No abstract

There was an association of higher iron status with increased lipid peroxidation in patients with myocardial infarction.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) regimens on left ventricular diastolic function by using mitral pulsed wave Doppler (MPWD) and tissue Doppler velocities (TDE). Seventy-eight postmenopausal women with normotensive and impaired diastolic left ventricular filling were included in the study. All the patients began a six-cycle HRT course. This formulation consisted of E2 valerate plus Medroxy progesterone acetate (MPA). Left ventricular diastolic function at rest was evaluated by M-mode, two-dimensional, MPWD and TDE in 78 postmenopausal women with normal blood pressure before the treatment for 6 months of HRT. The M-mode, two-dimensional, and MPWD parameters assessed were heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, left ventricular mass index, ejection fraction of the left ventricle (EF), septal (IVS) and posterior wall (PW) thickness, left ventricular end-systolic (LVESD) and end-diastolic (LVEDD) diameter, left atrial diameter, peak early diastolic velocity (E), peak atrial velocity (A), E/A ratio, E acceleration time, E deceleration time, diastolic filling period, and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT). The TDE parameters assessed were peak early diastolic velocity (E'), peak late diastolic velocity (A'), peak systolic velocity, E'/A' ratio, E' acceleration time, E' deceleration time, IVRT', and E/E' ratio. Quantitative data were analyzed using Student t test. Among the MPWD parameters, peak A velocity, E deceleration time, and IVRT significantly decreased, while peak E velocity and E/A ratio increased after a 6-month treatment. From the point of TDE parameters, E' velocity and E'/A' ratio increased, while A' velocity, E' deceleration time, E/E' ratio and IVRT' decreased. Some MPWD and TDE parameters were partially reversed after HRT. TDE velocities and especially E/E' ratio may provide better and true information of the diastolic function. TDE parameters were independent from the preload and did not produce pseudonormal pattern. HRT may cause increase in the blood volume and produce pseudonormal pattern in transmitral flow. In that case, TDE may be a beneficial method for evaluation of diastolic function.

This correlational study aims at exploring the correlations between symptom burden, functional status, and self‐efficacy in advanced breast cancer patients and to analyze their paths of influence. The study was performed with 122 patients with advanced breast cancer receiving outpatient chemotherapy between April 10, 2021 and April 29, 2022. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory, the Functional Living Index‐Cancer, and the Symptom Management Self‐Efficacy Scale for Breast Cancer Related to Chemotherapy. Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U, and Spearman correlation tests and path analysis were used for data evaluation. Less‐educated individuals had a higher symptom burden and poorer self‐efficacy. Low‐income level was related to poor self‐efficacy. Symptom severity did not directly influence functional status but affected it indirectly through self‐efficacy, while symptom interference and self‐efficacy had a direct impact on functional status. This study mainly concludes that symptom burden and self‐efficacy affect functional status in advanced breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Self‐efficacy‐enhancing interventions may be helpful strategies for symptom relief and improvement in functional status in this population.

Serious complications, such as myocardial infarction or death, may occur particularly in patients with severe coronary heart disease during coronary angiographies. Therefore, prediction of severe coronary heart disease before or during the initial steps of the procedure can provide a decrease in frequency of such complications. To predict the seriousness of coronary heart disease during left ventriculography, before, during, and after the application of contrast matter, electrocardiography (ECG) records were taken and R-wave amplitudes were measured. Lead DII was used for calculations. The patients were classified according to vessel lesions and were compared with the control group. Before and after left ventriculography, there was no significant difference between the groups with normal coronary arteries and one, two, or three vessel lesions. Although there was no significant difference obtained from the comparison of the control group and the groups with one-vessel and two-vessel lesions (9.7 mm, 9.2 mm, 10.1 mm, respectively, P > 0.05); there was statistical difference between the group with three-vessel lesions and the control group during left ventriculography (6.4 mm, 9.7 mm, respectively, P < 0.05). Nonionic contrast material was used in all procedures. The decrement of R-wave amplitude that is observed during left ventriculography can predict three-vessel disease, which is a more serious condition for the patients. These patients should be monitored more carefully during coronary angiographies.