Angiotensin II in the treatment of distributive shock: a systematic-review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND While non-norepinephrine vasopressors are increasingly used as a rescue therapy in cases of norepinephrine-refractory shock, data on their efficacy are limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize existing literature on the efficacy of Angiotensin II (ATII) in distributive shock. METHODS We pre-registered our meta-analysis with PROSPERO (CRD42023456136). We searched PubMed, Scopus, and gray literature for studies presenting outcomes on ATII use in distributive shock. The primary outcome of the meta-analysis was all-cause mortality. We used a random effects model to calculate pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS By incorporating data from 1555 patients included in 10 studies, we found that however all-cause mortality was similar among patients receiving ATII and controls (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.16, p = 0.81), the reduction in norepinephrine or norepinephrine-equivalent dose at 3 h after treatment initiation was greater among patients receiving ATII (MD -0.06, 95% CI -0.11 to -0.02, p = 0.008), while there were no higher rates of adverse events reported among ATII patients. CONCLUSIONS While ATII did not reduce mortality among distributive shock patients, it allowed for significant adjunctive vasopressor reduction at 3 h without an increase in reported adverse events, deeming it a viable alternative for the increasingly adopted multimodal vasopressor for minimizing catecholamine exposure and its adverse events

Who Let the Dogs Out? Unmasking the Neglected: A Semi-Systematic Review on the Enduring Impact of Toxocariasis, a Prevalent Zoonotic Infection.

Toxocariasis remains an important neglected parasitic infection representing one of the most common zoonotic infections caused by the parasite Toxocara canis or, less frequently, by Toxocara cati. The epidemiology of the disease is complex due to its transmission route by accidental ingestion of embryonated Toxocara eggs or larvae from tissues from domestic or wild paratenic hosts. Even though the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control classified toxocariasis amongst the top six parasitic infections of priority to public health, global epidemiological data regarding the relationship between seropositivity and toxocariasis is limited. Although the vast majority of the infected individuals remain asymptomatic or experience a mild disease, the infection is associated with important health and socioeconomic consequences, particularly in underprivileged, tropical, and subtropical areas. Toxocariasis is a disease with multiple clinical presentations, which are classified into five distinct forms: the classical visceral larva migrans, ocular toxocariasis, common toxocariasis, covert toxocariasis, and cerebral toxocariasis or neurotoxocariasis. Anthelmintic agents, for example, albendazole or mebendazole, are the recommended treatment, whereas a combination with topical or systemic corticosteroids for specific forms is suggested. Prevention strategies include educational programs, behavioral and hygienic changes, enhancement of the role of veterinarians, and anthelmintic regimens to control active infections

Potential use of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors during acute illness: a systematic review based on COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE SGLT-2i are increasingly recognized for their benefits in patients with cardiometabolic risk factors. Additionally, emerging evidence suggests potential applications in acute illnesses, including COVID-19. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of SGLT-2i in patients facing acute illness, particularly focusing on SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, medRxiv, Research Square, and Google Scholar identified 22 studies meeting inclusion criteria, including randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently. RESULTS Out of the 22 studies included in the review, six reported reduced mortality in DM-2 patients taking SGLT-2i, while two found a decreased risk of hospitalization. Moreover, one study demonstrated a lower in-hospital mortality rate in DM-2 patients under combined therapy of metformin plus SGLT-2i. However, three studies showed a neutral effect on the risk of hospitalization. No increased risk of developing COVID-19 was associated with SGLT-2i use in DM-2 patients. Prior use of SGLT-2i was not associated with ICU admission and need for MV. The risk of acute kidney injury showed variability, with inconsistent evidence regarding diabetic ketoacidosis. CONCLUSION Our systematic review reveals mixed findings on the efficacy of SGLT-2i use in COVID-19 patients with cardiometabolic risk factors. While some studies suggest potential benefits in reducing mortality and hospitalizations, others report inconclusive results. Further research is needed to clarify optimal usage and mitigate associated risks, emphasizing caution in clinical interpretation

The Safety and Outcome of Minimally Invasive Staged Segmental Artery Coil Embolization (MIS2ACE) Prior Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Single-Center Study, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND Minimally Invasive Staged Segmental Artery Coil Embolization (MIS2ACE) is a novel technique of spinal cord preconditioning used to reduce the risk of paraplegia in thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. In this study, we report our experience with MIS2ACE, including both degenerative and post-dissection TAAA, while we attempt to systematically summarize relevant data available in the literature. DESIGN single-center observational study with systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. METHODS Initial retrospective analysis of 7 patients undergoing MIS2ACE over 12 sessions with a subsequent systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of the available published data (PROSPERO protocol number: CRD42023477411). Baseline patient and aneurysm characteristics, along with procedural technique and outcomes, were analyzed. One-arm pooling of proportions was used to summarize available published data. RESULTS We treated seven patients (5 males, 71%) with a median age of 69 years (IQR 55,69). According to the Crawford classification, five patients (1%) had extent II TAAA, and two (29%) had extent III TAAA. Five patients (71%) had post-dissection -TAAA; four of them were after Stanford type A dissection, and one had a chronic type B dissection. Three patients (43%) had connective tissue disease. Of the seven patients, six (86%) underwent previous aortic surgery, while the median aneurysm diameter was 58 mm (IQR 55,58). MIS2ACE was successful in 11 sessions (92%). The median number of embolized arteries was 4 (IQR 1,4). There were no periprocedural complications in any embolization. The median embolization-operation time interval was 37.0 days (IQR 31,78). Two patients had open and five endovascular treatment. There were no events of spinal cord ischemia either after MIS2ACE or after the aortic repair. Out of the 432 initially retrieved articles, we included two studies in the meta-analysis, including patients with MIS2ACE for spinal cord preconditioning in addition to our cohort. The prevalence of pooled postoperative spinal cord ischemia among MIS2ACE patients is 1.9% (95% CI -0.028 to 0.066, p = 0.279; 3 studies; 81 patients, 127 coiling sessions). CONCLUSIONS While the current published data is limited, our study further confirms that MIS2ACE is a technically feasible and safe option for spinal cord preconditioning

An Update on Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Purpose of Review To review the recent available evidence on epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical phenotypes, and management of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and summarize potential future research perspectives. Recent Findings Accumulating evidence has further expanded our understanding of the disease, including new data about the incidence and prevalence of APS, novel pathways supporting the role of thrombo-inflammation in APS including platelet, monocyte and endothelial cell activation, pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, complement activation, neutrophil extracellular trap release, and type I interferon gene expression that could yield to new potential treatment targets, better identification of criteria and non-criteria clinical phenotypes, antiphospholipid antibody profiles and their associations with clinical outcomes, prognostic tools, and treatment strategies based on recent evidence-based recommendations for patients with thrombotic and obstetric APS, with or without systemic lupus erythematosus. Ongoing research efforts and international collaborations enhance our knowledge of this rare and often devastating syndrome and help improve patient care and health outcomes

The Safety and Outcome of Minimally Invasive Staged Segmental Artery Coil Embolization (MIS²ACE) Prior Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Single-Center Study, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis

Background: Minimally Invasive Staged Segmental Artery Coil Embolization (MIS2ACE) is a novel technique of spinal cord preconditioning used to reduce the risk of paraplegia in thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. In this study, we report our experience with MIS2ACE, including both degenerative and post-dissection TAAA, while we attempt to systematically summarize relevant data available in the literature. Design: single-center observational study with systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. Methods: Initial retrospective analysis of 7 patients undergoing MIS2ACE over 12 sessions with a subsequent systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of the available published data (PROSPERO protocol number: CRD42023477411). Baseline patient and aneurysm characteristics, along with procedural technique and outcomes, were analyzed. One-arm pooling of proportions was used to summarize available published data. Results: We treated seven patients (5 males, 71%) with a median age of 69 years (IQR 55,69). According to the Crawford classification, five patients (1%) had extent II TAAA, and two (29%) had extent III TAAA. Five patients (71%) had post-dissection -TAAA; four of them were after Stanford type A dissection, and one had a chronic type B dissection. Three patients (43%) had connective tissue disease. Of the seven patients, six (86%) underwent previous aortic surgery, while the median aneurysm diameter was 58 mm (IQR 55,58). MIS2ACE was successful in 11 sessions (92%). The median number of embolized arteries was 4 (IQR 1,4). There were no periprocedural complications in any embolization. The median embolization-operation time interval was 37.0 days (IQR 31,78). Two patients had open and five endovascular treatment. There were no events of spinal cord ischemia either after MIS2ACE or after the aortic repair. Out of the 432 initially retrieved articles, we included two studies in the meta-analysis, including patients with MIS2ACE for spinal cord preconditioning in addition to our cohort. The prevalence of pooled postoperative spinal cord ischemia among MIS2ACE patients is 1.9% (95% CI −0.028 to 0.066, p = 0.279; 3 studies; 81 patients, 127 coiling sessions). Conclusions: While the current published data is limited, our study further confirms that MIS2ACE is a technically feasible and safe option for spinal cord preconditioning

Abnormal Right Ventricular Free Wall Strain Prior to Prone Ventilation May Be Associated With Worse Outcome of Patients With COVID-19-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

We investigated the effect of prone ventilation on right ventricular (RV) function of intubated patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome by measuring both conventional RV functional variables (namely, tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and fractional area change) and right ventricular free wall strain (RVFWS) using transthoracic speckle-tracking echocardiography at baseline (before prone positioning), 18 hours after prone positioning, and 1 hour after supine repositioning. We found that transthoracic echocardiography was feasible in a considerable proportion (nine patients, 75% of our cohort) of patients undergoing prone ventilation. Also, abnormal as opposed to normal RVFWS values (in the absence of conventional variables of RV dysfunction) at baseline were associated with higher mortality (100% vs 20%; p = 0.048). Finally, we found that, among patients without acute cor pulmonale or conventional markers of RV dysfunction, one session of prone ventilation may not affect right myocardial strain

Effect of Vitamin C on Clinical Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19: An Observational Study and Subsequent Meta-Analysis

Background: Whether vitamin C provides any benefit when administered in critically ill patients, including those with coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is controversial. We endeavored to estimate the effect of administration of vitamin C on clinical outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19 by performing an observational study and subsequent meta-analysis.& nbsp;Methods: Firstly, we conducted an observational study of critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who consecutively underwent invasive mechanical ventilation in an academic intensive care unit (ICU) during the second pandemic wave. We compared all-cause mortality of patients receiving vitamin C ( “vitamin C “ group) or not ( “control “ group) on top of standard-of-care. Subsequently, we systematically searched PubMed and CENTRAL for relevant studies, which reported on all-cause mortality (primary outcome) and/or morbidity of critically ill patients with COVID-19 receiving vitamin C or not treatment. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random effects model. The meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO.& nbsp;Results: In the observational study, baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Mortality was 20.0% (2/10) in the vitamin C group vs. 47.6% (49/103; p = 0.11) in the control group. Subsequently, the meta-analysis included 11 studies (6 observational; five randomized controlled trials) enrolling 1,807 critically ill patients with COVID-19. Mortality of patients receiving vitamin C on top of standard-of-care was not lower than patients receiving standard-of-care alone (25.8 vs. 34.7%; RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.57-1.26; p = 0.42).& nbsp;Conclusions: After combining results of our observational cohort with those of relevant studies into a meta-analysis of data from 1,807 patients, we found that administration vitamin C as opposed to standard-of-care alone might not be associated with lower of mortality among critically ill patients with COVID-19. Additional evidence is anticipated from relevant large randomized controlled trials which are currently underway.& nbsp;Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier:CRD4202127665