Studying the efficacy of insulin sliding scale: Clinical pharmacy approach.

Unlabelled: Over more than 40 years, many clinical studies are questioning the efficacy of Insulin Sliding Scale (ISS) in controlling blood sugar levels in hospitalized diabetic patients. Its efficacy remains suboptimal and many treatment guidelines recommending its discontinuation. No studies were conducted to explore the impact of clinical pharmacy services in this area.

Safety of returning patients immediately to their originating hospitals after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the immediate return of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to their originating hospitals after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Methods: This was a prospective study, conducted between January 2014 and December 2017. All patients with STEMI who were transferred for PPCI and returned back to their referring hospitals (RB group) were included and compared to the onsite STEMI population (OS group).

Effect of Low-dose ColchiciNe on the InciDence of Atrial Fibrillation in Open Heart Surgery Patients: END-AF Low Dose Trial.

Background: Studies using 1 mg of colchicine to prevent postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) reported conflicting results. Moreover, colchicine was associated with significant gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. This study examined whether low-dose colchicine effectively prevents POAF and whether low-dose therapy is associated with lower rates of colchicine-induced GI side effects.

The first survey of the Saudi Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry Program: Main results and long-term outcomes (STARS-1 Program).

Background: Prior acute coronary syndrome (ACS) registries in Saudi Arabia might not have accurately described the true demographics and cardiac care of patients with ACS. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of a representative sample of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: We conducted a 1-month snap-shot, prospective, multi-center registry study in 50 hospitals from various health care sectors in Saudi Arabia.

Correlates of memory loss and depression among myocardial infarction patients in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

Background: After myocardial infarction (MI), patients have an elevated risk for depression, which has a negative impact on morbidity and mortality for patients. As depression and memory function are associated, we examined them in the context of one another. Our objectives were to determine the proportion of patients with either depression only, memory loss only, or both depression and memory loss and to examine the correlates with each outcome.

Effects of Ramadan fasting on the symptoms of chronic heart failure.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on the symptoms of chronic heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Globally, more than one billion Muslims fast during Ramadan. Data regarding the effect of fasting in heart failure patients with a reduced ejection fraction are limited.

The Role of Computed Tomographic Angiography in Predicting Left Anterior Descending Artery Graftability When Catheter Angiography is Inconclusive.

Purpose: Graftability of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) has important prognostic value for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. However, with a chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the LAD, invasive coronary angiography (ICA) may be insufficient to determine its graftability. We evaluated the role of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in the assessment of CTO and LAD graftability when the distal vessel segment was incompletely visualized by ICA.

Impact of Cytochrome P450 2C19*2 and *3 on Clopidogrel Loading Dose in Saudi Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Emerging evidence shows that clopidogrel is greatly affected by nonfunctioning alleles measured by P2Y12 or platelet reactivity units (PRU). Cardiac events during short in-hospital stays have been inconclusively suggested as the main causes of discrepancies.

Objectives: Evaluate the impact of CYP2C19 allele *2 and allele *3 on PRU and the potential clinical consequences of such interaction.

Efficacy of antimicrobial pullulan-based coating to improve internal quality and shelf-life of chicken eggs during storage.

There has been a growing interest in the use of natural materials as a delivery mechanism for antimicrobials and coatings in foods. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pullulan coatings to improve internal quality and shelf-life of fresh eggs during 10 wk of storage at 25 and 4 °C. Three treatments of eggs were evaluated as follows; non-coated (control; C), coated with pullulan (P), and coated with pullulan containing nisin (N).

Assessment of steady-state clopidogrel reactivity by using platelet reactivity units.

Platelet function testing is an important laboratory measure in clopidogrel treatment. We sought to investigate the stability of the reactivity of clopidogrel after 1 month of treatment. A prospective analysis was carried out using a matched study design to compare platelet reactivity units (PRUs) and platelet inhibition in clopidogrel-treated patients.

Incorporation of essential oils and nanoparticles in pullulan films to control foodborne pathogens on meat and poultry products.

The incorporation of essential oils and nanotechnology into edible films has the potential to improve the microbiological safety of foods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pullulan films containing essential oils and nanoparticles against 4 foodborne pathogens. Initial experiments using plate overlay assays demonstrated that 2% oregano essential oil was active against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium, whereas Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were not inhibited.

Coronary artery bypass grafting for Takayasu arteritis with severe coronary, carotid, subclavian, and renal artery involvement and subsequent pregnancy.

Takayasu arteritis is a rare idiopathic large-vessel vasculitis that involves the aorta and its major branches. It affects young women in their child-bearing period. We present a case of a 32-year-old lady with a history of remittent fever.