Background and Purpose: Antiplatelet therapy is key for preventing thrombotic events after transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke. Although the role of aspirin is well established, there is emerging evidence for the role of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in preventing recurrent stroke. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and study-level meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials comparing outcomes of early initiation of short-term DAPT (aspirin+P2Y12 inhibitor for up to 3 months) versus aspirin alone in patients with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack. Primary efficacy outcome was risk of recurrent stroke and primary safety outcome was incidence of major bleeding. Secondary outcomes studied were risk of any ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, major adverse cardiovascular events, and all-cause death. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and CIs were calculated using a random-effects model. Results: Four trials with a total of 21 459 patients were included. As compared to aspirin alone, DAPT had a lower risk of recurrent stroke (RR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.68–0.83]; P <0.001; I 2 = 0%) but a higher risk of major bleeding events (RR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.14–4.34], P =0.02, I 2 = 46.5%). Patients receiving DAPT had a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (RR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.69–0.84], P <0.001, I 2 = 0%) and recurrent ischemic events (RR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.67–0.82], P <0.001, I 2 = 0%). Conclusions: As compared to aspirin alone, short-term DAPT within 24 hours of high-risk transient ischemic attack or mild-moderate ischemic stroke reduces the risk of recurrent stroke at the expense of higher risk of major bleeding.

While research is still ongoing, no single technique has emerged as the modality of choice to reliably predict pCR in all patients. Studies investigating the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of these modalities have had promising results, but no single modality has been firmly validated as the modality if choice. The emergence of functional imaging techniques and the use of biomarkers are newer developments which need further evaluation before adoption in routine clinical practice. While no single technique reliably predicts pCR, a combination of imaging and diagnostic modalities (endoscopic appearance, biopsy, EUS, and PET/CT) may provide a better diagnostic yield rather than any of these modalities taken alone.

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Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a rare and life-threatening complication of both solid organ transplantation and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In most cases, PTLD develops in Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-seropositive individuals in the setting of chronic immunosuppression and decreased T-cell surveillance. Clinical manifestations of PTLD may be nonspecific, resembling primary EBV infection (fever, night sweats, malaise, and cervical lymphadenopathy), or it can involve the central nervous system, bone marrow, kidneys, liver, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal symptoms in the posttransplant setting may indicate underlying PTLD, and it is important for physicians to be able to recognize its appearance on endoscopy.

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