Background & Objectives: Myocardial infarction is one of the most common causes of mortality throughout the world. Utilization of thrombolytic drugs at the first hours upon MI leads to decrease in the rate of mortality. Streptokinase (SK) is commonly used because of its cost and availability. The golden time for maximum effect of SK appeared to be first hours after MI. The drug efficiency diminishes after 3 hours and it will be ineffective after 12 hours.

  This study was aimed to investigate interval between onset of the clinical symptoms and streptokinase receiving in patients with acute myocardial infarction�admitted for drug reception.

  Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 150 patients with STEMI (ST elevation Myocardial Infarction ) who were attended to emergency room of Imam Khomeini hospital and fulfilled a questionnaire containing the data about age, sex, educational level, onset of symptoms, referring time to emergency room, SK utilization, past medical history of cardiac diseases, type and location of AMI, contraindications and side effects of SK.

  Results: In 111 men (74%) and 39 women (26%), the mean for interval between onset of symptoms and drug injection was 8 hour and 27 minutes ± 8 hour and 18 minutes .Only 41% of patients received streptokinase in less than 3 hours after chest pain. The main reasons for delaying in drug consumption were delayed decision to come to hospital in 61% of persons, long distance to hospital for 22% of individuals, delayed admission tor CCU for 13% of cases and delay in physician diagnosis for 0.043% of patients. To have a male sex and residency in city where the hospital was establilished were associated with less-delayed treatment start. However, the educational level, age and history of MI were not correlated with onset of treatment.

  Conclusions: Our results clearly show that the majority of patients receipt streptokinase more than 3 hours after chest pain. With considering the factors associated with delay to receive SK, teaching the patients with ischemic heart disease and giving information about golden time for thrombolytic therapy and its effect in prognosis as well as extending cardiac disease treatment centers in suburbs are recommended.

  Background & Objectives: Coronary artery disease is the main cause of mortality in developing and industrial countries. Recently the involvement of infectious agents as a risk factor for Acute Coronary syndrome is drafted. So this study was designed to investigate the probable association between Acute Coronary syndrome and Helicobacter pylori infection.

  Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 300 hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of Acute Coronary syndrome (UA and MI) and 300 hospitalized patients without the history of coronary heart disease. Anti Helicobacter pylori Antibody level was determined by as an indicator of infection history. Using chi-square and t- test the results were analyzed in SPSS software.

  Results: Results showed that 79 patients (26.3%) in control group and 122 patients (40.6%) in case group were seropositive and the difference was significant. Relationship between cronory diseases risk factors and levels of IgG was not significant. Also the results showed that the rate of hypertension in seropositive patients in case group was significantly upper than control group.

  Conclusion: Regarding the findings of this study we can conclude that Helicobacter pylori infection probably is a risk factor for Acute Coronary Syndrome. Thus, further studies are needed to elucidate the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and Acute Coronary Syndrome.

  Background & Objectives: Low dose aspirin has been widely used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The bimodel action of aspirin on serum uric acid showed that aspirin at a high dosage promoted uricusuria while intermediate doses were (1-2gr/day) caused uric acid retention. The main goal of this study was to survey the effect of low dose aspirin on serum level of uric acid in patients with ischemic heart disease.

  Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and analytical type. In this study we selected 60 patients who used low dose aspirin among the patients of Imam Khomeini hospital's heart clinic (2008-9) and their information was registered in special questionnaires including serum level of uric acid and creatinine before and after prescription of aspirin. Data was then statistically analyzed using Paired t test and Willcoxon.

  Results: Of 60 patients 11 ( 18.3 % ) were under 50 years and 49 ( 81.7%) were above 50 years. The male to female ratio was 1.72 (38: 63.3% versus 22: 36.7%). 53.3 % of patients showed an increase in serum uric acid, but 46.7% did not. No significant differences in uric acid levels was found in patients under 50 years before and after administration of aspirin. Serum uric acid levels were increased after administration of 0.1unit of aspirin.

  Conclusion: Low -dose aspirin (80 mg/ day) caused a slight but significant increase in serum uric acid and creatinine levels in patients over 50 years of age.