The Usefulness of Strain Echocardiography as Diagnostic and Prognostic Index of Cardiac Dysfunction in Septic Patients in Correlation with Cardiac Biomarkers.

Background: Compared to standard echocardiography, speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) looks more accurate for the detection of subclinical dysfunction of the myocardium. The aim of our work was to assess the value of STE in the diagnosis of subclinical ventricular dysfunction and as a prognostic index in sepsis patients.

Patients And Methods: An observational prospective study involving critically ill patients aged ≥ 18 years diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock.

Relationship of serum vitamin D deficiency with coronary artery disease severity using multislice CT coronary angiography.

Aim: To assess the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and severity of coronary artery disease using multislice CT coronary angiography.

Methods: 100 patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease during multislice CT coronary angiography were subjected to full evaluation of coronary artery disease severity followed by measurement of serum vitamin D level.

Results: The mean value of serum vitamin D level was 13.

Clinical and hemodynamic effects of oral sildenafil on biventricular function on patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Background: We explore the dual benefits of sildenafil on bi-ventricular functions in the form of improvement of ejection fraction, pulmonary vascular resistance and functional capacity of systolic heart failure patients either related to dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Aim Of The Work: To evaluate the effect of oral sildenafil on biventricular function in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Patients And Methods: The prospective randomised case-control study included 80 patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction resulting from dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy were equally randomised to one of the treatment groups in (1:1) who were collected from the outpatient clinic of cardiac care unit (CCU) of Beni-Suef University hospital; each group contained 40 patients: The first group (control group): received the guideline-recommended treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction which consists of [angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, aldosterone receptor antagonist, digoxin].

The potential role of 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography for detecting left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease: a case control study.

Background: The prevalence of heart failure among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) was found to be twice that of the general population. The aim of this work is to evaluate the global left ventricular systolic function in patients with PD in comparison with healthy controls using speckle tracking echocardiography and to correlate the global left ventricular systolic function with both motor and cognitive functions in PD patients.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 40 patients diagnosed with PD and 40 healthy controls.

Efficacy and safety of apixaban in patients with active malignancy and acute deep venous thrombosis.

Objectives: Low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has been approved for treatment of deep venous thrombosis and venous thromboembolism which are associated with cancer. The efficacy and safety of apixaban in management of acute deep venous thrombosis associated with active malignancy is still an unresolved issue. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of apixaban in patients with acute deep venous thrombosis and active malignancy compared with weight adjusted subcutaneous LMWH.

A Prospective Single-Blind Randomized Trial of Ramipril, Eplerenone and Their Combination in Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy.

Introduction: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) combined with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists were found to have a beneficial effect on patients with chronic kidney disease.

Objective: The aim of our clinical trial was to compare the antialbuminuric effect of ramipril monotherapy, eplerenone monotherapy and eplerenone/ramipril combination therapy in patients with stage 1 hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: In a single-blind, randomized clinical trial, 75 hypertensive patients (stage 1 hypertension) with type 2 diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to 1 of 3 groups: ramipril 10 mg monotherapy (25 patients), eplerenone 50 mg monotherapy (25 patients) and combination therapy of eplerenone/ramipril 50/10 mg (25 patients) through a randomized clinical trial.

Correlation between blood pressure variability and subclinical target organ damage in patients with essential hypertension.

High blood pressure (BP) variability is associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular and renal damage together with increased cardiovascular mortality. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between BP variability and subclinical target organ damage (TOD) in patients with controlled essential hypertension. One hundred patients with controlled essential hypertension were randomly selected from outpatient clinic of Beni-Suef University hospital.

Comparison between catheter-based delivery of paclitaxel after bare-metal stenting and drug-eluting stents in coronary artery disease patients at high risk for in-stent restenosis.

Background: Drug eluting stents reduce the risk of in-stent restenosis but delay healing of the vascular wall. Recent data on late and very late stent thrombosis after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation have raised concerns about the long-term safety. High lipophilicity of paclitaxel promotes rapid cellular uptake and prolongs its action.