The annual total direct cost for HF patients in Lebanon in 2012 was $103 673 535, which is much less than the extrapolated cost based on US statistics.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular risk factors among marathon runners during Beirut-Marathon 2014. Methods: A total of 325 marathon runners were divided into 42 km and 10 km groups. They were assessed for cardiovascular risk factors by measuring their BP and answering a questionnaire. The questionnaire composed of 22 questions related to demographic information, risk factors, medical history, family history, medical checkups, use of antihypertensive drugs and definition of hyponatremia. Results: There were 30 runners in the 42 km group and 295 in the 10 km group interviewed. The majority of 42 km runners were males 29 (96.7%) vs. 205 (69.5%) in the 10 km group, (P = 0.001). The 42 km group was older than 10 km group (47 ± 13.8 years vs. 38.5 ± 14.6 years; P = 0.0025). The prevalence of hypertension was 46.7% in the 42 km group as compared to 31.2% in the 10 km group (P = 0.08). Systolic BP (SBP) was higher in 42 km group vs. 10 km group (143 ± 22.4 mm Hg vs. 129.9 ± 17.8 mm Hg; P = 0.0004). The heart rate was lower among 42 km vs. 10 km group (71 ± 11.1 bpm vs. 84 ± 16 bpm; P < 0.0001). Only 10% of the runners in both groups reported that they have hypertension (HTN). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of HTN among marathon runners but minorities were aware that they have hypertension. The 42 km runners tend to be older with higher systolic blood pressure as compared to the 10 km runners.

Aims: To assess the characteristics and risk factors for patients presenting with venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) in Lebanon. Methods: This was a retrospective, multicenter study that was conducted between the years of 2018-2019 in Lebanon. All medical charts with positive findings for VTE were included. Data on baseline characteristics, risk factors, signs and symptoms of disease, diagnostic findings, treatment, readmission and mortality rates at 1 year were collected. Results: 1500 charts were reviewed. We included 132 confirmed diagnosis with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). Out of 132 patients 43% were diagnosed with DVT, 42% with PE and 15% having both DVT and PE. Mean age was 61 years. Current smokers were 36%. Coronary artery disease was found in 19.5%, diabetes in 11%, atrial fibrillation in 10.5% and malignancy in 30% of the cases. Readmission rate within 1 year was 35%. In hospital mortality was 13% and one-year mortality was 22%. Characteristics of patients diagnosed with DVT vs patients diagnosed with PE were comparable. However, we noted that chronic kidney disease was more prevalent in patients with DVT than in patients with PE (25% vs 5% respectively; p- 0.002). Obesity was found less in patients with DVT than in patients with PE (2% vs 12% respectively; p-0.042). Patients with malignancy were diagnosed more with DVTs than with PE; however, the p-value was not statistically significant (39% vs 24% respectively; p-0.086). Patients with recent infection in the prior month of diagnosis was noted to be a predisposing factor for PE than for DVT (21% vs 9% respectively; p-0.04). Mortality within one year was significantly associated with male gender (p-0.009) and having a diagnosis of DVT+PE (p-0.005). Conclusion: Our study revealed a high burden of VTE in Lebanon. Malignancy and prior infection were a predisposing factor for VTE. The readmission rate and the one-year mortality were significantly elevated. Mortality was significantly associated with the diagnosis of combined DVT and PE at the same time.

Spontaneous kidney bleed is a rare condition. Renal tumors are the most common cause of bleeding whereas anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy are some of the less common causes. We present a case of a 72 year old male patient with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), who developed massive painless hematuria after ACS treatment. He was found to have spontaneous right pelvicaliceal bleed by computed tomography (CT). The patient was successfully treated conservatively.