Publications by authors named "Zohair AlHalees"

Article Synopsis
  • Childhood-onset thoracic aortic dilatation (TAD) is primarily a genetic condition with dominant inheritance, and this study investigates its correlation with consanguinity in a specific population.
  • Among the 33 children studied, a significant 65% had positive genetic tests, revealing mutations in multiple genes, including a notable homozygous variant in the EFEMP2 gene.
  • The findings emphasize the importance of genetic screening for early detection and intervention, which can lead to positive outcomes, as all patients in the study are currently alive despite the severe nature of their condition.
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Background: The incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) in patients undergoing redo mitral valve (MV) surgery was evaluated. The outcomes of all the patients and the patients' specific characteristics were recorded. The patients were analyzed to further the research of IE in this population.

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Objective: To assess the risk factors associated with neurological complications and poor short-term outcomes following pediatric heart surgery.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a cardiac intensive care unit between June 2019 and June 2022. The data of all children less than 15 years old who underwent open-heart surgery and had CT brain were extracted from hospital records.

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The Ross procedure is gaining recognition as a significant option for aortic valve replacement (AVR), and is particularly beneficial in specific patient groups. Although categorized as a class IIb recommendation in the 2020 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA), and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) management guidelines on valvular heart disease, recent studies bolster its credibility. Research, including a propensity-matched study, underlines the Ross procedure's association with enhanced long-term survival and reduced adverse valve-related events compared to other AVR types.

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Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often associated with multiple comorbidities including diabetes mellitus, and each has its own complications and impact after cardiac surgery including coronary revascularization. The objective of this work was to study the impact of CKD on clinical outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to compare outcomes in patients with different grades of renal functions. We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent CABG from January 2016 to August 2020 at our tertiary care hospital using electronic medical records.

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We report successful heart transplantation in a phosphoglucomutase 1 deficient (PGM1-CDG) patient. She presented with facial dysmorphism, bifid uvula and structural heart defects. Newborn screening was positive for classic galactosemia.

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Purpose: Transposition of great arteries with intact ventricular septum and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (TGA + IVS + LVOTO) is uncommon. We reviewed operations performed in patients with TGA + IVS + LVOTO in the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association Congenital Database (ECHSA-CD).

Methods: All 109 patients with a diagnosis of TGA + IVS + LVOTO in ECHSA-CD who underwent cardiac surgery during a 21-year period (01/2000-02/2021, inclusive) were included.

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Background: Locked-in syndrome represents the most severe form of central pontine myelinolysis and varies in presentation from asymptomatic to fully developed locked-in-syndrome characterized by the combination of quadriplegia, loss of the ability to communicate except through the use of the eyes, and an inability to follow commands.

Methods: We report a 10-year-old boy who developed a severe case of locked-in syndrome after heart transplantation.

Results: Patient had a spontaneous recovery, treated with supportive treatment and the improvement was detected with cessation of calcineurin inhibitor therapy by substituting with an mTOR inhibitor (sirolimus).

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Background: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Congenital Heart Surgery Database was queried to document variation of patient characteristics, procedure types, and programmatic case-mix.

Methods: All index cardiac operations in patients less than 18 years of age in the STS Congenital Heart Surgery Database (July 2016 to June 2020) were eligible for inclusion except patients weighing ≤2.5 kg undergoing isolated patent ductus arteriosus closure.

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Current management of heart failure (HF) is centred on modulating the progression of symptoms and severity of left ventricular dysfunction. However, specific understandings of genetic and molecular targets are needed for more precise treatments. To attain a clearer picture of this, we studied transcriptome changes in a chronic progressive HF model.

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Takayasu's arteritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of large arteries. We report a case of postcardiac surgery pseudoaneurysm. Anesthetic concerns, high risk related to surgery, necessary anesthetic preparations, and considerations will be mentioned here.

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Stuck valve is a very rare and severe complication that occurs in mechanical valve replacement patients with ineffective anticoagulation. However, with COVID-19 restriction measures, it became challenging to regularly assess INR to make sure it falls within the target therapeutic range to prevent this complication. We present a series of 10 patients who either underwent transthoracic echocardiography for a suspected stuck valve or were seen at the outpatient valve clinic with the residual consequences of a stuck valve during the COVID-19 restriction measures in our institute.

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Heyde's syndrome (HS) is described as the association between recurrent bleeding from angiodysplasia of the gastrointestinal tract and aortic stenosis. Aortic valve replacement has been reported to stop the bleeding. In unfit patients, the options available are interventional or conservative management.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The training of congenital heart surgeons is complex and varies significantly across different regions, posing challenges worldwide.
  • - The Global Council on Education for Congenital Heart Surgery, formed by the WSPCHS, aims to create standardized training and certification criteria for these specialists.
  • - The article reviews the current status of training and certification in congenital heart surgery, highlighting the lack of consensus and its impact on job mobility and patient care globally.
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The Ross procedure has been considered in children as an optimal surgical procedure due to potential growth of the aortic annulus, lack of anticoagulation requirement, very low morbidity rate and excellent survival. Five-hundred-thirty-six (366 male, mean age 29.4 ± 11.

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Background: Fetal aortic stenosis may progress to hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), which carries a poor prognosis. We report two infants with fetal aortic stenosis successfully treated with fetal aortic valvuloplasty (FAV) using balloon dilatation.

Case Presentation: Of five fetuses with aortic stenosis fulfilling the FAV criteria of severe aortic stenosis with a left ventricular length Z-score of ≥ - 2, retrograde flow in the transverse aortic arch, left-to-right flow across the foramen ovale, monophasic mitral inflow, and significant left ventricular dysfunction, we obtained permission for FAV in two fetuses.

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Introduction: Primary pulmonary artery sarcoma (PPAS) is a very rare tumor that mimics pulmonary embolism (PE) in clinical presentation and on imaging studies, therefore leading to diagnostic delay and increased patient mortality.

Presentation Of Case: We discuss the case of 37-year-old man with a rapidly progressing PPAS, which was initially managed as PE. Imaging studies, particularly computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, were helpful in reaching the correct diagnosis.

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