Flash'O real-world evidence programme - Attitude and practices toward the use of omega-3 FA by physicians from Middle East Countries.

The Flash'O project was designed to provide insights into the current use of prescription omega-3 and their perceived benefits by physicians in real-world clinical practice, in Russia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Gulf countries, and to determine the adherence of physicians to dyslipidemia management guidelines. The present study focuses on Flash'O's process and results in Middle East countries. A total of 338 physicians and specialists completed the online questionnaire.

Echocardiographic Imaging in Transcatheter Structural Intervention: An AAE Review Paper.

Transcatheter structural heart intervention (TSHI) has gained popularity over the past decade as a means of cardiac intervention in patients with prohibitive surgical risks. Following the exponential rise in cases and devices developed over the period, there has been increased focus on developing the role of "structural imagers" amongst cardiologists. This review, as part of a growing initiative to develop the field of interventional echocardiography, aims to highlight the role of echocardiography in myriad TSHIs available within Asia.

Severe Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis, Worse Left Atrial Mechanics is Closely Associated with Echo Criteria for Intervention.

Background: Rheumatic mitral valve (MV) stenosis is associated with progressive left atrial (LA) fibrosis and functional impairment, Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. The aims of the study were to determine in those patients with severe MV stenosis if LA mechanical function as assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography could identify those with increased PASP, atrial fibrillation (AFib), and RV dysfunction.

Subjects And Methods: Patients with severe MV stenosis were identified from the institutional echo database.

Complications of White-coat Hypertension Compared to a Normotensive and Hypertensive Population.

Background: Accumulating evidence demonstrates that white-coat hypertension (WCH) are associated with several risks and complications. In this study, we aimed to investigate the adverse effects of WCH compared with hypertensive and normotensive patients.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted over five years.

Gender differences in patients presenting with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in the STAR registry.

Background: In most acute coronary artery (ACS) related literature, the female gender constitutes a smaller proportion. This study is based on gender-specific data in the Saudi Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry Program (STARS-1 Program). A prospective multicenter study, conducted with patients diagnosed with ACS in 50 participating hospitals.

Figure 8 Shadow, What is Your Diagnosis?

We report this case, which described the echocardiographic and chest X-ray appearance of the amplatzer device. The echo images raised suspicion of a mass in the left atrium, but a simple X-ray showed that the mass is an amplatzer device for left atrial appendage closure.

The Echocardiography Society of Saudi Heart Association Recommendation on Quality and Laboratory Accreditation Guideline and Standards.

Objective: To create the Saudi Arabian Society of Echocardiography Accreditation Commission Guidelines and Standards.

Method: A review of available the North American and European accreditation guidelines was conducted and a model, locally appropriate for Saudi echocardiography laboratories and applicable in the current settings, was developed.

Results: The document specifies the organizational setting as well as the following categories of personnel: medical director, technical director, medical staff, and technical staff.

Abnormal mitral flow, what is the cause?

Diastolic mitral regurgitation is a unique Doppler finding that can be missed if special attention is not paid to it. There are a few causes of such abnormal flow, ranging from a conduction abnormality to abnormal valvular and left ventricle function. Failure to recognize it might lead to unnecessary investigations and delay the primary diagnosis.

The validity of a daytime ambulatory blood pressure to diagnose masked hypertension.

Masked hypertension (MH) is traditionally diagnosed with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24-ABPM). This is relatively costly and could cause discomfort during the night. We studied the validity of daytime ABP (DT-ABPM) in young National Guard soldiers and determined the prevalence in comparison to the standard 24-ABPM.

Mitral leaflet separation index for mitral valve assessment during balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of the mitral leaflet separation index (MLSI) in selected patients with mitral stenosis, before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV), compared to conventional methods with transthoracic echocardiography [TTE].

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 30 patients, ages 20-60 years, with severe symptomatic mitral stenosis (MS) who had PBMV in the Cardiology Department, Zagazig University and National Heart Institute. A mean of three to five measurements of MLSI was taken in diastole in the parasternal long-axis and apical four-chamber views.

The effect of blood pressure variability on the prognosis of hypertensive patients.

Objective: Our study aims to compare the effects of blood pressure variability (BPV) during ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) and visit-to-visit measurements to predict future cardiovascular complications among hypertensive patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study of patients with hypertension over 10 years. All adult patients with at least one recorded ABPM, and at least three recorded visit measurements were included.

Prophylactic use of carvedilol to prevent ventricular dysfunction in patients with cancer treated with doxorubicin.

Objective: Deterioration in ventricular function is often observed in patients treated with anthracyclines for cancer. There is a paucity of evidence on interventions that might provide cardio-protection. We investigated whether prophylactic use of carvedilol can prevent doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and whether any observed effect is dose related.

Metformin in heart failure patients.

The use of metformin was considered a contraindication in heart failure patients because of the potential risk of lactic acidosis; however, more recent evidence has shown that this should no longer be the case. We reviewed the current literature and the recent guideline to correct the misconception.

Do We Need Cardiac Rehabilitation in Heart Failure.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a well established therapy for heart failure patients. Discussion is made of the different types, modalities, time and number of sessions and whether it is restricted to systolic heart failure or younger patients only. Elaboration will be made on how to make it more accessible to a larger proportion of population.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in daily practice.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a useful diagnostic tool that still underutilized by community physicians. It is a cost effective, diagnostic and prognostic tool that had been emphasized by the guidelines.

STEMI vs NSTEACS management trends in non-invasive hospital.

Objectives: To compare the clinical features, management, and in-hospital outcomes of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS), in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A total of 71 patients were enrolled in a longitudinal study at a tertiary hospital without cardiac catheterization facility. These data were collected from Saudi Project for Assessment of Coronary Events registry.

Abnormal Chest X-ray Postmyocardial Infarction.

Pulmonary hemorrhage is a rare complication of fibrinolytic therapy. Only a few cases are reported in the literature. We present a patient who had myocardial infarction, treated with fibrinolytic therapy and developed pulmonary hemorrhage.

The fate of post-myocardial infarction thrombi.

We are reporting a patient who sustained a large myocardial infarction with large kissing thrombi in echocardiogram that disappeared within 1 month without the administration of thrombolytic, anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. The patient did not manifest any embolic events. This unusual course calls for specific studies on the natural history of thrombi post myocardial infarction and the best modality to treat such thrombi.

Prevalence of hypertension in a population of healthy individuals.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in a random sample of individuals in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 243 participants were randomly selected at a megamall in Jeddah, on May 2008. Questionnaires were distributed to all the participants by one of the researchers, who explained the purpose of the study and the content of the questionnaire.

Effect of balloon mitral valvoplasty during pregnancy on childhood development.

In order to study the long-term effects of balloon mitral valvoplasty (BMV) on childhood development, we followed up closely 20 mothers with severe mitral stenosis who were treated with BMV during pregnancy. Their offspring aged 63 +/- 39 (range 6-98) months were also regularly assessed using standard developmental charts and relevant laboratory tests. They were all found to have maintained normal growth, development, and speech for their appropriate ages.