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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects millions of South Africans and remains one of the country’s most underdiagnosed long-term health conditions.
Background: Current study aims to evaluate outcomes after complete coronary revascularization and correlate outcomes with systolic left ventricular functions to assess effectiveness and significance of complete functional revascularization during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: Between 1st Jan 2023 and 30th Dec 2024, we received: 1) Fifty patients with ischemic hypokinetic one or more left ventricular segments (group-1 with hypokinesia) and 2) Fifty patients with severe hypokinetic segments and reduced segmental wall thickness (group-2 with severe hypokinesia and reduced wall thickness). Complete functional coronary re-vascularization was performed for all. They had echo-cardiography preoperatively, before hospital discharge, one, six and 12 months postoperatively. During this prospective cohort study, two patients had urgent postoperative coronary angiography. Results: Statistically significant differences between study groups regarding age and distribution of the degrees of stenosis. Age showed significant negative inverse correlation with preoperative systolic left ventricular functions. The degree of stenosis showed direct positive correlation with wall motion score and score index. Fifty percent of the patients in group-1 had 75% - 90% coronary artery stenosis, whereas 50% in group-2 had >90% stenosis. Left ventricular systolic functions showed statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative assessments during the study within both groups and between both groups. Significant direct positive correlation coefficient between ejection Fraction (EF) and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) measurements, as well as wall motion score and score index measurements. During the first 6 months of follow-up, there was a weak correlation between wall motion score and ejection fraction. Post-operative wound infection was recorded in 5 cases in both study groups. Myocardial infarction occurred in one case of group 1 and 2 cases of group 2. The two patients who had urgent postoperative coronary angiography, each had left internal mammary artery-to-left anterior descending graft stenosis, percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent was an effective option. Conclusion: Complete off-pump functional surgical revascularization is highly recommended as it reverses ischemic myocardial changes; It is a significantly worthy recommendation that off pump is a safer and less invasive technique than on pump technique.
Since the screening service started in 2021, more than 400 cases have been found, officials say.
The vaccine, developed by a French pharmaceutical company, Sanofi, uses mRNA technology similar to that used in some Covid-19 vaccines.
Where drinking water comes from and what it contains may affect Parkinson's disease risk, a recent study suggests.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects millions of South Africans and remains one of the country’s most underdiagnosed long-term health conditions.
Struggling with poor sleep? A new study on young women shows combining exercise with sleep coaching significantly improves sleep quality and health. Discover the key findings.
Early pregnancy depends on a remarkable act of coordination. Before the placenta can nourish a growing fetus, the embryo must securely "land" and connect with the mother's blood supply - a process guided by a specialized group of immune cells called uterine natural killer cells, or uNK cells.
UCL research points out that Black women in the UK are entering menopause severely under-informed, under-supported and often dismissed by healthcare professionals.
Objective: To explore the lived experiences of body image alterations and stigma in patients with lower limb lymphedema following surgery for gynecologic malignant tumors, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for developing targeted psychological interventions and transitional nursing care. Methods: Following a descriptive phenomenological approach, 14 patients were recruited via purposive sampling from the Gynecologic Oncology Center and Lymphedema Clinic of a Level-III Grade-A hospital between June 2023 and June 2024. Data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step phenomenological method. Results: Three primary themes were identified, supported by illustrative quotes from the participants: 1) a fragmented and dysregulated body image (encompassing perceived physical deformity, restrictive sensory heaviness, functional helplessness, and diminished femininity); 2) multidimensional internalization of stigma (including social anxiety under the public gaze, defensive concealment, self-devaluation associated with the “cancer” label, and sensitive psychological projection); and 3) alienated social and intimate relationships (characterized by sexual avoidance in partnerships, frustration and guilt regarding family roles, professional marginalization, and social self-isolation). Conclusion: Patients suffering from lower limb lymphedema after gynecologic cancer surgery experience significant body image disturbance and profound stigma. Nursing professionals should implement early screening for psychological distress, facilitate body image reconstruction, and promote proactive coping mechanisms to enhance holistic rehabilitation and quality of life.