MDCT evaluation of intramyocardial-sinusoids-coronary artery communications in a neonate with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.

A patient of tetrology of Fallot with complete atresia of the pulmonary outflow tract with ventriculocoronary connections is presented. MDCT imaging revealed left coronary sinus, with a large fistula draining into the free wall of hypoplastic right ventricular cavity with tortuous channel arising from right ventricular outflow, and communicating with proximal limb of the fistula forming a complete loop suggesting a right ventricle-to - left coronary sinus sinusoid.

Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure: Patient Characteristics and Outcomes From the HEARTS Registry.

Effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) on short- and long-term outcomes in heart failure (HF) is controversial. Accordingly, we examined this relationship in a national multicenter project using data from the Hearts Function Assessment Registry Trial in Saudi Arabia that studied the clinical features and outcomes of patients admitted with de novo and acute on chronic HF. Out of 2593 patients with HF, 449 (17.

Chronic obstructive airway disease among patients hospitalized with acute heart failure; clinical characteristics, precipitating factors, management and outcome: Observational report from the Middle East.

Background: The purpose of this study was to report the prevalence, clinical characteristics, contributing factors, management and outcome of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF).

Methods: Data were derived from Gulf Care (Gulf acute heart failure registry), a prospective multicenter study of 5005 consecutive patients hospitalized with acute heart failure during February to November 2012 in seven Middle Eastern countries. Data were described and compared for demographics, management and outcomes.

Poor knowledge of peripheral arterial disease among the Saudi population: A cross-sectional study.

Peripheral arterial disease is a marker of severe atherosclerosis with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Public and patients' perception of peripheral arterial disease is influenced by their knowledge of the condition.

A Zebrafish Loss-of-Function Model for Human CFAP53 Mutations Reveals Its Specific Role in Laterality Organ Function.

Establishing correct left-right asymmetry during embryonic development is crucial for proper asymmetric positioning of the organs. Congenital heart defects, such as dextrocardia, transposition of the arteries, and inflow or outflow tract malformations, comprise some of the most common birth defects and may be attributed to incorrect establishment of body laterality. Here, we identify new patients with dextrocardia who have mutations in CFAP53, a coiled-coil domain containing protein.

Splenic abscess associated with infective endocarditis; Case series.

Splenic abscess is a well-described but rare complication of infective endocarditis. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential as its course can be fatal. We present three case reports that describe the management of splenic abscesses in patients initially diagnosed with infective endocarditis.

Prediction of 10-year risk of hard coronary events among Saudi adults based on prevalence of heart disease risk factors.

Aim: Cardiovascular disease is becoming the lead cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and developing countries are the main contributors to this trend. Saudi Arabia, which is considered a rapidly developing country, faces progressive urbanization and the adoption of a westernized lifestyle, factors which contribute to the rising burden of cardiovascular disease. Our study evaluates the prevalence of coronary risk factors and predicts hard coronary artery events over 10 years in an urban Saudi cohort.

Clinical characteristics, precipitating factors, management and outcome of patients with prior stroke hospitalised with heart failure: an observational report from the Middle East.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the prevalence, clinical characteristics, precipitating factors, management and outcome of patients with prior stroke hospitalised with acute heart failure (HF).

Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

Setting: Data were derived from Gulf CARE (Gulf aCute heArt failuRe rEgistry), a prospective multicentre study of consecutive patients hospitalised with acute HF in 2012 in seven Middle Eastern countries and analysed according to the presence or absence of prior stroke; demographics, management and outcomes were compared.

Double chambered right ventricle with ventricular septal defect in adults: case series and review of the literature.

Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is an uncommon congenital anomaly in which anomalous muscle bands divide the right ventricle into two chambers; a proximal high-pressure and distal low-pressure chamber. It may be associated with mid right ventricular obstruction. It is commonly associated with other congenital anomalies, most frequently perimembranous ventricular septal defect (PM-VSD).

Right and Left Atrial Dissimilarities in Normal Subjects Explored by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

Background: Atrial function is an important contributor of ventricular function and has a prognostic role in various cardiovascular diseases. We tested the hypothesis that right and left atrial (RA & LA) function may not be equal despite their accommodating identical cardiac output.

Methods: Two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography was acquired from the apical four-chamber view in 100 normal subjects.

Utility of Brain Natriuretic Peptide in diagnosis of congestive heart failure and comparison with trans-thoracic echocardiography: a multicenter analysis in South Asian and Arabian population.

Objective: To evaluate serum Brain Natriuretic Peptide levels (BNP) as a screening test in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Prince Salman Heart Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between December 2010 to January 2012 and Nishtar Hospital, Multan, Pakistan, from February to August 2006.

Predictive factors of supraventricular arrhythmias after noncardiac thoracic surgery: a multicenter study.

Background: Supraventricular cardiac arrhythmias are the most common rhythm disturbances in patients following thoracic surgery. The purpose of our study was to determine which of the clinical parameters are the most valuable in predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) after lung surgery.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was carried out on 987 patients after noncardiac thoracic surgery to define the prevalence, associated risk factors, and clinical course of postoperative arrhythmias.

Pulmonary valvuloplasty in a pregnant woman using sole transthoracic echo guidance: technical considerations.

An 18-year-old pregnant woman with severe pulmonary valve stenosis and exertional dyspnea underwent balloon dilation during pregnancy using sole echocardiographic guidance to protect the baby from radiation. The main technical difficulty encountered was during advancement of the catheter across the right ventricular outflow tract into the pulmonary valve. This was overcome using a wedge balloon catheter over a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) wire.

Long-Term Mortality Rates in Acute De Novo Versus Acute-on-Chronic Heart Failure: From the Heart Function Assessment Registry Trial in Saudi Arabia.

Aim: The heart function assessment registry trial in Saudi Arabia (HEARTS) is a national multicenter project that compared de novo versus acute-on-chronic heart failure (ACHF).

Methods And Results: This is a prospective registry in 18 hospitals in Saudi Arabia between October 2009 and December 2010. The study enrolled 2610 patients: 940 (36%) de novo and 1670 (64%) ACHF.

Restoration of normal left ventricular geometry after percutaneous mitral annuloplasty: case report and review of literature.

Surgical mitral valve intervention is not considered suitable in patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation due to severe dilated cardiomyopathy and severe systolic dysfunction. In such patients percutaneous mitral valve intervention is the next best alternative. We are presenting case report of a patient who presented with severe dyspnea progressing to orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.

Hybrid Approach to Repair Type A Aortic Dissection: Combined Endovascular Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenting and Bentall Procedure.

A Stanford Type A aortic dissection is a life-threatening surgical emergency that requires emergent surgery. The mortality after repair is high especially if the aortic dissection is complicated by visceral or peripheral malperfusion. We describe a case of a male patient who presented with an aortic dissection involving the ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta, and the abdominal aorta down to the iliac bifurcation.

Transcatheter closure of residual postinfarction ventricular septal defect after dehiscence of surgical patch repair.

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a life-threatening complication of transmural myocardial infarction. Urgent surgical repair and concomitant revascularization are the standard of care. Percutaneous catheter-based closure techniques have been reserved for patients with a high-risk surgery or a failed surgical procedure with residual shunting.

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect with situs solitus and dextrocardia.

Percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defect associated with situs solitus and dextrocardia has not been reported previously. We describe the technical difficulties encountered during transcatheter closure of a secundum atrial septal defect in a 19-month-old girl with situs solitus and dextrocardia.