Relationship Between Lower Esophageal Sphincter Muscles Thickness and Their Response to Pneumatic Dilation in Patients With Achalasia.

Background: Prognostic factors play a major role in managing achalasia patients treated with pneumatic dilatation (PD) and understanding the pathophysiology of the disease. In this regard, the muscular thickness of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) has drawn attention in recently published studies.

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed achalasia were included consecutively in this study, and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) was used to determine the thickness of longitudinal and circular muscles of LES.

Correlation between coronary artery calcification and COVID-19.

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is an underlying cardiac condition contributing to increased COVID-19 mortality and morbidity which can be assessed by several diagnosis methods including coronary artery calcification (CAC). The goal of this study was to find out if there were potential links between CAC, clinical findings, severity of COVID-19, and in-hospital outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 551 suspected patients admitted to teaching hospitals of the Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran, from March to October 2021.

Electrocardiographic parameters and mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: A single center study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic outbreak of RNA coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2), associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure, and death. The surface electrocardiogram is the first line assessment of cardiac electrical system. We aimed to interpret classically the electrocardiographic parameters at admission and during hospital course and association of them with prognosis in patients admitted with diagnosis of infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Coronary artery calcification score as a prognostic indicator for COVID-19 mortality: evidence from a retrospective cohort study in Iran.

Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been established as an independent risk factor for major adverse cardiovascular events. Nevertheless, the effect of CAC on in-hospital mortality and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 has yet to be determined.

Objective: To investigate the association between CAC score and in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients.

Educating correct ECG interpretation is a way to promote the satisfaction and competency the diagnostic service providers.

Background: Given electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation as one of the diagnostical challenges for medical students and health professionals, this research was carried out to present an experience of web-based teaching method and novel approaches used for training of ECG interpretation.

Methods: This online program was conducted in three days. The main content of the class was taught during one hour, and after that, the teacher spent enough time for responding the asked questions.