Ali Jafarian | Tehran University of Medical Sciences (original) (raw)

Papers by Ali Jafarian

Journal of Patient Experience, 2021

Patients experience a new life with different challenges after liver transplantation (LT). Identi... more Patients experience a new life with different challenges after liver transplantation (LT). Identifying these challenges can facilitate the improvement of their quality of life. This study aimed to explore patients’ experiences of post-LT life challenges. This qualitative study was performed in 2019 through the content analysis approach. Participants were liver transplant recipients purposively recruited from a LT clinic. Semistructured interviews were conducted for data collection. Data were analyzed through Graneheim and Lundman’s conventional content analysis approach. Meaning units were identified and coded, and the codes were grouped into subcategories and categories according to their similarities. In total, 18 transplant recipients were interviewed. Their age mean was 51 years and their transplant age ranged from 4 months to 12 years. Their post-LT life challenges were categorized into 4 main categories, that is, self-care deficit, the need for seeking information, fears and c...

Background Patients with liver cirrhosis experience a hyperdynamic circulation. Objective To inve... more Background Patients with liver cirrhosis experience a hyperdynamic circulation. Objective To investigate the association between early hemodynamic changes and graft function after liver transplant. Methods Those patients who underwent liver transplantation in 2016 were enrolled in the study. Liver function indices measured in postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 along with hemodynamic indices including pulse rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and central venous pressure (CVP) measured q6h in the first 3 days after transplantation were recorded. Results 57 deceased-donor liver recipients with a mean±SD age of 41.4±11.8 years including 33 (58%) males were enrolled in the study. The mean±SD aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly decreased from 1879±670.5, 369.2±40.5, 174.9±18.8, and 1907.6±323.1 U/L in POD 1 to 37.2±10.7, 243.4±37.3, 207.5±19.5, and 382.4±59.8 U/L in POD 3, ...

Background: Peripheral arterial disease is a source of morbidity and mortality. Surgical vascular... more Background: Peripheral arterial disease is a source of morbidity and mortality. Surgical vascular reconstruction is a treatment option but probability of failure and complications are important concerns. In this study, we evaluated outcome of surgical infrainguinal reconstruction and factors affecting graft patency for a period of one year. Methods: In this cohort study, 85 consecutive patients with chronic ischemia who underwent lower extremity surgical vascular reconstruction (including 52 femoropopliteal and 25 femorofemoral bypass) from March 2007 to Feb 2009 were recruited. Graft patency was evaluated before discharge from hospital and one year after the surgical operation using duplex ultrasonography. Association between possible risk factors and graft patency were evaluated. Results: In general, 71% (37 patients) of femoropopliteal and 52% (13 patients) of femorofemoral reconstructions were patent during the follow up period. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, opium us...

Archives of Iranian Medicine

Background: We studied the clinical characteristics and outcomes of 905 hospitalized coronavirus ... more Background: We studied the clinical characteristics and outcomes of 905 hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex (IKHC), Tehran, Iran. Methods: COVID-19 patients were recruited based on clinical symptoms and patterns of computed tomography (CT) imaging between February 20 and March 19. All patients were tested for the presence of COVID-19 RNA. The Poisson regression model estimated the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for different parameters. Results: The average age (± standard deviation) was 56.9 (±15.7) years and 61.77% were male. The most common symptoms were fever (93.59%), dry cough (79.78%), and dyspnea (75.69%). Only 43.76% of patients were positive for the RT-PCR COVID-19 test. Prevalence of lymphopenia was 42.9% and more than 90% had elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or C-reactive protein (CRP). About 11% were severe cases, and 13.7% died in the hospital. The median length of stay (LOS) was 3 days. We found higher r...

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

Introduction: Giving gifts is a common way to promote and encourage the use of products of tradin... more Introduction: Giving gifts is a common way to promote and encourage the use of products of trading companies and increase the patient referrals to diagnostic centers. The present study aimed to assess the practice of physicians of different (sub) specialties/educational levels engaged in breast cancer management in some conflict of interest (COI) situations in their relation with pharmaceutical companies and paraclinical centers. Methods: A self-administered online questionnaire including questions on demographic and professional information as well as the attitude of physicians toward COI by answering the questions in three different practical scenarios was developed. Respondents were asked to answer each question by selecting one of the five options: strongly agree, agree, undecided/neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree in their own practices as well as the same questions asking the same subject for what they think of the other physicians. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to report qualitative and quantitative variables. Result: The response rate was 66.24%. In general, physicians considered their performance better than that of other physicians in the situations asked. More than 90% stated that they would participate in the sponsorship congress for introducing new drugs. One fifth of the physicians stated that they would accept the 30% financial proposition for the referral of every single patient to other clinics. More than half of the physicians stated that they had considered the risks resulted from the COI for referring patients to private radiobiological centers. Conclusion: This study indicated that physicians in the field of breast cancer were at the risk of COI. Even within the medical field, there is not sufficient trust in the proper functioning of doctors in dealing with COI situations.

Archives of Iranian Medicine

The coronavirus associated disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has rapidly spr... more The coronavirus associated disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has rapidly spread all around the world and became pandemic in March 2020. Data on liver transplantation and chronic liver disease during the pandemic has remained scarce, and there is little information on whether immunosuppressed patients are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection. This review provides information for health care providers who care for patients with liver transplantation and chronic liver diseases.

Iranian Journal of Radiology

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are mesenchymal tumors that mostly occur in the pleural cavity. Ex... more Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are mesenchymal tumors that mostly occur in the pleural cavity. Extra-thoracic location is rare and hepatic origin is extremely rare. Most lesions are benign, 10%-15% show aggressive behavior and few metastasizing SFTs have been reported. Imaging features of solitary fibrous tumors of the liver (SFTLs) are nonspecific and definite diagnosis usually needs histopathological and immunohistochemistry evaluation. We report ultrasound, CT and MRI features of such a rare malignant SFTL in a 47-year-old man who came with vague abdominal symptoms in detail along with reviewing literature considering imaging features which is valuable for radiologists. The lesion seen as a huge dominantly cystic lesion on ultrasound was initially misinterpreted as hydatid. On CT scan it was seen as a large encapsulated mass with arterial hyper-enhancement and delayed contrast retention and multiple cystic spaces. On MRI, solid components showed iso-intensity to adjacent liver on T1 and T2 images, small areas of restriction on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and few hemorrhagic cystic components beside enhancement pattern and multiple large cystic components similar to CT scan. Our patient was admitted for resection of huge hepatic mass and experienced an episode of altered mental status due to hypoglycemia during hospital admission, which is a rare finding in SFTL. The patient underwent right hepatectomy and solitary fibrous tumor was confirmed on pathologic examination of the resected tumor. Hypoglycemic episodes were resolved and the patient was asymptomatic in 28 months follow-up.

Annals of Gastroenterology

Background Little is known about the prognostic ability of post-liver transplantation (LT) model ... more Background Little is known about the prognostic ability of post-liver transplantation (LT) model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score measurement in assessing long-term outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate this possible relationship. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, the medical records of LT recipients operated under a LT program were reviewed. The accuracy of post-operation MELD score for predicting mortality was evaluated based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Univariate and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to assess the risk factors associated with mortality. Results Eight hundred twenty-six consecutive LT recipients were included in the study. The areas under the ROC curve on postoperative days (POD) 5 and 9 for predicting 1-year mortality were 0.712 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.614-0.811) and 0.682 (95%CI 0.571-0.798), respectively. A cutoff point of 14.5 was obtained for MELD score on POD5 that significantly differentiated between survivors and non-survivors with a sensitivity of 69.8% (95%CI 50.7-83.1) and a specificity of 57.2% (95%CI 50.6-63.6). In the Cox multivariate analysis, factors including MELD score on POD5 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.83, 95%CI 1.07-3.12; P=0.026), pre-transplant MELD (HR 1.064, 95%CI 1.025-1.104; P=0.001) and operation duration (min) (HR 1.004, 95%CI 1.003-1.006; P=0.013) were identified as independent risk factors for predicting overall survival. Conclusion The immediate postoperative MELD scores after LT may be of value in predicting mortality and could be used as a tool for postoperative risk assessment of patients.

Trauma Monthly, 2016

Background: Bile Duct Injuries (BDI) during cholecystectomy are now being recognized as major hea... more Background: Bile Duct Injuries (BDI) during cholecystectomy are now being recognized as major health problems. Objectives: Herein, we present our experience with handling major BDIs and report long-term outcome of hepaticojejunostomies followed by trans-jejunal hepatic duct stenting performed to reconstruct extra-hepatic biliary tracts. Materials and Methods: In this case series, we prospectively collected data of 22 patients, who underwent first time biliary reconstruction through Roux-en-y hepaticojejunostomy followed by hepatic duct stenting using a trans-jejunal bifurcated 6F tube drain. The long-term outcome was assessed and defined as excellent (asymptomatic, normal liver enzymes and bilirubin levels), good (asymptomatic, mild abnormality in liver enzyme and bilirubin levels), poor (symptomatic, abnormal liver enzymes and bilirubin level) and failure (requiring reoperation). Results: A total of 22 patients including four males (18.1%) and 18 females (81.8%) were evaluated. The mean age was 42.71 (range: 23-74) years. Twelve patients had undergone open cholecystectomy (54.5%) and the rest had a history of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The mean interval between the primary operation and reconstruction was 92.71 days. The mean follow-up period after biliary reconstruction was 42.33 (range: 1-96) months. No instance of anastomotic leakage or stenosis, biliary sepsis, thromboembolic event, or respiratory infection was noted in the long-term follow-up. The outcome was excellent in all patients. No case with poor or failure of result was noticed. Conclusions: Although a devastating complication iatrogenic major bile duct injuries can be corrected surgically with a high rate of success. Temporary trans-jejunal stenting of the hepatic ducts can help in maintaining the integrity of anastomosis without stenosis or biliary sepsis.

Perspectives on Medical Education, 2016

The purpose of this study was to utilize the Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) evaluatio... more The purpose of this study was to utilize the Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) evaluation model as a comprehensive framework to guide initiating, planning, implementing and evaluating a revised undergraduate medical education programme. The eight-year longitudinal evaluation study consisted of four phases compatible with the four components of the CIPP model. In the first phase, we explored the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional programme as well as contextual needs, assets, and resources. For the second phase, we proposed a model for the programme considering contextual features. During the process phase, we provided formative information for revisions and adjustments. Finally, in the fourth phase, we evaluated the outcomes of the new undergraduate medical education programme in the basic sciences phase. Information was collected from different sources such as medical students, faculty members, administrators, and graduates, using various qualitative and quantitat...

Journal of Transplantation, 2015

Objectives. The study was aimed at providing a psychosocial profile for Iranian liver transplant ... more Objectives. The study was aimed at providing a psychosocial profile for Iranian liver transplant candidates referred to an established liver transplantation program.Material and Methods. Patients assessed for liver transplant candidacy in Imam Khomeini Hospital (Tehran, Iran) between March 2013 and September 2014 were included. The following battery of tests were administered: Psychosocial Assessment of Candidates for Transplant (PACT), the Short-Form health survey (SF-36), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Results. Psychosocial assessment in 205 liver transplant candidates revealed significant impairments in several SF-36 domains; social functioning was the least and physical functioning was the most impaired domains. The prevalence of cases with probable anxiety and depressive disorders, according to HADS, was 13.8% and 5.6%, respectively. According to PACT, 24.3% of the assessed individuals were considered good or excellent candidates. In 11.2%, transplantation see...

Hepatitis Monthly, 2015

Background: Early post-transplantation alterations in liver tests are caused by a variety of etio... more Background: Early post-transplantation alterations in liver tests are caused by a variety of etiologies including rejection, biliary or vascular complications, and preservation/reperfusion injury (PRI). Objectives: The aim of this study was to show the correlation between histopathologic changes of PRI and the alterations in liver tests in the early post-transplantation period. Materials and Methods: Between April 2013 and August 2014, histopathologic findings of protocol, time-zero, Tru-Cut, liver needle biopsies were evaluated in 94 cases of cadaveric liver transplantation. The histopathologic changes included ballooning degeneration, micro-and macro-vesicular steatosis, bilirubinostasis, apoptotic cells, bile plugs and neutrophilic infiltration. These histopathologic changes were compared with the early (15 days) post-transplantation liver laboratory findings. Results: Clinico-pathologic evaluation of all 94 cases was done by assessment of PRI findings in time-zero biopsies and possible causes of allograft injury were appraised. In 21 patients, a specific cause for allograft injury was found including rejection and/or surgical complications. In the remaining 73 cases, there was no specific cause for allograft injury and histopathologic findings of time-zero liver needle biopsies supported PRI. We classified liver laboratory tests alterations as: hepatocellular damage (elevation of transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase), cholestatic damage (elevation of alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin) and mixed. Hepatocellular and cholestatic alterations in liver function tests were associated with the presence of marked apoptotic bodies and neutrophilic aggregates in time zero biopsies, respectively. On the other hand, macrovesicular steatosis was dominantly associated with mixed (hepatocellular and cholestatic) laboratory alterations of liver tests. Conclusions: Any discrepancy between histopathologic changes in time-zero biopsies and pattern of early liver laboratory alterations may be considered as a warning for causes other than PRI.

Iranian Journal of Radiology, 2015

Pseudoaneurysm happens when the artery wall is injured and the blood is contained by the surround... more Pseudoaneurysm happens when the artery wall is injured and the blood is contained by the surrounding tissues with eventual formation of a fibrous sac communicating with the artery. We report a case of a 39-year-old man with inferior epigastric artery (IEA) pseudoaneurysm after paracentesis. The pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound and treated by surgical intervention regarding the patient's underlying comorbidity. IEA false aneurysm must be included in the differential diagnosis during investigation of the cause of any swelling after paracentesis. Cirrhotic patients may be more prone to this complication because of thin rectus muscle that could not confine the hematoma.

Hepatitis Monthly, 2014

Background: Liver transplantation is a critical survival point for patients with end stage liver ... more Background: Liver transplantation is a critical survival point for patients with end stage liver diseases. It can dramatically increase patients' survival if the donor liver is intact. One aspect of liver health is absence of steatosis. Nonalcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH) and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) are increasing among young adults and patients living with chronic liver diseases. Objectives: In this study, we determined the prevalence of NALFD in livers of brain-dead donors in Imam-Khomeini hospital Complex, Tehran, Iran. We assumed that the calculated prevalence would represent NAFLD prevalence in Iranian population in the age range of 20-60 years. Materials and Methods: All eligible brain dead liver transplant donors were enrolled in the survey from March 21, 2011 to March 21, 2013 in Imam-Khomeini hospital Complex. Eligible participants were donors aged 20 to 60 years without any obvious history of liver disease. Liver needle biopsy was performed at the end of the transplant operation; time zero biopsy. We calculated the prevalence of NAFLD among brain-dead donors. Moreover, the frequency of NASH was calculated based on the NAS (NAFLD Activity Score). Results: Among 116 cases, two were diagnosed as probable NASH. There was a significant association between NAFLD and male gender (P = 0.04). Moreover, we found a higher steatosis level in male gender. There was a significant association between NAFLD and BMI (P = 0.05). Those with BMI more than 27 had severe steatosis. Conclusions: Our comprehensive literature review showed that our study was the first investigation in Iran and the region, which determined the prevalence of NAFLD based on tissue diagnosis. We believe that the prevalence of NAFLD/NASH in our donors can represent the overall prevalence in this age group in Iran.

Introduction: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a discrete vascular tumor with a... more Introduction: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a discrete vascular tumor with an unpredictable natural course. This rare tumor is commonly found incidentally and not too often is mistaken radiologically and histologically for another tumor. No single treatment strategy has yet been established for it, partly due to its variable clinical course, ranging from an indolent tumor with prolonged survival to an aggressive, fatal disease. Case Presentation: Among 1,029 liver transplantation cases performed at our hospital between January 2001 and November 2019, three were done for HEHE. In this study, we present these three cases and review their clinical and histopathologic characteristics. Conclusions: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) of the liver is a low-grade malignant tumor with different presentations, treatment strategies, and outcomes. The histopathologic characteristics of HEHE can hide its vascular nature, thus leading to its confusion with other lesions. This tumor is unique in that its clinical and histopathologic features do not always correlate with its biologic behavior. There are not reliable criteria in predicting the clinical outcome of HEHE, which needs further research.

Objectives: Oral tacrolimus administration is the common route of drug delivery. Recent studies s... more Objectives: Oral tacrolimus administration is the common route of drug delivery. Recent studies suggest sublingual administration of tacrolimus as an alternative route may produce comparable drug trough levels with similar or even lower doses than the oral route, especially in lung transplant recipients; however, most of this research does not encompass intraindividual variations compared between the 2 routes. This study sought to compare the bioavailability and blood trough concentrations of orally and sublingually administered tacrolimus in adult liver transplant recipients by considering intraindividual variations in tacrolimus pharmacokinetics properties. Materials and Methods: Six adult liver transplant recipients received their tacrolimus either orally or sublingually within 2 consecutive days. Blood samples to determine tacrolimus concentrations were gathered at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours after oral and sublingual tacrolimus administration. Mean data values were used to calculate the pharmacokinetics parameters via the feathering or residual method, using the 1-compartment, firstorder elimination pharmacokinetics model. Compared pharmacokinetics parameters included drug bioavailability, maximum blood concentration (C max), time to reach maximum blood level (T max), and trough blood concentrations. Results: Trough whole blood levels, area under the concentration-time curve, T max , and C max after oral and sublingual administration of tacrolimus were not significantly different (10.4 ± 7.4 vs 11.2 ± 11.3 ng/mL for trough blood concentration, 181.5 ± 114.1 vs 160.8 ± 115.9 ng.h/mL for AUC, 1.9 ± 1.2 vs 1.4 ± 0.7 h for T max , and 19.9 ± 10.8 vs 17.2 ± 11.7 ng/mL for C max). A double-peak phenomenon was observed in some concentrationtime profiles. Conclusions: Sublingual tacrolimus administration does provide therapeutic drug concentrations in adult liver transplant recipients. Therefore, sublingual tacrolimus may confidently be considered as an alternative route to oral administration in patients who are unable to swallow their drugs.

Iranian Journal of Radiology

Abstract: The imaging diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is challenging and plays a cruc... more Abstract: The imaging diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is challenging and plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and staging of the disease. A variety of imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine are currently used in evaluating patients with HCC. Although the best option for the treatment of these cases is hepatic resection or transplantation, only 20% of HCCs are surgically treatable.

Hepatitis Monthly, Aug 1, 2012

Background Although liver transplantation is the last resort for treating end stage liver disease... more Background Although liver transplantation is the last resort for treating end stage liver diseases, this medical procedure is not available for all needful patients because of inadequate organ supply. Therefore, guidelines have been developed by medical experts to regulate the process. Some professionals believe that medical criteria are inadequate for organ allocation in all situations and may not secure fairness of organ allocation. Objectives The current study has been designed to identify decision criteria about allocation of ...

Journal of Patient Experience, 2021

Patients experience a new life with different challenges after liver transplantation (LT). Identi... more Patients experience a new life with different challenges after liver transplantation (LT). Identifying these challenges can facilitate the improvement of their quality of life. This study aimed to explore patients’ experiences of post-LT life challenges. This qualitative study was performed in 2019 through the content analysis approach. Participants were liver transplant recipients purposively recruited from a LT clinic. Semistructured interviews were conducted for data collection. Data were analyzed through Graneheim and Lundman’s conventional content analysis approach. Meaning units were identified and coded, and the codes were grouped into subcategories and categories according to their similarities. In total, 18 transplant recipients were interviewed. Their age mean was 51 years and their transplant age ranged from 4 months to 12 years. Their post-LT life challenges were categorized into 4 main categories, that is, self-care deficit, the need for seeking information, fears and c...

Background Patients with liver cirrhosis experience a hyperdynamic circulation. Objective To inve... more Background Patients with liver cirrhosis experience a hyperdynamic circulation. Objective To investigate the association between early hemodynamic changes and graft function after liver transplant. Methods Those patients who underwent liver transplantation in 2016 were enrolled in the study. Liver function indices measured in postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 along with hemodynamic indices including pulse rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and central venous pressure (CVP) measured q6h in the first 3 days after transplantation were recorded. Results 57 deceased-donor liver recipients with a mean±SD age of 41.4±11.8 years including 33 (58%) males were enrolled in the study. The mean±SD aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly decreased from 1879±670.5, 369.2±40.5, 174.9±18.8, and 1907.6±323.1 U/L in POD 1 to 37.2±10.7, 243.4±37.3, 207.5±19.5, and 382.4±59.8 U/L in POD 3, ...

Background: Peripheral arterial disease is a source of morbidity and mortality. Surgical vascular... more Background: Peripheral arterial disease is a source of morbidity and mortality. Surgical vascular reconstruction is a treatment option but probability of failure and complications are important concerns. In this study, we evaluated outcome of surgical infrainguinal reconstruction and factors affecting graft patency for a period of one year. Methods: In this cohort study, 85 consecutive patients with chronic ischemia who underwent lower extremity surgical vascular reconstruction (including 52 femoropopliteal and 25 femorofemoral bypass) from March 2007 to Feb 2009 were recruited. Graft patency was evaluated before discharge from hospital and one year after the surgical operation using duplex ultrasonography. Association between possible risk factors and graft patency were evaluated. Results: In general, 71% (37 patients) of femoropopliteal and 52% (13 patients) of femorofemoral reconstructions were patent during the follow up period. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, opium us...

Archives of Iranian Medicine

Background: We studied the clinical characteristics and outcomes of 905 hospitalized coronavirus ... more Background: We studied the clinical characteristics and outcomes of 905 hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex (IKHC), Tehran, Iran. Methods: COVID-19 patients were recruited based on clinical symptoms and patterns of computed tomography (CT) imaging between February 20 and March 19. All patients were tested for the presence of COVID-19 RNA. The Poisson regression model estimated the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for different parameters. Results: The average age (± standard deviation) was 56.9 (±15.7) years and 61.77% were male. The most common symptoms were fever (93.59%), dry cough (79.78%), and dyspnea (75.69%). Only 43.76% of patients were positive for the RT-PCR COVID-19 test. Prevalence of lymphopenia was 42.9% and more than 90% had elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or C-reactive protein (CRP). About 11% were severe cases, and 13.7% died in the hospital. The median length of stay (LOS) was 3 days. We found higher r...

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

Introduction: Giving gifts is a common way to promote and encourage the use of products of tradin... more Introduction: Giving gifts is a common way to promote and encourage the use of products of trading companies and increase the patient referrals to diagnostic centers. The present study aimed to assess the practice of physicians of different (sub) specialties/educational levels engaged in breast cancer management in some conflict of interest (COI) situations in their relation with pharmaceutical companies and paraclinical centers. Methods: A self-administered online questionnaire including questions on demographic and professional information as well as the attitude of physicians toward COI by answering the questions in three different practical scenarios was developed. Respondents were asked to answer each question by selecting one of the five options: strongly agree, agree, undecided/neutral, disagree, and strongly disagree in their own practices as well as the same questions asking the same subject for what they think of the other physicians. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to report qualitative and quantitative variables. Result: The response rate was 66.24%. In general, physicians considered their performance better than that of other physicians in the situations asked. More than 90% stated that they would participate in the sponsorship congress for introducing new drugs. One fifth of the physicians stated that they would accept the 30% financial proposition for the referral of every single patient to other clinics. More than half of the physicians stated that they had considered the risks resulted from the COI for referring patients to private radiobiological centers. Conclusion: This study indicated that physicians in the field of breast cancer were at the risk of COI. Even within the medical field, there is not sufficient trust in the proper functioning of doctors in dealing with COI situations.

Archives of Iranian Medicine

The coronavirus associated disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has rapidly spr... more The coronavirus associated disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has rapidly spread all around the world and became pandemic in March 2020. Data on liver transplantation and chronic liver disease during the pandemic has remained scarce, and there is little information on whether immunosuppressed patients are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection. This review provides information for health care providers who care for patients with liver transplantation and chronic liver diseases.

Iranian Journal of Radiology

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are mesenchymal tumors that mostly occur in the pleural cavity. Ex... more Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are mesenchymal tumors that mostly occur in the pleural cavity. Extra-thoracic location is rare and hepatic origin is extremely rare. Most lesions are benign, 10%-15% show aggressive behavior and few metastasizing SFTs have been reported. Imaging features of solitary fibrous tumors of the liver (SFTLs) are nonspecific and definite diagnosis usually needs histopathological and immunohistochemistry evaluation. We report ultrasound, CT and MRI features of such a rare malignant SFTL in a 47-year-old man who came with vague abdominal symptoms in detail along with reviewing literature considering imaging features which is valuable for radiologists. The lesion seen as a huge dominantly cystic lesion on ultrasound was initially misinterpreted as hydatid. On CT scan it was seen as a large encapsulated mass with arterial hyper-enhancement and delayed contrast retention and multiple cystic spaces. On MRI, solid components showed iso-intensity to adjacent liver on T1 and T2 images, small areas of restriction on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and few hemorrhagic cystic components beside enhancement pattern and multiple large cystic components similar to CT scan. Our patient was admitted for resection of huge hepatic mass and experienced an episode of altered mental status due to hypoglycemia during hospital admission, which is a rare finding in SFTL. The patient underwent right hepatectomy and solitary fibrous tumor was confirmed on pathologic examination of the resected tumor. Hypoglycemic episodes were resolved and the patient was asymptomatic in 28 months follow-up.

Annals of Gastroenterology

Background Little is known about the prognostic ability of post-liver transplantation (LT) model ... more Background Little is known about the prognostic ability of post-liver transplantation (LT) model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score measurement in assessing long-term outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate this possible relationship. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, the medical records of LT recipients operated under a LT program were reviewed. The accuracy of post-operation MELD score for predicting mortality was evaluated based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Univariate and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to assess the risk factors associated with mortality. Results Eight hundred twenty-six consecutive LT recipients were included in the study. The areas under the ROC curve on postoperative days (POD) 5 and 9 for predicting 1-year mortality were 0.712 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.614-0.811) and 0.682 (95%CI 0.571-0.798), respectively. A cutoff point of 14.5 was obtained for MELD score on POD5 that significantly differentiated between survivors and non-survivors with a sensitivity of 69.8% (95%CI 50.7-83.1) and a specificity of 57.2% (95%CI 50.6-63.6). In the Cox multivariate analysis, factors including MELD score on POD5 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.83, 95%CI 1.07-3.12; P=0.026), pre-transplant MELD (HR 1.064, 95%CI 1.025-1.104; P=0.001) and operation duration (min) (HR 1.004, 95%CI 1.003-1.006; P=0.013) were identified as independent risk factors for predicting overall survival. Conclusion The immediate postoperative MELD scores after LT may be of value in predicting mortality and could be used as a tool for postoperative risk assessment of patients.

Trauma Monthly, 2016

Background: Bile Duct Injuries (BDI) during cholecystectomy are now being recognized as major hea... more Background: Bile Duct Injuries (BDI) during cholecystectomy are now being recognized as major health problems. Objectives: Herein, we present our experience with handling major BDIs and report long-term outcome of hepaticojejunostomies followed by trans-jejunal hepatic duct stenting performed to reconstruct extra-hepatic biliary tracts. Materials and Methods: In this case series, we prospectively collected data of 22 patients, who underwent first time biliary reconstruction through Roux-en-y hepaticojejunostomy followed by hepatic duct stenting using a trans-jejunal bifurcated 6F tube drain. The long-term outcome was assessed and defined as excellent (asymptomatic, normal liver enzymes and bilirubin levels), good (asymptomatic, mild abnormality in liver enzyme and bilirubin levels), poor (symptomatic, abnormal liver enzymes and bilirubin level) and failure (requiring reoperation). Results: A total of 22 patients including four males (18.1%) and 18 females (81.8%) were evaluated. The mean age was 42.71 (range: 23-74) years. Twelve patients had undergone open cholecystectomy (54.5%) and the rest had a history of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The mean interval between the primary operation and reconstruction was 92.71 days. The mean follow-up period after biliary reconstruction was 42.33 (range: 1-96) months. No instance of anastomotic leakage or stenosis, biliary sepsis, thromboembolic event, or respiratory infection was noted in the long-term follow-up. The outcome was excellent in all patients. No case with poor or failure of result was noticed. Conclusions: Although a devastating complication iatrogenic major bile duct injuries can be corrected surgically with a high rate of success. Temporary trans-jejunal stenting of the hepatic ducts can help in maintaining the integrity of anastomosis without stenosis or biliary sepsis.

Perspectives on Medical Education, 2016

The purpose of this study was to utilize the Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) evaluatio... more The purpose of this study was to utilize the Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) evaluation model as a comprehensive framework to guide initiating, planning, implementing and evaluating a revised undergraduate medical education programme. The eight-year longitudinal evaluation study consisted of four phases compatible with the four components of the CIPP model. In the first phase, we explored the strengths and weaknesses of the traditional programme as well as contextual needs, assets, and resources. For the second phase, we proposed a model for the programme considering contextual features. During the process phase, we provided formative information for revisions and adjustments. Finally, in the fourth phase, we evaluated the outcomes of the new undergraduate medical education programme in the basic sciences phase. Information was collected from different sources such as medical students, faculty members, administrators, and graduates, using various qualitative and quantitat...

Journal of Transplantation, 2015

Objectives. The study was aimed at providing a psychosocial profile for Iranian liver transplant ... more Objectives. The study was aimed at providing a psychosocial profile for Iranian liver transplant candidates referred to an established liver transplantation program.Material and Methods. Patients assessed for liver transplant candidacy in Imam Khomeini Hospital (Tehran, Iran) between March 2013 and September 2014 were included. The following battery of tests were administered: Psychosocial Assessment of Candidates for Transplant (PACT), the Short-Form health survey (SF-36), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Results. Psychosocial assessment in 205 liver transplant candidates revealed significant impairments in several SF-36 domains; social functioning was the least and physical functioning was the most impaired domains. The prevalence of cases with probable anxiety and depressive disorders, according to HADS, was 13.8% and 5.6%, respectively. According to PACT, 24.3% of the assessed individuals were considered good or excellent candidates. In 11.2%, transplantation see...

Hepatitis Monthly, 2015

Background: Early post-transplantation alterations in liver tests are caused by a variety of etio... more Background: Early post-transplantation alterations in liver tests are caused by a variety of etiologies including rejection, biliary or vascular complications, and preservation/reperfusion injury (PRI). Objectives: The aim of this study was to show the correlation between histopathologic changes of PRI and the alterations in liver tests in the early post-transplantation period. Materials and Methods: Between April 2013 and August 2014, histopathologic findings of protocol, time-zero, Tru-Cut, liver needle biopsies were evaluated in 94 cases of cadaveric liver transplantation. The histopathologic changes included ballooning degeneration, micro-and macro-vesicular steatosis, bilirubinostasis, apoptotic cells, bile plugs and neutrophilic infiltration. These histopathologic changes were compared with the early (15 days) post-transplantation liver laboratory findings. Results: Clinico-pathologic evaluation of all 94 cases was done by assessment of PRI findings in time-zero biopsies and possible causes of allograft injury were appraised. In 21 patients, a specific cause for allograft injury was found including rejection and/or surgical complications. In the remaining 73 cases, there was no specific cause for allograft injury and histopathologic findings of time-zero liver needle biopsies supported PRI. We classified liver laboratory tests alterations as: hepatocellular damage (elevation of transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase), cholestatic damage (elevation of alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin) and mixed. Hepatocellular and cholestatic alterations in liver function tests were associated with the presence of marked apoptotic bodies and neutrophilic aggregates in time zero biopsies, respectively. On the other hand, macrovesicular steatosis was dominantly associated with mixed (hepatocellular and cholestatic) laboratory alterations of liver tests. Conclusions: Any discrepancy between histopathologic changes in time-zero biopsies and pattern of early liver laboratory alterations may be considered as a warning for causes other than PRI.

Iranian Journal of Radiology, 2015

Pseudoaneurysm happens when the artery wall is injured and the blood is contained by the surround... more Pseudoaneurysm happens when the artery wall is injured and the blood is contained by the surrounding tissues with eventual formation of a fibrous sac communicating with the artery. We report a case of a 39-year-old man with inferior epigastric artery (IEA) pseudoaneurysm after paracentesis. The pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound and treated by surgical intervention regarding the patient's underlying comorbidity. IEA false aneurysm must be included in the differential diagnosis during investigation of the cause of any swelling after paracentesis. Cirrhotic patients may be more prone to this complication because of thin rectus muscle that could not confine the hematoma.

Hepatitis Monthly, 2014

Background: Liver transplantation is a critical survival point for patients with end stage liver ... more Background: Liver transplantation is a critical survival point for patients with end stage liver diseases. It can dramatically increase patients' survival if the donor liver is intact. One aspect of liver health is absence of steatosis. Nonalcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH) and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) are increasing among young adults and patients living with chronic liver diseases. Objectives: In this study, we determined the prevalence of NALFD in livers of brain-dead donors in Imam-Khomeini hospital Complex, Tehran, Iran. We assumed that the calculated prevalence would represent NAFLD prevalence in Iranian population in the age range of 20-60 years. Materials and Methods: All eligible brain dead liver transplant donors were enrolled in the survey from March 21, 2011 to March 21, 2013 in Imam-Khomeini hospital Complex. Eligible participants were donors aged 20 to 60 years without any obvious history of liver disease. Liver needle biopsy was performed at the end of the transplant operation; time zero biopsy. We calculated the prevalence of NAFLD among brain-dead donors. Moreover, the frequency of NASH was calculated based on the NAS (NAFLD Activity Score). Results: Among 116 cases, two were diagnosed as probable NASH. There was a significant association between NAFLD and male gender (P = 0.04). Moreover, we found a higher steatosis level in male gender. There was a significant association between NAFLD and BMI (P = 0.05). Those with BMI more than 27 had severe steatosis. Conclusions: Our comprehensive literature review showed that our study was the first investigation in Iran and the region, which determined the prevalence of NAFLD based on tissue diagnosis. We believe that the prevalence of NAFLD/NASH in our donors can represent the overall prevalence in this age group in Iran.

Introduction: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a discrete vascular tumor with a... more Introduction: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a discrete vascular tumor with an unpredictable natural course. This rare tumor is commonly found incidentally and not too often is mistaken radiologically and histologically for another tumor. No single treatment strategy has yet been established for it, partly due to its variable clinical course, ranging from an indolent tumor with prolonged survival to an aggressive, fatal disease. Case Presentation: Among 1,029 liver transplantation cases performed at our hospital between January 2001 and November 2019, three were done for HEHE. In this study, we present these three cases and review their clinical and histopathologic characteristics. Conclusions: Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) of the liver is a low-grade malignant tumor with different presentations, treatment strategies, and outcomes. The histopathologic characteristics of HEHE can hide its vascular nature, thus leading to its confusion with other lesions. This tumor is unique in that its clinical and histopathologic features do not always correlate with its biologic behavior. There are not reliable criteria in predicting the clinical outcome of HEHE, which needs further research.

Objectives: Oral tacrolimus administration is the common route of drug delivery. Recent studies s... more Objectives: Oral tacrolimus administration is the common route of drug delivery. Recent studies suggest sublingual administration of tacrolimus as an alternative route may produce comparable drug trough levels with similar or even lower doses than the oral route, especially in lung transplant recipients; however, most of this research does not encompass intraindividual variations compared between the 2 routes. This study sought to compare the bioavailability and blood trough concentrations of orally and sublingually administered tacrolimus in adult liver transplant recipients by considering intraindividual variations in tacrolimus pharmacokinetics properties. Materials and Methods: Six adult liver transplant recipients received their tacrolimus either orally or sublingually within 2 consecutive days. Blood samples to determine tacrolimus concentrations were gathered at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours after oral and sublingual tacrolimus administration. Mean data values were used to calculate the pharmacokinetics parameters via the feathering or residual method, using the 1-compartment, firstorder elimination pharmacokinetics model. Compared pharmacokinetics parameters included drug bioavailability, maximum blood concentration (C max), time to reach maximum blood level (T max), and trough blood concentrations. Results: Trough whole blood levels, area under the concentration-time curve, T max , and C max after oral and sublingual administration of tacrolimus were not significantly different (10.4 ± 7.4 vs 11.2 ± 11.3 ng/mL for trough blood concentration, 181.5 ± 114.1 vs 160.8 ± 115.9 ng.h/mL for AUC, 1.9 ± 1.2 vs 1.4 ± 0.7 h for T max , and 19.9 ± 10.8 vs 17.2 ± 11.7 ng/mL for C max). A double-peak phenomenon was observed in some concentrationtime profiles. Conclusions: Sublingual tacrolimus administration does provide therapeutic drug concentrations in adult liver transplant recipients. Therefore, sublingual tacrolimus may confidently be considered as an alternative route to oral administration in patients who are unable to swallow their drugs.

Iranian Journal of Radiology

Abstract: The imaging diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is challenging and plays a cruc... more Abstract: The imaging diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is challenging and plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and staging of the disease. A variety of imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine are currently used in evaluating patients with HCC. Although the best option for the treatment of these cases is hepatic resection or transplantation, only 20% of HCCs are surgically treatable.

Hepatitis Monthly, Aug 1, 2012

Background Although liver transplantation is the last resort for treating end stage liver disease... more Background Although liver transplantation is the last resort for treating end stage liver diseases, this medical procedure is not available for all needful patients because of inadequate organ supply. Therefore, guidelines have been developed by medical experts to regulate the process. Some professionals believe that medical criteria are inadequate for organ allocation in all situations and may not secure fairness of organ allocation. Objectives The current study has been designed to identify decision criteria about allocation of ...