Publications by authors named "Sahrai Saeed"

Background: There are several high-risk treatment options for valve failure of a biological full root replacement. When tailoring the best treatment option for the patient, implantation of a rapid deployment valve (RDV) should be considered.

Case Presentation: Six patients presented with aortic regurgitation in a full root Freestyle bioprosthesis.

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Introduction: Left ventricular (LV) remodelling and fibrosis are known to occur in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and are linked to post-intervention outcomes. These myocardial changes may be detected upon the routine 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) by the presence of a LV strain pattern (LVS-ECG). Although LVS-ECG has been related to excessive cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in multiple patient populations, there is currently a dearth of data upon its impact in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

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Background: Aortic valve infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to describe the clinical profile, risk factors and predictors of short- and long-term mortality in patients with aortic valve IE treated with aortic valve replacement (AVR) compared with a control group undergoing AVR for non-infectious valvular heart disease.

Methods: Between January 2008 and December 2013, a total of 170 cases with IE treated with AVR (exposed cohort) and 677 randomly selected non-infectious AVR-treated patients with degenerative aortic valve disease (controls) were recruited from three tertiary hospitals with cardiothoracic facilities across Scandinavia.

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Background: In this prospective, observational study, we aimed to investigate epidemiologic and microbial trends of infective endocarditis in western Norway.

Methods: Clinical and microbiological characteristics of 497 cases of infective endocarditis from 2016 through 2022 were investigated. Categorical data were analysed using Chi-squared tests.

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Introduction: High-molecular-weight (HMW) von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimer deficiency occurs in classical low-flow, low-gradient (LF/LG) aortic stenosis (AS) due to shear force-induced proteolysis. The prognostic value of HMW VWF multimer deficiency is unknown. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the impact of HMW VWF multimer deficiency on clinical outcome.

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Background: While most cases of venous thromboembolism follow a benign course, occasionally the condition may manifest a complex clinical presentation and need a comprehensive diagnostic workup to identify the underlying cause and provide the patient with appropriate treatment.

Case Presentation: A woman in her late thirties presented to the emergency department with a five-day history of dyspnoea. She had recently undergone liposuction surgery after pregnancy.

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Article Synopsis
  • - A 2023 survey by the European Society of Hypertension assessed the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with hypertension across 88 centers in 27 countries, finding that only 28% had preexisting CKD, and 30% exhibited resistant hypertension.
  • - The survey indicated inconsistent rates of recent kidney function tests and varying usage of important medications, showing higher rates of certain drugs when nephrologists were involved in the care team.
  • - Overall, the study highlighted significant gaps in CKD screening and treatment prior to referral for specialized care, suggesting that tailored initiatives could enhance management for patients with hypertension and CKD.
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Amyloidosis is a disease characterized by the deposition of protein fibrils. Cardiac involvement is a significant factor in determining prognosis. This study aimed to examine the clinical profile, outcomes, and long-term mortality rates in patients with transthyretin (ATTR) and amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis.

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The clinical spectrum of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) varies from asymptomatic infection to severe disease with multiorgan dysfunction. Cardiovascular involvement is common and in rare cases can lead to serious complications, such as fulminant myocarditis. The clinical course of COVID-19 myocarditis varies from complete recovery to death in rare cases.

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Article Synopsis
  • Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is a rare and serious heart condition primarily affecting younger adults, often leading to rapid progression, life-threatening complications, and the need for an endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) for accurate diagnosis.
  • A case study of a 50-year-old man with fulminant GCM demonstrated the critical need for early EMB and the effectiveness of starting treatment with methylprednisolone, along with sustained immunosuppressive therapy and heart failure medications, which resulted in full recovery.
  • Accurate early diagnosis and rapid treatment are essential for improving outcomes in GCM patients, highlighting the importance of utilizing EMB, immunosuppressive therapy, and mechanical support when
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A Norwegian cardiology delegation comprised of Cardiologists and Researchers travelled voluntarily to Zanzibar to undertake 4 humanitarian missions in 2022. The principal aims of this were to: 1) Train local cardiologists in transthoracic echocardiography and perform echocardiographic screening in patients with cardiac symptoms who had not undergone any prior cardiac imaging, 2) Conduct a hypertension survey to improve awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and 3) Implant permanent pacemakers in patients with significant bradyarrhythmias for the first time in the Archipelago. The current report details our experience at the Mnazi Mmoja Referral Hospital.

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Introduction And Importance: Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is defined as dyspnoea and deoxygenation when changing from a recumbent to an upright position. Post-Covid-19 sequelae can induce or exacerbate pulmonary hypertension and thereby render a previously mild and asymptomatic platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome to manifest with new or worsening symptoms.

Case Presentation: The authors present the case of an 80-year-old man who following an episode of moderate-severe Covid-19 infection developed type I respiratory failure that required hospital discharge with long-term oxygen therapy.

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  • The text discusses the ECG changes associated with hypokalemia, which are often overlooked compared to those of hyperkalemia.
  • It presents a case study of a patient with severe hypokalemia caused by diarrhea, focusing on the specific ECG changes observed.
  • The case highlights the unique feature of bifid T-waves in hypokalemia and the importance of distinguishing them from changes due to other cardiac conditions, along with the reversal of these changes once potassium levels are restored.
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Background: Deep sternal wound/mediastinitis is a rare but feared complication in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients and seems to increase the risk of cardiac death, and is also associated with the risk of early internal mammary artery (IMA) graft obstruction. The pathological mechanism explaining the link between mediastinitis and IMA graft obstruction and the impact on mortality is complex, multifactorial, and not fully investigated.

Objectives: Mediastinitis has been associated with increased concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and troponin T (TnT) at mid-term follow-up, representing persistent low-grade myocardial injury and impaired cardiac function.

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Echocardiography is an important diagnostic imaging modality in recognizing rheumatic heart disease, a chronic sequelae of acute rheumatic fever. Left-sided heart valves, especially the mitral valve is typically affected, with stenosis or regurgitation as a consequence. Although assessment of valve area by 2D planimetry is the reference method for mitral stenosis severity, 3D planimetry provides more accurate measurement and diagnostic value.

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Article Synopsis
  • Global left ventricular (LV) function declines as aortic valve stenosis (AS) worsens, but the specific deformation changes from base to apex had not been studied until now.
  • A cross-sectional study involving 85 AS patients used 3D echocardiography to assess global LV function and deformation patterns by categorizing patients into mild, moderate, and severe AS groups.
  • Results showed that as AS severity increased, global and regional myocardial function decreased, particularly in males and those with higher body mass index, linking LV mechanics to AS severity and cardiovascular risk factors.*
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The BRASH (bradycardia, renal failure, atrioventricular block, shock, and hyperkalaemia) syndrome is a recently recognized condition which may lead to life-threatening complications if not correctly identified and treated early. We report here the case of a 74-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and atrial flutter who presented to the emergency department with 2-day history of dizziness, presyncope, and bradycardia, and a junctional rhythm at 61 beat per minute on initial ECG. She was on apixaban, digoxin, prazosin, and telmisartan.

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