Journal of Vessels and Circulation
Volume:1 Issue: 1, Winter 2020

Pulmonary side effects are one of the most prevalent and critical sequels following open-heart surgery. A preventive measure for pulmonary side effects after open-heart surgery is to apply continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks. However, studies regarding the usage of these masks have demonstrated contradictory results. Therefore, the present investigation aimed to evaluate the influence of CPAP masks on reducing pulmonary side effects following open-heart surgery. 

This clinical trial was performed on 72 subjects selected through the continuous sampling method out of the patients with open-heart surgery and assigned to two groups of 36 in 2015 in Kashan, Iran. The participants in the test group went under CPAP with 5 cmH2O pressure immediately post-extubation for five times of 30 min with the intervals of 8 h (a total of 150 min during 40 h). On the other hand, the subjects of the control group only received the routine care of the department. Pulmonary sequels, including pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and atelectasis, in addition to some other variables, namely PO2, PCO2, oxygen saturation (O2 Sat), and respiratory rate (RR) were assessed. All the data were analyzed by the Chi-square test and independent t-test.           

Our findings demonstrated that CPAP application can significantly diminish the occurrence of atelectasis and pleural effusion after open-heart surgery (P<0.05). Moreover, the results revealed that CPAP mask usage leads to a significant reduction in RR and arterial PCO2, while elevates PO2 and O2 Sat significantly (P<0.05).

Results of the current study showed that the non-invasive application of CPAP mask immediately post-extubation in patients who undergo open-heart surgery can effectively improve pulmonary function and decrease the incidence of pulmonary side effects, such as atelectasis.

There are contradictory data regarding the changes of corrected QT interval (QTc) in seizure. Regarding this, the present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of long QT syndrome (LQTS) in seizure patients without underlying cause in Hazrat-e Masoumeh Hospital, Qom, Iran. 

The present cross-sectional study was conducted on seizure patients without any underlying causes. The data were collected using a questionnaire covering such variables as age, gender, and history of seizure and syncope. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained from the patients in the first 2 h after the occurrence of seizure. Moreover, the distance from the beginning of the Q wave to the end of the T wave in the lead limb II was measured by the researcher. Finally, the collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22).          

The participants consisted of 67 males (55.8%) and 53 females (44.2%) with the mean age of 6.7±2.1 years. Long QT was observed in five patients. The gender of the participants had no significant relationship with the type of seizure and family history of syncope, sudden death, heart disease, and seizure (P≥0.05). The mean QT intervals in the males and females were 0.40±0.24 and 0.40±0.23 sec, respectively. Therefore, no significant difference was observed between male and female patients in this regard (P≥0.05).

Based on the results, LQTS in seizure patients without underlying causes was found in only five patients. However, in special cases, such as a family history of QTc disorders, history of suspected faint, and resistant or status epilepticus, the implementation of ECGs can be helpful for children.

Sexual activity is a multi-faceted construct that is influenced by multiple variables, including individual, social, and psychological factors. Sex education can facilitate the reduction of disease complications, especially in patients suffering from ischemic heart disease. Regarding this, the present research aimed at examining the impact of a self-care education program on sexual function in ischemic heart disease patients.

The present semi-experimental research was conducted on 60 patients afflicted with ischemic heart disease, in the Vali Asr Hospital in Qom, Iran, in 2017. The study population was assigned into two groups of control and intervention by the simple random sampling technique. The patients were subjected to self-care education via CDs. the data were collected by means of the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, as well as demographic and clinical form. The two research groups filled out the questionnaires prior to and a minimum of one month following the training. Data analysis was performed by Wilcoxon test, central tendency, and Mann-Whitney U test.

According to the results, the patients in the intervention and control groups had the mean ages of 58.1±5.8 and 57.66±4.5, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the sexual function of the intervention group after the educational intervention, compared to that before the intervention (P<0.05). However, no such difference was observed in the control group between the two study stages (P>0.05).

As the findings indicated, sexual training programs could result in the improvement of sexual function in patients suffering from ischemic heart disease. Accordingly, nurses are recommended to consider such educational interventions for patients with this heart condition.

Venous Thrombo Embolism (VTE) refers to the formation of clots in blood vessels. The current study aimed to investigate deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by imaging modalities.

In this review study, national databases, including Magiran, SID, IranMedex, as well as international ones, namely databases including PubMed, Google scholar, Scopus, and ISI, were searched for related books and articles.  The keywords included thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, imaging, and thrombosis detection.  

In patients with suspected primary or recurrent deep vein thrombosis, CT venography (CTV) and Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV) are rarely used on suspicion of iliac vein thrombosis or inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis in ultrasound. These examinations have relatively poor reliability, cause adverse side effects of radiation and contrast materials, and are undoubtedly more costly.

As evidenced by the obtained results, different methods are available for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis. Moreover, it was revealed that ultrasound imaging is the most reasonable method for initial examination due to its sensitivity, specificity, costs, and adverse effects.

Marital relationship is a multi-dimensional relationship, which is affected by many factors, such as psychological, individual, and social parameters. Satisfaction with a sexual relationship can cause the strength of the family, as well as both physical and mental health. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between the quality of marital relationships and marital stress in patients with ischemic heart disease.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 300 patients with acute coronary syndrome two months after being admitted to the Cardiac Angiography Unit at Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Qom, Iran, during 2016. The patients were selected using a  convenience sampling method. Moreover, the
data were collected through demographic characteristics form, clinical data questionnaire, as well as marital quality, and Stockholm marital stress scales. The data were then analyzed in SPSS software (version 13) through central indices, Pearson correlation test, and multiple linear regression.

The mean age of the patients was 65.95±5.06 years. Moreover, the mean values of the quality of marital relationships and marital stress were 54.36±9.4 and 3.56±0.05  respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant negative correlation between the quality of marital relationship scores and marital stress scores (r=-0.718). Furthermore, the results of linear regression analysis revealed that there was a significant relationship between the quality of the marital relationship and marital stress after removing the effects of intervening variables (P=0.001, R2=59%).

The results showed that patients with acute coronary syndrome had favorable marital relationships and low levels of marital stress. Moreover, a reduction in marital stress improved the quality of the marital relationship. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses pay attention to education regarding marital stress management in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Neonates of diabetic mothers are more prone to congenital heart diseases than others. These abnormalities are the leading cause of fetal death in diabetic neonates. Therefore, the determination of a screening method and evaluation of its value seems necessary in such neonates. The present study investigated the various types of congenital heart diseases in neonates of diabetic mothers.

The present descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of congenital heart malformations on 200 neonates of diabetic mothers who had referred to the teaching hospitals of Qom, Iran. The designed checklists included the maternal age, gestational age, gender of the infant, occupation of the mother, family history, maternal diabetes, Apgar, respiratory distress, cyanosis, and echocardiographic results.

Based on the findings, echocardiographic results of 82 neonates of diabetic mothers were abnormal. Moreover, it was concluded that the infant weight abnormality, reception of oral medications, overt diabetes, and the decrease of fasting blood glucose had a significant relationship with heart diseases in infants of diabetic mothers. Moreover, the study found that echocardiographic results were abnormal in 49% of neonates of diabetic mothers. Furthermore, 3%, 1.5%, 69.5%, 41%, 0%, and 3.5% of the participants had VSD, ASD, PFO, PDA, MR, and TR.

Based on the results, it was concluded that 9 out of each 10 diabetic neonates have congenital heart anomalies, with PFO being the most common one of them.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are reported to be responsible for about 2% of all malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. They consist of several different tumors, which are emanated from the cells of the diffuse NE cell system. Carcinoids, which are also called carcinoid tumors, constitute the largest group of NE tumors with an incidence rate of about 2.5 per 100,000 people. Carcinoid tumors are distinct tumor subtypes arising from the diffuse endocrine system outside the pancreas and thyroid. This neoplasm originates from different sites, including appendix (30-45%), small bowel (25-35%), duodenum (2%), jejunum (7%), ileum (91%), multiple sites (15-35%), rectum (10-15%), caecum (5%), and stomach (0.5%). Primary jejunal carcinoid tumors are reported to be uncommon. Moreover, carcinoid tumors rarely presented with occult gastrointestinal bleeding.

Case Report:

This report presents a case of metastatic jejunal carcinoid tumor in a 64-year-old male presented with anemia and positive guaiac test without any symptoms of carcinoid syndrome.

Primary jejunal carcinoid tumors are reported to be uncommon. Moreover, carcinoid tumors rarely presented with occult GI bleeding. Here, we report a case of jejunal carcinoid tumor with metastasis to the liver presented with anemia and positive guaiac test without any symptoms of carcinoid syndrome.

Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Social support is one of the effective factors in the prevention and control of this disease. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between the aspects of social support received from the spouse and high blood pressure in patients who referred to healthcare centers in Qom, Iran. 

This cross-sectional study was performed on 280 patients with primary hypertension referred to healthcare centers in Qom. Data collection tools were demographic form, social support survey by Sherburne and Stuart, a checklist for checking and recording systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and a standard sphygmomanometer. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 20) using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multivariate linear regression tests.

According to the results, the social support received from the spouse was good in 82.9% of the patients, while 9.3% and 7.9% of the patients received moderate and low social support from their spouses, respectively. In addition, the results showed that the systolic (P=0.01) and diastolic blood pressures (P=0.003) had a significant relationship with the social support received from the spouse. Moreover, the findings revealed that occupation (P<0.001), gender (P<0.001), and income (P=0.019) had a significant correlation with the received social support (P<0.05).

The results of this study indicated that social support received from the spouse should be considered as an influential component on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertension patients.