Citations

Background Larger “macrowires” may facilitate microcatheter-free delivery of large-bore aspiration catheters (ACs) for intracranial endovascular mechanical thrombectomy. We examined the safety and efficacy of the Aristotle Colossus Guidewire for this use. Methods In this retrospective analysis of prospective data from 12 institutions, we identified anterior circulation endovascular mechanical thrombectomy cases involving the Aristotle Colossus guidewire over a 12-month period. The primary efficacy endpoint was successful delivery of the AC to the site without the use of adjunct devices. Multivariable logistic regression was performed with clinically relevant covariables. Results In 122 patients (median age 74 years (interquartile range (IQR) 63–82)), most intracranial occlusions were in the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (95/122, 78.0%). The primary endpoint of microcatheter-free AC delivery was met in 87.7% (107/122) of patients; 93/122 (76.2%) patients underwent microcatheter-free delivery with successful reperfusion via contact aspiration (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade ≥ 2B). The median number of passes was 1 (IQR 1–2). Multivariable regression demonstrated that severe internal carotid artery tortuosity or cervical loop presence (odds ratio (OR): 0.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01–0.54, p = 0.01) and presence of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (OR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03–0.83, p = 0.03) were significantly associated with lower odds of successful AC delivery over the guidewire. Intraprocedural vasospasm occurred in 4.9% (6/122) of cases; there were no reports of vessel dissection or perforation. Conclusions We demonstrate the favorable performance of the Aristotle Colossus guidewire for anterior circulation ischemic stroke intervention. The macrowire appears to safely facilitate navigation of the neurovasculature by large-bore ACs without the need for microcatheter and/or stentriever.

Abstract Background Hospital‐at‐home programs (HaH) in the United States have evolved to include a virtual‐hybrid delivery model, where all physician encounters are virtual and partnered with a home care team. Objective To examine whether a virtual hybrid HaH program enabled by technology has similar clinical outcomes to traditional brick‐and‐mortar (B&M) hospital care. Methods We conducted a pragmatic trial at three hospitals, randomizing 1150 acutely ill patients requiring hospital care between July 10, 2023, and October 31, 2023 one‐to‐one into two groups: intervention (HaH) and control (B&M). The primary analysis was an intention‐to‐treat non‐inferiority analysis of the primary outcome, which was a composite of 30‐day all‐cause mortality and unplanned readmissions. Secondary outcomes included 30‐day readmission, all‐cause mortality, and patient experience. Results The mean age was 67.8 (standard deviation [SD] 16.3) years, and 52.2% were female. The primary outcome occurred in 99 (17.3%) HaH patients and 114 (19.8%) B&M patients (odds ratio [OR] 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63–1.14, p = .28), meeting the non‐inferiority criterion. Thirty‐day unplanned readmission occurred in 84 (14.7%) HaH patients and 101 (17.5%) B&M patients (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.59–1.11, p = .19). Thirty‐day all‐cause mortality occurred in 25 (4.4%) HaH patients and 19 (3.3%) B&M patients (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.73–2.46, p = .35). No HaH patients died while receiving their hospital care at home. HaH program was associated with a higher likelihood of patients reporting feeling extremely comfortable or very comfortable (84.4% HaH; 60.9% B&M, p = .001). Conclusion A hybrid HaH model is a safe and comfortable alternative to traditional B&M hospital care.

Abstract The availability of knowledge about the effects of buprenorphine on pain perception in healthy adults could help investigators select experimental tests with evidence of responsiveness to buprenorphine in nondiseased states. The purpose of this meta-narrative systematic review is to summarize the effects of buprenorphine on pain perception in healthy adults. Comprehensive database searches were conducted from inception dates through July 16, 2024. Inclusion criteria included all study designs involving healthy adults receiving buprenorphine and tests of pain perception. Risk of bias was assessed using a tool developed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A meta-narrative approach was used due to high levels of clinical heterogeneity. A total of 10 RCTs were included, and healthy adults comprised the comparator groups in all trials. Three RCTs had a low risk of bias, 6 had some concerns, and 1 had a high risk of bias. Six RCTs used intravenous buprenorphine, 3 used transdermal, and 1 study used intravenous and sublingual buprenorphine. The effects of buprenorphine on pain perception are influenced by the route of administration, dose, and pain stimulus modality. Considerable differences exist in the effects of intravenous and transdermal buprenorphine, but only 1 study used sublingual buprenorphine, which limited comparison with the other drug formulations. Based on these findings, recommendations for clinical trials are proposed. These recommendations should be cautiously interpreted due to the clinical heterogeneity, but they provide a framework for advancing the use of experimental pain tests in trials of buprenorphine involving comparator groups of healthy adults.

ABSTRACTBackgroundWe aimed to determine the performance of postoperative computed tomography (CT) and upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) in patients who underwent surgery for a perforated peptic ulcer and to assess the yield of routine postoperative studies.MethodsRetrospective, single‐institution, chart‐review study of patients who underwent a repair of a perforated gastric or duodenal ulcer between August 2004 and September 2021 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.ResultsWe identified a total of 240 patients, 28 (12%) were found to have leaks. When any of the four findings (extraluminal gas or fluid collection adjacent to the repair, worsening pneumoperitoneum, or enteral contrast extravasation) was present on postoperative CT scan (n = 116) it had sensitivity of 76% (95% CI 53%–90%), with a specificity of 90% (95% CI 84%–91%). Upper gastrointestinal series (UGI, n = 150) showed a sensitivity of 57% (95% CI 25%–84%) and a specificity of 99% (95% CI 96%–100%). UGI demonstrated higher specificity compared to CT (p < 0.01); there was no significant difference in sensitivity (p = 0.34). The findings from CT scans led to changes in management for a significantly greater number of patients compared to UGI (20% vs. 4%, p < 0.01). The diagnostic yield for leak identification was 3% for routine postoperative CT (n = 63) and 2% for routine UGI studies (n = 141).ConclusionsPostoperative CT is more likely to change management in patients who underwent repair of a perforated peptic ulcer compared to postoperative upper gastrointestinal series. The yield of routine postoperative studies is low, and their benefit is uncertain.

Background Low-dose colchicine (0.5 mg once daily) reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events in coronary disease, but its mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. We investigated whether low-dose colchicine is associated with changes in pericoronary inflammation and plaque composition in patients with chronic coronary disease. Methods We performed a cross-sectional, nationwide, subanalysis of the Low-Dose Colchicine 2 Trial (LoDoCo2, n=5522). CT angiography studies were performed in 151 participants randomised to colchicine or placebo after a median treatment duration of 28.2 months. Pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) attenuation measurements around proximal coronary artery segments and quantitative plaque analysis for the entire coronary tree were performed using artificial intelligence-enabled plaque analysis software. Results Median PCAT attenuation was not significantly different between the two groups (−79.5 Hounsfield units (HU) for colchicine versus −78.7 HU for placebo, p=0.236). Participants assigned to colchicine had a higher volume (169.6 mm 3 vs 113.1 mm 3 , p=0.041) and burden (9.6% vs 7.0%, p=0.035) of calcified plaque, and higher volume of dense calcified plaque (192.8 mm 3 vs 144.3 mm 3 , p=0.048) compared with placebo, independent of statin therapy. Colchicine treatment was associated with a lower burden of low-attenuation plaque in participants on a low-intensity statin, but not in those on a high-intensity statin (p interaction =0.037). Conclusions Pericoronary inflammation did not differ among participants who received low-dose colchicine compared with placebo. Low-dose colchicine was associated with a higher volume of calcified plaque, particularly dense calcified plaque, which is considered a feature of plaque stability.

Background Artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs), are potential tools for enhancing healthcare delivery and clinical research. Presently, there is a scarcity of research regarding the viewpoints of medical students toward LLMs. This study aims to explore the perceptions of LLMs and their applications among this demographic. Methods A cross-sectional study was done using an online survey. It was designed using Google Forms and circulated from July 2023 to August 2023. The target population included medical students from Ecuador, Ethiopia, India, Mauritius, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States (USA). Results A total of 1180 responses were collected from 10 medical colleges across 7 countries. The UAE had the largest number of responses (31.7%), followed by Ecuador (17.6%), and Mauritius (13.7%). And 77.4% respondents were already aware about LLMs before attempting the survey, most popularly, ChatGPT. Participants were most familiar with the specific use of LLMs in research (46%), and the lowest familiarity was seen in the use of LLMs in healthcare (37%). More than half of the participants (52%) support the use of LLMs healthcare, yet a significant number of them remained neutral (37%) or disagreed (31%) on LLMs being safe in this context. Conclusion While most of the medical students are aware of LLMs and their applications, the multinational survey demonstrated hesitancy among medical students in fully adopting LLMs into healthcare practice and clinical research. This study prompts further exploration of medical students’ attitudes and acceptance concerning the integration of LLMs for research methodologies, ethical considerations, and healthcare practice.

Background Mechanical thrombectomy for ischemic stroke has traditionally been performed via transfemoral access (TFA). However, newer literature on the subject suggests that transradial access (TRA) may be equally efficacious. Methods Online databases (including PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Cochrane) were queried from inception until May 2024. Abstracts and full texts were screened according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Risk of bias assessment was performed using standardized screening tools. All dichotomous outcomes were reported as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RevMan was used to perform the statistical analysis. Results Thirteen observational studies and one randomized clinical trial (RCT) were included in this meta-analysis. The total sample size was 4973, 4074 patients (81.2%) were in the TFA group, and 899 (18.8%) were in the TRA group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of successful recanalization (OR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.66–1.27; p = 0.60), first-pass recanalization (OR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.69–1.01, p = 0.06), access to reperfusion time (mean difference −2.99 min; 95% CI −8.33 to 2.44, p = 0.27), and favorable functional outcome. Mortality and rates of intracranial hemorrhage were comparable between the two groups, but access site complications were significantly lower in the TRA group (OR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.37–0.88; p = 0.01). Conclusion TRA for thrombectomy in large vessel ischemic strokes is comparable to TFA in terms of efficacy and has a lower incidence of access site complications. RCT data comparison of the two techniques is limited, underscoring the importance of conducting trials.

Background Endovascular therapy (EVT) for stroke due to distal or medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) is safe. Due to the distinct anatomical characteristics of DMVOs, further evaluation of EVT is crucial to determine which devices may yield better outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis of adults with DMVO treated in 37 centers (11 countries) was queried. The primary outcome of favorable shift in 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was compared between patients treated with Trevo versus other devices on first pass using 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) with multivariable adjustment. Secondary outcomes included the number of pass attempts, final thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) score 2b-3, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), improvement in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at 24h, and 90-day mortality. Results Of the 1115 included patients, 264 (24%) were treated with Trevo (PSM cohort of 261 per group). Trevo use was not associated with a favorable 90-day mRS shift (proportional odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80–1.51). Trevo was associated with fewer passes (adjusted β=-0.25, 95% CI −0.48 - −0.03), higher odds of TICI 2b-3 (adjusted OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.11–3.49), and a greater 24h NIHSS improvement (adjusted β= −1.74, 95% CI −3.11 - −0.36), with no difference in sICH or mortality (p>0.05). Results were similar in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions We observed no safety concerns with Trevo as compared to other EVT devices for DMVO recanalization. There was a signal of better technical efficacy and early clinical improvement.

Cardiovascular disease is the global #1 cause of mortality and morbidity. The majority of cardiovascular diseases is caused by atherosclerosis, a lipid-driven, inflammatory disease of the middle- and large-sized arteries. The disease is characterized by the formation of atherosclerotic plaques throughout the arterial tree. Over the years, insights into the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis have shifted from a ‘lipid-driven’ model to a ‘response-to-injury’ perspective, and more recently to a ‘lipid-driven inflammatory disease’ viewpoint. We are now aware that a network of multiple immune cell-types and -subsets of the innate and adaptive immune system inhabit our arteries. Intricate interactions between these immune cellsubsets, non-immune cells, and local environmental substances such as lipids, cell debris and calcium cause a fluidic balance of pro-inflammatory and regulatory responses. A dysregulation of this balance towards a pro-inflammatory milieu drives atherosclerotic disease progression. Although we have acknowledged that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease, state-of-theart treatments are still based on lipid lowering, anti-hypertensive and lifestyle-changing strategies. In the past decade, clinical phase I, II and III trials targeting the immune system revealed that patients tolerate immunotherapy, show decreased inflammation and/or had a reduction in cardiovascular endpoints. However, the search for novel immunotherapeutic targets and treatment regimens as well as stratification of patients who would benefit from such treatments to combat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is only just beginning. In this review article, we will highlight the newest insights on the different cell subsets and components of the immune system in atherosclerosis and elaborate on current and future immunotherapeutics to treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.