Amman Jordan Riley Heart Mission #37 – Day 2

View from Al Khalidi Hospital

Despite some rain and wind this morning, things were bright at the hospital where we rounded on our post-op patients. Both Rouh and Muhannad did well overnight and looked great this morning.

Even Rouh seems amazed by her improved color

Muhannad resting

Our first case today is Ahmed Al Hussein. He is a 10 month old Palestinian/Jordanian with Double Outlet Right Ventricle. His VSD is below the aortic valve. There may be some narrowing of the valve to the lungs but it is mostly reflecting more volume from the VSD.

Ahmed before surgery

Ahmed’s operation went well. His Double Outlet Right Ventricle VSD is closed as well as a small PDA and PFO. On his post bypass transesophageal echocardiogram he had good cardiac function and was in a normal heart rhythm.

Our second patient today is Wateen Al Ajrab. She is a 6 month old from Syria with a significant VSD causing congestive heart failure. Despite being on 3 medicines she has had difficulty gaining weight. She is the youngest member of a family of 5 children. When she arrived, she had a cough which worried us as a sign of a possible pneumonia. But her labs were reassuring and with 2 days of IV lasix, she has less cough and a better chest x-ray.

Wateen

The VSD was closed and the operation was well tolerated. We will hope for an uneventful night of recovery.

Dr. Khalid also did 2 diagnostic catheterizations today that will help us plan for this and future missions.

We have to finalize the schedule for the rest of the week and then head back to our hotel.

Our Gift of Life Amman (GOLA) hosts and friends have been taking great care of us and tonight have plans for dinner at an Italian restaurant.