Citations

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Aneurysm risk prediction remains an imprecise science that places patients at risk for either over or undertreatment. Machine learning (ML) models may improve clinical practice by adding precision to risk assessment. This study aims to comprehensively assess the current landscape of ML applications in predicting the risk of aneurysm rupture and compare the performance with the widely used PHASES score. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted. All studies using ML tools to predict the rupture risk of intracranial aneurysms were included. Meta-analysis was conducted with consideration to the ML algorithms and compared with the PHASES score. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies involving 22 462 patients were included in the final analysis. ML techniques, including 124 models using 25 algorithms, were employed. Among various ML models, while they had comparable diagnostic performance, deep learning exhibited a slightly better performance profile (sensitivity = 0.792, specificity = 0.788, and accuracy = 0.778 in external validation). Based on our analysis, ML, regardless of the algorithm, provides comparable sensitivity (0.743 vs 0.771, P = .60) and higher specificity (0.763 vs 0.507, P < .01) compared with the PHASES score. Consistently, pooling the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for 60 ML models and 5 PHASES score data, ML models exhibited higher AUC (0.84 vs 0.64, P < .01). Using hemodynamic parameters as input for models improved specificity ( P < .01) in the test sets without any significant changes in the sensitivity. The later improvement was not observed in the external validation sets. CONCLUSION: ML techniques have the potential to enhance the prediction of intracranial aneurysm rupture compared with traditional approaches, like the PHASES score. Incorporating hemodynamic parameters may further enhance the accuracy of ML models. Feature prospective studies are required to validate the utility of ML models for clinical integration.

Abstract Objective To examine the effectiveness of treatment strategies for medication‐overuse headache (MOH) in children and adolescents. Background There are no guidelines for the treatment of adult or pediatric patients with MOH. However, research pertaining to MOH in adults is far outpacing research in children and adolescents. Methods A systematic review of evidence on treatment for MOH in children and adolescents was performed via PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane from database inception to October 2024 for articles with the subject headings and keywords for MOH and pediatric, children, and/or adolescent. Inclusion criteria were: (i) randomized controlled trials and retrospective and prospective observational studies, (ii) children and adolescents aged <18 years with chronic headaches and with medication overuse (MO) or MOH, and (iii) interventions addressing MO or MOH, including pharmacologic and behavioral interventions. At least two independent reviewers screened citations and full‐text articles independently. Results A total of 16 studies (one randomized control trial, six prospective observational studies and nine retrospective observational studies) were identified as meeting final inclusion criteria, resulting in 7978 total participants with a subset of those having MO, MOH or probable MOH. Participants ranged in mean age from 10 to 14.7 years, with 7.1%–46.2% male participants. All the studies recruited patients from an outpatient setting. Interventions used in the studies included withdrawal of the overused acute medication, initiation of preventive medication, patient education, physiotherapy and psychological treatment, and motivational interviewing. Multimodal therapy was studied more than single therapeutic intervention. There was vast heterogeneity across the studies, including study design, diagnostic criteria, intervention type, and outcomes. Conclusion From the data available, there does not seem to be a singular superior treatment approach. Accordingly, the most appropriate treatment modality will need to be tailored to the patient and their caregivers. Further research is required regarding management of MOH in children and adolescents.

Abstract Context Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a leading endocrine cause of secondary hypertension. Objective To support the development of the Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline on managing PA. Data Source MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and others were searched on October 4, 2024. Study Selection Studies were selected by pairs of independent reviewers. Data Extraction Data were extracted and appraised by pairs of independent reviewers. Data Synthesis We included 95 studies (7 randomized trials and 88 observational studies). We did not identify trials that evaluated the outcomes of PA screening. One observational study suggested that screening was associated with higher rates of using PA-specific medical therapies and better blood pressure control. Patients managed with adrenal venous sampling (vs computed tomography alone) may have a better post-adrenalectomy biochemical cure rate, but with an increased risk of adrenal hemorrhage. Two small observational studies suggested that PA-specific medical or surgical therapy was likely associated with better blood pressure control than nonspecific therapy. Small randomized trials suggested that surgical therapy may be associated with better blood pressure control than medical therapy, with a lower number and dosage of antihypertensive medications. Compared to eplerenone, spironolactone may be associated with better control of hypokalemia and a lower number and dosage of antihypertensive agents. Unsuppressed plasma renin activity was associated with better control of hypokalemia, while suppression was associated with higher risk of mortality, atrial fibrillation, and stroke (very low certainty). Conclusion This systematic review addresses various aspects of managing PA and will support the development of the Endocrine Society guidelines.

Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) can be managed by ischemia guide strategies or early invasive strategies. Here, we present the findings of an updated contemporary analysis regarding the use of intracoronary imaging (ICI)-guided PCI versus angiography-guided PCI and in-hospital mortality in patients with NSTEMI in the United States using the NIS database from 2016 to 2021. ICI use increased by nearly threefold between 2016 and 2021, without a significant difference in in-hospital mortality, though interestingly, mortality rates compared with angiography guidance were similar and relatively low. In this study, the use of ICI was associated with lower adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest, but with a longer length of stay and cost of hospitalization.

ABSTRACT Background Although Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is the cornerstone treatment acute myocardial infarction (AMI), its use in the elderly, specifically nonagenarians patients, is not well studied. This study sought to compare the outcomes and complications of nonagenarian patients who experienced AMI between those who underwent PCI and those who underwent medical treatment only. Methods We evaluated 301,440 nonagenarian (ages 90−99) patients who presented to the hospital with AMI who were listed in the National Inpatient Sample from 2016 to 2021. AMI was defined according to the ICD‐10 Diagnostic Codes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association of PCI with primary outcomes of mortality and secondary outcomes. The temporal trend of both the incidence of PCI in nonagenarian patients as well as the mortality rate between 2016 and 2021 were expressed as percentages over time. Results Of the total ( n = 301,440) nonagenarian patients with AMI, 33,035 patients underwent PCI while 268,406 did not undergo PCI and rather, just utilized optimized medical therapy (OMT). Of these, 3290 (9.96%) died in the PCI group, and 43580 (16.24%) died in the OMT group. All of the secondary outcomes were significantly different between the PCI and OMT groups. Comparing the two groups, the PCI group was associated with decreased mortality (OR 0.63 [95% CI, 0.58−0.69]; p < 0.001), acute heart failure (OR 0.88 [95% CI, 0.82−0.95] p < 0.001), and AKI (OR 0.75 [95% CI, 0.70−0.79]; p < 0.001), and increased cardiogenic shock (OR 3.06 [95% CI, 2.77−3.38]. The temporal of PCI in nonagenarian patients showed an increase in frequency from about 8.3 in 2016 to about 13.7% in 2021. Furthermore, comparing the mortality between the PCI and OMT groups showed a significant difference with a decreased mortality in the PCI group. Conclusions Nonagenarian patients experiencing AMI who underwent PCI is associated with a significant mortality decrease compared to those who underwent OMT only. The PCI group was also associated with a significant decrease in multiple secondary complications including acute heart failure, AKI, acute stroke, and an increase in cardiogenic shock. Temporally, we have seen an increase in PCI being used in nonagenarian patients over the interval.

Myocardial Bridging (MB) is typically a benign congenital coronary anomaly. MB can infrequently result in complications such as myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Recent studies suggest an underlying genetic component for MB involving DES, FBN1, SCN2B, or NOTCH1. The role of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in managing MB, compared to optimal medical therapy (OMT), remains uncertain. Our study used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database to identify patients aged 18 or older with myocardial bridging who were managed with PCI versus medical therapy. We compared the outcomes between both groups including in-hospital mortality, the trend of management of MB and other in-hospital outcomes or complications. Our results showed no statistically significant difference between both subgroups when comparing in-hospital mortality and secondary outcomes of cardiac arrest and the development of an acute kidney injury (AKI). Patients with myocardial bridging treated with PCI had a higher risk of developing cardiogenic shock, requiring LVAD, and requiring the use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) compared to the medical therapy subgroup. Our study suggests the decision to perform PCI in myocardial bridging patients should be individualized such as in patients with refractory symptoms despite medical therapy or those with known high-risk features.

Abstract Objectives IBM is characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness making it challenging to detect significant changes in weakness during a clinical trial. Trial participants receiving placebo may behave differently from in natural history studies. We aimed to quantify the change in muscle strength and IBM Functional Rating Scale (IBMFRS) of IBM patients receiving placebo during clinical trials. Methods Several databases were searched. Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials without treatment intervention on the placebo group were included. Standardized mean differences (SMD) for change in muscle strength and mean differences for IBMFRS were used to calculate pooled effects, using DerSimonian-Laird continuous random effect models. Meta-regression determined change in muscle strength. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 indicator. Results Eleven eligible trials were identified with 257 participants receiving placebo and a low risk of bias per the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias 2 (RoB2) tool. Participants receiving placebo on average had a measurable decline in muscle strength with a mean effect size of –0.398 (95% CI –0.652, –0.144) (P = 0.002). SMD changed by –0.009 (–0.016, –0.002) points per week (P = 0.015). Manual muscle testing was associated with higher heterogeneity (I2 = 67.68%) compared with quantitative muscle testing (I2 = 0%). Only three studies reported IBMFRS results. The pooled change in IBMFRS at 12 months was –2.189 points (–3.893, –0.485) on this 0 to 40-point scale (P = 0.012), with relatively high heterogeneity. Conclusion Participants with IBM displayed a measurable decline in their muscle strength and IBMFRS during clinical trials, in keeping with the disease’s slowly progressive nature. These estimates can inform sample size calculations in future studies.

Introduction: Data on outcomes between unfractionated heparin and bivalirudin anticoagulation during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute coronary syndromes remain inconclusive. We aimed to systematically analyze PCI outcomes by comparing unfractionated heparin and bivalirudin. Methods: We systematically searched Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Web of Science from database inception in 1966 through January 2024 for studies evaluating PCI outcomes comparing unfractionated heparin and bivalirudin. Two investigators independently reviewed the data. Conflicts were resolved through consensus. Random-effects meta-analyses were used. Results: A total of 10 prospective trials were identified that enrolled 42,253 individuals who presented with an acute coronary syndrome. Our analysis found that heparin when compared to bivalirudin was associated with an increased risk of trial-based definition of major bleeding [relative risk (RR): 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29–2.20], nonaccess site complications (RR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.75–12.09), thrombolysis in myocardial infarction major bleeding (RR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.20–2.41), major bleeding risks (RR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.49–2.36), cardiovascular disease death (RR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.02–1.57), and thrombocytopenia (RR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.07–2.62). There were no statistically significant differences between heparin and bivalirudin for all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular event, stroke, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization, and acute or stent thrombosis. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis demonstrates bivalirudin reduces major bleeding when used for anticoagulation during PCI in patients with acute coronary syndromes and is not associated with an increased risk of stent thrombosis or major adverse cardiovascular event.

OBJECTIVE Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) have been identified to have a significantly increased risk of developing intracranial aneurysms (IAs). These patients are diagnosed at younger ages and are also at increased risk for IA rupture. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify risk factors associated with IA detection during screening of asymptomatic ADPKD patients. METHODS The authors searched for studies reporting the prevalence of IA among patients with ADPKD screened using MRA, CTA, or DSA on PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and ClinicalTrials.gov prior to August 2023 by using individualized standardized search strategies. Eligibility of all retrieved studies was assessed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias of the included observational studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. RESULTS Twenty-four observational studies involving 5907 patients with ADPKD were identified for quantitative analysis. The authors observed an overall prevalence of IA of 12.6%. They identified several risk factors for IA with statistically significantly increased odds for unruptured IA (UIA) detection, including female sex (18 studies, OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.37–1.94, I 2 = 0%), family history of either IA or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (12 studies, OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.68–2.81, I 2 = 0%), family history of SAH (3 studies, OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.25–5.71, I 2 = 66.0%), stage 3 or greater chronic kidney disease (CKD) (4 studies, OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.84–3.54, I 2 = 0%), and hypertension (13 studies, OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.04–1.91, I 2 = 34%). Age > 45 years, family history of ADPKD, smoking status, and presence of liver cysts did not reach statistical significance as risk factors during this meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS The results of the authors’ meta-analysis suggest increased risk of UIA detection in screening of ADPKD patients who are female, have a family history of IA or SAH, have hypertension, or have moderate or more severe CKD. Given the increased prevalence of IA in ADPKD patients with these risk factors, these patients may stand to benefit from screening for IA early in treatment or at time of diagnosis, even if neurologically asymptomatic.