A 28-Year-Old Woman With Nail Discoloration, Recurrent Bronchitis, and Left-Sided Facial Swelling.

A 28-year-old woman with a history of congenital hip dysplasia was referred for evaluation of recurrent bronchitis. She had undergone left hip replacement with titanium implants 11 years prior to presentation. The patient reported frequent bouts of bronchitis, sinusitis, and left-sided nontender facial swelling that started after the hip replacement surgery.

Effect of Obesity on Mortality in Pulmonary Hypertension-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Obesity is reported to have a protective effect on mortality in pulmonary hypertension (PH), a phenomenon known as obesity paradox. However, the data are conflicting, with some studies showing decreased mortality while other studies found no effect of obesity on mortality. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether there is an association between obesity and mortality in PH.

Role of Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy in the Diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease: A Meta-analysis of 68 Studies and 6300 Patients.

Background: Diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is based on multidisciplinary team discussion (MDD) with the incorporation of clinical, radiographical, and histopathologic information if available. We aim to evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety outcomes of transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) in the diagnosis of ILD.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis by comprehensive literature search to include all studies that evaluated the diagnostic yields and/or adverse events with TBLC in patients with ILD.

Clinical Characteristics of Sarcoidosis Patients with Self-Reported Lymphoma: A US Nationwide Registry Study.

Purpose: Little is known about the association between sarcoidosis and lymphoma. We aim to determine the prevalence of lymphoma in US sarcoidosis patients and compare the clinical characteristics of patients with and without lymphoma.

Methods: Using a national registry-based study investigating 3560 respondents to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research Sarcoidosis Advanced Registry for Cures Questionnaire (FSR-SARC) completed between June 2014 and August 2019, we identified patients who reported the diagnosis of lymphoma following sarcoidosis and randomly selected a computer-generated control sample of sarcoidosis patients with no reported lymphoma with a 2:1 ratio.

Meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials assessing the role of thromboprophylaxis after vascular surgery.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-known complication associated with surgical procedures. The implementation of thromboprophylaxis in this population has become a vital aspect of perioperative care to decrease VTE-associated morbidity and mortality risk. However, data assessing the role of thromboprophylaxis for patients undergoing vascular surgery are sparse.

Proton Pump Inhibitors Versus Histamine-2-Receptor Antagonists for Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Patients: A Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis.

Goals And Background: Stress ulcer prophylaxis has been shown to lower gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) rates. Various agents have been studied, and the optimal strategy continues to be contested. This study evaluates the efficacy between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2-receptor antagonists.

Artificial intelligence (AI) real-time detection vs. routine colonoscopy for colorectal neoplasia: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Goals And Background: Studies analyzing artificial intelligence (AI) in colonoscopies have reported improvements in detecting colorectal cancer (CRC) lesions, however its utility in the realworld remains limited. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluate the efficacy of AI-assisted colonoscopies against routine colonoscopy (RC).

Study: We performed an extensive search of major databases (through January 2021) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting adenoma and polyp detection rates.

Pericardial effusion uncovering underlying hypothyroidism.

Pericardial effusion may be the tipping point to unravel hypothyroidism. Large effusions may not correlate with severity of cardiovascular compromise. Medical therapy over surgical intervention is appropriate if no evidence of cardiac tamponade.

Vitamin C, Thiamine, and Hydrocortisone in the Treatment of Sepsis: A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: There is a conflicting body of evidence regarding the benefit of vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone in combination as an adjunctive therapy for sepsis with or without septic shock. We aimed to assess the efficacy of this treatment among predefined populations.

Methods: A literature review of major electronic databases was performed to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone in the treatment of patients with sepsis with or without septic shock in comparison to the control group.

Thromboprophylaxis for orthopedic surgery; An updated meta-analysis.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious complication of orthopedic surgery. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has been the standard of care for thromboprophylaxis in this population. However, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly being used as alternatives.

Direct oral anticoagulant versus low-molecular-weight heparin for treatment of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Cancer associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) results in significant morbidity and mortality. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has been standard of care for treatment of cancer-associated VTE, however direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are emerging as alternative treatment options.

Objective: To compare the benefits and harms of DOACs versus LMWH for treatment of VTE in cancer.

Effect of oxygenation modalities among patients with postoperative respiratory failure: a pairwise and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Postoperative respiratory failure is associated with increased perioperative complications. Our aim is to compare outcomes between non-invasive ventilation (NIV), high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), and standard oxygen in patients at high-risk for or with established postoperative respiratory failure.

Methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were reviewed from inception to September 2019.

Use of glucocorticoids in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common and disabling disease with high rates of mortality and morbidity. The role of steroids in treating ARDS remains controversial. We aim to examine the evidence behind using glucocorticoids in the management of ARDS from the available studies.

Meta-Analysis of the Role of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression of the Lower Limbs to Prevent Venous Thromboembolism in Critically Ill Patients.

Critically ill patients (patients treated in a medical or surgical intensive care unit) are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) development (deep vein thrombosis [DVT] and/or pulmonary embolism). Multiple thromboprophylaxis strategies have been used for the prevention of VTE in this population with various outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) prophylaxis in the lower limb compared with no treatment, anticoagulant use, or their combinations in reducing risk.

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus.

Context: The effect of vitamin D supplementation on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains controversial because most randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been small or have reported low doses of vitamin D.

Objective: To conduct a meta-analysis of RCTs testing vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of T2DM.

Data Sources: Database search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was performed by 2 reviewers from inception through September 15, 2019.

Meta-analysis of bivalirudin versus heparin in transradial coronary interventions.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bivalirudin versus heparin in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing transradial artery coronary intervention (TRI).

Background: Bivalirudin and radial artery access are independently associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes. However, data supporting a strategy of combining both to achieve additive improvements in cardiovascular outcomes provide conflicting results.

The role of vitamin D supplementation for primary prevention of cancer: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

: In the USA cancer is the second leading cause of mortality, as such, primary prevention of cancer is a major public health concern. Vitamin D supplementation has been studied as a primary prevention method for multiple diseases including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus and cancer. The role of Vitamin D as primary prevention of cancer is still controversial.

Antiarrhythmic Drugs or Catheter Ablation in the Management of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Patients With Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: In patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), shocks are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation (CA) in the treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) in patients with an ICD.

Methods: An electronic database search for randomized controlled trials that evaluated antiarrhythmic drugs and CA in patients with ICD was conducted.

Initial Noninvasive Oxygenation Strategies in Subjects With De Novo Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure.

Background: De novo hypoxemic respiratory failure is defined as significant hypoxemia in the absence of chronic lung disease such as COPD, and excluding respiratory failure occurring in the immediate postoperative or postextubation period. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various oxygenation strategies including noninvasive ventilation (NIV), high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), and conventional oxygen therapy in patients with de novo hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Methods: We performed electronic database searches of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception to December 2018 to include randomized controlled trials that compared various oxygenation strategies in cases of de novo hypoxemic respiratory failure occurring in adult subjects without a preexisting chronic lung disease and excluding respiratory failure in the immediate postoperative or postextubation periods.

Optimal timing of coronary intervention in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Performing immediate coronary angiography (CAG) in patients with a cardiac arrest and a non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) remains a highly debated topic. We performed a meta-analysis aiming to evaluate the influence of immediate, delayed, and no CAG in patients with cardiac arrest and NSTEMI.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review of Pubmed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase was performed for all studies that compared immediate CAG to delayed or no CAG in the setting of cardiac arrest and NSTEMI.

The effect of levothyroxine treatment in individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism on surrogate markers of atherosclerosis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

: Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with increased carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and decreased flow-mediated dilation (FMD) - surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, treatment with levothyroxine in this population remains controversial. : Electronic database search was conducted for all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated the treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism on surrogate markers of subclinical ASCVD.

The role of anticoagulation in venous thromboembolism primary prophylaxis in patients with malignancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with cancer. As such, we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated anticoagulants as primary prophylaxis against VTE in cancer patients.

Methods: Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were screened for all RCTs that used anticoagulation therapy in cancer patients for primary prevention of VTE.

Meta-Analysis of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients.

Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in low surgical risk patients.

Methods: An electronic database search was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects model.