Androgenic steroids dysregulation and the risk of coronary artery disease.

Introduction: Endogenous testosterone deficiency or excess anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) have been linked to alter the physiology of different organs in the body, more specifically, the vasculature of coronary arteries. Despite the health-related concerns of using synthetic testosterone derivatives, such as AAS, there has been a tremendous increase in the use of AAS among athletes and bodybuilders.

Areas Covered: We have highlighted the three main mechanisms that AAS increase the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD): altering the homeostasis of lipid metabolism which results in dyslipidemia and subsequently atherosclerosis, disturbing the function of platelet which results in platelet aggregation and subsequent thrombosis, and increasing the risk of coronary vasospasm by affecting the physiological function of vascular bed.

Efficacy and Safety of Transcarotid Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review.

Background: In patients who are not suitable for traditional access routes for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) due to severe peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or prohibitive surgical risk, carotid artery (CA) access is an emerging route for TAVR. This study represents the most up to date on outcomes of carotid access TAVR.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted as per the Preferred Reporting Instructions for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA).

Managing hypertension in patients with heart failure: an ongoing quandary.

Purpose Of Review: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the strongest risk factors for heart failure and is prevalent in up to 91% of patients with newly diagnosed heart failure. This article offers a practical approach to HTN in patients with heart failure.

Recent Findings: To date, no randomized trials comparing specific antihypertensive regimens have been conducted in the heart failure population.

Treatment of Concomitant OAB and BPH.

The etiology of men's lower urinary tract storage and voiding symptoms involves a contribution from both detrusor and outlet. As such, treatment of benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) ± benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) with standard alpha-adrenergic blockade and 5-alpha reductase inhibitor therapy may leave a population of men with persistent and bothersome urinary storage symptoms. An abundance of adequately powered, randomized, placebo-controlled trials indicate that the use of antimuscarinics and beta-3 adrenergic agonists, either alone or in combination with standard BPE/BPO therapy, leads to improvement in storage symptoms.