2023
Evidence Accumulates: Patients with Ascending Aneurysms Are Strongly Protected from Atherosclerotic Disease
Waldron C, Zafar M, Ziganshin B, Weininger G, Grewal N, Elefteriades J. Evidence Accumulates: Patients with Ascending Aneurysms Are Strongly Protected from Atherosclerotic Disease. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences 2023, 24: 15640. PMID: 37958625, PMCID: PMC10650782, DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115640.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsThoracic aortic aneurysmAortic aneurysmCarotid intima-media thicknessLow-density lipoprotein levelsIntima-media thicknessDevelopment of atherosclerosisMatrix metalloproteinase proteinsAscending aneurysmAortic calcificationAtherosclerotic diseaseLipoprotein levelsMyocardial infarctionLeading causeAneurysmsMetalloproteinase proteinsGrowth factorProtective relationshipDiseasePossible mechanismCurrent understandingMorbidityInfarctionAtherosclerosisPatientsPathophysiologyThe natural history of aortic root aneurysms
Ziganshin B, Kargin N, Zafar M, Elefteriades J. The natural history of aortic root aneurysms. Annals Of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2023, 12: 21324-21224. PMID: 37304695, PMCID: PMC10248916, DOI: 10.21037/acs-2023-avs1-20.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFate of the unoperated ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm: three-decade experience from the Aortic Institute at Yale University
Wu J, Zafar M, Liu Y, Chen J, Li Y, Ziganshin B, Ellauzi H, Mukherjee S, Rizzo J, Elefteriades J. Fate of the unoperated ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm: three-decade experience from the Aortic Institute at Yale University. European Heart Journal 2023, 44: 4579-4588. PMID: 36994934, DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad148.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAdverse aortic eventsThoracic aortic aneurysmAortic sizeAortic aneurysmCox regressionAortic growthRisk factorsSignificant independent risk factorsMultivariable Cox regressionIndependent risk factorCohort of patientsUnivariable Cox regressionSignificant protective factorAortic deathATAA patientsAortic eventsPrimary endpointSurgical interventionThree-decade experienceNatural historyYearly riskProtective factorsAneurysmsPatientsIntervention criteriaFull calcium jacket: Conservative management of a traumatic aortic injury
Tripathi R, Ellauzi H, Zafar M, Ziganshin B, Elefteriades J. Full calcium jacket: Conservative management of a traumatic aortic injury. Journal Of Vascular Surgery Cases And Innovative Techniques 2023, 9: 101132. PMID: 37139352, PMCID: PMC10149390, DOI: 10.1016/j.jvscit.2023.101132.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchKIF6 Trp719Arg Genetic Variant Increases Risk for Thoracic Aortic Dissection
Velasco J, Li Y, Ziganshin B, Zafar M, Rizzo J, Ma D, Zang H, Kalyanasundaram A, Elefteriades J. KIF6 Trp719Arg Genetic Variant Increases Risk for Thoracic Aortic Dissection. Genes 2023, 14: 252. PMID: 36833179, PMCID: PMC9956195, DOI: 10.3390/genes14020252.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsThoracic aortic aneurysmAortic dissectionOdds ratioVariant statusArg allele carriersThoracic aortic dissectionOccurrence of ADAortic sizeArg alleleMarked adverse impactTAA patientsAortic aneurysmClinical assessmentSurgical decisionAllele carriersIncrease riskVariant patientsArg carriersPilot studyDissectionImportant intracellular functionsConfirmatory findingsPatientsAneurysmsPresent study
2022
Rapid growth of thoracic aortic aneurysm: Reality or myth?
Sonsino A, Ellauzi H, Ziganshin BA, Zafar MA, Elefteriades JA. Rapid growth of thoracic aortic aneurysm: Reality or myth? Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2022, 167: 1206-1213. PMID: 36028356, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2022.06.021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchRapid aortic growthAortic growthAortic growth rateProphylactic surgical interventionThoracic aortic aneurysmPrompt surgeryInoperable patientsAortic diseaseSurgical interventionAortic measurementsAortic aneurysmPositivity ratePatientsAortaExperienced cliniciansGenetic findingsAortic imagesAneurysmsAmerican AssociationPotential sourceSurgeryAscendingCliniciansDiseaseSurvivorsClinical Experience with “Stand-Alone” Elephant Trunk Procedure for Descending Aortic Aneurysms
Kumbasar U, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Clinical Experience with “Stand-Alone” Elephant Trunk Procedure for Descending Aortic Aneurysms. Aorta 2022, 10: 52-56. PMID: 35933985, PMCID: PMC9357495, DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1743535.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchElephant trunk procedureAortic replacementElephant trunkAortic aneurysmLanding zoneDeep hypothermic circulatory arrestHypothermic circulatory arrestProximal landing zoneThoracic aortic aneurysmStage 1Subclavian levelCardiac causesCirculatory arrestEndovascular approachSubclavian arteryEndovascular treatmentLeft carotidSuitable landing zoneClinical experiencePatientsAneurysmsProximal foundationAortaStrokeMortalityBovine Aortic Arch: A Result of Chance or Mandate of Inheritance?
Shang M, Vinholo TF, Buntin J, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Bovine Aortic Arch: A Result of Chance or Mandate of Inheritance? The American Journal Of Cardiology 2022, 172: 115-120. PMID: 35321803, PMCID: PMC9978865, DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2022.02.030.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBovine archThoracic aortic aneurysmAortic aneurysmThoracic aortic aneurysm diseaseAortic arch configurationAortic aneurysm diseaseSecond-degree relativesInstitutional databaseAneurysm diseaseChest imagingPatientsAneurysmsAvailable scansGenetic mutationsArch resultsArchArch configurationFamily membersSample populationProbandsScansMagnetic resonanceResult of chancePrevious studiesChestAortic gene dictionary in the precision medicine era—update from the Aortic Institute at Yale New Haven
Papanikolaou D, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Aortic gene dictionary in the precision medicine era—update from the Aortic Institute at Yale New Haven. Indian Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2022, 38: 14-23. PMID: 35463698, PMCID: PMC8980985, DOI: 10.1007/s12055-021-01308-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEngineering analysis of aortic wall stress and root dilatation in the V-shape surgery for treatment of ascending aortic aneurysms
Dong H, Liu M, Qin T, Liang L, Ziganshin B, Ellauzi H, Zafar M, Jang S, Elefteriades J, Sun W. Engineering analysis of aortic wall stress and root dilatation in the V-shape surgery for treatment of ascending aortic aneurysms. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular And Thoracic Surgery 2022, 34: 1124-1131. PMID: 35134955, PMCID: PMC9159430, DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivac004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRoot dilatationAortic rootAortic wall stressAortic aneurysmWall stressComputed tomography imagesTime pointsAortic root diameterTomography imagesSignificant reductionPost-surgery statesWhole aortaAortic wallSurgeryDilatationClinical cardiacPatientsAverage dilatationStudy objectiveAneurysmsAortaBiomechanical analysisTreatmentA machine learning approach for predicting complications in descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms
Ostberg NP, Zafar MA, Mukherjee SK, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. A machine learning approach for predicting complications in descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2022, 166: 1011-1020.e3. PMID: 35120761, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2021.12.045.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsType B dissectionThoracoabdominal aortic aneurysmsB dissectionCause mortalityAortic aneurysmReceiver operator curveAortic diameterOperator curveInitial patient encounterOccurrence of dissectionSurgical intervention criteriaMean followPatient sexMyocardial infarctionPatient encountersRetrospective dataEnd pointPatientsAneurysmsDissectionMortalityRisk predictionComplicationsIntervention criteriaRupturePhenotyping Zebrafish Mutant Models to Assess Candidate Genes Associated with Aortic Aneurysm
Prendergast A, Ziganshin BA, Papanikolaou D, Zafar MA, Nicoli S, Mukherjee S, Elefteriades JA. Phenotyping Zebrafish Mutant Models to Assess Candidate Genes Associated with Aortic Aneurysm. Genes 2022, 13: 123. PMID: 35052463, PMCID: PMC8775119, DOI: 10.3390/genes13010123.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAortic aneurysmSkeletal abnormalitiesThoracic aortic aneurysmWhole-exome sequencingDirect microscopic assessmentSilico genetic analysisVisualized abnormalitiesTAA patientsClinical managementGeneral populationClinical practiceRoutine assessmentClinical testingCell countEvidence-based decisionsUnknown significanceUncertain significanceExperimental modelPilot studyExome sequencingAbnormalitiesMicroscopic assessmentPatientsPositive controlAneurysmsProgress in surgical interventions for aortic root aneurysms and dissections
Parameswaran S, Ziganshin BA, Zafar M, Elefteriades JA. Progress in surgical interventions for aortic root aneurysms and dissections. Expert Review Of Cardiovascular Therapy 2022, 20: 65-79. PMID: 35037567, DOI: 10.1080/14779072.2022.2029702.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAortic root aneurysmRoot aneurysmAortic root replacement surgeryAortic root surgeryAortic valve leafletsValve dysfunctionAortic dissectionAortic pathologyProgressive dilatationSurgical optionsAneurysmal diseaseSurgical interventionCoronary arteryRoot surgeryAortic rootAortic tubeReplacement surgerySurgical investigationAnatomic patternsPubMed databaseRisk profileValve leafletsSystematic searchSurgeryAneurysms
2021
Ascending Aneurysms in Heart Transplant Patients A Rare Opportunity to Assess Heredity Versus Biological Environment
Anis O, Kopf G, Ziganshin B, Zafar M, Tranquilli M, Sieller R, Elefteriades J. Ascending Aneurysms in Heart Transplant Patients A Rare Opportunity to Assess Heredity Versus Biological Environment. JACC Case Reports 2021, 3: 1685-1689. PMID: 34766019, PMCID: PMC8571777, DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2021.07.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLipid profiles help to explain protection from systemic atherosclerosis in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm
Weininger G, Ostberg N, Shang M, Zafar M, Ziganshin BA, Liu S, Erben Y, Elefteriades JA. Lipid profiles help to explain protection from systemic atherosclerosis in patients with ascending aortic aneurysm. Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2021, 163: e129-e132. PMID: 34635315, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2021.09.031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSimple Hepatic Cysts as Markers of Thoracic Aortic Disease
C K, BA Z, MA Z, J B, J E. Simple Hepatic Cysts as Markers of Thoracic Aortic Disease. Journal Of Disease Markers 2021, 6 DOI: 10.26420/jdismarkers.2021.1043.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThoracic aortic diseaseSimple hepatic cystsBovine aortic archBicuspid aortic valveSimple renal cystsPositive family historyMost patientsAortic diseaseHepatic cystsRetrospective studyAortic aneurysmAortic archAortic valveClinical markersHospital patientsFamily historyRenal cystsTAD patientsControl groupPatientsAneurysmsPrevalenceCystsDiseaseRisk reduction and pharmacological strategies to prevent progression of aortic aneurysms
Weininger G, Chan SM, Zafar M, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Risk reduction and pharmacological strategies to prevent progression of aortic aneurysms. Expert Review Of Cardiovascular Therapy 2021, 19: 619-631. PMID: 34102944, DOI: 10.1080/14779072.2021.1940958.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAortic aneurysmAbdominal aortic aneurysmß-blockersAngiotensin II receptor blockersAngiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitorAnti-platelet medicationDifferent pharmacologic therapiesII receptor blockersAortic aneurysm patientsThoracic aortic aneurysmRisk reductionAortic aneurysm growthPharmacologic managementReceptor blockersPharmacologic therapyMedical therapySurgical interventionAneurysm patientsMiscellaneous drugsAneurysm diseasePharmacological strategiesSyndrome patientsMarfan syndromeEnzyme inhibitorsAneurysmsAccuracy of the “Thumb-Palm Test” for Detection of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm
Blumel R, Patel K, Rizzo JA, Mok S, Barrett A, Wu J, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Accuracy of the “Thumb-Palm Test” for Detection of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. The American Journal Of Cardiology 2021, 150: 114-116. PMID: 34020772, DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2021.03.041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAscending aortic diameterAortic aneurysmTransesophageal echocardiographyPalm testAortic diameterIntra-operative transesophageal echocardiographyAscending Aortic AneurysmThoracic aortic aneurysmStandard physical examinationThousands of patientsVariety of disordersAscending aneurysmCardiac surgeryAneurysm patientsPhysical examinationPositive testPatientsNegative testAneurysmsHigher likelihoodNegative resultsAscAASubstantial likelihoodSignsEchocardiography
2020
Increased Virulence of Descending Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Women
Chen JF, Zafar MA, Wu J, Li Y, Rizzo JA, Papanikolaou D, Kalogerakos P, Abdelbaky M, Ellauzi H, Rohde S, Vinholo TF, Charilaou P, Buntin J, Mukherjee SK, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Increased Virulence of Descending Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Women. The Annals Of Thoracic Surgery 2020, 112: 45-52. PMID: 33075319, DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.08.026.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsThoracoabdominal aortic aneurysmsAortic deathFatal complicationAortic sizeAortic aneurysmFaster aneurysm growthMean aortic diameterComplication rateComposite endpointAortic diameterSurgical interventionCurrent guidelinesAneurysm sizeSex considerationsNatural historyAneurysm growthThoracicWomenDissectionYearly rateComplicationsDeathAneurysmsHigh rateSex differencesThoracic aortic aneurysm gene dictionary
Rohde S, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Thoracic aortic aneurysm gene dictionary. Asian Cardiovascular And Thoracic Annals 2020, 29: 682-696. PMID: 32689806, DOI: 10.1177/0218492320943800.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsThoracic aortic aneurysmAortic aneurysmRisk of dissectionSpecific causative mutationSmaller aortic sizeSystemic manifestationsAortic sizeDissection patientsLethal complicationGenetic predispositionProgressive enlargementAneurysmsNatural historyPersonalized careAneurysm growthPatientsFamilial casesClinical realityDissectionNon-syndromic thoracic aortic aneurysmsSubstantial proportionGenetic sequencingDisease phenotypeCausative genesHigh rate