Tehran University Medical Journal

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Background: Diabetic neuropathy is an incapacitating disease that afflicts almost 50 percent of patients with diabetes. A late finding in type 1 diabetes, diabetic neuropathy can be an early finding in non insulin-dependent diabetes. Diabetic neuropathies are divided primarily into two groups, sensorimotor and autonomic. Patients may acquire only one type of diabetic neuropathy or may present with combinations of neuropathies, such as autonomic neuropathy or distal symmetric polyneuropathy, the latter of which the most common form. Motor deficits, orthostatic hypotension, silent cardiac ischemia, hyperhidrosis, vasomotor instability, gastroparesis, bladder dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction can also result from diabetic neuropathy. Strict control of blood sugar, combined with proper daily foot care, is essential to avoid the complications of this disorder. With the potential to afflict any part of the nervous system, diabetic neuropathy should be suspected in all patients with type 2 diabetes as well as patients who have had type 1 diabetes for over five years. Although some patients with diabetic neuropathy notice few symptoms, upon physical examination mild to moderately severe sensory loss may be noted by the physician. Idiopathic neuropathy has been known to precede the onset of type 2 diabetes.

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Background: Vascular complications, as the most common complications of diagnostic catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), are important factors in the morbidity of patients undergoing such procedures thus, this study was done to evaluate the prevalence of these complications and their related factors.

Methods: This is a descriptive study composed of 2097 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in Shahid Rajaei Cardiovascular Center in Tehran, Iran from January 2008 to January 2009. Occurrence of vascular complications in course of hospitalization and the related factors leading to the complications were investigated.

Results: Out of 2097 patients, 1544 (73.6%) were male and 553 (26.4%) were female, and the mean age of the participants was 57±10 years. Vascular complications from the time of PCI to the time discharge were observed in 19 (0.9%) patients. The other complications included: hematoma in 10 cases (52.6%), pseudoaneurysm in five cases (26.3%), retroperitoneal hemorrhage and arteriovenous fistula in 2 (10.5%) patients each. The complications were significantly more common in female patients (P=0.003), in patients with a history of hypertension (P=0.02), people of shorter stature (P=0.004), and being on gp IIIa/IIb inhibitors (P=0.003).

Conclusion: The rate of vascular complications post-percutaneous coronary interventions is low and it is considered to be a good treatment option for patients with coronary stenosis provided that sufficient compression is applied on the vascular access point in the right time after removal of the arterial sheath. PCI is of fewer vascular complications, especially in female patients, history of hypertension, and higher anticoagulant concentrations.

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Background: In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred reperfusion therapy. Timely primary PCI is essential in improving the clinical outcomes of these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting balloon delay in STEMI treated patients by primary PCI and its relationship with major adverse cardiac events (MACE).
Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 143 cases of STEMI patients, who had the inclusion criteria and were treated by primary PCI, after obtaining written consent in Imam Khomeini hospital in Ahvaz, between May 2019 to May 2020. All-time components from symptom onset to PCI treatment include symptom-to-balloon time or ischemic time, symptom-to-door time and door-to-balloon time calculated. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including decompensated heart failure (DHF), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), sudden cardiac death (SCD) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) was evaluated during 12 months follow up after primary PCI. left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) changes were evaluated 3 months after primary PCI.

Results: The median symptom-to-door time was 200.5 minutes (IQR: 90-438.75 min), the median ischemic time was 406 minutes (IQR: 231-671 min), and most patients had an ischemic time ≥120 minutes (92.4%) and door-to-device time ≥90 minutes (64.3%). The most common delay for treatment was in the symptom-to-door time (76.9%) and then the decision for primary PCI to transfer to the cat lab (17.5%). Overall, 59 (41.3%) of the patients experienced MACE during 1-year of follow-up, including ACS (13.3%), DHF (22.4%), cardiac death (9.8%) and CVA (2.1%). The patients age (OR: 0.96, P=0.020), LVEF changes (OR: 1.123, P=0.005) and STEMI type (OR: 0.705; P=0.039) predicted in-hospital MACE, while the symptom-to-balloon time (P=0.607) and door-to-balloon time (P=0.347) were not associated with MACE. Conclusion: None of the time intervals were associated with the occurrence of MACE in one-year follow-up, and most STEMI patients were admitted to the hospital with a long delay. Therefore, efforts to shorten the time of hospitalization admission can help improve the MACE in STEMI patients under primary PCI in our medical centers.