Background: Midlines are peripheral vascular devices inserted in the veins of the upper extremity with the tip located at or below the axillary vein. Greater appreciation of complications associated with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) and the diffusion of catheter appropriateness criteria has led to expanded use of these devices. However, single center studies comparing [...]

Background: SGLT-2 inhibitors are one of the emerging drugs in heart failure. Several meta-analyses prove its effect in reducing the composite outcome of cardiovascular death/hospitalization for heart failure but it is unknown if they contain all the primary studies hence a need for a pooled analysis Methods: We performed an umbrella analysis and used the [...]

Background: Data on epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) are limited. In this study, we assess the prevalence of CVD in patients with ADPKD and evaluate the association between these two entities. Methods: Using the national inpatient sample database, we identified 71,531 hospitalizations among adults aged ≥18 [...]

Background: Transcatheter tricuspid valve procedures (TTVP) are used to manage tricuspid regurgitation, however these procedures are less common than other transcatheter valve procedures. Limited literature on TTVP exists, especially with regards to predictors of major outcomes. Atrial fibrillation (afib) is associated with increased mortality, stroke, cardiogenic shock, need for permanent pacemaker, AKI, major bleeding in [...]

Background: While use of technologies such as ultrasound and electrocardiographic (EKG) guidance systems to place peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) has grown, little is known about the setting, experience or practice of providers that use these tools. Methods: Using data from the PICC1 survey of vascular access specialists, we identified technology-users from non-users. We defined [...]

Background: Multi-lumen (ML) peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are associated with increased risk of central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI), venous thromboembolism (VTE) and increased cost compared to single lumen (SL) PICCs. Current guidelines recommend minimizing the number of PICC lumens. However, there is a paucity of literature to guide the selection of SL [...]

Background: The role of aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular events remains controversial, Especially in diabetic patients. We have conducted a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aspirin for primary prevention in diabetic patients. Methods: Literature search of Pubmed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library and Clinicaltrials.gov for related RCTs [...]

Background: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) has been associated with incident cardiovascular events and mortality in observational studies, but the results have not been consistent. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigate the association of baseline RVO with subsequent development of cardiovascular events and mortality. Methods: Eligible English-language peer-viewed cohort studies in PUBMED and EMBASE [...]

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are routinely placed in hospitalized patients who are receiving long-term IV antibiotics or who have poor venous access. In our hospital, 1 in 12 patients on the Medicine service receives a PICC line at some point during a hospitalization. 35% of all hospital-acquired venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) on the Medicine [...]

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are associated with central vein stenosis and failure to establish a functioning arteriovenous fistula. Thus, guidelines recommend avoiding PICC placement when patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are likely to require hemodialysis. We sought to describe the current practice of PICC placement in hospitalized patients with an estimated glomerular [...]