Fungal Infections in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: Inevitabile Malum.

Patients with severe COVID-19 belong to a population at high risk of invasive fungal infections (IFIs), with a reported incidence of IFIs in critically ill COVID-19 patients ranging between 5% and 26.7%. Common factors in these patients, such as multiple organ failure, immunomodulating/immunocompromising treatments, the longer time on mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, make them vulnerable candidates for fungal infections.

Endothelial dysfunction in acute and long standing COVID-19: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is implicated by active endotheliitis, and cardiovascular morbidity. The long-COVID-19 syndrome implications in atherosclerosis have not been elucidated yet. We assessed the immediate, intermediate, and long-term effects of COVID-19 on endothelial function.

Weaning Failure in Critically Ill Patients Is Related to the Persistence of Sepsis Inflammation.

Introduction: Septic patients undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) often experience difficulty in weaning. Th aim of this study was to determine whether inflammatory biomarkers of sepsis could be indicative of the failure or success of spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) in these patients.

Methods: Sixty-five patients on MV (42 septic and 23 intubated for other reasons) fulfilling the criteria for SBT were included in the study.

One-Year Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: The Gulf TAVR Registry.

Background: The use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is steadily increasing with TAVR procedures offered to patients across the entire spectrum of surgical risks. The Gulf TAVR registry captures the demographics of patients undergoing TAVR in the Gulf region, comorbidities that drive outcomes, procedural success, complications, and one-year outcomes of death or rehospitalization.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study for adult patients aged at least 18 years undergoing TAVR at eight centers in the Gulf region.

Thyroid disorders and cardiovascular manifestations: an update.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, representing a major health, social, and economic issue. Thyroid disorders are very common and affect >10% of the adult population in total. The aim of this review is to describe the physiologic role of thyroid hormones on cardiovascular system, to present cardiovascular manifestations in patients with thyroid disorders, emphasizing in molecular mechanisms and biochemical pathways, and to summarize current knowledge of treatment options.

Cryoballoon Ablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Concomitant Heart Failure and Either Reduced or Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: Results From the Cryo AF Global Registry.

Background Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) often coexist; yet, outcomes of ablation in patients with AF and concomitant HF are limited. This analysis assessed outcomes of cryoablation in patients with AF and HF. Methods and Results The Cryo AF Global Registry is a prospective, multicenter registry of patients with AF who were treated with cryoballoon ablation according to routine practice at 56 sites in 26 countries.

COVID-19 ARDS: Points to Be Considered in Mechanical Ventilation and Weaning.

The COVID-19 disease can cause hypoxemic respiratory failure due to ARDS, requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Although early studies reported that COVID-19-associated ARDS has distinctive features from ARDS of other causes, recent observational studies have demonstrated that ARDS related to COVID-19 shares common clinical characteristics and respiratory system mechanics with ARDS of other origins. Therefore, mechanical ventilation in these patients should be based on strategies aiming to mitigate ventilator-induced lung injury.

The Role of Endothelial Related Circulating Biomarkers in COVID-19. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Several studies have revealed the link between Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and endothelial dysfunction. To better understand the global pattern of this relationship, we conducted a meta-analysis on endothelial biomarkers related to COVID-19 severity.

Methods: We systematically searched the literature up to March 10, 2021, for studies investigating the association between COVID-19 severity and the following endothelial biomarkers: Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1), Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, P-selectin, Von Willebrand Factor Antigen (VWFAg), soluble Thrombomodulin (sTM), Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), and Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2).

The diagnosis and management of sarcoid-like reactions in patients with melanoma treated with BRAF and MEK inhibitors. A case series and review of the literature.

Sarcoidosis and sarcoid-like reactions (SLR) have been repeatedly reported in patients with melanoma treated with BRAF and MEK inhibitors. In the current study we present three patients that developed SLR under treatment with BRAF and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitors for melanoma. Two patients developed mediastinal lymphadenitis with histological features of an SLR while on targeted therapy in the adjuvant setting, whereas one patient with metastatic melanoma developed granulomatous nephritis while receiving combination treatment with BRAF/MEK inhibitors and atezolizumab.

The Variability of Anginal Radiation.

Aims: The goal of this study was whether we could clinically anticipate the extent of CAD and whether we could determine the frequency of less common angina radiation in the population of stable angina group. We hypothesized that the extent of angina radiation (AR) may be related to ischemic burden.

Methods: One hundred (100) consecutive patients referred for coronary arteriography were divided into 2 groups according to anginal radiation.

Biventricular Impella (Bi-Pella) in Refractory Cardiogenic Shock: The First Case from the Middle East.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) associated with biventricular failure (BiVF) carries significant in-hospital morbidity and mortality. We describe here the successful use of percutaneous biventricular Impella (Bi-Pella) for cardiogenic shock secondary to acute biventricular myocardial infarctions (AMI-CS), as guided by parameters such as mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi), central venous pressure (CVP), and cardiac power output (CPO). We aim to highlight the promising outcomes of timely implanted biventricular Impella in (AMI-CS).

Dexamethasone in the Treatment of COVID-19: Primus Inter Pares?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread globally, becoming a huge public health challenge. Even though the vast majority of patients are asymptomatic, some patients present with pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), septic shock, and death. It has been shown in several studies that the severity and clinical outcomes are related to dysregulated antiviral immunity and enhanced and persistent systemic inflammation.

Genetic evaluation of the variants using MassARRAY in non-small cell lung cancer among North Indians.

Lung cancer is genetically diverse and a major health burden. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of total lung cancer cases and 20% cases are Small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The present case-control association study focused on the cost effective high throughput genotyping using Agena MassARRAY matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight, mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) platform to analyze the genetic association of candidate genetic variants.

Clinico-radiological profile of COVID-19 in Kashmiri population: A descriptive study.

Aim: The purpose of our study was to assess the presentation of COVID-19 disease in terms of clinical and radiological features in our population.

Methods: 64 RT-PCR documented COVID-19 patients were included in the study. Clinical, biochemical, and radiological data were collected and analyzed retrospectively from last week of March to 30 April 2020.

Complex bronchial ruptures in blunt thoracic trauma: management and outcome.

Complex bronchial ruptures are rare. Primary surgical repair is the preferred procedure. The aim of this retrospective case series was to study the clinical presentation of these complex bronchial injuries and their management and outcomes.

Safety and efficacy of cryoballoon ablation for the treatment of paroxysmal and persistent AF in a real-world global setting: Results from the Cryo AF Global Registry.

Background: Cryoballoon ablation is a commonly used approach to treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objectives: Report on the safety and efficacy of cryoballoon ablation for the treatment of AF in the largest global cohort of cryoablated patients prospectively studied within a single registry.

Methods: The is a prospective, multi-center registry.

Spectrum of chest CT manifestations of coronavirus disease (COVID-19): A pictorial essay.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family of betacoronaviruses. Chest computed tomography (CT) has helped us in understanding this new disease. Typical CT features of COVID-19 pneumonia are ground-glass opacities (GGO), crazy paving pattern and GGO with superimposed consolidation with a basal, posterior and peripheral lung predilection.

The correlation between lipoprotein(a) and coronary atherosclerotic lesion is stronger than LDL-C, when LDL-C is less than 104 mg/dL.

Background: Lp(a) and LDL-C are both risk factors of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). But there was a contradiction point in LDL-C and Lp(a) control. The appropriate level of LDL-C and Lp(a) in the prevention of ASCVD is still pending.

Pott disease: when lumbar pain is not innocent.

Tuberculosis is a mycobacterial infection that can affect the lungs as well as other organs. The involvement of the spine, although rare, can have major consequences if not diagnosed and treated in a timely and effective manner, such as residual deformities and neurological deficits. On occasion, the atypical presentation of tuberculous spondylitis may cause a delay in treatment and therefore lead to less favorable outcomes.

Study of inflammatory biomarkers in COPD and asthma exacerbations.

Introduction: Exacerbations are critical events in the course of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These events are potentially life-threatening, and the studies have shown that they have tremendous implications on long-term disease control and the overall prognosis of the patients. The aim of this study was to examine adipokines, cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) as potential biomarkers in asthma and COPD.

Clinicoradiological course in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients who are asymptomatic at admission.

Objective: The study aimed to describe the clinical and imaging course of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients who are asymptomatic at admission.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavisrus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive cases that were asymptomatic at admission were retrospectively enrolled.

A 52-Year-Old Man Presented With Cough, Chest Pain, and a Mass in the Right Lung.

A 52-year-old man, current smoker with a 50 pack-year history, presented to our department with cough, yellow sputum, and localized right chest pain. Chest radiograph revealed a large mass in the right upper lobe. He denied the presence of fever, night sweats, or weight loss.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Does Being Unemployed Matter? Insights from the GSCAD Registry.

Background: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has emerged as an important cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and sudden cardiac death. Physical or emotional stressors are the most commonly reported triggers for SCAD. Unemployment has been identified as a source of emotional stress and is linked to poor mental and physical health.