Administration of low molecular weight and unfractionated heparin during percutaneous coronary intervention

AbstractThis systematic review with meta-analysis sought to determine the efficacy and safety of unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention. Medline, Embase, Elsevier, and web of knowledge as well as Google scholar literature were used for selecting appropriate studies with randomized controlled design. After screening 445 studies, a total of 23 trials (including a total of 43,912 patients) were identified that reported outcomes. Pooled analysis revealed that LMWH compared to UFH could significantly increase thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 3 flow (p<0.001), which was associated with similar target vessel revascularization (p=0.6), similar incidence of stroke (p=0.7), and significantly lower incidence of re-myocardial infarction (p<0.001), major bleeding (p=0.02) and mortality (p<0.001). Overall, LMWH was shown to be a useful type of heparin for patients with MI undergoing PCI, due to its higher efficacy and lower rate of complication compared to UFH. It is also associated with increased myocardial perfusion, decreased major hemorrhage, and mortality

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

Effect of transfusion on dizziness in anemic patients after elective off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Background: Neurological disorders are common complications following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Dizziness in convalescence period is of high importance because it can prolong patient′s stay at the hospital and decrease in sense of rehealing. Transfusion indication is seen in hemoglobin levels <7 g/dl; however, dizziness has been frequently observed in patients with hemoglobin levels 7-10 g/dl and they have dramatic response to transfusion. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate effect of transfusion on dizziness in hemoglobin levels of 7-10 g/dl to set a more accurate indication for transfusion in anemic patients after elective off-pump CABG. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 90 patients undergoing elective off-pump CABG surgery from January to June 2011, in Afshar cardiovascular center, Yazd, Iran. Patients with hemoglobin levels of 7-10 g/ dl measured 48 h after CABG were included in this study and those who stayed in ICU more than 48 h were excluded. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group received packed cell according to study protocol while the control group did not receive packed cell. Hemoglobin concentration was measured at 48 h and 72 h after CABG and discharge time, respectively. Dizziness was evaluated 72 h after surgery. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Chi-square, and Fisher′s exact test for quantitative and qualitative variables. Results: The mean age of the patients was 63.5 ± 10.67 years, from all of patients in which 50 cases (55.6%) were males and 40 cases (44.4%) were females. Dizziness after surgery occurred in 35 cases (38.8%), of whom, 27 cases (62.8%) were in the control group and 8 cases (17%) were in the transfusion group. Significantly a difference in the incidence of dizziness was found between two groups (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Transfusion in hemoglobin levels of 7-10 g/dl can be useful to decrease dizziness in anemic patients after elective off-pump CABG; however, the guidelines in textbooks suggest transfusion after CABG to be in hemoglobin levels <7 g/dl

Sex hormone levels and sexual dysfunction in men after coronary artery bypass graft

Background: Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common problems in men after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Etiology of sexual dysfunction in these patients may be psychological or organic due to hormonal changes. Objective: The purpose was to evaluate the incidence and type of sexual dysfunction and changes in serum concentration of sex hormones in male patients undergoing on-pump CABG. Materials and Methods: In this before and after study we enrolled 40 men aged less than 70 years who were candidate for on-pump CABG. Interviews were done by a physician before and 12 weeks after the operation in regard to the impact of surgery on their sexual activities. The serum levels of 6 sex hormones were also determined. The statistical tests used for data analysis included analysis of variance, McNemar's test and chi-square analysis. Results: The mean±SD age of the patients was 51.27±7.86 years. Incidence of sexual dysfunction was 22.5% (9 cases) before and 47.7% (19 cases) after operation. Types of sexual dysfunction were premature ejaculation (5% before, 2.5% after), impotence (7.5% before, 12.5% after) and loss of libido (10% before, 32% after). The level of sex hormones were generally decreased after operation but it was statistically significant only for estrogen (p-value=0.02). Conclusion: Sexual dysfunction and reduction in serum level of sex hormones are common in patients before on-pump CABG and mostly get worse after surgery. Complementary studies are suggested for prevention and treatment of sexual dysfunction

Can Preoperative Serum Level of Creatinine Predict New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Non-Diabetic Male Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery? A Retrograde View

Renal dysfunction is a risk marker in patients who candidate for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Renal disorder is associated with prolonged stays in intensive care unit and hospital, morbidity and mortality. Aim of this study is specific evaluation of association between preoperative creatinine (Cr) with atrial fibrillation (AF) after elective off-pump CABG in non-diabetic male patients with normal ejection fraction. Two hundred non-diabetic male patients with normal ejection fraction undergoing elective off pump CABG surgery enrolled in this cross-sectional study and were stratified by present or absence of postoperative atrial fibrillation: patients with postoperative new-onset atrial fibrillation (n=100) as group 1 and patients without new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation as group 2 (n=100). Preoperative serological test of the participants, such as serum creatinine, were recorded in their medical dossiers. Data were analyzed in SPSS-16 software and tested for association between atrial fibrillation with creatinine level by using student t test, chi-square test or logistic regression. Cr level in patients with and without AF three days before surgery were 1.8±0.3 and 1.0±0.4 respectively (P value for Cr=0.00). On surgical day, mean Cr level in patients with and without AF were 1.6±0.2 and 1.1±0.5 respectively (P value for Cr = 0.00). Of the 100, male patients with postoperative AF, duration and frequency of recurrence of AF were not associated with Cr at three days before surgery and on surgical days (P>0.05). Patients with postoperative AF had unsuitable status of renal function compare to patients without AF; however, preoperative serum creatinine cannot associate with duration and frequency of recurrence of AF

N-acetylcysteine instead of theophylline in patients with COPD who are candidates for elective off-pump CABG surgery: Is it possible in cardiovascular surgery unit?

Background: Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is a good predictor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is characterized by a chronic limitation of airflow. This study was designed to compare the effects and complications of theophylline alone, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) alone, and a combination of the two drugs on the rates of FEV1 in patients with COPD who were candidates for off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 100 patients who had a smoking history of 27 pack years with a range of 20 to 40 pack years but were not heavy smokers and were candidates for elective off-pump CABG surgery in Afshar Cardiovascular Hospital, Yazd, Iran. The patients with a history of asthma and bronchospasm and non-COPD respiratory disorders were excluded. There were three groups, that is, the theophylline group (n=33) that received theophylline 10 mg/kg TDS after consumption of food, NAC group (n=33) who received NAC 10-15 mg/kg BD after consumption of food, and the combined group (n=32) who received theophylline and NAC together. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), Chi-square, and exact test for quantitative and qualitative variables. Results: One hundred patients with COPD enrolled in this study as possible candidates for CABG surgery. Average age of the patients was 60.36±10.21 years. Of the participants, 83 (83.3%) were male and 17 (17%) were female. Rate of postoperative FEV1 to basal FEV1 was 0.76±0.32, 0.66±0.22, and 0.69±0.24 in the treatments with theophylline, NAC, and the combination, respectively. Theophylline, NAC, and a combination of these drugs can decrease the rate of postoperative FEV1 compared to basal FEV1 significantly. (P=0.0001) Conclusion: Theophylline alone, NAC alone, and a combination of these drugs improve pulmonary function, and there are no significant differences between these protocols. Stomach discomfort and cardiac complications in treatment with theophylline alone is significantly higher than NAC alone and the combination

Costochondritis Caused by Aspergillus flavus Following Cardiac Surgery

Mediastinitis is an infrequent complication after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) that is associated with prolonged intensive care unit and hospital stay, and increased early and late morbidity and mortality. Patients with mediastinitis have an osteoporotic, fragile, and broken sternum. All foreign bodies as well as infected tissue should be removed. Osteomyelitis of sternum often perseveres after debridement for mediastinitis. In this report, we describe an unusual case of costochondritis caused by aspergillosis following off pump CABG surgery in a male patient in Yazd-Iran

Intra‑operative grading of coronary artery atherosclerosis associated with homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women undergoing elective off‑pump CABG surgery

Background: Atherosclerosis is one of the common causes of morbidity and mortality, in postmenopausal women. Homocysteine, a sulfur‑containing amino acid product of methionine metabolism, may play an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between intra‑operative grading of coronary artery atherosclerosis and homocysteine level in postmenopausal women who were candidates for off‑pump coronary bypass graft surgery (CABG). Materials and Methods: In this cross‑sectional study, 136 postmenopausal women (with the mean age of 54.9±4 years) were enrolled as candidates for elective off‑pump CABG. For each patient the extent and severity of atherosclerosis was assessed by intra‑operative grading (IOG) and Gensini score system. Total homocysteine was determined with ELISA method after 12 hours of fasting. The patients were classified into two groups (diffuse vs. discrete) based on intra‑operative findings. Finally the relation between age, IOG, and Gensini score with homocysteine level was assessed by ANOVA, T‑test, and Tukey HSD test. Results: There was a positive correlation between intra‑operative grading and homocysteine level in both groups (P=0.005). The association between Gensini score and homocysteine was significant in higher levels of hyperhomocysteinemia (P &lt; 0.05). The homocysteine level also increased with age; therefore, patients were classified into two categories (&lt;54 years and ≥54 years) by Levene test. Statistical analysis indicated no relationship between IOG, Gensini score, and homocysteine level in the patients who were younger than 54 years (P=0.3, P=0.2), but significant relation was detected between IOG, Gensini score, and homocysteine in the patients who were older than 54 years with diffuse or discrete lesions in coronary arteries (P=0.001, P=0.001). Conclusion: According to our findings, homocysteine level increases in post‑menopausal women that can be an important risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.Keywords: Coronary artery atherosclerosis, homocysteine, intra‑operative grading, menopause, off‑pump coronary bypass surgeryNigerian Medical Journal | Vol. 53 | Issue 4 | October-December | 201