A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Incidence and Risk Factors for Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Unrepaired Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and cardiovascular death, cause substantial morbidity and mortality. This review assessed the incidence rate of MACE and the association with modifiable risk factors (diabetes, hypertension) and medication use (aspirin, statins) in patients with unrepaired abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Electronic databases were searched systematically for observational studies reporting the incidence of MI, stroke or cardiovascular death in patients with unrepaired AAAs.

A systematic review on nutcracker syndrome and proposed diagnostic algorithm.

Objective: Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is an increasingly recognized venous compressive disease. Although people with NCS can experience debilitating symptoms, making an accurate diagnosis can often be challenging owing to the broad spectrum of clinical presentations and radiologic findings. In the present systematic review, we assessed the most frequent clinical and radiologic criteria used in establishing a diagnosis of NCS and have proposed a comprehensive framework for clinical decision-making.

The Potential Benefits and Costs of an Intensified Approach to Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Lowering in People with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the incidence of major vascular events (MVE) and peripheral vascular events (PVE) in people with a small asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and model the theoretical benefits and costs of an intensified low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering programme.

Methods: A total of 583 participants with AAAs measuring 30 - 54 mm were included in this study. The control of LDL-C and prescription of lipid lowering drugs were assessed by dividing participants into approximately equal tertiles depending on their year of recruitment into the study.

The cost-effectiveness of intensive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering in people with peripheral artery disease.

Background: People with peripheral artery disease are at a high risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major adverse limb events (MALE). Randomized controlled trials suggest that intensive lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors is an effective strategy to prevent these events. This study estimated the potential benefit and cost-effectiveness of administrating PCSK9 inhibitors to a cohort of participants with peripheral artery disease.

The effect of angiopoietin-1 upregulation on the outcome of acute ischaemic stroke in rodent models: A meta-analysis.

Clinical studies report that low circulating angiopoietin-1 concentration at presentation predicts worse outcomes after ischaemic stroke. Upregulating angiopoietin-1 may therefore have therapeutic benefit for ischaemic stroke. This systematic review assessed whether upregulating angiopoietin-1 improved outcomes in rodent models of ischaemic stroke.

The effects of continued smoking in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To determine the effects of continued smoking in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy on overall survival (OS), locoregional control (LRC), quality of life (QoL) and acute and late toxicities.

Methods: Articles from January 1990 to August 14, 2018 were searched in PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL and AUSThealth. Articles were included if majority of patients were treated with radiotherapy and smokers were defined as those who continued to smoke during or after radiotherapy.

Prescription of Pharmacotherapy and the Incidence of Stroke in Patients With Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background and Purpose- Current guidelines recommend prescription of a number of medications to prevent cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The impact that these medications have on the incidence of stroke in PAD patients has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to investigate the association of prescription of antihypertensive drugs, antiplatelet medications, and statins, as well as cardiovascular disease risk factors, with stroke incidence in patients with symptoms of PAD.