Since Dec. 2019 the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions and claimed life of several hundred thousand worldwide. However, so far no approved vaccine or drug therapy is available for treatment of virus infection. Convalescent plasma has been considered a potential modality for COVID-19 infection. One hundred eighty-nine COVID-19 positive patients including 115 patients in plasma therapy group and 74 patients in control group, registered in the hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 infection, entered this multi-center clinical study. Comparison of outcomes including all-cause mortality, total hospitalization days and patients' need for intubation between the two patient groups shows that total of 98 (98.2 %) of patients who received convalescent plasma were discharged from hospital which is substantially higher compared to 56 (78.7 %) patients in control group. Length of hospitalization days was significantly lower (9.54 days) in convalescent plasma group compared with that of control group (12.88 days). Only 8 patients (7%) in convalescent plasma group required intubation while that was 20 % in control group. This clinical study provides strong evidence to support the efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in COVID-19 patients and recommends this treatment for management of these patients. Clinical efficacy, immediate availability and potential cost effectiveness could be considered as main advantages of convalescent plasma therapy. read more
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This study assessed the prophylactic effect of ventral cardiac denervation on reducing atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting. read more
Atrial arrhythmias occur after cardiac surgery in 10-65% of patients. The most common postoperative arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation (AF). read more
During last decades mechanical ventilation has been an important support in the postoperative management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This study was designed to determine the predictors of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. read more
Over the years, different techniques have been introduced for the repair of sinus venosus atrial septal defect (ASD) with anomalous right-sided pulmonary venous connection to the superior vena cava. We report the case of a 9-year-old girl, who presented with dyspnea and peripheral cyanosis. Preoperative echocardiography and angiography findings suggested a partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. On cardiopulmonary bypass, the ASD was dilated, and the anomalous pulmonary vein was anastomosed to the right atrium and redirected to the left atrium using an intraatrial baffle and a tube graft. The intraoperative and postoperative periods were uneventful, and the patient is currently in good health at 4.5 years' follow-up. read more
To assess the clinical relevance (functional outcome) of a 3-month allopurinol regimen in patients with high serum uric acid (SUA) levels and acute ischemic stroke without considering the changes in SUA levels. read more
Opium is an overwhelming public health problem in some countries. Different studies have suggested this drug as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although the effect of opium on immune system, lung disease, nephropathy, stroke, and cardiac arrhythmia has been found in different studies, its effect on postoperation complications is not clear yet. The authors conducted this study to assess the effect of opium on post operation in hospital complications among patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft. read more
Traditionally, the Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery outcomes of patients with low ejection fraction (EF) have been worse compared to patients with moderate to good left ventricular function. During the past decade, despite improvements in surgical techniques, the trend in the outcomes of these patients remained unclear. read more
The aim of the present study was to investigate the determinant factors of acute renal failure (ARF) after isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). read more
