Our study identified an association between vitamin D deficiency and RLS. Consequently, vitamin D deficiency should be considered in the management of RLS. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the causality relationship between vitamin D level and RLS.

BackgroundTransient ischemic dilatation (TID) of the left ventricle is a potential marker of high risk obstructive coronary artery disease on stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). There is, however, interstudy variation in the diagnostic performance of TID for identification of severe and extensive coronary disease anatomy, and varied prognostic implications in the published literature.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE databases for studies where TID was compared with invasive or CT coronary angiography for evaluation of coronary artery stenosis. Two reviewers independently evaluated and abstracted data from each study. A bivariate random effects model was used to derive pooled sensitivities and specificities, in order to account for correlation between TID in MPI and anatomic disease severity.ResultsA total of 525 articles were reviewed, of which 51 met inclusion criteria. Thirty-one studies contributed to the analysis, representing a total of 2037 patients in the diagnostic meta-analysis and 9003 patients in the review of prognosis. The ratio above which TID was deemed present ranged from 1.13 to 1.38. Pooled sensitivity was 44% (95% CI 30%-60%) and specificity was 88% (95% CI 83%-92%) for the detection of extensive or severe anatomic coronary artery disease. Analysis of outcome data demonstrated increased cardiac event rates in patients with TID and an abnormal MPI. In otherwise normal perfusion, TID is an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with diabetes and/or a history of coronary disease.ConclusionsAmong patients undergoing MPI, the presence of TID is specific for the detection of extensive or severe coronary artery disease.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12350-017-1040-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Objectives:Data reflecting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts in Saudi Arabia are limited. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics, and estimated the outcome, of in-hospital CPR in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia over 4 years.Methods:A retrospective, observational study was conducted between January 2009 and December 2012 and included 4361 patients with sudden cardiopulmonary arrest. Resuscitation forms were reviewed. Demographic data, resuscitation characteristics, and survival outcomes were recorded.Results:The mean ± standard deviation age of arrested patient was 40 ± 31 years. The immediate survival rate was 64%, 43% at 24 h, and 30% at discharge. The death rate was 70%. Respiratory type of arrest, time and place of arrest, short duration of arrest, witnessed arrest, the use of epinephrine and atropine boluses, and shockable arrhythmias were associated with higher 24-h survival rates. A low survival rate was found among patients with cardiac types of arrest, and those with a longer duration of arrest, pulseless electrical activity, and asystole. Comorbidities were present in 3786 patients with cardiac arrest and contributed to a poor survival rate (P < 0.001).Conclusions:The study confirms the findings of previously published studies in highly developed countries and provides some reflection on the practice of resuscitation in Saudi Arabia.

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impact on health care worldwide which has led to a reduction in all elective admissions and management of patients through virtual care. The purpose of this study is to assess changes in STEMI volumes, door to reperfusion, and the time from the onset of symptoms until reperfusion therapy, and in-hospital events between the pre-COVID-19 (PC) and after COVID-19 (AC) period. All acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) cases were retrospectively identified from 16 centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 period from January 01 to April 30, 2020. These cases were compared to a pre-COVID period from January 01 to April 30, 2018 and 2019. One thousand seven hundred and eighty-five patients with a mean age 56.3 (SD ± 12.4) years, 88.3% were male. During COVID-19 Pandemic the total STEMI volumes was reduced (28%, n = 500), STEMI volumes for those treated with reperfusion therapy was reduced too (27.6%, n = 450). Door to balloon time < 90 minutes was achieved in (73.1%, no = 307) during 2020. Timing from the onset of symptoms to the balloon of more than 12 hours was higher during 2020 comparing to pre-COVID 19 years (17.2% vs <3%, respectively). There were no differences between the AC and PC period with respect to in-hospital events and the length of hospital stay. There was a reduction in the STEMI volumes during 2020. Our data reflected the standard of care for STEMI patients continued during the COVID-19 pandemic while demonstrating patients delayed presenting to the hospital.

Implementing cardiac CT in assessing patients suspected of cardioembolic stroke added value to echocardiographic evaluation, by detecting major embolic potential findings. In addition, cardiac CT revealed additional potentially significant stroke-unrelated findings and CAD.