Representation of women and racial minorities in SGLT2 inhibitors and heart failure clinical trials.

Background: Inadequate representation of women and racial minorities in heart failure (HF) clinical trials continues to limit the generalizability of the results. This could create a disparity in treatment for future heart failure therapies and devices. The study aims to assess the representation of women and racial minorities in recent heart failure studies involving sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors.

Intravascular lithotripsy in coronary arteries: a review of case reports.

Background: Calcified coronary arteries encountered during percutaneous intervention increase the probability of unsuccessful procedures. Heavy calcification of coronary arteries may lead to suboptimal stent expansion. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a novel method of transmitting sonic waves in pulses, which fractures the calcific plaque in the vessel with minimal soft tissue injury.

Grandiose narcissism, unfounded beliefs, and behavioral reactions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A theoretical perspective on grandiose narcissism suggests four forms of it (sanctity, admiration, heroism, rivalry) and states that these forms conduce to different ways of thinking and acting. Guided by this perspective, we examined in a multinational and multicultural study (61 countries; N = 15,039) how narcissism forms are linked to cognitions and behaviors prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As expected, differences in cognitions and behaviors across narcissism forms emerged.

Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota (REBYOTA) in Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) are a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and recurrent infections are common despite effective antibiotic treatments. Recurrent CDI causes a significant burden to the patient and healthcare system, which has led to efforts to find an effective treatment to prevent recurrent CDI. Recent studies have shown the efficacy and safety of orally and rectally administered microbiota treatment to prevent recurrent Clostridium difficile.

Acetazolamide and Hydrochlorothiazide in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Insights From Recent Trials.

Acetazolamide and thiazide diuretics have been combined with loop diuretics to overcome diuretic resistance in heart failure patients. However, recent studies have assessed the upfront combination of acetazolamide and hydrochlorothiazide with loop diuretics in hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure without loop diuretic resistance. We reviewed two recent randomized controlled trials on the upfront use of acetazolamide and thiazide diuretics in acute decompensated heart failure, respectively.