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Cardiovascular Diseases & Diagnosis

ISSN: 2329-9517

Open Access

Articles in press and Articles in process

    Research Article Pages: 1 - 8

    Valsalva Maneuver Impact on Both Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Echocardiographic Parameters in Subjects with Normal Versus High Ventricular Filling Pressures: A Double Blinded Study

    Mohammad Bagher Sharif Kazemi, Esmaeil Mehdinejad and Mohammad Yasin Karami

    Introduction: Echocardiography is used as a useful and common method to assess Left Ventricular and Right Ventricular (LV and RV) systolic and diastolic functions. Valsalva Maneuver (VM) with the increase in the intra-thoracic and intra-abdominal pressure is often used as an uncomplicated, cost-effective and non-invasive technique for diagnosing clinical conditions such as heart murmurs. However, in terms of echocardiography, the use of VM has been limited to only a few parameters for many years. In contrast, blood level of N-Terminal Pro-BType Natriuretic Peptide (NT Pro-BNP) indirectly discriminates normal or high ventricular Filling Pressure (FP). This study aimed at providing a comprehensive review of the technique as well as comparing the VM effect in ACS patients; with and without elevated FP on either RV or LV diastolic and systolic echocardiographic parameters. Methods: Thirty-eight patients, who were diagnosed with possible ACS; unstable angina pectoris, NSTEMI and STEMI, underwent coronary angiography enrolled in this double-blinded clinical trial study. The mild Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) with normal NT Pro-BNP levels were included in study group one and cases with significant CAD and high level of NT Pro-BNP who underwent PCI were included in study group two. All the systolic and diastolic indicators of both ventricles, totaling twenty-four parameters which have been previously mentioned in the academic literature, have been evaluated; once before valsalva and once during second stage of the maneuver. Echocardiography is performed by an advanced echo machine and by an expert cardiologist-echocardiographer; the recorded images were reviewed by the second echocardiographer separately.Results: Between the two groups, LV parameter analysis showed significant difference in LV EF pre and post VM. However, there was a statistically insignificant difference regarding other systolic as well as diastolic parameters. Between the two groups, RV parameters analysis indicated no significant difference regarding systolic and diastolic parameters pre and post VM.Conclusion: This research for the first time assessed post VM changes in four chambers as well as mitral and tricuspid valves parameters in ACS patients with normal versus high level of FP. Previously, LV diastolic dysfunction and Doppler mitral inflow pattern correlation with VM were verified. In the present study, in addition to those known findings from before-except the LV Ejection Fraction (LVEF) that showed there was statistically significant difference in pre-and post-VM-other systolic parameters, as well as diastolic indicators in either RV and LV, were identical. Therefore, we do not recommend conducting valsalva maneuver on the rest of the other parameters to diagnose systolic and diastolic dysfunction in ACS patients with mild versus significant CAD who were assumed to have normal or elevated filling pressures.

      Review Article Pages: 1 - 5

      Underrepresentation Of Women In Cardiovascular Trials In Arab Middle East Region

      Hanan Albackr*, Abdulaziz Backer Albacker and Deema H. AlGhufaili

      Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. The burden of CVD is rising among Arab Middle Eastern (ME) women. Information regarding the prevalence and incidence of CVD and its risk factors in women in Arab ME is scares and may be lacking in some countries. One of the reasons is low participation of Arab women in cardiovascular trials and research. The underlying reasons for the under-representation of women in clinical trials are complex and exploration of additional causes, such as socioeconomic and psychological factors is crucial to help us to address the gap in scientific evidence on women with cardiovascular disease in the Arab region.

        Research Article Pages: 1 - 6

        Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder through Complex Network Communications

        Elyas Irankhah*

        Modular associations are structures in complex networks that are defined based on the communication density between the network elements. The difference in these structures in a complex network of human brain signals (EEG) can be used as a factor in the diagnosis of diseases. In this study, with the focus on modular associations, attempts to achieve the differences between a complex two-group of network of Normal Case (NC) and Autistic of Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Eventually, using real EEG signals, the tested groups, with no use of the pre-processing signaling, have an accuracy of 88.37% in detecting Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

          Research Article Pages: 1 - 4

          Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Children Younger than 18 Months

          Anna Wiedemann and Gudrun Gröppel*

          Introduction: A normal Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is the result of a balanced relation between the sympathetic and parasympathetic system. A decreased HRV can be an indicator for cardiac diseases or an increased stress level. Changes in HRV might identify diseases that affect the heart rhythm via the autonomic nervous system. This applies to diseases that directly damage the autonomic nervous system and to diseases that influence the autonomic nervous system indirectly, e.g. through permanently increased metabolic stress. However, methods measuring the HRV are varying between the studies and normal values especially in infants are lacking. The current study is aimed to create reference values for the HRV in children aged younger than 18 months.

          Methods: A normal Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is the result of a balanced relation between the sympathetic and parasympathetic system. A decreased HRV can be an indicator for cardiac diseases or an increased stress level. Changes in HRV might identify diseases that affect the heart rhythm via the autonomic nervous system. This applies to diseases that directly damage the autonomic nervous system and to diseases that influence the autonomic nervous system indirectly, e.g. through permanently increased metabolic stress. However, methods measuring the HRV are varying between the studies and normal values especially in infants are lacking. The current study is aimed to create reference values for the HRV in children aged younger than 18 months.

          Results: We found no significant differences in the different age groups regarding the HRV. By means of linear regression, it was also shown that there were no other significant differences in HRV in children under 18 months of age. But compared to older children in the literature, HRV was found to be significantly lower.

          Conclusion: Our results also indicate age-dependent differences when compared to previous findings in the literature and shows that it is important to have age-matching normal values.

            Research Article Pages: 1 - 13

            An Assessment of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hypertensive Crisis in Patients Who Visit the Emergency Outpatient Department (EOPD) at Adama Hospital Medical College, Adama, Oromia, Ethiopia: A Prospective, Cross-Sectional Study

            Yabets Tesfaye Kebede*

            DOI: 10.37421/2329-9517.2023.11.563

            Background: Over 1 billion people worldwide suffer from the common chronic medical condition of hypertension. A hypertensive crisis occurs when blood pressure exceeds 180/110 mmHg. Depending on whether the target organ is harmed, the situation may be presented as a hypertensive emergency or urgency.

            Objective: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of patients with hypertensive crises who visited the Emergency Outpatient Department (EOPD) at Adama hospital medical college in Adama, Oromia, Ethiopia, between August 10 and August 30, 2021, G.C.

            Methodology: A cross-sectional, prospective study on hypertensive crisis was conducted at Adama Hospital Medical College from August 10 to August 30, 2021 G.C. The data was collected using a standardized questionnaire, validated for completeness, and analyzed using SPSS. The findings were tabulated, and conclusions and recommendations were conveyed.

            Result: A total of 74 individuals with hypertension in crisis were identified. Of these, 56.8% were men, resulting in an M:F ratio of 1.31:1. Those between the ages of 66 and 75 were the most affected. At presentation, 91.9% of the study participants were known hypertensive patients. Of the known hypertensive patients, the majority (33.8%) were known to have been hypertensive for 5-10 years. Of the known hypertensive patients, 48.6% were found to be adherent. Hypertensive urgency was discovered to be far more common than hypertensive emergencies (63.5% vs. 36.5%). Headache was the most common presenting symptom, and most of the patients (36.5%) presented to the health setup in less than 24 hours. The main risk variables identified were drug discontinuation, family history of hypertension, salt consumption, and alcohol usage. The main excuse for non-adherence was the cost of the medications. More than half of the patients do not have any additional comorbidities, and of those who do have, diabetes mellitus is the most prevalent. Stroke was identified as a major complication.

            Conclusions and Recommendations: Hypertensive crises are one of the most prevalent reasons for EOPD admission and are linked with significant consequences. At presentation, most of the study subjects were known hypertension patients. Diabetes mellitus was discovered to be a comorbid condition in one-quarter of them. Although more than half of the patients have improved, the death rate remains high. Infrastructure and capacity building to provide hospitals with the requisite baseline investigations are among the recommendations of the government. Health practitioners are expected to make improvements, such as educating the public about the need for lifestyle changes and evaluating and managing any hypertension problems.

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Google Scholar citation report
Citations: 427

Cardiovascular Diseases & Diagnosis received 427 citations as per Google Scholar report

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