Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Death and Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease and Inducible Myocardial Ischemia.

Background: There has been a continuous debate about the survival benefit of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for the management of patients with stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) and moderate to severe ischemia. In this study we aimed to summarize the currently available evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on PCI versus medical therapy (MT) for patients with SIHD.

Methods: An electronic database search was conducted for RCTs that compared PCI on top of MT versus MT alone.

Effect of oxygenation modalities among patients with postoperative respiratory failure: a pairwise and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Postoperative respiratory failure is associated with increased perioperative complications. Our aim is to compare outcomes between non-invasive ventilation (NIV), high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), and standard oxygen in patients at high-risk for or with established postoperative respiratory failure.

Methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were reviewed from inception to September 2019.

Use of glucocorticoids in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common and disabling disease with high rates of mortality and morbidity. The role of steroids in treating ARDS remains controversial. We aim to examine the evidence behind using glucocorticoids in the management of ARDS from the available studies.

Anticoagulants for the treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer: A comprehensive systematic review, pairwise and network meta-analysis.

Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with high VTE recurrence and bleeding. We included all randomized clinical trials that evaluated the efficacy and safety of various anticoagulants in cancer-associated VTE. Trial-level data were extracted from 13 trials.

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus.

Context: The effect of vitamin D supplementation on the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains controversial because most randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been small or have reported low doses of vitamin D.

Objective: To conduct a meta-analysis of RCTs testing vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of T2DM.

Data Sources: Database search of PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was performed by 2 reviewers from inception through September 15, 2019.

Targeted Temperature Management in Cardiac Arrest Patients With an Initial Non-Shockable Rhythm: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Targeted temperature management (TTM) is now recommended for patients presenting with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, there are limited data that support its use in patients with an initial non-shockable rhythm (NSR).

Methods: A literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase was conducted by two independent authors for studies that compared TTM along with standard care versus standard care alone in treating cardiac arrest with initial NSR.

Meta-analysis of bivalirudin versus heparin in transradial coronary interventions.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bivalirudin versus heparin in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing transradial artery coronary intervention (TRI).

Background: Bivalirudin and radial artery access are independently associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes. However, data supporting a strategy of combining both to achieve additive improvements in cardiovascular outcomes provide conflicting results.

Antiarrhythmic Drugs or Catheter Ablation in the Management of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Patients With Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: In patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), shocks are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation (CA) in the treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) in patients with an ICD.

Methods: An electronic database search for randomized controlled trials that evaluated antiarrhythmic drugs and CA in patients with ICD was conducted.

Heparin-Induced Pituitary Apoplexy Presenting as Isolated Unilateral Oculomotor Nerve Palsy: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction: Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a rare and potentially life-threatening clinical syndrome resulting from pituitary gland hemorrhage and/or infarction. Anticoagulation is a risk factor for triggering PA. Isolated oculomotor nerve palsy is an atypical presentation of PA.

Initial Noninvasive Oxygenation Strategies in Subjects With De Novo Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure.

Background: De novo hypoxemic respiratory failure is defined as significant hypoxemia in the absence of chronic lung disease such as COPD, and excluding respiratory failure occurring in the immediate postoperative or postextubation period. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various oxygenation strategies including noninvasive ventilation (NIV), high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), and conventional oxygen therapy in patients with de novo hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Methods: We performed electronic database searches of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception to December 2018 to include randomized controlled trials that compared various oxygenation strategies in cases of de novo hypoxemic respiratory failure occurring in adult subjects without a preexisting chronic lung disease and excluding respiratory failure in the immediate postoperative or postextubation periods.

Optimal timing of coronary intervention in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Performing immediate coronary angiography (CAG) in patients with a cardiac arrest and a non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) remains a highly debated topic. We performed a meta-analysis aiming to evaluate the influence of immediate, delayed, and no CAG in patients with cardiac arrest and NSTEMI.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review of Pubmed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase was performed for all studies that compared immediate CAG to delayed or no CAG in the setting of cardiac arrest and NSTEMI.

The effect of levothyroxine treatment in individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism on surrogate markers of atherosclerosis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

: Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with increased carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and decreased flow-mediated dilation (FMD) - surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). However, treatment with levothyroxine in this population remains controversial. : Electronic database search was conducted for all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated the treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism on surrogate markers of subclinical ASCVD.

Immunotherapeutic options for management of relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: how to select newly approved agents?

Recently, immunotherapeutic agents such as inotuzumab ozogamicin (INO), blinatumomab (BLIN), and tisagenlecleucel (TISA) have been approved for treatment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). No head to head trials have compared these agents. Thus, various factors influence the decision to choose an appropriate treatment for R/R ALL.

Aspirin Efficacy in Primary Prevention: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Introduction: The role of aspirin as a means of primary prevention remains controversial.

Aim: We have conducted a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the role of aspirin in primary prevention.

Methods: Literature search was performed via PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for all related RCTs.

Interventions for Secondary Mitral Regurgitation in Patients With Heart Failure: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Comparisons of Surgery, Medical Therapy and Transcatheter Intervention.

Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) in heart failure (HF) notoriously carries a poor prognosis. While there are multiple interventional options for treatment, the optimal intervention remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of surgery, medical therapy, and transcatheter intervention in secondary MR.

Pulmonary actinomycosis and tracheal squamous cell carcinoma: A rare simultaneous presentation of both in a single patient.

A 57-year-old male with schizophrenia and a 37 pack-year smoking history presented with cough productive of purulent sputum associated with hemoptysis and worsening shortness of breath. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple masses in the right upper and lower lobes with a small distal tracheal mass and significant mediastinal lymphadenopathy. CT guided biopsy of the largest lung mass in the right lower lobe confirmed a diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis.

Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Objectives: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NES) on prevention of critical care myopathy and its effect on various clinical outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Review Methods Used: This study involved systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing NES (applied to different muscle groups combined with usual care) and usual care (passive and active exercises along with early mobilisation and rehabilitation). Included studies enrolled adult patients managed in the ICU for medical or surgical diseases who were or were not mechanically ventilated.

Reporting of data analysis methods in psychiatric journals: Trends from 1996 to 2018.

Objectives: The article aims to evaluate how study designs and data analysis methods in psychiatric studies have changed over the last 22 years.

Methods: This study involved a total of 320 papers published in 1996 and 2018 in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, British Journal of Psychiatry, and JAMA Psychiatry. We manually reviewed the articles to determine the way in which they reported the study characteristics and the methods applied in data analysis.

Meta-analysis of optimal timing of coronary intervention in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Objectives: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the efficacy and safety of early versus delayed invasive management of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS).

Background: Coronary angiography is recommended for patients with NSTE-ACS, however, the optimal timing for this remains controversial.

Methods: Literature search of Pubmed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase for all RCTs that compared early with delayed invasive approaches in treating NSTE-ACS was conducted by two independent authors.

A case report of double negative anti-GBM disease.

Goodpasture's disease is a life-threatening autoimmune disease that can lead to end stage renal disease and death. We report a case of 61-year-old female who presented with deteriorating renal function. Initial laboratory investigations were negative for autoimmune antibodies including negative anti-neutrophilic cytoplasm antibodies and anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibodies using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence.