A novel score to predict left ventricular recovery in peripartum cardiomyopathy derived from the ESC EORP Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Registry.

Background And Aims: There are no established clinical tools to predict left ventricular (LV) recovery in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Using data from women enrolled in the ESC EORP PPCM Registry, the aim was to derive a prognostic model to predict LV recovery at 6 months and develop the 'ESC EORP PPCM Recovery Score'-a tool for clinicians to estimate the probability of LV recovery.

Methods: From 2012 to 2018, 752 women from 51 countries were enrolled.

Proteomic Profiling in Patients With Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Biomarker Study of the ESC EORP PPCM Registry.

Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) remains an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality globally. The pathophysiology remains incompletely understood, and the diagnosis is often missed or delayed.

Objectives: This study explored the serum proteome profile of patients with newly diagnosed PPCM, as compared with matched healthy postpartum mothers, to unravel novel protein biomarkers that would further an understanding of the pathogenesis of PPCM and improve diagnostic precision.

The burden of ischemic heart disease and the epidemiologic transition in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: 1990-2019.

It has been estimated that in the next decade, IHD prevalence, DALYs and deaths will increase more significantly in EMR than in any other region of the world. This study aims to provide a comprehensive description of the trends in the burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD) across the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) from 1990 to 2019. Data on IHD prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), mortality, DALYs attributable to risk factors, healthcare access and quality index (HAQ), and universal health coverage (UHC) were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database for EMR countries.

Impact of Earthquake on Cardiovascular Health: What Should Cardiovascular Healthcare Providers Anticipate After the Devastating Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria?

Natural disasters like earthquakes have direct and indirect association with major adverse cardiac events. They can impact cardiovascular health by multiple mechanisms not to mention their impact on cardiovascular care and services. Besides the humanitarian tragedy that calls attention globally, we as part of cardiovascular community are concerned with the short and long outcomes of those who survived the recent Turkey and Syria earthquake tragedy.

Care of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: an international analysis of quality indicators in the acute coronary syndrome STEMI Registry of the EURObservational Research Programme and ACVC and EAPCI Associations of the European Society of Cardiology in 11 462 patients.

Aims: To use quality indicators to study the management of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in different regions.

Methods And Results: Prospective cohort study of STEMI within 24 h of symptom onset (11 462 patients, 196 centres, 26 European Society of Cardiology members, and 3 affiliated countries). The median delay between arrival at a percutaneous cardiovascular intervention (PCI) centre and primary PCI was 40 min (interquartile range 20-74) with 65.

Cardiovascular drug interventions in the cardio-oncology clinic by a cardiology pharmacist: ICOP-Pharm study.

Background: Cardio-oncology is a rapidly growing field that requires a novel service design to deal with the increasing number of patients. It is reported that the volume of patients at the cardio-oncology clinic in the United Kingdom is 535 patients/5 years and in Canada is 779 patients/7 years. The pharmacist has a role in reducing the consultation time of physicians.

Global pattern of cardiovascular disease management in patients with cancer and impact of COVID-19 on drug selection: IRAQ-IC-OS survey-based study.

Background: Regional variations in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD management are well known. However, there is limited information on geographical variations in the discipline of Cardio-Oncology, including both the nature of CVD in patients with cancer and its management. Furthermore, during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, CV care for patients was disrupted resulting in an unknown impact on cardio-oncology services.

Perceptions of the Cardiologists and Oncologists: Initial Step for Establishing Cardio-Oncology Service.

Over the last years, there was no established cardio-oncology service in Iraq and no firm data about the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with cancer. As an initial step, we decided to conduct a national cardio-oncology online survey for cardiologists, oncologists, and their residents which would help us to understand the expected prevalence, problems, and readiness for collaboration between the two specialties. For evaluating the current national practice in the cardiology and oncology specialty fields and to identify the hidden gaps associated with the development or worsening of CVD among patients with cancer.

Dropping risk stratification with subsequent treatment-risk paradox in non ST elevation acute coronary syndromes: a clinical audit in Iraq.

Background: Risk stratification is the cornerstone in managing patients with Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes (NSTE-ACS) and can attenuate the unjustified variability in treatment and guide the intervention decision notwithstanding its impact on better healthcare resources use. This study sought to disclose real adherence to guidelines in risk stratification of NSTE-ACS patients and in adopting intervention decision in practice.

Methods: Multicentre prospective study recruited NSTE-ACS patients.

World Heart Federation Roadmap on Atrial Fibrillation - A 2020 Update.

The World Heart Federation (WHF) commenced a Roadmap initiative in 2015 to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease and resultant burgeoning of healthcare costs. Roadmaps provide a blueprint for implementation of priority solutions for the principal cardiovascular diseases leading to death and disability. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of these conditions and is an increasing problem due to ageing of the world's population and an increase in cardiovascular risk factors that predispose to AF.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy in Iraq: initial registry-based data and 6 month outcomes.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, echocardiographic measurements, medical treatment, pregnancy outcomes, and the 6 month follow-up outcomes among patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) in Iraq.

Methods And Results: Data were collected prospectively at cardio-maternal clinic in Baghdad Heart Center, using case report form for the EORP-PPCM registry from January 2015 to November 2020. Six month follow-up was performed either by attendance of patients or by phone contact.

Non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes; clinical landscape, management strategy and in-hospital outcomes: an age perspective.

Background: As the elderly represent a substantial proportion of medical care beneficiaries, and there is limited data about age disparity in emerging countries, this study sought to investigate the impact of age on the management in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS).

Results: Two hundred patients with NSTE-ACS enrolled prospectively, patients' data, pharmacotherapy, management strategy as well timing to catheterization were documented. Patients grouped into ≥ 65 years versus < 65 years; 32.

Women in cardiology: critical status and a call to move forward.

Background: Healthcare workforce should mirror the population in representing patients' diversity; however, in certain medical specialties like cardiology, there is a significant under-representation of females in fellowship programs. There is limited data discussing this issue in the Middle East, and up to our knowledge, no prior literature has cast a light on this subject in Iraq.

Main Text: Women represent not a minority but rather a negligible proportion of cardiologists in the Middle East, in general, and in Iraq, in particular, as over two decades, recruiting females in cardiology training never progressed.

Heart disease in pregnancy-clinical pattern and prevalence: initial data from the first cardio-maternal unit in Iraq.

Objectives: The purpose of this study to determine the clinical pattern and prevalence of heart disease in pregnancy at the first established cardio-maternal unit in Iraq over the last 4 years; since January 2015 till May 2019. Data are presented as number and percentage.

Results: A total of 252 pregnant women presented to cardio-maternal unit included in this study.

Clopidogrel non-responsiveness in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention using the VerifyNow test: frequency and predictors.

Objectives: Stent thrombosis and death after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can be caused by a phenomenon known as clopidogrel non-responsiveness which has been shown to occur in approximately 5%-44% of patients. We investigated the responsiveness of clopidogrel in an Iraqi series of cases. Our aim was to determine for the first time the frequency and predictors of clopidogrel non-responsiveness among Iraqi patients with ischaemic heart disease undergoing PCI.

Dyslipidaemia in the Middle East: Current status and a call for action.

The increase in the cardiovascular disease (CVD)-associated mortality rate in the Middle East (ME) is among the highest in the world. The aim of this article is to review the current prevalence of dyslipidaemia and known gaps in its management in the ME region, and to propose initiatives to address the burden of dyslipidaemia. Published literature on the epidemiology of dyslipidaemia in the ME region was presented and discussed at an expert meeting that provided the basis of this review article.