Valve Surgery in a Low-Volume Center in a Low- and Middle-Income Country: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Valvular heart disease (VHD) has a significant prevalence and mortality rate with surgical intervention continuing to be a cornerstone of therapy. We aim to report the outcome of patients undergoing heart valve surgery (HVS) in a low-volume center (LVC) in a low- and middle-income country (LMIC).

Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at the Jordan University Hospital (JUH), a tertiary teaching hospital in a developing country, between April 2014 and December 2019.

Investigating the Utility of the SOFA Score and Creating a Modified SOFA Score for Predicting Mortality in the Intensive Care Units in a Tertiary Hospital in Jordan.

Background: The utility of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in predicting mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been demonstrated before, but serial testing in various settings is required to validate and improve the score. This study examined the utility of the SOFA score in predicting mortality in Jordanian ICU patients and aimed to find a modified score that required fewer laboratory tests.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Jordan University Hospital (JUH).

Incidence, risk factors and outcomes of acute kidney injury in surgical intensive care unit octogenarians at the Jordan University Hospital.

Background: Acute kidney damage (AKI) is among the most severe consequences observed in surgical intensive care units (SICUs). We aim to observe the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of acute kidney injury in SICU octogenarians.

Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at the SICU of Jordan University Hospital (JUH), a tertiary teaching hospital in a developing country, between January 2018 and December 2019.

Serum ACE2 Level is Associated With Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Objectives: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) represents the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2 to enter endothelial cells, causing coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we investigate the association between circulating ACE2 levels with the severity of COVID-19.

Methods: Serum ACE2 levels were measured in 144 COVID-19-positive subjects at hospital admission, and 123 COVID-19-negative control subjects.

Atrial Septal Defect Repair in Adolescent and Adult Patients, a Cross Sectional Study at Jordan University Hospital, a Tertiary Hospital in a Developing Country.

Objective: We aim to report our heart team's experience in repair of Secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) in adolescent and adult patients at Jordan University Hospital (JUH).

Methodology: A retrospective observational study of 44 patients who underwent secundum ASD closure by transcatheter closure (TCC) or Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS) at JUH. Patients who were treated at an age of 14 years or older regardless of the age of diagnosis were included.

The Value of Auditing Surgical Records in a Tertiary Hospital Setting.

Background: Assessing and improving quality of care should be of paramount importance to health care systems and providers. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of surgical records at the Jordan University Hospital.

Methods: We used the previously validated Surgical Tool for Auditing Records (STAR) to retrospectively evaluate the quality of surgical records of patients who underwent surgery in the general surgery department from 2016 to 2021.

Complement Terminal Pathway Activation is Associated with Organ Failure in Sepsis Patients.

Background: Complement plays a pivotal role in the immune response to infection. Several studies demonstrated complement activation in sepsis, yet little is known of the relationship of complement terminal pathway activation and the clinical characteristics of sepsis patients. Therefore, we investigated serum C5, soluble C5b-9 (sC5b-9), and soluble CD59 (sCD59) and their relation to organ failure in sepsis patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Characteristics of Adult Sepsis Patients in the Intensive Care Units in a Tertiary Hospital in Jordan: An Observational Study.

Sepsis is a global health issue that is commonly encountered in the intensive care unit (ICU) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Available data regarding sepsis in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is lacking compared to higher income countries, especially using updated sepsis definitions. The lack of recent data on sepsis in Jordan prompted us to investigate the burden of sepsis among Jordanian ICU patients.

Improving the Quality of Medical Documentation in Orthopedic Surgical Notes Using the Surgical Tool for Auditing Records (STAR) Score.

Aims Due to the significant value held by medical records in terms of influencing patient care and medico-legal cases, this study aimed to investigate the quality of surgical notes and their improvement through periodic auditing during a six-year period at a major tertiary hospital. Methodology This study retrospectively evaluated surgical records of patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgeries at Jordan University Hospital from 2016 to 2021 using the Surgical Tool for Auditing Records (STAR) validated questionnaire. This questionnaire is composed of six distinct sections aimed to quantify the quality of medical records and demonstrate their associated deficiencies.

Complex, Isolated Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation in Two Children With Severe Cyanosis.

We present two cases of Isolated complex pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in two children presenting with cyanosis and exercise intolerance. We present the anatomical features and the management of each case. One patient was treated with surgical ligation of the draining vein, and one patient was treated percutaneously by closure of the feeding segmental artery.

E-Learning during COVID-19 pandemic; Turning a crisis into opportunity: A cross-sectional study at The University of Jordan.

Objectives: To assess the medical students' satisfaction and knowledge attainment through distant learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, self-reported, questionnaire-based study that was conducted at the School of Medicine at the University of Jordan in April 2020. The targeted population was the students at the school of medicine.

Medical students and risk of COVID-19 infection: A descriptive cross-sectional study from the University of Jordan.

Backgrounds: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with increasing morbidity and mortality has impacted the lives of the global population, including medical education. With the return of on-site medical education in Jordan, it is important to know whether this would pose any risk of COVID-19 infection in medical students.

Objective: To investigate COVID-19 infection infection rates among medical students and whether there is difference between preclinical and clinical students' infection rate.

Monitoring Symptoms of Infectious Diseases: Perspectives for Printed Wearable Sensors.

Infectious diseases possess a serious threat to the world's population, economies, and healthcare systems. In this review, we cover the infectious diseases that are most likely to cause a pandemic according to the WHO (World Health Organization). The list includes COVID-19, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), Ebola Virus Disease (EBOV), Marburg Virus Disease (MARV), Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Nipah Virus diseases (NiV), and Rift Valley fever (RVF).

Wound healing in immunocompromised dogs: A comparison between the healing effects of moist exposed burn ointment and honey.

Background And Aim: Natural topical products have been used to enhance wound healing, especially in immunocompromised animals. The aims of this study were to evaluate and to compare the effects of moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) and honey on the healing of full-thickness skin wounds in immunocompromised dogs.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted using 12 adults, apparently healthy mongrel dogs.

Revisiting the anatomy of the cephalic vein, its origin, course and possible clinical correlations in relation to the anatomical snuffbox among Jordanian.

Background: The cephalic vein is one of the most distinguished superficial veins of the upper limb. Its clinical value lies in venous access. There is little known about the variation of its formation in relation to the anatomical snuffbox.

The best vein to be accessed based on descriptive study of dorsal metacarpal vein.

It is well known that the most common sites for venous access are the superficial veins of the upper limb, particularly dorsal metacarpal veins and median cubital vein. Although dorsal metacarpal veins are the first choice for venous cannulation, there is scarce information about their anatomic variation. Hence, detailed anatomical information about these veins will improve the anatomic knowledge of the health care providers.

Bronchial erosion and migration of Port-A-Cath, a case report.

Introduction: Several possible complications are known to be related to central venous catheters.

Presentation Of Case: A 20-year-old lady had a catheter (Port-a-Cath) inserted in the left subclavian vein to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma. One year after insertion, on receiving intravenous chemotherapy the patient began coughing.

Heart Disease in Adult Syrian Refugees: Experience at Jordan University Hospital.

Background: Since 2011, 1.26 million Syrians have immigrated to Jordan, increasing demands on Healthcare service. Information about cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Syrian refugees in general, and specifically in Jordan, is unknown.

Reasons for operation cancellations at a teaching hospital: prioritizing areas of improvement.

Purpose: To report rates of and reasons for operation cancellation, and to prioritize areas of improvement.

Methods: Retrospective data were extracted from the monthly reports of cancelled listed operations. Data on 14 theatres were collected by the office of quality assurance at Jordan University Hospital from August 2012 to April 2016.

Incidence, Characteristics, and Survival Trend of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Following In-hospital Compared to Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest in Northern Jordan.

Background: Cardiac arrest remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the cornerstone intervention to optimize the survival rates.

Objectives: The main aim of this study was to determine and compare the incidence, characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of CPR in a referral university hospital following in-hospital cardiac arrests (IHCAs) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Northern Jordan.

Cardiac myxoma: clinical characteristics, surgical intervention, intra-operative challenges and outcome.

Objective: The objectives of this retrospective study were to characterize the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, surgical approaches, intra-operative challenges and complications following the surgical treatment of cardiac myxoma in two of the largest referral hospitals in Jordan.

Methods: Medical records of all patients presented to the cardiology department during the period between 1984 and 2016 were reviewed. Criteria for inclusion in the study were: (1) patients who were presented for cardiac evaluation due to symptoms suggestive of a primary cardiac problem, (2) completed medical records, including results of echocardiography suggestive of intra-cardiac occupying mass, (3) the surgical operation was undertaken and intra-operative data was available, (4) a histological diagnosis of myxoma was available and (5) the discharge status and follow-up data were available for at least 2 years after initial surgery.

Libman-Sacks Endocarditis with Unusual Large Size Vegetation Involving the Mitral Valve.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune hypercoagulable disorder characterized by thrombophilia, vascular thrombosis, and recurrent abortions associated with persistent antiphospholipid antibodies. APS may exist in its primary form, or more commonly is found to be associated with variety of rheumatic disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Cardiac involvement is not an uncommon complication in primary antiphospholipid patients.

Aortopulmonary ectopic parathyroid gland and concurrent thymolipoma.

Ectopic parathyroid adenomas are considered the main cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. However, concurrent parathyroid and thymic pathologies are rarely diagnosed in the same patient. A 47-year-old man with history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and myasthenia gravis presented with persistent hypercalcemia.

Spontaneous left atrial intramural hematoma associated with large hemorrhagic pericardial effusion.

Atrial intramural hematoma is a rare entity. It was reported to occur spontaneously especially in patients with recent history of cardiac surgery or cardiac trauma. In this report, a case of spontaneous intramural hematoma associated with large bloody stained pericardial effusion presented with progressive shortness of breath as the primary clinical manifestation is described.