Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Heart failure (HF), a clinical syndrome caused by a structural and functional cardiac abnormality and corroborated by elevated natriuretic peptide levels and pulmonary congestion. This study intends to investigate the state of heart failure (HF) in Oman and assess it in comparison of global trends. Ten published literatures from the past 20 years were included after a thorough search of databases (Arab World Research Source, EBSCOhost, Medline, and Google Scholar). These studies were reviewed considering the global literature...

Primary tumors originating from the inferior vena cava (IVC), namely leiomyosarcoma, present significant challenges due to their poor prognostic features, including extensive extension and a substantial tumor burden. In this case, we present a 55-year-old female patient complaining of abdominal discomfort and vague abdominal pain. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive summary encompassing key aspects related to symptomatology, diagnostic approaches, treatment, and prognostic indicators. We also discuss the complexities involved in managing primary tumors of the inferior vena cava, emphasizing the critical significance of adopting a multidisciplinary team-based approach...

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the characteristics of antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) utilization and the level of adherence of King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) staff to the latest American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for AP for infective endocarditis (IE) in cardiac patients undergoing dental procedures. METHODS: The study was conducted as a retrospective cohort study to investigate the relationship between AP in dental procedures and cardiac patients admitted in the surgical wards of KSUMC between 2015 and 2021...

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the admission neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for risk stratification for in-hospital outcomes and complications in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (non-ST-ACS) patients. METHODS: We recruited consecutive patients with non-ST-ACS. The NLR was obtained and stratified as low, intermediate, and high-risk based on <3.0, 3.0-6.0, and >6.0, respectively. The new ST-T changes, arrhythmias, contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), and mortality were recorded...

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a major health concern globally. While some risk factors for CVDs are non-modifiable, other determinants like obesity, hypertension, type-2 diabetes and dyslipidemia can be mitigated by a wide plethora of measures to control CVD morbidity and mortality. Those determinants have been on the rise in Saudi Arabia, exacerbated by sedentary lifestyle. The Saudi Vision 2030 aims to reduce CVD clinical and economic burden and to scale up vitality and longevity; in a new era of comprehensive healthcare...

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for postoperative chylothorax in children who had cardiothoracic procedures are not always clear. Due to complex course in post-operative care, It's always challenging to find the risk factors, and their management. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to identify the incidence, risk factors and effective treatment approaches for chylothorax after pediatric heart surgery. METHODS: Children who had the cardiac surgery and subsequently developed chylothorax were included in the study...

BACKGROUND: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been increasing in popularity among young adults due to the misconception about the safety of e-cigarettes. Our study aims to identify the prevalence rate of e-cigarette use among college students, the reason behind their use, and the relationship between the use of electronic cigarettes and cardiovascular symptoms among college students. METHODS: An online questionnaire was sent to students of Taibah University between 2021 and 2022...

Primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by decreased carnitine levels essential for Beta oxidation in various organs, including the heart. Early diagnosis and treatment of PCD can revert cardiomyopathy. A 13-year-old girl presented with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy and severe cardiac dysfunction; following L carnitine treatment, the patient's clinical conditions improved, and cardiac functions returned to normal within weeks. Investigations revealed PCD; regular L carnitine has been provided, all cardiac medications are discontinued, and the patient is doing well...

INTRODUCTION: The clot in transit is a rare manifestation of thromboembolic disease occurring usually in the setting of PE and frequently associated with poor outcomes. The best therapeutic option is not well established. We describe a series of 35 patients diagnosed with clots in transit including their therapeutic interventions and outcome between the period January 2016 to December 2020. METHODS: a retrospective chart review of all patients with an Echocardiogram showing thrombi in the right heart chambers including patients with thrombus in the presence of central lines or other devices...

BACKGROUND: The burden of cardiovascular diseases is undeniable in local populations, who have high mortality rates and a young age of disease onset. A systematic review of emerging evidence and update of the Saudi Heart Association (SHA) 2019 heart failure (HF) guidelines was therefore undertaken. METHODOLOGY: A panel of expert cardiologists reviewed recommendations of the 2019 guidelines following the Saudi Heart Association methodology for guideline recommendations...

We present a case report of a male patient who underwent modified Bentall surgery with a mechanical valved conduit due to severe aortic regurgitation and ascending aortic aneurysm. Four years later, the patient developed a cascade of events as acute stoke, infective endocarditis due to Brucella abortus complicated by pseudoaneurysms of aortic graft with left ventricular outflow tract communication. A multi-modality approach, included a three-dimensional printing, facilitated the diagnosis and surgical planning...

OBJECTIVES: Adiponectin and resistin are adipokines involved in insulin resistance, glucometabolic control and adiposity. There is evidence that hypoadiponectinemia and hyperresistinemia are associated with cardiovascular disease. Whether the ratio of Adiponectin-Resistin (AR) and Insulin Resistance Adiponectin-Resistin (IRAR) indices can be used as non-invasive biomarker of cardiovascular disease needs more attention. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the relationships of AR and IRAR indices with adiposity, glucometabolic control and cardiovascular risk incurred by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in healthy subjects and patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus...

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a highly prevalent disease in Saudi Arabia with poor control rates. Updated guidelines are needed to guide the management of hypertension and improve treatment outcomes. METHODOLOGY: A panel of experts representing the National Heart Center (NHC) and the Saudi Heart Association (SHA) reviewed existing evidence and formulated guidance relevant to the local population, clinical practice and the healthcare system. The recommendations were reviewed to ensure scientific and medical accuracy...

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCMP) is defined as heart failure that develops in the last trimester of pregnancy or in the first few months after delivery without an underlying cause. Altought it is seen rarely, it can lead to thromboembolic events and can be life-threatening. Similarly, COVID-19, which is a viral pneumonia agent, is known to cause thrombogenesis. In this case report, the unexpected course of left ventricular thrombus developing in a patient with peripartum cardiomyopathy accompanied by COVID-19 infection is presented...

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K-dependent anticoagulants (NOAC) are not well investigated in the obese population, and fixed dosing could lead to under-anticoagulation. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of obesity on anticoagulation outcomes and survival in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. METHODS: We enrolled 755 patients who required anticoagulation for AF from 2015 to 2016. We grouped the patients into four groups. Group 1 (n = 297) included patients with BMI< 40 kg/m2 treated with NOACs, Group 2 (n = 358) included patients on warfarin with BMI< 40 kg/m2, Group 3 (n = 57) had patients on NOACs with BMI≥ 40 kg/m2 and Group 4 (n = 43) included patients on warfarin and BMI≥ 40 kg/m2...

BACKGROUND: Patients with STEMI are postulated to have different culprit lesion morphology compared to NSTEMI. The use of OCT in ACS can help delineate lesion morphology. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the available data on culprit plaque morphology in ACS patients. METHODS: The available literature was systematically screened for studies on culprit lesion morphology in ACS patients. Data was extracted from the selected studies and analyzed for baseline characteristics as well as culprit lesion morphology on OCT...

Carney complex is rare neoplastic disorder. Intracardiac myxoma presenting the most common non-cutaneous lesions in this complex. We are reporting a 31-year-old Saudi female known case of Carney complex presented with asymptomatic biatrial myxoma that was identified on routine transthoracic echocardiogram, and was successfully excised. However, these patients need a careful surveillance in order to detect any new masses and prevent their complications.

Transcatheter closure of septal defects using specialized devices is a common procedure that has a high success rate. Embolization of Atrial septal defect devices is a known complication seen at a rate of 0.5%. We report a case of late ASD device occluder embolization immediately after brain MRI with clinical consequences and intraoperative evidence of right atrial wall thermal injury. To our knowledge Atrial septal occluder (ASO) device embolization post magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was not reported before, although theoretically possible and that's why six to eight weeks post device implantation MRI is prohibited even with current MRI compatible devices...

UNLABELLED: Improving or maintaining heart function following percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is not identified in all patients. Our aim in the current study is to investigate the prevalence, factors associated with early left ventricular (LV) dysfunction following successful revascularization of myocardial infarction patients. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study included 2863 myocardial infarction patients who were admitted to our center and treated with successful PPCI...

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence regarding the success of the Maze procedure to restore sinus rhythm in patients with rheumatic heart disease. Hence, the aim of our study was to describe the results of surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with rheumatic heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective study that included adult patients with rheumatic heart disease who underwent surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation...