No abstract

Background: A retrospective study was performed to study the effect of polycythemia on the severity of coronary artery occlusions and echocardiographic characteristics among acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients in Yemen. Methods: Tow hundred and four (204) ACS patients in Yemen who underwent coronary angiography were reviewed from January 2014 to December 2014. Results: The mean age of Polycythemia ACS patients was significantly lower than normal hemoglobin patients (54.59 years vs. 57.08 years; p < 0.000). The prevalence of hyperlipidaemia for Polycythemia ACS patients was significantly higher (55.1% and 39.9%; p < 0.000). Also the prevalence of history of coronary artery disease (CAD) for Polycythemia ACS patients was significantly higher (21.3% vs.10.6%; p < 0.000). The prevalence of hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and tobacco smoking were comparable at both groups. Left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) for Polycythemia ACS patients was significantly lower (47.9% and 52.8%; adjust; p < 0.000). Normal coronary angiography for non-Polycythemia ACS patients was non-significantly higher (9.6% vs. 7.6%). Single vessel occlusion for non-Polycythemia patients was higher (41.9% vs. 29.6%). Two vessel occlusions were comparable for patients at both groups. Three vessel occlusions for Polycythemia ACS patients were significantly higher (37.2% vs.23.6%). Conclusions: Acute coronary syndrome occurs at a younger age for Polycythemia ACS patients. Polycythemia ACS patients are also more likely to have hyperlipedaemia and history of CAD. Impaired LVEF occurs more commonly in Polycythemia ACS patients. The ACS patients who have Polycythemia were associated with more coronary arteries occlusions. Three vessel occlusion and circumflex coronary artery occlusions occur more commonly among Polycythemia ACS patients. We noted association between high percentages of hemoglobin and coronary complications.

Background: A comparative retrospective study has made to compare the distribution of risk factors and complications in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and other cardiac patients. Methods: Records of 768 patients from Sana’a city and other cardiac patients in Yemen. To assess the risk factors for acute coronary syndrome (ACS); age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking and reported history and family history of coronary artery disease (CAD). To assess the complications such as heart failure, arrhythmias and cerebro-vascular accident (CVA). Results: The mean age of acute coronary syndrome patients was significantly lower than other cardiac disease patients 56.8 year vs. 55.3 years; p= 0.007. History of hyperlipidemia was significantly higher acute coronary syndrome patients than other cardiac patients 49.2% vs. 38.3%; p=0.002. Reported history of coronary artery disease was also significantly higher among ACS patients. Hypertension, history of diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking and reported family history of coronary artery disease were comparable among acute coronary syndrome patients and other cardiac patients. In-hospital complications: Cerebro-vascular accident was significantly higher among ACS patients than other cardiac patients 7.8 % vs. 4.4 %; p= 0.0001. Heart failure and arrhythmias rates were comparable. Wall motion abnormalities were comparable 79.2 vs. 73.2; p=0.51. While Ejection Fraction was lower in ACS patients than other cardiac patients 49.8.8% vs. 54.8; p=0.0001. Conclusions: The mean age was higher among acute coronary syndrome patients. History of hyperlipidemia and history of coronary artery disease were higher among acute coronary syndrome patients. Cerebro-vascular accident rate was higher in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Background: Heart failure is a common clinical manifestation of most organic heart diseases that progress to the end stage. Patients with heart failure are often accompanied by secondary conditions such as pulmonary circulatory congestion and pulmonary edema, which can lead to dyspnea, gas exchange disorders, and other consequences, creating certain conditions for pathogens to invade and colonize the lungs. Therefore, patients with heart failure may have higher risk of pulmonary infection. Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of chest infection among patients with heart failure and to determine the characteristics of the patients with heart failure who had chest infection and the potential risk factors. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at internal medicine department, Al-Wahdah Teaching Hospital, Dhamar, Yemen over six months (June – December 2022). A total of 100 patients were enrolled in our study. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed and used for data collection. Results: A total of 100 heart failure patients including 53 (53%) males, and 47 (47%) females were successfully enrolled in this study. The majority of participated patients were of age group 40 – 60 years (55%), and were of rural residence (83%). Chest infection was documented in approximately two-thirds of included patients (63%). Chest infection was documented in majority of patients who were smokers, Qat chewer, shamma intakes, being obese, had cardiomyopathy, as well as those patients who had dyspnea of NYHA class III & IV, orthopnea, PND, productive cough, high sputum amount, whitish sputum color, peripheral chest pain, fatigue, sweating, fever and high WBC count, such associations were significant statistically. Conclusion: This study revealed that, chest infection in heart failure patients was common with overall prevalence of (63%) among included patients this study was. Based on this, an early prevention and intervention measures should be taken to reduce pulmonary infections in patients with heart failure.