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Background The efficacy of lipid-lowering agents on patient-important outcomes in older individuals is unclear. Methods We included randomized trials that enrolled individuals aged 65 years or older and that included at least 1 year of follow-up. Pairs of reviewers selected and appraised the trials. Results We included 23 trials that enrolled 60,194 elderly patients. For primary prevention, statins reduced the risk of coronary artery disease [CAD; relative risk (RR): 0.79, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.91] and myocardial infarction (MI; RR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.66) but not all-cause or cardiovascular mortality or stroke. These effects were imprecise in patients with diabetes, but there was no significant interaction between diabetes status and the intervention effect. For secondary prevention, statins reduced all-cause mortality (RR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.89), cardiovascular mortality (RR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.79), CAD (RR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.77), MI (RR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.59 to 0.79), and revascularization (RR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.77). Intensive (vs less-intensive) statin therapy reduced the risk of CAD and heart failure. Niacin did not reduce the risk of revascularization, and fibrates did not reduce the risk of stroke, cardiovascular mortality, or CAD. Conclusion High-certainty evidence supports statin use for secondary prevention in older individuals. Evidence for primary prevention is less certain. Data in older individuals with diabetes are limited; however, no empirical evidence has shown a significant difference based on diabetes status.

This systematic review and meta‐analysis sought to summarize the available evidence on the use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with Native Aortic Valve Regurgitation (NAVR) and compare outcomes between first and second generation valves. Owing to the improvements in transcatheter heart valve design and procedural success, TAVR has become increasingly performed in broader aortic valve pathologies. We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus databases from 2007 to 2018 and performed a systematic review on reports with at least 10 patients with aortic valve regurgitation undergoing TAVR procedure. The main outcome of interest was all‐cause mortality at 30 days. A total of 638 patients across 12 studies were included. Mean age ranged from 68 to 84. Society of Thoracic Surgeons score ranged from 5.4% to 13.1% and Logistic EuroSCORE ranged from 18.2% to 33%. The incidence rate of all‐cause mortality at 30 days was found to be 11% (95% CI 7%‐16%; I2 = 20.86%). All‐cause mortality at 30 days for first generation valves had an incidence rate of 15% (95% CI 10%‐20%; I2 = 10%) compared to 7% (95% CI 3%‐13%; I2 = 37%) in second generation valves with subgroup interaction analysis P = 0.059. Device success incidence rate in second generation valves was 92% (95% CI 83%‐99%; I2 = 67%) vs 68% (95% CI 59%‐77%; I2 = 53%) in first generation valves with P = 0.001. TAVR appears to be a feasible treatment choice for NAVR patients at high risk for surgical valve replacement. Second generation valves show promising results in terms of short‐term outcomes.

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Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked disorder, described as a clinical triad of microthrombocytopenia, eczema and recurrent infections. Different mutations in WAS gene have been identified, resulting in various phenotypes and a broad range of disease severity, ranging from classic WAS to X-linked thrombocytopenia and X-linked neutropenia. WAS in some cases can be fatal without haematopoietic stem cell transplantation early in life. In this particular case, we present a novel mutation with a unique presentation. An 18-year-old man incidentally found to have macrothrombocytopenia and neutropenia at 16 years of age later found to be hemizygous for c. 869T>C (p.Ile290Thr) mutation in WAS gene. The late presentation, absence of other manifestations of WAS and presence of macrothrombocytopenia, rather than microthrombocytopenia, which is usually a characteristic finding in WAS, misled the initial diagnosis. On review of literature, this mutation has not been reported as causing WAS.

Kounis syndrome defined as the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome in the setting of allergic reaction due to mast cells activation and inflammatory mediators release that induces coronary vasospasm, plaque erosion, or even stent thrombosis. A 25-year-old postpartum female with asthma and recurrent episodes of chest pain was admitted with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in the setting of coronary artery spasms. The patient was started on calcium channel blockers and nitrite-based medication with no improvement. She was noted to have eosinophilia and initiation of corticosteroid-based regimen lead to resolution of chest pain episodes and normalization of eosinophilia. Kounis syndrome should be considered in young patients with chest pain. Coronary vasodilators are considered as the first-line of treatment. The use of corticosteroids has been described in the literature in severe or refractory cases.

Traditionally, stoma creation and end stoma reversal have been performed via a laparotomy incision. However, in many situations, stoma construction may be safely performed in a minimally invasive nature. This may include a trephine, laparoscopic, or combined approach. Furthermore, Hartmann's colostomy reversal, a procedure traditionally associated with substantial morbidity, may also be performed laparoscopically. The authors briefly review patient selection, preparation, and indications, and focus primarily on surgical techniques and results of minimally invasive stoma creation and Hartmann's reversal.