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Background and aimHeart failure is still a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Assist devices are reserved for advanced heart failure patients with no other therapeutic options.We aim in this paper to describe the characteristics and outcome of Lebanese left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients.ResultsFrom 2010 till December 2019, 78 patients were implanted with assist devices at the Beirut cardiac Institute, 82 pumps were used. To the most recent follow up after 10 years, 26 patients died (34%). 24 patients of 35 (68%) survived more than 5 years. Seven patients only (9%) died during one month of surgery. One year mortality was 19% (15 patients). The leading cause of early mortality was infection, whereas cerebrovascular accidents CVA were the leading cause of late mortality. Pump thrombosis occurred in 12% of the cases. The most serious long term complication was haemorrhagic CVA. Only seven patients (9%) received heart transplantation, with a mean time on support prior to transplantation of 1303 ± 213 days.ConclusionIn this manuscript we reported the characteristics and outcome of the largest population of LVAD patients in Lebanon. The survival rate was 81% at one year. These findings were comparable to the international registries except for rates of heart transplantation. More efforts should be made to encourage organ donation in Lebanon.

Objectives: To evaluate the nutritional status, to screen for the presence of malnutrition, and to study the possible risk factors associated with malnutrition in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional review of medical records of all diagnosed CF patients in the Pediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, between January 1984 and May 2015 was conducted. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected from records of last visit to CF clinic. Nutritional status and risk factors of malnutrition were assessed. Results: All records of 109 CF patients were reviewed. Forty-seven pediatric patients were included in the study. All included patients were on pancreatic enzyme replacement and 42 (89%) received high-calorie supplementation. Growth failure was noted in 34 (72%) patients, 19 (56%) were wasted and stunted, 8 (23.5%) were wasted only, and 7 (20.5%) were stunted. Low birth weight ( p =0.032), and the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) ( p =0.039) were the significant risk factors for malnutrition. Conclusions: Most CF patients in Bahrain (72%) are malnourished. Low birth weight and the presence of GERD are risk factors. Saudi Med J 2016; Vol. 37 (3): 293-298 doi: 10.15537/smj.2016.3.13476 How to cite this article Isa HM, Al-Ali LF, Mohamed AM. Growth assessment and risk factors of malnutrition in children with cystic fibrosis. Saudi Med J 2016; 37: 293-298.

ObjectiveTo detect the incidence of cryptosporidial infection in children presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms at the local hospital in Kuwait.MethodsOver a period of 3 years, September 1995 to August 1997, a single fecal sample from 3549 children was analyzed by modified saframin-methylene blue (SM-B) staining and a direct immunofluorescence test for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts.ResultsCryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 51 (10%) children with diarrhea. Prevalence was highest (73%) in children >2 years of age compared with children