukin-10 was increased after 3 days of VitD supplementation (p = 0.001). In comparison with the control group, it remained on a higher level after the operation (p < 0.001) and the next day (p = 0.03). The patients with AKI had more postoperative bleeding and received more blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: VitD pretreatment was unable to impose any changes in the incidence of AKI and the urinary level of renal biomarkers. However, high-dose administration of VitD may improve the anti-inflammatory state before and after the operation. Further studies are needed to assess the renoprotective effect of VitD on coronary surgery patients.

Iranian Society of Cardiac Surgeons COVID-19 task force version II, restarting elective surgeries.

Given the nature of heart disease and the importance of continuing heart surgery during the pandemic and its aftermath and in order to provide adequate safety for the surgical team and achieve the desired result for patients, as well as the optimal use of ICU beds, the medical team, blood, blood products, and personal protective equipment, it is essential to change the usual approach during the pandemic. There are still a lot of evidences and experiences needed to produce the perfect protocol. Some centers may have a special program for their centers during this period of epidemics that can be respected and performed. Generally, in pandemic conditions, the use of non-surgical approaches is preferred if similar outcomes can be obtained.

Vitamin D Treatment Attenuates Heart Apoptosis After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D plays an important role in immune system and in the regulation of inflammatory cytokines. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with an extensive inflammatory response. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of vitamin D treatment on the apoptosis and inflammatory changes developed after CABG. METHODS: This trial was conducted on 70 patients undergoing CABG with CPB. Patients were randomly administered either in placebo or in the group of orally consuming 150 000 IU vitamin D daily for 3 consecutive days before surgery. The right atrium sample was taken to assess caspases 2, 3, and 7 activity using immunohistochemistry method. The serum level of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were compared at intervals. RESULTS: The average number of positive cells for caspases 2 and 3 were less in vitamin D group (P = .006 and P < .001, respectively). There was an increase in serum levels of IL-10 after 3 days from vitamin D treatment before surgery (vitamin D group = 4.4 ± 4.9 ng/mL and control group = 1 ± 0.5 ng/mL, P = .001). After operation, IL-10 increased in both groups, higher level in vitamin D group (P < .001). The comparison of serum IGF-1 showed significant difference after 3 days (P = .006) and remained higher in vitamin D group after CPB (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the apoptosis rate after CPB can be reduced by vitamin D. Vitamin D treatment may improve the inflammatory status before and after surgery. Further studies are needed to confirm the antiapoptotic property of vitamin D and clinical implication.

Giant Pericardial Cyst: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Pericardial cysts are rare lesions. These benign anomalies are located in the middle mediastinum. In this article, we present a 24-year-old man who was referred to the emergency department with dyspnea and persistent cough. In physical exam, no abnormality was found. His past medical history was normal. His trans-thoracic echocardiogram showed an echo-lucent space next to the right atrium at the right cardiophrenic angle. No pericardial effusion was found. The patient underwent surgery. After midsternotomy, a huge cyst measuring approximately 13 × 8 × 5 cm in diameters was found on the right side and outside the pericardium that was totally excised. After 5 days, the patient was discharged and pathologic report confirmed preoperative diagnosis of pericardial cyst. Giant pericardial cysts are not common and in this report, we will review published case reports.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: a Case Report.

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a neurologic disorder that may appear after infection or major surgery. Guillain-Barré syndrome following cardiac surgery is rare and only based on case reports, and we review all of the published cases. A 52-year-old man after 5 months suffering from chest pain was referred to our hospital and underwent coronary artery bypass graft for 3 vessel disease. The patient was discharged without complication on the 5th postoperative day. He presented Guillain-Barré syndrome after 12 months. He has not completely recovered weakness of upper extremities grade 4/5 with atrophy of both upper extremities remains after 18 months. This disorder is similar to classic GBS. It is important to be alert to de novo autoimmune neurological disorders after cardiac surgery. These disorders are similar to classic autoimmune disease and treated with standard therapies.

Thrombolytic Therapy for Right-Sided Mechanical Pulmonic and Tricuspid Valves: The Largest Survival Analysis to Date.

Data regarding thrombolytic treatment of right-sided mechanical valve thrombosis are almost nonexistent, and all current guidelines arise from very small case series. We retrospectively studied the in-hospital and long-term outcome data of a larger series of patients who had received, from September 2005 through June 2012, thrombolytic therapy for right-sided mechanical pulmonary valve or tricuspid valve thrombosis. We identified 16 patients aged 8-67 years who had undergone thrombolytic therapy for definite thrombotic mechanical valve obstruction in the tricuspid or pulmonary valve position (8 in each position). All study patients except one had subtherapeutic international normalized ratios. The 8 patients with pulmonary mechanical valve thrombosis had a 100% response rate to thrombolytic therapy, and their in-hospital survival rate was also 100%. The 8 patients with tricuspid mechanical valve thrombosis had a 75% response rate to thrombolytic therapy, with an in-hospital survival rate of 87.5%. The one-year survival rate for mechanical valve thrombosis treated with thrombolytic therapy (whether pulmonary or tricuspid) was 87.5%. On the basis of our data, we recommend that thrombolytic therapy remain the first-line therapy for right-sided mechanical valve thrombosis in adults or children-including children with complex congenital heart disease and patients with mechanical pulmonary valve thrombosis. Surgery should be reserved for patients in whom this treatment fails.

Loss of Guide Wire: A Rare Complication of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Insertion.

At the final stages of a coronary artery bypass graft operation on a 64-year-old man, an experienced physician attempted to insert an intra-aortic balloon pump into the femoral artery via the Seldinger technique. However, while the balloon pump was being passed over the guide wire, the latter was completely lost. The guide wire should be held at the tip at all times to prevent passage into the vessel. Strict adherence to this rule will prevent guide-wire loss, which is, albeit rare and completely avoidable, a potentially life-threatening complication of central vein or artery catheterization, with reported fatality rates of up to 20% when the whole wire is lost. The literature contains several reports on guide-wire loss during central venous, arterial, and hemodialysis catheterization, but we report for the first time the loss of a guide wire as a rare complication of intra-aortic balloon pump insertion.

Mitral valve surgery in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Valvular heart disease is the common cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with a tendency for mitral valve regurgitation. In this study we report a case of mitral valve replacement for mitral stenosis caused by Libman-Sacks endocarditis in the setting of SLE. In addition, we provide a systematic review of the literature on mitral valve surgery in the presence of Libman-Sacks endocarditis because its challenge on surgical options continues. Surgical decision depends on structural involvement of mitral valve and presence of active lupus nephritis and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Review of the literature has also shown that outcome is good in most SLE patients who have undergone valvular surgery, but association of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome with SLE has negative impact on the outcome.

Immediate results and six-month clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with prior coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Redo coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) is associated with a higher risk of mortality than the first operation. However, the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the outcome in such patients is currently unclear. We evaluated the in-hospital and six-month clinical outcomes of post-CABG patients who underwent PCI in our center. METHODS: Between April 2008 and July 2009, 71 post-CABG patients (16 women and 55 men) underwent 110 stent implantations (74% drug-eluting stents) for 89 lesions. Sixty percent of the PCI procedures were performed on the native coronary arteries, 32% on graft arteries, and 8% on both types of vessels. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were recorded in hospital and at six months' follow-up. RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 93%, and the in-hospital MACE rate was 5.6 % (1 death, 3 myocardial infarctions). At 6 months, the incidence of MACE was 5.6% (no death or myocardial infarction, but 4 target lesion revascularizations) and 4 (5.6 %) in-stent restenoses. There was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of MACE between the patients treated in either native arteries or in the grafts (15% vs.12%, p value = 0.8). According to the univariate analysis, hypertension and the use of the bare metal stent vs. the drug-eluting stent were the significant predictors of MACE, whereas the multivariate analysis showed that only hypertension (OR = 3.7, 95% CI 3.4-4, p value < 0.048) was the independent predictor of MACE. The mean of the left ventricular ejection fraction had no effect on the incidence of MACE (p value = 0.9). The multivariate analysis showed hypertension (p value < 0.048) and the use of the bare metal stent (p value < 0.018) were the independent predictors of MACE. The chronic total occlusion (CTO) (p value < 0.01) was the independent predictor of the success rate. The prevalence of diabetes had no impact on the incidence of MACE according to the univariate analysis (p value = 0.9). Our multivariate analysis showed that hypertension and the use of the bare metal stent were the independent predictors of MACE and that chronic total occlusion was the independent predictor of the procedural failure rate. CONCLUSION: PCI is preferable to redo CABG for post-CABG patients. The independent predictors of MACE were hypertension and bare metal stents.

Evaluation of the effect of elective percutaneous coronary intervention as a treatment method on the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an excellent therapy for coronary artery disease, there is a paucity of information on the efficacy of PCI in improving diastolic function, especially in Iran. Because of the high prevalence of left diastolic dysfunction in coronary artery disease patients and its probable progression to heart failure, an evaluation of the role of PCI in improving diastolic function is required. METHODS: Thirty patients scheduled for elective PCI were enrolled in this study providing that their systolic ejection fraction was > 40%. Before PCI and 48 hours and 3 months after PCI, echocardiography was done to evaluate some diastolic values in these patients. RESULTS: The mean age of all the patients was 54 ± 10 year, and 20 patients were male. All the patients had a low degree of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Isovolumic relaxation time (115 ± 10 before treatment versus 120 ± 1 and 119 ± 3 respectively 48 hours and 3 months after treatment), mitral E wave velocity in septal (0.70 ± 0.05 before treatment vs. 0.71 ± 0.15 and 0.72 ± 0.12 respectively 48 hours and 3 months after treatment), and the peak velocity of late filling due to atrial contraction (mitral A wave velocity) in septal (0.74 ± 0.02 before treatment vs. 0.73 ± 0.01 and 0.68 ± 0.16 respectively 48 hours and 3 months after treatment) showed improvement after PCI. It is notable that early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E') wave velocity in the septal part of the mitral annulus improved significantly 48 hours and 3 months after PCI (p value < 0.05). The early-to-late diastolic tissue velocity ratio of the mitral annulus (E/A) ratio of the mitral inflow improved 48 hours after PCI; it was statistically significant (p value = 0.05). Also, mitral A wave velocity in septal and the E/A ratio of the mitral inflow improved significantly 3 months after PCI (p value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Improvement in some of values related to left ventricular diastolic function followed by PCI shows that this method can be used to improve cardiac diastolic function in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease.

Supravalvular and valvular aortic stenosis in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

OBJECTIVES: To report calcified aortic stenosis due to hypercholesterolemia in two siblings. CASE PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 13-year-old boy with a history of dyspnea on exertion and a systolic murmur of aortic stenosis was referred to our center. Echocardiography showed combined valvular and supravalvular aortic stenoses with a good left ventricle systolic function and severe left ventricular hypertrophy. Two years later his 17-year-old sister was referred to the clinic with similar symptoms. Severe valvular aortic stenosis was detected by echocardiography. Selective coronary angiography showed significant involvement. The father had a history of hypercholesterolemia and confirmed coronary artery disease involving 3 vessels. Angiography showed anterioapical and inferiobasal hypokinesis with preserved left ventricle systolic function. The mother and the other two siblings did not have hyperlipidemia, thereby indicating heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in the two affected siblings. The siblings were managed with atrovastatin and nicotinic acid and cholestyramine was added stepwise. The father was treated with lovostatin. CONCLUSION: This report shows that severe hyperlipidemia in very young patients may be a risk factor for valvulopathy.

Associated coronary anomalies in 135 Iranian patients with tetralogy of Fallot.

Coronary artery anomalies are common among patients with tetralogy of Fallot. One hundred and thirty-five patients (80 males and 55 females) with tetralogy of Fallot who underwent repair between 1995 and 2002 were studied to determine the incidence of coronary anomalies in Iranian patients. Eight (5.9%) patients (4 males and 4 females) had a surgically relevant coronary artery anomaly: single coronary ostium in 5, origin of the left anterior descending artery from the right coronary artery in 2, and origin of the right coronary artery from the left coronary artery in 1. The surgical technique in 3 of these patients was repair of the ventricular septal defect with a transverse incision on the right ventricle, without damage to the coronary arteries. In another patient, an allograft aortic valve cylinder was inserted. In the other 4 patients with a single coronary ostium, placement of a limited transannular patch was adequate. Consideration of these anomalies during primary repair could decrease the risk of operation in such patients. However, it seems that the presence of anomalous coronary arteries does not affect incremental risk after surgical repair.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open-heart surgery at the same time.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal procedures in patients with coronary artery disease or severe valvular disease have high risk of mortality and morbidity. AIMS: In order to prevent bile peritonitis after cardiac surgery, to reduce the hospitalization course, and to decrease the mortality and morbidity after the surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open-heart surgery were performed at the same time. METHODS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open-heart surgery were performed on two patients who had been referred to Cardiothoracic Ward of Modarres Hospital, Tehran, Iran. RESULTS: Simultaneous classic laparoscopic cholecystectomy was successfully performed on two different open-heart patients, one with coronary artery disease for coronary artery bypass surgery and the other with severe mitral valve disorder for mitral valve replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal procedures are suggested to be done with cardiac surgery at the same time with laparoscopic technique to reduce mortality and morbidity in these patients.