Clinical Research in the Department of Cardiology

The Department of Cardiology at LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital offers a rigorous research setting based on its’ reputable practice and diverse interests of clinical investigators, offering research opportunities in across cardiovascular areas such as, but not limited to, interventional cardiology, structural heart disease, electrophysiology and antithrombotic therapy. The Department of Cardiology takes pride in intra and interprofessional research collaborations that have driven clinical cardiovascular research in Lebanon to be at the front-line of science in cardiovascular disease. The clinical investigators welcome and encourage interested healthcare students, residents and fellows to participate in cardiovascular research.

The Department of Cardiology offers a longstanding research rapport in cardiovascular medicine, serving as one of the pioneering entities within Lebanon as a pilot center for the establishment of the Lebanese Interventional Coronary Registry (LICOR). The continuous commitment to serving as leaders in providing cutting edge innovative practices in structural heart disease has nurtured the research output in practices such as, but not limited to, percutaneous mitral commissurotomy, Transcatheter Aortic and Mitral Vales Implantations/replacements (TAVI/R  & TMVI/R).

The department has also participated in international Landmark Trials representing Lebanon and generating findings applicable to country and region. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the department actively participated in exploring optimized regimens for antithrombotic and microvascular/endothelial therapy to improve clinical outcomes.

Areas of Current Active Research

Valvular Heart Disease and Genomics

The current the indication for intervening in moderate Aortic Stenosis (AS) is weak. The timing of Aortic valve replacement (AVR) remains a critical factor in reducing morbidity and mortality. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify clinical and genomic markers that predict faster disease progression and personalize management accordingly. The association between Lp(a) and aortic valve calcification and stenosis has been firmly established.  Elevated serum Lp(a) has been linked to a faster progression of annular narrowing and an increased need for AVR. Our aim is to evaluate the prevalence of elevated serum levels of Lp(a) in Lebanon and their association with conventional cardiac risk factors and echocardiographic parameters in a case-control study. Additionally, we aim to investigate the correlation between raised Lp(a) levels and the rate of AS progression, incidence of AVR, cardiovascular hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. Subsequently, our results will serve to investigate the association between LPA genotypes and the progression rate of AS, incidence of AVR, cardiovascular hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. The researchers in this study aim to evaluate the prevalence of elevated serum levels of Lp(a) in Lebanon and their association with conventional cardiac risk factors and echocardiographic parameters in a case-control study. 

Prevalence and Management Practices of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common abnormal heart rhythm presenting to the emergency department. Atrial fibrillation and its related conditions result in significant healthcare expenses. Although electrocardiogram findings may be difficult to interpret, prompt atrial fibrillation diagnosis helps achieve positive outcomes, especially when patients have existing cardiovascular problems. In this prospective observational study, the researchers aim to assess the prevalence of atrial fibrillation and the management practices of patients with known or new-onset atrial fibrillation admitted to the hospital. Patient management including appropriate anticoagulation and antiarrhythmic therapy will also be assessed. The CHA2DS2-VASc score will be used to assess the need for anticoagulation.

Prevalence and Side effects of Vaping and Heated Tobacco products in the 18 to 25 years old Lebanese population

In this study, researchers from the Pulmonary Department look to depict the effects of Vaping and Heated Tobacco Products (such as IQOS) on the young Lebanese population, through a survey sent to Lebanese community in the 18 to 25 age range.

Research Partners and Collaborators

Physicians in the Cardiology Department/Division

• Georges Ghanem, MD (Clinical Professor of Cardiology, Division Head of Cardiology)
• Johnny Abboud, MD (Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiology, Director of Cardiology Fellowship Program)
• Richard Zalloum, MD (Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiology)
• Walid Tarcha, MD (Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiology)
• Charbel Naim, MD (Clinical Assistant Professor of Cardiology)
• Robert Fakhoury MD (Clinical Instructor of Cardiology, Chief of Section in Cardiology at LAU Medical Center-St. John’s Hospital)

Fellows in the Cardiology Department/Division

• Amin Ossaily,MD
• Anwar Naser, MD
• Ali Kanso, MD

Pharmacists in the Cardiology Department/Division 

• Nibal Chamoun, PharmD, BCPS, CACP, (LAU School of Pharmacy)

Staff in the Cardiology Department/Division

• Samia Hanna (Chief Echocardiography Technician, and Cardiology Supervisor)

Extended Research Team in the Cardiology Department/Division

• Kamal Matli, MD, (Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal)
• Georges Namnoum, MD (Institut Mutualiste Montsouris affiliated with Sorbonne University)

Collaborators through LAU 

• Pascale Salameh, PharmD, PhD(Professor of Epidemiology)
• Andre Megarbane, MD PhD (Professor of Human Genetics, Assistant Dean of Research, Division Head of Genetics)
• Aniella Abi-Gerges, PhD (Assistant Professor of Physiology)
• Cybelle Mehawej, PhD  (Assistant Professor of Human Genetics)
• Eliane Choueiry, PhD     (Associate Professor of Human Genetics)
• Michelle Cherfane, PhD (Associate Professor of Epidemiology, School of Medicine)
• Mazen Al Hammoud, (Medical Student)
• Mohamad Hamza, (Medical student)