Objectives: To investigate the relation between serum Vitamin D (Vit-D) levels and the success rate of cardioversion for atrial fibrillation (AF). To examine the association between Vit-D level and successful cardioversion. This study also describes the general characteristics of patients with successful cardioversion. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with AF who were treated using electrical cardioversion at King Abdulaziz Cardiovascular Center (KACC) between 2010 and 2021 were included. The information on demographic and clinical characteristics as well as outcome variables was collected. Results: Of 100 patients who were admitted to KACC during the study period, 63% were females and 9% were diagnosed with Vit-D deficiency. Furthermore, 66% of patients had successful cardioversion. Moreover, no significant difference in Vit-D deficiency was observed between patients who had successful cardioversion and those with unsuccessful outcomes (P = 0.485). Conclusions: There is no association between serum Vit-D levels and the success rate of cardioversion in patients with AF. However, further studies are needed for more conclusive evidence.

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Background: Drug-eluting coronary stents with ultrathin struts and biodegradable polymers have been shown to reduce inflammation, neointimal proliferation, and thrombus formation, leading to less early and late complications in patients with coronary artery disease as compared to thinner strut and durable polymer second-generation stents. In Oman, currently, second-generation stents are used for all patients. Objective: The purpose of this feasibility study was to evaluate the clinical safety and performance of ultrathin-strut (60 μm) biodegradable polymer-coated sirolimus-eluting stents in an all-comers patient population. Methods: This was a prospective, observational, single-center, and single-arm investigator-initiated study from August 2018 to August 2019. Inclusion criteria: 18 years of age, patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease indicated for percutaneous coronary intervention, and stenting of at least one coronary lesion. All patients were followed clinically or telephonically at 12 months after the index procedure. Results: A total of 88 patients were recruited in the study, but 10 patients were lost to follow-up and hence excluded from the analysis. The overall mean age was 63 ± 13 years and 78% were males. The main comorbid conditions were hypertension (58%), diabetes mellitus (49%), and hyperlipidemia (26%). Fifty-three percent presented with unstable angina or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI), 10% with ST elevation MI, recent MI 16%, 18% with stable angina, and 1.3% in cardiogenic shock. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction of the cohort was 46 ± 14%. Angiographically, Type A lesions were seen in 25%, Type B in 32%, and Type C in 42%. Left anterior descending stenting was done in 44%, right coronary artery in 32%, left circumflex artery in 14%, left main in 5%, and graft stenting in 4%. Device success was 96%. Procedural success was seen in 97% of patients. At 1-year follow-up, 93% were asymptomatic; overall device-oriented clinical events were 6.8% including cardiac death in 2.7%, target-vessel MI in 2.7%, and target-lesion revascularization in 1.3% which all occurred in uncontrolled diabetic patients. Conclusions: At index admission and 1 year, ultrathin-strut biodegradable polymer-coated sirolimus-eluting stent study showed low device-related adverse clinical events which are comparable to published data for the second-generation stents. This feasibility study shows that these stents can be used in all types of stent-indicated patients with added advantages of biodegradable polymer and ultrathin struts. In addition, measures to prevent, diagnose, and control diabetes need to be taken in Oman as this cohort of patients develop ST after stenting.

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Background: Myocardial bridging (MB) is the course of the epicardial segment of a coronary artery within the myocardium. The systolic compression of this segment called the tunneled segment may lead to alterations in blood flow to the heart. We have studied the gross and microscopic features of MB in cases of sudden cardiac death and analyzed its characteristics and whether there is any association with other clinicopathological characteristics which may help us to understand the pathogenesis and risk stratification. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of 132 postmortem heart specimens of sudden cardiac death. The coronary arteries were dissected, and MB and its characteristics were studied. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (P < 0.05 significant). Results: MB was present in 28 cases (21.2%), with a mean age of 49.5 years and male:female ratio of 27:1. MB was seen in the left anterior descending artery in 86.2% of cases, the right coronary artery in 10%, and left circumflex artery in 3.5% of cases. Atherosclerosis was seen in the segment proximal to the tunneling in 89.2% of cases leading to infarction in four cases. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was significantly associated with MB cases (19/68%) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: MB causes turbulence of blood in the proximal segment leading to coronary atherosclerosis, thereby predisposing the heart to ischemic changes and LVH and may lead to infarction in a few cases.

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Background: Congenital ductal-dependent cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) is a group of diseases that require early intervention during early infancy or the neonatal period. In this study, we compared the effectiveness, safety, and side effects of stenting patent ductus arteriosus versus a modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six neonates and infants with cyanotic CHD who were <6 months old and were not suitable for complete surgery were admitted to Chamran Hospital in Isfahan and enrolled in this prospective longitudinal cross-sectional study. Ductal stenting (DS) was performed in 18 patients and BT shunt in 18 patients. Data were collected and compared in these patients. Results: Age, height, and weight were lower in the DS group compared to the shunt group (1.28 ± 0.46 vs. 2.50 ± 0.51 months, 53.22 ± 1.80 vs. 56.11 ± 1.67 cm, 3.38 ± 0.45 vs. 4.98 ± 0.57 kg, respectively P < 0.001). The duration of the intensive care unit stay as well as hospital stay in patients in the DS group was much shorter than the shunt group (1.33 ± 0.68 vs. 2.83 ± 0.70 days, 3.33 ± 0.68 vs. 9.55 ± 0.51, P < 0.001, respectively). In both groups, the diameter of the pulmonary branches increased after the procedure compared to before the procedure (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the patient's hemoglobin was significantly decreased compared to before the procedure (P < 0.001). In both groups, one patient died in the postprocedure period. In ductal stent group one patient died in catheterization lab and in shunt group died 48 hours after surgery. There was no significant difference in postprocedural complications between the two groups. Conclusion: Duct stents can be used as an effective and safe method in duct-dependent cyanotic CHD patients who are not suitable candidates for complete surgery. As operators become proficient, this method can be a good alternative to BT shunts with fewer complications.

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Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease characterized by atherosclerotic plaque buildup that can lead to partial or full obstruction of blood flow in the coronary arteries. Treatment for CAD involves a combination of lifestyle changes, pharmacologic therapy, and modern revascularization procedures. Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (or beta-blockers) have been widely used for decades as a key therapy for CAD. In this review, prior studies are examined to better understand beta-adrenoceptor antagonist use in patients with acute coronary syndrome, stable coronary heart disease, and in the perioperative setting. The evidence for the benefit of beta-blocker therapy is well established for patients with acute myocardial infarction, but it diminishes as the time from the index cardiac event elapses. The evidence for benefit in the perioperative setting is not strong.

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Acute mitral valve regurgitation (MR) is an emergency condition that requires an early diagnosis of the etiology and rapid management. Surgical intervention is the first-line treatment for acute severe MR. However, many patients are denied surgical intervention due to the acute risk of surgery. Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) is a less invasive technique and becoming a potential alternative to surgery in inoperable patients but is underrepresented in the literature. This review aims to discuss the published data on the use of TMVr in unstable MR patients presenting with acute or critical cardiac conditions.

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Cardiogenic shock (CS) in the setting of acute coronary syndrome carries detrimental consequences and high levels of mortality and morbidity if not managed promptly. Acute mitral regurgitation (MR) as a complication of the myocardial infarction might superimpose refractory CS that warrants mitral valve repair. There has been growing use of Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) as a therapy for CS secondary to acute MR. In this cohort, we describe two cases of CS secondary to acute ischemic MR managed with a Mitraclip.

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Background: The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing globally and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality related to the cardiovascular system. There is limited data on pulmonary hypertension (PH) in CKD patients, especially from developing and underdeveloped countries. PH leads to hypoxia which is a significant cause of dyspnea in CKD patients with or without pulmonary edema. Hence, we planned this study to assess the PH in CKD patients using two-dimensional (2D) color Doppler echocardiography. Materials and Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study. A total of 100 CKD patients on hemodialysis or conservative management were enrolled in the study. Following the collection of demographic data, and routine/specific investigations, these patients were assessed for PH using 2D color Doppler echocardiography. Results: PH was found in 47% of patients with CKD. Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, dilated right atrium/right ventricular and left atrial/LV chambers, and valvular hypertrophy were other echocardiography findings recorded in these patients. Low hemoglobin levels, high urea/creatinine levels, and duration of hemodialysis in CKD patients were found to be significantly associated with the presence of PH. Conclusion: The majority of CKD patients have PH at various stages of disease-causing unexplained dyspnea in these patients. PH is common in end-stage CKD as compared to patients with a less severe stage of CKD. Hence, CKD patients should be evaluated for PH, especially in the presence of intractable dyspnea.

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Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) presenting with superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is an exceedingly rare scenario. The diagnosis of this condition is still a difficult task due to its unspecific clinical features and unclear recommendations for the best diagnostic tools. We report an interesting case of a 23-year-old male who was found to have TOF with the presentation of SVC syndrome after a sequential diagnosis. The timely diagnosis helped in the successful management of the patient. Through this case, we want to make clinicians aware of such a rare association and its diagnosis.

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Origin of coronary arteries from the opposite sinus of Valsalva is rare and origin from a single ostium is extremely rare. Patients with these anomalies may have myocardial ischemia because of altered ostial configuration, exit angulation from the aorta, the course between great arteries, and atherosclerosis. Usually, these anomalies are diagnosed during coronary angiography either by computed tomography or catheter-based. Management depends upon the coronary anomaly and associated clinical condition.

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