The cardiovascular implication of single nucleotide polymorphisms of chromosome 9p21 locus among Arab population.

BACKGROUND: Based on several reports including genome-wide association studies, genetic variability has been linked with higher (nearly half) susceptibility toward coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate the association of chromosome 9p21 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): rs2383207, rs10757278, and rs10757274 with the risk and severity of CAD among Arab population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational case-control study was conducted between 2011 and 2012, in which 236 patients with CAD were recruited from the Heart Hospital in Qatar. Patients were categorized according to their coronary angiographic findings. Also, 152 healthy volunteers were studied to determine if SNPs are associated with risk of CAD. All subjects were genotyped for SNPs (rs2383207, rs2383206, rs10757274 and rs10757278) using allele-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Patients with CAD had a mean age of 57 ± 10; of them 77% were males, 54% diabetics, and 25% had family history of CAD. All SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium except rs2383206, with call rate >97%. After adjusting for age, sex and body mass index, the carriers of GG genotype for rs2383207 have increased the risk of having CAD with odds ratio (OR) of 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-2.961, P = 0.046). Also, rs2383207 contributed to CAD severity with adjusted OR 1.80 (95% CI = 1.04-3.12, P = 0.035) based on the dominant genetic model. The other SNPs (rs10757274 and rs10757278) showed no significant association with the risk of CAD or its severity. CONCLUSION: Among Arab population in Qatar, only G allele of rs2483207 SNP is significantly associated with risk of CAD and its severity.

Acute thrombotic occlusion involving three coronary arteries. A unique association with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Key Clinical Message: Respiratory viruses, particularly COVID-19, can be associated with severe cases of myocardial infarction (MI). Physicians should have a low threshold for MI in COVID-19 patients who present with persistent chest pain as MI in rapidly deteriorating cases can be missed. Prompt response includes both timely diagnosis and swift treatment. Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with coronary artery thrombosis. Many cases of single-vessel and few cases of two-vessel thrombosis were reported. Herein, we report a unique association in a middle-aged man diagnosed with COVID-19 and presented later with acute myocardial infarction causing cardiogenic shock. The patient was found to have three-vessel thrombosis.

Severe Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis in a Pregnant Woman.

A 35-year-old pregnant female in her second trimester presented with heart failure manifestations with evidence of very severe fixed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The peak systolic gradient was 132 mmHg, which is the highest reported in the literature, secondary to congenital subaortic membrane. Similar case reports that we could find in the literature were reviewed to highlight the importance of such anomaly.

Dilemma in approach to stroke in sickle cell disease patient: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebrovascular accidents in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients carry a high socioeconomic impact and represent the most important cause of morbidity, neurological deficits, and impaired quality of life in SCD young population.Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is prevalent in 25% of the general population and it is associated with ischemic stroke in the young population via paradoxical embolism, yet there are no specific guidelines to address how to manage SCD patients with PFO who suffer a stroke. PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSIS: Here we present a young SCD patient, aged 24 years, who suffered a stroke in childhood and later was discovered to have a PFO on subsequent echocardiography. The patient has been receiving blood transfusion therapy since 3 years of age. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: No treatment was administered to the patient.The intervention that was done was echocardiography with a bubble study to detect PFO. CONCLUSION: Recommendations need to be put in place regarding screening for PFO in patients with SCD, in addition to highlighting issues of whether screening needs to be done in patients who have not developed stroke, and if PFO were to be found, what would be the best management approach and how will prognosis be affected.

Acute myocarditis following administration of BNT162b2 vaccine.

The wide use of vaccines was linked with rare but serious complications in adults, causing a global concern. Here, we describe a young male patient, who presented with acute myocarditis, three days after the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine.

Dasatinib-Induced Pleural and Pericardial Effusions.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disease associated with the Philadelphia chromosome and BCR-ABL1 fusion gene. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are now the standard therapy for this condition. Among the approved TKIs for CML is dasatinib. We present a case of a 58-year-old Egyptian male who developed bilateral pleural (grade II) as well as pericardial effusions (grade II) secondary to dasatinib 100 mg once-daily dosing. He was managed by interrupting dasatinib and introducing diuretics and steroids. The objective is to raise awareness about this unfavorable effect as it may affect the patient's quality of life and increase rates of treatment withdrawal.