Background/Purpose: About 248 million people are chronic HBV surface antigen carriers in the world. Hepatitis D virus (HDV)infection presentin more than 15 million people worldwide. HDV needs hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to help its replication. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of HDV infection among HBsAg positive individuals and to determine the clinical, laboratory and virological characters of HDV infected patients. Methods: This study was prospective cross-sectional analytic one including 186 HBsAg positive cases. Anti-HBc total, IgM and HBV PCR were done for all of these cases. Anti-HDV ELISA analysis was done for all cases. Positive samples for Anti-HDV by ELISA were then tested by HDV PCR. Results: Of the 186 HBsAg positive cases, 80 were reactive for anti-HDV antibodies, resulting in an overall anti-HDV seropositivity of 43%. Higher prevalence of liver cirrhosis (43.8%), HCC on top of cirrhosis (8.8%) were found in anti-HDV positive compared to anti-HDV negative cases (17.9%) and (3.8%) respectively (p value 0.001). Portal hypertension and Child-Pugh grade B, C were significantly higher in anti-HDVpositive cases as compared to the anti-HDV-negative ones (47.5% versus 18.9%) and (11.3% versus 6.6%); (16.3% versus 3.8%) respectively (p value 0.001 for each). HDV RNA was positive in 25 out of 80 antiHDV-positive cases (31.3%). Conclusion: Anti-HDV was seropositive in 43% among HBsAg positive cases in Upper Egypt. HDV RNA was positive by PCR in 25 out of 80 anti-HDV-positive cases (31.3%). HDV prevalence using PCR was 25/186 (13.4%) in Upper Egypt

Background and study aims: Egypt has a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and high morbidity and mortality related to cirrhosis complications. Patients with cirrhosis have an increased risk of bacterial infections. Approximately 25–35% of cirrhotics had infections at admission or during hospitalisation. Data on infection among cirrhotics in Egypt are limited. This study aimed to determine the frequency and microbiological spectrum of infections in cirrhotics and possible risk factors. Patients and methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital. The frequency and microbiological spectrum of infections in cirrhotics were determined. The risk factors for infection were evaluated. Results: Of the 100 patients with liver cirrhosis, 61% had infection. Ascitic fluid infection (AFI) was the most common infection (44.3%), followed by urinary tract infection (UTI) (21.3%), respiratory tract infection (RTI) (19.7%), gastroenteritis (6.6%) and skin infection (4.9%). The only risk factor for infection among cirrhotics was diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = 0.047). The mean value of mid-arm muscle circumference was significantly lower in the infected group (p = 0.047). Among all the cirrhotics, 32.0% had mild to moderate malnutrition and 52.0% had severe malnutrition. The frequency of infection was higher in severe malnutrition (71.2%). Conclusions: The frequency of infections among cirrhotics was 61%. Many types of infections including AFI, RTI, UTI and skin infections were present in patients with liver cirrhosis, but AFI was the most common. DM was the only risk factor for infection, and independent predictors for infection were elevated WBC count and C-reactive protein levels. The frequency of infection was related to the degree of malnutrition.

Background/Aims: To evaluate the short-term outcome of the decision taken by the Hepatoma Board for the treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study involving 74 patients with HCC diagnosed by the known criteria. The decisions taken by the Hepatoma Board for the 74 patients were as follows: 1- surgical resection (7 patients), 2- local ablative therapy (LAT) (22 patients), 3- conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) (24 patients), and 4- palliative supportive care (21 patients). Results: The short-term mortality rate was 25.7% of the total patients. The success rate was nearly equal in LAT (68.2%) and surgery (71.4%), whereas the success rate was approximately 33.3% in TACE. There was no difference in the mean total bilirubin level before and after LAT, surgery, or TACE (p>0.05 for each). There was a significant decrease in the mean serum albumin level after TACE (p=0.000). There was a decrease in the mean alpha fetoprotein level after surgery and LAT (p=0.033) for surgery and (p=0.048) for LAT. Conclusion: The management of HCC is better performed through a multidisciplinary team decision. Surgery has comparable outcome to LAT but is more invasive. According to our local experience, conventional TACE has a success rate of 33.3%.

Background/Aims: To evaluate the short-term outcome of the decision taken by the Hepatoma Board for the treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study involving 74 patients with HCC diagnosed by the known criteria. The decisions taken by the Hepatoma Board for the 74 patients were as follows: 1- surgical resection (7 patients), 2- local ablative therapy (LAT) (22 patients), 3- conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) (24 patients), and 4- palliative supportive care (21 patients). Results: The short-term mortality rate was 25.7% of the total patients. The success rate was nearly equal in LAT (68.2%) and surgery (71.4%), whereas the success rate was approximately 33.3% in TACE. There was no difference in the mean total bilirubin level before and after LAT, surgery, or TACE (p>0.05 for each). There was a significant decrease in the mean serum albumin level after TACE (p=0.000). There was a decrease in the mean alpha fetoprotein level after surgery and LAT (p=0.033) for surgery and (p=0.048) for LAT. Conclusion: The management of HCC is better performed through a multidisciplinary team decision. Surgery has comparable outcome to LAT but is more invasive. According to our local experience, conventional TACE has a success rate of 33.3%.

Background/Aims: To evaluate the short-term outcome of the decision taken by the Hepatoma Board for the treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study involving 74 patients with HCC diagnosed by the known criteria. The decisions taken by the Hepatoma Board for the 74 patients were as follows: 1- surgical resection (7 patients), 2- local ablative therapy (LAT) (22 patients), 3- conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) (24 patients), and 4- palliative supportive care (21 patients). Results: The short-term mortality rate was 25.7% of the total patients. The success rate was nearly equal in LAT (68.2%) and surgery (71.4%), whereas the success rate was approximately 33.3% in TACE. There was no difference in the mean total bilirubin level before and after LAT, surgery, or TACE (p>0.05 for each). There was a significant decrease in the mean serum albumin level after TACE (p=0.000). There was a decrease in the mean alpha fetoprotein level after surgery and LAT (p=0.033) for surgery and (p=0.048) for LAT. Conclusion: The management of HCC is better performed through a multidisciplinary team decision. Surgery has comparable outcome to LAT but is more invasive. According to our local experience, conventional TACE has a success rate of 33.3%.

Background: The aim of this study was the evaluation of safety and outcome of temporal clamping of coronary artery in comparison to intraluminal coronary shunting, during distal anastomosis in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: To evaluate the early outcome of coronary clamping, we randomly compared the results of 25 patients submitted to coronary clamping using microvascular clamps during off-pump CABG (group A), with the results of another 25 patients had traditional intraluminal coronary shunting during same procedure (group B). All patients proved to have coronary artery disease with no difference between the groups in preoperative clinical variables. Results: Clamp group (A) had significant shorter operative time than shunt group (B); it was 224.2 ± 44.1 min in group (A) versus 250.4 ± 33.7 in group (B). Our new coronary clamp was applied in (93%) of target vessels but coronary shunt was implanted in (96%) of target vessels during distal coronary anastomosis. Clamp group (A) had low number of patients who required inotropic support (adrenaline > 0.15 mg/kg/min) > 24 Hours during perioperative period. The study showed two cases of mortality in both groups. At 6 months follow up; no difference between both groups was found, but late postoperative ejection fraction in group (A) was better, when compared to group (B). Conclusions: Temporal coronary clamping technique may be used as an applicable option to create a bloodless field during off-pump CABG surgery. It seems to be faster and cheaper than intraluminal shunting. Also, it has the same complications, mortality and ICU stay.

Background: The CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc and scoring systems were designed to stratify thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). All the components of CHA2DS2VASc are important risk and prognostic factors for cardiovascular disease. This study evaluates the effectiveness and accuracy of CHA2DS2VASc score as a risk-stratification tool for in hospital and short-term clinical outcome in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Materials and methods: Our study involved 171 patients admitted with STEMI regardless of presence or absence of AF.GRACE, TIMI and CHA2DS2VASc scores were calculated to all patients at hospital admission. Patients were divided into three groups (score0-2, 3-4 and ≥5) according to CHA2DS2VASc RS .The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiovascular death, non- fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke during hospital admission at 3 months and 6 months. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive ability of each score at different time points. Results: Our six months follow up was completed in all patients. Cumulative incidence of MACE was 29 cases. In chi-square analysis, incidence of MACE was significantly higher in patients with CHA2DS2VASc score ≥5compared to3–4and 0–2 (38.89% vs19.57% vs12.15%, P = 0.01).Death is the most significant complication (p0.001). Both TIMI score and GRACE RS didn't demonstrate better discrimination than CHA2DS2VASc risk score in predicting in-hospital, 3-month and 6-month MACE. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that CHA2DS2VASc score is an independent predictor for short-term prognosis in STEMI patients and can be used as a risk-stratification system in STEMI patients irrespective of method of treatment.

Background: The CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc and scoring systems were designed to stratify thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). All the components of CHA2DS2VASc are important risk and prognostic factors for cardiovascular disease. This study evaluates the effectiveness and accuracy of CHA2DS2VASc score as a risk-stratification tool for in hospital and short-term clinical outcome in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Materials and methods: Our study involved 171 patients admitted with STEMI regardless of presence or absence of AF.GRACE, TIMI and CHA2DS2VASc scores were calculated to all patients at hospital admission. Patients were divided into three groups (score0-2, 3-4 and ≥5) according to CHA2DS2VASc RS .The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiovascular death, non- fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke during hospital admission at 3 months and 6 months. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive ability of each score at different time points. Results: Our six months follow up was completed in all patients. Cumulative incidence of MACE was 29 cases. In chi-square analysis, incidence of MACE was significantly higher in patients with CHA2DS2VASc score ≥5compared to3–4and 0–2 (38.89% vs19.57% vs12.15%, P = 0.01).Death is the most significant complication (p0.001). Both TIMI score and GRACE RS didn't demonstrate better discrimination than CHA2DS2VASc risk score in predicting in-hospital, 3-month and 6-month MACE. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that CHA2DS2VASc score is an independent predictor for short-term prognosis in STEMI patients and can be used as a risk-stratification system in STEMI patients irrespective of method of treatment.

Background: The CHADS2 and CHA2DS2VASc and scoring systems were designed to stratify thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). All the components of CHA2DS2VASc are important risk and prognostic factors for cardiovascular disease. This study evaluates the effectiveness and accuracy of CHA2DS2VASc score as a risk-stratification tool for in hospital and short-term clinical outcome in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Materials and methods: Our study involved 171 patients admitted with STEMI regardless of presence or absence of AF.GRACE, TIMI and CHA2DS2VASc scores were calculated to all patients at hospital admission. Patients were divided into three groups (score0-2, 3-4 and ≥5) according to CHA2DS2VASc RS .The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiovascular death, non- fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke during hospital admission at 3 months and 6 months. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive ability of each score at different time points. Results: Our six months follow up was completed in all patients. Cumulative incidence of MACE was 29 cases. In chi-square analysis, incidence of MACE was significantly higher in patients with CHA2DS2VASc score ≥5compared to3–4and 0–2 (38.89% vs19.57% vs12.15%, P = 0.01).Death is the most significant complication (p0.001). Both TIMI score and GRACE RS didn't demonstrate better discrimination than CHA2DS2VASc risk score in predicting in-hospital, 3-month and 6-month MACE. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that CHA2DS2VASc score is an independent predictor for short-term prognosis in STEMI patients and can be used as a risk-stratification system in STEMI patients irrespective of method of treatment.

Introduction: Acute heart failure (AHF) complicates acute Myocardial infarction (AMI) as a result of complex interaction of structural, hemodynamic, neurohormonal, and genetic maladaptations. This study aims to analyse the role of left atrial volume index (LAVI) compared to other conventional parameters of systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in patients with first time STEMI, in predicting in-hospital heart failure, in-hospital mortality and development of heart failure and mortality over a follow up period of 6 months. Material and Methods: The present study is a prospective observational study conducted in the cardiology department of Assiut University Hospitals (AUH) on 70 STEMI patients admitted to coronary care unit (CCU). LVEF, LV wall dimensions, left atrial volume index, diastolic and systolic parameters were measured within 24 hours after admission and then 6 months later. These variables were correlated with development of heart failure according to Killip classification on admission and 6 months later by NYHA classification. Results: There was a statistically significant difference regarding development of in-hospital heart failure (Killip classification > II) with the following variables LAV, LAVI, LVESD, FS, EF, and the diastolic parameters used to evaluate diastolic function whereas in-hospital mortality was related significantly to the same variables except LAVI, E/A ratio and EF by univariate analysis. Six months later, follow up of our patients revealed a statistically significant relation between mortality development and the following variables; LAVI, EF, E/A ratio, DT, IVRT, TDI Septal e` and E/e` by univariate analysis. A statistically significant relation between development of heart failure symptoms according to NYHA classification and subsequent admission was observed with the previously mentioned variables except DT and IVRT by univariate analysis. Regarding LAVI, EF, E/A ratio, TDI septal é and E/é ratio as predictors of both in-hospital heart failure and mortality, all five variables had a statistically significant relation with development of in-hospital heart failure, but only TDI septal é and E/é ratio were significantly related to in-hospital mortality. All the previously mentioned five variables were related also to development of mortality or symptoms of heart failure and readmission over six months follow up. Using multiple regression analysis, LAVI ml/m2, E/e` ratio, EF were the most significant predictors of in-hospital heart failure with E/e` ratio being the most powerful predictor. Conclusions: LAVI and other determinants of systolic and diastolic functions of the heart played an important role in prediction of heart failure and mortality both in the in-hospital setting and after a follow up period of 6 months. LAVI, E/e` ratio and EF are the most significant predictors of in hospital heart failure with E/e` ratio being the most powerful predictor. LAVI and EF were the most powerful predictors of mortality and heart failure during a follow up period of 6 months respectively.