From Tick Bite to Heart Failure: Ehrlichial Myocarditis.

Cardiac involvement in myocarditis induced by Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis infection is an incredibly uncommon complication with sparsely available literature. Also, this case highlights the importance of early recognition as a first step in management.

A Meta-Analysis Comparing Aspirin Alone Versus Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for the Prevention of Venous Graft Failure Following Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Background: Aspirin (ASA) monotherapy is the current standard of care after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to prevent saphenous vein graft (SVG) failure. Several small, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have suggested that dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) may be more effective at preventing SVG failure than ASA alone; however, it is unclear whether some P2Y12 inhibitors are more effective than others for the prevention of SVG failure.

Methods: Scientific databases and websites were searched to find RCTs.

Is there an optimal "door to cath time" in the treatment of acute pulmonary embolism with catheter-directed thrombolysis?

Ultrasound assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis (UACT) is a relatively novel approach to treating acute pulmonary embolism (PE). It is an alternative to systemic thrombolysis with good success rates and low reported in-hospital mortality, and low rates of procedure-related major and minor bleeding. Since UACT received FDA approval for the treatment of PE in 2014, there is paucity of data regarding the optimal timing of initiation of the procedure after the initial diagnosis is made.

Recent Updates in the Role of Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death.

Purpose Of Review: The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) or LifeVest may protect against sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients awaiting insertion of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The purpose of this communication is to review the rationale behind WCD therapy and to critically analyze recent data regarding its clinical efficacy. We seek to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the potential role of the WCD in certain populations.

A comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing drug-eluting stents with bare-metal stents in saphenous vein graft interventions.

Background: Several large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have proven the superiority of drug-eluting stents (DESs) over bare-metal stents (BMSs) for native coronary stenosis. However, RCTs comparing DESs with BMSs for SVG lesions have predominantly been small in size and have yielded conflicting results. Therefore, we conducted an updated comprehensive meta-analysis of RCTs comparing DESs versus BMSs for SVG interventions using the largest sample size to date.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation due to valvular entrapment of an inferior vena cava stent.

Endovascular venous stenting is increasingly performed for a variety of conditions. Inferior vena cava stent migration has been reported up to 6 months after placement; stent migration 6 months after implantation is uncommon. To our knowledge, this is only the second reported case of late stent migration with valve entrapment 1.

Chrna4 A529 knock-in mice exhibit altered nicotine sensitivity.

The reasons why people smoke are varied, but research has shown that genetic influences on various aspects of nicotine addiction are a major factor. There also is a strong genetic influence on measures of nicotine sensitivity in mice. Despite the established contribution of genetics to nicotine sensitivity in mice and humans, no naturally occurring genetic variation has been identified that demonstrably alters sensitivity to nicotine in either species.

The dopamine D Receptor (DRD4) gene exon III polymorphism, problematic alcohol use and novelty seeking: direct and mediated genetic effects.

The present study sought to integrate convergent lines of research on the associations among the dopamine D(4) receptor (DRD4) gene, novelty seeking and drinking behaviors with the overall goal of elucidating genetic influences on problematic drinking in young adulthood. Specifically, this study tested a model in which novelty seeking mediated the relationship between DRD4 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) genotype and problematic alcohol use. Participants (n = 90, 40 females) were heavy-drinking college students.