Conservative Medical Treatment Research Articles

A Case of Cerebral Infarction due to Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion Accompanied by Persistent Primitive Trigeminal Artery.

An 85-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus became aware of motor weakness of the left lower extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple small cerebral infarctions in the right corona radiata. Angiography revealed persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA) originating from the right internal carotid artery (ICA) and connecting to basilar artery, and the right ICA occluded distal to PPTA. Collateral blood circulation had developed, and sufficient collateral blood flow was expected. From these findings, the right ICA was considered to show stenosis due to atherosclerotic changes before occlusion. Conservative treatment was conducted with the transoral administration of rivaroxaban. It is important to correctly diagnose the anatomy and existence of an anomalous vessel in a stroke patient, not only when endovascular treatment is planned, but also for conservative medical treatment. Rapid and accurate radiological examinations facilitate safe and effective treatment.

Management of spontaneous pyogenic spondylodiscitis: a descriptive cohort study

BackgroundSpontaneous spondylodiscitis (SD) is an inflammation of the vertebral endplate and the intervertebral disc with no prior surgery or intervention. The treatment of spontaneous pyogenic SD mainly consists of systemic antibiotics and rest. Some cases require surgery due to failure of medical treatment or due to neurological compromise. Due to the disease heterogeneity, there are no standardized, widely adopted treatment protocols. We conducted this study to assess the clinical outcome of the different treatment modalities.ResultsThis is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients with spontaneous non-tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Thirty-eight patients were identified, including 14 males and 24 females. The mean age was 49 years. Twenty-three patients underwent surgery from the start while 15 patients received conservative medical treatment. Among the latter, 8 patients showed disease progression and required surgical intervention. The ODI/NDI at 1 year (mean = 8) was significantly better than before treatment (mean = 18). Among 11 patients with motor deficit at presentation, 8 improved and 3 remained stable. There were 14 complications, including 11 minor and 3 major, requiring one revision surgery.ConclusionsSurgical decompression and debridement with or without instrumented fusion for complicated SD cases is a safe and effective treatment modality. Close follow-up is needed in case of conservative treatment for early detection of treatment failure and disease progression. Baseline characteristic variabilities in patients with spontaneous pyogenic SD could predict conservative treatment failure, but this needs to be validated in larger series.

Anomalies of the Craniocervical Junction (Chiari Malformations)

AbstractArnold Chiari malformations include a combination of posterior fossa, hindbrain, and cervical occipital junction abnormalities, sometimes associated with spinal cord abnormalities such as spina bifida, syringomyelia, and syringobulbia. The most frequent form is Chiari I syndrome but two other variants, progressively more severe, have been described. Chiari malformations are the result of defective development of posterior fossa and can be due to genetic mutations, skeletal malformations, and intrautero factors. Clinical manifestations depend on the compression of the nerve structures within the foramen magnum and the spinal canal and mainly consist in headache or neck pain, gait disturbances, sensory or motor abnormalities, and autonomic signs. However, a high number of cases of Chiari I is asymptomatic and the diagnosis is occasional. Diagnosis is performed through nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cervical tract, although other investigations may support the diagnosis. First-line treatment for candidate patients is a surgical procedure that involves decompression of the posterior cranial fossa and the craniocervical junction, as well as correction of associated malformations with techniques that depend on the severity of the case. Anyhow, some symptomatic patients benefit from conservative medical treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Successful management of an unusual hypopigmented scar after surgical repair of a unilateral Tessier 7 cleft

Abstract Tessier No. 7 cleft is the most common atypical craniofacial cleft with an incidence of 1:3000–5642 births. This clinical report describes the successful management of a delayed, unusually hypopigmented postoperative facial scar following the surgical closure of a Tessier 7 cleft using the Pfeiffer wave line incision. In the absence of any other associated systemic lesions, the scar was treated as a localized leucoderma. The scar coloration improved dramatically with the chosen line of conservative medical treatment, and a surgical revision was not required. This report highlights the need for continuous follow up despite seemingly good short-term results. The medical management of the hypopigmented scar will aid fellow practitioners who may face similar dilemmas.

Nutcracker syndrome in childhood

Nutcracker phenomenon (NP) is defined as the compression of the left renal vein, often occurring between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Patients with symptoms associated with the Nutcracker anatomy are called “Nutcracker syndrome” (NCS). Renal vein compression results in venous congestion, outlet obstruction, and increased pressure in the left renal vein. The clinical manifestations of NCS in children vary widely depending on the severity of compression. It can range from being asymptomatic to presenting with intermittent or persistent micro or macrohematuria, orthostatic proteinuria, renovascular hypertension, abdominal pain, left-sided flank pain, dysmenorrhea, pain in the testicles or scrotum, and left varicocele. Hematuria, proteinuria, and flank pain are prevalent symptoms. The anatomical and physiological degree of compression of the left renal vein can be diagnosed through Doppler ultrasound (DUS), computer tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In cases with mild symptoms, conservative treatment is an appropriate option, and ACE inhibitors can be used for patients with proteinuria. In more severe cases where conservative approaches and medical treatment fail to yield satisfactory results, endovascular, laparoscopic, or open surgical interventions are employed.

Invasive Treatment Strategy in Adults With Frailty and Non–ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

The MOSCA-FRAIL randomized clinical trial compared invasive and conservative treatment strategies in patients with frailty with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). It showed no differences in the number of days alive and out of the hospital at 1 year. To assess the outcomes of the MOSCA-FRAIL trial during extended follow-up. The MOSCA-FRAIL randomized clinical trial was conducted at 13 hospitals in Spain between July 7, 2017, and January 9, 2021, and included 167 adults (aged ≥70 years) with frailty (Clinical Frailty Scale score ≥4) and NSTEMI. In this preplanned secondary analysis, follow-up was extended to January 31, 2023. Data analysis was performed from April 5 to 29, 2023, using the intention-to-treat principle. Patients were randomized to a routine invasive (coronary angiography and revascularization if feasible [n = 84]) or a conservative (medical treatment with coronary angiography only if recurrent ischemia [n = 83]) strategy. The primary end point was the difference in restricted mean survival time (RMST). Secondary end points included readmissions for any cause, considering recurrent readmissions. Among the 167 patients included in the analysis, the mean (SD) age was 86 (5) years; 79 (47.3%) were men and 88 (52.7%) were women. A total of 93 deaths and 367 readmissions accrued. The RMST for all-cause death over the entire follow-up was 3.13 (95% CI, 2.72-3.60) years in the invasive and 3.06 (95% CI, 2.84-3.32) years in the conservative treatment groups. The RMST analysis showed inconclusive differences in survival time (invasive minus conservative difference, 28 [95% CI, -188 to 230] days). Patients under invasive treatment tended to have shorter survival in the first year (-28 [95% CI, -63 to 7] days), which improved after the first year (192 [95% CI, 90-230] days). Kaplan-Meier mortality curves intersected, displaying higher mortality to 1 year in the invasive group that shifted to a late benefit (landmark analysis hazard ratio, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.33-0.99]; P = .045). Early harm was more evident in the subgroup with a Clinical Frailty Scale score greater than 4. No differences were found for the secondary end points. In this extended follow-up of a randomized clinical trial of patients with frailty and NSTEMI, an invasive treatment strategy did not improve outcomes at a median follow-up of 1113 (IQR, 443-1441) days. However, a differential distribution of deaths was observed, with early harm followed by later benefit. The phenomenon of depletion of susceptible patients may be responsible for this behavior. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03208153.

Laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy: A comparative study on the clinical benefits and impact on tubal patency and reproductive outcomes.

Ectopic pregnancy is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality across the globe. This study aims to investigate the clinical benefits of laparoscopic surgery in treating ectopic pregnancy, and its impact on tubal patency and reproductive outcomes. A clinical study was conducted to compare laparoscopic and medical conservative treatment for ectopic pregnancy. A total of 206 patients were treated for ectopic pregnancy at our hospital from January 2018 to June 2020. Among them, 46 underwent laparoscopic ipsilateral salpingectomy, 54 underwent laparoscopic ipsilateral salpingostomy with lesion removal, and 106 were treated conservatively with medication. The age range and average age of each group are provided, with no significant differences in these general demographic characteristics (p> 0.05). Both the salpingostomy and medication groups had higher rates of ectopic pregnancy compared to the salpingectomy group, with statistically significant differences (p< 0.05). The comparison of ectopic pregnancy rates between the salpingostomy and medication groups showed no significant difference. Within three years, the salpingostomy group had 10 cases of recurrent ectopic pregnancy, with 2 cases on the same side, while the medication group had 18 cases, with 8 cases on the same side. At 3 months after the normalization of blood β-HCG, the salpingostomy group showed 43 cases of tubal patency (patency rate: 79.63%), while the medication group showed 57 cases (patency rate: 53.77%), with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p= 0.01). Laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy offers significant clinical benefits over conservative medical treatment, including higher rates of tubal patency and improved reproductive outcomes. These findings support laparoscopic surgery as an effective approach for the management of ectopic pregnancy.

Ayurvedic Management of Primary Infertility Due to Chocolate Cyst: A Case Report

Background: Endometriosis presents in three different entities, which are frequently found together: peritoneal lesions, deep endometriosis and ovarian endometriotic cysts (endometriomas) Ovarian endometrioma is a benign estrogen dependent cystic mass arising from ectopic endometrial tissue within the ovary. It contains thick, brown, tar like fluid, which may be referred to as a chocolate cyst. The presence of endometriomas indicates more severe stage of endometriosis. Endometriomas can lead to chronic pelvic pain and infertility, and often requires surgery for treatment. Endometriosis has been found in nearly 50% of women experiencing issues with infertility, and nearly 70% of women with pelvic pain. Classic symptoms includes dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, menorrhagia and infertility. Management of the ovarian cyst through surgery is available to meet urgent need of the patient, but to establish a satisfactory conservative medical treatment is the need of the hour. According to Ayurveda, depending upon most common symptoms it can be compared as a syndrome complex of Granthi, Vidradhi, Udavartini Yonivyapada, Paripluta yonivyapada and Vataja Yonivyapada. It is a Tridoshaja vyadhi with vitiation of Vata And Artava. Chocolate cysts can also be managed on the line of treatment of Granthi, (nodular/glandular swellings) Vidradhi (abscess), Raktapachana and Raktaprasadana. Aim: To manage Female infertility with chocholate cyst with shodhana and shamana therapy. Materials and methods: A patient aged 25years came to outdoor patient department of Prasutitantra Evum Streeroga with the complaint of lower abdominal pain and infertility since2 years. Her Ultrasonography report reveals bilateral chocolate cyst with no dominant follicle. She has tendency of formation of recurrent chocolate cyst since 3 years. She was administered Virechana after completion of menses on 1st cycle, Dashmoola Shodhan Basti along with Uttara Basti with uttarabasti with kasisadi taila and sahachara taila in 2nd cycle, Yastimadhu Ksheera Basti for 3rd cycle along with the Uttara Basti with kasisadi taila and sahachara taila, on the fourth month Uttarabasti with 5 ml of Dhanvantra taila was done, Shigru Patra Avagaha Swedana and Jeevaniya Choorna 3 gm orally with warm milk after Basti treatment. Results: Patient has marked reduction in the size of the chocolate cyst and she conceived with the treatment protocol of 4 months Conclusion: Above mentioned treatment plan has effective result due to Shothahara, Vatanulomana, Raktaprasadana properties which may have effectively curtailed the progress of ovarian cyst and helped in treating infertility.

Current management of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection complicated with mesenteric malperfusion

The management of acute type A aortic dissection (aTAAD) with mesenteric malperfusion (MMP) is quite challenging as it is often associated with high mortality and poor outcomes, and an optimal treatment strategy is lack of consensus for this critically ill condition. Emergent open surgical repair of the ascending aorta is a life-saving operation and remains the standard of care for aTAAD with MMP, but is associated with a high rate of mortality. In recent years, reperfusion of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) by endovascular repair as the first treatment strategy in the treatment of aTAAD with MMP has been concerned and reported. Only endovascular repair and conservative medical treatment are also introduced in few cases with poor outcomes. There are many urgent issues that need to be addressed in current strategies. The optimal management strategies remain controversial, and further investigation and research are needed. These issues were addressed in this article.

De-obstruction of bladder outlet in humans reverses organ remodelling by normalizing the expression of key transcription factors

BackgroundBenign prostatic hyperplasia in elderly males often causes bladder outlet obstruction termed benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). BPO induces lower urinary tract symptoms and quantifiable urodynamic alterations in bladder function. When conservative medical treatments are exhausted, surgical interventions like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are employed for bladder outlet de-obstruction. Elucidating the molecular changes in the human bladder resulting from BPO and their reversal post-de-obstruction is pivotal for defining the “point of no return”, when the organ deterioration becomes irreversible. In this study we carried out a comprehensive molecular and urodynamic characterization of the bladders in men with BPO before TURP and 3 months after the relief of obstruction.MethodsWe report integrated transcriptome and proteome analysis of bladder samples from male patients with BPO before and 3 months after de-obstruction surgery (TURP). mRNA and protein profiles were correlated with urodynamic findings, specifically voiding detrusor pressure (PdetQmax) before TURP. We delineated the molecular classifiers of each group, pointing at the different pre-TURP bladder status.ResultsAge-matched patients with BPO without DO were divided into two groups based on the PdetQmax values recorded by UDI before de-obstruction: high and medium pressure (HP and MP) groups. Three months after de-obstruction surgery, the voiding parameters PdetQmax, Qmax and RV were significantly improved in both groups, without notable inter-group differences in the values after TURP. Patients with high PdetQmax showed less advanced remodeling and inflammatory changes than those with lower values. We detected significant dysregulation of gene expression, which was at least partially reversed by de-obstruction in both patients’ groups. Transcription factor SOX21 and its target thrombospondin 4 (THBS4) demonstrated normalization post-TURP.ConclusionsOur findings reveal substantial yet incomplete reversal of cell signalling pathways three months after TURP, consistent with improved urodynamic parameters. We propose a set of biomarker genes, indicative of BPO, and possibly contributing to the bladder changes. This study unveils the stages of progressive obstruction-induced bladder decompensation and offers insights into selecting an optimal intervention point to mitigate loss of contractility.

Early postoperative constrictive pericarditis in China: a single-center retrospective observational study.

The diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of early postoperative constrictive pericarditis (EPCP) have not been discussed in depth. The objective of this study was to devise and propose a management strategy for EPCP. In this study, constrictive pericarditis (CP) within 6 months after cardiac surgery was defined as EPCP, and patients were divided into two groups based on intraoperative findings: a parietal thickening group and a visceral thickening group. A total of 20 patients were included in this study, and the incidence rate of recurrent pericardiectomy was 0.32% among all patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. EPCP after valve surgery occurred in 85.0% of patients. Pleural effusion was the most common preoperative symptom, occurring in 90% of patients. Pericardial thickening occurred in the visceral layer in seven cases and in the parietal layer in 13 cases. There were no differences in comorbidities, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) between the two groups. Most patients with visceral thickening (83.3%) needed cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) assistance during surgery and had a longer hospital stay than those with parietal thickening (52.8±21.8 vs. 34.9±13.8 days, P=0.049). Central venous pressure (CVP) was decreased in all patients after pericardiectomy (24.9±6.96 vs. 8.9±2.92 cmH2O, P<0.001), and the cardiac function improved significantly in patients with parietal thickening [New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade ≥ III accounted for 28.6% of patients]. The long-term survival rate of patients with parietal thickening was 92.3% and that of patients with visceral thickening was 57.1%, and there was no significant difference between them (P=0.056). Recurrent episodes of chest tightness, pleural effusion, and elevated CVP within 6 months after cardiac surgery should be considered highly suggestive of EPCP. There are few points of difference between pericarditis with thickening of the parietal and visceral layers. After failure of conservative medical treatment, pericardiectomy results in significant improvements in cardiac function and quality of life, especially in patients with thickening of the parietal layer.

Reversible total atrioventricular block in a very high-risk non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) during conservative treatment in a limited resource setting: a case report

Total atrioventricular (AV) block is the most common type of conduction disorder found in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which requires timely recognition and treatment. This case report aimed to present conservative medical treatment for managing total AV block (TAVB) in a very high-risk non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in a rural area. We reported a patient with TAVB in a very high-risk NSTEMI. The patient was hemodynamically unstable and needed immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Due to limited facilities and difficult access to immediate PCI, the patient was treated conservatively with the NSTEMI protocol. Epinephrine, as a β-adrenergic agonist, was administered to improve hemodynamic status. During conservative treatment, TAVB was converted into the first-degree AV block on the third day of intensive care. In a setting where revascularization strategies and pacemaker implantation are not feasible, administration of antithrombotic agents and β-adrenergic agonists can be considered to manage TAVB with NSTEMI with close monitoring.&#x0D;

External fistula internalization - Endoscopic ultrasound guided stent implantation between stomach and fistula in the treatment of refractory pancreatic cutaneous fistula.

Pancreatic cutaneous fistula is a complex condition, making it challenging to achieve favorable outcomes with conservative medical treatment. Surgical interventions often entail surgical risks and postoperative complications. Here, we present a case involving endoscopically guided stent placement between the stomach and the fistula. By internalizing the fistula, patients can potentially remove the external drainage tube, offering a novel endoscopic treatment approach for such cases.

The usefulness of traction-assisted endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary early tumors(with video)

Objective Endoscopic papillectomy(EP) is a minimally invasive treatment for early ampullary tumors. However, the optimal method is unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the efficacy and safety of traction-assisted EP treatments for ampullary early tumors. Methods We retrospective analyzed the patients with ampullary adenoma or early adenocarcinoma underwent endoscopic papillectomy between January 2010 and August 2023, including patient characteristics, lesion size, papilla type, pathological diagnosis and lesion surrounding conditions, en-bloc resection rate, complete resection rate, procedure time, complications, recurrences. Results During the study period, a total of 106 patients with ampullary adenoma or early adenocarcinoma underwent EP. The number of patients in traction group (clip combined with dental floss traction, CDT-EP) and non-traction group (hot snare papillectomy, HSP or endoscopic mucosal resection, EMR) were 45 and 61 respectively. The traction group has a higher en-bloc resection rate and complete resection rate than the non-traction group (92.86% vs. 68.85%, p = 0.003; 90.48% vs. 60.66%, p = 0.001), and the procedure time is slightly shorter[(1.57 ± 1.93)min vs. (1.98 ± 1.76)min, p = 0.039]. The complications and recurrence in the traction group were lower than those in the non-traction group (7.14% vs. 19.72%, p = 0.076; 7.14% vs. 11.78%, p = 0.466), and all complications were successfully treated by endoscopy or conservative medical treatment. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of patient characteristics, papilla type, pathological diagnosis and lesion surrounding conditions (p > 0.050), but there were differences in lesion size[(13 ± 1.09)mm vs. (11 ± 1.65)mm, p = 0.002]. The recurrence rate of the traction group is lower than that of the non-traction group, but the difference is not significant(7.14% vs. 13.11%, p = 0.335), and the non-traction group mainly has early recurrence. Further analysis shows that the size of the lesion, whether en-bloc resection or not, and the method of resection as independent risk factors for incomplete resection (OR = 1.732, p = 0.031; OR = 3.716, p = 0.049; OR = 2.120, p = 0.027). Conclusions CDT- EP, HSP and EMR are all suitable methods for the treatment of ampullary adenoma or early adenocarcinoma. Assisted traction technology can reduce the operation difficulty of large and difficult to expose lesions, thereby improving the efficacy and safety of EP.

Thoracic Aorta Artery - Endovascular Treatment

Trauma to the Thoracic Aorta is a common injury in patients with blunt chest trauma and polytrauma in general, its association with injuries in other territories adds significant morbidity and mortality. In those patients in whom this lesion is suspected, a Multislice Axial Tomography should be performed, with intravenous contrast. Its correct management and treatment constitute an emergency. Endovascular treatment is considered a valid option in these cases. Some lesions may be susceptible to conservative medical treatment.

Management of spinal cord injury patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction using minimally invasive and surgical therapies in Taiwan.

The main problems of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) consist of impaired urine storage, impaired bladder emptying, or both. The priorities in the management of SCI-NLUTD should be preservation of renal function, followed by freedom from urinary tract infections and improvement of quality of life. Management of NLUTD in patients with SCI must be based on urodynamic findings rather than clinical evaluations. In the hospital without urodynamic equipment, careful measurement of intravesical pressure and safety functional bladder capacity in conjunction with clinical assessment are also feasible. Identification of high-risk patients is important for preventing urological complications in patients with chronic SCI. The management of NLUTD should start with conservative bladder management and medical treatment. Patients with SCI should be regularly followed up, and any NLUTDs and urological complications should be adequately treated. When surgical intervention is necessary, less invasive and reversible procedures should be considered first, and any unnecessary surgery should be avoided. This article reports the current evidence and expert opinions on the patient-centered bladder management of NLUTD in chronic SCI patients in Taiwan. To avoid renal function deterioration and urological complications, annual active surveillance of bladder and renal function is mandatory, especially for high-risk SCI patients.

The Use of Methotrexate and Mifepristone for Treatment of Interstitial Pregnancies: An Overview of Effectiveness and Complications

Interstitial pregnancy is an unusual and potentially life-threatening form of ectopic pregnancy, accounting for approximately 1–6% of all ectopic pregnancies, with a maternal mortality rate of 2–2.5%. Implantation happens in the proximal portion of the fallopian tube as it passes through the myometrium. The resolution of interstitial pregnancy after medical treatment should be assessed by a decline in serum β-hCG, which occurs in about 85–90% of cases. Nonetheless, its effectiveness and consequences have been presented through case reports and case series. However, few cases of interstitial pregnancies treated totally medically with the use of methotrexate and mifepristone have been presented in the literature. Complications of this medical treatments have also never been reviewed before. In the present manuscript, we present a case of interstitial pregnancy treated with methotrexate and mifepristone. The patient after treatment developed a uterine arteriovenous malformation, treated with uterine artery embolization. Furthermore, we performed a systematic review of the literature using Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar. A total of 186 papers were found, and 7 papers which included 10 cases were assessed for eligibility. The systemic medical treatment with the use of methotrexate and mifepristone was effective in 7 of the 10 cases. Two cases of hemoperitoneum following combined methotrexate and mifepristone treatment were reported. The applicability of this medical conservative treatment should be tailored to the patient, taking into account their obstetric history, gestational age at diagnosis and desire for future pregnancies. Complete resolution after this treatment was achieved in most of the cases reported without major complications. The appearance of uterine arteriovenous malformation can be managed conservatively, and we propose uterine artery embolization as an effective treatment of this rare complication.

Endovascular thrombectomy for basilar-artery occlusion: A meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis

Background and purposeBasilar-artery occlusion (BAO) usually accounts for devastating neurologic sequelae, poor prognosis, and even death. While endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the most successful treatment for anterior circulation stroke with large vessel occlusion, its effectiveness in treating acute BAO is still debatable. Our aim is to compare the efficacy and safety between EVT and conservative medical treatment (CMT) in BAO. MethodsUp until May 2022, relevant literature was gathered using searches in Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library. The primary outcomes were defined as good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2) and favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–3) at 3 months between EVT and CMT groups. The secondary outcomes included mortality at 3 months, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and any ICH. ResultsEight studies involving 3733 patients with BAO were enrolled 2573 individuals underwent EVT, and the remaining 1160 patients received CMT. Compared with CMT, EVT achieved more favorable functional outcome (odds ratio (OR) 1.26, 95% CI 1.03–1.55, I2 = 54%, p = 0.05) in BAO. The good functional outcome showed a similar tendency (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.97–1.57, I2 = 63%, p = 0.02) as well. EVT decreased mortality at 3 months (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.70–0.93, I2 = 31 %, p = 0.19), although having a tendency to cause symptomatic ICH (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.38–6.18, I2 = 22 %, p = 0.27). ConclusionsEVT in BAO provides superior functional outcomes and less mortality compared with CMT. Even though EVT has the propensity to cause symptomatic ICH, EVT nevertheless improved posterior circulation stroke.

Results of a heart team assessment of aortic stenosis candidates for percutaneous valve replacement in an upper-middle-income country

Abstract Objectives To analyze the results of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) who were evaluated by a heart team (HT) over a period of 10 years in a center in our city. Methods We designed a retrospective cohort study including consecutive patients with AS who were potential candidates for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) between January 2012 and July 2021. Cases were discussed weekly by a HT consisting of at least one cardiovascular surgeon, one interventional cardiologist, one imaging specialist and one clinical cardiologist specializing in valve disease. The HT considered, among other things, the severity of AS, symptoms, surgical risk, suitability for the procedure, frailty using a 5-point scale, and access to high-cost technology. A final decision was made for all patients assessed, including TAVI, surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or conservative medical treatment (CMT). The proposed treatment and the implementation of the interventions were compared. Follow-up was by personal or telephone contact. Actuarial survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier curves) included only patients who adhered to HT recommendations. Cox regression was used to identify predictors of survival. Results Of the 841 patients included in the study, 455 (53%) were assigned to TAVI (85% implanted), 213 (24%) to SAVR (86% operated) and 183 (23%) to CMT. The percentage of patients undergoing TAVI increased from 48 to 65% (p&amp;lt;0.05) over the last 4 years. Patients undergoing TAVI were slightly older (86±7 vs 83±7 years), with higher EUROSCORE II (6.2, 95%CI 5.7-6.6 vs 5.6, 95%CI 4.4-6.5) and frailer (1.62±1 vs 0.94±1, p&amp;lt;0.01) compared to SAVR. CMT patients were similar to TAVI patients, but frailer (1.74±1) and with a larger aortic valve area (0.70 cm2, 95%CI:0.5-0.8 vs. 0.65, 95%CI: 0.5-0.8). Survival at 1 year was 88% (95%CI: 84-91) for TAVI, 83% (95%CI: 76-88) for SAVR and 70% (95%CI: 60-87) for CMT. At 2 years, survival was 82% (95%CI: 77-86) for TAVI, 78% (95%CI: 70-84) for SAVR and 59% (95%CI: 48-68) for CMT (p&amp;lt;0.001). Significant independent predictors of actuarial mortality were CMT (HR 1.99), age (HR 1.04), left ventricular ejection fraction (HR:0.98), diabetes (HR:1.52) and renal impairment (1.58). Conclusions Ten years after the establishment of an aortic stenosis heart team in an upper-middle-income country, approximately half of patients have undergone transcatheter aortic valve replacement allocation, and this percentage has increased over time despite economic constraints. The remaining patients were equally divided between surgical and medical management. Survival was similar at two years in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement or surgical aortic valve replacement, suggesting that the heart team made an appropriate recommendation. Conservative medical management was an independent predictor of higher mortality.interv 1=TAVI Interv 2=SAVR interv 3=CMT

Effect of Adding Physiotherapy Program to the Conservative Medical Therapy on Quality of Life and Pain in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients.

: To assess the effectiveness of combining physiotherapy techniques with conservative medical treatment in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients. : Sixty-eight volunteers with CRS were randomly assigned. Group A received only traditional medical treatment, whereas group B received a physiotherapy program that included pulsed ultrasound therapy, sinus manual drainage techniques, and self-sinus massage technique in addition to traditional medical treatment. Interventions were applied 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks. The rhinosinusitis disability index (RSDI) served as the main outcome indicator for assessing the quality of life, and the secondary outcome measure was the pressure pain threshold (PPT) using a pressure algometer. : Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed a significant reduction (p<0.001) in total RSDI values from 71.08±1.13 pretest to 47.14±1.15 posttest for group A, while it decreased from 70.64±1.20 pretreatment to 31.76±1.04 posttreatment for group B; furthermore, Mann-Whitney U-test revealed a significant difference (p<0.001) in total RSDI values between both groups when comparing the change of the pre-post data values, it was 23.94±0.95 for group A and 38.88±0.67 for group B. The independent t-test revealed a highly statistically significant increase (p<0.001) in the PPT values in the experimental group compared to the control group. : The physiotherapy program which included pulsed ultrasound therapy, sinus manual drainage technique, and self-sinus massage technique in conjunction with conventional medical treatment was more beneficial for enhancing the quality of life and PPT than traditional medical treatment alone in CRS patients.