Objective: To evaluate the effect of tobacco smoking on the risk of nonfatal acute myocardial infarction in young adults (≤45 years). Patient and Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study with 329 incident acute myocardial infarction cases (42 women; 287 men), consecutively admitted to the Cardiology department of hospitals in Aleppo, Syria, and 778 controls (486 women; 292 men), selected within the noninstitutionalized Aleppo population, during 2008-2010. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of current smoking was 80.8% in male cases and 53.8% in male controls (OR = 3.63, 95%CI: 2.50, 5.27) and 59.5% of female cases were smokers compared with 35.8% of controls (OR = 2.64, 95%CI: 1.39, 5.02). No interaction was found between current smoking and gender on myocardial infarction risk (P = 0.401). A dose-effect response was present, the odds favoring myocardial infarction reaching an eight-fold increase for those who smoked >25 cigarettes/day compared with never smokers. The risk estimate for former smokers was similar to never smokers. Conclusions: Tobacco smoking is an important independent risk factor for acute myocardial infarction in young adults, with similar strength of association for both genders.

Aim: To assess the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in 200 consecutive patients aged 35 years or less undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. Patients and Methods: Findings in these 200 patients (≤ 35 years of age) were analyzed to find the extent and severity of CAD. The mean age was 31.69 (±3.76) years. Majority were males (94%) and from the Arab ethnicity (70.5%). Result: Smoking (71%) and history of premature CAD (27%) were the most frequent risk factors (RF). History of previous ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI) was present in 68%. Anterior wall MI was the most frequent location (63.3%). The majority (54.3%) had moderate or large size MI. Ejection fraction (EF) less than 50% was noted in 30.3%. Left main or triple vessel CAD was seen in 15%. One- and two-vessel CAD was seen in 32.5% and 19% patients, respectively. Coronary angiogram was completely normal in 23.5%. The majority (54.5%) were treated conservatively and the rest (45.5%) needed percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The mean number of stents used was 1.3 ± 0.67 and the mean length of stents used was 20.3 ± 12.6 mm. Conclusion: The extent and severity of CAD was very significant in this subgroup of very young (≤35 years) Asian patients. Smoking was the main risk factor and half of the patients needed either PCI or CABG.

Background and Objectives: Hyperglycemia in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is associated with increased in-hospital mortality. We evaluated the relationship between admitting (nonfasting) blood glucose and in-hospital mortality in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) presenting with ACS in Oman. Patients and Methods: Data were analyzed from 1551 consecutive patients admitted to 15 hospitals throughout Oman, with the final diagnosis of ACS during May 8, 2006 to June 6, 2006 and January 29, 2007 to June 29, 2007, as part of Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events. Admitting blood glucose was divided into four groups, namely, euglycemia (≤7 mmol/l), mild hyperglycemia (>7-<9 mmol/l), moderate hyperglycemia (≥9-<11 - mmol/l), and severe hyperglycemia (≥11 mmol/l). Results: Of all, 38% (n = 584) and 62% (n = 967) of the patients were documented with and without a history of DM, respectively. Nondiabetic patients with severe hyperglycemia were associated with significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared with those with euglycemia (13.1 vs 1.52%; P<0.001), mild hyperglycemia (13.1 vs 3.62%; P = 0.003), and even moderate hyperglycemia (13.1 vs 4.17%; P = 0.034). Even after multivariate adjustment, severe hyperglycemia was still associated with higher in-hospital mortality when compared with both euglycemia (odds ratio [OR], 6.3; P<0.001) and mild hyperglycemia (OR, 3.43; P = 0.011). No significant relationship was noted between admitting blood glucose and in-hospital mortality among diabetic ACS patients even after multivariable adjustment (all P values >0.05). Conclusion: Admission hyperglycemia is common in ACS patients from Oman and is associated with higher in-hospital mortality among those patients with previously unreported DM.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a common medical problem with a high impact on public health. Evidence of gender difference in management of HF is scarce. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the presence of gender difference in management of HF patients admitted to the tertiary care hospital in the Aseer region/Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: A chart review was conducted at Aseer Central Hospital (ACH) on consecutive patients admitted with the primary diagnosis of HF between Jun 2007 and May 2009. Data were collected on clinical and management profiles and analyzed for the presence of gender difference in HF management. Results: A total of 206 male patients and 94 female patients with HF were reviewed. Ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy etiologies were significantly higher in male patients (42.7 vs. 28.7%, P < 0.021) and (13.1% vs. 3.2%, P < 0.008), respectively. Renal failure and atrial fibrillation were significantly higher in female patients with HF (20.2 vs., 5.3% P < 0.001) and (20.2 vs. 10.2%, P < 0.018), respectively. Smoking was significantly higher in male patients (11.7 vs. 0%, P < 0.001). Echocardiography was performed equally for both genders and ejection fraction was significantly higher in female patients (38.2 ± 16.9% vs. 30.4 ± 16.6%, P < 0.001). Beta-blockers were prescribed significantly less to female patients (36.2 vs. 57.8%, P < 0.001), while ACE inhibitors and digoxin were prescribed significantly less to male patients (64.1 vs.75.5%, P < 0.049) and (24.8 vs. 36.2%, P < 0.042), respectively. Conclusion: Gender differences were detected in clinical presentation and management of HF. Female patients with HF had less ischemic etiology and smoking, but more atrial fibrillation and renal dysfunction. Female patients were under-treated by Beta-blockers while male patients were under-treated by ACE inhibitors and digoxin. Both genders were investigated equally, and female patients had a better ejection fraction.

Very late stent thrombosis occurs more frequently with drug-eluting stents and tends to occur despite dual antiplatelet therapy or after long periods of clopidogrel discontinuation. Stent thrombosis commonly presents with myocardial infarction or death. We report a 41-year-old Arab male with very late stent thrombosis after 59 months of sirolimus-eluting stent implantation and -49 months after clopidogrel discontinuation despite aspirin continuation, presenting with exertional angina. He underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention. This case underlines the need for novel stent designs as well as newer therapeutic strategies in preventing very late stent thrombosis among patients receiving drug-eluting stents.

Repaired congenital heart disease has become more prevalent in women of childbearing age. We report an unusual case of a 24-year-old multigravida with a repaired tetralogy of Fallot, severe dilated cardiomyopathy, and implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement who was managed successfully by a cesarean section three times. This case underscores the impact of such events on maternal and fetal safety and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the management of pregnant patients with complex congenital and medical problems.

Slow pathway (SP) ablation is an acceptable, standard method for atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT) ablation. The exact role of SP in the human heart and the possible negative implications of SP ablation are unknown. The current case report describes an unusual, brief, functional heart block, following radiofrequency ablation of the SP. Our findings highlight the peculiar property of the SP in maintaining conduction over an atrioventricular (AV) node, in circumstances of extreme autonomic imbalance. SP can be ablated without major conduction problems for AVNRT. Careful pre-ablation evaluation of the AV conduction pattern may assist in predicting occurrences of this type of heart block.

Primary cardiac sarcomas are rare tumors with unfavorable prognosis. We report a 69-year-old male with a right ventricular mass diagnosed as primary malignant cardiac sarcoma with unexpected long survival of 16.5 months.