Sixteen-Frame Gated Myocardial Perfusion SPECT as a Surrogate for Equilibrium Radionuclide Angiography in Measurement of Systolic and Diastolic Indices: A Cross-Sectional Study.

 Equilibrium radionuclide angiography (ERNA) has long been assumed as the preferred method to assess cardiac volumes as well as left ventricular systolic and diastolic indices. ERNA was used to diagnose subtle changes in cardiac function during chemotherapy or early stages of heart failure. Gated myocardial perfusion SPECT (GMPS) was introduced as a more feasible and versatile alternative to ERNA, but the precision of GMPS to assess systolic and diastolic indices has not yet been fully reviewed.

Echocardiographic Assessment of Recovered Patients with Mild COVID-19 Infection: A Case-Control Study.

Context: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been revealed as a severe illness with a wide-ranging cardiac manifestation and has a worldwide burden on the health-care system.

Aims: Our aim in this study is to assess the impact of mild COVID-19 infection on cardiac function in patients without previous structural heart disease.

Settings And Design: We evaluated 100 outpatients with a history of mild COVID-19 infection without needing hospitalization within 3 weeks to 3 months after recovery from the acute phase of the illness between August 2020 and July 2021.

Evaluation of short and mid-term clinical outcomes in patients with aortic coarctation treated with self-expandable stents.

The present study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of percutaneous treatment of aortic coarctation using self-expandable uncovered Nitinol stents. We conducted a retrospective clinical data review of all patients with aortic coarctation and treated with self-expandable uncovered Nitinol stents at our institution between 2009 and 2019. The gradient pressure across the coarctation site was measured using aortography.

Relationship between New York functional class and duke activity status index with the severity of mitral valve stenosis and echocardiographic parameters: is left atrial strain a better predictor?

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the relationship between symptoms of patients with severe mitral stenosis (MS), evaluated by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) score, and echocardiographic parameters. We evaluated patients with severe rheumatic MS diagnosed as mitral valve area (MVA) less than 1.5 cm.

Novel echocardiographic parameters in pulmonary hypertension assessment and the relationship between echocardiography and 6-minute walking test.

Pulmonary artery stiffness (PAS) has been shown to be related to pulmonary artery pressure in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between functional capacity and echocardiographic indices of PAS in patients with PAH. This cross-sectional study was performed on patients with PAH who were confirmed by right heart catheterization and referred to Imam Reza PAH clinic for routine follow-up between November 2019 and January 2020.

Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings in COVID-19 patients: a cross-sectional study.

There are still many gaps in our knowledge regarding the direct cardiovascular injuries due to COVID-19 infection. In this study, we tried to find out the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cardiac function in patients without any history of structural heart disease by electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluations. This was a cross-sectional study on patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad, Iran between 14 April and 21 September 2020.

Aortic propagation velocity in predicting coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and its outcome, myocardial infarction, is yet a significant etiology of mortality and morbidity nowadays. The aortic propagation velocity (APV) can be a simple, straightforward and novel echocardiographic index for the risk stratification in the evaluation of CAD. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the predictive role of APV in CAD.

Association of polymorphisms of renin angiotensin system and endothelial nitric oxide synthase genes with premature cardiovascular disease in an Iranian population.

Introduction: The study of polymorphisms and their relationship with diseases is very important for risk assessment. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between early risk of coronary artery disease(CAD) with renin-angiotensin(RAS) genes and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) in a sample of the Iranian population.

Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 63 patients with premature CAD and 72 healthy samples were enrolled.

Assessment of functional and structural echocardiography parameters in patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions without structural heart disease.

Background: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are early depolarizations of the myocardium which originate from the ventricle. PVCs have previously been considered a benign condition. The clinical significance of PVCs in patients without structural heart disease is controversial.

Average values for real-time two and three-dimensional echocardiographic parameters of mitral and tricuspid valves in a healthy Iranian population.

Background: The reliability and validity of echocardiography are critical issues. Day and age, defining normal cases necessitates expressing natural physiological differences, including ethnicity.

Objective: We are persuaded to evaluate average values in mitral and tricuspid valves in the Iranian population because only a few studies have been conducted to obtain average measures in echocardiography.

Trans-catheter closure of ASD and abnormal connection of left pulmonary vein to vertical vein: A case report.

Rationale: Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection is a rare congenital anomaly in which one or more pulmonary veins are connected to the venous circulation leading to left to right heart shunt. Although correction of anomalous pulmonary venous connection is achieved through surgery, there are rare instances where the abnormal pulmonary vein has dual connection to both left atrium and the major systemic veins. Under these circumstances, catheter-based treatment might become a feasible option.

Echocardiography Parameters in Behcet's Disease, A Comparative Study.

Objective: Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disease with multiple organ involvements. Although cardiac involvement is not common, it can increase patient morbidity and mortality and decrease life quality. In the present study, echocardiographic abnormalities in BD with no cardiac symptoms were investigated.

Assessment of tissue mitral annular displacement in patients with coronary artery stenosis.

Background: The high incidence of coronary heart diseases requires early diagnosis to prevent complications. This study aims to assess the mean value of tissue mitral annular displacement (TMAD), using Speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) in patients with coronary artery stenosis.

Methods: 149 patients aged 50 to 76 years were included in this cross-sectional study who were admitted with primary diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to the emergency department.

Infective Endocarditis: Clinical Characteristics and Echocardiographic Findings.

Purpose: Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a disease with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics and echocardiographic features of patients with IE.

Methods: We analyzed patients with either definitive or probable diagnosis of IE who were hospitalized in a teaching hospital in Mashhad, Iran between June 2011 and January 2020.

Predictors of worsening TR severity after right ventricular lead placement: any added value by post-procedural fluoroscopy versus three -dimensional echocardiography?

Background: The effect of right ventricular (RV) leads on tricuspid valve has been already raised concerns, especially in terms of prognostic implication. For such assessment, three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3D-TTE) has been used previously but there was no data on the use of post-procedural fluoroscopy in the literature.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 59 patients who underwent clinically indicated placement of pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Echocardiographic parameters in patients with and without hypotension during dialysis.

Hypotension during dialysis is a common complication of hemodialysis and is associated with increased patient mortality and morbidity. Intradialytic hypotension is a decrease in systolic BP ≥20 mm Hg or a reduction in mean arterial pressure by 10 mm Hg along with clinical events and the need for correction. This study compares cardiac function, using transthoracic echocardiography with strain modality in patients with intradialytic hypotension with those without hypotension during dialysis.

Cardiac MR images of thalassemia major patients with myocardial iron overload: a data note.

Objective: Patients with thalassemia major (TM) have the highest mortality rate due to heart failure induced by myocardial iron overload. However, T2* weighted MR imaging is currently a gold standard approach for measuring iron overload. Examining ventricular volumes with magnetic resonance imaging (MR imaging) and measuring myocardial iron overload in TM patients allows for an early prediction of heart failure.

Malignant lymphoma with diffuse cardiac involvement and pulmonary stenosis.

Lymphoma is one of the most common tumors with the risk of cardiac metastasis. The pattern of cardiac involvement is usually as focal masses. As early diagnosis of lymphoma plays a crucial role in its response to treatment and patient survival longevity, we report a rare case of cardiac lymphoma with diffuse cardiac involvement and acquired pulmonary stenosis.

Prevalence of the presystolic wave in echocardiography and its association with the extent of coronary artery disease in patients with chronic stable angina.

Introduction: Since mortality and morbidity of coronary artery disease are high, there is a need for non-invasive diagnostic methods for early diagnosis and prediction of ischemic heart disease (IHD) outcome. This study aimed to assess the relationship between angiographic findings, the Presystolic wave (PSW) and some of the ischemic related parameters in echocardiography of the patients with chronic stable angina.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the patients with chronic angina pectoris who referred to a tertiary hospital for coronary angiography in Mashhad, Iran.

Right Atrial Strain in the Assessment of Right Heart Mechanics in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Cardiac catheterization is the gold standard for cardiopulmonary hemodynamic assessment, although its widespread use could be restricted due to its invasive nature. The aim of this study is to compare multiple echocardiography parameters, including right atrial (RA) strain, with right heart catheterization (RHC) data in patients with heart failure reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in the assessment of right heart hemodynamics.

Methods: Patients with HFrEF (defined by left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≤ 35%) were enrolled prospectively in this study.

Water Pipe Tobacco Smoking and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Waterpipe smoking has become a vitally important public health issue in the world with a false assumption that it has a less harmful effect.

Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically review the association between waterpipe tobacco smoking and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Up to September 25, 2018, we electronically searched the PubMed, Embase, and ISI Web of Science with no time restriction.

Evaluation of the Cardioprotective Effect of Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor in Patients with Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Background: Carbon monoxide (CO), which is well known as silent killer, has many toxic effects on organs with high rate of metabolism such as heart and brain. CO-induced cardiotoxicity resulted in a wide range of disabilities including electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, elevation in level of cardiac enzymes, arrhythmias, impairment of left ventricular and myocardial infarction (MI). Cardio-protective effects of Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on infarcted heart was proved previously in various reports.

Isolated cardiac hydatid cyst presented as myopericarditis: A case report.

Hydatidosis commonly affect the liver and lungs but in rare cases, it can involve heart tissue. A 42-year-old man from urban areas of Khorasan Razavi province, northeastern Iran, was referred to the cardiac clinic with palpitation, and atypical chest pain in 2018. Large pericardial effusion, reduced left ventricle systolic function was found.

Sleep Duration and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: a Systematic Review.

Background: Little is known about a possible association between sleep duration and the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF), in healthy people. In this systematic review, we conducted a literature search to examine possible association between sleep duration and the incidence of AF.

Methods: Scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Knowledge and Embase) were searched using relevant Medical Subject Headings and keywords, to retrieve studies written in English and published until November 2017.

Risk factors of premature coronary artery disease in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the mean age at which coronary artery disease (CAD) hase decreased in recent years in Iran. This systematic review and meta-analysis compares the prevalence of different risk factors of premature CAD (PCAD) in patients vs healthy individuals.

Methods: Medline, Web of Science, Embase and Scientific Information Database were searched for studies about PCAD risk factors in Iran until 28 October 2017.