Do bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors alter the progression of coronary artery calcification? A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Introduction: Whether bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors play a novel role in delaying cardiovascular calcification is unknown. Their action on regulatory enzymes in the mevalonic acid pathway, which is implicated in both bone and lipid metabolism, may be a novel therapeutic target to manage coronary artery disease (CAD). Such therapies may particularly be relevant in those for whom traditional cardiovascular therapies are no longer sufficient to control disease progression.

Investigating the association between blood transfusion and clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a data linkage approach to Patient Blood Management.

Background: The appropriateness of the use of blood transfusion in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains contested. In general, studies addressing this issue were based on data from clinical trials, registries, or electronic medical records, and were conducted across different settings. Our study aimed to use a linked patient blood management data system from existing hospital databases to examine the association between blood transfusion and in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS) and readmission rates among patients with ACS, and to investigate this relationship at different haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations.