AngioVac for Vegetation Debulking in Right-sided Infective Endocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To investigate the utility of AngioVac-assisted vegetation debulking (AVD) in right sided infective endocarditis (RSIE). AngioVac is a vacuum-based device that was approved in 2014 for the percutaneous removal of undesirable materials from the intravascular system. Although there are multiple reports on the use of the AngioVac device to aspirate right-sided heart chamber thrombi, data on its use to treat RSIE is limited.

Steerable versus nonsteerable sheath technology in atrial fibrillation ablation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Catheter placement and stability are well-known challenges in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. As a result, steerable sheaths (SS) were developed to improve catheter stabilization and maintain proper catheter-tissue contact. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to see if employing a SS influences procedure outcome.

Single Versus Dual Antiplatelet Therapy following Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion in Patients With High Bleeding Risk.

Our study aims to compare the utility of single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following Left atrial appendage occlusion in patients whose post-procedural oral anticoagulation therapy was deemed high-risk or contraindicated. A total of 14 observational studies with 3,151 patients were included. Our study demonstrates that SAPT and DAPT were similar in preventing device-related thrombosis.

Clinical outcomes and predictors of complications in patients undergoing leadless pacemaker implantation.

Background: Leadless pacemakers have emerged as a viable alternative for traditional transvenous pacemakers to reduce the risk of device-related complications.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the real-world clinical outcomes and complications associated with the implantation of leadless pacemaker devices.

Methods: Using the National Readmission Database (NRD), we examined patient demographics, and in-hospital and 30-day procedural outcomes after leadless pacemaker implantation from 2016-2018.

Prediction of Cerebral Palsy or Death among Preterm Infants Who Survive the Neonatal Period.

Objective: To assess whether neonatal morbidities evident by the time of hospital discharge are associated with subsequent cerebral palsy (CP) or death.

Study Design: This is a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter placebo-controlled trial of magnesium sulfate for the prevention of CP. The association between prespecified intermediate neonatal outcomes ( = 11) and demographic and clinical factors ( = 10) evident by the time of discharge among surviving infants ( = 1889) and the primary outcome of death or moderate/severe CP at age 2 ( = 73) was estimated, and a prediction model was created.

Demographic Undertones for Sepsis Mortality in a Community-Based Hospital.

Background: Sepsis continues to take main stage in healthcare. Therefore, it remains crucial to elucidate contributors to sepsis mortality. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of race, insurance type, and code status on sepsis mortality in a community health system.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Case Series: Clinical Presentation, Angiographic Imaging, Management, and Outcomes.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare but more frequently recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome. Due to the low incidence rate of this condition, there are no consensus guidelines to treat this clinical entity. Most of the information on the clinical presentation and management of SCAD originates from case reports and series; however, there has not been yet a prospective randomized study to guide treatment of SCAD.

Meta-analysis of effect of vegetarian diet on ischemic heart disease and all-cause mortality.

Objective: To summarize the association between vegetarian versus non-vegetarian diet on mortality due to ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, or all-cause mortality.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane databases, and ClinicalTrials.Gov from the inception of the databases to October 2019 with no language restriction.

Revascularization in the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Population.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a standard treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Management of concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) in these patients remains controversial with no randomized clinical trials to guide decision making in this cohort. The role of CAD in TAVR has been difficult to evaluate given the current heterogeneity in defining CAD, and the used methods to assess CAD.

The Effect of Early Aggressive Diuresis on Hospital Length of Stay in Acute Congestive Heart Failure.

Background: Diuresis is the mainstay of treatment during hospitalization for patients admitted with congestive heart failure (CHF). Hospital length of stay (LOS) is considered an important patient outcome for CHF patients; previous studies comparing higher rates of diuresis (aggressive) versus relatively lower rates (nonaggressive) on patient outcomes have shown contradicting results. In fact, no specific guidelines to direct diuretic therapy exist.

Assessment of Splinting Quality: A Prospective Study Comparing Different Practitioners.

Background: Splinting is routinely performed in the emergency department (ED), and follow-up visits of improperly placed splints are commonplace in orthopaedic clinics. As open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of fractures has become the preferred treatment for many injuries, orthopaedic surgeons and emergency physicians have received less instruction on splinting technique. Limited literature exists regarding error/complication rates of splint application.

Pregnancy-Associated Myocardial Infarction: A Review of Current Practices and Guidelines.

Purpose Of Review: Pregnancy-associated myocardial infarction is a principal cause of cardiovascular disease with a steadily rising incidence of 4.98 AMI events/100,000 deliveries over the last four decades in the USA. It is also linked with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, with maternal case fatality rate ranging from 5.

Outcomes of Cardiac Arrest and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Device; an Insight From a National Inpatient Sample.

Background: Outcomes of patients with implanted left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation experiencing a cardiac arrest (CA) are not well reported. We aimed at defining the in-hospital outcomes of patients with implanted LVAD experiencing a CA.

Methods: The national inpatient sample (NIS) was queried using ICD9/ICD10 codes for patients older than 18 years with implanted LVAD and CA between 2010-2018.

Refining Telemedicine: A Plea From Healthcare Workers During a Pandemic.

Telemedicine has been in existence for decades with little traction for global mainstream medicine. However, COVID-19 has exposed the importance of providing continued care for patients while minimizing the risk of exposure during pandemics. There has been robust growth in the use of telemedicine since the pandemic began, rendering safety in care provided by minimizing exposure to patients and healthcare workers.

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Affected Cardiology Fellow Training.

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, resources have been reallocated and elective cases have been deferred to minimize the spread of the disease, altering the workflow of cardiac catheterization laboratories across the country. This has in turn affected the training experience of cardiology fellows, including diminished procedure numbers and a narrow breadth of cases as they approach the end of their training before joining independent practice. It has also taken a toll on the emotional well-being of fellows as they see their colleagues, loved ones, patients or even themselves struggling with COVID-19, with some succumbing to it.

Fluoroscopy-Guided Transfacet Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection for Symptomatic Synovial Cyst Treatment: A Case Report.

We report the case of a patient with a right-sided L4 synovial cyst, which had been causing significant pain, who had a successful transfacet epidural steroid injection to rupture the cyst. Using fluoroscopy, the needle was advanced through the right L4 facet joint and the cyst was ruptured using saline. The needle was then advanced into the epidural space and a transfacet epidural steroid injection was done.

Pain management during the withholding and withdrawal of life support in critically ill patients at the end-of-life: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To review and summarize the most frequent medications and dosages used during withholding and withdrawal of life-prolonging measures in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Virtual Health Library from inception through March 2019. We considered any study evaluating pharmaceutical interventions for pain management during the withholding or withdrawing of life support in adult critically ill patients at the end-of-life.

Hepatic Sarcoidosis: An Uncommon Cause of Cirrhosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multi-organ inflammatory disease of unclear etiology. The hallmark of the disease is the formation of non-caseating granulomas. The prevalence of sarcoidosis is 5-30% in the general population and up to 80% in autopsy series.

Association between irritable bowel syndrome and asthma: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder often seen in outpatient clinics. Diagnosing IBS is often challenging, as it frequently presents with other complicated rheumatological and psychiatric conditions. Asthma has often been associated with gastrointestinal conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and eosinophilic esophagitis.

Twiddler's Syndrome: An Unusual Cause of Repeated Shocks by Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in an Asymptomatic Patient.

Twiddler's syndrome refers to malfunction of pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) resulting from deliberate or unintentional twisting of pulse generator in device pocket, resulting in lead dislodgment. We report a case of a 65-year-old woman with multiple ICD shocks and antitachycardia pacing events on device interrogation, while she was unaware of the ICD discharges. Twiddler's syndrome is rare and mostly occurs in obese or elderly because of loose subcutaneous tissue allowing pulse generator to rotate in its pocket.