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This case series explores three patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and experienced prolonged QT intervals under treatment with Ticagrelor. The first case was a female who presented with chest pain and received a Xience stent. The second case involved a male patient who received two Xience stents. The third case was that of a male patient with LAD stenosis. All three patients received Ticagrelor and exhibited prolonged QTc intervals on their electrocardiograms (ECGs), which was resolved after switching to Clopidogrel. Thus far, the potential impact of Ticagrelor on QT prolongation has not been adequately addressed in the literature. It is hypothesized that Ticagrelor can block adenosine uptake by red blood cells, which may explain QTc prolongation. The results of this case series indicate that Ticagrelor may prolong QTc intervals. Consequently, it is imperative that clinicians are aware of this previously unlisted side effect and that patients are closely monitored while seeking alternative medications to manage the condition.

Key Clinical Message Clinicians should consider spontaneous coronary artery dissection in middle‐aged women presenting with acute coronary syndromes and a history of tamoxifen use, to ensure timely diagnosis, and appropriate management strategies. Abstract Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is characterized by a non‐iatrogenic, nontraumatic separation of the coronary artery wall, contributing to acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and sudden cardiac death. SCAD predominantly affects the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and is frequently observed in middle‐aged women. This condition has been associated with cancer treatment and exogenous hormones exposure. The diagnostic gold standard remains coronary angiography, management strategies include conservative measures, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). We describe a case of a 54‐year‐old woman with breast cancer and a history of tamoxifen use, presenting with SCAD in the posterolateral branch (PLB) originating from the left circumflex artery (LCX), and right coronary artery (RCA) and managed conservatively.

Introduction: Due to the importance of atherosclerotic changes in the patients with coronary anomalies, it was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of atherosclerotic changes in patients with coronary anomalies who underwent coronary angiography at Tehran Heart Center within two years. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all the patients who underwent coronary angiography and were diagnosed with coronary artery anomalies were included in this study (2018-2020). The frequency and frequency percentage of the detected anomalies, cardiovascular risk factors and also the presence of coronary stenosis among the patients were then determined and reported. Results: Among 79 patients with coronary artery anomaly evaluated in this study, 43 (54.4%) and 36 (45.6) were male and female, respectively. Of these, 39.2% were smokers and 10.1% had an addiction to opioids. The most frequent baseline disease in these patients was dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus with 63%, 49%, and 46%, respectively. Moreover, hypertension was more frequent in women (p=0.005). A total of 81.6% of the patients (all of them had abnormal coronary arteries) had atherosclerotic stenosis in their coronary arteries. The highest frequency of coronary abnormality was left circumflex from right coronary sinus with 29.1%; the others included absent left main, coronary fistula, and right coronary artery from left coronary sinus, which were 12.7%. Conclusion: In the patients with coronary artery anomalies, atherosclerotic changes were frequent prevalence, which can be an important cause of sudden cardiac death in these patients.

Objective: The pathophysiology of coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is poorly understood. Evidence suggesting endothelial dysfunction in patients with slow coronary flow (SCF) led to this evaluation of a possible correlation between microalbuminuria (MAU), as an indicator of endothelial dysfunction, and CSFP in order to investigate a mutual pathophysiology. Methods: In this case-control study, 15786 patients who presented between September 2016 and April 2018 were screened. All patients with CSFP had chest pain and coronary angiography was indicated due to a positive noninvasive test. All cases had a Thrombosis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade of 2 or a corrected TIMI frame count of >27 without any evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease. The patients used as controls had completely normal coronary angiograms. Fasting mid-stream urine samples were analyzed using an immunoturbidimetric assay to determine the albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) as a surrogate of microalbuminuria (MAU) (ACR: 30–300 mg/g). The prevalence of MAU in the case and control groups was analyzed. Results: A total of 154 individuals with a normal coronary angiogram and 46 patients with SCF were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of MAU was greater in patients with SCF than in the control group (8.7% vs 1.9%, respectively; p=0.048). Even after adjustment for major risk factors, the association between MAU and CSPF remained significant. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that there was a relationship between MAU and CSFP and confirmed that endothelial dysfunction is a contributing factor to CSFP. These findings are of utmost importance due to the prognostic value of MAU for both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates.

Objective: Prolactin is correlated with some conditions that predispose individuals to atherosclerosis. Prolactin receptors have been found in atherosclerotic plaques. However, the correlation between the serum prolactin level and the extension and severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis has yet to be studied. Methods: In total, 414 postmenopausal women candidated for selective coronary angiography with normal serum prolactin levels were enrolled. The patients' lipid profile and levels of serum prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, C-reactive protein, urea, creatinine, and fasting blood sugar were measured. The Gensini score for each patient was calculated. The study population was divided into 3 groups according to the tertile of the serum prolactin level. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the Gensini score between the 3 groups in the univariate analysis (P = 0.075). The multivariable analysis showed that the serum prolactin level was not an independent determinant of the Gensini score (P = 0.430), whereas age, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were the independent determinants of the Gensini score. Conclusions: There was no statistically significant correlation between the serum prolactin level and coronary artery atherosclerosis expressed as the Gensini score in our sample of postmenopausal women.

Background: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a rare condition with unclear pathophysiology, optimal treatment, and prognosis. We aimed to determine the prognostic implications of CAE following coronary angioplasty. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on 385 patients, including 87 subjects with CAE, who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were considered to consist of mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), repeated revascularization, and stroke. Results: The mean age of the participants was 57.31±6.70 years. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that patients with diabetes, ST-segment–elevation MI at presentation, and high thrombus grades were more likely to have suboptimal post-PCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow. However, CAE was not a predictor of a decreased TIMI flow (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 0.78–8.32; P=0.391). The Cox-regression model showed that CAE, the body mass index, and a family history of MI were risk factors for MACE, while short lesion lengths (20 mm) had an inverse relationship. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for the prediction of MACE in the presence of CAE was 1.65 (95% CI: 1.08–4.78; P=0.391). All-cause mortality (HR: 1.69, 95% CI: 0.12–3.81; P=0.830) and nonfatal MI (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 0.72–4.21; P=0.341) occurred similarly in the CAE and non-CAE groups. Conversely, CAE increased urgent repeat revascularization (HR: 2.40; 95% CI: 1.13–5.86; P=0.013). Conclusion: Although CAE had no substantial short-term prognostic effects on post-PCI TIMI flow, considerable concerns regarding adverse outcomes emerged during our extended follow-up. Stringent follow-ups of these patients should be underscored due to the high likelihood of urgent revascularization.

Objective: Diameter of the affected coronary artery is an important predictor of restenosis and need for revascularization. In the present study, we investigated the frequency and potential risk factors for major adverse cardiac events following elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stenting of large coronary arteries. Methods: We reviewed the data of elective candidates of PCI on a large coronary artery who presented to our center. Demographic, clinical, angiographic and follow-up data of the eligible patients were retrieved from our databank. The study characteristics were then compared between the patients with and without MACE in order to find out the probable risk factors for MACE in patients with large stent diameter. Results: Data of 3043 patients who underwent single vessel elective PCI with a stent diameter of ≥3.5 mm was reviewed. During a median follow up period of 14 months, 64 (2.1%) patients had MACE. TVR was the most common type of MACE that was observed in 29 patients, while 5 patients had cardiac death. Higher serum levels of creatinine, history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and use of a drug eluting stent (DES) were significantly associated with MACE. In the multivariate model, history of CVA (odds ratio = 5.23, P = 0.030) and use of DES (odds ratio = 0.048, P = 0.011) were the independent predictors of MACE in patients underwent large coronary artery stenting. Conclusion: This study showed that prior CVA and the use of BMS were the potential risk factors for MACE in patients who were stented on their large coronary arteries.

A bifid cardiac apex is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly in humans and is usually associated with other congenital heart diseases. Presently described is a case of an incidentally detected bifid cardiac apex in a patient presenting with inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, which was subsequently confirmed with selective ventriculography. This anomaly, because it is rare, can be a source of confusion to clinicians, especially when acute coronary syndrome is present. The possible presence of this anomaly should, therefore, be kept in mind in daily practice.

Background: Although invasive treatments such as primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) are the treatment of choice in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, the survival benefit of this treatment in patients with a history of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) has yet to be fully evaluated. Methods: In this historical cohort study, 251 STEMI patients with a history of CABG between 2007 and 2017 were stratified into 3 groups of no reperfusion, thrombolytic, and PPCI based on their treatment strategy. Baseline clinical characteristics, details of the STEMI event, and the course of hospitalization were evaluated for all patients and they were followed up until May 2018 to assess all-cause mortality. Results: The mean age of the study population was 64.01±9.45 years, and 81.7% of them were male. The median follow-up time was 1304 (IQR25%-75%: 571–2269) days, the short-term (1 month) mortality rate was 5.97%, and the long-term mortality rate was 15.1%. There was no significant difference between the 3 different strategies in terms of survival. In the fully adjusted multivariate analysis, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HR: 15.06, 95% CI: 2.25–101.14, P=0.005) was significantly associated with short-term mortality, while diabetes (HR: 5.95, 95% CI: 2.03–17.44, P=0.001), opium abuse (HR: 4.85, 95% CI: 1.45–16.23, P=0.010), and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HR: 11.73, 95% CI: 3.44–40.28, P=0.001) were significantly associated with long-term mortality. Conclusion: Our results failed to show the superiority of invasive treatment in terms of survival. Further studies regarding the advantages and disadvantages of invasive treatment in post-CABG patients are required.

Background: Different percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) strategies, including the use of single long stents (SLSs) and overlapping multiple stents (OMSs), have been introduced to treat very long coronary lesions (VLCLs). The aim of this study was to compare procedural and long-term clinical outcomes between SLSs and OMSs in patients with VLCLs. Methods: In this historical cohort study, 1709 patients who underwent PCI with the new generation of drug-eluting stents (length ≥38 mm) were stratified into the SLS [PROMUS /Resolute/XIENCE (PRX), (=38 mm), n=1121 (65.59%) and BioMime, (≥40 mm), n=124 (7.26%)] and OMS [(59.43±10.80 mm), n=464 (27.2%)] groups and followed up for 440.93±361.32 days. The study endpoints comprised immediate post-PCI outcomes, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), the patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE), and the device-oriented composite endpoint (DOCE) at the long-term follow-up. Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.28±10.60 years, and 69.6% of them were male. Flow grade 3 (P=0.296) and residual stenosis (P=0.533) were statistically similar between all the groups. A lower level of post-PCI troponin was observed in the BioMime group [14.52 (IQR25%-75%:10.44–22.42) ng/L; P=0.031] than in the PRX and OMS groups [18.63 (IQR25%-75%:10.51–34.02) ng/L and 18.96 (IQR25%-75%:11.17–35.34) ng/L; respectively]. Similarly, the PRX and BioMime groups received lower amounts of the contrast agent [206.29±49.15 mL and 208.06±55.23 mL; respectively] than did the OMS group [265.50±74.69 mL; P

Background: Performing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in a timely fashion is a crucial part of the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to evaluate the contributing factors to and the etiologies of a prolonged door-to-device (D2D) time. Methods: In 2016, the D2D time was measured in all patients who were treated with PPCI at Tehran Hear Center. The major causes of a prolonged D2D time (>90 min) were determined. The second phase was then started in 2017 by focusing on the determined causes, and direct feedback was given to anyone having contributed to the delayed D2D time. The D2D time was compared between these 2 years. Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.54±11.82 years, and 82.2% of them were men. The median D2D time decreased from 55 minutes (IQR25-75%: 40–82) in 2016 to 46 minutes (IQR25-75%: 34–70) in 2017 (P

Background and objectives: We aimed to demonstrate the clinical utility of CHA2DS2-VASc score in risk assessment of patients with STEMI regarding adverse clinical outcomes particularly no-reflow phenomenon. Materials and Methods: We designed a retrospective cohort study using the data of Tehran Heart Center registry for acute coronary syndrome. The study included 1331 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent primary angioplasty. Patients were divided into two groups according to low and high CHA2DS2-VASc score. Angiographic results of reperfusion were inspected to evaluate the association of high CHA2DS2-VASc score and the likelihood of suboptimal TIMI flow. The secondary endpoint of the study was short-term in-hospital mortality of all cause. Results: The present study confirmed that CHA2DS2-VASc model enables us to determine the risk of no-reflow and all-cause in-hospital mortality independently. Odds ratios were 1.59 (1.30–2.25) and 1.60 (1.17–2.19), respectively. Moreover, BMI, high thrombus grade, and cardiogenic shock were predictors of failed reperfusion (odds were 1.07 (1.01–1.35), 1.59 (1.28–1.76), and 8.65 (3.76–24.46), respectively). We showed that using a cut off value of ≥ two in CHA2DS2-VASc model provides a sensitivity of 69.7% and specificity of 64.4% for discrimination of increased mortality hazards. Area under the curve: 0.72 with 95% CI (0.62–0.81). Conclusions: Calculation of CHA2DS2-VASc score applied as a simple risk stratification tool before primary PCI affords great predictive power. Furthermore, incremental values are obtained by using both CHA2DS2-VASc and no-reflow regarding mortality risk assessment.

Background: For all the wealth of research comparing the efficacy of the different types of the drug-eluting stent (DES) such as sirolimus- , paclitaxel- , and zotarolimus-eluting stents, there is still a dearth of data on the different brands of each DES type. We aimed to investigate the one-year clinical outcomes, including major adverse cardiac events (MACE), of the use of the ultra long Apollo paclitaxel-eluting stent in patients with long atherosclerotic coronary artery lesions.Methods: According to a retrospective review of the Tehran Heart Center Registry of Interventional Cardiology, a single-center nonrandomized computerized data registry in which all adult patients who undergo single or multi-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are enrolled without any specific exclusion criteria, the mixed use of long Apollo paclitaxel-eluting stents and other types of the DES as well as myocardial infarction within forty-eight hours prior to the procedure was excluded. In total, 122 patients were enrolled in the study, and their baseline clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics were obtained. In addition, the patients’ follow-up data and, most importantly, MACE during a one-year period after intervention were recorded.Results: The mean follow-up duration was 14.1 ± 3.8 months. The one-year clinical follow-up data were obtained in 95.9 % of all the patients. The incidence of MACE was 5.7% during the entire study period. There was 1 death, which occurred during the initial days after PCI. The incidence of non-fatal myocardial infarction was 2.5% (3 cases), including one patient who underwent target vessel revascularization seven months later. Also, 3 patients with single-vessel disease and in-stent restenosis underwent coronary artery bypass grafting between five to ten months later.Conclusions: Our results showed that the Apollo paclitaxel-eluting stent might be regarded as a safe and effective treatment for long coronary lesions.

Background: The optimal target for revascularization in patients with history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is unclear. This study was designed to compare the outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on saphenous vein grafts (SVG) and that on native vessels in patients with previous CABG in terms of major adverse cardiac events (MACE).Methods: The study drew upon data on consecutive patients hospitalized for PCI and MACE rate during a nine-month follow- up period. The patients were divided according to the target vessel for PCI into two groups: SVG and native vessel.Results: Between 2003 and 2007, 226 patients underwent PCI 6.57 ± 4.55 years after CABG. Their mean age was 59.52±9.38 years, and 176 (77.9%) were male. PCI was performed on the SVG in 63 (27.9%) patients and on the native coronary artery in the rest. During a nine-month follow-up period, 9 (4%) patients suffered MACE; the prevalence of MACE was not significantly different between the SVG group (4.8%) and the native vessel group (4.9%), (p value = 0.999). Conclusion: PCI on grafted and native vessels did not affect MACE in patients undergoing PCI after CABG.

Background: Clinical trials of revascularization have routinely under-enrolled elderly subjects. Thus, symptom relief and improved survival might not apply to elderly patients, in whom the risk of mortality and disability from revascularization procedures seems to be high and co-morbidity is more prevalent. The present case control study was performed to draw a comparison in terms of the procedural success, procedural and in-hospital complications, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in a one-year follow-up of octogenarians (age ≥ 80 years) with a selected matched younger control group in the Tehran Heart Center Angioplasty Registry.Methods: According to the Tehran Heart Center Interventional Registry of 9, 250 patients with a minimum follow-up period of one year between April 1993 and February 2010, 157 percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures were performed in 112 octogenarians. Additionally, 336 younger patients (459 PCI procedures) were selected from the database as the propensity-score matched controls.Results: There were 147 (93.6%) and 441 (96.1%) successful PCI procedures in the elderly group and control group, respectively (p value = 0.204). Procedural complications were seen in 5 (3.2%) of the elderly group and 16 (3.5%) of the control group (p value = 0.858). Totally, 7 (6.3%) in-hospital complications occurred in the elderly group and 22 (6.8%) in the control group (p value = 0.866). One-year MACE was seen in 9 (9.1%) of the elderly and 18 (5.8%) of the control group (p value = 0.26). Conclusion: Procedural success and complications, in-hospital complications, and one-year MACE were not significantly different between our two study groups. Therefore, age alone should not be used as the sole criterion when considering revascularization procedures. Furthermore, PCI should not be refused in octogenarians if indicated.

Background: Androgens have been shown to have diverse effects on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to compare androgenic hormone levels in patients with different left ventricular ejection fractions (EF).Methods: The study population consisted of 515 consecutive men who were referred for angiographic studies and whose results of echocardiography and coronary angiography were available. The patients were classified into four groups: EF < 35%, EF = 35-45%, EF = 45-54%, and EF ≥ 55% to evaluate the trends of baseline characteristics and serum androgens,including free testosterone (fT), total testosterone (tT), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). To better elucidate thedifference in the patients with severe heart failure, the patients were divided into two groups according to their EF level, andcomparisons were repeated between those with EF < 35% and the ones with EF ≥ 35%.Results: There were statistically significant trends in some characteristics in the patients with different levels of EF. The subjects with higher EF levels were less likely to have diabetes (p value < 0.001), coronary artery lesion (p value < 0.001),or high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (p value < 0.001). As regards the patients with severe heart failure, our regressionanalysis revealed that the fT level was significantly lower in those with EF < 35% than in the ones with EF ≥ 35% (5.82 ± 2.73 pg/mL vs. 6.88 ± 3.34 pg/mL, p value < 0.05).Conclusion: A significant association was found between the level of fT and EF < 35%. There is a need for further controlled prospective studies to delineate any possible causal relationship accurately.

Background: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the different trade forms of streptokinase available in our country, namely Heberkinasa (Heberbiotec, Havana, Cuba) and Streptase (Aventis Behring GmbH, Marburg, Germany). Methods: We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial to compare the two streptokinase formulations, i.e. Heberkinasa (HBK) or Streptase (STP), in patients with acute myocardial infarction who needed thrombolysis. Thrombolysis success was evaluated angiographically and/or clinically. Clinical follow-up was done 30 days after thrombolysis. Results: We randomly allocated 221 patients with a mean age of 56.9±10.8 years (males: 88.2%) to HBK (n=119) and STP (n=102) groups. Baseline clinical and demographic characteristics were similar between the two groups, and the two groups were not significantly different in terms of door-to-needle and pain-to-needle intervals. The rate of complications was not significantly different between the groups (44.1% [HBK] vs. 42% [STP]). Angiography was done for 158 (71.5 %) patients in the first 24 hours (9%) and in the first 72 hours (38.8%) after thrombolysis. Lesion morphology and lesion/patient ratio were not significantly different between the two groups (1.87[HBK] vs. 1.67[STP]). The two groups were similar with respect to angiographic patency rate (67.5% [HBK] vs. 67.6% [STP]). The study groups were also similar as regards clinical outcome and complications of both streptokinase formulations. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that Heberkinasa is as effective and as safe as a standard streptokinase, namely Streptase, in a clinical setting.

Background: Muscle fibers overlying the intramyocardial segment of an epicardial coronary artery are termed myocardial bridge (MB). The aim of this study was to analyze the mid-term outcome of MB and to examine its possible association with angiographic findings and concomitant cardiac pathologies such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods: From a total of 3218 patients admitted for coronary angiography during 9 consecutive months, 28 (0.9%) were diagnosed with MBs with stenoses >=50%. Of these, 19 referred for follow-up with a median duration of 18 months. Results: HCM was present in 5 patients (26.3%), of whom 4 had MB as the sole finding in angiography. Of the 19 patients, 14 had diastolic dysfunction. In follow-up, 2 patients were treated with revascularization strategies due to the concomitant coronary artery disease and in 2, syncope occurred. For two patients, an intra-cardiac device and a permanent pacemaker were implanted. Three patients with MB as the sole finding in angiography were readmitted because of chest pain. Conclusion: Diastolic dysfunction may contribute to the presentation of symptoms of muscle bridging. Also, myocardial bridging as the only finding in coronary angiography is highly associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and may help to detect this group of patients. The mid-term outcome of myocardial bridges is favorable.

Background: The existing evidence suggests that plasma adiponectin concentrations can be indicative of the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the results of the studies conducted hitherto on this subject are inconsistent. We sought to investigate the possible correlation between plasma adiponectin levels and the presence and severity of CAD in patients undergoing non-urgent coronary angiography. Methods: In 399 consecutive patients undergoing non-urgent coronary angiography for CAD survey, plasma adiponectin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting blood sugar levels were measured and demographic characteristics such as age, sex, Body Mass Index, diabetes mellitus history, systemic hypertension history, and family history of CAD were collected. According to the angiography results, the patients were divided into two groups of CAD and non-CAD. The severity of coronary atherosclerosis in the CAD group was defined using the Gensini score system. Results: Average age was 61.4 ± 9.94 years in the CAD group and 57.9 ± 10.75 years in the non-CAD group. Also, 73.7% of the CAD group and 55.4% of the non-CAD group were male. Totally, 278 (69.7%) patients were found to have CAD. Patients without CAD did not have higher mean plasma adiponectin concentrations than did those with CAD (13.38 ± 11.96 vs. 14.95 ± 14.11 mcg/ml; p value = 0. 896). After adjustment for CAD conventional risk factors, plasma adiponectin levels still were not associated with CAD. No association was found between plasma adiponectin levels and the Gensini score. Furthermore, in contrast to the fairly strong correlation previously reported, there was no correlation between adiponectin levels and conventional CAD risk factors. Conclusion: We could not observe any relationship between plasma adiponectin concentrations and the presence or severity of CAD in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Background: Controversy persists over the potential benefits/harms of opium consumption in coronary heart disease. This study investigated the association between 12 months' major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and pre-procedural opium consumption among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Retrospectively, 1545 consecutive men who underwent PCI between 21st June 2009 and 20th June 2010 at Tehran Heart Center and were registered in the PCI Databank were entered into this cohort study. The occurrence of MACE, defined as cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and need for target vessel revascularization (TVR) or target lesion revascularization (TLR), was compared between two groups of opium consumers and non-consumers in 350 (22.7%) patients. Results: Sixty-four (0.86%) patients expired within 12 months. After adjustment for potential confounders, analysis revealed that opium consumption had no significant relationship with 12 months' MACE [11(3.1%) vs. 53(4.4%); p value= 0.286, among opium users vs. non users, respectively].Furthermore, the different components of MACE, including target vessel revascularization, target lesion revascularization, coronary artery bypass graft, and non-fatal myocardial infarction, were not significantly related to opium use. Conclusion: Pre-procedural opium usage in patients undergoing PCI was not associated with 12 months' MACE.

Background: Whether coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a unique clinical finding or results from other clinical entities is still unknown. We aimed to determine the CAE prevalence, investigate the relationship between CAE and patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics, and assess the prognosis at follow-up in a sample of Iranian population. Methods: Totally, 10057 patients who underwent coronary angiography were divided into three categories: normal coronary arteries without co-existing coronary artery disease; CAE without co-existing coronary artery narrowing < 50%; and coronary artery stenosis with > 50% luminal narrowing (CAS). Results: The prevalence of CAE was 1.5%. Compared to the normal individuals, the CAE patients were older, were more frequently male, and had higher rates of myocardial infarction (MI). The CAE patients had a lower frequency of diabetes and MI than the CAS group. The CAE patients were largely focused between 40 to 60 years of age. The right coronary and left anterior descending arteries were the most involved arteries, and ectasia was located more frequently in the proximal part of these arteries. Patients with ectasia in the three main vessels had higher rates of MI. After a mean follow-up of 54.23 ±18.41 months, chest pain and dyspnea on exertion remained the main complaint in more than 97% of the patients, leading to hospital admission in more than 14%. Conclusion: There was no relationship between the presence of ectasia and conventional risk factors. According to our study, pure CAE may be deemed a benign feature of atherosclerosis; however, it can lead to frequent hospital admissions because of the persistence of cardiovascular symptoms.

Background: The optimal strategy in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary artery bifurcation lesions has yet to be agreed upon. We compared a strategy for stenting the main vessel to provide a complete perfusion flow in the side branch, namely thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) - III, with a strategy for intervention in both the main vessel and the side branch (MV + SB). Methods: This retrospective study utilized data on 258 consecutive patients with bifurcation lesions scheduled for PCI at Tehran Heart Center between March 2003 and March 2008. The patients were followed up for 12 months, and the primary end point was a major adverse cardiac event (MACE), i.e. cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target-vessel revascularization, and target-lesion revascularization during the 12-month follow-up period. Results: A total of 52.7% of the patients underwent PCI on the main vessel of the bifurcation lesions (MV group) and 47.3% with a similar lesion type received a percutaneous intervention on both the main vessel and the side branch (MV + SB group). The total rate of MACE during the follow-up was 4.3% (11 patients); the rate was not significantly different between the MV and MV + SB groups (3.7% vs. 4.9%, respectively; p value = 0.622). Conclusion: There was no association between MACE in performing a simple or complex interventional strategy to treat coronary bifurcation lesions when drawing the TIMI- III flow as a goal in a simple technique.

Background: The effects of opium dependence on prognosis and short term outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are not clear yet. Methods: From March 2004 to August 2004 all male patients admitted with diagnosis of AMI were enrolled. Patients who fulfilled DSM- IV-TR criteria were chosen as opium dependent patients (ODP). Demographic data, risk factors, peak enzyme levels, location of MI, mortality and ejection fraction were collected and analyzed. We studied the mortality, readmission, functional class, performed revascularizations and coronary angiogram results in a short term follow-up (184 ± 37 days). Results: A total number of 160 patients were enrolled, of which 45 (28.1%) were opium dependent. In 137 patients 6 months follow up was completed. Duration of admission was higher in O.D.P (11.3 days versus 8.7, P= 0.03) There was no significant difference in age, EF, location of MI, peak enzymes levels, angiographic findings, risk factors (except for cigarette smoking and triglyceride level), in-hospital mortality, need for readmission, 6 months mortality, functional class, and the need for revascularization. Conclusion: In an unselected cohort of patients admitted with AMI, there was no significant difference in specifications, short term outcome and prognosis of AMI between ODP and nondependents except for duration of hospitalization.

Background: Androgens have been shown to have diverse effects on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to compare androgenic hormone levels in patients with different left ventricular ejection fractions (EF). Methods: The study population consisted of 515 consecutive men who were referred for angiographic studies and whose results of echocardiography and coronary angiography were available. The patients were classified into four groups: EF < 35%, EF = 35-45%, EF = 45-54%, and EF ≥ 55% to evaluate the trends of baseline characteristics and serum androgens, including free testosterone (fT), total testosterone (tT), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). To better elucidate the difference in the patients with severe heart failure, the patients were divided into two groups according to their EF level, and comparisons were repeated between those with EF < 35% and the ones with EF ≥ 35%. Results: There were statistically significant trends in some characteristics in the patients with different levels of EF. The subjects with higher EF levels were less likely to have diabetes (p value < 0.001), coronary artery lesion (p value < 0.001), or high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (p value < 0.001). As regards the patients with severe heart failure, our regression analysis revealed that the fT level was significantly lower in those with EF < 35% than in the ones with EF ≥ 35% (5.82 ± 2.73 pg/mL vs. 6.88 ± 3.34 pg/mL, p value < 0.05). Conclusion: A significant association was found between the level of fT and EF < 35%. There is a need for further controlled prospective studies to delineate any possible causal relationship accurately.

Background: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the different trade forms of streptokinase available in our country, namely Heberkinasa (Heberbiotec, Havana, Cuba) and Streptase (Aventis Behring GmbH, Marburg, Germany). Methods: We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial to compare the two streptokinase formulations, i.e. Heberkinasa (HBK) or Streptase (STP), in patients with acute myocardial infarction who needed thrombolysis. Thrombolysis success was evaluated angiographically and/or clinically. Clinical follow-up was done 30 days after thrombolysis. Results: We randomly allocated 221 patients with a mean age of 56.9±10.8 years (males: 88.2%) to HBK (n=119) and STP (n=102) groups. Baseline clinical and demographic characteristics were similar between the two groups, and the two groups were not significantly different in terms of door-to-needle and pain-to-needle intervals. The rate of complications was not significantly different between the groups (44.1% [HBK] vs. 42% [STP]). Angiography was done for 158 (71.5 %) patients in the first 24 hours (9%) and in the first 72 hours (38.8%) after thrombolysis. Lesion morphology and lesion/patient ratio were not significantly different between the two groups (1.87[HBK] vs. 1.67[STP]). The two groups were similar with respect to angiographic patency rate (67.5% [HBK] vs. 67.6% [STP]). The study groups were also similar as regards clinical outcome and complications of both streptokinase formulations. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that Heberkinasa is as effective and as safe as a standard streptokinase, namely Streptase, in a clinical setting.

Background: Muscle fibers overlying the intramyocardial segment of an epicardial coronary artery are termed myocardial bridge (MB). The aim of this study was to analyze the mid-term outcome of MB and to examine its possible association with angiographic findings and concomitant cardiac pathologies such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods: From a total of 3218 patients admitted for coronary angiography during 9 consecutive months, 28 (0.9%) were diagnosed with MBs with stenoses >=50%. Of these, 19 referred for follow-up with a median duration of 18 months. Results: HCM was present in 5 patients (26.3%), of whom 4 had MB as the sole finding in angiography. Of the 19 patients, 14 had diastolic dysfunction. In follow-up, 2 patients were treated with revascularization strategies due to the concomitant coronary artery disease and in 2, syncope occurred. For two patients, an intra-cardiac device and a permanent pacemaker were implanted. Three patients with MB as the sole finding in angiography were readmitted because of chest pain. Conclusion: Diastolic dysfunction may contribute to the presentation of symptoms of muscle bridging. Also, myocardial bridging as the only finding in coronary angiography is highly associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and may help to detect this group of patients. The mid-term outcome of myocardial bridges is favorable.

Background: The effects of opium dependence on prognosis and short term outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are not clear yet. Methods: From March 2004 to August 2004 all male patients admitted with diagnosis of AMI were enrolled. Patients who fulfilled DSM- IV-TR criteria were chosen as opium dependent patients (ODP). Demographic data, risk factors, peak enzyme levels, location of MI, mortality and ejection fraction were collected and analyzed. We studied the mortality, readmission, functional class, performed revascularizations and coronary angiogram results in a short term follow-up (184 ± 37 days). Results: A total number of 160 patients were enrolled, of which 45 (28.1%) were opium dependent. In 137 patients 6 months follow up was completed. Duration of admission was higher in O.D.P (11.3 days versus 8.7, P= 0.03) There was no significant difference in age, EF, location of MI, peak enzymes levels, angiographic findings, risk factors (except for cigarette smoking and triglyceride level), in-hospital mortality, need for readmission, 6 months mortality, functional class, and the need for revascularization. Conclusion: In an unselected cohort of patients admitted with AMI, there was no significant difference in specifications, short term outcome and prognosis of AMI between ODP and nondependents except for duration of hospitalization.