First Implementation of Transfusion Consent Policy in Oman : Audit of compliance from a tertiary care university hospital

Objectives: Transfusions are a common medical intervention. Discussion of the benefits, risks and alternatives with the patient is mandated by many legislations prior to planned transfusions. At the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman, a written transfusion consent policy was introduced in March 2014. This was the first time such a policy was implemented in Oman. This study therefore aimed to assess adherence to this policy among different specialties within SQUH. Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent elective transfusions between June and August 2014 were reviewed to assess the presence of transfusion consent forms. If present, the consent forms were examined for completeness of patient, physician and witness information. Results: In total, the records of 446 transfused patients (299 adult and 147 paediatric patients) were assessed. Haematology patients accounted for 50% of adult patients and 71% of paediatric patients. Consent was obtained for 75% of adult and 91% of paediatric patients. The highest adherence rate was observed among adult and paediatric haematology specialists (95% and 97%, respectively). Consent forms were correctly filled out with all details provided for 51% and 52% of adult and paediatric patients, respectively. Among inadequately completed forms, the most common error was a lack of witness details (20–25%). Conclusion: In most cases, the pre-transfusion consent policy was successfully adhered to at SQUH. However, further work is required to ensure full compliance with the consent procedure within different specialties. Implementation of transfusion consent in other hospitals in the country is recommended

Impact of Blood Transfusion on Troponin I Levels and Outcomes after Cardiac Surgery: A Cohort Study

Objectives: Increased cardiac troponin I (TI) has been suggested to be a sensitive indicator of intraoperative myocardial injury. We investigated the association of transfusion on TI levels post-surgery and outcomes in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgeries. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 542 patients. Patients were divided into two groups based on TI levels at 24 hours (TI24) (> 6.5 µg/L vs. ≤ 6.5 µg/L). The impact of transfusion on TI levels was estimated using logistic regression and adjusted for using a multivariable model that included aortic cross-clamp time and preoperative ejection fraction. The effect of TI on the clinical outcomes was examined. Results: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion was found to be associated with high TI levels (odds ratio (OR) = 2.33, p = 0.007, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30–4.30). A trend was observed when aortic cross-clamp time and preoperative ejection fraction were adjusted for (OR = 2.06, p = 0.080, 95% CI: 0.90–4.70). An association was found between aortic cross-clamp time and high TI levels in the multivariable model (OR = 1.01, p = 0.028, 95% CI: 1.00–1.02). Elevated TI levels was associated with higher mortality (OR = 4.15, p = 0.017, 95% CI: 1.29–13.08), renal failure (OR = 2.99, p = 0.004, 95% CI: 1.41–6.32), and increased length of stay in-hospital (OR = 4.50, p = 0.020, 95% CI: 0.69–8.30). Conclusions: RBC transfusion is associated with increased TI24 post-cardiac surgery and worse outcomes, albeit a confounding effect cannot be excluded. Larger studies are required to confirm these findings

Prevalence Pattern of Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease among Patients Presenting for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Oman

Objectives: To identify the pattern of prevalence of risk factors in patients presenting for coronary artery bypass grafting at a single center in Oman. Methods: All patients who had coronary artery bypass grafting between March 2008 to March 2010 were included and data were obtained from history and laboratory investigations. The prevalence rates of eight conventional risk factors are presented as a retrospective single center observational study. Results: Out of 146 total patients, 107 (73.29%) were male. The age ranged from 31 to 87 years old. The mean age was 58.18 ± 10.08 years (males = 56.81 ± 10.42, females = 61.95 ± 7.97). Hypertension was present in 119 patients (81.51%), 115 patients (78.77%) had dyslipidemia, 107 patients (73.29%) were male, 79 patients (54.11%) had diabetes mellitus, 70 patients (47.95%) were over the age of 60 years, 41 patients (28.08%) gave a history of smoking, 31 patients (21.23%) were obese, and 19 patients (13.01%) gave a positive family history. Conclusions: The most common risk factor was hypertension, followed by dyslipidemia, male gender, diabetes mellitus, old age, smoking, obesity and positive family history; 87.7% had three or more risk factors. The females in this study were older than the males and had more risk factors at presentation. The most common combination of factors seen together was diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and male gender

Wandering permanent pacemaker generators in children: a case series

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Epicardial permanent pacemaker generators are implanted some times in the abdominal wall in pediatric age groups.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>Three permanent epicardial pacemakers that migrated in an unusual manner producing intraabdominal complications are reported.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The different clinical presentations of pacemaker migration in the pediatric age groups are highlighted and a few suggestions are made for avoiding such a complication.</p

Subclinical Sickle Cell Crisis during Cardiopulmonary Bypass : Timely detection and early management

A sickle cell crisis can occur during cardiopulmonary bypass for cardiac surgical procedures in patients with sickle cell hemoglobin, which could lead to hemolysis. There is a dearth of such reports from the Arab world. We hereby present two cases from Oman with subclinical sickle cell crisis during cardiopulmonary bypass. The timely detection and early management resulted in good outcome. The good clinical practice for management of such patients is also discussed.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with protein S deficiency: Perioperative implications

Protein S (PS) along with activated protein C plays an important role in the down-regulation of in vivo thrombin generation. Its deficiency can cause abnormal and inappropriate clot formation within the circulation necessitating chronic anticoagulation therapy. The risk of developing thrombotic complications is heightened in the perioperative period in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Heparin resistance is very rare in these patients, especially when antithrombin levels are near normal. Management of CPB in this scenario is quite challenging. We report the perioperative management, particularly the CPB management, of a patient with type I PS deficiency and incidentally detected heparin resistance, who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with CPB