Incidence and correlates of mortality in adults with congenital heart disease of different age groups.

Background: Aging is associated with acquired comorbidities that potentially influence the natural history and outcomes of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics, as well as the incidence and correlates of all-cause mortality between different age groups.

Method: Adults with CHD were categorized into 3 age groups based on age at baseline encounter: Group 1 (age 18-40 years); Group 2 (age 41-65 years), and Group 3 (age >65 years).

Temporal change in cardiac function and clinical indices in adults with valvular pulmonic stenosis.

Background: Patients with palliated pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS) have less cardiac remodeling and symptoms as compared to patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) presenting with similar severity of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) disease. What is not known is whether patients with PVS versus TOF presenting with similar severity of RVOT disease at baseline, would have similar (or different) pace of cardiac remodeling and disease progression over time. The study objective was to compare temporal changes in clinical and cardiac function indices between adults with palliated PVS and repaired TOF presenting with moderate/severe RVOT disease.

Right atrial reverse remodeling and risk of atrial arrhythmias after surgical pulmonary valve replacement.

Background: Right atrial (RA) dysfunction and atrial arrhythmias are relatively common in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. The purpose of this study was to determine whether RA function improved after surgical pulmonary valve replacement (PVR), and the association between postoperative RA reverse remodeling and late postoperative atrial arrhythmias.

Method: RA reverse remodeling (ΔRA reservoir strain based speckle tracking echocardiography) was calculated as: ([postoperative RA reservoir strain - preoperative RA reservoir strain]/preoperative RA reservoir strain)x100.

Prevalence of dementia among Indigenous populations of countries with a very high Human Development Index: a systematic review.

Dementia is a health priority for Indigenous peoples. Here, we reviewed studies on the prevalence of dementia or cognitive impairment among Indigenous populations from countries with a very high Human Development Index (≥0·8). Quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute risk-of-bias tool and CONSolIDated critERia for strengthening the reporting of health research involving Indigenous peoples (CONSIDER), with oversight provided by an Indigenous Advisory Board.

Clinical outcome of surgically treated displaced acetabular fractures with central dislocation using combined anterior and medial plating.

Aim: Acetabular fractures are complex articular fractures with a big challenge for orthopaedic surgeons. Surgically managed displaced fractures carry favourable outcomes, especially if the articular surface is reduced accurately. This study aims to assess the clinical outcomes of surgically fixed displaced acetabular fractures with central dislocation using combined anterior and medial plating.

Anatomical Variations of the Bifurcation Levels of the Common Carotid Artery and Superior Thyroid Artery.

Background: Variations in the carotid arterial system significantly impact atherosclerosis's clinical and surgical management, which predominantly occurs at arterial bifurcations.

Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating anatomical variations in the bifurcation levels of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the superior thyroid artery (STA), emphasizing clinical relevance.

Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study conducted in June 2021 using 32 embalmed cadavers of adult age from medical schools in Khartoum, Sudan.

Outcomes of Esophageal Varices in Adults With Fontan Palliation and Liver Cirrhosis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to define the risk and outcomes of esophageal varices in adults with Fontan palliation and liver cirrhosis undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

Method: The results of EGD, abdominal ultrasound, and liver biopsy, as well as clinic notes from the hepatologist, were reviewed to determine the diagnosis of cirrhosis and esophageal varices. The incidence of acute gastrointestinal bleeding complication was assessed among patients with esophageal varices using the time of EGD as the baseline.

Differences in Right Heart Function After Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Patients With Pulmonary Valve Stenosis Versus Tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: There are limited data about the impact of timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) on right heart reverse remodeling in patients with pulmonary regurgitation following intervention for isolated pulmonary valve stenosis (PS). This study compared differences in postprocedural right heart reverse remodeling after early versus late PVR (defined as PVR before versus after attainment of the conservative consensus criteria proposed by Bokma et al, 2018) in patients with prior intervention for PS, using patients with tetralogy of Fallot as the reference group.

Method And Results: Right atrial reservoir strain and right ventricular free wall strain was measured at baseline, 1 and 3 years after PVR.

Bending of Lloyd's mirror to eliminate the period chirp in the fabrication of diffraction gratings.

We present a new technique to prevent the detrimental period chirp that appears in optical gratings fabricated by laser interference lithography (LIL). The idea is to bend the Lloyd's mirror in the lithographic setup to eliminate the period chirp already at the step of the grating's exposure. A new mathematical model was developed to describe the required bending geometry of the mirror.

Shoulder dystocia in babies born to Aboriginal mothers with diabetes: a population-based cohort study, 1998-2015.

Background: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) are more likely to have glycaemic levels above the target range, and their babies are thus at higher risk of excessive fetal growth. Shoulder dystocia, defined by failure of spontaneous birth of fetal shoulder after birth of the head requiring obstetric maneuvers, is an obstetric emergency that is strongly associated with DIP and fetal size. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of shoulder dystocia in Aboriginal babies born to mothers with DIP.

Factor XI as a new target for prevention of thromboembolism in cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Anticoagulant therapy is a mainstay in the management of patients with cardiovascular disease. The use of conventional anticoagulants carries potential side effects, mainly bleeding. Drugs targeting Factor XI (FXI) have been investigated in randomized controlled trials as a new option with more favorable outcomes.

Non-cirrhotic Ascites: A Case of Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis.

This case report presents a unique instance of ascites in acute alcoholic hepatitis (AH) occurring in a non-cirrhotic patient. Comprehensive diagnostic evaluation excluded alternative etiologies, pinpointing sinusoidal non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Present therapeutic modalities for AH, including steroids and pentoxifylline, offer limited efficacy, necessitating ongoing investigation.

Coarctation of Aorta With Tricuspid Aortic Valve Is Not Associated With Ascending Aortic Aneurysm.

Background: Aortic aneurysm is common in patients with coarctation of aorta (COA), but it is unclear whether the risk of aortic aneurysms is due to COA or related to the presence of other risk factors such as bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and hypertension.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship among COA, BAV, and thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Methods: A total of 867 patients with COA (COA group) were matched 1:1:1 to 867 patients with isolated BAV (BAV group) and 867 patients without structural heart disease (SHD) (no-SHD group).

Detrimental effects of period-chirped gratings in pulse compressors.

We present a comprehensive simulative and experimental investigation of how period-chirped pulse compression gratings affect the compressed pulses. A specifically developed ray-tracing tool was used for the simulative investigations. It is shown that the chirp creates a characteristic spatio-spectral error pattern, which leads to a degradation of the beam quality and an increase of the pulse duration.

Prognostic Role of Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion/Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure Ratio in Coarctation of Aorta.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension are associated with mortality in adults with coarctation of aorta (COA). The tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/RV systolic pressure (TAPSE/RVSP) ratio is a validated noninvasive tool for the assessment of RV-pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling in patients with PA hypertension, but similar data are lacking in adults with COA. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the TAPSE/RVSP ratio and outcomes in this population.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of Left Ventricular Strain Imaging in Adults with Coarctation of aorta.

The relative diagnostic and prognostic performance of left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) compared with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and the role of LVGLS for detecting the early stages of LV systolic dysfunction in adults with repaired coarctation of the aorta are unknown. This study aimed to address these knowledge gaps. We used a retrospective cohort study of adults with repaired coarctation of the aorta who underwent transthoracic echocardiogram (2003 to 2020).

Bilateral spontaneous quadriceps tendon rupture: a case report and literature review.

Bilateral spontaneous quadriceps tendon rupture is a rare condition characterized by the simultaneous tear of the fibrous tissue connecting the quadriceps muscle to the patella bone. Prompt diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment and optimal outcomes. We present a case of a 70-year-old male with bilateral knee pain and an inability to walk, resulting from a trivial fall.