Assessing the Likelihood of Procedural Intubation During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Preprocedural fasting is widely used before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the incidence of procedural intubation during PCI is unknown. This study aims to identify the incidence and predictors for procedural intubation during PCI.

Challenges in the implementation of cardio-oncology trials: lessons learnt from investigating statins in the prevention of anthracycline cardiotoxicity.

Despite advanced in targeted cancer therapies, anthracyclines remain essential in treating various malignancies, albeit with risks of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Out of the myriad of mitigation strategies for CTRCD, statins are an attractive preventive therapy for anthracycline associated CTRCD given their widespread availability, cheap costs and added benefit of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk reduction. Recent trials of PREVENT, SPARE-HF, and STOP-CA investigated atorvastatin's efficacy in preventing CTRCD, with mixed outcomes.

Immunotherapy-mediated myocarditis and concurrent vasospastic angina in a patient with established ischaemic heart disease: a case report.

Background: Immunotherapy has become a pillar of modern oncological management but is associated with significant immunotherapy-related adverse events (IRAEs). While myocarditis is a prominent IRAE which clinicians are increasingly aware of, immunotherapy-related coronary vasospasm is far less appreciated and can be especially difficult to elucidate in pre-existing coronary artery disease. This case demonstrates the approach to diagnosis and management of multiple cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular IRAEs.

Evaluating obicetrapib as an emerging treatment for patients with dyslipidemia: a game changer?

Introduction: Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays an important role in lipid metabolism. Early interest in the development of CETP inhibitors proved to be disappointing. Recent interest has focused on the potential for CETP inhibition to reduce cardiovascular risk by lowering levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

Variation of computed tomography-derived extracellular volume fraction and the impact of protocol parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiac computed tomography quantification of extracellular volume fraction (CT-ECV) is an emerging biomarker of myocardial fibrosis which has demonstrated high reproducibility, diagnostic and prognostic utility. However, there has been wide variation in the CT-ECV protocol in the literature and useful disease cut-offs are yet to be established. The objectives of this meta-analysis were to describe mean CT-ECV estimates and to estimate the effect of CT-ECV protocol parameters on between-study variation.

Cardiovascular Risk in Cancer Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Challenges and Future Directions.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of non-cancer related mortality and morbidity among people living with or cured from cancer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are systemic anti-cancer therapies that have revolutionised the treatment of numerous cancers, even achieving durable long-term responses among patients with metastatic disease. However, the pro-inflammatory effects of ICIs have been postulated to increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in cancer survivorship.

An association between Dasatinib, elevated left atrial pressure and pleural effusion.

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), such as Dasatinib, are effective in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) but associated with development of pleural effusions (PE). The relationship between haemodynamic parameters identified on transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) such as elevated estimated left atrial pressure (LAP), and PE development is unknown. This study aims to describe associations between Dasatinib, elevated LAP and PE.

The Lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on outpatient neurology consultations.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic prompted rapid changes in outpatient neurology services and there remain unanswered questions regarding its long-term impact. First, what are the lasting changes of the pandemic on demographics and outcomes of new referrals and patients reviewed at outpatient neurology clinics? Safety concerns about virtual consultations during the initial stages of the pandemic were also raised. Has the continual adoption of virtual consultations led to negative outcomes for patients?

Methods: New referrals and first clinic appointments in 2019 (prepandemic baseline) and 2022 (postpandemic) in a tertiary referral centre were compared retrospectively.

The effectiveness of visualising plaque on cardiac computed tomography in modifying risk factors for cardiovascular disease: A systematic review.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of disease burden worldwide, with a significant proportion of cases and deaths attributable to modifiable risk factors. Recent interest has emerged in using cardiac computed tomography (CT) imaging as a tool to enhance motivation and drive positive behavioural changes. However, the impact of providing visual feedback of plaque from CT on risk factor control and individual health behaviours remains understudied.

Association Between Smoking and Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent inflammatory disease of the upper airway. The impact of smoking on CRS has not been clearly established. We aim to clarify the association between first-hand cigarette smoking and the prevalence and prognoses of CRS.

Cardiologists' knowledge and perceptions of the seasonal influenza immunisation.

Background: Seasonal influenza immunisation reduces cardiovascular events in high-risk patients, but 50% do not receive routine immunisation. The perceptions and current role of cardiologists in recommending and prescribing influenza immunisation has not been well described.

Methods: We used an exploratory sequential mixed methods design.

Midline Sacral Fractures: Review of the Literature.

Introduction: Sacral fractures are an important consideration in high-energy traumas associated with injuries to the pelvic ring that confer much of pelvic stability. A midline longitudinal sacral fracture (MLS) is a relatively rare fracture pattern, with only 23 cases of MLS fractures reported in the literature to date. This systematic review evaluates overall mechanisms of MLS injury, associated injuries, complications, management, and fracture prognosis.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Events in Cancer Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are effective therapies for numerous cancers, but have been associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This study aimed to identify predictors for ASCVD events among cancer patients treated with ICIs and the cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) control of those who developed ASCVD.

Method: A single-centre retrospective study of 366 cancer patients who received ICIs from 2018 to 2020 was performed.

Incessant myopericarditis after mRNA vaccination requiring IL-1 receptor antagonist therapy and pericardiectomy: case report.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been global administration of novel mRNA vaccines that are effective in reducing the burden of COVID-19. In tandem with this administration, mRNA vaccine-associated complications have been identified. One such complication is mRNA vaccine-associated pericarditis.

Perceptions and Attitudes of Patients and Health Care Stakeholders on Implementing a Telehealth Service for Preoperative Evaluation: A Qualitative Analysis.

Background: Studies suggest that preoperative evaluation can be effectively conducted through telehealth. As the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation, we hypothesize that a new telehealth model of care may be feasibly implemented for preoperative evaluation at our institution. This qualitative study seeks to evaluate the attitudes and perception of elective surgery patients and health care providers toward telehealth conducted for preanesthesia evaluation.

Inter-software and inter-scan variability in measurement of epicardial adipose tissue: a three-way comparison of a research-specific, a freeware and a coronary application software platform.

Objectives: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a proposed marker of cardiovascular risk; however, clinical application may be limited by variability in post-processing software platforms. We assessed inter-vendor agreement of EAT volume (EATv) and attenuation on both contrast-enhanced (CE) and non-contrast CT (NCT) using a standard coronary CT reporting software (Vitrea), an EAT research-specific software (QFAT) and a freeware imaging software (OsiriX).

Methods: Seventy-six consecutive patients undergoing simultaneous CE and NCT had complete volumetric EAT measurement.

Blood pressure surveillance in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are cancer therapies that have been associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Blood pressure (BP) measurements are routinely performed during day oncology center visits for administration of ICI therapy but are often not assessed temporally to screen and monitor hypertension, which could independently increase the risk of ASCVD in cancer survivorship. This study reports the feasibility of using serial BP measurements from routine visits to day oncology center to diagnose and monitor hypertension control in cancer patients receiving ICIs.