Reassessing Ivabradine: Potential Benefits and Risks in Atrial Fibrillation Therapy.

Background: Ivabradine has been identified as a funny current (If) inhibitor in the sinoatrial node (SAN) and is considered an advocated therapeutic agent in chronic heart failure and stable angina. This therapeutic agent has shown positive benefits in maintaining a reduction in heart rate while sustaining hemodynamic stability. Its clinical application is still evolving and the mechanism of action is becoming clearer daily.

Predictors of pacemaker requirement in patients with implantable loop recorder and unexplained syncope: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Identifying the underlying cause of unexplained syncope is crucial for appropriate management of recurrent syncopal episodes. Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) have emerged as valuable diagnostic tools for monitoring patients with unexplained syncope. However, the predictors of pacemaker requirement in patients with ILR and unexplained syncope remain unclear.

Fragmented QRS, a strong predictor of mortality and major arrhythmic events in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Fragmented QRS (fQRS), which is associated with rhythm disturbances, can predispose the heart to fatal ventricular arrhythmias. Recently, accumulating studies indicates that fQRS is associated with poor prognosis in various types of cardiomyopathies. Therefore, we assessed the association between fQRS with all-cause mortality and major arrhythmic events (MAEs) in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, in this systematic review and meta-analysis study.

Associations between short-term exposure to fine particulate matter and acute myocardial infarction: A case-crossover study.

Background: Previous studies evaluated the impact of particle matters (PM) on the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) based on local registries.

Hypothesis: This study aimed to evaluate possible short term effect of air pollutants on occurrence of AMI based on a specific case report sheet that was designed for this purpose.

Methods: AMI was documented among 982 patients who referred to the emergency departments in Tehran, Iran, between July 2017 to March 2019.

25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Level and Its Correlation with Mean Platelet Volume in Preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia is one of the challenging complications of pregnancy, of which little is known about its etiology and pathogenesis. Many studies have shown higher mean platelet volume (MPV) in preeclamptic patients. Vitamin D deficiency is in association with larger-size platelets.

The Association Between Qtc, Qtd, TPE, And Fragmented QRS Before And After PPCI With Hospital Mortality In STEMI Patients.

Background: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is known to be associated with significant arrhythmia and consequent mortality. QT prolongation is a risk factor for arrhythmia in STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the association of corrected QT interval (QTc), QT dispersion (QTd), T-wave peak to end (TPE), and fragmented QRS with mortality in these patients.

Aortic dissection and Covid-19; a comprehensive systematic review.

Coronavirus disease 19 (Covid-19) has been declared as a pandemic disease since March 2020; causing wide array of signs and symptoms, many of which result in increased mortality rates worldwide. Although it was initially known as an acute respiratory disease, Covid-19 is accompanied with several extrapulmonary manifestations, of which the cardiovascular ones are of major importance. Among other cardiovascular complications of Covid-19, aortic dissection has been a significant yet underrated problem.

Acute type A aortic dissection in a patient with COVID-19.

The novel coronavirus spread all over the world in 2019 and became a serious international health concern of this century. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had a wide range of clinical manifestations; it can cause mild-to-severe multiorgan diseases, mostly affecting the respiratory system, but cardiovascular symptoms and complications are also frequently presented in COVID-19 patients. Herein, we report a type A aortic dissection in a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Air Pollution and Cardiac Arrhythmias: A Comprehensive Review.

Air pollution is the mixture of some chemical and environmental agents including dust, fumes, gases, particulate matters, and biological materials which can be harmful for the environment and the human body. The increasing trend of the air pollution, especially in developing countries, may exert its detrimental effects on human health. The potentially harmful effects of air pollution on the human health have been recognized and many epidemiological studies have clearly suggested the strong association between air pollution exposure and increased morbidities and mortalities.

Cardiogoniometry can predict positive response to cardiac resynchronization therapy - A proof of concept study.

Background: According to American Heart Association guidelines, QRS duration and morphology are used to select patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). But still there are some patients who are not responding to this device. We investigated whether the Cardiogoniometry (CGM) as a three-dimensional vectorcardiogram method can improve patient selection.

The role of air pollution on ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a narrative mini review.

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is one of the potential causes of death worldwide. In spite of substantial advances in its diagnosis and treatment, STEMI is still considered as a major public health dilemma in developed and particularly developing countries. One of the triggering factors of STEMI is supposed to be air pollutants like gaseous pollutants including, sulfur dioxide, nitric dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone and particulate matters (PM) including, PM under 2.

Left ventricular sphericity index analysis for the prediction of appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the most effective therapy currently available to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Although LV ejection fraction (LVEF) is an excellent marker of SCD in these patients, determining other predictors might help to identify patients who will be benefit more from device implantation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether abnormal LV sphericity index (SI) in transthoracic echocardiography is associated with appropriate ICD therapy in these patients.

Valsalva maneuver using a Handmade Device in Supraventricular Tachycardia Reversion; a Quasi Experimental Study.

Introduction: The use of vagal nerve stimulation is identified as a proper treatment option in patients with stable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). This study aimed to assess the success of Valsalva maneuver via a handmade device in reversion of SVT.

Methods: In this quasi experimental study, using a handmade device, vagus nerve stimulation was performed for SVT patients presenting to emergency department or cardiac intervention unit and the success rate and its related factors were assessed.

The association between exposure to air pollutants including PM, PM, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide concentration and the relative risk of developing STEMI: A case-crossover design.

Background: Unfavorable associations between air pollution and myocardial infarction are broadly investigated in recent studies and some of them revealed considerable associations; however, controversies exists between these investigations with regard to culprit components of air pollution and significance of correlation between myocardial infarction risk and air pollution.

Methods: The association between exposure to PM, PM, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide concentration of background air that residents of Tehran, the capital city of Iran, which is ranked as the most air polluted city of Iran and the relative risk of developing ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were investigated by a case-crossover design. Our study included 208 patients admitted with a diagnosis of STEMI and undergone primary percutaneous intervention.

Upper extremity deep venous thrombosis and stenosis after implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators; A prospective study.

Background: Obstruction of the access vein following cardiac pacemaker and defibrillator implantation is a common complication. However, the exact incidence and contributing risk factors are unknown. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and analyze the contribution of each risk factor.

Identification and management of right ventricular perforation using pacemaker and cardioverter-defibrillator leads: A case series and mini review.

Right ventricular perforation is a rare but serious complication of permanent pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation, with a reported prevalence rate of 0.1-6%. Generally, there is a high incidence of asymptomatic lead perforation with otherwise normal function.

AV nodal reentrant tachycardia with a 2:1 right bundle branch block missed as bidirectional ventricular tachycardia in the first superficial evaluation.

A 95-year old woman was admitted to our emergency unit because of acute abdominal pain. After urgent surgery according to the acute abdomen, she was referred to intensive care unit (ICU) of the emergency unit as she was intubated. It was developed a run of new arrhythmia which was diagnosed by cardiology resident as bidirectional ventricular tachycardia due to beat to beat changing the axis of the QRS.

The Assessment of short-term effect of L-Citrulline on endothelial function via FMD to NMD ratio in known CAD patients: A randomized, cross-over clinical trial (Clinical trial number: NCT02638727).

Background: Recent studies have confirmed the essential and paramount role of the L-Citrulline on the nitric oxide regulation and the endothelial function improvement.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-over clinical trial, thirty patients, diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD) and flow mediated dilation to nitroglycerin dependent vasodilation (FMD/NMD) ratio less than 1, were included. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 15 patients and underwent treatment by L-Citrulline or placebo for 15 days, in 2 step protocol.