The Characteristics and Outcomes of Nonhospitalized Patients With Heart Failure in Saudi Arabia: A Contemporary Single-Center Study.

Background Contemporary data on patients with heart failure (HF) in Saudi Arabia is limited. Methods This was a retrospective study of patients who were followed in the HF Clinic at our center after January 1, 2022. The study end date was August 31, 2023.

The Integral Role of Chloride & With-No-Lysine Kinases in Cell Volume Regulation & Hypertension.

Chloride anions are the most abundant in humans. For many years, it has been believed that chloride is simply a counterion of all other cations, ensuring the electroneutrality of the extracellular space. Recent data suggests that chloride anions possess a broad spectrum of important activities that regulate vital cellular functions.

Left bundle area pacing: Guiding implant depth by ring measurements.

Background: Criteria for successful left bundle area pacing (LBAP) are in flux and currently guided by lead tip measurements. Lead ring measurements during LBAP have not been well studied.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate dynamics in pacing parameters during successful and unsuccessful lead implant attempts.

His bundle pacing insights from electroanatomical mapping: Topography and pacing targets.

Objectives: To characterize 3D electroanatomical mapping (EAM) of the His bundle (HB) region.

Background: Visualization of selective (S) and nonselective (NS) HB capture areas by EAM has not been described and may help guide HB pacing (HBP).

Methods: EAM was performed via NavX system in 17 patients (pts) undergoing HBP.

Isolated Renal Artery Dissection: A Systematic Review of Case Reports.

Isolated renal artery dissection (IRAD) is a rare and often unrecognized clinical entity, with a paucity of data on its epidemiology and management. We extracted 129 cases of IRAD from the medical literature between 1972 and 2016. IRAD as a result of an extended dissection from the aorta and splanchnic or mesenteric arteries was excluded.

Permanent His-bundle pacing using stylet-directed, active-fixation leads placed via coronary sinus sheaths compared to conventional lumen-less system.

Background: The use of coronary sinus (CS) sheaths to deliver stylet-driven leads (SDLs) for His-bundle pacing (HBP) has not been described. Conventionally, HBP is achieved using a stylet-less lead delivered through a customized catheter.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the acute and early-term HBP experience with stylet-driven, active-fixation leads delivered through CS sheaths compared to the conventional approach.

Presence of pseudopolyps in ulcerative colitis is associated with a higher risk for treatment escalation.

Background: Pseudopolyps in ulcerative colitis (UC) are considered as indicators of previous episodes of severe inflammation and ulceration of the mucosa. The aim of the study was to investigate the long-term outcomes of patients treated for UC, with or without pseudopolyps.

Methods: This was a retrospective single-center study.

Direct Visualization of the His Bundle Pacing Lead Placement by 3-Dimensional Electroanatomic Mapping: Technique, Anatomy, and Practical Considerations.

Background: His bundle pacing (HBP) remains technically challenging and is currently guided by electrograms and 2-dimensional fluoroscopy. Our objective was to describe a new technique for HBP directly guided by electroanatomic mapping (EAM).

Methods: Twenty-eight patients were included.

Molecular pathophysiology of Bartter's and Gitelman's syndromes.

Background: In the last two decades, progress in cytogenetic and genome research has enabled investigators to unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms of inherited tubulopathies such as Bartter's and Gitelman's syndromes and helped physicians to better understand not only these two pathologic entities but also renal pathophysiology and salt sensitive hypertension.

Data Sources: Articles collected from PubMed and open access journals included original articles, research articles, and comprehensive reviews. They were evaluated by the authors with an special emphasis on originality and up to date information about molecular pathophysiology.

Hospital-acquired acute kidney injury and hospital readmission: a cohort study.

Background: Hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased mortality and resource consumption. Little is known about the association of AKI with short-term hospital readmissions.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

The loop of Henle as the milestone of mammalian kindey concentrating ability: a historical review.

The first description of the renal tubules is attributed to Lorenzo Bellini in 1662 and four years later Marcello Malpighi described the glomerulus. In 1842 Sir William Bowman described the capsule that surrounds the Malpighian body and its connection with the renal tubule and introduced the "excretory" hypothesis of urine formation. In the same year, Carl Ludwig introduced the "filtration-reabsorption" hypothesis of urine formation.

World incidence of AKI: a meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: The burden of AKI around the globe has not been systematically examined.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: A systematic review (2004-2012) of large cohort studies was conducted to estimate the world incidence of AKI and its stages of severity and associated mortality, and to describe geographic variations according to countries, regions, and their economies. AKI definitions were reclassified according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) staging system.

A meta-analysis of continuous vs intermittent infusion of loop diuretics in hospitalized patients.

Background: Several studies have examined the potential benefits of continuous vs intermittent (bolus) intravenous loop diuretic administration in hospitalized patients with conflicting results. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the efficacy of these 2 strategies in hospitalized adults and children with extracellular fluid volume expansion.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE (through October 2012) and prior meta-analyses for randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of continuous vs intermittent infusion of loop diuretics.

Out-of-hospital use of proton pump inhibitors and hypomagnesemia at hospital admission: a nested case-control study.

Background: Case series suggest that long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is associated with hypomagnesemia, but the current literature lacks systematically collected data. Our aim was to examine whether hypomagnesemia at the time of hospital admission is associated with out-of-hospital use of PPIs.

Study Design: Nested case-control study matched for age and sex.

Dose of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and adverse outcomes in CKD: a metaregression analysis.

Background: Targeting higher hemoglobin levels with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to treat the anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Study Design: Metaregression analysis examining the association of ESA dose with adverse outcomes independent of target or achieved hemoglobin level.

Setting & Population: Patients with anemia of CKD irrespective of dialysis status.

Effect of frequent or extended hemodialysis on cardiovascular parameters: a meta-analysis.

Background: Increased left ventricular (LV) mass is a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney failure. More frequent or extended hemodialysis (HD) has been hypothesized to have a beneficial effect on LV mass.

Study Design: Meta-analysis.

Metabolic syndrome risk factors and estimated glomerular filtration rate among children and adolescents.

The aim of this study was to seek the possible relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) and anthropometric indexes, lipids, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic syndrome risk factors among healthy children and adolescents. Sufficient evidence suggest that obesity is related with a novel form of glomerulopathy named obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) among adults, children, and adolescents. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated from serum creatinine in 166 healthy children and adolescents [79 males, 87 females; age 10.