Ultrasound measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque thickness (PT) may be an additional tool for risk stratification of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of CIMT and PT with coronary artery disease (CAD) in risk stratification tests.This prospective observational study was conducted in an academic tertiary care ED. Carotid ultrasound measurements were obtained for emergency patients with suspected ACS. Carotid measurements included PT, mean CIMT and maximum CIMT. The correlations between carotid ultrasound and the results of coronary catheter angiography (CA), coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and stress tests were identified. The convenience sample included 58 patients comprising 39 men and 19 women with a mean age of 60 ± 12 y. Twenty-two percent (13/58) of patients were positive for CAD, as indicated by results of the cardiac risk stratification tests. Presence of plaque correlated with CCTA findings, with a high specificity (92.8%) for a positive test. Max CIMT predicted abnormal CCTA (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.93, 95% confidence interval: 0.80-1). The correlations with stress test (0.78, 0.46-1) and CA (0.55, 0.28-0.82) were weaker. Presence of carotid plaque correlated significantly with findings of CAD on all risk stratification tests, but especially with CCTA. Carotid ultrasound could have a role in risk stratification in the ED, though more research is needed.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.03.004 | DOI Listing |
Int Urol Nephrol
January 2025
Faculty of Data Science and Information Technology, INTI International University, Nilai, Malaysia.
Background: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) plays a critical role in regulating androgen bioavailability and has been hypothesized to influence prostate cancer risk, though existing evidence is inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between SHBG levels and prostate cancer risk.
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Eur J Epidemiol
January 2025
Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Early-stage cutaneous melanoma patients generally have a favorable prognosis, yet a significant proportion of metastatic melanoma cases arise from this group, highlighting the need for improved risk stratification using novel prognostic biomarkers. The Dutch Early-Stage Melanoma (D-ESMEL) study introduces a robust, population-based methodology to develop an absolute risk prediction model for stage I/II melanoma, incorporating clinical, imaging, and multi-omics data to identify patients at increased risk for distant metastases. Utilizing the Netherlands Cancer Registry and Dutch Nationwide Pathology Databank, we collected primary tumor samples from early-stage melanoma patients, with and without distant metastases during follow-up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClin Exp Dermatol
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Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Background: Although ultraviolet radiation is the most important risk factor for skin cancer in general, its role in disease control after the diagnosis of melanoma remains to be elucidated.
Objectives: To analyse the association between survival and self-assessed sun protection behaviour after a melanoma diagnosis.
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Curr Cardiol Rep
January 2025
Division of Cardiac Surgery, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Background: Referred to as the "forgotten chamber," the right ventricle (RV) is now widely acknowledged as a significant factor, particularly in certain cardiovascular pathologies. Despite historically being undervalued in comparison to the left ventricle, the RV function is deemed crucial in determining patient outcomes following mitral valve (MV) surgery. In the context of MV surgery, it is important to note that the RV is highly susceptible to dysfunction before, during, and after the surgical procedure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWorld J Urol
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Department of Urology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, Japan.
Purpose: Preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) is a valuable prognostic biomarker in nonmetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nmccRCC). Incorporation of CRP into prognostic models may improve the prediction of oncologic outcomes. Herein, we aimed to develop and validate prognostic nomograms and an integrated software incorporating preoperative CRP level in nmccRCC.
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