Conduction system pacing on track to replace CRT? Review of current evidence and prospects of conduction system pacing.

Conduction system pacing (CSP) has been emerging over the last decade as a pacing option instead of conventional right ventricular (RV) pacing and biventricular (BiV) pacing. Numerous case reports, some observational studies and a few randomized control trials have looked at optimum pacing strategies for heart failure (HF) with left bundle branch block (LBBB) or cases where left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is anticipated due to chronic RV pacing (RVP). Evolution of pacing strategies from standard RVP to septal RVP, BiV pacing and now CSP have shown improving hemodynamic responses and possible ease of implantation of CSP systems. In this review article, we review the literature on the evolution of CSP and common scenarios where it might be beneficial.

Prevalence and metric of depression and anxiety in systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To systematically review and synthesize literature on 1) the overall prevalence of depression and anxiety in SLE patients in identified studies, and 2) the pooled prevalence per metrics of depression and anxiety in adult SLE patients. METHODS: This review used (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) PRISMA guidelines and in-depth searches in four databases (1954-2016; Ovid-based Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL) to identify articles on the prevalence of depression and/or anxiety in adult SLE patients. Included studies were critically appraised and analyzed. The prevalence of depression and anxiety was studied for all included studies, and whenever possible, pooled prevalence (PP) was determined for more commonly used metrics. Statistical and publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. RESULT: A total of 3103 references were identified, 226 were selected for detailed review and 72 were included in the final analysis. OVERALL PREVALENCE: The depression PP, obtained from 69 studies representing 23,386 SLE patients, was 35.0% (95% CI: 29.9%-40.3%). The anxiety PP, obtained from 38 studies representing 4439 SLE patients, was 25.8% (95% CI: 19.2%-32.9%). PREVALENCE PER METRICS USED: The more commonly used instruments included the Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression (CES-D), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS-A/D), and Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression/Anxiety (HAM-D/A)]. The CES-D was utilized in 13 studies including 1856 SLE patients; depression PP was 41.5% (95% CI: 35.1%-48.1%). The BDI was utilized in 14 studies including 1355 SLE patients and the BAI in 3 studies including 489 patients; depression PP was 39.9% (95% CI: 31.1%-49.1) and anxiety PP was 38.4% (95% CI: 34.2%-42.8%). The HADS-D was utilized in 14 studies including 1238 SLE patients and the HADS-A in 12 studies including 1099 patients respectively; its depression PP was 24.4% (95% CI: 19.1%-30.1%) and anxiety PP was 38.3% (95% CI: 29.1%-47.9%). The HAM-D was utilized in 4 studies including 267 SLE patients and the HAM-A in 4 studies including 213 patients respectively; its depression PP was 40.0% (95% CI: 23.0%-59.0%) and anxiety PP was 39.0% (95% CI: 32.0%-45.0%). CONCLUSION: There was high variability in the prevalence of depression and anxiety, ranging from 8.7%-78.6% and 1.1%-71.4%, respectively. This could be attributed to the lack of consistency in the metrics used and its definition for depression and anxiety in SLE. Studies that used a specific metric, such as the CES-D, BDI or HAM-D, yielded similar depression prevalence. The HADS-D had the lowest prevalence. All metrics of anxiety yielded similar anxiety prevalence.

Recent advances in the biologic therapy of lupus: the 10 most important areas to look for common pitfalls in clinical trials.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease affecting different organs. The improved knowledge of the disease's pathogenesis has contributed to the emergence of immune targets and new biologic drugs directed at them. Although rheumatologists continue to use off-label biologics in SLE resistant to other immunosuppressants, only belimumab has been approved as a biological therapy since 2011. AREAS COVERED: In this review, an overview is provided on: 1) the classification of the biologic drugs in clinical trials and of those under research; 2) the results of clinical trials of biologic therapy with an interpretation of pitfalls and syntheses of potential approaches to overcome these pitfalls and, 3) the commonly used disease activity metrics and composite indices for assessing response to drugs. EXPERT OPINION: Some drugs that have failed in previous drug trials have shown to be efficacious in the treatment of lupus in observational studies. Moreover, the post-hoc analyses of the data of negative drug trials have shown that results of the same trials could be altered with the modification of some pitfalls. For future clinical trials, the consideration of these pitfalls is crucial when designing clinical trials. This could potentially enhance the approval of novel drugs for SLE.