CV Fadi Bitar 2020
BIOGRAPHY OF FADI BITAR, MD - A SUMMARY
Dr. Fadi Bitar is the Founding Director of the Children’s Heart Center, the Founding Chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, the Founding Co-Director of the Congenital Heart Disease Genetic Research Program (CHDGRP), and the Executive Director for External Medical Affairs at the American University of Beirut (AUB). He is a Professor of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics. Dr. Bitar is the Past President of the Pan Arab Congenital Heart Disease Association. He earned his medical degree from the American University of Beirut and completed his training in Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology at the State University of New York, Health Science Center at Syracuse. He also completed specialized training at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Bitar is the Co-Founder of the Brave Heart Fund, a charitable fundraising initiative established to provide financial and humanitarian assistance to needy children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) with fund raising amounting to about $20 million. Dr. Bitar leads a humanitarian team that has provided treatment for about 4.000 underprivileged children with CHD, since the inception of the fund in 2003.
Dr. Bitar established the Children's Heart Center (CHC) at the American University of Beirut. The CHC consists of a multidisciplinary team, of more than fifty physicians and health care providers, who delivers state of the art care to children with CHD and provides excellence in education and innovation in research, in addition to its philanthropic mission to support those in need. The CHC is a world class center with outcome measures comparable to the benchmarks of the best centers in the world and is a beacon of hope for the children of Lebanon and the region. In 2017, the CHC team performed the first pediatric heart transplant in Lebanon and the Levant area, a land mark in the history of AUBMC and the country.
Dr. Bitar earns worldwide recognition as one of the leading Pediatric Cardiologists in Lebanon, the region and beyond, and has major contributions which include the introduction of new interventional cardiac catheterization procedures to Lebanon and the region, as well as the successful establishment of clinical programs resulting in improvements towards the care of thousands of children with CHD. Dr. Bitar introduced new modalities and novel techniques for medical and catheter treatment of heart disease and performed first of their kind procedures in the world.
Dr. Bitar established the first Pediatric Cardiac Registry Center in Lebanon and studied the epidemiology of CHD in developing countries and reported the role of consanguinity in patients with CHD. He is considered as one of the leading researchers in the field of Pediatric Cardiology in the region. He published data regarding Rheumatic Fever and Bacterial Endocarditis in developing countries (one of the largest pediatric series in the world). He was the first in the world to report the use of IVQQ in the treatment of children with Rheumatic Fever. Dr. Bitar described the association of transient hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the
1 CV Fadi Bitar 2020 newborn following multiple doses of antenatal corticosteroids. He reported outcomes of various surgical and interventional procedures in limited resource countries and addressed the elements of success that contribute towards the establishment of high caliber services in the field of Pediatric Cardiology in developing countries. Dr. Bitar and team were awarded the Farouk Jaber interfaculty grant to co-lead the first 3D printing program for complex CHD lesions in Lebanon and the region and developed research tools to introduce 3D printing of cardiac valves utilizing echocardiographic images, which have contributed to the betterment of the treatment of children with CHD.
Dr. Bitar co-established and co-directed with Dr. Georges Nemer, a pioneering Congenital Heart Disease Genetic Research Program at AUBMC with a data bank including genetic and epidemiological information of 2,000 patients. He reported and co-led initiatives with pioneering discoveries. In collaboration with Dr. Nemer, he reported worldwide discoveries regarding the genetic causes of CHD. He provided new insights into the developmental biology of Congenital Heart Disease and described novel genetic causes in cases of cardiomyopathies. Dr. Bitar co-led teams that studied several cardiovascular diseases in Lebanon and contributed to improving the understanding of the genotype and phenotype of Familial Hypercholesterolemia. These discoveries contributed towards improvements in the care of children with cardiac diseases and are considered key milestones for the country and beyond.
Dr. Bitar worked on developing and evolving an animal model of chronic hypoxia mimicking Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease in order to study the effect of chronic hypoxia on the myocardium, endocrine and central nervous systems. He contributed to design an intelligent hypoxia chamber controller for in vivo and in vitro biomedical experimentation. This advanced hypoxic chamber was utilized to conduct experiments on clinical conditions with chronic hypoxia (cyanotic heart disease, chronic lung disease and others). In collaboration with Dr. G. Dbaibo, he established a specialized team to study the adaptive molecular mechanisms of the hypoxic myocardium in relation to apoptosis, sphingolipid pathways, signaling and transcription factors.
As the essence of success is collaboration, Dr. Bitar established partnerships and networks at the national, regional and international levels that played a pivotal role in creating a research model for CHD in the region. He established international networking with the laboratory of Drs. Seidman at Harvard Medical School, which led to the advancement of research at the CHD Genetic Research Program at AUBMC. Dr. Bitar established a CHD research program that is considered the prototype to follow in developing countries and which was presented in several regional and international meetings, and described the top ten pearls in establishing such research program in developing countries. Dr. Bitar has been the recipient of more than 30 national and international research grants, including the Dubai-Harvard Foundation Research Grant, in collaboration with Dr. Nemer, and the Farouk Jaber interfaculty grant. He received intramural and extramural research funding amounting to about $2 million. Dr. Bitar published more than 190 peer review articles, abstracts, posters and book chapters with his entire research being “Made in AUB”, in spite of his busy clinical, admisntrative and service responsibilities.
Dr. Bitar is the recipient of multiple appreciation awards by: the AUB Medical Alumni in Jordan; the Lebanese International University; the Egyptian Working Group of Pediatric
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Cardiology and League of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology; the King Faisal Heart Institute; the National Evangelical School in Lebanon; the Lebanese Community in Toledo, Ohio/USA; the Pediatric Jordanian Society, in addition to a special award from the former First Lady of the Republic for his service towards children in Lebanon.
Dr. Bitar is the recipient of the "Distinguished Golden Shield of Excellence" for his outstanding humanitarian contributions in the medical field, by the Arab Women's Council in 2016. He is the recipient of the Paul Harris distinguished model for his outstanding contributions to the community and the Humanitarian Recognition Award for “Service Above Self”, presented by “Rotary International Clubs and Gift of Life Project” in USA. In 2017, Dr. Bitar was awarded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Embassy in Lebanon a Shield of Excellence and Token of Appreciation for his innovative and creative contributions in the medical sector. In 2018 he was the recipient of The First Lebanese Pediatric Society Award, as a Token of Gratitude and Appreciation for his lifetime achievements. In December 2018, Dr. Bitar received the prestigious “The Name in Science” award and the medal ‘For Contribution to World Science’, presented by Academic Union of Oxford (AU) in Oxford, with the assistance of the Club of Rectors of Europe (CRE). This award is given to the most respected personalities in the fields of science, technology and innovations.
Dr. Bitar is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society; Member to the America’s Registry of Top Physicians and Outstanding Professionals; Adviser for the World Health Organization; Invited International Expert for “The Global Forum on Humanitarian Medicine” in Geneva and Recipient of the America’s Top Physicians Award.
Dr. Bitar is the current Executive Director and the former Associate Dean of the External Medical Affairs Office at AUBMC and a member of the leadership team at AUBMC. He has overseen, spearheaded and coordinated more than 100 agreements between the AUBMC/FM and national, regional and international medical schools/organizations/universities in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Kuwait, Bahrain, Europe and the United States. Dr. Bitar coordinated several educational and training workshops sponsored by MOH in Iraq, UNRWA, WHO, the industry and others
Dr. Bitar founded the first and only Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program at AUBMC and Lebanon which contributes to the training of physicians from all over Lebanon and the region. He co-advised more than 30 graduate students for their Master of Science theses and MDs /research physicians as postdoctoral fellows; in addition, he supervised and advised more than 35 medical students/residents regarding research activities in Pediatric Cardiology. Dr. Bitar was a mentor for more than 15 fellows who are currently pursuing excellent careers in biomedical sciences in top notch institutions in the United States.
Dr. Bitar chaired and organized several International meetings: “the First Middle East Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology - Surgery” in 2005; “Thinking in 3D whilst in Congenital Heart Disease” in 2009, “Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress” in 2012 and the “PACHDA symposium at the 7th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery” in Barcelona, 2017. Dr. Bitar organized, moderated, chaired, and was an invited speaker to more than 140 national and international conferences in Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Yemen, Morocco, Turkey, Oman, Malaysia, Indonesia, USA,
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Switzerland, UK, Italy, South Africa, Spain, and Lebanon. He was involved in hundreds of appearances on national and international newspapers, televised programs and documentaries addressing the status of Congenital Heart Disease, Healthcare System, and Brave Heart Fund.
In a recent recognition of Dr. Bitar lifetime achievements in his academic career addressed for an initiative/award entitled “A physician, the pride of his nation, makes the world a better place” a quotation testimony stated “………..the brilliant comprehensive work that Fadi Bitar did in Beirut is exemplary in its depth and breadth; it is exceptional and unparalleled in limited resource countries; he created a prototype model in the field of Pediatric Cardiology to be mimicked throughout the world...... ”. LPS Award Bitar 2018
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Research Statement- Fadi Bitar
Since I joined the Faculty of Medicine at AUB, I worked to develop and expand my research undertakings at the clinical, basic and translational levels. During my research journey, my aim has always been to come up with research queries that have the potentials to affect positively the care and lives of children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).
At the clinical level, I established the first Pediatric Cardiac Registry in Lebanon and studied the epidemiology of CHD and the role of consanguinity in patients with CHD. I published data regarding Rheumatic Fever and Bacterial Endocarditis (one of the largest pediatric series in the world) and was the first, in the world, to report the use of IVQQ in the treatment of children with Rheumatic Fever. I also described the association of transient hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the newborn following multiple doses of antenatal corticosteroids. In addition, I reported the outcomes and experience of various surgical and pediatric interventional procedures in limited resource countries and addressed the elements of success that contribute towards the establishment of high caliber services in the field of Pediatric Cardiology in developing countries.
I reported a novel technique for the assessment of amplatzer duct occluder II (ADO II) device protrusion into the aorta based on measurable parameters in a large series of 50 children who underwent percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus using AOD II; this helped in the management and follow up of this population. In addition, I was a part of a phase 2 multinational study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of MEDI-524 (Numax), a monoclonal antibody against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), in children with hemodynamically significant Congenital Heart Disease and recruited the largest cohort of patients.
In 2015, our Children’s Heart Center team, in collaboration with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at AUB, was awarded the Farouk Jaber interfaculty grant to initiate and spearhead the first 3D printing program for complex CHD lesions in Lebanon and the region, including the development of research tools to introduce 3D printing of cardiac valves. This work contributed positively to the treatment of our population with complex CHD.
At the basic research level, I worked on developing and evolving an animal model of chronic hypoxia mimicking Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease in order to study the effect of chronic hypoxia on the myocardium, endocrine and central nervous systems. I contributed to design an intelligent hypoxia chamber controller for in vivo and in vitro biomedical experimentation. This advanced hypoxic chamber was utilized to conduct experiments on clinical conditions with chronic hypoxia (cyanotic heart disease, chronic lung disease and others). In collaboration with Dr. G. Dbaibo, we established a specialized team to study the adaptive molecular mechanisms of the hypoxic myocardium in relation to apoptosis, sphingolipid pathways, signaling and transcription factors.
I co-established/co-directed, in collaboration with Dr. Georges Nemer, a pioneering CHD Genetic Research Program at AUBMC with a data bank including genetic and epidemiological information of 2,000 patients. In collaboration with Dr. G. Nemer, we reported worldwide discoveries regarding the genetic causes of CHD. In 2006, we described a novel mutation in
5 CV Fadi Bitar 2020 the GATA4 gene in patients with Tetralogy of Fallot, a discovery that was reported worldwide and has been widely cited. In 2007, we unraveled a novel founder mutation in the carnitine transporter gene responsible for some forms of dilated cardiomyopathy. This finding had clinical implications and led to the initiation of early diagnosis, prevention and pre-martial counselling program for the families that are at risk for developing the disease.
In 2009, Dr. Nemer and I were awarded a collaborative grant from the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research with teams from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, and USA over a five-year period. With the support of this grant, we established close ties with the Seidmans’ group in Boston and expanded our regional collaboration with the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC) team in KSA.
In 2012, we described the involvement of the gene encoding the transcription factor NFATC1 in valve disease. This was the first worldwide report about this gene inactivation of which, in mice had led to severe valve malformations. Moreover, a novel finding on the role of NFTAC1 in skin, eye, and heart development has being published in collaboration with Drs. Mazen Kurban (dermatologist), and Christiane Haddad (ophthalmologist) whereby a familial case of heart and eye disorder have led to the identification of a mutation in NFATC1 that could explain both phenotypes and a loss of skin hair follicles in affected patients. In addition, our work on the mouse model of chronic hypoxia, has unraveled a protective role for the desaturase enzyme DEGS1 against hypoxia, and uncovered a molecular pathway that involves a combinatorial interaction between NFATC1 and HAND proteins.
I reported and co-led initiatives with pioneering discoveries. In collaboration with my team, we provided new insights into the developmental biology of Congenital Heart Disease and described novel genetic causes in cases of cardiomyopathies. I co-led with Dr. Nemer teams that studied several cardiovascular diseases in Lebanon and contributed to improving our understanding of the genotype and phenotype of Familial Hypercholesterolemia. We have recently reported the cardiovascular manifestations of our patients with Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia including premature valvular heart disease, and identified a novel Lebanese founder mutation in the gene encoding the LDLR associated protein (ARH). In parallel, we showed that irrespective of the type and nature of mutations, the LDL levels are the major predictive factor for development of carotid intima-media thickness and plaque. These discoveries led to improvement in the care of our patients and are considered historical landmarks for the country and beyond.
In 2015, our team reported the role of NKX2-5 for dominant familial ASD in consanguineous populations, and concluded that a wide genetic and phenotypic diversity is characteristic of NKX2-5 mutations in the Lebanese population.
Our multidisciplinary team has been studying the molecular basis of various forms of cardiomyopathies in Lebanon; in addition, to performing RNA sequencing of cardiac biopsies from patients with CHD. In collaboration with Dr. Mazen Kurban, we described the genetics of several inherited cardio cutaneous syndromes and reported among others a novel heterozygous mutation in desmoplakin gene in a Lebanese patient with Carvajal Syndrome with dilated cardiomyopathy.
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As the essence of success is collaboration, I established partnerships and networks at the national, regional and international levels that played a pivotal role in creating a research model for CHD in the region. I established a CHD research program that was the prototype to follow in developing countries; this model has been presented at several regional and international meetings, and described the top ten pearls in establishing such research program in developing countries. I supervised and co-advised more than 60 graduate students, MDs for postdoctoral fellows, residents and research physicians. I have been the recipient of more than 30 national and international research grants, including the Dubai-Harvard Foundation Research Grant. I received intramural and extramural research funding amounting to about $2 million and published more than 190 peer review articles, abstracts, posters and book chapters.
I am honored and privileged of what my research team and I have achieved over the past couple of decades; the depth and breadth of our research, which was entirely “Made in AUB”, has contributed positively and in various facets towards the care of children with CHD. I am proud that we have achieved these accomplishments at AUB, regardless of the limited available resources, and in spite of the demanding clinical, service and philanthropic responsibilities that I have been involved with.
Service Statement - Fadi Bitar
When I joined the Faculty of Medicine at AUB, children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) at AUBMC used to be evaluated by our colleagues in the Division of Adult Cardiology. At that time, there was no pediatric cardiologist in the institution. Over the years, I managed to build from scratch the Children’s Heart Center (CHC). As a Founding Director of the center, my goal was always to build a team of leaders. Nowadays, The CHC consists of a multidisciplinary team of five Pediatric Cardiologists/Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons, three Pediatric Intensivists, three Neonatologists, three Anesthesiologists dedicated to Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia, and two specialized physicians in Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Imaging, in addition to the support of three Adult Electrophysiologists. The CHC delivers state of the art care to children with CHD and provides excellence in education and innovation in research, in addition to its philanthropic mission to support those in need. The CHC is a world class center with outcome measures comparable to the benchmarks of the best centers in the world. It has been indeed my joy and pride to spearhead and lead such a center that is considered as a beacon of hope for our children. I established and described the elements of success of building a CHC of excellence in a developing country illustrating a prototype that relies on an interplay of fruitful partnerships between public, private and philanthropy (PPPP).
Maybe, one of the most satisfying achievements in my career relates to being the co-founder of the Brave Heart Fund, a charitable fundraising initiative established to provide financial and humanitarian assistance to needy children and families suffering from CHD, with fund raising amounting to about $ 20 million since its inception in 2003. The Brave Heart Fund helped so far to provide care for more than 3,600 underprivileged children with CHD. In addition to its tremendous effect in helping those in need, this grass route initiative was the first of its kind at AUBMC and is now an exemplary prototype for several funds in various disciplines at our institution. Brave Heart makes the world a better place to live where the future will belong to those who will do their best to ease the sufferings of humanity.
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I am humbled to earn recognition as one of the leading Pediatric Cardiologists in Lebanon, the region and beyond, and have major contributions which include the introduction of new interventional cardiac catheterization procedures to Lebanon and the region, as well as the successful establishment of new clinical programs resulting in improvements towards the care of thousands of children with CHD. I introduced new modalities and techniques for medical and catheter treatment of heart disease, including procedures that were first of their kind in the world. In the mid-90s, I performed the first coil embolization of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in Lebanon and the Eastern Mediterranean region; in addition, to performing the first in-utero treatment for a fetus with tachycardia in Lebanon. In 2001, I reported a novel and new modality for the treatment for rheumatic fever utilizing intravenous gamma globulin. I also performed the first closure of a PDA utilizing an Amplatzer device in Lebanon. In 2004, I performed the first closure of a Ventricular Septal Defect utilizing an Amplatzer device in Lebanon with Dr. Ziyad Hijazi. In addition, I performed first of their kind procedures in the world, which include the closure of an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm with a septal occluder device in a child, utilizing a novel percutaneous femoral arterial-transthoracic approach in 2012, and the implantation of three Umbrella-like “Occlutech” devices to close ASDs in a child’s heart in 2018 In 2103, Dr. El Rassi and I performed, for the first time in Lebanon and the region, the Hybrid Norwood’s Heart Surgery for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). In 2015, I performed the first Lebanese percutaneous implantation of a pulmonary valve “Melody”. In 2017, Dr. El Rassi and I led a multidisciplinary team at AUBMC to perform the first successful pediatric cardiac transplant in Lebanon and the Levant area, a land mark in the history of AUBMC and the country.
I am the recipient of the Humanitarian Recognition Award for “Service Above Self”, presented by “Rotary International Clubs and Gift of Life Project” in USA. I am also the recipient of multiple appreciation Awards by: the Lebanese International University, the AUB Medical Alumni in Jordan, the Egyptian Working Group of Pediatric Cardiology and League of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology, the King Faisal Heart Institute, the National Evangelical School in Nabatieh/Lebanon, the Lebanese Community in Toledo, Ohio/USA, the Pediatric Jordanian Society, in addition to a special Award from the former First Lady of the Republic for my service towards children in Lebanon.
I am also honored to be awarded the "Distinguished Golden Shield of Excellence" for my outstanding humanitarian contributions in the medical field, by the Arab Women's Council in 2016. I am also the recipient of the Paul Harris distinguished model for outstanding contributions to the community and the Humanitarian Recognition Award for “Service Above Self”, presented by “Rotary International Clubs and Gift of Life Project” in USA. In addition, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Embassy in Lebanon awarded me, in 2017, a Shield of Excellence and Token of Appreciation for my innovative and creative contributions in the medical sector. I am also the recipient of The First Lebanese Pediatric Society Award, as A Token of Gratitude and Appreciation, in 2018. In December 2018, I received the prestigious “The Name in Science” award and the medal ‘For Contribution to World Science’, presented by Academic Union of Oxford (AU) in Oxford, with the assistance of the Club of Rectors of Europe (CRE). This award is given to the most respected personalities in the fields of science, technology and innovations.
I am also privileged to be elected as the President of the Pan Arab Congenital Heart Disease Association (PACHDA) which encompasses under its umbrella hundreds of Cardiologists,
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Cardiac surgeons, Intensivists, and others whose primary interest is in the practice or research in CHD in the 22 Arab countries.
I organized, moderated, chaired, and was an invited speaker to more than 140 national and international conferences in Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Yemen, Morocco, Turkey, Oman, Malaysia, Indonesia, USA, Switzerland, UK, Italy, South Africa, Spain, and Lebanon. I am a member of the Editorial Board and a reviewer for numerous international medical journals.
I chaired and organized several regional and international meetings. In 2004, I was the Co- Chairman and organizer of the “First Middle East Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology- Surgery”, in collaboration with The Heart Institute in Chicago. I was the host and co-Organizer of the international workshop entitled “Thinking in 3D whilst in Congenital Heart Disease” in 2009. Moreover, I was the Chairman and Organizer of the International PedCard Beirut in 2012. In 2017, I organized the PACHDA symposium at the 7th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery in Barcelona.
I am a member of several professional societies and organizations which include the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. I was an elected member of the Peers Review Committee, Chairman of the “Grateful Patient Fund” Committee, and member of the Dean’s Advisory Committee for promotion at AUB. I am also an invited member to the America’s Registry of Top Physicians and Outstanding Professionals. I served as an adviser for the World Health Organization and an invited International Expert for “The Global Forum on Humanitarian Medicine” in Geneva. I was the recipient of the America’s Top Physicians Award in 2004.
In 2010, EVP/Dean of AUBMC/FM appointed me as the Associate Dean for External Medical Affairs (EMA). Since then, I have overseen, spearheaded and coordinated more than 100 agreements between AUBMC/FM and national, regional, and international medical schools/organizations/universities in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Kuwait, Bahrain, Europe, and the United States. I also coordinated several educational and training workshops sponsored by MOH in Iraq, UNRWA, WHO, the industry and others. I represented AUB Ex-President and AUB Vice President for Medical Affairs/Dean of Faculty of Medicine on issues relating to cooperation between AUB and international organizations and Universities at the regional and international levels. I received the Leadership, Innovation and Strategy Certificate by GE Crotonville and was an invited speaker and Panelist at the C3 Saudi- US Healthcare Summit in 2015 and at the C3 US-Arab Healthcare Summit at Union League Club in NY in 2015.
I was involved in hundreds of appearances on national and international newspapers, televised programs and documentaries addressing the status of Congenital Heart Disease, Healthcare System, and Brave Heart Fund.
In summary, it has been my honor and privilege to serve the institution and reflect the great image of the university and contribute to the betterment of the children and the people of Lebanon, the region, and beyond.
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Teaching Statement- Fadi Bitar
Teaching and education are core components of the vision and mission of the Children’s Heart Center. I have worked over the years to develop solid, progressive, and excellent educational programs. Education is my path to the careers of the new generation of physicians and scientists and sharing knowledge is my philosophy.
When I was the only Pediatric Cardiologist at the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, I used to provide the lectures and educational materials relating to the field of Pediatric Cardiology for our students, interns, residents, and fellows. Over the years, I have developed teaching activities that are delivered in the form of didactic courses, lectures, clinical and research training, mentorships in addition to the utilizing of E-learning and other new educational modalities. With the expansion of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, I re- organized and evolved our educational programs and shared the educational material with the various members of our multi-disciplinary team.
I founded the first and only Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program in Lebanon which contributes to the training of physicians from Lebanon and all over the region. I was the founding director of the program and established its infrastructure and content. This fellowship program is our pride as it graduates the future pediatric cardiologists. We have graduated physicians who are now practicing in Lebanon, Palestine, KSA, and Germany, in addition, one of our fellows is pursuing a Pediatric EP sub-fellowship in Australia.
Our various research programs have numerous educational components; for example, the 3D printing program that we developed with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at AUB helped improve our decision making in the treatment of complex CHD. Students and fellows learned how to better understand the cardiac anatomy and conduct procedures on the model prior to the surgical or cardiac catheterization intervention.
Moreover, I have organized national, regional and international educational conferences and meetings aiming at improving and promoting training and education in the field of Pediatric Cardiology. I supervised and co-advised the education and training of 35 graduate students for Master of Science theses and MDs /research physicians as postdoctoral fellows, in addition I supervised and advised 36 medical students/residents regarding research activities in Pediatric Cardiology and contributed to the education and training of these trainees at various levels. I was the mentor for more than 15 fellows who are currently pursuing excellent careers in biomedical sciences in top notch institutions in the United States
Through the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research Grant, our team established close ties with the Seidmans’ Laboratory in Boston and managed to send one of our students to work on joint projects. This prototype reflects our vision to create new leaders in research trained at the best places in the world through collaboration initiatives. Our students are our pride and watching them grow and excel brings us joy and satisfaction.
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FADI F. BITAR, M.D.- CURRICULUM VITAE www.fadibitar.com ; Fadi Bitar Biography; Fadi Bitar Achievements
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Personal Information: Children’s Heart Center, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Work Address: Medicine; American University of Beirut- Medical Center P.O. Box: 11- 0236/A22, Riad El Solh, 11072020, Beirut, Lebanon.
Office: 001-961-1-374444, ext. 5509, 5872, 5865
Mobile: 001-961-3-310844 (M) Fax No: 001-961-1-342517; 011-961-1-370781 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Social Security 064-76-6238 (U.S.A.)
Education/Postgraduate Training: ▪ International College, Beirut, Lebanon ̵ Degree: High School Diploma, Lebanese Baccalaureate, Experimental Science (1979)
▪ American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon (1979-1982) ̵ Degree: B.S., Major in Chemistry
▪ American University of Beirut, School of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon (1982-1986) ̵ Degree: M.D.
▪ Residency (PL-1;PL-2 and PL-3) in Pediatrics, June 1986-June 1989, ̵ American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
▪ Residency (PL-3) in Pediatrics, June 1989-June 1990, ̵ State University of New York, Health Science Center at Syracuse, USA.
▪ Chief Resident Fellow in Pediatrics, June 1990- June 1991, ̵ State University of New York, Health Science Center at Syracuse, USA.
▪ Fellow, Pediatric Cardiology, July 1991-June 1994: ̵ First, Second & Third year Fellow State University of New York, Health Science Center at Syracuse, USA.
̵ Cardiac Pathology (Sept-Oct, 1992), Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA.
̵ Perinatal Cardiology/Fetal Echocardiography (Nov- Dec, 1993), Children Hospital of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Hospital, USA.
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Positions Held:
▪ Executive Director for External Medical Affairs, 2018- and Associate Dean for External Medical Affairs, 2010 -2017.External Medical Affairs
▪ Professor of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut since 2006-.
▪ Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, 2013-.
▪ Associate Professor of Pediatrics, American University of Beirut, 2000-2006.
▪ Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, American University of Beirut, 1994-2000.
▪ Founding Director, Children’s Heart Center, and American University of Beirut. Children's Heart Center
▪ Founding Chief, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, American University of Beirut, 2007-
▪ Founding Co-Director, Congenital Heart Disease Genetic Program at AUB. 2003-
▪ Coordinator, External Programs-Medicine, 2005-2009.
▪ Co-Director, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, 1997-2000.
▪ Cofounder Brave Heart Fund, 2003 - Brave Heart Fund;
▪ President of the Pan Arab Congenital Heart Disease Association, 2016. PACHDA
Certifications:
▪ Re-Certification, American Board of Pediatric Cardiology, 2004-2010. (No. 001199) and in 2011.
▪ American Board of Pediatric Cardiology (No. 001199), 1996-2003.
▪ American Board of Pediatrics (No.46160).
▪ Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates, No. 3909009, valid indefinitely.
Professional Society Memberships:
▪ American Association for the Advancement of Science
▪ American Academy of Pediatrics, Fellow, 1994
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▪ Cardiovascular Disease and Young Council, American Heart Association
▪ American Society of Pediatric Echocardiography
▪ Elected Board Member of the Pan Arab Congenital Heart Disease Association, 2007
▪ Lebanese Pediatric Society
▪ Lebanese Cardiac Society
▪ Lebanese Order of physicians
▪ Medical Society of Onondaga County, Syracuse, NY, U.S.A., 1991-1994
▪ Chief Resident Association, U.S.A., 1990-1991.
Awards/Honors:
▪ Humanitarian Recognition Award for Service above Self. Presented by Rotary International Clubs and Gift of life project, USA, 1993.
▪ Appreciation Award at the Second AUB Medical Conference in Jordan, 1999.
▪ America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals (Who’s Who of worldwide decision makers), 2003.
▪ America’s Top Physicians Award, by Consumers’ Research Council of America, 2004.
▪ Appreciation Award by the Lebanese International University, 2004.
▪ Appreciation Award by the First Lady of the Republic for services towards children in Lebanon, 2004.
▪ Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, 2007.
▪ Appreciation Award by King Faisal Heart Institute, 2007.
▪ Appreciation Award by the Egyptian Working Group of Pediatric Cardiology and League of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology, 2008.
▪ Medical City of Baghdad-Iraq Token of Appreciation, 2008.
▪ Appreciation Award by Notre Dame Du Liban University Hospital/Lebanon, 2009.
▪ Special Appreciation Award by the National Evangelical School in Nabatieh/Lebanon, 2011.
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▪ Appreciation Award by the Lebanese Community in Toledo, Ohio/USA for efforts towards establishing collaboration between the University of Toledo and AUB, 2012.
▪ Appreciation Award by Pediatric Jordanian Society/Jordan, 2013 and 2016
▪ Leadership, Innovation and Strategy 2014 Certificate by GE Crotonville.
▪ Panelist/Speaker at the C3 Saudi-US Healthcare Summit addressing: “Benefits of Knowledge Transfer Including Continuous Education and Training of Manpower”, 2015.
▪ Panelist/Speaker at the C3 US-Arab Healthcare Summit "Creating Solutions To Today's Healthcare Challenges: Making Good Health Contagious". Union League Club, NY, June, 2015.
▪ Paul Harris distinguished model. Highest award by Rotary, for outstanding contributions to the community, 2016.
▪ Appreciation Award by the Jordan Pediatric Society In collaboration with International Pediatric Association & Union of Arab Pediatric Societies, October, 2016.
▪ "Distinguished Golden Shield of Excellence" for Outstanding Humanitarian contributions in the medical field, by the Arab Women's Council, Dubai, October, 2016.
▪ Shield of Excellence and Token of Appreciation for innovative and creative contributions in the medical sector, by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Embassy in Lebanon, May, 2017.
▪ The First Lebanese Pediatric Society Award, A Token of Gratitude and Appreciation, April, 2018.
▪ The Diploma of the Knight of the honorary title " the Name of Science" presented by Academic Union of Oxford (AU) with the assistance of the Club of Rectors of Europe (CRE), Oxford, UK, 2019. This prestigious award was given to Dr. Bitar for "his exceptional contributions to the world of science, his influences to the intellectual development of the modern world, intercultural communications, and partnership and for his humanitarian efforts, which makes the world a better place to live in".
Medical Licensure:
▪ Maryland ,U.S.A., (currently inactive)
▪ Pennsylvania , U.S.A., (currently inactive)
▪ Lebanon, since 1994
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RESEARCH
Publications and Articles:
1. Refaat M, El Dick J, Sabra M, Bitar F, Tayeh C, Arabi M. Sotalol as an effective adjunct therapy in the management of supraventricular tachycardia induced fetal hydrops fetalis. J Neonatal Perinatal Med. 2019 Nov 5. doi: 10.3233/NPM-190268.
2. Fakhri G, Abutaqa M, Abdulhalim N, Houssein HB, Al Halees Z, El-Rassi I, Bitar F, Arabi M. Steroids as a possible effective therapy in the management of large isolated chylopericardium following open heart surgery. Cardiol Young. 2019 Dec 27:1-6. doi: 10.1017/S1047951119002889.
3. Abou Hassan OK, Haidar W, Arabi M, Skouri H, Bitar F, Nemer G, Akl IB. Novel EIF2AK4 mutations in histologically proven pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis and hereditary pulmonary arterial hypertension. BMC Med Genet. 2019 Nov 11;20(1):176. doi: 10.1186/s12881-019-0915-7.
4. Fardon M, Dehaini H, Kamar A, Bitar F, Majdalani M, El-Rassi I, Nemer G, Arabi M. A Novel Somatic Variant in HEY2 Unveils an Alternative Splicing Isoform Linked to Ventricular Septal Defect. Pediatr Cardiol. 2019 Apr 6. doi: 10.1007/s00246-019-02099-y.
5. Almanla A, Charafeddine F, Abutaqa , Hala Mustafa M, El-Rassi I, Tabbakh A , Bou Hussein H , Sawaya F , Arabi M , Bulbul Z, Bitar F. Transcatheter closure of Atrial Septal Defects: Comparable Experience and Outcomes between Developing and Developed Countries. Pediatr Cardiol. 2019 Jan 3. doi: 10.1007/s00246-018-2034-1.
6. El Dick J, El-Rassi I, Tayeh C, Bitar F, Arabi M. Aortopulmonary window in adults: A rare entity leading to Eisenmenger syndrome. Echocardiography. 2019 May 22. doi: 10.1111/echo.14368.
7. Charafeddine F, Hachem A, Kibbi N, Abutaqa M, Bitar F, Bulbul Z, El-Rassi I, Arabi M. The first Fetal Echocardiography experience for Prenatal diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease in Lebanon: Successes and challenges. J Saudi Heart Assoc. 2019 Jul;31(3):125- 129. doi: 10.1016/j.jsha.2019.04.001.
8. Stephan C, Kurban M, Khalil S, Bitar F, El-Rassi I, Assy J. Viral-associated trichodysplasia spinulosa in a paediatric cardiac transplant recipient. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2019 Jun 20. doi: 10.1111/ced.14017.
9. Abutaqa M, Tayeh C, Charafeddine F, Bitar F, Arabi M. Fetal Intra-pericardial Morgagni Hernia with effusion affecting one member of a twin gestation. Echocardiography. 2019 Apr 1. doi: 10.1111/echo.14329.
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10. Non-Familial Cardiomyopathies in Lebanon: Exome Sequencing Results for Five Idiopathic Cases. Refaat M, Hassanieh S, Ballout J, Zakka P, Hotait M, Khalil A, Bitar F, Arabi M, Arnaout S, Skouri H, Abchee A, Abi-Saleh B, Khoury M, Massouras A, Nemer G. BMC Med Genomics. 2019 Feb 14;12(1):33. doi: 10.1186/s12920-019-0478-7.
11. Establishing an ECMO program in a developing country: challenges and lessons learned. Assy J, Skouri H, Charafeddine L, Majdalani M, Younes K, Bulbul Z, Sfeir P, Bourgi J, Hallal A, Rifai K, Zaatari R, Bitar F, Rassi IE. Perfusion. 2019 Mar 14:267659119834489. doi: 10.1177/0267659119834489.
12. Tayeh C, El Khoury M, Bitar F, Arabi M. ASD closure complicated by anomalous inferior vena cava return to the left atrium: a case report of a 5 year old child. Eur Heart J Case Rep. 2019 Jun 1;3(2). pii: yty169. doi: 10.1093/ehjcr/yty169.
13. Charafeddine F, N Kibbi N, Tabbakh A , Abutaqa M , El-Rassi I, Bulbul Z, Arabi M , Bitar F. Balloon Valvuloplasty for Congenital Aortic Stenosis: Comparable Experience between Developed and Developing countries. Annal of Pediatric Cardiology, preliminary acceptance.2019.
14. Hariri H, Kurban M, Al-Haddad C, Fahed AC, Poladian S, Kahlil A, Abbas O, Arabi M, Bitar F, Nemer G. Degenerated hair follicle cells and partial loss of sebaceous and eccrine glands in a familial case of axenfeld-rieger syndrome: An emerging role for the FOXC1/NFATC1 genetic axis. J Dermatol Sci. 2018 Nov 10. pii: S0923-1811(18)30408-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2018.11.003.
15. Tayeh C, Al-Hage J, Bitar F, Nemer G, Abbas O, Kurban M. Mutation in the SR6 region of desmoplakin is associated with pustular psoriasiform rash and left ventricular dysfunction. Int J Dermatol. 2018 Sep 19. doi: 10.1111/ijd.14242.
16. Hascoet S, Martins JD, Baho H, Kadirova S, Pinto F, Paoli F, Bitar F, Haweleh AA, Uebing A, Acar P, Ghez O, Fraisse A. Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation in small conduits: A multicenter experience. Int J Cardiol. 2018 Mar 1;254:64-68. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.12.003.
17. Assy J, Fawzi I, Arabi M, Bulbul Z, Bitar F, Majdalani M, Sharara R, El Rassi, I. ECMO is in the air: Long distance air/ground transport of a child on extra corporeal membrane oxygenation. The Egyptian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 2018; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejccm.2018.12.010.
18. Bulbul Z, El Rassi I, LA Atweh, R Hamade, Tamim H, Hachem A, Arabi M, Bitar F. Three-Dimensional Printing of Mitral Valve Models Using Echocardiographic Data: Does it add to the Knowledge of Cardiology Fellow Physicians in training? Medial Science Educator, 2018, preliminary accepted.
19. Bou Hussein, H, Bulbul Z, Sawaya F, Bitar F. Percutaneous closure of multiple atrial septal defects in a child utilizing three Occlutech® Figulla® Septal Occluders: a unique report. JAC imaging journal, 2018, submitted.
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20. Refaat M, Zakka P, Charafeddine F, Bulbul Z, Bitar F, Arabi, M. Arrhythmias in Neonates and Infants in a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon. The Journal of cardiovascular surgery 2018 June; 59 (Suppl 1).
21. Kamar A, Fahed AC, Shibbani K, El-Hachem N, Bou-Slaiman S, Arabi M, Kurban M, Seidman JG, Seidman CE, Haidar R, Baydoun E, Nemer G, Bitar F. A Novel Role for CSRP1 in a Lebanese Family with Congenital Cardiac Defects. Front Genet. 2017 Dec 18;8:217. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2017.00217.
22. Kurban M, Zeineddine SB, Hamie L, Safi R, Abbas O, Kibbi AG, Bitar F, Nemer G. FOXI2: a possible gene contributing to ectodermal dysplasia. Eur J Dermatol. 2017 Dec 1;27(6):641-645. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2017.3130.
23. Khalil A, Al-Haddad C, Hariri H, Shibbani K, Bitar F, Kurban M, Nemer G, Arabi M. A Novel Mutation in FOXC1 in a Lebanese Family with Congenital Heart Disease and Anterior Segment Dysgenesis: Potential Roles for NFATC1 and DPT in the Phenotypic Variations. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2017 Sep 20;4:58. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2017.00058. eCollection .
24. Bardawil T, Rebeiz A, Chaabouni M, El Halabi J, Kambris Z, Abbas O, Hassan OA, Hamie L, Bitar F, Kibbi AG, Nemer G, Kurban M. Mutations in the ABCG8 gene are associated with sitosterolaemia in the homozygous form and xanthelasmas in the heterozygous form. Eur J Dermatol. 2017 Jul 25. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2017.3087.
25. Fahed AC, Shibbani K, Andary RR, Arabi MT, Habib RH, Nguyen DD, Haddad FF, Moubarak E, Nemer G, Azar ST, Bitar FF. Premature Valvular Heart Disease in Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Cholesterol. 2017:3685265. doi: 10.1155/2017/3685265
26. Khalil A, Tanos R, El-Hachem N, Kurban M, Bouvagnet P, Bitar F, Nemer G. A HAND to TBX5 Explains the Link Between Thalidomide and Cardiac Diseases. Sci Rep. 2017 May 3;7(1):1416. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-01641-3.
27. Kadara H, Nemer G, Safi R, Rebeiz N, Daou L, Delbani D, Btadini W, Abbas O, Tofaili M, Bitar F, Kibbi AG. Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP), a Clinical and Molecular Study from Lebanon: Ferrochelatase a Potential Tumor Suppressor Gene in Colon Cancer. Clin Genet. 2017 Jan 11. doi: 10.1111/cge.12968.
28. Refaat M, Hassanieh S, Zakka P, Hotait M, Ballout J, Bitar F, Arabi M, Arnaout MS, Skouri H, Abchee A, Ismaeel H, Abi-Saleh B, Khoury M, Nemer G. Targeted and Exome Sequencing of 27 Lebanese patients with cardiomyopathies: Novel variants in known genes, and potential novel genes. Abs, Volume 69, Issue 11; JACC March, 2017.
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29. RF Hamade, MK Elham, I El Rassi, L Atweh, Z Bulbul, Bitar F. Printing 3D Heart Models From CT Scans Using Materialize: A Congenital Heart Disease Program at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Abs, Volume 3: Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering; IMECE2017-71522, 2017, pp. V003T04A010; doi:10.1115/IMECE2017-71522.
30. Bitar F, Najjar T, Hayashi R, Nemer G, Shigehara Y, Hamie L, Abbas O, Kibbi AG, Shimomura Y, Kurban M. A novel heterozygous mutation in desmoplakin gene in a Lebanese patient with Carvajal syndrome and tooth agenesis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2016 Dec 1;30(12).
31. Bardawil T, Khalil S, Bergqvist C, Abbas O, Kibbi AG, Bitar F, Nemer G, Kurban M. Genetics of inherited cardiocutaneous syndromes: a review. Open heart. 2016 Nov 1;3(2):e000442.
32. Shigehara Y, Okuda S, Nemer G, Chedraoui A, Hayashi R, Bitar F, Nakai H, Abbas O, Daou L, Abe R, Sleiman MB. Mutations in SDR9C7 gene encoding an enzyme for vitamin A metabolism underlie autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis. Human molecular genetics. 2016 Oct 15;25(20):4484-93.
33. Refaat MM, Fahed AC, Hassanieh S, Hotait M, Arabi M, Skouri H, Seidman JG, Seidman CE, Bitar FF, Nemer G. The Muscle-Bound Heart. Cardiac electrophysiology clinics. 2016 Mar 31;8(1):223-31.
34. Fahed AC, Khalaf R, Salloum R, Andary RR, Safa R, El‐Rassy I, Moubarak E, Azar ST, Bitar FF, Nemer G. Variable expressivity and co‐occurrence of LDLR and LDLRAP1 mutations in familial hypercholesterolemia: failure of the dominant and recessive dichotomy. Molecular genetics & genomic medicine. 2016 May 1;4(3):283-91.
35. Kassab K, Hariri H, Gharibeh L, Fahed AC, Zein M, El‐Rassy I, Nemer M, El‐Rassi I, Bitar F, Nemer G. GATA5 mutation homozygosity linked to a double outlet right ventricle phenotype in a Lebanese patient. Molecular genetics & genomic medicine. 2016 Mar 1;4(2):160-71.
36. Abi-Saleh B, Refaat MM, Bitar FF, Khoury M, Arabi M. Incessant Long RP Tachycardia. Cardiac electrophysiology clinics. 2016 Mar 1;8(1):71-4.
37. El-Rassi I, Charafedine F, Majdalani M, Arabi M, Khater D, Bitar F. Surgical repair of partial atrioventricular defect. Multimedia manual of cardiothoracic surgery; 2015, MMCTS.pii: mmv037. doi: 10.1093/mmcts/mmv037.
38. El-Rassi I, Charafeddine F, Tabbakh A, Aboutaka M, Khater D, Arabi M, Bitar F. Surgical repair of complete atrioventricular defect. 2015 (Nunn technique). Multimed Man Cardiothorac Surg. 2015 Oct 6;2015. pii: mmv023. doi: 10.1093/mmcts/mmv023.
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39. Masri S, El Rassi I, Arabi M, Tabbakh A, Bitar F. Percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus in children using Amplatzer Duct Occluder II: relationship between PDA type and risk of device protrusion into the descending aorta. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2015 Aug;86(2):E66-72. doi: 10.1002/ccd.25940.
40. Gharibeh L, El-Rassy I, Soubra A, Safa R, Fahed A, Tanos R, Arabi M, Kambris Z, Bitar F, Nemer G. A novel nonsense mutation in NPHS1: is aortic stenosis associated with congenital nephropathy?. Journal of genetics. 2015 Jun 1;94(2):309-12. 41. Hassan OK, Fahed AC, Batrawi M, Arabi M, Refaat MM, DePalma SR, Seidman JG, Seidman CE, Bitar FF, Nemer GM. NKX2-5 mutations in an inbred consanguineous population: genetic and phenotypic diversity. Sci Rep. 2015 Mar 6;5:8848. doi: 10.1038/srep08848.
42. Fahed A, Nemer G, Bitar F, Arnaout S, Abchee A, Ware J, Batrawi M, DePalma S, McDonough B, Arabi M, Seidman J, Seidman C. The R21C Mutations in Troponin I has a founder effect in South Lebanon and causes malignant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Abs. Journal of the American College of Cardiology; 2015; 65(10):A958. DOI:10.1016/S0735- 1097(15)60958-5.
43. Masri SI, Majdalani MN, Bitar FF. Novel percutaneous femoral arterial-transthoracic approach for closure of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm with a septal occluder device in a child. Cardiology in the Young. 2014 Aug;24(4):752-5.
44. Fahed AC, Habib RH, Nemer GM, Azar ST, Andary RR, Arabi MT, Moubarak EM, Bitar FF, Haddad FF. Low-density lipoprotein levels and not mutation status predict intima-media thickness in familial hypercholesterolemia. Annals of vascular surgery. 2014 Feb 28;28(2):421-6.
45. Charafeddine L, Arabi M, Alameldine K., Khatib M, El Halees, Bitar F. Noninvasive inhaled Nitric oxide in Right Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Following Arterial Switch Procedure: A case report and literature review. World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery. 2014, 23;5(3):460-462.
46. Shibbani K, Fahed AC, Al‐Shaar L, Arabi M, Nemer G, Bitar F, Majdalani M. Primary carnitine deficiency: novel mutations and insights into the cardiac phenotype. Clinical genetics. 2014 Feb 1;85(2):127-37.
47. Ahmad R, Keyrouz S, Arabi M, Bitar F, Al Jaroudi W, Abboud M. Lack of Cardiac Iron in SCD Patients Despite Severe Iron Overload. Abs, Blood 2014 124:4943.
48. Hariri, H, Farhat T, Khalaf R, Fahed A, Al-Haddad C, Arabi M, Bitar F, Nemer G. A novel role for NFATC1 in patients with both congenital heart disease and glaucoma. Abs, Cardiovascular Research. 2014, Vol. 103 Issue suppl-1, pS102-S102. 1p, 2014.
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49. Kassab, K, Hariri H, Fahed A, El-Rassi I, Bitar F, Nemer G. GATA5: a key player in congenital heart diseases. Abs, Cardiovascular Research. 2014; Vol. 103 Issue suppl-1, pS59-S60.
50. Masri SI, Bitar FF, Arabi MT, Majdalani MN, Obeid MY, Al Halees ZY, Diab KA. Rupture of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm with Aorto-Biventricular Fistulas and Right- Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction: A Unique Association. Pediatric Cardiology. 2013 Dec 1;34(8):2034-6. 51. Azzam R, Hariri F, El-Hachem N, Kamar A, Dbaibo G, Nemer G, Bitar F. Regulation of de novo ceramide synthesis: the role of dihydroceramide desaturase and transcriptional factors NFATC and Hand2 in the hypoxic mouse heart. DNA and cell biology. 2013 Jun 1;32(6):310-9.
52. Sharif‐Yakan A, Arabi M, Musharrafieh UM, Bitar FF, Saab R, Abboud MR, Muwakkit S. Complete heart block in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: teicoplanin as a possible cause and review of literature. Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics. 2013 Apr 1;38(2):156-8.
53. Farhat T, Abdul-Sater Z, Obeid M, Arabi M, Diab K, Masri S, Al Haless Z, Nemer G, Bitar F. Research in congenital heart disease: a comparative bibliometric analysis between developing and developed countries. Pediatric cardiology. 2013 Feb 1;34(2):375-82.
54. Fahed AC, Bitar FF, Khalaf RI, Moubarak EM, Azar ST, Nemer GM. The Lebanese allele at the LDLR in normocholesterolemic people merits reconsideration of genotype phenotype correlations in familial hypercholesterolemia. Endocrine. 2012 Oct 1;42(2):445-8.
55. Abdul-Sater Z, Yehya A, Beresian J, Salem E, Kamar A, Baydoun S, Shibbani K, Soubra A, Bitar F, Nemer G. Two heterozygous mutations in NFATC1 in a patient with Tricuspid Atresia. PloS one. 2012 Nov 30;7(11):e49532.
56. Fahed AC, Bitar FF, Khalaf RI, Moubarak EM, Azar ST, Nemer GM. The Lebanese allele at the LDLR in normocholesterolemic people merits reconsideration of genotype phenotype correlations in familial hypercholesterolemia. Endocrine. 2012 Oct 1;42(2):445-8.
57. Masri S, Bitar FF, Diab K. Beirut International Congress of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Briefing - October 18 th-20 th, 2012. Article. Congenital Cardiology Today. 2013, 11(1):10-11.
58. Feltes TF, Sondheimer HM, Tulloh RM, Harris BS, Jensen KM, Losonsky GA, Griffin MP; Bitar FF among Motavizumab Cardiac Study Group. A randomized controlled trial of motavizumab versus palivizumab for the prophylaxis of serious respiratory syncytial virus disease in children with hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease. Pediatric Research. 2011 Aug 1;70(2):186-91.
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59. Abdennour R, Arabi M, Nietert P, Keyrouz S, Khoury R, Saab R, Muwakkit S, El Abiad J, El Majzoub N, Dabbous I, Bitar F, Abboud M. Elevated Tricuspid Regurgitant Jet Velocity In Lebanese Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Is Associated With Severe Disease and Is Clustered In Families. Abs, 2013, Blood, 122:4684.
60. Arabi M, Majdalani M, Atoui El Hajj M, Nemer G, Sawaya F, Obeid M, Bitar F. The Status of Pediatric Cardiology at a Tertiary Center in Lebanon. Lebanese Medical Journal. 2011 Jul;59(3):136-42.
61. Sawaya F, Souki R, Arabi M, Majdalani M, Obeid M, Bitar FF, Nemer G. Absence of GJA1 gene mutations in 4 patients with anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). Lebanese Medical Journal. 2011 Jul;59(3):149-53.
62. Fahed AC, Safa RM, Haddad FF, Bitar FF, Andary RR, Arabi MT, Azar ST, Nemer G. Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in Lebanon: a genotype/phenotype correlation. Molecular genetics and metabolism. 2011 Feb 28;102(2):181-8.
63. Dahoui HA, Hayek MN, Nietert PJ, Arabi MT, Muwakkit SA, Saab RH, Bissar AN, Jumaa NM, Farhat FS, Dabbous IA, Bitar FF. Pulmonary hypertension in children and young adults with sickle cell disease: evidence for familial clustering. Pediatric blood & cancer. 2010 Mar 1;54(3):398-402.
64. Chaiban JT, Bitar FF, Azar ST. Effect of chronic hypoxia on leptin, insulin, adiponectin, and ghrelin. Metabolism. 2008 Aug 31;57(8):1019-22.
65. Noureddine L, Azzam R, Nemer G, Bielawski J, Nasser M, Bitar F, Dbaibo GS. Modulation of total ceramide and constituent ceramide species in the acutely and chronically hypoxic mouse heart at different ages. Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators. 2008 Jun 30;86(1):49-55. 66. Hayek M, Dahoui H, Bitar FF, Muwakkit S, Dabbous I, Arabi M, Nietert P, Abboud M. Pulmonary hypertension in Children and Young Adults with sickle cell disease: lack of response to Hydroxyurea and evidence for familial clustering. Abs, 2008; Haematoloogia – The Hematology Journal, Volume 93; 255-255.
67. El-Rassy I, Bou-Abdallah J, Al-Ghadban S, Bitar F, Nemer G. Absence of NOTCH2 and Hey2 mutations in a familial Alagille syndrome case with a novel frameshift mutation in JAG1. American journal of medical genetics. Part A. 2008 Apr 1;146(7):937.
68. Yamak AA, Bitar F, Karam P, Nemer G. Exclusive cardiac dysfunction in familial primary carnitine deficiency cases: a genotype–phenotype correlation. Clinical genetics. 2007 Jul 1;72(1):59-62.
69. Arabi M, Majdalani M, Nemer G, Bitar FF. Molecular markers of congenital heart disease. Congenit Cardiol Today. 2007;5:1.
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70. Yehya A, Nemer G, Bitar FF. Screening Nuclear Factor of Activated T-Cells Gene in Lebanese Patients with Valvular Congenital Heart Diseases. Abs, 2007; Circ. Res., Vol, 101, issue, 5, 71.
71. Yehya A, Souki R, Bitar F, Nemer G. Differential duplication of an intronic region in the NFATC1 gene in patients with congenital heart disease. Genome. 2006 Sep;49(9):1092-8.
72. Husari AW, Dbaibo GS, Bitar H, Khayat A, Panjarian S, Nasser M, Bitar FF, El-Sabban M, Zaatari G, Mroueh SM. Apoptosis and the activity of ceramide, Bax and Bcl-2 in the lungs of neonatal rats exposed to limited and prolonged hyperoxia. Respiratory research. 2006 Jul 26;7(1):100. 73. Yunis K, Mumtaz G, Bitar F, Chamseddine F, Kassar M, Rashkidi J, Makhoul G, Tamim H. Consanguineous marriage and congenital heart defects: A case‐control study in the neonatal period. American journal of medical genetics Part A. 2006 Jul 15;140(14):1524- 30.
74. Nemer G, Fadlalah F, Usta J, Nemer M, Dbaibo G, Obeid M, Bitar F. A novel mutation in the GATA4 gene in patients with Tetralogy of Fallot. Human mutation. 2006 Mar 1;27(3):293-4.
75. El Alwani M, Usta J, Nemer G, El Sabban M, Nasser M, Bitar H, Souki R, Dbaibo GS, Bitar FF. Regulation of the sphingolipid signaling pathways in the growing and hypoxic rat heart. Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators. 2005 Dec 31;78(1):249-63.
76. Mikati MA, Zeinieh MP, Kurdi RM, Harb SA, El Hokayem JA, Daderian RH, Shamseddine A, Obeid M, Bitar FF, El Sabban M. Long-term effects of acute and of chronic hypoxia on behavior and on hippocampal histology in the developing brain. Developmental brain research. 2005 Jun 9; 157(1):98-102.
77. Mansour AM, Bitar FF, Traboulsi EI, Kassak KM, Obeid MY, Megarbane A, Salti HI. Ocular pathology in congenital heart disease. Eye. 2005 Jan 1;19(1):29.
78. Zahed L, Oreibi G, El‐Amine H, Obeid M, Bitar FF. A new patient with pure trisomy 4p resulting from isochromosome formation and whole arm translocation. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A. 2004 Jul 1;128(1):60-2.
79. Hannoush H, Tamim H, Younes H, Arnaout S, Gharzeddine W, Dakik H, Obeid M, Bitar FF. Patterns of congenital heart disease in unoperated adults: A 20‐year experience in a developing country. Clinical cardiology. 2004 Apr 1;27(4):236-40.
80. Mansour, A. M., Bitar F., Traboulsi, E., Kassak, K., Obeid, M., Megarbane, A., Salti, H. Reply to Bianca et al. Eye. 2005. 19(12), 1341.
81. Zeinieh M, Kurdi R, Harb S, El Hokayem J, Daderian R, Obeid M, Bitar FF, Mikati M. The effects of acute hypoxia seizures on the long-term consequences of chronic hypoxia. Abs. 2005, Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology. 22 (5):370.
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82. Mansour A, Bitar FF, Traboulsi E, Kassak K, Obeid M, Megarbane A, Salti HI . Patients with Congenital Heart Disease face higher risk of vision. American Academy Express. 2005, vol. 4(3).
83. Khatib O, Bitar FF. Guidelines on rheumatic fever prevention and care for the Eastern Mediterranean Regional countries organized by WHO: a review. Article. Congenital Cardiology Today. 2005, 3(8):4-7.
84. Wissal EA, Kozhaya L, Araysi S, Panjarian S, Bitar FF, Elizabeth BA, El-Sabban ME, Dbaibo GS. Ceramide and glutathione define two independently regulated pathways of cell death initiated by p53 in Molt-4 leukaemia cells. Biochemical Journal. 2003 Dec 15;376(3):725-32.
85. Bitar FF, Obeid M, Dabbous I, Hayek P, Akel S, Mroueh S. Acute respiratory distress associated with external jugular vein catheterization in the newborn. Pediatric pulmonology. 2003 Dec 1;36(6):549-50.
86. Bitar FF, Mroueh S, El Khatib M, Bitar H, Tarrabain M, El Sabban M, Obeid M, Nasser M, Dbaibo GS. Tissue-specific ceramide response in the chronically hypoxic rat model mimicking cyanotic heart disease. Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators. 2003 Nov 30;72(3):155-63.
87. Nabulsi MM, Tamim H, Sabbagh M, Obeid MY, Yunis KA, Bitar FF. Parental consanguinity and congenital heart malformations in a developing country. American journal of medical genetics Part A. 2003 Feb 1;116(4):342-7.
88. Zayour D, Azar ST, Azar N, Nasser M, Obeid M, Mroueh S, Dbaibo GS, Bitar FF. Endocrine changes in a rat model of chronic hypoxia mimicking cyanotic heart disease. Endocrine research. 2003 Jan 1;29(2):191-200.
89. Azar N, Nasser M, El Sabban M, Bitar H, Obeid M, Dbaibo GS, Bitar FF. Cardiac growth patterns in response to chronic hypoxia in a neonatal rat model mimicking cyanotic heart disease. Experimental & Clinical Cardiology. 2003;8(4):189.
90. Souki R, Al Koutoubi A, Arnaout S, Obeid M, Bitar FF. Bilateral percutaneous stent implantation in the pulmonary vasculature: a modality now available in Lebanon. Le Journal medical libanais. The Lebanese medical journal. 2003;51(4):231-3.
91. Bitar FF, Sabbagh M, Obeid M. The Status of Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon. Lebanese Journal of Medical Sciences. 2003, 10:4-9.
92. Shalak L, Kaddoura I, Obeid M, Hashem H, Haidar R, Bitar FF. Complete cleft sternum and congenital heart disease: review of the literature. Pediatrics international. 2002 Jun 1;44(3):314-6.
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93. Gharzuddine WS, Kazma HK, Nuwayhid IA, Bitar FF, Koussa SF, Moukarbel GV, Taher AT. Doppler characterization of left ventricular diastolic function in β-thalassaemia major. Evidence for an early stage of impaired relaxation. European Journal of Echocardiography. 2002 Mar 1;3(1):47-51.
94. Bitar FF, Bitar H, El Sabban M, Nasser M, Yunis KA, Tawil A, Dbaibo GS. Modulation of ceramide content and lack of apoptosis in the chronically hypoxic neonatal rat heart. Pediatric research. 2002 Feb 1;51(2):144-9.
95. Bitar F. Ductus arteriosus closure in a child receiving chemotherapy: Role of non‐steroid anti‐inflammatory medications. Med Pediatr Oncol. 2002 Feb;38(2):151
96. Bitar FF, Sabban ME, Bitar H, Diab K, Mroueh S, Nasser M, Mikati M, Dbaibo GS. Lack of apoptosis in the hypoxic brain of a rat model mimicking cyanotic heart disease. Brain injury. 2002 Jan 1;16(10):891-900.
97. El Hassan N, Dbaibo G, Diab K, Musallam S, Haidar R, Obeid M, Bitar F. Pseudomonas pericarditis in an immunocompetent newborn: unusual presentation with review of the literature. Journal of Infection. 2002 Jan 1;44(1):49-51.
98. Mikati M, Bitar FF, Koubeissi M, Kurdi R. Harik L. Effects of acute and chronic hypoxia on the developing brain. Abs. Acta Paediatrica Espanola, 2002; Vol 60, No 8, pp 472.
99. Diab KA, Richani R, Al Kutoubi A, Mikati M, Dbaibo GS, Bitar FF. Cerebral mycotic aneurysm in a child with Down's syndrome: a unique association. Journal of child neurology. 2001 Nov;16(11):868-70.
100. Diab KA, Timani MA, Bitar FF. Treatment of rheumatic carditis with intravenous gammaglobulin: is there a beneficial effect?. Cardiology in the Young. 2001 Sep;11(5):565- 7.
101. Bitar FF, Dbaibo GS. Apoptosis: regulating death for a better life. Middle East journal of anaesthesiology. 2001 Feb;16(1):7.
102. Bitar FF, Diab KA, Sabbagh M, Siblini G, Obeid M. Cardiac disease in children in Lebanon: the AUB-MC Children's Cardiac Registry experience. J Med Liban. 2001 Nov- Dec;49(6):304-10.
103. Bitar FF. Endocarditis infecciosa Pediatrica. Experiencia de 19 anos en un hospital terciario de un Pais en Desarrollo. A review. 2001; Medical Expert of SIIC on the Siicsalud internet, Salud Ciencia and Trabojos Distinguidos.
104. Hamdan AL, Mroueh SM, Bitar FF, Farhat FT. Foreign body retrieval in children with respiratory symptoms and no history of aspiration. Middle East journal of anaesthesiology. 2000 Oct;15(6):673-80.
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105. Jawdeh LA, Haidar R, Bitar F, Mroueh S, Akel S, Nuwayri-Salti N, Dbaibo GS. Aspergillus vertebral osteomyelitis in a child with a primary monocyte killing defect: response to GM-CSF therapy. Journal of Infection. 2000 Jul 31;41(1):97-100.
106. Bitar FF. Pediatric interventional cardiology: A specialty comes of age. Journal officiel de la Société libanaise de cardiologie (Editorial). 2000. 9 (109):1-2.
107. Bitar FF, Jawdi RA, Dbaibo GS, Yunis KA, Gharzeddine W, Obeid M. Paediatric infective endocarditis: 19-year experience at a tertiary care hospital in a developing country. Acta paediatrica. 2000 Apr;89(4):427-30.
108. Bitar FF, Hayek P, Obeid M, Gharzeddine W, Mikati M, Dbaibo GS. Rheumatic fever in children: a 15-year experience in a developing country. Pediatric cardiology. 2000 Mar 24;21(2):119-22.
109. Yunis KA, Bitar FF, Hayek P, Mroueh SM, Mikati M. Transient hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the newborn following multiple doses of antenatal corticosteroids. American journal of perinatology. 1999;16(01):17-21.
110. Bitar FF, Baltaji N, Dbaibo G, Abed EJ, Yunis KA, Obeid M. Congenital heart disease at a tertiary care center in Lebanon. Middle East journal of anaesthesiology. 1999 Jun;15(2):159-64.
111. Bitar FF, Kveselis DA, Smith FC, Byrum CJ, Quaegebeur JM. Double-outlet right ventricle (tetralogy of fallot type) associated with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right pulmonary artery: report of successful total repair in a 2-month-old infant. Pediatric cardiology. 1998 Jul 24;19(4):361-2.
112. Bitar FF, Shbaro R, Mroueh S, Yunis K, Obeid M. Dextrocardia and corrected transposition of the great arteries (I, D, D) in a case of kartagener's syndrome: A unique association. Clinical cardiology. 1998 Apr 1;21(4):298-9.
113. Bitar FF, El‐Zein C, Tawil A, Gharzuddine W, Obeid M. Intrapericardial teratoma in an adult: a rare presentation. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 1998 Apr 1;30(4):249-51.
114. Yunis KA, Tarif S, Haidar R, Berjawi G, Haddad M, Noureddine B, Bitar FF, Seoud M, Der Kaloustian V. A new Syndrome with skeletal, renal, and Skin Anomalies, Reminiscent of, but Distinct from, Hallerman -Strieff Syndrome. Abs; 1998; Pediatric Research. 43 (4), Part 2, 386.
115. Bitar FF, Orm SA, Dbaibo GS, Obeid M, Muwakkit S. Disappearance of patent ductus arteriosus in a child with leukemia receiving chemotherapy. Pediatric Blood & Cancer. 1998 Dec 1;31(6):558-.
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116. Atiyeh B, A. Hashim H, T. Rubeiz M, M. Hamdan A, Bitar FF, M. Serhal H. Necrotising Infection of the Orofacial Tissues in Neonates (Noma Neonatorum): Case report. Scandinavian journal of plastic and reconstructive surgery and hand surgery. 1998 Jan 1;32(3):343-6.
117. Bitar FF, Byrum CJ, Kveselis DA, Lawrence DA, Smith FC. In utero management of hydrops fetalis caused by critical aortic stenosis. American journal of perinatology. 1997 Aug;14(07):389-91.
118. Khalid A Yunis, Salman M Mroueh, Rima Rashid, Ghina Ghaziri, Najwa Cortas, Zouhair Habbal, Ihab Usta, Bitar FF and Mohammad Mikati. Early C-Reactive Protein (CRP) as Predictor of Neonatal Morbidity.Abs; 1997;Pediatric Research (41, 189–189; doi: 10.1203/00006450-199704001-01137.
119. Bitar FF, Obeid M, Khogali M, Mikati M, Sabbagh M. The Children’s Cardiac Registry Center (CCRC) – The American University of Beirut - Medical Center Experience. Published through the Lebanese National Council for Research and Development 1999; 1:1-35.
120. Bitar FF, Feldbaum DM, Kohman LJ, Litovsky S, Veit LJ. Effect of early versus delayed hypoxic environment on neonatal rabbits. Journal of Surgical Research. 1994 Aug 1;57(2):264-7.
121. Bitar FF, Smith FC, Kavey RE, Kveselis DA, Byrum CJ, Brandt B, Gaum WE. Aortico- left ventricular tunnel with aortic atresia in the newborn. American heart journal. 1993 Dec 1;126(6):1480-2.
Posters/ Presentations:
1. Kamar A, Shibbani K, Fahed A, Khalil A, Baydoun E, Bitar F, Nemer G. A Novel Role for CSRP1 in a Lebanese Family with Both Cardiac Congenital Defects and Polydactyly. European Society of Cardiology Working Group For Development, Anatomy And Pathology. Oral presentation. Newcastle Cardiovascular Development meeting, 2017.
2. Musaev, Krupickova S, Martins J, Baho H, Musaev A , Pinto F, Paoli F, Bitar F, Uebing A, Uemura H, Hascoet S , Acar P, Ghez O. Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation in small right ventricle to pulmonary arteries conduits is safe and effective. Oral presentation, Abstract, Melody TPV Summit, London, September, 2016.
3. Kamar A, Shibbani K, Baydoun E, Nemer G, and Bitar F. The role of CSRP1 in cardiac development and congenital heart disease. LAAS Meeting, USEK, April 2016
4. Khalil A, Tanos R, El-Hachem N, Kurban M, Bouvagent P, Bitar F, Nemer G. A HAND to TBX5 Explains the Link Between Thalidomide and Cardiac Diseases. EMBO conference, Heidelberg, Germany, Nov 2016.
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5. Khalil I, Kurban M, Koubeisy F, Bitar F, Nemer G. TBX5: The Missing Culprit Gene in Thalidomide Toxicity. Oral presentation at the European Society for Cardiology working group meeting on Development-Anatomy-Embryology, Amsterdam November, 2015.
6. Shibbani K, Fahed A, Kamar A, El-Rassy I, Hariri H, Seidman J, Bitar F, Seidman C, Nemer G. A novel role for CSRP-1 in congenital heart diseases. Abstract. Weinstein Meeting, Madrid, May 2014.
7. Abou Hassan O, Batrawi M, Fahed A, Arabi M, Diab K, Refaat M, Nemer G, Bitar F. Novel mutations in cardiac gene NKX2-5 in Lebanese families: A window to refine disease penetrance and phenotype- genotype correlations. 7 th Annual Research Day, Beirut, Lebanon, April, 2013. Oral presentation. (Winner of Alpha Omega Alpha Award).
8. Khalaf R, Fahed A, Bitar F, Salloum R, Azar S, Haddad F, Nemer G. Phenotyping ARH mutation in Lebanese families. Abstract. 7 th Annual Research Day, Beirut, Lebanon, April, 2013.
9. Hariri H, Abed AL Sater Z, Fahed A, Arabi M, Bitar F, Nemer G. Identification of a novel mutation in the NFATC1 gene in patients with both Congenital Heart Disease and glaucoma. 7th Annual Research Day, Beirut, Lebanon, April, 2013. Poster presentation. (Winner the best poster presentation award).
10. Shibbani K, Fahed A, Al Shaar L, Arabi M, Nemer G, Bitar F, Majdalani M. Primary Carnitine deficiency: Novel mutations and insights into the cardiac phenotype. Poster presentation. 7 th Annual Research Day, Beirut, Lebanon, April, 2013.
11. Shibbani K, Soubra A, Tanos R, Majdalani M, Bitar FF, Nemer G. Multiple Novel Mutations in Cardiac Genes Cause Congenital Heart Diseases. Poster presentation. The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress, October, 18-20, 2012, Beirut, Lebanon.
12. Nemer G , Fahed A, Salloum R, Bitar F, Haddad F, Azar S. Identifying the Genetic Gaps in Familial Hypercholesterolemia. Poster presentation. The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress, October, 18-20, 2012, Beirut, Lebanon.
13. Shibbani K, Nemer G, Arabi M, Bitar F. Novel Mutations in the OCTN2 Gene Cause Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Lebanese Patients. Poster presentation. The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress, October, 18-20, 2012, Beirut, Lebanon.
14. Nemer G, Ossama Abou Hassan, Fahed A, Masri S, Batrawi M, Diab K, Bitar F. Two novel frame-shift mutations in the NKX2.5 gene causing a consistent phenotype of septal defect. Poster presentation. The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress, October,18-20, 2012, Beirut, Lebanon.
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15. Nemer G, Hariri F, Arabi M, Bitar F. Identification of a Novel Mutation in the NFATC1 Gene in Patients with both Congenital Heart Diseases and Glaucoma. Abstract. The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress, October, 18-20, 2012, Beirut, Lebanon.
16. Abi-Saleh B, Refaat M, Bitar F, Khoury M, Arabi M. Incessant Left Atrial Appendage Tachycardia . Poster presentation. The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress, October, 18-20, 2012, Beirut, Lebanon.
17. Masri S, Majdalani M, Obeid M, Arabi M, Diab K, AL Halees Z, Bitar F. Rupture of Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm with Aorto-Biventricular Fistulas and RVOT Obstruction: A Unique Association. Poster presentation. The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress, October, 18-20, 2012, Beirut, Lebanon.
18. Masri S, Majdalani M, Chehade C, Obeid M, Arabi M, Al-Kutoubi A, Bitar F. Novel use of a combined percutaneous -transthoracic closure technique of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm with a septal occluder device in a child. Poster presentation. The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress, October, 18-20, 2012, Beirut, Lebanon.
19. Nemer G, Bitar F. Building a Research Program in the field of Pediatric Cardiology in the Arab World- the AUBMC experience. Abstract. The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress, October, 18-20, 2012, Beirut, Lebanon.
20. Fahed AC, Shibbani K, Tanos RC, El-Rassy IG, Bitar FF, Seidman JG, Seidman CE , Nemer GM. Abstract. Identification of Novel Mutations in a Large Family with Different Forms of Congenital Heart Disease at the Weinstein Conference for Congenital Heart Disease in Chicago, 2012.
21. Fahed AC, Nemer G, Bitar FF, Seidman JG, and Seidman CE. Identification of Mutations in Families with Congenital Heart Disease. Poster presentation, ASCI/AAP, Chicago, April, 2012.
22. Fahed AC , Nemer G, Bitar FF, Safa RM , Zhu M, Seidman JG, Seidman CE. A Novel Role for Tbx5 in Coarctation of the Aorta. Abstract. Harvard Postdoc Research Day, Boston, September, 2011.
23. Tanos R, Hariri F, El-Hachem N, AbdulSater Z, Othman A, Bitar F, Nemer G. Hand2: A novle player in congenital heart diseases. Oral presentation. ESC WG Development, Anatomy, Pathology Meeting, Liblice, Czech Republic, September, 2011.
24. AbdulSater Z, Tanos R, Yehya A, Hariri F, El-Hachem N, Yerestian j, Salem E, Bitar F, Nemer G. Combinatorial interation between NFATc1 and Hand2 in congenital heart disease. Abstract. Weinstein Cardiovascular Development Meeting, Cincinnati, USA, May, 2011.
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25. Osman A., Tanos R., Fardon M.,Kassab K., Bitar F., Nemer G. bHLH Proteins and Transcriptional Regulation of Cardiac Genes. Oral presentation. Presented at the LeMSIC Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, April, 2011.
26. El-Hachem N., Fahed A., Bitar F., Nemer G. Genome-wide SNP genotyping. Why should we care? A critical case study on a family presenting with an AV canal defect. Oral presentation. Presented at the LeMSIC Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, April, 2011.
27. Daou N., Fahed A., Safa R., Bitar F., Nemer G. A Novel Role for Tbx5 in Coarctation of the Aorta. Abstract. Presented at the LeMSIC Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, April, 2011.
28. Kamar A, Azzam R, Hariri F, El-Hachem N, Dbaibo G, Nemer G and Bitar F. The Combinatorial Interaction between NFATc1 and HAND2 Regulates the Gene Expression of Cardiac Degenerate Spermatocyte Homolog1 (DEGS1). Oral presentation. Presented at the LeMSIC Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, April, 2011.
29. Farhat T, Abdulsater Z, Bitar F and Nemer G. NFATc1 and its partners are essential for valve formation in the heart. Abstract. Presented at the LeMSIC Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, April, 2011.
30. Shibbani K, Soubra A., Nemer G., Bitar F. A Highway to Valvulogenesis. Abstract. Presented at the LeMSIC Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, April, 2011 31. Abdulsater Z, Yehya A, Yerestian J, Salem E, Bitar FF, Nemer G. Characterization of Novel Mutations in the NFATc1 Gene. Oral presentation. Presented at the Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, May, 2010.
32. Fahed AC, Safa R, Bitar FF, Andary RR, Haddad F, Azar S , Nemer G. Genetics of familial Hypercholesterolemia in Lebanon: A Genotype Phenotype Correlation. Oral presentation. Presented at the Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, May, 2010.(Winner of Alpha Omega Alpha Award).
33. Fardon M, Majdalani M, Bitar FF, Nemer G. Role of the Gene Encoding the b-HLH Transcription Factor HEY2 in patients with Ventricular Septal Defects. Poster presentation at the Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, May, 2010.
34. Shibani K, Soubra A, Bitar FF, Nemer G. Screening for Mutations in the NFATc1 Gene in patients with Valve Malformation. Characterization of Novel Mutations in the NFATc1 Gene. Poster presentation at the Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, May, 2010.
35. Safa R, Arabi M, Bitar FF, Nemer G. Discovery of Genetic causes for Human Congenital Malformations. Poster presentation at the Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, May, 2010.
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36. Nemer G. and Bitar FF. Recent Advances in the Management of Congenital Heart Disease in a Developing Country. Poster presentation at the annual DHFMR meeting, Dubai, November, 2009.
37. Zhu M, Greenway SC, Nemer G, Bitar FF, DS Herman, Seidman CE. Genomic Analyses Identify New Loci and Genes in Isolated Sporadic Tetralogy of Fallot. Poster presentation in regard to the DHFMR meeting, Boston, November, 2009.
38. Fardon M, Khatib I, Bitar FF, Nemr G. T-Box genes in Congenital Heart Disease. Oral presentation at the Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, April, 2009.
39. Azzam R, Hariri F, Nemer G, Dbaibo G, Bitar FF. Regulation of de novo ceramide synthesis: the role of dehydroceramide desaturase and transcriptional factors NFAT and dHand in the acutely and chronically hypoxic mouse heart at different ages. Hypoxia and Consequences: from Molecule to Malady, Abstract. The New York Academy of Sciences, New York, USA, March, 2009.
40. Hayek M, Dahoui H, Bitar FF, Muwakkit S, Dabbous I, Arabi M, Nietert P, Abboud M. Pulmonary hypertension in Children and Young Adults with sickle cell disease: lack of response to Hydroxyurea and evidence for familial clustering. Presentation at the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Meeting, at Duke Energy Center, Cincinnati, May 14-17, 2008.
41. Bitar FF, G Nemer. Congenital Heart Disease: From the Clinic to Basic Research. Oral presentation at the Second Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, April, 2008.
42. Azzam R, Dbaibo G, Nemr G , Bitar FF. Ceramide at Heart. Oral presentation at the Second Annual Research Day Meeting, American University of Beirut, Beirut, April, 2008.
43. Al Shaar L, El Rassi I, Tanos R, Bitar FF, Nemer G. Role of GATA-4 in liver injury and regeneration. Abstract. EMBO Workshop on the role and control of GATA factors in tissue development and disease, 14-17 April 2007, Capri, Italy.
44. Fadlallah F, Bitar FF, Obeid M, Usta J, Nemer G. The role of GATA-4, FOG 2 interaction in a group of Lebanese patients with congenital heart Disease: A novel finding. Poster presentation at the First Middle East Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology- Surgery, (MESPC- S), May, 12-14, 2004, Beirut, Lebanon.
45. El Alwani M, Nemer G, Nasser M, Usta J, El Sabban M, Dbaibo G, Bitar FF. Expression of transcription factors in the chronically hypoxic rat heart. Poster presentation at the First Middle East Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology- Surgery, (MESPC-S), May, 12-14, 2004, Beirut, Lebanon.
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46. Shehab F, Salti N, Bitar FF, Nemer G. Types and prevalence of mutations in Gata 5 gene in a group of Lebanese patients with congenital heart defects. Poster presentation at the First Middle East Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology- Surgery, (MESPC-S), May, 12-14, 2004, Beirut, Lebanon.
47. El Alwani M., Dbaibo G, Nasser M., Bitar H., Obeid M, El Sabban M, Usta J, Bitar FF. Adaptive molecular mechanisms of cardiac growth in the chronically hypoxic rat heart: roles of sphingolipid metabolites and angiogenesis. Poster presentation at the First Middle East Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology- Surgery, (MESPC-S), May, 12-14, 2004, Beirut, Lebanon.
48. Bitar FF, Sabbagh M, Obeid M. Pediatric Cardiology in a developing country. Poster presentation at the 4th THIC international Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology, June 28-30, 2002, Bali, Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Cardiology, Volume 1, No, 2, pp. 50, 2002.
49. Mroueh SM, Bitar H, Bitar FF, Nasser M, El-Sabban M, Dbaibo GS. Apoptosis and ceramide in the lungs of neonatal rats exposed to hyperoxia. Abstract. Society of Pediatric Research, Baltimore, May 6-10, 2002.
50. Azar N, Dbaibo G, El Sabban M, Nasser M, Mroueh S. Obeid M, Azar S, Bitar FF. Myocardial DNA and protein changes in a rat model mimicking cyanotic heart disease: effect of chronic hypoxia on myocardial proliferation. Abstract, European Pediatric Cardiology Meeting, Porto, May, 2002 and Oral presentation at the 4 th THIC international Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology, June 28-30, 2002, Bali Indonesia. The Indonesian Journal of Cardiology, Volume1, No, 2 47-48, 2002.
51. Mroueh S, Bitar H, Bitar FF, El-Sabban M, Dbaibo GS. Lung ceramide levels in newborn rats exposed to hyperoxia. Abstract. The American Thoracic Society meeting, San Francisco, California, May 18-23, 2001.
52. Bitar FF, Obeid M, Gerios A. Children and heart disease in Lebanon. Oralpresentation at the 8th International Congress of the Union of the Arab Pediatric Societies, Beirut, November, 23-25, 2000, UNESCO palace.
53. Bitar FF, Bitar H, Nasser M, El-Sabban M, Yunis KA, Dbaibo GS. Lack of the apoptotic response in the heart of a hypoxic rat model mimicking cyanotic congenital heart disease. Oral presentation, at 10 th International Parma Cardiology meeting, Parma, Italy, 2000; and Poster presentation at American Pediatric Academic Societies and American Academy of Pediatrics joint meeting, May, 2000, Boston.
54. Bitar FF, Sabbagh M, Siblini G, Mroueh S, Obeid M. Epidemiology of cardiac disease in children in a developing country. Oral presentation, at 10 th International Parma Echo meeting, Parma, Italy, June 2000; and Poster symposium at American Pediatric Academic Societies and American Academy of Pediatrics joint meeting, May, 2000, Boston.
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55. Khatib M, Bitar FF, Gharzeddine W, Obeid M. Role of Nitric Oxide in cardiac surgery: The AUB-MC experience. Oral presentation at the XII Mediterranean Association of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Conference, October 19-22,1999, Damascus, Syria and the Second Critical Care Conference at the Saint - Joseph Hospital , Beirut, Lebanon.
56. Nabulsi M, Farhat E, Bitar FF, Mouawwad PA, Karam AK, Khalil I. Complete recovery of a severely ischemic limb following neonatal arterial occlusion: Case report and review of the literature. Poster presentation at the XXV Paediatric Congress of UMEMPS, Beirut, Lebanon, April 1999.
57. Bitar FF, Bitar H, Nasser M, El-Sabban M, Yunis KA, Dbaibo GS. Lack of the apoptotic response in the heart of a hypoxic rat model mimicking cyanotic congenital heart disease. Poster presentation at the XXV Paediatric Congress of UMEMPS, Beirut, Lebanon, April 1999.
58. Bitar FF, Obeid M, Mikati M, Khogali M, Abed El-Jawad M. Epidemiology of cardiac disease in children in Lebanon. Oral presentation at the XXV Paediatric Congress of UMEMPS, Beirut, Lebanon, April, 1999. Lebanese Medical Journal, 47 (1), 72, 1999.
59. Bitar F, Bitar H, Nasr M, El-Sabban M, Yunis K, Dbaibo G. Ceramide Accumulation in the Heart of a Hypoxic Rat Model Mimicking Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease. Pediatric Research volume 45, page 20, 1999.
60. El Hassan N, Obeid M, Dbaibo GS, Yunis KA, Bitar FF. Successful treatment of Pseudomonas Pericarditis in a newborn. Poster presentation at the XXV Paediatric Congress of UMEMPS, Beirut, Lebanon, April, 1999.
61. Richani R, Al- Koutoubi A, Mikati M, Dbaibo GS, Bitar FF. Successful treatment of cerebral mycotic aneurysm in a child with Down’s syndrome. Poster presentation, at the XXV Paediatric Congress of UMEMPS, Beirut, Lebanon, April, 1999.
62. Bitar FF, Bitar H, Nasser M, El-Sabban M, Yunis KA, Dbaibo GS. Ceramide accumulation in the heart of a hypoxic rat model mimicking cyanotic congenital heart disease. Abstract at American Pediatric Society and the Society for Pediatric Research Annual Meeting, 1999 and Poster presentation at the XXV Paediatric Congress of UMEMPS, Beirut, Lebanon, and April, 1999. 63. El Hassan N, Mehanna A, Boulghourjian C, Bitar FF, Mroueh S, Yunis KA. Abstract. Theophyline toxicity in a two-month old premature infant on Ranitidine. Pediatrics, 102 (3), 776, 1998.
64. Bitar FF, Shbaro R, Mroueh S, Yunis K, Obeid M. Dextrocardia, corrected Transposition {I,D,D} and Kartagener’s syndrome: a unique association. Oral presentation at the XXIV Paediatric Congress of UMEMPS, Nice, France, November, 1997.
65. Bitar FF, Obeid M, EL Jawad MA, Alam S, Mikati M. A proposal to establish a Children‘s Cardiac Registry Center at AUB-MC. Oral presentation at the Lebanese National Council for Research, Annual Meeting, AUB, June 26, 1997.
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66. Bitar FF. Highlights on the diagnosis and management of fetal cardiac diseases. Article. Lebanese Journal officiel de la Societe Libanasie de Cardiologie; Issue 1; pp. 4-5, 1997.
67. Yunis KA, Hayek P, Mroueh S, Bitar FF. Transient neonatal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and antenatal administration of Steroids. Abstract. Pediatric Research. 41(4), Part 2, 1117, 1997.
68. Yunis KA, Mroueh SA, Bitar FF, Rachid R, et al. Early C -reactive protein CRP as predictor of neonatal mortality. Abstract. Pediatric Research. 41, 189A, 1997.
69. Bitar FF, Abou Jawdi R, Musallam S, Obeid M, Mikati M, Gharzeddine W. Pediatric infective endocarditis experience at a tertiary hospital, 1977 through 1995. Oral presentations at the III rd International Congress of Cardiology, 24-27 October 1996, and the XXIII Paediatric Congress of UMEMPS, Nicosia-Cyprus, November 9-11,1996.
70. Bitar FF, Hayek P, Obeid M, Gharzeddine W, Mikati M, Dbaibo GS. Rheumatic fever in children in a tertiary care center in Beirut, Lebanon: A Review From 1980-1995. Poster presentation at Middle East Medical Assembly, May 12, 1996 and oral presentation at the XXIII Paediatric Congress of UMEMPS, Nicosia-Cyprus, November 9-11, 1996.
71. Bitar FF, Baltaji N, Abed El-Jawad M, Yunis KA, Obeid M. Epidemiology of congenital heart disease in a developing country. Oral presentations at Middle East Medical Assembly, May 12, 1996 and the XXIII Paediatric Congress of UMEMPS, Nicosia-Cyprus, November 9-11, 1996.
72. Bitar FF, Usta I, Mroueh S, Karam K. Resolution of hydrops fetalis secondary to supra- ventricular tachycardia following in-utero therapy. Oral Presentation at the Jordanian International Society meeting for Obstetrician, Sept., 4, 1996.
73. Bitar FF, Abdallah S, Salem-Shabb N, Yunis K. Aortico-Left ventricular tunnel: report of the smallest newborn in the literature. Abstract, Middle East Medical Assembly, May, 12, 1996.
74. Bitar FF. Fetal Echocardiology. Article. Lebanese Cardiology Society, 1995, 3: 4-8.
75. Bitar FF, Attallah Yunis N, Smith FC, Kveselis DA, Byrum C, Gaum WE. Prediction of aortic stenosis gradients by Doppler ultrasound in children. Abstract, American Heart Association Meeting, 1994.
76. Bitar FF, Smith FC, Hingre RV, Gross S, Gaum WE. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with dexamethasone therapy in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: A prospective study. Poster presentation at the American Pediatric Society/ Society for Pediatric Research May 1993.
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Grants:
1. Bitar FF, Haidar R, Issam El Rassi, Nemer G. Identification of the Genetic Causes of Polydactyly and Congenital Heart Disease. CNRS, 2016 ($10,000). (Principle Investigator).
2. Bitar FF, Haidar R, Issam El Rassi, Nemer G. Polydactyly and congenital heart diseases: a novel role for CSRP1. 2016, URB. (Principle Investigator).
3. El Rassi I, Hamade R, Bulbul Z, Atweh L, Arabi M, Saadeh C, Nemer G, Bitar F. Building a 3D printing Program for Congenital Heart Disease at AUB: A model for Clinical applications, Education and Research. The first initiative in Lebanon and the Region. Farouk Jabre, Grant, 2016.
4. Bitar FF, Arabi M, Refaat M, Nemer G, Abou Kheir W, Kurban M . Cellular and Electrophysiological Characterization of the NKX2-5 Mutations in Lebanese Patients: A Combined Approach to Offer Guidelines for Managing and Treating Patients. MPP and URB, 2013 ($27,000). (Principle Investigator).
5. Nemer G, Bitar F, Majdalani M, Arabi M, El-Rassi I. RNA profiling of patients with congenital heart disease. Startup Grant ($40,000).
6. Nemer G, Rebeiz A, Bitar F. GATA5: A Proof of Concept Linking Congenital Heart Disease to in vivo Mouse Genetics and in vitro Protein Function. MPP and URB ($38,000), 2013- 2015.
7. Bitar FF, Nemer G, Majdalani M, Arabi M, Obeid M. Role of micro-RNAs in congenital heart disease Grant from URB and MPP, 2011 ($27,000). (Principle Investigator).
8. Arabi M, Bitar FF, Haddad C, Nemer G. Identification of Genetic Factors in Congenital Eye and Heart Defects. Grant from MPP, 2012 (Co-PI).
9. Bitar FF, Nemer G, Seidman C, et al. “Discovery of Genetic Causes for Human Congenital Malformations”. Grant from the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR), 2009-2014, $225,000 for the first year, with a total projected funding of $1,125,000 million.
10. Nemer G, Bitar FF, Azar S. Role of MEF2A in familial hypercholesterolemia. Grant from LNCSR, 2009-2011 ($15,000).
11. Bitar FF and Nemer G. Molecular mechanisms of cardiac growth in the chronically hypoxic mouse heart: The roles of sphingolipid metabolites and the transcription factors, NFATC1, GATA-4 and dHAND. Grant from URB and MPP, 2009-2011 ($46,500). (Principle Investigator).
12. Bitar FF, Obeid M, Nemer G. Potential role for the NFATC1 gene in congenital heart disease in the Lebanese population. Grant from LNCSR, 2008-2010 ($24,000). (Principle Investigator).
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13. Majdalani M, Nemer G, Obeid M, Bitar FF. Expression of alternatively spliced variants of cardiac enriched transcription factors. Grant from MPP, 2008-2010 ($25,000/yr).
14. Nemer G, Bitar FF. Identification and functional characterization of a novel isoform of the human Tbx20 gene. Grant from URB and MPP ($25,000), 2008-2009. (Co-PI).
15. Nemer G, Bitar FF. Defining the molecular pathways in familial cases of Congenital Heart Disease. Grant from URB and MPP, 2007-2008 ($30,000).
16. Bitar FF, Dbaibo GS, Nemer G. Adaptive molecular mechanisms of cardiac growth in the chronically hypoxic mouse heart: roles of sphingolipid metabolites and the GATA-4 transcription factor”. Grant from URB and MPP, 2007-2008 ($22,300). (Principle Investigator).
17. Bitar FF, Nemer G. The genetic causes of dilated cardiomyopathy due to familial primary Carnitine deficiency in Lebanon: a possible link to SLC22A5 gene”. Grant from MPP ($7,700), 2007. (Principle Investigator).
18. Bitar FF, Nemer G. The genetic causes of congenital coronary anomalies: a possible link to the gene encoding the connexin-43 gap junction protein. Grant from MPP ($4,000), 2006. (Principle Investigator).
19. Bitar FF, Usta J, El Sabban M, Nasser M, Dbaibo GS, Nemer G. Expression of transcription factors in the chronically hypoxic rat heart. Grant from URB and MPP, 2004-2005 ($8,000$). (Principle Investigator).
20. Nemer G, Bitar FF and Bouvagnet P. Criblage des causes génétiques des maladies congénitales cardiaques familiales au Liban : le rôle des facteurs de transcription spécifiques au cœur. CEDRE, 2004-2006.
21. Nemer G, Bitar FF. Genetic causes of congenital heart diseases in the Lebanese population: screening for mutations in transcription factors implicated in heart development and cardiac function. Grant from URB and MPP, 2003-2004 ($24,000). (Co-investigator)
22. Bitar FF, Nemer G, Zahed L, Usta J, Dbaibo G, Obeid M. The molecular basis of familial congenital heart disease in Lebanon. Grant, LNCSR, 2003-2006 (Total $20,000). (Principle Investigator). 23. Bitar FF, El Sabban M, Nasser M, Habbal Z, Mroueh S, Usta J, Dbaibo GS. Mechanisms and triggers of cardiac growth in the chronically hypoxic rat heart: Role of angiogenesis and sphingolipid pathway. Grant from URB and MPP, 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 (Total $60, 000) (Principle Investigator).
24. Bitar FF, Usta J, Dbaibo G, Obeid M, Zallouaa P, Nemer G. Mapping of GATA-4 mutations causing cardiac congenital diseases in the Lebanese population. Grant from URB and MPP, 2002. (Principle Investigator).
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25. Bitar FF, El Sabban M, Nasser M, Dbaibo G. Role of Nf Kappa B in myocardial proliferation in a chronically hypoxic rat animal model. Grant from the University Research Board Committee, July, 2001. (Principle Investigator).
26. Bitar FF, El Sabban M, Nasser M, Haidar J. Azar S and Dbaibo G. Myocardial DNA and protein changes in a rat model mimicking cyanotic heart disease: effect of chronic hypoxia on myocardial proliferation. Grant from the University Research Board Committee and the Medical Practice Plan Committee, July, 2000. (Principle Investigator)
27. Mroueh S, Bitar FF, El Sabban M, Nasser M, Dbaibo G. Apoptotic changes in the hyperoxic rat lung and heart. Grant from the University Research Board Committee and the Medical Practice Plan Committee, May, 1999. (Co- Investigator).
28. Bitar FF, El Sabban M, Nasser M, Dbaibo G. Differences in the apoptotic response of the neonatal and adult rat heart to acute and chronic hypoxia. Grant from the University Research Board Committee and the Medical Practice Plan Committee, June, 1999. (Principle Investigator). 29. Mikati M, Bitar FF. Effects of chronic hypoxia on the developing brain. Grant from the University Research Board Committee and the Lebanese National Council for Research and Development, June, 1999. (Co- Investigator).
30. Mansour A, Bitar FF, Salti HI, Mikati M, Noureddine B. Ocular findings in congenital heart disease. Medical Practice Plan Committee, 1998. (Co- Investigator).
31. Bitar FF, Nasser M, El Sabban M, Yunis M, Dbaibo G. Apoptosis in the hypoxic rat heart. Grant, no M.P.P.R.F. # DCU 686039, amount $12,500. Medical Practice Plan Committee, 1998. (Principle Investigator).
32. Bitar FF, Obeid M. A proposal to establish a Children‘s Cardiac Registry Center at AUB- MC. Grants from the Lebanese National Council for Research and Development. Total amount $28,000 (1997- 2003). (Principle Investigator).
33. Bitar FF, Obeid M, Mikati M. A randomized, controlled trial of intravenous gamma globulin therapy in children with acute rheumatic fever. Grant no. M.P.P.R.F. # DCU 22420-998877, amount $8,500. Medical Practice Plan Committee, 1996. (Principle Investigator).
Book Chapter:
▪ Nemer G and Bitar FF. Molecular Markers of Congenital Heart Disease. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Editor-in-Chief: Marlene Horry; Frank Columbus. 2006. ISBN: 1- 59454- 489-1, pp39-65.
▪ Casals A, Musallam S, Shaker R Abutaqa M, Arabi M, Rassi I, Bitar F, Dbaibo G, Wakim R . Candida Parapsilosis endocarditis on a damaged native valve: A case report and review of management options. Clinical Cases in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Chapter 10, 59-63, 2017.
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Multi-center Clinical Studies:
▪ A study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of MEDI-524(Numax), A humanized Enhanced Potency Monoclonal Antibody against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), in children with hemodynamically significant Congenital Heart Disease. By MedImmune, Inc. S1 and S2, 2005 and 2007. Total amount ~ $350,000. (Principle Investigator)
Journal Editorial Boards/ Peer Review:
▪ Invited Guest Editor for Cardiology Research and Practice, 2018. ▪ Member of the Editorial Board of INNOSC International journal of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, 2018. ▪ Member of the Editorial Board of “Madridge Journal of Cardiology (MJC)”, 2017. ▪ Member of the Editorial Board of “Congenital Cardiology Today”, since 2004. ▪ Reviewer for Cardiology and Angiology, 2017 ▪ Reviewer for the Journal of Investigative Surgery, 2017 ▪ Member of the Clinical Journal of Heart Diseases, 2017 ▪ Reviewer for BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 2015 and BMC Pediatrics, 2015 ▪ Reviewer for the World Journal of Pediatrics, 2015 ▪ Reviewer for BMJ, 2009 ▪ Reviewer for The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, since 2002 ▪ Reviewer for The Italian Journal of Pediatrics, since 2003 ▪ Reviewer for Endocrinology, since 2004 ▪ Reviewer Pediatric Cardiology, since 2013 ▪ Reviewer for The Annals of Saudi Medicine, 2003-2004 ▪ Reviewer for The Libyan J Med, 2008 and The Lebanese Medical Journal, 2003
Novel Device:
▪ Design of an intelligent hypoxia chamber controller for in vivo and in vitro biomedical experimentation. The device is a combination of DAQ (Data Acquisition Box), PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), and a Data Logger. Clinical conditions that can be mimicked, utilizing the device, include chronic hypoxia (Cyanotic heart disease, chronic lung disease), Hyperoxia, sleep-apnea like conditions and others. Developed by Farshouk A, Khalaf K, and Bitar FF.
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TEACHING Teaching Activities: (http://moodle.aub.edu.lb/) Development of E-Learning Module for medical students and residents Formal Lectures Students, Interns and Residents :
Fatty acid and carbohydrate myocardial case discussion Biochemistry for Med I regarding cardiomyopathy Students
2013-
Introduction to Congenital Heart Disease Lecture for Med II Students since
2014-
Critical CHD in the Newborn Intern’s Introductory Course
(2014-
Translating Basic Research in Biochemistry BIOC 330 for Genomics and Genetics into Clinical Practice in Congenital MS Heart Disease - The AUBMC Experience Students (2016-
The child with Heart Failure with case discussion Lectures to Med III and Approach to the newborn with cyanosis Med IV students: Cardiac History and Physical Examination (1995 - 2013) Pediatric Cardiac Rhythm disorders Once/6-8 weeks rotations
Ethics for Med III students: Ethical issues from the Pediatrician perspective case (2001 - 2007) discussions
CPR course to interns/residents: Cardiac Rhythm disturbances (1996 – 2007)
Intern’s Introductory Course (1995- + CHC team) ▪ The newborn with Congenital Heart Disease Resident’s Core Curriculum ▪ Introductory to cardiac catheterization Course/Others: ▪ Rheumatic Fever and Endocarditis
▪ Pediatric electrocardiography
▪ Kawasaki disease and ABC’s of echocardiography
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Clinical Teaching/ Mentorship: ▪ Attending, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Fellows/Med. Students/Residents (Wednesdays, Mentorship once/week, throughout the year)
▪ Attending, Echocardiography Laboratory, Fellows and residents (Mentorship, 4 sessions/week, throughout the year)
▪ Outpatient Cardiology Clinic, Fellows/Students (Mentorship, 4 sessions per week, throughout the year)
▪ Weekly Pediatric Cardiology Multi-disciplinary Conferences ( Mondays and Wednesdays)
▪ Monthly Nation Wide Case Discussion Conference through which we share expertise among our fellow pediatric cardiologists in the country
Graduate Students /Master of Science Thesis /Co-Advisor
1. Athar Khalil, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2018. The TBX2 subfamily of Transcription factors: An emerging role in lung carcinogenesis. Advisor: Georges Nemer, Co-Advisors: Ghassan Dbaibo, Bitar FF, Firas Kobeissy, Afif M. Abdel Nour, John C. Bell. Ph.D thesis.
2. Sylvana Hassanieh, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2015. Genetic Screening for mutations in patients with inherited cardiomyopahies using next- generation sequencing. Advisor: Refaat M., C0-Advisors: Nemer G., Darwich N., Bitar FF.
3. Sarin Poladian. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2015. NFATC1/PAX Pathways in Cardiac and Ocular Diseases. Advisor: Nemer G., Co-Advisors: Bitar FF, Kurban M; Koubeisy F.
4. Ithar Khalaf. , Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2015. The culprit gene in patient with Thalamide . Advisor: Nemer G., Co- Advisors: Bitar FF, Kurban M; Koubeisy F.
5. Ruby Khalaf, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2013. The first complete genotype/phenotype of Lebanese patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. Advisor: Nemer G., Co-Advisors: Bitar FF, Jaffa A, Kurban M.
6. Theresa Farhat, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2012. Thesis title: NFATC1 and its partners are essential for valve formation in the heart. Advisor: Nemer G., Co-Advisors: Bitar FF, Usta J, Kurban M.
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7. Ahmad Osman, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2012. Thesis title: The cardiac proteins HAND2 and HEY2 have different cardiac partners. Advisor: Nemer G., Co-Advisors: Bitar FF, Darwiche N, Kobaissy F.
8. Zahraa Samadi, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2012. Thesis title: TBx3 isofroms differentially regulates cardiac. Advisor: Nemer G., Co-Advisors: Bitar FF and Jaffa A.
9. Manal Muin Fardon, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2009. Thesis title: Candidate Genes for Congenital Heart Disease. Advisor: Nemer G., Co-Advisors: Bitar FF and Jaffa A.
10. Lara El-Khouri, Faculty of Health Science at AUB, 2009. Preceptor for Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the Children’s Heart Center: Bitar FF.
11. Rachel Sharbel Tanos, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2007. Thesis title: role of DHand in familial cases of Congenital Heart Disease. Advisor: Nemer G., Co-Advisor: Bitar FF and committee member Usta J.
12. Amin Yehya, MD, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2007. Thesis title: Potential role for the NFATC1 gene in valvular Congenital Heart Disease. Advisor: Nemer G., Co-Advisor: Bitar FF and committee members Usta J and Habib A.
13. Sara Ibrahim Al Ghadban, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2006. Thesis title: HEY 2, a candidate gene for Congenital Heart Disease. Advisor: Nemer G., Co-Advisor: Bitar FF and committee member Usta J.
14. Fatimah Abir Yamak, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2006. Thesis title: Primary systemic carnitine deficiency – A genotype/phenotype correlation. Advisor: Nemer G. and committee members Bitar FF and Usta J.
15. Laila Hassan Al Shaar, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2006. Thesis title: Role of GATA4 in Liver injury and regeneration. Advisor: Nemer G. and committee members Bitar FF, Usta J, and Habib A.
16. Manal Ahmad El-Zein, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2006. Thesis title: Role of GATA4 and GATA5 in Familial cases of Congenital Heart Disease. Advisor: Nemer G. and committee members Bitar FF, Usta J.
17. Ramzi Souki, MD, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2006. Thesis title: Role of connexin 43 alpha-1 in the pathogenesis of one type of congenital coronary anomaly: gene sequencing analysis of three families.Advisor: Nemer G. and committee members Bitar FF and Usta J.
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18. Iman H. Al Khatib, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2006. Thesis title: TBX20, a misleading Transcription factor. Advisor: Nemer G. and committee members Bitar FF and Usta J.
19. Afifa Shatila Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2005. Thesis title: KLF13 a way to the Heart. Advisor: Nemer G, and committee members: Bitar FF and Usta J.
20. Ahmad Nasrallah Ahmad, Nabil Nehme and Rabih Santina. Faculty of Engineering and Architecture- Mechanical Department, American University of Beirut, 2004. Thesis title: Development of a computerized hypoxic chamber: A novel tool. Advisors: Khalaf K and Bitar FF.
21. Fatimah A. Shehab, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2004. Thesis title: Types and prevalence of mutations in Gata 5 gene in a group of Lebanese patients with congenital heart defects. Advisor: Nemer G, Co- Advisor: Salti N and committee member Bitar FF.
22. Fatima Hassan Fadlallah, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, 2004. Thesis title: The study of GATA-4 FOG 2 interaction: a role in congenital heart diseases. Advisor: Nemer G, Co-Advisor: Bitar FF and committee member Usta J.
Post-Doctoral MD Supervised:
1. Abou Hassan S, MD. Department of Biochemistry, American University of Beirut, 2013 Project Title: Novel mutations in cardiac gene NKX2-5 in Lebanese families: A window to refine disease penetrance and phenotype- genotype correlations.
2. Shibbani K , MD. Department of Biochemistry, American University of Beirut, 2013 Project Title: Primary Carnitine Deficiency: Novel mutations and insights into the cardiac phenotype.
3. Akl Fahd, M.D. Department of Biochemistry, American University of Beirut, 2012. Project Title: Genetics of congenital heart disease in Lebanon and others.
4. Raya Safa, MD. Department of Biochemistry, American University of Beirut, 2012. Project Title: Hypercholesterolemia in Lebanon: genotype/phenotype correlations.
5. Raid Azzam, MD. Department of Biochemistry, American University of Beirut, 2010. Project Title: Role of DEGS1 in a mouse model of chronic hypoxia.
6. Elie Salem, MD. Department of Biochemistry, American University of Beirut, 2009. Project Title: Characterization of a novel mutation in patients with Tricuspid Atresia
7. Jean Yeresian, MD. Department of Biochemistry, American University of Beirut, 2009. Project Title: Role of NFATC1 in valve diseases
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8. Ramzi Souki, M.D., Department of Biochemistry, American University of Beirut, 2004- 2005. Project Title: Molecular basis of familial congenital heart disease in Lebanon.
9. Mazen Alwani, M.D., Department of Biochemistry, American University of Beirut, 2002- 2004. Project Title: Changes in sphingolipids and their regulating enzymes in the neonatal rat heart in response to normoxia or chronic hypoxia. (Winner of the MEMA First Prize Award for the best research project performed by a student/resident, May, 2004).
10. Nabil Azar, M.D., Department of Physiology, American University of Beirut, 2000-2001. Project Title: Cardiac growth patterns in response to chronic hypoxia in a neonatal rat model mimicking cyanotic heart disease.
11. Karim Diab, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, American University of Beirut, 2001-2002. Project Title: Epidemiology of Congenital heart disease in Lebanon: the Children’s Cardiac Registry Center experience.
Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program: Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program at AUBMC
▪ Established the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program at AUBMC in 2005. Dr. Mariam Arabi, now Assistant Professor of Pediatrics/Pediatric Cardiology, was the first fellow to graduate from the program.
Dr. Samer Masri, graduated in 2014. Dr. Anas Tabbakh in 2015 and Drs. Fatme Charafeddine and Mohammad Aboutaqa in 2017 and we currently have four fellows at our program.
(Please click the attached PDF file for more information regarding our Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program).
Ped. Cardiology Fellwoship Program
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Students/Residents supervised in clinical research:
1. Jawdi RA, MD 2. Baltaji N, MD 3. Orm SA, MD 4. Diab K, MD 5. El-Zein C, MD 6. El Hassan N, MD 7. Sabbagh M, BSc. 8. Hannoush H, MD 9. Souki R., MD 10. Gerios A, MD 11. Tarrabain M. MD 12. Alwani M, MD 13. Chaiban J, MD 14. Arabi M., MD 15. Salem E, MD 16. Safa R, MD 17. Jaradi N, MD 18. Shibbani K, MD 19. Hayek P, MD 20. Abed el-Jawad M, BS 21. Serhal H, MD 22. Shbaro R, MD 23. Richani R, MD 24. Shalak L, MD 25. Zayyour D, MD 26. Younes H, MD 27. Kabbani L, MSc. 28. El Khatib M, MD 29. Farhat E, MD 30. Azar N, MD 31. Baz R, MD 32. Azzam R, MD 33. Beretsain, J, MD 34. Chehade C, MD 35. Fahed A, MD 36. Abou Hassan S, MD
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SERVICES
The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress
▪ President and organizer of the Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress, October, 18-20, 2012, Beirut, Lebanon. Beirut International Congress and PedCard Beirut 2012
Middle East Symposium (MESPC-S)
▪ Co-Chairman and organizer of the First Middle East Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology- Surgery (MESPC-S), in collaboration with The Heart Institute in Chicago (THIC), May, 2004. First Middle East Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology
International Workshop
▪ Hosted and co-organized an international workshop, in cooperation with Philips, entitled “Thinking in 3D whilst in Congenital Heart Disease “, April, 2009.
Professional Service:
▪ Adviser for the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean for consultation on establishing “Guidelines on Rheumatic Fever Prevention and Care”, Sana’a, Yemen, May 2-4, 2005.
▪ Invited Faculty, Pediatric Catheter Intervention, IJN Live 2004. Institute Jantung Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June, 2004.
▪ Invited International Expert, in the field of Pediatric Cardiology, for “The First Global Forum on Humanitarian Medicine”, Geneva, May 2003.
▪ International Expert Medical Correspondent invited by the Senior Council of the Sociedad Iberoamericana de Informacion Cientifica, August, 2001.
Brave Heart Fund: Brave Heart Fund on Google
▪ Co-founder of the “Brave Heart Fund”, a charitable fundraising initiative established in November 2003 at the Children’s Heart Center, AUB-MC. The Fund is operated by volunteers whose lives have been touched by Congenital Heart Disease. It provides financial assistance to needy families, helping to cover their child’s medical or surgical expenses, with fund raising of about 20 million US Dollars, and more than 3600 children treated with the support of the fund since it was established. ▪ Brave Heart Fund; ▪ Brave Heart Fund on Google ▪ Brave Heart Fund Animation - AUBMC ▪ Brave Heart Fund TVC - IV (Director's Cut)
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Children’s Heart Center (CHC)
▪ Established the Children’s Cardiac Center at the AUB-MC and the Children’s Cardiac Registry Center (CCRC) at AUB-MC. 1999. Children Heart Center 20 th Anniversary When I joined the Faculty of Medicine at AUB in the mid-90s, children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) at AUBMC used to be evaluated by our colleagues in the Division of Adult Cardiology. At that time, there was no pediatric cardiologist in the institution. Over the years, I managed to build, with the support of AUBMC leadership, the Children’s Heart Center (CHC). As a Founding Director of the center, my goal was always to build a team of leaders. Nowadays, The CHC consists of a multidisciplinary team of five Pediatric Cardiologists/Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons, three Pediatric Intensivists, three Neonatologists, three Anesthesiologists dedicated to Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia, and two specialized physicians in Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Imaging, in addition to the support of three Adult Electrophysiologists. The CHC delivers state of the art care to children with CHD and provides excellence in education and innovation in research, in addition to its philanthropic mission to support those in need. The CHC is a world class center with outcome measures comparable to the benchmarks of the best centers in the world. It has been indeed my joy and pride to spearhead and lead such a center that is considered a beacon of hope for our children with CHD. Humanitarian Joint Mission to treat Refugees with CHD:
• Co-ordinated with Dr. I. El Rassi and the Children’s Heart Center (CHC) at AUBMC a humanitarian joint mission along with Riley Children's Hospital at Indiana University Health and Hammoud Hospital for the treatment of Syrian Refuge children. The mission was supported by GOL Indiana, GOL Lebanon, Chain of Hope, Gift of Life- International and Rotarians, May, 2018.
Clinical Services at CHC:
▪ American University of Beirut, Pediatric Cardiology inpatient and outpatient services. ̵ Average number of echocardiography /fetal echocardiography studies is 5500/year ̵ Average number of cardiac catheterization and interventional catheterization is 200/year. ̵ Average number of new pediatric cardiac patients seen at CHC is 400/year ̵ Average number of surgical patients per year is about 200/year. ̵ Post-operative care of closed and open-heart surgeries and Intra-operative TEE ▪ American University of Beirut, Private Pediatric Cardiology Clinics (2 day clinics/week). ▪ American University of Beirut, Cardiac Catheterization (one day /week). ▪ American University of Beirut, Echocardiography Clinic (four sessions /week). ▪ American University of Beirut, Inpatient Pediatric Cardiology consultations.
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Clinical Highlights:
• Performed for the first time in the World, implanted Three Umbrella-like “Occlutech” Devices to Close Holes in a Child’s Heart, 2018. CHC Team at AUBMC performs a procedure for the first time in the world
▪ Spearheaded with Dr. El Rassi and the CHC multidisciplinary team at AUBMC the performing of the first successful pediatric cardiac transplant in Lebanon and the Levant area, a land mark in the history of AUBMC and the country, 2017. Pediatric Heart Transplant and AUBMC
▪ Introduced with the CHC team and department of Mechanical Engineering, for the first time in Lebanon and the region, the 3D printing program in complex Congenital Heart Disease, 2015. 3D printing and CHD 2015
▪ Performed the Lebanese’s first trans-catheter, non surgical, implantation of a pulmonary valve, 2015. Melody Implantation and 2015
▪ Performed for the first Time in Lebanon and the Region the Hybrid Norwood’s Heart Surgery for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) with Dr. Issam El Rassi, 2013. Hybrid Norwood's Heart Surgery
▪ Performed for the first Time in Lebanon the Hybrid procedure for VSD closure with Dr. Issam El Rassi, 2013.
▪ Performed a first of its kind procedure in the World, which is the closure of an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm with a septal occluder device in a child, utilizing a novel percutaneous femoral arterial-transthoracic approach. First Worldwide Procedure.
▪ Performed the Lebanese’s first closure of a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) utilizing an Amplatzer device, with the help of Dr. Z. Hijazi (2004). Only seven centers in the USA were eligible to perform this procedure, with only 30 cases performed in the USA before our case. VSD Closed by Cardiac Catheterization without Open Surgery
▪ Performed the first case of stent implantation in the pulmonary tree in Lebanon (2002).
▪ Reported a novel treatment for Rheumatic fever utilizing intravenosus gamma globulin (2001).
▪ Performed the Lebanese’s first closure of a Patent ductus arteriosus utilizing an Amplatzer device (2001).
▪ Performed for the first time in Lebanese and the Eastern Mediterranean region coil embolization of a Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in a child (1995). ▪ Performed the first in-utero treatment of supra-ventricular tachycardia in a fetus in Lebanon (1995) and Pioneered the introduction of the field of Fetal Echocardiography to Lebanon (1994).
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Invited Lectures:
1. Bitar FF. Building a developed Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology program in a developing country: Lessons learned. The First International Congress On Congenital Heart Disease, Bucharest, Romania, November, 2019.
2. Bitar FF. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction: Case presentation. The First International Congress On Congenital Heart Disease, Bucharest, Romania, November, 2019.
3. Bitar FF. Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defects: Experience and Outcomes in a Developing Country. CardioAlex19, Alexandria, Egypt, June, 2019.
4. Bitar FF. Quality Interventional and Surgical Initiatives – How to Improve Patient Care in Pediatric Cardiology in Developing Countries? The Professor, Prof. Shakeel Qureshi Honorary lecture. CardioAlex19, Alexandria, Egypt, June, 2019.
5. Bitar FF. Athlete and Cardiac Screening of Children: Is it mandatory? The 7th Scientific Day of Nabatieh Pediatric Conference, December, 2018.
6. Bitar FF. Approach to the newborn with critical CHD? "The XIII Makassed Medical Congress ", October, 2018.
7. Bitar FF. Sudden Cardiac Death in Athlete and Cardiac Screening of Children? The 13th Annual Pediatric Conference, Amman, Jordan, March, 2018.
8. Bitar FF. Congenital Aortic Stenosis: Is balloon Valvuloplasty TTT of Choice?. "CardioEgypt 2018", Cairo, February, 2018.
9. Bitar FF. Approach to pulmonary arterial hypertension following repair of Congenital Heart Disease. "CardioEgypt 2018", Cairo, February, 2018.
10. Bitar FF. Lessons learned on how to establish a CHD Research Program in Developing Countries. The 7th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery in Barcelona, 2017.
11. Bitar, FF. Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon: The Children’s Heart Center at AUBMC Experience. First International Lebanese Medical Association – Lebanese Order of Physicians Medical Scientific Conference. “Bringing the Lebanese World of Medicine and Research Together”. Beirut, July, 2017,
12. Bitar FF. Quality Interventional and Surgical Initiatives - How to Improve Patient Care in the Middle East? CSI –Dubai, April, 2017.
13. Bitar FF. Causes of Congenital Heart Disease: A new approach to diagnosis and management. 4th Mediterranean Congress of Pediatrics Consensus on Pediatrics and Neonatology. Rome, Italy. March, 2017.
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14. Bitar FF. Why do Congenital Heart Disease Occur? The 12th Annual Pediatric Conference, Amman, Jordan, March, 2017.
15. Bitar FF. Screening the Newborn with Congenital Heart Disease. The 12th Annual Pediatric Conference, Amman, Jordan, March, 2017.
16. Bitar FF. Children’s Heart Center at AUBMC- A Beacon of Hope? The 8th Annual Pediatrics Update Symposium. Beirut, Lebanon, February, 2017.
17. Bitar FF. Congenital critical aortic stenosis and balloon valvuloplasty. Symposium Intervention in Congenital and Structural Heart Disease, ICS-HD. Dubai, December, 2016.
18. Bitar FF. Top ten Pearls in Establishing a CHD Research Program in Developing Countries. The 5 th Scientific Meeting of the World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery. Abou Dhabi, UAE, October, 2016.
19. Bitar FF. Personalized Medicine in Congenital Heart Disease. The 16th International Conference of Jordan Pediatric Society In collaboration with International Pediatric Association & Union of Arab Pediatric Societies, October, 2016, Amman, Jordan.
20. Bitar FF. The Newborn with Critical Congenital Heart Disease. The 16th International Conference of Jordan Pediatric Society In collaboration with International Pediatric Association & Union of Arab Pediatric Societies, October, 2016, Amman, Jordan.
21. Bitar FF. Personalized cardiovascular risk assessments in Congenital Heart Disease. Middle East Medical Assembly, Lebanon, May, 2016.
22. Bitar FF. Read with the expert: TEE and CHD cases. The 5th Bi-Annual Egyptian Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery Conference, December, 2015, Cairo, Egypt.
23. Bitar FF. Anatomy of the mitral valve and TEE assessment. The 5th Bi-Annual Egyptian Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery Conference, December, 2015, Cairo, Egypt.
24. Bitar FF. Management of pulmonary arterial hypertension following congenital cardiac surgery. The 5th Bi-Annual Egyptian Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery Conference, December, 2015, Cairo, Egypt.
25. Bitar FF. Outcome of congenital cardiac lesions with the RV as a systemic ventricle. The 5th Bi-Annual Egyptian Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery Conference, December, 2015, Cairo, Egypt.
26. Bitar FF. ASD management and outcome; The Children’s Heart Center at AUBMC experience. The 5th Bi-Annual Egyptian Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery Conference, December, 2015, Cairo, Egypt.
48 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
27. Bitar FF. Approach to Pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with repaired Congenital Heart Disease. The 6th Middle East and Africa Pulmonary Hypertension Forum. Morocco, October 2015.
28. Bitar FF. ccTGA and D-TGA and outcome of systemic RV. The Lebanese Pediatric Society Annual Meeting, Beirut, April, 2015.
29. Bitar FF. Murmurs: Innocent or Guilty?. The 6nd Annual Pediatrics Update Symposium. Beirut, Lebanon, February, 2015.
30. Bitar FF. Right ventricle as a Systemic Ventricle. SHA26. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February, 2015.
31. Bitar FF. Approach to the Newborn with critical congenital heart disease. The 5th Regional Bi-Annual Meeting organized by the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network Beirut, October, 2014.
32. Bitar FF. The Children’s Heart Center at AUBMC- Listens Learned. The 5th Annual pediatrics Update Symposium, Beirut, February, 2014.
33. Bitar FF. Pediatric cardiology in Lebanon. Nabatieh Governmental Hospital, Lebanon, November, 2013.
34. Bitar FF. Status of Research in the Arab World: The Children’ Heart Center at AUBMC Model. The 14th International Annual Conference of the Pediatric Jordanian Society, Amman, September, 2013.
35. Bitar FF. Translating basic research into clinical practice in the field of Pediatric Cardiology. The 14th International Annual Conference of the Pediatric Jordanian Society, Amman, September, 2013.
36. Bitar FF. CHD in the Adult. Heart and Vascular Multidiscipline Conference. Beirut, September, 2013.
37. Bitar FF. Device Closure of ASD: What to avoid? Cardio Alex meeting, Alexandria, Egypt, June, 2013.
38. Bitar FF. Translational Research and CHD. Cardio Alex, Alexandria, Egypt, June, 2013.
39. Bitar FF. Short and long-term complications of ASD closure: Where do we stand? CardioArab meeting, Dubai, UAE, April, 2013.
40. Bitar FF. Opening remarks of the Dean’s Office: The importance of building a system in developing countries: The CHC at AUBMC prototype. Presented at the LeMSIC Annual Research Day Meeting, Beirut, Lebanon, April, 2013.
49 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
41. Bitar FF. How to build a research program in Congenital Heart Disease. The 40th Annual Conference of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology, Cairo, Egypt, 2013.
42. Bitar FF. Research in Congenital Heart Disease: A comparative bibliometric analysis between developing and developed countries. 6th World Congress, Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Cape Town, South Africa, 2013.
43. Bitar FF. Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon. National Pediatric Congress, Ain WaZein Hospital, Lebanon, October, 2011.
44. Bitar FF. Research related to Pediatric Cardiology in the Arab World. UAPS, Beirut, Lebanon, October, 2011.
45. Bitar FF. A Research Program in the Arab World. The AUBMC – Children’s Heart Center Model. Leadership in Healthcare Workshop, organized by Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR), Dubai, September, 21, 2011.
46. Bitar FF. Respiratory Syncythial Virus and Congenital Heart Disease in the Middle East. Protect: Protecting against RSV Meeting. Organized by Abbott, Athens, Greece, March, 2011.
47. Bitar FF. Heart Murmurs. The 2nd Annual Pediatrics Update Symposium. Beirut, Lebanon, February, 2011.
48. Bitar FF. Cryptogenic Stroke and patent foramen ovale: to close of not to close? Lebanese Neurology Society meeting, Beirut, Lebanon, January, 2011.
49. Bitar FF. Advances in Molecular Biology in Congenital Heart Disease. The 3rd International Meeting of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery organized by the Egyptian working group of pediatric cardiologists, Cairo, Egypt, November, 2010.
50. Bitar FF. Pediatric Cardiology at AUBMC: Clinical and Research Overview. Grand rounds, for Internal Medicine, AUBMC, Lebanon, October, 2010.
51. Bitar FF. Etiology of Congenital Heart Disease. The 8th Annual Syrian Neonatology Conference, Damascus, Syria, October, 2010.
52. Bitar FF. Congenital Heart Disease and RSV. The 8th Annual Syrian Neonatology Conference, Damascus, Syria, October, 2010.
53. Bitar FF. Genetics of Congenital Heart Disease. The 3rd Annual International Pediatrics, Conference, organized by Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE, April, 2010.
54. Bitar FF. Translational research relating to Congenital Heart Disease at AUBMC. The IXth International Congress of Cardiology and cardiac Surgery. Beirut, March, 2010.
50 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
55. Bitar FF. Congenital Heart Disease in Lebanon. Makassed Hospital, Beirut, January, 2010.
56. Bitar FF. The Status of Interventional Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon. The Lebanese Pediatric Society Annual Meeting, Beirut, October, 2009.
57. Bitar FF. Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon- Present and Future. The Southern Physician Association Meeting, Nabatieh, Lebanon, April, 2009.
58. Bitar FF. Pediatric Cardiology in the Arab World. The 13th Symposium of the Syrian Cardiovascular Association, March, Lattakia, Syria, 2009.
59. Bitar FF. Etiology of Congenital Heart Disease. The 13th Symposium of the Syrian Cardiovascular Association, March, Lattakia, Syria, 2009
60. Bitar FF. Setting up a pediatric cardiology program. The 36th Annual Conference of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology. Cardio-Egypt, February, 2009. EGYPT 2009
61. Bitar FF. Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Carnitine Deficiency in Lebanon. MEMG 5 th meeting, Beirut, Lebanon, February, 2009.
62. Bitar FF. Respiratory Syncythial Virus and Congenital Heart Disease. Organized by Omani Pediatric Society and Abbott, Muscat, Oman, February, 2009.
63. Bitar FF. Respiratory Syncythial Virus and Congenital Heart Disease. Organized by Jordanian Pediatric Society and Abbott, Amman, Jordan, January, 2009.
64. Bitar FF. The Status of Pediatric Cardiology in Developing Countries: The Lebanese Experience. The 2nd International Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery Meeting, Cairo, Egypt, November, 2008.
65. Bitar FF. Genetic epidemiology of Congenital Heart Disease. National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network Annual and Regional Meeting, Beirut, November, 2008.
66. Bitar FF. Genetics and Congenital Heart Disease. The international Lebanese Pediatric Society Congress, Beirut, April, 2008.
67. Bitar FF. The status of Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon. Al Sahel Hospital, Lebanon, March, 2008.
68. Bitar FF. The Children’s Heart Center at the AUBMC, an overview. The 35th international congress of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology, Cairo, February. 2008.
69. Bitar FF. Primary Carnitine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy, a case presentation. The 35th international congress of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology, Cairo, February, 2008.
51 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
70. Bitar FF. Writing a proposal. The 19th scientific session of the Saudi Heart Association, and the Seventh meeting of the PanArab Congenital Heart Disease Association, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February, 2008.
71. Bitar FF. Advances in molecular biology and Congenital Heart Disease. The 2nd International Symposium “Cardiac Diseases: Challenges of the Future”, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 2007.
72. Bitar FF. Translating basic research into clinical practice in Congenital Heart Disease. The VIIIth International Congress of Cardiology and cardiac Surgery, Beirut, Lebanon. April, 2007.
73. Bitar FF. Recent advances relevant to the molecular markers of Congenital Heart Disease in Lebanon. The 18th scientific session of the Saudi Heart Association, and the Sixth meeting of the PanArab Congenital Heart Disease Association, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, February, 2007.
74. Bitar FF. Trans catheter closure of VSD, PDA and ASD in Lebanon. The 18th scientific session of the Saudi Heart Association, and the Sixth meeting of the PanArab Congenital Heart Disease Association, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, February, 2007.
75. Bitar FF. Recent Advances Relevant to Screening of Congenital Cardiomyopathy in Lebanon. Strengthening Newborn Screening in the Middle East and North Africa, organized by NIH. Marrakech, Morocco, November, 2006.
76. Bitar FF. When and how to write an Abstract. Workshop on conducting research in Pediatric Cardiology. Fifth meeting of the PanArab Congenital Heart Disease Association, Amman, Jordan, May, 2006.
77. Bitar FF. Case report; what is worth publishing. Fifth meeting of the PanArab Congenital Heart Disease Association, Amman, Jordan, May, 2006.
78. Bitar FF. How to assess diastolic function? Fifth meeting of the PanArab Congenital Heart Disease Association, Amman, Jordan, May, 2006.
79. Bitar FF. Status of device implantation in Lebanon. Fifth meeting of the PanArab Congenital Heart Disease Association, Amman, Jordan, May, 2006.
80. Bitar FF. The status of rheumatic fever in the developing countries: care and prevention. World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Sana’a, Yemen, May, 2005.
81. Bitar FF. Pediatric Cardiology in the Arab World. The Pan Arab Congenital Heart Disease Association meeting. Cario, Egypt, February, 2005.
82. Bitar FF. New modalities in the management of Congenital Heart Disease: the Lebanese experience. Middle East Medical Assembly, Beirut, May, 2004.
52 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
83. Bitar FF. Pro and cons session: Surgery versus device closure of ASD. The First Middle East Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology- Surgery, (MESPC-S), Beirut, Lebanon, May, 2004.
84. Bitar FF. A glance at the status of research in Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon. The First Middle East Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology- Surgery, (MESPC-S), Beirut, Lebanon. May, 2004.
85. Bitar FF. Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon. Lebanese International University, Beirut, March 2004.
86. Bitar FF. Device closure of ASD is the procedure of Choice? The 3rd Pan Arab Congenital Heart Disease Association meeting, Alexandria, Egypt, February, 2004.
87. Bitar FF. Complete heart block in the fetus and child, what to do? Middle East Cardiostim, Beirut, October, 2003.
88. Bitar FF. Resources of Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon. Hammoud Hospital, Saida, June, 2003.
89. Bitar FF. Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon; what’s there? The Lebanese Cardiology Society, Beirut, June, 2003.
90. Bitar FF. The Status of Pediatric Cardiology in developing countries. The First Global Forum on Humanitarian Medicine, with emphasis on Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery”, Geneva, May, 2003.
91. Bitar FF. The Children’s Cardiac Registry Center: The Lebanese experience. The 5th Biennial Congress of the Syrian Cardiovascular Association, Damascus, November, 2001.
92. Bitar FF. Congenital Heart Disease: The Lebanese experience. The Vth Makassed Medical Congress. Beirut, September, 2000.
93. Bitar FF. Role of cardiac catheterization in the management of heart disease in children. The First International Symposium in Pediatrics Update, UNESCO Palace, Beirut, April, 2000.
94. Bitar FF. Advances in catheter management of congenital and acquired heart disease in children. Lebanese Cardiology Society, Beirut, Lebanon, March, 2000.
95. Bitar FF. The diagnostic value of the fetal echocardiogram. La Societe Libanaise de Medicine Perinatale, Tripoli, Lebanon, May, 1999.
96. Bitar FF. Round table discussion on the status of cardiac problems in children and congenital heart problems in the adult, with the participation of the President of the International Society of Congenital Heart Disease in the adults and the President of the Lebanese Cardiac Society. Mother and Child Care Society, Beirut, Lebanon, April, 1999.
53 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
97. Bitar FF. Rheumatic fever in children in Lebanon. The Lebanese Society of Rheumatology, April, 1999.
98. Bitar FF. Advances in interventional Pediatric Cardiology and congenital heart disease in Lebanon. The Second A.U.B. Medical Conference in Jordan, April 1999.
99. Bitar FF. Heart disease in children. The Lebanese Order of Physicians and Lebanese Cardiology Society, public educational program, Beirut, 1999.
100. Bitar FF. Congenital cardiac malformations and Down syndrome. Middle East Medical Assembly. May, 1998.
101. Bitar FF. Catheter therapy of congenital heart disease. Pediatric Cardiology session at the Children’s Hospital of Damascus Pediatric conference, May, 1998.
102. Bitar FF. Interventional Pediatric Cardiology: A specialty comes to Age. Lebanese Society of Pediatrics, February, 1998.
103. Bitar FF. Fetal Cardiology: update. The IIIrd International Congress of Cardiology, Beirut. October, 1996.
104. Bitar FF. Highlights on the diagnosis and management of fetal cardiac diseases. Middle East Medical Assembly, Lebanon, May, 1996.
105. Bitar FF. Cardiac arrhythmias in children. Pediatric Cardiology Session at the Children’s Hospital of Damascus Pediatric Conference, Syria, May, 1996.
106. Bitar FF. Approach to diagnosis and management of cyanosis in the newborn. The Lebanese Society of Pediatrics, North Lebanon., April, 1996.
107. Bitar FF. Fetal Echocardiology. Lebanese Cardiology Society, September, 1995.
108. Bitar FF. Evaluation of the child with suspected heart disease. The Pediatric Cardiology Session at the Children’s Hospital of Damascus Pediatric Conference, Syria, May, 1995.
Moderator/Organizer
1. Chairman and moderator of the session entitled “Keep your self prepared for unusual cases in Pediatric Cardiology”. CardioAlex19, Alexandria, Egypt, June, 2019.
2. Organized the PACHDA Lunch Symposium at The 7th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery in Barcelona, 2017.
3. Moderator, e-poster session. Aortic valve disease. CSI –Dubai, April, 2017.
54 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
4. Chairman and moderator of the session entitled: A Collaborative Partnership for the Betterment of Children with Congenital Heart Disease: The Lebanese Experience- A Round Table Discussion. The 8th Annual Pediatrics Update Symposium. Beirut, Lebanon, February, 2017.
5. Chairman and moderator of the session regarding Catheter intervention and LVOTO in the newborn at the Symposium Intervention in Congenital and Structural Heart Disease, ICS-HD. Dubai, December, 2016.
6. Chairman and moderator of the Pediatric Cardiology Session on Interventional Cardiology at the Cardio Alex Meeting, Alexandria, June, 2013.
7. Chairman of the Barriers to prevention, control and treatment of rheumatic heart disease Session at the World Congress of Cardiology, Dubai, April, 2012.
8. Moderator of the How to build programs to prevent Respiratory Syncythial Virus in the Middle East Session. Protecting against RSV Meeting. Organized by Abbott, Athens, Greece, March, 2011.
9. Chairman of the Arrhythmias and Heart Failure in Children Session at the 4th Middle East Cardiopace meeting, Beirut, Lebanon, March, 2011.
10. Moderator of the Interventional Pediatric Cardiology Session- Live Transmission. The 3rd International Meeting of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery organized by the Egyptian working group of pediatric cardiologists, Cairo, Egypt, November, 2010.
11. Moderator of the Pediatric Cardiology Session at the IXth Makassed Congress, Beirut, Lebanon, October, 2010.
12. Moderator of the Opening session of the Consultative Meeting for Strengthening Maternal ,Perinatal and Neonatal Health Surveillance Systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Beirut, Lebanon, October, 2010.
13. Moderator of the Pediatric Cardiology Session at the 8th Annual Syrian Neonatology Conference, Damascus, Syria, October, 2010.
14. Moderator of the Pediatric Cardiology Session at the 43rd Middle East Medical Assembly. Beirut, Lebanon, April, 2010.
15. Moderator of the Pediatric Cardiology Session at the “First Annual Pediatrics Update Symposium” organized by the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon, February, 2010.
16. Moderator of the session “New advances in Pediatric Cardiology”. The 13th Symposium of the Syrian Cardiovascular Association, Lattakia, Syria, March, 2009.YPT
55 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
17. Chairman and Moderator of the session “Imaging in Pediatric Cardiology “.The 36th Annual Conference of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology. Cardio-Egypt, February, 2009.
18. Moderator and Chairman of the session “ New development in Interventional Pediatric Cardiology “.The 2nd International Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery Meeting, Cairo, Egypt, November, 2008.
19. Moderator and Chairman of the session “Management of Congenital Heart Disease in the newborn “. The 35th international congress of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology, Cairo, February. 2008.
20. Moderator of the Pediatric Cardiology Session. The XLI Middle East Medical Assembly. Beirut, Lebanon, May, 2007. 21. Chairman and Moderator of the session “Congenital heart Disease in the Arab world”. The 18th scientific session of the Saudi Heart Association, and the Sixth meeting of the PanArab Congenital Heart Disease Association, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, February, 2007.
22. Chairman and Moderator of the session “Problems and solutions for treating PDA and other abnormal connections in different countries. Fifth meeting of the PanArab Congenital Heart Disease Association, Amman, Jordan, May, 2006.
23. Chairman and Moderator of the session of Congenital Heart disease. The VIIth International Congress of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Movenpick Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon. October, 2004.
24. Member, Scientific Committee, The VIIth International Congress of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Movenpick Hotel, Beirut, Lebanon, October, 2004.
25. Co-moderator of the Cardiology Session at the 19th International Medical Convention; National Arab American Medical Association: Medical Care in Beirut, Lebanon, July , 2004.
26. Faculty and moderator, Pediatric Catheter Intervention, IJN Live 2004. Institute Jantung Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June, 2004.
27. Member, Scientific Committee. The XXXVIII Middle East Medical Assembly. Lebanon, May, 2004.
28. Moderator and Chairman of the Pediatric Cardiology Session at the World Congress in Perinatology, Beirut, Lebanon, May, 2004.
29. Invited to represent AUB in the Inauguration of the King Faisal Heart Institute, Saudi Arabia. March, 2004.
30. Moderator and Co- Chairman of the Session of management of the Uni-ventricular Heart. The 3rd Pan Arab Congenital Heart Disease Association meeting. Alexandria, Egypt, February, 2004.
56 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
31. Member, Organizing and Scientific Committee, of the “Middle East Cardiostim”, Beirut, October, 2003.
32. Moderator and Co-Chairman of the Congenital Cardiac Surgery Session at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Mediterranean Association of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery (MACCS), Beirut, Lebanon, September, 2003.
33. Moderator and Chairman of the Pediatric Cardiology Session at the Pan Arab Cardiology Congress, Bustan Hotel, Lebanon, 2001.
34. Moderator, Middle East Medical Assembly. Pediatric Cardiology Session. Beirut, Lebanon. May, 2001. th 35. Moderator and Chairman of the Interventional and Conventional Cardiology session” 8 International Congress of the Union of the Arab Pediatric Societies, Beirut, UNESCO Palace, November, 2000.
36. Moderator and Chairman of the Congenital Heart Disease session. CTV 2000, Beirut, Lebanon, October, 2000.
37. Moderator of the Cardiology session. Jbeil First International Symposium in Pediatrics, Jbeil, Noter dame Hosiptal, July, 2000.
38. Moderator of the Cardiology session .First International Symposium in Pediatrics Update, UNESCO Palace, Beirut, March, 2000.
39. Moderator and Chairman of the Cardiology and Pediatric reanimation session. XXV Paediatric Congress of UMEMPS, Beirut, Lebanon, April, 1999.
40. Moderator and Co-chairman of the Pediatric Cardiology Session at the Children’s Hospital of Damascus Pediatric Conference. May, 1998.
41. Invited by the Lebanese National Council for Research and Development and “WHO” to a 3-day meeting to a workshop on national policies and strategies in health research in Lebanon, November, 1997.
42. Moderator and chairman of the Congenital Heart Disease session. Mediterranean Association of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Conference, October, 1997.
43. Moderator of the Pediatric Cardiology Session at the Children’s Hospital of Damascus Pediatric Conference, Syria. May, 1996.
44. Moderator and Co-Chairman of the Pediatric Cardiology Session at the Children’s Hospital of Damascus Pediatric Conference, Syria, May, 1995.
57 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
Media/TV/Newspapers/Magazines
1. Interview on Nile TV during the “CardioEgypt 2018” meeting, regarding Congenital Heart Disease in the Arab world and role of PACHDA, February, 2018.
2. Interviews and Press release by the AUB information office to the media at national, regional and international levels regarding the first successful pediatric cardiac transplant in Lebanon and the levant area, a land mark in the history of AUBMC and the country. This involved tens of interviews involving newspapers and TV stations, June, 2017. First Heart Transplant at AUBMC
3. Interview on “Future Television “on the role of the community in supporting children with CHD and the Children’s Heart Center, February, 2017.
4. Press release by AUBMC to Newspapers and TV stations regarding the 20 th Anniversary of the Children Heart Center at AUBMC, September, 2015. 5. Press release by the Brave Heart Fund to Newspapers and TV stations regarding the Awareness Week for Congenital heart Disease, February, 2015.
6. Interview with “Al-Safir” Newspaper on issues relating to “Children’s Heart Center at AUBMC”, 2015.
7. Interview on “Future Television” on issues relating to the Children’s Heart Center at AUBMC and BHF, 2015.
8. Interview on the “Saudi Al-Akhbariya TV network” about the status of Pediatric Cardiology in the Arab World and the PACHDA, Saudi Arabia, February, 2015.
9. Press release by the Brave Heart Fund and Ministry of Health in Lebanon to Newspapers and TV stations regarding the Awareness Week for Congenital heart Disease, February, 2014.
10. Interviews and Press release by the AUB information office to the media, including “Al- Safir”, “ Al-Nahar”, and “El Moustakbel” Newspapers regarding the performance a first of its kind procedure in the World, which is the closure of an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm with a septal occluder device in a child, utilizing a novel percutaneous femoral arterial-transthoracic approach at AUBMC, 2103.
11. Interview on “Nile TV “on issues relating to research in the field of Pediatric Cardiology in the Arab World, 2013.
12. Interview with “Al Nahar” Newspaper on issues relating to “The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress”, October, 2012.
13. Interview with “Al-Safir” Newspaper on issues relating to “The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress”, October, 2012.
58 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
14. Interview with “Al Nahar- Kuwatieh” Newspaper on issues relating to Congenital heart Disease and “The Beirut International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Congress”, October, 2012.
15. Interview on “Future Television “on issues relating to AUBMC 2020 vision, Children Heart Center and Brave Heart Fund, March, 2012. Fadi Bitar and AUBMC 2020 Vision
16. Interview on “WTOL, Channel 11, Television Station in Toledo, Ohio “on issues relating to cooperation between University of Toledo and AUB, February, 2012. University of Toledo and AUB.
17. Interview on “AL Manar Television “on issues relating to Congenital Heart Disease and Brave Heart Fund, June, 2011.
18. Interview with “Al Nahar” Newspaper on issues relating to the Kawasaki Disease, February, 2011. 19. Interview on “Future Television “on the occasion of 1000 child being treated through the Brave Heart Fund, December, 2010.
20. Press release by the Brave Heart Fund in regard to the Second Annual Fund raising Gala Dinner to “Orbit TV”, “ Al Jazera”, “Al-Nahar”, “Daily Star”, “Al Anwar”, “ Al Deyar”, “El Moustakbel” Newspapers and TV stations, May, 2010.
21. Interview on “MTV Television” on issues relating to the Congenital Heart Disease and the role of Brave Heart Fund, April, 2010.
22. Press release by the Brave Heart Fund and Ministry of Health in Lebanon to the “Al- Safir”, “Al-Nahar”, “Daily Star”, “Al Anwar”, “ Al Deyar”, “El Moustakbel”, Newspapers and TV stations regarding the Awareness Week for Congenital heart Disease, March, 2010.
23. Interview with “Al Afkar” Newspaper on issues relating to the Congenital Heart Disease in Lebanon, December, 2009.
24. Interview with “Alam Aa Alem” Newspaper on issues relating to Research in the Arab World, December, 2009.
25. Press release by the AUB information office to the “Al-Safir”, “ Al-Nahar”, “Daily Star”, “Al Anwar”, “ Al Deyar”, “El Moustakbel” Newspapers on the occasion of being awarded the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR) grant to study the “Discovery of Genetic Causes for Human Congenital Malformations”, 2009.
26. Interview on “Al Jazira Television” on issues relating to the role of Brave Heart Fund in helping Iraq children with congenital heart Disease, July, 2009.
27. Interview on “Al Arabia Television” on issues relating to the Children’s Heart Center at AUBMC and Congenital Heart Disease, April, 2009.
59 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
28. Interview on “Future Television” on issues relating to Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon, April, 2009.
29. Interview on “Syrian Television“on issues relating to the Status of Pediatric Cardiology in the Arab World, Lattakia, March, 2009.
30. Interview on “Future Television” on issues relating to the Awareness Week of Congenital Heart Disease and Brave Heart Fund, March, 2009.
31. Interview on “NBN Television “on issues relating to Congenital Heart Disease and Brave Heart Fund, March, 2009.
32. Interview on “Al Arabia Television “on issues relating to the Brave Heart Fund and Congenital heart Disease, March, 2009.
33. Press release by the Brave Heart Fund and Ministry of Health in Lebanon to the “Al- Safir”, “Al-Nahar”, “Daily Star”, “Al Anwar”, “ Al Deyar”, “El Moustakbel” Newspapers and TV stations regarding the Awareness Week for Congenital heart Disease, March, 2009.
34. Interview with “Al Ahram” Newspaper on issues relating to the status of Pediatric Cardiology in the Arab world, February, 2009.
35. Interview on “LBC TV “on issues relating to use of Mechanical Hearts in Lebanon, February, 2009.
36. Interview on “Nile TV “on issues relating to Pediatric Cardiology in the Arab World, 2008.
37. Interview on “Future Television” with Zaven Kouyoumdjian on the live episode of “Sire Wenfatahit” as a special feature on the Brave Heart Fund; One and half hour program that was broadcasted Internationally, April 7, 2008.
38. Interview with “An-Nahar” Newspaper on issues relating to Brave Heart Fund and Congenital Heart Disease, 2008.
39. Interview on “Future Television “on issues relating to diagnosis and management of Congenital Heart Disease, 2008.
40. Cover page report and leading article by the “The Arab Hospital Magazine” regarding the Congenital Heart Disease Genetics Center at AUB, 2007.
41. Cover page report and leading article by the “The Arab Hospital Magazine” regarding the discovery of a novel mutation in patients with CHD, with a detailed report on research at the AUBMC with respect to molecular basis of Congenital Heart Disease, 2006.
60 CV Fadi Bitar 2020
42. Interview on “Al-Arabia Television “regarding the discovery of a novel mutation in the GATA4 gene in patients with Tetralogy of Fallot, 2006.
43. Press release by the AUB information office to the “Al-Safir”, “ Al-Nahar”, “Daily Star”, “Al Anwar”, “ Al Deyar”, “El Moustakbel” Newspapers regarding the discovery of a novel mutation in the GATA4 gene in patients with TOF, at the AUB-MC, 2006.
44. Interview with “An-Nahar” Newspaper on issues relating to heart diseases in children, 2006.
45. Interview on “Future Television “on issues relating to Congenital Heart Disease and the “Brave Heart Fund”, 2006.
46. Interview with “Al-Safir” Newspaper on issues relating to Congenital Heart Disease in Lebanon, 2006.
47. Interview on “ART Television “addressing issues relating to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Congenital Heart Disease, 2006.
48. Press release to “Al-Safir”, “ An-Nahar”, “Daily Star”, “Al Anwar”, “ Al Deyar”, “El Moustakbel” Newspapers by mtc touch regarding Congenital Heart Disease status in Lebanon on the occasion of launching of the “Little Book of Love Quotes” in collaboration with the “Brave Heart Fund”, 2006.
49. Press release to the National Newspapers and Televisions in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the “Brave Heart Fund” about the International Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week, February -7-14, 2006.
50. Interview with “Al-Afkar” Magazine on status of Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon and the “Brave Heart Fund” role, April 2005.
51. Televised Interview on “Manar TV” on a 1 ½ -hour National Health Program, discussing heart diseases in children, March, 2005.
52. Press release by the AUB information office to the “Al-Safir”, “ Al-Nahar”, “Daily Star”, “Al Anwar”, “ Al Deyar”, “El Moustakbel” Newspapers reporting the first case of non- surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) by cardiac catheterization at the AUB- MC and in Lebanon.
53. Interview with “Radio Lebanon” about the first case of non-surgical closure of (VSD) by Amplatzer device reported in Lebanon, October 2004.
54. Interview on the “AL -Ikhbaria Television”, discussing the first case of non-surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect by Amplatzer device performed at the AUB-MC and in Lebanon, October 2004.
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55. Interview with “Radio Lebanon” on the First Middle East Symposium in Pediatric Cardiology- Surgery, (MESPC-S), May 2004.
56. Interview with “Sound of Future” on the “Brave Heart Fund” May 2004.
57. Interview with “El Moustakbel” Newspaper on status of Pediatric Cardiology in Lebanon and the Children’s Cardiac Registry Center (CCRC) at AUB-MC, 2002.
58. Interview with “Al-Safir” Newspaper on Cardiac Disease in children in Lebanon, 2002.
59. Interview on “ART Television “on the Health program, discussing heart diseases in children, May, 2002.
60. Interview with “Al-Seeyasa” Newspaper in Kuwait, on the first case of non-surgical closure of a Patent ductus arteriosus by coil embolization at the AUBMC and in Lebanon and Eastern Mediterranean region, 1996.
61. Press release by the AUB information office to the “Al-Safir”, “ Al-Nahar”, “Al Anwar”, and “ Al Deyar” Newspapers reporting the first case of non-surgical closure of a Patent ductus arteriosus by coil embolization at the AUBMC and in Lebanon and Eastern Mediterranean region, 1996.
62. Interview on “ Future Television “ on the Health morning program, a National Health Program, 2 sessions, discussing diagnosis, management and prevention of heart diseases in children, May, 1996 .
63. Invited Speaker by the Lebanese Order of Physicians and Lebanese Ministry of Health for a two hour program on Congenital Heart Diseases, on a National Televised Educational program : “ Life and Health” , Lebanese Television, 1996.
Associate Dean for EMA in 2009, Executive Director in 2018 ; I have overseen and coordinated the following major activities External Medical Affairs
▪ A cooperation agreement between AUBMC and Lebanese Civic Defense, 2018. AUBMC and Lebanese Civic Defense
▪ A cooperation agreement between AUBMC and Medrar Medical Center in the South of Lebanon, 2015. AUBMC and Medrar Medical Center
▪ A Worldwide Webcast Presentation by Associate Dean Bitar addressing External Medical Affairs hosted by the Association of Academic Health Centers (AAHC) Webcast and AAHC and Video link AAHC and Associate Dean Bitar, 2015
▪ A cooperation agreement between AUBMC and Ministry of Health in Kurdistan, 2013. AUBMC and Ministry of Health in Kurdistan
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▪ A cooperation agreement to promote women’s heart health in Lebanon in collaboration with Yaduna, 2012. AUBMC and Yaduna
▪ An Affiliation agreement to establish an Affiliate Medical Center for AUBMC in North of Lebanon “Keserwan Medical Center”, 2012. AUBMC and KMC
▪ A cooperation agreement to establish a Cardiovascular Center in Damascus, Syria, 2011. Syria and Cardiovascular Center
▪ An Affiliation agreement to establish “The Bobst Ambulatory Cancer Center of Tripoli”, 2011-12. Ambulatory Cancer Center of Tripoli
▪ A cooperation agreement with the Medical City Teaching Hospital of Baghdad. Medical City of Baghdad and AUBMC
▪ Represented AUB President and AUB Vice President for Medical Affairs/Dean of Faculty of Medicine on issues relating to cooperation between University of Toledo and AUB, Ohio, 2012. ▪ Represented AUB Ex-President and AUB Vice President for Medical Affairs/Dean of Faculty of Medicine on matters relating to AUBMC 2020 vision during the Fundraising event conducted by AUB Alumni at Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, 2012.
▪ An operational study in regard to “Turkish Medical Center” in Saida, Lebanon, 2011.
▪ Preparation of a cooperation agreement between “UAE Program to Support and Rebuild Lebanon” which allows AUBMC to manage and operate the “Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Hospital” in Shebaa, Lebanon, 2010.
▪ Several educational and training workshop sponsored by MOH in Iraq, UNRWA, WHO, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, industry and others.
▪ Coordinated several agreements with national, regional and international medical schools/organizations/universities.
Coordinator of External Medical Affairs (EMA) 2005-2009
During my tenure as the Coordinator for External Programs-Medicine between 2005 and 2009, I have overseen and coordinated agreements and activities with 15 national, 8 regional and 12 international organizations/universities. Examples of the agreements that were signed with FM/AUBMC between 2007-2009 include the followings:
▪ Republic of Iraq-Ministry of Health. The agreement aimed to provide specialized technical training in emergency medical services and life support programs for 60 hospital-based nurses and paramedics working in emergency departments of general hospitals throughout Iraq. (in cooperation with REP).
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▪ Nesma Holding Company Ltd (Jeddah). This agreement aims to oversee a feasibility /business plan which shall draw the roadmap to establish private schools of Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (In cooperation with REP).
▪ Safwan Trading and Contracting Co. (Kuwait). This agreement aims to overseeing the feasibility study and business plan carried out by an external global consultant as provided by SAFWAN to AUB pertaining to the establishment of a specialized neurosurgery/spine/joint replacement hospital in Kuwait. (in cooperation with REP).
▪ International Medical Corp (IMC). AUBMC provides advanced training in radiation oncology, medical physics and radiation therapy for Iraqi personnel at the AUBMC. (In cooperation with REP, 2009).
▪ International Medical Corp (IMC). AUB will provide workshop and training sessions for Iraqi professional residing in Lebanon (in cooperation with REP, 2009)
Committees
▪ Member, Dean’s Team, AUBMC, since 2009.
▪ Member, Academic Committee, AUBMC/FM, since 2009.
▪ Chairman, “Grateful Patient Fund” Committee, AUBMC, 2008-2009.
▪ Member, Medicine Strategic Planning Committee, AUBMC, 2007.
▪ Member, Dean’s Advisory Committee for promotion in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, AUB, 2007.
▪ Member, Ad-Hoc Committee for Medicine I Applicants Interview, AUBMC.
▪ Chairman, External Programs/Satellite Strategic Planning Committee, AUBMC, 2005- 2006.
▪ Member, American University of Beirut (AUB)-Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
▪ Institutional Task Force Committee, 2005.
▪ Member (elected) Peers Review Committee, AUBMC, 2000-2002 and 2006-2008.
▪ Member, Cardiovascular Center Steering Committee, AUBMC, 2004.
▪ Member, Outpatient Committee, AUBMC, 2002-2003.
▪ Member, Continuing Education Committee, AUBMC/FM, 2000-2001.
▪ Member of the Intensive Care Committee, AUBMC, 1999-2002.
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▪ Member of the Professional fees Committee, AUBMC, 1999-2002.
▪ Member of the A.U.B. Pediatric Society in U.S.A, 1991, USA.
▪ Pediatric Residency and Recruitment Committees, Health Science Center at Syracuse, 1991, USA.
▪ Pediatric Liaison Committee, Health Science Center at Syracuse, and Pediatric Patient Care and Quality Assurance Committee, Syracuse, N.Y., 1991, USA.
▪ Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital Pediatric Care and Quality Assurance Committee, Syracuse, N.Y., 1991 , USA/
▪ Chairperson of the organizing and Public Relation committee of the A.U.B. Alumina Association of North America, Syracuse Chapter, 1991, USA.
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