Comparing the effects of saffron, lippia, and saffron-lippia combination on anxiety among candidates for coronary angiography

OBJECTIVE

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is among the most prevalent diseases in the world, and its severity is usually assessed through coronary angiography (CA). Anxiety is the most prevalent problem before angiography. The aim of this study was to evaluate Crocus sativus (saffron) and Lippia citriodora Kunth (lippia) extracts and saffron-lippia extract combination on anxiety among the candidates for CA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in four month was conducted on 120 angiography candidates in Valiasr hospital, Birjand, Iran. The random allocation was doing through block randomization to saffron, lippia, saffron-lippia, and placebo groups; four hours before angiography, participants in these groups respectively received a single dose of saffron extract capsule (40 mg), lippia extract capsule (40 mg), saffron-lippia extract capsule (20 mg saffron and 20 mg lippia), and lactulose capsule (40 mg). Participants' anxiety was assessed before, thirty minutes after, and three hours after the intervention via Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

RESULTS

The mean scores of state, trait, and total anxiety in the saffron group reduced significantly (p<0.05), while the mean scores in the other groups did not change significantly, except for the mean score of trait anxiety in the saffron-lippia group which decreased significantly (p=0.05). Therefore, after the intervention, the mean scores of state, trait, and total anxiety in the saffron group were significantly lower than the other groups (all, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that the oral use of a single-dose of 40 mg saffron extract is effective in alleviating anxiety among the candidates for CA.

Which risk factor best predicts coronary artery disease using artificial neural network method?

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is recognized as the leading cause of death worldwide. This study analyses CAD risk factors using an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict CAD.

METHODS

The research data were obtained from a multi-center study, namely the Iran-premature coronary artery disease (I-PAD). The current study used the medical records of 415 patients with CAD hospitalized in Razi Hospital, Birjand, Iran, between May 2016 and June 2019. A total of 43 variables that affect CAD were selected, and the relevant data was extracted. Once the data were cleaned and normalized, they were imported into SPSS (V26) for analysis. The present study used the ANN technique.

RESULTS

The study revealed that 48% of the study population had a history of CAD, including 9.4% with premature CAD and 38.8% with CAD. The variables of age, sex, occupation, smoking, opium use, pesticide exposure, anxiety, sexual activity, and high fasting blood sugar were found to be significantly different among the three groups of CAD, premature CAD, and non-CAD individuals. The neural network achieved success with five hidden fitted layers and an accuracy of 81% in non-CAD diagnosis, 79% in premature diagnosis, and 78% in CAD diagnosis. Anxiety, acceptance, eduction and gender were the four most important factors in the ANN model.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study shows that anxiety is a high-prevalence risk factor for CAD in the hospitalized population. There is a need to implement measures to increase awareness about the psychological factors that can be managed in individuals at high risk for future CAD.

Survey of coronary catheterization laboratory activity in Iran during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic

BACKGROUND

With the onset of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hospitalization and treatment of non-covid patients decreased worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the admission and treatment of patients with coronary artery diseases (CADs) by examining coronary Cath labs activities in some centers of Iran during the COVID-19 period.

METHODS

A retrospective, multi-center survey was conducted in four cites in Iran which participated in National Persian Registry Of CardioVascular diseasE (N-PROVE). Two periods of COVID-19 occurrence peak in Iran were compared with the same date in 2019. Information was collected on the number of diagnostic and therapeutic coronary catheterizations in both stable ischemic heart diseases (SIHDs) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) settings.

RESULTS

In the first peak of COVID-19 pandemic, coronary angiographies and angioplasties decreased by 37 and 38% compared to the same period in 2019, respectively. The most common indication for coronary angiography during this period was ACS [especially ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)]; however, at the time of peak decrease, the SIHDs were the most. In the second peak of COVID-19 pandemic in Iran, 34% and 27% decrease in diagnostic and therapeutic coronary procedures were seen, respectively. During this period, the number of elective admissions increased, although it was still lower than that in 2019. The tendency to rescue percutaneous coronary intervention increased in most centers during the COVID-19 era, especially in the second peak.

CONCLUSION

A significant reduction in the coronary Cath lab activity has been observed during the COVID-19 pandemic that can indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.

The Effects of Local Heating on Facilitating Radial Angiography: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Angiography through the radial artery is a novel selective approach with several advantages. Shortening the duration of each stage of the procedure leads to many benefits for patients and health personnel. This study aimed to investigate the effect of local forearm heating on facilitating radial angiography.

Materials and Methods

This randomized clinical trial included one intervention and one control group with a post-test design. The study was conducted on 80 radial angiography candidates visiting the angiography ward, at Razi Hospital, Birjand, Iran, in 2018. The subjects were selected through convenient sampling and allocated to control and intervention groups using simple random allocation. The data were collected using a demographic form and radial angiography checklist. The intervention consisted of using an infrared emitter fixed 60 cm from the patient's forearm. Infrared radiation was applied for 10 min for each patient to warm the radial artery. Afterward, the radial angiography procedure was carried out. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software (v. 16) (p < 0.05).

Results

The frequency and duration of artery puncture, the necessity of injecting a radiocontrast agent, the necessity of catheter replacement, the duration of fluoroscopy, and the volume of the radiocontrast agent in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Local heat in radial angiography is recommended for facilitating the procedure and improving patient welfare and peace.