Behfar Pakbaz, Navidreza Mashayekhi, Alireza Ali Saeidi, Mohamadreza Taheri-Nejad, Reza Shah Mirzae,
Volume 17, Issue 5 (8-2014)
Abstract
Background: Early, complete, and stable coronary revascularization is the main criteria for standard treatment in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of integrilin as glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor in treatment of STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 106 STEMI patients who complained of acute chest pain and were referred to Amir Al Momenin hospital, Arak, entered the study. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. The first group was treated with integrilin immediately before angioplasty. The 2nd group was treated with conventional percutaneous coronary intervention.
Results: After receiving treatment and undergoing angioplasty, TIMI Frame Count was equal to 15.7±8.04 in the 1st group and 14.2±5.4 in the 2nd group which showed no significant difference between them (p=0.4). Ejection fraction in patients receiving integrilin was significantly more than control group in first (p=0.043) and third month (p=0.012) after treatment.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it seems that using integrilin in standard time, causes long-term benefits for patients and reduces damage to the heart wall.
Amir Abdollah Zangivand, Mahsa Ghasemi,
Volume 17, Issue 6 (9-2014)
Abstract
Background: Inflammation has an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of WBC (White Blood Cell) count and incidence of morbidity and mortality in patients with ACS.
Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out on 101 patients with ACS who admitted in Bu-ali Sina hospital. All patients were stratified according to WBC categories in to 3 groups, (WBC 1 :<7000 mm3, WBC 2:7000 -10000 mm3, WBC 3:> 10000 mm3). Demographic and laboratory data such as acute reactive protein, cardiac biomarker and etc. were recorded. Adverse cardiac events and mortality were recorded to a phone or in person for six months of follow up period. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 17.0). The Fisher´s exact chi-square test and the student t-test were applied. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
Results: In our study, 5 patients (31.25%) in third group had recurrent non fatal cardiac event and the same percent (31.25%) were died after 6 months follow up. Multivariate analysis showed WBC count >10000 mm3 was strongest predictor of outcome in our patients.
Conclusion: WBC count can be considered one of the strong independent predictor of mortality and cardiac event in patients with ACS.
Valiollah Khadir Srabiany,
Volume 17, Issue 10 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background: Statins are the most effective drugs for treatment of elevated level of cholesterol. In addition, they exhibit other effects unrelated to their lipid lowering effects (pleiotropic actions). In recent years, experimental and clinical evidences demonstrate that statins exert anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study is evaluation of association Atorvastatin in reduction of peak threshold in patients with permanent pacemaker.
Materials and Methods: In these clinical trial 64 eligible patients that candidate for permanent pacemaker enrolled. After in formed consent patients randomly divided to two equal groups. In first group atorvastatin 20 mg/daily administered orally for six weeks and second group considered as control. Peak atrial and ventricular threshold were measured in beginning of study and in sixth week. The data collected and analyzed and p<0.05 considered statistically meaning full.
Results: from 32 subjects in Atorvastatin group 17 (53.12%) were male and 15(46.87%) were female. Average mean age in Atorvastatin and control group was 72.43±17.27 and 68.59 ±10.98 years, respectively. No difference showed in atrial and ventricular threshold in two groups at beginning of study. At end of study atrial threshold in atorvastatin and control group were 0.55±0.23 and 0.45±0.19 respectively (p=0.4) and ventricular threshold in atorvastatin and and control group were 0.73±0.23 (p=0.4).
Conclusion: There is no association between atorvastatin therapy and reduction in pacemaker peak arterial and ventricular threshold.
Mehrnoush Toufan Tabrizi, Saeed Mohammadzadeh Gharebaghi, Leili Pourafkari, Afshin Habibzadeh, Parastoo Chaichi, Elham Delir Abdollahi,
Volume 17, Issue 12 (3-2015)
Abstract
Background: Heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) is commonly seen in adults. It is possible that old patients with HFNEF have severe clinical status. The aim of current study is to evaluate clinical and echocardiographic findings in old patients compared to young patients with HFNEF.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, 126 patients with HFNEF were evaluated in two groups of patients &ge60 years old (n=52) and <60 years old (n=74) for demographic, clinical and echocardiographic findings.
Results: Patients &ge60 years old had significantly more hyperlipidemia, less hypertension and more FC II. Patients &ge60 years old also had significantly larger septal wall thickness, lower end diastolic and systolic volume, end systolic diameter, E/A ratio and septal E’, lower diastolic dysfunction grade, higher left ventricle ejection fraction, left atrial volume index, E/E’ ratio and deceleration time compared to patients <60 years old.
Conclusion: Old patients with HFNEF have different clinical and echocardiographic findings compared to younger patients which are indicative of the disease severity in some cases. So, exact evaluation of the patients could be helpful in early diagnosis of these patients and providing an adequate treatment.
Abolfazl Mozafari, Latif Moini, Siamak Mohebi, Fakhreddin Hejazi, Maryam Marvi, Vahid Olomidoran, Azam Nazeri,
Volume 18, Issue 5 (8-2015)
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular diseases is one of the most prevalent causes of mortality in all around the world accounting for high rates of decrease of physical function and daily work. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life dimensions Percutanous Coronary Intervention (PCI) patients.
Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 96 patients in the rehabilitation unit in Qom. Half of patients put in the test group and the others remained as control. Data of all patients including of demographic parameter and questionnaire of quality of life before and after rehabilitation (in case and control groups) were collected. Data analysis was done in SPSS 18 by central statistical indices and frequency distribution as well as independent t-test, pair t-test ans Chi-square and p-value below than 0.05 was significant.
Results: out of 96 patients, the mean age was 57.21±9.09 and 57.3± 10.89 years in case and control groups respectively and 70.8% were male and remains were female. There was significant relationship between quality of life and its subtypes except physical function (p<0.001). Moreover, difference between quality of life and six out of eight subtypes scores before and after rehabilitation in both groups was significant.
Conclusion: It seems that cardiac rehabilitation after PCI affects quality of life.
Ali Reza Rostami, Mehrzad Sharifi, Ali Reza Kamali, Masoomeh Kalantari,
Volume 18, Issue 10 (1-2016)
Abstract
Background: Post ischemic myocardial reperfusion can impair CABG outcomes and cause increased mortality, hospital stay and costs. Then, increased oxygen free radicals lead to lipid peroxidation and sulfhydryl group oxidation. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether N-acetylcysteine and Vitamin C as antioxidants could effect postoperative outcomes of on-pump CABG.
Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, patients who had undergone CABG were studied in 4 groups receiving Vitamin C, N-acetylcysteine, Vitamin C & N-acetylcysteine and traditional drugs. The study population consisted of 50 patients in each group. Data were recorded in a checklist and analyzed by using SPSS 20.
Results: Mean pump time, ICU stay, hospital stay, the distribution of troponin positive serum, arrhythmia and need for reoperation were significantly different between groups. Gender distribution, mean cross-clamp time, serum creatinine level before and after surgery, the need for inotropic drugs and required dose level of it, showed no significant differences between groups.
Conclusion: It seems that the combination of N-acetylcysteine and Vitamin C had a stronger effect on the defference between the mean of pump time, hospital length stay and length of ICU stay versus the administration of N-acetylcysteine or Vitamin C alone.
Farid Eghbali, Mahdi Moradi,
Volume 19, Issue 11 (2-2017)
Abstract
Background: High blood pressure increases various cardiovascular events about 2 to 3 times in a person. The purpose of this study is to recognize the effect of a course of pilates exercise on hypertension, nitric oxide, and resting heart rate in the eldrlymen with hypertension.
Materials and Methods: Subjects of this quasi-experimental research included 30 elderly men with hypertension grade one(in the range of systolic-diastolic 140/90 to 159/99mm Hg) who participated voluntarily and accessibly in the study and were divided randomly into two experimental peer (15 people) and control (15 people) groups. Weight, height and BMI of subjects were 75±80, 170±175 and 25-26, respectively. The experimental group did selected exercise of Pilates for eight weeks (three one-hour sessions per week). Desired variables of the subjects of both groups were evaluated 24 hours before the start of exercise and 24 hours after the last session. Data analysis was conducted using dependent and independent t-test by SPSS16 statistical software at the significant level of p≥0.05.
Results: The research results showed that the eight-week pilates exercise gave rise to reduction in blood pressure(p≤0.05) as well as resting heart rate (p≤0.05) and to increase in nitric oxide of elderly men with hypertension (p≤0.05).
Conclusion: The eight-week pilates exercise reduced blood pressure and resting heart rate and increased the production of nitric oxide in elderly men. So, it seems that the regular physical exercise can be effective as a preventive factor in the outbreak of cardiovascular diseases of the elderly men.
Mitra Rahimzadeh, Behrooz Kavehie,
Volume 20, Issue 3 (6-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Heart attacks are the cause of 40% of deaths in Iran and due to its upswing in Iran and the world, the determination of its short-term survival rate in order to assess treatment methods is of great importance. The purpose of this study is to estimate patients’ short-term survival rate after heart attacks by Meta-analysis method.
Materials and Methods: This study is a systematic review. The analysis was based on data extracted from English and Persian data bases. To analyze the information obtained, including the average age of patients, and one-month and one-year short-term survival rates, the STATA 11.2 and the random effect model were used.
Results: The results of the study on 18 studies entering the Meta-analysis including 62486 patients, demonstrated that one-month and one-year short-term survival rate in Iran are respectively 87.7 and 85.2 percent and no significant difference was observed between the two genders. The average age of patients was reported 62.43 years and no significant difference was observed between the two genders in the occurance of health attack.
Conclusion: The results of this Meta-analysis showed that although the survival rate of an Iranian patient after a myocardial Infarction is the same as patients in developed countries, the average age of the patients in Iran is lower, which indicates that the load of disease in Iran is greater than in other countries regarding the years lost to the disease.
Mohabbat Jamhiri, Zeinab Hafizibarjin, Mojtaba Ghobadi, Ali Moradi, Fatemeh Safari,
Volume 20, Issue 4 (7-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension- induced cardiac hypertrophy. Plants are a rich source of antioxidant compounds. Thymol is a natural monoterpen phenol which is plentiful in some plants and shows many biological effects. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of thymol on activity of antioxidant enzyme catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the activity of the inhibition of free radical DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl), following left ventricular hypertrophy in rats.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, rats were divided into hypertrophied group without any treatment (H group) and rats pretreated with 25 and 50 mg/kg/day of thymol (Thy25+H and Thy50+H groups, respectively). Intact animals were served as control (Ctl). Animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy was induced by abdominal aortic banding. Serum catalase (CAT) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the activity of inhibition of free radicals DPPH were determined by the biochemical methods.
Results: In Thy25+H and Thy50+H groups, the CAT activity was increased significantly in serum (p<0.01, vs. Ctl). Also, serum level of MDA was decreased significantly compared to the group H in Thy25+H and Thy50+H groups (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). The effect of inhibiting DPPH free radicals was increased significantly in Thy25+H and Thy50+H groups compared to the group H (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively).
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that thymol as an antioxidant causes cardioprotective effects and as well as prevents left ventricular hypertrophy via augmentation of serum antioxidant capacity.
Abbas Saremi, Ali Akbar Farahani, Nader Shavandi,
Volume 20, Issue 6 (9-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Physical exercise is an important and effective part of comprehensive care of seniors, which declines aging progression. Because of the importance of physical activity in cardiovascular diseases prevention this study intends to investigate the comparision of structural and functional characterictics of the heart between middle- aged montaineer men and non-athlete peers.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive–analytical study, 13 middle- aged montaineer (age: 54.5±2.0 y, body mass index: 25.59±2.4 kg/m2) who have continues mountain activities during previous 24 months for at least 2 sessions per week, each session lasted 120 minute, and 14 sedentary, healthy peers (age: 54.1±2.2 y, body mass index: 26.8±2.3 kg/m2) who were not currently experiencing any regular physical activity (at least 6 months), were selected. All subjects underwent standard two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography at rest. Cardio respiratory fitness was assessed using Bruce test. T test was used to compare groups with α=0.05.
Results: The results showed that mountain activities significantly increased left ventricular mass (p=0.03) and left-ventricular-end-diastolic-diameter (p=0.04). We also observed that systolic blood pressure (p=0.04), ejection fraction (p=0.05), stroke volume (p=0.03) and cardio respiratory fitness (p=0.03) were significantly improved by mountain climbing. In some of parameters such as shortening fraction, interventicular septum and left ventricular posterior wall there were no significant differences between groups (p>0.05).
Conclusion: These results suggest that regular mountain sports activities can have beneficial effects on structural and functional characterictics of the heart in middle-aged men.
Seyyed Payam Shariatpanahi, Danial Habibi, Mohammad Rafiei, Yazdan Ghandi, Mehdi Anvari,
Volume 20, Issue 12 (3-2018)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Today, the high prevalence of diabetes and its complications are one of the most important public health issues worldwide. For this reason, finding relations between diabetes risk factors is very effective in preventing and reducing complications. For discovering these relations, the data mining methods can be used. By extracting association rules, which is one of the data mining techniques, we can discover the relations between a large numbers of variables in a disease.
Materials and Methods: The population of this study was 1046 patients with type 2 diabetes, whose data had recorded between 2011 and 2014 at the Special Clinic for Diabetes in Tehran's Imam Khomeini Hospital. After pre-processing step with SPSS19 software, 573 people entered the analysis phase. The FP-Growth algorithm was applied to the data set to discover the relations between heart attack and other risk factors using Rapid miner5 software. Relations, after extraction, were given to the doctor to confirm clinical validation.
Results: The obtained results of studying these 573 people (Including 292 (51%) women and 281 (49%) men, with age range 27 to 82 years) showed that the lack of blood pressure, creatinine and diastolic blood pressure at its normal level, despite higher systolic blood pressure level than normal, doesn't increase the probability of heart attack.
Conclusion: Using association rules is a good way of identifying relations between the risk factors of a disease. Also, it can provide new hypotheses to do epidemiological studies for researchers.
Saeed Esmaeili, Vazgen Minasian, Mohammad Bayat, Hadi Karami,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (6-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetes is one of the effective and inhibiting factors in controlling blood glucose and vascular disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its type 1 receptor in cardiac tissue of type 2 diabetic rats following three different training methods.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 60 rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups: healthy control, diabetic control, and diabetic groups with endurance, resistance, and combined exercise training. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and exercises were performed 5 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Evaluation of the levels of gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor 1 was performed by RT-qPCR.
Findings: The results showed a significant reduction in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in diabetic control, endurance training and resistance training groups, as well as a significant increase in expression of its receptor in diabetic control group and all training groups compared to healthy control group (p <0.001). Comparisons with the diabetic control group showed that in all training groups, the vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression increased, but in the its receptor 1 it was significantly decreased (p <0.001).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that different training exercises are effective in improving angiogenesis, but combined exercises have a certain superiority compared to other exercises.
Ehsan Salehi, Ebrahim Hagizadeh, Mohammad Alidoosti,
Volume 21, Issue 4 (8-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Advances in the field of medicine over the past few decades enabled the identification of risk factors that may contribute toward the development of coronary artery disease (CHD). However, this knowledge has not yet helped in the significant reduction of CHD incidence. The purpose of this study is to assess the risk factors of coronary artery heart events, after receiving stent, by competing risks with composite events tree. We can reduce CHD incidence with control of this risk factors.
Materials and Methods: This sectional study includes the Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients that received Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) cure with at least planting one stent from May 21, 2007 to May 22, 2009 in Tehran heart center. We followed patients for three years. Revascularization, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and cardiac death are considered as major acute cardiovascular events (outcome). We used decision tree with competing risks with composite events model for classification of patients. The data were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics 24 and R 3.3.3 softwares.
Findings: Four factors including fasting blood sugar, diabetes mellitus, body mass index and age established six homogeneous subgroups of patients for nonfatal myocardial infarction and revascularization. Maximum Revascularization incidence after 50 months was 17.8% and Maximum Nonfatal myocardial infarction was 9.7%.
Conclusion: CAD patients can reduce serious cardiac events by controling their weight and diabetes status, after receiving stent.
Mohammad Malekipoya, Bahram Abedi, Mohammad Reza Palizvan, Abbas Saremi,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (8-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Extensive prevalence of myocardial infraction, and an increase of 36% in total deaths due to it by 2020, and attention to the causes and methods of alternative therapy is very important. There are different ways in treating these patients that endurance training is one of them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of incremental endurance training on serum levels of TSP-1 and MMP-1 in male Wistar rats with myocardial infarction.
Materials and Methods: In this controled experimental study with control group, 20 rats weighing 230 ±30 g (8-week-old) were randomly divided into incremental endurance training and control, after induction of infarction with Isoproteronol (150 mg/kg). The training group performed an 8-week training session (3 sessions a week, for 20 to 50 minutes at 12 to 18 meters per minute).Then, 24 hours later, the venous blood sample was collected to evaluate serum concentrations of TSP-1 and MMP-1 and transferred to the laboratory. Independent t-test was used to analyze the data at a significant level of p <0.05 to Graphed Pad software.
Ethical Considerations: This study with research ethics code IR.IAU.ARAK.REC.1397.007 was approved in Research Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Arak branch, Iran.
Findings: The results showed that endurance training significantly increased serum MMP1 levels (p = 0.048) in rats with myocardial infraction, while there was no significant effect (p = 0.092) on the exercise program in serum TSP-1 levels.
Conclusion: the result of this study suggests that increasing endurance training may increase MMP-1 in rats with myocardial infraction, which can play an important role in angiogenesis and replacement of capillaries.
Azar Hamidi, Amir Rashidlamir, Rambod Khajei, Mehdi Zarei, Ahmad Zendedel,
Volume 23, Issue 3 (8-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Coronary Heart Disease (CAD) is one of the most important causes of mortality. Exercise activities after coronary artery bypass surgery increase the density of myocardial capillaries called angiogenesis and improve cardiovascular function. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of aerobic-resistance training on plasma basic fibroblast grown factor levels in post-coronary artery bypass grafting patients.
Methods & Materials: The sample consisted of 30 men aged 45-60 years who underwent bypass surgery. They were randomly divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group performed aerobic resistance training for eight weeks (3 sessions per week) and the control group did not. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before the start of the first training session and 48 hours after the last training session while all subjects were fasting. In vitro ELISA method was used to measure BFGF. Independent and paired t-test and Shapiro-Wilk test were used to analyze the data at the significant level of 0.05 in SPSS v. 21.
Ethical Considerations: This study was registered (Ethics Code: IR.IAU.NEYSHABUR.REC.1398.01) in the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Neishabour Branch, and with Clinical Trial Code: IRCTID:IRCT20191228045919N1.
Results: Eight weeks of aerobic-resistance training significantly increased bFGF levels in the exercise group compared to the control group (P=0.002). Also, pre and post changes in the experimental group showed a significant increase in plasma bFGF levels (P=0.002), which was not significant in the control group (P=0.758).
Conclusion: According to the results, it may be concluded that combined (aerobic resistance) exercise may increase angiogenesis and capillary density in post-CABG patients by increasing plasma bFGF levels
Seyed Hadi Seyedi, Rambod Khajei, Amir Rashid Lamir, Mohammad Reza Ramazan Poor, Jamshid Mehrzad,
Volume 23, Issue 4 (9-2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death and mortality in today's societies. Physical activity increases some of the influential factors for this disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic and resistance training on endostatin in patients with Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).
Methods & Materials: The study participants were 24 male patients who were randomly divided into the experimental (n=12) and control (n=12) groups with Mean±SD age of 55.37±6.90 years, weight 75.45±5.87 kg, height 173.27±3.36 cm and body mass index of 25.11±1.55 kg/m2. The experimental group performed 8 weeks of aerobic and resistance training (3 sessions per week and 1.5 hours per session) based on the measurements, while the control group did not exercise during this period. To measure endostatin concentrations, blood samples were taken 48 hours before and 48 hours after the last training session while all subjects were fasting. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test to normalize the data and Student t-test in independent and correlated groups at the significant level of 0.05.
Ethical Considerations: This article was ethically approved by Azad University of Neyshabur (Ethics Code IR.IAU.NEYSHABUR.REC.1398.018) and with the Clinical Trial Code IRCT20191228045916N1 in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.
Results: The present study showed that the aerobic and resistance training group significantly decreased endostatin concentrations (P=0.001) (t=1.672) compared with the control group.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, aerobic and resistance training decreases endostatin concentrations, known as an anti-angiogenic factor.
Majid Mehrad, Majid Nojavan, Sedigh Raissi, Mehrdad Javadi,
Volume 25, Issue 2 (5-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim Most heart diseases show symptoms on ECG, but diagnosing heart disease with ECG requires the knowledge and experience of medical specialized. Because these specialists may not always be available, it is necessary to design tools to diagnose heart disease in these situations. In this paper, a two-stage approach based on artificial neural networks is designed to diagnose heart disease using ECG information.In this study, we aim to propose a two-stage approach using artificial neural network (ANN) to diagnose heart disease based ECG data.
Methods & Materials To design the proposed approach, first the ECG data of 861 patients referred to medical centers in Arak, Iran were collected. The data were examined based on the opinions of specialists. Then, 154 features from ECG were used as inputs to the proposed model. In the first stage, an ANN was used to detect the ECG status (usable and unusable). In the second stage, using the usable ECG data, an ANN was used to diagnose the presence or absence of heart disease. Finally, the performance of the two-stage approach was evaluated and its accuracy and precision in determining the ECG quality and heart disease diagnosis were determined.
Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the ethics committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1400.138).
Results In the proposed approach, the ANN used for the determining the ECG status had a precision of 97.1% and an accuracy of 97.3%. The ANN used for the diagnosis of heart disease had a precision of 95.8% and an accuracy of 95.4%.
Conclusion Considering the high efficiency of the proposed approach in determining of ECG status and diagnosing heart disease, it is possible to use this approach to help the treatment staff.
Ali Khazaee, Mohammad Ali Sepahvandi, Fazlolah Mirdarikvand,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (10-2024)
Abstract
Introduction: The main consequence of heart failure is a decline in patients' functional abilities, leading to limitations in occupational and social-family tasks, as well as impairments in cognitive and emotional health, ultimately resulting in a reduced quality of life. This research was conducted to assess the effectiveness of emotion regulation training in improving the quality of life and life expectancy of cardiovascular patients referred to health centers in Khorram Abad City.
Methods: The current research used a semi-experimental design of pre-test-post-test type and three-month follow-up with experimental and control groups. The statistical population of the research included all patients with cardiovascular diseases referred to the health centers of Khorram Abad City in 2023. Among the statistical population, 40 people were selected by direct sampling and randomly divided into two experimental (20 people) and control (20 people) groups. The experimental group was trained in emotion regulation during eight 90-minute sessions for 8 weeks. Both groups completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHO-QOL-BREF) and Schneider et al.'s (1991) Life Expectancy Questionnaire in the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. The multivariate covariance analysis method and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to analyze the results.
Results: The results showed that emotional regulation training is efficacious in improving the quality of life and life expectancy of cardiovascular patients (P < 0.01), and this effect remained stable in the three-month follow-up phase (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: Emotion regulation training is recommended to enhance cardiovascular patients' quality of life and life expectancy.
Azam Mivefroshan, Roghaiyeh Afsargharehbagh,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (10-2024)
Abstract
Introduction: Hyperlipidemia, a chronic metabolic disorder marked by elevated blood lipid levels, significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. While pharmacological interventions exist, factors such as medication side effects, cost considerations, and a growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine have stimulated research into the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants in managing hyperlipidemia. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of these botanical agents in reducing blood lipid levels.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across reputable databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and other relevant online platforms. Keywords such as "hyperlipidemia," "herbal medicine," "traditional medicine," "herbal extract," and "herbal therapy" were employed to identify studies published up to 2024. Inclusion criteria were established to select studies that reported the impact of medicinal plants on lipid profile modifications.
Results: Based on the results, the study revealed that various medicinal plants, including Thymus vulgaris, Apium graveolens, Cichorium intybus, Fumaria officinalis, Heracleum rawianum, Anthemis altissima, Gundelia tourneforttii, Cynodon dactylon, Anthriscus sylvestrianum, Solanum nigrum, Arum elongatum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Berberis vulgaris, Rheum ribes, and Mentha spicata, are commonly used in traditional medicine to address hyperlipidemia.
Conclusions: The use of indigenous Iranian medicinal plants for managing hyperlipidemia is deeply rooted in the country’s ancient history and has been increasingly validated by contemporary scientific research. These natural compounds can help lower blood lipid levels by inhibiting fat absorption and boosting lipid metabolism. The growing interest in traditional medicine and medicinal plants can be attributed to their inherent advantages, such as a lower incidence of side effects compared to synthetic drugs. Ongoing scientific research in this field offers promising avenues for developing innovative and effective herbal-based therapies
Mohammad Javad Gouran, Soodeh Hooshmandi, Sajjad Rahimi Pordanjani,
Volume 28, Issue 3 (8-2025)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Echogenic Intracardiac Foci (EIF) are non-structural markers identified during the routine 18-20-week fetal anomaly ultrasound scan yet their maternal and neonatal risk factors is unclear. At present, there are few data on the effect of hypothyroidism on fetal cardiovascular structure and function. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of maternal hypothyroidism in women with fetal echogenic foci.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study which carried out from September 2022 to September 2023, 100 clinical records of pregnant women who referred to the Amir-Al-Momenin Hospital and their fetal echogenic foci were diagnosed and confirmed using echocardiography, were assessed. Demographic characteristics, including maternal age, gestational age, underlying disease, and also fetal gender, were recorded. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS software version 24.
Results: The mean ± SD of maternal age and gestational age were 34 ± 41.55 and 21.4 ± 3.65 years, as well as delivery frequency was 2.36 ± 1.41. Seven (7%) pregnant women have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Five (5%) pregnant women had a history of blood hypertension, 2 (2%) cases suffered from systemic lupus erythromatose, 1 (1%) had a history of epilepsy, while the rest (92%) had no history of any underlying disease. Totally, 54 (53.5%) of fetus were male. A significant association was found between maternal hypothyroidism and fetal EIF (P= 0.00). Further significant association was also found between maternal hypothyroidism and underlying disease and fetal gender (P= 0.00). However, there was no statistically significant association between maternal hypothyroidism with mothers age and gestaional age (P= 0.761 and 0.916, respectively). Fetal EIF was also significantly associated with maternal underlying disease and fetal gender (P= 0.00).
Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of hypothyroidism in pregnant women with fetal EIF. Moreover, maternal hypothyroidism and fetal EIF were also associated with underlying disease and fetal gender. Further investigation is warranted to develop strategies to optimize the outcome of these fetuses.
