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Current Problems in Cardiology Jun 2023Coronavirus disease 19 (Covid-19) has been declared as a pandemic disease since March 2020; causing wide array of signs and symptoms, many of which result in increased... (Review)
Review
Coronavirus disease 19 (Covid-19) has been declared as a pandemic disease since March 2020; causing wide array of signs and symptoms, many of which result in increased mortality rates worldwide. Although it was initially known as an acute respiratory disease, Covid-19 is accompanied with several extrapulmonary manifestations, of which the cardiovascular ones are of major importance. Among other cardiovascular complications of Covid-19, aortic dissection has been a significant yet underrated problem. The pathophysiology of aortic dissection consists of various inflammatory pathways, that could be influenced by Covid-19 infection. We herein have reviewed articles inclusive of aortic dissection concurrent with Covid-19 infection in a systematic manner, along with the probable similarities in pathophysiology of aortic dissection with Covid-19 infection.
Topics: Humans; Aortic Dissection; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 35139402
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2022.101129 -
European Journal of Vascular and... Oct 2022To assess the efficacy and safety of carotid artery stenting for the treatment of extracranial carotid artery dissection (CAD). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and safety of carotid artery stenting for the treatment of extracranial carotid artery dissection (CAD).
DATA SOURCES
Systematic review using Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library.
REVIEW METHODS
A systematic search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis statement. Data from the eligible studies were extracted and meta-analysed. Primary endpoints included post-operative mortality, cerebrovascular events (CEs), and modified Rankin Score for neurological disability (mRS) at 90 days. Subgroup analyses were performed between stenting of spontaneous and traumatic CAD, primary stenting vs. stenting after failed medical therapy (FMT), and stenting of CAD in the presence of tandem occlusions vs. stenting of isolated extracranial CAD.
RESULTS
Twenty-four studies with 1 224 patients were included. Pooled post-operative mortality, CE, and mRS 0 - 2 rates were 1.71% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83 - 2.80), 6.45% (95% CI 2.80 - 11.10), and 76.13% (95% CI 64.15 - 86.50), respectively. The pooled stroke rate was 2.16% (95% CI 0.0 - 6.64). Spontaneous vs. traumatic CAD mortality rates were 3.20% (95% CI 1.80 - 4.88) and 0.00% (95% CI 0.00 - 1.59) while CE rates were 14.26% (95% CI 6.28 - 24.36) and 1.64% (95% CI 0.0 - 6.08). Primary stenting and stenting after FMT mortality rates were 0.63% (95% CI 0.0 - 5.63) and 0.0% (95% CI 0.0 - 2.24), while CE rates were 5.02% (95% CI 0.38 - 12.63) and 3.33% (95% CI 0.12 - 9.03). Mortality rates for tandem occlusions and isolated extracranial CAD were 5.62% (95% CI 1.76 - 10.83) and 0.23% (95% CI 0.0 - 1.88), respectively, while CE rates were 15.28% (95% CI 6.23 - 26.64) and 1.88% (95% CI 0.23 - 4.51). The methodological index for non-randomised studies score was 8.66 (low).
CONCLUSION
Both primary stenting and stenting of spontaneous CAD yielded unfavourable results with respect to stent thrombosis and stroke rates. Conversely, stenting following FMT had acceptable mortality and complication rates corroborating the use of stenting in the setting of CAD as a second line treatment. Due to the low quality of the included studies, definite conclusions cannot be drawn necessitating further research.
Topics: Humans; Stents; Carotid Stenosis; Treatment Outcome; Carotid Arteries; Stroke; Aortic Dissection
PubMed: 35961627
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2022.07.048 -
The Canadian Journal of Cardiology Nov 2023Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a serious, noniatrogenic and nontraumatic cardiac event that predominantly affects women, with a high risk of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a serious, noniatrogenic and nontraumatic cardiac event that predominantly affects women, with a high risk of recurrence. Secondary prevention strategies are not well understood in this population. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to determine the current evidence on secondary prevention strategies and their effect on recurrent cardiac events and quality of life (QOL).
METHODS
A literature search was conducted on August 21, 2021, of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library (via Wiley), Google Scholar, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. Literature on adult SCAD survivors who underwent secondary prevention measures with reported outcomes on major adverse cardiovascular events or QOL were included. Articles solely on pregnancy-associated SCAD or fibromuscular dysplasia were excluded.
RESULTS
Thirty studies were included in this review. A variety of research methodologies were explored. There were no randomized controlled trials. Overall, the quality of the evidence was moderate. Although evidence on secondary prevention was limited, tailored medical management was shown to have the most effect on decreasing recurrent events. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) was supported as a safe and effective program for SCAD patients, with no reported associations with recurrent SCAD events or major adverse cardiovascular events. CR along with psychosocial interventions showed promise in improving QOL in SCAD survivors.
CONCLUSIONS
Medical management has the most effect in reducing recurrent events. CR, as a secondary prevention program, can provide interventions that might improve QOL. Randomized trial evidence on therapies for patients with SCAD are needed.
Topics: Adult; Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Myocardial Infarction; Quality of Life; Coronary Vessels; Secondary Prevention; Vascular Diseases; Coronary Vessel Anomalies; Coronary Angiography
PubMed: 37604409
DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2023.08.013 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Aug 2022Currently, the standard method for staging and treatment of axillary lymph nodes for early-stage breast cancer is sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), while axillary lymph... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Comparing Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients with Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis with and without Completion Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
BACKGROUND
Currently, the standard method for staging and treatment of axillary lymph nodes for early-stage breast cancer is sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), while axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is used in cases with palpable axillary lymph nodes or positive SLNB cases. The aim of this review was to compare overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and axillary recurrence in early-stage breast cancer patients underwent SLNB or SLNB and completion ALND.
METHODS
The databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched using the key words of "breast cancer", "axillary lymph node dissection", and "sentinel lymph node dissection". In addition, other sources were searched for ongoing studies (i.e., clinicaltrials.gov). The clinical trials were evaluated based on the Jadad quality criteria, and cohort studies were evaluated according to the STROBE criteria. At the end of the search, the articles were screened independently by two reviewers to check their eligibility to be included in the study. Afterwards, the data were extracted independently by two researchers.
RESULTS
After searching the databases, 169 papers were retrieved. However, after removing the duplicates and studying the titles and abstracts of these papers, only ten ones underwent further investigation. After reading full-text of each article, four studies were finalized. Following a manual search, 27 papers were entered into the study for the final evaluation, 11 of which were included in the meta-analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings showed no significant differences in OS, DFS, and axillary recurrence in early-stage breast cancer patients underwent SLNB or SLNB and completion ALND.
CONCLUSION
The findings did not confirm that ALND improved OS, DFS, and axillary recurrence in patients who were clinically node-negative and positive SLNB.
Topics: Axilla; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Lymph Node Excision; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Neoplasm Staging; Sentinel Lymph Node; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
PubMed: 36037108
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2022.23.8.2561 -
Neurosurgical Review Dec 2022Augmented and virtual reality (AR, VR) are becoming promising tools in neurosurgery. AR and VR can reduce challenges associated with conventional approaches via the... (Review)
Review
Augmented and virtual reality (AR, VR) are becoming promising tools in neurosurgery. AR and VR can reduce challenges associated with conventional approaches via the simulation and mimicry of specific environments of choice for surgeons. Awake craniotomy (AC) enables the resection of lesions from eloquent brain areas while monitoring higher cortical and subcortical functions. Evidence suggests that both surgeons and patients benefit from the various applications of AR and VR in AC. This paper investigates the application of AR and VR in AC and assesses its prospective utility in neurosurgery. A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Our search results yielded 220 articles. A total of six articles consisting of 118 patients have been included in this review. VR was used in four papers, and the other two used AR. Tumour was the most common pathology in 108 patients, followed by vascular lesions in eight patients. VR was used for intraoperative mapping of language, vision, and social cognition, while AR was incorporated in preoperative training of white matter dissection and intraoperative visualisation and navigation. Overall, patients and surgeons were satisfied with the applications of AR and VR in their cases. AR and VR can be safely incorporated during AC to supplement, augment, or even replace conventional approaches in neurosurgery. Future investigations are required to assess the feasibility of AR and VR in various phases of AC.
Topics: Humans; Wakefulness; Augmented Reality; Virtual Reality; Craniotomy; Neurosurgical Procedures
PubMed: 36529827
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-022-01929-7 -
Dermatology and Therapy Nov 2023Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by abscesses, nodules, fistulas, and scarring alopecia. Management of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by abscesses, nodules, fistulas, and scarring alopecia. Management of this oftentimes debilitating dermatosis can be challenging due to its recalcitrant nature. There is limited data regarding the efficacy of treatment options for DCS.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to explore the efficacy and safety of reported DCS treatments.
METHODS
In October 2022, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for articles on treatments for DCS. Studies that contained outcome efficacy data for DCS treatments were included. Reviews, conference abstracts, meta-analyses, commentaries, non-relevant articles, and articles with no full-text available were excluded. Data extraction was performed by two independent reviewers.
RESULTS
A total of 110 relevant articles with 417 patients were identified. A majority of studies (86.4%) were case reports or series. Treatment options included systemic antibiotics, oral retinoids, biologics, procedural treatments, combination agents, and topical treatments. Oral retinoids and photodynamic therapy were the most extensively studied medical and procedural interventions, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Overall, randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate various treatment regimens for DCS and provide patients with a robust, evidence-based approach to therapy.
PubMed: 37740150
DOI: 10.1007/s13555-023-01018-7 -
International Cancer Conference Journal Oct 2022The number of elderly patients in gastric cancer surgery is rapidly rising. Almost all data on gastric cancer in people over the age of 80 come from a single... (Review)
Review
The number of elderly patients in gastric cancer surgery is rapidly rising. Almost all data on gastric cancer in people over the age of 80 come from a single institution, and there is no systematic review of a large number of patients. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer surgery who were aged 80 years or older. From January 2010 to November 2021, reports on gastric cancer in the elderly aged 80 and over were gathered. We searched PubMed for "Gastric cancer and elderly and 80 years old" as a keyword, and 253 reports were extracted. The Ichushi-Web database was also searched using the phrase "stomach cancer and 80 years old," and 366 records were found. The random-effect model was used to determine the average 5-year survival rate, and the heterogeneity was evaluated. The proportion of male patients, patients who had surgery after 2010, patients with stage I, total gastrectomy, lymph node dissection, and the presence of complications were used as the explanatory variables in meta-regressions to investigate the cause of prognosis variability. More than 50 surgical cases were reported, 8 from PubMed and 2 from the Ichushi-Web database, with information on surgical procedures, prognosis, and complications, in a total of 1182 patients. Of the ten reports, eight were from Japan and two were from South Korea and Taiwan. The number of patients ranged from 55 to 217, with an average 5-year survival rate of 57%. In terms of the relationship between the time of surgery and prognosis, the overall prognosis for patients who had surgery before 2010 and those who had surgery after 2010 was almost similar. Reports with a high proportion of stage I showed a good prognosis. The rate of total gastrectomy, the proportion of lymph node dissection above D1 + , or surgical complications had no effect on prognosis. Patients with gastric cancer aged 80 years or older who underwent radical surgery had a 5-year survival rate of up to 57%. Postoperative complications appeared to have a minor impact.
PubMed: 36186225
DOI: 10.1007/s13691-022-00563-w -
Gynecologic Oncology Mar 2023The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the proportion and risk factors of lymphoceles and symptomatic lymphoceles after PLND in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the proportion and risk factors of lymphoceles and symptomatic lymphoceles after PLND in early-stage cervical and early-stage high or high-intermediate risk endometrial cancer.
METHODS
Studies reporting on the proportion of lymphocele after PLND were conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. Retrieved studies were screened on title/abstract and full text by two reviewers independently. Quality assessment was conducted using the Newcastle Ottowa Scale and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Proportion of lymphocele and possible risk factors were pooled through random-effects meta-analyses.
RESULTS
From the 233 studies retrieved, 24 studies were included. The pooled proportion of lymphocele was 14% and of symptomatic lymphocele was 3%. Routinely performing diagnostics was associated with a significantly higher proportion of lymphocele compared to diagnostics performed on indication (21% versus 4%, p < 0.01). Laparotomic surgical approach led to a significantly higher proportion of lymphoceles than laparoscopic surgical approach (18% versus 7%, p = 0.05). The proportion of lymphocele was significantly higher when >15% of the study population underwent additional paraaortic lymph node dissection (PAOLND) opposed to <15% (15% versus 3%, p < 0.01). A mean number of lymph nodes dissected of <21 resulted in a significantly higher pooled proportion of lymphoceles opposed to when the mean number was 21 or higher (19% versus 5%, p = 0.02). Other risk factors analysed were BMI, lymph node metastasis, adjuvant radiotherapy and follow up. There was no sufficient data to detect significant risk factors for the development of symptomatic lymphoceles.
CONCLUSION
The pooled proportion of lymphocele was 14% of which symptomatic lymphoceles occurred in 3%. Significant risk factors for the total proportion of lymphoceles were laparotomic approach, decreased number of lymph nodes dissected and additional PAOLND.
Topics: Female; Humans; Lymphocele; Lymph Node Excision; Lymph Nodes; Laparoscopy; Endometrial Neoplasms; Pelvis; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 36738486
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.01.022 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Nov 2021The standard surgical approach to Stanford type A aortic dissection is open repair. However, up to one in four patients will be declined surgery because of prohibitive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The standard surgical approach to Stanford type A aortic dissection is open repair. However, up to one in four patients will be declined surgery because of prohibitive risk. Patients who are treated nonoperatively have an unacceptably high mortality. Endovascular repair of the ascending aorta is emerging as an alternative treatment for a select group of patients. The reported rates of technical success, mortality, stroke, and reintervention have varied. The objective of the study was to systematically report outcomes for acute type A dissections repaired using an endovascular approach.
METHODS
The systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. We performed online literature database searches through April 2020. The demographic and procedural characteristics of the individual studies were tabulated. Data on technical success, short-term mortality, stroke, and reintervention were extracted and underwent meta-analysis using a random effects model.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies with 80 cases of aortic dissection (55 acute and 25 subacute) were included in the final analysis. A wide variation was found in technique and device design across the studies. The outcomes rates were estimated at 17% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10%-26%) for mortality, 15% (95% CI, 8%-23%) for technical failure, 11% (95% CI, 6%-19%) for stroke and 18% (95% CI, 9%-31%) for reintervention. The mean Downs and Black quality assessment score was 13.9 ± 3.2.
CONCLUSIONS
The technique for endovascular repair of type A aortic dissection is feasible and reproducible. The results of our meta-analysis demonstrate an acceptable safety profile for inoperable patients who otherwise would have an extremely poor prognosis. Data from clinical trials are required before the technique can be introduced into routine clinical practice.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aortic Dissection; Aortic Aneurysm; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Clinical Decision-Making; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Safety; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33592292
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.01.054 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2023The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) comprise a group of inherited connective tissue disorders presenting with variable fragility to skin, soft tissue, and certain internal...
INTRODUCTION
The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) comprise a group of inherited connective tissue disorders presenting with variable fragility to skin, soft tissue, and certain internal organs, which can cause significant complications, particularly arterial rupture, bowel perforation and joint difficulties. Currently, there are 14 proposed subtypes of EDS, with all except one subtype (hypermobile EDS) having an identified genetic etiology. An understanding of the extracutaneous features and complications within each subtype is key to maximizing clinical care and reducing the risk of further complications.
METHODS
A systematic review of EDS-related extracutaneous features and complications was undertaken.
RESULTS
We identified 839 EDS cases that met the inclusion criteria. We noted a high prevalence of joint hypermobility amongst kyphoscoliotic (39/39, 100%), spondylodysplastic (24/25, 96.0%), and hypermobile (153/160, 95.6%) EDS subtypes. The most common musculoskeletal complications were decreased bone density (39/43, 90.7%), joint pain (217/270, 80.4%), and hypotonia/weakness (79/140, 56.4%). Vascular EDS presented with cerebrovascular events (25/153, 16.3%), aneurysm (77/245, 31.4%), arterial dissection/rupture (89/250, 35.5%), and pneumothorax/hemothorax. Chronic pain was the most common miscellaneous complication, disproportionately affecting hypermobile EDS patients (139/157, 88.5%). Hypermobile EDS cases also presented with chronic fatigue (61/63, 96.8%) and gastrointestinal complications (57/63, 90.5%). Neuropsychiatric complications were noted in almost all subtypes.
DISCUSSION
Understanding the extracutaneous features and complications of each EDS subtype may help diagnose and treat EDS prior to the development of substantial comorbidities and/or additional complications.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022308151, identifier CRD42022308151.
PubMed: 36756177
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1053466