Hemodynamic and clinical outcomes with balloon-expandable valves versus self-expanding valves in patients with small aortic annulus undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A -analysis of randomized controlled trials and propensity score matched studies.

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).

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and atrial fibrillation: catheter ablation vs. standard medical therapy - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The latest guidelines advocate for catheter ablation (CA) over standard medical therapy (SMT) for managing atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the effectiveness of CA vs. SMT in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Poliovirus on the rise in Pakistan amidst unprecedented floods and COVID-19 pandemic: An urgent concern.

Background: Poliomyelitis is always a great concern in Pakistan and is a public health emergency. COVID-19 and recent floods have increased the challenge.

Aim: This article highlights the situation of polio in Pakistan and also recommends several steps to eradicate the disease as early as possible.

Outcomes of definite vs probable/presumed cardiac sarcoidosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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.

Machine learning in heart failure diagnosis, prediction, and prognosis: review.

Globally, cardiovascular diseases take the lives of over 17 million people each year, mostly through myocardial infarction, or MI, and heart failure (HF). This comprehensive literature review examines various aspects related to the diagnosis, prediction, and prognosis of HF in the context of machine learning (ML). The review covers an array of topics, including the diagnosis of HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and the identification of high-risk patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

The challenges and main recommendations to fight measles in India: A mini review.

The measles virus is an RNA virus belonging to the family. It leads to an acute communicable illness that primarily involves the respiratory tract. Vaccination has significantly reduced the overall incidence and mortality worldwide; however, outbreaks still occur globally each year due to several factors.

Re-emergence of Lassa fever in Nigeria: A new challenge for public health authorities.

The Lassa virus is an RNA virus belonging to the family. It is responsible for Lassa fever, an acute viral zoonosis of the severe hemorrhagic fever type with manifestations of fever, muscle pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and chest and abdominal pain. Lassa fever is endemic in West Africa, where the first case was reported in 1969 in Lassa, a town in Nigeria, more than 50 years ago, and it is estimated that nearly 5000 deaths occur in West Africa each year.

Reflections on the surge in malaria cases after unprecedented flooding in Pakistan-A commentary.

Background: Malaria is a parasitic infection primarily caused by four main species of the genus , that is, , , , and . It is transmitted through the bite of the female mosquito. It holds the status of one of the leading causes of death in the developing world.

Management of Marjolin's ulcer with popliteal lymphadenopathy with surgical resection and lymphadenectomy in a young patient, an uncommon lesion and overlooked entity: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: In non-healing ulcers with a previous history of burns, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for Marjolin's ulcer and a low threshold for biopsy, irrespective of age.

Abstract: Marjolin's ulcer is a rare malignancy arising from chronic inflammation and commonly manifests in burn scars. Thus, in cases of chronic wounds or non-healing ulcers, health professionals should have a high index of suspicion and a low threshold for biopsy, irrespective of age.

Alarming rise in HIV cases in Pakistan: Challenges and future recommendations at hand.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that suppresses the immune system by reducing the CD4+ T lymphocytes level. It has become a global challenge with fast prevalence ratio. Like other developing countries, Pakistan is also struggling for overcoming this viral disease since very first reported case in 1987.

Global trends of monkeypox-related articles: A bibliometric analysis over the last five decades (1964 - July 14, 2022).

Background: The first human monkeypox (MPX) case was identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1970 with an outbreak in 2010 and the first human MPX case in the UK in 2022. In this study, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of the literature on monkeypox based on the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) of the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) to identify relevant topics and trends in monkeypox research.

Methods: We searched the Web of Science from 1964 until July 14, 2022, for all publications using the keywords "Monkeypox" and "Monkeypox virus.

Diseases caused by floods with a spotlight on the present situation of unprecedented floods in Pakistan: a short communication.

Few natural calamities surpass floods in their destructive capabilities. The recent floods in Pakistan were declared the world's deadliest since the South Asian floods of 2020 and were, by far, the most destructive floods in the country's history. They have resulted in significant loss of life and property and have served as the harbingers of cutaneous and noncutaneous diseases.

Rift Valley fever virus outbreak in Mauritania yet again in 2022: No room for complacency.

Rift Valley fever is an important yet ignored viral hemorrhagic fever claiming many lives of African and Arabian countries over the past decade. Unfortunately, a recent outbreak of Rift Valley fever is currently ravaging in Mauritania. Death toll is rising continuously with 23 deaths reported in the month of October, 2022.

Diphtheria in Pakistan post-COVID-19, a potential public health threat: an update.

Diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease, remains a concern in Pakistan as cases have risen post-COVID-19 pandemic causing more than 45 deaths in Pakistan in the year 2022. The respiratory variant of the disease is more common and can lead to serious complications, such as myocarditis and respiratory insufficiency. Diphtheria has caused havoc in the past killing millions of people worldwide before the development of its vaccine.

Year-round dengue fever in Pakistan, highlighting the surge amidst ongoing flood havoc and the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive review.

Dengue fever (DF) is an arthropod-borne viral infection caused by four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV 1-4) transmitted to the host by the vector mosquito , which causes fever, vomiting, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, and a distinctive itching and skin rash, ultimately leading to dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. The first case of DF in Pakistan was documented in 1994, but outbreak patterns began in 2005. As of 20 August 2022, Pakistan has 875 confirmed cases, raising alarming concerns.

COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Literature Review From Pathogenesis to Diagnosis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) took the world by storm after the first case of COVID-19 emerged in China on December 8, 2019. The disease is generally considered as an infection of the respiratory system, but serious life-threatening myocardial injuries have been reported with this infection. Coronavirus can damage cardiac myocytes by entering the cell through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor binding.

Radiological manifestation of optic nerve infarction in a patient with invasive mucormycosis secondary to diabetic ketoacidosis in Pakistan.

A 35 years old male patient presented in the hospital with complaints of left-sided facial swelling, blindness in the left eye, and left eye proptosis. He had a concomitant history of diabetic ketoacidosis. Magnetic resonance imaging was advised, which revealed infected tissue of the left cheek, optic nerve infarction, intracranial extension, and leptomeningeal involvement by the disease process.