Prosthetic valve dysfunction in patients with mechanical heart valves: Results from the Emergency Salam Centre cohort.

Introduction: Mechanical heart valve (MHV) replacement requires long-life anticoagulation due to the risk of Prosthetic Valve Dysfunction (PVD) and cardioembolism.

Methods: We report data from a prospective observational study conducted on MHV patients in the Khartoum Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery built by 'Emergency,' an Italian Non-Governmental Organization, to evaluate the occurrence of PVD and associated risk factors.

Results: We prospectively followed 3647 patients, and 38 patients (rate 1.

Association of sex with major bleeding risks in sub-Saharian anticoagulated patients with mechanical heart valves: A cohort study from the Khartoum Emergency Salam Centre.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) with mechanical heart valve (MHV) replacement is common in Africa. However, MHV requires lifelong anticoagulation that could have a particular impact in women in reproductive age.

Methods: We report data of a prospective observational cohort study conducted between August 2018 and September 2019 in MHV patients in the Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery built in Khartoum by Emergency, an Italian Non-Governmental Organization, to evaluate bleeding risk, its associated determinants, and the impact of lifelong anticoagulation in fertile women.

Case Report: Right atrial organized thrombus three years after tricuspid annuloplasty.

Occurrence of right atrial masses, especially in patients with history of cardiac surgery, is rare. Differential diagnosis between malignant and non-malignant aetiologies might be cumbersome, and surgery is often required to prevent complications or disease evolution. We report the case of a 16-year-old girl from a rural area of Sudan, who underwent surgery for a modified De Vega's tricuspid annuloplasty, and mitral and aortic valve replacement with mechanical prostheses.

Alternative treatment of tricuspid valve vegetations.

A mycotic abdominal aortic aneurysm was detected on computed tomographic angiography of two male patients who were followed up after reporting symptoms of abdominal pain, malaise, and fever of unknown origin. One of the patients' aneurysm was repaired with a tubular graft and the other patient had endovascular aneurysm repair due to his high co-morbidity. From pre-operative cultures and a pathological examination of the surgical specimens, it was observed that the aneurysms had developed in the abdominal aorta due to Salmonella enterica, and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was started.

Case Report: Endotracheal tube as life-saving tool to control an aortic rupture in intensive care unit.

Aortic rupture and suture dehiscence can complicate a cardiac operation, especially in case of infections of the surgical site. Such a complication can be life-threatening and require immediate surgical treatment. We report the case of a 13-year-old girl who suffered a sudden dehiscence of the aortic suture line in the context of deep sternal wound infection, while in the surgical intensive care unit after a double valve replacement.

Rates and Determinants of Hospital-Acquired Infection among ICU Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery in Developing Countries: Results from EMERGENCY'NGO's Hospital in Sudan.

Introduction. Knowledge of local and regional antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is crucial in clinical decision-making, especially with critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate and pattern of infections in valvular heart disease patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery in Khartoum, Sudan (run by EMERGENCY NGO).

Simple open-heart surgery protocol for sickle-cell disease patients: a retrospective cohort study comparing patients undergoing mitral valve surgery.

Objectives: Sickle-cell disease (SCD) patients are considered to be at high risk from open-heart surgery. This study assessed the role of a simple sickling-prevention protocol.

Methods: Perioperative non-specific and SCD-specific morbidity and 30-day mortality are investigated in a retrospective cohort study on patients undergoing isolated mitral valve surgery.

Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Mechanical Valve Prostheses Using Vitamin K Antagonist Therapy: The Experience of the Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery in Sudan.

Pregnancy and childbirth on anticoagulants after mechanical heart valve replacement present a high risk of complications for both mother and baby. On top of pregnancy worsening the mother's cardiac function, anticoagulant therapy itself is a crucial problem. A safe and effective anticoagulation regimen for both mother and fetus is not possible.

Treating Children With Advanced Rheumatic Heart Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: The NGO EMERGENCY's Project at the Centre for Cardiac Surgery in Sudan.

Rheumatic heart disease is endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa and while efforts are under way to boost prophylaxis and early diagnosis, access to cardiac surgery is rarely affordable. In this article, we report on a humanitarian project by the NGO EMERGENCY, to build and run the Centre for Cardiac Surgery in Sudan. This hospital is a center of excellence offering free-of-charge, high-quality treatment to patients needing open-heart surgery for advanced rheumatic and congenital heart disease.

Percutaneous transcatheter balloon valvuloplasty for severe tricuspid valve stenosis in Ebstein's anomaly.

A 26-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of exertional dyspnea (New York Heart Association III), general fatigue and palpitations over the past 2 months. She had normal psychosomatic development until adulthood, no previous pregnancies and a history of rheumatic fever at young age. Although she referred a slow gradual worsening of general conditions for 2 years, no clinical evaluations were previously performed.