Clinical outcomes of subcutaneous implantable cardiac defibrillator implantation - Iran SICD registry.

BACKGROUND: The subcutaneous implantable-defibrillator (S-ICD) is a relatively new alternative to the transvenous ICD system to minimize intravascular lead-related complications. This paper presents outcome of SICD implantation in patients enrolled in Iran S-ICD registry. METHODS: Between October 2015 and June 2022, this prospective multicenter national registry included 223 patients with a standard indication for an ICD, who neither required bradycardia pacing nor needed cardiac resynchronization to evaluate the early post-implant complications and long-term follow-up results of the S-ICD system. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 45 ± 17 years. The majority (79.4%) were male. Ischemic cardiomyopathy (39.5%) was the most common underlying disorder among patients selected for S-ICD implant. Most study patients (68.6%) had ICD for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Seven patients (3.1%) were found to have suboptimal lead positions. Six patients (2.7%) developed a pocket hematoma; all were managed medically. During a mean follow-up of 2 years, the appropriate therapy was recorded in 13% of the patients and inappropriate ICD intervention mainly due to supraventricular tachycardia in 8.9%. Pocket infection was observed in four patients (1.8%) and five patients (2.2%) died mainly due to heart failure. CONCLUSION: S-ICDs were effective at detecting and treating both induced and spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias. Major clinical complications were rare.

Impact of Negative Fluid Balance on Mortality and Outcome of Patients with Confirmed COVID-19.

Purpose: Maintaining the proper fluid balance is a fundamental step in the management of hospitalized patients. The current study evaluated the impact of negative fluid balance on outcomes of patients with confirmed COVID-19. Methods: We considered the negative fluid balance as a higher output fluid compared to the input fluid. The fluid balance was categorized into four groups (group 4: -850 to -500 ml/day; group 3: -499 to -200 ml/day, group 2: -199 to 0 ml/day, and group 1 : 1 to 1000 ml/day) and included ordinally in the model. The outcomes were all-cause mortality, length of hospitalization, and improvement in oxygen saturation. Results: The fluid balance differed significantly among nonsurvivors and survivors (MD: -317.93, 95% CI: -410.21, -225.69, and p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, there was a significantly lower frequency of mortality in patients with negative fluid balance compared to the controls (aRR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.84, and p < 0.001). Similarly, the length of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the negative fluid balance group in comparison to the control group (aMD: -1.01, 95% CI: -1.74, -0.28, and p=0.006). Conclusion: We determined that the negative fluid balance was associated with favorable outcomes in COVID-19 patients. The negative fluid balance was associated with the reduced mortality rate and length of hospitalization as well as improvement in oxygen saturation. Moreover, the NT-proBNP >781 pg/mL and fluid balance >-430 mL might be the predictors for positive fluid balance and mortality, respectively.

Novel SCN5A variants identified in a group of Iranian Brugada syndrome patients.

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a rare hereditary arrhythmia syndrome that increases an individual's risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to ventricular fibrillation. This disorder is regarded as a notable cause of death in individuals aged less than 40 years, responsible for up to 40% of sudden deaths in cases without structural heart disease, and is reported to be an endemic in Asian countries. Mutations in SCN5A are found in approximately 30% of patients with Brugada syndrome. This study aimed to investigate mutations in the SCN5A gene in a group of Iranian Brugada syndrome patients. Nine probands (n = 9, male, mean age = 39) diagnosed with Brugada syndrome were enrolled in this study. Exon 2 to 29 were amplified by PCR and subjected to direct sequencing. Eight in silico prediction tools were used to anticipate the effects of non-synonymous variants. Seven known polymorphisms and 2 previously reported disease-causing mutations, including H558R and G1406R, were found in the studied cases. Twenty novel variants were identified: 15 missense, 2 frameshift, 2 synonymous, and one nonsense variants. In silico tools predicted 11 non-synonymous variants to have damaging effects, whereas frameshift and nonsense variants were considered inherently pathogenic. The novel variants identified in this study, alongside previously reported mutations, are highly likely to be the cause of the Brugada syndrome phenotype observed in the patient group. Further analysis is required to understand the physiological effects caused by these variants.

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.

Educating correct ECG interpretation is a way to promote the satisfaction and competency the diagnostic service providers.

Background: Given electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation as one of the diagnostical challenges for medical students and health professionals, this research was carried out to present an experience of web-based teaching method and novel approaches used for training of ECG interpretation. Methods: This online program was conducted in three days. The main content of the class was taught during one hour, and after that, the teacher spent enough time for responding the asked questions. The components of a normal ECG and different changes that can occur in these waves were taught through clinical case-based scenarios using the web platform and Adobe Connect software. The participants' satisfaction was assessed with a 12-item questionnaire, and the short-term retention of ECG interpretation skill was examined by comparing the posttest scores with pretest. Results: A total of 224 individuals completed the course. Total satisfaction score was 53.05±6.98 (out of the maximum score of 60). Based on the results of the paired t test, the interpretation skill scores of the participants increased significantly from 2.5 ± 1.57 to 6.96 ± 1.89. (p<0.001, CI = -4.8 to- 4.11). Conclusion: This web-based nationwide training program provided a supplementary resource for ECG learning among medical students and health-care providers.

Coronary artery calcification score as a prognostic indicator for COVID-19 mortality: evidence from a retrospective cohort study in Iran.

Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been established as an independent risk factor for major adverse cardiovascular events. Nevertheless, the effect of CAC on in-hospital mortality and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 has yet to be determined. Objective: To investigate the association between CAC score and in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients. Method: This retrospective cohort study was conducted across tertiary hospitals of University of Medical Sciences in Babol, a northern city in Iran, and enroled 551 confirmed COVID-19 patients with definitive clinical outcomes of death or discharge between March and October 2021. Demographic and clinical data, along with chest computed tomography (CT) findings and CAC score on admission, were systematically collected. The study utilized logistic regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier plots to explore the association between CAC score and in-hospital death and adverse clinical outcomes. Results: The mean age was 60.05±12.8. A significant difference regarding CAC score, age, history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases among survivors and non-survivors was observed; however, gender was not found to be different. Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, CAC score greater than or equal to 400 [odds ratio (OR): 4.2, 95% CI: 1.70-10.33, P value: 0.002], hospitalization time (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.13-1.53, P value < 0.001), length of ICU stay (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.47-2.77, P value < 0.001), severe or critical COVID-19 severity in time of admission (95% CI: 1.79-18.29, P value: 0.003), and history of respiratory diseases (95% CI: 2.18-40, P value: 0.003) were found to be associated with higher odds of in-hospital mortality. Log-rank test also revealed a significant difference regarding the time of admission to death between patients with CAC score greater than or equal to 400 and those with CAC score less than 400 (P value < 0.001). Conclusion: Elevated CAC score is a crucial risk factor linked to in-hospital mortality and unfavourable clinical results in confirmed COVID-19 patients. This finding emphasizes the need for careful monitoring of individuals with high CAC scores.

Complications of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator and Their Potential Risk Factors in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has different complications such as cardiac arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Insertion of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is recommended for HCM patients who are at high risk of SCD and malignant arrhythmias, despite having their own potential complications. Hypothesis. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of different complications of ICD insertion and the impact of the potential influential baseline characteristics in a one-year follow-up period. Methods: This was a retrospective study with a total of 71 HCM patients with ICD insertion. We evaluated the prevalence of different complications of ICD implantation and the impact of baseline characteristics on the occurrence of ICD complications using multivariate regression analysis in three 4-month periods. Results: In a one-year follow-up, 13 patients (18.3%) experienced at least one of the complications including pneumothorax, lead failure, ICD infection, inappropriate shocks, perforation, and upper limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with no mortality. Inappropriate shocks were reported as the most common (11.3%) complication during this period, with a gradual increase in the second (4.2%) and third (5.6%) follow-up sessions. Among all of the baseline characteristics that were investigated in this study, a positive history of hypertension was the only risk factor with significant impact on the occurrence of complications (P = 0.01). Conclusion: We demonstrated the occurrence of complications during a one-year follow-up as 18.3% in HCM patients with ICD insertion. A positive history of hypertension was the only baseline characteristic affecting the occurrence of complications, and inappropriate shocks were the most common complication.

A Multiple-Center, Retrospective Study of Characteristics and Outcomes of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Cardiovascular Disease in North Iran.

Background: In this retrospective study, we investigated the outcomes and demographic characteristics of COVID-19 patients with and without a history of CVD. Methods: This large retrospective, multicenter study was performed on inpatients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia who were admitted across four hospitals in Babol, Northern Iran.Demographic data, clinical data, and cycle threshold value (Ct) results of Real Time PCR were obtained. Then, participants were divided into two groups: (1) cases with CVDs, (2) cases without CVDs. Results: A total of 11097 suspected COVID-19 cases with a mean ± SD age of 53 ±25.3 (range: 0 to 99) years were involved in the present study. Out of whom 4599 (41.4%) had a positive RT-PCR result. Of those, 1558 (33.9%) had underlying CVD. Patients with CVD had significantly more co-morbidities such as hypertension, kidney disease, and diabetes. Moreover, 187 (12%) and 281 (9.2%) of patients with and without CVD died, respectively. Also, mortality rate was significantly high among the three groups of Ct value in patients with CVD, with the highest mortality in those with Ct between 10 and 20 (Group A = 19.9%). Conclusions: In summary, our results highlight that CVD is a major risk factor for hospitalization and the severe consequences of COVID-19. Death in CVD group is significantly higher compared to non-CVD. In addition, the results show that age-related diseases can be a serious risk factor for the severe consequences of COVID-19.

Optimal cut points of N-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID19 patients may suffer from multiple cardiovascular complications. Recently, N-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was a potentially independent risk factor for COVID-19 in-hospital death. The present study aimed to find new optimal cut points for NT-proBNP across censored survival failure time outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: This cohort study was conducted on 272 patients with COVID-19 whose initial records were recorded from March 2020 to July 2020. Demographic characteristics, clinical examinations, and laboratory measurements were collected at the beginning of the admission registered in the patient record system located in the hospital. We used the maximally selected rank statistics to determine the optimal cut points for NT-proBNP (the most significant split based on the standardized log-rank test). Survival time was defined as the days from hospital admission to discharge day. In this cohort study, two optimal cut points for NT-proBNP were 331 (pg/mL) and 11,126 (pg/mL) based on a survival model. The adjusted HR of NT-proBNP for in-hospital death was 3.41 (95% CI: 1.22-9.51, P = 0.02) for medium against low category, and 3.84 (95% CI: 1.30-11.57, P = 0.01) for high in comparison with low group. CONCLUSIONS: We reported a dramatically increased concentration of NT-proBNP among COVID-19 patients without heart failure in both severe and non-severe cases. Moreover, our study showed that a high level of NT-proBNP was highly associated with the prolonged survival time of patients with COVID-19. NT-proBNP is a strong prognostic indicator of in-hospital death in the second week of admission.

Characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients with cardiovascular complications of COVID-19.

Introduction: To address cardiovascular (CV) complications and their relationship to clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: A total of 196 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were enrolled in this retrospective single-center cohort study from September 10, 2020, to December 10, 2020, with a median age of 65 years (IQR, 52-77). Follow-up continued for 3 months after hospital discharge. Results: CV complication was observed in 54 (27.6%) patients, with arrhythmia being the most prevalent (14.8%) followed by myocarditis, acute coronary syndromes, ST-elevation myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, and deep vein thrombosis in 15 (7.7%), 12 (6.1%), 10(5.1%), 8 (4.1%), and 4 (2%) patients, respectively. The proportion of patients with elevated high-sensitivity troponin I, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction was greater in the CV complication group. Severe forms of COVID-19 comprised nearly two-thirds (64.3%) of our study population and constituted a significantly higher share of the CV complication group members (75.9%vs 59.9%; P =0.036). Intensive care unit admission (64.8% vs 44.4%; P =0.011) and stay (5.5days vs 0 day; P =0.032) were notably higher in patients with CV complications. Among 196patients, 50 died during hospitalization and 10 died after discharge, yielding all-cause mortality of 30.8%. However, there were no between-group differences concerning mortality. Age, heart failure, cancer/autoimmune disease, disease severity, interferon beta-1a, and arrhythmia were the independent predictors of all-cause mortality during and after hospitalization. Conclusion: CV complications occurred widely among COVID-19 patients. Moreover,arrhythmia, as the most common complication, was associated with increased mortality.

Free floating right atrial thrombus in two asymptomatic patients after electrophysiological study: role of routine echocardiography after ablation.

This report presents two patients with free floating right atrial and atrioventricular thrombi after electrophysiology study which were treated with thrombolysis in the first patient and surgical operation in the second patient without any complication.

Interleukin 10, lipid profile, vitamin D, selenium, metabolic syndrome, and serum antioxidant capacity in elderly people with and without cardiovascular disease: Amirkola health and ageing project cohort-based study.

BACKGROUND: The age-related autoinflammation-mediated atherosclerosis is associated with some immunological, nutritional, and metabolic parameters and redox status. Here, we evaluated the association of circulatory interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels with lipid profile, some nutrients, and total anti-oxidant capacity in elderly people who presented cardiovascular disease (CVD) with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS) and in healthy subjects. METHODS: In this cross-sectional case-control study, 258 sera prepared from elderly people (144 healthy and 114 patient subjects) who participated in a community-based study, the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP), were analyzed for IL-10, lipid profile, vitamin D, selenium (Se), antioxidant capacity, and MetS. RESULTS: Compared to patients, the healthy subjects exhibited higher levels of circulatory IL-10 among individuals with detectable serum IL-10 (P = 0.036). However, this difference was not observed when total subjects from both groups were compared, since more than 90% of those people were IL-10-negative. Se, vitamin D, and antioxidant levels were similar in both groups. There was a negative association between IL-10 and body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.050) and an equivocal association with vitamin D levels, whereas the association between IL-10 and other indicated variables was not significant. Significant association was observed between MetS and CVD prevalence (P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between Se and total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) (P < 0.010) in healthy subjects and with TC in patients (P < 0.050). CONCLUSION: A major proportion of elderly people were serum IL-10-negative, whereas independently to IL-10, MetS was most common in patients with CVD. Weight loss may have the potential to increase IL-10 levels in the elderly.

Association of vitamin D deficiency and premature coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests hypovitaminosis D is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its extent and related risk factors. However, some investigations have produced contrary results. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and the severity of premature coronary artery involvement. METHODS: This randomized prospective, case-control study was conducted in Babol from April 2013 to June 2017. We collected the demographic data and measured serum 25-OH-D levels of 294 patients (age≤50 years) diagnosed with CAD with coronary angiography as case group as well as 438 age and sex-matched controls. CAD severity was assessed using the Gensini score. Statistical analyses were used to assess the associations and p<0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: The mean serum level of 25-OH-D was 13.12±11.13 and 18.28±8.34 in case and control groups, respectively (P=0.036). In the case group, mean serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower among hypertensives (P=0.018), those with a family history of CVD (P=0.016) and those who used aspirin (P=0.036). The mean Gensini score of patients in the case group was 45.02±23.62 and was higher among men (P=0.022). There was a weak significant correlation between the serum vitamin D levels and the Gensini score (P=0.001 & R=-0.543). The mean Gensini score was not significantly different between patients with deficient (47.02±22.78), insufficient (26.0±21.72) and sufficient (39.0±43.84) vitamin D levels (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that the lower levels of vitamin D is associated with increased risk and extent of coronary artery involvement as well as some of the risk factors of CAD, including male gender, hypertension and positive family history for CVD.

Investigation of the effect of ginger on the lipid levels. A double blind controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of fine powder of ginger on lipid level in volunteer patients. METHODS: This is a double blind controlled clinical trial study in 2 cardiac clinics Cardiac Disease Clinic, Babol, north of Iran, between April to May 2004. We randomly divided the patients with hyperlipidemia into 2 groups, treatment group (receiving ginger capsules 3 g/day in 3 divided doses) and placebo group (lactose capsule 3 g/day in 3 divided doses) for 45 days. All subjects with diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, and alcohol drinking, pregnancy and peptic ulcer were excluded. Lipid concentrations profile before and after treatment was measured by enzymatic assay. RESULTS: Forty-five patients in the treatment group and 40 patients in placebo group participated in this study. There was a significant reduce in triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), levels of before and after study separately in each group (p<0.05). Mean changes in triglyceride and cholesterol levels of ginger group were significantly higher than placebo group (p<0.05). Mean reduction in LDL level and increase in high density lipoprotein level of ginger group were higher than the placebo group, but in VLDL level of placebo was higher than ginger (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results show that ginger has a significant lipid lowering effect compared to placebo.

Optimal beta-blocker for prevention of atrial fibrillation after on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery: carvedilol versus metoprolol.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. It has been shown that prophylactic oral beta-blocker administration reduces the incidence of post-CABG AF. However, the optimal beta-blocker has not been identified. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine whether oral carvedilol (with its unique anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties) is more effective than oral metoprolol for prevention of AF after CABG surgery. METHODS: Between April 2006 and December 2006, 120 patients (63 men, mean age 61 +/- 9.4 years) who were scheduled to undergo their first on-pump CABG were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomized in a prospective 1:1 manner to receive either oral carvedilol (n = 60) or oral metoprolol (n = 60). The end point of the study was the occurrence of the new-onset AF during the first 5 days after CABG. RESULTS: AF occurred in 29 of 120 patients (24.0%). The incidence of postoperative AF was 15.0% (9 of 60) in the carvedilol group and 33% (20 of 60) in the metoprolol group (P = .022). The carvedilol group was treated with mean daily dose of 46 +/- 9 mg and metoprolol group with mean daily dose of 93 +/- 11 mg. There were no differences between the study groups regarding any known preoperative, perioperative, or postoperative characteristics (all values were P >.05). No significant adverse effect was observed in either group. CONCLUSION: This prospective study suggested that oral carvedilol is more effective than oral metoprolol in the prevention of AF after on-pump CABG. It is well tolerated when started before and continued after the surgery. However, further prospective studies are needed to clarify this issue.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in a patient with dextrocardia situs inversus.

BACKGROUND: Dextrocardia is a congenital anomaly, which may have coexistent coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmias and conventional indications for device therapy. However, the implantation of transvenous leads can be technically challenging and the approach needs to be tailored to the patient's individual anatomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old male with dextrocardia situs inversus and ischemic left ventricular dysfunction developed ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. Therefore, left- sided approach, dual chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was applied using a conventional method and standard equipment after complete evaluation of cardiac anatomy and vascular assessment. CONCLUSION: Electrical device implantation in patients with dextrocardia is possible after obtaining complete information about anatomy and/or coexisting congenital abnormalities, which helps in obtaining appropriate implantation approach.

Pericardial Graft vs. Host Disease in a Patient with ß-Thalassemia Major.

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in young children improves results in ß-thalassemia major. Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is an important complication of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. GVHD affects heart with a behavior resembling an autoimmune disease, including pericardial effusion. We describe a 22-year-old ß-thalassemia major patient who underwent bone marrow transplantation with an HLA-identical sibling donor. The patient didn't have any serious problem until 15 months after transplantation. He presented with chest discomfort and progressive dyspnea. Early echocardiogram showed mild pericardial effusion. Four days later, the effusion had increased, impending to cardiac temponade requiring pericardectomy. Immunospressive drugs and pericardectomy resulted in significant improvement in ventricular filling.  Cardiac cGVHD, an un-common complication of HSCT may be presented as pericardial effusion. Although early initiation of steroids is very important, heart monitoring is necessary to diagnose cardiac temponade.

Etiology of syncope in hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUND: Syncope is a common clinical problem which can be remarkably debilitating and associated with high health care costs. Syncope is a clinical syndrome with many potential causes. The aim of the study was to determine the etiologies of patients with syncope in the emergency department (ED) of a referral and general university hospital. METHODS: One hundred sixty-five consecutive patients aged more than 18 years old with syncope were admitted to the emergency department of Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital. Initially organized, systematic approach included detailed medical history and structured questionnaires for history taking, physical examination, ECG and cardiac monitoring, cardiology and neurology were done. Advanced diagnostic tests were carried out if the etiology of syncope remained unexplained. RESULTS: Out of the 165 patients who presented to the ED between February 2012 and February 2013, 124 had definition of syncope. The mean age of male patients was 59.5±19.8, 58. The etiology of syncope was diagnosed in 104 (83%) patients. Neurocardiogenic syncope was found in 36 (29.03%) patients, cardiac arrhythmias in 40 (32.25%) patients, and acute coronary syndrome in 8 (6.45%) patients. There are some infrequent etiologies like intracranial hemorrhage in 5 patients, aortic stenosis in 4 patients, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and aortic dissection in 3 patients, Brugada and pulmonary embolism in 2 patients and carotid hypersensitivity in one patient. CONCLUSION: We found that cardiac arrhythmias and neurocardiogenic type are the frequent causes of syncope. In about one-sixth of the patients, no etiology was found. Approximately one-third of patients had traumatic syncope.

Aortic dissection and postpartum cardiomyopathy in a postpartum young woman: a case report study.

INTRODUCTION: Aortic dissection is a rare condition in young women and usually related with congenital anomalies of aorta and connective tissue disorders. We reported a 34-year-old postpartum woman with aortic dissection. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient complained of respiratory distress and weakness with no abdominal pain or chest pain 20 days after delivery and had no history of hypertension during pregnancy and perinatal or prior heart disease. Postpartum cardiomyopathy and left ventricular dysfunction were diagnosed by imaging study and cardiac enzyme level. Finally, CT-scan was performed and showed aortic dissection. The patient underwent surgery and after surgery, she was alive without any problem. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy and aortic dissection could be cured with good medical care.

Evaluation of tissue doppler echocardiography and T2* magnetic resonance imaging in iron load of patients with thalassemia major.

BACKGROUND: Iron-mediated cardiomyopathy is the main complication of thalassemia major (TM) patients. Therefore, there is an important clinical need in the early diagnosis and risk stratification of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of tissue doppler imaging (TDI) to study cardiac iron overload in patients with TM using T2* magnetic resonance (MR) as the gold-standard non-invasive diagnostic test. METHODS: A total of 100 TM patients with the mean age of 19±7 years and 100 healthy controls 18.8±7 years were evaluated. Conventional echocardiography, TDI, and cardiac MRI T2* were performed in all subjects. TDI measures included myocardial systolic (Sm), early (Em) and late (Am) diastolic velocities at basal and middle segments of septal and lateral LV wall. The TM patients were also subgrouped according to those with iron load (T2* ≤ 20 ms) and those without (T2* > 20 ms), and also severe (T2* ≤ 10 ms) versus the non-severe (T2* ≤ 10 ms). RESULTS: Using T2* cardiovascular MR, abnormal myocardial iron load (T2* ≤ 20 ms) was detected in 84% of the patients and among these, 50% (42/84) had severe (T2* ≤ 10 ms) iron load. The mean T2* was 11.6±8.6 ms (5-36.7). A negative linear correlation existed between transfusion period of patients and T2* levels (r = -0.53, p=0.02). The following TDI measures were lower in patients than in controls: basal septal Am (p<0.05), mid-septal Em and Am (p<0.05), basal lateral Am (p<0.05), mid-lateral LV wall Sm (p<0.05) and Am (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tissue doppler imaging is helpful in predicting the presence of myocardial iron load in Thalassemia patients. Therefore, it can be used for screening of thalassemia major patients.