Effect of Pulmonary Hypertension on Survival Outcomes in Patients With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the effect of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on survival in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The present study was conducted according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from January 1, 2015, to March 10, 2024. Outcomes assessed in this meta-analysis included early and late all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Total 15 studies were integrated into the pooled analysis to assess the impact of PH on outcomes among patients undergoing TAVR, comprising a total sample size of 35,732 individuals. The pooled prevalence of PH stood at 52.57% (n=18,767). Predominantly, the studies were conducted in the United States (n=6), followed by Germany (n=3), with one study each from Japan, Italy, Switzerland, Brazil, Poland, and Australia. Pooled analysis showed that risk of short-term mortality was greater in patients with PH compared to patients without PH (risk ratio (RR): 1.46, 95% CI: 1.19 to 1.80). Risk of long-term mortality was greater in patients with PH (RR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.29 to 1.55). Risk of cardiovascular mortality was also greater in patients with PH compared to patients without PH (RR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.36 to 2.02). We advocate for further research to address gaps in understanding different types of PH and their impacts on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes.

Effect of Elevated Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio on Adverse Outcomes in Patients With Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Myocardial infarction (MI), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, is characterized by an underlying inflammatory process driven by atherosclerosis. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a readily available and cost-effective marker of systemic inflammation, has emerged as a potential predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with MI. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between elevated NLR and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality in patients with MI. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and OVID Medicine, to identify relevant studies published from January 1, 2011, onward. Studies reporting the effect of NLR values on MACE and mortality in adult patients with MI, including both ST-elevation (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation (NSTEMI) subtypes, were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by multiple authors. The meta-analysis included 37 studies, comprising a total of 18 studies evaluating the risk of MACE and 30 studies assessing all-cause mortality. The pooled analysis revealed a significantly increased risk of MACE (odds ratio [OR] 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53-2.28, P < 0.01) and all-cause mortality (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.94-2.70, P < 0.01) in patients with elevated NLR compared to those without elevated NLR. Subgroup analyses stratified by follow-up duration and study design further supported the consistent association between elevated NLR and adverse outcomes. In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrates a significant association between elevated NLR and an increased risk of MACE and all-cause mortality in patients with MI. These findings highlight the potential clinical utility of NLR as a prognostic marker and underscore the importance of further research to validate its predictive value and establish optimal cutoff values for risk stratification in this patient population.

Comparison of the Effects of Lidocaine and Amiodarone on Patients With Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The objective of this study was to compare the impact of amiodarone and lidocaine on survival and neurological outcomes following cardiac arrest. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as well as cohort and cross-sectional trials was undertaken, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Potential relevant studies were searched in databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, from the beginning of databases to February 15, 2024. Outcomes assessed in this study were survival to hospital discharge, survival to hospital admission or 24 hours, favorable neurological outcomes, and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). A total of seven studies (five observational and two RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis encompassing 19,081 patients with cardiac arrest. Pooled analysis showed no difference between amiodarone and lidocaine in terms of survival to hospital discharge (odds ratio (OR): 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75 to 1.04), ROSC (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.84 to 1.05, p-value: 0.25), favorable neurological outcomes (OR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.66 to 1.17, p-value: 0.38), and survival to 24 hours (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.55 to 1.21, p-value: 0.31). While lidocaine demonstrated a slight survival advantage, the differences were statistically insignificant. Similarly, no significant variations were observed in ROSC incidence, neurological outcomes, or survival at 24 hours. These findings align with current guidelines but underscore the necessity for further rigorous RCTs to provide conclusive recommendations.

Exploring the Prevalence and Characteristics of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to scrutinize the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in individuals with ideopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We carried out this systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Statement (PRISMA). Two independent researchers systematically searched major databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, from January 1, 2000, until December 31, 2023. We included all studies involving adult patients (age >18 years) with IPF that assessed the prevalence and characteristics of OSA in IPF patients. A total of seven studies involving a pooled sample of 411 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of OSA among individuals with IPF was found to be 70% (95% CI: 59 to 82%). Individuals with OSA exhibited a significantly higher mean body mass index (BMI) compared to their counterparts. While individuals with both IPF and OSA exhibited higher scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) compared to those with IPF alone, the OSA group also showed lower oxygen saturation during sleep in comparison to non-OSA patients. In summary, OSA is a prevalent coexisting condition among individuals with IPF. This presence could worsen the nighttime oxygen saturation. Consequently, there is a need for more extensive studies involving more uniform participant groups.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we explored the utilization of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) to detect fibrotic changes secondary to uremic cardiomyopathy during the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Uremic myocardial fibrosis can lead to arrhythmia and heart failure, and it is important to detect these changes. CMR offers a noninvasive way to characterize the severity of cardiac remodeling. A comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases was conducted. Studies were divided according to scanner field strength (1.5 or 3 Tesla). The random effects model was used to calculate the pooled mean, 95% confidence interval (CI), standard error, and standardized mean difference (SMD). The I2 statistic was used to assess the heterogeneity between study-specific estimates. The search retrieved 779 studies. From these, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria and had 642 CKD patients (mean age of 56.8 years; 65.2% males; mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 33 mL/min/1.73 m2) and 658 ESKD patients on dialysis (mean age of 55.6 years; 63.3% males; mean dialysis duration of 3.47 years). CKD patients had an increased left ventricular mass index (LVMi) compared to controls, with an SMD of 0.37 (95% CI: 0.20-0.54; I2 0%; p-value <0.05). ESKD patients also had increased LVMi compared to controls, SMD 0.88 (95% CI: 0.35-1.41; I2 79.1%; p-value 0.001). Myocardial fibrosis assessment using T1 mapping showed elevated values; the SMD of native septal T1 values between CKD and controls was 1.099 (95% CI: 0.73-1.46; I2 33.6%; p-value <0.05), and the SMD of native septal T1 values between ESKD patients and controls was 1.12 (95% CI: 0.85-1.38; I2 33.69%; p-value <0.05). In conclusion, patients with CKD and ESKD with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have higher LVMi and T1 values, indicating increased mass and fibrosis. T1 mapping can be used for the early detection of cardiomyopathy and as a risk stratification tool. Large, randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings and determine the effect of long-term dialysis on cardiac fibrosis.

Prevalence and feasibility of assessing the frailty phenotype among hemodialysis patients in a dialysis unit.

BACKGROUND: Frailty increases risk of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. Frailty assessments could trigger risk reduction interventions if broadly adopted in clinical practice. We aimed to assess the clinical feasibility of frailty assessment among Veteran hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Hemodialysis patients' ≥50 years were recruited from a single dialysis unit between 9/1/2021 and 3/31/2022.Patients who consented underwent a frailty phenotype assessment by clinical staff. Five criteria were assessed: unintentional weight loss, low grip strength, self-reported exhaustion, slow gait speed, and low physical activity. Participants were classified as frail (3-5 points), pre-frail (1-2 points) or non-frail (0 points). Feasibility was determined by the number of eligible participants completing the assessment. RESULTS: Among 82 unique dialysis patients, 45 (52%) completed the assessment, 13 (16%) refused, 18 (23%) were not offered the assessment due to death, transfers, or switch to transplant or peritoneal dialysis, and 6 patients were excluded because they did not meet mobility criteria. Among assessed patients, 40(88%) patients were identified as pre-frail (46.6%) or frail (42.2%). Low grip strength was most common (90%). Those who refused were more likely to have peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.001), low albumin (p = 0.0187), low sodium (p = 0.0422), and ineligible for kidney transplant (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Just over half of eligible hemodialysis patients completed the frailty assessment suggesting difficulty with broad clinical adoption expectations. Among those assessed, frailty and pre-frailty prevalence was high. Given patients who were not tested were clinically high risk, our reported prevalence likely underestimates true frailty prevalence. Providing frailty reduction interventions to all hemodialysis patients could have high impact for this group.

Comparison of Outcomes Between Sacubitril/Valsartan and Enalapril in Patients With Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare outcomes between sacubitril/valsartan and enalapril in patients with heart failure. We performed this meta-analysis according to the guidelines reported in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Two independent authors systematically searched online databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception till September 15, 2023. Outcomes assessed in this meta-analysis included all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and cardiovascular-related hospitalization. A total of nine studies were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled analysis showed that the risk of all-cause mortality was higher in patients receiving enalapril compared to patients receiving sacubitril/valsartan (risk ratio [RR]: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.31 to 1.04). Risk of cardiovascular mortality was significantly higher in the enalapril group compared to the sacubitril/valsartan group (RR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.91). The risk of cardiovascular hospitalization was significantly higher in the enalapril group compared to the sacubitril/valsartan group (RR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.66 to 0.86). In conclusion, our meta-analysis of nine studies underscores the superior clinical performance of sacubitril/valsartan compared to enalapril in managing patients with heart failure.

From Emergence to Endemicity: A Comprehensive Review of COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), later renamed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was first identified in Wuhan, China, in early December 2019. Initially, the China office of the World Health Organization was informed of numerous cases of pneumonia of unidentified etiology in Wuhan, Hubei Province at the end of 2019. This would subsequently result in a global pandemic with millions of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and millions of deaths reported to the WHO. We have analyzed most of the data published since the beginning of the pandemic to compile this comprehensive review of SARS-CoV-2. We looked at the core ideas, such as the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnostics, histopathologic findings, consequences, therapies, and vaccines. We have also included the long-term effects and myths associated with some therapeutics of COVID-19. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 virology, vaccines, medicines, and significant variants identified during the course of the pandemic. Our review article is intended to provide medical practitioners with a better understanding of the fundamental sciences, clinical treatment, and prevention of COVID-19. As of May 2023, this paper contains the most recent data made accessible.

Comparison of Safety of Leadless Pacemakers and Transvenous Pacemakers: A Meta-Analysis.

Pacemakers have been accessible for six decades, and clearly defined criteria for pacemaker implantation have been established. Within the contemporary clinical practice, two dependable pacing platforms exist leadless pacemakers and transvenous pacemakers. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the safety of leadless pacemakers to transvenous pacemakers. This meta-analysis adhered to the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 framework. A comprehensive and systematic search was conducted across various databases including Scopus, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE, spanning from inception to August 15, 2023. The primary outcomes assessed in this meta-analysis were total complications, all-cause mortality, and device-related complications. Furthermore, secondary outcomes evaluated encompassed the need for reintervention, occurrences of pneumothorax, pericardial effusion, endocarditis, hemothorax, and hematoma. Total 17 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The findings of this study showed that patients with leadless pacemakers had a lower risk of total complications, device-related complications, pneumothorax, and endocarditis. The risk of reintervention was significantly lower in the leadless pacemaker group. However, compared to a transvenous pacemaker, the risk of pericardial effusion was significantly higher in the leadless pacemaker group. It is important to acknowledge the limitations arising from the lack of extensive long-term follow-up data for leadless pacemakers. As technology evolves, continued research will be essential in uncovering the full spectrum of prolonged complications associated with these devices.

Comparison of Early and Long-Term Mortality in Patients With Reduced and Preserved Ejection Fraction Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare early and long-term mortality in patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (EF) undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). This meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Two investigators independently conducted a systematic and comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus from inception to July 15, 2023, using the search terms "reduced ejection fraction," "preserved ejection fraction," "coronary artery bypass surgery," and "mortality." Boolean operators (AND, OR) were used with medical subject heading (MeSH) terms to refine the search. The reference lists of all included articles were manually searched to identify potentially relevant studies. We restricted our search to studies published in the English language. The outcomes assessed in this meta-analysis included short-term mortality (including in-hospital and 30-day mortality) and long-term mortality. A total of five studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sample size is 94,399 participants. Pooled analysis showed that the risk of early mortality was significantly higher in patients with reduced EF compared to patients with preserved EF (risk ratio, RR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.50 to 3.06). The pooled analysis also reported that late mortality was significantly higher in patients with reduced EF compared to patients with preserved EF (RR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.35 to 2.08). The pooled analysis of studies demonstrated a significantly higher rate of both early and late mortality in patients with reduced EF, emphasizing the importance of EF assessment in risk stratification for CABG patients.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Obese Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a cardiac condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, which is increasingly prevalent in the modern era. All international guidelines strongly advise the administration of anticoagulants to individuals with AF who are at high risk of stroke. These guidelines recommend the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) over warfarin because warfarin is significantly associated with increased rates of major bleeding, numerous interactions with food and drugs, and the necessity for frequent monitoring. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in obese patients with atrial fibrillation. Two authors independently conducted a comprehensive literature search using electronic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE from inception to June 1, 2023. The efficacy outcome assessed in this meta-analysis included the composite of stroke and systemic embolism. For safety analysis, major bleeding events were compared among the study groups. Eleven studies fulfilled all the inclusion criteria and were included in the present meta-analysis enrolling 144,502 patients. In this study, DOACs demonstrate superior efficacy in preventing stroke/systemic embolism compared to warfarin. Among the DOACs, apixaban emerged as the most effective, followed by rivaroxaban, warfarin, and dabigatran. In terms of safety, apixaban was also found to be the most favorable treatment option, followed by rivaroxaban, dabigatran, and warfarin. In summary, our study concludes that apixaban exhibited greater effectiveness and safety when compared to other DOACs and warfarin in obese patients with AF.

Independent Predictors of Mortality in Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this study is to determine the predictors of mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH). This systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) Statement guidelines. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from January 2010 to April 2023 using the following keywords: "systemic sclerosis," "pulmonary arterial hypertension," "death," and "predictors," along with medical subject headings (MeSH), to identify relevant studies. A total of eight studies with a total of 530 patients were included in the present systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled one-year, three-year, and five-year survival was 90% (95% CI: 86-93%), 66% (95% CI: 59-72%), and 44% (95% CI: 23-65%), respectively. Factors associated with mortality in SSc-PAH included age (p-value: 0.02), male gender (p-value: 0.008), pericardial effusion (p-value: 0.003), cardiac index (p-value: 0.0001), six-minute walking distance (p-value: 0.04), pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) (p-value: 0.01), and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification (p-value: 0.0002). The findings of this study have important clinical implications. Assessing and managing the identified predictors, such as age, gender, pericardial effusion, PAP, cardiac index, and NYHA class, could help identify individuals at higher risk of mortality and guide treatment strategies.

Efficacy of Molnupiravir for the Treatment of Mild or Moderate COVID-19 in Adults: A Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of molnupiravir among mild or moderate COVID-19 patients. This meta-analysis was reported according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Two authors independently performed a comprehensive search for relevant studies in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The keywords used to search for relevant records were "Molnupiravir," "COVID-19," and "efficacy." This meta-analysis included studies that compared the effectiveness of molnupiravir with a placebo for COVID-19 treatment. The primary outcome assessed in this meta-analysis was the composite of hospitalization and all-cause mortality (30 days). In addition, we assessed all-cause mortality and hospitalization separately and the number of patients who tested negative for viral RNA on day five. A total of 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Among the 10 studies, five were randomized controlled trials and five were observational studies. Based on the results presented in the meta-analysis, it can be concluded that molnupiravir has a significant impact on reducing all-cause mortality and improving the proportion of patients who test negative for viral RNA on day five. The risk of hospitalization and composite outcome was also lower in molnupiravir-treated patients, although the difference was statistically insignificant. The subgroup analysis showed consistent results across all subgroups, indicating that the effect of molnupiravir is consistent regardless of patient characteristics.

Sjögren's Syndrome Overlap With Lupus Nephritis: A Case Report and Literature Review of a Rare Entity.

Overlap syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that satisfies the diagnostic criteria for at least two well-known autoimmune diseases. In this report, we describe a rare case of lupus overlap in an elderly woman with primary Sjögren's syndrome who presented with features of nephritic-nephrotic syndrome and renal biopsy results typical of lupus nephritis combined with multiple positive autoantibodies. The kidney biopsy results were assigned the highest weightage based on the revised 2019 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) classification criteria developed by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The patient's condition significantly improved after appropriate immunosuppressive therapy was initiated. With the revised ACR/EULAR-2019 criteria, we anticipate that more SLE patients with typical lupus nephritis biopsy findings will be diagnosed accurately.

Fellowship in the United States as an exceptionally qualified applicant.

International medical graduates (IMGs) play an important role in the United States healthcare as they make up more than a quarter of the medical workforce. Some of these IMGs have significant experience abroad and are eligible to join fellowships in the United States after meeting certain requirements through the Exceptionally Qualified Candidate Pathway designed by the Accreditation Council (ACGME), While this is a great opportunity to train in the United States healthcare system, awareness remains lacking about this pathway. This is especially important given the growing shortage of physicians in the United States and unfilled positions in several fellowships where physicians are urgently needed. This article demonstrates the crisis in several fellowship programs and aims to increase awareness of this ACGME training pathway. It will also provide a deeper understanding of this fellowship path way in the United States, which may be useful to as piring fellowship candidates as well as underfilled fellowship programs. It also highlights potential opportunities and pathways leading to practice after the fellowship, current limitations in this process and provides several recommendations for success.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Autoimmune Vasculitis: A Rare Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Autoantibody-Associated Vasculitis Overlap Syndrome.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), though they share similar clinical characteristics, are distinguishable based on specific characteristics. The concomitant presentation of SLE and AAV as overlap syndrome is rare and makes the diagnosis challenging. Here, we describe a rare case of SLE and AAV overlaps presenting with hemorrhagic stroke as initial presentation, which has been reported only once before. The presence of several positive autoantibodies made the diagnosis challenging, but a kidney biopsy provided the definitive diagnosis and aided in initiating immunosuppressive therapy. The patient did not respond to standard initial surgical measures to lower elevated intracranial pressure and showed significant improvement to immunosuppressive therapy proving the temporal relationship. The authors of this case study aim to highlight the importance of considering SLE-AAV overlap in patients presenting with features similar to those described in the case report and intervening early, as delays in diagnosis can be fatal.

Comparison of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Combined With Mitral Valve Repair Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Alone in Patients With Moderate Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: A Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare clinical outcomes between those who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) alone and CABG with mitral valve repair (MVR) in patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation. The present study was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two authors performed a comprehensive search of international databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, for relevant studies published from inception to March 1, 2023. The search was performed again before the submission of the manuscript on March 20, 2023. Primary outcomes assessed in the present meta-analysis included early mortality and long-term mortality. Secondary outcomes assessed in the present meta-analysis included change in New York Heart Association (NYHA) score from baseline, change in ejection fraction (EF) from baseline (%), and major cardiovascular events (MACE). A total of 13 studies were included in the present meta-analysis. Out of 13 included studies, four were randomized control trials (RCTs) and nine were retrospective cohort studies. The pooled analysis showed that early mortality was significantly lower in patients in the CABG group compared to the CABG+MVR group (risk ratio [RR]: 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31, 0.70). Long-term mortality was also lower in patients who underwent CABG compared to patients in the CABG+MVR group. However, the difference was statistically insignificant (RR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.77, 1.02). No significant differences were reported in the EF score between patients who underwent CABG and patients who underwent CABG plus MVR (mean difference [MD]: 0.40, 95% CI: -1.90, 2.69). NYHA score was significantly lower in patients in the CABG+repair group compared to the CABG alone group (MD: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.72). In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests that concomitant MVR during CABG may not improve clinical outcomes in patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation. Further clinical trials are needed to investigate this intervention in more detail.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Independent Predictors for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Patients Presenting With Sepsis.

The current meta-analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with sepsis. The present meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the MOOSE (Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines. We conducted a systematic search using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases for studies published between 1 January 2000 and 28 February 2023 that assessed the predictors of ARDS in patients with sepsis. We used key terms such as "predictors," "acute respiratory distress syndrome," and "sepsis" to search for relevant articles. Our search was limited to human studies published in English. A total of six studies were included in this meta-analysis. Of the six studies, four were retrospective and two were prospective. The pooled incidence of ARDS was 11.27%. We identified six factors with a consistent and statistically significant association with ARDS, including sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, pulmonary sepsis, smoking, pancreatitis, and C-reactive protein. Age, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were not found to be significantly associated with ARDS in this patient population. It is important for healthcare providers to consider these predictors when assessing patients with sepsis and septic shock to identify those at high risk for developing ARDS and implement appropriate preventive measures.

Comparison of Effectiveness and Safety of Low-Dose Versus Standard-Dose Intravenous Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis.

The aim of the present meta-analysis is to compare the efficacy and safety of low-dose and standard-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activators (r-tPA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The present meta-analysis was conducted according to the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies published between January 1, 2010, and January 31, 2023, using the following terms: "stroke," "alteplase," "doses," "efficacy," "tissue plasminogen activator," "r-tPA," and "safety." Primary efficacy outcomes included favorable outcomes (Modified Rankin Scale scores of 0-2), while secondary efficacy outcome was all-cause mortality at 90 days. Safety outcomes included asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and symptomatic ICH assessed using the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) study and the Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-Monitoring (SITS-MOST) study. We also compared parenchymal hematomas as safety outcome between the two groups defined by the authors themselves in their research. A total of 16 studies were included in the present meta-analysis. The meta-analysis did not report any significant difference between low-dose and standard-dose r-tPA in terms of mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH), asymptomatic ICH, and parenchymal hematomas. However, the favorable outcome was significantly greater in patients receiving a standard dose of r-tPA.

Evaluation of the Effects of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials.

The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This meta-analysis was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic search was conducted independently by two authors using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from inception to January 15, 2023. Primary clinical outcomes assessed in this meta-analysis were changes in maximum waking distance (MWD) and pain-free walking distance (PFWD) from baseline. Other outcomes assessed included change in ankle brachial pressure index (ABI) and degree of arterial stenosis. Four RCTs involving a total of 228 patients were included. Change of PFWD and MWD from baseline was significantly higher in patients randomized in the ESWT group as compared to the control group. No significant differences were reported between the two groups in terms of change in ABI from baseline. In conclusion, this meta-analysis of four randomized controlled trials found evidence that ESWT is an effective treatment for patients with PAD in terms of improving PFWD and MWD and reducing stenosis. However, there was no significant difference in the improvement of the ankle-brachial index between the study groups.