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Abstract Background and Aims We aimed to evaluate the association between electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiographic findings in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) before and after systemic thrombolysis. Methods We included 38 PE patients admitted to the hospital with approved right ventricular (RV) dysfunction who were indicated for systemic thrombolysis. Indications for systemic thrombolysis were considered as patients who were either hemodynamically unstable on admission or became unstable in the course of hospital admission. Systemic thrombolysis was performed by either Reteplase or Alteplase. ECG and echocardiographic findings were documented at baseline and 12–24 h following systemic thrombolysis. Results Our results showed that TAPSE significantly increased while RV size and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PAP) notably decreased after systemic thrombolysis (p

Abstract Background and Aims Coronary artery calcification reduces elasticity and can cause hemodynamic disturbances, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications. Furthermore, coronary calcifications make cardiovascular interventions difficult. The present study aimed to study the cardiovascular outcomes of the coronary intervention of calcified lesions in the Iranian population. Methods The present cross‐sectional study evaluated patients with moderate to severe calcified coronary artery lesions on angiography who were candidates for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Demographic, echocardiographic, and angiographic data of the patients were recorded. In addition, clinical outcomes, including mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and stent thrombosis, were also measured 1 year after the procedure. Results A total of 125 participants (65% male and 35% female) with a median age of 69 (13.0) years old were enrolled. The most common calcification degree was 270° (43.5%), followed by 360° (35.5%) and 180° (21.0%). Most patients had thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) score of 3 (47.6%). A more than 10% residual coronary minimum lumen diameter was seen in 25.8% of patients. Puncture site hemorrhage and contrast‐induced nephropathy were observed in 2 (1.6%) and 1 (0.8%) patients, respectively. Following 1 year after PCI, no cases of mortality, cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis were reported. Furthermore, we observed one case of heart failure (0.8%) and target lesion revascularization (0.8%). In addition, we revealed a significant relationship between calcification degree and TIMI (p

Abstract Background and Aims Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of massive (MPE) and submassive pulmonary embolism (SMPE). Ultrasound has not been accepted as a diagnostic tool. We aim to evaluate the pattern of pulmonary Doppler echocardiography in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods From 2020 to 2022, 30 patients with acute MPE or SMPE confirmed by CTA and normal pulmonary pressures were selected. A control group was created with 30 individuals without PE. All patients had an echocardiography Doppler study of the pulmonary flow with a focus on early systolic notching (ESN), McConnell's (MC) sign, Right ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (RVOT VTI), segmental thickness variability (STV), right ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (RVEDD), tricuspid regurgitation (TR) gradient, pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), and acceleration (AT) or ejection time (ET). Results ESN was identified in 96.6% of PE patients and 0% of the control group (p

Abstract Background and Aims The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum N‐terminal (NT)‐pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and incidence of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction in patients who underwent low‐dose anthracycline chemotherapy. Methods This observational, prospective study was conducted on all patients with proven breast cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, or non‐Hodgkin lymphoma and no history of previous cardiac or any chronic diseases who were candidates for low‐dose anthracycline chemotherapy from March 2017 to February 2018. We evaluated the serum NT‐proBNP level and performed trans‐thoracic echocardiography at baseline, 6, and 9 months after the chemotherapy. Results Among 57 patients who successfully finished the study, 13 (22.8%) patients were men and 44 (77.19%) patients were women, and the total mean age was 52 ± 14.86 years. Our results revealed that the LV systolic and diastolic function and NT‐proBNP mean levels were in the normal range at all three measured times. Additionally, no significant differences were observed between the levels of NT‐proBNP, LV systolic, and diastolic function at baseline, 6, and 9 months after chemotherapy with low‐dose anthracycline (p = 0.6, 0.1, and 0.4, respectively). Conclusion Following low‐dose anthracycline chemotherapy, none of our patients encountered LV systolic and diastolic dysfunctions and changes in serum NT‐proBNP level. However, further studies with a larger population, longer follow‐up duration, and higher dosage of anthracyclines are required to determine the effects of low‐dose anthracycline on NT‐proBNP level and LV systolic and diastolic functions.

Abstract Background and Aims The isolated tricuspid valve surgery is performed using beating or arrested heart surgery. The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the results of patients who underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery using the beating and arrested heart techniques. Methods In this retrospective observational study, all patients undergoing isolated tricuspid valve surgery between 2011 and 2018 were included. The patient's demographic information, echocardiographic, surgery, and hospitalization results were collected, and the EuroSCORE was calculated from the patient's medical records. Results Fifty‐three patients were included in the study of which 21 (39.63%) and 32 (60.37%) underwent a beating heart and arrested heart surgeries, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two studied groups in the echocardiographic results before and after the surgery, total hospitalization days (p = 0.56), and the mortality in the first 30 days after the surgery (p = 0.152). However, the duration of surgery (p