Letter to editor: gender gap in deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: preliminary results of a retrospective study.

This letter addresses important considerations for enhancing the research on the gender gap in deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease. While acknowledging the commendable efforts of the study's authors, we highlight several areas that warrant further attention to maximize the research's yield and applicability. Specifically, we emphasize the need for a more diverse cohort to enhance the generalizability of findings, inclusion of a control group for comprehensive evaluation, utilization of additional assessment tools to mitigate bias, incorporation of qualitative data for a holistic understanding, and evaluation of long-term outcomes beyond short follow-up durations. Addressing these considerations would strengthen the validity, applicability, and impact of research findings in this crucial area of study.

Leadless and Wireless Cardiac Devices: The Next Frontier in Remote Patient Monitoring.

In the last decade, advances in wireless and sensor technologies, and the implementation of telemedicine, have led to innovative digital health care for cardiac patients. Continuous monitoring of patients' biomedical signals, and acute changes in these signals, may result in timely, accurate diagnoses and implementation of early interventions. In this review, we discuss commonly used wireless and leadless cardiac devices including pulmonary artery pressure sensors, implantable loop recorders, leadless pacemakers and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. We discuss the concept and function of each device, indications, methods of delivery, potential complications, consideration for implantation, and cost-effectiveness.

Efficacy and Safety of Transcarotid Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: In patients who are not suitable for traditional access routes for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) due to severe peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or prohibitive surgical risk, carotid artery (CA) access is an emerging route for TAVR. This study represents the most up to date on outcomes of carotid access TAVR. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted as per the Preferred Reporting Instructions for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). We performed a thorough electronic search through Pubmed, SCOPUS and Embase databases. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 24 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, New York, USA). RESULTS: A total of 15 non-randomized studies were included in this systematic review comprising of patients that received TAVR via 4 vascular access sites, transcarotid (TC) (N = 1035), transfemoral (TF) (N = 1116), transapical (TAP) (N = 307), transaortic (TAO) (N = 176) and transaxillary (TAX) (N = 90). In the Transcarotid cases, device success was achieved in 95.6% of patients (n = 748). The 30-day and 1-yr mortality was 4.2% and 10.5% respectively. 15.3% of patients required new pacemaker implantation. In-hospital stroke or TIA occurred in 4% of cases. 30-day stroke or TIA occurred in 5% of cases. There were no hemorrhagic strokes. 30-day Mortality was significantly higher in the Transaortic group (12.1%) compared to the Transcarotid group (2.6%) [RR = 2.93 95% CI = 1.15-7.58; p = 0.027]. There were no differences in outcomes between the Transcarotid group and the Transapical or Transaxillary groups. CONCLUSION: The most contemporary data on Carotid access TAVR shows impressive device success, low rates of stroke and pacemaker implantation and an acceptable 30-day and 1-year mortality. 30-day mortality was significantly lower in TC compared to TAO patients.

The great impostor: Lues maligna in an HIV-infected male.

Lues maligna is a rare severe cutaneous manifestation of secondary syphilis. It is also known as malignant syphilis and ulceronodular syphilis. We report a case of a 58-year-old HIV-infected male who presented with diffuse, pruritic, non-tender, maculo-papular skin lesions, ulcerated nodules and plaques surrounded by an erythematous base. The disseminated skin lesions were at various stages and were located on his back, chest, arms and testicles. Patient had been receiving antiretroviral therapy. Laboratory studies had demonstrated CD4 lymphocyte count of 463 cells/mm3 and an undetectable HIV viral load. Workup revealed a rapid plasma reagin of 1:256 dilutions and the skin biopsy findings were compatible with syphilis. The skin lesions resolved with intramuscular penicillin. We herein describe a rare case of lues maligna in an HIV-infected patient with a preserved immune function and viral suppression. Such skin lesions can mimic fungal or mycobacterial infections and can pose a diagnostic challenge. Even in the modern era, syphilis remains the great impostor. Clinicians must be able to recognize this condition based on clinical characteristics and risk factors to diagnose and treat this condition promptly.