Evaluation of blood pressure variation in recovered COVID-19 patients at one-year follow-up: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has various sequelae, one of which might be hypertension. We aimed to evaluate COVID-19's impact on blood pressure (BP) in non-hospitalized patients at one-year follow-up. METHOD: A total of 7,950 consecutive COVID-19 patients regularly visiting our cardiology clinic were retrospectively screened. Patients' electronic medical records including demographics, comorbidities, vital signs, treatments, and outcomes, were reviewed by two physicians. Individuals with at least one BP measurement in the three months preceding COVID-19 and one measurement in 12 months or more following recovery were included. BP levels before and after COVID-19 were compared using the paired t-test. RESULTS: 5,355 confirmed COVID-19 patients (mean age 55.51 ± 15.38 years) were included. Hypertension (56.9%) and diabetes mellitus (34%) were the predominant comorbidities, and 44.3% had prior major adverse cardiovascular events. Both systolic (126.90 ± 20.91 vs. 139.99 ± 23.94 mmHg, P < 0.001) and diastolic BP (80.54 ± 13.94 vs. 86.49 ± 14.40 mmHg, P < 0.001) were significantly higher post-COVID-19 vs. pre-COVID-19. Notably, 456 (14%) hypertensive patients experienced exacerbated hypertension, while 408 (17%) patients developed new-onset hypertension, overall 864 (16%) of patients had exacerbation or new hypertension. Linear regression analysis revealed that advanced age, smoking, previous cardiovascular events, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus predict increased BP following COVID-19 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 raised systolic and diastolic BP in the long term in non-hospitalized patients, with over one-sixth developing new-onset or exacerbated hypertension. All patients should be evaluated regarding BP, following COVID-19 recovery, particularly those with the mentioned predictive factors. (clinicaltrial.gov: NCT05798208).

Immune response following transcatheter aortic valve procedure.

Aortic valve stenosis is the most common type of heart valve disease in the United States and Europe and calcific aortic stenosis (AS) affects 2-7% of people aged 65 years and older. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the only effective treatment for individuals with this condition. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) has been widely accepted as a minimally invasive therapeutic approach for addressing symptomatic AS in patients who are considered to have a high risk for traditional surgical intervention. TAVR procedure may have a paradoxical effect on the immune system and inflammatory status. A major portion of these immune responses is regulated by activating or inhibiting inflammatory monocytes and the complement system with subsequent changes in inflammatory cytokines. TAVR has the potential to induce various concurrent exposures, including disruption of the native valve, hemodynamic changes, antigenicity of the bioprosthesis, and vascular damage, which finally lead to the development of inflammation. On the other hand, it is important to acknowledge that TAVR may also have anti-inflammatory effects by helping in the resolution of stenosis.The inflammation and immune response following TAVR are complex processes that significantly impact procedural outcomes and patient well-being. Understanding the underlying mechanisms, identifying biomarkers of inflammation, and exploring therapeutic interventions to modulate these responses are crucial for optimizing TAVR outcomes. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise immunological dynamics and develop tailored strategies to attenuate inflammation and enhance post-TAVR healing while minimizing complications.

Effect of once versus twice intracoronary injection of allogeneic-derived mesenchymal stromal cells after acute myocardial infarction: BOOSTER-TAHA7 randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation can improve the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Transplanted MSCs exert a paracrine effect, which might be augmented if repeated doses are administered. This study aimed to compare the effects of single versus double transplantation of Wharton's jelly MSCs (WJ-MSCs) on LVEF post-AMI. METHODS: We conducted a single-blind, randomized, multicenter trial. After 3-7 days of an AMI treated successfully by primary PCI, 70 patients younger than 65 with LVEF < 40% on baseline echocardiography were randomized to receive conventional care, a single intracoronary infusion of WJ-MSCs, or a repeated infusion 10 days later. The primary endpoint was the 6-month LVEF improvement as per cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. RESULTS: The mean baseline EF measured by CMR was similar (~ 40%) in all three groups. By the end of the trial, while all patients experienced a rise in EF, the most significant change was seen in the repeated intervention group. Compared to the control group (n = 25), single MSC transplantation (n = 20) improved the EF by 4.54 ± 2%, and repeated intervention (n = 20) did so by 7.45 ± 2% when measured by CMR imaging (P < 0.001); when evaluated by echocardiography, these values were 6.71 ± 2.4 and 10.71 ± 2.5%, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intracoronary transplantation of WJ-MSCs 3-7 days after AMI in selected patients significantly improves LVEF, with the infusion of a booster dose 10 days later augmenting this effect. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20201116049408N1. Retrospectively Registered 20 Nov. 2020, https://en.irct.ir/trial/52357.

Surfing the clinical trials of ECG teaching to medical students: A systematic review.

Interpreting an electrocardiogram (ECG) is crucial for every physician. The physician's competency in ECG interpretation needs to be improved at any stage of medical education. The aim of the present study was to review the currently published clinical trials of ECG teaching to medical students and provide suggestions for future works. On May 1, 2022, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ERIC were searched to retrieve relevant articles on clinical trials of ECG teaching to medical students. The quality of the included studies was assessed utilizing the Buckley et al. criteria. The screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal processes were duplicated independently. In case of disagreements, consultation with a third author was put forth. In total, 861 citations were found in the databases. After screening abstracts and full texts, 23 studies were deemed eligible. The majority of the studies were of good quality. Peer teaching (7 studies), self-directed learning (6 studies), web-based learning (10 studies), and various assessment modalities (3 studies) comprised the key themes of the studies. Various methods of ECG teaching were encountered in the reviewed studies. Future studies in ECG training should focus on novel and creative teaching methods, the extent to which self-directed learning can be effective, the utility of peer teaching, and the implications of computer-assisted ECG interpretation (e.g., artificial intelligence) for medical students. Long-term knowledge retention assessment studies based on different approaches integrated with clinical outcomes could be beneficial in determining the most efficient modalities.

The long-term effects of the Covid-19 infection on cardiac symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Besides the lungs, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can affect the cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, hepatic, and central nervous systems. Other than its short-term effects, COVID-19 may also cause long-term complications. In this study, we assessed long-term COVID-19 cardiovascular symptoms among patients in a cardiovascular clinic. METHOD: A retrospective cohort was conducted between October 2020 to May 2021 on patients at an outpatient cardiovascular clinic in Shiraz, Iran. Patients with a history of COVID-19 at least one year before their referral were included. Baseline information was extracted from the clinic's database. Data were collected regarding symptoms like dyspnea, chest pain, fatigue, and palpitations after a year of COVID-19. We also noted any major adverse cardiac events (MACE). RESULTS: Most common symptoms after a year of COVID-19 were exertional dyspnea (51.2%), dyspnea at rest (41.6%), fatigue (39%), and chest pain (27.1%). The symptoms were more prevalent in hospitalized patients than in non-hospitalized patients. The prevalence of MACE was about 6.1% during the 12-month follow-up, with this rate being higher in those with a history of hospitalization or comorbid diseases. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cardiovascular symptoms was fairly high in patients at our clinic a year after COVID-19, and the most common symptom was dyspnea. Hospitalized patients had more MACE. (Clinicaltrial.gov number: NCT05715879)(04/02/2023).

Vascular outcomes of early deflation of radial artery band following coronary angiography: A controlled clinical trial.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of early deflation of the transradial (TR) band on the vascular outcomes of patients who have undergone coronary angiography through transradial access (TRA). The present controlled clinical trial included all patients who had undergone elective coronary angiography through TRA. The participants (n=70) met the inclusion criteria and were selected using convenient sampling. Then, they were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups, using block randomization. Data collection tools included a questionnaire on demographic and related clinical data, including the history of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, heart failure and vascular disease, and the checklist of post-angiographic complications, including duration of the procedure, systolic and diastolic blood pressures measured before and after the procedure, and assessments of radial artery occlusion (RAO), hematoma and pain. The intervention group had their TR band on the artery for 1.5 hours after the procedure. Then, the cuff of the band was deflated at a speed of 5 cc every 15 minutes, using a syringe. However, the TR band was kept in place for 2 hours in the control group, followed by the deflation with the same speed. The pressure application time was recorded in both groups from the removal of sheaths until complete hemostasis. The patients with early deflation of the TR band experienced less pain compared to those with typical deflation (P=0.003). However, the variables of hematoma development (P=0.062) and RAO (P=0.371) were not significantly different between the patients with typical and early deflation of the TR band. The present study concluded that the patients with early deflation of the TR band experienced less pain compared to those with typical deflation. Therefore, deflating the TR band after cardiac angiography at 1,5 hours has similar efficacy and safety compare to 2 hours and associated with less reported pain score.

Ethnicity based differences in statin use and hypercholesterolemia control among patients with premature coronary artery disease-results of I-PAD study.

Background: Statins use is the most important treatment for high LDL cholesterol in patients with premature coronary artery disease (CAD). Previous reports have shown racial and gender differences in statin use in the general population, but this wasn't studied in premature CAD based on different ethnicities. Methods and results: Our study includes 1917 men and women with confirmed diagnosis of premature CAD. Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the high LDL cholesterol control in the groups and the OR with 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported as the effect size. After adjustment for confounders, the odds of controlling LDL in women taking Lovastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Simvastatin were 0.27 (0.03, 0.45) lower in comparison with men. Also, in participant who took 3 types of statins, the odds of controlling LDL were significantly different between Lor and Arab compared with Fars ethnicity. After adjustment to all confounders (full model), the odds of controlling LDL were lower for Gilak in Lovastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Simvastatin by 0.64 (0.47, 0.75); 0.61 (0.43, 0.73); 0.63 (0.46, 0.74) respectively and higher for Arab in Lovastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Simvastatin by 4.63 (18.28, 0.73); 4.67 (17.47, 0.74); 4.55 (17.03, 0.71) respectively compared to Fars. Conclusions: Major differences in different gender and ethnicities may have had led to disparities in statin use and LDL control. Awareness of the statins impact on high LDL cholesterol based on different ethnicities can help health decision-makers to close the observed gaps in statin use and control LDL to prevent CAD problems.

Ethnic differences in the lifestyle behaviors and premature coronary artery disease: a multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: Diverse ethnic groups that exist in Iran may differ regarding the risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and family history of non-communicable disease. Premature Coronary Artery Disease (PCAD) is more endemic in Iran than before. This study sought to assess the association between ethnicity and lifestyle behaviors in eight major Iranian ethnic groups with PCAD. METHODS: In this study, 2863 patients aged ≤ 70 for women and ≤ 60 for men who underwent coronary angiography were recruited in a multi-center framework. All the patients' demographic, laboratory, clinical, and risk factor data were retrieved. Eight large ethnicities in Iran, including the Farses, the Kurds, the Turks, the Gilaks, the Arabs, the Lors, the Qashqai, and the Bakhtiari were evaluated for PCAD. Different lifestyle components and having PCAD were compared among the ethnical groups using multivariable modeling. RESULTS: The mean age of the 2863 patients participated was 55.66 ± 7.70 years. The Fars ethnicity with 1654 people, was the most subject in this study. Family history of more than three chronic diseases (1279 (44.7%) was the most common risk factor. The Turk ethnic group had the highest prevalence of ≥ 3 simultaneous lifestyle-related risk factors (24.3%), and the Bakhtiari ethnic group had the highest prevalence of no lifestyle-related risk factors (20.9%). Adjusted models showed that having all three abnormal lifestyle components increased the risk of PCAD (OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.04-1.06). The Arabs had the most chance of getting PCAD among other ethnicities (OR = 2.26, 95%CI: 1.40-3.65). While, the Kurds with a healthy lifestyle showed the lowest chance of getting PCAD (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.05-3.67)). CONCLUSIONS: This study found there was heterogeneity in having PACD and a diverse distribution in its well-known traditional lifestyle-related risk factors among major Iranian ethnic groups.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of coronary arteries bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) through drug stent in iran: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Cost-effectiveness analysis plays a key role in evaluating health systems and services. Coronary artery disease is one of the primary health concerns worldwide. This study sought to compare the cost-effectiveness of Coronary Arteries Bypass Grafting (CABG) and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) through drug stent using Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALY) index. METHODS: This is a cohort study involving all patients undergoing CABG and PCI through drug stent in south of Iran. A total of 410 patients were randomly selected to be included in the study. Data were gathered using SF-36, SAQ and a form for cost data from the patients' perspective. The data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Considering the analysis of cost-effectiveness, Markov Model was initially developed using TreeAge Pro 2020. Both deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: Compared with the group treated with PCI, the total cost of interventions was higher in the CABG group ($102,103.8 vs $71,401.22) and the cost of lost productivity ($20,228.68 vs $7632.11), while the cost of hospitalization was lower in CABG ($67,567.1 vs $49,660.97). The cost of hotel stay and travel ($6967.82 vs $2520.12) and the cost of medication ($7340.18 vs $11,588.01) was lower in CABG. From the patients' perspective and SAQ instrument, CABG was cost-saving, with a reduction of $16,581 for every increase in effectiveness. Based on patients' perspective and SF-36 instrument, CABG was cost-saving, with a reduction of $34,543 for every increase in effectiveness. CONCLUSION: In the same indications, CABG intervention leads to more resource savings.

Comparison of Ticagrelor and Clopidogrel in Elective Coronary Stenting: A Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy with a P2Y12 inhibitor (e.g., clopidogrel and ticagrelor) and aspirin is recommended for at least one year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to prevent further myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis as the major adverse effects of PCI. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted from October 2022 to March 2023. Patients who had undergone elective PCI were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two different groups. One group took ASA 80 mg and clopidogrel 75 mg once daily, while the other took ASA 80 mg once daily and ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily. After six months of close follow-up, patients were asked to score their dyspnea on a 10-point Likert scale. They were also asked about dyspnea on exertion, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND), bleeding, and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Results: 223 patients were allocated to the clopidogrel group and 214 to the ticagrelor group. In the ticagrelor group, 95 patients (44.3%) reported dyspnea at rest, compared with only 44 patients (19.7%) in the clopidogrel group (P < 0.001). MACEs occurred in 7 patients (2.8%) in the ticagrelor group, compared with 16 (7.6%) in the clopidogrel group (P = 0.031). Eight patients (3.8%) reported bleeding with ticagrelor, as did seven (3.2%) with clopidogrel (P = 0.799). Conclusions: New-onset dyspnea was recorded more frequently with ticagrelor than clopidogrel, yet fewer MACEs occurred with ticagrelor (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT05858918).

Evaluation the effects of red yeast rice in combination with statin on lipid profile and inflammatory indices; a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia is a prominent cause of cardiovascular disease as it leads to inflammation and plaque deposition within arteries. Treatment includes lifestyle modifications and lipid-lowering medications. We aimed to assess the therapeutic effects of red yeast rice (RYR) alongside statin therapy. METHODS: This triple-blind randomized clinical trial involved 92 dyslipidemia patients and was performed in 2019. Standard laboratory tests were used to assess the serum LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. Subsequently, patients randomly received one daily RYR or placebo tablet for 1 month beside routine single statin therapy. Subsequently, blood tests were repeated and compared against the baseline. Liver function tests were also requested. RESULTS: Total cholesterol significantly (P = 0.019) decreased in the treatment group (- 10.2 mg/dL) compared with the placebo group (- 1.3 mg/dL). HDL cholesterol decreased by 2.19 mg/dL in the treatment group but increased by 0.53 mg/dL in the treatment group (P = 0.083). LDL cholesterol declined in both placebo (- 5.09) and treatment (- 0.73) groups (P = 0.187). TG increased by about 7 mg/dL in the treatment group but fell by roughly 1 mg/dL in the placebo group (P = 0.386). Hs-CRP increased by 0.28 mg/dL in the treatment group but decreased by 0.09 mg/dL in the placebo group (P = 0.336). CONCLUSIONS: We found that adding RYR (Lesstat®) to statin medications significantly decreases total cholesterol. However, no significant effect was seen on other lipid profile components or Hs-CRP. Finally, we showed that RYR is safe to add to statins considering liver function (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05095480).

The blacksmith approach: a strategy for teaching and learning in the medical anatomy course (a qualitative study).

BACKGROUND: Anatomy is a symbolic, essential core topic and one of the fundamental pillars of medical and paramedical knowledge. Nevertheless, few exploratory data analyses have focused on how students approach learning anatomy. This study examined how students perceive their learning experience during anatomy lessons and how to make a model which promotes their meaningful learning and professional identity. METHODS: Using purposive sampling with maximum variation, we conducted a qualitative content analysis at the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran (2020 to 2021). Twenty-four medical students and twelve faculty members of Iran's medical science universities were enrolled in the study. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed according to the theme. RESULTS: A conceptual model emerged from the data analysis with the main theme called the blacksmith approach, which included Three sub-themes: (1) making a new forge (adequate preparation and mindful beginning), (2) heating the students' hearts (considering supporting systems that learners need) and (3) using Sledgehammer's approach (teaching anatomy by using more active methods and engaging all neuroanatomical regions) and (Using fun for enjoyable learning). All the concepts were related to each other. CONCLUSION: Medical students experience a challenging fundamental evolution into professional doctors. Educational systems focus primarily on teaching and learning, while students' transition can be facilitated by a three-step model called the Blacksmith Approach. It best serves as an educational framework for any pivotal, preclinical course capable of helping students acquire new roles and tackle challenges. Further research should be conducted to confirm how hard work leads to satisfying results with the opportunity to create enjoyable learning.

The Relationship between Experiences Level and Clinical Decision-Making Skill in Midwifery Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Development and assessment of clinical decision-making skills are essential in midwifery education because of their role in mothers' and infants' safety. Therefore, the present study's primary objective was to evaluate the relationship between experience levels and clinical decision-making skills using the key features (KFs) examination. Methods: One hundred and two midwifery students in five different education levels participated in this cross-sectional study through convenient sampling. Twenty KFs questions were designed based on the principles of the KFs examination. The participants' information, including grade point average (GPA), theoretical and practical scores of the obstetrics course, were collected. KFs scores were compared according to students' training semester by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Pearson correlation was conducted to explore the correlation between KFs scores and GPA as well as theoretical and practical scores. All statistical analyses were performed at a significance level of 0.05 (p≤0.05). We used five kinds of effect size calculators, which include mean difference (MD), standardized mean difference (cohend), partial Eta-squared, Cohenf, and partial omega-squared. Results: There was no correlation between KFs scores and the grade point average, theoretical exam scores, and practical exam scores. KFs scores linearly rose as the learners' level increased with a mean± SD score of 7.61±1.09 during the third semester compared to 11.55 ± 1.89 during the eighth semester (p=0.001). The effect size of this result was large (partial omega square=0.35, partial eta square=0.38 & cohen's f=0.73). The largest SMD was related to the comparison of KFs scores between the eighth and third semester (MD=3.58, SMD=2.554 [CI 95%: 1.719-3.389], p-value═ 0.001), and the lowest was related to the comparison between the third and fourth semesters (MD=0.354, SMD= 0.2 [CI 95%: -0.421-0.821], p=0.987). Conclusion: Establishing proficiency in clinical decision-making skills is a linear process greatly enhanced by experience, clearly shown by the present study results. Using KFs examination and obtaining extensive evidence to its benefit can allow us to renegotiate proficiency evaluation methods for students in clinical fields. the education curriculum should focus more on identifying clinical KFs skills than merely teaching knowledge about disease processes.

The Role of Surgical and Endovascular Repair of Blunt Traumatic Aortic Injury in the Modern Era: A Single-Center Experience.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of chest x-ray (CXR) in blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI) as a primary imaging tool in trauma patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our hospital records for blunt thoracic aortic injury patients who had a therapeutic intervention from January 2015 to February 2021. Patients' characteristics, initial chest x-rays, and computed tomography (CT) scan were extracted and re-evaluated. Results: Eighteen patients matched the criteria of our research. The mean age and the injury severity score (ISS) was 29.8±11.2 and 38.4±14.4, respectively. Seven patients (38.9%) underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), and 11 (61.1%) had open surgery. The TEVAR group had significantly lower mean intensive care unit stay days (6.6±3.9 vs. 10.8±6.9 in open aortic repair (OAR), p<0.05). The percentile of patients requiring blood transfusion was significantly lower in the TEVAR group (57% vs. 100% in OAR, p<0.05). Mediastinal widening (66.7%) was the most common finding during the evaluation of initial chest x-rays. Interestingly, 22.2% of the initial x-rays were not remarkable for BTAI. Conclusion: TEVAR is an advantageous choice in the management of BTAI. However, open aortic repair is the optimal decision in certain situations. It is suggested that the Interventional management of the BTAI must be performed by experienced vascular surgeons in a medical center capable of both OAR and TEVAR.

Exploration challenges of the implementers of Iran's transformational innovation plan in medical education.

BACKGROUND: The Health System Reform Plan, especially in medical education, has undoubtedly caused changes in the university. The continuation of this project requires recognizing the challenges confronted by those in charge of its implementation. This study aimed to explore the challenges of the implementers of the Transformation and Innovation Plan in Medical Education in the universities of Macroregion 5. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The qualitative research was conducted using the content analysis method. Semi-structured interviews with health and medical education managers were used to collect information. Participants were 11 educational leaders of universities who were selected by purposeful sampling. Data collection continued until data saturation was reached. Data analysis was performed continuously and simultaneously with data collection. The Graneheim and Lundman methods were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: From 11 interviews, one theme, five categories, and 12 subclasses were obtained. Five categories include lack of proper groundwork, weak leadership, structural problems, inability to fund, and inadequate monitoring. CONCLUSION: Innovation and transformation in medical education are one of the critical missions and admirable actions of the Ministry of Health in the field of education, but a review of this plan can, in addition to identifying shortcomings and problems, pave the way for success, and progress in future programs.

The effect of calcium and vitamin D supplements on blood pressure in postmenopausal women: myth or reality?

Hypertension is a highly prevalent disease with serious cardiovascular and renal complications. Many studies have demonstrated a weak correlation between the consumption of calcium (or calcium plus vitamin D) and blood pressure, suggesting that calcium supplements might reduce blood pressure. However, the results to date remain controversial. In this study, we assessed the effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on the blood pressure of postmenopausal women with hypertension as a population group in which the use of calcium supplements is prevalent. This triple-blind randomized clinical trial enrolled 98 women of postmenopausal age with hypertension in 2019. The study period was 8 weeks with close follow-up. We used 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to record the initial and final blood pressure in all participants. The changes in both the mean systolic (p = 0.047) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.015) were suggestive of an increase in blood pressure after consuming calcium and vitamin D supplements. Among patients who had been using calcium channel blockers, calcium and vitamin D supplementation caused a notable increase compared to baseline systolic (p = 0.019) and diastolic blood pressures (p = 0.001). The present results differ from those of previous studies. This suggests that calcium supplementation for postmenopausal women with hypertension requires the close observation of blood pressure to prevent any further increase, especially in women who are being treated with calcium channel blockers (clinicaltrial.gov registration: NCT04618952).

Stent thrombosis during COVID-19 pandemic: A case series.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic originated from Wuhan, China, in late 2019. In addition to the respiratory system, COVID-19 also affects other organ systems. The disease can lead to cardiovascular complications such as myocarditis, acute myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, and venous thromboembolism; patients with COVID-19 experience more thrombotic events than non-COVID-19 patients. A 50-year-old male cigarette smoker presented to the emergency department (ED) with typical chest pain. His electrocardiography (ECG) showed an anterior STEMI. He developed multiple episodes of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and received defibrillator shocks. His angiogram showed thrombotic severe in-stent restenosis (ISR) of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery stents. A 70-year-old diabetic hypertensive woman presented to the ED with dyspnea and chest pain. The patient had undergone angioplasty two times beforehand, and a fresh angiogram revealed severe thrombotic ISR of LAD stents and another far midpart lesion after the stents. She underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A 54-year-old man presented to the ED with typical chest pain commencing an hour beforehand. He had undergone angioplasty about 10 years earlier. The patient received the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine 36 h before developing chest pain. The ECG revealed an infero-posterior STEMI, and the angiogram depicted thrombotic occluded ISR in the RCA. The patient underwent successful PCI. Patients with COVID-19 or even with COVID-19 vaccination experience stent thrombosis due to a hypercoagulable state. Hence, we need standard guidelines to prevent stent thrombosis.

Salt Consumption and Blood Pressure in Rural Hypertensive Participants: A Community Filed Trial.

Purpose: Hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. This study aimed to evaluate an intervention based on the Health Belief Model regarding the whole family's salt consumption and blood pressure among hypertensive patients in rural areas in Iran. Methods: This clinical multicenter trial (clinical and community) with a control and an intervention group was conducted on the residents of 14 villages covered by 14 health houses. Totally, 200 hypertensive patients (n = 100 in each group) were selected via multistage random sampling. The intervention included a two-day workshop on blood pressure and reducing salt consumption based on HBM structures for health personnel and an eight-session workshop on how to reduce salt intake and blood pressure for mothers who were responsible for the families' diets. Participants completed the questionnaires before and immediately after the intervention. Results: Compared to the control group, in the intervention group, a significant reduction was observed in salt consumption by the families (urine sodium and creatinine reduced by 35 mEq/l and 7.5 mg/dL, respectively). The results also revealed a significant decrease in blood pressure in the intervention group. Conclusion: The results showed that the mothers' model-based education could effectively improve the diet of the whole family members and, as a result, reduce the associated diseases. The main advantage of this study was the involvement of the rural health personnel, which helped run longer and larger-scale health-promotion programs in the communities.