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Background: This study aims to assess the impact that physiotherapy (PT) has on the quality of life (QoL) of patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of PT on physical and mental aspects of patients' QoL. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 50 patients who aged between 60 and 70 years and who had previously undergone CABG surgery. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups: a PT group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 25). The physical characteristics of the participants were recorded at the outset of the study. The patients who were allocated to the PT group completed 16 sessions of classic PT. QoL assessments of all participants were performed before and after the program in the form of a short form-36 health survey. An independent sample t-test and an ANCOVA were performed for the purpose of statistical analyses. Results: The QoL scores of the patients (mean age = 62.08 years) who underwent PT significantly improved after the intervention (P < 0.001). A significant difference between groups was observed (P < 0.001) in both the mental component summary and physical component summary variables. Conclusion: PT can help relieve pain, reduce depression, help patients more effectively perform the tasks of everyday living, and help ease the symptoms of other disabilities associated with cardiac surgery. In the current study, the implementation of a PT program improved the patient's mental health and increased their QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is one of the most common complications after radiographic procedures using intravascular radiocontrast media. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of atorvastatin on prevention of CIN in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Materials and Methods: In a clinical trial study, 200 patients referred for angiography were randomly divided into two groups of using 80 mg atorvastatin and placebo before the procedure. Furthermore, 100 patients who were under chronic treatment of statins were included as the third group. Serum creatinine (Scr) levels before and after the procedure were evaluated and incidence of CIN (post-procedural Scr of >0.5 mg/dl or >25% from baseline) was assessed. Results: Mean age of the participants was 60.06 ± 0.69 years and 276 (92%) were male. There were no significant differences between group with respect to age and gender. In pre-operation atorvastatin, placebo and long term statin groups, the incidence of CIN was 1%, 2% and 1%, and mean changes of Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 3.68 ± 1.32, −0.77 ± 1.21 and 1.37 ± 0.86; and mean changes of creatinine (Cr) was −0.05 ± 0.02, 0.02 ± 0.02 and −0.01 ± 0.01 respectively. (P = 0.776, 0.026 and 0.041 respectively). In pre-operation atorvastatin group, Cr decreased, and GFR increased significantly (P = 0.019 and 0.007 respectively). Conclusion: pre-operation short term high dose atorvastatin use was associated with a significant decrease in serum Cr level and increase in GFR after angiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The finding of bundle branch block (BBB) in patients with syncope suggests that paroxysmal atrioventricular block (AVB) or ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) may be the cause of syncope. Guidelines for cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy have been recommended to perform electrophysiological study (EPS) for confirming main cause of syncope. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the role of EPS in patients with syncope and BBB. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 133 patients (mean age 63 ± 13.8 years) with past history of syncope and BBB from April 2002 to December 2010 who referred to Arrhythmia clinic in two tertiary care centers. All patients underwent EPS on admission time. The frequency distributions of AVB and VT in patients were determined. Results: Left bundle branch block was diagnosed in 184 (82.1%) patients. 133 of them had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥45%) that in 91 (68.4%) of those, EPS finding was normal. In 41 (30.8%) patients AVB was reported. In 2 (1.5%) patients VT and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia were seen. Coronary artery disease was more common in patients with AVB and abnormal EPS finding (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Ventricular tachyarrhythmia was a rare electrophysiological finding in those with syncope, bifascicular block, and preserved LVEF. Considering cost-effect benefit, pacemaker or implantable loop recorder implantation is suggested; however, EPS may not be necessary to perform before permanent pacemaker implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effectiveness of a theory‑based educational intervention on intension for sexual abstinence among female university students was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Female students were recruited from humanity sciences department through cluster sampling. Educational intervention was applied for four 90‑min sessions and by application of cognitive theories during 4 weeks. Results: One hundred and nine female students with mean age of 20.74 ± 1.57 years took part in the study. Despite the similarity of two groups of intervention (n = 53) and control (n = 59) at baseline, there were significant differences between the two groups in mean scores of the variables, knowledge (4.62 ± 1.38 vs. 3.53 ± 1.61), perceived susceptibility (14.05 ± 1.51 vs. 12.37 ± 2.11), and perceived benefits (28.41 ± 2.14 vs. 27.51 ± 3.05), at follow‑up time after 3 months (P < 0.05). Additionally, these variables were observed with improvement over 3 months in the intervention group (P < 0.05). However, this study showed no significant effect on the behavior intention and self‑efficacy. Conclusion: This study showed that educational intervention could improve knowledge, perceived benefits, and self‑efficacy of the female students regarding HIV/AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author offers his views on the need for an effective period of cardiac rehabilitation program in Iran. The benefits of CR include reduction in mortality, symptom relief, smoking cessation, improved physical fitness, risk factor modification, and improved overall psychosocial well-being. Physician-prescribed exercise, cardiac risk factor modification, psychosocial assessment, outcomes assessment, and individualized treatment plan.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "The Effects of Cardiac Tertiary Prevention Program after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery on Health and Quality of Life" in the 2012 issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to a paper by T. Hasandokht et al titled "Life Style Interventions for Hypertension Treatment Among Iranian Women In Primary Health-Care Settings: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial."