Effect of dipping and nondipping pattern of blood pressure on subclinical left ventricular dysfunction assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking in hypertensive patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the left ventricular (LV) function by conventional two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) to detect subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in patients with dipper and nondipper hypertension.

Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with hypertension were included in our study. Clinical evaluation, baseline laboratory investigations, 24 ambulatory blood pressure monitoring 2D echocardiographic examination and 2D STE were performed for all patients.

Prospective Study of Tricuspid Regurgitation Associated With Permanent Leads After Cardiac Rhythm Device Implantation.

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has been associated with cardiac rhythm device (CRD) implantation with intracardiac lead insertion. However, data on the incidence of postdevice TR are limited and largely from retrospective studies. We hypothesized that permanent lead implantation would be associated with an increase in TR.

Prospective study of tricuspid valve regurgitation associated with permanent leads in patients undergoing cardiac rhythm device implantation: Background, rationale, and design.

Given the increasing numbers of cardiac device implantations worldwide, it is important to determine whether permanent endocardial leads across the tricuspid valve can promote tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Virtually all current data is retrospective, and indicates a signal of TR being increased after permanent lead implantation. However, the precise incidence of moderate or greater TR post-procedure, the exact mechanisms (mechanical, traumatic, functional), and the hemodynamic burden and clinical effects of this putative increase in TR, remain uncertain.

Factors Associated with Low Flow in Aortic Valve Stenosis.

Background: Low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis (AS) is a predictor of worse outcome compared with normal-flow AS. Although depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is associated with low flow, there is less evidence to support the role of other indices of cardiac structure and function.

Methods: Clinical and echocardiographic data from patients with native AS and valve areas ≤ 1.

An audit of inpatient management of community-acquired pneumonia in Oman: a comparison with regional clinical guidelines.

Objective: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Herein, we present the findings from an audit of CAP management at a tertiary hospital in Oman. The main objective was to evaluate the quality of care given to patients and compare it with the standards in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) CAP guidelines.