2020
Clinicopathologic Features of Tissue Granulomas in Transplant Recipients: A Single Center Study in a Nontuberculosis Endemic Region.
Nussbaum EZ, Patel KK, Assi R, Raad RA, Malinis M, Azar MM. Clinicopathologic Features of Tissue Granulomas in Transplant Recipients: A Single Center Study in a Nontuberculosis Endemic Region. Archives Of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine 2020, 145: 988-999. PMID: 33290524, DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2020-0271-oa.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedBartonellaBiopsyCommunicable DiseasesConnecticutCytomegalovirusFemaleGranulomaHematopoietic Stem Cell TransplantationHumansMaleMiddle AgedOrgan TransplantationPrevalenceRetrospective StudiesRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsTime FactorsTransplantation, HomologousTreatment OutcomeYoung AdultConceptsEpidemiologic risk factorsPresence of symptomsInfectious etiologyAsymptomatic patientsTransplant recipientsTissue granulomasClinicopathologic featuresRisk factorsAllogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipientsHematopoietic stem cell transplant recipientsStem cell transplant recipientsYale-New Haven HospitalCommon infectious etiologiesLarge transplant populationCell transplant recipientsSingle-center studyCryptogenic organizing pneumoniaNew Haven HospitalRoutine disease surveillancePaucity of literatureCytomegalovirus hepatitisPosttransplant specimensBiopsy indicationOrganizing pneumoniaTransplant patientsMidterm outcomes and durability of sinus segment preservation compared with root replacement for acute type A aortic dissection
Bojko MM, Assi R, Bavaria JE, Suhail M, Habertheuer A, Hu RW, Harmon J, Milewski RK, Desai ND, Szeto WY, Vallabhajosyula P. Midterm outcomes and durability of sinus segment preservation compared with root replacement for acute type A aortic dissection. Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2020, 163: 900-910.e2. PMID: 32620395, DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.04.064.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcute DiseaseAdultAgedAortic AneurysmAortic DissectionAortic ValveAortic Valve InsufficiencyBlood Vessel Prosthesis ImplantationCardiac Surgical ProceduresFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPostoperative ComplicationsRecurrenceReoperationRetrospective StudiesRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsSinus of ValsalvaTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeConceptsAcute typeRoot replacementAortic dissectionAortic insufficiencyRoot repairCumulative incidenceReplacement groupPostoperative aortic insufficiencyProximal aortic reoperationsRoot replacement groupMultivariable Cox regressionSinus of ValsalvaLongitudinal mixed modelsAortic reoperationValsalva dimensionsMidterm outcomesRoot dilationCox regressionFunctional outcomeRisk factorsReoperationSinusInsufficiencyDissectionMixed effects models
2017
CD44 Promotes Inflammation and Extracellular Matrix Production During Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation
Kuwahara G, Hashimoto T, Tsuneki M, Yamamoto K, Assi R, Foster TR, Hanisch JJ, Bai H, Hu H, Protack CD, Hall MR, Schardt JS, Jay SM, Madri JA, Kodama S, Dardik A. CD44 Promotes Inflammation and Extracellular Matrix Production During Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis And Vascular Biology 2017, 37: 1147-1156. PMID: 28450292, PMCID: PMC5467640, DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.117.309385.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExtracellular matrix depositionKnockout miceExtracellular matrix componentsExtracellular matrix productionMatrix depositionAdhesion molecule-1 expressionM2 macrophagesProtein 1Matrix productionCell adhesion molecule-1 expressionMolecule-1 expressionProtein expressionMatrix componentsCD44 knockout miceProtein-1 expressionMajor receptorCD44 activityMaturationVascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expressionAdhesion moleculesExpressionCD44 mRNAChemoattractant protein-1 expressionWild-type C57BL/6JArteriovenous fistula
2015
Advanced age and disease predict lack of symptomatic improvement after endovascular iliac treatment in male veterans.
Assi R, Brownson KE, Hall MR, Kuwahara G, Vasilas P, Dardik A. Advanced age and disease predict lack of symptomatic improvement after endovascular iliac treatment in male veterans. The Yale Journal Of Biology And Medicine 2015, 88: 85-91. PMID: 25745377, PMCID: PMC4345543.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCritical limb ischemiaFirst post-operative visitIliac artery occlusive diseaseArtery occlusive diseasePost-operative visitSymptomatic improvementLimb ischemiaStent placementOcclusive diseaseMale veteransVA Connecticut Healthcare SystemAnkle-brachial indexSuccessful endovascular procedureAdditional surgical interventionPatient-related factorsLong-term outcomesQuality of lifeIliac artery interventionsEndovascular angioplastyAngiographic successSecondary patencyDistal runoffArtery interventionSuccessful revascularizationEndovascular treatment
2014
Hospital Readmission After Pulmonary Lobectomy Is Not Affected by Surgical Approach
Assi R, Wong DJ, Boffa DJ, Detterbeck FC, Wang Z, Chupp GL, Kim AW. Hospital Readmission After Pulmonary Lobectomy Is Not Affected by Surgical Approach. The Annals Of Thoracic Surgery 2014, 99: 393-398. PMID: 25497070, DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2014.10.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient ReadmissionPneumonectomyRetrospective StudiesTime FactorsConceptsCharlson Comorbidity IndexDays of dischargePredictors of readmissionIntensive care unitUnplanned returnPulmonary lobectomyComorbidity indexHospital readmissionSurgical approachCare unitHigher Charlson comorbidity indexMedian hospital lengthMultivariate logistic regression methodThoracic surgery serviceHigh-risk patientsPostoperative mortalityPostoperative transferHospital lengthPostoperative complicationsExpiratory volumeSurgery serviceOpen thoracotomyPathologic diagnosisUnplanned transfersMedical recordsThe “Free” Right Internal Thoracic Artery: A Versatile and Durable Conduit
Assi R, Youssef SJ, Almarzooq Z, Al‐Raweshidy Y, Hashim PW, Geirsson A, Hashim SW. The “Free” Right Internal Thoracic Artery: A Versatile and Durable Conduit. Journal Of Cardiac Surgery 2014, 29: 609-615. PMID: 25040250, DOI: 10.1111/jocs.12396.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRight internal thoracic arteryInternal thoracic arteryThoracic arteryPatency ratesCoronary revascularizationCoronary systemFree graftSitu right internal thoracic arterySurvival ratePredominant targetDistal coronary vesselsSaphenous vein graftsAngiographic patency ratesRight coronary systemSternal nonunionPerioperative complicationsPerioperative mortalityPerioperative outcomesSymptomatic patientsConsecutive patientsDurable conduitVein graftsCoronary angiogramMyocardial infarctionExcellent patencyMetabolic Syndrome Predicts Restenosis after Carotid Endarterectomy
Williams WT, Assi R, Hall MR, Protack CD, Lu DY, Wong DJ, Vasilas P, Dardik A. Metabolic Syndrome Predicts Restenosis after Carotid Endarterectomy. Journal Of The American College Of Surgeons 2014, 219: 771-777. PMID: 25158910, DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2014.04.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCarotid endarterectomyMetabolic syndromeIndependent predictorsVeterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare SystemChronic renal insufficiencyPercent of patientsEffective surgical optionMajor adverse eventsHigh-risk populationLong-term surveillanceHigh-density lipoproteinLong-term survivalPreoperative comorbiditiesStroke prophylaxisRenal insufficiencyAdverse eventsMost patientsPatient ageMultivariable analysisSerum triglyceridesSurgical optionsRetrospective studyAdverse outcomesMean durationBlood glucose
2013
Metabolic syndrome is associated with type II endoleak after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Hall MR, Protack CD, Assi R, Williams WT, Wong DJ, Lu D, Muhs BE, Dardik A. Metabolic syndrome is associated with type II endoleak after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Journal Of Vascular Surgery 2013, 59: 938-943. PMID: 24360238, PMCID: PMC3966942, DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2013.10.081.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedAged, 80 and overAortic Aneurysm, AbdominalAortographyBlood Vessel Prosthesis ImplantationEndoleakEndovascular ProceduresHumansKaplan-Meier EstimateMaleMetabolic SyndromeMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesRisk FactorsTime FactorsTomography, X-Ray ComputedTreatment OutcomeUnited StatesUnited States Department of Veterans AffairsConceptsEndovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repairType II endoleakAbdominal aortic aneurysm repairAortic aneurysm repairBody mass indexAbdominal aortic aneurysmHigh-density lipoproteinAneurysm repairMetabolic syndromeMass indexAortic aneurysmSac expansionInfrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysmVeterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare SystemAneurysm sac expansionDevelopment of endoleaksNon-MetS groupAcute kidney injurySerum high-density lipoproteinPerioperative myocardial infarctionEndoleak typeMetS factorsMore endoleaksKidney injuryRadiologic surveillance