Comparison of the Postprocedural Quality of Life between Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review.

The treatment of choice between coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has remained unclear. Considering quality of life (QOL) increases life expectancy, we believe QOL should be important in determining the optimum treatment. Thus the objective of this review was to illustrate the comparative effects of CABG and PCI on postprocedural QOL.

Comparison of the Quality of Life after Skeletonized versus Pedicled Grafts in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

It remains a controversial issue whether internal thoracic artery (ITA) should be dissected in skeletonized or pedicled manner during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The main objective of this cohort study was to compare skeletonized versus pedicled grafts on the basis of patients' perceptions of their physical and mental well-being. Isolated nonemergent CABG patients were divided into two groups according to the type of graft used; skeletonized or pedicled.

Predictors of Mortality in Patients Undergoing Mitral Valve Replacement.

Objective: Although mitral valve replacement is frequently performed in patients of all age groups, there are few studies available which determine the causes of operative mortality in mitral valve replacement especially in our region. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify factors that are significantly associated with operative mortality in mitral valve replacement.

Methods: From August 2012 to March 2013, 80 consecutive patients undergoing mitral valve replacement in a single tertiary hospital were included.

Incidence of Pinhole Type Durotomy and Subsequent Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage Following Simple Laminectomy.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and the associated risk factors of pinhole type of durotomy and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage following a simple laminectomy for spinal stenosis.

Overview Of Literature: The incidence of spinal stenosis is expected to rise with increasing life expectancy.

Variation in admission rates of acute coronary syndrome patients in coronary care unit according to different seasons.

Objective: Environmental stresses, especially extreme cold and hot weathers, have tendency to have more admissions for acute coronary syndromes. Due to scarcity of local data, we studied the variation in patient admission rates with acute coronary syndrome according to different seasons.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Delayed Cauda Equina syndrome due to a migratory bullet.

A 35 years old man presented with Cauda Equina syndrome caused by a bullet migrating down the spinal canal. The patient initially showed no neurological deficits after the gunshot injury but after 15 months he presented again with urinary and fecal incontinence. Lumbo-sacral X-ray showed a bullet at the level of L5-S1 so he was operated under fluoroscopic guidance.

Post angioplasty coronary artery bypass grafting in patient with myasthenia gravis.

A 62 years old patient developed myasthenia gravis 2 years after his percutaneous coronary intervention. He was advised thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. During his cardiological evaluation, he was incidentally diagnosed to have 3 vessel disease.

Using skeletonised grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery relieves angina symptoms and reduces mortality among ischaemic heart disease patients. It remains the gold standard for the treatment of multi-vessel and left main coronary artery disease. It is a well-known fact that internal mammary artery conduits have excellent and long-lasting patency when used for coronary artery bypass grafting.

Predictors of the size of prosthetic aortic valve and in-hospital mortality in aortic valve replacement.

Purpose: We hypothesized that gender, age, aortic root dimension, blood group and Left Ventricular End Diastolic and Systolic Diameters may have a significant correlation with the size of mechanical valve used.

Methods: We included 48 patients retrospectively who had been operated at a single tertiary hospital. All patients with aortic stenosis or regurgitation were included in the study.

Risk assessment for obstructive sleep apnea and anxiety in a Pakistani population with coronary artery disease.

Purpose: Previous studies in the western world have reported the possible association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with anxiety and cardiovascular diseases. However, the data from developing countries such as Pakistan remains scarce in this regard. The main aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients who are at high risk of OSA and to determine the association between the risk of OSA and levels of anxiety.

The frequency of smoking and common factors leading to continuation of smoking among health care providers in tertiary care hospitals of Karachi.

Background: The primary objective of the study was to find out the frequency of tobacco smoking among health care providers in tertiary care hospitals of Karachi. The secondary objective was to identify the common factors responsible for the continuation of smoking.

Method: This cross sectional study was conducted in the wards and out-patient departments of three selected tertiary hospitals of Karachi.

On pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery versus off pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a review.

There are two basic ways of performing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG): on pump CABG and off pump CABG. Off pump CABG is relatively a newer procedure to on-pump CABG and does not require the use of the cardiopulmonary bypass machine. On pump CABG is the more traditional method of performing bypass surgery.

Betel nut usage is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease.

Aim: The objective of our study was to assess betel nut usage as one of the major risk factors associated with coronary artery disease.

Methods: This case control study consisted of 300 controls and 300 cases. A structured questionnaire was administered to the participants to assess consumption of betel nut and confounding variables.

Knowledge and practices of barbers regarding HIV transmission in Karachi: a cross-sectional study.

A barber shop is a potential place for non-sexual transmission of deadly blood borne diseases such as acquired immuno-deficient syndrome. Few researches have been conducted to assess the knowledge of barbers regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in Pakistan. With majority of the population visiting roadside saloons, it is imperative to have local data in this regard.

Frequency and predictors of non-compliance to dietary recommendations among hypertensive patients.

Compliance to dietary recommendations among hypertensive people is a major health care issue. Non-compliance can nullify the effects of even the most scientific and optimum treatment plan. The main aim of this study was to determine the frequency and predictors of non-adherence in our region.

Successful surgery of massive thoracic injury in a girl following chest trauma.

Patients with penetrating thoracic injuries should be managed appropriately and rapidly under the supervision of multi-disciplinary team. We present a case of a 9-year-old female student who survived a major road traffic accident (RTA), a leading contributor to accidental deaths in Pakistan. The girl was hit by a public transport bus impaled by a metallic rod through the right axilla, and subsequently dragged for a distance, resulting in avulsion of a broad front of the mid-anterior and left precordial part of the chest wall.

Comparison of knowledge, attitude and practices of betelnut users in two socio-economic areas of Karachi.

Objective: To gain an insight on the knowledge, attitude and practices of those who chew betel nut in two different socioeconomic regions of Karachi.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Saddar and Defence areas of Karachi over a five-week period in March-April 2012. Individual interviews following verbal consent were conducted using a pre-coded questionnaire, which was divided into 3 sections to analyse the knowledge, attitude and practices of the chewers.

Frequency of generalised anxiety disorder and associated factors in an urban settlement of Karachi.

Objective: The study was undertaken to find the frequency of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) along with associated factors in an urban settlement of Karachi.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Defence Housing Authority (DHA), a posh area of Karachi. The sample population consisted of residents of ages between 18 and 65.