Cardiac Contractility Modulation in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Review of Literature.

Heart failure is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advancements in guideline-directed medical therapy and improvements in device-based therapies, patients with advanced heart failure have high rates of mortality regardless of ejection fraction. For patients with reduced ejection fraction who meet criteria, cardiac resynchronization therapy or implantable cardiac defibrillators are options available to improve outcomes. However, not all heart failure patients meet those criteria. Cardiac contractility modulation is an innovative therapy that serves to improve functional outcomes and quality of life, while also modifying pathologic gene expression and preventing further remodeling. In this article, we aim to discuss the major clinical trials investigating cardiac contractility modulation as a suitable therapy for patients with advanced heart failure.

A longitudinal analysis of tobacco use in younger and older U.S. veterans.

United States (U.S.) veterans are prone to higher rates of smoking and smoking-related disease. We describe the prevalence of cigarette and non-cigarette product use and determine longitudinal predictors of tobacco use transitions in this vulnerable population. Data are from Waves 1 (2013-2014) and 2 (2014-2015) of the adult cohort in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health. Wave 1 prevalence was calculated for past 30-day use of all queried tobacco products, and compared by veteran status. Weighted multinomial logistic regression was used to determine predictors-demographics, substance use, and physical and psychological comorbidities-of tobacco use transitions (continued use, initiation, and cessation) among veterans. Compared to non-veterans, use of nearly all tobacco products was significantly higher among veterans and was highest among younger veterans. Compared to continued nonusers, continued users were more likely to: be of younger age (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.95-0.96), have poorer physical health (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.22-2.06) and mental health (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.18-1.85), report substance use (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.21-2.64), and report problematic alcohol use (OR = 4.23, 95% CI: 2.38-7.52) and were less likely to be female (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.35-0.93). Compared to continued nonusers, initiators were more likely to report problematic alcohol use (OR = 8.63, 95% CI: 3.79-19.63), and those in the cessation category were more likely to be of younger age (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99). Cigarette and non-cigarette use is especially prevalent among young veterans, so prevention should begin during military service. Tobacco cessation programs should be tailored for this population, incorporating aspects related to concomitant health conditions.

The Agile Deployment of Machine Learning Models in Healthcare.

The continuous delivery of applied machine learning models in healthcare is often hampered by the existence of isolated product deployments with poorly developed architectures and limited or non-existent maintenance plans. For example, actuarial models in healthcare are often trained in total separation from the client-facing software that implements the models in real-world settings. In practice, such systems prove difficult to maintain, to calibrate on new populations, and to re-engineer to include newer design features and capabilities. Here, we briefly describe our product team's ongoing efforts at translating an existing research pipeline into an integrated, production-ready system for healthcare cost estimation, using an agile methodology. In doing so, we illustrate several nearly universal implementation challenges for machine learning models in healthcare, and provide concrete recommendations on how to proactively address these issues.

Endovascular Treatment of Carotid-Internal Jugular Venous Fistula in a Bomb Blast Victim.

Carotid-internal jugular venous fistula is one of the rarest presentations among victims of bomb blast injuries. Treatment of such fistula is open surgery with high mortality and morbidity. Endovascular treatment with covered stent seems to have an optimal result with low complications. We present a case report of a bomb blast victim having carotid-jugular venous fistula with hemodynamic compromise. The patient was successfully managed with endovascular graft stent. There was an optimal result with no immediate and long-term complications.