Study of the relation between serum levels of long-acting penicillin and the inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease.

Background: There is an evidence of a chronic inflammatory state in patients with chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease (RHD) as shown by high serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL6). Despite the efficacy of long-acting penicillin (LAP) in secondary prevention of rheumatic fever, its effect on this inflammatory state is still unknown. So, we sought to study the effect of LAP on the inflammatory markers, CRP and IL-6, in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease.

Effect of a 6-week and 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program on heart rate recovery.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to reduce cardiac mortality, improve quality of life, and reduce hospitalizations. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are usually performed over a 12-week period. Studies have shown that similar benefits could be achieved with shorter programs.

Correlation between prediabetes and coronary artery disease severity in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography.

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease that is responsible for a high rate of morbidity and mortality which can be attributed to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Diabetes is heralded by prediabetes which not only indicates a higher risk of developing diabetes but also increases the burden of cardiovascular disease. The objective was to observe the effect of prediabetes on the severity of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography.