Publications by authors named "Yousef Z"

Enzymatically oxygenated phospholipids (eoxPL) from lipoxygenases (LOX) or cyclooxygenase (COX) are prothrombotic. Their generation in arterial disease, and their modulation by cardiovascular therapies is unknown. Furthermore, the Lands cycle acyl-transferases that catalyze their formation are unidentified.

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Purpose: Central arterial stiffness, a predictor of cardiovascular risk, attenuates with endurance-exercise in ageing populations. However, in young individuals, this effect is inconsistent and emerging evidence suggests resistance-exercise may increase arterial stiffness. Two-dimensional (2D)-Strain imaging of the common carotid artery (CCA) is more sensitive at detecting endurance-training induced alterations in CCA stiffness than conventional methods, but has not been used to examine CCA stiffness in young resistance-trained individuals.

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Background: Clotting, leading to thrombosis, requires interactions of coagulation factors with the membrane aminophospholipids (aPLs) phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is associated with elevated thrombotic risk, which is not fully preventable using current therapies. Currently, the contribution of aPL to thrombotic risk in ASCVD is not known.

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Aims: Many European healthcare providers struggle to adopt multidisciplinary, integrated care pathways for people with heart failure (HF) as recommended by the European Society of Cardiology. PRO-HF (Program to Optimize Heart Failure Patient Pathways) was developed to help clinicians identify strengths, gaps, and shortcomings in their HF pathways and support tailored interventions to optimize pathways and enhance patient care. We report initial findings from baseline assessments of HF pathway characteristics and challenges from 10 hospitals in six European countries (France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands, and United Kingdom).

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The number of people using wearable technology such as smartwatches and fitness trackers is increasing. Many of these devices can alert the user to a potential arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation. We aimed to assess potential changes to cardiology practice resulting from their use.

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Article Synopsis
  • Obesity is a growing public health issue globally, with increasing prevalence in Saudi Arabia, leading to a rise in bariatric surgeries like laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).
  • A case study discusses a female patient who, after a LAGB procedure in 2013, experienced complete gastric band erosion that caused severe complications, including a foreign body sensation and the formation of a gastrointestinal (GI) fistula.
  • The treatment for the erosion involved a novel combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approach to remove the band, marking a unique case in medical literature.
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  • Aminophospholipids like phosphatidylserine are crucial for blood coagulation, and the study investigates a new aminophospholipid, phosphatidylthreonine (PT), previously unreported in human tissues.
  • PT was identified in various human blood components and demonstrated to support coagulation in vitro through binding with coagulation factor Va (FVa).
  • The research shows PT is elevated in patients with coronary artery disease, suggesting its role in promoting thrombosis in at-risk individuals.
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Background: Previous studies have assessed the impact of age and body mass index (BMI) on surgery outcomes separately. This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the combined effect of age and BMI on postoperative mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: Data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database for laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients between 2008 and 2020 were analyzed.

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Apnea (breath-holding) elicits co-activation of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, affecting cardiac control. In situations of autonomic co-activation (e.g.

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Background Appendicitis is a common reason for hospitalization. Rarely do people with acute appendicitis have an appendiceal mass called an abscesses or inflamed phlegmon. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of different appendiceal tumors including neuroendocrine tumors, adenocarcinoma, carcinoid, and mucinous and evaluate patient demographic data (e.

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Objective: We provide succinct, evidence-based and/or consensus-based best practice guidance for the cardiac care of children living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) as well as recommendations for screening and management of female carriers of mutations in the -gene.

Methods: Initiated by an expert working group of UK-based cardiologists, neuromuscular clinicians and DMD-patient representatives, draft guidelines were created based on published evidence, current practice and expert opinion. After wider consultation with UK-cardiologists, consensus was reached on these best-practice recommendations for cardiac care in DMD.

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Introduction: Conferences are an important avenue for dissemination of knowledge, research and provide networking opportunities for career development. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted adoption of virtual platforms for delivery of these conferences. The aim of the study was to determine the utility and educational impact of a student-led virtual webinar to deliver an undergraduate cardiovascular conference compared to a traditional in-person conference.

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Objectives: Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent condition associated with poor quality-of-life and high symptom burden. As patients reach ceilings of survival-extending interventions, their priorities may be more readily addressed through the support of palliative care services; however, the best model of care remains unestablished.We aimed to create and evaluate a cospeciality cross-boundary service model for patients with HF that better provides for their palliative care needs in the latter stages of life, while delivering a more cost-effective patient journey.

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While glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), such as semaglutide, are among the most effective drugs for treating people with type 2 diabetes (T2D), they are clinically under-utilised. Until recently, the only route for semaglutide administration was via subcutaneous injection. However, an oral formulation of semaglutide was recently licensed, with the potential to address therapy inertia and increase patient adherence to treatment, which is essential in controlling blood glucose and reducing complications.

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious, progressive condition associated with significant patient morbidity. Hypertension control and use of renin-angiotensin system blockers are the cornerstones of treatment for CKD. However, even with these treatment strategies, many individuals will progress towards kidney failure.

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New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Endurance athletes demonstrate altered regional right ventricular (RV) wall mechanics, characterized by lower basal deformation, in comparison to non-athletic control subjects at rest. We hypothesized that regional adaptations at the RV base reflect an enhanced functional reserve capacity in response to haemodynamic volume loading. What is the main finding and its importance? Free wall RV longitudinal strain is elevated in response to acute volume loading in both endurance athletes and control subjects.

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex disease which affects approximately 13% of the world's population. Over time, CKD can cause renal dysfunction and progression to end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Complications associated with CKD may contribute to the acceleration of disease progression and the risk of cardiovascular-related morbidities.

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A multivariate risk score model was proposed by Sieira et al in 2017 for sudden death in Brugada syndrome; their validation in 150 patients was highly encouraging, with a C-index of 0.81; however, this score is yet to be validated by an independent group. A total of 192 records of patients with Brugada syndrome were collected from 2 centers in the United Kingdom and retrospectively scored according to a score model by Sieira et al.

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Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in the healthcare providers' perceptions regarding the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist (WHO SSC) and patient safety in the operating room (OR) at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City. Data were collected from two years (2011 and 2019) for comparison.

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Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were first developed as glucose-lowering therapies for the treatment of diabetes. However, these drugs have now been recognised to prevent worsening heart-failure events, improve health-related quality of life, and reduce mortality in people with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), including those both with and without diabetes. Despite robust clinical trial data demonstrating favourable outcomes with SGLT2 inhibitors for patients with HFrEF, there is a lack of familiarity with the HF indication for these drugs, which have been the remit of diabetologists to date.

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Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is one of the most effective therapies for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and leads to improved quality of life, reductions in heart failure hospitalization rates and all-cause mortality. Nevertheless, up to two-thirds of eligible patients are not referred for CRT. Furthermore, post-implantation follow-up is often fragmented and suboptimal, hampering the potential maximal treatment effect.

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Background: Structural remodeling of the right ventricle (RV) is widely documented in athletes. However, functional adaptation, including RV pressure generation and systolic free-wall longitudinal mechanics, remains equivocal. This meta-analysis compared RV pressure and function in athletes and controls.

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Objective: Revision to cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) in patients with existing pacemakers with worsening heart failure (HF) can improve symptoms and cardiac function. We identify factors that predict improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) within a year of CRT revision.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 146 consecutive patients (16% female, mean age 73 ± 11 years, mean LVEF 27 ± 8%) undergoing revision to CRT (January 2012 to May 2018) in a single tertiary centre.

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Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher. This article has been withdrawn due to a publisher error that caused the article to be duplicated. The definitive version of this article is published under https://doi.

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Article Synopsis
  • Temporary cardiac pacing using externalized prolonged temporary pacing (EPTP) can be a safe alternative to traditional methods, especially for patients who can't have permanent pacemakers due to conditions like sepsis.
  • In a study of 67 patients averaging 69 years old, EPTP was usually used for serious heart rhythm issues and was effective, with a mean pacing duration of 16 days.
  • The results showed good outcomes, with 63% of patients receiving permanent devices afterward and no significant complications related to EPTP, indicating its usefulness in critical care scenarios.
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