Quantitative flow ratio versus fractional flow reserve for coronary revascularisation guidance (FAVOR III Europe): a multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) or non-hyperaemic pressure ratios are recommended to assess functional relevance of intermediate coronary stenosis. Both diagnostic methods require the placement of a pressure wire in the coronary artery during invasive coronary angiography. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is an angiography-based computational method for the estimation of FFR that does not require the use of pressure wires.

External validation of and improvement upon a model for the prediction of placenta accreta spectrum severity using prospectively collected multicenter ultrasound data.

Introduction: This study aimed to validate the Sargent risk stratification algorithm for the prediction of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) severity using data collected from multiple centers and using the multicenter data to improve the model.

Material And Methods: We conducted a multicenter analysis using data collected for the IS-PAS database. The Sargent model's effectiveness in distinguishing between abnormally adherent placenta (FIGO grade 1) and abnormally invasive placenta (FIGO grades 2 and 3) was evaluated.

Investigations of injection strategies to use heparinized normal saline instead of contrast media for intracoronary optical coherence tomography imaging.

Background: The benefits of intravascular imaging-guided percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are well established. Intravascular imaging guidance improves short- and long-term outcomes, especially in complex PCI. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has a higher resolution than intravascular ultrasound.

Assessment of Standard Surgical Excision Efficacy and Analysis of Recurrence-Associated Factors in 343 Cases of Nasal Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

In Caucasians, basal cell carcinoma, the predominant non-melanoma skin cancer type, poses challenges for surgeons due to anatomical and aesthetic concerns, particularly when located on the nose. The study aimed to evaluate tumor distribution, size, morphological subtypes, surgical outcomes, radicality levels, and their correlation with recurrence rates. A retrospective analysis encompassed 343 cases of nasal skin cancer over a four-year period from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2022.

European reference network for rare inherited congenital anomalies (ERNICA) evidence based guideline on the management of gastroschisis.

Background: The European Reference Network for rare Inherited Congenital Anomalies, ERNICA, guidelines for gastroschisis cover perinatal period to help teams to improve care.

Method: A systematic literature search including 136 publications was conducted. Research findings were assessed following the GRADE methodology.

High-Frequency Ipsilesional versus Low-Frequency Contralesional Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation after Stroke: Differential Effects on Ipsilesional Upper Extremity Motor Recovery.

: Stroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide; therefore, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is being widely studied and clinically applied to improve motor deficits in the affected arm. However, recent studies indicate that the function of both arms can be affected after stroke. It currently remains unknown how various TMS methods affect the function of the ipsilesional upper extremity.

A Simple Strategy to Reduce Contrast Media Use and Risk of Contrast-Induced Renal Injury during PCI: Introduction of an "Optimal Contrast Volume Protocol" to Daily Clinical Practice.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury is the leading cause of iatrogenic acute nephropathy. Development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) increases the risk of adverse long- and short-term patients outcomes, the hospital costs, and length of hospitalization. There are a couple of methods described for CIN prevention (statin prescription, prehydration, contrast media (CM) clearance from the blood system, and decrease amounts of contrast volume).

Computed Tomography Versus Invasive Coronary Angiography in Patients With Diabetes and Suspected Coronary Artery Disease.

Objective: To compare cardiac computed tomography (CT) with invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as the initial strategy in patients with diabetes and stable chest pain.

Research Design And Methods: This prespecified analysis of the multicenter DISCHARGE trial in 16 European countries was performed in patients with stable chest pain and intermediate pretest probability of coronary artery disease. The primary end point was a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) (cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or stroke), and the secondary end point was expanded MACE (including transient ischemic attacks and major procedure-related complications).

Platelet role in the prediction of MIS-C severity.

Introduction: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been reported as one of the cytokine storm syndromes associated with COVID-19. Despite the several proposed diagnostic criteria, MIS-C remains a diagnostic and clinical challenge. Recent studies have demonstrated that platelets (PLTs) play a crucial role in COVID-19 infection and its prognosis.

Evaluation of lipoprotein(a) in the prevention and management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A survey among the Lipid Clinics Network.

Background And Aims: The European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) Lipid Clinics Network promoted a survey in order to identify and understand how and when lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is tested and clinically evaluated in lipid clinics throughout Europe, and the challenges that may prevent evaluation from being carried out.

Methods: This survey was divided into three areas of inquiry: background and clinical setting information of clinicians, questions for doctors who claimed not to measure Lp(a), in order to understand what were the reasons for not ordering the test, and questions for doctors who measure Lp(a), to investigate the use of this value in the management of patients.

Results: A total of 151 centres clinicians filled in the survey, out of 226 invited.

The impact of COVID-19 on adult cardiac surgery.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on cardiac surgery in a single cardiac surgery center in Lithuania.

Methods: Between November 2018 and March 2021, the data of male COVID-19-negative patients (n=81; mean age: 65.5±8.

A Review of Neovascular Glaucoma: Etiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a rare, aggressive, blinding secondary glaucoma, which is characterized by neovascularization of the anterior segment of the eye and leading to elevation of the intraocular pressure (IOP). The main etiological factor is retinal ischemia leading to an impaired homeostatic balance between the angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. High concentrations of vasogenic substances such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induce neovascularization of the iris (NVI) and neovascularization of the angle (NVA) that limits the outflow of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber and increases the IOP.

A prospective observational study on impact of epinephrine administration route on acute myocardial infarction patients with cardiac arrest in the catheterization laboratory (iCPR study).

Background: Epinephrine is routinely utilized in cardiac arrest; however, it is unclear if the route of administration affects outcomes in acute myocardial infarction patients with cardiac arrest.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of epinephrine administered via the peripheral intravenous (IV), central IV, and intracoronary (IC) routes.

Methods: Prospective two-center pilot cohort study of acute myocardial infarction patients who suffered cardiac arrest in the cardiac catheterization laboratory during percutaneous coronary intervention.

Perceived Stress in Relation to Demographics and Clinical Forms among Patients with Infective Endocarditis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease of the endocardial surface of the heart, caused by infection of the native or prosthetic valve or an indwelling cardiac device. Apart from IE predisposing risk factors that include heart conditions and medical procedures, the novel trajectories from demographic factors to perceived stress conditions have been under investigation in recent years. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between perceived stress and demographic characteristics as well as clinical forms of IE among survivors of IE in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Atrial Pacing Affects Left Atrial Morphological and Functional Parameters Early after Pacemaker Implantation.

: Chronic atrial stimulation might impair left atrial (LA) function. We aimed to assess the impact of atrial pacing burden on LA volumetric and functional parameters after implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker. : The prospective study included 121 subjects with sinus node disease (SND) or atrioventricular block (AVB) that received a dual-chamber pacemaker.

Potential of FX06 to prevent disease progression in hospitalized non-intubated COVID-19 patients - the randomized, EU-wide, placebo-controlled, phase II study design of IXION.

Background: More than 2.7 million hospitalizations of COVID-19-infected patients have occurred in Europe alone since the outbreak of the coronavirus in 2020. Interventions against SARS-CoV-2 are still in high need to prevent admissions to ICUs worldwide.

Mini Review: Co-Existing Diseases and COVID-19-A One Way Ticket?

. Many patients with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection have various comorbidities. Their presence in the background of coronavirus has a tendency to worsen the course of the disease and increase the risk of unfavorable outcomes.

Treatment of Large Cartilage Defects in the Knee by Hydrogel-Based Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: Two-Year Results of a Prospective, Multicenter, Single-Arm Phase III Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcome of a hydrogel-based autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for large articular cartilage defects in the knee joint.

Design: Prospective, multicenter, single-arm, phase III clinical trial. ACI was performed in 100 patients with focal full-thickness cartilage defects ranging from 4 to 12 cm in size.

Establishing prognostic significance of hypoxia predictors in patients with acute cerebral pathology.

Objectives: This research aims to study the prognostic role of serum S100 as a predictor of mortality in vascular and traumatic brain injuries.

Methods: This prospective cohort study involved 219 patients. In the blood serum, neuron-specific markers (S100, NSE) and glucose, acid-base state and gas composition of arterial blood were obtained at admission, on the 3rd, 5th and 7th days of patients' stay in the intensive care unit.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation following air embolism during orthotropic liver transplantation: is this just a coincidence?

Background: During orthotopic liver transplantation, venous air embolism may occur due to iatrogenic injury of the inferior vena cava. However, venous air embolism followed by coagulopathy is a rare event. In this case report, we discuss a possible connection between venous air embolism and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

The Investigation of Associations between rs1042522, rs2032809, rs9344, rs2227983 Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Phenotype and Prognosis.

Breast cancer is one of the most common oncological diseases among women worldwide. Cell cycle and apoptosis-related genes , , and play an important role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. However, the roles of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes have not been fully defined.

The effect of scalp block or local wound infiltration versus systemic analgesia on post-craniotomy pain relief.

Background: This is a prospective, double-blind observational study in which different types of analgesia and its effect on postoperative pain reduction in patients undergoing craniotomy for brain tumor removal were compared.

Methods: The study included 141 adult craniotomy patients that were randomly separated into three equal groups. A group with scalp nerve blockade (B) and wound infiltration (I) received 0.

Augmenting a dynamic hip screw with a calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite biomaterial.

Internal fixation failure in hip fractures can lead to reoperation. Calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite (CaS/HA) is a biomaterial that can be used for augmenting fracture fixation. We aimed to determine whether an injection of 2 ml CaS/HA increases the fixation of a dynamic hip screw inserted in synthetic and human trabecular bone.