A meta-analysis of left ventricular dysfunction in ankylosing spondylitis.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine, presenting a considerable morbidity risk. Although evidence consistently indicates an elevated risk of ischemic heart disease among AS patients, debates persist regarding the likelihood of these patients developing left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). Our investigation aimed to determine whether individuals with AS face a greater risk of LVD compared to the general population.

Iatrogenic Pituitary Shutdown: A Rare Adverse Event of Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Inhibitor.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are one of the novel treatment strategies for malignancies, and their wide use has led to the emergence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Most of them have been reported in patients taking cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 inhibitors and are rarely reported among those taking programmed cell death-ligand protein 1 inhibitors. Here is a 74-year-old man who underwent treatment with atezolizumab for 33 weeks for hepatocellular carcinoma before presenting with chronic symptoms and laboratory results consistent with central adrenal insufficiency.

Life's essential eight as targets for cardiometabolic risk reduction among non-Hispanic black adults: A primary care approach.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the United States. Several studies have shown racial disparities in the cardiovascular outcomes. When compared to their Non-Hispanic White (NHW) counterparts, non-Hispanic Black (NHB) individuals have higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and thus, increased mortality from atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Pediatric Corneal Transplantation in Uyo, Nigeria: Early Experiences.

The burden of avoidable blindness from corneal disease is significantly higher where access to specialist eye care, the cost of treatment and the treatment infrastructure including eye banking, are beyond the reach of the impoverished masses. Corneal transplantation in children is challenging: it is more technically complex; patients often require multiple examinations under general anaesthesia to optimize treatment outcomes. There is also the increased risk of several complications including graft dehiscence, infection, rejection, and inappropriate patient or caregiver care.

Molecular docking as a tool for the discovery of molecular targets of nutraceuticals in diseases management.

Molecular docking is a computational technique that predicts the binding affinity of ligands to receptor proteins. Although it has potential uses in nutraceutical research, it has developed into a formidable tool for drug development. Bioactive substances called nutraceuticals are present in food sources and can be used in the management of diseases.

Caregivers' Self-Rated General Health, Physical and Mental Health Status, Disease Morbidity and Association with Uncontrolled Asthma in Children.

This study examined the association between caregivers' self-rated general health, poor physical/mental health days, disease morbidity and asthma control in children from the United States with current asthma. The data analyzed for this study were obtained from 7522 children aged 0-17 years who participated in the 2012-2014, 2015-2017, 2018, and 2019 cycles of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Asthma Call-back Survey (ACBS). We employed univariate analysis to describe the study population and weighted binary logistic regression to examine the association of predictors with asthma control.

Dehiscent Prosthetic Aortic Valve and Aortic Root Pseudoaneurysm Complicated by Left Main Coronary Artery Compression.

Prosthetic aortic valve dehiscence is an uncommon complication of prosthetic valve endocarditis that may occur in patients who have undergone aortic valve replacement (AVR). The concurrent presence of aortic root pseudoaneurysm may further complicate the clinical presentation through the external compression of coronary arteries. Thus, patients may present with clinical features of coronary ischemia.

A Novel Case of Acquired Isolated Left Ventricular Non-compaction in a Primigravida: Revisiting the Diagnostic Criteria of Left Ventricular Non-compaction.

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is rare cardiomyopathy characterized by the presence of a two-layered myocardium with prominent trabeculations. It has high rates of mortality and morbidity. Clinical presentation could vary from asymptomatic patients to developing ventricular arrhythmias, thromboembolism, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death.

A Busted Sac: A Case of Spontaneous Bladder Rupture Secondary to Acute Urinary Retention in a Healthy Middle-Aged Male.

Spontaneous bladder rupture is a relatively rare medical emergency that can be easily misdiagnosed. Although spontaneous bladder rupture is more common in those with previously diagnosed bladder conditions, this phenomenon may also occur in patients with an otherwise insignificant past medical history. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to avoid fatal complications.

ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction on the Line: Inadvertent Arterial Infusion of Vasopressors Causing Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Central venous catheters (CVCs), regarded as lines of life, are helpful in hemodynamic monitoring and delivering medications to patients. However, there are several complications that can result from the placement of CVCs. This includes accidental arterial puncture, which has a temporal association with hemorrhage, hematoma, and stroke.

Endovascular Venous Interventions - A State-of-the-Art Review.

Venous vascular diseases are an important clinical entity estimated to affect several million people worldwide. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common venous disease with a population variable prevalence of 122 to 160 persons per 100,000 per year, whereas pulmonary embolism (PE) affects up to 60 to 70 per 100 000 and carries much higher mortality. Chronic venous diseases, which cause symptoms like leg swelling, heaviness, pain, and discomfort, are most prevalent in the elderly and significantly impact their quality of life.

An Unusual Presentation of Left Ventricular Non-compaction Cardiomyopathy in a Female Patient With Sudden Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report.

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC), a kind of cardiomyopathy, is characterized by excessive and prominent trabeculations in the mature left ventricle (LV). LVNC has been defined as the heart's developmental failure to fully form the compact myocardium during the latter stages of cardiac development. Clinical features vary from asymptomatic to symptomatic individuals with gradual loss of heart function, heart failure, thromboembolic events, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death are all possible outcomes.

Negative Stress Test Is Not Always Negative: Revisiting the Clinical Implications of Balanced Ischemia.

Myocardial perfusion imaging with technetium (99mTc) sestamibi often aids in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. This diagnostic tool is highly important in dictating future clinical decision-making and determining whether patients may benefit from revascularization. However, it is not completely sensitive and may be unreliable in diagnosing coronary artery disease in patients with balanced perfusion deficits.

The Slower, the Better: Wide Complex Tachycardia Triggered by Flecainide in an Elderly Female.

Class IC antiarrhythmics are generally considered a safe means of treating many common arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (a-fib), atrial flutter (a-flutter), and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). Essentially, flecainide works by binding and blocking sodium channels more effectively at higher heart rates. However, this class of drugs is known to exhibit use dependence which could predispose patients to the development of malignant arrhythmias during episodes of tachycardia.

A Rare Metastatic Primary Rectal Melanoma in a Geriatric Male.

Primary rectal melanoma (PRM) is an uncommon malignancy whose etiology remains unknown. Most patients present with rectal bleeding. Distant metastasis is commonly seen in the lung and liver.

The Tale of a Bleeding Tree: A Rare Case of Peripancreatic Variceal Hemorrhage Causing Hemosuccus Pancreaticus.

Hemosuccus pancreaticus (HP) is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It was described by Lawal and Farrel in 1931. This disorder has also been referred to as pseudohemobilia or wirsungorrhagia, caused by bleeding into the pancreatic duct.

The Jailed Sinoatrial Node: An Interesting Case of Cardiogenic Shock Secondary to Sinus Arrest Following Percutaneous Intervention.

Complete occlusion of the sinoatrial node artery can be a complication of percutaneous intervention (PCI) to the right coronary artery (RCA). When this happens, dysfunction of the sinus node may follow resulting in sinus arrest. When this occurs, it is usually transient and as such, is typically not accompanied by hemodynamic instability.

seed oil (CMSO) attenuates alterations in testicular biochemistry and histology against Bisphenol a-induced toxicity in male Wister albino rats.

Background: Male reproductive health has deteriorated in recent years as a result of industrialization, which has led to the use of desirable chemicals, like Bisphenol A (BPA), of underlying toxicity. seed is a common soup thickener that produces vegetable oil as well as essential nutrients making it a source of nutraceuticals enlisted with a wide range of therapeutic effects.

Methods: A total of 48 adult male Wistar rats (120 ± 200g) were used in this study.

The Unmasking Effect: Propofol-Induced Brugada Pattern in a Critically Ill Patient.

Brugada syndrome is a known cause of dysrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. It is linked to mutations in myocardial sodium channel leading to hyperexcitable cardiac myocytes. The use of this sedative has been linked to the development of inducible Brugada via blockade of sodium currents in cardiac myocytes.

Hesperidin abrogates bisphenol A endocrine disruption through binding with fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), α-amylase and α-glucosidase: an in silico molecular study.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), alpha-amylase, and alpha-glucosidase are key proteins implicated in metabolic dysregulations. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental toxicant known to cause endocrine dysregulations. Hesperidin from citrus is an emerging flavonoid for metabolic diseases management.

Crescendo Angina Secondary to Congenital Absence of the Left Circumflex Coronary Artery: A Case Report.

Congenital coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) are very rare in the general population. Among these congenital anomalies, left circumflex artery (LCx) anomaly is the most common. Although many are asymptomatic, a small percentage of patients with this anomaly present with angina-like symptoms.

Diagnosed by Reversibility: Unmasking Propofol-Related Infusion Syndrome in a Critically-Ill Elderly Male.

Propofol-related infusion syndrome (PRIS) is an uncommon complication resulting from prolonged propofol use. Common clinical presentations include metabolic acidosis, cardiac arrhythmias, and renal complications. The mortality rate is high if it is not recognized in time.

Left Internal Mammary Artery-to-Pulmonary Vein Fistula: A Rare Cause of Unstable Angina.

The incidence of acquired left internal mammary artery-to-pulmonary vein fistulas has been increasing in the last few decades. This has been attributed to the increase in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). The most commonly reported symptoms are angina and dyspnea.

The Self Sabotaging Vessel: A Case Report and Literature Review of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a very rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. Despite the recent advances in the management of cardiovascular diseases, the diagnoses and management of SCAD remain a dilemma. It has been described to majorly affect females of childbearing age, immediately post-partum or on oral contraceptives.

The Destabilized Artery: A Case of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Presenting as Unstable Angina.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is increasingly being recognized as a cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This increased recognition of SCAD has been noted in patients with and without traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and cigarette smoking. The increasing incidence is believed to be due to recent advances in diagnostic and coronary imaging modalities.