Clinical features, laboratory characteristics and risk factors for mortality of COVID-19 patients in a secondary hospital in Oman during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Background: The changing epidemiological profile of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertain clinical picture of patients characterise this ongoing and most challenging health event.

Objectives: To report clinical features, laboratory characteristics, and mortality risk factors among COVID-19 patients admitted to a secondary hospital in Oman.

Methods: A retrospective study for the first 455 patients admitted with COVID-19 to Rustaq hospital from 12th April, 2020 to 27th September, 2020.

Cell salvage during coronary artery bypass surgery and allogenic blood exposure.

Aim: Our primary aim was to assess the impact of intraoperative cell saver usage on patient exposure to allogenic blood transfusion during elective coronary artery bypass. The secondary endpoint was the impact of cell savage on the units of blood and blood products transfused perioperatively.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study with a historical cohort as a control group was performed in a single tertiary care center.