Validity of TIMI Risk Score and HEART Score for Risk Assessment of Patients with Unstable Angina/Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Presented to an Emergency Department in Jordan.

Purpose: To examine the validity and predictability of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk and HEART scores in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain in Jordan (representative of the Middle East and North Africa Region, MENA). Patients and Methods: Risk scores were calculated for 237 patients presenting to the ED with chest pain. Patients were followed-up prospectively for the need for percutaneous coronary intervention, major adverse cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality, looking for correlation and accuracy between the predicted cardiovascular risk from TIMI risk score and HEART score and the clinical outcome. Results: Of the 237 patients, approximately 77% were diagnosed with unstable angina and 23% diagnosed with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). about two thirds of the study population were smokers and known to have hypertension and dyslipidaemia. In 50 patients, the primary outcome (need for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and/or major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at days 14 and 40, all-cause mortality) was observed. Regarding the predictability of the TIMI score, a larger number of events were observed in the study population than predicted. Patients with TIMI scores of 3 to 5 have about a 5-8% higher event rate than predicted. Conclusion: Both TIMI and HEART risk scores were able to predict an elevated risk of major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE). The overall impression was that the TIMI risk score tended to underestimate risk in the study population.

Clinical Profiles and One-Year Outcome in Middle Eastern Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Hypertension: Analysis From the Jordan Atrial Fibrillation Study.

Studies on the impact of hypertension (HTN) on the outcome of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the Middle East are scarce. The aim of this contemporary multicenter study is to evaluate the effect of the coexisting HTN on the baseline clinical profiles and 1-year prognosis in a cohort of Middle Eastern patients with AF. Consecutive AF patients in 29 hospitals and cardiology clinics were enrolled in the Jordan AF study (May 2019-December 2020). Patients were prospectively followed up for 1 year, and the study had no influence on their treatment, which was at the discretion of the treating physician. We compared clinical features, use of medications, and 1-year prognosis in patients with AF/HTN compared with AF/no HTN. Among 1849 non-valvular AF patients, 76.4% had HTN, with higher prevalence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, stroke, and left ventricular hypertrophy in HTN patients. There was a higher thromboembolic and bleeding risk among HTN patients. At 1 year, HTN patients had significantly higher rates of stroke and systemic embolism (SSE) (4.5%), acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (2.4%), rehospitalization (27.9%), and major bleeding events (3.0%) compared with non-HTN patients. In this cohort, the coexistence of HTN was associated with worse baseline clinical profile and 1-year outcomes.

Mechanical Aortic Valve Thrombosis with Heart Failure Successfully Treated with Oral Anticoagulation: A Case Report.

Background: The use of anticoagulation is mandatory for prevention of prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) worldwide, regardless of the valve type or position in the heart. In case a thrombosis causes symptomatic dysfunction, treatment usually includes the use of thrombolytic therapy or surgery. We report a case of PVT involving a patient with a mechanical aortic valve which was treated entirely with the use of anticoagulation therapy (warfarin). Case Presentation: A 58-year-old man had an aortic valve replacement using a Carbomedics® mechanical valve due to severe aortic stenosis as a result of a calcific bicuspid native aortic valve. He was commenced on warfarin after surgery which was continued thereafter. He presented to our hospital after three years with shortness of breath at rest. On clinical examination, his condition was poor with a New York Heart Association functional classification of IV. He was in sinus rhythm and had an enlarged heart shadow on chest X-ray. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed aortic valve regurgitation with vegetations on the anterior valve leaflet causing reduced hemi leaflet motility and a mean pressure gradient of 50 mmHg. Cinefluoroscopy revealed a dysfunctional mechanical valve leaflet. Surgery was at high risk of mortality due to the patient's clinical status and he was continued on warfarin therapy with close monitoring. Cinefluoroscopy and echocardiography done six months later revealed complete dissolution of thrombus and a normally functioning mechanical aortic valve. Conclusion: Only a few cases of symptomatic, thrombotic mechanical aortic valve were entirely treated with anticoagulation only. Our patient is one such case who had resolution of symptoms and improvement on NYHA functional classification (IV to I).

The Impact of COVID-19 National Lockdown on Myocardial Infarction (MI) Hospitalizations in Northern Jordan.

Background: During COVID-19 lockdown periods, several studies reported decreased numbers of myocardial infarction (MI) admissions. The lockdown impact has not yet been determined in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact that of the lockdown measures might have had on the mean number of MI hospital admissions in Northern Jordan. Methodology: A single-center study examined consecutive admissions of MI patients during COVID-19 outbreak. Participants' data was abstracted from the medical records of King Abdullah University Hospital between 2018 and 2020. Mean and percentages of monthly admissions were compared by year and by lockdown status (pre-lockdown, lockdown, and post-lockdown time intervals). Results: A total of 1380 participants were admitted with acute MI symptoms: 59.2% of which were STEMI. A decrease in number of MI admissions was observed in 2020, from 43.1 (SD: 8.017) cases per month in 2019 to 40.59 (SD: 10.763) in 2020 (P < 0.0001) while an increase in the numbers during the lockdown was observed. The mean number during the pre-lockdown period was 40.51 (SD: 8.883), the lockdown period was 44.74 (SD: 5.689) and the post-lockdown was 34.66 (SD: 6.026) (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Similar patterns were observed when percentages of admissions were used. Conclusion: Upon comparing the lockdown period both to the pre- and post-lockdown periods separately, we found a significant increase in MI admissions during the lockdown period. This suggests that lockdown-related stress may have increased the risk of myocardial infarction.

Myocardial injury and its correlation to mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: This retrospective observational study was conducted to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with positive cardiac enzymes in the King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) in Irbid, Jordan. Patients and methods: A total of 676 patients admitted to KAUH for moderate-to-severe COVID-19 were included in the study. Clinical and mortality data were collected from patients' electronic medical records. Results: A significant association was found between myocardial injury and In-hospital mortality. Seven comorbidities were identified as risk factors for myocardial injury: Hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), previous cerebrovascular accident (CVA), ischemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiac arrhythmias. The need for intensive care unit (ICU) for invasive ventilation was also associated with myocardial injury. Acute kidney injury (AKI) during hospitalization had a significantly higher incidence of myocardial injury and mortality. Acute myocardial infarction (MI) and acute peripheral vascular disease (PVD) were also associated with higher mortality. Conclusion: Myocardial injury is an important predictor of mortality in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 disease. Patients with a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, any vascular diseases, cardiac arrhythmias or heart failure are considered high-risk for adverse outcome. Additionally, COVID-19 patients with myocardial injury and acute kidney injury were recognized with the highest mortality rate.

Prevalence Estimates, Severity, and Risk Factors of Depressive Symptoms among Coronary Artery Disease Patients after Ten Days of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Depression and cardiovascular disorders are significant determinants of health that affect the quality of life and life expectations. Despite the high importance of depression screening among Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients, the time being to assess and treat it remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess the prevalence estimates and severity of depressive symptoms and determine the risk factors associated with developing such symptoms among CAD patients after ten days of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). METHODS: All patients who underwent elective PCI between October 5, 2019, and Mid-March 2020 and diagnosed with CAD were included in this cross-sectional study. CAD was defined as intra-luminal stenosis of ≥ 50% in one or more of the coronary arteries. Depressive symptoms were screened after ten days of the PCI utilizing the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) tool. A linear regression model was used to assess the adjusted effects of independent variables on PHQ-9 scores. Electronic medical records, clinical charts, and PCI and echocardiogram reports were reviewed. RESULTS: Out of 385 CAD patients, a total of 335 were included in this study, with a response rate of 87%. The participants' mean (±SD) age was 57.5±10.7 years, 75.2% were males, 43% were current smokers, and 73.7% had below bachelor's education. The prevalence estimates of patients with moderate to severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥10) was 34%, mild depression 45.1%, and normal 20.9%. Female gender, low educational level and diabetes mellitus were found to be the significant independent predictors of depression among our cohort with (t(333) = 3.68, p<0.001); (t(333) = 5.13, p<0.001); and (t(333) = 2.79, p=0.042), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among CAD patients after ten days of PCI. Approximately one out of three patients with CAD have significant symptoms of depression, which is an alarming finding for clinicians. Moreover, this study demonstrates a lack of sufficient depression recognition and management in similar study settings. Integration of mental health assessment and treatment among patients with CAD as soon as after PCI is recommended for optimal and effective treatment and to obtain the best outcomes.

Successfully treated hemi-central retinal artery occlusion following cardiac catheterization; case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Here we report a case of a middle-aged man who complained of blurred vision in his left eye 1 h post cardiac catheterization and proved to have central retinal artery occlusion, a dangerous but potentially treatable sight-threatening complication of cardiac-catheterization. The patient was successfully treated through an Ophthalmological surgical intervention. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49- year-old male patient admitted to the coronary care unit as a case of non-ST-elevation-myocardial infarction. The patient underwent cardiac catheterization and stenting of the right coronary artery. One hour later, he complained of blurred vision in his left eye. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Ophthalmological examination showed an inferior visual field defect in the left eye. Fundus fluorescein angiography revealed that the patient had a hemi-central retinal artery occlusion, a rare complication of cardiac catheterization. A pars plana vitrectomy eye surgery was performed with an excellent result. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of early recognition and treatment of central retinal artery occlusion post cardiac catheterization.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the cardiology services in Northern Jordan.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has rapidly spread worldwide starting from China in late 2019. The first case in Jordan was reported on March 2, 2020. The Jordanian government made many transformations to address this crisis. As we are the only referral cardiology center for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the north of Jordan, we made multiple adjustments to confront COVID-19 challenges. We emphasize that there is an urgent need to update all procedures and therapeutic activities that are performed in the Cath-Lab to minimize the risks for both the patients and the health care providers during the pandemic of COVID-19.

A Floating Right Atrial and Ventricular Thrombus in a Patient with Syncope.

Here, we describe a rare echocardiographic finding of a floating right heart thrombus in an elderly woman who presented with an unexplained syncope. Our case demonstrates the pivotal role of echocardiography in the workup of patients admitted with syncope.