Background The use of ventricular assist devices (VADs) has become predominant in this era of medicine. It is commonly used as a bridge to transplant, recovery and as a destination therapy for patients with severe heart failure, who are not responsive to maximum optimal management or ineligible for transplant. However, several complications are known to occur with the use of these devices. In this research, we will compare gastrointestinal bleeding in patients who used centrifugal flow versus axial flow VADs. We hope that the result of this meta-analysis and the review presented provide adequate information to future researchers, physicians and other healthcare professionals who are interested in this topic. Methods Published articles evaluated for inclusion were obtained from MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane, EBSCO, clinicaltrials.gov, and international clinical trials registry. This research was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Procured articles were reviewed by two independent reviewers. Only randomized control trials and observational studies were used. Quality assessment was done with Cochrane Collaboration’s tool (RoB.2 with visualization through robviz) and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Data analysis was carried out with the use of R data analysis tool (version 4.0.0; release date: April 24th, 2020). Results At the end of this meta-analysis, the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding was not significantly different between both groups; with odds ratio (OR): 0.81; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65 - 1.00; P value = 0.05. Between-study variance (Tau-squared) was zero (0), standard error (SE) = 0.06. The degree of heterogeneity measured with I-squared statistic was 0% (minimal). Egger’s regression test was not statistically significant, P = 0.93. Symmetry of distribution was observed on the funnel plot. Trim and fill analysis showed no missing studies on the left; SE = 1.68. Conclusions The result obtained from this research indicates that the occurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding is not significantly different in both groups of patients, irrespective of the type of continuous flow VAD used. Although, the study sample used in this meta-analysis was limited.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an idiosyncratic phenomenon by which a spontaneous separation of the intimal and medial layer in the coronary artery occurs with intramural hemorrhage in the absence of trauma. This intramural hematoma, in turn, leads to compression and occlusion of the arterial lumen. Unlike traumatic dissection of coronary arteries, more than half of SCAD heals spontaneously over time. SCAD is known to occur predominantly in women under the age of 50, particularly during pregnancy or peripartum period. Herein, we present a case of a 32-year-old man with an SCAD on the left anterior descending coronary artery. The discordance between clinical presentation and angiographic finding posed a unique challenge in therapeutic decision making. This case reminds clinicians that SCAD should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis even for young men presenting with acute chest pain.

In spite of the continuing efforts of researchers and practitioners, the mortality rate for acute type A aortic dissection remains relatively high at about 20-50%. Conventional risk factors associated with acute type A aortic dissection include a family history or prior history of aortic disease, connective tissue disease, smoking, alcohol use, substance abuse, diabetes mellitus type II, and age of 40 or greater. With the growing awareness for fitness in our society, vigorous exercise is emerging as a novel risk factor for acute type A Aortic dissection. Herein, we present a non-trauma related acute type A aortic dissection secondary to weight-lifting in a young man. We also reviewed several articles in order to provide a comprehensive literature overview for readers, clinicians and future researchers. Case Report A 45-year-old man who was otherwise healthy presented to the Emergency Department after having a "popping" sensation in his chest while weight-lifting with an 80-lbs (36.3 kg) dumbbell at a gym. He is an avid weight-lifter. This chest discomfort was immediately followed by a sensation of electric shock from his chest down to his legs and a transient loss of bilateral vision. He then developed an acute episode of lightheadedness, diaphoresis, throbbing headache, and a heavy-pressure in his neck, chest, and back. He denied any recent trauma or injury. He denied the use of tobacco, recreational drugs, or anabolic steroid. He denied the history of connective tissue diseases or cardiovascular diseases. He was hypotensive with blood pressure of 99/45 mmHg. However other vital signs were within the normal limit: a temperature of 98.2 °F, a heart rate of 74/min, and a respiration rate of 15/min, an oxygen saturation of 97% at room air. His physical examination was remarkable for diminished pulses on his right upper and lower extremities. He did not have any marfanoid traits, such as tall stature, elongated face, or dolichostenomelia. His height and weight measured at the time of admission were 181cm and 95.7kg respectively (BMI 29.2).

Tropical diabetic hand syndrome (THDS) is an acute complication that mainly affects patients with diabetes living in the tropics. The cause is usually unknown, but it is often preceded by minor trauma to the hand. Other risk factors for TDHS are poor glycaemic control, poorly treated wounds, malnutrition, and diabetic neuropathy. Early signs include swelling and ulceration of the hand. It can rapidly progress to sepsis and may further worsen, leading to deformity, disability, and amputation. If not treated promptly, death may occur. Unlike diabetic foot ulcer, TDHS often goes unreported. Here is a case of a 39-year-old female and a known patient with diabetes who presented to the outpatient department with swelling and tenderness of the left hand, along with foul-smelling purulent discharge. It began after the patient peeled off a patch of scaly, thickened skin over the distal part of their middle finger. Investigations showed high blood sugar and slightly increased leukocyte count. The patient was started on antihyperglycaemic medications and intravenous antibiotics. Urgent surgical debridement was done, which led to amputation of the middle finger. Thereafter, the patient showed significant improvement and was discharged with follow-up instructions. This case report emphasises the importance of timely intervention in cases of tropical diabetic hand syndrome, and the need for adequate patient education on this issue.

Objective: Utilization of pharmacogenomics data in clinical practice is a critical step towards individual and precision medicine. This is a cross-sectional study conducted by incorporating several variables as outlined in the survey report to assess and analyze the reasons or behaviors that could influence clinicians to use or not use pharmacogenomics. Methods: In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional quantitative survey among primary physicians practicing in Kettering Health Network facilities. 1,201 invitations were sent out and 135 Physicians participated in the survey. Physicians were requested by email to participate in a survey containing 14 multiple choice questions regarding their understanding and beliefs regarding pharmacogenomics, as well as questions about specific professional details which were intended to explore how physician characteristics affected familiarity, and comfort and confidence in using pharmacogenomics data in patient care. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (standard version 25) was used for statistical analysis and consent was obtained from all study participants through the survey link. Results: The ratings of the familiarly, comfort, and confidence with pharmacogenetics were highly intercorrelated (r = 0.81-0.87).  Accordingly, we summed the three ratings to form a composite score of the three items; hereafter referred to as “scale scores”.  Possible scores ranged from 5 to 15, whereas actual scores ranged from 3 to 15 (Mean = 6.32, SD = 3.12). Scale scores were not statistically significantly correlated with age (r = 0.12, p < 0.17) or number of years in practice (r = 0.11, p < 0.22), and were only weakly (inversely) correlated with number of hours spent in patient care each week (r = -0.17, p < 0.05). Conclusion: In our study, physicians who had some education in the field of pharmacogenomics were more likely to use pharmacogenomics data in clinical practice. We have further characterized that continuing medical education (CME), more than medical education or residency training significantly predicts familiarity, confidence, or comfort in using pharmacogenomics data. Therefore, pharmacogenomics should be integrated in the CME for practicing clinicians as well as graduate medical education.