Statin, aspirin and metformin use and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma related outcomes following liver transplantation: A retrospective study.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is a potentially curative therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC-recurrence following LT is associated with reduced survival. There is increasing interest in chemoprophylaxis to improve HCC-related outcomes post-LT.

Clinical outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in Melbourne, Australia.

Background: Ultrasound surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may improve early tumour detection but may additionally result in surveillance-related harm through increased evaluation of non-HCC lesions. The incidence of these outcomes has not been reported outside North America.

Aims: We aimed to report the outcomes of HCC surveillance with respect to both surveillance-related benefits and harms.

Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in Australia: current and future perspectives.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and is increasing in incidence in Australia. For most people with cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B, HCC screening and surveillance is recommended with 6-monthly ultrasound. However, most patients with HCC are still diagnosed outside of surveillance with incurable disease.

Vedolizumab for induction and maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease.

Background: Vedolizumab blocks inflammatory activity within the gastrointestinal tract. Systematic reviews have demonstrated the efficacy of vedolizumab in ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease in general. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarises the current evidence of vedolizumab in the induction and maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease.

Hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in the telehealth era: A single-centre review.

Background: Real-world hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance uptake remains suboptimal, despite evidence that surveillance is associated with lower cancer-related mortality in patients with cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. We aimed to examine the impact of telehealth consultations on HCC surveillance rates within a specialist liver clinic.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study within an Australian outreach liver clinic within a culturally diverse community, comparing standard consultations before the COVID-19 pandemic to telehealth consultations during the pandemic.

Prevalence and prognostic significance of vitamin C deficiency in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Vitamin C is an essential dietary nutrient important for collagen synthesis, including within the gastrointestinal tract.

Aim: We aimed to document the prevalence of Vitamin C deficiency (VCD) in patients who present with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) and its association with clinical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients presenting with UGIB.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma: A wolf in hepatocellular carcinoma's clothing.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) is a rare malignancy that may mimic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) given its hepatoid histologic appearance and production of alpha fetoprotein. Clinical management and prognosis of HAC varies considerably from HCC. We present two cases of metastatic HAC in a cirrhotic liver diagnosed after biopsy and histopathological evaluation.

Natural history and outcomes of patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by hepatic hydrothorax.

Background: Hepatic hydrothorax (HH) is an uncommon and difficult-to-manage complication of cirrhosis with limited treatment options.

Aim: To define the clinical outcomes of patients presenting with HH managed with current standards-of-care and to identify factors associated with mortality.

Methods: Cirrhotic patients with HH presenting to 3 tertiary centres from 2010 to 2018 were retrospectively identified.

Spatiotemporal analysis of regional TIA trends.

Background: There has been a decline in the stroke incidence across high income countries but such knowledge exists at Country or State rather than areal unit level such local government area (LGA). In this disease mapping study, we evaluate if there are local hot spots or temporal trends in TIA rate. Such knowledge will be of help in planning healthcare service delivery across regions.

Mechanical thrombectomy of symptomatic carotid stenosis with free-floating thrombus in a patient with COVID-19 using transcarotid artery revascularization.

Carotid stenosis with free-floating thrombus is associated with ipsilateral neurologic deficits as a result of cerebrovascular accident or ischemic stroke. Arterial thrombosis and thrombus instability have shown an association with coronavirus disease 2019. Immediate evaluation is essential to assess and prevent thrombus propagation.

Mechanical Thrombectomy of Symptomatic Acute Carotid Stent Thrombosis Using Transcarotid Artery Revascularization Neuroprotection Flow Reversal Technique.

Carotid artery stent thrombosis is a relatively rare yet devastating complication of endovascular carotid interventions and manifests as ipsilateral neurological aberrancies such as transient ischemic attack or cerebrovascular accident. Prompt evaluation is necessary, and appropriate imaging is warranted to ascertain the urgency for intervention. Traditionally, anticoagulation with stent explantation and associated thrombectomy is performed.

Prognostic significance of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis treated with current standards of care.

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a reversible neuropsychiatric complication of liver cirrhosis and occurs in up to 50% of cirrhotic patients. Studies examining the prognostic significance of HE are limited despite the high prevalence in cirrhosis.

Aim: To define the clinical outcomes of patients after an episode of HE treated with current standards-of-care.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Atrial Fibrillation: Impact of Antithrombotic Strategy on Clinical Outcomes.

Background: Antithrombotic recommendations following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are largely based on previous trial protocols. The efficacy and risk of anticoagulation has not been systematically assessed. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) following TAVR with the Lotus Valve System (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA).

A comparison of preoperative and intraoperative vein mapping sizes for arteriovenous fistula creation.

Background: Duplex ultrasound (DUS) mapping of the veins and arteries of the upper extremity is a well-established practice in arteriovenous fistula creation for long-term hemodialysis access. Previous publications have shown that vein diameters varying from 2 to 3 mm are predictive of success. Regional anesthesia is known to result in vasodilation and thus to increase the diameter of upper extremity veins.

Clinical Validity, Understandability, and Actionability of Online Cardiovascular Disease Risk Calculators: Systematic Review.

Background: Online health information is particularly important for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, where lifestyle changes are recommended until risk becomes high enough to warrant pharmacological intervention. Online information is abundant, but the quality is often poor and many people do not have adequate health literacy to access, understand, and use it effectively.

Objective: This project aimed to review and evaluate the suitability of online CVD risk calculators for use by low health literate consumers in terms of clinical validity, understandability, and actionability.

Incidence and predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation following treatment with the repositionable Lotus™ transcatheter aortic valve.

Objectives: To determine the incidence and predictors of permanent pacemaker (PPM) requirement following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the mechanically expanded Lotus Valve System (Boston Scientific).

Background: Pacemaker implantation is the most common complication following TAVR. Predictors of pacing following TAVR with the Lotus valve have not been systematically assessed.