Prevalence of Right- and Left-Sided Endocarditis Among Intravenous Drug Use Patients at a Large Academic Medical Center.

Background: Left-sided infective endocarditis (IE) is increasingly being recognized among intravenous drug use (IVDU) patients. We sought to assess the trends and risk factors that contribute to left-sided IE in this high-risk population at University of Kentucky.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with the diagnosis of both IE and IVDU admitted at University of Kentucky was carried out from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019.

Predictors and outcomes of acute pulmonary embolism in COVID-19; insights from US National COVID cohort collaborative.

Objectives: To investigate whether COVID-19 patients with pulmonary embolism had higher mortality and assess the utility of D-dimer in predicting acute pulmonary embolism.

Patients And Methods: Using the National Collaborative COVID-19 retrospective cohort, a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients was studied to compare 90-day mortality and intubation outcomes in patients with and without pulmonary embolism in a multivariable cox regression analysis. The secondary measured outcomes in 1:4 propensity score-matched analysis included length of stay, chest pain incidence, heart rate, history of pulmonary embolism or DVT, and admission laboratory parameters.

High Prevalence of Cardiac Amyloidosis in Clinically Significant Aortic Stenosis: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: There is growing evidence of coexistence of aortic stenosis (AS) and transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Not screening AS patients at the time of hospital/clinic visit for CA represents a lost opportunity.

Methods: We surveyed studies that reported the prevalence of CA among AS patients.

A Peek at LVADs Pumping to Recovery.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have revolutionized the management of patients with advanced heart failure refractory to medical therapy. Current indications of LVADs include Bridge to Transplantation (BTT), Destination Therapy (DT) for long-term use, Bridge to the Decision (BTD) used as a temporary measure, and lastly Bridge to Recovery (BTR). Here, we briefly review the clinical evidence and the molecular mechanisms behind myocardial recovery following LVAD placement.

The burden of malnutrition & frailty in patients with coronary artery disease: An under-recognized problem.

Elderly patients with coronary artery disease have a high prevalence of frailty and malnutrition. Frailty syndrome is associated with poor outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction. There is a known overlap between frailty and malnutrition, yet these are two different entities.

Trends and Outcomes of Oral Anticoagulation With Direct Current Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter at an Academic Medical Center.

Background: Increasing reports suggest the safe use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in electrical cardioversion. The aim of this study was to assess the trends and 30-day outcomes associated with anticoagulation for cardioversion.

Methods: Patients who underwent electrical cardioversion from January 2015 to October 2020 with a 30-day follow-up were included; and outcomes including stroke, transient ischemic attack, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and major gastrointestinal bleeding were recorded.

Impact of malnutrition and frailty on mortality and major amputation in patients with CLTI.

Objectives: To understand the prevalence of malnutrition and its association with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) outcomes; to clarify the differential impact of revascularization methods on outcomes; to assess the ability of the CLTI Frailty Risk Score (CLTI-FRS) to predict adverse events in patients hospitalized with CLTI.

Background: Despite advances in the management of CLTI, a majority still undergo major amputation, and a minority heal within 6 months. There is a lack of validated assessment tools for the identification and management of frailty and malnutrition in these patients.

Rapid Development of Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) Purulent Pericarditis in the Setting of Endocarditis.

Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) purulent pericarditis is a rare but potentially fatal complication of MRSA bacteremia. We describe a case of a 27-year-old patient with active intravenous drug use, who presented with fever, chills, and dyspnea and was found to have tricuspid valve endocarditis. Echocardiogram on admission showed no pericardial effusion.

Significant Benefit of Uninterrupted DOACs Versus VKA During Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Objectives: This study assessed the incremental benefit of uninterrupted direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus uninterrupted vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for catheter ablation (CA) of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) on 3 primary outcomes: major bleeding events (MBEs), minor bleeding events, and thromboembolic events (TEs). The secondary outcome was post-procedural silent cerebral infarction (SCI) as detected by brain cardiac magnetic resonance.

Background: As a class, evidence of the benefits of DOACs versus VKAs during CA of AF is scant.

Oral anticoagulation after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and the associated risk of thromboembolic events and intracranial hemorrhage: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: We sought to examine whether continuing oral anticoagulation (OAC) after catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with improved outcomes. OAC reduces morbidity and mortality in patients with AF. However, the continuation of OAC following the blanking period of CA is controversial due to conflicting published data.

Under-representation of women in the editorial boards of medical and dental journals of Pakistan.

Objective: To explore the representation of females in the field of medical journal editing in Pakistan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 3 to 15, 2015 at Combined Military Hospital, Lahore. After exploring the website of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, we surveyed the website of each journal and from their latest available edition discerned the editorial board's gender composition.

Fahr's Syndrome Misdiagnosed as Schizophrenia: A Case Report.

Fahr's syndrome is a rare disease entity which presents with multiple neurological symptoms like movement disorder or cognitive impairment. We describe a case of a young male patient who presented with symptoms mimicking schizophrenia. He failed to improve despite medical management.