Epicardial Substrate Ablation in Symptomatic Brugada Syndrome Patients: An Updated Systematic Review and Single-arm Meta-analysis.

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a genetic heart disease that predisposes individuals to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Although implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and quinidine are primary treatments, recurrent BrS-triggered ventricular arrhythmias can persist. In this setting, epicardial substrate ablation has emerged as a promising alternative for symptomatic patients.

Development and Content Validity of a Questionnaire on Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Maintenance and Knowledge of Nursing Professionals Regarding Best Practices.

The aims of this study were to develop a questionnaire on peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) maintenance, evaluate its content validity, and assess factors influencing the level of knowledge of nursing professionals regarding best practices.The study was conducted in 3 stages: (1) development of a questionnaire on PIVC maintenance; (2) content validity assessment by experts with assessment of comprehensiveness, relevance, and clarity; and (3) application of the questionnaire to 1493 nursing professionals. Relationships between personal characteristics and knowledge levels were evaluated.

Fezolinetant and Elinzanetant Therapy for Menopausal Women Experiencing Vasomotor Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of fezolinetant and elinzanetant for vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched until August 22, 2024. Because the Cochrane Library included all the identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs), it was unnecessary to search ClinicalTrials.

Comparing pulsed field ablation with very high-power and high-power short-duration radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Catheter ablation is a key treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), with high-power, very high-power short-duration and pulsed field ablation (PFA) being efficient options. However, direct comparisons between these techniques are lacking.

Objective: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, which included predominantly observational studies (four retrospective and one prospective study), to compare PFA and High-power short-duration (HPSD) and very high-power short-duration (vHPSD) radiofrequency (RF) ablation in patients with AF.

The effect of telehealth on clinical outcomes in patients with hypertension and diabetes: A meta-analysis of 106,261 patients.

Introduction: Telemedicine, propelled by recent technological advancements, has transformed healthcare delivery, notably benefiting patients with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. This meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials aimed to assess the efficacy of telehealth-based interventions on disease control rates and clinical parameters among NCD patients, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.

Methods: We conducted searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database for interventional studies that compared tele-monitoring with usual care in patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The prevalence of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies among patients with Down syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with Down syndrome (DS) have a unique genetic and clinical profile that may increase the risk of cancer.

Methods: A literature search on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane databases was conducted, focusing on studies to investigate the prevalence of solid and hematologic tumors in DS.

Results: Fifteen studies were included, encompassing 62,121 individuals with Down syndrome (DS).

Combined left atrial appendage occlusion and catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation versus isolated left atrial appendage occlusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Data on the effects of combined left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) and catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) remain limited. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing LAAO and CA versus isolated LAAO.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies comparing combined LAAO and CA versus isolated LAAO in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Unveiling the impact of hypodermis on gene expression for advancing bioprinted full-thickness 3D skin models.

3D skin models have been explored as an alternative method to the use of animals in research and development. Usually, human skin equivalents comprise only epidermis or epidermis/dermis layers. Herein, we leverage 3D bioprinting technology to fabricate a full-thickness human skin equivalent with hypodermis (HSEH).

Association of baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and prognosis in melanoma patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Immunotherapy treatments that target programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) or its ligand (PD-L1) have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma and currently represent the standard first-line treatment for this type of cancer. However, it is still not entirely clear which biomarkers are cost-effective, simple, and highly reliable. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to analyze the predictive value of the baseline neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) regarding disease progression and overall survival of patients with metastatic melanoma undergoing treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade.

Cardiovascular handgrip responses during treadmill exercise: randomized pilot trial.

Background: The isometric exercise performed using the handgrip (HG) acutely promotes elevation of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and in a non-consensual manner among articles elevation or maintenance of heart rate (HR). Currently, although there is a vast literature on the hemodynamic effects of interval training and isometric exercise with HG alone, there is still no consistent evidence of such adjustments occurring in the association between the two. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the acute hemodynamic responses found only during interval training and when combined with isometric contraction with HG.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of cardiovascular disease risk with degarelix and GnRH agonists in prostate cancer.

Background: Degarelix is a third-generation GnRH receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of prostate cancer, however, the decision to use a GnRH agonist or an antagonist depends on several factors. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis comparing the cardiovascular disease risk between degarelix and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in patients with all stages of prostate cancer.

Methods: Databases were searched for randomized control trials (RCTs) and observational studies that compared the risk of cardiovascular disease between degarelix and GnRH agonists in patients with prostate cancer.

Culprit vessel revascularization prior to complete angiography as a strategy to minimize delays in primary percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The rapid restoration of blood flow in patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST elevation through percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is crucial for the survival of this population. Attempts to decrease the time from diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to arrival at the catheterization laboratory have been extensively investigated. However, strategies during the procedure aiming to reduce the time to reperfusion are lacking.

Sacubitril-Valsartan Lowers Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence and Left Atrial Volume Post-catheter Ablation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who have undergone catheter ablation, the comparative effectiveness of sacubitril-valsartan (SV) versus ACE inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB) in preventing AF recurrence remains unclear. The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine whether SV offers superior outcomes in this clinical setting.

Methods: This study systematically reviewed PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity-matched cohorts (PMC), evaluating SV's efficacy in preventing AF recurrence after catheter ablation.

Association between ovarian tumors and exposure to assisted reproductive technologies and ovarian stimulation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction:  The question of whether assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and ovulation induction are related to a higher incidence of ovarian tumors (OTs) is still controversial in the literature.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for case-control and cohort studies that investigated ART and ovulation induction exposure as risk factors for OT in infertile women. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were employed for all endpoints.

Bright Light Therapy for Nonseasonal Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Seasonal humor disorders are prone to have a link with daylight exposure. However, the effect of external light on nonseasonal disorders remains unclear. Evidence is lacking for the validity of bright light therapy (BLT) as an adjunctive treatment for these patients.

HLA-I and breast cancer prognosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a significant global health issue, accounting for 1 in 8 cancer diagnoses worldwide. HLA class I molecules are typically expressed on the cell surface, but cancer cells can develop mechanisms to evade recognition by CTLs, including the downregulation of HLA class I expression. In this context, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the role of HLA class I expression in clinical outcomes for patients with BC.

Epidemiology of acute kidney injury in the clinical emergency: A prospective cohort study at a high-complexity public university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

Introduction: Southern Hemisphere countries have been underrepresented in epidemiological studies on acute kidney injury (AKI). The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency, risk factors, and outcomes of AKI in adult hospitalized patients from the emergency department of a public high-complexity teaching hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods: Observational and prospective study.

Cardiovascular benefits of statin plus ezetimibe combination therapy versus statin monotherapy in acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The efficacy of adding ezetimibe to statin therapy for event reduction in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remains a topic of ongoing debate.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ezetimibe plus statin versus statin monotherapy in patients with ACS. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for eligible trials.

The cardiotoxic effects of CAR-T cell therapy: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has shown promise in treating hematologic malignancies, yet its potential cardiotoxic effects require thorough investigation.

Objectives: We aim to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the cardiotoxic effects of CAR-T therapy in adults with hematologic malignancies.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies reporting cardiovascular outcomes, such as arrhythmias, heart failure, and reduced left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF).

Treatment-related Adverse Events, Including Fatal Toxicities, in Patients With Extensive-stage Small-cell Lung Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Programmed Cell Death 1/Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Inhibitors: A Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background/aims: The safety profile of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors when associated with chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer is still not fully unraveled.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive searrch of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials that investigated the addition of PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors to standard investigator choice chemotherapy. We used risk -ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all endpoints.

Cardioneuroablation in patients with vasovagal syncope: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cardioneuroablation (CNA) is a novel procedure that shows promising results in reducing syncope recurrence in patients with refractory vasovagal syncope (VVS). However, its effectiveness and safety remain controversial.

Objective: We performed an updated meta-analysis evaluating CNA efficacy and safety in patients with refractory VVS.