Citations

Background Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of duty‐related death among firefighters. Understanding postmortem cardiovascular abnormalities associated with SCD is critical to guiding fire service cardiovascular disease screening and prevention programs. Methods This study included US firefighters who had a duty‐related death over a 16‐year period (1999–2014) with available postmortem reports (autopsy/medical examiner reports). Cases were systematically reviewed to identify cases of SCD. For each SCD case, the primary etiology of SCD was adjudicated by experts in sports cardiology and cardiovascular pathology. Results Postmortem evaluations were available for 794 of 2100 (37.8%) on‐duty firefighter deaths over the study period (average age, 44±13 years; age range, 17–82 years; 4.0% women). A total of 312 of 794 (39.3%) firefighter deaths were adjudicated as SCD. A total of 255 of 312 (81.8%) SCD events were attributable to coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease or hypertensive heart disease, which both are associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The leading etiology of SCD among young firefighters (aged <40 years) was also coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease (24/50 [48.0%]). Of firefighters who had an exertional SCD event thought to be secondary to coronary artery disease (n=97), a total of 62 of 91 (68.1%) had severe fixed coronary stenosis, while 29 of 91 (31.9%) demonstrated acute plaque rupture/thrombosis. Conclusions More than 80% of on‐duty SCD events among US firefighters are due to coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease that may be prevented by early disease identification and risk factor modification. Future studies should assess the efficacy of more rigorous firefighter cardiovascular disease screening and management practices.

ABSTRACT Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology in the fields of medicine and ophthalmology. Recent advances in machine learning, deep learning and convolutional neural networks have significantly improved cataract detection and grading, intraocular lens power calculations, surgical decision‐making, risk prediction and patient education. Intraoperative AI‐assisted surgical phase recognition, workflow analysis, real‐time guidance, robotic technologies and femtosecond laser integration can improve surgical precision, efficiency and safety. AI has shown promise in predicting visual outcomes, detecting postoperative complications and facilitating telemedicine follow‐up. Though challenges with AI include transparency, data diversity, regulatory oversight and clinical validation, continued advances are expected to further personalise cataract surgery, support clinical decision‐making, optimise surgical performance and improve patient outcomes. This narrative summarises the current and emerging applications of AI in preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management of cataracts.

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives Among patient with early‐stage breast cancer, breast conservation surgery (BCS) is the most performed surgery, utilized in approximately two‐thirds of patients. While 5‐year overall‐survival rates are strong—typically above 90%—additional re‐excisions can occur in up to 25% of patients who undergo index BCS and some patients will require subsequent surgery for new breast cancer or recurrences. As such, these additional procedures can complicate patients’ pathway to survivorship, negatively impact quality of life, and lead to excess healthcare costs. Methods This retrospective cohort study used linked claims and an electronic healthcare record database to (1) characterize patients at higher risk for additional breast oncologic surgery (aBOS) following BCS, and (2) quantify the long‐term financial impact of aBOS after BCS. In total, 87,190 patients with breast cancer, who had an index BCS between January 1, 2012, to March 31, 2023, were followed for up to 5‐years post‐operatively. Patients with and without aBOS were analyzed, comparing demographics, tumor characteristics, healthcare utilization, and per‐person‐per‐month (PPPM) costs. Results Twenty‐three percent ( n = 20,212) of patients underwent aBOS. These patients were younger, had higher tumor grades and larger tumor sizes, and incurred greater healthcare costs compared to patients who did not undergo a secondary surgery. Conclusion This study highlights significant factors influencing BCS outcomes and healthcare utilization, underscoring the need for tailored therapeutic strategies for patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 long-QT syndrome results from KCNH2 -encoded Kv11.1 loss-of-function, but whether secondary inward-current dysfunction amplifies dysfunction remains unclear. METHODS: We characterized sodium ( SCN5A , I Na ) and L-type calcium channel ( CACNA1C , I Ca ) function in KCNH2-G604S and variant-corrected isogenic control induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs). Whole-cell patch-clamp measured action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90), and potassium (I Kr ), sodium (I Na ), and calcium (I Ca, L ) currents. Fluo-4 imaging quantified calcium transients. A modified Kernik-Clancy iPSC-CM model incorporated experimentally measured persistent I Na,L and I Ca,L fractions and simulated isolated and combined current defects. RESULTS: KCNH2-G604S caused severe I Kr loss-of-function (72.5% reduction). APD90 was prolonged in G604S-iPSC-CMs (765±58 ms) compared with isogenic controls (368±37 ms; P <0.005), with early afterdepolarizations in 50% of G604S cells. Nifedipine, verapamil, and mexiletine successfully shortened APD90 and abolished early afterdepolarizations. Compared with isogenic control, I Na,L (0.60±0.1% versus 0.26±0.06%; P <0.01), persistent I Ca,L (2.88±0.55% versus 1.26±0.35%; P <0.05), and calcium transient decay times ( P <0.0001) were greater in G604S iPSC-CMs. Increased persistent I Ca,L was phenocopied by E-4031 in isogenic controls and reduced by nifedipine in G604S iPSC-CMs. In silico modeling revealed that the I Kr defect alone prolonged APD90 to only 620 ms. The addition of the observed I Na,L defect had a small additive effect (+20 ms); however, incorporating persistent I Ca,L synergistically extended APD90 to 758 ms, replicating the experimental phenotype. Flux dynamics analysis indicated that this persistent Ca 2+ entry suppresses the forward-mode sodium-calcium exchanger, forcing a compensatory reliance on sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase that primes for calcium instability. CONCLUSIONS: The KCNH2-G604S variant drives a severe multihit phenotype via primary I Kr loss-of-function and secondary state-dependent gain-of-function in persistent I Ca,L . These comprehensive validations demonstrate that the remodeled persistent I Ca,L acts as the essential amplifier driving extreme action potential duration prolongation and Ca 2+ mishandling.

ABSTRACT Background Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has emerged as a non‐pharmacological alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Following the publication of recent CHAMPION‐AF and CLOSURE‐AF trials, an updated synthesis of evidence is warranted to clarify the long‐term comparative efficacy and safety of LAAO versus OAC in patients with AF. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing LAAO with OAC in adults with AF. A comprehensive search of major databases was performed from inception to April 2026. The primary efficacy outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and stroke. The primary safety outcome was non–procedure‐related bleeding. Random‐effects models were used to calculate pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Six RCTs including 7,004 patients (3,681 LAAO; 3,323 OAC) were analyzed. No statistically significant difference was observed for MACE (7.5% vs 6.9%; RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.79‐1.34) or stroke (3.7% vs 3.2%; RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.80‐1.43). LAAO was associated with a significantly lower risk of non‐procedure‐related bleeding (9.8% vs 16.7%; RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.52‐0.77), corresponding to an absolute risk reduction of 6.9% and an approximate number needed to treat of 15 based on crude pooled event rates over the observed trial follow‐up. Trial sequential analysis indicated that the accumulated evidence for MACE and stroke remained inconclusive. Comparator‐type subgroup analyses showed no significant interaction for MACE ( p = 0.67) or stroke ( p = 0.81) between contemporary predominantly‐DOAC and VKA comparator trials. Conclusions LAAO was associated with lower non‐procedure‐related bleeding, while no statistically significant differences were observed for MACE or stroke. The available efficacy evidence remains inconclusive regarding equivalence or non‐inferiority, and larger trials are needed. These findings support individualized consideration of LAAO when the long‐term bleeding burden of anticoagulation is clinically important.

Background: Iliopsoas impingement (IPI) is a known cause of persistent anterior hip pain following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Management of IPI has often relied on an 8-mm anterior acetabular overhang threshold to guide operative treatment, favoring acetabular revision for greater overhang and iliopsoas tenotomy for lesser overhang. These thresholds were initially established on the basis of the outcomes of open tenotomy, and now, with an improved understanding of IPI and the advent of arthroscopic iliopsoas fractional lengthening (IPFL), a review of the 8-mm threshold is warranted. Methods: A retrospective review was performed to identify patients who underwent arthroscopic IPFL following primary THA between 2017 and 2024, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Acetabular overhang was measured for all patients using cross-table lateral radiographs, and patients were stratified into <8-mm and ≥8-mm cohorts. Patient-reported outcome measures, reoperations, revisions, and complications were collected and analyzed on the basis of both the classic 8-mm threshold and continuous statistical methods. Results: We evaluated 86 hips undergoing IPFL. There were 83 patients (30 men and 53 women), with a mean age of 63.0 ± 11.2 years; with regard to race, 80 patients were White, 1 patient was Black or African American, and 2 patients listed other race or chose not to disclose. The acetabular overhang was <8 mm for 67 hips and ≥8 mm for 19 hips. The mean follow-up was 2.5 ± 1.6 years (range, 1 to 7.5 years). When comparing patients with <8-mm and ≥8-mm acetabular overhang, we observed no significant differences (p > 0.06) in the preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, modified Harris hip score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, Tegner activity level, subjective groin pain improvement, subjective hip flexion strength improvement, and overall satisfaction. Reoperation (2.9% compared with 10.5%; p = 0.210) and acetabular revision rates (1.5% compared with 5%; p = 0.387) were not significantly different between the <8-mm and ≥8-mm overhang groups. Conclusions: Arthroscopic IPFL provided satisfactory outcomes for patients with IPI, independent of the magnitude of acetabular overhang. IPFL should be considered for first-line surgical management of IPI refractory to nonoperative management, even in the setting of substantial acetabular overhang, given positive outcomes and low rates of subsequent acetabular revision. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Background & Aims: We examined treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in a contemporary cohort of children with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a large, commercially insured U.S. population. Methods: Using the OptumLabs® Data Warehouse, we created an inception cohort of physician-diagnosed IBD in children aged 6–17 years between 2007–23. We examined cumulative incidence of hospitalization, surgery, safety events, and medication use in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), overall and stratified by diagnostic era, race and ethnicity, sex, and age at diagnosis. Results: Among 787 children with newly diagnosed CD (age at diagnosis, 13.4±2.9y; 57% male; 82% White, 5% Black, 7% Hispanic) followed over mean 4.6±3.0y, 5-year risk of IBD-related hospitalization and major surgery was 30% and 10%, respectively. In children diagnosed in 2019–23, 1-year cumulative use of corticosteroids and advanced therapy was 46% and 75%, respectively; advanced therapy use increased significantly over time (aHR, 3.43 [95% CI, 2.71–4.32] for 2019–23 vs. 2007–12), while corticosteroid use declined (0.67 [0.53–0.84]). Risk of IBD-related hospitalization was lower in children diagnosed between 2019–23 (0.65 [0.43–0.97]) compared with those diagnosed between 2007-12; surgical risk did not decline significantly, with confidence intervals compatible with a clinically meaningful reduction. Among 399 children with newly diagnosed UC (age at diagnosis, 14.0±3.0y; 53% male; 78% White, 5% Black, 7% Hispanic) followed over 4.5±3.0y, 5-year risk of IBD-related hospitalization and colectomy was 36% and 8%, respectively. Advanced therapy use increased significantly over time (4.46 [2.85–6.98] for 2019–23 vs. 2007–12), with no significant change in hospitalization or surgical risk across eras. No consistent racial and ethnic, age, or sex differences in advanced therapy use or clinical outcomes were identified in either CD or UC. Conclusions: In a contemporary cohort of commercially insured children with newly diagnosed IBD, early advanced therapy use has increased markedly over time. Surgical risk did not decline significantly in either disease; however, the study was not powered to exclude a clinically meaningful reduction, and these findings are hypothesis-generating rather than conclusive.

Objective To characterize regional brain atrophy patterns, evaluate their association with regional leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated‐1 ( LGI1 ) gene expression, and identify clinical predictors of hippocampal atrophy in LGI1 autoimmune encephalitis (AE). Methods This study compared regional brain volumes in LGI1‐AE patients versus age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (HC) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. LGI1 gene expression was derived from the Allen Human Brain Atlas. Multivariable linear regression and generalized linear models were utilized. Results A total of 55 LGI1‐AE patients were included. Median age was 68 years (IQR 62.5–74.2 years) at volumetric analysis, after 19 months (IQR 11–45 months) from symptom onset. Compared with HC ( n = 55) and AD patients ( n = 55), LGI1‐AE patients had greater regional atrophy of the hippocampus, insula, caudate, and putamen ( p < 0.002). Longitudinal analyses demonstrated hippocampal and pallidal atrophy after covariate adjustment. Among those who did not fulfill limbic encephalitis criteria and/or had non‐lesional magnetic resonance imaging, limbic and striatal atrophy were identified compared with HC ( p < 0.01). Regions with the greatest differential atrophy corresponded to higher LGI1 gene expression (Spearman ρ = 0.7, p = 0.005). Severe cognitive deficits at diagnosis ( β = −0.56; p = 0.002) and longer disease duration ( β = −0.01; p = 0.001) independently predicted total hippocampal volume ( R 2 = 0.31). Interpretation LGI1‐AE demonstrates a distinct pattern of limbic and striatal atrophy that differs from AD and aligns with regional LGI1 expression, supporting a model of selective network vulnerability. Greater baseline cognitive impairment and longer disease duration independently associated with hippocampal atrophy, underscoring the potential importance of early diagnosis and treatment to limit structural brain injury. ANN NEUROL 2026