Cardiol J
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Over the centuries, opium has been the most frequent substance abused in the Middle East. There are many controversial aspects about the effects of opioids on the atherosclerosis process, which is still unclear. ⋯ Our investigations demonstrate that opium is not cardioprotective, as has been claimed by some previous studies, and does not even decelerate atherosclerosis of carotid arteries in opium-addicted patients, but more evidence is still needed to completely prove the case.
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Review Case Reports
Acute myocardial infarction in a patient with post-splenectomy thrombocytosis: a case report and review of literature.
Unlike essential thrombocytosis, which is associated with thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications, reactive thrombocytosis (RT) is usually considered a benign process without thrombotic complications. We describe a case of acute myocardial infarction in a young heavy smoker with RT following splenectomy. Coronary angiography showed a linear filling defect at mid-part of left anterior descending artery. ⋯ His in-hospital course was uneventful and platelet count returned to the normal range at four month follow-up. We concluded that RT may not be an entirely benign process, especially in patients with a history of smoking. Regular monitoring of platelet count, and possibly antithrombotic agents like aspirin prescription for high risk patients with moderate thrombocytosis, may be useful.
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Review
Clinical implication of gastrointestinal bleeding in degenerative aortic stenosis: an update.
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding due to colonic angiodysplasias can be associated with calcifying aortic stenosis (AS). GI angiodysplasias and AS are defined as chronic degenerative disorders, and the prevalence of both diseases increases with age. ⋯ Aortic valve replacement is the first line therapy for advanced stage AS-patients, but can also be an effective treatment for co-existent bleeding angiodysplasias and acquired von Willebrand disease. In this study, we tried to collect as well as systemized data about the etiopathogenesis of AS coagulation abnormalities and diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic implications of AS-patient with GI angiodysplasias.
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Review Case Reports
Lead-dependent infective endocarditis: an old problem, a new name.
This paper presents a literature review on right heart endocarditis in patients with a permanent pacemaker (PM) or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). We postulate putting a great deal more emphasis on separation of lead-dependent infective endocarditis from other types of infective endocarditis. We stress the need for screening patients with PM/ICD and pulmonary signs using transesophageal echocardiography. Antibiotic therapy and PM/ICD removal is the treatment of choice in such patients.
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The identification of a good prognostic factor of neurological outcome after cardiac arrest is needed. S-100B protein seems to be a promising early predictor of brain damage. Yet it is necessary to reach a consensus on cut-off values, time of blood sampling and the predictive accuracy of S-100B protein. The present review summarizes the data about the clinical implications of S-100B protein after brain injury, especially in patients after cardiac arrest.