A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence, Characteristics, and Impact of Mitral Annular Calcification on Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

There is a paucity of data on the prognostic impact of mitral annular calcification (MAC) in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with conflicting results being reported by the studies that are published. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the short-term and long-term outcomes of MAC in patients after TAVI. Of 25,407 studies identified after the initial database search, 4 observational studies comprising 2,620 patients (2,030 patients in the nonsevere MAC arm and 590 patients in the severe MAC arm) were included in the final analysis.

Use of Tocilizumab in COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Evidence.

Background and objectives A flare-up in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases threatens the health of people, and though there is no proven pharmacological treatment, many analytical studies have suggested that interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are elevated in cases of severe COVID-19 and that the anti-IL-6 biologic agent tocilizumab may be beneficial. This is a critical review of studies aiming to assess the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab as compared to the standard regimen in patients with COVID-19. Materials and methods Online databases (PubMed and Cochrane) were searched until June 29, 2020, for original articles investigating the immunological response in COVID-19 and its treatment with tocilizumab.

Intracerebral hemorrhage outcomes in patients using direct oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists: a meta-analysis.

Background: The objective of this paper is to assess the clinical outcomes between non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH) in patients using direct oral anticoagulants(DOAC) versus vitamin K antagonists(VKA) for non-valvular atrial fibrillation. We also evaluated the predictors of the poor post-ICH outcomes.

Methods: We have performed pooled meta-analysis to assess long-term clinical outcomes in patients with DOAC-ICH as compared to those with VKA-ICH.

Aspiration Thrombectomy Versus Stent Retriever Thrombectomy Alone for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of aspiration thrombectomy versus stent retriever thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods We queried online databases for original studies comparing aspiration thrombectomy with stent retriever thrombectomy in patients with AIS. After article selection, data were extracted on multiple baseline characteristics and prespecified endpoints.

Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Surgical-Risk Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized-Controlled Trials and Propensity-Matched Studies.

Background: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized trials (RCT) and propensity-matched (PSM) studies comparing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in low surgical risk patients.

Methods: Published studies including low-risk patients who underwent TAVI (n = 9068) or SAVR (n = 17,388) were included. Outcomes of interest were short-term (30-day) and mid-term (1-year) mortality and major complications.

Does the administration of sonothrombolysis along with tissue plasminogen activator improve outcomes in acute ischemic stroke? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of sonothrombolysis along with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, alteplase (IV rtPA), in the management of acute ischemic stroke. Electronic databases were searched under different meSH terms without the restriction of time and language. 1415 studies were analyzed and seven studies that matched the inclusion criteria were selected.

Trajectory of Improvement in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Migraine: Results From the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Amitriptyline Trial.

Unlabelled: We compared headache frequency trajectories between clinical trial participants who received cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and amitriptyline (CBT+A) or headache education (HE) and amitriptyline (HE+A) to determine if there was a differential time course of treatment response between the groups. One hundred thirty-five patients (age 10-17 years) diagnosed with chronic migraine participated, attending 8 one-hour one-on-one CBT or HE sessions with a trained psychologist for 8 weekly sessions, 2 sessions at weeks 12 and 16, and a post-treatment visit at week 20. Participants kept daily headache diaries and completed take-home assignments between visits.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy plus Amitriptyline for Children and Adolescents with Chronic Migraine Reduces Headache Days to ≤4 Per Month.

Objective: The objective of this secondary analysis of results from a previously published trial (Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT00389038) in chronic migraine in children and adolescents was to examine if participants who received cognitive behavioral therapy and amitriptyline reached a greater level of reduction in headache frequency that no longer indicated a recommendation for preventive treatment as compared to those who received headache education and amitriptyline.

Background: Chronic migraine negatively affects children's home, school, and social activities. Preventive medication therapy is suggested for 5 or more headaches per month.

Cognitive behavioral therapy plus amitriptyline for chronic migraine in children and adolescents: a randomized clinical trial.

Importance: Early, safe, effective, and durable evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents with chronic migraine do not exist.

Objective: To determine the benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) when combined with amitriptyline vs headache education plus amitriptyline.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A randomized clinical trial of 135 youth (79% female) aged 10 to 17 years diagnosed with chronic migraine (≥15 days with headache/month) and a Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment Score (PedMIDAS) greater than 20 points were assigned to the CBT plus amitriptyline group (n = 64) or the headache education plus amitriptyline group (n = 71).

Quality of life and emotional functioning in youth with chronic migraine and juvenile fibromyalgia.

Summary: Chronic pain in children is associated with significant negative impact on social, emotional, and school functioning. Previous studies on the impact of pain on children's functioning have primarily used mixed samples of pain conditions or single pain conditions (eg, headache and abdominal pain) with relatively small sample sizes. As a result, the similarities and differences in the impact of pain in subgroups of children with chronic pain have not been closely examined.