Twitter (X) in Medicine: Friend or Foe to the Field of Interventional Cardiology?

Twitter, which recently changed its name to "X," is a popular social media platform that is used widely across the world due to its easy accessibility through the internet. Due to more public familiarity, we referred to this social media platform as "Twitter (X)" in this article. Users can create posts, also called as "tweets" with a limitation of 280 characters and can add images, videos, and weblinks.

Midterm follow-up after computed tomography angiography planned left atrial appendage closure.

Background: While studies have shown the advantages of computed tomography angiography (CTA) over transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) preprocedural planning for WATCHMAN™ legacy and FLX devices, there has been no reported long-term data for this approach.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate long-term outcomes using CTA-based preprocedural planning for LAAC using the WATCHMAN™ device.

Methods: A prospective analysis of 231 consecutive patients who underwent LAAC in a single, large academic hospital in the United States was conducted over a 5-year period.

Novel computed tomography angiography-based sizing methodology for WATCHMAN FLX device in left atrial appendage closure.

Background: While there is recent data suggesting an advantage of computed tomography angiography (CTA) over transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for preprocedural left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) planning, there is limited published experience for sizing strategies. Device sizing for LAAC may be challenging and noninvasive algorithms that improve this selection process are warranted.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the safety and the feasibility for the implementation of a novel CTA-based sizing methodology for WATCHMAN™ FLX device in a series of patients undergoing LAAC using the TruPlan™ software package.

Ophthalmological Features of Machado-Joseph Disease.

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) or spinocerebellar ataxia type-3 (SCA3) is a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disorder, as well as the most frequently inherited spinocerebellar ataxia. It has extensive polymorphic features, described through a spectrum of neurological, and especially, ophthalmological manifestations. Besides the deterioration of the oculomotor systems, degeneration predominantly involves the cerebellar, pyramidal, extra-pyramidal, and peripheral motor systems.

EphA2 Expression Regulates Inflammation and Fibroproliferative Remodeling in Atherosclerosis.

Background: Atherosclerotic plaque formation results from chronic inflammation and fibroproliferative remodeling in the vascular wall. We previously demonstrated that both human and mouse atherosclerotic plaques show elevated expression of EphA2, a guidance molecule involved in cell-cell interactions and tumorigenesis.

Methods: Here, we assessed the role of EphA2 in atherosclerosis by deleting EphA2 in a mouse model of atherosclerosis (Apoe) and by assessing EphA2 function in multiple vascular cell culture models.

Increased likelihood of anxiety and poor sleep quality in Parkinson's disease patients with pain.

Background: Pain is a bothersome non-motor symptom in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), but the relationships between PD, presence of pain, different pain characteristics, and other non-motor symptoms such as mood and sleep disturbances are unclear.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between PD and pain as well as specific subtypes of pain with anxiety, depression and sleep quality.

Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study included two groups of PD patients; one with (n=37) and one without pain (n=37).

Restless leg syndrome: a risk factor of higher prevalence of anxiety and depression in Parkinson's disease patients.

Background: Many studies have assessed the relationship of depression and anxiety with Parkinson's disease (PD), as well as examining restless leg syndrome (RLS) with depression and anxiety. Nonetheless, there has not been an extensive effort to show how the prevalence of RLS affects both depression and anxiety in PD patients. The objective of this study was to examine how the prevalence of RLS in PD patients affects the prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety and how they compare with each other.

Impact of ethnicity on mood disorders in Parkinson's disease.

Anxiety and depression are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, yet their prevalence and severity compared to individuals without PD requires more research. Moreover, it has never been compared across different ethnic groups. The objective of this study was to close that gap in the literature by exploring the caseness and severity of anxiety and depression in PD patients of different ethnicities compared to controls without PD.

Unusual Response of Subclavian In-Stent Restenosis to Balloon Angioplasty in a Patient with HIV.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and use of protease inhibitors have been associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Increased rates of coronary in-stent restenosis are reported in these patients. There is limited data available on peripheral vascular disease interventions on these patients.

Association between nocturia and anxiety in Parkinson's disease.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether there exists any relationship between nocturia and anxiety in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the exact cause of anxiety and nocturia in PD is unknown, we hypothesized that there is a relationship between these two PD symptoms. Anxiety may exacerbate nocturia or an opposite relationship may be present in which nocturia may result in heightened levels of anxiety.

Association of restless legs syndrome, pain, and mood disorders in Parkinson's disease.

Purpose/aims: The objectives of the study were to analyze the association between Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome, and to explore the relationship between mood disorder comorbidity (anxiety and depression), pain, and restless legs syndrome.

Methods: This study included 123 Parkinson's disease patients and 123 non-Parkinson's disease patients matched for age and gender, and evaluated for anxiety severity, depression severity, pain severity, pain interference, pain disability, and restless legs syndrome prevalence. This was performed using semi-structured interviews and a neurological examination through the restless legs syndrome diagnostic criteria and the following inventories; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Brief Pain Inventory, and Pain Disability Index.

Prevalence of essential tremor in an idiopathic Parkinson's disease patient population.

Essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD) tremor differ in type, frequency and distribution. Despite being two separate disorders, there have been cases reported of comorbidity for ET-PD. Studies have reported an increase in the incidence of ET in relatives of patients with PD, yet the risk of developing PD in ET patients has not been thoroughly investigated.

Prevalence of nocturia in Parkinson's disease patients from various ethnicities.

Objectives: One of the most common non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) is nocturia. This paper seeks to address the prevalence of nocturia in PD and correlate it to various factors such as gender, Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage, age, and ethnicities.

Methods: In particular, 332 PD patients were seen in a community movement disorders clinic and their charts were analyzed from 2005 to 2010.