Large Right Atrial Vegetation in a Patient with Tunnelled Dialysis Catheter-Related Staphylococcal Sepsis : Remove the catheter if not in use

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Sickle cell disease with left ventricular non-compaction: A rare association

SummaryCardiac abnormalities described in sickle cell disease are pulmonary hypertension, dilated left or right atrium/ventricle, valvular abnormalities, hyperdynamic left ventricle with hypertrophy, and left or right ventriclular dysfunction. However, features consistent with left ventricular non-compaction have not been described previously in patients with sickle cell disease. We describe the case of a 21-year-old male with sickle cell disease and left ventricular non-compaction, which is a rare association and discuss the possible mechanisms for such an association

Multi-Factorial Causes of Torsade De Pointes in a Hospitalised Surgical Patient

A 55-year-old chronic alcoholic male known to be positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was admitted to a surgical ward following perianal abscess drainage. He was noted to have sinus bradycardia, ventricular premature complexes, and mild hypotension. His laboratory investigations revealed mild hypokalaemia. He was intermittently agitated and alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) was diagnosed. Postoperatively, he received intravenous piperacillin/tazobactam and metronidazole infusions along with a small dose of dopamine. Analysis of a 24-hour Holter monitor (ECG) showed a prolonged QT interval with two episodes of self-terminating torsade de pointes. His AWS was treated, hypokalaemia was corrected, and dopamine, along with antibiotics, was withdrawn. There was no recurrence of arrhythmias. This case highlights the importance of avoiding QT-prolonging drugs in hospitalised patients, since hospitalised patients often have multiple risk factors for a proarrhythmic response.

A Rare Pathology Masquerading as Myocardial Infarction

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The impact of the 2021 cyclone Shaheen on the mental health of affected Omanis

Objectives: Nine strong cyclones have been recorded in Oman in the last 50 years, the last being tropical cyclone Shaheen in October 2021, in the northern Oman area. The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between property loss and the mental health of residents after cyclone Shaheen. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among Omani citizens living in areas affected by cyclone Shaheen three to six months post-cyclone. In an online, self-reported questionnaire, we assessed the loss of participants’ properties due to the cyclone and the impact on their perceived mental health. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and associations between demographics, loss of properties, and mental health were performed. Results: Of 440 participants, 79.3% had their houses directly damaged by the cyclone and 90.7% had their outside properties damaged. Most of the respondents reported that they suffered from mental health symptoms in the months following the cyclone. Women, people with a lower socioeconomic status, the unemployed, and those without a university degree were associated with poorer mental health outcomes. Mental health was significantly lower for respondents whose properties were mostly affected by the cyclone. Conclusions: With scant knowledge about how cyclones directly affect Omanis’ mental health, the results of this study are paramount for the planning of psychological care services to improve the country’s response to extreme weather events.</p

The differential mediating roles of resilience in the relationship between meaningful living and stress among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

The current literature, mostly Euro-American based, indicates that the presence of meaning in life (MIL) improves resilience and lowers stress. However, the differential mediating roles of resilience in the relationship between the search for and presence of MIL, and stress have not been explored. This study aimed to investigate the differential mediating roles of resilience in the relationship between the presence of and search for MIL, and stress among Omani college students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study consisted of the Brief Resilience Scale, Perceived Stress Scale 4, and Meaning in Life Questionnaire, as well as socio-demographic questions. A path analysis model was used to examine the hypothesis. A total of 970 Omani college students responded to the questionnaire. Findings indicate that searching for MIL was significantly associated with a high level of stress directly (β = 0.023; p < 0.001) and indirectly, through a negative effect on resilience (β =  0.006; p < 0.001). Conversely, the presence of MIL was significantly associated with a decreased level of stress directly (β = − 0.045; p < 0.001) and indirectly via a positive effect on resilience (β = − 0.151; p < 0.001). In keeping with the proposed hypothesis, this study contributes to the current knowledge, by extrapolating the effect of searching for MIL on resilience and stress, and culturally re-contextualizing MIL research. University counseling centers could adopt meaning-based strategies to mitigate stress by promoting meaningful living and resilience

Clinical Pathways for Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome in Oman: An Oman Heart Association Protocol for Hospital Quality Improvement Initiative

In 2012, Oman Heart Association (OHA) published its own guidelines for the management of patients with unstable angina/non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction, the aim was not to be comprehensive but rather simplified and practical in order to reduce the gap between the long comprehensive guidelines and our actual practice. However, we still feel that the busy registrars and residents need simpler and direct clinical pathways or protocol to be used in the emergency departments, coronary care units and in the wards. Clinical pathways are now one of the main tools used to manage the quality in healthcare concerning the standardization of care processes. It has been shown that their implementation reduces the variability in clinical practice and improves outcomes in acute care

Double perforation of anterior mitral leaflet aneurysm in a patient with mitral and aortic leaflet aneurysms

Double valve aneurysms in a single patient are a rare occurrence and even rare finding is occurrence of double perforation of anterior mitral leaflet aneurysm. We present an adult patient with bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of aorta and previous endocarditis presenting late with these rare abnormalities

Large Right Atrial Vegetation in a Patient with Tunnelled Dialysis Catheter Related Staphylococcal Sepsis : Remove the Catheter if not in Use

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Isolated non-obstructive accessory mitral valve tissue in an adult mimicking ruptured chordae

Accessory mitral valve tissue is commonly associated with other congenital heart diseases and is usually detected in children causing left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. We present an adult patient with isolated non-obstructive accessory mitral valve tissue that was mimicking ruptured chordae of the mitral valve. Accessory mitral valve tissue in adults is very rare and can mimick various causes of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. This patient represents the first case in literature wherein an unobstructive accessory mitral valve tissue simulated a ruptured chordae. This case illustrates that in patients with suspected mitral valve chordae rupture without any mitral regurgitation, this diagnosis should be considered, which can have therapeutic implications