Low blood levels of selenium are associated with complications after heart surgery

Summary This study evaluated the blood levels of selenium in patients undergoing heart surgery. Blood selenium was measured in 40 patients before and after heart surgery. The results showed a decrease in selenium levels after the operations. The researchers concluded that low blood levels of selenium are associated with development of complications after heart surgery.…

Vitamin B12 supplementation should be encouraged during the rehabilitation period after heart surgery

Summary This study investigated the nutrition status in patients admitted to rehabilitation after heart surgery. Blood samples were collected from 50 patients and analyzed. The results showed that vitamin B12 supplementation should be encouraged because of its substantial reduction during the rehabilitation period after surgery; in addition, it was found that the diet followed during…

Vitamins C and E reduce irregular heartbeat after heart surgery

Summary Irregular heartbeat affects approximately 30% of patients undergoing heart surgery. This study evaluated the effect of vitamins on irregular heartbeat after heart surgery. The investigation included 5 studies and a total of 567 patients, of which 284 received antioxidant vitamins. The results showed that vitamins C and E significantly reduced the onset of irregular…

Protective effects of magnesium in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty for heart attack

Summary This study evaluated the effect of magnesium in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty (a procedure used to open the clogged arteries of the heart) for heart attack. 180 patients with heart attacks underwent successful coronary intervention. They were treated either with intravenous (directly injected into a vein) magnesium or with an intravenous solution without magnesium.…

Arginine reduces vasoconstriction after heart surgery

Summary This study tested the hypothesis that the amino acid arginine dilates blood vessels in patients undergoing heart interventions. 20 patients scheduled for surgery were given either intravenous infusion of arginine or a solution without arginine over 15 minutes. The results showed that arginine reduced vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels) after heart surgery, and…

Vitamin E prevents re-narrowing of coronary arteries (restenosis) following balloon angioplasty

Summary Coronary bypass operation. A coronary bypass operation becomes necessary if one or more coronary arteries have developed severe atherosclerotic deposits that threaten to clog the arteries and cause a heart attack. In order to avoid a heart attack, a coronary bypass operation is frequently performed. Surgically, a bypass is constructed around the atherosclerotic deposits…

Magnesium decreases frequency of cardiac arrhythmias after bypass surgery

Summary Coronary bypass operation. A coronary bypass operation becomes necessary if one or more coronary arteries have developed severe atherosclerotic deposits that threaten to clog the arteries and cause a heart attack. In order to avoid a heart attack, a coronary bypass operation is frequently performed. Surgically, a bypass is constructed around the atherosclerotic deposits…