Disparity in spatial distribution of pericardial calcifications in constrictive pericarditis.

Background: Pericardial calcification is seen among patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP). However, the pattern of pericardial calcium distribution and the association with clinical outcomes and imaging data are not well described.

Methods: This was a retrospective study from 2007 to 2013 to evaluate the pattern of pericardial calcium distribution by CT in CP using a semiquantitative calcium scoring system to calculate total pericardial calcium burden and distribution.

Worsening of the Cardiovascular Profile in a Developing Country: The Greater Beirut Area Cardiovascular Cohort.

Background: Lebanon has no established governmental noncommunicable diseases surveillance and monitoring system to permit reporting on noncommunicable diseases rates. The last World Health Organization-supported surveillance report showed worrying trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Objectives: A cardiovascular cohort was established to permit CVD outcomes studies in an urban sample in the Lebanese capital and the study in hand presents the baseline CVD risk factors of this cohort.

Artificial neural network-based model enhances risk stratification and reduces non-invasive cardiac stress imaging compared to Diamond-Forrester and Morise risk assessment models: A prospective study.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) accounts for more than half of all cardiovascular events. Stress testing remains the cornerstone for non-invasive assessment of patients with possible or known CAD. Clinical utilization reviews show that most patients presenting for evaluation of stable CAD by stress testing are categorized as low risk prior to the test.

Waterpipe smoking and risk of coronary artery disease.

Purpose Of Review: Smoking tobacco using a water pipe is becoming more prevalent globally, particularly amongst younger populations. In addition to its growing popularity, more evidence is emerging regarding associated harm, and several misconceptions exist concerning the likely adverse health effects of waterpipe smoking (WPS). It is timely, therefore, to examine the body of evidence linking WPS to coronary artery disease (CAD).

Artificial neural network modeling enhances risk stratification and can reduce downstream testing for patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes, negative cardiac biomarkers, and normal ECGs.

Despite uncertain yield, guidelines endorse routine stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes, unremarkable serial electrocardiograms, and negative troponin measurements. In these patients, outcome prediction and risk stratification models could spare unnecessary testing. This study therefore investigated the use of artificial neural networks (ANN) to improve risk stratification and prediction of MPI and angiographic results.

Quantifying the impact of using Coronary Artery Calcium Score for risk categorization instead of Framingham Score or European Heart SCORE in lipid lowering algorithms in a Middle Eastern population.

Background: The use of the Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CACS) for risk categorization instead of the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) or European Heart SCORE (EHS) to improve classification of individuals is well documented. However, the impact of reclassifying individuals using CACS on initiating lipid lowering therapy is not well understood. We aimed to determine the percentage of individuals not requiring lipid lowering therapy as per the FRS and EHS models but are found to require it using CACS and vice versa; and to determine the level of agreement between CACS, FRS and EHS based models.

Discordant Electrocardiogram Left Ventricular Wall Thickness and Strain Findings in Influenza Myocarditis.

A 42-year-old man presented with a viral prodrome and tested positive for influenza A. He rapidly deteriorated developing cardiogenic shock, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury. Patient improved 1 week later with supportive measures including vasopressors, inotropes, and an intraaortic balloon pump.

Artificial neural network modeling using clinical and knowledge independent variables predicts salt intake reduction behavior.

Background: High dietary salt intake is directly linked to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Predicting behaviors regarding salt intake habits is vital to guide interventions and increase their effectiveness. We aim to compare the accuracy of an artificial neural network (ANN) based tool that predicts behavior from key knowledge questions along with clinical data in a high cardiovascular risk cohort relative to the least square models (LSM) method.

Sodium intake reduction efforts in Lebanon.

Sodium intake reduction efforts in Lebanon are quite recent and have just started to take effect on the national level. Starting out from an academic institution, the Lebanese Action on Sodium and Health (LASH) campaign was established to counter the increasing prevalence of hypertension and associated adverse health effects. The campaign's strategy was based on four pillars: research, health communication, advocacy, and monitoring.

Lifetime cumulative exposure to waterpipe smoking is associated with coronary artery disease.

Objective: Globally, waterpipe (WP) smoking is becoming a more prevalent form of tobacco consumption. Whilst research so far has demonstrated a significant link between WP use and a number of health outcomes, little is known of its association with heart disease. We examine in this study the association of WP smoking with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease (CAD).

Improved accuracy of anticoagulant dose prediction using a pharmacogenetic and artificial neural network-based method.

Background: The unpredictability of acenocoumarol dose needed to achieve target blood thinning level remains a challenge. We aimed to apply and compare a pharmacogenetic least-squares model (LSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) models for predictions of acenocoumarol dosing.

Methods: LSM and ANN models were used to analyze previously collected data on 174 participants (mean age: 67.

Discrepancies between two lipid-lowering guidelines for CVD prevention in seemingly healthy individuals-case study Lebanon.

Background: In deciding on optimal interventions for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, more than one set of guidelines are available.

Hypothesis: The aim of the study was to assess the agreement between the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2011 Guidelines for CVD Prevention and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) 2009 Guidelines in recommending lipid lowering interventions in a seemingly healthy cohort of Lebanese persons.

Methods: A nationally representative cohort of Lebanon was identified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Steps Criteria.