Dapagliflozin in Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Meta-analysis on Functional Capacity, Symptoms, and Safety Outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the comparative effects of dapagliflozin versus placebo in patients with heart failure (HF), focusing on functional capacity, symptoms, and safety outcomes.

Background: Despite advancements in heart failure (HF) therapy, HF is still a significant cause of recurrent hospitalization and death worldwide. Dapagliflozin has demonstrated potential in lowering hospitalizations and mortality associated with heart failure; however, its impact on functional capacity, particularly the 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and the comprehensive assessment of safety outcomes in diverse HF populations, including those with preserved or reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF and HFrEF, respectively), requires further investigation.

Challenges and Insights: Severe Acute Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is rarely a cause of syncope. We highlight an unusual presentation of pulmonary hypertension where management was a veritable challenge. We present a case report of a 35-year-old female with a history of stage 2 hypertension, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and obesity who presented to the hospital with a six-month history of progressive shortness of breath, lower extremity swelling, and recurrent syncope.

A Rare Differential of Epistaxis.

Glomus tympanicum is a type of glomus tumor that affects the middle ear, located at the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. Glomus tumors, in general, are rare, slow-growing tumors and may not require surgery in some patients. It can be challenging to manage due to its hypervascularity, location, and advanced stage of diagnosis.

The Masquerading Myocarditis: A Case of Late Recurrence of Acute Myocarditis Presenting as "Peripartum Cardiomyopathy".

Myocarditis is a potentially fatal medical condition with varied etiologies. Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) refers to systolic dysfunction occurring toward the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery; it is a diagnosis of exclusion. We present a patient with chest pain, bipedal edema, markedly elevated troponins, electrocardiogram (EKG) findings that were concerning for myocardial infarction, and a significantly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on the echocardiogram.

Masquerading bundle branch block: an often missed electrophysiological event.

Masquerading bundle branch block is an easily overlooked pattern on the ECG that indicates severe disease of the atrioventricular nodal conduction pathway. It is often caused by coronary artery disease, infiltrative diseases of the heart and idiopathic degeneration of the atrioventricular nodal conduction pathways. The diagnosis is easily missed as it needs a detailed interpretation of the ECG in addition to the clinical presentation of the patient.

The impact of comorbidities and sociodemographic predictors on pneumococcal vaccination coverage in adults with coronary heart disease.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) increases the risk of adverse outcomes from invasive pneumococcal disease. Using the 2020 and 2021 data from the national health interview survey, we identified adults with CHD. Chi-square analysis and logistic regression were used to examine factors that influence vaccination status.

The Decimating Army: Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis as the Initial Presentation of Adult-Onset Still's Disease.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and often missed presentation in the hospital setting. It is a hyperinflammatory syndrome of immune activation and dysregulation characterized by fever, cytopenias, elevated serum ferritin levels, and hepatosplenomegaly. It has a multifactorial etiology occurring primarily secondary to infection, malignancy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, or autoimmune disease.

The Thyroid Forecast: A Case of a Thyroid Storm Diagnosed Under Unforeseen Circumstances.

Hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis are common conditions in clinical practice. Untreated, they are associated with several co-morbidities. One of these conditions, and arguably the most lethal, is the thyroid storm.

The Effectiveness of Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Ablation in the Treatment of Nonradiating Vertebrogenic Pain: A Systematic Review.

Intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation has shown sustained efficacy in treating chronic axial low back pain (LBP) in patients with type 1 or 2 Modic changes. This systematic review aims to determine the efficacy of intraosseous basivertebral nerve radiofrequency ablation in treating nonradiating axial chronic LBP compared to standard therapy, sham, or without contrast. The population of interest is individuals greater than or equal to 18 years old with chronic nonradiating vertebrogenic pain.

A Deceptively Unremarkable Standstill: A Case Report of a Rare Cardiac Electrophysiologic Event.

Ventricular standstill is a rare cardiac event associated with a high mortality. It is considered a ventricular fibrillation equivalent. The longer the duration, the poorer the prognosis.

A Case Reflecting the Impact of a Deferred Transesophageal Echocardiogram on a COVID-19 Disease Patient.

COVID-19 has been amongst us for over two years and has seen a strong response from the international health community regarding mobilization. There has also been the advancement of vaccine science-regulations surrounding the day-to-day decisions regarding patients who tested positive for the virus. Guidelines for treatment continue to vary.

A Suspected Case of COVID-19-Induced Immunosuppression.

While COVID-19 has gained popularity as a pandemic and as a cause of pulmonary-systemic disease, the condition continues to evolve our knowledge and understanding of immunology and medicine through its myriad clinical presentations. This article features a previously healthy 65-year-old female who presented with sudden features of cryptococcal meningitis, the progression of which raises questions as to what role the virus plays in the innate, adaptive, and overall host factors leading to immunosuppression.

A Systematic Review of Antibiotic Resistance Trends and Treatment Options for Hospital-Acquired Multidrug-Resistant Infections.

Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health challenge described by the World Health Organization as one of the top 10 public health challenges worldwide. Drug-resistant microbes contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in the hospital, especially in the critical care unit. The primary etiology of increasing antibiotic resistance is inappropriate and excessive use of antibiotics.

The Impact of Dietary Fat on Breast Cancer Incidence and Survival: A Systematic Review.

Breast cancer has become one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, and researchers have struggled to explore new avenues for managing it for decades. One of the ways was to analyze the diet and its importance concerning this disease. This review aims to study the effect dietary fat has on the risk of breast cancer incidence as well as its influence on the survival of breast cancer patients.

Efficacy of Anakinra in Pericarditis: A Systematic Review.

Inflammation of the pericardium is referred to as pericarditis, which can cause sharp chest pain and has a high chance of recurrence even after treatment. This review will explore anakinra, which is an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, as a potential new treatment for pericarditis. The systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines by searching PubMed and GoogleScholar from the years 2012 to 2022.

Targeted Temperature Management After Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review.

Targeted temperature management (TTM) has been the cornerstone of post-cardiac arrest care, but even after therapy, neurological outcomes remain poor. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the influence of TTM in post-cardiac arrest treatment, its effect on the neurological outcome, survival, and the adverse events associated with it. We also aimed to examine any difference between the effect of therapy at various intensities and durations on the prognosis of the patient.

Cryptococcus Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Cryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection of the CNS, generally thought of as an opportunistic infection in those with T-cell immunodeficiencies including AIDS (usually with a CD4 count of less than 100), chronic steroid use, hematological malignancies, and transplant recipients. It can have irreversible CNS morbidity, including vision loss, intracranial hypertension, and cognitive decline. Diagnosis depends on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, in which cultures and cryptococcal antigen are most sensitive.