Epicardial Substrate Ablation in Symptomatic Brugada Syndrome Patients: An Updated Systematic Review and Single-arm Meta-analysis.

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a genetic heart disease that predisposes individuals to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Although implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and quinidine are primary treatments, recurrent BrS-triggered ventricular arrhythmias can persist. In this setting, epicardial substrate ablation has emerged as a promising alternative for symptomatic patients.

Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy versus open surgical corpus callosotomy for pediatric refractory epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a novel, minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery corpus callosotomy (CC). We aim to compare both approaches in terms of time of hospitalization and surgical procedure, complications, and efficacy outcomes.

Methods: A systematic search on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was performed for studies directly comparing MRgLITT and open surgery for refractory epilepsy in children.

Cardiovascular Outcomes of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors Therapy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis.

Background And Objectives: The efficacy of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) may depend on renal function, and this raises theoretical concern over its effects on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: This systematic review and updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared cardiovascular outcomes of patients with T2DM and CKD treated with SGLT2i to placebo. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were systematically searched.

Efficacy and safety of adenosine, rapid ventricular pacing and hypothermia in cerebral aneurysms clipping: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: Cerebral aneurysms in complex anatomical locations and intraoperative rupture can be challenging. Many methods to reduce blood flow can facilitate its exclusion from the circulation. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of using adenosine, rapid ventricular pacing, and hypothermia in cerebral aneurysm clipping.

Is time really brain in stroke therapy?: A meta-analysis of mechanical thrombectomy up to 155 h post ictus.

Background And Objectives: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has been established as the gold standard of treatment for patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) who present up to 6 h after the onset of the stroke. Recently, the DEFUSE-3 and DAWN trials established the safety of starting the MT procedure up to 16 and 24 h after the patient was last seen well, respectively. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and functional effects of thrombectomy in individuals with AIS detected at a late stage (> 24 h).

Pressure Support Ventilation Versus T-piece as Spontaneous Breathing Trials for Extubation of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Weaning patients with COPD from mechanical ventilation (MV) presents a challenge, as literature on this topic is limited. This study compares PSV and T-piece during spontaneous breathing trials (SBT) in this specific population.

Methods: A search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane in September 2023 yielded four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) encompassing 560 patients.

Direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists in patients with atrial fibrillation on chronic hemodialysis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis are at risk for thromboembolic and bleeding events. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in this population.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DOACs with VKAs in patients with AF on chronic hemodialysis from inception to February 2023 in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Efficacy of anti-amyloid-ß monoclonal antibody therapy in early Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Studies targeting amyloid-ß in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have conflicting results and early initiation of therapy may yield better outcomes.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov for randomized trials comparing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with placebo in MCI or mild dementia due to AD.

Monotherapy Versus Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: Painful peripheral neuropathy is a common and challenging complication of diabetes mellitus. Combination therapy is used widely by clinicians, although strong evidence for efficacy and safety is lacking. The goal of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of combination versus monotherapy of first-line medications for peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

Modified Atkins diet for drug-resistant epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and side-effect profile of the modified Atkins diet (MAD) compared to the usual diet (UD) in reducing seizure frequency among patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).

Methods: In February 2023, we conducted an extensive search in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing MAD to UD in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) on standard anti-seizure medication (ASM). We used random-effects meta-analyses and the Risk of Bias 2 tool to evaluate treatment effects and assess the quality of the included RCTs, respectively.

Efficacy and safety of cavernous sinus medial wall resection in pituitary adenoma surgery: a systematic review and a single-arm meta-analysis.

Introduction: Pituitary adenomas, benign tumors, can lower quality of life. Pituitary adenomas that invade the medial wall and cavernous sinus (CS) indicate tumor recurrence and partial surgical excision. Despite the cavernous sinus's complexity and risks, new research has improved the surgical procedure and made excision safer.

Pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pretreatment with oral P2Y12 inhibitors is a standard practice for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the efficacy and safety of P2Y12 inhibitors pretreatment remain unclear.

Objectives: We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the impact of P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment on thrombotic and hemorrhagic endpoints in STEMI patients.

Robot-assisted vs. manually guided stereoelectroencephalography for refractory epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Robotic assistance has improved electrode implantation precision in stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) for refractory epilepsy patients. We sought to assess the relative safety of the robotic-assisted (RA) procedure compared to the traditional hand-guided one. A systematic search on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane was performed for studies directly comparing robot-assisted vs.

Cardiovascular and renal effects of SGLT2 inhibitor initiation in acute heart failure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: We sought to compare cardiovascular outcomes, renal function, and diuresis in patients receiving standard diuretic therapy for acute heart failure (AHF) with or without the addition of SGLT2i.

Methods And Results: Systematic search of three electronic databases identified nine eligible randomized controlled trials involving 2,824 patients. The addition of SGLT2i to conventional therapy for AHF reduced all-cause death (odds ratio [OR] 0.

Zebrafish as a potential model for stroke: A comparative study with standardized models.

Animal models of cerebral ischemia have improved our understanding of the pathophysiology and mechanisms involved in stroke, as well as the investigation of potential therapies. The potential of zebrafish to model human diseases has become increasingly evident. The availability of these models allows for an increased understanding of the role of chemical exposure in human conditions and provides essential tools for mechanistic studies of disease.

Environmental enrichment restores cognitive deficits induced by experimental childhood meningitis.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of environmental enrichment (EE) on memory, cytokines, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain of adult rats subjected to experimental pneumococcal meningitis during infancy.

Methods: On postnatal day 11, the animals received either artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or Streptococcus pneumoniae suspension intracisternally at 1 × 10(6) CFU/mL and remained with their mothers until age 21 days. Animals were divided into the following groups: control, control + EE, meningitis, and meningitis + EE.