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Weight regain (WR) and insufficient weight loss (IWL) after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are challenging issues. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of WR and IWL after SG.In this retrospective analytical study, 568 patients who underwent SG at Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between January 2015 and April 2022 were evaluated. A total of 333 patients were included. WR and IWL were evaluated by multiple criteria such as a BMI of 35 kg/mThe univariate analysis showed that preoperative BMI, obstructive sleep apnea, metformin consumption, and grades 2 and 3 fatty liver disease were associated with WR and IWL (P 0.05). WR or IWL incidence varied (0-19.3%) based on different definitions. The multivariate analysis showed that a preoperative BMI of 45 kg/mThis study showed that preoperative BMI of 45 kg/m

This systematic review and meta-analysis intend to evaluate the efficacy of metabolic/bariatric surgeries (MBS) in patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus. A systematic literature search and meta-analysis were performed in electronic databases up to July 2021. In total, 27 primary studies comprising 648 subjects were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Patients had a mean age of 38.0 ± 7.3 years. Preoperative mean BMI was 42.6 ± 4.7 kg/m

Background Bariatric surgery in patients with BMI over 50 kg/m2 is a challenging task. The aim of this study was to address main issues regarding perioperative management of these patients by using a worldwide survey. Methods An online 48-item questionnaire-based survey on perioperative management of patients with a BMI superior to 50 kg/m2 was ideated by 15 bariatric surgeons from 9 different countries. The questionnaire was emailed to all members of the International Federation of Surgery for Obesity (IFSO). Responses were collected and analyzed by the authors. Results 789 bariatric surgeons from 73 countries participated in the survey. Most surgeons (89.9%) believed that metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS) on patients with BMI over 50 kg/m2 should only be performed by expert bariatric surgeons. Half of the participants (55.3%) believed that weight loss must be encouraged before surgery and 42.6% of surgeons recommended an excess weight loss of at least 10%. However, only 3.6% of surgeons recommended the insertion of an Intragastric Balloon as bridge therapy before surgery. Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) was considered the best choice for patients younger than 18 or older than 65 years old. SG and One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass were the most common procedures for individuals between 18 and 65 years. Half of the surgeons believed that a 2-stage approach should be offered to patients with BMI > 50 kg/m2, with SG being the first step. Postoperative thromboprophylaxis was recommended for 2 and 4 weeks by 37.8% and 37.7% of participants, respectively. Conclusion This survey demonstrated worldwide variations in bariatric surgery practice regarding patients with a BMI superior to 50 kg/m2. Careful analysis of these results is useful for identifying several areas for future research and consensus building.

This review evaluates the indications and outcomes of one-anastomosis/mini gastric bypass (OAGB/MGB) reversal to normal anatomy. A systematic literature search and meta-analysis was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for articles published by October 1, 2020, including the keywords "one anastomosis gastric bypass," "OAGB," "mini gastric bypass," "MGB," "reversal," "reverse," "malnutrition," and "reversal bariatric surgery". After examining 182 papers involving 11,578 patients, 14 studies were included. A reversal was performed in 119 patients on average 23.6 months after the primary OAGB/MGB surgery. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 22.92 ± 3.47 kg/m2 and the mean albumin level was 25.17 ± 4.21 g/L at reversal. The mean length of the common channel (CC) was 383.57 ± 159.35 cm, with a mean biliopancreatic limb (BPL) length of 214.21 ± 48.45 cm. Pooled estimation of the meta-analysis of prevalence studies reported a prevalence of 1% for reversal. The major signs and symptoms of protein-energy malnutrition were the leading causes of the reversal of OAGB/MGB. Bleeding, leakage, and death due to severe liver failure were the most reported complications after reversal, with an overall incidence of 10.9%. In conclusion, OAGB/MGB reversal has a prevalence of 1% and has a complication rate of 10.9%. Protein-energy malnutrition with hypoalbuminemia was the most common etiology. The mean lengths of BPL and CC were reported as 215 cm and 380 cm, respectively, in the cases. Therefore, special attention should be paid to malnutrition in all OAGB/MGB patients during follow-up to prevent severe malnutrition and subsequent increase in reversal procedures.

Morbid obesity is a global chronic disease, and bariatric procedures have been approved as the best method to control obesity. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is one of the most common bariatric surgeries in the world and has become the gold standard procedure for many years. However, some patients experience weight regain or weight loss failure after the initial bypass surgery and require revisional or conversional interventions. International databases including PubMed, International Scientific Indexing (ISI), and Scopus were considered for a systematic search of articles that were published by 5th of May 2020. Forty-one published studies, which reported revision procedure on 1403 patients, were selected and analyzed for this review. The selected studies were categorized into six groups of revision procedures, including laparoscopic pouch resizing and/or revision of gastro-jejunal anastomosis (GJA), adjustable or non-adjustable gastric band over pouch ± pouch/GJA resizing, endoscopic revision of gastric GJA ± pouch, distal Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (DRGB), biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) or single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with gastric sleeve (SADI-S), DRGB + Band or pouch/GJA resizing. Revision procedures result in more weight loss after the initial weight loss procedures. In the one-year follow-up, DRGB by itself with standardized mean difference (SMD) of - 1.24 presented a greater decrease in body mass index (BMI). DRGB plus band or pouch/GJA resizing, BPD-DS or SADI, adjustable or non-adjustable gastric banding over pouch ± pouch/GJA resizing, endoscopic pouch and/or GJA revision and laparoscopic pouch or/and GJA resizing revealed a lower decrease in BMI in order, respectively. In the three-year follow-up, BPD-DS or SADI-S method with SMD of - 1.40 presented the highest decrease in BMI. In follow, DRGB alone, adjustable or non-adjustable gastric banding over gastric pouch ± pouch / GJA resizing, DRGB + Band or gastric pouch/GJA resizing, laparoscopic pouch and/or GJA resizing and endoscopic revision of pouch and/or GJA revealed less reduction in BMI, respectively. In the five-year follow-up, DRGB alone procedures with SMD of - 2.17 presented the greatest reduction in BMI. Subsequently, BPD-DS or SADI-S, laparoscopic pouch and/or GJA size revision, and endoscopic revision of GJA/pouch revealed less overall decrease in BMI in order. All methods of revision procedures after the initial RYGB have been effective in the resolution of weight regain. However, based on the findings in this systematic review, it seems DRGB or BPD-DS/SADI-S is the most effective procedure in the long-term follow-up outcome. More studies with a higher number of patients and even longer follow-ups will be required to obtain more accurate data and outcome.

Obesity makes migraine more prevalent and severe. Serum level of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is associated with the severity of migraine attacks. Although the effect of weight and bariatric surgery has been studied on migraine, the role of CGRP in migraine remission after weight loss surgery needs more investigation.Patients with severe obesity who were bariatric surgery candidates and had been diagnosed with chronic migraine were included in this study. Weight, BMI, number of days with headache in the past 3 months, and severity of headaches in 10-point Likert VAS, Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) and Migraine Specific Quality of life (MSQ) questionnaire scores, and serum CGRP levels were evaluated before and within 6-10 months after surgery.Sixty patients with chronic migraine with severe obesity were included. Ninety-five percent of patients reported a significantly lower number of attacks (21 to 8, p 0.001) and severity of headaches within 90-day (7.7 to 4.8, p 0.001); MIDAS (64.4 to 25.5, p 0.001) and MSQ scores (44.6 to 26.8, p 0.001) and CGRP level (252.7 to 130.1, p 0.001) were significantly reduced after surgery with a mean follow-up of 7.5 months. Changes in MIDAS, MSQ, and CGRP were significantly associated with weight-related variables.Bariatric surgery decreases the frequency of migraine attacks, lessens the severity of headaches, and improves the quality of life and disability as well as CGRP plasma levels, suggesting CGRP as a possible etiology in the migraine-obesity link.

B1 deficiency is a very prevalent complication of bariatric surgery. This study reviews prevalence and symptoms of B1 vitamin deficiency after bariatric surgery. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science published were searched up to 10 Feb 2022, with the following keywords: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, one anastomosis gastric bypass, Omega bypass, Mini bypass, Bariatric surgery OR Bariatric surgery, metabolic surgery, Weight loss surgery, Classic gastric bypass, Loop gastric bypass, Gastric Bypass, thiamine OR thiamin, beriberi, B1. A total of 11 studies examining 1494 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Twenty-seven percent of patients who underwent bariatric surgeries experience vitamin B1 deficiency. Thiamine supplements should be prescribed for the patients for the rest of their lives, and also standard post-surgery follow-ups are necessary in terms of monitoring dietary factors.

One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB/MGB) has gained popularity in the past decade. International databases were searched for articles published by September 10, 2020, on OAGB/MGB as a revisional procedure after restrictive procedures. Twenty-six studies examining a total of 1771 patients were included. The mean initial BMI was 45.70 kg/m2, which decreased to 31.52, 31.40, and 30.54 kg/m2 at 1, 3, and 5-year follow-ups, respectively. Remission of type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) following OAGB/MGB at 1-, 3-, and 5-year follow-up was 65.16 ± 24.43, 65.37 ± 36.07, and 78.10 ± 14.19%, respectively. Remission/improvement rate from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Also, 7.4% of the patients developed de novo GERD following OAGB/MGB. Leakage was the most common major complication. OAGB/MGB appears to be feasible and effective as a revisional procedure after failed restrictive bariatric procedures. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11695-020-05079-x.

Background Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(LSG) is the most popular bariatric surgery worldwide. Postoperative de-novo acid reflux is one of the major common complications of the procedure. Different additive anti-reflux surgical techniques have been tried to decrease the complication although no favorable outcome is obtained. This study was conducted to evaluate effects of concurrent cruroplasty during LSG on postoperative de-novo acid reflux incidence rate. Methods In current participant-blinded randomised controlled trial total of 80 subjects who were candidate for LSG were enrolled from the September 2018 to the December 2019. Following matching patients by gender and age, simple randomization method was held to allocate participants to LSG alone and LSG + cruroplasty groups with equal 40 members in each. Demographic data, length of hospital stay, and operation time was registered. Presence of acid reflux was looked by using gastroesophageal reflux disease-health related quality of life(GERD-HRQL) questionnaire prior and 6 months after surgery in follow-up visit. Results Finally 12/28 and 14/26 male/females with 38.5 ± 10.7 and 39.7 ± 8.2 years of age were recruited in LSG alone and LSG + cruroplasty, respectively.(p > 0.05) The length of operative time was significantly shorter in LSG alone(p 0.05). Conclusion Equipping LSG with concurrent cruroplasty to diminish postoperative de-novo gastroesophageal acid reflux is not effective and not recommended in absence of other indications., Highlights • Data of incidence and reinforcement of diaphragmatic crura to inhibit de-novo GERD after LSG is varied and insufficient. • Adding cruroplasty to LSG for preventing de-novo gastroesophageal reflux is not advised. • It is recommended to focus researches on details of surgical technique for LSG to prevent postoperative reflux.

Background Obesity, which has various complications and co-morbidities, is an epidemic issue worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a well-known metabolic disorder among patients with severe obesity. While they are good candidates for bariatric surgery, this deficiency can affect the outcome of surgery negatively. Objectives The aim of this study was to compare 3 different VDD treatment strategies for use before bariatric surgery and compare serum vitamin D levels after 7 weeks. Settings University hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Methods This was a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial on 100 patients who were referred for bariatric surgery from 2016 to 2018. Vitamin D (VitD) level was checked before surgery for the patients included in the study, if their VitD level was Results No case was lost during the follow-up time. No significant differences were found among the 3 groups in terms of their age (P = .654), body mass index (P = .434), sex (P = .799), initial 25(OH) VitD level (P = .273), and history of supplement use (P = .45). Mean serum VitD levels were 15.21, 13.16, and 13.37 ng/mL, respectively, before the surgery and reached 32.91, 24.74, and 29.49 ng/mL after 7 weeks of treatment in oral, injection, and combined groups, respectively. Finally, the 7-week oral treatment option had significantly higher levels of VitD (P value=.034). Conclusion VDD treatment with 50,000 units VitD3 capsule every week for 7 weeks before bariatric surgery yields a higher level of VitD. Based on our findings, injectable supplements are not recommended for VDD treatment.

Introduction. Obesity is among the newest health matters that human beings are struggling with. Length of bypassed intestine is important in achievement of most weight loss and least nutritional and absorptive disorders. This study has aimed to assess short-term metabolic and nutritional effects of laparoscopic mini-gastric bypass/one anastomosis gastric bypass (MGB/OAGB) with a loop bypass length of 180 centimeters (cm) and compare these factors among patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40–45 and 45–50 kilograms per square meter (kg/m2). Methods. 25 patients were put in group 1 (BMI = 40–45 kg/m2) and 25 patients in group 2 (BMI = 45–50 kg/m2). Patients’ BMI, postoperative weight, excess weight loss, and laboratory tests including fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile, serum iron (Fe), ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), 25-OH vitamin D, vitamin B12, liver function tests, and albumin were recorded preoperatively and within 3- and 6-month follow-up. Results. Weight loss and BMI reduction was significantly more in patients with higher BMI level (P=0.007), and excess weight loss was higher in patients with lower preoperative BMI level (P=0.007). Six-month follow-up showed statistically significant reduction in total cholesterol, total triglyceride, Fe, and vitamin B12 among patients with higher BMI level (P value Conclusion. Based on this study, 180-cm intestinal bypassed length works for patients with a BMI level of 40–45 and 45–50 kg/m2, according to their significant decrease in weight, BMI, and improving glycolipid profile.

Introduction Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the most common way of inserting a gastrostomy tube. If PEG is not appropriate for a patient, then the laparoscopic or open technique should be used. Here, we introduce a new laparoscopic technique for inserting a gastrostomy tube. Material and surgical technique We used this new laparoscopic approach in 21 patients for whom PEG was not suitable. After marking on the abdominal skin and inserting the trocars, two 2-0 silk sutures were passed. Two stitches were placed 2 cm apart in the stomach with one hand. Each suture was pulled out with the fascia closure, the stomach was pulled out with a Babcock, and a purse-string suture using a round 2-0 silk suture was placed outside the stomach, creating a mushroom-retained gastrostomy. Conclusion This new laparoscopic technique is minimally invasive. It provides full control through only two trocars and required smaller incisions than common laparoscopic approaches. This method can be used to insert a gastrostomy tube in indicated patients when PEG placement is not suitable.

One of the new current treatment options for Diabetes Mellitus is about increasing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) activity. GLP-1 with its incretin effect showed major role in glucose homeostasis. Gastroileostomy can increase GLP-1 secretion by rapid delivery of undigested food to the terminal ileum. We studied the early effects of a gastroileostomy on serum levels of GLP-1, glucose, and insulin in rats. Gastroileostomies with side-to-side anastomosis were performed on 15 male New Zealand rats. Blood samples were obtained before and 1 week after the gastroileostomy. Our results showed that the rats lost a lot of weight from start (330 ± 15 g) to the end (240 ± 25 g) of the experiment (p = 0.048). The data analysis showed that the gastroileostomy surgery elevates the level of GLP-1in plasma significantly (89.1852 vs. 177.440 respectively; p

Background The optimal management of hemodynamically stable asymptomatic patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds (AASWs) remains controversial. The goal is to identify and treat injuries in a safe cost-effective manner. Common evaluation strategies are local wound exploration (LWE), diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL), serial clinical assessment (SCAs) and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Making a decision about the right time to operate on a patient with a penetrating abdominal stab wound, especially those who have visceral evisceration, is a continuing challenge. Objectives Until the year 2010, our strategy was emergency laparotomy in patients with penetrating anterior fascia and those with visceral evisceration. This survey was conducted towards evaluating the results of emergency laparotomy. So, better management can be done in patients with penetrating abdominal stab wounds. Patients and Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on patients with abdominal penetrating trauma who referred to Al- Zahra hospital in Isfahan, Iran from October 2000 to October 2010. It should be noted that patients with abdominal blunt trauma, patients under 14 years old, those with lateral abdomen penetrating trauma and patients who had unstable hemodynamic status were excluded from the study. Medical records of patients were reviewed and demographic and clinical data were collected for all patients including: age, sex, mechanism of trauma and the results of LWE and laparotomy. Data were analyzed with PASW v.20 software. All data were expressed as mean ± SD. The distribution of nominal variables was compared using the Chi-squared test. Also diagnostic index for LWE were calculated. A two-sided P value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results During the 10 year period of the study, 1100 consecutive patients with stab wounds were admitted to Al-Zahra hospital Isfahan, Iran. In total, about 150 cases had penetrating traumas in the anterior abdomen area. Sixty-three (42%) patients were operated immediately due to shock, visceral evisceration or aspiration of blood via a nasogastric tube on admission. Organ injury was seen in 78% of patients with visceral evisceration. Among these 87 cases, 29 patients’ (33.3%) anterior fascia was not penetrated in LWE. So, they were observed for several hours and discharged from the hospital without surgery. While for the remaining 58 patients (66.6%), whose LWE detected penetration of anterior abdominal fascia, laparotomy was performed which showed visceral injuries in 11 (18%) cases. Conclusions All in all, 82 percent of laparotomies in patients with penetrated anterior abdominal fascia without visceral evisceration, who had no signs of peritoneal irritation, were negative. So, we recommended further evaluation in these patients. However, visceral evisceration is an indication for exploratory laparotomy, since in our study; the majority of patients had organ damages.

Background: Prospective studies evaluating outcome of laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication for esophageal achalasia are less in Asian people. Objectives: This study conducted to evaluate the results of laparoscopic cardiomyotomy and partial fundoplication for achalasia. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients who underwent Heller myotomy for achalasia via laparoscopy in Alzahra hospital Isfahan, Iran were recorded prospectively (2009 - 2013). Median follow-up was 18 months. Symptoms including dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain and weight loss were recorded before and after operation. Also, previous treatment for achalasia such as endoscopic pneumatic dilatations and intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin or other component, duration of symptoms and duration and complication of operation was recorded. Results: Among 30 patients, there were 13 (43.3%) females and 17 (56.7%) males, and mean age was 40.8 years (range, 20 - 68 years). The operations were finished laparoscopically in all patients. Mean operative time was 137 ± 36.2 minutes. The patients were symptomatic for at least 30 months before referring for surgery. There are some difficulties in dissection in cases who received Ethanolamine or Botholinum Toxin injection as non-surgical treatment before that. Mean hospital stay was 2.45 days. Regurgitation, chest pain and heartburn relieved significantly in median follow up of 18 months, in 100%, 66.6% and 70%, respectively (P < 0.001, P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). At that time, except for two (6.6%) patients, all other patients had improvement in dysphagia (P < 0.001) .The mucosa in two (6.6%) of patients was perforated on the gastric end of the xylotomy. The perforations were repaired laparoscopically with single suture without postoperative leak. Conclusions: Our study showed that laparascopic Helermyotomy with Dor fundoplication result in significant relief of dysphagia. Overall clinical symptoms indicate improvement in patient functional status during 18-month follow-up.

Background: sildenafil have been shown in small studies to decrease pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Increased cGMP concentration results in pulmonary vasculature relaxation; vasodilation in the pulmonary bed and systemic circulation may occur.

Background Bronchiectasis is an abnormal and permanent dilatation of bronchi. Infection plays a major role in causing and perpetuating bronchiectasis, as reducing the microbial load and attendant mediators are cornerstone of therapy. Zinc, as an integral micronutrient is involved in the immune reactions including response to infection. In several previous studies, mild zinc deficiency has been described in many infectious diseases such as abscess, cellulitis, chronic diarrhea, pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), etc. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine serum zinc level in a series of patients suffering from bronchiectasis and to compare it with healthy control group. Patients and Materials This analytical cross-sectional study was performed on thirty four patients with proven bronchiectasis and twenty nine healthy control subjects referred to Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between March 2005 and March 2007. Serum concentration of the zinc was measured for all of the subjects and other information was completed according to their medical records. Both groups (case and control) were frequently matched regarding their age groups. Results Patients included 11 (32.4%) males and 23 (67.6%) females with the average age of 55.03 (SD = 17.06) yr. The mean level of serum zinc in the case and control groups were 94.06 (SD = 20/96) mcg/dl and 103.7 (SD = 11.96) mcg/dl, respectively. Independent T-test analysis showed that serum zinc concentration in the case group of bronchiectasis patients was significantly lower than control group (P = 0.02). Conclusions The results of our study show that serum zinc level in bronchiectasis patients was lower than the control group and the difference was statistically significant. It seems that the use of zinc supplement can reduce progression of the infectious disease regarding its role in improving the immune system reactions and some unknown mechanisms. Therefore, prophylactic and therapeutic use of zinc must be evaluated in further trials.

Background The optimal management of hemodynamically stable asymptomatic patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds (AASWs) remains controversial. The goal is to identify and treat injuries in a safe cost-effective manner. Common evaluation strategies are local wound exploration (LWE), diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL), serial clinical assessment (SCAs) and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Making a decision about the right time to operate on a patient with a penetrating abdominal stab wound, especially those who have visceral evisceration, is a continuing challenge. Objectives Until the year 2010, our strategy was emergency laparotomy in patients with penetrating anterior fascia and those with visceral evisceration. This survey was conducted towards evaluating the results of emergency laparotomy. So, better management can be done in patients with penetrating abdominal stab wounds. Patients and Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on patients with abdominal penetrating trauma who referred to Al- Zahra hospital in Isfahan, Iran from October 2000 to October 2010. It should be noted that patients with abdominal blunt trauma, patients under 14 years old, those with lateral abdomen penetrating trauma and patients who had unstable hemodynamic status were excluded from the study. Medical records of patients were reviewed and demographic and clinical data were collected for all patients including: age, sex, mechanism of trauma and the results of LWE and laparotomy. Data were analyzed with PASW v.20 software. All data were expressed as mean ± SD. The distribution of nominal variables was compared using the Chi-squared test. Also, diagnostic index for LWE were calculated. A two-sided P value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results During the 10 year period of the study, 1100 consecutive patients with stab wounds were admitted to Al-Zahra hospital Isfahan, Iran. In total, about 150 cases had penetrating traumas in the anterior abdomen area. Sixty-three (42%) patients were operated immediately due to shock, visceral evisceration or aspiration of blood via a nasogastric tube on admission. Organ injury was seen in 78% of patients with visceral evisceration. Among these 87 cases, 29 patients’ (33.3%) anterior fascia was not penetrated in LWE. So, they were observed for several hours and discharged from the hospital without surgery. While for the remaining 58 patients (66.6%), whose LWE detected penetration of anterior abdominal fascia, laparotomy was performed which showed visceral injuries in 11 (18%) cases. Conclusions All in all, 82 percent of laparotomies in patients with penetrated anterior abdominal fascia without visceral evisceration, who had no signs of peritoneal irritation, were negative. So, we recommended further evaluation in these patients. However, visceral evisceration is an indication for exploratory laparotomy, since in our study; the majority of patients had organ damages.

Bronchiectasis is defined as bronchial abnormal and permanent dilation with destructive and inflammatory changes of bronchial wall. Bronchodilators are used to treat the disease in order to improve lung functions. Seretide is the combination of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol xinafoate (FLU/SAL). The effect of each has been proved in the improvement of bronchiectasis, while their synthetic effect as FLU/SAL on bronchiectasis improvement has not been studied yet.The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of FLU/SAL on the lung function improvement in bronchiectasis patients, comparing and interpreting pulmonary function tests before and after FLU/SAL inhalation.Twelve patients with bronchiectasis who referred to Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2008 participated in this prospective quasi-experimental trial. The patients were treated with 2 puffs of fluticasone 125 μg and salmeterol 50 μg (Seretide) twice a day for one month. Beside recording demographic variables, the results of pulmonary function tests (PFT) including vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁) and FEV₁/FVC ratio were recorded before and after the treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.16 and Pearson correlation and paired T-test were performed.Among 12 patients with bronchiectasis, there were 4 men and 8 women with the mean age of 47.58 (SD=18.32) yr. The mean increase in the ratios of VC, FVC and FEV₁ to predicted values and also patients FEV₁/FVC after treatment were 15.50% (SD=14.40), 49.83% (SD=8.19) 8.17% (SD=12.07) and 7.17% (SD=12.68), respectively. The results of paired T-test indicated that VC (P=0.008) and FEV₁(P=0.039) have increased significantly after treatment.This study is one of the first studies investigating the FLU/SAL effect on bronchiectasis. Results of this study have indicated that using FLU/SAL has a significant effect on the improvement of lung function parameters in these patients, while the attention was been focused on antibiotic therapy or other bronchodilators.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare but life-threatening disease characterized by significant increases in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), therefore early diagnosis and proper treatment of PH is very important. Statins confer cardiovascular benefits beyond the reduction of serum cholesterol through antiproliferative and antiinflammatory mechanisms and induction of endothelial nitric oxide expression. In pneumonectomized rats injected with monocrotaline, simvastatin reversed established pulmonary hypertension and conferred a 100% survival advantage.The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of simvastatin treatment in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH).In this prospective before-after pilot trial, 19 patients with primary and secondary causes of PH referred to Khorrami Hospital in Qom, Iran were recruited. Patients were treated with simvastatin, beginning at 20 mg/daily for 2 months, then increasing to 40 mg/daily for another 4 months. Echocardiographic Doppler estimates of systolic pulmonary artery pressures (SPAP) were measured for each patient before prescribing simvastatin and at the end of treatment. Also demographic data, history of smoking and heart functional class (NYHA) before and after treatment were recorded.Out of 19 patients with PH, fifteen were males (78.95%) and four were females (21.1%) with the mean age of 66 (SD=15.28) yr, range between 18 to 83 years. The commonest cause of PH was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 15 patients (78.9%). Simvastatin significantly ameliorated PH from 74.79 (SD=23.52) mmHg to 67.21 (SD=20.55) mmHg (P0.001). Whereas, heart functional class changes were not statistically significant (P=0.157).In this study, we demonstrated that simvastatin treatment decreased SPAP in patients with PH. As the pathogenesis of PH involves inappropriate proliferation and constriction of vascular smooth-muscle cells, and deficiencies of endogenous vasodilators such as prostacyclin and endothelial-derived nitric oxide, the antiproliferative, antiinflammatory and antithrombogenic effect of simvastatin seems to be useful. This study has led physicians to believe that simvastatin may be beneficial for the treatment of PH.