Atrial Fibrillation and Cognitive Disorders.

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation among older adults is increasing. Research has indicated that atrial fibrillation is linked to cognitive impairment disorders such as Alzheimer and vascular dementia, as well as Parkinson disease. Various mechanisms are believed to be shared between atrial fibrillation and cognitive impairment disorders. The specific pathologies and mechanisms of different cognitive disorders are still being studied. Potential mechanisms include cerebral hypoperfusion, ischemic or hemorrhagic infarction, and cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide. Additionally, circulatory biomarkers and certain infectious organisms appear to be involved. This review offers an examination of the overlapping epidemiology between atrial fibrillation and cognitive disorders, explores different cognitive disorders and their connections with this arrhythmia, and discusses trials and guidelines for preventing and treating atrial fibrillation in patients with cognitive disorders. It synthesizes existing knowledge on the management of atrial fibrillation and identifies areas that require further investigation to bridge the gap in understanding the complex relationship between dementia and atrial fibrillation.

Innovation in pathogenesis and management of aortic aneurysm.

Aortic aneurysm (AA) refers to the persistent dilatation of the aorta, exceeding three centimeters. Investigating the pathophysiology of this condition is important for its prevention and management, given its responsibility for more than 25000 deaths in the United States. AAs are classified based on their location or morphology. various pathophysiologic pathways including inflammation, the immune system and atherosclerosis have been implicated in its development. Inflammatory markers such as transforming growth factor ß, interleukin-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and many more may contribute to this phenomenon. Several genetic disorders such as Marfan syndrome, Ehler-Danlos syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome have also been associated with this disease. Recent years has seen the investigation of novel management of AA, exploring the implication of different immune suppressors, the role of radiation in shrinkage and prevention, as well as minimally invasive and newly hypothesized surgical methods. In this narrative review, we aim to present the new contributing factors involved in pathophysiology of AA. We also highlighted the novel management methods that have demonstrated promising benefits in clinical outcomes of the AA.

Factors Affecting Survival Outcomes in Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Appendix over the Past Two Decades.

BACKGROUND: Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) rank as the third most frequent neoplasm affecting the appendix, originating from enterochromaffin cells. This study aims to evaluate the influence of various prognostic factors on the mortality rates of patients diagnosed with NETs of the appendix. METHODS: Conducted retrospectively, the study involved 3346 patients, utilizing data sourced from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Our analysis centered on investigating demographic characteristics, clinical features, overall mortality (OM), and cancer-specific mortality (CSM) among the cohort. Variables showing a p-value < 0.1 in the univariate Cox regression were incorporated into the multivariate Cox regression analysis. A Hazard Ratio (HR) > 1 indicated an unfavorable prognosis. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, higher OM and CSM were observed in males, older age groups, tumors with distant metastasis, poorly differentiated tumors, and those who underwent chemotherapy. Non-Hispanic Black individuals showed elevated mortality rates. CONCLUSION: Delayed diagnosis may contribute to the increased mortality in this community. Improved access to healthcare and treatment is crucial for addressing these disparities. Larger prospective studies are needed to pinpoint the underlying causes of elevated mortality in non-Hispanic Black populations, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are warranted to evaluate therapies for advanced-stage appendix NETs.

Impact of Green Tea Consumption on the Prevalence of Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a major global health concern, responsible for significant morbidity, mortality, and disability. To mitigate the impact of CVDs, individuals often seek preventive measures, and one such approach is the consumption of green tea. This study aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the effects of green tea consumption on the prevalence of cardiovascular outcomes. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review using PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant studies. Our analysis revealed that the risk factors associated with CVDs can vary across different diseases, with hypertension being a common risk factor for CVD mortality and CVD. Notably, the consumption of green tea exhibited a positive effect on reducing the prevalence of cardiometabolic risks and hypercholesterolemia. Furthermore, green tea consumption was observed to have a beneficial impact on lowering both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. In conclusion, the studies reviewed in this research suggest that the consumption of green tea has a significant and positive influence on cardiovascular health. These findings highlight the potential of green tea as a valuable component of a healthy lifestyle, offering a promising avenue for its use as a dietary supplement to reduce the risk of CVDs.

Detection and Diagnostic Accuracy of Cardiac Arrhythmias Using Wearable Health Devices: A Systematic Review.

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is the wearable devices' most widely used technology for monitoring heart rate. The systematic review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards and guidelines. This systematic review seeks to establish the effects of wearable health devices on cardiac arrhythmias concerning their impact on the personalization of cardiac management, their refining effect on stroke prevention strategies, and their influence on research and preventive care of cardiac arrhythmias and their re-evaluation of the patient-physician relationship. The population, exposure, control, outcomes, and studies (PECOS) criteria were used in the systematic review. This review considered studies that covered the tests conducted on individuals who presented with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and also healthy people. The intervention for studies included wearable health devices that could detect and diagnose cardiac arrhythmias.  The study considered articles that reported on the personalization of cardiac management, stroke prevention strategies, influence in research and preventive care of cardiac arrhythmias, and the re-evaluation of the patient-physician relationship. Two independent researchers were used in the extraction of the data. In case of dispute, the issue was resolved using a third party. The study's quality analysis was conducted using AXIS. The management of atrial fibrillation (AF) lies heavily in the prevention of stroke. The accuracy being reported in the prediction of arrhythmias and the monitoring of heart rates makes wearable devices an efficient means to personalize health care. Personalization of health and treatment in preventing and managing arrhythmias becomes possible due to the portability of smart wearable devices. However, limitations may be observed due to the high costs incurred in their purchase and use. Using smart wearable devices for the detection of cardiac arrhythmias was very significant.