Medicina
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Observational Study
The Impact of Pulmonary Vein Anatomy on the Outcomes of Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.
Background and Objectives: Prior studies have identified a number of predictors for Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation success, including comorbidities, the type of AF, and left atrial (LA) size. Ectopic foci in the initiation of paroxysmal AF are frequently found in pulmonary veins. Our aim was to assess how pulmonary vein anatomy influences the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation. ⋯ Multivariate analysis of recurrence risk showed that only the larger LA volume index and variant PV anatomy were independently associated with AF recurrence. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that an increased volume of the left atrium was the most important predictive factor for the risk of AF recurrence after catheter ablation. Variant anatomy of PV was the only other independent predictive factor associated with a higher rate of AF recurrence.
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Meta Analysis
Exercise Interventions for Improving Flexibility in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Background and objectives: People with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience limitations in joint range of motion, which is linked to spasticity and continued inactivity. Low flexibility levels in this population have been linked to postural problems and muscular pain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis aimed at identifying the characteristics and methodological quality of investigations studying the effects of exercise interventions on the flexibility levels of people with MS. ⋯ Following the CERT scale, four studies were graded as "high" and three as "low". Findings from the meta-analysis indicated no significant effects on hamstring flexibility, or the range of motion in the hips, knees or ankles. Conclusions: There is preliminary evidence from individual studies which indicates that people with MS can improve their lower limb flexibility following participation in physical exercise programs, but the meta-analysis did not confirm these findings.
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Meta Analysis
Comparison between Magnification Techniques and Direct Vision in Thyroid Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Background and Objectives: The most common complications after conventional thyroid surgery in adult patients are recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and hypocalcemia. Magnification techniques (surgical loupes or surgical microscope) are used for identification of RLN and parathyroid glands to diminish these complications although more evidence is necessary to assess their safety and efficacy in comparison with direct vision. Methods and Materials: Electronic databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Scopus) as well as gray literature sources were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the frequency of transient/permanent RLN injury and hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery by using magnification techniques and direct vision for identification of RLN and parathyroid glands until October 17, 2019. ⋯ Conclusion: The use of magnification techniques for identification of RLN and parathyroid glands seems to be as safe as direct vision. However, they do not decrease the risk of RLN injury and transient hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery compared with direct vision. Finally, further prospective research should be conducted as the sample among the studies was small.
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Background andObjectives: To identify predictors of outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) in our interdisciplinary setting. Materials and Methods: 176 patients who had been treated for aSAH by a team of neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists between 2009 and 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Age, gender, clinical presentation according to the Hunt and Hess (H&H) grading on admission, overall clot burden, aneurysm localization, modality of aneurysm obliteration, early deterioration (ED), occurrence of vasospasm in transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), spasmolysis, decompressive craniectomy (DC), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt placement, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), severe cardiac events (SCE), mortality on Days 14, and 30 after admission, and outcome at one year after the hemorrhage according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were recorded. ⋯ Aneurysms of the anterior circulation were significantly more often clipped, while aneurysms of the posterior circulation were significantly more often coiled (p < 0.001). Age over 70 years (p = 0.049), H&H grade on admission (p = 0.022), overall clot burden (p = 0.035), ED (p = 0.009), DCI (p = 0.013), DC (p = 0.0005), and CSF shunt placement (p = 0.038) proved to be predictive of long-term outcome after aSAH. Conclusion: Long-term results after clipping and coiling of ruptured aneurysms appear equal in an interdisciplinary setting that takes aneurysm localization, available staff, and equipment into account.