Patient-Derived Xenograft Models for Studying Vascular Mimicry in Melanoma In Vivo.

Tumor growth needs supply of nutrients, oxygen, and blood like the rest of the tissue, but it has been observed that tumor tissue may develop its own neovascular vessels lined with tumor cells instead of the endothelial cells. This phenomenon is referred to as vascular mimicry. Understanding vascular mimicry in melanoma is necessary for the progress of targeted therapeutic research.

Stenting and Angioplasty in Neurothrombectomy: Matched Analysis of Rescue Intracranial Stenting Versus Failed Thrombectomy.

Background: Successful reperfusion is one of the strongest predictors of functional outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Despite continuous advancements in MT technology and techniques, reperfusion failure still occurs in ≈15% to 30% of patients with large vessel occlusion strokes undergoing MT. We aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rescue intracranial stenting for large vessel occlusion stroke after failed MT.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation With and Without Resheathing and Repositioning: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background There is a concern that resheathing/repositioning of transcatheter heart valves during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) may lead to an increased risk of periprocedural complications. We aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term impact on clinical outcomes of resheathing for repositioning of transcatheter heart valves during TAVI procedures. Methods and Results We conducted a systematic search of Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases to identify studies comparing outcomes between patients requiring resheathing/repositioning during TAVI and those who did not.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients <60 Years of Age.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an alternative therapeutic modality to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). In the current analysis, we compare the characteristics and outcomes of AVR procedures in patients <60 years of age.

Methods: We queried the Nationwide Readmissions Database for all AVR hospitalizations in patients 18-59 years of age between January 2012 and December 2017.

The Stress and Resilience Town Hall: A systems response to support the health workforce during COVID-19 and beyond.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic is a traumatic stressor resulting in anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and burnout among healthcare workers. We describe an intervention to support the health workforce and summarize results from its 40-week implementation in a large, tri-state health system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: We conducted 121 virtual and interactive Stress and Resilience Town Halls attended by 3555 healthcare workers.

Multicenter Study for the Treatment of Sidewall versus Bifurcation Intracranial Aneurysms with Use of Woven EndoBridge (WEB).

Background The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device was explicitly designed for wide-neck intracranial bifurcation aneurysms. Small-scale reports have evaluated the off-label use of WEB devices for the treatment of sidewall aneurysms, with promising outcomes. Purpose To compare the angiographic and clinical outcomes of the WEB device for the treatment of sidewall aneurysms compared with the treatment of bifurcation aneurysms.

Sex Differences in Management and Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients Presenting With Cardiogenic Shock.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the sex differences in the risk profile, management, and outcomes among patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS).

Background: Contemporary clinical data regarding sex differences in the management and outcomes of AMI patients presenting with CS are scarce.

Methods: Patients admitted with AMI-CS from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Chest Pain-MI registry between October 2008 to December 2017 were included.

Transradial versus transfemoral access for embolization of intracranial aneurysms with the Woven EndoBridge device: a propensity score-matched study.

Objective: Transradial access (TRA) is commonly utilized in neurointerventional procedures. This study compared the technical and clinical outcomes of the use of TRA versus those of transfemoral access (TFA) for intracranial aneurysm embolization with the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the Worldwide WEB Consortium, which comprises multicenter data related to adult patients with intracranial aneurysms who were managed with the WEB device.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

There is a paucity of data regarding the outcomes of trans-septal transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TS-TMVI) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We queried the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2015 to 2018) for patients undergoing TS-TMVI. We identified patients with CKD (Stage III or higher).

Patent Foramen Ovale Closure and Decompression Sickness Among Divers.

Background: Decompression sickness is a diving-related disease that results in various clinical manifestations, ranging from joint pain to severe pulmonary and CNS affection. Complications of this disease may sometimes persist even after treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In addition, it may hamper the quality of life by forcing divers to restrict their recreational practice.

Outcomes of Elderly Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

Background Elderly patients have a higher burden of comorbidities that influence clinical outcomes. We aimed to compare in-hospital outcomes in patients ≥80 years old to younger patients, and to determine the factors associated with increased risk of major adverse events (MAE) after left atrial appendage closure. Methods and Results The National Inpatient Sample was used to identify discharges after left atrial appendage closure between October 2015 and December 2018.

Venous blood gases in pediatric patients: a lost art?

Blood oximetry provides a fundamental approach to blood gases for inpatients. Arterial blood gases (ABG) have been considered the gold standard for blood oximetry assessment. Venous blood gas (VBG) evaluation is frequently available and provides a source of a more comfortable method for the assessment of blood oximetry in pediatric patients.

Comparison of Patent Ductus Arteriosus Stent and Blalock-Taussig Shunt as Palliation for Neonates with Sole Source Ductal-Dependent Pulmonary Blood Flow: Results from the Congenital Catheterization Research Collaborative.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stenting is an accepted method for securing pulmonary blood flow in cyanotic neonates. In neonates with pulmonary atresia and single source ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow (SSPBF), PDA stenting remains controversial. We sought to evaluate outcomes in neonates with SSPBF, comparing PDA stenting and surgical Blalock-Taussig shunt (BTS).

Effect of Hispanic Status in Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke: Insights From STAR.

Background And Purpose: Epidemiological studies have shown racial and ethnic minorities to have higher stroke risk and worse outcomes than non-Hispanic Whites. In this cohort study, we analyzed the STAR (Stroke Thrombectomy and Aneurysm Registry) database, a multi-institutional database of patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for acute large vessel occlusion stroke to determine the relationship between mechanical thrombectomy outcomes and race.

Methods: Patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy between January 2017 and May 2020 were analyzed.

The effect of dexmedetomidine on renal function after surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

What Is Known And Objective: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complication following surgery and has been associated with worsened patient outcomes. Providers have used agents that may confer a degree of renal protection in the perioperative stage. Such is the case of dexmedetomidine, a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used in the intensive care unit (ICU) as a sedative agent.

Implications of the 2019 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Primary Prevention Guidelines and potential value of the coronary artery calcium score among South Asians in the US: The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study.

Background And Aims: South Asian (SA) ethnicity is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, the implications of considering SA ethnicity as a "risk-enhancing factor" per recent American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines are not fully understood.

Methods: We used data from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study, a community-based cohort study of individuals of SA ancestry living in the US.