European Society of Cardiology quality indicators for the management of acute coronary syndrome.

Background: Closing the evidence-practice gap for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is central to improving quality of care. Under the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) framework, we aimed to develop updated quality indicators (QIs) for the evaluation of quality of care and outcomes for patients with ACS.

Methods: A Working Group of experts including members of the ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines Task Force for ACS, Acute CardioVascular Care Association and European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions followed the ESC methodology for QI development.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Small and Very Small Aortic Valve Annuli: A Propensity-Matched Analysis Between Self-Expanding Versus Balloon-Expandable Valves.

Background: The management of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) patients with a small aortic annulus (SAA) postures a substantial challenge, increasing the risk of patient- prosthesis mismatch (PPM) and overall mortality.

Aims: This study aimed to compare the hemodynamic and clinical outcomes of transcatheter balloon-expandable valve (BEV) versus transcatheter self-expandable valve (SEV) in SAA.

Methods: We conducted propensity score matching (PSM) of severe AS patients with SAA who underwent trans-femoral TAVR and enrolled to the Israeli TAVR registry between the years 2008 and 2023.

Lipoprotein(a) Levels in Severe Aortic Stenosis Referred for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Compared to Controls.

Background: Limited observational reports link elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) levels to aortic stenosis (AS) or to disease progression. Data on large cohorts of verified severe AS patients are lacking.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to characterize Lp(a) levels of severe AS patients referred to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and compare them to a large cohort of Lp(a) samples derived from the general population.

A Rare Case of Renal Sarcoma Mimicking Metastatic Osteosarcoma.

Pediatric renal sarcomas are exceedingly rare entities that present diagnostic challenges. We report a remarkable case of a 14-month-old female with an 8 cm right renal mass, accompanied by disseminated bone metastases, posing intricate clinical and histopathological dilemmas. Initial suspicion leaned towards clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK), however, subsequent histological examination post-chemotherapy revealed high-grade osteosarcoma and further differential considerations arose, including primary renal osteosarcoma and osseous osteosarcoma with secondary renal involvement.

Conduction disorders following transcatheter aortic valve replacement using acurate Neo2 transcatheter heart valve: A propensity matched analysis.

Background: The ACURATE neo2 transcatheter aortic valve was developed to improve paravalvular leak (PVL) rates while maintaining low rates of conduction disturbances and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) seen with its predecessor. We aimed to compare conduction disturbances rates of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using ACURATE Neo2 with other commonly used valves.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the Israeli TAVR registry between the years 2014-2023 was performed to compare conduction disturbances and PVL rates, and procedural outcomes, among patients treated with ACURATE neo2, Edwards Sapien 3 (S3), and Evolut PRO valves.

Urological outcomes following pelvic exenteration for non-urological malignancies.

Background: Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a major surgical procedure used as a salvage therapy for patients with locally advanced or recurrent pelvic malignancies. Urinary reconstruction is a major part of PE and is often associated with high rates of post-operative complications. In the current study we evaluate the short and long-term urological outcomes following PE for Colo-Rectal (CR) and gyneco-oncological (GO) malignancies.

Single arterial access technique for simultaneous dual mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock.

Temporary mechanical circulatory support is a treatment of choice for patients in severe cardiogenic shock. Combining veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (ECLS) with devices that enable left ventricular unloading emerges as a promising strategy to diminish detrimental effect of elevated left ventricular afterload and to improve survival. However, the need to establish multiple arterial access sites remains a major drawback of this approach due to a significant rate of vascular complications.

Distal nerve transfers for peripheral nerve injuries: indications and outcomes.

Distal nerve transfer is a refined surgical technique involving the redirection of healthy sacrificable nerves from one part of the body to reinstate function in another area afflicted by paralysis or injury. This approach is particularly valuable when the original nerves are extensively damaged and standard repair methods, such as direct suturing or grafting, may be insufficient. As the nerve coaptation is close to the recipient muscles or skin, distal nerve transfers reduce the time to reinnervation.

Thoracoscopic Resection of Pulmonary Lesions in Israel: The Mentorship Approach.

Background: Most congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAMs) are detected antenatally. The majority of newborns are asymptomatic. Patients are prone to subsequent respiratory complications and to a lesser extent malignant transformation remains concerning.

CD24 in Head and Neck Malignancies-An Uprising Biomarker?

Introduction: CD24 is often overexpressed in human tumors as a regulator of cell migration, invasion and proliferation. It has been associated with poor prognosis and chemoresistance in laryngeal cancer. In oral cavity tumors, it was correlated with better overall survival.

Identifying the Variables for Oncoplastic Reconstruction: Preoperative Assessment Tool for Breast Conserving Treatment.

Background: A wide range of surgical techniques has been described for breast conservation treatment (Oncoplasty) based on breast size and shape, as well as tumor size and location. However, there is a lack of standardization regarding the indications for oncoplastic reconstruction. This study aims to identify the presurgical parameters associated with poor cosmetic outcomes post-breast conserving treatment.

Retrograde tibial access for revascularization of chronic total occlusions in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Purpose: To evaluate tibial single access in treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTO) in patients with ipsilateral chronic-limb ischemia (CLTI).

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, data was collected on patients treated for ipsilateral CTO via a tibial artery access between March 2017 and March 2021. Fifty-nine limbs in 57 patients, (42 men, average age 73 years; range 47-96) were treated.

Neurobiological perspective on the development of executive functions.

Executive functions are a set of top-down cognitive processes necessary for emotional self-regulation and goal-directed behaviour supporting, among others, academic abilities. Premature infants are at high risk for subsequent cognitive, psychosocial, or behavioural problems even in the absence of medical complications and in spite of normal brain imaging. Given that this is a sensitive period of brain growth and maturation, these factors may place preterm infants at high risk for executive function dysfunction, disrupted long-term development, and lower academic achievements.

Sexually dimorphic anthropometric measurements in patients with hypospadias and cryptorchidism.

Inappropriate exposure or activity of sex hormones in-utero has been postulated as a leading cause for the development of hypospadias and cryptorchidism. Anthropometric sexually dimorphic traits such as the 2 to 4 digit ratio (2D:4D), anogenital distance (AGD) and the stretched penile length (SPL), have been associated with androgen and estrogen activity in-utero. Evaluate anthropometric parameters in patients with hypospadias or cryptorchidism compared with healthy controls.

Efficacy of oral versus long-acting antipsychotic treatment in patients with early-phase schizophrenia in Europe and Israel: a large-scale, open-label, randomised trial (EULAST).

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder with periods of remission and relapse. As discontinuation of antipsychotic medication is the most important reason for relapse, long-term maintenance treatment is key. Whether intramuscular long-acting (depot) antipsychotics are more efficacious than oral medication in preventing medication discontinuation is still unresolved.

Childbirth simulation to assess cephalopelvic disproportion and chances for failed labor in a French population.

Reducing failed labor and emergency cesarean section (CS) rates is an important goal. A childbirth simulation tool (PREDIBIRTH software and SIM37 platform) that evaluates a 5-min magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment performed at 37 weeks of gestation was developed to enhance the consulting obstetrician's ability to predict the optimal delivery mode. We aimed to determine the potential value of this childbirth simulation tool in facilitating the selection of an optimal delivery mode for both mother and infant.

Do inflammatory bowel disease patient preferences from treatment outcomes differ by ethnicity and gender? A cross-sectional observational study.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients' expectations of treatment outcomes may differ by ethnicity.

Aim: To investigate treatment preferences of Jewish and Arabs patients.

Methods: This prospective survey ranked outcomes treatment preferences among Arab IBD patients, based on the 10 IBD-disk items compared to historical data of Jews.

Use of Medical Cannabis in Patients with Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome in a Real-World Setting.

Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by vocal and motor tics and other comorbidities. Clinical recommendations for the use of medical cannabis are established, yet further guidance is needed. The aim of this study was to describe the experience of patients with TS with medical cannabis.

Medical cannabis for the treatment of comorbid symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder: An interim analysis of biochemical safety.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder and no effective treatment for the core symptoms is currently available. The present study is part of a larger clinical trial assessing the effects of cannabis oil on autism co-morbidities. The aim of the present study was to assess the safety of a CBD-rich oil treatment in children and adolescents with ASD.

The association between helicopter emergency medical services and early casualty survival: a nationwide study.

Background: Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) allow for shorter transport duration in long-distance evacuations and facilitate advanced en-route medical care access. Studies comparing HEMS with ground emergency medical services (GEMS), including the outcome of prehospital mortality, are lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between HEMS and early mortality in Israel.

Treatment of Septic Arthritis of the Hip Joint Using Repeated Aspirations: When Should We Operate?

Background: The well-accepted treatment of septic arthritis of the hip joint (SAHJ) is surgical drainage of the joint, but repeated aspirations of the hip joint under sonography, have been used for over twenty years with significant success in some centers, including ours. In recent years, we identified some children who did not respond to aspirations and had to undergo arthrotomies. We were concerned that some children may have reached the operating room after a longer than ideal time.