Liraglutide for the Treatment of Weight Regain After Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: The efficacy of liraglutide for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity is well established, but their role in the treatment of weight regain after bariatric surgery remains unclear.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases in January 2024. A random-effects model was employed to compute mean differences (MD) and events per 100 observations with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for continuous and binary endpoints.

Effect of catheter ablation versus medical therapy on mental health and quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and mental health is well-documented, but the relative benefits of catheter ablation versus medical therapy on mental health and quality of life are not clearly understood. This study assesses the impact of these interventions on AF patients' mental health and quality of life.

Methods: Through a systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing catheter ablation to medical therapy for AF were analyzed.

Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival after pathological complete response in rectal cancer: a meta-analysis of 31,558 patients.

Background: Locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) typically involves neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by surgery (total mesorectal excision, TME). While achieving a complete pathological response (pCR) is a strong indicator of a positive prognosis, the specific benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy after pCR remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the potential advantages of adjuvant therapy in patients who achieve pCR.

A Multi-Country Survey on the Availability of Intraoperative Use of Echocardiography for Noncardiac Surgery.

Background: This survey aimed to explore the availability and accessibility of echocardiography during noncardiac surgery worldwide.

Methods: An internet-based 45-item survey was sent, followed by reminders from August 30, 2021, to August 20, 2022.

Results: 1189 responses were received from 62 countries.

Efficacy and Safety of Anti-CD38 Monoclonal Antibodies in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

The benefit of associating anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies to proteasome inhibitor (PI)/immunomodulatory agent (IA) and dexamethasone in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) remains unclear. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for randomized controlled trials that investigated the addition of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies to a therapy composed of PI/IA and dexamethasone versus PI/IA and dexamethasone alone for treating relapsed or refractory MM. Hazard ratios (HRs) or risk ratios (RRs) were computed for binary endpoints, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Catheter ablation versus medical therapy for atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The benefit of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains uncertain.

Objective: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare catheter ablation and medical therapy (antiarrhythmics for rhythm or rate control) in patients with AF and HFpEF.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

Left ventricular and atrial myocardial strain in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: the evidence so far and prospects for phenotyping strategy.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) represents a significant proportion of heart failure cases. Accurate diagnosis is challenging due to the heterogeneous nature of the disease and limitations in traditional echocardiographic parameters.

Main Body: This review appraises the application of Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) and Left Atrial Strain (LAS) as echocardiographic biomarkers in the diagnosis and phenotyping of HFpEF.

Conduction system pacing versus biventricular pacing in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Conduction system pacing (CSP) has emerged as a promising alternative to biventricular pacing (BVP) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and ventricular dyssynchrony, but its benefits are uncertain. In this study, we aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes of CSP vs BVP for cardiac resynchronization in patients with HFrEF. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing CSP to BVP for resynchronization therapy in patients with HFrEF.

Randomized Trial of Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Blood Pressure After 5 Years.

Background: Obesity represents a major obstacle for controlling hypertension, the leading risk factor for cardiovascular mortality.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term effects of bariatric surgery on hypertension control and remission.

Methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial with subjects with obesity grade 1 or 2 plus hypertension using at least 2 medications.

Unraveling the role of miRNAs as biomarkers in Chagas cardiomyopathy: Insights into molecular pathophysiology.

Background: Chagas cardiomyopathy (ChCM) is a severe form of Chagas disease and a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The dysregulation of the immune response leads to cardiac remodeling and functional disruptions, resulting in life-threatening complications. Conventional diagnostic methods have limitations, and therapeutic response evaluation is challenging.

Heterogeneity Among Countries in the Subspecialty of Cardiovascular Anesthesia in Latin America: Survey Results.

Objectives: To evaluate demographics, workload, training, facilities, and equipment in cardiovascular anesthesia (CVA) in Latin America (LA).

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study with data collected through a survey.

Setting: A multicenter, international web-based questionnaire that included 37 multiple-choice questions.

Electrophysiological study in chagasics with syncope and conduction disorder.

Background: Investigation of syncope involves the use of electrophysiological study, particularly in patients with cardiac conduction disorder. There is conflicting evidence about the role of electrophysiological study in patients with Chagas disease.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the electrophysiological study findings in patients with Chagas disease and bundle branch block and/or divisional block presenting with syncope.

Biofunctionalization of surfaces to minimize undesirable effects in cardiovascular assistance devices.

Background: The reactivity of blood with non-endothelial surface is a challenge for long-term Ventricular Assist Devices development, usually made with pure titanium, which despite of being inert, low density and high mechanical resistance it does not avoid the thrombogenic responses. Here we tested a modification on the titanium surface with Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures followed by Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating in different thicknesses to customize the wettability profile by changing the surface energy of the titanium.

Methods: Four different surfaces were proposed: (1) Pure Titanium as Reference Material (RM), (2) Textured as Test Sample (TS), (3) Textured with DLC 0.

Safety and efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cancer survivors are at increased risk for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, data on the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation (CA) in this population remain limited. Therefore, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing outcomes after CA for AF in patients with versus without prior or active cancer.

World Heart Federation Consensus on Transthyretin Amyloidosis Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM).

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a progressive and fatal condition that requires early diagnosis, management, and specific treatment. The availability of new disease-modifying therapies has made successful treatment a reality. Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy can be either age-related (wild-type form) or caused by mutations in the TTR gene (genetic, hereditary forms).

Left atrial strain as a predictor of left ventricular filling pressures in coronary artery disease with preserved ejection fraction: a comprehensive study with left ventricular end-diastolic and pre-atrial contraction pressures.

Assessing left ventricular (LV) filling pressure (LVFP) is challenging in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF). We aimed to correlate left atrial strain (LAS) with two invasive complementary parameters of LVFP and compared its accuracy to other echocardiographic data to predict high LVFP. This cross-sectional, single-center study enrolled 81 outpatients with LVEF > 50% and significant CAD from a database.

Bioabsorbable Polymeric Stent for the Treatment of Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) in Children: A Methodology to Evaluate the Design and Mechanical Properties of PLA Polymer.

This study presents a methodology that combines experimental tests and the finite element method, which is able to analyse the influence of the geometry on the mechanical behaviour of stents made of bioabsorbable polymer PLA (PolyLactic Acid) during their expansion in the treatment of coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Tensile tests with standardized specimen samples were conducted to determine the properties of a 3D-printed PLA. A finite element model of a new stent prototype was generated from CAD files.

P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy versus dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing coronary stenting: rationale and design of the NEOMINDSET Trial.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is currently the standard of care after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Recent studies suggest that reducing DAPT to 1-3 months followed by an aspirin-free single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) strategy with a potent P2Y inhibitor is safe and associated with less bleeding. However, to date, no randomised trial has tested the impact of initiating SAPT immediately after PCI, particularly in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Smoking Intensity Increases Diaphragm Muscle Injury: A Clinicopathologic Study.

Background: Studying the effects of smoking intensity is important to evaluate the risk of tobacco use on a range of illnesses, such as as sarcopenia among the elderly. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the effects of pack-years of cigarette smoking on the diaphragm muscle (DIAm) histopathology of postmortem samples.

Methods: Subjects were divided into three groups: never-smoker ( = 46); less than 30 pack-years of smoking ( = 12); and more than 30 pack-years of smoking ( = 30).