Mohamed Morsy

Incremental value of transthoracic real time three-dimensional echocardiography in assessment of a right ventricular mass.

A 52-year-old male with a right ventricular mass that filled the entire right ventricle and assumed its shape was evaluated by two-dimensional and real time three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. Contrast enhanced 3D imaging and quantitative assessments of the size of the mass were performed. The clinical correlation, the imaging characteristics of the mass, and the pattern of vascularity were consistent with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. The case illustrates the incremental role of 3D echo in defining the size, shape, spatial relationship, attachments, consistency, and vascularity of the right ventricular mass.

Racial Disparities in Type of Heart Failure and Hospitalization

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of hospitalization and readmissions. Our study aimed to examine racial disparities in heart failure patients including onset, mortality, length of stay (LOS), direct costs, and readmission rates. This is a secondary data analysis. We analyzed the risk-adjusted inpatient data of all patients admitted with HF to one health academic center. We compared five health outcomes among three racial groups (white, black, and Hispanic). There were 1006 adult patients making 1605 visits from 10/01/2011 to 09/30/2015. Most black patients were admitted in younger age than other racial groups which indicates the needs for more public health preventions. With risk adjustments, the racial differences in LOS and readmission rates remain. We stratified health outcomes by race/ethnic and type of HF. The findings suggest that further studies to uncover underlying causes of these disparities are necessary. Using risk-adjusted hospitalization data allows for comparisons of quality of care across three racial groups. The study suggests that more prevention and protection services are needed for African American patients with heart failure.

Clinical and echocardiographic predictors of new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients admitted with blunt trauma

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia after trauma or burn injury; however, its predisposing factors are not well known. Moreover, little is known about its effect on mortality and other short‐term clinical outcomes.

PROPHYLACTIC DEFIBRILLATOR IMPLANTATION IN PATIENTS WITH NON-ISCHEMIC CARDIOMYOPATHY: AN UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS

Background: Current guidelines recommend prophylactic implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. However, the evidence for a benefit of prophylactic ICD in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy

Acute Heart Transplant Graft Failure in Association with Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemia State

We report a 38‐year‐old male with end‐stage ischemic cardiomyopathy requiring left ventricular assist device placement, followed by orthotopic heart transplantation, who presented 18 months post‐orthotopic heart transplant with acute graft failure with estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 5% to 10%, in association with a glucose level of 550 mg/dL, and hemoglobin A1C of 13.8% and a negative pathology for a graft cellular and humoral rejection and no vasculaopthy. His left ventricular ejection fraction improved significantly to 40% to 45% within three days of optimal glucose control. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12408 (J Card Surg 2014;29:737–739)

Park's Stitch for a Bicuspid Aortic Valve in a Patient on LVAD Support

A central coaptation stitch (Parks stitch) is a simple surgical option in the management of aortic insufficiency in patients with left ventricular assist devices. We describe a 66‐year‐old male with aortic insufficiency and a bicuspid aortic valve undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation. His aortic insufficiency was successfully addressed with a Parks stitch. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12443 (J Card Surg 2014;29:846–847)