Race, Sex, and Ejection Fraction-Based Differences in Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) Risk Prediction.

The early detection of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) is essential, with Tc-99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy (PYP scan) being a key diagnostic tool. Although a previously validated score has shown promise in predicting PYP scan positivity among patients with HFpEF, further evaluation in diverse cohorts is necessary. To assess the effectiveness of the ATTR-CM score in predicting PYP scan positivity within our patient population.

Kidney Replacement Therapies in Advanced Heart Failure: Timing, Modalities and Clinical Considerations.

Acute kidney dysfunction is commonly encountered in patients with advanced heart failure (HF), and it carries significant prognostic implications, often leading to poorer outcomes and increased mortality rates. It can alter the course of decision making for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and cardiac transplantation candidacy. Kidney replacement therapies (KRTs) offer a critical intervention in this context but require careful consideration of timing, various types of KRT modalities and individual patients' preferences and circumstances.

Influence of social vulnerability index on Medicare beneficiaries' expenditures upon discharge.

Medicare beneficiaries' healthcare spending varies across geographical regions, influenced by availability of medical resources and institutional efficiency. We aimed to evaluate whether social vulnerability influences healthcare costs among Medicare beneficiaries. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to determine whether the social vulnerability index (SVI), released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was associated with average submitted covered charges, total payment amounts, or total covered days upon hospital discharge among Medicare beneficiaries.

Exploring Heart Failure Mortality Trends and Disparities in Women: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Heart failure (HF) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in women. Population-level analyses shed light on existing disparities and promote targeted interventions. We evaluated HF-related mortality data in women in the United States to identify disparities based on race/ethnicity, urbanization level, and geographic region.

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic characterization of the human KCNE3 protein in lipodisq nanoparticles for structural dynamics of membrane proteins.

One of the major challenges in solubilization of membrane proteins is to find the optimal physiological environment for their biophysical studies. EPR spectroscopy is a powerful biophysical technique for studying the structural and dynamic properties of macromolecules. However, the challenges in the membrane protein sample preparation and flexible motion of the spin label limit the utilization of EPR spectroscopy to a majority of membrane protein systems in a physiological membrane-bound state.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to advanced heart failure therapies.

Background: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a key support modality for cardiogenic shock. The 2018 United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) heart transplant allocation algorithm prioritizes VA-ECMO patients.

Objective: To evaluate the role of VA-ECMO in bridging to advanced heart failure therapies.

KCCQ total symptom score, clinical outcome measures, and adverse events associated with omecamtiv mecarbil for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Omecamtiv mecarbil (OM) is a direct myosin activator that augments left ventricular systolic function. This review compares OM to placebo by evaluating its effect on clinical outcomes and adverse events in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Methods And Results: A literature search of multiple databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating OM versus placebo was undertaken.

Systems of Care in Cardiogenic Shock.

Outcomes for cardiogenic shock (CS) patients remain relatively poor despite significant advancements in primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and temporary circulatory support (TCS) technologies. Mortality from CS shows great disparities that seem to reflect large variations in access to care and physician practice patterns. Recent reports of different models to standardize care in CS have shown considerable potential at improving outcomes.

Renal Considerations in COVID-19: Biology, Pathology, and Pathophysiology.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged into a worldwide pandemic of epic proportion. Beyond pulmonary involvement in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a significant subset of patients experiences acute kidney injury. Patients who die from severe disease most notably show diffuse acute tubular injury on postmortem examination with a possible contribution of focal macro- and microvascular thrombi.

Incidence and Management of Carfilzomib-induced Cardiovascular Toxicity; A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The ASPIRE and ENDEAVOUR trials have shown cardiovascular adverse effects in patients treated with carfilzomib-based regimens. Therefore, we conducted this meta- analysis of published clinical trials to identify the cumulative incidence and risk of cardiovascular adverse effects due to carfilzomib.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library was performed, and we identified 45 prospective trials of carfilzomib with data on 5583 patients.

Continuation versus discontinuation of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19: a prospective, randomised, open-label trial.

Background: Biological considerations suggest that renin-angiotensin system inhibitors might influence the severity of COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate whether continuing versus discontinuing renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers) affects outcomes in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19.

Methods: The REPLACE COVID trial was a prospective, randomised, open-label trial done at 20 large referral hospitals in seven countries worldwide.

Fundamentals of Light Chain Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Focused Review.

The estimated prevalence of AL CA in the US is approximately 8-12 cases per million. Almost 30-50% diagnosed cases of AL amyloid in the US have multisystem involvement, including cardiac involvement. Even with the availability of advanced diagnostic testing and novel therapies, prognosis remains poor.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Cardiovascular Disease: COVID-19 Heart.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The symptoms of the disease range from asymptomatic to mild respiratory symptoms and even potentially life-threatening cardiovascular and pulmonary complications. Cardiac complications include acute myocardial injury, arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock and even sudden death.

Cardiodynamic state is associated with systemic inflammation and fatal acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Background & Aims: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by high short-term mortality and systemic inflammation (SI). Recently, different cardiodynamic states were shown to independently predict outcomes in cirrhosis. The relationship between cardiodynamic states, SI, and portal hypertension and their impact on ACLF development remains unclear.

Effect of Polymethylmethacrylate-Hydroxyapatite Composites on Callus Formation and Compressive Strength in Goat Vertebral Body.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) is one of the available treatments for vertebral compression fracture (VCF). Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is the most common bone substitute used in the procedure, but it has several disadvantages. Bioceramic material, such as hydroxyapatite (HA), has better biological activity compared to PMMA.

Do Age and Co-morbidy, Among other Factors, affect Length of Hospital Stay following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

The only treatment for grade IV knee osteoarthritis is total knee arthroplasty (TKA) irrespective of the age of the patient. Most of the grade IV OA patient are elderly and most likely to have some comorbidities. Age and comorbidities are the major reasons for patient's reluctance to undergo TKA.

A Patient With Remote Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and Antiphospholipid Syndrome Requiring Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Do Current Guidelines Apply?

Anticoagulation for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is required to prevent acute disseminated intravascular coagulation and clot formation within the bypass circuit. Unfractionated heparin is the standard anticoagulant for CPB due to its many advantages and long history of successful use. However, heparin has the unique drawback of triggering Heparin-PF4 (PF4) antibodies potentially leading to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).

Infliximab Therapy Leading to Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Patient With Negative Interferon γ Release Assay (IGRA)-Based QuantiFERON Gold Test.

Infliximab therapy is associated with higher rates of active tuberculosis (TB), particularly extrapulmonary and disseminated forms with unusual symptoms. We report the case of a 66-year-old man with Crohn's disease who developed TB mimicking lung cancer on imaging. He presented with cough and fever of 2 weeks' duration shortly after starting infliximab.

Challenges facing young African scientists in their research careers: A qualitative exploratory study.

Background: Africa accounts for 14% of world's population, and the economies of most African countries are considered to be growing, but this is not reflected in the amount of research published by Africans. This study aimed at identifying the challenges that young African scientists face in their career development.

Methods: This was a qualitative exploratory study involving young researchers who attended the Teaching and Research in Natural Sciences for Development (TReND) in Africa scientific writing and communication workshop, which was held in Malawi in September 2015.

Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation In and On the Way to the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.

Cardiac arrest, though not common during coronary angiography, is increasingly occurring in the catheterization laboratory because of the expanding complexity of percutaneous interventions (PCI) and the patient population being treated. Manual chest compression in the cath lab is not easily performed, often interrupted, and can result in the provider experiencing excessive radiation exposure. Mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provides unique advantages over manual performance of chest compression for treating cardiac arrest in the cardiac cath lab.

Assessment of health-related quality of life in Egyptian HCV-infected recipients after living donor liver transplantation.

Objective: Understanding issues pertaining to quality of life is essential for any disease, particularly in recipients of liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of liver transplantation on Egyptian recipients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods: A prospective study carried out at the Ain Shams Center for Organ Transplantation (Cairo, Egypt), including 35 recipients for the evaluation of HRQOL using short form 36 score (Arabic version) and Beck Depression Inventory scores pre-transplantation and 1 and 6 months afterwards.

Outcome of Patients with Infective Endocarditis who were Treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy.

Infective endocarditis is a potentially life threatening condition. It is associated with high mortality and morbidity resulting mostly due to cardiorespiratory failure. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a modality of treatment used to support hypoxic respiratory failure especially in patients who are already on mechanical ventilation.