Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of multiple abdominal fat indices as measured via ultrasonography for predicting the presence and severity of carotid artery atherosclerosis and to compare the predictive capacity of ultrasonographic measurements to that of anthropometric measurements. Methods: A total of 92 patients were included in this study. All participants underwent clinical and laboratory assessments, and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Ultrasound examinations were performed to measure the values of all abdominal fat indices and the intimamedia thickness, as well as to detect the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: In the multivariate analysis, significant associations were detected between carotid artery atherosclerosis and posterior right perinephric fat thickness (PRPFT) (hazard ratio [HR], 15.23; P<0.001), preperitoneal fat thickness (PPFT) (HR, 4.31; P=0.003), visceral adipose tissue volume (VAT) (HR, 7.61; P<0.001), visceral fat thickness (VFT) (HR, 8.84; P<0.001), the ratio of VFT to subcutaneous fat thickness (VFT/SCFT) (HR, 9.39; P<0.001), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (HR, 2.65; P=0.046). In the multivariate analysis, significant associations were also detected between carotid artery plaque and PRPFT (HR, 7.09; P<0.001), the abdominal wall fat index (AFI) (HR, 3.58; P=0.010), and VFT/SCFT (HR, 4.17; P=0.006). Conclusion Many abdominal fat indices as measured by ultrasound were found to be strong predictors of carotid artery atherosclerosis, including PRPFT, VFT/SCFT, VFT, VAT, PPFT, and WHtR. Moreover, PRPFT, VFT/SCFT, and AFI were identified as strong predictors of the presence of carotid artery plaque.

PURPOSE: The outcomes of endovascular aneurysmal repair (EVAR) for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in the Middle East have rarely been reported. We analyzed the outcomes of EVAR in a Jordanian population.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of patients with infrarenal AAA who were treated with elective EVAR between January 2004 and January 2017 at a single center in Jordan. Patient characteristics, anatomical characteristics, procedural details, and early and late postoperative outcomes were analyzed.RESULTS: A total of 288 patients (mean age, 70 years; 77.8% males) underwent EVAR for infrarenal AAA (median aneurysm size, 64 mm). Bifurcated endografts were used in 265 patients, and aorto-uni-iliac devices were used in 22 patients. Successful endograft deployment was achieved in all patients with no open conversion. Early complications included localized groin hematoma in 15, femoral artery dissection in 4, wound infection in 3, and seroma in 3 patients. With a mean follow-up of 60 months, 50 endoleaks were detected, including 9 type I, 38 type II, and 3 type III. Seven patients had unilateral graft limb occlusion. The 30-day mortality was 1.7%, and long-term mortality was 7.0%, mostly due to non-AAA-related causes.CONCLUSION: EVAR was safely performed in Jordanian patients with minimal complications. However, long-term surveillance is important due to the risk of endoleaks and consequent intervention.
Aneurysm ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis ; Endoleak ; Extremities ; Femoral Artery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Groin ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Jordan ; Medical Records ; Middle East ; Mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Seroma ; Transplants ; Wound Infection

Introduction: Malaria, a life-threatening infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, continues to be a major global health concern, particularly in regions with high transmission rates. This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the hematological indicators of G6PD deficiency in individuals infected with malaria. The study utilized medical records and laboratory test results to analyze the hematological parameters and markers in individuals with confirmed malaria and G6PD deficiency. Methods: Data were collected from the laboratory unit of Mosul Teaching Hospitals in Ninevah Province, Iraq, from March 2021 to November 2022. The study population consisted of individuals diagnosed with malaria and with available G6PD deficiency test results. G6PD deficiency was determined by measuring the G6PD enzyme activity in the patient’s blood. Hematological parameters, including complete blood counts, platelet counts, and red blood cell indices, were recorded using a laboratory information system. Results: The study population exhibited a relatively low prevalence of G6PD deficiency, with no significant differences observed in age or gender distribution between individuals with and without G6PD deficiency. The distribution of malaria types did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, patients with G6PD deficiency showed a significantly higher monocyte count, indicating a potential association between G6PD deficiency and altered monocyte response during malaria infection. The clinical significance of this finding requires further investigation. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the hematological indicators of G6PD deficiency in individuals infected with malaria. The findings suggest a potential relationship between G6PD deficiency and altered monocyte response during malaria infection.