INTRODUCTION There are concerns that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may worsen the outcomes of patients with COVID-19. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to study the in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients who were on ACEIs/ARBs as compared to those not on ACEIs/ARBs. METHODS We searched PubMed, EMBASE, clinicaltrials.gov and Google Scholar between 1 January 2020 and 30 May 2020 to identify all studies that evaluated the use of ACEIs/ARBs and reported the in-hospital mortality outcomes of COVID-19 patients. Nine non-randomised studies were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. The primary outcome studied was the in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients who were on ACEIs/ARBs compared with those not on ACEIs/ARBs. RESULTS Of the 8,313 patients in the nine studies, 7,622 (91.7%) were from studies with all-comers, while 691 (8.3%) were from studies involving only patients with hypertension. 577 (14.6%) in-hospital deaths were observed out of a total of 3,949 patients with an outcome in the nine studies. Overall, no significant difference was observed in the in-hospital mortality between patients on ACEIs/ARBs and those not on ACEIs/ARBs (odds ratio [OR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75–1.50; p = 0.73). Further sensitivity analysis in the hypertension group and the all-comers group showed similar results (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.58–1.32; p = 0.53 and OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.00–3.43; p = 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION We observed that ACEIs/ARBs had no significant impact on the in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients and can be used safely in patients with indications.

Our results suggest that surgical management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax can be undertaken with minimal morbidity and mortality. With the increasing use of video-assisted thoracic surgery, definitive surgical management of spontaneous hemopneumothorax can be instituted earlier.

Aims Conduction system pacing has gained steady interest over recent years. While the majority of tools and delivery techniques were developed for His bundle pacing (HBP), the feasibility and reproducibility of using these similar tools for left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has yet to be determined. We describe our technique for performing LBBP using the Abbott Agilis HisPro™ Steerable Catheter. Methods and results A series of 22 patients with a mean age of 71.7 years (16 males, 72.7%), underwent LBBP procedure with this catheter between May and October 2021. Nineteen patients (86%) had successful LBBP lead implantation. There were no major complications or mortality. Conclusion The Agilis HisPro™ catheter along with the stylet driven Tendril STS Model 2088TC lead is a safe and feasible delivery system for LBBP.

The transradial approach for coronary angiography and intervention is the preferred approach because of its superior safety profile as compared to the transfemoral approach. However, like all procedures, transradial approach is not free from complications. In this case, we describe a unique case of a large symptomatic radial artery pseudoaneurysm requiring urgent surgical intervention. The pseudoaneurysm developed after treatment with a short duration of subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin for radial artery occlusion that occurred a day after transradial coronary catheterization. The pseudoaneurysm was repaired successfully and there was no recurrence during subsequent follow-up. Access-related complications post transradial approach are generally uncommon and this is the first reported case of radial artery occlusion further complicated by a large pseudoaneurysm to the best of our knowledge. Preventive measures are crucial in reducing radial artery occlusion while we recommend an individualized approach based on clinical history coupled with anatomic features of pseudoaneurysm in managing radial artery pseudoaneurysm. hLearning objective: Access-related complications post transradial approach coronary angiography, while rare, can still occur. Preventive measures as well as close monitoring post angiography are crucial in the prevention as well as early detection of access-related complications. Management of radial artery pseudoaneurysm should be individualized based on clinical context as well as anatomic characteristics of the pseudoaneurysm.i

Background. Conventional flexible bronchoscopy has limited sensitivity in the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions and is dependent on lesion size. However, advancement of CT imaging offers multiplanar reconstruction facilitating enhanced preprocedure planning. This study aims to report efficacy and safety while considering the impact of patient selection and multiplanar CT planning. Method. Prospective case series of patients with peripheral lung lesions suspected of having lung cancer who underwent flexible bronchoscopy (forceps biopsy and lavage). Endobronchial lesions were excluded. Patients with negative results underwent CT-guided transthoracic needle aspiration, surgical biopsy, or clinical-radiological surveillance to establish the final diagnosis. Results. 226 patients were analysed. The diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy was 80.1% (181/226) with a sensitivity of 84.2% and specificity of 100%. In patients with a positive CT-Bronchus sign, the diagnostic yield was 82.4% compared to 72.8% with negative CT-Bronchus sign (p = 0.116). Diagnostic yield was 84.9% in lesions > 20 mm and 63.0% in lesions ≤ 20 mm (p = 0.001). Six (2.7%) patients had transient hypoxia and 2 (0.9%) had pneumothorax. There were no serious adverse events. Conclusion. Flexible bronchoscopy with appropriate patient selection and preprocedure planning is more efficacious in obtaining a diagnosis in peripheral lung lesions compared to historical data. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01374542.