Anticoagulation Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 : A Systematic Review and Prospective Meta-analysis.

Background: Reported results of clinical trials assessing higher-dose anticoagulation in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 have been inconsistent.

Purpose: To estimate the association of higher- versus lower-dose anticoagulation with clinical outcomes.

Data Sources: Randomized trials were identified from the World Health Organization's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.

Possible effects of melatonin on reperfusion injury following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: Although coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has been reported to be one of the most effective internentions in terms of myocardial salvage, reperfusion itself can cause additional damage to the myocardium. Since there is strong evidence that free radicals are the principal offender in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, it has been suggested that treatment with antioxidant agents can be protective. Investigations have shown that melatonin secretion is partially disturbed in CABG patients.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors: A comprehensive review from cells to bedside.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (SGLT2is) are oral medications approved for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Interestingly, during recent years, they have been promisingly considered as new medications for cardiovascular and kidney diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying these new benefits are not fully understood.

The No-reflow Phenomenon: Is it Predictable by Demographic factors and Routine Laboratory Data?

Background: The coronary no-reflow phenomenon is an adverse complication of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) which significantly worsens the outcome and survival. In this study, we have evaluated the correlation of no-reflow phenomenon with demographic, biochemical and anatomical factors.

Methods: We included 306 patients (193 male) with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who undergone primary PCI in our center.

Efficacy and Safety of the Fixed-Dose Versus Variable-Dose of 4-PCC for Vitamin K Antagonist Reversal: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The optimal dosing strategy of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) for vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) reversal is unknown.

Methods: We conducted systematic search on the PubMed, SCOPUS, and Embase databases from inception to December 2020 for clinical studies that compared the fixed-dose versus variable-dose of 4-PCC for VKAs reversal with at least one reported clinical outcome. The treatment effects were expressed as relative ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled by a random-effects model.

S2P peptide-conjugated PLGA-Maleimide-PEG nanoparticles containing Imatinib for targeting drug delivery to atherosclerotic plaques.

Background: Imatinib is a platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) inhibitor with very low water solubility. Previous studies in atherosclerosis have shown that PDGFR activity has an egregious effect on vascular disease and progression of atherosclerosis. Specific ligands of atherosclerotic plaques can be used for targeting of nanoparticles.

Relationship between Vitamin D Levels and the Incidence of Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Atrial Fibrillation.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is probably a consequence of inflammation. Vitamin D is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin D levels on the incidence of POAF.

Two-year Follow-up of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Early Invasive Strategy: Predictors of Normal or Near-Normal Coronary Angiography and Mortality.

Background: Predictors of normal or near-normal coronary angiography (NONCAG) in patients with unstable angina/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) and their importance regarding the prognosis are not understood. Accordingly, we determined these predictors as well as mortality risk factors at 2-year follow-up of UA/NSTEMI patients managed by the early invasive strategy.

Methods: We prospectively studied consecutive patients with UA/NSTEMI managed with the early invasive strategy at Tehran Heart Center, in 1-year period.

Protection from Reperfusion Injury with Intracoronary N-Acetylcysteine in Patients with STEMI Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a Cardiac Tertiary Center.

Background: Evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays a principal role in myocardial damage following ischemia/reperfusion events. Recent studies have shown that the antioxidant properties of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may have cardioprotective effects in high doses, but-to the best of our knowledge-few studies have assessed this.

Objectives: Our objective was to investigate the impact of high-dose NAC on ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Effect of memantine on post-operative cognitive dysfunction after cardiac surgeries: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is an important complication of cardiac surgeries. Glutamate plays a critical role in physiologic and pathologic conditions in the brain. Due to the role of glutamate in ischemia, this study is designed to identify the effect of memantine in prevention of POCD early and late after cardiac surgeries.

Effect of High-Dose Allopurinol Pretreatment on Cardiac Biomarkers of Patients Undergoing Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species contributes to pathophysiologic states such as endothelial dysfunction, metabolic and functional impairment, inflammatory activation, and other features of cardiovascular pathophysiology. Allopurinol acts as a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that reduces the amount of free radicals after reactive oxygen species generation.

Methods And Results: In this placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, all patients admitted with coronary artery disease who are candidates for elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included.

Nephroprotective Effects of L-Carnitine against Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Open-Labeled Clinical Trial.

L-carnitine may prevent the incidence of AKI by its antioxidant effects and improving circulation in ischemic conditions. The goal of this trial was to evaluate the impact of L-carnitine on contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing elective PCI. Totally, the patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups.

The Role of N-Acetylcysteine in Platelet Aggregation and Reperfusion Injury in Recent Years.

Background: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an amino acid that contains a cysteine group and is currently used widely in various fields of medical research especially in cardiology. In this review, potential benefits of NAC in the aggregation of platelet and reperfusion injury are evaluated.

Methods: The available evidence was collected by searching Scopus, Pub-Med, Medline, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, and Cochrane database systematic reviews.

Preventive effect of l-carnitine and its derivatives on endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggregation.

Background And Aim: Oxidative stress plays an important role in platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction. Exogenous and endogenous reactive oxygen species are associated with platelet activation and vascular dysfunction. Antioxidants have been shown to attenuate oxidative stress and consequently endothelial dysfunction by preventing inflammation, regulating vascular tone, and promoting antiadhesive and antithrombotic properties.

Evaluating the Potential Effect of Melatonin on the post-Cardiac Surgery Sleep Disorder.

Background: Postoperative neurological injuries, including cognitive dysfunction, sleep disorder, delirium, and anxiety, are the important consequences of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Evidence has shown that postoperative sleep disturbance is partly due to disturbed melatonin secretion in the perioperative period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin on postoperative sleep disorder in patients undergoing CABG.

Efficacy of colchicine versus placebo for the treatment of pericardial effusion after open-heart surgery: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Pericardial effusion (PE), a common complication after open-heart surgery, accounts for 50% to 85% of patients. Although reversible in most of the cases, it could be life threatening in the occurrence of tamponade in large effusions. We aimed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of colchicine on PE after open-heart surgery.

Effect of Melatonin on Cardiac Injury after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Several studies have reported that the antioxidant properties of melatonin can provide cardiac protection through scavenging of free radicals. This study sought to investigate the efficacy of melatonin on cardiac biomarkers, myocardial-specific protein high sensitive troponin-T (hs-TnT) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). In this randomized clinical trial, a total of 40 patients with STEMI planned to undergo pPCI were randomly assigned to two groups of receiving melatonin plus standard treatment [n=20] and control group, receiving only standard therapy [n=20].

Evaluating the Effect of Intracoronary N-Acetylcysteine on Platelet Activation Markers After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

During percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), trauma occurs in the arterial endothelium, resulting in platelet activation and aggregation. As platelet aggregation may lead to coronary thrombosis, antiplatelet agents are essential adjunctive therapies in patients undergoing PCI. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the intracoronary administration of high-dose N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for the evaluation of its antiplatelet effects in human subjects.

Association between Perioperative Parameters and Cognitive Impairment in Post-Cardiac Surgery Patients.

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) has been an important complication of cardiac surgery over the years. Neurocognitive dysfunction can affect quality of life and lead to social, functional, emotional, and financial problems in the patient's life. To reduce POCD, we sought to identify the association between cognitive dysfunction and perioperative factors in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.