Displaying all 16 publications

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  1. Fong AY, Sim KH
    Med J Malaysia, 2010 Sep;65(3):165.
    PMID: 21939161
    The rising epidemic of established modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and cigarette smoking, to a large part, are responsible for the clinical events such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and cerebrovascular events (strokes, CVE). In our National ACS and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) Registries, it has been documented that over 90% of patients have at least one identifiable CVRF.
  2. Tiong WN, Sim EU, Fong AY, Ong TK
    J Cardiovasc Dis Res, 2013 Mar;4(1):3-6.
    PMID: 24023462 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcdr.2012.08.004
    BACKGROUND: Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a challenge in patients presenting at early phase of hospitalization. We hypothesized that inflammatory markers of plaque rupture could accurately identifying ACS patients from stable coronary artery diseases (CAD).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The serum and peripheral blood gene expression levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in multiethnic Malaysian patients (n = 7) admitted with early hospitalization of ACS was evaluated. Nine patients with stable coronary artery disease without previous history of ACS were enrolled as controls.

    RESULTS: Serum and peripheral blood mRNA levels of CRP and vWF were significantly higher in ACS compared to control groups (P 

  3. Selvarajah S, Fong AY, Selvaraj G, Haniff J, Uiterwaal CS, Bots ML
    PLoS One, 2012;7(7):e40249.
    PMID: 22815733 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040249
    Risk stratification in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is important, such that the most resource intensive strategy is used to achieve the greatest clinical benefit. This is essential in developing countries with wide variation in health care facilities, scarce resources and increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases. This study sought to validate the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score for STEMI in a multi-ethnic developing country.
  4. Ahmad WA, Fong AY, Quek DK, Sim KH, Zambahari R
    Eur Heart J, 2012 Jan;33(2):155-6.
    PMID: 22351968
  5. Patrick TH, Fong AY, Sebastian Y, Raman V, Wong YH, Sim KH
    Inform Health Soc Care, 2009 Jan;34(1):1-9.
    PMID: 19306194 DOI: 10.1080/17538150902773090
    Mining for medical data poses different challenges compared with mining other types of data. The wide range of imaging modalities of medical data leads to data integration and compatibility issues. The analysis of imaging modalities is further complicated by the different format and attributes used by the different imaging equipment by different vendors. Human factors such as interest of adapting data mining into diagnosis and planning process raised the difficulty of engaging the users into the development of a practical and useful data miner. Requirement engineering technique prototyping further enhanced the engagement of users towards the data-miner. Data from different equipment and different vendors are also merged for efficient data analysis and subsequently charting and reporting. We have also successfully engaged the medical doctors into believing the data miner's capability after they reviewed and walkthrough the prototype.
  6. Selvarajah S, Fong AY, Selvaraj G, Haniff J, Hairi NN, Bulgiba A, et al.
    Am J Cardiol, 2013 May 1;111(9):1270-6.
    PMID: 23415636 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.01.271
    Developing countries face challenges in providing the best reperfusion strategy for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction because of limited resources. This causes wide variation in the provision of cardiac care. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of variation in cardiac care provision and reperfusion strategies on patient outcomes in Malaysia. Data from a prospective national registry of acute coronary syndromes were used. Thirty-day all-cause mortality in 4,562 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions was assessed by (1) cardiac care provision (specialist vs nonspecialist centers), and (2) primary reperfusion therapy (thrombolysis or primary percutaneous coronary intervention [P-PCI]). All patients were risk adjusted by Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score. Thrombolytic therapy was administered to 75% of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (12% prehospital and 63% in-hospital fibrinolytics), 7.6% underwent P-PCI, and the remainder received conservative management. In-hospital acute reperfusion therapy was administered to 68% and 73% of patients at specialist and nonspecialist cardiac care facilities, respectively. Timely reperfusion was low, at 24% versus 31%, respectively, for in-hospital fibrinolysis and 28% for P-PCI. Specialist centers had statistically significantly higher use of evidence-based treatments. The adjusted 30-day mortality rates for in-hospital fibrinolytics and P-PCI were 7% (95% confidence interval 5% to 9%) and 7% (95% confidence interval 3% to 11%), respectively (p = 0.75). In conclusion, variation in cardiac care provision and reperfusion strategy did not adversely affect patient outcomes. However, to further improve cardiac care, increased use of evidence-based resources, improvement in the quality of P-PCI care, and reduction in door-to-reperfusion times should be achieved.
  7. Tan XW, Bhave M, Fong AY, Matsuura E, Kobayashi K, Shen LH, et al.
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2016;2016:6943053.
    PMID: 27239253 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6943053
    This study was aimed at preliminarily assessing the cytoprotective and antioxidative effects of rice bran extracts (RBEs) from a Sarawak local rice variety (local name: "BJLN") and a commercial rice variety, "MR219," on oxidative stress in rat H9c2(2-1) cardiomyocytes. The cardiomyocytes were incubated with different concentrations of RBE and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), respectively, to identify their respective IC50 values and safe dose ranges. Two nonlethal and close-to-IC50 doses of RBE were selected to evaluate their respective effects on H2O2 induced oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. Both RBEs showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity effects on cardiomyocytes. H2O2 induction of cardiomyocytes pretreated with RBE further revealed the dose-dependent cytoprotective and antioxidative effects of RBE via an increase in IC50 values of H2O2. Preliminary analyses of induction effects of RBE and H2O2 on cellular antioxidant enzyme, catalase (CAT), also revealed their potential in regulating these activities and expression profile of related gene on oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. Pretreated cardiomyocytes significantly upregulated the enzymatic activity and expression level of CAT under the exposure of H2O2 induced oxidative stress. This preliminary study has demonstrated the potential antioxidant effects of RBE in alleviating H2O2-mediated oxidative injuries via upregulation in enzymatic activities and expression levels of CAT.
  8. Mejin M, Tiong WN, Lai LY, Tiong LL, Bujang AM, Hwang SS, et al.
    Int J Clin Pharm, 2013 Aug;35(4):621-8.
    PMID: 23661171 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-013-9783-y
    BACKGROUND: Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) loss-of-function polymorphisms are more common in Asian populations and have been associated with diminished antiplatelet response to clopidogrel. In this era of 'personalised medicine', combining genotyping and phenotyping as a strategy to personalise antiplatelet therapy warrants further exploration.

    OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of CYP2C19*2, *3 and *17 genotypes on clopidogrel responsiveness in a multiethnic Malaysian population planned for percutaneous coronary intervention.

    SETTING: Between October 2010 and March 2011, a total of 118 consecutive patients planned for percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled in Sarawak General Hospital, Borneo. All patients received at least 75 mg aspirin daily for at least 2 days and 75 mg clopidogrel daily for at least 4 days prior to angiography.

    METHOD: Genotyping for CYP2C19*2 (rs4244285, 681G > A), *3 (rs4986893, 636G > A) and *17 (rs11188072, -3402C > T) alleles were performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment linked polymorphism method. Whole blood ADP-induced platelet aggregation was assessed with multiple electrode platelet aggregometry (MEA) using the Multiplate Analyzer.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The distribution of CYP2C19*2, *3 and *17 among different ethnic groups and the association between genotype, clopidogrel responsiveness and clinical outcome were the main outcome measures.

    RESULTS: The highest prevalence of poor metabolisers (carriers of at least one copy of the *2 or *3 allele) was among the Chinese (53.7 %), followed by the Malays (26.9 %), Ibans (16.4 %) and other races (3.0 %). Poor metabolisers (PMs) had the highest mean MEA (303.6 AU*min), followed by normal metabolisers (NMs) with 270.5 AU*min and extensive metabolisers (EMs) with 264.1 AU*min (p = 0.518). Among poor responders to clopidogrel, 65.2 % were PMs and NMs, respectively, whereas none were EMs (p = 0.350). Two cardiac-related deaths were reported.

    CONCLUSION: There was a diverse inter-ethnic difference in the distribution of CYP2C19 polymorphism. The findings of this study echo that of other studies where genotype appears to have a limited impact on clopidogrel responsiveness and clinical outcome in low-risk patients.

  9. Tiong WN, Fong AY, Sim EU, Chan HC, Ong TK, Chang BC, et al.
    Heart Asia, 2012;4(1):146-50.
    PMID: 27326052 DOI: 10.1136/heartasia-2012-010131
    Interleukin-6 (IL6; proinflammatory marker), von Willebrand Factor (vWF; endothelial dysfunction marker) and P-selectin (platelet activation marker), may play important roles in defining the pathogenesis of vulnerable plaques in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study aims to investigate the expression and relationship of these markers in early phases of ACS in a young and multiethnic Malaysian population.
  10. Chua SK, Kilung A, Ong TK, Fong AY, Yew KL, Khiew NZ, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2014 Aug;69(4):166-74.
    PMID: 25500844 MyJurnal
    INTRODUCTION: Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) being a cost effective and easily performed technique is useful in the detection of subclinical atherosclerosis and has been shown to be a prognosticator of cardiovascular events. The primary objective of this study was to obtain the distribution of CIMT measurements, highly sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and assessing health awareness and attitudes of the Malaysian population at cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and not receiving lipid lowering agents. Secondarily the study sought to assess the significance of the relationship between these measurements against various patient characteristics.

    METHODS: Measurements of CIMT are obtained by ultrasonography of 12 sites within the common carotid artery was recorded for 123 subjects from a single centre tertiary hospital of Malaysia who had two or more CVD risk factors but were not receiving lipid lowering therapy. CVD risk factors and lipid and glucose profiles were analyzed with respect to distribution of CIMT and high-sensitivity Creactive protein (hs-CRP) values.

    RESULTS: The mean-max CIMT was 0.916±0.129mm (minimum 0.630mm, maximum 1.28mm) and the mean-mean CIMT was 0.743±0.110mm (minimum 0.482mm, maximum 1.050mm) and mean hs-CRP was 0.191mg/dL (minimum 0.030mg/dL, maximum 5.440mg/dL). Multivariate analyses confirmed a significant association between increasing CIMT and increasing age, total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol while log-transformed hs-CRP levels showed significant association with increasing body mass index, waist circumference, high blood glucose and triglyceride levels. Our patients had good health awareness on CVD.

    CONCLUSION: Newly defined CIMT measurements and hs-CRP levels may be useful adjunctive tools to screen for atherosclerosis in the Malaysian population. It may help in refining risk stratification on top of traditional clinical assessment.
  11. Lee CY, Hairi NN, Wan Ahmad WA, Ismail O, Liew HB, Zambahari R, et al.
    PLoS One, 2013;8(8):e72382.
    PMID: 24015238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072382
    To assess whether gender differences exist in the clinical presentation, angiographic severity, management and outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
  12. Ma NH, Teh CL, Rapaee A, Lau KB, Fong AY, Hi S, et al.
    Int J Rheum Dis, 2010 Aug;13(3):223-9.
    PMID: 20704618 DOI: 10.1111/j.1756-185X.2010.01533.x
    INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who have active disease with longer disease duration have been reported to have increased risk of cardiovascular events compared to the normal population.
    OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of our study is to ascertain the prevalence of significant asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) in Asian RA patients who are in remission using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). The secondary aims of our study are the usage of pulse wave velocity and the biomarkers N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-senstivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) to detect subclinical atherosclerosis in RA patients.
    METHODS: We performed a comparative cross-sectional study of 47 RA patients who were in remission with a control group of non-RA patients with a history of atypical chest pain in Sarawak General Hospital from November 2008 to February 2009. All patients underwent 64-slice MDCT, assessment of arterial stiffness using the SphygmoCor test and blood analysis for NT-proBNP and hsCRP.
    RESULTS: There were 94 patients in our study with a mean age of 50 +/- 8.8 years. The RA and control patients in each group were matched in terms of traditional CV risk factors. Our RA patients had a median disease duration of 3 years (IQR 5.5). MDCT showed evidence of CAD in nine (19.1%) RA patients and three (6.4%) control patients (P = 0.06). There was no significant association between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and presence of CAD in our RA group. There was no significant correlation between PWV with levels of proBNP or hsCRP in our RA patients.
    CONCLUSIONS: In our current pilot study with the limitation of small sample size, RA was not associated with an increased risk of CAD in our RA patients who were in remission. Larger studies of CAD in Asian RA patients are needed to confirm our current finding.
    Study site: Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
  13. de Carvalho LP, Tan SH, Ow GS, Tang Z, Ching J, Kovalik JP, et al.
    JACC Basic Transl Sci, 2018 Apr;3(2):163-175.
    PMID: 30062203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2017.12.005
    We identified a plasma signature of 11 C14 to C26 ceramides and 1 C16 dihydroceramide predictive of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery, those with recent AMI, compared with those without recent AMI, showed a significant increase in 5 of the signature's 12 ceramides in plasma but not simultaneously-biopsied aortic tissue. In contrast, a rat AMI model, compared with sham control, showed a significant increase in myocardial concentrations of all 12 ceramides and up-regulation of 3 ceramide-producing enzymes, suggesting ischemic myocardium as a possible source of this ceramide signature.
  14. Reid CM, Chih H, Duffy SJ, Brennan AL, Ajani AE, Beltrame J, et al.
    Heart Lung Circ, 2023 Feb;32(2):166-174.
    PMID: 36272954 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2022.08.012
    OBJECTIVE: The Asia-Pacific Evaluation of Cardiovascular Therapies (ASPECT) collaboration was established to inform on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Asia-Pacific Region. Our aims were to (i) determine the operational requirements to assemble an international individual patient dataset and validate the processes of governance, data quality and data security, and subsequently (ii) describe the characteristics and outcomes for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing PCI in the ASPECT registry.

    METHODS: Seven (7) ASPECT members were approached to provide a harmonised anonymised dataset from their local registry. Patient characteristics were summarised and associations between the characteristics and in-hospital outcomes for STEMI patients were analysed.

    RESULTS: Six (6) participating sites (86%) provided governance approvals for the collation of individual anonymised patient data from 2015 to 2017. Five (5) sites (83%) provided >90% of agreed data elements and 68% of the collated elements had <10% missingness. From the registry (n=12,620), 84% were male. The mean age was 59.2±12.3 years. The Malaysian cohort had a high prevalence of previous myocardial infarction (34%), almost twice that of any other sites (p<0.001). Adverse in-hospital outcomes were the lowest in Hong Kong whilst in-hospital mortality varied from 2.7% in Vietnam to 7.9% in Singapore.

    CONCLUSIONS: Governance approvals for the collation of individual patient anonymised data was achieved with a high level of data alignment. Secure data transfer process and repository were established. Patient characteristics and presentation varied significantly across the Asia-Pacific region with this likely to be a major predictor of variations in the clinical outcomes observed across the region.

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