Annals of Saudi medicine
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Nov 2007
Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of gated SPECT, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction and volumes.
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) can be determined non-invasively by two-dimensional enchocardiography (ECHO), gated sinle photon emission computed tomography (GSPECT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). This study was designed to analyze the concordance between LVEF, EDV and ESV values derived from ECHO, GSPECT and CMRI. ⋯ This study showed good overall correlations between LVEF, EDV and ESV values derived from GSPECT, ECHO and CMRI. LVEF obtained from any of these three imaging modalities could be used interchangeably. However, care should be taken in comparing LV volumes.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Nov 2007
The prevalence and degree of resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to first-line antimalarial drugs: an in vitro study from a malaria endemic region in Yemen.
Unpublished studies on antimalarial drug efficacy have found low levels of chloroquine resistance in Yemen. This study was carried out to determine the current prevalence of drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in Yemen to the main anti-malarial drugs and to determine the effective concentration(EC) values. ⋯ Our study confirmed the occurrence of chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum and a slow increase in the rate of this resistance; it is likely that resistance will increase further and spread over all the foci of malaria in Yemen. The low rate of mefloquine-resistant P. falciparum, was lower than that reported in Africa or Southeast Asia, but it is the first report of mefloquine resistance in Yemen. Finally, the isolates were sensitive to low-concentrations of quinine and artemisinin.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Sep 2007
Comparative StudyComparison of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate measured by the Micro Test 1 sedimentation analyzer and the conventional Westergren method.
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) remains the most widely used laboratory test for monitoring infections, inflammatory diseases and some types of cancer. Several test methods have been developed recently, and as a result, the safety and reliability of ESR testing procedures have improved. The purpose of this study was the comparison of two methods, the traditional manual Westergren method (reference method of the International Committee on Standardization in Hematology) and a new semiautomated technique, the Micro Test 1 for determining the ESR. ⋯ The Micro Test 1 system was easy to use, had a satisfactory operative practicability, required minimal maintenance, and reduced contact with potential biohazards.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Sep 2007
Experience with 122 consecutive liver transplant procedures at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.
Saudi Arabia is a leading country in the Middle East in the field of deceased-donor liver transplantation (DDLT) and living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We present out experience with DDLT and LDLT at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC) for the period from April 2001 to January 2007. ⋯ Both DDLT and LDLT are being successfully performed at KFSHRC with early experience indicating a higher rate of biliary and vascular complications in the LDLT group.