Initial Experience Using a Shear-Thinning Conformable Hydrogel Embolic.

A new conformable embolic agent (Obsidio; Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts) is indicated for embolizing hypervascular tumors and treating peripheral vessel bleeding. It is a non-Newtonian hydrogel that becomes less viscous when shear force is applied. This retrospective study examined the safety and effectiveness of the shear-thinning embolic in a single-academic-center experience.

Endovascular thrombectomy provides durable, symptomatic relief in iliocaval tumor thrombosis.

Aims: Iliocaval venous tumor thrombus is a morbid condition associated with chronic venous stasis, lower extremity edema/pain, extensive thrombus burden and high mortality secondary to critical flow obstruction, intracardiac thrombus extension and tumor embolization. Typically resistant to medical therapy, management is primarily surgical, presenting challenges for medically complex patients with widespread or end-stage disease. Mechanical or aspiration thrombectomy represents an appealing treatment strategy but data are lacking.

Characterising COVID-19 empirical research production in Latin America and the Caribbean: A scoping review.

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) pandemic has struck Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) particularly hard. One of the crucial areas in the international community's response relates to accelerating research and knowledge sharing. The aim of this article is to map and characterise the existing empirical research related to COVID-19 in LAC countries and contribute to identify opportunities for strengthening future research.

Applying a logical theory of change for strengthening research uptake in policy: a case study of the Evidence Informed Decision Making Network of the Caribbean.

Objective: Health policymakers in the Caribbean face challenges with research use in decision-making. Although copious approaches to strengthen evidence-informed policy can be found in the literature, these strategies should be applied and evaluated in specific settings. We developed a theory of change for strengthening research uptake in health policy, and the interventions were implemented as the Evidence Informed Decision Making Network of the Caribbean (EvIDeNCe).

Diagnosis of Spinocerebellar Ataxia in the West Indies.

Background: Access to medical care in many regions is limited by socioeconomic status, at both the individual and the community level. This report describes the diagnostic process of a family residing on an underserved Caribbean island where routine neurological care is typically addressed by general practitioners, and genetic diagnosis is not available through regular medical channels. The diagnosis and management of neurodegenerative disorders is especially challenging in this setting.