Introduction & Objective: Leptin is considered to play an important role in the regulation of body weight and metabolism. Many studies have shown an association between BMI and leptin concentration. Our study compares the relationship between plasma leptin levels and risk factors for CHD in patients with type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic controls.

Materials & Methods: A total of 88 patients without diabetes (group A) were compared with 17 diabetic subjects (group B). Patients with CHD according to myocardial perfusion scan results, renal, thyroid and hepatic disorders were excluded from the study. After a 12-hours overnight fast, blood samples were obtained. Plasma was immediately separated for laboratory measurements. Plasma leptin levels were measured with radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit.

Results: The mean age for 88 non-diabetic subjects and 17 diabetic patients didn't have differences. Frequency of smoking and BMI mean score were significantly higher in diabetic patients. There were no differences in leptin levels in two groups. A close relationship between BMI and leptin levels was observed.

Conclusion: Leptin concentration didn't show correlation with CHD risk factors except for BMI in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects.

Introduction & Objective: Ischemic injury of endothelium is associated with prostaglandin synthesis and platelet adhesion and aggregation, which may be associated with the release of aldehydes such as malondialdehyde (MDA). C-reactive protein and cardiac troponin I have been proposed as diagnostic markers of acute coronary syndromes. In this study, we compared the usefulness of plasma MDA as a marker of acute coronary syndromes with that of C-reactive protein and troponin I.

Material & Methods: The study population contained 50 patients with unstable angina and 50 patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to the hearth department of the Ekbatan Hospital of Hamadan. The subjects were matched according to age and sex. Total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, plasma MDA, troponin I and C-reactive protein levels were determined in all patients.

Results: Results showed that the plasma MDA levels were significantly higher in patients with acute myocardial infarction than in individuals with unstable angina (P<0.001) and were associated with increased levels of troponin I and C-reactive protein (P<0.001).

Conclusion: The combination of the plasma MDA levels, which reflect endothelial injury, and troponin I and C-reactive protein levels may allow better discrimination in acute coronary syndromes patients

Introduction: Kawasaki disease is an acute, systemic vacuity that predominantly manifests in infants and young children. Severe systemic inflammation and vacuities can cause cardiovascular involvement, particularly coronary artery injury that includes dilatation or aneurysm. The final goal of treatment for acute Kawasaki disease، therefore، is to diminish systemic inflammation and vacuities as soon as possible, thereby, preventing progression to coronary artery injury and thrombosis.

Case Report: In this report we present a case of Kawasaki disease in a 7-year-old boy with prolonged fever and cervical adenopathy presented with erythema marginatum as a first skin presentation. We treated the patient with intravenous gamma-globulin (IVIG) by six day after admission. He developed cardiac and pulmonary involvement two days later.

Conclusion: Any skin rash is described in Kawasaki disease except for bullous and vesicular lesions. The common skin manifestation of Kawasaki disease are erythematous and maculopapular rash, although it may appear urticarial, scarlatiniform, erythema multiforme-like, or as erythroderma. Erythema marginatum had a limited differential diagnosis in pediatric patients. The major cause of erythema marginatum is rheumatic fever but there is no report of erythema marginatum in face and cervical region and Kawasaki disease should be considered in differential diagnosis of erythema marginatum in face and neck.

Introduction & Objective: In modern medicine, researches in behavioural sciences have described link between psychosocial characteristic, specific personality traits, and development of coronary artery disease. The aim of present study was to investigate the relationship between " hostility" and "type A" personality with acute myocardial infarction.

Materials & Methods: In this case-control study 102 patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction and 162 no patents individuals after matching by age, gender, education level, marital status and occupation were studied and compared with regard psychological conditions by type A Najarian questionnaire and SCL – 90 – R.

Results: Our study found evidence in support of the hypothesis that hostility may predict heart disease more than type A personality.

Conclusion: Our study has some practical meaning for prediction and prevention of CHD. This finding suggests that mental health providers should continue to look at the effectiveness of providing psychological intervention for those individuals with high hostility levels.

Introduction & Objective: Despite advancement in technology such as coronary artery bypasses grafting (CABG) prevalence of anxiety and depression remain high after cardiac events, which have been found to influence recovery process, recurrent cardiac events and patients’ quality of life. Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) as part of secondary prevention aims to improve patients’ physical, psychological and quality of life (QoL) status. As there is lack of study in this area in Iran, the present study aim to investigate the effects of a 12 week exercise CR on anxiety, depression and quality of life in the Iranian CABG patients.

Materials & Methods: In this cross sectional study 72 consecutive CABG patients referred to and enrolled in a 12 week (3 session per week) CR program in rehabilitation center of Shahid Beheshti hospital of Hamadan (Iran). 60 patients completed and 12 (17%) dropped out of the program. Patients underwent exercise testing using modified Bruce protocol before and immediately after CR. Initial exercise intensity was 45-55% of VO2 peak(peak of oxygen consumption) which was progressively increased to 0.5 MET (metabolic equivalent unit) per week to 70-85%. Patients also completed the quality of life questionnaire and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADs) at each time point.

Results: Compared with pre CR exercise capacity, MET and BMI statistically improved after the program (P<0.001). The prevalence rate of anxiety and depression preprogram were 31.6% and 25% which statistically reduced post CR (11.6% and 8.4%). Further analysis indicated a significant improvement in all components of QoL (physical, mental and social) similarly in men and women after the program. Additionally men and women did benefit from CR program similarly as there were no significant differences between men and women in terms of improvements in anxiety, depression and quality of life after the program.

Conclusion: It is concluded that the completion of a CR program has beneficial effects on physical and psychological status of CABG patients. As the findings indicate similar effects of CR program in both men and women,it is suggested to refer all CABG patients especially women to CR program regardless of sex.