Annals of medicine
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The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2), has hit the world very hard by affecting millions of people across countries hence posing a major health threat on a global scale. This novel virus is thought to enter and cause infection in its host through the attachment of its structural protein known as the S-glycoprotein to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Given the rapid spread of COVID-19 with its consequences globally, it is mandatory that health caregivers and researchers across all disciplines abreast themselves with the potential effects that this novel virus may have on their fields and the medical society at large. ⋯ As cardiovascular researchers, we are more concerned about the cardiovascular aspect of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. Hence, this concise review addresses these aspects where CVD as a risk factor of COVID-19, the prevalence of CVDs in COVID-19, and the potential cardiovascular disorders which may evolve owing to COVID-19 are discussed. A better understanding of these issues will be pivotal to improve cardiovascular health during this SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
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Comparative Study
Comparing Oscillometric and Tonometric Methods to Assess Pulse Wave Velocity: a population-based study.
Oscillometric pulse wave velocity (o-PWV) represents an attractive, non invasive and non operator-dependent method to estimate arterial stiffness. Tonometric carotid-femoral measurements (cf-PWV),are considered the gold-standard for non-invasive aortic stiffness assessment. To date, no studies in the general population comparing the two methods have been performed. ⋯ Oscillometric PWV estimates provide reliable values in the general population. An o-PWV tendency to underestimate arterial stiffness in younger subjects and in subjects with diseases known to increase arterial stiffness and to overestimate it with increasing age was found, even if scarcely relevant in clinical perspective. Overall the present findings underline an acceptable and satisfactory agreement between oscillometric and tonometric methods for the PWV assessment. KEY MESSAGES Oscillometric and tonometric PWV estimates showed a good and satisfactory agreement in the general population, above all in subjects without cardiovascular risk factors or a documented vascular damage. In comparison with tonometric values, oscillometric PWV estimates showed, however, the tendency to underestimate arterial stiffness in younger subjects and to overestimate it with increasing age, while diverging when diseases known to increase arterial stiffness are present. The magnitude of differences in PWV estimates between tonometric and oscillometric methods found in the general population appears most likely not to be significant in everyday clinical practice.
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Meta Analysis
Venous thrombotic events in psoriasis patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with numerous comorbidities. Psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and atherosclerotic arterial disease. Inflammatory conditions are known to increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality. However, the relationship between psoriasis and VTE has received little attention and existing studies have shown conflicting results. ⋯ Published data adjusted for key confounders demonstrate in general a significantly increased prevalence of VTE in psoriasis patients. Both psoriasis severity and number of confounders assessed seem to have an impact on this correlation. In this review, we pooled unadjusted data of the studies and we found a non-significant increased risk for VTE in psoriasis patients compared to healthy controls. This discrepancy suggests that psoriasis severity, age, gender or comorbidities may influence the risk of VTE in subgroups of the psoriasis population. Future research to identify subgroups at risk for VTE is warranted.Key messagesThe included studies reported an increased risk of VTE, DVT, PE and RVO in psoriasis patients.A meta-analysis was performed on five studies that reported raw data and showed that the pooled risk ratio for VTE in psoriasis patients overall was increased, however not significantly, compared to healthy controls.Further research to pinpoint psoriasis subgroups at risk (e.g. severe psoriasis patients, younger age, associated comorbidities) of developing VTE is warranted.
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Meta Analysis
Comprehensive meta-analysis of anti-BCMA chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy shows impressive results in clinical trials. We conducted a meta-analysis based on the most recent data to systematically describe the efficacy and safety of anti-BCMA CAR T therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM). ⋯ Anti-BCMA CAR T therapy is effective and safe for patients with R/R MM. It can improve the prognosis of patients with high-risk cytogenetic features while the prognosis of patients with EMD remains poor. Moreover, patients are likely to benefit from an earlier use of CAR T therapy and human-derived CAR T cells have obvious advantages based on the existing data.
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Meta Analysis
Thoracic sympathectomy for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis: systematic review and proportional meta-analysis.
Primary hyperhidrosis is a disorder that involves excessive sweat production, which has a negative impact on the quality of life. ⋯ This review demonstrated that thoracic sympathectomy by VATS is a viable and safe option for the treatment of PAH. There was no difference between high and lower levels of resection. However, the estimation of the effect is quite uncertain because the quality of evidence was extremely low.Key messagePure axillary hyperhidrosis has great potential to compromise quality of life.Surgery should be indicated only when clinical treatment fails.Thoracic sympathectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopy is a viable and safe option for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis.