Intravenous thrombolysis as an adjunct to endovascular thrombectomy in acute basilar artery occlusion: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis.

Acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is a rare but devastating type of ischemic stroke that significantly impacts outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining IVT with EVT (EVT + IVT) versus EVT alone in treating acute BAO, focusing on functional independence, mortality, reperfusion success, and hemorrhagic and procedural complications. We conducted a comprehensive search up to May 2025.

Extended reduced versus full-dose treatment with factor Xa inhibitors in patients with venous thromboembolism: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), comprising deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a leading cause of cardiovascular-related death. Anticoagulation therapy is effective in preventing recurrence but poses a risk of bleeding. Reduced-dose factor Xa inhibitors (FXI) have been proposed as a long-term strategy to balance efficacy and safety.

Prognostic value of cerebral venous outflow profiles for outcomes prediction following reperfusion therapy in acute ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that favorable venous outflow (VO) may be a promising imaging biomarker to predict clinical outcomes following reperfusion therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO).

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, WOS, and Cochrane to identify studies that evaluated VO profiles, assessed using the Cortical Vein Opacification Score (COVES). The risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the outcomes, including functional independence, assessed by modified rankin scale at 90 days (mRS 0-2), hemorrhagic infarction, parenchymal hematoma, 90-day mortality, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and symptomatic ICH (sICH), were calculated and analyzed using the 'meta' package in R version 4.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with or without PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in locally advanced rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) represents a pivotal stage of rectal cancer where it is possible to completely cure the cancer before its systemic spread, thus often requiring an aggressive multimodal therapy. Recent trials suggest that programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) may improve treatment outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors when integrated into neoadjuvant CRT regimens for LARC patients.

Evaluating the risks and benefits of continuing withholding renin-angiotensin system inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

Background: The best perioperative management of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery has been an ongoing debate as a result of inconclusive previous studies and insufficient data for robust guidelines. Although continuation of RASi may lead to intraoperative hypotension, withholding might also cause postoperative complications. Our meta-analysis aims to explore the postoperative outcomes of strategies of RASi management before surgery by evaluating randomised clinical trials, to provide more definitive conclusions for clinical practice.

Trends and Disparities in Heart Failure Mortality Among Hypertensive Older Adults in the United States: A 22-Year Retrospective Study.

Hypertension (HTN) is a significant risk factor for heart failure (HF), and both significantly contribute to cardiovascular mortality. This study aims to examine trends and disparities in HF-related mortality among hypertensive older adults (≥65 years) in the United States from 1999 to 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC-WONDER) database data were analyzed, focusing on HTN as the underlying cause and HF as the contributing cause of death.

Comparing fondaparinux and low molecular weight heparin for thromboprophylaxis after hip and knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a significant cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality despite the availability of prophylactic medications. There has been a debate about which thromboprophylaxis medication, Fondaparinux or low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH), is better after hip and knee arthroplasty. We have compared these two treatment regimens in our study.

The impact of intraosseous vs intravenous vascular access during resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a known cause of mortality worldwide, especially in Western countries. One of the various treatment strategies includes vascular access for the administration of life-saving drugs such as epinephrine and lidocaine. While intravenous (IV) access is traditionally performed, recent studies have evaluated the use of intraosseous (IO) access as an alternative.

Trends and Disparities in Prostate Cancer Mortality in the United States (1999-2020).

Background: Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men in the United States. Over the past two decades, the observed decline in prostate cancer mortality can be attributed to advancements in screening, early detection, and treatment. However, persistent disparities related to race, geography, and age highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve outcomes.