Role of platelet volume indices as a predictive marker in coronary artery disease

Platelets play a key role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Platelet volume is an indicator of platelet activation and function, and it can be assessed by platelet volume indices (PVI) such as mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and Platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR). PVI are potentially useful markers for the prediction of acute coronary syndromes. Thus our study aims to evaluate the relationship between them and clinical features of coronary artery disease (CAD). Our population is represented by 60 patients undergoing coronary angiography at Al- Assad University Hospital, Lattakia, Syria. Patients were evenly divided into four groups according to their clinical presentation; control group, stable angina group, unstable angina group, and acute myocardial infarction (MI) group. PVI were measured in all patients. We found a significant increase in MPV (P=0.04), PDW (P=0.03), and P-LCR (P=0.03) in patients compared to healthy control subjects. We calculated the cutoff points of these indices to help diagnosing the progressive atherosclerotic plague, P-LCR>28.7% (P=0.01) [sensitivity 44%, specificity 93%], and diagnosing MI, PDW>13.8 (P=0.01) [53%, 100%], MPV>10.4 (P=0.004) [60%, 93%], P-LCR>28.7 (P=0.003) [66%, 93%]. In conclusion, PVI are simple and easy methods that can be used as a predictive marker in CAD patients.

Medical Imaging Role in Renovascular Hypertension Diagnosis

Renal artery stenosis is an important clinical entity. its importance lies in that it may be a treatable cause of hypertension, and it is -when progress- a cause of chronic renal failure. The causes of renal artery stenosis are numerous, the most common are: atherosclerosis and fibromuscular dysplasia (accounts for more than 95% of cases). Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) is the standard reference in the radiologic diagnosis of renal artery stenosis, but it carries the risk of being invasive procedure. Doppler ultrasound is used in the evaluation of the renal arteries, and it has the advantage of being non-invasive and inexpensive.

نتائج العلاج المشترك ( جراحة وتوسيع ) للداء الانسدادي الحرقفي الفخذي

يشير مصطلح داء الشريان المحيطي بشكل شائع إلى الداء الذي يعيق جريان الدم إلى الطرفين ولكن هناك بعض الجدل حول هذا المصطلح حيث يستخدمه بعض المؤلفين لتوصيف داء الشرايين السباتية والحشوية والكلوية وداء شرايين الطرفين العلويين

Role of Interleukin 1 Genes in Atherosclerosis and Chronic Periodontitis in Syrian Population

The role of Interleukin-1 genes in the association between chronic periodontitis and atherosclerosis has been under debate. The purpose of this study is to compare the existence of interleukin1 genes polymorphism in the chronic periodontitis subjects with and without atherosclerosis.