Feasibility of Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with a History of Intracranial Bleeding: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is performed in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke. The patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage were excluded from the pioneer randomized controlled trials. The purpose of this systemic review was to evaluate the data from observational studies reporting the efficacy and safety of LAAO in patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage. METHODS: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, Global Index Medicus, and ClinicalTrials.gov data sources were utilized for data collection. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies met the inclusion criteria that included seven retrospective observational and five prospective observational studies. A total of seven hundred and twenty-seven patients with a history of intracranial hemorrhage underwent percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion. There were 11 events of recurrent intracranial hemorrhage, 12 ischemic strokes, 4 transient ischemic attacks, and 26 all-cause deaths. The duration of follow-up varied from 3 months to 3.6 years in the included studies. CONCLUSION: Left atrial appendage occlusion can potentially be an effective and relatively safe treatment option to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in selected patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients and history of intracranial hemorrhage. Future prospective randomized trials are needed to validate this approach.

Cardiac Dysrhythmias Associated With Substitutive Use of Loperamide: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Recently, several deaths secondary to cardiac arrhythmias have been reported in association with substitutive use of loperamide. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of all reported cases to overview the epidemiologic patterns and clinical outcomes to better elucidate loperamide-induced cardiac complications. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY: Association between substitutive use of loperamide and cardiac arrhythmias. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across 6 databases using variety of keywords to identify all reports of cardiac side effects associated with loperamide abuse. Only original case reports of cardiac toxicity or cardiac arrhythmias after loperamide abuse or overuse were included. Data were extracted by 2 authors independently using a structured template from the selected reports. Quality assessment of the reports was performed by using a high-quality evaluation tool. RESULTS: Thirteen reports describing 19 cases were included in our review. Except for coronary artery spasm in one case, cardiac arrhythmias were the major reported cardiac adverse event. The average age of patients was 31 years with majority being men (79%). The most common presentation was syncope (63%). All cases were reported in US except for 1 case. Three patients were concomitantly taking cimetidine, which is known to cause inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP2C8 leading to increased levels of loperamide. Thirteen of 19 patients were successfully treated and discharged in a stable condition. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that measures such as restricting over-the-counter availability of loperamide and increasing awareness regarding loperamide's toxicity are imperative to prevent deaths associated with loperamide abuse.

Quantifying absolute benefit for adjuvant treatment options in renal cell carcinoma: A living interactive systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess comparative effectiveness of adjuvant therapies for renal cell carcinoma and quantify the absolute benefit of adjuvant treatments by clinicopathological risk groups. METHODS: This 'living' review was conducted using Living Interactive Evidence (LIvE) synthesis framework. RESULTS: The 'living' results are available on an interactive website. This network meta-analysis, including six RCTs with 7525 participants, showed that pembrolizumab (rank 1) significantly improved disease-free survival and overall survival compared with sunitinib but not when compared to pazopanib, and axitinib. The risk of treatment-related grade 3 or higher adverse events was increased with pembrolizumab as compared to placebo and axitinib but not when compared to sunitinib. The absolute benefit of adjuvant pembrolizumab increases substantially with larger tumor size, nodal positivity and higher Leibovich scores. CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that pembrolizumab delays disease progression compared to sunitinib. A risk-adapted strategy should be used in patients undergoing consideration for treatment with adjuvant pembrolizumab.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants Compared With Dalteparin for Treatment of Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: A Living, Interactive Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To maintain living, interactive evidence (LIvE) on the benefits and harms of different treatment options in adults with cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT). METHODS: We have used a novel LIvE synthesis framework to maintain this living, interactive systematic review since September 19, 2018. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared with low-molecular-weight heparin for CAT are included in this analysis. Details of LIvE synthesis framework are available at the website https://cat.network-meta-analysis.com. RESULTS: The results are constantly updated as new information becomes available (https://cat.network-meta-analysis.com/CAT.html). The living, interactive systematic review currently includes 4 randomized controlled trials (N=2894). Direct comparisons show that DOACs significantly decrease recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) events compared with dalteparin (odds ratio [OR], 0.59; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.86; I2, 25%) without significantly increasing major bleeding (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.83 to 2.18; I2, 28%). Mixed treatment comparisons show that apixaban (OR, 0.41; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.16 to 0.95) and rivaroxaban (OR, 0.58; 95% CrI, 0.37 to 0.90) significantly decrease VTE recurrent events compared with dalteparin. Edoxaban significantly increases major bleeding compared with dalteparin (OR, 1.73; 95% CrI, 1.04 to 3.16), and rivaroxaban significantly increases clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding compared with dalteparin and other DOACs. There are no significant differences between DOACs in terms of VTE recurrences and major bleeding. CONCLUSION: DOACs should be considered a standard of care for the treatment of CAT except in patients with a high risk of bleeding. Current evidence favors the use of apixaban for the treatment of CAT among other DOACs. REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/dth86).

Rivaroxaban: Expanded Role in Cardiovascular Disease Management-A Literature Review.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are widely used for the prevention of stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and as prophylaxis after hip and knee surgery after approval by the Food and Drug Administration. In the last decade, DOACs were studied for various indications; this review is focused on rivaroxaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, which is used in an expanded evidence-based fashion for coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, heart failure, malignancy, and prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis in acute medical illnesses.

Contemporary Management of Pancreatic Cancer from an Internist Perspective.

Primary care physicians are in a favorable position to curb the growing burden of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. This review aims to provide an overview of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from a primary care perspective, with a specific focus on risk factors, selection of high-risk individuals for screening, patient presentation at the primary-care clinic, and the role of the internist in supportive care. Overall, the internist is an essential member of the multidisciplinary care team with respect to optimizing patients' quality of life across various stages of the pancreatic cancer.

A Living, Interactive Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of First-line Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

CONTEXT: Identifying the most effective first-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is challenging as rapidly evolving data quickly outdate the existing body of evidence, and current approaches to presenting the evidence in user-friendly formats are fraught with limitations. OBJECTIVE: To maintain living evidence for contemporary first-line treatment for previously untreated mRCC. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We have created a living, interactive systematic review (LISR) and network meta-analysis for first-line treatment of mRCC using data from randomized controlled trials comparing contemporary treatment options with single-agent tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We applied an advanced programming and artificial intelligence-assisted framework for evidence synthesis to create a living search strategy, facilitate screening and data extraction using a graphical user interface, automate the frequentist network meta-analysis, and display results in an interactive manner. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: As of October 22, 2020, the LISR includes data from 14 clinical trials. Baseline characteristics are summarized in an interactive table. The cabozantinib + nivolumab combination (CaboNivo) is ranked the highest for the overall response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival, whereas ipilimumab + nivolumab (NivoIpi) is ranked the highest for achieving a complete response (CR). NivoIpi, and atezolizumab + bevacizumab (AteBev) were ranked highest (lowest toxicity) and CaboNivo ranked lowest for treatment-related adverse events (AEs). Network meta-analysis results are summarized as interactive tables and plots, GRADE summary-of-findings tables, and evidence maps. CONCLUSIONS: This innovative living and interactive review provides the best current evidence on the comparative effectiveness of multiple treatment options for patients with untreated mRCC. Trial-level comparisons suggest that CaboNivo is likely to cause more AEs but is ranked best for all efficacy outcomes, except NivoIpi offers the best chance of CR. Pembrolizumab + axitinib and NivoIpi are acceptable alternatives, except NivoIpi may not be preferred for patients with favorable risk. Although network meta-analysis provides rankings with statistical adjustments, there are inherent biases in cross-trial comparisons with sparse direct evidence that does not replace randomized comparisons. PATIENT SUMMARY: It is challenging to decide the best option among the several treatment combinations of immunotherapy and targeted treatments for newly diagnosed metastatic kidney cancer. We have created interactive evidence summaries of multiple treatment options that present the benefits and harms and evidence certainty for patient-important outcomes. This evidence is updated as soon as new studies are published.

Gender Differences in Faculty Rank and Leadership Positions Among Hematologists and Oncologists in the United States.

PURPOSE: Gender disparity persists in academic medicine. Female faculty are underrepresented in leadership positions and have lower research output. We studied gender differences in faculty rank and departmental leadership and contributing factors among academic hematologists and oncologists in the United States. METHODS: For clinical faculty at 146 hematology or oncology fellowship programs listed in the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database, we collected data on demographics, academic rank, and research output using the Doximity and Scopus databases. We compared unadjusted characteristics of men and women by using 2-sided t tests and χ2 tests where appropriate. To predict probability of full professorship or leadership position among men versus women, we performed multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for clinical experience in years, number of publications, h-index, clinical trial investigator status, National Institutes of Health funding, and workplace ranking (top 20 v not). RESULTS: Two thousand one hundred sixty academic hematologists and oncologists were included. Women composed 21.9% (n = 142) of full professors, 35.7% (n = 169) of associate professors, and 45.4% (n = 415) of assistant professors. Thirty percent (n = 70) of departmental leaders were women. Female faculty, compared with male faculty, had a lower mean h-index (12.1 v 20.9, respectively; P < .001) and fewer years of professional experience since fellowship (10 v 16 years, respectively; P < .001). After adjusting for duration of clinical experience, academic productivity, and workplace ranking, the odds of obtaining professorship (odds ratio [OR], 1.05; 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.57; P = .85) or divisional leadership (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.20 to 1.58; P = .28) for female physicians were not different compared with male physicians. CONCLUSION: Gender disparity exists in senior ranks of academic hematology and oncology; however, gender is not a significant predictor in achieving professorship or department leadership position.

Disease Milestones through Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Cited Articles in Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) accounts for 1.6% of all cancers and 5%-10% of all hematologic malignancies in the United States (US). Despite marked progress in disease management, it remains incurable with high rates of relapse. We conducted a bibliographic analysis on the Web of Science (WOS) from July 25, 2017 and July 29, 2017. Among the top 100 most-cited articles (1901-2012), the most cited article received 2404 citations and least cited article received 336 citations. Forty-four of 100 articles were published in journals with impact factors greater than 20. We observed that over the years, the focus of research has shifted from diagnosis, staging, and pathogenesis to better treatment outcomes. A subgroup analysis of the top 100 cited articles published in the last five years (2012-2017) demonstrated that several landmark studies, which will likely change the landscape of treating multiple myeloma, were not included in the top 100 list. Interestingly, most of these articles were focused on novel therapeutic agents. This bibliographic analysis provides a list of the 100 top-cited articles in multiple myeloma along with the captivating comprehension of the history and development in various aspects of disease processes. The landscape of this disease is rapidly evolving, and bibliometric studies such as the one presented provide a valuable tool that can highlight the important transitions in the field.

Role of one, two and three doses of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous transplantation in the treatment of high-risk or relapsed testicular cancer: a systematic review.

Approximately 20-30% of patients with metastatic germ cell cancers (GCCs) can develop relapsed or refractory (RR) disease, about 40-50% of patients who relapse after salvage chemotherapy may reach long-term remission. The goal of this review was to identify patients who appear to benefit from high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). To access this, we performed a systematic medical literature review to evaluate the effectiveness of HDCT in the frontline setting, as well as in patients with RR testicular cancer. We searched databases for interventional clinical studies and identified 5883 studies. We selected 49 studies for inclusion, which included a total of 5985 patients. Seventeen studies reported results of newly diagnosed poor-risk GCC patients and 32 studies reported results of RR patients. For newly diagnosed patients with poor prognostic predictors, a risk adjusted strategy using unfavorable tumor marker decline with initial standard chemotherapy regimen and upfront HDCT demonstrated improved outcomes. Our data suggest a minimum of two HDCT cycles with ASCT should be standard of care for patients with RR GCC. Failure of HDCT results in a poor prognosis with only 10% of patients achieving lasting remission with salvage therapy.

All That Wheezes Is Not Asthma: A Case of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Larynx.

Localized laryngeal lymphoma is a rare entity with an incidence of less than 1% of all laryngeal neoplasms. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of laryngeal neoplasms. Here, we describe a case of a young 28-year-old female with large B-cell lymphoma who remained undiagnosed for a long time owing to a myriad of nonspecific presentation including "wheezing." Although primary laryngeal lymphomas constitute a diagnostic challenge since they are rare, one should have a high index of suspicion for lymphoma of the larynx in patients presenting with unresolved wheezing as it can present catastrophically with acute airway obstruction requiring immediate surgical intervention which was observed in this case. Treatment includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these. We hope that the discussions ensuing from case reports regarding uncommon presentations of laryngeal lymphoma may spur the formation of regional/international databases for the description of lymphomas with unusual presentations. This effort can lead to in-depth study of cases and prompt awareness of "rare and subtle presentations" of laryngeal lymphoma.

Anti-CD 19 and anti-CD 20 CAR-modified T cells for B-cell malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Chimeric antigen receptor modified T cells targeting CD19 and CD20 have shown activity in Phase I, II trials of patients with hematological malignancies. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all published clinical trials studying the role of efficacy as well as safety of CD-19 and CD-20 chimeric antigen receptor-T therapy for B-cell hematologic malignancies. A total of 16 studies with 195 patients were identified. The pooled analysis showed an overall response rate of 61% (118/195) with complete response of 42% (81/195) and partial response of 19% (37/195). Major adverse events were cytokine release syndrome 33%, neurotoxicity 33% and B-cell aplasia 54%. Collectively, the results indicate encouraging response in relapsed/refractory B lymphoma and leukemia, especially in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients.