Publications by authors named "Mushood Ahmed"

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are increasing in the United States. However, population-level data for mortality trends due to T2D and obesity are limited. This study aims to assess these death trends among adults in the United States categorized by sex, race, and geographical location.

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The epidemiological data regarding mortality rates of adults with sarcoidosis and non-ischemic cardiovascular disease (CVD) are limited. A retrospective observational analysis was conducted to identify trends and disparities related to sarcoidosis and non-ischemic cardiovascular disease mortality among the adult US population from 1999 to 2022. We used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WONDER database to extract death certificate data for the adult US population (≥25 years).

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Background: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) allows better assessment of coronary artery lesion characteristics than angiography alone. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively synthesize the available evidence regarding the efficacy of IVUS guidance compared to angiography-guided PCI.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of major bibliographic databases from inception until April 2024 was conducted to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing IVUS-guided PCI versus angiography-guided PCI.

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Introduction: Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease associated with elevated cardiovascular risk due to inflammatory and oxidative stress. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) can detect both regional and global myocardial strain. Impairment of ventricular strain can assist in the early detection of myocardial dysfunction.

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Background: Cerebrovascular disease (CEVD) accounts for the second leading cause of death worldwide. Despite recent advancements in treatment strategies, the prevalence and cost associated with CEVD are rising. Atherosclerosis significantly contributes to CEVD risk by restricting cerebral blood flow, leading to ischemic stroke.

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Introduction: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is thought to be closely linked with COVID-19 infection. This study aims to elucidate the demographics and clinical characteristics of MIS-A, aiding in timely diagnosis and management.

Methods: Utilizing the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2021), patients were stratified into MIS-A and non-MIS-A groups.

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Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is considered more effective than surgical aortic valve implantation for patients with a small aortic annulus (SAA), however, the comparative efficacy of different transcatheter heart valves (THVs) remains uncertain. A literature search was performed across databases from their inception until June 2024 to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity-score matched (PSM) studies. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using a random-effects model to pool risk ratios (RRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

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Background: A large number of patients undergoing noncardiac surgeries are on long-term use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). The current guidelines regarding the continuation or discontinuation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAAS) inhibitors before noncardiac surgery are conflicting. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate whether continuing or withholding RAAS inhibitors before noncardiac surgery influences perioperative mortality and complications.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a serious condition that can affect quality of life, and duodenal stenting (DS) is a common treatment, although it has a high chance of stent blockage.
  • - The study reviewed data from 10 studies involving 1275 GOO patients and found that endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) had better clinical success, fewer re-interventions, and lower adverse event risks compared to DS.
  • - While EUS-GE required a longer procedural time, its overall effectiveness suggests it might be a safer option for GOO management, indicating the need for more comprehensive research to confirm these findings.
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  • Nearly half of US adults have obesity, leading to a rise in coronary artery disease (CAD) deaths, which researchers are tracking by age, sex, race, and location.
  • * The study analyzed data from the CDC-WONDER database, revealing that deaths related to CAD and obesity increased from 1999 to 2022, with a significant surge during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • * Males and non-Hispanic Black individuals experienced higher mortality rates compared to females and other racial groups, and rural areas had higher death rates than urban counterparts.*
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  • Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are commonly used to treat atrial fibrillation (AF), while antiplatelet agents are typically used for coronary artery disease (CAD); however, the effectiveness of OAC monotherapy versus dual antithrombotic therapy in these patients is not well-studied.
  • A search of various medical databases identified three randomized control trials (RCTs) involving 3,945 patients, showing that OAC monotherapy significantly reduces the risk of major bleeding compared to dual therapy, with comparable rates of death and other serious events.
  • The findings suggest that OAC monotherapy is safer in terms of bleeding risk, while still providing similar protection against serious ischemic events and overall mortality when
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  • Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a serious condition that can lead to high rates of illness and death, and this study investigates its impact on patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
  • The research analyzed data from over 2.5 million COVID-19 cases, finding that CS patients were generally younger and had more comorbidities compared to those without CS, and they experienced a higher rate of in-hospital cardiac arrest before matching.
  • After matching, CS patients showed a significantly lower risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), but their rates of death, cardiac arrest, mechanical ventilation, and hospital stay length were similar to those without CS, indicating a need for further research on managing COVID-19 in CS patients.
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Background: Bystander-initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can improve survival rates in individuals with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Two CPR approaches are commonly utilized, standard (S-CPR) with mouth-to-mouth breathing and compression-only (CO-CPR). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare clinical outcomes associated with S-CPR versus CO-CPR in OHCA.

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Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is estimated to affect approximately 25% of the global population. Both, coronary artery disease and NAFLD are linked to underlying insulin resistance and inflammation as drivers of the disease. Coronary flow reserve parameters, including coronary flow reserve velocity (CFRV), baseline diastolic peak flow velocity (DPFV), and hyperemic DPFV, are noninvasive markers of coronary microvascular circulation.

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Background: Cardiac tamponade or pericardial tamponade (PT) can be a complication following invasive cardiac procedures.

Methods: Patients who underwent various procedures in the cardiac catheterization lab (viz. coronary interventions) were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Edition, Clinical Modification (International classification of diseases [ICD]-9-Clinical modification [CM] and ICD-10-CM, respectively) from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The BCG vaccine shows potential "off-target" benefits by providing some defense against respiratory infections, but its effectiveness against COVID-19 remains uncertain due to conflicting trial results and delays in vaccine production.
  • - A review of 13 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 14,000 participants found no significant benefit of BCG re-vaccination in reducing COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, ICU admissions, or mortality rates.
  • - While BCG re-vaccination did not improve COVID-19 outcomes, it significantly increased local injection site complications, indicating a need for careful consideration of its role in COVID-19 prevention efforts.
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Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is a commonly performed procedure, however, post-ablation AF recurrence is often observed due to inflammation and oxidative stress. Colchicine is a potent anti-inflammatory agent with conflicting efficacy in preventing post-ablation AF recurrence. A comprehensive literature search of the major bibliographic databases was conducted to retrieve studies comparing colchicine use versus placebo in AF patients post-ablation.

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Background: Diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis (CS), which can be associated with arrhythmias and heart failure, remains challenging despite multiple advances over time. The 2014 Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) consensus statement recommends an endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) to establish a definite diagnosis of CS. In the absence of a positive EMB, a diagnosis of probable or presumed CS is made on the basis of clinical and imaging criteria.

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Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and its severe complication, chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Conventionally, balloon angioplasty has been regarded as superior to stenting in CLTI associated with infrapopliteal PAD. Stenting is often considered a "rescue" or "bail-out" procedure in managing CLTI.

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Antiplatelet therapy plays an important role in reducing the risk of stroke recurrence in patients with mild ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA). However, data regarding the effectiveness and safety of using aspirin plus clopidogrel in dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) compared to aspirin alone in mild ischemic stroke is limited. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.

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Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improve cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in patients with or without Type 2 diabetes and heart failure (HF). However, studies have shown conflicting evidence regarding their efficacy in patients following acute myocardial infarction (MI). We conducted a pilot systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesise the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors in MI.

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