The Impact of Cardiovascular Risk Factors on the Incidence, Severity, and Prognosis of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL): A Systematic Review.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is believed to be mainly idiopathic since the cause is not usually identified. Several recent studies have examined the role of cardiovascular risk factors in this disease. The aim of this systematic literature review is to investigate the possible association between acquired and inherited cardiovascular risk factors and the incidence, severity, and prognosis of SSHL.

Incidental Finding of an Asymptomatic Jejunal Schwannoma: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND Schwannomas are tumors that arise from Schwann cells that surround and support nerve cells. Most common sites for presentations are head, neck, and extremities. Schwannomas of gastrointestinal tract are rare, slow-growing tumors, usually benign, arising from gastrointestinal tract's neural plexus.

Timing of oral anticoagulants initiation for atrial fibrillation after acute ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: There is a longstanding clinical uncertainty regarding the optimal timing of initiating oral anticoagulants (OAC) for non-valvular atrial fibrillation following acute ischemic stroke. Current international recommendations are based on expert opinions, while significant diversity among clinicians is noted in everyday practice.

Methods: We conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis including all available randomized-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and observational cohort studies that investigated early versus later OAC-initiation for atrial fibrillation after acute ischemic stroke.

Surgical Excision of a Laimer's Diverticulum: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

A pharyngoesophageal diverticulum (PED) is a rare clinical entity. This paper reports on a 79-year-old male patient with PED and symptoms of dysphagia, regurgitation and chronic cough. The diverticulum was located on the dorsal side of the cervical esophagus, midline, inferior to the cricopharyngeal muscle.

Evaluation of treatment and long-term management of anaphylaxis in pediatric departments of Greece: a 2-year nationwide survey.

Background: Anaphylaxis proportions of incidence are increasing globally. However, limited data are available regarding anaphylaxis in the pediatric population of Greece.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate management of anaphylaxis in Greek pediatric departments.

A Superficial Anatomical Variation in the Radial Artery Renders It Unsuitable as a Graft in Coronary Revascularization.

In our experience, employing a radial artery in combination with an internal thoracic artery under specific conditions represents a superior option compared to using a vein graft in coronary artery surgery. Additionally, this combination is a remarkable alternative to utilizing bilateral thoracic arteries. We had planned the left radial artery as the second target graft in two patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery; the left internal thoracic artery to the left anterior descending branch would be the main graft in both patients.

Pancreatolithiasis: Does Management Depend on Clinical Manifestations?

BACKGROUND Pancreatic calculi (PC) or pancreatolithiasis refers to the presence of stones in the main pancreatic duct (MPD), side branches, or parenchyma of the pancreas. It is highly associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP), and is present in 50-90% of those patients. The stone formation can be attributed to a diversity of factors, all of them leading to obstruction in the duct, hypertension of its distal part, increased intraductal and parenchymal pressure, and inflammation, causing the standard symptom, epigastric pain.

Newly detected diabetes mellitus patients with acute coronary syndrome have an adverse cardiometabolic profile similar to patients with prior diabetes and a more extensive ischemic myocardial insult.

Aims: The impact of newly detected diabetes mellitus (NDDM) on metabolic parameters and extent of myocardial necrosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not fully explored. We examined the impact of NDDM on cardiometabolic characteristics and myocardial necrosis in ACS patients.

Methods: CALLINICUS-Hellas Registry is an ongoing prospective multicenter observational study evaluating the adherence to lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) among ACS patients in Greece.

Use of Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop System during Pregnancy: Strengths and Limitations of Achieving a Tight Glycemic Control.

: Pregnant women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) face an elevated risk of complications for both themselves and their newborns. Experts recommend strict glycemic control. The advanced hybrid closed-loop (AHCL) system, though not officially approved for pregnant T1DM patients, is promising for optimal glycemic control.

Long-Term Outcomes of Anatomical and Extra-Anatomical Bypass for the Treatment of Unilateral Iliac Artery Lesions a Systematic Review Aggregated Data and Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.

Background: We investigated the long-term safety and efficacy of anatomical and extra-anatomical bypass for the treatment of unilateral iliac artery disease.

Methods: A systematic search on PubMed, Scopus and Web of science for articles published by June 2023 was performed. We implemented a 2-stage individual participant data meta-analysis and pooled survival probabilities using the multivariate methodology of DerSimonian and Laird.

Neurocognitive and psycho-emotional profile of children with disabilities.

Objective: Neurocognitive deficits in attention, short-term memory, and sequential information processing are present in children with a variety of disabilities, whereas language and visuospatial abilities vary.

Method: We compared the performance of 59 children (mean age, 15 years) with learning disabilities (n = 18), Down syndrome (n = 21), and intellectual disabilities (n = 20). A series of neuropsychological tests were used to evaluate the neurocognitive processes of memory, attention, visuospatial perception, and executive function.

Acalculous Cholecystitis in COVID-19 Patients: A Narrative Review.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) represents cholecystitis without gallstones, occurring in approximately 5-10% of all cases of acute cholecystitis in adults. Several risk factors have been recognized, while infectious diseases can be a cause of cholecystitis in otherwise healthy people. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has spread worldwide, leading to an unprecedented pandemic.

Trans-Carotid Artery Revascularization Versus Carotid Endarterectomy in Patients With Carotid Artery Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 30-day Outcomes.

This systematic review and meta-analysis compared trans-carotid artery revascularization (TCAR) as an alternative approach to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with carotid artery disease. An electronic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases including comparative studies with patients who underwent either TCAR or CEA. This meta-analysis is according to the recommendations of the PRISMA statement.

Physical signs and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in familial hypercholesterolemia: the HELLAS-FH Registry.

Aims: Three physical signs, namely tendon xanthomas, corneal arcus and xanthelasma, have been associated with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH). The prevalence and clinical significance of these signs are not well established among contemporary heFH individuals. This study explored the frequency as well as the association of these physical signs with prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in heFH individuals.

Association of Mediterranean diet adherence with disease progression, quality of life and physical activity, sociodemographic and anthropometric parameters, and serum biomarkers in community-dwelling older adults with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) constitutes a chronic inflammatory and degenerative demyelinating disease, which can progressively lead to a broad range of sensorimotor, cognitive, visual, and autonomic function symptoms, independently of patient' age. However, the clinical studies that examine the role of dietary patterns against disease progression and symptomatology remain extremely scarce, especially concerning Mediterranean diet (MD) in the subgroup age of older adults with MS.

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the potential impact of MD compliance in disease progression and symptoms severity as well as quality of life and physical activity of community-dwelling older adults with MS.

Aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) sclerotherapy for hemorrhoidal disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: We conducted a systematic review to assess the safety and efficacy of Aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) sclerotherapy for the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease.

Methods: Our study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) 2020. Primary endpoints included overall recurrence and type of recurrence while secondary endpoints included postoperative complications, reintervention, presence of rectal ulcer, rectal stricture, defecation abnormalities and perianal abscess.

Executive summary of the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemias - 2023.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the main cause of death worldwide, and thus its prevention, early diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance. Dyslipidemia represents a major ASCVD risk factor that should be adequately managed at different clinical settings. 2023 guidelines of the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society focus on the assessment of ASCVD risk, laboratory evaluation of dyslipidemias, new and emerging lipid-lowering drugs, as well as diagnosis and treatment of lipid disorders in women, the elderly and in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, stroke, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

What Do Cancer Surgery and orthopedic Surgery Elderly Patients Have in Common? A Long-term Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Orthopedic and Cancer Patients Original Research.

Objectives-background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) involves decline in several cognitive domains after surgery and is particularly common after cardiac surgery, while also common among other types of surgery. Given the potential effects of such cognitive dysfunction on the quality of life, it is important to study it in multiple populations in order to limit its occurrence.

Study Design: We present the long-term neuropsychological outcome of 200 patients, 100 of whom had orthopedic surgery and 100 oncological surgery.

The expanding clinical spectrum of autoinflammatory diseases with variants: a case series and literature review.

Objective: To assess the impact conferred by variants on the clinical spectrum of patients with systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs) in Greece.

Methods: Consecutive patients (n=167) with confirmed SAIDs who underwent screening by next generation sequencing (NGS) targeting 26 SAID-associated genes, and carried at least one gene variant, were retrospectively studied. The demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded.

Evaluation and management of patients with coronary chronic total occlusions considered for revascularisation. A clinical consensus statement of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) of the ESC, the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the ESC, and the ESC Working Group on Cardiovascular Surgery.

Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) of coronary arteries can be found in the context of chronic or acute coronary syndromes; sometimes they are an incidental finding in those apparently healthy individuals undergoing imaging for preoperative risk assessment. Recently, the invasive management of CTOs has made impressive progress due to sophisticated preinterventional assessment, including advanced non-invasive imaging, the availability of novel and dedicated tools for CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and experienced interventionalists working in specialised centres. Thus, it is crucial that referring physicians who see patients with CTO be aware of recent developments and of the initial evaluation requirements for such patients.