Akram Saleh

Factors that contribute to clopidogrel resistance in cardiovascular disease patients: environmental and genetic approach.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Clopidogrel is a potent antiplatelet drug that reduces the risk of vascular events in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, several studies have shown that about a quarter of patients showed low or no response to clopidogrel therapy. In this study, factors that contribute to clopidogrel resistance were investigated in 270 cardiovascular disease patients from Jordan. PATIENTS AND METHODS Clopidogrel resistance was determined through platelet aggregation analysis using the Multiplate analyzer®. Genetic factors (CYP2C19*2 and PON1 Q192R) were examined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS The incidence of clopidogrel resistance among Jordanians is about 32%. Significant association between clopidogrel resistance and female gender, concomitant use of calcium channel blockers, and low HDL was found (p < 0.05). In addition, presence of CYP2C19*2 allele is strongly related to clopidogrel resistance (p < 0.001). However, lack of contribution to clipidogrel resistance was found for PON1 Q192R polymorphism, age, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and aspirin use (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Several factors might contribute to clopidogrel resistance including gender, concomitant use of calcium channel blockers, HDL and CYP2C19*2 polymorphism.

Incidence and prognosis of stent thrombosis following percutaneous coronary intervention in Middle Eastern patients: The First Jordanian Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Registry (JoPCR1).

BACKGROUND The incidence, risk factors, and outcome of stent thrombosis (ST) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Middle Eastern patients are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence, risk factors and outcome in our population. DESIGN Retrospective study of a prospective multicenter registry of consecutive patients who underwent PCI between January 2013 and February 2014 (JoPCR1). SETTING 12 tertiary care centers in Amman and Irbid, Jordan. PATIENTS AND METHODS We collected clinical baseline and follow-up data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incidence of stent thrombosis. RESULTS The mean (standard deviation) age of patients (n=2426) was 59.0 (10.1) years and 20.6% were women. Stents (n=3038) were drug eluting (89.6%), bare metal (9.4%) or bioabsorbable (1.0%). After 1 year, 47 patients (1.97%) had ST, including 44 (94%) definite and 3 (6%) probable ST. Patients who had ST presented with sudden death (n=6; 12.2%) or with a nonfatal event (n=43; 87.8%). Nonfatal events included non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (26; 53%), acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (n=15; 31%) or heart failure (n=2; 4.1%). ST was associated with significantly higher one-month (22.0% vs. 0.7%) and one-year (12.3% vs. 0.73%) mortality rates compared with patients who did not have ST (P<.001). ST patients were younger (mean age 52.9 years vs. 58.4 years), had heart failure (64% vs. 18%), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% (36% vs. 13%), ST-segment deviation (70% vs. 48%), and elevated cardiac biomarkers blood levels (62% vs. 40%). In the multivariate analysis, the only factor that was significantly associated with ST was the heart failure (OR = 3.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.8, 6.6; P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of ST was not different from that in other regions and was associated with an increased one-year mortality. Younger age, heart failure, low LVEF, ST-segment deviation, and elevated blood levels of cardiac biomarkers were predictors of ST. LIMITATIONS Possible selection bias, recall bias, and missing or incomplete information. The majority of patients were lost to follow up after the 6th month. The registry may not fully represent PCI practice and outcome in all areas in the country or region.

Dietary salt consumption and the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of healthy adults: a cross-sectional study from Jordan

ABSTRACT High dietary sodium is recognized as a silent killer responsible for 2.3 million deaths worldwide in 2010 predominantly secondary to hypertension and its complications. Although high salt consumption is considered a worldwide public health problem, its magnitude is highly variable among different communities; therefore, it is important to study locally. This study aimed to evaluate habitual salt consumption, its important correlations, as well as the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of healthy Jordanian citizens. As potassium consumption is highly correlated and important we aimed to study both jointly. In this descriptive cross-sectional study we enrolled 103 healthy adult Jordanian citizens. All participants were interviewed for questionnaire filling, physical examination, and instructed on proper 24-hour urine collection procedure. We measured sodium and potassium concentration in the provided controlled 24-hour urine collection samples, as it is presently considered the gold standard for evaluating daily intake. The results showed an average sodium intake of 179 mmol (4.1 g) per day [higher in males at 186 mmol (4.3 g) vs. 173 mmol (4.0 g) for females], significantly above the current WHO recommendations, though only 8% regularly add salt to food. Ironically, most participants (82%) believe their salt consumption was appropriate and only 29% thought they may benefit from reducing salt intake. On the other hand, potassium intake is far below the current WHO recommendations. High sodium and low potassium intake have synergistic adverse effects on public health that is not currently addressed in Jordan. We conclude that Jordanian citizens currently consume high sodium and low potassium diet and are mostly unaware of its negative impact on their health. Hence, it is crucial for healthcare providers to intervene and adopt long-term strategies to control salt intake to reduce its negative effects in Jordan and elsewhere.

Outcomes of Middle Eastern patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: The primary analysis of the First Jordanian PCI Registry

Aim: This is a prospective multicenter registry designed to evaluate the incidence of adverse cardiovascular events in Middle Eastern patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The registry was also designed to determine the predictors of poor outcomes in such patients. Methods and Results: We enrolled 2426 consecutive patients who underwent PCI at 12 tertiary care centers in Jordan between January 2013 and February 2014. A case report form was used to record data prospectively at hospital admission, discharge, and 12 months of follow-up. Mean age was 56 ± 11 years, females comprised 21% of the study patients, 62% had hypertension, 53% were diabetics, and 57% were cigarette smokers. Most patients (77%) underwent PCI for acute coronary syndrome. In-hospital and 1-year mortality rates were 0.78% and 1.94%, respectively. Definite or probable stent thrombosis occurred in 9 patients (0.37%) during hospitalization and in 47 (1.94%) at 1 year. Rates of target vessel repeat PCI and coronary artery bypass graft surgery at 1 year were 3.4% and 0.6%, respectively. The multivariate analysis revealed that cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure, ST-segment deviation, diabetes, and major bleeding were significantly associated with higher risk of 1-year mortality. Conclusions: In this first large Jordanian registry of Middle Eastern patients undergoing PCI, patients treated were relatively young age population with low in-hospital and 1-year adverse cardiovascular events. Certain clinical features were associated with worse outcomes and may warrant aggressive therapeutic strategies.

Cardiovascular risk factors in Middle Eastern patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Results from the first Jordanian percutaneous coronary intervention study

Background and aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Middle East. We sought to study the prevalence and coexistence of 6 cardiovascular risk factors (RFs) among patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and to evaluate the impact of age and gender on the presence of multiple RFs. Methods and results. In this prospective, multicenter study, 2426 consecutive patients were enrolled. Mean age was 59.0 ± 10.1 years and 500 (20.6%) were women. Acute coronary syndrome and stable coronary disease were the indications for PCI in 77.1% and 22.9%, respectively. Hypertension was present in 62.3%, diabetes in 53.8%, hypercholesterolemia in 48.8%, smoking in 43.5%, family history of premature CVD 39.4% and obesity in 28.8%. Only 3.8% did not have any of these RFs. Presence of ⩾3 and ⩾4 RFS was observed in 57.4% and 29.5% of patients, respectively. Presence of ⩾3 RFs was more common in women than men (69.0% vs. 54.5%, p < 0.0001), and among patients 41–65 years of age than older or younger patients (60.1% vs. 52.0% vs. 48.3%, respectively, p = 0.017). Conclusions: Cardiovascular RFs are highly prevalent in this PCI Middle Eastern population undergoing PCI. More than half and more than one-fourth of the patients had at least 3 or 4 RFs; respectively. More women than men and more middle aged patients than older or younger patients had significantly higher rates of presence of multiple RFs.

Chronic total occlusion of left main coronary artery in a young man

Chronic total occlusion of the left main coronary artery is rarely encountered in coronary angiography. Patients are at high risk of death because of its intimate association with massive anterior myocardial infarction. A 29-year-old man with no cardiac risk factors, presented with myocardial infarction and severe mitral regurgitation. Coronary angiography revealed chronic total occlusion of the left main coronary artery. He underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve repair.