European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Research Article Open Access

A Serological Survey of Anti-Dengue Antibody

Chirag Mahendrabhai Teli

Pages 35 - 36

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue virus infection, the most important emerging tropical viral disease, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world like South-East Asia, Central and South America, and more than 200 countries in all over continents. Epidemic outbreaks of dengue fever have become very frequent in recent year in India. Material and Method: A serological survey to detect IgM and IgG antibody to dengue virus was carried out on fever patients at Santosh Medical College & Hospital, Ghaziabad Total 245 febrile patients were included in this research. Result: 45 patients were diagnosed positive for malaria; hence they were not tested for dengue. Rest 200 patients were tested for dengue. 16 patients showed positive titer of anti-dengue IgG antibody, with overall sero-prevalence of anti-dengue IgG at 8%. Out of 16 IgG positive cases, 11 (69%) patients lived in Ghaziabad city and 5 (31%) patients belonged to rural areas around Ghaziabad. No patient had shown positive titer of anti-dengue IgM antibody. Conclusion: Overall, 8% sero-positivity for anti-dengue IgG antibody may be alarming signal for dengue fever occurrence, although Ghaziabad is not a known epidemic zone for dengue virus infection.

Research Article Open Access

Adaptation and Comfort Levels among First-Time Complete Denture Wearers

Mohammadullah ,

Sheepar Ibnul Quasem

Pages 31 - 34

Abstract

Background: Complete dentures significantly improve oral function and quality of life for edentulous patients. However, first-time denture wearers often face challenges during the adaptation period, including discomfort and functional difficulties. This study aims to assess adaptation time, comfort levels, and overall satisfaction among first-time complete denture wearers in the Bangladeshi population. Methods: This observational study was conducted at the Department of Prosthodontics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and beau-dent, Dhaka, Bangladesh, over one year from January 2010 to December 2010. A total of 50 first-time complete denture wearers were evaluated. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, primary complaints, adaptation time, comfort progression, and satisfaction levels over six months. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 12. Results: In our study pain/discomfort (44%) was the most common complaint, followed by difficulty in chewing (36%) and speech problems (20%). The majority (70%) adapted within a month, with 36% adjusting in 1-2 weeks. Comfort levels improved from 10% in the first week to 84% at six months. After six months, 74% of participants were satisfied or very satisfied with their dentures, while 12% reported dissatisfaction. Conclusion: First-time denture wearers experience significant adaptation challenges, particularly in the early weeks. However, comfort and satisfaction levels improve over time. Regular follow-ups, patient education, and psychological support play crucial roles in ensuring a successful adaptation process.

Research Article Open Access

Preoperative Aortic valve Sizing. Is TTE enough?: A case series of 54 cases of AVR performed in MCCCS

Pages 21 - 30

Abstract

Introduction; aortic valve replacement is a common wide spread surgical procedure performed worldwide. One of the main problems in such procedure is facing a small aortic ring to which the surgeon may not have a suitable size valve. So all efforts are made to try to measure the aortic ring preoperatively by different methods like transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, CT scan and others Objectives; the main objective of this study is to assess the ability of transthoracic echocardiography in successfully measuring the aortic ring in Mosul Center for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery and comparing it with other measurement methods. Methods; this is a retrospective clinical case series study conducted in Mosul Center for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery over the period from June 2012 to February 2014. 54 patients were included in the study and were studied according to their sex and age distribution, type and cause of aortic valve disease, aortic valve morphology, echocardiographic and intraoperative aortic ring sizing. Results; 48.1% of our patients had an echocardiographic and intraoperative aortic valve measurement within 1 mm difference while 28.8% had an echocardiographic aortic ring being 1-2.5 mm larger than the intraoperative aortic ring measurement and 23.1% had the echocardiographic measurements being more than 2.5 mm larger than the actual intraoperative size. Discussion: these results were found to be comparable to other international results and also comparable to other studies that used other preoperative measurement methods Conclusion; transthoracic echocardiographic measurement of the aortic ring is a safe, non-invasive and reliable method for measuring the aortic ring without the need for other invasive and expensive procedures however the surgeon should prepare at least one valve size smaller than the echocardiographic measured aortic ring for safety.

Research Article Open Access

Current Molecular Diagnostics of Cardiovascular Diseases-A Step Closer to Personalized Medicine

Chakraborty Abhik,

Roy Souvick,

Banerjee Birendranath

Pages 11 - 20

Abstract

The leading cause of death worldwide is not communicable diseases or infectious diseases, rather it is non-communicable diseases and life style related disorders. Among non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular diseases is attributable as the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Cardiovascular disease is a multifactorial disorder and thus it is more important to prevent it beforehand rather than finding a cure. It is known fact that cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent in elderly/upper age group individuals, but owing to increasing work stress and sedentary life style, younger age group under fifty years are also suffering from early cardiac diseases. This can be due to accelerated biological aging. Therefore in this study we have tried to find possible links between lifestyle disorders and cardiovascular diseases so that we can prevent the outcome of the disease at the earliest.

Review Article Open Access

LDL-lowering Independent Effects of Early Pre-treatment with High-dose Statins in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Pages 1 - 10

Abstract

Statins exert beneficial effects on the endothelium, inflammation and the coagulation cascade that are independent of cholesterol lowering. The main mechanism underlying these effects is inhibi- tion of isoprenoid synthesis, modulating the inflammatory cascade and the endothelial activation reliable of atherosclerosis. Different studies demonstrated that statins improve endothelial function in patients with stable atherosclerotic plaque and that this effect is dose-dependent. Statins may modulate endothelial expression of adhesion molecules, as demonstrated in the ARMYDA-CAMS, and may enhance mobilisation of endothelial progenitor cells. Elevated C-reactive protein levels, an inflammatory marker that also plays a direct pathogenetic role in the atherosclerotic process, have been correlated with worse outcome in patients with cardio- vascular disease. Multiple studies demonstrated that statin attenuates the rise of inflammatory markers and improves clinical outcome in patients with stable angina, unstable angina and non-Q wave acute myocardial infarction. During percutaneous coronary intervention randomised trials showed a benefical effect of statin pre-treatment in reducing peri-procedural myocardial damage probably by plaque stabilisation and inhibition of microembolisation phenomena during stent implantation. The ARMYDA study and the NAPLES II trial demonstrated this beneficial effect in patients undergoing coronary revascularisation for stable angina. Also in patients with ACS, receiving invasive strategy, the role of statins in preventing peri-procedural damage was demonstrated in the ARMYDA-ACS study by the administration of an acute high loading-dose with atorvastatin. In patients already on chronic statin therapy at the time of the procedure, an acute drug reload before stenting would have cardio- protective effects, like demonstrated in the ARMYDA RECAPTURE study.

European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

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