Coronary Stent Infections - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary stent infection (CSI) represents a rare but potentially fatal complication of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). A systematic review and meta-analysis of published reports was performed to profile CSI and its management strategies. METHODS: Online database searches were performed using MeSH and keywords. The primary outcome of the study was in-hospital mortality. A unique Artificial Intelligence-based predictive model was developed for need for delayed surgery and probability of survival on medical therapy alone. RESULTS: A total of 79 subjects were included in the study. Twenty eight (35.0 %) patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects most commonly reported symptoms within the first week of the procedure (43 %). Fever was the most common initial symptom (72 %). Thirty eight percent of patients presented with acute coronary syndrome. The presence of mycotic aneurysms was described in 62 % of patients. Staphylococcus species were the most common (65 %) isolated organism. The primary outcome of in-hospital mortality was seen in a total of 24 patients out of 79 (30.3 %). A comparative univariate analysis comparing those encountering in-hospital mortality versus otherwise revealed the presence of structural heart disease (83 % mortality vs 17 % survival, p = 0.009), and the presence of non ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (11 % mortality vs 88 % survival, p = 0.03), to be a statistically significant factor predicting in-hospital mortality. In an analysis between patients with successful versus failed initial medical therapy, patients from private teaching hospitals (80.0 % vs 20.0 %; p = 0.01, n = 10) had a higher survival with medical therapy alone. CONCLUSION: CSI is a highly under-studied disease entity with largely unknown risk factors and clinical outcomes. Larger studies are needed to further define the characteristics of CSI. (PROSPERO ID CRD42021216031).

Mesenteric panniculitis does not confer an increased risk for cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) is a non-specific, localized inflammation at the mesentery of small intestines which often gets detected on computed tomography. An association with malignant neoplasms remains unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the association of malignancy with MP. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched for articles published from inception to 2020 that evaluated the association of malignant neoplasms with MP in comparison with control groups. Using random-effects method, a summary odds ratio (OR) estimate with 95% confidence intervals for malignant neoplasms in MP was estimated. RESULTS: Four case-control studies reporting data on 415 MP patients against 1132 matched-controls met inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The pooled OR for finding a malignant neoplasm in patients with MP was 0.907 (95% CI: 0.688-1.196; P = .489). The heterogeneity was mild and non-significant. Also, there was no heightened risk of any specific type of malignancy with MP. Three more case-series with unmatched-control groups (MP: 282, unmatched-controls: 17,691) were included in a separate analysis where the pooled OR of finding a malignant neoplasm was 2.963 (95% CI: 1.434-6.121; P = .003). There was substantial heterogeneity in this group. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis of matched controlled studies proves absence of any significant association of malignant neoplasms with MP. Our study also demonstrates that the putative association of malignancy with MP is mainly driven by uncontrolled studies or case-series.

Kawasaki like illness due to COVID-19: a review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Viral infections have been described as triggers for Kawasaki Disease (KD), a medium vessel vasculitis that affects young children. Akin to the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, there is a similar rise in the incidence of KD in children affected with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) has been reported to induce an exaggerated systemic inflammatory response resulting in multi-organ involvement, particularly initiated with pulmonary parenchymal damage. This review article will discuss KD-like manifestations in COVID-19 patients in the pediatric cohort. METHODOLOGY: Search terms "Kawasaki" "COVID-19" "SARS-COV-2" "PIM-TS" and "MIS-C" were used to look for relevant articles in PubMed and Google Scholar published in the last 5 years. RESULTS: There is some evidence to suggest that SARS-CoV-2 stimulates dysfunctional and hyperactive immune reactions mimicking KD in young patients. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic options, both investigational and repurposed, include intravenous immunoglobulins, steroids and anticoagulation. More studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of these treatment options.

Obesity is Associated with Poor Covid-19 Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Our aim was to assess the association between obesity and the risk of unfavourable outcomes (composite of severe disease and mortality) in inpatients with COVID-19. We conducted a systematic search of databases between December 2019 and 28th June 2020. Studies were included if they reported or allowed estimation of an odds ratio (OR) for unfavourable outcome in obese compared to non-obese patients hospitalised for COVID-19. Twenty cohort studies of 28 355 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 infection were included. Meta-analysis estimated a pooled OR of 2.02 (1.41-2.89, p<0.001) for an unfavourable outcome in obese versus non-obese patients when adjusted for age, sex and co-morbidities. When unadjusted for confounders, the OR for unfavourable outcomes was 1.25 (CI 1.07-1.45, p=0.005). An increased adjusted OR was also seen for death (OR 1.51; CI 1.13-2.21, p=0.006) and severe illness (OR 2.26; CI 1.47-3.48, p<0.001). Compared to a normal BMI, the risk of an unfavourable outcome was increased even in overweight patients, with severe obesity having an escalated risk.Obesity is independently associated with an unfavourable outcome of COVID-19 illness, with obese patients having twice the risk of a composite outcome of severe disease or mortality, and a 50% increased risk of death.

Are Adequate Vitamin D Levels Helpful in Fighting COVID-19? A Look at the Evidence.

COVID-19 is a global pandemic with high mortality in vulnerable groups. Given the current lack of definitive treatment or vaccine that significantly reduces mortality rate, governments, researchers and healthcare providers are racing to find possible solutions to the crisis. Vitamin D and its analogues have been previously studied for their non-skeletal benefits. In particular, questions regarding their role in the modulation of immunity have re-surfaced, in view of possible epidemiological links observed between COVID-19 and vitamin D levels in selected populations. In this review, we highlight potential mechanisms and summarise the evidence for and against the potential role of vitamin D supplementation in our fight against COVID-19.

Treatment response and bleeding events associated with anticoagulant therapy of portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Well-defined guidelines for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with cirrhosis are lacking, given the paucity of robust data. Among the available treatment options the best choice is unknown. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases and conference proceedings (through December 2019) to identify studies that reported on the use of anticoagulants in the treatment of PVT in patients with cirrhosis. Our goals were to evaluate the pooled odds ratio (OR) and pooled rate of treatment responders and bleeding events. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies were included: 648 patients were treated with anticoagulation and 96 were controls. Pooled OR for treatment responders was 5.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5-10.2, P = 0.001) and pooled OR for bleeding was 0.4 (95%CI 0.1-1.5, P = 0.2) for anticoagulation treatment versus control. Pooled rate of treatment responders with anticoagulation was 66.7% (95%CI 58.3-74.1) compared to 26% (95%CI 14.2-42.7) for the control group. Pooled rate of bleeding seemed comparable (7.8%, 95%CI 4.5-13.3, and 15.4%, 95%CI 4.3-42.7). On subgroup analysis, pooled rates of treatment responders and bleeding events seemed similar between low molecular weight heparin, vitamin K antagonists, and direct oral anticoagulants. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that anticoagulation is effective and safe in the treatment of PVT in patients with cirrhosis. Owing to the comparable outcomes, direct oral anticoagulants may be considered as first-line treatment, depending on patient preferences.

A case of Lemierre-like Syndrome: internal jugular vein thrombosis secondary to Staphylococcus aureus sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis.

Lemierre syndrome is the internal jugular vein (IJV) suppurative thrombophlebitis, usually secondary to oropharyngeal infection. Staphylococcus aureus is an emerging responsible pathogen. We report a unique case of IJV thrombosis secondary to methicillin-susceptible S. aureus sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis. We review the existing literature on Lemierre syndrome: its various manifestations, causative pathogens, treatment and management.

A Case of Parvovirus-Related Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in a Patient with HbH Disease.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is rare and life-threatening medical emergency. Parvovirus infection is rarely associated with HLH. We report a case of parvovirus-related HLH in a patient with alpha thalassaemia (HbH disease). The patient responded well to a course of dexamethasone without the need of etoposide. Based on our literature search, this is the first case of parvovirus related HLH in a patient with HbH disease in the medical literature.