Intravenous Diltiazem Versus Metoprolol in Acute Rate Control of Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter and Rapid Ventricular Response: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Observational Studies.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and/or atrial flutter (AFL) with rapid ventricular response (RVR) is a condition that often requires urgent treatment. Although guidelines have recommendations regarding chronic rate control therapy, recommendations on the best choice for acute heart rate (HR) control in RVR are unclear.

Methods: A systematic search across multiple databases was performed for studies evaluating the outcome of HR control (defined as HR less than 110 bpm and/or 20% decrease from baseline HR).

Comparison of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the assessment of myocardial viability: meta-analysis and systematic review.

Aim: Contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (Ce-CMR) and Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) are frequently utilized in clinical practice to assess myocardial viability. However, studies evaluating direct comparison between Ce-CMR and FDG-PET have a smaller sample size, and no clear distinction between the two imaging modalities has been defined. To address this gap, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies comparing Ce-CMR and FDG-PET for the assessment of myocardial viability.

Comparison of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the assessment of cardiac sarcoidosis: Meta-analysis and systematic review.

Aim: Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) are frequently used advanced cardiac imaging to diagnose cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). We conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review to compare diagnostic parameters of FDG-PET and CMR in the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS).

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus databases from their inception to 9/30/2021 with search terms "cardiac sarcoidosis" AND "cardiac magnetic resonance imaging" AND "positronemission tomography".

Meta-Analysis of Catheter Ablation Outcomes in Patients With Cardiac Sarcoidosis Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia.

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) frequently leads to ventricular tachycardia (VT), which is often refractory to antiarrhythmic and/or immunosuppressive medications and requires catheter ablation. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of catheter ablation in patients with refractory VT undergoing catheter ablation. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases from their inception to December 31, 2021 with search terms "cardiac sarcoidosis" AND "electrophysiological studies OR ablation.

Relationship Between Marijuana Use and Hospitalization for Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background:  Recreational marijuana use is rising, especially among young adults. The cardiovascular (CVD) effect of marijuana remains mostly unknown.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of 14,490 patients admitted to our hospital between 2012 and 2014 who had urine toxicology done for various reasons.

Clinical features and outcomes of patients in different age groups with non-valvular atrial fibrillation receiving oral anticoagulants.

Background: Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) need prophylactically antithrombotic therapies to reduce the risk of stroke. We hypothesized that the prognostic benefits of prophylactic antithrombotic therapies outweighed the bleeding risk among very elderly (≥85 years old) patients.

Methods: We analyzed clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with NVAF in different age groups who had received different prophylactic antithrombotic therapies.

The role of electrophysiology study in risk stratification of cardiac sarcoidosis patients: Meta-analyses and systemic review.

Background: The utility of an electrophysiologic study (EPS) in the risk stratification of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) patients is not clear. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the utility of EPS in the risk stratification of CS patients.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases from their inception to 12/4/2020 with search terms "Cardiac sarcoidosis" And "Electrophysiological studies OR ablation".

Synthetic cannabinoids: the multi-organ failure and metabolic derangements associated with getting high.

Synthetic cannabinoids (SC), though not detected with routine urine toxicology screening, can cause severe metabolic derangements and widespread deleterious effects in multiple organ systems. The diversity of effects is related to the wide distribution of cannabinoid receptors in multiple organ systems. Both cannabinoid-receptor-mediated and non-receptor-mediated effects can result in severe cardiovascular, renal, and neurologic manifestations.