Exercise-Dependent Modulation of Immunological Response Pathways in Endurance Athletes With and Without Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia characterized by uncoordinated atrial electrical activity. Lone AF occurs in the absence of traditional risk factors and is frequently observed in male endurance athletes, who face a 2- to 5-fold higher risk of AF compared with healthy, moderately active males. Our understanding of how endurance exercise contributes to the pathophysiology of lone AF remains limited.

Aspirin nonsensitivity in patients with vascular disease: Assessment by light transmission aggregometry (aspirin nonsensitivity in vascular patients).

Background: Aspirin is a key antiplatelet therapy for the prevention of thrombotic events in patients with cardiovascular disease. Studies suggest that ≈20% of patients with cardiac disease suffer from aspirin nonsensitivity, a phenomenon characterized by the inability of 81 mg aspirin to inhibit platelet aggregation and/or prevent adverse cardiovascular events.

Objectives: To investigate aspirin nonsensitivity in patients with vascular disease and assess the consequences of aspirin nonsensitivity.

Global Fractional Flow Reserve Value Predicts 5-Year Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Atherosclerosis But Without Ischemia.

Background Global fractional flow reserve (FFR) (ie, the sum of the FFR values in the 3 major coronary arteries) is a physiologic correlate of global atherosclerotic burden. The objective of the present study was to investigate the value of global FFR in predicting long-term clinical outcome of patients with stable coronary artery disease but no ischemia-inducing stenosis. Methods and Results We studied major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs: all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and any revascularization) after 5 years in 1122 patients without significant stenosis (all FFR >0.

Top ten priorities for anesthesia and perioperative research: a report from the Canadian Anesthesia Research Priority Setting Partnership.

Purpose: The purpose of the Canadian Anesthesia Research Priority Setting Partnership (CAR PSP) was to identify a top ten list of shared priorities for research in anesthesia and perioperative care in Canada.

Methods: We used the methods of the James Lind Alliance to involve patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and researchers in determining the research priorities in Canada. In a first survey, participants submitted questions that they want research to answer about anesthesia and perioperative care.

Statins Reduce Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth, Rupture, and Perioperative Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background There are no recognized pharmacological treatments for abdominal aortic aneurysms ( AAA ), although statins are suggested to be beneficial. We sought to summarize the literature regarding the effects of statins on human AAA growth, rupture, and 30-day mortality. Methods and Results We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and observational studies using the Cochrane CENTRAL database, MEDLINE , and EMBASE up to June 15, 2018.

Association Between Statin Use and Cardiovascular Events After Carotid Artery Revascularization.

Background Statins are commonly used for the prevention of cardiovascular events; however, statins are underutilized in patients with noncoronary atherosclerosis. We sought to establish the rates of statin use in patients with carotid artery disease and to examine the association between statin therapy and outcomes after carotid revascularization. Methods and Results In this population-level retrospective cohort study, we identified all individuals aged ≥66 years who underwent carotid endarterectomy or stenting in Ontario, Canada (2002-2014).

Fasting capillary glucose as a screening test for ruling out gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: A common approach to screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the testing of all pregnant women with a one-hour, 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT), followed by a diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) when the GCT is positive (≥ 7.8 mmol/L). As only a small subset of those with a positive GCT will have GDM, many more women undergo the OGTT than may be necessary.