Search

Introduction: Reperfusion injury is a well-known phenomenon following restoration of the coronary circulation after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) that impairs myocardial function. In order to control the severity of this injury, we aimed to investigate the effect of a new conditioning strategy namely ischemic postconditioning (IPOC) along with controlled aortic root reperfusion (CARR) on myocardial protection in CABG surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: In a doubled blind clinical trial study, 51 patients undergoing first-time elective CABG were randomly divided in three groups: CARR, IPOC, and combination of IPOC and CARR. At the end of procedure and just before aortic cross-clamp removal, reperfusion was started as following: In CARR-receiving groups, the reperfusion was started with low perfusion pressures for 10 minutes, and in IPOC-receiving groups, three cycles of 1 minute episodes of ischemia separated by 1 minute episodes of reperfusion was applied as postconditioning protocol. Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) (by echocardiography), inotrope requirement index, and myocardial arrhythmias were measured up to 72 hours after operation. Results: Echocardiography revealed that the recovery of EF after operation in IPOC group was significantly higher than those of two other groups (P

Introduction: Cardiac surgery, due to being associated with stressors, has many physiological, psychological, emotional, growths, and spiritual potential consequences. However, few studies have been conducted about identifying the stressors. Therefore, the objective of the study was to determine patients’ perceptions of stressors associated with coronary artery bypass surgery.Methods: In this descriptive study during the two-month investigation, qualified patients for participation in the study (68 persons) undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery on the third to fifth postoperative day were selected and with using of Revised Cardiac Surgery Stressors Scale (RCSSS), interpersonal, intrapersonal, and extra personal stressors were determined.Results: The findings showed that intrapersonal stressors are perceived more than interpersonal and extra personal stressors by patients. In the analysis of data, the highest stressors were "pain and discomfort", "the need to have heart surgery", "death due to illness or surgery", "being away from home and work", "having chest tube".Conclusion: In this study the intrapersonal stressors were perceived more than interpersonal and extra personal stressors by patients, which nurses should put emphasis on identification and elimination of intrapersonal stressors based on the needs of patients.

Introduction: Delirium as a relatively common complication following cardiac surgery remains a contributory factor in postoperative mortality and an obstacle to early discharge of patients.Methods: In the present study 329 patients who underwent open heart surgery between 1st January 2008 to 1st January 2009 in Shahid Madani Heart Center, Tabriz, Iran were enrolled.Results: Overall 4.9% of patients developed delirium after cardiac surgery. We found atrial fibrillation (P = 0.005), lung diseases (P = 0.04) and hypertension (P = 0.02) to be more common in patients who develop delirium postoperatively. Furthermore, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, and ventilation period were also significantly increased. Also a statistically meaningful relationship between the female gender and development of delirium was also noted (P = 0.02). On the other hand no meaningful relationship was detected between diabetes, history of cerebral vascular diseases, peripheral vascular diseases, myocardial infarction, development of pneumonia following surgery, and laboratory levels of sodium, potassium, glucose, and complete blood cell count (CBC) including white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets in the blood-hemoglobin and hematocrits. Also environmental factors like presence of other patients or companion with the patient, and objects like clock, window and calendar in the patient’s room did not affect prevention of delirium.Conclusion: Based on this and other investigations, it can be suggested to use MMPI test to recognize pathologic elements to prevented delirium after surgery and complementary treatment for coping with delirium.

Introduction: Depression is one of the Common psychological disorders. From the cognitive point of view, the unhealthy attitudes increase the severity of the depression. The aim of this study was to investigate depression and unhealthy attitudes in coronary patients hospitalized at Tabriz Shahid Madani Heart Center. Methods: One hundred twenty eight hospitalized patients having myocardial Infarctions were studied regarding unhealthy attitudes, severity of depression and demographic data. Results: The study showed a significant relation between unhealthy attitudes, BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) and severe depression. Moreover, a significant relation existed between gender and depression (P=0.0001). In addition, the level of education increased the intensity of unhealthy attitudes (P=0.0001). Several researches in both outside and inside Iran support the idea. Conclusion: Based on present study and more other investigations, it can be suggested to provide the necessary elements and parameters such as antidepressant medication, psychologists, complementary treatment for coping with negative mood and its unwanted consequences.