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Mohammad Abdullah Zafar, MBBS

Associate Research Scientist

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Mohammad Abdullah Zafar, MBBS

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Research Summary

All aspects of thoracic aortic disease, with an emphasis on the natural history, timely diagnosis, management, and genetics of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection.

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Selected Publications

  • Height alone, rather than body surface area, suffices for risk estimation in ascending aortic aneurysm.Zafar MA, Li Y, Rizzo JA, Charilaou P, Saeyeldin A, Velasquez CA, Mansour AM, Bin Mahmood SU, Ma WG, Brownstein AJ, Tranquilli M, Dumfarth J, Theodoropoulos P, Thombre K, Tanweer M, Erben Y, Peterss S, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Height alone, rather than body surface area, suffices for risk estimation in ascending aortic aneurysm. The Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2018, 155:1938-1950.
  • Ascending Aortic Length and Risk of Aortic Adverse Events: The Neglected Dimension.Wu J, Zafar MA, Li Y, Saeyeldin A, Huang Y, Zhao R, Qiu J, Tanweer M, Abdelbaky M, Gryaznov A, Buntin J, Ziganshin BA, Mukherjee SK, Rizzo JA, Yu C, Elefteriades JA. Ascending Aortic Length and Risk of Aortic Adverse Events: The Neglected Dimension. Journal Of The American College Of Cardiology 2019, 74:1883-1894.
  • Predictability of acute aortic dissection: A dream in evolution.Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Predictability of acute aortic dissection: A dream in evolution. The Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2019, 157:e324-e326.
  • Descending threshold for ascending aortic aneurysmectomy: Is it time for a "left-shift" in guidelines?Ziganshin BA, Zafar MA, Elefteriades JA. Descending threshold for ascending aortic aneurysmectomy: Is it time for a "left-shift" in guidelines? The Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2019, 157:37-42.
  • Fluoroquinolones and Aortic Diseases: Is There a Connection.Carino D, Zafar MA, Singh M, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Fluoroquinolones and Aortic Diseases: Is There a Connection. Aorta (Stamford, Conn.) 2019, 7:35-41.
  • Carotid intima-media thickness provides evidence that ascending aortic aneurysm protects against systemic atherosclerosis.Hung A, Zafar M, Mukherjee S, Tranquilli M, Scoutt LM, Elefteriades JA. Carotid intima-media thickness provides evidence that ascending aortic aneurysm protects against systemic atherosclerosis. Cardiology 2012, 123:71-7.
  • Are thromboembolic and bleeding complications a drawback for composite aortic root replacement?Zafar MA, Farkas EA, Javier A, Anderson M, Gilani O, Elefteriades JA. Are thromboembolic and bleeding complications a drawback for composite aortic root replacement? The Annals Of Thoracic Surgery 2012, 94:737-43.
  • Early Spontaneous Resolution of an Iatrogenic Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.Zafar MA, Pang PYK, Henry GA, Ziganshin BA, Tranquilli M, Elefteriades JA. Early Spontaneous Resolution of an Iatrogenic Acute Type A Aortic Dissection. Aorta (Stamford, Conn.) 2016, 4:235-239.
  • Advanced Glycation End Products and its Soluble Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.Prasad K, Sarkar A, Zafar MA, Shoker A, Moselhi HE, Tranquilli M, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Advanced Glycation End Products and its Soluble Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Aorta (Stamford, Conn.) 2016, 4:1-10.
  • Iatrogenic Aortic Dissection: Review of the Literature.Elefteriades JA, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA. Iatrogenic Aortic Dissection: Review of the Literature. Aorta (Stamford, Conn.) 2016, 4:240-243.
  • Two-Stage Elephant Trunk approach for open management of distal aortic arch and descending aortic pathology in patients with Marfan syndrome.Velasquez CA, Zafar MA, Saeyeldin A, Bin Mahmood SU, Brownstein AJ, Erben Y, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Two-Stage Elephant Trunk approach for open management of distal aortic arch and descending aortic pathology in patients with Marfan syndrome. Annals Of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2017, 6:712-720.
  • Medical management of aortic disease in Marfan syndrome.Bin Mahmood SU, Velasquez CA, Zafar MA, Saeyeldin AA, Brownstein AJ, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA, Mukherjee SK. Medical management of aortic disease in Marfan syndrome. Annals Of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2017, 6:654-661.
  • Positive family history of aortic dissection dramatically increases dissection risk in family members.Ma WG, Chou AS, Mok SCM, Ziganshin BA, Charilaou P, Zafar MA, Sieller RS, Tranquilli M, Rizzo JA, Elefteriades JA. Positive family history of aortic dissection dramatically increases dissection risk in family members. International Journal Of Cardiology 2017, 240:132-137.
  • Precipitous Resolution of Type-A Intramural Hematoma with Medical Management in a Patient with Metastatic Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma.Velasquez CA, Bin Mahmood SU, Zafar MA, Brownstein AJ, Saeyeldin A, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Precipitous Resolution of Type-A Intramural Hematoma with Medical Management in a Patient with Metastatic Stage 4 Renal Cell Carcinoma. The International Journal Of Angiology : Official Publication Of The International College Of Angiology, Inc 2017, 26:267-270.
  • Elective surgery for ascending aortic aneurysm in the elderly: should there be an age cut-off?Peterss S, Mansour AM, Zafar MA, Thombre K, Rizzo JA, Ziganshin BA, Darr UM, Elefteriades JA. Elective surgery for ascending aortic aneurysm in the elderly: should there be an age cut-off? European Journal Of Cardio-thoracic Surgery : Official Journal Of The European Association For Cardio-thoracic Surgery 2017, 51:965-970.
  • The Effect of Blood Transfusion on Outcomes in Aortic Surgery.Velasquez CA, Singh M, Bin Mahmood SU, Brownstein AJ, Zafar MA, Saeyeldin A, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. The Effect of Blood Transfusion on Outcomes in Aortic Surgery. The International Journal Of Angiology : Official Publication Of The International College Of Angiology, Inc 2017, 26:135-142.
  • Does BioGlue contribute to anastomotic pseudoaneurysm after thoracic aortic surgery?Ma WG, Ziganshin BA, Guo CF, Zafar MA, Sieller RS, Tranquilli M, Elefteriades JA. Does BioGlue contribute to anastomotic pseudoaneurysm after thoracic aortic surgery? Journal Of Thoracic Disease 2017, 9:2491-2497.
  • Natural history of aortic root aneurysms in Marfan syndrome.Saeyeldin A, Zafar MA, Velasquez CA, Ip K, Gryaznov A, Brownstein AJ, Li Y, Rizzo JA, Erben Y, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Natural history of aortic root aneurysms in Marfan syndrome. Annals Of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2017, 6:625-632.
  • A systematic review on management of nutcracker syndrome.Velasquez CA, Saeyeldin A, Zafar MA, Brownstein AJ, Erben Y. A systematic review on management of nutcracker syndrome. Journal Of Vascular Surgery. Venous And Lymphatic Disorders 2018, 6:271-278.
  • Open Replacement of the Thoracoabdominal Aorta: Short- and Long-term Outcomes at a Single Institution.Carino D, Erben Y, Zafar MA, Singh M, Brownstein AJ, Tranquilli M, Rizzo J, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Open Replacement of the Thoracoabdominal Aorta: Short- and Long-term Outcomes at a Single Institution. The International Journal Of Angiology : Official Publication Of The International College Of Angiology, Inc 2018, 27:114-120.
  • Genes Associated with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection: 2018 Update and Clinical Implications.Brownstein AJ, Kostiuk V, Ziganshin BA, Zafar MA, Kuivaniemi H, Body SC, Bale AE, Elefteriades JA. Genes Associated with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection: 2018 Update and Clinical Implications. Aorta (Stamford, Conn.) 2018, 6:13-20.
  • Diabetes Mellitus: Is It Protective against Aneurysm? A Narrative Review.Patel K, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Diabetes Mellitus: Is It Protective against Aneurysm? A Narrative Review. Cardiology 2018, 141:107-122.
  • Intraoperative descending aortic dissection during aortic root replacement: successful management.Gryaznov AA, Ma WG, Erben Y, Zafar MA, Velasquez CA, Saeyeldin A, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Intraoperative descending aortic dissection during aortic root replacement: successful management. Journal Of Thoracic Disease 2018, 10:3065-3069.
  • Antithrombotic Therapy after Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement: A Therapeutic Morass.Gryaznov AA, Saeyeldin A, Abdelbaky M, Zafar MA, Tanweer M, Imran M, Papanikolaou D, Erben Y, Zefirova J, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Antithrombotic Therapy after Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement: A Therapeutic Morass. Cardiology 2018, 140:213-221.
  • Thoracic aortic aneurysm: unlocking the "silent killer" secrets.Saeyeldin AA, Velasquez CA, Mahmood SUB, Brownstein AJ, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Thoracic aortic aneurysm: unlocking the "silent killer" secrets. General Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2019, 67:1-11.
  • Decision-making algorithm for ascending aortic aneurysm: Effectiveness in clinical application?Saeyeldin A, Zafar MA, Li Y, Tanweer M, Abdelbaky M, Gryaznov A, Brownstein AJ, Velasquez CA, Buntin J, Thombre K, Ma WG, Erben Y, Rizzo JA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Decision-making algorithm for ascending aortic aneurysm: Effectiveness in clinical application? The Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2019, 157:1733-1745.
  • Commentary: Surprisingly good results from a complex, lengthy aortic arch technique.Elefteriades JA, Zafar MA, Papanikolaou D, Ziganshin BA. Commentary: Surprisingly good results from a complex, lengthy aortic arch technique. The Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2019, 157:1379-1380.
  • Symptoms Matter: A Symptomatic but Radiographically Elusive Ascending Aortic Dissection.Papanikolaou D, Zafar MA, Tanweer M, Imran M, Abdelbaky M, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Symptoms Matter: A Symptomatic but Radiographically Elusive Ascending Aortic Dissection. The International Journal Of Angiology : Official Publication Of The International College Of Angiology, Inc 2019, 28:31-33.
  • Bicuspid aortic disease: "Marfan light"?Saeyeldin A, Ziganshin BA, Zafar MA, Elefteriades JA. Bicuspid aortic disease: "Marfan light"? The Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2019, 157:e240-e242.
  • Simple renal cysts and bovine aortic arch: markers for aortic disease.Brownstein AJ, Bin Mahmood SU, Saeyeldin A, Velasquez Mejia C, Zafar MA, Li Y, Rizzo JA, Dahl NK, Erben Y, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Simple renal cysts and bovine aortic arch: markers for aortic disease. Open Heart 2019, 6:e000862.
  • Fate of preserved bicuspid valves at time of ascending aortic aneurysmectomy.Faggion Vinholo T, Zafar MA, Baldwin GE, Buntin J, Mansour A, Imran M, Papanikolaou D, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Fate of preserved bicuspid valves at time of ascending aortic aneurysmectomy. Journal Of Cardiac Surgery 2019, 34:318-322.
  • Nonsyndromic Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections-Is Screening Possible?Faggion Vinholo T, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Nonsyndromic Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections-Is Screening Possible? Seminars In Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2019, 31:628-634.
  • A systematic review and meta-analysis of isolated abdominal aortic dissection.Wu J, Zafar M, Qiu J, Huang Y, Chen Y, Yu C, Elefteriades JA. A systematic review and meta-analysis of isolated abdominal aortic dissection. Journal Of Vascular Surgery 2019, 70:2046-2053.e6.
  • Commentary: Should we routinely prescribe β-blockers after surgical repair of type A dissection?Elefteriades JA, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA. Commentary: Should we routinely prescribe β-blockers after surgical repair of type A dissection? The Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2020, 159:1706-1707.
  • Commentary: Toward truth in advertising.Elefteriades JA, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA. Commentary: Toward truth in advertising. The Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2019, 158:1055-1057.
  • Complex two-stage open surgical repair of an aortoesophageal fistula after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.Ochoa Chaar CI, Zafar MA, Velasquez C, Saeyeldin A, Elefteriades JA. Complex two-stage open surgical repair of an aortoesophageal fistula after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Journal Of Vascular Surgery Cases And Innovative Techniques 2019, 5:261-263.
  • Reply: Keen questions appreciated.Elefteriades JA, Zafar MA, Saeyeldin A, Ziganshin BA. Reply: Keen questions appreciated. The Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2019.
  • Subacute/chronic type A aortic dissection: a retrospective cohort study.Wu J, Xie E, Qiu J, Huang Y, Jiang W, Zafar MA, Zhang L, Yu C. Subacute/chronic type A aortic dissection: a retrospective cohort study. European Journal Of Cardio-thoracic Surgery : Official Journal Of The European Association For Cardio-thoracic Surgery 2020, 57:388-396.
  • Routine anterior spinal artery visualization prior to descending and thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair: High detection success.Abdelbaky M, Zafar MA, Saeyeldin A, Wu J, Papanikolaou D, Vinholo TF, Huber S, Buntin J, Ziganshin BA, Mojibian H, Elefteriades JA. Routine anterior spinal artery visualization prior to descending and thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair: High detection success. Journal Of Cardiac Surgery 2019, 34:1563-1568.
  • Natural history and management of Kommerell's diverticulum in a single tertiary referral center.Erben Y, Brownstein AJ, Velasquez CA, Li Y, Rizzo JA, Mojibian H, Tanweer M, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Natural history and management of Kommerell's diverticulum in a single tertiary referral center. Journal Of Vascular Surgery 2020, 71:2004-2011.
  • Genes Associated with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection: 2019 Update and Clinical Implications.Faggion Vinholo T, Brownstein AJ, Ziganshin BA, Zafar MA, Kuivaniemi H, Body SC, Bale AE, Elefteriades JA. Genes Associated with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection: 2019 Update and Clinical Implications. Aorta (Stamford, Conn.) 2019, 7:99-107.
  • Chronologic and Climatic Factors of Acute Aortic Dissection: Study of 1642 Patients in Two Continents.Ma WG, Li B, Zhang W, Sarkar AEH, Tufail R, Peterss S, Zheng J, Zafar MA, Ziganshin B, Zhu JM, Sun LZ, Elefteriades JA. Chronologic and Climatic Factors of Acute Aortic Dissection: Study of 1642 Patients in Two Continents. The Annals Of Thoracic Surgery 2020, 110:575-581.
  • Natural history of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.Zafar MA, Chen JF, Wu J, Li Y, Papanikolaou D, Abdelbaky M, Faggion Vinholo T, Rizzo JA, Ziganshin BA, Mukherjee SK, Elefteriades JA. Natural history of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. The Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2021, 161:498-511.e1.
  • The Genetics of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissection: A Clinical Perspective.Ostberg NP, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. The Genetics of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissection: A Clinical Perspective. Biomolecules 2020, 10.
  • Predicting in-hospital rupture of type A aortic dissection using Random Forest.Wu J, Qiu J, Xie E, Jiang W, Zhao R, Qiu J, Zafar MA, Huang Y, Yu C. Predicting in-hospital rupture of type A aortic dissection using Random Forest. Journal Of Thoracic Disease 2019, 11:4634-4646.
  • Left Atrial to Femoral Artery Full Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Novel Technique for Descending and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Surgery.Papanikolaou D, Savio C, Zafar MA, Freudzon L, Wu J, Abdelbaky M, Pelletier KJ, Buntin J, Faggion Vinholo T, Ziganshin BA, Schwartz B, Elefteriades JA. Left Atrial to Femoral Artery Full Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Novel Technique for Descending and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Surgery. The International Journal Of Angiology : Official Publication Of The International College Of Angiology, Inc 2020, 29:19-26.
  • Cine-Computed Tomography for the Evaluation of Prosthetic Heart Valve Function.Hsu C, Bourganos K, Zafar MA, Huber S, Buntin J, Ziganshin BA, Mojibian H, Elefteriades JA. Cine-Computed Tomography for the Evaluation of Prosthetic Heart Valve Function. Cardiology 2020, 145:439-445.
  • Nonusefulness of Antithrombotic Therapy After Surgical Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement.Gryaznov AA, Saeyeldin A, Abdelbaky M, Zafar MA, Tanweer M, Papanikolaou D, Imran M, Li Y, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Nonusefulness of Antithrombotic Therapy After Surgical Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement. The American Journal Of Cardiology 2020, 129:71-78.
  • Thoracic aortic aneurysm gene dictionary.Rohde S, Zafar MA, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Thoracic aortic aneurysm gene dictionary. Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals 2021, 29:682-696.
  • Direct measurement of ascending aortic diameter by intraoperative caliper assessment.Faggion Vinholo T, Zafar MA, Papanikolaou D, Chung J, Ellauzi H, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Direct measurement of ascending aortic diameter by intraoperative caliper assessment. The Journal Of Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2021, 161:e143-e146.
  • 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 2021, 112:45-52.
  • Is Aortic Z-score an Appropriate Index of Beneficial Drug Effect in Clinical Trials in Aortic Aneurysm Disease?Elkinany S, Weismann C, Curtis A, Smith T, Zafar MA, Breen T, Li Y, Tranquilli M, Rizzo JA, Mukherjee SK, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Is Aortic Z-score an Appropriate Index of Beneficial Drug Effect in Clinical Trials in Aortic Aneurysm Disease? The American Journal Of Cardiology 2021, 143:145-153.
  • Interstage mortality in two-stage elephant trunk surgery.Saeyeldin A, Gryaznov AA, Zafar MA, Wu J, Mukherjee S, Vallabhajosyula P, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Interstage mortality in two-stage elephant trunk surgery. Journal Of Cardiac Surgery 2021, 36:1882-1891.
  • Machine learning: principles and applications for thoracic surgery.Ostberg NP, Zafar MA, Elefteriades JA. Machine learning: principles and applications for thoracic surgery. European Journal Of Cardio-thoracic Surgery : Official Journal Of The European Association For Cardio-thoracic Surgery 2021, 60:213-221.
  • Fate of Preserved Aortic Root Following Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Repair.Ellauzi H, Zafar MA, Wu J, Papanikolaou D, Buntin J, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Fate of Preserved Aortic Root Following Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Repair. Seminars In Thoracic And Cardiovascular Surgery 2021.
  • Accuracy 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.
  • Aortic Delamination-A Possible Precursor of Impending Catastrophe.Saeyeldin A, Zafar MA, Baldassarre LA, Mojibian H, Ziganshin BA, Mukherjee SK, Elefteriades JA. Aortic Delamination-A Possible Precursor of Impending Catastrophe. The International Journal Of Angiology : Official Publication Of The International College Of Angiology, Inc 2021, 30:160-164.
  • Risk 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.
  • Reply to Condello and Iacona.Ostberg NP, Schwartz B, Zafar MA, Elefteriades JA. Reply to Condello and Iacona. European Journal Of Cardio-thoracic Surgery : Official Journal Of The European Association For Cardio-thoracic Surgery 2021, 60:1242.
  • Root Dilatation Is More Malignant Than Ascending Aortic Dilation.Kalogerakos PD, Zafar MA, Li Y, Mukherjee SK, Ziganshin BA, Rizzo JA, Elefteriades JA. Root Dilatation Is More Malignant Than Ascending Aortic Dilation. Journal Of The American Heart Association 2021, 10:e020645.
  • Safety of perioperative cerebrospinal fluid drain as a protective strategy during descending and thoracoabdominal open aortic repair.Abdelbaky M, Papanikolaou D, Zafar MA, Ellauzi H, Shaikh M, Ziganshin BA, Elefteriades JA. Safety of perioperative cerebrospinal fluid drain as a protective strategy during descending and thoracoabdominal open aortic repair. JTCVS Techniques 2021, 6:1-8.
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