Current Vascular Pharmacology - Online First

Drug-eluting angioplasty balloons are a highly effective treatment for neointimal hyperplasia post-balloon angioplasty and in-stent restenosis. Current drug-eluting angioplasty balloons have restenosis rates approximating 20%, and both paclitaxel, the current drug coating of choice, and sirolimus, an alternative coating being evaluated in early clinical studies, delay re-endothelialisation, potentially predisposing to thrombo Read More

Background The prevalence and clinical outcomes of statin therapy in patients with acute heart failure [AHF] stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction [EF] in the Middle East are unknown. Methods We analysed 5005 patients admitted to 47 hospitals in seven Middle Eastern countries [Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain] with AHF from February to November 2012 with AHF who wer Read More

Background Several scores have been developed to facilitate risk stratification and early discharge following primary angioplasty, particularly the Zwolle Risk Score (ZRS). However, validation in large-sized studies is still lacking. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to validate the use of the ZRS in a contemporary global population, including patients who were treated during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and enrolled in a lar Read More

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with multiorgan and system involvement, including the Cardiovascular (CV) system. Cardiac involvement in these patients is frequent and most often asymptomatic, at least in the early stages. It includes accelerated atherosclerosis, premature Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and a high risk of CV complications. The risk of developing CV Disease (CVD) Read More

Objective To describe clinical factors predictive of warfarin response in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and to evaluate its association with adverse outcomes. Methods Patients in the Middle Eastern JoFib study, a prospective, multicenter registry of AF patients, using warfarin with at least one international normalized ratio (INR) reading, were enrolled. We used the most recent INR as a measure of warfarin control. Results Out Read More

Introduction The global COVID-19 vaccination campaign has significantly reduced severe illness and mortality; however, emerging evidence raises concerns regarding its potential cardiovascular effects, particularly myocardial infarction (MI). Method This study investigates the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and MI incidence among first-time MI patients in Saudi Arabia. Post-COVID-19 vaccination within six mont Read More

Traditionally, arterial atherosclerosis (AA) and venous thromboembolic (VTE) diseases have been separated into two independent entities. However, a body of evidence suggests the link between arterial and venous disease. In this narrative review, the relationship between these two vascular diseases is discussed. Different risk factors are common in both diseases, such as dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome, and thrombophili Read More

Introduction Current guidelines and consensus statements advise caution in using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for morbidly obese patients with body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m2, indicating warfarin as the most studied treatment. Methods We systematically searched databases from their inception to January 4, 2024, to identify studies that evaluated the effectiveness and safety of DOACs compared to warfarin in pati Read More